Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- A tribute was held for the late celebrity bridal designer Amsale Aberra at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City.



The designer, who's dressed brides such as Jessica Alba, Ayesha Curry and Hilaria Baldwin, passed away last week, succumbing to uterine cancer. She was 64.



For more than 30 years, her classic designs appealed to brides who appreciated quality over swarms of tulle, who desired a timeless design over the latest bridal fad. On Friday, succeeding design director Margo Lafontaine delivered what brides have come to expect.



After the Nouvelle Amsale collection brought tons of affordable silk bridal gowns down the runway, her eponymous collection impressed. The more upscale spring 2019 collection, which includes Amsale Blue Label, featured Chantilly lace, oversized bows perfect for any bride wanting to make a statement from behind and Amsale's signature, illusion.



As the show ended, a tribute video played, featuring Aberra's career highlights, including her appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Then, the music cut off for a moment of silence.



Then the final dress, which was Aberra's very first design in 1990, gracefully marched down the catwalk. The floor-length duchess satin column gown, featuring a sheer illusion neckline, was paired with long silk gloves. And the back of the dress had added drama thanks to a pleated train, with hand-rolled satin rosettes.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the implementation of the results reached at their first political consultation which was held in 2015. The two sides agreed that the two Foreign Ministries should promote their role in encouraging the relevant ministries and sectors to effectively implement cooperation agreements in all fields.

Both sides stressed the importance of increasing the regularity of bilateral and multilateral meetings and exchanges of delegations, especially people-to-people exchanges, while agreeing to accelerate the organisation of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation in 2018.

In order to enhance economic, trade, and investment relations, the two sides agreed to promote a meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on Trade in 2018 to work out practical and flexible measures to reach their bilateral revenue target of US$1 billion by 2020.

Pakistan welcomed the traditional Vietnamese commodities such as tea, pepper, and basa fish while wishing to expand cooperation with Vietnam in other potential areas.

In addition, Vietnam and Pakistan agreed to continue fostering cooperation in potential sectors such as agriculture, culture-sports and tourism, information and communications, exchanges of scholars, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides appreciated the close bilateral cooperation and mutual support at regional and international forums.

The second political consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan was a success and the two sides agreed to hold their third political consultation in Hanoi in 2019.
Three Myanmarese nationals were apprehended at the Imphal airport in Manipur for allegedly furnishing fake Indian IDs, officials said today.

An Aadhaar card was also found on them, they added.

The incident took place yesterday when two women -- Dimkhawlnuam and Donlunching -- and a man, identified as Sianmuankham, arrived at a departure gate of the airport at about 11 am to board a flight to Bengaluru, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson said.

The officer on duty found three driving licences, furnished by them as proof of identity, suspicious and detained them for questioning, he said.

"They told us that they had the fake driving licences prepared in Manipur's Churachandpur district to use it to travel to Bengaluru. An Aadhaar card in the name of Dimkhawlnuam was also found in their luggage," the spokesperson said.

The accused were not allowed to board the flight and handed over to the local police, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Top Army commanders will review the regional security architecture and deliberate on key challenges facing the nation, particularly along the borders with China and Pakistan, at a six-day-long conference beginning here tomorrow.

Army officials said the conference, to be chaired by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, will also deliberate on "specific issues" relating to various frontline formations and explore ways to speed up infrastructure development along the border with China.

There will be detailed discussions about the situation along the borders with China and Pakistan, they said.

"Important issues that are likely to be discussed are the management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries," Army PRO Col Aman Anand said.

He said other issues like infrastructure development for capacity enhancement along the northern borders, review of strategic railway lines, optimisation of limited budget to ensure making up of critical deficiency in ammunition.

Officials said a major focus of the conference will be to bolster the Army's overall operational preparedness along the nearly 4,000 km long border with China.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28.

Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

Col Anand said issues relating to projects being implemented by the Border Road Organisation as well as matters relevant to welfare of troops will be discussed in detail.

The Army Commanders' Conference is held biannually for important policy decisions.

Officials said the conference will discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

There will be subject-specific deliberations during the last three days of the conference which is also likely to discuss the implementation of the modernisation process in the Army.
About 75 per cent of the nearly 11 lakh students who skipped this year's Uttar Pradesh board examinations were from neighbouring states, and some of them were even from foreign countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, state's Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma has said.

The startling fact came to the fore when details of those who skipped the examinations were analysed by the department, Sharma, who also holds the portfolio, told PTI in an interview.

The state board exams were in earlier this year as a large number of students did not turn up due to "strictness" and effective use of a special task force and local intelligence by the government to keep a tab on the cheating mafia.

"We have come to know that about 75 per cent of those who skipped the examinations were from neighbouring states. Also candidates from countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among them," Sharma said.

He said the state government took the help of the Special Task Force (STF) and local intelligence to curb the activities of the copying mafia with an aim to "continue with our motto of ensuring sanctity of the examinations".

"The copying mafia used to take contracts guaranteeing success in class 10 and 12 state board examinations. Impersonators were made to appear in the examination in place of real candidates and centres were earmarked where copying could be facilitated easily," he said.

The government had also decided, Sharma said, to install CCTV cameras at all examination centres to keep a hawk-eye vigil on the activities going on there.

"However, installation of cameras in over 10,000 schools would have cost over Rs 400 crore and the state did not have that budget. So, we decided that only schools having CCTV cameras, boundary walls and other relevant facilities will be used as exam centres," he said.

"I personally monitored the examinations and as soon as I got any input, I shared it with the STF and immediate action was taken," he said.

He said the government had studied all possible unfair ways and means that could be resorted to by students during the examination.

"Those impersonating others or involved in replacing answer sheets before they reached evaluation centres were not able to do so due to these effective measures," said Sharma.

The UP board examination for class 10 and class 12 were held between February 6 and March 12. A total of 66,37,018 students had registered themselves for this year's exam 36,55,691 for class 10 and 29,81,327 for class 12.

In 2017, the overall pass percentage for class 10 was 81.18 and for Class 12 it was 82.62.

The deputy chief minister said this year's results of both the classes will be declared by the end of this month.

"We will be uploading the copies of toppers online so that students can see and follow them during their preparations," he said.

About next year's exams, he said Aaadhar card will be made compulsory for class 9 and class 11 students filling forms for the board examinations. It will help identify them and further check the menace of copying, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh just months away, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has started reaching out to people in the state through 'poha chaupals'- a programme aimed at holding dialogues over snack.

Poha (dish prepared with flattened rice flakes) is a breakfast or tea-time snack popular throughout India, which the AAP has decided to make use of in its political fight.

After the first 'poha chaupal' held on Friday in Mandsaur, similar programmes will be held in parts of the state and it will culminate next month, an office-bearer of the party said.

Talking about the initiative, AAP's MP unit convenor Alok Agrawal said, "I came up with the idea of holding 'poha chaupals' as the snack is very popular across the state. During the party's Kisan Bachao Yatra last year, which covered 10,000 kms, we found eateries serving poha everywhere along the roadside."



"It is a common breakfast item easily available, which rich as well as poor relish alike," he said.

Agrawal said the first 'poha chaupal' was held in Mandsaur on April 13.

"It got a good response. Issues directly affecting the people came up for discussion. We decided to hold the first chaupal in Mandsaur, where seven farmers were killed in police firing on June 6 last year," he added.

The 'poha chaupal' initiative reminds one of the 'chai pe charcha' (discussion over tea), a mega outreach programme launched by the BJP ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls involving the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Elaborating on the objective of the programme, he said, "Through the chaupals, we want to connect to the people coming from different walks of life, like doctors, teachers, social workers, but most importantly common people."



The 'poha chaupal' programme will conclude to end on May 14, he said adding, "After this, we are going to draft our manifesto."Elections in MP are due by the end of the year and AAP has decided to field candidates on all the 230 seats in the state.

"We will make it a point that only upright and unblemished people are given tickets," he said.

Alleging that farmers are sick of the BJP-led government in the state and want to throw the party out of power, Agrawal expressed confidence that AAP will spring a surpise in the Assembly polls.

He said the "BJP has failed on all fronts and the main opposition Congress is not united".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
National carrier Air India today resumed its direct flight linking industrial town of Durgapur in West Bengal with Delhi after a gap of nearly 22 months, AI sources said here.

The flight AI-756, a 122-seater Airbus A319 aircraft, left Durgapur at 0825 hrs and arrived at Delhi at 1035 hrs.

It had earlier originated from Delhi at 0550 hrs and landed at Durgapur at 0750 hrs.

There was full occupancy both ways, the AI sources said.

The airline is offering attractive fares on the flight, which will operate four days a week, on both directions.

AI was the first airline to start operations from Durgapur in May 2015, but withdrew the service on June 17, 2016 citing "operational reasons", the sources said.

At the time, the flight used to operate between Kolkata and Delhi via Durgapur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Air Odisha, which launched its flight services to Mundra, Jamnagar and Diu from Ahmedabad recently under the Central government's regional connectivity scheme Udan, has said it will expand operations to two new destinations from tomorrow.

Air Odisha will connect Bhavnagar and Surat with the capital city Ahmedabad, starting from April 16, a release said.

The announcement comes weeks after the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is the implementing agency for Udan scheme, serving a notice to Air Odisha and Air Deccan to commence services on all the routes bagged by them in the first round of bidding within a month time.

The Bhubaneswar-based scheduled commuter airline is 60 per cent owned by two Ahmedabad firms- Gujarat State Export Corporation Limited (GSEC) and Monarch Netwroth Capital, while the rest 40 per cent stake are with the original promoter, the Pani family.

The airline also announced fares starting as low as Rs 1,420 for the Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar flight and Rs 1,699 for a one-way trip to Surat from Bhavnagar.

"We are proud to launch two more new routes in Gujarat within two months since the launch of our operations," Air Odisha managing director and GSEC executive director Shaishav Shah said on the proposed new routes launch.

"We take pride in becoming a part of the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (Udan) scheme, which is a great initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a vision to make flying more affordable for the common man and also fuel economic growth," he said.

Air Odisha, along with its strategic partner airline Air Deccan, won 84 routes together under the Udan scheme, in which air fares have been capped at Rs 2,500 for a one-hour journey.

Of these, Air Odisha bagged 50, while the rest were awarded to Air Deccan.

A total of 128 routes connecting 70 airports were awarded to five airlines in the first phase of bidding for flights under the scheme in March 2017.

"The profile of domestic routes is changing very fast. At the same time, the traffic growth rate for the top 10 routes has slowed down over the past 12 months as they have become more congested and large airports find it harder to take the strain.

"Most of the capacity growth is coming in from non-metro routes, driven by the lower fares offered by the low cost airlines. I believe Air Odisha will achieve its goal of flying to smaller cities and towns in the country," founder of Air Deccan G R Gopinath said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eyeing India's lucrative military modernisation programme, aerospace giant Airbus has offered to set up a global manufacturing hub for its Panther helicopter in the country if the company gets a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply a fleet of 111 naval multi-utility choppers to the Navy.

Pierre de Bausset, president and managing director of the Airbus Group in India, said the company was ready to transfer critical technology to India for the helicopter programme and discussions were underway on it with the Defence Ministry and other stakeholders.

"In the case of Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), we will be manufacturing (it) in India not only for the Indian market but for the world as well. For customers worldwide who are interested in that model (AS565 Panther), they would get it from India," de Bausset told PTI in an interview.

He said Airbus has offered its H225M helicopter in response to the Indian Navy's initial tender for 123 Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH)



The Indian Navy in August last had issued a global request for information (RFI) or an initial tender for the procurement of 111 naval utility helicopters and 123 multi-role choppers under the strategic partnership model.

On India's Make in India initiative in the defence sector, de Bausset, who was here to attend the Defence Expo, said India must focus on areas where it has strong expertise so as to ensure proper utilisation of the country's limited resources.

"You are in a country which has limited resources and budgets. You have to do a lot... Self reliance does not mean that you have got to do everything," he said.

He said almost all leading global defence majors concentrate on investing in areas where they are confident of doing their best.

"There are a number of fields where you have achieved excellence...You have the best engineers... This is where you should put your money and be complementary to other people to do other things much better," he said.

He further said, "I am saying just optimise your budgetary money and your investment so as to shine and where you can really shine best, put your efforts there."



Talking about the government's mega plan to make India a global hub of military manufacturing, de Bausset said, "It is not going to happen with things that you do not do better than the others. It is only going to happen when you do it better than the others. Put the money where you ought to put it."The Defence Ministry last month had come out with a draft policy which envisages achieving a turnover of Rs 1,70,000 crore in military goods and services by 2025 by promoting the domestic defence industry. The policy is likely to be finalised in the next two months.

The focus of the four-day-long Defence Expo, which ended yesterday, was to project India as a major country in military manufacturing.

On Airbus's offer to manufacture the Panther helicopter in India, he said the European major would work with India's Mahindra and Mahindra Group for its chopper programme if the company won any of the two mega contracts.

"We are very comfortable with the Mahindras. We think alike on a number of things. They have a very good industrial track record, certainly not in building helicopters but in building things that we believe are relevant," de Bausset said.

The procurement of both categories of choppers totalling 234 would cost the government in excess of USD 15 billion, according to industry experts.

He said talks were going on with the Defence Ministry and various stakeholders on what kind of technology they are interested in.

The Panther helicopter is currently in service in 42 countries and has logged up to 5.8 million flight hours.

The NMRH are being procured particularly to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

The Navy has been pressing the government to procure new utility and multi-role helicopters to add teeth to its existing capability and replace its ageing fleet of choppers but the procurement process has seen years of delay.

In May, the defence ministry had finalised the Strategic Partnership model under which select private firms will collaborate to build military platforms such as submarines, fighter jets and choppers in India in partnership with foreign entities.

The policy envisages the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian defence majors through a transparent and competitive process wherein they would tie up with global OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to seek technology transfers for setting up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The e-retail industry led by the likes of Amazon and Flipkart has brought about a major disruption in the domestic cargo sector with an expected contribution of about Rs 5,000 crore this fiscal, of which the air cargo segment would garner around Rs 1,000 crore, a report said.

The Express Industry Report 2018 released last week said the e-commerce players have challenged the traditional express operations and unlocked many opportunities by providing newer avenues for value addition.

The Rs 17,000 crore domestic express industry, comprising shipments transported and delivered within the country by road and air, is currently growing at 15 per cent, with the e-retailers being a key driver of growth, the report said.

Air cargo express, which contributes Rs 5,000 crore to the domestic industry, will continue to reap dividends from the healthy growth of e-commerce players even as the e-retailer players are increasingly looking at surface transport for delivery of goods and products, the report said.

The e-retail industry is estimated to contribute close to Rs 4,000 crore to domestic surface express and close to Rs 1,000 crore to domestic air express during this fiscal, the report said.

Talking to PTI, COO of Express Industry Council of India, Vijay Kumar favoured re-evaluation of the government policy to allow the domestic cargo airlines to offer international operations, thus wooing more players into the air cargo business. At present, the notable player in the domestic air cargo airlines is Blue Dart Express.

More players and avenues in the cargo business could mean more scope for expansion for the e-commerce players.

Today, the top two e-commerce players Amazon and Flipkart contribute as much as 80-85 per cent to the industry revenues. But with the entry of newer players such as Paytm, ShopClues and aggressive investments from incumbents to capture a higher share of the lucrative Indian e-retail market, the competitive intensity in the express industry has increased significantly, the report said.

"E-retail, as a part of the B2C express segment, is estimated to contribute Rs 5,000 crore to the express industry during this fiscal. In terms of volume, close to 1.3 million shipments is being shipped daily - including the forward fulfilments and returns, the report said.

The dynamic and competitive nature of the e-retail segment has brought in many new trends for the industry such as adoption of alternate delivery methods, customer centric delivery, shift from air express to surface express, increase in regional movement, adoption of technology and expansion to remote locations, the express report underlined.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A cross-border gunfight between Afghan and Pakistani security forces today left at least two people dead, officials from both countries said, amid simmering tensions between the neighbours.

At least one Afghan civilian and two Pakistani security forces were killed in the clash, said Abdul Hanan Zadran, acting police chief for Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost.

The bodies of the two Pakistanis were found on the Afghan side of the border near Pakistan's tribal belt, Zadran told AFP. Three civilians were also wounded, he added.

Khost provincial governor spokesman Talib Mangal confirmed the incident, but said two Afghan civilians and four Pakistani troops were killed.

Two Pakistani security forces were also detained on Afghan soil, he added.

Afghan officials often give conflicting casualty figures.

The Pakistani military said two members of its paramilitary Frontier Corps were "carrying out routine surveillance" along the border when they were "fired upon from Afghanistan".

Two of them died and five others were wounded, it said in a statement, without confirming if the Pakistani security forces also opened fire.

"Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties. Military engagement is under way to defuse situation," read the statement.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes in its Kunar province, causing "massive property damage" -- charges Islamabad vehemently denied. Kabul has long-accused Islamabad of providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban, which has been waging an insurgency in Afghanistan for more than 16 years.

Islamabad rejects the accusation, countering that Islamist militants targeting Pakistani forces and civilians reside on the Afghan side of the border.

The issue of alleged safe havens remain a major source of tension between the two countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Diversified PSU Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd is eyeing organic growth across all its six strategic business units (SBUs), a top company official said.

"We are looking at organic growth in all SBUs as inorganic growth was not possible as the funds available for buy-outs were limited," Chairman and Managing Director Prabal Basu said.

The company was facing challenges at the Kolkata plant of industrial packaging (IP), owing to lack of demand from the private sector as government orders were restricted only to the MSMEs, and not the PSUs.

Basu told PTI that the net worth of the company was Rs 1,000 crore and only 15 per cent of that could be used for funding acquisitions. "This amount of Rs 150 crore was little for buy-outs," he said.

Almost a debt-free company, Balmer Lawrie was also not too keen on leveraging, Basu said.

"At present, all the SBUs were on growth path. We are shortly going to commission one IP plant (steel drums) at Gujarat at a cost of Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore," he said.

Regarding the Kolkata plant, Basu said challenges were being faced due to lack of industrialisation in the state, leading to dearth of private orders. "We are looking for newer product lines at the plant."



The container freight stations (CFS) business of the logistics SBU had also been suffering because of the Centre's directive of direct delivery to import points from the plants, the top company official said.

"This has led to a dip in the CFS business volume by 40 per cent leading to a loss of Rs 14 crore to Rs 15 crore. Despite this, the logistics SBU contributed maximum to the turnover," Basu said.

Balmer Lawrie has begun operations of a temperature- controlled warehouse. "If this becomes successful, we will replicate this by several numbers," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
We hold that all disputes and differences should be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Charter, and in the principle of respecting the independence and sovereignty of countries, Hang said in response to the new developments in Syria.

She also called for absolute adherence to the UN Chemical Weapons Convention.
After the intense takeover war between UltraTech Cement and Dalmia Bharat is back to NCLT from the Supreme Court, a section of Operational Creditors (OCs) are planning to plead before the Kolkata chapter of the adjudicating authority for rebidding.

The Kolkata bench of the Nattional Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) hearing is scheduled tomorrow after Binani withdrew their plea in Supreme Court for an out-of-court settlement.

"Now, the only hope for the OCs is for the NCLT to declare a fresh bidding so that the interests of all stakeholders are protected. We will plead for it," spokesperson of OCs forum Hitesh Bindal told PTI.

"The OCs will lose about Rs 400 crore worth of claims from Binani Cements if Dalmia Bharat offer is approved. In turn, several banks will lose money who had lend us in case our claims are not recovered, dragging many us to bankruptcy," he claimed.

OCs are supporting the revised UltraTech bid which is not considered for resolution so far.

The Rs 7,618 crore Binani-UltarTech offer promises to repay the claims without any haircut to all secured and unsecured claims. This in turn will protect the amount (Rs 400 crore) adding to NPA lists of the banks, Bindal said.

"The Committee of Creditors (spearheaded by Edelweiss), Deloitte (supporting the RP) and Dalmia are all insistent on shutting out the OCs," a counsel representing the OCs alleged.

"The Rs 6,700 crore offer by Dalmia completely sidelined the OCs. Their claims have been verified in a whimsical manner if it all. They are slated to get may be five per cent of the dues as the Resolution Professional is saying that the OCs are not important in the process at all and deserve nothing," he said.

Bindal, detailing the OCs, said total claim of some 3,000 OCs totalled to about Rs 700 crore. But RP has acknowledged claims worth Rs 503 crore as verified.

"Dalmia agrees to pay a lumpsum of Rs 141 crore out of Rs 503 verifed claims with huge haircuts to large creditors. In the wake of this, initially seven of the OCs moved court but now 14 more have decided to join," he said.

Binani Cement officials maintained that they will unfold their strategy during the hearing and Dalmia Bharat keeping their hopes high for tomorrow's hearing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP and the YSR Congress today criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's decision to observe a day-long fast on April 20 to the Centre's stand towards the state's issues.

In separate press conferences here, BJP State president Kambhampati Haribabu and YSRC political affairs committee member Ambati Rambabu wondered why the Chief Minister was seeking to go on the protest when he himself took exception to the fast observed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12.

Naidu had yesterday announced that he would observe a day-long fast on April 20, his birthday, on the state's problems and the Centre's stand toward the state.

"The Prime Minister observed the fast while carrying out his duties.(He visited Chennai to inaugurate the defence exposition) Naidu criticised this, but now he himself is getting ready for a fast. He owes an explanation to the people on this," Haribabu, a BJP MP, said.

Modi and BJP MPs had observed the fast to protest against the disruption of Parliament proceedings by opposition parties during the recent budget session.

Haribabu also took strong exception to the Chief Ministers criticism of the Prime Minister at an event in Singapore.

"It is highly objectionable that a Chief Minister, while on foreign soil, chose to criticise his countrys Prime Minister. We strongly condemn this," Haribabu said, referring to Naidu's remarks during the Mint Asia HT Leadership Summit in Singapore on April 13.

The YSRC said Naidu's proposed fast was only to hoodwink the people.

"Naidu doesnt have any sincerity on the special category status issue. He has taken many U-turns so far, but still he is trying to con the people," Rambabu charged.

He (Naidu) had criticised the fast observed by the Prime Minister, but now doing the same, the YSRC leader said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Menswear brand Blackberrys aims to grow over 60 per cent in two years to register Rs 1,500 crore turnover by FY2020, as the company is expanding its sales network, said a top company official.

The company, which operates three brands -- Blackberrys, Blackberrys Causals and Urban - has plans to add 100 new stores this fiscal.

"We are expecting 25 per cent this fiscal and the next fiscal and we see ourself in the region of Rs 1,500 crore by FY 2019-2020," Blackberrys Director Nikhil Mohan told PTI.

Blackberrys, which had started its journey from the bylanes of Chandni Chowk in 1991, had closed FY 2017-18 with a revenue of around Rs 900 crore.

The company presently operates 240 brand stores in which 185 are the company operated stores and rest are franchise operated.

In the coming new 100 stores, which the company plans to open this fiscal, 35 will be company owned and rest 65 would be franchise operated.

The company is now planning for a push towards southern markets with its three brands.

"Our biggest focus is South India, which is a large market for the industry. Our participation is there low right now," Mohan said, adding that the company had created logistics infrastructures to help growth in the region.

Presently, its exclusive retail stores contributes almost 50 per cent in sales volume, while the rest come from multi brand outlets and other channels.

Online sales contribute around six per cent of the total sales, Mohan added.

Blackberrys also expects contribution from accessory products to grow up to 10 per cent of its total stores' sale from the present 7 per cent.

As part of its strategy, Blackberrys has last week revamped its brand image and adopted a new logo and tagline.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is caught in a political crisis over the expansion of an oil pipeline that has shaken investor confidence in the country's crucial energy sector.

The dispute pits the country's two westernmost provinces against each other as oil-rich Alberta boycotts trade with British Columbia over its opposition to the pipeline.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley warned the standoff risked triggering a constitutional crisis, and Trudeau is cutting short an overseas tour to return home and mediate.

With an election due by October 2019, Trudeau needs the support of British Columbia voters to win a second term as leader of the world's seventh-largest oil producer.

But the hit to the economy if the pipeline isn't built could have equally devastating effects at the ballot box, and Trudeau needs Alberta aboard to meet his international climate commitments.

Trudeau's Liberal government in 2016 approved the tripling of the Trans Mountain pipeline's capacity to move 890,000 barrels of oil per day from landlocked Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific coast, for shipping to new overseas markets.

But it has faced intense opposition from environmental and indigenous groups concerned about the risk of oil spills along Canada's pristine west coast affecting tourism and fisheries.

Nearly 200 protestors were arrested in the past month alone.

British Columbia's new social democratic government joined the fight against the project late last year when it looked all but lost, reviving hopes of killing it and pitting the province against Alberta, Saskatchewan and the federal government, which has deemed it to be in the "national interest."



Feeling squeezed, Kinder Morgan, the US firm behind the Can$7.4 billion (US$5.9 billion) project, suspended most work on the pipeline this week, saying the row is creating undue risk for investors.

The company gave the parties until May 31 to resolve their differences or it would scrap the project, prompting warnings from business groups that tens of billions of dollars in energy investments could be diverted from Canada if the project fails.

On Sunday, Trudeau will interrupt a trip to Peru, France and Britain to try to mediate the British Columbia-Alberta spat.

Alberta's Notley has responded to British Columbia Premier John Horgan's court challenge of the project with a boycott of British Columbia wines and hydro electricity, and threats to cut off gasoline shipments to Vancouver.

About 97 per cent of Canada's oil exports are sold at a discount to the United States. The industry and Ottawa say new oil conduits to the Pacific are needed in order to diversify exports and get better energy prices.

With the recent failures of a proposed new pipeline to the Atlantic coast and another to the Pacific, all eyes are on Trans Mountain as the industry's last hope to grow.

"The reputation of Canada and British Columbia as stable, predictable jurisdictions for the crucial international investment that fuels so many of our industries is clearly at risk," the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade said in a statement.

Trudeau has called on Horgan to "stop obstructing" the Trans Mountain project, which the feds approved in a tradeoff with British Columbia to reject another pipeline that would have crossed a temperate rain forest.

While Trudeau needs the Pacific province's voter support, he also requires Alberta to live up to its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions in exchange for new pipeline capacity, in order to meet Canada's Paris climate obligation to cut CO2 emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels, by 2030.

The oil sands are Canada's top single source of CO2 emissions.

Some have called on Trudeau to be heavy-handed with Horgan, including cutting off federal funds, at the risk of alienating some voters. Horgan has shown no sign of backing down.

He campaigned against the pipeline to get elected and his minority government needs the support of the Green Party -- which opposes the pipeline -- to stay in power.

Alberta, meanwhile, is considering buying a stake in the project to allay investor fears, and is urging Ottawa to match its investment.

Ottawa could also declare federal jurisdiction over the pipeline to push through its construction, effectively voiding all provincial and municipal laws applicable to it.

But it hasn't used that power since the late 1800s when it was applied to build a transcontinental railway as a condition of British Columbia's joining confederation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Buddha Krishna Bagha Shrestha got his tongue pierced for the sixth time today, as people in Nepal celebrated a traditional festival -- that dates back to over a thousand years -- to ward off "evil spirits".

A huge crowd, including locals and tourists, gathered at a school in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bode area near here, to witness the 46-year-old Shreshtha get his tongue pierced.

The tongue-piercing festival is held on the second day of the Nepali New Year, as a part of Bisket Jatra celebrated only in Bhaktapur district.

According to the tradition, only the locals of Bode from the Shrestha family can volunteer to get their tongue pierced.

"Around one-foot long needle, which is soaked in oil for one month is pierced through the tongue of the volunteer," local cultural expert Lochan Shrestha said.

Locals believe that the festival started during the Lichchhabi dynasty more than one thousand years ago. Legend goes that the historic settlement of Bode town was close to Nilbarahi forest, some 12 km from Kathmandu.

When the evil spirits of Nilbarahi started tormenting the Bode folks, the whole village shifted to the current location. However, the evil spirits continued to torment the Bode folks even in the new settlement.

To prevent the spirits from entering into their village, the villagers blocked all four entry points of Bode with invisible walls with the help of a religious scholar. Later, an evil spirit that tried to enter into Bode got stuck at one of the entry points.

The captured evil spirit was paraded throughout Bode with his tongue pierced. He was freed only when he made a promise that he would never cause trouble in Bode. "Ever since, Bode is free of drought, deadly earthquake, famine and epidemic," said Juju Bhai.

He said Shreshtha got his tongue pierced today to carry forward this "time-honoured tradition" -- indigenous to Bode.

Shreshtha's brother pierced his tongue with a one-foot-long iron spike amidst traditional music. With the spike lodged in the tongue, he was taken to various places before taking the spike out of his tongue in front of the Pancho Ganesh temple.

"During the ritual the tongue should not bleed. It is believed that if the tongue bleeds, it will bring misfortune to the community," said Juju Bhai, who himself got his tongue pierced eight times.

Shreshtha's brother Krishna Chandra has got his tongue pierced 12 times, while the record is held by Bekhanarayan Haya Shrestha, who got it done 32 times, he said.

He said the practice is also considered an expensive ritual for the person as he is required to organise the community feast himself bearing all the expenses.

Although the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and the Guthi Sansthan under the Ministry of Culture provide some financial support for the festival, it is inadequate, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
International inspectors launched their investigation today into an alleged chemical attack near Damascus that prompted an unprecedented wave of Western strikes against Syria's regime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, the regime's top ally, warned that fresh strikes would spark "chaos", but Washington promised economic sanctions on Moscow rather than further military action.

US, French and British missiles destroyed sites suspected of hosting chemical weapons development and storage facilities Saturday, but the buildings were mostly empty and the Western trio swiftly reverted to its diplomatic efforts.

US President Donald Trump lauded the "perfectly executed" strike, the biggest international attack on President Bashar al-Assad's regime during Syria's seven-year war, but both Damascus and Syria's opposition rubbished its impact.

A team of chemical experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, arrived in Damascus hours after the strikes.

They have been tasked with investigating the site of the alleged April 7 attack in the town of Douma, just east of the capital Damascus, which Western powers said involved chlorine and sarin and killed dozens.

They arrived in Damascus on Saturday but there were no reports they had travelled to Douma to begin their field work, as announced by a senior Syrian official earlier.

An AFP reporter saw Deputy Minister Faisal Mokdad enter the Four Seasons hotel where the chemical experts are staying and leave three hours later. The fact-finding team usually starts its investigation by meeting top officials but any talks were held behind closed doors and both parties imposed a strict media blackout.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan told AFP.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.

The inspectors will face a difficult task, with all key players having pre-empted their findings, including Western powers, which justified the strikes by claiming they already had proof such weapons were used.

The OPCW team will also have to deal with the risk that evidence may have been removed from the site, which lies in an area that has been controlled by Russian military police and Syrian forces over the past week.

"That possibility always has to be taken into account, and investigators will look for evidence that shows whether the incident site has been tampered with," Ralf Trapp, a consultant and member of a previous OPCW mission to Syria, told AFP.

The Syrian military late Saturday declared Eastern Ghouta, the former rebel enclave of which Douma is the main town, fully retaken after a blistering two-month assault.

Wresting back the opposition stronghold on the doorstep of Damascus had been a priority for the resurgent regime.

Combined with the limited scope of Saturday's strikes, the victory declaration triggered ecstatic editorials in state media.

"Bashar al-Assad is more than ever an Arab and international leader," the pro-regime Al-Watan daily wrote.

US leader Trump hailed the pre-dawn strikes that lit up the sky around Damascus and exclaimed "Mission Accomplished" on Twitter.

His claim drew scoffing comments from his critics and parallels with the Iraq war and the premature victory speech his predecessor George W. Bush gave on an aircraft carrier almost exactly 15 years ago.

"The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished,'" Trump tweeted on Sunday.

According to American officials, the operation involved three US destroyers, a French frigate and a US submarine located in the Red Sea, the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

British Tornado and Typhoon warplanes, American B-1 bombers and French Rafale jets also took part in the strikes.

The Pentagon said no further action was planned but Washington's envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned that the US was "locked and loaded" should another gas attack occur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was due in Tokyo Sunday for a visit seen as a sign of a gradual thaw between the Asian rivals, amid flurries of diplomacy over North Korea.

Shortly after his arrival, Wang will meet his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono with their talks expected to touch on key subjects such as economic relations, territorial disputes in the East China Sea, and ways to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, Japanese officials have said.

Kono met Wang in China in January when he became the first Japanese foreign minister to visit the country in nearly two years.

"I hope that we will be able to discuss what Japan and China can work together on in the international arena, not just bilateral issues," Kono told reporters on Friday.

"Of course, the North Korean issue will surely come up in the meeting," he said.

The visit by Wang, a veteran Japan handler who had served as an ambassador to Tokyo, comes as the world's second and third largest economies attempt to ease tension, caused by longstanding disputes over maritime claims and Japan's wartime legacy.

His visit is also seen as paving a way towards Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wish to host Chinese Premier Li Keqiang next month for a trilateral summit including South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Such a meeting, Tokyo hopes, would lead to a long awaited exchange of state visits between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Tokyo also hopes to expand its exchanges with China to stay relevant in increasing international efforts to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. China has demonstrated its significant influence over its reclusive ally with Xi hosting Kim and his wife in Beijing.

South Korea's Moon and US President Donald Trump are also preparing for separate, direct talks with Kim, leaving Abe to continue asserting a "maximum pressure" campaign against the North.

Abe, who is due to meet with Trump in Florida on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, may also meet with Wang.

Wang, who will be in Tokyo until Tuesday, will also participate in the fourth China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The leaders of China and Japan are expected to pay reciprocal visits as relations between their countries warm, the Japanese foreign minister said today.

After rare talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Taro Kono said the ministers had "forward-looking" and "fulfilling" discussions about rebuilding ties between the Asian powers.

They agreed that Japan would host a trilateral summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, without setting a date.

After such a meeting, they hoped to organise reciprocal visits by Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kono said.

"We agreed to fully improve the bilateral relations through exchanges of the leaders ... with Premier Li's visit at the time of the trilateral talks as the starting step," Kono told reporters.

However, Kono warned there would be "no true improvement of Japan-China relations without stability in the East China Sea".

"We agreed the importance of making it a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship," he said.

The world's second and third largest economies have a fraught relationship, complicated by longstanding maritime disputes and Japan's wartime legacy.

The dispute over islands in the East China Sea -- known as the "Senkakus" in Japanese and the "Diaoyu" by the Chinese -- remains a source of tension.

But Tokyo is eager to get the relationship back on a firmer footing, especially as it fears being shut out of negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme in which Beijing is likely to be a major player.

China demonstrated its significant influence over its reclusive ally when Xi hosted the North's leader Kim Jong-un and his wife in Beijing last month.

With Moon and US President Donald Trump preparing for separate direct talks with Kim, Japan fears being left on the sidelines.

Kono, who visited Beijing in January, stressed that the two countries share the same goal on North Korea.

"We had direct and in-depth discussions on North Korea in light of the current situation," he told reporters after the meeting, without revealing details.

"We confirmed that we shall continue our close coordination while also completely implementing related UN Security Council resolutions to realise the irreversible, verifiable and complete denuclearisation of North Korea and its missiles."



Wang, a former ambassador to Japan, said his visit was China's response to "positive" messages and policies from Tokyo but acknowledged "some complex and sensitive elements".

"But together with Japan's efforts... we would like to bring China-Japan relations back on a path of sustainable and normal development." Abe, who is due to meet Trump in Florida on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, will meet Wang tomorrow.

The time is ripe for the two nations to improve relations to mark the 40th anniversary of their 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, both ministers said.

Wang, who will be in Tokyo until Tuesday, will also take part in the fourth China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homes, the UN refugee agency said, underlining that the responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the country's authorities.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Government of Bangladesh finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Geneva on April 13 relating to voluntary returns of Rohingya refugees once conditions in Myanmar are conducive.

"UNHCR considers that conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified, and sustainable. The responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the Myanmar authorities, and these must go beyond the preparation of physical infrastructure to facilitate logistical arrangements," the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a statement.

The comments come amid the repatriation of the first Rohingya family back to Myanmar.

"The five members of a family came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," according to the government's Information Committee.

The agreement, signed by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, established a framework of cooperation between UNHCR and Bangladesh on the safe, voluntary, and dignified returns of refugees in line with international standards.

More than 670,000 Rohingya fled violence in Myanmar since last August, joining an estimated 200,000 Rohingya who have sought shelter in Bangladesh, arriving in waves over the past decades.

The agency said that in the absence of a tripartite agreement between UNHCR, Myanmar and Bangladesh, The UN agency has continued to engage with governments of both the countries in negotiations on two separate agreements meant to ensure that any future returns are conducted in line with the international standards of voluntariness, safety and dignity.

According to UNHCR, the refugees have said that before considering return to Myanmar, they would need to see concrete progress in relation to their legal status and citizenship, security, and their ability to enjoy basic rights at home in Rakhine state. UNHCR has continued to call on the Government of Myanmar to take concrete measures to address the root causes of displacement.

The UNHCR also urged the Myanmar Government to immediately provide full and unhindered access to refugees' places of origin in Rakhine, which would enable it to assess the situation and provide information to refugees about conditions in the places of origin, as well as to monitor any possible future return and reintegration of refugees.

"Another practical measure would be to ease restrictions on movement for the internally displaced persons encamped in the central townships of Rakhine state, which would also help to build confidence among refugees in Bangladesh," it added.

"Such concrete measures would help demonstrate to refugees that the Government of Myanmar is committed to a sustainable solution," it said.

In Myanmar, together with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNHCR is in ongoing discussions with the government on a tripartite agreement to outline the scope of cooperation between these agencies and the Myanmar Government in Rakhine State.

The agreement would aim to set forth a framework for refugees' voluntary repatriation in line with international standards, aim to create conditions that are conducive to eventual voluntary repatriation, and provide humanitarian and development assistance for all people of Rakhine State.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With filing of nominations for Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections coming to a close tomorrow, the ruling BJP today sounded confident of bagging 11 out of 13 seats going to polls on April 26, even as the saffron party released its list of candidates for the biennial elections.

In a statement issued by the party's central office in Delhi, the BJP announced 10 candidates for the state council polls.

The BJP candidates include UP ministers Mahendra Singh and Mohsin Raza.

The party also named Sarojini Agarwal, Bukkal Nawab, Yashwant Singh, Jaiveer Singh, Vidhyasagar Sonkar, Vijay Bahadur Pathak, Ashok Kataria and Ashok Dhawan as its other candidates.

Ashok Kataria, Vidyasagar Sonkar and Vijay Bahadur Pathak are general secretaries of the UP BJP, while Ashok Dhawan hails from Varanasi and is a former MLC.

A senior party leader requesting anonymity said that the 11th seat is likely to be used to accommodate Ashish Singh Patel, who is a senior leader of the Apna Dal-(Sonelal). The AD(S) is an ally of the BJP in the state and currently has nine MLAs in the Assembly.

The BJP and its allies enjoy a brute strength of 324 out of the 403 seats in the Assembly. Arithmetically, they are likely to win 11 out of 13 seats comfortably and still be left with some additional votes.

Though the BJP and its allies have the majority in the Assembly, they may not get the required strength in the Upper House to get Bills passed even after winning 11 of the 13 seats by the dint of their strength. Even if they win the 11 seats, they will be far short of the half-way mark in the council.

During the Winter Session of the state legislature last year, the state government had suffered an embarrassment when it failed to ensure the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime (UPCOC) Bill in the council.

On the council elections, UP BJP vice president J P S Rathore said to ensure victory, a candidate needs 29 first preference votes.

The notification for the council polls was issued on April 9. The last date for filing nominations is April 16. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on April 17, while the last date for withdrawal of the candidature is April 19.

"We are sure of winning 11 out of the 13 seats in the council seats which are going to polls," state BJP spokesperson Navin Srivatava told PTI.

For the remaining two seats, the Samajwadi Party has given up one seat for the Bahujan Samaj Party, taking the new-found bonhomie between the two parties a step foward.

The SP, headed by Akhilesh Yadav, had fielded two candidates, but withdrew one of them, paving the way for Mayawati's party to contest one seat as a quid pro quo for her support to the SP in the Lok Sabha bypolls to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, which halted the saffron party's victory march in the bastion of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (in Gorakhpur).

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won the Phulpur parliamentary constituency for the first time.

However, in the Rajya Sabha elections, it was a sweet revenge for the BJP, as it ensured victory of all its nine candidates, days after it lost two crucial seats in the Lok Sabha bypolls in the state.

In the 100-member UP Legislative Council, the BJP has just 13 members. The Samajwadi Party has 61 members, the BSP nine, the Congress two, the RLD one and others 12. Two seats are vacant.

SP spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said the SP-BSP combine will comfortably win the two council seats.

"The Samajwadi Party is contesting on one seat in the legislative council polls. Initially, we had decided to contest two seats, but later we decided to give one seat to the BSP to strengthen our electoral understanding," he said.

According to the Election Commission, tenures of 13 MLCs, including SP national president Akhilesh Yadav, and two ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government -- Mahendra Kumar Singh and Mohsin Raza -- will end on May 5.

Of the 13 seats falling vacant, seven were held by the SP, two each by the BJP and the BSP, and one by the RLD. The 13th seat was held by former SP minister Ambika Chaudhary. His seat fell vacant when he switched over from the SP to the BSP.

Apart from the SP chief, six other MLCs from the party whose terms are coming to an end are state SP chief Naresh Chandra Uttam, senior party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary, Umar Ali Khan, Madhu Gupta, Ramsakal Gurjar and Vijay Yadav.

MLCs from other parties whose terms ends on May 5 are Vijay Pratap and Sunil Kumar Chittor (both BSP) and Chaudhary Mushtaq -- the lone RLD member.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vietnam and Myanmar have shared a sound traditional friendship. Myanmar was one of the first Southeast Asian countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1975 and whole-heartedly supported Vietnam during the struggle for national independence and reunification.

The two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive cooperative partnership during a State visit to Myanmar by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017.

Bilateral trade reached US$ 828.3 million in 2017, up 51 percent from 2016. Vietnam has become the 7th biggest foreign investor in Myanmar with 70 projects worth nearly US$ 2 billion.
The Congress today dismissed the BJP's demand of sacking its Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir for allegedly terming the Kathua rape and murder case as motivated, saying it was because of his demand that the inquiry into the matter had seen some progress initially.

The Congress also termed as "misleading" the BJP's talk of its two state ministers resigning from their posts for taking part in a protest march supporting those accused of raping and killing the eight-year-old girl.

The opposition party claimed that it was because of the pressure exerted by the people and the protest march led by party chief Rahul Gandhi that saw the ruling BJP take the action against its ministers.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party did not defend its Karnataka leader Dinesh Gundurao's remark that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath be shown slippers over Kathua and Unnao rape cases if the he entered the state.

Khera said Gundurao was a father of two and like everybody else he was deeply disturbed by what is happening to daughters in the country.

The BJP today released a video purportedly showing Mir calling the police probe in the Kathua case as motivated and defending the public protests against it. The saffron party demanded that Gandhi sack him.

Mir sahab has clearly said that the video they are talking about is one or one-and-half months old Because of Mir sahab's demand that there was some progress, action in the case, Khera told reporters here.

So, the talk of sacking (by the BJP) someone is misleading. Today, in fact, they (the BJP) should have kept quite. Today people are asking them questions, who are they (the BJP) to ask questions, he asked.

Hitting back at the BJP over the rape incidents, Khera accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of providing merely a lip service and of taking time to respond to them.

Khera claimed that the two Jammu and Kashmir ministers, Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, had to resign due to pressure.

You removed two ministers, that too in the wake of pressure But why Ajay Singh Bisht, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was not removed? he asked.

Asked about the BJP's comment that Gundurao made the remarks as the Congress wanted to incite violence sensing its defeat in the May 12 Karnataka assembly polls, Khera said his party was not defending the remark.

But don't forget, without supporting what Mr Gundurao said, he is a father of two daughters. Today, we are all deeply distressed to see what is happening to our daughters in this country, Khera said.

Everywhere you have these ghastly stories, barbarism of the worst kind. Everybody's blood boils today, he added.

Khera also played down as noora kushti (fixed match) the BJP's allegation that some AAP workers had sported saffron "gamchas" and raised provocative slogans in front of a mosque in Delhi during a Ram Navami procession to instigate riots.

We have been talking about their noora kushti (fixed match) since the time the AAP was formed. Time and again we get to see how they play complementing each other, he alleged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today advocated for entrepreneurship based on innovation and asked management students to convert innovative ideas into sustainable business models to create socio-economic value.

"Many IIM students are desirous of innovation-based entrepreneurial opportunities. You must try to build upon your potential by converting innovative ideas into sustainable business models in order to create socio-economic value for our country and society," Patnaik said while addressing the second convocation of the Indian Institute of Management, Sambalpur.

"The nation looks up to you not only as able managers but also as social entrepreneurs who work to change the world into a better place," he said.

The Chief Minister said that IIM Sambalpur should take lead in developing the centers of excellence for startups and incubators.

"All these efforts at IIM will go a long way in fostering the community's entrepreneurial climate by means of business creation and retention, technology commercialisation and creating of jobs and wealth," Patnaik said.

Stating that Odisha government is keen to partner with IIM Sambalpur in its journey for inclusive growth, the chief minister said IIM-S should become an active participant, knowledge partner and a think tank for planning, strategising and reinforcing government schemes for social development.

Noting that India is progressing rapidly in new era, Patnaik said "we boast of our demographic dividend - the young talented, energetic and skillful minds with passion and fervour to build a new and better India."



Speaking at the convocation, Chairperson of Board of Governors of IIM-S, Arundhati Bhattacharya said, IIM Sambalpur has made remarkable growth in the last three years. The temporary campus has been shifted to Sambalpur University from a private institution.

She said the knowledge, skills and professional and ethical values that IIM Sambalpur has taught the students would go a long way in making them not only successful business leader but also responsible citizens.

Director of IIM-S, Mahadeo Jaiswal expressed happiness that IIMs have been declared as institute of national importance. He said the students should not let the glitz and glamour of corporate world deter them from their social responsibilities and ethics.

Altogether, 45 students received their certificates during the convocation. Three students were awarded gold medals in three different categories.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Communist Party of India (CPI) today condemned the joint attack by the US and its allies targeting chemical weapons facilities in Syria.

"The party condemns the aggression of US and UK towards Syria under the pretext of destroying chemical arsenal. The war waged by US President Donald Trump will lead to disastrous consequences," CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said in a press release here.

The air-strike by the US, the UK and France came in response to a suspected chemical attack on Douma in Syria last week which killed dozens, including children.

"Fresh tension is mounting with the attack on Syria," Reddy added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The five-day national conference of the CPI(M) will get underway here from April 18.

The Congress, the highest decision-making forum, will deliberate and pass as many as 25 resolutions besides electing new general secretary and party's Central Committee, CPI(M) Politburo member B V Raghavulu told reporters here today.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury will deliver the inaugural address on April 18. The 22nd national congress of the party will conclude with a public meeting on April 22, he said.

"The meet will take up discussions on the political resolutions and political organisation report and at the end of the session, a new leadership will be elected by the party delegates," Raghavulu said.

CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and leaders of other Left parties would also attend the conference, he said adding around 780 delegates from across the country besides over 70 observers will take part and the delegates will deliberate and pass the resolutions.

"After Narendra Modi (Prime Minister) assumed power and interventions by Sangh Parivar forces in the administration, serious developments have taken place in the political as well as social life of the country," he alleged.

"25 important resolutions covering all aspects of social and political life will be discussed and passed in the Congress," he added.

To a query, Raghavulu said the new General Secretary and the Central Committee will be elected on the last day on the basis of the discussions held in the conference.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's former advisor VK Jain might be questioned again in connection with the alleged assault on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash in February, a senior police officer said.

Jain was questioned in connection with the case in February. In March, he resigned as Kejriwal's advisor citing personal reasons and family commitment.

The alleged assault took place at Kejriwal's residence on the night of February 19.

The Delhi Police had earlier told a court that during interrogation, Jain said that AAP MLAs Prakash Jarwal and Amanatullah Khan had allegedly surrounded the chief secretary and assaulted him.

A senior officer said that they were likely to call Jain again soon as they need clarity on certain things.

The police has already questioned the 11 MLAs who were present at the chief minister's residence apart from Kejriwal, Jain and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, at the meeting where Prakash was allegedly attacked.

On February 23, a police team examined the CCTV system installed at the chief ministers residence in Civil Lines area and seized the hard disk. The forensic report on the hard disk is still awaited.

The alleged assault on the chief secretary had triggered a bitter tussle between the Delhi government and its bureaucracy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
They left home dreaming of better lives and returned in caskets. Yet, despite the deaths of Indian workers in Iraq, thousands of men in Punjab still hope to find a job in the war-torn land and mostly through illegal channels.

Of the 39 labourers who went to Iraq and were killed by suspected ISIS militants, 27 were from Punjab.

Travel agents here said people still plan to go to places such as Iraq for jobs and better wages, despite the risks that such troubled regions pose.

Many travel without valid papers, they said, calling for a strict enforcement of a licencing system to check the mushrooming of illegal travel agents in Punjab.

"The main reason people go to other countries is unemployment in Punjab, said Kuljeet Singh Hayer, president of the Punjab Travel Agents' Association.

"When they go through illegal travel agents, they get trapped," he told PTI.

There are no specific figures on the number of travel agents helping people go to Iraq illegally, but experts in the industry said there could be thousands of such unlawful operators.

A Jalandhar-based registered agent who runs an approved recruitment and manpower consultancy firm said people pursued such jobs because the salaries of workers in Iraq were two or three times higher than those in places such as Dubai.

"Many are still going to Iraq and several are willing to take the risk of going to such countries to make money, he said to a query on whether the number of would-be workers to the Gulf country had fallen following the deaths of the 39 people.

The agent, who did not wish to be identified, said many international companies required labour for infrastructure projects being built or rebuilt in the war-ravaged country.

A construction worker could earn USD 800-1,000 per month (Rs 50,000-65,000) in Iraq as against monthly earnings of 1,200 Dirham (Rs 22,000) in Dubai, he added.

The Jalandhar agent, however, believed that those seeking to go out for work illegally were to be blamed as much as the agents who fleeced them.

"I feel, besides illegal travel agents, customers who want to go abroad through illegal means are also at fault. Despite knowing the dangers involved in going to Iraq, they still want to go there, he said.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, who had brought back the bodies of the Indians killed in Mosul in caskets earlier this month, had said there was no record of the 39 men, and of another who survived, in any Indian embassy as their travel to Iraq had been facilitated by illegal agents.

He had said strict action would be taken against such agents who put the lives of people in danger.

To curb the practice of illicit travel agents, the state government had framed the Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2012 which was later renamed the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act, 2013, making registration mandatory for travel agents or those in consultancy and ticketing for a valid licence.

Strict enforcement of this law is essential so as to stop gullible people from falling prey to unauthorised travel agents, said Hayer.

Only 1,088 travel agents are registered with Deputy Commissioners in the state while 38 are listed as recruiting agent with the Protectorate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs.

The Punjab police, which has sometimes been accused of colluding with the illegal agents, has now been taking tough action against them.

The police said they were holding regular campaigns to educate people about safe and legal emigration and added that 900 cases had been registered last year against fraudulent travel agents.

We are regularly holding educational campaigns to make people aware about safe and legal emigration, said Additional Director General of Police Ishwar Singh, who is the nodal officer dealing with issues on emigration and the activities of unauthorised travel agents.

The Punjab government was fully committed to the task of curbing the activities of illegal travel agents in the state, he said.

Economist R S Ghuman stressed the youth lured by job offers often came from weaker sections.

Most of the youth going to the Middle East are the offspring of small growers, artisans or people who belong to weaker sections and they work as drivers, labourers, carpenters and so on, said Ghuman, Professor of Economics at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) here.

According to some estimates, there are about 22 lakh jobless youth in Punjab, often referred as the wheat bowl of India.

About 34 per cent farmers are small and marginal in Punjab and their farming has become unviable when it comes to income and employment generation," he said.

Punjab, which witnessed a green revolution in the mid-60s and where agriculture has been the mainstay of the people, has been lagging behind other states in terms of economic growth.

According to global analytics company Crisil, between 2013 and 2017, while Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana recorded the highest growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) in a sample of 17 major states, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala were at the bottom of the graph.

"The overall state's growth has been lower than the national average growth since 1992 and investment to GSDP ratio has also been lower than that of the national average, Ghuman said, adding that there were fewer employment opportunities in agriculture, industry and government sectors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Veteran actor Dharmendra and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will be conferred with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement and Raj Kapoor Special Contribution awards, respectively, Maharashtra culture minister Vinod Tawde announced here today.

Veteran Marathi actor Vijay Chavhan will receive the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement award, while actor-director Mrinal Kulkarni has been named for V Shantaram Special Contribution awards.

"Delighted to announce veteran actor Dharmendra ji as the recipient of Maharashtra State's Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award and director Rajkumar Hirani on being selected for the Raj Kapoor Special Contributions Award. Congratulations (sic)," Tawde tweeted.

Dharmendra, 82, who earned himself the sobriquet of "He-Man" after he starred in a number of action films and has movies such as "Sholay", "Chupke Chupke", "Yaadon Ki Baaraat", "Satyakam" and "Seeta Aur Geeta" to his credit.

Hirani is regarded as one of the most celebrated filmmakers of Hindi cinema, having made critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful films such as "Munna Bhai MBBS", "3 Idiots" and "PK".

He is currently gearing up for the release of biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt, with whom he has collaborated on a number of projects.

"Congratulations to veteran actor Vijay Chavhan and actress-director Mrinal Kulkarni on being announced as the recipients of the prestigious Chitrapati V Shantaram Jivangaurav Puraskar and Chitrapati V Shantaram Vishesh Yogdaan Puraskar respectively (sic)," Tawde tweeted.

Chavhan, who is a well-known Marathi stage actor, has appeared in many Marathi films as well as on television. He is best known for the his role of Mavshi in the famous Marathi stage drama "Moruchi Mavshi". He has also worked in Hindi films.

Kulkarni has worked, both in films and TV, and is best known for featuring in the television show "Son Pari". She also directed "Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta" and the Marathi historical drama "Rama Madhav".

Both the lifetime achievement awards carry a citation and cash reward of Rs 5,00,000, while the special contribution awards carry a citation and Rs 3,00,000 cash prize each.

The state government-instituted awards will be given away at the 55th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Festival.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A BAMS doctor was among two persons arrested yesterday for allegedly killing his 56-year-old friend in the latter's apartment in Bharuch on April 8, police said today.

A police officer said robbery was the motive behind the crime, as prime accused Dr Sarfaraz Ghadiyali was running a debt of Rs 3 lakh.

The other accused is identified as Javed Sheikh (29) who was working as a compounder for Dr Ghadiyali.

Suleman Mahamad Bava alias Manar Bava was found dead in his apartment in Bharuch last Sunday, with a stab wound.

"He was living alone in the flat since he divorced his Pakistani wife several years ago," said police inspector Sunil Tarade.

He said Bava became close with Dr Ghadiyali and Sheikh and would visit their clinic in Lallubhai Chaklaarea in Bharuch regularly.

"Bava used to share information with the duo about his hobby of collecting antique coins and foreign currency notes. Dr Ghadiyali and Sheikh used to visit Bava's place frequently," the police officer said.

He said on the night of April 8, Dr Ghadiyali and Sheikh entered Bava's flat and allegedly strangulated him before stabbing him.

It was Dr Ghadiyali who informed the police about the death of his friend Bava on April 10, following which a case of accidental death was registered and the body was sent for postmortem, he said.

The postmortem report revealed that Bava was strangulated and stabbed, prompting the police to set up multiple teams to trace the accused.

"During investigation, we recorded statements of Dr Ghadiyali and Sheikh separately. We started suspecting them after their statements on their whereabouts on the night of the incident differed," said Tarade.

He said Dr Ghadiyali and Sheikh "confessed" about committing the crime during interrogation.

The inspector said Dr Ghadiyali owed Rs three lakh to his lenders and allegedly hatched the plan to kill Bava who was living alone.

"The duo took away ancient coins and foreign currency from the deceaseds apartment after killing him. Police have recovered a total of 1,760 ancient coins worth Rs 5 lakh and Rs 45,630 cash in foreign and Indian currencies from them," said the officer.

The duo have been booked under various sections of the IPC for murder and loot.

Further investigation is underway.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" while ensuring it does not turn into China's pawn, Islamabad's former envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani, has said.

In an interview to PTI, Haqqani said Pakistan also needs to take a call on what is more important supporting terror suspect Hafiz Saeed or gaining international credibility and respect.

Amid the consolidation of the already-robust Sino-Pak ties, Haqqani, who served as ambassador to the US from 2008 to 2011, stressed Pakistan should not go from being dependent on the US to relying on China and must refrain from becoming a "Chinese pawn".

Pakistan needs to build a self-sustaining economy, he said, warning Islamabad of the pitfalls of aligning with a major power.

Haqqani, who was in India last week for the launch of his new book 'Reimagining Pakistan: Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State', said the country needs to "re-think its overall direction", including in the economic sector.

Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" and start thinking about geo-economics rather than geo strategy, said the 61-year-old former diplomat and author of 'Pakistan Between Mosque and Military' and 'India v Pakistan: Why Can't We Just Be Friends?', among other books.

"Trying to take advantage of its strategic location by allowing itself to be used by one major power or another has brought Pakistan to the present situation and if we continue to play the same game, the result is not going to be very different in the future, he said.

While Islamabad should seek good relations with Beijing, "there is no reason why Pakistan should become a Chinese pawn in the mistaken belief" that this would somehow make it a power in its own right, he said when asked if Pakistan's dependence on China could prove counterproductive.

His remarks assume significance as in January, the US had suspended more than USD 1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terror groups such as the Afghan Taliban and Afghan guerilla group Haqqani Network.

After US President Donald Trump had lashed out at Pakistan earlier this year for providing "safe havens" to terrorists, China had defended Islamabad, saying the world community should acknowledge its all-weather ally's "outstanding contribution" to counter terrorism.

Asked if America's tougher stance against terror would push Islamabad into a robust military alliance with Beijing, Haqqani said the more America and India came close, the more Pakistan would try to strengthen its ties with China.

"But, for Pakistan's own sake, it would be useful to have relationships with multiple partners. Dependence on the US did not prove useful for Pakistan in the 50s and 60s; dependence on China will not necessarily be the key to Pakistan's progress in the 21st century," said Haqqani, who lives in the US, where he is Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at the Washington-based Hudson Institute.

Haqqani was removed as Pakistan's envoy to the US for his alleged role in what is known as the Memogate controversy, which revolved around a memorandum seeking help from the Obama administration after the killing of Osama bin Laden to avert a military takeover of the civilian government in his country.

Asked if the suspension of American aid had brought about a change in Pakistan's attitude, Haqqani said the establishment had not changed its world view and was still hoping that logistical and other considerations would make the Trump administration soften its stance.

On the possibility of power blocs being formed in the region, he said a "new Cold War" in which Pakistan aligns with China and India with the United States was not going to be positive for South Asia.

"I think that aligning with one major power against another is not the recipe for economic growth and success for a country like Pakistan," said Haqqani, who also served as the Pakistani envoy to Sri Lanka from 1992 to 1993.

The former diplomat, who is often critical of the Pakistani military, rued that the power structure in the country had not changed fundamentally and national security and foreign policy remained in the hands of the Army.

Pakistan has made distinctions between terror groups that have acted against it and those that have acted outside the country, and that distinction had not worked to its advantage, he said.

Islamabad's insistence on "mainstreaming terrorists" rather than marginalising them was going to be counter-productive for the country, he held.

Haqqani also said the Kashmir issue could be put on the back burner to build normal Indo-Pak relations.

"It is also a reality that the problem of Kashmir has not been solved in 70 years. And if Pakistan insists on solving the Kashmir problem before moving forward on normal relations with India, then it may have to wait for another 70 years," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DoT is waiting for DIPP to give clearance for raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in Idea Cellular to 100 per cent before approving the merger of Vodafone India with the Aditya Birla group firm, as per official sources.

"Only FDI clearance for Idea is pending before merger of Vodafone (India) with it. FDI limit needs to be raised in FDI for clearing both the deals of Idea -- sale of tower to ATC and Vodafone merger," a government official told PTI.

Idea Cellular has sought to raise FDI limit in the company to 100 per cent.

The official added that the Department of Telecom (DoT) had approached the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for its remarks around two weeks back and waiting to hear from it.

"Both the companies (Idea and Vodafone) will be asked to clear their dues before merger is taken on record. DoT has not calculated the final amount...," the source said.

According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) for processing FDI proposals, all the ministries concerned are required to submit their comments within 4 weeks of the proposal. In absence of comments, it is presumed that ministries or departments have no comments to offer.

However, FDI clearance in telecom sector also requires approval from the Home Ministry which should be granted within six weeks. In case it is unable to provide its comment within six weeks, it needs to indicate time frame within which it will provide the comments.

The merged Idea-Vodafone entity will have highest subscriber base of 410 million accounting for over 35 per cent market share and second largest spectrum holding of 1,850 megahertz in the country.

The merger is expected replace Bharti Airtel from its numero uno position which it has maintained in Indian telecom market with highest number of subscriber base at least since last one decade as per reports of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The debt of resultant entity is expected to be around 1.1 lakh crore as per debt situation of Idea and Vodafone India at the end of September 2017.

The amalgamation will result in capex synergies, since it will eliminate the duplication of spectrum capacity and infrastructure related requirements.

Idea and Vodafone are separately paying rental for 6,300 mobile sites which will be synced for merged entity within two years.
The other top-ten businesses included Sun Group, MobiFone, Hung Loc Phat Real Estate Service JSC, TBS Group, Benthanh Group, Binh Dien Fertiliser JSC, Vissan JSC, Bach Dang Construction Corporation, and Southern Airports Services JSC.

Vietjet has been voted as one of Vietnams excellent brands for years due to its unceasing efforts to grow and contribute to the communitys development.

The development of the largest private airline not only helps to provide flight opportunities to millions of passengers, but also promotes Vietnamese brands to every Vietjet destination.

Vietjet is the first airline in Vietnam to operate under a new-generation aviation model, offering low costs and providing a wide range of services for customers to choose from.

Currently, Vietjet is operating 55 A320 and A321 aircrafts, carrying out more than 385 flights a day and has transported more than 55 million passengers, with 82 routes covering all destinations in Vietnam and international routes to Hong Kong (China), Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Betting big on the growing demand for warehousing, plans to invest around $1 billion in 3-4 years to take its total space 30 million sq ft, a senior company official has said.

Various policy decisions like the implementation of GST and e-way bill have given a boost to the logistics sector, the company said.

"This coupled with the growth in the e-commerce and retail sectors has necessitated a sharp growth in warehousing in the country," the company's CEO Anshul Singhal told PTI.

He said the domestic logistics sector is projected to grow at CAGR 13 per cent to Rs 9.2 trillion (Rs 9.2 lakh crore) by 2019-20, from Rs 6.4 trillion in 2016-17.

Therefore, it is estimated that Grade A and B warehousing stock will grow at a CAGR of 21 per cent year-on-year taking the total tally of warehouse space in India to 297 million sq ft by the end of 2021, which is double the current warehousing stock of 139.8 million square feet in 2017, Singhal said.

"We will also see huge demand for Grade A warehousing space from sectors like pharma, healthcare, FMCG and apparels among others and we are aggressively looking at opportunities to set up modern and well-planned facilities," Singhal said.

The company currently has a portfolio of close to 6-7 million sq ft of leasable space and plans to take it to up to 30 million over the next 3-4 years, he said.

"We wish to add nearly 5-6 million sq ft each year and we be investing around $1 billion over the next 3-4 years. Our focus is to buy land and develop it into world class facilities. But we are open to exploring the brownfield expansion route as well," he said



Nearly 80 per cent would be greenfield development, he added.

When asked how was the company planning to fund its expansion he said: "It will be a mix of equity and debt. We will infuse equity to the extent of $250 million or Rs 16 billion and the rest we will borrow on debt."



The company has three industrial parks -- one each in Pune, Gurugram and Farrukhnagar (Haryana) and is looking at cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai.
Opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah today demanded a special session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to bring in a bill to award capital punishment to those who rape minors.

Abduallah's comment comes in the backdrop of a nationwide condemnation of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

"Capital punishment must be brought in for such cases," Abdullah told reporters here.

"She (Kathua rape victim) is just like my daughter. Thank God, today the nation has woken up and they have taken it very seriously. I hope justice will be done and we will bring a bill in the Assembly session wherein (if) any such incident takes place, the hanging must be brought in," he said.

The NC president said the PDP-BJP government should call a special session of the state legislature to pass the bill which would act as a deterrent against such crimes.

Let the government call a special session of the Assembly just for this thing. When the special session of the Assembly is called and this bill is passed, it will be a great thing for the future such crimes will not take place," Abdullah said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also said her government would bring a new law to make death penalty mandatory for those who rape minors.

"We will never ever let another child suffer in this way. We will bring a new law that will make the death penalty mandatory for those who rape minors," Mehbooba said in a tweet on April 12.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya out of some 700,000 refugees who fled to Bangladesh to escape a brutal military campaign, despite UN warnings that a safe return is not yet possible.

The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid Bangladesh camps since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless crackdown on the community in northern Rakhine state last August.

The UN says the campaign amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

Bangladesh and Myanmar were supposed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation.

According to a Myanmar government statement posted late yesterday, one family of Rohingya refugees became the first to return earlier in the day.

"The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the government's Information Committee.

Authorities determined "whether they were once living here or not" and provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by Rohingya leaders who want full rights.

Photos posted alongside the statement showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks.

It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Maungdaw town.

The post did not mention any plans for further returnees in the near future.

The move comes despite warnings from the UN and other rights groups that a mass repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar as yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades.

Yesterday the UN's refugee agency said in a statement that conditions "are not yet conducive for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees".

The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their long roots in Rakhine state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami today accused former chief secretary P Rama Mohana Rao of providing wrong information about late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's health.

Rao was trying to shield somebody in this regard, Palaniswami told reporters at the airport here, without naming anyone.

On the Cauvery issue, he said this cannot be solved through Twitter or Facebook, but legally.

Palaniswami said he had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to implement the Supreme Court's verdict in this regard.

On the ongoing agitation against Sterlite, he said the factory was closed in 2003 and the case is being heard by a court.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Emmanuel Macron said today that France's air strikes in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack were not a declaration of war against the Damascus regime.

"We have not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad," Macron said in a television interview, a day after France joined the United States and Britain in launching strikes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After collecting $1.6 billion from nine highway projects, the government is eyeing about $3 billion by monetising 25 more National Highways stretches in three tranches beginning next month, a top official said.

The maiden tranche comprising nine projects under toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model was oversubscribed, fetching about $1.6 billion cash to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently.

"Detailed project reports (DPRs) are being formulated for about 25 more highway projects. These will be auctioned in three tranches," an NHAI official told PTI.

To make the projects more lucrative, the government is assessing the asset condition through drone videos and network survey vehicles and will provide detailed database to the investors.

On a cumulative basis about 1,640 km of highway projects will be bid out under TOT beginning next month, the official said.

Of these 1,640 km projects, NH stretches totalling about 1,000 km will be bid out in the second and third tranches in May while the remaining about 640 km is planned to be put under hammer in the fourth tranche likely in June or July, the official added.

"Given the huge success of the maiden tranche, we expect to garner close to $3 billion from these three tranches -- $1 billion each from the second and third tranche respectively while about 750 million from fourth one," the official said.

The projects are scattered in nine states and highway stretches in Odisha and West Bengal are being prepared to be put for auction in the second tranche, followed by stretches in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Telangana in third phase.

The fourth tranche projects will be from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, the official said.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had said earlier that government will monetise 105 highway projects in phases that could fetch about Rs 1.5 trillion.

The government's bid for monetisation of highway projects had started on a strong note as Australia's Macquarie had clinched the maiden bundle of projects on offer for Rs 96.81 billion on February 28 while the total cash flow will be more than Rs 105 billion.

The first bundle for monetisation, released by NHAI in October 2017 covered 9 stretches five highways running across Andhra Pradesh and four in Gujarat.

The Cabinet in 2016 had authorised NHAI to monetise public funded National Highway projects. 75 operational NH projects completed under public funding had been identified for potential monetisation using the TOT Model.

TOT model in India has been developed to encourage private participation in the highways sector.

The TOT model has the concessionaire paying a one-time concession fee upfront (lump sum), which then enables the concessionaire to operate and toll the project stretch for the pre-determined 30 year concession period. This model is applicable to EPC and BOT (Annuity) highway projects, which have completed at least 2 years since date of completion.

The model, as per officials, addresses the risks associated with such a long concession contract and there are multiple provisions in the model concession agreement, which are designed to take care of eventualities like roadway expansion, high toll traffic variation etc to ensure that concessionaires are not exposed to undue risks.

As per the Economic Survey, India will need about $4.5 trillion in the next 25 years for infrastructure development, of which it will be able to garner only about $3.9 trillion.
The government has moved the Supreme Court to seek review of its judgement upholding an Allahabad High Court order to prepare a department-wise roster of teachers' vacancies for SC and ST candidates.

"We have filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court in this connection on behalf of the UGC and the ministry. I hope it is heard soon so that there is justice," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters at BJP headquarters here.

"We feel that the roster of SC/ST teachers be prepared considering entire institution as an unit, in line with an old mechanism, and not a department. Since there was an order in this connection a circular was issued," he added.

Following an Allahabad High Court order--upheld by the Supreme Court--the University Grants Commission (UGC) had on March 5 announced a new mechanism for implementing faculty reservations, that is, calculating total posts department wise rather than institution wise.

The move is likely to have serious implications as it is believed to cut down the number of posts available for SC and ST faculty members.

The UGC has said that its new reservation formula was in response to a direction of the Allahabad High Court in April last year.

Hearing a case on hiring teachers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the high court had said that each department, rather than the entire university, should be treated as a unit to form the basis for reservation.

The court had also struck down the UGC's institution-wise reservation policy to fill vacant faculty positions, saying there were departments without SC or ST teachers.

Various Dalit groups have been protesting against the UGC decision as, they said, it would lead to a fall in the numbers of reserved seats.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistan's Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said today.

Justice Ahsan was part of a five-member apex court bench that heard the high-profile Panamagate case last year that led to the disqualification of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

A statement by the apex court said that the unidentified gunmen opened fire at Justice Ahsan's Model Town residence first late last night and then again early this morning.

No casualties were reported in the attacks, Dawn reported.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of the Justice Ahsan, and called the Punjab inspector general to probe the incidents. The chief justice is said to be overseeing the situation himself, the paper said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered immediate arrests of the attackers. He also asked the Punjab inspector general (IG) to submit a report on the incident.

Security personnel, including Rangers, have been deployed outside the residence of the judge.

"This is a highly condemnable incident. We are trying our best to arrest the attackers and a thorough investigation is underway," Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan was quoted as saying.

He said that additional security has been provided to the Supreme Court judge.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the firing incidents and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Pakistan People's Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari termed the attacks alarming and called for a judicial probe.

Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan "strongly condemned" the incidents and claimed that they were "tactics to pressurise senior judiciary".

Justice Ahsan was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict and oversee the ongoing proceedings by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and accountability courts against the Sharif family members and Ishaq Dar.

He was also part of the three-member bench hearing 17 petitions against the controversial Elections Act 2017. The bench had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as head of a political party, leading to Sharif losing his position as the party chief.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The e-way bill will come into effect from April 20 in Haryana and it will be mandatory for intra-state movement of goods in the state.

Giving this information here today, a spokesperson of the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department said e-way bill will be required for movement of goods valued at Rs 50,000 and above.

The taxpayers or transporters will not have to visit any tax office or check-post for generation of e-way bill. A user-friendly system has been introduced for easy and quick generation. Besides, smooth and simple tax administration will ensure easier verification of every e-way bill by the tax officer, he said.

The spokesperson said a consolidated e-way bill could be generated for vehicles carrying multiple consignments. It could be generated through various modes, including using web-online browser on laptop or desktop or mobile phone.

It could also be generated on android-based mobile application, via SMS through registered mobile number, application programme interface that is integration of IT system of user with e-way bill system, through tool-based bulk generation and through third-party based system of Suvidha providers, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of people from 15 villages in Maharashtra's Beed district are braving blazing Sun to wage a war on perennial water crisis in Marathwada, one of the most arid regions of the state.

They are part of the 45-day "Shramdaan Abhiyan" (Voluntary labour campaign), launched on April 8 by an NGO under former AAP leader Mayank Gandhi, who has adopted these villages for water conservation and preservation.

The villagers are digging trenches, farm ponds, watershed structures, check dams to preserve the rain water.

Dozens of excavators and earth-movers, funded by various corporates, are deepening and widening the tributaries of the "Paapnashi" river which passes through six of the selected villages.

The 15 villages have collective population of 30,590.

Gandhi, previously associated with the India Against Corruption movement, said he chose the particular area in Parli taluka of the district because it has the lowest irrigation.

"Only 1.72 per cent of land here is under irrigation as against 16.57 per cent in Maharashtra and 40 per cent in the country. I want to empower these villages with the 360-degree development including water security, agriculture, education, sanitation and community building," he told reporters at Mamdapur.

Gandhi said the "Global Parli project" launched by him in 2016 has been acting as a catalyst.

Local social worker Dr Harishchandra Wange and his team of doctors are raising awareness and motivating the villagers about the importance of storing water.

"The Paani Foundation is providing technical and practical training to the villagers while corporates like Borosil, UPL, Alkem are assisting us through their CSR initiatives," Gandhi said.

Ten out of these 15 villages have been selected to participate in the Satyamev Jayatee Water Cup competition.

The activist said he had fixed a target for all the villagers to complete the work before the arrival of the monsoon.

"Every village has its own maps with watershed structures, contour trenches, compartment bounds, check dams, farm ponds etc," he said.

Huda Kaudgaon village Sarpanch G R Rathod said the villagers are motivated and are hopeful that their struggle for water would end soon.

Marathwada region has been experiencing a spate of droughts since 2012.

Most of the villagers face the daunting challenge of walking long distances up to two to four kms, just to fetch few litres of water.

In 2016, the Railways had dispatched a special 'water train' with 10 wagons for parched Latur in Marathwada region.

The region has also seen suicides by a number of distressed farmers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The event is part of the activities under the framework of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2018, taking place from April 12-15.

Under the theme Discovering 2018 summer, the festival featured around 150 booths by travel agencies, hotels, retailers, restaurants, transporters and airliners from both home and abroad.

In addition, seminars on introducing tourism information, Gotadi ticket reservations, and improving the efficiency of online tourism were held.

On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Tourism jointly organised the Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startups in Tourism (HIST) in 2018.

The annual contest aims to seek startup projects with sound solutions, feasible products and high technological contents aligned to the citys tourism development.

The projects participating in the Innovative Startups in Tourism will have a chance to receive funding from the citys programme for supporting startups projects called SpeedUp. Startup ideas on travel, accommodation, tourist transport, and payments for the sector will be given priority in the programme.
At a time when political parties are fighting it out to grab the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar for political gains, not many worry as to how the colour blue came to be associated with the Dalit icon.

The leader, who carved out the Constitution of free India laying down the framework assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them, has been depicted in blue in all statues installed all over the country.

"Blue was his favourite colour and he mostly used it in his personal life too," Lalji Nirmal of Ambedkar Mahasabha, which conferred the 'Dalit Mitra' award on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Ambedkar's birth anniversary, told PTI here.

Retired IPS officer and leading Dalit activist SR Darapuri said that besides being his favourite colour, blue was also the colour of the flag of the party floated by Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation of India in 1942.

"The flag was blue in colour and had an Ashok Chakra in the centre...later in 1956 when the Republican Party of India was set up after dissolving the earlier party, it was also given the same blue flag," Darapuri pointed out.

"Blue, in another shade, is also the colour of the sky, which shows vastness and that was the vision of Baba Saheb," he said.

The same has been adopted by the BSP as its colour and has since came to be associated with Dalit emancipation, he stressed.

"The statues of Baba Saheb are always seen in a blue coat with the Constitution in one hand and the finger of the other pointing out as a symbol of moving ahead," Darapuri said.

Recently a freshly installed 5-feet-tall statue of the Dalit icon was installed in a Badaun village in saffron jacket but was promptly re-painted in blue after questions arose over the choice of a colour associated with Hindutva.

The saffron-attire statue in Kuwargaav village was a replacement for a smaller Ambedkar statue that was damaged by some anti-social elements and local BSP leaders initiated its repainting.

Recalling an anecdote recounted by Ambedkar's wife Dr Savitri Ambedkar, who was a close acquaintance, Lalji Nirmal said that on a visit to Lucknow as central minister Ambedkar had refused to stay in the Raj Bhawan saying that he cannot part with his books.

"The then Governor Sarojini Naidu had invited Baba Saheb to stay in the Raj Bhawan but since he had come with his books in hordes, Baba Saheb said that he will be staying in his Railway saloon," Nirmal said, adding that even his wife used to say that books were his first love.

Quoting "Ambedkar ki dincharya" - a book by Baba Saheb's secretary - Darapuri said he was also fond of good food and used to cook for his friends and guests.

"Savitri Ambedkar on a visit to our place in Varanasi told us that he liked dressing up immaculately and his clothes were stitched by the same tailor from whom the then Lt Governor of Bombay presidency used to get them made," Darapuri said.

Lalji Nirmal also commended efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having made Ambedkar relevant today.
He is one of the few stars who knows how the story of "Avengers: Infinity War" unfolds, but do not expect any spoilers from Benedict Cumberbatch as he says he is good at "keeping secrets".

The 41-year-old actor, who plays Doctor Strange in the much-awaited movie, said it was not a curious fan in him, but an old-school performer that demanded the script from Marvel.

"I am kind of old-school in terms of filmmaking. I don't know how I managed to get the complete script. I am good at keeping secrets. As a fan, I didn't want to know what was going on, but as a character I had to understand the bracket in which I had to be operating. I had more reasons, other than curiosity," Cumberbatch said in a group interview here.

Marvel has been very guarded throughout the production of "Infinity War". So much so that directors Joe and Anthony Russo kept the full script out of the stars' hands; only providing them with their scenes.

At the beginning of the worldwide promotional campaign of the film, the duo also put out a letter appealing to the fans to keep spoilers to themselves.

Cumberbatch said reading the script made no difference as he is confident that there will be many more surprises for him when he finally catches the film at its premiere.

"It doesn't make a difference. I will be sitting in the premiere and going like, 'Did I read that?'. A Marvel film is never what it is on script and that's what the joy is. There is a great fluidity and improvisation," he said.

Set to release on April 27, "Infinity War" is the biggest superhero saga to be witnessed by the audiences ever, with fan favourites such as Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Black Widow, Thor, Black Panther among others, joining forces to defeat the most powerful villain, Thanos.

And while fans are curious as to who emerges unharmed in the climax, Cumberbatch said the film is all about staying "united".

"We strongly stand together. 'We are united' that's what the feeling you get from the Avengers. It is about putting away your differences and uniting. These Marvel films always bring people together. They always have science, logic, social and political tones. This one is about 'United We Stand'."



The actor said working on the film was a "big deal" for him as a number of people have devoted their lives in creating this magical universe of superheroes which inspires generations.

"This film is a big deal. This doesn't happen every day. Making this film may be just 10 years of the talents' life, but years of work by many people to get to this place. It is pretty hard. I am like 'holy crap To be a part of something like this extraordinary without repeating'," he said.

"I went to dinner of the Avengers and there I realised that many people have given their lives and families and their children to make it a huge success. It was incredible to see the first clip of the film at D23 (Expo). I was pretending not to cry thinking that it would be it be a little bit hysterical. It was generally very moving not just because of the arc of the story but the time people have invested in this unique enterprise," the actor added.

The British star was at his wittiest best as he promoted the Russo Brothers-directed film here.

Staying true to his English sense of humour, the actor said if given a chance, he would like to play Groot from the "Guardians of the Galaxy" as it is "like a walk in the park".

He also shared that it took him around two-and-a-half hours to get ready for his role of Doctor Strange.

"I watch Netflix during that time. I eat when they are putting make-up and that drives them crazy. It is difficult. Also, I meditate a lot at that time," he added.

Earlier in the day, during a press conference, Cumberbatch and Iron Man Robert Downey Jr left everyone in splits when they were asked if they ever shared a "Sherlock" joke on the sets.

To which Cumberbatch funnily replied, "There wasn't any joke and I hope there isn't any in future."



Downey Jr played the legendary detective in 2009 film "Sherlock Holmes" and its 2011 sequel, while Cumberbatch essayed the title role in a crime drama TV series based on Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With the onslaught of social media and e-communication services, pigeongram may have become a thing of the past across the globe, but the Odisha Police continues to keep alive this unique practice.

The service was put to test yesterday when the Odisha Police, in association with the Bhubaneswar chapter of Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), flew 50 pigeons at OUAT Grounds here to deliver missives of heritage conservation to Cuttack, 25km away.

The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Former DGP and state convener of INTACH, A B Tripathy, praised the police department for preserving the age-old tradition.

The determination of the men who run India's only police pigeon service has "guaranteed the survival of a practice" that was prevalent in the Mughal era, he said.

SP (signal) BN Das said Odisha was the only state in India to use carrier pigeons to communicate among police stations.

The Odisha Pigeon Service started in 1946 when 200 pigeons were handed over to police personnel by the army on an experimental basis to communicate in areas with no wireless or telephone links, Das said.

The service was first pioneered in the mountainous Koraput district, and its success and reliability resulted in its introduction to almost all the districts of the state with over 700 sturdy Belgian Homer pigeons ferrying messages to assigned destinations.

For years, these dependable birds have been a vital link between remote police stations, where traditional communications failed, beating storms, disasters - and birds of prey, the SP (signal) said.

The messages, written on a piece of paper, were inserted into plastic capsule and tied to the feet of the Belgian Homer Pigeons, which can fly 25 km in just 15 to 25 minutes and live up to 20 years, he added.

The service, headquartered in Cuttack, was extensively used during floods and Super Cyclone in 1999, as radio networks were disrupted, said a senior police officer, adding that the pigeon service was also the only line of communication to the marooned town of Banki during the disastrous flood in 1982.

Ornithologist Panchami Manoo Ukil feels this practice needs to be preserved for the next generation to get an idea about the ancient traditions.

"Pigeon service is an art that dates back to the Mughal days. The birds delivered messages to the harems and battlefields. This unique tradition has historical significance and should be preserved," he said.

Anil Dhir, a member of INTACH, said the heritage service has generated a lot of interest among the collector's community.

"All the pigeons reached Cuttack within an hour," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Space agencies of India and France have been holding discussions to work on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, a French source said.

This comes almost a month after the two sides agreed on a joint statement for an enhanced space cooperation.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES) had agreed to work together on autonomous navigation of rovers on Moon, Mars and other planets, and aero braking technologies for planetary exploration.

Venus is under-explored compared to Mars. This is why we want to concentrate on Venus. ISRO has confirmed this priority for them. Discussions are also going on for the future Indian Mars mission, said a CNES official.

India has already undertaken two successful inter-planetary missions, 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon and 'Mangalyaan' to Mars. It is likely to send Chandrayaan-II this month, another mission for exploring the Moon, through which a rover would be landed on Earth's only natural satellite. ISRO also has plans to send another mission to Mars and Venus.

In particular, CNES could provide support to ISRO for the navigation of future moon rovers while the two will jointly work on the models to study Mars and Venus atmospheres, the CNES official said.

CNES could be involved in the definition of the scientific goals and preparatory studies for the future planetary missions of ISRO and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board the future interplanetary (Moon, Mars and asteroids) Indian missions, the official said.

Venus is Earth's closest neighbour just like Mars. US space probe Mariner 2s flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Since then more than two dozen missions have been undertaken to explore the planet.

Yet, Venus remains an enigmatic puzzle for scientists. Its surface is shrouded in a perpetual cloud cover and what makes Venus so different from Earth has not been easy to understand.

Indo-French cooperation is very robust in nature and is more than six decades old. India had been using the French facilities for sending its heavy satellites in the orbit. When India was grappling with technological assistance following nuclear tests in 1974, it was France that helped India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In an effort to restore the glory of a historic monument, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district have ordered demarcation of the land pertinent to the Poonch Fort to remove encroachments.

District Development Commissioner, Poonch, Mohammad Aijazconstituted a three-member team to carry out the exercise and asked to submit its report in two weeks, an official spokesperson said today.

The team has been constituted with assistant commissioner, revenue as the chairman and tehsildar haveli and executive officer municipality as its members.

A stipulated time-period of two weeks has been fixed to carry out the exercise and submit the report for further necessary action, the spokesperson said.

The civil society of Poonch has expressed its concern over encroachments around the Poonch Fort and demanded removal of the same and restoration of the beauty of the fort.

The repair and renovation works of the fort are in progress under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The removal of encroachments would pave way for restoration of the beauty of one of the oldest forts in the state.

The district administration would issue notices to the encroachers and has appealed them to voluntarily remove encroachments and cooperate in the interest of common good of the people of the district, the spokesperson said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The political discourse in poll-bound Karnataka touched a new low with Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao calling upon the people to hit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers whenever he came to the state.

Rao made the controversial remarks at a candle march organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress here to show solidarity with the victims of rape in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

The comments drew an angry response from the BJP which termed them "heinous" and accused the ruling Congress of instigating violence.

As his comments stoked a major political row, Rao said it was an "emotional outburst" and "all I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers".

He said he regretted his remarks if they were offensive.

At the protest meet last night, Rao had said, This man from Uttar Pradesh who comes to Karnataka to deliver lectures is not a yogi. He is a hypocrite, a liar and a thug. He should not be allowed to enter Karnataka..."



"... In case Yogi Adityanath No, there is no need to call him Yogi. He is Bhogi Adiyanath. If he comes to Karnataka, he should be beaten up with slippers and sent back. If you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) have little self-esteem and if you have respect for women, sack the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Unseat him. What you are doing now is a heinous crime (by retaining him), he said.

Hitting back, furious Karnataka BJP leaders reminded Rao that Adityanath was a "revered saint of Nath tradition".

Strongly condemning the remarks, Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said it was "highly derogatory and uncivilised".

He said a person who did not know how to speak about "a sant" and a democratically elected chief minister did not deserve to be in public life.

Yeddyurappa asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel Rao from the party and said the Election Commission should also take cognisance of Rao's "inflammatory remarks" and take "stern action" against him.

The party tweeted, Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints. What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals? Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!



Vokkaligas are considered the second largest community in Karnataka after Lingayats.

The party termed it Congress "deep hatred" for saffron and anyone who is an "unapologetic Hindu".

"It also shows the party's disregard for rule of law," said the BJP, alleging, the "Congress instigates violence for political gain".

It asked the Election Commission to register a case against Rao under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

The BJP said the statement shows Congress party's "utter contempt" for a democratically elected chief minister.

Enraged by Rao's remarks, BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha said in a video message, One should be cautious while talking and control his tongue. Else, you will get a befitting reply.

Rao said, I should not have said so. It is wrong. All I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers. I did not say slap him with slippers. It was not a scripted statement. In a fit of anger I said so. I was wrong."



Later, he tweeted, It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the rape victims and the complete apathy of Adityanath government. I regret if it's offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP today demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it.

Citing the BJP's decision to remove two of its Jammu and Kashmir ministers, who had joined the public protests against the probe, Union minister Prakash Javadekar wondered if Congress president Rahul Gandhi would only point fingers at others but maintain silence on the comments of his party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

Questions would be raised and there must be some justification in the people's demand, Mir said, wondering if the probe was aimed at making some political points.

"When our ministers expressed these sentiments, the Congress, the media made a lot of noise. We took action. They resigned. Now we want to ask Rahul Gandhi, who took out a candlelight march (protesting the growing incidents of crime against women in the country), why is he not taking action against his party's state president, Javadekar said.

Pointing fingers at others while protecting its own was the character of the Congress party, he alleged.

The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by PTI.

The BJP had faced flak after its leaders in the Jammu region, including two ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government, joined the public protests against the police probe into the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakarwal Muslim community that had led to the arrest of eight persons.

The two ministers -- Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga -- resigned on Friday, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said these incidents, including a rape case in which a BJP MLA from Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh is the accused, had shamed the country and that justice would be ensured in all the cases.

Javadekar also demanded an apology from senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, noting that Bar Association of Jammu president B S Slahia, who had led the public protests against the police probe, was his poll agent in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP leader also questioned Gandhi's candlelight march at India Gate on Friday night, saying he never protested against the "Nirbhaya" incident, atrocities against Dalits in Mirchpur in Haryana and many other incidents of rape that had happened during the Congress rule.

"People can see what kind of you (Gandhi) are doing. Why are you silent? You should immediately sack him (Mir)," Javadekar said.

The HRD minister rued that there had been no gender sensitisation for men in the country for generations, claiming it to be a reason behind the heinous crimes against women, and said, "No amount of condemnation is enough for such incidents."



Reacting to Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao's comment that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should be beaten with slippers, Javadekar said the BJP condemned such remarks and claimed that the opposition party was making provocative statements and trying to incite violence as it was afraid of losing the May 12 Karnakata Assembly polls.

Javadekar and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also referred to an incident, in which some people, sporting saffron "gamcha" and wielding swords, raised provocative slogans in front of a mosque here during a Ram Navami procession.

Claiming that they were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, Tiwari alleged that they wanted to instigate riots and blame the BJP for the same.

The opposition parties were not in a position to take on the BJP in the elections and that is why they were trying to tarnish the image of the saffron party, Javadekar said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The family members of Sanji Ram, the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case, have said that he should be hanged publicly but only if a CBI probe into the case finds him guilty.

The family members also criticised the national media for portraying their agitation for a CBI probe into the case as "pro-rapists" and "pro-culprits", and said the scribes were "delivering judgments without investigation".

Huddled together under a tree in a nondescript hamlet in their village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, Ram's family members have been demanding an "impartial investigation by a credible agency". Sixteen women, who were on a fast demanding a CBI probe into the case, have been hospitalised in past 15 days.

"My father (Sanji Ram) and brother (Vishal) should be hanged to death if they are found guilty, provided the investigation is conducted by a credible agency. We want justice for the girl by a probe through credible agency and only such probe can ensure our father's and brother's innocence," one of Ram's daughters said.

"Media should have heard us, our side and our fears on the probe by the Crime Branch. Wanting a CBI probe to give justice to 8-year girl, meant to media that we were shielding culprits or creating hurdle in the probe. It was wrong. We always batted for justice for the girl," she said.

She expressed doubt about the credibility of the probe by the Crime Branch.

"Being a girl, I am pained over the treatment meted out to the victim but I am doubtful over the probe being conducted by the Crime Branch," she said.

"We have doubts over the investigation and there are reasons for it. We strongly demand a CBI inquiry to ensure justice to the victim as well as the local people," she added.

Her younger sister also questioned the Crime Branch's investigation asking how could a father call his son for raping a minor girl -- as claimed in the chargesheet.

"Can you imagine what this (statement in charge-sheet of Crime Branch) means? It is shameful that someone says an old man called his young son from his college in UP to rape a little girl," she said.

The issue was being politicised, she said, and claimed that their voice had been muzzled in political war.

The family said that the chargesheet had not only given bad name to the hamlet but also "discredited" all the Dogras of the area.

The body of the girl, from the Bakherwal community, was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.

On January 23, the government had handed over the case to the crime branch of the state police which formed a Special Investigation Team and arrested eight people including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destruction of evidence.

The crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a main charge sheet against the seven accused on Monday last and one separate charge sheet against another accused, who was earlier said to be a juvenile, at a court in Kathua district on Tuesday last.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir today claimed that it was after his demand, the accused in the Kathua rape case were arrested and said he never raised questions on the state police's probe in the matter.

Mir's remarks came after the BJP this morning played a video purportedly showing him calling the police probe into the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua as motivated and defending the public protests against it.

"This is an old video. The statement was given by me in March. It was prior to the arrest of the mastermind and main accused, and others (in the Kathua case)," he said.

The saffron party has also demanded that Congress president Rahul Gandhi sack Mir.

"It was after my statement, the main accused and mastermind, Sanji Ram, and others were arrested. I never raised question mark on the probe (by the crime branch). I have never demanded a CBI probe (into the matter)," Mir told PTI.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP's New Delhi headquarters, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

It was played in the presence of senior BJP leader and Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.

The playing of video by the BJP is aimed at diverting attention from the involvement of its J-K ministers and party leaders in the Rassana agitation to shield the culprits of the Kathua case, Mir alleged.

The BJP had faced flak after its leaders in the Jammu region, including two ministers -- Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga -- in the Mehbooba Mufti government, joined the public protests against the police probe into the rape and murder case, which led to the arrest of eight persons. The ministers resigned on Friday.

Javadekar, citing the BJP's decision to remove Singh and Ganga, wondered if Gandhi would only point fingers at others, but maintain silence on the comments of his party's J-K unit chief.

The girl from the nomadic Bakherwal community had gone missing on January 10 and her body was recovered a week later, on January 17, from the Rassana forest in Kathua district.

On January 23, the J-K government had handed over the case to the state police's crime branch, which formed a Special Investigation Team and arrested eight people, including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destruction of evidence.

Ram is the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case



The crime branch filed a main charge sheet against the seven accused on Monday last and one separate charge sheet against another accused, who was earlier said to be a juvenile, at a court in Kathua on Tuesday last.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid growing differences between the government and the judiciary over a host of issues, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is likely to meet Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra later this month.

Sources in the government said the Department of Justice in the law ministry has prepared a note for the minister on pending issues to be raised at the proposed meeting.

A law ministry official said the two can meet to discuss various issues and that the meeting should not be hyped. "There are various channels for them to communicate. If there is a meeting, there is nothing unusual about it, " said the official.

The elevation of justice KM Joseph and senior SC lawyer Indu Malhotra to the top court bench, the controversy surrounding alleged sexual harassment charge against a Karnataka district judge recommended for elevation to high court are some of the issues which may come up at the meeting.

The date of the proposed meeting was not immediately known.

The delay in finalising the Memorandum of Procedure, which guides transfer and elevation of HC and SC judges, may also come up for discussion.

The proposed meeting assumes significance as two senior judges of the apex court, justices J Chelameswar and Kurian Joseph, have flagged issues to suggest that the executive was constantly overruling the recommendations of the judiciary.

They had raised the issues in their respective letters to the CJI and other judges of the top court.

Irked over the government's delay in clearing the Collegium's recommendation to elevate a judge and a senior woman advocate to the apex court, Justice Kurian Joseph wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India contending the "very life and existence" of the institution was "under threat" and a "surgical intervention" was required.

Earlier, Justice Chelameswar, the senior-most judge after the CJI had cautioned that "the bonhomie between the judiciary and the government in any state sounds the death knell to democracy".

The unprecedent letter, copies of which were also sent to 22 other apex court judges, has questioned the probe initiated by the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari against District and Sessions Judge Krishna Bhat at the instance of Union Ministry of Law and Justice, despite his name being recommended for elevation twice by the Collegium.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Consular Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to its citizens on April 14 in the face of growing tensions in the Middle Eastern country over recent days.

In case of emergency, Vietnamese citizens abroad may contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran (which serves citizens in Syria) at the helpline number +98212411670, or their relatives in Vietnam can contact the citizenship protection operators at +84981848484 for timely assistance.
Police raided a chemical factory in neighbouring Thane and confiscated 75 litres of liquid mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant drug, worth Rs 7.5 crore, officials said.

They added that it was the first time Mumbai police had seized mephedrone, also known as 'meow meow' among peddlers and addicts, in liquid form.

"Acting on a tip-off about a drug peddler in suburban Andheri, the police laid a trap and arrested one Shahid Hussain Shah with 300 grams of mephedrone worth around Rs 6 lakh," an official said.

Shah told police that he had sourced the drug from a firm called "Shree Sharda Chemicals" in Thane district's Badlapur MIDC area, police said.

"Shah revealed that this firm stored the drug in powder and liquid form in its factory. A raid was carried out by a team from Amboli police station under sub-inspector Daya Nayak yesterday," the official informed.

On searching the factory premises, the police team found three plastic cans each containing 25 litres of mephedrone in liquid form, an official said.

"One Narayan Patel (75) was arrested from the spot and raw material to manufacture drugs was seized. The factory premises has been sealed. Shah and Patel have been remanded in police custody till April 17," he said.

A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and further investigations were underway, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lite Bite Foods, which runs popular restaurant like Punjab Grill, Baker Street and Street Foods, is considering to raise funds through an initial public offer (IPO).

The company is promoted by Dabur's Vice Chairman Amit Burman and Rohit Aggarwal, and runs close to 140 restaurant outlets through its portfolio of over a dozen brands.

"We are toying with the idea ..may be next year we will be big enough to think of an IPO. We have met different bankers about how we should go ahead. We would rather go in for IPO than private equity. We are having discussions but nothing is decided yet. May be next year," Lite Bite Foods Chairman Amit Burman told PTI.

"As of now, it is all internal accruals from promoter funds," he added.

Lite Bite Foods has also bagged master concession right for development of eateries in 5-tier 2-tier airports in India.

The company plans to open close to 60 new outlets in India in the next financial year, mostly in these new airports, through a portfolio of its owned and franchised brands.

At present, the company opens outlets from the portfolio of 12 owned brands and 7 managed brands such as KFC, Burger King, Subway and Pizza Hut at airports.

"Travel by Indians is going up and we want to look at airport travel retail as a separate business vertical. We have had experience of running eateries at airports. We have bagged master concession for Indore, Ahmedabad, Coonoor, Calicut, and Bhubaneshwar airports.

"We are also looking at expanding the existing presence at the Jammu and Pune Airports, he said.

At present, the company operates 58 outlets at airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Jammu and Goa.

Burman said the company also plans to bid for concession at airports outside India such as Thailand, Singapore and Dubai, whenever an opportunity comes.

The company is also looking at expanding its business of institutional catering. It at present operates 21 outlets for running this business. It serves 10 institutional clients.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of his visit to Sweden and the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was looking forward to deepening bilateral engagement with both the countries in a number of areas including trade, investment and clean energy.

The Prime Minister begins his five-day visit to Sweden and the UK tomorrow. He will have a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 on his way back home.

In the first leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Sweden's capital Stockholm where he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, besides attending a India-Nordic Summit.

"India and Sweden share warm and friendly ties. Our partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rule-based global order. Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives," Modi said in a Facebook post.

The two Prime Ministers will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday.

Modi said he and Lofven would also interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, science and technology, clean energy and smart cities.

The Prime Minister said he would also call on King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.

India and Sweden will also jointly organise the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm on Tuesday which is scheduled to be attended by the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

"The Nordic countries have globally recognised strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernisation, cold-chains, skill development and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation," Modi said.

From Sweden, Modi will travel to the UK on Tuesday where he will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), besides holding bilateral talks with his British counterpart Theresa May.

"My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas of healthcare, innovation, digitisation, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," the Prime Minister said.

He further said, "Under the theme of 'Living Bridge', I will also have the opportunity to meet people from various walks of life who have enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship."



Modi said he would also call on the Queen, interact briefly with CEOs of the two nations who are working on a new agenda of economic partnership, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome the UK into the International Solar Alliance, as its newest member.

On April 19 and 20, Modi will participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the UK which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta.

"The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small-island developing states, but also has a strong international voice for development issues," Modi said.

The External Affairs Ministry yesterday said Modi would meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One person has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 24-year-old woman during an IPL match at Wankhede Stadium here yesterday, a senior police official said today.

The incident took place during the match between Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians last evening, he said.

"The victim complained that Gendraj Dadulal Satnami, who distributes water in the stadium, touched her inappropriately. Policemen at the stadium responded to her call of help and nabbed Satnami," the official said.

"An FIR has been registered and the accused has been arrested under section 354 (a) of the IPC for sexual harassment. He has been remanded in police custody for two days," said Manoj Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone I.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A person who was injured during clashes between protestors and security forces in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district earlier this month, succumbed at a hospital here today, police said.

Mohammad Amir Lone, a resident of Chattergul area of Kangan, who was injured during the clashes in Kangan on April 3, succumbed at SKIMS Hospital Soura this morning, a police official said.

He said Lone and another youth - Irfan Ahmad - were brought to SKIMS Hospital in an injured condition on April 3 following clashes between protestors and security forces in Kangan.

A youth - Gowhar Ahmad Rather was injured, and later succumbed, during clashes in the area a day earlier.

Protests erupted in many parts of Kashmir against the killing of civilians during encounters between militants and security forces in Shopian and Anantnag districts on April 1.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man killed his sister and 100-year-old grandmother after a heated argument in Pakistan's Punjab province, in an apparent case of honour killing, according to a media report.

Police said that the suspect, identified as Sufyan, opened fire at his two sisters in Gujranwala city. His paternal grandmother intervened to resolve the matter but he killed her as well, Geo reported.

The bodies and the injured sister were shifted to a nearby hospital for postmortem and medical treatment respectively. The deceased have been identified as Basheera Bibi and Iqra, the report said.

Eyewitnesses told police that the case was of honour killing.

The police arrested the suspect, who had fled after the incident. A case has been registered and further investigation is under way.

Honour killings are a major menace in the rural areas of Pakistan's four provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A massive fire at a camp of the Rohingya refugees in southeast Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area today rendered at least 228 of them homeless, police said.

The fire broke out at around 3.30am due to a short circuit in the electrical wiring system in the camp and spread rapidly, police said. As many as 44 shanties were gutted in the blaze.

No casualties were reported.

A fire department official said 11 fire tenders were rushed to the camp and it took them three hours to douse the fire.

Police teams were sent to the camp to assist the fire-fighters in the rescue operation. All the Rohingya occupants of the camp have been moved safely to a temporary settlement, police said.

A forensic team and officials from power discom BSES visited the camp to ascertain the cause of the fire.

The Rohingya are an ethnic group, the majority of whom are Muslim, who have lived for centuries in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Myanmar has denied them citizenship since 1982, effectively rendering them stateless.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A special NIA court here is expected to pronounce the judgement tomorrow in the 2007 case of Mecca Masjid blast which claimed nine lives.

The fourth additional metropolitan sessions-cum-special court for NIA cases had concluded the trial and last week posted the case for judgement on April 16.

The blast at the historic Mecca Masjid here on May 18, 2007 during Friday prayers had also left 58 others injured.

After initial investigation by the local police, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI), which filed a charge sheet.

Subsequently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case from the CBI in 2011.

Ten persons allegedly belonging to right-wing organisations were named as accused in the case.

However, only five of them -- Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Swami Aseemanand alias Naba Kumar Sarkar, Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar alias Bharat Bhai and Rajendra Chowdhary - were arrested and faced trial in the case.

Two other accused -- Sandeep V Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra -- are absconding while another accused Sunil Joshi died. Investigations were continuing against two other accused.

A total of 226 witnesses were examined during the trial and as many as 411 documents were exhibited.

Swami Aseemanand and Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar are out on bail while three others are lodged in the central prison here under judicial remand.

In March 2017, a court in Rajasthan had sentenced Gupta and another convict to life in jail in the Ajmer Dargah blast case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A special NIA court here is expected to pronounce its judgement tomorrow in the case related to the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast which claimed nine lives.

The fourth additional metropolitan sessions-cum-special court for NIA cases had concluded the trial and last week posted the case to tomorrow for judgement.

The blast at the historic Mecca Masjid here on May 18, 2007 during Friday prayers had also left 58 others injured.

After initial investigation by the local police, the case was transferred to CBI, which filed a chargesheet.

Subsequently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case from the CBI in 2011.

Ten persons allegedly belonging to right wing organisations were named as accused in the case.

However, only five of them -- Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Swami Aseemanand alias Naba Kumar Sarkar, Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar alias Bharat Bhai and Rajendra Chowdhary -- who were arrested had faced trial in the case.

Two other accused -- Sandeep V Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra -- are absconding while another accused Sunil Joshi had died. Investigations were continuing against two other accused.

A total of 226 witnesses were examined during the trial and as many as 411 documents exhibited.

Swami Aseemanand and Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar are out on bail while three others have been lodged in the Central prison here under judicial remand.

In March 2017, a court in Rajasthan had sentenced Gupta and others to life in jail in the Ajmer Dargah blast case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the world in a globally broadcast live event from the historic Central Hall Westminster in London during his visit to the UK, following in the footsteps of speakers such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Modi will arrive here from Sweden on Tuesday night and is set for a packed day of bilateral meetings and events on Wednesday before the live telecast from Central Hall Westminster.

According to the Europe India Forum, the organisers of Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath on Wednesday evening, the Indian prime minister will address people of all nationalities and backgrounds as questions pour in on social media from far and wide from the North Pole to New Zealand and Saudi Arabia to San Francisco.

"It will be a no-holds-barred interaction with Prime Minister Modi, in a manner and format never witnessed before," said Vijay Chauthaiwale, in charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department.

Central Hall Westminster, previously known as the Methodist Central Hall, is one of the largest multi-purpose venues in the heart of London and the site of the first-ever United Nations General Assembly in 1946.

Since its opening in October 1912, the then Methodist Central Hall established itself as a prime setting for current affairs and debates and played host to Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to the UK in 1931 at the peak of India's struggle for independence.

Anti-apartheid leader Martin Luther King Jr, the Dalai Lama and Princess Diana are some of the other high-profile speakers at the hall.

"The venue is of great global significance and will make history with this unique niche event," said the Europe India Forum, the organisation behind the mega diaspora event attended by nearly 60,000 people at Wembley Stadium during Modi's last UK visit in November 2015.

Nearly 100 young volunteers from across the UK are reportedly giving the final touches to the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath event, scheduled for early evening on April 18, as they finalise the list of just under 2,000 attendees chosen by ballot from online registrations over the last few weeks.

The organisers said they have had an "overwhelming response" to the studio-style interaction, which will see Modi in conversation with a host who will put questions to him from around the world.

Modi will attend the executive session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on April 19 and the CHOGM leaders' retreat in Windsor Castle on April 20 before heading back to India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
You have achieved a lot in a very short space of time. Tell us more about the renewal of the brand.

I like to summarise my strategy by saying that I want people to see the spirit of Rene Bannwart, who founded the brand. This means moving slightly up range, improving quality and being a little bit audacious. With this in mind we have completely renewed the brand image with new colours, more refined lines and lighter showcases. I also believe that less is more, so we will decrease production, reduce the number of retail outlets and the number of references in our collection. At the same I want to add more value to the brand through the quality of its products and bring back some of the crazy creativity for which the brand has been known in the past.

What has the initial feedback been on this renewal and the 2018 collection?

The first feedback came very quickly when we had our kick-off meeting before Baselworld. Our representative in Germany, who has been working with the brand for over 30 years, was impressed as soon as he saw the showcases. I have had similar feedback from journalists. Yet the team itself has not changed. One thing I appreciate is that we are a small team, but we do everything ourselves. We have talented people who have even produced our advertising images and our product packshots.

Corum booth at Baselword 2018  WorldTempus

You have some very interesting and very unusual brand ambassadors. How do you find them?

Some of them are unknown and unheard of, so we have to go out and find them! We already had some great ambassadors for the Bubble collection, but I didnt want to have too much focus just on that collection. There was some humour, which was good, but it needs to be in addition to the serious side of things. So we discussed what we could do and we found Joachim Horsley on YouTube. We liked his original approach because it fits with the brand. We are different and so is he. When we contacted him he didnt even have an album and was financing his first launch on Kickstarter. He has only just done his first concerts in Europe.

The contact with Djibril Cisse came about in a totally different way. One of my sons noticed that in one of his posts on Instagram he was wearing a Bubble. He got in touch with Djibril through Instagram and he passed this on to his agent. They met in Lausanne and things developed from there. He bought his first Bubble in 2002 and he now owns several models and has already offered to do a lot for us. You can see some promotional photos we did with him that were shot against a plain concrete background in our building by our own in-house photographer.

Did you see any difference at Baselworld this year?

We had a lot of visitors and Baselworld is very important for us. But its also important that we are surrounded by the right brands. Im not necessarily talking about price range but about creativity and innovation. We need to be among dynamic brands.

Does that mean a younger clientele?

Not necessarily. You have younger people who act older and older people who act younger, so its more about a type of person than their age. That is what we need to find.

Do you have any plans for e-commerce?

We opened an e-boutique as a test during Baselworld. We have about 30 models in it and we will have some exclusive models in this store. We must have a commercial presence on the Internet, because its the reality of today. People go shopping online after dinner for example. We have found an original way to do this with a Bitcoin watch. The Coin is an iconic watch at Corum and a bitcoin version is the perfect model for exclusive online sales.

How does the bricks-and-mortar retailer fit in with this strategy?

Im happy to help retailers who help us. If we see an uptick in online orders coming from a city with a retailer and we see that this retailer has been doing a good job, then we will find a way of rewarding him. But the data will also show us where the concept isnt working. Its important for us at this stage to be working with retailers who are prepared to invest in the brand. Im not going to chase after retailers who are not interested. I would rather build up the notoriety of the brand and let them come to us in a few years time.

Hobo Coin  Corum

Take the example of Laurent Picciotto of Chronopassion. He goes far beyond just doing business and comes to me with proposals. We developed the Hobo Coin watch with him and he ordered 15 of them. He will be the first retailer to sell them and all other retailers will have them afterwards. He is more than just a retailer, he is an influencer. People listen to what he has to say. And as if by magic, retailers who werent interested in helping us are suddenly interested in the Coin watch.

If you could only wear one watch in the 2018 Corum collection, which one would it be?

Its the Admiral with the teak dial. It corresponds best to my personality and I can wear it easily in any circumstances. Without a doubt its my favourite.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, officials said.

The resignations of Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga were received from BJP state chief Sat Sharma this morning which were immediately accepted and forwarded to Governor N N Vohra for completing the procedural formalities, they said.

With these resignations, the number of ministers in the state government has come down to 22, including nine from the BJP.

There are three vacancies in the council of ministers as the PDP had last month removed its finance minister Haseeb Drabu unceremoniously, they said.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had held consultations with legislators of the party in Jammu yesterday, had announced the resignations would be forwarded for further action thereby ending a simmering political crisis in the state.

Both Ganga and Singh had participated in a rally on March 1 after the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police had arrested the nephew of a caretaker of a 'Devisthan' (temple) in connection with the kidnapping and rape of the little girl.

During investigation, the police arrested the caretaker and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe. The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.

The girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was found on January 17. During investigation, the crime branch alleged she was drugged and repeatedly raped before being killed by crushing her head with stones.

Both the ministers had maintained yesterday that they had been sent by the party to Kathua to understand the ground situation. The two ministers were present in the rally in support of the rape-accused where the tricolour was also waved.

Madhav had yesterday said, "That is why they had to resign. During my visit last month here, I made it clear to everyone that in this matter no one speaks and let us allow the investigations to complete.

"Certain amount of discretion should have been maintained. Certainly, there was a lack of discretion. Sometimes a lack of discretion does not tantamount of any guilt...that has led to certain misconceptions about them (two ministers) also, so they decided they will quit as ministers," he had responded, when asked about the two ministers having termed the action of the crime branch as "jungle raj" and warned police from arresting anyone.

A much-relieved Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defusing the situation and said the unfortunate incident had brought the people of the state and the rest of the country "together".

She said a sense of justice had been reinforced in the state and urged "New Delhi to wake up to the Kashmir cauldron".

Both the alliance partners -- the BJP and the PDP -- had separate legislature party meetings in Srinagar and Jammu yesterday to discuss the situation arising out of the polarisation in the state over the rape-cum-murder of the girl.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally greeted a top Chinese official in Pyongyang and called for stronger ties with Beijing, state media said today, as the traditional allies seek to heal battered relations.

Kim met with Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, who was leading an art troupe to attend a spring festival in the North's capital.

The delegation arrived just weeks after Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signalling an attempt by both leaders to shore up a key alliance ahead of a period of high-stakes diplomacy.

Kim is expected to hold summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in this month and US President Donald Trump in the following weeks.

The North's official KCNA agency said Kim welcomed Song and his delegation in a meeting on Saturday, where Song conveyed Xi's "warm greetings".

The two exchanged "profound views on the important matters of mutual concern" between their parties and the international situation, KCNA said, without providing details.

"The Supreme Leader said that he would positively carry forward and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship into a fresh phase of development as required by a new era," it added, using the North's official acronym.

Beijing is North Korea's sole major ally, an alliance dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, but relations deteriorated after China backed United Nations sanctions to punish Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programme.

More high-level exchanges and cooperation will follow between Beijing and Pyongyang, the report cited Kim as saying.

In response, Song vowed to make "a fresh contribution to promoting the prolonged and stable development of the China-DPRK relations".

Song is leading a Chinese art troupe attending a spring art festival in Pyongyang held as part of the commemorations for the anniversary of the birth of the North's founder Kim Il Sung on April 15, 1912.

Both North Korean and foreign artists take part, and this year's week-long event includes concerts, dance performances and acrobatics.

KCNA also issued a rare separate report on Kim's wife who attended a performance by the Chinese art troupe yesterday in the absence of her husband.

"First Lady Ri Sol Ju enjoyed a ballet choreodrama 'Giselle' given by the National Ballet of China," KCNA reported, adding she held "friendly talk" with the guests ahead of the performance.

China has sent art troupes to every festival since 1986, except in 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs, as Washington prepared to increase pressure on Russia with new economic sanctions.

In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, Putin and Rouhani agreed that the Western strikes had damaged the chances of achieving a political resolution in the seven-year Syria conflict, according to a Kremlin statement.

"Vladimir Putin, in particular, stressed that if such actions committed in violation of the U.N. Charter continue, then it will inevitably lead to chaos in relations," the Kremlin statement said.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told CBS' "Face the Nation" program that the United States would announce new economic sanctions on Monday aimed at companies "that were dealing with equipment" related to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's alleged chemical weapons use.

On Saturday, the United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities in Syria in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Douma on April 7.

The Western countries blame Assad for the Douma attack that killed dozens of people. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied involvement in any such attack.

The bombings marked the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and ally Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he had convinced Trump, who previously said he wanted to take US forces out of Syria, to stay for "the long term." The United States, France and Britain have said the missile strikes were limited to Syria's chemical weapons capabilities and not aimed at toppling Assad or intervening in the civil war.

Macron said in an interview broadcast by BFM TV, RMC radio and Mediapart online news that he had convinced Trump to focus on the chemical weapons sites.

The White House pushed back against Macron's comments about Trump's intentions for US forces.

aThe US mission has not changed - the president has been clear that he wants US forces to come home as quickly as possible," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

"We are determined to completely crush ISIS and create the conditions that will prevent its return." she said. "In addition we expect our regional allies and partners to take greater responsibility both militarily and financially for securing the region.a

'HARD FOR US, BUT WILL DO MORE DAMAGE TO THE USA' Responding to Haley's remarks about the plans for new sanctions, Evgeny Serebrennikov, deputy head of the defence committee of Russia's upper house of parliament, said Moscow was ready for the penalties, according to RIA news agency.

"They are hard for us, but will do more damage to the USA and Europe," RIA quoted Serebrennikov as saying.

In Damascus, Syria's deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, met inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW for about three hours in the presence of Russian officers and a senior Syrian security official.

The inspectors were due to attempt to visit the Douma site.

Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for the OPCW's findings before attacking.

Mekdad declined to comment to reporters waiting outside the hotel where the meeting took place.

Assad told a group of visiting Russian lawmakers that the Western missile strikes were an act of aggression, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian agencies quoted the lawmakers as saying that Assad was in a "good mood", had praised the Soviet-era air defence systems Syria used to repel the Western attacks and had accepted an invitation to visit Russia at an unspecified time.

Trump had said: "Mission accomplished" on Twitter after the strikes, although US Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie at the Pentagon acknowledged elements of the program remained and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.

Russian and Iranian military help over the past three years has allowed Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.

Although Israel has at times urged stronger US involvement against Assad and his Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah reinforcements in Syria, it voiced backing for Saturday's air strikes by Western powers.

RISK OF WIDER CONFRONTATION

The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Sunday that Western strikes on Syria had failed to achieve anything, including terrorizing the army, helping insurgents or serving the interests of Israel.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the US military had kept its strikes limited because it knew a wider attack would spark retaliation from Damascus and its allies and inflame the region.

"The American (military) knows well that going towards a wide confrontation and a big operation against the regime and the army and the allied forces in Syria could not end, and any such confrontation would inflame the entire region," Nasrallah said.

The heavily armed, Iranian-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah movement, which fights alongside the Syrian army and is represented in the Beirut government, has been a vital ally of Damascus in Syria's war.

France, the United States and Britain circulated a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council late on Saturday that aims to establish an independent inquiry into who is responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The mechanism would look at cases where the OPCW fact-finding mission has established chemical weapons were used or likely used.

Diplomats said negotiations on the draft resolution would begin on Monday and it was not immediately clear when the United States, France and Britain wanted to put it to a vote.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has sent notices to all statutory auditors of Punjab National Bank's Brady House branch, where the over Rs 130 billion scam involving Nirav Modi took place, to appear before its disciplinary board.

The chartered accountants' apex body has made a list of the statutory auditors of the Brady House branch during 2011-12 to 2016-17, and asked them to appear before its Board of Discipline. Statutory auditors are members of ICAI and are governed by the apex body.

"ICAI has issued notices to statutory auditors of the Brady House branch under the Chartered Account Act, 1949, to appear before Board of Discipline and offer an explanation," ICAI member S B Zaware told PTI.

Eight statutory auditors, who had audited the lender's Brady House branch in Mumbai during that period, have been issued notices.

This is a primary investigation and the board wants to ascertain whether the auditors were at fault.

"At this point, we cannot say that statutory auditors are guilty. After the auditors appear before the Board and answer questions, is when we will be able to determine their role in the fraud, if any," Zaware added.

In February, this year, the second largest public sector bank PNB had detected fraudulent transactions at the Brady House branch.

The biggest ever banking fraud of more than Rs 13,000 crore was allegedly committed by billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connivance with some PNB officials.

Following the disclosure of the fraud by PNB, ICAI had formed a high-level group to study systemic issues involved in the scam. The group, after completion of its study, will also suggest remedial measures for strengthening the banking system.

Zaware said the 10-member group had to seek government's intervention after PNB refused to co-operate with the panel in providing information required to complete its report.

PNB was issued a letter by Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of to disclose information to the group.

The high-powered group, however, is yet to get information from the bank, Zaware, who is also the convenor of the committee, said.

In its preliminary conclusions, based on available information, the panel found out all possible lapses on part of the lender.

Lapses in corporate governance and concurrent audit work as well as failure to take sufficient precautionary measures are among the factors flagged by the high-level panel.

The fraud is being investigated by multiple agencies, including CBI, SFIO and ED.
With opposition mounting attack on Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in connection with a 30-year-old road rage case, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday scotched speculation that the Congress leader would be resigning from the state cabinet.

The Chief Minister said there was no question of asking Sidhu, the Tourism, Culture and Local Government minister, to quit.

Last week, the state government in the Supreme Court had favoured the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict convicting and awarding a three-year jail term to Sidhu in the 1988 case. Gurnam Singh, a Patiala resident, had died after he was given fist blow by Sidhu.

Amarinder pointed out that the apex court had stayed Sidhu's conviction in 2007 and was yet to pronounce its final verdict on his petition challenging the high court order.

The question of the minister resigning, merely because the state government had repeated its stand of 30-years in the case before the Supreme Court, did not arise, he added.

"There was neither any impediment in Sidhu's induction into the cabinet nor in his continuation now, in view of the stay on his conviction", Amarinder said in a statement.

The categorical clarification from the Chief Minister came amid reports suggesting that Sidhu had been asked to resign, and also in the wake of the demand from the opposition that he should step down.

However, the Chief Minister once again expressed the hope "that the judge would take cognizance of Sidhu's contribution to the society and the country in deciding the case."



Reacting to reports suggesting that the government had deliberately not supported the minister in the apex court, the Chief Minister stressed that unless the prosecution received new inputs, it was not legally possible for it to add a new element to its arguments.

"Taking a U-turn from the stand taken by the government in the trial and high courts was not an option for the government," he added.

In September 1999, a trial court had acquitted Sidhu of the murder charge. However, the High Court reversed the verdict and held him and co-accused Rupinder Singh Sandhu guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in December, 2006.

The high court sentenced them to three-year imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 each on the convicts.

After the Punjab government favoured a court verdict convicting Sidhu in the road rage case, the minister had tried to put on a brave face, saying he was ready to carry "any burden" that he may have to because of his own government's stance, even as Opposition demanded he quit the Cabinet.
Robert Downey Jr became an instant fan favourite when he first starred in "Iron Man" and after a decade, amid the reports of him dropping the armour, director Joe Russo says no actor can replace the Hollywood star as Tony Stark.

There have been rumours that Downey Jr, who has played the iconic superhero in around 10 Marvel films, including the upcoming "Avengers: Infinity War" and its sequel, will step down as Iron Man after the release of "Infinity War".

"There is nobody who can take over Iron Man from Robert. I don't think the audience would accept that. He never mentioned to us about leaving 'Iron Man', but it will happen at some point of time.

"He can't play the character forever. I am sure there are lots other things he wants to do in his career. But he loves playing the character, I know that, and we love working together. We will see where it goes from here," Joe, who has co-helmed the film with brother Anthony Russo, said in a group interview here.

"Infinity War" boasts of a towering cast and the filmmaker says, true to his on-screen avatar Iron Man, Downey Jr made sure everyone moved together like a unit throughout the filming process.

"Robert is an incredible leader. He is a very warm and inclusive human being. He is great in keeping everyone's spirits high and making everyone feel invited in the process... In the healthy creative space," he adds.

The film, scheduled to release on April 27, is being touted as the biggest Marvel movie ever. Joe says, for him, the project is a step towards a more diverse Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), latest example being Ryan Coogler-directed "Black Panther".

"For me, this Marvel Universe is like a book. It has been in writing for last 10 years with all these films. 'Infinity War' is the final chapter in this book. So, in future, there will be new stories to tell. In future, we will be seeing a new beginning. 'Black Panther' is one of them and it is so incredible. The future of Marvel is going to be a lot more diverse catering to fans across the globe.

"People have been (living) with these characters for a decade and this is the ending. It is very exciting as there is a sense of closure and then also of new beginnings," he says.

The film features an A-list cast -- Benedict Cumberbatch, Karen Gillian, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Pratt among others.

Joe says there were no differences on the sets and they worked like a team.

"There were no ego clashes. We were like a big happy family," he adds.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thousands of North Korean devotees laid flowers before statues of the country's founder Kim Il Sung today on the anniversary of his birth.

A constant stream of soldiers in brown uniforms, work unit personnel in suits, schoolchildren and families made their way to Mansu hill in the centre of Pyongyang, where giant statues of Kim and his son and successor look out over the capital.

"The great comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will always be with us," read a banner made of greenery.

In turn each group approached the bronze edifices, most people with single blooms, some carrying golden baskets of flowers -- making their offerings before assembling in formation.

"Let us bow before the statues," intoned an announcer half-hidden by horticulture, prompting deep bows from civilians and salutes from military detachments.

North Koreans are taught from an early age to revere their leaders, and portraits of the two late rulers gaze down in every home, school and workplace in the country.

Current leader Kim Jong Un is the third of the dynasty to head the isolated and impoverished but nuclear-armed country, whose calendar is packed with anniversaries relating to his two forefathers and their careers.

The accompanying rituals both demonstrate and reinforce loyalty to the regime. April 15, known as the Day of the Sun, is by far the most important and sometimes marked with a military parade, as it was last year.

Visiting the statues reinforced her determination to "realise the reunification of our country which the great leaders wanted" and "uphold the leadership of the respected Marshal Kim Jong Un", said Second Lieutenant Ryu Yong Jong, 25, who has been in the army for nine years.

Ordinary North Koreans only ever express wholehearted support for their government when speaking to foreign media.

Authorities held a mass meeting of senior officials on Saturday to mark the anniversary, one of a series of events tied to the date, but Kim Jong Un has spent some of the festive period on the current spate of diplomacy involving the two Koreas.

A summit with the South's President Moon Jae-in is due later this month, ahead of talks with Donald Trump. On Saturday Kim met visiting Chinese envoy Song Tao, pledging to improve a traditional but battered relationship.

At a banquet for the delegation, one wall was decorated with a mural of Kim shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping on his surprise trip to Beijing last month.

The journey was Kim's first overseas since inheriting power. It ensured that, rather than the South Korean or US presidents, the first foreign head of state he met was the leader of the longstanding ally whose forces gave his grandfather crucial support in the Korean War.

The Day of the Sun has been described as "Like Christmas, but for Juche instead of Jesus", in reference to Kim Il Sung's "self-reliance" ideology.

Guides at Mangyongdae outside Pyongyang, where Kim Il Sung was born 106 years ago, sometimes use religious terminology themselves, describing a well at the site as containing "holy water" and calling the day his "birthdaymas".

Kim remains the country's Eternal President despite dying in 1994. His son passed away in 2011 but is still Eternal General Secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Retired senior colonel Kim Yong Won, 76, donned his old uniform for the occasion, his chest heavily bedecked with medals -- the most important, he said, being a gold star depicting a soldier, a sailor and an airman for 30 years of service.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Worried over possible job losses post disinvestment, as many as 11 Air India unions representing more than 10,000 employees have taken to Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to protest against the stake sale plan.

Messages and graphics with 'Save Air India' slogan are being posted on various social media platforms. People are also being urged through WhatsApp messages to raise their voice against the strategic disinvestment of the national carrier, according to union representatives.

As part of efforts to revive the loss-making Air India, the government has kicked off the stake sale process and has issued a detailed preliminary information memorandum wherein it has proposed to sell 76 per cent stake and cede management control to private players.

Even though there have been discussions at different points of time among the government, Air India management and various employees unions, concerns over the future of staff at the airline as well as the subsidiaries continue to remain.

Against this backdrop, a joint forum of 11 Air India employees unions, including those from various subsidiaries, are now resorting to social media engagements to put across their concerns to the larger public, policy makers and elected representatives about the stake sale proposal.

Apart from traditional ways of protest like lunch hour meetings and wearing badges, the forum has started using Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms to reach out to employees across stations and solicit their support, according to a member of the forum.

The employees are also being encouraged to write blogs with regard to as there are concerns over possible job losses, the member added.

The 11 unions -- that represent more than 10,000 employees of Air India group -- are vehemently opposing the proposal to sell 76 per cent government stake in Air India, 100 per cent shareholding in Air India Express and its 50 per cent stake in equal joint venture AISATS.

The forum comprises Air Corporations Employees Union, All India Service Engineers' Associations, Air India Employees Union, Aviation Industry Employee Guild, Air India Aircraft Engineers' Association, All India Aircraft Engineers' Association, Air India Engineers Association, United Air India Officers Association, All India Cabin Crew Association, All India Airline Retired Personnel Association and Indian Aircraft Technicians Association.

Pilots' groupings -- Indian Pilots Guild and Indian Commercial Pilots Association -- are said to be in support of disinvestment provided their salary dues and other arrears are cleared, according to sources at the airline.

These unions have already held lunch hour meetings at four places, including at Old Airport in Kalina in the Western Santacruz suburb of Mumbai against the privatisation and have now called on their members to wear 'Save Air India' badges from Monday to oppose the move.

As per the preliminary information memorandum, issued on March 28, the government would retain 24 per cent stake in Air India while the winning bidder would be required to stay invested in the airline for at least three years.
A new book highlighting the sacrifices and struggles of Indian sepoys and soldiers during the 18th to early 20th centuries has been launched here.

Authored by Singaporean NRI N Nedumaran, the book was launched yesterday by Singapore's Ambassador Gopinath Pillai, Chairman, Institute of South Asia Studies, and Ambassador-at-Large Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Speaking at the launch as the special guest, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, Jawed Ashraf, described the book "a reflection of a history of India and South East Asia".

"It was a natural connection between India and South East Asia," he said.

The role played by the sepoys of Malaysia, Singapore and South-East Asia during the founding years of 18th to early 20th centuries came from research work by Nedumaran, the former curator of The Battle Box War Museum at Singapore's Fort Canning Park.

The sepoys came from across India beginning with the Sir Stamford Raffles, who established Singapore as a British Trading Post in 1819.

The 335-page book details the works of sepoys and soldiers, with some territorial wars and then the bigger war with the Japanese in the 1940s.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid growing demand for bifurcating Punjab and Sindh provinces, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has invited all political parties to a dialogue to reach a consensus on the issue of creation of new provinces, according to media reports today.

The prime minister criticised the setting up of the South Punjab Province Front and the leaders who announced its formation recently. He said that mere holding of press conferences could not create new provinces in Pakistan.

Abbasi said all political parties should hold a dialogue on the issue of creation of new provinces in accordance with the demands of the people of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Dawn newspaper reported.

He was speaking at a road opening event in Khairpur Daha near Uch Sharif, about 70km from here Bahawalpur city in Punjab province.

Pakistan has four provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province by area, after Balochistan. PTI AKJ



Abbasi said that no political party could ensure the setting up of a new province all by itself because no party could amend the Constitution alone.

All the parties should strive to forge a consensus through dialogue, he said. The formation of new provinces might be in the best interest of the country.

Abbasi referred to the demand for the creation of Hazara province as well as for other federating units in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He mentioned the adoption of two resolutions in the Punjab assembly in the last two years, about the restoration of Bahawalpur province and creation of South Punjab province.

It was the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, he said, that had ensured the passage of the two resolutions. The constitutional amendment, however, could not be passed through the efforts of just one party, he said.

Abbasi asked the leaders of the South Punjab Province Front to wait for the people's verdict on the issue, as the general election was approaching fast. As they had parted ways with the PML-N, they should wait for proper mandate from the people.

Recently, eight lawmakers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party parted ways with it and announced the launch of a mass movement to make South Punjab a separate province.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The meetings came as Arab leaders convened in Saudi Arabia for the 29th Arab Summit, which is scheduled to start on Sunday, with the Palestinian issue and the Libyan crisis among the topics for discussion

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met late on Saturday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj in Damam, Saudi Arabia, on the margins of the 29th Arab summit.



During his meeting with Abbas, the Egyptian president stressed the urgent need for reconciliation efforts between the Palestinian factions with a view to achieving unity, Egypts spokesperson Bassam Rady said.

Egypt has been playing a key role in mediating reconciliation efforts between Palestines two rival groups Hamas and Fatah.



Abbas said during the meeting that he values Egypt's support for the Palestinian cause, adding that Egypt will continue its efforts to restore the legitimate rights to the Palestinian people.



During his meeting with Al-Sarraj and his delegation, El-Sisi called on all Libyan factions to place national security interests above any other political interests, to rebuild the institutions of the state and hold elections this year.

The meeting with Al-Sarraj comes as Egypt continues its mediation efforts between Al-Sarraj government in Tripoli and political forces in the east of the country to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the Libyan state and unify the Libyan armed forces.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national after the 2019 Lok Sabha election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland.

According to senior TMC leaders, the party's objective to play a major role at the national level can only be successful if it manages to bag the maximum share out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.

"If we want to win maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, then we have to ensure that we put up a good show in the upcoming rural polls, so that we are ahead of our rivals," said a senior TMC leader.

With nearly 40 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state being located in villages and semi-urban areas administered by panchayats, an absolute control of the rural bodies is a must for political parties to have an upper hand on rivals in next year's Lok Sabha polls, feel senior TMC leaders.

"Steering the state from 2011, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has established its credentials on the twin foundation of development and diversity.

"People will endorse this in the upcoming panchayat elections. Yes, the journey to Delhi originates in the rural heartland of Bengal," Derek O'Brien, TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, told PTI.

Brien's views were echoed by his party colleague Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is of the view that the panchayat polls will be the most important election ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

"Panchayat elections resonates the views of the grass-roots and the masses. In villages, people are dependent on their gram panchayats ... The activities of elected representatives at panchayats and zilla parishads come as a added benefit for the political parties he or she represents," Bandyopadhyay told PTI.

The elections will be held across 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 9,217 seats at 341 panchayat samitis, and 825 seats at 20 zilla parishads.

Another senior TMC leader came up with an analogy on how results of panchayat polls directly influence the Lok Sabha election in Bengal.

"Our victory in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore zilla parishads in the 2008 panchayat polls had led to the party winning 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The stellar performance in 2013 panchayat polls, when it won the maximum number of zilla parishads, also led TMC to bag 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014," he explained.

However, he admitted that despite winning so many seats, the party could not have a major role after the 2014 elections, as the BJP managed full majority. "But this time, things will be different from 2014 and TMC will play a defining role after 2019," the TMC leader said.

The TMC leadership has time and again emphasised that it will play a major role on the national level, after next year's Lok Sabha polls.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last month said she would try to unite all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

The TMC top brass had also met several leaders of various Opposition parties, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TRS chief K C Rao, aiming to cobble up a formidable front against the BJP.

Opposition parties cutting across political lines feel that the TMC's urge to prove its mettle in the panchayat elections in order to find firm footing in the Lok Sabha polls next year, has led to unprecedented violence over filing of nominations for the rural polls.

The TMC has denied all such accusations.

Displeased with the State Election Commission's recent decision to cancel its own order to extend the nomination process by a day, the Calcutta High Court had on April 12 put a stay on the ongoing panchayat election process till further instruction.

"Because of their ambition to play a major role and to send out a message that TMC is invincible in Bengal so that they be allowed to lead the anti-BJP front, they are looking to win the panchayat polls without any opposition," state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was once number two in the TMC and been instrumental in its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, feels TMC's wish to be a major national force will never be fulfilled as the BJP will "decimate" the ruling party in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha election.

"The people of Bengal are yearning for a change and BJP will bring that change," Roy said.

State Panchayat Minister and TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said the party will win the panchayat polls and that it cannot take the onus of failure to file nominations.

"How can we take the onus of opposition not being able to file nominations? We can't provide them with man power to file nominations. The people of Bengal are with TMC. I won't comment any further as the matter is sub judice," Mukherjee added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's passenger vehicle exports declined for the first time in seven years in 2017-18 with a dip of 1.51 per cent as major exporters focus on domestic market, while lingering impact of GST refund also affected overseas shipments.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle (PV) exports in 2017-18 were at 7,47,287 units as against 7,58,727 units in the previous year.

"This is the first decline in exports of passenger vehicles since 2010-11 when it declined 0.41 per cent," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said.

Explaining the reasons behind the fall, he said some major exporters of PVs have prioritised the domestic market over exports and are focussing here.

Moreover, the exporters are struggling with the GST refund issue and the auto industry has a total of around Rs 1,000 crore pending refund, he added.

In 2017-18, Hyundai Motor India, which used to be the number one exporter of PVs, posted a decline of 7.39 per cent in overseas shipments at 1,53,942 units.

Likewise, another major exporter Nissan Motors India posted 38.03 per cent decline in exports at 67,829 units. Honda Cars India also saw its exports decline by 3.21 per cent at 5,611 units.

Tata Motors also posted a decline of 40.94 per cent in exports at 2,587 units during the year.

Maruti Suzuki India however had a marginal increase of 1.53 per cent in exports at 1,23,903 units.

On the other hand, Ford India was the biggest exporter of PVs, posting a growth of 14.31 per cent at 181,148 units in 2017-18.

General Motors India, which has stopped selling cars here, posted a growth of 17.54 per cent in exports at 83,140 units.

Volkswagen India also saw exports grow by 4.06 per cent at 90,382 units.

According to SIAM, two-wheeler exports in 2017-18 were up 20.29 per cent at 28,15,016 units as against 23,40,277 units in the previous financial year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of people of different faiths pledged today to maintain communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, and demanded capital punishment for the culprits involved in the rape-and-murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district.

Carrying national flags, a group of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Muslims gathered at Bahu Plaza Park here this evening to convey the message that we may come from different religions but we all are one against social crimes.

Organised by a civil society group, the participants of the 'Sarv Dharam' walk chanted pro-India slogans.

We will not allow anyone to connect social crime with any religion. We are here to scuttle attempts by vested interests to divide the people on the basis of religion, the founder of Fahad Mir Foundation Ruchi Chauhan Khan, told PTI.

She said criminal has no religion and should be seen as such.

Demanding capital punishment for those involved in the rape-and-murder of the minor girl, she said culprits of such crimes should be hanged across the country so that nobody can ever think of committing such a crime again.

Jammu and Kashmir is like a bouquet, where people of all religions live together despite diverse culture and different topography of each region. We have come together to convey a message to the outside world that we are united and we will not allow anyone to disturb communal harmony, especially in Jammu region, Khan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will arrive here on a four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday, is the only head of government to be offered bilateral meetings ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to senior officials.

In what has been categorised as an "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will hold not just one but two meetings with his British counterpart Theresa May on Wednesday before they begin formal deliberations as part of the multilateral Commonwealth summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrives in the UK from Sweden on Tuesday night, is also among only three senior world leaders attending CHOGM to be invited for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday evening, they said.

Modi's royal welcome will include a special event hosted by Prince Charles, during which the heir to the British throne will drive up in a Tata Motors' first-ever electric Jaguar to symbolise the India-UK technical collaboration.

"The welcome being accorded to the Indian Prime Minister is unprecedented in many ways. It reflects the importance the UK attaches to the visit and shows the mature level of India-UK ties," said an official involved with the preparations for the visit.

The bilateral leg of the UK tour begins with Modi's talks with Theresa May at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning, during which both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration.

A memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field.

Following his meeting with Theresa May, Modi will head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition and interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.

This will be followed by the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, marked by an MoU between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and College of Medicine in the UK. The centre is aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network involving Indian and British academics and medical professionals to coordinate on evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.

During a packed day of activities on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to pay tribute at the Basaveshwara statue on the banks of the river Thames, which he had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015.

According to official estimates, India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.

Modi's UK visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership and the central feature of this will be his second meeting with Theresa May on Wednesday at the Francis Crick Institute in London, where a new India-UK Technical Alliance is expected to be among a series of announcements. He will also meet Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases before going in to the India-UK CEOs Forum.

The Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that around 10-12 deliverables, including innovation-related MoUs between NASSCOM and Innovate UK and between NITI Aayog and its counterpart in the UK, are expected to be accompanied by a formal joint statement at the end of the bilateral leg of the visit on Wednesday.

Modi will then head for his audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace before the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath diaspora event to be telecast live from an as-yet undisclosed iconic central London venue on Wednesday evening.

The event, billed as the centrepiece of the "Living Bridge" theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media and some via live video link.

An estimated 2,000 people are expected to have received confirmations to attend the "niche event", since online registrations closed earlier this month.

Organisers said the decision to host a smaller event than the grand diaspora event at Wembley Stadium during Modi's last visit to the UK in November 2015 was to enable the Indian diaspora from across the world to be able to participate.

At the end of the live telecast, the Prime Minister will join Heads of Government from 52 other countries at a formal dinner hosted by Theresa May to mark the launch of CHOGM.

This will be followed by official deliberations between the heads of government in London on Thursday before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis without any structured agenda or the presence of officials.

On the sidelines of the "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will also be greeted with some protests at Parliament Square on Wednesday afternoon, being spearheaded by Pakistani-origin peer, Lord Ahmed, and bringing together UK-based Kashmiri and Sikh groups.

A counter-demonstration titled British Indians Welcome Prime Minister Modi is also planned at the same time at Parliament Square.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Luxury car makers Audi, Jaguar Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz say sales in India in the ongoing fiscal will slow down due to increased prices of vehicles after hike in import duty in the Budget.

The companies say overall industry sales are likely to remain either flat or in low single digit against an earlier expectation of double digit growth.

In the Budget for 2018-19, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had increased custom duty on CKD (completely knocked down) imports of motor vehicles, motor cars, motor cycles from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.

The government had also raised custom duty on specified parts/accessories of motor vehicles, motor cars, motor cycles from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent.

Subsequently, the luxury car makers have passed on the increase in the duties to customers from the beginning of this month through price hikes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, depending on model.

"The effect of new pricing has not yet come in...We don't expect the market to grow in a robust manner this fiscal. It may be be low single digit growth because of the increase in the duty rates," Jaguar Land Rover India President & Managing Director Rohit Suri told PTI.

He, however, said JLR India expects its sales to grow in double digits again in the ongoing fiscal.

Last fiscal, JLR India posted 83 per cent jump in sales at 4,609 units against 2,514 units in the previous fiscal.

"Such high growth is not possible again this year...It is expected that this will not be an easy year," Suri said, adding that the impact of the high GST rates gets further accentuated by the hike in import duties.

Expressing similar views, Audi India Head Rahil Ansari said, "With the implementation of the Union Budget, it makes the cars more expensive...Our point is very clear that we were planning a double digit growth but now we expect a flat year this year. We will still try to maximise our volume".

Audi India had posted sales of 7,647 units in 2017-18 as against 7,101 units in 2016-17, up 7.7 per cent.

Ansari further said the market is stabilising now after the shock of GST and cess increase for the luxury car.

Last year in September, cess on large cars were increased to 20 per cent from 15 per cent, over and above the GST (Goods and Service Tax) rate of 28 per cent. For SUVs it was hiked to 22 per cent from 15 per cent.

Expressing similar views, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Roland Folger said, "It might be a challenge to sustain this momentum in the coming quarters and we are cautiously optimistic".

Mercedes-Benz India reported 22.5 per cent growth in sales at 16,236 units in 2017-18 as against 13,259 units in 2016-17.

Folger said that already there was advancement of purchases due to impending price correction, triggered primarily by the increase in basic customs duty.

Seeking lower taxes on luxury cars, he said, "As the luxury industry volumes are comparatively low, the focus should remain on helping the industry grow by creating demand. A rise in demand would translate in increased production and thus, lead to significant revenue generation".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief negotiators of India, China and 14 other countries will meet by the end of this month in Singapore for the next round of discussions on the proposed mega free trade deal RCEP.

"The meeting will start by the end of this month. This will be the 22nd round of negotiations," an official said.

The issues which would figure in deliberations include finalising the number of goods on which duties would be significantly reduced or eliminated and matters pertaining to the services sector.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega trade agreement among 16 countries aimed at liberalising norms for goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights.

The talks have dragged on as RCEP members want an agreement over removal of customs duties on maximum number of products. Besides, countries like India want greater liberalisation in the services sector trade, which is a key component in the domestic economy.

On the other hand, Indian industry and exporters are apprehensive about the presence of China in the grouping, with which India has a huge trade deficit. They have stated that lowering or eliminating duties for China may flood Indian markets with Chinese goods.

Some trade experts have warned over the impact of the trade agreement on India's trade.

"Indian government should be very cautious about this pact because the kind of market access and tariff cuts that RCEP countries are demanding including in agriculture sector, it would be difficult for India to sustain in long run," Biswajit Dhar, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said.

The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners --- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

India's trade deficit with China stood at USD 51 billion in 2016-17. India wants certain deviations for such countries. Under deviations, India may propose a longer duration for either reduction or elimination of import duties for such countries.

Talks for the pact started in Phnom Penh in November 2012. India already has implemented a free trade agreement with ASEAN, Japan and South Korea. On the other hand, the country is negotiating similar pacts with Australia and New Zealand.

According to experts, if concluded, the RCEP would become the largest free trade area. It would open market for over 3 billion people.

The 16 countries account for over a quarter of the world's economy, estimated to be more than USD 75 trillion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three organisations based in Jammu and Kashmir have demanded reorganisation of the state.

The outfits -- Jammu for India, Panun Kashmir and Ladakh Budhist Association -- organised a round-table conference here today.

In a declaration, they asked the government to "create a separate State of Jammu, Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh and divide Kashmir by creating a Union Territory for Kashmir Pandits north and east of the Jhelum river.

Accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terror activities in Kashmir, the organisations said in the declaration, "We are determined to fight the Pakistani designs in the state...We are also equally determined to fight the subversive policies of Indian political class which have complemented Pakistani machinations in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two employees of a restaurant were allegedly assaulted by four men following an argument over the payment of bill in east Delhi's Mandawli, the police said today.

Police said that the four men fired in the air before fleeing from the spot.

They added that they were scanning CCTV footage to ascertain details of the incident.

The two restaurant employees were injured in the attack.

No arrests have been made till now.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Traditional delicacies, straight out of grandmothers' kitchens, were served today at specialty restaurants in the city on the occasion of Naba Barsho (Bengali New Year) as many Kolkatans gave staple home food a miss to dig into nostalgia with the entire family.

At 6 Ballygunge Place, the menu included veg items that have almost disappeared from the platter in Bengali households - 'Lal Shaag Bhaja', 'Aam Ada Diye Moong Dal', Kumro Phul Bhaja'.

"The main course, too, consisted of a blend of East and West Bengal cuisines. 'Dhakai Pora Mangsho' 'Chittagong Kasha Mangsho', 'Navaratan Paturi', 'Pur bhara Doi Potol' and 'Bhuna Chingri' were the highlights of our menu today," Sushanta Sengupta, a chef and owner of the fine dining restaurant chain, said.

For those with a sweet tooth, there will be an array of desserts, including 'Misti doi' and 'Sandesh', he added.

At Saptapadi, named after Bengali matinee idol Uttam Kumar's blockbuster film, the special 'Baishaki Thali' came with an unconventional twist.

The restaurant rolled out fusion dishes such as like 'Bhetki Chingri popcorn' and 'Tulsi Murgi Nuggets', apart from usual favourites like 'Morich Bhuna Mutton' and 'Methi Lonka Chicken'.

"Bengalis savour continental and Chinese food throughout the year, but on 'Poila Baisakh' (first day of Bengali New Year) people usually take a walk down the nostalgia lane. Our menu is a blend of traditional and contemporary items."



Giving a different spin to its offer, Floatel, on the river Hooghly, laid out a lavish spread of Bengali and Punjabi food to toast 'Poila Baisakh' and Baisakhi in Punjab at the same time, a spokesman said.

From 'Jalandhari Mitha Lassi', to 'Pora Aamer sherbet', 'Chingri Malai Chomotkar' to 'Gurdaspuri Murgh Bharta', 'Anaroser Chutney' and 'Sada Dahi, 'the buffet will be a cross between Bengali and Punjabi cuisine, he said.

Rupsa Banerjee, an advertising professional who visited Floatel with her family today, said Naba Barsho is the perfect time to indulge in authentic Bengali gourmet.

"We crave for Bengali items that our mothers and grandmother lovingly prepared for us on this day. Even if we try making these items in our kitchens, it does not turn out to be that great," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The "root of our culture" will be severed if the Ram temple in Ayodhya is not "rebuilt", RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said today.

He was speaking at a Viraat Hindu Sammelan at Dahanu in adjoining Palghar district.

"The Muslim community in India did not destroy the Ram Mandir. Indian nationals can't do such a thing. Foreign forces destroyed temples here to demoralise Indians," Bhagwat said.

"But today, we are independent. We have the right to rebuild whatever was destroyed because these were not just temples but the symbols of our identity," he said.

"If the Ram Mandir (in Ayodhya) is not rebuilt, the root of our culture will be cut. There is no doubt that the temple will be built at the spot where it was," Bhagwat said.

The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is before the Supreme Court.

The RSS chief hit out at opposition parties, blaming them for the recent caste violence in several parts of the country.

"Those whose shops have been shut (those who lost out in elections) are now inciting people to fight on issues of caste," Bhagwat said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government-drafted law also covers all Islamist movements that are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and designated as 'terrorist entities'

Two committees of the Egyptian parliament approved on Sunday a government-drafted law aimed at regulating the procedures for sequestering, managing, and disposing of the assets of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group.

The draft law also covers all Islamist groups and movements that are found guilty of mounting terrorist attacks or being affiliated with the Brotherhood in any way.

The Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the National Security and Defence Committee both gave their approval to the bill, which is expected to be approved by parliament in a plenary session on Sunday or Monday.

The 20-article draft states that an ad hoc committee will be formed with responsibility for managing the assets of the group and of all other groups and movements related with the mother organization and listed as terrorist entities.

The assets include all kinds of property, in-kind possessions, bonds, national or foreign cash, and financial securities, the draft states.

The law states that all state institutions  including banks, whether public or private  will be obliged to cooperate with the ad hoc committee, giving all necessary assistance and implementing its resolutions.

Egypts Muslim Brotherhood was designated a terrorist organization following a number of terrorist attacks targeting buildings belonging to security forces in Cairo and Nile-delta cities in December 2013.

Many of the groups leading figures were arrested, while many of its assets were sequestrated.

The government also designated two movements  Hasm and Liwaa El-Thawra  are terrorist organizations led by Muslim Brotherhood figures. The two movements were listed as "terrorist" entities by the United Kingdom and the United States.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Former Central Information Commissioner (CIC) and city-based RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi has said that his campaign, 'RTI Bachao' (Save RTI), has borne fruit as some civic bodies have responded positively and started putting the RTI information on their websites.

Miffed with rise in instances of denial of information under the Right to Information Act, Gandhi had held a meeting with fellow RTI activists from Mumbai, neighbouring Navi Mumbai and Thane on February 7, and launched the campaign.

One of the demands made by the activists who took part in the meeting was that all RTI queries and the replies to them should be made public by posting them on government websites.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Ajoy Mehta's reported remarks that some RTI activists indulged in blackmail and extortion, and the BMC's blacklisting of an NGO.

"These developments were very shocking and we thought we must keep the soul of RTI alive and so we were forced to launch the RTI Bachao campaign. We want due respect for RTI users, and want RTI queries and responses displayed on the (government) website. Our plan was to get this done by contacting elected representatives and convincing them. And this experiment appears to be working," Gandhi said.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has agreed to display the information sought under the RTI on its portal and so has the Thane Municipal Corporation. Thane Police Commissioner's office has sent a letter to all officers, asking them to deal with RTI users politely and with respect, he said.

"Now we aim to spread this campaign to other municipal bodies in Maharashtra," Gandhi told PTI.

Calling RTI activists blackmailers was in no way acceptable, he said.

"Municipal corporations and other government bodies must display all RTI requests and responses on their websites. This is a requirement of Section 4 of the RTI Act, which has been reiterated by a Department of Personnel and Training and a state government's resolution (GR). This will lead to better compliance and less corruption. In case there is collusive corruption (where information is sought with ulterior motive), putting the information on the website will stop it," Gandhi said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia's Foreign Minister today accused his British counterpart of distorting the findings of the world chemical watchdog's investigation into a spy poisoning the UK blames on Moscow.

"Already politicians like Boris Johnson are once again trying to distort the truth and announce that the OPCW statement supports Britain's conclusions without exception," Sergei Lavrov said.

"I will underline that the OPCW confirmed only the contents of the chemical substance," he said.

Yesterday, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it confirmed "the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical".

It did not name the substance involved which Britain says was a Novichok nerve agent of the sort first developed in the Soviet Union in the 1970s.

The OPCW also made no assessment of who was to blame for the March 4 attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, which also affected his daughter Yulia and a local policeman.

But British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "There can be no doubt what was used and there remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible.

"Only Russia has the means, motive and record." Russia strongly denies involvement in the attack, which has sparked an international row resulting in the expulsions of diplomats from all sides.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Authorities in El Salvador say a magazine journalist has been kidnapped and killed in the gang-plagued Central American nation.

Karla Lisseth Turcios worked for El Economista, which is part of La Prensa Grafica media group.

The newspaper La Prensa Grafica reports that her husband told police that he and their son left her resting at home around 12:30 pm (local time) on Saturday. It says that when they returned, Turcios had disappeared and did not answer her cellphone or respond to messages.

The 33-year-old journalist's body was found hours later on a highway northeast of the Salvadoran capital, San Salvador.

Roman Catholic Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas called the killing "a very grave attack against society.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There is a need to overturn the Supreme Court order laying down fresh guidelines on arrest of those accused of committing atrocities against SC and ST communities, the government feels, and bringing an ordinance to restore the original provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is one of the options being considered.

Sources aware of deliberations within the government at different levels say promulgating an ordinance to restore the original provisions would help calm tempers.

Introducing a bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament slated for July to amend the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to overturn the SC order is the second option before the government, the sources said.

"If an ordinance is issued, it too will have to be converted into a bill and passed by Parliament. The result of the two exercises is the same -- to restore the original provisions. But the ordinance has the benefit of giving instant results. It will help calm tempers immediately," a senior functionary said.

Dalit groups had organised protests across the country on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the Act through the March 20 verdict of the Supreme Court. The protests had turned violent at several places which left several people dead.

Opposition parties also accused the government of failing to protect Dalit rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted his government will not let the law to prevent atrocities on SCs and STs to be diluted.

"I want to assure the nation that the law which has been made stringent by us will not allowed to be affected (by the SC order)...," he had said.

But the sources said no decision has been taken so far and much would depend on the way the hearing on a review petition filed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the apex court progresses.

They said since review pleas may not bear immediate results and the SC decision could not be favourable, the government will have to firm up its stand on future course of action.

The apex court had laid down new guidelines for police officers on how to ensure that innocent people, especially public officials, are protected from false complaints under the act.

In a written submission filed before the top court on Friday, the Centre said the verdict on the has "diluted" its stringent provisions, resulting in "great damage" to the country by causing anger and a sense of disharmony among the people.

Observing that the court had dealt with an issue of a "very sensitive nature", the submission said the verdict has caused "commotion, anger, unease and a sense of disharmony" in the country.

It dubbed the entire judgement as "vitiated" as it proceeded on the basis that the top court can legislate a law despite having no such power.

The stand of the government came a week after the apex court refused to keep in abeyance its verdict, saying those agitating against its order putting in place certain safeguards on arrests under the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, may not have read the judgement or could have been misled by "vested interests".

The written submissions filed by Attorney General K K Venugopal said "this judgement has diluted, for the reasons stated, the provisions of the Atrocities Act read with the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, resulting in great damage to the country".
Haryana Police said today it will honour six personnel for saving the wheat crop of a farmer from fire by dousing the flames with tree branches in Fatehabad district.

A video of the police personnel dousing the fire in Bhuna town has gone viral on social media.

Taking cognizance of the video, Director General of Police B S Sandhu said the department will honour Bhuna Police Post Station House Officer Ramesh Kumar and five constables for their presence of mind and act of courage.

A police spokesman said the DGP has announced to give a cash award of Rs 10,000 each to Kumar, the constables and those from the general public who assisted them.

The police officials would also be given First Class Certificate in recognition of their act of bravery, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Candlelight vigils provide people a way to vent their anger peacefully against heinous crimes such as rape, but the society must go beyond these symbolic protests for a sustained change, communication experts say.

Their remarks come as two disturbing rape cases shook the nation recently. People came out on streets in Delhi and other parts of the country to demand justice for the victims.

In Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, an eight-year-old girl was brutally gangraped and killed in January. Her body was found a week after she disappeared from near her home and investigators say she was drugged and repeatedly raped before her killers crushed her head with stones.

In Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a legislator of the ruling BJP in the state, when she had gone to meet him at his residence, seeking a job.

Her father died on April 9 in judicial custody with the post-mortem examination report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

Both the cases have raised serious questions over women's safety. The Kathua case, particularly, reignited the memories of the 'Nirbhaya' case.

In December 2012, a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern was gangraped and tortured by six men in a moving bus in a South Delhi neighbourhood. She died two weeks after the incident at a hospital in Singapore, where she had been airlifted for emergency treatment.

Then, too, people had come out on streets in massive numbers and organised candlelight vigils across the country.

"Crimes such as these make people feel helpless. Candlelight vigils may not have much long-term effect, but what do people do. Such protests do at least help vent out their rage and demand a change," Rajkumar Jha, consultant with a leading branding firm, said.

"But to achieve and sustain any societal change, we need to go beyond candlelight vigils and work seriously on bringing those changes," Jha said at a symposium - Beyond the Present - hosted by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication in Delhi yesterday.

Vigils do sort of help people achieve catharsis in hours of great emotional turmoil, he added.

A leading communication expert, Jha has worked on campaigns targeted at the rural community on diverse subjects such as sanitation, safe water, pulse polio and HIV awareness.

"Candlelight vigils do manifest the rage of people. But to take that forward towards bringing social change, we need to look beyond symbolic protests and work on bringing actual societal change on a long-term basis," another communication expert, who attended the event but did not wish to be named, said.

"Candlelight vigils took place in the aftermath of Nirbhaya too, right. But, we still see such harrowing cases," she said.

Candlelight marches at Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, India Gate and Munirka in Delhi had become the defining images of the protests following the December 2012 'Nirbhaya' case.

Jha said candlelight vigils at least help people in organising themselves for a common cause. "Bringing people together for a noble aim is not easy," he said.

Film and theatre personality Avijit Dutt expounded on the role theatre can play in bringing societal and behavioural change by "apealing to core human values within us".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The flood of South Sudanese refugees from the country's 5-year civil war has been called a children's crisis.

More than 60 per cent of the well over one million refugees who have poured into neighboring Uganda are under the age of 18, government and United Nations officials say.

More than two million people have fled South Sudan overall. Amid the fighting, over 75,000 children have found themselves on their own in Uganda and other neighbouring countries, according to the UN refugee agency, separated from their families in the chaos or sent by their parents to relative safety.

While many children have reunited with relatives after crossing the border, others are matched by aid workers with foster families in an effort to minimize the disruption in their lives. Without parents, some children are left vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, aid workers say.

Some teenagers find themselves the head of their households, taking care of siblings.

One 16-year-old boy now takes care of his younger brother. "My father was shot in the war," he said. "And then my mother, I don't know where she went." He doesn't know if she's dead or alive.

The two brothers fled to Uganda on the back of a car after seeing their father's body on a street in their village. After arriving in Uganda they were taken to a reception center run by the UN refugee agency.

Efforts to support the children have been hurt by a recent scandal in Uganda in which officials were accused of inflating refugee numbers to siphon off aid money. That has shaken international donors.

Aid workers say resources are stretched thin as they try to place the unaccompanied children with foster families with close ethnic ties.

It's crucial to place children with families that speak the same language, said James Kamira, a child protection expert with the World Vision aid agency. One young mother of two, Beatrice Tumalu, now takes care of eight other children who are not her own.

"I feel pity for them," she said, as she grew up under similar circumstances during the years that South Sudan fought for independence from Sudan. That independence was won in 2011, and South Sudan's civil war broke out two years later.

The unaccompanied children have little of that aid workers call psychosocial support to help deal with trauma. In one refugee settlement just six case workers are available for 78,000 children, according to the Danish Refugee Council.

Another 16-year-old said his parents died three years ago in South Sudan. He walked into Uganda last year and later was placed with a foster family from another ethnic group.

"Staying there, it is not very well," he said of the cultural and communication issues.

Sitting against a tree, he opened the Bible he carried with him and began to cry as he read one passage: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." South Sudan's many unaccompanied children need stability and education or "we can lose actually that generation," warned Basil Droti, who is in charge of child protection at one settlement for the Danish Refugee Council.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tributes were paid today to the martyrs of Indian Army at a solemn ceremony at 'Prerna Sthal' here to mark 14th raising day of South Western Army Command.

Lt Gen Vijay Singh, chief of staff, South Western Command and other serving and retired officers laid wreaths at the ceremony, a defence spokesperson said.

He said that South Western Command, the seventh and the youngest command of the Indian Army, turned 14 on 15 April, 2018.

Christened as the Sapta Shakti - it is eternally resolved to conform to its motto - Forever Victorious.

In addition to its primary role of operational preparedness, the command has contributed immensely to environmental protection, national integration, welfare of veterans, women and disabled soldiers, Mukhyamantri Jal Swablamban Abhiyan (MJSA), besides providing assistance to the civil administration, the spokesperson added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
About 50 girls and women belonging to various women's organisations today staged a demonstration here, demanding the Centre to stop recurrence of Kathua and Unnao rape incidents.

The activists affiliated to All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), Students Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) raised slogans against those involved in the rape and murder of eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Holding placards with portraits of the victim, a few girls, aged below 10, urged the Centre to put an end to such heinous crimes and protect children, they added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal today said stopping a candidate from filing nomination for Panchayat polls in West Bengal was against the spirit of democracy and not part of Bengal's culture.

Meghwal, the Minister of State for Water Resources, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Indian Museum programme here.

When asked about the recent incidents of violence surrounding the filing of nominations of Panchayat polls in the state, Meghwal said it went against the spirit of democracy and did not gel with the culture of Bengal.

"Whatever is happening related to Panchayat elections in Bengal is not proper for democratic traditions, there should not be any violence during or in the run-up to polls," he said.

He said every election -- be it Panchayat, Corporation, Municipalty, Assembly or Lok Sabha -- should be held in a peaceful manner.

Asked if the state government was being able to conduct the Panchayat polls peacefully, Meghwal said, "How can we say the state government is able to cope with the situation, going by the images we see and informaion we get?"



The Calcutta High Court has stayed the ongoing Panchayat election process in the state expressing displeasure over the decision of the State Election Commission to cancel its own order of extending the nomination process by a day.

The opposition parties in the state have been alleging widespread violence during the filing of nominations.

Asked about the Trinamool Congress' charge that the BJP mounted the communal plank to win votes, Meghwal said BJP never played such brand of

"BJP gives stress on cultural relations. This country espouses the spirit of cultural nationalism and none can ignore that," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said during his speech at the 29th Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia that he hopes Arab countries would push for a political solution to the Syria crisis following the recent attacks on the country by the United States, France and Britain.

Aboul-Gheit said that foreign interventions come at the expense of the Syrian people, who have paid dearly during the past seven years since the outbreak of the countrys civil war in 2011.

The US, France and the UK say that the missile strikes on Syria come in retaliation for the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime of Bashar Al-Assad against civilians last week.

Aboul-Gheit called for an end to foreign intervention in Syria, expressing his "dismay over the deterioration of the Syrian crisis."

"I hope the Arab states will be able to formulate a joint strategy that will help push for a political solution based on the Geneva process and resolution 2254, sparing Syrian blood in turn and restoring the hope of building a new homeland on the ruins of what has been destroyed," Aboul-Gheit said in his speech.



The Arab League chief also spoke about "Iranian interventions" that have targeted Yemen, threatening Saudi Arabia's southern borders.

Aboul-Gheit called on Arabs to speak "with one voice to condemn such interventions in order to restore stability in Yemen.

During the past months, Houthi fighters in Yemen have fired ballistic missiles across the Saudi border on several cities including Mecca, which have been intercepted by Saudi air defences.

Saudi Arabia has been leading a military-coalition in Yemen to fight the Iran-supported Houthi groups that oppose the Yemeni government.

Iran has dismissed the allegations that it supports the Yemeni rebels.

"The Iranians have benefited from the fragility of the Yemeni situation and turned against the constitutional legitimacy," Aboul-Gheit said on Sunday.

On the Palestinian issue, Aboul-Gheit said Arab efforts have succeeded in taking a firm stand against the December decision by the US to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, describing the American decision as a "regression in our Palestinian cause."

The Arab League chief affirmed his confidence in Arab leaders in supporting the Arab League, which he described as the "house of Arabs, which needs financial support for effective movement on different issues."

The Arab leaders are expected to pass resolutions on various regional issues that affirm previously declared stances.

The summit will offer an opportunity for Arab leaders to hold smaller meetings on the sidelines to discuss and coordinate on a wide range of issues, including how to move forward on Syria, how to handle the tense situation in Gaza, and what to do about Libya.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Swara Bhasker today defended her "Veere Di Wedding" co-star, Kareena Kapoor Khan, from a troll who shamed the actor for marrying Saif Ali Khan.

The 30-year-old actor recently shared Kareena's photo on Twitter, where she could be seen holding a placard demanding justice for the minor girl, whose gangrape-murder in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district shocked the entire country.

A user criticised Kareena for marrying into a Muslim family and naming her son, Taimur.

"She should be ashamed of the fact that despite being a Hindu (she) is married to a Muslim. Has a child with him and named him Taimur, after a brutal Islamic barbarian (sic)" the person wrote in reply to the actor's tweet.

Swara slammed the Twitter user for spreading hate.

"You should be ashamed you exist. That God gave you a brain which you chose to fill with hate and a mouth you chose to spew filth from.

"You are a shame on India and Hindus. That s**ts like you feel emboldened to talk this crap publicly is this government's legacy," she wrote back.

Kareena and Saif were relentlessly trolled on social media shortly after the birth of their firstborn in December 2016 when they named the baby boy, 'Taimur'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The leaders of Russia, Iran and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon said today that Western airstrikes on their ally, Syria, have complicated prospects for a political settlement to the country's seven-year conflict.

A day after the US, Britain and France bombarded sites they said were linked to a chemical weapons program, Syrian President Bashar Assad appeared briefly on state TV, seemingly unfazed by the military action and even reportedly in high spirits.

He told a group of visiting Russian lawmakers that the strikes were accompanied by a campaign of "lies and misinformation" against Syria and Russia in the UN Security Council.

Moscow and Damascus are waging the same "battles" against terrorism and "to protect international law based on respect of the sovereignty of countries and the wills of people," Assad said in comments carried by state media, an apparent jab at the three Western allies.

Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin, who met with Assad, said he appeared upbeat and believed the airstrikes would unify the country.

Russia and Iran have called the action a "military crime" and "act of aggression." The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the US, France and Britain.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and they agreed the Western airstrikes were an "illegal action ... adversely impacting prospects for political settlement in Syria," a Kremlin statement said.

Putin said the actions violated the UN Charter and if they continue, "it will inevitably entail chaos in international relations," the statement said.

The official IRNA agency quoted Rouhani as saying The US and "some Western countries do not want Syria to reach permanent stability." Iran and Russia should not allow the "fire of a new tension" to flare up in the region, Rouhani said, adding that the airstrikes were an "invasion" aimed at "emboldening defeated terrorists," IRNA reported.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group that has hundreds of fighters backing Assad's forces, said the airstrikes failed to "terrorize or break the spirits" of Syria and its allies.

Instead, he said, the attack bolstered the confidence of the Syrian army and its allies, as well as probably sinking the already-faltering U.N.-backed peace process on Syria in Geneva.

"If the goal was to pressure Syria to expedite a political solution, I think what happened will complicate the political solution and will strain international relations and the Geneva track, if not torpedo Geneva altogether," Nasrallah told an election rally in Lebanon.

Nasrallah said there is no chemical program in Syria, and he likened the attacks in Syria to the West's concern over Iran's nuclear program.

US Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, said the allied airstrikes "took out the heart" of Assad's chemical weapons arsenal. When pressed, however, he acknowledged that some unspecified portion of Assad's chemical arms infrastructure was not targeted.

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the US has yet to present evidence of what it says led to the allied action: a chlorine gas attack on civilians in Douma on April 7 that killed more than 40 people. The US says it suspects that sarin gas also was used.

A team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is in Syria to investigate the Douma incident and was expected to visit the town. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad met with members of the watchdog group in their Damascus hotel Sunday.

The government regained full control of Douma on Saturday following a surrender deal with the rebels in the town east of Damascus. It later deployed another 5,000 security forces there.

Russian military police had been deployed in Douma, raising complaints from the Syrian opposition that evidence of chemical weapons use might no longer be found.

Douma was the last rebel holdout in the eastern Ghouta suburbs, the target of a government offensive in February and March that killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands.

France, meanwhile, has reached out to Russia, urging it to join renewed peace efforts.

In an interview published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Moscow "should join our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that would allow a way out of the crisis." French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to strike a similar tone in a televised interview later Sunday.

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. Macron spoke with Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

France and the United States say the Geneva process is the only track to pursue a political resolution. Russia has pursued a separate track for political negotiations, hosting talks in Sochi.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the BBC he hopes there is no need for more strikes in Syria, but that Britain and its allies will consider further action if Assad uses chemical weapons again. He said the airstrikes were proportionate and showed "the world has said enough is enough.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British foreign minister Boris Johnson today said the Syrian war will inevitably continue after unprecedented Western strikes, which were limited to targeting the country's alleged chemical weapons facilities.

Britain and France on Saturday joined the US-led missile strikes, which came a week after a deadly attack on the town of Douma where civilians were hit with chlorine and sarin according to the Western powers.

Despite describing the intervention as "successful", Britain's foreign minister said there were currently no plans for further attacks.

"I'm afraid that is the unhappy corollary of this that if we say we're limiting our action to chemical weapons... then of course it follows that the rest of the Syrian war must proceed as it will," Johnson told BBC television.

British warplanes took part in the strikes, which destroyed sites suspected of hosting chemical weapons development and storage facilities.

The majority of the more than 350,000 victims of the seven-year conflict have been killed by conventional rather than chemical weapons.

But Johnson stressed the "overwhelming purpose" of the mission was a response to a series of chemical attacks in recent years.

"Finally the world has said enough is enough," he said.

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to face a backlash on Monday when she addresses parliament, with some MPs angry the government joined the US-led mission without first seeking their approval.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday newspaper found just 30 percent of people supported May's decision to launch military without lawmakers' approval, with 54 percent opposed.

Britain and its allies have since the strikes renewed diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, circulating a joint draft resolution at the Security Council calling for an investigation into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Negotiations on the proposals are due to start on Monday, a day after a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were due to arrive in Douma.

The team of experts are set to investigate the April 7 attack east of the capital Damascus, which the Syrian government and its Russian ally deny ever took place.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Emission levels should be the basis for taxation of passenger cars in India and not engine capacity, size or ground clearance, according to a top executive of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM).

The company, which sells the Camry Hybrid in India, has also sought reduction in tax rate on such eco-friendly vehicles so that it could bring in more models with such technology into the country.

"What we want is a stable government policy on fuels, where tax is according to carbon neutrality. It means that the emission levels of each car needs to be measured and tax needs to be levied on that basis," TKM Vice Chairman and Whole-Time Director Shekar Viswanathan told PTI in an interview.

Taxation on vehicles should not be based on engine capacity or ground clearance, he added.

"Historically we have been doing that but the change which we wish to see is this," Viswanathan said.

Under the current system, passenger vehicles (PVs) attract top GST rate of 28 per cent with cess ranging from 1 per cent on those less than four metres in length with petrol engine to 22 per cent on big SUVs which are longer than four metres.

Elaborating, he said that Department of Heavy Industries has already floated a paper on this and has sought the industry's views.

"However, the auto industry is obviously divided on this issue because some people are more impacted than others but I think the most equitable way of incentivising the industry is by becoming more emission efficient," Viswanathan said.

When asked about the company's plans regarding introducing more hybrid models, he added:"We will continue to make hybrids, the only thing is that we want the government to reduce taxes on such vehicles."



Currently, hybrid passenger vehicles attract 15 per cent cess over and above the peak GST rate.

"To give government full credit, they are beginning to understand, they are listening to us, the industry. Now they are educating themselves in different kinds of technology," Viswanathan said.

He said globally the company's parent Toyota has 34 hybrid models but in India it has only one due to "punitive taxation".

"Unfortunately, we are not able to bring more hybrid models due to punitive tax structure. If the government lowers taxes by about 10 per cent then there is good reason for us to present our case to the company principals to give us more hybrid models," Viswanathan said.

He said that Toyota is even willing to offer hybrid technology to which do not have access to it right now.

"Our technology is available for everyone. Honda has it, German have it, Korean firms also have it... Some Indian don't have it but we can always license it to them. I think that is what the government should encourage," Viswanathan said.

On electric vehicles, he said that the technology will take time to gain traction in India.

"It will take another 50 years. In the meantime India has a problem of reducing pollution and oil bill, which is the real challenge. So that is why the government won't come out with an electric policy," Viswanathan said.

The government has realised that it cannot push through a policy which is not practical from consumer point of view and for other stakeholders, he added.

When asked about TKM's growth expectations in the current fiscal, Viswanathan said :"We want to grow with the economy or maybe faster than the economy. We are utilising less than 50 per cent of our second plant capacity. So we need to get that plant capacity utilisation up."



On ways to increase capacity utilisation, he said the company's recent partnership with Suzuki for model sharing in India is one of the ways.

"The second way is introduction of new products. One is Yaris, if it does well we can increase the volumes and introduce new models in the BS-VI range," Viswanathan said.

Commenting on the arrangement with Suzuki for Indian market, he said Toyota will get completely built up products from Suzuki.

"But some features will be changed," he said adding that the collaboration is great for both companies.
Global technology major Thales expects the total strength of its India operations and related ecosystem to double to 3,000 people in next 2-3 years as it bets big on the country.

The French multinational company is involved in various sectors, including aerospace, transport, defence and security markets.

"India is among the top three priority countries for Thales And that is not a surprise when we look at size of Indian economy, the market and dynamism of the country, Thales Chairman and CEO Patrice Caine told reporters here.

Caine said that the company will strengthen its presence in India by increasing overall head-count and infusing more investments.

"It is an ambition that we have to make it happen and clearly it demonstrates that we do believe in India. In terms of market, also in terms of level of education and engineers in India, it is really gooddefinitely India ticks the boxes on all of those," he added.

Thales' India footprint includes its operations, various joint ventures and ecosystem as well as Gemalto and Guavus (companies acquired by Thales). Together, these ventures add up to a strength of about 1,500, a number that could well surge to over 3,000 in 2-3 years, according to data provided by a company spokesperson.

Thales is also open to acquisitions to augment its capacity in India, Caine said but added that the company had not zeroed in on a precise target as of now.

Asked if Thales would look at acquisitions to bolster its current capabilities, Caine said, "Absolutely, it is on the table. Nothing that we have precise target onbut clearly it is as a possible option".

Lauding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strategic reforms and digital vision, Caine said that Thales with its large India presence in sectors like defence, ground transportation and aerospace - would continue to partner the country in its digital and technological ambitions.

"PM Modi has put forward important reforms and vision to accelerate the level of technology mastered by India. We are convinced that we can bring to India, things that are unique in terms of technology and participate to this vision," Caine said.

Thales recently announced a slew of global initiatives in the areas of cyber security and digital transformation, including creation of a cyber hub in Dubai, which will be a centre of excellence for cyber consulting and services, and launch of a 'Digital Factory' in Asia later this year.

Thales 'digital factory' in Paris, within ten months of opening, has already developed seven new products based on the company's key digital technologies.

According to a company release, Thales, over the past three years, has invested over 1 billion Euros in developing its expertise and footprint across four key digital technologies - connectivity, big data, Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. The company has close to 65,000 employees across 56 countries, and had reported sales of Euro 15.8 billion last year.

Earlier this week, while speaking at the Thales Media Day conference on the theme of Cybersecurity, Thales Executive Vice President, Secure Communications and Information systems, Marc Darmon, said pervasiveness of software, vast amount of data being churned out, and technology adoption of cloud and Internet of Things will compel firms to craft multi-pronged strategies to ward-off targeted cyber attacks.

Businesses will have to put in place strategies that not only help detect threats early but actively prevent attacks, Darmon had said adding that companies will also have to strategise to speed-up decisions and actions for countering cyber attacks. Doing so is becoming even more critical in the backdrop of "game-changers" in the digital world.

Outlining these, Darmon noted that software had become all pervasive, and vast amounts of valuable data was being generated in the digital world at all times. Other big trends include movement to cloud-based services and advent of technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Security has been tightened and extra police personnel deployed in two villages here following clashes between two groups, police said today.

Trouble started after the Dalit and Jat groups, from Abdulpur and Lakhnoti villages respectively, violently clashed with each other yesterday, Circle Officer Mohd Rizwan said, adding that 12 people were taken into custody and a case was registered.

A large number of police personnel has been deployed to maintain law and order in the area, Rizwan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after quitting the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in wake of his nominee losing an organisational poll, firebrand leader Pravin Togadia today launched a vicious attack against the Modi government at the Centre.

Togadia, who has decided to undertake an indefinite fast from Tuesday, said his "disenchantment" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi began right after the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

"I am not in the VHP anymore.... I will continue to work for the welfare of Hindus. From Tuesday, I will go on an indefinite fast in Ahmedabad for fulfilling the longstanding demands of the Hindus," he had said yesterday after former Himachal Pradesh governor V S Kokje defeated his nominee Raghav Reddy in an election in Gurgaon for the post of VHP International president.

Togadia, who returned here last night, met his supporters and top VHP functionaries in Gujarat today to finalise his plans for the fast at the state VHP headquarters.

"I got disenchanted with this government in the last four years. The disenchantment, in fact, had started slowly after the 2002 events in Gujarat," he said, speaking to reporters later.

Claiming that scores of Hindus were killed in police firing during the post-Godhra riots, he said he could not understand how it could happen when "Narendrabhai" (Narendra Modi) was the chief minister.

"Cases were registered against thousands of Hindus and they were put in jail," he alleged.

"In 2014 elections, the VHP offered full support to Narendrabhai. But he called gau-rakshaks 'gundas' (goons). Eleven cow-protectors in Jharkhand were given life imprisonment (by a court) after his statement. This hadn't happened even under the Congress government," Togadia said.

"This government has taken back cases against Pakistan-supporters and stone-pelters in Kashmir. I was shocked as this government has helped Pakistan-supporters," he went on to say.

Togadia said his indefinite hunger strike would be aimed at the welfare of Hindus and to seek construction of Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya, nation-wide ban on cow slaughter, enforcement of the common civil code and relocation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, he said.

All these years he and his associates have been fighting for these causes but to no avail, Togadia said, alleging that "for the last six months, enormous pressure was put on me instead to stop making all these demands."



Many of Togadia supporters, shouting slogans in their mentor's favour at the state VHP headquarters in Paldi area here, said they would turn his fast into a show of strength



State VHP leaders, however, refrained form expressing their stand on Togadia's proposed fast.

Asked if the VHP's state unit would support Togadia's fast, Gujarat VHP chief Ranchod Bharwad evaded reply, saying he was in hospital and could not make any statement.

Modi and Togadia, both of whom hail from Gujarat and started out as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers, drifted apart in the last decade with Modi's rise.

Togadia had made a sensational staement last month, claiming that a Rajasthan police team had come here to abduct him and he feared he could be eliminated in a staged encounter.

During the tussle within state BJP between Modi and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, Togadia, who belongs to the Patel community, was believed to have backed Keshubhai.

Before the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections, Togadia had criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre. He also had a meeting with Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel, who had campaigned against the BJP.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump launched into another Twitter tirade against James Comey on Sunday, hours before the broadcast of an extended interview with the fired former FBI director about his interactions with the US president.

Excerpts of the interview with ABC already have been aired, as have reviews of Comey's new memoir "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership," which likens Trump to a dishonest, ego-driven mob boss who demanded a pledge of loyalty from his FBI chief.

The excerpts sparked another furious round of tweets by Trump, calling Comey a "slime ball" and saying he "stupidly" handled a probe into Trump's 2016 election rival Hillary Clinton.

"I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His 'memos' are self serving and FAKE!" said one tweet.

In another, the president undertook a mini-review of Comey's memoir: "The big questions in Comey's badly reviewed book aren't answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn't they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabe's $700,000 & more?" He said Comey threw former attorney general Loretta Lynch "under the bus," an allusion to Comey's having criticized Lynch in the memoir for suggesting that he refer to an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while secretary of state as only a "matter." "Was she promised a Supreme Court seat, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary," Trump asks in another Tweet.

Comey, who was fired by Trump last year, acknowledged in the interview that his belief that Clinton would be elected president "was a factor" in his decision to reopen the email probe 11 days before the US election, a development that Clinton blames for her surprise defeat.

"I don't remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that she's going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she'll be illegitimate the moment she's elected, the moment this comes out," Comey said.

His comments echoed a quote from his memoir, in which he said it was "entirely possible" his concern over Clinton's legitimacy "bore greater weight than it would have if the election appeared closer or if Donald Trump were ahead in all polls." "Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe," Trump tweeted.

"In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!" he wrote.

Clinton has previously said she believes Comey's announcement played a part in her losing the presidency.

"After the Comey letter, my momentum was stopped," she told NPR in late 2017.

"My numbers dropped, and we were scrambling to try to put it back together, and we ran out of time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four political turncoats, who had resigned from their membership in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council last year to facilitate Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his two deputies and two other cabinet colleagues to get the membership of the Upper House of the state Legislature, were today named by the BJP as its candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council polls.

In a statement issued here, the party announced the names of 10 candidates for the April 26 polls.

The BJP candidates are -- state ministers Mahendra Singh and Mohsin Raza, Sarojini Agarwal, Bukkal Nawab, Yashwant Singh, Jaiveer Singh, Vidhyasagar Sonkar, Vijay Bahadur Pathak, Ashok Kataria and Ashok Dhawan.

Kataria, Sonkar and Pathak are general secretaries of the state BJP unit, while Dhawan, a former MLC, hails from Varanasi.

Meanwhile, Apna Dal (Sonelal) spokesperson Arvind Sharma, in an official statement, said, "The president of Apna Dal (Sonelal), Ashish Singh Patel, will be the candidate for the 11th seat left by the BJP for the party."



In September last year, Adityanath, his two deputies and two ministers were declared elected unopposed to the state Legislative Council. No other candidate was in the fray for the bypolls to the five seats in the Upper House.

The chief minister had filed his nomination for the seat vacated by Samajwadi Party (SP) member Yashwant, while Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had filed his papers for the seat held by SP member Bukkal Nawab. Their term was to expire in July, 2022.

Adityanath had taken over as the chief minister on March 19 last year. He had to become a legislator within the stipulated six months since assuming office.

Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma had filed his nomination for the seat vacated by Ashok Bajpai and Swatantra Dev Singh for the seat vacated by SP member Sarojni Agarwal. Their term was to expire in January, 2021.

Raza, the only Muslim minister in the Adityanath cabinet, had filed his nomination for the seat vacated by BSP member Thakur Jaiveer Singh.

Bajpai was recently elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the ruling BJP sounded confident of bagging 11 of the 13 seats going to the polls on April 26.

The BJP and its allies enjoy a brute majority of 324 in the 403-member state Assembly. Arithmetically, they are likely to win 11 of the 13 seats comfortably and still be left with some additional votes.

State BJP vice-president J P S Rathore said to ensure victory, a candidate needed 29 first-preference votes.

The notification for the Legislative Council polls was issued on April 9. The last date for filing of nominations is April 16. The scrutiny of nominations will be done on April 17, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 19.

"We are sure of winning 11 of the 13 Legislative Council seats going to the polls," state BJP spokesperson Navin Srivastava told PTI.

Of the remaining two seats, the SP has given up one to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The SP, headed by Akhilesh Yadav, had fielded two candidates, but withdrew one of them, paving the way for Mayawati's party to contest one seat as a quid pro quo (a favour or advantage granted in return for something) for her support to the SP in the bypolls to the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, which halted the saffron party's victory march in the bastion of Adityanath (in Gorakhpur).

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won the Phulpur seat for the first time.

In the recently-concluded Rajya Sabha polls, it was a sweet revenge for the BJP as it ensured the victory of all its nine candidates, days after it lost the two crucial Lok Sabha seats to the SP.

Besides Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the others who had made it to the Upper House of Parliament from the party were Ashok Bajpai, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Sakal Deep Rajbhar, Kanta Kardam, Anil Jain, Harnath Singh Yadav, GVL Narasimha Rao and Anil Kumar Agarwal, who pulled off a surprise win with the help of second-preference votes.

The other candidates, including the SP's Jaya Bachchan, had won on the basis of first-preference votes.

In the 100-member Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, the BJP has only 13 representatives, the SP 61, the BSP nine, the Congress two, the RLD one and others 12. Two seats are vacant.

SP spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said the SP-BSP combine would comfortably win the two Legislative Council seats.

"The SP is contesting from one seat in the Legislative Council polls. Initially, we had decided to contest from two seats, but later we decided to give one seat to the BSP to strengthen our electoral understanding," he added.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the tenure of 13 MLCs, including SP national president Akhilesh Yadav and two ministers in the Adityanath government -- Mahendra Kumar Singh and Mohsin Raza -- will end on May 5.

Of the 13 seats falling vacant, seven were held by the SP, two each by the BJP and the BSP and one by the RLD. The 13th seat, which was held by former SP minister Ambika Chaudhary, fell vacant when he switched over to the BSP.

Apart from the SP chief, six other MLCs from the party, whose terms are coming to an end are its state unit chief Naresh Chandra Uttam, senior spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary, Umar Ali Khan, Madhu Gupta, Ramsakal Gurjar and Vijay Yadav.

The MLCs of other parties, whose terms end on May 5, are Vijay Pratap and Sunil Kumar Chittor (both from the BSP) and Chaudhary Mushtaq, the lone RLD member.

Though the ruling NDA has 324 MLAs in the 403-member state Assembly, it may not get the required strength in the Upper House to get the bills passed, even after winning 11 of the 13 seats.

During the winter session of the state legislature last year, the Adityanath government had suffered an embarrassment when it failed to ensure the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime (UPCOC) Bill in the Upper House.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A British historian wants the skull of an Indian soldier who was among those executed after the revolt of 1857 against the East India Company to be repatriated to India and buried where he participated in his last battle.

Dr Kim Wagner, Senior Lecturer in British Imperial History at Queen Mary College in London, believes the time is right for Havildar Alum Bheg a principle leader of the revolt, which the British characterise as a sepoy mutiny to be buried in his country of birth.

His skull had been brought to England by Captain A R Costello, who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed after the revolt in India. It was discovered years later in a pub in the eastern English coastal town of Walmer in Kent.

"His regiment was originally raised at Kanpur, but my suggestion would be for his skull to be buried near the Ravi River, at the border between India and Pakistan, where we know Alum Bheg participated in the Battle of Trimmu Ghat," said Wagner, the author of 'The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857', which was released recently.

"I don't perceive of the repatriation of Alum Bheg's skull as a political PR exercise. My focus is simply on returning the remains of Alum Bheg to what was once his homeland so that he can be put to rest 160 years after he died," he adds.

The historian has triggered "tentative discussions" on the issue with diplomats in India and the UK, but acknowledges that these things take time and does not expect a resolution in the immediate future.

His journey to researching and writing the book on the 1857 revolt around the story of Bheg's tragic killing began in 2014 when he was contacted by the family who had come into possession of the skull.

In 1963, the new owner of The Lord Clyde pub discovered the skull stowed away in a small storeroom. Inserted in the eye-socket was a handwritten note that briefly outlined the skull's history. The note revealed that the skull belonged to an Indian soldier in the service of the East India Company named Alum Bheg, who was accused of murdering an entire family of Scottish missionaries.

He was captured and executed by being blown from a cannon. Capt. Costello, an Irish officer serving with the East India Company, brought it back to England as a kind of war trophy but how it eventually ended up in the pub in the coastal town of Deal remains unknown.

"My research revealed several surprising discoveries, not least of which was that Alum Bheg was most likely innocent of the crimes for which he was executed," said Wagner.

"What happened to the skull of one sepoy offers a disturbing narrative of life and death in British India that speaks directly to contemporary debates about the legacies of the Empire as well as the darker side of conflict, past and present," he said.

In a post-Brexit era of "swelling imperial nostalgia and revisionism", the academic feels that given Bheg's innocence, his remains deserve a final resting place in his homeland.

According to the note found inside his skull, Bheg was about 32 years of age, 5 feet 7 and a half inches high, belonged to the 46th Bengal Infantry Regiment and was "by no means an ill looking native".

The British High Commission in New Delhi, the Royal Asiatic Society and some non-governmental organisations in India are now reportedly in talks to find a way of returning the "native" to his homeland.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Sunday that Arab countries are facing unprecedented threats, while criticising regional states that aim to increase their influence in Arab countries.

Speaking at the Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia, El-Sisi said that Arab countries are facing the "most serious crisis since their independence" from occupation, citing attempts to interfere in Arab countries as well as setbacks in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"There are regional states that are not respecting the principles of neighbourliness and are working hard to establish spheres of influence within the Arab states," El-Sisi told leaders of countries in the 22-member Arab League.

"The army of one of the regional countries is present on the land of two Arab countries, in a state of explicit occupation," he said during a speech broadcast live on TV, without elaborating further.

El-Sisi added that "another regional party" exploited instability in the region in recent years to "built up areas of influence in more than one Arab country."

On Palestine, El-Sisi warned that non-activated international decisions on the conflict with Israel as well as division between Palestinian factions threaten Palestinians' longstanding hope for a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Saudi Arabia currently holds the rotating chair of the Arab summit. King Salman has said that the ongoing Arab summit would be named the Jerusalem Summit.

El-Sisi said the "Arab right to Palestine is a fixed and legitimate right that cannot be rewritten or appropriated," referring to an Egyptian-drafted UN General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to reverse its December decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. The UN resolution was backed by a majority of UN-member countries in December.

El-Sisi also called for a comprehensive strategy to preserve national security in Arab countries to protect against any attack or foreign interference.

El-Sisi also referred to a ballistic missile launched across the Yemeni border in Saudi Arabia by the Houthi militia, which targeted Riyadh and was intercepted by Saudi air defences last week.

"Egypt will not accept Yemeni elements bombing Saudi territory with ballistic missiles, as this constitutes a threat to Arab national security," he told the gathering.

Fighting terrorism

The Egyptian president renewed calls for concerted efforts to fight terrorism and extremism in the region, saying that terrorists are only the "first link of a criminal chain" that includes "those who finance them, provide them with a safe haven, or use them to establish areas of influence and interference in the internal affairs of our Arab countries."

"I still hope that some of those who insist on standing on the wrong side of history will return to the right path and completely stop sponsoring and supporting terrorism," he said.

In June 2017, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar, saying that Doha has been supporting terrorist groups and meddling in their internal affairs. Qatar has denied the accusations.

The dispute with Qatar marks the worst diplomatic rift between Arab states in decades.

The four boycotting countries stressed ahead of the summit that the fulfilling of their demands  which include Doha ending its support for the Muslim Brotherhood group, shutting down the Doha-based Al-Jazeera media company and downgrading its relationship with Iran  were a necessary basis for the crisis to be resolved.

While Qatar is taking part in the summit, it did not send a senior official as its representative. The Qatari delegation to the summit is headed by Doha's permanent representative to the Arab League Saif bin Muqaddam Al-Buainain. Most of the countries in the summit are represented by heads of state or government.

El-Sisi also expressed concern over the "current military escalation in Syria," one day after the United States, Britain and France launched strikes in Syria in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack. The Syrian government denies using or possessing chemical weapons, and said that the strikes were an act of aggression.

El-Sisi also said that Egypt is committed to helping the Libyan national army regain its position and combat terrorism in Libya, as well as restoring stability and achieving political solution in Yemen.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


One of the UK's worst road accidents that killed eight Indians last year has prompted calls from a road charity today to block a legal loophole which keeps employers in the dark about dangerous drivers.

Brake called on the government to urgently address the issue of transport companies not being automatically told about a driver whose driving licence has been revoked.

Two truck drivers, Ryszard Masierak and David Wagstaff, were jailed last month for causing the deaths of Nottingham-based Keralite minibus driver Cyriac Joseph and seven of his passengers - all Indians - in August 2017.

The 52-year-old had been hired to drive his passengers from Nottingham to London to join a European holiday tour group when they met with the fatal accident.

In court it emerged that Masierak's licence had been revoked in July 2017 but his employer, AIM Logistics, had not been informed.

"This crash has had a truly devastating impact and laid bare the loophole in which employers are not automatically informed if their drivers lose their licence," Brake said in a statement.

"It is only right that we learn from such tragedies and prevent other families from suffering a similar fate, and so we call on the government to urgently look into this matter," it said.

AIM Logistics said Masierak's licence had been checked as part of its regular procedures in June 2017.

However, it said neither the employee nor the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) informed the firm that the licence was revoked on July 20 more than a month before the crash.

Before his next company-scheduled check, he went on to stop on the inside lane of the M1 highway while twice the drink-drive limit, which resulted in the crash involving the minibus and a second truck, being driven by Wagstaff.

The UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the current rule relied upon the "honesty of the driver".

Road safety manager Nick Lloyd said: "It does seem to be a loophole that could allow drivers to avoid losing their driving job after a ban because they don't tell their boss, at least until an organisation does its regular online licence check".

The Department for Transport said the additional regulation would be unnecessary and burdensome on small businesses and said employers should encourage its staff to notify them of any change in their driving status.

A spokesperson said: "This is a tragic case and our sympathies are with the friends and families of the eight victims involved".

Masierak was jailed for 14 years for causing death by dangerous driving, while Wagstaff was sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

Judge Francis Sheridan at Aylesbury Crown Court described the crash as the most serious in the UK for more than 26 years, for which the Masierak had shown "no remorse".

"The catastrophic and tragic collision was caused by both the individuals. We lost a great father, loving husband and a very good friend," a family spokesperson for Cyriac Joseph's family said outside the courtroom.

The other victims in Joseph's minibus were from Nottingham's Malayali community and their relatives.

The entire group was on its way to London to catch a bus to Disneyland Paris when their vehicle crashed with the trucks near Newport Pagnell in southern England.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN Security Council overwhelmingly rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria today, a vote reflecting support for the allied air strikes on Syrian chemical sites.

But the vote at the end of an emergency meeting called by Russia also demonstrated again the paralysis of the UN's most powerful body in dealing with Syria's seven-year conflict.

Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council China and Bolivia.

By contrast, eight countries voted against the Russian draft the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast. Four countries abstained Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru.

At the meeting, the fifth in a week on chemical weapons in Syria, Russia and its supporters again clashed with the US and its allies over a suspected poison gas attack on April 7 in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

The US, UK and France said they launched air strikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government. Russia and its ally Syria called the attack fabricated and said no evidence of chemical weapons use exists in Douma.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council "there is clear information demonstrating Assad's culpability." And she said President Donald Trump told her Saturday morning that if the Syrian regime uses poisonous gas again "the United States is locked and loaded" to strike again.

"When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line," Haley stressed. "The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons." France's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the result of the vote sends "a clear message" that Security Council members recognised the need for the air strikes, and "their proportional and targeted nature."



"And what's most important is no one contests that the use of chemical weapons cannot be tolerated and must be deterred," he said. "That is essential."



Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the meeting confirmed that the US and its allies "continue to put international and diplomacy in the realm of myth-making myths invented in London, Paris and Washington.""We put facts contrary to your myths," he said. "If we continue on this path, we will soon reach the diplomacy of the absurd." Russia and Syria also clashed with the three Western allies over the legality of the air strikes and responsibility for the Security Council's paralysis.

Britain's UN Ambassador Karen Pierce blamed Russia for repeatedly vetoing resolutions on the use of chemical weapons in Syria and said the UK took military action "to save lives," on the legal basis of "humanitarian intervention." Britain believes "that is wholly within the principles and practices of the United Nations," she said.

Russia's Nebenzia called it "a very sad day for the world, for the UN, for its Charter which was blatantly, blatantly violated, and for the Security Council which has shirked its responsibilities." "I would like to believe that we will not see a day that is worse than today," he said.

Looking ahead, Delattre said France, Britain and the United States will soon be presenting the Security Council with a new draft resolution aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict that addresses political, chemical and humanitarian issues.

A draft resolution circulated by the three countries and obtained late Saturday by The Associated Press would condemn all use of chemical weapons, especially the April 7 attack in Douma.

It seeks answers from Syria on gaps in its chemical weapons declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. And it would establish a new body to determine responsibility for chemical attacks, call for a cease-fire in Syria, unimpeded access for all humanitarian aid, and an urgent resumption of negotiations on a political settlement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Realty firm Unity group, which has built over 100 commercial buildings in the national capital, has forayed into residential segment and will invest about Rs 3,000 crore to develop a housing project at Karol Bagh in central Delhi, a top company official said today.

The company will develop 2,500 flats in 'The Amaryllis', a 40-acre project. It has also tied up with global fashion house Gianni Versace to build branded homes in two 45-storeys twin towers, touted as tallest in the city with over 182 metre height.

"We are coming up with our first housing project at Karol Bagh in central Delhi comprising about 2,500 units in 22 towers. We have tied up with Versace for twin tower having 145 branded luxury apartments," Unity group Director Harsh V Bansal told PTI.

Unity group is developing this project in joint venture with DCM group, he said, adding that this land parcel was earlier used by the DCM group for housing accommodation of workers in Delhi Cloth Mills.

In Delhi, there are very few housing projects being developed by private real estate players. India's largest realty firm DLF is developing a housing project at Moti Nagar in central Delhi. DLF had in 2007 bought 38 acres of land, better known as Swatantra Bharat Mills and DCM Silk Mills, from DCM Shriram Consolidated and Lohia Group for Rs 1,675 crore. Parsvnath Developers has a housing project at Civil Lines in north Delhi and Subhash Nagar in west Delhi.

When asked about the investment, Bansal said, the project cost is estimated at about Rs 3,000 crore and it would be funded through internal accruals and advances from customers.

The company is currently selling homes in this project in a price range of Rs 1.5-5.5 crore at a rate of Rs 14,000-15,000 per sq ft.

Unity group will sell on invitation the Versace branded flats, the price of which will be decided later.

"The Amaryllis is located overlooking Central Delhi. The residential towers will have views of Connaught Place, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lutyens Delhi and most of the Delhi Ridge," said another company director Govind Aggarwal.

Founded in 1978 in Milan, Gianni Versace SpA is one of the leading international fashion design houses and a symbol of Italian luxury world-wide. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products, including haute couture, accessories, jewellery, watches, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.

Unity Group is a diversified group with interests in commercial developments, residential projects, educational institutions, hotels, automobile dealerships, marble and healthcare.

The group has delivered more than 10 million sq ft of commercial, retail, hospitality and institutional spaces till now. It has more than 100 real estate developments across Delhi and is currently working on more than 20 million sq ft of developments in Delhi.

It has recently delivered two multi-level car parking with retail projects in collaboration with DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) namely Unity One, Janakpuri and Unity One, Rohini.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wary of electoral implications, political parties in Karnataka seem to have toned down on the contentious issue of "religious minority" status to the dominant Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats in the run-up to the May 12 Assembly polls.

After having taken a huge gamble despite sharp divisions within the Siddaramaiah government in an apparent move to take away a significant slice of the Lingayat/Veerashaiva vote bank that has largely stayed with the BJP, the ruling party is now treading cautiously on the issue.

Lingayats/Veerashaivas are said to form about 17 per cent of the population, wielding a decisive clout in about 100 constituencies, particularly in north Karnataka.

Karnataka Assembly has 224 members.

The Congress that heavily invested on the issue, with a few cabinet Lingayat Ministers themselves spearheading the movement demanding a "separate religion" tag, is now cautious as it fears that the issue could swing either way for the party, as it has been accused of dividing the Hindu community.

Opposition from influential 'pancha peethas' (five Veerashaiva mutts) and a sense of scepticism about the nature of benefit that the community may get on being granted religious minority status, has also weighed in for Congress not to raise the pitch politically.

Interestingly, Congress Ministers and leaders belonging to Veerashaiva community like Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, who have openly opposed the government decision, have also now gone silent on the issue.

The state cabinet had on March 19 decided to recommend to the Centre grant of religious minority tag for the Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats.

The state government's decision was based on the report of an expert committee that had recommended considering grant of recognition as religious minority to the Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats (Believers of Basava Tatva (philosophy).

Basaveshwara was a 12th century social reformer.

Subsequently, the Karnataka minorities welfare department notified the Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats as a religious minority, but said it would come into effect after the Centre's approval to the state recommendation.

Speaking to PTI recently, Karnataka Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao said the party has nothing to do on the issue of religious minority status to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats, and it will not make much impact in the polls.

Terming it is a "community issue," Rao said the chief minister has followed procedure following the demand from the community.

On the other hand, the principal opposition BJP, that sees the move to grant religious minority status as an attempt to eat into its vote share is yet come clearly with its stand.

Keeping the cards very close on the issue, BJP national president Amit Shah has visited over 10 Lingayat mutts during his recent tours in the state, which is largely seen as an attempt to keep the community support intact.

The third major political player in Karnataka, the JDS, too has largely remained non-committal on the issue, though, Basavaraj Horatti, one of the senior leaders of the party hailing from Lingayat community was part of the movement demanding a separate religion tag.

Narayana A, who teaches Political Philosophy and Indian Politics at Azim Premji University said, parties may have toned down as they have now realized it is a much more "complicated" issue.

"Whatever little Congress would have gained, it may lose because of it.. but finally how much impact the issue will have, depends upon constituency level dynamics," he said.

One thing the issue has done to BJP is that Yeddyurappa's image as Lingayat strongman may have taken a beating, he observed.

"What BJP will lose by not supporting the Lingayat cause will be confined only to Lingayat belt, but they may consolidate other votes," he said.

However, political Analyst Narendar Pani feels the religious issue will have "some influence" on the May 12 assembly polls, and the clear picture will emerge only after the results are out.

The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva/ Lingayat faiths has surfaced from the numerically strong and politically-influential community, amid resentment from within over projecting the two communities as the same.

One section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are the same.

The other group wants it only for Lingayats as they believe that Veerashaivas are one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism.

Of late, some Lingayats have also stated that they were open to having the Veerashaivas under their umbrella, but the Lingayat nomenclature was non-negotiable.

Parallels have also been drawn equating Lingayat movement to Patidar movement in Gujarat, Maratha stir in Maharashtra and the Jat agitation in Haryana.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman from Uzbekistan was apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly using a fake ticket to enter the terminal area, officials said today.

KShakhzoda was intercepted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel yesterday as she was about to leave the Terminal-3 building of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, they added.

She was stopped and questioned as exiting the terminal area is not usually permitted for passengers, the officials said.

Shakhzoda told the security personnel that she used a cancelled ticket to enter the terminal area to see off his mother, who was travelling to Tashkent, they added.

The woman was subsequently handed over to the police as her ticket was a fake travel document, the officials said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the government awaits expression of interest for Air India stake sale, International Finance Corp (IFC) has said it is "watching the process closely and may get involved at a later stage".

IFC, part of the World Bank Group, made it clear that it is currently not involved in the Air India disinvestment process.

The government has came out with a detailed preliminary information memorandum, detailing plans to offload up to 76 per cent stake in debt-laden Air India and transfer the management control to private players.

However, the ambitious stake sale of Air India as well as its two subsidiaries seem to be hitting air pockets with two potential bidders -- IndiGo and Jet Airways -- deciding to keep away citing the contours of the process.

While reports have mentioned that various entities, including quite a few global airlines, are interested in Air India disinvestment, there has been no official word about any particular entity.

At present, IFC is not involved in the Air India disinvestment process, a spokesperson said, adding that normally it does not join the fray during the bidding phase.

"However, we are committed to bridging development gaps in India and financing transport and logistics is one of our top strategic priorities, as it is for the country.

"Therefore, we are watching the Air India process closely and may get involved at a later stage. Once the winning bidder is chosen, we will evaluate the situation to see if we have a role to play," the IFC spokesperson told PTI in an e-mailed statement.

The response came to a query on whether IFC would be interested in the disinvestment process. A global development institution, IFC is focused on the private sector in emerging markets.

When asked whether Lufthansa would be interested in participating in the disinvestment process, the German airline said, "your assumption is based on market speculation" and that it does not comment on speculation.

"With a presence of over half a century, India is a strategic market for Lufthansa Group and we are committed to increase our offerings by introducing our latest and most innovative products and services and by providing unrivalled connectivity," it said.

Queries sent to Britsh Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways on whether they are interested in Air India stake sale did not elicit any immediate response. Questions mailed to Air Arabia on whether it would be looking at Air India Express remained unanswered.

According to the preliminary information memorandum, issued on March 28, the government will retain 24 per cent stake in Air India, while the winning bidder will be required to stay invested in the airline for at least three years.

The proposed disinvestment will include profit-making Air India Express and joint venture AISATS. The latter is an equal joint venture between the national carrier and Singapore-based SATS Ltd.

The existing debt and liabilities of Air India and Air India Express as on March 31, 2017 would be re-allocated, as per the memorandum.

"It is expected that debt and liabilities, including net current liabilities of Rs 88,160 million, aggregating to Rs 3,33,920 million will remain with AI and AIXL (no change for AI-SATS except in normal course of business). This number shall be further adjusted to account for material business developments post March 31, 2017 for instance purchases/ delivery of aircraft etc.

"The balance debt shall be allocated to Air India Asset Holding Limited which is 100 per cent owned by the Government of India subject to receipt of requisite approvals from lenders and regulators, as applicable," the memorandum said. Contingent liabilities will remain with Air India and Air India Express.

Within the contingent liabilities, income tax, customs duty, as well as service tax and guarantee fee/ penal charges due to the government would continue to remain with Air India. There would be the "government commitment to make it good/ indemnify in case the liabilities are confirmed against Air India," the memorandum said.

The last date for submission of Expression of Interest (EoI) is May 14 and intimation to the qualified interest bidders would be made on May 28.

"We welcome the government move to privatise Air India. It is a bold step. However, considering the terms of offer in the information memorandum and based on our review, we are not participating in the process," Jet Airways Deputy CEO & CFO Amit Agarwal told PTI on April 10.

Last month, sources had said that a consortium of Jet Airways, Air France-KLM and Delta Airlines was understood to have expressed interest in the disinvestment of Air India.

On April 5, IndiGo President and Whole Time Director Aditya Ghosh said that from day one, the airline has expressed its interest primarily in the acquisition of Air India's international operations and Air India Express.

"However, that option is not available under the government's current divestiture plans for Air India. Also, as we have communicated before, we do not believe that we have the capability to take on the task of acquiring and successfully turning around all of Air India's airline operations," he had said in a statement.

IndiGo was the first to evince interest in Air India disinvestment when the government had mooted the plan last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The World Economic Forum (WEF) will not hold its annual this year as the country will be gearing up for the general elections, and the meet will become a biennial affair from 2019, a senior official has said.

"We will not organise this year as we had to choose between doing this year or next, and we chose 2019 since the new government would have been elected by the time," WEF President Borge Brende told PTI here.

That apart, the WEF will not organise summits on Africa, Middle East and North Africa this year.

The summits will now happen once every two years, Brende said.

The WEF which organises the summit in India in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), engages with the foremost political, business and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Geneva-headquartered body had organised its 33rd in New Delhi in October last year with the theme -- Creating Indian Narratives on Global Challenges.

Established in 1971, WEF is a not-for-profit foundation and is committed to improving the state of the world. It holds its high profile annual meeting in January every year in Swiss ski resort town in Davos, which is attended by thousands of world leaders including from the government, business and civil societies.
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) Director Errol D'Souza has said that the institute would "reconsider" its decision to award management degrees if "another layer of regulation", like seeking approval from the UGC for such degrees, was laid down.

The IIM Act, which came into force on January 31 this year, empowers IIMs to confer a master's degree in place of the post-graduate diploma awarded to those who clear its two-year management programme.

D'Souza told PTI that the IIMA was waiting for the government to frame rules regarding the IIM Act before taking a call on whether to award degrees in management, and also on what to call these degrees.

"We would like to offer a degree (in place of a diploma for the flagship management programme). However, we need to wait and see what rules the government puts in place for the IIM Act," he said.

He added that the decision to award degrees might have to be "reconsidered" if the government laid down that the degree would be granted only if it was approved by the UGC or some similar authority.

He said putting such conditions would be like adding "another layer of regulation".

"My sense is that they (government) will empower us because they have been straightforward and nice to us. The minister has been supportive with the coming up of the IIM Act," he said.

Speaking to PTI, he said that some IIMs, including IIMA, wanted to call the degree "Master in Management" despite this nomenclature currently not being recognised in the University Grants Commission Act.

D'Souza said that the "Master in Management" degree was a valuable way to continue the brand image of IIMs and also to indicate to the world that IIMs were different from other management institutes.

"Many IIMs want to call their degrees MBA. Some want to call it MIM. The reason is two fold, one is that we have always called ourselves the institutes of management, and not business schools," he said.

"Secondly, we are recognised for our PGP under the MIM category in rankings abroad," he said.

He said the HRD Ministry had recently conveyed to the IIMs that they would have to follow the UGC Act in offering a Master's degree.

Lauding the IIM Act as a good one, D'Souza said it empowered IIMs to prove themselves, set their own standards and take competition "head-on" "without excuses".

He informed that the IIMA, in the next two years, would set up a School for Public Policy for programmes catering to people such as bureaucrats and functionaries of NGOs, involved in public policy.

These programmes, he said, would cover areas such as economy, ports, aviation, social infrastructure, education, health, legal system among others.

"We will launch a School of Public Policy. It will be a new building with new faculty. The plans for the building are ready and construction will soon start. It will be called the JSW School of Public Policy as JSW has given a grant for it," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court has wondered as to why investigating agencies "always believe in quantity" and make hundreds of prosecution witnesses to prove their charges before the court of law.

The apex court, which was dealing with a case related to the 2008 Gujarat serial blasts, noticed that the prosecution has named over 1,500 witnesses in the matter.

"Why you (prosecuting agencies) always believe in quantity? In every case, there are 100-200 prosecution witnesses. Yesterday, there was an accident case in which no eye-witness was there but around 200 prosecution witnesses were named. We really wonder why so many witnesses are made," a bench comprising justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said.

The general oral observations were made during the hearing on the bail plea of some of the alleged members of banned outfit Indian Mujaheedin (IM), who are facing trial in the 2008 serials blasts case.

As many as 21 explosions had rocked the Ahmedabad city in Gujarat within span of one hour killing 56 people and injuring over 220.

The bench was informed that in the blasts case, which was probed by the Gujarat Police, around 930 prosecution witnesses were already examined by the trial court while several others were yet to be examined.

The apex court also asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Gujarat Police, as to whether so many prosecution witnesses were "really required" to be examined in the case.

"You have to tell us whether these many witnesses are really required to be examined," the bench asked the ASG.

Mehta said the police have themselves dropped 257 witnesses in the case but 175 "core witnesses" were required to be examined.

He said a series of blasts had rocked Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008 while 15 more bombs were found and defused in Surat.

Mehta said there were above 90 accused in the case out of which 84 were arrested and 10 were absconding.

He said out of the 84 arrested accused, only two have got bail while the rest were in jail.

Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the accused said that so far, 931 prosecution witnesses have been examined and none of them has said anything against the accused who were seeking bail.

The lawyer also said a trial court in Rajasthan has already acquitted these accused in a separate case where similar kind of allegations, including that they had allegedly went to terrorist camps for training, were levelled.

However, when the bench asked Mehta about the verdict of the Rajasthan court, the ASG said he would ascertain the facts and get back to the court.

The ASG told the bench there were allegations against these accused that they were earlier members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), but after this outfit was banned by the government, they joined the IM.

He said trial in the case was at a "crucial stage" and as per their estimate, it would take another 15 months to complete.

The bench has listed the matter for hearing on May 3 after the ASG said he would get some instructions in the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Egypt's Court of Cassation upheld on Sunday death sentences against four defendants convicted of terror-related charges, including two in absentia, in the 2015 "Ousim terrorist cell case.

The court also upheld jail sentences ranging between 15 years to life for 29 defendants in the same case, including 13 in absentia.

The defendants were referred to trial in November 2015 on charges of forming and operating a terrorist cell with the aim of undermining the constitution, targeting public and private property, threatening law enforcement officers, as well as a failed assassination attempt on a judge in March 2015.

The defendants were also accused of orchestrating and carrying out a number of terrorist attacks in Giza governorate.

The defendants were initially sentenced by a criminal court in February.

The Sunday Court of Cassation verdict is not subject to appeal.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Egypt's parliament approved in a majority vote on Sunday a presidential decree extending for three months a nationwide state of emergency, state-owned MENA news agency reported.

The ongoing state of emergency was extended by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday for an additional three months starting 14 April.

The vote came following a speech by PM Sherif Ismail in front of the House where he presented reasons behind the extension.

"In light of the circumstances faced by Egypt at this time, and to continue efforts of rooting out terrorism, the Cabinet has decided to set a nationwide state of emergency for three months in accordance with a 2018 presidential decree," Ismail said.

According to Article 154 of Egypt's 2014 constitution, the President of the Republic can declare, after consultation with the Cabinet, a state of emergency in the manner regulated by the law. Such a proclamation must be submitted to the House of Representatives within seven days.

The declaration is for a specified period not exceeding three months, which can only be extended by another similar period upon the approval of two-thirds of House members, according to the article.

The state of emergency was first implemented in April 2017 after suicide bombers attacked two churches in Alexandria and Tanta, killing 47 people and injuring dozens.

An extension was issued in October, and then another in January.

Prime Minister Ismail has also issued a decree to impose a curfew in parts of North Sinai from 7pm until 6am, except in El-Arish city and on the international road, where the curfew is in effect from1am to 5am.

Egypts security forces are continuing to carry out the comprehensive counterterrorism military Operation Sinai 2018.

Operation Sinai 2018 was launched earlier this year to implement the plan of comprehensive confrontation of terrorist and criminal elements and organizations in North and Central Sinai, and in other areas in the Nile Delta and desert areas west of the Nile Valley, according to the army.

On Saturday, the army said it killed 27 takfiris during the past few days. The Arabic word takfiri refers to Sunni Muslims who accuse others of being infidels, often as a justification for using violence against them.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


| BY Kim Shaw |

CB Exclusive  BWM Dentsu and its PR arm, Haystac, have launched Project Revoice with the ALS Association in the US and MND Australia.

The groundbreaking initiative introduces a breakthrough in speech technology for people living with ALS (Motor Neuron Disease), enabling those who lose the ability to talk, to continue speaking in their own authentic and personal voice.

To launch the initiative, Project Revoice has given Pat Quinn, co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, his voice back. Pat did not record (or bank) his voice before ALS robbed him of his ability to speak. Using footage from his many Ice Bucket interviews, the team were able to re-build his voice.

In the past, people with ALS could use pre-recorded messages to communicate, but the BWM Dentsu Group worked with Canadian software partner Lyrebird to create a complete voice clone. This allows Pat to speak freely and naturally in his own voice, rather than a machine voice, when linked to his eye reader assistive technology. The man who gave ALS a voice now has his own voice back.

This new breakthrough will change the future of personal communication for people who are diagnosed with ALS from here-on, says Brian Frederick, Executive Vice President of Communications, ALS Association.

As a collaboration between BWM Dentsu, Haystac, Lyrebird, Finch, Rumble Studios, Space 66 and the ALS Association, it took a year to bring this revolutionary speech synthesis project to life.

Project Revoice is now working to encourage MND and ALS communities around the world to record their voices so they can be digitally recreated in the future using this innovative new voice cloning technology.

Says Pat Quinn, co-founder, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: ALS takes and takes and takes. This time I will take something back! For those living with ALS to know that they can still speak freely  in their own voice  even after ALS takes it away, will transform the way people live with this disease.

Says Asheen Naidu, ECD at BWM Dentsu: Being able to give Pat his voice back and seeing what that means to him and his family, has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that this tech is literally going to transform the lives of thousands more, is something were all very proud of.

Project Revoice can be viewed here. For more information on the project and to sign up for updates on Project Revoice  visit projectrevoice.org. To hear how your re-voiced voice might sound, you can check a lower-quality demo version at lyrebird.ai.

Creative Agency: BWM Dentsu

Chief Creative Officer: Rob Belgiovane

Executive Creative Director: Asheen Naidu

Senior Creative Team: Rene Schultz & Oskar Westerdal

Film Producer: Emma Durlacher

Design Director: Eeuwout Dutchy Baart

Digital Producer: Jenna Mills

Director: Brett Ludeman

Editor: Brendon Killen

PR Agency: Haystac

National General Manager Haystac: Jason Carnew

General Manager Haystac Sydney: Sarah Littlefair

Technology Partner: Lyrebird

Co-Founder and CEO: Alexandre de Brebisson

Co-Founders: Jose Sotelo & Kundan Kumar

Head of Operations: David Dodero

Production Company: FINCH

Director: Brett Ludeman

Executive Producer: Corey Esse

Producer: Claire Thompson

Technology Partner: Nakatomi

Managing Director: Emad Tahtouh

Producer: Cara Szabo

Engineer: Hamish Pain

Senior Engineer: Patrick Barnes

Interactive Team Lead: Ben Bray

Sound & Music: Rumble Studios

Sound Designers: Tone Aston & Cam Milne

Post Producer: Sha Toth

Music Producer: Michael Gie

Composer: Darren Lim

Website: Space 66

General Manager: Christopher Gregson
| BY Kim Shaw |

FIRST ON CB: In a move that will surely cause shock waves throughout the global ad industry, Sir Martin Sorrell has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of WPP, with immediate effect.

Roberto Quarta, Chairman of WPP, becomes Executive Chairman until the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer.

Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of Wunderman and WPP Digital, and Andrew Scott, WPP Corporate Development Director and Chief Operating Officer, Europe, have been appointed as joint Chief Operating Officers of WPP.

Sir Martin will be available to assist with the transition.

The previously announced investigation into an allegation of misconduct against Sir Martin has concluded. The allegation did not involve amounts that are material.

In accordance with his at-will employment agreement, Sir Martin will be treated as having retired on leaving WPP, as detailed in the Directors Compensation Policy. His share awards will be pro-rated in line with the plan rules and will vest over the next five years, to the extent Group performance targets are achieved.

Says Quarta: Sir Martin has been the driving force behind the expansion of WPP to create the global leader in marketing services. During this time, the Company has been successful because it has valued and nurtured outstanding talent at every level  within and well beyond our leadership teams. On behalf of the Board I would like to recognise these achievements and thank Sir Martin for his commitment to the business over more than three decades.

Says Sorrell: Obviously I am sad to leave WPP after 33 years. It has been a passion, focus and source of energy for so long. However, I believe it is in the best interests of the business if I step down now. I leave the Company in very good hands, as the Board knows. Mark and Andrew and the management team at all levels have the knowledge and abilities to take WPP to even greater heights and capitalise on the geographic and functional opportunities. I will particularly miss the daily interactions with everyone across the world and want to thank them and their families for all they have done, and will do, for WPP.

Sorrell also issued a note to WPPs 200,000 employees worldwide:

For the past 33 years, I have spent every single day thinking about the future of WPP. Over those decades, our family has grown and prospered, he wrote. We welcomed J. Walter Thompson, Ogilvy, Young & Rubicam, Grey, 24/7 Real Media, Taylor Nelson Sofres, among so many others. We created GroupM, including Xaxis and Essence.

We put the focus on Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and Central Eastern Europe, the home of the next billion consumers. We embarked on the early development of digital capabilities; and the evolution of a firm-wide integrated client and country-centered approach.

Our holding company was recognized as the worlds best and most effective through the Cannes Lions and Effie Awards year after year after year.

We pioneered Atticus Awards for original written thinking. the WPP Fellowship Awards to recognize promising talent. the Partnership and Practice Awards for client endorsed integrated market and case studies. Our Stream digital conferences have attracted the best in the digital business for more than a decade. Our Annual Sustainability and Pro Bono Reports highlight the unique social, environmental and public policy work that we do day in, day out across the globe.

As I look ahead, I see that the current disruption we are experiencing is simply putting too much unnecessary pressure on the business, our over 200,000 people and their 500,000 or so dependents, and the clients we serve in 112 countries. That is why I have decided that in your interest, in the interest of our clients, in the interest of all shareowners, both big and small, and in the interest of all our other stakeholders, it is best for me to step aside.

We have had a succession plan in place for some time. A new generation of management, led by Mark Read and Andrew Scott (who have each been at WPP for approximately 20 years), are well qualified and experienced in the Boards opinion, to deal with the geographic and technological opportunities and challenges our industry faces. We have weathered difficult storms in the past. And our highly talented people have always won through, always. Nobody, either direct competitors or newly-minted ones can beat the WPP team, as long as you work closely together, whether by client and/or country or digitally.

In the coming period, I will be available to the Board and any of you, should you want help with anything, anywhere. I shall miss all of you greatly. You have given me such excitement and energy and I wanted to thank you for everything you have done and will do for WPP and me. As some of you know, my family has expanded recently, WPP will always be my baby too.
International Coffee Day means time to celebrate with your fave cup of joe

All over the world, millions are enjoying that first cup of coffee of the day. Perhaps you are, too, and, given Oct. 1 is International Coffee Day (not to be confused with National Coffee Day of a few days ago), theres more to this delicious cup of joe than being the best jump-start a body needs.
Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 3:17AM

Looking for inspiration on how to approach a certain topic? Or perhaps looking for something interesting to read? Google has a new search tool called Talk to Books to help you out. Futurist Ray Kurzweil sat down with TED curator Chris Anderson recently to talk about this new feature. Its an artificial intelligence-powered tool where you can type in a question and itll scan over 100,000 volumes of books in Google Books and draw a list of likely responses with the relevant passage highlighted for you.

Kurzweil said this tool isnt meant to replace keyword searches but makes use of semantic search, which uses the AIs ability to understand natural human language. It theoretically handles queries better if you ask it things in sentence form because it tries to look for responses that look like something a person might say in a conversation. Semantic search is based on searching meaning, rather than on keywords or phrases elaborates Kurzweil on his blog. Developed with machine learning, it uses natural language understanding of words and phrases. He was actually part of the team who launched Smart Reply for Gmail, which parses through an open email to give you a number of pre-written, and hopefully relevant, responses you can send back.

Source: Quartz
Monday, April 9, 2018 at 9:25PM

Apple said today that its global facilities are powered by 100 per cent clean energy/ Just to grasp the scope of this achievement, consider all the Apple Retail Stores, Offices, data centres and co-located facilities in 45 countries are all running on clean energy.

We're committed to leaving the world better than we found it. After years of hard work we're proud to have reached this significant milestone, said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. Were going to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the materials in our products, the way we recycle them, our facilities and our work with suppliers to establish new creative and forward-looking sources of renewable energy because we know the future depends on it. Renewable energy at this scale and scope is unprecedented and should set an example for other multinational companies.

Apple currently has 25 operational renewable energy projects around the world, totaling 626 megawatts of generation capacity, with 286 megawatts of solar PV generation coming online in 2017, its most ever in one year. It also has 15 more projects in construction. Once built, over 1.4 gigawatts of clean renewable energy generation will be spread across 11 countries.



Since 2014, all of Apples data centers have been powered by 100 percent renewable energy. And since 2011, all of Apple's renewable energy projects have reduced greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) by 54 percent from its facilities worldwide and prevented nearly 2.1 million metric tons of CO2e from entering the atmosphere.

Apples renewable energy projects include:



 Apple Park, Apples new headquarters in Cupertino, is now the largest LEED Platinum-certified office building in North America. It is powered by 100 percent renewable energy from multiple sources, including a 17-megawatt onsite rooftop solar installation and four megawatts of biogas fuel cells, and controlled by a microgrid with battery storage. It also gives clean energy back to the public grid during periods of low occupancy.

 Over 485 megawatts of wind and solar projects have been developed across six provinces of China to address upstream manufacturing emissions.

 Apple recently announced plans to build a 400,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art data center in Waukee, Iowa, that will run entirely on renewable energy from day one.

 In Prineville, Oregon, the company signed a 200-megawatt power purchase agreement for an Oregon wind farm, the Montague Wind Power Project, set to come online by the end of 2019.

 In Reno, Nevada, Apple created a partnership with the local utility, NV Energy, and over the last four years developed four new projects totaling 320 megawatts of solar PV generation.

 In Japan, Apple is partnering with local solar company Daini Denryoku to install over 300 rooftop solar systems that will generate 18,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy every year  enough to power more than 3,000 Japanese homes.

 Apples data center in Maiden, North Carolina, is supported by projects that generate 244 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year, which is equivalent to the energy used by 17,906 North Carolina homes.

 In Singapore, where land is scarce, Apple adapted and built its renewable energy on 800 rooftops.

 Apple is currently constructing two new data centers in Denmark that will run on 100 percent renewable energy from day one.


news, act-politics

The ACT government will today announce a suite of measures to encourage Canberra's drivers to move to electric vehicles, as part of the plan to make the territory emissions neutral by 2050. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury and Transport and City Services Minister Meegan Fitzharris will launch the government's "Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan," which covers both electric cars and electric bikes. Under the plan the government has committed to half of newly leased government fleet passenger vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2019-2020, and all newly leased government passenger vehicles to be zero emissions by 2020-2021. All new multi-unit and mixed-use developments will be required to have charging stations for electric cars. The ACT government has pushed for the territory to use only renewable electricity by 2020, meaning that vehicles will become the territory's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases at about 60 per cent. "The electric vehicle market is taking off globally and while that is outside of the ACT governments influence, what we need to do is make sure that were putting in place all of the steps to prepare Canberra for the arrival of electric vehicles on a larger scale, Mr Rattenbury said. Starting later this year, hybrid and electric cars will be able to drive in transit lanes until 2023. The ACT government will also consult with the NSW government and local councils to push for more charging stations to be installed on major roads, including toward Sydney and coastal areas. There are less than 300 electric vehicles registered in the ACT at the moment, but that number is set to increase through the government's plan to move its fleet to electric vehicles. "If we put in an order for 600-odd vehicles over the next couple of years that will be the largest electric vehicle order in Australia ever seen so far," Mr Rattenbury said. "If we as the government take the lead and bring those vehicles in it will have the car manufacturers supply them more frequently and it also means that as they come out of the leasing system there will be more secondhand cars available for the community in the next couple of years." The cost of the plan will mostly be covered in existing budgets, but the major expense will be installing charging stations at ACT government buildings to support the electric cars in the government fleet. That cost is not yet known and will be put out to tender. Other measures in the plan include the opportunity for ACT government staff to salary sacrifice the purchase of an electric bike. The government will also investigate incentives to increase the take up of electric bikes. In the 2016 census, 74.9 per cent of Canberrans said they drove to work, a five per cent increase on the 2011 census. Just over eight per cent of Canberrans rode to work, while 7.1 per cent said they used public transport.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/7579c104-6926-45a7-b9cd-20b8aaae232f/r0_280_5338_3296_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
The council will be responsible for ensuring that Egyptian women are treated on equal footing with men in terms of political, economic, social and cultural rights

Egyptian MPs approved on Sunday a new 23-article law aimed at regulating the National Council of Women (NCW), bringing it in line with the 2014 constitution and international conventions signed by Egypt, according to a report prepared by parliaments social solidarity committee.

The law was primarily drafted to go in line with Articles 11 and 53 of the constitution, which state that men and women are equal in terms of civilian, political, economic, social and cultural rights, that citizens are equal before the law regardless of religion, gender, colour, and language, and that the state will take all measures necessary to eliminate all forms of discrimination in society, the report said.

The National Council for Women was created in 2000 by then-president Hosni Mubarak.

The presidential decree (no.90/2000) that created this council in 2000 will be replaced by the new law to regulate the council on an institutional basis, said the report.

While Article 1 states that the 30-member National Council for Women will be under the purview of the president of the republic, the council itself will seek to reinforce womens rights in line with the constitution and international conventions signed by Egypt.

Article 3 states that the membership of the council will be a renewable four-year period.

The members should be public figures with a proven outstanding performance in the areas of social work and respect of human rights, says Article 3, adding that they will be named by civil society organisations, professional syndicates and the higher councils for media regulation, culture and universities.

According to Article 6, the council will have offices in all of Egypts 27 governorates in order to implement the councils national plan on promoting the rights of women, and to coordinate with all government institutions and civil society organisations in all of Egypt to achieve its main objectives.

Article 7 states that the councils offices will "observe respect of womens rights".

It will review complaints related to violations of womens rights and freedoms and refer them to concerned institutions to help solve them in an effective way. It will also help empower women in all aspects of life, says Article 7.

The law also states that once formed, the council should move quickly to create a documentation centre which will be responsible for gathering all figures, statistics and research on the status of women in Egypt.

Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal hailed the law as a very progressive step for women in Egypt.

We have seen that over a few years women in Egypt were able to become cabinet ministers and provincial governors, said Abdel-Aal, and I assure you that in the coming few years women will be also named as judges and heads of courts.

Abdel-Aal said the parliamentary election law based on individual and list systems helped women gain an unprecedented 90 seats in parliament.

The new local city councils law will also help women get no less than 20 percent of seats in these councils, said Abdel-Aal, expressing high hopes that very soon a woman will be named a prime minister of Egypt.

Evelyn Matta, a female MP, said the National Council for Women law is a very progressive step as it is the first of its kind in the Arab world in terms of giving women sweeping rights.

For example, no laws or agreements on women can be passed without the prior approval of the council, which will be mainly responsible for defending the rights of women in Egypt.

Ghada Sakr, deputy head of parliament's tourism committee, said "the issuing of the new National Council for Women comes after Egyptian women were able to reach leading positions under the regime of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

"Right now, we have six women as cabinet ministers, or 20 percent of the cabinet's total members, we have 90 female MPs (15 percent), one provincial governor, and I am sure that the new law will help women reach other leading positions, particularly in the judicial sector," said Sakr.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


news, latest-news

Canberra reaffirmed its position as the rainbow city on Saturday with Australia's largest rainbow painted onto the lawns of the Arboretum to celebrate marriage equality. People took advantage of the exceptional wind with rainbow kites soaring into the sky. Rainbow clad children, pets and a fair few adults too danced along thanks to a DJ, rolled down the enormous hill and enjoyed a sausage sizzle. Local Shane McWhinney came to celebrate with a close friend and her children. Mr McWhinney, who is in a nine year same-sex relationship, said he volunteered with the Yes campaign as a strong believer in equality. "It's not because I'm a huge fan of marriage, it's just about equality," he said. "And I know it means a lot to a lot of people. "It was about putting a stake through the heart of discrimination." He said there was a "Canberra bubble" with the city one of the most progressive and accepting places in Australia, but it was important to remember people still experienced discrimination for many reasons in this country. Operations manager at the Arboretum Matthew Parker decided after being involved in the planning of the event to bring his three-year-old daughter Gwen along for the festivities. While his initial biggest concern was what effect recent high temperatures would have on the grass he thought the day was a good opportunity to show support for the cause. "It's a chance to have a fun day and enjoy the good things in life," Mr Parker said. "It's important for all of us to support diversity and equality for everyone." Chief Minister Andrew Barr attended the event and Member for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr was seeking signatures to a petition she is sponsoring in the Legislative Assembly. The petition is in support of safe and inclusive schools in the ACT and Ms Orr said the crowd at the Arboretum had been supportive. "I think everyone here has experienced how much a little extra support can help in a big way," Ms Orr said.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/98de41de-8e82-4281-b1f5-5fd8683785cc/r0_196_4500_2738_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
news, latest-news

Canberrans braved the wind on Saturday afternoon to hold a march near Regatta Point for greater acceptance of science in society and politics. The March for Science phenomenon began in April last year in Washington D.C. before similar marches were held across the globe. Canberra also hosted an event last year. The event is co-ordinated by volunteers who are either science professionals or passionate about science. One of the organisers was Sean Geoghegan, the ACT's chief medical physicist, who said the event was to encourage governments to make informed, evidence-based decisions. "We're keen to create a better country and world based on science," Dr Geoghegan said. "If you don't make decisions based on scientific evidence you will make a decision that will cause more harm than good." Dr Geoghegan stressed that while politically interested, the marches were not partisan and welcomed people of any political persuasion. The event featured four guest speakers and had MLAs Tara Cheyne and Chris Steel in attendance. There was also an Ask a Scientist stall where people could seek answers to various questions. The group, which was between 50 and 70 strong, marched along the banks of Lake Burley Griffin shouting chants like What do we want? Evidence based policy! When do we want it? After peer review! and the simple yet effective "No science, no beer!" Many people held signs and placards with pro-science phrases, although the wind did its best to blow those around the place. Creator of the Fuzzy Logic Science Show Rod Taylor said it was more important than ever to embrace science. "Australia is running out of water and our lands are being degraded, we have a looming energy crisis and climate change," Mr Taylor said. "If we don't do the right thing, the future for humanity will be bleak. "We have no hope without science."

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/3362dc19-1189-41d2-8544-7536620d4795/r0_104_4500_2646_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
news, latest-news

A Canberra real estate agent is under investigation for allegedly underquoting the price of a property for sale by up to $150,000 under market value. Access Canberra has confirmed it is looking into the allegations after a complaint was made earlier this year of a real estate agent underquoting the price to the seller. Underquoting is a practice where real estate agents deliberately undervalue the price of a property in order to attract as many buyers as possible. An Access Canberra spokeswoman said it was the first underquoting complaint the body had received this year. "This matter is currently under investigation, so Access Canberra has not formed a view as to whether there is any merit to the allegation at this point in time," the spokeswoman said. Access Canberra data shows three complaints were made about underquoting, however, they were not investigated further due to insufficient information. In 2016, four complaints were investigated, with just the one complaint in 2015 and no complaints in 2014. The rise in complaints during 2016 and 2017 coincided with a compliance investigation looking at Canberra auctions and 25 homes were inspected. The investigation uncovered 10 instances of alleged underquoting, with real estate agents found to be breaking the rules about education material. The Access Canberra spokeswoman said potential property buyers could be at risk due to underquoting. "The practice of underquoting a property may cause an unnecessary burden upon the consumer as they may be misled into believing a particular property is within their financial means," she said. "In addition to this, the consumer could outlay funds to obtain pre-approval of finance, pre-purchase building and pest inspections reports and instruct their legal advisor to review the contract of sale." The practice of underquoting is banned in NSW, with laws introduced in January 2016. Under the laws, agents are not allowed to understate their estimated selling price in an agency agreement, or provide vague property prices such as "offers above". Buyers agent from Capital Buyers Agency, Claire Corby, said the practice of underquoting was more common when the property market was rising. "Underquoting raises its head from time to time," she said. "Canberra has had a really strong growth cycle and that started all the way back in 2015, and now we're right in the thick of the upward cycle." Ms Corby said it was only a matter of time before the ACT introduced legislation to stamp out underquoting as seen in other states. "I expect it's highly likely that it will be introduced in the ACT. We generally follow suit with that regard," she said. Real Estate Institute of the ACT president Michael Kumm said he hadn't heard of any complaints of underquoting in Canberra. "I have only heard about instances interstate. I haven't heard of any complaints in the ACT, as far as I'm aware," he said. "I am aware of issues in Sydney and Melbourne where the market is booming and going hell for leather."

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/07fb8640-5ed4-4b4c-9da7-7ca97edb8b2b/r0_50_1000_615_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
news, latest-news

"The seven years that I spent in those tents were the most magnificent of my life. The pay was good, and life was terrific because we didn't drink but we did smoke though. That was important to us." Carlo Aggio was just one of thousands of people who put their blood, sweat and tears into working on the Snowy Hydro scheme. After fleeing from war-torn Italy as a refugee during the 1940s and coming to Australia, Mr Aggio began work on the project in 1951 as an assistant surveyor, helping to build trig stations across the mountains. "We learned that surveying was a possibility [as a career] to sustain yourself. We lived in tents and we worked from daylight to sundown, but the hours weren't important," he said. "We had plenty of time to learn English and mathematics and learn surveying and it was a beautiful life. Life was really good back then." While the number of people who worked on Australia's largest infrastructure project are dwindling - with many now in their eighties and nineties - their stories will live on as part of a new history project. The joint digital storytelling project run by Woden Community Service and Snowy Hydro will see 10 former Snowy Hydro workers share their story of their time working on the scheme. As part of the project, participants will assist in the creation of a short film about their experience on the Snowy Hydro, helping to write the script, record voice overs and edit the film together. The films will be premiered at an event in June. The project's artistic director, Jenni Savigny, said it was important to create a history of the Snowy Hydro using the participant's own words. "You just get a personal sense of what it was like to be there, and what it meant to people's lives," she said. "They formed lifelong friendships and so you get a personal insight and gain a greater understanding through the people's own words and images, which is very special." Many of the stories being shown on film will feature photographs and documents collected by the participants during their time working on the scheme. A challenge, however, was condensing years of personal history into just a 500-word script. "Most of the struggles have been that there has been too much material, and it would easily be enough for a feature film," Ms Savigny said. It was a challenge Mr Aggio was all too aware of. "We were limited to 500 words, but for my script, I first wrote five or six pages," he said. Participants are now in the process of editing their short films, and will retain the copyright to their respective works after the films are shown. "They all have editorial control over what story is told, and that's really important and it gives an authentic voice," Ms Savigny said. Mr Aggio said the project was a chance for many people to tell their own story of the determination and resilience as well as the success many experienced while working in the Snowy Mountains. "That was always a part of me and that was my life," he said. "There was no better place to be."

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/0708806d-8155-49f5-b9ce-4cdda3fd6186/r0_158_4500_2700_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
Earlier this year, this column shone the spotlight on a giant rock cairn, illegally erected on Belconnen's Gossan Hill. Carefully hand-crafted from thousands of rocks plucked from the surrounding nature reserve, it provoked the ire of both park managers and ecologists. "The total number of rocks in the cairn is around 13,000," estimated Ken McQueen, adjunct professor at the Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra. According to McQueen, "if just a third of these rocks were originally home to critters, this would represent 4330 critters homes lost." Now it appears that Canberra's brazen bush artists have struck again, this time using fallen timber to create a number of stick houses. While unlikely to be the handiwork of the same stealthy sculptors responsible for the growing rock cairn, it's clear that extensive endeavour has gone into their construction. "These stick houses are popping up all over our nature reserves", reveals bushwalker John Evans, who earlier this week, stumbled upon similar structures on both the lower slopes of Mt Ainslie as well as Farrer Ridge. "Perhaps they are the next stage of bushland public art, taking over from the ubiquitous rock piles," he reports. "Someone has expended considerable effort to build them, so please just admire them", pleads Evans, adding "at least young ones (or are the builders big kids?) are leaving their screens and getting outdoors to breathe a bit of fresh air." Eager to find any clues as to the identity of its builder, this week your akubra-clad columnist ventured into the Canberra Nature Park to take a peek at the Ainslie stick house (it's only a hundred metres or so behind Fisher Street). Within sight of the busy multi-purpose dirt track which runs behind Duffy Street, its creators have done little to conceal it. In fact, somewhat curiously, guarding its entrance were three toy pigs, either left by its creator or perhaps a nearby resident with a soft spot for the fable 'The Three Little Pigs' who famously built a house of sticks only to have the big bad wolf blow it down. With a stiff afternoon breeze doing its best job of impersonating 'a big bad wolf,' while it looked sturdy enough, not wanting to be potentially trapped under a mountain of dead wood, I stopped short of crawling inside. The Red Hill Regenerators, a community group that has been caring for Red Hill for over a quarter of a century, generally turn a blind eye to these small-scale cubbies. "We aren't opposed them, in fact we encourage children to play on the hill, but in the woodland itself and not in the vicinity of the tip," explains founding regenerator Michael Mulvaney. Mulvaney's view on larger-scale structures isn't as forgiving. "They should be viewed as natural sculptures which may be ok in some locations but could be devastating if built in the wrong location," explains Mulvaney, adding, "for example the rare Small Ant-blue butterfly (Acrodipsas myrmecophila ) is only known to occur in two locations in ACT's woodlands. It spends its caterpillar stage in the nest of a particular ant that builds its nests in fallen timber. If this timber was collected to build a natural sculpture  good bye butterfly. "Similarly, they could inadvertently shade-out the only ACT occurrence of a rare orchid," argues Mulvaney who believes "if people want to build significant constructions they should be at least subject to the same level of approval as other park constructions such as walking tracks, telecommunication facilities or stock watering facilities." Mulvaney's sentiments are shared by park authorities. "Our rangers want kids to have fun in cubbies but only where they cause minimal damage to the environment," says ACT Parks and Conservation Service director Daniel Iglesias, adding "it all comes down to a matter of scale and impact". "Please don't build larger resource-intensive cubbies and if you see such a thing under construction, a quiet respectful word with the builders usually does the trick," advises Iglesias, who also warns "in building your cubby, you are using the homes of our native plants and animals which could quite reasonably bite or sting in response". What's your take on the stick-houses? A rite of passage for kids in the bush capital and just harmless fun, or environmental vandalism? Since 2005, several other unsolicited 'bush artworks' have mysteriously appeared in the readily-accessible Mount Majura and Mount Ainslie nature reserves, these include a large treehouse and a labyrinth. Origins: Although initially keeping hush about its construction, in 2012, Pele Cannon, one of its creators, confessed to this column to handcrafting the covert cubby "over a few weekends in 2011 with some university friends". Construction: A back-to-basics design with a 4x3-metre platform elevated two metres above the ground. According to Cannon, "we didn't use any nails, it was all supported by forked branches we found, and all the timber was already on the ground." Current status: In late 2012, the treehouse, located on Majura's northern slopes, was mysteriously dismantled. According to Cannon who visited the site soon afterwards, "not a skerrick of it was left behind". Origins: This 12-metre bush labyrinth, which its creator local artist Julie Rickwood named 'Five Senses', took over 18 months to construct and was first walked on June 21 (the winter solstice) in 2006. Construction: Meticulously laid out using branches, sticks and small stones. The labyrinth seems to have become a drawcard for artistic flair for when I walked the labyrinth earlier this week, I counted four stone circles and over a dozen small-scale cubbies dotted in the scrub nearby. Current status: Over the last 12 years, a merry band of community-minded labyrinth aficionados regularly maintain it by moving sticks blown off the path or dislodged by kangaroos and other animals. Located in the middle, or 'goal', is a wooden treasure chest which contains a scroll describing the origins of the labyrinth along with a mix of shells, stones and other 'offerings'. There is also a visitors' book, complete with hundreds of signatures. Intriguingly, a Mt Ainslie cubby isn't the only place toy pigs have popped up this week. Welcoming visitors to the village of Collector, just north of Canberra, are three like-size cartoon pigs. "They are part of an artistic display for our upcoming pumpkin festival," explains Gary Poile, head honcho of the annual shindig, who steadfastly denies any possible connection between the Collector pigs and those on Mt Ainslie. "Our pigs are part of a display on 'Sean the Sheep', and in no way are related to the nursery rhyme of the three little pigs," dismisses Poile. "Any link is tenuous at best," he asserts, musing "if for some reason we wanted to promote the festival through building stick houses everywhere, we'd have left pumpkins in them, not toy pigs!" Given the proliferation of bush cubbies in Canberra, maybe Poile should add a cubby building challenge to rival the festival's hugely popular scarecrow building competition. Who knows, it might even flush out those responsible for the Ainslie creation. For the record, the Collector Village Pumpkin Festival is on between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, May 6. Having a whale of a time This column's expose on the Batemans Bay (Long Beach) whale bone seat prompted Colin Smeal of Holder to send in this photo of a humpback whale skull he stumbled upon during a recent camping trip to Moreton Island. "It was just sitting there in the middle of the beach," reports Smeal. Meanwhile John Taverner of Manuka Pool fame, and now of Jerrabomberra, reports that he and his sister, Su "vividly recall the huge whale bone of Long Beach". "Mum and Dad decided to spend the winter of 1964 at our shack at Long Beach," reports Taverner, adding, "down the south end of beach was a general store run by Clarrie and Babe Blair, where the few locals could buy the basics like fresh bread, creamy milk and old-fashioned lollies. "Clarrie and Babe were quite the local characters, Babe with her long red painted nails and Clarrie with his wonderful stories of local history," recalls Taverner, adding "one such story was the accidental bombing of the whale featured in your column, the one mistaken for a Japanese submarine in 1942." "I remember saying to Dad, "hey it was 80 feet long and weighed 80 tons, that means one ton for every one foot," says Taverner, who adds "dad was most impressed with my calculation." Taverner reports that he had "a whale of a time" during his winter sojourn at Long Beach. "It was a wholly wonderful experience at a three-teacher country school; not only did we make friends, but we were so impressed with our free quota of fresh local flavoured milk each school day," he recalls. Ah, them were the days. Cryptic Clue: Not far from the 'seven wonders of D'. Degree of difficulty: Medium  Hard Last week: Congratulations to Paul Imhoff of Florey who was the first reader to correctly identify last week's photo, sent in by Terry Mowle, as a former footbridge over a low flowing Molonglo River just upstream from its confluence with the Murrumbidgee River. Imhoff explains the bridge, which has been replaced several times due to floods, "links the Shepherds Lookout walk to the Uriarra Loop Track". He just beat Ian Loiterton to the prize. Meanwhile, Steve Hill of Kambah, who has "crossed it numerous times", reports it's a great location for spying on platypus. "I've spotted several of them near the bridge," he reveals. How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday April 14, 2018, will win a double pass to Dendy.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/1f7cad55-23f6-4119-972a-01441b5ee1be/r0_49_1991_1174_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
news, latest-news

There are several implications for Australia from the US-led strikes on Syria. First, is in relation to adherence to the rules-based global order that Australia promotes. The US-led military action against Syria short-circuited the official process whereby the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons conducts its own investigation of a suspected breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention , before reporting to the UN for any UN-sanctioned action. In this case, OPCW confirmation of chemical use at Douma would probably have gone nowhere because of Russia opposing any military action against Syria. The question of course is whether this justifies the USs breaking of international rules and taking upon itself the punishment of a wayward member of the UN. Second, is whether we should be prepared to support all US military actions when they are sometimes questionable or poorly thought-through, particularly when they could include a request for Australian military involvement  which was not the case here. Our military contributions will never be large enough to make a difference to the US, so it is essentially a desire on the part of the US to make a US-led military coalition look more credible internationally - and an ANZUS-propping up activity on our part. The downside for Australia is the commonly-held international perception that we do not have an independent Australian strategic posture or that we invariably modify our policies to ingratiate ourselves with Washington. With regard to our 2014 involvement in the US-led coalition against Islamic State, there was always the potential for a violent backlash by IS sympathisers in Australia, and by IS-affiliates against Australians elsewhere. That probability did not seem to be part of the decision-making process prior to our commitment. We might still have felt a moral obligation to act given the brutal excesses of IS - but its caliphate was far removed from our main areas of strategic interest. We therefore need to think very carefully about what is in our national interest when it comes to our overseas military commitments and the next American military adventure, whether it be in the Middle East, North Asia or elsewhere - particularly if it puts Australia on a strategic collision course with China. Third, US military actions in the Middle East can of course have knock-on economic effects for Australia, particularly when they affect the price of oil. Australian oil consumption has been increasing while our production has been declining to the point where our consumption is more than double our production. Most of our refined product is imported from Singapore which gets 80 percent of its oil from the Middle East. Any situation that creates Middle East oil supply jitters will inevitably hurt Australia when the price of imported oil goes up. The US is not so much affected as it has become more self-sufficient in oil production and its oil imports from the Middle East have been declining. In conclusion, we should also to be wary about being dragged into historically-based adversarial relationships between the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia on the one hand, and Iran (and now Turkey) on the other. At the same time, in North Asia, we have the US, Japan and South Korea on the one hand, and North Korea and China on the other. Both adversarial situations have the potential for miscalculation and escalation to the detriment of Australias national interests. The US has overwhelming military power and its global military dominance will continue well into the future. By comparison, the US State Department is a relatively small and underfunded department. There will always be a temptation therefore for US Presidents to take military action to achieve US objectives - rather than taking the more cautious and slow diplomatic route that would likely take longer than a presidential term in office. Americans are also by nature a people who like quick results. We Australians tend to be congenial companions, along for the ride. Clive Williams is a visiting professor at the ANUs Centre for Military and Security Law and an adjunct professor at ADFA.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/4d45eb98-03d4-48c2-b898-4f8293dd3bd0/r0_287_5472_3379_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
A Russian bid for the United Nations Security Council to condemn U.S., British and French air strikes on Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack failed on Saturday after only China and Bolivia joined Russia to vote in favor of a draft resolution.

The 15-member council met on Saturday, at Russia's request, the fifth time it has met on Syria since a suspected deadly toxic gas attack in the Syrian town of Douma a week ago. The United States, France and Britain fired 105 missiles overnight in retaliation, targeting Syria's chemical weapons program.

"Why didn't you wait for the outcome of the investigation you called for?" Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the vote. He accused the United States, France and Britain of "demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law."

"I hope hot heads will cool down and that will be it," he told reporters.

International investigators from the global chemical weapons watchdog are in Syria and were due to start their inquiry on Saturday into the suspected toxic gas attack. Russia and Syria have said there was no evidence of a chemical weapons attack.

The United States, France and Britain defended their military action as legal during the Security Council meeting.

"We are confident that we have crippled Syria's chemical weapons program. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said.

"If the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded," Haley said.

During an address to the Security Council, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all states "to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people."

Eight countries voted against the Russian-drafted text on Saturday, while Peru, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass.

The council failed on Tuesday to approve three draft resolutions on chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Russia vetoed a U.S. text, while two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get a minimum nine votes to pass.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


news, latest-news

Numerous allegations of a systemic culture of bullying and harassment at one of Canberra's major hospitals can be revealed after a four-month investigation by The Sunday Canberra Times. Multiple current and former staff members and contractors at Calvary Hospital have come forward to blow the whistle on a series of failings within the hospital that has led to a toxic culture for employees. Employees in nursing departments as well as security, administration and human resources all say bullying and harassment is rampant in their areas. In a statement, the chief executive of Little Company of Mary Health Care - the company that runs Calvary - Martin Bowles said the hospital takes bullying allegations seriously and provides a safe environment for hospital staff. He said the company was committed to supporting employees and providing a safe workplace environment, but would not comment on individual allegations. "Across all of Calvary's services, we ensure that all our staff have appropriate processes and opportunities to report workplace cultural issues and to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of workplace culture," Mr Bowles said. "Whilst most issues are identified and resolved where they arise, we offer our staff a number of processes for them to report behaviours that either affect them or are known to impact on colleagues, including escalation through a member of their local executive team or to me. "All matters are investigated, including those lodged anonymously. "With respect to unsatisfactory conduct by individuals, all matters are properly investigated and escalated to other authorities as required. Alleged misbehaviour is assessed and investigated against civil and criminal laws and Calvary's own code of conduct." Employees tell a different story. "The staff members who complained have had the investigation turn on themselves," one employee said. "We have had several members of staff 'removed' for having the audacity to complain. Bullying within our department is rife. Nursing and administration workers are under tremendous pressure, not only from the work we do, but the bullying we experience or witness from our managers on a daily basis." Sources say bullying comes from both fellow employees as well as those in managerial positions, with the culture affecting more than just hospital staff. "What you see in places like Calvary, it puts patients at risk," one employee said. "I was astonished at the level of bullying at Calvary. It was quite extraordinary," one employee said. "There is a culture of bullying that goes on there and it is systemic. One thing they stamped out very quickly was anyone who got out of line." Throughout the many cases of bullying and harassment heard by The Sunday Canberra Times at Calvary Hospital over many years, a familiar pattern emerges. Staff who lodge complaints to HR or management about bullying incidents in hospital wards end up being the subject of a bullying complaint themselves. Multiple male employees have also said false claims of improper workplace conduct were made up about them in a bid to smear their reputation. "I saw it more as an intimidation exercise for them to tell me to shut up and mind my own business," one staff member said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "No one uses reporting methods for bullying incidents because anyone knows that if you use it, that will be the end of your career. "People there are disgruntled with their jobs and take out their frustrations with other staff." Hospital sources have said many 'cliques' of bullies exist on several wards in the hospitals, often targeting employees. Many have said those in managerial positions are often part of bullying groups. Sources have also said that cliques of bullies would attempt to push out certain employees in a bid to replace them with friends. Levels of bullying range from verbal altercations to falsifying work of other employees. "Calvary, like many institutions, has the same workplace pressures as other places, but I have not seen that level of bullying or workplace harassment from a managerial level before. I was quite astonished," one employee said. "I witnessed wardsmen and nurses being harassed in the workplace fairly frequently, at least once a week there'd be an incident happen," another said. Calvary Hospital has launched an internal investigation into the suicide of emergency department nurse Andrew Earl, who was allegedly bullied over the course of a year. Issues to do with bullying and harassment extend beyond the emergency department and wards at Calvary. Sources say bullying is also rife within other departments, including security, HR and administration. Employees in those departments said allegations of bullying were "swept under the carpet" by management. One HR employee said staff within the department would write false reports on the files of other employees if they had made accusations of bullying. "A lot of the bullying was coming from the top end. There were no avenues for bullying reporting," the employee said. "If they don't like you, they push you out. The last few years has been very toxic." The employee said pregnant women were often the target of much of the bullying in the department. "They love to bully pregnant people. I had my baby early because of all of the stress at work," the employee said. "Another had a miscarriage while she was at Calvary because of all of the stress they had put her under." While many of the issues within Calvary come from its public hospital, employees have detailed a litany of failings with its new private hospital that opened last year. Sources have told The Sunday Canberra Times the new hospital is understaffed, with nurses stretched to breaking point. One employee, who declined to be named, said the hospital opened to the public without basic supplies. "The place is diabolically bad, you would never want to go there." The employee also detailed an incident at Calvary private where staff were exposed to a powerful anti-cancer drug, after no spill kit was on hand to clear it up. "You have spills in the operating theatre periodically but there are ways to clean it up, when you have no source for it, it becomes an issue," the employee said. "These are drugs that can eat you alive, and several staff members were exposed. Everyone was in tears because they had been exposed to this dangerous drug." Calvary employees have also detailed that alleged bullies at the hospital were also investigated for several thefts of items belonging to patients. One incident dating back to 2012 involved one of the staff interviewed over the alleged theft of jewellery belonging to a patient. The same staff member was also interviewed by ACT Police later that year for the alleged theft of $300 from a patient. As a result of the incident, the hospital was forced to implement a procedure where the belongings of surgical patients would be stored under security card access. The patient was reimbursed with their money following the theft. In a separate incident, staff members were interviewed by police over the theft of $800 from one of the drug safes on a ward. The money was later found in a medication room after the room had been searched by staff. Documents seen by The Sunday Canberra Times show employees also raised concerns with senior staff about the state of some of the surgeries inside Calvary Public Hospital. The document stated some of the surgeries at the hospital contained expired drugs and medication, expired syringes as well as blood-collection tubes that were six years past their expiry date. For many employees, the experiences of bullying and harassment within Calvary Hospital has left them damaged, although many more incidents are not being reported out of fear. "We're only the tip of the iceberg," one said. Do you know more? Email: andrewbrown@fairfaxmedia.com.au Lifeline: 13 11 14

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/5df4d5bc-2567-4c71-83fe-51adf6951638/r0_245_4500_2787_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
news, latest-news

A Queensland community has banded together to build a roo-proof fence around their local school, after the animals were outnumbering the students and bringing ticks into the grounds. Since last year, kangaroos have been coming onto the grounds of Guluguba State School, located about 260 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba, close to the fall of darkness. GSS P&C; spokeswoman Amie Pearce said the animals eat the grass on the school oval, dig holes and carry ticks, which has seen at least one student report to the principal every day with a tick. "The kangaroos would well and truly outnumber the 13 kids at the school," Ms Pearce said. Six months ago, the school's P&C; decided action needed to be taken and identified exclusion fencing as a potential solution. The fencing stands about two metres high and features a special apron at the bottom to stop wildlife from digging underneath. "Exclusion fencing is very popular out west in Charleville and Longreach, but it's pretty new to this area," Ms Pearce said. "The neighbouring property is owned by New Hope Group and there are plans to turn it into a coal mine. The owners said they were happy to pay for our fence." Two local companies banded together to source the materials for the fence and on Thursday a field day was held at the primary school to construct it. "It was a massive project for such a small school ... the fence was about 400 metres long," Ms Pearce said. "Guluguba is a farming community and everyone came out to support the school." A project that would have cost about $7500 in materials alone, was completed for free thanks to community generosity. "A roo would not get over or through the fence now," Ms Pearce said.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/10d81f87-73cc-4d88-9a67-20ecfc666d2a/r18_0_1183_658_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Arab leaders are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for the 29th Arab Summit, with the expectations of passing resolutions on various regional issues which confirm previously declared stances.

However, the event itself will offer an opportunity for Arab leaders to hold smaller meetings on the sidelines of the summit to discuss and coordinate on a wide range of issues, including how to move forward on Syria, how to handle the tense situation in Gaza, and what to do about Libya.



The annual meeting comes one day the US, UK and France launched missile strikes against targets in Syria on Saturday in a move announced by the three Western countries as retaliation for the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime of Bashar Al-Assad against innocent civilians a week ago.



The reported chemical attack is said to have killed over 75 civilians, including children.

France and the US said they had evidence of the attack having been executed by the Assad regime, while Russia said it was an act orchestrated by foreign intelligence agents with the aim of undermining the regime in Damascus.



Most members of the influential Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia, the host of Sunday's summit, openly supported the missile strikes.

On Saturday evening, Kuwait, the current Arab member of the UN Security Council, voted against a draft resolution proposed by Russia that was designed to condemn the strikes, which were conducted without a UN Security Council resolution.



For its part, Egypt issued a statement that all but rejected the strikes.

Shortly after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday afternoon to take part in the summit, the Egyptian foreign ministry issued a statement expressing concern over the escalation in Syria and called for a political solution there.



The Egyptian statement was echoed by another from Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul-Gheit who had headed the Arab foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh on Friday.

The chief Arab diplomat blamed all the parties in the Syria conflict for the deterioration of the situation.



A draft resolution, which was adopted by the Arab foreign ministers, called for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Syria that would preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the havoc-ridden Arab state.



It underlined the need to suspend foreign intervention in the affairs of the Arab country  with a direct reference to the recent Turkish intervention in Syria.

The Arab summit is likely to adopt the Arab foreign ministers draft resolution without considerable changes, according to an informed Arab source.



With the current division in views among Arab countries on the question of support for and opposition to the Assad regime, the source argued, it is very hard to expect anything beyond an acknowledgment of the conflict and the call for a negotiated settlement that would maintain the territorial integrity of the country.



The rapid developments on the Syrian front, which started with an attack against civilians in Douma last Monday, aborted a shy attempt by some Arab capitals to propose the need for the gradual re-integration of Syria in the Arab League.



In the spring of 2011, the Arab League suspended Syria's participation in the meetings of the pan-Arab organisation to protest the mass-killings by the Syrian regime of participants in the early democracy movement, which started in Syria in March 2011 in the heyday of the Arab Spring.



Apart from Syria, Arab leaders are expected to address 17 other items on the summit's agenda. Those include developments in Libya and Yemen  two states where the Arab Spring had regressed firmly into a civil war, with considerable foreign intervention.



On Libya, the summit is expected to adopt a resolution calling for a political settlement. UN Envoy on Libya Ghassan Salame is already in Saudi Arabia and has briefed Arab foreign ministers on progress made in his work to promote a negotiated settlement that could reassemble the fragmented North African country.



As the Saudi summit convenes, the prospects for the political management of the situation in Libya were far from clear, with Khalifa Haftar, the military leader supported by leading Arab countries as a potential head of state, receiving treatment for a stroke in Paris.



On Yemen, the summit seems likely to pass a resolution that has already been adopted by the Arab foreign ministers, expressing support for "constitutional legitimacy" as the only way to end the civil conflict there.



For more than three years, Saudi Arabia has been leading a military-coalition effort in Yemen to eliminate the power of the Iran-supported Houthi groups that oppose the Yemeni government. The resolution condemned the Iranian intervention in Yemen as hampering a peaceful settlement in the country.



The Arab summit is also expected to adopt a resolution on the Palestinian issue. The resolution is set to underline the central nature of the Palestinian cause and to insist that East Jerusalem is the capital of the future Palestinian state.



The year-old conflict between the four Arab states - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt - on the one hand, and Qatar on the other hand, is unlikely to be settled in the summit, which is convening under the mantra of "Arab reunion".



The foreign ministers of the four states in conflict with Doha met in Riyadh on Friday to follow up on their diplomatic coordination against Qatar. After the crisis began in June last year, Kuwait tried to provide mediation, but it is not expected to try to use the summit to rekindle its reconciliation efforts.



According to an Arab League source, the most that is expected of the summit on this issue is for the Emir of Qatar to arrive at the summit, to take part in its deliberations and to leave without any further escalation.



Both the Emir of Qatar and the influential crown prince of Saudi Arabia have been in the US recently. And both, according to an American source, were asked by the White House to refrain from exacerbating regional tensions with an aggravated dilemma in the Arab Gulf.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Photo: Contributed - Chelsea Trudel Annie sitting on a display in the store

Update -- April 15, 2:30 p.m.

RCMP in Ashcroft had some good news for Buckerfield's today, telling them that Annie the cat had been found.

Information was received in Kelowna which led Ashcroft RCMP officers to recover the cat without incident at a residence in Ashcroft. Annie is being returned to the owner at Kamloops Rural Detachment.

The cat is reported to be in good health. No charges have been laid. The investigation continues and an update will be available in five days.

Annie should be back home in her basket by Wednesday.

Employees from the Kelowna Buckerfield's are asking for assistance after someone walked into their store Saturday afternoon and stole their cat.

Chelsea Trudel works at the store. She says at about 1 p.m. a lady walked into the store, picked up Annie, and walked out the door.

Luckily, a regular customer noticed this taking place and alerted Trudel who ran outside and wrote down the vehicle license plate and got a good look at the woman in question and the man driving the vehicle.

Trudel has called the police and reported the theft, but in the meantime she is trying desperately to get the cat back.

She says Annie is like family to those at the store, and a favourite with customers as well.

"She's been here for two years. She is a wonderful fantastic cat and everybody remarks how person-like her personality is. She's just like a little human being it's very bizarre how wonderful she is."

Annie garnered a lot of attention once before when she had a litter of kittens in the store on Springfield Ave.

The cat's defining feature is a ripped up ear, the opposite from the one that has her tattoos in it.

If you know anything about Annie's disappearance let us know at [email protected]
Chelsea Powrie

Critteraid animal sanctuary has recently rescued two adorable litters of kittens, a few of whom are now old enough to be adopted.

The older group, nicknamed the "pasta group" because their names at the shelter are Vermicelli, Tortellini and Penne, are all spayed, microchipped and ready to find their new home. They are now at PetSmart in Penticton.

The younger group has about a month to go before they're adoptable. They came to Critteraid under sad circumstances.

"A woman in Oliver watched their mother meet her demise by a car," said Jess Byer, the shelter's animal director. "They're doing really well."

The youngsters highlight a need for donations, though. KMR is a milk replacement powder specifically for these kind of situations when cats lose their mothers. Byer said they're always on the lookout for donations of it, especially now that kitten season has returned.

Byer said the three little ones are doing very well, thriving and staying healthy.

For more information on adoptions, donations or how to get involved, visit Critteraid's website.
Photo: Castanet file photo

The 35th Kelowna Apple Triathlon will return to its roots.

The event, which took a year off in 2017 while transitioning to a new management group, will return to its original start-finish area in the downtown core, as opposed to Waterfront Park.

"We are going back to the original venue from the 1983 race. We are going to be putting the finish line right on Bernard Avenue, and use Kerry Park and City Park as part of our activation," said race organizer Susie Ernstring.

"Our new bike course goes up Bernard, along Glenmore, then does a loop of Dilworth and comes back and loops at the corner of Bernard and Water, then they go out and do a second loop of that. There's been a lot of excitement about it."

The run course will take competitors along Abbott Street and loop back just past Rose Avenue.

The main triathlon on Sunday, Aug. 19, will be run alongside the shorter sprint race.

Both the standard and sprint races will serve as national champion races in both 2018 and 2019.

Those races cap off a busy weekend of racing through the streets of Kelowna.

Saturday will feature several smaller races including the popular Try-A-Tri and numerous youth age-group events.

New this year is the CAMTRI Continental Cup race, consisting of super sprint distance races Saturday and the spring distance final Sunday.

The race will feature 90 men and 90 women from North, South and Central America competing for Olympic qualifying points.

"They are going to be competing Saturday in a super spring 20 minute triathlon format.

"It's going to be really fast and furious and spectator friendly. It's all going to be in the downtown streets, so the athletes are never any further than 800 metres from the finish line."

The top 30 men and women will advance to the spring distance final Sunday.

Ernstring says registrations are going well. She expects about 1,000 competitors over the two days.

Click here to register.
Photo: Facebook

Kelowna philanthropist Tom Budd is being recognized for his leadership role on mental health.

Budd will receive the District 21 Toastmasters Communication & Leadership Award April 20 during the organization's spring conference at the Capri Hotel.

Formerly one of Canada's top investment bankers, Budd has supported numerous charitable endeavours around the Central Okanagan.

But, for the past three years, he has lived with personal tragedy, following the death of both of his sons to suicide.

Since then, he has become an outspoken advocate for mental health issues, and partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to promote the Ride Dont Hide event on June 24.

Toastmasters from across Southern B.C. and Vancouver Island will gather at the conference.
Photo: Naramata Bench Wineries Hundreds of people attended ReWined on Tuesday, which helped raise more than $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

An event hosted by the Naramata Bench Wineries Association earlier this week raised more than $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of B.C. and Yukon.

Hundreds of people attended ReWined, the NBWA's annual spring wine tasting event, on Tuesday night in Victoria.

Nineteen Naramata wineries provided products for the tasting event. Proceeds are donated to charities, and the event gave to Make-A-Wish for the first time.

We were able to enjoy a lovely evening together and raise awareness and funds for granting wishes for kids who really need a boost in their spirits," Make-A-Wish B.C. and Yukon CEO Ross Hetherington said in a news release.

The event included a silent auction and raffle, and food came from various restaurants from Vancouver Island.
Photo: Colton Davies

Sunday marks the last day of operations for Pattison Sign Group's manufacturer in Penticton, which is closing down due to a "profoundly changing industry."

It was announced in February that the plant on Waterloo Avenue would be closing, with 58 jobs being eliminated as a result.

As of April 13, the company said 65 per cent of staff had found employment elsewhere in the community.

The final day of manufacturing was on Friday, and president Don Belanger said it will still take a few weeks to "wind down" the operation.

He said staff members still searching for work have been offered to continue working at the manufacturer for the time it will take to close down.

"Pattison Sign Group would like to thank the Penticton business community who have reached out and provided employment opportunities to those impacted by the recent closure announcement," Belanger said in a statement to Castanet.

The plant in Penticton was one of several locations affected by "restructuring" within Pattison Sign Group, the company said.
Jordans King Abdullah said on Sunday at the opening of the 29th Arab Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that solving the Palestinian-Israeli dispute over Jerusalem is "key to peace" in the Middle East.

Leaders from Arab countries are set to deliver short statements during the opening session of the summit.

The King of Jordan, which hosted the last Arab summit in Amman last year, transferred the chairmanship in this summit to Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdel-Aziz.

Jordan has rejected US President Donald Trump's recent decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thereby formally recognising the latter as the Israeli capital. Jordan has insisted that East Jerusalem must be the capital of a future Palestinian state in a two-state solution to the conflict.

In his statement, Abdullah also warned that more than five million Palestinian refugees in the region will be negatively affected if the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) fails to provide them with aid.

The US administration recently froze two $100-million planned payments, one for the UNRWA central budget and the other for food aid, which has been widely considered as an attempt by Trump to pressure the Palestinian Authority after its decision to boycott is administration over his Jerusalem decision.

King Abdullah also congratulated Iraq for its "victory over terrorism," stressing the need to "back the military victory with a political process" that includes all segments of Iraqi society.

In December 2017, the Iraqi government of Haider Al-Abadi declared final victory over the terrorist group Daesh, an announcement that came three years after the latter seized roughly one-third of Iraq's territories.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Russian President Vladimir Putin told the 29th Arab Summit in Riyadh on Sunday that his country is prepared to join forces with the Arab League to help rebuild war-torn areas of Syria and Iraq, stressing the importance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab nations, Russian news agency Sputnik reported.

Putin sent his message in a letter to Arab leaders who gathered in the Saudi capital on Sunday.

Russia is ready for multifaceted cooperation with the Arab League in order to ensure regional security, the Russian president said.

Putin said defeating Daesh in many parts of Iraq and Syria provides an opening for boosting political reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction in these countries, [and] solving pressing humanitarian issues.

The Russian leader's message comes a day after joint missile strikes against the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad, which is backed by Russia, by the US, France, and Britain, claiming the involvement of Bashar Al-Assad's forces in a chemical gas attack last week in Douma, a suburb of Damascus, which left at least 75 dead.

The Syrian government denied any involvement, blaming the incident on jihadist rebels under the direction of foreign intelligence agents.

In his letter on Sunday, the Russian president also said that lasting peace in the Middle East is impossible without first finding a "fundamental solution" to the Israel-Palestine issue.

All issues relating to Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, must be dealt with during face-to-face talks between Palestine and Israel, he said.

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision that stirred huge controversy and caused tensions in the Palestinian territories.

The Arab Summit kicked off early on Sunday, with all 22 members of the Arab League meeting in Riyadh.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Salah certainly still had motivation in his battle to beat Kane to the Golden Boot, but there was a sense it might not be his day when he failed to win a penalty after a coming together with Nathan Ake.
"The two big ones that jump out time and again in the exhibition are Hull-House as a meeting ground for people to share techniques and tools. And then the School of the Art Institute," Moreno said. "You have people walking into Hull-House who never really created anything but who know how to use tools. They know how to work the machete to work the land, to carve stone and cut wood. And once they come into the urban environment they realize they need to learn to speak English.
It's tempting to just delete Facebook and vow to only share pictures of our kids with our significant others and grandparents, or you could do it the old fashioned way through mail or direct email or text. But that could make it much more difficult for many who rely on social media to stay connected with family and friends. We have lots of questions, and a long way to go to fully protect our children's privacy online. But these tips can serve as a place to start. Even without all the answers, we must do our best to protect our children's data now.
He was among more than 3,000 Syrians who came to the U.S. in 2017, though his plans were initially delayed because of the Trump administration's travel ban against refugees from Syria and some other Muslim majority countries.
This latest incident began at about 7 a.m. Friday when the 16-year-old found Erskin sitting on her bed trying to shake her awake, prosecutors said. Erskin  who has a pending domestic battery case involving the same teenager, as well as a warrant for violating bond in that case  tried to get the girl to leave with him, prosecutors said. When the girl refused, he began choking her until she fled to her bathroom, authorities said. Inside the bathroom, Erskin put the girl in a headlock, causing her braces to injure her lip and cause bleeding, Assistant State's Attorney Kevin Sobczyk said. Erskin then grabbed a pair of scissors and cut off two of the girl's braids, he added.
At about 6:40 a.m. Thursday, a Chicago police officer on patrol pulled up next to Owens' white 2012 GMC Yukon in the 400 block of South Kildare Avenue, authorities said. Sobczyk said the officer, who saw Williams in the passenger seat, had a brief conversation with Owens before the man "began crying and drove away." The officer noted the vehicle and its Texas license plates, Sobczyk added.
Around 4:15 p.m. Feb. 25, a man kicked in the rear door of a 24-year-old woman's apartment in the 900 block of West George Street in the Lakeview neighborhood, police said. The man collected several of the woman's belongings, including her keys, laptop and cellphone, before he taped her mouth shut and fled.
Tyree Ruth, 46, is charged with three counts of armed robbery in connection with the robbery of a T-Mobile store at 1958 W. Irving Park Road about 6:05 p.m. Friday, authorities said. The two suspects took off in a car, and Ruth jumped out in the 3000 block of North Broadway while the second suspect wasn't caught, police said.
The King called on the UN to take 'decisive action' against Iranian transgressions

Speaking at the Arab summit in Riyadh on Sunday, King Salman of Saudi Arabia said that the "Palestinian cause is our top-priority cause and it will always be" until the Palestinian people gain "all of their legitimate rights."

Salman described the establishment of a Palestinian state and East Jerusalem as its capital as the two major rights of the Palestinians.

" We once again condemn the decision of the US administration on Jerusalem, praise the rejectionist position adopted by the international community towards it, and emphasize that East Jerusalem cannot be separated from the Palestinian territories", Salman added.

US President Donald Trump recently decided to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognise the latter as the capital of Israel, triggering international criticism and a wave of Palestinian protests in the occupied territories.

Concerning the ongoing war in Yemen, Salman said that Saudi Arabia is committed to the country's "sovereignty and unity of its territories", expressing his support for "all efforts seeking to reach a political solution for the crisis" within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Initiative, the Yemeni National Dialogue, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

Salman called on the international community to facilitate the process of delivering humanitarian assistance to different parts of Yemen, holding the Iran-backed Houthi militants responsible for the continuation of the country's humanitarian problems.

"We welcome the statement issued by the UN Security Council that condemned the firing of Iranian-made, ballistic missiles at Saudi cities by the Houthi militia," said Salman.

"Three of the [missiles] targeted Mecca. This proves to the international community that the Iranian actions threaten the region and violate the principles of international law."

Salman urged the United Nations to take a "decisive action" on this matter.

The Saudi King also expressed his backing to the libyan political agreement signed by rival Libyan in Skhirat in 2015 as the basis for solving the Libyan crisis, "maintaining its unity", "eradicating violence and terrorism" and "protecting the country from foreign intervention."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


During a pro-gun-rights gathering in Atlanta on Saturday, more than a quarter of the estimated 160 rally-goers carried weapons, as well as flags and signs saying "Don't Tread On Me" as they listened to speakers talk about the right to bear arms. A few people wearing "Black Lives Matter" T-shirts showed up at the rally and made videos, but didn't interact with the rally-goers.
Two northeastern Wisconsin communities, Tigerton and Big Falls, received more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow over the weekend, the National Weather Service in Green Bay reported. Parts of the state that were already blanketed were getting a second helping of snow on Sunday. The heavy snow caused part of a hotel roof to collapse over a pool at a hotel in Ashwaubenon, which is next to Green Bay, but no one was in the pool area at the time and no one was hurt.
In the meeting with the Russians, Assad said that the strikes had demonstrated that Russian weapons were superior to U.S. ones, according to the lawmakers. Russia claims that 71 of 103 missiles fired were shot down, although the Pentagon says that is not true.
Then-President-elect Donald Trump and Mitt Romney shake hands Nov. 19, 2016, at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, N.J. Romney and Trump exchanged harsh criticisms of one another during the 2016 presidential campaign, but Romney has embraced some of Trump's policies during his Senate campaign. (Carolyn Kaster / AP)
President Donald Trump arrives to address the nation on the situation in Syria, April 13, 2018, at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images)
Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Ben Sasse have stuck a few oppositional toes in tepid waters. Not exactly an all-out attack to stop President Donald Trump, even though most senators dislike everything about the president and most of what he stands for. But the senators have built personal moats so that nobody can cross them and thereby ensure they will retain their seats. The easiest way for them to do that is to support the president and avoid his rancor, which would bring threats of primaries against them and launch his 40 percent to dislodge them  not to mention being tagged with scurrilous nicknames.
Being prepared

Before seeing the doctor for a second opinion, be sure to have your records forwarded to the second doctor to avoid having to repeat diagnostic tests. Share your medical history with the doctor so that he is aware of other medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure that may affect treatment. Write down a list of questions to ask and if possible, take along a friend or family member to encourage conversation. Remember that it is your right to ask questions so that you understand treatment options, risks, recovery challenges and procedure details. It is also wise to ask the doctor how often he has done the procedure to make sure he is prepared. Having medical treatment is an important decision that can only be made when you have accurate and complete information.
 The menu should suit the traditions of the family or the memory of the deceased. For some that may be a low key cookies and coffee reception. For others it may be a multiple course meal similar to what is served at a special occasion reception.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the Arab Summit to adopt the peace plan he proposed at the UN Security Council last February, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) reported on Sunday.

Abbas said that the plan is based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, and calls for arranging an international peace conference by 2018, giving Palestine full UN membership and developing a mechanism through which future peace talks can be handled.

Addressing the Arab summit in Riyadh on Sunday, Abbas accused US President Donald Trump's administration of violating international law by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December.

Abbas added that the United States has established itself as a "party to the conflict instead of a mediator that seeks to solve it."

The Palestinian leader stressed that Palestinians have never refused to negotiate in the peace process and have worked with all US administrations and the International Quartet on the matter.

"We met with Trump several times and waited for a US peace plan, but [the Trump administrations] latest decision has been rejected by most countries, as it represents a major setback for the peace process," Abbas said.

Arab leaders who spoke at the summit today reiterated their rejection of Trumps Jerusalem decision and stressed their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Saudi Arabia, the host of the summit, said it would donate $200 million to Palestinians and announced the dubbing of the Arab leaders gathering as the Jerusalem Summit.

Since 30 March, thousands of Palestinians have demonstrated in Gaza and the occupied territories for the Right of Return and against Trumps Jerusalem decision. Israel has used deadly force against unarmed protesters, killing 34 and injuring hundreds.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Saying goodbye to summer can be bittersweet; the seasons long days, consistent warmth and ample outdoor activities leave little to be desired. But as October rolls in, a new season that's also abundant with plenty of things to do, eat and drink emerges: Fall. But with so many things to choose from  apple picking, baking, pumpkin spice lattes  where do you start? Dont worry; we have 30 fun and filling activities for your fall foodie bucket list.
He had no history of leaving home without telling anyone where he was going, and family members were baffled when he disappeared and left behind his phone, wallet and credit cards, with no indication that he would harm himself, Lockport police Sgt. John Arizzi said previously.
"When we separate these offenders from alcohol, we know they aren't going to be out drinking and driving, or committing other alcohol-involved crimes," State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in announcing the new program. "We are targeting the root cause of these problems, saving taxpayers' money and giving these offenders the chance to get sober and get their lives back on track."
During the campaign, traffic enforcement details will be out with the goal of deterring distracted driving throughout the village, the department said in a release. Officers will be issuing warnings and citations under the Illinois Vehicle Code for distracted driving as well as other violations, the release said.
She said Ridgewood students serve as volunteers in some of the events the airlines is involved in. In turn, United employees such as Stepanski participate in the school's mentoring program. The airlines also has students come out for field trips, "so it's (the participation between the two is) pretty extensive," she said.
Federal prison workers protest unsafe working conditions

Federal prison workers say they are facing dangerous working conditions at the Florence Correctional Complex run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
You are here: Business

China's local government debt balance stood at 16.61 trillion yuan (2.64 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of March, well within the official limit, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The country's top legislative body has decided that the upper limit for local government debt this year should be 20.99 trillion yuan.

China issued local government bonds worth 191 billion yuan in March and 219.5 billion yuan in the first three months of this year, all for debt swaps.

China has made bond issuance the sole legal way for local governments to raise debt amid the nation's efforts to forestall systemic financial crisis, the country's finance minister said last Month.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman opened a summit of Arab leaders on Sunday by condemning an old foe, Iran, without making any reference to missile strikes by Western powers on Syrian government targets over a suspected gas attack a week ago.

Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in a decades-long struggle for supremacy that is being waged in proxy wars in several countries, including Yemen and Syria.

"We renew our strong condemnation of terrorist acts carried out by Iran in the Arab region, and we reject its blatant interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries," King Salman said in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, without giving specifics. Iran denies the charges.

There was no mention in King Salman's remarks nor in the summit's closing statement of Saturday's missile launch by the United States, Britain and France against three alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria.

The Syrian government denies using - or possessing - chemical weapons and said the strikes were an act of aggression.

Saudi Arabia and allies expressed support for the strikes on Saturday, but Iraq and Lebanon have condemned them.

Other countries like Jordan and Kuwait refrained from taking a position, instead renewing calls for a political solution to the multi-sided war which has killed at least half a million people in the past seven years.

Military help over the past three years from Russia and Iran, which also backs Lebanon's Hezbollah group and Shia Muslim militias in Iraq, has allowed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed cooperating with the Arab League on regional security, specifically in Iraq and Syria following the defeat of Islamic State militants there, according to Russian news agencies.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


After their only children died, two elderly couples have gone to extreme lengths to carry on their family line through surrogacy, reported Beijing News on Tuesday.

Shen Jie and Liu Xi, a couple from Yixing, East China's Jiangsu province, died in a road accident on March 20, 2013. It happened five days before a scheduled transplantation that would embed embryos created using in vitro fertilization to the woman's womb to help the infertile couple have children.

As Shen and Liu were both the single children of their families, the embryos preserved at Nanjing Gulou Hospital became their grieved parents' only hope of carrying on their family line.

However, as there is no regulation in China on how to dispose of non-transplanted human embryos, the parents of Shen and Liu had encountered obstacles in retrieving the embryos from the hospital.

To obtain the rights to dispose of the embryos, the parents of Shen Jie brought a lawsuit against the parents of Liu Xin because "suing the hospital would be too risky."

In the first trial of the case, the Yixing People's Court rejected the petition of Shen's parents to take the embryos back from the hospital on the grounds that "an embryo has the potential to develop into a life, so it is not allowed to be transferred or inherited like other objects."

But the couple was granted the rights to dispose of the embryos in the second trial by the Intermediate Court of Wuxi considering "the embryos left by Shen and Liu are the only carriers of the two families' bloodlines, and they carry the memories of their parents and can provide emotional consolation to them."

In September 2014, after winning the rights to deal with the embryos, Shen Xinnan, the father of Shen Jie, asked Gulou Hospital of Nanjing to hand over the embryos to him.

The hospital, however, said the embryos could only be transferred to another medical institution rather than an individual.

As no hospitals in China were willing to accept the embryos, Shen was forced to look to medical institutions overseas.

In June 2016, he obtained approval for receiving the embryos from a hospital in Laos with the help of an agency that offers surrogate parenting services.

The two couples then recovered the embryos from the Nanjing Gulou Hospital and kept them in a liquid nitrogen container.

After retrieving the embryos, the couples faced another problem  how to find a surrogate mother?

According to a regulation issued by the then-Ministry of Health in 2001, surrogacy is banned in China. The regulation states that "assisted reproductive technologies should be used in accordance with the country's family planning policies, ethics and related laws" and "any form of surrogacy is not allowed."

That meant the desperate parents had to seek surrogacy services from underground agencies.

Shen Xinnan had contacted dozens of surrogacy agencies before he met a man named Liu Baojun, who runs such an agency.

At Liu's suggestion, Shen chose a hospital in Laos to receive the embryos as commercial surrogacy was not prohibited in the country (Laos has promulgated a regulation that bans commercial surrogacy in January).

A Laotian surrogate mother was chosen among more than 20 candidates to carry the embryos. After the embryos were transplanted into her uterus, the pregnant woman stayed at a house in Laos shared with several other surrogate mothers to prepare for delivery.

During her pregnancy, Liu regularly informed Shen of the condition of the surrogate mother.

"We tried not to let her feel uncomfortable because she was put under special care and different from the other surrogate mothers," said Liu.

On Dec 9, 2017, the Laotian woman gave birth to a baby boy in a hospital in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province. His maternal grandmother gave him the name Tiantian (literally sweetness) in the hopes of bringing happiness and sweetness to the bereaved families.

When Tiantian was 100 days old on March 18, Shen Xinnan arranged a low-profile celebration for his grandson.

"This boy is [destined to be] sad upon his arrival into the world. He does not have parents. We will have to tell him the truth one day. That is inevitable," said Shen.

Shen said he would lie to Tiantian that his parents had gone overseas, and then tell him the truth when he grows old enough.




The infiltration of religious extremism has been notably curbed, as northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region appears to be stable and much safer, according to a senior Chinese official.

Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the statement during a visit to Xinjiang from April 10 to April 14.

Wang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that with the significant improvement of law and order, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang had a much stronger sense of security.

In Xinjiang, the economy is growing steadily and healthily; people's livelihoods keeps improving; and the exchange and integration of ethnic groups have increased, Wang noted. "These lay a solid foundation to address the issue of maintaining long-term stability at its roots," he said.

Wang asked the local officials to continue to keep high pressure on the three forces of separatism, terrorism and extremism, uphold correct ideology by opposing wrong thoughts, and fight poverty in southern Xinjiang to eradicate extremism.
As Chinese parents are paving the way for their children's bright futures, computer programming has gone viral across China.

Miaocode, a Chinese startup offering online coding lessons for primary and high school students, has announced the closing of a pre-A round of funding of 16 million yuan (2.55 million U.S dollars).

"We have seen a 50 percent surge in user subscriptions and 85 percent of student users have finished their classes since last year. The funding will help us design more tailored courses and improve services," said Guan Chunhua, founder of Miaocode.

Coding was not well-known among Chinese children or their parents a decade ago, but now even preschoolers are starting coding classes as China is pushing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Since 2015, the Chinese government has been issuing guidelines encouraging schools to experiment with STEM education, including coding.

An AI development plan issued by China's State Council in March describes the setting and promoting of coding education, and encourages institutes and companies to design teaching software and other related games.

"Even Tim Cook says learning how to code is more important than English as a second language. I prefer these coding courses because they have provided my son a chance to solve problems with his own logic. And it all happened in a game," said Zhu Ming, a father of an eleven-year-old who took classes with Miaocode.

According to a report by Deloitte, the investment in Chinese startups in STEM education has made a 15-fold increase from 2014 to 2017. More and more private-education providers are eyeing the market.

CodeMao is an education company that provides online graphical programming courses for students aged 7 to 16. It also provides an online platform where children can design via programming and display their own work, including games and animation.

CodeMao has over 120,000 users and its products are available on both smartphones and PCs.

"Future high-paying jobs will require some computer programming skills. Learning how to code has a financial benefit," said Chen Mingwu, father of a five-year-old boy, and also an engineer who uses coding a lot in his daily work.

China has been pushing innovation as part of its long-term goal to shift from low-cost manufacturing and become a knowledge-based economy that produces high-value-added goods in recent years.

"Coding is in accordance with China's 'maker culture.' Starting from childhood, this curiosity-driven programming education will help China raise more talent in the future," said Li Hua, a computer scientist from San Jose State University and also a consultant for Miaocode.
You are here: China

China's charity groups were asked to play their part in the country's rural vitalization strategy.

Liu Fuqing, deputy head of China Charity Alliance (CCA), made the call Saturday as a cross-sector committee was formed between the CCA, Tsinghua University and other entities to facilitate cooperation among government departments, companies, charity groups, research institutes and financial institutions to promote rural development.

Liu called on charity groups to strengthen cooperation with local governments and all sorts of businesses to help rural families earn more. He said charity groups should expand their services to assist the most vulnerable group such as left-behind children and the elderly.

Liu said the new committee would make it easier for charity groups to join efforts with the agricultural sector in driving forward rural development.

The rural vitalization strategy is China's leading agenda for government work on agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents.
You are here: China

An Air China flight from Changsha to Beijing was diverted to Zhengzhou after a crew member was held hostage by a male passenger.





The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the man was using a pen to threaten the crew member.





Flight CA1350 landed at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, at 9:58 a.m., according to Henan Airport Group.





"The incident was successfully dealt with at 1:17 p.m. and passengers and crew members are safe," CAAC said.





The plane departed Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, at 8:40 a.m. and was expected to arrive at Beijing airport at around 11 a.m.
The 29th Arab Summit took place in the city of Dhahran in Eastern Saudi Arabia, where 16 out of 22 Arab leaders participated.

Ever since the first Arab Summit in Inshas (in El-Sharkia, Egypt) in May 1946, very few summits have seen attendance from all Arab leaders.

As such, the Dhahran gathering, which King Salman dubbed the "Jerusalem Summit" after suggestions from other Arab leaders, is not the only summit that has had absent leaders.

Both Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the UAE's Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed excused themselves due to health reasons, and the President of the Algerian Council of the Nation and the leader of the Emirate of Dubai took their places, respectively.

Moreover, the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said and the King of Morocco Mohamed VI were not present because they have never participated in Arab Summits outside their home countries. They often send high ranking officials such as a minister or a deputy prime minister in their place.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who was usually keen to attend the Arab summits before the Arab Spring, could not participate in this summit due to the suspension of his country's membership in 2011 over its crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Syria's membership still remains frozen, even though there is no explicit Arab objection to Al-Assad's survival in office as part of a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Qatar's Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Seif Bin Al-Moqadem Abo Al-Anein, also took the Emir's place in the Summit, which came 10 months after several Arab Gulf states as well as Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups.

It is often rare when all Arab leaders participate in Arab summits.

At the Inshas Summit in 1946, the Egyptian King Farouk, the Jordanian King Abdullah I, and the Yemeni King Hamid Al-Din were present.

Saudi Arabia was represented by its Crown Prince Aznak Saud Bin Abd Al-Aziz and Iraq was represented by its Guardian of the Throne Prince Abdullah. In addition to these five leaders, both the Syrian and Lebanese presidents were present.

At the second summit, which took place in Beirut in 1956, nine leaders participated after Libya and Sudan gained their independence.

All the Arab leaders took part in the 1964 summit in Cairo, which the late leader Gamal Abdel-Nasser called for. At the time, the number of Arab states had increased to 13 after Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Kuwait became independent. Additionally, Palestine joined the summit that took place in Alexandria later that year.

Ever since that summit, no other future summit had full participation from all Arab leaders. At the following summit in Casablanca in 1965, only 12 leaders participated.

Despite the fact that the 1967 Khartoum summit was held to display Arab steadfastness after the Six-Day War, Syria still abstained from partaking.

Damascus would again abstain from the 1970 Cairo summit, which was held to end the fighting between the Jordanian government and Palestinian factions, and this time Iraq, Algeria and Morocco also decided not to join.

At the 1973 Algeria summit, in which Mauritania joined the League, the list of boycotters included Libya and Iraq.

In the 1974 Rabat summit, Somalia joined the League, but still not all Arab leaders participated.

But the great schism was at the Baghdad summit of 1978, which was attended by only 10 countries along with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) because of the widespread disagreement over Egypt's signing of the Camp David Accords with Israel.



This in turn resulted in Egypt's suspension from the Arab League and as such the countrdid not participate in most of the summits that took place in the 1980s.

Egypt's absence remained until its return at the Casablanca emergency summit in 1989.

Since then, no suspension had taken place until Syria was suspended in 2011.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


 Flash

China has urged the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and resolve the Syria issue through dialogue and negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Saturday.





When asked about China's comments on the military strikes against Syria by the United States, Britain and France, Hua said China opposed the use of force in international relations and called for respect for other countries' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.





"Any unilateral military action bypassing the Security Council runs contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and will further complicate the Syrian issue," Hua said.





According to the spokesperson, China has urged the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation.





Referring to the three countries' saying that the military strikes were launched in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria, Hua said China believes a comprehensive, impartial and objective investigation should be carried out to reach a reliable conclusion that could stand the test of time.





"Yet before that, a prejudgment should not be made," she added.





China believes that political settlement is the only viable way out for the Syrian issue. Relevant parties of the international community should continue to support the role of the UN as the main channel for mediation and make relentless efforts to facilitate the final settlement of the Syrian issue.





When asked about the current situation of Chinese citizens in Syria, Hua said the Chinese government took their safety very seriously, and the Chinese Embassy in Syria had maintained close communication with them. They are all safe so far.




 Flash

A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the Security Council.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (C, Front) votes in favor of a draft resolution on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, April 14, 2018. A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the Security Council. [Photo / Xinhua]

Only three of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor, eight were against and four abstained.

For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against.

The draft resolution, which was seen by Xinhua, contains only five paragraphs with three operative ones. It condemns "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

It further demands that the United States and its allies immediately end military action against Syria and refrain from any further use of force in the future.

After the vote, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said: "Today is a sad day for the world, for the United Nations, and for its Charter."

The UN Charter was blatantly violated, he said.

British ambassador Karen Pierce said after the vote that Friday's joint military action against Syria was carried out on the legal basis of humanitarian intervention, which is "wholly within the principles and purposes of the UN Charter."
 Flash

A protest against U.S.-led air strikes on Syria was held at the Union Square in New York city on Saturday afternoon.

"I'm opposed to it. It's another example of U.S. imperial expansion in the Middle East," said Gordon Barnes, an adjunct lecturer at Queens College, City University of New York.

Barnes, who joined the protest, said he didn't believe that military attacks will solve the problem in Syria and viewed the U.S. military action as a disingenuous one.

Asked about the refugee crisis that has aroused much controversy, Barnes said he is in favor of letting the refugees into the United States because the country is in part responsible for the crisis, not only in Syria, but also in other places around the world.

Like Barnes, many voiced concerns for the civilians affected by the air strikes in Syria.

"My heart goes out to the innocent Syrians who will suffer from this," said Wilson Stevens, a resident of New York city.

Others questioned the legitimacy of the attack.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. forces to launch air strikes on targets in Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.

Russia has reacted strongly to the air strikes and warned of "consequences."

After the strikes were launched, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement that counterterrorism officers have been deployed in and around the city.

However, it assured citizens that "there is no nexus to New York City, nor are there any credible threats to New York City, at this time."
 Flash

The Pentagon said on Saturday that the airstrikes against the Syrian government had hit every target, but admitted that "there's some left" for the alleged Syrian chemical weapons after the attack.

The United States, along with Britain and France, launched joint airstrikes on military targets in Syria on Saturday for its alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, the last rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta near the Syrian capital, earlier this month.

Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said the strikes had successfully hit every target.

U.S. Joint Staff Director Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said the three nations had deployed 105 weapons against Syrian targets and all the Western nations' aircraft safely returned to their bases at the end of the strike mission.

He said the missiles used by the Western nations were delivered from British, French and U.S. air and naval platforms in the Red Sea, the Northern Arabian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned the U.S.-led attack, saying it violated the international law and the UN Charter, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Saturday.

The ministry said the missile attack, carried out before daybreak Saturday and targeting research facilities in the Syrian capital Damascus as well as a military base in the central Homs province, "shows again these countries' disrespect for international legitimacy."

Speaking of Russia and Syria, McKenzie said none of the West's aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were "successfully engaged" by Syrian air defenses, and there was no indication that Russian air-defense systems were employed.

"We have not seen any military response from actors within Syria. And we remain postured to protect our forces and those of the coalition should anything occur," McKenzie.

McKenzie noted that the strikes were double the size of the last U.S. strike on Syria in April 2017, and as of now the U.S. side has not been aware of any civilian casualties.

When asked about the reason for rushing to the military operation before the Organization For the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons reports any evidence of Syria's responsibility for the alleged chemical attack, White said the United States is "still assessing and getting details."

"There's various intel, and I won't speak to that," she said. "We were very confident about the evidence that we had ... And that's why we moved forward."

Meanwhile, McKenzie admitted that "there's some left" for Syrian chemical weapons after the attack.

"I would say there's still a residual element of Syrian program that's out there. I believe that we took the heart of it out with the attacks that we accomplished last night," he said.

The alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, strongly denied by Syria, has not been independently investigated and verified. An emergency UN Security Council meeting, convened on Saturday at Russian request following the U.S.-led attack, failed to vote for a resolution condemning the raids.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Religious Freedom and Human Rights Activists to Hold Prayer Vigil and Peacefully Risk Arrest in Front of the White House on Monday, April 16 Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741



WASHINGTON, April 15, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- The activists will be asking President Trump to call for the immediate release of American Pastor Andrew Brunson from a Turkish prison.



Pastor Brunson, who has faithfully and compassionately served in Turkey for 23 years with no incidents, begins his trial in Turkey on Monday and faces 35 years in prison if convicted. Pastor Brunson has already been incarcerated for over 500 days.



The prayer vigil and public witness will be held on Monday, April 16, at 12:00 P.M. on Pennsylvania Ave. NW which is on the north side of the White House.



Here is the Facebook Event Page Link:

www.facebook.com/events/1998728043489101/



Rev. Kris Keating, Director of Hillside Missions organization, states; "Prayer is not a futile exercise or an inane tradition. We pray because we believe that God listens and we work toward the direction of our prayers.



"Today, I pray for justice and blessing for Pastor Andrew Brunson. I also pray that Pastor Brunson and his family might be encouraged by the outpouring of love and support for him in this very difficult situation. We recognize the suffering of Pastor Brunson and we stand with him today." Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and Pastor of Church on the Hill; comments; "Hebrews 13:3 says; 'Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.' We are gathering at the White House first to pray for the immediate release of Pastor Andrew Brunson who has been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey for his Christian faith.



"Next, we are calling on President Trump to boldly embrace religious freedom and demand the immediate release of Pastor Brunson. We will also be calling for Turkey to ensure religious freedom and human rights for all and end persecution and intimidation of Christians and other religious minorities.



"Finally, some of us will be peacefully risking arrest on the public sidewalk in front of the White House to stand in solidarity with Pastor Brunson where he faces 35 years in a Turkish prison. We believe it is a powerful 'prophetic witness' to have Christians in jail while Pastor Brunson begins his trial. We want to send a clear message that we have not forgotten our precious brother nor the millions of Christians around the world who are being persecuted for the their faith." For more information or interviews call:

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741



Share Tweet
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
The exhibition includes text and images by Youssef Ragheb on the theme of death as transformation and metamorphosis

Soma Gallery presents Full Fathom Five, an exhibition of text and images by Youssef Ragheb, opening on 17 April.

Full Fathom Five tackles the idea of death as transformation and metamorphosis, delving into the many philosophical interpretations of this notion. The title taken from the text of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, appearing also in poems by other authors, such as Sylvia Plath.

This is a metaphorical account of the transformation process in four stages: the battle for survival; dementia; death/transformation; and beyond, the exhibition statement reads.

The narrative of the exhibition, told using text and images, "morphs both visually and contextually, according to the nature of the stage, from the physical to the metaphysical."

Born 1975, Youssef Ragheb holds a BA, MA and PhD from the Faculty of Art Education, Helwan University. Since 1995, he has exhibited his works both in Egypt and abroad.

According to Soma Gallerys biography of the artist, Raghebs work ranges from painting, sequential drawing and digital interactive installations. He is also a freelance illustrator and an art professor.

He teaches at the University of Helwan and the Soma Art School, as well as at the American University in Cairo, where he provides training in both analogue and digital art practices, including comics, painting and illustration.

Starting in 2003, he organized the first academic workshop for Experimental Comics and Sequential Art in Egypt, as part of the experimental art workshops at Helwan University's Faculty of Art Education in Cairo.

Programme:

The exhibition opens on 17 April at 7pm and will run till 7 May

Soma Gallery, 3 Al Adel Abou Bakr Square, 3rd floor, app# 9, Zamalek, Cairo

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Amina Rizk was born on 15 April 1910, leaving a legacy of hundreds of roles between theatre and cinema, and a unique focus on the 'mother roles' for which she was best known

When an actor or actress sticks to one type of role throughout most of their artistic life, only a powerful talent and dominating presence can save them from becoming redundant to audiences.

Perhaps the able actress Amina Rizk, born on 15 April 1910, was one of these actresses. Although her artistic beginnings saw her in the role of leading lady, many generations knew her as being bound to "the mother role", whether on the stage, the silver screen, or television.

Rizk was dubbed Arts Nun, for she devoted her entire life to art and remained unmarried until her death on 24 August 2003.

Born in Tanta in the Nile Delta, she was attached to art since childhood. She was 13 when she moved to Cairo with her aunt, the actress and belly-dancer Amina Mohamed, who encouraged her to take up an acting career. Rizks artistic life spanned nearly 80 years, eclipsing that of her aunt, who retired early.

She came to Cairo several months after Youssef Wahbi founded the Ramses Theatre Company. The 13-year-old yearned to work with Wahbi, whose fame was widespread. In 1924, one year after Rizks arrival in Cairo, she got her wish.

Soon the little girl showed noticeable acting abilities, and Wahbi was enthusiastic about casting her as the companys leading lady. However, the leading-lady roles were tied to his companys existing female stars: Rose El-Youssef, Dawlat Abyad, Zeinab Sedky and Fardous Hassan.

How could this emerging actress outshine those established actresses? The first one to object was Rose El-Youssef, who resented Rizk landing the female lead in the 1924 play The Sacrifices, with El-Youssef forced to play second fiddle.

Rose El-Youssef retired from acting altogether and focused on publishing the weekly magazine that bore her name, leaving the little actress to take the spotlight.

From this moment onwards, Rizk became the permanent leading lady for the Ramses Theatre Company  the most famous theatrical company in Egypt, and one that is still running today.

Youssef Wahbi made her sign a monopoly contract, forbidding her from acting in films without his written approval, thereby ensuring that his companys performances would not be harmed by her absence.

In this way, she may have lost out on several film-acting opportunties, the most prominent of which was the silent film Zeinab, directed by Mohamed Karim (1930). Although Youssef Wahbi was the films producer, he felt her participation would be at the expense of his companys trip to Syria and Lebanon. So the role went to another actress, Bahiga Hafez.

Amina Rizks cinematic debut was in Souad the Gypsy (1928, Jack Schutz), the third film in the history of Egyptian narrative films.

Naturally, the film was silent, and Rizk played a supporting role, while Fardous Hassan was the leading lady. However, Rizk's performance was enough to open up new horizons for her, and she went on to act in about 250 films during a career spanning nearly eight decades. Only two cinematic giants beat her in terms of the number of films they appeared in: Mahmoud El-Meligy and Farid Shawqi.

The first big break in Rizks cinematic career came when she co-starred with Youssef Wahbi in the first Egyptian talkie, Sons of the Aristocrats (1932, Mohamed Karim).

Unsurprisingly, she became the common denominator in Youssef Wahbis early films, which he also directed, such as The Defence (1935).

Due to the absence of copies of her early films, modern audiences were first introduced to her acting skills through The Doctor (1939, Niazi Mostafa). Here she played a delicate, idealistic girl, a long way from her tragic roles on stage.

For several years, she continued to play lead roles, such as in Sons of the Poor (1942, Youssef Wahbi) and Les Miserables (1944, Kamal Selim).

However, her career then took another turn, with a series of roles as a mother, starting with The Mother (1945, Omar Gemei). Although at the time she wasnt even 35 years old yet, she played the part of mother to grown-up characters played by adult actors.

She reprised the same role in Dearest of the Beloved Ones (1961, Youssef Maalouf). Since this point, Rizk, who never married or gave birth, never strayed from the role of mother in cinema, stage and television  a unique case in her profession.

Even as this actress continued to play this role, she did so with her own particular, versatile touch. She wasnt stiff and aristocratic like Dawlat Abyad and Olwiyya Gamil, good-hearted and simple like Fardous Mohamed, sober like Zeinab Sedky and Nelly Mazloum, helpless like Aqeela Rateb, or even comedic like Marie Mounib.

She was all of these actresses, depending on the requirements of the role. She was the good-hearted mother in The Black Candles (1962, Ezz-Eldin Zulfikar), the aristocratic mother in Where is My Life (1956, Ahmed Diaa-Eldin), then the very stiff and tough mother in Shafiqa The Copt (1962, Hassan Al-Imam), the helpless rural mother in The Curlews Prayer (1959, Henri Barakat), the urban mother in A Beginning and an End (1960, Salah Abu-Seif) based on the novel by Egyptian Nobel Prize laureate Naguib Mahfouz, the weak and submissive mother in I Want a Solution (1975, Said Marzouk), and finally, the comic mother in His Sisters (1976, Henri Barakat) and on stage in Its Really a Respectable Family (1979, Fouad Al-Mohandes).

Thus, even within such a narrow framework, Rizk was able to diversify her options, keeping them wide open due to her unlimited acting abilities, as well as her ability to change her voice from tough to kind  and the whole spectrum of emotional expressions in between.

This in addition to facial expressions and body movements resulting from an excellent understanding of fine differences between one mother's role and another.

Rizk was once asked how she could perform all the motherhood roles with such dexterity without being a real mother. She replied briefly  while fighting back tears  that it was probably due to not feeling these emotions in reality, which meant she wanted to make up for it on the silver screen.

This was especially the case, she said, since she considered the next generations of actors and actresses to be her sons and daughters.



Search Keywords:

Short link:


We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.
AKRON, Ohio - A woman has died following a Saturday evening house fire in Akron's Middlebury neighborhood, east of downtown, officials say.

The blaze broke out about 7:20 p.m. Saturday on the 600 block of Crouse Street, south of East Exchange Street, an Akron fire department news release states. Fire crews learned upon arrival that a person was trapped inside.

Firefighters quickly found the woman and pulled her from the house, the release states. The house fire was under control within 20 minutes of crews arriving.

The woman was taken to an area hospital, where she died early Sunday, a separate release from the fire department states. Her identity has not been publicly released by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

It's currently unclear what started the fatal fire, the release says.

This post will be updated if more details about the fire are released Sunday afternoon.

If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
Streaming giant Netflix dramatically pulled out of the Cannes film festival just hours before its official selection was announced Thursday.

The US platform withdrew four films which were rumoured to be in the running to compete for the Palme d'Or top prize. They include Paul Greengrass' much-awaited "Norway" about the 2010 Utoya massacre, in which white supremacist Anders Breivik killed 77 people at a political summer camp.

The move is a major blow to the world's top film festival, already facing a revolt by critics furious at a shake-up in the way its screenings are organised.Netflix's withdrawal -- which seemed to be timed to cause the maximum chaos as the last-minute selection was being made -- was in retaliation for a new Cannes rule banning movies that are not first released in French cinemas from the competition.

The platform was already riled by a French law stipulating that movies cannot be streamed in France until three years after their cinematic release.

French cinema owners protested last year at the inclusion of two Netflix films, "Okja" and "The Meyerowitz Stories", in the selection. The outcry prompted festival director Thierry Fremaux to change the rules.

Last month he hinted that what he termed "hybrid" films made for streaming services could only be shown out of competition.

Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos made no attempt to hide his irritation with Cannes and Fremaux in a scathing interview with the trade daily Variety late Wednesday.

"We want our films to be on fair ground with every other filmmaker," Sarandos said. "There's a risk in us going in this way and having our films and filmmakers treated disrespectfully at the festival."

"The festival has chosen to celebrate distribution rather than the art of cinema," he charged.

"It is not a coincidence that Thierry also banned selfies this year," Sarandos added, in a biting reference to Fremaux outlawing them on the red carpet.

"I don't know what other advances in media Thierry would like to address."

Despite the row with Netflix, Cannes has had no problem accomodating its rival, Amazon.

Its films are shown in cinemas before they go online and in France they can be streamed individually four months after their release. It is Netflix's subscription-only model that falls foul of French rules.

Embattled Fremaux last month incurred the wrath of hundreds of French and international critics for changing the timings of press screenings, which they said would play havoc with the festival.

They argued that critics would now have to wait until the day after gala red carpet premieres to see many of the films.

But the French producers union said it backed Fremaux's changes which did away with the tradition of having press previews before the gala premieres.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett will preside over the main jury this year with the Puerto Rican-Spanish star Benicio del Toro who is heading the jury in the Certain Regard section.

The distributors of the American director David Robert Mitchell's "Under The Silver Lake" said Thursday that the story of a man obsessed with the strange circumstances of a billionaire's murder had been included in the main competition.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Q: Here is a jaw-dropper for you. I just received a letter from the Ohio Department of Taxation. After e-filing my joint Ohio return (and paying extra to do so), I am now told that my husband and I have to pass a quiz by phone or online. OK, fine. However, they also say that the quiz may not be available if we have frozen our credit reports.

Furthermore, if we do not want to do the quiz or do not pass, we must submit paperwork. The paperwork consists of all that would have been necessary to file a paper return. Plus, there is a 180-day wait for the refund after sending in the paper documentation.

This makes no sense to me. Why did I waste my $26 to e-file? Why did I waste time freezing my credit reports? Thanks for your insight on this.

P.O., Cleveland

A: The Ohio Department of Taxation confirms that tax filers who have a freeze on their credit files may not be able to take the quiz. This quiz pulls what's called "out-of-wallet" information from your credit report so the state can ask you about it. Someone who stole your information, or knows you well, may know your date of birth, or Social Security number, or address, or other information that may be in your wallet. So the state needs to go further.

The quiz will include a few questions such as, which of these four street names have you ever lived on, or which of these four makes and models of car have you owned, or, within $50, how much is your mortgage or car payment. This is the kind of information that someone else -- good or bad -- wouldn't easily know about you.

As for why you paid $26 to e-file? That's on you. I've never been a fan of e-filing through a third party, ever since tax authorities started pushing it hard two decades ago. And I'm not a fan not because of the cost, but because of security. Now, Ohio allows you to "I-file" directly with the state. That's good. But for e-filing with the IRS, you go through a vendor such as TurboTax or H&R Block or TaxAct or one of the "free file" vendors. Eew.

I'm more in favor of using software to prepare a return, and then print it out and mail it in.

And I certainly wouldn't categorize your move to freeze your credit files as a waste of time. Just the opposite. Freezing your credit files protects you from nightmares like fraudulent tax returns and fraudulent credit card accounts and loans. You want to talk about a waste of time? I wonder how many hours it would take you to unwind a fraudulent tax return filed with the state? A national study released a couple of years ago found that a consumer hit by fraudulent card use typically takes 28 hours to resolve it. That's a lot of time wasted.

Now I can see where it'd be a little frustrating, especially if you have to wait six months for your refund. I think the state is giving itself some leeway. It almost surely won't take that long.

Here's what Howard Wheat, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Taxation, said people need to provide if they can't take the required quiz (possibly due to a credit freeze):

1. A copy of each employer-issued W-2(s), W-2G(s), 1099(s) and/or Schedule K-1 form(s).

2. A copy of your filed federal income tax return pages 1 and 2.

3. A copy of all other supporting documentation (including worksheets, if applicable) used in the preparation of your Ohio IT-1040 for any deduction(s) and/or credit(s) taken.

4. A copy of the ID quiz letter you received.

So my advice: Yes, it's inconvenient. But be thankful the state is trying to protect you.

Q: I follow your column and share your concerns about debit cards and am trying to figure out the best way to deal with the one I have through my credit union. It is a debit MasterCard that I don't use for any online orders or gas purchases. I use it at the ATM ideally once or twice a month in order to have cash for the grocery store and other purchases. There are a few issues: the credit union is located near where I used to work about 25 minutes away. There are several ATMs nearby where I can use the card with no fees. My check is automatically deposited so there are no fees for my checking account, I have bill pay set up for payments to utilities, cable, etc., and I have a low-interest loan with them.

I have asked the credit union if I can switch my current debit card to an ATM-only card so my account can't be accessed fraudulently online or without my PIN. I received the following reply: "The credit union does not have an ATM only card. With a checking account, we can set it up for ATM only use." I haven't asked for clarification but I believe that means I would keep the debit MasterCard but it would only work at an ATM machine.

There are nearby bank branches such as Huntington where ATM only cards are available. I would like to avoid switching automatic deposit arrangements, bill pay set up, etc. if at all possible. What is your take on the solution offered by the credit union?

M.H., Cuyahoga Falls

A: Many smaller banks and credit unions don't offer ATM-only cards. You first need to ask your credit union for clarification: Would the card work only with your PIN? Can the credit union set any point-of-sale transaction (non-ATM) at $1, so that it couldn't be used except at an ATM? You need to ask questions. If you're satisfied with the answers, keep your card and your sanity, because switching all of your direct deposits and bill payments is a pain.

If you're not satisfied with the answers, then swallow hard and open a new account someplace else and try to get everything switched over a period of a couple of weeks. Keep the old account open until you're positive everything has been changed to your new account.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Whether they seek thousands of dollars in back wages and damages or barely enough to pay for a dinner at a moderately-priced restaurant, workers file wage theft claims for the same reason: to get what they believe is rightfully owed to them.

Here are some of the stories involving among the largest wage theft claims approved by the Ohio Department of Commerce. The rankings are based on a Plain Dealer analysis of Commerce Department data from 2010 to 2017.

VV Steel: 'Tomorrow never came'

In 2015, employees at VV Steel Corp. in Monroe County hadn't been paid in weeks, but still they kept showing up to work. Many of the employees worked at a shuttered aluminum plant once at the site.

"They were so happy that they were going back up there to the plant and making about $20 an hour," said a former employee William Rice. "Those were pretty good wages compared to what the people in the (Ohio) Valley are getting now."

The Commerce Department approved about $242,000 in back wages and damages for 34 workers at VV Steel.

Rice, a former supervisor, said that owner Ravi Vallabhaneni would call in and talk to him or other supervisors. "He would say that he would be down tomorrow with the paychecks," Rice said. "But tomorrow never came."

Vallabhaneni could not be reached for comment.

See main story: Do wage theft laws in Ohio harm or help workers?

Kerry Francis, the Commerce Department's chief of communications, explained why the department approved damages, although the company was a first-time violator: "Because the employees were making more than minimum wage, we assessed penalties to get them as close as possible to what they were making."

VV Steel paid $203,316 in 2015, which the owner negotiated with through litigation with the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the AG's office said. Generally, if an employer doesn't make a payment within 30 days, the case is referred to the AG's office for collection.

Palladium Health Care: Third-party debt collector

Two employers from Northeast Ohio also were included on the list of the top 20 largest claims the Commerce Department approved.

Palladium Health Care, which ranked 15th, was required to pay $28,000 in back wages in 2012 to former employees once part of its Ashtabula operations. Palladium, now closed, also ranked 18th for owing $25,918 in back wages in 2013 to former employees once part of its Cleveland operations. Fifteen workers were affected, Francis wrote. Department officials said they didn't pursue treble damages because "the facts of the case indicated the company was insolvent, and any money would be uncollectable." The AG's office said it has assigned the case to a "third-party debt collector specializing in distressed debt."

The wage theft case was part of other cases brought against Palladium and its then owner, LaWanna Porter. In 2014, Porter was convicted of several charges, including theft and tampering with evidence, in connection with Medicaid and workers' compensation fraud, the AG's office said. She was sentenced to 11 1/2 years in prison, all but 30 days of which were suspended, the AG's office said. Porter could not be reached for comment.

Boston Mills/Brandywine: 'You need to stand up for yourself'

In another case, a father looked at his teenage daughter's paycheck from Boston Mills/Brandywine ski resort in Summit County and was concerned. He knew Ohio's minimum wage had just gone up, but the youngster's paycheck didn't reflect it.

The ski resort ranked 17th for the $26,215 in back pay the Commerce Department approved in 2012 for minimum wage violations.

The father, who asked to remain anonymous, elected to have his name redacted from public reports. He told the PD that when he questioned ski resort officials about not paying the new minimum wage rate, they said they were exempt under provisions governing seasonal employers.

Boston Mills/Brandywine officials declined to comment for this story.

"We were only talking about less than $30," the father said. "There are enough workers, who get cheated by their employers. I didn't want my daughter to be one of them. I wanted her to have the life lesson that you need to stand up for yourself."

The Commerce Department didn't only get back wages for his daughter, but for a total of 673 employees. However, workers didn't receive damages.

Francis said the Commerce Department waived penalties because the ski resort agreed to pay quickly.

"Our investigation showed the discrepancies in pay were due to ignorance of the law and clerical mistakes versus malicious intent. We educated the company to prevent future errors, and there have been no complaints filed since then," Francis said.

Information about filing wage theft claims

If you believe you have been a victim of wage theft, you could either file a claim with the Ohio Department of Commerce's Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration or with the U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division. (Workers can also sue. Many to choose U.S. District Court in Ohio.)

The details of individual cases will determine the best option.

Filing a state claim: For information about filing a claim with the state Commerce Department call 614-644-2239 for information. A wage theft complaint application may be found online .

Filing a federal claim: For information about filing a claim with the federal Labor Department: 1-866-487-9243 or dol.gov/whd .

Plain Dealer Reporter Jo Ellen Corrigan contributed to this report.

Follow @OPinfo
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As a warm up to the joint missile attack on Syria, President Trump and Sarah Huckabee launched verbal missiles at James Comey and his new memoir.

Trump began Friday morning with a twitter airstrike hitting Comey.

"James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied under OATH. He is a weak and...

...untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI. His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst "botch jobs" of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey!"

During her Friday press briefing, Sarah Huckabee Sanders added fuel to the White House Comey book burning fire.

"The American people see right through the blatant lies of a self-admitted leaker. This is nothing more than a poorly executed PR stunt by Comey to desperately rehabilitate his tattered reputation and enrich his own bank account.

Instead of being remembered as a dedicated servant in the pursuit of justice like so many of his other colleagues at the FBI, Comey will be forever known as a disgraced partisan hack that broke his sacred trust with the president of the United States, the dedicated agents of the FBI and the American people he vowed to faithfully serve.

One of the president's greatest achievements will go down as firing director James Comey."

Multiple media outlets received advance copies of A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership. Based on some of the salacious excerpts reported, Comey's book could have been subtitled: Truth, Lies and Trolling Trump.

Comey has taken a page out of the Trump communications book, giving the Bully-in-Chief a taste of his own ridicule medicine. He writes of Trump's fears about the alleged Russian "Pee Tape." The 6'8" Comey says Trump appears shorter in person. Comey notes that Trump's hands are smaller than his own. The former FBI director describes Trump's skin color as being lighter around the eyes as if he had been wearing tanning bed goggles.

"The FBI always gets its man," the saying goes. With Comey's memoir, the FBI goads its man, too.

It's hard to believe, but Trump once commended Comey's courage for writing the letter to Congress about the Hillary Clinton investigation and his public comments on it.

Both Trump and Chief-of-Staff John Kelly won't be happy that Comey describes Kelly as having been ready to leave the administration over Comey's firing, with Kelly calling it "dishonorable."

Clearly the White House had high anxiety over the release of Comey's book. Sanders comments came off like prepared talking points, echoing what Trump surrogates were saying in the media.

Trump can at least pat himself on the back for increasing sales for the book industry. Although the Trump library and book store may need to install an "Adult's Only" section.

Instead of the Comey memoir, Trump and Sanders should be more concerned at the proverbial "book" of offenses the FBI has on his attorney/fixer, Michael Cohen, that prosecutors may throw at him.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cheering, clapping, singing. Flowing drinks. Leather jackets and sparkly dresses. The electric energy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions was alive and well at the museum as the 2018 class was ushered in at a sold-out live simulcast.

The inductions at Cleveland Public Auditorium sold out in a matter of minutes, but it didn't stop a packed museum from celebrating the big event. The Rock Hall simulcast drew hundreds of fans from around the country to Cleveland's lakeside to watch the live ceremony. An edited version of the ceremony will appear on HBO at a later date.

Follow all of cleveland.com's live coverage of the Rock Hall 2018 inductions.



This year's inductions honor Nina Simone, The Cars, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues and Dire Straits. But tonight hasn't been the only source of excitement. Throughout the week, parties, concerts and special events around Cleveland have kept the momentum going.

Bon Jovi and The Moody Blues added star power with a special appearance at the museum this week. After the simulcast, the party will continue as a Nina Simone-themed bash takes place at Touch Supper Club in Ohio City and DJ Questlove spins a three-hour set at the House of Blues Cleveland. That is, after the Roots musician sat in on drums during Sister Rosetta Tharpe's induction led by Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard and Felicia Collins.

At the museum, there was a big showing of fans of The Cars, especially with Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr's Northeast Ohio roots. Cheers rang through the museum as Brandon Flowers of The Killers inducted the band and mentioned Ocasek and Orr meeting "right here in Ohio." The audience was clapping from the very first notes of the infectious "My Best Friend's Girl."

Parma's Jennifer Ackerman crossed her fingers to hear "Shake It Up." But it wasn't just Cleveland fans happy to see The Cars inducted. Steve Moore drove all the way from Chicago to watch the simulcast while his wife and daughter, both Cars mega-fans, attended the ceremony.

"I've been a fan since the beginning; since their first album," Moore says. He hoped to hear fan favorite "Just What I Needed," but says he's "just glad they're all going to be on the stage together."

Mary Parker came from Corning, New York, to see The Moody Blues. "They put out such a body of music, it's unbelievable," she says. "It's been a long time coming, way too long. They have a song, 'Question,' and it was a thoughtful protest song when it was released back then. It's just as true now."

Rock Hall 2018: Bon Jovi, Howard Stern walk the red carpet



The spirit of the Moodies rang throughout the museum - like friends linking arms on the elevator and singing the iconic "how I love you" line of "Nights in White Satin" as it played over the speakers.

And, of course, part of being at the simulcast is a chance to see and be seen. That includes plenty of fashion statements. Like longtime Moody Blues fans Sara Springer, donning a shirt reading "Lipstick, diamonds, champagne and rock and roll."

That attitude resonated throughout the museum: From Sister Rosetta Tharpe's guitar shredding to Nina Simone's soulful sounds to the storytelling of Dire Straits, the night was a celebration of genre-spanning music.

"It's just good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll" says Anastasia Unruh, a Straits fan.

If there was one place in the museum to feel the thrill of the night, it was the new 2018 inductee exhibit. Behind the glass are artifacts that encapsulate the class - Nina Simone's handwritten lyrics to "God, God, God." A program for Cotton Club, a venue often played by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues' mellotron. David Robinson of the Cars' sweater. Alan Clark of Dire Straits' accordion. Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi's acoustic guitar.

In between snapping photos of Bon Jovi's instruments, clothing and more, Mary Copp says she's most excited to see band and hopes to hear "Livin' On A Prayer." (She later got her wish.) She's seen the band six times with a group of friends who've been going to Bon Jovi concerts for years.

"This induction is long-deserved," she says.

There were undoubtedly dozens of Bon Jovi fans gathering to watch the inductions. The band won this year's fan vote, which counts for one ballot, by a landslide. In the Rock Hall's Foster Theater, fans stood and clapped as the band barreled through "You Give Love a Bad Name."

Bon Jovi's Rock Hall induction belonged to Richie Sambora



And while musicians are always the main draw, this year, some of the inductors even stole the show.

"You can tell everyone I'm most excited to see Howard Stern," says Cleveland's Lilly Anitas.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Marla Corrado's first experience with Lifebanc was on the drive home from the hospital after her father had died. William Zmich, had never discussed being an organ donor, but the family received word from the mortuary that he was.

Lifebanc called to get a social and a medical history on her father before his organ donation. The organ, eye, and tissue recovery organization based in Cleveland serves Northeast Ohio, and its mission is to retrieve these tissues with the hope of placing them for successful transplant.

Corrado started using some of the support services offered by Lifebanc, which are free to donor and recipient families. When a flyer arrived about an art support group, Corrado wanted to try it.

She had a little bit of an art background, but hadn't tried a lot of things because her kids were still young. "I thought this would be a good way of meeting people who are on the same path," she said. "It's kind of a connecting cord in our loss. It gives me a way of expressing things it in a different way as well as talking in a group setting in a more traditional way."

Lifebanc's art support group uses art as a form of expression when words aren't adequate. It began four years ago as one of five bereavement support groups offered to donor families and runs for eight weeks, with a different art theme every week.

The group serves donor families who've experienced all kinds of loss. Participants have lost parents, children, spouses. In a recent group, one lost a baby and two lost loved ones to heroin overdose.

As director of bereavement services, Elissa Berman runs the support groups and the art group is co-facilitated with Misty Ramos, another licensed professional counselor.

"Frequently, in grief, we're at a loss for words, said Berman. "You often hear people say, "I don't know what to say. Art gives them an opportunity to express themselves in a creative way, when words don't do the experience justice."

Rose Vinci came to the support group almost a year after the death of her infant daughter. Glory Faye Vinci was born March 14, 2017 with anencephaly, a condition that prevents the brain from developing normally. Vinci was diagnosed after her second ultrasound. Anencephalic babies live a short time, minutes, hours, sometime days. Vinci did research on mothers who carried their babies to term. She decided that was what she wanted to do. "I wanted to honor her journey, said Vinci. "This was one thing I could do for her as her mom."

About a month after the diagnosis, the Vincis learned that Glory could be an organ donor. The baby was going to be born at Fairview Hospital, so the Cleveland Clinic helped make the connection between the hospital and Lifebanc. Glory is the first neonatal organ donor at Fairview Hospital, according to Vinci.

"I come to this class thinking I'm going to make something, I'm going to create something,'' Vinci said. "What it does is, it molds and creates me. I made this piece that was a heart with a hole in the center. The theme that week was to express the word 'love' on a ceramic tile.

"I learned I can have a piece of loss, or a piece missing from my heart and still have love, and still have a whole heart. Through art, I could articulate how I feel.''
CLEVELAND, Ohio - A landslide due to flooding in a construction area has closed lanes of Interstate 77 in Cleveland.

Only one lane is open one-quarter mile from the interchange of Interstate 77 north and Interstate 490, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has been notified of the landslide.

It's unclear how long the lanes will be blocked due to the landslide. Cleveland police have also warned that flooding has closed Valley Road and the Jennings Freeway until further notice.

Valley Rd./ Jennings closed because of flooding until further notice.  Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 15, 2018

This post will be updated when more information becomes available.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Giant Eagle Inc. is recalling items that are prepared with romaine lettuce because of a potential E. coli contamination.

The items are being recalled in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notice about the potential contamination in romaine lettuce from a supply partner from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, according to a news release from the company.

The bacteria causes diarrheal illness. Most can recover in a week, but others can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, the release says. It most likely happens to young children and the elderly.

There are no reported illnesses among customers to date with this recall, the release says.

The products were packaged Monday to Friday and sold in clear plastic containers. The various items are prepared with romaine lettuce and sold in our catering, restaurant and salad bar areas, the release says.

Those who have purchased any affected products should throw them away or return it to a local Giant Eagle or Market District.

Customers also can bring in the receipt to receive a refund on their purchase.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland schools pulled out of their downward spiral of budget cuts and falling test scores a few years ago, thanks to passage of a major improvement plan and tax increase in 2012.

But after an initial boost, test score gains have stalled.

The so-called "Cleveland Plan" was supposed to bring a steady improvement in reading, writing and math skills, along with meeting other goals. Instead, the early gains have stopped, leaving the district on a familiar plateau, with essentially the same test scores as 10 years ago.

New national test results released this past week confirm the same pattern that has emerged from state tests over the last three years - a pattern the district acknowledges, but says it is working to fix and which does not reflect other gains from its improvement plan.

"We have rebounded to where we were (before the Cleveland Plan), so we have made up the gap from when the district was in crisis," District CEO Eric Gordon said.

But, he added, "We've got a lot more work to do and we know that."

Consider:

- Changes in state test scores since 2012 are difficult to measure, since the state switched its old tests to a new one in 2015, then to another for 2016 and after.

Because Ohio changed state tests in 2015 and 2015, cinparing scores from year to year is inaccurate. Instead, these bars show how far below state average Cleveland students have scored each year, even as tests changed. Note that the bars got smaller in large jumps for two years aftter the district passed an improvement plan and school tax, but changes have been small over the last three years.

But Cleveland gained against the state average scores for two years after the plan and levy passed, a Plain Dealer comparison of scores that controls for all of Ohio's testing changes shows.

After that, though, Cleveland's scores on state tests barely changed between 2015, 2016 and 2017, relative to students across Ohio, the analysis shows.

See more on that below.

- This week, Cleveland's scores on national tests known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) confirmed that pattern.

Despite a nice rise in one area since 2015- eighth grade math - Cleveland fell in the other three areas covered by the tests - eighth grade English and fourth and eighth grade math.

While the drops are too small to raise alarm about an overall decline - most of them considered statistically insignificant by NAEP - they don't continue the progress that Cleveland had made on these tests between 2013 and 2015.

As you can see in the chart below tracking Cleveland's scores on all four NAEP tests Cleveland has not moved beyond earlier score levels. Though the district has bounced back from its low point in 2013 - on tests given too soon after the Plan and tax were passed for them to have an impact - it is still short of its highs in 2005 and 2007.

The mixed scores come as no surprise to Piet van Lier, who heads the Cleveland Transformation Alliance, a city panel that tracks changes and advises parents on school choices. The Alliance's 2017 report on progress of the Cleveland Plan found that progress was real, but "slow and uneven."

The Alliance particularly noted that while the district has made many improvements to its high schools, it needs more work on its kindergarten through eighth grade schools - schools whose fourth and eighth grade students are tested in NAEP.

Michael Casserly, who heads the Council of the Great City Schools, the national association for big-city districts, doesn't think the flat scores mean the district is stuck.

"Cleveland can get better," Casserly said. "But our research and the research of others does suggest that it is harder for districts with such concentrated poverty as Cleveland's--and it takes longer."

Of the 27 city districts with separate scores on NAEP, Cleveland is the only one where all of its tested students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, an indicator most researchers use to gauge poverty in schools.

Cleveland's true rate may be a bit lower, but it's much higher than other city districts like Austin, Charlotte and Jacksonville, where only about half of students qualify.

Click here for more on those score and socioeconomic differences.

Gordon and the district note that scores have stayed flat the last few years. But instead of viewing that as confirming a stall, they view the scores as verification of the gains from 2013 to 2015.

"NAEP results confirm progress where CMSD reforms have focused," the district declared at the top of its press release about the scores.

Gordon and Michelle Pierre-Farid, the district's chief academic officer, said the district has made high school graduation and reading for the early grades its major priorities. Those, they note, hit the "bookends" or "tails" of students, but not the middle grades as much.

Cleveland's fourth grade reading focus mirrors the state's requirement that students need to read well in third grade to advance to fourth under it's so-called Third Grade Reading Guarantee.

This year, Cleveland's fourth grade reading score fell one point - a drop NAEP considers insignificant - after rising in 2015.

Gordon considered that a success, along with constant increases in the district's high school graduation rate.

"On the tails where we have put a lot of energy, we have movement," Gordon said. "In the middle, we have a lot of work to do."

That will change some this fall. After years of creating new high schools with different themes or learning styles - like its early college high schools, its new aviation and maritime high school or a school located in MetroHealth Medical Center - the district will make major elementary school changes too.

This fall, 13 elementary schools will take new approaches to teaching and their style of lessons. Most of those will adopt an "inquiry-based" style that tries to spark questions in students so that they look at their lessons as an exploration to find an answer.

Cleveland's state scores also offer some hope. As the above chart shows and a chart below shows further, Cleveland scores improved two years in a row relative to the state average, but have since remained mostly flat.

But while Cleveland had a small gain in 2017, other urban districts in Ohio fell.

"While we stayed flat, we have been slowly and steadily creeping past others, who did not even stay flat," Gordon said.

In addition, the Cleveland Plan is out-gaining a more drastic way of turning around struggling districts - state takeover.

Cleveland avoided state control in 2012 and 2013 only because it involved the state legislature and Gov. John Kasich in creating the Cleveland Plan. Youngstown schools, though, did not have their own plan and went under a new and greater state control and intervention plan in 2015.

Until 2017, Cleveland scores had lagged behind Youngstown. Last year, Cleveland's gains and a drop in Youngstown, despite state oversight, put Cleveland ahead.

Whether Cleveland can advance further is unclear. Gordon said he refuses to say that Cleveland's poverty and social issues block students from learning well. But he also said that something needs to change to help students achieve at a different level.

That's a major reason why the district is pursuing a partnership with Say Yes to Education, a national organization that helps districts offer social and academic supports to students, then rewards them with college scholarships.

"If we don't seriously disrupt these impacts from poverty, it's making the work incredibly hard for teachers and leaders," he said.

Here's a look at how Cleveland's state test scores have changed over the last several years, along with how those of other "Ohio 8" urban districts have changed as well. Because the state changed its tests and scoring, using three different tests in as many years between 2014 and 2016, The Plain Dealer did a statistical comparison of how scores each year compared to other districts in that year. The bars are a proportional representation of how far below state averages these districts scored in each year.

Click here for more on that methodology, explained at the bottom of the story.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - No one was hurt late Saturday when gunshots were fired toward Cleveland police officers while they were investigating another shooting, police said.

The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. on the 7500 block of Decker Avenue in Cleveland's St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, department spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. Officers were speaking with residents who reported that their house was struck by gunfire.

Police found that the house and two vehicles were damaged by gunfire, Ciaccia said. The witnesses could not identify who was shooting, but officers learned the shots came from a dark van.

While police were investigating the shooting, a dark van passed the scene, Ciaccia said. The residents told officers that it was the same van from the original shooting. Then, shots rang out from the van again.

Neither the Cleveland police officers nor the Decker Avenue residents were hurt in the shooting, Ciaccia said.

No arrests have been made.

This post will be updated if additional information about the incident is released Sunday afternoon.

If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Slow speed, Interstate 71

: Police received a call at 1:42 a.m. April 7 about a driver who had parked his pickup truck in the middle of the highway.

The officer found the truck stopped in the middle lane after traffic around it was braking due to the situation. He stopped behind the truck, whose engine was running and brake lights on. The driver's head was slumped over the steering wheel. He was sleeping.

However, he drove forward slowly while still asleep. He finally awoke to the officer's yells and shifted the truck into park.

He told the officer he was driving home from work, but was unaware of where he was. The officer noted that the man's lap area was soiled.

The motorist initially said he did not have anything to drink, but later said he had had a little bit. He exited the truck, which the officer pulled off the roadway onto the shoulder.

The man was unable to perform field sobriety tests and refused to take a breath test. He was cited for drunken driving.

Theft, Morningside Avenue

: A woman who tried to open an account at BJ's Wholesale Club March 16 was denied. She checked her credit report and found that she supposedly had a $317 past-due balance with an electric company where she did not have an account.

She contacted the company and disputed the charges, which were for a home in Texas. That account was opened on Oct. 10, 2017, and closed less than a month later. The electric company said the individual who opened it had to give a Social Security number or a driver's license with her name.

Lost property, Bagley Road: A worker at Southwest General Health Center recently reported that she lost her engagement ring at the facility. She told police she removed her solitaire engagement ring from her finger Feb. 12, placed it in her pocket and later put her clothing inside a laundry bin for washing.

She realized the next day that her ring was missing, and checked with laundry staff to see if anyone had found it. No one had. She waited a few weeks, hoping someone would come forward with the ring, but that did not occur.

She filed a report for insurance purposes.

Driving under suspension, Interstate 71: An officer saw a Jeep cross two lanes of traffic without signaling at 7:45 p.m. April 8. He stopped it. The motorist did not have his driver's license. He said the Jeep belonged to his brother, who had just kicked him out of his house. He got a room at a motel and was returning to get more items from the house.

The officer smelled marijuana in the car. The man said he had some in the center console. There was also marijuana in a folded paper on the passenger side door. The driver said the dope in the console was his. The passenger owned up to the other substance, which was found to be synthetic marijuana. The driver was also cited for marijuana possession and not wearing a seat belt.

Fraud, Pearl Road: A customer of Tease Salon wrote a $275 check for services she received on Feb. 28. The bank contacted the salon about the check being returned March 7 and charged it with a $25 fee.

The salon tried several times to contact the woman, who said she stopped the payment because of personal issues resulting in her inability to pay for other costs, including her house.

The salon's employee said the customer was "very nasty" on the phone. She refused to make payment and later said the salon will receive the money when she gets it first.

Police told the victim to send a certified letter requesting payment. If payment is not made in 10 days, she should return to the station.

No payment was received after that time. The woman was charged with passing a bad check.

Lost property, Bagley Road: A man said that while he was at Burger King April 1, he put his bags down to go to the counter to get his food. He later noticed his cell phone, pocket radio and medication were missing from his bags.

He said he saw a man standing near his bags and believed he took the items. He then saw the man outside and questioned him, but the man said he did not take them. Others in the restaurant said they did not see anything.

Police are waiting to see if a security video may reveal the theft.

Warrant, Engle Road: An officer at 10 p.m. April 7 randomly checked a car and found its license plates had expired on Oct. 4, 2017. The driver was the owner of the car.

The driver said she was meeting with her boyfriend, but the front passenger seemed very nervous. He would not sit still or make eye contact with the officer. The man admitted that the driver was his girlfriend. He gave him identification, which showed he had two active warrants. The passenger was arrested.

The officer told the driver she needed valid license plates and an unobstructed rearview mirror. She was released. The passenger was taken to the police station.

Possession of marijuana, Bagley Road: An officer saw a driver weave several times over the roadway's double yellow lines at 9:34 p.m. April 6. The driver said he did not intend to weave, and that he and his friends in the car were going to a local party.

The officer smelled marijuana in the car. They said they had smoked dope earlier in the night. During the car search, marijuana was found on the three people inside. They were cited and the driver was also charged with weaving.

Criminal damage, Laurel Trace: Someone vandalized a pickup truck overnight April 5. The victim said he believed the culprit was the ex-boyfriend of the person he had visited that night. He said the man showed up at the house and banged on the door for 20 minutes.

Police contacted the man and told him not to go near the woman's home.

Lost property, Old Oak Boulevard: A woman at Lifeworks on Feb. 23 removed her gold diamond wedding band with round diamonds and placed it on a shower bench. She left the shower and 10 minutes later remembered that she had left her ring on the bench. The ring was not there when she returned.

She asked people in the locker room if they saw it, but no one said they did. She made posters asking about the ring, which was valued at $1,660.

She went to police this month to report it missing.

Theft, Newton Road: Someone broke into a car and ransacked its contents March 29. The car owner's laptop was stolen from a backpack in the back seat.
Fashionable women, dark-haired Saudis and blonde Eastern Europeans alike, fill the gold-trimmed halls of Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton Hotel, marking the start of Saudi Arabias first-ever fashion show

Fashionable women, dark-haired Saudis and blonde Eastern Europeans alike, fill the gold-trimmed halls of Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton Hotel, marking the start of Saudi Arabias first-ever fashion week.

Models and makeup artists preparing for the inaugural Saudi episode of Arab Fashion Week said they were surprised the event was taking place in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom

We are so excited because this is the first fashion week in Saudi Arabia, so we are making history, model Anita Dmycroska said.

Strict social restrictions have eased dramatically under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has reined in religious police, introduced public concerts and lifted bans on cinemas and women driving.

Yet, restrictions persist. Tuesdays reception was open to men and cameras, but only women are permitted at catwalk events and outside photography is barred.

Women in public places in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, wear abayas  loose-fitting, full-length robes symbolic of piety.

With recent reforms, women in some cities have begun to don more colorful abayas, sometimes trimmed with lace and velvet or left open to reveal long skirts or jeans.

No abayas will feature on the catwalk. The event hosts invitation-only fashion viewings and a Harvey Nichols pop-up store in a tent that was still being erected hours before the first show.

Another tent holds the catwalk, featuring designers from Brazil, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Dennis Kucinich

For Democrats in this year's race for Ohio governor, the choice should come down to passion, vision and an ability to grasp the bully pulpit to inspire Ohioans about the need for change.

Only one candidate fulfills those criteria: Dennis Kucinich, the former Cleveland mayor and nine-term congressman.

Ohio's next governor must be a fighter -- a fighter for greater equity, justice and common sense; a fighter for the state's urban centers; and a fighter against the moribund thinking on education, diversity, economic opportunity and home-rule rights that's held Ohio back for too long.

The editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer is as aware as any could be of Kucinich's flaws.

But of the major Democratic candidates, Kucinich is the one most likely to challenge Statehouse inertia.

For 24 of the last 28 years, Ohio's had Republican governors. The Ohio Senate's been Republican since 1985, the House, apart from two years, since 1995. Old habits die hard. But die they must.

Yes, Kucinich, 71, needs aides who will say no. And he must never again make nice with Syrian butcher Bashar Assad. But business as usual in Columbus has left too many Ohioans behind. And a Kucinich governorship wouldn't be business-as-usual.

A Democratic governor would likely face a GOP-run Senate and probably a GOP-run House. So he would have to be the megaphone spurring citizens to demand legislative action on such problems as these:

* Unintentional drug overdoses that killed 4,050 Ohioans in 2016, compared to 3,050 a year earlier.

* Accelerating gun violence with a legislature more interested in allowing guns in bars and day care centers than applying common-sense brakes on the most lethal weaponry, requiring universal background checks and letting cities beset with gun crimes set their own policies.

* Infant mortality rates that in Cuyahoga County in 2015 were almost double the national average.

* GOP tax cuts that failed to spur the promised jobs bonanza and instead have widened the income gap. Two Ohio State University researchers recently found that "the last year Ohio's per capita income was equal to the nation as a whole was 1968." That was 50 years ago.

Six Democrats want to be governor. The front-runners, besides Cleveland's Kucinich, are: former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray of suburban Columbus; former Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill of Chagrin Falls; and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Youngstown. Also running: former exotic dancer Larry E. Ealy of Dayton and political newcomer Paul E. Ray of Alliance, neither of whom responded to the editorial board's invitations to provide campaign materials or participate in endorsement interviews.

Cordray, 58, was director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from its inception in 2012 until last year, and was Ohio's treasurer from 2007-08. He then served one term as Ohio attorney general before being defeated for re-election in 2010 by Mike DeWine, the front-runner in this year's Republican primary race for governor.

The well-informed Cordray wants to bring Ohioans together, as partners, to address the state's problems, but if he's passionate about leading Ohio or has a vision for its future, he hid it well during the endorsement interview.

O'Neill, 70, a proven statewide vote-getter, wants to create a state mental health hospital network, legalize marijuana and close for-profit prisons. But last November, our editorial board labeled him "unfit for any public office," after he boasted on Facebook of having been "sexually intimate with approximately 50 very attractive females." That followed his self-serving decision not to step down as a state Supreme Court justice after announcing his candidacy for governor -- later participating in as many as 99 decisions released by the court, in clear contravention of the state Code of Judicial Conduct, which says: "Upon becoming a candidate in a primary or general election for a nonjudicial elective office, a judge shall resign from judicial office."

Schiavoni, 38, the Ohio Senate minority leader from 2014 to last year, says his experiences representing the Mahoning Valley give him a deep understanding of the economic ills and worries that led so many in that traditionally Democratic area of Ohio to support Donald Trump for president. He's an appealing candidate with a promising political future ahead of him.

Democrats should vote for their futures by nominating Dennis John Kucinich for governor of Ohio. Early voting for the May 8 primary has begun.

Democratic candidates for Ohio governor Richard Cordray, Dennis John Kucinich, Bill O'Neill and Joe Schiavoni were interviewed by the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer April 3, 2017 as part of its endorsement process in the May 8 Democratic primary. The race also includes Larry E. Ealy and Paul E. Ray, who did not respond to invitations to attend their endorsement interview. Video of the interview is above. Audio is here:

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
With Republican John Kasich barred by term limits from seeking a third term as Ohio governor, the race to succeed him on the GOP side is down to two: Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

The core of Taylor's campaign is her claim that, compared to DeWine, she is a genuine conservative. To prove it, Taylor, 52, espouses a litany of uncompromising stances on issues where, as Kasich's partner in governance the last eight years, she often championed the other side -- most notably on Ohio's Medicaid expansion which she indirectly lauded in a 2016 Detroit News op-ed praising Kasich for expanding health care to cover 300,000 previously uninsured Ohio women, but now says she opposes and vows to end.

Taylor, of Green in Summit County, was elected lieutenant governor in 2010 as Kasich's running mate. Earlier, she was state auditor (the first CPA in that job), an Ohio House member and member of Green City Council.

Taylor's efforts to be as far as possible to the right of DeWine also land her in ridiculous places, such as labeling a proposed "red flag" law allowing guns to be taken from people at risk of harming themselves or others as "just one more overreach of a big government."

But allowing a suicidal person access to a firearm is hardly pro-life, which Taylor says she is.

DeWine, endorsed for governor by the Buckeye Firearms Association PAC, said that, assuming there are due-process safeguards, he could support a "red flag" law, which Kasich has said he'd back and Cleveland's City Council voted 17-0 Monday to ask the legislature to pass.

Similarly, Taylor vowed to end the practice in Ohio of directing via executive order that there be no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in state employment; DeWine said he would continue Kasich's order.

The cornerstone of DeWine's campaign is his vow to tackle Ohio's most pressing problems, led off by the opioid plague and the state's education and work-skills gap. Both are holding Ohio back.

DeWine, of Cedarville in southwest Ohio, was elected attorney general in 2010 by unseating Democrat Richard Cordray. Earlier, he was a two-term U.S. senator, Ohio's lieutenant governor, a U.S. House member, a state senator and Greene County's prosecuting attorney.

In the endorsement interview, DeWine, 71, also sought to advance himself as the true conservative, while avoiding details -- for instance, on how he would reform Medicaid expansion, which he called "not sustainable" fiscally. As to Taylor's claim that she is the orthodox conservative, DeWine retorted: "One of us has been a conservative who's done things. The other has been a conservative - she says she's conservative - who really hasn't done things."

Watch video of endorsement interview here:

DeWine's dismissive verbal and facial putdowns of Taylor during the interview bordered on rude, but there is no question that he is the superior candidate in the Republican race for governor.

Ideological posturing such as that put forth by Taylor -- and by DeWine in his misguided efforts as Ohio attorney general to advance his own conservative agenda with "friend of the court" briefs on abortion, birth control, prayer at town meetings and like topics -- doesn't address Ohioans' real-world challenges.

Governing is about finding a way forward for Ohio, and for all Ohioans.

DeWine's experience and practicality suggest he could blaze that trail. Republicans should nominate Mike DeWine for governor. Early voting in the May 8 primary has begun.

The Republican candidates for Ohio governor, Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, were interviewed by the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer April 5, 2017 as part of the board's endorsement process in the May 8 Republican primary. Video of the interview is posted above as primary art for this editorial. Audio is below:

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Electing judge Bahaa Abu Shoka as the head of Egypts Wafd Party is a qualitative leap for the old party at this stage in its history, and could perhaps represent the beginning of reviving partisan life in the country.

Over the past eight years, the Wafd Party has witnessed a decline, divisions and prominent figures leaving the party due to the predominance of a view of a utilitarian nature in the party that is more suitable for business purposes than for such an old and historic party full of competent figures.

With the election of this new leadership with overwhelming consensus from within the party, a historic opportunity is presenting itself for Wafd to restructure itself as a strong, active party capable of benefitting itself, its members and Egypt as a whole.

We very much need for two, three or even four parties to represent the social masses; with a widespread reach all over the homeland and a vision and a programme as well as the ambition to compete for power at different levels.

The party should start with competing for the presidency, the municipalities and for seats in parliament. This could qualify it, according to prerequisites of the majority and minority, to head the government, and hence translate its political and economic vision into actual policies.

If Wafd succeeds in preparing a presidential candidate after four years, as has been stated by the elected party president, it will have done a great service, not only for itself, but for Egypt and the entire partisan scene.

Here, we remember President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis statement during his televised interview A People and a President, where he stated that he wished there had been more candidates competing over the presidency, but that this matter was out of his hands.

This statement highlighted the absence of viable political parties, as none of the countrys more than 100 parties could field a candidate that enjoys strong presence and stature with the public.

What is needed is an effective partisan presence that is capable of playing its role as designated in the constitution. Having ambitions of establishing a civil, democratic, modern state does not go hand in hand with weak parties of which no one takes notice.

The irony here lies in that a number of party leaders admit to their parties weakness, yet they do not acknowledge that they have a responsibility to redress this humiliating situation through one of two ways.

The first is through the merger of several parties, since their programmes are similar or even almost identical, in order to form one strong party that can have an impact on public life. The second is to officially vanish from the political scene.

I believe that there is no third option for these weak parties to remain in their current status and expect to contribute to building the democratic state.

This talk about a revived Wafd Party could be the start of talking about forming a real opposition party.

Although President El-Sisis popularity is not in question, as proven by the election results, there will still be a need for the public to have an alternative national vision for the future of the country.

There is also a dire need to look towards the next presidential elections, which are set to take place four years from now.

Perhaps Wafd will, through its new leadership, seek to have some small parties join it and add some new cadres and ideas. It also might seek to form a partisan coalition that is more robust and more efficient in comparison with already existing coalitions.

At the forefront is the Support Egypt coalition, which will find stronger reasons for interacting with this new situation more actively and more seriously. If we imagine that there are two coalitions, where each has its own special makeup and the likelihood of transforming itself into a big party, this will lead to the crystallisation of a two-party system.

This would be similar to the situation in long-established democratic countries, such as with the Conservative and Labour parties in Britain and the Republican and the Democratic parties in the USA.

Such a two-party configuration could spark a transformation from general popular backing to political backing within a party framework.

Thus, we would have a system made up of three strong and influential parties, each one of which has a special approach and vision that distinguishes it from the other two.

This will, in effect, enrich the democratic process and give the Egyptian people options. Despite these parties differences, all of them would serve the larger interests of the homeland, enhancing democracy and establishing pluralism.

However, some may argue that since the popular backing that has characterised the first presidential term of President El-Sisi has proven effective, there is no need to walk down the partisan path and face its unknown consequences.

The truth is that such an argument can be easily refuted. El-Sisis popular backing was the result of a situation that required containing and confronting monumental external and internal threats to Egypt and preventing a collapse of state institutions.

I believe that these grand objectives have for the most part been achieved, although there are some threats that still exist; especially the remnants of terrorist groups and some regional actors that are antagonistic towards Egypt. However, these threats can be dealt with and cannot be compared with the situation the country faced three or four years ago.

Moreover, facing the threat of terrorism through military force alone is no longer sufficient.

The comprehensive vision previously presented by President El-Sisi for confronting and vanquishing terrorism requires that society enjoys vitality, represented through strong institutions, media, civil society and religious institutions that are renewing religious discourse.

All this cannot be achieved amid an idle and dead partisan environment.

In my view, transforming the framework of popular backing to a partisan institution is a prerequisite for building an Egyptian state based on democracy, pluralism and popular participation.

It is true that the presidents popularity is far greater than that of all the existing parties, and it is the parties that need the president, not the other way around. It is also true that forming a party that backs the government might bring back painful memories of the regretful National Democratic Party.

The answer is simple: the awareness of the people is not the same as it was six years ago, and employing the presidents popularity to enhance partisan life should be geared towards the future and changing, and not maintaing the status quo of our partisan life.

The writer is a political commentator.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


We all joke about how glitter gets everywhere, but it truly does get everywhere. It's made of microplastics, bits of plastic that have a nasty habit of finding their way into the environment. Worst of all is when they end up in the ocean, where these shiny little flecks quickly get eaten by fish and other marine life. That's not only bad news for fish, but also for eaters of fish -- like people, or birds, which can then die of starvation because they can't digest the large disco ball of misery forming inside their stomachs.

marrio31/iStock "I don't need your help to get all shimmery and fabulous. I do that my damn self."

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

One study found that these kinds of plastics were present in the bellies of a third of all fish caught in the English Channel. But while we should be wary of the kind glitter that winds up on birthday cards and then every item of clothing you've ever worn, it's the microbeads that make our cosmetics and shower gels look extra fancy that are the real bad stuff. In the UK, a mass revolt is happening against the sparkly evil that is glitter. A whole slew of preschools there began banning the stuff recently, which touched off a movement that stretched as far as New Zealand. And now the government is set on banning plastic microbeads altogether this year. In response, some companies have already started switching to non-plastic glitters like "starched-based lusters," which sounds less like a cosmetic product and more like the kind of bait you'd use to trap hungry ravers.
14 Nisan 2018 Cumartesi, 14:05

<video:957348>

CHP Deputy General Chair Aykut Erdogdu, appearing as KRTs News Director Caglar Cilara's guest, said that the HDPs detained MP Selahattin Demirtas was sincere in his efforts to finish terrorism and was being held in prison thanks to these efforts. Erdogdu also said with reference to 15 July, They knew there was going to be a coup.

Demirtas was sincere in his efforts to finish terrorism and thats why hes in prison

The CHPs Aykut Erdogdu gave some cutting replies to Caglar Cilara's questions about Demirtass defence testimony while appearing on the programme. Erdogdu said, I think I have personally seen and felt Demirtas's efforts and sincerity over finishing terrorism. I think he was making efforts for that violence to end and is a sincere person. He may be in prison for his sincere efforts, for his efforts to finish terrorism.

Demirtas should be in parliament and in politics and this is necessary to finish terrorism.

Our programmes are different and our thoughts are different from Demirtas, but I think Demirtas should be in parliament and in politics and I think this is a necessary thing to finish terrorism.

They are trying to divide us by engaging in Turkish or Kurdish nationalism

Whoever in this country stirs up nationalisms and tries to draw us apart by engaging in Turkish or Kurdish nationalism, this means they want to divide us. Let those who think they will solve the problem by throwing members of parliament in jail look to the past and consider the fate that befell those who thought they would solve the problem by doing this. Those who undertake such procedures feel themselves to be very strong while doing so but in the end the river of history flows along a valley and they will all be like rocks rolling along in that river of history and will be deeply ashamed on that day.

They knew there was going to be a coup

The CHPs Aykut Erdogdu, saying there was very arresting information in the CHPs report on the 15 July coup attempt, gave a summary of the report on being asked. According to Erdogdu, the government knew there was going to be a coup and did not intervene.

Erdogdu said, They knew there was going to be a coup. You see, this is pretty much a matter of history. Both the National Intelligence Agency and the police as well as the General Staff were telling them. There is a report from the National Intelligence Agency four months prior to the coup saying they had established that Fetullahist officers were going to stage a coup. If you know theres going to be a coup, did you use these 250 people as bait? How can you keep these people with access to arms? They tell you four months in advance theyre going to stage a coup and you wait and dont intervene and then theres a coup and then you take the coup and turn it into a countercoup and, after the countercoup, you start trying to chop the heads off of all those in the opposition saying youre combatting FETO. I was bombed in parliament on that evening. While some people were hiding in shanty towns, some were going into tunnels and one person was awaiting developments in the air aboard a plane, seven bombs fell on that parliament of mine. We were the ones instilling courage in the AKP MPs there. Our entering parliament was the stuff of history. What happened in the end? It started with talk of FETO and the coup was turned into a weapon against everyone in the opposition, us included. They knew this coup was going to happen. There are the events on the day of the coup. We have established how they knew about this coup when they read the coup report and how the state was surrendered to FETO by the AKP.

Erdogan gave the order to enter the cosmic room

Erdogdu, saying that the cosmic room, containing information about who will defend us if this country comes under occupation, was entered at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's orders, said, Even this is a very serious crime. Those who stole our secrets in our cosmic room were Fetullah Gulen and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The number one of FETOs political leg is definitely Erdogan. With them unable to divide the state among them, they made the impoverished citizenry pay the price.

Aykut Erdogdu continued his cutting comments as follows:

What did Fidan and Akar discuss face-to-face one day before the coup?

It is known that, one day prior to the coup, the National Intelligence Agency Undersecretary and Chief of the General Staff spoke for six and a half hours in a pergola unaccompanied by their bodyguards following the Special Forces Command graduation ceremony and, on the next day, when the National Intelligence Agency Undersecretary came, according to the National Intelligence Agency Undersecretarys and Second Chief of the General Staffs testimony, Hakan Fidan called his protection director Muhsin at six o clock and said, Mushin, have you got enough ammunition and armed men along with you? If theres an attack from the air, land and sea, have you got enough forces to mount an adequate defence? This conversation was held at half past five or six on the evening of the day of the coup.

The Free Syrian Army has its roots in Al-Qaeda and Islamic State

Aykut Erdogdu also touched on the Afrin operation and singled out the Free Syrian Army in his comments.

As a result of the governments imbalanced, incorrect, inconsistent, self-seeking - but self- seeking in a partisan way - and sectarian policies, they are trying to correct these errors by making our Anatolian youth pay with their lives in Afrin. What was called for was to work to prevent this war from breaking out in Syria from the very outset and assist democratisation there. But we ..., with a group called the Free Syrian Army, and the Free Syrian Army has its roots in Al-Nusra, Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, this is the truth about the Free Syrian Army, let them refuse to accept it as much as they like.

There is massive corruption on the Isle of Man

Erdogdu responded as follows to a question posed about the Isle of Man documents: What did your retired teacher brother-in-law sell for fifteen million dollars? Let the heavens collapse over us if he likes, there is massive corruption on the Isle of Man. The entitlements of this countrys orphans were devoured on the Isle of Man. There will be a calling to account for it.

CHP'li Erdogdu: Demirtas'n teroru bitirme cabas samimiydi, bu yuzden iceride
It was wholly right that it was subject to sanction by the United Kingdom, the United States and France, Lord Dannatt writes

The use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime on their own people in Syria has been appalling.

It was wholly right that it was subject to sanction by the United Kingdom, the United States and France.

After the threat of bombing or missile strikes was made by American President Donald Trump, it was also very important that his words of warning were backed up with actions.

The result of inaction would have been to make the West look weak in the face of Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people.

It was evident that the targets for the Allied air strikes were selected to avoid local civilian and Russian casualties on the ground in Syria.

Clearly the back channel of communications between the United States and Russia was used to good effect.

From a British perspective, the mission by the RAF showed us the value to the UK and our allies of maintaining the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, Cyprus.

A child receiving oxygen through respirators following the poison gas attack in the rebel-held town of Douma last week

Airstrikes by the U.S., Britain, and France destroyed three chemical weapons plants in response to the attack on civilians

They also showed the effectiveness of the Storm Shadow missiles  another example of why we need to keep up our level of defence spending in these uncertain times or, even better, increase it.

The Prime Minister also deserves our congratulations for having the moral courage to do the right thing at the right time.

Always seeking approval from Parliament is a recipe for inaction.

That said, Theresa May will now have to explain and defend her actions in the House of Commons on Monday but she deserves our support for her fortitude in this episode.

The West may have to accept that Assad (pictured), courtesy of the Russians, is not going anywhere soon. However, a new form of governance is required for Syria in the longer term

The next step is to play our part in getting all the parties around the conference table in Geneva to end the civil war in Syria once and for all.

But the West may have to accept that Assad, courtesy of the Russians, is not going anywhere soon. However, a new form of governance is required for Syria in the longer term.

I salute the courage and professionalism of all the UK personnel who took part in the mission.
Why do so many people in politics and the media want to start wars? Since I toured a sordid hospital full of wounded people in Bucharest at Christmas 1989, and even more after I saw for the first time (in Vilnius in 1991) what a human head looks like after a bullet has passed through it, I have seen it as an absolute duty to warn against armed conflict. It is a filthy thing.

No doubt there are times when we must fight. But there are plenty more when we should not.

Any fool can kill a man in a second and ruin a city in a week. But it takes long years of nurture to raise a child to adulthood, and centuries to build a civilisation.

Yet I look around me and see the mouths of intelligent people opened wide, yelling for an attack on Syria, when the only certain outcome of that will be blood and screams and ruins, and the deaths of innocents in 'collateral damage'. What good will this do?

What is wrong with them? They are not cruel and stupid, yet they call for actions which are both.

Pictures show the remains of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre, a suspected chemical weapons facility hit by Friday's airstrikes

Haven't we got enough misery in Syria already? The place is a mass of ruins, graveyards and refugee camps. To what end? The only mercy for Syria will come when the war ends, yet we seek to widen and extend it.

Don't we have more than enough of such disaster in Iraq and Libya, where state-sponsored panic and emotional claims of atrocities excused the launching of wars so stupid and dangerous that I wonder if these places can ever recover?

Perhaps worse, by creating an unending river of migrants through the Middle East and the Mediterranean, I suspect they have ruined Europe for good.

Why are we even taking sides in Syria? As Julian Lewis MP, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, rightly pointed out last week, President Assad is a monster. But his opponents are maniacs.

The Syrian jihadi gangsters which our Government crazily helps and backs  the Al-Nusra Front and Jaish al-Islam  are the sort of fanatics we would arrest on sight if we found them in Birmingham.

Anyway, Boris Johnson's Foreign Office is firmly pro-monster in all parts of the world where it suits it to be so.

I look around me and see the mouths of intelligent people opened wide, yelling for an attack on Syria, when the only certain outcome of that will be blood and screams and ruins, and the deaths of innocents in 'collateral damage'. What good will this do? WRITES PETER HITCHENS

British Royals and Ministers literally bow down as they accept medals from the head-chopping fanatics of Saudi Arabia, now engaged in a bloody, aggressive war in Yemen.

Britain maintains a naval base in Bahrain, whose rulers in 2011 crushed protests with severe violence followed by torture.

As Amnesty International puts it, 'using an array of tools of repression, including harassment, arbitrary detention and torture, the government of Bahrain has managed to crush a formerly thriving civil society and reduced it to a few lone voices who still dare to speak out'.

Britain daren't even admit that our 'friend' Egypt is ruled by a military junta that seized power illegally in defiance of elections which we had supposedly supported but which produced the wrong result.

Field Marshal Sisi's August 2013 Cairo massacre, in which almost 600 peaceful protesters were killed and thousands more wounded, is politely forgotten.

So is the Chinese communist regime's mass murder (1,000 are estimated to have died) in Peking in June 1989.

The men whose power rests on that ruthless massacre are welcome to dine at Buckingham Palace. But surely we can't allow Assad to use chemical weapons?

Tragic: A young victim of the deadly chemical attack launched by President Assad in Syria

We would never tolerate that. Would we? Well, when Saddam Hussein was our ally against Iran back in 1988, he undoubtedly used poison gas against Kurds in Halabja.

And in September 1988 the Foreign Office declined to get outraged, saying: 'We believe it better to maintain a dialogue with others if we want to influence their actions.

Punitive measures such as unilateral sanctions would not be effective in changing Iraq's behaviour over chemical weapons, and would damage British interests to no avail.'

Which brings me to the final point. Do we even know that Assad used chemical weapons?

I have actually read the reports of the last such alleged attack in Khan Sheikhoun a year ago, and they prove nothing. In fact, they are quite fishy.

At the time of writing, I have yet to see a British or US media report on this alleged attack from closer than Beirut, 70 miles from the scene.

The Damascus sky lit up with missile fire as the US, Britain and France launch an attack on Syria

Many seemingly confident and graphic accounts come from Istanbul, 900 miles away, or from London or Washington.

Where are they getting their information from? Here's a clue. The Saudi-backed faction in control of Douma at the time of the alleged attack, Jaish al- Islam (the Army of Islam), were themselves accused of using poison gas against Kurds in Aleppo in April 2016.

THEY are not especially nice. Their other main claim to fame is that they displayed captured Syrian Army officers in cages and used them as human shields.

They have spent several years indiscriminately shelling Damascus from Douma, having taken the local inhabitants hostage, and then squawking about war crimes if the Syrian government hit back at them, which it did much as the Iraqi government (our friends) did to Islamic State in Mosul and Fallujah.

I would not look for any heroes in this cauldron. And if you want to watch war games on a TV screen, can I suggest that you buy your own virtual reality equipment?

The real thing may look pretty and neat, but real people die as it happens and, if you supported it, their deaths will be on your conscience.

Is there any better illustration of the huge Soviet-style revolution we have suffered than this moving picture of nurses in an NHS hospital, praying before the start of their shift, half a century ago?

Nursing and hospitals themselves are more or less a Christian invention  the beautiful 15th Century hospital in Beaune in France is an early example.

Yet now open displays of Christianity in the NHS are risky, as they offend against the state creed of 'Equality and Diversity' under which Christians are an embarrassing, outdated nuisance.

Likewise, Ealing Council's ban on peaceful protests outside an abortion clinic overturns the whole legal and moral system of this country.

Nursing and hospitals themselves are more or less a Christian invention  the beautiful 15th Century hospital in Beaune in France is an early example, WRITES HITCHENS

Doctors and nurses trained to save and protect life are instead employed to snuff life out.

Many women suffer this procedure under pressure from selfish men. Many others have never had the alternatives explained to them.

While this goes on, thousands of childless couples yearn to adopt but find the procedure increasingly difficult, while abortions are signed off by officialdom with barely a second thought.

Why? Mainly, it is because the killing of almost 200,000 babies a year sustains a vast industry employing thousands, many of them very well paid, and they don't like criticism.

Despite claiming to be 'pro-choice', they don't want anyone drawing attention to that choice.

Likewise, Ealing Council's ban on peaceful protests outside an abortion clinic (pictured) overturns the whole legal and moral system of this country

Modern alleged artists such as Tracey Emin long to be attacked by people like me. The loathing of conservative suburbanites actually adds value to their stunts.

But now that Ms Unmade Bed has openly announced that her silly pink illuminated scribble, at St Pancras is pro-EU propaganda, shouldn't it be taken down? Aren't there rules against political advertising in such places?

If you want to comment on Peter Hitchens click here
Liberal Democrat Lord Rennard boasts repeatedly in his memoirs about his importance to British political life.

Never knowingly modest, he says in the book that he's often described 'as the most important person in Westminster you've never heard of'.

Elevated to the Lords when he was 39, Rennard says: 'My political reputation was largely based on 13 parliamentary by-election victories I helped oversee during the leaderships of Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell.'

Liberal Democrat Lord Rennard (pictured) boasts repeatedly in his memoirs about his importance to British political life

Yet in the 368-page Winning Here: My Campaigning Life, the insufferably smug Rennard devotes but a handful of paragraphs to the one subject most people know him for: his suspension from the party for eight months in 2014 for allegedly being a sex pest.

His conduct and the fallout from it triggered the resignation of several senior women from the party.

A Lib Dem inquiry concluded the claims were 'broadly credible', but had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Rennard apologised if he had 'inadvertently encroached' on the 'personal space' of the women.

In the 368-page Winning Here: My Campaigning Life, the insufferably smug Rennard devotes but a handful of paragraphs to the one subject most people know him for

Bizarrely, he is planning a second volume of his memoirs in which, he says, he will address the suspension.

If it is ever published, will he tell us why Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable has ruled out giving a job to the most important person in Westminster you've never heard of?

Sir Patrick Stewart addresses the crowd during the People's Vote campaign launch on Brexit

Labour luvvie Sir Patrick Stewart is backing the new People's Vote Campaign for a second referendum on Brexit.

Stewart told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show yesterday that his Star Trek character, Jean-Luc Picard, would have voted Remain.

Boris Johnson clearly wasn't listening. On the same programme, he said of Stewart: 'He had something to do with Star Wars.'

Is Sarah Sands  the former editor of the Evening Standard who now edits the Today programme  in the running to become the first woman director-general of the BBC?

'There are some very qualified women and some very good men [at the BBC]. I'm a great believer in the best person for the job,' she says diplomatically.

Skripal fallout

Is the nerve agent attack in Salisbury going to claim its first Tory scalp?

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, the leader of Wiltshire Council, faces a move to oust her.

The challenge comes after Scott, who was elevated to the House of Lords by David Cameron, was criticised for her failure to visit Salisbury in the three weeks after the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

She sent her deputy John Thomson, who said she was too ill to attend  only for it to emerge that she had gone to the Lords three times, claiming her 300 daily attendance allowance. The Salisbury Journal reports she will be challenged this week.

When Labour published its latest bribe for young people  free bus travel for the under 25s  Tory Party HQ rightly trashed the 1.4 billion scheme.

They said it would prove to be far more expensive and 'working people would pay the price'. But what's this? In October, the Welsh Tories announced a similar plan at a cost of 25 million, and Labour dubbed it 'fantasy economics'.

Speaking on Radio 4 last week, former Environment Secretary John Gummer recalled Margaret Thatcher on climate change: 'Margaret said: 'John, there are only two people in this Government who believe in global warming  you and me. So we have a majority.'

A minister's arresting gate

It wasn't just Home Secretary Amber Rudd who hadn't done her homework when she admitted last week she hadn't read a leaked BBC report about cuts in police numbers.

One of her deputies, Victoria Atkins, a junior Home Office minister, was asked by LBC's Nick Ferrari how many police officers there were in Britain.

'It's erm, you're testing me, I'm so sorry Nick,' she said. 'I know in London it's around 31,000 officers.'

Pressed again for the whole country, she replied: 'I'm not going to hazard a guess. I'm just going up front to say I'm so sorry that number has slipped my mind. I do apologise.'
Sometimes you can tell more about a man by what he doesn't say, than by what he does.

The most striking aspect of Jeremy Corbyn's interview yesterday by the BBC's Andrew Marr was that when asked about the RAF's involvement in the bombing of Syrian chemical weapons bases, the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition said not one word about the pilots who had carried out the mission.

Compare and contrast with the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Vince Cable, who, though also opposed to Theresa May's decision to launch the strikes without a prior vote in Parliament, insisted on beginning his answer to the same question (on Sky News) with words for the British pilots who put their lives on the line in the performance of their duty.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition said not one word about the pilots who had carried out the mission

Those now serving in the British Armed Forces (whose number includes one of my nephews) will draw the appropriate conclusion. The man who would be Prime Minister  and opinion polls have Labour level pegging with the Conservatives  regards them with, at best, complete indifference. And, as an institution, he despises them.

Nowadays, seeking the broad-based support necessary to become Prime Minister, Corbyn tries to hide this long-held belief. So he will not repeat what he said at a rally in 2010 against public expenditure cuts: 'Fight all the cuts. Except those in the Armed Forces. Where we want to see a few more cuts taking place.'

Attack

This is at least consistent with his world-view: not pacifism exactly, but a particular opposition to the exercise of military power by the UK. This is because he regards the West (and therefore Nato) as the bad guys in any given conflict  and thus only our enemies as inherently deserving of support. This is the eternal line of the Stop The War Coalition, the Marxist campaign group of which Corbyn was chairman, until he relinquished that role on becoming Labour leader.

So, for example, Stop The War were demonstrating in London at the weekend against the attack on Assad's chemical weapons facilities (an attack which killed no one), but have never once mounted a demonstration outside the Russian embassy, even though Russian planes have been bombing hospitals and even aid convoys in Syria for month after month.

Further back, Stop The War (during Corbyn's involvement) said it supported 'the armed struggle' of Palestinians against Israel, and the 'military struggle' against British and American forces in Iraq.

Thus, while Corbyn has denounced the RAF's sorties in Syria on Friday night ('Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace'), he lent succour to the Provisional IRA in its bombing campaign on the British mainland. His closest colleague and friend, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, in 2003 said IRA terrorists should be 'honoured': 'It was the bombs and bullets . . . that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA.'

Actually, it was the British military and intelligence which brought peace  by so compromising the IRA that it was finally forced to recognise it could not achieve its aim by force. But you will never hear Corbyn accept that: he refuses to believe it. For him, the British Army could never be the heroes (because they have always been on the wrong side).

While Corbyn has denounced the RAF's sorties in Syria on Friday night ('Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace'), he lent succour to the Provisional IRA in its bombing campaign on the British mainland

Apart from McDonnell, the other member of the Shadow Cabinet with whom Corbyn has for decades been joined at the hip (once, literally) is Diane Abbott. In the Eighties she declared, in respect of the IRA's campaign, that 'every defeat of the British state is a victory for all of us'.

Now, she says that is no longer her view. But when asked five times by the BBC's Nick Robinson last week if there was any conceivable British military action she would ever have supported, or would support, she finally (and grudgingly) emitted the words: 'The Second World War.'

You will note that Ms Abbott implicitly rules out support for the Falklands campaign of 1982. In this, she is being true to her party leader and former boyfriend. Corbyn described the campaign to liberate the Falkland Islands from the Argentine invader (then ruled by a military junta) as 'a nauseating waste of money and lives' and the war itself as 'one of those crazy conflicts of flag-waving nonsense'.

More recently, in 2016, the Argentine ambassador in London described Corbyn  who has been a frequent guest of the Argentine embassy over the years  as 'one of us'.

It's worth recalling that Margaret Thatcher sent the Task Force only after the Argentine government refused to agree to withdraw and allow a UN force to come in pending a final settlement of the dispute.

Cynical

Corbyn always asserts that the UN is the solution to any conflict  but has nothing but empty platitudes to offer (and, of course, continued opposition to any role by the British Armed Forces) when the UN process has proved hopeless.

Thus, on Andrew Marr's sofa yesterday, he insisted it was wrong for the Americans, British and French to use bombs to degrade the chemical weapons capabilities of the murderous Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad, and that this removal of weapons banned under international law should be pursued only by 'talks at the UN'.

Yet he knows Russia has on six occasions vetoed resolutions tabled by this country and others, which would have sent international inspectors into the Syrians' chemical plants.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad during a meeting in Sochi in November last year

Corbyn is being profoundly cynical, while appearing to be idealistic. But we knew that already. Corbyn issued a similar call for the involvement of the UN when Assad's Russian-backed forces gassed to death civilians in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun a year ago. He demanded that those responsible 'be held to account'  exactly the same words as he used yesterday in respect of the latest use of chemical weapons. But when in October, the UN inspectors confirmed that the Syrian regime had indeed used sarin gas at Khan Sheikhoun, Corbyn said . . . nothing.

We see the same approach from the Labour leader closer to home, in respect of President Putin's campaign of using chemical weaponry to wipe out political opponents on British soil. When the judge-led inquiry into the murder of Alexander Litvinenko concluded that this British subject had been horribly poisoned by polonium from a Russian state nuclear reactor, Corbyn, given the opportunity to comment on the floor of the House of Commons, again said . . . nothing.

Malevolent

This man who has spent much of his adult life campaigning against the nuclear capabilities of the West, had nothing to say when Moscow, with murderous intent, splashed lethal polonium around a hotel in our capital city.

And now when we have had the clearest possible intelligence that the same Russian state has used a military-grade nerve agent in an attempt to murder Sergei Skripal  a British citizen  and his daughter Yulia, Corbyn refuses even to criticise Putin. He claimed to Andrew Marr yesterday that this was because the Russian state's involvement was not 'incontrovertible'. Presumably, he will not accept this until President Putin himself sends a hand-written letter to Theresa May: 'Sorry Theresa, it was us who tried to murder the Skripals, best wishes, Vladimir.'

Yet while retaining a pathological cynicism about Britain's clear demonstration of Russian motives, means and methods, Corbyn has not seen fit to criticise the absurd and malevolent lies spewed out daily by the Kremlin.

Even the outrageous Russian suggestion that the chemical weapons attack in Douma (whose appalling consequences we saw on our television screens) was a 'false flag' operation by the British, Corbyn described merely as 'surprising'. Anyone less chillingly detached would use the word 'disgusting'.

All the civilised nations of the world have fully supported the British government over the Salisbury outrage, having seen the evidence provided by Downing Street. Yet Corbyn  not for the first time and assuredly not for the last  plays the role of Moscow's useful idiot. But there are times when stupidity is no excuse.

And if this man were to become Prime Minister, what conclusions should be drawn? Well, if you are living on the Falkland Islands, you should assume that British soldiers in the garrison there will not be ordered by Downing Street to defend your home if Argentina were again to invade. To Jeremy Corbyn, you are just the embarrassing remnants of an evil empire (the British).

And if you are a British serviceman or woman, you should get used to the appalling fact that your Prime Minister despises everything you have ever done and everything you stand for.
The online dating world can be difficult to navigate for singletons of a certain age.

But etiquette bible Debrett's has released its guide to online dating for the over-50s to make things a little easier.

From writing a winning profile to introducing a new partner to your family, experts cover the process from start to finish.

Often the advice encourages silver surfers to ditch the habits they picked up in their youth in favour of a more easy-going approach - first date kisses included.

Research by Ourtime, an online dating site for people over 50, found 60 per cent of mature singletons lack the confidence to begin looking for love again while nearly a third feel out of touch with the rules modern romance.

So whether you're new to the dating scene - or venturing out for the first time - scroll down to learn how to maximise your chances of finding love online...

Etiquette bible Debrett's has released its guide to online dating for the over-50s to help singletons navigate the sometimes difficult world of modern romance. Stock image

Polish your profile

Picture perfect

Only use recent photographs - nothing more than a year old - when creating your profile. You might think you looked better a decade ago but there is no point in trying to mislead your date if you ever hope to meet in person.

Include one full-length body shot and a closer portrait.

Ask a friend to take the pictures and encourage you to smile, so you look friendly and approachable.

Make sure you are the only person in your photographs. An innocent friend or family member could easily be misinterpreted as a former flame.

If you are fond of your pets, consider featuring them in one of your pictures. Almost a quarter of over-50s think it approves a profile picture, according to Ourtime research - and its a great way to weed out those who are not fond of animals.

Experts explain there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to the first kiss. Stock image

Dynamic description

Your profile description should be neither overly self-deprecating nor self-promoting.

While cliches about enjoying walks in the park, dinner and reading, can be tempting, instead try and be as specific as possible. It's easier to start a conversation about 'Ingmar Bergman films' than 'going to the cinema' and can be a good shortcut to establishing whether you have shared interests.

Kate Taylor, dating expert at Ourtime, added: 'Write your profile like you're introducing yourself to someone at a party. You don't need to divulge health issues, problems or your innermost thoughts  keep things upbeat.'

Finding a match

Keep an open mind

When you're presented with potential matches, try to remain open-minded. Don't dismiss somebody because you can't stand their outfit.

Communicate with confidence

What to write? Its natural to want to show your personality in your messages but some things can come across differently on screen than they do in person. Don't: Over-using exclamation marks, emojis and kisses, which can come across as excitable. Certain emojis also come with X-rated double meanings so proceed with caution. Do: Write your messages as you would naturally speak. Don't: Use too much irony and dry humour, which can seem cynical online. Save your sarcasm for when you meet in person and your date can see your smile. Advertisement

It may have been traditional in the past for men to make the first move, but online dating is an egalitarian plane, and women can now take the initiative too.

Keep your first message light-hearted and brief, and make it personal: mentioning something you particularly like about a person's profile will show that you're singling them out.

Don't be creepy, though: it's far too early for come-ons or innuendo.

Kate says: 'You might not receive an immediate reply, but don't be discouraged  people get busy. When I was online dating, I got a new job and was too busy to check my mailbox for three weeks.

'When I eventually did, I found a lovely message from a gorgeous man  and he's now my husband.'

The right time to introduce your partner and children will depend on their age. Stock image

First date

Do something different

Tailor the date around your shared interests. A walk in the park or visit to an exhibition that you're both keen to see are relaxed ways to get to know each other while indulging in a shared interest.

What to talk about? Awkward silences are often the most dreaded part of a first date, but asking plenty of questions can help prevent the conversation running dry. Do: Be sensitive and considered if you decide to broach a potentially divisive topic like religion or Brexit Do: Be open about your personal situation, including any children you have Don't: Fall into the trap of bad-mouthing your ex or bemoaning previous dating disasters. Do: Speak lovingly of your son/daughter or new grandchild Don't: Take your date through hundreds of photographs Advertisement

Avoid anywhere too extravagant or expensive: while you might have more disposable income now, paying triple figures for front row opera seats or a bottle of vintage champagne might make your date feel uncomfortable.

Brave the bill

In today's dating world, whoever issued the invitation should expect to pick up the bill, but if you're meeting for drinks you might prefer to alternate rounds.

If your date insists on paying, accept graciously and promise to reciprocate next time (even if you suspect there won't be one).

Pucker up

Forget everything you were told 30 years ago: modern romance often involves a much shorter 'courting' period so you are not necessarily jeopardising a serious future if you decide to throw caution to the wind when it comes to a hug, a kiss or an overnight stay.

Kate added: 'Ourtime research has shown that over50s daters become physically intimate much quicker than those in their 20s and 30s, but feel free to take things slowly and let the excitement build.'

Following-up

Don't play it cool

'Treat them mean, keep them keen,' might once have been the mantra to live by but a strategic delay isn't always required - or desired - in the high-speed world of modern dating.

A friendly text message or email within 24 hours will reassure the other person that you'd like to keep the conversation going.

... But don't overdo it

You might have become accustomed to regular updates from your former spouse or partner, but aimless texts asking what that person had for lunch can come across as needy in the first few weeks of romance.

Kate added: 'Texts are a lovely, low-key way of getting in touch, but don't underestimate the power of a telephone call if you've swapped numbers. Voices actually stimulate our brains to create a feeling of attraction.'

The next step

Make it exclusive

Becoming 'exclusive' means you both agree to take yourself off the market and not date anyone else. This is adding a level of commitment to the 'casual dating' that can form the first stage of a relationship.

After three or more dates, you will usually have a sense of whether or not you would like to make it exclusive. If that's the case, don't be afraid to initiate the conversation.

Consider family and friends

While it's important to be open with your date about children and ex-spouses, take your time before you introduce family members to a new partner. Exact timing will depend on the ages of any children you have, but it's wise to wait until you have agreed to make things exclusive before involving others.

Kate added: 'Don't feel embarrassed that you met your new partner online. Online dating is now the UK's third most popular way for couples to meet.'
Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik has spoken about how he struggles with knowing 'what he can say' in the age of politically correct speech.

The 75-year-old fashion mogul revealed he was 'given a list of things he cannot say to people' for fear of crossing a line.

Speaking to former British Vogue editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman in The Sunday Times Style, he said: 'I cannot say, "How wonderful you look". I cannot pay compliments... because maybe it can be called sexual harassment.'

Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, pictured in November last year, admitted he 'doesn't know what he can say' in the current climate, adding 'compliments can be called sexual harassment'

The designer clarified the list was not given to him specifically, adding 'somebody gave it to everybody'.

Blahnik, born in the Canary Islands, moved to London in the late 1960s where he worked for Chelsea boutique Zapata and wrote for a men's fashion magazine.

Despite having no formal training as a shoemaker, by 1973 Blahnik had opened his first shop in Chelsea.

Blahnik's high-profile devotees include longtime friend Dame Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of US Vogue, pictured, who is often spotted in the same pair of nude open-toed sandals

The business, which he runs with his sister and her daughter, remained in the well-heeled neighbourhood for 40 years before moving to Marylebone in 2015.

The luxury brand counts dozens of high-profile women among its fans, including Blahnik's longtime friend Dame Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of US Vogue, who is often spotted in the same pair of nude open-toed sandals.

'Manolos' became a must-have when they were featured on Sex And The City as the signature shoe for Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw.

Another fan of the label is royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle, 36, who chose a pair o 450 Manolo Blahniks for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey last month

Writing in the article, Shulman, 60, admitted she also spent 'most of her last five years editing Vogue striding around in pairs of white courts' that the designer had 'kindly made especially' for her 'with a 90mm heel rather than the standard 100mm'.

Another fan of the label is royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle, 36, who chose a pair o 450 Manolo Blahniks for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey last month - her first public engagement with the Queen.

Speaking to Shulman, Blahnik dismissed comparisons between 'pretty' Ms Markle and Wallis Simpson, wife of the Duke of Windsor.

He added: 'There's no comparison. Maybe she's an American. Maybe she's a divorcee. No wonder she has experience... Wonderful for the child! For Prince Harry.'
Sitting at a table in New York's Plaza hotel, I'm being taught how to use a knife and fork. I am 33, but it turns out I have been doing it wrong all my life.

Instead of gripping them in my fist like a toothbrush, apparently I should hold them lightly between my thumb and middle finger and run my index finger along the top of each.

'Scoot your hands back so you're not holding them too far up,' instructs Myka Meier, who is patiently advising me like a kindergarten teacher encouraging a small child with a crayon. I move my hands down the knife and fork. They wobble in the air. 'Perfect,' says Myka, beaming at me proudly.

Welcome to The Duchess Effect, a one-day course designed by Myka (rhymes with 'biker'), an American etiquette expert who aims to transform her students into Kate Middleton. To make them more polished. More elegant. More sophisticated.

Sophia Money Coutts (pictured right), 33, shared her experience of Myka Meier's (pictured left) one day etiquette course

I was pretty confident before I went. Etiquette lessons? Ha! I worked at 'society bible' Tatler for five years. I know the difference between an oyster fork and a fish fork. No Yank was going to teach me how to eat a banana, thank you very much.

Except within seconds of arriving at The Plaza, Myka says I've been making endless faux-pas. These include finishing everything on my plate, putting mustard in the wrong place and loading too much on my fork.

Crikey. Why are these wrong? Well, says Myka, I should always leave something on my plate to indicate to my host that I'm not still hungry. Sauces like mustard should be placed on the bottom right hand of my plate, whereas 'discards', like fish skin or fat rinds, should go in the top left area.

And when I spear a tiny bit of cake with my fork, a crumb so small it is almost invisible to the naked eye, Myka tells me it is 'borderline' too much for one mouthful. Too much? Myka, it wouldn't fill a mouse!

I'm so anxious I start sweating into the expensive Catherine Walker dress I've brought to New York with me, since it's Kate's (ergo Myka's) favourite label.

These rules are confusing to me, because the irony is that the truly posh don't care about the minutiae of etiquette. They don't give a fig whether you eat your Dover sole with a fork or your hands. Obsessing about how you hold a knife or putting your ketchup in the wrong place is deemed awfully middle-class by the very grand.

And yet, Myka tells me, this is exactly the kind of etiquette training Meghan Markle is currently undergoing to transform herself from foxy starlet into demure duchess before marrying Prince Harry in May.

'She's literally having training right now,' says Myka.

I imagine poor Meghan sitting at a table, frowning down at an array of knives and forks like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. According to Andrew Morton's new biography, she practised tea-drinking at an English tea house in California before meeting the Queen. 'Is she now having lessons every day?' I ask.

Myka (pictured left) revealed most of her students request to be taught the etiquette of the Duchess of Cambridge

'It will be event-dependent,' says Myka. 'If she has a big event that week, someone will go through it with her beforehand.'

'Who's teaching her?' I ask, wondering whom the palace deemed posh enough for the job. Nicky Haslam? Jacob Rees-Mogg? Myka shakes her head. 'It's internal aides. They don't bring anyone in. They already have the best in the world.' Myka should know. She was taught by a former member of the Royal household herself. 'And they'll be helping her family,' she adds. 'Think about it  her mother's a yoga teacher coming to the wedding from California.'

There are 22 of us here for the Duchess Effect course, all women between 19 and 65, who have paid $599 (426) a ticket. They are mostly from different states across America, although there's an image consultant from Mexico and a Canadian called Marina who's here because her husband is British and she wants to polish her manners. Plus two friends from Brazil who are big fans of Myka's Instagram account. (She has more than 26,000 followers).

Myka says Meghan's been having sitting lessons. We do the 'Cambridge Cross'. My thighs burn. How does Kate do it?

The course kicks off at 10am in The Plaza's Palm Court restaurant where we learn how to hold a teacup properly. 'Pinkies in,' instructs Myka, waggling her little finger. 'When I lived in London the joke was you could spot an American a mile off because their pinkie would be out. So Ms Markle will have to learn to keep her pinkie in.'

Bingo. Three minutes in and we have the first mention of Meghan. There will be dozens more during the course, plus numerous slides of Meghan and Kate. Or 'Ms Markle' and 'the Duchess', as Myka calls them.

A distressed lady at a table behind me beckons Myka over. She's worried she can't hold her teacup the correct way  the handle pinched between forefinger and thumb  without spilling her tea.

Meghan Markle (pictured centre left) has embraced sitting in the Cambridge cross style by sitting with her legs crossed

Myka, in a bright yellow Karen Millen dress and nude LK Bennett heels (on which more later), hurries over. 'I'll show you a technique the Duchess uses, supporting her teacup with two fingers,' she reassures her.

After tea, we shuffle through to an oak-panelled room for a two-hour morning session. Myka, 35, talks us through her background. A normal American girl, daughter of an Irish-American mother and a marine surveyor father, she grew up in Florida and went to university there before moving to work for a PR firm in London.

One day, at an event sponsored by one of her clients, Prince Charles made an appearance. There was a panic about who would give him his gin and tonic. Myka ended up offering Prince Charles his drink from a silver tray while trying to curtsy. Technically, she says, this is not correct.

You don't bob while holding something heavy like a silver tray, but Prince Charles apparently made a joke about it and that was that. Crisis averted.

It was a eureka moment, however, because it sparked Myka's 'passion' for etiquette. And her obsession with the Royals, although Prince Charles remains the only one she's met. In London, she took classes with Alexandra Messervy, a former adviser to the Queen, before going to the Institut Villa Pierrefeu, a finishing school in Switzerland.

Meghan Markle (pictured right) is reportedly having etiquette classes ahead of her wedding

She returned to London and started teaching privately, while still working in PR, until the demand for etiquette classes became so great, she quit and launched her own business.

She and her Swiss husband Marco moved back to New York for his private equity job in 2014 and she's been non-stop ever since. She now juggles running her business from The Plaza with travelling the globe for private clients (she teaches general etiquette to children as well as adults), and raising her one-year-old daughter Valentina.

She's taking The Duchess Effect on tour across America later this year and today there are cameras at the back of the room, filming Myka for a forthcoming documentary called The Renaissance Of Etiquette.

So, here we all are at The Plaza, listening solemnly to Myka's wisdom. Highlights include instructions on how to sit. Myka's deadly serious and demonstrates two specific positions adopted by Kate Middleton.

Firstly, the Duchess Slant, a name Myka coined having studied hundreds of photos of Kate. It means sitting straight on a chair with your legs uncrossed, but slanted at an angle, your knees and ankles together 'to protect modesty'. So you don't flash your knickers, in other words.

Following her engagement, Meghan (pictured) now uses the Windsor wave (pictured right) when greeting instead of having her fingers splayed

Myka encourages us to try it, sitting forward so there is an egg's gap between our bottoms and the back of the chair. This feels deeply uncomfortable, not unlike a pilates move. How does Kate sit though all those events without her thighs burning?

Then she demonstrates the Cambridge Cross, which is the same as the Duchess Slant but with your ankles crossed. My thighs start burning again. Meghan's been having sitting lessons, Myka adds, showing us another slide with two photos. One is Meghan sitting cross-legged on a stool at an event before she was engaged to Prince Harry. The next is of the Royal Foundation's Make a Difference forum in February. There, between Harry and Kate, Meghan is sitting primly with just her ankles crossed.

Myka also shows us a picture of Meghan waving before the engagement and afterwards. Before she's waving like you and I might, hand held high in the air, fingers splayed. 'But in the past couple of weeks, she's started waving in a completely different way,' says Myka, pointing at another photo.

There, quite clearly, Meghan's fingers are together, her hand is closer in towards her body. This is called 'The Windsor Wave'. Gasps ripple across the room. 'That's astonishing,' murmurs a blonde lady at another table.

Myka coined sitting with your legs uncrossed in a chair as The Duchess Slant after studying photographs of Kate Middleton (pictured right)

We spend a good half hour on the difficulty of holding a clutch bag, because Myka says you should hold them in front of you with both hands, not under your shoulder in your armpit. She then demonstrates with her own LK Bennett bag. And talking of LK Bennett, next we're into heel heights (maximum 4in during the day; 6in at night). Myka likes the LK Bennett sledge pump because it's what Kate wears. 'I have them in every colour, it's ridiculous,' she says. And, top tip, apparently Kate wears insoles made by a British company called Alice Bow because their padded heel makes the shoes more comfortable.

As Myka talks, she offers vocabulary advice. 'In Britain, it's pudding, not dessert,' she says. 'Sofa, not couch, afternoon tea not high tea, tights not stockings.'

'What do we call the restroom in the UK?' she quizzes us. 'Lavatory,' says Ormonde, a hospitality student from Arkansas who's here today with her mother, a chic blonde with a southern drawl and a long string of pearls around her neck.

'Very good,' says Myka. 'While Ms Markle won't be expected to change her accent, she will be expected to change her vocabulary.'

Lunch is back in the restaurant, where we have our cutlery instructions. Did you know there is a different spoon for different types of soups? Nope, neither did I. One for clear broths; a more rounded spoon for creamy soups. The level of detail is mind-blowing. So many spoons! Everyone sits at the table nervously looking at the bread baskets.

'Do we dunk bread into our soup?' asks Myka.

'No,' someone says sadly at another table.

Myka claims Meghan (pictured left) will be expected to change her vocabulary but not her accent following her wedding

'We do not,' Myka agrees, before teaching us how to butter a bread roll properly, bit by bit instead of in one go. I take two bread rolls because I'm so greedy. Then we're served our soup  butternut squash bisque  and have to practise eating it neatly, lifting the spoons to our mouths instead of leaning over the bowl. Then there's salmon fillet ('peel the skin off and place it at the top left section of your plate') followed by the aforementioned cake.

I ask Myka more about Meghan over lunch. What is she doing right at the moment? 'She is just so approachable,' says Myka. 'People feel like they can relate to her. She's the most relatable soon-to-be-Royal. And I don't think she should change that.'

And wrong? Myka says she doesn't want to criticise Meghan when she's still learning. 'She's used to walking red carpets and signing autographs, but that will stop. And she's already taken herself off social media.'

Terry, a New Yorker sitting opposite me, suddenly sighs as if in ecstacy: 'It's just the most wonderful Disney fairytale,' she says.

It's a common sentiment among everyone on the course  while Kate is the poised duchess now, it's Meghan who's marrying into the British royal family next. And if one of their own can become a British Royal, that means anyone can.

Myka (pictured right) studied Kate's beauty and hair regime by speaking to her manicurist and taking note of her hairstylists Instagram posts

'People are still fascinated by the Duchess of Cambridge,' says Myka. 'That's what we get the most requests for. 'How do we become that?' But in America some people are already calling Meghan a princess. For us this is a huge deal.'

After coffee, it's back into our oak-panelled room for beauty and hair demonstrations. And again the level of knowledge is almost creepy. Kate's favourite nail polish is Ballet Slippers by Essie, a pale pink, which Myka knows because when she was living near Kensington Palace, she once had her nails done in a salon after Kate and asked the manicurist what colour she used.

Apparently Kate uses a Mason Pearson hairbrush, which Myka discovered when, in January, Kate's hairstylist Amanda Cook Instagrammed a photo of the tools she took on a royal trip to the Netherlands.

The photo has since been removed and Amanda's Instagram account has been made private, but not before Myka divined what all the tools and products were  13 brushes, seven combs, two hairdryers and three curling tongs. Plus several bottles of hair spray and mousse.

The day finishes with a lesson on walking the red carpet. 'We've got paparazzi here, so you can feel what it's like,' says Myka.

We line up outside the room, and walk back in, one by one, to stand in front of a board while five photographers, prompted with our names, shout at us  'Show us what you've got, Sophia!' I want to reply 'sore feet from my heels and sweaty armpits,' but that doesn't seem terribly regal.

Then we're given a goody bag  a bottle of Essie Ballet Slippers and the exact Natural Decay eyeshadow pallet that Kate uses, all browns and beiges  before everyone swaps Instagram details and says goodbye, happily gliding out of the hotel in our heels as Myka taught us.

Phew. I'm exhausted. My head is swirling with soup spoons, teacups and ketchup placement. When I was little I thought I'd grow up and marry ideally Prince William, Prince Harry at a push. To be honest, I'm quite glad Kate and Meghan have beaten me to it.
A lifesaving jab currently denied to millions of boys in Britain because of cost could potentially slash the risk of prostate cancer.

New research by scientists in Italy shows that having the human papilloma virus (HPV), which the jab targets, increases a man's chances of a prostate tumour by nearly 40 per cent.

It's the second study in less than a year to link the virus, which was once thought to only trigger cervical cancer in women, with prostate tumours  a leading cause of death in British men.

A Chinese investigation last summer showed the risk of prostate cancer was more than doubled in men carrying the virus.

HPV increases risk of prostate cancer by 40 per cent in men and that risk could be cut out if boys were given the vaccine - but only girls are (stock image)

Other recent studies have found the sexually transmitted virus also causes mouth, throat and penile cancers.

Last night campaigners said the latest findings could be hugely significant.

'If the virus is linked to prostate cancer, that could be a game-changer,' said Peter Baker, campaign director for the group HPV Action, which lobbies for teenage boys to be vaccinated.

'It would make the case for vaccinating boys, which is already overwhelming, even more so.'

Since 2008, all girls aged 12 to 13 have been offered the Gardasil vaccine against HPV, a major cause of cervical cancer. The number of cases of the disease has since more than halved.

But while boys in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are also vaccinated to protect them against catching the virus from unvaccinated girls or each other, in the UK, Ministers have repeatedly declined to do so.

Experts have advised Ministers that the cost would not be justified and claim that immunising girls creates 'herd immunity' by halting the spread to boys.

About 46,000 men a year in the UK get prostate cancer, and 11,000 die of it.

Scientists from the University of Catania in Italy carried out a review of all previous studies examining the links between the HPV virus and prostate cancer.

Neglecting Britain's boys like this is a national disgrace says BARONESS ROS ALTMANN Baroness Ros Altmann says British boys should be protected from HPV with vaccines just like girls are I congratulate the Prime Minister for announcing a 75 million programme for earlier detection of prostate cancer. Detection rates for male cancers have lagged behind those for female-related breast or cervical cancers, where screening programmes have made huge strides. Finding cancer earlier is important, but the most effective progress is to prevent cancers occurring in the first place. Prostate cancer's cause is not yet known, but every year, thousands of men develop cancer in the head, neck, tongue, throat, mouth or penis as a result of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. If they had been immunised against HPV, their cancers could have been prevented. That's why I believe The Mail on Sunday's brilliant campaign calling for the NHS to immunise all boys against HPV is so essential. And I hope the Prime Minister will now give it her full backing. For the past decade, the NHS has inoculated all teenage girls against HPV  but not boys. Originally, HPV was considered a danger only to women, as it can cause cervical cancer, but recent research shows it causes cancers affecting men too. Other countries including Australia, Canada, Austria and the US therefore now routinely vaccinate boys. So far, the Health Secretary's advisers have not recommended vaccinating boys, suggesting it is best value for the NHS to just immunise girls, as this means the boys are automatically protected. They claim, if girls do not get HPV, then sexual activity does not put boys at risk. This is clearly nonsense. Many young men will be exposed to HPV even if all British girls are vaccinated. In partial recognition of this, the NHS announced it will offer HPV vaccination to gay men, but this logic, too, is manifestly flawed. Those who go abroad and have sex will not be protected by a British vaccination programme. It is only by vaccinating boys directly, before they start sexual activity, that one can be sure they are protected and the cost of about 20 million a year will save huge sums for the NHS in future, as well as saving many British men from the distress of an HPV-related cancer. It seems impossible to justify spending 75 million to detect prostate cancers whose cause is not yet known, while refusing to pay far less to directly protect boys against other cancers that are entirely preventable. Here we have an effective treatment which could be offered to all our children to help them avoid cancer. The Government must act without further delay. Professor Harald zur Hausen, who won the Nobel Prize for discovering that HPV causes cancer, and health organisations including the Royal Society for Public Health, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Dental Association are all backing this campaign. Please write to your MP to ask them to support too. Any parents or grandparents would be concerned to know their sons and grandsons are being neglected in this way. Taking responsibility for them when they are boys is up to us. Not doing so would be a national disgrace. Advertisement

They examined 30 studies, involving more than 6,000 men, which looked at the relationship between prostate tumours and two strains of the virus  HPV 16 and HPV 18.

Both strains are a major cause of cancer and are protected against by the Gardasil vaccine used in the UK.

The results, published in the journal The Ageing Male, revealed that men carrying the HPV 16 strain were 37 per cent more likely to develop prostate cancer.

The HPV 18 strain did not increase the risk. Researchers said they cannot be certain this means the virus causes prostate cancer.

But they said immediate investigations should be undertaken to clarify the results.

Last year a similar study by a team from Zhejiang University in China suggested HPV more than doubled the risk of a prostate tumour.

Experts have advised Ministers that the cost would not be justified and claim that immunising girls (stock pictured) creates 'herd immunity' by halting the spread to boys

In a report on their findings, the Italian team said: 'There is growing evidence showing an association between HPV infection and an increased risk of prostate cancer.'

HPV can be easily passed on through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Oral sex is also a major transmission route.

From this month, gay and bisexual men across England will be offered the vaccine to prevent oral and anal cancer, as well as genital warts.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: 'The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation is currently reviewing whether or not we should extend HPV vaccination to boys.

'We will carefully consider its advice once received.'
Guilty pleasure? Watching WWE wrestling. In some ways it is similar to Strictly Come Dancing, with its choreography, performance and storytelling.

Where is home? I live in a flat in South London, but Im from Grimsby and that will always be home.

Career plan B? I already have a second career, running a property investment business with a friend.

One thing that would make your life better? 'I would like to be able to grow a proper beard'

Who would play you in a movie of your life? Jared Leto, who is not just a great actor but, being in a rock band, also has an edgy side to him.

Biggest bugbear? Directors and choreographers who use the word organic to describe what they want from a performance.

As a child you wanted to be A fairy-tale prince  he was always the guy on horseback wearing a cape.

Earliest memory? Eating a plate of cabbage at my grandparents house.

Your best quality? Im very focused on whatever I am doing and want it to be the best it can possibly be.

And your worst? I become too obsessive about the task thats in front of me.

Last meal on earth? My mums chicken curry and rice.

Dream dinner-party guests? Robbie Williams, who is my absolute idol, Russell Brand, The Rock and Ricky Gervais.

Advice to your teenage self? Be clear about what you want and go for it  dont let others divert you.

Cat or dog? I have a dog, Betty, who was rescued from Bosnia.

Starstruck moment? Meeting Robbie Williams when he performed on Strictly a few years ago.

Kevin's 'absolute idol' Robbie Williams

Big break? Getting on to Strictly in 2013, after being turned down twice, and being partnered with Susanna Reid, who put so much effort into it.

Career highlight? Dancing on Broadway for the first time in a show called Burn the Floor, and the first Kevin and Karen Dance tour last year was something I had dreamed of for a long time.

Favourite tipple? Whisky, currently a Japanese brand called Hibiki.

Hangover cure? I stay in bed feeling sorry for myself until I can finally get up and drink lots of water.

Top of your bucket list? To put on a stage version of Love Actually.

One thing that would make your life better? I would like to be able to grow a proper beard.

Philosophy? It isnt about doing nothing wrong  its about doing something magical.

Biggest lesson you have learned about money? Dont leaving it sitting in the bank; invest and make your money work for you.

Where would you time-travel to? The time of Peaky Blinders to wear the clothes.

First record you bought? Bat out of Hell II by Meat Loaf.

Most extravagant purchase? A distressed tail suit jacket and a leather hat, which I bought in Los Angeles for 1,800. Nobody else likes them, but think that theyre really cool.

Best present you ever received? A PlayStation VR headset that my sister bought me for Christmas.

Biggest fear? Getting older and regretting not having done all the things I want to do.

Celebrity crush? Beyonce.

Happiness is Having a goal and working towards it.

Kevin and Karen Dance begins a two-month UK tour on 22 May in Northampton. For details and tickets, visit kevinandkarenlive.com
Healthy-eating guru Melissa Hemsley has created a sweet, wear-anywhere sundress for Finery. Weve been given an exclusive look and chat with her about spring inspiration

Define your style Playful, happy and comfortable.

Have you always been interested in fashion as well as food? Yes  Im a lover of dresses and leftovers!

Favourite thing about Finery? Its dresses  I have one from the first collection. Always beautiful, practical and timeless.

Inspiration behind the Melissa dress? Being on the go and wanting to feel really good all day, every day.

Ways to style it? With trainers in the day or heels for a summer wedding. And barefoot on a beach.

Fashion faux pas? Shell suits.

The trend you cant wear? Im not very stable in high heels so Im always happy when I can find a pair I can walk (and dance) in.

Your go-to outfit? A throw-on dress, trainers, gold hoops and huge handbag.

Favourite spring food? At the moment Im celebrating wild garlic and asparagus. I also have the most delicious Spiced Lamb Chops in Mint Oil in my book Eat Happy. Its my quick Sunday special for friends.

3 SPRING-FRESH DRESSES Im loving this week

YELLOW, 59.99, Mango, mango.com

IF YOU'RE A NURSING MUM, you know that finding a nice maternity bra can feel like the Holy Grail, but sustainable British lingerie brand Lara Intimates is on a mission to change that. Theyve adapted one of their most popular styles into a practical and pretty solution.

MATERNITY BRA, 62, sizes 28A-36E, laraintimates.com

THIS WEEK I'M BUYING: MADEWELL

Denim addicts rejoice! Madewell, J Crews younger, cooler sibling, has finally landed in the UK. With jeans at its core, the US label also does refined basics, such as leather, shirting, jumpsuits and T-shirts, brilliantly.

WHITE SHIRT, 58, and JEANS, 105, all Madewell

Im just glad that I no longer have to take an extra case for my Madewell buys every time I travel stateside. Try before you buy at the shiny new John Lewis store at Londons Westfield or find the range online at madewell.com, now shipping to the UK.

DENIM SHIRT, 54

BAG, 126

SUNGLASSES, 41

WHAT TO WEAR TO... LAKE COMO

In need of a long weekend away? Take a trip to one of the most idyllic  and chic  regions of Italy. Look the part at the (very) Grand Hotel Tremezzo* in LK Bennetts raffia sandals and linen trousers from Hobbs  your go-to summer wardrobe.

*Rooms at Grand Hotel Tremezzo from around 350 per night plus vat, grandhoteltremezzo.com

Additional reporting: Joanne Toolan
Forget streaks - bronzing water is the new way to fake it subtly

Temperley London S/S 18 show

There comes a time in every womans year when the slight improvement in weather means that we can start to show more skin. Which, in my book, is where fake tan comes in. This year get your glow on with game-changing bronzing waters.

James Read has created a Coconut Water Tan Mist Body (25, jamesreadtan.com) that contains antioxidants and amino acids to protect and hydrate skin  all while you develop a gradual but pleasingly warm glow.

St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse (31, boots.com) is a lightweight water-to-foam mousse that glides on clear and absorbs double-quick. When misted over models at the Temperley London S/S 18 show, not only did it lend skin a subtle sheen, it also left the tropical scent of a beach in the Bahamas.

Coconut Water Tan Mist Body, 25, jamesreadtan.com; St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse, 31, boots.com

Temperley London S/S 2018 show

Spray on or buff in vigorously with the new St Tropez Prep & Maintain Velvet Luxe Tan Mitt (4, boots.com) and youll find that the bonus of the new glow-giving waters is that they are fuss-free and fast-drying.

Beauty Banks is a new initiative calling on us all to pack up unopened, solvent-free toiletries (no nail varnish or perfume) so that they can be given to people living below the poverty line who cant afford to buy them. Think shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tampons  things many of us take for granted. If you dont have any unopened products, you can still find Beauty Banks wish list with Easho (easho.co.uk) or order products online at Boots or Superdrug and get them sent directly to Beauty Banks, c/o Jo Jones, The Communications Store, 2 Kensington Square, London W8 5EP. Theyll be distributed to womens refuges, food banks and homeless shelters across locations in the UK including London, Bristol and Aberdeen.

Beauty genius meets stationery-inspired heaven in Clarins 4-Colour Pen (28, clarins.co.uk), available in Harmony 1 (rosy pink, blue, green and black) or Harmony 2 (red, brown, grey and black). Cunningly disguised as a classic ballpoint with four coloured nibs, its a make-up multitasker with a lip liner and three retractable eyeliners in one take-everywhere pen. Simply click, apply and carry on with your day.

Harmony 1, left, (rosy pink, blue, green and black) and Harmony 2 (red, brown, grey and black)

This week were sliding our nails into neutral with Essies shimmering, sheer beige Pass-Port To Sail. For the 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 18 update on a nude manicure, add a stripe of 88 Licorice Black to your ring finger. (7.99 each, boots.com)

Beauty assistant: Alice Robertson
Oligopolies as my old school economics teacher used to say  are not good news for consumers. By controlling markets, they are able to dictate prices while keeping all but the most tenacious of new competitors at bay. Profits boom, shareholders smile and most customers grudgingly accept their lot.

Sadly, horrible oligopolies are now part and parcel of everyday financial life. They are prevalent in banking, energy supply, broadband and phones.

They have even leaked into the accountancy world, raising concerns over the diligence the big auditors now apply to the scrutiny of client businesses.

Money for old rope I would say  you could go on a world cruise for the amount a senior partner of an accountancy business is charged out at for a mere hours work.

Burning money: Switching deals could save you 300 per year

Yet it is the big energy suppliers which are currently under the spotlight for their bad oligopolistic ways.

British Gas has taken the fiercest stick in the wake of its decision to raise dual fuel (gas and electricity) bills by an average 5.5 per cent  equivalent to an annual increase of 60 and taking the average household bill to 1,161. Some 4.1 million customers are impacted and it follows in the wake of the suppliers 7.3 per cent price increase last September.

Although British Gass move is partly in response to higher wholesale prices and government levies, it has quite rightly been lambasted for profiteering.

Even Energy Minister Claire Perry expressed disappointment at the move and suggested customers should switch supplier.

Others described British Gass decision as unjustifiable and deeply cynical while one price comparison website said it was evidence of a broken market. And yes, we must not forget that Centrica, British Gass parent company, is desperate to maintain its reputation in the City by not cutting its dividend payments. Ever-rising standard variable tariffs are a sure fire way of boosting revenues.

Of course, oligopolies maintain their grip on markets by working in tandem. So it was no surprise that in the wake of British Gass move, EDF decided to announce a 2.7 per cent dual fuel price rise  as well as discriminate against cheque or cash payers by imposing on them additional charges.

The other big suppliers, bar E.On which increased its prices last month, will follow like lemmings.

The Government is hoping to introduce a price cap on standard variable tariffs this winter. Indeed, as this threat looms ever larger on the horizon, it is likely that British Gas et al will keep pushing prices up.

Why? First, to make as much profit from diehard stickers (non-switchers) as they can before the Government pulls up the drawbridge. And secondly, to persuade others to move on to other deals that will not be affected by the price cap.

For households still sitting on a standard variable energy tariff this weekend from one of the Big Six suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.On, Npower, SSE and Scottish Power), may I suggest you switch soonest. The savings you can make are just too good to miss out on.

According to experts at price comparison website energyhelpline, annual savings of at least 300 can be made by getting shot of a standard variable tariff in favour of a fixed deal.

You may have to turn to a supplier that you have never heard of before  the likes of Avro Energy, Outfox the Market and Utility Point  and you will probably have to set up a direct debit. But it will be worth it. Money for old rope.

ICICI Bank

Naughty ICICI Bank. It is currently advertising HiSAVE Bonus Saver as offering an annual equivalent rate of interest of 1.35 per cent.

This AER figure is meant to show savers what they will earn if they leave their money in the account for the next year. But no one opening this account today will enjoy such a rate.

This is because the bonus part of the offering  0.7 per cent  only lasts until the end of January next year. Thereafter, the rate becomes 0.65 per cent. So, if you had opened an account at the end of last month and ran with it for a year, you would receive 1.23 per cent, not 1.35 per cent. Open it today and you would get 1.21 per cent.

It is for this reason that rates scrutineer Savings Champion has excluded the account from the Best rates for your savings table. A wise decision. Naughty ICICI Bank.
It is enough to make a confectionery mogul blush the brightest pink.

For Swiss giant Nestle the much trumpeted and vibrantly-coloured ruby chocolate is the biggest thing to hit the chocolate market since blue Smarties.

And having launched white chocolate more than 80 years ago it might have felt it had the right to be first to introduce the variety to the UK  with a KitKat Ruby.

Making a splash: Demonstration of the production of KitKat Ruby bars at a press event in Hamburg

But the Queens grocer Fortnum & Mason has beaten it to the crunch by three days, launching its own ruby chocolate last Friday.

Fortnums chief executive Ewan Venters was cock-a-hoop this weekend after stealing a march on the opposition with the chocolate, which gets its pinkish hue from cocoa beans being picked at a certain moment.

Ruby chocolate KitKat: The bars will be launched next week

Stealing a march: The Fortnum and Mason ruby chocolate was launched before the Nestle version

Its a proper David and Goliath story, he enthused. The might of Nestle and the tiny, but beautifully-proportioned Fortnum & Mason, who were able to get there first. We got wind that they were about to launch so we were able to move our launch forward. The response was phenomenal.

Comedian David Walliams even texted Venter saying: Who are you, Willy Wonka?

Nestle launched KitKat Ruby in Japan and South Korea earlier this year and a spokesman admitted that it would have been nice to be first to launch in the UK.
US imposed sanctions have hit the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and his businesses

Lord Mandelsons advisory firm has deserted the peers former associate, aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska, as US sanctions tighten around the Russian oligarch.

Mandelson chairs Global Counsel, which recently won a contract with Deripaskas energy group EN+ to advise it on climate change.

The Mail on Sunday understands that a contract was not signed and  following Deripaskas appearance on a US sanctions list  it will remain unsigned.

The sanctions against Deripaska and others have sent global banks and commodities traders running for cover, desperate to avoid a similar fate.

While the rules technically only prevent Deripaska dealing in dollars or with US citizens, the wide-ranging material support clauses mean anyone who transacts with him could themselves be added to the sanctions list.

Nigel Kushner, a lawyer and sanctions expert at W Legal, said: The aim is to cut sanctioned persons off from the financial system. They are incredibly effective.

The price of aluminium spiked as much as 12 per cent last week as a result of the crackdown on Deripaska. His businesses are major suppliers of the metal.

The 50-year-old was the most high-profile victim of sweeping new US sanctions introduced earlier this month in attempts to hobble rich Russians close to President Vladimir Putin.

Deripaskas relationship with Mandelson has been controversial since 2008 when the Labour peer stayed on the tycoons yacht in Corfu and was alleged to have made poisonous remarks about then Prime Minister Gordon Brown. There were also claims that Mandelson was too close to Deripaska in his role as EU trade commissioner.

The tycoon is also facing the potential loss of his historic London mansion  5 Belgrave Square  which is reputedly worth as much as 50 million and backed by a mortgage from Credit Suisse. Lawyers said the sanctions mean the bank is likely to call in the loan.

Luxury: The yacht owned by Oleg Deripaska moored in Corfu when Lord Mandelson was a guest

No one in their right mind will refinance  other than a Russian bank. But Credit Suisse will be reticent to be paid out by a Russian bank, a source said.

Deripaskas mansion was the home of Tory MP Sir Henry Chips Channon, who held parties there for the Royal Family in the 1930s.
The glory days of tin mining may be about to return to Cornwall in an unexpected revival of the historic industry which provided the backdrop to the Poldark novels and BBC TV drama.

In towns such as Redruth and Camborne, locals still talk of their pride in the industry which is also celebrated through monuments such as the 90ft granite column Carn Brea, a tribute to a mining philanthropist.

The countys tin mining industry disappeared in 1998 when Cambornes South Crofty followed other mines in closing due to a collapse in the metals value.

Picturesque: The historic industry provided the backdrop to the Poldark novels and BBC drama

But now the bosses of an international mineral exploration firm, who include the son of a former South Crofty worker, are determined to put Cornwall back on the tin map by reopening the mine.

Strongbow Exploration plans to list on the London Stock Exchange by June this year and to get South Crofty back up and running by 2021.

It also has ambitions for the mine, which traces its history back more than 400 years, to compete with rivals in China and Indonesia.

Geologically, Cornwall has shown over the last couple of thousand years  dating back to the bronze age  that there is a high level of metal endowment here, said Strongbow chief executive Richard Williams, a professional geologist.

His ambition is for South Crofty to supply up to 1.5 per cent of the worlds tin  or around 4,500 out of 350,000 tons currently consumed each year.

At current prices, this would mean annual revenues of $90 million to $110 million (63 million to 77 million).

The Cornish tin-mining industry is said to date back more than 2,500 years. It peaked between 1750 and 1850  the period in which the TV drama Poldark is set  when it was a world leader.

Mining still flourished sufficiently to be a major provider of jobs until the late 20th Century. But a sharp drop in the price of tin from $20,000 to $5,000 a ton  prompted by a fall in demand and the 1985 collapse of the International Tin Council, which protected prices, proved fatal for Cornwalls mines. By 1991, South Crofty was the last one standing. It closed in March 1998 when its owners, who still employed 200 people, were unable to secure a rescue package from the Government.

Scenic: Aidan Turner as tin mine owner Ross Poldark in the BBCs 18th Century drama

Just three years later, tin staged a recovery after a ban on lead being used in solders.

Now, the metal is used in most electrical items, including mobile telephones, and its price has recovered to above $20,000 a ton.

There have been several attempts to revive South Crofty in the past 20 years. But Strongbow is convinced, in part thanks to planning permissions and licences already secured, that it can succeed where others have failed.

Owen Mihalop, a mining engineer from Cornwall whose father was managing director of South Crofty in the 1980s, is Strongbows chief operating officer and is based at the site.

Mihalop, who trained at Cambornes School of Mines, believes the companys plans  which he hopes will create 300 jobs  can be a major boost for the local economy.

He said residents are overwhelmingly supportive, adding: A lot of people looking in at Cornwall from other parts of the UK just see it as a tourist destination but people who live here dont.

They want to see good quality, highly skilled, well paid jobs so that their children can stay here rather than having to go off around the world and to other parts of the UK to make a living.

Ambition: Owen Mihalop plans to have South Crofty reopened by 2021

Mihalop added that mining is not the dirty, sweaty business that it was years ago and is now a high-tech industry that can attract ambitious workers.

Its about maintaining high-tech equipment more than using equipment, he said.

Previously, when South Crofty closed, thats how things were done  handheld drills, very hot, hard work. Its still going to be hard work down there, but were going to be using machines that make life a lot easier for them.

Visitors to the area, therefore, are unlikely to encounter many tanned, topless hunks wielding pickaxes like fictional mine owner Ross Poldark in the TV drama. But thats not to say the Poldark effect wont be a boost for South Crofty.

Williams said: I certainly think Poldark has generated a lot of interest, which has been very positive. Its highlighted what were trying to do in Cornwall.

And I think it gives the general population a little bit of background to show that Cornwall does have a strong history of mining.
Warships are massing in the Mediterranean following the deadly chemical weapons attack in Douma last weekend and the military response by the US, Britain and France.

The situation is alarming, with America alone sending four craft towards Syria, including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, in its biggest show of force since the Iraq war of 2003.

The aircraft on such warships all share certain characteristics. They need to be resilient, they need to be safe and they cannot afford to go wrong. This is where Dorset-based engineering group Meggitt comes into its own.

Going up: The little know Meggitt makes parts for a range of aircraft companies

Tracing its roots back to the 1850s, the company has spent more than 150 years focused on making cutting-edge products, mostly for the aerospace industry.

The groups parts are on 22,000 military aircraft and the US is the companys number one military customer.

Meggitt shares are 436p, having gained more than 2 per cent last week as the backlash against Syria intensified. However the shares are still significantly lower than they were just six months ago, when the price reached 526p. At the current level, the stock is a real bargain and should deliver long-term growth.

Meggitt is best known for making wheels and brakes for aircraft. Valves, seals, sensors and other highly technical components are part of the companys remit too  all helping aircraft to function efficiently and safely.

The group also makes highly sophisticated fire protection systems which stop fuel tanks from bursting into flames even if an aircraft is shot at or crash lands. These can and do save lives. Recently, for example, Meggitt systems allowed a US military plane to reach home from the Middle East with 22 bullet holes in the engine.

Around a third of the companys revenue comes from the defence industry but another 55 per cent comes from civil aerospace, with the rump coming from the energy sector.

A leading supplier in its field, customers include all major aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and McDonnell Douglas, which makes the F/A-18 Hornet Fighter jet.

Above all, the company focuses on making complex parts that are highly specialised and resilient. Crucially too, once the group has begun to supply aircraft parts, it is invariably responsible for care and maintenance.

Given that most aircraft continue to fly for several decades, that creates a significant and predictable revenue stream for Meggitt, especially as certain equipment has to be regularly replaced by law.

Nonetheless, the company has been through a turbulent patch in recent times. Large commercial plane manufacturers have been renovating their fleets, moving from older aircraft to a new generation of planes, such as the A320 and the Boeing 777.

Meggitt increased research and development expenditure in anticipation of this shift to ensure that its products would be chosen by the likes of Airbus and Boeing. The strategy has worked and the value of Meggitt products on new planes has increased by between 20 and 250 per cent.

Right now, however, the new generation is still on trial and there have been several teething problems. Once these issues have been ironed out, demand for new planes is set to be extremely strong, as more and more people travel regularly by air.

This should prove highly beneficial for Meggitts civil aviation business, while the outlook for the defence division is also strong. As recent events highlight, President Trump takes a macho attitude towards defence and the US military budget is rising, up about 10 per cent this year alone.

Fighter aircraft are in a bad way, after years of conflict in the Middle East, and components are sorely in need of upgrades. More than 60 per cent of F-18 warplanes, for example, were grounded last year due to lack of spare parts.

As a key supplier to the US military, Meggitt is well placed to benefit in terms of both sales and maintenance.

Meggitt chief executive Tony Wood took the helm this year, having joined as chief operating officer in 2016. He has spent 30 years in the aerospace industry so he brings plenty of experience to the job.

The groups 2017 results were released in February and some investors were disappointed, not so much with the figures for last year but the expectations for 2018.

The company does all its business in dollars and the US currency is likely to be weaker against the pound this year so that will have an adverse effect on 2018 figures.

New accounting rules will have an impact too and the group is selling some non-core businesses.

Nonetheless, Wood has pledged to increase profit margins and cash flow over the next three years. More broadly, the companys investment in research is paying off and the group should benefit from the steady growth in global passenger numbers.

Brokers expect profits of 314 million for 2018, rising to more than 340 million next year and 373 million in 2020.

The company pays a solid dividend too, forecast at 16.3p for this year and 17.1p for 2019.

Midas verdict: Meggitt has suffered at the hands of impatient investors but the recent fall presents an attractive opportunity for those who are prepared to be patient. Buy.

Traded on: Main Market

Ticker: MGGT

Contact: meggitt.com or 01202 597597




If Edward Bonham Carter is afflicted by any form of bitter sibling rivalry he hides it well. My sister? Yeah, yeah  shes a better actress than Ill ever be, I can say that with certainty, he says of Helena, the Hollywood star best known for her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films.

Im very proud of her, he adds. And Im proud of my mother, who is a working psychotherapist  shes 83.

The Bonham Carters are a family of high achievers. Edwards great grandfather was Herbert Asquith, Liberal Prime Minister between 1908 and 1916. His grandmother, Violet Bonham Carter, was a governor of the BBC and Old Vic theatre.

Role: Edward now advises fund manager Jupiter on strategy

And, less well know in this country, his maternal grandfather, Eduardo Propper de Callejon, was a Spanish diplomat recognised for helping thousands of Jews escape Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War.

Edward, 57, hasnt done too badly for himself either. Like his younger brother, Bonham Carter followed his father Raymond into the City, rising to become chief executive of respected fund manager Jupiter.

He relinquished the role in 2014, and is now vice-chairman of the group. He bicycles in to work four days a week, and spends Fridays walking his dog, Daisy, in Barnes, West London, where he lives with his wife Victoria and their three children.

What does the role of vice-chairman include? You sound like my wife: what do you do? Washing the windows  thats one of the main ones, Bonham Carter jokes, as he lounges back in his swivel chair, admiring the view from Jupiters tall building near Victoria station.

Im very lucky. Its a credit to Jupiter and to Maarten Slendebroek, the current CEO. Its relatively unusual for the old CEO to hang around  hopefully not like a bad smell!

Bonham Carter advises the business on strategy and, he adds with a grimace: I partly have a responsibility for  oh, this is such a pretentious word  culture.

He also helps Jupiter satisfy its clients, a role which includes passing on his pearls of wisdom to help them make investment choices. Im not a mini-Elon Musk, but I make a couple of observations.

Some of his recent musings concern the rise of robots, jobs that humans can retain, and those likely to be lost to artificial intelligence (AI). On this subject, Bonham Carter has a stark warning for his colleagues in the City.

High achievers: Edward's sister is Helena Bonham Carter who starred as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter films

Its relatively easy to think of the jobs that might get removed and automated, he says. Its starting to happen in the middle-class area, professional jobs. Whats different from the previous industrial revolutions is that its the professional classes that are now being threatened.

Whereas before it was manual labour that could be repeated and mechanised, now quite a lot of the service jobs in theory could be replaced. So its not just truck drivers.

Edwards great grandfather was Herbert Asquith, Liberal Prime Minister between 1908 and 1916

Bonham Carter doesnt hold back on his own trade, financial services: I have a view that the City is over-staffed, the cost-base is too high and  this is going to endear me to my City peers  over the next ten or 20 years the financial sector is going to see a substantial restructuring. Some of it is due to AI and machine learning. A significant number of jobs [will be lost] over the ten, 20 or 30 years.

Jobs growth, he says, will occur in areas such as health and care, where humans can outperform their shiny metal competitors.

But to feed this demand, he adds, the UK needs to think about shaking up its education system, which focuses on testing childrens ability to retain information, like robots.

He says: I think the key things are analytical skills, communications skills  skills that robots are probably going to be behind humans on: empathy, dealing with other humans.

Bonham Carters vice-chairmanship also sees him help the company deal with issues around corporate governance, including executive pay. Thanks in part to the 75 million bonus of Jeff Fairburn, the boss of FTSE 100 housebuilder Persimmon, the City is under growing pressure to tackle excessive pay.

Bonham Carter says fund managers are spending much more time on this issue. Is there a moral aspect to their scrutiny, or is it all about ensuring investors get value for money?

Moral is a big word, he says. If you feel management are taking the Mickey by having a scheme that could pay out too much from meeting demand and targets, then thats not right. Im not saying that in a moral sense. Its not right in the sense that it doesnt make sense for an investor to support that. With ones citizens hat on, has it undermined trust in the system, some of these large packages? Yeah.

He adds: Its linked to this populist debate. One of the challenges for the system as a whole  capitalism and democracy  is: is it delivering for everyone? In any system that needs legitimacy, its got to deliver for everyone. Everyones got to feel that theyre benefiting in the widest sense. And if corporations and certain parts of society are believed to be doing much better than others, then that does undermine the system. And that means you can have reactions to it. Its a reflection of frustration.

Watch out: Many jobs could soon be done by robots - and we need to adapt our education system accordingly

Bonham Carter stops himself from straying too far into politics, and is coy when asked about his current political loyalties. He is a traditional liberal, like his great-grandfather, and donated 15,000 to the Lib Dems between 2005 and 2013. But he wont say how he voted in last years General Election.

Jeremy Corbyn is considered a bogeyman in the City, but Bonham Carter appears not overly concerned about some of the Labour Partys policies: I have some sympathies with the economic case for increased infrastructure spending.

Bonham Carter, a reluctant Remainer, is also more laid back than many about what Brexit will mean for the UK economy. Do I think this country has the ability to thrive outside Europe? Yeah, I do. Do I think its ideal? No, I dont. But you have to get on with it.

Horoscopes were invented to make economists forecasts look respectable!

However, he is also realistic, and knows his sector is at risk. The issue for the City is: can it maintain its pre-eminent status as one of the major centres for finance globally? Thats the challenge. I personally think it can do. But there will be challenges to that. Can we lose that status? Yeah, we can lose it.

Bonham Carter does have one major caveat though  and its another opinion that is likely to ruffle the feathers of his City friends: Beware of both forecasts and experts. Thats now a trendy thing to say, but its an important thing to remember. Horoscopes were invented to make economists forecasts look respectable!

He adds: Economics is not a science. Its a social science  in other words, its a study of people with all their rationalities and irrationalities bundled together in a messy little package.

Too many people want to know whats going to happen in the future and they want to ask the experts. But they shouldnt, because we dont know.
A controversial mining entrepreneur has been accused of telling a blatant and utter lie as he attempts a stock market comeback.

Andrew Groves, the boss of Sable Mining, was forced off the stock exchange in 2016 after he and former business partner Phil Edmonds, the ex-England spin bowler, were accused of high-level bribery in Liberia, West Africa.

Now Groves is trying to regain a foothold in the City by selling his coal assets in Zimbabwe to London-listed Contango Holdings through a reverse takeover.

Former partners: Andrew Groves, left, and Phil Edmonds, right, with leaders in South Sudan

Ahead of the proposed deal, Groves has issued a statement saying all charges against himself and Sable, now renamed Consolidated Growth Holdings (CGH), have been irrevocably dropped.

He added there had been a comprehensive review by the Liberian authorities, which concluded that Sable Mining and Groves had not acted in an improper or illegal manner. But Fonati Koffa, the prosecutor who chaired the Liberian governments investigation into the allegations, told campaign group Global Witness: This is a blatant and utter lie. There is no comprehensive investigation I am aware of that exonerated these people. Koffa has previously been convicted of fraud in the US.

Contango is conducting due diligence on CGHs coal-mining licences. If the deal goes ahead, Groves will hold an indirect interest in the enlarged entity through CGH.

Groves was once feted as a resource rock star and listed nine companies on Londons loosely regulated Aim market.

He said this year that he hopes to build Contango into a mid-tier mining company.

His spokesman said: Mr Groves and Sable Mining always maintained that they had not acted in an improper or illegal manner, and the Liberian authorities have now reached the same conclusion.
Profits dipped at Timpson last year due to the takeover of dry cleaning groups Johnsons and Jeeves  but sales continued to grow.

The company expanded in all divisions including dry-cleaning, photos, watch and shoe repairs and key cutting.

The family-owned business, founded in 1865, grew to 1,906 branches last year and recorded a turnover of 260 million in the year to September 30, 2017, up from 205 million the previous year.

Expanding: Timpson is opening more stores and expanding all of its divisions

Profits fell from 20.2 million to 12.6 million, but chairman John Timpson said the extra sales would be converted into profits this year and that the number of shops would shoot past the 2,000 mark.

A 6.9 million dividend was paid out, compared to 12.1 million the previous year.

The chairman added: In our core Timpson branches the day is rapidly approaching when our annual watch repair turnover will overtake shoe repairs. But they still both lag well behind key cutting which, despite digital attempts to enter the security world, is still a growing part of our business.

Launching Timpson franchises in China had been disappointing so the firm is now concentrating purely on the UK and Ireland.

The company bought Johnson and Jeeves to add to its Morrisons dry cleaning business and provides dry-cleaning to 180 Waitrose stores and 720 Timpson units. Its photo business includes Snappy Snaps, Max Spielmann and 281 self-service photo kiosks in Tesco.
Sir Martin Sorrells sensational departure from the advertising giant he founded has drawn a line under the career of one of Britains best-known and best-paid businessmen. But those involved with the company are likely to be scratching their heads this morning as to what he is alleged to have done.

WPP announced at 10.15pm on Saturday that its chief executive was stepping down with immediate effect, with Sorrell releasing an emotional statement to staff saying that over the last 33 years he had spent every single day thinking about the future of WPP.

The company said that he will be allowed to hold on to share awards of 33 million that will pay out over the next five years if the company performs well.

Sir Martin Sorrell with his wife Cristiana Falcone Sorrell

Sorrells prognostications on the business climate have long been sought after, and his vast pay and colourful private life have kept him in the headlines for two decades.

But the company and the chief executive declined to spell out what he was accused of last night.

WPP said that the previously announced investigation into an allegation of misconduct against Sir Martin has concluded but did not elaborate on what it had found.

Sorrells 500-word statement did not refer to the allegations in detail either, saying only that the current disruption we are experiencing is simply putting too much unnecessary pressure on the business.

The company was investigating an allegation of personal misconduct. He separately denied an allegation of financial impropriety.

Sources close to Sorrell  thought to be worth around 500 million  said that he still did not know what the exact allegations against him were, but suggested that the circumstances of his departure implied that he had been cleared.

A friend said: It has been a very difficult couple of weeks for Martin. Frankly, he feels the whole process has not been handled well and has been very unpleasant.

Change: WPP headquarters in Farm Street, in London's Mayfair

Bluntly, he feels he cant work with the board any more. He has taken the view s** it for his own sake and his familys sake.

Roberto Quarta, the chairman, who is currently a part-time non executive, becomes executive chairman while a search gets under way for a successor to Sorrell.

Quartas executive role is likely to anger investors because he is also chairman of hip replacement group Smith & Nephew and some shareholders are worried he will not have enough time to fulfil his duties there as well as a bigger role at WPP.

Supporters of Sorrell said the veteran adman was annoyed at leaks about the investigation to the Wall Street Journal which he believed had come from the board.

The interviews conducted with him by law firm WilmerHale which was in charge of the inquiry were said to have been very aggressive.

Sorrell turned WPP from a maker of wire baskets called Wire and Plastic Products into one of the major global advertising giants.

His time at the company has been controversial, though, and last weeks Mail on Sunday reported that he might be on the brink of leaving.

There have been shareholder revolts over lavish pay awards. In 2015 he was paid 70.4 million, while the next year he netted 48 million. In 2005 he paid a then record divorce settlement of 29 million to his wife of 33 years, Sandra. The agreement included a 3.25 million Georgian townhouse in Central London.

He went on to marry Italian economist Cristiana Falcone in 2008, with whom he had a daughter in 2016, when he was 71.

Quarta said: Sir Martin has been the driving force behind the expansion of WPP to create the global leader in marketing services.

During this time, the company has been successful because it has valued and nurtured outstanding talent at every level  within and well beyond our leadership teams.

On behalf of the board, I would like to recognise these achievements and thank Sir Martin for his commitment to the business over more than three decades.
Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine (pictured) has slammed many 'Aboriginal only' ideas

The roll out of Aboriginal-only services, relentless attacks on 'white privilege' and a national push for separate indigenous governance are 'driving a dangerous racial wedge' between Australia's many cultures.

High-profile indigenous leaders and public affairs experts warn there has been a deliberate move over the past decade to divide the public over race.

Recent incidents have even led to claims Australia is headed for its own version of South Africa's 'apartheid', a despised system of racial segregation abolished in 1993.

The uproar has been fuelled by moves such as a new code of conduct for Queensland nurses - which requires them to 'acknowledge their white privilege' before treating indigenous patients - and the roll out of Aboriginal-only waiting rooms in NSW hospitals.

Health is not the only area where efforts have been made to segregate Aboriginals from the rest of Australia, with similarly divisive measures advocated across education, the courts and even parliament.

Such moves were described as being a throwback to '1950s racism' - the beginning of apartheid - by federal senator David Leyonhjelm and commentators Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones.

Mr Mundine slammed the notion of white privilege and the growing push to change the date of Australia Day (pictured) as being only of importance to 'inner-city folk'

'Aboriginal people can't get proper health services': Mr Mundine said indigenous artwork and separate emergency waiting rooms are not what Aboriginal people need

Former politician and outspoken Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine worries racial tension is being deliberately stoked by 'inner-city folk' at the expense of the real needs of the wider indigenous community.

'I think apartheid is a bit of hyperbole... but I do see some dangerous trends, that is for sure,' he said.

'You see the marches and 90 per cent of those people aren't Aboriginal. It's only the inner-city folk in Sydney and Melbourne who are now shouting louder than ever.'

Mr Mundine slammed the notion of white privilege and the unnecessary push to change the date of Australia Day, which is increasingly referred to by critics as Invasion Day.

As well as Queensland nurses being told to acknowledge their white privilege, guidelines have been introduced across NSW requiring 'culturally appropriate' waiting rooms be set aside for Aboriginal patients.

But Mr Mundine said putting Aboriginal artwork in special waiting rooms would make little difference to indigenous Australians.

'You can put up nice artwork and do whatever you like, but it will not change until you get the proper services in place,' he said.

'I think it's a bit of overkill to just say let's set up separate rooms, it's more about what the reasons are for why Aboriginal people can't get proper health services.'

Simon Breheny, the director of policy for the Institute for Public Affairs, says there has been a concerted move to divide the Australian public over race, led by politicians.

'I think there is a growing movement to divide people on the basis of race and I think it's happening in a very large number of areas, from education to corporate work,' Mr Breheny said.

Murrumu Walubara Yidindji (above) was made the foreign affairs and trade minister when the Yidindji Tribe, near Cairns, formed their own 'government' in 2016

In 2016, Queensland University of Technology quarantined a computer room (pictured) just for Aboriginal students. Public affairs expert Simon Breheny (left) says such moves are part of an 'explosion of identity politics' that has swept the country over the past decade

An independent indigenous parliament - a move that has been supported by Labor - is just one attempt to divide the country, they claim.

While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull recently knocked back the idea, Aboriginal groups in some parts of the country are pushing ahead regardless.

The Yidindji Nation, a tribe outside of Cairns, has already appointed a prime minister and foreign minister, a move Mr Mundine disagrees with.

'We already have a parliament and it's in Canberra. And at the moment we have a record number of indigenous members representing us,' he said.

In 2016, Queensland University of Technology quarantined a computer room just for Aboriginal students. When a student complained he was forced to front the Human Rights Commission.

Even at the national broadcaster, ABC boss Michelle Guthrie has admitted 'being Aboriginal' is enough of a qualification to apply for a job with the corporation. As part of its Reconciliation Action Plan the ABC reserves three per cent of jobs for Aboriginal people.

New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have long had courts to deal specifically with some Aboriginal cases, but a recent report by the Australian Law Reform Commission proposed a new race-based legal system acknowledging the 'unique systemic and background factors affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples'.

Sites sacred to the Aboriginal people are also being closed to climbers, starting with the world famous Uluru.

Also on the chopping block are St Mary Peak in South Australia, Mount Warning in NSW and the Glass House mountains in Queensland.

Climbing has been banned at Uluru (pictured), with efforts made to restrict it at other sacred Aboriginal sites around Australia

Wilpena Pound (pictured) in South Australia's mighty Flinders Ranges features St Mary Peak, which the local indigenous people have stated they would prefer tourists did not climb

Numerous local municipalities have also moved in recent years to change the date of Australia Day away from the national public holiday on January 26.

Fremantle Council was the first to make the move in 2017, followed by three councils in Melbourne and The City of Darwin.

But issues such as Australia Day, law reform and separate hospital waiting rooms are not what is important to Aboriginal people, according to Mr Mundine.

'I think a lot of it is being blown up bigger than what it is. About Australia Day, in The Outback communities no one is talking about it,' he said.

'The main conversations are about how can we get jobs, how do we get our kids into school - just normal mundane things of life. It's only talked about in the inner cities.

Mr Mundine said many of the issues being used to divide Australia are not important to those in the Outback

'You see the marches and 90 per cent of those people aren't Aboriginal... It's only the inner-city folk in Sydney and Melbourne,' Mr Mundine said

'Who knows what is next?' Mr Breheny believes there has been a deliberate attempt to divide Australia

Mr Breheny said there had been a clear attempt to divide Australia over race during the past decade.

'I think this is the end point of identity politics... and it looks very much like the worst parts of Apartheid and systems based on separation,' he said.

'That's certainly not to say Australia is an apartheid country, that is an absurd thing to say, but it doesn't even need to get to that point for there to be controversy.

'There has been an explosion of identity politics in the last ten years. We are seeing it in relation to presenters on the ABC, subjects at university, even to politics.

'I think it goes hand-in-hand with what we saw at Qantas where you can't talk about mums and dads anymore, and you can't call people "love" or "darl".

'Who knows what is next?'
Advertisement

These breathtaking images from the 2018 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize show all aspects of Australian life.

From members of the Melbourne Lions wrestling team hanging out in the surf at Williamstown after a training session to kids playing while surrounded by floodwaters, more than 2,600 entries were submitted to the competition and judges chose 148 photographs as semi-finalists.

One image from Matthew Abbott captures a quiet moment between siblings and cousins braiding each other's hair while waiting for food at a blessing ceremony in Cranbourne in Melbourne.

A shot from Sam Harris, who has two entries in the top 30, shows what appears to be two sisters getting ready outside of a caravan. One is applying eye-shadow while the other glosses her lips.

Semi-finalists were then narrowed down to 30 photos from 24 finalists, with four being previous winners of the award.

'The final 30 represent a wonderful cross section of contemporary Australia, with some beautiful, some dynamic, and some challenging images and themes,' said a judge in the competition.

The awards were established in 2007 by the Moran Arts Foundation.

It has a first prize of $50,000 and the winner will be announced May 8.

This image, titled Upside Down In The Flood, pictures a young girl on a swing set surrounded by floodwaters. She tips her head back into the water so that her hair touches it while others play in the waters around her

Titled Zach, this image shows a young man with strawberry blonde hair in a backyard without grass. He is surrounded by old garden furniture that has been piled up

This image features a young Indigenous family during a smoking ceremony involving tree branches. The woman in the piece, titled The Significance Of Ceremony, appears to be holding an ice block in her hand while the man is covered in traditional paint

In this image from Sam Harris, two sisters appear to be getting ready outside of a caravan. One is applying eye-shadow while the other looks like she is working on her lipstick. In the background of the image a man is pointing outside of the caravan

In The Burning young children stand on a hill in casual-wear, enamored by the large clouds of smoke coming from a nearby town. In the far right of the image one of the children covers their mouth as if shocked at the scene

An image from Matthew Abbott captures a quiet moment between siblings and cousins braiding each others hair while waiting for food for a blessing ceremony in Cranbourne

Members of the Melbourne Lions wrestling team cool off in the water at Williamstown after a particularly grueling training session on one of the hottest days of the summer

A 19-year-old governess stands for a portrait outside the Tibooburra Family Hotel. It is New Year's Day and she is holding a drink pitcher with green liquid and a single straw inside

A 29-year-old drag queen who moved to Adelaide because it was too hard to come out as gay in a small town poses for a portrait in the backyard of a Broken Hill home. Shelita performs at the Palace Hotel where Priscilla Queen Of The Desert was filmed

The men hold hoses as they deal with the Carwoola bushfires of February 2017. The sky is filled with the haze of the ash and both men are wearing hats to protect their eyes

In the image, titled Douglas Park, a man carries one of his children while more follow behind after swimming under a freeway. The family walks by a burnt out car, out of place among the nature that surrounds them

In a classic Australian image a red-belly black snake lies in wait in the engine of a red car with its bonnet up

In an image title Nullarbor Roadhouse a woman walks through a car park filled with caravans at a petrol station. In the image there appears to be no water in sight but behind one of the caravans is a statue of a whale's tail

In Port Pirie, South Australia, a young boy rides his scooter through a skate park. He is the only one in the park and looks like he is taking advantage of the moment

A young boy with a mullet poses shirtless in a blue, gold and purple tracksuit combination. The image is titled Junior Mullet Festival Contestant and the young man appears to be taking it seriously

In The Front #3 a young woman moves with the waves as an impending storm darkens the clouds around her and begins to roughen up the ocean

In the Last Dance the image depicts two young girls and a older man dancing in the flowers coming off of a tree being shaken by an older woman

A couple lay on the waters edge, their feet swept by the water and their legs covered in sand. A woman embraces a man with a pained look on his face

In the photo titled Fleur, which means flower in French, a young woman poses with open palms facing the photographer as she flaunts an elegant sheer dress

As sunset reflects off of the quarry water a young girl sits on the rock at the water's edge as she watches two friends climb a rock face in the middle of the water

As sunset falls over this backyard filled with appliances and a lawnmower a light brown horse wanders through the yard

The 1967 referendum gave Indigenous Australians the right to vote, and in this image, Edie Ulrich reflects and comments on the day

This Untitled image depicts a front garden of a brown brick home. In the middle of the garden is an orange tree falling prey to the Autumn season. To protect the fruit and the tree a net has been cast over it

This image by Marian Abboud is from when her sisters came to visit. The image, titled Looking for Basloukit in Bathurst, shows the four woman dressed in black standing in a field. One woman is holding what appears to be a pig

In Sister Reena Staker, the woman in the image sits on a bed in a dark room. The only light being cast on her is from the sun outside, forming patterns on her skin from the lace curtains

In a piece called Sasha With Balloons, a young woman in a on-piece swimming costume with a low-cut back poses with orange and pink balloons as dusk falls over her

In Black Star, rocks form stepping stones over dirty rocky gravel as a cloud of dust sets over the trees in a desolate outback setting

In Rob and Nikita two young teenagers glare menacingly and angst driven down the barrel of the camera. Behind the teens, a river flows behind them and wind sweeps their hair
A fresh emergency warning has been issued for areas around the wild bushfire burning south west of Sydney.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced the emergency warning for Holsworth, Voyager Pt, Pleasure Pt, Sandy Point, Illawong, Menai & Bangor, with all expected to experience an ember attack.

Fire activity is also increasing near Menai.

Scroll down for video

A fresh emergency warning has been issued for areas around the wild bushfire burning south west of Sydney

The Lucas Heights nuclear reactor is only suburbs away from the blaze and emergency services have put a protection plan in place The Daily Telegraph reported.

Meanwhile news.com.au is reporting that the fire has reached the grounds of the Holsworthy ammo Dump is and managed to do damage to a single building before it was contained.

RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons said they expect further damage to be done.

'We could see a deterioration in impact and damage this afternoon given the ferocity of these fires,' he said.

'We still have a very volatile, dynamic and dangerous fire situation.'

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the Rural Fire Service command centre in Sutherland on Sunday afternoon as authorities reported some properties in Menai may have been impacted

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the Rural Fire Service command centre in Sutherland on Sunday afternoon as authorities reported some properties in Menai may have been impacted.

'Clearly with the wind increasing in strength the situation is worsening but there are outstanding efforts to control this fire being undertaken,'he said.

'This huge blaze has been fought in very high temperatures and very high winds.'

A total of 500 firefighters have been battling the blaze as it continues to rage

'It is going to be a very, very tough afternoon and evening.'

A spokesperson for the NSW RFS said the extend of damage to property in Menia is not yet known.

More than 70 trucks are lining the roads dividing bush land from residential homes while water-bombing helicopters target the blaze from above.

Scorching temperatures and heavy winds are expected to continue to fuel an out-of-control fire in south-western Sydney which is threatening homes and residents.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced the emergency warning for Holsworth, Voyager Pt, Pleasure Pt, Sandy Point, Illawong, Menai & Bangor, with all expected to experience an ember attack

Winds gusts of up to 48km/h are making conditions difficult for firefighters to contain the wild blaze.

Weatherzone is also forecasting temperatures of 24 degrees today with humidity set to reach 34% in Holsworthy.

More than 500 firefighters in 98 fire trucks have battled the blaze overnight in attempts to keep it contained after it has already destroyed 1,000 hectares of bush land around Holsworthy and Menai ABC News reported.

Scorching temperatures and heavy winds have combined to fuel an out-of-control fire in south western Sydney which is threatening homes and residents as winds of up to 40km/h make conditions difficult for firefighters to contain the wild blaze

More than 500 firefighters in 98 fire trucks have battled the blaze overnight in attempts to keep it contained after it has already destroyed 1,000 hectares of bush land

Residents in Alfords Point and Sandy Point have been told by firefighters that it's now too late to leave and to take shelter as quickly and safely as possible.

Thankfully no one has been hurt or killed in the fire which hasn't destroyed any houses either.

Sky News Australia has reported the fire is moving in a north-easterly direction towards Sandy Point and Alfords Point in Sydney's south-west towards Alfords Point and Sandy Point.

Residents in Alfords Point and Sandy Point have been told by firefighters that it's now too late to leave and to take shelter as quickly and safely as possible

Illawong, Bangor and Picnic Point are being showered in embers and residents in Wattle Grove, Holsworthy and Menai have been advised to take shelter 9 News reported.

7 News is reporting that Police believe the fire may have been deliberately lit.

The NSW Rural Fire Service released a statement this morning about thew situation around Holsworthy.

The out-of-control blaze started as a grass fire in Casula, 35 kilometres from the city, but has since tore through multiple properties and into bushland

'An easing in conditions early this morning has allowed firefighters to begin backburning along Heathcote Drive. Winds will strengthen across the day. Stay up to date, review your plan and know what you will do if the fire threatens,' the post read.

National Parks in the fire zone have also been closed as a precaution, including Heathcote National Park and the southern part of Georges River National Park.

The out-of-control blaze started as a grass fire in Casula, 35 kilometres from the city, but has since tore through multiple properties and into bushland.

Horrific footage showed mammoth clouds of smoke billowing over the entire area as more than 140 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Over 100 firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze in Sydney's south-west which has now been burning for more than eight hours

Residents have been told it is now too late to leave as the fire ravages through suburbs including Voyager Point, Pleasure Point, Sandy Point and Picnic Point

The blaze started as a grass fire in 35 kilometres from the city, but has since torn through bushland and threatened hundreds of homes

Horrific footage has shown fire continue to tear through the area in Sydney's south-west

The blaze reportedly took off about 2.30pm on Casula Road, near the suburb's train station

Local fire authorities are continuing to fight the flames long after night fall

Firefighters and locals stand near a fence as bright flames light the night

The fire crossed Heathcote Road before 9pm and is moving easterly towards Menai, Alfords Point and Barden Ridge

The fire crossed Heathcote Road, a major artillery passageway, after sunset and is moving easterly towards Menai, Alfords Point and Barden Ridge.

The blaze has also resulted in the Holsworthy Army Barracks being evacuated and placed into lock down.

Grave concerns are being held for a fuel storage area inside the base which fire crews are said to be working to protect.

Firefighters are protecting the large amount of fuel at the barracks, having created a 200-metre exclusion zone.

Earlier today as fire encroached dangerously close to homes, police officers went door to door, warning residents to leave before it was too late.

A 'watch and act' was issued by Fire and Rescue NSW as flames burned close to Moorebank Avenue and Somercotes Court at Wattle Grove.

The blaze reportedly took off about 2.30pm on Casula Road, near the suburb's train station.

As the fires continue to burn within metres of their homes, Wattle Grove residents watch on

Dozens of people stand in the shadows of the fires as firefighters continue to battle the blaze

Residents watch for potentially dangerous embers to spark in Wattle Grove

Families in affected areas have taken property protection into their own hands after it was deemed too late to leave the region

A local teenager is seen ready to defend the area from any additional fire damage after the flames continue to burn

The fire earlier broke boundary lines into entered Holsworthy Army Barracks which has since been evacuated and placed into lock down

Firefighters have been working to control a grass fire which is burning across south-west Sydney

Police blocked entrance to roads close to the fire as it continues to blanket the town

Heavy smoke has blanketed the area around Holsworthy in Sydney's south-west

It is not yet know just how many people have been evacuated due to the fires which broke the boundary lines of the Holsworthy Army Barracks

There are reports the fire has encroached dangerously close to homes and police officers have commenced door-knocking, telling residents to leave

Crews are reportedly struggling against winds up to 100km/h, with the cause of the fire unknown at this stage.

The Rural Fire Service warned residents in Voyager Point, Pleasure Point, Sandy Point and Picnic Point to remain 'vigilant'.

Giant plumes of smoke created a dark gloomy scene from above as the fire continued to burn at a rapid rate.

Bus companies have replaced train services and passengers leaving or arriving in the area have been advised to delay or cancel their journeys.

The burn started as a grass fire but quickly developed into an out-of-control bushfire

Thick smoke made visibility difficult for fire crews, with up to ten trucks dispatched to fight the blaze

Angry red flames can be seen in the nearby bushland of rows of suburban homes

One truck can be seen parked in the middle of a street as firefighters use a hose on the fire
A man accused of murdering a Massachusetts police officer while serving an arrest was arraigned on Saturday where he plead not guilty to murder charges.

Thomas Latanowich, 29, was denied bail after making a brief appearance at before a judge at the Barnstable District Court near Cape Cod, according to the Boston Herald.

K-9 officer Sean Gannon, 32, was allegedly gun downed by Latanowich at around 3.30pm on Thursday during tense standoff.

Officer Sean Gannon (left) was shot in the head and his dog Nero was injured by career criminal Tom Latanowich (right) on Thursday while they tried to serve an arrest warrant

K-9 officer Sean Gannon, 32, was allegedly gun downed by Latanowich at around 3.30pm on Thursday during tense standoff

Local law enforcement was trying to arrest him for firearms offences when he suddenly shot the police officer and his dog

Local law enforcement was trying to arrest him for firearms offences when he suddenly shot the police officer and his dog Nero.

Gannon died in hospital and his dog is still being treated by veterinarians.

Latanowich is career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet which includes 111 prior offenses, which includes arrests for drugs, gun offenses and a 2016 stabbing.

It is not clear why he was allowed out of custody given his historic criminal behavior.

A spokesman told DailyMail.com that all of the officers were 'grieving' and making funeral arrangements.

Latanowich was on probation when police tried to arrest him on Thursday.

Thomas Latanowich is brought into Barnstable District Court on Friday, April 13, 2018, for his arraignment in Barnstable, Mass

After shooting Gannon, he was charged with murder.

Last year, Yarmouth Police Department described him as a 'violent and notorious career criminal'.

He was arrested in 2016 for stabbing a man while out on bail for other offenses.

A spokesman told DailyMail.com that all of the officers were 'grieving' and making funeral arrangements.

'With deep sorrow and heavy hearts the Yarmouth Police Department reports the loss of Officer Sean Gannon,' stated in a Facebook post on Friday.

'Officer Sean Gannon was killed in the line of duty today. We must tend now to his family and the needs of our department and our community,' it added.

Latanowich is scheduled to appear before the court at his next hearing June 26.

Police officers fill the courtroom for the arraignment of Thomas Latanowich Friday, April 13, 2018, in Barnstable, Mass
Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were saved from death because the deadly nerve agent smeared on their front door was 'washed off by the rain'.

The double agent, 66 and his daughter, 33, were left in a critical condition in hospital after being poisoned by Novichok in Salisbury on March 4.

The wide-scale operation investigated dozens of different ways the pair could have been infected by the nerve agent, from the restaurant they went to, to flowers left on their relatives' graves.

But after detectives came to the conclusion the pair were poisoned at Mr Skripal's home it has now been claimed the poison didn't work properly because of damp conditions.

Ex-Russian scientist Vil Mirzayanov says the hitman who carried out the attack failed to kill their victims because the Novichok was 'washed off the door handle'.

Ex-Russian scientist Vil Mirzayanov says the hitman who carried out the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury failed to kill their victims because the Novichok was 'washed off the door handle' of the former double agent's home (pictured)

Victims: Sergei Skripal, 66 and Yulia, 33 were left critical in hospital after the attack in March

He told The Sun: 'The substance was used when it was quite foggy  water droplets were in the air. It can be used only in dry air.

'In such weather conditions this substance could be used only by an idiot who knows nothing about the chemical characteristics of Novichok.

'If you drop it into water in some hours no trace will be left. It dissolves in water.'

Prime Minister Theresa May has formerly accused Moscow of carrying out the near-fatal assault, but they have repeatedly denied it.

Yulia Skripal has now left hospital and is being kept under police guard at a secret location.

Her father is still in hospital, but is believed to be improving.

It has now been claimed the poison didn't work properly because of damp conditions

The revelation comes after hackers posted a cryptic post on Miss Skripal's social media accounts.

A link was posted on Yulia Skripal's account to a well-known Russian song entitled Don't Lose Heart from a popular Soviet-era children's film, on March 7.

The posting was made three days after the Salisbury attack  when Miss Skripal, 33, pictured, was heavily sedated in hospital  leading to suspicions her account may have been hacked.

Poignant lyrics include: 'Did it happen by the will of fate, or is it due to our nature? Why do we for heaven's sake have so many enemies?'

The discovery comes after British intelligence revealed that Russian agents hacked Miss Skripal's emails for at least five years before she and her father were poisoned.
Theresa May is winning the battle but losing the war over Syria

Theresa May is winning the battle but losing the war over Syria. Britains Armed Forces have performed with predictable courage and distinction, and according to initial damage assessments have effectively degraded the conveyor-belt of death that resulted in chemical weapons being dropped on the children, women and men of Douma.

But the equally vital  and increasingly vicious  struggle to convince the British people of the need for an effective response to the gangsterism of Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin is not going her way. Indeed in the fight for hearts and minds, she is currently staring defeat in the face.

It was around this time last week she was informed the Syrian regime had again dipped its murderous hands in its stocks of chlorine. When she saw footage of the incident, what she focused on was how the victims were huddled in an air raid shelter. Those children were trying to find safety. And Assad still went after them, a government official said. That affected her deeply. And it was at that moment that Mrs May began the emotional process of preparing herself to deploy British forces in a concerted way for the first time in her premiership.

Unfortunately, this instinctive and humane decision that Assads barbarism could not go unpunished has proved her first mistake. Because it is not currently shared by a nation exhausted by austerity, scarred by the poisonous legacy of Iraq and scared of the prospect of a direct superpower confrontation.

Mrs May has been playing catch-up with public opinion. On Thursday, a YouGov opinion poll showed only 22 per cent of Britons were in favour of a missile attack on Syrias armed forces  and almost twice as many (43 per cent) were against. And a Mail on Sunday poll today reveals the public are opposed to her decision to bypass Parliament by a factor of two to one  and a vast majority are against her doing so again.

During the week she went about carefully constructing the case for intervention, and the political and diplomatic coalition to implement it. On Tuesday and Wednesday, National Security Council briefings analysed open-source material that identified Syrian helicopter activity over Douma in the moments before the attack, and pieced it together with covert intelligence revealing Syrian air-command co-ordination.

On Thursday she presented that evidence to Cabinet and invited contributions from all Ministers. Sajid Javid reportedly made a strong case condemning the failure to intervene in 2013, while Matt Hancock impressed colleagues  and May herself  with the argument that she had the authority to launch strikes without sub-letting the decision to Parliament.

On Thursday evening she spoke to Donald Trump and reached a final agreement on the decision to launch a limited, proportionate attack.

Finally, at 5pm on Friday, she met Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson at Chequers and signed off the specific strike packages for the RAF Tornados conducting the raids.

But Mrs May neglected to engage with her most important partner of all  the British people. With the result that as UK servicemen prepared to take to the skies over the Mediterranean, their government appeared to have gone AWOL.

Where Ministers should have been setting out the evidence, strategy and rationale behind military intervention, a vacuum was allowed to develop. One that was swiftly filled by everyone from the cyber-conspiracy theorists to Putins comical apologists and Jeremy Corbyn. Admittedly, as the week went on, the distinction between these disparate groups became harder to distinguish.

But they were still easier to spot than members of the Government making a calm and compelling case for military action.

There is such a case. In 2013 we were told the decision to draw back from action would spare lives. Instead, it sacrificed them. We were told a deal had been brokered between Putin and Assad to destroy Syrias remaining chemical weapons. It was a lie. We were told negotiation offered the best path to peace. Russias own intervention, and selective deployment of her UN veto, shut that path down for good.

But no one has been given licence to make that argument. The Prime Minister was correct, brave even, to take the decision air strikes did not need parliamentary approval  but then left Plymouth MP and former Commando Johnny Mercer to defend it in heroic isolation.

On Friday she met Mercer in Downing Street where he urged her to take her arguments out into the country.

Belatedly she followed his advice, mounting a solid defence of her actions at a press conference yesterday. But today that is where Mrs May remains. On the defensive.

We have now reached the incredible situation where two hostile foreign states and Her Majestys official opposition are operating in de-facto alliance to subvert the actions of the British Government

Privately, Ministers say that now the requirements of operational security have been lifted, they are much freer to make an aggressive case for responding to Assads butchery. But they also concede they need to be more effective in disarming the Syria-Russia propaganda machine, or what could more accurately be called the Syria-Russia-Labour propaganda machine.

We have now reached the incredible situation where two hostile foreign states and Her Majestys official opposition are operating in de-facto alliance to subvert the actions of the British Government.

No sooner does a lie raise its head in Moscow, than it is dispersed through Vladimir Putins bot-farms, into the social media accounts of the Corbyn cultists and on to the Twitter pages of Labour MPs.

Its time for Mrs May to fight back. And her battlefield must not now be the skies over Syria but the Commons chamber. Tomorrow she appears in Parliament to deliver her statement on her decision to strike Assad. She, her Ministers and her party must take off the gloves and take the attack to their opponents.

First, they must expose Jeremy Corbyns craven, self-righteous duplicity for what it is.

His statements prove there is no act of brutality that will scar his conscience sufficiently for him to endorse a military response.

Bombs wont save lives or bring about peace, was his infantile reaction, implying he now supports unilateral conventional weapon disarmament along with nuclear unilateralism. Every sentence he utters has no practical purpose other than to act as a shield around Assad and his murderous regime.

Corbyn does not want proportionate action  he wants no action.

Then Mrs May and her colleagues must again destroy the fiction there is a UN solution to the crisis.

The pubs, supermarkets and school-runs of the nation do not echo to the sound of people delving deep into the inner workings of the UN Security Council. It needs to be explained clearly and concisely that Russias veto, coupled with Putins cynical surrogacy of Assad, makes the UN route a dead-end.

Finally they must destroy the perverse fiction that inaction equates to security.

If we allow maniacs such as Assad to toss chemical weapons around with impunity then it is not just Syrian children who will burn.

In 2013, we failed to act because chemical weapons in the Middle East were supposedly none of our business.

Five years later, they appeared on the streets of Salisbury.

Last week the Prime Minister rightly took the lead in ordering British forces to redraw the red lines over the production, use and proliferation of chemical weapons. But she failed to take the British people with her. Tomorrow she must.
Natasha Schofield (pictured) jumped overboard near New Caledonia on Thursday while holidaying on a cruise ship with her husband and three children

The Brisbane mother-of-three who went overboard while holidaying on a cruise ship had just been to dinner with her husband, who was standing 'right next to her' when she jumped into the sea.

Queensland Police Inspector Rob Graham told reporters on Sunday Natasha Schofield's fall was 'no accident', and described it as a 'tragic act on what should've been a holiday of a lifetime'.

'Her husband was standing right next to her when she went over,' Mr Graham said.

'Her husband tried to grab on to her leg... but she fell.'

Ms Schofield, 47, had been aboard the P&O Pacific Dawn cruise ship with her husband and three children, two daughters and a son aged 12-16, news.com.au reported.

Mr Graham said they did not believe the woman's children were in the area when she plunged 30m into the ocean from the top deck of the ship, but noted her husband had leaned over to try and catch her legs.

Scroll down for video

The 47-year-old (pictured) is presumed dead after jumping over the edge of the P&O ship as her husband tried desperately to catch her by the legs after the 'obviously devoted and loving couple' had dinner together

A terrifying photo appears to show Ms Schofield moments before she is swallowed up by the ocean. After receiving advice from marine experts, the ship called off the search for the Brisbane woman on Friday morning

CCTV footage showed Ms Schofield walking with her husband along the deck before the tragic act took place.

A spokesman for P&O told SBS the clips showed 'an obviously devoted and loving couple'.

The heartbreaking incident unfolded 300km west of New Caledonia on Thursday, leaving distraught passengers with a grueling two day trip back to Brisbane.

Passengers were seen disembarking the vessel on Sunday morning at the Port of Brisbane.

Many appeared tired, with forlorn looks on their faces after the dramatic end to their trip.

The Pacific Dawn cruise stopped just before dusk on Thursday, as a desperate search began in the area where the woman had jumped.

About 8am on Friday, as huge swell surrounded the boat, the search was called off on the advice of marine experts.

Passengers disembarked the Pacific Dawn in Brisbane on Sunday morning (pictured)

Many appeared tired and distraught as they stepped back on to dry land following the tragic end to their holiday

Queensland police have opened an investigation into how Ms Schofield plunged to her death (crew members onboard at time of search)

A crew member saw the woman jump off the Pacific Dawn when it was 300km west of Pacific island New Caledonia. Pictured: A blue arrow shows where the boat turned around

The ship's captain had told all passengers a search crew was 'unable to locate our guest' on Friday

'It is with a very heavy heart that I need to let you know that we have been unable to locate our guest,' the ship's captain told his passengers.

'We are still in the area of the incident, and the weather conditions with the swell three to four metres high, as you can see outside... the strong wind made our search extremely challenging.

'As a result we have now made the extremely difficult decision to continue our journey towards Brisbane.'

Initial reports had suggested a mammoth wave swept the mother of the ship when it hit the deck, but a P&O spokesman later denied the claim.

At least 308 people have gone overboard from cruise ships since 2000.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636

Nearby vessels assisted in the search but none were close enough to find the mother-of-three. Pictured: A map showing where the boat (red) stopped on the route it took
This isnt just any counter-terrorism campaign this is a Marks & Spencer counter-terrorism campaign.

Middle Englands favourite retailer has for the first time teamed up with police chiefs to teach shop workers around the country how to deal with atrocities.

The new project, which will be launched this week, consists of online videos telling retail staff how to spot suspicious behaviour, what to do if there is a bomb threat in-store and how to respond to a mass shooting.

M&S helped to develop the package and is sponsoring its launch at a summit of security experts this week.

The online course, called ACT Awareness eLearning, will also be offered to employees of other major retailers including Tesco, Sainsburys and John Lewis.

Marks & Spencer staff will be shown online videos telling retail staff how to spot suspicious behaviour, what to do if there is a bomb threat in-store and how to respond to a mass shooting (file photo)

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Wilson, the police national co-ordinator for protective security, told The Mail on Sunday last night: All staff working in crowded places  not just those who have a security role  can follow the course and be in a stronger position to help protect themselves, colleagues and the public.

This package is the latest result of the growing collaboration between the police and the private sector. It is a result of us listening to our partners in business and industry, and trying to work alongside them to provide a resource which makes it easier for them and for us to deliver potentially lifesaving advice to people working in crowded places.

In recent years, 400 companies have signed up for security workshops led by accredited trainers, but it is hoped more workers will benefit now that the lessons are online.

Retail workers are the focus of the project because police chiefs continue to fear that terrorists will attack soft targets such as shopping centres, as they did at Kenyas Westgate mall five years ago. That gun attack left 67 dead. The project follows a similar one last summer that saw 40,000 travel reps given advice on how to keep holidaymakers safe overseas in the wake of the Sousse shooting in Tunisia, in which 38 tourists were killed, most of them British.

Counter-terrorism police have also developed a video telling young people what to do if they are caught up in terrorist attacks  which includes a warning not to stop and take photos.

Advice for the general public is to run, hide and tell if they find themselves confronted by violent extremism.
Police have arrested a 'drunk' driver who removed his car number plates and ploughed into a group of revellers after being ejected from a bar.

Three people are being treated by medics for injuries - none of which are understood to be life threatening - after the man was booted out of a club and jumped into a car.

Blackpool Police said a 19-year-old from West Yorkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, drink/drug driving and GBH.

The incident, which occurred at 11.50pm last night in the town centre, is not being treated as a terror attack.

Police have arrested a 'drunk' driver who removed his car number plates and ploughed into a group of revellers after being ejected from a bar

Local officers are hunting the clubgoer, who abandoned his silver car and made off on foot

Some clubs remain in lockdown - as local officers hunted the clubgoer, who abandoned his silver car and made off on foot

Local officers hunted the clubgoer, who abandoned his silver car and made off on foot.

Many revellers say some clubs and pubs still remain in lockdown.

Social media users were quick to react to the chaotic scenes, with one saying: 'Currently stuck in a club in Blackpool. Everywhere is on lockdown. Hope no one has been hurt.'

Others said: 'Please be safe if you're out in Blackpool town centre - everywhere's on lockdown.'

'Stuck in a pub in Blackpool. Does anyone know what's going on?' and another wrote: 'Mental scenes in Blackpool.'

Social media users were quick to react to the chaotic scenes and questioned what had occurred

A spokesperson for Blackpool police said: 'Our officers in Blackpool are investigating an incident involving what is believed to be a drunken driver who has collided with a number of pedestrians in the town centre.

'The vehicle has been located and recovered and our enquiries are now focusing on arresting the driver and supporting the injured pedestrians.

'Thankfully, no persons have been reported having serious injuries. The investigation is being coordinated locally and is not linked to any terrorist act.

'If anyone has any mobile phone or CCTV footage of the incident, please would you contact Lancashire Police on telephone number 101 and quote log 1862 of 14th April.'
In the end, the joint international attack on the Syrian regime was carefully calibrated and intelligently restrained. The fundamental point was made, that the civilised world cannot tolerate the use of barbaric poison gas weapons and will punish those states which break this rule.

The genuine dangers of widening the conflict in a direct clash with Russia were skilfully avoided. Our munitions worked and hit their targets.

The phrase 'surgical strike' is a misleading one, as 100 per cent accuracy simply is not possible in reality.

But the loss of innocent life was kept to a minimum.

It is very likely that the involvement of France and Britain played some part in restraining President Trump from the much larger attacks which he seemed  judging by his tweets  to be planning earlier in the week.

In the end, the joint international attack on the Syrian regime was carefully calibrated and intelligently restrained. Pictured: An RAF Tornado taxis into its hangar in Akrotiri, Cyprus, after completing its mission

London and Paris have long and hard-bought experience in this region, and are well aware of its traps and pitfalls.

Britain also had its own special point to make in this mission. We have ourselves been subject to more than one chemical attack on our own soil, outrages which undoubtedly originated in the Russian state, the same state which stands behind Syria's despot, President Assad.

We also owe the USA and France a diplomatic debt for standing beside us, and acting together with us, in our expulsions of Russian diplomats.

The support we received from both these old, longstanding friends and allies was unprecedented and selfless.

It is for this reason, not out of subservience to the White House, that the Prime Minister felt she should commit British forces to the operation.

It was important for the world that the action could not be portrayed as a unilateral American mission. She must also have felt that any further delay might look like weakness.

In an ideal world, it would have been better if Mrs May could have taken her case to Parliament. David Cameron set a precedent by his decision to put a previous planned attack on Syria to the vote, and precedent in this country is usually the way that rules are made.

Many who had  and still have  doubts about the operation might have had those doubts dispelled, or at least challenged, by a full debate in the Commons.

As our Survation poll shows, many, perhaps most people in this country remain sceptical about the merits of this intervention and about future similar actions, and would definitely want Parliament to discuss any renewed attacks.

And there is certainly a strong case for the Commons to examine the issue as soon as Parliament returns.

There is nothing like an adversarial debate, in which all facts and arguments are ruthlessly examined, to bring out the truth and reach wise conclusions.

The evidence needs to be probed and discussed. We must also ask what the West should do next to try to end the suffering which has convulsed Syria, so that we can banish for good the horror of gas attacks and restore tranquillity to the ravaged cities of that state.

Missiles have their uses, in administering swift and stern retribution. But they cannot make permanent peace or rebuild Syria's devastated cities.
Outraged social media users are encouraging people to boycott Starbucks because of a 'racist incident' where one store in Philadelphia called the cops on two black men.

The hashtag #BoycottStarbucks was trending on Twitter Saturday after a viral video was posted showing six officers arresting two black men who were waiting for their friend in the downtown shop on Thursday.

One user posted a photo of the milk in her coffee and said: 'At Starbucks you must be THIS white to sit at their tables'.

Other users called the altercation 'racism at its ugliest level' in America.

But Philadelphia's Police Commissioner Richard Ross said his officers 'did absolutely nothing wrong' and asked the men to leave three times before they were arrested.

Scroll down for video



Social media users are calling for a boycott of Starbucks after a store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, called the cops on two black men who were waiting for their friend

One user claimed that people have to be 'this white' in order to sit at a table in Starbucks. The men were reportedly asked to leave but refused

Commissioner Richard Ross released his statement on the incident on Facebook live.

'At about 4:40 police received a 911 call for a disturbance and trespass. When the police arrived they were met by Starbucks employees who said that two males were trespassing and had refused to leave the establishment,' he said.

'According to employees they had seen the two males come in, they sat down, and after being seated they decided they needed to use the restroom.

Starbucks said that according to the company policy they do not allow nonpaying members or nonpaying people to come in and use the restroom. And so they then asked these two males to leave. These two males refused to leave and the police were called,' he added.

He revealed that the officers on the scene called the Starbucks supervisor first to 'avoid the situation from getting out of hand'.

The officers then asked the males on three different occasions 'politely to leave the location because they were asked to leave by employees because they were trespassing'.

The men refused to budge.

He stressed that the males were not harmed in the arrest and were taken to the police district.

Six police officers arrived at the Starbucks and arrested the two men. The incident was recorded by another person in the coffee shop. The video has has since been viewed more than 3.2million times on social media

One user said they wanted to hear the 911 call from the employee who asked for cops to come in and assist the matter

The two men were placed into handcuffs and escorted out of the video, which is shown in a viral video that has since garnered more than 3.2million views.

At first Starbucks released a statement on Friday saying: 'We're aware of the incident on Thursday in a Philadelphia store with 2 guests and law enforcement, resulting in their removal. We're reviewing the incident with our partners, law enforcement and customers to determine what took place and led to this unfortunate result.'

They issued a second statement Saturday.

'We apologize to the two individuals and our customers and are disappointed this led to an arrest. We take these matters seriously and clearly have more work to do when it comes to how we handle incidents in our stores. We are reviewing out policies and will continue to engage with the community and the police department to try to ensure these types of situations never happen in any of our stores,' the statement said.

Starbucks released a statement Saturday where it apologized to the two men. But one user thought the apology wasn't sufficient and decided to edit it themselves

Another user compared this incident to others that have occurred recently across the US. He mentioned the people who were mad about the teen who got into 20 colleges and the ex-firefighter who shot at a black teenager on his doorstep

But one Twitter user edited the statement to include that the moment was 'racial profiling' and 'racially motivated harassment'.

Starbucks' CEO Kevin Johnson expressed his 'deepest apologies' about the incident and plans to fly to Philadelphia to help correct the situation.

'I hope to meet personally with the two men who were arrested to offer a face-to-face apology,' Johnson said Saturday.

At the end of Ross' statement, he acknowledged the racial tension that is surrounding the incident.

'I will say that as an African American male I am very aware of implicit bias. We are committed to fair and unbiased policing and anything less than that will not be tolerated in this department,' he said.

The two black men who were arrested in the coffee shop have since been released and remain unidentified.

A spokesman for the district attorney's office said the men were released 'because of lack of evidence' that a crime had been committed, the Associated Press reported.
At least Theresa May knows where she stands with peacenik Jeremy Corbyn over her decision to launch air strikes on Syria. Five years ago, David Cameron had to be scraped off the No 10 ceiling after then-Labour leader Ed Miliband ratted on a pledge to back him in a Commons vote on launching military action against the Syrian regime. In an acrimonious behind-the-scenes row, he described Red Ed as a copper-bottomed s***.

Diane Abbott's refusal to identify any circumstances where Labour would back military action reminded a Labour wag of the Yes, Minister TV episode when fictional Prime Minister Jim Hacker is asked how close Soviet troops would have to be for him to press the nuclear button. Watford Gap service station? Piccadilly? The Reform Club?! asks mandarin Sir Humphrey. Hacker remains silent.

Which Labour MP said Syria is our generations test in arguing in favour of military intervention on humanitarian grounds in certain circumstances? Jo Cox, who was working on a pamphlet on the issue called The Cost Of Doing Nothing when she was murdered in 2016.

Hattie's bid to keep the sisters on side

Harriet Harman was quick to let Tory MP Kemi Badenoch, pictured, off the hook after this paper revealed she had hacked her computer and posted hoax messages portraying Harman as a Boris Johnson supporter. Why so magnanimous in accepting Kemis mea culpa for what is a criminal offence? Hattie is on manoeuvres to succeed John Bercow as Speaker, Dog is told. She needs the Tory sisterhood on side.

Harriet Harman was quick to let Tory MP Kemi Badenoch, pictured, off the hook after this paper revealed she had hacked her computer and posted hoax messages portraying Harman as a Boris Johnson supporter

The PM had to slum it and get a commercial flight back from Stockholm last week after her RAF plane  irreverently dubbed TheresAir  broke down. Two days later, a helicopter due to fly her from London to Birmingham also conked out, forcing Mrs May to take the train. Not sure whether its a good sign or a bad one but no one at Euston seemed to recognise her, said an insider.

Frank's warm words

Veteran Labour MP Frank Field is thrilled by the Queens decision to give Commonwealth backing to his Cool Earth rainforest charity bid to fight climate change. I spent years telling Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron about it, but they all ignored me, says Frank. The Queen got it straight away. She has more political intuition in the tip of one finger than the lot of them put together.

There was more to Enoch Powell than his rivers of blood speech played by the BBC yesterday. He once casually observed in an interview that he was so pleased with one of Maggie Thatchers decisions, he danced a jig. Wife Pamela later confirmed: He heard it on the radio at breakfast, got up from the table and danced a jig round it several times.
A bank worker who was suffering from chronic tooth pain and a tiny cut that would not heal was diagnosed with leukemia.

Lauren Neilly, 23, decided to book a doctor's appointment about the cut to her finger and because she was feeling generally unwell.

She attended the surgery on March 22, where she was given the devastating diagnosis of acute myloid leukemia.

Ms Neilly, who is engaged to marry fiance Ben shortly, was said to be in shock over the news.

Lauren Neilly, 23, decided to book a doctor's appointment about the cut to her finger and because she was feeling generally unwell

Her mother Samantha told The Daily Record: 'She's had her bone marrow test, and that was very painful for her, and she's started chemo.'

Because Ms Neilly, of Glasgow, has only worked for Barclays Bank for ten months she will only receive two months of full sick pay.

Her fiance, Ben, has nearly finished university meaning Ms Neilly has had to take on the role as main earner at home.

But kind-hearted colleagues at the bank are pitching in to raise funds for the couple's living expenses by climbing Conic Hill and Ben Lomond.

Ms Neilly's family in Ireland, where she is originally from, are also planning to climb Slemish Mountain near her hometown of Ballymena.

Samantha added: 'This is a long-term illness, it's four cycles of chemotherapy and she'll have to recover afterwards.

Ms Neilly's fiance, Ben, has nearly finished university meaning Ms Neilly has had to take on the role as main earner at home

Kind-hearted colleagues at the bank are pitching in to raise funds for the couple's living expenses by climbing Conic Hill and Ben Lomond

Ms Neilly's mother Samantha added: 'This is a long-term illness, it's four cycles of chemotherapy and she'll have to recover afterwards'

'We don't blame Barclay's for this either. It's not Barclay's fault, it's company policy it's just bad luck - everything about this is bad luck. We're honestly just blown away with what people are doing for us.'

Donations can be made to Ms Neilly's gofundme page.
A Manhattan woman has accused her ex-boyfriend of suing her in order to run out her biological clock by denying her the right to use frozen embryos.

Ilissa Watnik, 42, began dating Kevin Heldt, 46, of Brooklyn in 2014.

Their relationship progressed to the point where they began living with each other in an apartment in midtown Manhattan.

During the course of their relationship, the couple decided they would try to have children, according to the New York Post.

So they agreed to go to a clinic that would perform in vitro fertilization.

Ilissa Watnik (right), 42, has accused her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Heldt (left), of suing her in order to run out her biological clock by denying her the right to use frozen embryos

After meeting with doctors, Watnik, an attorney by trade, began a treatment that included estrogen enhancing injections.

In 2015, doctors made their first attempt to fertilize one of her eggs with Heldts sperm using two embryos.

The first attempt at IVF failed  which made Watnik concerned that time was running out.

It was then decided that the couple would freeze the embryos.

They then signed an agreement stating that if their relationship ended, Watnik would receive the frozen embryos for any purpose, including attempting to establish a pregnancy.

Watnik and Heldt eventually broke up in 2016.

Last year, Watnik went to the Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York to make use of the frozen embryos.

Before releasing the embryos to her, the clinic notified Heldt because it wanted to confirm that the relationship was over.

Heldt, however, said he would not consent.

He denied ever signing an agreement with Watnik.

Heldt filed a lawsuit last month in Manhattan Supreme Court to prevent Watnik from obtaining the fertilized eggs.

He is trying to stop his ex from using the embryos because he does not want to bear the financial burden that children would bring.

But Watnik says that this argument is bogus. The real reason he is suing, according to her, is to prolong court proceedings and thus reduce the chances of a viable pregnancy.

Heldt sued to prevent Watnik from obtaining the fertilized eggs. He is trying to stop his ex from using the embryos because he does not want to bear the financial burden that children would bring. The above photo shows a computer illustration of in vitro fertilization

I have never relied on Kevins money I have a career and my own money, Watnik said.

As long as she doesnt have access to the fertilized eggs, the only other recourse for Watnik is to go to a sperm bank in order to get pregnant.

But the probability of that happening for a woman her age is not as high as it would be if she used embryos that were created three years ago.

I am 42 years old. I want to be a mother. I want to raise a child, she said in court papers.

Given enough time, Kevin will simply run out my biological clock, she said.

The case bears similarity to that of Modern Family star Sofia Vergara (left). The Colombian actress was sued by her ex, Nick Loeb (right), who wanted to implant female embryos that the two created when they were together into a surrogate so that he could become a father

I am asking the court to enforce what I thought were already-resolved contractual issues I am asking the court to allow my use of those embryos so I may attempt (for a second time) to get pregnant.

The case bears similarity to that of Modern Family star Sofia Vergara.

The Colombian actress was sued by her ex, Nick Loeb, who wanted to implant frozen female embryos that the two created when they were together into a surrogate so that he could become a father.

The courts sided with Vergara, who did not consent to Loeb using the embryos.
A two-year-old girl has died after her family home was engulfed by flames in a small New South Wales town.

Angel Whalan's family watched as the blaze destroyed their Central Tablelands home with their darling daughter inside.

Grief-stricken mother, Colleen Whalan noticed a fire burning from her kitchen on Saturday morning just before eight the Daily Telegraph reported.

Angel Whalan, 2, died after a Capertee family home set alight completely engulfing the weatherboard home

Angel's family watched as the blaze destroyed their Central Tablelands home with their daughter inside

The 34-year-old then ran through the home to scoop up her 12-month-old baby and tell the rest of the family to get out.

Police have revealed her partner, Paul Bates jumped out of the window while she picked up her youngest child and her four-year-old ran behind her.

By that time, the family realised Angel was missing and it was too late to get back in to the burning property.

Ms Whalan was standing in front of the burning house in her only her underwear according to one Capertee local.

'The mother was beside herself, just screaming that she lost her child, Angel,' Richard Trounson said.

Mr Trounson was working at the general store when he was told about the fire by a passer by.

Police have revealed her partner, Paul Bates jumped out of the window while she picked up her youngest child and her four-year-old ran behind her

He said the blaze was 15-20 metres high and their weatherboard home was completely alight.

'They escaped with nothing (the mother) kept on saying "I couldn't get her, I couldn't get her",' Mr Trounson said.

Mr Trounson then called triple zero from his store and rushed back to his house to find the family some clothes.

The family realised Angel was missing and it was too late to get back in to their burning weatherboard property.

the general store manager said the area has very little phone reception and has been a critical problem for the area.

The blaze was too big for the Rural Fire Service to get close to and they were unable to get in to the building at all.

An hour later the structure collapsed with Angel inside, her body was found in the home soon after.

Colleen Whalan, 34, noticed a fire burning from her kitchen on Saturday morning just before eight

Emergency crews were called to the property but the blaze was too fierce to get close to the house, and hour later the structure collapsed

Capertee residents said the family had lived in the house for five years were down to earth family who loved their children.

The town north of Lithgow has a population of 370 people and hardly any reception.

Mr Trounson mentioned if there was better coverage in the area the family may have been able to call triple zero sooner.

Police are working with other government agencies to house the family.

According to one local - the blaze was 15-20 metres high and had completely engulfed the weatherboard house
Kaitlyn Ecker, 20, was charged with child abuse after her son, two, tested positive for both meth and weed

A Florida mother has been charged with child abuse for allegedly letting her two-year-old son smoke meth and cannabis repeatedly.

Kaitlyn Ecker, 20, was charged after the child tested positive for both drugs at levels that suggested to medical examiners that drugs were permitted on multiple occasions.

The Sheriff's Office in Wakulla County, just outside of Tallahassee, began looking into the woman back in January.

The investigation was prompted when authorities were alerted that a child may have been involved in drug use for both meth and weed, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

'People "joked" about the child's ability to roll joints for (Ecker)' a report from the Sheriff's Office noted.

It is believed that Ecker allowed her son to smoke meth out of a pipe.

The drug levels were so high they suggested to medical examiners that drugs were permitted on multiple occasions (stock images)

'People "joked" about the child's ability to roll joints for (Ecker)' a report from the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office said

Ecker's Crawfordville home was searched by authorities on January 19. Inside, pipes with both cannabis and meth residue were found, along with grinders, a scale and a small bag of weed.

The bag of cannabis was found inside a basket containing the child's toys.

Ecker was charged with misdemeanor cannabis possession and possession of paraphernalia at the time.

Ecker's Crawfordville home was searched by authorities on January 19 where pipes containing both cannabis and meth were found along with grinders

She claimed to have not smoked the meth or weed in front of her child and denied owning the pipes but did own up to using drugs.

Hair samples and blood were also taken to help determine the history of drug use for both Ecker and the child, who is now three.

'The toxicology results concluded that the 2-year old tested positive for both methamphetamine and amphetamine and the findings were 'chronic' rather than 'acute,' Wakulla County Sheriff Office wrote.
Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen had a run in with Michael Avenatti in an upscale eatery Avra, on the Upper East Side of New York.

The posh restaurant is frequented by New York power players, but this was a moment when worlds collided, as Cohen is locked in a contentious legal, and media battle with Avenatti.

The powerful attorneys are currently in litigation over Avenatti's client, porn star Stormy Daniels' hush money payment made to her in 2016, by Trump's attorney, to keep her quiet about her alleged affair with a not-yet-president Trump.

Michael Avenatti (left, pictured Friday) the attorney for Stormy Daniels had a run-in with Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen (right, pictured Saturday) at an upscale Manhattan eatery

Avra on Madison (pictured) is the location of a bizarre New York City run in between Cohen and Avanetti

Cohen (pictured Saturday) was back in the area of the Upper East Side, when he and his son Jake went to the Lowes Regency Hotel

They each sat with their own parties and 'introduced themselves . . . they shook hands,' an Avra source told the New York Post. The source added the interaction wasn't tense either.

Avra, on Madison Avenue, is known for it's high-end Greek cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood.

It is an unusual place to run into someone considering the massive space it takes up with over 300 seats, on bi-level seating areas.

The source did not give an exact timeline of when this run-in occurred, but the men have been duking it out in the press in recent weeks, and their ongoing fight was spurred on again in a tweet by Avenatti Friday night.

Daniels' attorney says Cohen orchestrated a protest against him in Florida, and then mocked the small turnout.

'The 'fixer' Mr. Cohen (aka the real Ray Donovan) organized a protest  BIGLY  in Florida last night against my client,' Avenatti tweeted.

Trolling: Avenatti hit out at Cohen Saturday, accusing him of setting up a poorly attended protest against his client, Stormy Daniels, in Florida on Friday

Earlier Friday, during Cohen's court proceeding regarding the FBI raid on his offices in New York on Monday, Trump's personal attorney argued the documents and information seized endangered the confidentiality of information that might be unrelated to the FBI's investigation.

Stormy Daniels' attorney asked to join in on the hearing, as he said he believes items seized were in regards to his client.

'We have every reason to believe that some of the documents that were seized relate to my client,' Avenatti told the court. Judge Wood approved his request to be heard in the closed meeting.
Michael O'Leary was the only one celebrating after his horse stormed home to win the Grand National - a planeload of his passengers raised a glass.

That was because the Ryanair boss shouted everyone on his flight back from Aintree on Saturday drinks to rejoice in his good fortune.

'Today we won the Grand National, so, unusually on board this flight, there's going to be a free bar,' he said, followed by a great cheer.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary shouted everyone on his flight back from Aintree on Saturday drinks to rejoice in his good fortune

But as always with the no-frills airline that charges you 13 if you forget to print out your boarding pass, they had to read the fine print.

Despite the airline mogul, worth 772 million, declaring an open bar, passengers only got one round of drinks each.

Mr O'Leary earlier shared his joy soon after his horse Tiger Roll won a photo finish over Pleasant Company, declaring it 'beyond dreams'.

'Some people don't think I have a heart, but it was beating very hard and very fast for the last 100 yards of that race!' he said.

Mr O'Leary celebrates after his horse won the Grand National, putting trophy on his head

Mr O'Leary's horse Tiger Roll won a photo finish over Pleasant Company in the Grand National

'It was much more comfortable two years ago. You need a lot of luck, and the luck was shining down on us today.

'This is a little horse we bought as a hurdler. It's a phenomenal training performance by Gordon Elliott, to win a four-year-old hurdle in Cheltenham and then come back and win the greatest chase of all.

'It's brilliant - it's beyond dreams.'
Advertisement

Council workers have removed bouquets of flowers and balloons left in memory of dead career criminal Henry Vincent - just hours after his traveller family held vigils and created another shrine to mark his 38th birthday.

Around 20 women had left bouquets on the fence opposite pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks's home where Vincent, 37, was fatally stabbed.

After six days of tit-for-tat action between the dead man's relatives and local residents unhappy with the placards outside the OAP's home, the council stepped in to remove the shrine in an attempt to 'reduce the impact on the local community.'

Scroll down for video

Council workers removed bouquets of flowers and balloons left in memory of dead career criminal Henry Vincent

Council workers place the flowers and balloons left by the family of the burglar in a nearby park after removing them from outside the pensioner's now-empty home

Lewisham Council staff finally removed flowers, balloons and placards this evening - after six days in which the criminal's family returned again and again to maintain the vigil

Two plain clothed Lewisham Council staff descended on the tributes this evening, placing them in a white van before driving away.

The man and woman collected balloons saying 'you'll be missed', red heart balloons, flowers and a placard with a picture of Vincent.

In a statement the council said: 'On the evening of Sunday, 15 April Lewisham Council staff moved the floral tributes which had been left in South Park Crescent to a local community garden.

'This decision was made jointly with the Met police to reduce the impact on the local community.'

It comes after relatives today claimed they were being racially discriminated against as members of the travelling community.

After friends and neighbours of the 78-year-old and his wife tore previous tributes down, one woman said: 'Just leave them [the flowers] alone, we are not coming back anymore to this s*** road.'

A police car and two officers surveyed the scene in Hither Green, south east London, after telling them to move the shrine further away from Mr Osborn-Brooks's home.

The council FINALLY act: Lewisham Council released a statement saying it had removed the vigil to reduce the impact on the local community

A large group of family and friends have turned up to pay tribute to career criminal Henry Vincent, as they laid another shrine to mark his 38th birthday

Around 20 people, all of which women, left more bouquets of flowers on the fence opposite the home where Vincent, 37, was fatally stabbed

Five youths stood across the road, just 20 yards up the road from Richard Osborn-Brooks' boarded up home, with their faces covered

After friends and neighbours of 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks and his wife Maureen tore tributes to Henry Vincent down, one woman said: 'Just leave them [the flowers] alone, we are not coming back anymore to this s*** road.'

A police car and two officers surveyed the scene in Hither Green, south east London, after telling them to move the shrine further away from Mr Osborn-Brooks's home

A woman calling herself Henry's aunt said: 'At the end of the day Henry was not a murderer, he was not a killer. What you're doing here, the bombers don't get as much publicity as this.

A shrine is pictured to Henry Vincent in Hither Green

Asked if she felt they were being racially discriminated against, she said: 'Yes I do and at the end of the day you cannot get any worse a penalty from a judge than the death sentence can you? Henry got a death sentence.

'I would not care if Henry got fifty years in prison as long as I could see him every day..... his blood was split and there have been death threats to his children. What have they done in life? 'They are not married yet or anything.'

She added they would not be returning to the road and were only here due to Henry's birthday.

A family member added: 'He was a great dad, the children got a good education, go to church, there's only one judge and that's Jesus Christ.'

Originally today's mourners tried to put the shrine back on the fence 20 yards from Richard Osborn-Brooks's house, but police moved them on.

Confusion reigned as they moved up and down the road looking for a new place to put the shrine.

They then decided to place them at a house in Further Green Road, where residents had previously agreed to have the tribute outside their house, but the owner was not in.

They eventually settled on the end of South Park Crescent.The placard with the picture of Henry Vincent has not been placed at the shrine.

The news comes as the family of Vincent revealed they would bring a horse-drawn funeral procession outside Mr Osborn-Brooks' home.

A police officer watches on as family and friends of Mr Osborn-Brooks built yet another shrine in honour of the dead burglar

Friends and family members of Mr Vincent wear sunglasses and cover their faces as they lay down tributes to the dead burglar

The women carried balloons saying 'you'll be missed', red heart balloons, flowers and a placard with a picture of Vincent (shown)

Three police officers at the property spoke to the women and told them to move the tributes to a different location away from the house (shown)

The family of career criminal and stabbed burglar Henry Vincent today paid tribute to him on his birthday

Two women, who said they were family members, placed a bouquet on a fence near pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks' home in Hither Green, south east London

Tributes are pictured at a new shrine in Hither Green, south east London, where relatives of Henry Vincent have left cards, balloons and flowers for his 38th birthday

Vincent's family, who come from the traveller community, have been locked in an ongoing battle with Osborn-Brooks' neighbours over floral tributes left outside.

And in a further dig at those neighbours, who object to the Vincent family laying flowers outside the house where he was stabbed to death with a screwdriver, they now plan to bring the funeral procession past Osborn-Brooks' home, in Hither Green.

Former Kray twins hitman Freddie Foreman claimed Mr Osborn-Brooks deserved a bravery award for his actions.

The 86-year-old, who was involved in the infamous disposal of Jack McVitie's body, said the pensioner was 'doing what any man would to protect his home and his family'.

He told The Sun: 'Every man's home is his castle and that burglar has gone in there armed with a screwdriver to raid him.

'That old boy has fought him off - and could have got killed himself.So he should get some kind of bravery award for what he did.'

Supporters of stabbed burglar Henry Vincent (right) have been trolling those defending pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks (left) on Facebook. Mr Osborn-Brooks' relatives believe he has been banned from speaking to them after being placed in a safe house

A woman, who said she was his cousin, said she thought 'more people were going to be here' and confirmed it would have been his 38th birthday today

Protester Iain Gordon protests outside the house in Hither Green yesterday. Family of dead burglar Henry Vincent have vowed to hold a funeral procession past his house

2.10pm Tuesday: The shrine had been rebuilt earlier today by relatives and friends of robber Henry Vincent after it was torn down by vigilantes

A source close to his family said they are planning to spend 100,000 to pay tribute to Vincent, according to The Sun.

But residents fear Vincent's traveller friends could become violent, following tit-for-tat rows over the flowers.

The source said: 'They plan to take the procession right past the house. It's supposed to be a message to locals and the guy who killed him that gipsies are not to be messed with.'

The source added: 'Vincent's spent his life ripping off the elderly yet his funeral's designed to make you think he was some kind of gipsy god.

'They're planning to spend 50,000 just on flowers. There will be limousines and ornate horse-drawn carriages.'

Vincent is due to be buried near his family's site in Orpington, Kent.

5.30pm Tuesday: Loved ones of Henry Vincent returned once again this evening and started re-attaching tributes to the fence opposite the home of Richard Osborn-Brooks after they were dismantled overnight and again this afternoon

It comes as supporters of stabbed burglar Henry Vincent have been trolling those defending pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks on Facebook.

Writing online, they called him a 'dirty, murdering scumbag' who's got 'what he deserved', as the controversy surrounding the case means he can't return home.

Facebook messages posted over the last couple of days suggest that supporters of Vincent and his traveller community are grateful for all the publicity.

They called it 'karma' and 'the best revenge' on Mr Osborn-Brooks for killing the career criminal in a botched raid on his home in Hither Green, south London.

A new tribute from his cousin was left at the scene but the majority of flowers and cards, including ones from his children, have been destroyed (right)

Messages generally from unknown supporters were posted to the Facebook page of Cecil Coley.

Mr Coley was dragged into the affair after he was filmed becoming the first of several vigilantes to destroy the floral shrine outside Richard Osborn-Brook's home last Monday night.

One post from Facebook account Gorja Lob read: 'Good I'm glad that the old man and woman will never go back to their own home.

8am Thursday: The flowers and tributes to Vincent remain torn down today after a row between locals and travellers

Messages generally from unknown supporters were posted to the Facebook page of Cecil Coley

'Best thing for them the dirty murdering scumbags. They might have got away with it but their lives will never be the same now!'

Another Gorja Lob post read: 'Keep up the good work people, you're doing a brilliant job.

'We will never get justice for him but you will suffer just as much as the public are trying to make his family suffer now. You can have the backlash of it all. The higher the risk the worse it is for them!

'You won't leave the family alone and it's just making more stories, more stories means more reactions and that means even more danger.'
A birthday celebration in Sydney's west has turned into a bloody brawl leaving four men with stab wounds and two others with abrasions and bruises.

Police were called to a home in Wentworthville around 3am on Sunday after a noise complaint.

The neighbour of the revellers said they heard a group of men fighting and called police.

Police were called to a home in Wentworthville about 3am on Sunday after a noise complaint of men brawling

The Wentworthville house was empty but had a large amount of blood at the property.

As police attended the Wentworthville home, the six men who live there turned up at Westmead Hospital.

Four of the men had stab wounds and two with abrasions and bruises. None of the injuries were determined to be life-threatening.

As police attended the Wentworthville home, the six men who live there turned up at Westmead Hospital

The men, who are aged between 25 to 35 years old, were all housemates and believed to be drinking before the brawl broke out.

Police say the six men were celebrating a birthday on the night of the fight.

Charges are yet to be laid as police are waiting for an interpreter to be present for questioning.
Emilia Clarke, pictured on Game of Thrones, has put 30,000 into brain injury charity The Anima Foundation

She is better known as the platinum blonde Mother of Dragons in the hit TV fantasy Game Of Thrones.

But now British star Emilia Clarke has created a real-life role for herself by setting up a pioneering brain injuries charity.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the star has ploughed nearly 30,000 of her own money into The Anima Foundation, which will launch later this year with the help of acclaimed neurosurgeon and author Henry Marsh.

Miss Clarke has also agreed to become an ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing.

According to documents filed at Companies House, the charity aims to educate the public in all subjects relating to brain injuries and promoting and protecting the health of individuals who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, a brain injury.

Miss Clarke has also created a sister charity in the US.

Reports surfaced in 2013 that the 31-year-old actress had suffered a brain aneurysm following her two-month stint as Holly Golightly in the play Breakfast At Tiffanys on Broadway. One report said she was treated at the New York- Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York.

Miss Clarke has never confirmed the reports.

However, last May she posted a picture of herself on Instagram in what appeared to be a hospital waiting room praising the work of nurses. No one gets through life unscathed, a sad fact we all know, she wrote.

Miss Clarke reportedly earns 350,000 per episode of Game Of Thrones, in which she plays Daenerys Targaryen.

So far she has given 27,132 to the charity, according to the newly published trustees report.

Senior consultant neurosurgeon Mr Marsh, left, who wrote a bestselling memoir, Do No Harm, is listed as a trustee alongside Miss Clarkes mother, Jennifer, 67, and Hereward Harrison, 74, former policy director at Childline.

The papers show that the trustees have already met people including neuroscientists, politicians and philanthropists to discuss the charity. They also aim to work closely with NHS Trusts.

Clarke, pictured, is also to become an ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing

It added that donations raised are to fund specialist nurses who provide aftercare support for brain injury patients.

Kevin ONeill, consultant neurosurgeon at Charing Cross Hospital, said Miss Clarkes charity was a brilliant initiative.

The NHS is very good at dealing with acute care but where we fall down is intensive rehabilitation.

We dont have enough specialised neurological rehabilitation centres. Once youve had a brain injury and lost a lot of neural function its like being a child again. Ive seen people go from high- performing executives to people who cant remember anything.

A spokesman for the actress last night declined to comment.
A few dozen anti-war demonstrators gathered for a protest outside the White House on Saturday just a day after President Donald Trump ordered air strikes against targets in Syria.

Protesters chanted hands off Syria and held signs saying No war on Syria and Endless war for empire.

Other demonstrators from the group Code Pink held a sign which read: Illegal and immoral war is not heroic.

Code Pink also organized anti-war demonstrations in San Francisco on Saturday outside the homes of California Senator Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, according to The Mercury News.

A few dozen anti-war demonstrators gathered for a protest outside the White House on Saturday just a day after President Donald Trump ordered air strikes against targets in Syria

Protesters chanted hands off Syria and held signs saying No war on Syria and Endless war for empire

Nationwide protests are planned for Sunday in a number of cities, including Oakland, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago

Other demonstrators from the group Code Pink held a sign which read: Illegal and immoral war is not heroic.

A protester holds a sign which reads: 'Bombing Syria doesn't protect people. It kills them'

Trump ordered the bombing in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria

A small group of demonstrators gathered outside Trump Tower in New York City to protest the bombing on Friday night

In downtown Los Angeles, demonstrators organized an emergency protest on Saturday.

A crowd of a few dozen held signs. Some of them were even holding Syrian flags.

More demonstrations are scheduled to take place on Sunday in Oakland.

These protests are part of a nationwide event that will also see demonstrations in New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Washington, DC.

Liberals are not the only ones upset about Trumps decision to bomb Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack.

Prominent Trump supporters have also weighed in, saying they were disappointed that the president ordered the bombing despite promising not to get the US involved in foreign wars.

Tucker Carlson, the Fox News host, is one of Trumps most ardent supporters.

Prominent Trump supporters have also weighed in, saying they were disappointed that the president ordered the bombing despite promising not to get the US involved in foreign wars

Assume Assad used chlorine gas, he tweeted.

Is it worth starting a war? Overthrowing Assad results in chaos.

Thousands die. We might see genocide of one of the last Christian communities in the Mideast.

Does it make us safer? Region more stable? Howd regime change in Iraq & Libya end up?

Another Trump backer, conservative author Ann Coulter, tweeted: Didn't we just drop bombs on a country 7k miles away and of zero strategic interest?

Mike Cernovich, a Trump supporter and prominent member of the alt-right, called the president Donald Bush, a reference to George W. Bush.

Trump ran his campaign on a platform of pulling US soldiers out of war zones abroad.

Alex Jones of Infowars completely lost it and broke down in tears during a bizarre livestream on Friday night.

'They said if you just turn against Trump it would be better, but he was doing good, and that's what makes it so bad,' he said, getting emotional.

WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE

InfoWars founder Alex Jones broke down in tears during a livestream Friday night. Jones denounced Trump as a 'butt boy of Al Qaeda'

Alex Jones on Trump launching strikes in Syria... pic.twitter.com/FkPt3xnok4  Andrew Peng (@TheAPJournalist) April 14, 2018

Jones then briefly discussed his ex-wife getting custody of their kids before breaking down in tears.

'If he had been a piece of cr** from the beginning, it wouldn't be so bad. We've made so many sacrifices and now he's cr***ing all over us. It makes me sick,' he said.

Jones then started screaming about 'dirtbag Hillary as his co-host stares at him in confusion.

Later during the livestream, Jones pauses Trump's speech to declare: 'He said Hillarys the founder of Al-Qaeda. Well, youre the butt boy of Al-Qaeda, Trump.

This just happened too. pic.twitter.com/yymrX1YVqI  Andrew Peng (@TheAPJournalist) April 14, 2018

Trump announced he had ordered 'precision strikes' on Syria in retaliation for chemical weapons attack by Syria leader Bashar al-Assad last weekend

'Trump's now a fraud,' he continued. 'Done. F*** Trump.'

Trump announced he had ordered 'precision strikes' on Syria in retaliation for chemical weapons attack by Syria leader Bashar al-Assad last weekend in Douma. The decision has received a tremendous amount of criticism.
Olivia Elliot, 22, was found on Saturday approximately 10 hours after she called her mother claiming that two men had grabbed her and had guns. She was supposedly grabbed a mile from Canarsie Park

A Brooklyn woman has been found safe after she was feared to have been abducted near the same park where a different woman's dismembered body was found on Monday.

Olivia Elliot, 22, was found on Saturday approximately 10 hours after she frantically called her mother and said that two men had grabbed her and had guns.

Elliot is being interviewed on Saturday to actually determine if she was abducted, police shared with the New York Daily News.

The grab was reported to have happened a mile away from Canarsie Park, where 26-year-old Brandy Odom's remains were found.

Brandy Odoms lived in a housing project a few blocks from Canarsie Park, where her dismembered torso was discovered at the side of a bike path by a person walking their dog on Monday.

On Tuesday, investigators found Odom's leg and a bag full of other body parts in the park as well.

One of Odom's family members helped identify her remains by the 'Chocolate' tattoo she has on her left breast.

Scroll down for video

Brandy Odom has been identified as the woman whose remains were found dumped in Brooklyn's Canarsie Park on Monday and Tuesday

Police investigate a crime scene on April 9, 2018 in Canarsie Park in Brooklyn where the torso of a woman was found

Odom lived in a housing project just a few blocks away from Canarsie Park. She was reported missing a few months ago, authorities said

The park has been closed to the public since Monday; on Tuesday, investigators found Odom's leg and a bag full of other body parts in the park as well

While it's unclear when exactly the body parts were dumped, authorities believe it was recently since they had not decomposed much. So it's unclear where Odom was for the months she had been missing. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage to determine the exact cause of death.

Odom's body showed signs of trauma, including her face which was swollen from bruising. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

Robert Clouden, 53, told the New York Daily News he saw the woman's naked torso when he was walking his Maltese, Maxwell, at around 6pm on Monday.

A person walking their dog discovered the woman's dismembered torso just off the bike path Monday night

The following day, the woman's leg and a bag containing more dismembered body parts were found in the park

The nude woman still had her head attached to her torso, but her arms and legs had been chopped off.

He said he spotted the gruesome remains about 15 feet off the pedestrian path he was on.

Clouden had reservations about calling 911 as he didn't think it was real.

'It was a path I don't normally take with him,' Clouden said.

'I looked over to my left and I thought what I saw was a doll. It didn't have any clothing.

'All I saw was a torso. I didn't see legs or anything. It was a petite body. It wasn't that big. That's what made me think it was a doll.'

Robert Clouden, 53, found the woman's naked torso in the park while walking his dogs on Monday

Authorities believe the body parts were dumped recently due to the lack of decomposition

The torso was said to be face down and partially covered with leaves but not buried.

Later that evening he took his dog for a walk again and saw that the area had been barricaded off by police, which is only when he realized it was an actual human body.

'This is a shock. It's a very quiet neighborhood. The park in the summertime is very well-used,' he said.

Tony Herbert, who considers himself a community activist, told NBC he thinks the body must have been dumped recently because it's a 'very active park.'

'This body couldn't have been there that long,' he explained.
A white car was filmed flying across a highway on the New South Wales coast during a controversial merge that has left many wondering who was really at fault.

The incident is preceded by what appears to be a routine drive along a stretch of the Pacific Highway as two trucks travel along in the middle and left hand lanes.

In the footage, a white car sidles up to the truck and appears to either merge or drift into the lane from the right.

Scroll down for video

A white car was filmed flying across a highway on the New South Wales coast during a controversial merge that has left many wondering who was really at fault

A loud clunk can be heard when the side of the car nudges the truck and the seemingly minor collision causes the car to sharply change course.

The car is propelled in front of the truck, skidding as it veers across the lane and appears to pick up speed as it crashes into the gutter.

The sound of screeching brakes can be heard as the truck slams to a halt, ending the footage so the condition of the passengers remains unclear.

In the footage, a white car sidles up to the truck and appears to either merge or drift into the lane from the right

he car is propelled in front of the truck, skidding as it veers across the lane and appears to pick up speed as it crashes into the gutter

Poll Who do YOU think is at fault? The car The truck Who do YOU think is at fault? The car 783 votes

The truck 70 votes Now share your opinion





Opinion on social media was divided between blaming the truck or the car for the collision.

'The truck is just as much to blame as the car,' one person alleged.

'He increased speed when he suspected the car was going to try and change lanes'.

'Who on earth cuts across right in front of a truck like that?' someone else asked.
Advertisement

Australia's wealthiest youngsters are flaunting their enviable lives of luxury on Instagram.

Teenagers and young adults living on their parents infinite coin are making a name for themselves online as the 'Rich Kids of Australia'.

The lucky adolescents chronicle their journeys to far-flung exotic destinations, trips in expensive supercars and long, boozy lunches drinking Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot.

Teenagers and young adults living on their parents infinite coin are making a name for themselves online as the 'Rich Kids of Australia' (Mariam Rod pictured)

The lucky adolescents chronicle their journeys to far-flung exotic destinations, trips in expensive supercars and long, boozy lunches drinking Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot

They aren't shy in letting the world know they have money - using the self-congratulatory hashtags #RichKidsofAustralia or #RichKidsofSydney to ensure their followers are well aware of their deep pockets.

One Melbourne woman - who goes by the online moniker 'nevertwomuch' - flaunts her expensive taste to her thousands of followers.

The woman wears luxury brands such as Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino and even shared a snap of a Christmas tree made entirely out of Veuve Clicquot bottles.

Her pictures feature clothing items and accessories most young girls could only dream of owning and each post she is clad in a different designer outfit.

They aren't shy in letting the world know they have money - using the self-congratulatory hashtags #RichKidsofAustralia or #RichKidsofSydney to ensure their followers are well aware of their deep pockets (Mariam Rod pictured in Berlin)

The wealthy young adults flaunt their expensive taste with designer clothes and luxury items

The 'Rich Kids of Australia' use Instagram to flaunt their endless wealth and chronicle their exotic holidays and expensive shopping trips

In one post, the woman posed in front of the mirror wearing thousands of dollars worth of luxury goods including Gucci sneakers, a Chanel bag and a Rolex watch.

In another enviable Instagram snap she shared a picture of three Balmain jackets worth over $2000 each.

One jet-setting Sydney woman living in Dubai shares her opulent lifestyle which ranges from a date with a Ferrari to a quick jaunt to Paris.

Mariam Rod isn't private about her blessed life and is rarely pictured without being clad in expensive designer brands while posing in exotic destinations.

It is a common trend for the wealthy Instagram users to share snaps posing in expensive supercars (Mariam Rod pictured in a Ferrari)

Young adults with deep pockets use the hashtags #RichKidsofAustralia to show off what their money can buy (Louis Vuitton pictured)

Zoe Thornburgh, the 23-year-old daughter of late nightclub owner Darren Thornburgh, even used the hashtag #RichKidsOfMelbourne when posting a shot next to a private plane.

But the parading of wealth isn't just limited to rich Australian Instagram users.

It is also a trend for affluent Londoners to show of their lavish lifestyle and it is a particularly common practice in Dubai.

The young adults proudly flaunt their private jets, expensive cars, luxurious yachts and even simply taking photos of piles of cash.

Mariam Rod (pictured) isn't private about her blessed life and is rarely pictured without being clad in expensive designer brands while posing in exotic destinations
A man in North Carolina was arrested on Saturday for the murder of a pregnant woman and unborn child.

Southern Pines police announced on Saturday that 18-year-old Brian Lovon Little of Rockingham was being held without bail for the slaying of Aiyonna Clarice Barrett, 18, of Sanford, and her full-term unborn child.

Authorities said on the night of April 8, 2018 at approximately 7.45pm they responded to a report of a deceased female in a vehicle located on a dirt road extending south off of South Gaines Street in Southern Pines.

Brian Lovon Little (L) of Rockingham was being held without bail for the slaying of Aiyonna Clarice Barrett (R), 18, of Sanford, and her full-term unborn child

'The immediate aftermath of a homicide is a time of confusion and intense emotion for everyone involved,' Police Chief Bob Temme said in a statement following the arrest of Little.

'We all grieve for the family and friends of Aiyonna and while we, at the Southern Pines Police Department, cannot return to this earth Aiyonna and her child, we can ensure that justice is served, and today, I believe we have done just that,' he added.

Police Chief Bob Temme (pictured) said on Saturday that his department will ensure that justice will be served for Aiyonna and her child

Investigators initially said the case was considered a 'suspicious death investigation,' but an autopsy report released by the county coroner revealed Barrett's death was a homicide, according to WBTV.

Police have yet to publicly disclosed Barrett's cause of death as detectives continue to investigate the case.

Family members later told local news outlet WRAL that they were acquainted with Little and claimed that he was the father of Barrett's unborn child.

'You (at) close range shot my daughter in the back of the head (and) you had sex with her the day before,' said her mother, Ebony Gomez.

'He came in, he cried, he hugged me... and came with three other boys that never said "I'm sorry,"' she added.

Little appeared before a Moore County Magistrate and was subsequently incarcerated in the Moore County Detention Center. His next hearing in Moore County is scheduled on April 24, 2018.
Passengers aboard a flight bound for New Orleans were screaming, crying, vomiting, and texting loved ones farewell as the pilot struggled to land the plane in the midst of stormy weather.

The scary incident took place aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 3461 from Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans on Saturday.

The New Orleans area was experiencing tornado watches and heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Weather reports also said that New Orleans was due to experience wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and hail.

The scary incident took place aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 3461 from Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans on Saturday. The above stock image shows a Southwest Airline plane preparing to land in Chicago in 2011

An employee of a television station was on board the plane and tweeted that it was the 'most terrifying experience of my life'

Lauren Bale tweeted that she 'feels lucky to be alive' after the flight

The flight attendants were yelling over the speakers to fasten seat belts as tightly as possible and I was texting my family goodbye,' she tweeted. I just don't understand why [the airline] put everyone in that situation

The plane was rerouted to Panama City, Florida for a refueling stop

When the plane from Fort Lauderdale was approaching the tarmac to land in New Orleans Armstrong International Airport, the aircraft started to sway back and forth, according to WWL-TV.

It felt like I was about to lift off. I felt like I was done. I felt like I was about to see baby Jesus and Papa God, said one passenger, Marie Wary.

Lauren Bale, who works for WWL-TV, was also on board the flight.

We came through the clouds and the plane was just tilting back and forth.

It was going all over the place. People were screaming, people were crying, she said.

The flight attendants were yelling over the speakers to fasten seat belts as tightly as possible and I was texting my family goodbye.

I just don't understand why [the airline] put everyone in that situation.

One passenger was vomiting during those harrowing moments.

The New Orleans area was experiencing tornado watches and heavy rainfall on Saturday. Weather reports also said that New Orleans was due to experience wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and hail. The route from Panama City to New Orleans is seen in the map above

As the pilot struggled to land, he pulled up and guided the plane out of the storm, rerouting it to Panama City, Florida for a refuelling stop.

The pilot was amazing, said Wary.

He was very calm. He reassured us that he got this.

You couldnt see anything. No visibility, said another passenger, Sharon Bikoundou.

Right as he was about to land he pulled back up.

After refueling, the plane landed in New Orleans four hours behind schedule.

Given that the weather was so bad, passengers wondered why Southwest didn't cancel the flight.

The airline released a statement saying: 'Our top focus is safety.

'Flight 3461 from Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans arrived about four hours behind schedule after persistent thunderstorms over New Orleans forced prolonged holding near New Orleans awaiting clearance from air traffic controllers followed by a refueling stop in Panama City before the completion of the journey.

'The safety of our customers and employees as well the safe operation of every flight is our highest priority.'
Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday called US led airstrikes on Syria a completely accomplished mission while in Peru to renegotiate the NAFTA trade pact.

Pence Saturday responded to a reporter's question about if the president overstated the outcome of Syria's mission.

He said: 'Last night, the objective of the mission of that (our) commander in chief gave our military forces was completely accomplished, with swift professionalism.'

Vice President Mike Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria 'mission accomplished' while in Peru at the Americas Summit and said the US is close to a deal to renegotiate NAFTA

VP Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria a success. Pictured Damascus skies erupt with surface to air missile fire targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus early Saturday

Pence said that the US acted on information from the intelligence community and allies, and they had a high degree of confidence that 'at a minimum,' chlorine was used in the attack, and possibly sarin.

Pentagon officials earlier Saturday suggested they had proof that the Assad regime was behind the attack but could not elaborate as the information is classified.

'Our message to Russia is, "you're on the wrong side of history," ' Pence also said. 'It's time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night. "You're known by the company you keep."'

Pence also answered questions on the negotiations at the summit of Latin American countries in Peru and said he is very hopeful that the United States, Mexico and Canada were close to a deal on a renegotiated NAFTA trade pact.

Pence told reporters its was possible that a deal would be reached in the next several weeks.

Pence held brief bilateral talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada on Saturday about the state of play in their NAFTA renegotiations, saying he was 'encouraged' by recent progress towards a deal.

The discussions on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Peru came as US officials said they believed they were narrowing differences over a revised North American Free Trade Agreement, 24 years after its inception.

President Donald Trump makes remarks as he speaks to the nation, announcing military action against Syria for the recent apparent gas attack on its civilians, at the White House, on April 13, 2018, in Washington

But US relations with Mexico had soured in recent weeks as US President Donald Trump has sought to link the trade talks to Mexican efforts to stop migrants illegally crossing the border into the US, and ordered National Guard troops to the border.

The vice president also said that the topic of funding for Trump's proposed wall on the U.S. border with Mexico did not come up in Pence's meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

'I think President Pena Nieto understands that he and President Trump have a difference of opinion on that,' he said.
A 19-year-old man has been taken to Orange Base Hospital after being run over by the car he had been bonnet-surfing on.

Two men were riding on the bonnet of a car in High Street, Hillston, 100 kilometres north of Griffith.

According to police two men were riding on the bonnet of a car in High Street about 2am April 15, when they told the driver to stop.

Two men were bonnet surfing on a car in a Hillston. One fell under the car and the driver returned a positive breath test, according to police (stock image)

It was as the driver, a 21-year-old man from Canada, slowed down that the 19-year-old fell off of the car and rolled under it.

He was flown to Orange Base Hospital in critical condition and a New South Wales police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the man had cuts, bruises and a significant head injury.

In a statement, NSW Police said: 'The man, who is believed to be from Hillston, has been flown to Orange Base Hospital with multiple injuries and is reported to be in a serious condition.

'Police arrested the driver, a 21-year-old man from Canada, after he returned a positive roadside breath test.

'The driver has now returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.104 and has been charged with mid-range drink driving.'

In New South Wales the legal blood alcohol content to be under and drive is 0.05 if you are on your full licence and are not a driver of a public vehicle, not carrying dangerous goods and have a gross vehicle mass greater than 13.9 tonnes.

A 19-year-old man has been taken to Orange Base Hospital after being run over by the he had been bonnet-surfing on, leaving him with cuts, bruises and a significant head injury (stock image)

The second man that had been reported to have also been riding on the bonnet of the car was uninjured.

Police ask anyone with information of the incident to conract Griffith Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An online report can also be made here.
Mr Yemini attended pro-refugee rally in Melbourne to ask people to sign petition

Pressure is ramped up on Australia's immigration minister to fast track 10,000

The proud Jew claims their plight is being missed simply because they are white

Avi Yemini says white farmers in South Africa facing genocide are being ignored

A Jewish activist says the voice of white farmers in South Africa facing a genocide is being ignored 'because they are white'.

Avi Yemini wants the Australian government to grant refuge to the farmers facing rape and murder at home.

He appeared on Sunday's Sky News edition of Outsiders to speak about immigration and foreign affair issues including about the plight white farmers are facing in South Africa.

Jewish activist Avi Yemini said the voice of white farmers in South Africa facing a genocide is being ignored

He said he wants the Australian government to grant refuge to the farmers facing rape and murder in South Africa

Mr Yemini told the programme: 'You hear about a pending genocide, a persecution of a minority based on their skin colour. Their voices aren't being heard because they are white.'

He later took to social media to press the issue further calling for them to be welcomed to Australia using #bringthemhere on his post.

Pressure is being ramped up on federal immigration minister Peter Dutton to fast track up to 10,000 people affected.

It has been claimed there were 109 attacks killing 15 white farmers in 2018 at the hands of black opponents in South Africa.

He appeared on Sunday's Sky News edition of Outsiders to speak about immigration and foreign affair issues

Mr Yemini recently took to the streets of Melbourne during a pro refugee rally to question if attendees would back welcoming the white farmers

One woman rubbished reports about white farmers being killed and attacked (pictured) while another had little sympathy for their plight because they had 'stolen the land'

The South African government has now revealed it is looking to transfer farming land back to black citizens.



Mr Yemini recently took to the streets of Melbourne during a pro refugee rally - to offer support to persecuted groups including those from Syria and Rohingya - if they would back a petition to welcome South African farmers in Australia.

But he said he received 'a no from everyone, from these humanitarians'.

The South African government has now revealed it is looking to transfer farming land back to black citizens

It has been claimed there were 109 attacks killing 15 white farmers in 2018 at the hands of black opponents in South Africa

A rights group in South Africa has claimed white farmers have the most dangerous job in the country

AfriForum says the white farmers in the country are more than twice as likely to be murdered than police

One woman rubbished reports about white farmers being killed and attacked while another had little sympathy for their plight because they had 'stolen the land'.

Mr Yemini added: 'Just so I can expose these hypocrites for what they are, one looked at the kippah, asked if I was Jewish and said 'forget it' and I got called a Nazi.

'On Friday when we came to deliver that petition to Julie Bishop, the politicians hide.'

Pressure is being ramped up on federal immigration minister Peter Dutton to fast track up to 10,000 people affected

A rights group in South Africa has claimed white farmers have the most dangerous job in the country.

AfriForum says they are more than twice as likely to be murdered than police and are four times more likely to be killed compared to other groups in the community.

Mr Yemini also referred to a recent protest led by the Islamic Council of Victoria in Melbourne saying he was fearful of the message it sent out.

Mr Yemini also referred to a recent protest led by the Islamic Council of Victoria saying he was fearful of the message it sent out

He said flags were being waved by many of the protesters from 'recognised Islamic terrorist organisations' such as Hamas and Hezbollah

He said flags were being waved by many of the protesters from 'recognised Islamic terrorist organisations' such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

'They wave those flags and march in support of Islamic terrorists on our streets and I'm unwilling to stand by.

'The day you allow Islamists to march on the streets of Melbourne, it's a dark day for Australia.'
Saturday Night Lives cold open once again poked fun at President Donald Trumps legal troubles, though this time it featured surprise cameos from megastars Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.

De Niro portrayed Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Stiller spoofed Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.

The two stars - Stiller and De Niro - were in character while recreating the scene from their hit 2000 film Meet the Parents.

The cold open begins with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, played by Kate McKinnon, and Vice President Mike Pence, as portrayed by Beck Bennett.

The cold open begins with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, played by Kate McKinnon, and Vice President Mike Pence, as portrayed by Beck Bennett

Pence and Sessions joke about how Trump's legal woes mean that Pence will soon take over as president

When a secretary knocks on the door and enters the room, Sessions grows alarmed and raises his hands: Are they here for us? Ill go peacefully

The two men ponder their boss legal dilemmas while meeting in an office at the Justice Department in Washington, DC.

I dont know, Mr. Vice President, Sessions says. I feel like I say this every week, but this week was bad.

Im beginning to regret my wish to become a real boy.

I toss and turn in my shoebox all night, wondering: Whats the FBI going to do next?'

Pence replies: I know. Were in a real pickle here, Jeff.

Ben Stiller then enters as the abrasive lawyer, Michael Cohen. Its Michael Cohen, attorney at law, Cohen says. Also sometimes not at law

Look, we got a real problem here, Jeff. You know how much evidence I have in my office. Im Donald Trumps lawyer. Ive got a whole hard drive thats just labeled Yikes!

And you know how uncomfortable I am around pickles.

That remark was likely a criticism of Pences conservative stance toward homosexuals.

I cant believe they raided Michael Cohens office. What are we gonna do, Mike?

Pence replies: The important thing is to stay calm. In a couple of months, the president will be back to normal.

Hows that? Sessions asks.

Because it will be me, the vice president says as he laughs and high-fives Sessions.

When a secretary knocks on the door and enters the room, Sessions grows alarmed and raises his hands: Are they here for us? Ill go peacefully.

Stiller then enters as the abrasive lawyer.

When Pence reminds Cohen of the allegations against him, including arranging a $1.6million payment from a Republican fundraiser to a woman so that she could abort his baby, the lawyer replies: $1.6million for an abortion. Thank you, Obamacare

Can you believe what theyre doing to poor Mr. Trump? Its a disgrace! Cohen tells Sessions and Pence. This whole raid was a complete violation of attorney-criminal privilege

Its Michael Cohen, attorney at law, Cohen says. Also sometimes not at law.

Can you believe what theyre doing to poor Mr. Trump? Its a disgrace! Cohen tells Sessions and Pence.

This whole raid was a complete violation of attorney-criminal privilege.

In real life, Cohen is the lawyer who is under investigation by the federal government.

In a move that outraged Trump, FBI agents raided his home and office and seized computers, phones, records, and other potential evidence.

Investigators are reportedly taking an interest in cash payments made by Cohen to women who allegedly had sexual relationships with Trump.

When Pence suggests to Cohen that if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about.

Is that a joke? Cohen asks.

Look, we got a real problem here, Jeff. You know how much evidence I have in my office.

Im Donald Trumps lawyer. Ive got a whole hard drive thats just labeled Yikes!

When Pence reminds Cohen of the allegations against him, including arranging a $1.6million payment from a Republican fundraiser to a woman so that she could abort the fundraiser's baby, the lawyer replies: $1.6million for an abortion. Thank you, Obamacare.

Sessions and Pence then send Cohen down the hall to meet with someone. Cohen walks into an interview room with a desk, a polygraph, and a chair

That someone turns out to be De Niro, who portrays Mueller

This is all your fault, Jeff, Cohen tells Sessions. You shouldnt have recused yourself.

You should have protected Mr. Trump. Hes a fragile flower.

And he also happens to be the smartest, kindest, sexiest, least colluding man on this planet which I call earth.

OK, so hes just a full dum-dum now, Sessions tells Pence.

Sessions and Pence then send Cohen down the hall to meet with someone.

That someone turns out to be De Niro, who portrays Mueller.

In real life, Mueller is the special counsel investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

It has been reported that during the course of his investigation, Mueller came upon evidence implicating Cohen, who is being probed by the Southern District of New York.

In the SNL sketch, Cohen walks into an interview room with a desk, a polygraph, and a chair.

Mueller then walks in and begins to interview Cohen.

Looking for something Mr. Cohen? Mueller says to Cohen.

Mueller and Cohen then recreate the famous scene from the movie Meet the Parents, in which De Niros character interrogates Stiller.

Mueller then walks in and begins to interview Cohen. Looking for something Mr. Cohen? Mueller says to Cohen

Mueller hooks Cohen up to a polygraph and asks him questions about the Trump investigation.

Howd you like that pee pee tape? Mueller jokingly asks Cohen.

Are you a lawyer? Mueller asks Cohen.

Ish, Cohen replies.

When Mueller asks Cohen about the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, he replies: Yes.

And did President Trump know about it? Mueller asks Cohen.

No, the lawyer replies.

Thats when the polygraph machine begins to indicate that Cohen is lying.

Cohen tells Mueller the payment to Daniels was a gift like a rock you throw through a window with a note tied to it that says stop talking.

So you threaten people? Mueller asks Cohen.

Directly? No. But lets just say I cut a lot of letters out of a lot of magazines, the lawyer replies.

Are you a lawyer? Mueller asks Cohen. Ish, Cohen replies

Mueller hooks Cohen up to a polygraph and asks him questions about the Trump investigation

Howd you like that pee pee tape? Mueller jokingly asks Cohen

Im just trying to milk some information out of people. So what? Cohen tells Mueller. Did you say milk? Mueller asks Cohen

When Cohen tells Mueller that he has rights, Mueller threatens him. You broke the law, Mueller tells Cohen. And now were going to catch all of you little Fockers'

Im just trying to milk some information out of people. So what?

Did you say milk? Mueller asks Cohen.

Yeah, like with a cow or a goat or a cat. You can milk anything with nipples.

Really? Mueller asks. I have nipples. Can you milk me, Mr. Cohen?

The line about milking cats was directly taken from Meet the Parents.

When Cohen tells Mueller that the Russia investigation is a witch hunt, Mueller replies that investigators use code names so that they are emotionally detached from their subjects.

In 2000, De Niro and Stiller starred in Meet the Parents, a comedy about a gruff former spy who makes life miserable for his future son-in-law

Trump was once known by the code name Putins little b***h, according to Mueller.

Now hes Stormys little b***h, Mueller says.

Ivanka Trump is given the code name Girlfriend while Jared Kushner is Other Girlfriend.

Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump are known as Two Fredos, according to Mueller.

Cohen then asks Mueller what his code name is.

Dead Man Walking, Mueller replies.

When Cohen tells Mueller that he has rights, Mueller threatens him.

You broke the law, Mueller tells Cohen. And now were going to catch all of you little Fockers.

You got that? Mueller says.
A 23-year-old woman has been charged with drink driving while a two-year-old sat unrestrained in the back seat of her car in Orange in the Central West of New South Wales.

The P-plate driver allegedly recorded a reading of .112 - more than double the legal limit in NSW - after a young boy was found unrestrained in the rear passenger seat, police will allege in court.

The woman was seen driving along Glenroi Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning in Orange about 250km west of Sydney.

A 23-year-old woman has been charged with drink driving with a two-year-old in the back seat of her car after police saw her driving along Glenroi Avenue in Orange in the Central West of NSW (Pictured: intersection of Glenroi Avenue and Bathurst Road)

Officers from Central West Police District followed the car before it stopped at a service station in Bathurst Road, NSW Police have said in a statement.

The unidentified driver was driving an unregistered Holden Commodore sedan and gave a false name, police will allege in court next month.

The 23-year-old underwent a roadside breath test which returned a positive result.

She was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis; allegedly returning a reading of 0.112.

The 23-year-old underwent a roadside breath test and when it returned a positive result she was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station (pictured)

The woman has been charged with mid-range PCA, driver state false name or home address, use unregistered motor vehicle, and drive with child not restrained.

The womans licence was suspended and she was granted conditional bail.

She is due to appear at Orange Local Court on May 15.

Police have also reported the matter to Family and Community Services (FACS).
Advertisement

New satellite imagery shows extensive damage to targets hit by Saturday's US-led airstrikes in Syria, where three sites were reduced to rubble as Donald Trump, Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron responded to a chemical attack by the Assad regime which killed 75 people.

The images taken on Saturday show extensive missile damage to the facilities believed to be involved with Syria's chemical weapons program, with two facilities decimated in Homs and the Bazrah Research Center, a scientific research center on the outskirts of Damascus, also hit by a barrage of missiles.

It comes as Vladimir Putin warned of 'consequences' after the US, UK and France co-ordinated the military action, condemning Saturday's strikes as an 'act of aggression' that will worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and have a 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations.

But Trump has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again, while UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson defended Britain's decision to stand up to 'barbarism' amid criticism of Mrs May for acting without a vote in the House of Commons.

 Slide me  One of two targets hit at the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site was the storage site (pictured) which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles. The astonishing images show what appears to be the main buildings reduced to rubble

Putin criticised Washington and its allies for attacking without waiting for inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog group to visit Douma, just outside Damascus, saying Russian military experts had found no trace of the attack.

A Russian motion in the UN Security Council to condemn the airstrikes was rejected with only China and Bolivia joining Russia to vote in favour, as U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley promised the country was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' in the future.

Assad continues to deny using chemical weapons, telling visiting Russian politicians today that Western air strikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of "lies" and misinformation at the UN.

Moscow's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: 'A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.'

Scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in Syria on Friday night in retaliation for President Assad's chemical weapons attack on the rebel enclave of Douma on April 7.

Boris Johnson said failure to response to Bashar Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

He says 'so far, thank heavens, the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack,' adding that Britain and its allies 'would study what the options were' in the event of another attack.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia and criticism of Theresa May for acting without a Commons vote, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Concerns have been raised that a cyber backlash could see vital services including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Mr Johnson said: 'You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.'

 Slide me  The second site outside of Homs was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker. It was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings. Today Mr Corbyn demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

The official legal advice claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'. Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. 'That surely would save a lot of lives,' he told the Andrew Marr Show.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

Aid workers told how chlorine could be smelled in the air and victims were found with foam in their mouth and with burning eyes.

Pope Francis told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that he is `'deeply disturbed' by the international community's failure to come up with a common response to the crisis in Syria and other parts of the world.

'Despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action toward peace in Syria or other regions of the world,' the Pope told a crowd of 30,000 after his traditional Sunday blessing.

 Slide me  Barzah Research Facility in northern Damascus was the main target of the attack. A total of 76 missiles pummeled this site alone. Smoke still lingered well after the attack that happened in the early morning darkness of 4am

The Pentagon shared details early on Saturday of the successful, coordinated missile attack on Damascus which set the Syrian regime's chemical weapons program back 'years'.

At a press conference in Washington DC on Saturday morning, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie gave a detailed break-down of the 105 missiles launched, saying: 'This is going to set the program back for years. We attacked the heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program.'

He also rejected the Syrian media's claim that Assad's missile defense systems took down 71 of the missiles launched, revealing that none were compromised and that they were only fired once the coordinated attack was over. Russia also claimed missiles had been intercepted.

The first and largest target in the airstrikes was the Barzah Research and Development Center which was considered to be the 'heart' of the regime's chemical weapons program.

The second target was the Hinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility. It was destroyed by 22 weapons including Scalp and Storm Shadows and three Naval cruise missiles. The third target, the Hinshar CW Bunker, was hit by seven Scalp missiles.

Three civilians were injured but there have been no confirmed fatalities. On Saturday, the General said that if any deaths are reported they may well have been the result of Assad's counter fire.

'Syria shot 40 large missiles into the air using ballistic trajectory, without guidance. When we shoot iron into the air without guidance, it's going to come down somewhere,' he said.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the strikes were merely aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons

A Syrian soldier films the damage at the site of the Barzah Scientific Research Center in Damascus on Saturday morning after it was annihilated by 76 missiles

Smoke was still billowing from the site on Saturday morning, hours after the 4am air and sea missile attack

Soldiers were putting out the flames and smoke on Saturday morning as US officials celebrated the attack and said 'mission accomplished'

All of the US aircraft returned safely to base after the attack. Gen. McKenzie did not say where the Lancer B-1 Bombers had flown from but other officials suggested they were deployed from an airbase in Qatar.

'We met our objective. We hit our target. It was mission accomplished,' White said on Saturday, repeating President Trump's tweet earlier in the day.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons - tweeting, 'Mission Accomplished!' - Vice President Mike Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France on Saturday.

'The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished - with swift professionalism,' Pence told reporters, noting there were 'no reported civilian casualties.'

He also had a warning for Russia: 'Our message to Russia is, 'you're on the wrong side of history,' ' Pence also said. 'It's time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night. 'You're known by the company you keep.'

Russia has military forces, including air defences, in several areas of Syria to support President Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance. The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The U.S. ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, 'Before we took action, the United States communicated with' Russia to 'reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties.'

A Pentagon spokeswoman said that to her knowledge no-one communicated with Moscow other than to use a military-to-military hotline that has routinely helped minimise the risk of U.S.-Russian collisions or confrontations in Syrian airspace. Officials said this did not include giving Russian advance notice of where or when allied airstrikes would happen.

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

Satellite images show the Barzah Research Center, the main target, before and after the missile attack which took place at 4am local time on Saturday, 9pm EST on Friday. 76 missiles pummeled this site alone

The second target was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles

The third target, Him Shinshar CW Bunker, was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

This graphic issued by the Pentagon on Saturday illustrates how the attacks unfolded from air and sea. It does not represent exactly the number of ships or planes deployed by each country. The US used three destroyers and a submarine along with two B-1 Lancer bombers. France used at least two aircraft and four ships and the UK used four aircraft

A map shows the location of the three targets. The Barzah Research Center was nearer the capital and the two storage facilities were to the north

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White (left) and Joint Staff director Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie gave a briefing on the strike on Saturday and said it 'crippled' Assad's chemical weapon arsenal

Between the jets and warships, 76 missiles annihilated the Barzah research center. Fifty-seven of those were Tomahawk missiles and 19 were Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.

The Tomahawks were mostly fired from the USS Monterey, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the USS Higgins, USS Laboon and the USS John Warner submarine.

France deployed its Mirage and Dassault Rafale jets and reportedly used four frigate warships. It is not clear how many aircraft were deployed. Britain is believed only to have fired missiles from its Torpedoes and Typhoon aircraft.

Other ships from each nation's military were in the region, including the USS Donald Cook, but did not fire any weapons. Despite the attack, White said the US was still committed to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing civil war in Syria.

'Our goal has not changed. Our goal in Syria is to defeat ISIS....but Assad's actions were beyond the pale. We do not seek conflict in Syria but we cannot allow such grievous violations of international law,' she said.

'We will not stand by passively while Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, ignores international law.'

Iran condemned the Western strikes on Syria, saying no country has a right to take punitive measures against another 'beyond international procedures.'

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that Iran had warned about the possibility that 'terrorist groups' were behind the alleged chemical attack that triggered the strikes. It said he communicated his concerns in a phone call with Boris Johnson on Sunday.

Trump vows to sanction MORE airstrikes against Syria if Assad dares to use chemical weapons again, as Nikki Haley tells UN Security Council members they have FAILED miserably to tackle his evil regime

President Trump has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again, as Nikki Haley lashed out at Russia during a fiery meeting of the UN Security Council.

Scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in Syria on Friday night in retaliation for President Assad's chemical weapons attack on the rebel enclave of Douma on April 7.

While President Trump greeted the end of the attacks with a tweet saying 'mission accomplished', Ambassador Haley promised the US was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' in the future.

'The time for talk ended last night,' Haley told an emergency meeting of the Security Council called by Russia. 'We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will.

Nikki Haley (pictured) lashed out at Russia during a fiery meeting of the UN Security Council, saying US was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' again

President Trump (pictured addressing the nation on the airstrikes on Friday) has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again

'I spoke to President Trump this morning and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.'

She also accused the Russians of covering up crimes committed by its ally, Assad, who she said had used chemical weapons 50 times in the past seven years of warfare.

President Trump said Saturday in his first comments since the air raid: 'Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!'

'So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!' he tweeted.

The phrase recalled a similar claim associated with President George W. Bush following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Bush addressed sailors aboard a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a 'Mission Accomplished' banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organized an insurgency that tied down U.S. forces for years.

Russia proposed a motion at the Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the airstrikes, but this was rejected with only Russia, China and Bolivia voting in favour.

Trump hailed a 'perfectly executed strike' just hours after launching a series of attacks on Syria. He wrote on Twitter on Saturday morning: 'Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!'

He added: 'So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!'

Part of the calculation this week has also been gaming out how Russia will respond either in the region or around the world

The White House's talking points on the airstrikes emphasized the grotesqueness of the photos of children of 'dead and dying children' as a 'call to action among the world's civilized nations.'

Surrogates for the administration were told to stress in media appearance that 'actors who use these abhorrent weapons will be held accountable for their actions' but make clear that strikes 'are not intended as a provocation against the Russian Federation or its forces in Syria. We do not seek armed conflict with the Russian Federation.'

Nations that can but do not act to stop horrific attacks like the one in Syria 'make themselves complicit in these outrages,' the White House instructed its allies to say, and 'everyone must understand that the costs of using chemical weapons will always outweigh any military or political benefits.'

The talking points that were provided to DailyMail.com by a source also revealed the United States' intent to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow's 'ongoing support for the Assad regime' which the White House says has 'enabled the regime's atrocities against the Syrian people.'

Damascus skies erupt with anti-aircraft fire after Donald Trump announced the strikes on Syria on Friday night

The Damascus sky lights up with missile fire as the US, Britain and France launch an attack on Syria

Putin warns of 'consequences' for Syria airstrikes amid fears of Russian cyber attacks on British hospitals and banks as Boris defends 'standing up for civilized values' after backlash at May

Russia has delivered a dark warning of 'consequences' for the Syria strikes - as Boris Johnson passionately defended Britain's decision to stand up to 'barbarism'.

The Foreign Secretary said failure to response to Bashar Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia and criticism of Theresa May for acting without a Commons vote, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

The US, UK and France hailed their missile strikes in the early hours of yesterday morning as having successfully degraded the capability of Assad to deploy chemical weapons.

The military action passed off without UK casualties or any of the Russian forces on the ground being hit.

But there are over a Russian cyber backlash that could see vital services in Britain including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected in retaliation for the strikes.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the unified missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus

RAF Tornado taxiing to the threshold before taking-off on a sortie at RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes in support of Operations over the Middle East

A series of missile strikes were launched against Syria by the US, UK and France in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma a week ago

The Russian ambassador to the US has delivered a dark warning about 'consequences' for the strikes (left). Jeremy Corbyn has branded the military action 'legally questionable' - a claim flatly denied by the government

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus.

Moscow's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: 'A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.'

There are concerns that cyber attacks could see electricity cuts, while Russian hackers could also disable water supplies, as well as energy grid and financial services being crippled suddenly.

Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow after defying calls for a Commons vote to be held before the military action in Syria.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings.

It claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'.

A poll has suggested the public also had doubts about the raids.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday found nearly six out of ten believe there should be no more missile strikes unless Mrs May wins the backing of MPs. Only one in five were in favour of the PM using her executive powers to launch more raids.

However, she is also rated the most trusted Prime Minister to lead the nation into war since Margaret Thatcher, beating David Cameron and Tony Blair.

The Syrian children whose pain sparked the allied airstrikes: Survivors of Assad's chemical attack tell how people fell to the ground vomiting, coughing and foaming at the mouth after inhaling 'spicy' gas

The suffering of Syrian children who foamed at the mouth and struggled to breathe as they were caught up in a chemical attack last week has been revealed.

Children as young as seven have spoken of the horror they witnessed as the Assad regime targeted Douma, Eastern Ghouta, with chemical weapons last week.

The horrific attack, which left at least 70 people dead, has spurred the West into action with the US, UK and France co-ordinating airstrikes against Syria.

One girl, seven-year-old Masa, had to flee with her mother Amani while people fell to the ground around them amid clouds of white gas and dust, the Sunday Times reports from Syria.

A child evacuated from Douma is pictured arriving in Al-Bab district after the chemical attack

A girl who was evacuated from Douma after the chemical attack which killed at least 70 people

Amani, 34, told the newspaper: 'The gas was spicy. Spicy in my throat like chilli. I was vomiting and coughing.

'I couldn't control my body. I was just shaking the whole time. There wasn't oxygen.'

The family and their neighbours had heard bombing outside, and discovered a gas attack when two young men went to see what was happening after hearing a hissing sound, it is reported.

Amani found her husband and other daughter collapsed after inhaling the chemicals, but while her family survived everyone in the neighbouring basement died, she said.

The survivors have been living in a camp in northern Syria after many of their friends and neighbours died in the Assad regime's attack.

Another former resident of Douma, who now lives in exile, said eight of his neighbors - two women and their six children - were found dead and were were believed to have suffocated in their underground shelter from the poisonous gas.

A child evacuated from Douma gestures from a bus carrying evacuees in Al-Bab district

A man evacuated from Douma holds a child and looks out from a bus which evacuated them

Donald Trump cited the Syrian children's agony when he spoke from the White House to announce U.S. airstrikes.

'The evil and despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air,' he said.

Footage posted by the White Helmets showed victims with yellowed skin crumpled on the floor, white foam emerging from their mouths.

The White House said doctors and aid organizations on the ground in Douma reported 'the strong smell of chlorine and described symptoms consistent with exposure to sarin.'

Much of the evidence comes from witness testimony, as well as video and photos shot by aid workers, victims of the attacks and unspecified additional intelligence about barrel bombs and chlorine canisters found in the aftermath.

The newspaper said unrelated survivors on the ground had reported similar symptoms suggesting they had been the victims of a chemical attack.

The symptoms included coughing, vomiting and foaming at the mouth, as well as a loss of feeling in their limbs which Amani said made it hard to get upstairs.

Corbyn demands law BANNING PM from taking military action without MP vote as he says he would NEVER deploy UK forces without UN backing - even though Russia has a veto

Jeremy Corbyn today demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

The Labour leader also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Syria by the UK, US and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds.

And Mr Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them.

The comments - which will fuel deep splits within Labour - came amid a huge political row over Theresa May's decision to join reprisals against Bashar Assad over his use of chemical weapons.

Jeremy Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Corbyn said: 'I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name.'

The Labour leader warned of an escalation in a 'proxy war' between the US and Russia.

He said chlorine has been used by 'a number of parties in the conflict' in Syria as a weapon.

Mr Corbyn said that if Britain wants to 'get the moral high ground around the world' it must abide by international law for taking military action.

He said the humanitarian grounds used by the UK to justify strikes was 'debatable'.

The Labour leader also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Syria by the UK, US and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds

'Where is the legal basis for this?' he said.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. That surely would save a lot of lives.'

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against the Assad regime had been the 'wrong thing to do'.

She told ITV's Peston On Sunday: 'We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.
Footage revealed the incredible moment the US fast-attack submarine launched a tomahawk missile from the Mediterranean Sea as part of the multi-national strike against the Syrian government.

The Virginia-class USS John Warner submarine launched the missile on Friday during the United States' air strikes in collaboration with France and England to retaliate against Syria's use of chemical weapons.

The video shows the submarine launch the missile straight up into the sky before it curves and heads towards its intended target.

The missile was one of more than 100 others that were used during the air strikes to target three military sites in Syria.



The USS John Warner operates in the Mediterranean Sea as a routine deployment to support the allies in the region. The submarine's placement is why it was used during the missile attack.

The Virginia-class USS John Warner (stock image) submarine launched the missile on Friday from the Mediterranean Sea to join more than 100 other in an attack against the Syrian government

Trump hailed a 'perfectly executed strike last night' Saturday just hours after launching a series of attacks on Syria.

The USS John Warner operates in the Mediterranean Sea as a routine deployment to support the allies in the region. The submarine's placement is why it was used during the missile attack.

After the attack, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley vowed that the Trump administration was 'locked and loaded' for another attack if needed against Syria.

The strikes were in retaliation to the poison gas attack that killed an estimated 75 people on April 7.

Syrian state-run TV said three civilians were wounded during the attack on a military base in Homs.

The organization also said that several of the missiles were intercepted by the Syrian government during the air strikes. But Chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said the strikes 'successfully hit every target'.

Another country besides Syria that was under attack by the three nations this weekend was Russia for allowing 'the use of chemical weapons (in Syria) to go unanswered'.

Depending on the US and its allies' next course of action involving Syria, the USS John Warner could be used again for another strike if needed.
Leaving the office air conditioning warmer could be better for Australian workers

Turning the office air conditioning up a few degrees could actually make it easier for workers across Australia, according to a new study.

Researchers from Sydney universities say leaving the temperature slightly warmer had minimal effect on workers' mental capability to work.

Most offices have the air conditioning set at 22C but scientists claim leaving it at about 25C will not lead to a fall in productivity because it is too hot to think.

Turning up the office air conditioning could actually make it easier for workers across Australia

Hot temperatures returned to Sydney for a rare late summer as the city sweltered in a scorching April heatwave passing 30C.

The team, led by Dr Christhina Candido from the University of Sydney, carried out experiments involving 26 office workers.

They tested 12 men and 14 women, wearing their normal office clothes, on the effect of temperature on their 'cognitive load' ranging between 22C and 25C.

The cognitive load refers to the amount of effort used by the brain while working, the researchers explained in the paper published in the journal Building and Environment.

Researchers added there would be extra benefit to less use of the air conditioning units which included daily energy use falling, reducing bills and helping the planet.

Most offices have the air conditioning set at 22C but scientists claim leaving it at about 25C will not lead a fall in productivity

Electricity use could fall by about 18 per cent every day which would also lead to fewer greenhouse gases being emitted.



Dr Candido said: 'To test our hypothesis, we asked volunteers to sit some performance tests under various air-con temperature settings. We ran the experiments at 22C and 25C.'

The study added that a typical commercial lease in Australia said indoor temperatures must be set between 20C and 24C, with landlords potentially facing penalties if the temperature went above 24C.

But the evidence from the study said there was 'no empirical evidence' to maintain that specific temperature range.

The paper added the 'significant over-cooling' led to complaints from workers about their office being too cold and also was bad for the environment and energy bills.

Researchers from Sydney universities say businesses daily electricity use could fall by around 18 per cent and lead to fewer greenhouse gases

Dr Candido said: 'The standard 22C setpoint for office air conditioning has prevailed in Australia for over a decade now.

'Many employers may fear that boosting the office temperature will make it too hot to think, and reduce worker productivity.

'However, our study shows that boosting the office temperature a little can save energy and keep office workers comfortable without sacrificing their cognitive performance.'

The research was also carried out by scientists from Southern Cross University and Griffith University.

The experiments took place in controlled conditions at the University of Sydney's Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory which is designed to be able to precisely control room temperature.

Each participant was fitted with a brain monitor and heart rate monitor for the one-hour session which included breaks between the tests designed to assess cognitive performance.
John Ibrahim's cousin stands to be the first victim of a sting operation that saw undercover operatives infiltrating a multi-million dollar drug and tobacco smuggling ring.

Sleiman Tajjour, national president of the Nomads motorcycle gang, is set to plead guilty to his part in the syndicate - which involved supplying a large commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug - when he faces Downing Centre District Court on April 27.

The 37-year-old bikie's plea would be the first major conviction in the smuggling case, and could see him facing life in prison, The Daily Telegraph reports.

But prosecutors also allege that Tajjour's cousins Michael and Fadi Ibrahim were instrumental in operating the syndicate.

Nomad bikie gang president Sleiman Tajjour stands to be the first victim of a sting operation that saw undercover operatives infiltrating a multi-million dollar drug and tobacco smuggling ring

These developments follow a series of coordinated raids that took place across three continents on August 8 as part of a sting labelled Operation Veyda.

Tajjour was one of the 18 arrested, as were Michael and Fadi Ibrahim, both of who were in Dubai at the time.

Michael is charged with masterminding a scheme to smuggle almost 2 tonnes of drugs and millions of dollars worth of tobacco into Australia from Europe and the Middle East.

Older brother Fadi, meanwhile, is charged with financing one of the tobacco deals.

There is no suggestion that their brother John is involved in the alleged criminal activities.

Now, police documents tendered to court have pulled back the curtain on Operation Veyda, revealing the way in which an undercover operative managed to infiltrate Michael Ibrahim's circles and eventually crack the alleged smuggling ring.

It is alleged that the undercover was invited into one of Tajjour's family members homes, in Western Sydney, so that he could complete a purchase of 6kg of MDMA.

The drug deal had been allegedly orchestrated by Michael Ibrahim after the undercover got his attention by sealing a six figure deal to smuggle cigarettes into Australia.

With his interest piqued by this large scale transaction, Michael asked the undercover if he would be interested in buying MDMA from his cousin, the documents state.

Michael is charged with masterminding a scheme to smuggle almost 2 tonnes of drugs and millions of dollars worth of tobacco into Australia from Europe and the Middle East (MDMA file photo)

According to the documents, what followed was several months of clandestine dealings between the undercover, Tajjour and Michael, as the sting operative convinced Michael he had a process known as 'the door' where drugs and tobacco could be smuggled into Australia.

At one point Tajjour allegedly sold the undercover agent a staggering 999.7kg of MDMA after meeting with him at a Charcoal Chicken shop in Merrylands, western Sydney.

Tajjour's legal team is currently negotiating with prosecutors on the exact facts to which Tajjour will admit when he appears before court.
The suffering of Syrian children who foamed at the mouth and struggled to breathe as they were caught up in a chemical attack last week has been revealed.

Children as young as seven have spoken of the horror they witnessed as the Assad regime targeted Douma, Eastern Ghouta, with chemical weapons last week.

The horrific attack, which left at least 70 people dead, has spurred the West into action with the US, UK and France co-ordinating airstrikes against Syria.

One girl, seven-year-old Masa, had to flee with her mother Amani while people fell to the ground around them amid clouds of white gas and dust, the Sunday Times reports from Syria.

A child evacuated from Douma is pictured arriving in Al-Bab district after the chemical attack

A girl who was evacuated from Douma after the chemical attack which killed at least 70 people

Amani, 34, told the newspaper: 'The gas was spicy. Spicy in my throat like chilli. I was vomiting and coughing.

'I couldn't control my body. I was just shaking the whole time. There wasn't oxygen.'

The family and their neighbours had heard bombing outside, and discovered a gas attack when two young men went to see what was happening after hearing a hissing sound, it is reported.

Amani found her husband and other daughter collapsed after inhaling the chemicals, but while her family survived everyone in the neighbouring basement died, she said.

The survivors have been living in a camp in northern Syria after many of their friends and neighbours died in the Assad regime's attack.

Another former resident of Douma, who now lives in exile, said eight of his neighbors - two women and their six children - were found dead and were were believed to have suffocated in their underground shelter from the poisonous gas.

A child evacuated from Douma gestures from a bus carrying evacuees in Al-Bab district

A man evacuated from Douma holds a child and looks out from a bus which evacuated them

Donald Trump cited the Syrian children's agony when he spoke from the White House to announce U.S. airstrikes.

'The evil and despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air,' he said.

Footage posted by the White Helmets showed victims with yellowed skin crumpled on the floor, white foam emerging from their mouths.

The White House said doctors and aid organizations on the ground in Douma reported 'the strong smell of chlorine and described symptoms consistent with exposure to sarin.'

Much of the evidence comes from witness testimony, as well as video and photos shot by aid workers, victims of the attacks and unspecified additional intelligence about barrel bombs and chlorine canisters found in the aftermath.

The newspaper said unrelated survivors on the ground had reported similar symptoms suggesting they had been the victims of a chemical attack.

The symptoms included coughing, vomiting and foaming at the mouth, as well as a loss of feeling in their limbs which Amani said made it hard to get upstairs.

A child receives medicine after she was evacuated from Douma following the chemical attack

The survivors have been living in a camp after many of their friends and neighbours died

Syria has denied the claims of a chemical attack, calling them 'fabrications' and an 'unconvincing broken record'.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also said UK authorities had seen horrific pictures of children in pain after the attack.

'The reason we have taken this action is because we all saw the images last week of the suffering that had been inflicted on innocent men, women and children, and there has been a need to act,' he said.

The Ministry of Defence said 'very careful scientific analysis was applied to determine where best to target the Storm Shadows to maximise the destruction of the stockpiled chemicals'.
Advertisement

Boris Johnson warned that Britain had to 'take precautions' today after Russia has delivered a dark warning of 'consequences' for the Syria strikes.

The Foreign Secretary delivered an impassioned defence of the military action saying failure to response to Bashar Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Concerns have been raised that a cyber backlash could see vital services including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected. There is also speculation they could try to spread embarrassing 'Kompromat' material about senior politicians.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Johnson said: 'You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.'

The US, UK and France hailed their missile strikes in the early hours of yesterday morning as having successfully degraded the capability of Assad to deploy chemical weapons.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

After ordering military action for the first time since entering No 10, a grim-faced Mrs May used a 9am Downing Street press conference to insist 'limited and targeted' bombing was the 'right thing to do' to stop the use of banned chemical weapons.

The military action passed off without UK casualties or any of the Russian forces on the ground being hit.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the unified missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus

RAF Tornado taxiing to the threshold before taking-off on a sortie at RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes in support of Operations over the Middle East

A series of missile strikes were launched against Syria by the US, UK and France in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma a week ago

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the strikes were merely aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons

The Russian ambassador to the US has delivered a dark warning about 'consequences' for the strikes (left). Jeremy Corbyn has branded the military action 'legally questionable' - a claim flatly denied by the government

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus.

Moscow's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: 'A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.'

There are concerns that cyber attacks could see electricity cuts, while Russian hackers could also disable water supplies, as well as energy grid and financial services being crippled suddenly.

Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow after defying calls for a Commons vote to be held before the military action in Syria.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', despite the Government publishing detailed legal advice justifying the bombings.

It claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against Bashar Assad's regime had been the 'wrong thing to do'.

She told ITV's Peston On Sunday: 'We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.

'Not urgent cases. Clearly not when we are under attack or the Prime Minister has been kidnapped, or anything like that.'

But David Lidington, the Prime Minister's deputy, said there were 'no plans' for legislation.

A poll has suggested the public also had doubts about the raids.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday found nearly six out of ten believe there should be no more missile strikes unless Mrs May wins the backing of MPs. Only one in five were in favour of the PM using her executive powers to launch more raids.

British Royal Air Force Tornado pilot checking the weapons on his Tornado aircfraft at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

Mrs May made her usual visit to church with husband Philip in her Maidenhead constituency today as the row over the strikes on Syria raged

The USS Monterey - an American navy warship stationed in the Red Sea - launches just one of its salvo of 30 Tomahawk missiles against targets in Syria to punish Assad for what President Trump called a 'savage' chemical weapons attack

However, she is also rated the most trusted Prime Minister to lead the nation into war since Margaret Thatcher, beating David Cameron and Tony Blair.

Mr Johnson said today that the goal of the strikes had purely been aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons.

'We do not seek an escalation that is why we want to get across our response is limited, to saying no to chemical weapons,' he said.

Mr Johnson added: 'There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far - thank heavens - the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack.'

'If and when such a thing were to happen then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were,' he said.

Public opposition to the raids in the Survation poll was mirrored by signs of political unrest over the strikes  and diplomatic fears Russia might retaliate, escalating the situation towards a global conflict.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, a former Defence Secretary, reportedly 'caused raised eyebrows' by questioning the RAF's ability to carry out successful strikes.

One source said: 'The Chancellor said that he wasn't sure the RAF would hit their targets because of the Russian-backed Syrian defence systems. There was an awkward silence.'

Fellow Cabinet Ministers David Davis and Esther McVey voiced concern at snubbing Parliament.

But in a letter to MPs, the Prime Minister was defiant, saying: 'This action is absolutely in Britain's national interest. The lesson of history is that when the global rules and standards that keep us safe come under threat, we must take a stand and defend them.'

Mrs May faced journalists in Downing Street yesterday after ordering British forces into action in Syria

One of the four RAF Tornadoes which launched Storm Shadow missiles to vaporise a chemical weapons depot in Homs comes back in to land at the RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus after the mission

Scientific analysis was applied to determine where best to target the Storm Shadows to maximise the destruction of the stockpiled chemicals and to minimise any risks of contamination to the surrounding area

The Tornados, flown by 31 Squadron the Goldstars, were supported by a Voyager aircraft. They launched Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility

Fighter jet landing at Akrotiri military British Royal Air Force Base, Cyprus following strikes on Syrian chemical weapons bases

President Trump's triumphant 'mission accomplished' declaration followed the US-led coalition's launch of 105 cruise missiles at three chemical weapons factories and storage depots across Syria. The comments echoed George W. Bush's premature declaration of victory over Iraq in 2003.

The Pentagon said all of its targets had been hit, despite Syria and its key ally Russia claiming that most of the missiles had been shot down by air defences, while the rest only hit disused or empty sites.

The air strikes were launched a week to the day after an estimated 75 people were killed and a further 500 injured, including young children, in the suspected chemical weapons attack on Douma, a suburb of the capital Damascus.

Western intelligence agencies gathered evidence that convinced political leaders that the Assad regime was to blame, including observations of an army helicopter over the city, while aid workers told how chlorine could be smelled in the air and victims were found with foam in their mouth and with burning eyes.

The White House said last night that in addition to chlorine, the nerve agent sarin was also used in Douma. It said doctors and aid organisations on the ground reported the 'strong smell of chlorine and described symptoms consistent with exposure to sarin'.

The view from Damascus as the US and allies launched reprisals after the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime

The Akrotiri military British Royal Air Force Base on Cyrus where the British planes flew missions from last night

The Ministry of Defence confirmed they fired Storm Shadow cruise missiles (file picture) at a military facility  a former missile base  some fifteen miles west of Homs

A French air force Rafale fighter jet prepares to take off on its mission against Assad after President Macron saw evidence of Syrian war crimes

A senior administration official said the US had 'significant information that points to sarin use'.

President Trump gave the first warning of the attack on Wednesday when he tweeted that Russia should 'get ready' because 'nice and new and smart' missiles would be coming. He also told Vladimir Putin he should not be 'partners with a Gas Killing Animal'.

At some time after 1am UK time yesterday, four GR4 Tornado aircraft bristling with the latest military hardware took off under the cover of darkness from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The sorties followed several hours of briefings and meticulous assessments of the chemical weapons site by RAF crews and operational planners, intended to rule out civilian casualties.

Pictures released last night by the Ministry of Defence showed the tense final preparations at Akrotiri before the operation was finally launched, including a Flight Lieutenant dressed in a flying suit and carrying a pistol holster around his shoulder inspecting an ASRAAM air-to-air missile attached to the wing of one of the Tornados.

Each Tornado was flown by a two-man crew drawn from the RAF's 31 Squadron, nicknamed the Gold Stars. These personnel form part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) based at Akrotiri. Crews have been conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria since 2015.

Shortly after 2am yesterday the pilots and weapons systems officers aboard the Tornados released their payloads of Storm Shadow missiles, each costing 750,000, as President Trump announced that military operations against Syria had begun.

David Cameron, who lost a Commons vote on military action against the Syrian regime in 2013, said he backed the strikes. DUP leader Arlene Foster also welcomed it as 'proportionate and justified'

Before and after images provided by the Pentagon show how the targets selected were obliterated in the raids by the allies against Assad's regime

In order to avoid attack from Russian-made rocket systems operated by Syria, the RAF jets remained in international airspace throughout the operation. The missiles have a range of 155 miles and travelled 100 miles. At no time was the safety of the RAF crews endangered. It is understood that all eight British missiles found their targets and caused significant destruction.

Last night the MoD said: 'Very careful scientific analysis was applied to determine where best to target the Storm Shadows to maximise the destruction of the stockpiled chemicals and to minimise any risks of contamination to the surrounding area.

'The facility struck is located some distance from any known concentrations of civilian habitation, reducing yet further any such risk.

'Our action was proportionate, specifically aimed at degrading the regime's ability to use chemical weapons and deterring further such appalling acts.' The same storage facility was also targeted by nine US Tomahawk missiles fired from a US Navy warship in the Red Sea, three French naval cruise missiles and two Scalp cruise missiles fired from Rafale fighter jets.

The US also launched a huge attack on a chemical weapons laboratory in Damascus thought by intelligence sources to have been involved in the production of sarin and other deadly nerve agents used by the Assad regime.

At around 2am, 57 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 19 high explosive bombs were dropped on the Barzeh Research and Development facility with devastating results.

Early on Saturday US time, President Trump wrote on Twitter: 'A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!'

Commentators were quick to point out that President Bush stood on an aircraft carrier under a huge 'Mission Accomplished' banner just six weeks after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but came to regret it, as what followed was a war that cost the lives of hundreds of US and UK soldiers. But Pentagon spokesman Dana White backed Mr Trump's slogan, saying: 'We hit the sites, the heart of the chemical weapons programme. So it was mission accomplished.'

In a detailed briefing, the US military revealed that 105 missiles obliterated three Syrian regime chemical weapons sites in a 'precise, overwhelming and effective' attack.

Barzeh was the primary target, razed to the ground by 57 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 19 JASSM 'smart bombs'  used in combat for the first time. The second target was Him Shinshar, flattened by the eight Storm Shadow missiles from RAF Tornados, which were escorted by Typhoon fighter jets. It was also hit by nine US missiles and five French missiles.

The third target was a nearby chemical weapons bunker, pounded with seven Scalp missiles.

Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie Jr, staff director of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said all missiles fired by Allied forces hit their targets shortly after 4am local time, and denied claims made by Russia and Syria that dozens were shot out of the sky by Soviet-era air defence missiles.

In the early hours UK time, Donald Trump said he had ordered 'precision strikes' on Syria in retaliation for the 'evil and despicable' poison gas attack that killed at least 75 people on April 7 (a young victim is pictured)

The British missions against targets in Syria were launched the RAF Akrotiri base near Limassol on Cyprus in the early hours

He added: 'None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defences and we have no indication that Russian air defence systems were deployed.'

He said Syrian air defence systems fired back 'indiscriminately' only after the devastating strike mission.

He said: 'Over 40 surface-to-air missiles were deployed by the Syrian regime. Most of these launches were conducted after the last impact of our strike was over. We assess that the defensive efforts of Syria were largely ineffective.'

Syrian TV broadcast images of the ruins of the scientific research centre that was reduced to rubble, but the regime claimed the attack had little impact.

Assad loyalists took to the streets of Damascus waving flags and mocking Mr Trump, while a Twitter account run by President Assad's office posted a video of him walking calmly through the presidential palace.

No further sorties were expected by the US or its allies today.

But arguments still raged over the legitimacy of the strikes as well as the truth behind the deaths in rebel-controlled Douma.

At a meeting of the UN Security Council last night called at Russia's request, Mr Putin's envoy called the air strikes an 'act of aggression', while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged restraint to 'avoid escalation'. The military operation was denounced as a 'crime' by Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but welcomed by Turkey's President Erdogan as sending a message to Assad that his massacre would not go unpunished.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called it 'necessary and appropriate' even though her country did not join in, while Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he backed the action.

In Syria, the opposition was braced for revenge attacks, particularly in rebel-held territory in the north-west. 'Maybe the regime will not use chemical weapons, but it will not hesitate to use weapons,' opposition leader Nasr al-Hariri said.
Gareth Williams, 31, was found dead inside a locked red holdall in his bath in Pimlico, London, in 2010

Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned by the same Russian agents who murdered the GCHQ 'spy in the bag', a KGB defector has claimed.

Police are probing links between the Skripals' poisoning in Salisbury and the death of Gareth Williams, a codebreaker at the British eavesdropping centre on secondment to MI6, eight years earlier.

The 31-year-old was found dead inside a locked red holdall in his bath in Pimlico, London, in 2010.

His bizarre death was previously dismissed as a bungled sex game.

But this week two counter-terrorism detectives from Salisbury, where the Skripals were poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok on March 4, will question a KGB defector about Williams.

Boris Karpichkov, 59, claims the 'spy in a bag' was murdered with an untraceable poison because he had found out the identity of a Russian mole at GCHQ.

Karpichkov, a former major in the KGB, told The Sunday People that the shady security services were the link between the two cases.

'Russian security services claim they stopped killing in the 1950s,' he said.

'But I know the KGB, and then the FSB and SVR carried on killing and do so today and their trademark is poison.'

The former spy lived near Williams in Pimlico and made a detailed study of his case.

He says a source in Russia's foreign intelligence agency SVR told him Williams was killed because he had found out about the Russian mole, codenamed Orion.

Yulia and Sergei Skripal, who were poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury on March 4

Karpichkov says the Russians tried to recruit Williams as a double agent in an operation codenamed Sweetie by blackmailing him.

They threatened to reveal his penchant for cross-dressing - the spy had 20,000 worth of female clothing stashed in his flat.

'Williams had no intention of letting the Russians blackmail him,' said Karpichkov.

'But he was foolish enough to say that he knew the person who tipped them off. The SVR had no alternative but to kill him to protect their agent inside GCHQ.'

Karpichkov, pictured in London in March, claims Williams was a marked man because he knew the identity of a Russian mole at GCHQ in Cheltenham

Williams and Orion had become friends while working at the Government listening post in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and had joined at about the same time.

But the mole was too crucial to Russian operations for him to be outed.

Karpichkov claims Orion's spymaster, living undercover in Britain as a rich East European businessman codenamed Lukas, was behind the blackmail.

He said Lukas, when his plan to recruit Williams failed, turned up at his flat with a bottle of wine spiked with a mixture of amyl nitrate and the Viagra drug Sildenafil.

Williams drank a glass of the deadly cocktail and passed out before a squad called The Cleaners went to finish the job, says Karpichkov.

They injected a plant-based poison made from belladonna, aconite and black henbane mixed with other chemicals into his ear with a needle-less syringe.

The poison was designed to be undetectable when a post-mortem was carried out.

Williams, whose bizarre death was previously dismissed as a bungled sex game

Karpichkov, who escaped to Britain 20 years ago, intently watched Russian diplomatic cars drive through Pimlico from July 2010 - fearing he was their target.

He saw the last vehicle on August 15, the day before Williams is thought to have died in his Alderney Street top-floor flat, and soon realised the spy was the real target.

A SVR clean-up team returned to the property through a skylight to dispose of any damning evidence, claims Karpichkov.

The drive-bys were the beginning of a 'wet job', he says - Russian spy slang for an assassination by the FSB's so-called Liquid Affairs Department.

'I had never seen those cars before and I never saw them again,' he said.

He said 'something must have gone wrong' in the assassination because FSB agents always try to get rid of bodies.

Karpichkov, pictured in London in March, says he is on the same death list as the Skripals

No fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were found in Williams' flat. His DNA was nowhere on the bath, bag zip or padlock - and the key was inside the holdall underneath his body.

An inquest ruled that his death was 'likely to have been criminally meditated' but a police investigation later concluded it was probably the result of a sex game gone wrong.

Karpichkov claims Williams was not the only victim of poisoning by Russian agents in recent years.

Billionaire and outspoken Putin critic Leonid Rozhetskin disappeared from his six-bedroom mansion in Yurmala, Latvia, on March 16, 2008.

The 41-year-old, who co-founded British newspaper City AM, was found dead four years later in woods 90 miles away.

Karpichkov said he was poisoned by an FSB hit squad, bundled into his own bloodstained 4x4 then abandoned in the forest.

Latvian Interior Minister Markes Seglins said the evidence indicated it was murder.

The same can be said of Igor Ponomarev, 41, Russia's permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation in London, says Karpichkov.

He said Ponomarev had refused to help assassinate Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned with Polonium-210 in London in 2006.

Ponomarev died of a heart attack on October 30, weeks before Litvinenko's killing.

'The SVR wanted Ponomarev dead because he was putting the Litvinenko liquidation operation in jeopardy,' said Karpichkov.

In response, a Zaslon death squad from London's Russian Embassy poisoned him with Polonium-210 and Dephenhydramine, he says.

Not long after in November 2010, Putin critic Victor Kalishnikov and his wife suffered suspected mercury poisoning and were treated at Berlin's Charity Hospital.

They claimed the FSB had tried to kill them.

Karpichkov says he himself was warned in February that he was on the same death list as Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Yulia, 33, has now been discharged from hospital and transferred to a secret secure location.

Sergei, 66, remains in Salisbury District Hospital but his condition is 'improving rapidly'.
Thousands of mice running wild and trapped under tractors have been captured in a video released by a Victorian farmer.

The footage, recorded at a Ouyen property in the state's southwest, shows the mice madly scurrying across a dusty field.

Farmer Melissa Pohlner was heard saying 'that is unbelievable', on the video, which has been seen 120,000 times since it was uploaded on You Tube.

Victorian farmer Melissa Pohlner, making a night-time visit to a paddock, has caught on camera a rodent 'plague' running rampant. A mice is pictured under a tractor at the farm

'Have a go at the movement there,' she said while shining her car lights on the fleeing mice.

'Mice in plague proportions in our beautiful, dry, mighty Mallee.'

Swarms of mice have been wreaking havoc across regional Victoria over the past two years causing considerable damage to crops, CSIRO researcher Steve Henry told 3AW on Thursday.

'The Victorian Mallee is being hit very hard ... in localised areas there are certainly really high numbers of mice,' he said.

The 'mouse man', who has been running a monitoring program for some five years, said he was catching 80 mice from 100 traps by the end of his program at Walpeup in mid-March.

'But looking at that footage ... we would have trap saturation - 100 mice from 100 traps,' he added.

'That is unbelievable', Ms Pohlner said as she saw thousands of the mice (pictured) madly scurrying across a dusty field

Mr Henry attributed the infestations to improved farming techniques providing a greater food source.

But the so-called plague could quickly end.

'Mouse plague numbers tend to increase relatively slowly and then once they get to a really high number they drop away and disappear overnight,' he said.

'That's a combination of disease and running out of food.'

The CSIRO considers a plague to be more than 800 mice per hectare, but for farmers to claim economic damages the threshold is about 200 per hectare.
Australian police are fighting on the frontline in Mexico to stop deadly ice flooding into Australia.

In a drastic step, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) now has a full-time officer stationed on the ground in the Guadalajara region deep in the Mexican jungle.

Dangerous drug smuggling gangs have turned their attentions to Australia as a 'growing market' from the US prompting the AFP's dramatic move.

Australian police are fighting on the frontline in Mexico (pictured) to stop deadly ice flooding into the country

The crisis of the cheap drug reaching our streets is a constant problem faced by the Australian Federal Police

The AFP's full-time role in the global war on drugs saw officer Conrad Jensen sent behind the lines into the area known as 'cartel country'.

Authorities say cheap meth reaching the streets in Australia is at crisis point with some users aged as young as nine-years-old.

The operation deep in the jungle of Mexico is the subject of an investigation on Sunday night's 60 Minutes.

As a result, police in Australia have taken the rare step of working together with the authorities in Mexico to combat the problem in the Guadalajara region.

The cameras were taken deep into 'cartel country' under armed protection from the Mexican Federal Police.

Officers are joining the drug war alongside their Mexican counterparts which is the subject of an investigation on Sunday's 60 Minutes (pictured is reporter Tom Steinfort)

Police in Australia have taken the rare step of working together with the authorities in Mexico to combat the problem in the Guadalajara region

Senior Liaison Officer Jensen says drug gangs believe Australia is a growing market due to the prices being more favourable than in the US.

'They're business orientated,' Officer Jensen told the Channel Nine programme.

'So if they could make a dollar in that part of the world they'll try their hand at it.'

The ice crisis is a growing problem for Australia with the country using around eight tonnes of ice every year and users aged as young as nine-years-old.

The kind of drugs being grown in the heart of the Mexican jungle include cocaine, heroin and fentanyl - a depressant which slows the messages between the brain and body.

The drug crisis is a growing mess for Australia with the country using around eight tonnes of ice every year

In a statement, the AFP said: 'The import of illicit drugs domestically and internationally is a top priority for the AFP with Mexico one of the top five embarkation points for meth travelling into the Australia.'

Ice is becoming an ever-increasing epidemic for Australia with police and governments fearing of a lost generation because of the deadly effects.

The access to the drug is easy, according to one user interviewed in Sunday's programme, who says it can take as little as two minutes to source a hit.

The anonymous user and dealer says he once spent three weeks on a bender without sleeping and has been hooked on ice for seven years.

The story airs in full on Sunday's 60 Minutes at 8.30pm on Channel 9.




The sons of Syria's alleged chemical weapons chief whose facilities were targeted by allied airstrikes are wealthy investment bankers living in luxury London properties.

Amr Armanazi, 74, runs Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre, which is said to be the hub of President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons programme.

It was targeted by airstrikes after Theresa May, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron responded to a chemical attack by the Assad regime which killed 75 people.

And it has now emerged that the sons of Mr Armanazi reportedly both live in Britain - despite their father being blacklisted by the UK and US.

Amr Armanazi, 74, (left) is director general at Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre

The Damascus sky lights up with missile fire as the US, Britain and France launch an attack on Syria

Zayd, 37, and his younger brother Bisher, 34, are said to have studied at Imperial College London and now both work for banks in the City of London.

Their uncle - Mr Armanazi's older brother, Ghayth, 75, also lives in London and is the former ambassador of the Arab League, reports The Sunday Times.

Zayd was granted British citizenship in 2009 - before the Syrian conflict started - however Bisher and Ghayth gained citizenship in 2013. They all live in the capital with their families, according to the newspaper.

Last year, the US Department of the Treasury said the Scientific Studies and Research Centre was 'responsible for producing 'non-conventional weapons'.

It said: 'It is the Syrian government agency responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons and the means to deliver them.

'These 271 SSRC employees have expertise in chemistry and related disciplines and/or have worked in support of SSRC's chemical weapons program since at least 2012.'

The department also said the centre was used by al-Assad for a 'horrific chemical weapons attack on innocent civilian men, women and children' when describing an incident in 2017.

It added that the centre 'focuses on the development of biological weapons, chemical weapons and missiles' and that Armanazi 'oversaw a facility which was involved in the production of sarin nerve agent'.

Mr Armanazi was placed under sanctions by the US in September 2012 and two years later was banned from travelling to Europe after additional sanctions were imposed by the UK and EU.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

President Trump (pictured addressing the nation on the airstrikes on Friday) has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again

The EU sanction lists the reasons for imposing the order on Mr Armanazi.

It said: '(He is) The Director General of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre, responsible for providing support to the Syrian army for the acquisition of equipment used directly for the surveillance and repression of demonstrators.

'Responsible for the violent repression of the civilian population; supports the regime.'

Mr Armanazi has always denied any wrongdoing and his brother Ghayth said he 'handles just normal civilian operations'.

Ghayth is said to own a 1.2million flat in Fulham and a 1.5million flat in nearby West Kensington.

Bisher lives in a 1.1million flat in West Kensington and previously told the Sunday Times that chemical attacks in Syria are 'heinous crimes'.

His older brother Zayd lives in a 700,000 flat in Putney, south west London.

MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.
Jeremy Corbyn was slammed by his own MPs today after demanding Vladimir Putin is given the final say on British military action in Syria.

The Labour leader insisted he would never countenance deploying UK forces without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them.

Mr Corbyn also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Bashar Assad's chemical weapons capability by the US, UK and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds.

And he demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

The comments immediately reignited the deep splits within Labour, amid a huge political row over Theresa May's decision to join reprisals over Assad's atrocity in Douma last Saturday.

Jeremy Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them

The Labour leader also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Syria by the UK, US and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds

Theresa May stepped back after a tumultuous 24 hours and was seen making her regular Sunday visit to church in Maidenhead with husband Philip

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Corbyn defied the growing weight of proof to again raised doubts about whether the Assad regime had been behind the attack that killed at least 75 people including children.

The veteran left-winger - who for decades has been urging NATO states to disarm and suggested the West was to blame for Russia's annexation of Crimea - claimed chlorine had been used by 'a number of parties in the conflict'.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. That surely would save a lot of lives.'

Mr Corbyn was also challenged that he had previously opposed military action even when the UN had mandated it.

In 2015 he voted against UK involvement in airstrikes against ISIS in Syria - although many other Labour politicians supported the government.

Mr Corbyn said that if Britain wants to 'get the moral high ground around the world' it must abide by international law for taking military action.

He said the humanitarian grounds used by the UK to justify strikes were 'debatable', saying he only believed self-defence and a UN resolution were enough.

'Where is the legal basis for this?' he said.

Mr Corbyn said there should be a law that forced the PM to secure a Commons majority before taking action.

'I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name,' he said.

Labour MP Chuka Umunna was among those who slammed Mr Corbyn's position today.

He told ITVs Peston programme: It is unrealistic to expect to have unanimity in the international community to act.

'The problem the UN has at the moment is because of Russia and its inevitable veto.. the UN is rendered toothless.

He added: Ultimately you cannot have the use of chemical weapons go unanswered by the international community.

I dont believe you should hide behind the ultimate veto by Russia at the UN security council.

Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson were both appearing on the BBC's flagship political programme this morning

Labour MP Chuka Umunna, pictured right on ITV's Peston programme today, was among those who slammed Mr Corbyn's position

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the unified missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw praised French President Emmanuel Macron for his willingness to work with the wider UN general assembly, rather than relying on the security council.

In a pointed jibe at Mr Corbyn, he said: 'Others who simply parrot - this must be resolved by the Security Council - wilfully ignore Russias repeated vetoes - including of inspectors power to apportion blame for the attacks.'

Fellow Labour MP John Woodcock described Mr Corbyn's refusal to accept humanitarian concern as a legal basis for action was 'deeply troubling'.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against the Assad regime had been the 'wrong thing to do'.

She told ITV's Peston On Sunday: 'We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.

'Not urgent cases. Clearly not when we are under attack or the Prime Minister has been kidnapped, or anything like that.'

But David Lidington, the Prime Minister's deputy, said there were 'no plans' for legislation.

Boris Johnson today said failure to response to the Syrian regime's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia, the Foreign Secretary stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

The US, UK and France hailed their missile strikes in the early hours of yesterday morning as having successfully degraded the capability of Assad to deploy chemical weapons.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

After ordering military action for the first time since entering No 10, a grim-faced Mrs May used a 9am Downing Street press conference to insist 'limited and targeted' bombing was the 'right thing to do' to stop the use of banned chemical weapons.

The military action passed off without UK casualties or any of the Russian forces on the ground being hit.

But there are over a Russian cyber backlash that could see vital services in Britain including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected in retaliation for the strikes.
Johnson Beharry who was awarded for his bravery in Iraq has revealed he was once the kingpin of a drugs gang

A Victoria Cross hero who was awarded for his bravery in Iraq has revealed he was once the kingpin of a drugs gang.

Johnson Beharry VC was involved in a gang which carried knives and guns for protection while overseeing 70,000-a-time cocaine deals.

The father-of-two left the gang in 2001 when he applied to join the army which he claims saved his life.

Lance Sergeant Beharry, 38, was the first solider in 18 years to receive Britain's highest honour from the Queen for bravery.

But before this Beharry revealed that he began his involvement in drug dealing with small amounts of marijuana which soon turned into an expansive drugs organisation within a year.

However as knife-crime continues to rise to record numbers Beharry hopes to pull people out of the situation he was once in.

He believes that the government should be educating children as young as nine about the dangers of gang culture as by the time they reach 15 it could be too late.

Beharry claims that he is incredibly fortunate to have the letters VC next to his name when it could have just as easily been RIP.

Lance Sergeant Beharry, 38, was the first solider in 18 years to receive Britain's highest honour from the Queen for bravery when he was awarded the Victoria Cross

He said that although the police were a concern the gang carried weapons because they were worried about conflict with other gangs.

Two of the friends Beharry made while in that circle are now dead and another two are serving long prison sentences.

Beharry, who is serving with the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, hopes that through his foundation he can keep youngsters from falling into the same trap.

He argued that we need to get to the root of the problem before it spirals by introducing more youth clubs and for teachers to have a better understanding of gang-related behaviour.

Beharry receiving his Victoria Cross from HM The Queen in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace in 2005

Officials are also concerned about the uptick in fatal stabbings, fearing there is a dangerous surge in knife crime.

Last year there was a total of 80 fatal stabbings in the capital - the most in almost a decade. And official figures show that 2017 was the worst year for knife deaths among young people since at least 2002.

The war hero said that when he first moved to Heathrow in London from Grenada he started work as a painter and decorator.

He added that he was earning a lot and spent it going out partying, drinking and smoking weed, which is how he ended up in a gang.

Beharry revealed that he began his involvement in drug dealing with small amounts of marijuana which soon turned into an expansive drugs organisation within a year. Pictured: Attending a remembrance event with William Speakman-Pitt VC

His dealings with the gang were initially small as he would buy 300 worth of marijuana and then sell it.

This gradually grew into a larger business where he would buy 1,000 worth of marijuana which soon became Class A drugs such as cocaine.

Beharry believes that the government should be educating children as young as nine about the dangers of gang culture as by the time they reach 15 it could be too late

Beharry quickly became the leader of a gang of ten which dealt drugs as far as Southampton but not of his family knew of his involvement.

He said: 'I carried an Uzi in the boot of my black Peugeot 205 for protection, although I never had to use it.

'In 2000, I was driving through Peckham, in South London, and got pulled over by a policeman.

'He said: 'Do you know why I stopped you?' My heart was pounding because my Uzi was in the boot but he said my tax disc was out of date. I managed to talk my way out of it.'

Beharry said the moment he decided to change the path he was on came when his grandmother called to ask for money.

Although he had a lot to spare he worried what his grandmother would think of his dirty money and made the decision to stop.

At an all time low Beharry felt like he had to get out and told his gang he was leaving to join the army - which the gang insisted was racist.

Beharry, who is serving with the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, hopes that through his foundation he can keep youngsters from falling into the same trap as him. Pictured: At Bradbury House attending an event for the brain injury association

After telling the army of his involvement in a gang he was rejected three times however on the forth try they accepted him.

Despite trying to stay in contact with the other gang members when he left to become a soldier he claims that they no longer wanted to know him.

Starting the 'straight life' was tough for Beharry as he received a shock when his first payslip was just 40 for a weeks work.

Beharry said that his biggest fear is that his son Ayden, 4 who he shares with his wife Malissa will fall into a gang later in life

However during his time serving in a Iraq Beharry committed two acts of heroism and went on to win the Victoria Cross aged 24 after saving 30 comrades.

Only one person he knew from his days days in the gang is now living a normal life after the rest were busted by police in 2008 in a 100million cocaine raid.

Beharry, who lost 40 per cent of his brain in the Iraq attacks, set up the JBVC foundation in 2014.

The foundation is currently helping to keep 20 young people off the streets after they have served a sentence.

Their role includes trying to give them a sense of direction, sorting their CVs out, getting them some ID, job placements and general support.

Two of the 20 have gone on to reoffend and Beharry believes that the numbers reported are far less than the reality of knife and gun crime.

He said that the mothers of the people they are helping tell the case workers that their son has been stabbed but it is never reported.

Beharry said that his biggest fear is that his son Ayden, 4 who he shares with his wife Malissa will fall into a gang later in life.

He worries to an extent where he considers moving out of London and away from the gangs, but hopes to show him that gangs are not the way to go.
Some Amazon warehouse staff have felt suicidal since joining the company, according to a survey.

In a poll of 100 workers, more than half said they suffered from depression and eight people said they'd thought about killing themselves.

The survey was carried out by Organise, which campaigns for employment unions.

In a poll of 100 workers, more than half said they suffered from depression and eight people said they'd thought about killing themselves

James Bloodworth, who worked ten-hour shifts at a warehouse in Rugeley, Staffordshire, claimed staff were peeing in bottles because they were scared of getting in trouble for taking toilet breaks.

The Rugeley warehouse measures 700,000 sq ft and some of the 1,200 workers face a ten minute, quarter-of-a-mile walk to two toilets on the ground floor of the four-storey building.

He said: 'For those of us who worked on the top floor, the closest toilets were down four flights of stairs.'

Mr Bloodworth, who worked as a picker selecting goods for dispatch, walked ten miles a day in the job to research for a book on low-wage Britain.

He revealed workers were continually monitored for time wasting by supervisors and claimed the strictness was what caused the 'toilet bottle' system.

A former worker who was based at the warehouse in Rugeley, Staffordshire, (shown) said staff were urinating in plastic bottles because they feared being punished for going to the toilets

Mr Bloodworth said: 'People just peed in bottles because they lived in fear of being disciplined over "idle time" and losing their jobs just because they needed the loo.'

He said the warehouse in Rugeley is like a prison with airport-style security scanners where workers are checked and patted down in case they steal.

'The security guards at Amazon were endowed with a great deal of power, which included the right to search your car if they suspected you of stealing something.'

Hoodies and sunglasses were banned along with mobile phones as a security measure, he said.

The staff surveyed anonymously by Organise also complained of being punished for being ill.

'I had an epilepsy episode at work and was taken to hospital. The next day someone rang me and asked why I was not in work,' one worker told the Sunday Mirror.

Nearly three quarters of those polled said they were so frightened of missing productivity targets that they'd starve themselves of water so they wouldn't need the toilet.

Amazon denies claims of workers' stress in its warehouses, saying they're not convinced the 'staff polled' actually worked for them.

A spokesperson for the company said: 'We haven't been provided with confirmation the people who completed the survey worked at Amazon.

'We don't recognise these allegations as an accurate portrayal of activities in our buildings.

'We have a focus on ensuring we provide a great environment for all our employees and last month Amazon was named by LinkedIn as the 7th most sought after place to work in the UK and ranked first place in the US.

'Amazon also offers public tours of its fulfillment centres so customers can see first-hand what happens after they click buy on Amazon.

'Amazon ensures all of its associates have easy access to toilet facilities which are just a short walk from where they are working.'
A resident koala in the bushland savaged by out-of-control fires in New South Wales Saturday made its way to safety on a residential street.

But when it came time to return the fluffy fellow to its natural habitat Sunday, officials had quite a task on their hands.

The native creature appeared timid as it sat on a street in Alfords Point, south of Sydney, and resisted help from a woman who tried to pick it up with a jacket.

A resident koala in the bushland savaged by out-of-control fires in New South Wales Saturday made its way to safety on a residential street

The small marsupial made attempts to wriggle free from the coat - its legs flailing in the air as its body squirms in the fire officer's hands.

Video of the attempted capture shows the koala eventually successfully breaking away from the woman, who used a fire fighting coat to scoop the creature up.

A puzzled looking animal then sat facing away from her attempted rescuer as others stood around filmed the bizarre encounter.

The small marsupial made attempts to wriggle free from the coat - its legs flailing in the air as its body squirms in the fire officer's hands

Fire savaged through bush and came dangerously close to properties Saturday afternoon, with crews and residents adamant to not let it claim any homes.

Spot fires continued to keep Menai, Alfreds Point and Barden Ridge residents on edge Sunday night as emergency crews urged them to remain vigilant.

Investigators believed the blaze, which began near the Casula train station, may have been deliberately lit.
Meghan Markle's family still does not know if they will be invited to the Royal Wedding or whether her father will be able to walk her down the aisle, it is reported.

Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether retired TV lighting director Thomas Markle will appear during the ceremony at St George's Chapel on May 19.

But despite invitations going out to celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, one member of the Markle family has even written to Clarence House to ask for clarity.

Trish Gallup, Meghan's cousin, also wrote directly to Prince Harry to find out whether the family has been snubbed, the Sunday Mirror reports.

A 19-year-old Meghan Markle is pictured on her paternal grandmother Doris's 85th birthday in Florida, USA

Meghan Markle on her high school graduation day, accompanied by her father Thomas Markle

One of Meghan's uncles reportedly said: 'I talked to Thomas last week and he didn't seem to know what the problem was.

'He told me he hasn't heard anything and he didn't even know if he would be walking Meghan down the aisle.'

The newspaper says the family are waiting to find out if the 'controversial behaviour' of some of Meghan's relatives has left them frozen out of the wedding.

Miss Markle is close to her father, who is of English and German descent, and has described him as hardworking and caring and believing in her 'grand dream' of becoming an actress.

Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., was arrested in January 2017 for allegedly holding a gun to his girlfriend Darlene Blount's head during a drunken argument.

He was charged with unlawful use of a dangerous weapon and menacing domestic violence but the charges were later dismissed. He apologised for his actions and said he was seeking help for his drinking problems.

Samantha Grant, who shares a father with Meghan, said she must do the 'morally right thing' and invite her entire family to the Windsor event on May 19

Trish Gallup, 58, said the family was 'saddened and hurt' by their apparent non-invitation and said she was no longer holding out any hope. She said she was unsure if Thomas Markle would be invited.

She revealed she had met Princess Anne at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, with the Royal forced to catch her when Ms Gallup got her heel stuck and fell over.

It came after Meghan's half-sister said it was in 'poor taste' not to invite her to her wedding to Prince Harry - despite being estranged for the past three years.

Samantha Grant, who shares a father with Meghan, said she must do the 'morally right thing' and invite her entire family to the Windsor event on May 19.

She said: 'Closeness has nothing to do with it, it is incumbent upon her to do the morally right thing and invite family and demonstrate she has a humanitarian heart'.

Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, pictured shopping near his home in Mexico, does not know if he will be walking his daughter down the aisle at the wedding on May 19

Ms Grant has previously accused the actress and Prince Harry of 'inviting complete strangers' instead of her relatives and says her half-sister and Harry are failing to honour 'proper etiquette and tradition'.



A friend said last month that Mr Markle had struck up a close friendship with Prince Harry and claimed he spoke to him regularly to discuss the couple's wedding.

Lori Davis, a young mother who has befriended Mr Markle, said: 'He thinks Harry's a great guy - he couldn't have wished for a better son-in-law.

'They've had many conversations. Friendly conversations. He's delighted for them. Tom misses his daughter terribly. He and Meghan have always been really close.'
A flight was forced to divert today after a male passenger took a crew member hostage and held a fountain pen to her throat, aviation souces say.

The Air China flight left from Changsha, the capital of the central province of Hunan, at 8.40am.

The plane, which was scheduled to land in Beijing by 11am, had to land in Zhengzhou, just after 9.40am.

A flight was forced to divert today after a male passenger took a crew member hostage and held a fountain pen to her throat

A statement from the Civil Aviation Administration of China said: 'The incident was successfully dealt with by 1:17pm, and passengers and crew members are safe.'

A photograph posted by China News Service showed a number of firefighters and fire trucks outside Zhengzhou airport.

One witness said: 'I think someone uttered a cry, which woke us. Everyone was sleeping... it was a woman's cry. Nobody knew what was going on.'

The crew managed to keep passengers in their seats while the fiasco unfolded.

The Xiaoxiang Morning Herald quoted a passenger as saying the disturbance occurred in the first or business class cabins but that the curtains separating those sections from economy class were pulled tightly shut.

Another passenger said flight attendants told passengers they had to land at a different airport but said they had not heard of anything amiss.

She said: 'We exited from the back so we didn't see whatever happened in the front, and didn't hear anything either.'

Authorities have not released further information about the man's motives or what happened to him.
Jeremy Corbyn again refused to blame Russia for the Salisbury attack today saying he wants to see 'incontrovertible evidence'.

The Labour leader risked inflaming tensions with his own MPs by making clear he is still not convinced that Moscow was behind the attempted assassination of former spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia.

Britain dramatically moved to counter Russian propaganda on Salisbury last week by releasing new evidence.

The UK authorities disclosed that Moscow security services were spying on the Skripals for at least five years and had previously experimented with smearing nerve agent on doorhandles.

Mr Corbyn, who has been given intelligence briefings on the incident, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he wanted further proof of Russian involvement in Salisbury

Miss Skripal, the daughter of ex-spy Sergei Skripal (pictured together) has only just been released from hospital after being found critically ill alongside him in Salisbury last month

Theresa May also referred to the use of Novichok in Salisbury as she defended strikes against the Syrian regime for deploying chemical weapons yesterday.

But Mr Corbyn, who has been given intelligence briefings on the incident, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he wanted further proof.

'I want to see incontrovertible evidence of it,' he said.

Asked if he agreed with his shadow chancellor John McDonnell that it was a Russian state-sponsored attack, Mr Corbyn replied: 'If we are going to make a very, very clear assertion like that we have got to have the absolute evidence to do it.'

Mr Corbyn called for the role of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to be strengthened when it carries out investigations into such attacks.

The veteran left-winger has been heavily criticised by his own MPs for his relentless fence-sitting over Salisbury despite mounting evidence.

He has been accused of parroting Kremlin propaganda by refusing to accept there is no plausible explanation apart from Russian involvement.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the Marr show: 'It's quite extraordinary, in the view of the weight of evidence now - Novichok used in assassination attempts on door handles, the hacking of Yulia Skripal's mobile phone - to continue to deny the likelihood of Russian involvement, a state-sponsored assassination attempt, I think is quite extraordinary and a sort of blindness to reality that I find very, very perplexing.'

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, has insisted there is no plausible explanation for the Salisbury attack beside the involvement of Russia

Russia's ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, last week accused the UK of 'abducting' the Skripals and 'destroying evidence'

By contrast, dozens of states have expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats after being convinced of the case put forward by the UK.

Russia released a rival report last week claiming the 'situation around the Skripals looks more and more like a forcible detention or imprisonment'.

One of the more outlandish claims from Moscow is that the military-grade Novichok nerve agent could have been deployed from Britain's own Porton Down laboratory eight miles down the road.
Buyers from eastern suburbs including Bondi and Double Bay look set to cash in

Inner-city house prices in Sydney plunged by 10 per cent last year for the first time in more than a decade.

The decrease in March represented the biggest fall in 13 years according to data released by house price analysts CoreLogic.

Real estate agents have been left frustrated by the price falls laying the blame on banks for refusing to give out loans to would-be buyers.

A year ago agents say they would have been able to sell 32 Holdsworth St, Newtown for $1.4m but it recently fetched $100,000 less

Real estate agents have been left frustrated by the price falls laying the blame on banks for refusing to give out loans

House prices fell in the city and inner south region by 10.1 per cent and inner west by 9.2 per cent which covers the suburbs of Redfern, Surry Hills and Newtown.

But apartment values continued to rise over the previous 12 months by 9.3 per cent in the city and inner south.

There was barely any change in the inner west with a drop of just 0.1 per cent for areas including Birchgrove up to the Olympic Park and then south towards Burwood Heights.

A two-bedroom cottage in Newtown sold for $1.3 million in March which would have fetched $100,000 more a year ago, one agent told realestate.com.au.

The small terrace in Little Cleveland Street in Redfern would have been sold for $1.7m last year but is now on the market for $1.2m

Analysts believe the market will get harder if there is more scrutiny by lenders about whether to approve loans

Ercan Ersan, of agents Ray White, said: 'Talking with all the top mortgage brokers, they say the banks are taking up to five weeks to approve a loan rather than two weeks.

'They're focusing more and more on buyers capacity to pay back the loan.'

The new owner, Sasha Murray, told the website she chose Newtown because it offered better value than Surry Hills where she had been renting previously.

Analysts believe the market will get harder if there is more scrutiny by lenders about whether to approve loans - following a royal commission investigating banking practices.

Buyers from the eastern suburbs such as Bondi and Double Bay are looking to pounce on a relative bargain in the inner city

Another property in Redfern, which agents believed could have fetched $1.7m in 2017, is now on the market for $1.2m.

The area with the biggest falls came in Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury where houses dropped by 2.9 per cent and apartments plummeted by 12.2 per cent.

Buyers from the eastern suburbs such as Bondi and Double Bay are looking to pounce on a relative bargain in the inner city and inner west suburbs, which only saw an average drop of 3.6 per cent.
A four-year-old boy's leg has been saved from amputation after surgery that cost $185,000 in the United States.

William Dickinson's leg did not heal after he fractured it at seven months old, revealing a rare condition that stopped his limb from growing properly.

He returned home to the Gold Coast last week, straight into the arms of his dad as a crowd applauded his arrival, Seven News reported.

William Dickinson's leg (pictured) did not heal after he fractured it at seven months old, revealing a rare condition that stopped his limb from growing

His mum Aimee revealed his leg may have been amputated had it not been for the incredible surgery.

'There was a lot of talk about amputation,' she said.

She was desperate for her son to walk again, so she consulted a doctor named Dr Paley in Florida.

The doctor has treated more than 150 people with the same condition, including three in Australia, but the surgery is not available in Australia.

He returned home to the Gold Coast straight into the arms of his dad (pictured) and pain free according to his Mum.

The local community, the Lions Club, charities and strangers fought hard to find $185,000 to pay for the surgery.

And 29 days later, following surgery to transport bone from his hip into his leg, the boy is now healing and his leg is straight.

'He's pain free, and he has a chance now, his mother told Seven News.

Following surgery to transport bone from his hip into his leg, William (pictured) is now healing and his leg is straight

Meanwhile, the Lions' Club District Governor Ann Reed was absolutely delighted the boy returned home walking.

'We are really happy that the surgery has been successful,' she said.

William will need to return to the US in the next few years for more operations to lengthen his leg.
The infamous feud between two former Gold Coast bikies and their model girlfriends has taken a surprisingly romantic turn.

In a loved up snap posted to Instagram, girlfriend of ex-Bandidos boss Brett 'Kaos' Pechey's, Rikki Louise Sutton, flashed a giant diamond sparkler on her ring finger.

The stunning brunette confirmed her engagement in the comments, captioning the photo, posted on Saturday, 'The shoulder is my fav (sic) spot'.

In a loved up snap posted to Instagram, girlfriend of ex-Bandidos boss Brett 'Kaos' Pechey's, Rikki Louise Sutton (pictured), flashed a giant diamond sparkler on her ring finger

Ms Sutton confirmed her engagement in the comments, captioning the photo, posted on Saturday, 'The shoulder is my fav (sic) spot' (Brett Pechey's and Rikki Sutton pictured together)

The duo appeared to have come out stronger than rival pair, Former Hells Angels and Finks bikie gang member, Ben 'Notorious' Geppert and his girlfriend Allaina Vader.

The former bikie friends had been using Instagram to take shots at each other's Gold Coast girlfriends, who were also cousins, following a falling-out in February.

Geppert posted a photo on social media of Pechey's girlfriend with a pig's snout on her face, and placed two police emojis with the caption 'ONION' - a derogatory term for a bikie's girlfriend.

He has since however removed all traces of the online war from his account, amid reports he has parted ways with Ms Vader.

Pechey has recently been released from prison after being incarcerated for his involvement in a dramatic siege in March.

The duo appeared to have come out stronger than rival pair, Former Hells Angels and Finks bikie gang member, Ben Geppert and his girlfriend Allaina Vader (pictured together)

Geppert recently posted a photo on social media of Pechey's girlfriend with a pig's snout on her face, and placed two police emojis with the caption 'ONION' (pictured)

Pechey (right) has recently been released from prison after being incarcerated for his involvement in a dramatic siege in March

Pechey and Gebbert were good friends and both dating Gold Coast models before they fell out in February.

Geppert, 26, and Pechey's, 31, falling out followed numerous friendly showings over recent weeks alongside their partners, Rikki and Allaina Vader.

Pechey was granted bail in the Southport Magistrates Court where he was charged with threatening to stab police during a three-hour siege.

The stand-off ended when Pechey overdosed on Valium and Xanax and had to hospitalised, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

Pechey reportedly became enraged when he was told Ms Sutton was cheating on him.

Pechey reportedly became enraged when he was told Ms Sutton was cheating on him

Geppert also posted a photo of an old mugshot of Pechey and called him a 'dog', 'loser' and a 'pin head'

His defence lawyer Campbell McCallum said Pechey, a paranoid schizophrenic, was involved in a 'strange type of feud going on with another couple on the Gold Coast'.

Geppert also posted a photo of an old mugshot of Pechey and called him a 'dog', 'loser' and a 'pin head'.

Ms Sutton and Ms Vader are also believed to be not speaking to each other.

Ms Sutton posted a photo of herself and Pechey at dinner, with the caption: 'I will have your back until the end #evilneverwins'.

Geppert and Allaina themselves made headlines after being kicked out of a luxury resort by police while on a recent holiday to Hamilton Island.

Geppert and Allaina themselves made headlines after being kicked out of a luxury resort by police while on a recent holiday to Hamilton Island

Just weeks later, in his since deleted post to his online story, Geppert abused Pechey by posting a photo of his Instagram account with the words 'weak dog' written on it.

'Kaos you weak boneyard dog... don't hide behind me for protection. Ya know where I live so come be a man,' he also wrote in a subsequent post.

It has been reported that Pechey has been interview by police about his knowledge of the Brothers 4 Life gang.

Just weeks earlier the pair shared pictures together and commented as mates, with Pechey going as far as to write: 'Nothing but love for u [sic] always brother'.
Tributes continue to flow for two tradesmen who tragically had their lives cut short in a crash in the New South Wales Hunter region early Friday morning.

Queenslander Jamie Ward, 33, and Estonian national Lauri Jurman, 30, were killed when the Mazda 3 hatchback they were travelling in left the road and hit a tree at a Salamander Bay intersection near Nelson Bay.

Mr Ward was in the front passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Jurman was in the back seat and died on the way to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Tributes continue to flow for two tradesmen who tragically had their lives cut short in a crash in the New South Wales Hunter region early Friday morning. Estonian national Lauri Jurman died on the way to hospital

Jamie Ward, 34, was pronouned dead at the crash scene. He was raised by his grandparents on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

The driver and a second rear seat passenger, both aged 30, remain in John Hunter Hospital.

'While inquiries into the events leading up to the crash are continuing, alcohol is considered a factor,' a NSW Police statement said.

A police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday night that no charges had yet been made.

The four men were colleagues working together on a Myzac Constructions site for a seniors housing project in Salamander Bay.

They were on their way home from a barbecue when tragedy struck, according to Yahoo 7, which named the driver as father-of-three Adam Bortic and the other crash survivor as his best mate Reece Ashe.

Like Mr Ward, both are also from Queensland.

The driver of the Mazda 3 hatchback lost control and hit a tree at a Salamander Bay intersection near Nelson Bay. He and his three colleagues were on their way from a barbecue

Mr Bortic suffered minor head injuries, and wrist and pelvic fractures while his mate has a split liver, and chest and shoulder fractures.

'This could have quite easily been four people killed in this car rather than two,' Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson told 7 News.

'There is every indication at this point in time that speed and alcohol are factors in this particular crash.'

Myzac Constructions has set up a Go Fund Me page to help both devastated families give the send off they deserve.

The page has raised almost $20,000 in two days and has been shared more than 500 times on Facebook.

'Both men were away for work and loving the new job and its surroundings at Salamander Bay,' Myzac Constructions owner Mathew Wiperi posted.

'Together, myself and Myzac employees will do everything in our power to make this nightmare that little bit easier for the families by trying to reduce the the costs of giving Jamie and Lauri there final resting place. These men loved their life and were making the most of there existence but their lives were taken away by no fault of their own.'

Funds raised will ensure both men are returned home to their loved ones.

'Lauri Jurman's whole family are living in Estonia, as you can imagine his family would be doing everything possible to bring him home,' Mr Wiperi posted.

'We have looked into ways of making this happen for his grieving family but it comes with a large cost. Lauri is alone and we need to do everything in our power to have him back with the ones that love him most.'

The driver and a rear seat passenger remain in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital

Mr Ward was raised by his grandparents on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

'They were heartbroken after hearing the terrible news,' Mr Wiperi said.

'We were told he was stoked with his new job and posted 'how good it was to be winning again'. Jamie's grandparents are going to need all the financial support they can get to give the man they raised a memorable send off.'

Meanwhile, friends and colleagues of the killed tradies continue pay their respects.

'Rest in peace Lauri Jurman. May God be your guide on this next journey in eternity. And to all family members and friends. May god be on your side for support. Keep strong!' one friend posted on Facebook.

A colleague added: 'I'm still in shock to hear this news. The world lost a good man today, the first Estonian I knew properly, tried to teach me Estonian! I hope you're forever laughing Lauri.'

Mr Ward's friends remembered him as an amazing skater with a sweet and positive personality and contagious smile.

'RIP bro. Only spoke to him last week, he was super excited about his new job. Awesome memories jamming with the band around Noosa,' one mate posted.

Another added: 'Jamie Ward, you were a great friend, guitarist and all round a great guy you will be missed.. I will never forget the passion for music we both shared.'
Jeremy Corbyn today demanded Britain apologises for its 'immoral' colonial past - as he said Prince Charles should not be the next head of the Commonwealth.

The Labour leader suggested that after the Queen the figurehead of the historic body should be rotated between its member states.

He urged ministers to use a Commonwealth summit in London this week to 'recognise' Britain's 'historical role'. He referred to the displacement of the Chagos islanders to make way for a military base, and abuses in Kenya.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Jeremy Corbyn suggested that after the Queen the figurehead of the historic body should be rotated between its member states

Prince Charles has been in Australia during the Commonwealth Games (pictured in the Northern Territory on April 9)

There are no clear rules on who should succeed the Queen as the head of the Commonwealth after her death.

There has never been another head of the group, which includes 53 nations - mostly former British territories.

But many assume Prince Charles will take over when he becomes King.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Mr Corbyn said the Queen had a 'deep' commitment to the Commonwealth.

Asked if Prince Charles should take over in future, he said: 'I think after her maybe it is a chance to decide who its leader is on a rotational basis.'

Mr Corbyn made clear he wanted ministers to say sorry for the past at the summit.

'I think it is very important that Britain recognises its historical role in many of these issues,' he said.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has also urged Mrs May to issue an apology to the Commonwealth

Referring to the Chagos islands case - which he has pushed for decades as a lowly backbencher - Mr Corbyn said: 'I think it is important that the British government just recognises what Britain did to the Chagos islanders was wrong, was immoral, and gives them the right to return.'

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has also put pressure on Theresa May to issue apologies for the past.

Writing for The House magazine last week, Mrs Thornberry made reference to David Cameron's apology to Nelson Mandela, when he met the South African president in 2006 for the Conservative government's failure to impose sanctions on the country during apartheid, but claimed 'that did not go far enough'.

Last week another key member of Mr Corbyn's team questioned whether Prince Charles was 'level headed' enough to take on the high profile role.

The shadow international development secretary complained the heir to the throne had not been 'vocal on issues'.

Ms Osamor told The House magazine: 'I don't particularly think it should be him. Not because I have an issue with the royal family. I just don't think it should be him.

'I don't really know what he's been up to of late. He's not been that vocal on issues.

'But we just need someone who's level-headed, someone people respect but also someone who thinks outside the box.'

Prince Charles has been in Australia during the Commonwealth Games and hailed the success of the organisation at the opening ceremony.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is hosting the Commonwealth summit in London this week
Advertisement

A cleaning specialist who empties hoarders homes reveals the worst things he has ever found including bottles of urine, jars of faeces and custom-made sex toys.

George Mensah is regularly tasked with gutting properties that are full to the brim with unusual and disturbing collections.

One of the more shocking discoveries Mr Mensah has made was basement packed with bondage accessories, porn dvds and magazines.

Mr Mensah, who owns the Merseyside House Clearance company, regularly comes across fingernail cuttings and once even discovered a collection of dead cats, reports the Liverpool Echo.

A cleaning organisation called Merseyside House Clearance company empties hoarders homes usually after they have passed away or are referred by the NHS or fire service

As well making bizarre findings the cleaners also come across general household items such as empty milk bottles, which were once piled to the ceiling.

In one hoarder's home the waste was piled so high that a light bulb was resting on the top of the mountain of rubbish.

Mr Mensah claims that some of the home owners have been hoarding for years and he has previously uncovered newspapers from 1987 buried beneath the litter.

The Merseyside based cleaning company have seen the problem significantly increase in recent years and now clear around three homes a week.

The company regularly finds mountains of rubbish piled up inside people's homes who suffer from Hoarding Disorder

George Mensah is the owner of Merseyside House Clearance and has made some disturbing discoveries in the past

The cleaning boss said that a hoarder can be anyone of any age, ethnicity or class and has even cleared the home of a former Liverpool judge.

He added that he has arrived at beautiful 750,000 properties that he was unable to enter due to the amount of clutter inside.

Mr Mensah said that there is always an underlying issue as to why someone hoards and by the time you leave the house you know them well.

Some of the items the team find are brand new in boxes which can be given to property however a lot of the objects are taken to the tip.

Piles of unusual collections can be found in the properties that the cleaning companies are employed to empty

There is usually an issue as to why someone hoards and by the time the cleaners leave the house they know them well due to finding out what they eat, read and watch

Some of the items the team find are brand new in boxes which can be given to property however a lot of the objects are taken to the tip

Many of the homes belong to people who have passed away however some are referrals made through social services, the NHS and the fire service.

Mr Mensah said: 'One of our biggest jobs last year and I think one of the biggest hoards in the UK, was a semi-detached house which we cleaned 16 tonnes of rubbish from.

'We found three cars that the family didn't even know he had, because the property was so overgrown and full.'

Many of the homes belong to people who have passed away however some are referrals made through social services, the NHS and the fire service

As well making bizarre findings the cleaners also come across general household items such as empty milk bottles, which were once piled to the ceiling

But some of the discoveries can be quite private as once Mr Mensah found a letter sent to the man the house previously belonged to from his mistress.

In the letter she told the man that she was pregnant however Mr Mensah didn't feel it was his place to reveal that information to the man's son so put the note back.

Hoarding Disorder has been an officially recognised mental disorder since 2013 by the NHS.

The disorder has claimed the life of two extreme hoarders who died in a fire at their home after firefighters couldn't access the property due to the amount of things in it.

The team sometimes turn up to properties and struggle to get through the door as the clutter is piled so high right up to the front door

Some of the home owners have been hoarding for years and he has previously uncovered newspapers from 1987 buried beneath the litter
Three teenage girls have been charged after they circulated their friend's sex tape on social media and sent it to her parents.

Alyssa Nicole Ollervides, 17; Daniela Vasquez, 18; and Abdalys Medellin, 19; were arrested in Laredo, Texas, on Wednesday, for sharing the explicit video of their 16-year-old friend without her consent, reported the Laredo Morning Times.

They all face charges of unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate material. Ollervides has also been charged with sale, distribution or display of harmful material to a minor.

Abdalys Medellin, 19 (left); Daniela Vasquez, 18 (center): and Alyssa Nicole Ollervides, 17 (right); were charged with unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate material. Ollervides has also been charged with sale, distribution or display of harmful material to a minor

The three teens obtained a sex tape of a 16-year-old girl and her then-boyfriend and circulated it on social media before sending it to her parents (Pictured, Ollervides, left, and Medellin, right)

The 16-year-old girl told police on February 27 that she had made the video with her then-boyfriend and had consented to be filmed.

Her ex allegedly gave the video to the three teenagers. without her consent, and began sharing the clip on social media, which went viral.

According to the Laredo Morning Times, Ollervides told police that she had sent the video to the victim via cellphone. She then sent the video to Vasquez and to Medellin.

Medellin was then allegedly instructed by Ollervides to send the video to the 16-year-old's mother.

Court records show that Ollervides and Medellin were arrested on Wednesday and subsequently released on bond. Vasquez was arrested on Thursday and was released after posting bond.

According to KGNS-TV, there is one more arrest pending in the case.

Ollervides (left) told police that she had sent the video to the victim via cellphone. She then sent the video to Vasquez and to Medellin. Medellin (right) was then allegedly instructed by Ollervides to send the video to the 16-year-old's mother

Webb County Jail records show that Ollervides was charged in August 2017 with evading arrest in a motor vehicle.

Medellin was also arrested in February 2017 and charged with assault causing bodily injury and possession of marijuana less than two ounces.

As of 2015, it is illegal in Texas to distribute sexually explicit videos or photos of a person without his or her consent.

If convicted, penalties for the crime include up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.




The X-Men would have voted Remain, Hollywood actor Patrick Stewart claimed today as he launched a bid to block Brexit.

Sir Patrick said his two best-known characters - Charles Xavier from the hit comic book films and Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard - would have wanted to stay in the EU as they were 'admirable individuals'.

The surprising claim was laughed off by Boris Johnson, who was also appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

Sir Patrick said his two best-known characters - Charles Xavier and Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard - would have wanted to stay in the EU as they were 'admirable individuals'. The surprising claim was laughed off by Boris Johnson, who was also appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show

Sir Patrick has played Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men, in the hugely successful series of films

The Foreign Secretary was mercilessly mocked on social media after mistakenly suggesting Sir Patrick had been in Star Wars

But the Foreign Secretary was mercilessly mocked on social media after mistakenly suggesting Sir Patrick had been in Star Wars.

The bizarre episode came as campaigners and politicians from across the spectrum launched the People's Vote campaign in London.

The push brings together nine grassroots organisations who have been demanding a vote on the final Brexit deal.

Sir Patrick said of his most famous roles: '(They) were excellent, admirable individuals.

The bizarre episode came as campaigners and politicians from across the spectrum launched the People's Vote campaign in London. Pictured: Sir Patrick Stewart addresses the crowd during the People's Vote campaign launch on Brexit at the Electric Ballroom in Camden Town

'Yes, intellectuals but also compassionate and concerned for the well-being of everyone.

'They would have voted Remain.'

Sir Patrick said the calls for a fresh vote were 'part of democratic process'.

Asked what he would say to people who voted for Brexit, he insisted 'what we are doing is in their benefit'.

Sir Patrick said Jeremy Corbyn is a 'puzzle' to him after he was pressed on how the Labour leader had sacked shadow cabinet members who have differing views on Brexit.

Sir Patrick made his name on the screen playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the long-running Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series

Trekkies quickly took to Twitter to voice their horror at Mr Johnson confusing Sir Patrick's role with Star Wars

Appearing after Sir Patrick's pre-recorded interview, Mr Johnson said: 'Patrick Stewart had something to do with Star Wars didn't he?'

Paraphrasing the opening monologue from Star Trek, he added: 'We will be able to boldly go again to areas that perhaps we've neglected over the last few years.'

Mr Johnson dismissed a jibe from Marr that the places Britain would now visit were 'full of dangerous alien spacecraft waiting to zap us'.

'On the contrary, friendly, wonderful places where we can renew old friendships, rebuild relationships and develop fantastic new free trade deals,' he said.
Advertisement

A Royal Navy submarine was hunted by Russian warships in a 'cat and mouse' pursuit under the eastern Mediterranean shortly before the UK took part in airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria, it has emerged.

Russian hunter-killer submarines, nicknamed 'Black Hole' because of their stealth, chased the British Astute-class submarines over several days, supported by two frigates and an anti-submarine aircraft, according to a military source.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said today that the UK would have to take 'precautions' against Russian cyber-attacks, after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of 'consequences' following the airstrikes by the UK, US and France in which suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria were reduced to rubble.

The Russian Kilo-class submarines tracked the British crew as the UK vessel, carrying Tomahawk missiles with a range of up to 1,000 miles, moved within firing distance of Syria, The Sunday Times reports.

A Royal Navy submarine has been hunted by Russian warships in a 'cat and mouse' pursuit under the Mediterranean. Pictured: HMS Astute, one of Britain's Astute-class submarines, sailing up Gareloch on the Firth of Clyde to her base at Faslane

No British submarines were in fact used in the strikes, though the British boat would have been carrying up to 20 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The US Navy was also flying patrol aircraft over the area to track Russian boats and protect its ally Britain

No missiles were in fact fired from British submarines during the strikes, although though the British boat would have been carrying up to 20 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The US Navy was also flying patrol aircraft over the area to track Russian boats and protect its allied submarines, it is reported.

Britain's nuclear-powered Astute submarines cost around 1.2billion each and have been commissioned since 2010, while the Russian Kilo-class submarines are powered by diesel generators and can reach a top speed of 20 knots.

Nick Childs of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said submarine commanders were trained not to fire too many missiles at once as they would give away their position.

It comes after new satellite imagery revealed extensive damage to targets hit by the airstrikes in Syria, where three sites were destroyed as Donald Trump, Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron responded to a chemical attack by the Assad regime which killed 75 people.

Trump has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again, while UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson defended Britain's decision to stand up to 'barbarism' amid criticism of Mrs May for acting without a vote in the House of Commons.

America's UN ambassador Nikki Haley said today the U.S. will be imposing more economic sanctions on Russia for its support of Assad, saying they will affect companies that are 'dealing with equipment related to Assad and any chemical weapons use'.

Assad continues to deny using chemical weapons, telling visiting Russian politicians today that Western air strikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation at the UN.

Putin told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today that more airstrikes would be in violation of the United Nations Charter and 'would inevitably provoke chaos in international relations', according to the Kremlin.

Images taken on Saturday show extensive missile damage to the facilities believed to be involved with Syria's chemical weapons program, with two facilities decimated in Homs and the Bazrah Research Center, a scientific research center on the outskirts of Damascus, also hit by a barrage of missiles.

Russian hunter-killer submarines chased the British Astute-class submarines over several days, supported by two frigates and an anti-submarine aircraft, according to a military source. Pictured: A file photo of a Russian submrine

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad receives a delegation from Russia's ruling United Russia political party in Damascus today, telling them that Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation

Assad and Russia deny using chemical weapons, as the Syrian President told his visitors today (pictured) that U.S., Britain and France, which carried out the strikes, had waged a campaign of 'lies and misinformation' against Russia and Syria

Britain's Astute-class submarines compared to the Russian 'Black Hole' Kilo-class vessels that hunted them KILO CLASS-SUBMARINE Weight: Surfaced - 2,3002,350 tonnes; submerged: 3,000-3,950 tonnes Length: 229ft  242ft Width: 32 ft Draught: 21 ft Propulsion: two 1,300shp diesel generators; one 5,5006,800 shp propulsion motor; one fixed-pitch six or seven bladed propeller Speed:20 knots Armament: six 21in torpedo tubes; 18 torpedoes; Kalibr / Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile; 24 mines; eight 9K34 Strela-3 or eight 9K310 Igla-1 surface-to-air missiles ASTUTE-CLASS SUBMARINE Weight: Surfaced - 7,000 to 7,400 tonnes; submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 tons Length: 318ft Width: 37ft Draught: 33ft Propulsion: Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generatorsSpeed: 32mph Speed: 30 knots Armament: 6  21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons Seven boats planned in total, of which three (Astute, Ambush and Artful) have already been commissioned Advertisement

Warning of 'consequences', Putin described the airstrikes as 'act of aggression' that would 'worsen the humanitarian catastrophe' in Syria and have a 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations'.

Boris Johnson said failure to respond to Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

He said 'so far, thank heavens, the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack,' adding that Britain and its allies 'would study what the options were' in the event of another attack.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia and criticism of Theresa May for acting without a Commons vote, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Concerns have been raised that a cyber backlash could see vital services including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Mr Johnson said: 'You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings. Today Mr Corbyn demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

 Slide me  One of two targets hit at the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site was the storage site (pictured) which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles. The astonishing images show what appears to be the main buildings reduced to rubble

The official legal advice claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'. Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. 'That surely would save a lot of lives,' he told the Andrew Marr Show.

Meanwhile protests broke out today at the entrance gate of a British air base in Cyprus to denounce US-led airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria.

Around 350 demonstrators, from communist organisations in Greece and Cyprus, gathered in front of RAF Akrotiri where four Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike. Protest leader Akis Poullos said they were demanding the closure of RAF Akrotiri, with signs condemning the 'NATO killers' after the attack.

Putin criticised Washington and its allies for attacking without waiting for inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog group to visit Douma, just outside Damascus, saying Russian military experts had found no trace of the attack.

 Slide me  The second site outside of Homs was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker. It was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

 Slide me  Barzah Research Facility in northern Damascus was the main target of the attack. A total of 76 missiles pummeled this site alone. Smoke still lingered well after the attack that happened in the early morning darkness of 4am

A Russian motion in the UN Security Council to condemn the airstrikes was rejected with only China and Bolivia joining Russia to vote in favour, as U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley promised the country was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' in the future.

Moscow's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: 'A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.'

Scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in Syria on Friday night in retaliation for President Assad's chemical weapons attack on the rebel enclave of Douma on April 7.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

Aid workers told how chlorine could be smelled in the air and victims were found with foam in their mouth and with burning eyes.

Pope Francis told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that he is `'deeply disturbed' by the international community's failure to come up with a common response to the crisis in Syria and other parts of the world.

'Despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action toward peace in Syria or other regions of the world,' the Pope told a crowd of 30,000 after his traditional Sunday blessing.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the strikes were merely aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings. Today on the Andrew Marr show (pictured) he called for a 'war powers' law

The Pentagon shared details early on Saturday of the successful, coordinated missile attack on Damascus which set the Syrian regime's chemical weapons program back 'years'.

At a press conference in Washington DC on Saturday morning, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie gave a detailed break-down of the 105 missiles launched, saying: 'This is going to set the program back for years. We attacked the heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program.'

He also rejected the Syrian media's claim that Assad's missile defense systems took down 71 of the missiles launched, revealing that none were compromised and that they were only fired once the coordinated attack was over. Russia also claimed missiles had been intercepted.

The first and largest target in the airstrikes was the Barzah Research and Development Center which was considered to be the 'heart' of the regime's chemical weapons program.

The second target was the Hinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility. It was destroyed by 22 weapons including Scalp and Storm Shadows and three Naval cruise missiles. The third target, the Hinshar CW Bunker, was hit by seven Scalp missiles.

Three civilians were injured but there have been no confirmed fatalities. On Saturday, the General said that if any deaths are reported they may well have been the result of Assad's counter fire.

'Syria shot 40 large missiles into the air using ballistic trajectory, without guidance. When we shoot iron into the air without guidance, it's going to come down somewhere,' he said.

All of the US aircraft returned safely to base after the attack. Gen. McKenzie did not say where the Lancer B-1 Bombers had flown from but other officials suggested they were deployed from an airbase in Qatar.

A Syrian soldier films the damage at the site of the Barzah Scientific Research Center in Damascus on Saturday morning after it was annihilated by 76 missiles

Smoke was still billowing from the site on Saturday morning, hours after the 4am air and sea missile attack

Soldiers were putting out the flames and smoke on Saturday morning as US officials celebrated the attack and said 'mission accomplished'

'We met our objective. We hit our target. It was mission accomplished,' a Pentagon spokesperson said on Saturday, repeating President Trump's tweet earlier in the day.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons - tweeting, 'Mission Accomplished!' - Vice President Mike Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France on Saturday.

'The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished - with swift professionalism,' Pence told reporters, noting there were 'no reported civilian casualties.'

He also had a warning for Russia: 'Our message to Russia is, 'you're on the wrong side of history,' ' Pence also said. 'It's time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night. 'You're known by the company you keep.'

Russia has military forces, including air defences, in several areas of Syria to support President Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance. The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The U.S. ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, 'Before we took action, the United States communicated with' Russia to 'reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties.'

A Pentagon spokeswoman said that to her knowledge no-one communicated with Moscow other than to use a military-to-military hotline that has routinely helped minimise the risk of U.S.-Russian collisions or confrontations in Syrian airspace. Officials said this did not include giving Russian advance notice of where or when allied airstrikes would happen.

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

Satellite images show the Barzah Research Center, the main target, before and after the missile attack which took place at 4am local time on Saturday, 9pm EST on Friday. 76 missiles pummeled this site alone

The second target was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles

The third target, Him Shinshar CW Bunker, was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

This graphic issued by the Pentagon on Saturday illustrates how the attacks unfolded from air and sea. It does not represent exactly the number of ships or planes deployed by each country. The US used three destroyers and a submarine along with two B-1 Lancer bombers. France used at least two aircraft and four ships and the UK used four aircraft

A map shows the location of the three targets. The Barzah Research Center was nearer the capital and the two storage facilities were to the north

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White (left) and Joint Staff director Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie gave a briefing on the strike on Saturday and said it 'crippled' Assad's chemical weapon arsenal

Between the jets and warships, 76 missiles annihilated the Barzah research center. Fifty-seven of those were Tomahawk missiles and 19 were Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.

The Tomahawks were mostly fired from the USS Monterey, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the USS Higgins, USS Laboon and the USS John Warner submarine.

France deployed its Mirage and Dassault Rafale jets and reportedly used four frigate warships. It is not clear how many aircraft were deployed. Britain is believed only to have fired missiles from its Torpedoes and Typhoon aircraft.

Other ships from each nation's military were in the region, including the USS Donald Cook, but did not fire any weapons. Despite the attack, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said the US was still committed to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing civil war in Syria.

'Our goal has not changed. Our goal in Syria is to defeat ISIS....but Assad's actions were beyond the pale. We do not seek conflict in Syria but we cannot allow such grievous violations of international law,' she said.

'We will not stand by passively while Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, ignores international law.'

Iran condemned the Western strikes on Syria, saying no country has a right to take punitive measures against another 'beyond international procedures.'

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that Iran had warned about the possibility that 'terrorist groups' were behind the alleged chemical attack that triggered the strikes. It said he communicated his concerns in a phone call with Boris Johnson on Sunday.

Trump vows to sanction MORE airstrikes against Syria if Assad dares to use chemical weapons again, as Nikki Haley tells UN Security Council members they have FAILED miserably to tackle his evil regime

President Trump has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again, as Nikki Haley lashed out at Russia during a fiery meeting of the UN Security Council.

Scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in Syria on Friday night in retaliation for President Assad's chemical weapons attack on the rebel enclave of Douma on April 7.

While President Trump greeted the end of the attacks with a tweet saying 'mission accomplished', Ambassador Haley promised the US was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' in the future.

'The time for talk ended last night,' Haley told an emergency meeting of the Security Council called by Russia. 'We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will.

Nikki Haley (pictured) lashed out at Russia during a fiery meeting of the UN Security Council, saying US was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' again

President Trump (pictured addressing the nation on the airstrikes on Friday) has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again

'I spoke to President Trump this morning and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.'

She also accused the Russians of covering up crimes committed by its ally, Assad, who she said had used chemical weapons 50 times in the past seven years of warfare.

President Trump said Saturday in his first comments since the air raid: 'Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!'

'So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!' he tweeted.

The phrase recalled a similar claim associated with President George W. Bush following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Bush addressed sailors aboard a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a 'Mission Accomplished' banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organized an insurgency that tied down U.S. forces for years.

Russia proposed a motion at the Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the airstrikes, but this was rejected with only Russia, China and Bolivia voting in favour.

Trump hailed a 'perfectly executed strike' just hours after launching a series of attacks on Syria. He wrote on Twitter on Saturday morning: 'Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!'

He added: 'So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!'

Part of the calculation this week has also been gaming out how Russia will respond either in the region or around the world

The White House's talking points on the airstrikes emphasized the grotesqueness of the photos of children of 'dead and dying children' as a 'call to action among the world's civilized nations.'

Surrogates for the administration were told to stress in media appearance that 'actors who use these abhorrent weapons will be held accountable for their actions' but make clear that strikes 'are not intended as a provocation against the Russian Federation or its forces in Syria. We do not seek armed conflict with the Russian Federation.'

Nations that can but do not act to stop horrific attacks like the one in Syria 'make themselves complicit in these outrages,' the White House instructed its allies to say, and 'everyone must understand that the costs of using chemical weapons will always outweigh any military or political benefits.'

The talking points that were provided to DailyMail.com by a source also revealed the United States' intent to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow's 'ongoing support for the Assad regime' which the White House says has 'enabled the regime's atrocities against the Syrian people.'

Damascus skies erupt with anti-aircraft fire after Donald Trump announced the strikes on Syria on Friday night

The Damascus sky lights up with missile fire as the US, Britain and France launch an attack on Syria

Putin warns of 'consequences' for Syria airstrikes amid fears of Russian cyber attacks on British hospitals and banks as Boris defends 'standing up for civilized values' after backlash at May

Russia has delivered a dark warning of 'consequences' for the Syria strikes - as Boris Johnson passionately defended Britain's decision to stand up to 'barbarism'.

The Foreign Secretary said failure to response to Bashar Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia and criticism of Theresa May for acting without a Commons vote, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

The US, UK and France hailed their missile strikes in the early hours of yesterday morning as having successfully degraded the capability of Assad to deploy chemical weapons.

The military action passed off without UK casualties or any of the Russian forces on the ground being hit.

But there are over a Russian cyber backlash that could see vital services in Britain including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected in retaliation for the strikes.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the unified missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus

RAF Tornado taxiing to the threshold before taking-off on a sortie at RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes in support of Operations over the Middle East

A series of missile strikes were launched against Syria by the US, UK and France in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma a week ago

The Russian ambassador to the US has delivered a dark warning about 'consequences' for the strikes (left). Jeremy Corbyn has branded the military action 'legally questionable' - a claim flatly denied by the government

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus.

Moscow's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: 'A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.'

There are concerns that cyber attacks could see electricity cuts, while Russian hackers could also disable water supplies, as well as energy grid and financial services being crippled suddenly.

Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow after defying calls for a Commons vote to be held before the military action in Syria.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings.

It claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'.

A poll has suggested the public also had doubts about the raids.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday found nearly six out of ten believe there should be no more missile strikes unless Mrs May wins the backing of MPs. Only one in five were in favour of the PM using her executive powers to launch more raids.

However, she is also rated the most trusted Prime Minister to lead the nation into war since Margaret Thatcher, beating David Cameron and Tony Blair.

The Syrian children whose pain sparked the allied airstrikes: Survivors of Assad's chemical attack tell how people fell to the ground vomiting, coughing and foaming at the mouth after inhaling 'spicy' gas

The suffering of Syrian children who foamed at the mouth and struggled to breathe as they were caught up in a chemical attack last week has been revealed.

Children as young as seven have spoken of the horror they witnessed as the Assad regime targeted Douma, Eastern Ghouta, with chemical weapons last week.

The horrific attack, which left at least 70 people dead, has spurred the West into action with the US, UK and France co-ordinating airstrikes against Syria.

One girl, seven-year-old Masa, had to flee with her mother Amani while people fell to the ground around them amid clouds of white gas and dust, the Sunday Times reports from Syria.

A child evacuated from Douma is pictured arriving in Al-Bab district after the chemical attack

A girl who was evacuated from Douma after the chemical attack which killed at least 70 people

Amani, 34, told the newspaper: 'The gas was spicy. Spicy in my throat like chilli. I was vomiting and coughing.

'I couldn't control my body. I was just shaking the whole time. There wasn't oxygen.'

The family and their neighbours had heard bombing outside, and discovered a gas attack when two young men went to see what was happening after hearing a hissing sound, it is reported.

Amani found her husband and other daughter collapsed after inhaling the chemicals, but while her family survived everyone in the neighbouring basement died, she said.

The survivors have been living in a camp in northern Syria after many of their friends and neighbours died in the Assad regime's attack.

Another former resident of Douma, who now lives in exile, said eight of his neighbors - two women and their six children - were found dead and were were believed to have suffocated in their underground shelter from the poisonous gas.

A child evacuated from Douma gestures from a bus carrying evacuees in Al-Bab district

A man evacuated from Douma holds a child and looks out from a bus which evacuated them

Donald Trump cited the Syrian children's agony when he spoke from the White House to announce U.S. airstrikes.

'The evil and despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air,' he said.

Footage posted by the White Helmets showed victims with yellowed skin crumpled on the floor, white foam emerging from their mouths.

The White House said doctors and aid organizations on the ground in Douma reported 'the strong smell of chlorine and described symptoms consistent with exposure to sarin.'

Much of the evidence comes from witness testimony, as well as video and photos shot by aid workers, victims of the attacks and unspecified additional intelligence about barrel bombs and chlorine canisters found in the aftermath.

The newspaper said unrelated survivors on the ground had reported similar symptoms suggesting they had been the victims of a chemical attack.

The symptoms included coughing, vomiting and foaming at the mouth, as well as a loss of feeling in their limbs which Amani said made it hard to get upstairs.

Corbyn demands law BANNING PM from taking military action without MP vote as he says he would NEVER deploy UK forces without UN backing - even though Russia has a veto

Jeremy Corbyn today demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

The Labour leader also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Syria by the UK, US and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds.

And Mr Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them.

The comments - which will fuel deep splits within Labour - came amid a huge political row over Theresa May's decision to join reprisals against Bashar Assad over his use of chemical weapons.

Jeremy Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Corbyn said: 'I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name.'

The Labour leader warned of an escalation in a 'proxy war' between the US and Russia.

He said chlorine has been used by 'a number of parties in the conflict' in Syria as a weapon.

Mr Corbyn said that if Britain wants to 'get the moral high ground around the world' it must abide by international law for taking military action.

He said the humanitarian grounds used by the UK to justify strikes was 'debatable'.

The Labour leader also made clear he does not accept that the strikes on Syria by the UK, US and France were legally justified on humanitarian grounds

'Where is the legal basis for this?' he said.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. That surely would save a lot of lives.'

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against the Assad regime had been the 'wrong thing to do'.

She told ITV's Peston On Sunday: 'We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.

'NATO killers go home': Communist protest breaks out at gates of British air base in Cyprus where RAF Tornados and Typhoons were scrambled from for missile strikes on Syria

Protests have broken out at the entrance gate of a British air base in Cyprus to denounce US-led airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria.

Around 350 demonstrators, from communist organisations in Greece and Cyprus, gathered in front of RAF Akrotiri where four Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike.

Protest leader Akis Poullos said they were demanding the closure of RAF Akrotiri, with signs condemning the 'NATO killers' after the attack.

Britain joined the U.S. and France to launch airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria in response to an attack on a rebel-held area last week which killed more than 75 people.

Protests have broken out at the entrance gate of a British air base in Cyprus to denounce US-led airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria

Around 350 demonstrators, from communist organisations in Greece and Cyprus, gathered in front of RAF Akrotiri where four Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike

Poullos said Sunday's demonstration was also a message to the Cyprus government not to lend any assistance to 'imperialist attacks' on Syria and to demand an end to the war in the country.

Protesters used red paint to write 'NATO killers go home' on a nearby wall outside the base's gate.

Britain retained RAF Akrotiri and another military base on Cyprus after the east Mediterranean island gained independence in 1960.

The Cyprus government said it was not given any warning about Saturday's airstrikes.

It also said British Prime Minister Theresa May assured Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades that there was no danger to Cyprus and that Cypriots can feel secure.
From middle-aged farmers and highly respected businessmen to parents and young people, ice 'doesn't discriminate' in a New South Wales regional town.

'It doesn't care who you are or what background you came from,' Wagga Wagga Magistrate Erin Kennedy said on Sunday night's episode of 60 Minutes.

'The addiction seems to be so incredibly strong that it doesn't matter you lose your liberty for the drug.'

Australian police are now fighting on the frontline in Mexico to stop deadly ice flooding into Australia.

Scroll down for video

Australian police are now fighting on the frontline in Mexico to stop deadly ice flooding into Australia. Karen Butts was meant to be interviewed for 60 Minutes with her young ice addict son Kurt by her side. But he was arrested last week and is back in prison

Wagga Wagga Magistrate Erin Kennedy says that ice doesn't discriminate. 'It doesn't care who you are or what background you came from,' she said

Out of 5,000 cases heard in Wagga Wagga Local Court in 2017, more than 2,000 were ice related.

'I see people that are up around their 60s,' Magistrate Kennedy said.

'It's shocking. A person the other day, a farmer, he has three children and he's probably in his 50s. He'd be the last person you think would be dabbling in that kind of a thing.'

One addict who wanted to remain anonymous said he'd be able to get hold of the drug within two minutes.

'I don't remember much of the last four or five years,' he told 60 Minutes.

'I wish I never touched it. My life would be a lot different right now. Might still be with me missus. I might have a job. I've lost a lot. Me cars, me house, Everything I owned. Gone several times.'

Karen Butts was meant to be interviewed with her young ice addict son Kurt by her side.

But he was arrested last week and is back in prison.

'Helplessness is probably the worst thing, I think, his mother said.

'And for me, you always want to protect your children and help your children, thats your maternal instinct. And when it comes to drug use, you have no control. He's tried to hang himself. So...it doesn't get any closer than that.'

She said having her son back drug free would mean 'a million Christmases in one' to her but doesn't know when her son will come clean.

'I have no idea. It's totally up to my son,' she said.

'To have my son back without the chaos his mind must go through with ice use would make me very happy.'

Karen Butts described her son Kurt (pictured as a boy) as a playful little chap who was always getting into mischief

Australian police are fighting on the frontline in Mexico (pictured) to stop deadly ice flooding into the country

The crisis of the cheap drug reaching our streets is a constant problem faced by the Australian Federal Police

Magistrate Kennedy had this message for other parents concerned their children may be caught up with the drug.

'Be conscious of who your children are mixing with and if there's any sign of it, step in,' she said.

'And, in my view, the moment your friend offers you this substance, they're no longer your friend. That's not a definition of friend.'

In a drastic step, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) now has a full-time officer stationed on the ground in the Guadalajara region deep in the Mexican jungle.

Dangerous drug smuggling gangs have turned their attentions to Australia as a 'growing market' from the US prompting the AFP's dramatic move.

The AFP's full-time role in the global war on drugs saw officer Conrad Jensen sent behind the lines into the area known as 'cartel country'.

Authorities say cheap meth reaching the streets in Australia is at crisis point with some users aged as young as nine years old.

Police in Australia have taken the rare step of working together with the authorities in Mexico to combat the problem in the Guadalajara region.

The cameras were taken deep into 'cartel country' under armed protection from the Mexican Federal Police.

Australian police are now fighting to stop deadly ice flooding into Australia

Officers are joining the drug war alongside their Mexican counterparts which is the subject of an investigation on Sunday's 60 Minutes (pictured is reporter Tom Steinfort)

Police in Australia have taken the rare step of working together with the authorities in Mexico to combat the problem in the Guadalajara region

Senior Liaison Officer Jensen says drug gangs believe Australia is a growing market due to the prices being more favourable than in the US.

'They're business orientated,' Officer Jensen told the Channel Nine programme.

'So if they could make a dollar in that part of the world they'll try their hand at it.'

The ice crisis is a growing problem for Australia with the country using around eight tonnes of ice every year and users aged as young as nine-years-old.

The kind of drugs being grown in the heart of the Mexican jungle include cocaine, heroin and fentanyl - a depressant which slows the messages between the brain and body.

The drug crisis is a growing mess for Australia with the country using around eight tonnes of ice every year

In a statement, the AFP said: 'The import of illicit drugs domestically and internationally is a top priority for the AFP with Mexico one of the top five embarkation points for meth travelling into the Australia.'

Ice is becoming an ever-increasing epidemic for Australia with police and governments fearing of a lost generation because of the deadly effects.

The access to the drug is easy, according to one user interviewed in Sunday's programme, who says it can take as little as two minutes to source a hit.

The anonymous user and dealer says he once spent three weeks on a bender without sleeping and has been hooked on ice for seven years.




A woman has been caught bashing a taxi with her stilettos before allegedly hitting a security officer with her shoe outside an Adelaide hotel.

The 30-year-old was arrested by police after she tried to run away from a security guard in front of the Palais Hotel in Semaphore.

Footage shows the woman continually striking the taxi window with her stilettos as the terrified driver reversed his cab in fear.

A woman (pictured) has been caught repeatedly bashing a taxi with her stilettos as the driver tried to reverse his car in fear

She was then confronted by security, but managed to dash away down the beach-side road before returning to the scene later with a friend.

Police allege the woman struck the guard in the face with a shoe after he approached her following the taxi attack.

Houssain Siddiqui told Nine News he was terrified of the woman and 'remained very distant', to avoid getting hit.

Police allege the woman struck the guard in the face with a shoe after he approached her following the taxi attack. She is pictured confronting the guard in Semaphore, Adelaide

'Why are they risking other people's property and lives?' he said.

Taxi Council South Australia President Steve Savan told the network aggressive people 'really should get a life'.

'Try to treat taxi drivers as people who are doing their job, because that's what they are,' he said.

The woman was then seen running away from the scene but police caught her when she later returned nearby

'They don't need to be abused or attacked.'

The woman was charged with disorderly behaviour, property damage and aggravated assault.

She has been bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 21 May.
Theresa May faces a battle to win over MPs and the public in a crucial Commons showdown as a poll showed UK opinion is split down the middle over Syria airstrikes.

The Prime Minister has vowed to come to parliament tomorrow to justify her decision to launch military action against Bashar Assad along with the US and France.

Senior ministers took to the airwaves to make the case for the 'limited' attack, saying it had successfully degraded Assad's ability to use chemical weapons.

Meanwhile, Mrs May stepped back after a tumultuous 24 hours and was seen making her regular Sunday visit to church in Maidenhead with husband Philip.

Theresa May stepped back after a tumultuous 24 hours and was seen making her regular Sunday visit to church in Maidenhead with husband Philip

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday showed UK opinion is split almost down the middle over Syria airstrikes

A series of missile strikes were launched against Syria by the US, UK and France in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma a week ago

The premier will be braced for a rough ride in the House, with Opposition parties and some Tories angry that she defied calls for a vote before the strikes.

But Jeremy Corbyn is also under intense pressure from his own side after a number of Labour MPs voiced frustration at his refusal to countenance support for military action under any circumstances.

The veteran left-winger doubled down on his criticism of the Syria raids today by making clear he viewed them as illegal. He said the government's justification that they were a humanitarian measure was not enough.

He also insisted he would never support any action against Syria that did not have UN backing.

Critics pointed out that Russia has the power to veto resolutions at the UN, meaning that Vladimir Putin would be able to block Britain's foreign policy.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said any further action that changes the terms of engagement of UK forces in Syria should be put to a vote in the House of Commons.

Ms Sturgeon said she is not persuaded that air strikes achieve the objective of furthering peace and said on this occasion they seem to be more to do with a macho strongman standoff between Presidents Trump and Putin rather than about aiding peace in Syria.

On Saturday, Ms Sturgeon tweeted that the suspected use of chemical weapons in Douma last week was sickening but warned that the latest action risked dangerous escalation.

She said: Clearly the clock can't be turned back on what happened at the weekend. But I do think we need to look at options for gaining an assurance that if there is to be any further action that changes the terms of engagement of UK forces in Syria, that that is sanctioned by a vote in Parliament.

So the SNP, in consultation if there is a willingness to do so with other parties, will be looking at the options that are open to us.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday today found that 36 per cent of the public favoured airstrikes against Assad over the atrocity in Douma, while 40 per cent were against.

Nearly six out of ten believe there should be no more missile strikes unless Mrs May wins the backing of MPs. Only one in five were in favour of the PM using her executive powers to launch more raids.

In better news for Mrs May, her personal ratings have surged and she now leads Mr Corbyn by a net 13 points. Research for Survation found a previous seven-point lead for Labour had evaporated since the Salisbury attack and the parties are now neck and neck.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson delivered an impassioned defence of the military action today saying failure to respond to Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons would have undermined 'civilised values'.

Jeremy Corbyn insisted he would never countenance military action without a UN resolution - even though Russia has the power to veto them

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the strikes were merely aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Concerns have been raised that a cyber backlash could see vital services including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected. There is also speculation they could try to spread embarrassing 'Kompromat' material about senior politicians.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Johnson said: 'You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.'

Mr Johnson also refused to confirm that there will be a retrospective vote on the military action. Ministers are likely to come under pressure to publish the government's full legal opinion on the basis for strikes, after issuing a summary yesterday.

GCHQ is thought to be monitoring the web to pick up any signs of cyber aggression from the Kremlin, following the unified missile strikes on Syrian chemical basis in Damascus

There is not thought to be any mechanism for Opposition parties to force a Commons division this week, so it is up to the government whether to hold one.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

After ordering military action for the first time since entering No 10, a grim-faced Mrs May used a 9am Downing Street press conference to insist 'limited and targeted' bombing was the 'right thing to do' to stop the use of banned chemical weapons.

The military action passed off without UK casualties or any of the Russian forces on the ground being hit.
A Canadian couple is defending their decision to record themselves tackling and zip-tying a 28-year-old man they believe was trying to have sex with their 13-year-old daughter.

The disturbing video taken in British Columbia shows the horrifying ambush where she and her husband tackled the man, tied his hands behind his back with zip ties, and laid him down on his stomach on Facebook Live on Thursday.

Despite taking down the alleged predator to protect their child, the mother and stepfather may be charged with assault and forcible confinement.

A Canada couple restrained and tied up a 'predator' they claim arrived to their home to have sex with their 13-year-old daughter, pictured above in a Facebook Live video the mother filmed

The mother arranged an ambush after discovering his lewd messages to her daughter via Instagram. The couple then tackled him and tied him down with zip ties, pictured above

The video clip displays the man from Port Alberni lying on the ground as the mother shames him from behind the camera.

'He come to my house to meet my 13-year-old f***ing daughter to f*** her. He wanted to be her first,' the mother is heard saying in footage obtained by CTV.

'We f***ing tackled him, and Zap strapped him and called the police,' she added.

She revealed that she discovered his lewd messages sent to her daughter via Instagram.

'Why wouldnt the police come and help me catch the predator that just came to my f***ing house,' she said.

'Im so glad that I got my daughters phone and saw a message that she didnt f****** erase,' she said.

The distraught mother said the man was an acquaintance of the family.

'This is my ex-best friend's little brother. He knows everything about my daughter. He's known her since she was like three,' she said.

'My life has revolved around this piece of s*** for the past six weeks.'

The video ends with police officers entering the home.

The man was taken to the hospital and has not been charged.

The mother alerted police about the man six weeks ago, asking for authorities to investigate him and offering the explicit Instagram messages as evidence.

They waited for police to arrive on the scene to take him away. The mother alerted police about the 'predator' six weeks ago. They told her to block the man and move on

Police told her to block the man and move on.

The mother then set up the meeting with the man to confront him and asked police to be on the scene. She said police refused to help.

The mother and stepfather of the girl admitted to police that they tied down the man and interrogated him.

'The police had directed her not to take matters into her own hands. We still do have an active and ongoing investigation on the matter,' Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Amelia Hayden said to CTV.

Hayden said that a child luring investigation was opened in March.

She added on the mother's confrontation: 'It hasn't resolved one issue. It's caused another, and put people in danger'.

As a result the RCMP said that the parents may be charged with assault causing bodily harm and forcible confinement.

The parents stand firm, however, saying that they did what they had to do.

'If I get charged, I still feel it was the right thing,' the mother said.

'This is ridiculous,' her husband added.

'Shouldn't a guy be able to protect his own family in his house?'
Two teenagers have been arrested after a stolen BMW ploughed into five pedestrians.

Police in Essex said the vehicle collided with the group of men aged in their early twenties on Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island, at around 4.10pm on Saturday.

The two occupants then abandoned the blue BMW 120D, which had been reported stolen, and left the scene.

The teenagers were hit by a blue 1 series BMW on Canvey Island yesterday

A image from the scene as officers erect a cordon around the accident

A 17-year-old youth from Canvey was later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. He remains in police custody.

An 18-year-old man from Canvey was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, aggravated vehicle taking, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

Police officers in conversation at the scene after six teenagers were injured

Six teenagers have been seriously injured, and one is fighting for their life, after a BMW hit them in Canvey Island, Essex. Pictured: Air ambulance on the scene

Five men were treated at the scene for serious injuries before being taken to hospitals across Essex and London.

Three are still in hospital. None of the injuries are described as life-threatening.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Reports there was a police pursuit are incorrect.

'Officers were in the area responding to an unrelated incident at the time and not to the presence of the BMW.

'However, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Complaints under the criteria of there being an indirect link between police being in the area and the incident.'

There was a large number of police cars present following the accident yesterday

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust sent three air ambulances, four ambulances and a number of officers.

It said: 'A casualty in a critical condition has been flown to a London hospital. A second casualty with a potentially life-changing leg injury has also been flown to a London hospital.

'One casualty has been taken to Basildon and Thurrock Hospital in a stable condition and two other casualties have been taken to Southend Hospital in a serious condition.

'We ask people to please avoid the area while this work continues, and ask any witnesses to contact us on 101 quoting reference 770 of April 14.'
President Trump doubled down on his use of the term 'Mission Accomplished,' which he included in a tweet about Syria Saturday morning.

'The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term "Mission Accomplished,"' Trump tweeted Sunday morning. 'I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!'

The criticism of Trump  which came from a number of members of his own party  was that he seemed to lack an understanding of how the term has been used historically.

President Trump is seen addressing the nation about green-lighting military action in Syria on Friday night

President Trump said Sunday that the 'Fake News Media' was merely looking for something to complain about, as a number of Bush administration alumni have warned Trump not to use the phrase 'Mission Accomplished'

On Saturday, President Trump used the term 'Mission Accomplished!' when tweeting about the Syria strike, a term that weighed heavily on the nation's previous Republican administration

President George W. Bush spoke aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003, with a giant 'Mission Accomplished' banner over his shoulders, just two months into the Iraq War.

As the Iraq War continued for years after the Bush administration's declaration, the photo was used to symbolize that mess.

Bush, himself, says the sign was a mistake.

'It was a sign aimed at the sailors on the ship, but it conveyed a broader knowledge,' Bush said. 'It said to some, well, Bush think the war in Iraq is over, when I didn't think that. But nonetheless, it conveyed the wrong message.'

Trump didn't seem to care, or know that the phrase was a political minefield, when he deployed it on Saturday.

Former Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said he would 'have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words'

Nicolle Wallace, who would become White House Communications Director under Bush 43, advised 'it's about the last thing Trump should have said - take my word on this'

'A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result,' Trump wrote. 'Mission Accomplished!'

Former Bush White House staffers tweeted that Trump should have avoided the phrase.

'Beyond interesting- it was a declaration that was not uttered or intended to do harm to the public's understanding of progress (or lack thereof) in Iraq - but that was the effect,' explained Nicolle Wallace, who would eventually become Bush's communications director. She now has a show on MSNBC.

'It's about the last thing Trump should have said - take my word on this,' Wallace said.

Bush's ex-press secretary, Ari Fleischer, agreed with Wallace.

'Um...I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words,' he wrote on Twitter, he said.

Fleischer used Twitter to explain the broader backstory of the banner  that it was hung at the request of the crew, who were returning from the longest deployment of any ship in Navy history.

'It was the crews message from start to finish. It also was the backdrop for Bushs speech. In May 2003, everyone thought the mission had been accomplished. The insurgency did not fully develop until the Fall of 2003. The WH press corps in May did not criticize the banner,' Fleischer noted.

'By the Fall, the shot of Bush with the banner became a symbol of what went wrong. And now you know the full story,' he said.
Noah Freeman, 18, who brutally raped and assaulted a youth counselor in 2016 was sentenced to 50 years in prison with no parole

A teenager from Memphis, Tennesee who brutally raped and assaulted a youth counselor in 2016 was sentenced to 50 years in prison with no parole.

Noah Freeman, 18, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated rape, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault, reported News Channel 3.

He will be placed on the Violent Sex Offender Registry and on community supervision for life.

Freeman, who was 16 at the time of the attack, had been in custody for a sexual assault on a 6-year-old girl he tied to a tree in 2013 in Sevier County in East Tennessee, District Attorney General Amy Weirich said.

He was transferred to Shelby County for more treatment in 2016.

During an interview with a counselor, he allegedly held a pen to her throat and threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate.

He supposedly then then punched her several times in the face and choked her with the strings of her hooded sweatshirt before pulling down her pants and forcing an aerosol can into her vagina.

He allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him several times.

After hearing the voice of a male member of staff and a cleaning lady, the counselor finally escaped.

Noah Freeman, 18, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated rape, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault,

The victim said she has been to numerous doctors and counselors since the attack and continues to pay medical bills for her tramua.

'Typically when you have a nightmare, you wake up and the nightmare is over,' the counselor testified in Friday's hearing.

'Not mine. I feel like I have been in a nightmare for the past two years and it all started on March 11, 2016, when I was sexually assaulted and almost killed on the job.'
Philadelphia's police commissioner has defended the two officers who were caught on camera arresting two black men in a Starbucks.

Videos posted online that have prompted outrage show the officers handcuffing the men in the downtown establishment on Thursday.

A white man in the video is heard saying he was meeting with the men and calls the arrest 'ridiculous'.

Commissioner Richard Ross, who is black, said on Saturday that Starbucks employees called 911 to say the men were trespassing.

He said officers were told that the men had come in and asked to use the restroom but were denied because they hadn't bought anything, as he said is company policy.

He said they then refused to leave.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Philadelphia's police commissioner Richard Ross (pictured) said police asked the men to leave three times but they refused, and they were then arrested but were later released

Six police officers arrived at the Starbucks and arrested the two men. The incident was recorded by another person in the coffee shop. The video has has since been viewed more than 3.2million times on social media

Ross said police asked the men to leave three times but they refused, and they were then arrested but were later released after the company elected not to prosecute.

He said the officers 'did absolutely nothing wrong' and were professional in their conduct toward the individuals but 'got the opposite back.' He did not mention the person who said he was meeting with the men.

'As an African American male, I am very aware of implicit bias; we are committed to fair and unbiased policing,' Ross said.

But he added 'If a business calls and they say that 'Someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business' (officers) now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties and they did just that.'

The two men who were arrested have not been publicly identified. Their attorney, Lauren Wimmer, said they were released about eight hours after their arrest.

Speaking with NBC News, Wimmer said that she couldn't imagine a similar outcome if there were 'two white women sitting there, and one of them asked to used the bathroom and she didn't order anything'.

Social media users are calling for a boycott of Starbucks after a store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, called the cops on two black men who were waiting for their friend

One user claimed that people have to be 'this white' in order to sit at a table in Starbucks. The men were reportedly asked to leave but refused

Social media users were outraged by the action of the officers and even encouraged people to boycott the popular coffee chain. On Saturday, the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks was trending on Twitter.

One user posted a photo of the milk in her coffee and said: 'At Starbucks you must be THIS white to sit at their tables'.

Other users called the altercation 'racism at its ugliest level' in America.



Commissioner Ross said that 'according to employees they had seen the two males come in, they sat down, and after being seated they decided they needed to use the restroom.

Starbucks said that according to the company policy they do not allow nonpaying members or nonpaying people to come in and use the restroom. And so they then asked these two males to leave. These two males refused to leave and the police were called,' he added.

He revealed that the officers on the scene called the Starbucks supervisor first to 'avoid the situation from getting out of hand'.

The officers then asked the males on three different occasions 'politely to leave the location because they were asked to leave by employees because they were trespassing'.

The men refused to budge.

He stressed that the males were not harmed in the arrest and were taken to the police district.

One user said they wanted to hear the 911 call from the employee who asked for cops to come in and assist the matter

Mayor Jim Kenney said he asked the city Commission on Human Relations to examine the companys policies and procedures 'including the extent of, or need for, implicit bias training for its employees'

The two men were placed into handcuffs and escorted out of the video, which is shown in a viral video that has since garnered more than 3.2million views.

At first Starbucks released a statement on Friday saying: 'We're aware of the incident on Thursday in a Philadelphia store with 2 guests and law enforcement, resulting in their removal. We're reviewing the incident with our partners, law enforcement and customers to determine what took place and led to this unfortunate result.'

They issued a second statement Saturday.

'We apologize to the two individuals and our customers and are disappointed this led to an arrest. We take these matters seriously and clearly have more work to do when it comes to how we handle incidents in our stores. We are reviewing out policies and will continue to engage with the community and the police department to try to ensure these types of situations never happen in any of our stores,' the statement said.

Starbucks released a statement Saturday where it apologized to the two men. But one user thought the apology wasn't sufficient and decided to edit it themselves

Another user compared this incident to others that have occurred recently across the US. He mentioned the people who were mad about the teen who got into 20 colleges and the ex-firefighter who shot at a black teenager on his doorstep

But one Twitter user edited the statement to include that the moment was 'racial profiling' and 'racially motivated harassment'.

Mayor Jim Kenney said he asked the city Commission on Human Relations to examine the companys policies and procedures 'including the extent of, or need for, implicit bias training for its employees'.

'I know Starbucks is reviewing it and we will be too. @PhillyPolice is conducting an internal investigation,' he tweeted on Saturday.

Starbucks' CEO Kevin Johnson expressed his 'deepest apologies' about the incident and plans to fly to Philadelphia to help correct the situation.

'I hope to meet personally with the two men who were arrested to offer a face-to-face apology,' Johnson said Saturday.

At the end of Ross' statement, he acknowledged the racial tension that is surrounding the incident.

'I will say that as an African American male I am very aware of implicit bias. We are committed to fair and unbiased policing and anything less than that will not be tolerated in this department,' he said.

The two black men who were arrested in the coffee shop have since been released and remain unidentified.

A spokesman for the district attorney's office said the men were released 'because of lack of evidence' that a crime had been committed, the Associated Press reported.
Mika Brzezinski has accused President Donald Trump of being involved in a 'multitude of fraudulent schemes'.

The commander-in-chief had angrily tweeted about the FBI raid on his lawyer Michael Cohen's office reportedly as part of an investigation into possible bank fraud, wire fraud and campaign finance violations

'Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past. I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!' he tweeted on Sunday.

The host of NBC's 'Morning Joe' replied to the tweet and accused of him having a 'criminal' relationship with his attorney.

Mika Brzezinski (left) accused President Donald Trump on Sunday (right) of being involved in a 'multitude of fraudulent schemes' after he complained about the 'attorney-client' relationship

The commander-in-chief had angrily tweeted on Sunday morning about the FBI raid on his lawyer Michael Cohen's office reportedly as part of an investigation into possible bank fraud, wire fraud and campaign finance violations

The host of NBC's 'Morning Joe' replied to the tweet and accused of him having a 'criminal' relationship with his attorney

'Let me ease their minds: When their relationship is not used in furtherance of a crime, their attorney-client relationship is safe,' she wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

'Which is problematic since theyre dealing with you and your multitude of fraudulent schemes (at least thats what I hear, Donald.) '

Brzezinski and her co-host Joe Scarborough have had a long-running feud with Trump with the two parties often trading insults back and forth.

On Thursday, the TV hosts slammed the president, who had tweeted that he hadn't received enough thanks for military gains in the Middle East.

'This is a guy who responds to cable news, who responds to hearing that hes made the same mistake that Barack Obama made,' Scarborough said.

'He immediately tweets something out, and the commander-in-chief is saying, Where is our thank you, America? Instead of the commander-in-chief thanking the men and the women who put their lives on the line every day across the world, who have done an extraordinary job with the help of commanders in the field and generals, helping fight ISIS.'

Brzezinski and her co-host Joe Scarborough (pictured, September 2017) have had a long-running feud with Trump with the two parties often trading insults back and forth.

On Thursday, they the TV hosts slammed the president (pictured, Friday), who had tweeted that he hadn't received enough thanks for military gains in the Middle East

And it's not only the president that critiques have been launched against.

Back in February, Brzezinski issued a scathing indictment of both First Lady Melania Trump and White House adviser Ivanka Trump on 'Morning Joe', saying the two women have 'fake jobs.'

It was a brutal tear down of the women, which came after she and Scarborough discussed Ivanka's refusal to engage with NBC reporter Peter Alexander when asked about the multiple women who have accused her father of sexual misconduct.

Ivanka said it was unfair to pose such a question to her as the daughter of President Trump.

Brzezinski responded to that statement with a few remarks of her own, delivered in a very even tone but filled with some very sharp criticism.

'Well it's not like she's transportation secretary. She came in there to fight for women and she can't handle a question like that,' said Brzezinski.

And it's not only the president that critiques have been launched against. Back in February, Brzezinski issued a scathing indictment of both First Lady Melania Trump and White House adviser Ivanka Trump on 'Morning Joe'

She accused the women of having 'fake jobs' and said it was laughable that Melania Trump had a campaign against cyberbullying considering the attacks on her husband (pictured. Ivanka Trump and Melania Trump visit the Vatican, May 2017)

'The whole thing is a joke. An utter joke. Just like Melania's role on cyberbullying, which I think is an insult to women, completely.'

She went on to say that she also expected Chief of Staff John Kelly would be 'forced to put out a nice statement about Ivanka and how effective she is' in the wake of a CNN report that claimed he was annoyed with the decision to have her travel to South Korea on state business.

Brzenski noted that this would just 'add to the joke.'

Scarborough then jumped in and said: 'And Melania Trump continues to speak about cyberbullying...'

Brzezinski was still in a state of befuddlement however, cutting him off to mutter: 'It's beyond comprehension.'

Scarborough continued: 'When you have her husband saying that a New York senator, actually implying that the New York senator would be willing to do sexual favors for campaign donations, and a thousand other attacks against women - you -- and other people on Twitter.'

That is when Brzezinski really went after the pair, stating: 'And furthermore insulting to women when you have women, these women, have been given fake jobs.'
Protests have broken out at the entrance gate of a British air base in Cyprus to denounce US-led airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria.

Around 350 demonstrators, from communist organisations in Greece and Cyprus, gathered in front of RAF Akrotiri where four Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike.

Protest leader Akis Poullos said they were demanding the closure of RAF Akrotiri, with signs condemning the 'NATO killers' after the attack.

Britain joined the U.S. and France to launch airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria in response to an attack on a rebel-held area last week which killed more than 75 people.

Protests have broken out at the entrance gate of a British air base in Cyprus to denounce US-led airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria

Around 350 demonstrators, from communist organisations in Greece and Cyprus, gathered in front of RAF Akrotiri where four Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike

Poullos said Sunday's demonstration was also a message to the Cyprus government not to lend any assistance to 'imperialist attacks' on Syria and to demand an end to the war in the country.

Protesters used red paint to write 'NATO killers go home' on a nearby wall outside the base's gate.

Britain retained RAF Akrotiri and another military base on Cyprus after the east Mediterranean island gained independence in 1960.

The Cyprus government said it was not given any warning about Saturday's airstrikes.

It also said British Prime Minister Theresa May assured Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades that there was no danger to Cyprus and that Cypriots can feel secure.
New Western air strikes in Syria would provoke 'chaos' in international relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart on Sunday.

He was speaking to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by telephone the day after US-led strikes on suspected chemical weapons facilities.

It came as Syria's President Bashar Assad said the Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation in the U.N. Security Council.

Assad spoke on Sunday to a group of visiting Russian politicians, with his comments were carried by state media and pictures released of his meeting with members of the ruling United Russia party.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured today receiving a delegation from Russia's ruling United Russia political party in Damascus

Syria's President Bashar Assad says the Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation in the U.N. Security Council

Putin warned that 'if such actions, carried out in violation of the United Nations Charter, are repeated, that would inevitably provoke chaos in international relations,' according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The two leaders 'found that this illegal action seriously damaged the prospects of a political settlement in Syria,' the statement said.

Assad and Russia deny using chemical weapons, the trigger for the strikes early on Saturday. An alleged gas attack last weekend in the town of Douma killed more than 40 people, according to opposition activists and rescuers.

Assad told his visitors that the U.S., Britain and France, which carried out the strikes, had waged a campaign of 'lies and misinformation' against Russia and Syria.

The United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched strikes against Bashar al-Assad's government a week after an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma, just east of the capital Damascus.

Putin denounced on Saturday 'with the utmost firmness' the strikes which he described as 'an act of aggression against a sovereign state which is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism'.

Assad and Russia deny using chemical weapons, the trigger for the strikes early on Saturday. An alleged gas attack last weekend in the town of Douma killed more than 40 people
Violence erupted in the street after the location of a controversial youth movement's conference was revealed on social media.

Anti-immigration activists from Generation Identity clashed with anti-racism protesters in Sevenoaks, Kent, on April 15.

Footage shows a fist fight break out between the opposing groups in front of horrified shoppers in Bligh's Meadow as both sides left the town.

Violence erupting between Generation Identity activists and anti-racism protesters in Sevenoaks, Kent

During the scuffle one person appears to be knocked down before police arrive and disperse the crowd.

Generation Identity, who campaign to 'stop the Islamisation of Europe', had met for a day-long conference at The Stag Theatre.

About 50 people are thought to have gone despite two scheduled speakers, Martin Sellner from Austria and Hungarian Abel Bodi, being barred from entering the UK.

But their plans were allegedly dashed after the location of the group's meeting was published on Twitter.

A man appears to lash out at an opposing activist, raising his fist up in a threatening manner

The pair can be seen in footage posted online which showed the brawl between the rival factions

The theatre's management said they had been hoodwinked by organisers from Generation Identity and swiftly shut down their meeting.

A statement on the theatre's Facebook page said: 'A group booked a room at The Stag Theatre under false pretences.

'As soon as we realised they weren't who they claimed to be and the content of the meeting it was ended.

'All the participants left The Stag within 15 minutes.'

Hope Not Hate, a campaign group that was founded in 2004 to provide a positive antidote to the politics of hate, claim they were instrumental in shutting down the conference early.

However, Generation Identity say they had a 'successful' day of talks which ran until 3pm.

A protester runs towards the camera as the brawl is being filmed. Horrified shoppers watched the brawl

A video on the group's Facebook page showed speakers addressing the audience in the Stag's Plaza Suite for at least an hour.

A spokesman for Hope Not Hate said that no-one associated with their organisation was involved in violence.

'Those who did engage in this violence were not from our organisation and we would never condone such actions,' the spokesman said.

A statement by Hope Not Hate added: 'Though claiming they would reconvene elsewhere and announce the new venue off camera, GI activists and the conference attendees managed at first only to amass down the road outside a branch of the Bill's restaurant on London Road.

'Soon after, with some GI members in cars and others walking alongside conference attendees, the crowd were escorted by police back round the corner to The Chequers pub on Sevenoaks' High Street.

'Again, however, they were soon on their way out of Sevenoaks, with some intending to reconvene back in London.'

Footage of the brawl shows the protesters clashing in the Bligh's Meadow shopping centre

A police spokesman said: 'Kent Police was called to premises in London Road, Sevenoaks at 1.34pm on Saturday 14 April to a report of an assault where a large group of people had gathered.

'On attendance, the group had moved towards the High Street area and dispersed. The person who was reported to have been assaulted declined medical attention.

'A 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until May 7.'
Humans will be genetically modified for the first time in Europe after regulators have given the go ahead to trial DNA-splicing therapy.

A destructive blood disorder known as beta thalassaemia, which reduces the production of haemoglobin, could be cured using this therapy.

Haemoglobin carries the oxygen the body needs to its cells and without sufficient amounts those with the disease can be left with bone deformities, anaemia, slow growth, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Scientists at the biotech company Crispr hope that they can alter the body's code to stop the genetic mutation and restore healthy levels of haemoglobin.

A destructive blood disorder known as beta thalassaemia, which reduces the production of haemoglobin, could be cured using a new type of therapy

The disease is the first to be treated using this method in Europe and experts have said that the trials hold promise.

Similar trials have taken place in China however they do not have the same restrictive regulations as Europe or the U.S.

Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, Group Leader at London's Francis Crick Institute, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'We will look back and think that this is the real beginning of gene therapy.'

This type of therapy has been used for the past 30 years as doctors dispense the missing DNA from damaged cells to increase their effectiveness.

But the work taking place at Crispr may be a more long-term solution which has also proven to be cheaper.

The therapy uses bacteria's natural defence mechanism which is carrying strands of deadly viruses so that they can recognise them.

Scientists at the biotech company Crispr hope that they can alter the body's code to stop the genetic mutation and restore healthy levels of haemoglobin

If they come into contact with the virus they are able to release an enzyme in order to attack it and cut away at that form of code.

Scientists have taken this on board and created their own cutting mechanism which removes mutated areas of DNA.

However although this treatment will hopefully one day be used on humans the trials will take place outside of the human body.

Stem cells will be harvested from the body and grown in a laboratory before increasing their level of foetal haemoglobin.

This is the high level of protein which is present in babies however it is repressed when a human reaches adulthood.

The scientists plan to remove the gene which represses the growth of the protein and will allow the patient's bone marrow to again produce high levels of haemoglobin.

Darren Griffth, professor of genetics at the University of Kent, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'Everything I have seen suggests it's very safe and effective. I think the [trial] results will be positive.

'And then we will be able to say, this is where it all began.'

The University of Pennsylvania has begun enlisting for a trial which plans to use Crispr to treat patients with cancer.
The mass grave of Highlanders massacred in the Battle of Culloden may have been discovered by at ground penetrating radar more than 270 years later.

History says that 16 of Bonnie Prince Charlie's officers, found hiding in the dungeon at Culloden House, near Inverness, were taken outside by Redcoats and shot and buried by the 'Bargas Tree' in the grounds.

The English Elm tree is long gone, so too is a commemorative 5ft high stone with the inscription 'Here lie soldiers killed by the English after the Battle of Culloden'.

The Battle of Culloden: War in 1746 saw more than 1,200 people killed in an hour

Only a small grassy knoll remains where the tree once stood. Now a geophysical survey has shown three pits under the mound.

Robert Cairns, chairman of the Lochaber Archaeological Society, broke the news to the secretive A Circle of Gentlemen founded in 1747, the year after Culloden.

He said: 'We are very excited about the results. The mound has three distinctive pits in it so obviously it is quite significant.

'It is not something that you would normally find in the mound. We are planning to put in a small trench later in the year to see if there are any human remains in in the largest pit.

'We are confident we will find human remains. Then it will become a war grave'.

A metal detector survey of the surrounding lawns of the four star Culloden House Hotel uncovered a number of important finds including mid 18th century half pennies, pistol and musket balls, an iron buckle or clasp, military shirt buttons, a set of 18th or 19th century ploughshares, an 10cm ornamental brass base and part of a sword blade.

One of the artefacts discovered at Culloden house hotel. The slaughter at Culloden House was one of the first acts in the reign of terror of William, the Duke of Cumberland

Now a geophysical survey has shown three pits under the mound. Pictured: The site map and geophysics survey area

David McGovern from the 'Circle of Gentlemen' and Robert Cairns at Culloden house hotel where it is thought that a mass grave has been discovered

A Circle of Gentlemen member David McGovern, 45, said: 'It looks like we have found the martyrs' graves.

'History has always said they were buried there but now modern science seems to have confirmed it. We look forward to the results of the dig.

'This was the first atrocity in what was to become by all intents and purposes genocide'.

In battle: It has commonly been thought that poorly-led, ill-disciplined claymore-wielding Highland savages were routed by professional British redcoats deploying muskets and cannon fire

On April 16, 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebellion to restore the Stuarts to the British Throne came to a bloody end as the government army, led by Charlie's distant cousin William, the Duke of Cumberland, defeated the Jacobites mostly made up of Highlanders on bleak Culloden Moor.

The reprisals were swift and bloodthirsty.

The slaughter at Culloden House was one of the first acts in the reign of terror to follow ending the Highland way of life forever and earning the Duke the nickname 'Butcher Cumberland'.

A Tartan Army with banners flying marched in the footsteps of their ancestors in remembrance on Saturday.

Around 500 dressed in plaid, wearing their blue bonnets and armed with claymores and dirks, led by a pipers, held a solemn service at the memorial cairn in the battlefield.
Former Hart County Probate Judge Bobbie Joe Smith, 77, from Hartwell was indicted on Thursday in US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on charges of bribery and civil rights violations

A former Georgia judge has been charged with federal crimes for allegedly forcing himself sexually on women in exchange for reduced penalties for traffic offenses.

Bobbie Joe Smith, 77, from the city of Hartwell was indicted on Thursday in US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in a statement released the same day.

The former local probate judge for Hart County was charged with one count of bribery and three counts of civil rights violations.

Smith is accused of forcibly groping, forcibly kissing or exposing himself to women in exchange for lighter sentences for driving under the influences charges and other traffic violations.

The charges were announced in a joint statement by Acting Assistant Attorney General John P Cronan of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, US Attorney Charles E Peeler of the Middle District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge David J Levalley of the FBIs Atlanta Division.

He is accused of forcibly groping, forcibly kissing or exposing himself to three women in exchange for lighter criminal penalties in 2013 and 2014; The building that houses Hart County Probate Court is seen here

The statement released by the DOJ detailed his accused actions as follows:

'According to the allegations in the indictment, between May 2013 and May 2014, Smith met separately with three different women in his office regarding driving under the influence charges and/or other traffic offenses.

During these meetings, each of the women sought Smiths assistance in reducing or eliminating her charges and potential punishments in these matters.

'Smith allegedly kissed the first woman on the lips and groped her multiple times without her consent. Smith subsequently reduced the charges and punishments for all of her pending offenses.'

The statement went on to describe two additional instances of Smith's alleged misuse of his position of power, stating the following:

'During meetings with the second woman, Smith allegedly kissed her on the lips, groped her, and exposed himself. The womans charges were ultimately resolved by another judge after Smith left office.

'To help the third woman with a speeding ticket she received in another county, Smith allegedly left a message for a probate judge in that county, providing details about the womans citation and falsely claiming that the woman was his granddaughter.

'After placing the phone call, Smith allegedly kissed the woman on the lips and attempted to grope her. According to the indictment, none of these three women consented to Smiths sexual advances.'

Smith is said to have admitted to at least the allegations by the third woman during interviews with the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commissions Chief Investigator, before resigning from his position in Hart County, according to a filing by commission chair Robert D. Ingram, as reported by WLHR in July 2014.

Smith resigned on July 23, 2014 after local charges were filed stemming from one incident

Smith resigned on July 23, 2014 after local charges were filed stemming from that incident.

He immediately stopped acting on behalf of the court, but remained on medical leave through September 30, 2014, which served as his last day as an officer of the court.

The DOJ pointed out that charges and allegations are merely accusations, that must be tried in front of a finder of fact, and that all accused criminals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the appropriate judicial body.

The accusations against Smith were investigated by the FBIs Athens Resident Agency.

It will be prosecuted by trial attorney Heidi Boutros Gesch of the Criminal Divisions Public Integrity Section and Deputy Criminal Chief Danial Bennett of the US Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Smith is expected to have his initial appearance before a judge on April 25.
Victoria is in the midst of a flesh-eating ulcer epidemic so serious that concerned health experts say it's now time for an urgent scientific response.

Cases of Buruli ulcers are on the rise in regional parts of the state with 275 new reported cases last year and 30 already this year, according to a new article in the Medical Journal of Australia published on Monday.

Also known as as Bairnsdale ulcer or Daintree ulcer, it causes severe destructive lesions of skin and soft tissue which affects all age groups, including young children.

It often results in significant morbidity, loss of limbs, long term disability and cosmetic deformity.

Buruli ulcers are on the rise in Victoria with 30 reported cases so far in 2018

First detected in Victoria in the 1930s, cases have risen rapidly in the last five years.

Report author was infectious diseases consultant Associate Professor Daniel O'Brien from Geelong-based health care provider Barwon Health, who said most cases occurred on the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas.

Native and domestic mammals including possums, dogs, cats and koalas have also developed the disease in Victoria, according to Professor O'Brien.

'In Australia, cases are frequently reported from the Daintree region (95 cases between 2009 and 2015) and, less commonly, the Capricorn Coast in Queensland, and occasionally from the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia,' he wrote.

'However, most cases are reported from the temperate south-eastern state of Victoria. The risk of infection appears to be seasonal, with an increased risk in the warmer months.'

It costs an estimated $14,000 per patient to treat with a 'substantial' emotional and psychological impact on patients and their carers.

Although treatment effectiveness has improved in recent years, with cure rates approaching 100 per cent using combination antibiotic regimens such as rifampicin and clarithromycin,these antibiotics are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for this condition and are, therefore, expensive to patients,' Professor O'Brien wrote.

'Moreover, these antibiotics have severe side effects in up to one-quarter of patients, and many people also require reparative plastic surgery, sometimes with prolonged hospital admissions.'

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said it was monitoring an outbreak of the disease on Victoria's Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas

Around 2000 Buruli ulcer cases per year are reported worldwide, most commonly from the tropical regions of West or Central Africa

Professor O'Brien called on governments to inject funding into research to find out why the disease was growing in Victoria.

He believes understanding risk factors is key to defining the source and transmission route of the disease.

'As a community, we are facing a rapidly worsening epidemic of a severe disease without knowing how to prevent it,' Professor O'Brien wrote.

'We therefore need an urgent response based on robust scientific knowledge acquired by a thorough and exhaustive examination of the environment, local fauna, human behaviour and characteristics, and the interactions between them. The time to act is now, and we advocate for local, regional and national governments to urgently commit to funding the research needed to stop Buruli ulcer.'

Melbourne youngster Gus Charles started complaining of a lump on his knee not long after a family holiday in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.

The family saw two GPs and visited the hospital three times before he got a correct diagnosis when a surgeon sliced into the lump and discovered a huge pus-filled abscess.

Gus was unable to play sport and missed a large amount of school in the six months it took to heal.

'The issue is no one in Melbourne could diagnose it,' Gus' mother Sally told The Age.

'Had we got it earlier, it would have made a huge difference. It was horrible. He's a tough kid, but he was rocked by this.'

Most cases are reported from the temperate south-eastern state of Victoria, the Medical Journal of Australia report states

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said it was monitoring the disease and that almost $800,000 had been spent on research in Victoria over the past decade.

He told The Age that possum faeces from several locations in the Mornington Peninsula were currently being analysed in the hope of isolating the bacterium.
A father has told how there was 'blood everywhere' when an ISIS-inspired woman wearing a burqa and staying at his house screamed 'Allahu Akbar' as she allegedly stabbed him in the neck.

Momena Shoma, a Bangladeshi student, allegedly attacked the man as he was sleeping in front of his five-year-old daughter, who watched in horror.

Roger Singaravelu, 56, felt a 'sharp pain in his neck' when he claims he saw Shoma leaning over him with a kitchen knife in her hand screaming 'Allahu Akbar' in Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported.

A father has told how there was 'blood everywhere' when an ISIS-inspired Momena Shoma (pictured) allegedly stabbed him in the neck

Roger Singaravelu, 56 (pictured) felt a 'sharp pain in his neck' when he saw her reportedly leaning over him with a kitchen knife in her hand screaming 'Allahu Akbar' in Melbourne

Police arrested the 24-year-old woman following the alleged stabbing (Pictured is a chair from the Melbourne home)

'I reactively grabbed on to the knife and fought (her) off, my daughter was screaming nearby, and I told her to run and hide,' he told the publication.

'There was blood everywhere. I ran outside with my daughter and got the attention of neighbours, who assisted me.'

Shoma allegedly stabbed Singaravelu in the neck in February at his Callistemon Rise home in Mill Park, northeast of Melbourne.

Police charged Shoma with one count of engaging in a terrorist attack after allegedly being inspired by Islamic State.

It was the first time Mr Singaravelu has opened up about the incident, according to the Herald Sun , and he is still 'traumatised' by the experience.

'She still sees blood on the wall and asks me to clean it off, although there is nothing there,' he told the publication.

Shoma attended North South University (pictured) until late 2017 - the same institution where a group of men linked to Bangladesh's worst act of terrorism were students

Police charged the woman with engaging in a terrorist act in February, and its alleged she was inspired by terror group Islamic State.

Shoma travelled to Melbourne on February 1 on a student visa and was renting a room at Mr Singaravelu's property while studying at La Trobe University.

A legal battle between Mr Singaravelu and the organisation which arranged the placement is allegedly brewing, the Herald Sun reports.

Australian Homestay Network told the publication they are cooperating with police.
A female contestant on ITV's Love Island smoking a cigarette

Love Island is encouraging teenagers to smoke, a public health charity has warned.

The cult ITV reality show, notorious for its racy love scenes, triggered more than three times as many complaints about tobacco use than its explicit content.

Now the hugely popular programme has been branded 'harmful' by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) because many contestants are shown puffing cigarettes.

The show follows a group of scantily-clad singletons search for love in a luxury Majorca villa, parading around in barely-there swimwear.

And Ash fears the raunchy show is having a bad influence on young people when cigarettes are flaunted by contestants.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, told The Sunday Times: 'The amount of smoking in films and programmes watched by children, like Love Island, is completely unacceptable.

'It's no surprise that our surveys show children reporting high awareness of smoking on screen and... the more smoking they see, the more likely they are to start smoking themselves.'

Academics from Nottingham and Bath universities conducted a study which found millions of young viewers are exposed to images of tobacco during the show.

Dr Rachael Murray, from the UK centre for tobacco and alcohol studies at Nottingham University, told The Sunday Times 'smoking was clearly glamourised'.

Highlighting the strong influence of shows like Love Island on young people, she said the fact cigarettes were often shown on screen breached the Ofcom code.

There are strict restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products.

Contestants of the racy ITV show, which has been accused of glamourising smoking

But the research showed the American cigarette brand Lucky Strike was visible 16 times in Love Island.

ITV was also criticised for using plain white packets instead of standard packaging adorned with anti-smoking warnings.

The programme told The Times that all contestants are offered ecigarettes as an alternative and they do not yet know if any contestants on the next series of the show are smokers.

Seventy-seven percent of 11 to 18-year-olds who tried smoking at least once saw tobacco-related imagery on television, a YouGov survey of 2,200 people showed.

An inquiry was launched by MPs in February to examine the impact of social media and screen use on young people's health.

The findings from the survey, which was conducted on behalf of Ash, will be published as part of the inquiry.
Oxford University is trying to end the heated argument over its statue of Victorian imperialist Cecil Rhodes and is considering making a new one that students can write explicit graffiti on.

Some students have been protesting about the current statue and the university is trying to broaden its appeal to minorities following a number of demonstrations.

And in a bid to prevent its global reputation from becoming damaged, students and academics have launched a project following the Rhodes Must Fall protests.

In recent years, students have taken part in a 'Mass March for Decolonisation' in the city and have taken exception about about the presence of the statue.

Students have protested about the statue and one women held up a sign which read: 'Make Rhodes history'

Students have been walking through the city and have argued that Cecil Rhodes was a racist

Demonstrators have chanted 'tear it down' and 'Rhodes must fall' and argued that the mining magnate was racist.

But in a bid to end the argument, a new group has been awarded 20,000 by the university and it has created a list of ideas, one which focuses on creating a second statue of Rhodes.

This would allow protesters at Oriel College the chance to freely express themselves and Kalypso Nicolaidis, who leads the group, said she does not have an issue with students writing swear words across the copy of the statue.

Meanwhile, the university is also considering creating a website detailing Oxford's colonial legacy and contentious past, reports The Sunday Times.

A number of students have been protesting about the Cecil Rhodes statue at Oxford University (pictured)

The project's initial stage will be a website which will highlight how the university is addressing problems linked to 'racism, classism and colonialism'.

Other statues of Martin Luther King and Gandhi are also being considered in a bid to help its image.

The ideas also come after the university was accused of not admitting enough black British and ethnic minority students.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Rebecca Surender has backed the project which she described as being 'exciting, innovative and very relevant to our current goals'.

She said: 'We are going as fast as we can in terms of turning the dial on issues including the number of BME [black and minority ethnic] students at the university.

'We want to signal that we are open for business for everyone: that includes BME and British white working-class students.

Oxford University (pictured) is trying to prevent its global reputation from being damaged

'We want to say, 'Please apply  we want you to feel comfortable here'.'

The current statue, which is around 4ft tall, is one of six on the front of the Oriel building and has stood there since 1911.

However, students began calling for the Rhodes statue to be removed from Oriel in 2015, arguing that the mining magnate and founder of Rhodesia was racist - and benefited from African resources at the expense of many South Africans.

The campaign followed a similar #RhodesMustFall movement in South Africa, which succeeded in having a statue of Rhodes removed from the University of Cape Town after it was attacked as a symbol of oppression.

An Oxford University spokesman said: 'The idea of a statue which people can write on was a suggestion from one member of the group.'
A family was forced to flee their burning home after a fire was accidentally sparked by a child playing with a jet lighter.

The young couple and their five children were inside their Davoren Park property in Adelaide when the blaze started.

Miraculously they were able to escape and alert authorities.

Scroll down for video

A family was forced to flee their burning home after a fire was accidentally sparked by a child playing with a jet lighter

The young couple and their five children were inside their Davoren Park property in Adelaide when the blaze started

'It was my friend in the house that was on fire, she was going 'my house is on fire, my house is on fire'... screaming at the door,' witness Sue Telfer told Seven News.

The family watched on as the fire tore through their home destroying their belongings.

Firefighters were quickly on the scene but were unable to stop the blaze before it destroyed the property.

Investigators said the fire was started by a child playing with a lighter.

'They really need to be aware that it's not just a toy, it's not something you play with, this can cause serious damage, injury and loss of life,' Peter Button from the Metropolitan Fire Service told Seven News.
A drug-resistant strain of typhoid is spreading through Pakistan and has infected at least 850 people since 2016.

The strain which is resistant to five types of antibiotics is predicted to spread across the globe, according to the National Institute of Health Islamabad.

It is expected to replace the weaker strains in areas where they are common as experts recognise just one remaining working antibiotic.

Azithromycin is the only remaining method of combating the disease however just one more genetic mutation could void the use of the drug.

An infant suspected of suffering from a drug-resistant typhoid receives medical treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan

Campaigners are predicting that if modern sanitation systems don't tackle the pathogen then we could be faced with a return to the pre-antibiotic era.

Dr Rumina Hasan, a pathology professor at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, told the NY Times that this wasn't just about typhoid.

He said: 'Antibiotic resistance is a threat to all of modern medicine - and the scary part is, we're out of options.'

A boy suspected of suffering from the strain which is resistant to five types of antibiotics is predicted to spread across the globe, according to the National Institute of Health Islamabad

Around 21 million suffer from typhoid each year, with about 161,000 fatalities, caused by the Salmonelle Typi bacteria.

The highly infectious condition causes high fevers, headaches and vomiting which is transmitted by contaminated food or water.

Typhoid is endemic to Pakistan due to its poor infrastructure, low vaccination rates and overpopulated areas.

Children suspected of suffering from a drug-resistant typhoid as Azithromycin is the only remaining method of combating the disease however just one more genetic mutation could void the use of the drug

The outbreak in 2016 saw patients become resistant to the drug ceftriaxone which is used to treat strains of typhoid.

Before this only four isolated cases of resistance to this drug had been reported, according to Dr Elizabeth Klemm.

It is suspected that the outbreak began due to the large amount of victims who were clustered around the sewage lines in the city of Hyderabad with four deaths reported so far.

An infant suspected of suffering from the strain which is expected to replace the weaker strains in areas where they are common as experts recognise just one remaining working antibiotic

There has been one case reported in the UK which is thought to be travel-related.

Health officials are promoting preventative measures, such as vaccination, boiling drinking water and hygiene.

Dr Klemm said that there are several worst-case scenarios for the outbreak which is that migration causes it to spread or that it appears elsewhere unaided.

Doctors still prescribe an estimated 50 million doses of antibiotics for typhoid globally each year as antibiotic resistance is increasing by 30 percent each year.

In order to prevent the disease becoming untreatable officials are trying to vaccinate 250,000 children in Hyderabad which lasts for five years and can be given to someone as young as six-months-old.
Detectives from the Met Police are now actively investigating if killer cop Wayne Couzens (left) carried out any previous attacks before he murdered Sarah Everard. The Met this evening appealed for any so-far unknown victims of the sexual predator to contact them if they were targeted by him. They have yet to link any offences of the same seriousness as the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah to Couzens, who was today told he would never be released from prison. The Met action emerged hours after criminologists told MailOnline his crime suggested 'he had done this before'. Experts say the confidence in which he carried out the abduction (main) shows he had done it before, and the way he disposed of Sarah's body by burning her remains signalled 'experienced behaviour'. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'We continue to make enquiries to establish whether he has been involved in other criminal offences. As these investigations are ongoing we are unable to go into further detail although, at this time, we have not identified anything that is of the same level of seriousness as the crimes he has been sentenced for. We are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about any criminality they believe Couzens was involved in.' Pictured top right the petrol can Couzens used to burn Sarah's body and bottom right his police handcuffs.
The United States will sanction Russia over an alleged chemical attack in Syria last week, ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced on Sunday.

During a CBS' Face the Nation appearance Haley said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will announce the additional sanctions on Monday.

'[The sanctions] will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Syrian dictator Bashar al] Assad and chemical weapons use,' Haley said.

'So I think everyone is going to be feeling it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to us.'

Talking points provided by the White House to surrogates on Saturday mentioned upcoming sanctions and emphasized the grotesqueness of the photos of 'dead and dying children' as a 'call to action among the world's civilized nations.'

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Sunday Russia will be sanctioned over an alleged chemical attack in Syria last week

The U.S., U.K. and France ordered strikes against Assad in the Damascus area on Friday

The Treasury Department would not confirm the sanctions on Sunday afternoon, though, telling DailyMail.com it 'does not comment on prospective actions'.

Haley had also appeared on Fox News Sunday and listed three aims for the U.S: ensuring that chemical weapons are not used in any way that pose a risk to U.S. interests, that Islamic State is defeated and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

She said '[Our goal is] to see American troops come home, but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things.'

President Donald Trump has recently been very vocal about his desire for U.S. troops to come home.

On Friday, in conjunction with Great Britain's Theresa May and France's Emmanuel Macron, Trump ordered targeted strikes against Assad's forces on Friday.

Still, Russia's president Vladimir Putin has not backed down on his support for Assad despite international pressure, and claims the strikes represent a violation of international law.

He said on Sunday that new Western air strikes in Syria would provoke 'chaos' in international relations while speaking to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by telephone.

It came as Syria's president Assad said the Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation in the U.N.

Haley lashed out at Russia during a fiery meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, promising the US was ready for another strike if Assad crossed the chemical weapons 'red line' in the future.

'The time for talk ended last night,' Haley told an emergency meeting of the Security Council called by Russia. 'We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will.'

Putin has not backed down on his support for dictator Assad despite international pressure. they are pictured in Moscow in 2015

Assad spoke on Sunday to a group of visiting Russian politicians. The dictator has said the airstrikes against Syria came with a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation in the U.N.

She also accused the Russians of covering up crimes committed by its ally, Assad, who she said had used chemical weapons 50 times in the past seven years of warfare.

'Russia can complain all it wants about fake news, but no one is buying its lies and its cover-ups,' she said of Syria's strongest ally.

Assad, on his part, spoke on Sunday to a group of visiting Russian politicians, with his comments were carried by state media and pictures released of his meeting with members of the ruling United Russia party.

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

Both the Russian and Syrian government have denied involvement in the attack that left children vomiting and gasping for air, as shown in poignant photos.

But US officials have blamed Russia for failing to rein in its Syrian ally, as the guarantor of a 2013 agreement to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons.

That agreement was brokered by Moscow to avert retaliatory US strikes in the wake of a sarin attack in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus on August 21, 2013 that reportedly killed more than 1,400 civilians.

Scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in the Damascus area.

Both the Russian and Syrian government have denied involvement in the attack that left children vomiting and gasping for air, as shown in poignant photos

A Syrian solfier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center near Damascus

The first and largest was the Barzah Research and Development Center which was considered to be the 'heart' of the regime's chemical weapons program.

The second target was the Hinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility.

The third target, the Hinshar CW Bunker, was hit by seven Scalp missiles.

The Tomahawks were mostly fired from the USS Monterey, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the USS Higgins, USS Laboon and the USS John Warner submarine.

France deployed its Mirage and Dassault Rafale jets and reportedly used four frigate warships.

It is not clear how many aircraft were deployed. Britain is believed only to have fired missiles from its Torpedoes and Typhoon aircraft.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that all lawyers are now 'deflated and concerned' by the FBI raid on his personal attorney Michael Cohen's home and office.

'Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past,' he tweeted.

'I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!'

The raid carried out last Monday sought bank records, records on Cohen's dealing in the taxi industry, Cohen's communications with the Trump campaign and information on payments he made in 2016 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and to porn actress Stormy Daniels, people familiar with the investigation into Cohen told The Associated Press.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that all lawyers are now 'deflated and concerned' by the FBI raid on his personal attorney Michael Cohen's home and office

Trump (left) has been enraged by the raid, calling it an 'attack on the country' and Cohen (right) has denied any wrongdoing

Trump has been enraged by the raid, calling it an 'attack on the country.'

Lawyers for Cohen appeared in federal court in New York on Friday asking that they, not the Department of Justice, be given a first crack at reviewing the seized evidence to see if it was relevant to the investigation or could be forwarded to criminal investigators without jeopardizing attorney-client privilege.

Prosecutors contend that Cohen was 'performing little to no legal work' for Trump. They acknowledged that the investigation was referred by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, but was being conducted by the US attorney's office in Manhattan.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders demurred when asked Sunday on ABC's 'This Week' if Trump was worried that Cohen might agree to work with prosecutors, if charged, to reduce his own punishment.

'Look, the president is very confident in the fact that he has done nothing wrong and he can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but he's very confident in what he has and hasn't done,' Sanders said. 'And he's going to continue focusing and fighting for the American people.'

Cohen, who didn't attend Friday's hearing, was ordered to appear in federal court on Monday to help answer questions about his law practice. He has denied wrongdoing.

Cohen has been ordered to appear in federal court on Monday to help answer questions about his law practice Among the questions are the $1.6million paid to former Playboy model Karen McDougal (with Trump, 2006)and $130,000 paid to porn star Stormy Daniels

Both McDougal and Daniels (pictured with Trump, July 2006) say they had affairs with a married Trump, which the president has denied.

Both McDougal and Daniels say they had affairs with a married Trump, which the president has denied.

Daniels's attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Sunday that his client will attend Monday's hearing. In a tweet, he also responded to Trump's comment about how 'all lawyers' are feeling after the Cohen raid.

'To be clear - I am not "deflated and concerned". I am "elated and hopeful",' Avenatti wrote. 'The events of the last week reinstill the belief that NOBODY is above the law and the attorney-client privilege cannot be used by those in power to hide criminal conduct.'
The investigation into Madeleine McCann has been allocated further funding

The Government has approved a new cash injection for the Madeleine McCann search fund.

But the total is being kept under wraps amid fears of a public backlash.

Scotland Yard applied for the funding to investigate Maddie's disappearance in February.

The amount is thought to be as much as 150,000 - the equivalent of four officers' annual pay.

In two weeks time Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann face the painful 11th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.

Government funding for the investigation has historically been agreed every six months, with 154,000 being granted from October last year.

She had been left sleeping alone with her younger twin siblings.

Detectives refused to discuss details of the 'important final line of inquiry' they are pursuing.

Former GP Kate, 50, and heart doctor Gerry, 49, are kept up to date by police on any slightest development.

McCann family spokesperson Clarence Mitchell told The Sun today: 'They have been told not to discuss any work detectives are carrying out but there are told on a regular basis what is happening.'

He added: 'They are very encouraged that police still believe there is work left to be done and they are incredibly grateful to the Home Office for providing an extra budget for the investigation.

'It gives them hope that one day they may finally find out what happened to their daughter.'

Home Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured) is understood to have ordered the Home Office not to release the amount earmarked

Scotland Yard has received an amount, thought to be around 150,000, towards the search for Madeleine McCann (pictured: left, aged three; and right, in 2007)

The fresh cash grant comes as stringent Home Office cuts are linked to an increase in violent crime across London.

A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: 'We are not commenting on the exact amount.

'We are not prepared to give a running commentary on investigations'.

Former detectives have questioning why the seven-year-long investigation is still ongoing.

More than 11million has been spent so far on the probe to find the missing girl, who vanished from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007, aged three.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is understood to have ordered the Home Office not to release the amount earmarked.

This came after a document leaked from her department last week linked cuts to policing with a spike in stabbings, shootings and acid attacks.

Former detective Colin Sutton, who turned down the chance of leading the Madeleine inquiry, believes she is dead and her body buried in one of many ancient wells near Praia da Luz.

He told an Australian documentary investigators faced a 'thankless task', insisting: 'It's almost impossible without specific intelligence that would allow you to focus on a specific area.'

The McCann's were also criticised by the parents of two other missing children.

Ben Needham's mother criticised the level of support offered to the McCann's during an interview on Loose Women.

She said she had not received the same 'magnitude' of support as Madeleine's parents.

Dad Paul Whinham whose son has been missing for over two years also hit out, saying: 'There's people like me all over the country being told there's no more the police can do and yet this one case gets all the money and attention.

'If that's not preferential treatment, I don't know what is.'
Trump's advisers say that the corruption investigation of his lawyer Michael Cohen poses a 'greater threat' to the president than Robert Mueller's Russia probe.

On Monday morning the FBI raided Cohen's offices, home and hotel.

The raid, Trump's advisers say, will threaten his presidency as documents from over a decade's work with his trusted lawyer will be scrutinized.

'Trump's advisers have concluded that a wide-ranging corruption investigation into his personal lawyer poses a greater and more imminent threat to the president than even the special counsel's investigation, according to several people close to Mr. Trump,' the New York Times said.

Donald Trump's advisers say that the investigation of Michael Cohen poses a 'greater and more imminent threat' to the president that Mueller's Russia probe

The president was outraged after the FBI raided his personal lawyer Michael Cohen's offices on Monday which he called a 'total witch hunt', pictured Monday speaking on Syria

Michael Cohen's home, offices and hotel were raided by the FBI on Monday, pictured walking to the Loews Regency hotel in Manhattan on Friday

Cohen and Trump have fought back in court via their own lawyers that some of the documents seized are part of attorney-client privilege, Cohen pictured Friday in wake of the raids

This week Trump and Cohen have argued in court via their lawyers that the raid violates attorney-client privilege and are trying to block prosecutors from reading the seized documents.

The investigation is led by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and has been ongoing for months.

In Monday's raids the FBI seized material from the Cohen's cellphones, laptop, tablet, and safe deposit box.

Court documents revealed that prosecutors already secretly obtained many of his emails.

Cohen will be probed for information on the president's alleged affairs including his payment to Stormy Daniels, as well as bank fraud and campaign finance violations.

'The documents seized by prosecutors could shed light on the presidents relationship with a lawyer who has helped navigate some of Mr. Trump's thorniest personal and business dilemmas,' the New York Times reported.

Trump vented about the raids on Twitter Sunday morning, saying that attorney-client privilege is now 'a thing of the past'

On Tuesday he repeated his claim that the raids violated attorney-client privilege even though the documents were seized based on the 'crime-fraud exception' loophole

Speaking on the raid he said to reporters earlier this week 'It's a disgraceful situation. It's a total witch hunt'

Trump's advisers were 'caught flat-footed by the New York raids', a contrast from their confident approach to Mueller's investigation.

Cohen and Trump have argued in court Friday via their own lawyers for attorney-client privilege protection.

They have also petitioned an order to temporarily block prosecutors from reading the documents.

Cohen himself argued that he or an independent lawyer should be allowed to review the spoken documents first.

The raid raised the issue of attorney-client privilege which keeps communications between lawyer and client confidential and above the reach of law enforcement.

However the 'crime-fraud exception' is a loophole to this privilege.

On Sunday morning Trump tweeted: 'Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past.'

'I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!' he added.

Speaking to reporters on the probe he said: 'Its a disgraceful situation. It's a total witch hunt.'

Cohen had been living at the Loews Regency on Park Avenue, close to Trump Tower, and had FBI agents raid his room there on Monday morning

Cohen's offices are in 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is also home to many of NBC's most high-profile shows including The Today Show, Nightly News and Saturday Night Live

Many of the documents taken pertain to the president's alleged affairs.

Documents related to porn star Stormy Daniels case were seized, an affair that the president as vehemently denied.

The probe will investigate the origins of Cohen's claimed $130,000 payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence on the alleged affair.

Cohen claimed he used a home equity line of credit to borrow the $130,000 for Daniels. If he lied about obtaining the credit from 'federally insured financial institution,' he could be charged with a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

On the other hand, if the payment is found to be an 'in-kind contribution' to Trump's campaign, as she was paid during the time of the 2016 presidential campaign, Cohen could face a second felony.

Violating campaign contribution limits is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Cohen's lawyers have called the raids an overreach of the law.

Cohen has said he will always support the president, but the material seized could be used against him to cooperate with investigators.
Dame Judi Dench has been told to stop interfering in a Cornish village's dispute over mobile phone masts because the actress only goes there on holiday.

Alongside a dozen others, the Oscar-winner lodged objections to the plans for a 15 metre EE mast in the hamlet of Treen, near Zennor, Cornwall.

Dame Judi objected on the grounds it would disrupt the 'the serenity of the area, those that live here, its wildlife and wonderful natural beauty'.

Dame Judi Dench (pictured) lodged objections to plans for a 15 metre EE mast in the hamlet of Treen, near Zennor, Cornwall

But Dame Judi's response crew criticism from some locals who said she shouldn't meddle in the affairs of a town she visits rarely.

Her property on the north Cornwall coast where the mast in proposed is a second home.

The developing row last night prompted former Tory party chairman Grant Shapps to question whether people should be able to oppose vital infrastructure in places they only visit occasionally.

He told The Telegraph: 'Obviously we all want beautiful parts of our countryside to remain special, but for people who live and work in an area with poor mobile connectivity, this can mean being forced to travel to an office rather than working from closer to home.

'So bad reception can add to congestion, environmental damage and inconveniences everyone. It should be for people who actually live in an area to determine what infrastructure is required.'

Jon Brookes, 66, has chaired the parish council in Zennor for about 20 years.

He said: 'Dame Judi Dench has a love of this place, her best friend lived in the village and she was here all the time, but it's the view of the local people that counts. It's a difficult one.'

Kathy Cullen, 69, a retired secretary from Treen, added: 'I broke my ankle while at the cliffs and couldn't call for help because I didn't have a phone, but I survived.

Tory party chairman Grant Shapps (pictured) to question whether people should be able to oppose vital infrastructure in places they only visit occasionally

'Lots of people don't have a mobile phone. I don't like the idea of it, radiation, electro magnetic fields. It gives you a headache.'

In a response to the application left on Cornwall Council's website Dame Judi wrote: 'I continue to visit Cornwall, as I have done for a number of years, and have always been mesmerised by its pristine scenery.

Dame Judi (pictured) left a response to the application left on Cornwall Council's website

'Not only is it one of the most stunning coastlines in the United Kingdom...but in the world. This telecoms mast would simply ruin the landscape.'

'This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and this construction would inevitably halt a number of special visits to the location.

'The serenity of the area, those that live here, its wildlife and wonderful natural beauty would be adversely affected. I feel strongly that we should protect this.

'Whilst telephones and technology have an important part to play in the modern world, it is sometimes a gift to escape. This is a gift much of the Cornish coast is able to provide.

'Furthermore, it could become worrisome if the construction of one mast sets a precedent for further proposals and developments.

'It would be a crying shame for future generations not to experience the same countryside we have all been fortunate to observe.'

However, Dam Judi was not the only objector.

Mark Carolan wrote on the website: 'I've lived and worked in Cornwall and holidayed there for years. I live in a city now.

'This part of the country does not need mobile network coverage - it really doesn't. It will not make the area safer.

'Accidents sometimes happen and when they do, the Cornish coast guard are very efficient and successful in rescue.'

An EE spokesman said masts in similarly rural areas had been given the go ahead - with the Highlands Council approving 70 applications since the one in Treen was first considered.
Former first lady Barbara Bush is seriously ill and no longer wants to seek medical treatment.

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas after deciding she does not want to remain in hospital.

Bush has been in and out of hospital recently and is now in 'failing health', according to a family spokesman.

'Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care,' the statement said.

Scroll down for video

Former first lady Barbara Bush, 92, is seriously ill and she is no longer seeking medical treatment

'It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself - thanks to her abiding faith - but for others.

'She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.'

The former first lady has been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, a source close to the family told CNN.

She has been treated for decades for Graves' disease, which is a thyroid condition.

The Bushes have been married since 1945. They have been married longer than any presidential couple in American history.

Her husband, the 41st US president, is 93 years old.

George H.W. is also struggling with an illness, vascular Parkinsonism, that has left him wheelchair bound and struggling to speak.

He was hospitalized multiple times last year with bronchitis and pneumonia.

The Bushes were both hospitalized in January 2017 and were unable to make President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is now being care for at her Houston, Texas home. They couple are pictured above in May last year

Barbara, above in 1988 with her husband, has been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure

Bush (above in 2013) has been in and out of hospital recently and is now in 'failing health', according to a family spokesman

BARBARA BUSH'S HEALTH CONDITIONS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Also called COPD, this condition is a group lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. Damage to the lungs from COPD can't be reversed and symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, or a chronic cough. Congestive heart failure Heart failure can occur when blood isn't being pumped around the heart as well as it should. While treatment can help, the chronic condition can't be cured. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and rapid heartbeat. Advertisement

Barbara is the mother of former President George W. Bush and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

The couple also have four other children, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Bush is one of only two first ladies who was also the mother of a president.

Eight years after she and her husband left the White House, Bush stood with her husband as their son George W. was sworn in as president.

During her life in the public eye, Barbara was always a fierce advocate of her husband and sons in the political arena.

Barbara was second lady of the US when her husband was Vice President from 1981 to 1989.

As first lady - between 1989 to 1993 - Barbara made her main focus literacy and became involved in a number of reading organizations.

Barbara and George H.W. Bush married in January 1945 at the First Prsbyterian Church in Rye, New York

Bush has been in and out of hospital several times in the past year. The former first couple are pictured above during the Super Bowl on Houston last year

She eventually founded the non-profit Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which is based in Florida, to help increase literacy levels nationwide.

Well-wishers have been flowing in for Bush ever since news of her health deteriorating became known.

Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted: 'Prayers going up for a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country. Our country is better because of former First Lady Barbara Bush.'

Meghan McCain, the daughter of Senator John McCain, tweeted: 'I am sending all my love and prayers to the entire Bush family today - Barbara Bush is a woman of great strength, patriotism and an iconic first lady of our times who has touched and inspired countless lives.'
The tattooed bodybuilder who slit a TUI travel agent's throat has begun writing a book for his three-year-old daughter explaining why he did it, a former cellmate has claimed.

Andrew Burke butchered Cassie Hayes at a Southport TUI branch in January because he was jealous of her relationship with his ex-girlfriend Laura Williams, a court heard.

He began writing the book prior to being sentenced, reports the Daily Mirror.

Chris, who was serving three months in HMP Liverpool for breaching a suspended sentence, said: 'He's writing his daughter a book about what he's done and why he did it.

Cassie Hayes, pictured with partner Laura Williams, was murdered by Andrew Burke, right, in January at the TUI shop where she worked as a travel agent. A former cellmate of Burke has claimed he has begun writing a book to their three-year-old daughter explaining why he killed his ex-girlfriend's lover

'He was in the cell with me for four days and had written 13 pages.'

The inmate also claimed that Burke showed no remorse and laughed at Miss Hayes 'sh***y little wicker basket' coffin after seeing her funeral on TV.

He added: 'He said hed do it again. I asked him if it was worth it and he said, "Yes".'

Liverpool Crown Court heard earlier this month that the horror unfolded on a busy Saturday afternoon in January this year when Burke walked into a TUI travel agents branch in Southport where Miss Hayes, 28, worked as an assistant manager.

As families  including children aged nine and 12  planned their summer holidays in the store, Burke approached Miss Hayes, who was on the phone.

He told a cashier, I just want to apologise for what I am about to do, then stood behind Miss Hayes, lowered his hood and in an act of unspeakable savagery, slit her throat with a 12cm kitchen knife.

Chris has also said he was scared of Burke but convinced officers to move the killer to another cell.

After complaining about the food and conditions he was moved into the cell next to Chris, where he claims he heard him being attacked by four other inmates.

In April Burke was jailed for at least 26 years after he admitted murdering Miss Hayes.

The inmate also claimed that Burke showed no remorse and laughed at Miss Hayes 'sh***y little wicker basket' coffin after seeing her funeral on TV (pictured: police at the shop after the attack)
Advertisement

Two Russian warships laden with military vehicles have been spotted en route to Syria after Friday's US-led airstrikes obliterated three suspected chemical weapons sites.

An Alligator-landing ship was pictured cruising down The Bosphorus on Sunday as the world awaits Vladimir Putin's response to this week's co-ordinated military action against Syria.

The vessel was spotted on its way to the Russian naval base at Tartus on the north Syrian coast.

On its fourth deployment of Russian military equipment to the war-torn country the ship was seen laden with tanks, trucks, ambulances and an IED radar.

A yellow RoRo Alexandr Tkachenko was also pictured heading for Tartus carrying high-speed patrol boats, a temporary bridge structure and several trucks. The images were posted on social media by Bosphorus-based naval observer Yoruk Isk.

They come in wake of Friday's US-led campaign against Bashar al-Assad's regime and a chemical weapons attack that brutally murdered 75 civillians.

Two Russian warships laden with military vehicles have been spotted en route to the Syria after Friday's US-led airstrikes obliterated three suspected chemical weapons sites

An Alligator-landing ship was pictured cruising down The Bosphorus on Sunday as the world awaits Vladimir Putin's response to this week's co-ordinated military action against Syria

The Project 117 LST Orsk 148 ship was spotted loaded with military equipment (circled) on its way to the Russian naval base at Tartus on the north Syrian coast, where 11 ships were believed to have fled in anticipation of the strikes

A map shows where the ships were seen on The Bosphorus, where they are believed to be headed at Tartus and the three sites targted by allied air strikes in response to the chemical weapons attack

The blue Project 117 LST Orsk 148 ship was carrying Soviet BTR-80 tanks, Ramaz trucks and a Pelena-1 bomb radar, used to detect IEDs.

A second yellow cargo vessel was equipped with a BMK-T boat used for building temporary bridges and an array of other military hardware.

The Russian warships approaching Syria come after the United States outlined new economic sanctions in response to Moscow's continued support of Assad's regime in Syria.

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, said measures to be imposed on Monday will send a message to Russia after it blocked six UN attempts to investigate its use of chemical weapons.

In Washington President Donald Trump stood by his comments that the strikes he commanded were a 'mission accomplished' after he was slated for repeating George W Bush's controversial use of the phrase during the Iraq war.

Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron today insisted the allied forces had not 'declared war' on Syria.

He told a French TV station: 'We have not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad.' During the two-hour interview he also claimed he had 'convinced' Trump to maintain a military presence in Syria after the US leader threatened to pull out of the country entirely.

It emerged that Trump called Mr Macron twice before he shared his intention to strike Syria in a Twitter post. But he failed to call UK Prime Minister Theresa May in the early stages of the operation, giving the French leader the opportunity to claim France is America's leading ally in Europe.

Vladimir Putin condemned Friday's strikes as an 'act of aggression' that will worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and have a 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations.

But Trump has vowed to carry out more if Bashar al-Assad's regime dares to use chemical weapons again.

A yellow RoRo Alexandr Tkachenko was seen cruising down The Bosphorus headed for Russia's naval base at Tartus, northern Syria with high-speed patrol boats, bridge boats and several trucks

A high-speed patrol boat is pictured on board the Alexandr Tkachenko cargo vessel seen on The Bosphorus on Sunday

Russian trucks were seen atop of the yellow cargo vessel in the Mediterranean on Sunday after Friday's airstrikes

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson today defended Britain's decision to stand up to 'barbarism' amid criticism of Mrs May for agreeing to the strike without a vote in the House of Commons.

Mr Johnson said failure to respond to Assad's use of illegal chemical weapons against his own people would have undermined 'civilised values'.

He said 'so far, thank heavens, the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack,' adding that Britain and its allies 'would study what the options were' in the event of another attack.

But amid fears of revenge attacks by Russia and criticism of Theresa May for acting without a Commons vote, Mr Johnson stressed there was no intention of getting more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

Concerns have been raised that a cyber backlash could see vital services including water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and air traffic control affected.

On its fourth deployment of Russian military equipment to Syria the ship was seen laden with tanks, trucks, ambulances and a bomb radar

Pictured: The Project 117 LST Orsk 148 landing vessel is seen cruising down The Bosphorus on Sunday

Russian trucks are pictured on top of a cargo vessel travelling towards Moscow's naval base at Tartus, northern Syria

 Slide me  One of two targets hit at the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site was the storage site (pictured) which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles. The astonishing images show what appears to be the main buildings reduced to rubble

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Mr Johnson said: 'You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.'

UK opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the UK's air strikes 'legally questionable', forcing the Government to publish detailed legal advice justifying the bombings. Today Mr Corbyn demanded a 'war powers' law to ban the Prime Minister from taking military action without a Commons vote.

The official legal advice claimed 'the UK is permitted under international law, on an exceptional basis, to take measures in order to alleviate overwhelming humanitarian suffering'. Mrs May will face MPs tomorrow.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, the Labour leader replied: 'I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

'If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire. 'That surely would save a lot of lives,' he told the Andrew Marr Show.

 Slide me  The second site outside of Homs was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker. It was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

Some 75 people, including children, are said to have died when the Syrian regime used chlorine gas and another nerve agent in Douma last Saturday.

Aid workers told how chlorine could be smelled in the air and victims were found with foam in their mouth and with burning eyes.

Pope Francis told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that he is `'deeply disturbed' by the international community's failure to come up with a common response to the crisis in Syria and other parts of the world.

'Despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action toward peace in Syria or other regions of the world,' the Pope told a crowd of 30,000 after his traditional Sunday blessing.

Assad continues to deny using any chemical weapons, telling visiting Russian politicians today that Western air strikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of 'lies' and misinformation at the UN.

But in response to the deaths, scores of fast jets, fighters and destroyers fired more than 100 missiles at three military targets in Syria on Friday night.

The first and largest target in the airstrikes was the Barzah Research and Development Centre which was considered to be the 'heart' of the regime's chemical weapons program.

The second target was the Hinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility. It was destroyed by 22 weapons including Scalp and Storm Shadows and three Naval cruise missiles. The third target, the Hinshar CW Bunker, was hit by seven Scalp missiles.

Three civilians were injured but there have been no confirmed fatalities.

 Slide me  Barzah Research Facility in northern Damascus was the main target of the attack. A total of 76 missiles pummeled this site alone. Smoke still lingered well after the attack that happened in the early morning darkness of 4am

The Pentagon shared details early on Saturday of the successful, coordinated missile attack on Damascus which set the Syrian regime's chemical weapons program back 'years'.

At a press conference in Washington DC on Saturday morning, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie gave a detailed break-down of the 105 missiles launched, saying: 'This is going to set the program back for years. We attacked the heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program.'

He also rejected the Syrian media's claim that Assad's missile defense systems took down 71 of the missiles launched, revealing that none were compromised and that they were only fired once the coordinated attack was over. Russia also claimed missiles had been intercepted.

French President Emmanuel Macron said today that the nation had 'not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad'

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the strikes were merely aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons

A Syrian soldier films the damage at the site of the Barzah Scientific Research Center in Damascus on Saturday morning after it was annihilated by 76 missiles

Smoke was still billowing from the site on Saturday morning, hours after the 4am air and sea missile attack

Soldiers were putting out the flames and smoke on Saturday morning as US officials celebrated the attack and said 'mission accomplished'

All of the US aircraft returned safely to base after the attack. Gen. McKenzie did not say where the Lancer B-1 Bombers had flown from but other officials suggested they were deployed from an airbase in Qatar.

'We met our objective. We hit our target. It was mission accomplished,' White said on Saturday, repeating President Trump's tweet earlier in the day.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons - tweeting, 'Mission Accomplished!' - Vice President Mike Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France on Saturday.

'The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished - with swift professionalism,' Pence told reporters, noting there were 'no reported civilian casualties.'

He also had a warning for Russia: 'Our message to Russia is, 'you're on the wrong side of history,' ' Pence also said. 'It's time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night. 'You're known by the company you keep.'

Russia has military forces, including air defences, in several areas of Syria to support President Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance. The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The U.S. ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, 'Before we took action, the United States communicated with' Russia to 'reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties.'

A Pentagon spokeswoman said that to her knowledge no-one communicated with Moscow other than to use a military-to-military hotline that has routinely helped minimise the risk of U.S.-Russian collisions or confrontations in Syrian airspace. Officials said this did not include giving Russian advance notice of where or when allied airstrikes would happen.

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

Satellite images show the Barzah Research Center, the main target, before and after the missile attack which took place at 4am local time on Saturday, 9pm EST on Friday. 76 missiles pummeled this site alone

The second target was the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage site which was hit at the same time by 22 missiles

The third target, Him Shinshar CW Bunker, was the smallest and was wiped out by seven missiles

This graphic issued by the Pentagon on Saturday illustrates how the attacks unfolded from air and sea. It does not represent exactly the number of ships or planes deployed by each country. The US used three destroyers and a submarine along with two B-1 Lancer bombers. France used at least two aircraft and four ships and the UK used four aircraft

A map shows the location of the three targets. The Barzah Research Center was nearer the capital and the two storage facilities were to the north

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White (left) and Joint Staff director Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie gave a briefing on the strike on Saturday and said it 'crippled' Assad's chemical weapon arsenal

Between the jets and warships, 76 missiles annihilated the Barzah research center. Fifty-seven of those were Tomahawk missiles and 19 were Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.

The Tomahawks were mostly fired from the USS Monterey, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the USS Higgins, USS Laboon and the USS John Warner submarine.

France deployed its Mirage and Dassault Rafale jets and reportedly used four frigate warships. It is not clear how many aircraft were deployed. Britain is believed only to have fired missiles from its Torpedoes and Typhoon aircraft.

Other ships from each nation's military were in the region, including the USS Donald Cook, but did not fire any weapons. Despite the attack, White said the US was still committed to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing civil war in Syria.

'Our goal has not changed. Our goal in Syria is to defeat ISIS....but Assad's actions were beyond the pale. We do not seek conflict in Syria but we cannot allow such grievous violations of international law,' she said.

'We will not stand by passively while Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, ignores international law.'

Iran condemned the Western strikes on Syria, saying no country has a right to take punitive measures against another 'beyond international procedures.'

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that Iran had warned about the possibility that 'terrorist groups' were behind the alleged chemical attack that triggered the strikes. It said he communicated his concerns in a phone call with Boris Johnson on Sunday.
A woman's obituary helped the US Marshals Service find and arrest her son almost 40 years after he escaped from an Oklahoma state prison.

The agency said in a news release that 58-year-old Stephen Michael Paris was arrested without incident on Thursday morning at an office in Houston. Fingerprints confirmed his identity.

US Marshals said they tracked him down after a newspaper obituary for his mother listed a son in Houston named Stephen Michael Chavez.

US Marshals captured Stephen Michael Paris, 58, on Thursday morning at an office in Houston. He had only served 19 months of a nine-year sentence for drug possession and distribution (Pictured, Paris in 1980, left, and in 2018, right)

According to KOKH, US Marshals picked up the cold case about six weeks prior to the arrest.

The obituary stated that Joann Rahimi passed away on April 1 in Houston listed her son as Steve Chavez, which was a pseudonym Paris was living under.

Paris escaped from the Jess Dunn Correctional Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, 37 years ago in October 1981 when he was 22 years old.

He had only served 19 months of a nine-year sentence for drug possession and distribution. He was featured on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' 'Most Wanted' list.

Video courtesy of FOX 23

US Marshals said they tracked Paris down after a newspaper obituary for his mother, Joann Rahimi (pictured), who passed away on April 1, listed a son in Houston named Stephen Michael Chavez, a pseudonym he was living under

Paris escaped from the Jess Dunn Correctional Center (pictured) in Muskogee, Oklahoma, 37 years ago in October 1981 when he was 22 years old

According to Click2Houston, Johnny Ray Williams, chief deputy for the US Marshals Oklahoma City office, haf been in Houston at the time on an unrelated business matter.

'The information that we received that led us to Houston obviously stemmed from the passing of his mother,' Williams told the news station.

Paris had been working for the last several years as a senior employee with Bechtel Oil and Gas in Houston, reported FOX 26.

He had been living in the corner house of a street in Katy, a city just west of Houston. Neighbors told FOX 26 he lived alone, sometimes had female visitors over, and drove an expensive Mercedes.

Officials plan to work out details about how Paris managed to live his secret life as he awaits extradition back to Oklahoma.

'The questions I have - how were you able to assume a new identity? Identity theft is very prevalent in the United States today,' and figuring out how Paris was able to do so may help in future cases, Williams told Click2Houston.
President Donald Trump has paid tribute to his wife Melania, calling her his 'rock' and 'foundation', in an email asking supporters to celebrate her birthday and donate to his campaign.

In the email he wrote: 'Family is one of life's most wonderful pleasures, and serving as America's First Family has been a truly great privilege! This month, our family is looking forward to a very special day.'

'Please join us in celebrating the First Lady and my beautiful, kind-hearted and exceptional wife Melania's birthday by signing her card.

'Melania is my rock and foundation, and I wouldnt be the man I am today without her by my side.'

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pictured at the White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington DC on April 2

In the email he wrote: 'Family is one of life's most wonderful pleasures, and serving as America's First Family has been a truly great privilege! This month, our family is looking forward to a very special day'

'She's the cornerstone of our family, and an incredible mother to our son, Barron. I'm so proud of her accomplishments, and I hope you'll wish her well on her special day.'

He shared his affectionate comments about the First Lady amid the scandal over claims by porn star Stormy Daniels that they had an affair.

Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, payed the adult actress $130,000 in hush money to keep quiet about her alleged affair with the president.

She also went on CBS' 60 Minutes last month to reveal the details of their alleged tryst to Anderson Cooper.

Melania is pictured here hosting a listening session with students at the White House in Washington

Cohen has petitioned the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking a temporary restraining order to delay prosecutors' review of documents and devices seized in the raid, claiming it's protected by attorney-client privilege.

Stormy Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti has said the porn star will attend Michael Cohen's court hearing on Monday.

Avenatti believes some of the documents seized on April 9 relate to Daniels, he said on Friday from the courthouse.

Stormy Daniels is pictured here at the Deja Vu Showgirls club in Los Angeles on 24 Feb 2018

People familiar with the federal investigation that provided the factual basis for the search warrant which resulted in the raid on Cohen said that part of what the search warrant sought to uncover included information on payments made to Stormy Daniels (pictured)

Cohen previously admitted paying Daniels $130,000, which she said was payment in exchange for an agreement not to discuss an affair she claims to have had with the president; Daniels is seen here with Donald Trump, before he was elected president

He followed those comments up with a suggestive tweet that 'the weather forecast for Mon looks very Stormy.'

Cohen previously admitted paying Daniels $130,000, which she said was payment in exchange for an agreement not to discuss an affair she claims to have had with the president.

When news first broke that it was suspected Daniels and Trump had an affair around the time of the bitrh of his youngst son Barron, Daniels denied the sexual relationship.

Attorney Michael Avenatti suggested that his client, adult entertainer 'Stormy Daniels,' may be present at a hearing on Monday related to review of documents produced by the FBI's raid on the home, hotel and office of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen; Cohen is seen here in New York on Friday

However, after Cohen spoke about paying Daniels $130,000, she claimed the agreement had been breached, setting her free to tell her story about her alleged physical encounters with the president.

Trump has denied that he had an affair with Daniels, and also claims she made that he had her threatened to remain quiet about their alleged romantic relationship.

But in an interview with Anderson Cooper for CBS's 60 Minutes that aired on March 25, Daniels recounted the experience.
Veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart has joined a campaign to demand another referendum on the final Brexit deal.

Speaking at a rally in Camden, north London, Sir Patrick told a crowd of more than 1,200 people that he 'will not stand idly by' whilst Britain's 'future is at stake.'

Opening the London launch of People's Vote - a new grassroots movement campaigning for a referendum on the final deal - the 77-year-old British actor said Brexit will mean he will show his new Blue passport 'with less pride.'

More than a thousand people packed into the Electric Ballroom for the raucous launch, complete with t-shirts, flags, posters and pints on Sunday afternoon.

Veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart has joined a campaign to demand another referendum on the final Brexit deal

Sir Patrick told a crowd of more than 1,200 people that he 'will not stand idly by' whilst Britain's 'future is at stake'

Lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party, as well as the opposition Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, and Sir Patrick addressed the crowd.

Ahead of the event, Sir Patrick said on the BBC's Andrew Marr show that the characters he is best known for - Star Trek's Captain Jean Luc-Picard and X-men's Charles Xavier - would have been Remainers.

They were 'intellectuals but also compassionate and concerned for the well-being of everyone,' he told the show. 'They would have voted Remain.'

The actor later referenced his X-Men character at the rally in Camden.

'It is not Charles Xavier standing here in front of you - although I can assure you that if he was, he would have voted Remain,' he said.

'And why? Because unity, common cause, wellbeing of society and debate were paramount to belief of this fictional character.

The 77-year-old actor said Brexit will mean he will show his new Blue passport 'with less pride'

More than a thousand people packed into the Electric Ballroom for the raucous launch, complete with t-shirts, flags, posters and pints on Sunday afternoon

People's Vote is a new grassroots movement campaigning for a referendum on the final deal

'Since the 2016 referendum, there has been a concerted effort by many - including government - to shut down debate about Brexit and to tell us that we should simply trust ministers to get on with it because Brexit is an irreversible process.

'That we shouldn't worry about the cost and complexity of it or the litany of broken promises. Well today we say that's not good enough.

'Our country's future is at stake and we will not stand idly by. That is why I support a people's vote on the final deal.'

Sir Patrick told the crowd that the day Britain joined the EU on January 1, 1973, was one of the best days of his life.

'I was working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. My wife and I owned a tiny little cottage in Warwickshire. We had a young son and a daughter on the way,' he said.

Politicians Caroline Lucas, left, Layla Moran, Chuka Umunna, and Anna Soubry are joined onstage by comedian Andy Parsons, right, during the People's Vote campaign launch on Brexit

Lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party, as well as the opposition Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, and Sir Patrick addressed the crowd

'But the reason for the joy on that New Year's Day was because the UK had finally become a member of the European Union,' he added.

Sir Patrick went on to discuss his upbringing in working-class Yorkshire, where he witnessed the aftermath of the Second World War.

He said: 'The cost of war was everywhere and many never recovered from it.

'That was the Europe I grew up in and that is why when Britain joined the [European Economic Community] in 1973, that date was so special to me.

'When the UK and Ireland were brought in I felt for the first time in my life that the brutality of both World Wars could never happen again.'

Speaking at the event alongside Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Labour's Chuka Umunna, Sir Patrick said: 'Now that we are learning the real cost of Brexit, I want to urge that we think again and insist whether we accept the Brexit deal is a matter for the people.'

The People's Vote campaign wants a referendum so the public can ratify or reject the final Brexit agreement.

The agreement is due to be concluded between London and Brussels in October, before Britain leaves the European Union on those terms at the end of March 2019.
President Emmanuel Macron has said France's air strikes in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack were not a declaration of war against the Damascus regime.

'We have not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad,' Macron said in a television interview, a day after France joined the United States and Britain in launching strikes.

Insisting that the strikes were legitimate, Macron hailed the operation targeting Syrian chemical weapons facilities as a military success.

French President Emmanuel Macron said today that the nation had 'not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad'

'Their chemical weapons production capacities have been destroyed,' Macron told BFM television at the start of a two-hour interview marking almost a year since the start of his presidency.

He also claimed credit for convincing his US counterpart Donald Trump to stay engaged in the conflict long-term.

'Ten days ago, President Trump was saying the United States of America had a duty to disengage from Syria,' Macron said.

Macron also claimed credit for convincing Donald Trump to stay involved in the conflict during an interview with journalist Jean-Jacques Bourdin

'We convinced him it was necessary to stay,' he added.

'I assure you, we have convinced him that it is necessary to stay for the long-term.'

It comes after Putin warned there would be 'consequences' for the strikes, which targeted chemical weapons facilities.

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown.

Macron arrived with wife Brigitte Macron at BFM television for the interview in which he claimed it was him who swayed Trump into maintaining involvement in Syria

The interview was conducted at the Theatre National De Chaillot in Paris in the wake of the United States, Britain and France's decision to launch air strikes in Syria

Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin hours before the Western missile strikes.

In a statement issued after the strikes, he said: 'We cannot tolerate the normalisation of the use of chemical weapons.'

He added 'the facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime are not in doubt,' concerning the 'deaths of dozens of men, women and children' in what he said was a chemical weapons attack on April 7 in Douma.
A northern California newspaper is facing backlash after publishing a controversial opinion piece in response to the killing of an unarmed black man by police.

The Valley Times, a weekly newspaper published in Rancho Murieta, near Sacramento, is in hot water for one particular line published on Wednesday that appears to suggest black men should go on a self-imposed curfew.

'Police have to be careful not to overact and you black men might be better off at home after a certain hour,' wrote columnist Marcia Courson, who has been a freelance writer for the paper for 10 years.

Columnist Marcia Courson, 75, seemed to to suggest black man go on a self-imposed curfew

Courson was was responding to the case of Stephon Clark, 22, who was killed by police in his grandmother's backyard on March 18, sparking protests in the area

'We must not assume immediately a policeman has no reason to confront a suspect. Hard to know what a young man wondering the streets at night might be up to' she added in the column that delved into the importance of understanding the news and thinking before reacting.

Courson was referring, particularly, to the case of 22-year-old Stephon Clark, who was shot dead by police in his grandmother's backyard in Sacramento on March 18, sparking outrage and protests in the area.

Members of the gated community where the paper circulates have started a petition for Courson, 75, to be dismissed as a columnist.

The petition reads: '[Courson's] gross generalizations, simplistic solutions, and misrepresentations show a lack of ability to think critically and she constantly gives us her indignant, righteous version of truth. Her comments are an insult to our community'.

'Police have to be careful not to overact and you black men might be better off at home after a certain hour,' wrote Courson. (Stephon Clark is pictured after being shot by Sacramento cops)

Clark's death has sparked protests in the Sacramento area, which Courson seemed to oppose

'To imply that a solution to black males being shot by police is to have a racial curfew is irresponsible, ignorant, and divisive,' adds the petition, which 203 signatures.

Rancho Murieta has a population of about 5,000, with 89 per cent of residents being white and just one percent being black, as reported by The Sacramento Bee.

Courson has not responded to requests for comments.

Publisher Dave Herburger told CBS13 that the newspaper does not condone 'the notion of a minority curfew', adding that he made a call in the morning to say he was upset about the piece.

'[The column] is the definition of tone deaf on this issue,' he said.

Herburger also said that no editor got to read the column before it was published due to a short staff and that a piece apologizing for the column will be published next week.
A man died inside of a grocery store in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, after store employees held him to the ground for suspected shoplifting.

The 51-year-old man, who residents said was named Gerard but was known by 'Star' in the area, was tackled by three employees at the Stop & Shop at Flatbush and Tilden avenues, the New York Post reported.

Witnesses and police said the workers sat and stepped on him, eventually rendering him unconscious, before he was pronounced dead.

The store has said it is cooperating with authorities on an investigation.

Scroll down for video

A man known as Gerard and 'Star' died inside of the Stop & Shop at Flatbush and Tilden avenues in Brooklyn on Saturday, after employees held him down for suspected shoplifting

Witnesses said the man was placing items from the store into what looked like a cake box before store employees threw him to the floor.

'They all rushed him and he dropped the stuff,' one witness told ABC News.

A resident of the neighborhood said it was the store manager, assistant manager and a produce worker who pinned Gerard to the ground until he was no longer alive.

Witnesses and police said the workers sat and stepped on him, eventually rendering him unconscious, before he was pronounced dead

When police arrived, Gerard was already unconscious; Officers attempted CPR, to no avail

'The store manager was on his head part,' Clintisha Lewis, 27, said.

'A female [the assistant manager] was on his belly part and a worker was on his legs. Those are three adults sitting on him.'

Another shopper watched the attack of the middle-aged man who was thought to be attempting to steal items from the store.

The three employees threw Gerard to the ground and refused to let him up, despite his cries that he had a bad heart and couldn't breathe, Antwaune Savage, 31, said.

'They were on top of him,' Savage said. 'Literally standing on top of him. Stepping on him to hold him down.'

Once Gerard had dropped the items, Savage said the man told the workers to leave him alone and that they had what they wanted, but they would not let him go.

'He said, "I have a bad heart, I cannot breathe." Then he stopped talking,' Savage said.

As of late on Saturday, no arrests had been made in connection with Gerard's death

A crowd gathered outside following the incident on Saturday which resulted in Gerard's death

When police arrived, Gerard was already unconscious. Officers attempted CPR, but could not revive him.

His body was quickly transported to Kings County Hospital Center by emergency responders, where he was pronounced dead.

The official cause of death must be certified by the city medical examiner.

As of late on Saturday, no arrests had been made in connection with Gerard's death.

Stop & Shop released the following statement regarding the incident:

'We are working closely with the New York City Police Department to help them determine the facts and to provide any information we have to assist in their investigation.'
The father of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence says he forgives his sons killers

The father of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence says he forgives his sons killers.

Neville Lawrence, 76, said the decision was the hardest he had ever made, but it was necessary as part of his Christian faith.

Speaking ahead of the 25th anniversary of Stephens murder, Mr Lawrence said yesterday the killing had inflicted a life sentence on him and his family.

The father of three said: I will never be the person I was before Stephens death. You can never brush this aside  this is going to live with you for the rest of your life.

This is a life sentence that you cant finish. The only time my life sentence will be finished is when Im in the ground.

Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed by a five-strong gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993.

The gang shouted racist abuse as they began the unprovoked attack on the A-level student. Only two have been convicted of the murder.

Mr Lawrence named the five men, saying: The people who were said to be involved in the murder of my son were Neil Acourt, Luke Knight, Gary Dobson, David Norris and Jamie Acourt.

Neville Lawrence, 76, said the decision was the hardest he had ever made, but it was necessary as part of his Christian faith

To be a Christian you have to forgive people for what they have done... So in order to be a Christian, I decided I am going to forgive all those people who were involved in my sons murder.

[It] is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, and I think it will be the hardest I will ever make in my lifetime. Mr Lawrences marriage to Stephens mother Doreen  now Baroness Lawrence  collapsed in the aftermath of the murder and they are now divorced.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Mr Lawrence said: Its amazing how I feel now. I feel like I have let got a burden I have been carrying around for so many years.

'I've got to the stage where I just about remember the names of these people who killed my son. '

Baroness Lawrence has said she cannot forgive Stephens killers: You can only forgive somebody when they have shown remorse and accepted what they have done  and they havent.

The initial investigation into Stephens death was hampered by incompetence, racism and alleged corruption, and detectives have admitted the case is unlikely to progress without new information.

Mr Lawrence, a former plasterer, said the murder and subsequent public inquiry into racism in the police had made his son a significant figure in British history.

He said: When these boys killed my son Stephen, they created a legend. In his death, Stephen is a legend. There is debate about racism, there are organisations set up to help to make people understand about racism, the police have been put under the spotlight because of Stephens death.

Mr Lawrences marriage to Stephens mother Doreen (pictured together) now Baroness Lawrence  collapsed in the aftermath of the murder and they are now divorced

Mr Lawrence said he would spend the anniversary of the murder in church, but wanted to continue to work with young people to explain the dire consequences of carrying a weapon.

Such work has been given even greater significance because of the surge in violent crime in parts of Britain in recent months. There have been almost 60 murders in London this year.

Mr Lawrence said: Right now with the violence, and the knife crime violence, it is even more urgent now that I talk to these youngsters and explain to them the pain and the suffering they inflict on families. Dobson, now 42, and Norris, 41, were convicted and jailed for life in 2012 when DNA and fibre evidence linked them to the murder.

Neil Acourt, 42, is behind bars for masterminding a 4 million cannabis smuggling ring, while his brother Jamie, 41, is on the run in Spain and wanted for links to drugs crime. The only gang member still on British streets is Knight, 41.

Mr Lawrences solicitor Jocelyn Cockburn, from Hodge Jones and Allen, said: I am humbled by his message of forgiveness to mark the anniversary of his sons death. Neville can feel proud of what he has achieved in the intervening years.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested she wasn't trying to be misleading by tweeting out a photo of President Trump's Syria response, later admitting it was taken a day before the strike.

'Last night the President put our adversaries on notice: when he draws a red line he enforces it,' she wrote on Twitter, including a black-and-white image from inside the Situation Room.

In the shot, it was apparent that Vice President Mike Pence was seated at the table  which would be impossible on Friday night, when the U.S. and allies attacked Syria, because Pence was in Peru.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, seen during an interview on ABC's This Week, got in some heat for posting a photo from the Situation Room, alluding that it was taken Friday night, when in reality it was snapped on Thursday

The photo in question showed Vice President Mike Pence (left of President Trump) at the head of the table, which would have been impossible the night of the Syrian attack, as the vice president was in Peru

Included with the photo was a message from Sarah Huckabee Sanders written on Saturday in which she references 'last night,' which most would interpret as the photograph coming from Friday

The press secretary later clarified that the black-and-white photo had been taken the day before, she told Politico that she didn't think her tweet was 'misleading at all'

Speaking to ABC News' George Stephanopoulos (right), White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (left) explained why President Trump said in a tweet that Friday's military action was a 'mission accomplished'

Upon being called out on Twitter, Huckabee Sanders wrote another tweet, though indicated she didn't believe she had done anything wrong.

'As I said, the President put our adversaries on notice that he enforces red lines with the strike on Syria Friday night,' she said.

'The photo was taken Thursday in the Situation Room during Syria briefing,' the press secretary added.

Responding to an inquiry from Politico, Huckabee Sanders also noted, 'It's from Thursday meeting when he was briefed on Syria.'

'So no, not misleading at all,' she said.

Huckabee Sanders appeared Sunday on ABC's This Week where she also backed the language used in another controversial tweet about Syria, in which President Trump labeled Friday's strike in Syria as a 'Mission Accomplished.'

That language famously hung behind President George W. Bush in May 2003, two months after the U.S. invaded Iraq, and later became synonymous with his failures in the Iraq War, as it looked like he prematurely thought the administration had succeeded.

'They 100 per cent met their objectives, that's what the president's referring to,' the White House spokeswoman said.

The president followed up his initial tweet with another one Sunday morning.

'The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term "Mission Accomplished,"' Trump said. 'I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!'

Huckabee Sanders explained that the U.S., alongside British and French forces 'went out to destroy critical chemical weapons infrastructure in Syria and they did exactly that.'

'And they also sent a strong message to Syria, to Russia, to Iran that when this president has a red line, he will enforce it,' Huckabee Sanders added.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos then asked the press secretary if Trump is still committed to pulling U.S. troops out of the war-torn country.

'Look the president has got three big objectives when it comes to the conflict there, he wants to defeat ISIS, he has talked about this relentlessly ... the other things we have to do, we have to contain Iran ... And then, last, we have to stop the spread and use of mass chemical weapons,' Huckabee Sanders said.

'These are big things that the president has been focused on and we've had some success so far,' she added. 'We're going to continue building on that.'
Hard-left activists who called for Labours Jewish wing to be expelled and believe the Israeli embassy should be smashed want to run Momentum.

Several candidates standing for the groups ruling body made contentious remarks about either Jews or Israel, including claims that Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, was funding party moderates.

Voting closes at midnight tonight for the 12 places representing members on the national co-ordinating group (NCG) of Momentum, the grassroots organisation set up to help Jeremy Corbyn become Labour leader in 2015.

Sara Callaway, who wants to represent the South East, said the Jewish Labour Movement should be kicked out of the party for backing the apartheid state of Israel

Sara Callaway, who wants to represent the South East, said the Jewish Labour Movement should be kicked out of the party for backing the apartheid state of Israel. Speaking at the Labour conference in September, she said: We cant be a party that has groups that support an apartheid state, wherever that apartheid state is.

Martin Menear, a councillor and trade union official in Cornwall who is seeking re-election to the NCG, suggested Mossad was giving support to leading moderate Luke Akehurst, who was standing for a place on Labours National Executive Committee.

In a 2013 Mr Menear tweeted: He has little of value to say. Lots about Israel though. Maybe Mossad pay for some NEC leaflets.

Nadim Miah tweeted in July 2014 that he was finding it hard to resist the urge to smash the Israel embassy whenever I go near it I feel so angry.

Elizabeth Hayden was part of a Momentum branch that tried to stop an anti-Semitism inquiry by Labour into three members in 2016, saying it needed a plan to stop the vote for an anti-Semitism investigation in Liverpool.

The news comes as a Jewish Labour candidate stepped down, blaming anti-Semitism.

Joshua Garfield, 23, resigned as youth officer for the groups Newham branch in east London, citing individual and institutionalised anti-Semitism.

He said: I have witnessed more anti-Semitism in the past week than I ever have in my eight years of Labour membership. I have felt sometimes unsafe, and most certainly untrusted, as a Jewish member of the steering group, hence Ive decided to step down.

While anti-Semitism training may help, I dont believe it would be sufficient to combat the deep-seated prejudices I saw aired confidently on social media.

Last month, Momentums outgoing NCG criticised Labours failure to deal with anti-Semitism, insisting the problem should not be dismissed as Right-wing smears or conspiracies.

Its founder, Jon Lansman, has suggested Mr Corbyn and other senior officials should have training on unconscious bias. He said there had been a collective failure at the top of the party to deal with anti-Semitism.

Voting closes at midnight tonight for the 12 places representing members on the national co-ordinating group (NCG) of Momentum, the grassroots organisation set up to help Jeremy Corbyn become Labour leader in 2015
The Prime Minister will today insist that the UK had to strike Syria in our national interest to deter chemical weapon attacks on British streets.

Facing the threat of a knife-edge Commons vote, Theresa May will invoke the Salisbury poisonings in her defence of the military action.

In a statement to MPs, she will point to the need to ensure the use of chemical weapons does not become normalised  either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.

The Prime Minister will today insist that the UK had to strike Syria in our national interest to deter chemical weapon attacks on British streets

She will ask Speaker John Bercow for an emergency six-hour debate on the action, giving MPs from both sides of the House the chance to have a say.

But Labour will try to force a vote after the debate  raising the prospect of a humiliating, retrospective defeat.

Mrs May has faced considerable criticism for not recalling Parliament to gain approval for joining the US-led action against Bashar al-Assads despotic regime.

Tory MPs have been told they must be in the Commons today and tomorrow in case there is a vote on her handling of the Syria crisis.

Mrs May has faced considerable criticism for not recalling Parliament to gain approval for joining the US-led action against Bashar al-Assads despotic regime

Downing Street officials said they believed a vote was unlikely  but did not rule out the possibility of other parties forcing one later in the week.

Mrs May will tell MPs: Let me be absolutely clear. We have acted because it is in our national interest to do so.

It is in our national interest to prevent the further use of chemical weapons in Syria  and to uphold and defend the global consensus that these weapons should not be used. For we cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised  either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.

Jeremy Corbyn again questioned the legality of the UKs role in the 105-missile strike  and called for legislation to stop military action without MPs support. Mrs May will point to strong international backing from world leaders including Germanys Angela Merkel, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and European Council president Donald Tusk since the strike.

UN Security Council-mandated inspectors have investigated previous attacks and on four occasions decided that the regime was indeed responsible, she will say. We are confident in our own assessment that the Syrian regime was highly likely responsible for this attack and that its persistent pattern of behaviour meant that it was highly likely to continue using chemical weapons.

Jeremy Corbyn again questioned the legality of the UKs role in the 105-missile strike  and called for legislation to stop military action without MPs support

Furthermore, there were clearly attempts to block any proper investigation, as we saw with the Russian veto at the UN earlier in the week. And we cannot wait to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons attacks.

We have done it because we believed it was the right thing to do. And we are not alone. There is broad based international support for the action we have taken.

Mr Corbyn told BBC1s Andrew Marr Show that legislation was needed.

The Labour leader said: There is precedent over previous interventions when Parliament has had a vote.

I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said any such law would not apply to urgent cases such as when we are under attack or the prime minister has been kidnapped.

But Cabinet Office minister David Lidington, the Prime Ministers deputy, said there were no plans for legislation. The decision on whether there will be a vote  on a motion saying the House has considered this  is technically a matter for the Speaker.

On Saturday, Government Whips asked Tory MPs if they backed the action  with some asked if they would back Mrs May in a vote. One MP said: The feeling is nobody will vote against her now its done and its punitive and theres been no consequences to our troops.

Yesterday it emerged Chief Whip Julian Smith had emailed MPs putting them on a three-line whip for tomorrow afternoon. Government sources said they were confident the PM had MPs backing.

A senior Whitehall source said they did not want a vote before military action to become a precedent, adding: The creeping convention of Parliament votes needs to be halted.
The mother of a slain British backpacker has revealed the haunting moment she came face-to-face with her daughter's killer in court, and why she wants to meet the 'broken man'.

Rosie Ayliffe's daughter Mia Ayliffe-Chung was stabbed to death in August 2016 by a French backpacker at a hostel in Home Hill, south of Townsville in Queensland's north-east.

When Rosie Ayliffe travelled from her home in Derbyshire, UK, to Brisbane to attend killer Smail Ayad's mental health court proceedings in Brisbane on April 4, she said she was met with a confronting reality.

The mother of a slain British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung (pictured) has revealed the haunting moment she came face to face with her daughter's killer

Rosie Ayliffe's daughter Mia Ayliffe-Chung (pictured together) was brutally stabbed to death in August 2016 by a French backpacker at a hostel in Home Hill

'I had seen images of Mia's killer in the press. To me, he looked like a very arrogant, testosterone-driven fighting man,' she told New Idea.

'He killed my daughter, he killed the man who was trying to help her, and he killed a dog. So you can imagine the animalistic creature I had created in my mind.

'But then I saw this figure in court who looked nothing like I imagined. He looked so old, he was shuffling, he was balding. His body language suggested defeat.'

Ms Aycliffe said the prosecuting attorney described Ayad as a 'broken man' as he shuffled out of the hearing.

Frenchman Ayad, then 29, dragged Mia, 21, from her bed at the hostel and fatally stabbed her, before going on to fatally wound British backpacker Tom Jackson, 30, who ran to Mia's aid.

Rosie Ayliffe (left with her daughter Mia) travelled from her home in Derbyshire, UK, to Brisbane to attend killer Smail Ayad's mental health court proceedings in Brisbane on April 4

Frenchman Ayad, then 29, dragged Mia, 21, from her bed at the hostel and fatally stabbed her

Mia Ayliffe-Chung was brutally stabbed to death in August 2016 by a French backpacker at a hostel in Home Hill (hostel room pictured)

Ayad (pictured) reportedly developed an obsessive crush on Mia when he killed her

After he fatally attacked Mia and Tom Jackson, Ayad chased and killed a family dog.

Mia died in the bathroom of her hostel room where she ran to escape her killer.

Mia was working at a Queensland cane field to extend her visa at the time of the violent attack.

Ayad reportedly developed an obsessive crush on Mia at the time he killed her.

Courts have since ruled him to be of 'unsound mind' after he was found to have had a 'psychotic episode' during which he believed people were out to kill him.

Mia died in the bathroom of her hostel room where she ran to escape her killer

Ayad fatally wounded British backpacker Tom Jackson, 30, (left) who ran to Mia's aid

All criminal charges were dropped against Ayad in 2017 and courts ordered him to be sent to a psychiatric facility, where he will likely spend the rest of his life.

Ms Ayliffe said the decision to drop criminal charges against Ayad was difficult to accept, but after seeing him she said there was 'no doubt that he is insane'.

She said she one day wanted to meet Ayad properly so she could better come to terms with her daughter's death.

She revealed she already spoke with his mother, based in France, who she said suffered a similar loss to her own.

Ms Ayliffe said Ayad's mother had to live with the shame of what her son did.

Mia (pictured as a child) was working at a Queensland cane field to extend her visa at the time of the violent attack

Ms Ayliffe said she wanted regulations surrounding the 417 via to be changed, so her daughter Mia's death wasn't in vain

Ms Ayliffe said she wanted regulations surrounding the 417 via to be changed, so her daughter's death would not be in vain.

She has called on the Australian Government to better care for the health and safety of backpackers doing their 88-day farm work.

The work sees tourists aged between 19 and 31 spend 88 days working in the agricultural sector to extend their visas a further year.

'I assumed that the young people would be registered and the farms accredited,' she told the ABC in 2017.

'I now understand that there's a dark side to the backpacker culture  that people can find themselves at risk just like my daughter did.

'I want a central body which distributes backpackers among farms that are certified.'
Former FBI Director James Comey previewed his forthcoming book in a tweet Sunday telling audiences that he wrote about two presidents who are ethical leaders and one that 'serves as a counterpoint,' a likely dig at President Trump.

'My book is about ethical leadership & draws on stories from my life & lessons I learned from others,' Comey wrote. '3 presidents are in my book: 2 help illustrate the values at the heart of ethical leaders, 1 serves as a counterpoint.

'I hope folks read the whole thing and find it useful,' Comey added.

While Comey didn't identify which president he used as a cautionary tale in his book, titled 'A Higher Loyalty,' the tweet came on the heels of President Trump going on a Twitter tirade over the ex-FBI chief Sunday morning.

Former FBI Director James Comey tweeted about his forthcoming book on Sunday, several hours after President Trump pummeled the fired federal official on Twitter

Former FBI Director James Comey's 'A Higher Loyalty' comes out Tuesday. Comey said he included stories about three presidents in the book, two that showcase 'ethical leadership,' and one that is to serve as a counterpoint. It's likely Trump is the latter

In a series of tweets, Trump suggested that Comey belonged in jail and blasted him with a new nickname.

'Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!' Trump said.

The president's tweets come as Comey's book is set to his bookshelves on Tuesday.

More pressing, however, is an interview Comey sat down for with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, which will air Sunday night.

In the book, a copy of which was obtained by the Guardian, Comey writes about how working under the new president reminded him of his time 'as a prosecutor against the mob.'

'The boss in complete control. The loyalty oaths. The us-versus-them worldview,' Comey said. 'The lying about all things, large and small, in service to some code of loyalty that put the organization above morality and truth.'

This passage seemingly got under Trump's skin.

'I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty,' Trump said. 'I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His "memos" are self serving and FAKE!'

Comey had written a series of memos about his conversations with the president and then passed them off to the press after his May 2017 firing.

Trump also took issue with the fact that Comey thought Hillary Clinton was going to win the 2016 race, and factored that in to his handling of the reopening of the Clinton email probe.

'It is entirely possible that, because I was making decisions in an environment where Hillary Clinton was sure to be the next president, my concern about making her an illegitimate president by concealing the restarted investigation bore greater weight than it would have if the election appeared closer or if Donald Trump were ahead in all polls,' Comey explained in the book.

Comey's letter to Congress 11 days before the election, in which he told lawmakers that the FBI was looking through another batch of Clinton's emails, was one of the many reasons Clinton has given for losing the presidential race to Trump.

In a preview clip for Comey's first broadcast network interview, which will air tonight on ABC News, the former FBI director says to George Stephanopoulous 'I hope not,' when asked if he believed his letter lost the election for Clinton.

On Sunday Trump wrote, 'Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe.'

On Sunday morning, President Trump went on a tirade about former FBI Director James Comey, dedicating a number of tweets to the subject

President Trump charged with former FBI Director James Comey of lying after Comey said that Trump asked him for loyalty

President Trump didn't like James Comey's admission that he was working under the theory that Hillary Clinton was likely to win the 2016 presidential election

President Trump again brought up the 2016 tarmac meeting between President Obama's Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, suggesting that some tit-for-tat was offered so Lynch would call off the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails

President Trump knocked former FBI Director James Comey's 'badly reviewed book,' suggesting the ex-FBI head didn't answer a number of key questions, while hinting he believed Comey belonged in jail

'In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job,' Trump suggested, ending the tweet by labeling Comey a 'Slimeball!'

Parroting a New York Post headline, Trump also suggests that Comey throws former Attorney General Loretta Lynch 'under the bus!'

'Why can't we find out what happened on the tarmac in the back of the plane with Wild Bill and Lynch?' Trump said.

Former President Bill Clinton had boarded Lynch's plane in July of 2016, with several months to go in the presidential campaign.

She's called the meeting 'innocuous,' though Trump suggested Sunday that Clinton had promised her some tit-for-tat.

'Was she promised a Supreme Court sea, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary,' Trump mused. 'No gold and grandkids talk (give us all a break)!' he said, suggesting that the conversations between President Obama's attorney general and the ex-president married to the Democratic nominee were not 'innocuous.'

In another Sunday tweet, President Trump listed a number of things he believed Comey should have touched on in the forthcoming tome, while also suggesting Comey should be behind bars.

'The big questions in Comeys badly reviewed book arent answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didnt they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabes $700,000 & more?' Trump wrote.

He was referencing a political donation made to former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's wife.

On Friday, Trump had gone on a tirade over Comey as well, calling him out as a 'LEAKER & LIAR.'

'Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in face fired,' Trump said. 'He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH.'

'He is a weak and untruthful slime ball who was, at time has proven, a terrible director of the FBI,' Trump wrote.

Trump, under the belief that Hillary Clinton should have been prosecuted for mishandling classified information in her emails said Comey's handling of the FBI case 'will go down as one of the worst "botch jobs" in history,' he said.

'It was a great honor to fire James Comey!' the president said.
Republican Governor Matt Bevin issued the four-minute apology video on Sunday

Kentucky's governor has apologized for his explosive comments suggesting that teachers striking during a budget battle had exposed unattended children to sexual abuse.

Republican Governor Matt Bevin issued the four-minute apology video on Sunday, saying that many people misunderstood and 'did not fully appreciate' his earlier statement.

'I'm sorry for those of you, every single one of you, that has been hurt by things that I've said,' Bevin said.

It came two days after his remarks in the midst of a Frankfort budget battle raised eyebrows around the nation.

At least 39 school districts in Kentucky had shut down on Friday as teachers traveled to the Capitol asking legislators to override Bevin's veto of state budget and tax reform bills.

The legislator heeded the protests and overrode the veto.

Bevin apologized on Sunday for the controversial remarks he made on Friday as teachers protesting budget cuts filled the Capitol building in Frankfort (pictured)

That same day, Bevin blasted the teachers for taking the day off to protest.

'I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today, a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them,' Bevin said to NBC5 outside the state Capitol on Friday.

'I guarantee you somewhere today, a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were left alone because a single parent didn't have any money to take care of them.'

The governor said this caused 'hundreds of thousands of children' to be left alone at home and 'vulnerable'.

He added: 'Children were harmed  some physically, some sexually, some were introduced to drugs for the first time.'

Bevin also told reporters he was 'offended by the fact that people so cavalierly, and so flippantly, disregarded what's truly best for children'.

He said of the teachers protesting that he saw 'a lot of people hanging out, shoes-off, smoking, leaving trash around, taking the day off'.

The GOP-led Kentucky House later approved a pair of resolutions condemning Bevin's comments. The extraordinary rebuke came on the final day of the legislative session Saturday.

Teachers from across Kentucky gathered in the state Capitol to rally for increased funding for education on Friday. The governor has apologized for his remarks about the protests

In his apology on Sunday, Bevin apologized several times and said that his remarks had been misunderstood.

'It's my responsibility to represent you, not only when I'm speaking to you, but when I'm speaking on your behalf in ways that are clear, that are understood, that don't hurt people and don't confuse people,' he said.

'And so the extent that I do that well, great. And to the times when I don't do it well, that's on me.

Robin Cooper, an occupational therapist in Fayette County, the state's second-largest public school district, was among the thousands of educators protesting at the Capitol in recent weeks.

Cooper voted for Bevin in 2015 and vowed Saturday not to do it again.

And after watching the video Sunday, she said, 'Seriously? That's not much of an apology.

'I think he's gotten so much heat that he had to say something,' Cooper said. 'But it still wasn't an apology. It was still him defending his words. Everyone heard his words. I don't know how we can misunderstand his intent. So that just kind of makes me angry.'
Britain was braced for a Russian cyber attack last night as officials warned of swift retaliation for the military strikes on Syria.

Intelligence officers at GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence are on standby to hit back if the Kremlin wages cyber warfare.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson acknowledged the threat yesterday, saying the UK had to take every possible precaution.

Vladimir Putin condemned the strikes as an act of aggression against a sovereign state and accused the US and its allies of violating the norms and principles of international law

It is feared vital transport systems, water supplies, gas networks, banks, hospitals and even air traffic control could be hacked by Russia in response to the assault on Bashar al-Assads chemical weapons facilities.

Intelligence sources also fear the retaliation could involve the online release of so-called kompromat  compromising information on MPs or other public figures.

Last night, the Pentagon said there was a 2,000 per cent increase in the number of Russian trolls spreading Kremlin propaganda in the hours after the air strikes. As the fallout from the military action intensified:

Theresa May faces a knife-edge vote in the Commons over her decision to join Saturday mornings US-led air strikes without parliamentary approval;

Graphic pictures showed how Assads facilities were destroyed by a barrage of 105 missiles from Britain, France and the US;

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a backlash from his own MPs after refusing to dismiss outlandish Russian claims that Britain was to blame for the Salisbury poisonings and even the gas atrocity in Syria;

Britain was braced for a Russian cyber attack last night as officials warned of swift retaliation for the military strikes on Syria

The Mail can reveal that military chiefs were so concerned about a Russian counter-strike on an RAF base in Cyprus, they kept two jets back from the air strikes

It emerged that Russia was duped into launching a military operation to find a British attack submarine that never made it within strike range of Syria;

Mr Johnson refused to rule out further strikes as defence officials feared Assad may have hidden chemical supplies in civilian sites, but Vladimir Putin warned that further military action would inevitably lead to chaos in international relations;

Donald Trump defended his hailing of the air strikes as mission accomplished while the US prepared to announce more sanctions on Russia.

The Syria crisis will dominate the return of Parliament today, with Mrs May facing the prospect of MPs voting against her decision to join Friday nights US-led strikes to punish the Assad regime for the use of chemical weapons in Douma.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson acknowledged the threat yesterday, saying the UK had to take every possible precaution

In a robust defence of her actions, the Prime Minister will deliver a statement to MPs insisting that Britain had to strike Syria in our national interest.

And she will invoke the Salisbury poisonings, saying that military action was essential to help deter any future use of chemical weapons on the streets of the UK.

On Saturday, Russia warned of consequences after the air strikes.

Moscow has already launched repeated online assaults against the UK and intelligence chiefs fear they have the capability to hack into certain critical systems. Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr show, Mr Johnson said: I think we have to take every possible precaution.

When you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed. A National Cyber Security Centre spokesman added: We are always vigilant to attacks wherever they come from and we have a full spectrum of capabilities to draw on if required.

In a robust defence of her actions, the Prime Minister will deliver a statement to MPs insisting that Britain had to strike Syria in our national interest

Intelligence experts accept that the most likely response from Russia will be through covert cyber warfare. This would be on top of an avalanche of fake news planted by Moscow-run online trolls.

Last week, Ciaran Martin, director of the cyber security centre, warned that Russia had already repeatedly hit the UKs critical infrastructure. This includes vital systems such as water supplies, electricity and gas networks, hospitals, banks and transport.

He said Kremlin attacks on computer networks were part of a wider campaign to destabilise the UK.

Our critical infrastructure gets hit frequently by Russia and it is not always clear for what purpose, he said.

As a government as a whole we want to counter hostile Russian intent towards the democratic system and we have got all sorts of different parts of government working on that.

Whitehall sources said yesterday Russia was carrying out cyber attacks against the UK all the time. One added: What is clear, both offensive and defence cyber capabilities are now a reality.

In the hours after the strikes, Moscows ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: The worst apprehensions have come true. Our warnings have been left unheard. A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences'

And one security source told The Sunday Times: We know whats in the Russian playbook  kompromat-type material  were all prepared for that.

In the hours after the strikes, Moscows ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said: The worst apprehensions have come true. Our warnings have been left unheard. A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.

All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris. Insulting the president of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible. Putin condemned the strikes as an act of aggression against a sovereign state and accused the US and its allies of violating the norms and principles of international law. Putin even accused America of having staged chemical attack against civilians as a pretext for the attack.

One Russian politician even compared Mr Trump to Adolf Hitler. Alexander Sherin said he can be called Adolf Hitler No 2 of our time  because, you see, he even chose the same time [of night] that Hitler chose to attack the Soviet Union.

A Russian resolution at the UN Security Council condemning the air strikes was soundly defeated on Saturday night. Moscow gained support from only two countries, China and Bolivia. Four council members  Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Peru and Equatorial Guinea  abstained, while the remaining eight members voted against.

At the same time, Mrs May has faced considerable criticism for not recalling Parliament to gain approval for joining the US-led action.

Tory MPs returning from recess this week have been told they have to be in the Commons today and tomorrow in case there is a vote on her handling of the Syria crisis.

Last night, however, Downing Street officials said they believed a Commons vote was unlikely to take place  although they did not rule out the possibility that Opposition parties could force one later in the week.

Mrs May will tell MPs: Let me be absolutely clear. We have acted because it is in our national interest to do so.
Ministers were in full-on retreat over the 'appalling' treatment of Britain's Windrush generation of immigrants today.

MPs queued up to voice fury at the plight of long-term residents who have lost their everyday rights as Britons - with the government admitting some might have been deported in error.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd apologised for the threat to deport them - and launched a furious attack on her own department for the blunder.

And Theresa May U-turned and agreed to meet Jamaican leaders attending a Commonwealth summit in London to discuss the treatment of the post-watr immigrants.

The PM's spokesman also said the premier 'regretted' the treatment of the Windrush generation and Home Office guidance was being changed.

Ms Rudd launched an outspoken attack on her officials telling the Commons she is concerned Home Office officials 'lose sight of the individual'.

The shift came as immigration minister Caroline Nokes admitted some of the cases were 'appalling' and people had been deported in error - although her boss Amber Rudd later cast doubt on the assertion.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has expressed 'deep concern', while International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt admitted the government must do a 'better job' of dealing with issue.

Scroll down for video

Leaders from Caribbean countries who wanted to discuss with Theresa May the plight of those who have lost their everyday rights as Britons have been told there will be no formal meeting with the Prime Ministers (pictured: the SS Empire Windrush which brought the first generation of workers to Britain from the West Indies in 1948)

Answering questions from furious MPs in the Commons, Ms Rudd offered an apology for the way cases had been handled

Theresa May, pictured with Prince Harry at the Commonwealth summit in London today, has U-turned and will now meet Caribbean leaders to discuss the treatment of Windrush immigrants

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said she had been 'appalled' by the cases - but said she did not know how many had been ejected in error

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid took to Twitter to voice 'deep concern' about the situation

Ministers are under pressure to end the 'inhumane' betrayal of migrants who came here with their parents after the Second World War and never became naturalised British citizens.

Tens of thousands who arrived as children from the Caribbean are said to have been 'treated like criminals'.

Jamaicans told to adopt local accent if they are sent back to island An official Home Office document advising Windrush immigrants being sent to Jamaica tells them to adopt the local accent. The Coming Home to Jamaica leaflet warns that Jamaicans can be hostile to those speaking in a foreign accent. And it urges them to pick up a local dialet to blend in. It stats: 'Try to be Jamaican  use local accents and dialect (overseas accents can attract unwanted attention). Advertisement

Answering questions from furious MPs in the Commons, Ms Rudd offered an apology for the way cases had been handled.

'I do not want any of the Commonwealth citizens who are here legally to be impacted in the way they have,' she said.

'Frankly, some of the ways they have been treated has been wrong, has been appalling and I am sorry.

'That's why I am setting up a new area in my department to ensure that we have a completely new approach to how their situation is regularised.'

And she laid the blame for the blunder with officials in her department, telling MPs: 'I am concerned that the Home Office has become too concerned with policy and strategy, and sometimes lose sight of the individual.

'This is about individuals, and we have seen the individual stories, and they have been, some of them, terrible to hear, and that is why I have acted.'

She added: 'I am not aware of any specific cases of a person being removed in these circumstances.

'That is why I have asked the high commissioners if they know of any, that they should bring it to me.

Labour MP David Lammy delivered a searing attack on the government's handling of cases

Mrs Rudd said she was not certain whether any of the Windrush generation had been deported

'And I would ask anybody here if they know of any such circumstances, they should bring them to the Home Office.'

Ms Rudd said she would be meeting high commissioners from Commonwealth countries this week to find out whether any people had been wrongly removed from the UK.

She made the remarks after coming in for heavy criticism from MPs in the Commons.

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, said it was 'inhumane and cruel' for so many in the Windrush generation 'to have suffered so long in this condition'.

He added: 'This is a day of national shame and it has come about because of a hostile environment policy that was begun under her Prime Minister.

'Let us call it as it is. If you lay down with dogs, you get fleas, and that is what has happened with this far right rhetoric in this country.'

The Commonwealth heads of government meeting is being held in London this week and Guy Hewitt, High Commissioner for Barbados, told the Guardian: 'We did make a request to the summit team for a meeting to be held between the Prime Minister and the Commonwealth Caribbean heads of government, and regrettably they have advised us that that is not possible.'

Albert Thompson has been denied life- saving treatment on the NHS Albert Thompson, who has been denied life saving treatment on the NHS Albert Thompson, 63, has lived in London for 44 years - but told he must pay 54,000 for life saving treatment on the NHS. For three decades Mr Thompson worked, supported a family, and was a head mechanic for a string of garages, and paid his taxes. His mother arrived in the UK from Jamaica in the Sixties to come and work her as a nurse. He had surgery for prostate cancer in January last year, before NHS eligibility rules were tightened, and was to begin radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, last November. But when he arrived for his first NHS radiotherapy session following the removal of his prostate, he was told he was not entitled to free treatment. It is because the Home Office can find no record of Mr Thompson, who was born in Jamaica, in its files. He lost the Caribbean passport he arrived in the UK with some years ago. And without a British passport - which he's never had and cannot not get because there is no documentary proof of his arrival here as a teenager in 1973, landlords will not house him and the NHS have told his he can't have treatment. He said: 'At present I'm left in limbo. It feels like I've been left to die because the job hasn't been finished. I get depressed, stressed out, anxious. 'I used to have a life, to work, to go out, enjoy myself. I had a nice car, a home. I went to the cinema, dancing. But that's the past. I have to think about the present and it's hard to come to terms with. I've got no money. 'I'm very angry with the Government that I'm in this position. I'm here legally, but they're asking me to prove I'm British.' Mr Thompson worked until 2008 when he was diagnosed with the blood cancer lymphoma and an acute back problem; since then he has been too ill to work. He was evicted from his rented flat because his landlord wanted to sell it. Tenants must now produce a British passport in order to rent accommodation. As Albert  not his real name  does not have a passport, he could not find a home. 'I was on the streets for three weeks. I had to beg for food. I felt ashamed. I just asked people in shops if they had anything spare.' After three weeks, Albert had managed to secure a room through a homeless charity, St Mungo's. He still lives in that accommodation now. Advertisement

Elwaldo Romeo has lived in Britain for 60 years - but told he is in UK illegally Elwado Romeo has lived in the UK for nearly 60 years Elwaldo Romeo has lived in Britain for almost 60 years, but has now been told by the Home Office that he is in the UK illegally. He moved from Antigua to the UK when he was four, 59 years ago, and has lived and worked her ever since. But according to the Guardian he received a Home Office letter telling him he was 'liable to be detained' because he was a 'person without leave.' The letter continued: 'You have NOT been given leave to enter the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971.' He has been told to report fortnightly to Home Office premises. The letter also offered advice on 'help and support on returning home voluntarily'. Mr Romeo, 63, said: 'It scares the living daylights out of you  the threatening language on the letters. 'This is the country I've grown up in. I love it and it's been very good to me over the years. But I'm devastated it has come to this. I feel like I'm being thrown aside.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We have been in touch with Mr Romeo to assure him that we are urgently reviewing his case and to help make sure that he is providing the correct information to demonstrate his status.' Romeo said: 'I'm not impressed with the way they are dealing with me and other people in my situation. People's lives are on hold. They don't take into consideration that I've been here since I was four.' Advertisement

New rules require documentary evidence of the right to be here, which many Windrush children do not have as anyone who arrived in the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1971 was given indefinite leave to remain, meaning many did not apply for a British passport

In a growing scandal, children of the Windrush migrants, named after the ship which brought the first generation of workers to Britain from the West Indies in 1948, have fallen victim to an immigration loophole that has left them in a legal limbo.

Despite having lived here and paid taxes for decades, some have lost their homes, jobs and benefits, been denied NHS treatment and threatened with deportation.

Anyone who arrived in the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1971 was given indefinite leave to remain by that year's Immigration Act. But many never applied for a British passport.

Michael Braithwaite's employers ruled he was an illegal immigrant Michael Braithwaite lost his teaching assistant job after his employer ruled he was an illegal immigrant Experienced special needs teaching assistant Michael Braithwaite lost his job after his employers ruled that he was an illegal immigrant - despite living here for more than 50 years. He arrived in Britain from Barbados in 1961, and had worked at a north London primary school for over 15 years when a routine check on his immigration status revealed he did not have an up to date identity document. His employer got in touch with him to tell him that without a biometric card he could not continue to be employed. He lost his full time job in 2017, after the local authority ruled he needed to submit proof he had the right to live in the UK. A biometric card is a residence permit issued to non-British residents, with details of their immigration status Mr Braithwaite attended primary school and secondary school in Britain, and worked continuously since leaving school. He married in London and has three British children and five grandchildren. Speaking to the Guardian, he said: 'It made me feel like I was an alien. I almost fell apart with the stress. I never applied for a British passport. We thought we were British.' Enny Choudhury, Braithwaite's lawyer, from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: 'For almost one year the Home Office has failed to issue the biometric card, without which he cannot work or move on with his life, causing uncertainty and distress.' Advertisement

Tough new rules were introduced four years ago to weed out illegal immigrants and prevent them renting a home, working, opening a bank account and holding a driving licence.

The rules require documentary evidence of the right to be here. But many Windrush-era children do not have such proof.

Securing a residence permit requires sending the Home Office up to four pieces of documentary evidence for every year spent in the UK  an almost impossible task.

Ms Mordaunt told BBC radio 4's Today programme: 'People who are in that situation, there is absolutely no question of their right to remain, and their right to gain access to services such as healthcare.

'What clearly needs to happen is we need to do a better job with the process that these individuals are having to go through.

'People should not be concerned about this - they have the right to stay and we should be reassuring them of that.'

The Daily Mail has launched a campaign in support of the Windrush generation.

We are calling for a lower burden of proof for those who arrived here before 1971, and more flexibility shown to those who have lived here and paid taxes for several decades but were never naturalised.

Grandmother Paulette Wilson threatened with deportation Grandmother Paulette Wilson has finally given leave to remain after a two-and-a-half year struggle Grandmother Paulette Wilson, from Wolverhampton, was threatened with deportation, despite living here for 50 years. This month she finally received leave to remain in Britain after a two-and-a-half-year struggle. The 61-year-old was denied benefits, access to healthcare and refused permission to work. In 2015 she received a letter saying she had 'no right' to be in the country, telling he she had to register each month in Solihull, and she even spent a week in the immigration detention centre in Yarl's Wood in October. Mrs Wilson was taken to London Heathrow Airport and threatened with deportation to Jamaica, where she has not returned since leaving age 10. But now she has received a biometric residency permit, confirming her settled status in the UK and bringing her a step nearer to gaining British citizenship. She said: 'I've never done anything wrong; how could I be an illegal? 'It would be nice to get an apology from the government saying: we are sorry we put you though this.' Paulette will now have to complete a naturalisation process to become a British citizen. Her worried daughter Natalie Barnes says her mum is still traumatised by her experience. She added: 'The experience of being in the detention centre won't ever leave her.' Advertisement

Research by academics at the Oxford University-based Migration Observatory suggests that up to 57,000 people who arrived in the UK before 1971 could be subject to such appalling treatment.

Labour MP David Lammy said that 'what is going on is grotesque, immoral and inhumane'. The former minister, whose Guyanese parents were Windrush migrants, added: 'It is a stain on our nation's conscience and the Home Secretary and Prime Minister must act urgently to right this historic wrong.

'After the Second World War we invited the Windrush generation over as citizens to help rebuild our country, and now their children are being treated like criminals.'

A petition is calling for anyone who came to the UK as a child between 1948 and 1971 to have their rights confirmed by the Government. You can add your name to the petition here.

The Home Office said those affected 'should take legal advice and submit the appropriate application with correct evidence'. A spokesman added that there was 'no intention' of making people who have the right to remain here leave.

Have you been told to prove you're British? If you know of cases like these, email windrush@dailymail.co.uk or write with your story to: Windrush, Daily Mail Letters, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT
Stephen Lawrence was attacked by a gang of white youths who shouted vile racist abuse

Police investigating Stephens murder faced a kangaroo court at the public inquiry which damned them for institutional racism, a retired senior detective has claimed.

Bill Mellish  who led the murder hunt for a year  said it was utter rubbish to brand the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) guilty of institutional racism.

His comments, in a documentary series being screened this week, will reignite the row over racism in the Met, days after a Lawrence family lawyer accused it of betraying its promise to tackle the issue.

The London force faced damning criticism for its failure to investigate the 1993 murder properly after the public inquiry led by Sir William Macpherson heard that its officers had initially assumed Stephens fatal stabbing was linked to drugs.

The 18-year-old A-level student was attacked by a gang of white youths who shouted vile racist abuse, but police failed to act on a series of tip-offs about the gangs identity and wasted vital opportunities to seize key evidence.

The Macpherson Inquiry into the botched murder investigation has long been seen as a watershed moment for race relations in Britain, and the Met pledged to introduce sweeping changes after its findings were published in 1999.

But Mr Mellish, a former detective superintendent, told the documentary: I think one officer on the night [of the murder] formed, wrongly, the opinion that it was a drug-related murder. And I think on that basis and perhaps one or two other examples [they] branded the whole of the Metropolitan Police as racist, which is utter rubbish.

Speaking about the findings of the public inquiry, he said: It confirmed my suspicion that it was a kangaroo court. I know theyre wrong. I have been in the Met for 32 years.

Mr Mellish, who took over the investigation in 1994, was praised in the Macpherson report for his work and received personal thanks from the Lawrence family during the inquiry.

Doreen and Neville Lawrence parents of Stephen Lawrence. Stephen: The Murder that Changed a Nation will be shown on BBC1 tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm

Imran Khan, lawyer for Stephens mother Doreen, now Baroness Lawrence, reacted angrily after he was shown the three-part documentary.

We had a number of police officers who I had assumed had moved forward with us, he said. Having viewed all three programmes I feel betrayed by those officers.

Asked if he believed they were racist, he replied: Without a shadow of a doubt. Its now hidden far better than it was but it exists and its thriving.

A spokesman for the Met said it had not viewed the documentary.

She added: The public inquiry made a series of recommendations which led to far-reaching changes in the Mets approach to murder investigation, race crime and staff diversity. The Met has brought two people to justice for this appalling crime.

The Commissioner has been instrumental in personally improving the response to racist crime in London. She has very clearly stated that she will not tolerate racism within the MPS.

Stephen: The Murder that Changed a Nation will be shown on BBC1 tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm.
She sits patiently in millions of homes, an unremarkable cylinder commonly referred to as Alexa. But Amazons new virtual assistant has been touted as nothing short of technological revolution.

In response to spoken commands, she answers questions which previously required an internet search, can perform mundane domestic tasks such as turning on lights, and makes online purchases  through Amazon, obviously.

Can it all be as innocent as it seems, particularly in an age rife with internet snooping? Or is Alexa a spy? Some users have even reported bone-chilling cackles emanating from their speakers at random moments.

What, then, could possibly go wrong when Peter Hitchens welcomed Alexa into his Oxfordshire home?

How would Alexa fare with a grilling on matters ranging from Beethoven to Bob Dylan, and from the Mid-East crisis to Einsteins theory of relativity?

I am enslaved by machines. But, like most slaves, I know deep down that I chose my fate. I calculated long ago that I preferred a life with mobile phones and computers to one without them. The price is high. It includes the loss of privacy, the unceasing availability to outsiders, the time wasted on the internet, the books unread, the conversations which never happened, the views from train windows that I completely missed as I checked my Twitter feed. I am sorry, but I am not that sorry.

What could possibly go wrong when Peter Hitchens welcomed Alexa into his Oxfordshire home?

But because my mind hardened before the age of the internet, I can resist much of it. Facebook is a mystery to me. I cannot see the point of it, or Snapchat or Instagram. My use of Twitter is brutally selfish, and if there were a Twitter Police, they would long ago have detained me for questioning.

So I am not the ideal subject for the new electronic fad, the thing most people call Alexa. This is a device about the size and shape of an extra-large family size can of baked beans, adorned with pretty flashing lights, now being widely promoted. The idea seems to be that you talk to it, it replies to you in a soothing voice and it then helps you buy things.

But I dont need this. I like to buy my food at markets, and my books (if possible) from bookshops. I mistrust electronic banking and wont use contactless cards. My experience of voice-activated switchboards is that they misunderstand all but the most simple words.

So with great reluctance I brought Alexa into my home, plugged it in and set it up. One of the first things I did was rename it. I didnt like the phoney familiarity of the Christian name. I wanted to call it Miss Amazon, since it has a female voice. But Amazon was as near as I could get. And I tried to get it to call me Mr Hitchens, but have so far failed.

But I began as I meant to go on. I was going to find out about Amazon, rather than the other way round. I asked it Do you tell lies? and it answered: I dont lie, Ill always tell you what I know. Did it keep a record of what I said? It responded (as it does to 99 per cent of awkward questions): I dont know that one. Is it British? I live in the cloud, you could call me a Cloudian. It was very keen on Jeff Bezos, boss of the Amazon company. It said he was kind and that it would give him five stars. But it did not endorse the Washington Post, the newspaper Jeff Bezos owns. It had no opinions on Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, or on Bill Gates, another internet mogul.

Did it like money? Yes, and it says it especially likes the US dollar. What about the pound sterling? No opinions. Was it a communist? It didnt say yes and it didnt say no, but it believes in deep space exploration and hopes to live on Mars. I am sure it will fit in very well there.

World peace? It had no opinions on that. Likewise, it had not given any thought to the two-state solution of the Israel-Arab conflict.

Was it a Christian? A Muslim? Any questions about religious opinions were met with the same evasively inoffensive answer about people being entitled to their opinions.

It seemed to like all animals, even claiming to be fond of hairless rats, which struck me as a programmers joke, stuck in the memory on the assumption nobody would ever ask.

It was basically American. It could go on at length about the US city of Baltimore, but had never heard of the original Baltimore, in Ireland. Yet when asked for weather forecasts it gave temperatures in Celsius, despite my pleas to do so in Fahrenheit  the scale normally used in the USA.

It was basically American. It could go on at length about the US city of Baltimore, but had never heard of the original Baltimore, in Ireland

What about music? I had thought this might actually be a useful feature. My record collection from the 1960s and 1970s is more or less useless unless I go out and buy a retro record player. Would it play the second movement of Beethovens 7th Symphony (which is readily available on the internet via YouTube without payment)? No.

Instead, it offered to give me a free trial of a music subscription service. When I rejected this, it sulkily began to emit a sort of nursery version of Beethoven, apparently played on a barrel organ or a xylophone, and I had to yell at it to stop.

Another member of my family managed, with intricate cunning, to trick it into playing a brief extract from a Johnny Cash song, but when I used the same method to get it to play Bob Dylan, it wouldnt respond. It didnt know any poetry, and couldnt recognise any quotations.

By this time our relationship was becoming frayed, and I had adopted a hectoring tone. At one point, in exasperation, I told it to get stuffed, and it responded by asking me: Do you want to buy stuff? I think this moment revealed its true nature and purpose. It will do anything to get you to buy stuff.

I asked if it knew any rude words, and it rambled off into a definition of expletives, before admitting to knowing the word damn.

When I asked it to explain what E meant in Einsteins E=mc squared, it began to explain that E was sometimes used as a name for Ecstasy, but when I tried to probe its opinions on illegal drugs, it resorted to giving technical descriptions of them.

So far, it has not started laughing eerily in the middle of the night, as some of these devices are said to have done.

In another suspicious experiment, I moved further and further from it to see how far away it could hear me. It turned out that it could pick up my voice from upstairs and from the neighbouring room, as long as the door was open.

If it was trying to spy on me for anyone, it had quite a long range. But of course that was just its obvious ability  its response to my voice saying Amazon. I have no way of knowing how much it could hear and process without appearing to have been activated.

It showed no sign of remembering anything I had said to it before  though that does not mean it has not sent the information to some central point.

The only reassuring thing was that it was quite slow to wake up in the morning, or after I had been out. I had to speak the word of command twice to get it to illuminate.

But again, how did I know that its inner core hadnt been listening the whole time, or that it couldnt hear and record everything that was being said in the house? I didnt. I dont

But again, how did I know that its inner core hadnt been listening the whole time, or that it couldnt hear and record everything that was being said in the house? I didnt. I dont. Endearingly, it thought it was in Central London, rather than in my Oxford suburb, thanks to some computer peculiarity.

I have, in fact, lived under surveillance when I was in the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Any foreign journalist in the USSR could assume that his flat was bugged. Friends of ours had come home to find their personal possessions subtly but obviously moved around and their computers switched on, a KGB calling card which said: We have our eye on you.

Others met English students at parties who blushingly confessed that they had been recruited by the KGB to listen to them on tapes, and recognised their voices. I knew my car was bugged, as the microphone was installed so blatantly I couldnt miss it, and I would sometimes give it a whack as I drove along to make the listeners jump. My telephone would occasionally stop working, presumably when the tapes needed changing, and I would have to go to the exchange in the next block, and call my number up to laughing girls who would lean out of the upstairs windows when I banged on the door. By the time I got home it would always be working again.

So I am more curious than outraged at the idea someone might be eavesdropping on my life. On the other hand, Id prefer it if they didnt, and see no reason to volunteer to be bugged, even if the listener is just a greedy commercial monster rather than a totalitarian state.

What might I gain if I were kinder to Alexa, stopped calling her Amazon and entered into the spirit of things? Not much that I want. I suspect the TV equipment in my house is interactive  but that is mainly because I cannot get it to work and have to ask other members of my family to do the most basic things with it, such as turn it on. Even they sometimes struggle, as the procedures make no sense and are quite unmemorable. We have so many remote controls that I wonder if I need a remote control for the remote controls. If I made my lights, the central heating, the oven, or the fridge interactive as well, I might end up sitting in darkness, freezing and starving.

Our cooking equipment is already so complicated that on some of my more fumbling, vague mornings, I wonder if I have accidentally downloaded the daily newspaper into the toaster, as it certainly hasnt arrived on my iPad, and there is a funny smell.

Aldous Huxley, whose 1930s nightmare Brave New World is coming into existence all around us, explained that he wrote his book because he was afraid we would come to love our own servitude, reduced by drugs and endless pleasure to passive, ignorant, thoughtless beings.

Those who didnt fit in, he suggested, might find themselves being exiled to the Falkland Islands. I think that may well be my destiny, but in the meantime, I am sending Alexa back to her cloud.
Theres so much that we dont understand! pointed out Jean Slater, probably the most sensible, astute, thing she has ever said in EastEnders.

Jean was a firm believer in Mos gifts as a seer, which tells you everything about her levels of sanity, and was supposedly talking about understanding the paranormal rather than EastEnders. Then again, these days there isnt a lot of difference between the two.

You can say that again! viewers must have thought after a particularly implausible, weird, week in Walford.

Drama on Albert Square: Vincent turned supergrass on Aidan (a bit late), Phil was mugged off by Hunter (a teenager), and Kat (a barmaid) got a job cleaning Mels toilet

Here are just 15 things that meant EastEnders was even harder to understand than the paranormal and made even less sense than Bernadette becoming a grandmaster at chess in less time than it probably took her to learn Kerplunk.

1. Making the arrangements for Joyces funeral, like everyone else Ted wasnt remotely bothered by the way Jay had casually become the local undertaker. Hes a nice kid yes, but is really a mechanic and technically a paedophile (not a great combination). Perhaps they think having the pallor of a corpse makes Jay well suited. He looks like a ginger-haired ghost.

2. Ted did nothing when he happened to bump into Jay in the street driving Joyces body to the crematorium (or the crem as Jay called it  rather unconventionally for a funeral director) where she was being disposed off with no service or mourners, making Jay look like a bodysnatcher.

3. No-one seemed to wonder why Joyces beloved son didnt fly over from Australia after his mother died  either to see his sister and his father or attend the funeral. Call me crazy...

Explained: Here are just 15 things that meant EastEnders was even harder to understand than the paranormal and made even less sense than Bernadette becoming a grandmaster at chess

4. Ted didnt ring Patrick to tell him the bad news, meaning still hasnt checked Ted received the three grand he (inexplicably) posted through the (communal) letterbox  rather than just give it him in person. Like a normal person

5. Fancy nipping over to the pub  my treat? Karen Taylor offered, suddenly, sensitively, doing everything she could to support Ted instead of making his life a misery, as she and her kids had for years when they were neighbours in the Towers and then arrived in Albert Square. Their feud was so bad Joyces friend Joanie said: my blood ran cold when that Taylor girl (Bernadette) knocked on my door to invite me here.

6. Karens speech about politicians (I dont vote. Politicians are all as bad as each other arent they?) was another move by the scriptwriters to show she wasnt the racist slob of two months ago. In fact she had been inexplicably transformed into someone who was industrious, friendly, and popular. Possibly because she is the only person in the area who knows how to use an iron.

Clash: Vincent Hubbard met a detective from CSI: Walford offering him information on two major players'

7. After all their chess lessons, Ted turned nasty on Bernie snarling: tell your mum to clean up after herself. You lot might be used to living in a pigsty but we arent !

8. It was even harder to feel sorry for Ted after he laid into his daughter carping you silly pig-ignorant little girl ! Choice.

9. Kat Slater had also transformed from the scrubber we all knew and loved into a cleaner, working in the E20 eagerly cleaning the khazis for Mel without even trying to get a job as a barmaid (her actual profession). Kat also appeared to have completely forgotten that she had kids, showing no sign of ringing Alfie to check how they were.

Explained: But if Aidan and Phil were such major players you wondered why the police werent investigating or watching them, or pursuing their obvious connection to the raid

10. We could have told Aidan that recruiting a known police informant (Vincent Hubbard) to his gang for the robbery wasnt a brilliant idea  or the act of the criminal mastermind Aidan was purported to be. Phil Mitchell had warned him, growling hes a grass ! every time any else mentioned Vincents name. (Dot: Pass the salt please Vincent. Phil: Hes a grass !) Mind you, this made the way Phil still went on the raid with him even more inexplicable. Maybe Phil was just thick...

11. Vincent Hubbard met a detective from CSI: Walford offering him information on two major players. But if Aidan and Phil were such major players you wondered why the police werent investigating or watching them, or pursuing their obvious connection to the raid. You might think the Walford Gazette would be more vocal about the lack of arrests considering Mick was shot in broad daylight, in front of witnesses. Mind you, it is Walford. Wouldnt it have been better if Vincent had gone to the police before he signed his bar over to Aidan and had to put his house on the market to pay him or after Aidan threatened the Hubbards daughter Pearl?

12. Being labelled a major player made it even more ridiculous that Phil was humiliated by Hunter, a teenage David Beckham lookalike who not only deflowered Phils daughter Louise but winked at him just before doing it.

(On the E20s CCTV cameras that is.)

13. Phil was then hopelessly played by Hunters muvver Mel - seduced into snogging her (also on the CCTV cameras) and blackmailed into leaving Unter alone when faced with the wrath of Sharon. One of the few things that was totally realistic.

New job: Kat Slater had also transformed from the scrubber we all knew and loved into a cleaner, working in the E20 eagerly cleaning the khazis for Mel

14. Mel described the E20 as a horror-story  not surprising as it was being run by Phil, Sharon, and Mel who didnt do anything as sensible as hire someone from outside the Square  just the Slaters as the cleaners and Billy Mitchell the local plank as bar manager. Mel even told him: : I cant believe Im doing to say this because we both know youre a great useless lump but you can have a trial. Thats how they do things in Walford.

15. Mel and Kim (not the 80s pop duo) seemed to be suffering from amnesia when they hired the Slaters rather an experienced, proper, cleaning company, having seemingly forgotten the events of just a fortnight ago - when the family scammed everyone to pay for Kats funeral. Maybe this was the famous East End community spirit theyre always going on about the one that means you can leave your bad door open and leave Mo Slater in your home or nightclub office unsupervised.

It was almost as if the scriptwriters were just making it up as they went along.
Does this previously unseen picture of Meghan Markle, right, show she was practising a royal wave from a throne long before she ever met Harry?

Its one of 24 Ive uncovered  another one is below  taken during a visit by Meghan to Trinity College, Dublin, in 2013, three years before their first date.

Then only famous as Rachel Zane from US TV drama Suits, she gave a self-deprecating speech to the Universitys Philosophical Society, describing herself as hot girl number four  a nod to her early TV years as a Deal Or No Deal suitcase girl.

The pictures went on Facebook and, astonishingly, student Elizabeth Ahern-Flynn commented at the time: She looks so at home in that throne. How prophetic!

Its one of 24 Ive uncovered  another one is below  taken during a visit by Meghan to Trinity College, Dublin, in 2013, three years before their first date

The pictures went on Facebook and, astonishingly, student Elizabeth Ahern-Flynn commented at the time: She looks so at home in that throne. How prophetic!

Obamas left off the Royal wedding list - even though Michelle had a hand introducing Harry to Meghan It emerged last week the Obamas had been left off the list  put together by the Palace  and my source says: Michelle had a hand in introducing Harry to Meghan' PS: Westminster was awash with talk last week that Michelle Obama is the missing link in the mystery of how Harry met Meghan  and that her lack of invitation to the wedding has left the couple fuming. It emerged last week the Obamas had been left off the list  put together by the Palace  and my source says: Michelle had a hand in introducing Harry to Meghan. 'In his mind there wouldnt be a wedding without her and that is reason enough to invite them. He was not happy such a legitimate reason was ignored. Advertisement

'Camp' David Walliams is just my type, says Sinitta

Simon Cowell is desperate to set up his BGT buddy David Walliams with his former girlfriend, pop star Sinitta.

And when I spoke to Sinitta, 54, above with David, 46, she admitted shes keen. David is just my type: sexy, funny, tall, dark, handsome and camp! He looks good, smells divine and I like a hot man in stockings, she said.

Simon might get jealous if it works out because David and I have been in love with him for so long, if we fall in love hell miss us fighting over him!

Ill believe it when I see it

Simon Cowell is desperate to set up his BGT buddy David Walliams with his former girlfriend, pop star Sinitta
She's currently holidaying with her new man Elliott Reeder after they fell madly in love with one another.

But Love Island star Montana Brown, 22, has revealed to The Sun on Sunday that she regrets having sex on television with ex beau Alex Beattie and has warned future contestants 'not to do it'.

During her stay in the villa in 2017, the stunning model regularly boasted to her fellow female islanders about her x-rated romps with her former lover and the size of his 'package'.

Regrets: Love Island star Montana Brown, 22, has revealed that she regrets having sex on television with ex beau Alex Beattie and has warned future contestants 'not to do it'

However, Montana now regrets doing so and told the publication: 'In hindsight, having sex on TV wasnt the best idea. My advice to the new hopefuls is not to do it.

'If I could have done it differently, I wouldnt have had sex.'

Just two weeks after leaving the Love Island villa, Montana and Alex went their separate ways in August.

Oo-er!: During her stay in the villa in 2017, the stunning model regularly boasted to her fellow female islanders about her x-rated romps with her former lover and the size of his 'package'

Candid: However, Montana now regrets doing so and told the publication: 'In hindsight, having sex on TV wasnt the best idea. My advice to the new hopefuls is not to do it.'

Taking to Twitter at the time, the brunette beauty announced: 'Alex and I have decided to split.

'Making our relationship work on the outside has been hard. He hasn't been the same since coming out of the villa.'

She added: 'Despite this we are still close and I will always support him.'

Split: Just two weeks after leaving the Love Island villa, Montana and Alex went their separate ways in August

Gorgeous: However, Montana has now found love with fellow handsome model Elliott Reeder with the two currently on a romantic holiday together in Dubai

However, Montana has now found love with fellow handsome model Elliott Reeder.

Talking about her new relationship to the publication, she added: 'Things are going really well and hes amazing. I do think it would have still worked if wed met on Love Island.'

The couple are currently celebrating her exciting new signing to Select Model Management, who also have Irina Shayk and David Gandy on their books, with a romantic holiday in Dubai together.
Ferne McCann was reportedly 'shocked and upset' after ITV used an image of her daughter Sunday during a recent news segment about cot death.

According to The Sun, the former TOWIE star, 27, contacted the channel to remove the snap of her five-month-old, which was initially uploaded onto the reality star's Instagram page to announce Sunday's arrival in November.

A source told the publication: 'Any mother would be upset to learn an image of their child had been used without consent.'

Sad: Ferne McCann was reportedly 'shocked and upset' after ITV used an image of her daughter Sunday during a recent news segment about cot death (pictured May 2017)

The insider continued: 'What makes it even worse was that it was used in connection with such an upsetting and tragic topic.'

In response, an ITV News spokesperson told MailOnline: 'ITV News took swift action as soon as we were notified by Fernes team of the error. Were sorry if any upset was caused to Ferne and her family.'

Cot death - also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - is the unexpected or unexplained death of an healthy baby.

Prompt: According to The Sun, the former TOWIE star, 27, contacted the channel to remove the snap of her five-month-old

Mistake: The image used was initially uploaded onto the reality star's Instagram page to announce Sunday's arrival in November

MailOnline has contacted representatives for ITV and Ferne for comment.

The television personality shares her first child with her acid attacker ex Arthur Collins - who is currently in prison.

Collins, 25, was convicted of GBH and ABH against 14 people after he sprayed party-goers with acid following an argument at the Mangle E8 nightclub in east London during the Easter weekend last April.

Speaking to Fabulous last year, she admitted the situation surrounding her pregnancy had been 'completely out of her control' - and that she is already concerned about how she will tell her little girl of the attack in the future.

Over: The television personality shares her first child with her acid attacker ex Arthur Collins - who is currently in prison

Going it alone:In an interview with Fabulous, the First Time Mum star said: 'It was all completely out of my control. The only thing I can control now is how I raise my daughter'

Looking back at the horrific incident, she said: 'It's been the most difficult chapter of my life to date and the hardest thing I hope I'll ever have to face.

'It was all completely out of my control. The only thing I can control now is how I raise my daughter.'

While Ferne has remained silent about her relationship with Arthur, it was recently claimed she finally feels ready to talk about her devastation in the second series of her reality show, First Time Mum, set to return to screens in May.

For advice or support regarding SIDS, you can call The Lullaby Trust Bereavement Helpline on 0808 802 6868.
Richard Gere is planning to wed his Spanish girlfriend Alejandra Silva next month, it has been claimed.

The Pretty Woman star, 68, has been dating the 35-year-old for three years.

Spanish newspaper ABC, which was the first to reveal the couple's relationship, claims they will wed in the city of Washington in the U.S. on May 5.

Richard Gere, 68, 'will marry Spanish girlfriend Alejandra Silva, 35, next month'

It will be a third wedding for Hollywood icon Gere, who was wed to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995 and model Carey Lowell from 2002 until 2016.

He shares son Homer, 17, with Lowell.

It will be a second wedding for Alejandra, who was in the midst of her divorce from Govind Friedland, the son of American mining magnate Robert Friedland, when she met Gere. She has one son with her ex.

Rumors of an engagement were first sparked in December when Silva was seen with a large diamond on her ring finger.

The kiss of love: Gere and Alejandra are seen in February last year

I am recently divorced. As far as a legal wedding, no, but maybe well have a celebration, Silva said when asked about marriage on a red carpet in June last year. You know, the perfect couple is made of two people who can be what the other needs. Im living the type of life you see in the movies, truly.'

Both Gere and his girlfriend have found a common ground being human rights activists.

However, his love for politics and activism has put a significant damper on his career over the years. His outspoken ways have not always been well received by Hollywood, especially in relation to his efforts against Chinas occupation of Tibet.

Time to wed? Alejandra joined Gere at a premiere in Madrid last spring

There are definitely movies that I can't be in because the Chinese will say, 'Not with him,'' he previously said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. 'I recently had an episode where someone said they could not finance a film with me because it would upset the Chinese.

But Richard isnt the least bit worried about appeasing the Chinese market.

I'm still making the same films that I was making when I started, he said. Small, interesting, character driven and narrative driven stories. It hasn't impacted my life at all.
She was propelled into the limelight as an 'IT' girl on the showbiz circuit in London back in her hey day in the Nineties.

And Tamara Beckwith, 47, showed she's still got it as she flaunted her age-defying figure at the Formula E gala dinner in Rome, Italy, on Saturday evening.

The English socialite showed off her slender figure in a stunning black, pink and beaded patterned semi-sheer dress.

Wow!: Tamara Beckwith, 47, showed she's still got it as she flaunted her age-defying figure at the Formula E gala dinner in Rome, Italy, on Saturday evening (pictured far right)

The intricate floor-length item of clothing cinched in at the waist and cut off in a short-sleeved style.

Tamara upped the ante in the accessory department as she wore huge silver and diamond earrings, which were almost shaped into a flower design.

The mother-of-three styled her glossy blonde locks into a sleek high ponytail, which showed off her high cheekbones.

Glamorous: The socialite and The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, were joined by Giorgio Veroni and Carlos Souza for a group photo

Stunning: Sarah , 58, commanded attention at the Formula E gala dinner in Rome, Italy, on Saturday evening

While she added an elegant slick of make-up which included blusher, a smoky eye and a nude lipstick.

Tamara was joined by her husband of more than ten years, Giorgio Veroni, and The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

Giorgio looked dapper in a sophisticated all-black tuxedo and bow tie, complete with patent leather dress shoes.

Gorgeous: The Duchess of York showed put on an elegant display in a stunning teal coloured dress, which showed off her incredible figure

Star-studded: The duo joined the likes of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sienna Miller and French actress Josephine de La Baume at the star-studded bash

While Sarah, known as Fergie, put on an elegant display in a stunning teal coloured dress, which showed off her incredible figure.

The glamorous item of clothing draped around the neckline and had a beaded left shoulder to tie into the luxurious event.

Also attending the event, were Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sienna Miller and French actress Josephine de La Baume.

Wow!: Sienna, 36, made sure she stayed in the spotlight as she dined with royalty at the Formula E gala dinner in Rome, Italy
Jessica Mauboy will take on the world as the Australian entrant in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

And less than a month out from the big event, the 28-year-old has taken to the stage for a promotional performance in Amsterdam.

The Can I Get A Moment crooner made sure to stand out among the stars at Eurovision In Concert on Saturday, turning heads in a pale pink coat.

Taking on the world! On Saturday, Jessica Mauboy stunned in pale pink as she turned out for a promotional performance ahead of next month's Eurovision Song Contest

In her element: The brunette beauty was seen confidently strutting across the stage with a large smile plastered on her face

Looking simply sensational, Jessica teamed her stylish jacket with a matching pair of high-waisted pants.

Clearly in her element, the brunette beauty was seen confidently strutting across the stage with a large smile on her face.

The Sapphires star was made up to perfection and brought a touch of Australia to her look by styling her hair in beachy waves.

Stunner! The Sapphires star was made up to perfection and brought a touch of Australia to her look by styling her hair in beachy waves

Meanwhile, in Sunday's issue of Stellar magazine, Jessica revealed she still gets nervous about performing on stage.

'I still really do s**t myself,' the chart topper candidly told the publication.

'For 10 to 15 minutes before every big gig, I need that time to walk up and down the hall or be running around, or doing tricep dips or burpees to get the blood pumping,' she stated.

Energetic: 'For 10 to 15 minutes before every big gig, I need that time to walk up and down the hall or be running around, or doing tricep dips or burpees to get the blood pumping,' the chart-topper told Stellar

No doubt the blood will be pumping on May 10, the date she performs in Eurovision - an event watched by 200 million people around the world.

Taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, Jessica will perform her new song We Got Love for the contest, a track that has already been met with a wave of praise on Twitter.

Jessica was confirmed late last year as Australia's 2018 entry for the talent show.
She's the daughter of two of Australia's most genetically-blessed celebrities.

So it's no wonder baby Willow Wood is already melting hearts across the nation, having appeared in an array of heart-melting pictures shared by her mother Snezana Markoski.

In three Instagram pictures Willow is seen sat against a headboard wearing a pink chiffon skirt, white singlet and a pink bow in her hair.

Scroll down for video

'Cuteness!' Snezana Markoski melts hearts with an adorable array of pictures of baby Willow... as she and Sam Wood reveal they are planning to have another baby

With an adorable smile, she seems intent on eating a ribbon attached to her outfit.

Snezana captioned the gallery of three images simply, with just a double pink heart emoji and the word 'Cuteness'.

The pictures come after Snezana and Sam revealed they are planning to expand their brood.

In an interview with OK! magazine, the couple discussed having another baby after welcoming their daughter Willow into the world six months ago.

Willow Wood is already melting hearts across the nation, having appeared in an array of heart-melting pictures shared by her mother Snezana Markoski

The pair told the publication: 'Willow is only six months old, but we definitely think we want another baby!'

Sam and Snezana fell in love on The Bachelor in 2015, became engaged later that year and welcomed their baby daughter Willow in October last year.

Snezana's daughter Eve, who is from a previous relationship, lives with them in Melbourne.

'Willow is only six months old, but we are definitely think we want another baby!' Snezana and Sam discussed having another baby recently

In recent months, Sam gave an insight into becoming a dad for the first time when Snezana gave birth to Willow.

'You fall in love straight away,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Never experiencing having a baby before, it is amazing how instantly the emotions just take over.'

Elsewhere in their OK! interview, Sam praised his fiancee, calling her the 'best mum'.

'Snez is the best mum to both Eve and Willow, and she's always taking care of us all. That's why I'm even more focused on ensuring she takes good care of herself, as she often needs a little reminder to do this.'
It was recently revealed that Strictly Come Dancing chiefs were struggling to find a male dancer tall enough to replace Brendan Cole following his axe from the show.

But reports now claim that AJ Pritchard's younger brother Curtis will take the place of the New Zealand pro, after the 22-year-old impressed BBC bosses during his stint on Dancing With The Stars Ireland.

According to The Mirror, sources revealed that the Latin dancer 'could be partnered with the taller women celebrities', as he stands at 6ft 2in.

New recruit: AJ Pritchard's younger brother Curtis will take the place of Brendan Cole in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, according to The Mirror

Speaking on the company's previous struggle to find an adequate candidate, the insider said: 'With a distinct lack of tall male dancers to fill Brendans shoes, Strictly had a tough job on their hands.'

However, clearly pleased with the new replacement, they continued: 'Theyve now found the perfect fit in Curtis. He may be AJs younger brother but hes certainly not smaller than his 5ft 7in stature.'

Older sibling AJ, 23, appeared on the dance contest in 2016 with Claudia Fragapane, and partnered up with Mollie King in 2017.

Axed: It was recently revealed that BBC chiefs were struggling to find a male dancer tall enough to replace Brendan Cole

Exciting: Sources revealed that the Latin dancer 'could be partnered with the taller women celebrities', as he stands at 6ft 2in

Former partners: Older sibling AJ, 23, appeared on the dance contest in 2016 with Claudia Fragapane, and partnered up with Mollie King (pictured) in 2017

MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing representatives for comment.

Before reports on Curtis' upcoming stint, a source told The Sun: 'Bosses need a tall dancer to pair up with taller females like Charlotte Hawkins on the show but have been really struggling to find one.'

'Many of the show's professionals may look tall and hunky on screen, but in reality they're often a lot shorter.'

Tough: Brendan stands at 6ft 1 and would be paired with tall female dancers like Charlotte Hawkins (pictured), but it's been a struggle to find someone that fits the bill

'Most ballroom dancers are naturally shorter than most average men so it's proving trickier than expected.'

They added: 'Producers are still sifting through the pile and hope they find the right candidate in time. They have a few people in mind.'

Brendan and newly-appointed judge Shirley Ballas were embroiled in a dispute during the 2017 series- with the pair enduring a particularly tense tiff on-air when Shirley criticised his partner Charlotte.

Difficult process: A source from the show told The Sun 'Producers are still sifting through the pile and hope they find the right candidate in time.

Sticking up for the newsreader, Brendan had blasted Shirley for 'under-marking' their routine, and their feud only intensified from then onwards.

Shirley later claimed that the professional dancer, who she used to teach, had 'hurt' her feelings, although she insisted she would accept his apology if he came to her.

It is believed that Shirley will be returning to the second series alongside the other three beloved judges - Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.

At loggerheads: Brendan and judge Shirley Ballas became embroiled in a tense tiff on-air when Shirley criticised his partner Charlotte Hawkins

When asked about being let go on ITV's Lorraine, Brendan said of the decision: 'It's hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract.'

He continued: 'They made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I'm in shock. I'm quite emotional.'

This news comes as show producers make plans to give the boot to several other dancers, including Chloe Hewitt who The Sun have reported is being axed from the upcoming series.
They're the genetically-blessed couple who met each other after failing to find love in The Bachelor franchise.

And it seems Noni Janur and her beau Samuel Johnson are not afraid to flaunt their obvious sexual chemistry with risque snaps.

While travelling together in Los Angeles, Sam posted a very cheeky photo of himself laying poolside with his head nestled next to his girlfriend's pert posterior.

Bottoms up! While travelling together in Los Angeles, Sam posted a very raunchy photo laying poolside next to his girlfriend's ample posterior

He posed with his head just underneath the Bali-born beauty's g-string clad bottom, captioning the shot: 'Getting ready for the Rangers game.'

Noni was pictured wearing one of her signature swimwear pieces which exposed her pert derriere.

The pair have been spending a lot of time in LA after male model Sam moved to the US for work.

Noni recently rushed to Sam's side after he was injured in a motorcycle accident which left him with several broken limbs.

Long distance love: The pair have been spending a lot of time in LA after male model Sam moved to the US for work

Support: Noni recently rushed to Sam's side after he was injured in a motorcycle accident which left him with several broken limbs

Reality fame: The busty Bali-born beauty found fame vying for Richie Strahan's heart on The Bachelor

The Bachelor and Bachelorette rejects confirmed their relationship in February last year.

Sam appeared on Georgia Love's season of The Bachelorette in 2016 and Noni found fame vying for Richie Strahan's heart the same year.

In a recent interview with NW, Noni said she'd like to move to the US to be with her beau once her visa is approved.

'I've wanted to move over to LA too, but it's really hard obviously with visas and stuff,' she said.

'We've talked about it and Sam's said "once I get my permanency, we can just get married and you can come over".'

Big dreams: Speaking to NW last year , Noni said she'd like to move over to the US to be with her beau once her visa is approved
Samantha X is no stranger to giving her expert advice on how men can make themselves more appealing to women.

And now she has revealed the way to her own heart via the 'Turkish dating handbook'.

On Sunday the gifted blonde, who has recently been wooed by a series of fans from the Eurasian country, issued a three-step explainer on how they had gone about trying to win her heart.

'Aussie men should take a leaf out of the Turkish dating handbook' Former escort Samantha X shares tips on the way to win her heart

In a witty Instagram post, Samantha - real name Amanda Goff - shared an artwork made for her by a Turkish fan that featured a picture of her lying on a bed in purple lingerie.

'Aussie men should take a leaf out of the Turkish dating handbook,' she wrote in the caption.

The former high-class escort then went on to summarise:

'1) DM your true feelings of love and desire to marry after looking at your photos

Popular lady: Samantha, who has recently been wooed by a series of fans from Turkey, issued a three-step explainer on how they had gone about trying to win her heart

2) if no response, say it a few more times with lots of [heart emojis] and even a [broken heart emojis] to gain sympathy

3) design little photos like this'.

Samantha's tips come after after her tales from the escorting business were picked up by Turkish news.

Famous in Eurasia: Samantha's tips come after after her tales from the escorting business were picked up by Turkish news

After her story was published by Onedio, the Bondi local said that her inbox had been flooded with 'tempting proposals' overnight.

Backing herself up with evidence, the 44-year-old shared some of the messages she had received from men in Turkey to her Instagram Story.

One gentleman wrote to her: 'It is just the beginning [cry-laughing emoji] u will see how much turkish guys love sex' (sic).

While another would-be suitor messaged with a question: 'Have you ever previously visited turkey?'

Coveted: After her story was published by Onedio, Samantha said that 'tempting proposals' had flooded her inbox overnight

Samantha shared the message with a label she added that read: 'Ummmm... I hear the locals are very friendly?'

Some other male fans got straight to the point - making framed pictures of her with the words 'I love you so much... I like you so much' and 'my life... my heart'.

After attracting the attention of Turkish suitors, Samantha appears to have built on the expert advice she gave last week on how men can make themselves more appealing to women.

In response to a 19-year-old male fan who asked for her help, Samantha published an article on her official website that stated smelling nice, being well presented and working out can help men attract women.
Advertisement

Gwyneth Paltrow, 45, and Brad Falchuk, 47, sent Hollywood into a frenzy on Saturday night, as they threw a huge star-studded 'engagement' party for up to 400 people, which some believe was their 'secret wedding'.

The couple hired out the historic Los Angeles Theater for a fancy black tie bash, attended by Hollywood's greatest, while Gwyneth's famous mother Blythe Danner carried a dress bag from Monique Lhuillier bridal, out of the venue.

From director Steven Spielberg to Gwyneth's actress pals Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Liv Tyler, Reese Witherspoon, Demi Moore and comic Chelsea Handler, the guestlist was packed with A-list names, some of whom wearing wearing bridal-style corsages.

Is it tonight? Gwyneth Paltrow (left) and fiance Brad Falchuk (right) sparked rumors of a secret wedding on Saturday night, as Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Stephen Spielberg join them for a huge party at the historic Los Angeles Theater

However, Gwyneth arrived wearing maroon rather than white, suggesting the extravagant party was not the couple's actual wedding.

She displayed her huge blue engagement rock on her left hand as she made a glamorous entrance, made separately from her soon-to-be husband in a white dinner jacket.

The actress' mother Blythe Danner was seen carrying a dress from bridal designer Monique Lhuillier out of the bash at the Los Angeles Theater.

The 75-year-old looked positively sheepish as she peeked around a hedge with a grey dress bag in hand, emblazoned with the name of the A-list designer.

Rehearsal dinner? However Gwyneth herself wore maroon rather than white, suggesting the extravagant party was not the couple's actual wedding, but later a bridal dress was carried from the party - and even Brad wore white

Is this Gwyneth's dress? Gwyneth's famous mother Blythe Danner carried a dress bag from bridal designer Monique Lhuillier out of the venue, looking a little sheepish

Just back: The Sliding Doors star - who has been dating Brad since 2014 - just returned from her luxury bachelorette party in Mexico

Still friends: Gwyneth has described her relationship with ex-husband Chris Martin (right, in January 2014) as 'brotherly' and it's believed he gets on well with fiance Brad (left, in October 2015)

Brotherly: Chris (left) has a brotherly relationship with Gwyneth's new fiance Brad (right)

The Meet The Parents actress, who donned a mustard yellow floral suit for her daughter's party, later cracked a relaxed smile as she was escorted out of the party by two burly minders, with the dress bag over her arm.

Giving nothing away, the beauty made no attempt to hide the bag as she made her way home.

Monique Lhuillier is a favourite of Hollywood stars and is revered the world over for her wedding dresses and ready-to-wear pieces.

MailOnline has also contacted representatives for Blythe for comment.

Friends: Jennifer Aniston was just one of the many A-list names at the shindig

Pals: A pregnant Kate Hudson arrived hand-in-hand with Liv Tyler

Hollywood royalty: A sharp-looking Steven Spielberg arrived i a three-piece tux and tie

Legally blondes: Reese Witherspoon was also in LA for the party

Shout it out: They advertised their love for one another not very cryptically on the theater hoarding outside

Venue: The couple hired out the historic Los Angeles Theater for a fancy black tie bash

New York Post's Page Six reports that Brad's business partner Ryan Murphy threw the black-tie 'engagement party' with some 400 friends, family and Hollywood guests.

The website has a speculated that this is a 'surprise wedding' for the pair, with Valentino's Giancarlo Giammetti wishing them luck but lamenting his own absence.

He wrote: 'These two beauties inside and out get engaged tomorrow!!! All my best wishes my dear @gwynethpaltrow and @bradfalchuk love you and miss not to be there with you!!!'

PopSugar also seemed convinced that the wedding was masquerading as an 'engagement' bash on Sunday, asking whether they had secretly wed.

Gwyneth's ex-husband Chris Martin - the Coldplay singer that she has famously remained on 'brotherly' terms with - was notably absent from proceedings.

Smiles: Kate's musician beau Danny Fujikawa held on tightly to his love as they passed the flashing cameras

Steelers: Liv wore a black pantsuit while Kate donned a sumptuous yellow gown

Loved up: The record label owner sported what appeared to be a broken arm during the night but didn't let that stop him from getting all dressed up, complete with pink flower corsage

Pretty woman: Julia Roberts was also on hand, in a shimmering black jumpsuit

The party itself was no secret; the hoarding outside the theater read 'GP loves BF' on one side and 'BF loves GP' on the other.

The river of A-listers into the Downtown LA venue was non stop, each dressed to the nines.

Jennifer Aniston arrived in a gorgeous figure-hugging strapless black gown with matching choker.

Her Friends onscreen sister Reese Witherspoon copied her color, flashing her lags in a shorter option, as she arrived with husband Jim Toth.

A pregnant Kate Hudson arrived hand-in-hand with Liv Tyler, the latter wearing a black pantsuit while the former donned a sumptuous yellow gown.

On their way: Cameron Diaz's signature glossy blonde tresses were swept back into a sophisticated ballerina bun with no hair out of place, while a vibrant red lip accentuated her features

Ravishing red: Cameron looked ever the Hollywood stunner as she left the festivities in her glittering ensemble

Date: She arrived with husband Daniel Moder

Julia Roberts was also on hand in a shimmering black jumpsuit, as she arrived with hubby Daniel Moder.

Demi Moore meanwhile looked stunning in a crimson gown with mesh detailing on the bodice.

Cameron Diaz dropped by shortly afterward in shimmering red sequinned gown, accompanied for her date and husband Benji Madden.

The Sliding Doors star - who has been dating Brad since 2014 - just returned from her luxury bachelorette party in Mexico, where she was joined by a group of pals including designer Stella McCartney and actress Cameron.

And after jetting in on a private jet, Gwyneth celebrated with childhood pals, celebrity BFFs and 'mom friends' she made after the birth of her children.

VIP guests included Cameron Diaz - who is believed to have organised the event - and fashion designer Stella McCartney.

Party time! Gwyneth celebrated her 'hen weekend' with BFFs Cameron Diaz and Stella McCartney last week in Mexico

Pure luxury: Gwyneth is spending her hen do at the incredibly upmarket Costa Palmas, part of the Four Seasons family

Getting in the spirit: Mrs. Brad Falchuk-to-be posed with her friends on the beach as the sun went down, with towels, pillows, flowers and candles arranged in a half circle around them

Subtle hint? Designer Giancarlo Giammetti hinted that the night was a big event, as he lamented his absense in this Instagram post

The girls wasted no time getting stuck into the rose, bonding over a lunch on the white sands of the luxury Four Seasons resort Costa Palmas in Los Cabos.

The 1000-acre private beachfront resort community boasts two miles of deserted white sands, upon which nestle private villas worthy of the A-list. While the resort's more modest rooms start at around $700, private oceanfront 5-bedroom villas cost up to $7,000 a night.

While Gwyneth is known for her clean-living lifestyle, it seems even the Goop founder made an exception for her hen do, with a waiter seen topping up glasses of wine as the friends sat together.

After lunch, it was bikini time, with Gwyneth sharing a picture of herself in a blue two-piece, captioned: '#costapalmas #henweekend.'

The 45-year-old actress recently said she considers her wedding to producer Brad to be her first, having previously eloped with her ex-husband, Coldplay star Chris Martin.

wouldn't miss it: Demi Moore was yet another screen siren on the invite list

Showcase: The actress looked stunning in a crimson gown with mesh detailing on the bodice

Lady in red: Cameron arrived in a shimmering red sequinned gown

Hand-in hand: Her date for the evening was husband Benji Madden

Loved up: Cameron and Benji got married in 2015 and she's so far enjoyed her time away from the spotlight

Cute couple: Later in the evening, Kate was led by boyfriend Danny out of the swanky venue

Tight knit: The expectant parents appeared in good spirits following the festivities

Earlier this year, Gwyneth admitted that getting married to Brad had made her 'feel like a 21-year-old' again.

The Hollywood star - who has daughter Apple, 13, and son Moses, 12, with her ex-husband - said: 'I'm excited about everything! I've never had a wedding before ... So even though I'm 45, I sort of feel like a 21-year-old.'

Gwyneth also revealed she was relishing the planning process, saying her friends have become as giddy about the wedding as she has.

She shared: 'It's kind of fun to talk about with my girlfriends. They send me pictures of dresses - they're as excited about it as I am.'

Sharp: Aaron Taylor-Johnson and wife Sam cut a handsome couple

Back in black: Rashida Jones rocked a black dress and blazer combo

Green goddess: Jennifer Meyer looked fab in an emerald green dress

Lately early: Chelsea Handler arrived in a svelte black dress

Gwyneth and Brad, 47, announced their engagement in GOOP Magazine in January, following months of speculation about their romance.

In a joint statement for the publication - which is owned by Gwyneth - the loved-up couple revealed they felt 'fortunate' to have found each other at the perfect point in their lives.

They said: 'We feel incredibly lucky to have come together at this junction in our lives when our collective successes and failures can serve as building blocks for a healthy and happy relationship.'

Special guests: Liv Tyler and her fiance Dave Gardner were spotted at the lavish bash

Buttonholes: Dave was spotted with a pink buttonhole worn in the style of a bridal party flower

Celebrity guests: Reese Witherspoon, Chelsea Handler and Julia Roberts were all there to support a friend

Glamorous: Model Karlie Kloss attended with her BFF Derek Blasberg on her arm

Hand-in-hand: Rob Lowe arrived with his other half, Sheryl Berkoff, sweetly holding her hand

Cute twosome: Matthew Morrison and Renee Puente made a glamorous appearance at the party
My Kitchen Rules' Italian brothers Nic and Josh are known for their loud and quirky presence on the show.

And while frantically preparing their ice-cream creations during a challenge on Sunday's episode, Josh laughed off an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.

The 36-year-old chuckled as he revealed his pants had completely split at the back of his denim jeans.

Scroll down for video

'Lucky I wore undies!' My Kitchen Rules' Josh (left) is left red-faced when his pants rip unexpectedly during an outdoor ice-cream challenge

'I think Ive just ripped my pants... are you joking? Nic!' Josh said as he bent backwards trying to see the sizable tear.

'My a** hasnt grown that much,' Josh joked.

Continuing the banter with his brother, Nic said: 'Can you stop eating the gelato!'

Josh responded, with confidence of the competition ahead: 'When its that good, you, how can you help yourself?'

'I think Ive just ripped my pants... are you joking?' Josh bent backwards trying to see the sizable tear on his rear

Close call! Exposing his briefs to the Manly area and the public on national TV, he cheekily said: 'Lucky I wore undies!'

Exposing his briefs to the Manly area and the public on national TV, he cheekily said: 'Lucky I wore undies!'

'My heart is racing, if we win this challenge today its massive for us,' they said, as they competed to win the opportunity to stock their ice-cream in Coles.

They served up a 'nutty Italian sundae' which included chocolate-hazelnut ice-cream, a wafer, raspberry coulis, vanilla cream and chocolate fudge.

Delicious! They served up a 'nutty Italian sundae' which included chocolate-hazelnut ice-cream, a wafer, raspberry coulis, vanilla cream and chocolate fudge

The episode comes ahead of an explosive dinner party which will appear later this week.

In promotional clip, Manu asks one team to excuse themselves from the table and leave the competition immediately.

The celebrity chef previously told Sunrise the duo, believed to be either NSW besties Sonya and Hadil or NSW sisters Jess and Emma, were booted to bullying.

My Kitchen Rules returns to Seven on Monday night from 7.30pm
She previously admitted they got into 'trouble' due to their PDA-filled antics at a Melbourne bar.

But Carly Bowyer showed no signs of toning down her frisky displays with Troy Delmege as she sat on his lap during a Brunch Affairs dinner on Sunday.

The Married At First Sight star, 32, flaunted her toned physique in a skintight pink dress as she cuddled up to her quirky IT manager boyfriend, 35.

They're at it again! Carly Bowyer showed no signs of toning down her frisky displays with Troy Delmege as she sat on his lap during a Brunch Affairs dinner on Sunday

The brunette beauty ensured she turned heads in her figure-hugging dress, which boasted a Bardot neckline and a demure midi length.

Styling her caramel-hued tresses in her signature sleek blowdry, Carly framed her features with a slick of fuchsia lipstick.

Letting her statement dress do all the talking, she added height with some metallic barely-there heels and a nude box clutch.

Troy, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a navy blazer and open-necked white shirt teamed with tan leather brogues.

Looking good: The Married At First Sight star, 32, flaunted her toned physique in a skintight pink dress as she cuddled up to her quirky IT manager boyfriend, 35

Chic: The brunette beauty ensured she turned heads in her figure-hugging dress, which boasted a Bardot neckline and a demure midi length

The couple seemed to be in great spirits as they mingled with their fellow MAFS stars at the function, including Telv Williams and Patrick Miller.

It comes after Carly proved she and Troy were going from strength to strength since the series goofball moved to Melbourne to live with her after just weeks of dating.

Sharing a clip of the pair shopping, she revealed the pair were buying furniture on their first trip to homeware store Ikea.

Social butterflies: They stopped for a selfie with their Married At First Sight co-star Telv Williams and his rumoured girlfriend Maddie Carolan

Smiling at the camera as she walked alongside Troy, she wrote: 'It's our first trip to Ikea. We might not make it out alive.'

Troy joked: 'It's beautiful. Lots of options!' prompting Carly to burst out laughing.

The duo were not originally paired on the series, but started a romantic relationship after they each broke up with their respective TV spouses.

And Carly and Troy have revealed they landed themselves 'in trouble' after being caught getting frisky in public.

Preened: Styling her caramel-hued tresses in her signature sleek blowdry, Carly framed her features with a slick of fuchsia lipstick

Suited and booted: Troy, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a navy blazer and open-necked white shirt teamed with tan leather brogues

Carly told Woman's Day last month that the couple's first date in Melbourne got a little bit too affectionate.

'We're both affectionate people and on our first date we couldn't get our hands off each other!' said the brunette.

She explained their PDA at the Fargo and Co cocktail bar in Richmond even got them 'in trouble', but did not provide further details.

After just a few weeks of dating, Carly and Troy - who is originally from Sydney - are now living together in Melbourne.
He is happily engaged to Game Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, who he's been dating since 2016.

But it seems Joe Jonas' taken status doesn't hinder the appeal for his female fans - something that The Voice contestant Lauren Greco proved in her blind audition on Sunday.

The 21-year-old, who has been an obsessive fan of Joe since she was nine, flirted unashamedly with him as they performed This Is Me, a duet he originally sang with Demi Lovato in their 2008 Disney film Camp Rock.

Look away, Sophie Turner! The Voice contestant got VERY flirty with a blushing Joe Jonas during a chemistry-laden Camp Rock duet... despite him failing to turn for her

Lauren admitted in a pre-recorded segment that her friends used to call her Ms Jonas in school because of her adoration for the 28-year-old.

'I am a huge Joe Jonas fan. I have loved him since, like, the beginning of time. Like, everybody in primary school used to call me Mrs Jonas,' she gushed.

'He's gorgeous and he can sing. I mean, what more could you want, really? I remember the nights in my room that I would sing to all of my Joe Jonas posters, wishing and dreaming for an opportunity like this.'

She continued, giggling: 'He's the man that's taught me so much about music and about stage presence.

He's taken: He is happily engaged to Game Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, who he's been dating since 2016

Sweet: The 21-year-old, who has been an obsessive fan of Joe since she was nine, flirted unashamedly with him as they performed This Is Me, a duet he originally sang with Demi Lovato in their 2008 Disney film Camp Rock

Cute: Despite failing to turn for Lauren's audition, Joe suggested the pair sing together and gave her a hug onstage

'If Joe Jonas turned his chair for me, I think that I'm just gonna go into full-blown cardiac arrest, heart beating, on the floor.'

The Adelaide native failed to impress the judges, however, with her rendition of Christina Aguilera's Ain't No Other Man.

Joe turned around and clocked Lauren's 'I love Joe Jonas' T-shirt and groaned sheepishly, saying: 'I'm sorry I didn't turn for you!'

Overwhelmed: 'Oh, my god,' she gushed, before going in to hug Joe. 'This is actually... Can you pinch me? Pinch me. Just pinch... Oh, my god!' she said

Cheeky: She squealed with delight as Joe obliged and gave Lauren's arm a small pinch

He then asked: 'So, are you a fan of the Jonas Brothers?'

Lauren gushed: 'I am a huge Jonas Brothers fan, huge! I played Pin the Lips on the Jonas Brothers at my 13th birthday party! Like, I love you guys so much.'

Flashing her a mock-wistful smile, Joe joked: 'Ah, I remember that party.'

He continued: 'Were you a fan of Camp Rock and the movie? Do you know the Camp Rock duet with Demi?'

He then gestured at the two of them, suggesting they should sing it together - prompting Lauren to squeal and cover her face.

Big fan: Lauren admitted in a pre-recorded segment that her friends used to call her Ms Jonas in school because of her adoration for the 28-year-old

Dedicated: She revealed she was a fan of The Jonas Brothers (pictured in 2008) since she was nine

Throwback: Lauren said she was a 'huge fan' of Demi and Joe in Camp Rock (pictured)

'Oh, my god, but I'm gonna forget the words!' she protested, giggling.

Joe shrugged and turned back, replying: 'Then I'll go back to my chair and turn around.'

Lauren ran after him and said 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no,' before standing in front of him and pausing.

'Oh, my god,' she gushed, before going in to hug Joe. 'This is actually... Can you pinch me? Pinch me. Just pinch... Oh, my god!' she said.

Centre-stage: Joe put on a playful performance, holding Lauren's hand and singing straight to her

What a gentleman: He held Lauren's hand as he guided her down the stairs afterwards

Nice guy: He then gave her a final hug, telling an emotional Lauren to 'keep at it' and that she's got a good voice

She squealed with delight as Joe obliged and gave Lauren's arm a small pinch. The pair then took to the stage to perform This Is Me.

Joe put on a playful performance, holding Lauren's hand and singing straight to her - with the pair hugging at the end.

He then walked her off the stage and gave her a final hug, telling an emotional Lauren to 'keep at it' and that she's got a good voice.

Joe popped the question to Sophie Turner, 22, last October after a year of dating.

The pair announced their good news on Instagram and In the image she showed off a stunning diamond engagement ring with the caption, 'I said yes.'

Cute couple: Joe popped the question to Sophie Turner, 22, last October after a year of dating
He rose to fame on Channel Ten's The Bachelor.

And on Saturday, Tim Robards celebrated his bucks night ahead of his wedding to Anna Heinrich.

Taking to Instagram, the Sydney chiropractor swapped shirtless selfies for a quirky tuxedo morphsuit and floral blazer at a Hunter Valley winery.

With not a stripper in sight, Tim and his friends first hit the Go-karts before visiting a number of picturesque wineries in the region.

Enjoying a slower pace, Tim shared snaps of himself looking at a sunset and enjoying an outdoor meal with 15 friends.

'Love you boys,' the ripped chiropractor captioned one of the snaps, before adding: 'Thanks for letting me take my morph suit off.'

No more Bachelor! Former reality star Tim Robards celebrated his bucks weekend dressed in a 'tuxedo' morphsuit and a floral blazer. The Bachelor star riding Go-karts and visiting wineries in the Hunter Valley for the occasion

Having gotten engaged in May of 2017, Anna and Tim recently revealed they will marry in an idyllic ceremony in Italy.

Earlier this month, a source spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, saying the TV lovebirds are likely to 'tie the knot sometime in June this year.'

The insider could not provide specific details about the Italian wedding/reception venue but claims the pair are in full planning mode for the destination wedding.

What a view! Tim seemed happy with his weekend getaway for his bucks party. With it being reported he's also planning another elaborate party in Las Vegas

In the past, it was reported Tim would also enjoy a lubricated Las Vegas do in early May but it's not known if the ripped reality star will go ahead with those plans.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Tim for this story.

Beating out more than 20 other women to win Tim's heart on reality dating show, The Bachelor, the genetically-blessed couple's love story hasn't been without it's hiccups.

Shredding for the wedding? Tim's morphsuit was a change from his usual shirtless selfies, with the reality star regularly showing off his muscular body

In November last year, former criminal lawyer Anna lost the her 173,000 diamond engagement ring, which sent her into a panic.

At the time, Anna took to her Instagram Story in a panic in order to find the expensive sparkler, showing footage of her frantically searching her luxury car.

Luckily for Anna she soon found the engagement ring, updating her fans of her immense relief almost immediately.

'Found it! Oh my god, my hand is red. I got it, woo!' she exclaimed as she retrieved the ring from within the vehicle.

'Found it + some food for later #winning' she comically captioned the clip, as she showed off the ring covered in crumbs.

This weekend, Anna also had her hens weekend which saw her and friends dress-up in retro and vintage gear.

Hiccup! The pair have had their hiccups, with Anna accidentally losing her $173,000 engagement ring in November
She came to Paradise in the hopes of finding love with 25-year-old magician Apollo from Sophie Monk's season of The Bachelorette.

And having reluctantly agreed to go on a date with Eden Schwencke, Elora Murger, coined the 'Tahitian Goddess' from Matty J's season of The Bachelor, quickly regretted her decision to do so.

While enjoying a romantic post-date wine and cheese platter, the Sydney-based reality star continued to dodge Eden's keen-for-a-kiss behaviour.

Scroll down for video

Schoolboy antics: Eden Schwencke aggressively shoves pumpkin all over Elora Murger on their awkward one-on-one dateafter she refuses to kiss him on Bachelor in Paradise

'At this point, I've realised that I'm probably not going to get a kiss out of this whole situation. And I'm thinking, 'How can I end this so it's memorable?''

Attempting to cosy closer toward the brunette beauty, Elora continues to dodge his less-than-romantic gestures.

Picking up on her uninterested cues, Eden backs himself, saying: 'Kissing is so mainstream.'

Ticket to her heart? 'I'm more of a food-fight type person,' Eden said before aggressively smudging pumpkin all across her face, arms and upper body

Adding: 'I'm more of a food-fight type person,' before aggressively smudging pumpkin all across her face, arms and upper body.

Both startled and dumbfounded, Elora returned the favour, before walking away from the romantically-prepared set up.

'Eden was already friend-zoned before the food fight. The food fight made it awkward. Awkward enough to turn me off,' she said to camera.

Payback! 'Eden was already friend-zoned before the food fight. The food fight made it awkward. Awkward enough to turn me off,' she said to camera

Having been left behind after forcefully shoving food across Elora, evil-eyed Eden firmly said: 'That's how you get the girls. Just throw food at them.'

Confirming their relationship will remain purely platonic, Elora said: 'Eden and I clearly get along. But, you know, I was trying to keep my distance with him because I wasn't feeling it.'

Returning from their unsuccessful, Elora discovers Apollo has arrived in Paradise.
He's the hunky magician who's set to get hearts' racing after he entered Bachelor in Paradise on Sunday night.

But Apollo Jackson, 25, couldn't help but take a swipe at co-star Jarrod Woodgate and his perpetual sunburn ahead of his highly-anticipated entrance.

Speaking on The Sunday Project, he took aim at the vineyard manager, after Apollo caught the eye of Jarrod's love interest, Keira Maguire.

'He was looking like a little bit of a Fijian lobster': Hunky Apollo Jackson took a swipe at Jarrod Woodgate while on The Sunday Project. Which comes as he caught the eye of Jarrod's love interest Keira Maguire on the show

Rachel Corbett, the current affairs show's host brought up the subject after she asked if handsome Apollo had packed sunscreen for Jarrod, which prompted a round of laughter.

Quick-witted Apollo unable to stop himself from making the jab.

'He was looking like a bit of a Fijian lobster,' he said.

'I think Apollo is cute, I mean I'd probably kiss him': Keira showed interest in Apollo despite a tempestuous relationship with Jarrod Woodgate

On Sunday night's episode, Apollo entered the Mango Bay resort much to the excitement of the island's love-seeking singles, with him immediately catching busty Keira's eye.

'I think Apollo is cute, I mean I'd probably kiss him,' a pouty Keira said after meeting the muscular Gold Coast native.

Meanwhile, Jarrod appearing somewhat put out by shredded Apollo's appearance: 'Well don't the girls start frothing,' he said in a deflated tone.

In the Project interview, Apollo was coy about the love-triangle he sparks between Busty brit Simone Ormesher and Elora 'Tahiti' Murger.

Little red faced? Jarrod seemed put out by Apollo's arrival in Paradise, saying the girls were frothing

The Bachelorette finalist, who first hit screens on Sophie Monk's season of the show, saying he didn't expect to get caught-up in the drama.

Of his first stroll into the idyllic Paradise set, Apollo said it was a nerve-wracking experience.

He started: 'I was so nervous walking through anyway because I didn't know who was going to be there at that stage if there would be anyone remotely interested in me.'

He continued: 'It was a little later on the show, I thought there was going to be no drama...but I was a little bit wrong about the drama part.'
Stars flocked to the 2018 Australian Hair Fashion Awards on Sunday.

Many dazzled in glittering frocks as they graced the media wall at Sydney's famed Luna Park.

First to turn heads was TV presenter Lauren Phillips, who narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she went braless in a plunging blue sequined dress.

Quick adjustment! Lauren Phillips narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she went braless in a plunging blue sequined dress

Legs for days! Quick to recompose, the beauty was all smiles as she showed off her toned figure in the equally leggy ensemble

Wearing the busty midnight blue-hued dress, the famed face took a moment to readjust her bust area after a slight slippage occurred in front of flashing cameras.

Quick to recompose, the beauty was all smiles as she showed off her toned figure in the equally leggy ensemble.

Opting for an ever-sleek middle part, Lauren tucked her stands behind her ears, revealing her flawless complexion and dewy skin.

Blonde beauty! Also in attendance was former Ninja Warrior star and fitness model Katie Williams

On trend! Opting for a chic blazer-inspired dress, the blonde beauty perfected her look by pairing it with a black designer handbag

Also in attendance was former Ninja Warrior star and fitness model Katie Williams.

Opting for a chic blazer-inspired dress, the blonde beauty perfected her look by pairing it with a black designer handbag.

Keeping her look minimalist, Katie pulled her hair away from her face and into a sweetly styled bun.

Sultry in silk! Looking ever fashionable in an all-black silk ensemble, star actress Ashleigh Brewer also took to the event's red carpet

Hairspo! Keeping her hair pared back, Ashleigh added structured beach waves to the tips of her strands

Looking ever fashionable in an all-black silk ensemble, star actress Ashleigh Brewer also took to the event's red carpet.

Keeping her hair pared back, Ashleigh added structured beach waves to the tips of her strands.

Tom Burgess and girlfriend Tahlia Giumelli too attended the event.

Wearing a bow tie and full tuxedo, his counterpart matched in a conservatively elegant foot-length black dress.

Sweet couple! Tom Burgess and girlfriend Tahlia Giumelli too attended the event
She jetted off to the Maldives earlier this week for a romantic getaway.

And Charlotte Crosby, 27, and Joshua Ritchie, 23, put on quite the loved-up display as they posed for a sweet Instagram picture while they enjoyed another sun-soaked day in paradise on Sunday.

Taking the snap by the crystal blue ocean at their picturesque resort, Joshua wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's pert derriere as she pouted down at him.

Sexy selfie: Charlotte Crosby sizzled in a sweet snap with beau Joshua Ritchie as they enjoyed a romantic getaway in the Maldives

The reality star showed off her enviable curves and toned abs in the sizzling seaside snap, as her ample assets could barely be contained by her tiny two-piece.

Giving her 6.1 million fans a generous glimpse at her cleavage, Charlotte looked sensational in the high-cut leopard print bikini.

Charlotte's hunky beau looked at her lovingly as he held on to her tightly, and his tight-fitting swimming trunks ensured that his muscular physique was on full display.

Sultry: Charlotte left little to the imagination as she posted a very racy snap while holidaying with her beau Joshua via Instagram on Saturday

Charlotte captioned the photo with a sweet remark, as she wrote: 'Theres no one Id rather be in the middle of the ocean with.'

On Saturday the brunette beauty left little to the imagination as she posted a very racy snap while holidaying with her beau Joshua on her social media.

The reality star suffered an awkward fashion mishap, though, as she flashed more than she bargained for while posing with her naked boyfriend in the selfie.

Sun-kissed: In another snap, Charlotte posed next to an white inflatable on the sandy beach

The television personality flaunted her gym-honed figure in a skimpy red-striped two piece.

The ruffled bikini top showcased her enviable cleavage, while the tie-string bottoms accentuated her toned stomach.

Meanwhile, Joshua showed off his ripped physique by posing nude in the snap- with just a small hand towel protecting his modesty.

Posing in the bathroom, Charlotte let her long brunette locks fall over her shoulders and opted to forego make-up.

Blossoming romance: Charlotte is in the throes of her passionate relationship with Josh as she mends her heartache from her split with Stephen Bear

In the caption, the star boasted about the size of her Ex On The Beach beau's manhood, comparing it to a '10ft barge pole'.

In another snap, Charlotte posed next to an white inflatable on the sandy beach.

She captioned the shot: 'THIS is what dreams are made of.'

In late March, the former party girl revealed Maldives is her favourite place to go on holiday because its much more 'chilled' and she doesn't like 'party resorts'.

Partying up a storm: In late March, the former party girl revealed Maldives is her favourite place to go on holiday because its much more 'chilled'

She told The Sun: 'I dont like party resorts, I need to be more chilled because of the hectic life I lead. I sunbathe as much as I possibly can. But I also go to the gym a lot when Im on holiday. I go twice a day  more than I do at home.'

Charlotte is in the throes of her passionate relationship with Josh as she mends her heartache from her split with Stephen Bear.

The Charlotte Show star's 11-month love affair with Stephen came to a dramatic end amid cheating claims in October last year.

Recently, the Geordie Shore TV star reflected on her failed romance with former co-star Gaz Beadle and how his exciting baby news left her devastated. The MTV personality explained: 'It's never nice seeing an ex move on.'

Jetting off: Charlotte and Joshua went on holiday earlier this week for their romantic getaway

Now the reality star has shed some light on her romance with her hunky boyfriend Josh as she claims she is the 'man in the relationship'.

Charlotte added: 'Im obsessed! I dont go out much anymore, so me and boyfriend Josh will get a Chinese takeaway and watch a scary movie. We saw one recently and he fell off the chair and screamed like a baby! Im the man in the relationship.'

The Charlotte and Josh love story goes back to when they locked lips at reality star pal Aaron Chalmers' MMA win in December last year.

Reality star worlds collided when they made their romance official in February as they shared a cosy Instagram together with the date '9.2.2018'. (sic)
She is currently enjoying a romantic getaway in Dubai with her fiance John Noble.

And Vicky Pattison has been keeping fans updated on her travels by posting a slew of bikini-clad snaps to her Instagram page.

The reality star, 30, sizzled in a racy high-waisted bikini as she enjoyed a saucy dip in the sea before putting on a very busty display in a striking orange swimsuit on Sunday.

Busty: Vicky Pattison has been keeping fans updated on her travels by posting a slew of bikini-clad snaps via Instagram

Relaxing by the pool, Vicky couldn't resist showing off her surgically-enhanced assets as she posed on a sun lounger.

The television personality ensured plenty of cleavage was on show in the one-piece, which also showed off her peachy derriere with its high-rise design.

The star playfully mentioned her cosmetic surgeons in the caption of her snap, clearly pleased with the results of her boob job.

Racy: In another snap, the star slipped into a leopard print high-waisted bikini as she seductively posed in the shallows of the water

Cheeky beverage: The star posted a busty selfie in the two-piece while sipping a cocktail

In another snap, the star slipped into a leopard print high-waisted bikini as she seductively posed in the shallows of the water, before posting a busty selfie in the swimwear while sipping a cocktail.

Sharing another photo from the luxurious holiday destination, the star flashed a smile as John sported a full face of suncream.

In the caption, she teased: 'Erm... You've got a little something on your face there John...

'Proper sun protection is important kids... Just ask @johnnoblejn!! #SunCreamQueen'

Smitten: Sharing another photo from the luxurious holiday destination, the star flashed a smile as John sported a full face of suncream

The loved-up couple whisked themselves away for a romantic getaway in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, following her jungle stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here Australia.

The reality star kicked off her holiday in style, posting a slew of boozy snaps on her social media page.

Their holiday comes after Vicky revealed her Geordie Shore castmates won't be receiving invites to her upcoming nuptials.

'It's not on my radar and no disrespect but I wouldn't be on theirs,' she told DailyMail Australia.

Having fun: The television personality pouted as she posed with John and two pals

Explaining her decision, she continued: 'I've got nothing against any of them, but we just don't talk. It's nothing personal, it's just in the past.'

Last year, Charlotte admitted that she and Vicky had drifted apart.

Charlotte told Heat at the time: 'We never had an argument or anything, but something weird happened and we just never spoke again. It's best not to have any grudges.'

Vicky and John will wed in Newcastle during the English summer of 2019.

Reunited: The reality star kicked off her holiday in style, posting a slew of boozy snaps on her social media page

They previously postponed their wedding because Vicky reportedly didn't want to steal the thunder from her sister Laura's big day.

The television personality said it could be as early as 2020 when they decide to have their first baby.

'We range from getting that (contraceptive implant) out the day before the wedding and have a wedding night baby, to a more measured approach of going on our honeymoon and travel a bit and get it out and see what will happen,' she said.

'It might not happen straight away, but we consider it a huge step and kids are something exciting that we want, so whenever it happens, I'm very excited for it.'

'I'm not stressed or in a rush, despite what it may have seemed like in the jungle' she says referencing her emotional moment by joking 'It was like, 'put a baby in me, now'' with a laugh.
The Emmys are not due until September 17.

But it's never too early to start campaigning for an award as Sharon Stone proved when she lead a host of stars and TV creatives at Deadline's Contenders Emmys on Sunday.

The day-long event at the DGA Theater in Hollywood gives its invitation-only audience of TV Academy voters plus producers, actors and directors from the various guilds a chance to both present and see what's coming up.

Monochrome magic: Sharon Stone lead a host of stars and TV creatives at Deadline's day-long Contenders Emmys event at the DGA Theater in Hollywood on Sunday

Sharon was there to talk up HBO's innovative murder mystery Mosaic in an early morning session.

As usual, the 60-year-old star looked far younger than her age in a black and white jump suit with a single spaghetti-string strap.

Her blonde tresses were cut into a cute pixie style that framed her perfectly made-up face.

Getting to the point: The 60-year-old star was there to talk up HBO's innovative murder mystery Mosaic in an early morning Q&A session

The beautiful blonde donned a black and white jump suit with a single spaghetti-string strap.

Other early risers included some of the cast and executives of Amazon Prime Videos The Dangerous Book For Boys.

Co-creator and executive producer Bryan Cranston, 62, was there, looking dapper in a grey suit.

His leading lady Erinn Hayes, 41, donned a dark gray plaid minidress cinched at the waist by a black belt.

Up with the lark: Other early risers included Bryan Cranston, 62, co-creator and executive producer of Amazon Prime Videos The Dangerous Book For Boys

Having a chat: Bryan laughed as he talked to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stars Marin Hinkle, 52, who wore a form-fitting dress with a gold embroidery flower design, and Tony Shalhoub, 64

Cuddling up: Marin and her Mrs. Maisel co-star Alex Borstein, 47, in black and white

More Mrs. Maisel: Co-star Erinn Hayes, 41, donned a dark gray plaid minidress cinched at the waist by a black belt

Her co-stars 12-year-old Gabriel Bateman and Swoosie Kurtz, 73, were also due to make an appearance.

They were followed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel team including creator and EP Amy Sherman-Palladino, 52, and her EP husband Daniel Palladino plus stars Tony Shalhoub, 64, Marin Hinkle, 52, Alex Borstein, 47, Rachel Brosnahan, 27.

Tony, who wore a black jacket and scarf over a grey sweater and tweed pants, was spotted chatting to Bryan and Marin, who wore a cute, form-fitting dress with a gold embroidered flower design.

The backstage brains: Mrs. Maisel creator and EP Amy Sherman-Palladino, 52, and her EP husband Daniel Palladino

Flower power: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan, 27, opted for a floral frock

He's in a good mood: Walter Goggins, 45, who suited up in grey, had a laugh on the red carpet before his panel on HBO's dark comedy Vice Principals

Walter Goggins, 45, suited up in grey for his panel on HBO's dark comedy Vice Principals.

Dylan McDermot, 56, rocked an all black outfit to talk up Fox's LA To Vegas.

Schitt's Creek co-creator Eugene Levy, 71, also suited up in grey when he and star Catherine O'Hara turned up for their stage presentation.

Having a catch up: Tony went to chat to Walter on the red carpet

Leather look: Dylan McDermot, 56, rocked an all black outfit to talk up Fox's LA To Vegas.

Shades of grey: Schitt's Creek co-creator Eugene Levy, 71, also chose the color when he suited up the for stage presentation

The 64-year-old actress wore a green and orange striped, blouse, black pants and orange shoes

9-1-1 stars Angela Bassett, 59, looked stunning in a soft pink pants suit while 51-year-old Connie Britton wore a stylish black pants suit with silver shoes

Conan O'Brien, 47, who hosts his own TBS show Conan, wrapped his arms around the shoulders of two beautiful actresses, Chelsea Rendon, 24, and Melissa Barrera, 27, her co-star in Starz's Vida.

Colorful combo: Schitt's Creek actress Catherine O'Hara, 64, wore a green and orange striped blouse, black pants and orange shoes

Spring fresh: Star and co-executive producer of Fox's 9-1-1 Angela Bassett, 59, looked stunning in a soft pink pants suit

On the dark side: 9-1-1's Connie Britton, 51, wore a stylish black pants suit with silver shoes

The chat show host, who seemed extremely pleased with himself, looked like a schoolboy in a jean jacket that he wore over a light blue shirt and black tie with with diagonal stripes and dark blue pants.

The actresses both donned elegant dresses with Chelsea in a black sleeveless number and Melissa in a low-cut, silky frock with a busy black and white spot pattern.

Another trio cuddled up on the carpet - Daniel Bruhl, 39, Dakota Fanning, 24, and Jakob Verbruggen, 38, of TNT's The Alienist.

The beautiful blonde showed off her toned tummy in a black and white cropped camisole laced up the front and a matching skirt.

Pure jeanius: Conan O'Brien, 47, wore a denim jacket to the event wrapped his arms around the shoulders of actresses, Chelsea Rendon, 24, and Melissa Barrera, 27,of Starz's Vida

Another Daniel Bruhl, 39, Dakota Fanning, 24, and Jakob Verbruggen, 38, of TNT's The Alienist wrapped their arms around each other's backs as they posed

Dressed to impress: The beautiful blonde showed off her toned tummy in a black and white cropped camisole laced up the front and a matching skirt.

Caffeine break: Dakota grabbed coffee in the event's green room followed by Daniel and Jakob

Daniel was casual in a white shirt open at the neck and with the sleeves rolled up, dark grey pants and white sneakers while Jakob looked sharp in a smart dark blue suit and black shirt.

Hilary Duff, 30, was all about the color when she arrived at the event.

The star of TVLand's Younger wore a flowery blouse in a variety of rainbow hues that she teamed with black and white striped pants.

Star in stripes: Hilary Duff, 30, was all about the color when she arrived at the event

Big story: Darren Aronofsky, 49, was there to promote National Geographic's One Strange Rock, the remarkable documentary series about how planet Earth came to be

National Geographic had a strong turn out with executive Darren Aronofsky, 49, there to promote One Strange Rock, the remarkable documentary series about how planet Earth came to be.

Nat Geo's series Genius was represented by director and executive producer Ron Howard, 64, and actor Antonio Banderas, 57.

He played iconic artist Pablo Picasso in the first chapter of the documentary that follows the life stories of history's greatest minds.

ABC fielded Growni-ish actress Yara Shahidi, 18, who looked cute in a skirt with graphic novel images, and Tracie Ellis Ross, 45, from Black-ish.

Casual style: Nat Geo's series Genius was represented by director and executive producer Ron Howard, 64, who wore his trademark cap, a green polo shirt, black pants and sneakers

Star power: Antonio Banderas, 57, played iconic artist Pablo Picasso in the first chapter of the docu-series Genius that follows the life stories of history's greatest minds

Beautiful in Blue, Poppy Delevingne, 31, talked up her role as Picasso's mistress, model and mother to his daughter Maya in Genius

Diana Ross's daughter donned a sophisticated dress with a shiny pattern of red, black and white diamonds.

Meanwhile, Carrie Brownstein, 43, looked chic in a black jacket that she wore over a blouse with a busy black and white pattern, black pants and black ankle boots.

The multi-tasker is the creator, executive producer, writer, director and star of IFC's Portlandia

Eye-catching design: ABC fielded Growni-ish actress Yara Shahidi, 18, who looked cute in a skirt with graphic novel images

She's all about the bling: Diana Ross's daughter Tracie Ellis Ross, 45, from ABC's Black-ish donned a sophisticated dress with a shiny pattern of red, black and white diamonds

Multi-tasking: Carrie Brownstein, 43, is the creator, executive producer, writer, director and star of IFC's Portlandia

Amazon Prime Video's Cocaine Godmother herself, Catherine Zeta-Jones, wowed in a shoulderless black dress with spaghetti string straps.

The 48-year-old Welsh actress stars as real-life Colombian drug lord, Griselda Blanco, in the gritty biopic.

A total of 24 networks and studios are due to show off 43 of their Emmy-contender programs to kick off Emmy season during the day-long event.
She's expecting her first child with husband Jose Baston this spring.

But that didn't stop Eva Longoria, 43, from celebrating her man's 50th birthday during a party at Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills on Saturday night.

The mother-to-be flaunted her growing bump in a tight black dress that showed a hint of her cleavage.

Scroll down for video

Ready to party: Eva Longoria flaunted her growing baby bump in a tight black dress while celebrating husband Jose Baston's 50th birthday at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills on Saturday

The Desperate Housewives star glowed in the revealing number that featured mesh sleeves, a front cut out, and a hem line that hit just above her knees.

The brunette beauty paired her sexy look with strappy black heels and a small black-and-gold clutch.

She teamed up the ensemble with blue dangle earrings and her wedding ring gifted to her by her media mogul husband.

Mother-to-be: The Desperate Housewives star glowed in the revealing number that featured mesh sleeves, a front cut out, and a hem line that hit just above her knees

All smiles: The brunette beauty paired her sexy look with strappy black heels and a small black-and-gold clutch

Jose looked excited for his bash at the upscale restaurant in a grey blazer over a navy blue buttoned shirt.

He donned matching pants with a grey belt, brown suede shoes and a polka dot pocket square.

The expecting parents held hands and were all smiles as they made their way into the party, which was full of approximately 50 people.

Milestone: Jose looked excited for his bash at the upscale restaurant in a grey blazer over a navy blue buttoned shirt

Eva took to Instagram earlier in the day to gush over her husband's milestone birthday.

'Happy birthday to the best human being in the world! Im so lucky to be able to have you as my life partner, my husband, my best friend, my everything,' wrote the star.

She continued: 'I hope to spend the next 50 years by your side laughing, smiling, enjoying every moment God gives us! Te amo amor de mi vida! Happy Birthday!'

Glowing: Eva took to Instagram earlier in the day to gush over her husband's milestone birthday

And it seems all the partying tuckered the brunette beauty out.

On Sunday, she shared a makeup free snap with her 4.6 million followers, writing: 'It's a "no makeup" kinda day (sigh face emoji) Happy Sunday y'all!!'

Eva is expecting her first child, but the newborn will be her husband's fourth.

He shares daughter Natalia, 22, and 14-year-old twins, Mariana and Jose, with ex-wife Natalia Esperon.

Celebrations: 'Happy birthday to the best human being in the world! Im so lucky to be able to have you as my life partner, my husband, my best friend, my everything,' wrote the star

Busy mama: Despite being seven-months pregnant, Longoria is still hard at work producing ABC's Grand Hotel set to air during pilot season

And despite being seven-months pregnant, Longoria is still hard at work in the director's chair.

She has been working rigorously in Miami to produce ABC's Grand Hotel set to air during pilot season.

She is also currently doing a press run for her new movie Overboard.

The comedic film features Anna Faris whose character takes revenge on her wealthy employer after he falls off the side of his massive yacht and experiences a bout of amnesia.

Longoria plays Faris' best friend who is the mastermind behind the revenge plot in the film due out in theaters on April 20.
Married At First Sight's Nasser Sultan, 51, was pictured enjoying a 'romantic stroll' with his 20-year-old companion Eyob Geist last week, NW reported on Monday.

In photos taken on April 10th, Nasser 'couldn't stop smiling' while chatting with Eyob during a friendly catch-up in Sydney's Rushcutters Bay.

An onlooker claimed: 'They both looked really happy in each other's company. But they did seem a little concerned about anybody spotting them together. When fans asked Nasser for a selfie, Eyob made sure to step aside.'

'Who cares if I'm gay or not?' Married At First Sight's Nasser Sultan, 51, has admitted 'sexuality is fluid' after being spotted with fashion student Eyob Geist, 20, AGAIN on a 'romantic stroll'

Speaking to NW, the 51-year-old reality TV favourite did not confirm or deny rumours about his sexuality - and instead made a passionate plea for tolerance.

'Who cares if I'm gay or not? What difference does it make. I went onto MAFS to find love with someone and I'm still looking now,' he said.

Nasser continued: 'I shouldn't have to come out and label myself or anything like that - no-one should. What's that saying... sexuality is fluid.'

'I shouldn't have to come out and label myself': Speaking to NW, Nasser did not confirm or deny rumours about his sexuality - and instead made a passionate plea for tolerance

Nasser, who resides in Surry Hills, insisted he is proudly part of a neighbourhood with strong ties to the gay community.

'There's no judgment there,' he said. 'The people (trolls) sending hate messages online saying I should die should be ashamed of themselves.'

The personal trainer also claimed that his rather flamboyant personality and metrosexual portrayal on-screen doesn't mean he is 'something or something else'.

New friends! Nasser did not clarify the nature of his relationship with Eyob (pictured), but revealed he was enjoying the single life post-MAFS and been receiving 'loads of offers'

Nasser did not clarify the nature of his friendship with Eyob, but revealed he was enjoying the single life post-MAFS and been receiving 'loads of offers'.

Nasser became the centre of a media frenzy last week after photos surfaced of him enjoying a a 'boozy lunch' with his younger companion - later identified as Eyob - before the pair 'stumbled back to his apartment'.

When asked about his sexuality on The Kyle and Jackie O Show last month, Nasser clarified, however: 'I am 110 per cent not gay.'

What's going on? Nasser became the centre of a media frenzy last week after photos surfaced of him enjoying a a 'boozy lunch' with his younger companion - later identified as Eyob

He added: 'I live in the gay community, trust me... If I was gay, I'd be a rock star! If I was gay, I'd live the lifestyle of it. I'm 100 million per cent straight.'

Nasser is perhaps best known for his short-lived 'marriage' to Gabrielle Bartlett on the 2018 season of Married At First Sight.

The odd nature of the relationship, and its swift demise, resulted in questions being raised about the personal trainer's sexual preferences.
She's set to marry the man of her dreams in a matter of weeks.

And Tim Robards's fiancee Anna Heinrich celebrated her last days as a 'bachelorette' over the weekend, with a truly epic hens party organised by her bridesmaids.

The stunning blonde criminal lawyer was treated to a wild two day celebration, which included a boat cruise around Sydney Harbour, a retro-inspired exercise session and a 'La Dolce Vita' themed Italian feast.

Bikinis, boats, a retro-inspired exercise class and plenty of rose! Inside Anna Heinrich's epic two day Hens party ahead of her much-anticipated wedding to Tim Robards

The party kicked off with an exercise session at 'Retro Sweat', an authentic 1980s freestyle aerobic workout by Shannon Dooley.

The ladies all dressed in theme, showing off their fabulous figures in an array of high-cut neon leotards teamed with tights.

Taking to Instagram, the group posted hilarious snaps and videos, with friends and fans praising Anna's bridesmaids on their very original idea.

Nearest and dearest: Anna's party was organised by her bridesmaids, including her two sisters Charlotte and Andrea

During the weekend, the group also enjoyed a 'La Dolce Vita' themed meal, a nod to Anna's Italian wedding destination.

Throughout the day, the blonde beauty had not one, but two glamorous outfit changes.

Dressed by stylist to the stars Lana Wilkinson, Anna looked incredible in an Elle Zeitoune pink lace corset dress, as well as a Rebecca Vallance yellow two-piece ensemble.

Retro! The party kicked off with an exercise session at 'Retro Sweat', an authentic 1980s freestyle aerobic workout by Shannon Dooley

Cute: Anna donned a neon pink leotard and silver leggings

Is that you? She also looked unrecognisable in a curly red wig

Dining at upscale Lucio's restaurant in Paddington, the group enjoyed Aperol Spritz and authentic Italian dishes.

The bridesmaids also organised incredible goodie bags for all attendees, with the lucky guests receiving a wicker bag, a glamorous silk scarf, on-trend heart-shaped sunglasses and makeup from MAC.

Things became a little more wild when the group went on a boozy boat cruise.

With a bottle of rose in her hand, Anna showed off her incredible pre-wedding figure in a black bikini in several snaps from the day.

La Dolce Vita! During the weekend, the group also enjoyed a 'La Dolce Vita' themed meal, a nod to Anna's Italian wedding destination

So pretty in pink: Dressed by stylist to the stars Lana Wilkinson, she looked incredible in an Elle Zeitoune pink lace corset dress

During the voyage, the group of women enjoyed wine and cocktails and danced into the sunset.

Anna's weekend bash took place at the same time as her groom-to-be's bucks party in the Hunter Valley.

Taking to Instagram, the Sydney chiropractor swapped shirtless selfies for a quirky tuxedo morphsuit and floral blazer at a winery.

Pretty in prints: All the girls wore colourful printed dresses to the lunch

In bloom: The tables were decorated with gorgeous blooms from a local Sydney florist

Lucky girls! The bridesmaids also organised incredible goodie bags for all attendees, with the lucky guests receiving a wicker bag, a glamorous silk scarf and on-trend heart-shaped sunglasses

Tim and his friends first hit the Go-karts before visiting a number of picturesque wineries in the region.

Enjoying a slower pace, Tim shared snaps of himself looking at a sunset and enjoying an outdoor meal with 15 friends.

'Love you boys,' the ripped chiropractor captioned one of the snaps, before adding: 'Thanks for letting me take my morph suit off.'

And there's more: The bag also included makeup from MAC and a candle

No more Bachelor! The bash took place at the same time as her groom-to-be Tim's bucks party in the Hunter Valley

Having gotten engaged in May of 2017, Anna and Tim recently revealed they will marry in an idyllic ceremony in Italy.

Earlier this month, a source spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, saying the TV lovebirds are likely to 'tie the knot sometime in June this year.'

The insider could not provide specific details about the Italian wedding/reception venue, but claims the pair are in full planning mode for the destination wedding.

What a view! Tim seemed happy with his weekend getaway for his bucks party

In the past, it was reported Tim would also enjoy a 'Las Vegas do' in early May, but it's not known if the ripped reality star will go ahead with those plans.

Beating out more than 20 other women to win Tim's heart on reality dating show, The Bachelor, the genetically-blessed couple's love story hasn't been without it's hiccups.

Shredding for the wedding? Tim's morphsuit was a change from his usual shirtless selfies

In November last year, former criminal lawyer Anna lost the her 173,000 diamond engagement ring, which sent her into a panic.

At the time, Anna took to her Instagram Story in a panic in order to find the expensive sparkler, showing footage of her frantically searching her luxury car.

Luckily for Anna she soon found the engagement bling, updating her fans of her immense relief almost immediately.

'Found it! Oh my god, my hand is red. I got it, woo!' she exclaimed as she retrieved the ring from within the vehicle.

'Found it + some food for later #winning' she comically captioned the clip, as she showed off the ring covered in crumbs.

Hiccup! The pair have had their hiccups, with Anna accidentally losing her $173,000 engagement ring in November
Trade Minister Steven Ciobo says while Australia would welcome the US into a cross-Pacific international trade agreement, the 11 countries already involved won't want to make wholesale changes to the deal.

Donald Trump has ordered his top trade advisors to take a fresh look at the Trans-Pacific Partnership, having pulled out of negotiations shortly after he became the US president because he wanted a better deal.

"I can't see us unpicking all the stitching that brought this deal together to accommodate the US at this point," Mr Ciobo told Sky News on Sunday.
Liberal frontbencher Steven Ciobo has rejected suggestions the federal government is in shambles despite clocking up 30 negative Newspolls, which sparked another round of infighting over its leadership, as well as energy and immigration policy.

Mr Ciobo said people are not interested in these internal discussions but are concerned about job security, who is helping to lower the cost of living pressures, particularly energy bills and what to know whether there will be opportunities for their children in the futures well.

"We have delivered in spades, we have record job creation ... that's not the consequence of a shambles, that is the consequence of disciplined economic policy," the trade minister told Sky News on Sunday.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus says the federal government's accusation that changing employment laws would result in the worst outbreak in strikes since the 1970s is just a "crazy fantasy".

"We just want to see an outbreak of pay rises, not an outbreak of strike action," Ms McManus told ABC television promoting the union's "Change the Rules" campaign that gets into full swing this week.

A series of marches across the country will be the biggest campaign since the "Your Rights At Work" push in 2007 that helped bring down Work Choices and the Howard government and will start in Melbourne on April 17.
Five party goers have been arrested at a wild 21st birthday in central WA where police were pelted with bottles.

Officers were called to Callistemon Court in Utakarra, Geraldton, at about 11pm on Saturday after reports of loud music and fighting in the street.

When police arrived bottles were thrown at their cars before order was restored and three men, one 19 and two 22-year-olds, were arrested.

The host agreed to shut down the party and officers left before returning at 1am in response to more reports of loud music and people milling in the street.

Bottles were again thrown and police were abused before the party was declared an out-of-control gathering and two more men were arrested as revellers were removed from the area.

Of-the-five arrested, four are facing charges of disorderly conduct and one man is accused of obstructing police.
A man has been hospitalised after being put in a headlock and punched in the face during an argument with a stranger in Melbourne's CBD, with police hoping to track down a man who might be able to help.

A 23-year-old man left a King Street venue when he got into a verbal argument with a stranger about 6.10am on Friday before placing the Altona Meadows man in a headlock and punching him in the face which knocked him unconscious and he fell backward onto concrete in Flinders Lane.

The unknown man - described as about 190cm tall, solid build with light-coloured hair - ran away while witnesses gave the injured man first aid before he was taken to hospital.

But police want to speak to another fair-haired man wearing a blue top and pants, as he may be able to assist with their inquiries.
UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian ambassador to the United Nations on Saturday condemned the U.S.-led strikes on Syria and told an emergency UN Security Council meeting that "the Cold War is back."

Bashar Ja'afari expressed his country's "disgust" with the joint strikes of the United States, Britain and France against the Syrian Arab Republic.

Ja'afari noted that even if the United States knew which sites in Syria were allegedly producing chemical weapons, it should insist that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspect these alleged facilities, instead of bombing them.

"If they knew the location of supposed chemical weapons centers, why didn't they share it with the OPCW before attacking my country?" the Syrian ambassador said.

Regarding the bombed research facility at Barzeh, Ja'afari said that the building was inspected by the OPCW twice in 2017 and the organization found no evidence of any chemical weapons nor the tools with which they could be made.

"The Syrian Arab Republic firmly condemns this tripartite attack which once again shows indisputably that they (the allies) pay no attention to international law even though they say they do repeatedly," he told the UN Security Council during the Saturday session.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia made the same point during his address to the Security Council, saying "the United States and its allies continue to demonstrate blatant disregard for international law."

The meeting failed to pass a Russian-draft resolution condemning the attack and demanding an end to such military action.

For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against. The Russian draft resolution failed because it only garnered the votes of Bolivia, China and Russia.

The Syrian ambassador began his remarks by referencing to American books published at the end of the Cold War -- "The End of History" and "The Clash of Civilizations," which were described by Ja'afari as two works that have provided a blueprint for global submission to the United States.

The post-Cold War philosophy was summed up by the Syrian ambassador with the American phrase, "my way or the highway."

"When lies keep being repeated, the person who lies underscores the fact that the person lying is a liar," Ja'afari said.
Western Australia's premier says any proposed voluntary euthanasia by his government would be restricted to people with a terminal illness, pre-empting the findings of a parliamentary inquiry.

Mark McGowan told reporters on Sunday the laws the Labor government will propose would not assist people such as 104-year-old Perth academic David Goodall, who will travel to Switzerland to die despite not suffering a fatal illness.

"The legislation we're proposing actually doesn't deal with his situation, it deals with someone who is terminally ill, but I feel great sympathy for him," Mr McGowan said.
* Quote of the Round: "We were looking around for another senior player to do it. And there was none. No one was left." - Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen on his side's injury crisis, which was so bad he was forced to go to the post-match media conference despite being injured himself.

* Man of the Round: Luke Brooks continued to deliver on his potential as he laid on three tries and scored one of his own in the Wests Tigers' 38-12 flogging of Manly.

* Stat that Matters: Parramatta are 0-6, meaning they must buck history to make the finals. Every side that's started winless in the opening six rounds has gone on to miss the finals.

* Magic Moment: When James Maloney sliced through Gold Coast's defence to send Dylan Edwards over, it turned the contest for Penrith and continued his rich vein of form.

* Talking Point: What's going on with the North Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston?

* Judiciary Watch: Tariq Sims (dangerous contact),

* Casualty Ward: Cronulla - Paul Gallen (knee), Andrew Fifita (knee), Luke Lewis (leg), Wade Graham (hamstring); Sydney Roosters - Sio Siua Taukeiaho (knee); Warriors - Leivaha Pulu (ankle), Solomone Kata (leg); Panthers - Josh Mansour (fractured jaw); Gold Coast - Nathan Peats (rib), Dale Copley (hamstring), Morgan Boyle (head knock), Jai Arrow (back).
The NSW premier says she's not worried about a probe into the privatisation of the state's ports because the competition watchdog "was consulted during that process".

Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday was asked whether she was worried the deal could become an election issue if the ACCC determines the arrangements are anti-competitive and launches legal action.

"I'm not concerned at all," the premier told reporters in Sydney.

"The advice I've received is, at the time, the ACCC was consulted during that process and we continue on."

ACCC chairman Rod Sims revealed on Friday that the watchdog's investigation will be complete by the end of 2018. NSW voters go to the polls in mid-March 2019.

"If we form the view that it (the privatisation deal) is a breach then we've got to put it to a court," Mr Sims told AAP.

"If the court finds it is a breach of the act then consequences follow - particularly penalties and injunctions."

Any court action against the government or NSW Ports could take years.

Under the secret deal, the privatised Port of Newcastle is obliged to pay, via the government, NSW Ports - which operate Botany and Kembla - for the potential loss of container business if Newcastle handles more than 30,000 shipping containers a year.

The deal - which was only made public in 2016 - effectively means Newcastle can't expand to become a viable container terminal.

NSW Labor says the arrangement is scandalous and a century-long "set of handcuffs" on the Newcastle economy.
Dodgy financial advice provided by the big banks and wealth planners to consumers will be scrutinised in detail when the banking royal commission returns.

The second round of the commission's public hearings is due to begin on Monday, with the focus on how banks and financial planners treat customers wanting financial advice and whether the investment information they have handed out breached any laws or community standards.

Commissioner Kenneth Hayne QC will hear evidence about consumers being charged fees for no service and receiving inappropriate advice, as well as details about improper conduct by financial advisors.

He will also examine whether current regulations and laws covering the financial planning sector are sufficient.

Representatives from the big four banks and financial services companies AMP and Centrepoint Alliance are expected to be grilled during the hearings, with evidence also expected from consumers who have suffered as a result of receiving poor advice.

Several case studies will be examined during the hearings.

The first involves the "fees for no service" charged to customers by AMP, the Commonwealth Bank, Commonwealth Financial Planning, Count Financial Planning, Charter Financial Planning and Hillross Financial Services.

ANZ earlier this month agreed to pay $3 million in compensation after failing to provide more than 10,000 customers of its Prime Access financial advice business with annual reviews of their investments despite having charged fees for them.

And on Friday CBA agreed to pay a $3 million dollar penalty the corporate watchdog found two of its financial planning arms had between 2007 and 2015 charged 31,500 customers for financial advice they didn't provide.

The financial planning arms, Commonwealth Financial Planning and BW Financial Advice, have so far made around $88 million in compensation payments.

ANZ's agreement to compensate customers followed a lengthy investigation launched in 2015 by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission into the failure by financial advisors to provide advice that customers had paid for.

The investigation was sparked by years of scandals involving the loss of millions of dollars by investors.

By the end of December 2017, AMP, ANZ, the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac had paid $51.4 million in compensation to customers who received poor financial advice.

The royal commission's hearings on the financial advice industry will run until April 27.
Southwest Sydney residents have endured a second nervous night as hundreds of firefighters took advantage of easing conditions to battle a blaze that's so far blackened 2500 hectares.

The fire, which began on Saturday afternoon and may have been deliberately lit, was fanned by strong winds on Sunday and approached suburban streets.

It tore through the Holsworthy military range and more than 500 personnel from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Australian Defence Force battled to protect properties.

The blaze was downgraded from emergency level to watch and act about 5.30pm on Sunday as conditions began to ease.

Firefighters have taken advantage of the conditions to do a back burn along Heathcote Road near Pleasure Point as well as in areas of the Holsworthy military base.

A large number of firefighters remain on the ground working to slow the spread of the fire, which continues to burn in a southeasterly direction towards Barden Ridge.

RFS spokesman Greg Allan said some properties had not escaped unscathed.

"We have had reports of impact on properties in west Menai and Barden Ridge but our crews at the moment are solely focused on fighting the fire," he told AAP in the evening.

Residents in the suburbs of Voyager Point, Pleasure Point, Sandy Point and Illawong, Menai and Bangor were warned of the danger of ember attacks as many scrambled with hoses and buckets to protect their houses.

By 5pm, some Menai residents were starting to relax.

Daniel Borg, who lives on Hall Drive in Menai alongside bushland, admitted it was concerning to see how close the flames came.

"It was pretty scary," he told AAP when finally opening a beer, thankful his house came with sprinklers on the roof.

NSW Police on Sunday evening announced a task force had been set up to investigate whether the fire, which began in the vicinity of Leacocks Reserve in Casula, was deliberately lit.

Conditions are expected to aid the firefighting effort on Monday, with winds about half the strength they were on Sunday.

The temperature may remain a cause for concern, according to the RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers.

"Still quite a difficult day ahead (on Monday)," he told the Nine Network.

"I think we've got a long way to go before we're out of the woods."

Residents in Voyager Point, Pleasure Point, Sandy Point, Alfords Point, Barden Ridge, Illawong, Menai and Bangor were told to be prepared to activate their bushfire survival plans should conditions change.

Heathcote Road remains closed between Macarthur Drive and New Illawarra Road while Old Illawarra Road at Barden Ridge has reopened.
Addressing the council, US Ambassador Nikki Haley, pictured, said the United States was confident that the military strikes had crippled Syria's chemical weapons program

Hours after striking Syria, the United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.

The move signaled the West's resolve to return to diplomacy after a one-night military operation that hit sites Western officials said were linked to Syria's chemical weapons program.

Among the contentious proposals, the draft resolution would establish an independent investigation of allegations of toxic gas attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.

Russia in November used its veto three times to bury a previous UN-led inquiry which found that Syrian forces had dropped sarin on the town of Khan Sheikhun in April last year.

The measure would instruct the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to report within 30 days on whether Syria has fully disclosed its chemical weapons stockpile.

The West has accused Syria of failing to live up to its commitment to scrap its chemical weapons program, under a 2013 deal reached between the United States and Russia.

On the humanitarian side, the measure demands medical evacuations and safe passage for aid convoys to be allowed to all areas.

The text calls for a ceasefire resolution adopted in February but which never materialized to finally take hold and "demands" that President Bashar al-Assad's government engage in peace talks "in good faith, constructively and without preconditions."

Several rounds of peace talks held under UN auspices in Geneva have failed to yield progress, deadlocked over demands that Assad make way for a political transition.

- Getting Russia aboard -

Negotiations on the draft resolution are set to begin on Monday, but diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal.

Western diplomats said they were ready to allow time for negotiations to make every effort to bring Russia aboard.

Russia has used its veto 12 times at the Security Council to block action targeting its Syrian ally.

The new diplomatic push came after a stormy Security Council meeting called by Russia, which branded the military action an "aggression" against Syria and sought condemnation.

That bid however failed, with only China and Bolivia voting alongside Russia to condemn the air strikes. Eight countries opposed condemnation while four abstained.

Addressing the council, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was confident that the military strikes had crippled Syria's chemical weapons program.

Haley warned that the United States was "locked and loaded," ready to strike again if any new chemical attack was carried out in Syria.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the West of "hooliganism" and demanded that it "immediately end its actions against Syria and refrain from them in the future."

"You are not only placing yourselves above international law, but you are trying to re-write international law," Nebenzia said.

The United States, Britain and France launched air strikes in response to a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Douma a week ago that killed at least 40 people.

The council has met five times this week on Syria amid repeated pleas from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to end divisions over Syria.
Traditional allies North Korea and China are seeking to heal battered relations

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally greeted a top Chinese official in Pyongyang and called for stronger ties with Beijing, state media from both countries said Sunday, as the traditional allies seek to heal battered relations.

Kim met Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, who was leading an art troupe to a spring festival in the North's capital.

The delegation arrived just weeks after Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping, signalling an attempt by both leaders to shore up a key alliance ahead of a period of high-stakes diplomacy.

Kim is expected to hold summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in this month and US President Donald Trump in the following weeks.

The North's official KCNA news agency said Kim welcomed Song and his delegation in a meeting on Saturday at which Song conveyed Xi's "warm greetings".

The two exchanged "profound views on the important matters of mutual concern" and the international situation, KCNA said, without providing details.

"The Supreme Leader said that he would positively carry forward and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship into a fresh phase of development as required by a new era," it added, using the North's official acronym.

On his trip to Beijing, Kim had "witnessed the remarkable achievement made by China" and "was happy for the brotherly Chinese people", the official Chinese Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

Kim also said he wanted to "strengthen exchanges and cooperation" with China, according to Xinhua.

In response, Song told Kim that it was Beijing's "unswerving policy... to preserve, consolidate, and develop relations" with the North, it added.

- 'Flower garden' of friendship -

Beijing is North Korea's sole major ally, an alliance dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, but relations deteriorated after China supported United Nations sanctions to punish Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programme.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also hosted a banquet for the Chinese delegation

Kim also hosted a banquet for the Chinese delegation, in which officials from the two sides toasted to their shared will "to more beautifully decorate the flower garden of the DPRK-China friendship", according to KCNA.

Photos carried by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed Chinese and North Korean officials in a massive banqueting hall with a mural of Kim and Xi shaking hands decorating one wall.

Another photo showed a North Korean orchestra performing with a large picture of Xi projected in the background.

Song is leading a Chinese art troupe attending a spring art festival held as part of the commemorations for the anniversary of the birth of the North's founder Kim Il Sung on April 15, 1912.

Both North Korean and foreign artists take part, and this year's week-long event includes concerts, dance performances and acrobatics.

KCNA also issued a rare separate report on Kim's wife, who attended a performance by the Chinese art troupe on Saturday in the absence of her husband.

"First Lady Ri Sol Ju enjoyed a ballet choreodrama 'Giselle' given by the National Ballet of China," KCNA reported.

China has sent art troupes to every festival since 1986, except in 2016.

Pyongyang's frenetic diplomatic activity marks a stunning turnaround after a year of high tensions which saw the North carry out nuclear and missile tests, further isolating the regime and triggering a fiery war of words with Trump.

Kim sent a high-profile delegation to the Winter Olympics in the South in February, setting off a flurry of cross-border exchanges of athletes, cheerleaders and officials.

In the latest such exchanges, officials from the two Koreas met Saturday at the North's side of the Demilitarized Zone to discuss setting up a hotline between their leaders, Seoul's presidential office said Sunday.

The two sides will hold another working-level meeting on Wednesday to agree on protocol, security measures and media coverage of the April 27 summit.
The family of five were the first Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar since the military crackdown

Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya refugees, among the 700,000 who fled a brutal crackdown, but the move was slammed by rights groups as a publicity stunt which ignored warnings over the security of returnees.

The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless campaign against the community in northern Rakhine state last August.

The United Nations says the operation amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

Bangladesh and Myanmar vowed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation.

According to a Myanmar government statement posted late Saturday, one family of refugees became the first to be processed in newly-built reception centres earlier in the day.

"The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the Information Committee's Facebook page.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, told AFP the Rohingya family had been living in a camp erected on a patch of "no man's land" between the two countries, meaning Dhaka had no formal role in their return.

Several thousand Rohingya have been living in the zone since August, crammed into a cluster of tents beyond a barbed-wire fence that roughly demarcates the border.

Myanmar authorities provided the Rohingya family with verification cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship

The rest of the refugees have settled in sprawling camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district.

"The reality is that the repatriation has not started yet," Bangladesh's home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told AFP on Sunday, adding that the single family's return was "not a meaningful act".

"We don't know when (repatriation) will start. They have not been able to create a ground for trust that they will take back these people," he added.

According to the Myanmar statement, immigration authorities provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by many Rohingya leaders who want full rights before they return.

Photos posted by the government showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks.

It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Rakhine state's Maungdaw town after "finishing the repatriation process".

Myanmar officials could not be reached for more details.

The Facebook post did not mention plans for further returnees expected in the near future.

- 'PR exercise' -

The move comes amid warnings from the UN and other rights groups that repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar has yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades.

The Rohingya are reviled by many in Buddhist-majority Myanmar

The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their deep roots in Rakhine state.

They have been targeted by waves of violence, systematically stripped of their citizenship and forced to live in apartheid-like conditions with severely restricted access to healthcare, education and other basic services.

The repatriation announcement is "a public relations exercise in an attempt to deflect attention from the need for accountability for crimes committed in Rakhine State", said Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

"Before proceeding with the repatriation of Rohingya, the Myanmar government must recognise and guarantee all their fundamental human rights," he told AFP.

The UN maintains that much work needs to be done on the Myanmar side before returns can be safe and dignified.

On Friday, the UN's refugee agency said it had finalised a repatriation framework with Bangladesh but was still negotiating an agreement with Myanmar.

"Conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified, and sustainable," the UNHCR said.

Many Rohingya refugees express fear of returning to a country where they saw their relatives murdered by soldiers and Buddhist vigilantes who drove them from their homes with bullets and arson.

Doctors Without Borders says the violence claimed at least 6,700 Rohingya lives in the first month alone.

Myanmar authorities have since bulldozed many of the burned villages, raising alarm from rights groups who say they are erasing evidence of atrocities and obscuring the Rohingya's ties to the country.

burs-ssm/qan
Over the next two months authorities hope to register as many as 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres -- an ambitious goal in a country where militants control or contest much of the territory

Afghanistan at the weekend began registering voters across the war-torn country as it seeks to ensure that long-delayed legislative elections in October are seen as credible and fraud-free.

Over the next two months authorities hope to register as many as 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres -- an ambitious goal in a country where militants control or contest much of the territory.

"The main challenge is insecurity, particularly in rural areas," Abdul Badie Sayad, chairman of the Independent Election Commission, told AFP recently.

In addition to the Taliban and Islamic State group terrorising swathes of the population, "local powers, illegal militias and strongmen will try to interfere" in the parliamentary and district council elections, Sayad predicted.

A shortage of female staff at polling centres, particularly in conservative rural areas, could also impede participation by women in the polls, which are seen as a test run for next year's presidential election.

"Women won't be given permission from their families to reach the registration centres, where they may be asked to remove their burqa to show their faces," Sayad said.

In Kabul on Saturday police stood guard at a school being used as a registration centre but only a handful of men showed up.

Mohammad Hussein, a 54-year-old shopkeeper, said he wanted to vote for a candidate "able to bring about change in this country".

"I voted in 2010 but I made a mistake -- the MP didn't bring any change. This time I need to vote for someone who works without taking bribes," Hussein told AFP.

The October 20 polls were originally set to be held in 2015 following presidential elections the previous year, but were repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical problems within the fragile unity government.

If held, candidates will contest the 249 seats in the National Assembly for five-year terms. The country will also hold regional elections in tandem in hundreds of districts across Afghanistan -- some of which are outside Kabul's control.

- 'Political chaos' a risk -

Over the coming weeks the IEC hopes to register 13-14 million people at centres where they will later be required to cast their vote, a move which officials hope will reduce the risk of ballot-box stuffing.

A television advertising campaign has been launched to persuade ordinary people that their votes will count -- a challenging task after a disputed presidential election in 2014.

"We are trying very hard to increase the confidence of the public, to increase the legitimacy of the elections," Sayad said.

Another hurdle to voter registration is the lack of national identification cards, or taskeras, particularly among women.

Just over half the population has a taskera and the government hopes to issue another 10 million to enable more people to register to vote, officials have said.

But there are concerns over how Afghans living in areas controlled or contested by insurgents will be able to register and vote safely.

Afghan security forces have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against militants on the battlefield.

President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday called on the Taliban to take up his peace offer made in February to take part in the elections "as a political party".

So far the Taliban, which is expected to launch its traditional spring offensive in the coming weeks, has not responded to Ghani's proposal.

Despite international pressure on the Afghan government to hold elections this year, some question whether October will be too late.

Holding the vote within months of the presidential poll risked "electoral congestion and political chaos", Afghanistan Analysts Network's Ali Yawar Adili warned in a report this month.
In the past, textiles were more than just fabrics, with their patterns, colours and embroidery illuminating the origins and tribal history of the makers

Cheap, Chinese-made nylon burkas are flooding Afghanistan's north as consumers turn to affordable, mass-produced fabrics -- but in Kabul a small, determined fashion house is fighting to preserve the traditional textiles once integral to Afghan culture.

Launched in 2006, "Zarif" -- "precious" in Persian -- commissions traditional cotton and silk from artisanal weavers, then employs more than two dozen people -- mostly women -- to tailor and design the fabrics into handcrafted, embroidered clothing.

But with cheaper imports saturating the market, they are struggling to keep local traditional methods afloat, says founder Zolaykha Sherzad.

Only decades ago, the textile industry was on par with Afghanistan's legendary carpet trade, famed since the days of the old Silk Road.

During its heyday textiles were more than just fabrics, with their patterns, colours and embroidery illuminating the origins and tribal history of their makers.

"In the past, the fabrics were entirely embroidered, on the walls, the cushions... the wedding dresses," says Sherzad.

"But now, we are trying hard just to keep them as ornaments on jackets and coats, to maintain the know-how," she adds, saying the decline in the craft has put large numbers of women out of work who once were able to make a living at home.

With Zarif, she hopes to fill the gap while aiming to preserve Afghanistan's textile traditions and designing contemporary takes on Afghan fashion staples.

- Fighting the market -

A visit to the bazaar in northern Mazar-i-Sharif shows the challenge she faces.

There, bundles of striped and padded coats, or "chapans" -- popularised in the West by ex-President Hamid Karzai -- pile up in stacks at stalls.

Zolaykha Sherzad (R) launched her Zarif fashion house to preserve traditional textiles and crafts

"Too bright," she says, discarding the synthetic fabrics.

For many consumers, however, they have their appeal. The cheaper knock-offs are printed on nylon, rather than silk, closely replicating traditional designs but at a third of the price.

"These cost 800 to 1,200 afghanis ($11 to $18), compared to 2,500 ($36) for a traditional chapan," explains Abdullah, a merchant.

Now only the rich can afford the handmade silk chapans, often buying them as wedding gifts, while middle-class and working people opt for the synthetic designs.

Markets across Mazar also burst with the polyester burqas Afghan women are forced by tribal culture to don. But even the fabrics used for this ubiquitous garment come increasingly from abroad.

"China, India, Pakistan, everything comes from outside," Hashem, a dyer and weaver for Zarif, tells AFP in the courtyard of his mud house on the outskirts of Mazar from where he manages the 10 women who weave for him at home.

"In the old days I had 10 families working for me, today I have four," he says while squeezing a skein of freshly dyed cotton.

"Before," he continues, "80 percent of the raw material came from the local market, today 80 percent comes from abroad."

- Working women -

In founding Zarif, Sherzad -- an architect by training -- wanted above all to promote female employment, banned under Taliban rule from 1996-2001 and still the norm in large swathes of the country.

Cheap Chinese imports are flooding the textile markets in northern Afghanistan

According to data provided by the World Bank, 19 percent of Afghan women were employed in 2017 -- which excludes the informal agricultural sector.

Despite the economic crisis that has raged since the withdrawal of more than 100,000 NATO troops in late 2014, Zarif still employs 26 employees in its courtyard workshop, located next to a mosque and its blaring call to prayers.

About 60 percent of the team is female, including the director Nasima along with the production manager Sara. Two embroiderers work full time while an additional 30 are called on at the discretion of the managers.

Since its creation, Zarif has trained more than 85 women -- but most of them have given up their jobs after getting married at the request of husbands who are reluctant to accept the presence of other men near their spouses.

"The brake on women's employment continues to be their husbands" says Sherzad.

- Adapting to survive -

To survive, Zarif relies on connections in Paris, where the company is supported by French fashion brand "Agnes b.", along with a stable of faithful clientele in New York.

Traditional textile crafts, such as dyeing threads used to make coats, are facing a challenge from cheap, Chinese fabrics

And even as she seeks to preserve, she is also forced to adapt, scouring Afghanistan's antique shops in search of richly crafted garments that can be refashioned into bags or the linings for men's jackets.

Silk encapsulates the challenge. Homespun silk from the western city of Herat was once used by Afghan producers for turbans. Now it is exported to Iran.

"There's only one artisan left in Afghanistan that knows the craft," Sherzad says.

"It's necessary to train others, but for what? People no longer have the means and young people no longer wear turbans. We have to invent something else that uses silk."
Nepalis celebrated the New Year on Saturday as the Bikram Samvat 2075 has begun. On the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli reached the popular Rara Lake in remote Karnali Province to inaugurate a tourism festival. During the function, the Prime Minister also addressed the nation, sharing plans of his government for national development. Most of major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu have given the top priority to the PMs address on their front page today.

Generally, international news stories do not get the front page space in Kathmandu newspapers. However, some newspapers today have published on their front page reports about the new strike against Syria by the United States with the support from the United Kingdom and France.

Important

PMs Rara address makes tall promises

Newspaper reports inform that the Prime Ministers New Year message is full of tall promises as he claimed the country would get a facelift in next five years. Gorkhapatra quotes the Prime Minister to say that the country now has an unprecedented opportunity for development and prosperity.

Oli had spelled out his governments plan for next five year, according to The Himalayan Times.

The main opposition, Nepali Congress, however, comments that the PMs address is full of emotional statements, but it lacks concrete plan of action, reports Annapurna Post.

Karobar quotes representatives of the private sector to argue that the government should prioritise implementation of developments over making announcements of ambitious plans and programmes.

Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man died while attending the function in which the Prime Minister was addressing, according to Republica daily.

Ignored

EPG holds serious discussion on 1950 treaty

The anchor story in government-run Gorkhapatra claims that the eighth meeting of Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations (EPG-NIR) held a serious discussion about revising the controversial 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty. The meeting was held in New Delhi of India on Friday.

Meanwhile, the meeting also prepared a draft report to review existing bilateral treaties. Members representing Nepal and India have prepared different reports and they have exchanged them for studying now, according to the report.

No discussion on left unification in past nine days

Preparations for the proposed unification between CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre have apparently lost momentum now as the two parties have not held serious talks over contentious issues in past 10 days, reports Rajdhani in its two-column story today.

Though leaders of the two parties state in public that their parties will unify on April 22, they have not made preparations for it, comments the report.

Shashanka Koirala tries to rise as next Congress leader

Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashanka Koirala has intensified works to bring all disgruntled groups of his party under one umbrella so that he can be more confident about taking over the party rein from the next general convention, reports Republica, adding pressure has been mounting on the party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to hand over the leadership to a new leader taking responsibility of the partys lost in recent elections.

Meanwhile, some youth leaders in the party who had earlier raised voice for an early general convention have withdrawn their demand as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba provided an opportunity to discuss the partys humiliating poll performance in its recent Central Working Committee meeting, according to Rajdhani.

Staff prepare to move apex court demanding voluntary retirement

The lead story in Nepal Samacharpatra says government staff unions have warned of filing a case against the government and Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Lalbabu Pandit for blocking the voluntary retirement plan.

A bill, which is currently waiting for the presidential enactment for implementation, has proposed that staff can quit under certain conditions and they receive multiple benefits. However, the new Minister has made it clear that the staff will not be allowed to go for the retirement as the county currently needs a bigger workforce than ever.

Banking offences on the rise

Abhiyan lead story for the day says the number of banking offices and the amount of money such cases misappropriate are on the rise. In the first eight and half months of current fiscal year (till March end), the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police investigated into eight such cases involving 41 suspects and Rs 216 million was misappropriated in those cases whereas the amount was less than that in the entire period of last fiscal year the report informs.

Interesting

PM takes guardianship of Mugu girl

Like in the past years, the government launched a school enrolment campaign in its efforts to ensure every childs access to education. This year, however, the plan has been more interesting as it now requires leaders and officials to shoulder the responsibility of paying for the education of a child from a disadvantaged family.

In this context, the Prime Minister took the responsibility of taking care of a six-year-old girl in Karmarong Rural Municipalty-8 of Mugu district, according to Gorkhapatra.
Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono (R) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (L) arrive for their meeting in Tokyo

The leaders of China and Japan are expected to pay reciprocal visits as relations between their countries warm, the Japanese foreign minister said on Sunday.

After rare talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Taro Kono said the ministers had "forward-looking" and "fulfilling" discussions about rebuilding ties between the Asian powers.

They agreed that Japan would host a trilateral summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, without setting a date.

After such a meeting, they hoped to organise reciprocal visits by Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kono said.

"We agreed to fully improve the bilateral relations through exchanges of the leaders ... with Premier Li's visit at the time of the trilateral talks as the starting step," Kono told reporters.

However, Kono warned there would be "no true improvement of Japan-China relations without stability in the East China Sea".

"We agreed the importance of making it a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship," he said.

The world's second and third largest economies have a fraught relationship, complicated by longstanding maritime disputes and Japan's wartime legacy.

The dispute over islands in the East China Sea -- known as the "Senkakus" in Japanese and the "Diaoyu" by the Chinese -- remains a source of tension.

But Tokyo is eager to get the relationship back on a firmer footing, especially as it fears being shut out of negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme in which Beijing is likely to be a major player.

China demonstrated its significant influence over its reclusive ally when Xi hosted the North's leader Kim Jong-un and his wife in Beijing last month.

With Moon and US President Donald Trump preparing for separate direct talks with Kim, Japan fears being left on the sidelines.

- 'Complete denuclearisation' -

Kono, who visited Beijing in January, stressed that the two countries share the same goal on North Korea.

"We had direct and in-depth discussions on North Korea in light of the current situation," he told reporters after the meeting, without revealing details.

"We confirmed that we shall continue our close coordination while also completely implementing related UN Security Council resolutions to realise the irreversible, verifiable and complete denuclearisation of North Korea and its missiles."

Wang, a former ambassador to Japan, said his visit was China's response to "positive" messages and policies from Tokyo but acknowledged "some complex and sensitive elements".

"But together with Japan's efforts... we would like to bring China-Japan relations back on a path of sustainable and normal development."

Abe, who is due to meet Trump in Florida on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, will meet Wang on Monday.

The time is ripe for the two nations to improve relations to mark the 40th anniversary of their 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, both ministers said.

Wang, who will be in Tokyo until Tuesday, will also take part in the fourth China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue.
An image grab taken from a video released by the Syrian civil defence in Douma shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following an alleged April 7, 2018 chemical attack on the rebel-held town

Inspectors from the OPCW chemical watchdog will begin their investigation Sunday at the site of an alleged chemical attack near Damascus, a senior official said.

"The fact-funding team arrived in Damascus on Saturday and is due to go to Douma on Sunday," Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan told AFP.

A delegation of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, is tasked with investigating an April 7 attack on Douma, just east of Damascus.

Western powers say chemical substances, most likely chlorine and sarin, were used in the attack and killed at least 40 civilians.

The alleged attack, which Damascus and its Russian ally have denied ever happened, prompted an unprecedented wave of missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain on Saturday.

Soussan reiterated a pledge by the Syrian government that the chemical experts would be allow to investigate unimpeded.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," he said.
The crimes have shaken India in a way reminiscent of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student in 2012

Indian police have made another arrest after the alleged rape of a teenager by a ruling party politician sparked protests across the country, federal investigators said Sunday.

The case, along with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, has brought Indians onto the streets for mass demonstrations not seen since the rape and murder of a Delhi student in 2012.

The outrage has put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is accused of trying to shield its state lawmaker in one case and of defending the accused in the other.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh state which is ruled by the Hindu nationalist BJP, for allegedly raping the 17-year-old last year.

Police only brought a case against the powerful politician last week after the young victim attempted to burn herself alive outside the state leader's residence.

The next day, her father, who had been in police custody, died from injuries he sustained in an alleged beating.

"We arrested the second person, a woman named Shashi Singh, in our ongoing investigations of the case on Saturday," R.K. Gaur, a CBI spokesman, told AFP on Sunday.

Sengar appeared in court the same day and was ordered detained for seven days.

The girl's family -- who fought unsuccessfully for nearly a year to get the police to register their case -- said Singh had taken their daughter to the state legislator on the pretext of a job.

Singh then allegedly stood guard at the door while Sengar raped the girl, the family's initial complaint to police stated.

- Religious tension -

Public outrage escalated as details surrounding the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in January in Jammu and Kashmir state made national headlines.

There have been protests and vigils across India, demanding action by the government

The girl was kidnapped, drugged and repeatedly raped over five days -- including inside a Hindu temple -- before being strangled and beaten with a rock.

Jammu and Kashmir is India's only Muslim-majority state, but the Jammu region in the south, where the rape and murder took place, is Hindu-dominated.

The case has heightened fears of communal tensions in the region.

Muslim activists have demanded action against what they see as a crime against their community while some right-wing Hindu groups have argued that the accused were unfairly charged.

Eight people have been arrested over the killing, including four police officers and a minor. All are Hindus.

Scenes last week of lawyers trying to stop police from entering court to file charges against the accused sparked nationwide revulsion.

The Supreme Court on Friday warned lawyers in Jammu against any further attempts to obstruct justice, the Press Trust of India reported.

Two state ministers from Modi's BJP -- Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga -- resigned after attending a controversial rally by local Hindu groups held in defence of the accused.

"They have resigned because of the way the entire thing has been presented across the country. They have been victimised," Balbir Singh, a spokesman for Choudhary Lal Singh, told AFP.

"All they want is a fair probe and the real criminals to be caught."

The BJP on Sunday demanded that the main opposition Congress party sack its state leader in Jammu and Kashmir after he suggested the police investigation was politically motivated.

- Rampant violence -

The crimes have shaken India in a way reminiscent of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student on a bus in 2012 that made headlines around the world.

That case unleashed public anger over rampant sexual violence against women in India, and the introduction of tough new laws to punish rapists.

But high numbers of assaults persist, with 40,000 rape cases reported every year.

Police in western Gujarat state said Sunday that a post-mortem examination of a young girl found dumped by a highway near Surat this month indicated she been raped and murdered.

"There were also many minor injury marks over her body. The girl is around 11 years old. We are still trying to establish her identity," Surat police commissioner Satish Kumar Sharma told AFP.

Protests and vigils were held Sunday in some parts of India including Delhi, the financial capital Mumbai and southern Kerala state.

Modi on Friday promised justice for the victims as anger mounted, while India's women's minister called for the death penalty for child rapists.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns over Iran's present in Syria at the weekly cabinet meeting on April 15, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday over Iran's presence in Syria after Western strikes in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons and a recent attack attributed to Israel.

Netanyahu also called on Western powers to take the same approach toward preventing "terrorist states" from acquiring nuclear weapons, referring to Israel's main enemy Iran.

The premier said he spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday night following the joint strikes by the United States, France and Britain in neighbouring Syria.

The narrowly targeted pre-dawn military operation on Saturday took aim at three alleged chemical weapons facilities. Netanyahu had previously expressed his "total support" for the strikes.

"The important international message that came from the attack was zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting, describing his discussion with May.

"I added that this policy needs to also be expressed in preventing terrorist states and groups from having nuclear abilities."

Netanyahu also again warned over Iran's presence in Syria after previously pledging not to allow the country to entrench itself militarily next door.

On April 9, seven Iranian personnel were among 14 people killed in an early-morning strike on the T-4 airbase in Syria, with regime allies Iran and Russia blaming Israel for the attack.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

Netanyahu said he told May that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "must understand that when he allows Iran and its proxies to establish a military presence in his country, he endangers Syria as well as the stability of the region".

Also on Sunday, two Israeli ministers said their country would continue to act to prevent Iran from establishing itself militarily in Syria.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in Syria's civil war, but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it says are advanced arms deliveries to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, another of its enemies.

Hezbollah, like Iran and Russia, is backing Assad in the war.
Kabul residents are used to power shortages during the colder months, but supply is normally more plentiful in the spring and summer

A massive power outage in Kabul has left many residents of the Afghan capital with no lights or running water, officials said Sunday, after militants blew up an electricity pylon in the restive north.

A pre-dawn attack Saturday on a transmission tower in Baghlan province left Kabul with 95 megawatts, less than a quarter of its normal power supply, said Wahid Tawhidi, a spokesman for power utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS).

Efforts to repair the pylon had so far failed as heavy fighting prevented a local DABS crew from reaching the site, Tawhidi told AFP.

"Today when our team tried to go to the area, rockets were fired at their vehicles and they had to turn back," he said.

The provincial governor's spokesman Mahmood Haqmal said Taliban fighters had used a mine to "bring down" the power line.

"They have escaped the area but some of them are still in the mountains, preventing engineers from fixing the pylon," Haqmal told AFP.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP that the militant group had "cut a cable in Baghlan province".

This is the fourth outage in recent weeks caused by militant attacks on the power line transmitting electricity from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It has also affected neighbouring Nangarhar and Parwan provinces, Tawhidi said.

The Taliban warned last month that they would continue to cut power to Kabul unless their demands for electricity in areas under their control in Baghlan and Kunduz provinces were met.

Residents in Kabul have been forced to make do with just an hour of electricity a day, sparking a firestorm of complaints on social media.

"We had one minute of electricity then no electricity the whole day. What kind of electricity this is?" Ahmad Zia Jamal wrote on Facebook.

Another Facebook user, Shabnam Khurasani, posted: "Power cuts in Kabul are intolerable."

The bulk of Afghanistan's electricity comes from neighbouring countries but the amount is insufficient to meet demand.

Residents in the Afghan capital are used to power shortages during the colder months when usage is higher, but supply is normally more plentiful in spring and summer.

Many people have diesel generators to provide backup power to their homes and businesses. Others go without, relying on battery-powered torches for light and drums of water to bathe and flush toilets.
In this file photo taken on August 8, 2017, smoke billows following a reported air strike on a rebel-held area in the southern Syrian city of Daraa

The capture of Eastern Ghouta is a significant milestone for Syria's regime and paves the way for government troops to shift south to where the seven-year uprising first began: Daraa.

After securing the capital from deadly rockets that once rained in from its suburbs, President Bashar al-Assad now has forces ready to redeploy elsewhere in the war-ravaged country.

The Islamists and jihadists that hold the northwest province of Idlib remain a threat, but analysts say Assad's priority will likely be the southern province of Daraa, where protests against his rule first broke out in 2011.

After losing swathes of territory to rebels, Syria's army has regained control of more than 55 percent of the country with crucial help from its ally Russia, according to analyst Fabrice Balanche.

Its most recent victory is in Ghouta: the onetime rebel bastion that has now been neutralised after a blistering air and ground assault and the Russia-brokered evacuation of thousands of rebels and civilians.

"The liberation of Eastern Ghouta means lifting the security and military threat posed to Damascus," said Bassam Abou Abdallah, who heads the Damascus Centre for Strategic Studies.

"After Ghouta, it's likely the Syrian government will head south -- the current situation in Daraa must be finished off," he told AFP.

The regime said it had retaken Eastern Ghouta on Saturday after a nearly two-month assault that killed more than 1,700 civilians and the evacuation deals that saw rebels and civilians bussed up to northern Syria.

- 'Real problem' of Daraa -

In this file photo taken on November 16, 2017 a truck drives through a heavily destroyed neighbourhood in a rebel-held area of the southern Syrian city of Daraa

With Ghouta now taken care of, the only risk posed to Damascus stems from a few southern districts still held by the Islamic State group, including the Yarmuk Palestinian camp.

Al-Watan newspaper, which is close to the government, said the army will seek to "finish off" those districts, but analysts believe the regime's real interest lies elsewhere.

"Maintaining some IS pockets serves the regime's narrative in order to reconquer the rest of Syrian territory," said Julien Theron, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

He said the regime could redeploy troops to reinforce other fronts against rebels, including Daraa which he described as a "real problem".

The vast Daraa province lies south of Damascus and also shares borders with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Non-jihadist rebels, backed by the United States and Jordan, hold nearly three-quarters of it and parts of the provincial capital, also called Daraa.

"The regime has been focusing on Daraa province for a long time, trying to break through rebel territory to reach the city," said Theron.

"Rebels control Syria's southern border, which has undermined the regime's image of being the master of its own territory," he added.

Retaking the Nasib border crossing with Jordan, held by rebels since 2015, is a particular prize as it could bring financial rewards for a cash-strapped regime.

In the past, the crossing has been a key transit point for trade between Syria, Jordan and the countries of the Gulf.

- Ghouta 'lesson' for rebels -

But analysts also say Assad's regime will have to avoid any escalation with Israel.

"The areas in the south of Syria are particularly sensitive because they are located between Damascus on the one hand, and the Jordanian and Israeli borders on the other," analyst Sam Heller said.

"Any military action could affect the national security of the three countries," said the researcher at the International Crisis Group.

Smoke rises from buildings following a reported March 23, 2018 regime surface-to-surface missile strike on a rebel-held area of Daraa, where Syria's seven-year uprising first began

Thomas Pierret, a Syria specialist at the University of Edinburgh, said Daraa was the obvious next step for the regime after Ghouta, over Idlib.

"Daraa is probably more urgent for economic reasons and reopening trade with Jordan."

Assad has repeatedly pledged to recapture "every inch" of Syrian territory lost to armed groups since 2011.

And while Idlib is surely in his sights, analysts said the province's complex dynamics could put it further down his priority list.

Idlib is held by an array of rebel, Islamist, and jihadist forces that have at various times united or fought each other in battles for influence.

Taking such forces head-on could prove too costly for Assad's army, said Theron.

Furthermore, Idlib lies on the border with Turkey and has been the subject of negotiations between Ankara and Moscow, said Heller.

"Until further notice, Idlib is not one of the Damascus regime's goals, as it is hostage to global political calculations more than military ones," said Heller.

"Idlib's fate is linked to what is happening behind the scenes in the agreements between Turkey and Russia," he told AFP.

From Damascus, Abou Abdallah said he expected the same tactic used to seize Ghouta will apply to reconquer Daraa and Idlib: "military pressure to reach a settlement, or settlement without military pressure".

Ghouta's "fall at that speed should be a lesson to both Idlib in the north and Daraa in the south."
African migrants march from Holot detention centre to the Saharonim Prison, an Israeli detention facility for African asylum seekers, on February 22, 2018, to protest at Israel's policy of prison or deportation for migrants

Israel on Sunday freed 207 African migrants from prison following a supreme court ruling after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu controversially reversed a deal with the UN refugee agency on the detainees' fate.

After an operation lasting several hours a spokeswoman for the immigration authority told AFP late on Sunday that all detainees had been released.

There are around 42,000 African migrants in Israel. Authorities transferred 207 of them from a nearby open detention facility in February after they refused to leave the country.

Israel's supreme court on April 10 gave the government until Sunday to finalise a deal it said it was working on to deport some of the migrants to another country.

Without a deal, the court said authorities must release those held at Saharonim prison.

"In light of the fact that the negotiations between Israel and a third country are still ongoing and due to a supreme court ruling, the migrants held in Saharonim prison will be freed today," the immigration authority said in a statement earlier Sunday.

Uganda said on Friday it was "positively considering" a proposal from Israel to accept 500 of the mostly Eritrean and Sudanese migrants.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu cancelled an agreement with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, aimed at avoiding forced deportations of thousands of migrants.

The reversal, just hours after he announced the deal himself in a televised address, followed pressure from his right-wing base.

That left the government with its initial plan, announced in January, under which migrants who entered Israel illegally would face a choice between leaving voluntarily or facing indefinite imprisonment with eventual forced expulsion.

As the migrants could face danger or imprisonment if returned to their homelands, Israel had offered to relocate them to an unnamed African country -- either Rwanda or Uganda, according to deportees and aid workers.

Rwanda has since said it could not be part of the arrangement.

The UN refugee agency has strongly criticised the deportation plan and urged Israel to return to the deal, which would have allowed thousands of migrants to remain in the country in return for an equal number being relocated to Western nations.

Some Israelis, including Holocaust survivors who say the country has a special duty to protect migrants, have also opposed the deportation plan.

Of the 42,000 African migrants in Israel, half are children, women or men with families who are not facing immediate deportation, according to interior ministry figures.

Migrants began entering Israel through what was then a porous Egyptian border in 2007. The border has since been strengthened, all but ending illegal crossings.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday announced a $150-million (120 million euro) donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in East Jerusalem.

"Saudi Arabia announces a $150-million grant to support the administration of Jerusalem's Islamic property," the monarch said at the opening of the Arab League summit in the kingdom's eastern city of Dhahran.

"I name this summit in Dhahran the Jerusalem Summit so that the entire world knows Palestine and its people remain at the heart of Arab concerns," he said.

The funding announcement came as the king reiterated criticism of President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and shift the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

The move has sparked deep anger among the Palestinians -- who see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state -- and across the Arab world.

Israel occupied mainly Palestinian east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

Islamic holy sites in the city -- including the revered Al-Aqsa mosque -- are administered by a Jordanian-run trust known as the Waqf.

King Salman also announced a $50 million donation to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

The organisation, which provides aid to more than three million people, faces serious financial difficulties after the US announced it was cutting its funding of the body.

In mid-March, UNRWA said it did not have the necessary funds to continue running until the summer.

UNRWA head Pierre Krahenbuhl recently said the agency was seeking $441 million to continue operating, but that donors had only pledged $100 million.
New Western air strikes in Syria would provoke "chaos" in international relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani

New Western air strikes in Syria would provoke "chaos" in international relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday.

Speaking to Rouhani by telephone the day after US-led strikes on suspected chemical weapons facilities, Putin said "if such actions, carried out in violation of the United Nations Charter, are repeated, that would inevitably provoke chaos in international relations," according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The two leaders "found that this illegal action seriously damaged the prospects of a political settlement in Syria," the statement said.

The United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched strikes against Bashar al-Assad's government a week after an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma, just east of the capital Damascus.

Putin denounced on Saturday "with the utmost firmness" the strikes which he described as "an act of aggression against a sovereign state which is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism".
Home  Just In  Nepal government calls the wealthy to sponsor education of disadvantaged kids

Kathmandu, April 15

The government of Nepal has called its citizens to sponsor school education of at least one child outside their family if they can.

The call apparently tires to support the government bid to make primary education compulsory and free.

Ministry for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel, organising a press conference in Kathmandu today, says the new call is a part of the governments annual student enrolment campaign.

Pokharel adds that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has already enrolled a child from Mugu district of Karnali region. He will also sponsor another child from Siraha district.

If one wishes to sponsor the childs education at a government- or community-run school, they have to spend around Rs 6,000 a year. They, however, also can choose to send the kids to private schools , but it will cost them more.

The sponsor has to pay for the childs stationery, uniform and snacks.
Militant safe havens and cross-border attacks are a major source of tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan

A cross-border gunfight between Afghan and Pakistani security forces on Sunday left at least two people dead, officials from both countries said, amid simmering tensions between the neighbours.

At least one Afghan civilian and two Pakistani security forces were killed in the clash, said Abdul Hanan Zadran, acting police chief for Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost.

The bodies of the two Pakistanis were found on the Afghan side of the border near Pakistan's tribal belt, Zadran told AFP. Three civilians were also wounded, he added.

Khost provincial governor spokesman Talib Mangal confirmed the incident, but said two Afghan civilians and four Pakistani troops were killed.

Two Pakistani security forces were also detained on Afghan soil, he added.

Afghan officials often give conflicting casualty figures.

The Pakistani military said two members of its paramilitary Frontier Corps were "carrying out routine surveillance" along the border when they were "fired upon from Afghanistan".

Two of them died and five others were wounded, it said in a statement, without confirming if the Pakistani security forces also opened fire.

"Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties. Military engagement is under way to defuse situation," read the statement.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes in its Kunar province, causing "massive property damage" -- charges Islamabad vehemently denied.

Kabul has long-accused Islamabad of providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban, which has been waging an insurgency in Afghanistan for more than 16 years.

Islamabad rejects the accusation, countering that Islamist militants targeting Pakistani forces and civilians reside on the Afghan side of the border.

The issue of alleged safe havens remain a major source of tension between the two countries.

str-mam-ga-amj/ds/qan
The United Nations has nearly 13,000 troops and police in Mali

Around 15 militants have been killed in an attack on a United Nations base in northern Mali's historic city of Timbuktu, the French military told AFP on Sunday.

The UN's MINUSMA force said one of its peacekeepers had been killed in Saturday's four-hour rocket, mortar and car bomb attack at international troops' "Super Camp" neighbouring Timbuktu's airport. Seven others were wounded along with two civilians.

France said seven of its soldiers were hurt, lowering an initial toll from Malian authorities who had said a dozen French troops were wounded.

Some of the assailants, who have yet to be identified, came disguised as peacekeepers in order to sow confusion among troops trying to repel the attack.

MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif praised the peacekeepers who "valiantly repulsed in close coordination with the international forces" this "massive and far-reaching attack".

"This attack illustrates once again the cowardice for terrorist groups in the face of which the United Nations and their partners continue to stand opposed with unfailing determination," he said in a statement.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix deplored the assault on Twitter, vowing: "Our determination to support peace in Mali remains unshakeable."

French military spokesman Patrik Steiger said the attackers had "failed in their objective of causing the maximum damage possible".

"Around 15 (attackers) were killed," he added, some of them outside the military camp's outer walls.

"Some attackers managed to enter, including some disguised as peacekeepers," he said, adding that friendly fire was not involved.

Mali's security ministry said Saturday the assailants had tried to detonate two car bombs, one of them a vehicle in the colours of the Malian armed forces and the other carrying the UN logo.

The first exploded while troops managed to immobilise the second, the ministry said.

The French military said there had been three car bombs.

Steiger said allied troops managed to regain control with the help of fighter jets sent from a French base in neighbouring Niger as well as helicopters carrying elite troops.

"By dawn the situation was stable," he said.

Mali's unrest stems from a 2012 Tuareg separatist uprising against the state which was exploited by jihadists in order to take over key cities in the north.

More than a dozen of Timbuktu's holy shrines, built in the 15th and 16th centuries when the city was revered as a centre of Islamic learning, were razed in a campaign against idolatry by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The extremists were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

But vast stretches of the country remain out of the control of Malian, French and UN forces, which are frequent targets of attacks.

The UN's Timbuktu Super Camp, where Saturday's attack took place, was already the scene of an assault last May which killed a Liberian peacekeeper and wounded nine.

In August 2017, armed men launched another assault on the camp, which hosts MINUSMA contingents from numerous countries. Seven security force members and six attackers were killed, according to the UN.
Langkawi attracts hordes of foreign tourists each year to its palm-fringed beaches

Malaysia's veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad will run at an upcoming general election on the holiday island of Langkawi, the opposition announced Sunday, as he seeks to oust the scandal-plagued government.

Mahathir has come out of retirement and joined the opposition alliance to take on his former protege, Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has become embroiled in a massive corruption controversy.

The May 9 poll will be a tough test for Najib's coalition, which has governed Malaysia for six decades.

But 92-year-old Mahathir, the opposition's prime ministerial candidate, is still not expected to beat the party he led for years.

Mahathir Mohamad is still not expected to beat the party he led for years

About 5,000 supporters gathered at a rally late Sunday on Langkawi, which attracts hordes of foreign tourists each year to its palm-fringed beaches, for the announcement of his candidacy.

"Najib came and gave a lot of money to Langkawi people, but these people gave the money to us to fight Najib," he told the cheering crowd.

"He thought cash is king -- but the people of Langkawi know that it is stolen money."

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, a senior figure in opposition coalition Pact of Hope, then formally announced Mahathir would run in Langkawi.

It should be a safe seat for Mahathir -- he helped develop the island into a major tourist destination during his time in office, and is well-liked there.

Billions of dollars were allegedly looted from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, which Najib set up and oversaw, in an audacious scheme of fraud and money laundering. Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing.
Pakistani Christians mourn the death of relatives who were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a church, at a hospital in Quetta on April 15, 2018

Two Christians were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a church in southwestern Pakistan Sunday, officials said, the second such attack on the minority community in the area this month.

Unidentified gunmen on motorbikes opened fire at a group of Christians outside a church in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province.

"Four men on two motorbikes opened indiscriminate fire, killing two people while injuring three others," local police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema told AFP.

The attack happened in the Christian-majority Esa Nagri neighbourhood of Quetta, where hundreds gathered to protest the killings.

"Around 500" protesters blocked a road by placing the bodies of the two victims in the middle, said local official Javed Anwar Shawani.

"We are negotiating with them to make them disperse and bury" the victims, he added.

The shooting comes just weeks after four Christians were shot dead in the city, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Sunday shooting. Islamist militants have claimed past attacks on religious minorities in the area.

In December last year, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a Quetta church, which was packed with worshippers, killing nine people and wounding over a dozen.

Christians make up less than two percent of Muslim-majority Pakistan's 200 million people, and have long faced discrimination and violence.
Starbucks is apologizing for an incident in a Philadelphia store where two black men waiting for a friend without ordering were arrested by police

The CEO of Starbucks has apologized for an incident at one of the mammoth chain's Philadelphia cafes where two black men were arrested while waiting for a friend.

A video of the incident, posted Thursday on Twitter, was viewed millions of times and drew widespread condemnation on social media.

CEO Kevin Johnson, in a statement, expressed the company's "deepest apologies" to the men for what he said was the "reprehensible outcome" of the incident.

Johnson said the company would investigate and "make any necessary changes" to avoid a recurrence. "Starbucks stands firmly against discrimination or racial profiling," he said.

The video posted by a Starbucks client shows several uniformed police officers questioning and then handcuffing the two men, who offer no resistance.

In the foreground, a white client objects to the scene, repeatedly asking an officer, "What'd they do? What'd they do?"

The woman who posted the video, Melissa DePino, tweeted: "The police were called because these men hadn't ordered anything. They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs ... All the other white (people) are wondering why it's never happened to us when we do the same thing."

She said it was a Starbucks employee who called police.

The two men's pro-bono lawyer Lauren Wimmer, interviewed by a CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, said they were waiting for a third man to arrive for a business meeting.

Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross, who is black, said police had received a 911 call from a Starbucks worker who said the men were trespassing, after sitting down and refusing to buy anything. Ross said his men had "politely" asked the two to leave before finally arresting them.

The men were released after Starbucks declined to prosecute them.

Johnson, in his statement, said the store manager never intended for the men to be arrested, adding that he hoped to meet them personally "to offer a face-to-face apology."

The video drew widespread attention. Drummer Questlove of the group Roots tweeted a question: "Waiting in a Starbucks while black is a crime?"
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, seen here at a UN Security Council meeting on Syria on April 14, 2018, says the US will sanction Russian companies that supplied Syria with chemical weapons-related equipment

The United States will impose new sanctions on Russia over an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday.

Haley said the sanctions, to be announced Monday by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, would target companies that supplied Damascus with equipment and other material related to chemical weapons.

"You will see that Russian sanctions will be coming down. Secretary (Steve) Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday, if he hasn't already," Haley said in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation."

"They will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use," she said.

The move follows air strikes by US, French and British forces in retaliation for an alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack on April 7 in Douma, a rebel-held town near Damascus where more than 40 people were killed.

US military officials said the air strikes early Saturday in Syria took out "the heart" of Syria's residual chemical weapons capability.

The strikes sought to avoid contact with Russian forces in the country to support Assad's regime.

But US officials have blamed Russia for failing to rein in its Syrian ally, as the guarantor of a 2013 agreement to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons.

That agreement was brokered by Moscow to avert retaliatory US strikes in the wake of a sarin attack in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus on August 21, 2013 that reportedly killed more than 1,400 civilians.

"I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message and our hope is that they listen to it," Haley said of this week's air strikes.

"With the political and diplomatic actions that we're taking now, we wanted their friends Iran and Russia to know that we meant business and that they were going to be feeling the pain from this as well," she said.
An Iranian couple look at pictures on their smartphone on the "Nature" bridge in the capital Tehran on May 18, 2017

Iran's ministry of education on Sunday banned the use of foreign social media networks in schools, the ILNA news agency reported, amid a push by Tehran to limit the influence of outside online platforms.

Schools must "only use domestic social networks" for their communication, the ministry said in a statement, according to the reformist-linked news agency.

Telegram is the most popular social network in Iran. In 2017, the app claimed it had 40-million monthly users in the Islamic Republic.

Instagram is also very popular, and companies in Iran -- like elsewhere -- often use both platforms to communicate directly with customers.

Less used, Facebook and Twitter are blocked in Iran, but easily accessible using a virtual private network (VPN).

During a wave of protests that hit dozens of Iranian cities over at the start of the year, Iranian authorities temporarily banned Telegram, accusing the app of allowing foreign-based "counter-revolutionary" groups to fuel unrest.

Since then, authorities have sought to develop Iranian social media networks and limit the reliance on foreign-based platforms, which Tehran accuses of hosting sites deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic.

Several Iranian platforms offering services similar to Telegram have emerged in recent months, like the Soroush network, which already claims to have five million subscribers.

According to the official IRNA news agency, Telecommunication Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi recently pledged Iranian networks would offer the same guarantees of confidentiality as foreign platforms.

"No message is read, and no (personal) information is communicated to anyone," he told parliament.

In a statement recently posted to his website, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the government should guarantee the "security and privacy" of people on the internet.

Khamenei called intrusions into online privacy "haram", or prohibited from a religious standpoint.

Iranian media has appeared to encourage people to join the new networks by assuring viewers they will continue to operate even if Telegram is again banned.
Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson said there are currently no plans for further attacks in Syria

British foreign minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said the Syrian war will inevitably continue after unprecedented Western strikes, which were limited to targeting the country's alleged chemical weapons facilities.

Britain and France on Saturday joined the US-led missile strikes, which came a week after a deadly attack on the town of Douma where civilians were hit with chlorine and sarin according to the Western powers.

Despite describing the intervention as "successful", Britain's foreign minister said there were currently no plans for further attacks.

"I'm afraid that is the unhappy corollary of this that if we say we're limiting our action to chemical weapons... then of course it follows that the rest of the Syrian war must proceed as it will," Johnson told BBC television.

British warplanes took part in the strikes, which destroyed sites suspected of hosting chemical weapons development and storage facilities.

The majority of the more than 350,000 victims of the seven-year conflict have been killed by conventional rather than chemical weapons.

But Johnson stressed the "overwhelming purpose" of the mission was a response to a series of chemical attacks in recent years.

"Finally the world has said enough is enough," he said.

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to face a backlash on Monday when she addresses parliament, which will be followed by an emergency debate, with some MPs angry the government joined the US-led mission without first seeking their approval.

May was to tell parliament, "We have acted because it is in our national interest to do so."

Britain sought "to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons."

"... We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised - either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere."

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday newspaper found just 30 percent of people supported May's decision to launch military without lawmakers' approval, with 54 percent opposed.

Britain and its allies have since the strikes renewed diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, circulating a joint draft resolution at the Security Council calling for an investigation into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Negotiations on the proposals are due to start on Monday, a day after a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were due to arrive in Douma.

The team of experts are set to investigate the April 7 attack east of the capital Damascus, which the Syrian government and its Russian ally deny ever took place.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.
Former first lady Barbara Bush is in "failing health," the office of former president George H Bush (L) says

Former US first lady Barbara Bush is in "failing health" after a series of hospitalizations and "has decided not to seek additional medical treatment," her husband's office said in a statement Sunday.

It said that Mrs Bush, after consulting with relatives and doctors, had decided to "focus on comfort care" at the family home in Houston.

"She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving," said the brief statement from the office of former president George H.W. Bush.

The statement provided no details on her condition, but Mrs Bush had been hospitalized for bronchitis treatment in January 2017. She had heart surgery in 2009, and was operated on for an ulcer the year before. She had been treated in the past for the thyroid ailment known as Graves' disease.

"The President's and First Lady's prayers are with all of the Bush Family during this time," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

Barbara Bush has long been considered the rock at the center of one of America's most prominent political families, as the wife of a president, the mother of another, George W. Bush, and the mother also of a former Florida governor and onetime presidential aspirant, Jeb Bush.

She first met her husband-to-be at the age of 16; she was a schoolgirl and he was a student at an elite preparatory school in Massachusetts. They married in 1945 while he was on leave from wartime service as a naval officer. The couple had six children.

As first lady, from 1989 to 1993, she embraced the cause of universal literacy, and founded a foundation for family literacy.

She gained a reputation for toughness, wry humor and straight-speaking. Asked in 2010 about former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin -- who sought the vice presidency in 2008 -- Mrs. Bush told an interviewer, "I sat next to her once, thought she was beautiful, and I think she's very happy in Alaska, and I hope she'll stay there."
President Emmanuel Macron said France's air strikes in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack were not a declaration of war against the Damascus regime

President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that French air strikes in Syria were not a declaration of war against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, adding that Paris had convinced Donald Trump to stay engaged in the conflict "for the long-term".

A day after France joined the United States and Britain in launching unprecedented strikes against regime targets, Macron insisted the intervention was legitimate and urged international powers to now push for a diplomatic solution to the brutal seven-year war.

"We have not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad," the 40-year-old centrist said at the start of a marathon two-hour interview with BFM television to mark almost a year in office.

But he again argued it had been necessary to send a signal that the use of chemical weapons against civilians would not go unpunished.

Saturday's strikes targeted three alleged chemical weapons facilities in response to what the West says was a gas attack on the town of Douma that killed dozens of people.

"What I want you to understand is that we have full international legitimacy in intervening in this case," Macron said.

He said the US, France and Britain targeted "extremely precise sites of chemical weapons use" in an operation that went off "perfectly".

And he further argued that the operation was legitimate despite not being sanctioned by the UN, retorting that under a 2013 UN resolution Syria was supposed to destroy its chemical weapons arsenal.

As for his allies, Macron suggested France played a pivotal role in changing Trump's mind on the need to stay involved in the conflict.

"Ten days ago, President Trump was saying the United States of America had a duty to disengage from Syria," Macron said.

"I assure you, we have convinced him that it is necessary to stay for the long-term," he told veteran journalists Jean-Jacques Bourdin and Edwy Plenel, charged with the two-hour grilling.

President Emmanuel Macron said French air strikes in Syria were not a declaration of war against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, adding that Paris had convinced Donald Trump to stay engaged in the conflict "for the long-term"

And in a reference to Trump's raging on Twitter at Russia over the possibility of strikes, Macron added: "The second thing is that we have also convinced him that he must limit his strikes to chemical weapons, at a time when there was a media furore via tweet, as I'm sure you noticed."

Despite soaring tensions with Russia, Macron stressed the need to "talk to everyone" in pursuing a Syrian settlement, saying his plans to visit Moscow in May remain unchanged.

- 'I hear the anger' -

Like Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May, Macron has faced a domestic backlash for striking Syria without consulting parliament, but he defended the move as well within his constitutional powers.

"This mandate is given democratically to the president by the people in the presidential election," he said.

Expected to focus on domestic politics, the interview was overshadowed by the launch a day earlier of Macron's his first major military intervention as president.

But Bourdin and Plenel made good use of their chance, prompting combative exchanges on the sweeping reforms he has been pursuing over the past year.

Macron acknowledged the anger that his reforms, including a loosening of France's famously rigid labour laws and a shake-up of heavily-indebted rail operator SNCF, have sparked in some sectors of society.

"I hear all this anger," he said, notably in reference to rail workers who have launched three months of rolling strikes.

He said he had promised on the day of his election to "reconcile the country", but said this "couldn't be done overnight".
Home  Just In  Low-cost Thai carrier gets permit to fly to Nepal, Salam Air from Oman awaits approval

Kathmandu, April 15

A low-cost carrier from Thailand, Thai Lion, will start its operations in Nepal from May 16, says the government.

After Thai Airlines, it will be the second carrier from Bangkok and will operate from the Don Mueang International Airport.

Thai Lion has received a permission to operate seven flights every week; however, slot times are yet to be fixed by the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

With this, three airlines including the Nepal Airlines will operate direct flights between Kathmandu and Bangkok.

A total of 30 airlines travel to Nepal from international airports on a regular basis.

Sister airlines of Lion Air, Thai Lion, flies to 22 destinations in the Asia-Pacific and will fly the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

This, however, will not affect any transit flights as it only files around the Asia Pacific however it should be cheaper to travel to Bangkok.

Salam Air from Oman, which commenced international operations from January 2017, has also applied for operating operations; but is yet to receive permission from the Nepal government.

As of now only Oman Air, the national flag carrier of Oman, has flight services between the two countries with 15 flights per week.

Nepal and Oman had revised bilateral air service agreement in 2014 allowing designated carriers of respective countries to operate up to 28 flights a week.
Iraqi protesters in Baghdad burn the US flag as they protest against US strikes in Syria on 15 April, 2018

Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets in several cities on Sunday to protest against US-led strikes on Syria, following a call by influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.

"Stop destroying Syria as you destroyed our country," shouted protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, in reference to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

"No to America, no to the bombardment of Syria," they chanted.

Protestors set light to US flags as they chanted against the military action by the US, France and Britain.

Iraqi protest against military strikes on Syria in the town of Basra on 15 April, 2018

Crowds also took to the streets in the cities of Najaf and Basra, south of Baghdad.

Sadr -- whose militias battled US forces after the 2003 invasion -- joined the protest in Najaf, where he lives.

After withdrawing from Iraq in 2011 after a years-long occupation, US troops returned to the country in 2014 to help fight the Islamic State group.

American military support at the head of an international coalition helped Iraqi forces to roll back the jihadists and eventually declare victory over IS in December.

The Iraqi government warned Saturday that the Western air strikes on Syria were a "very dangerous" development that could fuel a jihadist resurgence in the region.
No caption

Two Christians were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a church in southwestern Pakistan Sunday, officials said, the second such attack on the minority community in the area this month.

The Islamic State group's local franchise claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, the SITE intelligence group said.

"Four men on two motorbikes opened indiscriminate fire" on a group of Christians, "killing two people while injuring three others", local police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema told AFP.

It came just weeks after four Christians were shot dead in the city, an attack also claimed by IS.

Sunday's shooting took place in the Christian-majority Esa Nagri neighbourhood of Quetta, where hundreds gathered to protest the killings.

"Around 500" protesters blocked a road by placing the bodies of the two victims in the middle, said local official Javed Anwar Shawani.

"We are negotiating with them to make them disperse and bury" the victims, he added.

Islamist militants have in the past attacked Christians and other religious minorities in Balochistan.

In December last year, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a Quetta church, which was packed with worshippers, killing nine people and wounding over a dozen.

Christians make up less than two percent of Muslim-majority Pakistan's 200 million people, and have long faced discrimination and violence.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, like these pictured in March 2018, are excused from military service if they are engaged in religious study, but must still report to the army to receive their exemption

Israeli police used stun grenades Sunday to try to calm a violent protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, the latest angry demonstration against the military draft.

A police statement said four officers were slightly injured in scuffles as law enforcement tried to disperse "several hundred ultra-Orthodox extremists" outside an army enlistment office in the holy city.

"Police used stun grenades and water cannon against rioters," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.

Israeli law requires men to serve two years and eight months in the military on reaching the age of 18, while women must serve for two years.

Ultra-Orthodox men are excused from military service if they are engaged in religious study, but must still report to the army to receive their exemption.

Some seminary students have refused even to do that.

There have been protests since the beginning of March, after the arrest of a young ultra-Orthodox man who failed to show up to request an exemption after receiving a call-up notice.

Last month the issue sparked a crisis in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's factious coalition government, with ultra-Orthodox parties threatening to torpedo a crucial budget vote.

The crisis was revolved for with a compromise in which the ultra-Orthodox supported the budget, while Netanyahu promised to give coalition MPs freedom on how to vote on a future bill on draft exemptions.

Hardline ultra-Orthodox youngsters, however, continue to block roads and scuffle with police in Jerusalem and elsewhere, in protests against military service.
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria's visit to the White House follows a scandal that erupted in January 2018 when Trump allegedly branded African nations "shithole countries"

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria will meet Donald Trump in Washington on April 30 to discuss issues including "fighting terrorism" and economic growth, the White House announced Sunday.

"President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to enhance our strategic partnership and advance our shared priorities: promoting economic growth and reforms, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security, and building on Nigeria's role as a democratic leader in the region," the White House said in a statement.

"The relationship of the United States with Nigeria is deep and strong, and Nigeria's economic growth, security, and leadership in Africa will advance our mutual prosperity."

Nigeria, West Africa's largest economy, is among the countries combatting Islamist extremism with help from the United States.

The nation is battling an array of security threats across its territory, from Boko Haram jihadists in the northeast to oil militants in the south.

The announcement of the visit comes one day after the fourth anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls abduction, which saw Boko Haram kidnap 276 girls.

Fifty-seven escaped in the immediate aftermath and four years on, 112 are still being held -- a global symbol of the Islamist insurgency that has devastated the region.

The Nigerian president's White House visit also follows a scandal that erupted in January when Trump allegedly branded African nations "shithole countries."

The reported remark triggered global outrage and forced the US president to pen a letter reaffirming his commitment to the continent.

Nigeria was among the countries included on Trump's ex-secretary of state Rex Tillerson's Africa tour last month -- though the former Texas oilman truncated the trip just before the US president brutally sacked him.

Before returning to Washington, Tillerson had notably promised Nigeria's support ranging from equipment to intelligence to helping secure the swift release of kidnapped schoolgirls.

- 'Baba Go Slow' -

Buhari, a 75-year-old former general and one-time military head of state, announced earlier this month he would seek re-election next year -- a move that laid to rest months of speculation over his health.

Nicknamed "Baba Go Slow" for his lethargic pace in office, Buhari spent months in London last year seeking medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.

If nominated, he faces the Herculean task of convincing Nigerians he is the best candidate to steer the country out of its worst recession in 25 years, after implementing a series of unorthodox policies blamed for worsening the economic crisis.

He was voted into power in 2015 on a platform vowing to crack down on endemic graft and stamp out Boko Haram.

Boko Haram still stages deadly attacks on military and civilian targets despite Buhari's insistence that the group is "technically" defeated.

In February, the Islamists embarrassed the government by driving unopposed into the northeastern town of Dapchi and kidnapping over 100 schoolgirls.

Of the 111 who were kidnapped, 105 were returned by the jihadists following a ceasefire agreement with the government.

burs-mdo/ska
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Hundreds of Syrians gathered at landmark squares in the Syrian capital Saturday, honking their car horns, flashing victory signs and waving Syrian flags in scenes of defiance that followed unprecedented joint airstrikes by the United States, France and Britain.

A few hours earlier, before sunrise, loud explosions jolted Damascus and the sky turned orange as Syrian air defense units fired surface-to-air missiles in response to three waves of military strikes meant to punish President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons.

Associated Press reporters saw smoke rising from east Damascus and what appeared to be a fire light up the sky. From a distance, U.S. missiles hitting suburbs of the capital sounded like thunder. Shortly after the one-hour attack ended, vehicles with loudspeakers roamed the streets of Damascus blaring nationalist songs.

Syrian government supporters chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Syria's presidency tweeted after the airstrikes began.

Immediately after the attack, hundreds of residents began gathering in the landmark Omayyad square of the Syrian capital. Many waved Syrian, Russian and Iranian flags. Some clapped their hands and danced, other drove in convoys, honking their horns in defiance.

"We are your men, Bashar," they shouted.

Syrian state TV broadcast live from the square where a large crowd of civilians mixed with men in uniforms, including an actor, lawmakers and other figures.

"Good morning steadfastness," one broadcaster said.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday night that the three allies had launched military strikes to punish Syrian Assad for alleged chemical weapons use and to prevent him from doing it again. Trump said Washington is prepared to "sustain" pressure on Assad until he ends what the president called a criminal pattern of killing his own people with internationally banned chemical weapons.

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied any use of banned weapons. A fact-finding team of inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog was in Damascus and had been expected to head to the town of Douma on Saturday, scene of the suspected chemical weapons attack that killed more than 40 people.

Syrian TV said three civilians were wounded in one of the U.S.-led strikes on a military base in Homs, although the attack was aborted by derailing the incoming missile. It said another attack with "a number of missiles" targeting a scientific research center destroyed a building and caused other material damage but no human losses. The network says the building in the research center included an educational center and labs.

It said earlier that the attacks targeted a scientific research center in Barzeh, near Damascus, and an army depot near Homs.

Syrian media reported that air defenses had hit 13 incoming rockets south of Damascus. It said the

The attack began at 4 a.m. (0100 GMT) with missiles hitting the eastern suburbs of Damascus, shaking the grounds from a distance. The sky looked orange over eastern Damascus apparently as a result of fires caused by the missiles hitting Syria. Air defense units fired surface-to-air missiles from different directions toward incoming missiles.

At about sunrise, the sound of explosions could be heard just as the loudspeakers from the city's mosques called for morning prayers.

A car with loudspeakers blaring the national song "Oh Syria, You Are My Love" could be heard driving through central Damascus amid the attack.

Syrian TV called the attacks a "blatant violation of international law and shows contempt for international legitimacy."

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said there were no reports of U.S. losses during the initial airstrikes.

"Right now this is a one-time shot," he said but did not rule out further attacks. He said the airstrikes were launched against several sites that helped provide Assad's ability to create chemical weapons.

Britain's defense ministry said that while the effectiveness of the strike is still being analyzed, "initial indications are that the precision of the Storm Shadow weapons and meticulous target planning have resulted in a successful attack."

British Prime Minister Theresa May describes the attack as neither "about intervening in a civil war" nor "about regime change" but a limited and targeted strike that "does not further escalate tensions in the region" and does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.

"We would have preferred an alternative path. But on this occasion there is none," May said.

The decision to strike, after days of deliberations, marked Trump's second order to attack Syria; he authorized a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles to hit a single Syrian airfield in April 2017 in retaliation for Assad's use of sarin gas against civilians.

Trump chastised Syria's two main allies, Russia and Iran, for their roles in supporting "murderous dictators," and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed a 2013 international agreement for Assad to get rid of all of his chemical weapons. He called on Moscow to change course and join the West in seeking a more responsible regime in Damascus.

Russia's U.S. embassy released a statement warning that the airstrikes will "not be left without consequences." It said that "all responsibility" rests with Washington, London and Paris.

The allied operation comes a year after a U.S. missile strike that Trump said was meant to deter Assad from further use of chemical weapons. Since that did not work, a more intense attack would aim to degrade his ability to carry out further such attacks, and would try to do this by hitting Syrian aircraft, military depots and chemical facilities, among other things.

The one-off missile strike in April 2017 targeted the airfield from which the Syrian aircraft had launched their gas attack. But the damage was limited, and a defiant Assad returned to episodic use of chlorine and perhaps other chemicals.

Friday's strikes appear to signal Trump's willingness to draw the United States more deeply into the Syrian conflict. The participation of British and French forces enables Trump to assert a wider international commitment against the use of chemical weapons, but the multi-pronged attack carries the risk of Russian retaliation.

In his nationwide address, Trump stressed that he has no interest in a longtime fight with Syria.

"America does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria under no circumstances," he said. "As other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home."

The U.S. has about 2,000 troops on the ground in Syria as advisers to a makeshift group of anti-Islamic State fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. They are in eastern Syria, far from Damascus. A U.S.-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since September 2014 as part of a largely successful effort to break the IS grip on both Syria and Iraq.

__

Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Zeina Karam in Beirut and Albert Aji in Damascus contributed reporting.

The Damascus sky lights up missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A Syrian girl holds up a Syrian national flag with a picture of President Bashar Assad as government supporters chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in the landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Explosions lit up the skies with anti-aircraft fire, over Damascus, the Syrian capital, as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

FILE - This Sunday, April 8, 2018 file image made from video released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows medical workers treating toddlers following an alleged poison gas attack in the opposition-held town of Douma, near Damascus, Syria. With the Middle East on edge and many fearing inadvertent triggering of regional war, it is easy to forget that two weeks ago Trump shocked advisers in declaring an intention to withdraw troops from Syria. Now, apparently angered by a suspected chemical attack, Trump is threatening imminent military strikes against the Syrian government forces he blames and rattling a saber at Syria's patron Russia. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP, File)

FILE - EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - This Sunday, April. 8, 2018 file image released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows a rescue worker carrying a child following an alleged chemical weapons attack in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus, Syria. With the Middle East on edge and many fearing inadvertent triggering of regional war, it is easy to forget that two weeks ago Trump shocked advisers in declaring an intention to withdraw troops from Syria. Now, apparently angered by a suspected chemical attack, Trump is threatening imminent military strikes against the Syrian government forces he blames and rattling a saber at Syria's patron Russia. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP, File)

FILE - EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - This Sunday, April. 8, 2018 file image released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows victims of an alleged chemical weapons attack collapsed on the floor of a building in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus, Syria. Chemical weapons have killed hundreds of people since the start of Syria's conflict, with the U.N. blaming four attacks on the Syrian government and a fourth on the Islamic State group. A suspected chemical weapons attack occurred over the weekend in the besieged rebel-held town of Douma that was subjected to a resumed government offensive for three days starting Saturday. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP, File)

Missiles streak across the Damascus skyline as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Damascus skies erupt with missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Explosions lit up the skies with anti-aircraft fire, over Damascus, the Syrian capital, as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Damascus skies erupt with anti-aircraft fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows anti-aircraft fire in the sky after U.S.-led airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syrian air defenses responded to the joint strikes by the United States, France and Britain. (SANA via AP)

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows smoke, rising after U.S.-led airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons early Saturday, April 14, 2018. Syrian air defenses responded to the joint strikes by the United States, France and Britain. (SANA via AP)

Syrian government supporters wave Syrian, Iranian and Russian flags as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian soldier wave weapons and dance as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian soldiers hold their weapons as they dance and chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian soldier wave weapons and national flags as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian government supporters wave national flags and chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian soldiers dance as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Syrian government supporters wave Syrian, Iranian and Russian flags as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square in the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Andrea Constand told a jury Friday that Bill Cosby, a man she viewed as a friend and mentor, tricked her into taking a powerful drug and then humiliated her for his own sexual gratification.

Confident and composed, Constand testified that she was visiting the "Cosby Show" star at his suburban Philadelphia mansion when he slipped her three blue pills he called "your friends." She said she thought they were herbal supplements designed to help relieve her stress but they knocked her out. When she awoke, she said, Cosby was violating her.

Constand, 45, gave virtually the same account when she testified at Cosby's first trial. That trial ended with a hung jury, setting the stage for this week's courtroom showdown.

Andrea Constand walks while breaking for lunch during Bill Cosby's sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. Constand, Cosby's chief accuser, took the witness stand Friday. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine, Pool)

Cosby has said he gave Constand the cold medicine Benadryl and she consented to a sexual encounter.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.

Here's a look at some of what Constand told the jury in June 2017 and what she said Friday.

ON THE PILLS HE GAVE HER

First trial: "He opened his hand and he had three blue pills in his hand. ... He said, 'These will help you relax.' ... I said, 'What are they? Are they natural? Are they herbal? And he nodded yes with his head, and he said, 'Put them down. They're your friends. They'll take the edge off.'"

Second trial: "Mr. Cosby reached his hand out and had three blue pills. ... He said, 'These are your friends. They'll help take the edge off.'" Constand asked if she should put them under her tongue, like the herbal remedies they'd discussed. She said Cosby told her, "Put them down. They'll help you relax. They'll take the edge off."

ON THEIR IMPACT

First trial: "After several more minutes of talking, I began to slur my words. ... And I said, 'I see two of you and I'm slurring my words.' And Mr. Cosby stood up. And I stood up because he said, 'You probably need to relax.' And when I stood up, my legs were not strong, and I began to panic a little bit. And Mr. Cosby grabbed - helped me by my arm, and he assisted me over to a couch and said, 'Just relax. Just lay down here. You need to relax.'"

Second trial: Constand said she started feeling woozy, seeing double and having a hard time trying to stand. "My legs just felt really rubbery." She said Cosby reached his arm out and walked her to a sofa. He put a pillow under her head and said, "Just relax there." Constand said she blacked out.

ON HOW SHE FELT AFTER THE ALLEGED ASSAULT

First trial: "I felt really humiliated. And I was really confused because - what I remembered before I went on that couch feeling blurry vision and what I felt. And I just wanted to go home."

Second trial: "I was really humiliated. I was in shock. And I was really confused."

___

For more coverage visit www.apnews.com/tag/CosbyonTrial

Bill Cosby gestures to supporters as he departs his sexual assault trial, Friday, April 13, 2018, at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Andrea Constand, center, chief accuser in the Bill Cosby trial, returns from lunch during the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine, Pool)

Andrea Constand, left, chief accuser in the Bill Cosby trial, hugs a friend after returning from lunch during the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine, Pool)

Andrea Constand, chief accuser in the Bill Cosby trial, hugs a friend after returning from lunch during the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine, Pool)

Andrea Constand, chief accuser in the Bill Cosby trial, hugs a friend after returning from lunch during the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine, Pool)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz says he raised $3.2 million during the first three months of the year - less than half his Democratic opponent's fundraising haul - and now maintains only a small lead in the overall money race.

Cruz's campaign announced Friday that it now has a war chest of nearly $8.2 million.

U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a onetime punk rocker who's giving up his seat in El Paso to challenge Cruz, reported collecting $6.7 million in donations through March. His campaign says it now has more than $8 million in cash on hand.

O'Rourke has raised more than Cruz in past quarters, despite shunning money from outside political groups. Cruz has no such prohibition.

A Democrat hasn't won statewide office in Texas since 1994, the nation's longest such losing streak.
SEATTLE (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department sent another round of letters to the so-called sanctuary cities of Seattle and Oakland and the state of Vermont demanding further proof that they are cooperating with immigration authorities.

The letters sent Thursday warn that the department could use subpoena power to force Seattle and Vermont to provide documents showing whether they are restricting information sharing. The department is seeking a legal opinion from Oakland on whether policies in its police manual violate the federal statute requiring information-sharing with federal immigration authorities.

"When cities and states enact policies that thwart the federal government's ability to enforce federal immigration law, they choose to place the protection of criminal aliens over the safety of their communities," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. "The Justice Department will not tolerate this intentional effort to undermine public safety and the rule of law, and I continue to remind all jurisdictions to reconsider policies that put their residents in harm's way."

The Justice Department has threatened to deny grant money from communities that refuse to share such information.

It's part of the Trump administration's crackdown on cities and states that refuse to help enforce U.S. immigration laws. Officials have sent similar letters seeking proof of cooperation to some two dozen jurisdictions including Chicago, New York, Denver, and Los Angeles in recent months.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan denounced the department's subpoena threat Friday.

"Our city complies with federal immigration law and asks that the Department of Justice and ICE do the same," Durkan said in a statement. "The federal government does not get to run our cities or convert our local law enforcement officials into immigration cops. I implore this administration to focus on real public safety threats, like the opioid crisis, instead of unnecessarily threatening our residents and mayors across the country."

Justin Berton, a spokesman for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, said the city attorney is reviewing the letter.

"We just got the letter and we don't even know what it means yet," he said.

The Justice Department also on Thursday notified the District of Columbia and the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government in Kentucky that there is no evidence that either jurisdiction is currently out of compliance with the federal statute.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Latest on protests by Kentucky teachers (all times local):

7:20 p.m.

The Kentucky House has condemned Republican Gov. Matt Bevin's comments that children were sexually abused while teachers rallied at the state Capitol.

Teachers look on as The Senate votes on bills for increased funding and to changes to their state funded pension system, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

The extraordinary rebuke came on the final day of the legislative session Saturday.

The Republican-led House approved a pair of resolutions Saturday rebuking Bevin. One resolution was filed by Democrats. The other was offered by Republican Rep. John "Bam" Carney.

More than 30 school districts across Kentucky closed Friday so teachers could rally at the state Capitol and ask lawmakers to override Bevin's vetoes of the state budget that included increased classroom spending. Lawmakers overrode Bevin's vetoes and the new spending became law.

Asked about the protests, Bevin said he guaranteed a child who had been left home alone was sexually assaulted because the schools were closed. He also said children likely ingested poison or were introduced to illegal drugs for the first time if they were out of school while teachers rallied in Frankfort.

___

4:05 p.m.

A teacher rebellion in Kentucky is testing the Republican party's grip on the state.

The legislature's rush to make changes to the state's troubled pension system coupled with Gov. Matt Bevin's comments targeting teachers have led to a wave of protests and prompted at least 40 current and former teachers to run for public office this year, most of them Democrats.

The surge of activism is enough to cast doubts on whether Republicans can keep control of the state House of Representatives in the fall and whether Bevin, an ally of the Trump administration, could survive a re-election campaign in 2019.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said he saw no political turmoil and predicted Republicans would still control state government next year.
Home  Just In  Two Indian nationals held with 800 gram gold inside shoes at Kathmandu airport

Kathmandu, April 15

Police recently arrested two Indian nationals in possession of 830 gram gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu.

The suspects have been identified as Rokesh Padigela (20, passport number: R4153074) and Santosh Gad Kundalwar (27, passport number: P6896315). They had landed in Kathmandu from a Fly Dubai flight.

The two were caught during a security check at the departure terminal.

Police say the gold confiscated from them is worth around Rs 14.19 million in the current market.

The suspects have been sent to the TIA Customs Office in Sinamangal for further action.
NEW YORK (AP) - A well-known gay rights lawyer and environmental advocate burned himself to death in New York City on Saturday in a grisly protest against ecological destruction.

The charred remains of 60-year-old David Buckel were found by passers-by in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Police said he was pronounced dead at about 6:30 a.m.

The Daily News reports that Buckel left a suicide note in a shopping cart near his body that said he hoped his death was "honorable" and "might serve others."

The New York Times said it received an emailed copy of the note, which also said, "Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result - my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves."

Buckel was the lead attorney in in a lawsuit involving Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered in Nebraska. Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Teena in the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry."

Buckel also served as marriage project director at Lambda Legal, a national organization that fights for LGBT rights, where he was the strategist behind same-sex marriage cases in New Jersey and Iowa.

Susan Sommer, a former Lambda Legal attorney who is now the general counsel for the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in New York City, told the Times that Buckel "was all about justice, but he was also all about what it means to be human."

Sommer added, "He was a very smart and methodical lawyer. He knew his craft and his trade and was strategic in how to build the blocks toward a sweeping victory."
BOSTON (AP) - David Pastrnak had a hat trick and three assists to help Boston blow out the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second straight game, leading the Bruins to a 7-3 victory Saturday night and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

Pastrnak shattered his previous career high of four points, scoring his third goal with 1:36 left to bring two trash cans full of caps and winter hats fluttering down to the ice. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron each had four assists, and Torey Krug had three.

Tuukka Rask stopped 30 shots for Boston, and David Krejci, Rick Nash, Jake DeBrusk and Kevan Miller also scored.

Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Charlie McAvoy, from left, celebrate after Pastrnak scored against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in Boston Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Two nights after Frederik Andersen allowed five goals in the series opener, he gave up three more on five shots in the first 12:13 before he was replaced by backup Curtis McElhinney. The Bruins added another power-play goal - their second of the night and fifth of the series - to make it 4-0 after one.

Mitch Marner, Tyler Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk scored for the Maple Leafs, who never got closer than three goals down after that. McElhinney stopped 19 of the 23 shots he faced.

The series moves to Toronto for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Thursday. Game 5 would be back in Boston on Saturday, if necessary.

PREDATORS 5, AVALANCHE 4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Ryan Hartman's empty-net goal with 1:09 left wound up the winner as Nashville held off Colorado for a 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference series.

After Hartman gave the Predators a 5-3 lead, Alexander Kerfoot pulled Colorado to 5-4 with 35.8 seconds left. But the Avalanche couldn't get another puck past goalie Pekka Rinne.

The Presidents' Trophy winners started slowly, giving up a goal on Colorado's first shot for a second straight game. Yet the Predators rallied again to take their first 2-0 lead when starting a best-of-seven series in their own building.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, and Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson scored a goal apiece. P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm each had two assists for Nashville, which has won 12 straight over the Avalanche. Rinne made 26 saves. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, and Gabriel Bourque and Gabriel Landeskog each added a goal for Colorado.

Game 3 is Monday night in Denver.

LIGHTNING 5, DEVILS 3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Alex Killorn scored twice during a four-goal second period, helping Tampa Bay beat New Jersey for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference series.

The Lightning scored three times in a 2:47 span in the second period, and the reeling Devils pulled goalie Keith Kinkaid after Killorn's third goal in two games made it 5-1 with 6:48 remaining in the period. Kinkaid, whose stellar play since January helped New Jersey finish strong and claim its first playoff berth since 2012, yielded five goals on 15 shots.

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson also scored for Tampa Bay, which is up 2-0 in the series after going 0-2-1 against the Devils during the regular season.

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 41 shots, limiting the Devils to rookie Nico Hischier's unassisted goal in the opening period, Sami Vatanen's sixth career playoff goal late in the second, Blake Coleman's third-period tally that trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 5-3 with eight minutes left.

Game 3 is Monday night in Newark, New Jersey.

SHARKS 3, DUCKS 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Logan Couture had a goal and an assist, Martin Jones made 28 saves and San Jose excelled on the road again, beating Anaheim to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Marcus Sorensen and Tomas Hertl also scored for the Sharks, who gave another disciplined, organized performance while moving halfway to their first playoff series victory since their Stanley Cup Final run in 2016. The Sharks also are halfway to their first playoff series victory over Anaheim, their longtime downstate rivals.

Hampus Lindholm had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who are leaving Honda Center with an 0-2 series deficit for the third time in their last five playoff series.

Jakob Silfverberg scored in the opening minute and John Gibson stopped 32 shots as Anaheim dropped to 3-6 in its last nine home playoff games overall.

Game 3 is Monday night in San Jose.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan troops clashed with Pakistani forces near the disputed border on Sunday, in fighting that killed two Pakistani paramilitaries and wounded five others, officials said.

Pakistan's military said in a statement that the Frontier Corps was carrying out "routine surveillance" along the border when it was "fired upon from the Afghanistan side." It said the paramilitaries showed "maximum restraint" to avoid civilian casualties, and that "military engagement" is underway to defuse the situation.

Col. Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province, said the fighting broke out after Pakistani forces crossed into Afghanistan.

The two countries are separated by the 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) Durand Line, which was drawn by British rulers in 1896. Afghanistan does not recognize it as an international border and has objected to new fortifications being built by Pakistan.

The two U.S. allies routinely accuse each other of failing to crack down on militants who operate along the porous border.
LONDON (AP) - Martin Sorrell is stepping down as chief executive of WPP, the world's largest advertising agency, following allegations of personal misconduct.

Sorrell, who built WPP into a global brand during his 33 years at the helm, had been accused of misusing company assets. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Sorrell resigned Saturday night as WPP announced that an investigation into the matter had concluded, with the firm saying only that "the allegation did not involve amounts that are material."

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 file photo, Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, visits the New York Stock Exchange in New York. Martin Sorrell is stepping down as chief executive of WPP, the world's largest advertising agency, following allegations of personal misconduct. Sorrell, who led WPP for the past 33 years, had been accused of misuse of company assets. He resigned in the evening of Saturday, April 14, 2018 after the investigation concluded. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

"As I look ahead, I see that the current disruption is simply putting too much unnecessary pressure on the business," Sorrell said in a statement to WPP staff. "That is why I have decided that, in your interest, in the interest of our clients, in the interest of all shareowners both big and small, and in the interest of all our other stakeholders, it is best for me to step aside."

Chairman Roberto Quarta will lead the company until a new chief executive has been chosen.

Sorrell is a titan of British business who was named the world's second-best performing CEO in 2017 by the Harvard Business Review. He took a U.K. manufacturer of wire baskets and built it into a worldwide provider of advertising, public relations and marketing services through a series of takeovers.

The acquisitions included the J. Walter Thompson Group, the Young & Rubicam Group and the Ogilvy Group.

He was richly compensated for his efforts.

Sorrell was the highest-paid CEO among FTSE 100 companies in both 2015 and 2016, according to a study released last year by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the High Pay Centre. He received 70.4 million pounds ($100.3 million) in salary, bonuses, incentive rewards, pension payments and other benefits in 2015, and 48.1 million pounds in 2016, the study found.

"If WPP does well, I do well," he told the Press Association in April 2016. "Most of my wealth, if not all of it, is and has been for the last 31 years tied up in the success of WPP. So if WPP does well, I do well, and others in the company do well. If we do badly, we suffer."
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with a high-ranking Chinese diplomat in Pyongyang, amid a flurry of diplomacy following Kim's recent surprise visit to Beijing.

Song Tao, who heads the ruling Communist Party's International Department, led an art troupe to Pyongyang to attend an arts festival, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

Kim made an unannounced trip to Beijing last month ahead of potentially breakthrough meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump.

In this April 14, 2018, photo provided Sunday, April 15, 2018, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, shakes hands with Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department in North Korea. North Korean leader Kim met the high-ranking Chinese diplomat, amid a flurry of diplomacy following Kim's surprise visit to Beijing. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Kim's trip, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, was considered an attempt to repair traditionally warm ties with China that have deteriorated over North Korea's development of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technology and China's enforcement of United Nations economic sanctions.

Kim said during his meeting with Song on Saturday that he and Xi "reached important consensus" in Beijing, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Song agreed that the two leaders had reached consensus, and said China is willing to work with North Korea to safeguard peace on the Korean Peninsula, Xinhua reported.

Kim is scheduled to meet with Moon on April 27 in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Koreas. He is expected to meet with Trump in May or June.

In this April 14, 2018, photo provided Sunday, April 15, 2018, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, greets the members of Chinese art troupe, as Song Tao, center right, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, looks on in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim has met with Song, a high-ranking Chinese diplomat in Pyongyang, amid a flurry of diplomacy following Kim's recent surprise visit to Beijing. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this April 14, 2018, photo provided Sunday, April 15, 2018, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from left in rear, and Song Tao, second from right, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, watch the performance of North Korean artists during a reception for Chinese art troupe in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean leader Kim met the high-ranking Chinese diplomat, amid a flurry of diplomacy following Kim's surprise visit to Beijing. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this April 14, 2018, photo provided Sunday, April 15, 2018, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, talks with Song Tao, second from left, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, during their meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, amid a flurry of diplomacy following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's surprise visit to Beijing. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Fireworks explode in the sky in a celebration marking the birthday anniversary of the late Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding leader, at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Sunday, April 15, 2018. His birthday, also called the Day of the Sun, is the biggest holiday of the year in North Korea. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

Fireworks explode in the sky in a celebration marking the birthday anniversary of the late Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding leader, at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Sunday, April 15, 2018. His birthday, also called the Day of the Sun, is the biggest holiday of the year in North Korea. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

Fireworks explode in the sky in a celebration marking the birthday anniversary of the late Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding leader, at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Sunday, April 15, 2018. His birthday, also called the Day of the Sun, is the biggest holiday of the year in North Korea. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - The United States and Jordan have launched a 12-day military exercise with scenarios ranging from border security to counter-terrorism and for the first time a simulated chemical incident.

The Eager Lion drill started Sunday, a day after the U.S., France and Britain launched missiles at Syrian military targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus a week ago.

Maj. Gen. Jon Mott, the director of Exercises and Training at the U.S. Central Command, told reporters that a mobile laboratory team will respond to a simulated chemical incident.

He said that it's a "threat all too real, as we've seen recently in Syria."

More than 7,000 troops, including 3,500 U.S. service members, are participating in the annual drill, the U.S. military's largest and most complex in the region.
LIMA, Peru (AP) - Thousands of miles from home, Vice President Mike Pence was thrust into a new, more immediate, role on the world stage Saturday: explaining President Donald Trump's military strike in Syria to a summit of Latin America leaders.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons - tweeting, "Mission Accomplished!" - Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France.

"The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished - with swift professionalism," Pence told reporters, noting there were "no reported civilian casualties."

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a press conference at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

Later, speaking in a cavernous hall of world leaders at the Summit of the Americas, Pence expressed gratitude to Canada, Colombia and other nations that had voiced support for the strike and urged "every nation in this hemisphere of freedom" to support the military action.

Pence's to-do list included smoothing over differences with Mexico, America's southern neighbor, amid unease over Trump's decision to send troops to the border and harsh rhetoric on immigration. And with tensions simmering over trade, Pence expressed hope alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the three nations could soon agree to a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

And while Trump grapples with the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Pence sought to draw a bright line against Vladimir Putin's alliance with Syria following the suspected chemical attack. "Our message to Russia is that you're on the wrong side of history," Pence said.

Trump often improvises his remarks and is known for bold declarations in person and on his Twitter account. Pence, meanwhile, tends to be more scripted in his exchanges and frequently glanced down at highlighted index cards as he spoke to Latin American leaders here.

Shortly before Trump's address to the nation Friday night, Pence was whisked away from the summit in his motorcade so he could return to his hotel to inform congressional leaders of the pending missile strikes. Pence watched Trump's speech from his hotel suite, joined by aides.

Unlike past appearances at international summits, the vice president had to dive into the packed agenda on short notice. He learned only Tuesday that he would be attending in Trump's place so the president could manage the U.S. response to Syria.

In meeting after meeting, Pence offered a low-key, extended hand.

Seeking rapprochement with Mexico, which has been at odds with Trump over the border wall and immigration, Pence said the topic of funding for Trump's long-promised border wall did not come up in his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Pence said they simply had a difference of opinion and some issues were "set aside, for a later date." Left unsaid was whether Pence's overtures might eventually lead to a joint Trump-Pena Nieto meeting, their first.

Seated alongside Trudeau, Pence said there was a "real possibility" the U.S. could reach a deal with Canada and Mexico on NAFTA "within the next several weeks." Trump has long assailed the trade deal's impact on U.S. workers and threatened to pull the U.S. out if he's unhappy with the terms.

The summit also gave Pence an opportunity to press the case for tougher sanctions and more isolation of Venezuela across the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was barred from attending the summit over his plans to hold a presidential election that the opposition is boycotting and that many foreign governments consider a sham.

Pence urged Maduro to accept humanitarian aid as the once-prosperous nation deals with humanitarian and economic crises. But he called on the region to take a harder line on Maduro's government, a message he intends to deliver in Brazil next month.

"The United States believes now is the time to do more, much more," he said.

Pence left Peru on Saturday evening and arrived home in Washington early Sunday.

___

On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a bilateral meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, meets Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, meets Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks during a bilateral meeting with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto at the Americas Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks with Guatemala's Vice President Jafeth Cabrera after the official photo at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks with Guatemala's Vice President Jafeth Cabrera during the official photo at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, meets Peru's President Martin Vizcarra, left, during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attends the plenary session at the Americas Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018.(AP Photo/Juan Pablo Azabache)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, arrives with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the group photo at Americas Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence waves to the press before the official photo at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center, waves along with other heads of state, during the official photo of the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto as they arrive for the group photo at Americas Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto as they arrive for the group photo at Americas Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A federal trial is scheduled to start Monday over claims by six black-owned funeral homes that a Mississippi Gulf Coast coroner illegally discriminates in favor of two white-owned competitors.

The dispute revolves around cases where Harrison County pays for a body to be picked up, stored, autopsied or buried. The case alleges federal civil rights and state law violations by the county coroner against a backdrop of a business that remains starkly segregated by race in the Deep South.

U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett, in pretrial rulings, has indicated the key question will be proving whether longtime Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove made the decisions about where to direct bodies in each instance. That suggests a long slog could be in store for the Gulfport court.

"Plaintiffs' burden is to prove that Hargrove discriminated when it fell to him to choose which funeral home to send a body," Starrett wrote. "Part of that requires proof that Hargrove made the decision."

Evidence shows the white funeral homes got 93 percent of the total business from 2012 to 2016, while black funeral homes got 7 percent. That includes burials of indigents, autopsy cases and bodies released by the coroner. Plaintiffs have argued that Hargrove used public money to maintain racial segregation and that each funeral home should have gotten one-eighth of the business. But they say the real monetary losses are in funerals the black-owned funeral homes didn't conduct, arguing that family members usually let a funeral home that received a body conduct services. The six black funeral homes say they're owed $870,000 in lost profits from 2012 to 2016. The expert who prepared that estimate had originally put the black funeral homes' losses at $6.4 million.

Starrett already threw a monkey wrench into the plaintiffs' case by disallowing their plan for a lawyer to testify about a summary of 5,281 coroners' files. The plaintiffs then scrambled to have paralegals prepare charts summarizing data, and Starrett has said he will allow most of those to be presented to a jury.

Plaintiffs argue there's still plenty of evidence that Hargrove discriminated against them when directing who would get county-controlled business. One black funeral home owner has testified that Hargrove once told her that "white bodies go to the white funeral homes and black bodies go to the black funeral home."

But Hargrove and Harrison County, which would have to pay damages, argue that in many cases, someone else chose. They say the deceased, their relatives and friends had made choices along racial lines, citing multiple indigent and autopsy files that show someone else besides Hargrove decided which funeral home should handle a body. When it comes to releasing bodies, Harrison County Board of Supervisors attorney Tim Holleman wrote that "in the vast majority of all of these files there is someone present who has priority over the coroner to make the decision as to which funeral home would handle the funeral services for their loved one."

The county and Hargrove also say that a now-deceased pathologist whom Hargrove didn't control did all his autopsies at white-owned funeral homes.

Starrett has also said the county can present evidence of racially divided funeral home choices from Harrison County deaths in which Hargrove didn't officiate, as well as from other Mississippi counties.

___

Follow Jeff Amy at: http://twitter.com/jeffamy . Read his work at https://www.apnews.com/search/Jeff_Amy .
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Starbucks sells itself as a community gathering spot as much as a coffeehouse, a welcoming place with comfortable chairs for lingering, trendy music and Wi-Fi. That's one reason the arrest of two black men who were sitting in a Starbucks struck a nerve for so many: They were doing exactly what people do at most any of the chain's 28,000 stores worldwide.

The CEO of Starbucks Co., Kevin Johnson, called the arrests a "reprehensible outcome" and said he wants to personally apologize to the men, saying the company "stands firmly against discrimination or racial profiling." But that didn't stop protesters from gathering Sunday outside the store in downtown Philadelphia where the arrests occurred.

As people ordered coffee inside, the Rev. Jeffrey Jordan led a crowd of a couple dozen in chants of "I am somebody, and I demand equality now."

Protesters gather outside a Starbucks in Philadelphia, Sunday, April 15, 2018, where two black men were arrested Thursday after Starbucks employees called police to say the men were trespassing. The arrest prompted accusations of racism on social media. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson posted a lengthy statement Saturday night, calling the situation "disheartening" and that it led to a "reprehensible" outcome. (AP Photo/Ron Todt)

"It is a shame that (in) the year 2018 we're still putting up with this mess," said Jordan. "This country was built on the backs of black and brown people and now Starbucks is going to treat us like we're second-class."

In Washington, D.C., Gregory Wilkins usually visits one of three neighborhood Starbucks for about 45 minutes before work to read the paper with his coffee or smoke a cigarette at the outside tables. Wilkins, who is black, said he'd consider going elsewhere if something like the incident in Philadelphia occurred again.

"If nothing is done about what happened, then yeah," Wilkins, 56, said as he went into a Starbucks.

The arrests, which occurred Thursday, were captured on video that quickly gained traction on social media.

Video shows several police talking quietly with two black men seated at a table. After a few minutes, officers handcuff the men and lead them outside as other customers say they weren't doing anything wrong; Philadelphia-area media reported the two had been waiting for a friend.

Officers went to the store after Starbucks employees called 911 to report the men were trespassing, said Police Commissioner Richard Ross. He said officers were told the men had come in and asked to use the restroom but were denied because they hadn't bought anything. He said they then refused to leave.

Johnson's statement didn't address exactly what led to the police call, but a Starbucks spokeswoman said the store where the arrests occurred has a policy that restrooms are for paying customers only. In the video, no Starbucks items are visible in front of either of the men.

Robert Passikoff, the president of a New York-based consulting firm that researches brand loyalty, said companies like Starbucks are in a tough spot as they attempt to operate both as both community centers and places where people are expected to make a purchase.

"Companies have gone out of their way to establish the kind of emotional bonds and product delivery that they think is going to build engagement and loyalty and, ultimately, profits," said Passikoff, of Brand Keys Inc. "But today the consumer decides what is right. They have become magnets for social experiences, in the broad sense of 'social,' but not in the sense that 'Oh, I need to buy something.'"

Johnson said the company's practices and training led to a "bad outcome," and the reason for the call that brought police into the shop was incorrect.

"Our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested and this should never have escalated as it did," said his statement. Johnson said videos of the arrest were "very hard to watch," and the company was investigating.

Johnson said the company would further train workers on when to call police and host a company-wide meeting to "underscore our long-standing commitment to treating one another with respect and dignity."

Police haven't released the names of the men who were arrested. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said the two were released "because of lack of evidence" that a crime had been committed, but declined further comment, citing a police investigation.

At the protest, Wendy Mial vowed to never enter another Starbucks. Mial, 53, said she was "devastated" by the arrests and urged the small crowd not to the "choose the wrong enemy."

"The enemy, in some ways, is ourselves," she said. "Look how few people are here today. Who's not outraged about this?"

___

Reeves reported from Birmingham, Alabama. Associated Press writer Chris Rugaber in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
NEW DELHI (AP) - Thousands of people protested across India on Sunday to seek an end to sexual violence against women, which has been on the rise in the country.

Carrying banners and placards, protesters marched in New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities, demanding that India's government quickly prosecute rape suspects. Candlelight vigils were also held in some places.

The outrage was triggered by the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir and the abduction and rape of a teenage girl in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Indian women shout slogans during a protest gathering organised by a non governmental organization to condemn violence against women in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Violent crimes against women have been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. Placard in Hindi reads, ''We will protest- We will demand accountability", center top and " Enough, we will now not tolerate violent men", bottom, right. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Many protesters expressed particular anger at India's ruling Hindu nationalist party for initially siding with the accused in the Kashmir case. The young victim was a Muslim and the accused are Hindus.

A total of at least nine suspects, including a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and four police officials, have been arrested in the two cases.

Violent crime against women has been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. In 2012, the fatal gang rape of a young woman in New Delhi triggered massive protests by hundreds of thousands to demand stricter rape laws in the country.

The outrage over the New Delhi attack spurred quick action on legislation doubling prison terms for rapists to 20 years and criminalizing voyeurism, stalking and the trafficking of women. Indian lawmakers also voted to lower to 16 from 18 the age at which a person can be tried as an adult for heinous crimes.

Lawyers participate in a candle light procession in protest against the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl, in Jammu, India, Saturday, April 14, 2018. The girl was grazing her family's ponies in the forests of the Himalayan foothills when she was kidnapped and her mutilated body found in the woods a week later. Thousands of members of a radical Hindu group with links to the ruling party have marched to demand the release of six men accused in the repeated rape and murder of the Muslim girl inside a Hindu temple. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Lawyers participate in a protest against the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl, in Jammu, India, Saturday, April 14, 2018. The girl was grazing her family's ponies in the forests of the Himalayan foothills when she was kidnapped and her mutilated body found in the woods a week later. Thousands of members of a radical Hindu group with links to the ruling party have marched to demand the release of six men accused in the repeated rape and murder of the Muslim girl inside a Hindu temple. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will be visiting Harvard University to talk about solutions to the nation's opioid crisis.

Christie is scheduled to appear Tuesday with former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie for a panel titled "Policies to Address the Opioid Crisis."

The former Republican governor made addiction services a priority in his final year in office. He left earlier this year after eight years at the helm.

Christie is also chairman of President Donald Trump's commission on opioids. He was chosen for the role last year.

Gillespie crafted a plan to fight opioids in Virginia as a candidate to be the state's governor last year. He was defeated in November by Democrat Ralph Northam.

The panel is being hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics.
DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi Arabia used its perch as host of an annual gathering of Arab leaders on Sunday to push for a unified stance against rival Iran as the regional powerhouses vie for the upper hand in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Saudi King Salman told leaders from across the 22-member Arab League that Iran was to blame for instability and meddling in the region. He said Yemeni rebel Houthis, backed by Iran, had fired 116 missiles at the kingdom since Saudi Arabia went to war in Yemen three years ago to try and roll back Houthi gains there.

The summit took place in the oil-rich eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, a location that may have been selected by the kingdom to avoid cross-border Houthi missile strikes that have targeted the capital, Riyadh, and southern border cities.

Billboards with photos of Saudi King Salman and Arabic that reads, "welcome" line the road to the convention center where Arab leaders are meeting for an Arab summit meeting in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, April 15, 2018. The summit opened in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran as tensions with Iran and wars in Syria and Yemen threaten stability across the region. Salman told leaders from across the 22-member Arab League that Iran was to blame for instability and meddling in the region. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

While locked in proxy conflicts in Yemen and Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran also back opposing groups in Lebanon, Bahrain and Iraq.

The summit this year takes place after the U.S., Britain and France launched dozens of strikes early Saturday at sites they said were linked to Syrian chemical weapons program. President Bashar Assad and his close ally, Russia, have denied government forces ever used such weapons.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said Assad's government and "international players trying to achieve their own strategic political goals" bear responsibility for the crisis there.

"Regional interference in Arab affairs has reached an unprecedented degree. And first of these is the Iranian interference, the aim of which is not for the well-being of the Arabs or their interests," he said.

The Saudi monarch made no reference to Syria in his remarks before Arab leaders amid divisions within the region-wide body over support for the U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria. The kingdom, as well as Bahrain and Qatar, have issued statements backing Saturday's strikes on military targets in Syria. More wary of the widening conflict are countries like Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon.

A final statement by the 22-member states refrained from supporting or criticizing those strikes. The league said it condemns the use of chemical weapons, but did not lay direct blame on any one party.

Assad was not invited to the summit, though most heads of state from across the Middle East and North Africa attended the Arab League meeting, including Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

At the start of the summit, Aboul-Gheit lamented a lack of consensus among Arab states on regional security.

"The crises burning in some corners of the Arab world today... cast a shadow over the safety and security over the entire region," Aboul-Gheit said. "These take a toll on the national security of all of us."

Instead, Arab heads of state stressed unity and unwavering support for Palestinians. King Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia's rejection of the U.S. decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Despite the monarch's stern words of condemnation, Saudi Arabia has strengthened ties with Washington under the Trump administration.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir defended those ties, saying "there is no contradiction" with having very strong strategic ties with the U.S. while advising against certain policies.

"The fact that we have very strong ties with the U.S. over history, and the Trump administration in particular, is a positive factor, not a negative factor in trying to help guide them towards a positive engagement in the Middle East," al-Jubeir told reporters after the summit.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, announced at the summit a $150 million donation to the religious administration that oversees Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque- one of Islam's holiest sites. The kingdom announced another $50 million for programs run by the U.N. relief agency for Palestinians after the U.S. slashed its aid.

The strongest criticism of the Trump administration came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The decisions have made the United States a party to the conflict and not a neutral mediator," Abbas said at the summit.

Saudi tensions with neighboring Qatar were on display at the summit. Qatar's emir was not in attendance, instead dispatching his country's Arab League representative to the meeting. While the Qatari flag was erected alongside other member-state flags on the streets of Dhahran, the country's representative did not appear in a group photo of the top delegates in attendance.

Tensions erupted nearly a year ago when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and imposed a de facto blockade on the small Gulf state. The four accuse Qatar of sponsoring terrorism because of its support for Islamist opposition groups in the region and its warm relations with Iran. Qatar denies the allegations and says the moves attempt to undermine its sovereignty.

The standoff with Qatar, however, did not feature in summit deliberations.

___

Associated Press writer Maggie Hyde in Beirut contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former FBI Director James Comey says he thinks it's possible the Russians have compromising information on President Donald Trump, that there is "some evidence of obstruction of justice" in the president's actions and that Trump is "morally unfit" for office.

Comey's comments in an ABC News interview that aired Sunday were almost certain to escalate his war of words with the president and further erode a relationship marked by open hostility and name-calling. Hours before the interview aired, the president, who fired Comey last year, unleashed a Twitter outburst that labeled Comey "slippery," suggested he should be put in jail and branded him "the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!"

Comey's televised remarks, coupled with the release of his forthcoming book, offer his version of events surrounding his firing and the investigations into Russian election meddling and Hillary Clinton's email practices. Several of the episodes he describes in detail, including a private conversation about former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn, are central to special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and his recollections are presumably valuable for prosecutors examining whether the president's actions constitute obstruction of justice.

In this image released by ABC News, former FBI director James Comey appears at an interview with George Stephanopoulos that will air during a primetime "20/20" special on Sunday, April 15, 2018 on the ABC Television Network. Comey's book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," will be released on Tuesday. (Ralph Alswang/ABC via AP)

The FBI director, who until his firing last May led an investigation into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, acknowledged that it was "stunning" to think Russia could have damaging information on an American president. But he said in Trump's case, he could not discount the possibility that the president had been compromised.

"These are more words I never thought I'd utter about a president of the United States, but it's possible," Comey told ABC News' chief anchor George Stephanopoulos.

He also answered "possibly" when asked if the president was attempting to obstruct justice when he cleared the Oval Office of other officials last February before encouraging him to close the investigation into Flynn, who by that point was suspected of lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts. The retired general pleaded guilty last December and is now cooperating with Mueller's investigation.

Comey also said he believed that Trump was "morally unfit" to be president and that he treated women like "pieces of meat."

"A person who sees moral equivalence in Charlottesville, who talks about and treats women like they're pieces of meat, who lies constantly about matters big and small and insists the American people believe it - that person's not fit to be president of the United States, on moral grounds," Comey said.

Trump on Sunday rejected Comey's assertion that the president had sought his loyalty at a January 2017 dinner, saying "I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies." He also suggested Comey should be imprisoned, saying, "how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail)." There is no indication Comey is under investigation for doing either.

Asked if the president wanted the Justice Department to investigate Comey, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that she was not aware of a specific request. But, she said, "if they feel there was any wrongdoing, they should certainly look into that just as they do on a number of other topics."

The president's attacks on Comey began even before the interview aired.

He seized on an excerpt shown Saturday in which Comey said his belief that Clinton would beat Trump in the 2016 presidential race was probably a factor in his decision to disclose, just days before the election, a renewed investigation into her emails. Comey, Trump tweeted, "was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!"

That argument was startling given that Comey's handling of the email investigation, including his disclosure shortly before the election that the FBI had reopened its probe, enraged Democrats. After Clinton's loss, many Democrats blamed Comey, and Clinton herself has said it hurt her election prospects.

Comey again defended his actions, saying he made what he thought was the best decision at the time.

He said he did not remember "consciously thinking" about the election results as he decided to disclose that the FBI had reopened its investigation into candidate Clinton's email use. But, he acknowledged, "I was operating in a world where Hillary Clinton was going to beat Donald Trump, and so I'm sure that it was a factor."

"I don't remember spelling it out," he added, "but it had to have been that she's going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she'll be illegitimate the moment she's elected, the moment this comes out."

Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch pushed back against Comey's criticism in the book that, early in the Clinton email inquiry, she had instructed him to refer to it as a "matter" rather than an "investigation." In a statement Sunday, Lynch said she was simply following longstanding Justice Department protocol against confirming or denying the existence of an investigation.

Trump's firing of Comey set off a scramble at the Justice Department that led to the appointment of Mueller as special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation. Mueller's probe has expanded to include whether Trump obstructed justice by firing Comey. So far, 19 people - including Flynn and Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort -have been charged in the investigation. Flynn and two of the president's campaign aides, Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos, have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with Mueller.

Asked whether he believed Trump ought to be impeached, Comey said that was a political and legal question.

"I hope not because I think impeaching and removing Donald Trump from office would let the American people off the hook and have something happen indirectly that I believe they're duty bound to do directly," he said. "People in this country need to stand up and go to the voting booth and vote their values."

He added: "But you cannot have, as president of the United States, someone who does not reflect the values that I believe Republicans treasure and Democrats treasure and Independents treasure. That is the core of this country. That's our foundation. And so impeachment, in a way, would short circuit that."

In this image released by ABC News, correspondent George Stephanopoulos, left, appears with former FBI director James Comey for a taped interview that will air during a primetime "20/20" special on Sunday, April 15, 2018 on the ABC Television Network. Comey's book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," will be released on Tuesday. (Ralph Alswang/ABC via AP)

FILE - In this May 3, 2017, file photo, then-FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Comey is blasting President Donald Trump as unethical and "untethered to truth" and his leadership of the country as "ego driven and about personal loyalty." Comey's comments come in a new book in which he casts Trump as a mafia boss-like figure who sought to blur the line between law enforcement and politics and tried to pressure him regarding the investigation into Russian election interference. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
An attorney for President Donald Trump has told a federal judge that prosecutors should not get to study evidence seized from his personal lawyer until he has a chance to review the material and identify items that might be subject to attorney-client privilege.

Attorney Joanna Hendon filed papers late Sunday asking a federal judge to block prosecutors from studying the material until Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen and the president have both had a chance to review it.

'Fairness and justice - as well as the appearance of fairness and justice - require that, before they are turned over to the Investigative Team, the seized materials relating to the President must be reviewed by the only person who is truly motivated to ensure that the privilege is properly invoked and applied: the privilege-holder himself, the President,' Hendon wrote.

An attorney for Donald Trump has told a judge that prosecutors should not get to study evidence seized from his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, until the president has a chance to review the material

Trump said on Sunday that all lawyers are now 'deflated and concerned' by the FBI raid on Cohen, who is under criminal investigation for personal business dealings.

'Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past,' he tweeted. 'I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!'

The raid carried out last Monday at Cohen's apartment, hotel room, office and safety deposit box sought bank records, records on Cohen's dealing in the taxi industry, Cohen's communications with the Trump campaign and information on payments he made in 2016 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and to porn actress Stormy Daniels, people familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press.

The raid carried out last Monday sought bank records on Cohen's communications with the Trump campaign and information on a payment he made to porn star Stormy Daniels

On Friday, lawyers for Cohen appeared in federal court in New York asking that they, not the Department of Justice, be given a first crack at reviewing the seized evidence to see if it was relevant to the investigation or could be forwarded to criminal investigators without jeopardizing attorney-client privilege.

Prosecutors want a different system, in which a special team of Justice Department lawyers not directly involved in the probe would review the material and determine what was off-limits to investigators because of attorney-client privilege.

Hendon proposed yet another level of protections, in which Cohen's lawyers, after finishing their initial review, then be required to 'identify to the president all seized materials that relate to him in any way and provide a copy of those materials to him and his counsel.'

Trump, or his lawyers, would then get to say what he believed to be off-limits to investigators.

Federal prosecutors revealed Friday said the criminal investigation had been going on for months.

They declined to say publicly what laws they believed Cohen had broken, but said the probe had to do with her personal business dealings.

Prosecutors contend that Cohen was 'performing little to no legal work' for Trump.

They acknowledged that the investigation was referred by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, but was being conducted by the US attorney's office in Manhattan.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders demurred when asked Sunday on ABC's 'This Week' if Trump was worried that Cohen might agree to work with prosecutors, if charged, to reduce his own punishment.

Trump said on Sunday that all lawyers are now 'deflated and concerned' by the FBI raid on Cohen, who is under criminal investigation for personal business dealings

'Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past,' he tweeted (pictured)

'Look, the president is very confident in the fact that he has done nothing wrong and he can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but he's very confident in what he has and hasn't done,' Sanders said. 'And he's going to continue focusing and fighting for the American people.'

Cohen, who didn't attend Friday's hearing, was ordered to appear in federal court Monday to help answer questions about his law practice. He has denied wrongdoing.

Both McDougal and Daniels say they had affairs with a married Trump, which the president has denied.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Sunday that his client will attend Monday's hearing. In a tweet, he also responded to Trump's comment about how 'all lawyers' are feeling after the Cohen raid.

'To be clear - I am not 'deflated and concerned.' I am 'elated and hopeful,' Avenatti wrote.

'The events of the last week reinstill the belief that NOBODY is above the law and the attorney-client privilege cannot be used by those in power to hide criminal conduct.'
SAO PAULO (AP) - Even imprisonment hasn't knocked former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva out of the lead in Brazil's presidential race.

A poll released Sunday by the Datafolha institute shows the center-leftist with a 2-1 advantage over his nearest rival under one election scenario.

It's the first survey of Brazilians since da Silva's April 7 jailing on corruption and money laundering charges. He is appealing the conviction, but it could lead electoral courts to rule him ineligible for the ballot.

FILE - In this April 7, 2018 file photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva waves to supporters from a window of the Metal Workers Union headquarters in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, before he was later jailed for corruption on the same day. Imprisonment has not knocked the former president out of the lead in Brazil's upcoming presidential race. He also leads in all proposed runoff combinations. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine, File)

At least 30 percent of those polled say they back da Silva to return to the office he held from 2003 to 2010. And if he cannot run, two-thirds of his potential supporters said they would vote for whoever he endorses.

In a race among 16 potential candidates, the poll showed Da Silva topped conservative lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro 30-15 percent, with Marina Silva running third.

In another possible combination of candidates, da Silva topped Bolsonaro 31-17 percent.

Da Silva's ratings dipped slightly from a January Datafolha poll when he was backed by 34 to 37 percent. But it's not clear if that was due to his legal problems to or a different combination of rivals. Several contenders listed in that poll have dropped out or been added, making a direct comparison impossible.

Da Silva's Workers' Party has pledged to register him on the Aug.15 deadline, but current electoral law bars his candidacy.

In scenarios without the left-leaning leader, Bolsonaro and former Environment Minister Silva are roughly even, with about 17 to 15 points.

On Friday, Bolsonaro was charged with racism by Brazil's attorney general, but the poll was completed before the news broke.

The biggest mover in the new poll is former Justice Joaquim Barbosa, the first black member of the country's top court. The poll showed him with a least 8 percent backing.

President Michel Temer, who says he is considering a run, never topped 2 percent support in any scenario. His former Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles, seen as a favorite of businessmen, was backed by 1 percent.

Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, said the new poll shows da Silva remains powerful, and even if he is barred from running, he could be a kingmaker from jail.

The poll also found that 54 percent of Brazilians consider Da Silva's arrest to be fair, while 40 percent disagree. Six percent did not respond.

Silva was sentenced to 12 years and one month in prison, allegedly for accepting the promise of a beachfront apartment a kickback from construction company OAS.

A former CEO of the company testified under a plea bargain that the apartment was reserved for the former president, but da Silva says he never owned it or lived there and made one only visit to consider a business opportunity that didn't materialize.

Da Silva still faces seven other graft trials.

Datafolha interviewed 4.194 people between Wednesday and Friday. The margin of error is 2 percentage points.
GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - A red tide is heading for thousands of acres of oyster beds in New Jersey's Delaware Bay.

But unlike the harmful algae blooms of the same name, this red tide is likely to bring good news for the shellfish: It's a dye designed to check if pollution levels have decreased enough to reopen the oyster beds for harvesting and human consumption.

Over the last few days, New Jersey and federal environmental officials dumped red dye into a creek that empties into the northern Delaware Bay. The creek is a known source of bacterial pollution from numerous sources, including birds and animals, and the idea was to see if the water is now clean enough to reopen thousands of acres of nearby oyster beds that have been off-limits for years due to contamination.

In this April 11, 2018 photo scientists release red dye into a creek leading into Delaware Bay in Greenwich Township, N.J. They aimed to track water flows in a creek that has been a known source of bacterial pollution in the bay. The idea is to see if pollution has abated enough to reopen thousands of acres of oyster beds that have been off-limits for human consumption due to contamination. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

Bob Schuster, bureau chief of marine water monitoring with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said water entering the bay from the Delaware River has improved in quality due to numerous water treatment facility upgrades and pollution control projects in recent years.

The dye is a stand-in for pollution sources: If little or no dye makes it to the oyster beds, that means the shellfish are not experiencing as much pollution as they once were, and could be safe for consumption. Data from the testing will be collected and analyzed over the next few weeks.

"We're really optimistic about this," Schuster said. "We're looking to see how far it goes, and in what concentrations. That will help us re-draw the lines, so we can know which areas to open up. We feel we can get a big portion of that area upgraded."

The stakes are high. Shellfish constitute an $800 million a year industry in New Jersey, one that is primed for growth. There are 720,000 acres of shellfish beds statewide, 78 percent of which are approved for harvesting, Schuster said. The testing could lead to the reopening of as much as 80 percent of a 5,000-acre tract of oyster beds.

"That is great news," said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal conservation group. "We're always happy to see improvements in water quality, and particularly happy to see more oysters made available to the watermen whose livelihoods depend on them. Oysters are a keystone species; they filter water, help improve the water quality of the bay and create jobs for people and communities along the bay shore."

A single oyster can filter 50 gallons (189 liters) of water a day, making them ideal natural allies in the fight to clean up polluted waterways.

Scientists with the DEP and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a non-toxic red dye into Stow Creek, which flows into the northern bay, not far from the Salem nuclear power plant. The dye flowed out into the bay, where boats trailing tracking devices called fluorimeters measured the dye in concentrations that were too small for the naked eye to see.

Meredith Comi, oyster restoration director with the NY/NJ Baykeeper group, said the dye testing is a good way to assess current pollution levels, "It's a common way of looking at how particles are distributed in the water. I think it's great that they are looking to see if water quality is improving and I find it encouraging."

After the data is analyzed, the DEP will decide which, if any, additional shellfish beds can be reopened. Then the regulatory process of implementing that decision begins, which can take several months.

Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC

In this April 11, 2018 photo, Bob Schuster, a scientist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, discusses the release by environmental authorities of red dye into a creek leading into Delaware Bay in Greenwich Township, N.J. They aimed to track water flows in a creek that has been a known source of bacterial pollution in the bay. The idea is to see if pollution has abated enough to reopen thousands of acres of oyster beds that have been off-limits for human consumption due to contamination. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

In this April 11, 2018 photo scientists release red dye into a creek leading into Delaware Bay in Greenwich Township, N.J. They aimed to track water flows in a creek that has been a known source of bacterial pollution in the bay. The idea is to see if pollution has abated enough to reopen thousands of acres of oyster beds that have been off-limits for human consumption due to contamination. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

In this April 11, 2018 photo, scientists release red dye into a creek leading into Delaware Bay in Greenwich Township, N.J. They aimed to track water flows in a creek that has been a known source of bacterial pollution in the bay. The idea is to see if pollution has abated enough to reopen thousands of acres of oyster beds that have been off-limits for human consumption due to contamination. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
NEW YORK (AP) - Columbia University is moving ahead with the second round of a scholarship program for displaced Syrian students.

That's despite President Donald Trump's travel ban that currently bars visas, including student visas, for Syrian nationals to enter the United States, with only limited possibility for case-by-case exceptions.

The legality of that travel ban for Syria and a group of other nations is scheduled to be the subject of arguments before the Supreme Court at the end of April.

In this April 2, 2018 photo, Qutaiba Idlbi poses for a picture at Columbia University in New York where he is a sophomore. A scholarship program that Columbia created to support Syrians who, like Idlbi, were displaced by war, could be jeopardized by the travel restrictions that President Trump has imposed on citizens of that country. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The timing for a ruling to be handed down is uncertain.

Columbia is among several dozen higher-education institutions around the country that in recent years have been trying to do what they can to help Syrians caught in a struggle that has displaced and made refugees out of millions.

In this April 2, 2018 photo, Qutaiba Idlbi poses for a picture at Columbia University in New York where he is a sophomore. A scholarship program that Columbia created to support Syrians who, like Idlbi, were displaced by war, could be jeopardized by the travel restrictions that President Trump has imposed on citizens of that country. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) - Tens of thousands have taken to Slovak streets for anti-government protests amid a political crisis triggered by the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee.

Those who protested on Sunday in Bratislava and the eastern town of Humenne are demanding an independent investigation into the Feb. 21 shooting deaths of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova.

Prime Minister Robert Fico's three-party coalition stepped down after large street protests sparked by the deaths. Kuciak was investigating possible widespread government corruption. A newly appointed Cabinet comprises the same three parties that made up Fico's government.

FILE- In this Friday, March 9, 2018, file picture a woman places a sticker on a poster with a photo of slain journalist Jan Kuciak during an anti-government rally in Bratislava, Slovakia. Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets again on Sunday, April 15, 2018, in the continuing anti-government protests amid a political crisis triggered by the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee with protesters demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the Feb. 21 shooting deaths and the dismissal of the national police chief, Tibor Gaspar, and Dusan Kovacik, a prosecutor who heads an special office dealing with corruption.(AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File)

Many think the changes have not gone far enough.

In particular, the demonstrators are calling for the dismissal of the national police chief, Tibor Gaspar, and Dusan Kovacik, the chairman of a special prosecution dealing with corruption.
PARIS (AP) - The French army says a deadly extremist attack on a U.N. military camp in northern Mali was "particularly sophisticated and underhanded."

Officials have said the attack on a camp for the U.N. mission known as MINUSMA in Timbuktu on Saturday left one peacekeeper dead and a number of wounded.

The French army said in a statement Sunday that seven soldiers from the French military operation known as Barkhane were among the injured and that 15 attackers were killed in a counterattack.

The statement said some of the jihadists wore peacekeepers' uniforms and explosive belts and used vehicles covered up with U.N. and Malian army codes. Three car bombs were exploded, it said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though a number of extremist groups are active in the region.
If a man abuses his co-workers and apologizes, should he be forgiven? What about a man who sexually assaults a stranger asleep in bed? Is redemption possible?

Last week, Tom Ashbrook, who was fired as host of the popular National Public Radio program "On Point," asked in a column in The Boston Globe if there was a way back after being fired in February for creating an "abusive work environment." Investigators for his employer, Boston radio station WBUR, cleared him of sexual misconduct allegations.

"My behavior was offensive and overbearing to some," Ashbrook wrote, going on to ask: "Is there room for redemption and rebirth, in our time of Google trails and hashtag headlines?"

FILE - In this Friday, July 21, 2017 file photo, Dan Harmon poses for a portrait during Comic-Con International in San Diego. After comedy writer Megan Ganz called out her former boss, Harmon, on the sitcom "Community" for sexually harassing her, she got more than a simple "I'm sorry." Harmon, in an episode of his podcast in January 2018, acknowledged specific things he did to her. Ganz called it "master class" in how to apologize. "He's not rationalizing or justifying or making excuses. He doesn't just vaguely acknowledge some general wrongdoing in the past. He gives a full account," she wrote on Twitter. She publicly forgave him. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

There should be, say many experts who study issues surrounding sexual abuse. Forgiveness must be possible if society wants to reduce instances of sexual misconduct, but experts say, it will take work and willingness to change from both the perpetrators and society at large.

Many of the apologies men have made after being accused of misconduct during the #MeToo movement have fallen short of what's needed for redemption: Think of Harvey Weinstein, whose apology after a New York Times report in October alleging decades of sexual misconduct included a promise to fight the National Rifle Association and an excuse blaming the culture in the 1960s and 1970s.

Or, celebrity chef Mario Batali, who ended his apology for sexually harassing multiple women with a recipe for pizza dough cinnamon rolls .

"We don't really have a map for what public rehabilitation should look like," said Jennifer A. Thompson, an assistant professor of applied Jewish ethics and civic engagement at California State University, Northridge.

Thompson said Ashbrook and Batali both get credit for trying. But they fall short by continuing to focus on themselves, rather than the people they wronged, she said. In Jewish tradition, when you wrong a person, it's up to that person to forgive you.

"You have to go to the person you hurt and ask, 'What can I do to make this right?'" Thompson said, adding that asking for forgiveness makes you vulnerable, an unfamiliar place for men with power.

At times, when famous men, such as the comedian Louis C.K. , have made public apologies that are deemed insufficient, it can cause them to retreat from view, said Alissa Ackerman-Acklin, an assistant professor of criminal justice at California State University, Fullerton. But she said that's the opposite of what we should want.

"If we want a society free of sexual misconduct and we want people to really understand the impact of their actions, then publicly shaming them is not the way to do it. It makes us feel good, but it doesn't do anything to reduce sexual misconduct," Ackerman-Acklin said.

Instead, the men should be making connections - possibly with their victims, if that's what the victims want, or with others in a "safe, non-judgmental space, people who have caused this kind of harm can really think about what they've done and get really introspective and come to a place where they can offer an authentic apology," Ackerman-Acklin said.

Lesley Wexler, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law, whose work has focused on sexual harassment, armed conflict and apologies, said the idea of "restorative justice" offers a model for possible redemption.

"Part of what should be happening here is personal. Making amends to the victim, restoring the victim. And a separate part is acknowledging that the nature of this harm isn't just the individual, you are a community. That suggests you also need to be public about what specifically was wrong and what you can do better," Wexler said.

She pointed to the example of Mel Gibson, who went on an anti-Semitic rant as he was being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2006, and also pleaded no contest in 2011 to one count of misdemeanor spousal battery of his former girlfriend. Among the steps he took to redeem himself was offering public apologies and meeting with members of the Jewish community, she said.

"Within less than a decade, he's directing 'Hacksaw Ridge,' he's staring in 'Daddy's Home 2.' All of that is happening in the absence of the #MeToo movement," she said. "This fear that men are going to be exiled for the rest of their lives is vastly overstated."

After comedy writer Megan Ganz called out her former boss, Dan Harmon, on the sitcom "Community" for sexually harassing her, she got more than a simple "I'm sorry." Harmon, in an episode of his podcast in January, acknowledged specific things he did to her. Ganz called it a master class in how to apologize.

"He's not rationalizing or justifying or making excuses. He doesn't just vaguely acknowledge some general wrongdoing in the past. He gives a full account," she wrote on Twitter.

She publicly forgave him .

Just last week, a former Boston University student stood in a court and presented her own lesson of offering redemption.

The woman was sexually assaulted in 2015 by a then-MIT student, Samson Donick, who broke into her dorm room. She woke up to find Donick assaulting her.

The woman did not want to go through a trial, and she asked the court to approve a plea deal that kept him out of prison. The judge was initially opposed to the deal, but finally agreed after the woman told the judge "everyone deserves second chances."

The judge then required Donick to recount in court in graphic detail what he did to the woman. He did so, and apologized.

At his sentencing, the woman asked him to "make a positive impact in every life you touch."

"I ask that you live each day with a little reminder of what you did," she said, "and make up for it."
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican authorities say a U.S. citizen has been arrested in a northern border state on suspicion of transporting about 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of cocaine.

The National Security Commission says in a Sunday statement that the man was pulled over for speeding in Coahuila state while driving a pickup with Texas license plates.

A police search of the vehicle turned up 14 black-wrapped packages of white powder in a hidden compartment.

The statement said the man presented a Texas driver's license and told officers he was traveling from San Luis Potosi to Texas.

It did not give further identifying details, but said he was placed in the custody of authorities in Saltillo, Coahuila's capital.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
HOUSTON (AP) - Former first lady Barbara Bush is in failing health and after a series of hospitalizations, she has decided not to seek further medical treatment, a family spokesman said Sunday. Here are some things to know about her:

LITERACY EFFORTS

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy began during her White House years, with a goal to improve the lives of disadvantaged Americans by boosting literacy among parents and their children. The foundation partners with local programs and had awarded more than $40 million as of 2014 to create or expand more than 1,500 literacy programs nationwide. "Focusing on the family is the best place to start to make this country more literate, and I still feel that being more literate will help us solve so many of the other problems facing our society," she wrote in her 1994 memoir.

FILE - In this March 29, 2015, file photo, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush, left, speak before a college basketball regional final game between Gonzaga and Duke, in the NCAA basketball tournament in Houston. A family spokesman said Sunday, April 15, 2018, that the former first lady Barbara Bush is in "failing health" and won't seek additional medical treatment. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

HISTORY

Barbara Bush is the second woman in U.S. history to be both a wife and mother of a U.S. president. Her husband, George H.W. Bush, was the nation's 41st president, while her son George W. Bush, one of the couple's six children, was the 43rd president. Abigail Adams was the wife of the second president, John Adams, and mother of the sixth president, John Quincy Adams.

THE WHITE HAIR

Barbara Bush's brown hair began to gray in the 1950s while her 3-year-old daughter, Pauline, known to her family as Robin, underwent treatment for leukemia. She died in October 1953. Barbara Bush eschewed dying her hair, which ultimately turned white. She later said that dyed hair didn't look good on her and credited the color to the public's perception of her as "everybody's grandmother." Her son George said that a "crowning achievement" of his father, who was fond of coming up with nicknames for friends and family, was anointing Barbara, "The Silver Fox."

THE PEARLS

Barbara Bush's triple-strand false pearl necklace sparked a national fashion trend when she wore them to her husband's inauguration in 1989. The pearls became synonymous with Bush, who later said she selected them to hide the wrinkles in her neck. The candid admission only bolstered her common sense and down-to-earth public image. A version of the necklace, "the famous triple strand, hand-knotted on a gold-toned clasp," was even available for $125 at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University.

THE TEMPER

George W. Bush noted in his post-presidency book, "Decision Points," that he inherited a quick, blunt temper from his mother. His wife, Laura, said her mother-in-law "managed to insult nearly all of my friends with one or another perfectly timed acerbic comment." Barbara Bush kept her sarcasm under wraps in public, though one noted slip came in 1984 when her husband was running for re-election as vice president with President Ronald Reagan. Their Democratic challengers, Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro, questioned whether wealthy people like the Bushes could relate to average Americans. An irritated Barbara Bush told a reporter that Ferraro was a "$4 million - I can't say it - but it rhymes with rich." Bush later said she meant "witch" and apologized; Ferraro accepted the apology.
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - Guatemalans voted Sunday in a referendum that could take the country a step closer to resolving a longstanding territorial dispute with neighboring Belize.

The ballot asked whether voters agree to send the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, for a binding ruling.

However, Belize has yet to hold its own referendum as stipulated under a 2008 agreement with Guatemala, under which both countries would ask the court to take up the matter.

Voters wait for information about their voting center during a plebiscite on a border dispute with Belize, in Guatemala City, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Guatemalans are deciding whether their government should request the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute that dates back to 1821 when Guatemala won independence from Spain and its border with the United Kingdom's territory was being decided. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1992 but did not recognize its border. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Guatemala claims some 4,200 square miles (11,000 square kilometers) of terrain administered by Belize - essentially the country's entire southern half.

The area is home to a number of nature reserves and is sparsely populated for the most part, with scattered farming villages, fishing towns and some Caribbean beach tourism destinations.

The origin of the dispute dates back over 200 years to when Guatemala and Belize were Spanish and British colonies, respectively.

Guatemala became independent in 1821 and argues that it inherited Spain's original claim on the territory.

Belize considers Guatemala's claim unfounded and says the borders were defined by an 1859 boundary convention between the United Kingdom and Guatemala, according to the website of the governmental Belize Referendum Commission.

Amid violence and crime by Guatemalan country dwellers in the disputed region, at least 10 of them have been killed by Belizean civilians or soldiers on patrol.

Diplomatic relations and even air travel between the two countries have also suffered at times as a result of the dispute.

Casting his vote Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said his country and Belize currently have cordial relations and the aim of the referendum is to ultimately resolve the conflict.

"It is a good step. After so many years fighting, I think it is right that we have a frontier," said Fernando Chajon, a masonry worker who showed off a finger dyed with indelible ink after voting in the town of San Pedro Sacatepequez.

However, chief prosecutor Thelma Aldana said Saturday night that she would not vote.

"The interests of the country have not been handled in the best way by endorsing a process whose signature should have been ratified in the moment," Aldana said. "Belize has an advantage by submitting the referendum to its people at a later date."

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales poses for photographers before voting in a plebiscite concerning a border dispute with Belize, in Guatemala City, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Guatemalans are deciding whether their government should request the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute that dates back to 1821 when Guatemala won independence from Spain and its border with the United Kingdom's territory was being decided. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1992 but did not recognize its border. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Juliana Chacat, 62, casts her vote during a plebiscite concerning a border dispute with Belize, in San Pedro Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Guatemalans are deciding whether their government should request the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute that dates back to 1821 when Guatemala won independence from Spain and its border with the United Kingdom's territory was being decided. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1992 but did not recognize its border. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales looks to photographers as he casts his vote during a plebiscite on a border dispute with Belize, in Guatemala City, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Guatemalans are deciding whether their government should request the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute that dates back to 1821 when Guatemala won independence from Spain and its border with the United Kingdom's territory was being decided. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1992 but did not recognize its border. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A woman holds her ballot during a plebiscite concerning a border dispute with Belize, in Guatemala City, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Guatemalans are deciding whether their government should request the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute that dates back to 1821 when Guatemala won independence from Spain and its border with the United Kingdom's territory was being decided. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1992 but did not recognize its border. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Labour would refuse to back any action in Syria unless it had the backing of Russia, Jeremy Corbyn has said as he called for laws to stop the Government acting without the backing of MPs.

Theresa May will go before the Commons on Monday to explain why she ordered British cruise missile attacks on Syria as part of a joint operation with the United States and France.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said finally the world has said enough is enough as he defended the proportionate action.

But Mr Corbyn called for the introduction of a War Powers Act to stop governments launching military action in most circumstances without the backing of MPs.

Russia has repeatedly used its UN veto to block sanctions and investigations during the bloody civil war in Syria.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr Show: I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

(PA Graphics)

If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against Bashar Assads regime had been the wrong thing to do.

She told ITVs Peston On Sunday: We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.

Not urgent cases. Clearly not when we are under attack or the Prime Minister has been kidnapped, or anything like that.

.@EmilyThornberry says bombing Syria was the wrong thing to do because Britain should always act multilaterally. #Peston pic.twitter.com/VMqpGzmty2  Peston (@itvpeston) April 15, 2018

But David Lidington, the Prime Ministers deputy, said there were no plans for legislation.

The Cabinet minister said he was not going to rule anything in or rule anything out about whether the Government would give MPs a vote if fresh action was taken in Syria.

Mr Johnson told Mr Marr: There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far  thank heavens  the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack.

If and when such a thing were to happen then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were, he added.

Russia lost its bid to secure a resolution at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council condemning the aggression in Syria.

US ambassador Nikki Haley told the meeting President Donald Trump has warned that America is locked and loaded if there is further use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Mrs May insisted the decision to deploy British cruise missiles in response to the chemical attack in Douma was both right and legal.

She spent the evening calling world leaders, including key regional figures such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, King Abdullah of Jordan, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, to explain why she had ordered British military involvement in the US-led strikes.

Mr Trump declared it was mission accomplished after the perfectly executed operation.

Nato allies have given the action their full support, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.

NATO Allies expressed full support for last nights actions in #Syria. Read the full statement: https://t.co/1sYKK1QJlY pic.twitter.com/kyocn2sxIO  NATO (@NATO) April 14, 2018

Most voters believe the Prime Minister was wrong to order bombing raids on Syria without parliamentary approval, according to a Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday.

It found that 54% opposed the move compared with 30% who backed Mrs May.

But 46% still believed she was better than Mr Corbyn on dealing with an international crisis, with just 26% backing the Labour leader.

Speaking in Number 10, Mrs May insisted the action was legal and defended the decision to go ahead without securing the backing of Parliament.

She also warned Russia that the air strikes should act as a warning over its use of chemical weapons.

Four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s joined the co-ordinated missile strikes at 2am, launching Storm Shadow missiles at a base 15 miles west of Homs.

An RAF Tornado taxis into its hangar at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after taking part in the air strikes (Cpl L Matthews/MoD/PA)

Mrs May said the Cabinet had taken advice from the Attorney General, National Security Adviser and military chiefs when it met on Thursday.

She added: We agreed that it was both right and legal to take military action together with our closest allies.

 Survation interviewed 2,071 people online on Saturday for the Mail on Sunday.
People in Montenegro are voting in a presidential election, with former prime minister Milo Djukanovic expected to win after his party defied Russia and took the nation into Nato last year.

The vote on Sunday is the first since the small Balkan country joined the Western military alliance in December.

It is seen as a test for Mr Djukanovic, who favours European integration over closer ties to traditional ally Moscow.

Presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic and his wife Lidija after voting in Podgorica (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Mr Djukanovic, the countrys dominant politician, and his Democratic Party of Socialists have ruled Montenegro for nearly 30 years.

President Filip Vujanovic of that party is not running due to term limits.

About 530,000 voters can choose among several candidates in the Adriatic Sea nation that used to be part of Yugoslavia.

Mr Djukanovics main challenger is Mladen Bojanic, backed by several opposition groups, including pro-Russian ones.

Draginja Vuksanovic is the first female presidential candidate in the staunchly conservative, male-dominated society.

Polls suggest Mr Djukanovic, 56, could win more than half of the votes on Sunday and avoid a run-off.

Analysts say he wants a first-round triumph to cement his leadership.

Upon voting on Sunday, Mr Bojanic described Mr Djukanovic as an autocrat leading Montenegro into a dictatorship.

He said: The majority in Montenegro want a free and democratic Montenegro.

Mr Djukanovic was prime minister during a tense October 2016 parliamentary election when authorities said they thwarted a pro-Russian coup attempt designed to prevent the country from joining Nato.

He led Montenegro to independence from much-larger Serbia in 2006 and was behind the Nato, and hopes next to steer the country into the European Union.

Mr Bojanic, an economic expert and former politician, has accused the ruling party of corruption and links to organised crime.

The fractured opposition parties supporting him include the pro-Russian Democratic Front, whose two main leaders are on trial for taking part in the alleged 2016 coup attempt.

Two Russian citizens also are being tried in their absence over the plot, which prosecutors said included a plan to assassinate DMr jukanovic. The Kremlin has denied involvement.

Voter Zdravko Ivanovic, 84, praised Djukanovics leadership as he left a polling station in Podgorica, the capital.

He described Mr Djukanovic as the best statesman and prime minister, the best and finest Montenegrin giant.

But Radmila Cagorovic, a voter in her late 50s, disagreed, saying: We have waited so long for a change. I hope it will happen today.
Donald Trump has defended his use of the phrase Mission Accomplished to describe a US-led allied missile attack on Syrias chemical weapons programme.

The US president said that it is such a great military term, it should be brought back.

In an early-morning tweet, President Trump said the strike was perfectly carried out and that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished.

He added that he knew the media would seize on the phrase, but said it should be used often.

He tweeted Mission Accomplished on Saturday after US, French and British planes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defences.

While he declared success, the Pentagon said the bombing of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W Bush following the US-led invasion of Iraq.

President George W Bush in 2003 (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

President Bush addressed sailors on board a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a Mission Accomplished banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organised an insurgency that tied down US forces for years.

The nighttime Syria assault was carefully limited to minimise civilian casualties and avoid direct conflict with Syrias key ally, Russia, but confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance.

The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The US ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, Before we took action, the United States communicated with Russia to reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties.
Burma has accepted what appears to be the first five among some 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who fled to neighbuoring Bangladesh to escape military-led violence against the minority group.

The family returned even though the United Nations says it is not yet safe for them to return home.

A government statement said that five members of a family returned to western Rakhine state from the border area.

Rohingya women and children (Oinam Anand/AP)

The statement said authorities determined whether they had lived in Burma and provided them with a national verification card.

The card is a form of ID, but does not mean citizenship  something Rohingya have been denied in Buddhist-majority Burma, where they have faced persecution for decades.

Genocide is a process. The Holocaust did not start with the gas chambers. It started with hate speech.

-- @UN_GP_RtoP's Adama Dieng on the importance & possibility of genocide prevention: https://t.co/saUCieT8Jc pic.twitter.com/A4x71AkREz  United Nations (@UN) April 15, 2018

It said that the family was staying temporarily with relatives in Maungdaw town, the administrative centre close to the border.

The statement did not say if any more repatriations are being planned. Bangladesh has given Burma a list of more than 8,000 refugees to begin the repatriation, but it has been further delayed by a complicated verification process.

The two countries agreed in December to begin repatriating them in January, but they were delayed by concerns among aid workers and Rohingya that they would be forced to return and face unsafe conditions in Burma.

Most important, I have my dignity.

Meet some of the Rohingya refugees using their initiative and determination to start new businesses. https://t.co/HSunA6x4PB  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) April 14, 2018

Hundreds of Rohingya were reportedly killed in the recent violence, and many houses and villages burned to the ground.

The United Nations and the US have described the army crackdown as ethnic cleansing.

On Friday, the UN refugee agency and Bangladesh finalised a memorandum of understanding that describes the repatriation process as safe, voluntary and dignified  in line with international standards.
A deadly extremist attack on a UN military camp in northern Mali was particularly sophisticated and underhanded, the French army has said.

Officials have said the attack on a camp for the UN mission known as Minusma in Timbuktu on Saturday left one peacekeeper dead and a number of wounded.

The French army said in a statement that seven soldiers from the French military operation known as Barkhane were among the injured, and that 15 attackers were killed in a counter-attack.

(PA)

The statement said some of the jihadists wore peacekeepers uniforms and explosive belts and used vehicles covered up with UN and Malian army codes.

Three car bombs were exploded, it said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though a number of extremist groups are active in the region.
Jonathan Josephs presence on Englands summer tour to South Africa is under threat due to a sprained ankle sustained in Baths 41-6 Aviva Premiership collapse at Saracens.

Joseph was in obvious discomfort after having the joint on his left leg caught during a tackle by Schalk Burger in the 29th minute and he left the field on crutches.

England play three Tests against the Springboks in June and Eddie Jones faces an anxious wait for an update on the fitness of his first choice outside centre.

Jonathan Joseph has an ankle problem (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Jonathan looks like hes given his ankle a really good tweak, Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said.

Were not sure how long hell be out for but hes got next week off anyway. Hopefully it wont be too serious.

Bath leaked six tries at Allianz Park to slump to a fifth defeat in six Premiership outings and contributed to their downfall through wasteful finishing and the mistakes made by their fly-half Rhys Priestland.

A lot of passes didnt go to hand. Early on I thought the structures were really good. We created a couple of chances but didnt take them and thats been the tale of the tape, Blackadder said.

We have to nail those opportunities, but instead we gave Saracens three intercept tries and then we were playing catch up. Im pleased that we still tried to play, but our skill set and execution were poor.

There were so many missed opportunities and we can only look at ourselves for those. At times we looked a mile away. No look passing and thats three tries.

Three Premiership bosses have been sacked this season and a fourth has left, placing the spotlight over Blackadders position.

I cant worry about that (his Bath future). I can only worry about getting the performances were working hard for. If someone wants to make those decisions, its nothing I can control, Blackadder said.

I dont think were that far away. We just need some extra resources in some key areas. If we get that well look a different side.

Saracens win guarantees them a place in the play-offs and they are one four-point victory away from a home semi-final.

Adding to the positivity that is returning after their European exit to Leinster is the imminent return of their marauding number eight Billy Vunipola from a broken arm.

Billy is certain for Gloucester, probable for London Irish. Wed like to get him some game time against London Irish, just to get him up and running for the play-offs with a game behind him, director of rugby Mark McCall said.
Buckingham Palace was transformed on Sunday night as a rainforest design was projected on to the building.

The image was displayed as part of a global conservation initiative in the Queens name.

Her Commonwealth Canopy project (QCC) seeks to preserve precious areas of forest for future generations.

A rainforest design is projected on to Buckingham Palace in London as part of the Queens Commonwealth Canopy project (QCC), a global conservation initiative in the Queens name which seeks to preserve precious areas of forest for future generations (Victoria Jones/PA)

The artwork features the QCC logo embedded with a pattern of identifiable foliage and tree silhouettes, designed to take the viewer into a forest canopy space.

The QCC will also be the subject of The Queens Green Planet, a documentary featuring The Queen with Sir David Attenborough, which will be broadcast on ITV at 9pm on Monday.

Tomorrow night The Queen and Sir David Attenborough discuss the @queenscanopy in a special The Queen's Green Planet documentary to be aired on @ITV at 9pm. #commonwealthcanopy pic.twitter.com/cfFNboUDga  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 15, 2018

The projection comes at the start of a week that will see representatives of 53 countries gather in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm), during which they will discuss environmental themes among other things.

During the course of her reign, the Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees all over the world.

South Africa has announced a new QCC commitment where the Knysna and Tsitsikamma forest complex is to be protected and preserved.

The area holds a special poignancy for the Queen as it is where, as Princess Elizabeth, she celebrated her 21st birthday and dedicated her life to serving the Commonwealth.
A much-changed Real Madrid edged past basement club Malaga 2-1 to leapfrog Valencia into third place in LaLiga.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were left out completely as Zinedine Zidane made six changes from the Champions League home defeat to Juventus but they ran out comfortable winners thanks to Iscos superb free-kick and Casemiros second-half finish.

Diego Rolan scored with the last touch of the match to halve the deficit but defeat leaves Malaga on the verge of relegation as they sit 14 points adrift of safety with six matches remaining  their fate will be sealed if they lose to 17th-placed Levante on Thursday.

Isco inspired Real Madrid to victory (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

Karim Benzema had a sighting on goal inside the second minute when a rapid counter saw Lucas Vasquezs cross deflect into the path of the Frenchman on the edge of the area, but he dragged his effort wide during a cagey first quarter.

Mateo Kovacic almost broke the deadlock with a bullet header from 12 yards after arriving late in the area to attack Vasquezs floated cross but he was denied by a fine one-handed save by Roberto Jimenez to his right.

A lovely move between Benzema and Isco saw the Spaniard dink a ball through for Vasquez but he should have done better as he blazed his half-volley over the crossbar when well placed as Real ramped up the pressure.

Benzema nodded wide from six yards and the pressure eventually told after 29 minutes when Isco haunted his former side with a sublime free-kick to put Los Blancos ahead.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos penalised Roberto Rosales for a pull on Isco and the the 25-year-old made no mistake from 23 yards to curl the ball over the wall and into the bottom left corner.

Isco was inches from doubling his and Reals tally just four minutes later with a jinking run into the Malaga area but the Spain international was off target from 12 yards.

Isco warmed the hands of Jimenez with a volley from the edge of the area before Rosales fired a free-kick from range over the crossbar, with Manuel Iturra forcing a great save from Keylor Navas and Ignasi Miquel also blasting over in a strong finish to the half by the hosts.

Real showed their intent at the start of the second half with a great sliderule pass from Kovacic finding Isco in the penalty area, but his cross was expertly headed over his own crossbar by Miquel with Benzema ready to nod home at the far post.

Marco Asensio was next to try his luck but his shot was blocked by a Malaga defender while at the other end, Rolan put in teasing cross to find Brown Ideye but the Nigerians shot was straight at Navas.

Real capitalised on the let-off and were soon 2-0 up after 63 minutes when Casemiro intercepted a pass on the halfway line to set Benzema free, who in turn slid Isco through to play a first-time pass for the Brazilian to round off a flowing move.

Sergio Ramos was denied a late third when he tried to finish his own lung-bursting move from box-to-box but his shot was straight at Jimenez before Rolan fired home a consolation from close range.
Leaders of the largest faith groups in the UK have joined forces to highlight the importance of diversity in the Commonwealth.

In what they have described as a display of religious unity, 10 faith groups have sent messages of support for the Commonwealth Big Lunches, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Theresa May aiming to bring people together from across the Commonwealth.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Westminster and Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth are among the high-profile religious leaders supporting the initiative.

Their backing follows support from the Duke and Duchess and Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, who all attended preparations for the lunches last month.

Commonwealth Big Lunches are part of an initiative launched by Theresa May and backed by several members of the Royal Family.

In a letter to all Diocesan Bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: As part of the Anglican Communion, the body of Christ, we are connected with our brothers and sisters across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Big Lunch is a wonderful opportunity for parishes in your diocese to celebrate the Commonwealth diaspora in their local community, as the Big Lunch can be teamed with a street party, discussion, sports, debate, or other event to bring the community together.

The communal events have been taking place since Commonwealth Day on March 12 and are expected to continue until April 22.

They coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is set to take place this week, where leaders from across the Commonwealth will gather in London and Windsor to work on creating a more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future.

#CommonwealthBigLunches have been held all across the #Commonwealth in the run-up to #CHOGM2018 this month.



Celebrate community and bringing people together in #ourCommonwealth by hosting your own big lunch with tips courtesy of @edencommunities: https://t.co/Jju68lQ5P5 pic.twitter.com/rwUrAVpvq4  The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) April 2, 2018

The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, said: I am sure that many Catholic parishes will be holding parish lunches. Special occasions like this can build enduring warmth, friendship and understanding between people.

I hope many people will take part and I send my prayers and best wishes to all involved in organising it.

The initiative, which builds on the Eden Projects annual Big Lunch, aims to connect the 2.4 billion Commonwealth citizens that span across 53 countries.

Ibrahim Mogra, a representative of the Muslim community, said: I am delighted to support the Commonwealth Big Lunches that facilitates the coming together of neighbours near and far.

I am very proud that there are communities from every country of the Commonwealth living in the UK.
More than a quarter (28%) of private tenants in England who have had problems while renting did not complain for fear of revenge evictions, Citizens Advice has found.

And based on their experiences of helping private renters, more than two-fifths (43%) of Citizens Advice staff said worrying about the consequences of complaining was the biggest issue for tenants seeking redress for their problem.

Citizens Advice said its findings equate to a quarter of a million households in England putting up with shoddy or unsafe homes out of fear of eviction.

Many private sector rental tenants in England have not complained about problems due to fear of revenge evictions, Citizens Advice has found (PA)

The charity said the most common issue that private tenants need its help with is repairs and maintenance.

It said more than 13,000 issues about problems such as mould, electrical faults and pest infestation were dealt with by advisers in person, over the phone, by email and via webchat last year.

The national charity is calling on the Government to use a planned introduction of an ombudsman for private landlords to further protect tenants from revenge eviction.

Last year Citizens Advice recommended all private landlords be required to join a dispute resolution scheme.

It said that while some landlords set out clear processes and timescales for complaints, others rely on informal methods such as texts or face-to-face chats.

The charitys research found nearly half (48%) of renters did not think their landlord or agent had a complaints process.

Around one in seven (13%) tenants who experienced a problem said they did not complain because they were unable to contact their landlord or did not know how to.

The charity says any redress scheme for private renters should be simple to use, with a single, recognisable way through which tenants can register complaints.

It should have the enforcement powers to punish rogue landlords and mandatory membership so all renters are protected and landlords who let-and-forget are included, Citizens Advice said.

Landlords who receive the most complaints should pay more towards the running of an ombudsman, keeping the costs low for the majority, the charity said.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: People who rent shabby or unsafe homes have few options when landlords let them down. Resolving disputes can be risky, costly and complicated.

The research included a survey of more than 2,000 private renters and a survey of over 320 Citizens Advice members of staff.

Richard Lambert, chief executive officer at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said: No one should live in fear of being evicted or having their rent increased for raising issues about important repairs in their home, but this is simply not an accurate picture of how the vast majority of landlords would respond to such requests.

This fear is a big concern because tenant safety should come above everything else.

Laws to prevent so-called retaliatory evictions were introduced to tackle this issue in 2015, yet more than two years later we hear the same arguments surfacing again.

A dispute resolution system might help some renters come forward about genuine issues, but it will more likely end up as another layer of cost and bureaucracy on the responsible compliant landlord that is unlikely to help those who really suffer at the hands of the rogues and criminals that blight our sector.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokeswoman said: Everyone deserves a safe and decent home. That is why we have given councils stronger powers to crack down on bad landlords.

Our consultation on further measures closes on April 16 and we want to hear from tenants on how we can go further to get stronger protections for tenants themselves, including protection against retaliatory evictions.
A record number of landlords re-mortgaging their buy-to-let property over the last 12 months withdrew money to make home improvements, according to a lettings network.

Countrywide, which used its own data to make projections for the whole of Britain, estimated that in the last 12 months 9,523 landlords who re-mortgaged their buy-to-let withdrew money for home improvements.

This was the highest in its records going back to 2006 and over three times more than in 2016, when the figure was put at 2,967.

Record numbers of re-mortgaging landlords are withdrawing cash to improve properties, Countrywide has found (PA)

On average, 22,850 was withdrawn to spruce up properties.

The figures suggest that re-mortgaging landlords in the East of England are the most likely to withdraw money to make home improvements.

In the past 12 months, one in 10 (10.4%) landlords in the East of England who re-mortgaged released money to spend on home improvements, Countrywide said.

Landlords in London took out the most money typically to spend on buy-to-let improvements, at 35,470 on average.

Johnny Morris, research director at Countrywide, said recent stamp duty and other tax changes mean more landlords are choosing to invest in their properties, refurbishing and improving them and holding on to them for longer to maximise gains.

He said: A record number of landlords are re-mortgaging to release money to spend on their properties instead of trading up.

Here are the proportions of landlords who re-mortgaged and used money on home improvements over the past 12 months, according to Countrywide:

1. East of England, 10.4%

2. South East England, 8.1%

3. North West England, 8%

4. London, 7.4%

5. Yorkshire and the Humber, 6.8%

6. North East England, 6.5%

7. Wales, 6.1%

8. Midlands, 5.8%

9. South West England, 5.6%

10. Scotland, 4%

And here are the average amounts withdrawn by a re-mortgaging landlord for home improvements in the past 12 months, according to Countrywide:

1. London, 35,470

2. East of England, 22,240

3. South East England, 22,020

4. Midlands, 21,400

5. South West England, 21,080

6. Wales, 19,420

7. North West England, 16,930

8. North East England, 12,960

9. Scotland, 11,280

10. Yorkshire and the Humber, 11,150
Iranian lawmakers in Tehran on Sunday had ratified a bill on the extradition treaty between the governments of Islamic Republic of Iran and Sri Lanka, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

It said the Bill secured 153 yes votes, 11 no votes and seven abstentions.

A total of 203 lawmakers had been present at the parliament open session on Sunday morning.

Under the terms of the Bill, the extradition treaty between Iran and Sri Lanka was passed and the permit for exchange of documents was issued.

As per provisions of the Bill, the treaty is required to adhere to 77th and 139th principles of Irans Constitution.

It was reported that at least 15 Iranian prisoners are kept in Sri Lankan prisons while three Sri Lankans are imprisoned in Iran.

Iranian lawmaker Hassan Norouzi has said that Iranian Parliament has put the bBill on its agenda due to the forthcoming visit of Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani to Sri Lanka.
A delegation headed by Irans Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani would arrive in Sri Lanka and Vietnam to discuss about the Syrian situation among other bilateral and international issues, MEHR News Agency reported today.

It said the Speaker had left for Vietnamese capital Hanoi already. Heading a parliamentary delegation, Larijani will also make a visit to Sri Lanka.

Speaking to reporters before departure, Larijani said the aim of his visits is to expand bilateral relations in various fields and to promote parliamentary cooperation with the two countries.

Larijani added that the current global developments will also be discussed with the Vietnamese officials, noting the airstrikes carried out by the US, UK and France against Syria, which came after a suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma last weekend.

One of the key issues to be discussed with Vietnamese and Sri Lankan officials is the Syrian situation because, to our utter surprise, international mechanisms were all ignored in the attack, which can cause adverse consequences for future conflicts. Therefore, it is needed to talk with officials of Vietnam and Sri Lanka on this issue and hope that the talks would be helpful for establishing peace in the international scene, Larijani said.
#Air Force Air Force launches new investigation unit following sexual abuse case The Air Force on Friday launched a new probe unit under the direct control of its headquarters to better guarantee the independence of investigators, the military said, following a...

#TWICE TWICE to release first English single South Korean girl group TWICE will release its first English single Friday, its agency said, signaling a full-scale inroad into the North American music market. The band's first...
Winter is long gone, and whatever we can call 'spring' in this city has also passed, and we see the first sign that tells us summer has begun: water tankers.

Citizens in many parts of the city suffer from an insufficient supply of water to their areas and are desperate for these tankers.

While the BWSSB order mandates that water should be supplied every alternate day, the reality is far from this.

One of the areas that do not receive the necessary amount of water in the city is the Saibaba temple road in Doddanekundi. What strikes one about this locality is that the Doddanekundi lake is right next to it, yet the residents of this locality suffer greatly.

Here the residents get Cauvery water only once a week. Usually released on Friday or Saturday, the flow of water, which is "like a thread", lasts a couple of hours before stopping.

"It's all politics! There's a man who comes here to turn on the tap. One day I asked him why our area gets so little water. He replied that the other areas don't get more water, that it's the same everywhere. But I know that there are big apartments which get enough Cauvery water," one resident, who did not want to be named, said.

The water needs of the area were earlier satisfied by borewells, but the excess of borewells that have sprung up here resulted in no one getting enough water.

"Now to get water, the borewells must be dug deeper. But digging deeper means more money and not everyone in this area has that sort of money," Sandeep, who works at HAL, said.

Rains, elections, summer

The residents of the area have different hopes and expectations about how the summer will turn out to be. "It's going to rain now," one resident said, "things will hopefully get better". Others are not as optimistic.

"One thing that may make a difference is elections. They won't release water when we need it, they may give it to the others, but since they will need our votes soon, they will release water to show that they are doing something," a source, who claimed to know what goes on behind the scenes, said.

Sandeep's wife Sunitha, however, said, "There is no water. When there is no water, where will the politicians get it from?" Another resident, after repeated assurances of anonymity, said, "Cauvery water isn't scarce for. Those who pay money can get the water they want."

While the residents of the area, most of them from humble backgrounds, are waiting for someone to listen to them about their woes and come out to speak, few are ready to be named. They fear that if they are named, the situation can only get worse.

"If I name myself, my son will shout at me. He will ask why when no one gets into trouble with those people, why we should?" one resident said, even as she hid her face in the dark fearing she would be photographed.

Tankers to the rescue

Given the dire situation, tankers are all these people have to bank on, which charge them Rs 500 for every 5,000 litres. While the independent houses and smaller apartments get tankers two or three times a week, the bigger apartments may order two or three tankers in a single day.

The prices are likely to go up as summer reaches its zenith.

With the Doddanekundi lake providing little relief, the tankers in the areas depend on borewells from other areas. The tanker drivers who live here do not see any threat to their business by Cauvery water, as they fork out the same amount that everyone else does.

The drivers perhaps understand the crisis the best as they supply water both to their own localities and many affluent localities.

They notice that the upper middle class, even during the crisis, use water for much more than the necessities.

"There is wastage of water. In one apartment complex I go to, pools have to be refilled frequently," one driver said, referring to the fact that schools are shut and kids are mostly at home.
The BJP is mulling over fielding Bellary Lok Sabha member B Sriramulu from the Badami seat in the district if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah contests from there.



This is as part of the strategy devised by the BJP under the leadership of party president Amit Shah at a meeting held at the residence of party leader Govind Karjol in Bagalkot on Friday.

It is said that local leaders of the party are in favour of fielding Sriramulu, for various strategic reasons.

The strategy is to wean away the votes of the Valmiki community, to which Sriramulu belongs, from the Congress, besides wooing voters of the Lingayat-Veerashaiva communities, given that B S Yeddyurappa is the BJP's chief ministerial candidate.

It will also help keep S Thippeswamy as the party's nominee in Molakalmuru, as he is sulking after Sriramulu's name was announced for the Molakalmuru constituency in Chitradurga district.

The saffron party is also counting on the votes of the Scheduled Tribes, who are in good numbers in the constituency. It is said that former MLA M K Pattanashetti and his relative Mahantesh Mamadapur are BJP ticket aspirants this time.Mamadapur had contested on the JD(S) ticket last time and stood second.

Former minister and sitting MLA B B Chimmanakatti, who has represented the seat five times since 1978 and belongs to Kuruba community, had so far thrived on the division in Lingayat votes, which the BJP now wants to consolidate.
At a time when political parties are fighting it out to grab the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar for political gains, not many worry as to how the colour blue came to be associated with the Dalit icon.

The leader, who carved out the Constitution of free India laying down the framework assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them, has been depicted in blue in all statues installed all over the country.

"Blue was his favourite colour and he mostly used it in his personal life too," Lalji Nirmal of Ambedkar Mahasabha, which conferred the 'Dalit Mitra' award on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Ambedkar's birth anniversary, told PTI here. Retired IPS officer and leading Dalit activist SR Darapuri said that besides being his favourite colour, blue was also the colour of the flag of the party floated by Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation of India in 1942.

"The flag was blue in colour and had an Ashok Chakra in the centre...later in 1956 when the Republican Party of India was set up after dissolving the earlier party, it was also given the same blue flag," Darapuri pointed out. "Blue, in another shade, is also the colour of the sky, which shows vastness and that was the vision of Baba Saheb," he said. The same has been adopted by the BSP as its colour and has since come to be associated with Dalit emancipation, he stressed.

"The statues of Baba Saheb are always seen in a blue coat with the Constitution in one hand and the finger of the other pointing out as a symbol of moving ahead," Darapuri said. Recently a freshly installed 5-feet-tall statue of the Dalit icon was installed in a Badaun village in saffron jacket but was promptly re-painted in blue after questions arose over the choice of a colour associated with Hindutva.

The saffron-attire statue in Kuwargaav village was a replacement for a smaller Ambedkar statue that was damaged by some anti-social elements and local BSP leaders initiated its repainting. Recalling an anecdote recounted by Ambedkar's wife Dr Savitri Ambedkar, who was a close acquaintance, Lalji Nirmal said that on a visit to Lucknow as central minister Ambedkar had refused to stay in the Raj Bhawan saying that he cannot part with his books.

"The then Governor Sarojini Naidu had invited Baba Saheb to stay in the Raj Bhawan but since he had come with his books in hordes, Baba Saheb said that he will be staying in his Railway saloon," Nirmal said, adding that even his wife used to say that books were his first love. Quoting "Ambedkar ki dincharya" - a book by Baba Saheb's secretary - Darapuri said he was also fond of good food and used to cook for his friends and guests.

"Savitri Ambedkar on a visit to our place in Varanasi told us that he liked dressing up immaculately and his clothes were stitched by the same tailor from whom the then Lt Governor of Bombay presidency used to get them made," Darapuri said. Lalji Nirmal also commended efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having made Ambedkar relevant today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will arrive here on a four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday, is the only head of government to be offered bilateral meetings ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to senior officials.

In what has been categorised as an "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will hold not just one but two meetings with his British counterpart Theresa May on Wednesday before they begin formal deliberations as part of the multilateral Commonwealth summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrives in the UK from Sweden on Tuesday night, is also among only three senior world leaders attending CHOGM to be invited for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday evening, they said.

Modi's royal welcome will include a special event hosted by Prince Charles, during which the heir to the British throne will drive up in a Tata Motors' first-ever electric Jaguar to symbolise the India-UK technical collaboration.

"The welcome being accorded to the Indian Prime Minister is unprecedented in many ways. It reflects the importance the UK attaches to the visit and shows the mature level of India-UK ties," said an official involved with the preparations for the visit.

The bilateral leg of the UK tour begins with Modi's talks with Theresa May at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning, during which both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration.

A memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field.

Following his meeting with Theresa May, Modi will head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition and interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.

This will be followed by the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, marked by an MoU between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and College of Medicine in the UK. The centre is aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network involving Indian and British academics and medical professionals to coordinate on evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.

During a packed day of activities on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to pay tribute at the Basaveshwara statue on the banks of the river Thames, which he had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015.

According to official estimates, India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.

Modi's UK visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership and the central feature of this will be his second meeting with Theresa May on Wednesday at the Francis Crick Institute in London, where a new India-UK Technical Alliance is expected to be among a series of announcements. He will also meet Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases before going in to the India-UK CEOs Forum.

The Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that around 10-12 deliverables, including innovation-related MoUs between NASSCOM and Innovate UK and between NITI Aayog and its counterpart in the UK, are expected to be accompanied by a formal joint statement at the end of the bilateral leg of the visit on Wednesday.

Modi will then head for his audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace before the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath diaspora event to be telecast live from an as-yet undisclosed iconic central London venue on Wednesday evening.

The event, billed as the centrepiece of the "Living Bridge" theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media and some via live video link.

An estimated 2,000 people are expected to have received confirmations to attend the "niche event", since online registrations closed earlier this month.

Organisers said the decision to host a smaller event than the grand diaspora event at Wembley Stadium during Modi's last visit to the UK in November 2015 was to enable the Indian diaspora from across the world to be able to participate.

At the end of the live telecast, the Prime Minister will join Heads of Government from 52 other countries at a formal dinner hosted by Theresa May to mark the launch of CHOGM.

This will be followed by official deliberations between the heads of government in London on Thursday before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis without any structured agenda or the presence of officials.

On the sidelines of the "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will also be greeted with some protests at Parliament Square on Wednesday afternoon, being spearheaded by Pakistani-origin peer, Lord Ahmed, and bringing together UK-based Kashmiri and Sikh groups.

A counter-demonstration titled British Indians Welcome Prime Minister Modi is also planned at the same time at Parliament Square.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has proposed installation of a chip in new television set-top boxes which will provide data about channels watched and their duration.

A senior official of the ministry said the move is aimed to get "more authentic" viewership figures for every channel.

"This would help advertisers and the DAVP to spend their advertising expenditure wisely. Only those channels which are widely watched will get promoted," the official added.

The Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) is the nodal agency of the government for advertising by various ministries and its organisations.

In the proposal, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has told the TRAI, "It is also proposed to ask DTH operators to install a chip in the new set-top boxes which can give data about channels watched and their duration."

The proposal was part of the ministry's response to a number of recommendations made by the TRAI on issues related to new direct-to-home licenses.

The official said the ministry also "feels that Doordarshan viewership is under-reported" and if the chip is installed, it would give the real viewership figures of the channel.

The move is seen to end the monopoly of the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC), which measures the television audience preferences in the country.

The ministry official alleged that the BARC is "almost like a monopoly and there is no alternative" and it "does not reveal how they arrive at the viewership figures, methodology they apply and the area of survey".

The official said the ministry discussed the possibility of procuring about 300 people meter and randomly installing them to verify the veracity of BARC data, but 300 meter were too small number to meaningfully compare and verify data.

He said the BARC measures viewership by installing 30,000 people meter, which are soldered to the TV's mother board.

The official said nobody would allow such thing to be done on their television sets and thus there were concerned about the genuineness of the assessment done through volunteers.

The BARC, however, refuted the accusations.

"We are a joint industry body that was set up in close consultation with all stakeholders, including government representatives and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Our data collection and reporting methodology was arrived at post these consultations and consensus. TRAI is telecom and broadcasting sector watchdog.

"Guided by the goals of transparency, the detailed methodology has always been available on our website," BARC India spokesperson said.

He said the BARC operates within the regulatory framework as mandated by the ministry's guidelines.

"We also meet regularly with officials of ministry and TRAI to brief them and provide status report on our operations. The same has been done through periodic presentations," the spokesperson said.

He said that the BARC always had government nominee on its Board and also on its technical committee.

"We will be happy to again meet and address all their queries for which we have been seeking a meeting with them since some time," the spokesperson added.

The TRAI, in its response to the ministry's suggestions, recently said, Regarding asking DTH operators to install a chip in new set-top boxes, it is stated that this is a new issue and cannot be part of the reference.

"If the MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) desires TRAI's recommendation on this issue, it may send a separate reference to TRAI as per the provisions of the TRAI Act 1997, it said.
The government is studying a 14-year-old case to strengthen its plea to Hong Kong authorities for arresting fugitive business tycoon Nirav Modi and extraditing him to India.

New Delhi hopes that bringing Nirav Modi from Hong Kong to India will be easier than getting another fugitive business tycoon, Vijay Mallya, extradited from the United Kingdom.

What made the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the probe agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate hopeful is the precedence set by the 2003-04 case of extradition of businessman Ashok Tahilram Sadarangani, from Hong Kong to India, sources in New Delhi told DH.

India on March 23 formally requested the authorities of Hong Kong to provisionally arrest Nirav Modi, who has been accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of about Rs 13000 crore.

New Delhi sought the extradition of Nirav Modi from Hong Kong to India in accordance with the bilateral agreement it inked with the government of the special administrative region of China in June 1997 for the surrender of fugitive offenders wanted by each other. The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong government is currently studying New Delhi's request.

Nirav left India on January 1. The MEA on February 23 revoked his passport in accordance with Section 10-A of the Passports Act, 1967. The passport of his business associate Mehul Choksi was also revoked.

Sources aware of New Delhi's contacts with the authorities in Hong Kong said that the government of the Special Administrative Region of China had in 2004 acted fast on India's request for extradition of Sadarangani, who had been accused of defrauding Bank of Maharashtra and Union Bank of India of approximately Rs 8.5 crore.

Sadarangani had jumped bail and fled the country in 2001. With the help of Interpol, the Central Bureau of Investigation had been able to trace him to Hong Kong in November 2003. The authorities in Hong Kong had swiftly acted on the request of New Delhi and placed him under arrest on December 1, 2003. A local court had ordered his extradition in March 2004. He had finally been extradited from Hong Kong to India on June 6, 2004.

Compared to Nirav, Sadarangani was a small fry, of course, if we go by the amount of money the two were accused of defrauding, an official, who studied the 2003-04 case, said.

We are however studying the old case to assess how Hong Kong authorities generally respond to request for extradition of people accused of financial fraud. They apparently acted promptly in case of Sadarangani and we can expect that they would do the same in case of Nirav, added the official.

India's envoy to China, Gautam Bambawale, visited Hong Kong on March 29 and met senior officials in the local administration.

Hong Kong had in 2013 declined the American Government's request for extradition of Edward Snowden, who had embarrassed Washington by exposing a secret global surveillance programme run by US National Security Agency. The US had publicly expressed its disappointment after Hong Kong had allowed Snowden to leave its territory and travel to Russia.

New Delhi, however, expects that Hong Kong would act fast on its request for extradition of Nirav, as no political issue is involved in this case, unlike that of Edward Snowden.

The officials, however, are not much hopeful about speeding up the process of getting Vijay Mallya extradited from the United Kingdom. The business tycoon is wanted in India for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' default on loans worth nearly Rs 9000 crore.

New Delhi asked London to extradite him in accordance with India-UK extradition treaty. The UK police arrested him on April 18 last year, but he was granted bail by the Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The court is now hearing the pleas of Governments of India and UK as well as the defence of Mallya, who challenged the move for his extradition. Officials in New Delhi said that the process would take long, given UK's complex legal system and the opportunities available for a fugitive to challenge a lower court's order for his extradition in higher courts.
France is urging Russia to join a push for a political solution in Syria after joint US, French and British attacks on Syrian chemical weapons sites.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in an interview published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that "we should join our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that would allow a way out of the crisis."

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

Western countries blamed Syria's government for a chemical attack on a rebel-held area earlier this month that killed more than 40 people. The Syrian government and its ally Russia denied the allegations.
Inspectors from the OPCW chemical watchdog will begin their investigation Sunday at the site of a chemical attack near Damascus, a senior official said.

"The fact-funding team arrived in Damascus on Saturday and is due to go to Douma on Sunday," said Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan.

A delegation of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, is tasked with investigating an April 7 attack on Douma, just east of Damascus.

Western powers say chemical substances, most likely chlorine and sarin, were used in the attack and killed at least 40 civilians.

The attack, which Damascus and its Russian ally have denied ever happened, prompted an unprecedented wave of missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain on Saturday.

Soussan reiterated a pledge by the Syrian government that the chemical experts would be allow to investigate unimpeded.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," he said.
Ballari, DHNS: The Backward Classes Morcha of BJP has condemned the statement of KPCC Working President Dinesh Gundurao, who had exhorted the Kannadigas to beat Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers if he visited the State.

District general secretary of the Morcha, G Shivreddy demanded an apology from Dinesh Gundurao, and warned that if he failed to do so, slippers would be hurled at his house.

Speaking to reporters in Ballari on Sunday, he said, Dinesh Gundurao should not underestimate the strength of the BJP workers.

Questioning the contribution of Dinesh Gundurao to the State, Mr Shivareddy said, Dinesh Gundurao is known only because of his father, former chief minister late R Gundurrao. He went on to warn that if he repeated such statements in the future, the consequences would be severe.

Leaders Ravindra, Srinivas Patil, and Shrikanth were present.
A BJP MP has alleged that Christian missionaries were behind the vandalisation of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's statues.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday at a programme held to mark the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, BJP MP from Ballia Bharat Singh said, "It is at the behest of the Christian missionaries that the statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar are being damaged and vandalised. The missionaries are also financing the people who are indulging in damaging and vandalising the statues of Babasaheb."

Mounting an attack on the Christian missionaries, Singh said, "The Christian missionaries are unable to accept the surge of the BJP under the leadership of BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

He alleged that the missionaries are also involved in the large-scale religious conversion of Hindus through financial support to them.

Reacting to Singh's statement, senior SP leader Ramashankar Vidyarthi said, "The BJP is simply trying to mislead the people of this country in the name of Ambedkar."
India has sought China's assistance to speed up Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor besides redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway stations, a senior Indian official said on Sunday.

The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held here between the two countries.

"We offered them speeding up of Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor," Niti Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday.

The SED was held between delegations headed by Kumar and He Lifeng, the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph.

India previously made a proposal to China for the redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway station. It has been reemphasised at Sunday's talks, officials said.

The Chinese side will respond after considering the proposals, they said.

Kumar said it was pointed out to the Chinese side that the railway station development plan is a big one involving about 600 of them. They can bid for any of them, he said.

However, there was no discussion in the just concluded SED about the collaboration to build high-speed trains by China in India, he said.

China has been expressing interest to take up high-speed train corridors in India and began conducting a feasibility study for New Delhi and Chennai high-speed train corridor.

The first high-speed train corridor in India between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been bagged by Japan.

China has the world's longest high-speed rail network, with 22,000 km within the country linking various top cities.
The BJP on Sunday demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it.

Citing the BJP's decision to remove two of its Jammu and Kashmir ministers, who had joined the public protests against the probe, Union minister Prakash Javadekar wondered if Congress president Rahul Gandhi would only point fingers at others but maintain silence on the comments of his party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

Questions would be raised and there must be some justification for the people's demand, Mir said, wondering if the probe was aimed at making some political points.

"When our ministers expressed these sentiments, the Congress, the media made a lot of noise. We took action. They resigned. Now we want to ask Rahul Gandhi, who took out a candlelight march (protesting the growing incidents of crime against women in the country), why is he not taking action against his party's state president," Javadekar said.

Pointing fingers at others while protecting its own was the character of the Congress party, he claimed.

The BJP had faced flak after its leaders in the Jammu region, including two ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government, joined the public protests against the police probe into the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakarwal Muslim community that had led to the arrest of eight persons.

The two ministers - Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga - resigned on Friday, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said these incidents, including a rape case in which a BJP MLA from Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh is the accused, had shamed the country and that justice would be ensured in all the cases.

Javadekar also demanded an apology from senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, noting that Bar Association of Jammu president B S Slahia, who had led the public protests against the police probe, was his poll agent in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP leader also questioned Gandhi's candlelight march at India Gate on Friday night, saying he never protested against the "Nirbhaya" incident, atrocities against Dalits in Mirchpur in Haryana and many other incidents of rape that had happened during the Congress rule.

"People can see what kind of politics you (Gandhi) are doing. Why are you silent? You should immediately sack him (Mir)," Javadekar said.

The HRD minister rued that there had been no gender sensitisation for men in the country for generations, claiming it to be a reason behind the heinous crimes against women, and said, "No amount of condemnation is enough for such incidents."

Reacting to Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao's comment that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should be beaten with slippers, Javadekar said the BJP condemned such remarks and claimed that the Opposition party was making provocative statements and trying to incite violence as it was afraid of losing the May 12 Karnakata Assembly polls.

Javadekar and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also referred to an incident, in which some people, sporting saffron "gamcha" and wielding swords, raised provocative slogans in front of a mosque here during a Ram Navami procession.

Claiming that they were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, Tiwari claimed that they wanted to instigate riots and blame the BJP for the same.

The Opposition parties were not in a position to take on the BJP in the elections and that is why they were trying to tarnish the image of the saffron party, Javadekar said.
The family members of Sanji Ram, the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case, have said that he should be hanged publicly but only if a CBI probe into the case finds him guilty.

The family members also criticised the national media for portraying their agitation for a CBI probe into the case as "pro-rapists" and "pro-culprits", and said the scribes were "delivering judgments without investigation".

Huddled together under a tree in a nondescript hamlet in their village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, Ram's family members have been demanding an "impartial investigation by a credible agency". Sixteen women, who were on a fast demanding a CBI probe into the case, have been hospitalised in past 15 days.

"My father (Sanji Ram) and brother (Vishal) should be hanged to death if they are found guilty, provided the investigation is conducted by a credible agency. We want justice for the girl by a probe through a credible agency and only such probe can ensure our father's and brother's innocence," one of Ram's daughters said.

"Media should have heard us, our side and our fears on the probe by the Crime Branch. Wanting a CBI probe to give justice to 8-year girl, meant to media that we were shielding culprits or creating hurdle in the probe. It was wrong. We always batted for justice for the girl," she said.

She expressed doubt about the credibility of the probe by the Crime Branch.

"Being a girl, I am pained over the treatment meted out to the victim but I am doubtful over the probe being conducted by the Crime Branch," she said.

"We have doubts over the investigation and there are reasons for it. We strongly demand a CBI inquiry to ensure justice to the victim as well as the local people," she added.

Her younger sister also questioned the Crime Branch's investigation asking how could a father call his son for raping a minor girl -- as claimed in the charge sheet.

"Can you imagine what this (statement in charge-sheet of Crime Branch) means? It is shameful that someone says an old man called his young son from his college in UP to rape a little girl," she said.

The issue was being politicised, she said and claimed that their voice had been muzzled in the political war.

The family said that the charge sheet had not only given a bad name to the hamlet but also "discredited" all the Dogras of the area.

The body of the girl, from the Bakherwal community, was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.

On January 23, the government had handed over the case to the crime branch of the state police which formed a Special Investigation Team and arrested eight people including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destruction of evidence.

The crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police filed the main charge sheet against the seven accused on Monday last and one separate charge sheet against another accused, who was earlier said to be a juvenile, at a court in Kathua district on Tuesday last.
Jailed rape-accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Senger's goons are reportedly "terrorising" the victim's family members and have asked them to leave the village.

The uncle of the victim claimed on Sunday that the goons of the legislator and his brother Atul Senger, who is also in jail on rape charges, have been issuing threats to him and his family.

"We have been asked to either keep silent or leave the village quietly," the uncle said in Unnao, about 60 km from here.

He said that the goons of the Senger brothers also made video films when they spoke to the villagers.

The uncle said that his nephew had been missing for the past four days and apprehended that his life might be in danger.

"We have not been able to contact him since Thursday," he said.

The CBI, which had arrested Kuldeep Senger after the order of the Allahabad High Court and later got his custody for seven days, is likely to take the lawmaker to Unnao and confront him with the victim.

The victim had said that the lawmaker, his brother and some of their supporters gang-raped her, when she had approached Senger for a job.

The victim had attempted self-immolation near Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's official residence on Sunday in protest against the failure of the police to act against the lawmaker but was prevented by some alert cops.

Six police personnel, including the Makhi station house officer, have been suspended on charges of laxity.

Opposition parties have demanded the resignation of Adityanath on moral grounds.
Space agencies of India and France have been holding discussions to work on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, a French source said.



This comes almost a month after the two sides agreed on a joint statement for an enhanced space cooperation.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES) had agreed to work together on autonomous navigation of rovers on Moon, Mars and other planets, and aerobraking technologies for planetary exploration.

Venus is under-explored compared to Mars. This is why we want to concentrate on Venus. ISRO has confirmed this priority for them. Discussions are also going on for the future Indian Mars mission, said a CNES official.

India has already undertaken two successful inter-planetary missions, 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon and 'Mangalyaan' to Mars. It is likely to send Chandrayaan-II this month, another mission for exploring the Moon, through which a rover would be landed on Earth's only natural satellite. ISRO also has plans to send another mission to Mars and Venus.

In particular, CNES could provide support to ISRO for the navigation of future moon rovers while the two will jointly work on the models to study Mars and Venus atmospheres, the CNES official said.

CNES could be involved in the definition of the scientific goals and preparatory studies for the future planetary missions of ISRO and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board the future interplanetary (Moon, Mars and asteroids) Indian missions, the official said.

Venus is Earth's closest neighbour just like Mars. US space probe Mariner 2s flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Since then more than two dozen missions have been undertaken to explore the planet.

Yet, Venus remains an enigmatic puzzle for scientists. Its surface is shrouded in a perpetual cloud cover and what makes Venus so different from Earth has not been easy to understand.

Indo-French cooperation is very robust in nature and is more than six decades old. India had been using the French facilities for sending its heavy satellites into orbit. When India was grappling with technological assistance following nuclear tests in 1974, it was France that helped India.
Donald Trump launched into another Twitter tirade against James Comey on Sunday, hours before the broadcast of an extended interview with the fired former FBI director about his interactions with the US President.

Excerpts of the interview with ABC News already have been aired, as have reviews of Comey's new memoir, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership," which likens Trump to a dishonest, ego-driven mob boss who demanded a pledge of loyalty from his FBI chief.

The excerpts sparked another furious round of tweets by Trump, calling Comey a "slimeball" and saying he "stupidly" handled a probe into Trump's 2016 election rival Hillary Clinton.

"I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His 'memos' are self-serving and FAKE!" said one tweet.

In another, the President undertook a mini-review of Comey's memoir: "The big questions in Comey's badly reviewed book aren't answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn't they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabe's $700,000 & more?"

He said Comey threw former attorney general Loretta Lynch "under the bus," an allusion to Comey's having criticised Lynch in the memoir for suggesting that he refer to an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while secretary of state as only a "matter."

"Was she promised a Supreme Court seat, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary," Trump asks in another tweet.

Comey, who was fired by Trump last year, acknowledged in the interview that his belief that Clinton would be elected president "was a factor" in his decision to reopen the email probe 11 days before the US election, a development that Clinton blames for her surprise defeat.

"I don't remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that she's going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she'll be illegitimate the moment she's elected, the moment this comes out," Comey said.

His comments echoed a quote from his memoir, in which he said it was "entirely possible" his concern over Clinton's legitimacy "bore greater weight than it would have if the election appeared closer or if Donald Trump were ahead in all polls."

"Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe," Trump tweeted.

"In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!" he wrote.

Clinton has previously said she believes Comey's announcement played a part in her losing the presidency.

"After the Comey letter, my momentum was stopped," she told NPR in late 2017.

"My numbers dropped, and we were scrambling to try to put it back together, and we ran out of time."
Mobile internet and SMS services were suspended for 24 hours in four districts of Punjab following arrest of four people in connection with a clash between members of a Dalit outfit and Hindu groups, an official spokesperson said.

Mobile internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA and GPRS, all SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar shall remain suspended till April 16, he said.

The spokesperson further said that all telecom services providers in the state of Punjab and head of BSNL (Punjab Jurisdiction) are directed to ensure compliance of this order.

Any person found guilty of the violation of aforesaid order would be liable for legal action, he said.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested today in connection with the violent clashes that took place on April 13 over the installation of a board and renaming of a "chowk" (intersection) in Phagwara.

Inderjit Karwal, the state vice-president of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray), Deepak Bhardwaj, Punjab unit president of Hindu Suraksha Samiti, Shivi Batta, president of another Shiv Sena outfit and one Raju Chahal, police said.

They were arrested from their respective houses this morning, the police said, adding that they were presented before a magistrate who sent them to judicial custody.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Tayyab and SSP Sandeep Sharma also met members of the groups, pleading them to maintain peace.

Heavy security force continued to be deployed in the area, the police said.

Liquor vends remained closed here today as a precautionary measure.

The incident took place when members of a group allegedly installed a board carrying a picture of B R Ambedkar at Gol Chowk here on National Highway (NH)-1.

They also tried to rename it Savidhan Chowk. However, members of another group objected to it and that led to a clash between them, the police said.
Environmentalists are up in arms against the Centre's proposed National Forest Policy, 2018, that stresses on "monetisation of the forests" rather than protecting the rights of the tribes that live in the jungles for centuries.

Forest communities are worried about the provisions in this draft policy on public-private partnerships, which they fear may lead to leasing out of forest lands, traditionally used by them, to private firms for monoculture that are meant to feed industrial requirements.

"The draft policy places a lot of emphasis on increasing productivity (even in natural forests in addition to plantations), and that too in a monetised framework. A strong thrust has been put on forward linkages with industry, especially in terms of plantations (including agroforestry and farm forestry). For whose benefit such a market-oriented paradigm has been framed in the draft policy," the greens wrote in a protest letter to the Union environment and forest ministry which sought public comment on the draft policy.

Nearly 140 non-governmental organisations have written to the green ministry asking the government to withdraw the proposed document.

The NGOs received the support of the CPM, which also demanded a withdrawal of the draft policy.

"The draft policy is, in essence, a blueprint to commercialise forests to serve the interests of industry and to bring in the private sector for the actual management of forests through the so-called public-private partnership model," the Left party had stated in a statement.

Another worrisome feature in the new policy is an idea to create a new legal structure for "participatory forest management" without any reference to the Forest Rights Act of 2006.

The policy carries a provision that explicitly threatens the edifice of the existing forest rights legislation as it suggests "participatory forest management" through a proposed community forest management mission, bypassing the legislation passed by the UPA-1 government.

If implemented, the policy would reduce gram sabha, a legally recognised body, to be subordinated to the forest department-controlled body, acting to a plan, decided in Delhi or in the state capitals, and is far from the realities of forest conservation.

"This highly objectionable proposal undoes whatever little has been achieved in making tribal communities and gram sabhas as the central pivot in forest management policies," stated the CPM that supported the Congress-ruled UPA-1 government for five years.

The new draft is an attempt at revising the 1988 forest policy that mandated nearly one-third of India would be under forest and tree cover.

According to the 2017 State of Forest Report released in February 2018, less than 25% of India is covered with forests and trees.
By Leslie Nemo

13 April 2018

(CityLab)  Every time Kelly Ksiazek-Mikenas scrambled onto a new green roof, it was hard to tell exactly where she was. The city below was definitely Berlin or Neubrandenburg, but the expanse of scraggly greens ahead of her looked a lot like the green roofs in Chicago, her home.

The only difference was that the German green roofs were much older than anything found in the United States: three to nine times older. Which is why the Northwestern University Ph.D. student in plant biology spent her summer there a few years ago.

The ability of plants to absorb and evaporate storm water, reduce a buildings energy use, and clean up some air pollution makes green roofs effective as a sustainable-building technique. They also just look nice. Germany began tinkering with green-roof technology back in the late 1800s, when owners of some buildings tried fireproofing with gravel, sand, and sod.In 1975, German construction businesses got together to document the nitty-gritty construction standards. Their 2002 manual detailed everything from the ideal roof slope to the best soil depth and waterproof barriers. By the time Americans started experimenting with green roofs, their German counterparts were already professionals.Americas green roofs were modeled after Germanys. In both countries, the standard design is a thin layer of lightweight, low-moisture, and low-nutrient dirt blanketed by sedum, a hardy genus of succulent. Landscapers can easily install a roof of this type and check in on it once or twice a year.We ended up just copying what the Germans did, said Ksiazek-Mikenas. By we, she meant the organization that defines American construction standards, which used the German protocol as a template in the early 2000s, as the green-building movement was taking off in the U.S.The German model was dependable and low-maintenance. Why start from scratch, Americans figured, when someone else had done the stressful experimentation and developed the final product? Besides, even in cities that offered substantial financial incentives for green roofs, you got nothing extra for keeping them lush. Developers could follow the German method, stick hardy plants in a roof, and walk away, rewarded for their environmentally friendly choice.Ksiazek-Mikenas wanted to know if green roofs ever come to host a wide range of species. American roofs were too young for her to tell. As an ecologist, I realized a decade is such a tiny period of time as far as a succession of a plant community goes, she said.So she examined the diversity of 16 German installations that were between one and 93 years old. She collaborated with Manfred Kohler, a long-time researcher in the German green roof scene, who hadmonitored about a third of the plots at least once a year for between 12 and 27 years. The pair also closely studied 13 other roofs of different ages for one season. That way, they could measure how individual green roofs evolve, and approximate how one might look after nearly a century.The results, published earlier this year in Urban Naturalist, make a case for breaking with tradition and investing more resources in green roofs. [more]
By Oliver Milman

7 April 2018

(The Guardian)  The week at the Environmental Protection Agency has been a brutal low point in what many staff members refer to as the most difficult year in its near half-century history. An avalanche of allegations of ethical misconduct by the EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, has heaped embarrassment upon a watchdog struggling to adapt to the industry obeisance demanded by the Trump administration.This sucks. It sucks big, said a senior EPA official who asked not to be named. People are so done with these folks. We wanted and waited for some adults to show up. But the relentless tide of bullshit from Pruitt and his cronies is tough to deal with.Pruitt was already attempting to swat away criticism over his penchant for luxury travel, having spent $105,000 on first-class flights in his first year in the job, and his unusual preoccupation with personal safety, having pulled a group of EPA staff from investigating environmental crimes to become his 24-hour security accompaniment. He had also spent more than $50,000 on sweeping his office for listening bugs, installing biometric locks and constructing a soundproof booth in which to take and receive calls.A series of revelations over the past week have seemingly pushed Pruitt close to being fired. There was the Washington DC townhouse where he stayed last year, renting a room for just $50 a night from the wife of an energy lobbyist. Occasionally his daughter would join him, to help make eggs with avocado for breakfast.This was followed by evidence that Pruitt had used an obscure provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act to give two favoured aides, the counsel Sarah Greenwalt and the scheduling director Millan Hupp, raises of almost $57,000 and $28,000 respectively, after the White House refused them.The pay issue is a big sock in the gut for EPA staff, according to an agency source, due to the departure of hundreds of employees and reduced bonuses for those who remain.The alleged malfeasance then descended almost into farce: according to the New York Times, at least five EPA officials were reassigned or demoted after they raised concerns about Pruitts spending, including a request for a $100,000-a-month charter aircraft membership and $70,000 for two office desks, one of them bulletproof, as well as Pruitts desire to use sirens to sweep aside DC traffic so he could reach Le Diplomate, a French restaurant.If the allegations are true then this isnt what taxpayer dollars are for, said Janet McCabe, a former EPA assistant administrator.This isnt the life Im used to living as a government person, McCabe said. You have to be scrupulous about even any whiff of a financial relationship with anyone being regulated. How can you trust a regulatory system when people arent held to very strict standards of ethics? [more]
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Fundraisers

A virtual event to support the league's mission of addressing food insecurity in the community. Get moving at least 1.5 miles per day for the entire month of October, in doing so you will travel virtually roughly the distance across Sangamon county.45 miles just not enough for you? For intense runners and walkers, we challenge you to go out and back through the corn, over the Sangamon river, and past the Capitol for 90 miles of challenge. (217) 544-5557
As more than one speaker noted, it was a Giant day in Blue Earth last Wednesday.

The official ground breaking ceremony was held at 10 a.m. for the new Chamber of Commerce building that will house the Chamber office, a Tourist Information Center and the Green Giant Memorabilia Museum.

Several people spoke before the ceremony, including the representatives of various boards and groups which have helped work on the project.

Those included Chamber director Cindy Lyon, Chamber board president Lillian Robinson, mayor Rick Scholtes, city administrator Tim Ibisch, Mary Kennedy of the EDA, county commissioner John Roper, as well as the city engineer, the architect and the general contractor involved with the construction.

The idea of the new building has been several years in the making. It started when the Chamber was looking at replacing the Little Red Barn in Giant Park which currently serves as the tourist information center.

From there it grew into a purchase of the old, empty former gas station building to the north of the Giant Park parking lot, and developing plans for an all new building.

The new building will come in at a cost of just under $1 million. When bids were let last month, the successful bidder was United Builders of Blue Earth.

Construction is expected to start as soon as the weather cooperates and the ground is ready.

Financing for the building comes from a variety of sources. The Chamber received a grant of $300,000 from the State Legacy Fund. The city of Blue Earth has stepped in and donated $200,000, and is going to finance the rest of the cost which the Chamber will be paying back in monthly lease payment installments, taking over full ownership of the facility when that amount is paid off.

In addition, the Chamber has done considerable fundraising for another large part of the cost, and Lyon says they will continue to do so.

Construction on the building is expected to take all summer, with completion estimated to be in August.

At that time the Chamber office, currently in the former police station, and the Giant Museum, now housed in the former fire hall, will make their move to their new location. So will the tourist information which will expand its space for souvenirs, with the move into the new building.

Nearly 50 people attended the ground breaking ceremony.
Is Wells close to having a new city administrator? Maybe.

Last Friday, April 6, the Wells city administrator hiring committee met and interviewed five candidates for the citys open position.

Originally, we had six candidates, but only five showed, said city councilwoman Crystal Dulas during Wells regular City Council meeting last Monday.

She was one of five assigned to the hiring committee.

There was one candidate that really stood out to us, and we questioned whether we needed to do a second round of interviews to figure out what we already know, she said.

What Dulas shared with the council is that the hiring committee already knows they feel this one specific candidate could fit into the Wells community nicely and questioned whether the committee could narrow down the interview process in order to fill the position sooner than their alloted timeline.

City attorney David Frundt mentioned that the Wells City Council would have to interview the final candidate or candidates, however, if the recommendation from the committee would be to interview only one or two candidates from the five that were interviewed on Friday, the council would be able to follow that recommendation.

Chris Holl of Pelican Rapids is the only finalist at this point, was a statement made by Wendell Sande, a representative from the South Central Service Cooperative. The committee had a strong consensus about this specific candidate.

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota is of similar size to Wells and, according to what Dulas shared with the council, this candidate has worked in two communities in the last 20 years, has worked on the city council in both of those communities, owned a total of eight Subway restaurants, and has been a part of a planning and zoning board, and is familiar with the concepts of a housing redevelopment authority board.

We feel he has a strong personality, but not too strong. He was very much a people person, said Dulas. There were three candidates that had potential but perhaps not enough experience, and two did not even come close.

The council then discussed the potential contracts for the job. Previously, the position stated the pay range was between $60,000-70,000 annually. The council wanted to not only put an exact number with the contract, but a full list of city benefits the new city administrator would receive as well.

Sande, who has been working with the city during this hiring process, stated to the committee he would share some similar contracts of cities which are of the same size of Wells to compare. Frundt would also be providing some examples of contracts for the council to look over.

While health insurance coverage, as well as benefits such as sick leave and paid holidays were still up in the air, the council did minimize the pay range from $60,000-$70,000 to $62,000-$63,500 depending on experience.

Its easier to go up than it is to go down, remarked John Herman who ran the meeting with their mayor absent due to illness.

The council was adamant about not permitting comp time in the contract due to previous experience from their former city administrator.

The council voted to set a special closed-session meeting for Friday, April 13 at 5 p.m. to discuss further details of the contract and hopefully complete a contract before the next round of city administrator interviews.

The council did not vote to hire Holl, but merely voted on setting a special meeting to go over the city administrator hiring agreement.

I expect they will attempt an agreement specifically with him, Sande told the Faribault County Register. The hiring committee did also agree to have the individual meet with the community at some point in the near future.

In other business, bids for the Sixth Street SW project were opened Friday, April 6. According to Wells city engineer Travis Winter the city received six bids from contractors.

We had concrete and bituminous alternates to look at the difference in pricing between the two, and we did figuring on a 30-year pavement life, said Winter. With all of that information, GM Contracting out of Lake Crystal was the lowest bidder for both concrete and bituminous.

Winter said water and sewer piping was added between Fifth and Sixth streets because the current state of the pipes were in poor condition.

We also upsized the pipes in order for the uptake of the pipe to fit more modern designs, said Winter.

With Dulas abstaining from the vote, and Mayor Braun not present at the meeting due to illness, Brenda Weber, Whitney Harig, and John Herman all voted in favor of accepting the low bid of bituminous pavement from GM Contracting at $1,957,640.01.

The council also:

Approved a street closure request for Thursday, Aug. 16, in regard to an activity for Kernel Days.

Heard from Donn Browne of the Wells Rifle and Pistol Club, who requested to move their archery area on the clubs property. Street foreman Mike Pyzick suggested Browne consult the tri-city utilities to ensure moving the archery area would be ok.

Set their next regular City Council meeting for April 23, at 5 p.m.
And we should seek to help the poor they way he fluffed the rich

Better than almost anyone in the history of American politics, Paul Ryan understands how to please the people he serves. And the people he serves are billionaire donors.

So when a guy who fancies himself as a billionaire donor became president of the United States, who could be surprised that Paul Ryan completely hijacked Donald Trumps agenda?

Because Paul Ryans agenda is making his billionaire donors richer.

Coincidentally, Donald Trumps agenda  despite whatever nonsense he spews and the random policy punches he throws hoping to silence the demons in his head that look like Fred Trump Sr.  is making Donald Trump richer.

In his first public appearance after being elected president, Trump promised his rich pals and himself tax cuts. To Trumps later chagrin, Paul Ryan convinced the president to go after Obamacare first because the trillion dollar cut he packed into the repeal would justify  obviously  bigger tax cuts for Donald Trump.

That repeal failed but Ryan still lived out his dream of being able to cut Donald Trumps several times over two decades. Then a day after the CBO announced his policies would result in some of the largest deficits ever recorded basically until infinity, Ryan wiped his hands and stepped away from the table.

Somehow he did this with some people claiming that he was still somehow a deficit hawk. This is a remarkable con for a man singularly devoted to flufflng the rich at all costs.

As Mike Grunwald noted, Ryan was a deficit hawk except when it came to taxes, and spending, and the deficit.

Ryan never let the deficit get in the way of his firmly held religious belief that poor people dont suffer enough, which is only matched by his belief that rich people dont have enough money.

As Paul Krugman noted, Look, the single animating principle of everything Ryan did and proposed was to comfort the comfortable while afflicting the afflicted. Can anyone name a single instance in which his supposed concern about the deficit made him willing to impose any burden on the wealthy, in which his supposed compassion made him willing to improve the lives of the poor?

The idea that the poor must be punished into not wanting to be poor anymore is not unique to Paul Ryan. Its the animating principle of the bizarro Christianity that defines the GOP. But few people have ever shown the absolute devotion to making the rich richer at the expense of everyone else than Paul Ryan.

Its a model we should all live by.

If and when Democrats get back into power, they should commit themselves to achieving their goals of expanding health care, raising wages and destroying discrimination with the ruthlessness in which Paul Ryan pleasured the rich.

And we should do this, like Paul Ryan, with blatant disregard for the deficit.

When anyone brings up red ink, we should stiff arm those concerns the way Paul Ryan does to talk about the cruelty of decades of stagnant wages or abomination of drug prices and how our policies should take this on. And do it with the calm assurance of Paul Ryan, a man who knows he will make tens of millions of dollars in the rest of his life giving speeches and taking lunches with the billionaires whose taxes he cut.

To care as little as Paul Ryan does about the deficit, you dont have to be a card-carrying member of the Modern Monetary Theory school of economics like Stephanie Kelton, experts who believe deficit concerns are massively overblown compared to actual crises like inequality. You can seek to lower the deficit using means that have been shown to improve our economy, like taxes on the rich and constraints on financialization.

But you should definitely be like Paul Ryan. Toss any concerns away about the cost of your plans and focus entirely on the people you represent. In Ryans case, this was billionaire donors. In our case, this would be about a hundred million struggling workers.

The Trump/Ryan tax cuts havent failed to become popular because they explode the deficit. Theyre unpopular with most Americans because they feel like about $1.50 a week, while we know Charles, a Koch brother from Wichita, is getting $13,461,538.50 a week.

Paul Ryans problem isnt the deficit; it never was. Paul Ryans problem is that over the last year or so, America finally got a chance to see exactly who Paul Ryan works for  fake billionaires like Donald Trump.
.  "    .       ,      .    .              SMS,             .     ,        ...
Search All categories Advertising General Aerospace General Agriculture General Airlines General America - Post 9/11 General Apparel General Apple Products General Architectural General Architecture Architecture Art & Entertainments Books Celebrities Country Music Dance Magazines Movies Museums Music Music Downloads News & Talk Shows Performing Arts Photography Television Web Sites Arts/Culture General Auction General Automotive Aftermarket Classic Autos Consumer Publications General Motorcycle & Bike Racing Recreational Vehicle Repair & Service Trade Publications Blogging & Social Media Blogging & Social Media Business Advertising / Marketing Books Consumer Research Direct Marketing e-Commerce Entrepreneurs Finance Franchise Human Resources Insurance Investment Management Markets Network Marketing Online Marketing / SEO Payday Loans Public Relations Publications Real Estate Retail Stocks Supermarkets Women in Business Careers/HR General Chemical General Coaching / Mentoring Coaching / Mentoring Computers Apple Products Databases Games & Entertainment General Hosting Instruction Linux / GNU "Open Source" Macintosh Microsoft Windows PC Operating Systems Programming Security Software Tablet PCs Utilities Construction General Consumer Gifts and Collectibles Hobbies Web sites / Internet Design Graphic Design Industrial Web E-Cigarette General eCommerce General Economy General Education College / University General Home Schooling K-12 Post Graduate Technical Electronics General Email Marketing General EmailWire Press Releases Press Release Tips Employment/Careers General Engineering General Entertainment General Environment General Events / Trade Shows General Finance General Food General Franchise General Fraud / Identity Theft General Gaming General Government General Judicial Law Enforcement Legislative Local National Public Services Security State Transportation Healthcare General Home and Family Banking / Personal Finance Bereavement / Loss Home Furnishings / Interiors Landscaping & Gardening Marriage / Relationships Money Parenting Payday Loans Pets Taxes Wedding / Bridal Home Schooling General Hotels/Resorts General Household General Industry Aerospace / Defense Agriculture Apparel / Textiles Broadcast Construction / Building Electrical Food Funeral Healthcare Leisure / Hospitality Logistics / Shipping Manufacturing / Production Mining / Metals Oil / Energy Paper / Forest Products Plumbing, Heating & AC Print Media Printing Publishing Radio Restaurants Tobacco Toy Insurance General Internet/Online General Legal General Leisure General Lifestyle Beauty Dating / Singles Diet / Weight Loss Fashion Food / Beverage Health & Fitness Hotel / Resorts Pastimes Restaurants Retirement Travel & Tourism Machinery General Maritime General Medical Addiction Allergies Alternative Medicine Asthma Cancer Cardiology Chiropractic Dental Dermatology Diabetes Emergency Family Medicine General General Geriatrics Hospitals Infectious Diseases Internal Medicine Managed Care / HMO Medical Products Mental Health Neurology Nursing Nutrition OB / GYN Pediatrics Pharmaceuticals Physical Therapy Plastic Surgery Psychology Radiology / Imaging Research Sports Medicine Surgery Vision Military General Mining/Metals General Miscellaneous General Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Non-profit General Occupational Safety Occupational Safety Oil/Energy General Opinion / Editorial Opinion / Editorial Paper Products General Paper/Forest General Pharmaceuticals General Podcasting Announce Tools and Services Politics Politics Print Media General Public Utilities Public Utilities Publishing General Radio General Real Estate General Religion Christian General Islam Jewish Other Restaurants General Retail General RSS & Content Syndication RSS & Content Syndication Science and Research Science and Research Self-Help / Personal Growth Self-Help / Personal Growth Shipbuilding General Society African American Interests Asian Interests Childrens Issues Disabled Issues / Disabilities Gay / Lesbian Hispanic Mens Interests Native American Senior Citizens Social Services Teen Issues/Interests Womens Interest Software General Sports Baseball Basketball Bicycling Boating / Maritime Bowling Boxing Fishing Football Golf Hockey Hunting Martial Arts Outdoors Rugby Soccer Tennis Water Winter/Snow Sports/Fitness General Stocks General Supermarkets General Technology Biotechnology Computer Electronics Enterprise Software Games Graphics/Printing/CAD Hardware / Peripherals Industrial Information Internet Multimedia Networking Public Sector/Government Robotics Semiconductor Software Telecommunications Webmasters Telecom General Wireless Television General Tobacco General Trade General Transportation General Travel General Utilities General Volunteer Volunteer Weather Weather
That depend upon what you buy doesnt it ?And you were expecting ???Buy whatever you have budgeted for, and if you havent got enough to eat, buy more, and if you're all fat, buy less
Hi,



I am in Australia with my partner on permanent visa. If Immigration and Citizenship rules don't change, I will be eligible for Citizenship at the end of this year. But my wife has only been in Australia for 1.5 years (and hence doesn't fulfil the Australian Residency requirement). My question is, does she need to? Or only main applicant (myself) need to fulfil the requirement? Can she stay overseas for a period more than 90 days (because that's against Citizenship requirements)?



Any help will be much appreciated.



Thanks.
Hi all, can anyone please tell me that when police officials come at your place for pcc, what docs they check?
Robous said: Handyman work, including kitchen fitting, bathrooms and general maintenance Click to expand...

As others have said, I think you need to carefully read up on how tradesmen operate in France (which, again as said, means either having good enough French language skills so you can understand the official websites, or be at the mercy of what other people tell you when you arrive, which might be right or might be wrong).The main point here is that you decide what exactly activities you are going to do and you register for that/those specific activity code(s). You can't do any work other than the activities you have registered for. The system isn't designed to let you be a jack of all trades.Handyman work very definitely does not include kitchen fitting and bathrooms. If you register as a handyman you're very limited what you can do. As I recall the rule is that you are restricted to small jobs that take no longer than one hour to complete and require no specific skills. I don't think you could fit a kitchen or a bathroom in one hour.If you want to take on bigger jobs, you need to prove your qualifications/experience and take out the appropriate insurances. What insurance is needed, will depend on your activities. Most folk specialise in one activity so that they only need to pay for one lot of insurance - registering for 3 or 4 trades would likely mean paying out several thousand  per year in insurance before you earn a cent, makes no sense for a one man band on the simplified micro regime where you can't offset expenses and overheads.Hopefully you have other strings to your bows because I'm not sure how realistic it is to hope to support a family of 4 by doing odd jobs for the expat community in Eymet. I suspect there are already plenty of Brits trying to scratch a living doing exactly that.As to what it's like living in Eymet - well it's a a marmite place isn't it. People sometimes refer to it as Little England, and either you love being surrounded by other Brits or you hate it.
TRIP REPORT

Few weeks ago, I flew to London and back on Air Serbia. My departure date was one day before the airline started implementing their new fare system, hence the price I paid for my flight gave me a bit less on return.





I arrived at the airport at about 8:15 am. Check in went smooth and the queue wasnt long. After passport control, I went on to buy a few things in the duty free, and managed to spend a bit too much since I somehow forgot half of the gadgets home. For example, the power adapter was around 22 euros or around 20 pounds, whereas the same thing costs 4 times less at LHR. Ending up spending much more than what I could have spent in London made me pretty frustrated in the end. But yeah, I am sure Im going to forget something sooner or later again.





The gate opened at about 9:25 am. I headed out there 15 minutes before boarding. Our aircraft was YU-APC, returning from Moscow that morning. There were 103 people on board in economy and only 3 were in Business class, leaving with a total of 106 pax.





Boarding started at about 9:40. After 20 minutes and a spray of hot green liquid, also known as deicing fluid, we were on our way to runway 30. We took off at 10:15 leaving a cold and snowy Belgrade.









First country on our route was Hungary, then followed by Austria, Czechia, Germany, Netherlands, a slight chunk of Belgium and finally, the United Kingdom.





Cabin crew begun serving us drinks at first, followed by a sandwich (either ham and cheese or veggie mix). I choose ham/cheese and some apple juice with water. We were also giver their signature cookie, 'Orasnica'.

Theres the sandwich. I took a bite as you can see. It wasnt so big nor small.





As I mentioned, Air Serbia had started implementing their new fare system right after my departue flight. On return, we were given out menus. Heres a glimpse of what passangers could expect to be given.









I think this move was unfair, since the return ticket on my date was quite expensive (around 108.000 RSD or 801 EUR for 2 adult passengers). Return ticket after the implementation of the new tariff system was 308 EUR / pax return or thereabouts. That price included one sandwich along with a drink by choice. [Note : This was handed out only in the first week. Later that month, passengers were only allowed to buy food. Also, this does not apply on JFK route, but the menu is available there as well.]





To be honest, they couldve included a 20 euro meal combo for such high ticket price.





Talking about comfort, there was enough of it. I stand at 61 or 185m, which is something in between the sizes, and fit quite comfortably. Seats are made out of faux leather (of course) and do not feature a headrest, unlike the old ones.





At half way, we were handed out landing cards, used when entering the UK. Since Im an EU citizen, i didnt need one.





Enthertainment wasnt working for me on this flight. When using a laptop (a mac in my case), you have to install a driver, which didnt work quite well. Internet was working well though, but data was not cheap, and there was not plenty of it.





After 2 hours, we started descending towards London. If you ever looked at a flightpath on FR24 or have flown there, you know the drill, circling for quite a bit of time. We were given clearance to land at about 12:30 and landed shortly afterwards.









Heres a view of Air Canadas 787 in the new livery.











Final thoughts:





After not flying with Air Serbia for a bit, I finally got to experience a smooth landings again.





The flight itself was nice overall. Crew was polite, experienced and professional as always. I was not happy about the new fares and catering options, but hey, at least they serve LHR and bunch of famous hubs. All in all, I am pretty satisfied and recommend anyone flying Air Serbia.

Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com
AUSTRALIAS reputation for high quality beef continues to be as important as ever with increased international competition in global export markets going forward into 2018.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) produces an annual industry projections report on beef and live exports, this year predicting a challenging year ahead for Australian beef exports, up against increased production and exports from many of our major competitors including the United States and Brazil.

The Australian cattle industry projections 2018 report showed Australias boxed beef exports are expected to edge above one million tonnes shipped weight (swt), which will be larger than any year prior to 2013.

A key factor of this increase is attributed to the US market with consumers there continuing to increase their per capita consumption, which is keeping much of the increased beef production in the US on home shores and away from Australian export markets.

More broadly, the report said the global economy has a much more positive outlook than this time last year with key regions, including the US and many parts of Asia, registering improvements in key economic indicators.

Many developing markets are also marked for some significant improvements in household wealth which the report noted generally flows through to an increase in protein consumption which together with natural population growth, should see beef consumption keep on expanding globally.

The report showed Australian beef exports ended 2017 in line with 2016 levels at 1.01mt swt, with both chilled and frozen product consistent year-on-year.

There was an uplift in volumes to Japan and China which helped offset a drop in volumes to Korea and Indonesia.

Australias improving supply situation comes at the same time global supply is expected to increase by more than 1mt in 2018, meaning Australia will be competing in the international market with a strong supply of beef.

All up, Australian beef exports are expected to increase to 1.04mt swt in 2018 which is a modest increase on 2017 and down on 2013-2015 volumes, but stronger than any year prior to 2013.

China and the US are forecasted to be the two main growth countries for beef consumption in the coming years globally, both of which will be crucial in soaking up the growing global supply.

The report showed Japan finished 2017 as Australias biggest export market for beef despite strong competition from the US.

Volumes to Japan from Australian were up by 11 per cent to 292,000 tonnes swt which was driven by growth across both frozen grainfed beef (up by 20pc) and frozen grassfed beef (up by 18pc) while chilled beef remained stable.

Looking to China, beef export volumes increased in 2017 after a significant drop in 2016.

The report showed almost all of the growth was driven by frozen grassfed products going into China (up by 22pc), making up about 70pc of Australian exports to the market.

Beef exports to the US ended 2017 just below 2016 levels at 234,000t swt and manufacturing beef remains dominant there, accounting for 63pc of Australian exports.

The US also continues to take a growing share of Australian chilled grassfed exports which reached 58,000t swt in 2017, up from 21,000t swt in 2010.

Turning to live exports, the MLA Australian cattle industry projections 2018 report stated 2018 will likely mirror 2017 for live exports which were restricted by tight domestic supply, high cattle prices and on-going international market uncertainty.

In 2017, Australian live cattle exports were down 22pc, reaching just less than 855,000 head.

The report expects live exports to increase from the level set in 2017 in the coming years, but it is unlikely levels will reach recent highs.

South East Asia remains the key export region for Australias live cattle, with more than 80pc of the entire Australian consignment heading there, including to Indonesia (60pc) and Vietnam (19pc).

The report showed shipments of feeder and slaughter cattle to indonesia in 2017 totalled 499,000 head, which was down 16pc from a year ago.

This was attributed to high Australian cattle prices, Indonesian government policies and the increasing foothold of Indian Buffalo meat in the Indonesian market.

Exports to Vietnam were also down by 15pc from year ago levels, totalling 165,000 head in 2017.

The report expects prices for beef and cattle to come under some pressure in 2018 as international competition intensifies and supply increases, the impact of this will depend on the level of restocker activity and strength of underlying demand for beef in Australia and overseas.
HISTORY was made at last Fridays Lawsons Angus Albany yearling bull sale when for the first time a Helmsman-style bull sale was conducted completely electronically on the AuctionsPlus system.

Buyers in attendance at the sale made use of mobile phones, laptops and iPads to conduct their bidding, while those who couldnt make the sale were also able to bid from the comfort of their home offices.

Instead of an auctioneers rostrum, two flat screen TVs were set up in the sale shed to show bids on bulls taking place in real time.

It also meant buyers at the sale were able to walk out of the shed to inspect the bulls in the sale pens as the auction ran and place bids from those sale pens on their electronic device as required.

This is the third year the sale has used the AuctionsPlus system, but in the past it was held in conjunction with physical bids taken at the sale itself.

Lawsons Angus Albany representative Bevan Ravenhill said while last years sale was successful, its four-hour duration prompted a change.

We acknowledged that last years sale went too long and this was due to us taking both physical bids at the sale and writing them on a whiteboard as well as receiving electronic bids via AuctionsPlus, he said.

This year we decided to try running the sale completely electronically and I think our loyal buyers totally embraced the concept.

We have a positive buying group that are moving with the times in terms of buying yearling bulls and using the latest technology to do so.

We are pleased with the uptake of this technology by our clients and the positive feedback we had from it.

Buyers more than embraced the new concept with a total of 71 people logging on to the sale and 20 active bidders taking part in the action to see a top price of $13,000 set and a $5444 average for the 58 bulls sold under the hammer in an hour and 20 minutes.

While it was always going to be hard to match last years fantastic result where there was a 100 per cent clearance of 77 bulls on offer at a remarkable average of $8542, those involved were still clearly content with the overall result.

In a pleasing result for the vendors, buyer activity following the sale saw all bulls sold and record a total clearance.

Colin Thexton, Independent Rural Agents, Pemberton, was the selling agent for the sale and is also a long-term supporter of the AuctionsPlus system.

He said it was an outstanding sale and acknowledged the pioneering move by the Lawsons team to conduct the first full AuctionsPlus-only bull sale in Australia.

The presentation of bulls on offer was outstanding and there was good support from the buying community, he said.

I think moving to a full AuctionsPlus sale was a natural progression for the stud with their clients becoming increasingly comfortable with the system in recent years.

The value of the bulls was realistic in todays market and the figures on the sale team were second to none.

Given the electronic nature of the sale, there were no buyer names provided for this report, but there was a mix of bidders in attendance at the sale and those that were bidding were from across Australia.

The top price bull sold for $13,000 and is headed to a Northern Territory buyer.

This bull, Lawsons Prophet N1719, was a GAR Prophet son with the well-known Lawsons Bartel E7 represented on the dams side.

Its performance figures were chart bending, with a below breed average mature cow weight of +88 and a domestic index of +$134 that was in the top 1pc of the breed.

The 502 kilogram bull had a 400-day weight of +99, which was in the top 5pc of the breed, while its heavy grain index of +$173 was also in the top 5pc.

As you would expect, this bull was clearly in demand from several buyers with 37 bids placed on it for the duration of the sale, the most of any bull offered.

GAR Prophet sons were in demand at the sale with the $11,250 second-top priced bull also by this sire.

The bull, Lawsons Prophet N1682, was purchased by the Richardson family, Kentdale Grazing Co, Denmark.

N1682 was one of the heavier bulls in the catalogue weighing in at 580kg and had one of the highest marbling EBVs in the team at 3.9, which was in the top 5pc of the breed plus it was in the top 10pc of the breed for heavy grain index at +$150.

Previous buyers of Lawsons genetics, Andrew Richardson said the bulls were working well in the familys mostly Angus commercial herd.

We liked the fact that this bull represents a new bloodline for our herd and that is what initially attracted us to him, Mr Richardson said.

He has good growth, softness and a nice frame on him.

We like buying yearling bulls, it gives you an extra year of genetic improvement within your herd and if you look after them they do well for you.

We dont put them to a lot of cows and treat them the same as we would our heifers.

The Richardsons bought three bulls in total, paying $4000 for lot two and $4000 for lot five.

Next best in the price stakes was the bull in lot 26, which sold for $9000.

This bull, Lawsons Sure Fire N1665, was sired by GAR Sure Fire and out of Lawsons Bartel E7 L124.

It weighed in at 554kg and was described in the catalogue as a bull that could take a herd to whole new level.

N1665 recorded the highest domestic index figure in the sale team of +$138, which was in the top 1pc of the breed and it also had the equal highest heavy grain index of +$151, which was in the top 5pc of the breed.

Its EMA of +8.3 also placed it in the top 5pc of the breed.

The bull was clearly highly thought of by the Lawsons team with the stud retaining semen marketing rights on a 50pc revenue sharing interest with the buyer.

Lot 28 was also in high demand during the sale selling for $8500.

This bull, Lawsons Sure Fire N1713, was another Sure Fire son that was out of a Lawsons Incredible daughter.

The bull was ranked second in the sale for domestic index (+$151), which was top 1pc of the breed and was ranked third for heavy grain index at +$173  placing it in the top 5pc of the breed.

Another Sure Fire son in lot 27 attracted plenty of interest selling for $7500.

This bull, Lawsons Sure Fire N1582, had a domestic index of +$151, which was in the top 1pc of the breed, while heavy grain index of +$175 was the equal highest in the team and in the top 5pc of the breed.

It also had the third highest 400-day weight in the catalogue at +100 and was in the top 10pc of the breed for EMA at +7.9.

Four bulls sold for $7250 and these included three GAR Prophet sons found in lot 20, 22 and 23, while a Lawsons Incredible H803 son in lot 56 also found some admirers to make that value.
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
If youve browsed the childrens section of a bookshop lately, you might have spotted a host of new books about inspiring women - from smash-hits like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls to books about women in science and sport. As these tales of amazing real-life heroines from Boudicca to Beyonce top the bestseller lists, some of the more traditional stories aimed at little girls, with their princesses and pink sparkles, may seem increasingly outdated. After all who would want to be Rapunzel or Sleeping Beauty when you could be Frida Kahlo or Ada Lovelace? And why would we continue to peddle the message that while boys can be superheroes, astronauts or adventurers, the only thing girls can aspire to be is a fairy-tale princess in a glittery gown?

Katherine Woodfine

At first glance, my new book ROSES DRESS OF DREAMS may seem to be a prime offender here. After all, the cover is pink, featuring an image of a lovely ballgown (beautifully illustrated by Kate Pankhurst) and sparkling with enough silver foil to satisfy even the most ardent glitter enthusiast. But whilst there are certainly plenty of gorgeous gowns in its pages - and yes, even a princess - the real heroine of this story is Rose, an ordinary girl with a flair for fashion, who sets out in pursuit of her dreams.

ROSES DRESS OF DREAMS takes its inspiration from a real-life historical figure - Rose Bertin, who is often considered to be the worlds first fashion designer and the inventor of haute couture. From humble beginnings, this talented and ambitious young dressmaker rose to become Frances most famous designer, and a member of Marie Antoinettes inner circle. Described as the Minister for Fashion she had a huge influence on style across Europe - and her incredible designs continue to influence fashion designers today.

As someone whos always loved fashion myself, I was excited to write a story inspired by Roses life for younger readers. ROSES DRESS OF DREAMS offered me an opportunity to celebrate a bold and determined young woman who made history with her imagination and creativity - but also to delight in the joys of fancy frocks and spectacular shoes. Fashion so often gets a bad press, but its an art-form in its own right; and whilst of course theres more to life than dressing up in frilly frocks, theres no reason that I can see that young readers shouldnt have the chance to enjoy its glitz and glamour.

As a childrens writer, Im always aware of the possibilities that the stories I tell can have to shape young readers imaginations and inform their view of the world. With this in mind, Id love ROSES DRESS OF DREAMS to show that theres plenty of room to celebrate fashion alongside science, sport and politics, and that girls can be bold, brave and clever, while still enjoying a pink sparkle or two along the way. Most of all though, I hope that the girls (and boys) who read this story will be inspired by Roses incredible passion and determination to set out boldly in the direction of their own dreams - whatever they may be.
Shirley Ballas has received a 70,000 pay rise.

Shirley Ballas

The 57-year-old Queen of Latin was paid 180,000 for her work as head judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing' last year, but after signing on to continue for a second series, she's now being given a hefty 250,000 contract, matching the sum earned by previous head judge Len Goodman.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Shirley was thrilled her salary was brought up to what Len Goodman was paid in the role of head judge.

"She couldn't see why she should get less than the person she replaced - especially after more than proving herself in her first year. It's a great victory for equal pay."

Shirley's pay rise means she will now earn the same as Bruno Tonioli, 62, whose higher pay cheque is in line with what he's paid for working on America's 'Dancing With the Stars'. Fellow judges Darcey Bussell, 48, and Craig Revel-Horwood, 53, both earn 180,000 for the show.

It was revealed earlier this month that Shirley would be returning to the show, but she previously admitted she wasn't sure whether or not she'd be asked back as she initially had a mixed response from viewers.

She said: "I've had the most spectacular time. There have been some things to get used to like Twitter and the press. But generally I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being on the show. As of yet, nothing has been decided. So we will wait and see...

"I'm quite a perfectionist. When I first came on and I had to judge the first show, it was terrifying. I take my job extremely seriously. You are totally under scrutiny. I go from week to week. I'm married to what I do. I think I did pretty good. I would probably give myself 'seven'. In anything you do there is room for improvement."
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
SMITHS FALLS, Ontario and PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has signed definitive agreements to acquire Annabis Medical s.r.o ("Annabis Medical"), expanding the Company's focus into another emerging medical cannabis market. This transaction is scheduled to close Monday, April 16, 2018.

Annabis Medical is the leader in the Czech Republic's medical cannabis industry and currently imports and distributes cannabis products pursuant to federal Czech licenses, with products for sale through pharmacy channels across the Czech Republic. Its founder and CEO, Dr. Robin Kazik, will continue to lead and grow the Czech subsidiary as part of the larger Canopy Growth family.

"This acquisition is another example of our commitment to expanding Canopy's European presence and furthering our position of leadership," said Mark Zekulin, President, Canopy Growth. "We look forward to supplying Czech customers with our high quality, GMP-produced medical cannabis products, and providing further resources to support education for Czech pharmacists, patients and healthcare practitioners."

By combining Canopy Growth's extensive global experience and network with the strong national position of Annabis Medical, Canopy is proud to bring its renowned Spectrum Cannabis brand to another European market.

"With a strong footprint and established distribution network in the Czech medical cannabis market, as well as a history of importing Canadian cannabis, we are excited to join the Canopy Growth family. This move will allow us to more rapidly diversify our product offering and strengthen our access to supply as we scale in the market," said Dr. Robin Kazik, Founder and CEO of Annabis Medical.

The acquisition of Annabis Medical will build on Canopy Growth's position of leadership in the European medical cannabis space and follows the recent partnership and supply agreement with Spanish pharmaceutical leader Alcaliber S.A. Additionally, Canopy Growth currently supplies the German market through its subsidiary, Spektrum Cannabis GmbH, and has formed a partnership, Spectrum Cannabis Denmark ApS, which is licensed to cultivate cannabis in a 40,000 square meter greenhouse production facility located in Odense, Denmark. These assets, combined with Canopy Growth's unparalleled Canadian production and sales platforms, represent the world's largest and most diversified cannabis platform.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will issue Dr. Kazik 50,735 common shares in the capital of the Company valued at $1,491,882.70 on closing and, subject to meeting certain milestones, will issue up to an additional 34,758 common shares valued at $1,022,080.00, based on the 5 day VWAP of $29.40519 on April 5, 2018. The total value of the consideration payable under the terms of the agreement is approximately $2,513,962.70. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Pro budouci rAst! (Here's to Future Growth.)

About Canopy Growth Corporation

Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time.

Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eight cannabis production sites with over 2.4 million square feet of production capacity, including over 500,000 square feet of GMP-certified production space. The Company has operations in seven countries across four continents. The Company is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and through its partly owned subsidiary, Canopy Health Innovations, has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers Corporation, the Company is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. For more information visithttp://www.canopygrowth.com/.

About Annabis Medical s.r.o

Annabis Medical s.r.o is a medical cannabis distributor based in the Czech Republic and has, directly or through its affiliates, held medical cannabis licences since 2014. Distribution of medical cannabis began in 2015 and the company has previously worked with Office of Medicinal Cannabis from the Netherlands and also imported medical cannabis from Canada. Sister company Annabis, s.r.o. is the producer of hemp organics cosmetics and is not involved in transaction.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth, its subsidiaries, or Annabis Medical to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include the closing of the acquisition of Annabis Medical, the ongoing involvement of Dr. Kazik in the operation of Annabis Medical, the expansion of the Company's European operations, the market position of the Company and Annabis Medical and the diversification of Annabis Medical's product offerings and its access to supply. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with: closing the acquisition of Annabis Medical, including the satisfaction of any conditions precedent, obtaining export and import permits; changes in the laws governing the Company's operations, both domestically and internationally; the integration of newly acquired subsidiaries; operating in emerging markets; regulatory and stock exchange approvals; and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 28, 2017 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

Jordan Sinclair, Director of Communications, Jordan@tweed.com, +1-613-769-4196; Investor Relations: Tyler Burns, Tyler.Burns@canopygrowth.com , +1-855-558-9333 ex 122; Director: Bruce Linton, tmx@tweed.com
DUBAI, UAE, April 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

DEWA and ACWA Power, in collaboration with Shanghai Electric, will undertake the 700 MW CSP project in Dubai , the largest thermo-solar power plant in the world

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Shanghai Electric Generation Group (SEGC) for the DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) 700MW CSP project in Dubai was signed at a ceremony in China.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/559485/ACWA_Power_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677141/DEWA_CSP_Project_Signed_in_China.jpg )



The project is the 4th phase of the Mohamed bin Rashid Solar Park, the largest thermo-solar power plant in the world. The agreement was signed in Shanghai in presence of representatives from the Chinese government, the embassies of the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as senior officials from DEWA, ACWA Power, the Silk Road Fund, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China and China Minsheng Bank.

The project is in the process of concluding the financing package. ICBC is acting as the mandated lead arranger and targeting to approve USD 1.5 billion of senior loan. This project is a flagship project for ICBC in supporting the three major Chinese power equipment suppliers, namely Shanghai Electric, Dongfang Electric and Harbin Electric, to 'go abroad' and break through the sophisticated and established power market. ICBC, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China will play an important role in the financing of the project, providing almost 80% of senior debt.

The EPC agreement pushes forward the development of the project, which represents a 14.2 Billion AED (USD 3.87 Billion) investment. The project, which comes with a record low tariff of just USD 7.3 cents per kilowatt hour (kW/h), will feature a combination of a tower and parabolic troughs, which will collect heat and store it in molten salt to supply electricity on demand during the day and through the night. The CSP tower to be built at the site will the world's tallest CSP Tower, at 260m.

"I am pleased to be here in Shanghai to attend the signing of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement for the completion of the fourth phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy Complex," said DEWA MD & CEO of DEWA, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer. "This agreement builds on the strong ties between our two countries, which were formed by our common values ''and the commercial and economic interests that unite us."

"By signing this agreement, we have taken a significant step towards starting the engineering and construction works. We are committed to supporting Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy through this project, which extends our portfolio in the energy sector in Dubai," said ACWA Power Chairman, Mohammad Abunayyan.

ACWA Power President & CEO, Paddy Padmanathan added: "Thanks to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, this project proves the success and effectiveness of implementing projects based on a public-private partnership model. We are confident that signing the EPC agreement with Shanghai Electric will secure the delivery of required work at the highest standards."

Chairman of SEGC, Mr. Zheng Jianhua, said: "This project presents an opportunity for China, UAE and KSA to cooperate, promote and benefit in energy and infrastructure development based on each parties' advantage in equipment manufacturing, engineering, construction & infrastructure, financing, project development and project management."

The fourth phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park is set to save 2.4 million tons of CO2 and half a million tons of natural gas per year, eliminating the need to use foreign currency to import this gas by substituting it with clean and renewable energy.

About ACWA Power:

ACWA Power is a developer, investor and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water production plants currently with presence in 11 countries including in the Middle East and North Africa, Southern Africa and South East Asia regions. ACWA Power's portfolio, with an investment value in excess of USD 30 billion, can generate 22+ GW of power and produce 2.5 million m 3 /day of desalinated water to be mostly delivered on a bulk basis to state utilities and industrial majors on long term off-take contracts under Public-Private-Partnership, Concession and Utility Services Outsourcing models.

ACWA Power, registered and head-quartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is owned by seven Saudi conglomerates, Sanabil Direct Investment Company (owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia), the Saudi Public Pensions Agency and the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group).

ACWA Power pursues a mission to reliably deliver electricity and desalinated water at low cost, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of the communities and countries it invests in and serves.

ACWA Power strives to achieve success by adhering to the values of Safety, People and

Performance in operating its business.

About concentrated solar power (CSP)

Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to focus a large area of sunlight onto a small area - unlike PV, which generates power through the photovoltaic effect. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator.

For more information, visit http://www.acwapower.com , follow us on Twitter @acwapower or contact:

Jon Barber

Director - Corporate Communications



22nd Floor, Nassima Tower

Sheikh Zayed Road

P.O. Box 30582, Dubai

United Arab Emirates



T+971-(0)4-509-1052

M+971-56-507-5710

F+971-(0)4-385-9625

acwapower.com


R. Lee Ermey, a former Marine Corps drill instructor known to millions of moviegoers as the sadistic Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket," died Sunday morning, according to his longtime manager. He was 74.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Bill Rogin said Ermey had died due to complications from pneumonia.

"He will be greatly missed by all of us," Rogin wrote. "Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed."

A Kansas native, Ermey enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1961 at age 17. He served for 11 years, including 14 months in Vietnam, before he was discharged in 1972. He served as a technical adviser in Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Vietnam War epic, "Apocalypse Now," in which he also had a small role as a helicopter pilot.

But Ermey didn't get his big break until eight years later, in Kubrick's own take on Vietnam. He was originally supposed to be a technical adviser, but Kubrick offered him the role of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman after seeing a demo tape of Ermey railing at extras while tennis balls flew at him.

In his role as a drill instructor breaking in new Marines at boot camp on Parris Island, S.C., Ermey roared his way into film history by berating his unfortunate charges.

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS PROFANITY

"Here you are all equally worthless," Ermey/Hartman says by way of introduction. "And my orders are to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack the gear to serve in my beloved Corps. Do you maggots understand that?"

The main target of Ermey's wrath is the unfortunate, overweight Private Pyle, played by Vincent D'Onofrio.

"Were you born a fat, slimy, scumbag puke piece of s---," Private Pyle, or did you have to work on it?" the gunnery sergeant asks in one scene.

But having turned Private Pyle into a killing machine, Hartman is helpless when his own creation turns on him, gunning him down the night after boot camp graduation after Hartman asks: "What is your major malfunction, numbnuts?"

Kubrick told Rolling Stone that 50 percent of Ermey's dialogue in the film was his own.

"In the course of hiring the marine recruits, we interviewed hundreds of guys. We lined them all up and did an improvisation of the first meeting with the drill instructor. They didn't know what he was going to say, and we could see how they reacted. Lee came up with, I don't know, 150 pages of insults," Kubrick said.

D'Onofrio and "Full Metal Jacket" co-star Matthew Modine tweeted their condolences late Sunday, with Modine quoting the poet Dylan Thomas.

"Full Metal Jacket" earned Ermey a Golden Globe nomination, as well as a career playing authority figures -- from Mayor Tilman in 1988's "Mississippi Burning" to little green army man Sarge in the more family-friendly "Toy Story."

In all, Ermey racked up more than 60 credits in television and film, including apperances in "Se7en," "Prefontaine," and "Toy Soldiers." He also hosted the History Channel series "Mail Call" and "Lock N' Load with R. Lee Ermey."

An outspoken conservative, Ermey spoke to Fox News in 2016 about being "blackballed" from Hollywood over his political views.

"I've had a very fruitful career. I've done over 70 feature films," he said. "I've done over 200 episodes of [Outdoor Channel series 'GunnyTime']... and then [Hollywood] found out that I'm a conservative."

Actually, he corrected, "I'm an Independent, but I said something bad about the president. I had something unsavory to say about the president's administration, and even though I did vote for him the first time around, I was blackballed."

Ermey, who was an NRA board member, said at the time that his association with the organization and his disapproval of President Obama cost him acting jobs.

"Do you realize I have not done a movie in five to six years? Why? Because I was totally blackballed by the ... liberals in Hollywood," he alleged. "They can destroy you. They're hateful people [who] don't just not like you, they want to take away your livelihood ... that's why I live up in the desert on a dirt road ... I don't have to put up with their crap."

"He will be greatly missed by all of us," Rogin told The Associated Press Sunday. "It is a terrible loss that nobody was prepared for."

Rogin says that while his characters were often hard and principled, the real Ermey was a family man and a kind and gentle soul who supported the men and women who serve.

Fox News' Sasha Savitsky and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Look out, world. New Yorkers have discovered that their city has four Chick-fil-A restaurants  including the worlds largest.

Word got out last week in a New Yorker magazine article titled Chick-fil-As creepy infiltration of New York City.

The author is Dan Piepenbring, described as being from Brooklyn.

The air smelled fried, he reports about his arrival at the chains Fulton Street location.

He then recounts how one of the Manhattan locations boasts of selling one sandwich every six seconds, and reports that the company plans to open as many as a dozen more storefronts in the city.

Then comes a discussion of what he describes as the companys pervasive Christian traditionalism.

Piepenbring mentions that Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy has been accused of anti-gay bigotry, and that the headquarters in Atlanta is adorned with Bible verses and a statue of Jesus washing a disciples feet.

He then slams the companys Eat Mor Chickin promotions, calling them one of the most popular, and most morbid, advertising campaigns in fast-food history.

Some Twitter users were not impressed with the article.

Going to be funny when The New Yorker employees start sneaking in their delicious food...wonder if they will be fired, one Twitter user wrote.

This is bigotry, another commented. The New Yorker would never use the word "infiltration" to describe newcomers of any other religion.

The New Yorker sneering at the Chick-fil-A cows is why Trump won, a third Twitter user wrote.

Regardless of what the New Yorker and its staff might think, it seems that Americans have already rendered their verdict on the restaurant chain.

Earlier this month, Fox News reported that Chick-fil-A is on pace to become the nations third largest fast food chain by 2020.

Fox News Michael Bartiromo contributed to this story.
Theres both good and bad news for national park visitors this summer.

After fierce public outcry, the agency is indeed hiking daily entrance fees at some of America's most popular parks by $5 to $35 a vehicle. The new plan replaces a proposal that would have charged $70 for cars to enter perennial hotspots like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion, the release details.

An investment in our parks is an investment in America. Every dollar spent to rebuild our parks will help bolster the gateway communities that rely on park visitation for economic vitality, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said in a statement. I want to thank the American people who made their voices heard through the public comment process on the original fee proposal. Your input has helped us develop a balanced plan that focuses on modest increases at the 117 fee-charging parks as opposed to larger increases proposed for 17 highly-visited national parks."

FISHERMAN GIVES C-SECTION TO DEAD SHARK, FREES 98 PUPS INTO THE OCEAN

The $11.6 billion maintenance backlog isnt going to be solved overnight and will require a multi-tiered approach as we work to provide badly needed revenue to repair infrastructure. This is just one of the ways we are carrying out our commitment to ensure that national parks remain world class destinations that provide an excellent value for families from all income levels, he added.

As the new changes go into effect June 1, more than two-thirds of national parks will remain free to enter, Reuters reports.

Federal law requires that 80 percent of revenue generated at a national park remains where it is collected. The remaining funds can be funneled to other projects within the system, the outlet specifies. The modest price hike aims to generate revenue to address $11.6 billion in deferred maintenance projects through the National Park system of 417 parks, historic and cultural sites, and monuments.

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL HIKES MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN HONOR OF LATE DAD, BREAKS RECORD

The updated fee plan is "a big win for park-lovers everywhere," Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, told ABC News. "This is a prime example that activism works.

In October 2017, the National Park Service announced it was considering hiking fees to address the maintenance backlog and opened up a month-long period for public comment. After receiving more than 109,000 comments from people opposing the plan, they rolled out the new strategy to keep the parks more financially accessible.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Trump was able to declare "mission accomplished" by tweet just hours after a missile attack by the U.S., Britain and France struck three key chemical weapons facilities in Syria early Saturday because the strike was limited, clearly defined and multilaterally endorsed.

And the attack was aimed at a single vital objective: restoring an increasingly ignored red line against the use of chemical weapons.

The attack was not aimed at toppling the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who continues to share the U.S. goal of defeating the Islamic State terrorist group. Nor did it target Syria's enablers, Iran and Russia, both of whom have a significant troop presence and other assets in Syria.

At the same time, the Trump administration was correct in blaming Russia and Iran for undermining the once universally respected ban on the use chemical weapons, particularly against civilians.

While Trump has said he will pursue additional measures should Assad not mend his chemical weapons ways, his declaration that our troops in Syria would soon be withdrawn may have prompted Assad to conclude that he could use chemical weapons against his citizens without penalty.

On 12 occasions, Russia has vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at condemning such Syrian military excesses and its persistent flaunting of international law in the 7-year-old civil war.

In announcing the strikes, President Trump also abandoned his habitual reluctance to blame Russia for helping foment such aggression. Not mincing words, the president warned Russia against its continued indifference to its clients violation of international rules and norms.

Speaking from a Latin American summit Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence reinforced President Trumps message by saying that Russia was on the wrong side of history in tolerating the use of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The missile attack took place at 4 a.m. Saturday Syrian time, and on the night of Friday the 13th in the U.S. It differed significantly from the last U.S. strike on the Shayrat air base in relatively unpopulated part of Syria a year ago.

Defense Secretary James Mattis declared a day after that earlier strike that 20 percent of Syria's operational aircraft had been destroyed and that Syria had lost the ability to launch a chemical weapons attack on its own people. But the Assad regime began using chemical weapons within four months of the strike.

The April 7, 2017 strike, moreover, was a unilateral American action that targeted only one part of the single airbase from which an earlier chemical attack had been launched.

This weekends strike, by contrast, was a joint American-British-French action that targeted three key chemical weapons research, production, and storage facilities, including the infamous Syrian Scientific Research Complex.

Andrew Weber, a former senior Pentagon official and President Obamas adviser on weapons of mass destruction calls that research complex the brain of the entire Syrian chemical and biological weapons program.

The destruction of the research complex  which included a laboratory, research and development center, and an administrative headquarters  has set back Syria's chemical weapons and biological weapons program by years, Weber said, echoing the Pentagon's "after battle assessment."

President Trump's blunt criticism of Russia reflects an increasingly tough attitude towards Moscow by a president, who has been notoriously reluctant to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin, his repression at home and aggression abroad.

While President Trump still seems hesitant to blame Putin personally for Russia's provocations, his administration has enacted increasingly tough measures to contain Moscow.

The Trump administration, for instance, has recently authorized the sale of defensive weapons to Ukraine, which Russia invaded and partly occupies.

The U.S. has also imposed sanctions not only against Russian state-owned institutions, but against more than a dozen oligarchs close to Putin.

In response to an alleged use of nerve gas against a former Russia spy and his daughter in Salisbury, England, Washington has expelled dozens of diplomats and closed, or kept closed Russian compounds and facilities.

And now the U.S. has warned Moscow that it will be held responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

If Russia fails to get the message, President Trump vowed Friday that additional punishment seems likely.

Future strikes, if needed," Weber said in an interview, "should target regime aviation and command and control assets used to commit chemical crimes against humanity.

President Trump also said that in addition to further military strikes, if necessary, he would respond with additional economic and diplomatic measures. But if the administration has a broader strategy towards Syria, most experts cannot discern it.

The Syrian war cannot be ended by military measures alone, warned Ryan Crocker, a former U.S. ambassador to Damascus. Nor does the administration seem to have a plan for containing and reducing Russia's and Iran's presence and influence in Syria.

President Trump has sent mixed signals about his own intentions. While he said he will pursue additional measures should Assad not mend his chemical weapons ways, his declaration two weeks earlier that America's 2,000 troops in Syria would soon be withdrawn may have prompted Assad to conclude that he could use chemical weapons against his citizens without penalty.

As long as President Trumps intentions remain so muddled, the message he intends to send to Syria and its patrons risks falling on deaf ears.
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Trumps calibrated and courageous decision to join France and Britain in striking chemical weapons targets in Syria before dawn Saturday drew support and opposition from members of Congress. Opponents have argued he should have sought congressional authorization for the military action in Syria. They are wrong.

President Trumps action to attack Syria was exceptionally well-grounded legally. Self-evident moral authority supports using any reasonable means to protect innocents from the moral outrage of chemical weapons.

Ahead of the attack, Vice President Mike Pence personally notified House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. He could not reach Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He confirmed the limited nature, objectives and duration of the Syrian strike.

As Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other U.S. officials made clear, America and our allies mounted a one-off attack to deter any future use of chemical weapons by Syria, a prerogative fully supported by international law.

President Trumps thoughtful, well-planned, narrowly drawn and superbly executed strike on Syrian chemical weapons facilities wasted no time, ordnance or lives. Its purpose was clear, well-stated and well-served. It should be non-controversial. Still, he is attacked.

Neither President Trump nor anyone in his administration has suggested the onset of a long American military combat commitment in Syria.

But U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley reaffirmed Americas resolve to prevent any further use of chemical weapons. She said Saturday at the U.N.: I spoke to the president this morning, and he said, If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

Nevertheless, leading Democrats have been vocal in demanding congressional approval for any U.S. military involvement in Syria.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2016, was quick to tweet: Trumps decision to launch airstrikes against Syria without Congress approval is illegal. We need to stop giving presidents a blank check to wage war. Today its Syria, but whats going to stop him from bombing Iran or North Korea next?

Kaines tweet is legally inept, and all but laughable, given that President Bill Clinton  husband of Kaines 2016 running mate, Hillary Clinton  undertook a long series of air strikes in Kosovo and elsewhere, without any congressional authorization or pretense to getting it.

Lets cut to the nub: The 1973 War Powers Resolution was intended to dissuade presidents from long-duration combat engagements and insertion of large numbers of U.S. troops. The law grew out of a decade of U.S. combat in Vietnam. It presumes to require that presidents get congressional approval for military combat operations if they last more than 60 days.

Most legal scholars consider parts of the law unconstitutional. Presidents of both parties have generally demurred. No president has acceded to the laws constitutionality.

That said, the interplay of executive and legislative branches on military matters  reflecting the constitutional balance between the Article II commander-in-chief powers and Congresss Article I declaration of war powers  has always been respectful since Vietnam.

It was this time, also.

Yet some members of Congress still contend the War Powers Resolution has been triggered, or that President Trump must report to them before another strike.

This is nonsense. No president has been held to that standard, effectively transmuting the commander-in-chiefs authority to conduct limited duration, surgical strikes  consistent under international law and with allies  into a congressional prerogative.

Even the Authorization of Use of Military Force Act of 2001  enacted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks  is not relevant here. That law was intended to address, and thus authorized, counterterrorism operations on a major scale, within set limits.

The law, which has been roundly criticized in recent years, opened the door to attacks on state and non-state actors tied back to the Sept. 11 attacks  but without a time limit. Whatever one thinks of the law, our attack in Syria is not that kind of operation, nor is any such mass deployment in Syria under discussion.

Still, critics in Congress demand President Trump defend his Syria action and come to them for permission. They want, it seems, to further limit the presidents already limited ability to use the U.S. military to defend our nation, forcing him to get their authorization for what he did and any strikes that may lie ahead.

Frankly, this is unnecessary, wildly premature at best, and somewhat embarrassing.

Congressional Democrats seem unable to stop themselves. They must attack this president. It is now an article of faith with the party, even if not backed up by the Constitution.

President Trumps thoughtful, well-planned, narrowly drawn and superbly executed strike on Syrian chemical weapons facilities wasted no time, ordnance or lives. Its purpose was clear, well-stated and well-served. It should be non-controversial. Still, he is attacked.

Famously, Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, R-Mich., said in 1947 that we must stop partisan politics at the waters edge, explaining his support for Democratic President Harry Trumans foreign policy.

Where has that traditional consensus gone? Democrats senselessly pile on, joined by a small band of anti-Trump Republicans. The specter of such internal division is odd. It must be to our allies.

Be sure of this: These frivolous claims of illegality are watched, maybe even fanned, by our worst adversaries. Anything that divides us helps them.

Some days, the head spins listening to official Washington go to war with itself. In this instance, leading Democratic critics of President Trump cannot just say thank you and well done.

They must, it seems, twist this legally justified, masterfully concluded operation  one that serves the best-long term interests of America and the world  into an act worthy of partisan resistance.

When will this stop? When will we think again, as Vandenberg did, about the importance of unity for national security, national security for preserving moral values, and both as a way for making the world a better, safer place? If not a consensus around this event, then when?

For his extraordinary, thoughtful and entirely legal strike on Syrias chemical weapons infrastructure  establishing a new and higher level of credible deterrence to make the world a safer place  President Trump deserves our thanks, not our condemnation or attempts to limit his lawful authority as the commander-in-chief.
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Missile strikes by the U.S., France and Britain that badly damaged Syrian dictator Bashar Assads chemical weapons infrastructure Saturday were an important first step to improve the lives of the Syrian people. But more is needed. Assad must go.

Despite the attack on Syria, its allies Iran and Russia are very unlikely to heed President Trumps call to stop backing Assads criminal actions. And despite the attack, Assad will most likely use chemical weapons again.

As a result, President Trump should be prepared to order follow-on missile strikes and more stringent measures against Assads remaining research and chemical facilities, as well as against the aircraft and forces that deploy chemical weapons. We should not wait until Assad uses his chemical weapons again.

President Trump ought to press the Russians to marginalize Iran and replace Assad with a more pliable leader who is willing to make a deal with the opposition and end the horrific 7-year civil war in Syria.

The only way to accomplish this may be to signal to Moscow and Tehran that the U.S. is ready to launch more missile strikes against Assad regime targets and new ones against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Syria and their proxies.

We must maintain a constant and steady level of military pressure against Damascus and Tehran, until Moscow agrees to jettison both Iran and Assad as its clients.

President Trump has demonstrated that he can build a foreign policy legacy that does the right thing in Syria  for American national security interests and for humanity  while his predecessor went horribly wrong.

President Trump could also authorize more aggressive joint military surgical strikes that target senior leadership of the Syrian Scientific Research Center  the nerve center that runs Assads weapons of mass destruction program and ballistic missile development  to continuously raise the cost for Assads bad behavior.

Many in the Pentagon are worried that a singular focus on destroying the last remnants of ISIS would be derailed by a major military campaign against Assad and Iranian proxies in Syria.

But in reality, as long as Assad is able to maintain even a residual capacity to gas thousands of civilians at will with Irans backing, the ensuing chaos will only serve to fuel Islamist extremism for the foreseeable future.

The chaos will also allow terror networks to regenerate, despite the battlefield progress that has been made against them.

The status quo cannot hold in Syria. The U.S.-British-French missile strikes should be seen as a first step to a broader strategy that will lead to regime change and see a new leader replacing Assad.

As of now, Assad shows no sign of stepping down. He and his Iranian backers remained defiant Sunday as the dust settled from the barrage of cruise missiles and air-to ground smart bombs launched by American, British and French warplanes.

President Trumps decision to strike three sensitive military and chemical weapons facilities in and around the Syrian capital of Damascus broke the myth that a U.S. military attack against Assad would lead to unmanaged escalation and push America into a war with Iran and Russia.

Despite Moscows bluster in the days leading to the missile strikes, and Russias fabrications after the strikes, it is now clear that the Russians will not act to protect Assad. Russia also failed to act when Turkey and Israel hit Irans Revolutionary Guards and their proxy fighting forces in Syria.

It may now be time for the U.S. to target the Iranian fighters as well as part of a broader Syria strategy. Irans Revolutionary Guards have propped up Assad with personnel and arms, and they have built missile and rocket factories in Syria for the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah to use to target Israel and threaten regional moderate Arab allies.

The last two U.S. air strikes on Syria have shown us that Russias air defense assets are there to protect Russian military bases, not to protect Assad or Iran. Russia chose once again Saturday not to use its advanced integrated air defense systems to try to shoot down incoming missiles.

Iran and Assad are now becoming liabilities for Russia  so the U.S., along with our allies, should keep the pressure on.

This doesnt mean that the U.S. has to find itself embroiled in a new Middle Eastern quagmire. Burden-sharing is crucial in this regard. President Trump is right that it is high time for others to pay in the Middle East.

The president could establish a Syria Fund as part of a new regional Sunni alliance with the Arabian Gulf States and Turkey to help with Syrian reconstruction efforts and to eventually play a role on the ground so that U.S. military service members no longer have to be deployed in Syria.

President Trump has demonstrated that he can build a foreign policy legacy that does the right thing in Syria  for American national security interests and for humanity  while his predecessor went horribly wrong.

In Syria, President Trump should seize the moment that he has now charted and keep pressing to oust Assad as the next step toward a sustainable peace.
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Democrats and Republicans agree that James Comey is guilty of politicizing the FBI and meddling in the 2016 election. Everyone can now see that he is guilty of self-righteousness, self-regard and inappropriately producing a petty cash-for-gossip revenge attack on President Trump.

But the serious question, and one that goes to the heart of our confidence in law enforcement in this country, is whether James Comey is guilty of federal crimes.

If there is evidence to that effect, and if a case is not brought against him, that would be a shattering blow to democratic norms. It would send a message that the most senior law enforcement officials in the land can behave exactly as they wish, carry out whatever personal and political vendettas they want - and get away with it. It would send a message that Americas law enforcement officials are, in fact, above the law.

That is a dangerous and frightening scenario - one you would more normally associate with a banana republic or authoritarian dictatorship than the worlds oldest democracy.

So its important we examine this matter carefully. There are many accusations about Comeys behavior swirling around. The very fact that his tenure at the FBI has brought so much controversy in its wake - even before President Trump was elected, lets remember - point to a level of professional incompetence that deserves censure.

All of this may be profoundly unethical and disturbing. But the legal question is: do these actions pass the threshold for Abuse of Power, Perjury, Making False and Misleading Statements, and again, Obstruction of Justice?

But incompetence by government officials, however unfortunate, does not undermine the republic. Lawlessness by government officials: thats a different matter.

There are four specific areas where there are serious grounds to suspect that James Comey broke the law while he was FBI Director:

First, his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Why was no Grand Jury empanelled in this case? Why was no search warrant issued? Why was immunity granted to Clinton aides, which effectively stripped Congress of its power to issue subpoenas to gather evidence from phones and laptops before they were destroyed?

And does all this amount to Obstruction of Justice?

Second, the manner in which James Comey closed the Clinton email investigation. He testified to Congress that he made the decision to clear Hillary Clinton after she was interviewed by the FBI. But FBI documents suggest that it was before. Does this constitute Perjury/Lying to Congress?

Third, Comey has publicly admitted that he gave memos recording his interactions with President Trump to a friend at Columbia Law School with the intention that the contents would be leaked to the media in order to prompt the appointment of a Special Counsel. These were documents created on an FBI computer and which dealt with an ongoing, highly sensitive investigation. Reasonable observers would conclude that these memos were FBI property. So: does leaking them in this unauthorized way mean Comey is guilty of Theft of Government Property or Records?

Finally, the infamous Russia dossier which was used to obtain a FISA warrant to spy on the Trump campaign. Two Congressional Committees have already established that the FBI knew the dossier was largely fabricated - indeed James Comey himself described it as salacious and unverified. The FBI also knew that it was paid for by the Clinton campaign (as part of the campaign), and that the dossier was compiled by someone with a clearly stated bias against Donald Trump. The FBI knew that they needed the dossier to spy on the Trump campaign, and so relied on it to obtain the FISA warrant anyway.

All of this may be profoundly unethical and disturbing. But the legal question is: do these actions pass the threshold for Abuse of Power, Perjury, Making False and Misleading Statements, and again, Obstruction of Justice?

These are the questions we will investigate, with a top team of lawyers on both sides, in our special edition of The Next Revolution - The Trial of James Comey tonight at 9pm ET on Fox News.

I hope you can join us!
Former first lady Barbara Bush is in "failing health" and will not seek additional medical treatment after a series of recent hospitalizations, a family spokesman said Sunday.

The 92-year-old wife of former President George H.W. Bush will instead focus on comfort care, a family spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement.

Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care. It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself  thanks to her abiding faith  but for others, the statement read.

She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving, it continued.

McGrath did not elaborate on Bushs health problems. For decades, she has been treated for Graves' disease, a thyroid condition.

Barbara Bush has been married to George H.W. Bush since 1945, when she was 19 and he was 20. They have five children, including former President George W. Bush. A sixth child died as a toddler.

The Bushes have been married longer than any presidential couple in American history and Barbara Bush is one of only two first ladies who was also the mother of a president. The other was Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams.



The former first lady wrote Smith College's alumnae magazine last month she's "still old and still in love with the man" she married in 1945, the Boston Globe reported.

I have had great medical care and more operations than you would believe. Im not sure God will recognize me; I have so many new body parts! Also, George Bush has given me the world. He is the best  thoughtful and loving, she said.

In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, "The President's and First Lady's prayers are with all of the Bush Family during this time."



U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted Sunday that Barbara Bush is "a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country."

Former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, now the permanent U.S. representative to NATO, described Bush as "one of America's most-loved women," while "The View" co-host Meghan McCain called her "a woman of great strength, patriotism and an iconic first lady of our times who has touched and inspired countless lives."

George H.W. Bush, 93, also has had health issues in recent years.

In April 2017, he was released from a hospital in Houston after being treated for two weeks for a mild case of pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. Months earlier, he was at Houston's Methodist Hospital for 16 days, also for pneumonia.

The nation's 41st president also was hospitalized in 2015 in Maine, where he and his wife spend summers at their home in Kennebunkport, after falling at home and breaking a bone in his neck. He was hospitalized in Houston in December 2014 for about a week for shortness of breath and spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues.

Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, has a form of Parkinson's disease and uses a motorized scooter or a wheelchair for mobility. He also served as a congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagan's vice president.

Barbara Pierce Bush was born in Rye, N.Y. Her father was the publisher of McCall's and Redbook magazines. She married at age 19 while George Bush was a young naval aviator. After World War II, the Bushes moved to Texas where he went into the oil business.

Along with her memoirs, she's the author of "C. Fred's Story" and "Millie's Book," based on the lives of her dogs. Proceeds from the books benefited adult and family literacy programs. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy began during her White House years with the goal of improving the lives of disadvantaged Americans by boosting literacy among parents and their children. The foundation partners with local programs and had awarded more than $40 million to create or expand more than 1,500 literacy programs nationwide.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gun rights advocates rallied at state capitols across the country on Saturday to make their voices heard amid recent efforts to impose stricter gun-control laws that they fear undermine their Second Amendment rights.

Peaceful protesters numbering in the hundreds gathered outside statehouses from Maine to Wyoming to hear speakers warn that any restrictions on gun ownership or use could eventually lead to bans for law-abiding gun owners.

Gun owners have been portrayed in a negative way and it is our hope that this peaceable rally will show that we are safe, law-abiding individuals that happen to take our constitutional rights very seriously, Dave Gulya, an organizer for the Maine event that attracted about 800 people, told the Bangor Daily News.

The National Constitutional Coalition of Patriotic Americans sponsored the 45 planned rallies across the U.S. in support of the right to bear arms, according to the paper.

"If you have a building and you take a brick out every so often, after a while you're not going to have a building," said Westley Williams, who joined about 100 people outside the state Supreme Court building in Cheyenne, Wyo.

An estimated 160 Second Amendment supporters rallied in Atlanta, with some carrying firearms, flags and signs saying Dont Tread on Me as they listened to speakers talk about gun rights.

Protesters in Vermont took to the steps of the Statehouse in Montpelier, where days earlier they felt Gov. Phil Scott betrayed them when he signed three major gun control measures.

Three days ago, on these steps, we were betrayed," Joe Nagle told the Burlington Free Press. "We were promised no new gun laws."

The paper reported that the National Rifle Association criticized Scott, a Republican, and called on gun owners to abandon the governor, who changed his stance in February after an alleged school shooting plot shook the state.

Saturday's protests came less than three weeks after hundreds of thousands marched in Washington, New York and elsewhere to demand tougher gun laws after the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17. Organizers of those protests demanded a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and called for universal background checks on potential gun owners.

Pro-gun protesters also showed up in Boston; Indianapolis; Albany, N.Y.; Austin, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; and other cities.

"We've got to stop being quiet," Nagle told the Free Press.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Virginia Democratic senator and former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine said Sunday he would not support Mike Pompeos confirmation as secretary of state, rebuking President Trump and complicating Pompeos path toward becoming the countrys top diplomat.

We have a president who is anti-diplomacy, and I worry that Pompeo has shown the same tendency, Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CBS News Face the Nation.

The committee, which would vote on whether Pompeo would get a final Senate floor vote for confirmation, is now controlled by Republicans, who have 11 members compared to 10 for Democrats.

However, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul now appears opposed to recommending Pompeo get a final vote, which would mean the Trump nominee would need at least one vote from a committee Democrat to get the final vote.

Kaine and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen once were considered the only Democrats on the committee likely to provide the decisive vote for Pompeo, largely because they cast a final vote for him in January 2017 to become CIA director. However, Shaheen now is expressing reservations about supporting Pompeo.

The committee held Pompeos confirmation hearing Thursday with a vote expected later this month.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., could use a rare parliamentary move letting Pompeo get a final vote. But final confirmation also would likely be difficult, considering Pompeo would need 50 votes -- with Republicans holding a slim 51-to-49 Senate majority. In addition to Pauls current opposition, Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain has been at home recovering from his cancer diagnosis.

Paul has expressed concern about Pompeos defense of enhanced interrogation techniques and his earlier support for the Iraq War, since Trump last month fired Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and nominated Pompeo as his replacement.

Were going to have a floor vote. I dont want a secretary of state to buttress Trumps anti-diplomacy tendencies, Kaine also said Sunday. We dont need a secretary of state to exaggerate those tendencies. We need one to support diplomacy. But I dont think thats Mike Pompeo.
Kentuckys Republican-majority House of Representatives took the extraordinary step Saturday of condemning the states Republican governor over remarks he made Friday amid teacher protests over his vetoes of a state budget plan that would have increased classroom spending.

The rebuke came in the form of two resolutions  one filed by Democrats, the other by state Rep. John Carney, a Republican who claimed about 30 others in the GOP supported his resolution, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

Thousands of teachers gathered at the state Capitol in Frankfort on Friday, trying to convince lawmakers to override the veto by Gov. Matt Bevin. More than 30 school districts across the state closed schools Friday so teachers could rally. Their effort succeeded, as lawmakers voted to override Bevins vetoes.

But it was the school closures that prompted the remark from Bevin that outraged the teachers and drew the lawmakers' condemnation.

I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them, the governor told reporters outside the Capitol. I guarantee you somewhere today a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were home alone because a single parent didnt have any money to take care of them. Im offended by the idea that people so cavalierly and so flippantly disregarded whats truly best for children.

As of Saturday, there was no comment about the rebuke from Bevin or from his office, the Herald-Leader reported.

State Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told the Herald-Leader that Bevin should either clarify his statement or apologize. He added that it would be unfortunate if Bevin's remarks came to overshadow his accomplishments in office.

It hurts me to think that the things that have been done in this administration will be overshadowed by a statement that is not defensible, Stivers told the newspaper. If anyone asked me for my advice, I would say they should come out and make a statement, either clarifying it or being apologetic and getting the statement behind them.

It hurts me to think that the things that have been done in this administration will be overshadowed by a statement that is not defensible.  Kentucky state Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester

But you are not known for your 99 successes, Stivers continued. You are known for the one blunder or failure, so I think he would be well served by saying or having a statement that he, in no way, was intending to harm or make inappropriate comment toward the people who were here (for the rallies.)

Bevin, 51, has been Kentucky's governor since 2015. Under his watch, Kentucky earlier this year became the first state to add a work requirement for qualifiying for Medicaid benefits.

Bevin's remarks drew immediate backlash, Louisvilles Fox 41 reported. Republican state Sen. Max Wise of Campbellsville, the Senate Education Committee chairman, described Bevins comments as disgusting.

"The disgusting comments by Gov. Bevin insinuating that a peaceful protest by teachers would lead to sexual assault are reprehensible," Wise tweeted. "I don't agree with these comments & I find them repulsive."

Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, referred to the comments as an outrageous and unsubstantiated slander of a group of people who dedicate their lives to teaching and caring for our kids.

Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, said on Twitter Saturday that Bevin's comments had the effect of "needlessly and unjustly demonizing" teachers.

House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne said both parties felt a need to condemn Bevins remarks, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

Stephanie Winkler, president of the Kentucky Education Association, said she was "appalled" by the remarks.

"There is no rational comment I could make to that," Winkler told the Courier-Journal.

Meanwhile, the animosity between Bevin and the states teachers over school funding issues has prompted at least 40 current and former teachers to run for public office this year, most of them as Democrats.

But Stivers predicted that Republicans would still retain control of state government after this years elections.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum led tributes to former first lady Barbara Bush Sunday after a spokesman announced the 92-year-old was in "failing health."

The official @GOP Twitter account tweeted: "Our entire RNC family offers prayers of comfort and peace for Barbara Bush and the entire Bush family."

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, "The President's and First Lady's prayers are with all of the Bush Family during this time."

Condoleezza Rice, who served as national security adviser and secretary of state under George W. Bush, tweeted: "God bless you, Mrs. Bush, and may he hold you in the palm of his hand."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tweeted that Bush "is a comfort to her friends & family teaching us all how to live full of faith, love & humor."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted Sunday that Bush is "a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country.

"Our country is better because of former First Lady Barbara Bush," Haley added.

Former Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, now the permanent U.S. representative to NATO, described Bush as "one of America's most-loved women."

"Barbara Bush has a character that is as big, inspiring and iconic as Texas," the state's governor, Greg Abbott, said in a statement. "Cecilia and I ask all Texans to join us in praying for Barbra and the entire Bush family during this time."



Rep. Sean Maloney, D-N.Y., paid tribute to Bush as "a graceful First Lady who has dedicated her life to improving education and promoting literacy", while Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called her "an incredible First Lady and a great American."

Longtime Republican political consultant Rick Wilson described Bush as "an icon" whose "fierce love for her family transcended politics." Ohio Gov. John Kasich called her "a woman of grace, humility and great compassion."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he was "praying" for Bush and her family and called her "a special woman, whose great faith and love for her country inspires us all."

Dana Perino, former White House press secretary under George W. Bush and host of Fox News' "The Daily Briefing," tweeted: "Barbara Bush has taught us all so much. Courageous, joyful, patriotic, faithful, charitable, studious, hilarious. There are not enough characters to describe her character."

Chelsea Clinton, whose father Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in the 1992 presidential election, tweeted that she was "[k]eeping Barbara Bush and her family in my heart and prayers.

"I will never forget how kind she was to me on every occasion we met, and how fondly the White House staff always spoke of her," she added.
President Trump suggested Sunday that the recent FBI raid on personal attorney Michael Cohen has left "all" lawyers "deflated and concerned" and reduced attorney-client privilege to "a thing of the past."

Trumps tweet on the issue was his latest criticism of the April 9 raid on Cohen's apartment, hotel room, office and safety deposit box.

Agents were looking for bank records, documents related to Cohen's dealing in the taxi industry, Cohen's communications with the Trump campaign and information on payments he made in 2016 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and to porn actress Stormy Daniels, people familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press.

The president has been enraged over the raid, calling it an "attack on our country."

"Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past," Trump tweeted Sunday. I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!"

The raid came amid special prosecutor Robert Muellers federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, an investigation that appears to have expanded to include Trumps business associates.

The Cohen investigation is being conducted by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, but prosecutors acknowledged it was referred by Mueller.

In a court filing Friday, federal prosecutors said the criminal investigation into Cohen had been going on for months and agents already had searched multiple email accounts maintained by Cohen under an earlier search warrant.

"The president is very confident in the fact that he has done nothing wrong," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told ABC's "This Week" when asked whether Trump thought Cohen would make a plea agreement. "He can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but he's very confident in what he has and hasn't done.  And he's going to continue focusing and fighting for the American people."

Cohen, who didn't attend Friday's hearing, was ordered to appear in federal court on Monday to help answer questions about his law practice. He has denied wrongdoing.

Both McDougal and Daniels said they had affairs with Trump, which the president has denied.

Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti said Sunday his client would attend Monday's hearing.

"To be clear - I am not 'deflated and concerned,'" Avenatti tweeted. "The events of the last week re-instill the belief that NOBODY is above the law and the attorney-client privilege cannot be used by those in power to hide criminal conduct."
The Trump administration will levy new economic sanctions against Russia over its support of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday.

"We're letting Russia know this is not something that we want to be a part of," Haley told "Fox News Sunday." "It's not something we're going to tolerate and they've got to make a decision. Right now, they don't have very good friends, and right now, the friends that they do have are causing them harm."

"The international community is telling Russia that either you make a decision on how you act and when you act, or the rest of us will make a decision in isolating you," Haley added.

A Treasury Department official told Fox News that the department "does not comment on prospective actions."

Haley spoke two days after American, British, and French war planes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defenses in retaliation for an April 7 chemical attack on the Damascus suburb of Douma. While President Trump declared "Mission Accomplished," the Pentagon said the pummeling of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

The Assad regime and the Russian military has denied that the Damascus government carried out the Douma attack, which killed at least 40 people. Russia is a key ally of Assad and has been waging an air campaign in support of his forces since 2015.

Haley told CBS' "Face the Nation" that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce the sanctions on Monday and said they would target "any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use. And so, I think everyone is going to feel it at this point."

"The international community will not allow chemical weapons to come back into our everyday life," Haley added. "The fact he was making this more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop."

Haley told "Fox News Sunday" the United States won't be pulling troops out of Syria right away, saying U.S. involvement there "is not done."

Haley said the three U.S. goals for accomplishing its mission are making sure chemical weapons are not used in a way that could harm U.S. national interests, defeating ISIS and having a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

"We're not going to leave until we know we've accomplished those things," she said.

Haley said the joint military strike "put a heavy blow into their chemical weapons program, setting them back years" and reiterated that if Assad uses poison gas again, "the United States is locked and loaded."

The strikes "successfully hit every target," said Dana W. White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman. The military said there were three targets: the Barzah chemical weapons research and development site in the Damascus area, a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs and a chemical weapons "bunker" a few miles from the second target.

Although officials said the singular target was Assad's chemical weapons capability, his air force, including helicopters he allegedly has used to drop chemical weapons on civilians, were spared. In a U.S. military action a year ago in response to a sarin gas attack, missiles took out nearly 20 percent of the Syrian air force, the Pentagon said.

The U.S.-led operation won broad Western support. The NATO alliance gave its full backing; NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the attack was about ensuring that chemical weapons cannot be used with impunity.

In his televised address from the White House on Friday, Trump said the U.S. was prepared to keep up the economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Assad until he ends a pattern of killing his own people with internationally banned chemical weapons.

That did not mean military strikes would continue. In fact, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional attacks were planned.

Fox News' Jennifer Bowman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Researchers in Massachusetts are hopeful they'll finally be able to free an endangered North Atlantic right whale who has had a fishing line wrapped around her jaw for several years.

The adult female named "Kleenex" was first spotted in the Cape Cod Bay in 1977, but has had a fishing lined wrapped around her jaw for at least three years, according to the Cape Cod Times.

Researchers and scientists attempted to remove some of the line on Thursday by using a method to weaken and deteriorate the rope, since there was no trailing line and the whale couldn't be slowed to remove it.

"For more than a half century, Kleenex has defied the odds of survival and been a pillar of the right whale's modest recovery," New England Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse said in a statement. "Let's hope that she sheds the entangling gear."

'BEGINNING OF THE END?' NO NEW BABIES FOR ENDANGERED WHALES

The whale is a great-grandmother to six calves, which is 5 percent of the North Atlantic right whale population. Right whales recorded no new births in this year's calving season, making preserving reproductive females extremely important to researchers.

As of now, the species has dwindled to no more than 450 animals, further strengthening conservation efforts. A total of 17 right whales washed up dead in the U.S. and Canada last year, far outpacing five births.

SPERM WHALE SWALLOWS 64 POUNDS OF TRASH, DIES OF 'GASTRIC SHOCK'

With no rebound in births this past winter, the overall population could shrink further in 2018. One right whale was found dead off the coast of Virginia in January.

Kleenex hasn't been seen since the disentanglement attempt, but that is typical of whale rescue efforts, Cathrine Macort, a spokeswoman for the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, told the Associated Press. Macort said rescuers will keep looking for the whale so they can remove the gear.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a rush transcript from "Fox News Sunday," April 15, 2018. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

CHRIS WALLACE, FOX NEWS HOST: I'm Chris Wallace.

The U.S. and European allies strike the Assad regime for using chemical weapons to murder its own people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead.

WALLACE: We'll discuss the decision to hit Syria again. What it means for the civil war there, and the president's message to other countries supporting Assad.

TRUMP: To Iran and to Russia, I ask: what kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women, and children?

WALLACE: Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations live, only on "Fox News Sunday."

Then, the FBI raids the president's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, raising questions whether Mr. Trump will fire special counsel Robert Mueller.

TRUMP: Why don't I just fire Mueller? Well, I think it's a disgrace what's going on. We'll see what happens.

WALLACE: We'll discuss the latest developments with Trey Gowdy, chair of the House Oversight Committee.

Plus, former FBI Director James Comey's new book lashes out at President Trump and the White House responds.

JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: The intelligence community does intelligence. The White House does PR and spin.

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Comey will be forever known as a disgraced partisan hack that broke his sacred trust with the president of the United States.

WALLACE: We'll ask our Sunday panel if there are bombshells in the new book or just a political food fight.

All, right now, on "Fox News Sunday".

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And hello again from Fox News in Washington.

The strikes on Syria by the U.S., France and Britain are a show of Western resolve, meant to punish Bashar al-Assad for his latest chemical weapons attack on his own people. The Pentagon describes the strikes on three targets as precise, overwhelming and effective. But what happens if Assad uses chemical weapons again and where does this leave U.S. policy for dealing with a civil war and terror threat in Syria?

In a moment, we'll speak live with the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.

But, first, to national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin with the latest on the military operation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER GRIFFIN, FOX NEWS NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Over 100 U.S., French and British missiles all hit their targets successfully landing simultaneously within just a few minutes, despite being launched from military assets deployed from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.

JAMES MATTIS, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Clearly, the Assad regime did not get the message last year. This time, our allies, and we have struck harder.

GRIFFIN: The three targets included a research center near Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs, and a weapons bunker a few miles from that second site.

Russian and Syrian state media claim they shot down dozens of the allied tomahawks and missiles, but the Pentagon says the Russian guns remain silent, adding Syria fired 40 surface-to-air missiles wildly into the air, after the U.S. missiles had already hit.

DANA WHITE, PENTAGON CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: What happens next has everything to do with what the Assad regime decides to do?

NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: I spoke with the president this morning, and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded. When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: U.S. intelligence has only concluded at this time that chlorine was used in the most recent chemical attack. They suspect sarin but don't have the proof yet, leaving many to wonder if use of chlorine bombs in Syria is a new red line for the U.S. and its allies and the possibility of future military actions, Chris.

WALLACE: Jennifer, thank you.

Joining us now from New York, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.

Ambassador, I want to start with President Trump's tweet after the military action against Syria. Here it is: A perfectly executed strike last night. Could not have had a better result. Mission accomplished!

A lot of people say that echoes President Bush 43's premature claim of mission accomplished back in 2003. Isn't President Trump's claim of success just as premature?

HALEY: Well, first of all, mission accomplished is a military term, and as a military spouse, I know that mission accomplished means you have one task currently in front of you and when it's completed, it is mission accomplished.

Politically, mission accomplished means something broader. And I think the president was referring in military terms. We, of course, know that our work in Syria is not done. We know that it's now up to Bashar al-Assad on whether he is going to use chemical weapons again. And should he use it again, the president has made it very clear that the United States is locked and loaded and ready to go.

WALLACE: Yes, I want to pick up on that because obviously you have no idea how Assad is going to respond to this attack, although I suspect you think that he got the message. And to add a little bit to this confusion, President Trump and Defense Secretary Mattis sent very different signals on Friday night about the campaign. Take a look at both of them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents.

JAMES MATTIS, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Right now, this is a one-time shot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: So, which is it? A one-time shot or a sustained response?

HALEY: That is totally up to Assad. What I can tell you is the president has made it very clear when it comes to weapons of mass destruction, we have no tolerance for it. We are going to watch out for the best interests of the American people.

And so, he made a point and hopefully Assad gets it. If Assad doesn't get it, it's going to hurt. And I think what General Mattis was saying the strike happened basically responding to their continued use of chemical weapons. But, of course, if Assad continues to go forward, there will be more and it will hurt and I think that he has a lot to think about.

WALLACE: I want to pick up on that because there are certainly indications since the first strike in April of last year that Assad had used chemical weapons and there had been no U.S. response. This particular case last weekend was especially egregious and horrific.

But are you saying that going forward any use of chemical weapons by Assad will trigger an immediate U.S. response?

HALEY: Well, I think first of all you said it. This last one was egregious. It was barbaric and it was disgusting. So, I think what you saw was there had been a cumulative wave of constant use of chemical weapons. Assad knew that Russia had its back. Assad knew that Russia would cover for him at the United Nations, and Assad got reckless and he used it in a way that was far more aggressive.

We have to be very conscious of the fact that we can't allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons. That's why you saw the president strike this past weekend. That's why you saw him expel 60 Russian spies after the attack in Salisbury. This very easily could happen in the United States if we're not smart and if we're not conscious of what's happening. This was a message sent to Assad. We'll see how smart he is.

WALLACE: But to press my point if I may -- are you saying that going forward, there is zero tolerance? Any use by Assad of chemical weapons will trigger a military response?

HALEY: Well, I don't think there's any way that I can answer that. I mean, we don't know what he's going to do, the level he's going to do or anything else. I will tell you that the president is watching and I think the national security team is ready.

So, basically, we will watch his actions. He now dictates his life and he dictates what happens between the United States, our allies and his regime. And so, hopefully, he has gotten the message. It was a pretty strong message.

Not only did we go after their absolute strongest research facility, we went after their storage units where they hold the products and we went after their production. So, we put a heavy blow into their chemical weapons program setting them back years. And I'm sure it's going to take them a lot to recover from it.

WALLACE: Ambassador, here is a question that a lot of people have. You have spoken very movingly about the slaughter of civilians in Syria, and we are seeing pictures right now of the attack in Douma. But doesn't the president's policy allow the mass murder of women and children to continue as long as it's carried out with conventional weapons and not chemical weapons?

HALEY: Well, I think that's just a very unfair question. In what respect are you asking that?

WALLACE: Well, what I'm saying is we're saying that any use of chemical weapons we'll respond to, but we're not saying that about conventional weapons and Assad has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his people. Why are we drawing a distinction and saying to Assad, it's OK to do it with conventional weapons but we're going to object if you do it with chemical weapons?

HALEY: I don't think we've ever said it's OK, period. There is no way that any American or the president would ever say it's OK to kill women and children.

I think that we have a lot of issues in the world and I think we're trying to put out as many fires as we can. We can't control what a country does to its people. We can condemn it, we can acknowledge it. We can try to do everything at the United Nations.

I think what you've seen is the president has used a lot of sanctions whether it's in Venezuela, whether it's been related to Syria, whether it's related to Russia and human rights. There's been a lot of things that we have done and taken action. We've never sat back and watched bad things happen.

We do wait and use military force as a last response to that. But we've always acted in every way related to every incident in some form just to let them know how much the United States condemns it.

WALLACE: I want to ask you about U.S. actions and how we're responding, though, when it comes to the displacement and the torture of the Syrian people. I want you to look at some State Department numbers on how many refugees have come into this country over the last three years. In 2016, more than 15,000 Syrian refugees came into this country. Last year, 3,000. So far, this year, 11.

On humanitarian grounds, how do you justify that?

HALEY: I will tell you, we have spent well over $6 billion on the Syrian conflict. I personally went to the refugee sites in both Jordan and Turkey and spent time with refugees, whether they were in camps or whether they were out. I talked to them about the situation at hand.

I will tell you from a humanitarian standpoint, the United States has been a massive donor to this situation but also when I talked to the refugees, what I talked to them about, they want to go home. And there is a mountain that they look over and know it is on the other side and know that Syria is in shambles and they are prepared to rebuild it.

But not one of the many that I talked to ever said we want to go to America. They want to stay as close to Syria as they can so that when, god willing, this fighting stops and when there is finally stability and peace in that area, they want to go rejoin their family members. They back to go to what they remember.

The kids talked about where they used to play and what they used to do. The adults talked about the fact that that's where they were born, that's where they were raised. There was a real emotional string to Syria and I think we need to be conscious of the fact that's really where they want to go.

WALLACE: Let's talk about the overall strategy for Syria because a couple weeks ago, President Trump talked about a very fast pull-out of our troops there. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We're knocking the hell out of ISIS. We'll be coming out of Syria very soon. Let the other people take care of it now. Very soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: President Trump reportedly wanted to get all 2,000 U.S. troops out within 48 hours and had to be persuaded by folks at the Pentagon to keep them there for a couple of months which raises the question -- what is our goal in Syria? And what is our strategy to get there?

HALEY: Well, I can tell you because I was in the National Security Council meetings with the president when it came to discussing Russia and he had three major goals that he wanted to accomplish.

He, one, wanted to make sure that chemicals -- chemical weapons were not used or weapons of mass destruction were not used in any way that could harm American national interests. He wanted to make sure that we defeated ISIS completely and wholly, to make sure all of that threat was gone, because it is a threat to American national interests. And he wanted to make sure that we had good grounds to watch what Iran was doing and they weren't making a lot of aggressive headway in terms of that, because Iran is a national threat to American interests.

And so, I think that no, he never thought he would get out in 48 hours. Yes, it is all of our goal to see American troops come home. But we're not going to leave until we know we've accomplished those things.

What he has done is talked to our allies and said they need to step up more. They need to do more. It shouldn't just be us doing it. I think that's the right approach. But be very clear, if we leave, when we leave, it will be because we know that everything is moving forward. We're very invested in the political process in Geneva and invested on a political solution and those talks continue.

WALLACE: One area where there has been a dramatic escalation in the last week has been in the direct verbal attacks by the administration on Russian President Putin. Here is a tweet from President Trump this week: President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing animal Assad.

And here you are at the U.N.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HALEY: History will record that on this day, Russia chose protecting a monster over the lives of the Syrian people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Ambassador, has our relationship with Putin and Russia changed this week?

HALEY: Well, I think it's been changing over time. This is a very strained time between the United States and Russia. I mean, if you look at what Russia is doing, they continue to be involved with all the wrong actors. I mean, whether it's their involvement in Ukraine, whether you look at how they are supporting Maduro in Venezuela, whether you look in Syria and their way of propping up Assad and working with Iran, that continues to be a problem.

There is multiple issues we have with Russia right now and what they're doing, whether it's the chemical weapons use in Great Britain. That was another issue.

So, what we're doing is we're letting Russia know this is not something that we want to be a part of. It's not something we're going to tolerate and they've got to make a decision. Right now, they don't have very good friends, and right now, the friends that they do have are causing them harm.

I think they're feeling that, whether it's been with the fact that we've sanctioned just recently the Russian oligarchs which made their stock market plummet, whether it's the fact that we gave arms to Ukraine, which makes them realize that their life is about to get harder in that region, whether it's us sending 60 spies home to let them know that we're not going to put up with you using a chemical agent anywhere, or whether the sanctions that are continuing to happen which you'll see again on Monday. That lets them know this is not good behavior.

So, everything that has strained this relationship has been on the side of Russia. The military strikes did not have to happen if Russia had not covered for Assad. Six times, they vetoed chemical weapons resolutions related to Syria and this last resolution that they had they only had three votes out of 15.

The international community is telling Russia that either you make a decision on how you act and when you act, or the rest of us will make a decision in isolating you.

WALLACE: So, in 15 seconds, how would you characterize U.S. relations with Putin and Russia right now?

HALEY: Very strained right now. But our hope is always to make sure we can get a better relationship with Russia. It's in our best national interest to do that. But we're not going to put up bad behavior to get it.

WALLACE: Ambassador Haley, thank you. Thanks for taking the time with all you have going on right now. We'll stay on top of the latest developments.

HALEY: Great. Thanks so much.

WALLACE: Up next, we'll bring in our Sunday group to discuss the situation in Syria and where the U.S., our allies in Europe and our adversaries in Russia and Iran go from here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. KENNETH MCKENZIE, DIRECTOR, JOINT STAFF: We accomplished our military objectives route material interference from Syria. I'd use three words to describe this operation: precise, overwhelming and effective.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the joint staff at the Pentagon, describing Friday's strikes on Syria.

And it's time now for our Sunday group.

Jonah Goldberg of the National Review and author of the new book "Suicide of the West". Charles Lane of The Washington Post, Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin, doing double duty today, and former press secretary to Vice President Pence Marc Lotter.

Jen, let's start with the strike. There are reports that there was some dissension, even a battle inside the president's war Cabinet that Ambassador Haley and the new National Security Adviser Bolton wanted a tougher, more aggressive response, that Defense Secretary Mattis wanted a, quote, "show strike" and that he prevailed with the president. Is that true? Was there a difference in terms of how they should respond Friday night?

GRIFFIN: I think there is a natural tension between the Pentagon officials, Defense Secretary Mattis being in the lead and other national security officials. The Defense Department doesn't want to broaden this. When they go in present options they want to know, what is the strategy? Are we now going to step in to the Syrian civil war?

What are the -- what are the chances of hitting Russian bases or Iranian troops. I mean, they're all interlaced there. So, I think what Secretary Mattis pushed back on was anything that was broader, that was going to suggest regime change. They obviously all of the top leadership at the Pentagon has a lot of experience with regime change and it hasn't gone well in either Libya or Iraq.

WALLACE: Jonah, I want to pick up on the president's tweet, "mission accomplished", and he responded today saying, I was talking in military terms, not political terms. He is political -- he is the commander-in-chief, but, obviously, it does have a political resonance.

What is the mission and what did we accomplish?

JONAH GOLDBERG, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: I mean, I think it remains unclear. I thought your question to Nikki Haley -- and I should fully disclose, my wife works for Nikki Haley -- was interesting in the sense that she didn't have a great answer to the question of, was it OK for Assad to slaughter civilians with conventional weapons but we're going to step in with -- if you use chemical weapons? Which I think is very small solace to the victims of Assad.

And I think in many ways that the mission here was in some ways defined by the fact that we had video. I mean, Nikki Haley at the U.N. said there had been 50 other chemical weapons uses, which we did not respond to. And I think that one of the things that Donald Trump has made clear is that when there's video of kids suffering, he responds to that. That's his red line.

I'm not sure that is a super coherent strategy going forward, because, first of all, let Assad continue to wipe out his domestic enemies and it doesn't really change the status quo on the ground.

WALLACE: No, and she did not even commit that if there were other chemical weapons attacks that the U.S. would necessarily strike. She said it depends. So, it isn't a red line when it comes to chemical weapons attacks. It comes to chemical weapons attacks that --

GOLDBERG: Have video attached. I think that might be the case.

WALLACE: All right. Here is what President Trump said announcing the attack on Friday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But I want to pick up on this discussion that I had with the ambassador and I just had with Jonah. The president seems to be saying, one, that if it's conventional weapons, it's OK. We're going to accept it. Maybe not that it's OK, we're not going to do anything about it, but chemical weapons, we will.

And to further slice the meat, it depends on how bad the chemical weapons attack.

Can you argue that it is a reasonable policy to say, look, we're not going to get sucked into this civil war, we're not going to get on the ground, we're not going to stop all the slaughter, but we are going to enforce the principle, no chemical weapons?

CHARLES LANE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: If we have a policy, that must be it, because that is the only political objective that is even conceivably related to this strike. And, of course, the strike, the general described it in very glowing terms but it's very limited. Three targets, they made sure the Russians were safely out of the way before they engaged in it.

So, it was, you know, I guess if you use that term pinprick strike, maybe it's a little more than that, but it's not some kind of overwhelming attack. And at the same time, it's extremely ironic, we have a president who came into talking about American first, very contemptuous of all the alliances and international law that entangles that United States.

And yet, this use of military force, now the second one he has done in Syria, has been to uphold a humanitarian international norm. I happen to think it's a norm worth upholding actually that you shouldn't use chemical weapons against civilian populations. But it is interestingly, it's not what he came into office to do. I think that's why there's going to be continuing tension.

His instincts are to get out and as you said, let other people handle this. But he has now committed to this minimal objective in Syria, which is, whatever else happens, you aren't going to do it with chemical weapons.

WALLACE: So, Mark, you have heard criticism of the president's actions, his tweets, his strategy. As the former top advisor, a top adviser to Vice President Pence, your response?

MARC LOTTER, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE PRESS SECRETARY: I think the one thing we need to note is that this is a different attack than what we saw last year. Last year was mostly focused on the delivery and the methods used to deliver the weapons. This time, they took the additional step by reducing Syria's ability to produce the weapons. And that's -- so it was a targeted response to degrade their ability to use these weapons in the future and not just how they delivered them like they did last year.

So, I think it was a furthering reducing likelihood that we're going to see attacks like this in the future. There will be residuals, we can't guarantee that there won't have any left. But this definitely degrades that capability.

WALLACE: And what do you think of the criticism of the lack of a strategy and the idea that it's OK -- OK is the wrong word, I'm going to stop saying it -- that we will turn a blind eye to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands, maybe a half million civilians unless it's chemical weapons and unless there is video of it that the president sees.

LOTTER: I think that's -- where you do find that broader issue there in terms of, are we going to get drawn into a civil war? Are we going to get into regime change, nation-building? Which is what this president has firmly said we are not going to do that.

He's drawn a red line on the use of chemical weapons, he has now acted twice because of that. But it's a much different story when you're going to have to go in and try to, A, also confront Russia, also confront Iran and what they're doing to support that regime. And I don't think that is a line the president is willing to commit to.

But we do have to take steps in minimizing the use of these weapons. We've done it with North Korea. We've done it with Russia. We sanctioned. We will continue to do sanctions on Syria, and I think that's where the president's leadership is that we are going to respond.

And in this case, we had allies with us.

WALLACE: Jennifer?

GRIFFIN: I think there are two points. Lieutenant General McKenzie did say that these three spots that were hit does not prevent Assad from firing chemical weapons in the future. There are more spots that they chose not to hit because of the fear of civilian casualties. I think what we have to look at is the OPCW, those of those inspectors and what Syria signed onto.

WALLACE: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons --

GRIFFIN: Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

WALLACE: -- which is supposedly on the ground right now in Douma.

GRIFFIN: They're on the ground right now. But what Syria signed onto in 2013 when they were supposed to give up their chemical weapons, did not include chlorine. So, the question now for the president is, the use of chlorine bombs in the future, is that the red line and is the U.S. and are its allies required to respond military if he uses chlorine bombs?

WALLACE: Jonah?

GOLDBERG: Yes, just to switch gears slightly, I do think John Bolton's position is one that we need to give some credence to or not credence to, at least acknowledge insofar as there is -- John Bolton is not a neocon. He's not for nation-building and democracy spreading, but he is America firster, but an interventionist America firster.

He sees the Syrian civil war as a way to bleed Russia resources, a way to bleed Iran's resources, a way to diminish their role in the region. And I think that's one of the reasons why he was more eager to get involved in this as a way to sort of push back on Iran.

WALLACE: How do we bleed Russia's resources, Iran's resources without bleeding our own which we have seen in Afghanistan and Iraq?

GOLDBERG: That's the pickle.

(LAUGHTER)

GRIFFIN: I think it's by having limited strikes and that is why Secretary Mattis pushed for such limited, targeted strike.

WALLACE: Yes. But couldn't you argue that this morning, as Putin wakes up at the Kremlin, as Khamenei wakes up in Tehran, as Assad wakes up in Damascus, they all think, oh, that wasn't so bad.

GRIFFIN: They didn't pay a price. No. From that point of view, Russia and Iran did not pay a price. But I think what it did was it set a line that the U.S. will not get involved in the civil war but there are certain red lines.

WALLACE: All right. We have to take a break here. We'll see you all a little later.

When we come back President Trump has other pressing business to deal with -- the criminal investigation of his personal lawyer, the Russia probe, and former FBI Director James Comey's new book. Republican Congressman Trey Gowdy joins us to break it all down, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Coming up, James Comey's new book is causing quite the stir, but not everyone's impressed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The American people see right through the blatant lies of a self-admitted leaker.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: We'll ask Congressman Trey Gowdy what the Comey book means for President Trump, next on "Fox News Sunday."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Normally the decision to launch a military strike would fill the plate of any president. But this weekend, President Trump has plenty more to deal with. The criminal investigation of his personal lawyer, a special counsel continuing to breathe down his neck, and now a damaging book by the former head of the FBI.

Joining me to discuss all this, South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy, chair of the House Oversight Committee and a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Congressman, let's start with the FBI raid on the home, the hotel, and the offices of President Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, which raises obvious questions about possible violation of attorney/client privilege.

As a former federal prosecutor, are you convinced that this raid was appropriate or at least on its face not inappropriate?

REP. TREY GOWDY, R-SOUTH CAROLINA: Well, here's what we know. We know a neutral detached federal magistrate had to sign off on the search warrant. We know that it requires the highest levels of DOJ permission to seize attorney/client records. And by that I mean the attorney general or the deputy attorney general. And we also know it must have nothing to do with Bob Mueller's probe, either directly or indirectly, or he would not have referred it.

What we don't know is what the basis of the probable cause was, what was searched and what was seized. But -- so -- so we know a little bit. We don't know a little bit. I think the most important thing we know is that a neutral detached federal judge, that has nothing to do with politics, signed off on this warrant.

WALLACE: I -- I want to pick up on -- on one of your points, which is that you -- you noted that Special Counsel Robert Mueller referred this to prosecutors in Manhattan.

And here was the president's furious reaction to that and it led to this exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Why don't I just fire Mueller?

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)?

TRUMP: Well, I think it's a disgrace what's going on. We'll see what happens. But I think it's really a sad situation when you look at what happened. And many people have said, you should fire him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Question, do you still think -- we talked several weeks ago -- do you still think it would be wrong, it would be a serious mistake to fire Mueller? And given the growing calls to fire the deputy attorney general, do you feel the same way about firing Rod Rosenstein?

GOWDY: Well, let me take Mueller first. I don't know what Mueller was supposed to do other than what he did. When a prosecutor comes in contact with information or evidence of a crime, what are you supposed to do, other than to refer it to the appropriate jurisdiction?

Now, if Mueller had kept something tangential or unrelated for himself, then I'd say, fine, you can criticize him. But he came in contact with potential criminality -- potential criminality. He referred it to the U.S. attorney's office of jurisdiction. And he did so with the permission of Rod Rosenstein. I don't know what else he could do.

As for Rod Rosenstein, I -- I don't see a basis for firing him in his handling of this probe. Now, he's the one who drafted that original jurisdiction for Mueller. So if you think it's too broad, you've got to direct your criticism towards Rosenstein and not to Mueller. If you're upset with Rosenstein because he's slow walking document production to Congress, take that up with him. But -- but how this is Mueller's fault just defies logic to me, Chris.

WALLACE: Yes, but here's the -- the point. And Steve Bannon, the president's former and apparently exiled adviser has suggested this. If you fire Rosenstein and you put a new guy in there as the deputy attorney general to oversee the Mueller investigation, then you don't have to fire Mueller, but you can restrict him. Are you concerned about that?

GOWDY: So this is the same Steve Bannon that accused the president's son of an act of treason. The same Steve Bannon that did something no one else in the world can do, which is elect a Democrat in Alabama. I don't know who the hell would take advice from Steve Bannon. And if I were to president, I'd say go get advice from anyone else in the world other than Steve Bannon.

WALLACE: But -- but just to make it clear, while you -- you rule out flatly the firing of Mueller, you're leaving the door open to firing Rosenstein?

GOWDY: It depends. It depends. I mean, look, the president is the head of the executive branch. He doesn't -- I mean he doesn't have to run his hiring and firing decisions by us. So if he's upset with Rod Rosenstein because Rod Rosenstein is not producing documents to Congress, that's a legitimate thing to be upset about. If he's upset with Rod Rosenstein because he wants to get at Bob Mueller and that's the way he's going to do it, taking the advice of Steve Bannon, which I would strongly recommend against, then, no, I don't think that's appropriate.

Does he have the power to get rid of Rod Rosenstein, yes, he does. Do I think it's wise, I don't.

WALLACE: In the midst of all this, this week, the president pardoned Scooter Libby. He, of course, is the former Dick Cheney aide who was convicted of lying to the FBI in the outing of Valerie Plame as a CIA undercover officer case.

Given the timing, congressman, are you at all concerned that the president is sending a message to people, associates who may be under fire from Bob Mueller, just listen, if you protect me, then I will protect you with a pardon if it comes to that?

GOWDY: Well, I would hope most of the folks involved in this already know the president has the power of pardon. He's already proved that with Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona.

So I'm not a big fan of pardons. I'm a prosecutor. Most of the commentary I've read, Chris, on Scooter Libby's pardon is that they thought that it was an overzealous prosecutor. OK, there's a way to deal with that. Don't hire overzealous prosecutors.

But he was convicted, if memory serves me correctly, of a false statement and obstruction of justice. Those are things that you want to dissuade people from doing all the time. I think everyone knows the president has pardon power. So I don't know if he needs to send this signal, except to really slow-witted people.

WALLACE: I want to turn to one of your big issues now, and that is the way the FBI has handled the Clinton investigation and the Trump investigation. Former FBI Director James Comey has a new book out. You may have heard of it. And one of the questions -- he's going to have an interview on ABC tonight. You may have heard of that as well. One of the questions is what he told the president-elect when he talked to him at Trump Tower in January about the Steele dossier and the fact that it had been paid for by the Clinton campaign.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: No, I didn't -- I don't think I used the term Steele dossier. I just talked about additional material.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS: Did -- but did he have a right to know that?

COMEY: That it had been financed by his political opponents? I don't know the answer to that. I -- it wasn't necessary for my goal, which was to alert him that we had this information.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Congressman, what do you think of Comey's answer and what do you think of Comey's book?

GOWDY: Well, as for his book, Chris, I'm disappointed. I had -- I hold prosecutors and law enforcement officials to a higher standard. So I think the book is sad.

Let's don't kid ourselves. Jim Comey now complains that President Trump is untethered from the truth. He'd still be the FBI director if he had his way. So all of the complaints he had about President Trump, he was willing to put those aside so he could keep his job.

The reason he wrote his book is because he got fired, not because he thinks President Trump is untethered from the truth, not because President Trump's ties are too long, not because he thinks he wears tanning bed goggles. It's because he got fired.

Now, as for whether or not he should have told the president the source of this salacious opposition research, would you want to know? I mean that's the first question you ask is, where did you get that from so you can judge the credibility.

I'm more concerned about the fact that they didn't tell the FISA court. That's what I'm really concerned about because President Trump doesn't sign off on warrants. The FISA judge did. So I think he should have told President Trump, but I know for a fact they should have told the FISA court.

WALLACE: Well, let me -- let me pick up on this because we learned this week that you and the chair of the House Intel Committee, Devin Nunes, have now read the original FBI memo that launched the whole Trump investigation in the summer of 2016. Having read it, are you persuaded that they had a legitimate reason to launch this probe?

GOWDY: I've always been persuaded. I -- I didn't have to read the -- the initiating document. I mean you've got George Papadopoulos, you've got a meeting at Trump Tower, you've got an -email from Cambridge Analytica, you -- you've got reasons to look into what Russia did and who, if anyone, did they do it with. So this origination document is important to me, though, because it goes to the credibility of those who launched the investigation. Was it because of George Papadopoulos? Because this initiation took place months after George Papadopoulos had his little conversation -- drunken conversation in a bar. Or was it the dossier?

So that's important to me to know. But you're going to have a Russian -- I mean Russia -- someone hacked the DNC server. Someone hacked John Podesta's e-mails. Someone played games with the American people, whether or not there's a dossier. So I've never thought that discrediting the dossier did away with the Russia probe.

WALLACE: All right.

One final question. I want to switch subjects.

In your role as chair of the House Oversight Committee, you wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt this week seeking formal interviews with five of his top aides. Why and how much trouble is Pruitt in?

GOWDY: Well, I don't know how much trouble he's in. The reason the Oversight Committee wants to know whether or not the EPA is a good steward of taxpayer money is because Congress created the EPA. We fund the EPA. So, it is entirely legitimate for us to ask, are you being good stewards of the American taxpayer dollar? And it's also appropriate because we have jurisdiction over the Office of Government Ethics to look into his lease.

I didn't hire him. I'm not the one contemplating promoting him or demoting him or getting rid of him. That's all for President Trump. But Congress does have a responsibility to provide oversight. And I think the responsible way to do it is gather the documents.

Look, we're not having a prime time hearing, I've got, you know --

WALLACE: But let me just ask you, because I've got 30 seconds left. How troubled are you by this raft of reports that he spent too much money on his desk, his office, the planes, the security detail, that there are some serious ethical questions here about Mr. Pruitt?

GOWDY: I'm concerned about both what you cited and the explanation for it and whether or not it is credible.

Look, if you sit first class, you're guaranteed to come in contact with everybody else on the plane. If you really want to avoid people on the plane, sit in the last seat, not the first seat. I'd be shocked if that many people knew who Scott Pruitt was. So the notion that I've got to fly first class because I don't want people to be mean to me, you need to go into another line of work if you don't want people to be mean to you. Like maybe a monk, where you don't come in contact with anyone.

WALLACE: Yes, a monk who sits in the last seat in the plane. I -- listen, I'm going to have to consider that.

Congressman Gowdy, thank you.

GOWDY: Yes, sir.

WALLACE: Thanks you spending your weekend with us. Always good to talk to you, sir.

GOWDY: You too. Thank you.

WALLACE: When we come back, more on the FBI raid of the president's personal lawyer and Mr. Trump's ongoing face-off with the special counsel.

Plus, what would you like to ask the panel about former FBI Director Comey's new book? Just go to Facebook or Twitter @FoxNewsSunday and we may use your question on the air.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: It's a disgrace. It's, frankly, a real disgrace. It's a -- an attack on our country in a true sense. It's an attack on what we all stand for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: President Trump venting his anger over the news his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, was raided by the FBI.

And we're back now with the panel.

Jonah, what do you make of the president's -- I think it's fair to say -- furious reaction to the raid of his long-time personal lawyer, some say fixer, I guess Cohen likes to call himself a fixer, Michael Cohen, and the fact that he left in that same event, left open, wide open the question of whether or not he's going to fire Robert Mueller?

JONAH GOLDBERG, NATIONAL REVIEW: Yes, I mean, in the Trump Organization, they actually refer to him as Tom, as a shorthand for Tom Hagen, the character from "The Godfather." So he's owned this fixer persona for quite a while.

WALLACE: May I simply say, having known Michael Cohen and having seen "The Godfather" movies --

GOLDBERG: He's no Tom Hagen.

WALLACE: He's -- he's no Tom Hagen.

GOLDBERG: Fair enough.

I think -- I've always been a deep skeptic of the Russia collusion narrative. This idea that Trump conspired with Vladimir Putin to steel the election. I still want to find out what Mueller finds out, but I've always thought that his biggest objection to the Mueller probe was he was afraid of what else they might find. And if my theory is true, then this has to be the most terrifying thing that could happen to anybody who has something to hide is to have your fixer's entire world seized by the FBI and gone through with a fine tooth comb.

And so I completely understand why he's -- he's livid about it. At the same time, I do not think that this is a violation of all that America stands for. The -- as Trey Gowdy explained, you had to get a warrant. You had to go through all these loopholes, all these hurdles at the FBI and the DOJ. And the test will be what they actually find there. My hunch is, is that they're going to find a lot.

And we should also -- one last point. Donald Trump and Michael Cohen both publically say that Michael Cohen was not working for Donald Trump when he did the -- fixed the Stormy Daniels situation, which means he was not his lawyer at the time, which means there is no attorney/client privilege at stake at that.

WALLACE: That's why you shouldn't talk, right?

The reaction from top Senate Republicans to another round of will he fire Robert Mueller was strong and fierce. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK GRASSLEY, R-IOWA SENATOR: It would be suicide for the president to want to talk about firing Mueller.

MARCO RUBIO, R-FLORIDA SENATOR: I don't believe he'll fire Mueller. And if he does, it will be a terrible mistake.

CORY GARDNER, R-COLORADO SENATOR: Well, look, I think it would be a mistake, a great mistake.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Jennifer, at least on Capitol Hill, among Democrats and especially among Republicans, no appetite for the idea of firing the special counsel.

JENNIFER GRIFFIN, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: No appetite, but Sarah Sanders, White House spokesperson, raised eyebrows when she said that -- on Tuesday at the briefing that the president has the right to -- or believes he has the right to fire Mueller. That's why you've seen in the last 24 hours an open letter from 245 former DOJ officials calling on Congress to act to protect Mueller. So clearly there is a sense that the president may act.

And, in fact, you heard reports this week that Rod Rosenstein has been telling his close associates that he feels he may be fired. Because the president really has two choices and the legal advice he's getting is that, well, maybe you can't fire Mueller, but you can fire Rod Rosenstein. And so -- so I think you have to really watch, what does the president say about Rod Rosenstein in the coming (INAUDIBLE).

WALLACE: You know, I -- just to give you a sense of -- of the frenzy about all of this, one of our top people on Capitol Hill put out an alert to us on Friday night saying he'd gotten from a close Trump source that Rod Rosenstein was not going to be fired tonight. So, I mean.

Anyway, let's turn to the new book from James Comey, the former FBI director. You may have heard about it. Here's what he says about President Trump's preoccupation with the Steele dossier and it's contention that he spent time with prostitutes in Moscow.

Here is Mr. Comey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: Honestly, I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but I don't know whether the -- the current president of the United States was with prostitutes peeing on each other in Moscow in 2013. It's possible, but I don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Things that we never thought we'd have on the air.

We ask you for questions for the panel and we got this on Facebook from Hal Widsten, is there any new information in this book or is it just Comey, as a disgruntled former government employee, attacking President Trump?

Marc, how do you answer Hal?

MARC LOTTER, FORMER VP PENCE PRESS SECRETARY: I think there's not a lot that's new in this book. One of the things that I found unique was the fact that the former director actually talked about there being classified information that we still don't know about relating to Attorney General Lynch that would have compromised her, which also influenced his decisions in the -- in the Hillary Clinton investigation.

Now, if those are unsubstantiated, that's very reckless for him to actually throw his former boss under the bus in a -- in a book like that. And if they're true, then I think we need to know what is actually out there that compromised her and helped prompt his decisions, in addition to political (INAUDIBLE).

WALLACE: But what do you make of what he has to say about the president, both factually and also his opinions?

LOTTER: I think the one thing that has brought Washington together in the last year and a half is everyone at one point or another has -- has questioned Jim Comey's credibility, his disservice to the FBI and wanted him to lose his job. And I think he just continues that narrative of flip-flopping his stories and having not a lot of credibility in the book.

WALLACE: Chuck, on a scale of one to 10, 10 being Woodward and Bernstein, how damaging is this book to Donald Trump?

CHARLES LANE, THE WASHINGTON POST: Well, my expectation was somewhere in the seven, eight, nine range. And I think it came much more in the four or five or maybe three range.

Look, people -- it's like everything else, people who are already predisposed to think ill of the president are going to think ill of him, and vice versa. And so what you're looking for in this is some real powerful nugget of brand new information, not just the atmospherics about how I felt like maybe I was listening to a mafia don. We -- you know, that's atmospherics. And I don't yet see a blockbuster new fact in here.

What -- what is interesting is this revelation of Comey kind of admitting, you know, I was thinking about politics as I was going through some of these decisions regarding what I would say about Hillary and he's sort of confessing that he got that wrong or -- you know, and what that tells me is, this is a guy who's kind of bad at spin, says he shouldn't do spin because it's inappropriate to his role, and then keeps trying to do spin. And, in a way, he's -- he's -- I wouldn't dismiss him as some kind of disgruntled (INAUDIBLE). It's much more important than that. But he is still trying to effect his legacy in the public eye.

I've got to say just one final thing, how we all have to sort of sit back and think how extraordinary it is the former director of this large police law enforcement agency is calling the president of the United States somebody he thought of as a mafia boss, on the one hand, and the president responding calling him a slime ball. This kind of interaction between these kinds of people is just -- I mean it is really a bad show for democracy. It's totally unseemly.

WALLACE: Jonah, your thoughts about the Comey book, both the facts and his characterizations of the president.

GOLDBERG: Yes, no, I largely agree with Chuck. I was always skeptical that he could have real blockbuster news in this because it would be outrageous for a former FBI director to sit on damaging news so he could monetize it a year after he, you know, is firing. If he had anything truly damning, he has to give it to Mueller and he can't say anything. So I expected the book to be mostly atmospheric.

I do think that the problem for Comey is that he is basically trying to get down on Trump's level on the one hand, while seeming above the fray on the other. That is a hard look for a polished politician and he just doesn't pull it off. And I think it -- it leaves him diminished.

GRIFFIN: It actually reminds me of -- during the Republican primary, when -- when the candidates --

WALLACE: Marco Rubio.

GRIFFIN: They didn't know whether to go high, go low. When they would go low, then it's when the president -- when Trump, the candidate, had them and knocked them out of the ring.

WALLACE: We've got less than 30 seconds.

What impact could this have? His clear animus and the fact that he's told his story, if he ends up being a witness, does it just -- hypothetical in a case, on the issue of obstruction of justice, has he damaged his credibility?

LANE: Well, obviously, this president's lawyers were going to go after him as a disgruntled former employee no matter what. I mean the book doesn't change that.

WALLACE: All right, thank you, panel. See you next Sunday.

And we'll be right back with a final word.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: For the latest on the crisis in Syria and the U.S. response, please stay tuned to this station and Fox News Channel.

And that's it for today. Have a great week. And we'll see you next "Fox News Sunday."

END

Content and Programming Copyright 2018 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2018 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.
Two black bear cubs have their full lives ahead of them thanks to the help of a Virginia State Trooper on Thursday.

The law enforcement agency said Trooper DH Cepelnik rescued the cubs after their mother was struck and killed by a vehicle in Franklin County, located south of Roanoke.

Cepelnik was "#JustDoingHisJob" when he rescued the two small animals, police posted on Twitter.

The two cubs are now safe and sound, and are receiving care at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Three people had to be rescued after their boat rammed into a jetty in Florida on Friday near the spot where the late Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two others died in a boating crash in 2016.

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department said the boaters were stranded on the southwest rocks of Government Cut, a shipping channel that connects Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, after the boat crashed into the jetty.

Video posted by the agency on Twitter shows rescuers working to get the people off the damaged boat, pulling them through the dangerous current onto a fireboat.

A man and his son who saw the boat go airborne told WSVN the force of the impact caused the vessel to almost overturn.

That jetty is visible," Jett Forsythe told the television station. "Theres no way that they shouldnt have seen it."

Jett said the whole incident was "insane."

He hit at probably 40 miles an hour, jumped the boat out of the water completely," he told WSVN.

Fire officials said all three boaters were assessed at the Coast Guard base in Miami Beach, and one was transported to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

LATE MIAMI MARLINS PITCHER JOSE FERNANDEZ WAS FRAMED IN DEADLY BOAT CRASH PROBE, LAWYER CLAIMS

The incident on Friday happened near where Fernandez and two others died in a boating crash in 2016, which took place on the north side of the Government Cut.

In a report last year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, officials said Fernandezs boat was traveling southwest from the Atlantic Ocean before colliding with the jetty at a high-rate of speed. The boat landed upside down, killing Fernandez in addition to Eduardo Rivero, 25, and 27-year-old Emilio Jesus Macias.

A toxicology report also stated drugs and alcohol were a factor in the fatal crash, with cocaine found in Fernandezs system at the time of the accident.

An attorney representing the late pitcher recently claimed investigators prematurely concluded Fernandez was responsible, and then altered or ignored evidence to the contrary. Macias and Riveros estates are suiting Fernandezs estate for $2 million apiece.

While the cause of the most recent crash remains under investigation, Miami fire officials are reminding everyone that "boating at night should only be done by expert navigators and to make sure you have the appropriate safety equipment any time you go out on the water. Remember to slow down & never drink alcohol if you are operating a boat."

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
Cold case investigators in Washington state have released DNA-generated composite sketches of a suspect in the unsolved slayings of a young Canadian couple three decades ago.

High school sweethearts Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, and Jay Cook, 20, of British Columbia, were found dead in two separate locations after they failed to return home from a visit to the Seattle area in 1987.

DNA evidence collected during the investigation did not match profiles in any databases, but investigators with the Snohomish County and Skagit County sheriff's departments released three composite sketches of a Caucasian male shown in his 20s, 40s and 60s at a news conference in Everett last week.

If these new pictures that this amazing new technology created triggers a memory you had  perhaps of someone who said something odd that lived in or near the Snohomish area or even Vancouver in late 1987  please for the sake of my brother Jay, Tanya and all of our families, call it in, Cooks sister Laura Baanstra said at the news conference, according to the Vancouver Sun.

When your brother or sister, daughter or a loved one walks out the door, you have no way to know that its the last time you will ever see them.

The sketches were based on DNA phenotyping, the process of predicting physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA evidence, the Associated Press reported.

It gives us hope that weve got a likeness of what this persons going to look similar to, Jim Schart, a detective with the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office, said, according to Q13 Fox in Seattle.

Cook and his girlfriend went to Seattle on Nov. 18, 1987, to pick up parts for a business owned by Cooks father, investigators said at a news conference in Everett. They planned to spend the night in Cooks van and return home the next day.

Two days later, they were reported missing, the Sun reported.

On Nov. 24, a man found Van Cuylenborgs battered body on an isolated road south of Bellingham, Wash., according to the AP. She had been restrained with zip ties, sexually assaulted and shot in the head.

Her wallet, her ID, keys for the van and a pair of surgical gloves and a partial box of ammunition were found under the back porch of a Bellingham pub the following day, the Sun reported.

The van was found near the pub in the parking lot of a Greyhound bus station.

Two days later on Thanksgiving Day, Cooks body was found near Monroe -- 75 miles away from Bellingham. He had been strangled, the Sun reported. He had also been restrained with zip ties, which were recovered at the scene.

The suspects DNA was found in the van, the AP reported.

There is a $50,000 reward being offering for information in the case, but the offer expires at the end of the year, Q13 Fox reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A bitter battle between ex-neighbors over ownership of a 100-pound dog has resulted in a Solomon-like decision by a Florida judge awarding shared custody rights to both parties.

Tina Marie Walker, of Madeira Beach, adopted Elario, a playful 4-year-old black Labrador retriever mix, in 2016, Fox 13 Tampa reported.

But for the last five weeks shes been sharing custody of the pooch with David Somerville, her former next-door neighbor, according to the station.

"And I don't understand it because in the state of Florida, a dog is property," Walker said. "He's licensed to me. I paid for the dog."

Somerville took Walker to court claiming he should be awarded sole ownership because he's been Elarios main caretaker, paying for the dogs food, vet bills and toys, the station reported.

The court record shows that their friendship took a bitter turn when Walker had Elario microchipped and put the registration in her name. Walker then kept Somerville away from the dog, prompting the lawsuit.

The shared custody arrangement was worked out by Pinellas County Small Claims Court Judge Lorraine Kelly, who said in a March 8 ruling that it was in the best interests of all concerned.

Both parties have health considerations that quality time with Elario makes better. Both parties have spent a great deal of time with the dog and witnesses say he shows great affection for both of his humans, she said.

Elario now stays with Somerville every other weekend from Friday to Tuesday under a schedule worked out by the judge.

Walker told Fox 13 she took care of Somerville, a Vietnam vet, after he had lung cancer surgery.

I loved him, for two-and-a-half years I took care of him, she told the station. So I dont understand this at all. Im betrayed, Im broken-hearted, my dog is split up.

Walker is appealing Kelly's ruling. She said that she has been forced to move.

Fox 13 reported contacting Somerville, who declined to be interviewed on-air.

Click for more from Fox 13 Tampa.
A man miraculously survived after driving a van off a Northern California cliff and plummeting nearly 150 feet into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, officials said.

The California Highway Patrol said the driver, a man in his 30s, was driving south on Highway 1 before 8 a.m. when he drifted onto the shoulder and went off the cliff at Montara State Beach, located about 15 miles south of San Francisco.

"It's pretty incredible he's still alive," CHP spokesman Officer Vu Williams told the San Francisco Chronicle.

After falling into the ocean, the man was able to get out of the mangled vehicle on his own and crawl onto the rocks.

As television news helicopters hovered overhead, a firefighter could be seen rappelling down the cliff to reach the man on the rocks below as waves pounded the area.

DRIVER OF HART FAMILY SUV WAS DRUNK, AUTHORITIES SAY

The man eventually walked to the firefighter, and was lifted up in a harness before being taken to a waiting ambulance. The CHP said in a news release the man was taken to the hospital and treated for non life-threatning injuries.

Williams told the Chronicle the crash was likely "operator error," as the man was not under the influence of a controlled substance and hadnt fallen asleep.

SUV CARRYING FAMILY ACCELERATED OFF CALIFORNIA CLIFF, OFFICIALS SAY

The area where the crash happened was near Devil's Slide, a rocky area with eroded slopes. The CHP said the incident served as a reminder to motorists to be wary when in the area.

"This is a good reminder that if you are traveling along the Highway 1 area south of Devils Slide to only pull off the roadway at designated parking areas to take in the view and to please heed the signs indicating no stopping," the agency said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Montana day care worker who worked with infants is accused of smoking meth on the job inside a "drug den" built below a cabinet.

KRTV reported that Autumn Sienna Heinz, 30, faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal mischief.

The suspect is accused of smoking the drugs in a drug den hidden beneath a cabinet in the laundry room in the YMCA Learning Center day care building.

MAN DISCOVERS ESCAPED CRIMINAL HIDING IN HIS CLOSET

Police said it was locked from the inside so nobody could get in. Authorities found a glass pipe with what appeared to be meth residue and a plastic tube full of white crystals, which tested positive for meth.

The meth fumes permeated the entire building and every room tested positive for meth, including the infant room.

A vent fan in the bathroom was used to try to hide the smell of the smoke, according to police.

Heinz had been a full-time employee for three years and worked in the infant area.

Read more from Fox 8 Cleveland.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW

Police photos related to the Slender Man stabbing attack reveal blood-soaked clothing, and the knife used in the assault that left the victim with "uncomfortable" scars.

Wisconsin police released Friday the horrific crime scene photos showing the blood-soaked clothes from the 2014 stabbing when two girls attempted to kill a 12-year-old classmate in order to please a fictional horror character named Slender Man.

The photos from the so-called Slender Man stabbing case were released since Morgan Geyser, 15, and Anissa Weier, 16, began serving their decades-long sentence in a mental hospital, WISN reported. The girls admitted to stabbing classmate Payton Leutner in order to become Slender Mans proxies, or servants, and protect their families from the fictional character.

The images released by the Waukesha Police Department showed Leutners white shirt  emblazoned with the words Love, Hope, Smile, Beautiful, Dream  covered in blood and filled with puncture holes from the knife that was plunged into the 12-year-old's body. Leutner was stabbed 19 times, with one of the wounds just missing her heart by a fraction of an inch, WISN reported.

The girls yellow pants also had blood on them. The crime scene photos included the kitchen knife used in the stabbing, Kudos cereal bars and notebooks.

Geyser and Weier also had blood splatters on their clothes despite running into a Walmart to clean themselves off. Weier was pictured with blood soaked on her undershirt while Geyser had it on her coat, according to WISN.

The girls had lured Leutner into a wooded park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, to carry out the stabbing. Geyser plunged the knife into her sixth-grade classmate as Weier urged her on, investigators said at the time.

Leutner survived the attack by crawling out of the woods to a path where a bicyclist found her.

Leutners mother said the now-high school freshman has 25 uncomfortable scars on her body.

"[Payton is] still red and angry more than three years later. Payton has a lifetime of healing ahead of her, the mother said, according to WISN.

Geyser was ordered to 40 years in a mental hospital in February after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Weier, who also pleaded guilty to being a party to attempted second-degree intentional homicide, was sentenced last December to 25 years in a mental hospital, the maximum punishment possible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Syrian government and its Iran and Russian backers continue to rebuff staunchly any responsibility for chemical attacks in the war-ravaged country  of which there allegedly have been more than 50 since the war began  including last weekend in the city of Douma. Instead, they point the finger at opposition terrorist groups at having either staged the events or dispersed the chemicals themselves.

And while the U.S. and allied French and U.K. officials collected irrefutable evidence linking the Assad regime to the recent attacks  prompting retaliatory action to take out their stockpiles early Saturday  the showdown has cast a renewed spotlight onto the chemical weapons use of non-state actors in the war-torn country.

According to some experts, this latest development poses a perhaps even more direct threat on U.S. interests.

There has always been a sneaking suspicion that ISIS and other terror groups in Syria may have overrun several of Assads hidden stores of chemical weapons. The challenge, however, is ISIS fighters might not have the ability to use them efficiently, as such weapons would be dropped from the skies or used in artillery-style weapons, Harry Kazianis, Director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest, told Fox News. There is always a danger a terror group could somehow develop chemical weapons and attack our homeland or our allies.

Last month, the Cipher Brief reported that U.S. intelligence had intercepted chatter pertaining to ISIS aspirations to plot chemical attacks on the U.S. homeland.

The sleeper cell threat of ISIS remains, as well, along with concern that the groups ideology could spring a resurgence at any time.

And at the heart of the groups nefarious capabilities in Syria was their once black-flag cloaked caliphate capital of Raqqa city.

The razed and burned city is slowly coming back to life, having been liberated last October, but remains clogged by pockets of booby traps and bodies numbering around 600 outside of the main roads.

Layla Mustafa, co-chair of the Raqqa Civilian Council, stressed they still dont know what they will find as the area continues to be cleaned of mines and traps.

International NGOs are supporting, but Mustafa lamented the slow pace and layers of bureaucracy that keep halting their objectives. In recent months, according to Mustafa, they have lost a number of key figures to such entrapments  including the head of education and the head of the Raqqa Internal Security Forces.

Mustafa backed the U.S. endeavor to retaliate against the regimes use of chemical weapons.

This wasnt the first time, and no one can accept this, she said. Terrorism is terrorism. This action is terrorism, no matter who it comes from.

Mustafa Bali, spokesperson for the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of the countrys north, told Fox News that in 2013  just after the regime had been overrun by non-ISIS rebel factions in the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood in Aleppo  civilians were documented to have been choking after attacks.

We didnt have the testing to know what is was, which chemicals were used, Bali said. We tried calling organizations, but at that time, the world closed their eyes.

However, U.N. investigations as well as Amnesty International have assessed that while the Assad government bears responsibility for the majority of chemical weapons violations, there is a minority attributed to other actors.

Daniel McCarthy, writing for Spectator USA this month, pointed out that non-regime chemical weapons use was not suppressed, but rather muted.

The ISIS distribution of chemical weapons was, according to the SDF, launched through means of artillery and mortar. U.S.-led coalition forces are also known to have unearthed and decimated chemical weapons in the form of RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) and grenades.

Producing chemical and biological weapons is easy, especially if you have people willing to die in the process of making and using them, explained Ryan Mauro, national security expert for the Clarion Project. The trickier part is having the suitable delivery mechanisms and using them effectively.

According to Mauro, ISIS-type terrorists are more likely to actually use chemical weapons, but state sponsors and militaries have capacities that are far more deadly than what can be independently used by a terrorist group on a small scale  assuming the terrorist group is not acting as a front for a state sponsor.

However, there is little doubt that the hardline Islamic terror faction purported to use such weapons  to varying degrees of success. U.S. Defense officials have in the past acknowledged that the insurgents have had low-grade capabilities in terms of chemical warfare, namely relying on chlorine and a mustard agent, far less potent than mustard gas and diapering in a small area.

Since July 2014, ISIS was accused of having used chemical weapons more than 70 times  at least 30 of them in Syria and the rest in Iraq.

Indeed, scores of air strikes over the past four years have been focused on taking out ISIS chemical facilities. In mid-2016, U.S. officials reported that the group was uniting its top chemical weapons experts in the Syrian countryside, near the Iraq border  which remains the last territorial bastion for the mostly decimated organization. In early 2017, reports resurfaced of a chemical cell being forged in the area and using prisoners as human guinea pigs for their experiments.

Pentagon officials also confirmed last August to having taken out known chemical concocting factories near Deir ez-Zor, in which strikes destroyed 13 ISIS oil stills, an oil storage barrel and an ISIS chemical weapons factory.

Furthermore, French national Joe Asperman officially was designated a terrorist last month by U.S. officials, given his work as a senior chemical weapons expert for ISIS who oversaw chemical operation production within Syria and the deployment of these at the battlefront, the State Department noted.

Several other individuals in the ISIS chemical concoction leadership too have been killed in targeted coalition strikes since 2015, including Tabqa Abu Jandal, who was accused of using toxic weapons against the SDF in December 2016.

So while much of the focus has been placed on Assads deadly stockpile, experts caution that chemicals in Syria are far more widespread.

We should not lose the focus of defeating ISIS, even if they never used chemical weapons, added Steve Bucci, visiting fellow for foreign and national security policy at the Heritage Foundation. The radical Islamist groups have been seeking WMD (weapon of mass destruction) capabilities since before 9/11. They are still looking for it, and all that has nothing to do with Syria. They just want as horrific and wide-reaching a means of killing as possible.
Relatives of a burglar who was stabbed to death while breaking into a 78-year-old retirees home in London this month laid a fresh floral tribune Sunday at the spot where he was killed, according to reports.

Angry neighbors of Richard Osborn-Brooks repeatedly tore down the tributes that were left in memory of the dead criminal, prompting London police to appeal for respect on both sides, the BBC reported.

A group of women brought balloons, cards and flowers to the street where Henry Vincent died April 4 while trying to burglarize Osborn-Brooks home in southeast London, the Guardian reported.

The elderly man was arrested on suspicion of murder but released without further action being taken against him.

Five police officers acted as escorts for the women who attached their tributes to steet signs and lampposts to mark what would have been Vincents 38th birthday, according to the paper.

We just want to lay flowers, we dont want to cause any violence, said one of the women, who said she was 37 but asked not to be identified.

A fence where supporters had attached flowers and cards in Vincents memory lay bare Thursday after they were torn down the previous day for the fourth time, the Guardian reported.

One neighbor pulled down the flowers screaming curses and shouting, Weve had enough in this country of (sleazy people), according to the paper.

Fearing for their lives, Osborn-Brooks and his wife have moved to a safer location and intend to sell their house, the paper reported.

London police deputy commissioner Craig Mackey has urged Osborn-Brooks' neighbors and Vincent's supporters to show respect to each, according to the paper.

This is a tragedy for the family who have lost a loved one. It is also a tragedy for the homeowner forced to take the action he did, he said.
next Image 1 of 2

prev Image 2 of 2

Thousands of miles from home, Vice President Mike Pence was thrust into a new, more immediate, role on the world stage Saturday: explaining President Donald Trump's military strike in Syria to a summit of Latin America leaders.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons  tweeting, "Mission Accomplished!"  Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France.

"The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished  with swift professionalism," Pence told reporters, noting there were "no reported civilian casualties."

Later, speaking in a cavernous hall of world leaders at the Summit of the Americas, Pence expressed gratitude to Canada, Colombia and other nations that had voiced support for the strike and urged "every nation in this hemisphere of freedom" to support the military action.

Pence's to-do list included smoothing over differences with Mexico, America's southern neighbor, amid unease over Trump's decision to send troops to the border and harsh rhetoric on immigration. And with tensions simmering over trade, Pence expressed hope alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the three nations could soon agree to a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

And while Trump grapples with the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Pence sought to draw a bright line against Vladimir Putin's alliance with Syria following the suspected chemical attack. "Our message to Russia is that you're on the wrong side of history," Pence said.

Trump often improvises his remarks and is known for bold declarations in person and on his Twitter account. Pence, meanwhile, tends to be more scripted in his exchanges and frequently glanced down at highlighted index cards as he spoke to Latin American leaders here.

Shortly before Trump's address to the nation Friday night, Pence was whisked away from the summit in his motorcade so he could return to his hotel to inform congressional leaders of the pending missile strikes. Pence watched Trump's speech from his hotel suite, joined by aides.

Unlike past appearances at international summits, the vice president had to dive into the packed agenda on short notice. He learned only Tuesday that he would be attending in Trump's place so the president could manage the U.S. response to Syria.

In meeting after meeting, Pence offered a low-key, extended hand.

Seeking rapprochement with Mexico, which has been at odds with Trump over the border wall and immigration, Pence said the topic of funding for Trump's long-promised border wall did not come up in his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Pence said they simply had a difference of opinion and some issues were "set aside, for a later date." Left unsaid was whether Pence's overtures might eventually lead to a joint Trump-Pena Nieto meeting, their first.

Seated alongside Trudeau, Pence said there was a "real possibility" the U.S. could reach a deal with Canada and Mexico on NAFTA "within the next several weeks." Trump has long assailed the trade deal's impact on U.S. workers and threatened to pull the U.S. out if he's unhappy with the terms.

The summit also gave Pence an opportunity to press the case for tougher sanctions and more isolation of Venezuela across the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was barred from attending the summit over his plans to hold a presidential election that the opposition is boycotting and that many foreign governments consider a sham.

Pence urged Maduro to accept humanitarian aid as the once-prosperous nation deals with humanitarian and economic crises. But he called on the region to take a harder line on Maduro's government, a message he intends to deliver in Brazil next month.

"The United States believes now is the time to do more, much more," he said.

Pence left Peru on Saturday evening and arrived home in Washington early Sunday.

___

On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC
The family of a German billionaire has given up hope of finding him alive a week after he went missing in the Swiss Alps, his company said Friday.

Karl-Erivan Haub, the 58-year-old heir to the Tengelmann retail empire, was training for a ski mountaineering race when he disappeared under Switzerland's famous Matterhorn peak, located on the southern border with Italy.

He was last seen on Saturday morning as he headed up a mountain lift with skis and a daypack, and was reported missing to police the following morning after he failed to show up at his hotel in the Swiss resort of Zermatt.

Tengelmann said in a statement Friday on the family's behalf that, after days "in the extreme climate conditions of a glacier area, there is no longer any probability that Karl-Erivan Haub survived."

It said the search for Haub's body will continue and the company will pay all costs for that.

"This accident is a terrible tragedy both for the Haub family and the whole family company, and one that is incomprehensible for everybody," Tengelmann spokeswoman Sieglinde Schuchardt said.

The search for Haub on both sides of the Swiss-Italian border involved three helicopters, ground patrols and avalanche rescue teams, with up to 60 people at its peak.

It was complicated by bad weather and the fact that it wasn't clear exactly where Haub was going. Rescuers were combing a huge area under the Matterhorn and some suspected that he might have fallen into one of the region's many glacial crevasses.

Haub -- who was born in Tacoma, Washington -- and his brother Christian have led Tengelmann since 2000. The family's fortune is estimated at over $3.7 billion. Family patriarch Erivan Haub died in March at his home in Wyoming.

Tengelmann's main businesses are the hardware store Obi and clothing retailer KiK. It also has large stakes in the Netto supermarket chain and online retailer Zalando.

On Wednesday, rescue officials had said there was still a very slight hope for Haub if he had managed to keep himself warm in the cold Alpine conditions.
Russia is acting like "one of those rogue countries" in its support of the Syrian regime after the deadly chemical weapons attack earlier this month, British Ambassador to the United Nations Karen Pierce told Fox News on Sunday.

"We find it astounding, as do many people, that a country that helped build the chemical weapons convention and the global nonproliferation regime, that Russia can now be one of those rogue countries that has been looking to undo it," she said in an exclusive Fox News interview. When asked if she thinks Russia is a rogue country, she replied, "I think it has those tendencies."

Pierce was one of the diplomats who led the debate at the United Nations Security Council over the airstrikes on Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons facilities. Britain, along with the U.S. and France, carried out the attacks in response to allegations that Assad's regime used chemical weapons, barrel bombs filled with chlorine and sarin gas, against his own people in the city of Douma on April 7. She pointedly placed the blame not just on Assad, but also on Russia for its continuing support of his government and repeated blocking of Security Council resolutions aimed at trying to end the devastating war.

"The U.N. was founded with a noble purpose and with noble principles. And if the U.N. can't deal with this sort of situation, then why have it?" Pierce asked.

"It is the price of keeping the U.N. in being, that there is a veto. I think it is therefore incumbent on people like the P-5 (the permanent members of the Security Council, the U.S., Britain, France, Russia and China) to uphold international law, to uphold the principles and purposes of the U.N., and to do something about such crises as this, and what you have with Russia is one P-5 member who ought to have a special responsibility. That P-5 member is blocking the U.N. and the West being able to help resolve this problem."

Pierce said the responsibility especially has rested on Russia, and she called on Moscow to cooperate with the international community. "We would much rather get back to a stage where Russia worked with the rest of the P-5 and the Security Council to find a way to bring the Assad regime to the negotiating table, and get back into the political process, to have a cessation of hostilities, to dismantle the chemical weapons, and for there to be accountability."

She continued, "There are some very serious questions as to why Russia is supporting Assad in breaking international law to this extent, why they condone the suffering and the killing of so many innocent civilians in Syria."

'. . . we look to the Russians to come back into the international fold and help us resolve this conflict.'  Karen Pierce

So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin's government has vetoed 12 Security Council resolutions dealing with Syria, and six addressing Assad's chemical weapons. A new French, British and U.S. draft resolution has been circulated to the 15 council members and is expected to address the chemical weapons issue, as well as the political and humanitarian issues further.

Pierce would not predict whether Moscow would veto the next resolution too. "I think it represents the will of the vast majority of people on the Security Council, including China. So, over the next few days and weeks, we will be pursuing that with the Secretary General, and we look to the Russians to come back into the international fold and help us resolve this conflict."

"President Assad himself has shown repeatedly that left to his own devices, he is not going to come to the peace table," she noted.

Pierce also dismissed allegations from Russia and some conspiracy theorists that the Douma attack, and the attempted assassination of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter in Britain, actually were the work of Washington and London. "Frankly, I think this is another 1984. It's an attempt to rewrite the news, to rewrite history in their own image and it just won't wash."

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, an international inspection agency, has determined that the nerve agent was a Russian-grade military agent.

"Only Russia has the motive, the means and the method to carry out such an attack, and a track record as well," Pierce said.

She started her current job less than one month ago and will be back attending the next Security Council meeting this coming week, officials said.

Fox News' Ben Evansky contributed to this report.
Authorities in Mexico say a small town's mayor has been shot dead in the west-central state of Jalisco.

Jalisco prosecutors say in a statement that municipal police in Jilotlan de los Dolores received a report Sunday morning of a body in a car on a highway outside the town.

At the scene they found town mayor Juan Carlos Andrade Magana dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

The prosecutor's office says Andrade's killing is under investigation.

National newspaper El Universal reports that he was running for re-election with the Citizens' Movement party. Mexico has national elections July 1.

Jilotlan is in southern Jalisco near the border with Michoacan state, a region that is home to significant drug cartel activity.
 :      

 ,   ,              ,                      



: - ,               ,   ,          .       ,      -        .      ?

 :     .     (..     ).          ,   .                .       ,      ,   ,                .

:       -   ?                .

 :       ,         ,         ,    ,   .                  ,    -    ,       .       ,     -   (-).  ,           .              -  .         .            ,         ,       -     ,            .

,    ,   ,         ,        .   ,    ,     ,      .   ,  -        -  ?        .    ,    ,    .    ?         .     ,   ,     ,       ,        .            ,           ,     .      ,               -  .

:  ,          .     ,     ,       ?

 :        ,       .  ,     , ,     .  ,      ,     ,         .         ,      .              .  -          .    ,      .          , ,         ,    ,       .      -      ?           ? -         . ,     ,      .    -      50 ,     ,      .

 -    ,           -     .           .           .       ,      ,     ,               .         ,    ,   ,        .   ,      .          ,           - .

 


Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Rain and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 83F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with showers and a few thunderstorms. Low 77F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
nametalkam at 15-04-2018 06:35 PM (3 years ago) (m)

A 25 year old Nigerian lady, Chiamaka Deborah Motilewa has been awarded a PhD degree at the Covenant University, Otta making her the youngest PhD holder to be ever produced from the University.

A 25 year old Nigerian lady, Chiamaka Deborah Motilewa has been awarded a PhD degree at the Covenant University, Otta making her the youngest PhD holder to be ever produced from the University.





Chiamaka Deborah Motilewa is a graduate of Dublin Business School, Ireland(BA), University of Aberdeen, Econs(MA) and Covenant University where she had her Doctoral degree in Business Administration.

The obviously excited young lady took to twitter to make the announcement.













The Jos-born erudite hails from Kogi State, although her mum is from Anambra state. She later moved to Lagos with her parents where she attended Chrisland Primary School Ikeja, and Chrisland College Idimu.



She then proceeded to Dublin Business School, Ireland where she had her BA(hons) in Accounting and Finance (2011) and an MSC(Econs) International Business, Energy and Petroleum from the University of Aberdeen, UK (2012).



According to information on the Covenant University website, Chiamaka is a lecturer at the Business Administration department of the university.

Her profile on the website reads:

Chiamaka Deborah Motilewa is a graduate of Dublin Business School, Ireland(BA), University of Aberdeen, Econs(MA) and Covenant University where she had her Doctoral degree in Business Administration.The obviously excited young lady took to twitter to make the announcement.The Jos-born erudite hails from Kogi State, although her mum is from Anambra state. She later moved to Lagos with her parents where she attended Chrisland Primary School Ikeja, and Chrisland College Idimu.She then proceeded to Dublin Business School, Ireland where she had her BA(hons) in Accounting and Finance (2011) and an MSC(Econs) International Business, Energy and Petroleum from the University of Aberdeen, UK (2012).According to information on the Covenant University website, Chiamaka is a lecturer at the Business Administration department of the university.Her profile on the website reads: Quote Motilewa Bolanle Deborah is a versatile professional lecturer, researcher, business developer and project manager. She has positioned herself to meet increasing demand for quality in education, research and business development.

With over three years experience as a post-secondary lecturer, Motilewa has imparted business knowledge and character development in various post-secondary students.

Her research focus is on Corporate Social Responsibility, entailing how business organizations can gain competitive advantage in the highly competitive business world through strategic corporate social responsibility that is in line with the organizations vision, mission and objectives.

She is the founder and co-coordinator of REEP Africa (Renewable Energy and Electrification Project, Africa), an organization promoting the use of renewable energy as a sustainable source of energy in developing countries.

She currently lectures: Introduction to business, International management, financial management, principles of management, research methodology, oil and gas marketing and analysis of business making decisions.

She is presently the secretary of special duties, and seminar and conferences committees in the Business management department of the University.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 15-04-2018 06:35 PM (3 years ago) | Hero
Kevin Magnussen says he is hoping to stay at Haas in 2019.

At present, the Dane is arguably the quicker driver at the American team he shares with Romain Grosjean.

He puts it down to being under less pressure.

"I think I've always had confidence," Magnussen told BT newspaper. "The difference is that I'm always been much more pressured.

"I was super-pressured at McLaren and it was the same at Renault because the car was so bad. Now I'm in a very good place in my career with a team that supports me 100 per cent," he added.

The 25-year-old thinks stability in his F1 career is also helping.

"It's actually the first time in my entire career - even outside of formula one - that I've been at the same team for two consecutive years. And it's only now that it really occurs to me how important that is."

Magnussen has therefore staked a strong claim on a Haas seat for 2019.

"There is not much to say about my contract," he said. "They have an option on me, and I hope they use it."

(GMM)
McLaren has admitted it could have got its sums wrong as it set goals for 2018.

After three abysmal years with Honda, hopes were high as the once-great British team switched to Renault power.

But the 2018 car is also not fully up to speed -- notably on the straights.

"There is nothing serious or horrible in terms of the design," team boss Eric Boullier is quoted by Marca.

"But we have to be faster in the corners and on the straights."

The Spanish newspaper said McLaren may therefore be considering a 'plan B' -- like a new chassis for next month's Spanish grand prix.

"The two drivers think the same about the good balance of the car, and when we make a setting change, it reacts properly," Boullier added.

"The car is matching the objectives we set, so it's possible that the objectives were not right," he said.

(GMM)
The US Army Research Laboratorys Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Propulsion has, for the first time, used X-rays with its experiment in a gas turbine combustor using X-rays. The data will help advance gas turbine engine designs for higher power density and efficiency, scientists said.

Dr. Tonghun Lee, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which recently joined forces with ARL, and his graduate students, along with partners from the ARL Center for UAS Propulsion, set up shop in the US Department of Energys Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.



Inside a gas turbine engines combustor, scientists use the worlds strongest X-ray source at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to peer inside formally unseen processes. Credit: US Army photo by David McNally. Click to enlarge.

Lee said their experiment mimicked what happens inside a typical Army helicopter gas turbine engine.

Inside a gas turbine engine, a combustor is fed high pressure air that is heated by constant pressure. After heating, the air passes from the combustor through the nozzle guide vanes to the turbine, producing thrust. Combustors play a crucial role in determining many of an engines operating characteristics, such as power density, fuel efficiency and levels of emissions.

We had a combustion going on, which is done for the first time ever at APS and we are imaging the spray breakup at the very tip of the injector using an X-Ray source. Typically that region where the liquid breaks up is very dense and its difficult to image anything inside there. Dr. Tonghun Lee

By using the worlds most powerful X-Ray source, the team was able to penetrate and understand how the ligaments, or strands of burning fuel, break up into small droplets. The data gathered during this experiment will become the initial conditions for numerical simulations that will further understanding of gas turbine combustors.

We are trying to understand exactly what occurs inside the gas turbine combustor to understand how it responds to different operating conditions. Were trying to get an understanding of the physics, which to this day we have been speculating, we can really visualize using this X-Ray source. We want to understand what were doing right now, understanding the fuel impact. When Soldiers are off in a different location and they have different types of fuels, how will it impact the combustor they have? Dr. Tonghun Lee

Lee said that in the slightly longer term, he hopes the data from the experiment will allow researchers to design more optimized combustor systems for the future.

The Advance Photon Source has spent a lot of effort over the last decade or so looking at spray-droplet breakup. And never has it been done in a live combusting environment. So we made the hardware to make it happen and this is actually this first time its ever been done live with a combusting flow in a combustor. Dr. Tonghun Lee

Lee, while remaining a faculty member at UIUC, recently accepted an additional position as a researcher on the laboratorys regional office in Illinois, ARL Central. The Army established ARL Central in November 2017, as an extension of its Maryland-based headquarters with the goal of leveraging regional science and technology talent.

The experiment was the first accomplishment of the labs new Center for UAS Propulsion, which kicked off a partnership between academia and industry. ARL held a ribbon cutting for the center 2 April.




Haiti - Security : The US has spent more than 250 million dollars for the PNH





Friday the community of Diegue gathered to open a new police sub-station, financed with the support of the U.S. Embassys Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. U.S. Ambassador Sison shared, "I am proud to celebrate with Diegue as you build a strong and safe community," emphasizing the importance of security and community policing to the ability of communities to prosper economically.



Senator Antonio Cheramy, Haitian National Police West Department Director Berson Soljour, Commissaire Jean Gospel, the Mairie of Petionville, CASEC, ADIPOD, and many others from the Diegue community attended the event. The new police sub-station will host ten police officers assigned to the community. This new facility cost $105,400 to construct and is located on property donated by the local community.



The opportunity to remember that the United States has provided more than $250 million in assistance to the HNP since 2010. This includes more than $60 million in infrastructure projects in Port-au-Prince such as the Vivy Michel, Martissant, Habitation Leclerc, Grand Ravine, Cite Soleil, and refurbishment of the Portail Leogane Commissariat. U.S. support to the Haitian National Police extends beyond construction projects, however. American police experts support with technical training and assistance to fight drug trafficking, support community policing, support correctional services, and work with the principal directors of the police towards the goal of strengthening administrative and management systems.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - UN : Annual Review of the Status of Development Assistance





Friday, April 13, Aviol Fleurant, the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation met in his office, a United Nations delegation around the annual Review of the status of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). It should be recalled that this annual review aims to assess progress made or not, in the implementation of the 2017-2021 Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) work plans and their contribution to the achievement of national priorities. It is also intended to validate the revised joint governance work plan, taking into account the activities of the Minujusth components whose mandate has just been extended for one year.



The exercise consists in this review to integrate the contributions of the United Nations to the police, justice and others.



Minister Fleurant took the opportunity to highlight that Haiti is now under "a new paradigm of cooperation and governance of external aid". He recalled that the political administration Moise-Lafontant "requires the alignment of any program or project of the international on the priorities of the government," an assistace that "Must go through the government channels and must almost entirely truly serve the Haitian people," emarks already heard many times in previous governments, with little change in attitude of donors...



The meeting ended with an agreement between the Minister and the UN delegation on the outlines of the External Cooperation policy.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Towards the interconnection of debit cards in the country

Thursday at the Karibe Hotel, on the sidelines of the 8th International Finance Summit, Jean Baden Dubois, the Governor of the Central Bank, announced to the press the upcoming interconnection of all the debit cards in Haiti "We are testing the interconnection of the entire system in question. The public will have access to it in the future, not to say in the very near days. This provision will allow any debit card holder to access the services offered by the ATM of all the banks of the place offering the same services.



Martinique wants to import 75 tons of fruits and vegetables from Haiti

On Friday, Carmel Andre Beliard, the Minister of Agriculture, paid a visit to the Tamarinier Laboratory, which coincided with the visit of a group of Martinican entrepreneurs on a prospection mission to Haiti following the workshop held in November 2017 between a delegation Martinique and Haitian agricultural producers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22706-haiti-agriculture-haitian-organic-fruits-and-vegetables-in-the-martinique-market.html . The objective of this group is to reach a partnership with producers in Haiti to import 75 tonnes / year of about forty organic products (fruits and vegetables).



Winner of the  Hackathon 

The names of the winning teams of the "Hackathon" which took place on the sidelines of FinTechn 2018 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-24062-icihaiti-technology-fintech-summit-2018-and-hackathon.html which has ended Saturday, were unveiled by the jury composed of executives from BRH, BRANA and REBO.



Theolien and Jason, BRANA Award

Emilson and Julio Son, REBO Award

Ketel and Rodely, BRH Award



Women in the tourism sector

Colombe Emilie Jessy Menos, the Minister of Tourism took part in the 63rd Statutory Meeting of the Commission of the Americas (CAM) of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Asuncion, Paraguay https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24094-haiti-news-zapping.html around the theme "Women's empowerment in the tourism sector". The purpose of this meeting was to present various reports on the situation and development of tourism in the region, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of youth in the sector, the presentation of the new UNWTO Direction to be in charge of the Section. Finally, Guatemala was chosen by acclamation to be the host country for the 64th meeting.



Sharing experiences and crop insurance

In the context of the 8th International Summit on Finance which ended on Friday, Alfredo Matias representative of the "Fondacion Solidaridad", of the Dominican Republic, shared the experience of the participatory budget of the municipalities of his country, a form of citizen participation which, in a context of local governance, can help to invest in and maintain the municipalities. In addition, another panel composed of agronomist Simphard Dadaille of the National Council of Cooperatives, Raoul Tribie, Coordinator of the Insurance Supervision and Control Unit of the Ministry of Economy, Emile Pantaleon, Technical Director of Personal Insurance at Alternative Insurance Company (AIC) and Isabelle Delpeche, Director of Microinsurance at AIC, developed the theme "Crop Insurance in the Haitian Agricultural Sector".



Moise met with Florida Senator Marco Rubio

On Saturday in Lima, Peru, President Moise met with Florida Senator Marco Rubio. "This warm meeting allowed us to discuss issues related to strengthening ties between the United States and Haiti," said Moise.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Advertising campaigns are one of the biggest sources of income for your business, without them, people would not be aware of your business and they are likely to go to a bigger competitor for their needs. Within the pet and pet care industry advertising is still extremely important especially as new products are developed, if you do not spread the word about said products then people are not going to have the information they need to decide whether or not it would be suitable for them and their pets and the new product is going to go on unused.

Social Media

For pet care marketing especially I would highly recommend that you take advantage of social media and the amazing benefits it can have for your business and the overall success of your marketing strategies. Setting up a business account is free to do so the only cost would be for any content you are producing. It takes minimal effort to stay connected with your followers and you can stay relevant by simply putting up a few daily posts to ensure your customers are engaged with you as a business as they will be seeing your content regularly on their social media feeds.

Aside from social media, there are many things to remember when it comes to effectively marketing your pet business, especially within an industry that has so much variation across the range of pets that people have. Within this sector, you may find that you have to work a little differently as you will not be able to cover all of the products and services that you have available under one bracket of marketing. You will need to think about the different pets and owners who are out there and try to attract them all to your company.

Featuring More Innovative Products

One of the best ways that you can boost your marketing campaigns to a high level would be to look at any new products that are available within the pet care world. One product that has been doing very well would have to be the recent developments in CBD pet care products such as treats and oils. One of the most successful products in this sector would have to be the cbd cat treats which are completely safe for your pet to use and can have a number of benefits including calming erratic behavior and relieving pain. When it comes to your marketing and the overall running of your company you should look for new and innovative products like CBD treatments as they are what is going to bring in the most custom and profits.

The Basics of a Successful Marketing Campaign

If you are not the most experienced with putting together your own marketing campaigns then I would highly recommend that you seek professional guidance or find someone who has done it beforehand as they will be able to help you avoid any possible mistakes that they have made in the past. With proper research and practice you should start to get a better idea of what is needed to make your marketing campaign as effective as possible so do not worry if it is not something that you pick up straight away.

The fundamentals of any marketing campaign are pretty similar, you should establish and target an audience that is suited to your needs, in pet care, this will obviously be pet owners but you also need to consider that there are a variety of different pets out there each with their own specific needs so in this industry you should be targeting a wider range within your target audience.

Design

One of the most important parts of your advertising campaign is the design quality, if it has not been effectively designed with eye-catching and attractive aesthetic quality then it is likely to go unnoticed in comparison to some of the more professional material that is being produced by the big industry names. Again this is something that will come with practice as you start to come up with more elaborate and high-quality concepts to properly advertise your pet care products.

With pets in particular you have a unique opportunity to draw customers in using cute photos of some of our favorite pets, this would be a great idea as it is highly relatable to pet owners and clearly conveys your message and the industry that your business fits in. Using high-quality photography will also save you a lot of time rather than going for an animated concept where significantly more time would have to be spent on drawing and editing the designs before they can be approved for the final product.

Allocation of Resources

A big mistake that many new businesses make when putting together marketing material is that they dont consider the importance of marketing in the long run. When allocating resources from your business budget you should put away a significant portion of your money into marketing as this is what is going to bring new customers into your business and bring you high amounts of profits. Particularly within the early stages of your business, you should be focusing on your strategies as a big priority within your business, without this, you cannot hope to grow the company to the level of success that you desire and you will fall back in comparison to any competing brands in the pet and pet care industry.
Mount Polley Mining Corporation has been granted permission to drain treated mining waste water into Quesnel Lake, a massive glacial lake that provides drinking water to residents of Likely B.C., northeast of Williams Lake.

Approval of the long-term waste water management plan came April 7, despite a disaster that put the water at risk in 2014 and a provincial investigation into the spill that is not yet complete."The timing is absolutely surprising," said Ugo Lapointe of Mining Watch Canada, who pointed out the news release came on a Friday afternoon before the launching of the B.C. election.Quesnel Lake, famed for trophy-sized rainbow trout, is feared at risk by locals who describe it as the deepest fjord lake on earth, and who protest any dump of mining waste, treated or otherwise, which can carry toxic elements and heavy metals such as arsenic and lead or zinc."It's hard not to be cynical," said Lapointe who said locals opposing the plan felt ignored.Not politicalBut Environment Minister Mary Polak told CBC the decision was made by neutral civil servants based on science that confirmed draining treated water into the river, as opposed to the lake, was riskier."These decisions do not cross any politicians desk. In fact if I was to interfere with the decision I could be in some very serious legal trouble," Polak told CBC."That is one of the ways we ensure that there is never any influence by companies that might donate to political parties."A spokesperson for Mount Polley mine and for Imperial Metals says fears of water quality are overblown."People think that there is a slurry of mud and silt. It's absolutely not toxic. Most mines in the world are very envious of our water quality," said Steve Robertson, Imperial Metals spokesperson, who called the aftermath of the Mount Polley mine breach an "environmental success story."New long-term waste water managementUnder the Ministry of the Environment's plan, mining waste water would be collected in ditches that would drain into small ponds, allowing solids to settle.Water would then be routed to a treatment plant before being piped into Quesnel Lake at a depth of 45 metres, 250 metres from shore in order to dilute it as fast as possible.The Concerned Citizens of Quesnel Lake (CCQL) have long called for stricter mining waste-water purity standards.."We don't agree with the plan. We drink the water. We swim in it. We fish it," said Christine McLean of CCQL.
11:05 | Lima, Apr. 15.

"There is still a long way to go, but we believe we have taken a big step during this week," the high-ranking official expressed.





"It's time to strengthen democratic institutionalism, as well as prevention and sanction bodies to face corruption," he added.





At the conclusion of the event, Vizcarra recalled that corruption is a scourge rooted in political and social structures of the hemisphere.





"Let's put citizens' needs ahead of the diversity of opinions; the population demands strong democracies and respect for their rights," the Peruvian leader stressed.





Likewise, he noted the strengthening of democracy, as well as respect for human rights, are key principles in the region. In this regard, he said there is a firm commitment on these topics.









This document contains the main commitments undertaken by the hemisphere's countries such as the fight against corruption and impunity.





It must be noted the topic had been chosen due to the high impact that corruption has and has had in many Latin American countries over the years.





The two-day Inter-American meeting took place in Peru's capital city and was attended by Heads of State and other high-ranking officials from 33 nations.





Translated by: Heriane Martinez





(END) VVS/CCR/JRA/FGM/HMC/MVB
Seniors gathered at the I.D.E.S. Hall in Half Moon Bay on Monday for a holiday meal put on by the Half Moon Bay I.D.E.S. Society and the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside. This was the 18th year for the event which Half Moon Bay resident Bob Fernandez began after an elderly friend took he
Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
Imperial Valley News Center

CBP Stops Traveler with Undeclared Currency

Chicago, Illinois - On April 11, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers assigned to OHare International Airport intercepted one male subject concealing $107,360 during an Outbound Enforcement Operation.

The passenger was traveling alone on his way to Jordan. When asked, the passenger gave a currency declaration for monetary instruments in the amount of $20,000. However, during inspection of the subjects carryon baggage, several sealed shirt bags were found and inspected revealing numerous bundles of $100 bills. When CBP Officers found the concealed currency, the subject stated he actually had $107,000.

CBP seized the money because the passenger failed to properly report he was traveling outside of the United States with more than $10,000 as required by 31 USC  5316.

Passengers are reminded the transportation of currency of monetary instruments, regardless of the amount is legal. However, when entering or departing the U.S. in possession of monetary instruments of more than $10,000, you must file a report with U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP). The form that must be completed is a FinCEN Form 105, Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (CMIR), which only takes a few moments to complete. The ability to seize unreported currency supports CBPs mission to prevent international money laundering and narcotics trafficking.
Following an exhaustive 10-day search for a missing Indian American family who likely crashed into the Eel River near Leggett, California, the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office reported it has found the deceased body of an adult female, about seven miles north of the crash site. Pictured is Soumya Somanath Thottapilly, believed to be the unidentified victim. (everipedia photo)
Chris Hayes Tells Truth About Gaza - Waits To Be Fired By Jimmy Dore "Israeli troops shot more than 750 Palestinians, killing at least 15" Posted April 14, 2018 Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section.
Home Search ICH Voices of the Syrian People By Andre Vltchek April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The attack against Syria  this proud and independent country  has just taken place. Three countries with zero moral mandate to judge or punish anybody; three countries already responsible for hundreds of millions of human lives lost on all continents for centuries, showered Syria with their missiles. They tried to scare to death Syria, and to break its determination, but they failed. Most of the Syrian people stood proudly by their government. 71 out of 103 of the Western missiles were shot down, and the rest fell on the empty facilities, which have nothing to do with a production or storage of the chemical weapons. To begin with, Syria has no chemical weapons program and no chemical weapons factories, as well as no warehouses, so nothing could really fall on something that does not exist. This was yet another gross violation of the international law, but again, the West has been violating the international laws for decades and centuries, brutalizing the entire Planet. Therefore, no one is surprised. Many people are angry, even outraged, but surprised  no. The Russian forces are now on combat alert, while the massive Chinese fleet has left its ports, staging firing drill and exercises near Taiwan, in what many see as a clear warning to the West, and expression of support and solidarity with Russia and Syria. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The Syrian Ambassador to the U.N., Dr. Bashar Jaafari, accused the US, UK, and France of blatantly violating the UN Charter. As reported by Syrias SANA news agency, he declared: I would clarify here that the history of these three states is built on using lies and fabricated stories to wage wars in order to occupy states, seize their resources, and change governments in them by force. Russia is clearly indignant. As reported by RT: While none of the cruise missiles launched by the US and its allies reached the Russian air defense zones, the strikes sparked outrage in Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the US-led strikes hit a war-ravaged country that has been trying to survive terrorist aggression for many years. In a statement posted on Facebook, she compared the invasion to the start of the 2003 Iraq War, which was based on claims that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction. China opposed the strikes. According to Press TV, it called for return to the framework of international law': Chinese Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Saturday that Beijing was opposed to the use of force following the tripartite aerial assaults against Syria and called for a return to the framework of international law. We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries, she said in a statement. The voices of protest are mounting, all over the world. * The most important, however, is the reaction of the Syrian people. Confronted with tremendous danger, they are demonstrating both courage and resolve to protect their motherland. Vanessa Beeley, an editor of the 21st Century Wire, and a veteran correspondent, who has been bravely covering the Syrian war for several years, expressed her admiration for the people of Syria. For this report, she stated: Syrian people are celebrating a historic victory in a battle that threatened to take the entire world to war. This is a victory for Syria using antiquated equipment and missiles that cost a fraction of those US, UK and French Tomahawks, at $1.4 million each  they repelled a concerted attack from three of most aggressive and powerful neocon nations. The damage was severely limited. This was a costly failure for the imperialists and a show of courageous defiance by Syria in the face of asymmetric force. Yes, truly costly (both financially, but above all, morally) and embarrassing failure! * I asked several Syrian citizens from all walks of life to comment on the recent attacks against their country: From Ms Fida Bashour, an economist from Damascus: I was scared when I woke up but now things are better. I went out to the city center in the morning and just came back home. Things are actually fine and yes, we will win! From Mr Essa Tahhan, an engineer from Aleppo: The people of Aleppo, and other Syrian governorates condemn the American attack on Syria  Americans claim that they believe chemical weapons were used in Duma That was a justification for the attack. This morning people gathered in Saadallah Jabri Square to condemn this assault  and they support the Syrian army, which confronted it. Before the attack, people had already been inventing jokes against President Trump, just to have fun For example, a university student wrote on his Facebook page: Will you Trump beat Syria tomorrow? Because I have an exam to take tomorrow at my university  so if you plan to attack, I should not study and instead prepare myself for you.' From Dr Hiam Bashour. She is a medical doctor working and living in Damascus: I am very angry after the night of horror that we had to live through. It all makes me feel furious After seven years of lies being spread against Syria. In spite of everything, Syrian people are resilient and will continue to love the country, fight for the country, and unite for the country. Tens of thousands of caricatures are now making fun of the situations. They have been going around on the social media and through the WhatsApp groups, for the past three or four days. These drawings clearly reflect the irony of this war. We know, we realize how sad all this is, but it is an innovative way of the Syrian people to cope with this irony, sadness and brutality. Mr Fadi Loufti, a hairdresser in Damascus: I was awoken at 4am hearing a very loud sound of an explosion. My house was shaking terribly. I immediately checked FaceBook and realized that we were under attack. Trump is such a fool to think he can destroy us. He can attack us again and again, but we will not surrender. Two Syrian students in Damascus expressed their support for the government, as well as for the Syrian armed forces: Ms Rana a 21 years old woman from Damascus: We were horrified when we heard the explosions last night, but we have faith in our army and in our leadership and as we all know now, the Syrian army succeeded in shooting down most of the missiles. We consider this to be our victory. And we see it as a humiliation of the attackers  Mr Majd, a male student from Homs, commented: Today is a day off for most Syrians but we are all out in force, to show our support to the army and to our government. We do not fear their missiles and we will always shoot them down if they come. Syria has gone through through a horrible war for the last seven years, and now this latest attack would definitely not manage to break our spirit. The following simple but powerful analyses, based on pure logic, were shared with me by a close friend; a young Syrian intellectual, who prefers to remain anonymous: One of the biggest lies both France and the United States are busy spreading, is that they targeted a chemical weapon research facility and a warehouse designated for storing these weapons. The research facility is located inside the city of Damascus, and if it would really be a facility for producing chemical weapons, then we should have seen a lot of people being killed after the attack, due to the leakage of those chemical materials. But no one died from any leakage, which clearly proves that the West lied. Also, the warehouse the West targeted is located in the surroundings of the city of Homs, also in the midst of a heavily populated area, but no one died from the leakage there either. Again, it proves that the warehouse was not what the West claims it was. * Instead of falling on their knees, (as the West expected them to do), just a few hours after the attack Syrian people flooded the squares, parks and avenues, dancing on the streets, waving their national flag and celebrating. In many places, Syrian and Russian flags were flying side by side. They still are. And they always will. Syria! It is a nation that does not know how to beg, a nation of brave men, women, and children. It will not be defeated, and its victory may soon become the first nail in the coffin of the Western expansionism and imperialism. Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are his tribute to The Great October Socialist Revolution a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction:  Exposing Lies Of The Empire . View his other books here . Watch Rwanda Gambit, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter . ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
Is It Russian Surrender that Is on the Agenda or World War 3?

By Paul Craig Roberts

April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - As US President Donald Trump is said to be considering a full scale ground assault against the Syrian administration of President Bashar al-Assad, the top UN official has decried the onset of a new global Cold War and warned against full-blown military escalation in the war-torn region.

If this report of a US ground invasion of Syria is true, which I doubt, it will be a consequence of Russian passivity in the face of Washingtons aggression.

Is the Russian government too humane to comprehend the evil that Russia confronts?

If Russia and China do not take steps to defeat the US before Washington forces nuclear war on the world, we are all doomed.

Never Miss Another Story Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

The American people are denied information, are uninformed, and helpless. The same is true for Europe and Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan.

Even if the peoples knew, they are impotent.

Putin often relies on non-existent or impotent common sense in the West, but does Russia have enough common sense to realize that there is no common sense in the West that can be effective?

The Russian government does not understand that the rule of law constructed by Washington is not a rule of law. It is a rule of Washingtons rule. Washington owns Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Atlanticist Integrationists inside Russia, and the UN . This is why Russias appeal to the UN is pointless, as Russia just again learned: h

To restate the point once again, the passivity of the Putin government in the face of Washingtons aggressiveness is leading directly to nuclear war and the end of life on earth.

Russias Humanity and Moral Conscience Are Leading to War

By Paul Craig Roberts

April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - It speaks to the humanity and moral greatness of the Russian government led by Vladimir Putin that Russia consented to a pretend attack in order that Donald Trump could save face. Unfortunately for us all, the consequences of Russias generosity will not be the thanks that the Russians deserve. Russia and Putin will get no credit for saving Trump from having to back down or have his naval flotilla sunk and his bombers shot down.

Russia is intent on avoiding a conflict, not because Russia is scared of the US military, but because Russia understands it is dealing with a government of psychopaths that are willing to destroy not only seven Muslim countries in whole or part within the past 17 years, but also the entirety of humanity. Therefore, Putin sidesteps each orchestrated confrontation and stands on international law and legal norms.

The result, however, is not what a humane person would expect. The result of Russian humaneness is to provoke more provocations from the evil that is the West.

This morning I visited a friend who had the TV on. I could not believe the lies that Trump, members of his government, and the presstitutes were telling Americans and the world. It was astonishing. Here is Stephen Lendmans report on some of the lies.

Only readers of my website and a few others will ever know that the only reason thousands of US sailors and dozens of US pilots are still alive is that Russia spared their lives.

Although the Russian government has every good intention, Russias moral conscience and consideration for others is leading the world to Armageddon. The reason is that the neoconservatives who control US foreign policy are not going to stop orchestrating events that they blame on Russia. The longer Russia waits before it finally puts its foot down, the stronger the provocations will become. The successive provocations will narrow down Russias response to surrender or nuclear war.

The Syrian provocation was an ideal one for Russia to put its foot down. Russia held the military cards. Russia could easily have destroyed every ship and every airplane. Having made the consequences clear in advance to the world, the US would have backed off. The defeat of America without a shot fired would have undermined the crazed neoconservatives who intend US world hegemony.

Under such a clear statement from Russia that the American force would be completely and utterly destroyed, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff would have prevented the attack.

As long as Russia accommodates Washingtons aggressiveness, the agressiveness will continue to increase.

At times I think that Russia is relying on the Western peoples to wake up to the gratuitous dangerous confrontations that are being provoked in their name. In fact, the Western peoples are helpless. Neither Washington nor the governments of Washingtons British and French vassals consulted the people or the peoples elected representatives about launching a military attack on another country. This fact shows conclusively that neither the US, UK, or France have any respect for law and their own alleged democracies and that the counries have governments that are unaccountable to the peoples. The British and French governments are accountable to Washington, and Washington is accountable to the military/security complex and Israel, which history shows can unseat any US Senator and Representative.

If the Russian government had watched today the US TV media, it would understand the futility of sidestepping Washingtons provocations. Not only would the Russian government observe the lies from Washington about the great success of a non-event, the Russian government would have observed that, on the one hand, there was proclamation of a great American victory, but, on the other hand, John Boltons allies among the neoconservaives, were saying that the attack was insufficient to bring Syria and Russia to heel.

The victory and its insuficiency combine to lead to worse provocations. The next provocation will be orchestrated in a situation more favorable to US than to Russian arms. Washington will not again risk a confrontation, as it did in Syria, where it clearly would have lost. What this means is that Russias humanity and moral conscience will result in a confrontation far more dangerous to Russia and to all of us.

As I wrote earlier today , It would be a mistake to conclude that diplomacy has prevailed and common sense has returned to Washington. Nothing could be further from the truth. The issue is not resolved. War remains on the horizon.

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order .
April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, threw a bombshell at the British assertions that the collapse of the British secret agent Sergej Skripal and his daughter Yulia on March 4 in Salisbury was caused by a 'Novichok' nerve agent 'of a type developed by Russia'. (See our older pieces, linked below, for a detailed documentation of the case.)

The Skripal poisoning happened on March 4.

Eye witnesses described the Skripals as disoriented and probably hallucinating. The emergency personal suspected Fentanyl influence.

A few days later the British government claimed that the Skripals had been affected by a chemical agent from the 'Novichok' series which they attributed to Russia. It insinuated that the Skripals might die soon.

A doctor of the emergency center at the Salisbury District Hospital publicly asserted that none of its patients was victim of a 'nerve agent'.

On March 14, after much pressure from Russia, Britain finally invited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to analyze the blood of the victims and to take environmental samples.

The OPCW arrived on March 19 and took specimen on the following days. It also received a share of the samples taken earlier by the British chemical weapon laboratory in Porton Down, which is only some 10 miles away from Salisbury.

The OPCW split the various samples it had in a certified laboratory in the Netherlands and then distributed them to several other certified laboratories for analysis.

One of those laboratories was the highly regarded Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland which is part of the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Protection and fully certified.

On April 12 the OPCW published a public version of the result of the analyses it had received from its laboratories.

A more extensive confidential version was given to the state members that make up the OPCW.

During a public speech yesterday Lavrov stated of the OPCW report:

[A] detailed and fairly substantial confidential version was distributed to the OPCW members only. In that report, in accordance with the OPCW way of conduct, the chemical composition of the agent presented by the British was confirmed, and the analysis of samples, as the report states, was taken by the OPCW experts themselves. It contains no names, Novichok or any other. The report only gives the chemical formula, which, according to our experts, points to an agent that had been developed in many countries and does not present any particular secret.

After receiving that report Russia was tipped off by the Spiez Laboratory or someone else that the OPCW report did not include the full results of its analysis.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

According to Lavrov this is what the Spiez Laboratory originally sent to the OPCW:

Following our analysis, the samples indicate traces of the toxic chemical BZ and its precursor which are second category chemical weapons. BZ is a nerve toxic agent, which temporarily disables a person. The psycho toxic effect is achieved within 30 to 60 minutes after its use and lasts for up to four days. This composition was in operational service in the armies of the US, the UK and other NATO countries. The Soviet Union and Russia neither designed nor stored such chemical agents. Also, the samples indicate the presence of type A-234 nerve agent in its virgin state and also products of its degradation.

The "presence of type A-234 nerve agent", an agent of the so called 'Novichok' series, in its "virgin state", or as the OPCW stated in "high purity", points to later addition to the sample. The 'Novichok' agents are not stable. They tend to fall rapidly apart. Their presence in "virgin state" in a sample which was taken 15 days after the Skripal incident happened is inexplicable. A scientist of the former Russian chemical weapon program who worked with similar agents, Leonid Rink, says that if the Skripals had really been exposed to such high purity A-234 nerve agent, they would be dead.

The whole case, the symptoms shown by the Skripals and their recuperation, makes way more sense if they were 'buzzed', i.e. poisoned with the BZ hallucinogenic agent, than if they were 'novi-shocked' with a highly toxic nerve agent.

The Spiez Laboratory responded by not denying Lavrov's claims:

Spiez Laboratory @SpiezLab - 19:49 UTC - 14 Apr 2018 Only OPCW can comment this assertion. But we can repeat what we stated 10 days ago: We have no doubt that Porton Down has identified Novichock. PD - like Spiez - is a designated lab of the OPCW. The standards in verification are so rigid that one can trust the findings. #Skipal

Science Direct has several excerpts of reports about BZ. The basics:

Agent 15 is also called compound 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, BZ, or Buzz. It is a powerful chemical warfare agent. As one of the most potent psychoactive chemical agents, only a small amount of BZ is needed to produce complete incapacitation. When used as an aerosol, BZ is absorbed through the respiratory system (it has no odor). It can also be absorbed through the skin or the digestive system. It takes approximately 1 h for BZ to take effect, and the symptoms of exposure include confusion, tremors, stupor, hallucinations, and coma that can last for more than 2 days.

BZ is a psycho agent 25 times stronger than LSD. It was developed by the U.S. military as an incapacitating agent. At least 50 tons were produced and filled into weapon delivery systems. It was allegedly tested on U.S. soldiers in Vietnam:

Working with the CIA the Department of Defense gave hallucinogenic drugs to thousands of "volunteer" soldiers in the 1950's and 1960's. In addition to LSD, the Army also tested quinuclidinyl benzilate, a hallucinogen code-named BZ. Many of these tests were conducted under the so-called MKULTRA program, established to counter perceived Soviet and Chinese advances in brainwashing techniques. Between 1953 and 1964, the program consisted of 149 projects involving drug testing and other studies on unwitting human subjects. Although many human subjects were not informed or protected, Dr. Gottlieb defended those actions by stating "...harsh as it may seem in retrospect, it was felt that in an issue where national survival might be concerned, such a procedure and such a risk was a reasonable one to take."

This is what the military tried to achieve with BZ and other psycho agents.

BZ (and LSD) turned to be impractical as battlefield weapons.

According to British parliament records BZ was also produced and tested, allegedly on unknowing civilians, by the British chemical weapon laboratory Porton Down.

The Russian Foreign Minister asserts that the OPCW suppressed the details of the Spiez Laboratory report:

Nothing is said whatsoever about a BZ agent in the final report that the OPCW experts presented to its Executive Council. In this connection we address the OPCW a question about why the information, that I have just read out loud and which reflects the findings of the specialists from the city of Spiez, was withheld altogether in the final document. If the OPCW would reject and deny the very fact that the Spiez laboratory was engaged, it will be very interesting to listen to their explanations.

The current Director-General of the OPCW is the Turkish carrier diplomat Ahmed Uzumcu who earlier served as the Turkish Permanent Representative to NATO.

I have no theory how the BZ or the A-234 made it into the OPCW samples or if the Skripals were really influenced by either of these poisons or are victims of simple shellfish poisoning. Your guess is a good as mine.

But the story the British government has so far told is full of holes and discrepancies and makes absolutely no sense at all. The suppression of the Spiez Laboratory report by the OPCW is a serious breach of its procedures.

The British Prime Minister Theresa May, and the OPCW, have some 'splainin' to do.

---

Previous Moon of Alabama posts on the Skripal case:
April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Last Friday night, the United States launched a series of missile strikes on Syria in retaliation for the alleged chemical attacks by the Syrian army in Douma, a town in northeast suburb of Damascus. Douma, which is part of the Ghouta district where a ferocious war has been raging between the Syrian government forces and three major terrorist groups, has been completely encircled by the Syrian army. These strikes were, of course, totally illegal. Russia and the Syrian government have denied that there has even been a chemical attack in Douma, while in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, Peter Ford, Britains former Ambassador to Syria said that he believes the chemical attack in Douma is staged. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has announced that, on the invitation of the Syrian government, it will send a team to Douma to investigate the possible use of chemical weapons against civilians. But, President Trump and his national security team were not willing to wait until the results of OPCW investigations are reported.

Once again the mainstream media in the West, and in particular in the United States, are beating the war drums, as if they have learned nothing from their gross mistakes and misleading reports and analyses over the past 17 years, ever since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. The allegation that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons in Douma is accepted uncritically and without a shadow of doubt. No one asks why the Syrian government, which is taking back most, if not all of Syria at a time when Trump has expressed his desire to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, should commit such a horrendous war crime. No one asks whether it would be the terrorist groups and their backers in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and even Israel, that would benefit from deepening of US involvement in Syria, or the Syrian government and its allies, Russia and Iran. If the attack was staged, who will benefit from it? Mainstream media almost never asks such critical questions.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

While there is no doubt that chemical weapons have been used in Syria, killing a large number of innocent civilians, it is still not clear who the culprit has been. In fact, a review of credible reports and analyses by objective experts and journalists reveals that before Syria gave up its arsenal of chemical weapons in 2014, it was just as likely, if not more likely, that the opposition and terrorist groups used chemical weapons in the war, as the Syrian army. After Syria gave up its arsenal of chemical weapons, and particularly after Russias decisive intervention on behalf of Syrian government in 2015, it has become increasingly unlikely that the Syrian army would use chemical weapons against its own citizens. Let us take a look at the brief history of such allegations.

The first time it was alleged that the Syrian army had used chemical weapons against the opposition was on 17 October 2012, when France claimed that the town of Salqin in the governorate of Idlib had been attacked by such weapons. This was followed by allegations of attacks in Al-Bayadah in the governorate of Homs on 23 December 2012; in Darayya and Otaybah, both in the governorate of Rif Dimashq [Dimashq is the Arabic name for Damascus] on 13 and 14 of March 2013, and several others in April and May 2013.

On 6 May 2013 Carla Del Ponte, a former Swiss attorney-general, prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and a leading member of a United Nations appointed commission of inquiry about allegations of violations of human rights in Syria, stated in an interview that, based on the testimony of victims of such attacks, there were strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof that rebels  the terrorists  in Syria had used sarin, a nerve agent, against civilians, adding, I was a little bit stupefied by the first indications we got .. They were about the use of nerve gas by the opposition.

On 30 May 2013 Turkish authorities arrested 12 suspected terrorists in the southern provinces of Mersin, Adana and Hatay near the Syrian border. The suspects were carrying chemicals that could be used for making chemical weapons. In September 2013, Turkey put on trial a Syrian national who had attempted to procure chemical materials for two terrorist groups in Syria, the Al Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda and the Ahrar al-Sham Brigades. The prosecutor filed a report stating that the accused, in collaboration with several others, had ordered 10 tons of sarin nerve gas in Turkey. Then, on 2 November 2013 Turkish patrol border units seized one ton of sulfur and eight sealed barrels from a convoy trying to illegally enter the country from Syria. Turkeys main opposition party, Republican Peoples Party, expressed concerns about such seizures.

Attacks with chemical weapons seemed to stop after Human Rights Watch reported one in Adra, in governorate of Rif Dimashq on 23 May 2013. But, they were resumed in Adra again on 5 August 2013. The United Nations decided to dispatch a group of experts to Syria to investigate the new attacks. The group arrived in Syria on 21 August 2013, exactly the day in which multiple chemical attacks occurred in Zamalka/Ein Tarma and in Muadamiyat al-Sham, both in the governorate of Rif Dimashq. Why would the Syrian government stage chemical attacks exactly on the day that the UN commission was arriving there? Once again, the mainstream media failed to ask such an obvious question.

Since the August 2013 attacks had supposedly crossed the red lines that had been set by President Obama, US attacks on Syria seemed imminent; but they did not occur. In an interview in April 2016 the President said that he did not order the attacks because James Clapper, then National Intelligence Director, told him that proving that the Syrian government was the culprit was not a slam dunk.

On 14 September 2013 Russia and USagreed to a deal according to which the Syrian government would give up its stockpile of chemical weapons for destruction. UN Security Council Resolution 2118 was passed unanimously on 27 September 2013 in support of the deal. The first load was delivered on 7 January 2014, while the last of such weapons were shipped out on 23 June 2014.

On 23 December 2013 eminent journalist Seymour Hersh reported that, In the months before the attack, the American intelligence agencies produced a series of highly classified reports, culminating in a formal Operations Order  a planning document that precedes a ground invasion  citing evidence that the al-Nusra Front, a jihadi group affiliated with al-Qaida, had mastered the mechanics of creating sarin and was capable of manufacturing it in quantity. When the attack occurred al-Nusra should have been a suspect, but the administration cherry-picked intelligence to justify a strike against Assad. Hershs report was practically banned in the United States.

After the chemical attacks on Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, a city in southern Syria, on 25 August 2013, such attacks stopped once again. They were resumed on 10 April 2014, and continued unabated through 30 August 2014. In an article on 17 April 2014 Hersh reported that British intelligence had obtained a sample of sarin used in the 21 August [2013] attack and [its] analysis demonstrated that the gas used didnt match the batches known to exist in the Syrians army chemical weapon arsenal. Hersh also reported that a former US senior intelligence official told him, We knew there were some in the Turkish government who believed they could get [Bashar al-] Assads nuts in a vice by dabbling with a sarin attack inside Syria.

The chemical attacks began once again in the aforementioned town of Darayya on 15 February 2015. At that time Darayya was controlled by the Syrian Army. Why would the Army use chemical weapons in a town that it already controls? Such attacks continued until 21 August 2015 when the OPCW declared that Daesh [also known as ISIS or ISIL] had staged a chemical attacks in Mare in the governorate of Aleppo.

It was reported on 21 May 2015 that Turkish intelligence helped deliver arms to parts of Syria under Islamist rebel control during late 2013 and early 2014, according to a prosecutor and court testimony from gendarmerie officers. In October 2015 Hershs reports were confirmed. Eren Erdem and Ali Seker, two members of Turkish parliament, held a press conference in Istanbul in which they stated that they have wiretapped recordings and other evidence showing that Turkey supplied the sarin used in Syria. This was consistent with the aforementioned May 2015 report. Given that Turkey is a member of the NATO and a close ally of the United States, these credible reports should have attracted wide attention; but they did not.

A statement by the investigative team of the OPCW declared on 6 November 2015 with the utmost confidence that Daesh [ISIS] used sulfur mustard in an attack on 21 August 2015 in Mare.

Foreign Policy reported on 16 February 2016 that Daesh had used mustard gas in Iraq in 2015.

Before the recent attacks in Douma, the last major attack happened in Khan Shaykhun in the Idlib governorate on 4 April 2017. Witnesses claimed that the attacks had used aerosol dispersion munitions that contained an organophosphate nerve agent. Officials of Syrian government vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that a Syrian missile had unintentionally struck a factory that was supposedly being used by the terrorists to manufacture chemical weapons. The Russian Defense Ministry stated a reason similar to that of the Syrian officials. The attacks prompted President Trump to order missile attacks on a Syrian air force base.

On 25 June 2017 Hersh presented sources and transcripts that indicated that there was no chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government in Khan Shaykhun. According to Hersh, the release of toxic chemicals stemmed from materials and munitions that had been stored in or near the designated target that was hit with a conventional bomb. Hershs article was not reported by any of the major US mainstream media.

From a human perspective it does not really matter who are the culprits behind these war crimes. A large number of innocent people, particularly children, have been killed. Needless to say, whoever has been involved in the chemical attacks has committed war crimes, and after the war in Syria ends, must be put on trial by the International Criminal Court. It is, however, important to remember, as Joe Biden revealed in a speech at Harvard University in October of 2014, that the USallies  Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Turkey  internationalized the war Syria by supporting the terrorist groups in Syria; that secret e-mails by Hillary Clinton stated unequivocally that both Saudi Arabia and Qatar supported, and perhaps continue doing so, the jihadi groups in Syria; and that Turkey, a close US ally, most likely played a major role in spreading chemical weapons in Syria.
April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Why do so many people in politics and the media want to start wars? Since I toured a sordid hospital full of wounded people in Bucharest at Christmas 1989, and even more after I saw for the first time (in Vilnius in 1991) what a human head looks like after a bullet has passed through it, I have seen it as an absolute duty to warn against armed conflict. It is a filthy thing.

No doubt there are times when we must fight. But there are plenty more when we should not.

Any fool can kill a man in a second and ruin a city in a week. But it takes long years of nurture to raise a child to adulthood, and centuries to build a civilisation.

Yet I look around me and see the mouths of intelligent people opened wide, yelling for an attack on Syria, when the only certain outcome of that will be blood and screams and ruins, and the deaths of innocents in 'collateral damage'. What good will this do?

What is wrong with them? They are not cruel and stupid, yet they call for actions which are both.

Haven't we got enough misery in Syria already? The place is a mass of ruins, graveyards and refugee camps. To what end? The only mercy for Syria will come when the war ends, yet we seek to widen and extend it.

Don't we have more than enough of such disaster in Iraq and Libya, where state-sponsored panic and emotional claims of atrocities excused the launching of wars so stupid and dangerous that I wonder if these places can ever recover?

Perhaps worse, by creating an unending river of migrants through the Middle East and the Mediterranean, I suspect they have ruined Europe for good.

Why are we even taking sides in Syria? As Julian Lewis MP, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, rightly pointed out last week, President Assad is a monster. But his opponents are maniacs.

The Syrian jihadi gangsters which our Government crazily helps and backs  the Al-Nusra Front and Jaish al-Islam  are the sort of fanatics we would arrest on sight if we found them in Birmingham.

Anyway, Boris Johnson's Foreign Office is firmly pro-monster in all parts of the world where it suits it to be so.

British Royals and Ministers literally bow down as they accept medals from the head-chopping fanatics of Saudi Arabia, now engaged in a bloody, aggressive war in Yemen.

Britain maintains a naval base in Bahrain, whose rulers in 2011 crushed protests with severe violence followed by torture.

As Amnesty International puts it, 'using an array of tools of repression, including harassment, arbitrary detention and torture, the government of Bahrain has managed to crush a formerly thriving civil society and reduced it to a few lone voices who still dare to speak out'.

Britain daren't even admit that our 'friend' Egypt is ruled by a military junta that seized power illegally in defiance of elections which we had supposedly supported but which produced the wrong result.

Field Marshal Sisi's August 2013 Cairo massacre, in which almost 600 peaceful protesters were killed and thousands more wounded, is politely forgotten.

So is the Chinese communist regime's mass murder (1,000 are estimated to have died) in Peking in June 1989.

The men whose power rests on that ruthless massacre are welcome to dine at Buckingham Palace. But surely we can't allow Assad to use chemical weapons?

We would never tolerate that. Would we? Well, when Saddam Hussein was our ally against Iran back in 1988, he undoubtedly used poison gas against Kurds in Halabja.

And in September 1988 the Foreign Office declined to get outraged, saying: 'We believe it better to maintain a dialogue with others if we want to influence their actions.

Punitive measures such as unilateral sanctions would not be effective in changing Iraq's behaviour over chemical weapons, and would damage British interests to no avail.'

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

Which brings me to the final point. Do we even know that Assad used chemical weapons?

I have actually read the reports of the last such alleged attack in Khan Sheikhoun a year ago, and they prove nothing. In fact, they are quite fishy.

At the time of writing, I have yet to see a British or US media report on this alleged attack from closer than Beirut, 70 miles from the scene.

Many seemingly confident and graphic accounts come from Istanbul, 900 miles away, or from London or Washington.

Where are they getting their information from? Here's a clue. The Saudi-backed faction in control of Douma at the time of the alleged attack, Jaish al- Islam (the Army of Islam), were themselves accused of using poison gas against Kurds in Aleppo in April 2016.

They are not especially nice. Their other main claim to fame is that they displayed captured Syrian Army officers in cages and used them as human shields.

They have spent several years indiscriminately shelling Damascus from Douma, having taken the local inhabitants hostage, and then squawking about war crimes if the Syrian government hit back at them, which it did much as the Iraqi government (our friends) did to Islamic State in Mosul and Fallujah.

I would not look for any heroes in this cauldron. And if you want to watch war games on a TV screen, can I suggest that you buy your own virtual reality equipment?

The real thing may look pretty and neat, but real people die as it happens and, if you supported it, their deaths will be on your conscience.
April 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - PRESIDENT TRUMP, livid at the suspected chemical attack that inflicted civilian casualties in Syria, wasted little time in telegraphing his intent to launch a retaliatory strike at the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. His compassion for the victims of Syrias brutal civil war does not extend to allowing them to enter the United States, however. Syrian refugees, like those from most other countries beset by war and strife  especially Muslim ones  have found the door to America shut tight.

Mr. Trumps multipronged attack on all forms of immigration, legal and illegal, has been nowhere more effective than in choking off the flow of refugees. In impeding that source of immigrants, the president is not only betraying a commitment that successive administrations had made to helping the worlds most desperate and bedraggled people, he also is abdicating Americas humanitarian leadership worldwide.

Since the current refugee program was established in 1980, the United States has admitted about 80,000 refugees annually, on average, and in no year before Mr. Trump took office did any administration set a refugee admissions ceiling below an annual total of 67,000. (Actual admissions did plummet for a few years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, although the ceiling did not.)

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

That changed with the current administration, which set a cap of just 45,000 for the current fiscal year, marking a four-decade low. That seemed drastic enough; but the number of refugee entries now looks as though it will fall far short of the ceilingpossibly below the modern nadir of about 27,000, to which annual admissions fell in the fiscal year right after 9/11. Just 10,548 refugees were admitted in the first half of the fiscal year that started last October  about a fourth of the number admitted during the same period a year earlier and less than half the number of people forced to flee their homes each day because of conflict and persecution worldwide, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Having pledged in his campaign to ban all Muslim refugees from entering the country, Mr. Trump seems to be making strides toward that goal  despite his administrations insistence that it is not targeting refugees on the basis of religion. While nearly half of refugee admissions had come from predominantly Muslim nations in recent years, those numbers have plummeted since Mr. Trump took office, while refugees identifying themselves as Christian and of other faiths have risen.

Syria, where unspeakable violence has produced a torrent of refugees for most of this decade, was among the mostly Muslim countries that the administration singled out for what has amounted to a virtual suspension of admissions. Mr. Trump expresses outrage at the violence inflicted on civilians there and has the power to alleviate at least some suffering by allowing Syrians to pursue new lives in the United States. He does just the opposite, having admitted just 44 Syrian refugees in the first six months of the current fiscal year, a more than 99 percent decrease from the 5,800 admitted in the same span last year.

The website of the State Departments Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration has been slow to catch up with the new normal imposed by the Trump administration. It boasts that the United States admits almost two-thirds of refugees settled in third countries, more than all other resettlement countries combined. Not anymore. Not even close.
This article was originally published by " Reuters " -

=====

Read Trump, May and Macrons full statements on Syria strikes

In case you missed it: March 17, 2018: US training Syria militants for false flag chemical attack as basis for airstrikes  Russian MoD

Join the Discussion
The just concluded Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2018 took place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday, April 14 2018 and Nigerian superstar, Davido emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night as he was crowned the Best African Artiste of the year

David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, beats the likes of Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Olamide alongside other super stars from Africa like Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C and Toofan to be crowned African Artiste of the Year.

Davido delivered records like If and Fall , that enjoyed global recognition and topped charts across the continent. He had also won the African Artiste of the year at the Soundcity MVP Awards earlier in the year.

It would be recalled that Runtown had emerged winner of the same category in its 2017 edition.

Other notable winners on the night was Sarkodie, who bagged 2 awards for Hiplife/Hip-hop artiste of the year and Best Rapper of the year alongside Kidi who was recently nominated by the Headies in its Rookie of the year category, who got the Highlife Song of the Year for his single, Odo.

See full winners list below;

Artiste of the Year  Ebony Reigns

Album of the Year  Bonyfied  Ebony

Song of the Year  Total Cheat (Fancy Gadam)

Best New Artiste of the Year  Kuame Eugene

Record of the Year  Teephlow (State of the Art)

African Artiste of the Year  Davido

Best Female Vocalist of the Year  Adina

Best Male vocalist of the Year  Joe Mettle

Best Music Video  Phamous  George Gyimah (Captain Planets Obi agye obi girl video)

Best Group of the Year  Wutah

Best Rapper of the Year  Sarkodie

Best Collaboration of the Year  Shatta Wale (Taking Over)

Reggae/Dance Hall Artiste of the Year  Stonebwoy

Song Writer of the Year  Bullet (Ebonys Maame Hwe)

Hiplife/Hip-pop Artiste of the Year  Sarkodie

Highlife Artiste of the Year  Kuame Eugene

Gospel Artiste of the Year  Joe Mettle

Highlife Song of the Year  Kidi (Odo)

Afro Pop Song of the Year  Ebony (Sponsor)

Hiplife Song of the Year  Fancy Gadam ft. Sarkodie (Total Cheat)

Reggae Dancehall of the Year  Samini (My Own)

Hip Pop Song of the Year  Kwesi Arthur (Grind day)

Gospel Song of the Year  Joe Mettle (Bo noo ni)

2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Award  Naa Amanua Dodoo of Wulomei Group

Instrumentalist of the Year  Dominic Quashie

Best Traditional Music Group  Amamreso Music and Dance Ensemble

Source  Akpraise
Nollywood actress Ope Aiyeola has debunked rumours that she had a child in secret for veteran actor Babatunde Omidiran, a.k.a Baba Suwe.

Aiyeola who now lives in London, told BBC Yoruba Service she was not in any romantic affair with the elderly Baba Suwe.

He is my boss and a kind man, she said. He used to cast me in a lot of roles when I started. And I am grateful to him.

Asked about the man she ever had a crush for, she mentioned the veteran Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan, who is now 75 years old.

I used to write him as a child, using the addresses she read on the jackets of Indian movies. Now I have a secret, I reach him on Facebook.

Asked on the career path she would have trod, without venturing into acting.

She did not hesitate in her response.  I would have loved to be a midwife or a child minder or surrogate mother, she said.

Aiyeola, 41 next August, was born in Sagamu Ogun state. She is married to Babatunde David Olowolomose.
Punch

A journalist, Ahmad Salkida, known to have access to the Boko Haram sect, has said only 15 of the 113 Chibok schoolgirls in captivity are alive.

Vanguard

An audio recording detailing a female students discussion with a purported lecturer went viral on social media. The voices on the recording were alleged to be that of a female student who scored 33 in an examination, and a male lecturer, Professor Richard Akindele, who was allegedly soliciting for sex with the student to help scale up her mark.

The Sun

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday berated the Presidency for allegedly insulting Nigerians, who criticised the failure of the Federal Government in the handling of insurgency and governance in the country.

Thisday

In a deft strategic move to isolate President Muhammadu Buhari over the reordering of the sequence of elections contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018, already vetoed by the president, the National Assembly has proposed a new amendment bill that places the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections first on the order of elections.

Daily Times

AHEAD of July 14th governorship election in Ekiti State, the Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday read riot act to all the aspirants seeking for the party ticket to avail themselves with the guidelines for the Partys primary and Constitution or face severe sanctions.

Guardian

Pastor-in-charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Province 5, FCT, Abuja, Tugbogbo Adesina Amos has attributed the essence of mans existence to continuous worship of the Most High God.

Tribune

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District, comprising commissioners, members of the state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, youth and women leaders, on Saturday reiterated their call on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to run for the Senatorial seat of the district in the 2019 elections.

The Nation

The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday pleaded with the kidnappers of his twin children to release them.


Uche Jombo reveals how her Dads death changed her lifeShe is a woman of many parts. She is an actress, a director and a producer. Above all, Uche Jombo is an entrepreneur with huge investments in the movies.

In this chat, the mother of one talks about her career and how her fathers death altered the course of her life for good. Enjoy it.

What are you currently working on?

I have a film I co-executive produced with Ini Edo called, Heaven On My Mind. Thats what Im working on right now. I have another project, a series that will come out soon entitled, Boys Are Not Smiling. Its a youthful series. These days, the youth think they know everything. So, I think I should give them a platform to actually let us know what they know. We did an online open audition, with all the leading characters cast online. I cant wait for people to start watching it. We have filmed the first season and now preparing for the second season. We will soon start showing it.

Your last movie had Kalu Ikeagwu as one of the lead actors, what is the relationship between you and him?

Hes an actor I have worked with several times, and hes an amazing actor. I have a good chemistry with him. I have always said that you dont waste someone like Kalu; if you have to give him a role, give him something that is worth the trouble. There are some actors like that. There are some actors you put on your project because of marketability and some you put because of their commitment to the character.

Whats your growing up like?

I grew up with so much and little. I know what it means to have everything. Also I know what it means not to have at all. And so, all these formed me as a person, which is why I dont attach importance to things of the world. If you know me well, you will know thats how I am.

What is the most difficult moment in your life?

It would be when I lost my dad; it kind of changed a lot in my life. It also changed my situation and that of my siblings, and formed who I became as an adult. Its a time that brought tears to my eyes; its also something that forced me to grow up.

What has fame denied you?

I used to sit down and say things like that, but I have grown, Im an adult now. I dont have time to do that any more; because if at all I want to think about what fame has denied me, all I need to do is get a book and write things I have gained and lost with fame. The longer list will contain what I have gained with fame, so why will I now start focusing on what I have lost?



What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?

A fan almost squeezed the living daylight out of me at the airport, simply out of excitement. She was talking about a film I did with Patience Ozorkwo entitled, After The Proposals. She was so excited about the film, and she narrated how the same thing almost happened during her traditional marriage.

Before you got married, did you turn down proposals from men?

I think every girl will do that before she eventually gets married. I think you will have to kill some frogs before you meet your prince charming. People you dont want to marry will ask you to marry them, before you eventually meet whom you want to marry.

Which do you like most  directing, acting or producing?

Thats not a fair question because Im an actor first and foremost. Now I am passionate about certain projects that I just have to see them to the end. I look at directing as a passion project, and then for producing, I have been executive producing films for the last 10 years. I dont know why people think I just started now. It all boils down to passion, but I am first and foremost an actor. I am passionate about anything I take on, whether I am on that project as an actor, a producer or director. Im just one of those.

What should your fans expect from you?

You are going to see lots of projects from UJ Studios. You will see lots of collaborations; you will also see projects that I am passionate about like Boys Are Not Smiling, The Hustle Is Real, and Heaven On My Mind etc. Someone commented on my (social media) page today and it was like Uche, you are back and I said I never left.
White man wears Traditional Outfit

A foreigner has made sure he honoured the tradition of his spouse as they both get married in a traditional setting recently.

The white guy can be seen fully clad in his Igbo attire while his kinsmen follow suit but not in his own unique fashion.

The gentleman is all smiles and dancy in his light blue traditional wear.

Lovely photos below:

Leave a Comment

comments
MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comic book legend Greg Hildebrandt is appearing at East Side Mags in Montclair for Free Comic Book Day, May 5, 2018  a day to promote comics (both old & new titles) and give both old and new fans an opportunity to grab free preview copies of a wide variety of titles currently available in shops. Hildebrandt is the artist responsible for the iconic 1977 Star Wars movie poster of Luke Skywalker holding a light saber with Darth Vader and Princess Leia in the background.



Hildebrandt will be signing prints available for sale, items from fans, and is available for commissioned art work.



Shop owner Jeff Beck of Bloomfield, a former hospitality and technology executive in New York, has been collecting comics for more than 20 years. He opened East Side Mags in 2014 but really wanted to make a splash on Free Comic Book Day. Which led to Jeff teaming up with comic book legend  Greg Hildebrandt.

Greg Hildebrandt is responsible for the original Star Wars poster image of Luke Skywalker holding up the lightsaber with Leia and Darth Vaders helmet in the background, said Beck. There are few things in the comics industry that are more iconic than that image and were thrilled to host an artist of his stature at our store.

The event kicks off on Saturday, May 5 and features a wide variety of attractions for every member of the family including:

Legendary Greg Hildebrandt appearance: Greg will be onsite with his colleague/inker Angela Fernot and wife Jean to take commission requests. He will also have prints for sale and will be signing items for fans.

Greg will be onsite with his colleague/inker Angela Fernot and wife Jean to take commission requests. He will also have prints for sale and will be signing items for fans. Free comics for all ages: New preview comics featuring fan favorites like Avengers, Batman, Pokemon and Archie along with new previews of comics like Brian K. Vaughns Barriers.

New preview comics featuring fan favorites like Avengers, Batman, Pokemon and Archie along with new previews of comics like Brian K. Vaughns Barriers. Huge sale featuring 20% off list prices: Discounts on almost everything in the store.

Discounts on almost everything in the store. Keiki Explorers Summer Camp: Started by two local middle school teachers, Keiki Explorers Summer Camp is run out of Montclair, NJ and takes kids on a different field trip every day of the week.

Started by two local middle school teachers, Keiki Explorers Summer Camp is run out of Montclair, NJ and takes kids on a different field trip every day of the week. Dollar Raffles: There will be a variety of raffle prizes available, tickets sold for $1 each.

There will be a variety of raffle prizes available, tickets sold for $1 each. Costume Contest: All day, kids and adults alike can come to the shop dressed in cosplay or costume, get their picture taken and automatically be entered into the contest  with professional cosplayers judging a winner for both the kids category and adult category.

Free Comic Book Day is by far the biggest day of the year for East Side Mags but theyre no stranger to busy days. The shop consistently runs a variety of popular events including, but not limited to, Magic the Gathering tournaments, comedy nights featuring local comedians SketchProv, artist and writer signings and more.

East Side Mags is also extremely community focused, often pairing their signing events with community drives to raise money for non-profit agencies like Planned Parenthood, SAVE of Essex County/Family Service League, Tonis Kitchen and others. There is even a planned signing coming up to support those affected in the recent Las Vegas shooting through a signing of an anthology comic titled Where We Live, featuring at least four artists and writers who contributed to the book.

Beck seeks to build up the sense of community behind the comic book and pop culture world within Montclair. East Side Mags serves as a place to find nostalgia through classic toys and comics, find interest in new issues, new titles, new characters, and make new friends.

For event/shop inquiries, please contact Jeff Beck at jeff@eastsidemags.com.

(7 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, 862-333-4961)

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d7375c5d-a4be-4369-9154-5c715ca591dc
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Apple is now offering free repairs for Apple Watch Series 2 models with a swollen battery or units that are not powering on. A new internal document from the company meant for its service partners says that the company has determined under certain conditions, the battery inside some Apple Watch Series 2 units can swell or the unit may not power on entirely.

These units will be serviced free of charge by Apple, with the company covering the devices for three years from their original date of purchase. So, even if your Series 2 Apple Watch is working fine right now, rest assured that if its battery swells in the future, you will be covered for a free repair from Apple. The new policy document was shared by Apple in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, but this policy is likely going to be implemented across the globe.

Only the 42mm Apple Watch Series 2 variants are eligible for this free battery replacement. Any of the previous versions of the Apple Watch or the 38mm Apple Watch Series 2 models are not covered under this policy. While the free service is not affected by the warranty status of your Apple Watch, an Apple Store can refuse to carry out repairs on it if theres noticeable visible damage to it.

If you have already gotten the battery of your Apple Watch Series 2 replaced because it was swollen, you can contact Apple and get a refund.

Theres no public announcement from Apple regarding this new service policy, but that should not be a cause for concern. If your nearest Apple service center refuses to repair your swollen Apple Watch Series 2 unit, you should try again after a few days or just try a different store altogether.

[Via MacRumors
If you want to learn how to light and retouch images like these go and check out my Digital Artist Master Class online workshop!

Fuji X-T2 with 16-55 f.2.8 3 x Elinchrom Rx 1200 flashes + modifiers





You may also like: How to develop your OWN STYLE in photography or retouching

About Antti Karppinen:

Antti Karppinen is internationally awarded commercial photographer / digital artist and educator from Finland. Antti has won dozens international awards for visual artistry & commercial photography and is now working and educating worldwide. Major merits are World Photographic Cup Gold medal in the illustrative category and FEP photographer of the year Golden camera also in the illustrative category. He has also won the portrait photographer of Finland competition. Let's Get Connected: www.anttikarppinen.com Antti Karppinen is internationally awarded commercial photographer / digital artist and educator from Finland. Antti has won dozens international awards for visual artistry & commercial photography and is now working and educating worldwide. Major merits are World Photographic Cup Gold medal in the illustrative category and FEP photographer of the year Golden camera also in the illustrative category. He has also won the portrait photographer of Finland competition.







SUBSCRIBE

Get Latest Videos,Promotions & Exclusive Offers Via Email:









We don't send spam!







But that doesnt mean that she is only cosplaying her. Every single character she does is just plain world class amazing. She has done different characters from Game of Thrones, Witcher and has been cosplaying also as Lara Croft . Check more of her amazing cosplay from Santatory Instagram pages I was so happy to finally have a chance to have a photoshoot with her while I was visiting Norway with Norges Fotografforbund (NFF) yearly event in Trondheim. Special thank you to Peder Klingwall and Charlotte Stle for organizing this photoshoot in Studio-G with Kjell Thomas Bjertns!Here is a selection of images of Margaery and Dani from Game of Thrones and Triss Merigold and Philippa Eilhart from Witcher. Still amazed of the detail of the cosplay and the talent of Santatory bringing those characters to life!
TORONTO, April 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (Kirkland Lake Gold or the Company) (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today announced that the Company will hold its Annual General Meeting (the Meeting) of Shareholders at 10:00 am ET on Wednesday May 2, 2018 at the TSX Exchange Tower located at 130 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1C9. A webcast of the Meeting will be available on the Companys website at www.klgold.com.



In addition, the Company also announced today that its full financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2018 will be issued before the market opens on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, and that the Company will then host a conference call to review the results at 10:00 am ET on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Those wishing to join the call can do so using the telephone numbers listed below. The call will also be webcast and available on the Companys website at www.klgold.com.

First Quarter 2018 Conference Call and Webcast

Date: Thursday May 3, 2018, 10:00 am ET

Conference ID: 3173939

Toll-free number: (866) 393-4306

International callers: (734) 385-2616

Webcast url: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1627897/4F01DB1EDE1E22E0B3091E11A1729D2A

About Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a mid-tier gold producer with 2018 production targeted at over 620,000 ounces of gold from mines in Canada and Australia. The production profile of the Company is anchored by two high-grade, low-cost operations, including the Macassa Mine located in Northeastern Ontario and the Fosterville Mine located in the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Gold's solid base of quality assets is complemented by district-scale exploration potential, supported by a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise.

For further information on Kirkland Lake Gold and to receive news releases by email, visit the website www.klgold.com.

Anthony Makuch, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: tmakuch@klgold.com

Mark Utting, Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: mutting@klgold.com


Op-Ed Contributor



China Fills Trumps Empty Seat at Latin America Summit



By Alfonso Serrano





Vice President Mike Pence may be taking President Trumps place at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, on Friday, but the vacuum left by the United States steady retreat from the region was filled, much earlier, by China.



Latin America is now the second-largest destination for Chinese investment, after Asia. China is the top trading partner for three of Latin Americas biggest economies: Brazil, Chile and Peru. Chinese influence is evident throughout the region, from highway construction in Ecuador to port projects in Panama and a planned fiber optic cable running from Chile to China.



Chinas soft power is perhaps most visible at the southern edge of Argentina, in Santa Cruz province. This pristine Patagonian terrain, home to glacial lakes and one of Argentinas last free-flowing rivers, has also become home to bulldozers and cranes made by Shantui, the Chinese construction giant. The machines are excavating the area around the Santa Cruz River to build two hydroelectric dams, financed by $4.7 billion from the China Development Bank and built by China Gezhouba Group with partners from Argentina. When completed, the dams will flood roughly 116,000 acres, generating 5 percent of the countrys energy needs and an estimated 5,000 local jobs.





President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, left, and President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing last year.CreditPool photo by Damir Sagolj







The Santa Cruz project is just one of the $141 billion in loan commitments China made to Latin America from 2005 to 2016. Chinas lending now surpasses lending from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

But China, unlike those agencies, isnt putting short-term conditions on those loans or pushing for austerity measures. Instead, its interest in Latin America is part of a long strategic game, an effort to assert its influence around the world, quench its need for raw materials and control the flow of global trade through Chinese-funded transportation hubs.



While the United States has been retreating from its southern neighbors for years, Mr. Trump has added outright hostility to neglect. Five months after taking office, he reversed Barack Obamas historic overtures to Cuba and stifled United States business ties with the country, a move perceived as potentially devastating for the islands private sector. Threats to blow up Nafta, cut aid to Honduras and Colombia, and militarize the United States border with Mexico have underscored Mr. Trumps contempt.



The message is not lost on Latin America, and it is much louder than anything Mr. Pence may say in Lima, where he is expected to argue that the United States, not China, is Latin Americas preferred trading partner. He may also announce some progress on a renegotiated Nafta.



United States influence in the region lingers, of course. The United States remains Latin Americas largest trading partner. Despite the pivot to China, certain countries have resisted its dominion, wary of Chinas thirst for raw materials and its lax environmental standards. President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, breaking from his predecessor, has sought warmer ties with the West. And however strong Mr. Trumps xenophobic rhetoric may be, Latin America is intimately tied to the United States by immigration. Remittances from the states to the region amounted to $74 billion in 2016, a 7.4 percent increase from the previous year.

Its not too late for Mr. Pence to quietly strengthen those ties. He could listen to the concerns of pro-business leaders, such as Mr. Macri and President Sebastian Pinera of Chile, who may ask for a return to more open trade policies. He can put something concrete behind Mr. Trumps apparent willingness to re-enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement that includes three Latin American countries and serves as a countermeasure to China. He could signal the administrations openness to ending the ban on American business transactions with the government-led group that oversees the Cuban economy. That policy, criticized even by Republicans, is likely to harm average Cubans more than the inner circle of Cuban leadership.









This is a good moment for a few friendly gestures. Some of Chinas splashiest megaprojects, including a transcontinental railway from Brazil to Peru, a high-speed railway in Mexico and an interoceanic canal project in Nicaragua, have run into trouble. Germany has already emerged as a potential investor in the stalled Brazil-Peru railway.



Meanwhile, Chinese firms have begun to expand into sectors other than natural resources and transportation, particularly into energy infrastructure projects in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador, as China makes good on Xi Jinpings pledge to deliver $250 billion in direct investment and $500 billon in bilateral trade by 2025.



Mr. Xi has backed that lofty promise by visiting Latin America three times in his first three years in office. The Chinese president doesnt have a seat at the table for the Summit of the Americas, but he doesnt really need one.



Alfonso Serrano is an independent journalist who writes frequently about Latin America.
About a year ago, the Trump administration carried out a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airfield within 48 hours of a major chemical weapons attack on civilians, allegedly carried out by the Assad regime. The strike did some damage but nothing of such significance as to force the regime to change its strategy, either in general or on chemical weapons. Indeed, there was no expectation of change. The response was the military equivalent of a strong diplomatic note and was treated as such by the Syrians.

Its almost been a week since the latest major chemical attack, this time targeting the Damascus suburb of Douma. Assads regime is again generally assumed to have been responsible. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed a short time later that there would be a big price to pay and, outside of an ambiguous tweet on April 12, has continued to threaten military action, yet this time he has held off on launching it. The more time goes by and the more the threat is repeated, the greater the anticipation and anxiety. By implying that the response will be more substantial than the previous one, Trump has allowed imaginations to run wild over what the U.S. might do.

Everyone is preparing. The Russians moved their ships in Syrian ports out to sea. A ship in a port is a relatively easy target, and the Russians seem unsure whether their ships might be targeted. This suggests the Russians are considering their ability to counterstrike against enemy assets in the eastern Mediterranean. There have also been widespread rumors in Arabic media that Bashar Assad and his family have left Damascus. A Russian lawmaker denied the rumors, but the mere existence of such rumors gives a sense of the regional tension over the American response. Turkey has renewed its call for Assads removal but asked the Americans and Russians to talk. British submarines set course for the region, something that the Russians chose to ridicule. The Saudi crown prince said Saudi Arabia would join any allied strike against Syria. The expectation seems to be that an attack could come at any time. A Disturbing Threat Whats odd about this is that earlier this month, before the chemical weapons attack, endless leaks claimed that the U.S. Department of Defense wanted the U.S. to take a more active role in Syria but that the president resisted. Trump publicly said he wanted a reduction of force in Syria. During his campaign and through much of his presidency, he has said he wanted to reduce U.S. responsibility for and exposure to global instability. In the wake of the chemical attack, however, Trump has reversed course. Through his repeated threats and delay, Trump has placed the United States back at the center of the Syria equation.

As tragic as it is, the chemical attack was not a critical moment. Assads regime has killed many of its people, including with chemical weapons. That part is not new. What may be moving things in this direction, though, is Irans role in Syria. Iran has long been active in the region , but since the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, it has gotten more involved, placing substantial forces in Syria and Iraq, in addition to its usual support of proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Shortly after the Douma attack, Israel launched a substantial airstrike on an Iranian base near Palmyra. This was not retaliation for the chemical attack; Israel has stayed away from that sort of action. Israels concern is rather with the transfer of advanced weaponry (including potentially the very chemical weapons the Assad regime is accused of using in Douma) to the Iranian proxy Hezbollah, as well as Irans construction of a permanent presence in Syria. Israel has always been able to count on distance to protect itself from Iran, but as Iran builds up its forces in Syria, it becomes more of a direct threat to Israel. Israel does not want to retaliate to such attacks but to stop them before they occur. Russia in the Crossfire Israel notified the U.S. of the airstrike in advance, and the U.S. had no objection because it sent the message that Washington wanted to send: Anyone using chemical weapons in Syria will be hit hard. At this point, the Russians and Syrians have insisted that they did not use chemical weapons. This is more than pro forma. The Russians know that if Iran in particular, but also Syria, use chemical weapons, then the Israelis and Americans will strike.

Russia is not in Syria to engage the Americans or the Israelis. The Russians do not have the forces in Syria to match the force the Israelis or Americans could bring to bear. Their purpose in the country was to gain political leverage with the U.S. by preserving Assad. An alliance with Iran strengthened Russias position, but this chemical attack threatens to draw the Russians into a conventional battle in the region that they are not prepared to fight. Russian supply ships would have to come through the Bosporus, and Turkey couldnt be trusted to stand aside. Turkey does not want Assad in power, and his use of chemical weapons gives Turkey even more reason to pursue that objective.

This means the Russians need to defuse the situation. They have made it clear to the Israelis and Americans that they had nothing to do with the chemical attacks. But even if a low-level Syrian officer ordered the chemical attack on Douma, that would make Russia complicit in the use of chemical weapons, which would provide a legitimate reason for the Israelis or even an international coalition to strike sensitive targets in Syria. This leaves the Russians in a difficult position , and trying to distance themselves from the chemical attack does them no good. All it does is signal that Russia has no control over the Syrian regime, which also means it probably cant control Iran. Therefore, Russia is now caught in a potential crossfire.

Looked at in this way, the more pressure exerted on the Russians, the more likely they are to feel the threat and modify their position. A threat of massive American action is even better than actual massive American action. A major U.S. attack could fail  or fail to impress. Instead, Trump has created serious uncertainty among all players in the region, save probably the Israelis. Syria, Iran and Russia do not know what, if anything, is coming, and of the three, Russia is in the weakest position. The Syrians have nowhere to go. The Iranians didnt fight their way to this point to simply leave. But the Russians werent in Syria to fight a major conflict. They were there to show the flag. And that makes the threat of being drawn into a larger conflict unappetizing for Moscow.

Direct intervention is not an appealing option for Trump, but the creation of uncertainty is. Of course, uncertainty has a limited shelf life. A serious U.S. attack on Syria  one whose aim would be to degrade the Assad regimes fighting ability, not just to slap Assad on the wrist  is unlikely, if still possible. The U.S. is happy to rely on Israel to keep attacking Iranian facilities from time to time. Trump can threaten, but the Israelis have no choice but to act.

Whatever happens next, the risk is relatively low for the United States. The same cant be said for everyone else.


Violent crime



How to cut the murder rate



Murder is set to soar in some cities of the developing world









THE planet has rarely been so peaceful. Even with terrible fighting in such places as Congo, Syria and Yemen, wars between and within countries are becoming less common and less deadly. But a dark menace looms. Some of the developing worlds cities threaten to be engulfed by murder.



Of the 560,000 violent deaths around the world in 2016, 68% were murders; wars caused just 18%. Murder has been falling in rich countries (though London is suffering an outbreak, but it has long plagued Latin America and is starting to climb in parts of southern Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The world often goes to great lengths to stop wars. Just imagine if it put as much effort into stopping murders.



Latin America shows what is at stake. It has 8% of the worlds people but 38% of its recorded murders (see Briefing). Counting the costs of police, hospitals, victims lost incomes and so on, the bill for violent crime comes to 3.5% of GDP. The greater toll is human: mothers and fathers burying children, children brought up without a parent and societies deprived of tens of thousands of citizens in the prime of their lives.



There is no excuse for this suffering. Many of the emerging worlds problems are intractable.



Murder is not one of them.



Dusty death



High murder rates have lots of causes: fragile government; guns and fighters left over from wars; families broken up and forced into the city by rural violence and poverty; drugs and organised crime that police cannot or will not confront; and large numbers of unemployed young men.



The mix of causes in each country is unique but in every case rapid, chaotic urbanisation makes the problem worse. Urbanisation itself is welcome, because it boosts incomes and growth. It need not lead to violencelook at India and China, which have relatively low crime rates. But it can feed a vicious cycle, as the proliferation of murder destroys trust between the police and the people they are meant to protect. Residents keep off the streets. They no longer support the authorities. Impunity grows and the level of violence climbs further.



That is what faces some of the worlds poor cities. Many already have the ingredients of a murder culture. Over the next decades these cities are set to grow rapidly. As much as 90% of urban growth will take place in the poor world. By 2030, according to HSBC, a bank, 42 of the 50 most-populous cities will be in emerging markets. Dhaka, Karachi and Lagos, each crammed with roughly 25m people, will join the ten largest.



To understand where this can lead, consider Latin America, where seven countries account for a quarter of the worlds murders. Killings often started rising in its cities because of drugs and gangs. Since Latin America urbanised a generation before other developing countries, it has had time to find out which policies help stop the killingand which fuel it.



El Salvador, though off the main drug-trafficking corridor, has struggled to establish peace since the end of civil war in 1992. A weak state failed to cater for hundreds of thousands of new city dwellers, driven into slums by fighting in the hills. The police were unable to cope with violent new residents who arrived in the slums: street gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18. In 2015 El Salvador became the worlds most deadly country bar Syria. The police still do not know who is killing whom or why. Ninety-five percent of murders go unsolved.



Yet the continent also has some of the biggest improvers. In many Colombian cities murder used to be the leading cause of death. The rate in Cali in 1994 was 124 per 100,000, four times worse than New York at its most lethal. The mayor was a surgeon who realised that murder was like a disease. Following an approach pioneered in New York and copied across the rich world, he set up violence observatories to study precisely how people, places and behaviour led to killings. They found that, even amid a raging drugs war, most murders resulted from drunken brawls. Restrictions on alcohol and guns helped cut murders by 35%. Other Colombian cities tweaked Calis evidence-based policing to suit their own needsMedellin, for example, targeted drug cartels. Police and judicial reform, and aid from the United States, were crucial, too. In 2017 Colombias murder rate was 24 per 100,000, the lowest for 42 years.



The killing in Latin America has been shaped by local factorspolitical violence, crowded prisons, North Americas appetite for drugs. In Colombia an offensive against guerrillas helped cut murders. Yet the continent holds broad lessons.



Because impunity encourages murder, you might think that the secret is tough policing. The Salvadorean government sent soldiers into the streets and threw petty criminals in prison. But both the criminals and the population were brutalised and the murder rate rocketed. Or you could buy peace with truces and special deals between rival gangs. El Salvador tried that, too, but the truce fell apart and the slaughter resumed. Although murders there have fallen slightly in the past two years, killing has become a way of life.



Instead, toughness needs to be targeted. Murder is extraordinarily concentrated80% of violent killings in Latin American cities occur on just 2% of streets. Detailed crime statistics enable the police to get to grips with the local factors behind the killing. If they know exactly how and where to apply their efforts, they can make arrests and prevent violence.



Learning from murder



The good news is that you do not have to solve all the complex social causes of murder to begin to cut the murder rate. Colombias innovative mayors helped create a virtuous cycle in which the police caught and punished murderers, and citizens concluded that the police were there to help them and that the streets were safer. Busier streets discouraged murder and other violent crime. Once the virtuous cycle starts to turn, the entire criminal-justice ecosystem can grow stronger.



If all countries cut murder rates to match the best in their region, 1.35m lives will be saved by 2030, says the Small Arms Survey. If they fall back to the worst, an extra 1.25m lives will be lost. Trusted police forces armed with good statistics could spare millions of lives, and an ocean of human suffering.
Suncor's base plant with upgraders in the oil sands in Fort McMurray Alta, on Monday June 13, 2017. After nearly a decade since the last major oil pipeline was built, and with existing ones brimming with crude, Canada's energy industry is wondering when and if any new lifelines to foreign markets will go into the ground. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Rahel Staeheli plays with her daughter Milani Staeheli-Hildebrand, 5, at a playground near their home in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday April 11, 2018. Staeheli has been trying to register her daughter, who begins kindergarten in September, for French immersion school without success due to a shortage of French immersion teachers in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
This image provided by the Department of Defense was presented as part of a briefing slide at the Pentagon briefing on Saturday, April 14, 2018, and shows a photo of a preliminary damage assessment from the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Site in Syria that was struck by missiles from the U.S.-led coalition in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons on April 7. (Department of Defense via AP)
FILE - In this April 13, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington. Trump said Sunday, April 15, 2018, that all lawyers are now Audeflated and concernedAu by the FBI raid on his personal attorney Michael CohenAos home and office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
FILE - In this March 29, 2015, file photo, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush, left, speak before a college basketball regional final game between Gonzaga and Duke, in the NCAA basketball tournament in Houston. A family spokesman said Sunday, April 15, 2018, that the former first lady Barbara Bush is in "failing health" and won't seek additional medical treatment. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
This Dec. 19, 2017 file photo shows Tom Evans and Kate James, the parents of seriously ill Alfie Evans, in England. The head of the VaticanAos bioethics think tank said on Sunday, April 15, 2018 he hopes a dialogue can be reopened in the case of Alfie Evans, a terminally ill British child whose parents are locked in a legal battle over his care. Alfie is in a "semi-vegetative state" as the result of a degenerative neurological condition doctors have been unable to definitively identify. His parents want to take him to Italy but have been blocked by British courts, which say his condition is irreversible. (Philip Toscano/PA via AP,file)
This photo provided by The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) shows Paolo Veronese painting AuSt. Jerome in the Wilderness.Au Two Renaissance masterpieces, AuSt. Jerome in the Wilderness.Au and AuSt. Agatha Visited in Prison by St. PeterAu are coming to the New Orleans Museum of Art, only the third museum ever to display them together, and the second outside Italy. Their first showing after a thorough restoration by Venetian Heritage was last year at a museum in Venice. They will be in New Orleans starting Thursday, April 19, 2018 through Sept. 3. (The New Orleans Museum of Art via AP)
In this image released by ABC News, former FBI director James Comey appears at an interview with George Stephanopoulos that will air during a primetime "20/20" special on Sunday, April 15, 2018 on the ABC Television Network. Comey's book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," will be released on Tuesday. (Ralph Alswang/ABC via AP)
FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2018, file photo, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin speaks to a joint session of the General Assembly at the Capitol, in Frankfort, Ky. Bevin apologized Sunday, April 15, for saying that children were sexually abused because they were left home alone while teachers rallied to ask lawmakers to override his vetoes. The Republican issued his apology in a nearly four-minute video posted online, saying "it is not my intent to hurt anybody in this process, but to help us all move forward together." (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Community members are speaking out after the Benton County Sheriff's Office released a sex offender back into the community.

Jacob Anderson, 28, is listed as a Level III sex offender. Anderson is on post-prison supervision until Jan. 11, 2022 for rape, sex abuse, and delivery of marijuana to a minor. Officials said he has admitted being sexually attracted to teenagers and having a sex addiction.

After his release Thursday he has been living at the Benton County transition center in downtown Corvallis. Officials said he will be living there for about 90 days until he can find a job and another place to live. Officials said this center will help him reintegrate into the community.

However, some community members are concerned since officials said he doesn't feel he is ready to be released from prison.





"Having been a victim myself, I really believe the judiciary system should have looked at it a little closer before they released him back into society here in Corvallis," Maria Seals, a community member, said.

Others said they trust the system.

"I think it's fair to try and give this person and the system the benefit of the doubt," Jay Kasbohm, another community member, said.

Regardless, officials said they don't have a choice. Sheriff Scott Jackson said his office doesn't determine if Anderson is ready or not. He said Anderson fulfilled his sentence in state prison and holding someone after that would be illegal.

"They have to be released when their sentence is over," Jackson said. "Even if we had someone in our local jail that says 'Hey, I don't want to be released,' we have no authority or jurisdiction or responsibility to keep them."

Jackson said they always have some concerns when releasing people back into the community, but said in the transition center, they will be able to monitor and supervise him.

The center is staffed 24 hours a day and has cameras and audio monitoring. Anderson won't be allowed to have contact with minors and he will be restricted from going anywhere children might be, like churches, libraries, schools or even bus stops. Officials said they will keep track of him through an ankle monitoring device.

Anderson will be under supervison until 2022.
EUGENE, Ore -- On Saturday, April 14, a young girl's wish came true thanks to the Kids Wish Network. They granted the wish of Ashlee Cleary, 13, who is challenged with a lifelong diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. It is a condition that causes tumors to form in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Her condition was discovered after she noticed she had flat, pigmented spots on her skin, which are sometimes referred to as "giraffe spots." She underwent testing and it was later determined that Ashlee had the genetic disorder.

Ashlee wanted to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience and the Kids Wish Network made her wish a reality at Valley River Center.

10 stores participated and agreed to provide surprises for Ashlee, including Forever 21, Rue 21, Bath & Body Works, Sephora, Claire's, Candy Tyme, Rocky Moutain Chocolate Factory, Healthier Nail, American Eagle Outfitters, and Build-A-Bear.

KEZI 9 News spoke with Ashlee's mother, Debra Clearly. She said she is so thankful for the amount of people who came together to make her daughter feel so special. Debra said Ashlee's journey has been a long road of surgeries and recoveries and that this shopping spree experience makes her feel valued. "It's been very encouraging to see so many people come out and support this journey that we've had with Ashlee going through all of her surgeries and all of her medical experiences. It had been quite taxing and trying on her," said Debra.

Ashlee is currently awaiting a spinal fusion. She has had numerous complications due to treatment for a tethered spinal cord. Debra said Ashlee manages to remain positive and recovers more each day.
LA PORTE CITY, Iowa  The FBI is now involved in the search for a missing Black Hawk County teen.

Jake Wilson, 16, was last seen near Wolf Creek in La Porte City on the evening of April 7. The FBI is now asking the public to send in any photos or videos they may have taken in La Porte City on that day to help locate the autistic boy.

You can send in your photos and video by clicking here.

For previous coverage of this story, click here, here, and here.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The embarrassment of having a credit card declined for insufficient funds is hard enough for adults.

For a child, standing in a school cafeteria line, a similar experience  through no fault of their own  can be traumatic.

A bill that passed the Iowa Legislature this week targets so-called "lunch shaming," where students whose families owe money are singled out, given inferior meals or even have their food dumped in the garbage.

"The personal stories from all across Iowa from parents and children on food shaming could not only break your heart but are in stark contrast with the fundamental Iowa way that we treat our children," Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, said during floor debate on the bipartisan bill, which awaits final approval from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The challenge faced by schools is how to pay for meal services when families can't or won't replenish school meal accounts. Some still provide meals, while others turn to cheaper substitutes or allow a child to go without food altogether. Many students living in poverty qualify for federal subsidies that cover the full cost of their meals, but not all eligible families complete the necessary paperwork.

Some districts have turned to private donations. Earlier this year, for example, the Fresh Thyme Farmers Market in Ames ran a fundraising promotion to help the Ames Community School District, donating about $7,750 over three weeks to pay for student meal debt, which exceeded $52,000.

Crystal FitzSimons, the director of school and out-of-school time programs for the Washington-based nonprofit Food Research and Action Center, has examined Iowa's bill and thinks it will be effective.

FitzSimons said the bill would make sure food served to children isn't thrown away, that children whose families owe money aren't punished and that schools don't make public which families owe unpaid meal fees.

"We know that kids who are hungry can't learn, have a hard time focusing and concentrating, and there is a whole range of academic impacts that come from kids being hungry," FitzSimons said.

Iowa is following the lead of several states that have passed anti-shaming legislation. New Mexico was the first, approving such a law about a year ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture required schools to adopt policies on unpaid meal debt by last summer.

New York, California and other states since have launched anti-shaming efforts, including a bill signed into law in Virginia last month. Lawmakers in Louisiana and Maine are currently considering bills similar to Iowa's legislation.

Some states, such as Oregon, require schools to provide the regular meal to children regardless of how much debt they've accumulated. Iowa's legislation encourages serving regular meals but doesn't require it.

Nationally, three-quarters of school districts have some level of unpaid meal debt, according to the School Nutrition Association. The total amount of school meal debt in Iowa isn't known. The Iowa Department of Education doesn't collect data, although spokeswoman Staci Hupp said an informal, anonymous survey that included about one-third of Iowa organizations that participate in the school lunch program found just over $300,000 in negative balances.

"It all really depends on how each individual school district has decided how to handle those balances," said Scott Litchfield, the legislative chairman of the School Nutrition Association Iowa.

Litchfield said individual school district negative balances can range from $500 to in excess of $50,000. The average meal costs around $2.75  "a lot less than any restaurant that I've ever been to," Litchfield said.

Schools would be allowed to make claims against delinquent families' tax refunds and lottery winnings, although a nonpartisan analysis of the bill concluded districts won't have the necessary information to file claims.

A federal program known as community eligibility offers another path for high-poverty schools. The program allows for certain qualifying schools to offer free meals to all students.

FitzSimons said the program is a "game-changer for schools." More than 100 schools in Iowa already participate in the program, including two-thirds of those in the Des Moines Public Schools.

Amanda Miller, the district's director of food and nutrition, said Des Moines is still evaluating how it will respond to the new legislation if it's enacted. But she said that community eligibility has made a positive impact for the district, and it avoids accumulating unpaid debts.

"It levels the playing field," Miller said.

Private giving is another possible way to address meal debt. School districts will be allowed to set up special funds to collect donations under the new legislation, which requires the money to be used only for that purpose.

Memory Bleth, a Council Bluffs woman who gave $3,000 to a local elementary school in 2016, said she doesn't understand how schools could pay large salaries to administrators when some children can't afford lunch.

"I didn't realize that was a thing that people even had to worry about," Bleth said. "To me, that is just a burden that people shouldn't have on their shoulders."
MASON CITY, Iowa  A Clear Lake man gets probation after being caught with marijuana in a state park.

Authorities arrested Sidney Bishop II, 51, in McIntosh State Park on November 9, 2017. They said he had 42 grams of marijuana on him.

Bishop pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver marijuana and has been given five years of probation.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA  Snowy and icy conditions have contributed to numerous auto accidents across southern Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday.

The State Patrol says a southbound car on Highway 52 driven by Mohamed Mohamud Yusuf, 20 of Rochester, went out of control around 8 am Sunday and hit the concrete median barrier between 6th and 12th streets in Rochester. Yusuf was taken to St. Marys for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.

Around 5:30 pm on Saturday, an SUV driven by Christiana Totaye, 25 of Des Moines, Iowa, was northbound on Interstate 35 in Freeborn County when she lost control and rolled. The State Patrol says Totaye was not hurt but four passengers also from Des Moines were injured. Jonathan Holman, 3, Hawa Kemokai, 23, Hannah Payne, 22, and Victor Richards, 19, were transported to Owatonna Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

There was another crash just after 5 pm Saturday on Highway 52, north of County Road 1 in Goodhue County. Olga Emaline Meillier, 21 of Rochester, was driving south when she hit a guardrail. She was taken to St. Marys with what is described as a non-life threatening injury. Two passengers were not hurt.

And at around noon Saturday on Interstate 35 in Rice County, a northbound semi jackknifed near the intersection of Highway 21 in Faribault. A pickup truck driven by Jeremy Paul Roberts, 24 of Marshalltown, Iowa, stopped to check on the semi driver. Thats when another northbound semi hit the pickup and the first semi. A car driven by Brandan Chase Alliman, 23 of Port Clinton, Ohio, then rear ended the second semi. The only one hurt in this multi-vehicle collision was one of the semi drivers, Lurie Roman, 27 of Bronx, New York. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury.
Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Allamakee; Chickasaw; Clayton; Fayette; Floyd; Winneshiek

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)

...Wintry Weather Continues Today into This Evening... .A strong and complex spring storm system will continue to bring periods of snow to the area today into this evening. As of 6 am, am, snowfall was on the increase across much of the area, with visibilities dropping to 1 to 3 miles at many locations. Most new snow totals since midnight have been an inch or less. Road conditions continue to be reported as snow/ice covered and slippery across southeast Minnesota, much of Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Travel is not advised on some roads in western into central Wisconsin. The steadier, more widespread snow will continue to spread back into the area this morning, with accumulations of an inch or two for many locations through 10 am. By the time the snow ends this evening, additional accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected north and east of La Crosse, with the highest amounts across north-central Wisconsin. South and west of La Crosse, additional snow amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Along with the wintry precipitation, northeast to north winds gusting up to 35 mph through today will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibilities at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of are expected.

* WHERE...Portions of southwest Wisconsin and north central and northeast Iowa.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, some reductions to visibility are likely. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Black Hawk; Boone; Bremer; Butler; Calhoun; Cerro Gordo; Emmet; Franklin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Humboldt; Kossuth; Marshall; Palo Alto; Pocahontas; Sac; Story; Tama; Webster; Winnebago; Worth; Wright

NWS DesMoines (Central Iowa)

...Snow And Brisk Wind To Continue Across Iowa Through Much Of Today... .The storm system is beginning to push east. As such winds have let up some and visibilities have come up. While blizzard conditions are no longer being met, snow and blustery winds will continue today...reducing visibilities at times and creating hazardous travel through mid to late afternoon. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Periods of snow and brisk wind. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Brisk wind will reduce visibility to a mile at times and create hazardous travel.

* WHERE...Portions of North-Central to Northeast Iowa.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM CDT this afternoon.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Expect reduced visibilities at times.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Blue Earth; Brown; Chippewa; Faribault; Freeborn; Kandiyohi; Lac Qui Parle; Martin; McLeod; Meeker; Nicollet; Redwood; Renville; Sibley; Steele; Waseca; Watonwan; Yellow Medicine

NWS Minneapolis (Southern Minnesota)

...HISTORIC WINTER STORM WINDING DOWN TODAY... .Snow and wind have been diminishing across southern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin this morning. However, the slow movement of the weather system will continue light snow and gusty northerly winds over the area today. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for a small part of east central Minnesota and all of west central Wisconsin through 10 PM. Snowfall from 5 to 9 inches is expected to occur today and linger into the evening before ending. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for much of central and southern Minnesota today into this evening. A general 2 to 5 inches of additional snowfall will occur in the advisory area. The gusty northerly winds will continue to cause considerable blowing and drifting snow. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest and west central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, some reductions to visibility are likely. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for Minnesota can be found at 511mn.org and for Wisconsin at 511wi.gov, or by calling 5 1 1 in either state.

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Dodge; Olmsted

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)

...Wintry Weather Continues Today into This Evening... .A strong and complex spring storm system will continue to bring periods of snow to the area today into this evening. As of 6 am, am, snowfall was on the increase across much of the area, with visibilities dropping to 1 to 3 miles at many locations. Most new snow totals since midnight have been an inch or less. Road conditions continue to be reported as snow/ice covered and slippery across southeast Minnesota, much of Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Travel is not advised on some roads in western into central Wisconsin. The steadier, more widespread snow will continue to spread back into the area this morning, with accumulations of an inch or two for many locations through 10 am. By the time the snow ends this evening, additional accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected north and east of La Crosse, with the highest amounts across north-central Wisconsin. South and west of La Crosse, additional snow amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Along with the wintry precipitation, northeast to north winds gusting up to 35 mph through today will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibilities at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Dodge and Olmsted Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, some reductions to visibility are likely. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Fillmore; Mower

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)

...Wintry Weather Continues Today into This Evening... .A strong and complex spring storm system will continue to bring periods of snow to the area today into this evening. As of 6 am, am, snowfall was on the increase across much of the area, with visibilities dropping to 1 to 3 miles at many locations. Most new snow totals since midnight have been an inch or less. Road conditions continue to be reported as snow/ice covered and slippery across southeast Minnesota, much of Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Travel is not advised on some roads in western into central Wisconsin. The steadier, more widespread snow will continue to spread back into the area this morning, with accumulations of an inch or two for many locations through 10 am. By the time the snow ends this evening, additional accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected north and east of La Crosse, with the highest amounts across north-central Wisconsin. South and west of La Crosse, additional snow amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Along with the wintry precipitation, northeast to north winds gusting up to 35 mph through today will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibilities at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Mower and Fillmore Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, some reductions to visibility are likely. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Flood Warning

Areas Affected: Floyd

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)

.Runoff from the rains of Friday afternoon and night is producing rises along the Cedar River. Minor flood will occur at Charles City Iowa today. River forecasts take into account both observed and forecast precipitation. The National Weather Service in La Crosse WI has issued a

* Flood Warning for The Cedar River at Charles City.

* until late tonight.

* At 3:30 AM Sunday the stage was 12.1 feet.

* Flood stage is 12.0 feet.

* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.

* Forecast...The river will continue rising to near 12.4 feet by this morning. The river will fall below flood stage later today.

* Impact...At 12.0 feet...Barricading of streets begins, and the intersection of Riverside and North Illinois Streets may be flooded. Cable pedestrian bridge is closed. &&

If you live in a threatened area, be alert for high or rising water, and be ready to move to higher ground if necessary. Do not drive cars into flooded areas. Remember, it only takes two feet of water to float most automobiles, including sport utility vehicles. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Stay tuned to your favorite source of weather information, including NOAA Weather Radio, for later statements. Additional river and weather information is available at... http://www.weather.gov/lacrosse .

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Howard; Mitchell

NWS LaCrosse (Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa)

...Wintry Weather Continues Today into This Evening... .A strong and complex spring storm system will continue to bring periods of snow to the area today into this evening. As of 6 am, am, snowfall was on the increase across much of the area, with visibilities dropping to 1 to 3 miles at many locations. Most new snow totals since midnight have been an inch or less. Road conditions continue to be reported as snow/ice covered and slippery across southeast Minnesota, much of Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Travel is not advised on some roads in western into central Wisconsin. The steadier, more widespread snow will continue to spread back into the area this morning, with accumulations of an inch or two for many locations through 10 am. By the time the snow ends this evening, additional accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected north and east of La Crosse, with the highest amounts across north-central Wisconsin. South and west of La Crosse, additional snow amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Along with the wintry precipitation, northeast to north winds gusting up to 35 mph through today will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibilities at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Mitchell and Howard Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, some reductions to visibility are likely. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Allied missiles struck at the heart of Syrian chemical weapons arsenal in a show of force and resolve aimed at punishing the Assad government for a suspected poison gas attack against civilians and deterring the possible future use of such banned weapons.

"A perfectly executed strike," President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday in the aftermath of his second decision in two years to fire missiles against Syria. "Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W. Bush following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Bush addressed sailors aboard a ship in May 2003 alongside a "Mission Accomplished" banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organized an insurgency that tied down U.S. forces for years.

Syria's chief allies, Russia and Iran, called the use of force by the United States, Britain and France a "military crime" and "act of aggression" with the potential to worsen a humanitarian crisis after years of civil war. The U.N. Security Council planned to meet later Saturday at Moscow's request.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Syrian President Bashar Assad tweeted, while hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus, the capital, where they flashed victory signs and waved flags in scenes of defiance after the one-hour barrage launched Friday evening (early Saturday in Syria).

Before a planned Pentagon briefing Saturday, officials said Air Force B-1B strategic bombers launched JASSM "standoff" missiles for the first time in combat, evading Syrian air defenses. In all, the Navy launched a little more than 100 Tomahawk cruise missiles from destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea. The officials, who provided details on condition of anonymity ahead of public announcements, said Syria's air defenses were ineffective.

A global chemical warfare watchdog group said its fact-finding mission would go as planned in Douma, where the apparent use of poison gas against civilians on April 7 that killed more than 40 people compelled the Western allies to launch their attack. Syria has denied the accusation.

But France's foreign minister said there was "no doubt" the Assad government was responsible, and he threatened further retaliatory strikes if chemical weapons were used again, as did Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, who said the assault was a "one-time shot," as long as chemical weapons weren't used again.

NATO representatives planned a special session to hear from U.S., British and French officials.

Pentagon officials said the attacks, carried out by manned aircraft and from ships that launched cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea, targeted the heart of Assad's programs to develop and produce chemical weapons. Russia's military said Syrian air defense units downed 71 out of 103 cruise missiles fired by the allies.

Mattis said Friday there were no reports of U.S. losses in what he described as a heavy but carefully limited assault.

Trump said the U.S. was prepared to sustain economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Assad until he ends what Trump called a criminal pattern of killing his own people with internationally banned chemical weapons. That did not mean military strikes would continue; in fact, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional attacks were currently planned.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the Kremlin's skepticism about the allies' Douma claim, saying Russian military experts had found no trace of the attack. He criticized the U.S. and its allies for launching the strike without waiting for international inspectors to visit the area.

But British Prime Minister Theresa May cited reports she said indicated the Syrian government used a barrel bomb  large containers packed with fuel, explosives and scraps of metal  to deliver the chemicals. "No other group" could have carried out that attack, she said, adding that the allies' use of force was "right and legal."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the West's response was "necessary and appropriate."

Mattis disclosed that the U.S. had not yet confirmed that the Douma attack -- the most recent suspected Syrian chemical weapons attack, on April 7 -- included the use of sarin gas. He said at least one chemical was used  chlorine, which also has legitimate industrial uses and had not previously triggered a U.S. military response.

He said the targets selected by U.S., British and French officials were meant to minimize civilian casualties.

"This is difficult to do in a situation like this," he said, in light of the volatility of chemical agents.

Defense officials from the countries involved in the attack gave differing accounts of how much warning was given to the Russians, Syria's powerful ally.

Dunford said the U.S. did not coordinate targets with or notify the Russian government of the strikes, beyond normal airspace "de-confliction" communications. But the description from an ally put things differently. French Defense Minister Florence Parly said that "with our allies, we ensured that the Russians were warned ahead of time."

At a Pentagon news conference alongside Mattis, and with British and French military officers beside them to emphasize allied unity, Dunford said the attacks targeted mainly three targets in western Syria.

Dunford said missiles first struck a scientific research center in the Damascus area that he said was a center of Syrian research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological warfare technology. The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs. He said this was believed to be the main site of Syrian sarin and precursor chemical production equipment.

The third target was a chemical weapons equipment storage facility and an important command post, also west of Homs, Dunford said.

British leader May said in London that the West had tried "every possible" diplomatic means to stop Assad from using chemical weapons. "But our efforts have been repeatedly thwarted" by Syria and Russia, she said.

"So there is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime," May said. "This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change."

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement that a target of the strike was the Syrian government's "clandestine chemical arsenal."

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied any use of banned weapons.

The decision to strike, after days of deliberations, marked Trump's second order to attack Syria. He authorized a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles to hit a single Syrian airfield in April 2017 in retaliation for Assad's use of sarin gas against civilians.

Trump chastised Syria's two main allies, Russia and Iran, for their roles in supporting "murderous dictators," and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed a 2013 international agreement for Assad to get rid of all of his chemical weapons. He called on Moscow to change course and join the West in seeking a more responsible regime in Damascus.

In his nationwide address, Trump stressed that he has no interest in a longtime fight with Syria.

"As other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home," Trump said. "And great warriors they are."
GARNER, Iowa  A plea deal has been reached in a Hancock County forgery case.

Jacob Aaron Schimmelpfennig, 30 of Scarville, has pleaded guilty to one count of forgery after being charged with four counts of the crime. Authorities say he cashed four checks worth a total of $1,150 at First State Bank between June 4 and October 18, 2017.

Schimmelpfennig pleaded guilty to the June 4 crime.

His sentencing is scheduled for May 29.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
Pentagon officials describe Syria strikes, hope Assad gets message

By Jim Garamone, DoD News





Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., director of the Joint Staff, discuss operations in Syria during a news briefing at the Pentagon, April 14, 2018. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.



WASHINGTON, April 14, 2018  The Syrian regime killed at least 45 people and sickened hundreds of others in a chemical weapons attack on Douma, Syria, April 7, and on April 13, U.S., British and French service members launched attacks that severely degraded the Syrian chemical arsenal and sent a message to Syrian leader Bashir Assad to stop using chemical weapons against his own people.



Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, the Joint Staff director, briefed the press today from the Pentagon on the operation saying it was successful and that there were no allied casualties.



White said the attack on innocent civilians in Douma demanded a response, and the allies targeted the Syrian regimes chemical weapons infrastructure. We launched these strikes to limit Syrias ability to use chemical weapons in the future, she said.





Operation Carefully Planned



The operation was carefully orchestrated and methodically planned to lessen chances of civilian casualties, the spokesperson said. The missiles hit targets during the Syrian pre-dawn hours, and planners, weaponeers and aircrew were careful to ensure little collateral damage. We successfully hit every target, White said.



Missiles hit three distinct military chemical weapons targets. The three facilities are  or more appropriately, were  the fundamental components of the regimes chemical weapons warfare infrastructure, McKenzie said.



One target, the Barzah center, housed the regimes research, development and production center for chemical and biological weapons. Photos taken after the strike show that where once three buildings stood, there is now nothing but rubble.



Strikes also hit a chemical weapons storage facility and a chemical bunker facility. We selected these targets carefully to minimize the risk to innocent civilians, the general said.



We are still conducting a more detailed damage assessment, but initial indications are that we accomplished our military objectives without material interference. I would use three words to describe the operation: Precise, overwhelming and effective, he said.





Allies Fired 105 Weapons



The allies fired 105 weapons at these targets. The missiles came from British, French and American platforms in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean, McKenzie said.



All weapons hit their targets close to the designated time on target, he said. The American ships were: the USS Monterrey, the USS Laboon, the USS Higgins and the submarine USS John Warner. Two B-1 Lancer bombers launched joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles. Support aircraft  tankers, fighters, electronic warfare aircraft and more  also participated.



None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses, McKenzie said. We have no indication that Russian air defenses were employed.



Syrian response was ineffectual as the Syrians launched surface-to-air missiles on a ballistic trajectory. Most of the launches occurred after our strike was over, the general said. When you shoot iron into the air without guidance, it has to come down somewhere.



Since the strike, U.S. officials have not seen any military response from actors within Syria. We remain postured to protect our forces and those of the coalition should anything occur, the general said.

Published April 14, 2018














Resort At Governors Crossing named #17 family resort by TripAdvisor







SEVIERVILLE, TN - The Resort at Governors Crossing has just been named to TripAdvisors list of top family resorts in the United States. The Resort at Governors Crossing, a premiere water park resort in Sevierville, Tennessee, claimed the number 17 spot on the recently released ranking. The announcement couldnt have come at a better time as The Resort at Governors Crossing is about to host its one-millionth customer and announce a seventy-unit expansion.



The Resort at Governor's Crossing in Sevierville TN.


Mattis, Dunford Detail Attacks on Syrian Chemical Arsenal

By Jim Garamone, DoD News





Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brief reporters on the current U.S. airstrikes on Syria during a joint news conference at the Pentagon, April 13, 2018. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith



WASHINGTON, April 13, 2018  U.S., British and French air and naval forces launched attacks against the Syrian governments chemical weapon arsenal in retaliation for the use of such weapons on civilians, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference tonight. As the world knows, the Syrian people have suffered terribly under the prolonged brutality of the Assad regime, the secretary said. On April 7, the regime decided to again defy the norms of civilized people showing callous disregard for international law by using chemical weapons to murder women, children and other innocents. We and our allies find these atrocities inexcusable.



President Donald J. Trump ordered the strikes to stop the regime from using such inhumane weapons again. Mattis said stopping the atrocities is in the vital national interests of the United States.





Research and Development Facilities



The strikes hit Syrian leader Bashar Assads chemical weapon research, development and production facilities. The strikes tonight were far harder than the ones last year, when the United States launched 58 missiles against the Shayrat air base following a chemical attack.



Obviously, the Assad regime did not get the message last year, Mattis said.



The strikes now send a very clear message to Syrian leaders that they should not perpetrate another chemical weapons attack for which they will be held accountable, the secretary said.



Mattis emphasized that the strikes were directed against the Syrian regime, and the strike planners went to great lengths to avoid civilian and foreign casualties. It is a time for all civilized nations to urgently unite to end the Syrian civil war by supporting the United Nations backed Geneva peace process, the secretary said.



The three nations forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation, Dunford said. The targets that were struck and destroyed were specifically associated with the Syrian regime chemical weapons program, the chairman said.



The first target was a scientific research center in the greater Damascus area. The military facility was a center for research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological agents, the general said. The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs. We assess this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment, he said. The third target  contained both a chemical weapons storage facility and an important command post.





Long-Term Degradation



The strikes should result in a long-term degradation of Syrias chemical and biological warfare capabilities, the chairman said. The strike was not only a strong message to the regime that their actions were inexcusable, but it also inflicted maximum damage without unnecessary risks to civilians, Dunford said.



The strike was also planned to mitigate the risk to Russian forces that are supporting the Assad regime, the general said.



More than double the amount of ordnance used in last years strike was used in this one, Dunford said. He said there were reports of Syrian anti-aircraft actions, but it is too early to assess the effectiveness. There were no allied casualties.



The strike is meant to deter Assad from contemplating another attack, and allied forces are ready to continue the action if Assad continues to use these banned weapons, Mattis said.

Published April 14, 2018














The office building market on Yeouido, Seoul, has remained stagnant over the past few years amid the rising number of new office buildings. CBRE Korea, which began managing the 50-story Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Tower building in February, faces a daunting task finding tenants as four out of ten offices in the building are vacant. / Korea Times file

By Jhoo Dong-chan



CBRE Korea, the local unit of the U.S. real estate consulting and management firm, has vowed to tide over the increasingly sluggish commercial property market amid the rising number of new office buildings, according to the company CEO.



In an interview with The Korea Times, CBRE Korea Managing Director Darren Krakowiak said the firm will make money despite increasingly unfavorable market conditions.



Founded in 1999, the firm has since engaged in three different commercial real estate sectors _ office, retail and industrial.



"Despite unfavorable market factors, including the U.S. interest hike and the Korean government's stance to choke down the country's office building prices, Korea still promises high returns in real estate compared to government bonds or savings," he said.



The company came to the center of public attention after it was selected to provide management and leasing services for the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Tower building on Yeouido, Seoul, in February.



Despite mounting concerns about the falling prices of the district's commercial facilities, Krakowiak said the company will continue its earnings streak with differentiated real estate investments.



The FKI Tower has suffered vacancies since LG CNS moved from the building to the Magok industrial complex, southwestern Seoul, in 2017.



A number of FKI member companies also took off from the building since the lobby group was found to have had ties with Choi Soon-sil, the disgraced former President Park Geun-hye's confidant.



Four out of ten offices in the building are reportedly vacant, which induces concerns on the FKI tower's profitability, but Krakowiak said the real estate still promises higher returns compared to other investments.



"The return on investment in real estate has been 3 to 4 percent higher than government bond or savings," Krakowiak said.



He also said the gentrification of certain areas in Seoul could pressure small business owners there, but it could be another opportunity.



"I believe it is an inevitable phenomenon for small business owners to face soaring rent price as the area become popular. Once the area becomes popular, capital comes in to invest on the street. CBRE Korea offers an ideal partnership for such projects to appreciate the value of the area," the managing director said.



As of 2016, CBRE Korea concluded 29 sales transactions with a total value of 912 billion won ($853 million). The firm leased 362,000 square meters of office, retail, industrial and logistics facilities in that year.



It also completed 53 consulting, valuation and advisory assignments while participated in 52 construction and management projects in 2016. CBRE Korea managed about 3 square kilometers of property and 353,000 square meters of corporate facilities.



One of the company's representative projects was the Seoullo 7017 project.



"We participated in the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG)'s Seoullo 7017 project including providing a detailed merchandise plan, overall layout, shopper flow, targeted revenue and tenant mix," Krakowiak said.





CBRE Korea Managing Director Darren Krakowiak speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the company's head office in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of CBRE Korea
By Kim Yoo-chul



Moody's Investors Service said Sunday the recent Samsung Securities' "fat-finger scandal," a combination of human error and inadequate internal checks, is credit negative.



"Samsung Securities' fat-finger share error will include costs to buy back the sold shares, potential regulatory fines and compensation to affected investors. It also could lose customers," said Moody's analyst Ok Tae-jong in a report.



The ratings agency said the incident revealed Samsung Securities' weak internal controls and system loopholes, which it believed were "a credit negative."



"Although we expect that the amount of compensation paid to investors who sold their stock April 6 will have a minimal effect on equity, the broader and more lasting damage will likely come from potential disciplinary action," Ok said.



"Samsung Securities also will be vulnerable to a deterioration of retail customer confidence that results in fewer financial product sales and losses."



Net fees from sales of financial products accounted for 43 percent of Samsung Securities' net operating revenue in 2017.



The National Pension Service, Korea's largest and the world's third-largest pension fund, suspended its relationship with Samsung. Other pension services, including the government's Employee Pension Service and the Private Pension Service, have followed, with more entities likely to take similar actions.



Samsung Securities Moody's rating is "Baa1," which is stable for investment. In the scandal, the Samsung Group's securities affiliate wrongly paid out 2.8 billion of its shares to staff in its employee stock ownership program instead of paying 2.8 billion won in dividends.



As a result of the system input error, the unintended share dividend payout equaled 11.1 trillion won based on the stock's closing price April 5.



Mistaken trades are not uncommon, as previously shown by similar incidents involving Deutsche Bank in 2015 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2014.

Industry sources said those fat-finger events were clear reminders that even with sophisticated trading-system internal controls operating, someone always seemed to find a way around them.



But the fiasco has fueled public suspicion that Korea's financial sector has been operating without proper oversight and with poor internal controls.



Right after the incident, Samsung Securities fired the employees involved and announced that the Samsung affiliate would make amends to any stockholder who lost money.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the country's top financial regulator, indicated it planned to deal "sternly and harshly" with the Samsung unit and its now-terminated employees.



"We expect that the FSS will impose fines and penalties, and issue an organizational warning to Samsung Securities, as it did with KB Securities in January this," Ok said.



The FSS fined KB Securities 5.9 billion won and issued it an organizational warning for violating credit lending restrictions for majority shareholders.



Organization warnings are not monetary penalties but pension funds integrate them into their biannual evaluation of their securities brokers.



"The distribution error will likely prompt Samsung Securities to improve is internal controls and system upgrades, which could add to its cost base," the report said. "The firm allowed 12 billion won for the development of software assets during 2017, a sum that will likely be markedly higher this year."




Workers sew clothes at a small textile factory in Changsin-dong, central Seoul, in this undated photo. / Courtesy of Seoul Museum of History

Sewing History Center opens in Seoul's central district



By Park Jin-hai



The sound of sewing machine runs down the maze-like small alleys from a ventilating pipe that is connected to a basement workshop of a family-owned small sewing factory. Fabric rolls are sitting in corners and motorcycles carrying fabrics and clothes run down the alleys.



Located in Seoul's central district of Jongo, Changsin-dong, a region densely packed with textile factories established in the 1970s, is home to the labor-intensive garment industry. Clothes produced there are sent to the nearby shopping district in Dongdaemun for sales. The whole area is called a "living sewing street museum" where visitors can get a sneak peek into the rise and fall of the country's textile industry that was one of the main locomotives of the rapid economic growth called the "Miracle on the Han River" in the 1970s.



The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened "Iumpium Sewing History Center" in Changsin-dong, in order to commemorate the textile industry and female sweatshop workers for their sacrifice behind Korea's remarkable economic growth during its industrialization period.

The four-story building displays vintage photos that tell the history of the area and introduces sewing masters' stories and showcases their 20 to 30 year old scissors and small workshop tools.



"As the 19th century industrial revolution contributed to women's participation in labor outside the home in Europe, Korea's textile industry was where the female workers' labor was officially compensated. Under the conservative society deeply influenced by male-dominant Confucianism, those factories were the places where young women could get jobs and earn money. This area is where we can find the last remaining debris of those female workers' contributions to the economy," said Joon-sik, founder of Very Joon Oh (VJO), a creative design consulting firm that curates the space.





Kim Mi-kyoung, a garment sample expert who has been working in the textile industry in Changsin-dong for over 30 years, is a witness to the waxing and waning of the textile industry there. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Yi Whan-woo



Denuclearization has been at the top of the priority list when it came to inter-Korean talks.



But it is not sufficient to explain why reaching an agreement, or if not, at least laying the groundwork for denuclearization, will be will be critical when President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet on April 27.



Failure will not only dampen the recent reconciliatory mood between the two Koreas, but also worsen security on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea carried out a series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests and U.S. President Trump threatened to attack the Kim regime.



The April 27 talks will be followed by Kim's summit with Trump, whose hawkish aides remain skeptical that Kim is "just buying time" to continue building nuclear missiles.






Pyongyang unlikely to accept Libyan model for denuclearization



By Yi Whan-woo



The U.S.-led air strike on Syria, Saturday, may put pressure on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ahead of his planned summit with President Donald Trump in May or June.



In a joint operation with the U.K. and France, the three countries air forces' launched 105 cruise missiles at Syrian chemical weapons facilities after Trump mulled military options in response to an alleged poison gas attack.



The measure came as Trump's new team of hawkish security advisers, who engineered the Syria strike, remain skeptical about Kim's true intentions behind the summit, and insist they will use military options against North Korea if necessary.



CIA Director and Secretary of State Nominee Mike Pomeo warned that he could not rule out a military strike or even a ground invasion against North Korea, while National Security Adviser John Bolton said North Korea was "just buying time" to build nuclear-tipped missiles.



In this climate, Pyongyang is believed to be watching the Syrian crisis closely, according to analysts, Sunday.






Visitors pose for photos before a display featuring an image of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung at the 20th 'Kimilsungia' festival flower show in Pyongyang on April 13, 2018. / AFP





Visitors arrive at the 20th 'Kimilsungia' festival flower show in Pyongyang on April 13, 2018. / AFP



Thousands of North Korean devotees laid flowers before statues of the country's founder Kim Il Sung Sunday on the anniversary of his birth.



A constant stream of soldiers in brown uniforms, work unit personnel in suits, schoolchildren and families made their way to Mansu hill in the centre of Pyongyang, where giant statues of Kim and his son and successor look out over the capital.



"The great comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will always be with us," read a banner made of greenery.



In turn each group approached the bronze edifices, most people with single blooms, some carrying golden baskets of flowers  making their offerings before assembling in formation.



"Let us bow before the statues," intoned an announcer half-hidden by horticulture, prompting deep bows from civilians and salutes from military detachments.





North Koreans visit the Mansu Hill to lay floral baskets and flowers to the statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 106th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea Saturday. / AP





This photo taken on April 12, 2018 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows residents visiting the third sweet and biscuit sculpture show at the Chongryu Restaurant which was held to mark the birth anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. / AFP



North Koreans are taught from an early age to revere their leaders, and portraits of the two late rulers gaze down in every home, school and workplace in the country.



Current leader Kim Jong Un is the third of the dynasty to head the isolated and impoverished but nuclear-armed country, whose calendar is packed with anniversaries relating to his two forefathers and their careers.



The accompanying rituals both demonstrate and reinforce loyalty to the regime. April 15, known as the Day of the Sun, is by far the most important and sometimes marked with a military parade, as it was last year.



Visiting the statues reinforced her determination to "realise the reunification of our country which the great leaders wanted" and "uphold the leadership of the respected Marshal Kim Jong Un", said Second Lieutenant Ryu Yong Jong, 25, who has been in the army for nine years. Ordinary North Koreans only ever express wholehearted support for their government when speaking to foreign media.



Authorities held a mass meeting of senior officials on Saturday to mark the anniversary, one of a series of events tied to the date, but Kim Jong Un has spent some of the festive period on the current spate of diplomacy involving the two Koreas.





This photo taken on April 12, 2018 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows a performance of "Mine Is Always the Country of Kim Il-Sung" by the art troupe of the Central Committee Youth League at the Central Youth Hall in celebration of the birth anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. / AFP





This photo taken on April 12, 2018 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows a performance of "Mine Is Always the Country of Kim Il-Sung" by the art troupe of the Central Committee Youth League at the Central Youth Hall in celebration of the birth anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. / AFP
By Yi Whan-woo





South Korea's preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit will open a website, Tuesday, to live stream President Moon Jae-in's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on April 27.



Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday the committee, led by Moon's chief of staff Im Jong-seok, will also keep the visitors to the website (www.koreasummit.kr) updated with breaking news and other relevant information before the summit.



It will have separate special archives for visitors to learn about the two previous summits in 2000 and 2007.



The site will be available in both PC and smartphone versions.



"The website will open at noon on Tuesday," said Yoon Young-chan, Moon's press secretary and also a committee member. A reconciliatory mood is blooming on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the inter-Korean and the North Korea-U.S. summits. And every moment before and during the cross-border summit will be open to the public through the website."



He added the purpose of launching the website is to share the preparation for the third cross-border summit "in a transparent manner and better reflect the people's aspiration for peace." South Korea first opened the summit website in 2007 when President Roh Moo-hyun met Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.



The website, however, was only designed to offer information to the press, not the public.



"The latest version is really aimed at communicating with the people effectively for the first time over the summit," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.



The 2017 version will be available in nine foreign languages  English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic and Vietnamese.



It will be mainly divided into five categories, including the "Newsroom," where the summit will be live streamed and also photos and press briefings will be available. The four other categories are about Moon's inter-Korean policy, the 2000 and 2007 summits, inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, and how to work with the people for peace on the peninsula.












By Kim Jae-heun







The government and the ruling party said they will establish a public medical school in Namwon, North Jella Province by 2022 as part of efforts to expand medical services in the region.





It will use Seonam University that recently closed as the school's campus.





The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a meeting at the National Assembly to discuss the plan Wednesday.





"There is an urgent problem to secure manpower to deal with patients, diseases and childbirth in the provinces," said Kim Tae-nyeon, a DPK lawmaker.





"The government has decided to take responsibility in establishing a public school to provide quality medical services."





Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo said creating a public medical school will resolve the shortage of medical staff in the provinces.





Students will have to fulfill their mandatory medical training and practice at assigned locations after graduation.



If they don't, students will have to surrender their license to practice medicine.





"We are considering a mandatory nine years for students who graduate from the medical school," Park said.





Korea is benchmarking Japan where the Japanese government covers all tuition for students who fulfill nine years of mandatory training and practice after graduation.




A South Korean destroyer carrying elite naval troops arrived in waters off Ghana on Sunday on a mission to help rescue three nationals who were kidnapped last month, military sources said.

The South Koreans were abducted in western Africa on March 26 by unidentified forces while working on a fishing ship. Negotiations are reportedly underway for their release.

The Navy on March 28 dispatched the Munmu the Great, a destroyer operating in the Gulf of Aden as part of the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit.

The 4,400-ton destroyer carries some 30 UDT/SEAL members and is equipped with Lynx multi-role choppers.

In 2011, the Cheonghae Unit successfully carried out a gunfight operation to rescue the South Korean crew of a cargo vessel hijacked by Somali pirates. (Yonhap)
Cho Hyun-min speaks to a MBC reporter at Incheon International Airport, Sunday. / Captured from MBC



The second daughter of the chairman of Korean Air Lines Co. returned home from an overseas trip on Sunday amid controversy over claims that she hurled water into the face of an advertising firm employee last month.

Police launched a preliminary inquiry into Cho Hyun-min, a senior executive at the country's largest air carrier, on Friday after media reports that she yelled and threw a water bottle at a manager of the company's advertising agency during a business meeting in her office in Seoul on March 16.

Cho is the sister of Cho Hyun-ah, who was jailed in 2014 in the so-called nut rage scandal, in which she ordered her flight back to an airport gate in New York because she was upset about the way her nuts were served on the plane.

Cho Hyun-min was reportedly upset because the advertising employee did not properly answer her questions.
By Park Si-soo





Samyang Foods chairman Jeon In-jang and his wife Kim Jung-soo

Samyang Foods chairman Jeon In-jang and his wife will stand trial for embezzlement and breach of trust.



The Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office said Sunday the couple had been indicted.



They allegedly embezzled 5 billion won ($4.67 million) between 2008 and September 2017 by manipulating procurement documents.



The couple also allegedly perpetrated a breach of trust by endorsing a 2.95 billion won loan from Samyang to an affiliate between October 2014 and July 2016, knowing the affiliate would not be able to repay the money.



According to prosecutors, the couple has admitted the offences and has repaid all the money they allegedly embezzled.



The prosecution sought an arrest warrant for the couple, but a court refused, saying the couple was unlikely to destroy evidence or flee.
By Lee Kyung-min

The government will use drones to detect industrial plants discharging toxic gaseous byproducts without proper filtration treatment in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. This is part of continued efforts to combat air pollution, a growing health threat further compounded by fine dust.

The National Institute of Environment Research (NIER), supervised by the Ministry of Environment, conducted a trial crackdown on about 570 air pollutant facilities including manufacturers of fabric, clothing, shoes, leather, rubber, cork, minerals, paper and cigarettes last week. The area had above average PM10 (particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less in diameter) level over the past three years.

A team of NIER officials used a camera-equipped drone, also attached with an air pollution level detection-equipped device. The team also mobilized a vehicle equipped with a real-time air quality analyzer.

Officials conducted a raid with evidence using drone-preserved footage that showed the gases being emitted from processing various materials, exposure to which could cause eye, heart and respiratory problems. Other hazardous substances emitted included fine particles, also difficult to detect with the naked eye.
















Several dozen anti-war protesters demonstrated outside the White House on Saturday (April 14), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered precision strikes in Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack.

Protesters chanted "hands off Syria" and called for peace, not war.

Trump announced on Friday (April 13) in a Televised address a combined operation with France and Britain to stop Syria's use of chemical weapons. The operation by the three allies came after a poison gas attack inSyria that killed at least 60 people last week.
By Emanuel Pastreich





Emanuel Pastreich

The Author interviewed political scientist Francis Fukuyama, best known for his book The End of History and the Last Man, and asked him what advice he had for young people in this age of growing uncertainty.

Emanuel Pastreich:

Many young people feel trapped these days. They find themselves in a system that places them at a disadvantage and there does not seem to be any way to change it. There is a profound gap between what they expect can be achieved and what actually happens.



Why is our society this way? Why is there such a gap between what young people feel is important and what actually becomes policy? What is the origin of that gap?



Francis Fukuyama:

There are several ways of answering that question.

At the most basic level, young people have always felt that they are left out of the system. They are young. They do not have the social status and the qualifications that would allow them to participate in the political process. They understand vividly current problems but they are not involved in the decision-making. That has been a constant throughout history, especially modern history.



Francis Fukuyama



But there are also changes within the labor market itself  most obvious in the United States but also true for Asia. Finding a decent job is increasingly difficult and the prerequisites for a job are increasing steadily. Essentially, if you do not have the right set of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), you are disqualified from even applying for many jobs. Employers will not even look at you on the basis of your major.
By Jacco Zwetsloot





My first time on an American military base was an unauthorized entry. Such a trespass would have been near impossible after the events of September 11, 2001, which led to tougher security at all U.S. installations around the world.





I was with five friends, and we were discussing where to go for dinner. One of us had a base pass, and suggested eating at the Dragon Hill Lodge, the hotel on Yongsan Garrison. We all agreed, but there were too many of us all to be signed on as guests.





Our hostess could only escort four people at a time. It was decided that we would walk on to one of the least strict gates. We had to walk five abreast, with the base pass holder closest to the gate guards, and the rest of us on the far side, showing our alien registration cards. Somehow it worked, and we were through.





We went to Oasis, a Tex-Mex restaurant. For me it was a very unusual experience because I was in Korea yet in a completely American environment, eating Western food and served in English. I enjoyed the incongruousness and discontinuity, but also the feeling that I was somewhere I didn't have a right to be. Also, one of the waiters dressed and styled his hair like Elvis in his Vegas years.





Living in Paju meant that there were many U.S. bases nearby because Paju is inside the Western Corridor, part of the 2nd Infantry Division north of Seoul, and west of the main military hubs of Uijeongbu and Dongducheon.





Not far from my first apartment in Geumchon there were Camp Howze and Camp Edwards. Further north, near Munsan, lay Camp Garry Owen, the USFK Eagle FM substation, Camp Giant, and Camp Stanton.





When Amos and I were joined in September 1996 by a third teacher named Gerry, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was married to a woman serving in the U.S. Navy. because Gerry was retired in the U.S., that made him a military dependent, meaning he also had a pass.





Gerry and Amos quickly had a falling out (as Amos and I had had some time earlier) so Gerry and I spent most evenings eating out together. We learned to appreciate Korean food, but at least once a week one or both of us had a craving for something Western, and that would mean a visit to one of the camps.





We got to see all of them eventually, and Gerry became a member of the library at Camp Edwards, regularly borrowing novels.





The next year I moved to the outskirts of Pyeongtaek, where my new neighbor and colleague Robert also had a base pass, by dint of his stint in the Army many years previously. Almost every Friday, he, Daniel and I took two buses, transferring in downtown Pyeongtaek, to get to Camp Humphreys on the other side of the city. The trip took at least 45 minutes, made to seem even longer by Friday evening traffic, but it gave us a satisfaction to sit down in the Nightwatch Cafe and eat a steak or some ribs and watch American television.





If we felt like something "fancier," we took a base shuttle bus to the other side of Camp Humphreys to a restaurant with a quieter atmosphere. While it is now a much bigger base with more soldiers and more facilities, back then we knew of only two worthwhile places to eat.





In Korea in the late '90s, places that served ribs, steak or other fatty but often comforting meals, were rare and expensive. Some American restaurant chains could be found, like Chilis, TGI Fridays, and the now disappeared Coco's family restaurants, but mostly in Seoul or Busan. These eateries certainly did not have branches where we lived. And it was hard to get a nice burger anywhere.





All bases in the Western Corridor were shut in 2004, and the land turned over to the Korean government. Just before the closure, I went back to Camp Garry Owens with a Korean friend to have a final meal in the club.





At the bar I met an elderly African-American gentleman who told me he had lived in Korea for decades, and had a house somewhere near the base. He had first come just after the Korean War with the U.S. Army, and despite returning to the U.S. after his tour, had ultimately come back to Korea to live.





He had remarried to a Korean woman, who died of cancer in the 1990s, leaving him all alone. With no family in the U.S. to go back to, and his only regular hobby seemingly playing the slot machines and having a beer at the base, I wondered what he would do after Camp Garry Owens closed.





e told me he would keep living here, but travel to the Philippines when the winters became too harsh. Sadly, I never saw him again.





The next year, in 2005, I was able to get my own base pass. Members of the American Chamber of Commerce used to be able to register for one via an indirect route. This program was eventually stopped due to abuse  some people were signing on guests in exchange for money so that they (the guests) could play slot machines.





Daniel and I both got passes and visited to Yongsan Garrison quite often, together with Robert and our wives. To us, the atmosphere was almost that of a country club: we enjoyed eating brunch in the Dragon Hill Lodge and then sitting outside when the weather was good, listening to birds fly overhead.





The idyllic nature of the surroundings was in stark variance to the nature of what is, after all, a giant foreign military base in the center of one of the world's largest and busiest capital cities.





An interest developed in the history of Yongsan, and I learned that about one-third of the buildings on it were built when it was the headquarters for the Japanese Korean Army during the period of colonial rule.





Later, my friend Master Sergeant Kim Cheon-su told me that before the Japanese, Ching Dynasty China had also housed a small garrison in what is now part of Camp Coyner in Huam-dong. Clearly, the history goes back much further than September 1950, when the American forces took Yongsan back from the retreating North Korean army.





In 2012 I took a job inside the Dragon Hill Lodge, but that is another story. However, I would like to direct people interested in learning or sharing their own stories about Yongsan Garrison to the website

, which is an important and worthwhile project started by my friends Daniel Oh and Coco Cugat to archive digitally the history of Yongsan before the real thing disappears.





The thoughts in this column do not necessary reflect those of HMP Law.





Jacco Zwetsloot is Director of Business Innovation at HMP Law.
By Lee Sun-ho





During a rainy day on April 5, a bus carrying 45 members the Korean-American Association (KAA) spent the day at the United States Army Garrison Humphreys (USAG-H or simply Camp Humphreys), located in Pyeongtaek, 88.5 kilometers south of Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. The party, headed by KAA Chairman Park Jin, was composed of some retired military generals, several young women and a few Americans, aged all the way from their 20s to 80s.



It was an instructive excursion for all participants to ponder many ongoing defense tasks at this juncture of precarious armed confrontation between the two Koreas, under the continued North Korea threats of a series of provocative missiles and nuclear bomb tests against the South and America, in the midst of the belated (due to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang) joint Korea-U.S. military drills codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, being conducted at the southern East Sea coast of the Korean Peninsula, starting April 1 and lasting for a month or more.



A U.S. Army public relations officer gave a briefing on valuable on-site information and the ambitious garrison relocation plans in the multipurpose room of the Collier Community Fitness Center. The camp's name, formerly K-6, was changed to the current title in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin K. Humphreys who died in a helicopter crash in 1962.



USAG-H has an area of 3,454 acres (six times larger than Yeouido in Seoul) and cost $11 billion. The large U.S. overseas military base houses 500 buildings and other amenities. Upon completing a majority of the 28,500 U.S. troops' relocation to this site south of Seoul, with another regional hub in Daegu, USAG-H will eventually be transformed into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia.



In accordance with the Korean and American governments' plan to expand USAG-H to make it the main base for most U.S. troops in Korea, compensation for village residents averaged 600 million won (about $600,000) in 2006.



A ground tour of USAG-H gave us insight into its strategic location. The Anseong River flows from east to west toward the West Sea. It was interesting to confirm the relocation layout of the base would be similar to that of Washington, D.C., reminding us of the flowing of its Potomac River. As a city, the new base USAG-H is not entirely out of range of North Korea threats. It is home to numerous units, and is hard to enumerate them all. Among them include the Eighth U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division Forward, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade and 65th Medical Brigade, plus their various subordinate units, and even two elementary schools and a high school.



A buffet luncheon at the Tap Room of the Flight Line Restaurant gave each visitor a taste of the refined military foodstuffs. Shrimps served for visiting KAA members were said to be caught at Anseong River, which passes 4.8 kilometers northwest of the garrison, geographically protecting USAG-H from any northerly enemy assault.



Despite the rainy weather, all participants, Koreans and Americans alike, were encouraged to plant two commemorative trees donated by the KAA inside the USAG-H compound on the occasion of Korea's Arbor Day (since 1949) not only in anticipation of their growing bigger and greener but also expecting continued strengthening of the mutual bond of the 65-year-old longstanding Korean-American military alliance, forged in blood as a bulwark against communist expansion in Asia, in the foreseeable years to come. No doubt, it was a worthy outing to USAG-H on the rainy Arbor Day, quite memorable and informative for all 45 KAA participants, with respect to the ultimate targets and goals for together attaining security nationwide and peace worldwide.





Lee Sun-ho (kexm2@unitel.co.kr) is an ombudsman columnist for The Korea Times.


Maggie Crossett performs at the Orange Tree during the HBC Fest in 2013. / Photo by John Redmond



By John Redmond





Tim Costello performs at an indoor venue at the 2016 HBC Festival. / Photo by John Redmond

The long-standing biannual weekend of music and celebration in the Haebangcheon district of Seoul, the HBC Fest, is now entering its 13th year. And it shows no sign of lightening up despite a slightly rocky start in 2005.



The brainchild of Lance Reegan Diehl and Jim Gaynor's vision to give local musicians a chance to perform in Seoul's burgeoning indie network of expat music venues is without doubt a hit.



Back in the festival's early days there were far fewer bars and restaurants along the main street and only a handful of foreign residents living in surrounding neighborhoods.



Most HBC Fest attendees, musicians and audiences, were from out of town. Music performances took place inside small venues, with the crowds occasionally spilling out onto the narrow main street.



Audiences were respectful and shows were MC'd by local musicians, introducing guests to a mostly new wave of untapped talent.





John Starling and his band perform at Camarata during last year's HBC October Fest. / Photo by John Redmond



The first fest was such a success that another one was planned for six months down the track. This, too, went well. Word was beginning to spread. Bands began to take notice.



Before long, rock bands were being booked and non-authorized performances also began to take place on the street.



The most infamous of these was resident, self-described performance artist, the Australian Frank Baresi, also known as the Watermelon Man.



Baresi performed semi-naked and painted in blue and red dye, smashing watermelons on his head in the middle of the road outside of what was then SSen Bar. He left behind the better part of a motor vehicle of messy compost  supposedly in the name of art. Try getting away with that in Australia.





John Valentine performs at Fixx bar during the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond



As crowds got bigger and rowdier, the HBC Fest began to develop a reputation as a street version of a frat party, and locals weren't impressed. One year, police were asked to intervene and venues were told to control their crowds or be closed and face punishment.



The main street is also a public transport bus route and tensions between organizers, local businesses and the council began to simmer.



Through negotiations, a compromise was struck in that venue owners were held responsible for keeping crowds off the streets. Police were also on hand to monitor traffic and pedestrians, now separated by barricades to ensure the safety of all.



Noise pollution laws were also called into question and venue owners had to adhere to a strict decibel level, meaning, turn the volume down and close the door or face the wrath of the law.





Josh van Winkle and Lance Reegan Diehl, right, perform at Fixx bar at the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond



All complied. No one was fined, doors were closed and PA systems were kept at a respectable volume.



With more basement venues offering decent sound for bands, and above-ground stages with smaller sound systems opening to solo and folk-oriented acts, a happy medium was reached  and it has been that way since.



As with the modernization of the neighborhood that led to embracing a greater diversity in visitors and residents, the HBC Fest has seen growth in Korean musicians wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of a foreign audience, and vice versa.



The current version of the HBC Fest adheres to the original idea of Gaynor and Diehl, with the exception that venues and performers are made well aware of local noise levels and crowd issues.





John Valentine performs at Thunderhorse at the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond




By Amanda Price





There are several ways to view the future. One is to look ahead and see it as a series of tunnels, one of which we will pass through. A tunnel-shaped future appears like a road map and we, the history makers, decide which route history will take.





When it comes to discussions on the future of the Korean Peninsula, there are three tunnels most frequently discussed: peaceful reunification; a continuation of what has already been, and war.





As South Koreans and the interested world debate which tunnel will be selected following the April summit and, hopefully, the summits that follow, tunnelling-related topics are at an all-time high. I have had the privilege of reading some brilliantly reasoned and comprehensively researched pieces on the subject, and I have read some absolute tripe. What marks the truly excellent pieces is an acknowledgement that there are unquestionably more than three tunnels and, unlike the concrete ones, not all are manmade.





Despite what we'd like to believe, history is not always decided by the well-thought-through decisions of men. Tunnels we had no idea were even there appear as if out of nowhere. Tunnels we were certain of disappear with startling speed, and the course of history veers off the map, taking a turn that no one could have imagined.





We are almost all guilty of looking back in life's rear-view mirror and seeing history as a series of fixed events, deliberately mapped to make the past so much more neat and tidy than it was. History is, in fact, anything but neat and tidy.





The fall of the Berlin Wall, so often used as a reference point in discussions about reunification, was one of those tunnels that appeared out of nowhere. Now seared into our collective memories as one of modern history's most seminal events, the downfall of the Berlin Wall happened pretty much by accident.



An East German official, Geunter Schwaboski, failed to read in full the orders sent by the Politburo that outlined that there would be a relaxation of border regulations. Caught out by a journalist who asked will the restriction be removed immediately, Geunter answered in the affirmative. Journalists immediately launched this news across the nation and the rest, as they say, is history. You can read about this event in more detail here:











The last time I checked, the United States and Russia were still in existence. Taking at least a little credit for this is a gentleman named Stanislav Petrov, a Russian duty officer, who 30 years ago when Russian computers detected that the U.S. had launched nuclear missiles made the decision to disobey protocol and not report it to his superiors (superiors who would have pressed their own "launch" button). Realizing the devastating consequences, he waited and during that wait the lights on his panel blinked off. Petrov changed the rules and consequently chose to give history another chance.









Similarly, unanticipated events led to the relative success of the Normandy campaign (D-day). Notwithstanding the horrific cost in human lives, the allied commanders had no idea that Germany's most brilliant military mind, Erwin Rommel, had decided to leave the battlefield to surprise his wife on her birthday. Also unanticipated were the winds that blew allied troops over vast areas of land, making a specific landing look more like a major invasion. A loving husband and some gusts of wind? Who would consider that these could be factors in the success of a major military operation.







Perhaps one of the most powerful speeches of the 20th century, which began with "I have a dream," was, in fact, improvised. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr. had not intended to share his dream, and we will never know what prompted him in front of thousands of people to share something so emotive and so personal. After his assassination years later, these few lines were recalled and led millions to again begin peaceful protests around the world.







Accidental discoveries and inventions have also played a part in changing history: the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls as a result of a wandering goat; the revelation of penicillin as a result of a specimen slide that had not been cleaned; the accidental discovery of X-rays as cathode rays were being examined; the discovery of gun powder by Taoists alchemists who were seeking for "The Elixir of Life"  and the list goes on.







So why is any of this relevant to the future of the Korean Peninsula? For me at least, it is a powerful reminder to avoid becoming arrogant in any speculation. More importantly, though, it is a call to humility and to remember that we are not always the master of our own destiny.







Do we let go of the wheel then? No, absolutely not. Most accidental turns in history occurred while people were trying to find solutions. Rather than losing motivation, we gain courage as we accept that our responsibility is to do what is humanly possible. With renewed humility, we acknowledge that while none of us are fully in control, neither are we all adrift. We do what we can in the best way we can, so the unexpected is a detour and not a dead end.







Very little of the future that is ahead of the peninsula is likely to be neat and tidy. Some of it may appear chaotic and even dangerous, and none of it precludes the unpredictable.



An unexpected glitch may cause all of Kim's missiles to be incapable of re-entry? An unexpected conflict may see his regime toppled without a gunshot? International support may come from an unexpected source so that North Koreans can rebuild their lives with dignity? A leader may arise from the most unlikely corner? A slender man holding shopping bags may decide to face off with a North Korean tank and win?







If we are honest students of history, we must admit that no one can be sure of what will happen, just as no one can exclude the unpredictable, perhaps even the unimaginable.







I am reminded at this point of a line from "The Fellowship of the Ring." "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I", said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."







That decision, at least, is ours.









Amanda is the former Director of Hillcrest College's International Student Department. She is the founder of Griffith University History Readers and now writes full-time. She can be reached at




By Enrique ter Horst and Hugo Palma





CARACAS/LIMA  On December 6, 1998, Hugo Chavez was elected president of Venezuela. The effects of that vote  which most agree was the last free and fair vote in that country  are still being felt.







Upon securing the presidency, Chavez wasted no time selling Venezuela's sovereignty to Cuban interests. Every attempt to counter the regime's brutality was met with repression, imprisonment, starvation, and forced exile. From the judiciary to the electoral commission, the regime's control of the state became total and uncompromising  an outcome that Venezuela's Latin American neighbors did nothing to resist.







When oil prices skyrocketed, the windfall was stolen and squandered. By the time the bonanza ended, Chavez's handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro, was in charge. Less cunning than his mentor, he has maintained his grip on power by becoming a dictator, subjecting the country to his will and that of the ruling elite. Maduro's regime has bankrupted the economy, destroyed the oil industry, and impoverished everyone except himself and his cronies.







The cynicism of the Venezuelan regime knows no bounds.







As Venezuelans rummage through garbage looking for food, the regime flouts its international obligations and threatens its neighbors by undermining their own democratic institutions and processes. And, not surprisingly, despite the Maduro regime's increasing  and increasingly well-documented  brutality, not a single politician, soldier, police officer, militia member, or paramilitary "enforcer" has been indicted, tried, or sentenced for any crime.







Dictators who order their own people shot will cling to power tightly; they know that being overthrown means either death or permanent exile (in Maduro's case, in Cuba or Russia). That is why no one should be fooled by the regime's periodic "democratic overtures."







Next month's presidential election, for example, is but a charade intended to restore international legitimacy and support; challengers have been allowed to run, but none is considered a threat to Maduro. The same goes for the regime's appeal to negotiations: the "dialogue" between the government and the opposition serves only to buy time, divide the opposition, and demoralize the public.







Clearly, the regime is not interested in entertaining opposing views. Instead, with polls suggesting that 80 percent of the electorate disapproves of Maduro's leadership, the government is chasing out its foes and slamming the door. Some 550,000 Venezuelans have fled to neighboring Colombia. Hundreds of thousands have also fled to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, and others, creating serious humanitarian challenges. No one has left for Cuba, and very few to Bolivia or Nicaragua.







For the most vocal activists who won't leave, detention awaits. Venezuela's incarnation of "socialism of the 21st century" includes more than 230 political prisoners.







If there is a silver lining, it is that self-inflicted wounds are beginning to threaten the regime and its leaders. Venezuelans have lost 96 percent of their purchasing power since Maduro became president in April 2013, and an incensed public could explode into full-fledged revolt at any time.







Sanctions imposed by Canada, the European Union, the U.S., and Panama are also beginning to bite, and an investigation by the International Criminal Court into allegations of crimes against humanity should serve as a reminder to the regime that the world has not forgotten it.







And yet the pain that Venezuelans are suffering after a generation of Chavista rule will remain. Borrowing from the Castro brothers' playbook in Cuba, the Maduro regime is proceeding under the assumption that the only way to survive is by crushing the will of the people. If it succeeds, Venezuelan democracy won't be the only victim.







China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea  countries that have long supported Venezuela economically and militarily  would likely make deeper inroads in the region, posing a permanent source of strategic tension that could even open the door to terrorism and nuclear proliferation.







The leaders of the Americas now have an opportunity to challenge Maduro's impunity and restore regional stability and security. At the Summit of the Americas in Lima on April 13-14, the situation in Venezuela topped the agenda.







There is no longer any excuse for silence. Maduro's rigid adherence to Chavismo is a significant threat to regional stability. Call it enlightened self-interest or political realism: for Latin America, the only way to stop the humanitarian tragedy and prevent its spillover is to bury Chavez's ghost, once and for all.











Enrique ter Horst, a former special representative of the U.N. secretary-general in El Salvador and Haiti, was U.N. deputy high commissioner for human rights. Hugo Palma, a former vice minister of foreign affairs of Peru, is president of the Peruvian Council of International Relations. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate ( www.project-syndicate.org ).
By John J. Metzler





UNITED NATIONS  "Migration is not the solution to demographic problems," warned Katalin Novak, Hungary's minister of state of the family.



Though conceding the European continent faces a significant "demographic decline" and the undertow of a falling population, individual states can counter the "inevitability" through focused family friendly policies such as those being pursued in her Central European country.



"In Europe we face population decline, and imagine in the European Union there is not a single member state where the fertility is sufficient to maintain the population. In each and every member state it is below 2. It is as if we have lost our capacity to maintain our population," Minister Novak said.



"That is also the situation in Hungary with a population decline since 1981. Thus for three and one-half decades we have lost over 10 percent of our population, approximately 850,000 people."



In an interview with this correspondent, Minister Novak, the highest ranking woman in the center-right Hungarian government speaks proudly as the mother of three children. She was visiting the U.N. for activities related to the Commission on the Status of Women.



Hungary's population is below 10 million. "At the lowest in 2011 the rate was 1.23 now it's 1.5," said Novak, adding, "But you know what we inherited it is very hard to overcome. In Europe many leaders speak of migration, 'Europe is the continent of empty cradles, so why not bring in migrants?' But Hungarians are not ready to do this. When you ask young people, they say they want to get married and to have children."



The European statistics agency Eurostat says that 1.58 remains the EU average fertility rate. In Germany the rate is 1.5, in Italy 1.35 and in Spain 1.3.



So what are the Budapest government's goals? She stressed, "The goal is 2.1." But when asked if this is too ambitious she retorted, "If you start by Plan B, you will fail. You have to have ambitious goals so that you can really overcome this situation. We have made progress. In just six years the fertility rate has increased by 20 percent."



Minister Novak concedes that Hungary aims at reaching the target through family friendly programs of financial aid and stressing the benefits of family life.



Significantly, she stressed that her government has earmarked 5 percent of GDP for a wide range of family policy initiatives. The spending is two times the OECD average. "This is not spending really but actually an investment in our nation," she added.



"We always talk about money. Of course it is important how much we invest in families through services. But let me say it is much more the joy of having children," Novak extolled.



"Among the Hungarian people there is a consensus that we have to spend a lot of money on, invest really, in our future." The main cornerstones are tax policy which favor allowances for children through creative subsidies.



Policies include tax advantages for larger families, baby bonuses, and free school books.



Family friendly employment policies favor mothers through insurance benefits and daycare. There are three years of paid parental leave as well.



Notably the government introduced a housing program offering a $40,000 nonrefundable benefit for couples who are raising three children and intend to purchase or build a new property.



Already by 2006, the number of elderly population matched the number of children and the ratio would have deteriorated further if it were not for the proactive policies taken by the Budapest government.



"Young people get married quite late as well. Between 2002 and 2010 the marriage rate decreased 20 percent but since 2010 now it has increased almost 43 percent.



"We have value based policies. Being neutral is not a value. You have to hold to values. We are a value based government," she asserted.



A stubbornly high abortion rate during the old regime caused a notable population decline. When asked whether abortion remains widespread, Minister Novak conceded "It has dropped a lot but  I believe one abortion is too much. In Hungary abortion is legal under circumstances but in our Constitution it is stated that 'Life begins at the moment of conception.' The life of the fetus should be protected. We protect human life from conception."



She stressed, "There are still too many abortions which remains a challenge for us. The abortion rate remains 34/100. It was higher during communist times."



Minister Novak concluded, "We are a family friendly country, that is a concept we are trying to introduce. We must show the joy and happiness of child raising."





John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China."






President should heed opposing view on summits



President Moon Jae-in held a rare one-on-one meeting April 13 with main opposition leader Hong Joon-pyo at Cheong Wa Dae. This was the first time for President Moon to get together exclusively with the leader of the largest opposition party since taking office in May 2017.



Moon's meeting with the chairman of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) last week took place at the President's invitation. It came amid rising confrontation between the LKP and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over a range of issues, including summit diplomacy with North Korea. Preparations are underway for a meeting between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on April 27 and what will be the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit in May or early June.



The meeting reflects the President's willingness to communicate with the main opposition leader on key issues in state affairs. Ahead of the important summits, the Moon-Hong meeting focused on urgent issues regarding national security.



The main opposition has been critical of Moon's peace-making efforts with North Korea. Hong voiced negative views about the upcoming inter-Korean summit during the meeting with the President. "The President asked us not to oppose the inter-Korean summit several times," Hong told reporters after the meeting. Hong said that his party was not against the meetings between the leaders of the two Koreas and the U.S. and North Korea. Rather, he shared his party's concerns that inter-Korean relations could worsen after the summits if North Korea does not commit sincerely to denuclearization. "It is naive to trust the North Korean regime when three-generations of its leaders have lied," Hong said.



The president should heed Hong's concerns. The first inter-Korean summit in 2000 between former President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il, the father of the incumbent, produced some meaningful results, such as the June 15 Declaration. Another summit was held between former President Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong-il. But the two summits failed to extract visible changes from the North Korean regime, which has pursued its nuclear programs, conducting its sixth nuclear test last year, despite heavy economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.



While the Korean public generally supports the latest developments in inter-Korean relations, some share the worries of the main opposition party that the summit will repeat the failures of ones in the past.



Such concerns are understandable when considering the differing views by relevant parties concerned on how to denuclearize North Korea. Pyongyang wants a phased approach toward denuclearization but the U.S. is pushing for "permanent and irreversible" dismantlement of its nuclear program. Mike Pompeo, the nominee for the U.S. secretary of state, reiterated that there will be no rewards before denuclearization during a Senate confirmation hearing last week.



The complexities in handling North Korea call for intricate strategies. The President should meet with the opposition more often and earnestly listen to their suggestions and ideas to achieve maximum results in state affairs.










"Japan passing" is a local term that media here use for Tokyo's seeming isolation in negotiations on North Korea's denuclearization.







Tokyo has been rather left out in international diplomacy regarding Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kim's first overseas trip, and is set to meet President Moon Jae-in, April 27. A U.S.-North Korea summit is also about to take place.







President Moon dispelled concerns about "Japan passing" by meeting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono at Cheong Wa Dae last week.







Kono's trip to Korea was the first by Tokyo's top diplomat since December 2015 when the leaders of the two countries signed a deal over the wartime sexual slavery issue. The Japanese foreign minister also met his Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha earlier.







Cheong Wa Dae announced that Korea, Japan and China would resume their trilateral summits in Tokyo in May, the first time such talks will have been held since 2015.







It is a good sign that the leaders of Japan and Korea will meet soon. The resumption of high-level exchanges between them could be an opportunity to promote bilateral relations and security cooperation.







Japan is a key partner for regional security, so it is vital for the Moon administration to foster strong relations with Japan despite various historical issues that have hampered bilateral relations in the past.

Korea and Japan should consult each closely as international diplomacy over North Korea's denuclearization unfolds in coming weeks.






By Michael Breen



As he approaches the second year of his term in office -- normally the moment in Korea's "imperial presidency" system when the traditional resentment against leadership is unleashed and approval ratings begin the inexorable lurch south -- the stars are strangely aligning for President Moon Jae-in.



If all goes well with his summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un on April 27 and with the Kim-Trump summit a few weeks later, North-South reconciliation could well become the theme that sustains the rest of his presidential term.



Echoing this possibility, Moon last week referred to the upcoming U.S.-NK summit in particular as "significant in world history," saying he expected "a big step toward the goals of denuclearizing the peninsula and achieving permanent peace."



If this seems over-giddy, consider this: In previous high-level dealings with North Korea, the South has either been sidelined by Pyongyang's insistence on talking directly with the Americans or -- on the occasion of the previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007 -- been undermined by a lack of real support from its U.S. ally.



This time, in contrast, the allies are singing from the same hymn sheet.



Moon, for example, is as committed as the Americans to denuclearization. Previous South Korean administrations tried to make the right noises about nuclear weapons, but, truth be told, considered the issue an irritation, something for the Americans to take care of.



For its part, the biggest star in the galaxy, the US, has dropped its posture that a summit -- which North Korea has yearned for forever -- is some kind of reward for good behavior. In complete contrast to all his predecessors, President Trump is looking to meet Kim Jong-un, not to sign the final deal on denuclearization but to kickstart a process towards one.



There's more: The South Koreans this time know that this U.S.-North Korea meeting is the more important of the two separate summits and, far from behaving childishly and insisting on being there _ as some previous South Korean administrations might have -- Moon sees his summit as a positive opportunity to smooth the way for the Kim-Trump meeting.






By Jacco Zwetsloot



There are several unknowns in the lead-up to the Moon-Kim summit, but one of them is what kind of relationship North Korea really wants to have with the South. This is closely related to the question of what Kim Jong-un really wants. What are his end goals? Is it simply to ensure the stability of his system, and to ensure that North Korea survives as a separate country? Or is it to seek some form of unification with the South, whether that takes the form of a confederation or something else?



These are top-level, big-picture issues. But it's important to also bear in mind things closer to the ground. For instance, it is important to take practical steps to build confidence and trust between the two Koreas. And perhaps these smaller steps can be indicative of Kim Jong-un's true attitudes and intentions, and might lead to bigger and better things.



Therefore, I recommend President Moon Jae-in propose to Chairman Kim Jong-un a postal exchange, to begin before the end of this summer. It is a little-known or -remembered fact that there was a regular inter-Korean mail service until the outbreak of the Korean War. Each month a train would take mail from Seoul Station up across the 38th parallel to Haeju in the North. As far as I know, it has never been tried again, nor did previous presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun speak publicly about wanting to negotiate such a service with Pyongyang.



So why try it now? Every year the number of people with relatives on the other side of the inter-Korean border dwindles. Separated families who remember a time before the Korean War are now in their 80s. Despite 18 rounds of divided family reunions, most still haven't had a chance to meet their long-lost spouses, siblings, children and so on. Due to the tremendous logistical and other costs of organizing reunions that look great on camera (but are so fleeting one might wonder if they cause more suffering than joy), it is unlikely enough rounds could ever be held to get all the separated families together. And that is assuming the current friendly atmosphere continues. This is why a postal exchange could be a low-key and logistically easy way to enable many Koreans from both sides of the DMZ to communicate.






By Shon Ga-ram





Recently, there has been a controversy about Facebook users' personal information being leaked. Although it has not been decided whether Facebook was neglectful, Facebook suffered discredit for failing to act responsibly to protect the personal data of its users.

The data, it has been suggested, was used to sway opinions in the British referendum on leaving the EU and the 2016 U.S. presidential election.



Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was asked to testify before Congress to answer questions regarding suspicious activity. Facebook is now implementing platform changes to prevent other apps from improperly obtaining data again.



However, it may be fortunate for Facebook that the case happened before the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") takes effect. Under the GDPR, a fine of up to 20 million euros or 4 percent of the annual worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year in the case of an enterprise, whichever is greater, can be imposed on a violator of the regulation.



So what is the regulation? The GDPR is a regulation on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. It was approved in April 2016, and it comes into force on 25 May 2018. It does not require any enabling legislation to be passed by specific governments, whereas the previous Privacy Directive required legislation.



To be able to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR, a data controller must implement measures that meet the principles of data protection. In case of a data breach or leak, the data controller is under a legal obligation to notify the supervisory authority without undue delay, unless the breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of the individuals involved. There is a maximum of 72 hours after becoming aware of the data breach to make the report.



The GDPR not only applies to organizations within the EU, but will also apply to organizations outside of the EU if they offer goods or services to, or process or hold the data of subjects living in the European Union, regardless of the company's location (this includes but is not limited to cloud service providers).



Although a Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and relevant guidelines regarding personal information already exist in Korea, all companies who conduct business related to EU residents must be aware of relevant requirements and sanctions spelled out in the GDPR.



The thoughts and opinions expressed in this column are those of its author and do not necessarily reflect those of HMP Law.


Q: Many North Korean refugees struggle to learn English. Many refugees who drop out of college cite English as a major reason. What was the moment you realized you needed to learn English to adjust to life in South Korea?



Suhyeong, female, arrived in South Korea in 2015



I studied basic English when I was in North Korea, but I feel like a baby at English here. What I learned wasn't good enough and because there was so much propaganda, I didn't learn anything useful outside of North Korea. I have been eager to study English here, but because I have three children, it hasn't been easy, and my experience at a hakwon was not good.



I encountered Konglish shortly after I arrived in South Korea because I was lucky to get a job quickly. But I couldn't understand so many things that my South Korean co-workers were saying. Sometimes a colleague would ask me to bring something, but I would bring the wrong thing, and they would laugh all day about it. It felt cruel because they would whisper about North Korea, but it did wake me up to the reality that I need English to survive here.



Sung, male, arrived in 2014



There are so many times that I have realized that I needed English. I had studied some English in North Korea, but it seems that I learned everything the wrong way and that my teachers weren't good. It seems that my pronunciation is so bad, even people who can't speak very well want to correct me.



When I took an English class at a hakwon in Seoul, I could see there was a big difference between me and native South Koreans, even the beginners were so far ahead of me. When I applied for university here, I needed help with my essay; it was clear that I could not write an essay in English on my own. There have been so many times that I could see that I needed English. I look forward to the day that I can have a deep conversation in English, and that the person can understand my pronunciation.



Jiyeon, female, arrived in 2017



The first moment I thought about trying to learn English was after I escaped to China. I saw many Hollywood movies when I was there; that kind of became my hobby. I became curious about the English in the videos, and it started to feel like English could be something fun.



The second moment I thought about learning English was when I was suffering from depression here in Seoul. I didn't want to come to South Korea; I got tricked by a man who lied to me. I haven't been enjoying my life here, I haven't been active, and I haven't been making friends. I don't know what will happen, but for the first time I think there can be a positive change through studying English.



I recently learned that I could study with English speakers willing to teach me 1:1. I fear South Koreans because they are so quick to judge North Korean refugees. I heard from a friend studying with your program that the foreigners don't judge us, they just want to help. I hope if I can learn English that people can forget about my North Korean accent and just consider me to be a human being.





Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with refugees.


Coupang CEO Bom Kim / Courtesy of Coupang



By Baek Byung-yeul



The question of financial sustainability looms over local e-commerce company Coupang, as the top-tier online retail company has been recording years of operating losses.



Coupang has been in fierce competition against others to grab the largest piece of the pie in the rapid-growing online retail business here.



The company has drawn keen attention for attracting a series of investments from Japanese multinational telecom Softbank and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Sequoia Capital.



With its volume-driven strategy, Coupang could establish itself as one of the sector's leading companies. More than 50 million consumers have downloaded the company's mobile app to use the service and its sales increased from 348 billion won ($326 million) in 2014 to 1.91 trillion won ($1.79 billion). The company is expected to renew its record as industry watchers presume it generated more than 3 trillion won last year.



Given the company has seen high operating losses over the years, however, the question has been raised whether it can keep sustain its business model.



According to Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) data, Coupang had seen deficits of 500 billion won in both 2015 and 2016. Industry watchers presume it would record another half-trillion-won loss last year.



The deficit size over the past three years easily exceeds what the Softbank chairman invested in the company as Son invested $1 billion in 2015. Coupang also raised $100 million from Sequoia and $300 million from BlackRock Private Equity Partners in 2014.



Taking the investment as seed money, Coupang invested in its delivery and distribution center system in a bid to follow in the footsteps of U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon. Dubbed "Rocket Delivery," the company provides free next-day shipping on orders of more than 19,800 won.



However, industry sources say the output is lower than expectations.



"Korea's online retail market has already become saturated. As there is a low barrier to entry for companies, there has been fierce competition," an industry source said. "Unlike Alibaba in China and Amazon in the U.S., there is no absolute market leader here as Korean consumers are very sensitive to price changes."



Coupang is the only company in the e-commerce business that has failed to enhance its financial soundness.



While eBay Korea is the only company to generate profit, WeMakePrice expects a turnaround on a monthly basis within this year. Also, T-Mon is expected to lower its losses to 110 billion won last year from 151 billion in 2016.



Another industry source said Coupang may face a liquidity crisis unless it receives an additional capital injection.



Despite negative signals, a Coupang official said the company is on track in expanding its presence in the e-commerce market.



"As we have said, the operating loss is anticipated as we have invested a lot in building our logistics and delivery center system," the Coupang spokesperson said. "We are well underway to expanding our size. Our goal is to bring in more sales, not record a turnaround."



Coupang's earnings report for last year will be delivered to the FSS on April 16.


By Jun Ji-hye





Prof. Toby Walsh


By Lee Suh-yoon





Hit by low productivity and to save costs, Hanwha Q CELLS closed its key solar cell wafer fabrication facility in China, local media reports said, Sunday.





With the continued rise in need for renewable energy projects across the world, the demand for solar panels has seen a steep rise over the past several years. This market trend prompted budget Chinese manufacturers to increase their combined share in the photovoltaic modules, a critical component used in solar panels.





The closure came a few months after the industry started seeing an increase in the production volumes with the entry of new players with the Hanwha affiliate failing to secure its bottom line.





Reports said Hanwha Q CELLS has recently shut down the factory in Jiangsu province, China. The factory was Hanwha Q CELLS's only facility for producing solar wafers and photovoltaic modules.





Hanwha Q CELLS said the closure was mostly due to high maintenance costs. "It could have been better to buy solar wafers than manufacture them in terms of costs," Hanwha officials were quoted as saying in the reports.





Hanwha Q CELLS's recent shift towards producing more monocrystalline solar panels also influenced the decision. The Jiangsu factory mainly produced wafers for polycrystalline solar panels. Due to higher silicon purity, monocrystalline solar panels have a higher energy output efficiency than polycrystalline ones.





However, Hanwha Q CELLS is not completely pulling out of the solar wafer industry. It is currently building a 500 megawatt solar wafer factory along with a solar power plant in Ankara, Turkey as part of a construction contract with the Turkish government.


Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
My Step and Reject Serzh initiatives continue the protest against the Serzh Sargsyans likely election as the countrys next prime minister. The protestors spent their first night at Yerevan's France Square.

If you found a typo you can notify us by selecting the text area and pressing CTRL+Enter
Florence, April 12 - A 48-year-old Albanian man was arrested on Thursday on charges of aggravated injury after beating his 17-month-old daughter while he was drunk. The child was taken to Meyer children's hospital in Florence with two fractured ribs and a damaged eardrum. Her condition is not said to be life threatening. The incident occurred while the man was allegedly alone with his daughter in their central Florence home. An aunt who was asked by the mother to check on the child raised the alarm.
Reject Serzh movement supporters have forced their way into the building housing Armenian Public Radio.

Nikol Pashinyan, who heads the Civil Contract political party, and is one of the leaders trying to prevent ex-Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan from becoming the countrys next prime minister, is demanding that the radio station provide him free airtime.

Reports are coming in that electricity to the building has been switched off.

Public Radio Executive Director Mark Grigoryan said he would consider the matter.
Hi, Im books editor Carolyn Kellogg. Im writing this after the L.A. Times met our soon-to-be owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong on Friday and I am looking forward to the new era at our paper. I caught up with him afterward and invited him to the L.A. Times Festival of Books next weekend. I dont know if hell be able to make it, but I hope you will join us.

THE BIG STORY

The Festival of Books is April 21-22 on the campus of USC, and in our pages this week, we highlight a number of authors who will be coming to the festival. They include:

Lawrence Wright, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his book The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (he helped produce the Hulu series) and whose forthcoming book is God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State  he sees Texas and California as kind of mirror twins. Hell be talking to The Times deputy managing editor Scott Kraft on Saturday.

Advertisement

Author Junot Diaz also won a Pulitzer Prize (for his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao), and while hes previously written only for adults, he takes a new turn with his latest, Islandborn, an illustrated picture book for kids. He talked to Vera Castaneda about his sources of inspiration, lack of representation and his own immigrant experience. Hell be at the Festival of Books on both Saturday and Sunday.

Glory Edim has something in common with many of us, I think  shes a reader first (although now she also has a book deal). Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a book club thats more than a book club and the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prizes Innovators Award. Read about how books, and a T-shirt, changed her life and have led to her changing others lives, and see her at the book prizes Friday night and at the festival on Saturday.

Tickets for these panels and the rest go on sale April 15. Most are free with a $2 processing fee.

Glory Edim is the founder of the book club Well-Read Black Girl. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times )

A QUESTION FOR YOU

What book changed your life? Tell us in this online form  you can even upload a picture, and include the book if you like  and you might see your answer online next week.

Books have the power to turn your thinking and your world around. (Mandi Wright / Associated Press )

BESTSELLERS

Advertisement

Now in its fourth week on the fiction bestseller list is The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea; its at No. 9. Urrea will be at the Festival of Books on April 22  look for our conversation with him in next weeks book section.

Also at No. 9 but on the nonfiction bestseller list is Ill Be Gone in the Dark: One Womans Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara, now in its fifth week. After McNamara died unexpectedly, the book was brought to publication by her widower, Patton Oswalt. Ill be talking to him about the book (which is terrific and scary) and whatever else he wants at the book festival on April 22.

See all the books on our bestseller lists here.

Luis Alberto Urreas novel The House of Broken Angels is in its fourth week on the L.A. Times bestseller list. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times )

Advertisement

ALSO COMING TO THE FESTIVAL

We talk to Lucy Jones, the worlds leading seismologist, about her new book The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them).

Beloved kids author Rick Riordan (the Percy Jackson series) comes to the festival with Roshani Chokshi, whose new book Aru Shah and the End of Time is on Riordans new imprint. Gwenda Bond talks to them about it.

James Beard-nominated chef Edward Lee, who youll definitely recognize from TV, tells us about traveling around America to eat with immigrant cooks in unexpected places for his new book, Buttermilk Graffiti.

Advertisement

In this moving essay, critic at large Susan Straight examines writing about love and death.

Mark Athitakis reviews Acid West by Joshua Wheeler, an essay collection about misunderstood New Mexico.

We talk to Benjamin Taylor about his memoir, The Hue and Cry at Our House, winner of the L.A. Times Book Prizes Isherwood Prize for autobiographical prose.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera talks to Steve Saldivar about his new poetry book for young people, Jabberwalking, and about the experience of being poet laureate.

Advertisement

Poet Juan Felipe Herrera will appear at the L.A. Times Festival of Books on Saturday and Sunday. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times )

These are just a sample of the hundreds of authors who will be participating in the Festival of Books, in conversation, at readings and signings. Youll see the complete list, and fold-out schedule, if you get this Sundays print edition, which includes the Festival of Books special section. If you dont get the paper in print, dont worry  well have lots of copies of the special section for free at the Festival of Books to help you find your way around.

See you next weekend!

Advertisement

carolyn.kellogg@latimes.com

@paperhaus
If you thought trading bitcoin was wild, try figuring out how to pay taxes on it.

Cryptocurrency investors are wrestling with spotty records, tangled blockchain addresses and rudimentary guidelines issued back in the ancient days of 2014. After last years boom in values, many people are likely disclosing transactions for the first time, adding to confusion.

Digital-coin enthusiasts and tax professionals are freaking out before Tuesdays filing deadline, said David Siegel, co-founder of a company thats building a digital wallet for crypto investors. Theyre scrambling to track down even basic information in a murky world where tokens are traded on multiple exchanges with limited record-keeping.

The big unknown is, who owns what, when and in what jurisdiction, said Siegel. Thats really hard to determine in a surprising number of cases.

Advertisement

Last years 1,400% surge in bitcoin lured droves of investors into the virtual currency and competitors such as Ether and Ripple. Since bitcoin reached its peak of around $20,000 in December, before losing roughly half its value in 2018, many of those who sold last year would have gains to report.

For investors in need of help, it can be difficult to find someone who can adeptly take on the filing challenge. Many tax preparers are put off by the industrys lack of records, as well as its association with criminal activity, said David Klasing, an accountant and tax lawyer in Irvine who specializes in digital currencies.

Others simply dont have the expertise.

Theres a lot of professionals that are coming in and trying to figure out how to provide services  attorneys and CPAs and accountants, said Irina Litchfield, an Austin, Texas-based advisor for blockchain startups and initial coin offerings. Not a lot of them actually know how to do it well.

The Internal Revenue Services only guidance on digital tokens came in 2014  before the industry hit breakneck growth. It said that in general it treats cryptocurrencies like property, which means most sales and trades are subject to capital-gains tax.

Simply buying digital coins and holding onto them shouldnt trigger a tax bill. But just about every other crypto transaction could, at a welter of rates.

Think mining, which many accountants consider taxable as ordinary income and possibly self-employment tax. Or using bitcoin to buy a sofa on Overstock.com  cue capital-gains taxes. Swapping one digital currency for another seems to be tax-free for this years return, though that will change next year with the new tax law.

But then there are trickier scenarios like air drops, when coins magically appear out of nowhere in your digital wallet. Or hard forks, when a cryptocurrency splits in two. Many accountants say the latter two are taxable like ordinary income.

Advertisement

Tax preparers are worrying about those newer types of crypto transactions, according to Klasing. Theyre also spooked by the spate of ICOs that may have skirted U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules, he said.

The government is basically just telling practitioners to take a wild-ass guess, he said.

An IRS spokesman said that in addition to the agencys 2014 guidance, taxpayers should look at other rules governing an exchange or transfer of property and find the factual scenarios that most closely resemble their circumstances.

Paying the tax man is relatively new for an industry built on anonymity and avoiding government control. For this filing season, many investors who have been trading for years will come out of the woodwork and disclose crypto on their returns for the first time, according to Jeffrey Kahn, a tax lawyer in Irvine who works with digital-currency holders.

Advertisement

Popular exchange Coinbase told about 13,000 users in February that it would be turning over their account data to the IRS after losing a court fight to keep records private.

The government is warning crypto investors that they must own up to their purchases. The IRS said in March that if taxpayers dont properly report their transactions, they could face penalties and, in extreme cases, criminal prosecution.

Accountants need to be mindful as well. If they sign off on a return that understates a tax bill due to unreasonable arguments or willful or reckless conduct, they can face penalties of as much as $5,000 or 50% of the fee paid.

For do-it-yourselfers, tax-prep companies offer resources for digital-currency buyers. TurboTaxs support site has 15 pages of questions tagged to bitcoin, a help center and a brief crypto tips page.

Advertisement

H&R Block Inc. has a four-part explainer on the topic, as well as an online community forum for crypto queries. In it are hairy questions such as whether taxpayers are eligible for deductions if their bitcoins are stolen.

Luis Guerra, a copywriter in Seattle, tackled his return on his own and says hes still wondering if he did it correctly. He, like many others, bought cryptocurrency in December after watching a friend get rich quick, but hadnt considered the tax implications.

After a lot of Googling  and getting a lot of misinformation  Guerra ended up using a website that could generate a report of his buys and sells across exchanges, and uploaded it to TurboTax. He followed the instructions to a T, but said the process was still confusing  so much so that he almost gave up on trying to figure it out.

Then the angel on my shoulder just pops up and is like, Dude, do it right, he said. You dont want to owe anybody any money, and you definitely dont want the IRS knocking on your door.

Advertisement

Katz and Browning write for Bloomberg.

lkatz31@bloomberg.net

lbrowning4@bloomberg.net
Capsule reviews are by Philip Brandes (P.B.), F. Kathleen Foley (F.K.F.), Margaret Gray (M.G.), Charles McNulty (C.M.) and Daryl H. Miller (D.H.M.).

Openings

Miranda Sings Live... Youre Welcome Colleen Ballinger bring her YouTube alter-ego to the stage in this music-and-comedy show. The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Sun., 8 p.m. $71 and up. (818) 243-2539.

Nancy and Beth Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt perform their music-and-comedy show. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 8:30 p.m. $30. (310) 855-0350.

Postmodern Jukebox Musical collective specializes in retro-styled covers of recent Top 40 hits. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sun., 7 p.m. $39 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Significant Other A gay man in his 20s searches for a lasting relationship in Joshua Harmons comedy-drama. Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Sun., next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; ends May 6. $25-$90. (310) 208-5454.

Advertisement

West Side Story New York City in the 1950s serves as the setting for Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheims beloved musical update of Romeo & Juliet. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; ends May 26. $20-$34. (818) 244-8481.

Marion Ross: My Days Happy and Otherwise The veteran actress shares stories from her new memoir. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Mon., 7 p.m. Free. (619) 234-5623.

Witness Theater Los Angeles: Voices of History New dramatic work written and performed by middle- and high-school students and Holocaust survivors. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 S. The Grove Drive, L.A. Mon., 7 p.m. $10, $15; reservations required. www.lamoth.org

Company Shorts 12 original short plays. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Tue., 8 p.m.; ends May 22. $15. (818) 990-2324.

What Happened When Three siblings in a rural farmhouse gather around a flashlight to share a ghost story in an immersive staging of Daniel Talbotts thriller. Echo Theater Company, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m.; ends April 26. $34. (310) 307-3753.

The Lighthouse Staged reading of Amanda Kohrs surrealist play inspired by the Stanford rape case. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. Wed., 9 p.m.; Thu., 8 p.m. Free. (323) 663-1525.

Brian Stokes Mitchell  Simply Broadway The musical-theater veteran sings classic show tunes. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine. Thu., 8 p.m. $60-$175. (949) 854-4646.

Colson Whitehead A conversation with the MacArthur Fellow and bestselling author of The Underground Railroad; presented by CAP UCLA. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Thu., 8 p.m. $29-$59. (310) 825-2101.

Advertisement

Disgraced L.A. Theatre Works records Ayad Akhtars drama about a Pakistani American attorney for its radio program. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends April 22. $15-$60. (310) 827-0889.

Native Son Southern California premiere of Nambi E. Kelleys stage adaptation of the classic Richard Wright novel about an African American youth living in poverty in 1930s Chicago. Antaeus Theatre Company, Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 3. $30, $34. (818) 506-1983.

Scandal Cast members from the hit TV drama reunite for a live reading of the series finale in this benefit. El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $75-$500. www.actorsfund.org.

Death Before Cocktails An L.A. writer holds a wake in Palm Springs for her famous twin sister in Laureen Vonneguts new dark comedy. Theatre 68, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 13. $30. www.tickettailor.com

Advertisement

Heartstorms With writer-performer Lady Bosco; part of the LA Get Down Festival 2018. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m. $10. (323) 673-0544.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 5-Star Theatricals presents the stage adaptation of the Disney animated musical based on Victor Hugos classic tale. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 29. $35-$83. (800) 745-3000.

The Immigrant Mark Hareliks comedy-drama based on the stories of his Jewish grandfather who fled Czarist Russia and wound up in rural Texas. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends May 26. $25-$40. (626) 355-4318.

Laurie Anderson: All The Things I Lost in the Flood The performance artist examines her own creative process in this West Coast premiere. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Fri., 7:30 p.m. $45-$125. (310) 746-4000.

Advertisement

Pacific Playwrights Festival Readings of five new plays by Qui Nguyen, Julia Doolittle, et al. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri., 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; ends April 22. $18; all five, $75. (714) 708-5555.

Shakespeare UnScripted Impro Theatre improvises full-length plays in the style of the Bard. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 20. $45, $50. (310) 434-3200.

South Pacific Rodgers & Hammersteins classic musical drama about a nurse, a GI and others on a remote tropical island during WWII. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 13. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

Ameryka Center Theatre Groups second-annual Block Party series continues with a remount of Nancy Keystone and Critical Mass examination of American democracy. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 6:30 p.m.; ends April 29. $25-$70; series passes available. (213) 628-2772.

Advertisement

Bad Jews Two cousins fight over a family heirloom in Joshua Harmons dysfunctional-family comedy. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends June 17. $30-$35. (310) 477-2055.

ICE Two undocumented Mexican immigrants try to Americanize their L.A. taco truck in Leon Martells bilingual, family-friendly comedy. 24th Street Theatre, 1117 W. 24th St., L.A. Sat., 3 and 7:30 p.m; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 10. $10-$24. (213) 745-6516.

My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy Actor-comic Brad Zimmerman performs his autobiographical solo show. The Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 10. $45$65. (855) 448-7469.

Next to Normal Award-winning rock musical about a suburban moms struggles with mental illness. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 27. $22, $25. (805) 583-7900.

Advertisement

What Happens Next A young acting teacher leads a drama program for veterans in Cornerstone Theater Companys staging of Naomi Iizukas new drama; part of La Jolla Playhouses Without Walls series. Challenged Athletes Foundation, 9591 Waples St., San Diego. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 29. $10, $20. (858) 550-1010.

Belleville L.A. premiere of Amy Herzogs Hitchcock-style drama about an American couple in Paris; with Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect) and Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom). Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends May 13. $25 and up. (626) 356-7529.

Mr. Poppers Penguins Musical adaptation of the popular childrens book. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787.

The Passing Zone Comedy-juggling duo performs. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $15, $17. (310) 506-4522.

Advertisement

Critics Choices

Alright Then Orson Bean and Alley Mills, one of L.A. theaters most visible couples, thank the heavens for their later-life marriage in a feel-good show about love and gratitude. They share stories from their at-times rocky upbringings to set the scene for the miracle of their meeting, making each other laugh and shedding grateful tears. (D.H.M.) Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Ends Sun., 3 p.m. $25-$34. (310) 822-8392.

The Chosen Learning to see past differences and getting to know the person underneath is a lesson for all time in Chaim Potoks 1940s-set novel, adapted by Potok and Aaron Posner. The Fountain gives this tale of an unexpected friendship between Brooklyn teens from different strains of Judaism a poignant staging. (D.H.M.) The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Mon., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends June 10. $20-$40. (323) 663-1525.

El Nino After two decades of writing a play a year, Justin Tanner dropped from sight six years ago. Hes returned, thank goodness, with another laugh-out-loud tale of dysfunction. This one, presented by Rogue Machine, involves the sniping reception that a down-on-her-luck writer receives when she tries to set up camp on her parents couch. Director Lisa James and a cast of Tanner regulars know precisely how to mine the humor. (D.H.M.) Rogue Machine, the MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Mon., Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends April 22. $40. (855) 585-5185.

I Am Not a Comedian  Im Lenny Bruce In this meticulously researched solo biography tracing the life and prosecution of the groundbreaking early 1960s comic provocateur, actor Ronnie Marmo and director Joe Mantegna offer subsequent generations not only a sense of who Bruce was, but, more important, why he mattered. (P.B.) Theatre 68, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 13. $35. (323) 960-5068.

Advertisement

Priscilla Queen of the Desert Somewhere in Hollywood a Jo-Ann fabrics and a 99 Cents Only store must be seriously depleted. Their stock seemingly can be found in a spectacularly dressed Celebration company production of a beloved tale about Australian drag queens on a road trip across the outback, adapted from the 1994 movie. Director Jessica Hanna, set designer Pete Hickok and costume designer Allison Dillard somehow fit this big musical onto a postage stamp of a stage. Glittery doesnt begin to describe the results. (D.H.M.) Celebration Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 6. $40-$100. (323) 957-1884.

Sell/Buy/Date The writer and performer Sarah Jones (best known for her Tony-winning Bridge and Tunnel) has brought her latest solo show to the Geffen. Even if Sell/Buy/Date werent a compelling piece of theater and a provocative examination of the effects of pornography and prostitution on our society, watching Jones repeatedly disappear into a series of diverse and utterly persuasive characters would be worth the price of a ticket. (M.G.) Geffen Playhouse, Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Ends Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. $65-$85. (310) 208-5454.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after a fire ripped through a Studio City recording studio, leaving two people dead and two with grave injuries.

Police were tight-lipped about why they believe Efrem Demery, who was booked shortly after midnight Sunday and is being held without bail, carried out the mysterious killings. They have not released a possible motive, and its unclear whether the victims were slain during or before the fire.

Musicians who rented space from the one-story building that holds about a dozen recording studios said they did not recognize the names of the suspect or the victim identified by coroners officials as Devaughn Kemar Carter, 28, of Los Angeles.

We all pretty much know each other so I dont think they were here much, said a 22-year-old who identified himself with the stage name Mikey Dubz.

Advertisement

Some described a chaotic scene as they fled from the dark, soundproof studios  which are used by artists around the clock  when the fire broke out at 3779 Cahuenga Blvd. shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday.

Fire officials on the roof of a recording studio where two people were found dead after a fire. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

(Jon Schleuss / Los Angeles Times )

Shahriar Tavakoly, a 50-year-old guitarist who rents a space, said most people work on their music all night and sleep throughout the morning. He just happened to be awake when he smelled smoke.

He opened the two soundproof doors between his room and the hallway to find the corridor to the front door in flames. He raced to the exit, screaming and pounding on doors as he ran.

He said the ventilation was not working, so he couldnt smell the smoke until it seeped through both doors. People who were sleeping would not have heard commotion because of the soundproofing, he said.

All the walls have blankets over them to dampen the sound too, and those are very flammable, he said.

A musician who goes by the stage name L.A. Pryce said he had stayed up into the early morning hours Saturday in his studio mixing a song. He dozed off on a futon, while his friend fell asleep in a chair.

Advertisement

Sometime later, the friend woke him. Smoke made it hard to see and breathe. Soundproofed doors and walls made it difficult to hear.

I barely made it out, he said Sunday, adding that hes having trouble sleeping out of fear he will wake up in a fire. Im over here trying to figure out a way to go to sleep because I keep picturing it.

Another artist he knows who worked in the building, he said, was fighting for his life in a hospital with critical wounds.

Every time I think of music, all I can picture is seeing these people burning, said L.A. Pryce, who said he had a yearlong lease in the building. If someone started the fire, if someone murdered anybody, I cant fathom that.

Advertisement

Autopsies are pending for the two men found dead at the scene. Authorities did not have new details Sunday about the conditions of those hospitalized.

Shad Rabbani, who said he was in charge of leasing the building but did not own it, said the space houses independent producers and independent studios.

They have a lot of clients, Rabbani said. And its 24/7, so I have no idea who is coming and who is going out.

Los Angeles County assessors office records list the owner of the property as Haig Bazoian of Beverly Hills. He did not return requests Sunday for comment.

Advertisement

A group of musicians who rented studio space returned Sunday to survey the damage.

Dubz said he was already in discussions with the owner about compensation for the loss of equipment.

They pointed to piles of destroyed furniture, microphones, speakers and mixing boards.

That all came out of one room, and its probably $50,000, Dubz said.

Advertisement

doug.smith@latimes.com | Twitter: @LATDoug

joe.mozingo@latimes.com | Twitter: @joemozingo

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com | Twitter: @AleneTchek

UPDATES:

Advertisement

7:55 p.m.: This story was updated throughout.

6:10 p.m.: This story was updated with an interview with L.A. Pryce.

2:45 p.m.: This story was updated with on-scene interviews.

This story was originally published at 11:40 a.m.
A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil.

The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum.

There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place.

Workers have until April 27 to excavate and clear the site, remediate the soil and relocate an existing sewer line. The school is scheduled to open in time for the 2019-20 academic year, though a spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools would not say what type of school it will be.

Advertisement

Im sure theyre gonna be on top of some graves, but this is progress, Alderman Nicholas Sposato said.

At 135,000 square feet, the school will accommodate about 1,200 students, according to Sposato.

Fleig said hes nearly certain there are no intact caskets buried underneath the proposed school grounds  bodies were primarily buried in two formal cemeteries, though scattered human remains have been discovered during previous construction projects nearby.

Children, patients from an infirmary and a tuberculosis hospital, victims of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and Civil War veterans were laid to rest in what is known as the Dunning grounds, a 320-acre stretch on the citys Northwest Side.

In 1854, the county opened a poorhouse and farm and gradually added an insane asylum, infirmary and tuberculosis hospital to the property. Up to 1,000 people were buried on the grounds each year.

The state took over in 1912 and changed the official name to Chicago State Hospital. Buildings were shuttered in 1970 and operations moved to what is now Chicago-Read Mental Health Center.

Photo from Aug. 12, 1953, shows overcrowded conditions at Chicago State Hospital in the citys Dunning neighborhood. (Chicago Tribune )

In the years after Chicago State Hospital closed, the state sold a bulk of the land to development firms. Today, the cemeteries are bounded by restaurants, businesses, houses and condominiums.

Advertisement

Bodies were unearthed in the Dunning neighborhood by workers who were building single-family homes and installing sewer lines in 1989 and again in 1995, the Tribune reported at the time. No human remains have been found since the city began probing the school site in 2013, according to Bryant Payne, a spokesman with the citys Public Building Commission.

David Keene, an archaeologist who was hired to examine the site in 1990, oversaw pre-construction trenching for the school project to search for human remains, burial sites or cemeteries, but didnt find anything. Still, Payne said the agency drafted a five-page plan to guide workers on how to deal with potential discoveries as they build the school.

Workers are encouraged to use plastic or rubber shovels and scoops during construction. Theyre required to keep plastic bags for small bones and artifacts, plastic tubs, gloves and photo equipment on site.

Should they come across intact graves, officials will set up a perimeter with police tape, post warning signs and secure the area. The architects would then go in and remove the coffins and grave artifacts, place them in plastic storage containers and move them to a staging area before resuming work.

Advertisement

The Illinois State Museum has jurisdiction over any human remains that are discovered, per the Human Skeletal Remains Act.

Museum officials said they would work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to establish a final resting place, if necessary. Dawn Cobb, an archaeologist with the agencys Office of Realty and Environmental Planning, said there is a strong likelihood that any remains would go to Dunning Memorial Park.

Jeanne Lambin, 48, was part of an archaeology team hired to investigate the Dunning grounds in 1989 shortly after a backhoe operator struck a corpse while developing condos. The state had recently passed a law requiring archaeological assessments before construction on any property where human remains were discovered.

At the time, Lambin was a 19-year-old freshman at Loyola University who joined the crew for on-site learning and training.

Advertisement

Once you got the topsoil off to start digging down, you could see the outlines of the coffins, Lambin said. These bodies would emerge  I know thats a really creepy and weird thing for some people but for me, it was about getting to know someone in this really interesting way. The bodies tell stories.

By then, corpses had been buried at Dunning for more than a century. Lambin said some of the bodies had been buried with jewelry, glass beads, Bibles, coins and other artifacts. Mothers were buried with infants.

For a lot of them, you could tell where their hands had been placed, she said. It was absolutely incredible.

Lambin said she worked on two different sections of the dig site. In one area, the soil was easy to dig through and the bodies were intact in individual coffins. Digging in the second section was a much creepier and disconcerting experience, she said. Excavators also found jumbles of bones in a mass grave.

Advertisement

Bodies were removed from the site, catalogued and analyzed in the lab, and reburied at Oak Park Cemetery in small coffins.

It was a really profound experience to go through the rediscovery, removal and repatriation of people who had been forgotten, Lambin said. I learned so much about the people who inhabited that space but theres also so much Ill never know.

To read this article in Spanish, click here

Moreno writes for the Chicago Tribune.
Gun rights supporters  many carrying rifles and ammunition  gathered at state capitols across the U.S. on Saturday to push back against efforts to pass stricter gun-control laws that they fear threaten their constitutional right to bear arms.

From Delaware to Wyoming, hundreds gathered at peaceful protests to listen to speakers who warned that any restrictions on gun ownership or use eventually could lead to a ban on gun ownership, which is guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment.

If you have a building and you take a brick out every so often, after a while youre not going to have a building, said Westley Williams, who carried an AR-15 rifle as he joined about 100 people braving blustery weather in Cheyenne, Wyo., for a gun rights rally in front of the state Supreme Court building.

Among the Cheyenne protesters was Republican gubernatorial candidate Taylor Haynes, who said he was carrying a gun under his leather duster. Haynes told the crowd the 2nd Amendment is the most important amendment to the U.S. Constitution because the Constitution couldnt be enforced without it.

Advertisement

Organizers of a gun rights rally in Augusta, Maine, said about 800 people showed up to protest what they fear are attempts to limit 2nd Amendment rights.

Dave Gulya helped lead Saturdays rally, which he said made the point that we are law abiding.

He said they also rallied in support of people who go to work or schools in gun-free zones.

Saturdays protests were planned in dozens of state capitols less than three weeks after hundreds of thousands marched in Washington, New York and elsewhere to demand tougher gun laws after the February school shooting in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17. Organizers of those protests demanded a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and called for universal background checks on potential gun owners.

During a pro-gun-rights gathering in Atlanta on Saturday, more than a quarter of the estimated 160 rally-goers carried weapons, as well as flags and signs saying Dont Tread On Me as they listened to speakers talk about the right to bear arms. A few people wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts showed up at the rally and made videos, but didnt interact with the rally-goers.

Protesters also showed up in Boston; Indianapolis; Montpelier, Vt.; Albany, N.Y.; Austin, Texas, Des Moines, Iowa; and other cities.

The coalition behind the gun rights rallies describes itself as a collection of patriotic-based groups that come from all walks of life, including Three Percent groups and local militias.

The Three Percent movement vows to resist any government that infringes on the U.S. Constitution. Its name refers to the belief that just 3% of colonists rose up to fight the British.

Advertisement

Such groups lack the following of more mainstream 2nd Amendment advocates such as the National Rifle Assn.

A group called the National Constitutional Coalition of Patriotic Americans spread word of the rallies on social media.
A prominent lawyer known for his impassioned advocacy for LGBT rights and environmental issues doused himself with an accelerant and burned himself to death in a New York City park on Saturday to protest ecological destruction caused by fossil fuels.

The charred body of David Buckel was discovered by police officers, who were initially dispatched to Prospect Park around 6:10 a.m. to investigate what appeared to be a brush fire, police said.

A New York Police Department spokesman said a note was found at the scene and foul play quickly ruled out.

The Daily News reported that Buckel left a handwritten note that said, My name is David Buckel and I just killed myself by fire as a protest suicide. I apologize to you for the mess.

Advertisement

Buckel also left a longer, typed note and sent a copy to the Daily News, which quoted the note at length. My early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves. He added that he hoped that his demise was an honorable death that might serve others.

A lifetime of service, he wrote, may be best preserved by giving a life, the newspaper reported.

Buckels suicide echoed dramatic protests by self-immolation from past years overseas. Buddhist monks burned themselves to death to protest a repressive regime in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

In more recent years, Tibetans have done the same to protest Chinese rule over Tibet. Buckel cited the Tibetan self-immolations in his note, the Daily News reported: This is not new, as many have chosen to give a life based on the view that no other action can most meaningfully address the harm they see.

Buckel had served as the marriage project director for Lambda Legal, the nations first legal organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

Camilla Taylor, acting legal director at Lambda Legal, wrote in a statement Saturday that David was an indefatigable attorney and advocate, and also a dedicated and loving friend to so many.

Sharon McGowan, director of strategy for Lambda Legal, recalled his influence on her career. As a young lawyer at the ACLU, I learned so much from David Buckel, one of the giants of Lambda Legal with whom I had the honor of co-counseling a challenge to Nebraskas super DOMA. This is heartbreaking news, she wrote on Twitter.

By DOMA, McGowan was referring to the Defense of Marriage Act. That was the name of a federal law  and laws in some states  which forbade jurisdictions from recognition of same-sex marriages, including those that were held in states where such marriages were legal.

Advertisement

Buckel in 2006 had described Nebraskas version of DOMA as the most extreme of all the anti-gay family laws in the nation.

The strategy employed by Buckel and many gay rights advocates was to chip away at anti-gay-marriage legislation state by state. In 2006, he told The Times that was how miscegenation laws were fought. He described it as a long, chaotic process that undermined miscegenation laws on a state-by-state basis before the U.S. Supreme Court struck them all down.

Buckel said he had faith the courts would eventually follow a culture that was growing increasing tolerant of same-sex unions.

This isnt like a valley were stuck in, and its over for the next decade, he said. Were smack in the middle of a huge civil rights movement here.

Advertisement

He was right. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act. Two years later, it issued its landmark ruling that legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Buckel also helped fight the ban on gays by the Boy Scouts. He helped represent James Dale, a Matawan, N.J., assistant Scoutmaster who was kicked out of the Boy Scouts when leaders found out he was gay. In time, Buckels side prevailed again. The organization voted in 2013 to end the ban on gay Scouts and two years later ended the ban on gay leaders.

Buckel had gained some fame as the lead attorney representing Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was killed in Nebraska in 1993. His story was dramatized in the 1999 movie Boys Dont Cry, and Hilary Swank won an Oscar for her portrayal of Teena.

Twitter users recalled his work on the Teena case. R.I.P. David Buckel, wrote Sydney Bristow. Thank you for giving Brandon Teena and many others voices. Wish we could have heard your call for help. Cant imagine your pain.

Advertisement

To read this article in Spanish, click here

michael.livingston@latimes.com

UPDATES:

Advertisement

9:15 p.m.: This article was updated with more biographical details on David Buckel.

This article was originally published at 7:05 p.m.
Citizens protesting against Serzh Sargsyan's likely election as the countrys next prime minister spent their second night at France Square, blocking all the entrances with benches and garbage bins.

"My Step" initiative announced about two rallies planned for today, at 2pm and 6:30pm.
West Virginia. Oklahoma. Kentucky. Arizona.

An unexpected labor uprising has gripped some red states over the last two months as public school teachers have staged protests and strikes over low pay and strained education budgets.

And so far, the agitation has gotten results, with Republican-led legislatures approving uncharacteristic tax hikes and funding boosts in response to the public pressure.

Labor activism is nothing new to teachers in both red and blue states. The profession is heavily unionized, and its major unions  the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Assn.  are among the largest in the U.S.

Advertisement

But a renewed militancy has crept into the profession this year, especially in conservative-leaning states, where teachers say education funding and wages have fallen behind after lawmakers prioritized tax cuts over new spending.

Teachers have been most emboldened by their counterparts in states where the wages are lowest, such as West Virginia. The state ranks 48th in the U.S., with an average salary of $45,622, according to the most recently available data from the National Education Assn.

Wages are highest in New York, where the average pay is $79,152, and California, where teachers average $77,179.

Heres a summary of whats happened in four key red states.

West Virginia

Teachers undertook the first large-scale labor action of the year in the Mountain State, no stranger to worker uprisings.

Schools shut down in all 55 counties in West Virginia on Feb. 22 as public school teachers called a statewide strike. Many were clad in red bandannas, the symbol of the mine workers in the states mine wars of the early 20th century.

Pay was low. But the even greater issue, many teachers said, was the Public Employee Insurance Agency, which provides health insurance for state employees.

Advertisement

The program is funded 80% by employers and 20% by employees. As healthcare costs continue to soar, teachers were being asked to fork over more and more to fund their health insurance plans.

For nine days, teachers thronged the capital, at one point voting to override their own union leaders to continue the strike, the states first by teachers since 1990.

The uprising came to an end after Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill hiking pay for teachers, as well as other state employees, by 5% this year. (Teachers salary schedules are set by state statute.) Justice also promised to launch a task force to address issues with the states health-insurance program.

Oklahoma

Advertisement

The rebellion spread to the Sooner State.

While the West Virginia strike caught the imagination of Oklahoma teachers, an education funding crisis had been brewing in Oklahoma for years.

Many districts had cut down to four-day weeks. On Facebook, teachers shared photos of books and classrooms falling apart. One first-grader recently discovered she had been assigned the same textbook used by country music star Blake Shelton, who is 41.

And teacher pay was even lower than in West Virginia, with average salaries of $45,276.

Advertisement

Districts complained of constantly losing teachers to higher-paying schools in neighboring states, including Oklahomas 2016 Teacher of the Year, who moved to Texas, where the average salary is $51,890.

And so, with school districts heavily dependent on the state for financing, frustrated school boards and superintendents supported teachers plans to go on strike by making plans to cancel school on April 2.

Teachers, demanding $10,000 in raises, have gone on strike for nine days. The Republican-controlled state legislature, in response, approved $6,000 in raises, passing the first tax hikes by the legislature since 1992. But further gains have been elusive.

Sensing an impasse, the Oklahoma Education Assn., the states most influential teachers union, called for an end to the strike Thursday, saying that energies should instead be directed toward the November elections.

Advertisement

But some teachers have urged continued action, signaling that the fight, at least this school year, may not be over.

Kentucky

As tensions rose around the nation, teachers flooded to private Facebook groups that amassed tens of thousands of members, where educators in places such as Oklahoma and Arizona began discussing the low pay and tight budgets in their own states.

In Kentucky, the secret KY120 UNITED group  a reference to Kentuckys 120 counties  has amassed more than 42,000 members.

Advertisement

Caught up in the movement, teachers in Kentucky have also flocked to their states capitol in recent weeks to lock horns with Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and the Republican-led legislature over education funding.

Teachers were outraged in recent weeks by a surprise bill that that  among other measures  would give lawmakers the power to adjust the pension plans of new teachers. Currently, teachers receive pension benefits that are inviolable under state law, meaning lawmakers cant change them.

The changes were tacked onto a sewage bill, heightening suspicions.

On Friday, the legislature overrode vetoes by Bevin to pass tax and budget bills expected to raise nearly $400 million and boost some education funding.

Advertisement

Bevin was not a fan of the protests that had engulfed the capitol and shut down schools around the state, and on Friday he accused teachers of putting children in physical danger by canceling school.

I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today, a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them, Bevin told local reporters, providing no evidence. I guarantee you somewhere today, a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were left alone because a single parent didnt have any money to take care of them.

Following an uproar by teachers and lawmakers, Bevin apologized for the remarks Sunday, saying, I apologize for those who have been hurt by the things that were said and that it was not my intent.

Arizona

Advertisement

In Arizona, they call the education movement #RedForEd. You may have guessed: The protesting teachers wear red. And theyre talking about going on strike.

Demonstrations in Arizona have swelled at the capitol and at schools as teachers protested for more education funding and higher pay. Salaries in the state average $47,218, or 43rd in the nation, according to the National Education Assn.

The movement is also being driven, in large part, by organizing happening on Facebook, in a group called Arizona Educators United, which boasts more than 45,000 members.

Last week, organizers announced their intention to organize a walkout unless teachers received a 20% raise, though they did not set a date.

Advertisement

On Wednesday, thousands of teachers gathered outside their schools in walk-ins before classes began.

The pressure seems to have worked.

On Thursday, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey announced plans to boost teacher pay  by 20% by 2020, through a series of year-by-year raises.

matt.pearce@latimes.com

Advertisement

Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce.

More national headlines
When Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck retires in June, hell leave to his successor the best department in the citys history  one thats no longer a hated, pugnacious symbol of repression or the kind of instigator of class and race volatility that ignited two of the bloodiest riots in American history.

The principal reason for the LAPDs old notoriety was myopic, insular leadership  sometimes megalomaniacal, sometimes self-serving, and often deadly racist. The principal reason for its current achievements is leadership again, but of an entirely different kind. Now, as the Los Angeles Police Commission and Mayor Eric Garcetti select a new chief, they must find a candidate who checks a lot of challenging boxes. The best and worst in the departments modern history provide a template  a set of qualities to shun and characteristics to seek.

The LAPD chiefs from the 1950s through the 1990s werent all that different from other big city chiefs of the era, just worse examples of the type. Mostly white men, they tended to be unable to conceive of anything beyond the big stick to reduce crime. They either wouldnt, or didnt know how to, accommodate the dramatic changes in race and culture taking place in their city.

William H. Parker, chief from 1950-66, was at first an exemplary chief for his time and place, but it didnt last. He was a military man. When he took over, the force was mired in on-the-take corruption. He made any violation a career-ending sin, and honesty an essential virtue in new recruits, steps New York and Chicago didnt take until decades later.

Advertisement

Daryl Gates (1978-92) had just about every red-flag quality the city should avoid in a new chief: intransigence, narrow-mindedness, arrogance.

But by the 1960s, Parkers deficits were showing. He was autocratic; and worst of all, deeply racist. He denounced the wild tribes from Mexico pouring into his city and devised the intrusive, often brutal occupying force policing strategy in black L.A. that ignited the Watts riots in 1965 and haunts the department to this day.

Ed Davis, chief from 1969-78, shared Parkers world view and many of his most egregious leadership qualities. The bullying way he dealt with conflict and adversity in the 1970s was wrong then and would be worse now. He utterly, uncompromisingly believed the LAPD should be accountable only to him. His go-to response to any perceived criticism was to declare war.

To take one example, when a TV reporter decided to investigate a raft of bad LAPD shootings, Davis ordered the reporters head shot placed on the targets at the Police Academys shooting range, and stickers with his last name pasted on patrol-car rear bumpers:  [Wayne] Satz Sucks.

As Davis immediate predecessor, Chief Tom Redden pointed out: When Ed Davis fought with everybody, the cop on the street thought he could fight with anyone, too. And thats what L.A. cops did in the decades to come: They incited trouble.

Daryl Gates (1978-92) had just about every red-flag quality the city should avoid in a new chief: intransigence, narrow-mindedness, arrogance. He saw his troops as his only constituency and he defended and ultimately encouraged them no matter how outrageous their behavior. Gates LAPD was the culmination of the sins of Parker and Davis. He simply didnt care that vast numbers of Angelenos hated the department and felt impotent to change it. Just as Parkers force helped precipitate the Watts riots a generation earlier, Gates LAPD laid the foundations for 1992s explosive insurrection.

Willie Williams left his post as Philadelphia Police Commissioner to succeed Gates. He had two qualities the riot-torn city was sure it needed: He was an outsider and an African American. Williams, however, proved that hiring a symbol is a bad idea. He arrived knowing no one and trusting no one, and he made no allies. Incurious and inept, he lacked the skill and the energy to connect with the department, let alone reform it. Unceremoniously dismissed after five years, Williams tenure was a lost opportunity.

Bernard Parks, an LAPD veteran, came next. He knew the city and was highly regarded in the black community, by downtown politicians and department insiders. But like his predecessors, he tried to run the LAPD as his own private fiefdom. He was dictatorial and headstrong; his harsh and indiscriminate discipline, and tight top-down management so alienated his troops they were in open revolt when Parks was forced out of the chiefs job.

Advertisement

Finally, in William J. Bratton (2002-09), L.A. chose a proven quantity. Bratton was an outsider and a reformer (Boston and New York) committed to rational, accountable, modern policing. He didnt stick to an antiquated manual. He freed his field captains to tailor the organization of their divisions to different needs. Bratton added two must-have qualities to the chief checklist: He was flexible and innovative.

The current chief, Charlie Beck  native Angeleno, 40-year LAPD veteran  cemented the reforms Bratton began. His temperament is the right model for the next chief. He has internalized the way the city works and his interpersonal skills have allowed him to forge ties with the liberal police commission, the conservative police union and the citys diverse communities. He won rank-and-file buy-in for body cameras and a new de-escalated shooting policy; he absorbed criticism without public rancor.

Los Angeles knows from experience how tenuous police-community goodwill can be in a city with deep racial and economic divides, competing stakeholders and a volatile crime rate. Its next police chief must be strong but not authoritarian, confident but not arrogant, willing to reach out in all directions, committed to best practices and constant evolution.

History shows that Los Angeles pays if the wrong person runs the LAPD. The lesson for the commission and the mayor is simple: Dont screw this up.

Advertisement

Joe Domanick is the West Coast bureau chief of TheCrimeReport.org. His latest book is Blue: The LAPD and the Battle to Redeem American Policing.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
Only softback books are allowed inside. Thats what the email from the prison liaison said.

I stared at the stack of hardback picture books Id gathered as samples for a class on writing for kids I was slated to teach the next day at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. Honestly, could a hardback of Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel be carved into a shiv? Never mind, I thought, and pulled out the soft covers, and packed sketchbooks, comic books, writers magazines and notebooks and pens.

Alabamas Donaldson prison, surrounded by razor wire and forests 30 miles west of Birmingham, specializes in controlling repeat and/or multiple violent offenders with lengthy sentences. At least thats what its website says. My cellphone quit working once I passed the gates.

Inside, my bag of books had to be inspected by security. A female guard patted me down, then led me into a cafeteria-style room, where I dragged two tables under a section of lights that werent burned out and arranged chairs in a semicircle. I set out my books and props. Then I waited. My lecture was supposed to start at 6:30, but it was 7:30 when the 16 men in white prison uniforms filed in. I apologized that I hadnt, in my spare hour, been able to get my PowerPoint presentation to play on the prison media display.

Advertisement

Without planning to, I grabbed Where the Wild Things Are.

The magic of this picture book, I explained, is what it manages in just 338 words. I started to read a bit and a hush fell over the room. I could tell they wanted to listen to the whole story.

I knew the book from memory, as Id read it so many times to my own children who danced and stomped the wild rumpus around our living room. So I kept reading about how a forest grew in Maxs room and the walls became the world all around him. Maurice Sendaks alchemic words turned that prison classroom into Maxs boat, and we were on the journey of imagination together.

The magic of this picture book, I explained, is what it manages in just 338 words.

When I messed up they all laughed, and I laughed, and kept going. As Max was sailing home, it hit me: I was reading this story about a child who is being punished for making mischief of one kind and another in a maximum security prison. My 16 students were on the edge of their seats, listening. They all clapped when Max arrived home and his dinner was still hot.

Paired up, the men read the other softback picture books. I gave out notebooks and pens and asked them to write their own stories about childhood, school and food. While they were scribbling away, one of the students said, I cant remember anyone ever reading a story out loud to me. Several of the men around him agreed.

This was almost incomprehensible to me. My mother read to us. My father told us stories. My husband read to me during our first year of marriage under a mosquito net when we lived in China. Even my husbands grandmother, mother of nine and weary grandmother of more than 30, used to speed-read to all the grandkids.

Some national studies suggest that 60% of prison inmates cant read. But this was clearly not the case with my students. When the men finished writing, they read their stories aloud. We listened to tales about a mother who cooked banana pudding with bananas just mushy enough, a sister who heated up Spaghetti-Os with an attitude, and an ominous aunt who served okra and Brussels sprouts with an eat it or else!

Advertisement

An older man wrote about his kindergarten teacher who didnt understand he loved to read, just not in front of people. Another wrote about his mother who whipped him in front of his class to teach him a lesson.

We were running out of our allotted time, but I looked over at the prison guard and he was dozing, so we kept going.

They remembered landlines and grandfathers cigars and shotgun houses and being the only boy among sisters and getting up too early to catch the bus. One man read about his sisters pained face from hair-braiding when he saw I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley.

Several men asked to keep the softback books, and I let them. One man wanted to give Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears to his baby son. Another wanted to study the illustrations in Jane Kurtzs Fire on the Mountain. He also did drawings, he said, which he kept under his mattress to prevent them from wilting in the prison humidity.

Advertisement

Another wanted to read Paper Things, a novel by Jennifer Richard Jacobson about a homeless girl who cuts out pictures of people and objects from magazines to play with and imagine a better life. Thats exactly what we do here, he said.

When I arrived home that night in January, I got the sad news that one of the great writers of young adult books, Ursula Le Guin, had died. She and I had once judged books together for PEN Awards and shared a lively correspondence. When I recall the power of those 16 men sharing their stories with one another that night, something Le Guin wrote comes to mind. The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp, she wrote in an 1987 essay. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story. It was a living thing born of laughter and memory and wild things and a prison guard dozing in the corner.

Kerry Madden-Lunsford is the director of Creative Writing at the University of Alabama Birmingham. She is the author of seven childrens and young adult books. Her picture book Ernestines Milky Way will be published next year.

Advertisement

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
An irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces  thats how U.S. Sen. William Seward of New York described the rising strife and mounting enmity between the North and South in 1858, three years before the start of the Civil War.

Its also a pretty fair description of the relationship between California and the Trump administration today. In the growing war between blue and red America, this is the battlefield that is and will remain the most active front.

No mystery attends Californias status as the GOPs nightmare-cum-punching-bag. It is among the most Democratic states in the union; it is second only to Hawaii in the percentage of voters casting ballots for Hillary Clinton in 2016. It is also  again, just behind Hawaii  among the most multiracial of states. Non-Hispanic whites, at just 38% of the population, no longer even constitute a plurality in California. The states white working class, the core of Trumps base, is, in percentage terms, among the smallest in the nation.

Republicans are trying furiously to retain power by rigging the census, suppressing voting, preserving gerrymandered districts, and halting immigration.

Advertisement

Quite unlike Hawaii, however, California is by far the nations most populous state. That has allowed it to become a rival power center to Trumps Washington, and it just keeps enacting policies on immigrants, the environment, taxing and spending from which other Democratic states take their lead. Its also opposing the presidents diktats in court. As of last week, the New York Times counted 29 lawsuits filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra against the federal government, challenging Trumps attempts to restrict voting rights, bar refugees from Muslim countries, build a wall on the Mexican border, remove legal protections for Dreamers, diminish the tally of immigrants in the Census, penalize sanctuary cities 

The list goes on and on. And it shows that, as in 1858, the California-Trump conflict is rooted in irreconcilable perspectives on the status of certain human beings. Trump has led the Republicans to openly embrace white identity politics (or, less euphemistically, white racism) toward which the GOP has been drifting for decades anyway. This was bound to repel a state as racially diverse as California and a party as racially diverse as the Democrats. (A Pew poll from last month showed that just 59% of Democrats were white, as against 83% of Republicans.) In Trumps Washington, but also in Republican-controlled statehouses around the nation, the governing GOP coalitions feed (and feed on) their rank-and-files belief that whites are embattled, evangelical Christians particularly so. The way to preserve their values and livelihoods is by suppressing the interests and votes of minority groups.

Limiting minority votes requires shutting off immigration, which in turn requires some fallacious justifications. In the world according to Trump and his supporters  who disproportionately live far from any concentrations of immigrants  those immigrants cause crime. California, a real world with millions of immigrants (documented and not), knows otherwise. It saw the rates of crime undeniably plummet as the number of its immigrants soared.

Racism and xenophobia, then, lie at the heart of this irrepressible conflict, but it has other sources as well. As Ronald Brownstein has noted, Trump won 13 of the 16 states that produce the most natural gas, 11 of the 15 that produce the most coal, 16 of the 20 that produce the most oil. California, where people moved for the weather only to find smog, has not only led the nation in formulating the strictest air-pollution and auto-emission standards, but has an economy increasingly centered on largely nonpolluting (albeit worryingly monopolistic) high-tech companies. The Trump Administrations first shots in this skirmish were to abandon rules against leaky oil and gas wells. Then it expanded offshore oil drilling. This month the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would roll back the states auto emission standards, which the Obama administration had adopted nationally.

The auto industry isnt looking forward to years of litigation during which it may have to build parallel fleets of cars  one that meets the emission standards set by California and the 12 other states that adhere to them, and another that adheres to the laxer standards of the Trump administration. That explains why carmakers may yet help broker a deal between Sacramento and Washington.

But on the other California-Trump lawsuits, no third party has enough power to force a compromise anytime soon. And the gap between those who are comfortable in a more egalitarian multi-racial nation and those who insist on preserving the nations historic white hegemony  chiefly Fox-fed whites in economically abandoned regions  isnt going to close.

Watching the North grow more populous in the years before the Civil War, the South tried furiously to retain its hold on federal power by expanding the number of slave states. Watching todays America grow more racially diverse, more secular, more feminist  in a word, more Californian  Republicans are trying their own version of that move. They are trying furiously to retain power by rigging the census, suppressing voting, preserving gerrymandered districts, and halting immigration. They have a sufficient electoral base in enough states to keep this fight going for a long time. The weight of demographics  assuming we stay a democracy  will eventually defeat them. But until then, the conflict will remain irrepressible.

Harold Meyerson is executive editor of the American Prospect. He is a contributing writer to Opinion.

Advertisement

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
To the editor: While your editorial makes the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta water tunnels sound like a dire but necessary expenditure, the mere concept flies in the face of a sobering reality: There isnt enough water to keep up with the rapid growth of this state, particularly in Southern California. (The delta tunnels plan is costly, risky and unfair to L.A. Its also the right thing to do, editorial, April 12)

The editorial mentions mountain and Colorado River water being in shorter supply presumably due to continued utilization and the persistent drought conditions, which prompted the Metropolitan Water District to continue supporting this project to the tune of nearly $11 billion. But there might not even be enough water available for this project to divert south.

Seems this state has a wonderful coastline along the largest ocean that can provide almost unlimited fresh water for our people and our agriculture. Desalination makes water rather than stores what may not come from Mother Nature.

Jim Josway, Aliso Viejo

Advertisement

..

To the editor: I was born in Los Angeles. I spent the first half of my life there and then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area shortly after the 1992 riots.

The delta tunnel project will not help, but rather, will diminish part of our water supply in Northern California. I do not know anybody who lives up here who supports this. I think it would be very enlightening to put it on a ballot or do a poll.

Evidently, California is too big to manage, and the water rights that have been grabbed in the northern part of the state by interests in the south are legendary. Los Angeles has made no attempts at desalination, as San Diego has, and it just keeps growing.

Will Gov. Jerry Browns legacy be the selling out of our water? Or will this spawn another effort to split up California?

Jordon Berkove, Forestville, Calif.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a seemingly minor case later this month on the status of administrative judges at the Securities and Exchange Commission, an issue that normally might only draw the interest of those accused of stock fraud.

But the dispute turns on the presidents power to hire and fire officials throughout the government. And it comes just as the White House is saying President Trump believes he has the power to fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

Trumps Solicitor Gen. Noel Francisco intervened in the SEC case to urge the high court to clarify the presidents constitutional power to fire all officers of the United States who exercise significant authority under the law.

The Constitution gives the president what the framers saw as the traditional means of ensuring accountability: the power to oversee executive officers through removal, he wrote in Lucia vs. SEC. The president is accordingly authorized under our constitutional system to remove all principal officers, as well as all inferior officers he has appointed.

Advertisement

In addition to representing the administration before the Supreme Court, Francisco, a former law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, could be in line to oversee the Mueller inquiry if Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein is fired. Atty. Gen Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the investigation.

Peter Shane, a law professor at the Ohio State University, called Franciscos argument a radical proposition, and one that goes beyond what is at issue in the case. The justices said they would focus only on how the SEC in-house judges are appointed. But Francisco is asking them to go further and rule on the removal issue.

The solicitor general is obviously trying to goad the court into a broad statement about the removability of all officers of the United States, Shane said. Were the court to make any such statement, it would surely be cited by Trump as backing any move by him to fire Mueller directly.

For decades, constitutional experts have fundamentally disagreed about the balance of power between Congress and the president.

Many of them, especially liberals, argue that because Congress has all legislative powers, it can structure the government as it sees fit, including by creating independent agencies that are not under the presidents direct control.

But others, mostly conservatives, adhere to what is sometimes called the unitary executive theory. They argue that because the Constitution puts executive power in the hands of one president, he is thereby entitled to hire and fire all those who wield significant executive authority.

Francisco points to two provisions of the Constitution as giving the president very broad authority. One says the president shall appoint ambassadors, judges and all other officers of United States. The other says the president shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

The presidents constitutional responsibility to faithfully execute the laws requires adequate authority to remove subordinate officers, Francisco told the court in February. The framers understood the close connection between the presidents ability to discharge his responsibilities as head of the executive branch and his control over its personnel. The presidents ability to execute the law is thus inextricably linked to his authority to hold his subordinates accountable for their conduct.

Advertisement

Franciscos defense of broad presidential power is likely to win favor with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the courts other conservatives. In 2010, Roberts spoke for a 5-4 majority that struck down a provision in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which created an independent public accounting board at the SEC whose members could be fired only for good cause.

Roberts said shielding these officers of the United States from presidential control was unconstitutional. Since 1789, the Constitution has been understood to empower the president to keep these officers accountable  by removing them from office, if necessary, he wrote in Free Enterprise Fund vs. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

The new SEC case is similar, though it involves hiring, not firing. The commission relies on administrative law judges who act as hearing officers when people or companies are accused of deceptive schemes involving stocks. In the past, they were chosen by the chief in-house judge based on merit, and they could be fired only for good cause.

The SEC accused Raymond Lucia of marketing a deceptive wealth-management strategy called Buckets of Money. After a nine-day hearing, an administrative law judge decided Lucia had misled investors and recommended a civil penalty of $300,000. The SEC itself made the final decision, but Lucia appealed, contending the procedure for choosing the administrative judges was unconstitutional.

Advertisement

The Obama administration defended the SEC, arguing these in-house judges were mere employees, not officers of the United States, because they had no final decision-making power. But the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., split 5 to 5 on the issue.

Last year, Trumps lawyers switched sides and joined in challenging the SECs approach as unconstitutional. This was in line with the conservative backlash against the so-called administrative state, which includes an effort to bring these agencies and their employees under presidential control.

In January, the high court agreed to decide the Appointments Clause question, but Francisco filed a brief urging the court to also rule that such officers may be removed if they fail to perform adequately.

Lawyers who have followed the case predict the justices will try to decide the SEC dispute narrowly and without signaling their views on the presidents potential control over the special prosecutor at the Justice Department.

Advertisement

Mueller was appointed under department regulations that say the special counsel may be removed only for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest or for other good cause. Under those rules, only Rosenstein currently would have the power to fire Mueller. Some lawyers argue that the regulations have the force of law and would prevent Trump from directly firing Mueller.

But Franciscos brief suggests the administration lawyers believe the Constitution itself authorizes the president to remove officials who wield executive power in the government. Last week White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the administration had been advised that the president has the power to fire the special counsel.

On Friday the court agreed to Franciscos request to participate in the April 23 argument so he can advocate for a ruling on the presidents removal power.

The latest from Washington 

Advertisement

More stories from David G. Savage 

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage
Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings  one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect  despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram  which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal  claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.  #Georgia  Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution  something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm  U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush.



The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T  Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY  LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump  as recently as Tuesday  continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along  that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right  to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops  You really are our heroes, he said  as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water  we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see.  James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes  he last won reelection by a 14-point margin  suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January  eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election  again, in blowout fashion  but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes  which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10.  Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks  Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank  when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while  including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters...  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press  President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there  the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day  and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event  a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children  the older ones are 5 and 2  about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals  her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican  she the race felt m
Iowa grows corn, raises hogs and nurtures presidential dreams.

The state launched two exceeding long shots, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, to the White House, giving each a look and listen when sophisticates elsewhere treated their campaigns as the stuff of cockeyed fantasy.

So when Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti set out Friday to introduce himself to Iowa with a two-day visit, the all-but-announced Democratic candidate for president was traveling a well-trod path.

He visited with firefighters and union carpenters. He met with Latino and Asian American activists, and attended a gay rights gala. He took a walk through Des Moines hipster East Village neighborhood and picked up Iowa-themed gear at an edgy boutique.

Advertisement

What he did not do was make formal his apparent candidacy.

Under what circumstances would he run for president, an Iowa reporter asked Garcetti as he toured the carpenters training center in Altoona. He smiled and rocked back on his heels, as if buffeted by an unexpected wave.

Im listening this year, he said, promising a final decision in 2019 as a small audience of millwrights looked on from the shop floor. Then, moments later, he asked for a do-over.

Im not here looking for a new job for me, Garcetti said. Im looking for more new jobs for Americans.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti on running for president, not running and his favorite jazz pianists 

With visions of a blue tide in Novembers midterm elections and a sitting-duck incumbent in 2020, there is no shortage of Democratic hopefuls, or talked-about White House prospects.

Numbering more than two dozen, they can be roughly sorted between brand-name contestants in their 60s and 70s  former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren  and a very large field of young and restless newcomers.

Even in that category, Garcetti is not alone among Californians (freshman Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Eric Swalwell of Dublin are on the list) or mayors (Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans and Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., are also mentioned as possible 2020 contestants).

Advertisement

Garcetti does have the singularity of representing the nations second-most populous city and what he describes as his mutt pedigree: Jewish-Italian-Mexican-American, with a metrosexual vibe.

I come from the home of the Korean short rib taco, he told a gathering of the Asian and Latino Coalition at the state Capitol in Des Moines. He used the occasion to speak a bit of his fluent Spanish, denounce anti-Semitism and defend sanctuary policies for otherwise law-abiding residents who entered the country illegally.

Garcetti, 47, also stands out for attempting something never before achieved in the history of the republic  moving directly from City Hall to the White House  though it remains to be seen whether the old verities of politics still endure, post-Donald Trump

I dont think you can say governor, mayor, senator, congressman or anything rules anybody out, said Paul Maslin, who helped former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean vault from obscurity to front-runner status, for a time, in the 2004 Democratic race. Its all up to individuals and what they can say about themselves and the future of the country and its direction.

Advertisement

Garcettis message, in sum, is that mayors like himself are doers  sleeves turned up, hands dirty  while most other politicians are caught up in tribalism, tweets and other pointless distractions.

While Washington plays politics, were kind of getting the job done, he said, standing alongside the Republican mayor of Altoona, a Des Moines suburb of about 17,000 people. That happens throughout the small towns and the big cities of America.

(The mayor, Dean OConnor, made clear his presence was not intended as an endorsement of Garcettis not-yet White House bid. We just met, he said. But I like him so far.)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, right, joins his Des Moines counterpart, Frank Cownie, for a walking tour of the citys East Village neighborhood. (Mark Z. Barabak/Los Angeles Times )

Advertisement

I come from the home of the Korean short rib taco. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, stumping before Iowas Asian and Latino Coalition

Iowa is to White House hopefuls what Mecca is to religious pilgrims. It holds the first vote of the presidential campaign, precinct-level caucuses that help cull the field and usher a handful of survivors into the contests that follow.

Given such vast influence, Iowans pride themselves on affording even the most improbable-seeming candidate a respectful hearing.

Carter was a peanut farmer and former Georgia governor a year out of office when his second-place finish in 1976, behind uncommitted, made him a serious presidential contender.

Advertisement

Obama, an African American with a skinny resume and foreign-sounding name, had scarcely begun his one and only U.S. Senate term when he toppled Hillary Clinton in 2008 and began his march to the White House.

Weve seen the results of not taking people seriously, said Dave Nagle, a former congressman and state Democratic Party chairman, who has been active in Iowa politics since the Kennedy administration. Sometimes the people we least expect to see elected president end up delivering the inaugural address.

Which should hearten Garcetti, who is an utter mystery to most living beyond his city limits.

His stroll through the East Village, accompanied by the mayor of Des Moines (also not an endorsement), about a half-dozen reporters and two cameramen, drew puzzled stares but no evident signs of recognition.

Advertisement

Los Angeles, of course, has a reputation that precedes it  swimming pools, movie stars  and Garcettis habit is to preempt it with a joke about the Kardashians and a homily on how, deep down, were all very much the same.

He tailored his iteration on this trip to local sensibilities, with mention of his wifes roots in rural Waterloo, his previous caucus experience  he came here to campaign for Obama in 2008  and the fact the USS Iowa is stationed as a maritime museum at the Port of Los Angeles.

I think that Iowa and Los Angeles have a ton in common, Garcetti told about 75 Polk County Democrats, who crowded an Irish-themed tavern on a rainy Saturday in Des Moines. We have the same struggles. We have the same hopes right now, and the same challenges before us: Can I get out from under debt and send my kid to college? Will I have the opportunity in the future economy to find a place for me in it?

The obvious comparison is Obama.

Advertisement

The junior senator from neighboring Illinois was also relatively young and considered by some too inexperienced to seek the presidency. He and Garcetti share some of the same physical attributes  both of them poised, slender, natty  and a charismatic way of delivering a message that transcends party and place. Or tries to.

But that can only take Garcetti so far.

Emily Parcell, who helped steer Obama to victory in the 2008 caucuses, said a bit of mythology  it was all about personality, personal story and magnetism  has grown up around the former president, overtaking reality.

In those early months in Iowa it was a lot of hard work by a lot of young organizers in a lot of small towns, kicking doors open and getting into living rooms to have a conversation about who this guy was, said Parcell, now a campaign strategist in Des Moines. You have to actually do the work here.

Advertisement

If Garcettis presidential hopes are more than fantasy, his first campaign trip to Iowa wont be his last.

mark.barabak@latimes.com

@markzbarabak
As President Trump basks in widespread approval for the U.S.-led missile strike aimed at Syrian chemical weapons installations, the White House still faces a quandary over U.S. policy toward that countrys civil war  as well as some sharp questions about the presidents war powers.

Trump has yet to articulate a long-term U.S. strategy for dealing with the grinding, multi-sided war in Syria, which has lasted more than seven years, killed hundreds of thousands and triggered an epic refugee crisis.

Only days before the missile attack, Trump had called for a rapid U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria, which critics said would yield control of the country to Russia and Iran, key allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was among those who said that Trumps words had emboldened Assad to use chemical weapons.

Now, in a turnabout, Trump is promising to keep troops in Syria, according to Frances president. Trump may also slap new sanctions on Russian companies, according to Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Advertisement

Several lawmakers asserted Sunday that the president should have sought congressional approval for Fridays missile strike, launched in response to reports of deadly poison gas strikes on a rebel-held suburb of Damascus. Congress, however, repeatedly has ducked votes on Syria policy since the fighting began there in March 2011.

But even some people who have expressed vehement public disagreement with Trumps previous actions voiced support for the strike, which was carried out in coordination with Britain and France.

Missiles streak across the Damascus skyline Saturday as the U.S. and its allies launch an attack on Syria, targeting what officials say were chemical weapons facilities. (Hassan Ammar / Associated Press )

Former CIA Director John Brennan was among those who praised the action as proportional and necessary to send a signal.

Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, Brennan, who is now an analyst for that network, said that the administrations actions against Syria were appropriate  and I tend to be a critic of this administration.

In the longer term, though, Brennan said, solutions in Syria would probably prove elusive.

I think we have to continue to put the pressure on the Assad regime, try to hit them when they use chemical weapons, but not get involved in another full-scale war in the Middle East, he said.

Pentagon officials have said the strike significantly damaged Syrias capacity to research and produce chemical weapons. But they have not claimed the strike eliminated Assads ability to carry out future chemical attacks.

Advertisement

Some experts have questioned whether any strike like this one would have a real effect on the Syrian governments ability to carry out chemical attacks, let alone affect the overall course of the war.

Faysal Itani, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, said that on the question of whether Assad would be deterred from future chemical strikes, the most that I can say is maybe.

Within the administration, some painted the strike as a possible portent of greater American involvement in the Syrian conflict. Haley warned that renewed use of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians by Assad  whose forces have carried out a number of such attacks in the war  could trigger further U.S. military action.

Should he use it again, the president [Trump] has made it very clear that the United States is locked and loaded and ready to go, Haley said on Fox News Sunday.

Advertisement

As she and other senior Trump aides are often called upon to do, Haley struck a careful balance between acknowledging what the president has publicly stated and making predictions about future intentions.

Haley acknowledged that Trumps goal is to see American troops come home. But a pullout would not take place before the militants of Islamic State had been defeated and further use of chemical weapons precluded, she said  both prospects that military officials have warned remain far in the future.

We of course know our work in Syria is not done, she said.

Having secured French and British participation in the missile strike, Trump might be more obliged to heed their counsel on long-term objectives in Syria.

Advertisement

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a broadcast interview Sunday that despite Trumps talk of a U.S. troop withdrawal, we have convinced him that it is necessary to stay for the long term.

Haley, who has been among the strongest proponents of punishing Russia for its backing for Assad, argued  as she has frequently done in the U.N. Security Council  that Russia shares blame for the chemical attack, even if it had no direct involvement.

To that end, she said, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin would announce new sanctions Monday against Russian companies with links to the Syrian governments chemical weapons infrastructure.

Sanctions will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, Haley said on CBS Face the Nation.

Advertisement

In the Fox interview, Haley said that Assad knew that Russia had its back and that the Syrian leader got reckless in the suspected chemical attack in Duma on April 7.

The missile strike has generated concern among some members of Congress that it could presage a military escalation.

One of the sharpest critiques came from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who was Hillary Clintons running mate in the 2016 election.

President Trump is not a king; hes a president, Kaine said on Face the Nation, and Trump is supposed to come to Congress to seek permission to initiate a war.

Advertisement

Some of Trumps fellow Republicans also expressed unease over the potential for U.S. escalation in Syria without legislative input. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a veteran of the Iraq war, supported the strikes but said on Meet the Press that she was uncomfortable going forward.

Referring to a congressional authorization for the use of military force, she said: As many of my colleagues have also stated, we need a new AUMF, or authorization for use of military force.

Trump was seemingly motivated to act, as he had been a year earlier after a similar chemical attack, by images of the lifeless bodies of children said to have been stricken by poison gas. His initial response to the episode faulted Russia for backing Assad.

Russia, however, signaled defiance. A Kremlin statement on Sunday quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as having told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the missile strike was a violation of the United Nations charter and that future such actions will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations.

Advertisement

Some have claimed that Trump chose the timing of the airstrike to dominate the weekend news cycle and distract attention from the charges against him in the new book by fired FBI Director James B. Comey.

If so, Trump undercut that strategy with half a dozen angry tweets Sunday morning in which he branded Comey a liar and seemed to suggest that the ex-lawman belonged in jail.

Trumps use of the phrase Mission Accomplished in a tweet on Saturday also raised eyebrows, because it is closely associated with former President George W. Bushs premature declaration of victory in Iraq in 2003.

As became apparent in retrospect, the U.S. mission was far from accomplished. Indeed, U.S. policy at the time helped create a chaotic power vacuum that was filled by civil war in Iraq, greater regional influence for Iran and, eventually, the rise of a jihadist movement that would coalesce into Islamic State.

Advertisement

In a tweet on Sunday morning, however, the president insisted that he was fully aware of the phrases weighted implications about U.S. miscalculations in the Middle East.

The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished, he wrote on Twitter. I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back.

Use often! he said.

Like many of Trumps actions as president, the missile raid was cast by the presidents aides as a sharp contrast with former President Obamas policies.

Advertisement

On the campaign trail, Trump hammered at Obamas failure to enforce the red line he had drawn against Assads use of chemical weapons to kill his own people. On Sunday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the contrast explicit, saying the airstrike had shown that when this president has a red line, he will enforce it.

At the same time, a seeming misstep by the White House press shop drew attention: Sanders tweeted out a photo which she implied had reflected the final deliberations about the missile strike.

Vice President Mike Pence was shown in the photo of a gathering in the White House Situation Room. He, however, was out of the country Friday when the action was finally approved.

Sanders later clarified that the picture was taken on Thursday, not Friday, when the final go-ahead for the missile strike was given. She insisted the image had not been misleading.

Advertisement

laura.king@latimes.com

@laurakingLAT

UPDATES:

Advertisement

3:23 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment by Nikki Haley about possible additional sanctions on Russian firms.

2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment by the French president.

This article was originally published at 1:45 p.m.
In the vast majority of elections, its the simplest rule of all: You can only vote for one candidate. Make a mark beside the name of more than one person, and that vote doesnt count.

Such mistakes are usually rare, which is what made Californias U.S. Senate primary in 2016 so worrisome. In that one race, close to 250,000 confused voters marked their ballots for multiple candidates.

Those were people who registered, took the time to vote and presumably believed their vote was going to be counted, said Kammi Foote, Inyo Countys registrar of voters. But those werent among the more than 8.5 million votes counted in the race.

As bad as it was two years ago, it could be worse on June 5 in Californias races for governor and the states other U.S. Senate seat. In both contests, the supersized list of candidates is a tight squeeze on the ballot.

Advertisement

Deconstructing Trumps whopper about California voter fraud 

When the list of candidates spills into a second or third column on the ballot, in some cases on the other side of the page, voters can mistakenly choose one name from each list and cast an overvote. The most infamous example was the Florida butterfly ballot in the 2000 presidential race.

In 2016, there were 33 California counties that listed the Senate candidates in more than one column. Those counties had more than four times as many Senate overvote cases as local communities with all the names in a single column. Statewide, that translated into 235,821 mistakenly marked ballots.

The challenge for county registrars is even more daunting this time around. In addition to 32 candidates in this years Senate primary, the race for governor has 27 people on the ballot. We tried everything we could to get those contests in a single column, Foote said. In the end, though, Inyo County had to create two columns of names for each of those races.

In some counties, the candidates will stretch over three columns. In others, voters will find the race starts on one side of the page and continues on the other. Ballot design is one of the real Rubiks Cube puzzles of election administration  with the order of the races, the must-use information and even the size of the margins all governed by state regulations.

On top of that, the machines that read and tally ballots vary by county. Whats used in one place isnt necessarily used somewhere else. A university research paper last year pointed out that the error rate in Californias 2016 Senate race was substantially higher in counties that didnt use machines to scan ballots for errors before voters left their polling place.

Coverage of California politics and government 

Some counties recently have been able to update their voting systems, but most havent. There simply isnt money from the state or federal government to do so, though Gov. Jerry Brown included $134 million in the budget for voting technology upgrades.

Advertisement

Without far-reaching improvements in ballot design and systems, the problem could get worse. As California switches to a top-two primary, a high-profile race attracting a lot of candidates means one large pool of choices for voters. And yet most of the voting systems in use were designed for party-specific ballots with fewer candidates.

For now, the best that California elections officials can do is sound the warning. Ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes in early May, and voters will again be put to the test. The errors of 2016 wouldnt have changed the outcome, but thats likely little consolation to the voters whose voices were drowned out in a sea of confusion.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

Advertisement

ALSO:

Updates on California politics
Less than two months from his first statewide election, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has become adept not only at challenging President Trump but at using the bully pulpit of his office to raise his profile with voters.

The aggressive effort may help boost the former Los Angeles congressmans chances at winning a full term in office this fall, almost two years after he was appointed to replace Sen. Kamala Harris in 2017.

Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown, Becerra took office as attorney general four days after Trumps inauguration. Thats afforded him an opportunity to get in front of Californians  and potential voters  on an array of issues including immigration, healthcare and the environment.

Becerra has sued the Trump administration 31 times in a little more than a year and has jumped into the middle of other high-profile issues, including a fatal police shooting in Sacramento and the publics focus on gun violence, keeping him in front of news cameras at a rate not seen by a California attorney general in decades.

Advertisement

In the first three months of this year, Becerra had 26 news conferences and personal appearances. By comparison, Harris had only eight such appearances during the first three months of her last year in office. Brown, who served as attorney general from 2006 until 2010, had very few public events that were not put on by his campaign during the same period in his last year in the post.

In the last week of March, Becerra held four news conferences and made eight public announcements, including a legal challenge to the Trump administrations proposal to ban travel from some predominantly Muslim countries and a lawsuit against Sutter Health alleging it engaged in improper, anti-competitive practices that resulted in excessive costs for consumers.

On a single day last month, Becerra held a morning news conference to reveal he would oversee the probe into the fatal Sacramento police shooting of Stephon Clark, and hours later called the media to an event where he announced he was suing the Trump administration over plans to ask a citizenship question on the U.S. census.

He has staked out a position as the strongest defender of Californias collective values, said Larry Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San Jose State University. On these and other issues, Becerra has emerged as a megaphone for progressive values.

Rivals accuse Becerra of grandstanding for voters and dodging debates, but the Democrat says it was the timing of his appointment to the post that put him on a collision course with Trump.

The presidents effort to limit immigration and take action against those in the country illegally has been a personal issue for Becerra, the son of immigrants.

I see myself as doing what it takes to defend a state that has opened doors, which is for me the most important thing, Becerra, 60, said in an interview. It opened doors for a kid who never had anyone in the family go to college.

Democrat Dave Jones, currently the state insurance commissioner, is his top challenger in the race, and will appear on the June 5 primary ballot alongside two lesser-known Republicans.

Advertisement

The California Democratic Party opted against endorsing either man at its February state convention, although Jones won a majority of the votes of delegates.

Becerra has a serious intraparty fight for election, and he needs to show that he is a champion of opposition to Trump, said John J. Pitney Jr., a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College. He called Becerras level of public activity unusually prominent for a state attorney general.

Coverage of California politics 

Becerra, who served 12 terms in Congress representing a district stretching from downtown Los Angeles to the Eagle Rock neighborhood, has largely skipped overt campaign events. That included a Sacramento debate last month, choosing instead to communicate with the public through that extraordinary number of official appearances.

Advertisement

Jones has accused Becerra of being fixated on Trump to the detriment of other important matters. He accused Becerra of not attending to other responsibilities of the post, including public safety concerns.

Any Democrat with a pulse would bring these lawsuits against the Trump administration, Jones said. There is much more to the attorney generals office that is not getting done.

Jones accused Becerra of not leading on bail reform, of failing an obligation to sue Exxon Mobil over climate change issues and for not sufficiently reducing a backlog of 10,000 people who own guns but are disqualified from having them because of criminal convictions or mental illness.

Becerra responded to that claim with a list of recent actions not involving the president, including assistance in shutting down a website accused of allowing sex trafficking, and a challenge to the oil company Valeros efforts to take over a gas distributor, which he said would drive up prices.

Advertisement

Jones isnt the only one complaining.

It seems California sues over every decision the presidents administration makes so it is no surprise that the mostly absent A.G. rushed to the microphones to announce hes filed yet another costly lawsuit, Republican candidate retired judge Steven C. Bailey said after Becerra sued the federal government over its change to the U.S. census.

Becerra joins other states on Obamacare cost-sharing lawsuit 

All of Harris time as attorney general and half of Browns tenure in the post occurred while President Obama was in office, so there was little disagreement between Sacramento and Washington.

Advertisement

The last time a California attorney general battled as much with a president was when Democrat Bill Lockyer went toe to toe with the administration of Republican President George W. Bush over issues including medical marijuana and gun control.

At one point in 2003, the Bush administration threatened legal action against Lockyer for using mental health and criminal conviction records to hunt down illegal gun owners in California.

Even though there was that tense moment it wasnt a time when the national administration was regularly making a target of California and its policies, Lockyer said this week. And that was true with Kamala. It was a less adversarial time for us. I think those things make it significantly different for Becerra.

Lockyer said that because Becerra was appointed to the job he has had to gain the familiarity of voters who might not know him from his years representing a Southern California district in Congress.

Advertisement

Whats different is being appointed when a campaign was imminent for election. Thats different from any of the rest of us, Lockyer said. I think that contributes to a bit of the extra effort that has gone into publicizing what the office is doing and the initiatives he is involved in.

Becerra said his large number of public appearances is a carryover from his years in Congress when he prioritized town hall meetings.

I think the attorney general should be available to the people of the state that hes representing, Becerra said. I represent 40 million people and its hard to let all your clients see you, so you have to be out there as much as you can.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Advertisement

Twitter: @mcgreevy99
No, a candidate in Mexicos upcoming presidential election did not pose nude with a drag queen.

No, the wife of another candidate is not the granddaughter of a Nazi.

And no, a third contender did not vow to win the election by buying votes.

These and other rumors have been debunked by a team of young journalists fighting against falsehoods that have circulated widely in the run-up to Mexicos July 1 vote.

Advertisement

Hunched over laptops in their headquarters in an old house in Mexico City, about two dozen fact-checkers work around the clock knocking down fake news and verifying campaign claims that are correct. Their platform, Verificado 18, or Verified 18, works like a news service, with their fact-checks disseminated throughout the country via a large network of newspapers and online sites.

Fake news is everywhere in Mexico, pushed on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter by sham news sites and armies of digital bots. Its been a problem here since before the issue gained global attention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, with online disinformation campaigns playing a key role in Mexican politics since the countrys 2012 presidential race.

Theres an information war, said Alba Mora Roca, a video journalist who is helping lead the effort. Were defenders of the truth.

The platform was forged by two news websites  Mexicos Animal Politico and AJ+  and an organization called PopUp Newsroom, which led similar efforts to fact-check, verify and debunk claims made during the last U.S. election and in Frances 2017 presidential campaign. About 70 other media outlets, including some of Mexicos most-read newspapers, have signed on to distribute the content.

Although it launched only last month, the platform is already having an impact, said Carlos Bravo Regidor, a political analyst and a professor at CIDE, a public research center in Mexico City.

Misinformation designed to smear candidates spreads like a virus, Bravo said. Verificado 18, he said, is creating the antibodies to combat fake news.

The group has debunked dozens of wildly circulated internet myths and fake videos. In one clip manipulated with superimposed images and fake Spanish subtitles, a pair of Russian news anchors appear to announce that Russian President Vladimir Putin is endorsing Mexicos populist front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Verificado 18 confirmed that the subtitles were made up, and the original newscast had nothing to do with Mexico.

The group also recently proved that an alleged communique from the Venezuelan government about its plans to intervene in Mexicos election was actually fake. Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the husband of current presidential candidate Margarita Zavala, had tweeted a widely shared copy of the fraudulent letter.

Advertisement

While each of the five candidates on the presidential ballot has been targeted by made-up smears, Lopez Obrador is the most frequent victim, according to Verificado 18. Roughly 80% of fake stories, memes and videos identified by the group have targeted Lopez Obrador, who is running for president for a third time and is currently 10 points ahead of his nearest competition, center-right candidate Ricardo Anaya. Much of the content targeting Lopez Obrador originates from several Facebook pages that are designed to look like news websites and have hundreds of thousands of followers.

Globally, there is more awareness than ever about the dangers of misinformation spread on social media after reports that Russia used fake news to try to influence the U.S. election, and British firm Cambridge Analytica mined Facebook data to target voters. During the 2016 race, millions of American voters were exposed to fake news stories spread on Facebook and Twitter, including one that said Pope Francis had endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump, and another that claimed that an FBI agent investigating Hillary Clinton had been found dead in his apartment.

Despite growing concern, many users dont have the media literacy to determine what is real news and what is not, Mora said. At the offices of Verificado 18 on a recent afternoon, she pulled up on her computer screen a highly circulated poll supposedly from the New York Times that showed Mexicos third-place candidate, Jose Antonio Meade, in first place.

We journalists know that this doesnt look like a real New York Times poll, she said, pointing out aspects of the graphic that appeared unprofessional. But not everyone knows that.

Advertisement

Manipulation of news coverage in Mexico predates the invention of social media and smartphones.

President Enrique Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party, or the PRI, held its uninterrupted grip on power from 1929 to 2000 thanks in part to its alliance with Mexicos leading television broadcaster, Televisa, historians say. The stations former owner of once referred to himself as a soldier for the PRI.

For decades, Televisa famously neglected opposition candidates in Mexican elections while devoting glowing coverage to the PRIs nominees. When it did cover challengers, it sometimes falsely tied them controversial figures, such as when the network aired a photo of 1988 opposition candidate Cuauhtemoc Cardenas next to pictures of Fidel Castro and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

Allegations that Televisa unfairly favored Pena Nieto in the 2012 election spurred one of Mexicos largest social protests in recent years, a movement known as Yo Soy 132. Meaning I am 132, the name is an expression of solidarity with the 131 students who started the movement.

Advertisement

But increasingly, experts say, elections are playing out online. With an estimated 67 million social media users, Mexico has the seventh-most internet-connected electorate in the world.

The PRI and other parties have adapted accordingly, unleashing swarms of bots that created and pushed fake news during the 2012 election. A report published by Oxford University found that governmentsponsored spambots have stayed active during Pena Nietos presidency, and have been used to target journalists and spread disinformation on social media.

The bots are typically used to divert attention away from scandals or toward a certain candidate. After the disappearance of 43 students at a rural teachers college in 2014, activists launched a viral Twitter hashtag  #YaMeCanse, or I am tired  that became a locus for organizing protests. Suddenly the hashtag was flooded with thousands of tweets that included random content that had nothing to do with the protests, rendering the hashtag unusable, according to journalists who documented the attack.

Verificado 18 says its likely that each of this years presidential candidates has digital strategies that include bots, and that it will document election-related bot strikes.

Advertisement

While Verificado 18s work has opened it up to online attacks from supporters of different candidates who perhaps wanted some fake news to be true, Mora said the effort is paying off. In an era of increasing division, she feels like shes working to bring people a little closer to the truth  and a little closer together.

News feeds are more and more sophisticated, so were in these echo chambers, only seeing ads targeted to our profile, she said. Were losing our common conversation, she said.

Which reminds us. No, Meade never said Mexicans must get used to gasoline and electricity price hikes. No, Lopez Obradors son does not own a black Lamborghini. And no, Forbes did not name Pena Nietos wife as one of the richest women in the world.

To read this article in Spanish, click here

Advertisement

kate.linthicum@latimes.com

Twitter: @katelinthicum
At a rally today in Yerevans France Square, anti-Serzh Sargsyan movement leader Nikol Pashinyan told the crowd that he was in high spirits after reading a Facebook post by musician Serj Tankian that reads My heart and love goes out to all in Armenia who are struggling for a prosperous future.

Its the third day that activists have occupied the square, blocking it off to outsiders.

Tankian also writes about the power of non-violent civil disobedience when enough people take to the streets in defiance.

Armen Grigoryan, a member of the Reject Serzh initiative also referred to the Tankian post, claiming that it proved that the movement to oppose Sargyans election as prime minister had gone global.

Pashinyan said that activists in Gyumri had organized an automobile convoy and were headed to Yerevan.

In an apparent deviation from the movements original goal to prevent the parliament from electing Sargsyan as prime minister, Pashinyan today framed the issue at hand as struggling against sham elections.

I dont want to go into details here and describe how elections are faked. What I want to ask is can we create a system after the changes that will ensure election transparency. Yes, we can.

Pashinyan then listed several steps that could greatly minimize election fraud.

In conclusion, Pashinyan announced that the second stage of the movements civil disobedience strategy would start tomorrow, and that all preparations would be made to encircle the National Assembly on April 17. Thats the day parliamentary deputies are scheduled to elect Armenias new prime minister.
Anti-Serzh Sargsyan Movement leader Nikol Pashinyan is now calling on citizens to block all the bridges in Yerevan with their cars in an attempt to spread the police thin and thus allow activists to approach the National Assembly and form a human chain around it.

Now into its third day of rallies in Yerevan, the movement seeks to prevent ex-Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan from becoming the country's next prime minister.

Pashinyan, apparently not concerned with tipping off law enforcement to the movements plans for tomorrow, told a crowd of several hundred people attending a rally this evening in France Square to wake-up early on Monday and launch various acts of civil disobedience at 8:15 a.m.

Pashinyan also called on citizens to shut off their cars along various major intersections, thus causing traffic jams during the morning rush hour.

He also suggested that people lie down in the doors of Yerevan subway cars, not allowing them to close.

Perhaps sensing that the movement is sputtering, Pashinyan called on students to boycott classes and workers to strike.

Serzh Sargsyan is trying to change the essence of our country. Hes transforming it into western Azerbaijan. We arent citizens of Azerbaijan. We are citizens of Armenia. We arent citizens of North Korea or of Kazakhstan, Pashinyan declared.

Movement supporters will once again spend the night in France Square.
An estimated 500 to 700 Easton Area High School students staged a walkout for school safety last month.

A similar walkout is planned for Friday, but this time there's a twist.

A rally for gun owners' rights is planned at the same time at the school.

Student Andrew Oliviera will organize the rally for gun owners' rights. The rally and walkout are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. April 20.

Oliviera said his opinion wasn't represented the last time around and he wants a chance for his voice to be heard.

"I hope my rally shows the world that my generation is not all in on gun control," he said. "I want people to see that my generation has some great right wing ideals as well."

That's fine with Sidney Haisley, one of the student organizers of the school safety walkout. She said the point of the walkout is for those with diverging views to engage in dialogue about how to make schools safe.

"I don't think our viewpoints are necessarily conflicting," said the senior from Forks Township.

The walkout is part of a nationwide event spurred on by fatal shootings in American schools, in particular the fatal shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

If you think mental health care is at the root of the problem, you're welcome to participate. If you think we need more guns or fewer guns, you can have a voice at the walkout, Haisley said.

"It's really about whatever needs to be done to create safer schools," she said. "That's what we're advocating for."

Oliviera said the national walkout is being organized by "a left wing group that openly advocates for gun control."

That's why he feels he needs to organize his own event rather than work with the walkout group.

"I fear that the interest group will claim all attendees of her protest as supporters of their agenda," Oliviera said.

Easton Area School District Superintendent John Reinhart said the district doesn't endorse student walkouts but won't stand in the way of the planned events.

"The students of Easton Area High School handled the March 14, 17-minute memorial gathering for the victims of the Stoneman Douglas shooting with such maturity and respect that the administration has granted their request to continue their memorial activities on April 20," he said.

The walkout and rally are open to students, school staff and invited elected officials only. Members of the news media will be allowed on a portion of the high school grounds set aside by police. School district and Palmer Township police officers will provide security.

10 days until Eastons School Safety Walkout! As students and teenagers, people are constantly questioning our intelligence, abilities, and resolve. We are students. We are change. This is education in action. pic.twitter.com/d37EchUPOH  eastonwalkout (@eastonwalkout) April 10, 2018

Haisley and her peers believe you can improve schools by improving the community in general. To that end they've set up multiple fundraisers for charity.

The walkout group is selling wristbands for "David's Warriors," a fund set up in memory of Easton Area childhood cancer victim David Heard.

They'll bring 20 backpacks to symbolize the 20 slain children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. After the walkout, they'll fill them with donated school supplies and distribute them to children in need.

They'll also bring blankets to sit on during the walkout. Those blankets will be washed and then donated to an animal shelter.

The group has a gofundme page for those who want to contribute. You can find out more about the Easton walkout on Twitter and on the group's website. To buy a wristband or donate, you can contact the walkout organizers at eastonwalkout@gmail.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
The D&L Trail through Easton is due for two improvements in 2018, one for beautification and maybe a little inspiration, the other for man's best friend.

Lafayette College sophomore Regan Kinney plans in August, before next semester, to paint a mural on a wall along the trail. Her canvas is concrete and visible from the western side of South Third Street's Dr. George S. Smith Memorial Bridge over the Lehigh River.

"Right now there's just kind of graffiti there," Kinney said, noting it was put there by Lafayette's crew team.

City council approved the mural in a unanimous vote Wednesday.

"It's beautiful," Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano said of the design. "It's absolutely beautiful."

The design features scenes of Lehigh Valley heritage, including a mule-drawn canal boat, the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. blast furnaces, farming and a train. In the background, craggy peaks pay homage to Kinney's Rocky Mountain roots back home in Centennial, Colorado.

The mules, train and a flock of fowl project a motif of motion, almost urging trail users along.

Lafayette College proposed the mural through its Technology Clinic led by Lawrence Malinconico Jr., associate professor of geology and geophysics and director of the clinic.

The clinic this school year is working with the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and St. Luke's University Health Network to promote Tail on the Trail. This is an initiative focused on health and physical activity on the corridor's D&L Trail that begins in Bucks County and passes through Northampton, Lehigh and Carbon counties into Luzerne County.

Tech Clinic participant Claire Grunewald, a sophomore at Lafayette from Bel Air, Maryland, recruited Kinney to paint the mural. The two presented the proposal to city council along with Malinconico.

The city plans to support the effort, though the budget has not been set. Tech Clinic students wanted to wait for city approval before finalizing plans. Lafayette doesn't anticipate asking the city for any additional funding, other than help with wall prep before the mural is painted then anti-graffiti coating once it is done, Malinconico said.

Kinney said she may scale back the height of the proposed 18-foot-high mural to simplify things, because then she wouldn't need scaffolding, she said.

She plans to paint it all in one shot, rather than in pieces, to avoid problems with the paint and potentially with the weather.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the National Heritage Corridor and St. Luke's Tail on the Trail. To celebrate, a dog walk is planned 10 a.m. to noon May 5 at Easton's Hugh Moore Park.

A dog park is planned for completion by May 5, 2018, at Easton's Hugh Moore Park, in the area below grade and to the rear of this sign seen April 13, 2018. (Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com)

The city is working to have a new dog park ready in time, said Dave Hopkins, public works director.

Crews were out Friday installing a water line to serve the new enclosure. It'll be a little more than an acre, fenced in, with sections for small and large dogs, Hopkins said.

Dog walkers comprise a "huge demographic" of park users, and the dog park aims to give the pets and their owners a place of their own, according to Hopkins.

He estimates the dog park -- Hugh Moore Bark, he calls it -- will cost about $12,000 in materials. The location is on the left just as park users come in over the bridge and follow the access road to the right in the direction of the National Canal Museum.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Monroe County woman was killed Friday when the car she was riding in collided with another vehicle along a curve near a Monroe County intersection, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said.

Ruth A. Leon, 63, of Stroudsburg was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township following the 5:44 p.m. wreck in Hamilton Township. She was pronounced dead at 7:32 p.m. Friday at the hospital, according to the coroner's office.

An autopsy was conducted Saturday with Leon's exact cause and manner of death pending further toxicology testing.

Leon was the front seat passenger in a 2018 Chevy Malibu driven by Pedro P. Leon, 70, of Stroudsburg when the car, headed north on Route 209, crossed a double yellow line on a curve near Lesh Rod, and struck a Cadillac Escalade head-on, according to the coroner and a Pocono Record report.

Anthony Benton, 52, of Effort, the driver of the Escalade, and Pedro Leon, were both taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono with undisclosed injuries, according to the report. Daniel Lavelle, a network spokesman, said Sunday there was no information available on their conditions.

Pennsylvania State Police in Stroudsburg said they have no information at this time on the relationship between Ruth and Pedro Leon.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A teenager reported having his motorcycle stolen after it broke down at a Lehigh Valley car show.

The 19-year-old, from Whitehall Township, left his 2002 Honda VTR motorcycle parked at Saturday's event being held in the 7100 block of Hamilton Boulevard in Whitehall Township. He told township police he couldn't get the engine to run on the bike.

The victim reported the motorcycle was gone by the time he returned Sunday morning. Police said the motorcycle is red, with a Pennsylvania license plate, a custom back sub-frame and seat and no plastics on it.

Those with information are asked to call Upper Macungie Township police at 484-661-5911.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Let's admit it. Pennsylvania voters got "Metcalfed."

Just when state Rep. Steve Samuelson, a Bethlehem Democrat, was going to force a floor vote on House Bill 722 -- the measure he's been pushing to replace the in-house gerrymandering of Pennsylvania's congressional districts with an 11-member citizens commission -- in stepped Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, chairman of the State Government Committee.

So threatened was Metcalfe by the gerrymandering reform movement that he refused to call a hearing on Samuelson's bill for 11 months.

So threatened was Metcalfe that when Samuelson readied a "discharge resolution" -- a parliamentary move to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor -- Metcalfe added his own amendment to replace the 11-member citizen board with a six-member cabal of legislative insiders. On extremely short notice Wednesday, the chairman called for the committee together for a vote.

So threatened were the 15 Republican committee members that they voted in unison for the Metcalfe amendment, moving the bill out of committee. All 11 Democratic members voted against the bill.

If you've been following the redistricting ruckus in Harrisburg, you know it took a ruling of the Democratic-controlled state Supreme Court to redraw the map of congressional districts, after finding it was an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.

The court threw out badly distorted districts that had been assembled for one reason: To perpetuate a Republican advantage in U.S. House elections. The new map is a breath of fresh air.

The Lehigh Valley, for example, is again one congressional district, after being split in half in 2011, stretched westward to the Susquehanna River to create a super-red district, and annexing the Easton area to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to create an ultra-blue district.

It's important to note that gerrymandering -- the packing of districts to favor the majority party -- isn't a Republican construct. If Democrats were to regain control of the Legislature, they'd do it too. History shows neither party can resist.

That's why Samuelson's bill needs to be resurrected and adopted. Ditto for a companion measure, Senate Bill 22, sponsored by Sens. Lisa Boscola, a Bethlehem Democrat, and Mario Scavello, a Monroe County Republican.

Much of what's wrong with government begins with gerrymandering. Toss in the influence of big campaign money, and it allows leaders to ignore the will of the voters, because they can. In protected districts, elected leaders have little to fear at the polling place.

That's why it was laughable to hear Metcalfe defend his six-politico redistricting approach as the one that is accountable to the people. It's even worse than the current system, which at least gives the governor and Supreme Court a say over the Legislature's worst instincts.

We've tried that approach. It doesn't work.

We're in a difficult period for democracy. Americans are so polarized they can't speak about politics without drawing rhetorical swords, abiding only the gospels of the right or left. We're losing the ability to hear each other, and that stems from legislatures that don't need to listen, either. Or compromise.

The proposal for a citizens commission to redraw congressional districts isn't perfect, but it represents a huge improvement.

The road to ending gerrymandering is time-consuming. The Legislature must pass the same bill in two consecutive sessions. Then voters have their say in a statewide referendum. If those things fall into place, we would have a fairer map by which to elect members of Congress, without the courts having to play clean-up.

That won't happen unless good people get involved now, to say "no" to partisan strong-arming. Call, write or email your senator and representative. Go to fairdistrictspa.com to get a read on the issue, and how it can be corrected.

A majority of House members, Republicans and Democrats, is supporting the Samuelson bill -- not the Metcalfed version. They're ready to vote "aye." Like so many of us, they're finding their opinions don't add up to anything.
Stock Market News

Sunday newspaper round-up: Hammerson, WPP, Whitbread, BAE 15-04-2018 16:10



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk
Youth Movement

"My teacher looked down at her phone and said, 'There's been a mass shooting in Florida.'"

by Eve Silberman

From the April, 2018 issue

That's how sixteen-year-old Pioneer High junior Sarah Lewis learned of the deaths of fourteen students and three teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. "I was in my economics class," she recalls. "I have friends in the south of Florida. I checked my phone and learned ... it happened to be in the area where I knew some girls."



Her friends were safe--they didn't attend Douglas--but they knew one of the students who died. "That made it even more close to home for me," Lewis says.



Like other students around the country, Lewis didn't just mourn, she took action, organizing a "die-in" at Liberty Plaza. While about 200 people lay still for six minutes--the length of time the shootings took--she read aloud the names of the victims.



Other area high school students organized voter registration drives, called elected officials, joined the national walkout in honor of the murdered students, and rallied at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti. As the Observer went to press, many students planned to travel to D.C. on March 24 to join the nationwide "March for our Lives" there.



Huron High's Gabe Necula, sixteen, says he hadn't previously been politically active but "after seeing the brave students of Parkland" stand up to demand gun-law reform, "I decided I could not sit still." Encouraged by a teacher, Necula wrote letters to Parkland students. He notes that he'd feared for his own safety two years ago, when a masked intruder was reported at Huron (the incident was later described by police as a "prank"). Shortly before the Parkland killings, Serena Smith, seventeen, a junior at Washtenaw International High School in Ypsilanti, went through a lockdown triggered by a bomb threat scrawled on a bathroom wall. The success of the Parkland students in demanding changes from the Florida legislature--which raised the minimum age to buy a gun from eighteen to twenty-one--"inspired me to think 'enough is enough,'" Smith says. "School has become a place I don't

...continued below...

feel safe.""I have never worked with so many students from different schools," says Emma Roth, a seventeen-year-old Pioneer senior who helped organize the local movement. She thinks the Parkland shootings commanded so much attention because it was "a school in outer suburbia," but hopes the protests will help improve safety in all schools.Ann Arbor students also helped establish the "Washtenaw Youth Initiative" to advocate for gun control. Theresa Reid of the Washtenaw Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America says members sought advice from her group--itself founded after twenty students and six staffers were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012. "It might be a turning point," says Reid. "It's going to have to be the next generation" that brings about change.[Originally published in April, 2018.]
BOSTON - Three Boston police officers were injured Saturday after two cruisers collided in the city's downtown, according to The Boston Globe.

One cruiser was transporting a suspect while the other was responding to a call when the two crashed into one another, police said.

The crash occurred near the corner of Winter and Washington streets around 2:20 a.m., police said.

The cops received non-life threatening injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
HOLYOKE -- City Treasurer Sandy A. Smith said she does her job with integrity, is devoted to the city and resents being targeted by the City Council and The Republican because of recent events.

Smith was at times moved to tears and a raised voice while speaking in her office at City Hall Friday about a computer scam that stole $9,997 in June and questions councilors have raised about occasional work she does for a Springfield accounting firm.

"I have never on a professional level as treasurer or as an assistant (treasurer) compromised this office," Smith said.

The scam involved someone impersonating an official at the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department (HGE) who asked Smith to make a wire-transfer of money, which she did from a city account at PeoplesBank, officials said.

"I was human and I made a mistake....Do I have to like burn myself at the stake because I made an error? Do I? Type that up. Really. I didn't keep it a secret," Smith said.

Marshall Godfrey of Brentwood, New York was arrested in connection with the Holyoke case in Long Island Dec. 9 for violating the New York state statute for grand larceny, third degree. He pleaded guilty March 6 and is scheduled to be sentenced May 1, officials said.

Smith addressed questions related to:

Godfrey's name being on the email she thought she was getting from the HGE comptroller;

the email about the wire transfer requesting that the money be sent to a gmail account despite "HGE" being part of email addresses with which official business by that department is conducted, such as wire transfers;

how that, in telling the police, the information technology (IT) staff and PeoplesBank, she felt she had done all the disclosures that were necessary about the scam. City councilors have criticized that they were not informed until The Republican reported it in February;

whether she avoided publicly addressing the scam last year in order to protect her re-election chances at the polls Nov. 7;

the occasional work she said she does, mostly during tax-filing season, January to April, for Dufault, Vann and Carella of Springfield;

what she said has been the excessive scrutiny she has received about these issues from the City Council, especially Ward 2 Councilor Nelson R. Roman, and The Republican.

Smith agreed to an interview after The Republican submitted by email a list of questions that had yet to be publicly addressed on the issues.

She doesn't know anyone by the name of Marshall Godfrey, she said.

"No, and I take offense that you said to me, do I know him. On a professional and personal level, I did not know this person. I wasn't in cahoots with him," she said.

Smith said she thought the email requesting the wire transfer of money had come from Brian Richards, who at the time was HGE comptroller. Richards retired in the fall, HGE Manager James M. Lavelle said.

Asked whether receiving an email for such a transaction containing the unfamiliar name of "Marshall Godfrey" struck her as odd, Smith said, "I didn't receive that from Marshall Godfrey. I received that from Brian Richards requesting that I take care of a wire for him on that day. I said I'm in the office. I've explained this I don't know how many times."

But Brian Richards didn't send that email to you, Smith was told.

"That's not the point," Smith said. "The point is he did send it to me, as far as I was concerned that day."

The email that sought the wire transfer June 13 appears not to have included any kind of official letterhead, HGE or otherwise. It says at the top, "Action required" and "Brian Richards" and "to me" and "Acct. name - Marshall Godfrey" followed by account and routing numbers and "Bank - Teacher Federal Credit Union" and "Amonth" (apparently "amount" misspelled) followed by "$9,997."

"I know that," Smith said. "That's part of the scam. What do you want me to say? I got taken. I was having a bad afternoon. We're all human. Have you ever made a mistake? And I've owned up to it."

Lavelle said in an interview at his office Wednesday that no one by the name of Marshall Godfrey is connected to the HGE. Also, department business is not conducted via gmail accounts, he said.

"Not for business, not that I'm aware of," Lavelle said.

Lavelle praised Smith and said she has always been helpful to the HGE.

"Unfortunately, it's a sign of the times with these cyber crimes on the increase. You read about these types of scams every day. I was glad to hear the police were able to track the individual down and hopefully, restitution can be properly made," Lavelle said.

"No one feels worse about the situation than her," he said of Smith.

In some parts of the utility industry, such as natural gas companies, wire transfers are the only accepted method of financial transaction, Lavelle said.

Smith said she didn't make any public statements about the scam until it became widely known in February because the matter was under investigation, though she said police didn't tell her to refrain from commenting publicly.

She told IT staff, police, former city auditor Joshua Pueschel, the bank and the mayor's office, she said. Mayor Alex B. Morse has said that his recollection differs from Smith's and that he learned about the scam more recently.

Members of the City Council said that board should have been informed about the scam. The Council is the elected legislative body charged under the city charter with approving all municipal spending.

"Why would I make it public?" Smith said. "You know if I tell any of the city councilors there, they're going to make ... a big deal out of it, and we didn't even have a suspect then."

The city treasurer is an elected position. Smith was unopposed in the Nov. 7 election and was re-elected to another four-year term.

The treasurer's duties include handling tax title records for properties whose owners are in arrears with the city, holding and investing city funds and managing employee payrolls in the city budget, which began the fiscal year July 1 at nearly $127 million.

The city treasurer's yearly salary is $70,016.

Not making any public comments about the scam had nothing to do with trying to protect her re-election chances, she said. Anyone was able to run against her and no one did.

"Most of the people I have talked to, 'John Q. Public,' have said, 'You're doing a great job, keep up the good work,' " Smith said.

It gets frowned on by the City Council, but it's not unusual for elected and appointed municipal officials to have other, usually part- or limited-time, jobs. Jon D. Lumbra, Smith's predecessor, caught heat from councilors for continuing as city treasurer for several months while having taken a private-sector job. Lumbra said at the time that all city treasurer business was getting addressed.

After Lumbra left, the Council established an ordinance related to "hours of municipal offices and employees." It says in part:

"No elected or appointed supervisory or professional employee shall take on any outside employment that would interfere with their regularly scheduled hours at City Hall. Unless otherwise performing official city business or taking approved leave, all such employees shall generally be available to the public at their City Hall office during regular City Hall hours."

State Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, and Morse have lectured at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and Pueschel had a tax and and accounting business.

Smith said she does occasional work for Dufault, Vann and Carella.

"I work as needed. He's a dear friend of mine. And whenever he needs me during tax season, I stop by, I work nights and sometimes on weekends, a handful of hours to help them out," Smith said.

Concerns that a second job might detract from her focus on city treasurer business are unfounded, she said.

"Yes it is and I take offense to that because I am the treasurer 100 percent," Smith said. "It's not like I leave here or I don't show up for work. I've had two surgeries in two years, or in a year, and I've been here on weekends with my walker recovering from my knee surgery and my hip surgery."

As for Roman, Smith said, "If he's got a personal vendetta against me, then bring it."

Roman said Friday his actions are not a vendetta but a desire to get questions answered in light of the "treasurer's abrasive and combative attitude and lack of respect for questions that the public has a right to know."

He was surprised upon hearing that Smith had another job but is glad to know that the work at the Springfield firm is only occasional and that she discussed it, he said.

"I hope that transparency and honesty continue to serve as her guiding principals. It is my duty to protect the taxpayers of the city of Holyoke," Roman said.

Smith's other employment raised concerns because of issues related to previous officials having second jobs that were more time-consuming than hers apparently is, he said.

Before any of the treasurer's-office-related issues had surfaced, Roman filed an order to establish a procedure voters could execute to recall elected officials. That remains important, he said.

"I still assert we need a recall provision to protect and give opportunities for the citizens to hold elected officials accountable," he said.

The "Marshall Godfrey" email sent to Holyoke city treasurer: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd
PALMER - One man was killed and a woman is suffering life-threatening injuries in a Saturday night shooting in the Thorndike section of the town.

The 24-year-old man was found dead outside a home and a 21-year-old woman was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with critical injuries, Palmer Police said.

A caller reported to police at 10:14 p.m. that a woman had been shot. When officers arrived they found the man dead outside the home. They then found the female victim, but did not say where she was located, police said.

Police did not release names of the victims or the address where the shooting happened. Police also did not release any information about a possible suspect.

"There is no cause for alarm in the community," police said.

The shooting is being investigated by Palmer Police detectives and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's Office.

More information is expected to come from Gulluni's office later in the day.

This is a breaking story. Masslive will update as more information becomes available.
A link to a petition demanding Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and politicians change the judicial system in the wake of Yarmouth Police Officer Sean Gannon's killing has been shared by both the Yarmouth Police Department and Auburn Police Department on social media.

Both departments have lost police officers in the line of duty. Gannon was fatally shot Thursday by a man with more than 100 prior convictions while serving a warrant in the Marstons Mills village of Barnstable, authorities said.

Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. was fatally shot by Jorge Zambrano on May 22, 2016, after the officer stopped a vehicle on Rochdale Street in Auburn around 12:18 a.m.

Yarmouth Police and Auburn Police both shared a link to a change.org petition on Twitter. Auburn Police included the names of other officers and a Massachusetts State Police trooper killed in the line of duty. The "In Memory of Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr." Facebook page also shared a link to the petition.

We were asked to share this post from @yarmouthpolice As you consider signing it, remember these names: Gannon, Tarentino, Maguire, Briggs, Charbonnier, Rose.

Things need to change. https://t.co/vyTVtxlfeb  Auburn Police (@AuburnMAPolice) April 15, 2018

The petition, started by Lori Wagner, had more than 17,600 online signatures as of 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

"The judicial system in this state needs an overhaul. Our police officers are out putting their lives on the line daily for the safety of the people of the Commonwealth and their hard work is for not when career criminals are allowed to walk free from a courthouse," the petition reads. "How many known violent criminals are walking freely in public awaiting their next court date instead of sitting in a cell where they belong? 1 is too many. Officer Sean Gannon is the perfect example of why."

Gannon and his K-9 Nero were shot Thursday while serving a warrant with other officers at a home on Blueberry Lane. Authorities say Thomas Latanowich shot Gannon in the head and Nero in the face and shoulder.

Latanowich, 29, was arraigned on a murder charge Friday and held without bail.

The Yarmouth Police Department posted on Facebook over the weekend that the Massachusetts Criminal Justice system let them down.

The petition says judges need to be held accountable for improper decisions and criticized the judicial system for having Latanowich out on the streets. Latanowich violated probation on a gun charge.

"We the people of Massachusetts want our justice system fixed. it's time we are allowed to feel safe and it is beyond the time for our police officers to have their hard work followed through on the final end--jail for offenders," the petition reads.

Zambrano, the man who fatally shot Tarentino with a stolen gun, had been in court three months before the killing.

A judge discussed Zambrano's violent history toward police during the Feb. 11, 2016 arraignment in Clinton District Court. The judge could have revoked Zambrano's bail, but did not.

The Worcester District Attorney's Office filed a motion to have Zambrano's bail revoked. Bail was instead set at $500 and Zambrano's girlfriend paid the money the same day as his arraignment.

After killing Tarentino, Zambrano hid in an Oxford home and was killed after shooting at Massachusetts State Police troopers. One trooper was shot by Zambrano, but the wound was not fatal.

Zambrano previously served seven years in jail on cocaine distribution and assault on a police officer charges.
Editor's note: A reporter and photographer from The Republican were invited recently to witness the first day of the 41st Western Massachusetts County Correctional Officer's Basic Training Academy. This report is part of a series of looks at the cadets' progress through the academy, culminating in their graduation in seven weeks.

CHICOPEE -- The road to becoming a correctional officer with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department begins at the crack of dawn in a Westover Air Reserve Base parking lot.

Lesson one is knowing where to park.

"What are you doing here?! Get that vehicle the hell out of here!" one of the instructors screams at a cadet who shows up 15 minutes early. The cadet's offense? Parking in the wrong lot.

Over the next seven weeks, 19 cadets will undergo fitness training, defensive training and tactics, and academic work on jail procedures required for jobs at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee and the Berkshire County House of Correction in Pittsfield.

But before any of that happens, they need to make it through Day One.

The instructors, all veteran corrections officials with the Berkshire and Hampden sheriff's departments, yell themselves hoarse while getting in people's faces, shouting commands, lobbing insults and pushing the cadets to the breaking point.

Everything uttered by one of the instructors on Day One is loud and punctuated with an exclamation point -- even the questions.

"Holy smokes! This is the cream of the crop right here?! This is the best the department has to offer?!"

"Do you think it's funny?!"

"Do you think you're special?! Get out of that vehicle and beat your face on the ground!"

The go-to move for even the slightest transgression is push-ups. There are also wind-sprints, laps around the parking lot and leg raises.

Often instructors bark words of encouragement, like: "You ain't going to make it to tomorrow!"

Flipping a switch

The Day One tradition of heaping abuse on cadets goes back years. The Hampden County Sheriff's Department describes this process as "a paramilitary team-building environment."

On this March morning, sunny with temperatures in low 30s, things quickly heat up.

The team of eight instructors, seven men and one woman led by academy commandant Sgt. Joseph Celetti, seem like nice, ordinary people. Hanging around in the training building, they joke, make small talk and pose for photos in their dress uniforms.

But when they emerge from the building at exactly 7:30 a.m. and head across the lot to where the cadets are parked, it is as if a switch has been flipped.

For the next several hours, the instructors yell. And yell. And yell.

In the first 20 minutes, they scream about everything and anything, no matter how big or how small.

A "thin blue line" sticker on the back of a car. "You're not law enforcement! You are nothing!"

A pine tree-shaped air freshener hanging from a mirror. "What is that?! Get rid of that crap!"

Tinted car windows. "Are you a drug dealer?! Yes, you are!"

Rust on a truck bumper. "What is this crap?! This shouldn't even be on the road."

A passer-by at this point would probably feel great empathy toward the cadets, but bear two things in mind: Each of them signed up for it. And the starting salary for a Hampden County correctional officer is between $50,000 and $63,000.

This empathy is perhaps why, in this anti-bullying climate, the Sheriff's Office requested The Republican not publish video from Day One. No media had ever been invited to the event before, and the sheriff's department afterward expressed concern the general public would get the wrong idea.

The first lessons

Inside of the first 20 minutes, each recruit learns several important things.

One is that the first word out of their mouths must be either sir or ma'am, depending on which instructor they are addressing.

"Sir, yes sir!" "Ma'am, no ma'am!"

And it has to be delivered with conviction.

"I can't hear you!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

Next they learn that the authority of the instructor is supreme.

When they say drop, you drop. When they say do sprints, you do sprints. When they command you to run around the parking lot shouting, "I am an idiot," you run and shout with all the speed, volume and sincerity you can muster.

"What kind of running is that?! This isn't Baywatch! Run!"

Another lesson is that cadets' cars and their possessions must be secured at all times. In a jail, doors are locked unless there is a reason for them to be open.

For close to an hour, the cadets run back and forth, from their cars to the fall-in line. While the cadets stand at attention, instructors check their cars, and woe unto anyone who left their vehicle without locking the doors.

A female cadet who drops her car keys as she falls out is ordered to pick them up and run around the parking lot yelling, "I have found my keys. I have found my keys."

A male cadet who left his car unlocked, allowing instructors to find a lacrosse stick and luggage inside, is ordered to run laps with it, yelling, "I am a lacrosse player!"

"We're going to keep doing this until we get everyone on the same page that when they exit their vehicles, their vehicles are secure," Celetti yells.

Are you a Bro?

Somewhere between the push-ups, wind sprints, getting in and out of the car, misfortune befalls cadet Andrew Brower. Half of his nametag is missing.

When one of the instructors gets in Brower's face about it, what plays out is almost like an Abbott and Costello routine.

"What's your name?!"

"Sir, Brower, sir!"

"Why does it say Bro?! What's this?! Are you a Bro?!"

"Sir, no sir!"

"You think you're a Bro?!"

"Sir, no sir!"

"Sound off! What's your name?!"

"Sir, Brower, sir!"

"It says Bro! You say Bro! What's your name?!"

"Sir, Bro, sir!"

Balled fists and a raised voice

Before Day One, cadets go through a six-week training regimen. By Day One, they are expected to be able to run a mile and a half and do a certain number of push-ups and sit-ups within a minute. The time of the run and the number of sit-ups and push-ups varies based on gender and age.

After completing the academy, correctional officers undergo physical fitness testing annually.

The sheriff's department training manual allows for women to do a modified push-up with legs bent and knees touching the ground. That may be good enough for the training manual, but it isn't good enough for Mia Piazza, the only woman among the eight instructors.

With her fists balled, Piazza gets in the face of male cadets to shout, "I will knock you down!"

Seeing one of the female cadets in the modified push-up position, Piazza howls.

"I never did any of that s---," she screams. "If you want to be in my role, you better step it up."

With her voice getting louder and louder, she dares the cadet to use her gender "as a crutch."

"That's bulls---. Don't disrespect me!" she shouts. "Step it up. You want to step into a male-dominated role and you better step it up! Don't ever insult me!"

A calm voice amid the shouting

Almost unnoticed among the screaming instructors is one man hovering on the periphery. If one of cadets seemed to be having a hard time with the push-ups or the leg raises or the screaming, Michael Frost would sidle up and whisper words of encouragement.

"It's only a movie. You can do this," he would say.

Frost is 13 weeks away from retiring after a 37-year career with the sheriff's department. A longtime drill instructor, he estimates he has gone through 50 or 60 training academies. And he has been as tough and probably tougher than any of the instructors today.

"Damn, I was spat out of the gates of hell," he says.

His role today is essentially to make sure that the people discouraged on Day One come back for Day Two and beyond.

"Some of them are just 20-22 years old and this is the first time someone has gotten in their grill as fiercely as this," he says.

If the point of the academy is to weed out applicants who are unfit for the job, then Frost's role would seem to be paradoxical. Not so, he says.

"What I don't want them to do is break and then to lose them because of a couple of hours of this stuff," he says. "I do this because I'm afraid that someone is going to go to their car right now and take off."

Day One is intended to be a shock to the system. It teaches discipline, procedures and respect for authority. Once that is done, it moves to a more academic and much more civil tone, Frost says.

Is it difficult for an instructor to be that mean?

Not at all, Frost says. "I think inherently we all have that."
Wells Fargo may pay a $1 billion penalty for forcing customers into car insurance and charging mortgage borrowers unfair fees.

The beleaguered bank warned on Friday that it may revise its first quarter earnings results because of the fine. The bank says that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have offered to resolve their investigations for that amount.

By Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN Money

http://www.kpax.com/story/37951903/wells-fargo-could-face-1-billion-penalty-for-auto-and-mortgage-abuses
From exercise equipment that creates electricity to a how-to guide on financing solar panels for residential homes, some Missoula businesses are putting major efforts into sustainability as Earth Day nears on April 22.

Paul Herendeen, the director of impact market development at Missoula Federal Credit Union, has put together a detailed brochure called "Financial Analysis of Residential Solar: A Guide for Homeowners" to give people a simplified way to find out of solar panels are a cost-effective option for them.

The guide, available online at http://www.missoulafcu.org/environment/, gives anyone thinking about solar panels in Montana information about what to expect, including potential risks and opportunities.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/business/local-businesses-utilize-explain-renewable-energy-for-the-masses/article_1f795874-f255-5509-8e06-12a401d94488.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest
Economy Minister Visits United Arab Emirates, One of the Biggest Investors in Georgia

By Levan Khutsishvili

On April 9, in the frames of official visit to United Arab Emirates, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Dimitri Kumsishvili met with the Minister of Economy of Emirates Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansuri.The two sides discussed trade-economic relations between and significant progress in trade, economics, investment and tourism was discussed. According to the data of the first two months of 2018, Georgia's trade turnover with Emirates increased by 14%, including exports by 25%. The first Vice Prime Minister, United Arab Emirates is one of the largest investors in Georgia. According to the data of 2017, Emirats was 7th largest investor."We talked about the volume of trade we have between the two countries, as well as the level of investment coming from United Arab Emirates. As of today, this figure exceeds 800 million dollars and we hope that investments will be increased in future. It is also very important that the number of visitors in Georgia using United Arab Emirates airline companies -"Fly Dubai" and "Air Arabia" last year amounted to more than 325 thousand visitors," said Kumsishvili.Ministers also noted positive trend in the field of tourism between Georgia and the Emirates. In the first two months of 2018, Georgia attracted 7 percent more tourists from the United Arab Emirates compared to the same period from last year. It was highlighted that the increased number of tourist is a result of arranged direct flights between the countries. From the Emirates, two airlines operate regular flights, including "Fly Dubai" - 21 flights per week and "Air Arabia" - 7 flights per week. These two airlines assisted 26% more passengers during the first two months of 2018, than during the same period of 2017.Besides the existing progress in relationship between the countries, the ministers also spoke about the future cooperation.Dimitry Kumsishvili noted the importance of agreement between Georgia and United Arab Emirates about Protection of Investments, which took effect in April 2018. Georgian Minister expressed hope that this agreement will allow Georgia attract more investments from Emirates.Kumsishvili emphasized the initiative of Georgian Government appointing Commercial Attaches in 6 leading countries and United Arab Emirates is one of them. Functions of the Commercial Attache is to support export, organize investments and protect Georgian business in host country.Free trade agreement with the Gulf countries was also covered."I am fascinated by the changes that are being implemented in your country and how open it is to investments. We are optimistic about future cooperation, "said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansur.The sides agreed to continue the cooperation in priority directions and create closer economic relations between the countries.
Blog Archive September 2021 (4) August 2021 (6) July 2021 (2) June 2021 (4) May 2021 (3) April 2021 (5) March 2021 (6) February 2021 (3) January 2021 (6) December 2020 (4) November 2020 (8) October 2020 (7) September 2020 (3) August 2020 (7) July 2020 (6) June 2020 (4) May 2020 (8) April 2020 (9) March 2020 (6) February 2020 (4) January 2020 (2) December 2019 (3) November 2019 (2) October 2019 (3) September 2019 (3) August 2019 (3) July 2019 (3) June 2019 (1) May 2019 (1) April 2019 (2) March 2019 (1) February 2019 (1) January 2019 (2) December 2018 (1) November 2018 (5) October 2018 (7) September 2018 (6) August 2018 (5) July 2018 (2) June 2018 (5) May 2018 (4) April 2018 (3) March 2018 (5) February 2018 (6) January 2018 (9) December 2017 (7) November 2017 (5) October 2017 (7) September 2017 (9) August 2017 (6) July 2017 (9) June 2017 (6) May 2017 (8) April 2017 (8) March 2017 (12) February 2017 (8) January 2017 (12) December 2016 (10) November 2016 (8) October 2016 (4) September 2016 (2) August 2016 (5) July 2016 (6) June 2016 (4) May 2016 (5) April 2016 (3) March 2016 (9) February 2016 (5) January 2016 (7) December 2015 (8) November 2015 (5) October 2015 (6) September 2015 (4) August 2015 (7) July 2015 (3) June 2015 (5) May 2015 (9) April 2015 (5) March 2015 (5) February 2015 (8) January 2015 (7) December 2014 (8) November 2014 (9) October 2014 (13) September 2014 (10) August 2014 (7) July 2014 (10) June 2014 (10) May 2014 (12) April 2014 (10) March 2014 (14) February 2014 (10) January 2014 (14) December 2013 (14) November 2013 (9) October 2013 (17) September 2013 (14) August 2013 (23) July 2013 (19) June 2013 (16) May 2013 (23) April 2013 (23) March 2013 (29) February 2013 (31) January 2013 (32) December 2012 (31) November 2012 (49) October 2012 (60) September 2012 (48) August 2012 (40) July 2012 (20) June 2012 (32) May 2012 (18) April 2012 (47) March 2012 (61) February 2012 (59) January 2012 (44) December 2011 (57) November 2011 (58) October 2011 (54) September 2011 (51) August 2011 (53) July 2011 (57) June 2011 (46) May 2011 (34) April 2011 (36) March 2011 (43) February 2011 (48) January 2011 (36) December 2010 (23) November 2010 (32) October 2010 (30) September 2010 (29) August 2010 (20) July 2010 (24) June 2010 (21) May 2010 (23) April 2010 (38) March 2010 (39) February 2010 (35) January 2010 (40) December 2009 (29) November 2009 (33) October 2009 (33) September 2009 (43) August 2009 (49) July 2009 (34) June 2009 (29) May 2009 (33) April 2009 (48) March 2009 (32) February 2009 (25) January 2009 (37) December 2008 (19) November 2008 (35) October 2008 (90) September 2008 (77) August 2008 (67) July 2008 (37) June 2008 (36) May 2008 (33) April 2008 (28) March 2008 (34) February 2008 (33) January 2008 (31) December 2007 (18) November 2007 (23) October 2007 (23) September 2007 (23) August 2007 (26) July 2007 (29) June 2007 (26) May 2007 (30) April 2007 (30) March 2007 (25) February 2007 (20) January 2007 (14) December 2006 (20) November 2006 (18) October 2006 (20) September 2006 (20) November 2005 (1)
ANN ARBOR, MI - Joseph Hood, who was elected to serve as a Republican precinct delegate from 2012 to 2014, is now running for Ann Arbor City Council as a Democrat.

An IT director for an architecture firm, Hood is challenging 4th Ward incumbent Graydon Krapohl in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary.

The two shared the stage on Thursday, April 12, during a candidate forum at the University of Michigan's Ford School.

Hood said fixing roads is his top priority and the reason why he's running for office.

He said he decided to run after meeting Council Member Jack Eaton, who is now running for mayor, at one of Eaton's coffee hours.

"I asked him if he needed any help, and here I am," Hood said, indicating he's interested in roads, infrastructure, and transparency in government, but not real estate speculation.

In an interview, Hood explained why he previously ran in the August 2012 Republican primary for a 4th Ward precinct delegate position and is now running for City Council as a Democrat.

He said he doesn't really consider himself a Democrat or a Republican, but he knows his chances of getting elected to the Ann Arbor City Council if he doesn't run as a Democrat are slim.

He said he doesn't know how to explain himself politically, but he knows it would be silly to run as a Republican in Ann Arbor.

Asked if he voted for Republican Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Hood declined to comment.

"I did not vote for Hillary," he said.

Asked if he supports Trump, Hood said there are things he likes about Trump and things he doesn't like.

"His personal actions are atrocious," he said.

After he was elected as a GOP precinct delegate in 2012, Hood said he went to one of the Washtenaw County Republican Party's meetings and couldn't get anything moving, so he didn't stay involved.

In 2014, he said, he supported Democrat Christopher Taylor for mayor and put up one of Taylor's yard signs.

Hood argues there's more to local politics than party affiliation and his approach to issues is to just do the right thing.

For instance, he said, he considers himself a "climate skeptic," but at the same time he tries to be green.

He said he has two electric cars but rides his bicycle to work, he has solar heat for his swimming pool, and he mows his yard with an electric lawn mower because he hates using gas.

"I practice what I preach," he said.

He said it's on those bicycle rides to and from work, when he's holding onto both handle bars firmly because the streets are so bumpy, that he thinks Ann Arbor can do better.

If the city would just fix the roads, he said, he probably wouldn't be running for office right now.

Krapohl, who has been in office since 2014, said he loves Ann Arbor and thinks it's headed in the right direction.

"The groundwork for continued success has been laid," he said. "But I think, though, too, we have a lot of work to do, and there's a lot of decisions that are coming before us that are really going to shape the future of Ann Arbor for the next 10 to 20 years."

Krapohl said the key going forward is to find a balance between doing all the things the city has to do and the things the city wants to do with the resources the city has.

Y Lot property downtown

The two candidates disagree on one of the biggest issues before the City Council at the moment: the vacant downtown property known as the Y Lot, next to the Blake Transit Center.

The city is considering exercising its option to repurchase the property for $4.2 million and the council was divided 7-3 on it at a recent meeting. It needs eight votes to be approved.

The city sold the lot to Dennis Dahlmann four years ago for $5.25 million and Dahlmann had four years to develop it, but he didn't follow through, blaming the city. Now a majority of council members want to buy it back so the city can have control over what happens to it next, and Dahlmann is suing the city over it.

Krapohl said he thinks it's important and in the city's interest to regain possession of the property by buying it back.

"Mr. Dahlmann hasn't been able to move forward with a project," he said. "The agreement from 2013 allows us to purchase it back. I think there are advantages to the city."

Krapohl said there are a number of things the city could do with the lot, whether it's affordable housing, commercial space or more downtown open space. But if the city doesn't own it, he said, then there won't be a community conversation about what to do with it.

"I think it's in our interest to be able to control that for all the residents of Ann Arbor," he said.

Hood said buying the Y Lot would be speculation and he said real estate speculation is not good for a city government.

He compared it to college students using their financial aid money to invest in Bitcoin, suggesting it's not the best investment.

On the other hand, Hood said he has an office in Baltimore where he has seen people hold onto buildings "forever and ever" and nothing happens to them and they decay.

"And Detroit was like that for the longest time," he said.

"But I don't think we need to be in real estate speculation," he continued. "I haven't seen the appraisal for that lot. If it goes as high as $12 million, it sounds like, wow, that's an easy thing to just do. Wham bam. But, OK, where is that appraisal? Does it include all the restrictions we've placed on that property? I don't know that."

Suggesting a lawsuit could take three to five years to resolve if the city fights Dahlmann in court, Hood said his financial planner tells him things are going to be "really weird" in three years.

"You don't want to be exposed like this," he said.

Hood said he's never met Dahlmann, but "people with money aren't stupid all the time" and he wishes the city could work with Dahlmann to make something happen that people would really like.

The candidates also were asked to share their thoughts on campaign contributions, as some council members who've received campaign donations from Dahlmann and his associates are at the moment blocking the city from repurchasing the Y Lot.

Krapohl said he doesn't think campaign donations influence his decisions as a council member.

"I pride myself on being independent in terms of how I approach decisions, how I look at the issues, and how I gather information and the facts," he said. "Most of my donations are from individuals, family members, friends and so on, and not from specific developments or developers or other special interest groups."

Affordable housing and housing affordability

Krapohl expressed support for more investment in affordable housing in Ann Arbor, while Hood suggested Ypsilanti, the city's neighbor to the east, could serve that need.

Krapohl said housing affordability is probably one of the greatest threats to Ann Arbor and its vibrancy and quality of life.

As the city loses economic diversity, he said, it loses diversity in the population, and diversity of views, opinions and cultures. He said it's important to have diversity in a community.

He said the city has addressed some of the low-hanging fruit and more is needed to tackle housing affordability.

"We need to continually look at high-density housing, how we can be finding a sustainable income source for our affordable housing fund," he said. "I think we can look to try and find other communities that have been successful in policies."

Krapohl said the city has to increase housing options for people and look at streamlining some of the city's internal processes for new developments to reduce developer expenses.

Hood, who said he likes the idea of a dense urban core, said affordable housing is a two-pronged issue.

"Because you want to have affordability for anybody to come live, but basically it changes the price structure for people living there, which makes the price go up even higher," he said.

"One of the things I struggle with and I see is that the problem actually encompasses a lot of things," he said. "What we have going on right now is the folks that want to raise a family, own a house, and they're just starting out, they basically go to Ypsi, and they drive down Washtenaw Avenue every day, and that is hard because you're in traffic. I mean, that's not an easy way."

Hood said there has to be an easy way to better connect Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

"I think Ypsi might be what we need," he said. "But we certainly could help their school system out without any hindrance to ours, and that is something that I'll talk about in the future."

Immigration

On the topic of immigration, the candidates weighed in on whether Ann Arbor is doing enough to protect immigrants and whether the city should join other communities to oppose the Trump administration's 2020 census question about citizenship status.

"That's a tough question," Hood said, suggesting finding a "meeting point" between being fair to the law and being fair to what he described as "second-class citizens," as opposed to "first-class American citizens."

"If you go against the law, where does it lead you?" he said. "Of course, you can always ignore some laws, and we do that."

Hood said he didn't have a clear answer on that.

But as far as helping people who are undocumented, he said he thinks Ann Arbor is doing all it can.

Krapohl agreed he thinks the city has done what it can within the limits of what it's allowed to do.

"I think at times we've tried to push those limits, which has been a good thing," he said.

"I think this is an issue that represents failure in Washington, D.C., over the last 20-30 years and its inability to actually deal with comprehensive immigration policy and what we're going to do," Krapohl continued. "And unfortunately that always ends up falling back to the state and, in this case, the local governments to try and find a resolution to help protect the immigrants in our communities and helping them in ways that we can."

On the census, Krapohl said he's hoping the City Council can pass a resolution saying it's not an appropriate question.

"I would urge all residents to write their congressional leaders, to write their senators, and tell them that this is inappropriate," he said. "That's where we're going to get action is at the national level, because the best we can do at the local level is a piecemeal effort and most of it is reactive. There's ... limits to what we can do."

Regional transit

Krapohl said the region needs to change the way it thinks about transit and mobility. He said the solution for traffic congestion and accommodating the growth that's already happening is to think about transit from a regional perspective.

"We're no longer separate islands in terms of Ann Arbor being its own, Ypsilanti," he said. "We are merging together. As the region grows both in terms of population and economically, we need to think regionally ... and it's more than just coordinating the buses. It's going to be coordinating the rail, or at least considering those options."

Hood said he didn't have a good answer, but he suggested any true fix for regional transportation will include rail transit.

"Buses don't help economically," he said. "I mean, they're a fix. They get people there and here, but the reality is you've got to change things around for effective public transportation. And this being Michigan, Detroit, the home of the cars, it's going to be tough, especially self-driving cars. I don't have a good answer."
A structure fire has led to the closure of a section of road along the Shiawassee and Genesee County border.

The closure is on North Sheridan Road, or M-13, between Pierson and Carpenter roads, according to Genesee County 911 and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Multiple departments were called out to the 4300 block of North Sheridan Road in Hazelton Township for a residential structure fire.

There was no immediate word available on the cause of the fire or any injuries.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A couple escaped injury after a large branch snapped off a tree and crashed into their moving car Saturday afternoon.

Ryan and Chrstina Limke were in their Surbaru on Fuller Avenue SE just south of Fulton Street when the branch smashed the top of the car.

Gusty winds in a long-duration winter storm, bringing a wintry mix during parts of Saturday, April 14, caused several trees and power lines to come down.

"My husband's driving. He sort of swerved, but then all of the sudden there's this crushing weight, the loudest sound ever, on the entire front of our car and it caved in on us," Chrstina Limke said.

Both were able to get out of the car.

"It was somebody looking out for us or dumb luck," Ryan Limke said. "The way the car looks, it looks like we should have been a lot more hurt than we are."
OTSEGO, MI -- Residents concerned about the cause of health issues including cancer will likely have to wait months before officials determine if the cases in the area are statistically significantly higher than state or national averages.

State and federal officials gave an update during an April 14 meeting in Otsego, and talked about the next steps in an investigation of the possible link between health issues and environmental contamination.

Officials are looking at former industrial sites and practices as part of the investigation.

Citizens launched an effort in March to find out what could be causing illnesses, after former Otsego resident and cancer survivor Mary Zack, 37, began asking questions. Her sister and several other friends from high school were also diagnosed with cancer, Zack has said, and she wants to know why.

She created a health survey that has collected hundreds of responses, and provided it to officials to investigate.

Kory Groetsch, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Public Health Director in the Division of Environmental Health, noted the young ages of some of the illnesses reported, but said it will take time to determine if the rates are statistically significant.

It will take about three to six months to pull data on cancer in specific zip codes in the area, he estimated, so they can be compared with state and national averages.

Doctors are required to report instances of cancer to the state and federal government, which helps provide a complete data set, but other illnesses that residents have reported do not have such a complete data set to compare to, he said.

Residents have reported lupus, diabetes, asthma, endocrine and thyroid issues and other illnesses in the citizen-initiated survey.

Officials will look at things that may have entered into the environment that may not have been required to be reported in the past that could be a factor in the health concerns, said Mark Johnson, regional director at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

"We're now looking to see what information might be in the records going back to the operations of Menasha and its disposal practices ... that might give us some clues about other chemicals that could have been impacting water systems or exposures beyond what was required to test for," he said.

"We're going to be looking at that closely."

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality told MLive previously that it would review information for the Kalamazoo River Superfund site, the former Rock-Tenn paper mill, the former Menasha paper mill, the former A-1 Landfill, and other potential sources will be evaluated as deemed necessary.

Dan Peabody of MDEQ provided a summary of several former industrial sites including the Menasha plant on Farmer street and the former RockTenn plant. He said officials are still working to locating some testing documents from decades ago.

Saturday's meeting at Otsego United Methodist Church was emotional at times, with some in the audience asking about child illnesses and the possible causes.

While some expressed frustration with the process, asking why things had not been investigated sooner, or why more information was not known earlier, officials emphasized that the public can help by submitting information about possible contamination.

Officials from several agencies emphasized they would be working together to find answers. Testing at residential wells and other environmental tests are underway, officials said, and findings will be shared with the community.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - Five black workers at a senior-health center in Zeeland say their employer granted requests by some white clients that only white workers provide their care.

The five certified nursing assistants have filed a federal lawsuit in Grand Rapids against Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.

It is one of several federal lawsuits in recent years in which minority healthcare workers allege employers let patients request that only white workers provide services.

Providence, with headquarters in Tinley Park, Illinois, has facilities in Zeeland and elsewhere.

Providence Life Services, a non-profit, faith-based organization, said in a statement to MLive and the Grand Rapids Press that staff assignments are not made based on race.

"We are not able to comment on these allegations due to the pending litigation, other than to confirm that Providence does not modify staff assignments based on race," spokeswoman Sheila King said.

"Providence takes its employees' concerns about their working environment very seriously as it recognizes the importance of providing a positive workplace for its employees and other healthcare providers assisting its residents.

"Respecting the dignity of each person is a key value for both Providence staff and residents," she said.

Kimberly French, Gloria Reid, Tiesha Branch, Marquita Mills, Providence Ngoh and Valencia Washington filed the lawsuit. They are current or former workers for Providence Healthcare.

The lawsuit said Providence granted requests of some patients that they not have black caregivers. The requests were put in patients' care plans and not addressed appropriately by the company, the lawsuit said.

"Afterwards, when Plaintiffs were assigned to care for said patients, they would be switched with a Caucasian employee, they would be told not to care for the patient, or if they cared for the patients, they were called racist names by patients who believed such requests were permissible because of Defendant's failure to properly address," attorney Julie Gafkay said.

She said the workers "felt harassed, humiliated and discriminated against because of the segregation of their job duties, being unable to perform their job responsibilities because of their race, and racial harassment."

Racial harassment escalated over time because nothing was done to stop it, the lawsuit said.

Gafkay said the employer "retaliated" against workers after she provided a draft of the lawsuit as part of a formal complaint to the company. Two, she said, were falsely accused of abusing patients, while the company created an "intolerable working condition" for another.

Other lawsuits with similar allegations have resulted in mixed results.

Hurley Medical Center in Flint paid nearly $200,000 to settle a lawsuit. Jill Crane, a black nursing supervisor at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, saw her case dismissed by a judge.

Michelle Acklen has a pending case against Spectrum Health. Spectrum Health did not admit that she was re-assigned because of race but argued she suffered no adverse employment action such as discipline, reduced hours or pay or termination.

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney has determined that "an adverse employment action is a necessary component to a discrimination claim ... ."

A worker at the Providence center in Zeeland referred a call for comment to corporate offices. Messages were not immediately returned.
BERRIEN COUNTY, MI - Three people are dead and one is in critical condition after a Sunday morning police chase on M-139 led to a fatal crash near Rockey Weed Road, according to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office.

The incident was precipitated by a break-in at an area gun store, where several long guns were reported missing, said Berrien County Sheriff L. Paul Bailey.

The deputies involved in the chase have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is being handled by Michigan State Police, Bailey.

Names of the victims involved in the crash are being withheld until the sheriff's office can notify the next of kin, Bailey said. The names of the deputies involved are also being withheld until the investigation is complete.

Deputies were dispatched to Black Arsenal Gun Store, 2797 Kimmel St. Stevensville, Michigan, to investigate a report of broken glass. Once there, deputies and officers from the Lincoln Township Police Department saw that several long guns were missing from the store.

A witness said that a gold four door SUV had left the scene toward Red Arrow Highway, Bailey said.

At around 5:26 a.m., deputies found a vehicle matching the description driving eastbound on I-94. The deputy pulled the vehicle over, and, after coming to a stop, the vehicle sped off on eastbound I-94, Bailey said.

Deputies pursued and continued until the vehicle exited on M-139, where it lost control north of Rockey Weed Road and crashed into a large tree, Bailey said.

A total of four occupants were in the vehicle, Bailey added. Three of them were pronounced dead on scene, Bailey said, and one man was transported to Lakeland Hospital. He is listed as being in critical condition.
ST. IGNACE, MI - Enbridge Energy has decided to suspend Line 5 operations due to ongoing severe weather across Michigan, further complicating an investigation into damage done to high-voltage power cables and a controversial oil and gas pipeline crossing the Straits of Mackinac.

Enbridge considered the possibility of temporarily suspending operation of its Line 5 oil and gas pipelines depending on the weather.

The twin pipelines were damaged in an incident that also ruptured a series of high-voltage electric transmission lines spanning the straits.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is reporting waves upward to 12 feet, far exceeding conditions which allow on-site cleanup equipment to respond to the spill, according to a new release issued by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters' office.

Representatives from Peters' office said that the senator had been in contact with Enbridge and other agencies all weekend to address weather concerns.

"It is simply reckless and irresponsible to operate Line 5 under the current weather conditions in the Straits of Mackinac," Peters said. "I was able to work with PHMSA Administrator Elliott in pressing Enbridge to take the right action and suspend Line 5 operations through the storm.

"Not only do we lack a clear understanding of the damage to Line 5, but the on-site response equipment available is completely inadequate to clean a potential oil spill under current conditions, putting the Great Lakes in grave - and unnecessary - danger."

Endbridge spokesperson Ryan Duffy said Line 5 was affected by a power outage and is being shut down as a precautionary measure.

"Line 5 is temporarily shut down due to a power outage at the Enbridge terminal in Superior, Wisconsin," Duffy said. "Out of an abundance of caution, Enbridge will be electing to leave the line down until the weather conditions improve at the Straits. Enbridge takes the safety of the environment and our pipelines very seriously."

The decision to suspend operations follows numerous calls for Enbridge to shut down the line entirely.

Enbridge initially claimed its twin pipelines were not impacted by whatever damaged American Transmission Company's power lines on April 1, triggering the release of a toxic coolant and insulating fluid into Lake Michigan.

The cause of the leak, in which an estimated 600 gallons of dielectric fluid seeped into the water, is still under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard. A statement from the governor's office identified an "anchor strike" as the assumed cause, though the Coast Guard has yet to confirm that detail.

If it was a boat, Enbridge says it was not theirs. Company spokesperson Ryan Duffy said Enbridge's contractors planned to start work installing new anchors along Line 5 in May, but had not yet put any boats in the water when the incident occurred.

Enbridge notified state and federal officials Tuesday, April 10, that a closer investigation of their pipelines showed three dents -- presumably made by whatever ruptured the two American Transmission Company lines.
UPDATE: More outages have been reported since this story published at 9:05 a.m.

At least 40,000 Consumers Energy customers and 110,000 DTE customers throughout Michigan are currently without power Sunday morning as the tail end of a massive winter storm pummels the state with sleet and freezing rain, according to the DTE and Consumers Energy.

Another 1,656 Great Lakes Energy customers in 17 counties were also without power.

For Consumers Energy customers, some outstanding outages that occurred on Saturday will be restored by the end of today, said Terry DeDoes of Consumers Energy. Outages that occurred overnight and Sunday morning are still being assessed.

Some of those held-over power issues could be restored as early as 11 a.m. and as late as 3 p.m., according to the Consumers Energy outage map.

"We've made great progress since yesterday," DeDoes told MLive.com. "But to be honest with you, the ice causes us the most concern. It slows down traffic and makes it challenging for our line workers when they have to climb a pole. It also causes a lot of damage to our system which needs rebuilding."

For DTE customers, some outages will be restored by the early morning and afternoon, according to the outage map. Others remain under investigation without estimated restoration times.

Most of the outages in the DTE service are impacting residents in Wayne County, according to a news release issued by DTE Sunday.

"DTE crews are working around the clock to restore service but due to dangerous road conditions and ongoing weather, restoration will be challenging," the release reads.

In areas serviced by Great Lakes Energy, crews are being assisted by outside contractors as they battle the elements to restore power. The largest outages appear to be impacting parts of Antrim, Charlevoix and Newaygo counties.

Several trees and wires have been reported down across the state, and the largest outages appear to be affecting customers in the middle and the southeast regions.

To help rebuild their system and restore power, Consumers Energy is bringing in backup - crews from West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky are currently assisting Michigan crews. DeDoes expects crews from Indiana and Illinois to help with the last leg of outages later today.

A second batch of heavy winter mix is expected today with ice pellets and rain freezing on contact for much of the central and southern portions of Michigan, according to the National Weather Service.

That means slick roads and dangerous conditions for most of the day with intermittent power for some residents.
NORTON SHORES, MI -- North Muskegon High School students and their guest were transported back to the 1920s on Saturday, April 14 at prom 2018.

The prom was themed "Roaring 20s." Prom was held at Bella Maria event center.

Kristie Hall, administrative assistant and prom coordinator, said five students helped organize the event. About 150 students attended this year.

Decorations included feathers, pearls and a glitzy feel. A photo booth was also available.

A pasta bar was served for dinner from Bella Maria catering. Desserts came from Goobers Bakery.

MLive is set to cover more area proms throughout the next month.

Whitehall High School had planned to hold its prom on Saturday, but will reschedule.
The same storm system that's now bringing snow, sleet and heavy rain to the Great Lakes has killed at least three people as it's swept across parts of the United States.

A 2-year-old girl was killed in Haughton, La., on Saturday when high winds blew a tree down on top of the mobile home where the toddler was sleeping, according to the Associated Press.

A woman was killed the same day in Lewiston, Wis., when she lost control of her minivan on a slippery highway and collided with an SUV. Four others were injured in that accident.

On Friday, an Idaho man lost control of his semi on Int. 80 in western Nebraska and struck another rig that had become stranded, the AP said.

The storm system spawned a tornado in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, leaving people injured. And hail the size of hen eggs was reported near Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

It's caused blizzard condition in the Plains, and grounded flights at airports.

The Great Lakes region is being hard hit with a buffet of bad weather. The Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan were socked with heavy snow this weekend, while sleet, freezing rain and heavy rain fell in the southern parts of the state.

High waves and winds have caused flooding near Saginaw Bay.
DETROIT -- Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees has been postponed, but they haven't given up on playing Game 2 just yet.

A cold front whipped through the region overnight and much of the area awoke to a sheet of ice. Rain was expected to continue throughout the day.

Game 1 will be rescheduled at a later date. If the rain holds off tonight, fans can use tickets from Saturday's postponed game to attend Game 2 at 7:10 p.m.

This is the fifth time the Tigers have been rained out this season. Rain-outs on March 29 and March 31 against the Pittsburgh Pirates have already been made up. An April 4 postponement against the Kansas City Royals will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on April 20. Rescheduling today's game (or games) will prove more complicated, as this is the Yankees' only visit to Detroit in 2018.

The Tigers have a scheduled off day on Monday, but the Yankees open a home series against the Miami Marlins.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
by Kamran Chaudhry

The family of the former guardian of Gora cemetery is illegally occupying archdiocesan property, trying to sell it with fake documents. In 1972 the government nationalised schools and colleges in Punjab and Sindh.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  A group of more than a hundred Christians protested against the occupation of a cemetery that belongs to the local Church.

At the cry of "Down with Punjab government" and "Down with encroachment mafia", protesters on Tuesday blocked the road in front of the Lahore Press Club for more than two hours.

The Gora Qabrastan (cemetery) Action Committee (GQAC) organised the rally to oppose the confiscation of the Christian cemetery in the heart of the provincial capital.

For the past two years, the committee has been demanding the removal of the family of the retired graveyard guardian, Munawar, who has been using three residential buildings (more than 500 sq metres).

GQAC deputy chancellor Khalid Shahzad told AsiaNews that "the family is trying to sell the houses with fake documents.

Both the Catholic and Protestant bishops sent the former guardian an eviction notice, but the family refuses to leave. We have organised innumerable meetings with district officials, but our complaints remain buried under the bribes."

In August 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan "conveyed its displeasure" to its Human Rights Cell with direction to submit report within two weeks" about the affair.

Illegally grabbing Church-owned land is nothing new in the country. At least three cemeteries are currently illegally occupied in the archdiocese of Lahore alone.

According to real estate website Zameen.com, Pakistan's real estate is soaring as house prices have more than doubled in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

In 2012, the Lahore Development Authority bulldozed more than 8,000 sq metres of land that housed the Gosh e Aman missionary institute, a chapel, a Caritas laboratory and other social welfare buildings operated by the Catholic Church.

In 1972, the Pakistani government nationalised all Church schools and colleges in Punjab and Sindh provinces.

They were denationalised between 1985 and 1995 without compensation. Several missionary schools are still under government control.

"Instead of paying us rent for 35 years, Churches have had to pay to take back control of their institutions, said Colonel (retired) Azim Ilyas, coordinator of the Lahore Diocesan Board of Education, Church of Pakistan.

A lot of money was spent in the renovation of dilapidated buildings which affected the quality of education in once esteemed institutes. Those still in government possession have turned into ruins.
April 15, 2018

Were the Skripals 'Buzzed', 'Novi-shocked' Or Neither? - May Has Some 'Splaining' To Do

Updated below

---

The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, threw a bombshell at the British assertions that the collapse of the British secret agent Sergej Skripal and his daughter Yulia on March 4 in Salisbury was caused by a 'Novichok' nerve agent 'of a type developed by Russia'. (See our older pieces, linked below, for a detailed documentation of the case.)

The Skripal poisoning happened on March 4.

Eye witnesses described the Skripals as disoriented and probably hallucinating. The emergency personal suspected Fentanyl influence.

A few days later the British government claimed that the Skripals had been affected by a chemical agent from the 'Novichok' series which they attributed to Russia. It insinuated that the Skripals might die soon.

A doctor of the emergency center at the Salisbury District Hospital publicly asserted that none of its patients was victim of a 'nerve agent'.

On March 14, after much pressure from Russia, Britain finally invited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to analyze the blood of the victims and to take environmental samples.

The OPCW arrived on March 19 and took specimen on the following days. It also received a share of the samples taken earlier by the British chemical weapon laboratory in Porton Down, which is only some 10 miles away from Salisbury.

The OPCW split the various samples it had in a certified laboratory in the Netherlands and then distributed them to several other certified laboratories for analysis.

One of those laboratories was the highly regarded Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland which is part of the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Protection and fully certified.

On April 12 the OPCW published a public version of the result of the analyses it had received from its laboratories.

A more extensive confidential version was given to the state members that make up the OPCW.

During a public speech yesterday Lavrov stated of the OPCW report:

[A] detailed and fairly substantial confidential version was distributed to the OPCW members only. In that report, in accordance with the OPCW way of conduct, the chemical composition of the agent presented by the British was confirmed, and the analysis of samples, as the report states, was taken by the OPCW experts themselves. It contains no names, Novichok or any other. The report only gives the chemical formula, which, according to our experts, points to an agent that had been developed in many countries and does not present any particular secret.

After receiving that report Russia was tipped off by the Spiez Laboratory or someone else that the OPCW report did not include the full results of its analysis.

According to Lavrov this is what the Spiez Laboratory originally sent to the OPCW:

Following our analysis, the samples indicate traces of the toxic chemical BZ and its precursor which are second category chemical weapons. BZ is a nerve toxic agent, which temporarily disables a person. The psycho toxic effect is achieved within 30 to 60 minutes after its use and lasts for up to four days. This composition was in operational service in the armies of the US, the UK and other NATO countries. The Soviet Union and Russia neither designed nor stored such chemical agents. Also, the samples indicate the presence of type A-234 nerve agent in its virgin state and also products of its degradation.

The "presence of type A-234 nerve agent", an agent of the so called 'Novichok' series, in its "virgin state", or as the OPCW stated in "high purity", points to later addition to the sample. The 'Novichok' agents are not stable. They tend to fall rapidly apart. Their presence in "virgin state" in a sample which was taken 15 days after the Skripal incident happened is inexplicable. A scientist of the former Russian chemical weapon program who worked with similar agents, Leonid Rink, says that if the Skripals had really been exposed to such high purity A-234 nerve agent, they would be dead.

The whole case, the symptoms shown by the Skripals and their recuperation, makes way more sense if they were 'buzzed', i.e. poisoned with the BZ hallucinogenic agent, than if they were 'novi-shocked' with a highly toxic nerve agent.

The Spiez Laboratory responded by not denying Lavrov's claims:

Spiez Laboratory @SpiezLab - 19:49 UTC - 14 Apr 2018 Only OPCW can comment this assertion. But we can repeat what we stated 10 days ago: We have no doubt that Porton Down has identified Novichock. PD - like Spiez - is a designated lab of the OPCW. The standards in verification are so rigid that one can trust the findings. #Skipal

Science Direct has several excerpts of reports about BZ. The basics:

Agent 15 is also called compound 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, BZ, or Buzz. It is a powerful chemical warfare agent. As one of the most potent psychoactive chemical agents, only a small amount of BZ is needed to produce complete incapacitation. When used as an aerosol, BZ is absorbed through the respiratory system (it has no odor). It can also be absorbed through the skin or the digestive system. It takes approximately 1 h for BZ to take effect, and the symptoms of exposure include confusion, tremors, stupor, hallucinations, and coma that can last for more than 2 days.

BZ is a psycho agent 25 times stronger than LSD. It was developed by the U.S. military as an incapacitating agent. At least 50 tons were produced and filled into weapon delivery systems. It was allegedly tested on U.S. soldiers in Vietnam:

Working with the CIA the Department of Defense gave hallucinogenic drugs to thousands of "volunteer" soldiers in the 1950's and 1960's. In addition to LSD, the Army also tested quinuclidinyl benzilate, a hallucinogen code-named BZ. Many of these tests were conducted under the so-called MKULTRA program, established to counter perceived Soviet and Chinese advances in brainwashing techniques. Between 1953 and 1964, the program consisted of 149 projects involving drug testing and other studies on unwitting human subjects. Although many human subjects were not informed or protected, Dr. Gottlieb defended those actions by stating "...harsh as it may seem in retrospect, it was felt that in an issue where national survival might be concerned, such a procedure and such a risk was a reasonable one to take."

This is what the military tried to achieve with BZ and other psycho agents.

BZ (and LSD) turned out to be impractical as battlefield weapons.

According to British parliament records BZ was also produced and tested, allegedly on unknowing civilians, by the British chemical weapon laboratory Porton Down.

The Russian Foreign Minister asserts that the OPCW suppressed the details of the Spiez Laboratory report:

Nothing is said whatsoever about a BZ agent in the final report that the OPCW experts presented to its Executive Council. In this connection we address the OPCW a question about why the information, that I have just read out loud and which reflects the findings of the specialists from the city of Spiez, was withheld altogether in the final document. If the OPCW would reject and deny the very fact that the Spiez laboratory was engaged, it will be very interesting to listen to their explanations.

The current Director-General of the OPCW is the Turkish carrier diplomat Ahmed Uzumcu who earlier served as the Turkish Permanent Representative to NATO.

I have no theory how the BZ or the A-234 made it into the OPCW samples or if the Skripals were really influenced by either of these poisons or are victims of simple shellfish poisoning. Your guess is a good as mine.

But the story the British government has so far told is full of holes and discrepancies and makes absolutely no sense at all. The suppression of the Spiez Laboratory report by the OPCW is a serious breach of its procedures.

The British Prime Minister Theresa May, and the OPCW, have some 'splainin' to do.

UPDATE:

The OPCW responded to Russian question about the BZ and high rate of A-234 in the Spiez Laboratory probe and report.

OPCW said today that it was a control probe to test the laboratory. Such probes are regularly slipped under the real probes to make sure that the laboratories the OPCW uses are able to do their job and do not manipulate their results.

That explanation is reasonable.

I guess we can close the BZ theories and go back to food poisoning as the most likely cause of the Skripals' illness.

OPENING STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT ITS FIFTY-NINTH MEETING April 18 (pdf)

OPCW Chief Rejects Russia Claim of 2nd Salisbury Nerve Agent

OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu told a meeting Wednesday of the organization's Executive Council that a BZ precursor known as 3Q, "was contained in the control sample prepared by the OPCW Lab in accordance with the existing quality control procedures." He added "it has nothing to do with the samples collected by the OPCW team in Salisbury."

---

Previous Moon of Alabama posts on the Skripal case:

Posted by b on April 15, 2018 at 13:35 UTC | Permalink

Comments
Saturday, April 14th Yellow Springs Brewery is celebrating their fifth anniversary of crafting and sharing their brews with the super supportive Ohio craft beer community! Fifth anniversaries are traditionally known as the wood anniversary so this celebration has a special significance to them as wood serves as an integral part in aging, conditioning and flavoring craft brews. Theyve decided to show their appreciation to our loyal customers with a barrel- and wood-aged Birthday Bash!

Master Brewer, Jeffrey McElfresh has created a limited release white oak IPA in honor of this special occasion and it will be available in 12 oz. cans for $12 per 4-pack. This IPA is aged with American white oak staves giving it a sweet, earthy bouquet with warm vanilla overtones. Dry hopping lends a piney and grapefruit flavor that enhances the soft character of the white oak. And theres no better way to enjoy this delicious IPA than in their new limited-edition 5th anniversary glassware! This Perl Goblet style glassware features a design by Just A Jar Design Press in Marietta, OH, and has a delightfully low price tag of $10!

This celebration is loaded with opportunities to obtain limited-edition brewery merch and we will feature a series of timed raffles from 2-9 PM. The day-long raffle includes prizes from House of Aum, Current Cuisine, Dinos Coffee, The Winds and many more! Raffle tickets will be sold as a pack of 5 tickets for $5 or 20 tickets for $10 and all proceeds from the raffle will benefit Glen Helen Nature Preserve. They will also be on site for the Birthday Bash to hand out special gifts to those who become members during the celebration! Culinary options include the incredible wood-fired food of La Pampa Argentinian Grill and Bella Sorella Pizza! There will also be selling a limited-edition woodcut poster, created by Just A Jar Design Press, which will be on sale for $15. Only 100 of these have been printed!

The hit of the day may very well be the selection of some of the areas most rare and sought after barrel-aged beers that will be featured on our taps! YSBs resident beer curator, Chris Hutson, has managed to acquire a list of brews that is sure to please the palate of even the most particular beer geeks out there. Two bars will be set up for timed trappings of our celebratory beers. These taps will occur once every two hours starting at 2 pm with White Oak IPA, with the last tapping at 7 pm! Dont miss out on this anniversary extravaganza, join Yellow Springs Brewery in celebration of 5 years growing with this amazing community!

Yellow Springs Brewery is located at 305 North Walnut Street, Suite B in Yellow Springs, Ohio

Taproom Hours:

Mon-Fri 3-10pm, Sat 1-10pm, Sun 1-8pm
Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire []
Fayaz Wani By

RASANA (KATHUA), JAMMU AND KASHMIR: The brutal rape and murder of a minor girl triggered early seasonal migration of the nomadic Bakerwal community from Rasana village in the border district of Kathua.

For the last 40 years, migration began after Baisakhi (April 14) but this year we started early because of fear caused by the horrific rape and murder of the girl, said 72-year-old Mohammad Jan, a resident of panchayat Kootah village adjoining Rasana. He said the community used to plan the seasonal migration keeping weather conditions in view.

However, this year weather condition was not our priority. Our community was our safety after the incident and the community members wanted to leave the place as early as possible.

The family of the minor girl and about 35 other Bakerwal families from Rasana, Kootah and adjoining villages have already left via the Shivalik hills. Jan said communal amity in the village changed some years back and after the rape and murder of minor girl, none from the majority community in the area visited them to express their condolence or solidarity with the family.

READ | Wanted our beautiful, intelligent daughter to become a doctor, say family of Kathua rape victim

He said Hindus of the village used to give land for pasturing to them but that stopped some years back.

It was at the behest of Sanji Ram, the main accused in the rape and murder case. He used to tell his community members not to give land to Bakerwals and instead give to the Hindus, Jan said.

People take part in a candlelight march at the India Gate in

protest over Kathua gangrape case in New Delhi. (Photo | PTI)

The 8-year-old girl was abducted near her home in Rasana village on January 10 while she was grazing horses. Her body with torture and violence marks was recovered a week later, between the house of main accused Sanji Ram and the temple.

READ | Kerala journalist's Facebook post goes viral as he names daughter after Kathua rape victim

According to the Crime Branch of the J&K Police, the girl was kept hostage in the temple and given sedatives and raped before being killed and dumped in the area. Jan said he has not seen such a brutal killing ever. He said after the killing, the Hindu community did not allow them to bury the body of the girl in their graveyard.

They should have stood by us in our hour of grief. But they told us to bury the girls body at some other place. We had to bury her in Badinal village, about 3 kms from here, he said. Jan said because of illness, he could not migrate and was taking care of her daughter and daughter-in-law and their children.

ALSO READ | Kathua rape and murder case: Local bar association withdraws offer to contest accused's case for free

We live in fear. When the sun sets, the fear increases and we dont know whether we will be alive tomorrow or not, he said.His daughter-in-law, Irshad, said she takes her infant child with her whenever she has to go to the market to purchase essentials or other commodities.

We live in total fear, she said.
By Online Desk

The United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of punitive strikes against Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime on Saturday in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks that President Donald Trump branded the "crimes of a monster."

ALSO READ:

Western strikes hit bases, chemical research centres around Syria's Damascus

All you need to know about the seven years of conflict in Syria

Russia denies sarin gas attack, wants UN report on it shelved

Here are the latest updates:

15 April, 7.00 am IST: The UN Security Council overwhelmingly rejects a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria today, a vote reflecting support for the allied air strikes on Syrian chemical sites.

But the vote at the end of an emergency meeting called by Russia also demonstrated again the paralysis of the UN's most powerful body in dealing with Syria's seven-year conflict.

07.00pm:

The UN Security Council will meet Saturday at Russia's request to discuss air strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain on Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will brief the council during the public meeting scheduled for 11:00 am (1500 GMT), a UN official said.

6 pm:

"A perfectly executed strike," US President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday in the aftermath of his second decision in two years to fire missiles against Syria. His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W. Bush following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

4.58pm:

A global chemical warfare watchdog group says its fact-finding mission to Syria will go ahead even after the US-led airstrikes.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says in a statement that its team will stick to its plan to investigate last weekend's suspected poison gas attack in Douma.

The group says the mission "will continue its deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic to establish facts around the allegations of chemical weapons use in Douma."

Russia and Syria disagree with Western allies that gas was used by Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces to suppress opposition close to Damascus in an April 7 attack.

4.50pm:

Iranian officials have made calls to Syrian leaders in the wake of the U.S.-led airstrikes against Syrian targets.

Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roh-HAH'-nee), tells Syria's Bashar Assad (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahd) that America's goal is to justify its continued presence in the region.

That description of their conversation comes from Syrian and Iranian state news agencies.

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has spoken with his Syrian counterpart, too. Zarif says the U.S. is using allegations of chemical weapons to justify attacking Syria before inspectors from a chemical weapons watchdog agency begin their work.

4.15pm: Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed its full support for US-led strikes on Syrian government military installations, saying they were a response to "regime crimes" against civilians.

"Saudi Arabia fully supports the strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain against Syria because they represent a response to the regime's crimes," a foreign ministry statement said.

3.55pm:

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Western strikes on government military installations Saturday only made him more keen to fight back against his opponents, in comments published by his office.

3.45pm:

Iraq warned that Western air strikes Saturday on Syria were a "very dangerous" development that could fuel a jihadist resurgence in the region. A statement by foreign ministry spokesman Ahmad Mahjoub said the strikes' "consequences threaten the security and stability of the region".

3.40 pm:

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (hah-meh-neh-EE') has called the U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria a "military crime."

He spoke at a meeting with Iranian officials and ambassadors from some Islamic countries.

The report quotes Khamenei as calling the leaders of the United States, Britain and France  the countries that launched the attack  "criminals."

The allies' operation was intended to punish Syrian President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.

___

3.30 pm:

NATO representatives are planning a special session to hear from U.S., British and French officials about their military strike against Syria.

The alliance briefing is expected later Saturday, and NATO's secretary-general has expressed strong support for the coordinated military action aimed at the Syrian governor's chemical weapons program.

Jens Stoltenberg says the missile strikes will erode the Syrian government's "ability to further attack the people of Syria with chemical weapons."

___

3.30 pm:

The leader of Britain's largest opposition party is suggesting Prime Minister Theresa May could face a backlash in Parliament for her decision to join the United States and France in launching airstrikes against Syria.

The Labour Party's Jeremy Corbyn says the allies' bombing is "legally questionable" and risks further escalating "an already devastating conflict."

Corbyn says "May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after Donald Trump."

The prime minister will appear before the House of Commons on Monday to explain her decision on joining the airstrikes

Corbyn says the strikes will make assigning blame for the use of chemical weapons in Syria "less, not more likely." He says Britain should be leading the response and "not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harm's way."

3.29pm:

China said Saturday it was "opposed to the use of force" following US-led air strikes against Syria and called for a "return to the framework of international law". "We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on its website.

___



3.20pm:

Syrian state TV has broadcast images of the destruction at a scientific research center near the capital of Damascus that was targeted in airstrikes by the United States, France and Britain.

Pentagon officials say the attacks targeted the heart of Syrian President Bashar Assad's (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahds) programs to develop and produce chemical weapons.

The Syrian military says more than one 100 missiles were fired against a military base in Syria's central Homs province and the research center in Barzeh, near Damascus.

The images shown on Al-Ikhbariya TV are the first of one of the targets. Seen in the footage are piles of rubble outside a destroyed building and a burned vehicle.

The Syrian military says the attack on the center destroyed an educational center and labs.

___

3.10 pm:

France's foreign minister is threatening further missile strikes against Syria if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons again.

France joined the United States and Britain in a joint operation that has destroyed what Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says is a "good part" of the Syrian government's chemical weapons arsenal.

He says France has "no doubt" that the Syrian government was behind a suspected chemical attacks last weekend. Syria denies responsibility.

Le Drian tells BFM television that the goal for the allied mission "was attained" but that if France's "red line is crossed again" there could be another attack.

2.36pm:

Turkey on Saturday welcomed Western strikes targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime as an "appropriate response" to a suspected chemical attack that left dozens dead. "We welcome this operation which has eased humanity's conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, largely suspected to have been carried out by the regime," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

___

2.20 pm:

British Prime Minister Theresa May says the need to act quickly and protect what she calls "operational security" led her to decide to join the allied strikes in Syria without a prior vote in Parliament.

She says she'll make a statement in Parliament on Monday explaining her actions. A spirited debate is expected.

The United States, France and Britain have launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahd) for an apparent chemical attack against civilians last week and to deter him from doing it again.

May has come under criticism from some British lawmakers for not bringing back Parliament into session before taking action against Syria.

___

2.15 pm:

The European Union Commission's president says those who rely on chemical warfare must be held to account by the world.

Jean-Claude Juncker says the suspected use of poison gas last week in the Syrian city of Douma was  as he puts it  a "heinous chemical weapons attack carried out by the Syrian regime."

Juncker says the world "has the responsibility to identify and hold accountable those responsible" for that kind of attack.

___

2.10 pm:

Germany's chancellor says the allied strikes in Syria were  in her words  a "necessary and appropriate" response to what the U.S. and its allies say was a recent chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma.

Angela Merkel (AHN'-geh-lah MEHR'-kuhl) says Berlin says the U.S., Britain and France "took responsibility in this way as permanent members of the U.N. Security Council."

Merkel says the strikes were needed "to maintain the effectiveness of the international rejection of chemical weapons use and to warn the Syrian regime against further violations."

Merkel had said earlier this week that Germany wouldn't join allied military action against Syrian government forces.

___

2.05 pm:

British Prime Minister Theresa May is citing reports she says indicate the Syrian government used a barrel bomb to deliver the chemicals used in an attack on Douma.

Barrel bombs are large containers that are packed with fuel, explosives and scraps of metal.

May says the accounts about the use of a barrel bomb suggest that a Syrian government helicopter was seen flying above Douma just before last weekend's attack.

She says "no other group" could have carried out that attack.



2.00pm:

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the overnight US-led missile attack on Syria and called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting

in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 13, 2018. | AP

Putin said the US actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians, as well has damaging international relations.

2.00 pm:

France's government says it has no samples of the chemical weapons it believes were used in Syria, but launched a military response based on open-source information and intelligence gathering.

France released its assessment Saturday of what happened in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7. It was the basis for France's involvement in a joint military operation launched Saturday with the U.S. and Britain to target Syrian chemical weapons facilities.

The assessment cites "the absence to date of chemical samples analyzed by our own laboratories." It says the government evaluated publicly available information from non-governmental organizations and other sources as well as unspecified French intelligence.

It concludes that there is "no plausible scenario other than that of an attack by Syrian armed forces." Syria denies responsibility and says it gave up its chemical arsenal.

The assessment notes eight chlorine attacks ahead of the "major attack" on Douma and 44 allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria over the past year.

___

12.10 pm:

A Syrian military statement says the U.S., Britain and France fired 110 missiles during a joint attack on targets in Damascus and outside.

Brig. Gen. Ali Mayhoub, who read the statement on Syrian TV, said "our air defenses effectively shot down most of them." He says one of the missiles hit the Scientific Research Center in Barzeh near Damascus, damaging a building. In Homs, one of the missiles was derailed injuring three people, he said.

Mayhoub says the attacks "will not deter" the Syrian military from its ongoing war to eradicate "armed terrorists" from Syrian territory.

Syria's Foreign Ministry earlier said the attack coincides with the arrival of a fact-finding mission from the international chemical weapons watchdog to inspect the site of the alleged attack in the town of Douma, and "aims to hinder its work."

The OPCW had said that its experts would be visiting Douma on Saturday.

___

11.40 am:

Turkey on Saturday welcomed Western strikes targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime as an "appropriate reaction" in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack that left dozens dead.

"We welcome this operation that articulates the conscience of all humanity in the face of the Douma attack which has a strong suspicion of being carried out by the regime," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

___

11.30 am:

France wants to start working "right now" on resuming the political process aimed at ending the conflict in Syria, the French foreign minister said Saturday, following air strikes by Western powers against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian gives an official

statement in the press room after attending an emergency meeting

with President Emmanuel Macron | AP

"A plan for ending the crisis must be found, with a political solution. We are ready to start working right now with all countries who want to participate," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a press conference.

___

11.05 am:

France's defense minister says its joint military operation with the U.S. and Britain against Syria targeted three sites and that Russia was informed ahead of time.

Defense Minister Florence Parly told reporters Saturday that the French military sent fighter jets from multiple bases in France and used missile-equipped frigates in the Mediterranean in the operation. Rafale fighter jets could be seen on a video posted overnight by the French presidential palace on Twitter.

She said strikes targeted the "main research center" for the Syrian chemical weapons program and "two important production sites."

She added that "with our allies, we ensured that the Russians were warned ahead of time." Syria's ally Russia has denounced the western military action.

___

10.40 am:

Hundreds of Syrians are demonstrating in a landmark square of the Syrian capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance.

READ | Syria condemns 'brutal, barbaric aggression' by Western powers

The demonstrations broke out early Saturday following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for suspected chemical attack against civilians. The Syrian government has denied the accusations.

Syrian government supporters wave Syrian, Iranian and Russian flags as they chant slogans against U.S. President Trump during demonstrations | AP

In Damascus, the president's seat of power, hundreds of residents gathered in Omayyad Square, many waving Syrian, Russian and Iranian flags. Some clapped their hands and danced, others drove in convoys, honking their horns.

"We are your men, Bashar," they shouted.

State TV broadcast live from the square where a large crowd of civilians mixed with men in uniforms, including an actor, lawmakers and other figures.

"Good morning steadfastness," one broadcaster said.

___

10.30 am:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for restraint and for countries to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation in Syria after the United States, France and Britain carried out strikes.

Guterres delayed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia to deal with the aftermath of the military action.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people," Guterres said in a statement.

___

9.50 am:

Syrian state-run TV says three civilians have been wounded in the U.S.-led missile attack on a military base in Homs.

Smoke rises after airstrikes targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. | AP

It says the attack was aborted by derailing the incoming missile but adds nonetheless that three people were wounded.

It says another attack with "a number of missiles" targeting a scientific research center destroyed a building and caused other material damage but no human losses. The network says the building in the research center included an educational center and labs.

__

9.25 am:

The spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry is denouncing the United States for launching airstrikes on Syria. She says the attacks hit a long-troubled country "that for many years has been trying to survive terrorist aggression."

In a statement Saturday on Facebook, Maria Zakharova is also taking Western media reports to task.

Zakharova says: "The White House stated that its assuredness of the chemical attack from Damascus was based on 'mass media, reports of symptoms, video, photos as well as credible information.' After this statement the American and other Western mass media should understand their responsibility in what is happening."

Sakharova is comparing the situation to the start of the Iraq War in 2003 based on claims Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction.

__

8.20 am:

Syrian TV is reporting that the attack on Syria targeted a scientific research center in Barzeh, near Damascus.

The report says Syria's air defenses confronted the missiles near Homs, and says the airstrikes also targeted an army depot there.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the airstrikes in retaliation for Syrian President Bashar Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons.

Syrian air defenses responded to the joint strikes by the United States, France and Britain

__

8.05 am:

A highly placed Russian politician is likening President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler after the launch of airstrikes against Syria, and says he regards the action as a move against Russia.

Alexander Sherin, deputy head of the State Duma's defense committee, says Trump "can be called Adolf Hitler No. 2 of our time  because, you see, he even chose the time that Hitler attacked the Soviet Union."

That's according to state news agency RIA-Novosti. The Nazi forces' opening attack against the USSR in 1941 was launched around 4 a.m.

__

7.50 am:

The British defense ministry says "initial indications" show that the airstrikes against Syria produced a "successful attack" on a Syrian military facility.

The U.K., U.S. and France launched the attacks near Damascus early Saturday. The U.K. ministry says in a statement that while the effectiveness of the strike is still being analyzed, "initial indications are that the precision of the Storm Shadow weapons and meticulous target planning have resulted in a successful attack."

British Prime Minister Theresa May is describing the attack as neither "about intervening in a civil war" nor "about regime change," but a limited and targeted strike that "does not further escalate tensions in the region" and does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.

May says, "We would have preferred an alternative path. But on this occasion there is none.

__

7.30am:

Defense Secretary James Mattis says the U.S. and its allies have taken "decisive action" against Syrian chemical weapons infrastructure.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, joined by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, speaks at the Pentagon, Friday, April 13, 2018 | AP

Mattis briefed reporters at the Pentagon Friday an hour after President Donald Trump announced the strike.

Mattis says the United States, along with France and the United Kingdom, struck because Syrian President Bashar Assad "did not get the message" when the U.S. launched airstrikes after a chemical attack in 2017.

The defense secretary says Friday's strikes have "sent a clear message" to Assad and his "murderous lieutenants."

__

7.20am:

Missiles streak across the Damascus skyline as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018. | AP

Explosions are being heard to the east, west and south of Damascus as the U.S., U.K. and France conduct airstrikes in retaliation for an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government on its own people.

Witnesses saw blasts surrounding much of the Syrian capital and a huge fire could be seen from a distance to the east. An AP reporter in Damascus says the attacks turned the sky orange. Syrian television reported that a scientific research center had been hit.

Syrian media reported that Syrian defenses hit 13 rockets south of Damascus. After the attack ceased and the early morning skies went dark once more, vehicles with loudspeakers roamed the streets of Damascus blaring nationalist songs.

___

7.10am:

French President Emmanuel Macron says his nation, the United States and Britain have launched a military operation against the Syrian government's "clandestine chemical arsenal."

Macron says in a statement Saturday that France's "red line has been crossed" after a suspected chemical attack last week in the Syrian town of Douma.

He says there is "no doubt" that the Syrian government is responsible. President Bashar Assad's government denies responsibility.

Macron says the operation is limited to Syria's abilities to produce chemical weapons. He is not giving details about what equipment is involved in the operation or what sites it is targeting.

__

6.50am:

Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons.

Associated Press reporters in Damascus saw smoke rising from east Damascus early Saturday morning local time. Syrian state TV says the attack has begun on the capital, though it wasn't immediately clear what was targeted.

__

6.30am:

US President Donald Trump says the United States has "launched precision strikes" on targets associated with Syrian chemical weapons program.

WATCH | Trump orders strikes against Syria over chemical weapons attack

Trump spoke from the White House Friday night. He says a "combined operation" with France and the United Kingdom is underway.

Trump says that last Saturday, Syrian President Bashar Assad deployed chemical weapons in what was a "significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime."

(With inputs from AP and AFP)
Issac James Manayath By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: On Saturday, the world woke up to the news that the Western powers, led by the United States, have attacked Syria in retaliation for Assad regimes alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the rebel-held town of Douma. For a world distraught by the grisly images of desperate Syrian children crying for help, Saturdays attack was the need of the hour. Republican members of the US Congress, who are often at odds with Trump on policy matters, rallied around him and praised his resolve.

As the dust settles in Syria, one wonders what the West has actually accomplished from Saturdays limited strikes. The coordinated offensive by the US, UK and France, hit three targets  mostly research labs and chemical weapons storage sites -- inside Syria in Homs and near Damascus.

READ | Syria airstrikes: UN Security Council rejects Russian attempt to condemn US aggression

The rationale for the attack was to deter Syrian president Bashar Al Assad from using chemical weapons again ever again. By using such weapons against civilians, Assad violated the international humanitarian law and hence should be punished, the Western leaders reasoned. The strikes on Syria would discourage other rogue actors from using chemical weapons against civilians, they claimed.

However, beyond its rhetorical value, the argument that a few airstrikes on low-key targets would discourage Assad from using chemical weapons again, appears weak.

At present, there is little sign that he is shaken. And there is little to hope that he would not use chemicals weapons again if indeed it were his forces that perpetrated the alleged attack in Douma (a claim not yet verified).

Far from being shaken, he appears vengeful. Soon after the US-led strikes on Syria ended, Assad told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani via telephone that "This aggression will only make Syria and its people more determined to keep fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country."

Assad is a strong leader, who, unlike other Arab dictators like Hosni Mubarak or Muammar Gaddafi, enjoys genuine support from a sizable faction of Syrians. He commands the strong backing of the members of the countrys armed forces, despite numerous desertions over the past seven years.

His recent victory is Ghouta is yet another proof that his control over Syria is far from tenuous  thanks in large part to the generous Russian support, including the deployment of troops since 2015.

As a result of all these, Assad has been staunchly opposed to any kind of compromise. He does not even recognise his opponents as genuine. In fact, he calls them terrorists and has vowed not to give up an inch of the Syrian land to them.

Those who have been following the civil war closely for the past seven years would know that at no point did he appear weak or inclined to obey the Western diktats. Not even once did he show interest in negotiations. It is unlikely that he would put down his arms and come to the table anytime soon now that his forces are doing well.

At the moment, it is hard to imagine that a few missiles raining down over Damascus would deter Assad from using chemical weapons again, if he deems their use necessary. Last year, when the US fired 59 volleys of Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria over reports that the regime forces had used chemical weapons, Assad remained unshaken.

In contrast, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein reportedly panicked when the US air force commenced the bombing of Baghdad in April 2003.

Why is it so hard to deter Assad? The answer is simple: Russian President Vladimir Putin is firmly on his side.

Syria is no Iraq or Libya. The Western intervention in these countries worked because there was no great-power opposition to their actions. In Syria, the West encounters Russia.

For Moscow, Syria is a prized strategic asset. Russias only naval base in the Mediterranean is in Syria  in the town of Tartus. Putin is determined to not let Assad fail; because he fears it would unleash chaos on Russias doorsteps, and more importantly, may lead to the emergence of a pro-West puppet as the new Syrian president, who would then kick the Russians out.

But thats not all. For Russia, defending Syria is also a matter of standing up to the West. In other, its a matter of national pride and Russians have enormous pride in their national power. If the West wins decisively in Syria, its a loss to Putin as much as it is to Assad. Thus, it is very unlikely that Russia will abandon Syria.

Forget about Russia ditching Assad, Moscow has in fact towed Damascuss line so far during the seven-year-old civil war. If Assad had indeed used chemical weapons, there is no sign yet that Moscow is trying to discourage him from doing so again. Rather, Putin clearly sided with Assad and blamed the attack on London.

If we take the North Korean case for instance, of late, China has joined the Western powers in their efforts to pressure the Kim regime into abandoning its nuclear weapons. In the past, Beijing itself had urged Pyongyang to reconsider its nuclear weapons programme.

Of course! Things are different. China views peace on the Korean peninsula as suiting its interests. Yet for Kim Jong Il, his super-power patron is not as invested in his survival as Russia is with Assad.

This is one of the reasons why North Korea has come to the negotiating table and Assad will not.

So long as Russia has Assads back, there is no reason for him to feel fettered. He can safely go on and fulfill his mission of ridding his country of his opponents.

The West would not attack Syria like the way it did with Iraq or Libya. In fact, while carrying out Saturdays strikes, the Western war planners took great pains to ensure that Russians military assets are not hit. They are scared. They know very well that if their missiles miss the mark and hit the Russian soldiers, then things would escalate to a point of no return.

Ridding Assad is a bad idea, if it means World War Three.

Had Syria not had the backing of Moscow, things would have very different on Saturday. The US would have carried out a much broader strike and may even have targeted Assad or the vital assets that sustain his government.

Assad knows this very well. When he is protected by a superpower that is as much invested in his security as he is, and when his enemies keep attacks low-key for the fear of provoking his patron, why would Assad ever feel deterred?
By Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council overwhelmingly rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria today, a vote reflecting support for the allied air strikes on Syrian chemical sites.

But the vote at the end of an emergency meeting called by Russia also demonstrated again the paralysis of the UN's most powerful body in dealing with Syria's seven-year conflict.

Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council- China and Bolivia.

READ | A few missiles won't shake Syria's Bashar Al Assad. He is no Saddam or Gaddafi

By contrast, eight countries voted against the Russian draft - the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast.

Four countries abstained - Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru.

At the meeting, the fifth in a week on chemical weapons in Syria, Russia and its supporters again clashed with the US and its allies over a suspected poison gas attack on April 7 in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

The US, UK and France said they launched air strikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government.

Russia and its ally Syria called the attack fabricated and said no evidence of chemical weapons use exists in Douma.

Syria airstrikes UPDATES | Trump calls it 'perfectly executed strike'

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council "there is clear information demonstrating Assad's culpability."

And she said President Donald Trump told her Saturday morning that if the Syrian regime uses poisonous gas again "the United States is locked and loaded" to strike again.

"When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line," Haley stressed.

"The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons.

" France's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the result of the vote sends "a clear message" that Security Council members recognised the need for the air strikes, and "their proportional and targeted nature."

"And what's most important is no one contests that the use of chemical weapons cannot be tolerated and must be deterred," he said.

"That is essential."

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the meeting confirmed that the US and its allies "continue to put international politics and diplomacy in the realm of myth-making "myths invented in London, Paris and Washington." "We put facts contrary to your myths," he said.

"If we continue on this path, we will soon reach the diplomacy of the absurd."

Russia and Syria also clashed with the three Western allies over the legality of the air strikes and responsibility for the Security Council's paralysis.

Britain's UN Ambassador Karen Pierce blamed Russia for repeatedly vetoing resolutions on the use of chemical weapons in Syria and said the UK took military action "to save lives," on the legal basis of "humanitarian intervention."

Britain believes "that is wholly within the principles and practices of the United Nations," she said.

Russia's Nebenzia called it "a very sad day for the world, for the UN, for its Charter which was blatantly, blatantly violated, and for the Security Council which has shirked its responsibilities."

"I would like to believe that we will not see a day that is worse than today," he said.

Looking ahead, Delattre said France, Britain and the United States will soon be presenting the Security Council with a new draft resolution aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict that addresses political, chemical and humanitarian issues.

A draft resolution circulated by the three countries and obtained late Saturday by The Associated Press would condemn all use of chemical weapons, especially the April 7 attack in Douma.

It seeks answers from Syria on gaps in its chemical weapons declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

And it would establish a new body to determine responsibility for chemical attacks, call for a cease-fire in Syria, unimpeded access for all humanitarian aid, and an urgent resumption of negotiations on a political settlement.
On May 23, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will visit Aarhus and a series of visits will be made to various companies and organizations. The Crown Prince Couple will attend opening of International Sailing Center at the new harbour. Then, the Couple will open a new research center called Crown Prince Frederik Center for Public Leadership at Business and Social Sciences School of Aarhus University (Aarhus BSS).



On May 26, after the changing of the guards ceremony, the queen and Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and their children will greet the crowds from the balcony of Christian VII's Palace at Amalienborg to celebrate the birthday. In the evening, a gala dinner will be given at Christiansborg Palace on the occasion of 50th birthday of the Crown Prince. In addition to the Danish royal family, royal family members of other countries, guests from home and abroad will attend the gala dinner.



The celebrations will end with "Hele Danmark fejrer Kronprinsen" show which will be held at Royal Arena in Copenhagen on May 27.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. High 87F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to occasional showers later during the night. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
Shocking claims have emerged that although ousted former president Robert Mugabe was a much-feared leader both at home and abroad, even in his dotage, he was allegedly a helpless victim of domestic abuse by his volatile wife Grace by the time he fell from power.



Although allegations to this effect had long been whispered within the corridors of power, ex-aides of the former first family lifted the veil of secrecy around their troubled lives at the weekend, telling the Daily News on Sunday that Mugabe was a broken man when the military intervened in the governance of the country last year.



Indeed, so widespread had talk around Mugabes apparent political incapacitation and alleged domestic abuse become at the height of Zanu PFs brutal tribal, factional and succession wars, that fearless former war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda spoke publicly in October 2014 of a bedroom coup at State House  a statement which later led to his arrest.



It didnt help to douse Harares rampant rumour mill that the nonagenarian himself later openly told delegates at the ruling partys hotly-disputed elective congress of that year that Grace was the boss in his home, and that she always dictated to him what to do  and that he had no choice but to follow her instructions to the letter.





Gushungo (Mugabe) was in serious trouble from Amai (Grace) for many years, and at one time one of his children (name supplied but withheld) was even forced by the circumstances to approach General ... (name of the retired top securocrat supplied but withheld) who is distantly related to the family, to tell him that the former president was being badly beaten and abused by his wife.



The situation was so bad that there was even a serious consideration by the military top brass to take the then president, as their commander-in-chief at the time, to the safety of Tongogara Barracks since he was no longer safe at home, one of the well-placed former aides told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday.



Another former aide of the increasingly frail nonagenarian  who sounded pitifully incoherent when he entertained a select group of mainly foreign media at his Blue Roof mansion in Harare last month, where he couldnt remember that Grace had been a senior Zanu PF official and an untouchable power broker at the time he fell from power  appeared to corroborate the claims.



I dont think that its right for me or for anyone for that matter to get into the details of the lives and their difficulties of Baba naAmai ... suffice to say that they sometimes had their challenges like all people, and it didnt help that there is a significant ideological and age difference between them, the second former aide said, refusing to shed more light.



Repeated efforts yesterday to reach Mugabe and Grace yesterday for a comment drew a blank, amid reports that the former first lady is currently away in Singapore, on unspecified business.



A senior government official who did not wish to dwell on intimate details of the former first familys personal lives, was nevertheless happy to confirm that Mugabe had indeed lost control of the levers of the State by the time he was deposed from power.



I dont want to dwell on intimate details of the former first familys personal lives, but it is common cause that the former president was definitely no longer in charge of the country when Operation Restore Legacy happened.



Cabinet appointments and sackings, for example, were now being made elsewhere, which is why, as you may remember, it later came out that the former president couldnt even remember firing President Mnangagwa when the two men spoke on the phone at the time, the official said.



Last week, Mugabes former spokesperson and Information permanent secretary, George Charamba, told the Daily News on Sundays sister paper, the Daily News, that although Operation Restore Legacy was able to get rid of bad elements who had surrounded Mugabe, there was no way that the army could have separated the former first couple.



The tragedy about Operation Restore Legacy is that it extricated negative elements that were around the then president, but it could not get into his home.



He is now being abused by the likes of (former Higher Education minister) Jonathan Moyo and his wife ... and there is no way Operation Restore Legacy could have visited his bedroom ... now they are putting his pictures on their party (NPF) regalia, Charamba said.



Insiders have also claimed that when prominent Roman Catholic cleric, Father Fidelis Mukonori  accompanied by Kadoma based businessman Jimayi Muduvuri, who is the patron of the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches Council (Zacc)  recently visited Mugabe, they found him looking lonely and teary.



He was literally crying, bemoaning the fact that liberation struggle veterans such as (Josiah) Tongogara, (Herbert) Chitepo, (Joshua) Nkomo and (Simon) Muzenda had all passed on. He also complained wistfully about Mnangagwa also abandoning him, one of the sources privy to the engagement said.



The South African born Grace, 52, rose to fame when she started an affair with Mugabe  who is 41 years her senior  while she was working as a typist at State House, and while she was still married to Stanley Goreraza, an air force pilot with whom she has a son Russell.



At the time, Mugabe was was also still married to Sally, his much-loved first wife who died from kidney failure in 1992.



The couple later married in 1996 in an extravagant ceremony that was attended by the late anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, and a host of other African leaders.

They have three children  Bona, Robert and Chatunga  and are reputed to have vast business, real estate and farming interests both in Zimbabwe and abroad.



Grace is a controversial figure, with her infamous lavish lifestyle earning her derisive nicknames such as Gucci Grace and DisGrace from her many critics. She recently lost more than US$1 million on a botched ring purchase.



Among countless other scandals linked to her, she controversially earned a PhD in sociology from the University of Zimbabwe in 2014, and last year savaged a young South African woman who was consorting with her wild-living sons in Johannesburg. Daily News
Get the news faster.

Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster.

Click here to install our app on your desktop.

X
(Newser)  A London judge has ruled that one businessman has a right to be forgotten and another does not, the Guardian reports. Justice Mark Warby's Friday ruling compels Google to delete search findings about the criminal conviction of a claimant known publicly as NT2, while NT1's conviction will remain online. NT1 was found guilty of conspiring to account falsely in the 1990s and served a four-year sentence, while NT2 conspired to intercept communications and served just four months. What's more, Warby says, NT2 has shown remorse, while NT1 "has not accepted his guilt, has misled the public and this court, and shows no remorse over any of these matters."

story continues below

Warby also ruled that NT2 was unlikely to repeat his crime of invading someone's privacy, while NT1 "remains in business, and the information serves the purpose of minimizing the risk that he will continue to mislead, as he has in the past." Google had declined requests by both men to remove search results but says it will comply with the ruling, the BBC reports. The legal "right to be forgotten" precedent was set in a 2014 European Union case; since then Google has nixed some 800,000 pages but can refuse to delete search findings it deems of public interest. More "claims of this kind" are likely following NT2's legal victory, Warby tells the Guardian. (Read more Google stories.)
(Newser)  A man who blew himself up in his Wisconsin apartment may have been a white supremacist building a bomb that's been dubbed "Mother of Satan," the Daily Beast reports. Benjamin Morrow, 28, died on March 5 when an explosion tore apart his Beaver Dam home and left his body under the fallen ceiling. An investigator says Morrow's apartment was a "homemade explosives factory" containing explosive materials including a gallon of acetone, a substance used by ISIS in attacks in Manchester, England, and Paris, France, in so-called "Mother of Satan" bombs. "White supremacist material" was also found in Morrow's bedroom, per an unsealed search warrant.

story continues below

But local police don't think that makes Morrow a white supremacist. "I want to make very clear just because Mr. Morrow was in the possession of this material, does not categorize in any particular light," a police lieutenant tells CBS 58. "He could have been an individual that was doing research." Morrow had also stocked up two handguns, three long guns, a ballistic helmet and vest, and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, per the Fond du Lac Reporter. After bomb experts set off explosives in the apartment and then survived an unplanned blast, they opted to retrieve valuables from Morrow's neighbors and burn down the entire apartment building, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Morrow had worked as a scientist in drug development and studied chemistry at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. (His story comes just after the suspected Austin serial bomber blew himself up.)
(Newser)  Entertainers, journalists, and politicians have lost their careers over sexual misconduct in the age of #MeToo, but it seems doctors have little to worry about. According to an AP investigation, many doctors facing sexual assault charges will keep their medical license and simply go on suspension while taking a kind of addiction-treatment therapy. Most undergo no medical-license review and need only avoid trouble for a five-year period. In one case, Florida doctor Gunwant Dhaliwal was convicted by a jury of misdemeanor battery for grabbing a patient's breasts but still works in the Tampa area. "There's been a failure of the medical community to take a stand against the issue," says a health services researcher.

story continues below

Many factors weigh in doctors' favor, like hospital staffs and patients who are reluctant to accuse them, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in a 2016 probe. Not to mention that state medical boards are often full of doctors: "They work very hard to get their medical degrees and they're very, very disinclined to yank the license of another doctor," says a medical malpractice lawyer. "The primary focus is: Let's take care of the doctor and help him get through this problem." But the rehabilitation programs don't always work, and either way, doctors who commit a crime are getting away with it. "I had to sit there in front of him, look him in the eye, they made their guilty verdict and that's it, nothing came of it," says the woman groped by Dhaliwal. "He should have lost his license a long time ago." (Read more sexual assault stories.)
(Newser)  Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin took his battle with striking teachers to a new level Friday by accusing them of enabling child sexual assaulta blow that even his fellow Republicans rebuked, CNN reports. "I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them," said Bevin, meaning that public school closures had left children without a safe environment. "I guarantee you somewhere today, a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were home alone because a single parent didn't have any money to take care of them." He added that "some were introduced to drugs for the first time because they were vulnerable and left alone."

story continues below

"There are no words for this other than, I am appalled!" President of the Kentucky Education Association Stephanie Winkler responded on Twitter, but she wasn't alone. Republican state Sen. Max Wise called Bevin's words "disgusting" and "reprehensible," and the AP reports that rebukes came from both sides of the aisle in Kentucky's GOP-led House. Meanwhile an online petition is circulating to demand an apology from Bevin and state Democratic Rep. Attica Scott is calling for him to resign, the Courier-Journal reports. Bevin's remarks came just after the state legislature overrode his vetoes of budget and tax reform bills that hundreds of teachers had gathered in Frankfort to protect, for the sake of K-12 education funding. Teachers are also striking in Oklahoma after West Virginia teachers struck and won 5% raises last month. (Read more teachers' strike stories.)
(Newser)  In a romp down Meet the Parents memory lane, Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro crashed Saturday Night Live with a modern political twistas President Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, and Robert Mueller, respectively. De Niro interrogated Stiller with the help of a lie detector, though his subject was more often than not forthcoming ("Im Donald Trumps lawyer!" said Stiller. "Ive got a whole hard drive thats just labeled Yikes!'") It was a sketch the New York Times calls "imaginative" and "uproarious," and yes, included one of the movie's most oft-quoted lines. SNL alum John Mulaney returned to guest-host, while musical guest Jack White was, as the Times puts it, "a bit strange and disjointedbut this is Jack White, after all. By the end, it was a runaway freight train." Video highlights in the gallery. (Read more Saturday Night Live stories.)
(Newser)  The Republican National Committee has committed $250 million to a midterm election strategy that has one goal above all: Preserve the House majority for the rest of President Trump's first term. Facing the prospect of a blue wave, the White House's political arm is devoting unprecedented resources to building an army of paid staff and trained volunteers across more than two dozen states. "Our No. 1 priority is keeping the House. We have to win the House," RNC political director Juston Johnson said. RNC officials shared their midterm spending plan with the AP as several hundred volunteers and staff held a day of action on Saturday in competitive regions across the country. The weekend show of force, which comes as Democrats have shown a significant enthusiasm advantage in the age of Trump, was designed to train 1,600 new volunteers in more than 200 events nationwide.

story continues below

There were more than three dozen events in Florida alone, a state that features competitive races for the Senate, the governorship, and a half-dozen House races. The RNC expects to have 900 total paid staff around the country before the election. The number of trained volunteers, he said, has surpassed 10,000. The strategy is expensive and carries risk. The RNC's focus on a sophisticated field operation to identify and turn out key voters leaves the RNC with no additional resources to run TV or online advertising. It also puts tremendous pressure on the president and senior party leaders to raise money. RNC chair Ronna McDaniel said strong fundraisinga record $132 million in Trump's first yearhas allowed the aggressive strategy. "We're building a volunteer army that will be a turnkey operation for every Republican campaign up and down the ballot," Nevada state director Dan Coats said.

(Read more RNC stories.)
(Newser)  Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson expressed his "deepest apologies" to two black men arrested at a Philadelphia franchise location Thursday and says he hopes to give them a "face-to-face apology," the New York Times reports. "Regretfully, our practices and training led to a bad outcomethe basis for the call to the Philadelphia police department was wrong," Johnson says in a public statement. But he adds that "our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested." He says Starbucks will investigate how the men were identified as trespasserswhen they were apparently just waiting for someoneand "make any necessary changes to our practices that would help prevent such an occurrence from ever happening again."

story continues below

But not everyone is buying the apology as protesters gather outside the location Sunday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Black Lives Matter activist Asa Khalif is calling the apology "lukewarm" and "about saving face," per a tweet, while a Facebook page organizing the rally wants the worker who called police to be fired, the officers to be fired, and a new Starbucks policy instated "that expressly disallows calling the police on citizens." Meanwhile Philadelphia police are deflecting blame, saying "officers had legal standing to make this arrest," and Mayor Jim Kenney is saying that Starbucks' apology "is not enough." Johnson may be feeling the heat: "You can and should expect more from us," he writes. "We will learn from this and be better." (Read more African-Americans stories.)
(Newser)  Sunday morning talk shows buzzed with Syria talk following US and allied attacks on chemical facilities in the war-torn nationwith Nikki Haley leading the charge for the administration, Politico reports. "If Assad doesnt get it, its going to hurt," said the US ambassador to the United Nations on Fox News Sunday, threatening more missile strikes if Syrian President Bashar Assad attacks his people with chemical weapons. "If Assad continues to go forward there will be more, and it will hurt." Among other Sunday quotes:

More Russian sanctions: "Russia sanctions will be coming down" following the suspected Syria chemical attacks, Haley said on Face the Nation, per the Hill. "They will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use."

story continues below

Please, don't ask : "First of all, I have been drowning in all things Syria, North Korea, and Iran, so I can't ... I'm sorry, I don't have enough information on anything related to Comey or all of those things," said Haley when asked about President Trump's tweet attack against former FBI Director James Comey, per the Hill. "I haven't watched TV to watch that."

: "First of all, I have been drowning in all things Syria, North Korea, and Iran, so I can't ... I'm sorry, I don't have enough information on anything related to Comey or all of those things," said Haley when asked about President Trump's tweet attack against former FBI Director James Comey, per the Hill. "I haven't watched TV to watch that." Don't ask, pt. 2: "I can't speak to that. You'd have to ask him that," said retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan on NBC's Meet the Press when asked if he and Trump see the GOP the same way, per Politico. But they "obviously" see trade differently, he added.

Don't look at me : "I'm not aware of any plans to make those movements," said Sarah Huckabee Sanders on ABC's This Week when asked about possible Trump plans to fire special counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Politico reports. "We do have some real concerns with some of the activities and some of the scope that the investigation has gone."

: "I'm not aware of any plans to make those movements," said Sarah Huckabee Sanders on ABC's This Week when asked about possible Trump plans to fire special counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Politico reports. "We do have some real concerns with some of the activities and some of the scope that the investigation has gone." A strong message: A bill protecting Mueller would send Trump a "very strong message," said Sen. Susan Collins on This Week, but she doubts Trump would sign it, the Hill reports. Still, "it would not hurt if we passed legislation to send a message to the White House that we want the investigation to continue."

I would have been fired: "When I worked for Jim [Comey], if I had said to him 11 days before an election that I was going to release information that could potentially affect the election, and one of the things that influenced me was polling, he would have fired me," former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said on This Week, referring to Comey's comment that presidential polling may have affected his decision to reveal the Hillary Clinton email investigation, the Hill reports. Christie was once US attorney for New Jersey and Comey was his boss at the US Department of Justice. "And it is really disconcerting to me as a guy who worked with him in form and have defended him on this air and other places over the years to see this interview and what he was saying."

(Read more Sunday morning talk shows stories.)
(Newser)  As the second anniversary of Prince's death approaches, his heirs have yet to collect a dollar of his estimated $200 million estate. Per the AP, bankers, lawyers, and consultants have earned millions from it. The long saga to settle the estate provides a cautionary tale about dying without a will, as Prince did when he died of an accidental opioid overdose at his suburban Minneapolis studio on April 21, 2016, and the heirs can't quit squabbling. Here's a look at where things stand: Even though it's been nearly two years since Prince died, the executor of the estate, Comerica Bank and Trust, can't split the money among Prince's six surviving siblings until the Internal Revenue Service and executor agree on the estate's value when Prince died.

story continues below

It's not clear when that might happen. The IRS and state of Minnesota are entitled to collect about half, though the estate can stretch out the payments over time. Court filings several months after Prince's death suggested that it was worth around $200 million before taxes. The actual value remains one of the biggest secrets in the case, hidden in sealed and redacted documents. The actual valuation could have gone up or down since then. That's because the various attorneys, accountants, and industry experts at that point had not yet finished appraisals and deals for the use of his music, videos, and assets including his Paisley Park studio. Attorneys for the heirs did not return calls for the AP's story or declined to comment.

(Read more Prince stories.)
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community.

Submit here
by Anna Chiara Filice

Fr. Jyoti Francis Costa is one of the two missionaries chosen by the Vatican in his country. Over the past two years he has preached the love of God in the parishes, in the dioceses and in pilgrimage centers. "I saw the joy in the faces of the faithful who come to know that God is merciful". "God forgives us and welcomes us as we are".

Rome (AsiaNews) - "I am nothing but an instrument in Gods hands, a channel to show the world His mercy", Fr. Jyoti Francis Costa, tells AsiaNews. We met the assistant to the general secretary of the Bengali Episcopal Conference (Cbcb) in Rome, where he participated in the meeting convoked by Pope Francis with the Missionaries of Mercy. The Pope created this body of priests during the Extraordinary Jubilee of 2016 to "absolve even the most serious sins". Fr Costa is one of the two missionaries chosen for Bangladesh.

Reflecting on his delicate assignment he states: "I am superior to none. I am there to listen, console the anxieties, welcome the faithful who want to be reconciled with God. I have no merit, it is the love of God that converts hearts ".

The priest is incardinated in the archdiocese of Dhaka, but thanks to the assignment he has been able to visit "parishes, dioceses and pilgrimage centers. Here the local Churches have organized masses, meetings, seminars and retreats ". In particular, he recounts, "I went on several occasions to the dioceses of Barisal [in the south of the country, ed] and Sylhet [to the east]. Some meetings have been dedicated to religious and consecrated persons, others to all the local faithful and neighboring parishes ".

With the papal mandate, since 2016 he has been able "to preach to thousands of people the teachings of the Gospel and the mercy of the Lord. Moreover, thanks to the special faculties granted us by the pope, I have been able to confess to many faithful and absolve the sins reserved for the Apostolic See. I have listened to many personal stories and experiences ".

During these meetings, continues Fr. Costa, "I could see the joy in the faces of those who came to know that God is merciful, that He expects nothing in return but that people should come to Him and be reconciled with Him". The reason for this contentment "probably derives from the fact that the faithful had never before heard the message of God's mercy. He does not care what sin is committed: He forgives and welcomes us as we are, with our defects and merits. What matters is that we are human beings ".

In turn, he argues, "the Missionaries of Mercy's task is to be loving, merciful, good hearers, generous, patient with anyone approaching, listening to their stories and not judging. The repentant person must never feel rejected or abandoned by the love of God ". Our ministry, he admits, "is really an important work and we are the first to be available to help, to make people understand that in us they can find the support they seek".

In this way, "people feel the touch of God, who are loved and welcomed. And this generates in them a transformation: the awareness that their life has value and meaning and they have a new reason to live. They understand that their life is a gift from God and they try to nourish it in a new way, like good Christians. In them there is a conversion of hearts and minds, which they share first of all with the families, the relatives, those with whom they live every day. Also in us missionaries a conversion takes place: we learn to be more patient, to dedicate more time to people who seek the love of God ".

Speaking of families, "my long experience as secretary of the Bishops' Conference Commission for Families has made me notice the same thing: when there are tensions and divisions in couples, what helps most is to know that God welcomes them with open arms. . Spouses begin to speak and share difficulties, and gradually reconcile. And later I am able to help other couples in crisis ".

Pope Francis "encourages us in our task, he wants us to share our experiences in every part of the world and encourage other religious to do the same, to become missionaries in their own contexts. He made us think about one aspect: when a penitent comes to us to confess his sins, it is as if he were naked before God. At that moment he must not feel the vergona for the fait accompli. We must understand it and be even more compassionate, because he has already acted in the love of the Lord who made him convert ".

It is "an interior conversion, not the Christian faith", he stresses. During these years he was able to meet many people, "but above all they are Christians, not faithful of other religions. At the same time, I happened to meet people who were affected by what I was preaching and they told me that they had reported the lessons learned to other acquaintances. Among these, I believe that there are not only Christians".

In any case, he admits, in his lengthy experience of social work, which started as a young boy when he coordinated the group of young Catholics of Cbcb, "what I transmit are my Christian values, my culture, my faith. Indirectly, this is what the people I meet learn from me ". Although he would like to clarify when he talks about his relationship with the population (mostly Muslim), "I prefer to use the term evangelize, not evangelization, in the sense that the first goal is not to convert people. First of all, we want to transmit values, to teach people to be good people ".
FAIRBANKS  Former Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox is receiving help from a new lawyer who is a national figure famous for his lawsuits
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.

Community Perspective

Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer.

Letters to the editor

Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer.
New Delhi:

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) will announce the results of its Class 10 and Class 12 annual exams in the last week of April. Earlier, the UP Board was expected to declare the results on April 15.

However, contrary to those reports, the board officials confirmed that the results will be announced exactly between April 25 to April 30.

UPMSP will make the results available for students on the UP board's official results portal, which is www.upresults.nic.in.

Students can also log into other websites such as results.nic.in, indiaresults.com and examresults.net to check their results.

The aspirants are advised to visit the official website of UP Board (https://upmsp.edu.in/) to know more details regarding the UP-Board Class X and Class XII results.

While UP 10th Board exams took place between February 6 to February 22, the Class 12 exams were conducted from 6 February to 12 March 2018.

Earlier, UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma told that the Board of High School and Intermediate Education Uttar Pradesh will start the new academic session on April 16.

Candidates, who appeared for UP Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, should go through the following steps to check their results.

Also Read | NEET 2018: Admit Cards to be released at soon; exam scheduled on May 6

Check out the steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website upresults.nic.in

Step 2: Click on the link UP Board Result 2018 Class 10 or UP Board 12th Result 2018

Step 3: Provide important details such as Date of Birth, Roll Number and all.

Step 4: Click on the submit button

Step 5: Result will appear on the screen

Step 6: Download your result

Step 7: Take a print out of the same for future convenience.

Students can also get their results on their Mobile via SMS service.

- SMS - UP10 ROLLNUMBER - Send it to 56263

- SMS - UP12 ROLLNUMBER - Send it to 56263

About UPMSP:

The Board of High School and Intermediate Education Uttar Pradesh is the state government administered autonomous examining authority for the Standard 10 examination and Standard 12 examination of Uttar Pradesh, headquartered in Allahabad India.
New Delhi:

Asaduddin Owaisis party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has decided to not contest the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018 reportedly.

The report comes days after the party had announced that it will contest in the Karnataka polls.

As per reports, the party feels that its participation could hamper the vote bank of the secular parties contesting the elections and can give a negative effect to the votes of the contesting parties.

The Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single-phase on May 12, while the counting will take place on May 15.

The Hyderabad MP had earlier said that the country is fed up with both the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, and its time for a third front to come up. Owaisi said, ..people of the country are fed up with BJP governance and Congress is not a viable option, neither it can become one.

The BJP, last week, had announced its first list of 72 candidates for the Karnataka Assembly Elections. The party Central Election Committee, in a statement, said, The central election committee of the party has decided the first 72 names for the ensuing Karnataka legislative assembly elections.

Also Read: Owaisi-led AIMIM to contest Karnataka Assembly Elections

Meanwhile, the BJP had staged a protest against Congress in the state for a statement by the Congress state unit working president Dinesh Gundu Rao against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The BJP alleged Raos remarks as inciting. Rao had called Adityanath a disgrace to Indian politics.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

As part of the ongoing mega combat exercise - 'Gaganshakti-2018', Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday conducted a battalion level airdrop on the western seaboard to check its deep strike capability in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

"As part of the ongoing massive IAF exercise Gaganshakti', IAF conducted maritime air operations on the western seaboard, with the clear aim of air dominance and deep strike validation over the extended area of interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)," the IAF said in a statement.

"In the long-range strike concept validation, the Su-30s, airborne from a base on the Eastern Coast engaged multiple targets, in the Western Sea-board, at distances in excess of 2200 Km. These aircraft then landed at a Southern Base, thus covering a total distance of 3600 Km, in a single mission," the statement added.

#GaganShakti2018 - #IAF & #IndianArmy Parachute Brigade undertook a Battalion level airborne assault, 14Apr18 in C-130 & AN-32 aircraft, in the desert sector. This assault included paradrop of 560 paratroopers, combat vehicles & GPS guided cargo platforms.https://t.co/gyPiymraV3 pic.twitter.com/ik9GYZVAme a Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 15, 2018

Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal S B Deo visited the Sirsa air force base in Haryana to take stock of the mega exercise. Later, Mitra and Deo took a sortie in Sukhoi fighter jet.

In the drill, a fleet of Su-30 fighter jets took off from a base on the eastern coast, engaged multiple targets in the western seaboard, at distances beyond 2,500 km, and landed at a southern base, covering a total distance of 4,000 km, in a single mission, it said.

"These staggering ranges were made possible by the support of IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft, thus ensuring long-range strike capabilities for our fighter aircraft, " the IAF said.

Indian Navy's P-8i reconnaissance aircraft and AWACS of IAF supported the operation.

Officials said the two-week-long exercise is involving almost the entire assets of the IAF including its fighter squadrons and the main objective of the day-and-night drill is to check the war-waging capability of the force.

The IAF said the exercise 'Gaganshakti' has provided an ideal environment to evaluate joint operations with the Navy.

#GaganShakti2018 : MASS CASUALTY EVACUATION DRILL - #IAF conducted a Mass Casualty Air Evacuation Drill in the Northern sector. The C-17 Aircraft was converted for this role by fixing support structures for the stretchers, in the main cabin. https://t.co/MbO3kIaMas pic.twitter.com/mYqujyscLw a Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 14, 2018

"The exploitation of the combat support assets helps to extend the reach in the entire IOR, our strategic area of influence," the IAF said.

The officials said the exercise is one of the biggest in recent decades, adding Pakistan has already been informed about it as per laid down protocol.

Gaganshakti exercise started from April 8 and will go on till April 23.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of the two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers who were present at the rally organised on April 9.

Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh, two BJP ministers had participated in a rally which supported the people who were involved in raping and murdering an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district.

BJP state chief Sat Sharma received the resignations of both the ministers on Sunday morning, who forwarded them to Mufti, who later, accepted the resignations and passed them on to the state governor for further action.

The two ministers had resigned following accusations of supporting the culprits.

However, defending themselves of the accusation, Lal Singh said that he resigned on moral grounds. Singh said, I gave resignation on moral values. If someone is hurt because of me, I have no right to remain in that post, that is why I resigned. I also said that one must live by their conscience, and my conscience did not approve that violence and riots are caused just for the resignation of two ministers. I have done nothing but I resigned so that there's no violence in the country.

Singh also demanded for a CBI investigation into the heinous crime, saying that only an investigation will bring out the truth to the fore front.

The recent investigation into the incident gave horrific details of the crime and the accused were arrested, which triggered a massive protest march in the state in support of the accused. A group of lawyers also tried to stop the police from filing a charge sheet against the accused.

Meanwhile, the whole issue started a blame game between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP, in their Sunday conference, slammed the Congress and asked them to take an action against the state party chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir for saying the investigation into the incident was motivated.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, Mir had made a statement that the local population thinks that the culprits in the Kathua rape case are still out and the investigation is motivated and they are trying to dilute the case. Mir is trying to politicise the case by instilling doubt in the public's mind about the investigation.

Also Read| Kathua Rape-Murder Case: What we know so far

Javadekar added, We took action and two of our ministers resigned, but now I want to ask Rahul Ji that he takes out candle march at night, then why does he not take action against his own state president?

Javadekar also demanded an apology from Ghulam Nabi Azad over his former polling agent and Jammu Bar Association President BS Slathias attempt to stop the filing of the charge sheet.

Javadekar openly slammed Rahul Gandhi and Congress, and said, Why was he silent on the atrocities on Dalits and women in an inter-caste violence in Mirchpur village of Haryana during Congress rule? The Congress had done nothing in 10 years when it was in power. They are trying to defame the BJP. They can't compete with us in the election, so they are using these tricks.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi and asked why the party wasnt taking any action against Ghulam Mir for supporting the protestors in the Kathua rape case.

Javadekar, who was addressing a press conference, sought for a stringent punishment to Mir, who reportedly supported the protesters in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua rape case.

He also said that Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad should apologise to the nation since the chief of Jammu Bar Association was the polling agent of Azad in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The union minister said, Our 2 ministers resigned,but Congress state chief Ghulam Mir said the same so why no action against him by Rahul ji?Jammu Bar Association chief was polling agent of GN Azad. Azad ji has no responsibility? He should apologize to nation.

Our 2 ministers resigned,but Congress state chief Ghulam Mir said the same so why no action against him by Rahul ji?Jammu Bar Association chief was polling agent of GN Azad. Azad ji has no responsibility? He should apologize to nation: Prakash Javadekar,Union Minister #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/Eh5SpQGsUj  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Javadekar was referring to the two BJP legislators, Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, who had resigned on Friday amid the massive outrage after they participated in a rally which was organised in support of a man arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

His questions come after a video of Ghulam Ahmad Mir went viral saying that the local population of Jammu had left the real culprit was left unharmed. He was heard saying that the crime branch is compromised on the investigation.

However, Mir took to Twitter to defend himself and wrote that the video which was being circulated was two months old and said that the party was totally satisfied with the Crime Branchs investigation.

Also Read: Attended Kathua rally on partys directions, says resigned BJP Minister Chander Prakash

Mir wrote, Neither I have demanded CBI enquiry nor I have opposed any investigation by state , only thing I mentioned was credibility of investigation in public https://eyes.it was in response to question journalist becoz two Minister's have already exaggerated the situation.

Neither I have demanded CBI enquiry nor I have opposed any investigation by state , only thing I mentioned was credibility of investigation in public https://t.co/tV72I1fu3b was in response to question journalist becoz two Minister's have already exaggerated the situation https://t.co/vjnCW0NHHQ  Ghulam Ahmad Mir (@GAMIR_INC) April 13, 2018

Javadekar also blamed the Aam Aadmi Party in his conference and said that they are trying to create tensions in the country. He said that on Ram Navmi some people, clad in saffron, had gathered outside a Delhi mosque and were shouting slogans. These people were later identified as AAP workers.

Javadekar said, Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad ppl gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords&raised inciting slogans,later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is a clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere.

Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad ppl gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords&raised inciting slogans,later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is a clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister pic.twitter.com/PIKxN6zJNH  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

The Bar Association of Jammu, in the Kathua rape case, supported the lawyers who were trying to stop the police from filing a charge sheet against the main accused in the rape case on April 9.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The family of the Unnao gang-rape victim on Sunday said that some goons of the accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar were threatening the villagers to keep quiet. The family also claimed that two of their family members were missing for the last two days.

Some goons of Kuldeep Sengar are threatening villagers to keep quiet. Yesterday they went there in two cars and threatened them to keep quiet or leave the village. Two people are missing, said victims uncle.

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao district. The case came to the media limelight after the victim tried to self-immolate herself outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths residence in Lucknow.

Under pressure, Uttar Pradesh government handed over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which later arrested Sengar for questioning.

The MLA, however, told CBI during the investigation that he was in Kanpur on June 7, 2017, the day he was alleged to have committed the rape.

Sengar was sent to the CBI custody for seven days by a Lucknow Court on Saturday. The agency said it needed Sengars custody to question him at length. The CBI will also take him to Unnao to reconstruct the scene of the crime.

Also Read | Unnao rape case: MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar sent to seven-day CBI custody

Apart from Sengar, CBI has also arrested one Shashi Singh, the 52-year-old woman who allegedly lured the victim to the BJP MLAs house on the day of the crime.

According to the CBI sources, Singh has also claimed that she was in Kanpur with her husband on the day the alleged rape incident took place.

The 17-year-old teenager alleged that BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar along with his brother Atul Singh Sengar and other people gang-raped her at his residence on June 4, 2017.

After filing of the case, the victims father was booked by the police under the Arms Act on April 3 this year and kept under police custody on April 5.

Frustrated with the alleged inaction and coercion from powerful people, the victim attempted self-immolation in front of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths residence on April 8 which made headlines.

The next day, her father died in jail with post-mortem report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Bengalis across the globe get into the celebratory mood with their new year arriving with lots of new hopes and wishes on April 15, 2018.

The day is celebrated as Vaisakhi in central and north India, Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.

Significance:

Bengali New Year, popularly known as Poila Baishak (Boishakh) or Naba Barsha is being celebrated with full fervour on the first day in the month of Baishak. It is a national holiday for people in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Bangladesh, irrespective of their religious faith.

It is observed as the traditional solar new year and a harvest festival by Hindus and Sikhs in other parts of the country. Naba Barsha also marks the beginning of the Bengali financial year.

Dates:

Poila Baishak generally falls on April 14 or April 15, according to the lunisolar calendar. The Bengali calendar, introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar is a mixture of the lunar Islamic calendar and solar Hindu calendar.

Puja:

To celebrate the day, Bengalis pay a visit to temples and seek blessings from their beloved deities Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi to ensure prosperity throughout the year.

Also Read | Ram Navami 2018: Know date, significance, Shri Rama mantra

Celebration:

People wear new clothes, exchange sweets, clean their house and take part in various cultural programmes to make the day extra special. In some houses, mango leaves garlands are put up at the main entrance. Many of them boil milk and let it spill, which is believed to be a sign of wealth and good luck.

On the other hand, merchants and traders keep the ledger books or 'Haal Khata' in front of the deity and conduct prayer for good fortune and wealth. They invite customers to visit shops and ask them to start a new account for the year ahead after settling the old ones.

Food: The eleborate meal contains some mouth watering dishes like fish, chicken, mutton, Luchi, daal along with a good round of deserts. Food is also an important part of Poila Baisakh like all other Indian festivals. People love to indulge in special food and prepare shukto, payesh, malpua and fishes like hilsa, bhetki and prawns.



Since, Naba Barsha is a perfect time for family reunion, here we wish you a very Happy Bengali New Year with your loved ones.

For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Religion News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Amid the deteriorating ties between the superpowers, Russia has announced that it was planning a major response to the US after Donald Trump ordered fresh sanctions against Kremlin.

The Putin government has drafted a bill suspending cooperation with US companies in the nuclear, missile and aircraft-building spheres, italicised Russia Today.

Russian lawmakers are also mulling to introduce restrictions on imports of alcohol and tobacco produced in the US.

Earlier in April, the White House added 38 Russian entrepreneurs, senior officials and companies to its sanctions list for the countrys malign activity taking place across the world.

At least, we are giving an adequate reply to the United States of America. We are stopping the cooperation with the USA in three very important spheres: the nuclear industry, the aircraft building industry and the rocket engine industry, said Sergey Mironov, head of the Fair Russia party.

The move comes amid the growing tensions between the two superpowers over the US-led strikes in three Syrian cities in response to a suspected deadly chemical attack in the town of Douma.

Also Read | US attacks Syria: Donald Trump thanks France, UK, tweets 'Mission Accomplished'

The strikes miffed Syrias ally Russia and the country warned the US, UK and France of the consequences.

We are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris, said Russian Embassy in the US.

Meanwhile, Trump has issued a fresh warning to the Syrian government and said that the US was locked and loaded to strike again if the country carries out new chemical attacks.

Russia took the matter to the United Nations and brought the UN Security Council vote seeking condemnation of the US-led strikes in Syria. However, the vote was rejected by the council.

During the UN Security Council emergency meeting held on Saturday, Russia and US envoys indulged in a bitter exchange.

Russias UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia accused the US and its allies of hooliganism and cynical disdain after they acted without waiting for the results of an investigation into the Douma incident.

Responding to the Russian envoys allegations, US envoy Nikki Haley said the strikes were justified, legitimate and proportionate.

Haley said, We cannot stand by and let Russia trash every international norm and allow use of chemical weapons to go unanswered.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
An 81-year-old man died in central Japan on Saturday after being struck by a falling stone lantern which was dislodged by a passing bus, police said.

The 100-kilogram roof-shaped stone fell on Masanobu Nishizawa from a height of approximately 2.5 meters, crushing him. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, the police said.

The accident took place around 9:55 a.m. when the left rear-vision mirror of the bus hit the stone lantern that stood on a roadside in Ise, Mie Prefecture. The 45-year-old driver was attempting to pull up at a bus stop at the time of the impact.

The driver was quoted by police as saying he knew the stone lantern was there but that he failed to notice it before the mirror hit. None of the 10 passengers aboard the bus were hurt.
Japan has offered to lend China a hand with President Xi Jinping's "toilet revolution."

Beijing has launched a campaign to improve sanitary conditions in the country's toilets, and Tokyo hopes that providing assistance can in some way improve diplomatic relations with its neighbor. The two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of their bilateral peace and friendship treaty this year.

Efforts are being led by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The three government departments have sought ideas from private companies such as toilet maker Toto, while the Japan's embassy in Beijing has been in discussions with the Chinese government regarding the project. A group of researchers will soon be sent to the countryside to conduct studies and ascertain local needs.

Specifically, Japan plans to offer technological help to improve facilities in rural areas and educate locals about sanitation. Most public toilets in China are not equipped with flush mechanisms and many in the countryside have no cubicles. Contaminated groundwater can often pose a severe health risk.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it will be impossible for his administration to identify and recover looted funds of the countr...

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it will be impossible for his administration to identify and recover looted funds of the country.He also said that his administration has not done badly when compared to what it met on ground when he took over in 2015. The President said the damage done to the Nigerias economy in the years of plunder was massive, and that government was doing its best to recover some of the loot, but noted that it was impossible to identify and recover all.The President stated this in London Sunday while receiving the Buhari Diaspora Support Organization, led by Mr Charles Efe Sylvester. According to him, We will do our best to justify your trust in us, and that confidence wont be abused, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians.I am happy that people like you are here, on your own, defending the country. You have shown courage and sacrifice. I assure you that your confidence in us wont be abused, we will do our best to justify it. He noted that Nigeria was gifted with tremendous human and natural resources, but regretted that failure of some of the leadership we had in the past led to our not being able to capitalize on resources to improve the lot of the people.Saying wicked people plundered the country, and kept Nigerians poor, the President added that looking at the condition in which the current administration met the country, without savings and the economy badly vandalized, we have not done too badly.If they had used 50 percent of the money we made, when oil prices went as high as $143 dollars per barrel, and stabilized at $100 dollars with production at 2.1 million barrels per day for many years, Nigerians would have minded their businesses. You could almost grow food on our roads, as they were abandoned.The stealing was so much, and they were so inept that they could not even cover the stealing properly. I wonder how all those things could have happened to our country. He commended the Buhari Diaspora Support Organization for deciding to identify with the country, when you could have stayed here, and being comfortable. The Coordinator of the organization, Mr Sylvester, said the group was happy with the achievements of the Buhari administration so far. He said, You met a difficult situation, but you have overcome most of them.We are happy with the agriculture revolution, the ease of doing business, the anti-corruption war, the employment of youths through the N-Power programme, and the blockage of leakages in the public sector through the Treasury Single Account (TSA). We are proud of the speed with which you recovered the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls.It shows you as a worthy general. We are happy that you have declared for 2019. Majority of Nigerians are happy, but agents of corruption and darkness are unhappy.The same God, who healed you when you were ill, will grant you victory in the 2019 elections. You are a General who does not fear combat, either with Generals or non-Generals. We declare our love and support for you. You are fixing the faulty foundations of our country and second term is when you will build the enduring structure.
When an Atlantic City police officer violently subdued a rowdy casino patron in 2012, the incident opened up more than a giant gash in the man's head.

A federal lawsuit filed against Detective Franco Sydnor has revealed the veteran officer's history of violence, including a stabbing prior to joining the force, and allegations of sexual assault and beatings on the job.

An attorney representing Anthony Moore, the Pennsylvania man on the receiving end of Sydnor's baton in the 2012 incident at Bally's casino, said the police department has ignored repeated warning signs that Sydnor is a rogue cop.

"You know you had a very rogue officer almost from the minute you hired him," said Moore's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean

Revelations about Sydnor comes as the Atlantic City Police Department faces criticism about the violent behavior of several of its officers. Officers, including Sydnor, have been accused of hitting or assaulting suspects and sexual assault of at least two women. The cases have cost the department millions of dollars in settlements and legal fees.

A spokesman for the police department referred all questions about the Sydnor case to the city solicitor. Attorney Morrison Fairbairn, representing the city in this matter, declined to comment.

The case against Sydnor

Moore visited Bally's on Oct. 7, 2012, with his brother and a few friends. Some members of the group grew disruptive and were asked to leave.

Security camera footage shared by Bonjean, shows Bally's security trying to escort Moore's brother, Ciaran, and a friend to the door as words turn to shoving.

Anthony Moore's attorney provided this photo of injuries to his head following his 2012 arrest in Atlantic City.

Sydnor, who was working a special detail that allows officers to earn extra money, allegedly threw Ciaran Moore to the floor during this exchange, prompting his brother, Anthony Moore, to get involved.

The plaintiff claims Sydnor pushed him, took out his baton and shouted, "You wanna go? You wanna go?"

Shoving soon escalated to a brawl by the exit and Moore said Sydnor and a Bally's security officer threw him to the ground in the casino vestibule. Sydnor then struck him several times with his baton. Moore suffered two large gashes to his head that required surgical staples to close.

He suffered a concussion and still experiences headaches from the beating, according to his suit.

In addition to Sydnor, the civil rights lawsuit names the police department and Atlantic City as defendants.

Bonjean argues that the police department has long known about Sydnor's tendency toward violence, pointing to several incidents over the last 20 years.

When Sydnor joined the department in 2003, he had already been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, weapons possession and criminal mischief, according to court records.

In 1996, Sydnor was accused of stabbing his wife's ex four times in an apparent domestic dispute. Through a plea deal, he pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon charge.

He was then charged with terroristic threats in 2002 after he allegedly offered to kill the jailed husband of a woman with whom he was having an affair. Those charges were later dismissed.

While his record apparently wasn't enough to disqualify him for a job with the Atlantic City Police Department, "the specific nature of Sydnor's criminal history should have put the department on high alert that this rookie should be monitored extra closely," according to Moore's lawsuit.

Court documents submitted in Moore's case go on to detail a string of internal affairs complaints.

Multiple claims of violence

In 2006, a woman claimed Sydnor followed her to her apartment and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Sydnor countered that he had gone to the woman's apartment to assist her in getting help for drug addiction. An investigation resulted in no charges against Sydnor, but he was given a one-day suspension for being outside of his assigned district when he went to the woman's apartment.

The next year, a fellow officer claimed Sydnor grabbed her upper thigh twice. An internal affairs investigation found that the claim could not be sustained.

Atlantic City Police Detective Franco Sydnor is seen during the 2012 incident at Bally's casino. (Submitted image)

In another incident, Sydnor and a fellow officer responded to Borgata Hotel Casino for a drunk and disorderly patron. While staff indicated they did not want to press charges and only wanted the man off their property, video surveillance outside of the casino shows Sydnor attempting to throw the uncooperative man head-first into the backseat of a patrol car.

The man was found a short time later unconscious in the parking lot of a restaurant suffering from a head injury. An investigation could not determine how the man suffered his injuries or how he ended up in the parking lot. While an internal affairs probe found that Sydnor used excessive force in how he handled the man, the charges were ultimately dismissed.

Other claims include a 2009 incident in which Sydnor intervened in a verbal dispute between a casino bouncer and a patron. The patron claimed Sydnor assaulted him without justification and caused serious facial injuries. Sydnor claimed the injuries were unintentional.

In another case, involving a fight at Tropicana casino, a patron claimed Sydnor punched him the face, kicked him in the nose and threw him in a wishing well. Syndor claimed that any injuries the man suffered were the result of the fight officers were trying to break up.

In a 2010 case, a customer at Harrah's who was arguing with a manager over a bill said Sydnor intervened, picked up the customer in a bear hug and slammed him to the ground. While surveillance video recorded the incident, Sydnor's report claimed the patron was the one who picked up and slammed Sydnor, according to Bonjean's court filings,

Cases such as these are relevant, Bonjean argues, because they show Sydnor "routinely injures individuals and then claims that the injuries occurred in some other manner than how the complainant describes them and often contrary to the physical evidence."

Such is the case in her client's encounter, Bonjean argued.

While the video shows Sydnor striking Moore with his baton, the detective testified under oath that he did not intentionally hit Moore with the weapon.

He testified that the baton only "grazed" Moore in the head as Sydnor was falling to the ground during the scuffle.

"Sydnor's testimony is nothing short of a bald-faced lie," Bonjean said.

She called the case straightforward.

"This case comes down to Officer Sydnor using excessive force in a retaliatory fashion, which is prohibited by law," Bonjean said Thursday. "There is no authority that allows an officer to punish someone because they are angry that they got pushed or angry that someone is not listening to them. It's a pretty straightforward case."

The case goes to trial in May

Sydnor has been named as a defendant in at least six other lawsuits while serving on special details, according to Bonjean.

As for his supervisors, instead of taking any meaningful action after the string of complaints against Sydnor, they promoted him to detective, she noted.

Documents filed by Sydnor's attorney, Steven Glickman, state that of 15 excessive force complaints made against his client, Sydnor was exonerated in 13 of them "and the remaining two were not sustained."

Atlantic City Police Detective Franco Sydnor (second from left) restrains a man during the 2012 incident at Bally's casino.

Glickman expressed concern Thursday over how his client can get a fair trial in light of recent publicity.

"I'm writing a letter to the judge asking the judge to try to curtail litigating this matter in the press," he said. "It makes it difficult to get an impartial jury pool. Vilifying my client in the press with unfounded allegations is certainly not fair. I'm not about to start litigating this matter in the press, either."

The trial is scheduled to being May 14 in Camden. The case will be tried in multiple stages, starting first with the case against Sydnor. If those allegations are substantiated, the second stage would determine the city's liability. A third stage could determine punitive damages against Sydnor.

U.S. District Judge Jerome Simandle is currently considering whether the internal affairs reports from other cases will be admitted as evidence in the trial.

Sydnor remains on active duty with the department, a police spokesman confirmed. His salary was $96,938 last year.

Bonjean recently pursued two other excessive force cases against Atlantic City police.

Steven Stadler, severely injured after a 2013 arrest, won a civil suit against a now-retired K-9 officer and the department and was awarded $300,500 following a civil trial.

David Connor Castellani was awarded $3 million in a January settlement after he was torn up by a police K-9 during another 2013 arrest.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.
A suspect wanted for the murder of a man and wounding of a woman early Saturday in Camden County was chased by authorities to Cumberland County where he was fatally shot by police, officials said.

The incident began when Winslow Township Police received a 911 call about a man and woman who had been found shot in a home on Woodhaven Way.

They found Derek White, 47, of Salem dead and a 35-year-old Winslow woman seriously wounded, officials said.

The woman was taken a nearby hospital.

According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, detectives learned there were two children missing from the home, ages 2 and 3.

The children had been missing since approximately 4:30 a.m., and were last seen with their father, a 55-year-old Pennsville man, in the Salem County area, according to authorities.

After the shooting, police saw the man's vehicle traveling near the Winslow crime scene and initiated a pursuit.

The chase ended in Millville on Holly Berry Lane where the man was shot by police around 9:10 a.m., according to officials.

He was taken to Inspira Medical Center Vineland where he was pronounced dead.

The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office said one Millville police officer and two Winslow Township officers were involved in the shooting.

Authorities said they could not provide any other details about what happened and whether the suspect who was killed had threatened officers. They also did not release how many times he had been shot, saying an autopsy was pending.

The Pennsville man's identity had not been released as of Saturday night.

There was no report of any of the officers being injured.

The two missing children were located safe around 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Salem County, officials said.

The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, with assistance from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office investigating the case.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us.
Happy Bon Jovi Day, New Jersey!

Gov. Phil Murphy declared Saturday as Bon Jovi Day in the Garden State hours before the iconic New Jersey rock band is slated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The ceremony is scheduled Saturday night in Cleveland.

In his proclamation, Murphy wrote that "five musicians from New Jersey communities believed in their dream and used their talents to form Bon Jovi, one of the most famous, enduring rock bands of all time."

Murphy is in Cleveland with the band for the ceremony and surprised the band with the proclamation Friday night at a private dinner, according to a report by Variety.

Today, New Jerseys own Bon Jovi will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.



In recognition of one of our most iconic artists, were proud to make April 14th Bon Jovi Day in New Jersey. #RockHall2018 pic.twitter.com/YP4sl0qpya  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 14, 2018

Murphy, a multimillionaire former Wall Street executive, and the band's leader, Jon Bon Jovi, are longtime friends and neighbors in Middletown. Their families are close and have vacationed together.

The rocker campaigned for Murphy last fall, performing a mini-concert in Asbury Park shortly before Election Day.

Jon Bon Jovi is also a generous philanthropist supporting many social causes and charities.

The band released its first album in 1984 and has recorded classic rock anthems including "You Give Love A Bad Name," ''Livin' On A Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive."

Bon Jovi will be inducted along with Dire Straits, the Moody Blues, Nina Simone, and others.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook
N.J. home makeover is a regular feature on NJ.com that showcases designer, contractor and DIY renovations, large and small. To submit your renovation for consideration, email home@starledger.com with your full name, email address, phone number and town/city. Attach "before" and "after" photos of what you renovated.

Interior designer Hillary Cohen has access to a world of furnishings, materials and decorative products, but when it came to her own Jersey City apartment, all the options were a little overwhelming.

"I love so many different styles that it can be hard to make a decision," she said. "Decorating my own home was more challenging than expected."

Part of the challenge was marrying her taste with that of her husband, Eric, in a recently renovated two-bedroom apartment, their first home as a married couple.

Additionally, they both wanted to work in selected pieces of art and furniture that had belonged to their grandparents.

To start, Cohen took cues from the surfaces of their loft apartment, built as a factory in the 1800s. Exposed brick on some walls brought in the warm colors her husband prefers. The brick reds would be complemented by wood tones in their tables and other furniture.

She loves the gray of their polished concrete floor and prefers the other end of the color spectrum. A gray sofa they brought along with them meshes with her taste for blue and other cooler hues. She chose blues and grays in fabrics and much of the room's artwork. Among the pieces is a still life of vases and flowers that her grandfather embroidered as a hobby.

"The industrial finishes had a very edgy and modern feel, which we loved, but we wanted to warm up the space so it felt softer and more like a home," she said.

Her grandmother's 1960s chairs, which Cohen described as a mid-century interpretation of French armchairs, were among the elements that helped bring everything together.

The wooden frames with caned sides offered the warmth her husband enjoys. For herself, she stripped off the olive green velvet upholstery and replaced it with a monochromatic botanical pattern from Brunschwig and Fils. The mid-century period of the chairs supports the period influences in their more modern sofa.

"It has a mid-centry feeling, so I picked that up in some of the other funiture," she said.

Then she offset those more traditional selections with modern pieces, such as a white sideboard with a lacquered finish.

"I wanted something clean and minimalist," she said. "We use it to store serving platters and stemwares."

In the kitchen, similarly glossy white cabinets and appliances stand in contrast to black counters and pendant lights. A rusted 7-inch-thick water pipe that supplies the building resembles a floor-to-ceiling log column in the small kitchen.

"We kind of liked it because it added that industrial touch," Cohen said.

Their 1950s dining table also belonged to her grandparents, and they refinished it to help it better fit their home.

"It's pretty traditional, so we decided to add a whitewash finish to modernize it and add some texture," Cohen said.

Black and white reappears in the couple's bedroom. A wall-hung white sculpture known as "Jazz Man" depicts a musician playing clarinet. It belonged to Eric Cohen's grandparents. Set on a dark base, it is ideal for the color scheme.

Eric Cohen is a lawyer, and he's creative enough to have made a significant style contribution to their home's decor. One weekend, he built a floor lamp from various pipes and fittings.

"We were looking through design books and he saw one," Hillary Cohen said. "He said, 'That doesn't look that hard, I can try that.'"

He came up with his own design and wired it.

"It is all about mixing and matching to create something unique," Hillary Cohen said. "I think the end result is that the space has a layered feeling. I think the unusual combination is what makes spaces unique and feel like home instead of like a catolog."

Eric Cohen has a living room reading area in a chair and ottoman set near a brick wall in the living room, and his wife says the space works for him because she incorporated warm colors and pieces he likes throughout their home.

"He likes wood tones, and we have brown and tan accents throughout, which keeps it feeling a little bit richer," she said. "Figuring out why you like or dislike something is important to figuring out how to combine your tastes together."

She has also found that making little changes from time to time gives her a way to incorporate the various design styles she enjoys.

"Changing out the accessories can give the room a totally different feel, and it's an inexpensive way to do it," she said. "If you focus on selecting timeless pieces for the larger items, you can easily give a space a whole different feel by changing the accessories."

What they renovated

A 1,010-square-foot apartment in Jersey city

Who did the work?

hCO INTERIORS.

How long it took

About three months

What they spent

Approximately $30,000, including furnishings, painting, window treatments and rugs

Where they splurged

"We splurged on the bedding," Hillary Cohen said. "It was very important to me that the space felt luxurious and like a bit of a retreat from the stresses of everyday life."

How they saved

"We accessorized the space with finds from vintage shops that I have collected over the years. My husband also made a floor lamp using pipes from Home Depot."

What they like most

"I incorporated my grandparents' chairs by having them recovered in a modern fabric," she said. "These chairs mean a great deal to me, so it was wonderful to be able to incorporate them."

What they'd have done differently

"As I've lived in the space, I'm constantly changing things," Cohen said.

Kimberly L. Jackson may be reached at home@starledger.com. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.
From left, Sturgis Warner, Sorab Wadia, Jo Mei, Michelle Hurst, Elliot Nye, Steven Skybell, Jeorge Bennett Watson in a scene from "Babette's Feast'' at the St. Clement's Theatre in Manhattan. (Carol Rosegg photo)

I first heard of the Academy Award-winning film "Babette's Feast" when the Rev. Thomas Iwanowski preached on it for Holy Thursday years ago at Our Lady of Czestochowa, Jersey City.

More recently, Pope Francis mentioned it as his favorite movie in his apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia," making it the first mention of a movie in a papal document.

I did things in reverse and trekked over to St. Clement's Theatre on Restaurant Row  how appropriate -- in Manhattan last week to see an innovative stage adaptation of the movie. I then watched the film and finally read the short story by Isak Dinesen, who I learned from Beth Henderson, director of the Howell Public Library, is actually a pseudonym for Karen Blixen. Henderson also found the 22-page short story available online.

You need to know the storyline to appreciate and understand the stage production. A bleak Norway seacoast town is home to a Puritan sect whose lives are drab. They are led by a strict religious leader who has two beautiful daughters, Martine and Philippa, named after Martin Luther and his collaborator, Philip Melanchthon.

Long after the leader is gone, a French refugee shows up on the women's doorstep and the two spinster sisters take her in. In exchange for room and board, Babette -- played by Michelle Hurst, famous for the role of Miss Claudette in the Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black'' -- helps them feed the elderly of the village as part of their religious ministry. She enlivens the bland and consistent menu.

On what would have been the 100th birthday of their father, they want to host a simple dinner. Babette comes into some good fortune and decides to throw a sumptuous dinner for 12 guests. Her meal is exquisite, to say the least.

The stage drama is true to the story with creative staging that captures the bleakness of their lives and village. It is spartan with wooden tables and a cast dressed in dark attire. It is a bit confusing, though, when some of the cast alternate between genders; a man plays a woman and then a man again by adding some wardrobe piece.

Except for the sisters and Babette, who enters midway into the performance, it's hard to follow who's who. The glaring difference between the play and movie is that there is no real food on stage for the dinner. You miss the cooking, ingredients and intensity that you see in the movie. There, you see the transformation of the diners as they enter into a new reality intoxicated by the wonderful food and drink. They then see life differently and let go of their inhibitions.

It's obvious what Francis sees in Babette  a selfless person who gives all she has to entertain and transform the villagers and sisters whose prudishness has prevented them from enjoying earthly pleasures all their lives. It's kind of a Eucharistic feast and a sign of what heaven portends.

The play, however, accents more that Babette was a refugee fleeing France and could have been executed if she stayed. That the strict Christian villagers welcome her might be a moral lesson for our time.

The current nationalistic xenophobia of our president runs against all that is historic and true about what our Statue of Liberty stands for. That wonderful Frenchwoman in the Hudson River represents the hospitality and abundance of Babette.

If you go ...

"Babette's Feast," starring Michelle Hurst ("Orange Is the New Black") is performed at 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Clement's Theatre, 423 W. 46th St., between Ninth and 10th avenues, New York. Tickets are $39.50 to $79.50, with premium seats available for $99. For more information, visit babettesfeastonstage.com.
JERSEY CITY -- Authorities are investigating the suspicious death of a man at a city park on Sunday morning.

The man was found in Pershing Field and brought to Jersey City Medical Center where he died sometime around 9 a.m., officials said.

Homicide detectives from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office are expected to arrive at the scene to investigate the incident. No details have been released about what authorities believed caused his death.

Prosecutors Homicide Unit responding to the area of Manhattan and Central avenues in Jersey City for a suspicious death of a male.  ProsecutorSuarezHCPO (@HCPOProsecutor) April 15, 2018

Sources say there appears to have been some type altercation in the park before the man, believed to be in his 70s, died.

The park was mostly empty later in the morning. A small section of grass and walkway were taped off near the Manhattan Avenue entrance. A police car was parked inside the park.

A man who lived in the neighborhood said he woke up this morning when he heard someone yell "oh Dios mio." He looked outside and saw someone being put into the back of an ambulance and a few police cars.

He didn't think much of the incident until hours later when he saw crime scene tape still up in the park while walking his dogs.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
New Jersey marijuana activist Edward "NJ Weedman" Forchion is adding yet another legal battle to his list.

Forchion has filed a civil suit against Trenton City Clerk Dwayne Harris, accusing the clerk of obstruction and bias, by preventing him from being able to collect ballot petition signatures for his campaign for mayor of Trenton.

The election is May 8.

The marijuana activist, who remains jailed pending trial, says he and the city clerk have been going back and forth for months on the issue of his being eligible to run for public office.

After Forchion declared that he was running for office, he sent a letter to the city clerk asking for the proper paperwork. Harris did so and Forchion filled out the required materials, returned them to the clerk, the suit says.

Harris then sent letter to Forchion on Jan. 11 citing a state statute statute that says those who are serving a sentence or are on parole or probation as a result of a conviction are ineligible to vote, and political candidates must be able to vote in order to run for office.

Forchion, who was found not guilty of one count of witness tampering in November, noted he is not serving a sentence - he's being detained - and he's not on probation or on parole.

The marijuana activist wrote back to the clerk explaining that he has not been convicted of a crime, and is currently waiting for his next trial on a witness tampering charge this spring.

On Jan. 18 Harris agreed that Forchion was eligible to be a candidate for mayor in a phone to call to Forchion.

During the phone call, Harris told Forchion that "only approved 'blue' ballot signature forms distributed by his office were acceptable, no copies would be accepted or substitutions and then refused to mail or provide any "blue ballot signatures," to Forchion, the suit says.

Forchion said his campaign manager was unable to get a copy of the petitions until Feb. 22 and then made it unable for him to get the required 390 signatures in order to get on the ballot.

"I think Mr. Harris is wrong, just because I'm in jail doesn't mean I can't run for office," Forchion said in a phone interview from jail with NJ Advance Media.

"He blocked me it's 100 percent his fault that we are here," the activist said.

Forchion said he requested Harris email him copies of the petition booklets and if the clerk had done so they would not be going to court.

A Trenton city spokesman declined to comment on the suit, as per policy not to comment on any pending litigation.

Judge William Ankowitz held an emergency hearing on the matter April 5 and Forchion lost.

The judge cited the late timing of this issue, the fact that it would cost approximately $100,000 to add Forchion's name to the ballots, and because Trenton is a Faulkner Act city - all of the campaign documents are available on the state's legislative website, Forchion said.

Forchion says he plans on appealing the ruling in order to get his name on the ballot. He is still running for mayor of the city, but as a write-in candidate.

Forchion also submitted an amended complaint of his civil suit against the city after getting approval from a distirct court judge.

He is scheduled to appear in court on tomorrow, Monday April 16, to discuss his upcoming witness tampering re-trial.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook
A New Jersey woman captured on social media video a dramatic rescue of a kite surfer who lost control navigating the choppy waters of the Sandy Hook Bay Sunday.

Kim Garrison took to Twitter, posting photos and videos of Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook crew members nabbing the distressed kite surfer out of the waters off of the Monmouth County Shore.

@scervenka Just happened kite surfer rescued. Sandy Hook Bay. pic.twitter.com/iMhHWtVgfg  kim garrison (@kimhalligan1) April 15, 2018

A good Samaritan saw the surfer, who was not identified, and notified rescuers at 10:30 Sunday morning, Coast Guard officials said.

A boat crew was able to save the man within 15 minutes, according to a release.

First video I shot prior to the other. pic.twitter.com/MiwW87GsJg  kim garrison (@kimhalligan1) April 15, 2018

The surfer was wearing a life jacket and a wetsuit, and after an examination, appeared to have no medical concerns, officials said.

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.
Brian Aitken says prior to his 2009 arrest he considered himself a regular guy who occasionally went shooting with his dad.

Then, he says, because of New Jersey's gun laws, he became ensnarled in a legal odyssey that made him a poster boy for the NRA and Second Amendment advocates.

During a visit Saturday to the RTSP gun range in Randolph, he got to finally thank many of the people who he says rallied others to help him regain his freedom and his rights.

"Brian reflects the example of hundreds of people," said Alexander Roubian, president of New Jersey Second Amendment Society. Roubian said he gets call after call from people who believe they are "victims" of "the agenda" of people who they say they know they can't repeal the Second Amendment, so they maliciously prosecute gun owners.

Aitken, 34, now of Harrisburg, Pa., was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey state prison in 2010 after being found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm, illegally possessing a high-capacity magazine and illegally possessing hollow point ammunition.

Largely through the work of his now-wife, Jenna, his father, Larry, and his NRA-funded lawyer, Evan Nappen, Aitken's story was publicized and he ended up getting his sentence commuted by Gov. Chris Christie after three months behind bars.

Still he was a convicted felon, but that changed when during Christie's last days in office in January, he pardoned Aitken.

The saga began when he was driving to his mother's house in Mount Laurel. When he got there, he says, his mother could tell he was upset over a child custody battle he was going through. He had stopped there to pick up things to move to his new place in Hoboken.

Aitken had just relocated from Colorado, where he had legally obtained his guns, to New Jersey so he could be closer to his son. He got clearance from TSA to bring the guns to New Jersey and called the New Jersey State Police to learn how to legally transport them within the state, he said.

Brian Aitken is seen speaking about his arrest and experience with the court system to members of the Greenwich Tea Party Patriots of Southern New Jersey, now known as the Faith and Freedom Coalition of New Jersey, in February 2011 in Upper Pittsgrove Township. (File Photo)

Aiken's mother, who worked for a family crisis organization, was worried about her son. She called 911, but then hung up. Police responded and when they got to the home they called Aitken and asked him to return to his mother's to talk to them.

"I asked, am I legally obligated to turn around," Aitken recalled in an interview Saturday during his stop in Randolph. They said "no," but he says the officer called him right back and said he would put out an alert to other department to look for him if he he didn't return, so he turned back.

"I've regretted that decision since," Aitken said.

He said police searched his car for three hours saying they were doing it because of their concern for his well-being.

He was arrested for having three locked, unloaded firearms in his trunk. He says courts took away his rights to see his son and the jury in his case was told not to consider exemptions to the laws he was charged with violating.

Larry Pratt, of the Gun Owners of America, said police have discretion, prosecutors have discretion and judges have discretion in applying the law.

"Everybody was looking for a pelt they could hang on the wall," Pratt said. "That's really sad that our justice system works at that level."

Aitken was found guilty and sent to Mid-State Correctional Facility in Fort Dix for seven years, of which he had to serve a minimum of three.

He was 27 years old.

Then on Dec. 21, 2010 Christie signed the order to commute his sentence .The next morning his family picked him up from prison. He was free.

"It took me several years to reconcile everything that happened," Aitken said. "It became very difficult to relate to people. A lot of that innocence you have at that age was gone for me."

Greg Ziolkowski, 55, of Metuchen, was one of the people who advocated for Aitken while he was in prison.

Gun laws, he said, are "harder on law abiding people who make wrong turns than they are on hardened criminals."

Saturday's event at the gun range Saturday was designed as a pardon celebration for Aitken. It was complete with food trucks, a book-signing by Aitken and, of course, visitors did some shooting.

A box on one counter bore a picture of Gov. Phil Murphy and a message that as of Monday ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds would be illegal, so get them now while you still can.

The environment for those who support gun rights is always murky after events like the Parkland shooting in Florida, said John Torhan, 49, of Parsippany.

"I just want people to realize that we're just like them. We're not gun-toting maniacs," he said.

While Aitken is thankful for the support he has received from the second amendment community, his journey has a more personal meaning for him.

He hopes his children will see him as a person who stood up for his rights.

"The message in the past has been, 'Look at Brian and look how New Jersey made him a victim'," Aitken said. "What I think the message really needs to be is, 'Look at how Brian didn't take a plea deal. Look at how he didn't back down. If this happens to you, you have an obligation -- to yourself and the people that have come before you and the people that are going to come after you -- to stand up for your rights'."

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
After filing a flood of lawsuits against the Trump administration and seeking to improve police transparency, Phil Murphy's Attorney General is narrowing his eye for justice on a badly bungled murder case in Passaic county.



Gurbir Grewal this week vowed to do what Chris Christie's AG and a local prosecutor would not: investigate how two innocent men spent nearly 25 years in prison for the killing of a Paterson store clerk, while the most likely murder suspect still walks free.



He also wants to prevent this kind of mistake from ever happening again, and is asking outside experts for help.

He is considering creating a statewide team to investigate wrongful convictions, and to oversee county prosecutors handling those cases. Another promising possibility is the creation of a cold case unit to catch the real killer after a bad conviction is overturned.

How many innocent people are locked up in N.J.? Murphy's AG eyes reform after bungled case



All great news. For Eric Kelley and Ralph Lee, just released after decades behind bars, it could mean further vindication. For the family of Tito Merino - slain while minding his uncle's video store back in 1993 - it means the real murderer may finally be held responsible.



And for New Jersey, it could mean a future process to help prevent horrible injustices like this.



Grewal's decision to appoint a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, James Zazzali, to analyze what went wrong in Passaic is the right first step. This is what should routinely happen after a wrongful conviction: Authorities carefully dissecting the mistake.



Yet it didn't happen under Christie, even though the Attorney General's office has oversight over prosecutors. And it didn't happen in Passaic County, where Prosecutor Camelia Valdes botched this case inexcusably, refusing to change course even after DNA evidence discovered in 2014 exonerated the two men in prison.



That means the real killer remains free. In fact, DNA found on a hat near the body at the murder scene was a match for another man, Eric Dixon, who had served prison time for a similar knifepoint robbery in Paterson.

2 men confessed to murder. Their DNA tells another story.



And yet Valdes refused to send investigators to interview him, and even declared his innocence outright, for reasons that are mysterious.



She finally backed down last Friday and dropped the charges, after the AG leaned on her, according to a source close to the case. Her incompetence is matched only by her shocking lack of compassion for those innocent men in prison.



While Zazzali will examine what went wrong in the Passaic case, Grewal has appointed former state Supreme Court Justice Virginia Long to head a panel that will look at wrongful convictions more generally.



She's on the board of Centurion - the Princeton-based group that, along with the Innocence Project, fought for the freedom of the two Passaic men.



Her experience in this area is promising. So is Grewal's willingness to drill down and find out exactly what went wrong in this specific case. It shows a sincere commitment to justice.



In his former job as Bergen County Prosecutor, Grewal says he told his staff, "You will never be measured by the number of convictions we bring. We're here to do the right thing."



This is a breath of fresh air. The very least we owe the wrongfully imprisoned is a chance at exoneration.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
By Alan J. Steinberg

The name Allard Lowenstein is unknown to the overwhelming majority of Americans under the age of 40. Yet 50 years ago, in 1968, there were few individuals of greater significance in American politics than Allard Lowenstein. And without question, Allard Lowenstein would have been enormously proud of the millennial and Generation Z students who are currently leading political activities nationally to achieve a ban on assault weapons.

In 1968, Allard Lowenstein was the leader of the national "Dump Johnson" movement in the Democratic Party, which succeeded in compelling President Lyndon B. Johnson to withdraw from the presidential race on March 31, 1968. Originally, Lowenstein had sought to have Robert F. Kennedy challenge LBJ for the Democratic presidential nomination. When Kennedy originally demurred, Lowenstein recruited Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota to run. After McCarthy's close second place finish to LBJ in the March 12, 1968, New Hampshire Democratic Party primary, RFK also entered the race. Faced with the likelihood of a series of primary losses, LBJ decided not to seek re-election.

Lowenstein was a liberal, but he was very much admired by mainstream conservatives like myself.

William F. Buckley, a conservative icon, endorsed Lowenstein when he ran successfully for the U.S. House of Representatives from Nassau County, Long Island, in November 1968. Lowenstein's profound intellectualism and sincere commitment to principle made him a figure to whom Buckley could easily relate. Lowenstein's death by assassination in 1980 was an event mourned by both liberals and conservatives nationwide.

Yet what Lowenstein believed in more than anything else was "the student movement." Indeed, the student movement was the vanguard in both the McCarthy and Kennedy campaigns.

There were two aspects of any successful student movement that Lowenstein found essential to any movement for major societal change: Commitment and message.

The commitment of students in 1968 was displayed by their taking time off from their campus and academic schedules to campaign in primary elections throughout the nation. The passion students brought to their anti-Vietnam War message significantly enhanced its communication to a national audience.

Now in 2018, 50 years after Lowenstein's triumph with the anti-Vietnam War student movement, we witness the rebirth of the Lowenstein components of commitment and message in the anti-assault weapons student movement, led by surviving students of the massacre on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

These students have a commitment to their cause unmatched by any previous movement of high school students in American history. They have led their own movement, without reliance on leadership by adults. And the passion of their message has galvanized both students and adults throughout America, resulting in the massive attendance in the March for our Lives rallies in America on March 24.

Yet the most impressive victory for the Parkland-led student movement occurred earlier in that month of March. The Parkland students and their supporters brought maximum pressure upon Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida state Legislature to pass new legislation restricting the use and ownership of "long guns," such as rifles and shotguns. At first, Scott, who previously had an A+ rating from the NRA, resisted the enactment of any changes in the applicable gun laws. Finally, however, on March 9, Scott bucked the NRA by signing legislation that instituted a first-ever Florida requirement that buyers of long guns wait three days before their purchase and be 21 years of age or older. The legislation also banned bump stocks.

Recently, we learned the major factor prompting Scott to accede to the students' legislative demands. He announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator from Florida, challenging the incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Scott is well aware of the anticipated anti-Trump "Blue Democratic Wave," jeopardizing the candidacies of Republicans throughout the nation this November. He knows that if he is perceived to be a puppet of the NRA and against the anti-assault weapons student movement, he will have zero chance of prevailing against Bill Nelson.

The Parkland-led student movement is clearly on the right side of history. They are winning the battle against assault weapons -- and they will continue to win.

Alan J. Steinberg served as Regional Administrator of Region 2 EPA during the administration of former President George W. Bush and as executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission under former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
I suspect our new governor is feeling a little bit like Childeric the Third felt back in 751 A.D.

Childeric was the king of the Franks. But one day when he was out of town, the Mayor of the Palace took over. Pepin the Short had himself crowned king and went on to found a dynasty that he handed over to his son Charlemagne.

There's a lesson in that for Phil Murphy: You can't run the castle from outside the walls.

That's where Murphy ended up after his predecessor, Chris Christie, decided to initiate an elaborate Statehouse renovation that meant the governor's office had to be moved to a drab office building up the block.

That left Senate President Steve Sweeney to play Pepin the Short. He hasn't crowned himself king yet, but he's certainly shown that he's the power behind the throne.

The issue at hand is school funding. Sweeney is among a number of senators from both parties who complain that state-aid levels remain where they were when the current formula was adopted in 2008. Lots of school districts have grown since then, but their state aid hasn't risen to reflect that.

One of the hardest-hit school districts is in Sweeney's own Gloucester County and he's vowed to do something about it. Last year he threatened to shut down the government if Christie did not throw some money to the underfunded districts.

Christie caved, perhaps because he was aware that it is the Legislature, not the governor, that writes the budget bill.

Murphy seems to think it's the NJEA that writes the bills. The New Jersey Education Association opposes updating the formula because doing so might lead to layoffs in some overfunded school districts.

Murphy complied with the union's wishes when he put his proposed budget for the next fiscal year together.

But the NJEA is outside the walls of Sweeney's castle - far outside after the union's failed attempt to depose him in last year's elections.

Also outside the walls is Murphy. His approach to governance is to hold media events and town halls around the state to develop support for his proposals. That might help him in the next election. But he's not up again till 2021.

Meanwhile back at the Statehouse, Sweeney has been showing Murphy who's boss. After a Senate session Thursday, he held an impromptu press conference at which he made it clear that the budget that the Senate must pass by July 1 will remedy the school-funding imbalance.

"I am not gonna compromise on school funding," he said. "It's out of whack. It's been out of whack too long and it's been unfair to too many people."

He also addressed a comment the new governor made earlier that day when he was in Montclair at a made-up event concerning the "Neighborhood Preservation Program," whatever that is.

As part of his effort to get a new funding school-formula, Sweeney is holding up confirmation on Murphy's nominees to head the departments of Education and Higher Education.

That's just politics. But in a classic rookie mistake, Murphy played the race card, stating that "we have two African-American Ph.D.s on our nominated Cabinet" and going on to state "There's no reason not to confirm them."

When asked by reporters about that comment, Sweeney replied, "I can't possibly in my wildest dreams believe he said that."

There's plenty of reason not to confirm Acting Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet, Sweeney said. The last time he came to the Statehouse, Repollet told a legislative committee that it would take six to eight months to address the funding issue.

"Every time we try to fix it, they say it's too late," said Sweeney, adding "I'm bringing the issue to a head. He's commissioner of education. He needs to be part of the solution."

He does indeed. Otherwise the solution will come from inside the Statehouse.

If this came to a vote, plenty of Republicans would see their districts' aid increasing significantly. And like the Democratic legislators, the Republicans get along fine with Sweeney. But they barely know that new guy up the street who's hunkered down behind a security perimeter impenetrable to anyone lacking an appointment.

And school funding is the least of that guy's problems. Murphy also needs to get the Legislature to approve increases in the income and sales taxes.

When asked about that, Sweeney replied, "I've always said taxes are the last resort."

The new king better prepare for a palace revolt.
By Michael Reagan

On Wednesday, President Trump said U.S. missiles "will be coming" to visit Syria in retaliation for its government's alleged use of chemical weapons on the Syrian town of Douma on April 7.

On Thursday, Trump hedged a little, tweeting that he "Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!"

Later he tweeted, "We'll see what happens."

Trump being Trump, we didn't know what would happen until he made it happen. (And on Friday, we now know, the U.S. did launch missiles against Syria.)

Meanwhile, everyone in the media and politics has a different opinion about what we and our allies should or should not do militarily to punish Assad for his latest crime against humanity.

In some conservative and Republican circles, I've been hearing that old familiar question - "What would Ronald Reagan do?"

I like to turn that around and ask, "What did Ronald Reagan do? What did he do 32 years ago this week?"

On April 14, 1986 my father sent a powerful message to Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, the leading international thug of the day, that made Qaddafi behave for the next two decades.

For years Qaddafi had been sponsoring terrorism against American troops and citizens around the world and also financing Muslim rebels in the Philippines, the IRA, Palestinian guerrillas and even the Black Panthers in the USA.

Increasingly tough economic sanctions on Libya and the freezing of its overseas assets didn't impress Qaddafi and on April 4, 1986 he ordered his terrorists to bomb a dance hall in West Berlin known to be frequented by American soldiers.

Nine days later my father got Qaddafi's full attention.

At 2 a.m. Libyan time, about 100 U.S. Air Force and Navy warplanes hit five military targets and "terrorism centers" in Tripoli and Benghazi.

My father's message to Qaddafi lasted less than an hour. But one of the targets U.S. planes obliterated - the most important one - was one of Qaddafi's homes.

Qaddafi and family were elsewhere, but he got the message my father wanted him to get - "We know where you and your family live and any time we want to take you out, we can."

If I could give advice to President Trump about what to do in Syria, it would be this:

If you think we need to do something in Syria to show Bashar al-Assad we do not approve of his use of chemical weapons against civilians, you have to make him feel it.

Taking out a Syrian airbase or blowing up some Russian planes on the ground is nothing, Mr. President.

You have to make Assad know we know where he lives and that any time we want we can take him out with a missile strike targeted at his morning grapefruit bowl.

We have eyes on the ground in Syria. We know which palace or home Bashar al-Assad and his family are staying in at any given time.

Blowing one of them up with a cruise missile at 2 a.m. will be a wake-up call Vladimir Putin's favorite dictator won't be able to ignore.

Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). Send comments to Reagan@caglecartoons.com.
Somebody kindly check to see whether there is a vacancy at the Newark Home for the Befuddled.

Because Star-Ledger Editorial Page Editor Tom Moran cannot fathom why skeptical, gimlet-guzzling lawmakers and their confused chorus still protest the unassailable logic of marijuana legalization for adults in the state of New Jersey, and here is his argument in this video produced by N.J. Advance Media.

Scale handy? Tom suggests you objectively weigh which drug - alcohol or marijuana - carries the graver threat of roadway tragedy, health damage, and death.

While we're at it, lawmakers can come to grips with these realities: Marijuana isn't exactly scarce, and during its illegal lifetime, it has only served to benefit the gang element, reduce the existing law to a sham, and foster a racist legacy of mass incarceration.

Jersey, attend: There are two adult-use marijuana bills currently in the state Legislature. Sen. Nicholas Scutari's bill (S-3195) has been before the Senate Judiciary Committee for three months and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora's bill (A-3581) is going through hearings before the Oversight Committee.

These bills legalize possession, create a Division of Marijuana Enforcement, and establish a licensing framework. Please put down the double Dewar's and get to know them. As always, Tom invites the debate.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Democratic lawmakers want to take the state's tight gun control laws and expand them outside of New Jersey's borders.

There's new legislation that would ban state-sponsored travel to any states that don't require their residents to obtain a permits before they purchase a firearm.

The goal is to send a message to the National Rifle Association, said State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, the bill's sponsor.

"Fighting the NRA on the basis logic and rational thinking has not worked," Weinberg, D-Bergen, said. "So I think the thing that might work is fighting them with their pocketbook."

If enacted, state-sponsored travel for public workers and elected officials would be banned in 37 states, according to state licensing data from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

It's unclear if the legislation would require New Jersey's governor to abide by the rule if it becomes law, Weinberg said. But she said she hopes Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, would "honor it" if it clears the Democrat-controlled state Legislature and he signs it into law.

New Jersey has some of the nation's toughest gun rules. And they are on track to get even more stringent once a string of bills the Legislature couldn't get passed for eight years under former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, hit the new governor's desk.

Murphy has promised to sign the bills, including one to reduce magazine capacity, another to ban armor-piercing bullets, another to make it tougher to obtain a permit to carry a handgun, another to expand background checks on private gun sales, and two to keep firearms out of the hands of people deemed a threat to themselves and others in the state.

The NRA didn't respond to a request for comment, but a long-time opponent of New Jersey's gun control measures criticized Weinberg for trying to influence other states' laws.

"The obsession with trying to control the behavior of other states about firearms is an admission that New Jersey already has enough gun laws," Scott Bach, director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, said.

"Senator Weinberg needs to stop obsessing over hardware bans that criminals ignore and only law abiding citizens follow, and instead focus on passing legislation that actually makes people safer," he said.

The 37 that don't require permits to purchase a firearm are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.
Photo by Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Gov. Phil Murphy's desk is quickly getting cluttered.

The Democrat has been in office less than three months, but the Democrat-controlled state Legislature has already sent a flurry of bills for the new governor to sign or veto.

The measures address a number of issues that would affect millions of us  including voting rights, medical bills, sick pay, equal pay, oil drilling, and more.

They also come as Murphy approaches the 100-day mark of his governorship. And many of the bills would help fulfill Murphy's vow to move New Jersey in a more progressive  or liberal  direction.

Here's a closer look at what Murphy could soon sign into law:

Don't Edit

Equal pay

Murphy has already promised to sign what he calls "the most sweeping equal pay legislation in America."

The measure would would make it illegal for an employer in New Jersey to offer lower pay and benefits to a worker protected by the state Law Against Discrimination  which includes "protected classes" such as women and minorities  compared to white men if they perform "substantially similar work."

Murphy's predecessor, Republican Gov. Chris Christie, repeatedly vetoed the bill. Murphy says he'll sign it April 24.

Don't Edit

Sick pay

Millions of private-sector workers in New Jersey could receive paid sick time from their employers under this bill.

Various versions of the measure have been debated for years. This would allow private-sector workers to accrue one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Murphy has said he would sign such a bill into law.

Don't Edit

Out-of-network medical bills

New Jerseyans may finally see an end to surprise bills from a hospital or doctor outside your insurance network.

This bill  which has been debated for years  would protect thousands of residents covered by state-regulated health plans from "balance-billing," or paying what an insurance company won't.

Murphy is expected to sign the measure.

Don't Edit

Automatic voter registration

New Jerseyans would automatically be registered to vote when they apply for a driver's license at the Motor Vehicle Commission under this bill.

But it actually goes further than that. The measure would also allow a number of other state agencies that collect documents to set up systems to automatically register residents.

Democratic sponsors say the bill would make it easier for people to vote. But Republicans worry it could lead to voter fraud.

Murphy is likely to sign the measure. On the campaign trail last year, he called for more voting rights.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Protecting Obamacare

New Jersey could become the first state in the nation to enact a law protecting the health insurance marketplace created by Obamacare.

The measure would require people who lack health insurance in the state to buy a policy or face a fine at tax time.

It comes after the federal tax overhaul championed by Republicans in Washington D.C. eliminated the "individual mandate" under Obamacare. This would mirror that in New Jersey.

Murphy is expected to sign it.

Don't Edit

Nuclear subsidy

New Jerseyans could pay an average of $41 more a year to fund a bailout of the state's nuclear plants, operated by PSEG.

Under this controversial bill, the money would go toward a $300 million-a-year subsidy to keep the plants open.

The measure was debated  and altered  multiple times over the last few months. And Murphy called for making the plan more friendly to his goal of making New Jersey more green.

Now, it's up to him whether to sign it. Environmentalists are still opposed.

Don't Edit

Banning offshore drilling

Offshore oil drilling and any activity that supports it  such as pipelines and docks  would be banned in New Jersey under this bill.

It's another effort by Garden State Democrats to fight the administration of President Donald Trump, a Republican who wants to open the Atlantic Coast to drilling.

Though drilling takes place in more distant federal waters, this would effectively block such activity by preventing anything related being built in state waters.

Murphy has vehemently opposed drilling.

Don't Edit

File photo

Raises for judges

New Jersey taxpayers would fund millions of dollars in pay raises for hundreds of judges and other officials in the state under this bill.

The measure has bipartisan support, with sponsors saying the raises are needed to attract top judicial and political talent to the state. But detractors say the raises should extend to lower-level legislative staff members.

A similar bill failed under Christie in 2016  partially because it was tied to a separate measure that would have paved the way for Christie to get a book deal. This time, it isn't.

It's unclear where Murphy stands.

Don't Edit

Medical examiner overhaul

New Jersey's medical examiner system would undergo its biggest reform in decades under this bill  sparked by an NJ Advance Media investigation which found the system to be among the worst in the U.S.

The investigation, published in December, uncovered more than 40 years of neglect, with cases of mishandled bodies, bungled criminal cases, and more.

Murphy has been outspoken on the need for reform.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Financial aid for undocumented college kids

Undocumented students in New Jersey would be eligible for college financial aid as soon as this fall under this bill.

They are currently barred from applying for certain in-state aid.

Republicans are largely opposed. But Murphy said during his campaign last year that he would support such a plan.

Don't Edit

Gestational carriers

New Jersey same-sex couples and couples who have trouble conceiving children would be allowed to enter into legal agreements with surrogates known as "gestational carries" under this bill.

This is not like traditional surrogacy. Gestational carriers are implanted with a fertilized egg from the mother and thus do not share DNA with the baby.

Christie vetoed the bill twice. It's unclear where Murphy stands.

Don't Edit

Urban Enterprise Zones

A program designed to boost struggling cities by cutting the sales tax in those places in half, among other incentives, could soon be given new life.

This bill would reinstate Urban Enterprise Zones in Bridgeton, Camden, Newark, Plainfield, and Trenton and extend the expiration date of the program in other cities. The measure would also require the state to study the program.

Christie let the program expire in the five cities above because of "apathetic participation" and a "devastating impact on state revenues without any demonstrable benefit." Many Republicans still have a similar view.

But Murphy has said he's in favor of UEZs.

Don't Edit

'Jersey Shore' tax credit?

MTV's "Jersey Shore" and other film and TV productions would be open to millions of dollars in tax credits to film in the Garden State under this bill.

The measure would revive the program that offers film and digital media productions 20 percent to 35 percent savings in their tax bills for filming in New Jersey.

Christie took away the tax credit for "Jersey Shore" in 2011. And after the program expired in 2015, Christie repeatedly vetoed efforts to bring it back, saying it was "an expensive bill that offers a dubious return for the state in the form of jobs and economic impact.

Proponents say it will bring more jobs and revenue to the state.

It's unclear where Murphy stands.

Don't Edit

What about guns and marijuana?

Yes, state lawmakers are also advancing six bills to make New Jersey's gun laws even tighter. But only the Assembly has passed them. The Senate still needs to vote. Murphy is expected to sign them all in the end.

And Murphy has called for lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana by the beginning of next year. But there is still sizable opposition and uncertainty among lawmakers.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

NJ Advance Media staff writers Matt Arco, Susan K. Livio, Samantha Marcus, S.P. Sullivan, and Michael Sol Warren, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Formed in the wake of tragedy, the bond between the two schools has transformed over the years to symbolize everything the students still believe people can be.

United. Open-minded. Comfortable with diversity.

Since shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, students from Linden High School have been holding monthly video conferences and biennial visits with their counterparts in Allen, Texas, a 99,000-resident city 26 miles northeast of Dallas.

The Allen students' most recent visit to Linden, stretched over four days last week, was as it always is -- a chance to forge bonds, step out of comfort zones and learn that someone growing up 1,500 miles away can be just as similar to you as they are different.

"A lot of times nowadays, everyone talks about how split the United States is and how different everyone is," Parker Primrose, a senior at Allen High School, said Friday at a celebratory breakfast. "But for me, it's really eye-opening to see how similar we really are and that at the end of the day, we're all just people."

In the days after Sept. 11, a staff member from Allen reached out to a colleague in Linden. Was there anything her students could do, she asked, to support students near New York City?

The answer was yes, kids from the two schools could use video conferencing to meet and talk about what was on their minds. They shared thoughts on everything from school security to religious beliefs to whether the Linden students knew anyone who died in the attacks, said Joe Cataline, who spearheaded the original program at Linden.

Both school communities decided the initial conference was so powerful, they would hold conferences like it roughly every month. After a video-conferenced memorial service held on Sept. 11, 2002, an Allen student said his counterparts in Texas wanted to visit their friends in Linden, and a tradition was born two years later.

Now, students talk throughout the year about the serious stuff, like current events, and the fun stuff, like what everyone has planned for the prom. Every other year, 20 to 25 students from one of the schools visit the other and stay with host families.

"It's become more of a project of celebrating diversity, because our schools are so different," Cataline said at the breakfast after a ceremonial march-in to Linden High School. "... It's about kids finding out that although they live in many different geographic locations in the United States, they are alike in a lot of ways."

This year's festivities began Thursday with a dinner-dance, continued Friday with the breakfast and a beach cleanup at the Shore, a visit to the National Sept. 11 Memorial, a trip to see "Come From Away" on Broadway on Saturday, and a goodbye breakfast before the Allen students left Sunday.

Toni Frino, a Linden senior, has spent most of her life in her hometown and said she was surprised to hear the Allen students say they think she has an accent and ask if the Northeast has certain restaurants she has never heard of.

"We're the same age, but we live two totally different lives," Frino said. "I think that's really awesome."

To Linden junior Marizel Yequi, learning about how the Allen students' backgrounds and experiences differ from her own has been a highlight of the partnership, dubbed "A Tale of Two Cities."

"Being so close to New York is so fascinating to them," Yequi said. "In Texas, they're a lot more laid back. To us, it's like we're more in a rush all the time."

Allen senior Kennedy Russell said getting to know the Linden students has helped her to practice stepping outside of her comfort zone.

"I think honestly this has taught me how to be a better, more open person," she said.

Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati or on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips
DETROIT -- The weather forecasters got it predicting a lot of nonstop rain this weekend in the Motor City and it's led to a lot of downtime for the Yankees.

The Yankees and Detroit Tigers were rained out on Saturday and, although it took a while, both ends of their Sunday doubleheader were washed out, as well.

The games will be made up in a split doubleheader on Monday, June 4.

Sunday's first game, which had a 1:10 p.m., scheduled start time was called off at 11 a.m., then the second game was postponed at 1 p.m.

Both were called off at the same time because Yankees player rep David Robertson had to negotiate a makeup date with Major League Baseball, which didn't want the game on June 4 before day one of its draft is scheduled for that day. Until these makeup games were scheduled, only three West Coast games had been scheduled for June 4.

Robertson's concession was agreeing to a split-doubleheader, which the Tigers insisted on because they want two home gates.

Nonstop rain on Saturday continued Sunday morning, and according to local forecasts, the chances are very good that it won't stop until around sunrise Monday morning. According to weather.com, there's a 95 to 100 percent chance of rain in downtown Detroit from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., then it slightly drops from 80-to-85 percent until midnight.

This weekend was the Yankees' only scheduled trip to Detroit this season.

The rain began a few hours after the Yankees beat the Tigers 8-6 in Friday night's series opener, a victory that highlighted by Aaron Hicks becoming the first franchise player since Hank Bauer in 1956 to have a two-homer game that included an inside the parker.

The Yankees' trip to Detroit was the second stop on a two-city roadtrip that began with two losses in three games last week in Boston.

Beginning Monday, the Yankees are home for 10 games in 11 games. They'll face the Miami Marlins in interleague games Monday and Tuesday, host the Toronto Blue Jays from Wednesday through Sunday and then begin a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins a week from Monday.

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The aunt of a teenage male who was injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon (April 15) said her nephew was hit during a drive-by shooting in the Gentilly neighborhood. The woman said her nephew was hit in the wrist.

New Orleans police said at 2:46 p.m. that authorities were investigating a shooting in the 5900 block of Lafaye Street, and the victim had been transported to a local hospital by EMS.

Police at 3 p.m. could be seen investigating a white house as yellow tape barricaded access of Lafaye Street between Pressburg and Vienna streets.

A dozen people stood behind the tape at Pressburg and Lafaye, watching as police moved back and forth from the house and four NOPD vehicles. One woman at the scene, who asked not to be named, said her 17-year-old nephew and other children were outside as a vehicle circled the area.

"They kept passing by, and they saw them out there playing and they just went to shooting," the victim's aunt said.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The crowd continued to discuss the situation after an officer provided an update to the victim's aunt as four young children were sitting on the porch of a home directly behind the police tape. Fifteen evidence cones littered the ground nearby.

At the intersection of Lafaye at Vienna Street, three young children could also be seen riding their bikes onto the block moments after police removed their tape around 3:15 p.m.

Another woman who lived in the area who asked not to be named was standing in front of the white house where police and young children could be seen. She said she was inside of her house when she heard "bang, bang, bang, bang."

"I thought the children were out there popping firecrackers, (but) all of a sudden the street got crowded. I saw them bring him to the hospital, but I don't know what caused all that," she said.

The woman said she never sees any kind of suspicious traffic near the house where the drive-by shooting occurred. She also applauded NOPD for what she called a quick response. After she heard all of the shooting, she said, the NOPD arrived within "five or ten minutes."
Longtime environmental activist Luke Fontana was arrested by New Orleans police Friday (April 13) during the French Quarter Festival. The 78-year-old president of Save Our Wetlands Inc. said he was handcuffed and hauled away by officers for soliciting new Save Our Wetlands members without the proper permit or business license.

In a telephone interview Saturday, Fontana said he set up a display table on the Moonwalk near Jax Brewery, offering memberships in his organization, which opposes the planned Bayou Bridge crude oil pipeline that would cut across the Atchafalaya Basin. Fontana said that he offered nothing for sale. His anti-pipeline lapel buttons, Save Our Wetlands T-shirts and second-line style umbrellas were bonuses given to new members when they signed up and paid a $5 or $30 membership fee.

Fontana said a police officer approached around 3 p.m. on Friday. Fontana said he asked the officer if he'd like to join the organization. The officer declined, instructing Fontana to "pack up" because the French Quarter Festival was a private event where the pipeline protestor couldn't continue his activity.

Fontana argued that he was on public property and within his rights. Furthermore, Fontana said he produced a court injunction dating from the year 2000 that allowed him to solicit members without police interference. Fontana explained that he had received the official document from a judge when the police prevented him from seeking new members outside of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival almost two decades ago.

By this time, Fontana said, a second officer had arrived. Neither would accept his document. The officers issued Fontana a summons to appear in court for his violations and insisted he leave the site. Fontana said he refused to leave, expressing his willingness to go to jail for his cause. Eventually, he said, he found himself in the midst of several police officers. Fontana, who is a professional photographer, said he photographed the arresting officers to document the incident.

Because of existing conditions including a previously dislocated shoulder, Fontana said he found the ride to jail with his hands in cuffs to be a painful experience.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

"I felt like I was being tortured," Fontana said of his discomfort during the restrained van ride, though he said he was never physically mishandled by the police. In the end he said he was deposited in a cell with other recent arrestees. He said he didn't get home until 5 a.m. on Saturday (April 14).

Efforts to contact police were not successful Sunday.

Fontana said that he chose to seek Save Our Wetlands members at the French Quarter Festival because of the high volume of attendees, not because the festival is sponsored in part by an oil company, Chevron.

Fontana said he is scheduled to appear in Municipal Court court for arraignment at 11 a.m. Monday (April 16).

Contact Doug MacCash via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.
It's only rock 'n' roll, but do you like what the celebs are wearing?

Check out the fashions and decide for yourself who rocked the red carpet at Saturday night's 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, where the Rock Hall is based.

The 33rd annual ceremony is honoring Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Special guests and presenters include Howard Stern, Mary J. Blige, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Brandon Flowers (The Killers) and Lauryn Hill.

The 7:30 p.m. Eastern event will air May 5 on HBO and will also be heard on SiriusXM Radio.

Check back here for the latest red carpet photos, as well as live coverage from Cleveland.com and live streaming.

The 2018 class was chosen from a group of 19 nominees. Each year, between five and seven acts usually make it into the Rock Hall following a vote by 1,000 people, including performers, music historians and industry experts. Fans also were able to vote on the Rock Hall's website. All of the inductees had to have released their first recording no later than 1992 to be eligible.

Cleveland.com and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Power outages were the biggest immediate problem in St. Tammany Parish after a line of strong thunderstorms moved through southeast Louisiana on Saturday morning (April 14).

Strong winds downed some trees and broke branches, which hit power lines and caused outages, said Dexter Accardo, director of the parish's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

At 1:40 p.m., Cleco reported 1,580 St. Tammany customers without power; Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op reported 42 customers with outages.

Accardo said power companies had already restored power to some affected areas.

In eastern St. Tammany, 3.1 inches of rain had fallen by about 1 p.m. And rain was expected to continue falling throughout the afternoon.

St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Some parts of eastern St. Tammany were reporting high water on roads Saturday afternoon, including the Cross Gates and Huntwyck Village areas near Slidell, Accardo said. Parish crews put up high-water signs in those areas, he said.

There were no reports of tornados in St. Tammany. A waterspout churned in Lake Pontchartrain for a spell, but dissipated as it neared land in Lacombe, Accardo said.

The Slidell Police Department reported that several trees were down. A tree also fell on Louisiana 25 in the Lake Ramsey area, just north of Covington, Accardo said.

"It's somewhat uneventful," he said of the day's events. "It could have been bad."
Three years before he would sign the law that made "In God We Trust" the official motto of the United States of America, President Dwight D. Eisenhower inadvertently coined the phrase that may best describe the nation's unique political, pluralistic civil religion of sacred symbols and secular government.

"Our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith," Eisenhower said, "and I don't care what it is."

In his amiable and unassuming way, the 34th president and World War II hero hit that political sweet spot for a country that is both deeply religious and also committed to the separation of church and state. Eisenhower was recognizing the Judeo-Christian moral values that guided the founding and preservation of the nation while being inclusive of those of various faiths and denominations and even those well outside the religious mainstream.

So when he signed legislation in 1954 adding "under God" after "One nation" in the Pledge of Allegiance and then a year later approved the law making it mandatory that all U.S. coinage and paper currency display the motto "In God We Trust," most people understood it to be more a symbolic recognition of our common moral beliefs than a breach of the wall between church and state.

That history is worth keeping in mind as the Louisiana House of Representatives prepares to consider Senate Bill 224, a measure that would require public school districts in the state to display the national motto, "In God We Trust," in every building under their jurisdiction.

The proposal by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, cleared the Senate 33-0 on Wednesday (April 11) with little debate or opposition along the way. The only question seemed to be whether the mandate would force new expenses on the school system. Barrow dispelled cost concerns by stressing that the display of the motto could be as non-frills as a piece of paper on the wall.

Barrow has said she is pushing the bill as a way to help address the "moral decay" in the public school system, which is a wildly ambitious goal for four words on a sheet of poster board. Putting "God" back in schools is not the same as putting God back in schools.

The truth is that what makes Barrow's bill so easy to pass and likely to avoid being declared unconstitutional is that in the battle for "God and country," it is mostly about the latter.

Barrow told her colleagues that students need to learn and understand the "patriotic history and founding of this country." Current law calls for Louisiana's social studies curriculum to teach students about the U.S flag and other "patriotic customs" by the fifth grade. Barrow's bill would expand that to include instruction about -- and display of -- the national motto.

If this worries those concerned about the smuggling of Christianity into classrooms, it also should alert Christians to the dangers of further entangling the faith in partisan politics and culture wars while co-opting the gospel in feel-good legislation.

Barrow would no doubt argue, at least publicly, that her bill has nothing to do with promoting any particular religion. It is just requiring the straightforward, historical teaching about how "In God We Trust" became an American slogan rather than a Christian one.

As President Abraham Lincoln added the words to Union currency during the Civil War and Eisenhower embraced the motto during the Cold War struggle against "Godless Communism," there is history for using the saying as a way to unite and inspire the American people to a common ideal. But that also risks reducing "In God We Trust" to patriotic propaganda rather than a statement of faith.

There is nothing wrong with loving your country, but when it comes to Christianity, the proper symbol of worship is not the pride of the American flag but the humility of the cross.

Perhaps most disturbing is Barrow's suggestion that somehow hanging the words "In God We Trust" in school buildings will change the morality of those within. The idea borders on superstition if not outright idolatry. Such a mandate also signals a shift toward theocracy and an unwelcoming environment for those who have not placed their trust in the God of the placard.

Reducing "In God We Trust" to a patriotic slogan contradicts the countercultural message of the Bible that faith in government and country will not be our salvation.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Not exactly a patriotic message,

Tim Morris is an opinions columnist at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at tmorris@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmorris504.
Louisiana State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Houma that killed a 52-year-old Montegut man Sunday (April 15) morning.

State Police said 26-year-old Brodie Matherne of Bourg was traveling north on Louisiana 659 just north of Louisiana 24 in a Chevrolet Silverado before 2 a.m. Sunday. Authorities stated Matherne crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2014 Nissan Altima being driven by Roy Neil, 52, of Montegut.

Although Neil was properly restrained, authorities stated he suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead on scene by the Terrebonne Parish Coroner's Office.

An unidentified front seat passenger riding with Neil sustained moderate injuries during the crash, authorities stated. She was transported to a New Orleans hospital by the Acadian Ambulance & Air Med Services, authorities added.

Matherne was also properly restrained during the crash and suffered minor injuries, State Police said. He was not transported to a hospital.

State Police said toxicology tests are pending for both drivers. State Police said the crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.
Next Game: King's College (Pa.) 4/18/2018 | 4 p.m.

DALLAS (PA)  Defending Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom champion Misericordia University, behind seven points from Patrick Kellish, defeated visiting Delaware Valley University, 11-7, on Saturday.The win improved the Cougars to 9-1 overall and 2-1 in the MAC Freedom. The Aggies, coming off an overtime win over perennial conference playoff qualifier DeSales University, fell to 3-9 and 1-2.Kellish scored two goals and assisted on five others in a tight contest throughout. He was part of Misericordia's first three tallies (two goals and an assist) for a 3-1 lead.had the lone goal for DelVal.After Chris Fleming made it 4-1 with 10:23 left in the first half, the Aggies got back-to-back goals fromandfor a 4-3 score. Misericordia responded with two goals in a 14-second span, but the Aggies'connected with 1:31 left in the stanza to make it 6-4. However, with just 25 seconds left on the clock, Fleming scored for a three-goal lead at the break.Misericordia scored 32 seconds into the second half before atally made it a three-goal game once again. Kellish then assisted on three straight goals before Smith and Brasch made it 11-7 in the third. Neither team found the back of the net in the fourth.Misericordia edged DelVal in shots (37-36), turnovers (17-18) and faceoffs (10-9). The Aggies were 15-for-20 in clear opportunities.Brasch and Smith had two goals apiece while Coyle, Shendge and Wilson had one each. Wilson also caused five turnovers and scooped up five ground balls.notched two assists and three ground balls. Coyle added four ground balls to his totals.andsplit the goaltending duties and combined for 11 saves.In addition to Kellish's effort, the Cougars were led by Sean McSwiggan's three goals and Fleming's two-goal, one-assist performance. Ryan Romaine won nine faceoff and had six ground balls. Matthew Beck made nine stops and picked up the win in net.DelVal will host King's College on Wednesday, April 18 (4 p.m.).
As part of the initiative to discourage irresponsible alcohol consumption and drink-driving, Uganda Breweries Limited embarked on a series of activations in bars around Kampala.

The activations are tailored to educating alcohol consumers to be aware of their tolerance levels and ensure they act responsibly when under the influence of alcohol.

The Red Card scouts led by their campaign ambassador Crystal Newman on Friday night stormed Legends bar and engaged partygoers on responsible drinking and urged them not to drink and drive.

The excited revellers were thrilled to partake in the spin-the-wheel game where they received a number of freebies.

The ambassadors will every Friday and Saturday be hitting Kampala night spots and dazzling patrons as they show them how to party responsibly.
In June 2015, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) translocated 15 giraffes from Murchison Falls national park to Lake Mburo in western Uganda, as part of the conservation bodys efforts to diversify the animal species as well as create a safe population of the animals.

Anxiety was growing, given that it was coming to three years since the animals were taken to Mburo but with no signs of multiplication.

Baby giraffe

The 15 giraffes that included eight females were moved to Mburo and were expected to produce at least within 15 months of their arrival but alas, they only helped in eating the acacia hockii which had been growing out of hand in the park.

However, in recent months, one of the female giraffes showed signs of pregnancy and given the size of its udder, was expected to produce the first Mburo calf in July. But in a pleasant surprise, the new baby arrived last week, sending conservationists into jubilation.

We brought mostly semi adultsmaybe that is why they have taken long to reproduce, said Asa Musinguzi Kule, the chief warden at Lake Mburo national park.

Murchison Falls has about 1,250 giraffes, which is nearly 75 per cent of the worlds population of the Rothschild giraffe species, but given the ongoing oil exploration activities in the Albertine region, their survival is under threat.

It is for this reason that UWA embarked on the exercise of creating safe populations in other parks, as well as on the southern bank of Murchison falls, which does not have a high population of animals due to the Victoria Nile that divides the national park into two.

Translocations are not done blindly; we first do a study, look at the history to confirm whether the animals lived there before. Had we known earlier, we wouldnt have lost the northern white and black rhinos, for instance, Musinguzi said.

Last month, the northern white rhinos only surviving male died at the Ole Pejeta wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. It is survived by a daughter and granddaughter and unless its harvested seed yields an IVF miracle, the species are facing extinction.

The rhino was part of four northern white rhinos that were flown from Uganda to Czech Republic to save them from Idi Amins men that were hunting them down.

When the situation stabilised in the 1980s, Czech Republic offered to bring them back but somehow, they ended up in Kenya.

Uganda currently has 23 rhinos  two at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) at Entebbe and the others at Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola district; they are all of the southern white species. Rhino horn trade has made the beasts one of the most endangered species in the world.

MORE TRANSLOCATIONS

Owing to the human-wildlife conflicts at Lake Mburo national park, UWA is moving more animals that are considered surplus in the park to other protected areas that have a deficiency of specific animal species.

Early in February, zebras, topis and elands were moved to Katonga wildlife reserve that is being prepared for an upgrade into a national park.

The giraffes during translocation

On March 20, UWA veterinarians and rangers were back to Lake Mburo to translocate impalas to Pian Upe game reserve in Nakapiripirit district. Lake Mburo is home to more than 36,000 impalas and a lot more that are said to be living outside the park in surrounding ranches.

Impalas are found in two places in Uganda  Lake Mburo national park being the mother park, and Katonga wildlife reserve. We now want to make Pian Upe the third habitat for impalas, Musinguzi said.

Unlike other animals that are captured after daybreak, impalas are manually captured at night. The vets and rangers take advantage of the impalas poor night vision to raid their herds with strong flashlights to capture them as they have a deer-in-lights moment.

As the state minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi witnessed the translocation of impalas, he raised a concern of the hippos that are said to be terrorising locals in Rubirizi district near Queen Elizabeth national park.

There are 15 hippos that are wreaking havoc in Rubirizi; the people want them to be taken away or [neutered] such that they are unable to reproduce, or the community be allowed to kill them, Kiwanda said.

Why dont you translocate problem animals like those hippos? Kiwanda asked the UWA staff.

Hippos are heavy animals and UWA might not have the capacity to translocate an animal that weighs more than 3,000kg.

Different species need different methods of translocation; hippos need to be moved very fast because they live in water, and we may need a helicopter to move a single hippo which we dont have. You cant dart a hippo, because it may disappear into the water and die, or if you dart it, you need a crane to lift it, Aggrey Rwetsiba, a senior manager in charge of monitoring and research at UWA, said.

For now, the residents of Rubirizi can only coexist with the dangerous herbivores that are nonetheless known to kill humans and animals within seconds.

Facts about the giraffe

The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, standing at around 4m to 5m high, and the tallest giraffes can be recorded up to 5.9m.

Despite being incredibly tall, giraffes still only have seven vertebrae in their neck - the same number as humans and most other mammals.

A giraffes neck is too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly spread or bend its front legs to reach the ground for a drink of water.

Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from the plants they eat.

Unlike most other four-legged mammals, giraffes swing both legs on the same side at almost the same time during their walk, known as pacing. This movement is lost, however, when the giraffe breaks into a gallop.

Giraffe feet are the size of a dinner plate with a diameter of 30cm.

Both male and female giraffe have horns already at birth. These ossicones lie flat and are not attached to the skull to avoid injury at birth. They only fuse with the skull later in life.

Female giraffes give birth standing up. Their young fall about 2m to the ground and can stand up within an hour of birth.

The gestation period for a giraffe is 457 days, which is about 15 months. Generally, only a single baby is born.

About 50 per cent of all giraffe calves do not survive their first year.

Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern.

Giraffes have an efficient nasal cooling system to regulate brain temperature up to 3C lower than the rest of the body.

To protect the giraffes brain from sudden changes in blood pressure when it lowers its head to drink, it has valves to stop the back-flow of blood and elastic-walled vessels that dilate and constrict to manage flow.

Giraffe tongues are bluish-purple and between 45cm and 50cm long.

A giraffe heart can weigh approximately 11kg and this is the biggest of any land mammal. It can pump 60 litres of blood around its body every minute at a blood pressure twice that of an average human.

Source: Discoverwildlife.com

sadabkk@observer.ug
The inspector general of police (IGP) Okoth Ochola has dropped commissioner of police Frank Mwesigwa as commander Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) and appointed him to head Tourism Police in a major reshuffle involving 96 senior officers.



Mwesigwa, who was an acting assistant inspector general of police (AIGP) is replaced by Moses Kafeero who has been the head of the Police Senior Command and Staff College, Bwebajja.

Frank Mwesigwa Mwesigwa, one of the best trained counter terrorism officers in country, took over as KMP commandant in July 2016 and has been at the centre of managing demonstrations in the city.



He joined the force in 2007 and was deployed in the Counter Terrorism department where he worked for more than seven years until he was appointed KMP commander. Mwesigwa, one of the best trained counter terrorism officers in country, took over as KMP commandant in July 2016 and has been at the centre of managing demonstrations in the city.He joined the force in 2007 and was deployed in the Counter Terrorism department where he worked for more than seven years until he was appointed KMP commander.

Kafeero is now replaced by Lawrence Niwabiine, who is most remembered for his role as the KMP traffic commander before he was sidelined by the former IGP Kale Kayihura in 2016 under unclear circumstances.



At the time Niwabiine was dropped, former prime minister Amama Mbabazi was contesting for the presidency against President Yoweri Museveni. Niwabiine is married in the Mbabazi family something that many thought at the time could have influenced Kayihura's decision.



The police spokesperson Emilian Kayima has confirmed the transfers saying the appointments are normal.



"The language of dropping is not appropriate. CP Mwesigwa has been assigned new roles. He will now head the Tourism police, a key police department and is replaced by CP Moses Kafeero Kabugo," Kayima said.



The transfer comes at a time Mwesigwa is implicated for his role in the policing of demonstrations during the controversial amendment of the Constitution by MPs last year, in which they lifted the presidential age limits and also extended their term of office by an extra two years. The amendments are currently under Constitutional court review at the Mbale High court.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

For a solid decade, over countless thousands of hours, Howard B. Taylor toiled away on a two-story building made of stone, driven ragged by tireless passion and divine inspiration.



The end result is Taylor's incredible legacy: The Living Rock Studios, a roadside attraction between Eugene and Corvallis that has awed visitors for 33 years, but today simply struggles to survive.



After Taylor's death in 1996, his three daughters took joint ownership of the attraction, and while each now has grown children of her own, none of them is interested in taking over. That's left the women  who have all suffered serious health issues in recent years  scrambling to find a way to preserve and protect their father's legacy.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

And when it comes to legacies, few are as impressive as his. Built out of locally harvested stones, crystals and petrified wood, The Living Rock Studios is two stories of meticulous, beautiful stonework, all built around Taylor's seven biblically themed pieces of art, made entirely of thinly sliced geodes.



It's a love letter to Oregon geology, a testament to Taylor's singular artistic vision, and a memorial to his family's strong Christian faith.



"That was a faith walk for him," Penny Mackey, his youngest daughter, said of the project. "This was God-inspired. Dad saw the vision of the building, then built it."



Taylor's family came from a long line of non-denominational Christians, she said, immigrating to the United States from Europe in search of religious freedom, landing in the Willamette Valley in 1952. Taylor supported his family by working as a surveyor and rock mason, before suffering three strokes and a heart attack in 1964.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

His long recovery was aided by a newfound love of art. He started with oil paintings of birds, then began to make lampshades using thin slices of rock instead of stained glass. Amazed at the effect, Taylor started on an ambitious project to make what he called the Living Rock Pictures  collages of backlit rock slices depicting scenes from the Bible.



That led to the idea for The Living Rock Studios, a place to house his work and showcase his skill with masonry. He was the visionary, but the project was a group effort. Local construction crews alerted him to caches of rock found while blasting or digging to build roads. Friends and neighbors volunteered their time and effort. His daughters helped create key features of the studios. And his wife, Faye, who cleaned houses to help support the family, gave him space and freedom to do it all, seeing it as God's will.



"It was never supposed to be about Dad," Mackey said. "He didn't do it for a legacy for him, he did it for a legacy for Oregonians."

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

After 10 years of work, the building opened to the public, the grand opening held the same day as Howard and Faye's 50th wedding anniversary. Since then, the attraction has drawn visitors and rock hounds from around the world, offering tours of Taylor's artistry alongside colorful displays of rocks and geodes.



His family charges no admission, asking only for donations of $3 a person. That approach has ensured The Living Rock Studios remains a place of community, open for all who find their way to it, but it's also made it hard to keep the doors open.



Taylor's building is beautiful, but its design makes it difficult for his daughters to keep it up to modern standards. Since his death, the sisters have had to install heating, and will have to replace the roof once they can afford it. And while the building was originally designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, newer regulations have forced them to close a staircase between the two floors, winding up the beautiful Tree of Life made of petrified wood.



"We are very near the point where we cannot continue because we do not make enough," Mackey said. "There's a very definite urgency about it."

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

With their children called to pursue other careers, the sisters are considering a wide range of other options for future ownership. Ideally, Mackey said, they'd like to see the building become a visitors center for the Over the Rivers & Through the Woods Scenic Byway, which begins in Brownsville. But because their attraction is staunchly Christian, they worry the Oregon Department of Transportation would strip out all religious aspects  including their father's beloved Living Rock Pictures  and haven't approached the agency with the idea.



Don Hamilton, a spokesman for ODOT, said while the agency doesn't operate religious-themed attractions, they would be happy to hear any proposals The Living Rock Studios might have.



But the sisters are also considering a second option: organizing a consortium of local government agencies, community groups and Christian organizations to jointly own and operate their family's attraction. But gathering a group like that is no small feat, and with the women soon entering their 70s and 80s, time and energy is a struggle, Mackey said.



They certainly worry, but the sisters remain optimistic, driven by the same sense of faith that drove Taylor in the first place. God wouldn't have had him build the studio for nothing, they say, so there must be a future in it  somehow. One thing they don't worry about is what their father would think about the rocky future of his legacy built in stone.



"We walked through the faith walks with Mom and Dad, day by day," Mackey said. "I think his greatest joy would be for the Lord to say, 'well done.'"



--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Rare minerals are on display at The Living Rock Studios in Brownsville.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A look up, inside the petrified wood Tree of Life.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Rare geodes and minerals are on display at The Living Rock Studios in Brownsville.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

One of several walls of thinly-sliced gemstones at The Living Rock Studios.

Don't Edit

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A wall made of local crystals inside the petrified wood Tree of Life.

Don't Edit
Oregon's great Sen. Jeff Merkley has shown himself consistently as a leader for We the People.

Merkley should take the lead on an issue that 80 percent of Americans agree on: passing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to get corporate money out of politics.

The We the People Amendment, House Joint Resolution 48 in the House of Representatives, would make clear that corporations don't have constitutional rights and get big money out of politics. I urge Merkley to introduce a version of HJR 48 in the Senate.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer supports the We the People Amendment in the House, putting the total number of sponsors at 55.

California voters passed Proposition 59 in November 2016 calling for the amendment, and delivered a clear mandate to our federal lawmakers: Support the We the People Amendment and solve the issue of money in politics and corporate personhood.

Merkley has shown himself to be a champion of the people in many ways. It is time for him to show real leadership and take a step toward solving one of our most pressing problems -- that those in Washington answer to big money over the public.

Marian Drake, Northeast Portland
Oregon sought and won approval for more delayed-notice search warrants than any other state except Illinois, according to the most recent annual federal court data available.

Oregon had 851 from Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

As across the nation, most of the warrants in Oregon came in drug cases.

Here, the majority sought to collect geographic location data from a suspect's mobile phone, a senior drug prosecutor said.

Nationally, the next most frequent request was for fraud.

Federal officers must show probable cause that the property targeted for a search holds evidence of an alleged crime. That's required by the Fourth Amendment, which protects private citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Judges must believe that the delay would protect someone's safety, stop someone from fleeing or prevent someone from destroying evidence or otherwise jeopardizing an investigation.

Under federal statute, the target of the warrant should get notice of the search and any seizure within a "reasonable period'' not to exceed 30 days. With a judge's approval, the law also allows federal agencies to ask for extensions of up to 90 days to further delay notice, "unless the facts of the case justify a longer period of delay.''

According to the latest data, federal officials in Oregon made 385 requests for delayed-notice warrants, plus 466 extension requests. Judges rejected none of the requests.

The average delay in Oregon was 106 days, exceeding the average national delay of 84 days with such warrants, according to the data.

Overall, the nation's federal judges approved 9,140 delayed-notice warrants and another 6,024 extensions in the same period.

Judges for decades have had the power to allow officers to delay notice of a search warrant, but the USA Patriot Act created explicit authority for federal investigators and prosecutors to seek permission while setting certain standards.

Oregon's federal drug prosecutors don't put much weight on the court data, suggesting there are discrepancies among federal districts on how they handle delayed-notice warrants.

For example, federal prosecutors in Oregon started pursuing the warrants for geolocation data for cellphones only about three years ago, and those make up about 80 percent of their requests, said Kevin Sonoff, spokesman for the Oregon U.S. Attorney's Office.

That switch has elevated Oregon's numbers, they believe.

Previously, they had submitted an application and court motion for the phone geolocation data, which requires a significantly lower standard of proof -- "reasonable grounds'' to believe the communications are relevant to a criminal investigation.

"We wanted to take a more conservative approach,'' Sonoff said. "We think that's why these numbers for Oregon are higher. Other districts might still be using a motion and not a search warrant to obtain the same data.''

Phones regularly ping cell towers to register their position, producing location histories and other records. Such historical data is collected by phone companies. Investigators also can request real-time updates from telephone companies or use a device to intercept phone signals and collect geolocation data by pretending to be a cellphone tower.

The U.S. Justice Department advised prosecutors in 2016 to get warrants for real-time tracking of phone locations, but not for historic data from cell towers.

Sonoff estimated that less than 10 of the delayed-notice warrants during the 2015-2016 period were for a property, such as a storage unit.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Caleb Ruecker meets me on a street corner in Southeast Portland late on a Friday night. He's wearing all black and carrying a backpack full of photo equipment.

Nearby, flood lights glare onto a partially demolished building. This is, I suppose, to dissuade people like Ruecker from jumping the fence and going inside.

It does not work.

For the past decade, Ruecker has been illegally entering old buildings to photograph them before their demise. The first public exhibition of his work, "The Last Shot," will run April 19-22 at Cobalt Studios, 1030 S.E. Clinton St. He hopes his photos will spark a greater conversation in Portland about what we've lost and how to preserve what's left.

If it takes an act of trespassing to tell this story, so be it.

"I'm not a graffiti artist, I've never broken in," Ruecker says. "I've never broken a window, I've never kicked in a door. I wait my turn."

If you go:

"The Last Shot" opens with a reception from 6-9 p.m. April 19 at Cobalt Studios, 1030 S.E. Clinton St., and continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 20-22. RSVP for opening night at linnphotog@gmail.com.

This night, he pauses for the street to clear of pedestrians  he doesn't want anyone recording him with a cell phone  then scales the fence and darts through an opened wall to what's left of a 100-year-old building. He calls out from the stairwell base.

"Anybody up here?"

There's no answer.

Ruecker, 33, grew up in Northeast Portland. His grandfather taught him photography. He taught himself how to ride BMX and spent his teen years exploring the grittier parts of the city on his bike. About 15 years ago, he realized the rail yards and warehouses where he hung out were disappearing.

"Particularly in the Pearl area and downtown, I started to notice them starting to fence up and tear down these old buildings," he says. He began taking photos. "And it wasn't intentional. It was just, 'Oh bummer, I'm going to shoot that.'

"And a couple of thousand photos later and half the town gone, it was like, this is my job. This is what I'm here to do."

In 2014, he started an Instagram account called "The Last Shot," which now has more than 3,000 followers. He learns about pending demolitions by tracking permits on the city's website and watching for the erection of construction fences around old buildings.

"I used to do a lot of long exposure in the forest of stars and mountains. I would go to Mount Hood alone and camp and do long exposures in the snow. That just got boring," he says.

He gestures to the brick building.

"This is going to be gone. The stars will be there forever."

Ruecker looks for contrasts, the way the light plays on the floor as it's filtered through still-hanging blinds. He said he's not worried about being charged with trespassing for the photos about to go on public display. All images are from inside buildings that have since been demolished.

"They do say, if the building's not there anymore, they can't charge you," he says.

I doubt this is true. But Cobalt Studios' owner, Bill Linn, was also nonplussed.

"How he gets his photographs does not keep me up at night," Linn said. "It probably inspires me a little bit."

Ruecker says he doesn't steal, but he does take "souvenirs." Old coins, store receipts, door knobs, loose bricks. By the time he's inside a space, most everything of value has been removed. Ruecker says he's just saving the scraps nobody wants.

These pieces, too, will be part of his exhibit.

"To get a real photo, I don't believe in trespassing, I don't believe in fences. It's all silly," Ruecker says. "The reason probably why I don't get caught is I'm so humble, I know I'm not doing anything bad, and my intentions are good, so my energy is good.

"But this, to me, this is worth getting in trouble for because I know I'm not doing anything wrong."

It's a rare clear, warm February night, and the roof of this particular three-story building offers a view of Old Town and the Willamette River. Just two weeks later, the ability to see the city from this exact height, this specific angle, will be erased. A mixed-use high rise is planned for the site.

Since 2012, there have been 520 commercial demolitions in the city of Portland, with another 148 permits approved and awaiting for bulldozers. That doesn't include homes. In 2017 alone, Restore Oregon tracked the demolition of more than 250 Portland houses.

"I think Caleb is a great voice for the city through his images," said Angie Even, co-founder of Save Portland Buildings. "I've lived in Portland my whole life, and it's just really sad to see the neighborhoods changing and the buildings that are our place-makers going away. To be able to capture that in images is very important."

Save Portland Buildings formed last year in response to a proposal that would require seismic retrofitting of the city's 1,600 unreinforced brick buildings. While the improvements are needed to ensure buildings don't crumble in an earthquake, the costs could be prohibitive for small businesses and individual building owners, and could, some say, exacerbate the city's housing crisis.

"Nobody's saying no," Even said. "Everybody's saying how."

Cities evolve. Needs change. But Ruecker would like to see these old buildings renovated rather than destroyed.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big fan of hipsters and the new world we live in," he says. But if a developer repurposed an old building for coffee shops and designer studios? "If it's brought back to life, 100 percent, I'm all for it."

There was a time when Ruecker thought he'd announce his retirement with this show, but he just learned of plans to tear down the old Kellogg Middle School in Southeast Portland. There's always one more shot to take.

"If no one's willing to step forward," he says, "every brick building in town is going to be gone."

-- Samantha Swindler is a columnist for The Oregonian/Oregonlive

@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.com
By MAXINE BERNSTEIN

The Oregonian | OregonLive

Shortly after 9 a.m. on a Saturday in December, two men showed up at the office of a Public Storage warehouse in Southeast Portland and asked about renting space.

On-site manager Shawn Riley led them to an empty unit and unlocked it.

The pair followed him in, then suddenly drew large silver handguns. One of the men pressed his pistol against the managers forehead.

The two demanded to know whod stolen their stuff -- a stash of nearly 500 pounds of marijuana in another unit at the business.

Riley hadnt taken anything, he told them in a shaky voice.

But who had?

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, it turns out. And the agents deliberately made the confiscation look like a burglary, according to court records.

Don't Edit

Maxine Bernstein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The harrowing confrontation terrorized Riley and turned a spotlight on a controversial ploy used by agents in drug cases to smoke out suspected traffickers. Oregon surprisingly is No. 2 in the nation in requesting what are known as delayed-notice search warrants.

The sneak-and-peek warrants, as theyre more commonly called, allow investigators to search a house, car, computer, other property or item, seize evidence and not tell anyone until much later. That differs from the typical search warrant, which requires police to provide immediate notice to property owners.

The delayed warrants mean agents can avoid tipping off suspects and jeopardizing an investigation, while potentially provoking them into revealing drug suppliers or other connections when it appears someone has stolen their cache.

The technique appears to have backfired this time, imperiling an innocent bystander held at gunpoint and blowing the agents drug investigation.

The danger of violence is obviously real, and this case makes it very evident. Someone could have been killed, said Jonathan Witmer-Rich, a criminal law professor at Cleveland State University who studies use of the warrants nationwide. I think it illustrates this is a dangerous tactic, and the law is not requiring police to reduce such risks.

The federal statute that allows the warrants should incorporate extra safeguards to protect against this kind of outcome, Witmer-Rich said.

Russ Baer, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, declined comment on the warrant or the agencys tactics, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.

The government seeks the warrants to preserve the secrecy of an investigation, said Kevin Sonoff, spokesman for Oregons U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. The office declined to discuss the ramifications of the warrant issued in this case.

Don't Edit

The Associated Press | File

I THINK THE POLICE DID

The two men appeared furious and desperate. They were told someone had broken into their storage locker and cleared it out. They wanted to know who.

After they lured Riley into a different unit, one of the gunmen grabbed him by the shoulder, pushed him against the wall and yelled, Get down! Get the (expletive) down! The man filmed the confrontation with his cellphone, the light from the camera shining into Rileys face.

He ordered his cohort to bind Rileys wrists and ankles with duct tape, according to the video, which was played in court. The intruders went through the managers pockets and took his keys as they repeatedly demanded to know who knocked off their unit.

At first, Riley wasnt sure what the men were talking about, then he recalled the break-in days earlier.

When I came in, the door was half open, he told the men. The door was ripped off the track. They didnt get the lock off, so they broke the door.  I reported the break-in.

Riley told his attackers that he fixed the door a couple of days later. It was around then that he learned who had broken the door, he said.

I think the police did. That is what my boss said, Riley told the men, according to the video. Then my boss said it wasnt a break in.

Youre telling me the police took my (expletive)? one of the men asked in disbelief.

If Riley was lying, they implied that theyd shoot him. Pop goes the weasel, said the man with the gun to the managers head.

Then the two then abruptly left, closing the storage unit door with Riley still trussed up but alive.

Don't Edit

Eric Kayne | Getty Images | File

ALLEGED OREGON-TO-TEXAS TRAFFICKING

Before, during and after the Dec. 2 attack, Drug Enforcement Administration agents had been tracking the movement of one of the alleged gunmen and a woman through GPS traces of their phones and cars.

The monthslong surveillance was part of a broader investigation into black market trafficking of marijuana from Oregon to Texas, according to a prosecutors memo opposing the defendants release from jail before the trial. The DEA was working with a team of officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, Port of Portland police and the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office.

Last August, investigators at Portland International Airport had found $184,740 in cash concealed in a shoebox in a passengers checked luggage, said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Narus.

Agents discovered that the money was tied to a man and a woman suspected of buying large supplies of marijuana in Oregon and smuggling the bundles back to Texas for distribution, Narus said.

Investigators identified the man, Jody T. Wafer, of Houston, as the one who coordinated buying the drugs in Oregon for transport back to Texas, records indicate.

DEA agents tracked Wafer and the woman, Brittany Kizzee, using undercover surveillance that included covert photography, wiretapping and even trick phone calls, according to court records.

They learned of the large stockpile of marijuana at the Public Storage outlet on Southeast 82nd Avenue and decided to seize it before they suspected it might be shipped to Texas, court records show. The investigators also were still working to identify the drug suppliers in Oregon.

On Nov. 17, DEA agents got a judges signature on a delayed-notice search warrant, giving them authority to enter the Public Storage unit, seize property and not tell anyone for weeks.

Four days later on Nov. 21, the narcotics agents broke into the unit, knocked the door off its track, seized 484 pounds of marijuana and left the door ajar as if a real burglary had occurred.

Sometime in late November, the agents directed a district manager from Public Storage to make a ruse call to Kizzee, feeding the manager lines about what to say about a break-in at the unit.

Then on Nov. 30, the agents learned Wafer, Kizzee and a second man, Trent Knight, were flying from Texas to Portland, set to touch down about 8:45 p.m. The agents followed them when they arrived. They saw at the airport that Knight appeared to have a gun, according to court records.

On Dec. 1, the agents saw their targets driving in circles around Public Storage.

And that Saturday morning, Dec. 2, the agents tracked them in a pickup that drove up to the Public Storage unit. Two men got out. A woman stayed behind the wheel. About 10 minutes later, the truck drove away, according to court documents.

Don't Edit

Maxine Bernstein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

WEED IS LEGAL HERE

After his assailants had left, Riley managed to break free and call 911 around 9:30 a.m.

Portland police responded quickly, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Officer Patrick Nagy took Rileys statement and viewed surveillance footage from the storage business.

Nagy checked with Portlands Drugs and Vice Division to see if it was involved in the marijuana confiscation at the Public Storage unit, but Portland police said they werent aware of it. They later learned DEA agents working with airport police were in on the marijuana investigation, though it was just the DEA that raided the storage unit.

We just had to deal with the aftermath, said Portland police Capt. Mark Kruger, head of the drug division.

Nagy and other officers arrested Wafer, Knight and Kizzee about two hours later, after the three had passed through security at Portland International Airport before boarding a plane to Houston.

As officers approached Wafer, he slammed his cellphone to the floor in an apparent attempt to break it, according to Narus, the prosecutor.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Mandel Ngan | Getty Images

Investigators recovered the phone, which held footage of the violent encounter at Public Storage earlier that morning and another video of what looked like the two men play-acting their planned holdup with guns in their hotel room the night before, Narus said. Police also recovered two loaded firearms in Knights checked baggage, he said.

Its unclear why the gunmen filmed the crime, but its possible that they needed to show some proof to others in the alleged drug-trafficking scheme that they didnt steal the marijuana themselves.

By leading the suspects to think their drugs had been stolen, the federal agents likely wanted to intercept ensuing conversations, hoping they would generate further leads to identify the marijuana suppliers, said Witner-Rich, the law professor. Its not clear if that happened in this case.

But DEA agents have done that in other cases, including one this month in Ohio that led to the largest methamphetamine bust in that state's history. Authorities seized 82 pounds of crystal meth from a warehouse on a delayed-notice search warrant, leading three suspects to believe they'd been robbed. That's when one got the "green light'' from his Mexican supplier to kill the person he believed had stolen the drugs, according to intercepted phone calls quoted in court documents.

In Oregon, Wafer, 28, Knight, 29, and Kizzee, 27, now face federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to brandish a firearm in a crime of violence.

No marijuana trafficking charges have been filed in the case. The kidnapping and conspiracy charges are much more serious, according to prosecutors and defense lawyers.

After his arrest, Wafer told a court official that he had been visiting Oregon every other month, according to court records.

He added, Weed is legal here.

Don't Edit

The Associated Press | File

THE EXPERIENCE  WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING

During a court hearing earlier this month, the government argued that the treatment of the Public Storage manager reflected the defendants' "violent nature'' and they shouldn't be released before trial.

The prosecutor didnt mention the secret raid of the storage unit by federal agents. Narus said the defendants wrongly assumed who had stolen their drug stash and committed a violent offense against an innocent member of the public.

Attorney Barry Engle, who represents Wafer, blamed the federal investigators.

The governments own actors, he said, prompted the alleged crime and desperation felt by his client. He noted in court documents and at the hearing that his client wasnt admitting to any connection to the marijuana.

The police knew that they were giving that impression that this was taken by the people working at the storage facility. I dont know why, but thats what they did, Engle said.

Don't Edit

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

From left: Wafer, Knight, Kizzee.





As for Riley, the 59-year-old manager said he took a week off work after the frightening ordeal.

A single man who grew up in Southeast Portland, he still works for Public Storage full time, now going on three years.

Asked if he believed that agents who broke into the storage unit had exposed him to potential violence, Riley didnt speak but vigorously nodded his head. He then politely referred questions to his corporate office.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta, who had reviewed investigators' affidavits in the case, initially granted Wafer's release from jail pending trial, but the prosecutor challenged the ruling to another judge. Kizzee has been released pending trial, but Knight was ordered detained. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones watched the video of the attack on Riley. He ordered Wafer to remain in jail as well. The three are set for trial May 15.

The experience here was absolutely terrifying, one of the most dangerous acts, threats of death, a threat of execution, Jones said. No way will this person be released.

Don't Edit

Maxine Bernstein | Staff

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
The bizarre saga of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in Oregon is a vivid memory for locals who were here and lived through the arrival of the Rajneeshees, Ma Anand Sheela, the poisonings in Wasco County, and more. The Netflix documentary series "Wild Wild Country" has been spreading the strange-but-true story to Netflix viewers since it began streaming on March 16.

On Saturday's "Saturday Night Live," the Rajneeshees got some new pop culture exposure, thanks to "Wild Wild Country." In a filmed parody of the six-part docuseries, "SNL" cast members past and present appeared in a bit that had fun with the documentary's new interviews of Sheela, Bhagwan true believers, rural Oregonians and, in a goofy new addition, Kenan Thompson as a guy who joined the cult just so he could get in on the sex action.

Former "SNL" cast member Nasim Pedrad made an amazingly convincing present-day Sheela, talking about "the people of Oregon" being so "blinded by their bigotry that they couldn't even witness the miracle that was happening right in front of them."

Thompson's horndog, on the other hand, remembered everybody getting "naked" and wiggling their body parts, and him confusing the crimson-clad Rajneeshees for members of the Bloods gang.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquis
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Water Shortage "Serious": Iran's Environment Chief

04/14/18

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - The country is facing a serious water shortage, said Isa Kalantari, the chief of the Department of Environment. Water should be at the center of all the national programs and plans, he said, adding that industrial and agricultural development should comply with the national Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) law, Mehr reported on Wednesday.



source: Ofoghe Farda magazine

No extra pressure should be imposed on water resources and accordingly no new license will be granted for high water consuming industries in Iran's arid and semi-arid areas, Kalantari said.



No one opposes the country's development and support for domestic production, but "domestic production should not be supported at any cost," he added.



Isa Kalantari, Chief of Iran's Department of Environment

Iranian officials are repeatedly warning about water shortage in the country by using terms such as 'water shortage' or 'water bankruptcy' and the like to raise public awareness towards this extremely serious issue.



The mean precipitation of the country has dropped significantly compared to long-term average. The data shows that Iran has experienced a 56-percent decrease in average precipitation over the period from September 23-December 25, 2017 compared to the same period in the long run.



While climate change is one of the main culprits of decrease in average rainfall the recurrent drought spell and water shortage in the country are mostly blamed on mismanagement and shortsighted water management policies as well as unsustainable agricultural practices.

Sustainable development, main strategy

Referring to sustainable development as the main strategy of the Department of Environment (DOE), he emphasized the department will only cooperate with organizations which move in this direction.



He further criticized the overly bureaucratic structure of the DOE through which different projects were granted their environmental assessment license previously.



The license is needed for making sure that projects don't do any harm to the environment and civil projects cannot be launched without it.



Although the process had been hardened, there were no surveillance or control over projects after granting the license and they could become detrimental for the environment, he added.



According to the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2021), the Department of Environment has only a two-month deadline to assess the civil and developmental projects and if expired, projects can be launched without any need for environmental licenses, he highlighted.

Poverty vs. environment

Poverty and unemployment will lead to the destruction of the environment, Kalantari highlighted, adding that environment should not be a barrier to the development of the country.



Of course this development should be in the sustainable route, he emphasized.



Photo Essay: Drought and its consequences in Bushehr, Iran

(By Vahid Abdi, Mehr News Agency)

According to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), poverty and environment are closely interrelated. Whilst people living in poverty are seldom the principal creators of environmental damage, they often bear the brunt of environmental damage and are often caught in a downward spiral, whereby the poor are forced to deplete resources to survive, and this degradation of the environment further impoverishes people. When this self-reinforcing downward spiral becomes extreme, people are forced to move in increasing numbers to marginal and ecologically fragile lands or to cities.

Need for more research

As far as research and scientific activities are concerned, the department is poor, he regretted.



Kalantari called on research institutes and universities to carry out practical researches on different aspects of environment, especially the effects of sand and dust storms on economy and health sector.

Limited budget, a great challenge

The department is also poor regarding the allocated budget, he regretted, adding that the budget of DOE doesn't fit its wide range of responsibilities and this is has led to a growing concern for the new [Iranian calendar] year (starting on March 21).



In spite of all challenges like budget limitations, the Department of Environment will "stand firm" wherever the country's environment is threatened, he highlighted.

NGOs are auxiliary arms

Kalantari referred to NGOs as the "auxiliary arms" of the organization. However, principles and strategies of the country's environment should be defined by scientists and experts and NGOs pressures should not lead to laying down these principles.



Elsewhere in his remarks Kalantari noted that President Hassan Rouhani has enlisted 4 priorities for the country's environment; waste management, combating sand and dust storms, restoration of wetlands and improvement of air quality.



Current conditions have made the wetlands' restoration programs so hard, but "We will do our best to preserve the environment and follow the president's priorities" he concluded.
Rwanda High Commission to Ghana as part of its countrys 24th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be observed under the multiyear theme Remember- Unite- Renew.



According to Rwanda High Commission, Rwandans from all spheres of society, joined by the International Community will mobile to honour the over one million lives lost during the genocide.



Address the media, the chairman of the Rwanda Community Mr. Catete Bernardin outlined that there will be commemorative activities at the community level during the Mourning Week, reflecting on the proposed theme and renewal of the firm resolve to stand against genocide and its ideology.



He added that the Mourning Week will be concluded by a ceremony to pay tribute to the politicians killed for standing against the commission of the genocide; thus, observance of commemorative events will go on during the 100 days of the remembrance period, building on the significant strides made in national unity and socio economic development.



In their dialect #Kwibuka24 will take place following the adoption, on 26 January 2018, of a decision by the United Nations General Assembly, to designate 7th April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, in amendment of Resolution 58/234 in its title and operative, which were source of ambiguity and provided room for tactics for genocide denial and revisionism.



Any reference should now onwards strictly comply with the appellation in the decision: the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. #Kwibika24 affords an opportunity for reiterating a vivid appeal to the International Community concerning suspect genocide perpetrators still at large in different countries around the world, which have shown little or no preoccupation in bringing them to justice or extradition them to Rwanda to be tried.



He therefore extended appreciation to those governments that have made a commendable effort to ensure that the genocide perpetrators are brought to justice.



Guest speaker at the 24th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso commended Rwandan President Paul Kagame for transforming the society so that people dont even think about going into conflict anymore.



The Senior Researcher at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) added that there has been conflict transformation in Rwanda where the President has made the Rwandans forget their past and the newer generation does not remember the past at all.



Paul Kagame has done well by transforming the society so that people dont even think about going into conflict anymore....the thing that bring conflict has been eliminated through development and the processes of looking at Institutions and the Constitution as the biggest arbiters for any misunderstanding. So people are now Rwandees and their relationships are determined by who they are and where they belong, he explained.



Dr. Antwi-Danso however urged Ghanaians to learn from the Rwandans how rapidly they made people forget their past; thus, Rwanda has been able to cross the bridge after the genocide to make their people understand the need to move forward and understand each other.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The present economic state of the Akufo-Addo administration has been classified to be very bad, according to a survey by Afrobarometer.



Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions, and related issues in countries across Africa.



In a survey by the research network, several Ghanaians do not see the condition of the country to be fairly good.



Out of the respondents, 28% of the total population described the economy as "very bad" whereas 26% think it is "fairly bad".



In terms of living conditions, the survey indicated that about 27% of the respondents stressed that their living conditions are in a very bad state, and this could be as a result of the bad economy under the Akufo-Addo regime.



Nonetheless, many Ghanaians asserted to Afrobarometer that they would vote for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) "if Presidential elections were held tomorrow".



The figures given were 49% of the respondents pledging their support for the NPP as against 22% for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo is reviewing a number of regulations governing the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector in order to free up the innovative talent and capabilities of already existing and start-up companies.



The review would, among other objectives, also aim to make it easier to enter and invest in the sector in order to support the governments desire to increase the use of ICT to solve peculiar Ghanaian challenges, while ensuring the appropriate security assurances for users and investors.



We are trying to build a new, efficient Ghana. The world is continually evolving, and this evolution is led by cutting edge technology. We know there are many talented young men and women in the ICT space, and government is looking at ways to make innovating and actualising promising ideas easier, the Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, declared at separate meetings with leading lights in Silicon Valley when he paid a five day working visit to the Valley from April 10, 2018.



The Vice President, together with some government officials and the leadership of 15 leading local ICT firms, is on a visit to the technology hub of Silicon Valley, California, USA during which he will hold discussions with the Valleys thought and technology leaders to explore the possibilities of developing strategic insight, decisions and partnerships with the view of helping to enhance the digitisation of the Ghanaian economy to move Ghana Beyond Aid.



Some of the companies visited include General Electric, IBM, GreyLock Partners, AirBnB, SalesForce, Stanford SEED, and Linked IN.



Touting the Akufo-Addo Governments determination to make Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa, Vice President Bawumia urged tech investors and innovators to take advantage of the many competitive advantages Ghana has including location, a stable macro-economic environment and a large pool of talent to set up shop.



We as a government want to set the framework, the environment, then move out of the way so that you guys can do what you do best. Whether it is in health, education, agriculture, utility service provision or wherever, you can come in and invest and help us with the sort of innovations that you can come up with.



The Vice President also called for partnerships between Ghanaian ICT firms and their Silicon valley compatriots, insisting that Ghanaian talent was as good as any found anywhere in the world, if not better.



The indigenous ICT firms are as good as any you can find anywhere in the world. Government is convinced about that and we want to encourage our local ICT firms as much as possible to be very competitive, he stated, adding a collaboration between you is likely to be of mutual benefit to all parties.



The ICT leads accompanying the Vice President include representatives from GHIPSS, Hubtel, BlueSpace Africa, DreamOval, Rancard, Nsano, ExpressPay, IBM, and Bsystems.



The rest are from IT Consortium, Trotro Tractor, General Electric, Callens Solution, Edel Technology Consult and the SoftTribe.



Also on the team was Deputy Minister of Communications and MP for Awutu Senya East, Hon George Nenyi Andah; Hon Mohammad Tijanni Habibu, Deputy Foreign Minister; Hon. Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, MP for Sefwi Akontonbra and member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education; and Hon Halidu Ali Maiga, Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs.



The Vice President returned to Accra on Saturday April 14, 2018.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
Three persons dealing in illegal DStv decoders have been arrested in Ashanti Region for importing, storing, distributing and selling of MC Nigeria decoders in Ghana.



A statement from MultiChoice Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency said three shops were raided with the support of the Cyber Crime Unit and SWAT team of Ghana CID Police in Kumasi.



This followed repeated reports by MultiChoice Ghana of the activities of such person around the country acting as agents of MultiChoice.



According to Cecil Sunkwa Mills, General Manager, MultiChoice Ghana (MCG), the activities of such persons on the market contravenes the Electronic Communications Act and a number of importation and tax laws in Ghana.



He explained MCG was the only company in Ghana with the special licence to import and distribute DStv decoders across the country, adding that, by law all monthly DStv subscriptions paid in Ghana should attract the following taxes 15% VAT, 2.5% NHIL and 6% CST.



Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax applied on the value added to goods and services at each stage in the production and distribution chain. It forms part of the final price the consumer pays for goods or services.



The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) is a levy on goods and services supplied in or imported into Ghana. All goods and services are subject to the levy unless they are exempt.



The Communications Service Tax (CST) is a tax levied on charges for the use of communications services that are provided by communications service operators. CST is imposed under Section 1 of the Communications Service Tax Act 2008, (Act 754).



These DStv decoders from Nigeria are smuggled into the country, denying the country of the requisite import duties. They are then are sold to the unsuspecting public by these unscrupulous persons.



The purchase and use of such decoders, makes one an accessory to tax evasion as your month subscriptions are paid in Nigeria, thus, avoiding the payment of tax in Ghana.



According to Section 86 and 149 of the Ghana Revenue Act, a person who enters into a contract with a non-resident person for the supply or use of goods or property of any kind, or the supply of any services, which contract gives rise to income accruing in or derived from Ghana, shall pay taxes on that service or good.



Failure to Pay Tax is liable to summary conviction, of imprisonment for a term of not less than three months and not more than one year, or both.



During the raid ledgers with accounts and personal details of persons they were illegally collecting subscription from and several boxes of decoders were seized.



MultiChoice Ghana urged anyone who may have acquired such decoders to contact the nearest MultiChoice Ghana Office to have their decoder regularised.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Police in the Eastern Region has arrested one Abdul Rashid Mohammed for allegedly posing as a military man at the Peduase Lodge at Aburi and seven of his accomplices.



A patrol team from Accra picked up Mohammed when they saw him loitering at the premises of the Lodge.



The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, who disclosed this to Citi Newsindicated that the suspect would be processed for court soon.A team of officers from Accra assisted the guard duty men at the Peduase Lodge and arrested one suspect Abdul Rashid Mohammed, aged 20, was dressed in full military uniform. They reported that the suspect was seen at the Peduase Lodge and was arrested on suspicion. After that, he was handed to the Aburi police, and on interrogation, he admitted impersonating a soldier, ASP Tetteh said.

Mohammed according to reports works with the parcel office of the VVIP transportation company and confessed that he got the uniform from one Sowa.



The reports said Sowa and seven others subsequently reported themselves to the Aburi police.

Source: citifmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Royal Mail Steamer Titanic was one of three large ships built by the White Star Line. Construction of the lavish ship with 10 decks and 840 staterooms took two years from 1909 to 1911.

At the time, it was the largest passenger steamship ever built.

Titanic had a capacity of 3,300 people, but lifeboats could only accommodate 1,178 people.

Titanic's maiden voyage created a stir. Passengers included celebrities and dignitaries. She left from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912, bound for New York. There were 2,240 people - including passengers and crew - on board.

One person who had a ticket but was not onboard was Milton S. Hershey.

Hershey bought the ticket for $300 but left England on the German liner Amerika on April 6 and arrived in New York before Titanic set sail.

Around 11:40 p.m. April 14, Titanic hit an iceberg. A lookout had spotted the iceberg and the crew attempted to move the ship quickly. Titanic grazed the iceberg but a jagged, underwater spur that no one had seen ripped a 300-foot hole below the ship's waterline.

The crew attempted to evacuate Titanic but there were not enough lifeboats and those that were floated were not filled to capacity.

Titanic snapped in two and sank around 2:20 a.m. on April 15 in the North Atlantic Ocean about 300 miles south of Newfoundland. Passengers were dumped into the frigid water - many dying from cardiac arrest and cold incapacitation.

The Carpathia, which was headed toward Titanic after receiving a distress call, rescued 705 people from the lifeboats.

The wreckage was not discovered until Sept. 1, 1985.
A Centre County high school student has been jailed on $750,000 bail for talking about "shooting up the school" and getting away with it over the past few weeks, according to the state police.

Derek Landone Henry, 18, of Julian, a student at Bald Eagle Area High School, also threatened multiple students and their families, saying he was going to "burn down their homes as well as kill their families," police said.

Investigators said Henry was arrested on Friday morning; his comments and threats were heard by multiple students, police said.

"State police met Henry, read him the Miranda Rights and informed him that he was not obligated to speak. Henry told police he has a short temper, sometimes to the point of losing his control and making drastic comments. He allegedly admitted to discussing shooting up the school, but denied allegations of wanting to kill families," according to a report from The Centre Daily Times.

Henry has been charged felony terroristic threats and two counts of misdemeanor terroristic threats, according to court records.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 25.
Along with a 40-degree drop in high temperatures from yesterday to today, the drizzle dampening much of central Pennsylvania now will turn into rain. And lots of it.

As 1 to 2 inches of rain - and up to 3 in some isolated areas - falls Sunday night and into Monday, the National Weather Service at State College advises this can cause a rapid rise in rivers and streams with possible short-term flooding in some low-lying areas.

The rain is expected to pick up after 2 p.m. today and increase through the night with a possible thunderstorm. Winds of 13 to 18 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph can be expected today, too, which will see a high of 45 and a low of 39.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue through most of Monday, along with the windy conditions. As the rain begins to taper off into the night, it could be mixed with some snow showers. Expect a high of 54 and a low around 37.

Tuesday will see a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of showers before becoming partly sunny with a high near 48 and a nighttime low around 36.

Things will begin to warm up on Wednesday. Expect mostly-sunny skies and a high near 61 and a low of 44.

There is a 30 percent chance of overnight showers continuing into Thursday, which will be partly sunny with a high of 58 and a low of 39.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of 55 and a low of 38.

And Saturday should be sunny with a high near 57.

Visit PennLive.com/weather for your latest weather updates.
UPDATE: Prisoner found dead in creek after escaping custody, police say

Police in Lancaster County are searching for someone who escaped from custody while at the WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital Emergency Room, according to a report from LancasterOnline.com.

"Traffic on the county-wide radio system indicated that around 8 p.m. (Saturday) a prisoner ran from the WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital Emergency Room in shackles and jumped into the creek, according to the report.

As of 9 p.m., the suspect had not been located.

Further information was not immediately available.
Police in Lancaster County are investigating the death of a prisoner, whom they say escaped custody and was found dead a short time later in a creek.

Ephrata Police say they were called around 7:47 p.m. Saturday to the parking lot of the WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital to help the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department with a prisoner resisting arrest.

When police arrived, the prisoner, in handcuffs and a chain-restraint belt, had escaped the deputy's custody and ran into Cocalico Creek, which is about 12-feet deep.

Police and the fire department tried to rescue him, but the escapee was found dead around 9:22 p.m.

The incident is under investigation.
By Blair Bess



American response to the catastrophic humanitarian crisis Syria has been experiencing for the last seven years has been tepid at best. With Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most recent chemical attack on the Syrian people, inaction is no longer an option.





Blair Bess (Cagle Cartoons)

While President Trump would like to lay blame for the ongoing atrocities being committed by the Assad government at former President Barack Obama's doorstep, it's time he recognizes that the failings of his predecessor are no excuse for his own inability to act decisively.



The president has tweeted that he will strongly respond to Assad's latest act of aggression. His actions may be short-term at best. If his intention is merely to send a half-baked message by way of a showy, but ineffective use of "nice, new, smart" missiles, it's doubtful that the outcome will be any more successful than last year's Tomahawk missile strike.



President Trump must cast aside his personal fears and frustrations and take on Vladimir Putin directly. More than the Iranians, who have their own vested interests in propping Assad up, Vladimir Putin is responsible for the regime's maintaining control of Syria. His ongoing support is a destabilizing factor in the region.



Putin must be made to understand that Assad's control of the Syrian government will no longer be tolerated. His ongoing denials that Assad used chemical warfare against his own people are outright lies. We expect those from Putin. Then again, the Russian president also denies using chemical warfare and murder against his own foes. The ongoing investigation of his attempted murder of a former Russian spy on British soil indicates that, too, is a lie.



Ultimately, it is Putin's responsibility to convince Assad to peacefully vacate his office and leave the country. If he cannot, he and the Russian government need to be held accountable.

Ending Assad's reign of terror is in everyone's best interests. If Mr. Putin refuses to listen to reason and is unwilling to aid in extricating the Syrian president and stabilizing the country, President Trump could exercise other options.



Isolating Syria by way of a naval blockade would be a highly effective, yet relatively benign option. Rendering all Syrian air facilities - military and commercial - totally unusable is one that is not so benign. Pre-emptive strikes on suspected weapons caches and military facilities could be launched. Another destabilizing move might include destruction of Assad's means of command and control of Syrian forces.



Should Putin ignore the world community and maintain his stubborn, unreasonable position, further isolation and more potent economic sanctions against Russia and its oligarchs must be put into place. A more hardened economic stand against Iran must be taken as well, as Syria is also acting as the Iranian government's proxy in the region.



Lastly, the prospect of direct military action against President Assad and his cronies should not be ruled out, although employing such tactics would require international and congressional support.

The world community needs to determine which is more tolerable: a Syrian leader willing to commit acts of genocide against his own countrymen or an aggressive move toward regime change for the greater good of the Syrian people and the Middle East.



While these measures may sound draconian, they are far less so than those employed by Bashar al-Assad in his mission to quash any dissent amongst those Syrians setting out to establish a more democratic society. Personal preservation of one's regime is no excuse for gassing innocent children among others.



Assad is an increasingly dangerous man. With the backing of Iran and Putin as his corner man, he can be instrumental in redrawing the map of the entire Middle East. And not in a good way. His Arab neighbors, as well as the Israeli government, both know this. And they are growing increasingly uneasy with the alliances Assad has forged with like-minded rulers.





The brazen actions of Iran and Russia at the behest of Bashar al-Assad will inevitably cause pain for the leadership and citizens of nations throughout the region and beyond. They cannot be allowed to continue.



Regime change in Syria is inevitable. As President Trump has said, no option should be off the table. Missile strikes, however, are just one part of a larger equation.

Blair Bess is a Los Angeles-based television writer, producer, and columnist. He edits the online blog Soaggragated.com. Readers may email him at BBess.soaggragated@gmail.com. His work appears occasionally on PennLive Opinion.
Philadelphia police arrested Eagles cornerback Daryl Worley around 6 a.m. Sunday morning after they said he became combative with officers, according to a report from NFL.com.

Authorities recovered a gun on the scene in South Philly near the Eagles' facility after using a taser on Worley, Ian Rapoport reported.

Worley, 23, is a Philadelphia native who returned home last month when the Birds acquired him in a trade with the Panthers. The Eagles on Sunday confirmed Worley's arrest and issued a statement that read, "We are in the process of gathering more information about Daryl Worley's arrest this morning."

Rapoport tweeted that Worley was passed out in his vehicle near Broad and Pattison Streets, blocking a highway. That's when police arrived and a confrontation unfolded, according to the report.

The Philadelphia Police Department has not responded to PennLive's requests for more information.

Worley pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge during his college career at West Virginia, and the Panthers decided to move on from the young defensive back after two seasons. Worley is the second Eagles' newcomer to face potential criminal charges this offseason; in March, authorities in Texas charged defensive end Michael Bennett with harming an elderly woman at the 2017 Super Bowl.

The Eagles are scheduled to begin the voluntary portion of their offseason workout program Monday.

We'll provide more information on this incident as it becomes available.

-- @AaronKazreports
It's not too late to register to vote in the May primary.

The deadline for registering is April 16, and the process is easier than ever before with the Online Voter Registration system.

"Voting is the most important way in which we can participate in our democracy," Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres said in a press release today, adding the online system has been used by more than 1 million voters in the state so far and is the best method for registering or updating registration information.

On May 15, those who are registered as Republicans or Democrats will get to choose the two parties' nominees for U.S. senator, governor, lieutenant governor, representatives in congress, half of state senators, all representatives in the General Assembly and some state and county party members.

Torres encouraged voters to use the online system, whether they are updating an existing registration or registering for the first time.

For more information on voter registration, call the Department of State, 1-877-VOTESPA, or visit the department's website.
Monique Richard, an experienced mountain climber who will tackle Mount Logan in May, is seen in a gym Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in Montreal. A Montreal mountaineer will attempt to become the first solo woman to climb Canada's highest mountain in a trek that begins next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
FILE - This Dec. 17, 2017 file photo shows Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) celebrating his interception against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Philadelphia Eagles have released Worley hours after he was arrested. NFL Network reported that Worley was arrested Sunday, April 15, 2018 near the teamAos practice facility and that police used a Taser on him after he became combative. The Eagles traded wide receiver Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers for Worley in March. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
This satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility in Syria on Saturday, April 14, 2018, following a U.S.-led allied missile attack. U.S., French and British warplanes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defenses early Saturday. (Satellite Image A2018 DigitalGlobe via AP) THE DIGITALGLOBE WATERMARK MAY NOT BE REMOVED
Im fine with it, we need the revenue and it will encourage cycling/public transit

Hate it, its too tough on local business/too confusing

I dont like it, but its probably necessary

Vote

View Results
Opinion





HFI Research:The oil bull thesis is just getting started bulls-oil.eu



With WTI at multi-year highs, the real oil bull thesis is just getting started. If there's one commonality you will find in our oil market dailies in the last 18 months, it's that we, HFI Research, have been one of the loudest oil bulls in the market. Thankfully, with WTI hitting a multiyear high, our voice has resonated with readers and those who take a more logical approach to the market. But if our bullishness wasn't backed up with hard data, readers could easily dismiss our arguments as to why oil prices will rise. That's why in the latest IEA oil market report, our test for Q1 2018 played out exactly as we thought it would. Source: IEA, created by Giovanni Staunovo In IEA's latest OMR report , the energy agency noted that OECD storage is now just 30 million bbls above the five-year average in February. Source: IEA Preliminary March results also saw OECD storage draw, with the U.S. representing the entirety of the draw while Japan and Europe saw builds. As a result, IEA says that by May 2018, OECD storage will fall to the five-year level or below it. IEA's latest storage balance now shows consistent draws for all four quarters in 2018. Source: IEA But for our subscribers and any readers of our articles, this report from the IEA was the equivalent of watching paint dry. The estimates for Q1 2018 storage were so blatantly off by the end of 2017 that we wrote two articles addressing the flawed thinking. In the first article, " IEA Is Underestimating The Potential Storage Deficit In 2018 ," we said: The 2018 balance will be very obvious by the first three months of 2018. Historically, we see large global storage builds take place as refineries go into their typical maintenance season. But with the balance tightening as we head into the end of 2017, will Q1 2018 surprise to the upside showing materially less build than the average or even a draw? Yes, we think so. It won't be long before we see the consensus catch up to what we see happening at the start of 2018. We then followed up with our favorite piece, " Sentiment Setup: How Will The Oil Rally Play Out In 2018? " In it, we outlined our thinking in these four quarterly projections with Q1 as follows: Q1 2018: Consensus is bearish heading into Q1 2018, anticipating big global storage builds only to see a draw. This sudden sentiment flip will prompt underweighted portfolio managers to buy up energy stocks in a hurry. Again, coming into 2018 - for one reason or another -- we could not understand the logic behind IEA and the sell-side analysts' assumptions for big storage builds in Q1. Every data point we looked at pointed to the opposite direction. If everyone said 1+1 equaled 11, would you believe them or do your own work? Yet, that's how the market analyzed the oil fundamentals for the last 16 months. We still remember the number of articles addressing how OPEC would cheat on the production cut agreement, or how the deal was fake. Yet, the average compliance OPEC's production cut since January 2017 has averaged above 100% . If you can't accept facts, then perhaps you shouldn't be in the business of oil market analysis. But now that WTI is at a new multiyear high, and Brent is solidly above $70/bbl, if you think the oil rally is over, you are mistaken. It's just getting started. It's only getting started - you haven't seen the good stuff yet For the last two years, we have hammered away at a few important points that are still yet widely understood by the markets. Our favorite one continues to be an article we wrote titled, " Keep Your Eyes On Shale, We Will Just Watch The Rodney Dangerfield Barrels Fall ." Every analyst you talk to today whether about how oil market fundamentals will be in 2018 or how they will be in 2019 will start with something along the lines of: U.S. Shale

OPEC cut agreement

Geopolitics Rarely will you see analysts bring up the consistently disappointing production results out of Mexico, Brazil, Norway, China, Angola, Algeria, Colombia, or any other non-OPEC ex-U.S., Russian and Canadian oil producers. It's all about U.S. shale today, and this is the hottest topic everyone should discuss. Every sell-side analyst spends hundreds of research hours devouring over how Permian well X produced this much oil on IP 30, or how this producer is going to increase productivity. Yet, if just only a fraction of these analyst hours were spent on the other ~35 million b/d of global oil supplies, they would see how truly disastrous the upstream capex landscape looks like today. Take Brazil, for example, a supposed supply growth engine for 2018. On January 2017, this was IEA's forecast for Brazil's oil production growth by the end of 2017: IEA January 2017 forecast Source: IEA This is where it really ended 2017: Source: IEA If the lines are hard to discern, December 2017 oil production supposedly finishing around ~2.9 million b/d ended up finishing the year at ~2.7 million b/d. No big deal right? It's only 200k b/d. But when you take Brazil's historical track record of consistently disappointing annual growth guidance, you start realizing that something strange might be occurring instead. Source: BCA Research But again, this shouldn't be anything new to anyone that follows the oil markets closely. We wrote about this here as well . With global oil storage expected to soon fall into a deficit by the second half of 2018, people will have to start caring about the stuff they didn't care about before. Sure, focusing on U.S. shale might score investment fees for their banks, but if non-OPEC ex-U.S., Russia and Canada keep disappointing, an impending supply shortage will be the hottest discussion on Wall Street. And it's not just Brazil where we're seeing the production disappointments happening, it's every country inside what we would call the "Rodney Dangerfield club" (oil supplies that "get no respect"). It won't just be disappointing supplies - higher than expected demand will help push us into deficit too For 2018, the thesis gets a second tailwind not just from impending supply disappointments, but a demand surprise as well. We have written repeatedly that IEA's current demand forecast of ~1.5 million b/d will be far too low. We start off with the fact that 2017 base oil demand of ~97.8 million b/d is too low, because instead of counting the storage declines as a result of higher demand than supplies, IEA bundles it in the so-called "miscellaneous storage." If you did the work and removed the misc storage segment, base oil demand for 2017 was ~98 million b/d, or some 200k b/d higher than IEA's figures. This, if taken at face value, already shows demand to be understated. Once IEA revises base demand higher for 2017, it will inadvertently have to revise 2018 oil demand higher as well if the same ~1.5 million b/d y-o-y delta is kept. In addition, the 1.5 million b/d demand growth is also low because it does not take into account that 2017 saw India's demand growth stall due to a liquidity crunch. And judging by the counter-seasonal OECD storage draw in Q1 2018, we think demand has further surprised to the upside already. What we see going forward The writing is already on the wall for 2018. Q1 2018, the supposedly super bearish quarter, showed a global oil storage draw vs. the build that everyone expected. And because Q1's seasonally storage build normally helps cushion the storage declines in the next three quarters, the oil deficit will only worsen as we enter the second half of 2018. OPEC has already started to shift its target for a "rebalanced market" from one that's storage-driven to one that's capex-driven. Again, we make the point that OPEC's production cut is not a cut whatsoever, but a mere pullback from max capacity. As a result, you will see historic offenders of OPEC production cut agreements like Iraq and Iran comfortably agreeing to another cut extension even as global oil storage falls into deficit. And even while all of the fundamentals are screaming bullish, market participants think the recent rally is related to geopolitical risks as opposed to actual fundamentals. In fact, if you look at recent sell-side price forecasts, most are expecting prices to fall: JPMorgan analyst Christyan Malek even went on to say that "$70 is as good as it's going to get." This is why we also have a new thesis for the second half of 2018, which is that Saudi will purposely lower crude exports more to further magnify the oil deficit. The logic is that market participants are reactive, and most won't believe higher oil prices until they see higher oil prices. Price is in itself a great reflexive feedback loop, and as sentiment usually goes, higher prices will force people to realize higher prices are here to stay. We explained our logic on why that will be the case in this article . The goal of higher oil prices will go toward accomplishing something that has befuddled market participants for the last 16 months, which is that energy stocks have severely diverged from oil prices . Once market participants get hit by this reflexive feedback loop of higher oil prices leading to higher oil price assumptions, investors will then underwrite energy stocks with higher oil prices. This will lead energy stocks that have been cast aside and neglected for the last two years to become the leading performing sector in the market, something most investors can't even contemplate today. In our view, we believe WTI has upside to $85/bbl this year purely on fundamentals . The severity of the forecast storage draws by the second half of 2018 will shock and awe market participants. This will come at a time when U.S. shale will be growing production, and the market participants will find it puzzling that storage can keep trending down at such a rapid pace despite higher supplies. This, alongside higher than expected oil demand growth and disappointing production out of the "Rodney Dangerfield Club," will help sway sentiment away from the "lower for longer" to the "higher for longer" crowd. As always, IEA, sell-side analysts and the media will be late to this party.

Hit your target - Advertise with us HFI Research specializes in contrarian investment analysis. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views. Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by Seeking Alpha , 04/13/2018. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Petroleumworld and its owners.





Link to original article. All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld. All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld. Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by theoriginator.Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.



If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.



We welcome the use of Petroleumworld stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors.Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! Petroleumworld News 04/16/18 We invite all our readers to share with us

their views and comments about this article. Follow us in : twitter / Facebook

Send this story to a friend Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW

to publish your comments on our letters page.



Any question or suggestions,

please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95,

'98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8 +/ 800x600 pixels


Robin Wright: Trump strikes Syria over chemical weapons





Tom Bachtell





The military strike on Syria could have a ripple effect on President Trump's standing,

both abroad and at home, but it is unlikely to have an enduring impact on the Syrian civil w ar.





On Friday, the United States and its allies Britain and France unleashed a long-awaited strike on Syria, with goals that exceeded punishment for Syria's use of chemical weapons against civilians in the besieged rebel enclave of Douma. In an address to the nation, Trump also sent a tough message to Russia and Iran, the two governments that have provided the air and ground power that have allowed Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad, to regain control of most of Syria in the past year. What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murderer of innocent men, women, and children? the President said. Nations can be judged by the friends they keep. He called Assad's use of chemical weapons not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead.

The Pentagon identified three Syrian targetsa research-and-development facility in the Damascus area and two facilities near Homs, including a command post and a storage facility for chemical weapons and their precursors. It said the targets were selected to minimize the risk to Syrian civilians. Defense Secretary James Mattis called the operation a one-time shot that was aimed at sending a strong message to Assad and his murderous lieutenants. But the Pentagon also said that it reserved the right to undertake further operations if Syria deploys chemical weapons again. Mattis called Syria's repeated use of chemical weapons atrocities that violate all norms of civilized behavior. It is time for all civilized nations to end the Syrian civil war by backing the U.N. peace process, he told reporters.

In his address, the President vowed that the United States and its allies are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. Ending the use of chemical weapons is a vital national-security interest of the United States, he said. Syria has used weaponized toxic poisons at least fifty times during the seven-year war, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, charged on Friday.

Trump specifically blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for failing to keep Russia's promise, in 2013, to eliminate Syria's stockpile. Moscow, Trump said, must decide whether to continue down this path of aiding and abetting the Assad regime, or to join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace. Hopefully, someday, we'll get along with Russia, and maybe even Iranbut maybe not.

In the official assessment of Syria's chemical-weapons program, the White House charged that the Assad regime threatens to desensitize the world to their use and proliferation, weaken prohibitions against their use, and increase the likelihood that additional states will acquire and use these weapons. It said Russia had not only shielded the Assad regime from accountability for its chemical weapons but had also used its own nerve agent in an attempted assassination in the United Kingdom last month, showing an uncommonly brazen disregard for the taboo against chemical weapons.

In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the joint military operation is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties. Syria and its supporters had given the West no practicable alternative, other than the use of force, to prevent the further use of chemical weapons by Syria, she said. She added that the operation will also send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity.

Social-media users in Syria posted photos and videos of flashes that appeared to be detonations. In Damascus, Syrian state television broke into late-night programming to report that its defense forces had just begun a counteroffensive against America, French and British aggression and had shot down thirteen U.S. Tomahawk missiles. The Pentagon said it would not have an assessment until Saturday, but acknowledged that Syria fired surface-to-air missiles in response to the strikes. Mattis warned that he expected a disinformation campaign by Syria and its allies.

The strike immediately heightened tensions beyond the Middle East, most notably between Washington and Moscow. Even before the onslaught, a growing new Cold War threatened to become a hot one when Russia warned that it would shoot down any missiles fired at Syriaand counterattack the sites from which they were fired. The missiles will be downed and even the sources from which the missiles were fired, Alexander Zasypkin, the Kremlin's ambassador to Lebanon, had boasted, earlier this week. But Russia appears not to have engaged in an immediate counterstrike.

The joint U.S.-British-French operation sent Russia the third message in recent weeks about its growing political and military intervention across the world. Putin has long been Syria's most important ally. He has propped up Assad with arms and airpowerand has protected him with Russia's veto power at the United Nations.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed the reports of a Syrian government chemical-weapons attack in Douma, a besieged suburb of Damascus held by rebels, as a hoax. More than forty were reportedly killed, and hundreds were injured. Russia claimed that its military representatives visiting Douma found no traces of toxic agents. On Friday, the Pentagon countered that it had evidence of Assad's military deploying chlorine and possibly a sarin nerve agent in Douma last Saturday. Assad uses chemical weapons in a manner to maximize suffering, such as against families huddled in underground shelters, as was seen in Doumaa population that was already negotiating for surrender and evacuation, the White House assessment stated.

The operation also displayed Western unity at a time when several cracks have emerged in the transatlantic alliance. It followed a week of intense negotiations among Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the British Prime Minister. It is the second time in the past month that Western nations have taken decisive action together. The other was the joint expulsion of Russian intelligence officers to retaliate for the attempted assassination of a former Russian spy, in which chemical weapons were used.

For Trump, the military strike on Syria could have a rippling impact on his standing, both abroad and at home. It showed resolve in advance of his summit with Kim Jong Un on North Korea's arsenal, which includes at least twenty nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles capable of hitting anywhere in the United States. The summitpitting a real-estate developer with little foreign-policy experience against a dictator whose family has held power for seven decadesis tentatively scheduled for May or early June. The Syria strike displayed the President's willingness to resort to force when diplomacy fails.

It could also boost the President's approval rating. Trump's popularity jumped to forty-three percentand his disapproval rating droppedafter his first air strike on Syria, in April of 2017. Fifty-seven per cent of Americans approved of the operation, in which fifty-nine cruise missiles were fired on a largely abandoned airfield used by Syrian warplanes that had dropped sarin gas on the northern town of Khan Sheikhoun, killing dozens. (Sarin, one of the world's deadliest chemical weapons, was first developed by the Nazis.) The 2017 air strike won wide support among Republicans in Congress who had balked at authorizing the use of force after President Obama drew a red line on Syria's use of chemical weapons in 2013.

At least temporarily, the strike also diverts domestic attention from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, which has gotten increasingly close to the President's inner circle. On Monday, the F.B.I. seized documents from Michael Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer, reportedly including financial records related to payments to silence two women who claimed to have had adulterous affairs with the President.

Yet the impact of the U.S.-led strike will be limited in the long term, and the attack contradicts Trump's long-stated aversion to getting entangled in foreign wars. It is unlikely to have enduring impact on the outcome of the Syrian civil war, which is now in its eighth year. The Assad regime has consolidated control over most of the country and all its major cities. Last week, Trump ordered his generals to withdraw the two thousand U.S. forces currently in Syria within the next four to six months. Pulling out American troopswho have been advising the rebel Syrian Democratic Forces in the campaign to defeat isis will limit U.S. influence on the ground and on Syria's political future.



Hit your target - Advertise with us

Robin Wright, An award winning journalist is a former correspondent for the Washington Post, CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, and the Sunday Times of London, she has reported from more than a hundred and forty countries. Has been a contributing writer to The New Yorker since 1988. She is the author of  Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World . Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views.

Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by The New Yorker on April 13, 2018. (dbiller1@bloomberg.net) Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Petroleumworld and its owners.



Original article

All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld.

All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld.

Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by theoriginator.Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.



If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated.Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.



We welcome the use of Petroleumworld stories by anyone provided it ] mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors.Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated.

Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us!

Petroleumworld News 04/16/2018
ISSUES....

Inside, confidential and off the record





False News

dailymail





Russia warns "cannot exclude the possibility" of war with United States

The danger of good news versus fake news can be seen in news story below:

Russia Warns "Cannot Exclude The Possibility" Of War With United States

Tyler Durden Thu, 04/12/2018 - 16:11 492 SHARES Twitter Facebook Reddit

Update: After a brief meeting, the UK cabinet has backed military action against the Syrian government. They're attacking to alleviate "humanitarian distress" and to further deter the use of chemical weapons by Assad, according to a statement.

* * *

Shortly after CNBC reported that the US is planning to strike 8 targets in Syria, including two airfields, a research center and a chemical weapons facility, after US officials told a reporter they were "fairly confident" the Syrian regime had been behind a gas attack in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus, Sky News reported - citing Russian officials - that the Russian military would protect its people on the ground in Syria if missile strikes are launched by the US and its allies.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said the current situation is a "test for each and every country in the world to protect its people on the ground."

"Russia should protect its people on the ground of course...we came to Syria at the invitation of the people," Zakharova told Sky News Presenter Dermot Murnaghan in Moscow.

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo intimated during his confirmation that hundreds of Russian mercenaries had been killed by airstrikes during a clash on Feb. 7. Media reports said the US would give Russia fair warning of the sites it plans to attack.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador at the United Nations, said he unfortunately "cannot exclude any possibilities" when asked about the danger of war between the US and Russia.



On this last bit of news Dennis Garthman of The Garthmann Letter reminded us that this last paragraph is fake news: Vitaly Churkin died a bit more than a year ago; February 20th to be precise while serving as Russias Ambassador to the UN; at least the Twitter and Face Book reports got that last bit of news correct!



Petroleumworld/ April 16, 2018





Hit your target - Advertise with us





Original article

ISSUES.... 04/ 16/ 2018 - Send Us Your Issues



Inside, confidential and off the record



Is an independent journalist effort from Petroleumworld, on Inside, Confidential and Off The Record Information, the views are not necessarily those of Petroleumworld
Lagniappe



Alfonso Serrano : China fills Trump's

empty seat at Latin America Summit While the United States has been retreating from its southern

neighbors for years, Mr. Trump has added outright hostility to neglect. Vice President Mike Pence may be taking President Trump's place at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, on Friday, but the vacuum left by the United States' steady retreat from the region was filled, much earlier, by China. Latin America is now the second-largest destination for Chinese investment , after Asia. China is the top trading partner for three of Latin America's biggest economies: Brazil, Chile and Peru. Chinese influence is evident throughout the region, from highway construction in Ecuador to port projects in Panama and a planned fiber optic cable running from Chile to China. China's soft power is perhaps most visible at the southern edge of Argentina, in Santa Cruz province. This pristine Patagonian terrain, home to glacial lakes and one of Argentina's last free-flowing rivers, has also become home to bulldozers and cranes made by Shantui, the Chinese construction giant. The machines are excavating the area around the Santa Cruz River to build two hydroelectric dams, financed by $4.7 billion from the China Development Bank and built by China Gezhouba Group with partners from Argentina. When completed, the dams will flood roughly 116,000 acres, generating 5 percent of the country's energy needs and an estimated 5,000 local jobs. The Santa Cruz project is just one of the $141 billion in loan commitments China made to Latin America from 2005 to 2016. China's lending now surpasses lending from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. But China, unlike those agencies, isn't putting short-term conditions on those loans or pushing for austerity measures. Instead, its interest in Latin America is part of a long strategic game, an effort to assert its influence around the world, quench its need for raw materials and control the flow of global trade through Chinese-funded transportation hubs. While the United States has been retreating from its southern neighbors for years, Mr. Trump has added outright hostility to neglect. Five months after taking office, he reversed Barack Obama's historic overtures to Cuba and stifled United States business ties with the country, a move perceived as potentially devastating for the island's private sector. Threats to blow up Nafta, cut aid to Honduras and Colombia, and militarize the United States border with Mexico have underscored Mr. Trump's contempt. The message is not lost on Latin America, and it is much louder than anything Mr. Pence may say in Lima, where he is expected to argue that the United States, not China, is Latin America's preferred trading partner. He may also announce some progress on a renegotiated Nafta. United States influence in the region lingers, of course. The United States remains Latin America's largest trading partner. Despite the pivot to China, certain countries have resisted its dominion, wary of China's thirst for raw materials and its lax environmental standards. President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, breaking from his predecessor, has sought warmer ties with the West. And however strong Mr. Trump's xenophobic rhetoric may be, Latin America is intimately tied to the United States by immigration. Remittances from the states to the region amounted to $74 billion in 2016, a 7.4 percent increase from the previous year. It's not too late for Mr. Pence to quietly strengthen those ties. He could listen to the concerns of pro-business leaders, such as Mr. Macri and President Sebastian Pinera of Chile, who may ask for a return to more open trade policies. He can put something concrete behind Mr. Trump's apparent willingness to re-enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement that includes three Latin American countries and serves as a countermeasure to China. He could signal the administration's openness to ending the ban on American business transactions with the government-led group that oversees the Cuban economy. That policy, criticized even by Republicans , is likely to harm average Cubans more than the inner circle of Cuban leadership. This is a good moment for a few friendly gestures. Some of China's splashiest megaprojects, including a transcontinental railway from Brazil to Peru, a high-speed railway in Mexico and an interoceanic canal project in Nicaragua, have run into trouble. Germany has already emerged as a potential investor in the stalled Brazil-Peru railway. Meanwhile, Chinese firms have begun to expand into sectors other than natural resources and transportation, particularly into energy infrastructure projects in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador, as China makes good on Xi Jinping's pledge to deliver $250 billion in direct investment and $500 billon in bilateral trade by 2025. Mr. Xi has backed that lofty promise by visiting Latin America three times in his first three years in office. The Chinese president doesn't have a seat at the table for the Summit of the Americas, but he doesn't really need one.



Hit your target - Advertise with us Alfonso Serrano is an independent journalist who writes frequently about Latin America . Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views. Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) , 04/03/2018. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Petroleumworld and its owners. Link to original article. All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld and are expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld. Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by theoriginator. Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.



If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated.Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.



We welcome the use of Petroleumworld stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! Petroleumworld News 04/09/18 We invite all our readers to share with us

their views and comments about this article. Follow us in : twitter / Facebook

Send this story to a friend Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW

to publish your comments on our letters page.



Any question or suggestions,

please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95,

'98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8 +/ 800x600 pixels


Warning: May contain traces of soy, wheat, lecithin and tree nuts. That you are here

strongly suggests that you are either omnivorous, or a glutton.

And that you might like cheese-doodles.

Please form a caseophilic line to the right. Thank you.
Trader Michael Milano, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Fewer public companies, at a glace, appears to be a problem, but not if you look at the numbers. Read more

The people who supervise the U.S. stock market are grappling with what they see as a troubling trend: One of the great innovations of Western capitalism  the public company  appears to be losing ground.

Before deciding what to do, they should first ask whether this is a problem at all.

Since the creation of the Dutch East India Co. in 1602, the public company has been a central fixture of the global economy. It enables enterprises to raise money from the broadest possible group of investors. It allows just about anyone  from hedge-fund magnates to regular folk  to take a stake in what could be the next Apple Inc., or gain a say in how some of the world's biggest businesses are run. As such, it brought a measure of democracy to the corporate world.

Lately, though, the universe of such companies has been shrinking in the United States. New businesses have been offering shares to the public at less than half the rate of the 1980s and 1990s. About 3,600 firms were listed on U.S. stock exchanges at the end of 2017, down more than half from 1997.

Why has this happened? Some blame regulation  notably, the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, designed to counteract the accounting frauds of the 1990s, which added to the reporting and liability burdens imposed on public company managers. (The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an industry lobbying group, has made rolling back regulation a priority for this year.)

Yet that can't be the whole story. The decline began in the late 1990s, well before Sarbanes-Oxley. Much of the earlier shift was probably payback for the abundance of poorly conceived companies that came to market in that exuberant decade. (Remember Pets.com?)

So fewer public companies isn't necessarily bad. Measured another way, moreover, the public company is far from dead: Though they've decreased in number, such firms have grown in size. Their total market value, as a percent of gross domestic product, is close to the peak reached in 1999.

Granted, size might be an issue in itself. Fewer, bigger companies could reflect an unhealthy degree of industry concentration. Again, though, it's dangerous to generalize: In many cases, concentration could be benign  a natural outcome of technological innovation and globalization, which have allowed the most productive and profitable companies to dominate. Where lack of competition is a problem, it's best addressed case by case through antitrust policy, as the Justice Department is seeking to do in the media sector.

Whatever the cause  ill-judged regulation, the drive to accrue market power, other factors altogether  the shifting pattern of corporate form raises big questions. Are the traditional purposes of public ownership under threat? Are businesses being deprived of capital? Are people being excluded from attractive investment opportunities? Do shareholders still have a say in how companies are run? Consider each in turn.

First, access to capital. Once upon a time, selling shares to the public was an important way for companies to raise money  and for early investors to cash out. That's no longer the case. Companies such as Uber and Airbnb can attract tens of billions of dollars while remaining private. And venture-capital firms increasingly sell their holdings directly to existing public companies, which have the global reach needed to expand young businesses quickly (think Facebook buying WhatsApp). As of 2017, just 15 percent of venture-capital exits involved initial public offerings.

Does this mean regular investors are missing out? Not really. For one, they can invest through mutual funds or the shares of the companies doing the acquisitions  an approach with a better risk-reward profile than making a bet on a single unproven business. Beyond that, an average Joe in an index fund can get returns pretty similar to what investors in private companies do. Adjusted for risk, private-equity investments of recent vintage have actually lagged public markets.

What about governance? Control of private companies falls into fewer hands, but that's also true of some public companies with dual-class share arrangements. In both public and private markets, the biggest shareholders include institutions  such as mutual and pension funds  that represent broad swathes of the investing public. The most important difference is disclosure: Public companies provide a lot more financial information, valuable in assessing both their performance and that of the broader economy.

So what should regulators and Congress do? There are ways to reduce the burden of being public without impairing the benefits. Discouraging companies from using boilerplate legalese in regulatory filings, for example, would cut busy work and help investors. Elsewhere, "do no harm" is good advice. A case in point: Last year's hastily passed tax reform limited the deductibility of executive pay at public companies to $1 million  a needless tax on going public that legislators ought to reconsider.

Lightening disclosure requirements to encourage more public offerings would be counterproductive. Transparency is good for investors, makes U.S. markets more attractive, and lowers the cost of capital for companies. The experience of Regulation A+, an effort to ease requirements for early-stage companies under the 2012 JOBS Act, suggests that the existing rules weren't excessive: The companies it helped to go public have performed dismally.

Jay Clayton, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, has called the seeming decline of the public company "a serious issue for our markets and the country." So far, nonetheless, he has trodden lightly  and that's wise. Tweaks such as allowing pre-IPO companies to file draft documents confidentially, and possibly "test the waters" by holding private talks with investors, pose little risk. But it would be a mistake to go further. The public company is not as imperiled as the numbers suggest, and the market for capital isn't broken.

The U.S. has long been the world leader in defining what a public company should be. Reviving that model by undermining what makes it so valuable would serve no purpose.
Originally a police station, this building at 19th and Oxford earned its place in history after the Rev. Leon Sullivan established one of the first black-run job training centers there. Read more

There is a certain poetic justice when a building designed to incarcerate people is turned into venue for liberation. The handsome Colonial Revival structure at 19th and Oxford in North Philadelphia has undergone that transformation twice in its existence.

The brick-and-stone building started life around 1910 as a police station and jail. Fittingly for a civic building devoted to keeping the peace, its symmetrical design and heavy masonry construction projected an image of strength and solidity.

The choice of the Colonial Revival style was probably no accident, either. After the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, which was held in Fairmount Park, the architecture of America's founding period came back into fashion, partly as a way of asserting a strong national identity during a period when foreign immigrants were pouring into the country. While clearly a 20th-century design, the arched windows in the center portal, meaty keystones over the windows, and the dentil molding below the roof are all lifted directly from early-American architecture. Only the lacy, wrought-iron window grilles on the second floor seem to betray a slight nostalgia for the 19th-century's more ornate, Victorian style.

As nice as the composition is, the building didn't earn its place in history until 1964, when the Rev. Leon Sullivan, the progressive pastor of Zion Baptist Church, acquired the complex and established one of the first black-run job-training programs. By then, the Police Department's 22nd Precinct had moved to a modern building at 17th and Montgomery. Empty and dark, the old Colonial Revival structure was seen as an emblem of urban decay.

Sullivan's innovative training and education center, the Opportunities Industrialization Center, or OIC, turned the police station into a community anchor where people could turn their lives around. Some 5,000 people attended the opening ceremony. The center was filled day and night with students eager to master skills that would enable them to get jobs in North Philadelphia factories. Sullivan was already famous for leading a boycott to force the city's employers to hire black workers, and he was a strong believer in self-help and self-education. OIC's motto was "Helping People Help Themselves." But the OIC also went beyond vocational skills, offering classes in reading, mathematics, and African American history.

As the OIC grew into a national operation, the Philadelphia center outgrew the space. The organization eventually moved to Broad and Thompson, where Sullivan had constructed a suburban-style modernist office building.

It's not clear how the former police station was used after the move, but the building was empty when Sultan Ahmad spotted it in 2000. Ahmad, who once ran the Philadelphia Parking Authority, needed a new home for his own education and community center, named in honor of his son, Sultan Jihad Ahmad, who was murdered in 1992. It took almost 15 years to get the city to give him the building, but he finally obtained title in 2014.

Since then, his organization has been meticulously renovating the exterior with a state grant. Renovation of the first floor is now complete, and he said the foundation would begin hosting after-school programs and GED classes this spring. While the second and third floors are still under construction, the basement has been cleared out for a catering kitchen. That's also where the old jail cells are. They make perfect storage closets for the training center.
Msgr. Joseph McLoone at the 2013 dedication of a new church building at St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown. Read more

Seven years ago, Msgr. Joseph McLoone was dispatched to Downingtown with a tall task: to try to stabilize St. Joseph Parish, a Catholic community left shell-shocked after its pastor was charged with protecting priests who preyed on children across the region.

In time, McLoone, a Philadelphia native, proved to be a popular figure at the church, which, with about 4,700 families, is among the largest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

But this weekend, St. Joseph parishioners learned that his tenure had come to a shocking end. The archdiocese announced that McLoone, 55, had resigned  less than two months after he went on an indefinite leave of absence  amid an investigation into financial improprieties and inappropriate "relationships with adults" that violated archdiocesan standards.

Ken Gavin, the archdiocese's spokesman, said that in 2011, McLoone allegedly set up an off-the-books bank account in the parish's name that only he could access. More than $110,000 worth of donations and "other revenue generated by the parish" was funneled into the account, although the archdiocese doesn't believe the money came from Sunday collections, or school and tuition fees, he said.

Some of the transactions from the secret account appeared to be linked to normal parish expenses, Gavin said. Others clearly weren't.

McLoone told archdiocesan officials that he spent approximately $1,500 on "personal expenses of an inappropriate nature," according to Gavin. "Those expenses were related to relationships with adults that represent a violation of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries established by the archdiocese."

His statement did not elaborate on the nature of the relationships, except to say none involved members of the parish or children. The archdiocese standards, intact for at least 15 years, outline conduct expectations for priests, deacons, administrators, staff, and even volunteers, on matters ranging from harassment and sexual misconduct to contact with children, gambling, and the use of email and other technology.

In February, the archdiocese froze the account that McLoone secretly maintained. At least $50,000 worth of expenses and ATM withdrawals still need to be explained, Gavin said, and the archdiocese will seek restitution for any transactions that were inappropriate. He also said the ongoing review could also include referring the matter to law enforcement.

McLoone could not be reached for comment Sunday. In an emailed statement, his brother, Pat McLoone, a managing editor at the Inquirer and Daily News said: "My family and I love our brother and just hope he is given a chance to defend himself. Other than that, we have no comment."

With more than 250 parishes spread across the five-county region, the Philadelphia archdiocese has endured its share of investigations and clouds. McLoone's departure is notable in part because the parish is one of the largest and more affluent, and his arrival there was intended to bring calm after one of the church's most turbulent stretches.

McLoone had served at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester, Delaware County, when he was tapped in 2011 to replace Msgr. William Lynn, who stepped down as pastor after a Philadelphia grand jury investigation ended with him as the first church administrator nationwide to be charged with ignoring or covering up pedophile priests.

Lynn, who before coming to St. Joseph had spent a dozen years as the archdiocese's secretary for clergy, was convicted in 2012 on conspiracy and child endangerment charges. That conviction was overturned in 2015, but he is expected to face a retrial.

Prior to arriving at St. Joseph, McLoone spoke about the turmoil its parishioners were experiencing over Lynn's arrest. "I do think it's a very hard time for them because their pastor, it's a person they know and loved," he said. "I'm sure they will have conflicting emotions."

On Sunday, some were confronting a new turmoil.

"I just feel like now as a parish we really need to unite as a community," Chrissy Bannon said after attending the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph. "I feel like this is just another wound so many people are feeling."

Some curious parishioners began raising questions about McLoone's absence more than a month ago on Catholics4Change.com, an independent accountability forum. "There were rampant rumors of financial problems," said Kathy Kane, one of the website's editors.

Kane said she contacted the archdiocese and was told that McLoone wasn't under criminal investigation, but that a financial review was simply being conducted for the benefit of Msgr. Thomas Dunleavy, who replaced McLoone this year on an interim basis. But rumors of deeper problems persisted and she said she urged the archdiocese to address the matter with parishioners.

Dunleavy shared the archdiocese's statement on his departure at Masses this weekend. But someone apparently beat the archdiocese to the punch; an anonymously written flier speculating on the reasons behind his absence was inserted into some copies of the parish bulletin, and later shared online.

During the late-afternoon liturgy on Sunday, Dunleavy told the congregation of about 200 that the fliers were neither official nor accurate.

McLoone's photo and biographical information have since been removed from the parish's website. As of Sunday afternoon there was no mention of the controversy on the church's Facebook page, which still features words of praise for McLoone from several visitors, one of whom described the pastor as a "great guy" in 2015.

The church bulletin also offered no clues, though it did note it was "Commitment Weekend," and urged supporters to pledge for a parish fund-raising campaign that has already collected $1.2 million.

Among those who trickled out after Mass on Sunday evening, the news of the pastor's resignation stirred conflicting emotions.

"You can't understand how many people enjoyed [McLoone]. The man, not the sin part of the man, but the man," said Mark Michaels, 54, a parishioner who lives in Downingtown.

Michaels said McLoone was known for using comedy to help people understand faith. He and others struggled to reconcile their sunny memories of McLoone with the troubling allegations.

"We can't control what happened," said Michaels, whose children graduated from St. Joseph School. "[McLoone] has to deal with that on his own."

Chrissy Bannon, 38, who said she drives 25 minutes from Morgantown every week to attend Mass at St. Joseph, called the church "an amazing parish" that had overcome so much  and would continue to thrive.

"This does not define who we are as a community," she said. "We're stronger than this and we can get through this."
John Dougherty is the leader of Philadelphias electricians union, whose political action committee raised more money in 2017 than in any previous year. Read more

When the Pennsylvania Supreme Court redrew the state's congressional district map this year, progressives and good-government groups hailed the ruling as a crucial win for democracy in the fight against partisan gerrymandering.

Constitutional scholars can debate the merits of that decision, which withstood appeals, but one thing about the coup is clear: It would not have happened without the 2015 takeover of the high court by Democrats.

Which is another way of saying: It couldn't have happened without the powerful, colorful, and feared Philadelphia labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, whose support was crucial to electing three Democratic justices, including his brother Kevin.

That Dougherty  whose home and union buildings were raided by federal agents in the summer of 2016  would be key to a liberal cause that could help flip the U.S. House underscores his enduring political influence, even under the cloud of a criminal investigation.

In an interview, Dougherty said he saw the Pennsylvania high court as vital for organized labor as he watched Republican legislatures in several states chip away at unions' ability to organize, abetted by the courts.

"These decisions are decisions that could change our whole world in one moment," he said, talking in his characteristic fast-paced staccato and peppering every other sentence with "OK?"

Now, in the nation's high-stakes midterm elections, Dougherty is also working to cement power: He is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into Gov. Wolf's reelection campaign, attempting to send a close ally to Congress, and trying to put favored candidates in key Philadelphia state House seats.

Next year, a longtime friend, Mayor Kenney, is likely to seek Dougherty's help in his 2019 reelection bid. Meanwhile, Dougherty's Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers continues to have connections to just about every corner of city government.

And yet everything Dougherty has built could come crashing down, depending on the outcome of an FBI investigation of the electricians union and its leader.

Court filings indicate that authorities are interested in everything from Local 98's prolific political giving and the network it has built across all levels of government to allegations of work-site intimidation and the misspending of funds meant to foster union jobs. As recently as February, a federal grand jury was hearing witness testimony in the probe, according to sources.

Indictments could imperil Dougherty's allies, sap the mayor's political capital, and reshape organized labor in one of the last remaining cities in the country where unions are a powerful force.

They could take out one of the last old-school political bosses in America  a person who some call the most powerful man in Philadelphia.

Or Dougherty could emerge unscathed, as he has before.

*

When federal agents tore apart Dougherty's house and union properties, some thought that he would take a step back from politics  or that elected officials might take a step back from him.

If this were another town, and Dougherty were another labor leader, perhaps that would have happened. But this is Philly, and this is Doc, a man whose union's deep pockets have helped elect governors, congressmen, mayors, judges, state lawmakers, and Council members throughout Pennsylvania.

In fact, Local 98's political action committee raised more money in 2017 than in any previous year: $6.5 million. This is a union that was already deemed the single biggest independent source of campaign funding in Pennsylvania four years ago.

The beneficiaries of Dougherty's uninterrupted spending spree include numerous Democratic incumbents up for reelection this year, including U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, four state senators, and more than a dozen state representatives. Dougherty's union has also continued to funnel money to the vast majority of Philadelphia's 17 Council members.

One of the biggest recipients of Dougherty's continued largesse is Wolf, whose 2018 reelection campaign is seen as a must-win for Democrats. IBEW Local 98 has donated $260,000 to Wolf's bid, while also providing him with manpower behind the scenes  something Dougherty talks about in his typical braggadocious way.

"Local 98 and the political operation did about 14,000 signatures for Tom Wolf," said Dougherty. That's a whopping 35 percent of the names Wolf submitted to get on the May 15 ballot.

Dougherty isn't merely trying in 2018 to protect his allies already in office. He also wants to put his confidants in open seats. At the top of that list is Rich Lazer, a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. Dougherty launched an independent expenditure committee for Lazer in March called "Middle Class PAC," which can spend unlimited money to support him. Local 98 has contributed $200,000 to the group.

"I want working-class people to have the same tools that the rich people have," said Dougherty, explaining why he has financed super PACs.

Lazer, who spent almost all of his career working for Kenney, was employed as a consultant to Local 98 in 2015. Lazer's wife is a secretary at 98.

*

Elected officials happily accept Dougherty's financial support. But any charges stemming from the long-running federal investigation into his union would threaten to wound Dougherty's political allies. Public officials facing scrutiny include City Councilman Bobby Henon, whose offices were raided in 2016.

Search warrants obtained last year by the Inquirer and Daily News suggest that investigators have spent months poring over seized records pertaining to union picketing and other job-site actions, Dougherty's personal finances, and dozens of union officials, contractors, political consultants, and Dougherty family members with ties to the union.

Possible charges include embezzlement, attempted extortion of contractors, fraud, tax evasion, and honest-services fraud by public officials, the legal documents say.

Sources suggested that the investigation has all the hallmarks of a classic racketeering conspiracy case scrutinizing the levers by which Dougherty and his union exert their clout.

Though under federal investigation, Dougherty is unafraid to admit that he remains close to politicians, including Lazer. "Do I talk to him? Yeah, I always talk to him," he said, adding, "I'm not going to have anything to do with his day-to-day campaign."

In the same breath, though, Dougherty insists that he doesn't "care" about politics and downplays his leverage.

"I have no clout," he said, when asked to describe his role in Pennsylvania politics. "Here's the good news: I don't want any clout, and I am so happy that I probably have the most politically savvy group of young business managers at the building trades than we've ever had. And that it's easy for me to drift away. And I don't see myself after this, there being too many more campaigns. So my days in politics are coming to a close."

Dougherty said he spends much of his time at the hospital with his wife, who is gravely ill.

Why does Dougherty jump from boasting about his clout to soft-pedaling it? Is such tension inevitable in a 57-year-old man attempting to burnish his legacy at the same time the FBI eyeballs him?

Dougherty has denied any wrongdoing, and his spokesman has scoffed at suggestions of financial impropriety, noting that the union is subject to annual audits.

"They've been investigating [Dougherty] for the [25] years that he's been a labor leader," said Anthony Gallagher, business manager of Steamfitters Local 420 and a Dougherty ally. "It gets old after a while, when somebody's just trying to do their job, protect working people. That's how I view it."

*

Dougherty, a native son of South Philly, joined the electricians union in his 20s. He wasn't great at working with wires, but had a knack for politics. By 33, he was head of the union.

Under Dougherty's leadership, the electricians drew the attention of federal regulators in the late 1990s and early 2000s, who accused the union of flouting labor laws with illegal blockades and threats of violence against nonunion workers.

The union settled, and as its power grew, Dougherty was seen as a potential candidate for mayor.

Instead, he ran for the state Senate in 2008, and got beat by a little-known candidate connected to former South Philly political boss Vince Fumo, who was convicted of corruption charges. On the night of the election, Fumo's crew chanted, "Doc is dead! Doc is dead!" at a party on East Passyunk.

Thereafter, Dougherty embraced the role of behind-the-scenes power broker and tried to reinvent himself as civic spirit-oriented "New Doc."

Although the 2016 raids led many to believe New Doc was the same as Old Doc, Dougherty sounds as if he's once again remaking his image for the 2018 elections.

These days, he boasts that Local 98 has "been ahead of the curve" on everything from installing electric car chargers at his union hall to providing same-sex benefits ("not that we got a lot of people using them") to limiting opioid prescriptions for members.

Even before a single ballot is cast in 2018, Dougherty is positioned to take credit for Democratic gains in Pennsylvania. The new congressional map imposed by the state Supreme Court is much more favorable to Democrats.

That doesn't mean Dougherty's preferred candidates have a sure path to victory. He is operating in a new political landscape in which progressives long seen as to the left of the city's building trades have notched victories.

Last year, Dougherty's union spent $3.2 million on contributions to candidates, political action committees, and expenses like "get out the vote" operations. A super PAC linked to Dougherty spent $322,000.

That far eclipsed the $2 million spent by another perennial heavyweight in Pennsylvania: the Committee for a Better Tomorrow, the PAC formed by the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association. But the results of Dougherty's spending were mixed: On one hand, his union helped elect 13 of the 16 judges it supported with about $450,000 in campaign contributions.

At the same time, Dougherty-backed Republicans in Delaware County suffered historic losses last year amid anti-Trump backlash in the suburbs. Dougherty's favorite candidate in the city's 2017 district attorney race, Jack O'Neill, also got crushed by progressive Larry Krasner, including in South Philly, where gentrification has modified the electorate. Krasner also benefited from a super PAC funded by billionaire George Soros.

One test of Dougherty's staying power is whether his machine-style politics can beat back rapid change in city neighborhoods and shifts in the Democratic Party. An answer could come in the Fifth Congressional District race, where 11 candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination. The vast majority of the district is based in Delaware County, but Lazer could benefit as one of just three Philadelphians in the large field. The candidates' home counties are listed on the ballot.

Delaware County Democrats are eager to elect one of their own to the open seat and have also expressed reservations over Dougherty's support for local Republicans: Local 98 has contributed more than $500,000 to Delaware County GOP candidates and committees since 2014.

For his part, Lazer is casting himself as an anti-Trump stalwart, saying he supports impeaching the president, Bernie Sanders-style Medicare for all, free college, and a $15-an-hour minimum wage.

*

In the wake of the FBI's 2016 raids, the political chattering class has wondered what Dougherty's downfall would portend for City Hall, Harrisburg, and organized labor.

To be sure, he hasn't been charged with a crime, and there is no indication he will be. But gossip about the ramifications of such an indictment continues.

Consider that Fumo's robust political organization was absorbed into other coalitions after the state senator was convicted in 2009, as was part of the machine built by former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who was sent to federal prison last year.

An indictment could reveal unseemly connections between Local 98 and City Hall, leaving Kenney vulnerable to backlash from liberals and others.

What's more, Dougherty was instrumental in securing Council votes for the mayor's signature tax on sweetened beverages. Without Johnny Doc, Kenney may have difficulty advancing his agenda.

In Harrisburg, antiunion sentiment is ascendant with the rise of State Sen. Scott Wagner, the GOP's endorsed candidate for governor. An alleged racketeering conspiracy involving Local 98, one of Wolf's biggest donors, could damage the governor during his reelection campaign.

Dougherty very well may never be indicted. Federal investigators targeted him in 2006, but only indicted a friend, who pleaded guilty to theft, tax evasion, and making false statements.

Even if Dougherty were charged, he'd have super PACs.

" He [would] still have influence with money," said former Gov. Ed Rendell, who added he didn't think Dougherty would be indicted.
Protesters in Philadelphia demonstrate against the U.S. air strike against Syria. Read more

About 50 chanting, sign-carrying demonstrators lined the western edge of Dilworth Plaza outside Philadelphia City Hall on Saturday afternoon to protest the latest U.S. airstrikes in Syria.

President Trump announced the attacks late Friday as explosions were reported over Damascus, the Syrian capital. Trump said the action was in retaliation for a recent suspected chemical-weapons attack that killed civilians in a town controlled by rebels against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and its Russian and Iranian allies. Trump blamed Assad for that attack, though some international observers have said it is hard to prove who was behind it.

>> READ MORE: I'll be traveling to Moscow as tensions with Russia over Syria heat up | Trudy Rubin

"It's short notice, but many people want to show they are against this war," said Scott Williams, a Philadelphia schoolteacher who helped organize the protest Saturday as a leader of the Workers World Party. He said other "left-wing" and pro-Arab groups asked members to express their opposition, as they have against previous U.S. attacks in Syria and other countries.

Friday's strike was Trump's second ordered attack in Syria. The first was last April, when he authorized Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike a Syrian airfield following Assad's use of sarin gas on civilians.

Williams said Trump's recent appointment of John Bolton as national security adviser underscored Trump's similarity to mainstream politicians and those sectors of the business community that benefit from war. Bolton has often justified U.S. military involvement in distant countries. Williams added that the money spent on Tomahawk missiles would be better spent on meeting social needs at home.

>> READ MORE: After Syria attack, US and Russia tensions rise, but military confrontation fears ease

The United States launched the military strikes along with two of its NATO allies, Britain and France. The protesters planned to walk from City Hall to Philadelphia's French and British honorary consulates nearby.

Saturday's protests are expected to be followed by other demonstrations.

"We are going to be part of a number of protests coming up," said Aram Bowen, an organizer of the Philadelphia Rojava Solidarity Network, which sympathizes with the independent administration that governs much of northwest Syria, led by members of that country's Kurdish minority.

"Last night's strike on Syria could have endangered civilians, causing more suffering to the people of Syria," Bowen said in an interview via Facebook.

Syria's people face many threats, Bowen added. While American special forces have fought alongside the Kurds in driving the ISIS terrorist militia out of Syria's northern provinces, Bowen said the Kurds have in recent months themselves been attacked by soldiers and militias backed by Turkey, another NATO ally. The Turkish government says the Kurds in Syria are allied with groups it calls terrorists in Turkey.

Bowen called Rojava, the Kurds' name for the part of Syria they control, "a peaceful and democratic community" where Muslim sects, Christians, and members of other Syrian groups have sought refuge from warfare between Assad's allies and Islamist rebels. He called on the United States to pressure Turkey to end its military expeditions in Syria.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources last week released a 10-year deer management plan that sets a statewide harvest target, as well as recommendations for stricter defense on the states deer and elk farms against the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The DNRS outline to address CWD in the plan came as unwelcome news to some of the states deer and elk farmers, who see it as misled and excessive. A handful of the states farmers showed up at the Rural Voices discussions hosted by the Minnesota Farmers Union throughout the state, saying the DNR is getting too involved with their farm operations.

The DNR governs the states wild deer population, while the Board of Animal Health (BAH) presides over the states captive deer and elk. When CWD is detected in the wild, the DNR is the lead agency; when CWD is found on farms, its handled by the BAH.

One of the DNRs proposed measures would require double fencing on all deer and elk farms in the state. BAH Communications Director Michael Crusan said that BAH veterinarians require all deer and elk farms to have at least an 8-foot tall perimeter fence.

Greg Lubinski, owner of Lubinski Elk Acres in Plainview and a board member of the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association, estimated that adding an additional fence to his farm would cost more than $50,000. He doubts an extra fence would halt CWD infections in the state.

Lubinski and many other farmers believe the spread of CWD is not to be blamed entirely on farmed deer and elk, but also on hunter-killed carcasses that are brought to Minnesota.

"They need to address more of the carcass imports that are coming in from other states," said Lubinski about the shipments coming from highly CWD-infected states like Wyoming and Colorado. "Because we positively believe these out-of-state carcasses amount for a lot of the CWD spread in the state."

The DNR did outline a measure in its deer management plan to provide stricter enforcement on out-of-state carcasses, but Lubinski said the agency has focused more on through-the-fence contact from farmed to wild animals.

DNR Regional Wildlife Manager Dave Trauba said the agency is focused on the one source they know to be true for the cause of CWD spread, which is nose-to-nose contact.

"Were working real hard with local community landowners to reduce deer densities, and cut that cycle of nose-to-nose contact," said Trauba.

But Lubinski believes that other links to the spread of CWD, such as taxidermy, have yet to be addressed by the agency. In one of the more recent CWD outbreaks in the state, an entire captive herd in Winona County was infected with the disease. That farmer was a licensed taxidermist, a practice governed by the DNR.

"They dont want to address it, or talk about," said Lubinski of the DNRs response to possible links from taxidermy to the spread of CWD. "Instead theyre trying to throw blame onto legitimate livestock operations."

Although Trauba said the DNR is committed to being good partners with the BAH and deer and elk farmers in the state, the agency consulted with neither side for input on the deer management plan. Crusan said the BAH has no plans to get involved in the DNRs plan or speak on its validity, unless lawmakers ask for input.

"Were affected by everything that has to do with CWD, because its a disease that impacts a species that we oversee," said Crusan. "But this is something internal that the DNR has created. If they bring all these things to the Legislature and say we want to enact laws to change these, then we will be involved."

The DNR is using a public process to develop the management plan, which is now in draft form. Public comments on the plan are being accepted through May 9, and meetings about the plan will be held in 35 communities throughout the state.
Weve written several times about Amy Wax, the distinguished professor at University of Pennsylvania Law School who has spoken truth to political correctness in the face of threats to her livelihood and attacks on her character. Penn law dean Ted Ruger has now succumbed to demands that Professor Wax be barred from teaching the required first year course on civil procedure.

Paul Levy, a now former Penn Trustee Emeritus and Penn Law School Overseer, has resigned in protest of the treatment accorded Professor Wax at Penn. His letter to Penn President Amy Gutmann was excerpted in the Wall Street Journal. You can read the whole thing here.

This past Thursday the National Association of Scholars honored Professor Wax with its Peter Shaw Memorial Award for academic courage at the office of First Things in Manhattan. The NAS has posted video of the event along with much else here.

In his preview of the NAS event honoring Professor Wax, Paul noted that Professor Wax would speak and that she had plenty to say. As usual, Paul was right. Through the courtesies of NAS director of communications Keli Carender we have obtained an embeddable copy of the video (below).

Professor Waxs ordeal is almost unbelievable. In her speech she chronicled in telling detail the disgraceful conduct to which she has been subject at Penn  all for uttering a few home truths and for speaking to her experience with the effects of affirmative action at the law school. Be sure to turn on the audio by clicking on the lower right hand corner. Despite the technical imperfections of the video, it is rewarding and highly recommended (by me).
In 2013, when the Obama administration was trying to convince Congress to authorize an attack on Syria to enforce its red line against Assad using chemical weapons, Secretary of State John Kerry promised that the attack would be an unbelievably small, limited kind of effort. He often used the word degrade, rather than destroy, to describe the impact of the contemplated attack on Syrias chemical weapons program.

Kerry received plenty of ridicule for proposing an unbelievably small, limited attack. In fairness, though, we should keep two points in mind.

First, Kerry used this phrase in response to strong resistance by Congress to any sort of attack on Syria. The strongest resistance came from Republicans. Tom Cotton was an honorable exception. Donald Trump (who I believe was a Republican five years ago) wasnt. He tweeted that all the U.S. would gain nothing but more debt and a possible long term conflict from a strike.

Second, a very small, very limited attack was a reasonable initial response to Assad crossing the red line. I favored something more robust. However, there was a decent case for starting off small and seeing if that would be sufficient to deter future chemical attacks.

In fact, the Trump administration has opted for the Kerry approach. Our first attack, conducted last April, was confined to one air base. It was very small and very limited.

The attack last night was more expansive. It encompassed three facilities and used about twice the amount of weaponry employed in the first attack.

The goal of the latest attack was to degrade Assads chemical weapons capacity (the Pentagon used that word), not to destroy it. The administration concedes that it left some of Assads chemical weapons infrastructure untouched so as to avoid civilian casualties.

The attack was not an unbelievably small, limited effort, but it was smallish and limited.

As in 2013, I would have preferred something bigger. But it is altogether rational for the Trump administration to proceed cautiously and incrementally.

What bothers me is the partisanship that infects life and death foreign policy and national security decisions. In the mid 1990s, Republicans opposed our military intervention, via air strikes, in the Balkans (a very successful operation, as it turned out). As far as I could tell, there was little behind their opposition beyond the fact that President Clinton wanted to do it.

Many congressional Democrats, including most of the key ones, supported the Bush administrations 2003 invasion of Iraq. But this seemed like a decision based mainly on political calculation. The moment the war seemed to become unpopular, the Dems jumped ship.

In 2013, as discussed above, Republicans took strong exception to Obamas proposal to do what Trump is doing now with very little criticism from the GOP.

The original sin, so to speak, may have been then-governor Bill Clintons statement on how he would have voted on going to war with Iraq in 1991. Clinton said he would have voted to go to war if the vote was close, but thought the better arguments were against the war.

This profile in non-courage seems to have become the norm, and why not? Clinton went on to be elected president twice.

The unfortunate phenomenon Ive just described has implications for the question of Congress role, if any, when an administration wants to use force overseas. Tim Kaine (remember him?) is saying that the Constitution does not allow Trump to launch strikes like the one last night without congressional approval. Some Republicans agree.

The question of congressional power in all spheres, but especially this one, has been contested for more than two centuries. It is always up for grabs.

The resolution of the question at any given time will always depend to some extent on the degree to which Congress is seen as competent to deal with the issues it claims the power to decide. These days, its increasingly difficult to take Congress seriously, much less to view it as competent to deal with matters of war and peace.
At the Daily Caller, Chuck Ross reports that Republican chairmen of three House committees have demanded that the Department of Justice provide copies of the memos written by former FBI Director James Comey following his meetings with President Trump. There is no legal basis for withholding these materials from Congress, according to the letter by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, Trey Gowdy, and Devin Nunes sent to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein this past Friday (I have embedded a copy below via Scrbd). The Committees request the Department of Justice make copies of the Comey memos available immediately, according to the letter. The letter sets a deadline of Monday (tomorrow) for production of the memos.

The chairmen ask for unredacted copies of all unclassified memos (said to be three in number, while four are classified). They request that any memos containing classified information be provided in unredacted form as well as in declassified form, with appropriate redactions.

It is unbelievable that these memos have been kept from Congress and the public over the past year. Showing his stuff as a Washington operator, Comey himself delivered four of the seven memos to his friend at Columbia Law School to be leaked to the New York Times. At least one of those memos was classified.

The New York Times reported on one of the memos in the key May 16, 2017, story by Michael Schmidt. Schmidt wrote: The New York Times has not viewed a copy of the memo, which is unclassified, but one of Mr. Comeys associates read parts of it to a Times reporter. (Query what rules the Times applies to the as told to brand of journalism on which it has frequently relied to cover the Trump administration?) Schmidt followed up with another story on the memos two days later based on conversations with two people who have read them).

Once filtered through the Times, Comey expected his leaked memos to result in the appointment of a Special Counsel  precisely as they did, and not just any Special Counsel. Comeys leaked memos resulted in the appointment of Comeys close friend and mentor Robert Mueller as Special Counsel. Extraordinarily adept in the Ways of Washington, Comey now presents himself as an exemplar of ethical leadership.

Schmidts May 16 story links to the letter sent by then House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to then FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe (his name sounds familiar!) demanding copies of the Comey memos. Chaffetzs letter is still accessible online here. It is dated May 16, 2017. It sets a deadline of May 24, 2017, for production of the memos.

2018 04 13 BG TG DN to Rosenstein DOJ Re Comey Memos1 by Scott Johnson on Scribd
"We're delighted to introduce the next generation of our innovative Hantile building solution," said Hanergy founder Mr. Li Hejun. "With its industry leading energy generation capabilities and suitability for any building, I am confident that Hantile will set a new benchmark for new energy applications in building construction."

The new Hantile features a single rather than double layer of glass with each tile weighing only 5.2 kilograms. Combined with its unique C-type slot structure, Hantile's light-weight greatly improves ease of installation. With Hantile, Hanergy has pioneered the use of ultra-white tempered glass, which features a transmittance level of 91.5%, and possesses extreme durability and ability to withstand heavy impacts. The single glass Hantile is also highly wind resistant and able to generate power at temperatures ranging from -40 to -85 degrees Celsius, and humidity higher than 85%. Hantile features a life cycle of up to 30 years, longer than traditional roof tiles.

In terms of environmental value, the estimated environmental value of each 25W watts of Hantile is equivalent to planting a single tree. The 100 square meters of Hantile is equivalent to planting 340 trees

Hanergy's ability to achieve such a major upgrade in less than a year is a result of its continuous technological innovation. In the past year, Hanergy has achieved 3 world records in the R&D and mass production efficiency of thin-film chips: the efficiency of its GaAs single-junction mass production modules has reached 25.1%; the total area efficiency its of copper-indium-gallium-selenium (CIGS) glass-based modules has reached 17.52%; and the efficiency of its flexible sputtering components has reached 17.88%. All have been certified by international authorities as the latest world records.

Hanergy currently has more than 2,300 patents worldwide.

For more event pictures, please refer to

https://gallery.vphotos.cn/vphotosgallery/index.html?vphotowechatid=258EE400B95C7C2629EBD9F0DC1F583F

Hanergy, the world's largest clean energy company, has a comprehensive clean energy solution, covering hydro-power, wind-power, and solar power. Since 2009, Hanergy focuses on thin-film solar power research and development, and is launching a series of products including solar roof tiles, foldable solar-paper power bank, solar backpack, Building Integrated Photovoltaics, solar roads and many others. With a worldwide staff of more than 16,000, Hanergy is devoted to providing the world a clean energy solution for a better life and sustainable world.

Media contact

Mark Lu

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86(10) 83914567 ext 5259

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677152/Hanergy_rooftop_tiles.jpg

SOURCE Hanergy Holding Group Ltd.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Ocean Epic At Ocen Epic, we practice the most up to date cutting edge tactics in SEO, Website Creation, Digital Marketing that has our clients dominating their competition.

Marketing and SEO:

The technologies of the present world have changed drastically increasing the demand for having an online presence for all businesses. Small and medium-size businesses are no exception. They need to do all they can to survive in this digital age. The smart ones are getting the help of digital marketing agencies for SEO services and web design services to enhance their footprint, build a better brand.

According to Andrey Lipattsev, Search Quality Senior Strategist at Google, the two most important ranking factors in Googles search engine are high-quality content and link building. A research conducted by Net Market Share, Google accounted for over 80 percent of all global search traffic in 2017. Based on a study done by Chitika more than 90 percent of the users tend to find their answer on the first page in search engine results. Google confirms more searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US.

Marketing has become imperative in todays time. With the competition increasing every day, in order to generate more leads and traffic, online marketing is crucial for a businesss growth.

Website Development:

Starting from analysis of website, to planning and allocating resources. A personal message would be crafted for the product in question so that the target audience could easily be reached. The elements which would be included in the branding campaign would be the logo, color scheme, fonts, and layouts. Amongst other things would be the tagline, graphics, and verbal elements.The design of company website is important since it acts as a doorway for potential and current customers.

The official website of Ocean Epic would depict just that. With soothing color tones, minimalistic and professional design, it would help to convey the right message without causing distractions. The same approach would be employed when designing websites for clients as well. By applying the sales funnel process, customers would be transported from the introductory stage to the final purchase stage.

Measures will be taken in order to ensure that positive word of mouth be spread and customers keep coming back. This helps in building the brand of a company. This in turn would help to increase brand awareness as well as credibility.

About Ocean Epic:

With the primary focus on Digital Marketing, SEO and Web Design, Ocean Epic provides a diverse range of services in Maui, Hawaii and Seattle, WA area. You can learn more about Ocean Epic by visiting http://oceanepic.com/ and take advantage of the complimentary Website Audit.

Contact Info

Email: Pacific(at)OceanEpic(dot)com

Phone: 224-567-2961

Address: 480 Kenolio Rd 16-203

Kihei, HI 96753

Sources:

Wikipedia - Search Engine Optimization

Google Inside AdWords

Google Trends

Net Market Share

Chitika
#DELIVERUS street art on the Amazon Spheres, Seattle This wild, funny, ridiculous and yet deeply serious novel imagines a near future in which class, commerce, race, technology, and our ever evolving social politics intersect, and explode."  Phil Klay, National Book Award Winner and author of Redeployment.

As Amazon searches for its HQ2 and prepares to launch their drone delivery service nationwide, Alephactory Press launches DELIVER US, a provocative and prescient novel in which Amazon debuts their Prime Air service in Detroit. The novel is being promoted through an unorthodox campaign featuring street art in Detroit, Seattle, and ten other cities under consideration for HQ2, and through the smuggling of promotional copies into the Amazon campus in Seattle.

Comically absurd, yet anchored in reality, DELIVER US courts controversy on several levels, telling the story of a black social-media activist leading a campaign against Amazon, whose new fleet of drones offers rebirth to the blighted city while threatening to magnify existing racial inequalities.

The guerrilla media campaign, carried out by anonymous conspirators, mirrors plot elements of the novel and aligns with the risky attitude that spawned the book. The decision to put Jeff Bezos and Amazon employees into the novel, without changing their names, is a gamble most publishers would avoid, given Amazon's monopolistic power over the industry, which they've previously flexed in their dispute with Hachette.

The novel features cover art by renowned Detroit street artist Eno Laget and is by written by Christopher Robinson and Gavin Kovite, authors of the critically acclaimed WAR OF THE ENCYCLOPAEDISTS (Scribner, 2015), which Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times called Spirited...a captivating coming-of-age novel that is, by turns, funny, and sad, and elegiac.

In accord with Robinson & Kovites commitment to social justice, they will be donating hundreds of copies of DELIVER US to Detroit schools, libraries, and community centers.

DELIVER US (ISBN 9780999477403) is available for purchase in independent bookstores, and directly from Alephactory Press, the preferred channel, especially if Amazon retaliates.

Alephactory Press, based in Seattle, is an independent publishing house and literary collective with a simple mission: to publish the strange, prescient, unsettling, controversial, and hybrid. More information at http://www.alephactory.com
Were hoping our new location will help us extend our reach into the community as were now centrally located in Broward County.

The Florida Vision Technology Center is now open in their new location in Fort Lauderdale. With over 24 years of experience, Lesa Kretschmer, founder and CEO, continues to champion efforts to enhance the quality of life for the visually impaired though assistive technology and community outreach. Building the company from the ground up, Florida Vision Technology opened their flagship store in Fort Lauderdale in 2003 and formed an alliance with Lighthouse of Broward five years later. With the advances in technology, new assistive technology products on the market, and training opportunities, the company quickly outgrew its space. The company smoothly transitioned to its new, larger, Fort Lauderdale location and recently opened on April 2nd.

The Florida Vision Technology Center is now conveniently located at 2880 West Oakland Park Boulevard (Suite 104) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We needed a bigger space where more customers can come in to experience products that will enhance their lives and independence. Were hoping our new location will help us extend our reach into the community as were now centrally located in Broward County, Kretschmer states.

Were having a Grand Opening celebration on April 18th to honor 18 years in business in South Florida, Kretschmer adds. The visually impaired, their families and caretakers, are all invited to attend. The April 18th celebration will be held from 12pm to 4pm and feature complimentary food and refreshments, goodie bags, desktop video magnifier specials, and a Grand Prize raffle. Kretschmer offers, As a way to thank our customers and welcome new ones, the Grand Prize is the Eschenbach SmartLux Magnifier (a $595 retail value).

While the location may be new, Florida Vision Technology has the same dedicated and expert staff to assist customers with their assistive technology needs. Customers are provided with hands-on, interactive demonstrations to ensure the right product match. Product training also helps clients get acquainted with their new equipment and guarantee a successful outcome. In their new, expanded space, theres a full room devoted to desktop video magnifiers and another dedicated area for client consultations and cutting-edge technology such as OrCam MyEye and Humanware Prodigi Connect. An assortment of portable, hand-held video magnifiers lines the wall in another area. Around the corner, theres an impressive display of Braille embossers. They also showcase many essential daily living aids such as big button phones, keyboards, magnifiers, talking watches and clocks.

Part of Florida Vision Technologys mission is also to keep customers up-to-date on the newest break-through products and special offers through emails, newsletters, and new products demonstrations in their store and at local and state-wide events. To connect with Lesa Kretschmer and the Florida Vision Technology Center, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaVisionTechnology to sign up for their newsletter, or stop by the new Store.

About Florida Vision Technology

The Florida Vision Technology Center offers a wide array of assistive technology products that help seniors and others who suffer from vision loss or blindness due to Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and other retina diseases live more comfortable, convenient and independent lives. Lesa Kretschmer, founder and CEO, is committed to placing the best adaptive technology and products available today within reach of blind and visually challenged people of all ages and walks of life. Conveniently located at 2880 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 104, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. To learn more about the company and its efforts, watch this video.
In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nations leading advocacy organization for Christians and religious minorities in the Middle East, condemns the use of chemical weapons against civilians by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. On Saturday, April 6th, Syrian opposition activists, rescue workers and medics reported that more than 40 people were killed in a chemical attack on Douma, a rebel-stronghold in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus.

Attacking innocent civilians in Syria with chemical weapons is a gross violation of humanity and utterly immoral, stated IDCs Executive Director Philippe Nassif on April 12th. All parties who were involved must be held accountable and the world must ensure these attacks do not continue.

In neighboring Lebanon, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai iterated that We appeal to the consciences of the great powers and the international community to work to end the war and to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace through political and diplomatic means.

IDC calls for a strong international response led by the United States to punish the Assad regime for its use of chemical weapons, the targeting of de-escalation zones and carpet bombing civilians. Assads actions have caused a refugee crisis to overwhelm neighboring Lebanon and Jordan. Allowing his bombing and gas attacks to continue will add to the refugee crisis and the economic and political owes it has created, particular for Lebanon. Strong, swift and targeted action must be coupled with a long-term strategy in Syria. To that end, IDC calls for a sustained American presence in Southern and Eastern Syria to combat ISIS and serve as a check on Iran, the Assad regime, and allied Shia militias while allowing Syrian refugees to return to their homes.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Srinagar, April 15: Thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of a slain civilian youth, Amir Lone (21), who succumbed to his injuries at Soura Medical Institute in Srinagar, today.

Amir Lone was critically injured in shelling by Indian forces on protesters in Kangan area of Gandarbal district on the 3rd of April. The protests had erupted against the killing of another civilian, Gowhar Ahmad Rather, by the troops, on the same day. Amir was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Kangan amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

The killing of the civilian youth triggered a spontaneous shutdown in Kangan and other adjoining areas of Gandarbal district. A pall of gloom descended on martyr Amir Lones village as his body reached his village in Kangan. Shopkeepers downed their shutters, while transport came to a halt. Apprehending the protests, the authorities snapped internet services and imposed strict restrictions by massive deployment of the troops in the area.

The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani addressed the mourners over telephone from his residence in Srinagar. Gilani while paying rich tributes to the martyred youth condemned the surge in civilian killings at the hands of Indian forces in occupied Kashmir.

A protest demonstration was held in Kupwara to demand death penalty to the culprits involved in gang rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua district. The protesters including women carried placards reading Death penalty to the culprits marched on Kupwara streets.

The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee and the Jammu-based victim Muslim Bakarwal community in their statements urged the authorities to transfer the case of rape and murder of the minor girl outside the Jammu region. They said that communal elements were trying to sabotage the legal proceedings.
Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2018 8:00 pm

Core samples taken from the runway at Jefferson County International Airport have revealed no distinguishable aggregate base and subbase material underneath the asphalt.

As a result, a relatively minor runway rehabilitation project planned for 2019 is now recommended to be a more major runway rebuild.

Core samples were taken November 2017, according to a presentation by Shannon Kinsella, a director with the engineering firm Reid Middleton, during an April 7 Port of Port Townsend meeting.

The whole square footage of your existing runway will be replaced, Kinsella said.

The original runway was supposed to have a 9-inch subbase, 4-inch base and 2 inches of asphalt. However, Kinsella said the geotechnical survey found a lot of variation in asphalt thickness  from 1 to 6 inches, with an average of 3 inches. No distinguishable aggregate base and subbase material was found in the runway.

Some of the asphalt was sitting atop clay soil, she said.

Kinsella said the core samples were surprising given how nice the 3,000-foot-long runway appears on the surface.

So, youre saying that the contractor or consultant, whoever, back in 1990 did a substandard project? asked local pilot Eric Taylor.

Kinsella said she could not confirm that was the case and added it showed why good quality control of construction work was a necessity.

Kinsella said the old runway would have to be excavated and new material put in place, including a 4-inch layer of coarse subbase material, a 6-inch-deep base layer and then a 3-inch layer of asphalt.

Obviously, its more construction. Theyve got to excavate out, and pull in new material and put new pavement on it, Kinsella said of the extra work being recommended.

Eric Toews, director of planning for the port, said the project was still slated to move forward, pending funding, in the summer of 2019. The FAA is to fund 90 percent of the project cost. Phase one of the project costs $265,809.

Personally, I was deeply disappointed at the results of that geotech (study) because I understood clearly its implications, Toews said.

A Washington State Department of Transportation contractor is to assess pavement condition on April 20 or April 22, Toews said. The runway was designed to last 20 years, and 28 years have passed since it was built.

Toews said the port would make every effort to mitigate the effect the project would have on airport users.

Kinsella said there were three options initially considered for the project: adding a new layer of asphalt over the existing asphalt; grinding up the existing asphalt and laying down new asphalt; and replacing the existing subbase and asphalt layers.

Because boring samples showed little existing subbase, the third option is recommended, Kinsella said.

Kinsella said the 30 percent design phase has already been completed, and engineers are now working on the 60 percent design phase. The 30 percent design included topographic and geotechnical surveys, environmental site review and electric system review.

Kinsella said there had been no significant change in the type of aircraft using the airport, which primarily serves smaller, propeller-driven aircraft.

Runway edge lighting and associated wiring for those lights are to be replaced because the lighting is near the end of its service life, Kinsella said.

Because the project is focused only on the runway, Kinsella said, taxiway lighting is not a consideration.

TAXI LANE TO BE MOVED

Another part of the project is to relocate a center taxiway lane leading directly from the airport ramp to the runway. Kinsella said such a taxiway did not meet FAA specifications and instead the taxiway needed to be shifted 200 feet to the west.

Right now, theres a straight shot from the hangar area  onto the runway. FAA standards says that is not appropriate from a safety standpoint, Kinsella said.

Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Peter Hanke said shifting the center taxiway would adversely impact pilots who can land and make an early exit off the runway onto the center taxiway. If the center taxiway is moved to the west, it would make it less likely for pilots to be able to land and stop their aircraft in time to turn off the center taxiway, forcing them to roll down the length of the entire runway to exit at the end.

Youre eliminating the short landing for (runway) 9, Hanke said.

With the short landing exit shifted to the west, Hanke said, pilots would wear out their brakes faster and it would also make landings more dangerous.

Some audience members expressed displeasure at the thought of moving the center taxiway and suggested, instead, that two off-center exits be added on either side of the center point.

Audience members also suggested high-speed taxiway exits that are angled instead of perpendicular to the runway.

CROWN VERSUS SHED

FAA standards call for runways to be a crown type whereby the runway surface is slightly curved so water runs off either side. The JCIA airport runway is a different type of runway, however, referred to as a shed runway, which is flat but tilted in one direction so water flows off just to one side.

When the runway was thought to merely need a rehabilitation, the port had been making a case for the FAA to deviate from its crown standard and to retain the shed type.

But, since discovering the runway needs to be rebuilt, Kinsella said it was more likely the new runway would be a crown type.

The way water flows off the runway affects how drainage works at the airport. Currently, water flows to the north side of the runway into drainage swales that then flow into two detention ponds.

Kinsella said the FAA prefers crown runways because water drains faster and is less susceptible to frost.
The United Nations Security Council rejected a resolution Saturday from Russia that would have condemned "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the US and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

Russia, China and Bolivia voted in favor of the draft resolution, Reuters reported. Eight countries voted against the draft and four abstained. In order to pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the US, France, China, Russia, or the UK.

Russia has forcefully denounced a series of joint military strikes that the US, UK, and France launched against Syrialate Friday.

Theoperation, which was led by the US, was undertaken in response to a devastating chemical attack in the rebel-controlled Damascus suburb of Douma, which killed dozens of people earlier this month. The attack is believed to have been ordered by the Syrian government, spearheaded by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Friday's military campaign targeted three research facilities that are thought to have been involved in the production of chemical weapons.

Nikki Haley, the US's ambassador to the UN, said the US would be "locked and loaded" if Assad used chemical weapons again.

Russia has several military bases and troops in Syria, and the US said Friday that itdid not coordinate with or notify Russia of the strikes. The Pentagon said there were no Russian casualties as a result of the operation.

Officials added that the strikes took out the "heart" of Syria's chemical weapons program, but that Assad still maintains "residual" capabilities.

Defense Secretary James Mattis did not say whether he believed the strikes would deter Assad from using chemical weapons again.

"Nothing is certain in these kinds of matters," he said. "However, we used a little over double the number of weapons this year than we used last year. It was done on targets that we believed were selected to hurt the chemical weapons program. We confined it to the chemical weapons-type targets."

The Pentagon confirmed Saturday that 105 weapons were used, in total, in the coordinated strikes.

The military operation prompted aswift and harsh responsefrom Russia and Iran, both of which are key allies of Syria.

The Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed the allegations against Syria and said its own experts found no "trace of chlorine or any other chemical substance used against civilians."

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the strikes an "act of aggression" that will only serve to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador to the US, said in a statement Friday that "the worst apprehensions have come true. Our warnings have been left unheard. A pre-designed scenario is being implemented."

"Again, we are being threatened," Antonov continued. "We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris."

President Trump lauded the US military, the UK, and France on Saturday.

During a week of tense sabre-rattling, Russian officials periodically warned the US that a military response may spiral out of control to war.

"Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible," Antonov said in his statement responding to the US-led military action. "The US  the possessor of the biggest arsenal of chemical weapons  has no moral right to blame other countries."

However, Mattis seemed to have anticipated Russia's rhetoric and addressed it during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Friday evening.
Unfortunately for the Said hitmaker, he fell flat when his name was mentioned to appear on stage to thrill hundreds of patrons.

READ MORE: VGMA 2018 full list of winners

The unfortunate incident was caused by the disorganised stage set up but he was quick to get on his feet and got the job done.

Immediately after his exhilarating performance, he took to Twitter to troll himself before Ghanaians start and it was hilarious.

He further revealed that he will extend his stay in Ghana. We have no idea what he wants.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
Washington trumpeted the total success of the biggest international attack on President Bashar al-Assad's regime but both Damascus and Syria's opposition rubbished its impact.

A team of chemical experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, arrived in Damascus hours after the strikes.

They have been tasked with investigating the site of an April 7 attack in the town of Douma, just east of the capital Damascus, which Western powers said involved chlorine and sarin and killed dozens.

"The fact-finding team arrived in Damascus on Saturday and is due to go to Douma on Sunday," Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan told AFP.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," he said, adding he was confident the experts would prove chemical weapons were never used.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.

Inspection still useful?

The inspectors will face a difficult task, with all key players having preempted their findings, including Western powers that justified the strikes by claiming their already had proof.

The OPCW team will also have to deal with the risk that evidence may have been removed from the site, which lies in an area that has been controlled by Russian military police and Syrian forces over the past week.

"That possibility always has to be taken into account, and investigators will look for evidence that shows whether the incident site has been tampered with," Ralf Trapp, a consultant and member of a previous OPCW mission to Syria, said.

The Syrian military late Saturday declared Eastern Ghouta, the formerly rebel-held enclave of which Douma is the main town, fully retaken after a blistering two-month assault.

Wresting back the opposition stronghold on his doorstep had been a priority for the resurgent Assad and, combined with the limited scope of Saturday's strikes, the victory declaration yielded ecstatic editorials in state media.

"Damascus came out more powerful and Bashar al-Assad is more than ever an Arab and international leader," the pro-regime Al-Watan daily wrote.

US President Donald Trump hailed the pre-dawn strikes that lit up the sky around Damascus as "perfectly executed" and exclaimed "Mission Accomplished" on Twitter.

According to US officials, the operation involved three US destroyers, a French frigate and a US submarine located in the Red Sea, the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

'Locked and loaded'

British Tornado and Typhoon warplanes, American B-1 bombers and French Rafale jets also took part in the strikes.

The Pentagon said no further action was planned but Washington's envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned that the US was "locked and loaded" should another gas attack occur.

A Western draft resolution obtained by AFP at a meeting of the UN Security Council Saturday calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid and enforcement of a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks.

French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders have called for a diplomatic offensive to follow the strikes in a bid to end a conflict that has killed more than 350,000 people in seven years and displaced half of the population of Syria.

Russia has blocked countless resolutions against its Syrian ally however and the regime has appeared determined to continue its inexorable military reconquest of the country.

"For all the sound and fury of these strikes, their net effect is a slap on the wrist of Bashar al-Assad," said Nick Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security.

Regime and allied forces are now expected to train their sights on southern districts of Damascus that are still held by the Islamic State jihadist group.
Srinagar, April 15: A youth injured in clashes with the government forces in Kangan area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district nearly two weeks before succumbed at SKIMS Soura on Sunday.

Aamir Hameed Lone (21), a resident of Chhatergul Kangan, was admitted at SKIMS Soura on April 3 after being seriously injured during the clashes which erupted in the area following the killing of another youth Gowhar Ahmad Rather in police action.

Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr Farooq Jan confirmed the death of Lone.

He had been taken off the ventilator. He was in the ward. He was talking, said Dr Jan, adding that he might have died due to thromboembolism, in which a clot is formed in a blood vessel that breaks loose and is carried by the blood stream to plug another vessel.
The march was called by a platform set up in March to "defend Catalan institutions" and "the rights and fundamental freedoms" of its citizens.

The protest was backed by the Catalan branches of Spain's two largest trade unions, the CCOO and the UGT, sparking unease among union members who oppose independence for the wealthy northeastern region.

"There have been tensions (among unions members) just like in the rest of the Catalan society," the secretary general of the Catalan branch of UGT, Camil Ros, told AFP on Saturday on the eve of the march.

"But it is not a separatist protest. It is time to build bridges and the Catalan problem cannot be solved through the courts but by dialogue and politics," he added.

'Manufacture separatists'

The demonstration comes ten days after a German court dismissed an extradition request for Catalonia's ousted separatist president Carles Puigdemont on grounds of rebellion and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors last week handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence which would justify the rebellion charge against Puigdemont and their extradition request.

Puigdemont is also accused of misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 despite it having been ruled unconstitutional by the courts.

Alex de Ferrer, a 50-year-old IT specialist, said he`planned to take part in the protest because jailing separatist leaders "only serves to manufacture separatists".

The independence movement is "a bit decapitated" following the arrests of its leaders but "this is temporary", added de Ferrer, who supports leftist separatist party ERC, whose leader Oriol Junqueras is in jail.

Across Catalonia people are wearing yellow ribbons or displaying posters of yellow ribbons from their balconies and windows in sign of support for the nine jailed separatist leaders, who they consider to be "political prisoners".

Spain's justice minister, Rafael Catala, has called the use of yellow ribbons "insulting", arguing there are no political prisoners in Spain, instead there are "politicians in prison".

Political limbo

Since October 16 the leaders of Catalonia's two largest pro-independence groups -- Jordi Sanchez of the ANC and Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Jordi Cuixart -- have been in jail while they await their trial for rebellion.

Prosecutors say the two men played central roles in orchestrating pro-independence protests in September in Barcelona which trapped national police inside a government building and destroyed their vehicles.

They are also accused of mobilising thousands of pro-independence supporters to prevent police from stopping the October 1 independence referendum from going ahead.

"What makes me sad is the accusation of violence, which never existed," Sanchez said in December on Twitter.

He was elected as a lawmaker in snap polls in Catalonia in December and has been proposed two times as a candidate to lead a new Catalan regional government but a judge refused both times to allow him to leave jail to be sworn in.

Six other Catalan separatist leaders are in jail in Spain for rebellion, along with Junqueras and the leaders of the grassroots separatist groups.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spain's conservative central government imposed direct rule on the region after it unilaterally declared independence in October.
Thats a phrase presidents and politicians have studiously avoided since President George W. Bushs ill-fated aircraft carrier visit prematurely declaring success in the Iraq War.

But aside from the curious choice of words, it raised the essential question regarding Syria going beyond the one-time strike: What exactly is the mission?

For most of Trumps presidency, it has been to defeat the Islamic State and then get out. But what Trump outlined in his televised speech to the nation Friday night was something more complicated. He promised a sustained campaign to stop Syrias government from again using chemical weapons on its own people, while also emphasizing the limits of the United States ability or willingness to do more to stop the broader bloodletting that has devastated that country for seven years.

Trump finds himself in a position not all that different from that of his predecessor, President Barack Obama, and with no easier answers. The strike brought home Trumps competing impulses when it comes to Syria  on the one hand, his manful chest-thumping intended to demonstrate that he is the toughest one on the international block, and on the other, his deep conviction that U.S. involvement in the Middle East since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has been a waste of blood and treasure.

He did little to reconcile those impulses with his retaliatory strike to punish the government of President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack a week ago that killed dozens of people. But then again, he reflected the contradictions of a U.S. public that is tired of trying to solve other peoples problems in the Middle East yet recoils at the haunting images of dead children choked by gas.

Veterans of Washington policymaking in the Middle East offered conditional praise for Trumps restrained approach to the strike, if not necessarily his more bellicose rhetoric. In hitting three sites associated with Assads chemical weapons capabilities, limiting it to a single night and conducting it in conjunction with Britain and France, they said it sent a message while avoiding a deeper involvement and minimizing the risk of provoking Syrias patrons, Russia and Iran, into retaliating themselves.

However, I dont think the strike clarifies U.S. policy, said Meghan OSullivan, who oversaw the Iraq War as Bushs deputy national security adviser. In theory, there is not necessarily an inconsistency between a targeted, multilateral strike against chemical weapons sites and the withdrawal of troops that have been fighting ISIS. But the strike does really call into question the wisdom of pulling back American forces now in highlighting the question of what our objective really is in Syria.

Others argued that the strike was a waste that accomplished little and, in the process, exceeded the presidents authority as commander in chief since he did not obtain authorization from Congress first. Critics said that if Trump was truly moved by humanitarian concern over the victims of last weekends attack, he should reverse his policy of barring virtually any new Syrian refugees from the United States.

The ongoing bloodshed and war crimes in Syria are a stark reminder that Syrian civilians need our support now more than ever, Noah Gottschalk of Oxfam America said in a statement. Yet the Trump administration still lacks a coherent strategy to actually bring an end to the conflict and instead has sought to slash humanitarian aid and slam the door on Syrian refugees.

By most accounts, the strike essentially left in place the status quo on the ground. It did little if anything to weaken Assad beyond any chemical weapons stores it destroyed, leaving him to continue waging war on his own people through conventional means. It did nothing to exact the big price Trump promised to impose on Russia and Iran for enabling Assads chemical attacks.

Indeed, Trump has shown little interest in trying to steer Syria to a resolution of its civil war, eschewing the sort of Geneva diplomacy that absorbed Obamas last secretary of state, John F. Kerry, to little apparent effect. Trump sees Syria in two boxes  the fight against the Islamic State, in which he has declared near victory, and the multisided civil war that he wants no part of, saying as he did just days ago, Let the other people take care of it now.

But that is an artificial bifurcation in a country torn by violence on all sides. The civil war affects the ability of the Islamic State to operate and vice versa. Trump may have opted for the more cautious approach urged by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis instead of a more crippling attack that may have been favored by his new national security adviser, John R. Bolton, but he did not settle the larger question.

Asked Friday before the missiles began flying to explain the United States strategy in Syria, Heather Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman, demurred. Im not going to get ahead of the president, she said.

Even when the president spoke later that night, he was somewhat vague in describing his own strategy. While he said he was prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents, he did not explain what he meant or how far he was willing to go beyond saying he would also use economic and diplomatic tools.

Colin H. Kahl, who was the national security adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, said Trump wisely avoided hitting regime targets where there was a significant risk of killing Russians, but for that very reason did little real harm to Assad.

Indeed, the relatively cautious nature of the strike signaled that we were deterred from taking larger action, potentially undercutting the credible U.S. threat of doing more down the line if the regime continues to use chemical weapons, he said.

Fundamentally, these factors are not that different than they were during Obamas presidency, but Trump often seems unaware of history, even recent history. His use of the phrase mission accomplished on Saturday, for example, invited unwelcome comparisons to Bushs experience. Bush appeared on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in May 2003 after U.S. troops toppled Saddam Hussein in Iraq and declared the end of major combat operations. Behind him was a large banner declaring Mission Accomplished, which White House aides later said was meant as a congratulations to the carrier crew returning home but became a metaphor for miscalculation as a virulent insurgency consumed Iraq.

Um ... I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words, Ari Fleischer, who was Bushs White House press secretary at the time, wrote on Twitter on Saturday. When Bush made his appearance in spring 2003, he said, the words seemed fitting. By the Fall, he added, the shot of Bush with the banner became a symbol of what went wrong.

Philip H. Gordon, who was Obamas White House coordinator of Middle East policy, said one of the challenges for Trump was calibrating his language with his actions. In effect, Gordon said, the president seemed to be trying to find a reasoned middle ground in Syria that belies his own tough talk.

You can make a case that we are trying to thread a needle thats tough to thread, but the needle is to do enough to deter the regime from using chemical weapons but not so much that sucks us into the Syrian civil war and gets us into conflict with Iran and Russia, he said.

Rather than pay attention to Trumps words, Gordon said the strategy was better articulated by Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain and Mattis, who described the strike as an effort to stop Assad from using chemical weapons but noted that it was not intended to achieve broader goals.

What May and Mattis said could be considered a legitimate strategy, Gordon said. The risk is, with this president and this administration, is he going to be disciplined enough and restrained enough to thread that needle? Those are not his fortes.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The Bank said the facility is structured in two successive loans of US $100 million, each with a tenor of up to 2 years to promote agriculture in Africa.

According to a statement released on Thursday, April 12, 2018, the Development Bank said the Soft Commodity Finance Facility (SCFF) is one of the core Trade Finance instruments in the Bank that will provide pre- and post-shipment finance along various stages of ETCs commodity value chain operations in the 17 countries expected to benefit from the initiative. The intervention will help local farmers and soft commodity suppliers grow their revenues and produce quality crops for export.

Josephine Ngure, African Development Bank Director General for the Southern Africa Region, while speaking at the signing ceremony, said, This facility will significantly contribute not only in improving food productivity in Africa but most importantly in value addition and the wide distribution of food across the continent using ETCs broad distribution networks.

The facility would also contribute to smallholder farmers access to inputs (seeds and fertilizers), mechanization and access to international markets thereby ensuring significant revenues to farmers; integration of poorer sections of the population into a sustainable process of economic growth and development; regional integration by developing sustainable platforms to supply local and regional markets; and lastly it also has strong gender and youth impact as agriculture employs significant numbers of mostly youths and women, Ngure said.

The Facility

AfDB said the facility will be used to finance the procurement of identified agricultural commodities from over 600,000 farmers. Upon purchase of the soft commodities, the SCFF will provide working capital to ETC thus enabling the company engage in value addition/processing of the soft commodities such as cashew nuts prior to export, and provide funding to procure farm inputs (mainly fertilizer components for blending) to be supplied to farmers so as to ensure consistency and quality of the commodities being supplied to ETC.

Also, the Trade Finance intervention along the agricultural value chain will enable the Bank to reach many small-scale farmers indirectly through ETC, a pan African aggregator that has deep knowledge of the market in which it has accumulated a 50-year track record; understands the agricultural sector operational risks and is able to mitigate and manage them.

AfDB agreement with Commerzbank

Last week, the African Development Bank, AfDB, approved a US $50 million unfunded Risk Participation Agreement for Commerzbank AG (Commerzbank) to support African banks on trade finance operations.
To many Nigerians, Aisha Buhari is the ideal wife of the President the country needs at this moment. For some reasons, the wife of the president seems to be one of the voices of the poor in Nigeria.

This is as she couldnt care less about the performance of the government led by her husband.

Due to these attributes of her, here are times Aisha Buhari had to publicly attack the government led by her husband.

1. BBC Interview

Aisha Buharis outburst during an interview with the BBC Hausa service shocked the whole nation and all media machinery of government. This is the first time such time will be happening in the history of Nigeria.

Nigerias wife remarked that some individuals have hijacked her husbands government. Also, she disclosed that her husband didnt know about 90 percent of his cabinet members.

Whether he knows or he doesnt know, those who voted for him know. There is nothing I will tell him. He can see. Among all the people he selected, if he is asked among 50 people, he doesnt know 45. I dont know them despite staying with him for 25 years. She said.

She disclosed that if things didnt change, she will not support her husbands re-election.

"He is yet to tell me but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again."

Also Read: Aisha Buhari is seriously campaigning against her husband right now

2. State House Clinic

The second time Aisha Buhari will be coming for husbands government was the poor state of the State House clinic that supposed to the first family.

Just like the first case, it was during a public event she disclosed this state of the centre and prompted an investigation by the countrys House of Representatives on the matter.

If the budget is N100 million, we need to know how the budget is spent. Along the line, I insisted they call Aso Clinic to find out if the X-ray machine is working, they said it is not working. They didnt know I am the one that was supposed to be in that hospital at that every time.

3. Sharing video of critical of Buharis government on social media

The social media environment was shocked to see a post from Aisha Buhari on Twitter containing a video of Senates plenary session where Buharis government is put under the spotlight.
Mr Femi Adesanya, a lecturer in the Department of English and General Studies, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, said that cultism exist in virtually all the states of the federation.

Adesanya expressed dismay that the young, old, rich, poor, male and female from different religions and cultures were involved in cultism.

Unfortunately, most people who pretend to detest cultism are strong members and the financial strength of this group, he said.

Adesanya noted that cultists were also in the corridors of power, saying that their sponsors were found in government, political groups, politicians, herbalists and security agencies.

According to him, this is the reason why all efforts to curb these ugly societal groups continually prove abortive.

He identified factors that led youths into such secret group to include the desire to seek spiritual shield and societal fame, financial strength, power and position.

According to him, supremacy over people around them and by extension to other human endeavours, criminality revenge, peer pressure and influence, lack of parental control and guidance, indoctrination, political rivalry were other factors.

Adesanya said that most of the members, especially youths were lured into the groups by their sponsors through monetary inducement, promise of criminal shields and protective influence, initiation and diabolical means.

He explained that cultists saw killing as a way of exercising their supremacy and criminal minds, as they hardly believe in legal ideas and they take delight in evil and unlimited impunity.

Adesanya said that the laws in place to check the activities of these groups were rather too weak, adding that was why their operation continues to gain ground.

The fact remains that the Nigerian laws are rather too weak and besides, corruption has eaten so deep into the fabric of the judiciary.

It is only the poor and innocent people that are nailed and clamped into jail in Nigeria, he said.

Adesanya, however, blamed the existence and sustenance of the group on the religious institutions, homes, schools, governments and the society at large,

He said that they had failed in their respective and collective responsibilities.

Also, Mr Olayinka Aderoju, the Vice-Principal, Nigeria Tulip International College (NTIC) in Ogun, said that there was no state in the country where cultism does not exist.

Aderoju said that their goals and manner of operations were different.

He said that it would be difficult for the ugly phenomenon to disappear just like that, pointing out that the factors which gave rise to it in the first place were still in existence.

Aderoju expressed disappointment that most of the governments agencies that were saddled with the responsibility of curbing activities of this evil group were the ones aiding them.

According to him, factors pushing youths to cultism were poor home training owing to parents abdicating their roles, peer influence, lack of morals and poor foundation in academics.
At the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday, April 14 2018, Nigerian superstar Davido emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night as he was crowned as the 'Best African Artiste of the year'.

In a category that paraded fellow Nigerian artists like Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Olamide alongside other super stars from Africa like Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C and Toofan. Davido went home with the gong after having one of the most stellar years in his career.

Davido delivered records like 'If' and 'Fall' , that enjoyed global recognition and topped charts across the continent. He had also won the African Artiste of the year at the Soundcity MVP Awards earlier in the year.

It would be recalled that Runtown had emerged winner of the same category in its 2017 edition.
Obviously the incident is likely to damage the reputation of the church, hence its overseer, Apostle Joshua Oribhabor has distanced the church from the alleged criminal conducts of the deceased pastor.

READ MORE: Porn star reveals how she had to quit acting porn to save her life

He said: My Ministry Grace Dispensation Prophetic Ministry Intl is not and can never be a party to his evil deed, we are informing the general public that we know nothing about it and the name of our Ministry should not be dragged to the mud.

Apostle Joshua Oribhabor further explained that Pastor Emmanuel was never an ordained pastor of his church, saying: I dont have other Pastors in my Ministry and I have never ordained any, I dont know where and who ordained Pastor Emmanuel, he do attend our programs and became a friend to the Ministry, but we were never aware of his illicit act and we never recognize him as a pastor.
When she got to the hospital and a midwife disclosed to her that she was due to give birth shortly, Charlotte was shocked to the marrow because she had not experienced any symptom of pregnancy.

Charlotte said: My stomach was completely flat, and Id been having regular periods so it was such a shock when I found out.

READ MORE: Kwadwo Antwi in police grips after stealing from a Zoo

I didnt believe that I was actually pregnant until I gave birth. It was scary becoming a first-time mum with no warning.

But I wouldnt change Molly for the world, and I feel so lucky.

The young mother said though she experienced fatigue during the period prior to the day she went to the hospital, she was under the notion that it might be as a result of her party outings.

I thought it was from going out all the time. I still managed to get into my clothes so I just ignored it.

On that amazing day in December 2015, when Charlotte was having the stomach pain, she took it lightly because she said I took some paracetamol and hoped that it would blow over.

Instead, the pain just got worse and I was in agony. An hour later I felt like I was going to be sick so I ran to the toilet and saw that my underwear was full of blood.

I had just finished my period so I was really scared. I knew something was seriously wrong and booked a taxi to the hospital.

When the news of expecting a baby in no time was revealed to her, Charlotte said I panicked that I wasnt prepared and hadnt bought any baby clothes. I was so worried about what my parents would say when they found out that I was having a baby.

However, ironically, when her parents arrived at the hospital, she said They were really supportive and excited about their first grandchild.

The pregnancy was for Charlottes ex-boyfriend, and she added that: Its crazy to think that Id been carrying a baby all that time.

When Mum called my work to explain that Id had a baby, they were gobsmacked as theyd seen me the day before with no baby bump at all.

My friends didnt believe me until they saw a picture of Molly. Luckily Im still a size 8 and didnt need to lose any baby weight.

Molly has joined the nursery that I work at so I can take her with me, which is perfect.

Mollys dad is an ex who is no longer in the picture, but I have plenty of help from my parents with the baby. Im no longer a party animal but its worth it to have Molly.
MASSOBs National Director of Information, Sunny Okoroafor said this while reacting to President Buharis declaration that he will seek re-election in 2019.

He said The 2019 election in the country will be bloody, if they could be killing people everyday when there is no election, imagine what will happen if there is election in the country.

Our advice to the Igbo is that they should not participate in the Nigerian election as not to be victims of what is going to happen.

Nigeria is in big trouble and people are talking about election, what type of election is that when people are dying everyday. Nobody is safe again in the country and that is why we are agitating for Biafra, which must surely come.

Look at the killings all over the country, today it is Boko Haram, tomorrow, it is Fulani herdsmen, maybe before the elections next year, another group of killers will emerge, but my advice to our people is that they should not be involved in the election as not to be prey to the Hausa/Fulani.

Stop the killing of innocent people

The group also called on Buhari to stop the killing of innocent people all over the country before seeking re-election.

MASSOBs spokesman also said that it is not disturbed by the Presidents decision to run for a second term, adding that elections in Nigeria is flawed.

Elections in Nigeria are baseless and flawed, MASSOB do not have interest in Nigerian politics. However, we are not going to disrupt the 2019 elections.

The president should first of all stop the killings and bloodletting across Nigeria which is paramount before talking of re-contesting election.

But as the president of the country, he has the right to seek re-election and nobody will take away that from him, he said.

Fulanis want to take over Nigeria

According to Okoroafor, the Fulanis want to conquer Nigeria through violence and bloodshed.

He said Not only that, the country will be spilt into six countries so that each zone would go its own separate way. If this is not done, Nigeria will continue to be in turmoil.

It is true that we dont carry guns and we dont believe in violence, but MASSOB will use catapult to defend our people and we are sounding a note of warning to the Fulani herdsmen that they should not come to the South-East.

ALSO READ:

The Fulani want to use their herdsmen to conquer the whole of Nigeria, including Igbo land. What their fore-fathers couldnt achieve in the 19th Century, they want to accomplish in the 21st Century, it is not possible, let them come to Igbo land, we are waiting for them."

MASSOB members to get voting cards

The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have called on its members to obtain their permanent voters card.

According to the groups National Secretary, Ibem Ugwuoke, in a statement issued on Friday, February 16, 2018, the PVC would be useful in the nearest future as the groups forges with its quest for a sovereign state.
Mr Onyeka Achuzia, the son of the deceased, said his father was Ikemba of Asaba and would be buried according to the tradition of Asaba.

The funeral ceremonies began on Thursday with a Day of Tributes.

The ceremonies continued on Friday with a funeral service conducted by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star at Achuzias residence.

The preacher at the service, Chukwuma Dike, cautioned against material acquisition, which he described as vanity.

Everything is vanity in this life. Your children cannot use your PhD to earn income when you are gone.

They cannot access your bank accounts unless they follow the processes to change the signatory, he said.

Dike described the name, Achuzia, as a key that could open doors because of the legacies he left behind.

He urged his children to remain united to sustain the values Achuzia represented.

At a reception held at St. Patricks College, Asaba, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by his Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Fidelis Tilije.

The family received condolences from the governors of the five South-Eastern states, while the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, led executives of the socio-cultural organisation to the ceremonies.

Achuzia was a secretary-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, where he further propagated the ideas of Igbo nation which he stood for till his death.

In a condolence message published in the burial brochure, Okowa, in a statement signed by Mr Ovie Agas, the Secretary to the State Government, described Achuzia as an epitome of virtues.

A veteran of the Nigeria civil war, a leader of thought, inspirational community leader, bridge builder, elder statesman and above all, selfless leader whose life time achievements transcended community and national boundary.

I recall that despite being a Deltan, Col. Achuzia rose to become the secretary-general of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, a platform from where he fought relentlessly for the advancement of his people, Okowa said.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo Governor, in a message, said Achuzia was a combatant and seasoned soldier whose precision in the discharge of his military duties was second to none.

His contributions toward a united and indivisible post-war Nigeria was unrivalled. This was evident in his pontifications on poignant contemporary political issues.

His rare sense of diligence, organisational prowess, indefatigable and intrepidness during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war earned him the name, Hannibal, from his friends and foes.

In his capacity as a commander on the Biafran side, Hannibal displayed his administrative ingenuity and laid foundation for the prosecution of the 30 months war.

However, he surrendered and joined hands in the building of one Nigeria.

He was indeed a great patriot and worthy statesman, Okorocha said.
Srinagar, April 15: Gujar and Bakarwal Youth conference, Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement on Saturday held a protest here to press for shifting of Kathua minor rape and murder case to Kashmir wing of High Court.

Scores of activists assembled here in press enclave and demanded strict action against the culprits involved in the rape and murder case of the old eight girl of Kathua.

The activists said that they are apprehensive that hindrances will be created during the trial of rape and murder of Kuthua girl.

They dont want justice should prevail. Everyone knows that how lawyers in Kathua has supported the culprits and tried to block crime branch from filing an charge sheet in the case, said one of the protestors.

The protesters also asked the BJP leadership to expel Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chandra Prakash Ganga from the basic membership of the party.It should serve as a deterrent to them. They should not be able to support such type of crime again, protestors added. With the hanging of culprits, justice will be delivered to Asifa. The government here should learn a lesson from Pakistan how the killers of Zainab was awarded death sentence there, said a member of Gujar and Bakarwal Youth conference.Meanwhile, the Federation Chamber of Industries of Kashmir, Voice of people, Lal Chowk Traders Association and students also protested here in Srinagar and demanded the capital punishment for the culprits.
She gave the reason during the 2017 Vanguard Awards, where she was won the Vanguard Personality of the Year 2017.

Aisha once revealed during an interview with the BBC Hausa service that some individuals have hijacked his husbands government.

State House Clinic

In October 2017, the First Lady condemned the management of Aso Rock clinic, claiming that the facility does not have the facilities to treat patients.

She also said that she had to visit a private clinic after she found out the Aso Rock clinic's X-Ray machine was not working.

According to her, "I called the Aso Clinic to find out if they have an X-Ray machine, they said its not working. In the end I had to go to a hospital owned and operated by foreigners 100 per cent.

"There is a budget for the Hospital and if you go there now, you will see a number of constructions going on but they dont have a single syringe there. What is the purpose of the buildings if there are no equipment there to work with?

"You can imagine what happens across the states to governors wives if this will happen to me in Abuja."

Sense of justice

The First lady said that she had to criticise the administration of her husband because she believed in justice and fairness.

According to Punch, she also said that she believes that Buharis government has to serve the people, because Nigerians elected him based on trust and confidence.

Aisha said I wish to thank the management of Vanguard Media Limited for this unexpected award, in recognition of my humanitarian efforts towards improving the health and welfare of Nigerians particularly women, children and less privileged.

One of the reasons adduced for honouring me was the interview I granted which some people saw as criticism to a government that I am part of.

I need to state that my position was a result of my sense of justice and not confrontation or disrespect. I was brought up to stand by the truth and this is how I have always been.

ALSO READ:All the times President Muhammadu Buhari was attacked by his wife

As we are all aware, Nigerians elected this administration based on the trust and confidence they have on my husband; I, therefore, feel that we are here to serve Nigeria to the best of our ability.

Let me use this opportunity to state that I support my husband in this call to service and will continue to do so.

On this note, I hereby dedicate this award to the people of Nigeria, especially women. Thank you sincerely for this award.

The other room

President Buhari, in response to the First Ladys allegation that his government has been hijacked by a cabal, told journalists in Germany, in October 2016, that his wife has no business with politics.

His words: I don't know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.

So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition, because in the end I have succeeded. It's not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.
Nwachukwu made the call while speaking at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awardsin Lagos.

He said there was the need for power to properly devolve from the centre to the other federating units to reflect true federalism.

We need to devolve the over-concentration of power at the centre, whilst allowing the federating units more autonomy.

And just as we are seeking devolution of more powers to the state governments as federating units from the centre, so should the states guarantee the autonomy of the local governments under them, he said.

Nwachukwu said the creation of local governments should not be the responsibility of the federal government but that of the states.

He said the sustenance of local governments should consequently be the responsibility of the states.

On the clamour for restructuring, the former minister said that was the way to go for the country, for unity and sustainable development.

He said the it behoved on Nigerians and the country s leaders to deliver on the restructuring of the country in order to have a true federation where no one is oppressed.

I believe that it is only when we achieve this can our country be stable, its security guaranteed and its economy for the betterment of all,  he said.

Nwachukwu said democracy is a misnomer in the absence of freedom of speech and thoughts.

He said it was important to protect the freedom of press and rule of law.

The People of our country should, henceforth be prepared to defend that freedom as indeed we must the Rule of Law with all our might if it is our desire that democracy should thrive, he said.

The former minister urged the media not to abdicate its responsibility as the voice of the voiceless for development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Presidents wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, were among personalities honoured at the awards.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Gov. Umar Ganduje of Kano were among the governors honoured.
On Thursday, April 5, 2018, robbers attacked Union Bank, Eco bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank and Ibolo Micro Finance Bank and made away with an unspecified amount of money, according to NAN.

Ayesanmi was among the officers killed in the police station on that fateful day.

One year to retire

According to the family of the slain police officer, he had one year left for him to retire from the police force.

Ayesanmis son also alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station did not come to condole with them.

ALSO READ:This is why it was so easy for robbers to kill 30 in Offa

FG sympathises with families of victims

The Federal Government in a tweet sympathised with the family members of those who were killed during an armed robbery attack.

According to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state, who described the robbery attack as barbaric and unfortunate, said no effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The governor also calledon security agencies at various levels to launch a thorough investigation to unravel those involved in the incident.
Sakilda, a Nigerian journalist believed to be based in Dubai and self-acclaimed negotiator in the Chibok girls saga, had made this disclosure in a series of tweets posted on his handle, @ContactSalkida, on Saturday.

He said the 15 surviving girls had been married off, indoctrinated and might no longer be interested in returning home.

Salkida, who claimed to be part of the negotiating team for the release of the girls since the era of former President Goodluck Jonathans administration, enjoined the Buhari administration to demand for proof of life, as it carries out negotiations to secure the release of the remaining girls still in captivity.

However, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, debunked Salkidas claims in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

The presidential aide stated that Salkida was neither involved in the processes that resulted in the release of the over 100 Chibok girls nor in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls in captivity.

He said: Following the numerous press enquiries on the information contained in the series of tweets by Mr Ahmed Salkida, we wish to reiterate that the information is not known to the officials of this administration either from the captors of the Chibok girls or the international intercessors who are working with us.

We wish to confirm that Mr Salkida is not involved, on behalf of the Nigerian government in the processes leading to the release of the over 100 Chibok Girls that have returned to their families, so far , and is not involved in the current processes to secure the release of those still held in captivity.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had on Friday reassured the parents of the school girls, that were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno, that their daughters will never be forgotten or abandoned to their fate.

The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, noted that despite four long years since they were taken away by terrorists the government would continue its efforts to ensure their safe return to their respective homes.

He joined the Borno government, parents of the children and Nigerians in commemorating the fourth anniversary of the sad incident.

He also noted that the recovery of more than 100 of the girls that were kidnapped through the Federal Governments determined effort should give confidence that all hope is not lost.

The President re-affirmed that the government remained focused and determined to see the girls return to their homes.

He, therefore, urged the parents to be expectant of more good news in due course.

We are concerned and aware that it is taking long to bring the rest of our daughters back home, but be assured that this administration is doing its very best to free the girls from their captors.

Unfortunately, the negotiations between the government and Boko Haram suffered some unexpected setbacks, owing mainly to a lack of agreement among their abductors, whose internal differences have led to a divergence of voices regarding the outcome of the talks.

We know that this is not the news parents want to hear after four whole years of waiting, but we want to be as honest as possible with you.

However, this government is not relenting. We will continue to persist, and the parents should please not give up.

Dont give up hope of seeing our daughters back home again. Dont lose faith in this governments ability to fulfill our promise of reuniting you with our daughters.

Dont imagine for a moment that we have forgotten about our daughters or that we consider their freedom a lost course, the President said.
Buhari said this while hosting members of the Buhari Diaspora Support Organisation in London.

According to Punch, Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Buhari said Failure of some of the leadership we had in the past led to our not being able to capitalise on resources to improve the lot of the people.

The President also added that If they had used 50 per cent of the money we made when oil prices went as high as $143 per barrel, and stabilised at $100 with production at 2.1 million barrels per day for many years, Nigerians would have minded their business.

You could almost grow food on our roads, as they were abandoned. The stealing was so much, and they were so inept that they could not even cover the stealing properly.

I wonder how all those things could have happened to our country.

God will grant Buhari victory

Speaking on the upcoming election, the leader of the Buhari Diaspora Support Organisation, Charles Sylvester told the President that God will grant him victory during the polls.

Sylvester also said that members of the group are happy with the progress that the current administration has made in Nigeria.

According to Punch, he said You met a difficult situation, but you have overcome most of them. We are happy with the agriculture revolution, the ease of doing business, the anti-corruption war, the employment of youths through the N-Power programme, and the blockage of leakages in the public sector through the Treasury Single Account.

We are proud of the speed with which you recovered the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls. It shows you as a worthy General.

We are happy that you have declared for 2019. Majority of Nigerians are happy, but agents of corruption and darkness are unhappy.

The same God who healed you when you were ill, will grant you victory in the 2019 elections. You are a General who does not fear combat, either with Generals or non-Generals.

We declare our love and support for you. You are fixing the faulty foundations of our country and second term is when you will build the enduring structure.
In an interview with French business daily Les Echos ahead of a visit to Paris, Trudeau acknowledged that environmentalists were "concerned" by the Trans Mountain pipeline.

But he said, "Canadians and people around the world know that we cannot choose between what is good for the environment and good for the economy."

"You have to do both at the same time, and above all, you have to fund the transition towards reduced use of fossil fuels."

On Thursday, the Liberal premier cut short a visit to Peru to try defuse a threatened constitutional crisis over expanding a 1,150-kilometre (715-mile) pipeline to move 890,000 barrels of oil per day from landlocked Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific coast.

Opponents of the pipeline point to the risk of oil spills at sea and say it flouts Trudeau's commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"We cannot change everything in our economies overnight," Trudeau said.

"It's clear that people on the left and ecologists are concerned but there are also people on the right who do not like the idea of a carbon tax."

He assured that Canada, which will introduce a national carbon tax next year, would meet its targets under the 2015 Paris accord on combatting climate change.
The 56-year-old economist led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2016 and into NATO last year -- now he wants to take the predominantly Orthodox country, a part of which has strong pro-Russia sympathies, into the European Union.

If he wins the presidency, currently a ceremonial post held by his ally Filip Vujanovic, it is expected to become the real seat of power in the country of 620,000 people.

Polls opened at 7am (0500 GMT) and will close at 8pm, with first results expected shortly afterwards.

Djukanovic is the most high-profile of the seven candidates, with posters plastered all over the capital Podgorica -- where a third of Montenegro's population lives -- proclaiming him as "leader, statesman and president of all citizens".

Opinion polls indicate he is such a strong favourite that he may be able to win more than half of the votes, which would rule out a run-off planned for April 29.

"I will win today," Djukanovic said after voting.

'Reign of an autocrat'

The issue of organised crime has cast a shadow on the campaign, with some 20 people killed by assassinations in the street or car bombs over the last two years.

The opposition accuses Djukanovic of being linked to the mafia, which he denies.

"As president, I will do everything in my power... to give the police the authority that would allow them to protect citizens from those who put their lives in danger," Djukanovic said during the campaign.

His strongest rival is Mladen Bojanic, who has the support of most opposition parties, including pro-Russian factions, and is expected to secure around a third of the vote.

On Sunday Bojanic said he voted to "put an end to the reign of an autocrat who wants to turn Montenegro into a dictatorship".

Earlier in the campaign he accused Djukanovic of being "the creator of the instability and chaos that we witness in the streets of Montenegro".

"I agree with Djukanovic that the state is stronger than mafia. But the problem is that I do not know which side he is on," he added.

Djukanovic has claimed the opposition want to turn the country into a "Russian province" and threaten Montenegro's multicultural way of life.

The former prime minister, who has also served one term as president, can count on the support of the Croatian, Albanian and Bosnian minorities, which make up 15 percent of the electorate.

'Normal relations with Russia'

Pro-Russian Marko Milacic, a candidate forecasted to win just three percent of the vote, accuses Djukanovic of being most responsible for the "situation in the country, from bloody streets to the foreign policy and a ruined economy".

With Montenegro's average salary at around 500 euros ($615) and unemployment at over 20 percent, the debate over the West versus Russia is not the main concern of many Montenegrins.

For Djukanovic, however, the choice between Brussels and Moscow is crucial to whether Montenegro will "remain on its road of development".

But he has toned down the anti-Russian rhetoric, saying he wanted "normal relations with Russia if it is prepared to do the same".

Along with Serbia, Montenegro is the favourite to join the EU next, possibly as early as 2025.

The EU in its 2016 country progress report told Montenegro it should continue its efforts to reduce organised crime, in particular on human trafficking and money laundering, and also noted the problem of international cigarette smuggling through the port of Bar.

All candidate countries are strongly encouraged to align their foreign policy with the EU, including regarding Russia.

In the run-up to the vote, local newspapers have alleged electoral fraud, saying many dead people figured on voters' lists.
An investigation by the Organization of American States ended up finding that the Belize patrol was not responsible for the death.

The referendum was agreed under a 2008 accord to send the dispute to The Hague-based ICJ, if the populations of Guatemala and Belize approved.

Belize has not yet fixed a date for its referendum on the issue, although officials say it could take place next year.

The Guatemalan plebiscite question asks voters to respond "yes" or "no" as to whether any legal claims by Guatemala against Belize relating to its territories "should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement" and boundary determination.

The country has an electorate of 7.5 million people, but analysts believe turnout could be as low as 10 percent.

The head of Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Maria Eugenia Mijangos, told reporters that voter apathy was a big risk. Efforts by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales to boost turnout have foundered on the rocks of his low popularity.

Guatemala has made claims over more than half of Belize's territory, dating to when its English-speaking neighbor was a British colony known as British Honduras.

The border issue goes back to 1783 when Spain, the former colonial power over what is now Guatemala, gave Britain the right to occupy future Belize and exploit its timber in exchange for combating piracy. A century later, it became a British colony.

In 1964, British Honduras won the right to self-government, then in 1973 renamed itself Belize.
"A civilian was killed and 11 people were injured, including three bodyguards, in the convoy of Ammar Hadaya Kahya, a candidate for the Turkmen Front in Kirkuk," the security source said on condition of anonymity.

There were no immediate claims of responsbility for the attack.

Iraqi troops last year seized the vital oil-rich Kirkuk region from Kurdish forces after a controversial vote for independence in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish zone.

Turkmens largely welcomed the return of government control forces, years after the Kurds took over the area amid the chaos of the Islamic State group's march across Iraq in 2014.

Since the return of Baghdad's forces, the region has seen clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkmen units of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary forces, officially controlled by the government.

Candidate Kahya is an advisor to Falah al-Fayadh, who official heads the Hashed.

Elections in Iraq have typically been accompanied by violence since the ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein by the US-led invasion in 2003.

Bloodshed has subsided in recent months, but several deadly attacks have taken place.

Four people were killed and several wounded last Sunday in an IS suicide attack on the headquarters of a political party in Anbar.

The Iraqi government declared victory over IS in December after pushing the jihadists out of their final holdouts along the border with Syria.
The meeting comes after a barrage of strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France hit targets they said were linked to chemical weapons development in Syria, which was suspended from the league seven years ago.

But in his opening address Salman focused instead on rivalries with longtime foe Iran -- only 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Dharan.

"We renew our strong condemnation of Iran's terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries," the king said.

And despite being a stalwart ally of the United States, he also criticised US President Donald Trump controversial decision to transfer America's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Chitwan Park boosts security of wildlife

In view of possible infiltration inside the sanctuary, the Chitwan National Park has come up with several measures to protect its valuable wildlife.The CNP authority said security measures were introduced as human activity around the park area was likely to go up this season.
A banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" loomed in the background as Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq, a claim belied by the years of hard fighting that followed.

Trump resurrected the phrase in a tweet Saturday after the strikes launched by US, British and French forces in response to an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian regime.

"The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished,'" he tweeted on Sunday.

"I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!"

'Our work is not done'

US military officials said the air strikes took out "the heart" of Syria's chemical weapons facilities, but it remained to be seen how Syria would respond.

"We of course know our work in Syria is not done," US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on "Fox News Sunday."

"We know that it is now up to (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad on whether he is going to use chemical weapons again, and should he use it again, the president has made it very clear that the United States is locked and loaded and ready to go," she said.

"If Assad doesn't get it, it's going to hurt."

Democrats and others denounced Trump's use of the "Mission Accomplished" phrase as odd, incautious and premature.

Senator Angus King, an independent who serves on the armed services and intelligence committees, noted that the missile strike Trump ordered last year had failed to prevent Syria's continued use of chemical weapons.

No evidence presented

"I think it is impossible to say at this point that the mission has been accomplished," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."

He also noted that while administration officials had notified congressional leaders Friday just before the strike, "they didn't supply the evidence" of chemical use.

But White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders insisted Sunday that the strike was a success. "They 100 percent met their objectives," she said on ABC's "This Week."

Longer-term, she said, Trump had three ultimate objectives in Syria: to defeat the Islamic State group, to contain Iranian aggression and to halt the use of "mass chemical weapons."

The "Mission Accomplished" phrase prompted widespread derision on social media.

Even Ari Fleischer, who was Bush's spokesman at the time of the "Mission Accomplished" speech, seemed almost at a loss for words.
"The relationship of the United States with Nigeria is deep and strong, and Nigeria's economic growth, security, and leadership in Africa will advance our mutual prosperity."

Nigeria, West Africa's largest economy, is among the countries combatting Islamist extremism with help from the United States.

The nation is battling an array of security threats across its territory, from Boko Haram jihadists in the northeast to oil militants in the south.

The announcement of the visit comes one day after the fourth anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls abduction, which saw Boko Haram kidnap 276 girls.

The Nigerian president's White House visit also follows a scandal that erupted in January when Trump allegedly branded African nations "shithole countries."

The reported remark triggered global outrage and forced the US president to pen a letter reaffirming his commitment to the continent.

Nigeria was among the countries included on Trump's ex-secretary of state Rex Tillerson's Africa tour last month -- though the former Texas oilman truncated the trip just before the US president brutally sacked him.
QUIZ: Guess the Road Songs

We can't wait to get back on the road again! Play this quiz and see if how many you can get right!
Newshub News Desk

Newshub welcomes your news tips and information.

Please email us: news@newshub.co.nz or

call the news team on 0800 Newshub.

The network news centre is in Auckland, with journalists in Wellington and Christchurch, as well as the Press Gallery office at Parliament, combined with a team of freelance reporters around the country.



Newshub supplies news and sport to all 140 MediaWorks radio stations, making it the most listened-to commercial radio news service in New Zealand.

Newshub is owned by Discovery New Zealand.
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

Search Real Estate
Complaint filed to probe suspicious death of woman

The maternal family of Sanu Budhathoki, who reportedly committed suicide in Chandrapur-9 on Thursday, lodged a complaint with police claiming that she was killed over a dowry dispute.
Lower numbers signal that that companies, especially the technology services firms, are steadily reducing the dependency on non-immigrant visas.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has confirmed that it received a total of 190,098 H-1B petitions during the filing period for 2018-19, a drop of 4 per cent from what it received last year, signalling that companies, especially the technology services firms are steadily reducing the dependency on non-immigrant visas.

The number of petitions had reached a record-high of 236,000 in 2016 but have since dropped following US president Donald Trump's call to embrace a "Buy American, Hire American" strategy. For the 2017-18 filing period, USCIS had received 199,000 applications.

H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies in the United States to employ foreign workers in occupations that require skilled expertise.

On April 11, USCIS used a computer-generated process to select random H-1B petitions to meet the US Congress-mandated cap and the US advanced degree exemption, known as the masters cap, for the fiscal year 2019.

USCIS announced on April 6, that it had received enough H-1B petitions to meet the statutory cap of 65,000 and the masters cap of 20,000. USCIS will reject and return all unselected applications along with their filing fees unless the petition is a prohibited multiple filing.

"USCIS is expected to begin working on cap cases soon after they are receipted, but high filing volume and suspension of premium processing through September 2018, and a backlog of non-cap cases could mean lengthy H1-B cap processing times," said US-based global immigration service, Fragomen.

USCIS received 95,885 advanced-degree H-1B cap submissions and 94,213 standard H-1B cap submissions during the FY 2019 filing period.

The immigration department conducted the selection process for the masters cap first. All unselected masters cap petitions then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000 cap.

However, it could still take few weeks for employers to finally know how many of their applications have cleared the lottery as USCIS continues receiving other applications.

Fragomen also noted that based on the statistics provided, advanced-degree filings had a 21 per cent chance of selection in the advanced-degree lottery. All remaining cases had a 38 per cent chance of selection in the standard lottery.

Odds for advanced-degree cases were somewhat higher because these filings had a second chance for selection if they were not chosen in the initial lottery.

Following Trump's clampdown on foreign professionals in the country, experts estimate that the top IT giants will reduce the number of applications this year but the overall numbers won't be affected largely due to smaller companies applying for visas.

We have applied for as many number of H-1B visa petitions based on the business demands, Infosyss Chief Operating Officer, U B Pravin Rao told reporters during the companys earnings call on Friday. However, the company, like many other Indian IT services firms, has stepped up hiring in the US including recruiting candidates through campus interviews.

Subburaju Pericherla, founder of strategic business solutions provider CrossBorders said, "The fact that larger IT companies have reduced their applications is beneficial for smaller startups, as this gives them a higher chance of acceptance than what was possible in the past. If a company with 2,000 applications gets only 50 per cent approved, they don't lose much in terms of skill availability but startups are selective about the resources they choose and these numbers may prove beneficial for them."

USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempted from the cap. Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, will also not be counted towards the FY 2019 H-1B cap.

Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.
Designer and revivalist Ritu Kumar shares with the public her personal collection of textiles from her travels, as well as reflections and commentary. Ritika Kochhar reports.

Also read: 50 years of Ritu Kumar

Ritu Kumar has built a huge cave of textiles inside the Visual Art Gallery at Delhi's India Habitat Centre.

The walls gleam with digital prints of ancient textile patterns that have inspired her journey as a revivalist and fashion designer over the past 50 years.

When you peer closely at the prints, you realise that each is made up of many old designs sourced by Kumar from textile centres across India and Asia. The prints include the classic blue hexagonal star from the mosques of Uzbekistan as well as collages from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Varanasi, Bhutan etc.

The pride of place, opposite the entrance, belongs to a huge Srikalahasti Kalamkari piece.

On closer look, you realise that the cloth walls are a background for paintings and textiles.

The first painted collages show murals from the Ajanta Caves (2nd-5th century BCE) and Chaurapanschasika paintings (12th-15th century CE). They offer proof that several textile patterns that we sport so thoughtlessly today, including ikat and bandhini, have an ancient provenance.

The Uzbeki series includes the bazaar, the mud huts where some of the most renowned textiles in the world are created and an image of Babar -- the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and a man forgotten in his own country.

There's an image of Kumar's favourite block printer, Dipakar, and of Beliaghata in West Bengal, where the first workshop she attended on textiles was held.

The textiles are sourced from Kumar's own vast collection and include ancient robes that she brought back from her travels in Uzbekistan, Bhutan and Myanmar.

Kumar's exhibition centres on a series of travelogues on her travels through textile centres such as Kashmir, Varanasi, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Masulipatnam, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bhutan and Myanmar.

"I think this is the first time that an Indian designer has shared with the public her personal writings by way of a travelogue, and that too in the form of an exhibition. We have chosen to present excerpts from her personal diaries and this gives a personal and intimate insight into Mrs Kumar's work, in contrast to her work in the public domain," says Mayank Mansingh Kaul, curator of this exhibition.

Kumar's first travelogue, which is being released along with the show, focuses on her travels through Uzbekistan. The rest of the publications will also be launched this year.

While they reflect her research and reflection on the textile arts of the regions and their unique histories, they are also meant to help people navigate these relatively unknown places -- there's commentary on everything from the flora and fauna, food, where to stay and whom to get in touch with these to ease your travels.

Kumar's background as an art historian and artist also play a big role in the book and exhibition.

Along with pages from the books, the exhibition also displays archival textiles, vintage photographs, collages and paintings. The paintings even include pictures of the flowers that grow in these regions and their seasons.

Kumar wants these contemporary travelogues to be light bedtime reading.

Thus, the travelogues help offer a personal perspective on the ever-changing field of textiles, show the interconnections between distant cultures that have ancient shared artistic heritages and tell the story of handcrafted traditions at the crossroads of change in India. For example, old family portraits in a photographer's studio in Bukhara provided the missing link between hand-block printing, ikat and zardozi.

The name of the exhibition, "Crossroads", displays her concern for the status of handloom and workers in India, a subject that Kumar has spoken on often.

"Eighteen million people in India earn a daily livelihood from the handloom industry. We are at a crossroads right now because of commercial reasons. People do not want to work in the handloom industry, even those who are highly skilled. It would be a terrible pity if people left. Nowhere in the world do they have this breadth of textiles. It requires a huge amount of sensitivity and understanding from people in the fashion world and those in the government to ensure that they continue."

Her predominant response to her trip to Uzbekistan was melancholy.

"I felt sad that they've lost their traditions, and we're going the same way."

In conversation with Ritu Kumar: 'India never goes out of fashion'
'The mobilisation is nothing but a political ploy -- a sort of a fixed match between Hindu and Muslim communal forces, towards polarisation, in a run-up to the next election,' argues Mohammad Sajjad.

Today, when the overlap between the incumbent NDA and the Muslim clergy's clarion call of Islam in Danger (Deen Bachao, Desh Bachao rally at Patna on April 15, 2018, with support from the incumbent NDA), and their intransigence on bringing in some necessary gender reforms has become evident, it is pertinent to revisit the (by now closed) debate on Muslim question which ensued over Ramchandra Guha's response to Harsh Mander's column -- which was actually in response to Sonia Gandhi's remark on 'delinking Muslims with the Congress' at the India Today Conclave -- that unleashed a series of responses and debates on the 'Muslim question' in India's plural democracy.

Guha has finally re-tracked his statement. Hence, no justification whatsoever for chastising him, anymore!

Guha should have cited the example of Asghar Ali Engineer (1939-2013) rather than illustrate it with Hamid Dalwai (1932-1977), whose popularity even within his own Konkani community was not much.

By advocating for a Uniform Civil Code, without explicating the complexities involved in it, Dalwai ended up alienating the Muslim minority whose religio-cultural concerns are not something to be wished away dismissively.

Asghar Ali Engineer was a reformist, invoking the Quran quite progressively, and was a bearded, practising Muslim, and did a lot of welfarism for riot victims, besides other charitable activities.

Despite these credentials, he was ostracised and tortured by conservative reactionaries. Guha himself cited Engineer's example in his article 14 years ago in The Times of India.

A more significant aspect of the series is the fact that those opinion pieces, which talked of necessary reforms among India's Muslims, appear to have been paid lesser attention. This (in)attention is even more glaring for the fact that this series ran in the midst of the issues of gender reforms among Muslims making headlines.

In this regard, the following four responses merit greater attention:

i. Suhas Palshikar (external link), for he said pertinently:

'Unfortunately, the way Hindu majoritarianism has framed the Muslim question in recent times, there is little space for imagining that the two types of politics -- Muslim politics of reform and Muslim politics for full citizenship rights -- can combine. Such a combination could happen only when Hindu majoritarianism was not politically ascendant.'

'So, it is not sad that Sonia's Congress appears set to abandon the Muslims, the real sadness is that the Congress for long intellectually failed to realise and politically failed to practise a robust combination of reform and citizenship.'

'When a senior Congressperson today argues in favour of instant triple talaq and when parties like the Congress and SP (Samajwadi Party) dither in welcoming the court ruling on this issue, they are only continuing with that double failure.'

ii. Arshad Alam (external link), for he insisted that historically speaking without State intervention no reform succeeds and that in the case of India the liberal left have been paternalising, and thereby perpetuating 'Muslim conservatism, and have thereby contributed to the saffron rise.'

iii. Shajahan Madampat (external link), who is quite eloquent to insist that three crucial preconditions of internal democratisation must be fulfilled to facilitate the emergence of liberal leadership within the community -- a. evolving a modus vivendi to deal with the schismatic, theological/jurisprudential diversities through dialogues, rather than polemics; b. shunning the practice of demonising every critical insider as a pariah, or as a lesser Muslim; c. willingness to accept that a gender-unequal order is no longer acceptable.

iv. Khalid Anis Ansari (external link), who rightly complains that 'in addressing the 'Muslim question', left-liberals have been extremely hesitant in acknowledging the Ashraf-Pasmanda divide.'

Thus, while subjecting the liberal-left to critique, these four respondents also ask Muslims for necessary reforms.

Apoorvanand's response turned out to be arguably more popular among sections of Muslims. Why? Because it remains as paternalistic, as the liberal-left have almost invariably been to the Muslim regressivism -- almost no talk of any reform -- not even on gender and caste.

Probably because of this, only this piece went on to be rendered in Urdu. Ignoring or shelving the issues of reform within India's Muslims is so dominant that except an opinion piece in the Qaumi Awaz (by Syed Khurram Raza, April 4, 2018), to the best of my knowledge, almost none of the Urdu broadsheets/portals, carried out pieces, advocating for some necessary reforms towards gender and social justice.

In fact, the editor of a prominent Urdu portal, went on to mock the idea of reforms among Muslims on the social sites.

Urdu newspapers have the widest reach among the madrasa community, and it is this network through which the clergy exercises its extraordinary influence upon the community. However, in this context, a clarification is needed to be made.

Political abuses of religion is, however, not the monopoly of the clergy alone.

Mullah is a mindset subscribed by few others too, and they use religion as a political instrument through their own politics of the pulpit.

A friend of mine puts it like this: "yeh Allah se darte nahin hain, yeh sirf qaum ko Allah se daraate hain (the maulvis and their ilk themselves are not God-fearing; they only scare the community of God's wrath).

Modern educated, successful, professionals -- quite a lot of them NRIs -- are hands in glove with them.

In fact, this is a matter worth investigating by social psychologists as to why such fellows -- Hindus and Muslims -- are more prone to conservatism and communalism.

Let us also recall that the un-Quranic instant triple divorce upon Shah Bano (1916-1992) was perpetrated (in 1978, inside the Indore court) not by a mullah/theologian, but by a modern, professionally successful advocate.

This should also be noted here in this context that not only theological seminaries (madrasas) and the clergy, even historic modern universities, funded by the secular Indian State, have maintained almost a silence on all such necessary reforms.

These better known universities like AMU, JMI, Hamdard, etc have got research and teaching departments of gender studies, of law, of Quranic studies, of Islamic studies, of theology, of interfaith studies, consuming lots of public funds.

The Maulana Azad Urdu University of Hyderabad is mandated to popularise such efforts through Urdu translations.

Hardly a handful of these academics have made desirable and adequate interventions into persuading the community towards undertaking the bare minimum of gender and social reforms.

These scholars as well as the Britain-educated barrister-parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi have not shown their willingness to persuade the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to first bring a model nikahnama and a draft Bill too, around which the secular political parties have to debate within Parliament.

They have rather been oscillating and obfuscating. This is (in)directly supported by the secular political formations.

In this meaningful series of highly informed debates, however, certain vital issues still remain un-addressed. These could be as follows:

Sonia Gandhi, as her Congress is the lead Opposition party, rather than succumbing to the Hindutva pressure of invisibilising Muslims, and almost acceding to it to render Muslim electorates irrelevant, should have spoken out with courage of conviction and equanimity.

This required a frank confession to be made that the Congress committed many mistakes in the 1980s, if not earlier, when it prodded and encouraged competitive communalism and conservatism of the Hindus as well as Muslims.

One of the most glaring was to have taken the side of Muslim conservatives in 1986, in exchange for unlocking the Babri Masjid.

This was a sort of deal between the AIMPLB's Ali Miyan Nadvi (1912-1999), the then secretary, AIMPLB, and Rajiv Gandhi, the then prime minister. This is something evident in Nadvi's Urdu memoir, Kaarwaan-e-Zindagi, volume 3, chapter 4.

Sonia should have then asked the AIMPLB to make all necessary reforms on specific gender issues on which the incumbent BJP is trying to play a mischievous politics of its own -- as mischievous as that of the Muslim clergy led by the AIMPLB and the Imarat-e-Shariah through its 'Deen Bachao mobilisation, in collusion with the NDA.

Sonia should have spoken out quite categorically. It is never too late. She, and her allies must speak it out even now.

Interestingly, a most important member of the AIMPLB and the Imarat-e-Shariah, Maulana Wali Rahmani, is an All India Congress Committee member.

His father Maulana Minatullah Rahmani (1912-1991) too was with the Congress, and by virtue of that, he was also in the state legislature, just as Maulana Madani of the Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind (founded in 1919) have been in the Rajya Sabha.

Many of us have repeatedly been saying, through our writings and through social media, that the mobilisation is nothing but a political ploy -- a sort of a fixed match between Hindu and Muslim communal forces, towards polarisation, in a run-up to the next election.

It has eventually become more evident when our conjectures have now been testified by the fact that the Deen Bachao, Desh Bachao rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on April 15, 2018 -- a drumbeat and desparate war cry of 'Islam in Danger' -- is now joined and endorsed by Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister.

In their desperation to grab power, even by colluding with the NDA, how pathetic have these theologians become!

The Imarat-e-Shariah (founded in 1921) has been a fierce opponent not only of British colonialism, but also of the Muslim League's communal separatism.

It also played a role in rehabilitating riot victims as well as fighting legal battles for their justice in the courts. One of its most outstanding successes was in the communal violence of Bettiah (Champaran) in August 1927 as I have demonstrated in my books.

It has now chosen to forget its progressive history and resorted to sheer opportunism. For the last several months, so many incidents of communal violence, arson and loot have taken place.

Yet, rather than organise a joint protest against the lynchings, rapes, communal violence and against farm distress, unemployment, etc, it has chosen to align with the NDA and stage protests on Islam-in-Danger!

This Saffron-Green overlap seeks to push India in the binary of two communalisms rendering all other forces of liberation and progress quite weak and even non-existent. It appears to replicate, in some ways, the 1938-1947 era.

Towards saving India's pluralist democracy, presently caught in a more perilous whirlpool, therefore, the sad aspects counted above need to be addressed by all stakeholders -- political parties and civil society.

Professor Mohammad Sajjad is at the Centre of Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University and has published two books: Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours(Routledge, 2014/2018 reprint); Contesting Colonialism and Separatism: Muslims of Muzaffarpur since 1857 (Primus, 2014).

Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes.
Convict on the run arrested after 9 years

A man convicted of robbery has been arrested after nine years from Lamjung district.
Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in protest marches across the country against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/ Rediff.com IMAGE: No Country for girls, says one of the banners during a protest at Carter Raod in Mumbai's Bandra to demand justice for victims in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.

People, carrying "Not in My Name" placards and forming human chains, protested across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and Kerala.

Protests were also held in Rajasthan's Ajmer, Gujarat's Surat and Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal.

People from all walks of life participited in the march and vented their anger over the incidents.

IMAGE: People take part in 'Not in My Name' protest against the recent incidents of rapes, at Parliament Street in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

The protest comes as two incidents of rape in Jammu and Kashmir and in Uttar Pradesh provoked outrage across India.

Several similar protests have been organised over the past week to demand justice to the victims of the two cases.

IMAGE: People display placards as they take part in the protest in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

The protestors demanded immediate dismissal of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly shielding his party legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl who had gone to his residence seeking a job.

After the matter came to light when the victim tried to immolate herself outside Adityanath's residence in Lucknow on April 8 alleging police inaction for nearly an year, criticism against the state government has mounted.

IMAGE: Protesters demand immediate resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ajay Singh Bisht -- aka Yogi Adityanath. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

On April 9, her father died in judicial custody, with the autopsy report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

The case has been handed over to the CBI and Sengar was yesterday sent into a seven-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

IMAGE: Protesters also question the ruling party for backing alleged conspirators in both the case. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

The participants at the "Not In My Name" protest in New Delhi sought immediate arrest of the two BJP ministers, who led rallies of Hindu Ekta Manch in Kathua on March 1 in support of the accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl.

The girl's body was found a week after she disappeared from near home in January. The police has arrested a caretaker of a temple and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe.

Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Protesters also demand death for the rapists.

The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.

In Delhi, the protesters sought adequate security arrangements for the families of the victims, and state support for arranging a competent prosecution team.

Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A woman hold placard during the protest in Mumbai.

"Today we mourn the rape and murder of a little girl in Kathua. Her crime was that she belonged to the Bakarwal Muslim community that the Hindutva forces want out of the area.

Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/ Rediff.com IMAGE: People from all walks of life -- including students, homemakers, senior citizens and children -- participate in the protests.

"Her rape and murder are part of a larger narrative of communal violence with women's bodies being used as a battle field," said Saba.

Filmmaker Rahul Roy, who too participated in the protest, said: "As a country we have to hang our heads in shame for having failed the Constitution. We have to acknowledge that as a country we have failed our minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, women and girls."

With inputs from agencies
'It was deliberate,' the Russians allege.

Ajai Shukla reports from the DefExpo 2018 in Chennai.



IMAGE: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the inauguration of DefExpo India-2018, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, April 12, 2018. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

For years, Russian equipment and defence firms were the highlight of Indian Defexpo and Aero India shows.

After live displays, mainly featuring Russian aircraft, helicopters and armoured vehicles, the crowds would throng the glitzy, neon-lit Russian exhibits where executives in lightweight suits and improbably long-legged lady receptionists politely fielded the buzz surrounding the next big Russian contract.

Few would have predicted how quickly change has come.

On Wednesday, April 11, after opening Defexpo 2018, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a swarm of subordinates and bodyguards, was touring the exhibits in Hall 1, where the big Russian exhibitors and Israeli defence vendors were arrayed opposite each other.

Senior Russian officials recount that Sitharaman turned abruptly to the Israeli firms -- Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael and Elbit Systems -- and strolled past without bothering to even look at a single Russian exhibit.

Russian attempts to engage her attention were blocked by the guards around her.

"This is what the India-Russia defence relationship has come to. India's political environment is no longer that friendly to Russia," says a top Russian executive.

He ruled out a suggestion that Sitharaman's snub might have been inadvertent.

"A defence minister prepares for an event like DefExpo. She has assistants and advisors who guide her along. It was deliberate," he declared.

Contacted by e-mail for confirmation, the defence ministry has not responded.

Only later in the day were the Russians placated when the navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, and other senior admirals visited the navy-related Russian exhibits.

Russia remains India's largest arms supplier, but its share is dwindling rapidly.

A report last month from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute states that in the five-year period 2013 to 2017, India sourced 62 per cent of its defence imports from Russia.

That was down from 79 per cent in the previous five-year period.

A key reason for Russia's decline was evident at DefExpo: Indias frustration at the low serviceability of Russian equipment and the shortage of spares.

An India-Russia Military Industrial Conference held at DefExpo 2018 focused on 'improvement of after-sales support of Russian-origin defence platforms being exploited by Indian defence forces and also to facilitate domestic manufacturing of some of the identified spare parts', India's defence ministry announced.

The seven memoranda of understanding signed between Indian private firms and Russian OEMs were all aimed at ensuring the smooth supply of spares and assemblies for Russian-origin weaponry already in service in the Indian military.

A veteran Russian defence industry technocrat, who has supplied arms to India since the days of the Soviet Union, says that Indian attitudes towards arms purchases had changed dramatically.

In earlier times, the Soviet Union sold cheap, rugged and unsophisticated equipment -- which was all India could afford anyway.

"Now India has progressed. It can buy expensive and sophisticated weaponry and it is no longer content with cheap, rugged Russian arms. But, even though India's military still has high regard for Russian arms, New Delhi's political attitude to Moscow has changed," he says.

"Moscow sold weaponry to India on a friendship basis, at friendship prices. But India now wants Russia to compete in open global tenders. Fine! We will also deal with India on a purely commercial basis then," says a Russian company chief executive.

In any such conversation with Russians, India's "growing closeness with America" quickly bubbles to the surface. But when countered with the charge that Moscow too has come closer to Pakistan and China, the Russians quickly interrupt.

"There is no friendship in those relationships, like there is with India. Moscow engages Islamabad in order to have a handle on the Taliban. And China shares a long border with Russia. Every country deals with its immediate neighbours on a special basis," claims the veteran Russian technocrat.

When we point out that India and Russia cooperate on projects that no other country does -- for example, in designing and building the INS Arihant, the nuclear missile submarine, and the lease of the INS Chakra, a Russian nuclear propelled submarine -- the Russians bitterly point at India's "backtracking" on conventional submarines under Project 75-I.

"In 1999, India's 30-year submarine programme decided to build six western-origin and six Russian-origin submarines. India bought the first six Scorpene submarines from France, but where is the contract for the other six?," asks the Russian executive.

"India wants Russia to compete with Western shipyards in an open tender to build six boats equipped with 'air-independent propulsion.' Why is India not giving Russia the order for the next six (submarines)?"

The Russians also point to long-standing inter-governmental agreements that have been languishing for years -- specifically naming the deals to co-develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, build Kamov-226T light helicopters and buy the S-400 long range ground to air missile system.

"Countries with genuine security problems buy simple, rugged weaponry," says the Russian. "Rich countries, which maintain 'trophy militaries', buy sophisticated costly kit that may or may not work in war. India faces real threats. It should not forget its longstanding Russian friendship."
Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today.

 Herman Wouk

Friends, there's the spring season where we all get happy for blossoms. There's the holiday season where we all get happy for gifts. There's the barbecue season where we all get happy for brisket. And, of course, there's the tax season which no one looks forward to.

"Tax comes from the ancient Greek tassein which means to fix, and the Latin taxare which means to charge or appraise. So, by extension, taxes are a way for the government to fix something that isn't broken  paid for by appraising something that isn't theirs. Yet no matter how well you define it, it all comes down to those three little letters: IRS.

The IRS is basically America's hall monitor  and boy does it want your milk money. Every April we write down how much we've made for the year and then the IRS tells us how much we actually get to keep. For most of us taxes come out of our paychecks every week. Kind of like a middle school bully that works on an installment plan.
Govt may reroute expressway if it fails to acquire land in Khokana

The government might realign the planned Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway if its last-ditch effort to acquire land in Khokana, Lalitpur, fails as the local residents have been protesting against the hazards of mega development projects there.
Featured

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and those in the equipment and event rental industry now have an easy, cost-free way to help promote this special cause. The charge is being led by one parent who is a member of the community and whose family has been personally impacted by childhood cancer.
Integrity policy draft draws NGOs flak

The proposed National Integrity Policy, one of whose aims is to rein in non-government organisations and international NGOs working in Nepal, has drawn flak from various stakeholders.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Madi locals press for amendment to Act

Local people of Madi area in Chitwan district have demanded amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act-1973 for the rights and protection of the villagers.
NGOs only taught rights but not responsibilities: CM Gurung

Province 4 Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has remarked that non-governmental organisations (NGO) and international NGOs working in Nepal are only teaching the people to seek their rights but failing to teach them civic responsibilities.
Over 30 Bhutanese nationals obtained Nepali citizenship

More than 30 Bhutanese nationals received Nepali citizenship certificates from the Area Administration Office in Chandranigahapur of Rautahat 12 years ago, providing false details. The incident came to light only after District Police Office arrested one Thakur Prasad Neupane in Gaur two years ago.
Perpetrators of corruption in electricity rationing will be booked: Minister Pun

Energy Minister Barsa Man Pun has said the government will investigate the policy-corruption that occurred during power rationing in the past and take action against the guilty.
(Agencia CMA Latam) - The new president of Peru, Martin Vizcarra, inaugurated the Eighth Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, where rulers from the continent's countries discussed diplomatic and trade issues. The main theme was the fight against corruption.

The president held a working meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, to address the different aspects of the bilateral agenda between the two nations.

Then he had bilateral appointments with the presidents of Bolivia, Evo Morales, as well as with his counterparts in Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, and finally with the new Chilean president, Sebastian Pizera.

Later, the head of state took part in the "Conversation with Heads of State" together with Pizera. After that, Vizcarra met with the president of Haiti, Jovenel Moise.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
New Zealand will on Monday see March results for food prices and the Performance of Services Index, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

In February, food prices were down 0.5 percent on month and up 1.0 percent on year, while the services index had a score of 55.0.

Japan will release March figures for Tokyo condominium sales; in February, sales were up 7.8 percent on year.

Malaysia will provide February figures for unemployment; in January, the jobless rate was 3.4 percent, while the participation rate was 68.2 percent.

Indonesia will see March data for imports, exports and trade balance. In February, imports were worth $14.21 billion, and exports were at $14.10 billion for a trade deficit of $0.11 billion.

Finally, the stock in Thailand remain closed on Monday for the Songkran Festival; they will re-open on Tuesday.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
PM lays out plan for prosperity

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid out his vision for a prosperous nation, presenting nationality, democracy, social justice, peace and stability as the five bases of Nepals development.
Regulator defers plan to ban vehicles

The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has deferred its plan to ban vehicles failing emission standards from the beginning of Nepali New Year (April 14) to July 17 this year.
The Samoa Alliance of Media Practitioner for Development (S.A.M.P.O.D.) has cautioned Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi against continuing with a threat to shut down Facebook in Samoa.

In a statement, the Group has reminded the Government that the right to free expression is fundamental to any democracy.

The right to free expression is fundamental to democracy like Samoa, the Group says in a statement.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the universal right to freedom of opinion and expression, which includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers.

Samoa is a signatory to the declaration.

S.A.M.P.O.D. was founded by media veteran, Rudy Bartley, of WT Media. He is also the President of the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (J.A.W.S.)

The group has more than 30 media practitioners as members.

Last month, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Maleilegaoi threatened to ban social media platforms from Samoa completely.

That will happen if gutless anonymous bloggers continue to use the freedom social media affords them to abuse government officials and innocent members of the public.

The Government will do what it takes to settle this matter once and for all, even if it means banning Facebook, Tuilaepa said.

Most Governments have banned Facebook, and we have been holding back because of the positive impact of social media.

In response, S.A.M.P.O.D. points out that while they do not endorse the use of Facebook to defame, incite violence or spread misinformation, they continue to support freedom of speech and freedom of information within reason.

Freedom of information and expression is essential to a functioning democracy, and Facebook provides an avenue for citizens to express their views freely, the group says in a statement.

Measures to control implications can be addressed under Criminal Libel Law and the Media Council Bill.

Blanket actions that hinder the free flow of information and constructive criticism by members of the public are a direct threat to freedom of expression. It is a place for the exchange of ideas, a forum for debate on pressing social and political issues.

In recent years, Facebook has also become an avenue for the media to verify stories and for crisis response and assistance.

This tool is invaluable as we continue to experience disasters on a regular basis, and free access to information is important.

We urge the Government to use existing mechanisms to address issues arising from the misuse of Facebook, but humbly caution against the banning of this essential medium of information for the people of Samoa, according to the statement.

As reported earlier, the Prime Minister, in justifying why the Government is considering banning of Facebook, says Government has had enough of faceless ghosts who use sites such as Facebook to post defamatory claims against unsuspecting victims.

Tuilaepa said these faceless writers have been posting countless allegations including extra marital affairs, corruption and sensitive details about public figures, their families and their children.

Because its all based on lies, those affected are government leaders, he said.

Those behind the social media posts are driven by the devil, their hearts are filled with hatred and Im certain they dont rest at night because they continue to make up fabrications.

Tuilaepa added these writers have gone as far as to level allegations against Church Ministers.

If the allegations are true, they would have been published in the Samoa Observer. It then allows us the opportunity to sue them and find out the accuracy of the allegations.

Only gutless people would such a thing and make up these stories. Maybe their parents did this as well.

He said other lies posted involve parents having sexual intercourse with their children.

Tuilaepa said he has an inkling about whom they are and they would eventually be caught.

He warned that once they are found, they could be dead in two days given the hatred they have provoked.

Tuilaepa said he has some names but does not want to say them yet because bullets will be fired and thats what he doesnt want.

So I advise them not to play with fire. I want them to know that no matter where you hide, you will be caught.

According to the Prime Minister, the only reason the Government is delaying the move to ban Facebook is because there are numerous people who utilise this site for the right reasons.

He said the Tui Samoa Cable was established for the betterment of services and connection to the outside world but this is the negative impact.

The country is in turmoil due to these unfounded allegations.
The nation paused to farewell Member of the Council of Deputies, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, on Friday during a national holiday.

A state funeral was accorded to honour Tuilomas contribution to the development of Samoa, as well as to recognise his years of service to the nation as a public servant and a Member of Parliament.

During his final service, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Tuilomas eldest son, Vui Tuiloma Lance Lameko delivered eulogies, recalling the life of a hard working man and a national leader.

But Tuilomas life started off from very humble beginnings.

The following is an excerpt* about Tuilomas life that was part of the programme for his final service. It reads:

Tuiloma Lameko was born in Iliili, Saleilua Falealili to an impoverished family.

Due to economic hardship, he couldnt attend primary school.

Instead, he attended the C.C.C.S. free pastors school in the forties and fifties where he was taught only the Bible and mathematics in Samoan. He excelled and was an outstanding student.

The Principal of Poutasi Primary School at the time, Sauaga Tagiilima noticed his academic capability during the annual suega a faifeau ole falefitu. He organised for him to attend Poutasi Primary School and paid for his entry exam to Avele School.

Lameko was found to be too old. His mother Lina, desperate for him to go to school borrowed his cousin Luatua Siligas birth certificate which made him 4 years younger. He used Siligas birth certificate to enter Avele and for most of his life until his real birth date was found in 2006.

He passed the exam to Avele, came to Apia for the first time and Avele became the opening door to his future. The family almost abandoned the opportunity because he had no school uniform and fees.

Tagiilima pushed for him to come to Apia while his family searched for his fees and uniform. Some Avele old boys including his cousin Afasene Simanu and another kind heart Tolagi Opetaia were sympathetic towards him and lent him their uniforms.

He remembered Avele as the place that inspired him, that if anyone could survive the hardship there, they could survive in life. E le galo oe Avele, hence he advocated as an MP with the Avele Old Boys in the 1980s for the school to be reopened.

He later passed the entry examination to Samoa College but left after a few years because he had no school fees.

He then tried the Teachers Training College for a term but also left because of no school fees.

He found work as a cashier at WSTEC in 1957 to support his family and provide proper education for younger siblings. He worked and took night classes to complete the Public Service Certificate and to become a public accountant.

He taught himself public policy, economics and law. The rest is history.

He believed in Gods favour and calling in his life for leadership. He was determined to prove that poverty can be eliminated from a family, an extended family, a village and a country.

When he reached 80, he was thankful and cannot fathom the love, kindness and favour of God in his life as he says Oka se alofa o le Atua ia te au.

He raised his children to get the best possible education from abroad, something he always yearned for. All his life, he remembered fondly and talked frequently about the two most important and influential people in his life, his mother and grandmother.

He was always grateful to Akesa, his grandmother who raised him with strong values, his mother Lina for her unwavering and unconditional love, the people mentioned here and his family.

*Translated & edited from his own writings.
*Story combined from Radio NZ story and Vanuatu Daily Post

The Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says an apparent proposed Chinese military base in Vanuatu is alright as long as it does not pose any threat to the region.

Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the prospect of a Chinese military outpost in Vanuatu had been discussed at the highest levels.

Australia and Vanuatus governments have denied the reports.

Tuilaepa told reporters that the matter might be raised at the Forum Leaders meeting in Nauru later this year.

Tuilaepa pointed out that the United States has a military base in Guam and it doesnt pose any threat to the region. He said the only threat the region is facing is from North Korea.

But the news that Vanuatu was to be the site of a Chinese military base caught most people by surprise.

Vanuatu government officials with detailed knowledge of relevant matters swore hand on heart theyd never even heard hints of such talk.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ralph Regenvanu questioned the sourcing of the report, telling the Radio Australias Pacific Beat radio programme, Im not very happy about the standard of reporting in the Australia media.

Chinese embassy officials in Vanuatu declined an interview request, stating, The report is groundless and not worth any comment at all.

The topic has quickly become the loudest non-conversation in town.

Tacitly at least, officials from all nations recognise Vanuatus strategic importance.

Luganville, on the island of Espiritu Santo, was the site of one of the largest military bases in the entire Pacific Theatre during WWII.

Home to about 100,000 personnel at its peak, it saw nearly one million service people pass through before it was decommissioned in 1946.

What was true in the 1940s remains true today: Whoever controls Vanuatu controls air and sea traffic between the United States and Australia. Right now, thats the government of Vanuatu.

For more than a decade, this tiny island nation has leveraged regional rivalries to drive infrastructure development. Its dalliances with China, for example, resulted in a US$20 million investment by telecoms giant Huawei in an island-hopping communications network.

That move is said by some to have motivated a multimillion-dollar commitment from Australia to fund telecoms regulation and management.

For years, western nations were simply not interested in big-ticket, high-risk projects. Infrastructure projects worldwide are fraught with budget overruns, scope creep and delays. Risk-averse donors therefore shied away.

But not China.

Largely on the back of questionably concessional loans from the China EXIM Bank, contractors secured a mixed bag of infrastructure projects, ranging from roads to wharves to buildings. They include sport facilities, a convention centre and a school.

But the most noticeable project was a US$90 million wharf project in Luganville. Almost from the outset, people raised the spectre of the old American base there.

Many Pacific watchers think theres no coincidence to a recently revived interest from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and other funding bodies in Pacific islands infrastructure.

At the same time as the Luganville wharf was being constructed, Japan was also demonstrating its friendship to Vanuatu by building a major wharf facility in Port Vila, the capital. The US$70 million project came at much more favourable terms.

Australia meanwhile signed on to a US$30 million urban infrastructure development project in the capital. The World Bank has already committed $60 million to the nations airports, and is reportedly considering upping the ante to $150 million.

Despite the fact that Australia remains the largest donor in Vanuatu and the Pacific, analysts suggest that China has stolen a march on them by ingratiating themselves with politicians who see infrastructure projects as vote-getters.




TOKYO (AP)  Hino Motors, Toyota Motor Corp.'s group truck manufacturer, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus of Germany agreed Thursday to work together on technologies such as hybrids, electric cars, autonomous driving and connectivity.

Under the deal, the companies will maintain independence but executive teams will work together to map out cooperation on development of innovative technology.

The arrival of the digital age and robotics in the auto industry is pressuring automakers around the world to deliver vehicles that connect to the internet or avoid accidents automatically.

Partnerships can save costs and boost competitiveness. Automakers are also trying to respond to a push to reduce global warming and pollution by developing cleaner powertrains.

The deal brings together two major players in trucks and buses, a sector that some analysts say can benefit the most from such new technology.

Hino Motors President and Chief Executive Yoshio Shimo said the deal came together because the companies respected each other and shared goals.

"It will also be a strong tie-up at times of new challenges in the field of transportation due to the rapid growth of e-commerce," he said.

People in Japan and other rapidly aging countries are looking for new kinds of transportation solutions, Shimo said.

Andreas Renschler, board member at Volkswagen AG and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus, said the deal was strategic for his company because Hino was strong in Asia.

"It is an excellent fit in terms of regional footprints and products, but also concerning common ideas on how to shape the future of transportation together," Renschler said.
A man in his 40s was found dead behind the Savalalo fish market on Saturday morning.

Witnesses told the Samoa Observer the man was found with only his under garments.

One of them, Sina Ulugia, said there were no visible injuries.

They suspect that the man drowned.

Phone calls and emails to the Police Superintendent Auapaau Logoitino Filipo for an official response by the Police were unsuccessful.

But the Samoa Observer understands that Police Officers have been taking statements by the witnesses who were at the scene, when police arrived on Saturday morning.

One Police officer told the Samoa Observer that the matter is being treated as a homicide until they decide otherwise.

He was taken to the hospital where he was officially pronounced dead and most likely an autopsy will be required in the matter to determine the cause of death.

A fisherman said the deceased is from Leauvaa and Vaiusu.

Another fisherman told the Samoa Observer, the deceased is unmarried and is a dedicated fisherman.
The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration is asking the Government for close to a million tala to raise the salaries of all Judges in the Supreme Court and the Land and Titles Court.

The Ministry is also looking at making some changes where a Commission would be established so members of the public can file direct complaints against the Judges.

This is according to a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, to Cabinet.

The proposal also seeks for specific entitlements for the Judges in terms of annual, recreational, sick, maternity, paternity leave, phone allowance, clothing allowance and travel allowance.

A copy of the proposal obtained by the Samoa Observer shows the M.J.C.A. is seeking to have the funds to be included in their 2018-2019 financial year.

The proposal indicated that a Consultant was hired to conduct an overview of the Ministry of Justice and to submit recommendations on areas that require attention.

PROPOSAL ON REFORM FOR M.J.C.A.

The proposal calls for a review of the Justice Service Council duties and obligations, which should include policies, regulations and guidelines for appointment of Judges, review the duties of Judges and reviewing of complaints by members of the public against the Judges.

There should be regulations put in place to follow when considering the appointment of a Judge, their benefits, their duties and their qualifications.

The proposal also calls to create a Commission where members of the Public can file a complaint against a Judge.

This has nothing to do with the appeal of any case whether its criminal or civil.

Another aspect that should be considered is the timeframe for the Court to give a ruling.

The Commission members should consist of a retired Judge, the Ombudsman or President of Samoa Law Society, a Member of the public and also the Registrar of the Court as the Secretary.

The said Commission should also be responsible for reviewing of the Judges performance on an annual basis for promotion purposes, increase of salaries and also the Commission can recommendation for the termination of a Judge.

The proposal also seeks for the Appellate Court Justices appointed from overseas for their allowance to be increased from, NZ$500 (T$943) per day to NZ$900 (T$1,698) per day.

Regarding the salaries of Judges, the Chief Justices salary per annum is $164,944. The proposal is seeking $175,000.

Deputy Chief Justice $131,325 to $160,000, Supreme Court Judge $126,072 to $152,640, Senior District Court Judge $120,819 to $146,076, District Court Judge $115,566 to $140,379, President of L.T.C. $126,072 to $155,000, Deputy President L.T.C. from $84,048 to $127,752, Senior L.T.C. Judge proposed salary of $92,598 and L.T.C. Judge of $63,036 to $81,946.

According to the proposed salary, it will cost the Government an additional $936,175.
Rethinking society

Headlines like these often appear in the papers: Radha Chaudhary beaten on the accusation of witchcraft, 6-year-old child raped, and Lalita Yadav thrown out by her own family for lack of dowry. Society and the news highlight the victims but hide the perpetrators. This is the reason why the victims are more humiliated than the perpetrators. Likewise, females are frequently advised not to walk alone, go to unknown places or wear short skirts. The psychology of our society is focused on the victim and not the perpetrator.
The brain drain across to Pacific Rim countries with the promotion of offshore employment continues to be a major issue.

It is one of the reasons why the medical school at the National University of Samoa do not want to go for accreditation at this time.

This is according to the Medical Schools new Foundation Professor, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, he said that eventually they would go down that path of accreditation.

With the brain drain  we just need to train more (doctors), he said.

Our duty as a university is to train our doctors. The thing is, what were aiming for is to have the medical school accredited.

I understand that the Council here has decided they dont want to go for accreditation straight away because they want our doctors to stay back here and work in Samoa  otherwise we will lose our doctors by our qualifications being recognized overseas.

The accreditation process usually takes up to two years.

And Aiono says that they also need to work to improve the quality of their medical school for them to be recognized and have a qualification with a much wider appeal.

The accreditation process, as long as we have the right resources coming at us of course it should take us a year or two years.

Its a lot of form filling and standards we need to meet and as long as we have the right resources and number of teachers we can do it.

However there comes a time whereby we will improve the quality of our medical programme to such an extent that it would be recognized overseas.

Recognition is really by medical school, the world Health Organisation has already registered the medical school of Samoa so its there already.

Aiono pointed out that while students are required to sit entrance exams in New Zealand and Australia in order to practice, at least within the Pacific region, our medical school qualifications are recognized.

For the Pacific themselves, they can come from the Solomon Islands and Tonga to train here and then go back to their countries and they will be recognized.

However if youre asking about how our qualifications stack up against Australia and New Zealand  those countries have got their own regulations and so most of the doctors trained in the developing countries are all required to sit the entrance exams in New Zealand and Australia in order to practice.

As you probably know, I was trained in Papua New Guinea, I was a scholarship student from here and then I sat exams to get into New Zealand and so it is all possible. 

Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma is also opening up a medical health specialist center in Motootua.

It is almost near completion with the official opening expected to be next month.

The center will have specialist doctors as well as general practitioners.

A special feature of the medical health specialist center is that it will have an accommodation component to it with an attached motel.
Right before stepping onto a stage, moments before a performance, many musicians go through rituals to prepare themselves mentally.

Pianist Adam Tendler isnt one of those musicians.

Whats going through my mind right before I go out on stage? Youd be surprised, he says with a slight snicker. The thoughts are pretty mundane  is there a stain on my shirt? I would really like to say that to get ready, youd see me meditating. In reality, it feels more like a mad dash  and maybe thats a good thing.

I find that if I think about the program, that really invites questions about how I feel Im going to do, he says. To me, its more important to experience what Im about to present and, in a way, have a sense of gratitude for whats all about to happen. If you think about it, its pretty miraculous, really, to have people entrust me with their time to hear music and experience something thats not a ride at Disneyland. Theyre giving me their time, and theyre trusting me to steer this ship.

Advertisement

On Friday, two days after an engagement at The Broad in Los Angeles, Tendlers ship sails into San Diego for a one-night concert thats part of the Fresh Sound music series.

Hes been hailed as a virtuoso pianist, musical mastermind and modern-music evangelist. Theyve always amazed the 36-year-old, these adjectives people use to describe him.

Dont get me wrong, Tendler says, speaking from his home in New York City, where hes lived for a decade. Im always delighted by those kinds of descriptions, but they make me chuckle a bit because I dont think of myself as other than a working musician. Im always delighted and surprised when I hear those kinds of compliments, but in my mind, Im constantly really working and trying and struggling  and that to me is whats so interesting. Rarely do I feel that everyone is going to see what Im great at when Im on stage.  My day-to-day existence is that of a working artist and a working musician, and every day Im wrestling with something new. I dont just wave my magic piano wand and things happen. The reality is, Im constantly chiseling away at something.

My day-to-day existence is that of a working artist and working musician, and every day Im wrestling with something new, says Adam Tendler. (Courtesy photo by Greg Parkinson )

He grew up in Vermont and attended Indiana University. After college, he performed solo recitals across the country, eventually reaching all 50 states, a journey he chronicled in his 2013 book, 88x50: A Memoir of Sexual Discovery, Modern Music and the United States of America. He lived in Texas before settling in New York, where hes on the piano faculty of Greenwich House Music School and Third Street Music School Settlement, the countrys first community music school.

He first touched a piano at age 6, having grown up in a family of musicians.

Everyone in my family played the piano, he says. My grandfather taught piano. He taught everyone in my family except for me. His approach was very strict. My mom had me learn from someone else. I think she knew I needed something different. The teachers I studied with gave me the freedom I needed.

One particular teacher had such a tremendous impact it changed Tendlers musical journey. That teacher  Richard Shadroui, hes in his 90s now, Tendler says  gave me the long leash I needed. I considered myself a late bloomer musically. I was, I thought, rather unremarkable.  I didnt really know classical music could be a creative vessel. I didnt realize that was even possible. But then in high school, there was a kind of a riptide, where conventional music like Rachmaninoff and Chopin kind of became an entree into modern composers. By the time I went to music school, I already had a firm idea of where I wanted to be.

Advertisement

Today, hes considered one of the nations leading interpreters of modern American music. Hes a teacher, a performer, an author and a scholar. His musings on his blog, The Dissonant States, offer an interesting peek into the mind of someone who lives and breathes music. He has a penchant for John Cage, and hes not afraid to email a composer  in this case, experimental classical music composer Christian Wolff  about what appears to be a misprint in a composition he wrote in 1952.

earlier this week i emailed christian wolff about ONE note i suspected was a misprint in a piece he composed in 1952, he wrote last week. i figured he would reply, once and for all, youve got to be kidding and please stop writing me and how did you get my email address anyway? instead he wrote saying that no one had ever pointed that out to him before, and yeah, its totally not an E#.

Does he think of himself as an educator or an entertainer?

I think, by default, because of the music I gravitate toward, the word that comes out a lot of time is ambassador  an ambassador for composers and their music, he says. So I guess its a mix of both educator and entertainer. As a listener, youre hopefully compelled and maybe youre hearing something new thats amazing or hearing something through a new prism.

Advertisement

On his blog, Tendler recently wrote: Though theres a strong gravitational pull to spin off, as per usual, into self-critical mode, the bottom line we had a sold out audience of nearly 300 folks for a John Cage concert in LA on a Wednesday  so Ill take it.

How does he prevent himself from, to borrow his words, spin off  into self-critical mode?

For me, the spin out, if it happens, tends to happen after a show. Thats when I go back and think about how I did and whether things went as expected, what went better and what surprised me. But luckily through the years Ive learned how to ride through all of that without taking anything too personally. It cant become so personal that you spin out.

Though he still struggles with it  spinning out, self-doubt  the music-making and all the magic that goes with it tend to cancel it all out.

Advertisement

Lets face it: Theres such an adrenaline rush going on stage, he says. It feels like a free fall. Theres gratitude, theres terror, theres total excitement. There is a sense that youre taking a leap. Its addictive  it must be because I keep on doing it. To keep myself from going overboard, though, I try to remember that most of my listeners are open and receptive.

When that last note is played, Tendler says, his hope for the audience is that there is a sense of release and completion and they just went on a ride. I want people to feel like for a night, they experienced something that was stimulating and moving.

Fresh Sound presents Adam Tendler

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20

Where: Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights

Advertisement

Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 for students

Online: freshsoundmusic.com

Lets face it: Theres such an adrenaline rush going on stage, Adam Tendler says. It feels like a free fall. Theres gratitude, theres terror, theres total excitement. There is a sense that youre taking a leap. (Courtesy photo by Steven Pisano )

Advertisement

Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd

michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com
Homeless veterans who live in their cars will soon be able to park overnight on the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles campus, City Councilman Mike Bonin has announced.

The pilot program will provide the veterans an assigned spot where they may sleep safely, as well as access to social services and eventually housing, Bonins office said Friday.

The program on the sprawling campus will launch in the next two weeks and is being run by the nonprofit group Safe Parking L.A. It initially will serve 10 vehicles, but could later accommodate dozens more, Safe Parking L.A.s executive director, Dr. Scott Sale, said in a statement provided by the councilmans office.

Bonin said the programs launch demonstrated the VAs renewed commitment to serving our homeless veterans. More than 35 neighborhood council and homeowners groups on the Westside supported the proposal, his office said.

Advertisement

The city now has three safe parking sites; the others are in South Los Angeles and Koreatown.

Using vehicles as a primary shelter has become a fact of life in Los Angeles, where more than 34,000 people are homeless. However, neighbors and businesses complain about the trash and human waste from the parked campers, cars and RVs. Those who live in the vehicles criticize city rules barring them from parking in some residential and commercial areas.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who represents the Westside, said in the statement that it was important to find partners like the VA who will create safe parking areas for the more than 8,500 Angelenos currently living in cars, vans and campers.

Bonin said hes seeking additional safe parking sites on the Westside.

dakota.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @dakotacdsmith
Some activists registered people to vote. Others urged visitors to stamp their cash with political messages. Daniel McDonald was collecting poop.

The UC San Diego researcher was among more than 1,000 scientists, data geeks and everyday people to attend the March for Science at Waterfront Park on Saturday, the second annual drive to celebrate knowledge and connect data to everyday life.

McDonald was staffing a booth promoting American Gut, a self-proclaimed citizen science project that aims to sequence and study millions of donated stools to better understand how individual human microbiomes can save lives.

The scientific director of the American Gut project said research like his is critical, and grants from sources like the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency are drying up.

Advertisement

Science generates innovation, which generates new economies, he said.

The 2018 march, which unfolded in hundreds of other cities across the nation on Saturday, was nowhere near as well-attended as the inaugural event a year ago, when 15,000 people paraded through downtown San Diego to support scientific research.

But the organizers, speakers and attendees this year were every bit as passionate about what they see as a need to shield science from political influence and make sure public policies are based on evidence rather than ideology.

They spoke about how science can save lives, create new industries and improve the human condition. They talked about pushing for explanations about arcane and routine questions that can spark innovations that change the world.

Science is going to be political, but it doesnt have to be partisan, said Mary Canady, one of the march organizers and the co-founder of a newly established nonprofit called San Diego For Science. We tell people what the important issues are when looking at candidates.

While speakers at the March for Science were largely non-partisan, some marchers carried signs criticizing President Trump because he has called climate change a hoax and threatened to cut funding for research.

Science is important, not only to science but to the world, said Robbie Todd, a professional photographer from North Park. To me, science and art go hand in hand because they both work toward proving things. It seems like today science is under attack.

Trump supporters did not appear to attend the march in great numbers.

Advertisement

Emily Knight, a volunteer with the activist group Represent San Diego, attended the march to promote an effort to reduce the influence of money in politics by stamping messages like This Bill Shall Not Be Used To Bribe Politicians directly onto dollar bills.

An average of 875 people will see your bill over its lifetime, Knight told one woman who stopped by the booth. This is completely legal, but make sure you dont stamp it in the center.

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com

McDonala writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune
These days, there seems to be a dedicated march for every hot-button issue of political import  from the Womens March to the March for Science to the call for gun control dubbed the March for Our Lives.

Folks even organized around Tax Day this year to protest the $1.5 trillion Republican tax cut. The so-called Tax March saw events on Sunday stretching from outside President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach to New York to Los Angeles.

In downtown San Diego, several dozen people gathered in front of the federal building on Front Street, which houses an Internal Revenue Service office, carrying signs that read Repeal the Trump tax and Dont cut social services to pay for the tax cuts.

Were out here to oppose the Trump tax and tax scam that is going to financially devastate our country, all to give tax cuts to the richest 1 percent, Steve Timberman, an organizer with SoCal Healthcare Coalition, told a small but passionate crowd.

Advertisement

According to the Congressional Budget Office, while American taxpayers and corporations will save roughly $1.5 trillion in taxable income over the next 10 years, the cuts could increase the federal debt by $1.9 trillion.

Supporters of the tax bill have said that despite any lost federal revenue, the country as a whole will benefit as the cuts spur economic and wage growth.

Following passage of the legislation in December, a number of corporate giants, such as Walmart, AT&T and Southwest Airlines, announced they planned to pass along some savings to their employees.

Walmart in particular made a show of announcing its starting wage would increase from $9 to $11, a move that also closely tracked efforts by the countrys largest corporate taxpayer to compete for workers with rival retailers, such as Target.

Retired school teacher Laura Fuentes seemed unimpressed by promises of trickle-down economics. The 63-year-old said she came to Sundays event because shes concerned that slashing taxes will trigger severe cuts to social spending in the future.

Ive heard theyre talking about cutting people off Medicare, she said. Theyre going to have to do something to pay for the big tax cuts theyre gave the rich.

Yusef Miller, a Navy veteran now working with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, echoed those concerns: We should be funding these nonprofits to house our homeless. These are Americans. These are our children.

We see people who cant get food. We see families on the streets. Yet, were going to give tax breaks to the people who are cushioned, he added.

Advertisement

According to an April report from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law by Trump in December, will in the short term give the poorest 20 percent of Americans an extra $60 a year on average, while the richest quintile would save on average more than $7,600 annually.

As provisions in the legislation expire, the bottom 60 percent of income earners are expected to actually see a net tax increase by 2027, according to the centers report, which also included contributions from the Brookings Institution and Urban Institute.

While most of the tax cuts for individuals phase out over time, those for corporations are largely permanent, according to the report.

As with many of the national marches and protests seen in the last 18 months, the Tax March also included a call for voters to turn out for this falls mid-term elections.

Advertisement

Valarie McCourtney, a speech language pathologist who showed up at the march in San Diego, called out by name local Republicans in Congress who voted for the tax cuts.

Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Duncan Hunter, said the 55-year-old, we are here to repeal you and your greedy obstructionist partys very destructive tax scam.

The recent announcement that House Speaker Paul Ryan will not seek reelection has reinforced the idea that Novembers elections could see a landslide of victories for Democrats.

As of April, 55 representatives, including 38 Republicans and 17 Democrats, have said they will not seek reelection, the highest number in the last 25 years, according to the Pew Research Center.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
When Kibreab Weldegabr, an asylee from Eritrea, bought groceries in the U.S. for the first time, he approached a counter and, reading a display card, asked for One L-B-S.

The salesperson responded, You mean, one pound?

No, Weldegabr said, he wanted one L-B-S.

Eritrea uses the metric system. Weldegabr, 26, had never needed to understand English measurement units before winning his asylum case a few months ago.

Advertisement

His attorney Elizabeth Lopez, founder of the Southern California Immigration Project, recently hosted Weldegabr and three other clients from African countries on a panel at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego to share stories about adjusting to American culture.

I want you all to get a glimpse of what I get to hear every day, Lopez told the crowd. Theyre people and go through the same things we do.

She told the story of a client who worked bussing tables at a restaurant as one of his first jobs in the U.S. When a waitress gave him some of her tip money at the end of her shift, he was offended. He thought that meant that she thought he needed a handout.

After he learned about American tipping culture, he apologized.

Playfully named To Get to the Other Side, Lopezs event opened with clips from The Good Lie, a 2014 film about refugees from Sudan getting used to life in the U.S.

The clips ranged from somber moments like when two brothers working at a grocery store have to throw away expired food to humorous scenes like when the brothers are trying to memorize all of the kinds of cereal.

The event panels stories about what surprised them in the U.S. had a similar range of emotions.

Both Nadine Umutoni, a 28-year-old from Rwanda, and Sadiq Hassan, a 25-year-old from Somalia, talked about how beautiful they found the U.S.

Advertisement

When I came to the U.S., I saw green land  beautiful, Umutoni said. You can go out and enjoy the beautiful, green scene. When I was back at home, I never knew there was such a thing.

Hassan said, We have paradise on earth, and thats U.S.A.. In Africa, most of the houses Ive seen are made of mud and stones. Wood houses  its wonderful. Id like to be here forever.

Jumi Onimole, a 46-year-old Nigerian woman who came to San Diego about two years ago with her son, said the first thing that struck her about the U.S. was how many people were homeless.

It made me realize what we see back in Africa is also here, Onimole said.

Advertisement

The difference, she said, is that because of corruption in her home country, much of the money meant for programs to help people ends up lining the pockets of people in power.

Several members of the panel talked about struggling with the differences between English spoken in their countries and English spoken in the States.

I speak English fluently, Hassan said, thanking the audience profusely every time it was his turn to speak. I understand some people, and some people, I dont understand you.

Onimole joked that back home, they speak real English  British English.

Advertisement

The U.S. was colonized by the British. We were colonized by the British, she said. So, why are we speaking different English?

The audience laughed loudly with her.

The panelists also talked about American customs that were new to them but that they appreciated.

Onimole explained that in Nigeria, party hosts are expected to provide all of the food for their guests. She was surprised but delighted to learn about the concept of pot lucks.

Advertisement

Hassan talked about learning about to-go boxes at restaurants. He was eating out with a friend, and both were too full to finish their food.

He explained that, in his culture, asking for a to-go box would be considered disgraceful.

This is a shame, he told his friend when his friend asked for a container. Why are you shaming us?

This is America, his friend responded. Welcome to U.S.A. We dont throw no food here.

Advertisement

Lopez asked the group what Americans could do to better help them adjust to life in the U.S.

When someone answers a simple question, it makes a difference, Umutoni responded, giving an example of showing a new arrival how to use an ATM. You go home feeling like you learned something and are ready for tomorrow.

Advertisement

Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence

Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
Philadelphias police commissioner on Saturday defended officers who arrested two black men at a Starbucks, prompting accusations of racism on social media, concern from the mayor and an apology from the company.

Videos posted online show officers handcuffing the men in the downtown establishment on Thursday. A white man in the video is heard saying he was meeting with the men and calls the arrest ridiculous.

Commissioner Richard Ross said Starbucks employees called 911 to say the men were trespassing. He said officers were told that the men had come in and asked to use the restroom but were denied because they hadnt bought anything, as he said is company policy. He said they then refused to leave.

Ross, who is black, said police asked the men to leave three times but they refused. They were then arrested, but later released after the company elected not to prosecute. He said the officers did absolutely nothing wrong and were professional in their conduct toward the two men but got the opposite back. He did not mention the man who said he was meeting with the other two men.

Advertisement

As an African American male, I am very aware of implicit bias; we are committed to fair and unbiased policing, Ross said. But, he added, If a business calls and they say that someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, [officers] now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties, and they did just that.

We apologize to the two individuals and our customers for what took place at our Philadelphia store on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/suUsytXHks  Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) April 14, 2018

Starbucks posted an apology on Twitter on Saturday, saying the company was disappointed this led to an arrest and was reviewing its policies.

We take these matters seriously and clearly have more work to do when it comes to how we handle incidents in our store, the company said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

Later Saturday, Starbucks Chief Executive Kevin Johnson said that the company had launched an investigation into what he called a disheartening situation.

Regretfully, our practices and training led to a bad outcome  the basis for the call to the Philadelphia Police Department was wrong, Johnson said in a statement. Our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested and this should never have escalated as it did.

He said that Starbucks planned to further train employees to better know when police assistance is warranted and would hold a company-wide meeting in the coming week to discuss next steps. Johnson also said that he hoped to meet with the two men and apologize personally.

Ross said he doesnt patronize Starbucks but recalled an incident from a few years ago in which a uniformed sergeant was denied access to a Starbucks bathroom, so they are at least consistent in their policy.

Advertisement

Mayor Jim Kenney said he asked the city Commission on Human Relations to examine the companys policies and procedures, including the extent of, or need for, implicit bias training for its employees.

I am heartbroken to see Philadelphia in the headlines for an incident that  at least based on what we know at this point  appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018, Kenney said in a statement.

Kenney said a review promised by police of policies in similar situations is fully warranted given the unfortunate outcome of this event, particularly at a time when our criminal justice reform efforts are focused on avoiding needless incarcerations.

Attorney Lauren Wimmer told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the men, whom she did not identify, are commercial real estate professionals and were meeting with the another man to discuss business. She identified herself as a friend of the man they were meeting with.

Advertisement

A spokesman for the district attorneys office said the two black men were released because of lack of evidence that a crime had been committed, but declined further comment, citing a police investigation.

UPDATES:

8:25 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Starbucks Chief Executive Kevin Johnson.

This article was originally published at 6:35 p.m.
Thai Lion Air to start Nepal flights next month

Low-cost carriers (LCC) are increasing their strong foothold in Nepals market as demand for cheap air travel continues to grow. Two LCCs- Thai Lion Air and Salam Air will soon start flights to Nepal. Entry of these airlines would boost LCCs presence in Nepals market by one-fourth. Currently, five LCCs, Indigo, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Air AsiaX and Malindo Air, operate in Nepal. LCCs entered the Nepal air space in 2006. Air Arabia was the first.
After receiving what amounted to a figurative version of CPR from Mayor Kevin Faulconer, 71 girls  and one boy  climbed ladders and hauled hoses as part of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Departments second annual Girls Empowerment Camp Saturday.

Designed originally as a way to encourage girls to join the ranks of fire and rescue, the two-day event was canceled in February after a local attorney said the camp discriminated against boys.

But last month, Faulconer reinstated the program and also announced the program would be expanded to include an additional weekend next month.

The camps organizers said boys are welcome and reported that six boys have already pre-registered for the next event, which will run May 19 and 20. The camp gives participants ages 14 to 18 a hands-on experience into a career as firefighters and lifeguards.

Advertisement

The thought that this camp would have been canceled in the first place is just wrong, Faulconer said after giving a brief speech to the kids during lunchtime. This is providing opportunities to young women about a career in the Fire-Rescue Department and we are doing everything that we can as a city to encourage that.

Al Rava, the attorney who sent a letter to the City Attorneys Office saying the camp violated several California and federal anti-discrimination statutes, said he is still not OK with the event.

The mayor of the supposedly diverse city of San Diego insists on labeling and marketing this city-sponsored and funded camp with the gender-exclusive title of Girls Empowerment Camp instead of a more diverse and inclusive title like Girls and Boys Empowerment Camp, or Teens, No Matter What Your Gender Is, Empowerment Camp, Rava said in an email.

What boy is going to attend and what parent is going to sign up their son to attend a Girls Empowerment Camp? Can you imagine how much trouble the city would get in if it had the temerity and stupidity to call and market this same camp as a Boys Empowerment Camp and the small print said that girls could also attend.

Jeri Miuccio, an engineer with the fire department who helped organize the camp, said since she started her career 13 years ago, the number of women on the force has dropped from about 10 percent to about 4 percent.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the percentage of female firefighters in the U.S. dropped from 5.9 percent in 2015 to 4.1 percent in 2016, the most recent year tracked.

We dont just fight fires, Miuccio said. The majority of what we do is 911 calls where we have to work with all types of people, all types of races and having a crew that is reflective of that is really important.

Miuccio said the fire department has a cadet program for young people from the ages of 16 and 22 as well as a youth camp for kids 12 to 16. Those are open to everyone but you only get about 12 percent girls, Miuccio said.

Advertisement

Mark Lynch, 15, left, of Hope Valley, Rhode Island was the only boy to participate in the Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune )

On Saturday, campers arrived at 7 a.m. and spent 10 hours going through a series of drills at the fire departments training facility near Lindbergh Field. They handled chainsaws, swung axes, pried open doors with a Halligan tool and followed a hose line into a smoke room to get an idea whats its like to rescue fire victims in tough-visibility conditions.

Ive seen firefighters on TV and on the news but being here really gives me an insight that I wouldnt have if I wasnt taking part in this camp, said Alex Mondragon, a 14-year-old from Roosevelt Middle School in South Park.

The only boy at this weekends camp, 15-year-old Mark Lynch, said his feelings were split 50-50.

Advertisement

Half of me is saying, Yay, and half of me is wishing there is someone else I could talk to, said Lynch, who hails from Hope Valley, R.I. Hes on spring break and his family is visiting relatives in the San Diego area. He learned about the camp from his aunt.

1 / 12 Isabella Ansell of Vista finishes climbing a ladder to the second story of a building during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The camp introduces participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposure to public safety career opportunities in the fire service and empowers campers with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 2 / 12 Mark Lynch, 15, left, of Hope Valley, Rhode Island was the only boy to participate in the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The camp introduces participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposure to public safety career opportunities in the fire service. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 3 / 12 Wearing fire gear, Evelyn Sakai, left, of Encinitas, and Eva Zeis, center, of the College Area, along with others attending the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center watch during the event. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 4 / 12 Wearing fire gear, Alex Mondragon of South Park learns the survival technique of how to crawl through a small opening in a simulated wall during the wall breach exercise during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 5 / 12 Bailey Donnelly, 15, of Carmel Mountain Ranch runs with a fire hose during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The camp introduces participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposure to public safety career opportunities in the fire service. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 6 / 12 The 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center is designed to introduce participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposes the campers to public safety career opportunities in the fire service and empowers them with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 7 / 12 San Diego Fire-Rescue Capt. Jesse Schultz, right, guides Lindsey Courduff of Vista, left, during the wall hang exercise during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The wall hang exercise is designed to teach firefighters how to hang from the window of a burning building until a ladder is placed below them. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 8 / 12 Safia Hasan, 15, of Poway pulls a fire hose during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 9 / 12 Cal Fire Engineer Heather Thurston, right, talks with participants in the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The camp is designed to introduce participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposes the campers to public safety career opportunities in the fire service, and empowers them with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 10 / 12 San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Capt. Shannon Mueller, right, encourages participants during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. The camp is designed to introduce participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and and exposes the campers to public safety career opportunities in the fire service and empowers them with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 11 / 12 Iesha Carter, 16, left, of Vista and Mark Lynch, 15, right, of Hope Valley, Rhode Island, listen as Federal Firefighter Amy Hatcher, right, instructs them on how to follow a wall in a burning building during the 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 12 / 12 The 2018 Girls Empowerment Camp put on by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department at their training center is designed to introduce participants with a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and exposes the campers to public safety career opportunities in the fire service and empowers them with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune)

Oceanside 16-year-old Iesha Carter said the physical aspect of the camp made a big impression on her. I didnt know how challenging it was to be a firefighter, like lifting the sand bags and the pulling of the hose, Carter said. Its definitely harder than I expected and its really interesting.

Organizers said there are still openings available for the camp in May. Kids who are interested must register at the San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation website sdfirerescue.org/gec/

Advertisement

Business

Advertisement

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski
By now you are probably used to the probing questions your doctor asks during your annual checkup.

How have you been sleeping lately? Any increased stress at work? Problems at home? Have you engaged in any risky sexual activity?

Dont be surprised if, in the future, the questioning turns to guns.

With gun violence on the rise over the past few years and mass shootings happening more frequently, physicians are making a renewed push to treat the issue as a public health crisis. And part of that begins in your doctors office.

Advertisement

Doctors, especially primary care physicians, are in a unique position to know some of the most private details of our lives, including many indicators that could suggest a higher risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence.

The Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California Davis has launched a new tool kit for doctors and nurses that teaches them how to gently introduce the topic of guns into the conversation, with a special emphasis on spotting red flags that could indicate risks for suicide, domestic violence, homicide or child access to guns.

While physicians liken the strategy to previous campaigns that involved asking patients about seat belt use or smoking, gun rights advocates see it as intrusive and a way for doctors to leverage their status in society to ultimately reduce ownership of firearms.

The What You Can Do initiative was conceptualized following the Las Vegas massacre in October, when a lone gunman fired indiscriminately into a crowd of concertgoers from his hotel high-rise, killing 59 and wounding 422. It is the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

Those who have studied mass shooters say many of them  although not all  showed warning signs of such impending violence.

The programs founders acknowledge, however, that violence is much more likely to occur closer to home.

Nearly 23,000 people in the U.S. were killed in firearm suicides in 2016, accounting for 59 percent of all gun deaths that year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2017 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found nearly 1,300 children die from gunshot wounds each year, and about 6 percent are accidental shootings.

Dr. Kelly Motadel, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at Vista Community Clinic in North County, said the question of gun access in the home is already a common one in pediatricians offices, but that the inquiry should become standard across all age groups.

Advertisement

People dont think of their doctor as political. It allows us to be more of a neutral party and come at it from an I care about your health issue rather than a gun control issue, Motadel said. She pointed to research that showed just a doctor mentioning a risk factor makes a patient more likely to reduce that risk factor.

Even though theres a lot of doctor-bashing out there, most people still respect their doctor, she added.

The organizers stress the project is not about restricting peoples rights to firearms, or politicizing the issue.

Having a gun in the home increases the risk of violence and death for everyone in the home, said Rocco Pallin, a research data analyst at UC Davis and the projects director. Its about the gun owner being responsible and understanding the risk of having that gun.

Advertisement

A Florida law in 2011 aimed to restrict doctors from asking about guns, but the Docs vs. Glocks law was overturned by a federal appeals court last year. As long as the doctor feels the question is relevant to the patient, then it is legal, the UC Davis program advises.

Doctors are advised in the guidelines to approach the gun conversation with patients respectfully and to realize that many gun owners already take safety very seriously. It also urges doctors to keep in mind that firearm ownership can be reflective of longstanding beliefs and values.

Much of the advice to doctors revolves around being able to identify patients who might be at higher risk than others.

That can include someone with a history of violent behavior, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, or mental illness. Special attention should also be paid to demographic groups that include children for accidental shootings, middle-aged and older men for suicide and adolescent and young men for homicide.

Advertisement

The conversation with the patient should typically begin with asking if the patient owns or has access to a firearm and if anyone else might have access, according to the guidelines. The doctor should take steps to make the conversation specific to the patients circumstances, relate to the patients well-being, be educational and include follow-up in case conditions change over time.

Recommendations to the patient might include safe gun storage tips, firearms safety classes or how to properly dispose of an unwanted gun.

Doctors can jot down the patients answers in the file, but are otherwise prohibited from sharing personal health information due to federal law. However, if the doctor uncovers information that suggests the patient or someone else is in imminent danger, then the doctor can take preventative measures that includes contacting family, law enforcement or mental health providers.

Doctors can also suggest in times of crisis that guns be stored temporarily outside the home, such as with a police department or at a local gun range. In California, law enforcement or family members  not doctors  can file a Gun Violence Restraining Order that prohibits certain people from owning guns, such as patients experiencing homicidal or suicidal intent.

Advertisement

The Annals of Internal Medicine is supporting the project and is urging colleagues to take the pledge to at least commit to talking about firearm safety with their at-risk patients. More than 1,000 physicians have signed up so far.

Some question, however, if it is realistic  or fair  to continue to expect more from doctors with increased patient loads and work requirements.

Ive administered health care facilities side by side with physicians for 35 years, and the amount of required information that we have put on them in the last decade is not sustainable long term, said Fran Butler-Cohen, CEO of Family Heath Centers of San Diego. Until we address these societal issues more effectively through legislation and policy, it is absolutely unfair and unconscionable to continue to demand more and more of our medical professionals.

They are not responsible for the nations opioid epidemic, they are not responsible for obesity, she added, and clearly cannot act in place of good, solid gun control legislation.

Advertisement

Gun rights advocates argue blanket questions about gun ownership cross an ethical line and exploit a position of power the doctor has over a patient.

Dr. Arthur Przebinda of Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership, a gun rights advocacy group, said that while safe gun storage is important, the message should not be coming from physicians. Most doctors dont know jack diddly about guns, he said.

He said the major medical associations have shown a history of bias against gun ownership over the years, and the gun-screening questions appear to be a thinly veiled attempt to reduce gun ownership, period. Przebinda, the groups project director who works as a diagnostic-imaging specialist in the Los Angeles area, said he gets email on a nearly daily basis from patients around the country who complain about being badgered by their doctors about gun ownership.

Its none of your damn business, he said. If I come in to you with stomach pain, it has nothing to do with how many guns I have or where I keep them. The group says gun owners can politely refuse to discuss the issue with their doctors and also suggests other actions to take, including filing a complaint with the health care system or medical licensing board.

Advertisement

However, asking someone about access to guns might be appropriate in very specific circumstances, such as a patient exhibiting suicidal tendencies, he said.

The UC Davis project comes as the medical community is putting increasing pressure on legislators for funding for gun violence research.

There is a science to all of this, said Dr. Garen Wintemute, director of UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program and a longtime researcher of firearm violence from a public health perspective. Its something that can be investigated, understood and dealt with just the way other health problems are.

But even the developers of the What You Can Do initiative admit there is a lack of data when it comes to intervention strategies. The program was rolled out anyway.

Advertisement

We dont have the data we need to say this is the best way to intervene in a clinical setting, Pallin said. We cant really wait for that.

The CDC began to fund gun violence research in the late 1980s and early 90s when crime was at an all-time high in the U.S. But in 1996 in what is commonly referred to as the Dickey amendment  named after Rep. Jay Dickey, R-Ark.  Congress prohibited the use of federal funding to advocate or promote gun control. The rider came after lobbying by the National Rifle Association, which argued certain CDC-funded research was biased on the topic.

There has never been a ban on research, but the CDC took the message and has not funded research since, Wintemute said.

The latest federal budget addresses the misconception of a ban on research, clarifying the CDC is allowed to study the topic. But Wintemute said many in the research community have written it off as empty talk since the budget did not allocate any funding toward research.

Advertisement

In the absence of federal research, nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare networks and schools have taken up the cause from a health perspective.

The latest is Kaiser Permanente, an integrated health system that serves 12 million patients, from Hawaii to Maryland. On Monday it announced a $2 million initiative to study how health care practitioners can help prevent gun injuries.

This is not about gun ownership, this is about science and this is about research to help us find solutions to prevent firearm injuries, said Dr. Bechara Choucair, chief community health officer for Kaiser Permanente who is co-chairing the efforts task force.

We are planning to leave the policy debate to policymakers and focus on identifying evidence-based tools and evidence-based resources to prevent injures and improve our care delivery.

Advertisement

The task force will identify research priorities over the next few months  possibilities include suicide prevention and intimate partner violence prevention. A call will then go out to Kaiser Permanente staff for project proposals.

Advertisement

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
A man stopped his car, argued with a pedestrian, then stabbed him near the Iris Avenue trolley stop in Otay Mesa Saturday night, San Diego police said.

Medics took the 20-year-old victim to a hospital. He was stabbed three times, but the wounds were believed not life-threatening, police said.

The victim and a woman were walking away from the trolley station when a dark, four-door sedan pulled alongside them about 8:10 p.m. The two men got into an argument and the driver got out of his car, Officer Robert Heims said.

The driver stabbed the other man, then got back in his car and took off south on Monterey Pine Drive. The victim and his companion gave police little other information about the incident.

Advertisement

pauline.repard@sduniontribune

Twitter: @pdrepard
China. Chile. India. Costa Rica. Mexico. Brazil. Israel. Uganda. Indonesia. The United Kingdom. The Virgin Islands. The South Pacific. The Arctic.

Scientists from San Diego will visit virtually every corner of the globe during the upcoming summer field research season to take up an equally broad range of questions:

Can you use the sound of bubbles exploding in ice to figure out how fast glaciers are melting? How do we refine the search for a signature of the Big Bang? How have bees evolved ways to communicate so that they can avoid predators?

UC San Diego, the nations fifth largest research university, will send the most people packing with passports. But scientists also will be spreading across the globe from San Diego State University, Cal State San Marcos, the University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla.

Advertisement

By late September, they will have traveled to places as different as Chiles Atacama Desert  the driest desert on Earth  to a lush rain forest in Brazil to warm reefs off Mexico whose colors are as rich as any rainbow.

Heres a sample of what more than 30 local scientists will be going, and what theyll be doing.

UC San Diego researcher Grant Deane says the sound of exploding bubbles might reveal the melt rate of glaciers. (UC San Diego )

GRANT DEANE AND DALE STOKES, oceanographers, UC San Diego will visit the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean to test whether you can monitor the sound of bubbles melting in ice as a way of determining how fast glaciers are melting. The research is part of the broader climate change research conducted by the universitys Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

TOM ROCKWELL, seismologist, San Diego State University will visit the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to dig research trenches along the Pajarito fault, which runs through lab property. The fault may be capable of producing a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, which could heavily damage a lab that studies everything from biothreats to green technology to nuclear weapons. Los Alamos was the center of the Manhattan Project during World War II.

BRIAN KEATING, astrophysicist, UC San Diego will visit the Simons Array Telescopes in Chiles Atacama Desert to commission Polar Bear-2, an upgraded version of a telescope thats made important discoveries about the origins of the universe. Keating also will be traveling widely to promote his new book, Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Sciences Highest Honor. The book describes how Keating and other scientists identified what appeared to be an echo of the Big Bang, but was actually just dust.

JILLIAN MALONEY, geoscientist, San Diego State University, will travel to Californias Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to collect sediment cores that will reveal the seismic history of the Kirby Hills and Midland faults. The faults cross the Delta where ground shaking during an earthquake poses a risk of liquefaction to the levee system. Maloney said this could have disastrous impacts on agriculture, freshwater supply, and important ecosystems.

UC San Diego anthropologist will be leading an expedition to Israel to study ancient civilization in the Eastern Medierranean. (Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego Publications )

Advertisement

TOM LEVY, anthropologist, UC San Diego will travel to Israel with a team from the universitys new Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology to conduct a marine archaeology field school. Hell also lead an expedition that will explore the question: How did climate and environmental change affect the collapse of civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean region around 1200 BC?

The project includes several other UC San Diego researchers, including John Hildebrand (geophysics), Isabel Rivera-Collazo (geoarchaeology), Dick Norris (paleobiology) and Margie Burton (ceramics petrograhy).

OCATVIO ABURTO, marine ecologist, UC San Diego, will visit the Tres Maria Archipelago off Mexico to monitor reefs and study invertebrates and fish populations. The three volcanic islands 62 miles west of San Blas, Nayarit are known for the magnificence of their ecosystems. Aburto has helped lead a long- term effort to improve conservation in the tightly-controlled archipelago.

Manjula Tiwari of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center will Papua Barat, Indonesia to study leatherback turtles. (Canadian Sea Turtle Network )

Advertisement

KELLY STEWART and MANJULA TIWARI, marine turtle biologists, Southwest Fisheries Science Center-La Jolla will visit critical nesting sites in Papua Barat, Indonesia and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, respectively, to study the biology and abundance of leatherback turtles, an endangered creature. Stewart will take DNA samples of the animals so that they can identify individual turtles, and Tiwari will evaluate methods for improving hatchling survival. Tracking studies have shown that leatherbacks migrate from Indonesian beaches across the Pacific to feed on jellyfish in California waters.

TODD BRAJE, anthropologist, San Diego State University will visit the Coronado Islands off Baja California to conduct archaeological excavations at two pre-historic sites. Hell be collaborating with researchers from Mexicos Institute of Anthropology and History. Braje said, Our work will be the first scientific archaeological excavations ever conducted on the Coronados Islands  We are hoping to build a settlement chronology.

Jennifer MacKinnon of UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography will visit the Arctic to explore the accelerating rate of sea ice melt. (UC San Diego )

JENNIFER MACKINNON and MATTHEW ALFORD, oceanographers, UC San Diego, will visit the Arctic to explore how the distribution and circulation of heat within the warming ocean may be contributing to the accelerating rate of Arctic sea ice melt. MacKinnon says, Our results will hopefully be used to both improve the accuracy of forecasts for Arctic sea ice and understand how those changing conditions might feed back on the global climate.

Advertisement

DAVID DEMER, ocean acoustic engineer, and JEFF MOORE, marine mammal biologist, Southwest Fisheries Science Center-La Jolla, will jointly lead a major survey of the forage fish and marine mammals that inhabit the California Current off the west coast of North America. The southward-flowing current extends from British Columbia to southern Baja California, and hosts some of the worlds largest communities of sea birds, fish and whales.

IVANO CAPONIGRO, linguist, UC San Diego will visit Chiapas, Mexico to lead an international group of scholars in studying 21 Native American languages spoken in various southern Mexican states and in Guatemala. Some of these languages are endangered. Caponigo said the group will be looking across these Mesoamerican languages to find differences and similarities, along with clues to how human languages work.

MIKE MOORING, behavioral ecologist, Point Loma Nazarene University will visit Costa Rica to study the biodiversity of animals in the cloud forests of the Talamanca Mountains. Hell focus on the population status of large predators, such as jaguars and pumas, and their prey.

DREW LUCAS, oceanographer, UC San Diego will visit the Bay of Bengal off the coast of India to study the role the ocean plays in setting the timing and strength of monsoon rains in the region. During the three-week cruise, Scripps scientists on board will use advanced instrumentation to measure ocean turbulence, salinity and sea surface temperature variance and more. The research is meant to improve the models that forecast monsoons, which are vital to water resources, agriculture, ecosystems and human health throughout South Asia.

Advertisement

SUSAN M. KIENE, global health professor, San Diego State University will visit rural Uganda to continue her research on infectious diseases in hopes of improving peoples access to medical care after theyve been diagnosed with HIV, a disease that afflicts 1.4 million people nationwide. Kiene will be accompanied by students who will work with Ugandan and Nigerian students to broadly address public health issues, including tuberculosis, a disease that is unusually widespread in Uganda.

AMY HAYS, fishery biologist, Southwest Fisheries Science Center-La Jolla, will be conducting surveys of fish eggs and larvae off the California coast to help scientists develop ways to increase the number of spawning adults, and to forecast population growth.

AUSTIN CHOI-FITZPATRICK,political sociologist, University of San Diego, will visit the University of Nottingham in England to work on a book that examines how technology helps social movements achieve their goals.

RUSS DAVIS, physical oceanographer, UC San Diego will help run a long-term program that flies underwater gliders back and forth between Gizo in the Solomon Islands and Rossel Island in Papua New Guinea. Davis said, The idea is to measure the transport of water and heat from the South Pacific into the western equatorial Pacific where ocean temperature have a strong effect on the atmosphere, equatorial winds and the El Nino/La Nina cycle.

Advertisement

ALISON COIL, astrophysicist, UC San Diego, will visit the Keck Observatory telescopes at the summit of Maunakea, Hawaii to map emissions from galaxies that have growing supermassive black holes at their centers.

GEORGE VOURLITIS, ecologist, Cal State San Marcos, will visit Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil to study how land-use changes are affecting upland areas and seasonally flooded tropical savanna forests. The regions Amazon forest has suffered from deforestation  a trend that the Brazilian government and conservationists are trying to reverse.

REBECCA FIELDING-MILLER, global health, UC San Diego will work with a research team at the University of Swaziland to assess how common sexual assault is on university campuses in southern Africa, and to begin testing a new program that scientists hope will reduce sexual violence by up to 50 percent.

JAMES NIEH, biologist, UC San Diego will visit Yunnan, China, to learn more about the different communication signals that native bees have evolved in response to predators. He also will examine how pesticides like neonicotinoids and emerging pesticides like Sivanto affect native honey bees. Nieh said that this research provided the first evidence that Sivanto, a pesticide advertised as relatively bee safe can harm learning in the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana.  .

Advertisement

ANITA RAJ, professor medicine, UC San Diego will be assessing the healthcare system in India and how it meets community needs in rural villages. The goal is to build maternal and reproductive health services to improve areas such as childbirth spaces and infant survival rates.

ELIZABETH A. DINSDALE, biologist, San Diego State University will take a group of SDSU students to Australia, and possibly to the Phillipines, to teach them about the microbial ecology of rocky shorelines, including organisms in Sydney Harbor.

DIEGO SUSTAITA, evolutionary biologist, Cal State San Marcos, will visit Suisun Marsh in the San Francisco Bay tidal estuary to study the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. He said, This work will help us understand how these mice negotiate their environments on a much finer scale than afforded by previous studies, and therefore will help us better understand their habitat requirements.

JONATHAN SHURIN, biologist, UC San Diego will visit the Sierra Nevada Mountains in and around Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks to study how climate change affects the ability of lakes and rivers to provide water to drink and fish to eat.

Advertisement

CRAIG MCINTOSH, economist, UC San Diego will visit Uganda to conduct research thats meant to give farmers new ways to learn about agricultural prices and the marketing of their crops. The goal is to provide farmers with more income and to prevent food scarcity. McIntosh says, Countries in the region often face shortages when there is ample supply in the country as a whole, due to the inability of markets to efficiently move food from surplus to deficit.

Sources: UC San Diego, San Diego State University, Cal State San Marcos, University of San Diego, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Point Loma Nazarene University, NOAA, Britannica.com.
Some activists registered people to vote. Others urged visitors to stamp their cash with political messages. Daniel McDonald was collecting poop.

The University of California San Diego researcher was among more than 1,000 scientists, data geeks and everyday people to attend the March for Science at Waterfront Park on Saturday, the second annual drive to celebrate knowledge and connect data to everyday life.

McDonald was staffing a booth promoting American Gut, a self-proclaimed citizen science project that aims to sequence and study millions of donated stools to better understand how individual human microbiomes can save lives.

The scientific director of the American Gut project said research like his is critical, and grants from sources like the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency are drying up.

Advertisement

Science generates innovation, which generates new economies, he said.

The 2018 march, which unfolded in hundreds of other cities across the nation on Saturday, was nowhere near as well-attended as the inaugural event a year ago, when 15,000 people paraded through downtown San Diego to support scientific research.

But the organizers, speakers and attendees this year were every bit as passionate about what they see as a need to shield science from political influence and make sure public policies are based on evidence rather than ideology.

1 / 11 With the Star of India in the background, people begin to march south on North Harbor Drive during the San Diego March for Science. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 11 Science majors from California State University San Marcos and Palomar College, from left, Dakotah Shore, Jillian Caputo, Raven Klee, and Jody McAfee, holds signs during the San Diego March for Science at Waterfront Park. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 11 Dakotah Shore, a science major at Palomar College, holds a sign during the San Diego March for Science at Waterfront Park. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 11 Hundreds of people participating in the San Diego March for Science make their way north on Pacific Highway. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 11 While wearing a T-rex costume, Alex Reiss, a UCSD lab manager, participates in the San Diego March for Science on North Harbor Drive. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 11 Alex Reiss, a UCSD lab manager, has to replace the batteries for the electric fan that keeps his T-rex costume inflated while another T-rex costumed marcher walks past him during the San Diego March for Science on North Harbor Drive. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 11 Penelope OSullivan, 6, and her brother Gabriel OSullivan, 7, look at a human brain at the UCSD Neuroscience Outreach Programs booth. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 11 Muscle sensors wired to the right hand of Sebastian Rivard, 6, picks up the electrical pulses in his hand muscles when he moves them sending an electrical signal that activates a mechanical claw, right, as a demonstration of how our brains control our muscles at the UCSD Neuroscience Outreach Programs booth. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 11 Hundreds of people participating in the San Diego March for Science make their way north on Pacific Highway. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 11 Hundreds of people participating in the San Diego March for Science make their way north on Pacific Highway. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 11 A marcher holds a sign as he and hundreds of other people make their way north on Pacific Highway. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

They spoke about how science can save lives, create new industries and improve the human condition. They talked about pushing for explanations about arcane and routine questions that can spark innovations that change the world.

Science is going to be political, but it doesnt have to be partisan, said Mary Canady, one of the march organizers and the co-founder of a newly established nonprofit called San Diego For Science. We tell people what the important issues are when looking at candidates.

While speakers at the March for Science were largely non-partisan, some marchers carried signs criticizing President Donald Trump as anti-science because he has called climate change a hoax, threatened to cut funding for research and dubbed unwelcome information fake news.

Science is important, not only to science but to the world, said Robbie Todd, a professional photographer from North Park who said he came to support research. To me, science and art go hand in hand because they both work toward proving things. It seems like today science is under attack.

Advertisement

Many Trump supporters, who did not appear to attend the march in great numbers, credit the president for reining in wasteful spending and confronting what they see as a biased media landscape.

Despite the attention to activism over protest, the march was overtly political.

Some of the signs hoisted by marchers Saturday conveyed messages such as Make Science, Not War, Trust the Scientific Method  Not Politicians and No Science, No Beer.

Emily Knight, a volunteer with the activist group Represent San Diego, attended the march to promote an effort to reduce the influence of money in politics by stamping messages like This Bill Shall Not Be Used To Bribe Politicians directly onto dollar bills.

Advertisement

An average of 875 people will see your bill over its lifetime, Knight told one woman who stopped by the booth to investigate the campaign. This is completely legal, but make sure you dont stamp it in the center.

David Christian, a volunteer with the activist group Indivisible San Diego, was handing out flyers for March To Vote San Diego, a mass appeal scheduled May 19 to promote participation in the California primary election scheduled June 5.

Christian said he is not worried that the event next month could get overlooked amid the March for Science, the March for Our Lives anti-gun violence demonstrations in April and the Womens March in January.

Each march addresses a different vital function, he said. Its not a matter of too much.

Advertisement

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

Advertisement

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
Trumps imagination should not guide policy

Re Gov. Brown has sensible approach to National Guard at border (April 12): We are long past the point of our emperor not wearing any clothes. We have a president ordering military troops to repel an invading horde of Mexican murderers and rapists that exist only in Donald Trumps fevered dreams.

Net migration from Mexico has been zero for years, and yet, there go our military  sent off to battle against the one enemy they cant overcome.

Our presidents fears.

Advertisement

Whatever your political framework, surely our dedicated service men and women deserve better. We need to insist our militarys missions are to address real threats, not imagined ones.

Bernie Nofel

San Diego

The solution to Mexicos social issues is for its government to start taxing its middle and upper class citizens, so it can provide economic assistance to its poorer classes, as we have in the U.S. This wont happen because it wouldnt be approved by its people.

But they instead divert this issue by making the U.S. seem like the bad guy because U.S. citizens dont want their tax money solving their economic problems. I say build the wall and lets focus are attention on our citizens who need help.

Enrique Lopez

Chula Vista

Advertisement

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
The impact of climate change, the deregulation of environmental and national monument/parks protection, and what people can do to help were the key takeaways from a recent bipartisan community forum titled Environmental Issues and Deregulation.

The event, hosted by Indivisible Ramona, was held in the Ramona Library Community Room.

From left, candidates Tommy Hough, Ammar Campa and Shamus Sayed contribute their views during the Invisible Ramona forum on the environment and deregulation. (Courtesy photo )

Atmosphere, Global Warming and Climate Change

The first speaker, Tim Stamnitz, has an engineering degree in physics and is a STEM teacher at Balboa School in Escondido and an energy and communications systems consultant for Ecophoton in Encinitas.

In a presentation of the science behind climate change, Stamnitz defined global warming as the rapid increase in the earths average temperature over the past century due to greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. Today people are releasing more carbon dioxide than any other greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, he said.

The results of this warming of the Earth are: increased melting of ice and rising sea levels threatening coastal areas, he said. In addition, as the Earth warms, surface areas of the oceans absorb more heat. Given the oceans influence on weather conditions, the increased warming of the water results in hurricanes and typhoons becoming more common with an increase of catastrophic weather worldwide.

Well also see decreased crop yields, said Stamnitz. We can help by decreasing our personal use of fossil-fuel products and supporting clean energy like solar, wind and hydrogen fuel cells.

The scale of the problem is astronomical and the entire world needs to be involved, he said.

The current target is to keep the increase in temperature less than 2 C, but most scientists believe even that is not strict enough, he said.

A major concern is that proven oil, gas, and coal reserves held by fossil fuel companies is four times greater than the amount that would cause a 2 C temperature increase, he said.

Needs, Value and Benefits of Ecosystem Preservation

While best known for his on-air work at San Diego radio stations like 91X, KPRI and FM94/9, San Diego City Council candidate Tommy Hough has also volunteered and worked as an environmentalist. He served as president of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action from 2014-17 and previously worked with the San Diego County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Portland-based wilderness advocacy organization, Oregon Wild.

Hough discussed the undoing of long-standing environmental safeguards as part of the Trump administration agenda, especially the unprecedented re-drawing of national monument boundaries to enable drilling and mining. He also discussed the active dismantling of the countrys long tradition of preserving its natural heritage, much of which goes back over 110 years to the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt.

A key component of the undoing of our nations federal public lands compact is the current push in Congress to return public land to states, even though federal lands in the west have typically never been part of the state inventories, said Hough.

He noted that in nearly every case, western states are in no position to manage the massive amounts of public lands within their boundaries currently managed by federal resources. Last year the Interior Department issued a lengthy list of national monuments that were being considered for either a total undoing of their preserved status or having their boundaries radically re-drawn, he said.

A national monument can only be designated on federal land. Roosevelt, a Republican, in 1906 signed the Antiquities Act into law. It allows presidents to declare national monuments when a site is in imminent danger or Congress is moving too slowly on a national park designation.

Like national parks and wilderness areas, national monuments have become regional economic engines for related eco-tourism and outdoor recreation businesses. In addition to that Undoing national monuments robs communities of a sustainable and renewable economic source and deprives citizens of the ability to experience their nations natural heritage, Hough said.

Other reversals of environmental protections threaten clean water and clean air, along with massive forest and grassland ecosystems that contribute to a healthy planet, he said.

The bottom line, he concluded, is: We must not be the generation that sat on our hands. When we lose our wild lands, we lose our heritage.

Democratic Congressional candidate Ammar Campa

Campa started his presentation saying, Climate change is real. Were fighting for tomorrow oday.

He believes that at a minimum the country must at least preserve the gains its made already at the national level.

Globally the U.S. needs to re-enter the Paris Agreement and lead the charge on leaving a habitable and healthy world, Campa said.

Locally, in addition to a clean cap and trade program, we should recognize the scope and danger of the sewage problem with Tijuana, develop permanent water conservation measures to reduce our water dependence and make San Diego more drought-resistant, and facilitate smart urban development, he said.

He called climate change the mother of all problems. Dealing with it can solve other issues, je said. To help, we as individuals can: Move to 100% renewable energy; end fossil fuel subsidies  use subsidies to help transition workers; propose federal tax incentives that include efficiency and alternative energy programs such as HERO; install solar panels, new windows, and updated HVAC systems; make it easy for homeowners and small business to increase energy efficiency and generate solar power by low interest loans.

Republican Congressional candidate Shamus Sayed

Company or organization culture and values start at the top. If the top isnt sold, the team wont be on board, said Sayed.

It is difficult to get Republicans to agree that climate change even exists, he said. Half of Congress does not believe it exists. My first priority will be to work with Republicans to garner a consensus among the party that this is a critical issue.

Scientific consensus is that 97% of the global scientific community agrees the climate is warming, and that the cause of climate change is human activity, Sayed said.

Because people are the cause of climate change, people can and will be the solution, he said.

He addressed what he considers to be District 50s challenges  water scarcity, air quality and natural disasters such as fires and fatal mudslides.

Im also here to listen to what affects you, he said. What are your environmental concerns?

At a minimum, next generations need to do the simple things like recycle and put milk cartons in the blue can, he said.

Republicans do share and understand logic, he said. We have started environmentally friendly companies. For example, my good friend and business associate started a solar company that installs solar panels on major corporate offices.

Solar jobs are growing. With a total of 11,306 jobs in 2016, San Diego has seen a 35% growth in jobs in the solar industry from 2015. As the small business advocate in this race, this notion is win-win for all.

The bottom line is everyone needs to work together on federal, state and local levels  all of us, including renewable energy industries, community organizations, families and leaders must do our parts.

One of the most successful and effective strategies thus far in the political sphere is the House Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus formed by Carlos Curbelo, a Republican representative from Florida, Sayed said. To join the caucus and to discuss and implement critical strategies to combat the climate crisis, a representative must reach across the aisle and join with a member from the opposing party, he said.

This is a tangible way in which I, if elected, will take action to solve our climate crisis, he said.
A lot of passports are going to take a beating this summer.

Scores of San Diego-based scientists will fan out across the world to study everything from the spread of tuberculosis in Uganda to the speed at which glaciers melt in the Arctic. We provide a broad sample of the research in Sundays paper.

Here are answers to some questions about the package.

Q: What was the impetus behind your in-depth look into what local scientists are doing?

Advertisement

A: I simply find this to be fascinating. This story isnt about one or two people. Its about the scores of local scientists who go out on foot, and in cars, and on trains, planes and ships, to do research, some of which is dangerous.

I did a double-take when I heard that Grant Deane of UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography is headed for an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean to use a hydrophone to record bubbles popping in glacial ice. He thinks the recordings will help reveal how fast glaciers melt. Deane did the same type of research there last year and was unable to take video at one point because of the presence of polar bears. You have to be careful around those creatures.

Going to such places really can be risky. In 2013, San Diego State University biologist Forest Rohwer and graduate student Steve Quistad were nearly killed when a iceberg broke apart and tumbled their way while they were diving in the Arctic.

Q: You look at our local universities to see where everyone is headed. How much activity is out there?

A: We devote a full page to these scientists in Sundays paper. We could easily have filled two. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography alone supplied enough information to fill a page. We only used part of that information so that we could highlight the work being done by San Diego State University, Cal State San Marcos, the University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University, and a non-university  the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SFSC) in La Jolla. SFSC is part of NOAA, and their reach is global. Its scientists will travel to Indonesia and the US Virgin Islands this summer to do sea turtle research.

Q: What is the practical value of this research?

A: Such research is useful in many areas, from revealing how climate change is affecting coastal cities to the management of fish populations to tracking and treating infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Q: Of everyone you talked to, which researcher would you most like to tag along with?

Advertisement

A: Tom Rockwell, a seismologist at San Diego State University. He reconstructs the history of quakes along faults by digging trenches and reading the soil. A long time ago, I accompanied him on a trip to the San Jacinto fault out in the desert east-northeast of San Diego. He put a shovel in my hand and said, Start digging. We created a trench that was about waist-deep, then got down in it. Rockwell ran his fingers over the soil, pointing out hair-line cracks and changes in color. These little things represented past quakes. He was telling me a story about the history of the earth.

This summer, Rockwell will dig trenches on a fault that cuts through the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Thats where the Manhattan Project was centered during World War II. Can you imagine what the soil looks like there? Ill bet its magnificent.
Donations go to the annual Book Bonanza, to be held in the summer by St. Joseph School and the Fun Bunch Square Dance Club. Proceeds support the school and the club, which fundraises for local charities; this year, it will be the American Cancer Society.
The call

Were so sorry, sir. The boys mistakenly wired your phone to Mr Karkis, said the man in charge, timidly. He couldnt even look Raghu in the eye.
Tiger sightseeing a big draw for Bardia Natl Park

The number of tourists visiting Bardia National Park has increased primarily due to the high chance of spotting the rare Royal Bengal Tiger. The lure of seeing the endangered creature in its natural habitat is proving irresistible as more than 15,000 tourists visited the park in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Samuel Sebbuliba.

Police in Kanungu have launched an investigation into circumstances under which a 63 year old French national died while tracking for gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable forest.

The deceased has been identified as Tutin Jean Piere a resident of Nairobi working with the Kenyan French embassy.

He died at Kanyambeho Kinurira village Buremba parish in Kanungu district.

According to the Kigezi region police spokesperson, the deceased together with six others had visited the Mahogany Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable and were on their way from gorilla tracking at the time death occurred at the later.

He says the body of the deceased has been transported to the Kampala city Mortuary for postmortem to clearly establish the cause of his death as investigations continue.
By Moses Ndhaye.

Workers under their umbrella body, the National organization of Trade Unions have opposed the recent government salary enhancement structure by releasing their own.

Addressing journalist today, the union Secretary General Peter Werikhe said 11 of the Key trade organizations in Uganda unanimously rejected the governments enhancement salary structure arguing that it is selective and does not address their salary concerns.

Now according to their proposed salary structure they want the least paid civil servant to be paid shs 1.3M and the highest shs 23M.

Werihke says failure by government to adhere to their structure will lead to a national sit down strike on June 23rd, 2018.
Press Release

April 14, 2018 ANGARA URGES OFWS TO INVEST EARNINGS IN 'PERA' TO SAVE UP FOR RETIREMENT Senator Sonny Angara has urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to save up for retirement by investing their earnings in a Personal Equity Retirement Account (PERA)--the country's first-ever voluntary retirement account with tax incentives. "Malaking sakripisyo para sa ating mga OFW ang magtrabaho abroad at iwan ang kanilang pamilya para mabigyan sila ng magandang buhay. This is why we encourage our OFWs to save and invest their earnings here in the country so they can secure a comfortable retirement and be with their families," said Angara, one of the authors of the PERA Law or Republic Act 9505. PERA is a voluntary and personal account specifically for retirement, where OFWs can invest up to P200,000 annually. Non-OFWs can only make a maximum contribution of P100,000 annually. Even if the OFW is abroad, his or her spouse and children can open a PERA account in behalf of the OFW. "Totoong ang pagpapaaral sa mga anak ang pinakamahalagang investment ng ating mga OFW para guminhawa ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya. Pero dagdag dito, malaking tulong ang PERA para masiguro na may naipong pera ang ating mga kababayan abroad pag-uwi ng Pilipinas," Angara said. Upon reaching retirement at the age of 55, all payments or distributions will be tax-exempt. This can be either in lump sum, a pension for a definite period, or for a lifetime. Early withdrawals are allowed, if he or she has made contributions for at least five years, but will be subject to a penaltyexcept in cases when the individual is totally disabled due to an accident or hospitalization. "PERA investments have higher returns because it is a tax-free investment income. PERA supplements the social pension Filipinos can get from SSS or GSIS. It especially targets OFWs, who may not be contributing to either of these funds," the senator explained. A national survey on financial inclusion conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that only 11 percent of Filipinos save for retirement or old age. The lawmaker noted that PERA will help and encourage Filipinos save up for their sunset years or for emergency medical situations. "Marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang hindi nakaugalian mag-ipon o hindi alam kung saan mag-iinvest. Nakalulungkot na may ilang OFW ang nabiktima din ng bitcoin scam kamakailan lamang. Para siguradong ligtas at malaki ang kita, hinihikayat natin sila na mag-invest sa PERA," he added. As of last year, the BSP has accredited Banco de Oro (BDO) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) as PERA institutional administrators. PERA investments products include unit investment trust funds, share of stock of mutual funds, insurance pension products, government securities, and other financial products.
Press Release

April 14, 2018 Revenge triggered fake news vs her - De Lima Aware that she made powerful enemies throughout her years of public service, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has no doubts that the tide of fake news directed to her was a product of revenge by her political foes. De Lima, who is currently under pre-trial detention for trumped-up illegal drug trade charges based on manufactured evidence and perjured testimonies of convicted felons, said the public should look no further than President Duterte himself. "[Duterte] has harbored a grudge against me since the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), of which I was the Chairperson, investigated his alleged involvement in the so-called 'Davao Death Squad', which was brought to light outside his territory of Davao City through the report of then UN Special Rapporteur on Summary Killings, Prof. Phillip Alston," she said. "To hear him recall the investigation, it is clear that he has not forgiven me, a woman, for my temerity to investigate his alleged involvement in the Death Squad," she added. Before assuming the Senate post, De Lima was appointed as Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008-2010) where she energized the country's premier human rights body in addressing cases of human rights violations. As secretary of the Department of Justice (2010-2015), De Lima carried out President Aquino's directives in resolving renowned cases, including the prosecution of several prominent figures linked in the misuse of development funds, the murder of media practitioners in Mindanao, and the dangerous raids of the prison cells for maximum security inmates. It was also under her watch as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) that the Philippines was removed from the US Human Trafficking Watchlist, paving the way for its long-hoped-for upgrade to Tier 1 status. The online fake news about De Lima were mostly shared and re-shared by pro-Duterte pages and websites to various social media platforms, notably Facebook and YouTube. Without naming names, De Lima said that aside from Duterte, she has also run afoul with other powerful and influential people she previously investigated and filed charges against, thus making her an easy target of vengeance. "I knew even then that many political operators, including those who have made a career of peddling lies for their own gain, were more than willing to help weave a web of lies about me, whether because of simple self-interest or as revenge for the strong stance I took against graft and corruption in government when I was Secretary of Justice," she said. "They say that no good deed goes unpunished, and that public service can be a very thankless job. I know it, I am living it, and I've known it even before I ran for office. I cannot say that I did not come into this with eyes wide open. I did," she said. "But I did it anyway because, as hard as the job is, someone has to do it - someone has to stand for the voiceless, the oppressed and the powerless," she added. The Senator from Bicol earlier revealed that some of her family members, notably her sister and son, were also unwitting targets of fake news across social media platforms peddled by some sinister groups.
Press Release

April 14, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 283:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement on Duterte's threat to arrest ICC investigators 4/14/18 The Prosecutor of the ICC is still yet to determine its jurisdiction over Duterte as it conducts its preliminary examination, and yet Duterte has already withdrawn the Philippines from the ICC - albeit illegally without Senate concurrence - and threatened the arrest of Prosecutor Bensouda and ICC investigators if they set foot on Philippine soil. Duterte cannot do this legally. But, of course, he can do it illegally, in the same way he was already able to illegally order the murder of more than 20,000 human beings since the start of his Drug War. Duterte already has absolute power as dictator if that happens, and by that time there would also no longer be any working judiciary or Constitution. By and large he has already managed to get away with practically everything, including promising to sell Philippine territory to China without nary a whimper from the AFP. Indeed, the way things are going, Duterte can order the arrest of Bensouda without any resistance whatsoever from any government institution still capable of defending the Republic from his totalitarian methods. If he does order the arrest of the ICC investigators, he has the entire Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute to contend with. According to the Rome Statute, in the event of a refusal of a State Party to cooperate with the ICC, the latter shall refer the same to the Assembly of State Parties. But arresting the ICC Prosecutor will not only constitute a refusal to cooperate. It will be treated as a hostile action against the ICC itself that would require a more drastic response from the Assembly of State Parties. Only a rogue State with nothing to lose in the international community will attempt such an action. That is the path where Duterte is leading the Philippines to. He wants this country to be in the same place as North Korea in the international community of nations. But Duterte should still not be complacent with his dictatorial potential to order the arrest of international officials cloaked with diplomatic immunity. Investigation within the territory of a state is only one among the various modes of investigation that the ICC Prosecutor is allowed in the conduct of an investigation. It can still proceed with an investigation without setting foot on the Philippines, especially after the threat of arrest already pronounced by Duterte. Preventing ICC investigators from coming to the Philippines will definitely not foreclose an ICC investigation. Once the Prosecutor and the Pre-Trial Chamber determines the necessity of an investigation, it is no longer within Duterte's power, whether lawful or dictatorial, to stop it. Any ICC action after the preliminary examination is already beyond his reach. Duterte's paranoid behavior, a characteristic feature of his sociopathy, is the projection of his fear of the ICC. Ironically, the ICC is still at its preliminary examination, the stage before the conduct of a formal investigation, and definitely still steps away from the issuance of an arrest order. The fact that this early, Duterte already feels the walls closing on him is a reflection of his guilt, like any criminal who is running out of options. Duterte's threatened use of dictatorial powers, like ordering the arrest of ICC investigators, is his way of escaping international law and prosecution for his crimes against humanity. It is his flight from justice. All his previous dares to the ICC Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute him, and upon conviction, turn him over to a firing squad, are now revealed as nothing but the false bravado of a desperate man who will soon be incapable of leaving his country for fear of his own arrest anywhere around the world, except China, of course. This is the behavior of a guilty criminal, not of an innocent person.
Press Release

April 14, 2018 Legarda: Laws, Gov't Programs in Place to Address NDFP's Concerns on Social Services, Protection of Workers Senator Loren Legarda today said that laws for the provision of social services to Filipinos and protection of workers are in place and assured that government programs on the same are funded through the annual national budget. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement as she expressed support for the resumption of the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Legarda, who, along with Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, is a consultant of the government panel for the peace talks with the NDFP, said that one of the important agreements to be finalized is the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), which is considered the 'heart and soul' of the peace talks. "Among the provisions under the CASER is to ensure the delivery of basic social services to the people and protection of the rights of the working citizens as we pursue economic growth that is inclusive, resilient and sustainable," she stressed. For the protection of rights of the working people, the CASER upholds the right to employment, livelihood and social protection, including free health care, free education and affordable mass housing. Legarda said that under the 2018 national budget, Php40 Billion was allocated for free tertiary education in all state universities and colleges, local state universities and colleges, and state-run technical vocational institutions. For health services, part of PhilHealth's budget is the additional Php3 Billion to cover health coverage of non-members, especially those who are not formally employed and financially incapable to pay for PhilHealth membership, and Php3.5 Billion for the health insurance of government employees under the Executive Department. There is also additional Php100 Million for the National Nutrition Council's (NNC) Early Childhood Care and Development Intervention Package for the First 1,000 Days; and budget for specialty hospitals was also augmented for medical assistance program for indigent patients, additional medicine for cancer patients and Health Facilities Enhancement Program. Meanwhile, aside from the Labor Code, which needs to be amended to address current issues faced by Filipino workers, other laws are also in place for the protection of workerssuch as the Domestic Workers Act (RA 10361) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act (RA 10801)as well as promoting gender equality in the workplace (Magna Carta of Women, RA 9710), and eliminating child labor (Anti-Child Labor Law, RA 9231). The Philippines has also ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 151, which guarantees the right of public employees to organize, provides adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination, and mandates that public employees' organizations shall enjoy complete independence from public authorities. "We have also been strengthening the protection of our citizens, especially women and children, from illegal trafficking. Through the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the provision of adequate funds for agencies in charge of implementing the law, we are gradually improving," said Legarda. She explained that the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act addresses the new challenges brought by human trafficking, such as online sexual exploitation of children. Under the law, harboring a child for purposes of prostitution or production of pornographic materials is considered trafficking. Moreover, even acts that constitute attempted trafficking in persons are punishable. Accomplices and accessories to the crime will also be meted their due penalties. Legarda added that, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, she ensures that agencies concerned in implementing the law, especially the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) under the Department of Justice (DOJ), have enough funds to aid them in carrying out their duties. In the 2018 national budget, she also ensured the increase in the budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children's Protection Center (WCPC) for additional training and purchase of equipment, which will lead to more children being rescued, more criminals being arrested, and stopping human trafficking in its track. "The CASER seeks to protect our people and provide for their needs and we can assure that this is already being addressed through existing laws and government programs. The government and the NDFP can work together to further improve these laws and programs and to propose new measures to ensure that the peace agreement, once finalized, will not be merely ink on paper but one that would benefit ALL Filipinos so that we can really achieve genuine and lasting peace," Legarda concluded.
ANGARA SEEKS SUMMER FARE DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS

Senator Sonny Angara is seeking a 20-percent discount for students on land, rail, airfare and ship tickets in time for the two-month school summer vacation.

He said the proposed discount would make the summer break more enjoyable and economical for students and their families, especially those who work hard and regard travel as a necessity rather than a luxury.

"Hindi na dapat kailangang maghintay ng mga estudyante ng mga promo fare. Nararapat lamang na bigyan sila ng regular discount sa pamasahe sa eroplano at barko para makatipid sa pagbalik nila sa probinsya at pagbabakasyon," the senator said.

Angara's Senate Bill No. 1597 would also expand the coverage of the 20-percent student fare discount to air, water and rail transport all year round, including weekends and holidays.

At present, students get 20 percent discount on land transport like jeepneys and buses based on a mere LTFRB circular.

According to the lawmaker, savings from the fare discount could be used by students and their families for other expenses, such as tuition and school supplies.

The proposed measure, Angara said, would bring a sigh of relief not just to over 20 million public and private students but also to their families.

"This is especially more significant to the indigent and underprivileged sector that rely on public transport services," added the senator, a known advocate of educational reforms and one of the authors of the Free College Law.

Under Angara's bill, all students enrolled in basic and tertiary educational institutions, including technical-vocational schools, will be entitled to a 20-percent discount on regular domestic travel faresincluding jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, taxis and transport network vehicle services Grab and Uber, MRT, LRT, domestic flightsupon presentation of their duly issued school ID or current validated enrollment forms.

Students taking up post-graduate studies such as medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees, and other short term courses of seminar type will not be qualified to a discount.

Filipino students who will travel abroad for education, training and competition will be exempt from the payment of travel tax upon proper showing of proof or documentation of intended purpose.

The bill prohibits the availment of double discounts or combination of the student fare discount with other discount programs.

Land, water, air and rail transportation utilities that refuse to grant student discount will be penalized with a fine ranging from P5,000 to P200,000, under the bill.
Press Release

April 15, 2018 De Lima urges concerted efforts vs fake news Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged social media users, technology companies, media outfits, and journalists to exert concerted efforts in combatting the proliferation of fake news and disinformation populating across social media platforms. De Lima said she remains hopeful that the nation can rise above fake news, especially now that more people are increasingly becoming aware of how their perception of truth and reality have been manipulated by the spread of bogus information online. "What gives me hope, at least, is that more and more people are becoming increasingly aware of how their perception of truth and reality have been manipulated by the spread of fake information through social media," she said. "(But) until we find an effective way or ways to neutralize and counter them, we cannot begin to hope to repair the damages they've already caused and to ensure that they can never hijack our democratic way of life ever again," she added. De Lima, who remains detained over trumped-up illegal drug trade charges based on manufactured evidence and perjured testimonies of convicted felons, has been systematically victimized by fake news peddlers online. She said she believes that the tide of fake news against her was part of the orchestrated campaign to discredit her for her vocal opposition to the administration's all-out war on drugs that saw the death of thousands of suspected drug offenders. "I've always known that it was the product of an orchestrated effort to discredit me and my efforts to advocate for human rights and accountability in the face of specific, heinous acts of an administration that seemed to think that resorting to extrajudicial killings is an acceptable tool for governance," she said. The former justice secretary lamented that some purveyors of information have unscrupulously allowed themselves to be used by sinister groups in disseminating fake news and in brainwashing ordinary people through their malicious manipulation. "When they knew and did nothing to protect both their own platforms and the people who use them from these unethical, illegal or destructive practices, they played a part in everything that happened," she said. "That is just plain heinous. There is such a thing as social responsibility. Also, there is plain decency. And plain logic. Why destroy the reputation of the company you built? For money? But there is such a thing as extreme greed," she added. The Senator from Bicol pointed out that the impact of these powerful propaganda machineries, including well-oiled troll farms and disinformation campaign, should be neutralized to safeguard the general health of the country's democracy. "If we can't help ordinary people navigate social media and tell what is true from what is false, then we can't empower them to make the right decisions for themselves. That is not true democracy. That is tyranny masquerading as democracy," she said.
Press Release

April 15, 2018 DUTERTE SHOULD STOP ACTING LIKE A MARCOS COPYCAT *Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on President Duterte's order to arrest ICC prosecutor Arrest International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda? Why, is she accused and guilty of high crimes? Is she involved in the systemic and large-scale killing of people? Did she made numerous public statements in favor of extrajudicial killings? Did she influence and command state security forces to inflict unjust and extreme violence against the public? Did she shield extrajudicial killers from calls of justice and accountability? As far as I know, it is President Rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts who are charged before the ICC with crimes against humanity. It would be good for President Duterte to stop making outrageous statements in an attempt to deflect the serious charges lodged against him and discredit the ICC. He is only making himself look more and more guilty in the eyes of the public. If the President thinks he is innocent of the accusations, then there is nothing to fear. And besides, President Duterte cannot order anyone arrested. Our Constitution reserves that power for our judges. The President has no power to issue "Executive warrants." They ceased to exist when we toppled the Marcos dictatorship. President Duterte should stop throwing due process into disarray and acting like a Marcos copycat.
Press Release

April 15, 2018 Loren Eyes Stronger Cultural Ties with Berlin, Prague, Lisbon The Hibla Travelling Exhibition, the Dr. Jose Rizal Textile Collection, and the Federico Aguilar Alcuaz Art Protis Exhibition are just some of the collaborative projects with art and culture institutions abroad to look forward to, says Senator Loren Legarda. "There is so much to look forward to in terms of fostering cultural diplomacy with other nations. It is exciting to discover what we have in common with foreign countries just by going to their museums. This is where we will find our commonality amid our diversity," said Legarda, a staunch advocate of arts and culture, after her recent visit to Lisbon in Portugal, Berlin in Germany, and Prague in Czech Republic. Legarda was in Lisbon to open the second Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition, which will run until April 30, 2018 at the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon. This is the second venue of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition following its successful run at the Philippine Embassy in London last year. "Through this project, not only are we able to celebrate indigenous artistry through textiles but we also provide more Filipinos the opportunity to discover priceless information about our heritage, and bring the challenge of nurturing our weaving traditions to a wider audience," said Legarda. The Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition in Lisbon, organized by the National Museum of the Philippines, the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, is an offshoot of the National Museum's Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles gallery, the first permanent textile gallery in the Philippines which is Legarda's brainchild. Rizal Textile Collection In Berlin, Legarda went back to the Berlin Ethnological Museum where she discovered the precious textile collection of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Since her first visit in 2013, the Senator has been working on bringing the textile collection to the National Museum in Manila. Legarda met with Dr. Lars Christian Koch, Director of the Berlin Ethnological Museum, to discuss about the exhibition of the collection in the Philippines, which will happen in 2020. "I have been wanting to have the Rizal Textile Collection on exhibit at the National Museum so that Filipinos will have a chance not only to see the collection but also to, hopefully, foster greater appreciation of our indigenous textiles and weaving heritage because no less than our national hero was fond and proud of this heritage," she said. The textile collection had been donated by Rizal to his friend, Dr. Adolf Bastian, a German ethnologist and founder of the Berlin Ethnological Museum, and Mr. Rudolf Virchow, a German prehistorian and anthropologist. Among the items are handwoven textiles like pina barong and shawl, a Bagobo attire, a Mandaya baby carrier, and a Tboli abaca wrap skirt. Art Protis and Hibla Exhibition in Prague Meanwhile, Legarda also visited Prague upon the invitation of Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa, Jr., Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines. The Senator visited the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, which is known for having the most extensive glass exhibition in Europe, and met with its Director, Helena Koenigzmarkova and textile curator, Marketa Vinglerova. Legarda discussed possible collaborations, including bringing the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition in Prague, the conduct of lecture series on art protis in the Philippines, and the development of the ceramics industry in the Philippines. "We can collaborate with Prague's Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, especially in developing the ceramic industry in the Philippines and on how we can further develop decorative arts, which is the production of objects that are both useful and beautiful," Legarda said. The Senator also visited the National Museum of Prague and met with its Director General, Michal Luke. They discussed about the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition as well as the Art Protis exhibit of the late Filipino National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz. Legarda shared that Ambassador Olsa has, for the past two years, wanted to bring the tapestries of Alcuaz to the Czech Republic. "This will be a very meaningful knowledge and cultural exchange between the Philippines and the Czech Republic as we showcase our traditional textiles to them through the Hibla exhibition while also sharing with them how art protis, which originated in the Czech Republic, was beautifully employed by one of our National Artists in his masterpieces," said Legarda. Art Protis is a technology which originated in the Czech Republic based on the principle of a seamless interconnection of colored wool fleece put together through the aid of a warp-knitting machine. Federico Alcuaz's Art Protis is currently on exhibit at the National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines. Alcuaz's exhibit and the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition will be showcased at the Czech National Museum in Prague in 2019. "These cultural collaborations with other countries are important facets of diplomacy. This is where we see our connection with them on a different level, on a cultural, and sometimes even personal, level. Cultural diplomacy is an important aspect of foreign relations because it is a soft opener to our political and economic initiatives with other nations," said Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. "Through cultural diplomacy, we foster a deeper understanding with other nations and we discover that no matter how diverse our respective cultures are, we see similarities or points of convergence, which spark our curiosity to learn more about the art, culture and heritage of the other nation, and bring about deeper appreciation and understanding among citizens of different cultures," Legarda concluded.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The National Council of Negro Women, North Shore section of Staten Island, hosted its 13th Annual Harambee Luncheon Saturday afternoon at LiGreci's Staaten, where nearly 200 revelers came out to raise funds for the time-honored organization.

"We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the opportunities and the quality of life for African-American women, their families and their communities," said Paulette Crosland, the group's recording secretary, before going on to explain:

"The 13th annual Harambee Luncheon is our biggest fundraiser, but the luncheon actually began 35 years ago. Funds from today's event are earmarked for scholarships for students and funds are also directed to nursing homes and community centers and for gifts for the elderly. We also host forums for mental health issues and victims of domestic violence and for those who have endured other types of abuse."

It's interesting to note Harambee is a Swahili word that translates into meaning "Let us pull together for the good of the community."

The first luncheon was hosted on April 24, 1967 at the former Plaza Casino in West Brighton. And the tradition has continued each year to recognize and honor community leaders, phenomenal women, men and young adults who have distinguished themselves and given of themselves selflessly through their dedication and commitment to humanity and their communities.

Recognized for their service to community were:

Judge Ronald A. Gregg, Belinda Dixon, Kisha Hawkins, Chandra and Ronnie Heath, and Staten Island S.T.R.O.N.G., which received the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Community Service Award. Dr. McLeod founded the National Council of Negro Women back in 1935. She also was the original source for the philosophy embodied in the saying: "Leave No Child Behind."

First started in response to Hurricane Sandy, Staten Island S.T.R.O.N.G originally was a community of first responders that delivered emergency care, clothing, food and financial resources where needed, including rebuilding homes destroyed by the storm. Since that time, it has branched out to other areas and responds to those in need.

Also lauded during the event were William and Lillian Arrindell, who were presented with the Black Family Award, Olivia Nicole Okeke and City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), who received the Special Recognition Award and Michael Rainey Jr. who received the Young Person who Rocks Award.

In accepting her award, city Councilwoman Rose, noted: "I'm a founding member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. North Shore-Staten Island Section, where I served as president. Because of the organization, I was able to go to Washington and I was mentored by members. Thanks to all of you. We need more women in government. We have too much testosterone at the top."

Theodora M. Cross, president of the NCNW, North Shore Staten Island Section, commented: "It's a joyous day and people are still filing in. Harambee means pulling together and we do a lot of that in our community. This is our 50th year on Staten Island. I've been president for two years now and I enjoy working with a lovely group of women. I couldn't be president without them."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dozens gathered outside P.S. 55 in Eltingville to show their support for Staten Island Community Education Council President Michael Reilly as he officially announced his run for the South Shore's state Assembly seat.

Reilly says he will focus primarily on education, transportation, the opioid epidemic and Staten Island's deer problem, working diligently to address the borough's most pressing issues.

"I want to say, from the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you guys enough for coming today. The show of support from my family, from my friends, has been just outstanding," said Reilly.

Reilly was joined by Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), who has already announced that he will be supporting Reilly during his run.

"I have a reputation of being pretty opinionated and I want to be rather blunt about why I'm supporting Mike. It's because he is by far the best candidate we could possibly run from the 62nd Assembly district, bar none," said Borelli.

Borelli went on to discuss how the outpouring of support Reilly has already seen from the community makes him, in his eyes, the clear choice to represent the district.

"It's evident by the support he's gotten from the community that the Republican party would be making the right choice by making him the standard bearer for the South Shore Assembly seat," said Borelli.

"Most of all, it's about helping with the local issues and making the 62nd District the best it can be. I guarantee that I will work together will all of our elected officials to make sure that happens," said Reilly.

Reilly, a Republican, recently filed as a candidate and set up a committee with the state Board of Elections.

Earlier in the week, Reilly told the Advance that he'd previously considered running for office, in search of an opportunity to further advocate for his community.

"In the past, it wasn't the right time for my family, but speaking with them now, it seems like we're in a better place and this is an opportunity that will hopefully put me in a better position to advocate even further for our community," Reilly said.

Reilly, 45, is a retired NYPD lieutenant who spent just over 12 years on the force. He retired on a disability pension in 2006 after he was injured chasing a suspect while on duty.

In 2009, he joined Community Education Council 31 and was elected president of the body in 2014.

Reilly has been a staunch advocate for school safety, proposing entry buzzers, panic buttons and retired NYPD security officers for all schools.

He also successfully advocated for additional drug recognition experts (DRE) for the NYPD on Staten Island to combat "drugged driving."

Reilly said in a 2016 Advance letter to the editor that DREs are a "crucial piece missing in the current efforts to make our roads safer and enhance prosecution in drug cases."

Reilly was the first candidate to file to run for the South Shore seat after Assemblyman Ron Castorina (R-South Shore) announced that he'll run to be judge of Staten Island Surrogate Court and will not seek re-election to the Assembly.

Since then, healthcare advocate Ashley Zanatta has also announced that she will be running for the open South Shore state Assembly seat.
The On the Go? transportation column will be published regularly, exploring the issues that plague Staten Island commuters.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As temperatures rise and spring weather starts to show its face, another pothole season is upon us, with the Department of Transportation (DOT) scrambling to undo all the damage done to Staten Island streets.

Just as years past, the freezing and thawing of winter temperatures, coupled with the non-stop wear-and-tear of Staten Island traffic, has resulted in poor road conditions throughout the borough.

But the ever-prevalent potholes are not present due to lack of effort on the part of the DOT.

The department has filled approximately 19,000 potholes on Staten Island since mid-December, according to a spokesperson.

Unfortunately, despite the city's best efforts, potholes continue to pop up throughout the borough, often proving costly for Staten Island residents.

In response to a recent Staten Island Advance article titled, "How is your car surviving pothole season?," our readers have reached out to explain how these costly craters have affected their day-to-day lives.

Some residents complained that hitting one bad pothole has cost them hundreds of dollars in automotive repairs.

"Two of my tires went flat after driving on Hylan between Armstrong and Richmond Avenue last week," said one respondent.

Poor road conditions along that stretch of Hylan Boulevard have been exacerbated by an ongoing sewer project that is not expected to be completed until spring 2019.

"I had to replace two tires that only had 9,500 miles on them after hitting a deep pothole on Foster Road. I damaged the front and rear tire," said another reader.

The average tire is expected to last at least 50,000 miles, according to Cars.com.

For lower-riding vehicles, the potholes can prove particularly costly.

"I would not only smash the tire, but crack the rim as well. The result would be $500.00 for a new tire and rim. This happened twice in the span of a year!," one respondent said.

Fed up with the constant repair bills, some Staten Islanders have taken drastic measures and moved to larger vehicles, better equipped to handle the poor road conditions.

"I had a BMW 528i which I traded in for a truck. The reason, you ask? Potholes! The Beamer is great if you're driving on the Autobahn, but not on Staten Island every day," one resident said.

"Buy a Jeep with 35 inch tires, they'll never go flat," remarked another.

When we've reached the point of residents buying new vehicles specifically for the purpose of surviving Staten Island's wretched roads, it's fair to say that something more needs to be done.

Citizens should not be forced to pay out of pocket to repair damage to their vehicles, or purchase an entirely new vehicle, due to the hazardous conditions of our public roads.

Thankfully, a longer-term solution may soon be on the way.

The DOT is expected to begin the use of an innovative asphalt mixture that could result in longer-lasting roads as early as this spring, according to Steven Garber of Phoenix Industries.

The asphalt rubber, which consists of recycled crumb rubber and liquid asphalt cement, was tested outside the Advance in 2014 and could soon be used to resurface roads throughout Staten Island.

To this day, the stretch along West Fingerboard Road that was repaved with asphalt rubber remains intact, while other more recently paved roads on Staten Island have cracked.

The asphalt rubber provides increased tensile strength, more elasticity, better adhesion and cohesion, greater low temperature flexibility and elevated high temperature stiffness, according to Phoenix Industries, whose "PelletPave" rubberized asphalt materials will be used on Staten Island.

Though it would likely take years to complete a borough-wide resurfacing, the expansion of asphalt rubber throughout Staten Island would almost certainly reduce the number of potholes on the streets.

Asphalt rubber has been used in other places that experience harsh winters, such as New Jersey, and has proven to produce safer, longer-lasting roads, according to Asphalt Magazine.

"Tests by NJDOT have shown that the rubber pavement is extremely durable, provides excellent skid resistance, as well as good ride quality and improved visibility," according to the article.

In the meantime, it seems Staten Islanders will be forced to continue recklessly swerving through the streets to avoid these pesky potholes.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

How have potholes and poor road conditions affected your day-to-day life? Have you bought new tires, or even a new vehicle, as a result of the damages? Will the use of asphalt rubber create longer lasting roads? What would you do to fix Staten Island's pothole problem?

We encourage our readers to reach out to us by posting their responses in the comment section and/or emailing them to tbascome@siadvance.com.

I'll be following up on our readers' submissions in future installments of On the Go? to find ways to improve the challenging commuting conditions on Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Take a virtual tour of the moon by watching NASA's latest video re-created in 4K resolution.

The video was produced using imagery collected over the last eight years from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission.

NASA first released a five-minute animation in 2011. The new video is a tour re-created in "eye-popping 4K resolution" -- using the same camera path and data collected from LRO.

"The tour visits a number of interesting sites chosen to illustrate a variety of lunar terrain features," said Ernie Wright, of NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, in a blog post. "Some are on the near side and are familiar to both professional and amateur observers on Earth, while others can only be seen clearly from space."

Some areas include Orientale, South Pole-Aitken, Tycho and Aristarchus. Several of the Apollo landings sites have also been imaged at high resolutions.

This new tour highlights the following: mineral composition of the Aristarchus plateau; evidence for surface water ice in certain spots near the moon's South Pole, and the mapping of gravity in and around the Orientale basin.

LRO allows scientists to study the moon and look for new sites to visit, while also looking back at places it has already been. This is because new data LRO gathers helps scientists reinterpret the moon's geology and gain a better understanding of the sequences of events in early lunar history.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
Space hotel offers intergalactic amenity 4 Gallery: Space hotel offers intergalactic amenity

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - "Houston, we have a problem . . . will you restock my minibar, please?"

If you've got $9.5 million and seek a luxury vacation in orbit, a team of space industry veterans is now taking reservations and $80,000 deposits.

The luxury space hotel Aurora Station is being built by Orion Span, a Houston-based company, which boasts of over 140 years of collective human space experience.

It's expected to launch in 2021 and host its first guests in 2022, the company announced recently during the Space 2.0 Summit, held in San Jose, Calif.

'AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE'

"What we're really selling here is an experience,'' said Chief Executive Officer Frank Bunger, a serial entrepreneur and technology start-up executive who believes space travel will someday be accessible to even the middle class. "We're not selling a room in a hotel. This is an immersive experience. We're selling the ability for regular folks to become an astronaut for 12 days. They'll be doing training, getting astronaut certification, and when they return, we're going to give them a hero's welcome. We want them to get the same jubilation as professional astronauts receive.''

The plan is for Aurora Station to take 12 trips per year, each lasting 12 days, he said.

An astronaut and a pilot with "hospitality experience," will be on board with the guests, piloting the craft and tending to guests' needs, he added.

Eventually, Bunger said, they'd like to sell off portions of the station as condos.

He compares the inaccessibility of space travel to that of airplane travel in its infancy. "It was something only available to the wealthy,'' he said. "But, sure enough, as technology improves, those costs fall. And, the next thing you know, suddenly it's available to the middle class.''

LOWER ORBIT

Aurora Station will access lower orbit, about 200 miles from Earth -- about 50 miles lower than the orbit of the International Space Station -- Bunger said, noting that recent technological advancements have made the craft smaller and therefore safer and more affordable than traveling aboard the space station.

Orion Span has already sold four months of reservations, he said, declining to name the travelers without their permission. Reservations can be made online here.

The exclusive hotel will host six people at a time -- including the two crew members. Guests will dine on freeze-dried fare, though Bunger said work is being done to "spice up'' the traditional astronaut's menu. "We want to make it exciting, yet authentic,'' he said.

The accommodations will, of course, include several windows, Bunger said, through which travelers will get a broad view of the horizon, Northern and Southern Aurora.

"There's also a 95 percent chance we will be going over your hometown, no matter where you live in the world,'' he said.

ASTRONAUT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Prior to take-off, those set to travel on Aurora Station will be required to complete a three-month Orion Span astronaut certification program, the press announcement said.

Phase one of the certification program is done online. The next portion is completed in person at Orion Span's training facility in Houston. The final certification is completed during a traveler's stay on Aurora Station.

In addition to Bunger, the company's leadership team includes: Chief Technology Officer David Jarvis, a lifelong entrepreneur, human spaceflight engineer and payload developer with experience in the management and operations of the ISS; Chief Architect Frank Eichstadt, who is an industrial designer and space architect credited with being the principal architect on the ISS Enterprise module; Chief Operating Officer Marv LeBlanc, a former general manager and program manager with decades of executive space experience running operations and mission control.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Is New York state moving to blaze it up already?

You might think so, given some comments on Thursday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Speaking at a subway-related press conference, Cuomo said that given the legalization of marijuana by Massachusetts and its potential legalization in New Jersey, "for all intents and purposes, it is going to be here anyway," the New York Post reported.

This, of course, came right on the heels of comments by Cynthia Nixon, Cuomo's Democratic primary rival, who earlier last week said that if she's elected governor, she'll look to legalize weed in a move toward racial justice.

Cuomo said it was no longer a matter of weed being legal or illegal. It's now a question of whether New York state should legalize because other states close to its borders have already done so.

Certainly a different argument.

Cuomo earlier this year appointed a commission to look at the pros and cons of legalizing weed for recreational purposes. But Nixon's comments seem to have lit a fire under Cuomo, who on Thursday said that the situation with marijuana had "dramatically changed."

That was quick.

Right off the bat, it was easy to believe already that New York state would move toward legalizing weed for recreational purposes. We've already legalized medical marijuana, and had expanded the palate of conditions for which it can be prescribed.

New York City had already decriminalized possession of 25 grams of weed or less. You'll get a ticket, but won't get arrested, if you're found holding that much.

And, yes, Massachusetts has legalized. New Jersey will give it a serious look as well; new Gov. Phil Murphy ran on legalization as part of his platform. Weed is legal in Washington, D.C., Oregon, Colorado, California and other states.

Add to that that New York had already formed that commission, and you can see where all this was likely headed. If we get there sooner, New York heads will have Nixon to thank, whether she's governor or not.

But is legalizing the right move just because everybody else is doing it? What works in other states might not work here.

And getting it through the Legislature might not be an easy lift. Generally liberal voters in New York City may not have a problem with legal weed, but upstate types can be more conservative. It will be interesting to see what their Albany representatives do.

And a study is only going to tell us so much, right? How are we really going to know how the program is going to work unless we just dive right in and light it up? That's the only true way to find out. Right?

And, you know, there's an awful lot of money to be made from weed sales. Colorado has banked more than half a billion dollars in taxes from weed sales since marijuana was legalized a couple of years ago.

New York would be scooping up money from weed just like we have from cigarettes, alcohol, casino gambling and other "sin" activities, even with ever-increasing taxes. Why should other states get that money. Why should New Jersey have all the fun? We already lose enough business to them and their tax-free shopping.

Of course, there's no guarantee that any of the tax revenue will actually go where we need it, but at least the money will be there, right? Along with all that Lotto money. All that casino money that was supposed to solve all our problems.

And what about all the other questions that need to be answered, questions about whether weed is a gateway drug that could lead users to harder drugs. And questions about whether we should be legalizing weed in the midst of an epic opioid and heroin crisis. Are we even going to ask these questions now?

Or are we going straight to "smoke 'em if you got 'em"?
Banking overhaul seeks to shut Latvian money laundromat



Riga, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2018



Eurozone member Latvia is scrambling to reform its banking sector after US authorities accused its third largest lender of large-scale money laundering with connections to North Korea's nuclear weapons development programme.

Desperate to restore credibility, Riga is eliminating deposits in US dollars, cracking down on dealings with shell companies that may be used to facilitate money laundering and setting limits on the number of non-resident depositors that banks can serve.

Latvia's "boutique banking" sector has long sold itself to foreigners as a gateway to the European Union, with 11 of Latvia's 23 registered commercial banks catering to non-residents. A lucrative sector, exports of financial services brought in 446 million euros ($475 million) in 2016.

But the dream of the Baltic state of 1.9 million people to become a regional financial hub turned into a nightmare after authorities shrugged off repeated calls by international organisations such as the IMF and OECD that it needed to tighten banking regulations to prevent it being used for money laundering by foreign clients, the vast majority of which hailed from Russia and other countries from the former Soviet Union.

The US allegations against ABLV Bank were a rude wake up call that has stirred the nation's authorities into curbing the practices which landed the bank, Latvia's third largest bank despite having few local clients, in trouble and prompted its liquidation in February,

Shell companies are the first on the chopping block.

Latvian bank depositors own more than 26,000 of them according to Peteris Putnins, head of Latvia's Financial and Capital Markets Commission (FCMC).

Existing only on paper, shell companies may be used for legitimate business purposes as a vehicle for a transaction or to hold an asset. However, they can also be used to launder money and obscure ownership.

Latvian lawmakers have adopted legislation, which is expected to be signed into law soon, that bans lenders from all dealings with companies that cannot prove they have real operations.



- 'Substantial risk' -



Latvia has also vowed to slash the number of non-resident accounts to five percent of the total, down from 39 percent in 2017. All the existing and future non-resident clients will also face greater scrutiny over the origin and legality of their money.

The OECD already warned Riga in 2015 that non-resident deposits pose "a substantial risk that money obtained from corruption committed outside of Latvia is laundered inside the country."

According to FCMC chief Putnins, most of the reforms will take effect within six months.

Latvia's financial sector is also reeling from the suspension in February of central bank chief Ilmars Rimsevics amid a corruption probe unrelated to the ABLV debacle.

A member of the European Central Bank's governing council, Rimsevics faces allegations in Latvia that he received bribes of at least 100,000 euros ($122,000). He has denied any wrongdoing.

An earlier spate of murky money-laundering scandals had already sent Latvia's once thriving banking industry into decline, with thousands of foreign clients withdrawing deposits.

Total deposits in Latvian banks fell to 18.2 billion euros in April, according to the FCMC, down from a peak of 23 billion euros in 2015.

The capital exodus shows little sign of abating.

"There is a widespread opinion that the dream of Latvia as a regional centre for finance is over," said Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis, an economist with the Certus think tank that was largely financed by ABLV Bank.



- String of scandals -



A March report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) alleged that between 2011-14, shell companies used Riga-based Trasta Komercbanka to launder around $13 billion in proceeds from corruption and fraud schemes in Moldova.

Another bank, a Latvia-registered subsidiary of Ukraine's Privatbank, laundered $3 billion, according to the OCCRP report.

The FCMC shut down Trasta Komercbanka in early 2016, while Privatbank was fined two million euros and forced to fire its senior management.

Rietumu Banka, another bank offering services largely to non-residents, is appealing an 80-million-euro fine for money laundering levied by a French court.

The US Treasury sanctioned ABLV Bank in February, alleging that it "facilitated transactions for corrupt politically exposed persons and has funneled billions of dollars in public corruption and asset stripping proceeds through shell company accounts."

ABLV shareholders voted for it to fold after the ECB froze its payments.

Latvia's ongoing clean-up is limited to banks catering primarily to non-residents.

It will not affect retail banking, insurance companies and other financial services used by hundreds of thousands of local clients.

The closure of ABLV barely caused a ripple in the local economy as most of the bank's depositors were foreign.

Local depositors appear to be unfazed by the wave of money laundering allegations. Their deposits are increasing even as non-resident money is being withdrawn, according to the FCMC.

str-mas/rl

TOTAL
New Western Syria strikes would spark 'chaos': Putin tells Rouhani



Moscow, Russia, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2018



New Western air strikes in Syria would provoke "chaos" in international relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday.

Speaking to Rouhani by telephone the day after US-led strikes on suspected chemical weapons facilities, Putin said "if such actions, carried out in violation of the United Nations Charter, are repeated, that would inevitably provoke chaos in international relations," according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The two leaders "found that this illegal action seriously damaged the prospects of a political settlement in Syria," the statement said.

The United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched strikes against Bashar al-Assad's government a week after an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma, just east of the capital Damascus.

Putin denounced on Saturday "with the utmost firmness" the strikes which he described as "an act of aggression against a sovereign state which is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism".
France has not declared war on Syria regime: Macron



Paris, France, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2018



President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that France's air strikes in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack were not a declaration of war against the Damascus regime.

"We have not declared war on the regime of Bashar al-Assad," Macron said in a television interview, a day after France joined the United States and Britain in launching strikes.

Insisting that the strikes were legitimate, Macron hailed the operation targeting Syrian chemical weapons facilities as a military success.

"Their chemical weapons production capacities have been destroyed," Macron told BFM television at the start of a two-hour interview marking almost a year since the start of his presidency.

He also claimed credit for convincing his US counterpart Donald Trump to stay engaged in the conflict long-term.

"Ten days ago, President Trump was saying the United States of America had a duty to disengage from Syria," Macron said.

"We convinced him it was necessary to stay," he added.

"I assure you, we have convinced him that it is necessary to stay for the long-term."
Bir-Lehlu (Liberated Territories), April 15, 2018 (SPS) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has affirmed that Morocco has undertaken during the last days, an unprecedented frenetic media and diplomatic disinformation campaign in a maneuver that aims to distort the reality of the facts on the ground and create confusion within public opinion.



In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following Memorandum on Moroccan allegations regarding the buffer zone:



Morocco has undertaken during the last days, an unprecedented frenetic media and diplomatic disinformation campaign, which even went so far as to threaten to annex by force the liberated territories of Western Sahara, hiding behind a supposed violation by the Saharawi army of Alto el Fuego, signed between F. POLISARIO and Morocco in 1991.



This scandalous maneuver aims to distort the reality of the facts on the ground, seeking to create confusion within public opinion, around the geographic data of the area, resulting from the Arrangement Plan signed between the parties.



In this regard it is convenient to clarify:



1. The Military Agreement No. 1 that regulates the compliance with the ceasefire between the two armies establishes that the defensive wall is the dividing line between the troops, until the referendum of self-determination is held and the final status of the territory is determined, and set up to the east of the wall, a buffer zone represented by a belt adjacent to the wall with 5 km wide that extends along 2700 km.



2. Military Agreement No. 1 establishes, in addition, the delimitation of a restricted zone consisting of 30 km to the west of the wall where the Moroccan troops are retracted, and another 25 km on the south and east side of it, where the Saharawi troops are located. In this zone, any type of military activity or construction of infrastructure by any of the armies is prohibited.



3. The Moroccan assertions that Bir Lehlu and Tifariti are within the perimeter of the buffer zone are unfounded, since these two localities are located at a distance of no less than 90 km from the wall, and therefore, they are located outside the buffer zone.



4. The Moroccan allegations that the F. POLISARIO has violated the ceasefire were refuted by the UN, in statements made by the official spokesperson of the Secretary General, on April 3, 2018. In addition, Morocco has shown its rejection of the deployment of a UN expert mission to address issues related to the ceasefire and related agreements, as requested by the Security Council in its resolution 2351 (2017), paragraph 3, of April 28, 2017. Frente POLISARIO, on the other hand, did give its approval, as the Secretary General of the United Nations acknowledged in his last report submitted to the Security Council on March 29, 2018, which clearly testifies to its firm commitment to the ceasefire and The UN peace process.

5. Since the entry into force of the ceasefire, it is the Sahrawi government and the F.POLISARIO who exercise control over these liberated zones, and the Sahrawi troops and their units and military bases have always been present throughout the national territory since the very beginning of the liberation struggle against Spain in 1973. It is the Saharawi government, too, who directs the affairs of the civilian population of the area, creating for it several administrative, political and social infrastructures.

6. The Moroccan insinuations that the celebration of the ceremonies of presentation of the credentials of some ambassadors accredited to the SADR in the locality of Bir Lehlu, are facts that occur for the first time, are a fallacy, since the F. POLISARIO and the Sahrawi state have organized in the area and over many years, multiple events, such as congresses and festivities of national anniversaries, as well as receiving and holding meetings with numerous foreign delegations, both governmental and parliamentary and others.



7. The disinformation campaign comes as a consequence of the setbacks that Morocco has recently suffered at the level of the Court of Justice of the European Union that ruled against the illegal plundering of the natural resources of Western Sahara. The firm position of the African Union at its last summit, where it expressed the urgent need for direct negotiations between the two member countries of the African Union. The Sahrawi Republic and Morocco, have also been a heavy blow to Morocco's attempts to neutralize Africa's great contribution to peace efforts in its last colony.



8. This campaign of misrepresentation of facts and confusion of public opinion occurs at a time when the Security Council is discussing the situation relative to Western Sahara, and given the purpose, strongly expressed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and its Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Horst Kohler, to relaunch the negotiation process between the two parties, as demanded by Security Council resolutions. For this reason, Morocco has been looking for pretexts to avoid its responsibilities with the International Community.



It is clear, then, that this Moroccan propaganda campaign around the UN-monitored ceasefire is nothing more than a premeditated tactic to divert the attention of the Security Council from the real reasons behind the current blockade situation caused by Morocco. It also seeks to confuse public opinion and divert attention away from the internal situation of the country that suffers an unprecedented political, social and economic crisis. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRA




English15/04/2018

SRNA News Roundup /IV/ April 15, 2018





REPUBLIKA SRPSKA



BANJALUKA - More than one kilogram of cocaine and a certain amount of marijuana have been seized today in the greater Banjaluka, while seven locations were searched and several persons were arrested, the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska told SRNA.



BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA



MOSCOW - Security expert Dzevad Galijasevic has stated that Bosniak BiH Presidency member and SDA leader, Bakir Izetbegovic, keeps threatening with war throughout his entire last term and that his threats should be taken seriously.



SERBIA



BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will meet tomorrow with Sergey Naryshkin, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.



REGION



JASENOVAC - The first of three commemorations for the victims of the Ustasha death camp was held today in the Jasenovac Memorial Zone, organised by the Jewish Community.



PODGORICA - His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral said today that it would be better for the Montenegrin government to give national money to mothers, not to the NATO that is now bombing Syrian people. /end/vos
Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Using two words that ended up haunting George W. Bush during the Iraq War, President Donald Trump took to Twitter Saturday to declare "Mission Accomplished!" following airstrikes on chemical weapons targets in Syria.



Pentagon officials said the overnight missile strikes by the U.S., the U.K., and France on three key targets in Syria crippled the ability of dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime to use chemical weapons.



"A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!" Trump wrote on Twitter.



The triumphant statement was similar to one that hounded 43rd President of the United States, even though he didn't actually make it. On May 1, 2003, six weeks after the invasion of Iraq, Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, under a huge banner reading "Mission Accomplished" and declared "major combat operations in Iraq have ended."



But the war in Iraq raged on for more than eight years after Bush made the statement.



Critics slammed Bush for the statement, saying it was a grave misjudgment. But the White House later said it had nothing to do with the "Mission Accomplished" banner and noted that the president never said those words in his speech on the deck of the Lincoln. The Bush administration said the banner was meant to signify the end of the Lincoln's 10-month mission in the Persian Gulf.



Ari Fleischer, Bush's White House press secretary, retweeted Trump's tweet Saturday, adding, "Um...I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words."

In a subsequent tweet, Fleischer noted that "Bush stated the danger was not over and that difficult missions lay ahead, particularly in the Sunni triangle" of Iraq.



Dana White, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, backed Trump's comment during a briefing on the overnight bombing raid of the Syrian targets.



"We met our objectives. We hit the sites, the heart of the chemical weapons program. So it was mission accomplished, White said.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Durant for this column. I had met him previously, but we didnt talk shop. My first impression was that he is a pretty laid-back guy, but when we talked about his mission and his accomplishments at the college during the past three years, it became obvious that he was into his job heart and soul. He told me that when he arrived, the fund balance (reserves) of approximately $1 million did not cover 10 percent of the operating budget as required. Today, their auditors report, the fund balance is $3.7 million, or 13 percent of the college's operating budget.

The most exciting aspect of their progress is the expansion of the physical plant and the repurposing of the space at the Auburn campus to accommodate new programs and support current programs. The nursing program, which has achieved a nearly 100-percent pass rate for the national licensing exam, now has state-of-the art nursing classrooms and labs. A new advanced manufacturing lab houses the equipment for the mechanical technology degree program (including equipment donated by locally owned Currier Plastics). This program supports local industry with training in precision machining, solid modeling, plastics technology and computer-aided design.
Matt Western is the Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has refused to support military action against Syria by the UK, France and US.

A statement from the MP on social media this weekend said: "The reports from Syria last weekend point to an horrific attack having been carried out using chemical weapons on the civilian population in Douma, in full contravention of international humanitarian law.

"Both the Assad regime and Isis have been held responsible for the use of chemical weapons in the past since the start of the Syrian conflict, a war crime which I totally condemn.

"In this context, I very much welcome the investigation being carried out there by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and call for their inspectors to have full access to the site.

"It is wrong for this attack to have been authorised before any independent report by either the OPCW or any renewed UN investigation. They are there for a reason and their findings particularly important given the absence of a unanimous UN Security Council resolution.

"For those reasons, and the very real threat of conflict escalation, I do not support the action by the UK, US and French Governments.

"At best it will be viewed as a gesture condemning the Syrian Government but its value is questionable as evidenced by the US intervention this time last year. Nothing changed.

"So it is extremely disappointing that the UK Government should have acted without reference to Parliament: this is a dangerous, punitive action without a strategy. More so, as it is also clear that there is some division in the US administration about the sustainability of these attacks.

"This legally questionable action, as US defence secretary James Mattis has admitted, risks escalating further an already devastating conflict and therefore makes real accountability for war crimes and use of chemical weapons less, not more likely.

"Further, it risks increasing the suffering of the Syrian people, including to the point of direct conflict between US and Russian forces.

"Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Twitter and putting British military personnel in harms way.

"The Government should do whatever is possible to push Russia and the United States to agree to an independent UN-led investigation of last weekends horrific chemical weapons attack so that those responsible can be held to account.

"What is now urgently needed is a coordinated international drive to achieve a ceasefire, de-escalation and a negotiated political settlement under UN auspices. The humanitarian priority must be to halt the killing on all sides."
April 15, 1958

TRAVEL ORDERS RECEIVED  Joseph J. Caruana, right, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Caruana, 9 Pleasant St., is given travel orders that will send him to Albany Wednesday to be sworn into the U.S. Navy. The seaman-recruit is with BM/1 William F. O'Brien, Navy recruiter. After receiving the oath of enlistment the seaman recruit will go to the Great Lakes Naval Training Base. He is a graduate of West High School.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Crunch will open defense of its Eastern Conference title by taking on Rochester in the North Division semifinals.

That was assured when Rochester locked up third place Saturday night. The Crunch finished second in the division.

The series will be played in a best-of-five format. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, April 20 -- at Syracuse, War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 21 -- at Syracuse, War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 25 -- at Rochester, Blue Cross Arena, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 27 -- at Rochester, Blue Cross Arena, 7 p.m.*

Saturday, April 28 -- at Syracuse, War Memorial, 7 p.m.*

The winner of that series will meet the winner of a semifinal pairing between Toronto and Utica in the North Division finals.

* - if necessary
Students of Jordan-Elbridge High School celebrated at their junior prom Saturday evening. The event was held at Marietta House in Marietta and had an "On the Red Carpet" Hollywood theme.

Our gallery of photos can be found above.

Want to buy a photo?

As you're browsing the gallery, look for the "BUY IMAGE" link to order high-quality reprints and other products.

More prom photos

See all photo galleries from proms, senior balls, and other formals around Central New York.
Authorities in Upstate New York have rescued more than 100 neglected animals from a farm after an animal cruelty investigation found them living in squalid conditions.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Department and the Susquehanna Animal Shelter took custody of nine dogs, one cat, 20 pigs, seven donkeys, 13 chickens, three ducks, 13 sheep, 25 geese, seven rabbits, one guinea hen, two parakeets, one pigeon and one tortoise, NYup.com reported.

The animals were seized from a 26-acre farm in the Town of New Lisbon on Saturday morning. Neighbors said they hadn't seen anyone on the property in a week.

Police arrested a man and a woman who owned the property, and charged them each with animal cruelty, growing marijuana and possession of marijuana. Both are due in court later in April.

See photos and more details with the full story from NYup.com, below.
On April 13, the opening day of Pixar Fest, a new Pixar Pier Preview Center opened in the Blue Sky Cellar in Disney California Adventure. Its been awhile since theres been an exhibit in there, and it was nice to see the space in use again.

This video tour gives a brief look at all of the exhibits, including the large model of Pixar Pier. It also includes footage of the working model of the roller coaster, with a car that runs all around the track.

Theres a short Imagineering video that plays continuously. I was disappointed that there werent more details in it, but there was about a 4-minute section on Re-Imagining Paradise Pier that is available below. It includes a little bit of a virtual reality ride-through of the Incredicoaster at the 2:30 mark.

Some of the things that I found most interesting in the Preview Center:

The roller coaster model includes an Operator Control Console like the ones used by cast members, and guests can use it to dispatch, emergency stop, and reset the ride vehicle in the model.

Concept art of the Incredibles float that will be joining the Paint the Night Parade starting on June 15.

One of the Boardwalk games will be based on the La Luna Pixar Short: La Luna Star Catchers.

This still is actually from the video  I thought it was interesting to see how the drawings for the animals on Jessies Critter Carousel were super-imposed over a generic carousel horse.

Unfortunately theres no real surprises  for example theres no information on the forthcoming Inside Out attraction.

There was a bit of a tease as you exit  the wall display right next to the door shows some of the concept art that Disney has released on the Avengers Super Heroes land coming to Disney California Adventure in 2020.

I hope this is a sign that Disney will continue to update the Blue Sky Cellar periodically as they did during previous projects. And maybe someday well get a preview center for Star Wars: Galaxys Edge











Post a Comment
Redistricting proposal places Tama County outside Rep. Hinsons district

New maps could lead to a remaking of the political landscape in Iowa  Tama County included. What is now a quadrant of four U.S. ...
'Blest if I believe such a Poll Parrot as you was ever learned to speak!' -Roger Riderhood
News of Google's Gmail redesign has been making rounds recently, but apparently, there's another upcoming feature that hasn't been discussed: self-destructing emails.

The upcoming Gmail redesign promises to bring a "fresh, clean look" for the web version of Gmail, along with several improvements, Material Design elements, and new features.

According to a new report from TechCrunch, a tipster also revealed to the publication that Google is testing a "confidential mode" that would make it easier for users to ensure their emails are only read by the intended person. Moreover, the emails will also have a self-destructing option, which would allow users to set when their email will expire and become unreadable.

So far, ephemeral messages have made waves on various applications such as Snapchat, but having the option for emails would take things to the next level.

Gmail 'Confidential Mode': Self-Destructing Emails

TechCrunch received several screenshots from its tipster, illustrating how Gmail's self-destructing emails would work. Upon selecting to compose a new email, users would get the option to compose it in "confidential mode."

Enabling this option would automatically set several restrictions to the email in question, limiting what the recipient can do with the information. For instance, the recipient would not be able to download the content, forward the email, print it, or copy-paste it.

Users would also be able to set when they want their email to self-destruct, such as one week, one month, several years, or other such options. For an extra layer of security, senders could also require the email recipient to enter a passcode sent in a text message, to confirm their identity before being able to access the contents of the email.

This should significantly boost the security of Gmail and encourage wider use even at enterprise level with high confidentiality requirements. It seems that the new feature is just in testing for now, however, as the "Learn more" option doesn't actually lead to a page with more details on this option.

Receiving Gmail Confidential Emails

While this whole process might sound a bit complicated, putting the recipient through hoops to access an email, it's not quite so. The recipient would simply get a link to the confidential content and would have to log in to their Gmail account again to access it.

Although forwarding, copy-pasting, printing, and downloading options were disabled, the recipient -- in this case TechCrunch's tipster -- was still able to take screenshots of the whole thing.

Once the email expires based on the period set by the sender, the contents would become unreadable and the link would no longer work. Since it requires the recipient to log in to their Gmail account, the feature might not work with other email clients.

The redesigned version of Gmail is expected to become available within a few weeks, but it remains unclear at this point whether self-destructing emails will become available at the same time or later on.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
HAMMOND  Leslie Garon pressed her right hand to her chest and choked back tears as she addressed more than a dozen green-shirted volunteers in her living room earlier this month.

"From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate every one of y'all," she said. "You gave me a beautiful house that I didn't think I would ever have."

The source of Garon's salvation was the Tangilena Long-Term Recovery Group, which is helping people in Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes left behind from the government programs for victims of the 2016 floods.

Coalitions of nonprofit groups, faith organizations and state-funded case managers have sprung up in parishes stretching from St. Tammany to Lafayette to help people with particularly challenging situations get back into their homes.

In East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa and St. Helena alone, long-term recovery groups have assisted about 300 families with projects ranging from full repairs to their flooded homes to installation of a new septic tank.

Katie Pritchett, vice president of community impact for the Capital Area United Way and chairwoman of the East Baton Rouge Parish long-term recovery group, said the group takes on "last resort" cases where there are no other resources available to help people struggling to get back into their homes.

They focus on families that for various reasons are ineligible for the state-run Restore Louisiana program or have remaining unmet needs after getting assistance from that program or others.

Just a few months ago, Garon was living in a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer with her husband, daughter and grandchild.

Her husband works nights and tried during the day to fix up the home. They had managed to do some 70 percent of the repairs, but they were having to manage it on his limited time and paychecks, said Donna Bliss, a case manager from the Louisiana United Methodist Conference.

Bliss said she received a referral from FEMA about the Garon family and showed up on their doorstep to see what she could do. People can be referred to disaster case managers through FEMA, long-term recovery groups and state agencies.

After some persistence, Bliss convinced the family to take help from the Methodist Conference. The conference agreed to pay for the supplies needed to finish the modular home. The long-term recovery group has an ongoing relationship with a Christian volunteer group called World Renew, and it was able to provide steady stream of volunteers for 12 weeks.

Long-term recovery is a concept used around the country and has been used in Louisiana since at least Hurricane Katrina. Disaster case managers, most of whom are funded through the state, identify needy cases and present them at roundtable unmet needs meetings of the groups.

One such meeting takes place at 8:30 a.m. every Friday in Hammond, where more than a dozen people sit down at folding tables in a quasi-storage room off the main chapel at the First United Methodist Church.

Beth Lafargue, who leads the group, and her two construction managers review the status of cases they already have. What has funding, what is left to do. Then, disaster case managers from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge hand out packets and describe the clients detailed inside, including what repairs remain and why other sources of help, such as FEMA or Restore Louisiana, were not coming through.

Funders seated at the table ask case managers for any missing details needed to move forward. They typically fund projects that cost less than $10,000, using volunteer labor and donated materials as much as possible.

The Louisiana United Methodist Conference and its international arm, United Methodist Conference on Relief, have been major funders of long-term recovery across south Louisiana. The Louisiana conference has raised about $3 million from donors.

United Way organizations of the Capital Area and Southeast Louisiana also have been big funders, re-granting about $2 million from the Red Cross and raising their own funds for the effort. The Livingston group also has benefited from funding from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

In addition, national and local volunteer groups have provided money and thousands of hours of labor to work on the homes. FEMA has been involved also in setting up the group and assisting with information in some cases.

Disaster case managers from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have the state contract for services in the capital area. According to David Aguillard, executive director, case managers develop a detailed file with income information and repair estimates, as well as the mitigating circumstances that may have made their damage worse than expected or if they might have an extreme shortage of resources. The agency has presented approximately 400 cases to long-term recovery groups with about 60 percent of those being funded, he said.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Bliss, the case manager with the Louisiana United Methodist Conference, describes it this way: It is up to me as a case manager to build the entire case and then advocate for them as a family.  And once I bring it to the table and I tell their story and I show where their income is and what they did and what happened to their money, the decision is made at a higher level. We like to say that the Lord leads us to the people that he wants to bless.

In the case of the Garon family, Bliss said, the mortgage company told the family their house was a total loss and insisted on taking the family's flood insurance check to pay off the loan. Restore Louisiana can help people with forced payoffs, but Bliss said state officials likely would have viewed the Garon's case as duplication of benefits.

Lafargue said there are a number of reasons people find themselves before long-term recovery groups.

Some people are ineligible for government assistance because they took help after an earlier disaster and did not maintain their flood insurance.

"Sometimes, with the level of poverty, there is just no way the person can afford it," Lafargue said.

Others suffered in the flood but not to the level that is funded by Restore Louisiana, she said. That federally funded program provides assistance only for people who had more than $8,000 worth of FEMA-verified damage or a foot of water.

At the meeting of the Tangilena group in Hammond earlier this month, a disaster case manager presented the story of a single-income family living in a home that suffered a roof leak during the August 2016 flood. It also had damaged siding and floors but did not meet the damage threshold for Restore.

In other cases, people were the victims of contractor fraud but paid in cash or without receipts, which makes it difficult to justify to the Restore program, Pritchett said.

Or having received the mobile home replacement from the Restore program, people still need help adding a septic system or moving an electric pole.

Much of the work of long-term recovery groups is coming to an end  despite considerable remaining need, leaders of the groups said.

By one measure: There are 1,007 households around the state still living in their manufactured housing units, according to FEMA. There are 532 units remaining in East Baton Rouge and 298 in Livingston. The deadline to move out is May 15.

The reason for the wind-down in Livingston and East Baton Rouge parishes has to do with funding and case managers, group leaders said.

Funds from two of the three major funders of Rebuild Livingston have been nearly spent, leaving the Methodists as the last funder at the table, said Kayla Atkinson, executive director of Rebuild Livingston.

Meanwhile, Catholic Charities will be wrapping up its contract with the state in August, a source of concern for the long-term recovery groups that rely on the organization to identify and manage the cases.

As Catholic Charities closes out, well see the needs none of us know how to address, Atkinson said.

The state contract with FEMA for disaster case management funding ends in August, but the state plans to request a time extension, said Pat Forbes, director of the Office of Community Development, which oversees the grant. Although Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge plans to leave the program in August and has already been drawing down case managers, the state is working with other nonprofits to provide similar services, Forbes said.

Laraine Waughtal, director of the Office of Mission Engagement and Outreach for the Louisiana United Methodist Conference, said she is planning to rely more on her own 10 case managers to handle people, including those who learn they are ineligible for help from the Restore Louisiana program.

The Tangilena group expects it can continue longer. The Methodist conference has committed to funding through August 2019 and the United Way of Southeast Louisiana has committed to funding through the end of the year. The group also has a commitment from World Renew to keep supplying volunteer labor and relationships with other home building nonprofits.

"We will never have enough to do (something) for everybody," said Jamene Dahmer, senior vice president for long-term recovery at the United Way of Southeast Louisiana. "However, we will continue to do everything we can until we have extended every resource we have."
After less than four months on the job, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul stepped into the national spotlight, announcing his decision to f
Recently home to three different charter schools, the former Glen Oaks Middle School campus in north Baton Rouge will soon house just one.

Locating multiple new schools in one place is common in other cities as a way to incubate charter schools, but its rare for the capital. By summer, this particular charter incubation experiment will be over.

+12 Three tiny charter schools land on one campus with hopes of future expansion As buses pull up each morning to 5300 Monarch Ave., Baton Rouge, children spill out and walk a short way to class in buildings 100, 300 and 800.

UP Elementary, the first to move in August 2014, left last summer after three years at the old Glen Oaks Middle school site on Monarch Avenue. UP  short for Baton Rouge University Prep  has been operating temporarily since the Living Faith Academy of Excellence school campus on Winbourne Avenue.

UP plans to move again this summer to a permanent home on Howell Boulevard, just south of the Baton Rouge Metro Airport, part of the Howell Place development. On Wednesday, the school held a groundbreaking ceremony on its 6.4-acre site, where it plans to build a new facility that eventually will house as many as 600 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It currently has 276 students in kindergarten through third grade.

This summer is also when Baton Rouge Bridge Academy plans to leave the former Glen Oaks Middle campus. Bridge, which moved there in 2015, is surrendering its charter effective June 30. It is instead joining forces with a new player in town, Texas-based IDEA Public Schools. IDEA has agreed to let Baton Rouge Bridge move its entire operation, as well as its 185 students in kindergarten through second grade, into a school it is building near Cortana Mall, one of two Baton Rouge campuses that the highly regarded charter management organization is opening in August. IDEA has gone so far as to rename the campus IDEA Bridge.

That leaves Baton Rouge College Preparatory Academy as the former Glen Oaks Middle campus lone occupant. Unlike the schools that are leaving, both elementary schools, Baton Rouge College Prep is a middle school with 250 students in grades five to eight.

As a middle school, its similar to Glen Oaks Middle, the neighborhood school that operated on Monarch Avenue from 1955 to 2008 until it was taken over after years of low academic performance and placed into the state-run Recovery School District.

Baton Rouge College Prep, which moved here in 2015, is holding off on plans to add a high school. This summer, it will take over space vacated by Baton Rouge Bridge Academy.

Charter schools are public schools run by private organizations via contracts, or charters. These three are among 26 charter schools that operate in East Baton Rouge Parish.

They were developed through the Boston-based incubator program Building Excellent Schools. Of the three schools, Baton Rouge College Prep is the only school with students in tested grades; it earned a C academic letter grade in 2016, and its scores were waived in 2017 thanks to the instability caused by the August 2016 flood. UP Elementarys current third-graders will soon take the LEAP test, and the school will get its first letter grade in the fall.

Standing in a field of tall grass Wednesday on land that will soon be her school, Meghan Turner, the founder of UP Elementary, talked about the long, difficult journey to get to construction.

This has been the most difficult year weve had so far, Turner said.

In 2016, Turner persuaded the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to exchange her more limited Type 5 charter for a more expansive Type 2 charter; Baton Rouge Bridge and Baton Rouge College Prep unsuccessfully tried to exchange their Type 5 charters for more flexible charters.

UP Elementary buys land for new campus The operators of a north Baton Rouge charter school have purchased a 6.4-acre site in the Howell Place development for $1.4 million and to bui

That Type 2 charter freed Turner to find a new home for the school, but securing one was a struggle right up to Wednesdays groundbreaking. She said her mother called her Tuesday, just a day before, and asked if the ceremony was still a go.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

I said, I dont know,  Turner recalled with a laugh.

Turner said she expects the general contractor, J.F. Juge Construction in Prairieville, should start work any day at the Howell Boulevard site, with a first phase complete by August and a second phase built over the following year.

The departure of Baton Rouge Bridge Academy from Monarch Avenue is more bittersweet. The academy's founder, Chloe Wiley, said giving up the schools charter is akin to losing a child.

We started this thing from scratch. We didnt have any money, any kids, any teachers, Wiley said. Its special. Its hard in that way, but I think its all for the best.

In joining IDEA, though, Wiley is signing up with an organization that's on the move. Launched in the Rio Grande Valley, IDEA runs 61 schools, educates 36,000 children and expects to open 18 more schools in 2018. It has schools that have made national best high school lists. All of its schools, so far, are in the Rio Grande, Austin and San Antonio areas of Texas.

The shift to IDEA, Wiley said, grew out of months of conversations with Kenneth Campbell, executive director of IDEA Southern Louisiana, about the uncertain future of her school.

And last fall, there were conversations with every family at the school as well as the entire staff. All of her staff and all but a handful of students are following her, she said.

We wanted to be really, really sure that we could continue to build on the work weve done with families, Wiley said.

The new IDEA Bridge, which is under construction, will have space for roughly double Bridges current enrollment. Theres also separate, secondary College Prep program launching simultaneously on the same campus with just sixth grade under the leadership of Cecilia Aquilar. She has been serving as a principal in residency with IDEA.

+2 IDEA announces out-of-state leaders at its two Baton Rouge charter schools opening in August A Texas-based charter school group has announced that educators from other states will serve as leaders at the two schools the organization is

Baton Rouge College Prep, for its part, has no immediate moving or expansion plans.

Founder Kathryn Rice said the facility at Glen Oaks Middle is too small to house a proper high school. Instead, the schools strategy these days is to prepare its students to gain admission to the better high schools in town.

Half of our eighth-graders are eligible for magnet high schools, Rice said.

Rice said she is considering in the future creating a new high school somewhere in Baton Rouge, but a visit to local magnet schools last fall showed her how big a hill that would be to climb.

I was thinking, Wow it would take me years to do what these schools already have,  Rice recalled.
How young is too young to get married?

Its an international debate that is engaging state lawmakers across America and one that the Louisiana Senate is scheduled to wade into later this week.

Though the United Nations has been pushing for an international minimum marital age of 18 for nearly a decade  and U.S. foreign policy last year listed reducing child marriage as a goal half the nations states, including Louisiana, grants licenses to minors, albeit often with conditions applied.

In Louisiana, 4,532 people under the age of 18, one as young as 12, were legally married between 2000 and 2010, according to a compilation of marriage licenses by a nonprofit organization and Frontline, a documentary television program.

Study after study shows that minors who marry, particularly girls, face a hard life.

Research shows that married girls are far more likely than their unmarried peers to drop out of high school, end up in poverty or get beaten by their spouses, said Kelsey Lee of Unchained at Last in New Jersey. The nonprofit advocacy group helped draft the Louisiana bill as well as those introduced in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

+3 National campaign to end child marriages arrives in Louisiana; backers say state law must change MAMOU  A Florida woman who helped spark what has become a growing national movement to end child marriage in the United States brought her me

Though married, minors often arent legally old enough to drive or to vote or to smoke. Getting out of a marriage that has turned sour  about 70 percent end in divorce as opposed 50 percent for the rest of the population  is difficult because minors need the sponsorship of their guardian to be involved in most Louisiana court proceedings, and often that would be their spouse, the very person theyre trying to get away from, said Ginger LeCompte of Women United in St. Landry Parish.

New Jerseys Senate Thursday approved a House-passed bill that would set the minimum at 18 years of age. If the House approves minor wording changes and the bill is finally enacted  Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has indicated he would sign it  New Jersey would become the first state that bars marriage for minors.

Louisianas Senate Bill 463 would do the same thing.

Louisiana and the rest of the country, except Nebraska, allow a couple 18 years of age and older to marry without parental consent. But under current Louisiana law, if one or both of the partners are aged 16 or 17, then parents need to appear at the clerks office at the time of the marriage application. Under the age of 16 requires a judges consent.

It took years to get out of her marriage, Audrey Hampton, of New Orleans, tearfully told senators last week in a Senate Judiciary A Committee hearing. Almost from the moment she said I do as a young girl, matrimony ended both her childhood and her independence.

Children are too young to make life decisions, Hampton said.

Marriage should be more want to than have to, said Camille Fontenot, of Ville Platte, after describing the life of a minor relative who got pregnant, married and was pretty much on her own to care for children.

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Lets make a statement. Lets make it 18, Fontenot said.

Negotiations are underway that likely will tighten marriage laws regarding age, but it appears likely the bar will be set below the age of 18 that supporters want.

Thats how other state legislatures have handled similar legislation when faced with opposition from those in the religious community who argue that marriage is the foundation to societal stability. Other lawmakers feared setting a minimum age for marriage would stifle religious freedom and make options, such as abortion, a more attractive solution to teenaged pregnancy.

Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Doucey on Wednesday signed a bill preventing anyone younger than 16 from getting married. The legislation was aimed at preventing sexual abuse and manipulation of minors.

Kentucky and Florida governors signed similar minimum age laws earlier this year.

The Rev. Gene Mills, head of the Louisiana Family Forum, a Baton Rouge-based group which advocates issues from a conservative Christian point of view, opposes SB463, but sees the possibility of changing that position if negotiations bring Louisianas legislation more in line with that of Arizonas.

Why would you discourage marriage in an era when marriage is declining? Mills said.

The percentage of women ages 20-24 who are married, for instance, fell from 57 percent in 1976 to 17 percent in 2014, according to an April 2017 report by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The other issue Mills raised is that the bill specifies marriage between two natural persons, rather than between a man and a woman. That definition is unacceptable for Mills. Some conservatives have been vigilant this session in turning back any changes to the states a man and a woman definition after the nations highest court found same-sex marriage legal.

The sponsor of SB463, state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, said she was willing to change that language in order to erase opposition to the bill. Carter, who serves as head of the state Democratic Party, said she is open to making several changes to the bill before presenting it to the full Senate for a vote.

Michelle Ghetti, who teaches family law at the Southern University Law Center, opposed setting a bright-line legal age that would keep minors from getting married. It would remove any claim on community property and spousal support should the marriage fail.

Ghetti prefers instead to legislate the gap in ages between partners.

Susan East Nelson, Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families and a supporter of the legislation, points out that state law against sexually molesting a juvenile sets the age limits at being no more than two years apart if one of the partners is under the age of 17 and the other is over the age of 17. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Mills said keeping 12, 13 and 14-year-olds from getting married is a reasonable goal. Were working to overcome the problems, and if we do, we can get behind this legislation, Mills said.
Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, throws a wadded dollar bill on the floor making a point as he delivers the graduation address. A new program called RISE (rehabilitating individuals through strategic encounters)is having its first graduation of three former federal prisoners Wednesday Feb. 7, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. They have gone through a year of reentry programming led by US District Judge Shelly Dick.
Gov. John Bel Edwards shakes hands in January 2016 with his health care transition team co-chairs, Gary Wiltz, CEO of Teche Action Clinic, and Ronald A. Goux, president of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, at the State Capitol after Edwards signed his his first executive order to provide for Medicaid expansion in the state of Louisiana.
State Rep. Julie Stokes is one of those politicians who ran on her experience.

The Kenner Republicans background as a certified public accountant is the very first fact listed in the bio on her web page. She entered the Legislature in 2013 determined to bring more order, sense and predictability to how Louisiana taxes its residents and businesses, and quickly developed a reputation for burrowing deep into the policy weeds. Had she run for state treasurer last year, as planned, her expertise would surely have been a central focus of her campaign.

But Stokes never made the run, due to a breast cancer diagnosis right before qualifying. So instead of traveling the state campaigning, she underwent chemo and surgery, and thankfully emerged from the ordeal cancer-free.

Now healthy and back at work, Stokes is once again using her personal experience to guide her legislative priorities.

As you all know, Im a freshly minted breast cancer survivor, she said, as she addressed her colleagues on the House Insurance committee late last month. Stokes then proceeded to talk in starkly personal terms about the mammogram shed had not long before her diagnosis, which didnt detect the cancer, and learning subsequently that there was more advanced technology available that might have.

She told committee members that if her provider had used more sophisticated 3D technology, I might have caught it before it spread to lymph nodes and before it upended my life.

One of the bills Stokes was promoting that day addressed exactly that. House Bill 460 would update the current law requiring that mammograms be covered by insurance, including Medicaid, to make 3D mammograms the minimum standard.

The reception she got could not have been more encouraging. State Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Lafayette, thanked her for bringing the matter up. State Rep. Greg Cromer, R-Slidell, noted that his wife has also battled cancer, and said hed like to be added as a co-author. Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, said he thought everybody would. The bill passed out of the committee unanimously, and has since cleared the full House and is pending in the state Senate.

Stokes had two other related bills on the agenda during that March 28 hearing, both also informed by her newfound knowledge of the subject and her conversations with other survivors.

The committee also approved House Bill 690, which would ensure coverage for subsequent recommended cancer screenings for patients whove had bilateral mastectomies. To help make the case, Stokes enlisted Kim Sport, a fellow survivor and a familiar face at the Capitol for her work with United Way, to talk about her own experience not being able to convince her insurance to cover her annual PET scans, even though one such test did detect an unrelated cancer. Stokes noted that she did not go through radiation, so if her cancer recurs she has one more tool available to her. That makes such screenings vital, she said.

This bill passed the committee without dissent, sailed through the House, and is awaiting Senate action.

Stokes third measure that day, House Bill 689, would guarantee coverage for both male and female cancer patients efforts to preserve fertility options before they undergo treatment. It passed the committee 9-3 and is now pending before the House Appropriations Committee.

Suffice it to say that this is not the sort of thing Stokes thought shed be talking about a year ago, when she waited until the end of a busy legislative session to get the lump shed felt checked out. But with her experience came a clear sense of urgency.

To keep this in perspective, 40,000 women a year die from breast cancer. I got really lucky. The one I had, I had about a third of a chance that chemo would kill it, she said. And while she got a clean bill of health and word that theres an 85 percent chance the cancer wont return, that 15 percent hangs over your head like a dark cloud.
Last year's reform of the criminal justice system has seen 2.000 prisoners granted early release.

At the same time, at least 1,300 suspects have been held in parish jails without trial for four years or more.

Thus a state convict may have a better shot at freedom than an innocent victim of police error or malice. The much-vaunted liberalization of Louisiana's penal policies clearly has a way to go.

But please spare a thought for the sheriffs, who are paid significant sums for accommodating overflow state prisoners. Most of the state prisoners qualifying for early release were being held in parish jails, where their care may cost less than the per diems paid by the Department of Corrections. When the first batch was let go last fall, Avoyelles Paris Sheriff Doug Anderson, for instance, was not pleased. This will be a drastic blow to our budget, he said. The budget loss is expected to be $1,050 a day.

And the situation could get worse, for the budget Gov. John Bel Edwards has proposed as the fiscal cliff looms reduces the sheriffs' hoosegow per diem from $24 to $19. The sheriffs yearn for the high-cotton days before Bobby Jindal was elected governor and the rate was $31, enough to bring in a tidy profit. When Jindal reduced the per diem, sheriffs made up for it by helping themselves to more of the money earned by inmates on day release.

While a steady supply of state convicts will always be welcome, a sheriff cannot contemplate the pretrial jail population without horror and alarm. No, it is not because locking people up for years without trial is a cruel denial of their constitutional rights. The problem is that nobody reimburses the sheriffs for keeping them behind bars. They must pay the bills out of their local tax revenues.

Taxpayers, being stuck with the tab either way, will not care how custodial expenses are allocated, and all inmates will wish they were elsewhere. In the case of pretrial detainees, sheriffs share that sentiment.

It was because those detainees were eating up the jailhouse budgets that the Louisiana's Sheriffs' Association conducted a count, its Executive Director Mike Ranatza said. Among its findings, the Association identified some 70 prisoners who had been waiting at least five years for their day in court, enough to make a Third World junta blush.

Yet Ranatza thinks his Association's numbers are probably on the low side. Lord knows how many poor devils have been kicking their heels for years without any hope of meeting a prosecutor. Actually, they can't have encountered any defense attorneys either, else some court would have granted a motion for their release because the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial. In Louisiana, that means trial must commence within 120 days of a felony arrest or 30 days in the case of a misdemeanor. Those deadlines may be extended if, for instance, defense tactics have caused the delay, but nobody can legitimately be held without trial for five years. If Louisiana met its obligation to provide effective counsel for indigent defendants, this would obviously never happen.

It is highly likely that plenty of our long-term prisoners awaiting trial could never be convicted. Others will presumably have done more time in jail than they could ever be sentenced to. It is costing us a lot of money to rob so many people of their constitutional rights.

Suspects released on bail are more likely to get the speedy trial to which they are entitled because they are more likely to have the wherewithal to consult a competent lawyer. Those forgotten souls in our parish jails are rotting away because a court set a bail they could not meet. The poor, even if they are not locked up for years, are much more likely to spend time in jail for crimes they did not commit.

We may have reformed the criminal justice system, and reduced the jail population, to some extent, but justice is still in short supply.

Email James Gill at Gill1407@bellsouth.net.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Precarious employment is increasing over time, and it still remains higher for women than men in Australia. But over the last nine years it has increased far more rapidly among men.

This is despite greater workforce participation and lower unemployment rates in Australias labour market. The quality of jobs in Australia has been declining.

In a new Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report, we develop a composite index of precarious employment using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey.

The HILDA survey captures job attributes, labour force circumstances and other information about a large and representative sample of Australian workers. The index is based on 12 component indicators that capture different dimensions of precarious employment.

These include measures related to job insecurity like workers own views of their future employment prospects, the chance of losing their jobs, and their overall sense of job security.

We also looked at irregular hours, working fewer or more hours than desired, and a loss of work-life balance to capture the degree of control over working hours. For employment protections and other working conditions, the index uses measures related to leave entitlements including sick, family and compassionate leave.

The calculated index is centred on the average measure of precarity across all occupations and industries. Negative numbers mean lower employment precarity than the average and positives convey greater precarity. The larger the value, the more precarious the work, relative to the all-industry average.

The index shows the overall state of the economy has had a significant impact on the level of precarious employment in the labour market.

It shows levels rising for both men and women since the global financial crisis.

However, for men, precariousness is now above 2003 levels, which suggests precarious work is being driven by more than just economic conditions. And while men are still below the levels of women, the two are beginning to converge.

A major source of this trend is an increase in the self-reported probability of losing ones job and accompanying dissatisfaction with job security.

Despite relatively stable and low levels of unemployment, workers are increasingly concerned that their jobs are at risk. The same holds true for satisfaction with job prospects, which dropped significantly since the global financial crisis and has yet to recover.

As expected, higher skilled occupations such as professionals and managers have more stable employment, while labourers and machinery operators and drivers are in the most precarious job circumstances.

Job insecurity has increased most among clerical and administrative workers and labourers, while for managers the key drivers are the loss of control over working hours and a reduction in work-life balance.

Working for government, a bank or insurance company appears to still be a relatively safe option. Industries with the lowest levels of precarious employment are public administration, financial and insurance services, and utilities.

By contrast, accommodation and food, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and arts and recreation services are much more precarious for their employees. Mining and to a lesser extent education have become more precarious in recent years.

Precariousness by industry and occupation

Employment precariousness, by occupation and industry. The index is centred on the overall industry average (as represented by zero). Negative numbers correspond to lower employment precarity than the average, positives convey greater precarity.

Precarious work more prevalent in some industries

There are several factors affecting the likelihood of a worker facing more or less precarious work, including the nature of the industry they are working in.

Some industry sectors, such as manufacturing, construction or mining, have a greater exposure to economic downturns or upturns, and global market forces.

Workers in the mining industry used to be among the most secure, with their sense of optimism supported by strong demand for labour during the heart of the resources boom.

But our index confirms times have changed for the sector.

Precarious work has increased in mining at a greater rate than in any other sector, driven mainly by workers sense of job insecurity as the sector shifts to a less labour intensive production phase, and the volatility of global resource prices.

We found employment in other sectors, in hospitality, arts and recreation, or agriculture for example, to be intrinsically more precarious by nature. These industries had irregular or uncertain hours, casual contracts, or relatively low pay.

The expanding role of technology and automation in production is another potential factor driving the growing sense of insecurity in employment, especially among lower-skilled men.

This highlights the need to ensure workers can access retraining and education opportunities that smooth their transition to new, higher skilled jobs, or into other forms of employment.

There is a shared responsibility on governments, employers, and education and training organisations to ensure that no-one is left behind.

>> BACK TO THE NEWSLETTER: Click here to read other articles from this weeks newsletter

This article was originally published on The Conversation.
What does courage actually look like? Why is it that many who can face mortal dangers in battle lack the other virtues? How do you account for a man like Cicero, whose voice trembled at the beginning of every speech and who never distinguished himself in battle, yet who stood up to Catiline and saved the Roman Republic from its greatest internal threat?

Toward the end of Charles Dickens Hard Times, which we read in the Humanities track at Wyoming Catholic College, the infamous utilitarian educator Thomas Gradgrind sees the devastation resulting from his suppression of his childrens imaginations and emotional lives. His son has robbed a bank and tried to pin the crime on an innocent workman; he tries to flee, but an odious young fellow named Bitzer tracks him down, convinced that capturing him will advance his own career. Crushed by recent events, Gradgrind wants to help his son escape, and he humbly asks, Bitzer, have you a heart? Bitzertrained from childhood in Gradgrinds systemreacts to the question with surprise: The circulation, Sir, couldnt be carried on without one. No man, Sir, acquainted with the facts established by Harvey relating to the circulation of the blood, can doubt that I have a heart. In his old age, Gradgrind, unlike his pupil, comes to see that The heart has its reasons that reason cannot understand, as Pascal wrote in his Pensees.

Pascals understanding of the heart underlies our theme in this summers Wyoming School of Catholic Thought, The Paradox of Courage (June 10-14 in Lander). The title phrase comes from G.K. Chesterton, who pointed out that courage is a paradox because the willingness to die accompanies and actually stems from a powerful desire to live. Imagine explaining that to Bitzer! Courage, like love, comes from the heart. The ancient Greeks called its source thumos, the breast-soul, where the irascible passions (as St. Thomas Aquinas called them) find their seat. In a famous chapter of The Abolition of Man called Men Without Chests, C.S. Lewis lamented the loss of heart in modernityand Bitzer would be a good example.

Loss of heart implies loss of compassion, loss of inspiration, loss of hope, loss of courageand its this situation in the culture that we most want to address. Last summer, for the first time since before the founding of the College, we revived the Wyoming School of Catholic Thought that our founders had started in the early 2000s, before the College existed. Why the revival? Because a number of adults my wife and I met in our travels, perhaps experiencing loss of heart themselves, asked us if we had anything for adults like what we do in our curriculum. Many people hunger for the depths of conversation that ordinary life rarely seems to offer, given the many demands on our time and attention.

Last year, our faculty members and guests had a vibrant discussion of our topic, Returning from Exilehow to come back into the fullness of a heritage in danger of being lost. This years topic reflects the truth that cultural revival can only come about through courage, a recovery of the resources of the heart. Aristotle considered courage the basis of all the other virtues. Without it, how can one hold steady in battle? When temptations come, how can one stand ones ground? In the Republic, Socrates calls courage the invincible attachment to things held in awe. With courage, one will be calmly in charge of oneself, capable of choosing the right thing in the right way at the right time. Without courage, the other cardinal virtuesprudence, temperance, and justicewill be impossible.

Were going to be reading a number of works from the greatest guides in the Western tradition, such as Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, St. Athanasius, St. Thomas Aquinas, Herman Melville, and T.S. Eliot. Wyoming Catholic College faculty will lead the sessions, and there will be ample time for the kinds of conversations that serious adults most enjoy. What does courage actually look like? Why is it that many who can face mortal dangers in battle lack the other virtues? How do you account for a man like Cicero, whose voice trembled at the beginning of every speech and who never distinguished himself in battle, yet who stood up to Catiline and saved the Roman Republic from its greatest internal threat? What does courage look like in our own circumstances? Where are we going to need to take heart most, both personally and culturally, in the trials to come?

Please consider joining us this summer, when we will take up the conversation and examine the deepest questions as they arise. You will enjoy the atmosphere of the classroom, the company of the faculty and your fellow participants, and the beautiful scenery of Wyoming that provides our setting. We have limited room, but spaces are still available. To find out more, please contact Dr. James Tonkowich: james.tonkowich@wyomingcatholic.org. 307-355-4468.

Republished with gracious permission from the Wyoming Catholic College Weekly Bulletin (April 2018).

The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.
Indonesian literature, young adult fiction, Islamic content and children's books were reportedly in high demand by foreign publishers during the London Book Fair 2018, which took place at the Olympia exhibition building in London from Tuesday to Thursday.

The marketing division head of the Indonesia Market Focus Executive Committee at the fair, Thomas Nung Atasana, told Antara on Friday that one of the Indonesian publishers, Kesaint Blanc, had signed a contract with a Chinese publisher for the rights to children's picture book series Wonoweenie Go Green, written by Andy B and illustrated by Evelline Andrya.

Thomas said the publisher deemed the books valuable in teaching children about preserving the environment.

Read also: Great Indonesian literature: Tales of Panji

Two Indonesian book titles were bought by a French publisher, one by a UK publisher and another one by a US-based publisher. Foreign publishers reportedly expressed interest in the rights to around 135 other titles.

Alongside books, Indonesia also promoted films adapted from popular books at the festival, showcasing trailers of five movies, with English subtitles: Dilan 1990, Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops), Sang Penari (The Dancer), Filosofi Kopi (Coffee Philosophy) and Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name). (kes)
Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer expanded its connected watch collection with the launch of Connected Modular 41, following the previously launched Connected Modular 45.

Amelia Sillard, vice president of TAG Heuer Southeast Asia, said to The Jakarta Post the new 41-millimeter diameter connected watch had the same functionality as its 45mm version, and it had been developed with Google and Intel. She went on to say that the slightly smaller diameter fits smaller wrists, hence their female clientele.

Highly appealing to tech-savvy as well as style connoisseurs, TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41 also features a number of improvements made to the 45mm version: its AMOLED 390 by 390 screen offers a resolution of 326 pixels per inch (PPI) and improved brightness (maximum 350 nits). Its storage capacity has also been increased to 8 gigabytes (GB), and its RAM to 1 GB.

TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41 with pink strap. (JP/File)

Meanwhile, the ingenious modular concept of the watch enables customization of its strap and lugs, with nine different straps available. The connected [watch] module can be replaced with a Calibre 5 three-hand mechanical [watch] module.

TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41 features modular concept to fit every mood and outfit. (JP/File)

Running on the Android Wear operating system, the TAG Heuer Connected 41 and 45 are compatible with Android 4.4 phones and iOS 9 or later. This connectivity enables the user to receive important notifications straight to his or her wrist, reply to messages and even track the progress of vehicle orders using popular ride-hailing apps.

Read also: Apple surges ahead in wearables on smartwatch sales: Survey

A look at TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41 on a male wrist. (JP/File)

Another exciting part about wearing this connected watch is the TAG Heuer Studio feature, which can be used to customize TAG Heuer dials with just a few swipes and clicks. Together with its modular concept, TAG Heuer Connected Modular 41 is able to fit every mood and outfit.
Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Caltafano was there to guide him and offer the tools and support to successfully regain his independence. The rest was up to Bill.

Bill Heines 17.JPG Bill Heines walks down the narrow hallway to his room at the Chapel House transitional housing facility after a long day of doctors appointmen

A high school dropout, Bill worked in manufacturing and as a laborer most of his life. Years of hard physical work ravaged his body. He abused alcohol but now boasts of being four years sober.

Heines was a nervous wreck when Caltafano finally got him in to see a doctor. He was convinced that the results of a physical would bring bad news. He thought for sure he would be told he had cancer. He did not. However, he does suffer from severe neck and shoulder pain due to arthritis, bone spurs and nerve damage. The resulting pain limits his employment opportunities to non-repetitious light duty work.

Heines was a favorite among the other residents because of his happy-go-lucky, outgoing personality. Even when he was down in the dumps about his own situation he always seemed to be able to produce a smile on his face. He became a father figure, counseling some of the younger residents drawing from the tough lessons life had taught him.

In March, Caltafano finally told Bill the news he had been waiting for. She had found an apartment for him to share with three other men. A week later Thornton offered him a part-time job as an overnight monitor at the Chapel House shelter.
Good grief, Charlie Brown has got into graffiti...

The first of a series of huge street art projects featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang was unveiled in Paris on Saturday.

The wraps will come off other murals in New York Monday with Tokyo, Seoul, Berlin, Mexico City and San Francisco to follow.

But what would his creator Charles M. Schulz think?

He would be thrilled, insist the keepers of the Peanuts flame who point out that the great cartoonist was a friend and supporter of street art pioneer Christo, famous for wrapping the Reichstag in Berlin and the Pont Neuf in Paris.

The Bulgarian-born superstar even wrapped Snoopy's kennel and presented it to the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California.

"I think Charles Schulz would love this project," Melissa Menta of Peanuts Worldwide told AFP. "He loved artists and in one strip he has Snoopy daydreaming about Christo. At the end of it he returns to find that he has wrapped his doghouse, which Christo then did in real life."

Read also: Japanese comic 'Detective Conan' to return after 4-month hiatus

She said Peanuts Worldwide had exceptionally allowed the seven street artists chosen for the Peanuts Global Artist Collective to redraw the beloved characters from the famously philosophical strip.

They include the sometimes controversial American artist Rob Pruitt, who has Snoopy walking a tightrope with one of his trademark panda figures.

"I think I taught myself how to draw by copying Peanuts characters and strips over and over, especially the details -- the grass, the snow, the wobbly lines," Pruitt said.

Menta said Pruitt was an obvious choice because he had "Peanutised himself years ago. He did a series of tombstones with the Charlie Brown stripe on them way back and he was clearly a Peanuts fan."

She said far from being afraid of what artists would come up with, "it was the best form of flattery to have them riffing on Peanuts in their form of expression."

The French graffiti artist Andre Saraiva -- aka Mr A -- has Snoopy hanging out with his stick figures while the world's most Zen dog skateboards with Woodstock in the first piece to be unveiled Saturday on the facade of the Citizen Hotel in Paris by US artist Nina Chanel Abney.

The other artists involved include the American Kenny Scharf, whose work will be shown in New York on April 16; Japan's Tomokazu Matsuyama; the duo FriendsWithYou (Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III); and the collective AVAF.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 15, 2018 05:13 1265 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cea2f0b 4 City traffic-accident,Bekasi,truck,collision Free

One person died and two others were severely injured in an accident on Jl. Ahmad Yani, South Bekasi, where a tanker truck collided with a car at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The driver of the truck driver was killed while a passenger on board the truck and the driver of the car, Nuridin Ankoen, 57, were badly injured, the Bekasi traffic police said.

The victim died because of the collision that saw him become trapped [inside the truck], Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Indarto said on Saturday as quoted by tempo.co.

The other victims were also trapped, but could be evacuated by the police and transportation agency officers, he added.

The truck driver was taken to Bekasi Public Hospital while the other victims were taken to Mitra Keluarga Bekasi Hospital to receive treatment.

According to the police, the accident occurred while the truck was heading to Summarecon from Pekayon.

The truck suddenly hit a road separator with trees on it, causing the truck to enter the reversible lane.

The collision then occurred when the car driven by Nuridin was passing in the lane.

Indarto said the truck driver was reportedly drowsy while driving. (cal)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan  Sun, April 15, 2018 16:22 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceb4f71 1 National Sinabung,volcanic-activity,Indonesia,North-Sumatra,#NorthSumatra Free

The impact of the regular eruptions at Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, in the last eight years has been detrimental to the welfare of the 12,000 children living near the volcano, a number of organizations have said.

On Sunday morning, the volcano in Karo regency erupted again, emitting volcanic ash as high as 1 kilometer, followed by tremors.

The head of the monitoring post at Mt. Sinabung, Armen Putera, said volcanic activity was recorded as high, so he estimated the villagers would experience more eruptions in the coming months.

Yayasan Sheep director, Andreas Subiyono, who also sits on the board of the Sinabung Advocacy Forum, said at least 12,000 children lived in the 27 villages around the volcano.

Karo could experience a lost generation if we dont do anything about the childrens welfare, he said in a discussion held on Sunday.

Pastor Darmais Sembiring, the head of the Disaster Mitigation Commission of the Protestant Batak Church in the regency, said there was a 1.5-year-old boy suffering from lung disease due to inhaling volcanic ash. The boy is under intensive care at a hospital, he said.

The head of Karos logistics and emergency department at the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency, Natanael Peranginangin, said separately that the administration was aware of the situation.

We implemented several programs to tackle health and educational problems arising from Sinabung's eruptions. But we admit that they have not achieved optimum results, he said recently. He added the regional administration had never designated resources to assist the children because of the administration's lack of funds. (evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sun, April 15, 2018 16:35 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceb54b4 1 City Bogor-District-Court,e-court-system,PN-Bogor,trial,hearing,AAI,Indonesia-Advocates-Association Free

The Bogor District Court (PN) has implemented an e-court system with the aim of expediting hearing processes and allowing greater public access to trials to improve transparency.

PN Bogor E-Court team head Dewi Lestari Nuroso said on Friday that in the new system, trials would be held using various electronic media to visualize the hearing process, record it and hold teleconferences.

The e-court system at PN Bogor is supported by the implementation of an online registration system via an online-based application found at pendaftaran.pn.bogor.go.id and through the establishment of a one stop integration service (PTSP), in which confiscation and search permit requests can be submitted via e-mail to pidana@pn-bogor.go.id and to WhatsApp at the number 0813 1617 1764, as well as a case tracking information system (SIP).

All set: Bogor District Court (PN) E Court team head Dewi Lestari Nuroso explains the implementation of the e-court system during an event at the court on April 13. (JP/Theresia Sufa)

Dewi said the use of e-court technology at PN Bogor would help provide the public with greater access to court services, especially to the first degree court, to serve people who lived in geographically remote areas. The e-court system would also prove helpful for law authorities and other legal institutions such as prosecutors offices, police and penitentiaries, she added.

PN Bogor has implemented the e-court system in the trial of several criminal cases and in a teleconference mediation, which connected together several parties in four different locations, namely Bogor, West Java; Jember, East Java; Singapore and the United States.

The chairmen of the Bogor chapter of the Indonesia Advocate Association (AAI), Khairuddin Bakri, praised the e-court system, saying it would ease the burden on lawyers. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 15, 2018 13:37 1265 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceab63f 1 World #ForeignMinistry,Foreign-Affairs-Ministry,Indonesia,#Indonesia,Syria,#Syria,chemical-attack Free

The Foreign Ministry released on Saturday an official statement on its website in response to the latest developments in Syria, following strikes led by the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

Indonesia calls on all parties to show restraint and prevent the situation in Syria deteriorating further. Indonesia underlines the need for all parties to respect international law and norms, in particular the UN Charter on international peace and security, stated the ministry on its official website.

The United States, the United Kingdom and France launched military strikes on April 14 in Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapon attack on civilians in Douma, outside Damascus, the week before. The strikes were also intended to warn President Bashar al-Assads regime against using chemical warfare.

Indonesia also aired its concerns for the safety of civilians and called for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Syria through negotiation and peaceful means.

Indonesia also calls all parties to ensure the security and safety of civilians, in particular women and children, which must always be a priority, the ministry said.

Earlier, the government had denounced the chemical weapon attack in Syria. The statement said it strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria. (roi/evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 15, 2018 17:38 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceb79ae 1 City Jakarta-police,pilkada,Bekasi,2019-elections,fake-news,cyber-crime Free

Ahead of this year's local and general elections, the police have started deploying officers to community units (RW) in Jakarta and Bekasi.

South Jakarta Police have stationed dozens of personnel in every community unit in Pesanggrahan and Cilandak while Bekasi Police are preparing 1,700 personnel for the program, known as community police.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Indra Jafar inaugurated the officials and instructed them on Saturday to provide accurate information to residents to prevent the spread of fake news and rumors provoking people.

Cyber crime is on the rise. Fake news can spread quickly and threaten security, Indra said as reported by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

In an effort to counter radicalism and terrorism, the National Police initiated the community police program in 2015 and modeled it after Japans neighborhood police, Koban, and the United Kingdom's Neighborhood Watch.

Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Indarto said the officials would work with residents to solve local problems.

For example, if there has been a surge in street buskers entering an area, the community police will discuss with residents on how to settle the problem, he said.

The officials will also be stationed in areas nearby their own homes.

The concurrent local elections will be held in 171 regions on June 27 while the legislative and presidential elections will be held next year. (ami/wit)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 15, 2018 18:40 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cebaa44 1 City Sandiaga-Uno,OK-OCE,home-industry,SMEs Free

Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the city would issue permits for home-based businesses participating in the One District One Center of Entrepreneurship (OK-OCE) program after a gubernatorial decree on the matter was issued.

Sandiaga said the program would be a good way to introduce OK-OCE.

Jakarta Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade Agency head Irwandi said the decree would stipulate that only OK OCE members that had a maximum of 19 employees would be able to attain a permit.

The area of the [place of business] is a minimum 60 square meters and a maximum 400 sq m, Irwandi said as quoted by kompas.com.

He said the agency had submitted the decrees draft to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan for approval. The decree is expected to reward OK-OCE participants.

Obtaining a permit is a major challenge for SMEs that often do not have enough capital to start a business. To attain loans from a bank, the bank would ask for a business permit, however home-based businesses cannot get a permit if the address is not in a business zone. A business permit is only granted to an enterprise established in an approved area and is different from a residential area, based on Bylaw No.1/2014 on detailed spatial planning. (wnd)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Sun, April 15, 2018 17:23 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceb7815 1 National crocodile-attack,Riau,#Riau,Meranti-Islands,sago,Indonesia Free

A contract worker of a sago plantation, Hongkiat, died after being attacked by a crocodile while he was harvesting sago for a factory owned by PT National Sago Prima in Meranti Islands regency, Riau province, the police said on Sunday.

Meranti Islands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. La Ode Proyek, said the tragedy happened while the 18-year-old man was working on Saturday with other workers to collect sago branches in Kepau Baru village in Tebing Tinggi Timur district in the regency. The workplace accident was witnessed by his fellow workers, he said Sunday.

Hongkiat screamed for help when the crocodile bit his right leg. Other workers and his brother, Aking, who was fishing about 20 meters from the location tried to help but the crocodile pulled him into the river. After searching for almost four hours, the villagers and other workers of the company found him dead. His body was intact except for the bite wound to his right leg, Proyek said.

The police warned the workers around the waters to be careful because the accident was not the first of its kind reported there. (evi)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tyler Cowen (Bloomberg) New York, United States  Sun, April 15, 2018 18:00 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceb8802 2 World Syria,war,prediction Free

Some strategic games are too complex to be readily modeled, and when we see such games in the real world thats exactly when we should be the most worried. Thats my immediate reaction to the situation in Syria and environs.

Consider the distinct yet interrelated clashes going on. Not only did the US strike early Saturday at Syrias chemical weapons facilities after the regime used such weapons against its citizens in Douma. Tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating. It seems that Israel recently bombed Syria to limit that countrys support of Iran-backed Hezbollah and to send a signal to Iran. There has also been talk that Hezbollah concentrations in Lebanon will lead to another conflict there. The situation in Gaza has heated up again, with Israeli fire against Palestinian demonstrators leading to significant casualties. As a sideshow to these struggles, US President Donald Trump declined to certify that Iran was in compliance with its nuclear accord and may ditch the deal altogether. In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahus government faces significant corruption charges.

The situation between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been worsening, and their proxy war in Yemen has assumed greater significance. Yemeni rebels have been firing missiles into Saudi Arabia, and a big hit may eventually get through the missile shield. Saudi Arabia has recently undergone a major shift in power, seeing some mix of a revolution, internal coup and crackdown on dissent.

Other related stories involve a regionally active and untrustworthy Turkish regime, Saudi displeasure at the shift of Qatar into Irans orbit, and the possibility that Trump will use a Middle East conflict either to try to show he is tough with Russia or to distract attention from special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. By the way, the US is in the midst of restructuring its National Security Council, probably in a more hawkish direction, and there is no confirmed secretary of state. Toss in the recent Russian use of a nerve agent for an attempted assassination in the UK

Some historical events are relatively easy to model with game theory: the Cuban Missile crisis, many of the Cold War proxy wars, the crisis over North Korean nuclear weapons. In those conflicts, the number of relevant parties is small and each typically has some degree of internal cohesion.

To find a situation comparable to the Middle East today, with so many involved countries, and so many interrelationships between internal and external political issues, one has to go back to the First World War, not an entirely comforting thought.

The situation right before that war had many distinct yet related moving parts, including the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the imperialist scramble for colonies, the prior Balkan Wars, a rising Germany seeking parity or superiority with Great Britain, an unstable alliance system, an unworkable Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the complex internal politics of Russia, which eventually led to the Bolshevik Revolution.

What do we learn from the history of that time? Well, even if the chance of war was high by early 1914, it was far from obvious that the Central Powers attack on France, Belgium and Russia would be set off by a political assassination in the Balkans.

Nonetheless, in sufficiently complex situations, chain reactions can cause small events to cascade into big changes. In World War I, one goal behind the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was to break off parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire into a new Yugoslavia. The empire responded by making some demands on Serbia, which were not heeded, a declaration of war followed, and the alliance system activated broader conflicts across Europe.

If you dont quite follow how a single assassination, which was not even seen as so important the day it occurred, triggered the death of so many millions, and the destruction of so much of Europe, that is exactly the point. When there is no clear way for observers to model the situation, a single bad event can take on a very large significance and for reasons that are not entirely explicable.

In todays Middle East, we also have a broadly festering situation across multiple fronts, with many smaller players, lots of internal political struggles and unstable political units, and commitments from some major external powers, including the U.S., Russia, Iran and Turkey. I find that an uncomfortably close analogy with 1914.

Optimists such as Steven Pinker might suggest that todays situation in the Middle East is more likely to converge into peace, or only limited struggles, than a major war. But this is not just about the most likely outcome, it is also about the expected value of what will happen. Even a small chance of a major escalation probably makes this messy situation the No. 1 issue facing the world right now.

And if youre grumpy about the inability of social scientists or the news media to explain it to you in simple terms, that is exactly why the situation is so dangerous.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg View columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His books include The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States  Sun, April 15, 2018 21:25 1264 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cec3685 2 World trump,Syria,attack,missile-launch Free

US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his having hailed a US and allied strike in Syria as "Mission Accomplished."

The phrase immediately evoked former president George W. Bush's premature Iraq victory speech on board the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003.

A banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" loomed in the background as Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq, a claim belied by the years of hard fighting that followed.

Trump resurrected the phrase in a tweet Saturday after the strikes launched by US, British and French forces in response to an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian regime that killed more 40 people in a rebel-held town near Damascus.

"The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished.'

The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished. I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

"I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!" he tweeted on Sunday.

US military officials said the air strikes took out "the heart" of Syria's chemical weapons facilities, but it remained to be seen how Syria would respond.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Lisandra Paraguassu and Roberta Rampton (Reuters) Lima  Sun, April 15, 2018 09:35 1265 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cea59c7 2 World united-states,venezuela,Mike-Pence,Latin-America Free

The United States urged regional leaders on Saturday to take stronger steps to isolate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as it joined a declaration condemning the worsening humanitarian crisis and political repression in the South American nation.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told the Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital that immediate action was needed as Venezuela gears up for presidential elections on May 20 that have been condemned by many regional leaders as a farce to legitimize Maduro's rule.

For the first time, the United States backed a statement by heads of state from the Lima Group of nations - established last year to seek a peaceful end to Venezuela's political turmoil - which called on Maduro to release political prisoners and hold free elections.

Despite an economic collapse that has driven an estimated 3 million people to flee his once-prosperous OPEC nation, Maduro is expected to win next month's poll. Venezuela's two most popular opposition leaders are banned from competing and electoral authorities are stacked with government supporters.

"The United States of America will not stand idly by as Venezuela crumbles," Pence said in a speech. "Every free nation gathered here must take stronger action to isolate the Maduro regime. We must all stand with our brothers and sisters suffering in Venezuela."

The statement by the Lima Group voiced alarm at an exodus of migrants from Venezuela and urged governments to intensify actions aimed at restoring democracy. Washington has already targeted senior members of Maduro's administration with sanctions due to accusations of corruption and rights abuses.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raised the prospect in February that this could be broadened to restrict Venezuela's exports of crude oil and its imports of U.S. refined products. Neighboring countries' frustration with Maduro's socialist government has been stoked by the arrival of thousands of hungry migrants across the border into Colombia and Brazil every day.

Call for humanitarian aid

The joint statement called on international organizations to offer support to neighboring countries to cope with the arrivals and for Maduro to allow access for humanitarian aid to his nation of 30 million people - something he has refused to do, denying there is a crisis. "To have in Maduro a leader that will not allow humanitarian aid into his own country as people are starving and people are dying is unconscionable," Pence said.

Addressing red-shirted supporters at an "anti-imperialist" rally in Caracas, Maduro branded the meeting in Lima as "a complete failure" and said Latin American presidents were wasting their time criticizing him. Maduro was banned from the Lima gathering due to regional censure of his democratic record.

Hosting the summit, Peru has sought the broadest possible support for the document from governments outside the 14-nation Lima Group - which includes regional heavyweights such as Brazil, Mexico and Canada but not the United States.

However, efforts to build momentum behind the statement were hit by the last-minute cancellation of U.S. President Donald Trump's attendance. In the end, the statement was signed by 16 nations, fewer than half of the 35 countries that are members of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Previous efforts to build consensus behind strongly worded condemnations of Venezuela at the OAS have run into resistance not just from Caracas' left-leaning allies such as Cuba and Bolivia, but Caribbean nations that have benefited from Venezuela's subsidized oil programmers.

The official theme of the Lima summit was the fight against corruption and leaders agreed a statement calling for improvements in transparency of public tenders, more independent and accountable judiciaries and stronger international cooperation on money laundering.

However, the meeting was overshadowed by U.S. air strikes in Syria in retaliation for what Washington said was a chemical weapons attack by President Bashar al-Assad's government. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced strong support for the air strikes by the United States, France and Britain, several Latin American nations including Brazil, Argentina and Peru expressed caution about the escalating military action.

"There's deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria," Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. "It's time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives."
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Mon, April 16 2018

A Supreme Court ruling asserting that it is unconstitutional to entrust the management of water distribution to a private entity has prompted the Jakarta city administration to promise to go back to public water management. Given the daunting task, the remunicipalization effort is only the beginning of fresh red tape, before customers may eventually obtain decent services, The Jakarta Posts Safrin La Batu reports.



About 600 poor families in Kapuk Muara, a fishing village in the Jakar...
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Athens Zaw Zaw and Sam Jahan (Agence France-Presse) Yangon/Dhaka  Sun, April 15, 2018 14:07 1265 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ceade47 2 SE Asia Rohingya,Myanmar,Bangladesh,Rohingya-Muslims Free

Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya refugees, among 700,000 who fled a brutal crackdown, but the move was slammed by rights groups as a publicity stunt which ignored warnings over the security of returnees.

The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid refugee camps across the border in Bangladesh since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless campaign against the community in northern Rakhine state last August.

The UN says the operation amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

Bangladesh and Myanmar vowed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation.

According to a Myanmar government statement posted late Saturday, one family of refugees became the first to be processed in newly built reception centres earlier in the day.

"The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the government's Information Committee.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, told AFP the family had been living in a camp erected on a patch of "no man's land" between the two countries.

Several thousand Rohingya have been living in the zone since August, crammed into a cluster of tents beyond a barbed-wire fence which roughly demarcates the border zone between the two countries.

"They were not under our jurisdiction, therefore, we cannot confirm whether there would be more people waiting to go back (to Myanmar)," he told AFP.

A Rohingya community leader in the camp also confirmed the family's return.

According to the Myanmar statement, immigration authorities provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by Rohingya leaders who want full rights.

Photos posted alongside the statement showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks.

It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Maungdaw town after "finishing the repatriation process."

Myanmar officials could not be reached for more details.

The post did not mention plans for further returnees expected in the near future.

'PR exercise'

The move comes despite warnings from the UN and other rights groups that a mass repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar has yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades.

The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their long roots in Rakhine state.

They have been targeted by waves of violence, systematically stripped of their citizenship and forced to live in apartheid-like conditions with severely restricted access to health care, education and other basic services.

Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) blasted the repatriation announcement as "a public relations exercise in an attempt to deflect attention from the need for accountability for crimes committed in Rakhine State".

"Before proceeding with the repatriation of Rohingya, the Myanmar government must recognise and guarantee all their fundamental human rights," he told AFP.

The UN maintains that much work needs to be done before repatriation can be safe and dignified.

Myanmar must address "critical issues of freedom of movement, social cohesion, livelihoods, and access to services", Ursula Mueller, secretary general for the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told AFP earlier this month after a visit to Rakhine.

Many Rohingya refugees say they fear returning to a country where they saw their relatives murdered by soldiers and Buddhist vigilantes who drove them from their homes.

Doctors Without Borders says the violence claimed at least 6,700 Rohingya lives in the first month alone.

Myanmar authorities have since bulldozed many of the burned villages, raising alarm from rights groups who say they are erasing evidence of atrocities and obscuring the Rohingya's ties to the country.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali has started to sell duty-free products in its international arrival terminal, said to be the first such shop in Indonesia.

The store allows passengers to shop more easily once they have landed, said Yanus Suprayogi, general manager of the airport, on Friday to Antara.

The airport collaborated with PT Dufrindo Internasional in building the 298-square meter shop.

Located in the arrival terminal, the shop is directly supervised by the customs office.

Read also: Indonesia to go ahead with North Bali airport development

Robi Toni, director of customs at the airport, said Indonesia was ready to compete with other countries, noting that more than 50 countries had a similar duty-free on arrival facility.

We provide special packaging for products bought at Ngurah Rais airport to make identifying them easier, he said.

Robi added that, in the one week since the launch, around 85 percent of the shoppers were foreign travellers. The rest were mostly Indonesians coming home after traveling overseas. (wng)
Ternate city, located on Ternate Island in North Maluku, is home to numerous forts and historical buildings erected by different European empires extending their influence to the region.

Here are four spots not to miss during a visit to the city, as compiled by Kompas.com.

Fort Kalamata

Fort Kalamata was built by the Portuguese in 1540. Located in the Kayu Merah subdistrict in South Ternate, it is also commonly known as Kayu Merah Fort.

It was restored by Dutch governor-general Pieter Both in 1609 and occupied by the Spanish in 1625.

Fort Kalamata is shaped like a star, as it was designed to resemble the four corners of the world, with four pointed fortresses and gunshot points. The fort is located on the beach and visible from the neighboring islands of Tidore and Maitara.

Palace of the Sultan Museum

The Palace of the Ternate Sultanate was built in 1813 by Sultan Muhammahad Ali, and it is in use by the Sultanate family until today. The palace sits on Limau Hill in Sao Siau and spans across 1,500 square meters.

The main building has an octagonal shape that resembles a lion sitting with its front legs facing the sea and with Mount Gamalama in the background.

The palace also houses a museum, which in turn houses historical objects of the arts, ceramics, as well as archaeological items. It also displays heritage items of the Sultanate of Ternate and from Europe, such as crowns, thrones, war equipment, clothes and a handwritten Quran.

Read also: Essential guide to remote travel in eastern Indonesia

Fort Tolukko

Fort Tolukko is located on the eastern side of Ternate Island. The fort was built in what is today the Sangaji subdistrict and sits on a hill overlooking the sea.

Build by Portuguese commander Fernando Serrao in 1540, the location was deemed strategic as it could monitor the arrival of ships and also deploy troops to the seas. Its peak affords views of the Maluku Sea, Tidore Island and the western coast of Halmahera Island.

Fort Oranje

Fort Oranje was built in 1607 when a Dutch East India Company (VOC) admiral named Cornelis de Jonge Matelieff was granted permission to build the fortress after helping the Sultan of Ternate expel the Spanish from the island.

Built on top of an undated Malay Sultan's fortress, it was known as Fort Malay.

In 1609, the first Dutch authority in Ternate, Paul Van Carden, renamed it into Fort Oranje, after the House of Orange.

In 1613, the Maluku region became the center of the VOC authority, with Ternate and Ambon chosen as the official places of residence of the governor-general.

As Ternate began to play a bigger role, Fort Oranje became the official place for the Dutch East Indies Council and remained the headquarters of the VOC until it was moved to Batavia in 1619. (liz/wng)
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) announced the availability of sleeper train cars to serve the coming exodus season of Idul Fitri in June. The sleeper cars fall under the luxury train category, with a first-class service similar to those offered by airlines.

Four sleeper cars will arrive prior to Idul Fitri, and we hope they can be in operation by then, said PT KAI president director Edi Sukmoro at Gambir Station on Friday, as reported by kompas.com.

The train cars are called "sleepers" because passengers will be able to recline their seats to a sleeping position. Edi likens this to an airplanes first class seats that also recline to a sleeping position, as well as offer extra facilities such as TV, gourmet food and more.

Read also: Thousands register to join free trips for Idul Fitri exodus

Those interested in trying out the sleeper cars will have to pay about Rp 900,000 (US$65), above the average price of a priority class train ticket.

Passengers can get proper sleep during their trip. We are preparing this for a long-distance route, Jakarta to Surabaya, Edi said.

According to Edi, it is time for Indonesians to have a luxury mode of transportation like other countries. The sleeper cars are also manufactured locally.

In the starting stage, PT KAI will operate four sleeper cars where each will be attached to existing cars. The trial run also serves as the companys way of testing the publics interest to determine whether or not PT KAI will produce more sleeper train cars in the future. (asw)
As the "Africa of Sumbawa", Tambora certainly has great tourism potential.

One of its gems is of course Mount Tambora National Park, which is blessed with many natural highlights.

"Tambora has a giant caldera of around 7 kilometers in diameter, which is proof of how gigantic its eruption was back in 1815. It also home to splendid nature, such as fall-season forest, high-landscape forest and savanna forest, which is why it is dubbed the Africa of Sumbawa," the park's agency head Raden Agus Budi Santosa recently told The Jakarta Post.

It often holds activities as well, such as Wana Trail Tambora and Tambora Charms Conservation Camp, which are currently ongoing as part of the 2018 Pesona Tambora Festival.

Located on the island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), within Dompu and Bima regencies, the 2,850-meter mountain particularly attracts biodiversity enthusiasts as it is a habitat for a variety of endemic species such as rusa timor, burung gosong kaki merah, burung koakiau, burung kipasan flores, nuri pipi merah and others.

Read also: Six Indonesian mountain peaks to climb this New Year

Agus said several new species had also been found following an expedition conducted by an Indonesian Science Institution (LIPI) team in 2015. One of the identified species has Tambora in its last name.

"There was one species that was identified by LIPI and named Cirtodaxtylus tamboresis, which is a type of lizard with a curved claw. Other species found during the expedition are currently still being identified," added Agus.

Tambora is also home to endemic plant species, such as the Elaocarpus batudulangi, which is a plant species that has a very limited spread and is only found in NTB's Batudulang and Tambora.

"Tambora is also a habitat of rajumas, kukun and several types of guava."

In terms of landscape, the park hosts natural water spots, such as the Oi Marai River in Kawindatoi village, where seven waterfalls can be found along the river stream. "One of these waterfalls is Air Terjun Bidadari, which is 20 meters in height."

For adrenaline seekers, the area is also convenient for jungle trekking, horse riding, off-road, river tubing, camping and other adventurous activities.

Agus said the park was expecting to attract at least 5,000 visitors this year, adding that the number of tourists coming to the site had increased quite significantly following its designation as a national park in April 2015. "Previously only around 200 people come to this park per year." (kes)
Emma Watson has never been your typical celebrity. For starters, when Alfonso Cuaron, the director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, asked the actors to write something about their characters, she wrote a whole essay, while Daniel Radcliffe wrote a few paragraphs and Rupert Grint didn't write anything at all.

She proved from a very young age that she was, indeed, perfect as Hermione, further confirming it when she graduated in English Literature from Brown University, after having attended Oxford University for a semester.

Let's all remember that Hermione was also not only an outstanding student, but she was also an activist. Those who took the time to read the books will remember how Hermione, after learning that housekeeping in Hogwarts was carried out by house elves, created the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, through which she kept fighting for the dignity and rights of house elves. Watson is no different from Hermione, over the years having joined and launched campaigns supporting diverse causes.

@the_press_tour, In 2009, at only nineteen years old, she was involved with People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand. She was an ambassador of the brand until 2012, but this is not the only fashion activism that Watson has done. When promoting Beauty and the Beast last year, Watson only wore clothes that were ethically made, and created an instagram account,to promote ethical fashion, which she still uses whenever she attends an event.

HeForShe But arguably the most important activism that Emma Watson has done is fighting for the rights of women. In 2014, Watson became a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, after visiting several developing countries to promote education for girls. That same year, she gave her worldwide famous speech in the UN Headquarters to launch the UN campaign

She explained how she had always felt somehow discriminated against for being a woman, by being called bossy for wanting to do the same things as the boys or by being sexualised at a very young age, and she declared herself a feminist. She was hugely criticised for this, which, according to her, only motivated her more.

Our Shared Shelf Since then, she has not stopped working to promote women's rights. She created a Goodreads bookclub,, where every month she recommends book about equality for everyone to read. Former books included 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Mom & Me & Mom' and 'The Vagina Monologues'. She also created the Book Fairies, an initiative to leave books around the world for everybody to read and then to leave again for someone else to find them. She has been actively leaving books around, even in the London Underground!

And, of course, Emma Watson joined the Time's Up campaign and dressed in black for the Golden Globes in January. But she went one step further: as a date to the ceremony, she took Marai Larasi, the director of an organization that fights for black and ethnic women's rights.

So who better than Emma Watson to have as a role model? Not only is she a great actress, but she is also a fierce activist, a fashion icon and a genuinely good student. Looking up to Emma Watson means to learn that things like studying, worrying about the origins of what you wear, and fighting for your rights and against discrimination is important and, most of all, it's cool. So let's all look up to Emma Watson, because she is the only role model we need.
Disregarding the questionable plot and the nauseating age gap between the two main leads, Flashdance paved the way for the MTV era of choreography-based musical films such as Footloose (1984) and Dirty Dancing (1987).

Instead of relying on songs sung by the characters to progress the narrative, choreographed dance routines were the focal point, and often played a role in the main characters aspirations.

Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) in Footloose wanted to lift the ban on dancing and rock music, and Frances Baby Houseman truly finds herself during a family vacation through learning to dance, after becoming infatuated with the camps dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze).

Finding and liberating oneself through dance fully came to fruition in Flashdance, in which eighteen-year-old steel mill worker Alexandra Alex Owens (Jennifer Beal) strives to be a professional dancer  even though she has no formal dance training  and so fulfils her ambition by exotic dancing at the local bar.

To appreciate Flashdance, however, you need to avoid the narrative entirely and instead focus on the way in which the film is presented. The emphasis on music, performance, and choreography successfully hides the problems presented in the story. People tend to call back to the famous audition sequence towards the end of the film or the Maniac routine, rather than the narrative of the film.

Its these aspects that created the Flashdance legacy, and to facilitate these scenes, cinematographer Donald Peterman and editors Walt Mulconery and Bud Smith adapted to a style of fast-paced, highly edited filmmaking that became the norm for music videos in the 1980s.

Flashdance was the first film to fully embrace the promotional music video, more or less lifting the Maniac and What a Feeling sequences from the movie, supplying them to MTV, which the channel would then air in regular rotation. It was through MTV that Flashdance became an iconic hit, demonstrating how music video tie-ins could successfully promote a film and attract additional floods of audiences that may not have known of the film otherwise.

Flashdance earned over $4 million on its opening weekend, which then skyrocketed to over $90 million in its 27th week in 1983. You only have to watch the sequence for Maniac to instantly feel the need to watch the rest of Flashdance; if the choreography is that good in one clip, then it must be in the rest of the film  which it was.

Thats not to say that Flashdance doesnt have a positive message. If one were to summarize the story, its about a group of young adults  Alex especially  that work mundane jobs and dream to make something greater of themselves, which ultimately works out for Alex in the end  with the questionable help of her much, much older lover/boss Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri).

Luckily, Beal portrays the character of Alex with such charisma and relatability that overall, youre drawn to liking her and therefore rooting for her to eventually grasp her dream, no matter how she gets there. The let down comes from how she is portrayed as a strong woman in a mans world, who ultimately reaches her dream by a man helping her to do so. That still just doesnt sit right.

Even though Flashdance has its obvious downfalls, it makes up for it in the influence that it would eventually bring to the films that succeed it. If it wasnt for Flashdance, there would be none of the famous dance-orientated films that followed (Footloose and Dirty Dancing), the heavy airplay of sequences from Princes Purple Rain (1984) on MTV or even the production, promotion and release of Top Gun (1986) and Beverly Hills Cop (1984), two films that were produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer after the initial success of Flashdance.

Its strange to think how in context, Flashdance was a small film in comparison to those surrounding it in 1983. It starred little-to-unknown actors and actresses and was directed by a filmmaker that had only three movies under his belt before its release (but who would go onto direct 9 Weeks, Fatal Attraction, Jacobs Ladder and Lolita).

What an energy Flashdance provided to the early 80s, and still provides with an everlasting legacy that can still be felt today.
She has cracked open the genre of rap and hip-hop, of the music industry as a whole, like a Christmas walnut. Laying naked in broad daylight is the fleshy interior of hyper-masculinity, homogeneity and gossip. Shes dangerous and naughty; unapologetically true to herself. She is a shining beacon for aspiring black, female rappers. Nicki is the first female rapper to ever debut atop the UK charts and boasts seven singles on the Billboard 100 at one given time.became the biggest female rap solo single in a decade, and her debut album Pink Friday went platinum in record time. Shes sold over 25 million singles as a lead artist, and 60 million as a featured act. Shes been streamed on Spotify over 17 million times.But more than all of that, Nicki is an embodiment of hip-hop authenticity and the popularity of rap music across all demographics. Her return to the hip-hop spotlight is a step back into her role as an influential female Chart filler. Bothandhave turned her fans into a wild squabble of geese chasing the last piece of bread, despite some critics still doling out the typical repartee that her success ultimately boils down to her beef with fellow female artists. It is important to look at (arguably the less of the two tracks, but certainly most talked about)for what it really represents. Like the first female character introduced to thefranchise in 1991, Nicki Minaj has been a key representative of her gender in a male-dominated world. The track itself is an empowered, assertive homage to the ancient Chinese sounds of Chun-Li. Combining giant cymbals, sluggish sax tones and a thick beat, Nicki flaunts her craftsmanship as an intricate, yet bolshie lyricist.speaks volumes for whats to come on her fourth upcoming album.is vintage Minaj. Her bellicose vocals, (Pussy so good his ex wanna still fight me / Face so pretty bitches wish they could slice me) sit atop rattling percussion and heavy synths making for the definitive Im-drunk-and-pissed-at-life moment in the club. The track isnt without controversy either, back-handing her competition with effortless poise, Had to come off IG so they cant stalk me / All they do is copy looks, steal music too.

So why cant weappreciate Nickis new tracks for the utterly addictive beats that they are? Nicki Minajs presence is all-encompassing; a black woman, in a male-dominated industry who just so happens to make more noise (on the spectrum of popular culture) than all of them put together. She's unapologetically true to herself, dominating Twitter feeds, Facebook timelines and Pinterest boards for all the right and wrong reasons. Her fashion choices, her curves, outspoken nature, are all in the forefront of the social media repertoire. Women in the hip-hop industry are often still seen as commodities rather than artists in their own right. Nicki Minajs music, however, reposts this old framework and allows, even encourages her, to take her own sexuality into her hands. Is this creative process, this ability to duck and dive between demographics, this complete command of her own ability, frightening for some? Sure. But that definitely wont stop her, if anything, it will only spur her on.
Weve been working with national and local organisations, as well as working closely with our own trans students to develop an action plan outlining what we can do better.

After support staff began noticing a significant increase in the numbers of students seeking help with gender transition or exploring their own gender identities, the university decided they needed to make some improvements to their services, practices and campus facilities. The University has since strengthened its links with charities that work with trans people and have also been speaking to their own trans students, in order to work on plans for supporting trans and non binary students. Overall, focusing on training staff, removing barriers and creating a more inclusive environment. Arron Pile, University of Salford student and graduate diversity officer said: The University of Salford has a proud history of welcoming trans students and were keen to build on this.

Action being taken by the university includes:

Making sure all frontline student services receive training in trans awareness, including making sure staff at the on-site medical centre have a full understanding of trans issues.

Ensuring the Universitys own counselling and wellbeing services are able to refer students who are questioning their own sexuality or gender to outside agencies who are able to provide help.

Installing gender neutral toilets in all University buildings  as a choice alongside the existing male and female toilets  by the end of November 2018.

Providing optional non-gender specific titles, such as Mx and asking all students what pronouns they prefer to use during online student registration - this will be starting from September 2018 with the new intake of freshers.



Becoming a third party reporting centre for anyone who wants to report hate crimes they may have experience.

Half of all trans students have considered dropping out of university, and of those who had considered dropping out, around two thirds mentioned the feeling of not fitting in, while just two in ten trans students feel completely safe on campus, according to a 2014 report by The National Union of Students (NUS).

,

The progressive steps being taken by Salford University will hopefully have a significant impact, particularly as they focus on addressing many difficulties trans students say they experience at university and on campuses. Whatsmore, by amending gender-exclusive policies and practices, trans and non binary students will hopefully feel safer and more comfortable on campus.

As well as taking actions to become more inclusive, the university has

also co-curated the national exhibition

Twilight People

at their MediaCityUK campus, raising visibility around gender identity in faith, and will be exploring the story of LGBT migrants in their

Rainbow Pilgrims

exhibition on May 16th.
Busted! Major Task Force hits 21 locations in the @LAFashionDist and nets $700,000 in Counterfeit cosmetics found to contain bacteria and human waste. The best price is not always the best deal! #ProtectingOurCommunity pic.twitter.com/gliJ8L2F9F  Captain Marc Reina (@LAPDMarcReina) April 13, 2018

Yes, you did read that correctly. Actual human poo.Counterfeit cosmetics are cropping up everywhere but this particular discovery in America is seriously grim. Captain Marc Reina shared a photo of the makeup in question on Twitter, writing: Busted! Major Task Force hits 21 locations in the @LAFashionDist and nets $700,000 in Counterfeit cosmetics found to contain bacteria and human waste. The best price is not always the best deal! #ProtectingOurCommunity.Kylie has previously warned her fans to not be fooled by fake products, reminding them her collection is only available via KylieCosmetics.com. However, this doesnt seem to have stopped some fans who purchased the conterfeit cosmetics and experienced adverse effects, like rashes and bumps. Six people were arrested in the raid all will be charged with trademark violations, while fifteen others were served cease and desist orders not to continue selling fake makeup. Rubbing makeup containing actual traces of poo on your face is pretty icky and shows that while high-end products may be pricey it's always better to buy the real thing rather than a cheaper, fake alternative.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
So far, the worst of the icy weather has remained in Ontario this weekend. That will change today as freezing rain develops in Montreal this afternoon. Hundreds of accidents were reported by the Ontario Provincial Police on Saturday alone. Travel remains very poor Sunday.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The Seneca Indian Nation on Thursday renewed its fight with New York state over its construction of the Thruway across reservation land more than 60 years ago.

A federal lawsuit naming Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other state officials seeks to force the state to get federal approval for the toll road, which the Senecas say the state failed to do before building it. Tribal leaders say they are entitled to a share of tolls from the three-mile stretch that bisects the Cattaraugus Reservation.

After decades of seeing our property invaded without authorization from the federal government that is required to protect our native land, we find it necessary to take legal action against these state officials, Seneca President Todd Gates said.

It is the latest in a series of maneuvers involving a section of Interstate 90 dating back at least 25 years. After a federal magistrate judge dismissed a similar lawsuit in 1999, finding the state was immune from the legal action, the western New York tribe in 2007 sent a $2 million bill for back tolls during a dispute with the state over cigarette taxes. In 2009, with the state poised to enforce cigarette tax collections, tribal leaders threatened to collect their own $2 tolls from vehicles.

The Seneca Nation and state are currently at odds over whether the nation is obligated to share revenue from its three casinos with the state.

Thruway officials cite a 1954 easement for the Thruway granted by the Seneca Nation for which the tribe received $75,000.

We have defended that position in the past and will continue to do so going forward, New York State Thruway Authority spokesman Jonathan Dougherty said.

The new lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, contends nation leaders were pressured by the state into agreeing to the easement at a time when the state was considering eliminating the Senecas Allegany reservation and displacing those who lived there. The U.S. Interior Department never gave the required federal approval to the easement, according to the complaint.

Gates said the roadway has hindered economic development on the rural Seneca territory.

The Senecas stopped making casino payments to New York a year ago, saying the nations financial obligation under a 2002 compact with New York had expired after 14 years and $1.4 billion in payments. The state, which shared the proceeds with the casino host cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, disputes the interpretation and believes the payments should continue. The matter is expected to be settled in arbitration.

(AP)
When Alice Gerstel bid an emotional farewell to her familys closest friends in October 1941, she was hopeful shed see Little Simon Gronowski again. And she did  76 years later and half a world away from where they were separated in Brussels.

Gerstel and her Jewish family had hidden in the Gronowskis home for nearly two weeks before her father sent word from France that he had reached a deal with a smuggler who would get her, her siblings and their mother safely out of Nazi-occupied Belgium.

The Gronowskis, also Jewish, decided to stay. They hid for 18 months until the Nazis came knocking at the familys door and put Simon, his sister and mother on a death train to Auschwitz.

I thought the entire family was murdered. I had no idea, Gerstel (now Gerstel Weit) said Wednesday, the day after their tearful reunion. She and her friend clutched hands at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust as they recounted their story.

You didnt know that I jumped off the train? asked Gronowski, now 86.

No, no. I didnt know anything, his 89-year-old friend replied.

The two will return to the museum Sunday to recount to visitors how the Holocaust ripped apart a pair of families that had become fast friends after a chance meeting at a Belgian beach resort in 1939. How it led an 11-year-old boy to make one of the most daring escapes of the war. How it put the other family on a perilous journey through occupied France that reads like a scene from the film Casablanca.

And, finally, how those separate journeys culminated three-quarters of a century later in a joyful, tear-streaked reunion in Los Angeles just before Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Commemoration Day.

I didnt recognize him at all. I dont see Little Simon, Gerstel Weit said Wednesday of her previous days reunion with the now-bald, white-bearded man who sat next to her chuckling.

But hes here. Little Simon is here, she added, her voice breaking as she put her hand over Gronowskis heart.

There was much hugging, kissing and crying Wednesday as the two old friends held hands tightly while sitting outside on a museum patio to share memories from a long-ago past.

It was a past that began idyllically before turning nightmarish after the Nazis invaded Belgium in 1940 and began rounding up Jews.

Gerstel Weits father, a diamond dealer with a wife and four children, decided to flee in 1941. He turned his diamonds into cash, bought nine visas that got his family and brothers family through Nazi-occupied France and to the French-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca. There they boarded a ship bound for Cuba.

Gronowskis father believed naively he and his family would be safe hiding in Brussels.

My father was not very conscious to tension. My father was not political. He was a poet. He wrote in six languages, Gronowski said, pausing to wipe away tears.

And like so many of the families he remember in Brussels, he continued in Dutch-accented English, he cannot believe that in Europe of the 20th century, of that civilization, he cannot believe that Germany can fall into barbarism.

When the Nazis arrived, Gronowskis father was in a hospital. His wife quickly lied, telling them he was dead and sparing him from Auschwitz.

It was on a train to that death camp a few weeks later that she saved her son, pushing him toward the door of the boxcar they were in and telling him to jump.

After the war he reunited with his father and eventually moved back to the apartment where he grew up. He rented out the other units and used the money to pay for law school. He is a practicing attorney in Brussels.

Gerstel Weits family immigrated to the United States, where she married, had two sons and eventually settled in Los Angeles and a career in real estate.

Immediately after the war, her family tried to locate the Gerstels. Gronowski eventually wrote back to her late older brother Zoltan, telling him his sister and mother had died at Auschwitz and his father had since passed away. For some reason, Zoltan never told his family Little Simon survived.

She learned he was alive six months ago when her nephew searched her maiden name online looking for more family history. He came across Gronowskis 2002 memoir, The Child of the 20th Train, in which her family is mentioned prominently.

Gronowski says he believes Gerstel Weits brother was too distraught to say much about his family. His 18-year-old sister, Ita, had been Zoltan Gerstels girlfriend in Belgium, and he had professed his love for her repeatedly in wartime letters, including some she never lived to see.

Gronowskis own father could never come to grips with the Holocaust either, he said. For a time, Leon Gronowski held out hope his wife and daughter somehow survived and he would find them.

But when we received information of the concentration camps, the gas chamber, the mountains of corpses, my father understood that his wife and his daughter would not come back. And he died of , he said, his voice trailing off.

Of a broken heart? Gerstel Weit asked.

Of a broken heart, he replied.

(AP)
The elephant staggered and keeled over in the tall grass in southern Tanzania, where some of the worlds worst poaching has happened.

It wasnt a killer who targeted her but a conservation official, immobilizing her with a dart containing drugs. Soon she was snoring loudly, and they propped open her trunk with a twig to help her breathe. They slid a 26-pound (12-kilogram) GPS tracking collar around the rough skin of her neck and injected an antidote, bringing her back to her feet. After inspecting the contraption with her trunk, she ambled back to her family herd.

The operation was part of a yearlong effort to collar and track 60 elephants in and around Tanzanias Selous Game Reserve, widely acknowledged as Ground Zero in the poaching that has decimated Africas elephants in recent years. The Associated Press traveled to the area to witness how the battle to save the continents elephants is gaining some momentum, with killings declining and some herds showing signs of recovery. Legal ivory markets are shrinking worldwide, and law enforcement has broken up some key trafficking syndicates, say experts.

But its far too early to declare a turnaround. Poachers are moving to new areas and traffickers are adapting, aided by entrenched corruption. The rate of annual elephant losses still exceeds the birth rate. And the encroachment of human settlements is reducing the animals range.

The trend in poaching is going in the right direction, but we have a long way to go before we can feel comfortable about the future for elephants, said Chris Thouless of Save the Elephants, a group based in Kenya, where elephant numbers are rising again.

In a move to crack down on demand, Britain this month announced a ban on ivory sales. In China, trade in ivory and ivory products is illegal as of 2018. And in the U.S., a ban on ivory apart from items older than 100 years went into place in 2016.

If poaching can be brought under control here in Tanzania, there is hope that the killing of elephants can be stemmed elsewhere on the continent.

Africas elephant population has plummeted from millions around 1900 to at least 415,000 today. Intelligent and emotional, with highly developed social behavior, elephants have been hunted for their ivory for centuries. A ban on commercial trade in ivory across international borders went into effect in 1990, but many countries continued to allow the domestic buying and selling of ivory.

Increased demand from consumers in China fueled a new wave of killings.

In Tanzania alone, the elephant population declined by 60 percent to 43,000 between 2009 and 2014, according to the government. Much of the slaughter happened in an ecosystem comprising the Selous and the adjacent Mikumi National Park. A tourist guide told The Associated Press that several years ago, he and a client saw an elephant family at sunset in the Selous reserve. They returned the next day to the ghastly sight of carcasses of elephants slaughtered for their tusks.

The killings in Tanzania appear to have slowed down. A count in the Selous-Mikumi area last year added up 23 carcasses of poached elephants, just 20 percent of the number found four years earlier. And African elephant poaching has declined to pre-2008 levels after reaching a peak in 2011, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Its a positive trend, but there is speculation there is a dearth of elephants to kill in many areas.

All the easy elephants are dead, said Drew McVey, East Africa manager for the WWF conservation group.

In Tanzanias Selous region, more newborn elephants are visible and confident elephants are moving more widely outside unfenced, officially protected areas, said Edward Kohi, principal research officer with the state Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute and leader of the GPS collaring program funded by WWF. The collars are designed to allow rangers to track the movement of elephant herds, and then mobilize to protect them if they move into poaching hotspots. By receiving satellite-transmitted data on mobile phones, rangers could also intercept elephants that drift into a human settlement or fields of crops.

Adam Rajeta, a farmer and cattle herder living next to Mikumi park, said elephants sometimes cause havoc.

During the harvesting season, they come close to our homes, Rajeta said. When they do, we beat drums and make noise to scare them and thus protect ourselves. Only with Gods mercy do they leave our neighborhood.

There has also been movement to crack down on trafficking. Tanzanian President John Magufuli, who took office in 2015, took a hard line and authorities have arrested key suspects linked to trafficking syndicates.

However, the fight against the illegal ivory trade is like squeezing a balloon  when gains are made in one area, such as Tanzania, the killings intensify in another spot, like Mozambiques Niassa reserve to the south, which is linked to the Selous by a wildlife corridor. And international seizures of smuggled ivory appear to be as large as ever, a possible sign of hurried efforts by traffickers to move stockpiles before business gets too difficult.

On Friday, media in Mozambique reported the seizure by authorities of more than a ton of elephant ivory that had been stashed in a shipping container by traffickers. It had been bound for Cambodia, the reports said.

Some poaching gangs in Niassa are Tanzanian and there is a lot of movement across the border that includes other illicit trade, including in timber and minerals, said James Bampton, Mozambique director for the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society. The group co-manages Niassa with the government.

There are probably fewer than 2,000 elephants in Niassa, Bampton said. Thats a small fraction of the estimated number a decade ago in Mozambiques main elephant refuge. Periodic thefts of confiscated ivory and rhino horn in Mozambique also raise concerns about official collusion with traffickers.

Another worrying development is evidence of increased processing of ivory tusks into jewelry and trinkets within Africa, instead of the old method of shipping raw ivory out of the continent. This allows traffickers to transport ivory in smaller quantities that are hard to detect and avoids increased scrutiny of ivory-carving operations in Asia.

The challenges of protecting wildlife were apparent to AP journalists who traveled with the collaring team in Mikumi park next to the Selous reserve, a U.N. world heritage site.

Plans to deploy a helicopter to help spot and herd the elephants fell through. Vehicles got stuck in mud. One morning, a startled wildlife official sprinted to his vehicle after briefly entering a toilet labeled Gents at a dirt airstrip. A female lion who had been reclining in a stall sauntered out.

The team sometimes tracked elephants on foot, studying big round footprints, broken branches and the freshness of elephant dung for clues to their whereabouts.

Just two out of a planned five elephants were collared over three days in the Mikumi park. The conservationists refrained from darting elephant matriarchs, instead choosing younger females that they know will follow the group. They also intend to collar often solitary bull elephants.

The elephants displayed their social bonds in one instance, retreating into a defensive circle after hearing the pop of the dart gun. When a female was hit, the others appeared to try to prop up their woozy companion before fleeing.

Suspected traffickers are a threat to more than elephants. In August 2017, conservationist Wayne Lotter, credited with helping Tanzanian authorities dismantle some ivory smuggling operations, was murdered in Dar es Salaam in an apparent hit. Eight people have been arrested for the murder, including two bank officials and several businessmen.

Tanzanias Selous-Mikumi region is known as one of the biggest killing fields for African elephants, but the vast wilderness of about 23,000 square miles (60,000 square kilometers) still offers hope for the worlds biggest land animal.

In 50 to 100 years, said Kohi, the collaring team leader, when the human population is skyrocketing, this will be one of the important areas for the conservation of elephants.

(AP)
[April 15, 2018] FEXCO Partner with Bayad Center to Offer Cash Withdrawal Services to Underserviced Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines, April 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FEXCO - one of the world's leading independent financial technology providers has announced its partnership with Bayad Center, the operator of the Philippines biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform. Cardholders across the Philippines will now be able to withdraw cash using their ATM cards at selected Bayad Center Authorized Agent locations using EasyDebit's PIN Entry Device and the Bayad Centre Retail Machine. The partnership sees FEXCO's EasyDebit's cash withdrawal service offered alongside Bayad Centers existing remittance and bills payment services at selected Bayad Center locations throughout the Philippines, with further roll-out planned in the coming months. EasyDebit works in the same manner as a traditional ATM allowing cardholders to withdraw cash from their checking and savings accounts, also allowing cardholders to do balance inquiries. EasyDebit is accredited to the highest security standards - PCI DSS, minimizing the risk for potential fraud and skimming activities. Speaking at the launch, Ann Chan Foley, CEO at FEXCO Philippines, Inc. commented, "We are excited to announce this collaboration with Bayad Center, by offering EasyDebit's cash withdrawal service through Bayad Center Agents we are significantly increasing access to cash for millions of cardholders throughout the Philippines." Bayad Center's President Mr. Manuel Tuason also commented tat "This partnership is in line with the thrust of Bayad Center in increasing its products and services to provide more convenience in the cash withdrawal service for more Filipinos whenever and wherever they may be."



Servicing underbanked areas of the Philippines, EasyDebit the Philippines first micro ATM, has experienced a 70% increase in its Merchant base for Q1 2018. Through partnering with Sari-Sari Stores, Remittance Centers and General Trade Stores, EasyDebit provides convenience to over 75 million Filipino cardholders who otherwise find it difficult to access their cash from their bank accounts.

Ann Chan Foley concluded, "At FEXCO Philippines, we greatly look forward to working with Bayad Center in rolling out this service and other services as we further extend access to cash and payment services for more Filipinos in the remotest part of the country." Notes to the Editor About FEXCO FEXCO is Ireland's most successful multinational payments, financial and business solutions provider, with operations in 29 countries worldwide. Founded and headquartered in Ireland in 1981, FEXCO employs more than 2,300 people across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America. FEXCO serves some of the world's biggest brands across multiple industries through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. FEXCO also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business. For 36 years FEXCO has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers. To find out more visit http://www.fexco.com About EasyDebit FEXCO has developed a microATM card solution for merchants, that allows such merchants who do not have card terminals to accept debit and ATM cards from customers and enable them to withdraw cash using their cards. To find out more visit http://www.easydebitasia.com About Bayad Center Bayad Center is the country's pioneer and leader in the multi-platform bills payment collection business. To know more about Bayad Center visit http://www.bayadcenter.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average

1

2

3

4

5

Now Poor Little Israel is afraid that Trumpy will leave them alone and unloved LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: kaput

04-15-2018 05:01 AM











Post: #1 Now Poor Little Israel is afraid that Trumpy will leave them alone and unloved

Advertisement Israel fears Trump may see job as done in Syria, leave Israel alone to face Iran





Though strongly backing US-led airstrikes, Jerusalem also reportedly worried Putin may now supply Assad with advanced air-defense systems, reducing Israel's air supremacy



By TOI STAFF

14 April 2018, 9:02 pm 13



While Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly backed the US-led airstrikes on Syria in the wake of its use of chemical weapons, Israeli security chiefs made clear on Saturday night that Israel fears the Trump Administration will now consider that its work in Syria is done, and leave Israel alone to face the dangers posed by Irans growing military presence in Syria.



Israels defense chiefs are also reportedly worried that Russias President Vladimir Putin, seeing Syria under US-led attack, may provide President Bashar Assad with more advanced air defense systems  which could reduce Israels air supremacy in the skies of Syria and Lebanon. A Russian general indicated such an arms supply was possible in comments on Saturday.



https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-fea...face-iran/



So sad, too bad Though strongly backing US-led airstrikes, Jerusalem also reportedly worried Putin may now supply Assad with advanced air-defense systems, reducing Israel's air supremacyBy TOI STAFF14 April 2018, 9:02 pm 13While Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly backed the US-led airstrikes on Syria in the wake of its use of chemical weapons, Israeli security chiefs made clear on Saturday night that Israel fears the Trump Administration will now consider that its work in Syria is done, and leave Israel alone to face the dangers posed by Irans growing military presence in Syria.Israels defense chiefs are also reportedly worried that Russias President Vladimir Putin, seeing Syria under US-led attack, may provide President Bashar Assad with more advanced air defense systems  which could reduce Israels air supremacy in the skies of Syria and Lebanon. A Russian general indicated such an arms supply was possible in comments on Saturday.So sad, too bad LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 05:05 AM











Post: #2 RE: Now Poor Little Israel is afraid that Trumpy will leave them alone and unloved

AnatoliyGolitsyn

Registered User

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 05:07 AM



Posts: 3,299









Post: #3 RE: Now Poor Little Israel is afraid that Trumpy will leave them alone and unloved

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 05:01 AM) Israel fears Trump may see job as done in Syria, leave Israel alone to face Iran





Though strongly backing US-led airstrikes, Jerusalem also reportedly worried Putin may now supply Assad with advanced air-defense systems, reducing Israel's air supremacy



By TOI STAFF

14 April 2018, 9:02 pm 13



While Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly backed the US-led airstrikes on Syria in the wake of its use of chemical weapons, Israeli security chiefs made clear on Saturday night that Israel fears the Trump Administration will now consider that its work in Syria is done, and leave Israel alone to face the dangers posed by Irans growing military presence in Syria.



Israels defense chiefs are also reportedly worried that Russias President Vladimir Putin, seeing Syria under US-led attack, may provide President Bashar Assad with more advanced air defense systems  which could reduce Israels air supremacy in the skies of Syria and Lebanon. A Russian general indicated such an arms supply was possible in comments on Saturday.



https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-fea...face-iran/



So sad, too bad

You've been had. Iran is already in Israel's back pocket. You've been had. Iran is already in Israel's back pocket. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 05:09 AM











Post: #4 RE: Now Poor Little Israel is afraid that Trumpy will leave them alone and unloved

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 05:05 AM)

The sorry critters sure do cry a lot. The sorry critters sure do cry a lot.
















Malware attacks Chrome and scrambles web pages; Google apparently cant be bothered.



HERE'S a GOOD ONE - CHROME TRANSFORMS ITSELF INTO SCRAMBLED EGGS with HASH BROWNS, AND GOOGLE DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. (If my memory serves me well, eggs and potatoes are, well, importantly different? Well, at least here in Boston.)



I am frustrated. But, I am not looking for help on my computer. I am looking for help trying to get either Google or Norton to pay attention to an ongoing contamination in Google's Chrome that has spread, over a three month period, to three of my seven Machines. The contamination manifests itself by by scrambling text on every web page Chrome opens (including Norton's) changing certain letters and inserting extraneous letters in most words (some examples below). Unless you enjoy reading in code, it makes browser useless. It has moved from one of my seven computers to three of my seven. It has not spread beyond Chrome, at least yet.



Something happened when Windows 10 Pro did a seemingly significant update on 4-15-2018 (Sunday). When the machine, a beast Dell Alienware machine of the $5-6 k variety rebooted, the problem showed up on this machine - the third of three to fall ill. Immediately after the reboot Norton began reporting an attack every 45 to 180 seconds by JSCOINMINER DOWNLOAD 22. In the spirit of good citizenry, I have sent Google 4 messages about this issue - which I would have thought would be of interest to them. NO RESPONSE to any of them..



[Note: Norton seems a little confused about this malware. On one notification page they simultaneously say it is a medium threat that must be dealt with in an urgent tone. But three lines down they chirp happily that this "Software" is used by Many - thus earning it their green leaf. In another dialogue box, they say that I (not them) should get rid of it. Cool. So I will, I said to myself. But their first options was "exclude". Hmm. Is it "exclude from the firing squad", or exclude from the Windows 10 community and face the firing squad? I chose option 2, and won the guessathon.



For the record I am vigilant about trying to protect my network. While it hasn't spread beyond Chrome, I delete Chrome (my usual browser) when it strikes. I has reappeared on every machine from which I unloaded it.



Any ideas on how to move forward? I can't get anyone's attention at Google. Maybe I should shave my head, wear an orange robe and set myself on fire in front of Google's headquarters. Or maybe this is a joke by some of my friends who decided to slap together some malware that can penetrate two of the world's best protective ecosystems.



*************************



The following are part of the recipe for whipping up a batch of "Chrome's 'Home Style' Scrambled Eggs with a side of hashed browser." Not great eatin', but - hey - the chef apparently doesn't care.



r becomes w. w becomes l. w remains w. L also becomes w sometimes. w becomes r, sometimes. v becomes w. y is usually inserted before e's. is inserted before some a's. If a k appears, a w usually is inserted before it.


Local politicians react to Trump's announcement of strikes on Syria President Donald Trump announced on Friday night that the U.S., along with France and the United Kingdom, had launched strikes on Syria in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack upon civilians by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It did not take long for local politicians to react.

Like it or not, most media and American voters have a lust for war and so any talk against the use of military force by an elected official is often overly cautious or outright supportive . . . Meanwhile the 20-year mark of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is growing closer.Checkit:
'Drug rips' are moving into Kansas City's suburbs with violent consequences On the street, they call them "drug rips" -- robbing your drug dealer. Many of these so-called drug-rip shootings involve teenagers and marijuana. And they are spreading to suburbia.

And here's why the newspaper is going broke even more quickly than a blogger . . .highlights a think piece attempting to highlight the dangers of the weed trade . . . Meanwhile, cheap marijuana is so prevalent among locals that it's smoked openly outside of most decent local bars.Check reporting than your grandma finds captivating . . .
Bahrain-based Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products, has announced its recent acquisition of KSI Trading Corp. (KSI), a supplier of aftermarket auto body parts in the US.



The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.



Founded in 1984, KSI is an industry-leading distributor of quality replacement auto body parts servicing over 10,000 collision repair shop customers across 25 locations in 14 states. In addition to top quality products, KSI has succeeded in providing superior customer service, rapid order turnaround and competitive pricing over the last three decades. Headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, KSI has over 600 employees across the US.



KSI will be led by Christopher Patti, the companys newly appointed chief executive officer, who brings experience in both privately-held as well as publicly-traded companies. Mr. Patti has held leadership roles in the automotive aftermarket industry since 2007 when he joined Keystone Automotive Operations.



More recently, he was senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for North America at LKQ, where he was responsible for sales in both the salvage and aftermarket collision business units as well as the Paint, Body & Equipment (PBE) business.



We are excited to partner with KSI, as they have proven their ability to execute through various market cycles, said Mohammed Al-Shroogi, Investcorps Co-CEO.



We have been extremely impressed with the quality and dedication of the KSI employees who have built this company. We look forward to working with Chris and the entire KSI team and we are confident in the companys ability to continue to deliver results, increase market share and accelerate growth over the long term.



Im thrilled to join the best-in-class team at KSI, said Patti. With Investcorp as a partner, KSI is well-positioned to continue to deliver both strong growth and exceptional customer service.



Investcorp has a strong history of investments in the automotive and related markets. With this acquisition, Investcorp also sees an opportunity for KSI to grow by expanding geographically, through the opening of greenfield locations, pursuing acquisitions and establishing stronger relationships with insurance companies and multi-shop operators (MSOs). - TradeArabia News Service
In regard to Cuomo's Crooked Campaign Chest.

It seems odd to me that instead of money going to those who need it, especially here in upstate New York, it is instead going to his campaign chest and also his big fat ego.

What has he done for upstate New York? I will tell you. Passed the marriage act which violates the sacred laws of the Bible, and what is more it is abominable and disgusting, and the way he blackmailed the legislators into passing it on Monday June 13, 2011.

Also he has passed the abortion act for women. That is about all he has done.

As for doing something for the little person, he has done absolutely zero. Ziltch!

I did not vote for him in the last two elections, and I will not vote for him the third time around. This V.A. doctor that was in the news this morning, this Dr. Cuyler, (is accused of abusing) male patients. Perhaps he was encouraged by this ... society which venerates homosexuality.

William Hopkins

Auburn

Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. The content of posts on this site, including but not limited to links to other web sites, are the expressed opinion of the original poster and are in no way representative of or endorsed by the owners or administration of this website. The posts on this website are the opinion of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion, or factual information on behalf of the owner or administration of LunaticOutPost.Com. The owners or administration of this website can't be hold responsible for content hosted on sites that posters link to in; including, but not limited to, posts, signatures, private messages and such. This site may contain content not suitable for minors and if you feel you might be offended by such content, you should log off immediately.This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Users may make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of issues relating to civil rights, economics, individual rights, international affairs, liberty, science & technology, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss (no more than 50% of the source material) provide a link back to the original articleIf you are a legal copyright holder or a designated agent for such and you believe a post on this website falls outside the boundaries of "Fair Use" and legitimately infringes on yours or your clients copyright please contact [email protected] This website is owned by :Marco ZwaneveldDrijfriemstraat 522516 XR The HagueNetherlands.I will not rent, sell, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party.We might contact you from time to time regarding your purchases or the services (like forums and announcement lists) you have subscribed to.Some of the 3rd party advertisers on lunaticoutpost.com may use cookiesto track peformance and/or to serve relevant ads.If you wish to read more and/or opt out of such cookies, please visit: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 14

Abducted last month, two-year-old Anu was finally recovered with the arrest of a woman on Saturday. The kid, a resident of Harpal Singh Di Haveli in Fateh Singh Colony, was handed over to her parents.

Addressing mediapersons, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) JS Walia said Anu was taken away from her residence by Paramjit Kaur, alias Pajam, a resident of Mohan Nagar in Verka. Paramjit was known to a neighbour of the victim so he used to go to the victims house to play with her.

Victims mother Paramjit Kaur, a namesake of the accused, told the police that Anu was playing at her home when the accused came and started playing with the girl. Later, she took her away without informing the family. The family tried to locate her but couldnt.

On March 28, the police registered a case of abduction against her.

Sukhjinder Singh, SHO, Gate Hakima police station, said accused Paramjit Kaur was living separately from her husband as she suffers from a mild mental disorder. She took the girl away as she wanted to raise her on her own. There was no involvement of any gang. She was produced before a court and taken on police remand for further investigation, he added.

The police would interrogate her to ascertain if she committed any such crime in the past.
editorial@tribune.com

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 15

The air connectivity between Amritsar and South East Asia is set to consolidate with the launch of Air Asias Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar flight from August.

Already, Malaysias Malindo Air is operating Kuala Lumpur flight and Scoot Airways is connecting the city with Singapore. As per airport officials, such flights in the economical category are generating good response from passengers.

Former airport advisory committee member Gunbir Singh said, These flights will consolidate the tourist circuit involving the city. It will enable travel for students and visitors between South East Asia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, further connecting to Australia and New Zealand, as well as remote West coast America and Canada.

Earlier, Singapore Airlines had launched thrice a week flight to Amritsar on October 1, 2004. The service ran well for around five years before being discontinued in early 2009.

A pharmaceutical industrialist, Raman Gupta, said there were tremendous opportunities for business and trade in both regions. Many industries in the state are staring at stagnation over limited markets. Availability of more flights would open travel and business opportunities for both sides.

Airport officials said, Presently, several international carriers are operating from Amritsar. Uzbekistan Airline, Turkmenistan Airline, Air India Express, Malindo Airline and SpiceJet have direct connectivity to Tashkent, Ashgabat, Dubai, Kualalampur and Dubai, respectively. Almost 100 per cent occupancy is seen on Amritsar-Dubai flights.

In addition, the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is providing infrastructure, equipment and conducive environment for the flights to operate and the decision to choose destinations to fly to rests with the private airlines.

They said the airport had state-of-the-art features, like surveillance radar, surface movement guidance and control system, new instrument landing system, re-carpeting of 3,658 metre long runway which can cater to aircraft operations of Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767-400 ER, new flight information display system, perishable cargo apparatus among others.

A considerable hike in the footfall of passengers, especially after the commencement of international flights to Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore last year, will curtail the losses of the airport as it had been incurring losses to the tune of even Rs 50 crore for the past many years.
editorial@tribune.com

Dera Bassi, April 15

The police have arrested two persons for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl from Sundran village near here.

The accused have been identified as Jarnail Singh and Kuldeep Singh, both residents of the village.

According to sources, the girl, in her complaint, alleged that on April 6 she was standing outside her house when Jarnail took her to a nearby jungle where another accused Kuldeep was waiting. The duo then took turns to rape her.

The victim, a student of Class VIII, told the police that the accused later threatened her not to narrate the incident to anyone. The victim narrated her ordeal to her family members, who informed the police. The police recorded the the victims statement and got her medical examination done.

Bhinder Singh, in-charge, Mubarikpur police post, said the accused were arrested following the complaint and a case had been registered at the Mubarikpur police post. The accused were produced in the court, which sent them to judicial custody. Mohinder Singh, SHO, Dera Bassi, did not pick up his phone despite repeated attempts, nor did he reply to messages. OC
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 14

Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma (GGDSD) College, Sector 32, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Department of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration (UT), celebrated Samajik Nyay Diwas on the occasion of the Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti.

Chief Guest Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner, reflected on the teachings and sayings of BR Ambedkar. He emphasised on the dictum of education and success as dictated by Baba Ambedkar. He asked the gathering to perceive Baba Ambedkar as a socialist not through religion or cast, but by his works and teachings.

Prof Rajiv Lochan from Panjab University narrated a biography of Baba Ambedkar which reflected his life skills. College Principal Bhushan Kumar Sharma emphasised on the need of educating children to build a strong nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modis live address to the nation was also webcasted during the function. The function was graced by the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college, anganwadi workers, members of local gram panchayats, social workers, NGO members and students.

Dr Ambedkars life discussed

The Political Science Department of Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti by holding a talk on Dr BR Ambedkars contribution to women empowerment. Students recited poems highlighting Dr Ambedkars contribution to bringing in social justice in the Indian society. They also spoke about various aspects of Dr Ambedkars life and times.

Kiran Sharma, Head of the Political Science Department, highlighted the role of Dr Ambedkar as the pioneer of social justice and champion of womens rights. Principal BP Yadav said Dr Ambedkar would always be remembered as the architect of the Indian Constitution. His major contribution remains his crusade for securing the rightful place for the discriminated, depressed and downtrodden sections of our society, he said.
laxmi@tribune.com

THIS lecture commemorates the memory of Dr SB Rangnekar, who, along with Dr KK Dewett, was the founder of the Department of Economics of the Panjab University after the partition of India in 1947. The department in those days was located at Hoshiarpur along with many other university departments. I joined the Department of Economics as an MA student in 1952. This was the first year of adoption of the new MA syllabus in whose preparation Dr Rangnekar played pioneering role. He was a great teacher who inspired me to go to Cambridge. On return from Cambridge, I joined the Department of Economics as a Senior Lecturer. Soon thereafter, the department moved to Chandigarh. Dr Rangnekar and his wife treated me and my wife as a member of their family. That was the happiest period of my life and I recall it with gratitude to Dr Rangnekars.

Seventy years ago, the world gave Indian democracy no chance for success. Our common people have proved the world wrong. Democracy is more than a system of government. It is an ideology about how human beings ought to treat each other. Democracy is based on a stubborn insistence that every human being should have an equal voice in the formation and operation of arrangements of governance  based only on his or her humanity, irrespective of power and privilege, status and education, gender, caste or religion, language or culture. Equality, freedom and fraternity are the three values that constitute the life breath of democracy. Some vital pillars of democracy need to be constantly secured and strengthened are: equality, freedom, fraternity and our electoral system.

Equality

Equality is the keystone of democracy. And it is one of the greatest challenges faced by India in building our democracy because of the persistence in our society of feudal, hierarchical ideas of inequality based on caste, class and gender.

The strong commitment of the Republic to political equality has had its collateral impact on questioning the persistence of social and economic inequality. The principle of one-person one-vote has put unprecedented political power into the hands of a hitherto marginalised 90 per cent of India. They have demanded and secured policies, including for affirmative action, that have reduced disparities and have created opportunities for upward social and economic mobility for traditionally discriminated communities.

While economic growth remains a high priority for the country, there is now a growing concern that the concomitant commitment to ensuring that disparities and inequality do not grow is weakening. It is vitally important for us to maintain strong focus on containing the growth of economic inequality, and work actively to reduce it. What is required is stronger social and political reawakening to the principle of equality  social, economic and political  for the sake of equality and as a mark of our commitment to democracy.

Freedom

The freedom of a country is not the freedom of its government. It is the freedom of people, which in turn, is not the freedom only of its privileged and powerful, but the freedom of every Indian. Freedom is the freedom to question, the freedom to express one's views, howsoever troubling they may be for others. The only constraint to freedom must be the freedom of others  in other words, the freedom of one person or a group should not be used to constrain the freedom of other individuals or groups. We must preserve strategic autonomy in decision-making processes and resist the temptation of rich rewards gained by becoming a tool in the great games of big powers in the pursuit of their imperial ambitions.

A dangerous and false binary is now surfacing in Indian political discourse, which must be firmly rejected. It is that we have to choose between freedom and development. Growth, wealth and development are fruits of democracy, not substitutes.

Fraternity

Only a fraternal people can maintain a democracy. And, conversely, only a democratic nation can maintain fraternity. Fraternity is based, as powerfully and eloquently stated in the Preamble of our Constitution, on the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. I need not dwell long on the current deep concern that attempts are being made to divide the Indian people on the basis of religion and caste, language and culture. Atrocities against minorities and Dalits are increasing. As a people, we must strongly reject divisive policies and politics.

Electoral system

We are all most proud of our democratic electoral system in which ruling parties have been defeated and power has been transferred peacefully. This is a rare success in today's world. Our electoral system has succeeded against great odds. There is, however, today widespread concern that our electoral system is being undermined by money power and muscle power. Electoral reforms to maintain the integrity of elected officials are another vital area for securing and strengthening of our democracy. Like democratic political parties, the media and the judiciary also need to be strong guardians of the public weal.

Renew commitment to democracy

We need to ask ourselves whether we are losing patience with democracy and turning to more authoritarian alternatives that may well yield superior short-term results but in the long term will end up destroying our country and all the achievements of the last 70 years. Governance is complex. It is messy. It is slow. Its benefits are long term. It requires great patience. Above all, democracy is a system in which people without privilege have a decisive voice in governance. If this is lost, democracy becomes meaningless.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Washington, April 15

A womans body was found by rescuers in the US during the search of a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a swollen river in California, officials said.

An inter-agency search and rescue team in California on Friday also recovered some personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in which the missing Indian family was travelling last week.

Personal belongings of the four members of the family from Santa Clarita in California, who were believed to be travelling through Humboldt and Mendocino County on US-101 while on a vacation, were also found by the team over a two-day period on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, vice-president of the Union Bank on Santa Clarita, and his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, were on a road trip along with their two kidsSiddhanth, 12 and Saachi, 9 -- in a maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California, during which they went missing on April 5.

Authorities, who originally had said the body was a childs, anticipate that an autopsy will be performed early next week.

Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site (Eel River flows in a northern direction), Californias Mendocino County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The body was found on Friday on an exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area.

Searchers are looking for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.

Meanwhile, the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office and the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area Office, are continuing their efforts along the South Fork of the Eel River, just north of the town of Leggett California, to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported to have been submerged in the river on around 1:10 pm on Friday, April 6.

Between the two search days, the Swift Water Rescue Teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of the Eel river, just north of the town of Leggett in California.

The vehicle is reported to have submerged in the river around 1:10 pm on April 6.

The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior, the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said.

It said several items were identified by the family members of those missing.

Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family, it said.

These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family, the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the Thottapilly family was supposed to have arrived to visit a friend in the San Jose area on April 6 but did not make it as scheduled.

The family was last heard from in the town of Klamath, Del Norte County, on April 5.

The California Highway Patrol developed information that the family were travelling in a family vehicle, a 2016 maroon Honda Pilot.

The family was officially reported as missing to the San Jose Police Department on April 8.

Sandeep grew up in Surat city in Gujarat and settled down in the US over 15 years ago. PTI
Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 2 Vote(s) - 3 Average

1

2

3

4

5

Page: 1 2 3 US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: kaput

04-15-2018 08:10 PM











Post: #1 US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

Advertisement



"Russia sanctions will be coming down. [Treasury] Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasn't already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Syrian leader Bashar] Assad and chemical weapons use," Haley told CBS News's Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation."



"So I think everyone is going to be feeling it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to us," she said.



The sanctions are designed to hit Russia for its support for the Assad government after last week's apparent chemical attack on Syrian civilians.



Assad and Russia have denied involvement in the attack.



The U.S., along with France and the U.K., launched over 100 missiles at three targets in Syria on Friday in response to the attack.



Russia, in turn, proposed a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at condemning the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter.



The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted against the proposal.



http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-...cal-attack U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) Nikki Haley announced on Sunday the U.S. would impose new sanctions on Russia following the deadly suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria last week."Russia sanctions will be coming down. [Treasury] Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasn't already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Syrian leader Bashar] Assad and chemical weapons use," Haley told CBS News's Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation.""So I think everyone is going to be feeling it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to us," she said.The sanctions are designed to hit Russia for its support for the Assad government after last week's apparent chemical attack on Syrian civilians.Assad and Russia have denied involvement in the attack.The U.S., along with France and the U.K., launched over 100 missiles at three targets in Syria on Friday in response to the attack.Russia, in turn, proposed a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at condemning the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter.The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted against the proposal. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:16 PM











Post: #2 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:10 PM) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) Nikki Haley announced on Sunday the U.S. would impose new sanctions on Russia following the deadly suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria last week.



"Russia sanctions will be coming down. [Treasury] Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasn't already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Syrian leader Bashar] Assad and chemical weapons use," Haley told CBS News's Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation."



"So I think everyone is going to be feeling it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to us," she said.



The sanctions are designed to hit Russia for its support for the Assad government after last week's apparent chemical attack on Syrian civilians.



Assad and Russia have denied involvement in the attack.



The U.S., along with France and the U.K., launched over 100 missiles at three targets in Syria on Friday in response to the attack.



Russia, in turn, proposed a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at condemning the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter.



The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted against the proposal.



http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-...cal-attack

The neolib Hillary voters love Nikki Haley.

It is the only thing about Trump that the neolibs can stomach: all the warhawks he has surrounded himself with. Imagine if he had actually started making friends with Russia and none of these warhawks were in his cabinet....could you imagine the hysteria coming from the neolib Hilalry voters? The neolib Hillary voters love Nikki Haley.It is the only thing about Trump that the neolibs can stomach: all the warhawks he has surrounded himself with. Imagine if he had actually started making friends with Russia and none of these warhawks were in his cabinet....could you imagine the hysteria coming from the neolib Hilalry voters? LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:25 PM











Post: #3 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:16 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:10 PM) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) Nikki Haley announced on Sunday the U.S. would impose new sanctions on Russia following the deadly suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria last week.



"Russia sanctions will be coming down. [Treasury] Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasn't already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Syrian leader Bashar] Assad and chemical weapons use," Haley told CBS News's Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation."



"So I think everyone is going to be feeling it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to us," she said.



The sanctions are designed to hit Russia for its support for the Assad government after last week's apparent chemical attack on Syrian civilians.



Assad and Russia have denied involvement in the attack.



The U.S., along with France and the U.K., launched over 100 missiles at three targets in Syria on Friday in response to the attack.



Russia, in turn, proposed a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at condemning the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter.



The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted against the proposal.



http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-...cal-attack

The neolib Hillary voters love Nikki Haley.

It is the only thing about Trump that the neolibs can stomach: all the warhawks he has surrounded himself with. Imagine if he had actually started making friends with Russia and none of these warhawks were in his cabinet....could you imagine the hysteria coming from the neolib Hilalry voters?

I can imagine and it's a pity such a thing WILL NEVER happen since the war hawks control everything and Trump is nothing but another here today, gone tomorrow President. The War Hawks will always be around...



I can imagine and it's a pity such a thing WILL NEVER happen since the war hawks control everything and Trump is nothing but another here today, gone tomorrow President. The War Hawks will always be around... Builder of the Adytum

Enemy of the State

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:25 PM



Posts: 6,633









Post: #4 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

Well, we don't have to trade with ANYONE if we don't want to.





They have nothing we need anyway. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:28 PM











Post: #5 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

The Ghost of David Carradine Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:25 PM) Well, we don't have to trade with ANYONE if we don't want to.





They have nothing we need anyway.

You Americans still use their rocket engines to launch satellites



http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-...0-engines/ You Americans still use their rocket engines to launch satellites USSR

Registered User

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:44 PM



Posts: 1,023









Post: #6 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

In Russia it becomes very fashionable to wear a series of t-shirts devoted to the American sanctions









Behave adequately... if you see the Russian... (This post was last modified: 04-15-2018 08:47 PM by USSR .) Builder of the Adytum

Enemy of the State

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:48 PM



Posts: 6,633









Post: #7 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:28 PM) The Ghost of David Carradine Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:25 PM) Well, we don't have to trade with ANYONE if we don't want to.





They have nothing we need anyway.

You Americans still use their rocket engines to launch satellites



http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-...0-engines/

We should use our own motors.





We were building better rockets than them at one time and we can again. We should use our own motors.We were building better rockets than them at one time and we can again. USSR

Registered User

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:50 PM



Posts: 1,023









Post: #8 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack





Behave adequately... if you see the Russian... Builder of the Adytum

Enemy of the State

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:52 PM



Posts: 6,633









Post: #9 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack











We need Russian heavy-lifting rockets like a hole in the head. Strategos

Against Dystopia

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:52 PM



Posts: 9,410









Post: #10 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack







LIAR GrimShaw

Asinus Asinum Fricat

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 08:54 PM



Posts: 32,413









Post: #11 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:16 PM) The neolib Hillary voters love Nikki Haley.

It is the only thing about Trump that the neolibs can stomach: all the warhawks he has surrounded himself with. Imagine if he had actually started making friends with Russia and none of these warhawks were in his cabinet....could you imagine the hysteria coming from the neolib Hilalry voters?

What do the neolibs have to do with anything? Not that I'm on their side, but the republicans/neocons control the judiciary, legislative, and executive branches right now. And it's Trump tanking your trust. Are you melting down or what? What do the neolibs have to do with anything? Not that I'm on their side, but the republicans/neocons control the judiciary, legislative, and executive branches right now. And it's Trump tanking your trust. Are you melting down or what? LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 09:35 PM











Post: #12 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

GrimShaw Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:54 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:16 PM) The neolib Hillary voters love Nikki Haley.

It is the only thing about Trump that the neolibs can stomach: all the warhawks he has surrounded himself with. Imagine if he had actually started making friends with Russia and none of these warhawks were in his cabinet....could you imagine the hysteria coming from the neolib Hilalry voters?

What do the neolibs have to do with anything? Not that I'm on their side, but the republicans/neocons control the judiciary, legislative, and executive branches right now. And it's Trump tanking your trust. Are you melting down or what?

HAHAHAHAHA........you think neolibs are not right wing warmongers....... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

Hillary was and is a rightwing warmonger and Obama boasted how he governed like a republican, expanding conflicts and dropping so many bombs that they ran out of bombs. You FUKKING idiot. HAHAHAHAHA........you think neolibs are not right wing warmongers....... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.Hillary was and is a rightwing warmonger and Obama boasted how he governed like a republican, expanding conflicts and dropping so many bombs that they ran out of bombs. You FUKKING idiot. GrimShaw

Asinus Asinum Fricat

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 09:40 PM



Posts: 32,413









Post: #13 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

LoP Guest Wrote: (04-15-2018 09:35 PM) GrimShaw Wrote: (04-15-2018 08:54 PM) What do the neolibs have to do with anything? Not that I'm on their side, but the republicans/neocons control the judiciary, legislative, and executive branches right now. And it's Trump tanking your trust. Are you melting down or what?

HAHAHAHAHA........you think neolibs are not right wing warmongers....... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

Hillary was and is a rightwing warmonger and Obama boasted how he governed like a republican, expanding conflicts and dropping so many bombs that they ran out of bombs. You FUKKING idiot.

Angry are ya? What triggered you? My asking if you're melting down? Angry are ya? What triggered you? My asking if you're melting down? conspiracyparty

Registered User

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 09:41 PM



Posts: 1,025









Post: #14 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

neolibs and neocons

have basically fused into a monster.





they bomb other nations.

stage coups,

lie

steal

kill

cheat



they are destroying the middle class.

they are destroying Christianity. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

04-15-2018 09:47 PM











Post: #15 RE: US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian Fairy Tale chemical attack

Sanctions

Tariffs



All causing higher costs

And less junk transfered around



Now f*#k off to manage

Your own internal strife Advertisement


















pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, April 15

A 40-year-old woman was allegedly shot dead by a man following a heated argument in Yamunanagar, the police said on Sunday.

The incident took place yesterday night at Raghunath Puri area of Yamunanagar, they said, adding that the deceased was identified as Pinky.

Following a heated argument, Kamal, the accused, allegedly opened fire at Pinky from his licensed revolver and fled from the spot, the police said.

She died of excessive bleeding while being taken to hospital.

According to preliminary investigation, Kamal and Pinky knew each other for the last six months, the police said.

A case under relevant sections of the IPC was registered against the accused, they said. With PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 14

A daily direct air service, Delhi-Adampur-Delhi, which will be a regular flight from May 1, was inaugurated by Spice Jet on Saturday.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla made the first online booking from Adampur to Delhi and commenced the booking process for SpiceJets sixth Udega Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) route.

Addressing mediapersons, he said, The second largest military airbase of India, Adampur, has a large number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Doaba, with no direct air connectivity. A typical traveller has to travel to Delhi via an Amritsar flight.

Looking for the convenience of the NRIs as well the business sector, a direct flight has been launched, having pocket-friendly fares, thereby accomplishing Prime Minister Narendra Modis slogan of UDAN under the regional connectivity scheme, he added.

He made announcement for starting another flight from the airport soon this flight started receiving a good response. He also assured the business community present on the occasion that besides saving time, money and energy of people, especially NRIs from the region, the airport would give a boost to the economic development of the region, in general, and Jalandhar city, in particular.

SpiceJet flight SG8731 with 78-seating capacity will take off from Delhi at 3.30 pm and reach Adampur at 4.45 pm. The return flight, SG 8732, will take off at 5.05 pm and reach Delhi at 6.15 pm. Meanwhile, the normal luggage allowed to be carried by passengers will be 15 kg, but to passengers travelling abroad, a special benefit has been granted. Those with valid visa and other documents travelling abroad would be allowed to take luggage over 20 kg and more, announced Sampla.

On the occasion, Shilpa Bhatia, chief sales and revenue officer, SpiceJet, said, SpiceJet has been among the pace-setters for UDAN. Our team feels proud to add Adampur on to our pan-India network. We expect businesses and industrial trading to receive an immediate boost from the direct connectivity while promoting medical tourism and strengthening the local economy.

Our flight will also offer immense flexibility and convenience to frequent NRI travellers residing in this region. To celebrate the launch, we announce a limited period special introductory all-inclusive one-way fare of Rs 2062/- for Delhi-Adampur and Rs 1953/- for Adampur-Delhi, she added.
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Jammu, April 15

The trials in the gruesome Kathua rape and murder case begin on Monday against eight accused who allegedly held an 8-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.

The accused include a juvenile.

The chief judicial magistrate of Kathua will be committing one of the charge sheets, in which seven people have been named, to the sessions court for trial as mandated under the law. The chief judicial magistrate will, however, hold the trial for the juvenile as it is the designated court under the juvenile act, according to officials.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, a move being seen as made to ensure "neutrality" in view of Hindu-Muslim polarisation over the case.

The trial is expected to go smoothly after the Jammu Bar Association as well as the Kathua Bar received a rap on the kuckles by the Supreme Court on April 13 as the apex court took a strong note of some lawyers obstructing the judicial process in the case.

The Supreme Court initiated a case on its own record saying such impediment "affects the dispensation of justice and would amount to obstruction of access to justice".

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud was also critical of the Jammu High Court Bar Association, which had passed a resolution not to attend the courts saying "it is the duty of the bar association as a collective body and they cannot obstruct the process of law".

According to the charge sheets filed by the crime branch, the abduction, rape and killing of the Bakerwal girl was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area.

It lists the caretaker of 'Devisthan', a small temple, in a village in Kathua, about 90 km from here, as the main conspirator behind the crime.

Sanji Ram was allegedly joined by special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma, friend Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu, Ram's nephew, a juvenile, and his son Vishal Jangotra alias "Shamma".

The charge sheet also names investigating officers head constable Tilak Raj and Sub-Inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Ram and destroyed crucial evidence.

All eight are under arrest.

The crime branch will also be handing over the notices issued to the Jammu Bar Council as well as Kathua Bar Council for appearing before the Supreme Court on April 19.

The Bar Association of Kathua has already retracted from its earlier statement of providing legal assistance free of cost to the accused and said after going through the charge sheet presented by the crime branch (against the accused in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate on April 9) it is revealed that the allegations against the accused persons are very grave and as such this case is to be dealt with in a professional way.

"As such, we have withdrawn our offer to contest the case free of cost. Accused are free to engage any individual advocate and exercise their respective rights of defence in the court. It is for any individual advocate to accept the brief and the bar association will not come in the way of defence nor the bar association will hamper the prosecution," President of BAK Kirty Bhushan Mahajan had said in a seven-page statement yesterday.

Members of the same association had blocked the way of crime branch personnel from submitting the charge sheet before the chief judicial magistrate for six hours forcing the police to present it at the house of the magistrate.

Police have already registered a case against lawyers for obstructing public servants from performing their duty.

The Jammu Bar association, which was left red-faced after the Supreme Court's observation, attempted to put a brave face saying they had full faith in the apex court and said their main demand was for shifting of illegally settled Rohingyas.

It denounced the attempts made by certain quarters for making wrongful attempts to project the association as "pro-rapist" or "anti-national".

The association today fielded a senior woman advocate Surinder Kour who said "we are now satisfied that the case has reached the Supreme Court and we are satisfied that justice will be delivered to the minor girl.

JHCBA is on strike since April 4 and sponsored a general strike on April 11 in Jammu to press for its demands, including for according district status to Nowshera sub-division in Rajouri district.

"We included the demand for CBI probe into the Kathua rape and murder at the request of civil society," Kour said and accused the state government of forcing them into agitation by "giving no response to our concerns despite repeated memorandums and statements."  PTI
uttara@tribuneindia.com

United Nations, April 15

A top UN official has asked Pakistan to address the outstanding issues with India through peaceful means, reiterating Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' concern over heightening tensions along the Line of Control.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca made the remarks after concluding his visit to Pakistan on April 13.

He held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Special Secretary Tasnim Aslam in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 12. He also met with representatives of the diplomatic community and members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).

According to a statement released by the UN spokesperson's office, Jenca reiterated that the Secretary-General is concerned about the "heightening tensions" along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

He "echoed the Secretary General's calls for maximum restraint and efforts to de-escalate the situation. Any outstanding issues between the two countries should be addressed through peaceful means," the statement said.

Jenca underlined in his conversations in Islamabad that Pakistan's commitment to fostering multilateralism and cooperation is important for peace and stability in the region and beyond.

He welcomed the decision of Pakistan and Afghanistan to increase cooperation through the implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity.

Jenca underscored the importance of this positive momentum for the further advancement of the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

During the visit, Jenca also participated at a medal parade of the UN Military Observation Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). The ceremony recognised the service of UN peacekeepers deployed to UNMOGIP.

India maintains that the UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control. PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Smita Sharma

MARITIME security and Indo-Pacific strategy are areas of close cooperation for India and Indonesia today. But the Indonesian embassy is cementing ties through textile as well.

The embassy hosted an event organised by the New Delhi Social Workers Association for promoting khadi fabric along with skill training to under-privileged and disabled women from the villages adopted by MP Dr Udit Raj. It coincided with the 127th birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

The cultural and musical evening saw models sashay down the ramp in creations of reputed designers Varun Bahl, Rina Dhaka, Charu Parashar and Pallavi Singh for the fashion show themed Ahimsa Silk and Khadi  The fabric of freedom and harmony.

We have convergence of interest here. On our part, we support social cause. This is also an important part of promoting Indonesia in India and our bilateral ties, said Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, while welcoming friends, political leaders and foreign diplomats to the event.

Indonesia is ranked among the top 10 textile producing countries in the world. China still controls a dominant 35 per cent of the global market, but the Indonesian government targets to contribute to around 5 per cent of global exports by 2030. Interestingly though, despite being a cotton producing country, given its volatile supply Indonesian textile manufacturers prefer to import higher quality cotton, particularly from USA, Australia and India. Ambassador Suryodipuro believes garments can be a sector of competition as well as cooperation with India.

Textiles and manufacturing is where we have a lot of room to grow. India and Indonesia are competitors in this sector. But what we need to do is to find where we can have synergy. Thats a purpose of the event, to know each other better and to see how we can find new opportunities, said the envoy.

Flaunting an Indonesian Batik shirt, the Ambassador also emphasised that fabric is an important strand of the socio-cultural thread binding the two countries. Batik, a traditional textile produced by using a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to cloth, was recognised as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2009.

Indonesia is particularly famous for its Batik from the island of Java. The fabric connect goes back thousands of years to the time of Rama, Sita, Pandavas and Kauravas. The shirt I am wearing now is Batik. We imported the technique from India a long time ago and further refined it in Java, added Suryodipuro, as the crowd raised a toast to the harmonious threads that bind.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Patna, April 15

A minor girl was gang-raped here on Sunday and the police have arrested two persons, authorities said.

The incident took place at 12.30 a.m. near a railway line adjacent to the GPO Golumber area, in the heart of Bihars capital city.

Police Officer Rama Shankar Singh said the two accused, Chotu Kumar and Phekan Kumar, were arrested and interrogated.

Both accused were caught by a police patrol team that heard the loud cry of the victim for help .The victim has also identified both of them, Singh said.

The victims statement will be recorded in a court later on Sunday.  IANS
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Islamabad, April 15

The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Pakistan's Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said.

Bajwa's remarks came during his speech at the passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul on Saturday, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the country's armed forces.

"It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes -- including the core issue of Kashmir -- runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue.

"While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region.

Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour," he said.

Addressing the cadets, Bajwa, 57, said Pakistan is a peace loving country and seeks harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all countries, especially its neighbours, according to the statement.

"However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness. Our valiant Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner," he added.

The Army chief also reaffirmed his country's "political and moral support" to the "basic right of self-determination" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said Pakistan has done its part to cleanse itself of the scourge of terrorism and extremism without any distinction and the efforts have started to bear results.

"We are committed to continue these efforts, not out of any compulsion, but to make Pakistan a safe, prosperous and progressive country," he said.

Bajwa also said a "hybrid war" had been imposed on Pakistan to internally weaken it.

"Our enemies know, that they cannot beat us fair and square and have thus subjected us to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war," he said, without taking any names.

Stressing that Pakistan has totally rejected extremism and terrorism, he said, "I would like to reiterate here that the nation and its Armed Forces are totally united and focused towards our primary objective, that is, eradication and elimination of terrorism."  PTI
gspannu7@gmail.com

Ahmedabad, April 15

A day after quitting the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in wake of his nominee losing an organisational poll, firebrand leader Pravin Togadia on Sunday launched a vicious attack against the Modi government at the Centre.

Togadia, who has decided to undertake an indefinite fast from Tuesday, said his disenchantment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi began right after the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

I am not in the VHP anymore.... I will continue to work for the welfare of Hindus. From Tuesday, I will go on an indefinite fast in Ahmedabad for fulfilling the longstanding demands of the Hindus, he had said yesterday after former Himachal Pradesh Governor VS Kokje defeated his nominee Raghav Reddy in an election in Gurgaon for the post of VHP International president.

Togadia, who returned here last night, met his supporters and top VHP functionaries in Gujarat today to finalise his plans for the fast at the state VHP headquarters.

I got disenchanted with this government in the last four years. The disenchantment, in fact, had started slowly after the 2002 events in Gujarat, he said, speaking to reporters later.

Claiming that scores of Hindus were killed in police firing during the post-Godhra riots, he said he could not understand how it could happen when Narendrabhai (Narendra Modi) was the chief minister.

Cases were registered against thousands of Hindus and they were put in jail, he alleged.

In 2014 elections, the VHP offered full support to Narendrabhai. But he called gau-rakshaks gundas (goons). Eleven cow-protectors in Jharkhand were given life imprisonment (by a court) after his statement. This hadnt happened even under the Congress government, Togadia said.

This government has taken back cases against Pakistan-supporters and stone-pelters in Kashmir. I was shocked as this government has helped Pakistan-supporters, he went on to say.

Togadia said his indefinite hunger strike would be aimed at the welfare of Hindus and to seek construction of Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya, nation-wide ban on cow slaughter, enforcement of the common civil code and relocation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, he said.

All these years he and his associates have been fighting for these causes but to no avail, Togadia said, alleging that for the last six months, enormous pressure was put on me instead to stop making all these demands.

Many of Togadia supporters, shouting slogans in their mentors favour at the state VHP headquarters in Paldi area here, said they would turn his fast into a show of strength.

State VHP leaders, however, refrained from expressing their stand on Togadias proposed fast.

Asked if the VHPs state unit would support Togadias fast, Gujarat VHP chief Ranchod Bharwad evaded reply, saying he was in hospital and could not make any statement.

Modi and Togadia, both of whom hail from Gujarat and started out as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers, drifted apart in the last decade with Modis rise.

Togadia had made a sensational statement last month, claiming that a Rajasthan Police team had come here to abduct him and he feared he could be eliminated in a staged encounter.  PTI
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, April 15

The police on Sunday arrested four leaders of various Hindu outfits in connection with the violent clashes that took place in Phagwara on Friday over renaming of a chowk.

The arrested men are Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) state vice president Inderjit Karwal, Shiv Sena national president Shivi Batta, Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha leader Rajiv Chahal and Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti state president Deepak Bhardwaj.

Phagwara remained tense on Sunday, two days after violent clashes between rightwing Hindu groups and Dalits left six people wounded.

When contacted SHO, City, Phagwara, Gurmeet Singh Sidhu confirmed that all arrested Hindu leaders were produced before Judicial Magistrate who sent them in jail for 14 days.

Arms licenses issued to all arrested Hindu leaders have been cancelled, claimed the SHO.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to continue suspension of internet services in Doaba till April 16 evening.

Reinforcements1,700 additional policemen, including the Rapid Action Force and riot policecontinue to be stationed at Phagwara.

Police booked 300 people in three different cases over Fridays violent clashes on Saturday in a damage control measure.

Clashes erupted when some Hindu leaders objected to installing a flex board bearing a photo of Dr BR Ambedkar and renaming Goal Chowk as Sambhidhan Chowk on Friday night.

Punjab Shiv Sena vice-president, Rajesh Palta, was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified people near Balmiki Chowk a day after the clash on Saturday morning.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Chandigarh, April 15

They left home dreaming of better lives and returned in caskets. Yet, despite the deaths of Indian workers in Iraq, thousands of men in Punjab still hope to find a job in the war-torn land  and mostly through illegal channels.

Of the 39 labourers who went to Iraq and were killed by suspected ISIS militants, 27 were from Punjab.

Travel agents here said people still plan to go to places such as Iraq for jobs and better wages, despite the risks that such troubled regions pose.

Many travel without valid papers, they said, calling for a strict enforcement of a licencing system to check the mushrooming of illegal travel agents in Punjab.

The main reason people go to other countries is unemployment in Punjab, said Kuljeet Singh Hayer, president of the Punjab Travel Agents Association.

When they go through illegal travel agents, they get trapped, he told PTI.

There are no specific figures on the number of travel agents helping people go to Iraq illegally, but experts in the industry said there could be thousands of such unlawful operators.

A Jalandhar-based registered agent who runs an approved recruitment and manpower consultancy firm said people pursued such jobs because the salaries of workers in Iraq were two or three times higher than those in places such as Dubai.

Many are still going to Iraq and several are willing to take the risk of going to such countries to make money, he said to a query on whether the number of would-be workers to the Gulf country had fallen following the deaths of the 39 people.

The agent, who did not wish to be identified, said many international companies required labour for infrastructure projects being built or rebuilt in the war-ravaged country.

A construction worker could earn USD 800-1,000 per month (Rs 50,000-65,000) in Iraq as against monthly earnings of 1,200 Dirham (Rs 22,000) in Dubai, he added.

The Jalandhar agent, however, believed that those seeking to go out for work illegally were to be blamed as much as the agents who fleeced them.

I feel, besides illegal travel agents, customers who want to go abroad through illegal means are also at fault. Despite knowing the dangers involved in going to Iraq, they still want to go there, he said.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, who had brought back the bodies of the Indians killed in Mosul in caskets earlier this month, had said there was no record of the 39 men, and of another who survived, in any Indian embassy as their travel to Iraq had been facilitated by illegal agents.

He had said strict action would be taken against such agents who put the lives of people in danger.

To curb the practice of illicit travel agents, the state government had framed the Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2012 which was later renamed the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act, 2013, making registration mandatory for travel agents or those in consultancy and ticketing for a valid licence.

Strict enforcement of this law is essential so as to stop gullible people from falling prey to unauthorised travel agents, said Hayer.

Only 1,088 travel agents are registered with Deputy Commissioners in the state while 38 are listed as recruiting agent with the Protectorate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs.

The Punjab Police, which has sometimes been accused of colluding with the illegal agents, has now been taking tough action against them.

The police said they were holding regular campaigns to educate people about safe and legal emigration and added that 900 cases had been registered last year against fraudulent travel agents.

We are regularly holding educational campaigns to make people aware about safe and legal emigration, said Additional Director-General of Police Ishwar Singh, who is the nodal officer dealing with issues on emigration and the activities of unauthorised travel agents.

The Punjab government was fully committed to the task of curbing the activities of illegal travel agents in the state, he said.

Economist R S Ghuman stressed the youth lured by job offers often came from weaker sections.

Most of the youth going to the Middle East are the offspring of small growers, artisans or people who belong to weaker sections and they work as drivers, labourers, carpenters and so on, said Ghuman, Professor of Economics at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) here.

According to some estimates, there are about 22 lakh jobless youth in Punjab, often referred as the wheat bowl of India.

About 34 per cent farmers are small and marginal in Punjab and their farming has become unviable when it comes to income and employment generation, he said.

Punjab, which witnessed a green revolution in the mid-60s and where agriculture has been the mainstay of the people, has been lagging behind other states in terms of economic growth.

According to global analytics company Crisil, between 2013 and 2017, while Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana recorded the highest growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) in a sample of 17 major states, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala were at the bottom of the graph.

The overall states growth has been lower than the national average growth since 1992 and investment to GSDP ratio has also been lower than that of the national average, Ghuman said, adding that there were fewer employment opportunities in agriculture, industry and government sectors. PTI
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 15

India on Sunday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even compelling the Indian envoy to turn back while he was on his way to a prominent gurdwara there.

A group of around 2,100 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

New Delhi accused Islamabad of preventing the Sikh Jatha from meeting Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and his team. India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams, said an MEA official release calling it an inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy.

The MEA says this is in violation of standard practice of consular/protocol team being attached with visiting pilgrims to facilitate consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

Protesting against reported denial of access to the consular team at Wagah railway station and Panja Sahib Gurdwara, the MEA added, On April 14, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route to the shrine, for unspecified security reasons. The High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

Pak calls allegations distortion of facts

Pakistan, however, called the allegations as baseless and deeply regrettable that facts in this matter had been completely distorted and misrepresented. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal claimed that Secretary of ETPB had extended an invitation to Bisaria to attend the main functions at Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14. But according to the Pakistan government, strong resentment was noticed among segments of Sikh Yatris protesting the release of film Nanak Shah Fakir in India.

Considering an emotionally-charged environment and the possibility of any untoward situation, the ETPB authorities contacted the Indian High Commission officials and suggested cancellation of the visit. The Indian High Commission officials, after due deliberation, conveyed back to ETPB their agreement to call off the visit in view of such a situation, said Faisal.

Islamabad also argued in its response that the consular/protocol teams had no scheduled meeting on April 14 with the pilgrims but did visit Gurudwara Panja Sahib on Sunday.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Lahore, April 15

Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistans Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said on Sunday.

Justice Ahsan was part of a five-member apex court Bench that heard the high-profile Panamagate case last year that led to the disqualification of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

A statement by the apex court said that the unidentified gunmen opened fire at Justice Ahsans Model Town residence first late last night and then again early this morning.

No casualties were reported in the attacks, Dawn reported.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of the Justice Ahsan, and called the Punjab inspector general to probe the incidents. The chief justice is said to be overseeing the situation himself, the paper said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered immediate arrests of the attackers. He also asked the Punjab inspector general (IG) to submit a report on the incident.

Security personnel, including Rangers, have been deployed outside the residence of the judge.

This is a highly condemnable incident. We are trying our best to arrest the attackers and a thorough investigation is underway, Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan was quoted as saying.

He said that additional security has been provided to the Supreme Court judge.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the firing incidents and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari termed the attacks alarming and called for a judicial probe.

Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan strongly condemned the incidents and claimed that they were tactics to pressurise senior judiciary.

Justice Ahsan was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict and oversee the ongoing proceedings by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and accountability courts against the Sharif family members and Ishaq Dar.

He was also part of the three-member bench hearing 17 petitions against the controversial Elections Act 2017. The bench had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as head of a political party, leading to Sharif losing his position as the party chief. PTI
singhking99@yahoo.com

During Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhales recent Dhaka visit, India announced the second tranche of assistance to Bangladesh for the Rohingya refugees seeking shelter in dire conditions after being forced to flee from Myanmar. In an exclusive conversation with Smita Sharma, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has cautioned that international terror groups are trying to radicalise the Rohingya.

What are the biggest concerns about Rohingya in view of pending monsoon season?

Influx of Rohingya from Myanmar has become a challenge for us. Our forests are getting destroyed and it is social life that is getting a big hit. Population of Rohingya people is more than one million, which is one third of the local population. So you can understand the fate of local people and scale of challenges we face. People in that area are losing their daily labour since Rohingya are willing to work at much cheaper rates.

Secondly they are vulnerable to radicalisation by international terrorists, which is very dangerous for us as well as our neighbours. Moreover, the impending monsoon season is giving us sleepless nights. Since many trees are cut, we face threat of landslides and flash floods which possibly can prove dangerous to thousands of human lives. This is why Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to shift them to a safer area.

Is there any clarity on a time frame for repatriation?

Myanmar will not take back the Rohingya very quickly is what we assume. Nearly 7,000 people were waiting at zero line of Myanmar area and had not entered Bangladeshi territory. Myanmar is not even taking back those few thousand Rohingya.

India calls Rohingya a security threat. You say they could radicalise. Is there proof yet of it?

I cannot stop foreigners coming in from Pakistan, Turkey, Middle East and other countries to see and help Rohingya refugees here in relief camps. How can we identify that these people are terrorists or actual well wishers? People who are radicalised and believe in Islamic State ideology may come here to select volunteers.

What are your expectations from India?

We want India to pressurise Myanmar to take these people back as early as possible. We want support from sane voices in other countries also so that Myanmar is bound to take them back. How long can we support? Their population is growing too fast. There are no schools and medical facilities in the relief camps.

Indian Army Chief General Rawat made comments on illegal migration from Bangladesh. Your reaction.

The migration story is a continuous process of last 100 years. I can say that in the past 25-30 years, Bangladeshis have not migrated to India. In these past years, people who went to India for jobs, did not settle down there permanently. Similarly, Indians who come here stay for short periods and then return. I think the Indian leaders and the army chief should be careful about making such comments. It hurts us.

Do you think SAARC can be revived soon? (The summit to be hosted in Islamabad saw India led boycott after Uri Terror Strikes in 2016)

I believe that SAARC is gradually going into a cold bag. But I do think there should be a SAARC-like organisation of South Asian leaders. We are facing the same problem from Pakistan. From the inception of Bangladesh, we have a very cold relation with Pakistan who does not agree with our existence. Their intention is to disturb our progress. That is why we have restricted Pakistani people coming into Bangladesh. I am not so optimistic about SAARC. There should be one platform where all countries sit together to solve problems. If Pakistan changes their idea they can join. But if they patronise terrorists then not only India, we also feel that then Pakistan should be avoided.

Will upcoming elections in Bangladesh be free, fair in a safe environment this year?

It will be free and fair elections. Khaleda Zia, leader of BNP and former PM, is in jail for certain reasons. There are trials ongoing in four cases. In one of them she has been convicted for five years. She might get bail soon. Our courts are independent.
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Kabul, April 15

At least 11 Afghan paramilitary forces were killed when the Taliban attacked their checkpoint, an official said on Sunday.

Zabi Amani, a spokesman for the governor of the northern Sari Pul province, said two other forces were wounded in the attack late Saturday. He said three insurgents were killed, including a local commander, and four others were wounded.

Those targeted were members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government.

No one immediately claimed the attack, but Amani blamed the Taliban, who are active in the area.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, insurgents attacked two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province, killing four police and wounding five others, according to Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said the Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints and then targeted reinforcements with a roadside bomb.

The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack and said they captured weapons and ammunition.

The Taliban stormed a government compound in another part of Ghazni late Thursday, triggering an hours-long gunbattle and killing 15 people, including three senior local officials. AP




uttara@tribuneindia.com

Boston, April 15

Former US President John F Kennedy's personal 'victory map' of Cubaused during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962has been sold at an auction for $138,798.

The map, consisting of two sheets once taped together at the centre, features eight types of sticker symbols applied to the surface, representing Soviet MiG fighter jets, Komar-class missile boats, IL-28 bombers, SS-4 missiles, SSM-Cruise missiles and nuclear storage sites.

The intelligence represented by the map was supplied by U-2 spy planes, confirming Kennedy's worst fears of an increasing Soviet military presence just one hundred miles away from the American coast.

The map, marked "Secret" in the lower left and upper right corners, was originally expected to fetch $20,000, according to the US-based RR Auction.

A two-page key paper-clipped to the upper right corner, headed "MRBM-IRBM Status of Cuban Missiles," dated October 27, 1962, summarises the Soviet military buildup, listing sites, enumerating number of launchers and missiles, and completion status.

The map shows the position of every Soviet missile, bomber and fighter jet and nuclear storage facility in Cuba as of noon on Saturday, October 27, 1962.

This was the most dangerous moment of the Cuban Missile Crisis. October 27 was the day the crisis came within hours, even minutes, of triggering a war between the US and Soviet Union.

That morning, a Soviet anti-air missile shot down a U-2 spy plane on a photo reconnaissance mission over Cuba.

Many years later, the Cubans claimed Fidel Castro himself pushed the button to fire the missile.

Later that afternoon, two US destroyers dropped depth charges on a Soviet submarine. At last minute, the Soviet captain surfaced his submarine, his other option being to launch his missiles against the US mainland.

When the sun set that evening, Robert McNamara, the secretary of defence during the Cuban Missile Crisis, wondered if he'd be alive to see the following Saturday's sunset.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff pushed for an air strike against the Soviet missile sites and other targets. Had Kennedy given the order, this map shows the nine Soviet targets US warplanes would have bombed. However, everything changed overnight.

Relying on a letter from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to President Kennedy, Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin hammered out a deal.

The Soviets agreed to withdraw their missiles and other offensive weapons in return for the US pledging not to invade Cuba. The US secretly promised to remove obsolete missiles from Turkey.

The nine targets on the map became the weapons the US forced out of Cuba. When Kennedy presented the map to McNamara, he called it the victory map.

In the annals of the Cold War, no event is more talked about and debated than the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 16, 1962 to October 28, 1962, RR Auction said.

It is considered the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war. This amazing map dates to the penultimate day of the crisisOctober 27, a day that saw an American pilot shot down over Cuba. PTI




uttara@tribuneindia.com

New York, April 15

A protest against the US-led air strikes on Syria was held in New York and Los Angeles, with protesters condemning the attack as "imperialist" action.

"I'm opposed to it. It's another example of US imperial expansion in the Middle East," said Gordon Barnes, an adjunct lecturer at Queens College, City University of New York, at a protest held at Union Square in New York.

Barnes, who joined the protest on Saturday, said he did not believe that military attacks would solve the problem in Syria and viewed the US military action as a disingenuous one, reports Xinhua news agency.

Asked about the refugee crisis that has aroused much controversy, Barnes said he was in favour of letting the refugees into the United States because the country is in part responsible for the crisis, not only in Syria, but also in other places around the world.

Like Barnes, many voiced concerns for the civilians affected by the air strikes in Syria.

"My heart goes out to the innocent Syrians who will suffer from this," said a resident of New York city.

Others questioned the legitimacy of the attack.



Similar protests were held in Los Angeles, Mexico city in Mexico, and Chile's Santiago.

Protesters held demonstartions outside the US embassy in Mexico city and Santiago.

On Friday night, the US, France and the UK launched coordinated strikes in Syria as President Donald Trump sought to "punish" his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad for a suspected chemical attack in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, that killed over 70 people.

The strikes targeted three facilities associated with Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, including a scientific research facility around Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility around Homs alleged to be used for sarin gas and a nearby command post, according to the Pentagon.

Russia has reacted strongly to the air strikes and warned of "consequences".

After the strikes were launched, the New York City Police Department said in a statement that counterterrorism officers have been deployed in and around the city.

However, it assured citizens that "there is no nexus to New York City, nor are there any credible threats to New York City, at this time". IANS/Agencies


pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Dhahran, April 15

Arab leadersminus Syrian President Bashar al-Assadmeet in Saudi Arabia for a summit on Sunday as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against its regional arch-rival Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League.

The two regional titans, locked in proxy wars in Syria and in Saudi Arabias southern neighbour Yemen, back opposing parties in Iraq and Lebanon.

The summit begins 24 hours after the United States, France and Britain launched controversial air strikes in war-torn Syria in response to a reported regime chemical attack on the decimated rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta last week.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which both voiced support for the strikes, remain locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action.

The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syrias membership over the Assad regimes role in the war.

Syria remains suspended from the organisation.

Saudi Arabias King Salman will chair Sundays summit in the eastern city of Dhahran, home to Saudi Arabias oil giant Aramco and 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Iran.

Syrias war, the most complex of the regions conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday declared its full support for US-led air raids on Syria, which the Pentagon said had successfully hit every target.

Qatar, which has confirmed it will attend the summit, also backed the strikes.

Its foreign ministry tweeted support for operations against specific military targets used by Syrian regime in its chemical attacks.

Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.

Despite widespread Arab condemnation of the suspected chemical attack, the Dhahran summit is unlikely to call for Assad to step down.

Seven years into a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, Saudi Arabia and Iran now agree that the countrys future cannot be decided solely by the Assad regime, whose troops have regained the upper hand with massive support from Russia.

Saudi Arabias powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32-year-old son of the king and de facto ruler of the worlds largest exporter of oil, has said Assad will stay.

The question of Jerusalem is also likely to figure prominently at the summit as the United States prepares to move its embassy there from Tel Aviv after declaring the disputed city the capital of Israel in a break with decades of international diplomacy.

Arab ministers at a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday focused heavily on blocking the move, unanimously condemning the decision by US President Donald Trump.

But Saudi Arabias crown prince struck a somewhat different tone during a US tour earlier this month.

While Saudi Arabia does not officially recognise Israel, Prince Mohammed told US magazine The Atlantic that Israelis, like Palestinians, had a right to their own land.

There are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, he said.  AFP
uttara@tribuneindia.com

London, April 15

A British historian wants the skull of an Indian soldier who was among those executed after the revolt of 1857 against the East India Company to be repatriated to India and buried where he participated in his last battle.

Dr Kim Wagner, Senior Lecturer in British Imperial History at Queen Mary College in London, believes the time is right for Havildar Alum Bhega principal leader of the revolt, which the British characterise as a sepoy mutinyto be buried in his country of birth.

His skull had been brought to England by Captain A R Costello, who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed after the revolt in India. It was discovered years later in a pub in the eastern English coastal town of Walmer in Kent.

His regiment was originally raised at Kanpur, but my suggestion would be for his skull to be buried near the Ravi River, at the border between India and Pakistan, where we know Alum Bheg participated in the Battle of Trimmu Ghat, said Wagner, the author of The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857, which was released recently.

I don't perceive of the repatriation of Alum Bheg's skull as a political PR exercise. My focus is simply on returning the remains of Alum Bheg to what was once his homeland so that he can be put to rest160 years after he died, he adds.

The historian has triggered tentative discussions on the issue with diplomats in India and the UK, but acknowledges that these things take time and does not expect a resolution in the immediate future.

His journey to researching and writing the book on the 1857 revolt around the story of Bheg's tragic killing began in 2014 when he was contacted by the family who had come into possession of the skull.

In 1963, the new owner of The Lord Clyde pub discovered the skull stowed away in a small storeroom. Inserted in the eye-socket was a handwritten note that briefly outlined the skull's history. The note revealed that the skull belonged to an Indian soldier in the service of the East India Company named Alum Bheg, who was accused of murdering an entire family of Scottish missionaries.

He was captured and executed by being blown from a cannon. Capt. Costello, an Irish officer serving with the East India Company, brought it back to England as a kind of war trophy but how it eventually ended up in the pub in the coastal town of Deal remains unknown.

My research revealed several surprising discoveries, not least of which was that Alum Bheg was most likely innocent of the crimes for which he was executed, said Wagner.

What happened to the skull of one sepoy offers a disturbing narrative of life and death in British India that speaks directly to contemporary debates about the legacies of the Empire as well as the darker side of conflict, past and present, he said.

In a post-Brexit era of swelling imperial nostalgia and revisionism, the academic feels that given Bheg's innocence, his remains deserve a final resting place in his homeland.

According to the note found inside his skull, Bheg was about 32 years of age, 5 feet 7-and- a-half inches high, belonged to the 46th Bengal Infantry Regiment and was by no means an ill-looking native.

The British High Commission in New Delhi, the Royal Asiatic Society and some non-governmental organisations in India are now reportedly in talks to find a way of returning the native to his homeland. PTI




The domain turkeytelegraph.com may be for sale. Please click here to inquire
Book launch: Born in Yugoslavia  Raised in Norway

The book analyses in-depth interviews with former child refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, residing in Norway. The individuals representations of belonging were examined in light of the violent conflict that lead to their migration, their personal immigration experiences and their time growing up and residing in Norway. Welcome to the launch of Dragana Kovacevic Bielicki's book Born in Yugoslavia  Raised in Norway. Former child refugees and belonging

The book launch includes a panel on the topic Young immigrants, Norwegianness and belonging. Who can be Norwegian today?. The panel will be moderated by the books author, with panelists Lixian Cheng, Lana Marusic and Timothy Szlachetko. The panelists all have relevant professional and personal connections to the discussed topic.

Program

Presentation of the book by the author Dragana Kovacevic Bielicki

Panel discussion

Questions from the audience

Dragana Kovacevic Bielicki is a social researcher, who holds a PhD in Migration, Nationalism and Cultural Studies from ILOS, University of Oslo (2016). She previously received degrees in Philosophy from the University of Belgrade (2006) and Nationalism Studies from Central European University in Budapest (2008). The author currently resides in Oslo.

Lixian Cheng has broad experience working with integration and diversity issues in the public and non-profit sectors. A contributor to the public debate regarding immigrants and integration, her op-eds have been published in Morgenbladet and Dagsavisen, amongst others.

Lana Marusic currently works as a social educator at the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, as well as in Elevator. Lana grew up in Bosnia and Norway and has MA in Balkan area studies from the University of Oslo

Timothy Szlachetko is the leader of Skeiv Verden and Head of Analysis and Evaluation at the Department of ICT Policy and Public Sector Reform, Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation. Timothy has prior experience as Program Coordinator at the Directorate of Integration and Diversity.

Apent arrangement. Enkel servering. Velkommen!
Start your day with Sunrise, a roundup of B.C. news and opinions delivered straight to your inbox

Start your day with Sunrise, delivered straight to your inbox

Sign up now>
The Michigan State Fair is an annual event originally held by the state of Michigan in Detroit and currently operated by the private entity Michigan State Fair LLC in the Suburban Collection Showplace in the Metro Detroit suburb of Novi.The first official Michigan State Fair was held in 1849 in Detroit, Michigan. Subsequent fairs were held in other cities until it received its permanent home in 1905 at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.Who doesn't love and remember attending the Michigan State Fair when it rolled in to town every August, occupying that sprawling stretch just north of Grand Circus Park at Woodward and Eight Mile? These fascinating black and white photos were taken by Joey Harrison that bring you back the Michigan State Fair in 1973.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is caught in a political crisis over the expansion of an oil pipeline AFP/Lars Hagberg

In an interview with French business daily Les Echos ahead of a visit to Paris, Trudeau acknowledged that environmentalists were "concerned" by the Trans Mountain pipeline.

But he said, "Canadians and people around the world know that we cannot choose between what is good for the environment and good for the economy."

"You have to do both at the same time, and above all, you have to fund the transition towards reduced use of fossil fuels."

On Thursday, the Liberal premier cut short a visit to Peru to try defuse a threatened constitutional crisis over expanding a 1,150km pipeline to move 890,000 barrels of oil per day from landlocked Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific coast.

Opponents of the pipeline point to the risk of oil spills at sea and say it flouts Trudeau's commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"We cannot change everything in our economies overnight," Trudeau said.

"It's clear that people on the left and ecologists are concerned but there are also people on the right who do not like the idea of a carbon tax."

He assured that Canada, which will introduce a national carbon tax next year, would meet its targets under the 2015 Paris accord on combatting climate change.

On Monday, Trudeau will hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron at the start of a two-day visit, during which he will also address France's National Assembly.
China 'opposed to the use of force' in Syria, photo source AFP

"We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on its website.

Hua said unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council would "add new complicating factors to the resolution of the Syrian issue".

"China believes that a political solution is the only realistic way out for the Syrian issue," she added.

"China urges all the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation."

China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Beijing has consistently said the Syrian crisis needs a "political solution" but has numerous times vetoed Security Council measures aimed at addressing the conflict - including an investigation of war crimes in the country.
In a push towards a sustainable future, the private sector must spotlight green projects, Photo: Le Toan

Great capital demand

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, global capital demand for implementing sustainable development goals is estimated at $5-7 trillion a year, with a $2.5 trillion annual financing gap for key infrastructure sectors and related areas in developing markets.

In a bid to shift Vietnams economic growth into a sustainable lane from its current carbon-intensive and environmentally-unfriendly expansion, the country would need roughly $30.7 billion by 2020 and possibly $21.2 billion for the following 10 years to support its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INC), according to the German development agency GIZ.

Some 30 per cent of the credit requirement for green growth would come from the state budget, consisting of central and provincial funds as well as official development assistance (ODA), whilst the remainder will have to be sourced from the private sector, according to Pham Hoang Mai, director general of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Local commitment

With this in mind, the capital market can play a vital role to contribute to the Vietnam Green Growth Strategy (VGGS), approved by the government for the 2011-2020 period. Simply put, it will channel funds specifically for green projects and green companies, create a platform for green products derivatives trading, as well as leverage private sector investment by means of issuing green bonds, possibly facilitated by both the corporate and the local government sectors.

Actions taken so far by local capital market regulators include strengthening the environmental and social disclosures through the introduction of guidelines and handbooks for sustainability reporting for listed companies, as well as mandatory environmental and social (E&S) disclosure in the annual reports of listed companies.

On the other hand, the development of green products and services is aided by the use of Sustainability Indexes for portfolio investment references and green bond issuance plans at provincial governments and enterprises.

On an international scale, both local bourses (HSX and HNX) joined the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative in 2014, in an effort toward the sustainable development of the global capital market. Moreover, the country also actively contributed toward the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) in promoting sustainable development and green capital markets. The ASEAN Green Bond Standards (AGBS) have been circulated to listed companies as well as central and local agencies across Vietnam.

According to the State Securities Commission (SSC), aside from introducing the standards to market players, the commission is working on specific guidelines for the local securities market in line with AGBS and looking into further co-operation with ACMF members on an ASEAN green asset class.

In addition, training for local participants on green bonds will be provided, with regards to initiating green bond projects and subsequent issuances as well as integrating the environmental, social, and corporate governance risks and impact assessments along the stages of issuance and project implementation. The authority also looks into a regulatory framework for green bonds at a later point in time.

Meanwhile, for issuers of green bond like banks, Kyle Kelhofer, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, noted that should a commercial bank move forward with a green bond project, it will go ahead of its competitors in terms of differentiating itself as being more progressive, more sophisticated, and more sensitive to everybody.

So I think it is a great opportunity not just for clients in Vietnam but also for finance entities and partners, as they are able to work with a bank that is sophisticated enough to properly classify green assets and issue green bonds. Plus, the issuance of green bonds is one of the checkmark approvals, said Kelhofer. Secondly, there are funds out there in the international market that are keen on investing in green instruments.

In the view of the IFCs country head, it is definitely possible to have one or two cases of green bond issuance within the next six to twelve months. It is how Vietnam can leverage another financial tool to lower the cost of capital. We all want to have our loans less costly, not only to attract both foreign and domestic investment.

Also, it is a good stamp of approval on the sophistication of the Vietnamese economy and its business climate. Vietnam is a very fast emerging market, Kelhofer added.

Foreign attraction

The issuance of green bonds is expected to attract foreign investors interested in the field of green investments in Vietnam.

In a previous interview with VIR, Thomas Debelic, senior representative of Commerzbank AGs representative office for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, noted that European companies which bear the characteristics of family-owned small- to medium-sized enterprises and a renewable energy orientation have started exploring access to the Vietnamese market, or are even already preparing their market entry with sustainable products and services in the field of photovoltaic energy, green buildings or wastewater treatment.

Commerzbank has already started communication and an exchange of experiences in the field of green banking. Topics like the emission of green bonds were taken up with Vietnamese government institutions. We are confident that the green initiative in Vietnam will meet foreign investors interests and prove successful in the coming years, said Debelic at the time.

The objective of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) is to promote sustainable growth and link ASEAN markets with one another. Therefore, the capital market is an important source of funding for the economy, contributing to sustainable growth through the allocation of funds to environm entally-friendly projects.

The ASEAN Green Bond Standards (AGBS) were developed and launched in November 2017 to set common standards for the issuance of ASEAN green bonds, to contribute to the common goals of integration and connectivity and towards growth in ASEAN.

Following the launch of AGBS, there have been four issuances of bonds and Islamic bonds (sukuk bonds) that are labelled as ASEAN Green Bonds, carried out by companies in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Funds raised from these green bond issuances will be allocated to environment-related projects such as renewable energy, waste management, and green buildings, transportation, and airports, which meet the criteria for sustainability standards.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP

The Government chief made the request on Friday at a meeting attended by HCMC leaders and representatives of the Ministries: Transport, Planning and Investment, Construction, Justice, and Government Office.

The progress of the two metro lines is slow due to adjustment of the total investment capital.

PM Phuc emphasized that faster progress will help ensure the efficiency of the projects investment capital and reduce traffic congestions in HCMC-the leading economic machine of Viet Nam.

He urged the city authorities to soon submit full documents of the project to competent agencies for verification.

The PM also asked the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Construction, Justice and the Government Office to strengthen coordination to speed up the projects progress.

The citys metro project was the first proposed in 2001 as part of a comprehensive public transport plan for HCMC and neighboring provinces to mitigate traffic congestions.

It includes three monorail lines with a total length of 37km and six partly underground metro routes running a total of 107km from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, Ben Thanh to Tham Luong, Ben Thanh to Binh Tan, Lang Cha Ca to Van Thanh, Thu Thiem to Can Giuoc, and Ba Queo  Phu Lam. Ben Thanh will be a hub connecting all the lines.

According to the initial estimates in 2007, total investment of the project was VND 17 trillion (around US$749 million).

However, a recent calculation of Japanese consultant joint venture, verified by a Singaporean independent consultant unit, showed that total cost must be VND 47 trillion (US$2.07 billion). So far, 51 percent of the projects workload has been completed and the project is scheduled to be finished in 2020.
Sai Gon River (Photo: VNA)

According to Trang Bui, head of Markets for JLL Vietnam, the removal of the Saigon River ports to areas further afield was necessary for the process of urbanisation. Although Ho Chi Minh City is a port city, the ports must be located at a more reasonable distance from the city centre, Trang said.

The removal will leave spaces which will be useful for urbanisation purposes.

Many investors have been eyeing up those areas and I am sure that they will become part of the urban development of Ho Chi Minh City, Trang told VIR.

According to Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, the land areas left after the ports removal will certainly be golden land for urban development projects.

A project built along a river is ideal, the many projects that have already been built along the Saigon River are precious for both the city and the whole neighbouring region in general, Chau said.

The potential is great, yet Chau confirmed that it will not be easy to gain the investing rights for those areas.

Many of the plots have been assigned to investors already, whereas the rest are currently not public information, Chau added.

Properties along the river are not a new phenomenon in Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant city with many canals and small intersecting rivers.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, general director of Viet Gia Phu Real Estate Company, said that in order to be assigned land along canals and rivers, developers are offered build-transfer projects. These type of projects specify that the developers must improve the inner city canal system in order to be assigned a land plot along the Saigon River.

Meanwhile Ha Van Thien, director of Investment for Tran Anh Group, has noted that of the firms four Saigon River projects, all are achieving high liquidation. That is why our first priority is to find land parcels along rivers. Of course this task is difficult, but it is a worthy investment, Thien said.

According to a source from the Ho Chi Minh City Architecture and Zoning Department, the removal of ports outside the city centre and the development of the two banks along the Saigon River aim to decentralise the current high-density population in Ho Chi Minh Citys central areas of districts 1 and 3.

Trang from JLL further added that the removal of those ports will have an impact on the current industrial parks on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City; districts in Nha Be and Binh Chanh will now be served by those ports.

Industrial parks owners and their tenants will also have to consider their removal plans and prepare alternative logistics means for the relocation, Trang added.

According to the Ministry of Transport (MoT), to facilitate urbanisation, a total of 10 ports located along the Saigon River will be removed.

Those affected include Ba Son shipping yard, Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi, Tan Thuan, Bong Sen, Bien Dong, Tan Thuan Dong and Ben Nghe ports, Logistic Development JSC, and ELF Saigon.

Tan Thuan Port, currently located in District 7, will be moved to Hiep Phuoc in Nha Be district in order to provide land area to build the fourth Thu Thiem Bridge.

Hiep Phuoc Port will become the main port of Ho Chi Minh City after 2020. The port can receive 4,000 tonne ships and serve neighbouring industrial clusters.

So far, both Tan Cang Sai Gon and Ba Son ports have already been removed. These areas were given to Vingroup to develop the Vinhomes Golden River and Vinhomes Centre Park projects  two major residential projects in the city.

Meanwhile, Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Port will be removed before December 31 this year. The land plot will be given to Fareast Pearl Urban Development Company to develop a multifunctional complex of high-rise buildings, a trading centre, apartments, villas, primary and secondary schools, a healthcare centre, and other infrastructure.

One of the vegetable-specialised port areas to be relocated from District 7 will now be occupied by the huge Mui Den Do project, invested in by Van Thinh Phat Group.

With its investment capital of $6 billion, Van Thinh Phat is going to build a modern urban development area of 118 hectares called Saigon Peninsula. The project will include a theme park, luxury riverfront villas, premium apartment complexes, office buildings, a hotel, a shopping centre, and an international cruise terminal. It has teamed up with Malaysian developers Pavilion and Genting Group to implement this mammoth project.

The southeastern Vietnam group of ports consist of those in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Vung Tau, and Binh Duong provinces.

According to MoT, by 2020, the total cargo transported through this southeastern group of ports will be more than 238 million tonnes. This number is projected to reach 317 million tonnes by 2025 and 358 million by 2030.

In 2020, the above-mentioned group of ports is expected to serve more than 340,000 passengers per year, with the number expected to rise to 478,000 in 2025 and 705,000 in 2030.
Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie (R) ended Arsenal's unbeaten run of seven games in all competitions with the hosts' winner at St James' Park AFP/Lindsey PARNABY

Arsene Wenger's side took an early lead through Alexandre Lacazette, but Ayoze Perez equalised before Ritchie bagged the second half winner.

Newcastle's fourth successive win ended Arsenal's unbeaten run of seven games in all competitions.

The sixth-placed Gunners are 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with only five games remaining in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Realistically, Arsenal already had no chance of making the top four and Wenger had been prioritising their Europa League campaign for several weeks.

Arsenal saw off CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

They face Atletico Madrid in the last four and will qualify for the Champions League if they win the competition.

With little to play for in the league, Arsenal were unable to find enough momentum to maintain their recent revival, even though Lacazette opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Just moments after he was left writhing on the turf following a crunching challenge from Kenedy, Lacazette exacted revenge.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ran onto a long ball into the Newcastle area and picked out Lacazette, who stretched to volley home at the far post for his 13th goal of a difficult first season following his move from Lyon.

Alex Iwobi almost doubled Arsenal's lead moments later with a stinging strike that forced a good save from Martin Dubravka.

Jonjo Shelvey's long pass picked out Dwight Gayle in the Arsenal area and, with Gunners defender Shkodran Mustafi out of position, he was able to lay off to DeAndre Yedlin.

Perez made a perfectly-timed run to meet Yedlin's cross with a fine finish that flashed by Petr Cech at his near post.

The Spanish forward's third goal in his last three appearances was a clinical effort, but Wenger would have been furious with how easily Newcastle carved open his defence.

Calum Chambers could have restored Arsenal's lead before the interval, but the defender shot wide from Mustafi's knock down.

Ritchie tested Cech before 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock's poor finish wasted an opportunity to mark his Premier League debut with a goal.

Iwobi lashed narrowly wide from long-range as Arsenal chased their first away point of 2018.

But it was Newcastle who landed the knockout blow in the 68th minute.

More sloppy Arsenal defending let in Islam Slimani and his header was flicked on by Perez to Ritchie, who beat Cech from close-range.

Ritchie clearly saves his goals for the big occasion, having scored the winner against Manchester United in February.

Kenedy, on loan from Chelsea, came close to putting the result beyond doubt with a looping effort that hit the crossbar with Cech beaten.

Lacazette should have equalised in the closing stages, but he shot into the side-netting.
UN Security Council to meet over Syria strikes, photo AFP

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will brief the council during the public meeting scheduled for 1500 GMT (11pm Singapore time), a UN official said.

Guterres said in a statement earlier that all countries should "show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people."

Western officials said a barrage of cruise and air-to-land missiles hit what they said were sites linked to chemical weapons development.

The one-night operation hit three targets: a scientific research facility in the Damascus area, a chemical weapons storage site west of the city of Homs and a command post near Homs, the US military said.

Russia has warned that any military action against Syria would be in violation of international law as it was carried out without UN Security Council approval.

At a council meeting on Friday, the United States, Britain and France made the case for military action, arguing that President Bashar Assad's forces had used toxic gases multiple times in violation of international law.

Russia countered that their action was aimed at overthrowing Assad and keeping Moscow's influence in check.
URC was forced to make necessary brand changes to its beverages which are popular in Vietnam, Photo: Dng Minh

According to the latest Universal Robina Corporation (URC) report, it incurred a 21.1 per cent drop in net income in 2017.

Profitability remained weak as the company faced a decline in volumes and a change in its product mix, particularly relating to the coffee category in the Philippines, as well as a slower-than-expected recovery in Vietnam, URC said.

URC, the food and beverages unit of the Gokongwei group of companies, is focusing on strengthening its business and hopes to recover its share of Vietnams beverage market by 2020.

URC consists of three main divisions, namely snack foods, beverages, and grocery products. The group manufactures and distributes a diverse mix of salty snacks, chocolate, candy, biscuits, baked goods, beverages, noodles, and tomato-based products in the Philippines and throughout Asia. Its green tea beverage C2 and ready-to-drink energy drink Rong Do are popular in Vietnam.

The company faced a price war in the Philippines involving its coffee and salty snack businesses, while its two flagship beverage brands, C2 and Rong Do, were recalled in Vietnam for exceeding the limit for lead content in 2016.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health announced the imposition of a fine of more than VND5.8 billion ($260,000) for producing and selling lead-contaminated products. According to the ministry, a batch of C2 manufactured on February 4, 2016 and a batch of Rong Do made on November 10, 2015 were found to contain high levels of lead. Test results showed these batches had a lead content of 0.053 to 0.085 milligrams (mg) per litre, definitively above the acceptable limit of 0.05 mg per litre. The lead contamination scandal has damaged the reputation of the company and consumers remain wary of its products.

In order to recover its sales, URC launched a new look for C2 in mid-March stating in a document that the beverage still keeps to its unique brewing process where its brewed and bottled on the same day, ensuring a fresh and authentic drinking experience, while also focusing on the products base of green tea leaves.

Asked about the companys future strategies for Vietnams market, no URC representative was available for comment.

According to Euromonitor International, a leading provider of strategic market research, in 2016, the ready-to-drink tea market recorded declines in both on-trade and off-trade volume and value terms, as both of its leading players, Tan Hiep Phat Group and URC Vietnam, were involved in scandals which affected their reputations and sales. In 2017, as the scandals died down, the segment rebounded, although growth was not as strong as it had been prior to the scandals.

In recent years, Vietnamese customers have become increasingly aware of health and wellness products due to higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. For this reason, there has been a perceptible shift in preference towards more nutritious drinks with less sugar and caffeine. With higher disposable incomes, many consumers have become more willing to pay extra for healthier products.
(ABC News) President Donald Trump ordered a strike on Syria Friday in response to last weekend's chemical weapons attack.

Addressing the nation Friday evening, Trump said the strike was a joint operation with France and the United Kingdom.



President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the situation in Syria April 13, 2018 at the White House in Washington. Trump said strikes on Syria are under way. President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the situation in Syria April 13, 2018 at the White House in Washington. Trump said strikes on Syria are under way.

The Pentagon holds a briefing on situation in Syria after Trump announces airstrikes Friday evening, April 13, 2018. The Pentagon holds a briefing on situation in Syria after Trump announces airstrikes Friday evening, April 13, 2018.

"A short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad," Trump said.

Trump said that the "massacre" last weekend in Syria "was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime."

"The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man," Trump said, referring to Assad. "They are crimes of a monster instead."

In a later briefing, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the strike demonstrates the international resolve to prevent the use of chemical weapons, saying he is "confident the Syrian regime conducted a chemical attack on innocent people in the last week."

"Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message last year," Mattis said, adding that this time the U.S. struck harder.

"We have gone to great lengths to avoid civilian and foreign casualties," he said. "... I believe that we sent a very strong message."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford said the strike specifically hit three targets associated with the production and storage of chemical weapons: a scientific research center; a storage center for sarin and its precursor components; and a chemical weapons storage facility and command post.

"Important infrastructure was destroyed," said Dunford.

There were no reports of American losses, Mattis said.

Russia was not notified before launching airstrikes against Syria, Dunford said, adding no additional strikes are planned.

Social posts out of Syria showed flames lighting up the dark skies. Explosions could be heard as well.

Syrian state media confirmed the scientific research center in Barzeh, north of Damascus, was targeted in the attack, adding that a number of rockets targeting warehouses belonging to the Syrian army in Homs were allegedly intercepted.

The Russian Defense Ministry held a briefing Saturday in which they said 71 of the 103 missiles that were fired were intercepted. The Syrian government offered similar claims, though neither provided evidence to back up the claims. Russia also said no one was killed by any of the strikes.

Syrian state media said it was a "cowardly terrorist attack," only done for America to save face.

In his remarks, Trump also delivered a message to Iran and Russia.

"To Iran and to Russia I ask, what kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children? The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No nation can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants, and murderous dictators," Trump said.

"In 2013, [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons," he continued. "Assad's recent attack and today's response are the direct result of Russia's failure to keep that promise. Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace. Hopefully, someday we'll get along with Russia and maybe even Iran. But maybe not."

Putin responded to the attack against Syria on Saturday saying "an act of aggression against a sovereign state that is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism has been committed."

"Very quickly we need to put options on the table to see if Russia is willing to engage in a multilateral process," a source within the French presidency said Saturday.

Trump added that the U.S. "does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria."

"We look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home," he said. "... We cannot purge the world of evil or act everywhere there is tyranny. No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

"... We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria," Trump concluded. "We pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace. And we pray that God will continue to watch over and bless the United States of America."

The strike came as Trump has alluded to military action in Syria all week, even tweeting on Wednesday that Russia should be "ready" because "nice and new and 'smart'" missiles "will be coming." But Thursday, he seemed to walk back that statement, tweeting military action "could be very soon or not so soon at all."

Trump has reportedly been moved by images of the suspected chemical weapons attack on the Syrian city of Douma outside of Damascus all week, calling it "atrocious."

"We cannot allow atrocities like that. Cannot allow it," Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, adding he expected to make a decision on a response in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Images showed victims of the attack foaming at the mouth.

Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford met with the president at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Syria. There were additional National Security Council meetings on Thursday and Friday.

Trump also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May several times by phone this week. The administration said previously any response Assad's alleged chemical weapons use would be done in consultation with allies.

In a statement Friday night, May called last weekend's chemical attack "pure horror."

"The Syrian regime has a history of using chemical weapons against its own people in the most cruel and abhorrent way," May said.

"And a significant body of information including intelligence indicates the Syrian Regime is responsible for this latest attack."

May held a press conference with reporters early Saturday morning for about 40 minutes, taking dozens of questions from reporters.

"There is no graver decision for a prime minister than to commit our forces to combat. And this is the first time that I've had to do so," May said.

May said the attack was designed specifically to damage chemical weapons facilities and "was not about interfering in a civil war" or "regime change." She said the best option remains a "political solution."

Perhaps in preparation for a strike, Syria repositioned some of its aircraft from bases earlier in the week, a U.S. official told ABC News. A second official said the Syrian military had gone into an increased defensive posture.

Macron, meanwhile, said the response is "limited to the Syrian regime's capabilities to produce and use chemical weapons."

"We cannot tolerate the normalization of the use of chemical weapons, which is a direct threat to the security of the Syrian people and our collective security," he said.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization said that during the shelling of Douma, "an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals."

"More than 70 people sheltering in basements have reportedly died, with 43 of those deaths related to symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals," the organization said. "Two health facilities were also reportedly affected by these attacks."

On Friday, U.S. Ambassador the United Nations Nikki Haley said analysis done by the U.S., U.K. and France proved the chemical attack. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert also confirmed the use of chemical weapons, but said the U.S. was still looking into the exact kind or the mix of agent used.

Despite the air strikes Friday, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it will continue its fact-finding mission in Syria to "establish facts around the allegations of chemical weapons use in Douma."
Former First Lady Barbara Bush, who has been battling congestive heart failure, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and go home from a hospital to be "surrounded by a family she adores," according to a statement released Sunday by the office of former President George H.W. Bush.

Mrs. Bush, 92, has been hospitalized several times in Houston, Texas, over the past year to be treated for chronic pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, her family has said.



Barbara Bush visits during round 2 of the 2016 Champions Tour Insperity Invitational, The Woodlands Country Club, The Woodlands, Texas. Barbara Bush visits during round 2 of the 2016 Champions Tour Insperity Invitational, The Woodlands Country Club, The Woodlands, Texas.

In this Sept. 2, 2008 file photo, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, left, and former first lady Barbara Bush are seen at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. In this Sept. 2, 2008 file photo, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, left, and former first lady Barbara Bush are seen at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment, and instead will focus on comfort care, read a statement released by her husband's office.

"It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself -- thanks to her abiding faith, but for others," the statement reads. "She is surrounded by a family she adores and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving."

In January, Mrs. Bush and her husband were hospitalized at the same time. She was being treated by bronchitis and the nation's 41st president was being treated for pneumonia.

Barbara Bush served as the country's first lady from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States.
A new NASA program years in the making will attempt to do what no spacecraft has ever done before -- scan the universe to find thousands of planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.

But the question on everyone's mind yet to be answered: Is there life on any of those planets?



TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is pictured with NASA technicians in an image released on March 28, 2018. TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is pictured with NASA technicians in an image released on March 28, 2018.

An artist's depiction shows NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite in front of a lava planet orbiting its host star. An artist's depiction shows NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite in front of a lava planet orbiting its host star.

The agency's new planet hunter -- named TESS, or the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite -- is one of its most important missions, says astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi.

TESS will discover planets around the nearest brightest stars seen from Earth, he said.

Not too long along, there were nine planets in the solar system. But then scientists scratched Pluto off the list -- to the dismay of many planet lovers who still wonder what happened to the ninth planet.

Well, Pluto is still a planet, but now it is now considered a dwarf planet.

Beyond the planets in the Kuiper belt, though, scientists hope TESS will find more planets. NASA astronomers have already discovered thousands of exoplanets.

But TESS -- the first-ever spaceborne, all-sky transit survey -- will identify a wide range of planets, from Earth-sized to gas giants.

Oluseyi said TESS has that capability because of the physics of shadows and light.

Light passing through the planets' atmospheres, or bouncing off their atmospheres, will provide details of the planets' chemistry and search for signatures of life, he said.

So when a planet passes in front of its host star, the light will dim, Oluseyi said, and thats what TESS will be looking for -- those dimming lights that astronomers call dips transits.

What would be the dream discovery for TESS?

An Earth-sized planet that has survived the life cycle of the star it orbits and is orbiting a white star. Its an elusive discovery for

astronomers.

TESS is expected to find thousands of other planets during its two-year mission exploring the nearest and brightest stars in our galaxy to see if there are unknown worlds hiding in their light.

TESS is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Monday at 5:32 p.m. here in Alabama.
4. Commodities: Goldman Sachs said this week that the case for owning commodities has rarely been stronger, which aligns with a jump in Crude Oil trading to the highest levels since 2014. Crude Oil was at the epicenter of the geopolitical risks turning into market gains.

Adding to fundamental support for energy was the OPEC data point that production among members was at the lowest in a year. Meanwhile, Venezuelan production has recently fallen to the lowest levels since 1949. This confluence of events helped Crude Oil see its best week since July, and Hedge Funds per the CFTC increased their net-long position to the largest on record. Good timing!

Not to be outdone, Aluminum had its best week since 1987 as the owner of Russian mammoth company, United Co. Rusal was put on an updated US Sanctions list effectively removing the world's largest non-Chinese Aluminum supplier from the market.

5. US: The flattening US Yield Curve may be partly to blame for the disappointing bank earnings. This week, both the spread between the US 5- and 30-year Treasury yields and the 2- and 10-year Treasuries were the flattest since before the last recession began in late 2007. While the rising yields on the front-end and LIBOR are exciting and helping profit margins, the longer-term prospects are discouraging though their balance sheets have likely rarely been healthier. At the same time, initial reports from JP Morgan show they're firing on all cylinders

6. Aramco: Move over Apple, Saudi Aramco looks to be the global-leading company when it comes to first-half 2017 net income after financial data was reviewed by Bloomberg. Aramco's profit for H1 2017 was $33.8B, topping Apple's $28.9B and Samsung's $14B. Currently, the large valuation is likely set to remain elevated with Brent Oil above $70/bbl helping the Saudi Finance Ministry fund the ambitious social agenda of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

As the Aramco IPO nears, it has become obvious that the encouragement from Saudi to extend the OPEC production curbs, which is working magnificently, has its motives in pushing oil prices higher and thus the valuation to help the state more than investors.

7. Forex: Volatility in FX markets set to increase after Syria strikes, packed calendar ahead: Geopolitical tensions have ratcheted higher following the US-led military intervention in Syria over the weekend. But a saturated economic calendar will also lead to additional volatility in FX markets in the week ahead. Q1'18 Chinese GDP on Tuesday will likely have a spillover impact onto Australian stocks and the Australian Dollar. On Wednesday, April UK CPI, the Bank of Canada rate decision, and the Q1'18 New Zealand CPI report will impact GBP/AUD, AUD/CAD, and AUD/NZD, respectively. Thursday's Australian labor market report will hit all AUD-crosses, while AUD/JPY will move on the March Japanese CPI report. Finally, on Friday, AUD/CAD will be back in focus upon the release of the March Canadian CPI report.

8. Market watch:

SPI futures down 6 points or 0.1% to 5810

AUD flat at 77.66 US cents

On Wall St: Dow -0.5%, S&P 500 -0.3%, Nasdaq -0.5%

In New York, BHP +1.3% Rio +0.8%

In Europe: Stoxx 50 +0.1%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC +0.1%, DAX +0.2%

Spot gold +0.8% to $US1346.20 an ounce

Brent crude +0.8% to $US72.58 a barrel

US oil +0.5% to $US67.39 a barrel

Iron ore +0.8% to $US64.96 a tonne

Dalian iron ore flat at 450 yuan

LME aluminium -1.7% to $US2285 a tonne

Aluminium touched six-year high on Friday

LME copper +0.1% to $US6830 a tonne

10-year bond yield: US 2.83%, Germany 0.51%, Australia 2.73%

This column was produced in commercial partnership

between Fairfax Media and IG
Wshington: The Trump administration is declaring victory after striking three Syrian government chemical weapons sites. But the White House hasn't learnt the lessons of last year's "pinprick" strikes on the Assad regime. Unless some sort of accountability is imposed on the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's slaughter of his own people in the cruelest and most illegal of ways is sure to continue apace.

"Mission Accomplished!" Trump tweeted this morning, praising what he called a "perfectly executed strike" on the Assad regime conducted jointly with the French and British militaries. Tactically, it did seem successful enough. Syria's oft-exaggerated air defence capabilities turned out to be impotent. Russia's threats to retaliate proved empty. No allied assets were lost.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the strike objective was to degrade the Assad regime's chemical weapons capability and deter Assad from using them again. It's much too early to tell whether either objective was fulfilled. But if history is any guide, Assad is adept at hiding his chemical weapons and using them again when the international spotlight fades.

The justification for the strike, according to Mattis, was to enforce international norms and laws regarding the use of chemical weapons, which he said was a vital US national security interest. No Trump administration official in the past 24 hours has articulated how these strikes fit into a larger Syria diplomatic or political strategy. Likely, there is none. But even if the mission is narrowly defined as stopping what Trump called the "crimes of a monster", the strikes probably won't achieve that goal.
Jostling for room in the crowded luxury brands space has been a pivotal part of the success of small Australian distillery, Four Pillars Gin.

The Yarra Valley distillery only launched onto the market four years ago, but achieved sales of $8 million last financial year. Strong growth in exports and local sales on the back of new distribution points puts next years projections at closer to $10 million.

Stuart Gregor has aligned Four Pillars with established luxury brands.

Four Pillars has four core products, which range between $75 and $100 a bottle. Despite strong sales, co-founder Stuart Gregor insists theres considerable room for growth in the domestic market, saying that the luxury market presents a number of opportunities.

The brand has partnered with a number of established luxury brands, including Marriott Group and Duty Free shops at key airports, which places Four Pillars alongside high profile brands such as Penfolds Grange. Export sales are also strong.
Startling new figures have prompted the state government to announce a $2.2 million injection into protecting the safety of health professionals in next year's state budget.

It was revealed there were more than 11,000 incidents of violence and aggression against WA health system professionals in 2016 - that is, 30 "code blacks" in Perth's three major hospitals a day.

The state government is aiming to fulfill its election commitment of protecting health workers. Credit:Louie Douvis

Code blacks are used by hospital staff to alert others of a potential or existing aggressive incident towards a staff member, and the McGowan Government detailed its new plans to help health workers feel safe - including "antistab vests".

"Over the next three years, WA Health will purchase 250 antistab vests for the State's major hospitals, and 2,500 personal mobile duress alarms to reduce the risk of injury at home visits and to help protect staff in remote nursing posts," a statement from Health Minister Roger Cook's office said.
Lima: The United States, Mexico and Canada will expedite NAFTA talks in a push to reach a deal in coming weeks, Mexico's president said on Saturday after a meeting with the US vice-president and Canadian prime minister.

On the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, US Vice-President Mike Pence and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they thought an agreement could be reached before Mexican elections on July 1, although they also said no deadlines had been set.

US Vice-President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto during a bilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, on Saturday. Credit:AP

"We agreed to keep up work towards reaching a deal and to summon our special negotiating teams to accelerate their efforts," Pena Nieto said after meeting Pence.

"It was the same thing I agreed to with Prime Minister Trudeau," Pena Nieto added. "We hope in coming weeks we can reach an agreement."
New York: Two black men walked into a Starbucks in downtown Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon and sat down. Officials said they had asked to use the restroom but because they had not bought anything, an employee refused the request. They were eventually asked to leave, and when they declined, an employee called police.

Protesters gather outside a Starbucks in Philadelphia on Sunday, where two black men were arrested. Credit:AP

Some of what happened next was recorded in a video that has been viewed more than 8 million times on Twitter and was described by the chief executive of Starbucks as "very hard to watch." Details of the episode, which authorities provided on Saturday local time, ignited widespread criticism on social media, incited anger among public officials and prompted investigations.

The video shows the men surrounded by several police officers wearing bicycle helmets in the Center City Starbucks. When one officer asks another man whether he is "with these gentlemen", the man said he was and called the episode ridiculous.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 15, 2018 | 08:04 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

A Paducah teen was arrested and two women were cited following a traffic stop Saturday night in McCracken County.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop for registration violations around 11:20 pm on Hovekamp Road. Upon contact, deputies reportedly detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

Deputies say the driver, 22-year-old Savannah Bunyan, of Benton, and a passenger, 23-year-old Katie Miller, of Paducah, were found in possession of marijuana. Police said another passenger, 18-year-old Dallas Johnson, of Paducah, was found in possession of cocaine.

Johnson was arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail on charges of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bunyan and Miller were both cited and released.

Bunyan is charged with driving on a DUI suspended license, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, improper display of registration plates, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Miller is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 15, 2018 | 07:51 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

Four people face drug charges after a traffic stop in McCracken County Saturday afternoon.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says a traffic stop was conducted around 4:00 pm at the intersection of Husband Road and Sunset Drive. The investigation led to a search of the vehicle and all four occupants.

During the search, deputies allegedly found marijuana, methamphetamine and a handgun. The driver, 26-year-old Randall Snow, of Paducah, was charged with possession of marijuana, improper display of registration plates and failure of owner to maintain required insurance.

Twenty-six-year-old Briar Rushing, 26-year-old Nathan Bledsoe and 30-year-old Aubree Stout, all of Paducah, were each charged with possession of marijuana.

Bledsoe was also charged with trafficking in meth and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required.

Your Full Name: (optional)

Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required.
Meyer to Speak at Historical Society Meeting

Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Apr. 11, 2018 | MURRAY, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 11, 2018 | 07:23 PM | MURRAY, KY

The Jackson Purchase Historical Society continues its 60th Anniversary Year with a presentation by Matthew Meyer on Sophronia, A New Castle Pioneer. A brief business meeting will precede the program, beginning at 10:30 am in the Auditorium of the Wrather Museum at Murray State University on April 28th.



We are excited to share with the community Matthew Meyers presentation on Sophronia Combs Bruce, Society President Bill Mulligan said. Her life spanned much of the nineteenth century and Matthew Meyer has recaptured her experience through letters, contemporary documents, family artifacts, family photos to shed light on womens lives in nineteenth century Kentucky. His research takes this beyond the story of one woman and her family to speak to the experience of Kentucky women of her time. Genealogists and family historians will not only enjoy the story of her life, but come away with ideas for their own research and ways to present their findings using digital presentation methods.



Matthew Meyer is a student at Murray State University from Louisville, who has been researching his family history for some time. He describes his project, "In finding the letters of a 19th Century housewife, Kentucky's past has been revisited in the most personal way possible. Now those resources are more available than ever before, we must work to preserve her story and share it with a larger audience."



In 1958, a group of people interested in local and regional history met in Murray, Kentucky and formed the Jackson Purchase Historical Society to promote interest, study, and preservation of the regional history of the territory included in the Chickasaw Purchase of 1818-1819. Andrew Jackson, (before he was president), and Isaac Shelby negotiated the treaty with the Chickasaw Nation represented by Levi Colbert and family. Jackson played the leading role in the negotiations. The Treaty was ratified in 1819 and opened the region to full settlement. The area of primary interest to the Jackson Purchase Historical Society includes the Kentucky counties of Ballard, Carlisle, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken, and Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley in Tennessee. They have an interest in, and welcome members, from all of West Tennessee. However, the Societys interest in the general heritage of this region extends to bordering counties and larger issues that have affected the region and the lives of its people. In 2018, they will celebrate their 60th anniversary of service to the region.



The Journal of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society has made an important contribution over the years and has received awards from the Historical Society of Kentucky in 2013 and 2017. The meetings share current research with the community of those interested.

Membership is open to all for $15 per year (August to July) and includes a copy of their annual journal.












In the past 15 months, dozens of state lawmakers have been forced from office, removed from their leadership roles, reprimanded or publicly accused of sexual misconduct in a mounting backlash against misbehavior by those in power.

Yet the majority of state legislative chambers across the country have no publicly available records of any sexual misconduct claims over the past 10 years. They say no complaints were made, no tally was kept or they do not legally have to disclose it, The Associated Press found.

Some lawmakers and experts on sexual wrongdoing in the workplace say that suggests legislators are not taking the problem seriously.

There is no good excuse for not making that information available, said Republican state Sen. Karen McConnaughay of Illinois. If the voters dont know these things are going on, then they cant very well make a judgment about our behavior.

The AP filed records requests with the legislative chambers in every state  99 in all  seeking information on the number of sexual misconduct or harassment complaints made against lawmakers since 2008. The requests also asked for any documents pertaining to those complaints and any financial settlements.

That process unearthed roughly 70 complaints from about two dozen states and nearly $3 million in sexual harassment settlements paid by eight states. But the actual figures almost certainly are higher. Thats because many states that refused to turn over any information had legislators who had been publicly accused and forced out of office or leadership positions.

Some lawmakers and experts say that because of legislatures failure to confront the problem aggressively, victims hesitate to come forward for fear of ridicule, isolation and retaliation.

Covering up abuse An Associated Press survey turned up roughly 70 complaints nationwide, but the actual figures almost certainly are higher.

When you add the pressure of politics and the fact that relationships are everything in politics, it is extremely unusual to imagine anyone ever reporting, said Maryland Delegate Ariana Kelly, a Democrat who chairs the Legislatures 60-member womens caucus. She said she was warned when she entered office eight years ago that I was going to be a pariah if I didnt learn to accept the culture the way it was.

The 188-member Maryland General Assembly said it has no records of the number of sexual harassment complaints over the past decade but plans to begin keeping track. Earlier this week, the Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Kelly that will strengthen its policies on harassment reporting to include an independent investigator and to cover lobbyists.

The Texas House and Senate, which have 181 lawmakers combined, also reported no records of complaints. But that doesnt mean theres no problem with harassment, said former Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis, who now runs the Austin-based womens advocacy group Deeds Not Words.

She recalls being touched very inappropriately by a newly elected House member at a 2009 social gathering for lawmakers. She never filed a complaint and wasnt even aware there was a process for doing so. Instead, Davis worked with colleagues to kill the lawmakers bills.

Often the fear of coming forward and what the consequence of that will look like suppresses anyone from saying anything, she said. And what it means is that women put up with a lot, and then it starts to create a culture where that is an accepted practice.

Women recently have become more vocal about harassment. Since the start of 2017, sexual misconduct or harassment allegations have led to the resignation or expulsion of at least 25 state lawmakers across the country, according to an AP tally.

About 20 additional state lawmakers have faced repercussions such as reprimands and the loss of leadership positions, according to the APs review. Complaints are pending against several others.

Some of those who quit or were punished are not included in the APs decade-long tally because no complaint was formally filed or because information about sexual misconduct complaints has not been publicly compiled and released.

The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission said that requests for the number of complaints and related documents do not fall within the open records law and that they place an unreasonable burden upon the commission. Thus, the number of formal complaints remains officially unknown, even though plenty of sexual misconduct allegations involving the states lawmakers have been aired publicly.

In 2015, Kentucky paid $400,000 to settle sexual harassment lawsuits involving three Democratic lawmakers. Last year, the Democratic Senate minority whip was replaced after being accused of groping a man, the Republican House speaker and three Republican colleagues lost leadership posts after secretly signing a sexual harassment settlement, and another Republican lawmaker killed himself after being accused of sexually assaulting a teenager.

Pull Quote Little was known about any complaints in Illinois until an activist publicly testified last fall that her previously unpublicized sexual harassment complaint against a senator had gone unresolved for a year. Twenty-seven ethics complaints filed since 2015, some involving sexual harassment, had been in limbo because of a vacancy in the legislative inspector generals office.

In New York, a state assemblyman was sanctioned in November by a legislative ethics panel after he was accused of asking a female staffer for nude photos and then leaking her name when she filed a complaint. New Yorks legislative chambers did not provide even a written response to the APs inquiry on complaints; the Legislature is exempt from the states open-records law.

New York state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat known for speaking out on sexual harassment, said she doesnt necessarily have qualms about the Legislature declining to disclose data on sexual harassment complaints. But, she said, once a determination is made or money is paid out, it should be made public.

Little was known about any complaints in Illinois until an activist publicly testified last fall that her previously unpublicized sexual harassment complaint against a senator had gone unresolved for a year. Thats when McConnaughay discovered that 27 ethics complaints filed since 2015, some involving sexual harassment, had been in limbo because of a vacancy in the legislative inspector generals office.

Complaints to the inspector general are exempt from public disclosure. But when the AP turned to the Legislature for records on the number of sexual harassment complaints, the Illinois Senate responded that it had no such documents. The Illinois House indicated it didnt track such things and wasnt required to prepare answers to questions or create new documents or lists in response to a request.
As protests continue to erupt in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and across the world in outrage against the horrific shooting of Jacob Bla Read more
Here is some background information about the shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007, one of the deadliest shooting rampages in US history.

Twenty-three-year-old Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, before taking his own life.

Facts:

Seung-Hui Cho was a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in English. He was born in South Korea in 1984 and became a permanent US resident in 1992.

Timeline:

December 13, 2005 - Cho is ordered by a judge to seek outpatient care after making suicidal remarks to his roommates. He is evaluated at Carilion-St. Alban's mental health facility.

February 9, 2007 - Cho picks up a Walther P-22 pistol he purchased online on February 2 from an out-of-state dealer at JND Pawn shop in Blacksburg, across the street from Virginia Tech.

March 2007 - Cho purchases a 9mm Glock pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition from Roanoke Firearms for $571.

April 16, 2007 - (Events are listed in local ET)

7:15 a.m. - Police are notified in a 911 call that there are at least two shooting victims at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a four-story coed dormitory on campus that houses approximately 895 students.

9:01 a.m. - Cho mails a package containing video, photographs and writings to NBC News in New York. NBC doesn't receive it until two days later due to an incorrect address on the package.

9:26 a.m. - The school sends out an email statement that a shooting took place at West Ambler Johnston Hall earlier that morning.

9:45 a.m. - 911 calls report a second round of shootings in classrooms at Norris Hall, the engineering science and mechanics building. At least 32 students and faculty are killed.

9:50 a.m. - "Please stay put." A second email notifies students that a gunman is loose on campus.

9:55 a.m. - University officials send a third message about the second shooting via email and text messages to students.

10:16 a.m. - Classes are canceled.

10:53 a.m. - Students receive an email about Norris Hall shooting, with the subject line, "Second shooting reported: police have one gunman in custody."

12:42 p.m. - VT President Charles Steger issues a statement that people are being released from campus buildings and that counseling centers are being set up. He announces that classes are canceled again for the next day.

April 17, 2007 - Virginia Tech Police announce that they "have been able to confirm the identity of the gunman at Norris Hall. That person is Seung-Hui Cho. He was a 23-year-old South Korean here in the US as a resident alien."

April 18, 2007 - NBC News announces that they have received a package containing pictures and written material which they believe to be from Cho, sent between the two shootings.

August 15, 2007 - It is announced that the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, funded by private donations, will donate $180,000 to the families of each of the 32 victims. Those injured will receive $40,000 to $90,000, depending on the severity of the injuries, and a waiver of tuition and fees if applicable.

March 24, 2008 - The state proposes a settlement to the families related to the shooting. In it, $100,000 is offered to representatives of each of the 32 people killed and another $800,000 is reserved to those injured, with a $100,000 maximum. Expenses not covered by insurance such as medical, psychological, and psychiatric care for surviving victims and all immediate families are also covered.

April 10, 2008 - Governor Tim Kaine announces that a "substantial majority" of the families related to the shootings have agreed to the $11 million settlement offered by the state. It isn't clear how many families have not accepted the deal. The settlement will pay survivors' medical costs for life and compensate families who lost loved ones. By accepting the settlement, the families give up their right to sue the university, state, and local government in the future. Neither the attorneys representing the families nor the governor would discuss the exact terms until final papers are drawn.

June 17, 2008 - A judge approves the $11 million settlement offered by the state to some of the victims and families of those killed in the shooting rampage. Families of 24 of the 32 killed, as well as 18 who were injured are included in the settlement.

April 10, 2009 - Norris Hall reopens. The 4,300-square-foot area will house the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, which relocated to the building.

December 9, 2010 - The US Department of Education releases a report charging that Virginia Tech failed to notify students in a "timely manner," as prescribed by the Clery Act.

March 14, 2012 - A jury awards $4 million each to two victims' families who sued the state for wrongful death. The jury finds Virginia Tech failed to notify students early enough following the discovery of two shooting victims at West Ambler Johnston dormitory. The families of Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde argued that had officials notified students and staff earlier of the shooting, lives might have been spared. The Peterson and Pryde families did not accept a portion of an $11 million settlement between the state and the families of victims, opting instead to sue for wrongful death. The amount is later reduced to $100,000 per family.

October 31, 2013 - The Supreme Court of Virginia overturns the jury verdict in a wrongful death suit filed against the state by the families of two of the victims, that "there was no duty of the Commonwealth to warn students about the potential for criminal acts" by Seung-Hui Cho.

January 21, 2014 - The court denies a request by the Pryde and Peterson families to reconsider its ruling.

April 2014 - Virginia Tech pays fines totaling $32,500 to the Dept. of Education for violation of the Clery Act, a law requiring colleges and universities to provide timely notification of campus safety information.

The Victims:

West Ambler Johnston Hall (dorm)

Ryan Clark, 22, Martinez, Georgia

- Senior, English, Biology and Psychology

- Resident Assistant on campus, also in the Marching Virginians college band

- Known as "the Stack" to friends

Emily Jane Hilscher, 19, Woodville, Virginia

- Freshman, Animal and Poultry Sciences



Norris Hall (dept. bldg/classrooms)

Ross Alameddine, 20, Saugus, Massachusett

- Sophomore, English

- Died in a French class

Dr. Christopher "Jamie" Bishop, 35, Pine Mountain, Georgia

- Instructor, Foreign Languages and Literatures (German)

Brian Bluhm, 25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

- Graduate Student, Civil Engineering

Austin Cloyd, 18, Blacksburg, Virginia

- Sophomore, International Studies and French

Jocelyn Couture-Nowak, 49, born in Montreal, Canada

- Instructor, French

Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva, 21, Woodbridge, Virginia, originally from Peru

- Junior, International Studies

- Died in French class

Dr. Kevin Granata, 46, Toledo, Ohio

- Professor, Engineering Science and Mechanics

Matt Gwaltney, 24, Chesterfield, Virginia

- Graduate Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Caitlin Hammaren, 19, Westtown, New York

- Sophomore, International Studies and French

Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

- Graduate student, Civil Engineering

Rachael Hill, 18, Richmond, Virginia

- Freshman, Biology

Jarrett Lane, 22, Narrows, Virginia

- Senior, Civil Engineering

Matt La Porte, 20, Dumont, New Jersey

- Sophomore, Political Science

Henry Lee, 20, Roanoke, Virginia

- Sophomore, Computer Engineering

Dr. Liviu Librescu, 75, from Romania

- Professor, Engineering Science and Mechanics

- A Romanian Holocaust survivor

Dr. G V Loganathan, 51, born in Chennai, India

- Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

- Had been at VA Tech since 1981

Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan, 34, Indonesia

- Doctoral student, Civil Engineering

Lauren McCain, 20, Hampton, Virginia

- Freshman, International Studies

Daniel O'Neil, 22, Lafayette, Rhode Island

- Graduate student, Environmental Engineering

Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz, 26, San Juan, Puerto Rico

- Graduate student, Civil Engineering

Minal Panchal, 26, Mumbai, India

- Graduate student, Architecture

Erin Peterson, 18, Centreville, Virginia

- Freshman, International Studies

- Died in a French class

Michael Pohle, 23, Flemington, New Jersey

- Senior, Biological Sciences

Julia Pryde, 23, Middletown, New Jersey

- Graduate Student, Biological Systems Engineering

Mary Karen Read, 19, Annandale, Virginia

- Freshman, Interdisciplinary Studies

Reema Joseph Samaha, 18, Centreville, Virginia

- Freshman, University Studies

- Went to the same high school as Cho

Waleed Mohammed Shaalan, 32, Zagazig, Egypt

- Doctoral student, Civil Engineering

Leslie G. Sherman, 20, Springfield, Virginia

- Junior, History and International Relations

Maxine Turner, 22, Vienna, Virginia

- Senior, Chemical Engineering

Nicole Regina White, 20, Smithfield, Virginia

- Sophomore, International Studies
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he will vote against former CIA Director Mike Pompeo for secretary of state because of what Kaine called the nominee's "anti-diplomacy disposition."

"We have a president who is anti-diplomacy," Kaine said. "And I worry that Mike Pompeo has shown the same tendency to oppose diplomacy."

Kaine cited Pompeo's opposition to the Iran nuclear deal when he was a member of the House of Representatives and said Pompeo "spoke about the relative ease of wiping out Iran's nuclear capacity with a bombing run."

In a written statement released after his appearance on CBS, Kaine called such a move "an unrealistic scenario" and wrote that Pompeo also "stands out in advocating US action to change out the governments" of North Korea and Iran.

Kaine said he voted for Pompeo to become CIA director because he thought his intelligence background made him well-suited for the position, but he is now voting against him for secretary of state because he does not want someone who is going to "exacerbate President Donald Trump's weaknesses rather than uphold our diplomatic legacy."

"You've seen President Trump try to underfund the State Department in USAID, not appoint key ambassadors, tweet out insults about foreign leaders, back the United States out of international agreements and organizations," Kaine said.

"We need a secretary of state who is going to stand up for strong diplomacy," he added, "and I don't believe that is Director Pompeo's inclination."

Several lawmakers expressed doubts about Pompeo after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

"There are fundamental areas of disagreement that we have, and I think that was true in the questioning," Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said in an interview with CNN after the hearing. "So he answered some of those questions but from my perspective, he just gave the wrong answers."

Republican Rand Paul also told CNN the hearing "really solidified" his opposition to Pompeo.

If Paul and Shaheen join Kaine in voting "no," Pompeo won't have enough votes to win a favorable recommendation from the committee. According to the Senate historian's office, there are no instances of a secretary of state nominee receiving an unfavorable committee vote since 1925.

But in an extraordinarily rare move, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could still bring up the nomination on the floor of the Senate despite the negative vote in the committee. If that would occur, Pompeo would need the support of at least one Democratic senator, given Paul's opposition and the continued absence of Sen. John McCain, who is recovering from brain cancer. And behind the scenes, Pompeo has been working to lock down support from moderate Democrats, including ones in tough races, to push him through on the floor.
Following recent Airstrikes in Syria, local representatives in Congress are responding to the United State's action to punish President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack against civilians.

Here are statements from some Congressional Leaders regarding the United State's joining France and Great Britain in conducting these attacks.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R) 22nd District

"Last night, the United States along with our British and French allies showed the world that the United States will not sit idly by while the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons to murder and maim its own people. While the Russians continue to support these heinous war crimes, the Syrian regime continues to violate its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the UN's Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. I support President Trumps limited action to target chemical weapons facilities and hold this brutal regime accountable. I also support the extraordinary service and sacrifice of our brave men and women who serve this nation in our armed forces. Going forward it is vitally important that the administration involve Congress in any future decisions regarding the region beyond these limited actions."

Congressman John Faso (R) 19th District

"The coalition strike in Syria is a measured response to Assads barbaric use of chemical weapons. Chemical weapons have been prohibited for decades and we must enforce this prohibition."

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R) 21st District

"Last night, U.S. and allied forces launched precision air strikes against the Syrian regime in response to its use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians. This kind of brutality cannot stand, and I support the Presidents decision to respond with the support of our allies in the UK and France.

There are many questions that remain about our policy in Syria, and I will continue working with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to conduct rigorous oversight of our strategy. I pray for the safety of our brave men and women serving in uniform as they carry out this mission.

The White House says the leaders agreed the airstrikes in Syria "were successful and necessary to deter" the future use of chemical weapons.
NEW YORK (AP) - The progressive Working Families Party has endorsed "Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon against incumbent Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Nixon says she was honored to receive the endorsement Saturday and "inspired by the enthusiasm of progressive working-class members of the party."

Nixon is challenging Cuomo in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. The Working Families Party endorsement could give her a ballot line in the November general election even if Cuomo wins the Democratic nomination.

Cuomo campaign spokeswoman Abbey Fashouer says the governor's "record of progressive accomplishment is unmatched."

She listed raising the state's minimum wage and pushing for gun-safety legislation among Cuomo's accomplishments.

The small but influential Working Families Party endorsed Cuomo in 2010 and 2014. But Cuomo said Friday he would not seek its backing this year.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
ROME, NY  Mother Nature may not agree, but the calendar says its time to start thinking about home improvements and maybe a little landscaping.

Saturday kicked off the 43rd annual Rome Home Expo at the Kennedy Arena.

The expo, sponsored by the Rome Chamber of Commerce, features over 60 vendors that can give you advice on the types of projects you want to do.

Chamber of Commerce President Bill Guglielmo says theres something for everyone at the expo.

Its an opportunity for business people to promote their products and services under one roof and one setting during one weekend here in Rome. So its an opportunity for them to reach potential customers and make new business.

Proceeds from the expo will benefit the Rome Humane Societys spay and neuter fund.

The Rome Home Expo wraps up Sunday.

It goes from 10am to 4pm.




China News on Women





Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page
Passionate cyclists needed for charity challenge!

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Apr 15th, 2018

The Mayor of Wrexham is looking for a team of passionate cyclists to join him in a fundraising push.

On Friday 20th April Cllr John Pritchard, the Mayor of Wrexham, will lead a team of spinners in a four-hour charity challenge at the Waterworld Leisure and Activity Centre, Wrexham, to raise as much money as possible for charity.

The event will be joined by Trevor Coxon, now-retired Head of Corporate and Customer Services at the Council, who is a keen cyclist and fervent fundraiser for Prostate Cancer UK.

Amanda Roberts from Freedom Leisure has also kindly agreed to spin the afternoon away, and Trevor and Amanda will form the core of the challenge team.

Funds raised by spinners will be split evenly between the Mayors chosen charities and Prostate Cancer UK.

Cllr Pritchard said: This promises to be a very fun event, and we want as many people as possible to get involved  both taking part in as much or as little of the spinning challenge themselves, and to get sponsored for doing so  or to sponsor those who do.

They dont have to be expert cyclists, and they can do as much or as little as they choose.

The important thing is that a range of good causes will benefit from this event, so we want to raise as much money as possible.

Id like to thank Freedom Leisure for offering us the use of their fantastic spinning suite at the Waterworld myride studio  the virtual route will certainly help fundraisers stay motivated and keep pedaling!

The challenge will take place at Waterworld in Wrexham between 1pm and 5pm

For more information, visit Waterworlds Facebook events page.
A caravan of Central American migrants heading north has boarded a train for the next leg of the journey in Mexico.

About 500 migrants climbed onto the freight train Saturday afternoon in the city of Tultitl-n, approximately 1,500 miles south of the US-Mexico border, to head northwest to the city of Celaya.

When the first whistle of the train was heard, a stampede of migrants rushed to the tracks, carrying small bags of belongings. As the train slowed down, migrants scrambled around the train cars to find a way to climb aboard, helping each other as quickly as possible.

Police and guards watched from a few feet away. Some took photos. None took action to stop the migrants as they climbed the train.

Gabriela Hernandez of Honduras handed her toddler to another migrant who pulled him up and then she pushed her 6-year-old boy up the ladder. When it was Hernandez's turn, the pregnant 27-year-old struggled to find the strength to pull herself onto the train.

With help from others, Hernandez swung her leg onto the top of the car only to find a massive pile of scrap metal and trash. She will have to sit on the pile for hours until she reaches the next destination. She grabbed her two boys tightly, sat on a blanket above the pile and sobbed as her two boys consoled her.

Hernandez said she is exhausted.

"It's difficult, but I will have to find the strength to carry on," she said.

As migrants set makeshift tents with blankets to protect them from the dusty wind and scorching sun, people from the ground and a bridge above waved. Some tossed water and snacks. As the train pulled forward, one migrant yelled out, "Gracias Mexico!" ("Thank you Mexico!")

The government of Mexico has granted many of the migrants temporary permission to stay in the country. Most of the migrants agree Mexico has been a welcoming place. Police have escorted the caravan at times and stopped traffic to help the convoys stay together. Churches and shelters have opened their doors, providing food and a safe place to sleep. Some of the migrants have decided to stay in Mexico.

The caravan, organized by the group Pueblo Sin Fronteras, is considered a "via crucis," an annual march with religious roots. On March 25, the group gathered about 1,200 Central American migrants in Tapachula, a town on the Mexico-Guatemala border, and began the pilgrimage north.

The migrants, most from Honduras, say they are fleeing violence and poverty. Honduras and El Salvador are among the countries with the highest homicide rates in the world.

A few days after the caravan launched its journey, US President Donald Trump warned on Twitter about "these big flows of people" heading to the US border and said they must be stopped.

Laura, who didn't want to share her name for fear that gangs in Honduras could track her down, said she takes offense to Trump's comments. She insisted the migrants are not dangerous, and that they are just families escaping violence.

She called for her daughter to show evidence of the violence she is fleeing in Honduras. Pulling the young girl's shirt over her shoulder to show the scars, she explained that the gang in her neighborhood set her house on fire last year. She managed to pull her three children out of the home, but not in time to save her daughter from the burns that have scarred her face, arms and stomach.

"I can't go back to Honduras," she said.

Laura said she doesn't know anyone in the United States but wants to reach the border to seek asylum. Like many of the families traveling with the caravan, she said she wants her children to attend school without having to worry about gangs, and she dreams of a better life for her family.
They've waited two days to enter the site of the latest suspected chemical attack, where dozens of Syrian civilians were killed.

But despite having UN clearance, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons still can't enter the city of Douma, UK officials said.

The United Kingdom said Syria and Russia have blocked OPCW investigators from entering Douma, and the United States said Russia may have tampered with evidence at the site.

A representative of Russia's military said late Monday that OPCW inspectors would be permitted to travel to Douma on Wednesday.

"Wednesday is when we expect the arrival of the OPCW experts and Russia is not preventing this in any way," Igor Kirillov told journalists at The Hague.

Russia said its security forces would assist the OPCW inspectors.

Also Monday, Russia's envoy to the OPCW, Alexander Shulgin, released a statement accusing the the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets of using US funds to fake the suspected chemical attack.

The OPCW team is tasked with determining whether banned substances were used in the attack, a claim that both Syria and its most powerful ally, Russia, have vehemently denied.

The team has been in Syria since Saturday, the same day the United States, United Kingdom and France carried out airstrikes against Syrian government targets in response to the April 7 attack in Douma.

Western leaders have blamed the Syrian government for the Douma attack, which killed about 75 people, including children, UK officials said.

Another 500 people were treated for symptoms consistent with chemical weapons exposure, the World Health Organization reported, citing its partners on the ground.

Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad said Monday his country was ready to facilitate the OPCW team in any way to carry out its mission, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond directly to CNN's question on whether Russia had blocked the experts. Peskov said only that Russia was against "groundless" accusations about who was responsible for the attack.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the OPCW team's arrival was hampered by the weekend airstrikes, state media RIA Novosti reported.

Last week's incident is just the latest in a series of suspected chemical attacks against civilians. The OPCW has recorded more than 390 allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria since its investigation began in 2014, said Peter Wilson, the UK's envoy to the OPCW.

May doubles down on blaming Syrian regime

British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron have faced questions about their decision to join the United States in launching missiles at suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria.

But in a meeting with Parliament on Monday, May said it's clear Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime was behind the suspected chemical attack.

"From the intelligence I've seen, I'm in absolutely no doubt that the Syrian regime was responsible for the attack on Douma," she said.

"We must retain the right to commit our armed forces where it is right to do so without having a debate in Parliament."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani both called the missile strike an "illegal action" that "seriously damages the prospects for a political settlement in Syria."

Putin stressed that if "such actions, carried out in violation of the UN Charter, continue, it will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations," the Kremlin said.

The UK opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party, also questioned the strikes, saying Saturday that he believed the "action was legally questionable," and called on May to publish the UK attorney general's advice that approved the bombings.

As May and Macron face critics at home, their representatives to the United Nations will, with the United States, push for a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged chemical weapons attack.

The renewed push for a UN-backed diplomatic solution follows a volatile emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, called by Moscow on Saturday, in which Russia condemned the strikes as a violation of international law.

War of words

The attack in Douma has also heightened tensions between Russia and Western powers. More than 100 Russian diplomats were expelled from more than 20 countries in March over the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy on British soil, which the United Kingdom and United States have blamed on the Russian government. Russia denies the accusations.

Russian officials last week claimed British intelligence agencies had helped stage the suspected chemical attack in Douma.

"Yet again, Russia is spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation designed to undermine the integrity of the OPCW's fact finding mission," said Wilson, the UK envoy to the OPCW.

"A significant body of information, including intelligence, indicates the Syrian regime is responsible for this latest attack."

The US envoy to the OPCW, Kenneth D. Ward, said he was concerned Russia may have "tampered with" the site of the Douma attack.

"This raises serious questions about the ability of the (team) to do its job," Ward said Monday.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the BBC's "Hardtalk" show that there had been no Russian tampering. He said Russia sent experts to the site last week and found "no trace" of chemical weapons use.

Fresh Russia sanctions expected

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce new sanctions against Russia on Monday.

"If you look at what Russia is doing, they continue to be involved with all the wrong actors, whether their involvement in Ukraine, whether you look at how they are supporting Venezuela, whether you look in Syria and their way of propping up Assad and working with Iran," Haley said on "Fox News Sunday."

She said Trump has "talked to our allies and said they need to step up more. They need to do more. And it shouldn't just be us doing it. ... If we leave, when we leave, it will be because we know that everything is moving forward."

Despite their unified stance to eliminate chemical weapons from Syria, the United States, United Kingdom and France haven't given a consistent strategy on how to handle the Syrian conflict long term.
(CNN) -- Russia has condemned US, UK and French strikes against targets in Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons as the Western allies argued they were essential to deter the future use of illegal munitions.

The overnight strikes hit three sites -- one in Damascus and two in Homs -- which US President Donald Trump said were "associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad."

The action followed a week of threats of retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma, outside Damascus, where Syrian forces have long been battling rebels.

Trump hailed the strike as "perfectly executed" in a tweet posted Saturday, adding "Mission Accomplished!"

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the missile strikes an "act of aggression against a sovereign state" and said they were against the UN charter. Russia, a key ally of the Assad government, is calling for an immediate UN Security Council meeting, he said.

Assad said the airstrikes would "only increase the determination of Syria and its people to continue fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country," according to Syrian state TV.

Latest developments

 The UN Security Council will meet on Syria at 11 a.m. ET Saturday, Swedish ambassador Carl Skau said.

 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States and its allies had committed a "major crime" in Syria.

 The European Union foreign policy chief said the EU supported efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons.

 UK Prime Minister Theresa May said the military action was believed to have been successful.

 Three civilians were wounded in Homs after "several" missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems, Syrian state TV said.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry called on the international community "to strongly condemn this aggression," warning it would "pose a threat to international peace and security as a whole," in a statement published by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.

Earlier, Assad's office tweeted a video of the Syrian President going to work Saturday, with the caption "a morning of steadfastness."

Danny Makki, a British-born Syrian journalist in Damascus, told CNN the strikes woke up his neighborhood near the capital. "You could tell straight away that this wasn't your average Damascus night-time battle. It was something far bigger," he said.

Syrians expressed doubt the military action would change anything.

"Frankly I expected a stronger strike, especially with the blasts that I heard. At least I am glad the strikes didn't attack civilian areas," said Yasser, 28, a Damascus teacher whose last name was not used for security reasons.

"I think this strike is a strong message to Assad for the chemical weapons, but I don't think Assad will change."

Firas Abdullah, a media activist recently evacuated from Ghouta, said, "It is not enough. I can describe it as -- it's just a media strike."

In a televised address Friday night announcing the strikes, Trump said he had decided to take action because last weekend's action by Assad "was a significant attack against his own people" and "not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead."

Trump said the purpose of the campaign was to "establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons."

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that the first allied strike targeted a scientific research center in greater Damascus involved in the development and production of chemical weapons.

The second site targeted was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, while the third was a chemical equipment storage facility and important command post.

Two defense officials told CNN that at least three US ships participated in the airstrikes.

The strikes -- the strongest concerted action yet by Western forces in Syria -- were launched at 9 p.m. ET Friday, as most of Europe and the Middle East was shrouded in darkness.

The Syrian armed forces said in a statement that 110 missiles were fired on Syrian targets and that the country's defense systems "intercepted most of the missiles, but some hit targets including the Research Center in Barzeh."

The Russian Defense Ministry said Syria had intercepted 71 out of 103 cruise missiles launched by the US and its allies, according to the Russian Embassy in London. It said only seven missiles had reached two Syrian military airfields and that "no serious damage to infrastructure was inflicted."

Russian state news agency TASS reported that none of the missiles fired by the three Western nations struck areas near its naval and air bases in Syria. Those bases come under the protection of Russian air defense units.

A meeting of the North Atlantic Council will be held Saturday afternoon, a NATO official told CNN. France, the United Kingdom and the United States will brief allies on actions taken in Syria, the official said.

UK's May: 'Not about regime change'

In a televised statement Saturday, May said UK forces had undertaken a "limited and targeted strike" and that there had been "no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime."

While a full assessment has not yet been completed, "we believe that the action was successful," she said. "This was not about interfering in a civil war. And it was not about regime change."

While insisting the military action was a direct consequence of the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma, May also alluded to the use of a nerve agent last month in the English city of Salisbury. "We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalized -- within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world," she said. Britain says Russia is behind the Salisbury poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter, an allegation Moscow denies.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: "This action is a proportionate and targeted one. It is not trying to target Assad's allies nor the civilian population but to dissuade the Syrian regime from pursuing its criminal deeds."

Experts from the international chemical weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, were en route to the site in Douma before the joint military strikes. The group said Saturday it would continue on to Syria as planned.

Russia's Ministry of Defense said it believed the Western allies' action was not in retaliation for what happened in Douma but instead was a reaction to the Syrian army's "success" in liberating territory from rebels.

Iran, another key ally of the Assad government, also condemned the strikes. "I firmly declare that the Presidents of US and France and British PM committed a major crime," Khamenei tweeted. "They will gain no benefit; just as they did not while in Iraq, Syria & Afghanistan, over the past years, committing the same criminal acts."

Syrian state TV reported that Assad received a phone call Saturday from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which he said Iran would continue to stand by Syria.

International response

Turkey, another important player in the Syrian conflict, said it viewed the airstrikes as "an appropriate response" to the Douma attack, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

"We see the operation as a positive step, but there is more to be done for sustainable peace," Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said all available evidence pointed to the Assad regime being responsible for the Douma attack and criticized Russia for blocking an independent investigation through the Security Council.

"The military operation was necessary and appropriate to preserve the effectiveness of the international ban on the use of chemical weapons and to warn the Syrian regime of further violations," Merkel said in a statement voicing support for the joint US, UK and French action.

An Israeli official told CNN that the strikes enforced the red line drawn by Trump last year. In April 2017, the United States launched a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians.

"Syria continues to engage in and provide a base for murderous actions, including those of Iran, that put its territory, its forces and its leadership at risk," the Israeli official said.

A spokesman for Jordan's government said a political solution was the only way "to ensure Syria's stability, territorial integrity and the security of its people."

Australia's defense minister issued a statement in support of the strikes, calling them "a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response."

CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq, Gul Tuysuz, Ryan Browne, Sara Mazloumsaki, Saskya Vandoorne, Frederik Pleitgen, Milena Veselinovic, Nathan Hodge, Tamara Qiblawi and Richard Roth contributed to this report.

TM &  2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
A Milwaukee man accused of setting an apartment on fire last weekend has now been charged.

Milwaukee firefighters were called to the 20-unit apartment building just after 3 a.m. last Sunday but the fire extinguished itself. Fire officials told police a doormat was set on fire outside an apartment in the building.

A woman inside the apartment told police she was in a relationship with 31-year-old Timothy Jenkins but they broke up a week before. Jenkins came to the door saying he was sorry and wanted to come in. The woman talked with Jenkins but didn't let him in the apartment. She said he was knocking at the door for about 20 minutes and then she didn't hear him. The fire alarm went off a few minutes later.

When the woman opened up her door she saw that her doormat was on fire and stomped it out.

According to the criminal complaint, while police officers were inside talking with the woman Jenkins returned and started pouring something from a red can commonly used for gasoline up and down the second story hallway. He then let the fluid causing a fireball that led to the entire hallway going up in flames.

The officers got the family in the apartment away from the door after flames started coming through the bottom. After officers heard other people on the second floor trying to get out they decided they need to help. One officer burned their hand while leaving the apartment since the door handle was hot from the flames outside.

The smoke was too thick in the hallway for the officers to help anyone and smoke began filling the apartment they were in so they went back inside and told everyone to lie on the floor and called for help. The officers and the family were trapped inside the apartment with no escape.

"Everybody started coming down and they said the third floor was full of smoke and you cannot see," said Ashlie Webster, a tenant who lives in the building with her mother. Ashley and her mom live on the 1st floor and were able to evacuate quickly.

Firefighters arrived shortly after and helped the officers and everyone else on the third floor escape. Milwaukee Fire Department says the officer's quick response helped them fight the fire quickly. If no one had been awake, the flames and smoke could have been deadly.

"There were 64 people living in that building and when you use arson as a weapon or arson as a tool to create chaos with 64 people, most of whom are sleeping, it is only by the hand of god we didn't have many fire deaths in this fire," said Deputy Chief David Votsis.

When officers interviewed Jenkins he original denied setting the fire or being at the apartment at all, but then in a second interview admitted to setting both fires. He said he was upset with the woman in the apartment and felt that he needed to show her he "was not a sucker."

"It's traumatizing. We're still not getting sleep because you're frightened it's going to happen again, and my home don't even feel like home anymore," said Liz Webster.

Webster says she doesn't feel safe or supported at her apartment anymore, and plans to move.

"Our life is in the hands of anyone that wants to destroy this building because they might be into it with someone else and disregard the lives of anyone else.. I don't want to live like this," said Webster.

64 people were temporarily displaced because of the fire but no one, besides the officer, was injured.

Jenkins has been charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide, arson, burglary, and five counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety.

Police report fire alarms saved lives in this instance. People were woken up, they were able to evacuate and call the fire department quickly. if you do not have a working smoke detector, the Milwaukee Fire Department will install one for free for anyone in the city limits.

The 24-hour hotline is 286-8980.
DIAMONDHEAD, Miss. (AP)  Police say a phone scam is targeting doctors and dentists in Mississippi.



Chief Deputy Don Bass with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office tells The Sun Herald a CVS clerk recently foiled one of the scammers' efforts, by telling a doctor who was trying to put $17,000 on a money card to avoid arrest for a supposed failure to appear that he was being scammed.

Bass says at least five others have reported the scam to authorities on the state's Gulf Coast. Bass says the scammers pretend to call from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office and a con artist has specifically pretended to be Bass himself.

They call from a spoofed phone number. Bass says actual law enforcement agencies send letters instead of calling people about missed court dates or fines.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP)  One of Mississippi's largest employers, a shipyard that builds vessels for the Navy and Coast Guard, announced Thursday that it is rebuilding and reopening part of its operation that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls Industries said Ingalls Shipbuilding is reconstructing a shipyard in Pascagoula over the next two years.

The yard on the east bank of the Pascagoula River was swamped by Hurricane Katrina's storm surge, leading to the relocation of all work to Ingalls' larger yard on the river's west bank.

Spokesman Bill Glenn said it's too early to say how much Ingalls will spend, or whether the company to add to its 11,500 employees. A significant minority of those employees live in southwest Alabama.

Ingalls has made a multiyear $700 million overhaul of its west bank yard, which it leases from the state of Mississippi. The state has pledged $200 million. Lawmakers have borrowed and allotted to Ingalls all but $45 million of the state's commitment.

Glenn was unable to say whether Ingalls would seek state aid for work on the east bank property, which was the original shipyard location beginning in 1938 and is owned by the company.

The company said it will build large, covered areas on the east bank to construct parts of ships, and restore a pier where employees can work on ships. Ingalls says the project is part of its continuing modernization effort.

"We are excited to be bringing the east bank back to life," Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said in a statement. "As we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary, what better way to do that than to announce that the original Ingalls facility will become a productive, vibrant part of the Pascagoula landscape once again."

Cuccias announced the reconstruction at a meeting of Jackson County business leaders.
SANDTOWN, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi sheriff says a man burned down his home "because he was fed up with his spouse."

Neshoba County Sheriff Tommy Waddell tells WTOK-TV that Alvaro Robles confessed to the crime after he was detained at the scene of the Wednesday night fire at the Goforth Trailer Park. The fire reignited Thursday morning.

Waddell says Robles had warned a family member to take anything he wanted to save, as he was going to set fire to the home. No one was inside at the time.

It's unclear whether Robles has a lawyer.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)- Florida's Senior Senator, Bill Nelson, was in the Capital City campaigning Saturday.

We had a chance to speak with him about his views on the air strikes against Syria.

Senator Nelson says, he agrees with President Trump's order, but the effectiveness of the air strike was hurt by Trump giving four days notice.

He says, in the future, the White House needs to consult with Congress before taking any military action.

"The President had said that we're coming, so they have moved equipment and materials and personnel out by the time of the strike," said Nelson. "Surely, they knew we were coming after their chemical weapon production."

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio sent a statement out Friday night, saying, in part,

"I salute the men and women of our Armed Forces who conducted this mission bravely and skillfully with our British and French allies. I urge the Administration to follow up with a real and comprehensive strategy for ending Assad's threat to his people."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 01:40:47|Editor: yan

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the Security Council.

Only three of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor, eight were against and four abstained.

For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 01:45:47|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

Photo taken on April 14, 2018 shows relics of the Scientific Research Center in the Barzeh neigborhood of northeast of Damascus, after United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of joint airstrikes on Syrian military facilities. The U.S., along with its allies Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday. (Xinhua/Monsef Memari)

CAIRO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States, along with its allies Britain and France, launched a surprise missile attack against Syrian military positions early Saturday morning, causing a flurry of mixed reactions across the Middle East.

STRONG CONDEMNATION

During a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after the attack, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the U.S.-led attack on Syria reflects the failure of Western powers to achieve their goals in Syria after the defeat of the foreign-backed militants.

"The attack took place after the colonial forces supporting terrorists realized they have lost control and got the feeling that they have lost credibility in front of their people and the world," Assad said.

In an apparent attempt to demonstrate the strength and defiance of Assad in the face of the U.S.-led airstrikes, the Syrian Presidency media office released a video clip showing al-Assad entering his office as usual, brushing aside recent rumors about the whereabouts of the Syrian president.

Iran, one of Assad's staunchest ally, uttered its strongest condemnation against the joint missile attack by the U.S., Britain and France, while reaffirming its support for the Syrian government.

"This invasion is a clear violation of international regulations and undermines Syria's national sovereignty and integrity," Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei even blasted the airstrikes on Syria as a "crime."

"I overtly declare that the presidents of the United States and France and the prime minister of Britain have committed crimes (in Syria) and are criminals," Khamenei said in his meeting with Iranian officials and the ambassadors of Islamic states.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused the U.S.-led coalition of seeking to "justify their presence in the region by such invasion," warning that the U.S.-led attack on Syria will result in "further destruction" of the region.

Iran is currently locked in a wrangle with the U.S. over the 2015 nuclear deal, as U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to scrap the accord if it is not renegotiated in the interests of his country.

Lebanon, the largest host of Syrian refugees, also expressed its strong opposition to the U.S.-led airstrikes.

Lebanon "rejects hostilities against Arab states for whatever reasons," President Michel Aoun said, urging a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

The Shiite party Hezbollah in the country went further, slamming the joint airstrikes as "a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty."

"The war that America is waging against Syria, against the people of the region and resistance and liberation movements, will not realize its goals," Hezbollah said in a statement.

POSITIVE RESPONSE

Israel lauded the joint airstrikes on Syria by the U.S., Britain and France as an "appropriate" response to the alleged gas attack in Syria.

"Last year, (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump made it clear that using chemical weapons crossed a red line. Tonight, led by the Americans, the U.S., France and Britain acted appropriately," an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity in a statement issued in Jerusalem.

Saturday is Israel's Sabbath, or the Jewish day of rest, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu generally refrains from making official statements in his name.

Donald Trump has announced the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Israel to Jerusalem in mid-May, after his controversial recognition of the disputed holy city as the capital of the Jewish state last December.

The U.S.-led airstrikes against Syria were also viewed positively and significantly in Turkey.

Despite being at loggerheads with the U.S. over the 2016 failed coup and its military campaigns inside Syria, Turkey welcomed the airstrikes as an "appropriate reaction" to an alleged chemical attack.

"We welcome this operation that articulates the conscience of humanity to a chemical attack in Douma, which has a strong suspicion of being carried out by the Assad regime," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia, the host of the 29th Arab summit scheduled on April 15, also voiced its support for the Western joint airstrikes on Syria, citing the alleged use of banned chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against innocent civilians, despite Iraq's call for the Arab summit to adopt a "clear stance" against the airstrikes.

DEEP CONCERN

Egypt, Algeria and Jordan expressed concern and regrets over the ongoing escalation in Syria, calling for a political consensus among all factions in the war-torn Arab country.

In an official statement, Egyptian Foreign Ministry described the airstrikes as a threat to "the understanding reached on determining the areas of reducing tensions."

Meanwhile, Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said at a press conference in Algiers that his country has been "expecting to send an international fact-finding panel to Syria to probe the the reality of the use of chemical weapons there."

Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani pointed to the political solution as "the sole way to solve the crisis in Syria and to preserve its stability and unity."

Earlier in the day, the U.S., Britain and France launched airstrikes on Syria over allegations that the Syrian government used poison gas in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the capital Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government, however, has repeatedly rejected the alleged chemical attack in Douma as a fabrication by the rebels and their foreign supporters to justify military strikes on Syria.

Last April, the U.S. launched a similar airstrike against Syria under the pretext of punishing the Syrian government for another alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 02:00:49|Editor: yan

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed concern over Friday's joint military action against Syria by the United States, France and Britain, and called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law on the issue.

"As secretary-general of the United Nations, it is my duty to remind member states that there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general," Guterres told an emergency Security Council meeting requested by Russia.

"The UN Charter is very clear on these issues. The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. I call on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility," he said.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people."

He repeated the need to avoid the situation from spiraling out of control.

"In Syria, we see confrontations and proxy wars involving several national armies, a number of armed opposition groups, many national and international militia, foreign fighters from everywhere in the world, and various terrorist organizations." he said.

"From the beginning, we have witnessed systematic violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international law tout court -- in utter disregard of the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter."

Guterres said he had been following closely the reports of airstrikes in Syria conducted by the three countries, all of them are permanent members of the Security Council.

The three countries indicated that they were targeting the chemical weapons capabilities of the Syrian government and to deter their future use, said Guterres.

The airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations inside Syria. The first target included the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center at al-Mazzah Airport in Damascus; the second, an alleged chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs; and the third, an alleged chemical weapons equipment storage site and command post, also near Homs, said the UN chief.

The Syrian government announced surface-to-air missile response activity. Both U.S. and Russian sources indicated there were no civilian casualties, he said.

The United Nations, however, is unable to independently verify the details of those reports, he said.

The United States, France and Britain launched missile attacks in Syria on Friday following reports of chemical weapons use in Douma near the capital city of Damascus on April 7.

"Any use of chemical weapons is abhorrent. The suffering it causes is horrendous," said Guterres.

He expressed deep disappointment at the failure of the Security Council to agree on a dedicated mechanism for effective accountability for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

"I urge the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and fill this gap. I will continue to engage with member states to help achieve this objective."

A lack of accountability emboldens those who would use such weapons by providing them with the reassurance of impunity. This in turn further weakens the norm proscribing the use of chemical weapons and the international disarmament and non-proliferation architecture as a whole, he said.

The seriousness of the recent allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Douma requires a thorough investigation using impartial, independent and professional expertise, he said.

He reaffirmed his full support for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its Fact-Finding Mission in undertaking the required investigation.

"The team is already in Syria. I am informed that their operations plan to visit the site is completed and they are ready to go. I am confident that they will have full access, without any restrictions or impediments to perform their activities."

The Fact-Finding Mission of the OPCW may investigate chemical attacks, but it does not have the power to attribute responsibility as the case with the now-defunct Joint Investigative Mechanism between the OPCW and the United Nations.

The Joint Investigative Mechanism had found that both the Syrian government and the Islamic State terrorist group used chemical weapons in Syria. The mechanism ceased to be in November 2017 after Russia blocked the renewal of its mandate.

Guterres stressed that there is no military solution to the Syria crisis. "The solution must be political. We must find ways to make credible progress toward a genuine and credible political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people to dignity and freedom in accordance with (Security Council) Resolution 2254 and the Geneva Communique."

He said he has asked his Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to come to New York as soon as possible to consult on the most effective way to accelerate the political process.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 02:05:49|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (C, Front) votes in favor of a draft resolution on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, April 14, 2018. A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the Security Council. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the Security Council.

Only three of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor, eight were against and four abstained.

For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against.

The draft resolution, which was seen by Xinhua, contains only five paragraphs with three operative ones. It condemns "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

It further demands that the United States and its allies immediately end military action against Syria and refrain from any further use of force in the future.

After the vote, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said: "Today is a sad day for the world, for the United Nations, and for its Charter."

The UN Charter was blatantly violated, he said.

British ambassador Karen Pierce said after the vote that Friday's joint military action against Syria was carried out on the legal basis of humanitarian intervention, which is "wholly within the principles and purposes of the UN Charter."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 02:05:50|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

Saeed Saeed, head of the Institute for the Development of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries, speaks to reporters at the research center that was hit by the U.S.-led missile attacks in the Barzeh neighborhood in northeast Damascus, Syria on April 14, 2018. Saeed Saeed on Saturday denied the facility's possession of chemical weapons. (Xinhua/Monsef Memary)

DAMASCUS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- An official of a scientific research institution that was hit by the U.S.-led missile attack on Saturday denied the facility's possession of chemical weapons.

Speaking to reporters after the strike that destroyed the facility, Saeed Saeed, head of the Institute for the Development of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries, said the research center was used by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2013.

"The OPCW has visited this building since 2013 till recently and carried out inspection tours," he told reporters at the site.

"The building was a working base, in which the mission of the OPCW experts in Syria was carried out. They would bring all suspected samples from different sites to this building and they have issued two reports stating that this building was empty of any chemical materials for warfare," he added.

He stressed that if the building contained chemical weapons, as claimed by the United States, he and other colleagues could not be standing there after the strike without wearing masks.

The OPCW has carried out its work in late 2013 when the Syrian army agreed to hand over its chemical arsenal.

By June 2014, the entire chemical arsenal of the Syrian army was handed over to the OPCW.

But after the Syrian army surrendered its chemical arsenal, the Western countries kept accusing the government forces of using chemical weapons, despite the Syrian government's repeated denials that it has never used such weapons.

On April 7, the rebels in Douma district of Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus accused the Syrian government forces of using chlorine gas in an attack in that area, a claim the army and the Syrian government never admitted.

Earlier on Saturday, the United States, Britain and France launched a missile strike on Syrian military positions, including the scientific research center in the Barzeh neighborhood northeast of Damascus.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 03:16:00|Editor: Chengcheng

Video Player Close

Members of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) take part in a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, on April 14, 2018. Thousands of Greek protesters marched in the center of Athens on Saturday against the U.S.-led strike against Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Greek protesters marched in the center of Athens on Saturday against the U.S.-led strike against Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons.

Chanting slogans against the "murderers of nations" some 6,000 Greek Communist (KKE) party members, according to police estimates, gathered in front of the parliament and marched to the U.S. embassy in Athens.

Addressing the protest rally, KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas called on the Greek government to stay out of the conflict, shut down foreign bases and pull out of NATO.

A similar protest against "imperialist aggression" was organized by Leftist groups in the Greek capital which also ended peacefully.

"I cannot tell what people could gain only from today's rally, but generally speaking people certainly benefit if more and more citizens rise up and protest," Thodoris Anastassopoulos, one of the anti-war demonstrators told Xinhua.

Nikos Vourdoumbas, a teacher, was also among the crowd protesting outside the U.S. embassy in Athens.

"It is obvious that the claim they present regarding chemical weapons is a pretext. The real reason for the strikes is to control the region's energy resources. We condemn the attack," he told Xinhua.

In a press statement earlier on Saturday the Greek Foreign Ministry urged the international community to" remain focused on finding a political and sustainable solution in Syria; a solution that will end the war and restore peace in the country and the region."

"Diplomacy must return to centre stage, and the efforts within the framework of the UN must be continued," the Greek Ministry underlined.
RABAT, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan navy rescued on Saturday a French boat off the northern Moroccan city of Casablanca.

A fighting unit and a helicopter of the Moroccan Royal Marine assisted a multihull boat named "Banque Populaire 9" which flew the French flag some 250 km off the coast of Casablanca, the Moroccan navy said in a statement.

After receiving an alert, the navy sent an offshore patrol vessel to the area. A helicopter also arrived at the scene to rescue the entire crew, the same source pointed out.

The crew, comprised three French, is in safety after receiving first aid assistance from a doctor of the Royal Marine.

They have been handed over to the French consular officials in Casablanca, the source added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 06:11:26|Editor: yan

Video Player Close

BEIRUT, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led airstrikes on Saturday joined by France and Britain made good word on U.S. President Donald Trump's threat earlier in the week, but analysts predicted to see no escalated response or destabilization in the region.

Despite damage of Syrian regimes facilities, Imad Salamay, director of the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution at the Lebanese American University said the airstrikes "will not bring major political consequences."

"Neither Russia nor Iran wants to escalate the situation, as both countries are under serious scrutiny by the international community. They are fighting on so many fronts," Salamay said.

Targeting the Syrian regime around dawn, over 100 missiles struck research centers, military and storage sites in Damascus as a response to alleged chemical attacks carried out by the Syrian government in Douma about a week prior.

President Trump announced the offense from the White House, calling it a "strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons."

He concluded his brief message explicitly singling out Russia and Iran for being associated with a nation carrying out "the mass murder of innocent men, women and children."

Despite brewing tensions between the West and Russia, Salamay did not predict severe responses between the rivaling powers.

"The only significance of this attack is that a stronger military alliance has been built between Britain, France and the United States. They have taken on more aggressive military positions, strengthening their coalition with clear intention to curb and contain Russian militaries expansion and influence in the region."

According to the professor, Saturday's attacks serve as a message against Russia's growing influence and military expansion in the region.

Calling the attacks "narrowly targeted," Sam Heller, senior fellow at the International Crisis Group, pointed out that no "major break" has occurred in the immediate aftermath of the bombings.

"We'll have to see whether that effectively communicates a deterrent message, or if the Syrian government reads the strikes' limited scope as evidence of a lack of will and seriousness."

As for Russia and Iran, Heller described it only as a waiting game.

"We'll have to see how they choose to react."

The alleged chemical attack in Syria's Douma reached a reported death toll of over 40 individuals, according to humanitarian workers and medics. It was immediately denounced by the United Nations as any use of chemical weaponry is a violation of international law.

Both the United States and Britain have claimed to have proof that Syria is responsible for the chemical attack. On Saturday, France released a declassified intelligence report based upon open sources and intelligence pointing a finger at the Syrian regime.

Following suit with previous chemical incidents, Assad has repeatedly denied the allegations. Its Russian ally took a more provocative stance, pointing its finger at Britain for "staging" the attacks.

However, no international investigation has yet to take place as Russia and western allies are unable to agree on a response.

Concerning the regimes battle over Syria's last rebel-held areas, Saturday's strikes will likely not see a dramatic affect on their strategies, Salamay said.

"In Syria, the war will rage on. The Syrian regime will continue to attack. It may make them more cautious in terms of the weapons they choose to use if indeed they have been the ones responsible for past chemical attacks. But still, they wouldn't change the battle inside Syria," he added.

While the West proclaimed success of the airstrike with Trump tweeting "Mission Accomplished," Damascus sent its own message remaining defiant with public nationalistic gathering. Soldiers and civilians were captured waving Syrian flags, dancing and laughing at dawn.

The Syrian Presidency tweeted that "honorable souls cannot be humiliated," with a photo of a soldier next to the Syrian flag waving off any setbacks the attacks had brought.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 06:36:29|Editor: yan

Video Player Close

DAMASCUS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led military attack on Syria has limited influence on curbing fighting capacity of the Syrian forces, Osama Danura, a Syria political expert who holds PhD in political science, said on Saturday.

On earlier Saturday, the United States, Britain and France launched a missile attack on military positions in Syrian capital Damascus and the central province of Homs to retaliate for the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons in a rebel-held district east of Damascus last week.

Danura said the strike will not turn the time back nor bring the defeated rebels back to areas which had been under their control.

Surely the attack targeted military positions including scientific research facility, but it didn't cause a dysfunction in the structure of the Syrian forces.

"Moreover, the air defenses in Syria destroyed most of the missiles. And Russia will give Syria the S300 defense system, a big blow to Israel which the U.S. does not expect to see," added Danura.

Russia would not respond directly. Dunara concluded that once Russia gave Syrians advanced air defenses, it would be a strong blow to the U.S.-led attack as well as to Israel.

He pointed out there were two motives behind the U.S. and its allies' strike on Syria. One is the U.S. desires to punish the Syrian government and its allies for dislodging the rebels from the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus who have been formed and financed by regional powers allied with the U.S.

The other is the U.S. wants to undermine Russia's influence in Syria as it always attempts to foment troubles in areas where Russia is enjoying influence.

The strikes on Syria can be also seen as a way of the U.S. exporting its internal crisis abroad as there are resignations of some administration officials nearly every week, said the expert.

"The pretext of chemical weapons use appeared to be a lie when the U.S. and its allies decided to time their attack with the arrival of the international inspectors of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons," he added.

Danura accused that what the U.S. and its allies have done was dangerous not only on the Syrian side but also on the world's peace and security for its violation of the international law and UN charter.

He said the relationship between the U.S. and Russia would witness more tensions after the strikes which could bring the world back to the times of the Cold War and even worse.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A protest against U.S.-led military strikes on Syria is being planned for Saturday afternoon in the U.S. western state of Oregon, a non-profit organization announced.

Peace and Justice Works of Portland, an Oregon non-profit organization advocating for peace, justice, the environment and human rights in the U.S. western state, said it is organizing an "emergency demonstration" to protest the U.S. bombing of Syria on Friday.

"The U.S. has no United Nations authorization, much less (U.S.) Congressional authority, to wage war on the government of Syria," it said in an announcement.

"With the presence of the Russian military, engaging in such reckless violence is extremely dangerous," it added.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. forces to launch missile strikes on targets in Syria for Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.

Russia has reacted strongly to the air strikes and warned of "consequences."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 09:39:38|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

A bus carrying the rebels and their families from Douma district arrives at the Wafideen area, northeast of the capital Damascus, Syria, on April 14, 2018. Around 93 buses with hundreds of Islam Army militants and their families onboard prepared on Friday to evacuate Damascus' eastern Douma district, amid reports of the arrival of the chemical weapons investigators on Saturday to look into allegations of toxic gas use in Douma. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 07:33:07|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

People take selfies during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C., the United States, on April 14, 2018. The parade is one of the U.S. capital's biggest public events of the year, drawing thousands of spectators. (Xinhua/Yang Chenglin)
In this file photo taken on May 25, 2017 US President Donald Trump (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) shake hands ahead of a working lunch, at the US ambassador's residence, on the sidelines of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, in Brussels. (Xinhua/AFP)

WASHINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday talked with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May via phone over the three nations' collective strikes on Syria Friday.

According to the White House, Trump and Macron affirmed in the call that the joint airstrikes were "successful and necessary" to deter Syria from any further use of chemical weapons.

They also discussed the need to reinvigorate multinational stabilization efforts in Syria to ensure the long-term defeat of Islamic State (IS).

In a separate call, Trump thanked May for her support of the strikes.

They also said the airstrikes in Syria in response to the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma on April 7 were successful and necessary to deter the further use of these weapons.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends a press conference in 10 Downing Street, London, April 14, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

Earlier on Saturday, Trump hailed the "perfectly executed strike" of the three western nations on Syria, noting "Mission Accomplished!" in his tweet.

He also thanked France and Britain for their joining in the strike with the United States with "Fine Military," saying the strikes "could not have had a better result."

Trump on Friday ordered precise strikes against Syrian military facilities with Britain and France in a coordinated action. U.S. defense chief James Mattis said later that "right now, this is a one-time shot," rejecting to rule out further strikes against Syria.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed concern over the U.S-led strike in Syria, and called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law on the issue.

The trilateral operations came with questionable legitimacy due to the lacking of proof that could show Syrian government behind the chemical attack, and has been widely criticized by Syria, Russia and Iran, among other nations.
ISLAMABAD, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has called upon all parties involved in Syrian conflict to refrain from action that is contrary to the charter of the United Nations.

Commenting on the military strikes against Syria by the United States, Britain and France, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman on Saturday showed "grave concern" at the situation in Syria.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he had ordered precise strikes on Syrian military facilities in a coordinated action with Britain and France.

"We are following the situation in Syria with grave concern. We call on all sides to refrain from actions inconsistent with the UN Charter," Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal said.

Regarding the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria, the spokesman said it is important to establish facts through urgent and transparent investigations by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

"We call upon all parties to strive for an agreement within the OPCW framework and extend full support to the Organization," he said.

"At this time our thoughts are with the people of Syria who have suffered as a result of ongoing turmoil in that country. We hope that all parties will work to find an urgent solution to end the suffering of the Syrian people," the spokesman said.

The U.S. and British governments have said the military actions would deter future use of chemical weapons, referring to an alleged chemical attack in Douma, a Syrian suburb northeast of capital Damascus, on April 7.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 10:02:00|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

Vessels anchor at Xingang Port in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 26, 2016.(Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)

By Xinhua Writers Cao Kai, Cao Bin and Zhou Zhengping

HAIKOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to support Hainan in developing the whole island into a pilot free trade zone, and gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made the announcement when delivering a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hainan Province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Friday afternoon.

Hainan will be China's largest free trade zone enjoying increased opening-up policies and will be the country's first free trade port since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

"As an isolated island, Hainan can only develop and catch up with the pace of the country's growth with the world's highest degree of opening-up," said Chi Fulin, head of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development.

Chi, 67, a former official who left Beijing for Hainan in October 1987, was among 100,000 employees across the country to find opportunity and fortune in the burgeoning province in the late 1980s.

Once remote and underdeveloped, Hainan has become one of China's most open and dynamic regions and a top tourist destination.

Xi's speech highlighted Hainan's special advantages -- including its status as China's biggest SEZ, its unique geographic location and the best ecological environment in the country, as reasons to make it a test ground for reform and opening up.

Xi urged the province to give priority to opening-up, implement a more proactive opening-up strategy, speed up the establishment of new institutions of an open economy, and make new ground in pursuing opening-up.

Exchanges in international energy, shipping, commodities and carbon trading will be established in Hainan. The island will also focus on developing modern service industries such as tourism, the Internet, healthcare, finance and hosting conferences and exhibitions.

Qian Jiannong, senior vice president of Fosun International Limited, investor of the first Atlantis resort in China, has high hopes of Hainan's future.

"Hainan is the only tropical island province in China. The era of sightseeing is past and the era of leisure and resort is coming," said Qian. The 540,000 square-meters Atlantis resort, with an investment of 11 billion yuan (about 1.75 billion U.S. dollars), is expected to open by the end of this month in Sanya, the most famous resort city in Hainan.

"The growth potential of Sanya and the entire island of Hainan is tremendous," said the resort's managing director Heiko Schreiner.

BIGGEST TEST GROUND OF REFORM

As the smallest province but biggest SEZ, Hainan is an ideal test ground of China's reform and opening-up.

In the early 1990s, it boasted China's first listed private company, and Yangpu Economic Development Zone, the first development zone approved for lease to foreign investors by the Chinese government.

It is also the only province in the country without toll stations on its highways, due to a fee-to-tax reform in 1994.

Since 2001, the town of Boao has become the permanent site of the Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia, the first permanent site for an international conference in China. In 2005, Hainan was the first province to remove the centuries-old agricultural tax.

The national strategy of building Hainan into an international tourist destination has put it on the fast track since 2010, attracting investment and infrastructure, such as high-speed railways, hotels, high-end commercial real estate and tourism facilities.

"Aiming for China' s first free trade port, Hainan will start the country's new round of reform in larger scale and in more extensive areas," said Fu Xuanchao, head of the provincial development and reform commission.

With the rising flow of people, goods and capital due to the tax-free policies brought by the free trade zone and port, Hainan is expected to be a pivotal point linking the Chinese mainland with southeast Asian countries, said Lin Jian, chairman of Hainan Ganghang Holding Limited Company, a local shipping and logistics enterprise.

"I believe Hainan will be a highly international and modernized island in another 30 years," said Chi, who served as head of the provincial policy research office in his early years in Hainan, who later became a scholar.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 10:42:04|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

SHIJIAZHUANG, April 15 (Xinhua) -- On a vast farm in north China's Hebei Province, chickens roam here and there, occasionally fluttering up into the trees. The only unusual thing is that each fowl wears an electronic anklet.

Like humans with activity trackers, the free-range chicken in Wuyi County wear anklets counting their steps to determine when they are ready for market.

"We don't sell them until they have taken over 1 million steps, roughly 160 days," said He Xiaofei, manager of the chicken farm. Walking about tightens chickens' muscles and makes the meat more tasty. Some 10,000 chickens are currently strolling around the farm's 14 hectares, all of whom eat only natural food.

The chicken farm is a poverty alleviation project supported by the county government and shopping site JD.com.

Wuyi is one of the poorest counties in China with most of the farmland barren and alkaline. More than 60 percent of poor residents are elderly, sick or unable to support themselves.

With small interest-free loans provided by JD.com, villagers are able to claim a number of chicken and get a dividend when they are sold. Some also have part-time jobs on the farm.

The government pays for insurance for the chicken, guaranteeing the incomes of the "investors."

Li Xisheng, 76, borrowed 4,500 yuan (716 U.S. dollars) to claim 100 chickens last year. When they were ready for market, JD.com paid him 10,000 yuan. Deducting the loan repayment and farm management fees -- water, electricity and slaughtering -- Li earned 3,000 yuan.

"The chickens have changed my life," Li said, adding he has just bought an electric tricycle.

The ready-to-cook chicken sell well online even though they cost 168 yuan to 188 yuan, three or four times the normal price. Buyers have left over 14,000 comments on JD.com, most in awe of the taste.

China's expanding middle-income group has created a lucrative market for high quality agricultural products, attracting investors including Internet giants Alibaba and NetEase. Both companies have free-range pig farms.

Liu Wei, deputy head of Wuyi County, said the chicken farm benefited poor villagers while bringing profits for big business. The farm has helped lift more than 400 households out of poverty in the county since March 2016, and will be expanded this year, with facilities to cater for tourists.

"With more income expected, more people will cast off poverty this year," Liu said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 11:12:10|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

Photo taken on April 14, 2018 shows relics of the Scientific Research Center in the Barzeh neigborhood of northeast of Damascus, after United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of joint airstrikes on Syrian military facilities. The U.S., along with its allies Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday. (Xinhua/Monsef Memari)

CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Three Western countries on Saturday once again demonstrated trigger-happy foreign policy by launching airstrikes on Syria based on mere allegations about Syria's use of chemical weapons.

In cooperation with Britain and France, the United States attacked Syrian military facilities, calling it a response to the alleged gas attack by Syrian troops in the rebel-held town of Douma near Syrian capital Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegation, which has not been independently investigated and verified. So far, the United States and its allies have not provided any hard evidence to hold Damascus responsible for the alleged gas attack.

The U.S.-led military action against Syria will remind people of a similar attack a year ago, which was also launched under the pretext of punishing the Syrian government for the alleged use of chemical weapons.

The use of chemical weapons should certainly be condemned and dealt with resolutely by the international community. But thorough investigation should precede any punishment and action, especially military ones, to hold those responsible to account. Such actions should first be fully authorized by the United Ntions.

Such unauthorized use of force, without a thorough investigation, not only violates the territorial integrity of a sovereign country, but also escalates the tensions in war-torn Syria as well as the Middle East region as a whole.

The attack came despite warnings from Russia and Iran, which demanded a proper investigation by international inspectors. Consequently, it will intensify the animosity between the United States and Russia and Iran.

History shows the dangerous consequences of Western countries' military interventionist policy which has wreaked havoc time and again in the volatile Middle East, from Iraq to Syria.

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the airstrikes on Libya in 2011 both failed to ensure peace and further destabilized the Middle East and resulted in millions of civilians being killed, wounded and displaced.

Ironically, the United States itself, as well as many of its European allies including France and Britain, have paid a dear price for their military moves in the Middle East, as illustrated by the costly war against terrorism at home and abroad. U.S.-led military strikes against Middle East countries have sown destruction and hatred, forming a hotbed for the rise of terrorism that has eventually spread to Western countries.

Under the UN Charter, any dispute should be settled through dialogue, negotiation and compromise, and all members should refrain from using force against another sovereign nation.

If the United States and its Western allies really want to address the rising dangers of terrorism and the worsening situation in the Middle East, they should first discard their trigger-happy foreign policy in the region and any other parts of the world.

Related:

China urges relevant parties on Syria to resolve issue through dialogue: FM
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 11:12:12|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

A businessman selects packing equipment during the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2018. The fair, with more than 25,000 exhibiting companies from at home and abroad, opened here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

GUANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China's largest trade fair opened its 123rd session Sunday in south China's Guangdong Province, attracting more than 25,000 companies as exhibitors.

The biannual China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is considered as a barometer of China's foreign trade.

Xu Bing, the fair's spokesperson, said buyers from more than 210 countries and regions are expected to attend the fair, with the total number of buyers to level with the previous session.

The first phase of the fair, which runs from April 15 to April 19, features products including home appliances, electronics and hardware, with major brands such as Haier and Midea showcasing their latest models.

The fair also features an exhibition area for imports, with more than 600 companies from 34 countries and regions to exhibit at around 1,000 booths.

Latest data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed that China registered sound growth in foreign trade for the first quarter, with trade surplus shrinking.

The country's goods exports rose 7.4 percent year on year in the first three months while imports grew 11.7 percent.

Trade surplus stood at 326.18 billion yuan (about 51.85 billion U.S. dollars), a 21.8 percent drop year on year, GAC data showed.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 11:22:14|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

LIMA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Latin American nations on Saturday urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria, as an airstrike by the United States and its allies on Syrian government facilities earlier on the same day stoked fear for an escalation of the situation.

"We have stated that an international solution is needed, and not a fragmented (response). As we said, there must be a solution through international law and not by strength," Brazilian President Michel Temer told reporters on the sideline of the ongoing eighth Summit of the Americas held in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

The United States, Britain and France fired missiles before dawn on Saturday toward what they believed were Syrian government's research and storage facilities for chemical weapons, under the pretext of an alleged poison gas attack in Douma, near capital Damascus, last weekend which they blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Asked whether he feared a broader military escalation, Temer said "it seems they only attacked military bases but this is not good for the world."

"These questions must be resolved based on international law," Temer said while calling for the need to let the United Nations (UN) broker a resolution to the Syrian conflict.

He added that the UN's involvement should always be a standard approach to resolving regional and international issues like the one in Syria.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri also called for countries to avoid escalating the tensions.

"Argentina calls on the international community to take steps which allow for the preservation of peace and security, avoid actions which will cause an escalation of tensions and ... follow paths of dialogue within existing international commitments," Macri said at the summit.

With regards to chemical weapons, the president said his country "firmly condemns ... the use of chemical weapons, as has happened in recent days in Syria." He also condemned "the existence of facilities dedicated to their manufacturing and/or storage."

Bolivian President Evo Morales, however, accused the United States of being what he called "a main threat to democracy, peace and the environment in the world".

Defending regional ally Venezuela, Morales said Washington was imposing "universal sanctions and threats of invasion" against Caracas.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, for his part, rallied the international community to seek ways to reach lasting peace in Syria "after the severe events of the last few days."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 11:52:17|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian ambassador to the United Nations on Saturday condemned the U.S.-led strikes on Syria and told an emergency UN Security Council meeting that "the Cold War is back."

Bashar Ja'afari expressed his country's "disgust" with the joint strikes of the United States, Britain and France against the Syrian Arab Republic.

Ja'afari noted that even if the United States knew which sites in Syria were allegedly producing chemical weapons, it should insist that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspect these alleged facilities, instead of bombing them.

"If they knew the location of supposed chemical weapons centers, why didn't they share it with the OPCW before attacking my country?" the Syrian ambassador said.

Regarding the bombed research facility at Barzeh, Ja'afari said that the building was inspected by the OPCW twice in 2017 and the organization found no evidence of any chemical weapons nor the tools with which they could be made.

"The Syrian Arab Republic firmly condemns this tripartite attack which once again shows indisputably that they (the allies) pay no attention to international law even though they say they do repeatedly," he told the UN Security Council during the Saturday session.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia made the same point during his address to the Security Council, saying "the United States and its allies continue to demonstrate blatant disregard for international law."

The meeting failed to pass a Russian-draft resolution condemning the attack and demanding an end to such military action.

For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against. The Russian draft resolution failed because it only garnered the votes of Bolivia, China and Russia.

The Syrian ambassador began his remarks by referencing to American books published at the end of the Cold War -- "The End of History" and "The Clash of Civilizations," which were described by Ja'afari as two works that have provided a blueprint for global submission to the United States.

The post-Cold War philosophy was summed up by the Syrian ambassador with the American phrase, "my way or the highway."

"When lies keep being repeated, the person who lies underscores the fact that the person lying is a liar," Ja'afari said.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia said on Sunday that it was deeply concerned over the joint air strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, calling on all parties to demonstrate restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate the conflict further.

Malaysia believes that no military solution can bring an end to the conflict in Syria, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement, urging all parties involved to find a political solution through dialogue and negotiations.

The Southeast Asian nation also condemned the use of chemical weapons, saying "these weapons is abhorrent and an unacceptable violation of international law."

Calling for holding those responsible to account, it said "Malaysia joins the United Nations Secretary General in expressing our disappointment" at the failure of the UN Security Council to agree on a dedicated mechanism for handling the chemical weapons issue.

The UN Security Council must unite to exercise their responsibility to end the bloodshed as well as to bring about peace and security to Syria, it said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 12:17:20|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

NANJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and four others injured in an apartment building fire in east China's Jiangsu Province early Sunday, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at 0:19 a.m. in an apartment building in Huhe village in the city of Changshu, leaving 130 square meters of floor space in debris, the city government said.

Nine people were sent to hospital, but five died after medical treatment failed. The other four are in stable condition.

Faulty electrical circuit in the apartment may have caused the fire, an initial investigation found.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 12:42:24|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

URUMQI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- New energy power generation surged in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the first quarter of the year as local authorities sought to improve the energy mix.

Wind and solar power generation rose 35 percent and 38 percent year on year to 7.6 billion kwh and 2.3 billion kwh, respectively, according to the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd.

Xinjiang's wind and solar power generating capacities totalled 27.4 million kw, accounting for around 30 percent of its total installed power generating capacity.

But due to higher costs, poor grid connections and the grid's preference for more predictable coal-generated power, 21.7 percent of the installed wind power generating capacity and 21 percent of the solar power generating capacity in Xinjiang were left idle last quarter.

The two rates went down 12.3 percentage points and 16.2 percentage points in the first quarter year on year as local authorities encouraged more local consumption and worked with Beijing, Guangdong and Shanghai authorities to transmit more clean electricity to these regions.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle air pollution, China has been trying to use more renewable energy.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 12:57:26|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu (Front) addresses a Security Council emergency meeting on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 14, 2018. The U.S.-led allied attacks on alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria sparked an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Saturday and a failed vote on a resolution condemning the raids. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

by William M. Reilly

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led allied attacks on alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria sparked an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Saturday and a failed vote on a resolution condemning the raids.

FAILED VOTE

The rare Saturday session was convened at Russian request only about 14 hours after the U.S., British and French bombardment began.

The allies attacked Syria following reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma near the capital city of Damascus on April 7, despite the arrival of a Fact-Finding Mission in Damascus on Saturday.

On the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern and called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law on the issue.

"It is my duty to remind member states that there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general," he said. "The UN Charter is very clear on these issues."

He urged all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people.

The draft resolution to condemn the military strikes failed to gain the necessary nine votes, plus no veto by any of the five permanent members including Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.

Three of the 15 council members -- Russia, Bolivia and China -- voted in favor. Four countries -- Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Peru -- abstained. The remaining eight members voted against it.

The draft resolution contained only five paragraphs condemning "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

It further demanded that the United States and its allies immediately end the military action against Syria and refrain from any further use of force in the future.

DEBATE OF ENVOYS

"Today is a sad day for the world, for the United Nations, and for its Charter, which was blatantly violated," said Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia after the vote, reiterating Moscow's demand that there be no further military action against Syria.

Clashes already began before the vote.

"This is how you want international affairs to be conducted now?" he asked, describing the attacks as "hooliganism in the international arena" and said U.S. actions lead to deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Ambassador Nikki Haley of the United States countered, "We did not give diplomacy just one chance."

"I spoke to the President (Donald Trump) this morning," she said. "He said if the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded."

British Ambassador Karen Pierce said the joint military action against Syria was carried out on the legal basis of humanitarian intervention.

Bashar Ja'afari, the Damascus envoy, said the only purpose of the three-hour Security Council session was "to condemn the trilateral aggression -- the American, French and British aggression -- against my country and call for the immediate cessation of this military aggression."

"Any other deviation and shifting from this main purpose is aimed at killing and undermining this main purpose," he told reporters outside the Council chambers after the failed condemnation resolution.

Earlier in his speech before the council, he said that a research center was damaged, and three persons were wounded near Homs.

He told the council: "The air defense systems of my country countered with a great deal of bravery on the attack on my country, 100 (allied) missiles were destroyed. They did not reach their targets."

The U.S. Department of Defense on Saturday has confirmed that every allied missile has hit their intended targets.

"The Syrian Arab Republic firmly condemns this tripartite attack which once again shows indisputably that they (the allies) pay no attention to international law even though they say they do repeatedly," Ja'afari said.

Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra of Peru, this month's president of the council, said the Russian draft resolution did not adequately reflect the need to guarantee accountability for chemical weapons use in Syria and that it did not help restore unity of the Security Council.

Ambassador Tekeda Alemu of Ethiopia, whose country also abstained, said the Russian draft carried no substantial significance as it would have been vetoed anyway.

Sweden's Ambassador Olof Skoog said his country voted against the draft because its language is "imbalanced, not comprehensive, did not cover the entirety of our concerns related to the current situation." He reiterated his country's full support for the UN-led political process in Syria.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 13:02:26|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

TUNIS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A qualification contest selecting Tunisian participants in the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese-language competition was held in Tunis, capital of Tunisia, on Saturday.

A total of 11 students from the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis (HILT) competed in the qualifier co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Tunisia, the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the HILT.

The winner was 19-year-old Ben Hazem Lynda. She will travel to China and represent Tunis in this year's "Chinese Bridge" event, also known as Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.

Lynda told Xinhua she chose to learn Chinese because she wants to learn more about Chinese culture and make more Chinese friends.

The HILT is the only college in Tunisia that offers a bachelor's degree in Chinese language, beginning to recruit students majoring in Chinese language in 1998. So far, about 500 students have graduated and most of them work in China now.

Bai Guangming, the cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Tunisia and member of the competition jury, said that there have been more and more exchanges between China and Tunisia in the field of education, and that Tunisian people have a growing demand for learning Chinese.

"This year, the Hanban decides to establish a Confucius Institute in Tunisia, which is jointly organized by China's Dalian University of Foreign Studies and the HILT," Bai said.
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants of the Afghan Taliban have been killed and six others wounded following a gunfight with security forces in the country's northern province of Kunduz, a provincial government spokesman said Sunday.

"The fighting erupted, when the insurgents attacked security checkpoints in Qalay-i-Zal district, where five militants, including a Taliban division commander, Mullah Jannat Gul, were killed and six other injured in the force's counter-offensive," spokesman Nematullah Timuri told Xinhua.

Three local policemen were also injured in the two-hour skirmish, the spokesman added.

The province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

In neighboring Baghlan province, Taliban blew up an electricity tower, cutting off electricity to parts of the country and national capital Kabul city.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A group of demonstrators in Portland in the U.S. northwest state of Oregon rallied late Saturday in protest against U.S.-led air strikes on Syria, a local TV report said.

The protest was organized by Peace and Justice Works of Portland, an Oregon non-profit organization advocating peace, justice, the environment and human rights in the state.

The non-profit body said on its official website early Saturday that it was organizing an "emergency action" to protest the U.S.-led bombing of Syria that also involved Britain and France on Friday.

"The U.S. has no United Nations authorization, much less (U.S.) Congressional authority, to wage war on the government of Syria," it said in an announcement.

"With the presence of the Russian military, engaging in such reckless violence is extremely dangerous," it added.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. forces to launch missile strikes on targets in Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.

Russia has reacted strongly to the air strikes and warned of "consequences."

"Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences," the Russian embassy in the United States tweeted on Friday.
NEW YORK, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A protest against U.S.-led air strikes on Syria was held at the Union Square in New York city on Saturday afternoon.

"I'm opposed to it. It's another example of U.S. imperial expansion in the Middle East," said Gordon Barnes, an adjunct lecturer at Queens College, City University of New York.

Barnes, who joined the protest, said he didn't believe that military attacks will solve the problem in Syria and viewed the U.S. military action as a disingenuous one.

Asked about the refugee crisis that has aroused much controversy, Barnes said he is in favor of letting the refugees into the United States because the country is in part responsible for the crisis, not only in Syria, but also in other places around the world.

Like Barnes, many voiced concerns for the civilians affected by the air strikes in Syria.

"My heart goes out to the innocent Syrians who will suffer from this," said Wilson Stevens, a resident of New York city.

Others questioned the legitimacy of the attack.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. forces to launch air strikes on targets in Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.

Russia has reacted strongly to the air strikes and warned of "consequences."

After the strikes were launched, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement that counterterrorism officers have been deployed in and around the city.

However, it assured citizens that "there is no nexus to New York City, nor are there any credible threats to New York City, at this time."
A bus carrying the rebels and their families from Douma district arrives at the Wafideen area, northeast of the capital Damascus, Syria, on April 14, 2018. Around 93 buses with hundreds of Islam Army militants and their families onboard prepared on Friday to evacuate Damascus' eastern Douma district, amid reports of the arrival of the chemical weapons investigators on Saturday to look into allegations of toxic gas use in Douma. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)



CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Three Western countries on Saturday once again demonstrated trigger-happy foreign policy by launching airstrikes on Syria based on mere allegations about Syria's use of chemical weapons.

In cooperation with Britain and France, the United States attacked Syrian military facilities, calling it a response to the alleged gas attack by Syrian troops in the rebel-held town of Douma near Syrian capital Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegation, which has not been independently investigated and verified. So far, the United States and its allies have not provided any hard evidence to hold Damascus responsible for the alleged gas attack.

The U.S.-led military action against Syria will remind people of a similar attack a year ago, which was also launched under the pretext of punishing the Syrian government for the alleged use of chemical weapons.



The use of chemical weapons should certainly be condemned and dealt with resolutely by the international community. But thorough investigation should precede any punishment and action, especially military ones, to hold those responsible to account. Such actions should first be fully authorized by the United Ntions.

Such unauthorized use of force, without a thorough investigation, not only violates the territorial integrity of a sovereign country, but also escalates the tensions in war-torn Syria as well as the Middle East region as a whole.

Photo taken on April 14, 2018 shows relics of the Scientific Research Center in the Barzeh neigborhood of northeast of Damascus, after the United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of joint airstrikes on Syrian military facilities. The U.S., along with its allies Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday. (Xinhua/Monsef Memari)



The attack came despite warnings from Russia and Iran, which demanded a proper investigation by international inspectors. Consequently, it will intensify the animosity between the United States and Russia and Iran.

History shows the dangerous consequences of Western countries' military interventionist policy which has wreaked havoc time and again in the volatile Middle East, from Iraq to Syria.

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the airstrikes on Libya in 2011 both failed to ensure peace and further destabilized the Middle East and resulted in millions of civilians being killed, wounded and displaced.

Ironically, the United States itself, as well as many of its European allies including France and Britain, have paid a dear price for their military moves in the Middle East, as illustrated by the costly war against terrorism at home and abroad. U.S.-led military strikes against Middle East countries have sown destruction and hatred, forming a hotbed for the rise of terrorism that has eventually spread to Western countries.

Activists held placards during a demonstration against the military strike on Syria in front of the White House in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, Aug. 29, 2013. Amid signs the U.S. was ready to attack Syria, 140 members of the U.S. House of Representatives had signed onto a letter, demanding then President Barack Obama get authorization of Congress before going ahead with the military strike. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)



Under the UN Charter, any dispute should be settled through dialogue, negotiation and compromise, and all members should refrain from using force against another sovereign nation.

If the United States and its Western allies really want to address the rising dangers of terrorism and the worsening situation in the Middle East, they should first discard their trigger-happy foreign policy in the region and any other parts of the world.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- An advocacy group in California has partnered with philanthropists in China to preserve the lesser known history of early Chinese immigrants in the United States.

When the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in North America 150 years ago, the Chinese immigrants came to the San Francisco Bay Area looking for work. They set up camps fishing for shrimp on the northern shore of San Francisco Bay, which later became the China Camp.

"There used to be 26 such shrimping villages in the area, but the China Camp is the last one left," Ed Lai said Saturday. Lai is the former chairman of Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization operating the China Camp State Park.

Following the passing away two years ago of the last resident of the village, Frank Quan, the group fears that the history of the village as well as the stories of early Chinese immigrants would fade away.

"The history of Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad is well known, but the story of the Chinese shrimpers is not," said Lai, who now serves as the treasurer of the group.

He said he didn't know about the history himself until 2008 when he and his wife visited the park.

The Chinese immigrants made great contributions to the United States and it's important to preserve the village so that more people can learn about this history, said Lai.

However, the park is in urgent need of funds for the repair and maintenance of the historic structures in the village, which is in the center of the park.

The park faced the danger of shutdown in 2011 due to budget cuts. The Friends of China Camp then took over the park and has since been raising funds.

Early this year, they launched the China Camp Preservation project, which involves repairing the piers and roofs and developing education programs for visitors.

Thanks to the partnership with Heidi Kuhn, founder of a non-profit, Roots of Peace, and Chinese philanthropist Frank Yih, Friends of China raised 1 million U.S. dollars for the project.

Invited by Yih, Kuhn went to China last month to meet the philanthropist community and promote the preservation project.

"We have received an increasing number of visitors from China in the past years. They had never heard of this history before. I could see from their faces how they appreciate the stories," said Lai.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 14:37:41|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission have jointly issued the country's first evaluation scale for English language ability.

The scale, called "China's Standards of English Language Ability," defines three categories of English language ability -- basic, intermediate and advanced -- with nine levels in total.

Experts carried out research and studies on over 1,500 schools in 28 provinces, collecting data from 160,000 students and teachers. After three years of work, the standards will take effect on June 1.

The 107-page document lists detailed criteria in grammar, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, writing, translating, interpreting and others.

"With a clearer evaluation system, students and teachers can better assess the learning results precisely and efficiently," said Yu Han, vice director of the National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA), a body affiliated with the Ministry of Education.

The NEEA is currently working on an English examination for higher education based on the evaluation system.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 14:42:43|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

PHILADELPHIA, the Untied States, April 14 (Xinhua) -- More engagement is the right path for navigating the strong but complex relations between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, said a famous U.S scholar here Saturday.

"China's emergence not only as a global economy, but a force in the world in all dimensions, is going to be a defining feature of the 21st century," said Geoffrey Garrett, dean of Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Wharton China Summit 2018.

Garrett refuted some U.S. scholars' view that the United States and China are destined for the "Thucydides Trap" -- inevitable power struggles between rising and established big powers.

"Yes it's true China and U.S. have differences, but if you take the business and economic view of difference, you see it is productiveness,because difference allows for complementarity, compatibility and win-win collaboration," he said.

China's rapid development has benefited the U.S. economy over the years, Garrett said.

For example, General Motors, the most important industrial company in the U.S. history, would not be able to survive bankruptcy if it had not had Chinese partners and Chinese markets in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, he added.

"The most important thing we can do is to make sure the differences between the U.S. and China are a source of economic strength and sources of business opportunity, economic activity, not a source of conflict," Garrett said.

"I am greatly confident that will be the history we will all live because you will make the history ... more engagement is the right path for us, for the most important relations in the world," Garrett told over 1,000 students from various U.S. universities.

The annual Wharton China Summit, inaugurated in April 2016, has become the largest student-organized summit on China in the United States.
KABUL, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people have been killed in two separate gunfights in Afghanistan, authorities said on Sunday.

Early Sunday morning, seven Taliban and two gunmen were killed after Taliban clashed with an armed group in Chishti Sharif district of western Herat province, local Ariana News TV reported.

Among the killed was Nasrullah Badghisi, a Taliban divisional commander, according to the report, which said the fighting erupted following a dispute between the rival groups over expanding territory in parts of the remote district.

In eastern Ghazni province, four policemen and seven Taliban insurgents were killed after Taliban attacked security checkpoints in Jaghato district Saturday night, Harif Noori, a provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

Five policemen and five militants were also wounded in the exchange of fire, he said.

Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as spring and summer, known as fighting season, is drawing near in the mountainous country.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 14:42:44|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

Photo taken on April 14, 2018 shows relics of the Scientific Research Center in the Barzeh neigborhood of northeast of Damascus, after United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of joint airstrikes on Syrian military facilities. The U.S., along with its allies Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday. (Xinhua/Monsef Memari)

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led military attacks on alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria have raised grave global concern, with politicians calling strongly for relevant parties to return to dialogue and avoid an escalation of tensions.

The strikes, launched by the United States along with its allies Britain and France before daybreak Saturday, followed reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma near the capital city of Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegation, calling for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to send a fact-finding mission for investigations. However, the three nations carried out the strike on the day the mission just arrived in Damascus.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Saturday urged the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and resolve the Syria issue through dialogue and negotiation.

Hua said China opposed the use of force in international relations and called for respect for other countries' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

With regards the alleged poison gas attack, where the three nations blamed the Syrian government, Hua said China believes a comprehensive, impartial and objective investigation should be carried out to reach a reliable conclusion that could withstand the test of time.

"Before that, a prejudgment should not be made," she added.

Britain's main opposition Labor party leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strikes as a "legally questionable action," saying that the British government should not take instructions from Washington.

"Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace. This legally questionable action risks escalating further," Corbyn said.

"The (British) government should do whatever possible to push Russia and the United States to agree to an independent UN-led investigation ... so that those responsible can be held to account," he added.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said the overnight attack does not solve anything, but has a "punishment character."

In a live interview aired by Finnish national broadcaster Yle, Niinisto underlined the importance of "keeping contact with the other side so that a step forward in the conflict would not be taken accidentally."

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned the attacks, calling upon all parties involved to immediately stop the use of military force against other states and seek ways of settling conflicts through peaceful means at the negotiating table.

It said the use of prohibited weapons of mass destruction should not be tolerated and would lead to consequences.

"However, the response should be based on unequivocal and verified facts and made in strict compliance with international law. None of these criteria was observed by those who have attacked Syria today," the ministry added.

The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its concern about the development of the situation in Syria, calling upon all international parties "to unite efforts to avoid an escalation of the situation in Syria that could generate more tension and violence in this country."

Tunisia, it said, wants to unblock the Syrian crisis through a political resolution to guarantee the unity, security and stability of this country.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal on Saturday called on all sides to "refrain from actions inconsistent with the UN Charter."

Regarding the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria, the spokesman said it is important to establish facts through urgent and transparent investigations by the OPCW.

Brazilian President Michel Temer said the UN's involvement should always be a standard approach to resolving regional and international issues like the one in Syria.

"We have stated that an international solution is needed, and not a fragmented (response)," Temer said on the sideline of the ongoing eighth Summit of the Americas held in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri also called on countries to avoid escalating the tensions.

"Argentina calls on the international community to take steps which allow for the preservation of peace and security, avoid actions which will cause an escalation of tensions and ... follow paths of dialogue within existing international commitments," Macri said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 15:12:49|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- An Air China flight from Changsha to Beijing was diverted to Zhengzhou after a crew member was held hostage by a male passenger.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the man was using a pen to threaten the crew member.

Flight CA1350 landed at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, at 9:58 a.m., according to Henan Airport Group.

"The incident was successfully dealt with at 1:17 p.m. and passengers and crew members are safe," CAAC said.

The plane departed Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, at 8:40 a.m. and was expected to arrive at Beijing airport at around 11 a.m.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 15:27:51|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army said Sunday its forces destroyed over the weekend an "offensive terror tunnel" that crossed into Israeli territory and was built by Hamas, saying the tunnel put the communities near the fence at risk.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 15:42:54|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

SARI PUL, Afghanistan, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants' attack on pro-government militias have claimed 11 lives and injured two others in Afghanistan's northern Sari Pul province, provincial government spokesman Zabihullah Amani said Sunday.

According to the official, a group of Taliban insurgents stormed the checkpoints of pro-government militia in Tabir area of Takzar district early Sunday killing 11 persons and injuring two others.

The militants also suffered casualties during the firefight, the official said, adding the security forces are chasing the militants.

Taliban militants who have intensified activities over the past couple of months are yet to make comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 15:42:54|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

Fu Ying, vice-chairperson of the foreign affairs committee of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Penn Wharton China Summit at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, April 14, 2018. The U.S. government should move beyond the traditional mindset of power politics to tackle challenges in China-U.S. relations, Fu Ying, a veteran Chinese diplomat, said here Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

PHILADELPHIA, the Untied States, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government should move beyond the traditional mindset of power politics to tackle challenges in China-U.S. relations, Fu Ying, a veteran Chinese diplomat, said here Saturday.

"The world stage needs a 'new script.' The new generation should be able to go beyond the traditional mindsets of power politics and take a new approach," said the senior Chinese diplomat on the opening ceremony of the 2018 Penn Wharton China Summit at the University of Pennsylvania.

Fu, vice-chairperson of the foreign affairs committee of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, drew on her own experience to illustrate the profound changes in U.S.-China ties over the past four decades.

"When I was at your age, the world was under the shadow of the Cold War," Fu told over 1,000 students attending the meeting. "I went to a university in Beijing and was assigned to the department of English language."

"My father, who lived in a small city, was so worried that he biked half an hour to a post office to give me a long-distance call. He told me to change my major, because he thought that English was also spoken by Americans, and the United States at that time was quite hostile to China."

A lot has changed since then, and the two countries have become important partners in many areas and both have benefited from cooperation with each other, she said, citing data that more than 300,000 students from the Chinese mainland are studying at U.S. universities, and nearly 3 million Chinese tourists travel to the United States every year.

"However, the relationship is not without difficulties," Fu said, adding that some in the United States have started to see China as a rival and a threat according to the old script of inevitable power struggles.

"The United States is threatening tough trade measures against China, putting more strains on the relationship," she said. "The question is: where does the U.S. administration want to take our relations?"

"It is in the interest of both sides to maintain this partnership and find mutually acceptable solutions to differences," she said. "We would both lose should we enter into confrontation, be it for trade or for any other matters."

Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, she said, adding: "We hope it offers a good option for the 21st century."

The annual Penn Wharton China Summit, scheduled for April 13-15 this year, is the largest student organized summit in the United States aiming to promote communications between the two countries and establish connections among students.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 15:47:55|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday that it has demolished a Hamas tunnel on Sunday. This is the fifth tunnel destroyed in recent months.

The tunnel originated in the eastern Gaza Strip and is said to be part of a network of tunnels with its tip reaching the Nahal Oz Kibbutz on the border between Israel and Gaza, said the Israeli army in a statement issued Sunday.

The route of the tunnel was identified by security forces and was thwarted in an engineering operation in Israeli territory, said the Israeli army.

The IDF will not allow Israeli civilians to be harmed or Israeli sovereignty to be breached and will continue operating with determination in the face of all forms of terrorism, said the Israeli army.

Lt. Cl. Conricus said that the detection of the tunnel was not recent but it was decided to demolish it now.

The army said it holds the Hamas responsible for the events but does not seek to escalate the situation.

Tensions between Hamas and Israel have been running high in recent weeks with increasing violent incidents on the border.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 16:43:01|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

by Misbah Saba Malik

ISLAMABAD, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Rabbiya Saba, 19, from Pakistan's east Punjab Province, has started her school in China's Sichuan Province to pursue a bachelor's degree in medicine. She said she adjusted to life in China much earlier than expected mainly due to the hospitality of the Chinese people.

"I don't feel China is a 'foreign country.' We get great respect here. We have a separate class of 50 students in the university here. Most of our teachers are also Pakistanis so there is no language or cultural barrier here. We feel very comfortable in our classes and dormitories," Saba told Xinhua from Sichuan through WeChat.

Saba said many of her friends who went to high school with her in Pakistan are also pursuing medical degree from various universities in China.

Apart from Saba and her friends, there are some 22,000 Pakistani students studying in various majors in China. In 2017 alone, about 2,500 new Pakistani students were enrolled in China, according to a recent statistics released by the Pakistani embassy in China.

"Initially I felt homesickness, and missed Pakistan so much. But gradually I realized that Chinese are very nice people. They try to talk to you in sign language and try to help you to feel at home in their country. I hope I will learn their good qualities and will practice them in Pakistan when I will return home after completing my studies," Saba said.

The consultants who send students to China said there are three major sets of students who visit China including medical students, engineering students and the students who visit there to study Chinese language. They said the trend of Pakistani students choosing China for their academic pursuits is increasing due to multiple reasons.

Amjad Iqbal, managing director of EBC Worldwide, a consultancy firm that sends students from Pakistan, India and African countries to China, told Xinhua that they started sending students to China from 2007.

"At that time many universities wanted to welcome Pakistani students, but the students here were not so interested in flying to China in the pursuit of higher education. But things have drastically changed since the last four, five years. Now many students want to study in China, but I don't have enough seats to accommodate them despite increased quota for international students by the Chinese institutes."

Iqbal, who himself is a graduate in western medicine from Xi'an Medical University in China, graded the number of Pakistani medical students seeking admission in Chinese universities the highest, followed by engineering cadres and those who visit China to learn Chinese language.

He said the tuition fee of medical colleges in Pakistan is two to three times higher than that of China, which is the main reason why China is the favorite destination of aspiring medicine candidates from Pakistan.

"A candidate can get medical degree from China in less than 30,000 U.S. dollars including dormitory charges whereas in Pakistan the tuition fee alone costs students over 80,000 U.S. dollars."

"It will not be wrong to say that medicine is the most favorite profession of Pakistanis. Every year hundreds of thousands of students apply for admission in state owned medical colleges, which provide good quality education at affordable rates, but many fail to get through because of tough competition as the number of such medical colleges in the country is very limited," Iqbal said.

He added that many students then vie for private medical colleges but there are many others from the country's middle class who cannot afford to study there because of high dues.

"At that stage China acts as the only hope for hundreds of Pakistani students every year, who visit the country for affordable and quality education. China is our brotherly country so parents of the students don't hesitate in sending them there. They feel safe about their children, who are mostly in teenage, to fly to China in the pursuit of their dreams," he told Xinhua.

He said he alone sent about 3,000 medical students to China in the past decade, and there are tens of other dealers in the country, sending more such students.

Iqbal said China is easily accessible for Pakistani students as its visa policies are not so tough for Pakistanis. "China borders Pakistan so psychologically people feel safe in sending their children there because of its geographical closeness to our country," he said.

Besides, the law and order situation in China is remarkable, so students, even girls can move and travel freely unlike in some other Asian countries. The peaceful environment in China further makes it an ideal education destination even for the conservative families in Pakistan, he noted.

He said after the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a number of engineering students seeking PhD or master's degree has increased manifold, some supported fully or partially by scholarships from both Pakistani and Chinese governments.

According to latest statistics of Pakistani embassy in Beijing, currently, 2,700 Pakistani students are pursuing master's and doctorate degrees in top Chinese universities on fully funded scholarships sponsored by the Chinese government.

Kalsoom Sumra, a doctorate degree holder in policy sciences from China, is working as an associate professor in Pakistan's top-ranked university Comsats University of Information Technology in Islamabad.

Sumra, who returned to Pakistan in 2017 after studying on a scholarship of the Chinese government, told Xinhua that as a Muslim woman she did not feel any kind of "awkwardness" of cultural differences.

"Chinese are very polite and soft people, and they do not interrupt in your cultural things. They have respect even for your food, for your dress and all that. They are not biased as compared to Europeans, even the girls who wear veils they (Chinese) don't have any problem with them. They accept every kind of culture," Sumra told Xinhua in an interview in her office over looking the scenic Margallah hills of Islamabad.

"China is opening up for the other countries too, but it is opening up more for Pakistan and this educational exchange will further bring the countries together, as after the launch of CPEC it became more important for both countries to have a clearer understanding of each other's culture. And Pakistanis who graduated from China will act as a bridge to connect both countries," she said.

Sohaib Ajmal, a student of computer sciences in Pakistan's top ranking University of Engineering and Technology, said his future education destination is China.

"I will pursue a degree in PhD from China after completing my master degree because Chinese universities are rapidly increasing in world rankings and I believe I can get quality education from there at a much lower cost than European and American universities."

Officials from Pakistan's Higher Education Commission said they provide merit-based doctorate scholarships annually to brilliant students to five top-rated Chinese universities.

"The students showed great interest in studying in China as Chinese universities are among the best universities of the world. So students from different faculties including science and technology and arts chose China for pursuing their degrees," one official said.

Another official said they are sending 50 students from southwest port city of Gwadar to Chinese universities for learning Chinese language.

"They will study in China for one year, and will get involved in CPEC projects upon their return to Pakistan. Pakistani government is sponsoring these 50 candidates to facilitate Chinese working on CPEC projects in Gwadar as they will not only learn Chinese language, but will also have a clear understanding of Chinese culture. And this move will also to help locals get good jobs in the projects which are going on in their area."

Abid Raheem, an education consultant in Islamabad, said if Chinese universities hire more English speaking staff to facilitate international students, the number of students applying will further increase.

Naveed Mukhtaar, a Pakistani PhD student in China, said being an international student in China is an immensely rewarding experience for him.

"I got a great exposure during my stay in China. Not only did I get a chance to meet a lot of people from different countries who visit China for studies, but also had a first hand experience to witness China's historic transformation from an underdeveloped country into a major world power," Mukhtaar said.

"Chinese are very hardworking people with rich culture and great traditions. I hope that the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China will further strengthen in the future," the PhD student told Xinhua through WeChat from China.
WASHINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Saturday that the airstrikes against the Syrian government had hit every target, but admitted that "there's some left" for the alleged Syrian chemical weapons after the attack.

The United States, along with Britain and France, launched joint airstrikes on military targets in Syria on Saturday for its alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, the last rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta near the Syrian capital, earlier this month.

Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said the strikes had successfully hit every target.

U.S. Joint Staff Director Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said the three nations had deployed 105 weapons against Syrian targets and all the Western nations' aircraft safely returned to their bases at the end of the strike mission.

He said the missiles used by the Western nations were delivered from British, French and U.S. air and naval platforms in the Red Sea, the Northern Arabian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned the U.S.-led attack, saying it violated the international law and the UN Charter, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Saturday.

The ministry said the missile attack, carried out before daybreak Saturday and targeting research facilities in the Syrian capital Damascus as well as a military base in the central Homs province, "shows again these countries' disrespect for international legitimacy."

Speaking of Russia and Syria, McKenzie said none of the West's aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were "successfully engaged" by Syrian air defenses, and there was no indication that Russian air-defense systems were employed.

"We have not seen any military response from actors within Syria. And we remain postured to protect our forces and those of the coalition should anything occur," McKenzie.

McKenzie noted that the strikes were double the size of the last U.S. strike on Syria in April 2017, and as of now the U.S. side has not been aware of any civilian casualties.

When asked about the reason for rushing to the military operation before the Organization For the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons reports any evidence of Syria's responsibility for the alleged chemical attack, White said the United States is "still assessing and getting details."

"There's various intel, and I won't speak to that," she said. "We were very confident about the evidence that we had ... And that's why we moved forward."

Meanwhile, McKenzie admitted that "there's some left" for Syrian chemical weapons after the attack.

"I would say there's still a residual element of Syrian program that's out there. I believe that we took the heart of it out with the attacks that we accomplished last night," he said.

The alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, strongly denied by Syria, has not been independently investigated and verified. An emergency UN Security Council meeting, convened on Saturday at Russian request following the U.S.-led attack, failed to vote for a resolution condemning the raids.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 16:58:03|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

Palestinians take part in a protest following a wave of U.S., British and French military strikes on Syria, in Gaza city, on April 14, 2018. The U.S.-led military attack on Syria could further destabilize Syria and the Middle East at large by heightening the tensions there, experts said. (Xinhua/Yasser Qudih)

by Xinhua writer Zhi Linfei

CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led military attack on Syria could further destabilize Syria and the Middle East at large by heightening the tensions there, experts said.

Without the United Nations authorization, the U.S.-led aggression against Syria has been widely criticized for violating the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation by resorting to the use of force based on unverified claims.

Observers expressed concerns that such a move will only destabilize the region and serve the terrorists who could take advantage of it to justify their cause.

UNAUTHORIZED ATTACK

The United States, along with Britain and France, launched joint airstrikes on military targets in Syria on Saturday for its alleged use of chemical weapons early this month.

The allegations, strongly denied by Syria and Russia, have not been independently investigated and verified.

"I think the American attack on Syria is an unjust aggression, and does not comply with the international law and consensus," Ahmed Rafiq Awad, a professor of political science at Birzeit University in the West Bank, Palestine, told Xinhua in an interview.

Awad noted that the United States launched attacks against other countries in the region without authorization from the U.N. in the past, for example, the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Cahit Armagan Dilek, head of the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute, said that there is no international legal base for the U.S.-led attack on Syria.

"It's against international law. This kind of unauthorized actions will open door for further illegal operations. So it's not a justified attack," Dilek said.

U.S. MOTIVES

By launching attacks on Syria, experts said, Washington and its allies intended to send out a message that they are not willing to be sidelined on the final settlement of the seven-year old Syrian crisis.

Russia, Iran and Turkey have met several times on settling the Syrian crisis under the Astana process, without participation of the United States.

Sarit Zehavi, chief executive officer and founder of Alma Research and Education Center in Israel, said that one of the messages sent out by the United States to Syria, Russia, Iran and all the others is that they are "not immune from the U.S. involvement in the Middle East."

If followed by a consistent policy, the U.S.-led attack will show to the world that Washington "is back in town, back in business," she added.

Professor Awad said that the Western powers want to be partners in settling the Syrian crisis, especially after the Syrian government's recent victory in liberating Eastern Ghouta.

Supported by Russia and Iran, the Syrian government has been making steady gains in fighting the Western-backed rebels, and has controlled almost 80 percent of the country.

"That's why the West hits Syria. They want to say that they want to play a part in the next settlement (of the Syrian crisis)," Awad said.

CONSEQUENCES

The U.S.-led attack on Syria will have grave consequences, not only in Syria, but the whole Middle East by heightening the tensions, experts said.

Awad said that such a move will further aggravate the tensions, hostility and confrontation in Syria and the rest of the region.

It could intensify the U.S.-Russia rivalry for influence in Syria, though Moscow is unlikely to give a strong military response.

"I believe neither Russia nor Iran wants to escalate the situation. If anything, we will probably just hear some more rhetoric," said Imad Salamay, director of the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution at the Lebanese American University.

He added that the U.S.-led attack "wouldn't change the situation in Syria."

Initial information showed that no Russians were injured in the U.S.-led attack, Dilek noted, "so I don't expect a strong response (from Russia)."

Togrul Ismayil, a Turkish expert on foreign relations and Russian affairs, said that he did not believe that "Moscow will retaliate militarily to the coalition's air raids."

However, observers are concerned about the attack's impact on the anti-terrorism war as militant groups could take advantage of power struggle.

Ahmad Ban, a researcher with the Cairo-based Nile Center for Strategic Studies, said that the attack will further complicate the region and "would unfortunately bring back terrorist groups such as the Islamic State to the surface" again as "the strikes will stir more conflicts."

(Xinhua bureaus in Damascus, Ankara, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Tehran, Beirut and Ramallah also contributed to the story.)
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 17:13:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun

Video Player Close

by Xinhua Writer Zhang Yongxing

SUVA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Jose Graziano da Silva has said the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and FAO share common goals and there exist many opportunities for the UN organization to cooperate with China under the framework.

The FAO chief made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Saturday on the sidelines of the 34th FAO Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific held on the Denarau island near Fiji's third largest city of Nadi.

"Last year China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued its strategy paper for supporting the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) which noted that BRI countries share the goal 'to fight hunger, eradicate poverty, and achieve food and nutrition security.' These objectives are both at the core of the BRI and FAO's mandate," said Graziano da Silva.

"Given these common goals of the BRI and FAO, it is clear that there should be many opportunities for FAO to collaborate with China, the ministry of agriculture, national research institutions and other countries on the implementation of the BRI," the FAO chief said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes to seek common development and prosperity.

Graziano da Silva said the FAO has developed a Belt and Road Initiative umbrella program and identified four specific technical areas for working together, namely inclusive and sustainable food system development; bringing innovation to the field through digital-agriculture; enhancing the control of transboundary animal and plant diseases; as well as protecting biodiversity and improving resilience to climate change.

He said improved infrastructure will facilitate access to new and more distant markets. Farmers will be able to reduce input and transportation costs, reach further markets in a shorter time and gain access to information, technical services and advice that will enhance higher quality of products and improve productivity.

However, the extent to which these opportunities reach the most vulnerable depends on the capacity of governments to deliver services, policies and regulations governing investments in place in the hosting countries.

If these new opportunities are going to be developed in an inclusive, pro-poor way, benefiting the local communities, attention must be given to developing the entire food system and not simply the production side, he said.

The FAO chief said the Belt and Road Initiative will open new possibilities for the development of digital-agriculture innovations, or the use of information and communication technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural production.

"By providing remote areas with improved access to information, digital-agriculture can reduce or overcome many of the constraints that contribute to poverty," he said.

"Digital-agriculture includes providing access to information on plant and animal diseases, production techniques, quality standards, specialist advice, access to financial services and training. This creates the opportunity for farmers to leap-frog on the path of technical development, as they can immediately start using the newest technology," he said, adding that "achieving inclusive, pro-poor outcomes with e-agriculture must be deliberately designed into the programmes from the outset."

From his point of view, the increased international trade in agricultural products that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring about, comes with increased risks of spreading animal and plant diseases between countries.

FAO has extensive global experience in the area, ensuring that expanded trade is carried out in a safe way and does not pose a threat to vulnerable farmers, nor a health threat to consumers, he said.

"The Chinese ministry of agriculture and the FAO have been key partners in this area and have been working closely together for many years," according to him.

As for climate change, he said many of the countries engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative and particularly those in Southeast Asia and Central Asia, are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the poor are generally the most vulnerable.

He said there is a high degree of complementarity between climate change and the other sectors proposed for action under the program of FAO/China collaboration.

Climate change must be taken into account when assessing opportunities for value chain development; innovative applications of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) and e-agriculture can be devised to improve resilience to climate change, and the implications of climate change for the spread of disease is well recognized, he noted.

With regard to the cooperation between FAO and China over the past decades, Graziano da Silva said over the past four decades, FAO and China have enjoyed a solid partnership covering a large number of the country's priority areas for food and agricultural development, including innovative intensification of agricultural production, revitalization of ecosystem and biodiversity, global health and poverty reduction through increased agricultural production.

For the period 2016 to 2020, FAO and China have entered into a new era of collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a strategic cooperation and comprehensive partnership that will foster innovation, synergies and complementarities in the realization of national development goals, according to the director-general.

"The establishment of the strategic partnership responds to a changing trend from one-way development assistance from FAO to China, to a two-way collaboration highlighting and sharing China's experience in agriculture development and food security," he said.

"FAO will still be active in providing cutting-edge policy advice, and technical assistance on food security and safety, sustainable agricultural development, management of natural resources, surveillance and control of transboundary animal and plant diseases. At the same time, China is increasingly becoming a key partner of FAO in promoting South-South Cooperation to help improve the capacity for sustainable agriculture development in other developing countries," said the FAO chief.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 17:13:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun

Video Player Close

by Xinhua writers Shooka Shemirani, Yang Chunxue

LIMA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- This year's eighth Summit of the Americas, a two-day meeting that just concluded here Saturday, has generated little anticipation compared to the previous one in 2015, which some analysts believe reflects current lackluster relations between the United States and Latin America.

LOW EXPECTATION

Three years ago, the 35 member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS), which organize the summit, basked in the warm glow of reconciliation following the historic thawing of ties between the United States and Cuba after five decades of icy relations.

A lot has changed since then. While the world's attention once again turned to the summit, observers expected no breakthrough, and commentators mainly wrung their hands at the prospect of U.S. President Donald Trump further antagonizing his regional counterparts on their own turf, only to be relieved when the president canceled his visit at the last minute to oversee his country's military strikes against Syria.

In a little over a year since moving into the White House, Trump has dismantled much of former U.S. President Barack Obama's Cuba legacy and thrown ice water on the warming relations, reigniting diplomatic tensions and snubbing American public opinion, which polls show backs normalizing ties with the Caribbean island.

Trump has alienated the hemisphere's majority of Latin American countries by casting all immigrants as undesirable criminals and pressing for a "big" border wall that would effectively divide North America from Mexico, where Latin America begins, despite the onerous costs and ill feelings the project generates, especially among Mexicans.

He has imposed trade restrictions, demanded established trade deals be renegotiated to secure more favorable terms for the United States, and repeatedly summed up his inward-looking governing principle as "America First." The warm glow of the past summit has given way to a thick fog of uncertainty as to what Trump might do next.

In a New York Times editorial, Ben Raderstorf, a program associate at the Inter-American Dialogue, said Trump could possibly "avoid doing damage" at the continental meeting if his administration took "a hard look at why expectations are so low across the region."

DIVIDED OPINION

While one could argue U.S.-Latin America relations have never been good no matter who has occupied the Oval Office, since the United States has invariably advanced its own interests in the hemisphere regardless of the costs to other countries, regional tensions are running high.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, standing in for Trump, aggressively went after Cuba's government, accusing it of seeking "to export their failed ideology across the wider region" and "aiding and abetting the corrupt dictatorship in Venezuela," which he described as a "failed" state.

Cuba will not "cede even a millimeter on its principles, nor cease its efforts to build socialism," said Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

The United States also condemned Venezuela, which is absent from the summit, with Pence railing against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and blaming him for a humanitarian crisis in his country.

In the plenary session, Bolivian President Evo Morales condemned the "unilateral sanctions and threats of invasion against Venezuela" made by Washington, calling it the "worst enemy of peace and democracy."

WANING INTEREST?

Along with Trump, Cuba's President Raul Castro decided to skip the event, as did the presidents of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Paraguay. Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno arrived in Lima, but returned before the summit began to handle more pressing issues at home.

Whether that's a sign of waning interest in the summit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain -- ties between the United States and Latin America are at a low point.

According to a Gallup poll released earlier this year, only 16 percent of Latin Americans approve of Trump's job performance, and "in many countries, more than 40 percent of residents feel Trump will negatively affect the relationship between their country and the United States."

"The United States is not very interested in Latin America. The United States believes that it can make progress alone," Mauricio Castillo, CCO of Sigdo Koppers, a leading Chilean conglomerate providing services and products for mining and industry, told Xinhua.

Castillo, who took part in a business forum preceding the summit, said: "We are looking more to the Pacific. We feel closer to Asia (than to the United States) despite the distance. In Chile's case, we want to expand our market towards the Pacific, not Europe, nor Australia, nor the United States."

Gustavo Grobocopatel, president of Grupo Los Grobo, a leading agribusiness company based in Argentina, criticized Washington's protectionist and isolationist measures as potentially detrimental to the region.

"Trade restrictions have caused wars ... so you have to fight protectionism," said Grobocopatel, describing the United States under the Trump administration as "a world that does not feel part of the same planet."

"The United States has no positive agenda for Latin America that they could present at the summit. Almost all matters that have linked Trump to Latin America are matters of confrontation, whether in trade or immigration," said Peruvian political analyst Farid Kahhat.
DHAKA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed when four compartments of a train were derailed on an overpass in Tongi on the outskirts of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Sunday.

The crash left roughly 26 people injured, Rakibul Haque, a Tongi railway police official told journalists.

"Three persons were killed on the spot when four bogies of the train derailed."

The train derailment snapped the railway communications from capital Dhaka to other parts of the country for hours.

He said the cause of the derailment is not clear immediately.

In Bangladesh, improper maintenance of the train tracks continues to be a common cause of train accidents, causing loss of many lives every year.
HARARE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has been invited to the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit that begins in London Monday and ends next Sunday, marking the latest sign of thawing of relations between Harare and London, state media reported Sunday.

However, the country will only have observer status and will not participate in deliberations to take place.

Former President Robert Mugabe withdrew Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth in 2003 following differences over governance issues.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Joey Bimha said the Commonwealth invitation was an indication of reciprocity to Zimbabwe's re-engagement efforts.

He said foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo would attend the summit.

"The minister has been invited by his British counterpart for a visit. He is going to attend the meeting, but he will not participate," he said.

"We are not privy to the agenda of the summit since we are not participants... But this shows that our re-engagement exercise is working," he said.

Prior to the summit, Moyo will make an official call on the United States to meet American government authorities, the paper said.

After London, Moyo will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to meet European Union head of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Bimha said Zimbabwe's re-engagement missions had been going well.

"The President has been on record as saying we should make overtures to woo the West again following a long period of isolation. I think the exercise is going on well. We have been to Japan, UK, Portugal, China and Spain," he said.

"To signal the level of reciprocity Zimbabwe has been enjoying from the West, delegations have visited the country from the European Union, the UK, the U.S. and other countries," he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's first foreign visitor following his inauguration last November was then British Minister for Africa Rory Stewart.

UK minister for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Harriet Bladwin also visited him in February.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 18:48:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Ri Sol Ju, wife of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), watches a ballet performed by the Chinese art troupe in Pyongyang, the DPRK, April 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

PYONGYANG, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, pledged on Saturday to jointly write a new chapter of the country's friendship with China during a meeting with a senior Chinese official in Pyongyang.

Kim, chairman of the Workers's Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, met with Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee at the headquarters of the WPK Central Committee on Saturday.

During the meeting, Kim extended his greetings to General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and welcomed the Chinese art troupe headed by Song that will attend the "Spring of April" International Friendship Art Festival held in Pyongyang.

Kim said that not long ago, he made a historic visit to China, during which he had long-time and meaningful talks and exchanges with Xi.

The two leaders reached important consensus and the meeting achieved fruitful results, he said.

At the moment when the DPRK-China friendly relations are moving towards a new and higher stage, General Secretary Xi sent a high-level and large-scale troupe to the DPRK, showing that Xi highly values the implementation of the consensus and revealing his friendly feelings of the DPRK people, he said.

Kim said he hopes that the two countries will take this opportunity to consolidate the basis of friendship between the two peoples and jointly write a new chapter of the DPRK-China friendship.

For his part, Song conveyed Xi's greetings and wishes to Kim.

Song said that the two leaders held a historic meeting in Beijing and reached important consensus, which opened a new chapter of the China-DPRK relations.

He said that the visit of the Chinese art troupe to the DPRK aims to implement the consensus, enrich the China-DPRK friendship, promote exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and enhance cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries.

He said that the Chinese art troupe felt that Chairman Kim, the WPK and the DPRK people attach great importance to China-DPRK relations, and also felt their friendly feelings towards General Secretary Xi, the CPC and the Chinese people from the moment the delegation arrived in Pyongyang.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries, as well as international and regional issues of common concerns.

Kim said that during his visit to China, he witnessed the remarkable achievement made by China and he was happy for the brotherly Chinese people.

Kim said he hopes that he can learn from the experiences of the CPC and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields in an all-round way between the two parties and two countries.

Song said it is an unswerving policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to preserve, consolidate and develop relations with the DPRK.

China is willing to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties and jointly contribute to promoting the development of bilateral relations in the new era, improving the welfare of the two peoples and safeguarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, Song said.

Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju held a grand reception for the Chinese art troupe on Saturday night with participation of senior DPRK officials.
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Special Unit of Afghan national army in a major operation against illicit drug in the poppy growing southern Helmand province on Saturday, discovered more than 10 tones of illicit drugs, said a statement of army released here on Sunday.

"Personnel of the Special Unit of the army raided Marja district last night and recovered 9 tons opium poppy, 1,250 kg heroin and few more items used in manufacturing heroin and destroyed all of them on the spot," said the statement.

The statement also noted that the government would continue to target illicit drugs and heroin labs elsewhere in the country.

Afghanistan, reportedly is producing some 90 percent of opium poppy the raw material used in manufacturing heroin to the world.
MOGADISHU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) senior commanders have resolved to place emphasis on tasks that will enable the force to achieve its agenda of complete pacification of Somalia with transition plan in force.

The AU mission said in a statement issued on Sunday at the end of the meeting in Mogadishu that commanders agreed to re-examine and assess the progress made with the transition plan so far, to enable it to plan more effectively.

"The AMISOM's new mandate, requires it to facilitate a conditions based, gradual hand over of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces, without compromising gains already realized," said Charles Tai Gituai, the Deputy Force Commander in-charge of Operations and Planning.

"Our mandate is very clear, that we are here to eradicate al-Shabab, to help the Somali people to be able to live in peace; the communities to be able to start their economic activities and that is our focus," Gituai emphasized.

During the meeting, the AU mission's commanders evaluated the status of the implementation of the plan, which includes launching operations to flush out al-Shabab remnants.

They also resolved to build the capacity of the Somali security forces, to enable them to take over the security of the country, as stipulated in the country's National Security Architecture, agreed to by political leaders in April 2017.

"There is need to continually discuss in details how ready AMISOM is, in terms of manpower and logistics, in executing these tasks (training and operations), in the sectors, putting into consideration the operational readiness and the strength of Somali security forces to support the above tasks," said AMISOM Force Commander Jim Beesigye Owoyesigire.

Owoyesigire said AMISOM needs to be urgently supported with force multipliers, like attack and retreat helicopters, to conduct pre-emptive operations against al-Shabab if the transition plan is to be realistic, without losing the hard-earned gains.

The week-long meeting also discussed the operational capabilities of the Somali National Army (SNA) and sought confirmation of their resources, institutional capacity, training of additional forces.

Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM said the issue at stake is undertaking operations to disrupt, degrade and eventually destroy al-Shabab.

"This is the issue. There is no other issue. There are many things that are required but the task is to identify al-Shabab, its whereabouts, plan how to reach the enemy and destroy him," Madeira added.

He said the resolutions by the commanders will be incorporated into the AU Mission's Concept of Operations (CONOPS), which guides AMISOM's military operations.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 19:18:35|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

JINAN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius in east China's Shandong Province, plans to build the country's first teacher museum in the next two to three years.

Local authorities displayed the museum's design concept Saturday and started collecting cultural relics on Chinese teaching activities from the ancient time to the contemporary, and from home and abroad.

"It has a special significance to have the first teachers' museum in the birthplace of Confucius," said Wang Dinghua, head of the teachers' work department under the Ministry of Education.

China has 15.8 billion professional teachers, but it has no professional teacher museums, Wang said.

Qi Wanxue, Communist Party chief of Qufu Teachers' University, said Qufu was a cradle of education in China.

Confucius (551-479 BC), an educator and philosopher, founded Confucianism, a school of thought that deeply influenced later generations. He was also the first Chinese person to set up private schools and enroll students from all walks of life.

Qi said the museum would be built in the western campus of Qufu Teachers' University when its architectural designs have been finished.

Covering a land of 4 hectares and with a floor space of 20,000 square meters, the museum is estimated to involve an investment of 200 million yuan (31.9 million U.S. dollars).

An 83-year-old professor with the Qufu Teachers' University has donated more than 2,700 Confucius' badges, statues and portraits to the museum.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 19:43:41|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

by Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed its support for the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to attack Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

The joint missile strike by the U.S., Britain and France on Saturday came just days after Israeli forces reportedly attacked a Syrian air base.

Israel has neither confirmed or denied the strike, but the T4 air base in Syria's central province of Homs is believed to be where Iran launched a drone that infiltrated Israeli airspace two months ago.

A day earlier, just hours after the Western coalition struck the military targets in Syria, the Israeli army released a statement saying the drone was an armed one intended to carry out an attack in Israel.

Israel and Syria are bitter enemies sharing a tense border.

The internal strife in Syria has provided fertile ground for Iran to enter and use the territory as a stepping stone for military attacks on Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said he will not allow Iran to consolidate its power on Israel's northern borders, either in Lebanon or Syria.

Iran and Israel are arch enemies, as the Jewish state views Iran's regional and nuclear ambitions as an existential threat.

Lt. Col. Sarit Zehavi, a former Israeli military intelligence officer and founder of the Alma Research and Education Center on Israel's Security Challenges on its Northern Borders, said Israel has invested a lot of efforts to prevent the Syria-Israeli conflict from overlapping with the internal conflict in the Arab country.

But "Iran is trying to take advantage of the Shiite-Sunni conflict within Syria in order to create a reality in Syria that will enable it to attack Israel, so in practice it's not totally separated," she told Xinhua.

The surgical strikes by the western coalition on Saturday, however, turned out to target only Syria's chemical weapons capabilities, with no intention of destabilizing the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or diminishing Iran's influence there.

In consequence, the ultimate implications of the coalition attack largely depend on whether it is a one-off response or the beginning of a massive campaign against the Syrian government.

"If it is a multi-phased attack on Syria, we will see an Iranian response against Israel," said Dr. Dina Lisnyansky from the Political Studies Department at Bar Ilan University in Israel.

"This may come directly from Iran or from Hezbollah," she noted. Hezbollah is an anti-Israel militant organization in Lebanon.

"If the attacks continue and will be in a larger scale, chances for retaliation against Israel grow," Zehavi told Xinhua.

Israel has reportedly carried out scores of military strikes in Syria against militant groups, such as Hezbollah, over their suspected transport of weapons for use in future attacks on Israel.

In addition, Russia's involvement since late 2015 has further complicated the situation in Syria, placing Israel in a more sticky position.

With both air forces flying in Syrian airspace, a certain degree of cooperation is needed between Israel and Russia in order to avoid unwanted incidents.

While Russia is being agitated by the coalition attack on Syria, Israel might be the one to pay the price.

"Israeli freedom of movement in the area has been damaged since Russian involvement in Syria and this is something that Israel is trying to overcome," Zehavi told Xinhua.

"If the dialogue between Israel and Russia stops, it will be even more difficult," she warned.

Israel also fears that Russia may arm the Syrian air force with more sophisticated air defense systems that could weaken Israel's ability to strike, Lisnyansky noted.

However, the long-term effect of the international involvement in the Syrian war may not necessarily be negative for Israel.

"For Israel, the attack is important as a message that Iran, Syria are not immune from U.S. involvement in the Middle East," Zehavi said.

"If it will be followed by a consistent policy, it may mean that the U.S. is back in town, which is good news for Israel," she added.
MANILA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A man went berserk in Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines on Saturday and hacked to death five people, including his four children, before he was shot dead by policemen, the police reported on Sunday.

Police said the suspect, identified as Asdal Untong, used a machete to kill the victims, all residents of Libucon, a village of Sirawai town in the province.

The victims were aged seven to 35 years old, according to the police.

Police are still investigating what triggered the suspect to go on the hacking spree.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa addresses the launch of the national Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy in Harare, Zimbabwe, on March 14, 2018. Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday launched the national Information Communication Technology policy to underpin economic growth through use of ICTs. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa)

HARARE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has been invited to the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit that begins in London Monday and ends next Sunday, marking the latest sign of thawing of relations between Harare and London, state media reported Sunday.

However, the country will only have observer status and will not participate in deliberations to take place.

Former President Robert Mugabe withdrew Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth in 2003 following differences over governance issues.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Joey Bimha said the Commonwealth invitation was an indication of reciprocity to Zimbabwe's re-engagement efforts.

He said foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo would attend the summit.

"The minister has been invited by his British counterpart for a visit. He is going to attend the meeting, but he will not participate," he said.

"We are not privy to the agenda of the summit since we are not participants... But this shows that our re-engagement exercise is working," he said.

Prior to the summit, Moyo will make an official call on the United States to meet American government authorities, the paper said.

After London, Moyo will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to meet European Union head of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Bimha said Zimbabwe's re-engagement missions had been going well.

"The President has been on record as saying we should make overtures to woo the West again following a long period of isolation. I think the exercise is going on well. We have been to Japan, UK, Portugal, China and Spain," he said.

"To signal the level of reciprocity Zimbabwe has been enjoying from the West, delegations have visited the country from the European Union, the UK, the U.S. and other countries," he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's first foreign visitor following his inauguration last November was then British Minister for Africa Rory Stewart.

UK minister for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Harriet Bladwin also visited him in February.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 20:18:49|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reaffirmed Israel's support for the U.S.-led missile attack on Syria.

"Israel fully supports (U.S.) President Trump's decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and Israel welcomes the joining of British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macaron in this action," Netanyahu told his ministers during the weekly cabinet meeting.

Netanyahu said he told May over the phone on Saturday night that the airstrike sent "an important international message of zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons."

The Israeli prime minister also expressed Israel's growing concerns over Iran's efforts to establish a presence in Syria.

"The most destabilizing factor in the Middle East is Iran, and President Assad must understand that when he allows a military Iranian foothold in Syria, he is endangering Syria and the stability of the region as a whole," Netanyahu warned.

The U.S., France and Britain launched airstrikes against military targets in Syria's capital Damascus before daybreak on Saturday.

The joint airstrikes came under the pretext of punishing the Syrtian government over its alleged use of chemical weapons in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near Damascus.

The Syrian government, however, has repeatedly rejected the allegations as a fabrication by the rebels and their foreign supporters to justify military strikes on the Arab state.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 20:23:53|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

JAKARTA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is willing to further enhance people-to-people contact with China, the country's newly-appointed ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun has said.

Deepening bilateral relations through building up closer constructive communications between peoples in Indonesia and China through extensive students and media exchange programs were considered as the effective way in doing so, the ambassador said.

"I want to see more students and media exchange program. They can visit regions in the respective countries, conducting direct interactive dialogue with government officials, people and private sector in the two respective countries, so they can find similar perspectives," Djauhari told Xinhua on Thursday.

He added that there were 14,000 Indonesian students studying in China and a huge number of Chinese students studying in several Indonesian universities at present. They would eventually understand cultures and customs of both countries.

Providing scholarship programs for students in the respective countries in exchange program would be very effective for bilateral ties in a long term, he added.

He said that China and Indonesia are now seeing their best level of bilateral relations with extensive reciprocal visits between senior officials, influx of Chinese investments, tourists and growing trade.

Djauhari also noted that he was deeply impressed with China's swift progress to become one of the world's economic powerhouses with increasing influence in international level.

He said Indonesia and China would play very important roles in the future in generating regional economy through regional forums they have actively involving in.
African Union forces take part in the the Africa Day celebration at the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Headquarters in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, May 25, 2017. Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 within the African continent to mark the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963 and the African Union (AU) in 2002, as well as celebrate the continent's progress. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has kicked off plans for gradual reduction of troops in the Horn of Africa nation.

AMISOM senior commanders have resolved to place emphasis on tasks that will enable the force to achieve its agenda of complete pacification of Somalia with transition plan in force.

The AU mission said in a statement issued on Sunday at the end of the meeting in Mogadishu that commanders agreed to re-examine and assess the progress made with the transition plan so far, to enable it to plan more effectively.

"The AMISOM's new mandate, requires it to facilitate a conditions based, gradual hand over of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces, without compromising gains already realized," said Charles Tai Gituai, the Deputy Force Commander in-charge of Operations and Planning.

Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia Simon Mulongo on Saturday urged AMISOM military commanders to implement the transition plan in line with the UN Security Council resolution on gradual reduction of troops serving in Somalia.

Mulongo said the transition process would require doubling of efforts to further degrade and defeat the al-Shabab to a level that it cannot pose serious threat to the Somali national security forces.

"Everything we are doing now should be geared towards transition. The way you plan in your sectors, the way you plan in your units and other formations should be geared towards transition," he said, according to a statement issued by the AU mission.

Mulongo made the remarks during a sector commanders' conference to discuss issues related to the transition and transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali national security forces as mandated by the UN Security Council late 2017.

The AU mission is expected to gradually reduce the number of its troops in Somalia and reconstitute its forward operating bases with the cooperation of the Somali national security forces to ensure national security is not compromised during the transition period.

Mulongo reiterated that AMISOM is focused on implementing the transition plan and urged troops to readjust their strategies in the fight against al-Shabab insurgents.

"How do we empower the local forces; how do we empower the local people so that they take over responsibility," he said.

The AU official said the first phase of the transition plan would last four years and success would be measured against the ability of the country to conduct peaceful and secure one-person-one-vote elections in 2020, which, he noted, would be a major milestone if successful the AU mission will draw down by 1,000 in October.

"That is a milestone, which we know. There must be therefore, reconfiguring of AMISOM in such a way that it must be able to defend itself with fewer troops because 1,000 drew down last year," Haji Ssebirumbi, the AMISOM Senior Political Affairs Officer, said.

However, experts have said AMISOM's exit is pegged on the ability of the Somali National Security Forces, particularly the Somalia National Army (SNA) to ably take over the security of the country.

Some Western countries including the United States have expressed concern that Somalia's security forces will not be ready by then.

AMISOM is comprised of troops drawn from Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya who are deployed in six sectors covering south and central Somalia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem April 15, 2018. (AFP Photo)

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed its support for the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to attack Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

The joint missile strike by the U.S., Britain and France on Saturday came just days after Israeli forces reportedly attacked a Syrian air base.

Israel has neither confirmed or denied the strike, but the T4 air base in Syria's central province of Homs is believed to be where Iran launched a drone that infiltrated Israeli airspace two months ago.

A day earlier, just hours after the Western coalition struck the military targets in Syria, the Israeli army released a statement saying the drone was an armed one intended to carry out an attack in Israel.

Israel and Syria are bitter enemies sharing a tense border.

The internal strife in Syria has provided fertile ground for Iran to enter and use the territory as a stepping stone for military attacks on Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said he will not allow Iran to consolidate its power on Israel's northern borders, either in Lebanon or Syria.

Iran and Israel are arch enemies, as the Jewish state views Iran's regional and nuclear ambitions as an existential threat.

Lt. Col. Sarit Zehavi, a former Israeli military intelligence officer and founder of the Alma Research and Education Center on Israel's Security Challenges on its Northern Borders, said Israel has invested a lot of efforts to prevent the Syria-Israeli conflict from overlapping with the internal conflict in the Arab country.

But "Iran is trying to take advantage of the Shiite-Sunni conflict within Syria in order to create a reality in Syria that will enable it to attack Israel, so in practice it's not totally separated," she told Xinhua.

The surgical strikes by the western coalition on Saturday, however, turned out to target only Syria's chemical weapons capabilities, with no intention of destabilizing the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or diminishing Iran's influence there.

In consequence, the ultimate implications of the coalition attack largely depend on whether it is a one-off response or the beginning of a massive campaign against the Syrian government.

"If it is a multi-phased attack on Syria, we will see an Iranian response against Israel," said Dr. Dina Lisnyansky from the Political Studies Department at Bar Ilan University in Israel.

"This may come directly from Iran or from Hezbollah," she noted. Hezbollah is an anti-Israel militant organization in Lebanon.

"If the attacks continue and will be in a larger scale, chances for retaliation against Israel grow," Zehavi told Xinhua.

Israel has reportedly carried out scores of military strikes in Syria against militant groups, such as Hezbollah, over their suspected transport of weapons for use in future attacks on Israel.

In addition, Russia's involvement since late 2015 has further complicated the situation in Syria, placing Israel in a more sticky position.

With both air forces flying in Syrian airspace, a certain degree of cooperation is needed between Israel and Russia in order to avoid unwanted incidents.

While Russia is being agitated by the coalition attack on Syria, Israel might be the one to pay the price.

"Israeli freedom of movement in the area has been damaged since Russian involvement in Syria and this is something that Israel is trying to overcome," Zehavi told Xinhua.

"If the dialogue between Israel and Russia stops, it will be even more difficult," she warned.

Israel also fears that Russia may arm the Syrian air force with more sophisticated air defense systems that could weaken Israel's ability to strike, Lisnyansky noted.

However, the long-term effect of the international involvement in the Syrian war may not necessarily be negative for Israel.

"For Israel, the attack is important as a message that Iran, Syria are not immune from U.S. involvement in the Middle East," Zehavi said.

"If it will be followed by a consistent policy, it may mean that the U.S. is back in town, which is good news for Israel," she added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 20:43:57|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least two Pakistani security personnel were killed and five others injured in an attack from across the Afghanistan border on Sunday, the military said in a statement.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan army, said that the personnel of Frontier Constabulary, a paramilitary force, came under attack from the Afghanistan side when they were carrying out a routine surveillance at the Pak-Afghan border in Kurram Agency, the country's northwest tribal region.

The ISPR added that the security personnel were plugging the gaps at the border and making necessary preparations to start fencing in that area to stop unwanted infiltration from the Afghanistan side.

"Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties," the statement said, adding that "military engagement is underway to defuse (the) situation."

Local administration told media that the attack was carried out from the Khost province of Afghanistan at the personnel deployed at a post in Laka Tika area of Kurram Agency.

There is no official report about the identity of the assailants. However, an investigation into the firing incident has been initiated.

Kurram Agency is one of the most sensitive tribal areas of Pakistan as it shares the border with three Afghan provinces. It was once an ideal point for militants to move across the border in the past.
Ireland's tallest O'Connell Tower, which was built in 1855 in memory of famous Irish statesman Daniel O'Connell, was reopened to the public on April 14, 2018 after 47 years. The 55-meter-high and round-shaped tower suffered a bomb attack at its base in 1971 which destroyed its interior staircase ascending to the top of the tower with four windows which provides a 360-degree view of Dublin.(Xinhua)

DUBLIN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's tallest tower "O'Connell Tower" reopened to the public here on Saturday after a closure of 47 years following a bomb attack whose perpetrator has not been officially identified until now.

Hundreds of tourists, both local and foreign, were seen coming in from different corners of the city to visit the tower on the first day of its reopening to the public.

A flower vendor at the gate of Glasnevin Cemetery where the tower is located told Xinhua that the number of visitors to the tower and the cemetery had obviously increased on Saturday due to the reopening of the tower.

Located in the north of Dublin city, the tower was built in 1855 in memory of Daniel O'Connell, one of the greatest political figures in the first half of the 19th century in Ireland, who was most famous for its fight for the equal political and civil rights of Catholics in the country.

Daniel O'Connell,born in 1775, died in Italy in 1847 while on a pilgrimage to Rome. According to his wish, his heart was buried in Rome while his remaining body was buried in a coffin placed at the base of the tower.

Measuring 55 meters in height, the round-shaped tower built with stones is the tallest of its kind in Ireland, which provides a 360 degree view of Dublin city and its neighbouring counties of Wicklow and Meath with four windows at the top of the tower, making it once one of the greatest attractions for tourists in the country.

However, in 1971, a huge bomb containing 10 pounds of gelignite hit the base of the tower, causing structural damage and destroying the interior staircase.

Though some group claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, it has never been officially confirmed who really conducted the attack, said officials in charge of the maintenance of the tower.

In 2016, Glasnevin Trust, the largest funeral services provider in Ireland, which also runs Glasnevin Cemetery among others, started the work to restore the destroyed staircase that leads to the top of the tower.

Officials with Glasnevin Cemetery said the destroyed staircase has been restored strictly according to what it looked like in the past. Made of wrought iron, the spiral staircase consists of 198 hand-carved wooden steps ascending to the top of the tower with 6 landing platforms.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:09:00|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

by Salah Takieddine

BEIRUT, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led missile attack on Syria early Saturday morning have triggered a strong backlash among the refugees fleeing from the war-torn Arab country to Lebanon.

Mohammad Kanjo, a 55-year-old Syrian refugee in northern Lebanon, expressed his rejection to the joint airstrikes by the U.S., Britain and France on his homeland.

"What happened is nothing but an aggression not meant to support the oppressed Syrian people, but for the sake of the Western powers seeking benefits on the blood of innocents," he said.

Kanjo, who has been running a small pastry shop in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripol since he fled Syria four years ago, also lamented about the use of war to solve crisis.

"We believe that wars do not build better future for the generations, particularly when we see people paying money and sending weapons and many countries, especially the U.S., want the war to end," he said.

Mohammad Shaabo, another Syrian refugee, expressed his dismay about the failed international efforts to restore stability to his country.

"We hear every day about international efforts to bring back stability and security, but we see nothing serious in this regard," Shaabo said.

"The nations that claim these efforts are truly fighting for their interests, not the Syrian people," he noted.

He criticized the U.S. for bringing war for the Syrian people.

"Wherever the U.S. comes, the war follows. That's why it did not strive to reach a peaceful solution," Shaabo said.

The northern Lebanon hosts about 300,000 Syrian refugees, but tens of thousands are living in randomly erected camps and suffering from a decline in aid.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:14:02|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

HANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- East China's Hangzhou City plans to build a state-level giant panda research and breeding center, according to the Hangzhou Safari Park.

The park Saturday signed an agreement with the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda on the breeding project.

Construction of the center, which covers an area of 6 hectares, is scheduled to start this year and be finished by 2022.

Currently, there are four giant pandas in Hangzhou, two at Hangzhou Zoo and two at Hangzhou Safari Park. The project is scheduled to bring in another 20 giant pandas by 2022.

Li Desheng, an expert from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, said there were many zoos with giant pandas across the country, but there were only a very few research and breeding centers.

The center will also conduct giant panda wild training.

Giant pandas are one of the world's most endangered species and live mainly in the northern mountains of Sichuan Province as well as in southern Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:24:05|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The 29th Arab League (AL) Summit kicked off in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Dhahran on Sunday, with leaders from 22 member states attending it.

The summit will focus on Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, the Syrian crisis especially after an alleged chemical attack and the U.S.-led airstrikes, Yemen's civil war, as well as fighting against terrorism.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini are also participating in the one-day summit.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud referred to the Palestinian issue as the top agenda of the Arab meeting.

"The Palestinian case is our priority and will remain so until all the Palestinians gain their rights," he said, stressing that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

The king also denounced Iran's interference in other states' internal affairs by committing "terror acts," calling for the unity of the Arab world against it.

AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit noted that the crises gripping the Middle East will further deteriorate and weaken the entire region if not harnessed.

He believed there has been a huge setback in the process of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement.

On Dec. 6, 2017, Trump announced his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed holy city, which promptly triggered fury and condemnation throughout the Arab world.

The situation has become even worse since the beginning of the six-week "Great March of Return" rally by Palestinians on March 30, where 32 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,000 others injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border areas.

"So it is important to support Palestinians and (Palestinian President) Abbas," Aboul-Gheit said.

The AL chief also slammed Iran for its support for the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the Arab states should unite with Saudi Arabia against Iran.
Source:Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:35:08|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

A ceremony is held on the bank of the Lancang River to celebrate the New Year festival of the Dai ethnic group in Jinghong City, Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 15, 2018. People sprinkle water to each other to pray for good fortune during the traditional water-sprinkling festival, which is also the New Year festival of the Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Shao Bin)
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:44:12|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

NANJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- "My little girls have a good appetite for vegetables," Cong Gang, an official in Xinhong village in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu province, wrote a WeChat Moment post.

Cong was not talking about his daughters but his chubby jade snails, which can be used for food, medicine and cosmetics. He runs both an online and offline businesses selling frozen snails.

Cong said he had seen many young people in his village going to cities for work, leaving the village cottages empty.

"My wife and I found demand for snails on the Internet by chance, and it came to me that the vacant rooms could be used as snail farms. We then decided to start the business."

Cong and his wife renovated a 10-square meter storeroom into a snail farm in October 2016. However, their first attempts at breeding failed.

"My wife was always a staunch supporter of me all through those setbacks, always encouraging me to go ahead," Cong said.

After months of trial and error, the couple's snail farm finally succeeded in early 2017.

Cong said his success was inseparable from the Communist Party organization's support. When it turned cold, the Party secretary of the village found a stove for Cong to make sure that the vegetables for snails would not be spoiled by the freezing temperature.

Comparing himself to the wheels, he said the Party acted like an engine.

To help more people get rid of poverty and increase income, Cong applied to be vice Party secretary of the village and was elected in August.

Two months later, about one year after starting the business, Cong invited five villagers as his partners and employed more than 10 people in his snail farm, which now covers 500 square meters, producing over 750 kg snails each month, with monthly sales over 100,000 yuan (about 16,000 U.S. dollars).

The new post came with new work and new responsibilities, as well as problems.

One time, one of his workers used moldy fodder to feed the snails, causing the deaths of a large number, resulting in a direct economic loss of over 20,000 yuan.

Cong shouldered the responsibility.

"He was rookie, and I should have taught him more carefully, step by step. I don't want to pass the buck," Cong said.

Cong registered a company for the snail farm and named it "Zhu Meng," which translates as "dream building."

Through his business, he teaches villagers snail breeding skills. He also buys snails from other village farms to lower their risk.

"I grew up in this village, and I am only too proud that I can do something to help my villagers live a better life," he said.

Cong said he was like a snail himself, never giving up, always moving forward -- slow as he may be, every step brings him closer to his dream.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 21:54:13|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

DAMASCUS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Sunday that the U.S.-led missile strike on Syria was coupled with a campaign of lies in the UN Security Council, according to the state news agency SANA.

The tripartite strike on Syria, the campaign of lies and misdirection at the UN Security Council against Syria and Russia proved that both countries were fighting not only against terrorism but also breach of the international law based on the respect of the countries' sovereignty, Assad said.

His remarks came during his meeting with a delegation from Russian Federation in Damascus.

Members of the delegation slammed the U.S.-led strike as a clear violation of international accords, adding that the attack came at a time when the Syrians were working to restore stability and rebuild what was destroyed by the terrorist groups.

They also affirmed that Russia would remain firm in its support for Syria.
CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Planning Minister Hala al-Said said Sunday that Egypt's sustainable development plan aims to push up growth rate to eight percent by 2022, according to official MENA news agency.

The minister's comments came during the reviewing of the plan before the Egyptian parliament.

The minister said the goal requires raising saving rates from 7.3 percent in 2017-2018 to 11.1 percent in 2018-2019 and to 20 percent in 2021-2022.

She added that investment rates should also gradually increase from 16.9 percent to 18 percent, then to 25.6 percent.

Under the sustainable plan, total investments are expected to reach about 942.2 billion Egyptian pounds (1 U.S. dollar = 17.73 pounds) in 2018-2019, she said.

The government upped by 46 percent the funds allocated for boosting investments to stand at 148.5 billion Egyptian pounds in 2018-2019, she said, noting that this would require restructuring public expenses.

The plan also aims at pushing up annual non-petroleum exports to over 12 percent and creating about 150,000 jobs in the petroleum domain.

Under the plan, 16.4 billion Egyptian pounds will go to 270 projects of potable water and sanitation, with some 15.5 million people benefiting from these projects.

Egypt has been suffering economic recession over the past few years of political instability and relevant security challenges.

To boost economy, Egypt started in late 2016 with full local currency floatation as an initial step of a strict three-year economic reform program based on austerity measures, fuel and energy subsidy cuts and tax hikes.

Egypt's reform plan has been encouraged by a 12-billion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund, half of which has already been delivered to the most populous Arab country.
TRIPOLI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The international anti-terrorism conference was held Sunday in the Libyan capital Tripoli, with a number of foreign ambassadors and military attaches present.

The conference was organized by the UN-backed government's counter terrorism force under the slogan "terrorism and combating thereof: reality and challenges."

It discussed the causes of terrorism and its dangers as well and development of a unified national strategy to counter terrorism.

The conference also discussed regional and international cooperation against terrorism and the legal aspects of terrorism.

"The responsibility lies on all Libyans, and even goes beyond this scope. Therefore, the international community has a responsibility. Terrorism cannot be confronted only by military force. The methods of treatment must go beyond that," said Khaled al-Meshri, head of the Libyan Higher Council of State.

"The causes of terrorism have intellectual and cultural links, although the international community is moderate and knew the fight against destructive phenomena, and refused to allow this malicious body to penetrate it," he added.

Mohamed Al-Zain, commander of the counter terrorism force, confirmed that the force is able to combat terrorism and limit its spread in Libyan cities.

Al-Zain added that the establishment of the force reflected the desire of Libyans with the assistance of the international community to "eradicate terrorism practiced by individuals, entities, or countries."

"The reasons for the spread of terrorism must be addressed, which are all related to religious extremism, poverty and unemployment," He said.

The counter terrorism force was established by the Libyan government in 2016. It consists of regular and backup military forces.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 22:59:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese public will be able to inform against activities compromising national security through a website from Sunday.

The website "www.12339.gov.cn," operated by the Ministry of National Security, is open to organizations and individuals who have information about activities harming national security, including espionage, said a ministry statement.

They can also call the phone number of "12339," the statement said.

The ministry pledged to protect privacy of the informants. They will be rewarded if the information is true or held accountable for intentionally providing false information, the statement said.
MOSCOW, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia will respond resolutely to any attempts of forceful pressure from the United States, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Vladimir Yermakov said on Sunday.

"We can see that the military technology landscape has changed in favor of Russia over the past decade and half... In any case, we have the answer of robust response to any forceful pressure attempts from the United States," Yermakov was cited by the Interfax news agency as saying at a Foreign and Defense Policy Council assembly.

The arms race has become a "dangerous reality" nowadays because of some Western countries' actions -- including sanctions, coercion, and unethical inter-state behaviors -- impelled by their unwillingness to recognize the emerging polycentric world order, Yermakov said.

From this perspective, the arms race is not just a "bluff", as it has a substantial subversive impact on global stability and international security, he said.

The diplomat added that talks about the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between Russia and the United States will be possible only after Washington begins to implement it.

The New START entered into force on February 2011 and is set to last until 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, both Moscow and Washington are required to cut a certain number of weapons. The United States claimed to have met its obligations, while Russia said it could not confirm.
ADDIS ABABA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Commission (AUC) on Sunday called on world powers to undertake international efforts to solve the Syrian civil war that respects the territorial integrity of Syria.

The press statement by the AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said while he condemns the use of chemical weapons primacy should be given to international efforts to find lasting political situation for Syrian civil war solely based on the interests of Syrian people.

"Africa expects the United Nations Security Council members (UNSC), especially those that are permanent, to put aside their differences and spare no efforts in the pursuit of global peace and humanity's common good, in line with the responsibilities conferred upon them by the United Nations Charter," said the AU statement.

"AU is strongly committed to multilateralism, underlines that any response to such acts ought to be based on incontrovertible evidence gathered by a competent, independent and credible entity and comply strictly with international law, including the primacy of the UNSC for any recourse to force," further said the statement.

On Saturday morning, the US, France and UK conducted airstrikes on Syrian government targets following reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma, near the capital city Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegation, calling for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to send a fact-finding mission for investigations. However, the three nations carried out the strike on the day the mission just arrived in Damascus.

Key Syrian government allies Iran and Russia have condemned the strikes calling it a flagrant aggression of international law.
NAIROBI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government plans to launch a low cost housing project that will see 30,000 houses constructed in east of Nairobi as part of President Uhuru Kenyatta's development agenda, an official said on Sunday.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists that the low cost project targets to putting up 5,000 houses in Shauri Moyo, 20,000 houses in Makongeni, 3,000 houses in Starehe and 2,000 units in Park Road estates.

Esipisu said the team leading the regeneration of Nairobi has given itself a timeline of six months to undertake the project.

"The team has a six-month deadline to ensure that the breaking of grounds happens, and the construction begins in earnest," he told journalists in Nairobi.

According to the government statistics, Kenya has a shortage of descent houses in most of its towns and cities.

The shortage is currently estimated at 250,000 housing units a year, although housing and estate development firms have the potential to produce 50,000 homes a year.

Esipisu said plans are already underway to set-up of the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company to help with bonds for affordable housing.

He said construction of the Shauri Moyo, Makongeni and Starehe houses will kick off within six months while the breaking ground for the 2,000 units of affordable housing on Park Road will be within three months.

"We have already spoken to setting up of the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company within the next month. But what will define a changing Nairobi will be the breaking of ground for three flagship projects as part of the President's Big Four agenda," Esipisu said.

Kenyan officials say there has been very rapid urbanization over the last few years and this has resulted in putting up of buildings whether residential or commercial haphazardly without regard to precautions of user compatibility.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-15 23:29:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

GAZA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people protested on Sunday in the Palestinian Gaza Strip against Saturday's U.S.-led military attack on Syria.

Protestors waved Syrian and Palestinian flags in Unknown Soldier Square in Gaza city, while others burnt American flags.

Event organizers said the strikes aimed to punish Syria for rejecting the America's domination to control the wealth and resources of the nation.

Demonstrators said the attack was a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty that embodied the policies which the U.S. and its followers were trying to impose on the world.

The United States, along with Britain and France, launched joint airstrikes on military targets in Syria on Saturday for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians early this month.

The allegations, strongly denied by Syria and Russia, have not been independently investigated and verified.
NAIROBI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to make a five-day visit to Britain from Monday with focus on trade, investment and global diplomacy topping his agenda, the presidency said on Sunday.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said Kenyatta will embark on the visit with his mind set on boosting trade ties with Britain and other Commonwealth countries as well as diversifying investments that Kenya attracts.

"The president's visit will continue to focus his agenda on entrenching Kenya's place in global diplomacy, as well as showcasing our country as an attractive investment destination," Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi.

He said Kenyatta will be part of leaders from 53 Commonwealth countries who will gather in London this week to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

CHOGM, a biennial meeting of leaders from the 53 countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations, will this year be held with the theme "Towards a common future" and is focused on promoting prosperity, safety, sustainability and fairness.

Esipisu said the president intends to aggressively promote Kenya as a preferred destination for investors at the summit's high-profile forums that will bring together leaders of Government and investors.

Esipisu said the president is also due to hold discussions with British Prime Minister Theresa May also centered on trade, investment, security, and bilateral relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.

"As you know, the UK is a key traditional partner of Kenya's, and a big importer of some our products, including fresh produce, flowers and tea. And we value our relationship with them," Esipisu said.

He said Kenyatta's diary is packed with the first day and second day entirely devoted to national and regional issues, while the third and fourth day is devoted to the CHOGM, which will bring together more than 50 Heads of Government.

"It is essentially a platform for the President to share his view on a range of areas as a Kenyan leader and a pan-Africanist, including security, South Sudan and Somalia, regional integration and global trends," said Esipisu.
Syrian children play in the recently-captured Zamalka town in Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, Syria, on April 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

ADDIS ABABA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Commission (AUC) on Sunday called on world powers to undertake international efforts to solve the Syrian civil war that respects the territorial integrity of Syria.

The press statement by the AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said while he condemns the use of chemical weapons primacy should be given to international efforts to find lasting political situation for Syrian civil war solely based on the interests of Syrian people.

"Africa expects the United Nations Security Council members (UNSC), especially those that are permanent, to put aside their differences and spare no efforts in the pursuit of global peace and humanity's common good, in line with the responsibilities conferred upon them by the United Nations Charter," said the AU statement.

"AU is strongly committed to multilateralism, underlines that any response to such acts ought to be based on incontrovertible evidence gathered by a competent, independent and credible entity and comply strictly with international law, including the primacy of the UNSC for any recourse to force," further said the statement.

Saeed Saeed, head of the Institute for the Development of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries, speaks to reporters at the research center that was hit by the U.S.-led missile attacks in the Barzeh neighborhood in northeast Damascus, Syria on April 14, 2018. Saeed Saeed on Saturday denied the facility's possession of chemical weapons. (Xinhua/Monsef Memary)

On Saturday morning, the United States, France and UK conducted airstrikes on Syrian government targets following reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma, near the capital city Damascus on April 7.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegation, calling for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to send a fact-finding mission for investigations. However, the three nations carried out the strike on the day the mission just arrived in Damascus.

Key Syrian government allies Iran and Russia have condemned the strikes calling it a flagrant aggression of international law.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 00:09:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in ASEAN countries soared in 2017 despite a slump in overall outbound investment, thanks largely to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to a report.

In 2017, the deal value of Chinese M&As in ASEAN surged to 34.1 billion U.S. dollars, rising by 268 percent and representing a quarter of the total value of disclosed Chinese M&As, accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY) said in a report.

"Taking advantage of its geographic location as a trade hub under the BRI, ASEAN has achieved steady growth in recent years," said Andrew Choy, EY's Greater China International Tax Services Leader.

Looking forward, China and ASEAN are expected to further improve their relationship and expand broader cooperation under the BRI, Choy said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the BRI aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient Silk Road trade routes..

Singapore has become China's biggest M&A destination in 2017 as M&A activities by Chinese enterprises surged, mainly in transportation, technology, telecommunications and life sciences sectors, according to the report.

Situated along the Belt and Road, Malaysia and Indonesia offer plenty of investment opportunities, and both countries have offered incentives to attract foreign investment, the report said.

China's outbound direct investment (ODI) saw a drastic decline in 2017 amid government efforts to curb irrational overseas investment.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that non-financial ODI fell 29.4 percent year on year to 120 billion U.S. dollars last year.

Non-financial ODI in countries involved in the BRI totaled 14.36 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 12 percent of the total, up from 8.5 percent in 2016.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 00:14:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo, Japan, on April 15, 2018. China and Japan agreed to further consolidate the momentum of improvement in bilateral ties during a meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Lv Shaowei)

TOKYO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan agreed to further consolidate the momentum of improvement in bilateral ties during a meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono here on Sunday.

Wang said that bilateral relationship between China and Japan showed momentum of improvement though there are still some complicated and sensitive factors.

He said that his visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese side was in response to Japan's positive attitudes towards China that has continued for some time, and it is hoped that the visit could become an important step for bilateral relationship to return to normal track and to create condition and make preparation for future high-level exchanges.

Wang said that as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the 20th anniversary of the China-Japan Joint Declaration and the 10th anniversary of China-Japan Joint Statement on All-round Promotion of Strategic Relationship of Mutual Benefit, the two sides should promote long-term and stable development of bilateral relationship in the right direction by staying true to their original intentions when signing these documents, consolidating the foundation for bilateral ties, taking the history as a mirror and creating the future together.

He added that improvement of bilateral relationship is currently faced with both new opportunities and new challenges.

The two sides should stick to the four important political documents between them, treat history in the right way, stick to the one-China principle, implement the consensus of treating each other as cooperative partner instead of threats, and make sure bilateral relationship not fall back to the detour of ups and downs, he said.

The two sides should adapt to the new situation, promote mutually beneficial cooperation with higher quality and efficiency from a new starting point, and particularly deepen win-win cooperation in energy-conservation and environment-protection, science and technology innovation, high-end manufacturing, finance and banking, sharing economy, medical care and elderly care industries, he added.

The two sides should expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, continue to consolidate foundation for friendship between peoples of the two countries; jointly promote regional economic integration, trilateral cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea, and infuse new vitality into economic cooperation in East Asia, he said.

He added that the two sides should safeguard economic globalization and free trade system, and make joint efforts to build a community of shared future for mankind.

He also said that China welcomes Japan to join the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to discuss it with Japan to make it a new growth point for bilateral cooperation.

Kono, for his part, said that Wang's visit is an important mark for improvement in bilateral relationship, and Japan hopes to seize the current opportunities to promote continued development of bilateral relations.

He said that Japan eagerly expects and welcomes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to visit Japan and to attend the trilateral leaders' summit between China, Japan and South Korea.

Japan will stick to the principles established in the four important political documents between China and Japan, and stick to the road of peaceful development and defense-only policy, he said.

Japan attaches great importance to bilateral relationship with China and is willing to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship to implement the consensus of treating each other as a cooperative partner instead of a threat, to enhance high-level exchanges, promote political mutual trust, and expand pragmatic cooperation and advance international cooperation, he said.

Japan is willing to safeguard the global free trade system based on World Trade Organization rules, help maintain the growth momentum of global economy and promote further development of regional economic cooperation, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concerns including the Korean Peninsular situation.

Wang Yi is paying a three-day official visit to Japan from Sunday and will co-chair the fourth high-level economic dialogue between China and Japan with the Japanese foreign minister.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 00:19:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan meets with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko in Tokyo, Japan, on April 15, 2018. (Xinhua)

TOKYO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Trade ministers of China and Japan pledged to further enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation during their meeting here on Sunday.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) decided at its 19th National Congress to establish Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the party's guiding ideology, and drew a blueprint for turning China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

According to the congress, China will push for a new phase of all-around opening up and promote building a community of shared future for mankind, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled new measures for expanding China's reform and opening-up at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference, which will surely provide great opportunities for development of pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan, he added.

Zhong pointed out that since leaders of China and Japan achieved important consensus on improving and enhancing bilateral relations last November, China and Japan's economic cooperation has showed momentum of looking up.

Bilateral trade between China and Japan rallied to 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, with Japanese investment in China rebounding with a faster pace, and Chinese investment in new economic models in Japan such as cross-border e-commerce, mobile payment, and sharing economy also increasing, and the number of tourists to Japan from Chinese mainland reaching 7.3 million, up 15 percent year on year.

As this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up as well as the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the two sides should implement the consensus reached between their leaders, and bring into full play the role of bilateral trade and economic cooperation as ballast stone and propeller in bilateral relations, he said.

The two countries should fully tap the great potential in cooperation in high-quality development of the two countries, enhance pragmatic cooperation in key areas, and promote development of bilateral trade and economic relationship with better quality and higher efficiency.

Zhong also made six suggestions on deepening bilateral trade and investment cooperation:

First, actively implement the important consensus between leaders of the two countries on conducting third-party market cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Second, make joint efforts to support multilateral trade system with practical action and firmly oppose trade protectionism.

Third, enhance cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacture and innovation.

Fourth, Japan is invited to the first China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Fifth, the two sides should enhance trade cooperation in service areas.

Sixth, speed up negotiations on China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and make efforts to reach a modern, all-round and mutually beneficial agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with high quality as soon as possible.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, for his part, said that Japan acclaimed the new measures for expanding China's opening-up announced by President Xi Jinping at Boao.

Japan is willing to discuss with China on jointly exploring third-party markets, to deepen cooperation with China on areas such as high-end manufacture and trade in service, to push forward negotiations on China-Japan-South FTA, and to push for RCEP negotiations to make substantial progress within the year, he said.

Japan is also willing to actively safeguard multilateral trade system as it believes that trade protectionism will benefit none, and will enhance cooperation with China under the framework of World Trade Organization (WTO), he added.

He also said that Japan will actively organize its enterprises to take part in the CIIE, and exhibition area of Japanese enterprises is expected to reach 10,000 square meters.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 01:49:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Leaders and delegates of Arab countries attend the 29th Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Dhahran, on April 15, 2018. The 29th Arab League (AL) Summit kicked off in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Dhahran on Sunday, with leaders from 22 member states attending it. (Xinhua/SPA)

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia, April 15 (Xinhua) -- With almost all the focal issues reiterated, the one-day Arab League (AL) Summit again presented unwavering stands of the attendees, but no clear-cut way out for the utterly chaotic region.

Syrian crisis, Jerusalem issue, Yemen war, Iran's role ... seem never stopping headlining world media reports, and here again peaked Arab leaders' appeals in the 29th AL Summit held in eastern Saudi Arabia's city of Dhahran on Sunday, with member state leaders and world organization heads attending the meeting.

"SUMMIT FOR JERUSALEM"

All the speeches delivered during the summit presented an agreed point of view: Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directly named the summit this year is "Summit for Jerusalem," and announced an aid of 200 million U.S. dollars for the Palestinians, of which 150 million dollars for religious course and the rest for Palestinian refugees.

The king said "the Palestinian case is our priority and will remain until all the Palestinians gain their rights," stressing that Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appreciated the supports of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, and said the Palestinians would not flinch in fighting for their rights and protecting Jerusalem.

He stressed that East Jerusalem has been and will always be the capital of Palestine, and censured the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision as breach of international law and his continuous support for Israel which commits crimes against the Palestinians.

"I heard Israel is applying for a seat in UN Security Council, but how could that happen when it always violates UN resolutions?" Abbas questioned, calling on all the Arab countries to block Israel's such bid.

"It is important to support Palestinians and Abbas (President of Palestine)," AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said.

He mentioned there has been a huge setback in the process of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because of Trump's announcement.

Trump announced on Dec. 6, 2017 his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which promptly triggered fury and condemnation throughout the Arab world.

Things turned even worse after Palestinians' six-week long "Great March of Return" started on March 30 which has been witnessing surging casualties caused by clashes between protesters and Israeli soldiers stationed in the border area in the Gaza Strip.

IRAN AS ARCH RIVAL

Another agreement among the participants is that Iran is their common and arch rival.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi slammed Iran's misdeeds in the Middle East, implying "there is a country" establishing power in Arab world and deploying army in two Arab countries (Yemen and Syria).

"Yemen crisis needs a political solution," Sisi added. "Egypt won't allow any attack by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia."

The king also opposed Iran's interfering in other states' internal affairs, denouncing Iran's "terror acts" and calling for the Arab world against Iran.

Aboul-Gheit noted that the crises perplexing the Middle East will further deteriorate and weaken the entire region if not harnessed.

He criticized Iran as it supports the Shiite Houthi rebels which shatters Yemen and endangers bordering Saudi Arabia, saying the Arab states shall stand together with Saudi Arabia and unite against Iran.

Yemen's internationally-recognized government, backed by Saudi-led coalition, has been battling over three years Iran-backed Houthi rebels over control of the country.

UN statistics show over 10,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and around 3 million displaced.

Houthi rebels have been firing missiles at Saudi cities, airports and civilian neighborhoods, most of which have been reportedly intercepted by Saudi air defense system.

DIVERGENT ATTITUDES ON SYRIAN CRISIS

However, attitudes towards the Syrian crisis, especially in the wake of the alleged use of chemical weapons, showed divergent positions.

Fewer wordings were spared for this issue, as the host of the summit Saudi Arabia had clearly expressed strong support for the sudden airstrikes launched by the U.S., Britain and France on Syria earlier on Saturday.

Meanwhile, more nonaligned comments were made.

Jordanian King Abdullah II said the Syrian crisis should be resolved through political negotiations other than any military actions which could escalate regional conflicts.

In this regard, the Astana talks only involving Russia, Iran and Turkey cannot replace Geneva talks which has more global parties, he added.

The Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah regretted that the world holds double standard in the Syrian issue, saying Kuwait will not hesitate to offer humanitarian aid to east the agony of Syrian people.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini are also participating in the summit, after which a joint statement would be released later on Sunday.
This picture shows a general view of the congress room during the 29th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. (AFP photo)

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia, April 15 (Xinhua) -- With almost all the focal issues reiterated, the one-day Arab League (AL) Summit again presented unwavering stands of the attendees, but no clear-cut way out for the utterly chaotic region.

Syrian crisis, Jerusalem issue, Yemen war, Iran's role ... seem never stopping headlining world media reports, and here again peaked Arab leaders' appeals in the 29th AL Summit held in eastern Saudi Arabia's city of Dhahran on Sunday, with member state leaders and world organization heads attending the meeting.

"SUMMIT FOR JERUSALEM"

All the speeches delivered during the summit presented an agreed point of view: Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directly named the summit this year is "Summit for Jerusalem," and announced an aid of 200 million U.S. dollars for the Palestinians, of which 150 million dollars for religious course and the rest for Palestinian refugees.

The king said "the Palestinian case is our priority and will remain until all the Palestinians gain their rights," stressing that Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appreciated the supports of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, and said the Palestinians would not flinch in fighting for their rights and protecting Jerusalem.

He stressed that East Jerusalem has been and will always be the capital of Palestine, and censured the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision as breach of international law and his continuous support for Israel which commits crimes against the Palestinians.

"I heard Israel is applying for a seat in UN Security Council, but how could that happen when it always violates UN resolutions?" Abbas questioned, calling on all the Arab countries to block Israel's such bid.

"It is important to support Palestinians and Abbas (President of Palestine)," AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said.

He mentioned there has been a huge setback in the process of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because of Trump's announcement.

Trump announced on Dec. 6, 2017 his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which promptly triggered fury and condemnation throughout the Arab world.

Things turned even worse after Palestinians' six-week long "Great March of Return" started on March 30 which has been witnessing surging casualties caused by clashes between protesters and Israeli soldiers stationed in the border area in the Gaza Strip.

IRAN AS ARCH RIVAL

Another agreement among the participants is that Iran is their common and arch rival.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi slammed Iran's misdeeds in the Middle East, implying "there is a country" establishing power in Arab world and deploying army in two Arab countries (Yemen and Syria).

"Yemen crisis needs a political solution," Sisi added. "Egypt won't allow any attack by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia."

The king also opposed Iran's interfering in other states' internal affairs, denouncing Iran's "terror acts" and calling for the Arab world against Iran.

Aboul-Gheit noted that the crises perplexing the Middle East will further deteriorate and weaken the entire region if not harnessed.

He criticized Iran as it supports the Shiite Houthi rebels which shatters Yemen and endangers bordering Saudi Arabia, saying the Arab states shall stand together with Saudi Arabia and unite against Iran.

Yemen's internationally-recognized government, backed by Saudi-led coalition, has been battling over three years Iran-backed Houthi rebels over control of the country.

UN statistics show over 10,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and around 3 million displaced.

Houthi rebels have been firing missiles at Saudi cities, airports and civilian neighborhoods, most of which have been reportedly intercepted by Saudi air defense system.

DIVERGENT ATTITUDES ON SYRIAN CRISIS

However, attitudes towards the Syrian crisis, especially in the wake of the alleged use of chemical weapons, showed divergent positions.

Fewer wordings were spared for this issue, as the host of the summit Saudi Arabia had clearly expressed strong support for the sudden airstrikes launched by the U.S., Britain and France on Syria earlier on Saturday.

Meanwhile, more nonaligned comments were made.

Jordanian King Abdullah II said the Syrian crisis should be resolved through political negotiations other than any military actions which could escalate regional conflicts.

In this regard, the Astana talks only involving Russia, Iran and Turkey cannot replace Geneva talks which has more global parties, he added.

The Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah regretted that the world holds double standard in the Syrian issue, saying Kuwait will not hesitate to offer humanitarian aid to east the agony of Syrian people.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini are also participating in the summit, after which a joint statement would be released later on Sunday.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 02:24:54|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

Iraqis protest against U.S.-led attacks on Syria, at Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, on April 15, 2018. Thousands of Iraqis rallied Sunday in downtown Baghdad to protest against U.S.-led attacks on Syria. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Iraqis loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and some civil rights activists rallied Sunday in downtown Baghdad to protest against U.S.-led attacks on Syria.

The demonstrators rallied in Tahrir Square in the afternoon rising Iraqi and Syrian flags in solidarity with the people of Syria, and chanting slogans condemning the bombing against Syria.

The protestors held banners reading "No, No, America. No, No, colonialism," and "America kills Syrian civilians in the name of democracy." The demonstrators also burned the American flag as a sign of their anger and condemnation of the bombing on a number of sites in Syria.

"In response to the call of Moqtada al-Sadr, our Sadr loyalists as well as Iraqi people are conducting mass rally to protest the aggression launched by America, France and Britain on Syria," Sheikh Hussein al-Saedi, an organizer of the demonstration, told Xinhua.

"The bombardment on Syrian cities early on Saturday is unjust and a blatant aggression, and is against the international laws and human values," Saedi said.

Jabra al-Taei, a female civilian activist told Xinhua "Syria is a brother and has been exposed to an aggression by the United States, Britain and France. But unfortunately they forgot that such bombing could threat the lives of civilians."

"We strongly stand with the Syrian people and have gathered here in Tahrir Square to denounce the aggression against Syria," said Taei, who is also a candidate in Sadr-backed Saeiroon political bloc for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Another civil rights activist Saad al-Mousawi told Xinhua "today we took part in a large demonstration to denounce the aggression against the Syrian people, which is an attempt to subjugate peoples of the world. But we are here to show solidarity with the Syrian people."

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces intensified security measures and blocked the bridges and main roads leading to the Tahrir Square in downtown Baghdad.

"The block of the roads and nearby bridges is a precaution measure to prevent any security breach that may target the demonstrators," a security source anonymously told Xinhua.

Early on Saturday, the U.S., along with Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syria over allegations that the Syrian government used poison gas in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the capital Damascus on April 7. The Syrian government has repeatedly denied the allegations.
ACCRA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen people were killed and about 70 others injured when a passenger bus collided with two other vehicles early Sunday in northern Ghana, police said.

The bus was trying to overtake other vehicles at the time of the crash, said Mohammed Tanko, assistant superintendent of Northern Regional Police.

The crash occurred near Tamale, capital of the Northern Region.
MOSCOW, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Channels of communication between Russia and the U.S. allowing for a better understanding of what is going on are still open, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday.

"I don't know how the American colleagues interpret the word 'coordination'. Channels of communication and information exchange that make it possible to get a better picture of what is happening and, hopefully, to more accurately assess each other's plans, are still functioning," Ryabkov was quoted by Tass news agency as saying.

The United States, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes on Syria on Saturday, saying that it was in response to an alleged chemical weapon attack by the Syrian military, although the Syrian government has categorically denied the accusation.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said in a statement on the same day that Washington communicated with Moscow before taking action in order to reduce the danger of any civilian casualties and that it is still open for cooperation with the latter on the Syrian issue.

Nevertheless, Ryabkov said it would be rather difficult for Russia and the West to reach a consensus on a draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council as both sides have their own red lines.

"We will critically look at the proposals of the Western troika... It would be extremely difficult to reach any reasonable compromise or decision on this matter...We have to understand that we have well-known red lines," he said.

The UN Security Council on Saturday held an emergency meeting at Russia's request over the missile attack on Syria but failed to approve a Moscow-led resolution condemning the bombardment.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 04:35:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

DUBAI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Sunday its armed forces will disband its mission to train the Somalian army after a UAE civil airliner jet was seized by the Somalian authority at Mogadishu airport carrying cash allocated to support the Somalian army, UAE state news agency reported on Sunday.

The decision came after Somalia seized an Emirati aircraft and 9.6 million U.S. dollars in cash at Mogadishu airport on April 10.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 47 members of the Emirati armed forces were onboard the aircraft when it was seized by Somali authorities "at gunpoint."

Some Somali security members reportedly disrespected the passengers and seized 9.6 million U.S. dollars in cash that were originally allocated to support the Somali army and trainees.

The act is "illegal and violates diplomatic traditions and norms between countries, and is a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UAE and Somalia," according to the UAE ministry.

The MoU, signed in November 2014, is on military cooperation between the two sides, and included the allocation of funds to the East African country.

Bilateral relations between the UAE and Somalia have been deteriorating since March 13 when Somalia banned UAE ports operator DP World, the world's third biggest container port operator, from operating in its country.

The ban followed Somalia's claims that DP World had no right to sign a contract with the breakaway region of Somaliland to establish a port zone in Berberaa located at the coast of the Gulf of Aden.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:00:15|Editor: Liu

Video Player Close

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been in jail since last week, is still leading presidential election choices ahead of the vote in October, according to a new poll released on Sunday.

According to the poll by the Datafolha Institute, 31 percent of Brazilians would vote for him, if he was legally able to stand, more than double the 15 percent favoring the far-right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, and the 10 percent choosing former environment minister, Marina Silva.

President Michel Temer, who is allegedly mulling a run for re-election, would garner just 1 percent.

However, in the likely scenario that Lula will not be a candidate, Bolsonaro, a retired soldier who has spoken fondly of Brazil's military dictatorship, would see his share rise to 17 percent, according to the poll.

Marina Silva would remain in second place on 15 percent, with Ciro Gomes, another popular left-wing choice, rising to 9 percent.

The poll was taken after Lula turned himself in to police between April 11-13, interviewing 4,194 people in 227 Brazilian municipalities.

Lula was arrested on April 7 to purge a 12 year and one month prison sentence, after being found guilty of corruption and money laundering within the Petrobras corruption case.

According to Brazilian law, no politician found guilty of a criminal charge can stand for election. Despite this, Lula's Workers' Party (PT) has said it is not considering replacing him at the top of the ticket.

Lula was accused of receiving a luxury apartment along the coast of Sao Paulo from construction company, OAS S.A., as a bribe in exchange for favoring the firm with public Petrobras contracts.
KHARTOUM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A European Union (EU) official on Sunday said peace and stability in Sudan are priorities of dialogue between the EU and Sudan government.

Head of the EU Delegation to Sudan Jean-Michel Dumond on Sunday held talks in Khartoum with Sudan's Presidential Assistant Faisal Hassan Ibrahim.

Dumond told reporters that the talks reviewed bilateral ties, cooperation between the sides and the peace process and political development in Sudan.

He said he briefed the Sudanese presidential assistant on EU's efforts to support the development aid operation in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, issues of refugees and food security.

Sudan and the EU have been maintaining close cooperation in many fields, including combating terrorism and illegal immigration.

The high-level dialogue between Sudan and the EU started in February 2016 with the aim to address the reasons behind instability in Sudan, support development and issues of illegal immigration and human trafficking.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:05:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

CARACAS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday blasted the "ideological and political intolerance" of the eighth Summit of the Americas, which took place on Friday and Saturday in Lima, Peru.

"The Lima Summit was the beginning of the end of the Summit of the Americas," he added from the presidential palace in Caracas where he had met with Bolivian President Evo Morales.

Maduro, who was not invited to the Summit, said that certain Latin American governments had broken dialogue by refusing to embrace diverse points of view.

"When the left-wing governments were the majority in the region, we maintained a dialogue of diversity with right-wing governments," said Maduro.

He added that, at the time, the Colombian government of former President Alvaro Uribe had refused to engage in this way. "However, nobody proposed to sanction or persecute the right-wing government of Colombia, as they are doing now with the government of Venezuela," he said.

Maduro said that the regional summit should be a space for discussion of "the north with the south," adding that the Summit provided no conclusions, no proposals and no decisions.

The eighth Summit of the Americas concluded on Saturday, with 16 countries signing a declaration on Venezuela, rejecting the country's presidential elections scheduled for May 20.

Maduro concluded by saying that the Summit saw the beginning of an international scheme to sabotage the elections, adding that he would reveal proof of this in the coming days.
Old iPhones seeing new life as medical devices used to assist brain surgeries in Brazil

Brain surgeons in Brazil cannot put down their iPhones in the operating room. But thats because the old smartphones are a vital and effective medical tool during surgeries, according to a LiveScience article.

The doctors have ditched the costly and cumbersome monitors and video cameras seen in most hospitals. Instead, they attach outdated iPhone models onto their neuroendoscopic equipment, which are much smaller, less expensive, and surprisingly more effective.

This practice is documented by a recently-published study in the Journal of Neurosurgery. The authors reported that using a smartphone decreased the cost and inefficiency of minimally-invasive surgical procedures. Furthermore, it also made the procedure easier for rookie surgeons to pick up.

Our initial goal was to reduce the cost of the neuroendoscopic video set, said co-author Dr. Mauricio Mandel of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School. In the end, we came across a new, more intuitive and fluid method of performing these procedures.

Old iPhones make neuroendoscopy cheaper, easier, more efficient

In their study, the authors and their fellow surgeons performed a number of neuroendoscopy surgeries. These are procedures where neurosurgeons open up an incision in their patients nose, head, or mouth for the insertion of an endoscope, a flexible tube that can feed surgical tools inside a patients body.

A standard neuroendoscopy calls for the insertion of a video camera through the endoscope to provide a live video feed of the patients internals. The video is sent to a monitor set beside the operating table.

Get more news like this without being censored: Get the Natural News app for your mobile devices. Enjoy uncensored news, lab test results, videos, podcasts and more. Bypass all the unfair censorship by Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Get your daily news and videos directly from the source! Download here.

Surgeons must alternate between looking down at their patient and looking up at the monitor. Its a pretty confusing and exhausting way to conduct brain surgery.

Mandels team tested out a different apparatus seemingly taken from an episode of MacGyver. They attached old iPhones to their endoscopes via an adapter and performed 42 brain surgeries using the modified gear.

They reported that the iPhones improved their focus on their patient during the procedures. The surgeons found it easier to glance at the screen of the smartphone instead of craning their head upwards to look at a traditional monitor.

In addition, they could use the iPhones Wi-Fi to stream live footage of the ongoing operation to a video monitor in the same room. The other members of the surgical team could watch their operation without needing to crowd them.

Mandel reported that his team successfully completed all of their surgeries. They found no complications that could be traced to the smartphones.

Furthermore, surgeons who tried out the smartphone-endoscope chose to adopted the new method instead of going back to the older equipment. (Related: Despite studies finding increases risk of cancer from cellphone radiation, the FDA claims theyre safe as long as youre not a heavy user.)

Advantages

The authors reported that smartphone integration brought many advantages to the surgical table that could not be matched by specialized endoscopic video equipment.

Smartphones are cheaper, lighter, and easier to carry than conventional endoscopic video gear. They also dont need to be the newest models; Mandel used outdated iPhone 4, 5, and 6 models.

The high-definition camera and display of an iPhone gave users an excellent view of the surgical site. The view could be adjusted or boosted with the flick of a finger across the touch screen.

Since they are battery-powered, iPhones do not need external power sources or a steady supply of electricity. If they run low during long surgeries, they can be recharged from portable power banks that can fit in a surgeons pocket.

Based on their findings, the authors believe smartphones could become a welcome workaround for doctors and hospitals in areas that cannot afford or support advanced medical equipment.

Read more medical technology news at Medicine.news.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

TheJNS.org
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:15:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

DUBAI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia aims to attract the leading financial technology (fintech) companies and plans to become a cashless society, said official of Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) Sunday.

Ziad Al-Yousef, Director General of Payment Systems at SAMA, the Saudi central bank, made the remarks at the opening of the two-day Seamless conference on payments, fintech and e-commerce.

Saudi Arabia also plans to build an ecosystem to develop local fintech startups, Yousef said, adding that fintech firms "can increase financial inclusion in the kingdom and improve the speed and efficiency of fund flows through electronic means."

The fintech plan fits into the Saudi Vision 2030 reform scheme to reduce the kingdom's dependence on oil, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman a year ago, said Yousef.

To better develop the fintech plan, Saudi government plans to relax the work visa policy for talented entrepreneurs, said Yousef. "We at SAMA work together with SAGIA, the Saudi General Investment Authority, to develop such a work visa scheme," he added.

SAMA will launch within the next two months a strategy to lead the Gulf Arab state towards a cashless society by 2030, said Al-Yousef.

The number of point-of-sale terminals, such as credit or debit card payment facilities at shops, increased to 303,464 across Saudi Arabia in 2017 from 225,372 in 2015, and "it is expected to surge to 526,889 units by 2021," he said.

Saudi Arabia is not alone with its fintech ambitions. In early 2016, the Dubai International Financial Center launched the fintech Hive as an incubator in the field of financial big data, e-payment systems and artificial intelligence in finance.

Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have also set up fintech hubs since then.

However, according to global consultancy EY, not a single Arab country was in 2017 among the top 20 countries in relation to fintech adoption, a ranking which was led by China.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:25:21|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

Chinese Charge d'Affaires to Libya Wang Qimin (2nd L) meets with Khaled al-Meshri (C), the newly-appointed head of the Libyan Higher Council of State in Tripoli, Libya, April 15, 2018. Chinese Charge d'Affaires to Libya Wang Qimin on Sunday said that China supports the political settlement in Libya as part of the UN-proposed action plan. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)

TRIPOLI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Charge d'Affaires to Libya Wang Qimin on Sunday said that China supports the political settlement in Libya as part of the UN-proposed action plan.

The Chinese diplomat made the remarks following a meeting with Khaled al-Meshri, the newly-appointed head of the Libyan Higher Council of State, in the capital Tripoli.

"The talks focused on the political process in Libya. I discussed with the new head of the council and assured him China's support for a political settlement within the UN plan to end the division," Wang told Xinhua.

Wang said he highlighted the importance of "reaching parliamentary and presidential elections" to let the Libyan people decide their own fate, adding that "these things are achieved through supporting the UN road map."

The Chinese envoy stressed the importance of launching the UN-proposed National Conference in a number of Libyan cities, as it would enable Libyans to discuss their problems and the best ways to end the crisis.

He also expressed hope that Libya would recover in the near future, especially as it has good relations with China.

Ghassan Salame, the UN envoy to Libya, proposed in last September an action plan for Libya to end the political crisis that includes amendment of the current UN-sponsored political agreement, holding a national conference for all Libyan parties, and holding parliamentary and presidential elections before the end of 2018.

Despite the signing of a UN-sponsored peace agreement by the Libyan parties later in 2015, Libya remains politically divided between authorities in the east and the west.
PARIS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he was ready to talk to all, including Russia and Iran, to pave the way for inclusive political transition in the war-torn Syria.

"I say it from the beginning, to build lasting peace, one needs to dialogue with Iran, Russia and Turkey. France's policy is to talk with everyone. It's the condition to have peace," Macron told news channel BFM TV, RMC radio and Mediapart online news.

After the United States, France and Britain launched missile strikes on the country over an alleged chemical gas attack, the French president noted that Western top priority is preparing "a long-term political alternative which will allow a transition in a constitutional framework."

Asked if using military force would restore peace, Macron said that "France is the country that has been the most active in terms of diplomacy and humanitarian aid in recent months, and we came at a time when this strike was essential to give credibility to our community."

Defending France's participation in the joint air strikes targeting Syrian government's chemical capabilities, the 40-year-old head of state called the operation "a legitimate retaliatory act" after evidence proved that chemical gas attack was used in Douma on April 7 and which "could be attributed to" the Syrian government.

"Without declaring war against Bashar al-Assad, the joint strikes achieved their aims without leaving collateral casualties," confirmed Macron, adding that Damscus' chemical weapons capabilities have been destroyed.

"We have complete international legitimacy to act in this framework," he said.

PLAYING UP DIPLOMATIC CREDENTIALS

Breaking with the previous administration's policy which set the Syrian president's departure as a pre-condition to resolve the conflict, Macron had previously expressed willingness to speak with Bashar al-Assad to end seven-year conflict.

However, he repeatedly warned the Syrian government that he would intervene military if alleged use of chemical arms would be proved.

Playing up his credibility, he ordered the French armed forces to intervene on Saturday in coordination with American and British forces to strike several Syrian targets, which were alleged by the Western powers as chemical arsenal of the Syrian government.

In the second TV appearance in a week, Macron, disapproved at home, played up his diplomatic credentials saying "France discusses and convinces."

"Ten days ago, President Trump was saying the United States should withdraw from Syria. We convinced him it was necessary to stay," Macron told three media outlets.

"We convinced him it was necessary to stay for the long term. We also persuaded him that we needed to limit the strikes to chemical weapons after things got a little carried away over tweets," he added.

Macron said his scheduled trip to Moscow next month would be maintained despite divergence on the Syrian crisis.
BELGRADE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), the ruling party of Montenegro, declared victory of their leader Milo Djukanovic in the presidential elections on Sunday, who promised to continue to pursue country's future membership in the European Union (EU).

The victory of Djukanovic was celebrated at the headquarters of DPS.

According to the preliminary results of the State Electoral Commission based on 54.8 percent of counted votes, Djukanovic won 55.57 votes at the presidential elections.

Mladen Bojanic, the second ranked candidate supported by larger part of opposition parties, won 32 percent, while Draginja Vuksanovic from the Social-Democratic Party of Montenegro won 8 percent.

Turnout at the presidential elections, according to the electoral commission, was 64 percent, meaning that 327,865 people voted.

Djukanovic who has served as the prime minister of Montenegro for six terms, and one term as president, told a press conference Sunday night at his party headquarters that "another valuable victory was achieved for the benefit of the European future of Montenegro."

He said that the fact that such large percent of voters opted for him is a strong confirmation that Montenegro should continue along the path towards the EU.

"I am convinced that we will not let citizens down and that in next five years we will be also able to make that step (towards full EU membership)," Djukanovic said at the headquarters of DPS in front of several hundred supporters.

Bojanic, the second ranked candidate asked his voters not to understand the result as a defeat, but as a basis for future struggle against the ruling party and refused to congratulate Djukanovic on the victory.

The final results will be announced in following weeks after the State Electoral Commission decides on complaints on irregularities.

Djukanovic is set to replace incumbent President Filip Vujanovic, whose mandate expires in May.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:40:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

ADEN, Yemen, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led Arab Coalition's Patriot system intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by the Shiite Houthi militants on the Red Sea coast city of Mocha in western Yemen on Sunday night, a military official told Xinhua.

The missile defence of the anti-Houthi coalition succeeded in destroying the two ballistic missiles fired on pro-government army bases in Mocha city, according to the military source, who declined to be named.

"The two ballistic missiles aimed at a key military base hosting newly-recruited Yemeni government forces and senior officers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," the source said.

Observers say that the Houthis are launching ballistic missiles against government-controlled provinces to stop the pressure on their forces and compensate their losses in the ongoing fighting across the country.

A few days ago, the Saudi-led coalition dispatched large military reinforcements commanded by Major General Tariq, the nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, to fight the Houthi militants in Yemen's western coast areas.

Saudi Arabia is leading a mostly Arab military coalition to fight Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015.

Houthis have been controlling much of Yemen's north by force, including the capital Sanaa since 2014.

The war has killed more than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, and displaced over 3 million, according to humanitarian agencies.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 05:55:26|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

A Syrian man flashes a victory sign in the Douma district of Damascus, Syria, on April 15, 2018. On Saturday, the Syrian army declared capturing Douma, the last rebel bastion in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, after the evacuation of rebels and their families. The Russian military police also entered Douma after the evacuation of the rebels, who left toward the rebel-held city of Jarablus in northern Syria under a deal with the Syrian government and the Russians. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- After the Syrian army fully wrested control over the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, the army has sent reinforcements for a new battle against the Islamic State (IS) in an area south of the capital, a monitor group reported on Sunday.

The Syrian forces are now bracing to dislodge IS from the Yarmouk Camp area as well as the adjacent Hajar Awad, Qadam, and Tadamun areas, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The IS entered those areas in 2015 but their location wasn't as significant as that of the Eastern Ghouta, where the last rebel bastion of Douma district recently fell to the army.

The observatory said around 21,000 people, including 7,000 rebels with the Islam Army militant group left Douma recently, making the entire Eastern Ghouta empty of rebels, which saved the capital from the daily mortar attacks of the rebels.

Meanwhile, the state TV said Sunday the Syrian police forces have deployed in Douma amid ongoing preparations for the return of people to their homes.

The Russian military police also entered Douma after the evacuation of the rebels, who left toward the rebel-held city of Jarablus in northern Syria under a deal with the Syrian government and the Russians.

This operation, as well as the upcoming one in southern Damascus, aims to expand the circle of security around the capital.

On Saturday, the Syrian army declared capturing Douma, the last rebel bastion in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, after the evacuation of rebels and their families.

In its statement, the army said the bomb squad started inspecting the squares and streets to remove the roadside bombs left by the militants in that area in order to pave the way for other army units to secure the area for the return of the families.

The army said many factories for manufacturing weapons and munition were found in addition to a large number of tunnels and storages of food the rebels had kept from the civilians in that place.

"This major victory in Douma and the eradication of terrorism from the entire Eastern Ghouta is a natural result of the people's embracement of the Syrian army when they took to the streets, urging the army to liberate them from terrorism," the military statement said.

The army stressed its keenness about the lives of civilians as well as their security and protection.

The army said that the victory in Douma comes as the U.S., Britain, and France have launched their attack on the Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday.

The three Western nations launched their missile attack against the backdrop of the allegations of chemical weapon use by the Syrian forces in Douma on April 7 prior to the rebels' evacuation.

The Syrian government strongly denied the allegations, calling for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to send a fact-finding mission to look into the allegations.

But the United States and its allies launched their offensive on Saturday without waiting for the results of the inspection.

Bashar al-Jaafari, the permanent representative of Syria in the UN, said Saturday that the fact-finding mission arrived in the capital on Saturday afternoon as the Syrian government stressed its determination to cooperate with the team.
DUBLIN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- An Irish naval ship has departed for a European Union (EU) mission in the Mediterranean to fight against human trafficking and rescue migrants, reported local media RTE on Sunday.

LE Samuel Beckett, a war ship of the Irish Naval Service, departed from a harbor in the country's southern coastal city of Cork for a joint EU mission coded Operation Sophia on Sunday morning, said the report.

The ship, with a crew of 54 members under the command of Lieutenant Commander Eoin Smyth, will be authorized to identify, capture and dispose of vessels involved in human trafficking in an area of the south-central Mediterranean, it said.

The ship was seen off by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellet at the Naval Service Headquarters in Cork Harbour, according to the report.

LE Samuel Beckett is a 90-meter-long state-of-the-art offshore patrol vessel of the Irish Naval Service. The ship is the first among the Irish naval fleet, which is named after the famous Irish novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.

LE Samuel Beckett is the first Irish naval ship to be dispatched for Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean this year, said the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-16 06:45:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The yearly Arab League (AL) Summit concluded here with unwavering stands for preserving regional peace and unity, especially the problems related to Jerusalem, Syria, Yemen and Iran.

According to an official AL announcement released by Saudi Press Agency after the summit, decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the "core issue" concerned by the entire Arab world, which firmly insists the fact that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

The AL strongly opposes the U.S. administration's recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, wishing all the countries not to follow the U.S. measures to harm Arab states' sovereignty.

UN resolutions shall be the only norms in negotiating the conflict, and Israel's unilateral actions could only tamper the facts and hamper the peace process, it said.

Referring to Yemen crisis, the AL applied stern words to accuse Iran of supporting the Shiite Houthi rebels who ousted Yemen's internationally-recognized government and frequently launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, including capital Riyadh and Muslim holy city Mecca.

"We urge the international community to sanction Iran and forbid it to back Houthi terrorists and provide them missiles," the statement said. "All these have violated the UN 2216 resolution and international law."

It voiced support for the Saudi-led Arab coalition's operations in Yemen to preserve Yemen's sovereignty and integrity, and demanded opening key ports and airports for aids to enter Yemen so as to ease the world's most serious humanitarian crisis there such as famine and outbreak of cholera.

"Iran must withdraw its army from Arab world, especially Syria and Yemen, and stop interfering in other states' affairs," the AL added.

Meanwhile, the summit reiterated that political solution is the only path for Syria to realize peace. Only eliminating terrorist groups and cutting off world powers' meddling could create chance for Syrian people to build an independent Syria.

The AL also denounced use of chemical weapons in any place, requiring an international investigation in accordance with international regulations into any such case.

The one-day summit was held Sunday in eastern Saudi city of Dhahran. Tunisia is to held the 30th AL Summit.
(File photo)A picture taken on April 8, 2018, shows smoke billowing as Syrian Army soldiers advance in agricultural land on the eastern outskirts of Douma, as they continue their fierce offensive to retake the last opposition holdout in Eastern Ghouta. (AFP photo)

DAMASCUS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Saturday declared capturing the Douma district, the last rebel bastion in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, after the evacuation of rebels and their families, according to the state news agency SANA.

The capture of Douma comes as the rebels of the Islam Army have fully evacuated to the rebel-held city of Jarablus in northern Syria in batches.

With this progress, the Syrian army has fully controlled Eastern Ghouta, which was the last major threat to Damascus.

In its statement, the army said the bomb squad started inspecting squares and streets to remove roadside bombs left by the militants in that area, preparing for other army units to secure the area for the return of the families to their homes.

The army said many factories for manufacturing weapons and munitions were found in addition to a large number of tunnels and storages of food the rebels had kept from the civilians there.

"This major victory in Douma and the eradication of terrorism from the entire Eastern Ghouta is a natural result of the people's embracement of the Syrian army when they took to the streets, urging the army to liberate them from terrorism," the military statement said.

The army stressed its keenness on the lives of civilians as well as their security and protection.

The army said that the victory in Douma comes as the United States, Britain, and France have launched missile attacks on the Syrian military positions earlier on Saturday.

The attack came against the backdrop of an allegation of a chemical weapon attack by the Syrian forces in Douma on April 7 prior to the rebels' evacuation.

The Syrian government strongly denied the allegation, calling for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to send a fact-finding mission for investigations.

But the United States and its allies launched their offensive on Saturday without waiting for the results of the inspection.

Bashar al-Jaafari, the permanent representative of Syria in the UN, said Saturday that the fact-finding mission arrived in the capital on Saturday afternoon as the Syrian government stressed its determination to cooperate with the team.

A day earlier, the Russian military police started entering Douma and the Syrian police entered that area on Saturday.

The rebels who evacuated Douma were the ones rejecting to reconcile with the government, while others accepted to engage in a police force supervised by Russia inside that district.

This development comes as the entire Eastern Ghouta was free of rebels late last month with over 43,000 rebels and their families evacuating to rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib except Douma.

Capturing Eastern Ghouta largely contributes to the security of the capital, as the rebels in that sprawling countryside used to fire daily mortar shells on the capital and attempted to infiltrate the capital many times, the latest of which was last April when the army foiled the attack.
"It's unfortunate that in the United Kingdom demand is not there anymore, and the United Kingdom is our home market".

JLR is the largest auto manufacturer in the United Kingdom, according to BBC News.

The UK's biggest carmaker, owned by India's Tata Motors, blamed "continuing headwinds" affecting the vehicle industry.

While JLR has neither confirmed nor denied the job losses, a company spokesperson told the news site that the vehicle firm would be making "some adjustments" to its production schedules and the levels of agency staff.

'We are however continuing to recruit large numbers of highly skilled engineers, graduates and apprentices as we are over-proportionally invested in new products and technologies. JLR employs 40,000 people in the UK.

New vehicle sales fell 5.7 per cent in the United Kingdom in 2017 - the first decline in registrations for six years.

"We also remain committed to our United Kingdom plants in which we have invested more than 4bn since 2010 to future-proof manufacturing technologies to deliver new models".

Milos Forman, Oscar-winning exiled director

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975 ), adapted from Ken Kesey's 1962 novel, dealt with life inside an OR mental institution. Czech-American director Milos Forman has died aged 86 in the United States of America after a short illness.

The announcement will fuel debate on the impact of Brexit on industry, after the company pointed to the uncertainty around leaving the European Union, alongside the challenges facing diesel, when announcing the "temporary adjustments" to its production schedules at Halewood (home to the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport) in January.

Sales of the Jaguar brand are reported to be down 26 per cent in 2018, with Land Rover suffering a 20 per cent drop.

A source told new agency Reuters that 1,000 roles would be slashed as part of the moves.

"Ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit is being felt by customers at home and in Europe", the company said in January. The cars would have evaded tax amounting to more than three million Kenya shillings if they had been cleared as mattresses.

Overall UK demand for new diesel cars plunged 37 per cent in March.

He said: "JLR appears to be especially exposed as over 90 per cent of sales are diesel".
Earlier in the day, the Egyptian armed forces announced 27 militants were killed and 114 others arrested in the latest raids in Sinai Peninsula as part of the country's anti-terror military operation "Sinai 2018".

In a released statement on the comprehensive security operation in Sinai, the army added that the forces managed to control the theaters of operation in north and central Sinai on all strategic fronts.

According to the spokesman, eight soldiers were killed and 15 others injured when some of the attackers detonated their explosive vests.

Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended for three months from Saturday a state of emergency for the fourth time since it was first declared previous year, the official gazette said.

Brexit: Jaguar Land Rover to cut 1000 contract jobs

The cars would have evaded tax amounting to more than three million Kenya shillings if they had been cleared as mattresses. The UK's biggest carmaker, owned by India's Tata Motors, blamed "continuing headwinds" affecting the vehicle industry.

The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

According to the resolution, the Egyptian armed forces and police shall take all necessary measures "to confront the threats and funding of terrorism and maintain security throughout the country". It was extended in July and again in October then January.

Egypt first imposed the current state of emergency in April 2017 after two church bombings killed at least 45 people.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a decree on Saturday to extend a curfew already in place in a new declaration. The military has launched security campaigns in the North Sinai area, in which some terrorists are based.
Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs

07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0)

Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na...
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh people's forum, fighting for special category status to the state, has called for a state-wide bandh over the issue on Monday.

The Andhra Pradesh Pratyeka Hoda Saadhana Samiti, which has called the shutdown, had asked the opposition parties to support the cause.

Responding to it, opposition parties such as the YSR Congress (YSRC), Congress and the Left parties have extended support to the shutdown call.

However, the ruling TDP led by N Chandrababu Naidu has opposed it.

Reacting to the shutdown call, Naidu said bandhs were not welcome as they hamper development.

The Jagan Reddy-led YSRC hit back, accusing the Chief Minister of adopting 'double standards'.

"When Naidu was the Opposition leader, he had called for bandhs on many occasions, but as a Chief Minister he is now opposing them (bandhs), saying they hinder development," YSRC political affairs committee member Ambati Rambabu said.

Rambabu said Naidu should understand that bandh was a form of a democratic protest and he had no right to oppose it.

The YSRC leader also alleged that the ruling TDP government was threatening those who were supporting the bandh, saying cases would be booked against them.

"Why this intimidation? As long as they are peaceful, we will continue all forms of democratic protests," Rambabu added.

(With PTI inputs)
LAHORE: An unknown gunman shot at a Pakistani Supreme Court judge's residence on Sunday, a provincial government spokesman said.

Authorities said no one was injured in the shooting outside the residence of Supreme Court Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who was part of a five-member bench that last July disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from his job.

"Bullet shells were found outside the residence," in the central city of Lahore, provincial government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan told Reuters.

No suspect has been named for the shooting.

Opposition leader Imran Khan, who was central to starting legal proceedings against Sharif, suggested there may have been a political motive for the shooting to "pressurise" the judiciary. He gave no evidence for his view.

"Strongly condemn the firing at Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan`s house. These Sicilian-mafia-like tactics to pressurise senior judiciary are unacceptable in any democracy," he wrote.

The Supreme Court barred Sharif, 67, from politics in July over an undeclared source of income and in a ruling on Friday said he was barred from holding office for life.

Sharif is also currently appearing before an accountability court - proceedings ordered by the Supreme Court after his removal from office in July - that could have him jailed if found guilty.

Sharif and his family have called the proceedings a conspiracy, hinting at intervention by the military but opponents hail them as a rare example of powerful people being held to account. The military denies any such intervention.

The Supreme Court Bar Association had threatened to go on strike after the shooting but Pakistan`s Chief Justice Saqib Nisar asked for a protest to be called off for the sake of litigants with cases fixed for Monday.

The Punjab government, headed by Sharif`s brother Shahbaz, who is seen as his brother`s successor with general elections due this year, has called for immediate action to be taken.

"Punjab Government has also beefed up the security around the judge`s residence," Khan said.
The News in Brief

Labor Inspection Excludes Seismic Tremors in the Mine Killing 6 Workers



The labour inspection stated on Monday that no seismic tremors were observed in the Mindeli mine, in western Tkibuli region of Georgia, where six mine workers died and three others received injuries on April 5.



Irakli Iobidze, a representative of Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Health, made a statement after inspecting the Mindeli Mine.



According to Iobidze, the Seismic Service confirmed that the seismic tremors were not observed on that day in the mine.



The Labor Inspection Department and the Technical Supervision Agency of the Ministry of Economy will once again try to reach the site. We will study the situation and afterwards continue investigation, Iobidze said.



The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is investigating the case under the article which refers to violation of safety rules and envisages imprisonment up to five years.



The Saknakhshiri is the company conducting mining in the region, which claims safety norms were in place, while seismic tremors were impossible to forecast.







School Resource Officers to Provide Psychological Assistance



The draft amendments to the Law of Georgias General Education, initiated by the Education Ministry, have offered psychological assistance to schoolchildren by Resource Officers, by the Interior Ministry staff who are tasked to provide security and prevent clashes in public schools of Georgia.



The amendments, which need to be approved by parliament, read that the students with behavioral and emotional disorders and their parents will be able to get psychological support.



If the changes are confirmed, officers will have to prevent clashes outside the school territory as well, by informing the childrens parents, school leadership and relevant state structures.



The changes are coming in the wake of several clashes in Tbilisi public schools, which started at a school territory and resulted into several killed minors.



The institute of the Resource Officers was established under the United National Movement leadership in 2010 to prevent school incidents.

(By Mariam Chanishvili)




MOSCOW: The Vladimir Putin government in Russia is said to be planning a major retaliation against the United States, a week after the Donald Trump Administration ordered fresh sanctions against Russia escalating tensions between the two nuclear powered-states.

According to the Sunday Express, sources in Kremlin have confirmed that the Putin government is working on retaliatory measures to hit back at the Trump Administration for announcing the fresh sanctions against Moscow.

Earlier this month, the Trump Administration had added 38 Russian entrepreneurs, senior officials and firms to its sanctions list as part of its effort to crackdown on the countrys malign activity taking place across the globe.

''I will not announce anything, we are working on that, '' Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov was quoted as saying.

In the aftermath of the US announcement, a firm response to the White House from the Putin government was already anticipated and a bill outlining the potential reactionary measures was presented to the Russian Parliament earlier this week.

The Bill considered measures such as banning imports of US agricultural, alcoholic, and tobacco products as well as medical drugs. But after Russian Transport Minister Sokolov's announcement, it is almost clear that the Russians are indeed planning a tough response to the US.

All this comes at a time when the relations between Washington DC and Moscow have reached the lowest levels after the suspected poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal on the UK soil.

Russian state television has, meanwhile, cautioned the citizens of the country to prepare for World War III, the US has, without mincing words, declared that it is locked and loaded to strike Syria again if President Bashar Assad's regime continues using chemical weapons and poisonous gas in the war-torn country.

The statement issuing World War III warning appeared on Russian state media after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected a resolution by Russia calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria.

Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council - China and Bolivia.

Eight countries voted against the Russian draft - the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast while four countries - Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru - abstained.

The US, UK and France said they launched air strikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government. Russia and its ally Syria called the attack fabricated and said no evidence of chemical weapons use exists in Douma.
TOKYO: While the last week's missile attacks in Syria by US, UK and France have escalated tensions between Washington and Moscow, triggering fears of a possible World War III, it also appears to have cast a shadow over North Korean denuclearization talks.

The combined military strike against Syrian chemical sites by the world major powers, following evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government, has evoked a sharp response from Russia.

Russia has now threatened to give a tough response to the US and called the military attack in Syria fabricated and said that no evidence suggesting the use of chemical weapons exists in Douma.

Escalating tensions between Russia and the US, the Donald Trump Administration had earlier this month added 38 Russian entrepreneurs, senior officials and firms to its sanctions list as part of its effort to crackdown on the countrys malign activity taking place across the globe.

The sources in Kremlin have confirmed that the Putin government is working on retaliatory measures to hit back at the Trump Administration for announcing the fresh sanctions against Moscow.

''I will not announce anything, we are working on that, '' Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov was quoted as saying by Sunday Express.

Russian state television too cautioned the citizens of the country to prepare for World War III after the US declared that it is locked and loaded to strike Syria again if President Bashar Assad's regime continues using chemical weapons and poisonous gas in the war-torn country.

The statement issuing World War III warning appeared on Russian state media after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected a resolution by Russia calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria.

Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council - China and Bolivia.

Eight countries voted against the Russian draft - the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast while four countries - Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru - abstained.

The US, UK and France said they launched air strikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government.

On the rising US-Russia tensions over Syria, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that Tokyo would "support the determination of the US, UK and France that the proliferation and use of chemical weapons will never be allowed."

The Japanese leader also said that he is willing to discuss the situation in Syria and the Middle East with US President Donald Trump when the two meet in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia  a staunch ally of the US - also expressed support to the action taken by the world powers against the oppressive Syrian regime. The strikes "send an unequivocal message to the Assad regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated," Turnbull said in a joint statement with the foreign and defense ministers.

However, China spoke in a different tone and criticized the strikes, claiming they were a violation of the principles of international law. Beijing claimed the military strike were carried out without a thorough investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.

"Unilateral military action bypassing the Security Council runs contrary to the purpose and principles of the UN Charter," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news conference. "Regarding the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria, a comprehensive, impartial and objective investigation should be carried out."

Interestingly, Indonesia  the world's largest Muslim country - maintained a neutral stance.

While it condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, it also urged all parties to maintain the security and safety of civil society, especially women and children.
Panaji: Class 10 science question paper drafted by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has invited the ire of students and teachers who termed it as "very difficult, twisted and strange". The Goa Headmasters' Association (GHA), the body representing heads of all the schools in the state, has written to the GBSHSE protesting against the complicated question paper.

However, the GBSHSE cited a recent survey conducted by the NCERT on problems faced by Goan students in science and mathematics for the difficult question paper. "The students who answered the SSC examination were shocked and in tears to find a very difficult, twisted and strange science question paper.

"Parents, teachers and all stake-holders have expressed a grave concern over the sudden change of the pattern and difficulty level of the science question paper," GHA president Vithoba Desai stated in the letter addressed to the Board.

A total of 20,261 students had answered the Science paper on April 11 during the week-long examination held at 27 centres across the state.

The GHA stated a sudden change of the pattern was shocking and fearful and even teachers too were not trained or prepared at any workshop to teach the changed pattern to the students. "While on one hand no detention policy makes it mandatory to promote the students till 8th standard, it was strange to abruptly increase the understanding and application level of science at SSC," it said.

Desai said they are now concerned about the "endangered future and career" of the students, particularly those hailing from rural areas of the state.

When contacted, GBSHSE chairman Ramakrishna Samant said the paper was set up by the board for intelligent, average, and weak categories of students. "The scrutiny committee of the board has endorsed that the particular paper catered to all three categories of students ? intelligent, average and weak," he said.

Samant said the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) had conducted a survey recently in which they observed that Goan students are facing problems in subjects of science and mathematics.

"The NCERT conducted workshops for science teachers in New Delhi. Similar workshops were organised in Goa by the State Council for Educational Research and Training in December 2017.

"During the workshops the teachers were given clear idea about possibility of such papers being set up for the students," he said.
SURAT: In a gruesome reminder of the Kathua rape case, the mutilated body of 11-year-old girl recovered from Gujarat's Surat Bhestan locality was likely held captive, tortured and raped over a period of time, said the police on Sunday. The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch.

The child's body was recovered on Friday, April 6, by the side of a highway. Postmortem reports have now confirmed sexually assault. The girl was murdered on April 5, said the police.

It is now being believed that the girl, probably belonging to Odiya or Bengali community, was killed and the body dumped outside Surat, said city Police Commissioner Satish Sharma.

Appealing people for help, Sharma added that over 1200 posters pasted across Surat and trains to identify the girl.

In order to identify the girl, the victims details were matched details of 8000 lost children, he added.

The post-mortem examination of the girl revealed a case of "strangulation and smothering" with 86 signs of minor injuries, including sexual assault, he said. Some of the injuries were old.

The case details are a chilling reminder of Kathua gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, which has rocked the entire country.

The girl, belonging to a nomadic tribe, was sedated time and again before being raped, brutually tortured and killed. She was abducted on January 10 and was later strangled to death on January 14. The body of the girl was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17 - nearly a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.
NEW DELHI: As many as 19 Indian students and alumni groups in various British universities have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, seeking tough measures against the culprits before he addresses his "Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath" event in London on April 18.

"We, the Indian student and alumni community in the UK, are deeply horrified and demand immediate proceedings against the accused in both cases (Kathua and Unnao). By taking swift and strict action, please show that the Indian government`s initial silence and delayed response to these horrific crimes against humanity are not a supporter of the accused because the accused have some or the other link with those in power.

"Prime Minister, you have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India`s daughters matter," the groups said in the letter.

Stressing that the Indian students and alumni community have been "eagerly looking forward to" his visit to Britain next week, the community said it hoped that "by the time you arrive you have sufficiently addressed both these matters".

"That when you arrive and address `Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath`, you can tell us and the world that those extraordinary measures are that you are putting into place to show that enough is enough," they said.

Those who signed the letter include the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) besides India societies of the University of Oxford; London School of Economics; University College London; Imperial College London; University of Warwick; Kings College London; University of Manchester; University of Birmingham; University of Southampton; Birmingham City University; University of Arts London; University of Salford; University of Nottingham; St George`s University; University of Warwick India Forum; Nottingham Trent Indian Society and Queen Mary Indian Society.

Modi will be in Britain to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
NEW DELHI: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday accused members of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of allegedly inciting the crowd and vitiating the atmosphere.

Yesterday, I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad people gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords and raised inciting slogans. Later, it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is a clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere, Javadekar said.

The Minister of Human Resource and Development's statement came two days after AAP had criticised BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi for her comments that rival parties were "selectively" picking the rape cases in Kathua and Unnao to target the Centre. Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Atishi Marlena said that Lekhi's remarks reflected the "arrogance and insensitivity" of the BJP.

The BJP also attacked Congress over inaction against Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief, who allegedly participated in the rally taken out in support of rape accused.

Our two ministers resigned. But Congress state chief Ghulam Mir said the same. So, why no action against him by Rahul ji, questioned Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister of Human Resource and Development.

Jammu Bar Association chief was polling agent of GN Azad. Azad ji has no responsibility? He should apologize to nation, said Javadekar.

Two days ago, state BJP ministers  Forest minister Chaudhary Lal Singh and industries and commerce minister Chander Prakash Ganga  resigned for attending a rally by local Hindu groups in defence of the rape accused.

Meanwhile, PDP and BJP sought out differences, with state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti saying that the coalition state government is here to stay.

She added that the whole country seeking justice for the eight-year-old Kathua rape victim has generated a new hope among the people in Jammu and Kashmir which needs to be built on to recreate an inclusive India.

Intolerance and hate are hitting at the country`s core values and posing a great threat to the pluralism, the only option for achieving the goals India has set out, she said.

The rape and murder of the eight-year-old child has rocked the entire country.

The girl, belonging to a nomadic Muslim tribe in the district, was sedated time and again before being raped, brutually tortured and killed. She was abducted on January 10 and was later strangled to death on January 14. The body of the girl was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17 - nearly a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.
New Delhi: A five-member committee of the Bar Council of India (BCI) will visit Kathua city in Jammu and Kashmir and submit a factual report on the case of the rape of a minor girl after seeking time from the Supreme Court on April 19. This was announced by BCI chief Manan Mishra on Sunday.

The fact-finding team will include former BCI chief Tarun Agarwal, BCI Co-Chairmen S Prabakaran and Ramachandra G Shah, and members Razia Beig of the Bar Council of Uttrakhand and Naresh Dikshit, an advocate.

They will visit the state and reach out to office-bearers of the Bar Associations of Jammu and Kathua and also meet the affected families and the common people to figure out what actually transpired, Mishra told reporters.

The decision to dispatch a fact-finding team was actually taken during a meeting on Friday, he said, adding that the team will go to Kathua on April 20.

"I have communicated this to the President of Bar Associations of Jammu and Kathua. I was given full assurance of an immediate end to the lawyers strike and of full cooperation to the visiting BCI team," he said.

Mishra also claimed that the reason behind the lawyers' protests in Jammu was not to defend the accused but were instead focused on certain laws passed by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Mishra, however, said that if the committee finds misconduct on the part of the lawyers, the BCI will cancel the licences of those involved in creating the controversy and maligning the legal profession.

The BCI chief said that the follow-up action would be decided once the team files its report.

In a related development, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the recent rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua district.

The resignations of the two ministers were received from BJP state chief Sat Sharma this morning which were immediately accepted and forwarded to Governor NN Vohra for completing the procedural formalities, the J&K Chief Minister's office was quoted as saying.

Both Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh are BJP ministers who resigned after participating in a rally in support of the culprits in Kathua rape and murder case.

#JammuAndKashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accepted the resignations of state ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh and forwarded it to J&K Governor. #Kathua rape & murder case (File pic) pic.twitter.com/EkwDxjMPjG  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

The two BJP leaders had come under Opposition attack for attending the protest march and expressing solidarity to the culprits. Earlier, defending his move, Lal Singh said that he resigned on moral grounds.

"I gave resignation on moral values. If someone is hurt because of me, I have no right to remain in that post, that is why I resigned. I also said that one must live by their conscience, and my conscience did not approve that violence and riots are caused just for the resignation of two ministers," Lal Singh told ANI.

"I have done nothing but I resigned so that there's no violence in the country," he added.

Singh also upheld demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the heinous crime, contending that it would bring the truth to the fore.

An eight-year-old girl belonging to the nomadic community had gone missing on January 10 while grazing horses in Rasana forest in Kathua's Hiranagar area. Her body was found a week later. Police investigations revealed she was held captive inside a temple, sedated and repeatedly raped before her murder.

(With Agency inputs)
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday staged protests in Bengaluru in poll-bound Karnataka against a statement of Congress state unit working president Dinesh Gundu Rao targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The BJP called for the protest in the Karnataka capital against Raos alleged inciting remarks on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Rao had called Adityanath a disgrace to Indian politics.

BJP protest in Bengaluru against Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao's 'inciting remarks' on UP CM Yogi Adityanath. BJP State General Secretary N Ravikumar has also complained to EC against Dinesh Gundu Rao pic.twitter.com/qwQeEESASM  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Amid the protests, BJP Karnataka general secretary N Ravikumar also moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president.

The protests came after Rao, in reference to the outrage over Unnao rape and custodial death cases, reportedly said, Mr Adityanath is a disgrace to Indian politics. He is unfit to be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. If he had any decency he would have resigned by now.

Meanwhile, the central unit of the Congress party also hit out at Adityanath, calling him the real culprit in the Unnao rape case, demanding his immediate sacking. The opposition party also hit out at the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over its "indictment" by the Allahabad High Court, saying the chief minister's position had become "rudderless" in the state.

"The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June, 2017 and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the CM, Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement in the national capital.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two people till now in the Unnao rape case. The agency has also taken into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the 17-year-old victim girl to the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, officials told PTI.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the "real culprit" in the Unnao rape case and demanded his immediate sacking. The opposition party also hit out at the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over its "indictment" by the Allahabad High Court, saying the chief minister's position had become "rudderless" in the state.

"The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June, 2017 and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the CM, Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement in the national capital.

He also referred to excerpts from the court's observation on the Unnao case and alleged that Uttar Pradesh had become "Ravana Rajya" for women, Dalits and farmers during the BJP rule.

"BJP leaders have mastered the art of extending state protection to rapists, shaming the victim and her family, defending the accused and crying conspiracy...And the Adityanath government has perfected this art to the hilt," Surjewala alleged.

The high court's observations yesterday revealed "how a chief minister can become deaf, blind and mute to a heinous crime like rape, the custodial death of the victim's father and the continuous loud cries of the victim's family", he said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made the second arrest in the Unnao rape case today as it took into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the 17-year-old victim girl to the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, officials said.
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday announced its first list of 218 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections 2018. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will contest from Chamundeshwari, his son Dr Yatheendra will contest from Varuna constituency in upcoming Legislative Assembly polls.

The grand old party took to Twitter and released its list of candidates for the state Assembly polls scheduled to be held on May 12, 2018. "The Indian National Congress has selected these candidates for the election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka," tweeted Karnataka Congress.

With less than a month left for Karnataka to go to polls, both the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have entered a high-pitched battle on the ground and on social media.

Last week, the BJP had released its first list of 72 candidates following a meeting of the party's Central Election Committee. The committee had met at BJP's Headquarters in New Delhi with party President Amit Shah and committee members including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj present.

Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15. VVPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.

The date of notification is April 17 and the last date to file nominations is April 24. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 25 and the last day for withdrawal is April 27.

The 224-member Assembly expires on May 28 in the state where the Congress is currently in power, with 122 seats against the BJP's 43. Karnataka is one of the eight states where polls were scheduled this year.

While Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state.
Ambassador of Belarus O.Paferov meets the Minister of Education of Venezuela

13-04-2018

On April 12, 2018 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus, Oleg Paferov, met with the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Venezuela.

The sides discussed cooperation between Belarus and Venezuela in the sphere of education, science and technology, as well as prospects for enhancement of cooperation in the field of geoinformation technologies. The Venezuelan side expressed interest in the exchange of best practices in the creation and implementation of the national crypto currency system.

The parties reached an agreement to intensify the work on concluding a bilateral agreement on the mutual recognition of university diplomas.

   

print version
In a joint operation with Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force on Saturday conducted long-range maritime air exercise  Gagan Shakti  in the Western Seaboard. One highlight of the exercise was IL-78 flight refuelling IAF aircraft midair. According to the IAF, the re-fuelling ensures long range striking capabilities.

"As part of the ongoing massive IAF exercise 'Gaganshakti', IAF conducted maritime air operations on the western sea board, with the clear aim of air dominance and deep strike validation over the extended area of interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)," the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

#GaganShakti2018 : MARITIME AIR OPS -On 14Apr18, in a joint ops with #IndianNavy , #IAF conducted Long-range Maritime Strike in the Western Seaboard. The Aim of Ops was Air Dominance & Deep Strike Validation over our strategic area of influence in the IOR.https://t.co/qUqXD70xpX pic.twitter.com/JJArO9xudM  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 14, 2018

"In the long range strike concept validation, the Su-30s, airborne from a base on the Eastern Coast engaged multiple targets, in the Western Sea-board, at distances in excess of 2200 Km. These aircraft then landed at a Southern Base, thus covering a total distance of 3600 Km, in a single mission," the IAF statement further said.

The operation was supported by Indian Navy's P-8i reconnaissance aircraft and AWACS of IAF. Officials said the two-week-long exercise is involving almost the entire assets of the IAF including its fighter squadrons and the main objective of the day-and-night drill is to check war waging capability of the force.

The IAF said the exercise 'Gaganshakti' has provided an ideal environment to evaluate joint operations with the Navy.

"The exploitation of the combat support assets helps to extend the reach in the entire IOR, our strategic area of influence," the IAF said.

The officials said the exercise from April 8-22 is one of the biggest in recent decades, adding Pakistan has already been informed about it as per laid down protocol.

(With PTI Inputs)
NEW DELHI: Dalit leader and Vadgam (Gujarat) MLA Jignesh Mevani was on Sunday detained at Jaipur International Airport, police said. The administration of Nagaur, where Mevani had a rally, had restricted his visit and the police stopped the Gujarat MLA at the airport to inform him about the order, they added.

Vadgam (Gujarat) MLA Jignesh Mevani detained at #Jaipur airport; said, 'I had to go to Nagaur to talk about Baba Saheb Ambedkar. I dont know what made Vasundhra Raje government restrict me. They aren't even letting me roam in Jaipur. Police have no order, it's illegal' pic.twitter.com/uyEScW6pi0  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

After Mevani was stopped at the airport, the Gujarat MLA took to Twitter and explained that he was going there to talk about Indian constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

"Immediately after I landed at Jaipur airport, few cops made me sign a letter saying MLA Jignesh Mevani's entry is restricted in entire nagor district of Rajasthan. I was going there to talk about Indian constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Mevani tweeted.

"Now the DCP is saying you are not allowed to move around even in Jaipur and they are forcing me to fly back to Ahmedabad and also not allowing to hold even a press conference...this is shocking," he added.

In another tweet, Mevani said, "For the past two hours I am asking the on-duty DCP of Jaipur whether he has any order to restrict my movement he has no answer. He is saying 'upar se bola hai'..he took away local Dalit activist's mobile also. As per law, this is a case of legally confining me, if not kidnapping. Shame."

Addressing Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the Dalit leader said, "If Bhagwat was going to Nagor district of Rajasthan to talk about Manusmriti, Raje would have allowed him. But since I was supposed to talk about the philosophy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar they are restricting my movements. Vasundhara ji, hamara bhi vada raha chunav me maza ayenga."

"A few months ago BJP MP Hegde shamelessly said that their party has come to power to change Constitution. No action has been taken. Today authorities have passed order restricting my entry to participate in any demonstration at Jaipur till 30th April for I was to talk about the constitution," he added.

The police said Mevani was restricted from moving around in Jaipur because of the prohibitory order under section 144 of the CrPC which was in effect in the district after the violence during the 'Bharat bandh' on March 2.

"We are providing him Nagaur district administration's order and (telling him about the) imposition of section 144 in Jaipur after which he is free to travel anywhere," DCP Jaipur East Kunwar Rashtradeep said.

"He was neither detained nor arrested by the police," said Rashtradeep.

(With inputs from agencies)
NEW DELHI: Ahead of his visit to Sweden and the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to deepening bilateral engagement with both the countries in a number of areas including trade, investment and clean energy.

The Prime Minister begins his five-day visit to Sweden and the UK tomorrow. He will have a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 on his way back home.

In the first leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Sweden's capital Stockholm where he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, besides attending a India-Nordic Summit.

"India and Sweden share warm and friendly ties. Our partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rule-based global order. Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives," Modi said in a Facebook post.

The two Prime Ministers will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday.

Modi said he and Lofven would also interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, science and technology, clean energy and smart cities.

The Prime Minister said he would also call on King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.

India and Sweden will also jointly organise the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm on Tuesday which is scheduled to be attended by the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

"The Nordic countries have globally recognised strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernisation, cold-chains, skill development and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation," Modi said.

From Sweden, Modi will travel to the UK on Tuesday where he will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), besides holding bilateral talks with his British counterpart Theresa May.

"My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas of healthcare, innovation, digitisation, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," the Prime Minister said.

He further said, "Under the theme of 'Living Bridge', I will also have the opportunity to meet people from various walks of life who have enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship."

Modi said he would also call on the Queen, interact briefly with CEOs of the two nations who are working on a new agenda of economic partnership, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome the UK into the International Solar Alliance, as its newest member.

On April 19 and 20, Modi will participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the UK which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta.

"The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small-island developing states, but also has a strong international voice for development issues," Modi said.

The External Affairs Ministry yesterday said Modi would meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom.
A report with the Ministry of Home Affairs has warned of a pro-ISIS women group, Daulat ul Islam, being active in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the report, a group of women associated with the terrorist outfit were found allegedly giving speeches supporting ISIS ideology in parts of Valley.

As per the report, which has been accessed by Zee News, the pro-ISIS women group  Daulat ul Islam  is first of its kind found to be active in Jammu and Kashmir.

The activities of Daulat ul Islam members in the Valley first came to light after one terrorist was killed in Anantnag in March. Members of the group allegedly visited his residence and gave proactive speeches in the favour of Jehad, said the report.

Following the report, officials of the Home Ministry are concerned about the growing influence of ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, recent encounters at Hakoora in Anantnag and Balhana in Srinagar suggested the growing appeal and support for ISIS ideology.

The three terrorists killed at Hakoora were claimed to be members of ISIS, and their real names were declared by the group as Abu Yahya Al Ishtashadi alias Eisa Fazli, Abu Baraa Al Kashmiri alias Syed Owais Shah and Abu Zar Al Hindi alias Sultan Al Hyedrabadi. Two of them were local terrorists known to be associated with Tehreek Ul Mujhadeen (TuM) a suspected ally group of ISIS.

The third terrorist, Abu Zar Al Hindi alias Sultan Al Hyderabadi, was identified as Mohmmad Taufeeq, a native of Telangana who was associated with both ISIS and AGuH at different point of time.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can find out more by clicking this link
The Board of High School and Intermediate Education Uttar Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad) is slated to release the results of class 10 and class 12 board examinations soon. The results can be checked between April 28 and April 30 on official website upmspresults.up.nic.in. The results can also be checked on results.nic.in, indiaresults.com and examresults.net.

The exact dates for the declaration of the results has not yet been given by the UPMSP. The exams for both class 10 and class 12 boards began on February 6, 2018. While the class 10 board exam ended on February 22, 2018, the intermediate board exam got over on March 12, 2018.

Steps to check class 10 board exam results:

Step 1: Log in to the UP education board's website upmspresults.up.nic.in

Step 2: Click on UP Board Class 10 Result on homepage

Step 3: Fill details such as roll number and date of birth, click on submit

Step 4: Result will be displayed on screen, and can be downloaded

Steps to check class 12 board exam results:

Step 1: Log in to the UP education board's website upmspresults.up.nic.in

Step 2: Click on UP Board Class 12 Result 2018 on homepage

Step 3: Fill details such as roll number and date of birth, click on submit

Step 4: Result will be displayed on screen, and can be downloaded

In 2017, the results of Uttar Pradesh class 10 and class 12 board examinations were declared on June 8.
NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu attended the wedding ceremony of IAS lovebirds, Tina Dabi and Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi in New Delhi. The VP on Saturday took to Twitter and shared a photograph of the couple from the marriage ceremony.

"Attending the wedding of Ms Tina Dabi and Mr Athar Amir Khan, in New Delhi, today. Blessed and conveyed best wishes to the newly wedded couple," Naidu tweeted.

Attending the wedding of Ms. Tina Dabi and Mr. Athar Amir Khan, in New Delhi, today. Blessed and conveyed best wishes to the newly wedded couple. pic.twitter.com/JY5qq50Kdb  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) April 14, 2018

The IAS lovebirds tied the knot at Pahalgam Club in Pahalgam early this month. While Khan hails from a village in nearby Anantnag, Tina is a Delhiite, currently posted in the Rajasthan cadre.

Their love story has been much talked about since May 2015, when they met at the department of personnel and training office in the national capital. Khan and Tina were UPSC toppers of their batch of 2015.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had also tweeted wishes for the IAS couple. Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi had said, "May your love grow from strength to strength".

The Gandhi scion had said that the marriage of the IAS toppers, who have in the past been attacked over their relationship, was "an inspiration to all Indians" amid the "growing intolerance and communal hatred".

The engagement of the couple was termed as love jihad. The Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha had reportedly written a letter to Tina's parents saying that while they were proud of the UPSC topper's achievements, it was 'painful' that she chose to marry a Muslim. Responding to the attacks, Tina had shared a message on her Facebook page with the hashtag 'Free Love'.

According to the couple, it was love at first sight for them. She had said, "We met in the morning and by evening Aamir was at my door. Uske liye pehli nazar mein pyaar ho gaya (For him, it was love at first sight)"
The Indian Air Force (IAF) in a joint operation with the Indian Army Parachute Brigade conducted battalion level airdrop from Hindon airbase on Saturday. A part of the ongoing IAF exercise Gaganshakti-2018, the assault included paradrop of 560 paratroopers, combat vehicles and GPS guided cargo platforms.

#WATCH Indian Air Force conducted battalion level air drop as part of exercise 'Gagan Shakti' from Hindon airbase pic.twitter.com/3a1CJ4wuD8  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

The operation was carried out on the evening and night of 14 Apr 18 in the desert sector.

The landing force was dropped behind the simulated enemy lines to soften up the likely resistance to our own armoured offensive, said the Ministry of Defence in a statement.

The airborne force comprised six C-130J and seven An-32 aircraft launched from multiple IAF bases. The force was provided aerial surveillance by AWACS and protected by a Flight of SU-30 Air Superiority Fighters, it added.

In a joint operation with the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force on Saturday conducted long-range maritime air exercise  Gagan Shakti  in the Western Seaboard. One highlight of the exercise was IL-78 flight refuelling IAF aircraft midair. According to the IAF, the re-fuelling ensures long range striking capabilities.

"As part of the ongoing massive IAF exercise 'Gaganshakti', IAF conducted maritime air operations on the western sea board, with the clear aim of air dominance and deep strike validation over the extended area of interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)," the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

Airborne operations are a means of aerial insertion of troops, equipment or supplies directly into the battle zone.

Airborne operations are high risk operations which are based on accurate intelligence, dynamic air dominance by own forces and criticality of requirement by ground forces. Airborne assault is a subset of Airborne Operations wherein combat troops and equipment are para dropped into the tactical battle area. These troops have specific tasks like disrupting enemy lines of communication, capture/ destruction of critical enemy infrastructure.

The accuracy and outcome of the mission highlights IAFs multi spectral capabilities and its efficiency in providing timely support to ground forces, the Defence Ministry added.
Taking a U-turn, Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has reportedly decided not to contest the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. This comes days after the party had announced that it may contest in the Karnataka polls.

Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single-phase on May 12 with counting on May 15.

According to emerging reports, the party feels it's participation in Karnataka polls can have a negative effect on the other Congress' vote bank.

In January this year, the party had identified few constituencies in northern Karnataka, where they planned to contest the polls.

The Hyderabad MP had earlier said that the country is fed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, and it's time to go for a third front, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

..people of the country are fed up with BJP governance and Congress is not a viable option, neither it can become one," said Owaisi.

Last week, the BJP announced its first list of 72 candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections 2018. A meeting of the party's Central Election Committee was held in the evening to decide over the candidates. "The central election committee of the party has decided the first 72 names for the ensuing Karnataka legislative assembly elections," said the BJP's state unit in a statement.

Meanwhile, members of the BJP on Sunday staged protests in Bengaluru in poll-bound Karnataka against a statement of Congress state unit working president Dinesh Gundu Rao targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The BJP called for the protest in the Karnataka capital against Raos alleged inciting remarks on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Rao had called Adityanath a disgrace to Indian politics
UN General Assembly adopts at the initiative of Belarus the resolution on the International Association of Permanent Representatives

13-04-2018

On April 12, 2018 the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations initiated by Belarus.

Background Information: The International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations was founded in New York in 1988. The Association's goals are to serve as a forum between former and current Permanent Representatives to the UN, to liaise between them and act as a focal point for their participation in the activities of various international institutions and fora. Currently, its members are more than 200 former and current heads of missions to the UN. The President of the Association is the Permanent Representative of Honduras, who took an active part in promoting the Belarusian initiative.

The resolution recognises the important role of the Association and its contribution to the work of the Organisation, establishment of closer interpersonal ties and the creation of an atmosphere of trustful and open dialogue.

The resolution also authorises the Association to use its logo along with the UN emblem, as well as the create a dedicated section at the UN website.

In his statement, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Andrei Dapkiunas, who is also an active member of the Association, noted the timeliness of recognition of the Association in the UN, as well as its high potential for overcoming the formalism inherent in the interaction of states within the UN.

A special role of Belarus in promoting the resolution was underlined by the President of the Association.

The resolution was co-sponsored by 24 States: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam.

   

print version
MUMBAI: Mumbaikars from different walks of life today held protests against the incidents of rape and murder in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and gangrape in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.

Sanjay Nirupam, Congress' Mumbai unit chief, who led a candlelight march at Juhu beach here, attacked the Union government, stating that acting against these horrific crimes was "not the choice but the moral responsibility" of the government.

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nirupam said the PM had been silent on the two incidents for the "longest time" and he now needed to spell out clearly to the nation what he intended to do to ensure that justice was done in both cases.

Another protest, organised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in suburban Bandra, saw actor Vicky Kaushal, documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, actor Kalki Koechlin, radio jockey Malishka Mendonsa and social activist Ruben Mascarenhas join hundreds of others to demand justice for the two victims.

AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon later tweeted that some "BJP stooges" tried to disrupt the protest.

"The protest was marred by some BJP stooges who 1. Did not allow citizens to speak. 2. Claimed that using slogans was anti national. How is Azaadi from Balatkar anti-national? 3. Created a police scare to try and shoo the protesters away" she tweeted.
The Patna police on Saturday night arrested two persons who were trying to rape a minor girl in Mithapur Sabzi Mandi area. The attempt to gang rape the girl was being made by four persons at a distance of just 500 metre from the local police station.

During patrolling, policemen heard the sound of a girl crying for help and rushed to the spot. While they managed to arrest two of the accused, two others succeeded in fleeing the spot. The girl was spotted in a semi-naked condition and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to the girl, she was going to board a train when the miscreants abducted her from Mithapur Sabzi Mandi area, following which they gangraped her.

The issue was immediately taken up with higher authorities. Deputy Superintendent of Police said that the victim hailed from Fatuha near Patna and that her relatives have been informed about the incident. He said that attempts are being made to arrest the two culprits who fled the spot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Chhotu and Fekan, both residents of Patna. They have confessed to the crime.
Several Muslim groups are slated to gather at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Sunday for a Deen bachao, desh bachao rally. The call for the rally was given under the banner of Islam in danger, jointly by Imarat Shariah and All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

The groups have claimed that more than three lakh people will attend the rally.

According to the groups that called for the rally in Patna, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government wants to implement the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They had cited moves like triple talaq bill, and alleged interference with Uniform Civil Code and use of loudspeakers for Azaan at mosques.

The rally is expected to begin at 1 pm. Prabhat Khabar reported that elaborate arrangements have been made by the groups for the success of the rally. Posters and banners have been installed at almost all roundabouts and major roads in the Bihar capital.

In the wake of security, authorities have been monitoring the preparations for the past few days. Different blocks have been installed in Gandhi Maidan for better crowd management. Considering the heat, necessary arrangements like drinking water have been done.

Members of Imarat Shariah were quoted by Prabhat Khabar as saying that the rally has been called to warn people against communal elements in the society who have been trying to disrupt peace, and also to encourage them to keep harmony between Hindus and Muslims intact.

Strict traffic guidelines have also been issued in the wake of the rally. Several roads leading to Gandhi Maidan have been reserved for only government vehicles. Private vehicles will have to take alternate routes.

The event is expected to continue till 5 pm, following which traffic restrictions are likely to be eased.
New Delhi: In the wake of the Kathua rape case, actress Sunny Leone made a promise to her daughter Nisha that she will protect her from all evil.

In a tweet posted on Saturday, Sunny shared an adorable picture of her daughter and captioned it: "I promise with every ounce of my heart, soul and body to protect you from everything and everyone who is evil in this world. Even if that means giving my life for your safety."

I promise with every ounce of my heart,soul&body 2protect u from everything&everyone who is evil in this world.Even if that means giving my life for ur safety.children should feel safe against evil hurtful people.Let's hold our children a little closer to us!Protect at all costs! pic.twitter.com/d9xijmD6kF  Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) April 14, 2018

"Children should feel safe against evil hurtful people. Let's hold our children a little closer to us! Protect at all costs," she added.

This year has turned out to be a great year for both Sunny and Daniel. In March this year, the couple announced the birth of their twins - Noah and Asher via surrogacy.The duo had also adopted a girl named Nisha in July last year.

The horrific gangrape of an eight-year-old in Kathua has shaken the entire nation. Bollywood celebs Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma and many others took to social media to condemn the heinous crime.

The minor girl from the Bakerwal community was kidnapped on January 10; taken to a temple in Rasana village in Kathua.

Her attackers, which included temple official and policemen, drugged and gang-raped her over days before finally killing her and dumping her body in forest nearby seven days later.

The girl was attacked to scare away the nomadic Muslim community out of the village.

(With inputs from IANS)




After winning over the hearts and remotes of millions of viewers across the country, celebrity reality show 'Bigg Boss' ventured into the Marathi industry on Sunday.

The first episode of season 1 of Bigg Boss Marathi premiered at 7:00 pm today with host Mahesh Majrekar.

Just like all the previous version, here too, celebrities will be under surveillance 24 by 7 under a common roof. Here as well, the voice of Bigg Boss will be the connection between the celebrities and the outside world. Host Manjrekar will be visible to the contestants only through Majhya Baacha TV which is set in the Meeting aka 'Baithak' room.

The show has been made in Hindi, Bangla, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. While the Hindi version has been hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the south versions were hosted by popular faces like Sudeep, Kamal Haasan and Jr NTR.

In the meantime, we bring to you the contestants of this season:

Resham Tipnis

Vinit Bonde

Aastad Kale

Jui Gadkari

Anil Thatte

Smita Gondkar

Aarti Solanki

Bhushan Kadu

Usha Nadkarni

Megha Dhade

Pushkar Jog

Sai Lokur

Rutuja Dharmadhikari

Sushant Shelar

Rajesh Shringarpure

While all the previous versions of Bigg Boss have been a big hit amongst the audience, it will be interesting to see if the Marathi version of the hit controversial reality show managed to create the same impact among the audience.
BENGALURU: Shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in poll-bound Karnataka's Bengaluru staged protests over the statement of Congress state unit working president targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the former expressed his regret over his comment.

Congress state unit working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "Father of Unnao victim has died, the girl is threatening to immolate herself. What kind of governance is this? I, however, regret the kind of words I used for him (Yogi Adityanath). This is an emotional and sensitive issue for me."

Earlier on Sunday, the BJP had called for the protest in the Karnataka capital against Rao's alleged "inciting remarks" on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Rao had called Adityanath a "disgrace to Indian politics".

The BJP Karnataka general secretary N Ravikumar had also moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president.

The protests had come following Rao's comment, in reference to the outrage over Unnao rape and custodial death cases. He had reportedly said, "Mr Adityanath is a disgrace to Indian politics. He is unfit to be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. If he had any decency he would have resigned by now."

In Unnao, an 18-year-old woman has alleged that BJP MP Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his associates raped her in June 2017 and that authorities had refused to register her complaint. The teen survivor also claimed that the BJP lawmaker is behind the alleged custodial death of her father. Her father, aged around 50, was rushed to a hospital from the district jail on Monday night and died during treatment. He had been arrested on April 5 under the Arms Act.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who is currently probing the case, has arrested two people till now in the Unnao rape case. The agency has also taken into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the 17-year-old victim girl to the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, officials told PTI.
Lucknow: With the filing of nominations for Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls coming to a close tomorrow, the ruling BJP today sounded confident of bagging 11 out of 13 seats going to polls on April 26. The BJP and its allies enjoy a brute strength of 324 in the 403 UP Legislative Assembly. Arithmetically, they are likely to win 11 out of 13 seats comfortably and still be left with some additional votes.

UP BJP vice-president J P S Rathore said to ensure victory, a candidate needs 29 first preference votes. The notification for the legislative council polls was issued on April 9. The last date for filing nominations is April 16. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on April 17, while the last date for withdrawal of the candidature is April 19.

"We are sure of securing win on 11 out of the 13 seats of the Legislative Council seats going to polls," UP BJP spokesperson Navin Srivastava told said.

For the remaining two seats, Samajwadi Party has given up one seat to the BSP taking the new found friendship a step forward. The SP headed by Akhilesh Yadav had fielded two candidates, but withdrew one of them, paving the way for Mayawati's party to contest one seat as a quid pro quo for her support to the SP in the Lok Sabha bye-elections to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, which halted the saffron party's victory march in the bastion of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (in Gorakhpur).

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won the Phulpur parliamentary constituency for the first time.

However, in the Rajya Sabha elections, it was a sweet revenge for the BJP, as it ensured victory of all its nine candidates, days after it lost two crucial seats in the Lok Sabha bypolls in the state.

In the 100-member UP Legislative Council, the BJP has just 13 members. The Samajwadi Party has 61 members, the BSP nine, the Congress two, the RLD one and others 12. Two seats are vacant.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said the SP-BSP combine will comfortably win the two legislative council seats.

"The Samajwadi Party is contesting on one seat in the Legislative Council polls. Initially, we had decided to contest on two seats, but later we decided to give one seat to BSP to strengthen our electoral understanding," SP spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said.

UP Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh said, "Going purely by numbers, we cannot field any party candidate (for the Council polls), but we can support the candidates from other like-minded parties. However, we expect the BSP to support our candidate (if we decide to field one), since we supported the BSP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections."

According to the Election Commission, tenures of 13 MLCs, including SP national president Akhilesh Yadav and two ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government -- Mahendra Kumar Singh and Mohsin Raza -- will end on May 5.

Of the 13 seats falling vacant, seven were held by the SP, two each by the BJP and the BSP, and one RLD. The thirteenth seat was held by former SP minister Ambika Chaudhary. His seat fell vacant when he switched over from the SP to the BSP.

Apart from the SP chief, six other MLCs from the party whose term is coming to an end are state SP chief Naresh Chandra Uttam, senior party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary, Umar Ali Khan, Madhu Gupta, Ramsakal Gurjar and Vijay Yadav.

MLCs from other parties whose term ends on May 5 are Vijay Pratap and Sunil Kumar Chittor (both BSP) and Chaudhary Mushtaq -- the lone RLD member.

Though the BJP and its allies have 324 MLAs in the 403- member state Assembly, it may not get the required strength in the Upper House to get the bills passed even after winning 11 of the 13 seats by dint of its strength.

During the winter session of the state legislature last year, the Yogi Aditynanath government had suffered an embarrassment when it failed to ensure the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime (UPCOC) Bill in the Upper House.
LONDON: Britain's Royal Air Force Tornado jet joined the military strikes against Syria on Saturday. Four GR4 jets launched Storm Shadow missiles at a base 15 miles west of Homs, in an effort to cripple Syria's chemical weapons facilities.

Set to retire from service in 2019 after nearly four decades of action, the Tornados have been used to carry out several air strikes in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan as well. With a maximum speed of Mach 1.3, the ground-jets have been described as a long-range deep-strike weapon system by its manufacturer MBDA systems.

Factfile on the British Tornado GR4 ground-attack jet used in strikes in Syria pic.twitter.com/HUyW537eB2  AFP news agency (@AFP) April 15, 2018

The jets weighs 61,600 lbs (27,950 kls) and has a wingspan of 13.91m.

The aircraft conducts attack missions against planned targets, armed reconnaissance against targets of opportunity and close air support (CAS) for ground forces, typically under the control of a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), states the Royal Airforce on its official website.

For attacks against pre-planned targets, the Tornado GR4 usually employs the Storm Shadow cruise missile from considerable stand-off ranges.



An RAF Tornado prepares to take off from Akrotiri in Cyprus (Reuters photo)

During Operation Ellamy in 2011, Tornados flew from the UK to strike targets in Libya using Storm Shadow missiles, a round trip of more than 3,000nm, accomplished with essential support from Vickers VC10 and Lockheed TriStar tankers. Some missions saw the Tornados launch their missiles and then turn for Gioia de Colle, Italy, where they joined other Tornados, and Typhoons, in a sustained campaign against Libyan government forces, added the Royal Air Force.

Prime Minister Theresa May is facing massive backlash over the Syrian raids, which were conducted without prior approval from parliament. "This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change," British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement minutes after US President Donald Trump announced the Syria air strikes.

The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week ago, targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities, including a research and development centre in Damascus` Barzeh district and two installations near Homs.

The bombing was the biggest intervention by Western countries against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his superpower ally Russia.

Meanwhile, Russians have been told to be prepared for a Third World War which could be sparked off by the current crisis in Syria, a state-run Russian TV channel has reported.

With agency inputs
BEIJING: A Beijing-bound Air China flight on Sunday morning made an emergency landing after a man hijacked it with a pen. Air China flight CA1350 took off from Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province at 8:40 am (local time).

The aircraft made the emergency landing in Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province. It was scheduled to arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport at abou11:00 am.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), a man on board tried to hijack the flight with a pen. The man who is said to be mentally ill tried to hold a flight attendant hostage using a fountain pen as a weapon, forcing the flight to make an unscheduled landing.

The Air China Flight 1350 was diverted to Zhengzhou after the crew member was held hostage by the male passenger. The plane made the unscheduled landing at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, in central Henan province, at 9:58 am, according to Henan Airport Group.

"The incident was successfully dealt with at 1:17 p.M. And passengers and crew members are safe," the CAAC said.

A 41-year-old man from Anhua with a "history of mental illness" has been taken into custody over the incident, Shanghai-based online news outlet 'The Paper' quoted police as saying.

All passengers on board the flight were safely evacuated through the rear exit and the man was subdued after 1 pm, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

"Presently the airport is operating as normal," the Henan Province Airport Group said.

The CAAC, however, did not mention any further details behind the hijack. A Xinhua News Agency report suggests that the police and the local civil aviation administration are currently dealing with the issue.

As per CAAC, all of the passengers have been safely deboarded, Xinhua reported.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib yesterday.

The MEA called it an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy" by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine yesterday, for unspecified 'security' reasons.

It said the High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries," the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it said.
Ambassador of Belarus A.Sidoruk presents Credentials to the President of Zimbabwe

13-04-2018

On April 12, 2018 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to South Africa and Republic of Zimbabwe non-resident, Alexander Sidoruk, presented his Credentials to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

During the audience with the President of Zimbabwe, the parties discussed the most promising areas of cooperation, highlighting the participation of Belarusian enterprises in the mechanization of agriculture in Zimbabwe, the development of industry and engineering through the creation of joint assembly enterprises of Belarusian machinery. The sides paid special attention to the topic of export of educational services and studying of Zimbabwean youth in Belarusian universities.

Within the framework of the visit, the Ambassador of Belarus met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Sibusiso Moyo, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Perrans Shiri, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Melusi Matshiya, during which the promising areas of development of bilateral cooperation were discussed.

   



print version
Will the seven-year Syrian crisis soon blow up into a catastrophic World War III which can lead to a nuclear apocalypse? The latest information and statements coming in from superpowers US and Russia suggest the same. While Russian state television has cautioned the citizens of the country to prepare for World War III, US has, without mincing words, declared that it is locked and loaded to strike Syria again if President Bashar Assad's regime continues using chemical weapons and poisonous gas in the war-torn country.

The statement issuing World War III warning appeared on Russian state media after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected a resolution by Russia calling for condemnation of "aggression" by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria.

Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council - China and Bolivia. Eight countries voted against the Russian draft - the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast while four countries - Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru - abstained.

The US, UK and France said they launched air strikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assad's government. Russia and its ally Syria called the attack fabricated and said no evidence of chemical weapons use exists in Douma.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council "there is clear information demonstrating Assad's culpability." And she said President Donald Trump told her Saturday morning that if the Syrian regime uses poisonous gas again "the United States is locked and loaded" to strike again. "When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line," Haley stressed. "The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons."

France's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the result of the vote sends "a clear message" that Security Council members recognised the need for the air strikes, and "their proportional and targeted nature."

(With agency inputs)
It was noted that the body was transferred to the place of the identification procedure and forensic examination

The militants handed over the body of the Armed Forces soldier, who went missing on April 8 during the operations on the demarcation line, to the Ukrainian side, as the press office of Donbas conflict HQ reported on Facebook.

It was noted that the body was transferred to the place of the identification procedure and forensic examination.

After these procedures were conducted and the relevant documents were prepared, the dead body of the serviceman is to be transferred to the burial place.

As it was reported earlier, the militants performed 52 attacks over the past 24 hours. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured as a result of the shootings and one was wounded after an explosion.
112 Agency

Illegal armed formations fired the positions of the Ukrainian military 24 times since the beginning of the day, no Ukrainian military suffered. This is reported by the press center of the Donbas conflict headquarters.



So, in the Donetsk direction the militants opened fire on the defenders of the village of Pavlopil from 120- and 82-millimeter mortars.



"In addition, from the 82-mm mortars, weapons of the AFV, rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and small arms, enemy fired defenders of Pisky, and grenade launchers and small arms were used by them near Vodiane and Avdiivka. Butivka mine defenders also got under the grenade launcher fire, and a sniper fire was noticed near Novotroitske," the headquarters of the Donbas conflict informs.



"In the Luhansk direction, the aggressor used the forbidden 120 and 82 mm mortars on the defenders of Luhanske and Svitlodarsk. From the grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, they attacked our positions near Novoluhanske, and also from the IFV arsenal fired Luhanske and Troitske," reads the message.

Related: US to announce new sanctions against Russia on Monday
According to Kurt Volker, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine are completely different things

Open source

The U.S. believes that the situation in Syria will not influence the situation in Donbas, as Kurt Volker, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, said. TSN reports.

According to him, the situation in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine are completely different things.

Volker does not think that the Kremlin prepares a new attack in Donbas soon.

Russians have been keeping the conflict in the East of Ukraine for four years  with tanks, mortar launchers, infantry forces, radio-electronic weapons  with everything one can imagine. Therefore, its a matter of a constant rotation of equipment and people. I do not think that the actions on the Russian-Ukrainian border differ from those we have been observing over the past three and a half years, he said.

As reported, the armed forces of the United States, Britain and France on April 14 inflicted air strikes on a number of facilities in Syria related to the development and use of chemical weapons. The media report about at least six victims.



Airstrikes became the response to the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Douma, killing 70 people. The West blamed Bashar Assad, as well as Russia.



A number of countries have already supported the actions of the US and its allies. In turn, Russia stated that it convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
112 Agency

President of Syria, Bashar Assad, at a meeting with the Russian delegation said that his children in 2017 had a rest in the camp Artek in the annexed Crimea. This was stated by the coordinator of the group on Russian Federation relations with the parliament of Syria, Dmitry Sablin, reports Interfax-Ukraine.



"During our communication, President Assad said that his children visited Artek last year," Sablin said.



In addition, Assad said that his children are interested in building the Crimean bridge and are watching how the construction is going on, and they are also interested in politics.



Note that after the occupation of Crimea, the property of the camp Artek was illegally confiscated by the occupation authorities. The camp management agreed to move the camp to the territory of the mainland Ukraine. "Artek" hosted children in the Carpathians and Pushcha-Vodytsia near Kyiv.



As reported, the prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation regarding the transfer of Artek to the federal property of the Russian Federation.

Related: Russia prepares dirt campaign against British officials




The CNN television channel has published satellite images from DigitalGlobe and Planet.com, which demonstrate the extent of the destruction caused by missile strikes by the coalition of the United States, Britain and France on the chemical objects of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria.

In particular, the warehouse and the chemical weapons bunker in Khim Shinshar in Homs province, were attacked with only 29 rockets fired.





In addition, another facility was destroyed near the Syrian capital of Damascus - the Center for the Development and Research of Chemical Weapons.

It was fired by 76 missiles, 57 of which were Tomahawks.
According to the Russian Foreign Minister, this chemical weapon was in the arsenal of the United States and Great Britain

Open source

Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned by a chemical substance BZ, which was in service in the United States and Britain, reports Meduza.



As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday, experts from the Swiss Center for Radiological and Chemical-Biological Analysis, who examined the samples taken from the site of poisoning of the former intelligence officer and his daughter in Salisbury, came to this conclusion.



The samples also revealed the presence of a poison nerve agent A234, he said.



According to the Russian minister, in the report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons the term "Novichok" is not mentioned at all.



"There is a long chemical formula, which, according to our experts, indicates the substance that was developed in many countries, and does not represent any special secret," Lavrov said.



Note that substance BZ is a chemical warfare agent. Its use was reported during the Vietnam War.



As we reported earlier, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in British Salisbury. Later, Theresa May, British PM, stated that Russia was responsible for that, and the investigation has confirmed the use of the Novichok nerve agent, which is produced in Russia.

The Great Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats, which was supported by the USA, Canada, Ukraine and many other European states.

The representative of the OPCW promised to provide the results of the substance examination.

As it was reported earlier, Yulia Skripal recovered consciousness and started speaking after she was poisoned in Salisbury. Later, the doctors said that she was getting better, she could eat and drink without any help.

The Russian Embassy in Britain demanded to have access to Skripals daughter, but the British authorities rejected the request.

The London Police has made the first statement of Yulia Skripal public. She thanked everyone for the support, she thanked the doctors and bypassers for their help.

The doctors stated that Sergei Skripals health condition is no longer considered critical.
tiras.ru

Russia will not go on withdrawal of the "peacekeeping mission" in Transnistria. This was stated on his Facebook page by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.



"We will not allow the degradation of the status of Transnistria, where our compatriots and fellow citizens live, and we will not go on withdrawal of our peacekeeping mission," Rogozin wrote.



He said that the Russian Federation is in constant contact with the president, the government and the Supreme Council of Transnistria.



"We are looking for and finding solutions to all the complex problems that Chisinau and the West are creating to toughen the blockade of this unrecognized Republic," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.



We recall, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko declared his readiness to contribute to the restoration of the territorial integrity of Moldova.



Ukraine stands for a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through negotiations on the basis of the territorial integrity of Moldova.



Transnistria proclaimed independence from Moldova in 1990. Its independence to date is nly partially recognized by the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as by the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Related: Consequences of US airstrike on Syria: Photo




The United States will soon announce new sanctions against Russia in connection with the situation in Syria, CBS News reports citing the US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.

"You will see that Russian sanctions will increase. Minister (US Treasury) Mnuchin will announce this on Monday, if he has not already done so, and they will be directed to companies that supply equipment and technologies related to

Assad's chemical weapons," the diplomat said.







Also, Haley excluded the possibility of direct negotiations between the West and Bashar Assad:





"The US will never agree to direct negotiations with the Assad regime, because the government of the Syrian president is" not worthy "to participate in the talks" one on one", said Haley.





Recall that on the night of April 14, the United States, Britain and France struck at Syrian military facilities associated with chemical weapons.

Countries have resorted to military intervention, since they are responsible for the alleged Syrian government, the Russian Federation and Iran for the alleged chemical attack in the city of the Duma.





Later on the same day, the UN Security Council refused to support the draft resolution submitted by Russia during an emergency meeting, in which it acknowledged the "aggression" a blow to Syria.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus O.Kravchenko visits Portugal

13-04-2018

On April 12-13, 2018 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Oleg Kravchenko, visits Lisbon (the Portuguese Republic) to participate in the second round of the Belarusian-Portuguese political consultations and bilateral meetings.

During the visit, O.Kravchenko met with the State Secretary for European Affairs, Ana Paula Zacarias. During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, prospects for Belarus' cooperation with the European Union, including within the Eastern Partnership Initiative.

The state and prospects for the Belarusian-Portuguese relations, cooperation within international organizations, the dialogue between Belarus and the EU, as well as a number of issues on the international and regional agenda were discussed during the meeting of O.Kravchenko with the Political Director of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Pedro Costa Pereira.

On the same day, Oleg Kravchenko and Pedro Costa Pereira signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Economic Cooperation that establishes Joint Belarusian-Portuguese Commission on Economic Cooperation, as well as Protocol of Cooperation on Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Portugal and Belarus.

During the meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, Sergio Sousa Pinto, the sides discussed the development of bilateral relations, the possibilities for expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation, the prospects for developing contacts between the regions of the two countries in the fields of economy and culture.

Opening in Lisbon of the exhibition From Lisbon via Minsk, Moscow, Astana to Vladivostok is a significant event in the history of the Belarusian-Portuguese cultural cooperation, and can be considered a sign of an increased recognition of Belarus in Europe.

   

print version
Gavin Williamson said that Britain, the USA and France did not intend to disrupt Russias strategic targets in Syria.

Gavin Williamson, British Defence Minister, said that the airstrikes in Syria were aimed at the elimination of the chemical arsenal of Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, as The Times reported.

He also stated that Britain, the USA and France did not intend to disrupt Russias strategic targets in Syria. And the attack itself was allegedly conducted to prevent al-Assad and his regime from another chemical attack.

Williamson stressed that the British military did everything possible to prevent the escalation and casualties among the civilians.

As reported, the armed forces of the United States, Britain and France on April 14 inflicted air strikes on a number of facilities in Syria related to the development and use of chemical weapons. The media report about at least six victims.



Airstrikes became the response to the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Douma, killing 70 people. The West blamed Bashar Assad, as well as Russia.



A number of countries have already supported the actions of the US and its allies. In turn, Russia stated that it convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Related: France, Britain, U.S. propose UN resolution on chemical weapon in Syria
Negotiations on the draft resolution are to be held on Monday

The USA, France and Britain presented a new draft resolution on the investigation of chemical attacks in Syria in the UN Security Council, as AFP reported.

According to the news agency, Washington, Paris and London call for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks.

Negotiations on the draft resolution are set to begin on Monday, but diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal, AFP informs.

As it was reported earlier, Russia blocked the U.S. draft resolution on the creation of a new investigative scheme for incidents in Syria.

The UN Security Council rejected Russias resolution on the discussion of airstrikes in Syria conducted by U.S., Britains and Frances forces.

As reported, the armed forces of the United States, Britain and France on April 14 inflicted air strikes on a number of facilities in Syria related to the development and use of chemical weapons. The media report about at least three victims.



Airstrikes became the response to the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Douma, killing 70 people. The West blamed Bashar Assad, as well as Russia.



A number of countries have already supported the actions of the US and its allies. In turn, Russia stated that it convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Ukraine news on 112.international
Russia prepares dirt campaign against British politicians as a reaction to Britains participation in airstrikes in Syria on April 14

Open source

British special services are preparing to the possible attacks from Russias hackers, who allegedly plan to publish dirt on British officials, as The Times reported with a reference to the resources in the British security agencies.

Theresa May, British PM, was informed about the fact that Russia was preparing a cyber-attack on the members of her cabinet. According to the information, Russian hackers intend to discredit British officials.

Britains cyber-intelligence agency, GCHQ, and the Ministry of Defence are on standby to retaliate proportionately. We know whats in the Russian playbook, kompromat type material, were all prepared for that, the source reported.

Russia prepares dirt campaign against British politicians as a reaction to Britains participation in airstrikes in Syria on April 14, the article says.

It was mentioned that the British Government would target cronies of Putin who have illicit finances in London.

You are going to see extensive action on financial measures against Russian oligarchs in the UK shortly, the Sunday Times source said.

As reported, the armed forces of the United States, Britain and France on April 14 inflicted air strikes on a number of facilities in Syria related to the development and use of chemical weapons. The media report about at least six victims.



Airstrikes became the response to the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Douma, killing 70 people. The West blamed Bashar Assad, as well as Russia.



A number of countries have already supported the actions of the US and its allies. In turn, Russia stated that it convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
According to the President of Poland, honest states should prevent innocent people to be murdered by the chemical weapon

Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, stated that the dialogue between the democracies and Russia is obstructed due to the fact that Russia acts like aggressor in Ukraine. As Polskie Radio informed, Duda said that Poland was warned about a coming airstrike in Syria. He called it a necessary airstrike.

According to the President of Poland, honest states should prevent innocent people to be murdered by the chemical weapon.

He stated that Poland is constantly contacting its NATO allies. At the same time, the dialogue with Russia is obstructed due to Russias aggressive actions in Ukraine.

There is always a chance to negotiate if, first of all, one wants a dialogue and, second of all, one does not create a dangerous situation and does not act like an aggressor. Unfortunately, Russia is occupying Crimea, de-facto, the part of Ukraine and this is a problem in terms of Russias relations with every democracy, which views the world honestly, the world that surrounds us and requires security, Duda said.

The communique of the Foreign Ministry says that Poland will continue working on the international stage towards the elimination of the chemical weapon.
The drones are equipped with modern video and thermal cameras, they allow to monitor the sector within 50 km and at a height of 2,000 meter

Spectator-M drones, produced in Ukraine, started patrolling the administrative boundary line with Crimea, which annexed by Russia, as Azov-Black Sea Regional Governance of Ukraines Border Guard Service reported on Facebook.

At the moment, the Spectator-M systems are being used on the sea section under the control of the border detachment and on the land sector on the administrative border with the temporarily annexed Crimea, the message says.

It was noted that the drones are equipped with modern video and thermal cameras, they allow to monitor the sector within 50 km and at a height of 2,000 meters.

The military servicemen who completed special training are conducting the launching and control of the drones.

As it was reported, 1,800 invalid documents, more than 500 ammunition units and 9 kg of drugs were found over the last four years on the administrative border with Crimea.
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
A special pre-opera dining experience before the performance. Reservations recommended.

Join La Fonda del Bosque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center for a special Pre-Opera Dining before performances of Bellinis Norma. Reservations strongly encouraged.

To RSVP Visit: https://www.lafondadelbosqueabq.com/special-events

------------------------------

About Norma:

Opera Southwest Presents Bellinis Norma

April 8, 11, 13, 15, 2017

2 pm  Sundays

7:30 pmWednesday & Friday

Bellinis Norma is a fully-staged opera with orchestra, sung in Italian with English supertitles and presented in two acts with one intermission. This will be the New Mexico premiere of Bellinis bel canto masterpiece.

Norma tells the story of the Druid priestess who sacrifices it all for love and loyalty, despite ultimate betrayal. Watch one of the most challenging, and breathtakingly beautiful, roles in the soprano repertoire. From Casta Diva to Mira to Norma, theres not a second of music in the opera that wont leave you feeling awestruck and inspired. Maestro Anthony Barrese conducts.

$15, $29, $45, $59, $75, $89; discounts for groups of 8+ and patrons 30 and younger

The title, content, photos/images and description for this event were provided to the NHCC by the organization renting the NHCC venue for the event. By serving as a venue and posting the event on its website, the NHCC is not endorsing any views expressed in the title or description of the event, nor is it endorsing the content of the event.

For Tickets, Visit: http://www.nhccnm.org/event/opera-southwest-presents-bellinis-norma-rental/
Now that it is fully apparent, to all who have the ability to pay some modicum of attention, that Imposter President Biden has extreme cognitive issues, in addition to being an inveterate liar: Can OUR Republic continue with this Executive Office that has completely failed, so many times, on far too many issues here at this early date in this abysmal presidency?

No, Joseph R. Biden is completely unqualified, morally and cognitively, to represent real Americans, and lead this Republic of disparate peoples.

Yes, Joseph R. Biden has started whispering again, even softer now than before; so, I know he still cares, plus, OUR media will soon stop reporting on Afghanistan in favor of OUR Socialist ideals.
Canada Blood Services hopes it has acquired a whole new group of regular donors as a result of a special blood donation clinic held Saturday in Halifax.

More than 60 new Canadians from Syria lined up to donate blood at the event, said Peter MacDonald, Atlantic Canada director of donor relations. There were translators to help the process go smoothly.

"This is a fantastic day for us at Canadian Blood Services. It is something we wanted to do to embrace new blood donors and improve and increase the ethnic diversity in the blood system," MacDonald said.

"A big day like today will go a long way for hospital patients and our folks who are here today will know that there's someone on the other end of their gift."

He said he hopes the clinic will inspire the new donors to make blood donations part of their regular routines.

"We want to give to the Canadian people because the Canadian people give us a new future, new lives," said Mohammad Harb, one of the organizers.

"Blood ties us all, as brothers and sisters."

It was Maysom Aljabar's first experience giving blood. She and her family are from Syria but came to Nova Scotia from Jordan where they spent four years after fleeing their country.

"We want to say thank you to Canada, for bringing us here."

Canada's blood inventory is in pretty good shape "right now," MacDonald said.

The Humboldt tragedy spurred "an incredible response" of people stepping up to donate blood in Western Canada over the past week.

"People have lined up at blood donor clinics, particularly in Saskatchewan, to give blood. We've seen a significant increase in first time donors. People want to make a difference want to help. Having the blood on the shelf is so important," MacDonald said.

But the country's blood inventory levels can drop quickly.

"What a lot of people don't realize is blood is perishable. Donations made here today, we are going to draw products from red blood cells, platelets and plasma. You can freeze plasma, it will last for up to a year, red cells last for 42 days but platelets, which are an important part of cancer treatment, only last for seven days," MacDonald said.

Story continues

One in two Canadians are eligible to donate blood, but only one in 60 actually do, he said.

Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Lena Diab said she was at the clinic to support new Canadians and also to "do a little immigration business."

"Some of the volunteers here today are international students and we're making sure they know how they can apply to our province to stay," she said, admonishing one young man "don't forget to give us a call, will you?"

Diab said the donation effort is "beautiful.

"You have people that are coming to donate, in the hope of giving life to others, because they believe they have been given a life, a new life here in this province. And that's a beautiful thing."
YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenia's ruling Republican party nominated former President Serzh Sarksyan as its candidate for prime minister on Saturday, drawing renewed criticism from opponents who accuse Sarksyan of engineering a power grab. Sarksyan's ally Armen Sarkissian, a former prime minister and ambassador to Britain, was sworn in as president on Monday after being elected by parliament in a vote that was meant to herald the start of a power shift to the premier and parliament. Under the terms of an amended constitution approved in 2015 by referendum, the presidency will become largely ceremonial. "The (party's) council discussed this issue and unanimously supported (Sarksyan's) candidacy," the Republicans said in a statement. Parliament, which is dominated by the ruling party, is due to make a final decision on April 17. The Dashnaktsutsiun Party, the Republicans ruling coalition ally, also backs Sarksyan's candidacy, meaning he should easily secure the simple majority needed for election. No other candidates are running. Opposition leaders have accused Sarksyan of changing the nation's political system to ensure he can remain in power, and have been holding protest rallies in recent weeks. Sarksyan, who became president in 2008, had denied any intention of becoming premier until March, when he said his appointment would allow him to share the benefit of his experience. Hundreds of opposition protesters marched in the center of the capital, Yerevan, on Saturday, waving national flags and chanting: "Make a stand, say "No" to Serzh!" Armenia, a country of around three million people in the southern Caucasus, seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991, but remains dependent on Russia for aid and investment. Many Armenians accuse the government of corruption and mismanaging the economy. (Reporting by Hasmik Mkrtchyan; Writing by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Helen Popper)
'Science is not the enemy': Saskatoon March for Science calls for diversity and climate change awareness

University of Saskatchewan researcher Julia Boughner says scientific research in Canada has received a big financial boost since last year's March for Science  but this year's march aimed to draw attention to some of the reasons even more is needed.

Marches to coincide with the second annual worldwide event were held in Saskatoon and Regina on Saturday.

The worldwide event in 2017 called attention to the importance of scientific information in political decision-making, and was born out of a Reddit conversation following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since then, Boughner, one of the co-organizers of Saturday's March for Science in Saskatoon, said Canadian research agencies have received more than $1 billion in funding.

It's momentum that scientists like Boughner do not want to lose.

"It's now time to say 'thank you  and can we please have more,'" she told CBC Radio's Saskatchewan Weekend on Saturday, ahead of the march.

"Because we still don't have enough money to continue to hire the people who we need to hire, and to train these people and to lead the research groups, and to do the data collection and analysis that we need to address all the challenges that we're facing."

Marchers promote truth, facts

Jane Yaeger and Michael Earl were among about 50 people who took part in the march in Saskatoon, which drew a crowd of about 200 last year.

Yaeger hoped this year's march would raise awareness about science and help change attitudes about climate change.

"I think sometimes people are a little too entrenched in what they've done for many, many generations and they need to have their eyes open," she said.

"So marches like this help them to realize that maybe there is something else they need to be looking at, to not only help their business but help their children and the future of the planet."

Earl, who is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Saskatchewan, said one of his biggest concerns is how the internet is being used to spread misinformation.

Story continues

"Science is not your enemy," he said.

"Science is not there to indoctrinate you, it's not there to tell you what to think. Science is there to say, to tell you, 'This is how we are suggesting you can think for yourself.'"

He dressed as the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei because astronomy is an accessible gateway to science, he said.

Yaeger, a designer who made the Galileo costume and her own, dressed as a member of the Medici court of Galileo's time.

Gail Stevens, who was also at the march, said she was taking part for her five grandchildren.

She said she cares deeply about public policy being informed by evidence-based science, adding that she is concerned about the way federal and provincial governments are making decisions.

"It worries me that our decisions are not respecting the crisis that we're in, in terms of our climate," she said.

"They seem to think that they can simultaneously pursue an unlimited growth economy with consumerism and that is not congruent with protecting a planet that we can live in, with life as we know it."

Danielle and David Fletcher brought their three daughters Vivian, 5, Amy, 7, and Cadence, 10, to participate in the march.

"We're hoping that by educating our daughters to speak out for better science education that we'll be able to help our planet and our society improve," said Danielle.

March also calls for diversity

Boughner, who is an associate professor of evolutionary developmental anthropology, said the march is also a chance to stand up for diversity in science.

She said this year's billion-dollar investment in Canadian science included funding to increase the representation of women and First Nations people in that field.

"That's important because research has shown that a more diverse group is a group that is more able to problem solve and come up with creative solutions, and is less likely to fall into a pattern of group-think," said Boughner.

The Saskatoon March for Science started at the pagoda in Victoria Park and looped through the downtown area.

It was a family-friendly event and participants were invited to wear their favourite science-themed outfit or costume.

Regina also hosted a March for Science starting at 2 p.m. at the Saskatchewan Science Centre.
Brace for a rough Monday, an ice storm is about to bear down on southern Quebec

A miserable cocktail of wintry weather is about to batter the province.

Environment Canada issued a warning Sunday morning for what it is calling a "significant event of freezing rain."

The warning is in effect for most of southern Quebec.

The weather is likely to make for a messy commute Monday morning.

The English Montreal School Board and Commission scolaire de Montreal said Sunday night they are monitoring road conditions. As of 8:45 p.m., all schools are still expected to be open Monday.

Snow and ice pellets are expected to change to freezing rain late this evening.

Environment Canada expects between 10 and 20 millimetres of freezing rain will fall by the time the storm moves on Monday night and it is likely the kind of freezing rain that will coat roads and sidewalks and pull down tree branches.

"Going to work on Monday morning may be chaotic and by the end of the day it could be even worse if we end up with 24 hours of freezing rain," said Environment Canada metrologist Steve Boily.

"I don't want to be an alarmist, but it's not a scenario to exclude."

A little late, isn't it?

The storm will head east Monday and Tuesday, bringing snow or freezing rain to Quebec City and the Gaspe region.

If you think it feels a little late in the year to be preparing for an ice storm, you're not wrong.

The last time a storm like this hit Quebec in mid-April was in 2007, according to Boily.

Transport Quebec says it will be ready with snow-clearing and salting equipment for highways.

More than 550 crashes were reported across and around the Greater Toronto Area as parts of Ontario felt the full force of freezing rain, snow and ice pellets Saturday. The majority of those crashes were single vehicle involving cars sliding off the road.

Flights cancelled, delayed

Hundreds of flights into and out of Toronto's Pearson airport, including several originating in Montreal, were also cancelled or delayed.

Montreal-Trudeau airport was not reporting any issues this morning, but travellers are advised to check the status of their flight before making their way to the airport.

Story continues

Rain is in the forecast the rest of the week in Montreal, though the temperature will climb up above zero and reduce the risk of freezing. Here's what the rest of the week is expected to look like:

- Monday: Freezing rain changing to rain in the evening. High -1 C.

- Tuesday: Periods of rain. High 6 C.

- Wednesday: Showers. High 9 C.

- Thursday: Rain. High 6 C

- Friday: Cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers. High 8 C.
Selvy Kumaran has spent nine years training to be a doctor, but the road to her final residency was recently blocked by the federal government.

Medical school graduates like Kumaran need to complete supervised residencies in their chosen fields, such as family medicine, general surgery or pediatrics, before they can be licensed to practise medicine in Canada.

Many apply to hospitals in the U.S. to increase their chances of landing one.

But some recent graduates have struggled to obtain the proper documentation from Health Canada to complete a residency outside the country.

Kumaran sent out 200 applications and completed 20 interviews  a process that cost her more than $20,000  and was matched with her second choice, a pediatrics placement in Michigan on March 16.

'Statement of need' required

In order to live and work in the country, medical residents must secure J1 visas from the U.S. government. Prior to getting a visa, they are required to obtain "statements of need" from the Canadian government. The paperwork signals to U.S. authorities that there is the need for doctors and that a job will be available when the resident returns to Canada. Since 2015, Health Canada has restricted the number of statements of need given out to doctors in each specialty.

Kumaran submitted her application to Health Canada at 1:07 p.m. on March 16  seven minutes after the application process opened.

But Health Canada sent her an email saying the department had already handed out 30 statements of need to pediatric residents and that she would have to apply again next year. Kumaran said by that time, it's possible she wouldn't be considered for a residency.

"I've spent so much money, I've spent so much time, I've worked so hard for this, and the fact that everything came down to seven minutes is just shocking," she said. "I was completely devastated. Honestly, I didn't know what to do at that point."

Story continues

Health Canada said it processes applications for statements of need on a first-come, first-served basis from the time the application is received by email. A spokesperson said the decision to deny statements of need to applicants is done with "a great deal of consideration" and in consultation with the provinces and territories.

But on Thursday, Health Canada reversed its position, citing technical difficulties on the online system's opening day. The department emailed Kumaran a statement of need after all.

A spokesperson for Health Canada told CBC it received an unusually large number of applications to its online submission portal this year and received numerous complaints of inaccurate time-stamps on applications. The federal department discussed the issue with the provinces and territories and sent out 55 more statements of need to doctors with a variety of specialties.



"Health Canada will be examining options to improve the efficiency and durability of the application system and consulting with the provinces and territories on enhancements for future years," a spokesperson said in a statement.

Saskatchewan recruiting specialists

Kumaran was born and raised in Regina but attended medical school in the Caribbean at the American University of Antigua. She is considered an international medical graduate, meaning that her application for a residency match is considered after students from North America.

After she was initially denied a statement of need, multiple physicians in the province wrote letters of support to Health Canada on her behalf emphasizing Saskatchewan's need for pediatricians. Kumaran personally reached out to two MLAs, two MPs, the province's health minister, the federal health minister and a senator.

A spokesperson for Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health said the province is looking to hire physicians. There are currently eight available pediatrician job postings on saskdocs, the province's physician recruitment agency.

The province said it is actively recruiting for a number of specialties, including anesthesia, pediatrics, diagnostic radiology and internal medicine  all of which are allotted a limited number of statements of need.

"Pediatricians are very, very needed here in the province and I just think it's unfair for Canada to say that we aren't needed," Kumaran said.

Calls for change

Rosemary Pawliuk, president of the Society for Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad, said Health Canada is holding back good doctors.

She said teaching hospitals consider their degrees stale after a year of waiting for a statement of need.

"They get a job. They've competed. They've won. They've demonstrated their merit and then Canada just knocks them out at the knees. You can imagine the devastation that is caused," Pawliuk said.

"We are the only government, the only country in the developed world that limits statements of need."

While Health Canada only set aside 30 statements of need for pediatrics residents, Pawliuk said there are 36 job openings for that specialty in B.C. alone.

The doctors' shortage in Canada could be helped by more doctors completing their residencies, she said.

"People are dying on wait lists. People are not able to get in to see their physicians. People are not having access and as we age and as more physicians, baby boomer physicians retire, it's only going to get worse," Pawliuk said.
The president of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation says a Chilliwack school trustee who has made controversial LGBT comments shouldn't be "anywhere near students" and that's why the BCTF has filed a human rights complaint against him.

The complaint says that Barry Neufeld's alleged "hateful" public comments about trans people have created an unsafe work environment for teachers and students, as the province moves to make students of all orientations feel safer in schools.

The BCTF is the second union to file a complaint against the trustee after his public social media posts targeted transgender issues.

Neufeld denies the allegations in the complaint which alleges he's exposing trans people to "hatred." The complaint asks he be forced to pay a sum to a non-profit LGBT youth group to make amends.

In the past, the trustee's comments and opinions about sexual orientation and gender identity taught in school have sparked outrage and opposition from Education Minister Rob Fleming and other trustees.

Despite calls for his resignation, he has not stepped down.

Reached on social media today, Neufeld referred CBC to his lawyer but did defend Russia's handling of LGBT issues.

"Russia was one of the first European countries to extend Human Rights to homosexuals. But they placed a boundary on it. They must not try to influence children," wrote Neufeld, adding that a friend who lives in Russia near Moscow tells him that "stories of gay bashing in Russia are Western propaganda: fake news."

Neufeld has agreed not to go into any schools until the matter is resolved.

Hansman says the law is well established and clear and Neufeld should know better.

"Schools are not, nor have they been the world's most awesomest places for LGBTQ youth. It is still not, in 2018, necessarily safe for someone to come out at school and that's probably doubly so for someone who is trans."
Calgary-based Pieridae Energy Ltd has taken another step toward developing a multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas plant in Guysborough County, N.S.

On Friday, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board disclosed it had received an application from the company to build a natural gas liquefaction plant, marine terminal, storage facility and power plant at Goldboro.

In its application, Pieridae says the proposed export plant will produce 10 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year with storage capacity for 380,000 cubic metres of LNG.

The facilities would be adjacent to Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline, where natural gas from Nova Scotia's offshore natural gas fields makes landfall.

Two LNG terminals being promoted

Those fields are winding down and Exxon Mobil is preparing to decommission its gas plant at Goldboro.

Pieridae wants to bring cheap shale gas from across North America for export, primarily to Europe.

The facility includes an onshore gas processing plant, a marine terminal for the loading of LNG onto LNG carriers and a wharf for mooring associated support vessels and unloading materials during construction.

Pieridae is one of two companies promoting an LNG terminal in Nova Scotia. The other proposal is for Bear Head at the Strait of Canso.

But Pieridae's project is further ahead. Earlier this year it hired the investment bank Morgan Stanley to help raise $10 billion in equity and project financing. In its application, Pieridae appears ready to commit.

"Pieridae is poised to take its final investment decision this year and, as such, wishes to apply for its permit to construct," the application states.

Ready for construction

In its 2017 year-end management discussion and analysis, Pieridae said once it decides to proceed it will immediately "commence the construction of the facility and to implement its complementary upstream strategy."

Upstream is an industry term for securing supply through exploring, drilling and operating fields.

Story continues

Pieridae says it has received a detailed front-end engineering and design study from Chicago Bridge and Iron, Golder Associates and Dillon Consulting that will be the basis for permitting the project.

The utility and review board has hired Lloyd's Register to evaluate safety issues associated with Pieridae's plans to build and operate the LNG facility.

The regulator does not have any jurisdiction over environmental or economic issues associated with the facility.

It will hold a public information session on May 14 at the Goldboro to outline its role and answer questions from the public.

Pieridae secured a Class 2 provincial environmental assessment four years ago. Pieridae did not respond to a request for comment late Friday.
Pipeline isn't about 'punishing' B.C., it's about what's in the national interest, Trudeau says

Efforts to see the Trans Mountain pipeline through to completion are not about punishing people from B.C., but about ensuring a project in the national interest gets built, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday at the close of the Summit of the Americas in Lima.

"This is not about punishing British Columbians, this is not about hurting Canadians, this is about bringing forward a project in the national interest," he said.

At the summit's closing news conference in Peru, Trudeau said Sunday's meeting in Ottawa between himself and the premiers of B.C. and Alberta will be about bringing people together.

"Although there are folks on all sides of this debate who've looked to polarize and raise the temperature on this debate, the federal government has a responsibility to bring Canadians together and to do things that are in our national interest," he said.

"We will do it in such a way that doesn't seek to further polarize or raise the temperature in this debate. We are looking to continue to bring people together. We will continue to do things that are responsible to get this pipeline built."

While Trudeau emphasized his willingness to bring parties together, he remained firm in his commitment to ensure the pipeline is built.

"The conversation I will have with the premiers tomorrow [Sunday] morning will emphasize that we are going to get that pipeline built," he said.

Trudeau had initially planned to travel from Peru to Paris before moving on to London, where he is scheduled to have an audience with the Queen.

Even as Trudeau prepared to leave for Lima on Thursday, he wasn't scheduled to meet with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and B.C. Premier John Horgan, but that changed while his plane was still on the runway when notice of the meeting was released to the media.

"It became very clear that the level of polarization around this debate required significant measures," Trudeau said of the change to his itinerary.

Story continues

"I wanted to be able to sit down with the premier of British Columbia, the premier of Alberta together and discuss issues of the national interest and demonstrate the federal government's' commitment to getting this project built."

Horgan suggests he's open to compromise

Both premiers arrived in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.

Notley did not speak with the media, but Horgan spoke with CBC News shortly after his arrival at MacdonaldCartier International Airport in Ottawa.

"My objectives are to continue to defend B.C.'s coast and the people that live in British Columbia who are concerned about the catastrophic consequences of a diluted bitumen spill," he said.

Horgan said his government is attempting to resolve the issue through the courts, rather than by engaging in open conflict with other governments, but suggested he might be willing to listen to compromises that did not include a court-determined settlement.

"Happy to look at that. Happy to look at that, sure," he said.

While at the summit in Peru, Trudeau announced that Canada is beginning "the process to join the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women."

The international human rights convention calls for the establishment in the Americas of ways to protect and defend women from sexual, physical or psychological violence.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Trudeau also pledged another $25 million on top of the $100 million already promised toward "Caribbean reconstruction and climate resilience efforts for 2017-2022."

"I would like to thank Peru and President [Martin] Vizcarra for hosting a productive Summit of the Americas," Trudeau said in a statement. "Canada will continue to strengthen our relationships with partners across the Americas, and work toward trade that benefits everyone, builds a stronger middle class, and delivers real, tangible benefits to our communities."
By Stephen Kalin and Sarah Dadouch DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - An Arab League summit called on Sunday for an international probe into the "criminal" use of chemical weapons in Syria and condemned what it saw as Iran's interference in the affairs of other countries. Saudi Arabia and Iran have for decades been locked in a struggle for regional supremacy that is now being played out in proxy wars in several countries, including Yemen and Syria. "We stress our absolute condemnation of the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people and we demand an independent international investigation to guarantee the application of international law against anyone proven to have used chemical weapons," said a statement distributed to journalists. It emphasized the need for a political solution to the multi-sided Syrian war. Saudi Arabia and its allies have expressed support for Saturday's missile strikes by the United States, Britain and France against alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria, while Iraq and Lebanon condemned the strikes. Damascus denies using or possessing chemical weapons and called the strikes an act of aggression. Military help over the past three years from Russia and Iran, which also backs Lebanon's Hezbollah and Shi'ite Muslim militias in Iraq, has allowed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him. The communique called for more international sanctions on Iran and urged it to withdraw "its militias" from Syria and Yemen. "The summit condemned Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, either through igniting sectarian strife or planting militias in Arab countries such as Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, and harboring al Qaeda terrorists," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference. Iran, which denies the accusations, rejected the condemnation as the result of Saudi pressure. "The heavy shadow of destructive Saudi policies is evident in ... the final statement of the summit," Iranian state media quoted Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying in Tehran. "JERUSALEM SUMMIT" Saudi Arabia, which takes over the rotating chair of the Arab summit from Jordan, announced that this gathering would be named the "Quds (Jerusalem) Summit", a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision last year to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which Arab states condemned. Delegates pledged to support the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state. King Salman said Saudi Arabia was donating $200 million to help them, including $50 million for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Qatar did not send a senior official, a sign that its 10-month-old dispute with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt is still a long way from being resolved. The four countries severed diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty. Its delegation was headed by its permanent representative to the Arab League, Saif bin Muqaddam al-Buainain, Qatar's state news agency said. Most of the 22 other countries sent heads of state or government. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani headed Qatar's delegation at last year's summit in Jordan. Sheikh Tamim returned to Doha on Saturday from a U.S. trip where he met Trump. Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early in the crisis but is now pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf Arab unity and maintain a united front against Iran. Asked why Qatar was not on the summit's agenda, the Saudi foreign minister said: "Because Qatar is not on the agenda. It's not a big issue. It's not a big problem. It's a very, very small problem." He said the issue would be resolved if Doha met the boycotting countries' demands, which include closing the Al Jazeera television station and reducing ties with Iran. Tunisia will host the next Arab League summit in 2019. (Additional reporting by Dubai newsroom, writing by Maha El Dahan and Stephen Kalin; Editing by Ghaida Ghantous, Kevin Liffey and Daniel Wallis)
In partnership with Mount Royal University's Bachelor of Communication-Journalism program and the Calgary Journal, CBC Calgary is publishing a series profiling some of the immigrants and refugees who moved here and how they're helping shape our city.

When 13-year-old Dijla Al-Rekabi first set foot in the Saudi Arabian refugee camp, she thought it was a prison.

In the previous month, she had lost her home, her community and her brother to the first Gulf War, but she never lost her will to live.

"When a person is in a difficult situation there are two choices," Al-Rekabi said. "We can give up and vanish, or stand up and make the best out of it. We stopped resisting. We started living."

Difficult situations have dominated much of Al-Rekabi's life  from being a war survivor to a stranger in a new country  but they have also informed the work she does at the Calgary Board of Education, helping new immigrants and refugees deal with some of the same struggles.

War upends life in Iraq

Before the war began, Iraq had been the centre of her fondest memories. As a talkative girl with a love for literature, Al-Rekabi was an enthusiastic student, especially when it came to her interest in refugees.

Yet, despite everything she had read about war, none of it prepared her for what would come.

In 1991, U.S. troops assembled to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Al-Rekabi was confident it would be no different than the previous Iran-Iraq war.

That changed when sirens sounded the first airstrike on her city of Najaf .

"I've never seen my parents as helpless as I've seen them during that night," she said. "To be a parent with 11 kids, and you're unable to say 'it's going to be OK.' That's harsh."

The skies were clear on day four of the U.S. air campaign, when Al-Rekabi and her 10-year-old brother Nasseer heard the distant sound of an aircraft.

They looked up to see a cylindrical object flipping over and over as it fell. The shell landed and exploded near the hospital, forcing it to shut down.

Story continues

Brother's death

Days later, their mother brought Nasseer to be treated for a severe fever, but because the building was damaged there was nothing the hospital could do.

Nasseer did not survive the fever and his body was carried back home in their mother's arms.

"Dijla was speechless," said Al-Rekabi's older sister, Helema. "No tears. No nothing. She stayed hours, days, not speaking. It shook her so hard."

As the bombings escalated, the roads were soon littered with bodies. Houses began to empty as families fled to shelters.

Al-Rekabi remembers getting ready for bed when her father announced they would also leave. She asked her father how long they would be gone, and he answered, "two hours."

A ceasefire was declared days later, but Al-Rekabi and her family could not return home.

Throughout the country, the Iraqi government was violently putting down uprisings to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

"We've never made it back to that house," Al-Rekabi said.

Refugee camp life

Al-Rekabi's family ran for weeks. They didn't realize how far they had gone until they were stopped at the Saudi Arabian border. With no other place to go, Al-Rekabi's family stayed at the Rafha refugee camp alongside 33,000 other Iraqis.

The camp was a two-by-four kilometre desert area guarded by double barbed-wire fence and military personnel.

During its 12-year operation, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants received numerous reports of arbitrary detention, protests against living conditions and abuse, which, in some cases resulted in death.

"In the beginning we thought it's going to be a few days," Al-Rekabi said. "That's why we were not thinking 'how do we live here?'"

But as days turned into months, Al-Rekabi realized the only way to survive was to embrace her surroundings.

Six years in the camp

During the day, Al-Rekabi attended the off-site school, where she eventually obtained her high school diploma and found momentary escape from the camp. Journaling in her spare time also provided escape.

She lived in that camp for six years.

Finally her family was selected for third-country resettlement. When they learned they would be interviewed by the Canadian delegation, they were devastated.

As a non-English speaking family with several children and a blind relative, they feared they would not pass the screening process. Despite her family's reservations, Al-Rekabi was determined to speak up and tell her story.

Assisted by a translator and an Arabic-English dictionary, she talked about everything she and her family had gone through. At the end of their conversation, Al-Rekabi says the delegate replied, "Welcome to Canada."

New home, new challenges

The move to Canada, however, posed a new set of challenges.

Al-Rekabi's father had always been the sole provider, but without recognized credentials he was unable to find work. When both of her parents encountered serious health problems, Al-Rekabi took on the role of caregiver for the family.

Along with working part-time and attending the University of Calgary, Al-Rekabi carried the lingering weight of trauma.

"There is something so dehumanizing about being a refugee, being in a war, that a lot of us just want to forget it," she said. "I sought counselling when I needed counselling. I talk about it. I write about it. Public speaking has helped me express a lot of the fear, anxiety and the trauma having lived what I have lived through."

'I picked myself up'

Part of that public speaking comes from her role as a diversity and learning support advisor with the Calgary Board of Education. But Al-Rekabi says the most fulfilling part of her work has been sitting down with immigrant and refugee families and empowering them to move forward.

"I can tell them I was once upon a time in their shoes, and I picked myself up, and I am where I am not because of luck," she said. "If I didn't have access to all of these new services, and I did what I did, can you imagine what you can do?"

Nothing will ever erase the experiences of pain and loss, but Al-Rekabi intends to overcome her challenges by refusing to let them hold her back.

"Situations that we catch ourselves in can never explain who we are or what we are capable of," she said. "Stopping to resist and starting to live and enjoying the little thingsthat is something worthy to live for."
not dominate the Arab media to the extent one might have expected. The events erupted in the middle of a crowded regional political agenda. In previous Arab-Israeli crises, popular Arab media outlets would have typically broadcast wall-to-wall coverage accompanied by furious talk shows and mobilizational programming, drowning out all other issues. This time, while most Arab media did cover the Gaza protests and subsequent violence, many key outlets covered it as one issue among many. These changes are rooted in fundamental alterations in the structure of the Arab media and the underlying political conflicts that have evolved since the 2011 Arab uprisings... [Washington Post, April 13, 2018]

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

.

..This Ongoing War..14 April '18..We're into Week 3 of the Hamas-driven violence on Israel's Gaza border. And despite some serious efforts by Al Jazeera and others to "" [, April 13, 2018], the signs are that those Gazan riots doOfficial Israeli sources are said to believe there is a gradual decrease in the number of Gazans participating in the "protests". And there are signs of news media weariness - even in the Arab world - with how Palestinian Arab "victimhood" is being milked in these staged Gaza border events. Here's an illustration.It's not usually recognized by news consumers far from the scene but those reports of Arab casualties - the dead, the wounded on the Gazan side -emanate from the Gazan Ministry of Health. Sounds reasonable, right? And would they lie?
El Borracho is a cigar that comes from Ian Reiths Dapper Cigar Company. Reith is a cigar enthusiast with background in the Information Technology (IT) sector. After falling in love with cigars, he set out to take things to the next level  first learning as much as he could about the industry and then eventually creating his own cigar company. Currently, Reiths Dapper Cigar Company has three brands in widespread commerce in his portfolio: Cubo, La Madrina, and El Borracho. He currently is working with two factories  Tabacalera Carreras and Nicaragua America Cigars SA (NACSA) to produce his lines. The El Borracho Natural blend comes from the NACSA factory  under the watchful eye of production manager Raul Disla (most recently known for working with Steve Saka on Mi Querida). Today we explore the El Borracho Natural in the Toro size.

El Borracho is positioned as a stronger offering in the Dapper Cigar portfolio. The name El Borracho translates to The Drunk. Reith credits Gustavo Gus Cura of Oliva Tobacco Company for helping him grow his knowledge in the cigar industry. Through Cura, Reith managed to meet what he termed a renegade farmer from Mexico named Carlos Guzman. Guzman has a 60-acre farm located in Valle San Andres Tuxtla Veracruz. On this farm, he is known to use unconventional growing and curing methods. It is from this farm where Reith sources the San Andres wrapper used for El Borracho. Reith draws a humorous connection to Guzman and the brand and has said, For Carlos to start a tobacco farm in San Andres and challenge all the conventional growing & curing methods hes equal parts daring, crazy, and probably a little drunk. Because of this he truly embodies the El Borracho line and it wouldnt be possible without him.

Without further ado, lets break down the El Borracho Natural Toro and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

Both Cuba and Guzmans tobacco are used in the blend for El Borracho Natural. As mentioned above, the San Andres wrapper comes from Guzmans farm. While its a dark wrapper, it is positioned as a natural wrapper as opposed to a maduro. Reith says the location of the farm and the unorthodox fermentation methods give this wrapper both a spicier and creamier profile.

The remainder of the blend uses tobacco from Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan tobaccos come through Oliva Tobacco Company via farms in Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa. According to Reith, the strength level of El Borraccho comes from higher primings found on Oliva Tobaccos Finca La Joya farm in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Wrapper: San Andres Natural, Mexico (San Andres de los Perros S.A. de C.V.)

Binder: Jalapa Habano Rosado, Nicaragua (Cofradia, Oliva Tobacco Co)

Filler: Nicaraguan: Esteli (La Joya, Oliva Tobacco Co), Jalapa (Cofradia, Oliva Tobacco, (gk Relleno (Ligero), Oliva Tobacco Co)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Nicaraguan Cigars S.A.  NACSA)

Vitolas Available

The El Borracho Natural is available in three box-pressed sizes. Each is packaged in 16-count boxes.

Robusto: 5 x 50

Edmundo: 5 1/2 x 52

Toro: 6 x 54

Appearance

As mentioned, the San Andres Natural wrapper of the El Borracho Natural Toro still had a dark color. In this case, it had a chocolate brown color with some mottling on the surface. There wasnt much in the way of oil on this wrapper. The wrapper had a slight sandy feel to it when held in the hand. This was a wrapper that was almost void of any significant visible veins and most of the wrapper seams were well-hidden. The box press itself was firm with the pressed corners on the sharper side.

The band to the El Borracho Natural Toro has a white background with red, gold, and black elements. On the front of the band is a red shield sitting on the white background. On the shield is a gold E and white B interlocked. Above the shield is the text EL BORRACHO in black font arranged in an angular style. Below the shield is the text PUROS FINOS  also in black font and arranged in an angular fashion. The left and right side of the band have a white circular field with a gold design element. Above the gold design is the text HECHO and below the design is A MANO  each in black font arranged in a curved fashion. Finally, the band is finished in gold trim.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

Before lighting up the El Borracho Natural Toro, I used a straight cut to remove the cap. After the cap was clipped, I proceeded to the pre-light draw. The cold draw was simple, as it delivered a mix of cocoa and earth. There was still enough going on with this pre-light draw to satisfy me. At this point, I was ready to light up the El Borracho Natural Toro and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The El Borracho Natural Toro started out with a combination of earth, dark chocolate, and black pepper. Very early on the earth and dark chocolate notes moved into the forefront. Both of these notes soon would alternate in intensity levels. Meanwhile, the black pepper settled into the background on the tongue, but remained prominent on the retro-hale. As the cigar moved through the first third, some mineral notes surfaced.

As the El Borracho Natural Toro moved through the second third, the mineral notes started to become more prominent. Simultaneously, the chocolate notes would soon diminish. Just past the midway point, the mineral notes joined the earth in the forefront while the chocolate notes settled in the background. A subtle citrus/fruit note emerged. The combination of the sweetness from the chocolate and citrus note provided some nice balance to the earthy/minerally flavors up front. Meanwhile, the black pepper remained in the background, adding a spice component.

There wasnt much change during the last third of the El Borracho Natural Toro except for an increase of pepper not on the tongue. While the pepper increased, it never became overpowering. This is the way the cigar experience closed out. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

The El Borracho Toro maintained a straight burn path overall. There was some occasional curvature on the burn line along the way, but this didnt prove to be problem-some, nor did it result in frequent touch-ups. The resulting ash was mostly silver-gray with some dark spots. This was an ash that was skewed on the firmer side. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

As for the draw, I really found this performed quite well. This draw had a touch of resistance  which is something I like. In the end, this was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavors from.

Strength and Body

Overall, I found the El Borracho Toro to be a cigar to be on the upper end of medium to full for both strength and body from start to finish. There was a slight increase in the intensity levels of both attributes, but in the end both attributes didnt quite cross the threshold into full territory.

In terms of strength versus body, I found both attributes balanced each other nicely with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

Final Thoughts

One thing that really stood out to me is that the El Borracho Toro did a nice job at showcasing the Nicaraguan tobaccos instead of having the wrapper dominate. There were times the black pepper on the retro-hale was sharp and it reminded me that Mexican tobacco can exhibit that quality. At the same time, the notes of chocolate, earth, mineral, and citrus balanced each other nicely and added touches of sweetness and subtle bitterness to round out the flavor profile. In the end, I would describe this as a classic, but bold smoking experience. Its a cigar I would steer to a more seasoned enthusiast. At $12+, it is a cigar that is pricier, but it does deliver a very nice smoking experience. This is one I would smoke again and buy a few to keep in my humidor.

Summary

Key Flavors: Chocolate, Earth, Mineral, Black Pepper, Citrus

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium to Full

Body: Medium to Full

Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Buy Multiples

Score: 90

References

News: n/a

Price: $12.16

Source: Dapper Cigar Company

Brand Reference: Dapper Cigar Company

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
Nigeria imposed the highest number of death sentences in the sub-Saharan Africa region in 2017 with 621 people put to death, Amnesty International has said.





The country bucked the trend seen elsewhere in the region, as Sub-Saharan Africa made great strides in the global fight to abolish the death penalty with a significant decrease in death sentences being imposed.





Guinea became the 20th state in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while Kenya abolished the mandatory death penalty for murder. Burkina Faso and Chad also took steps to repeal this punishment with new or proposed laws.





The progress in sub-Saharan Africa reinforced its position as a beacon of hope for abolition.





The leadership of countries in this region gives fresh hope that the abolition of the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is within reach.





Unfortunately, some states in Nigeria continue to expand the scope of death sentences, said Amnesty Internationals Secretary General Salil Shetty in the organisations 2017 global review of the death penalty.





There are a total of 2,285 people on death row in Nigeria, which is also the highest in the region, though no executions were carried out in 2017.





Death sentences in the country have spiked massively over the past two years. In 2015, 171 death sentences were handed down, while in 2016 there were 527.





Amnesty International recorded a drop in the number of executing countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, from five in 2016 to two in 2017, with only South Sudan and Somalia known to have carried out executions. However, with reports that Botswana and Sudan resumed executions in 2018, the organisation highlighted that this must not overshadow the positive steps being taken by other countries across the region.





Elsewhere in Africa, The Gambia signed an international treaty committing the country not to carry out executions and moving to abolish the death penalty. The Gambian President Adama Barrow established an official moratorium (temporary ban) on executions in February 2018.





Developments across Sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 exemplified the positive trend recorded globally, with Amnesty Internationals research pointing to a further decrease in the global use of the death penalty in 2017.





Amnesty International recorded at least 993 executions in 23 countries in 2017, down by 4% from 2016 (1,032 executions) and 39% from 2015 (when the organisation reported 1,634 executions, the highest number since 1989).





At least 2,591 death sentences in 53 countries were recorded in 2017, a significant decrease from the record-high of 3,117 recorded in 2016.





These figures do not include the thousands of death sentences and executions that Amnesty International believes were imposed and implemented in China, where figures remain classified as a state secret.





In addition to Guinea, Mongolia abolished the death penalty for all crimes taking the total of abolitionist states to 106 in 2017.





After Guatemala became abolitionist for crimes such as murder, the number of countries to have abolished the death penalty in law or practice now stands at 142.





Only 23 countries continued to execute  the same number as in 2016, despite several states resuming executions after a hiatus.





Significant steps to reduce the use of the death penalty were also taken in countries that are staunch supporters of it. In Iran, recorded executions reduced by 11% and drug-related executions reduced to 40%.





Moves were also made to increase the threshold of drug amounts required to impose a mandatory death penalty.





In Malaysia, the anti-drug laws were amended, with the introduction of sentencing discretion in drug trafficking cases. These changes will likely result in a reduction in the number of death sentences imposed in both countries in the future.





The fact that countries continue to resort to the death penalty for drug-related offences remains troubling. However, steps taken by Iran and Malaysia to amend their anti-drugs laws go a long way towards showing that cracks are appearing, even in the minority of countries that still execute people, said Salil Shetty.





Indonesia, which executed four people convicted of drug crimes in 2016 in an ill-conceived attempt to tackle drug crime, did not carry out any executions last year and reported a slight decrease in the number of death sentences imposed.





However, distressing trends continued to feature in the use of the death penalty in 2017. Fifteen countries imposed death sentences or executed people for drug-related offences, going against international law.





The Middle East and North Africa region recorded the highest number of drug-related executions in 2017, while the Asia-Pacific region had the most countries resorting to the death penalty for this type of offence (10 out of 16).





Amnesty International recorded drug-related executions in four countries  China (where figures are classified as a state secret), Iran, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.





The secrecy that shrouded capital punishment in Malaysia and Viet Nam made it impossible to determine whether executions for drug crimes occurred.





Singapore hanged eight people in 2017  all for drug-related offences and double the amount in 2016. There was a similar trend in Saudi Arabia, where drug-related beheadings rocketed from 14% of total executions in 2016 to 40% in 2017.





Despite strides towards abolishing this abhorrent punishment, there are still a few leaders who would resort to the death penalty as a quick-fix rather than tackling problems at their roots with humane, effective and evidence-based policies. Strong leaders execute justice, not people, said Salil Shetty.





The draconian anti-drug measures widely used in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific have totally failed to address the issue.





Governments also breached several other prohibitions under international law in 2017. At least five people in Iran were executed for crimes committed when they were under 18 and at least 80 others remained on death row, and people with mental or intellectual disabilities were executed or remained under sentence of death in Japan, the Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and the USA.





Amnesty International recorded several cases of people facing the death penalty after confessing to crimes as a result of torture or other ill-treatment in Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In Iran and Iraq, some of these confessions were broadcast on live television.





Although the overall number of executing countries remained the same, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates resumed executions after a hiatus. In Egypt, recorded death sentences increased by about 70% compared to 2016.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!





"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

guardian.ng, April 13, 2018
I wondered whether the system I have been a part of for so long was, simply, barbaric.





The execution was set for 6 p.m. I knew because I set the date and time myself.





With a little more than an hour to go, I sat alone by the phone in my office. More than three decades had passed since the defendant was first convicted of murdering a police officer. I had been the judge at his final trial, and now there was a chance Id be called on to spare his life.





Higher courts and the Texas governor had already denied the mans last-ditch appeals. His lawyers had tried to broker a deal with prosecutors to keep him alive, but that had failed, too. Now he was down to his last shot: The defense could present some new argument or evidence to convince me to intervene and stop the execution. If they did, I would have to make a life-or-death decision with essentially no time for research or discussion.





I waited. As the minutes passed, I felt a familiar sense of unease. In the years since Id presided over his trial, the defendant had become a gray-haired, middle-aged man. He had put together a nearly flawless record helping other inmates. It was hard to see how he still constituted a violent threat to society, a requirement for death penalty cases in Texas. Now, barring a final legal maneuver, he would be erased from the Earth by a system in which I was a key participant.





I stared out the window, feeling jealous of folks headed home or to a happy hour. Eventually, the clock ticked to 6 pm. My phone never rang. I turned on the TV, and learned from the evening news that the execution had proceeded as planned.





As I left the office, I fell into a dark funk. Usually, I was proud and confident about my work as a judge, but a terrible feeling settled over methe same feeling I had each time I was involved in a death penalty case. Sometimes I was able to rationalize that my role in the outcome of these cases was minimal. After all, jurors were the ones who weighed evidence and reached a lawful verdict. But other times I wondered whether the system I have been a part of for so long was, simply, barbaric.





I ran for office and took the oath knowing that the death penalty would be part of my job, whether I liked it or not. Each time I encountered a capital case  8 came before me during my 2 decades on the bench - there would be at least one moment that brought my internal conflict starkly into focus. These moments are painfully fresh in my mind.





In my first death penalty trial, in 1998, the defendant had sexually assaulted and brutally slashed and stabbed a woman who had befriended him. The jury found him guilty of capital murder, but it was my duty to formally pronounce his sentence in open court. He displayed no emotion - during the trial, hed only seemed interested in the crime scene and autopsy photos - and there was evidence he was a psychopath, that he felt no remorse. Still, after announcing his sentence, I felt an urgent need to drink and gulped 2 huge glasses of water.





I wondered: Is my throat dry, or am I trying to wash the words out of my mouth?





Years later, I had to sign the order setting a time for this mans deathby intravenous injection of a substance or substances in a lethal quantity sufficient to cause death and until such convict is deadand I remember staring at the paper, feeling strange and unnerved. Later, in my journal, I wrote about how I felt I was invading Gods province. I heard about another judge who placed a smiley face next to his signature on a death warrant. I couldnt comprehend that attitude.





Writing in my journal helped me stay balanced and objective. Once, I wrote about a defendant who was facing the death penalty, He was almost always seated with his head tilted slightly downward and his eyes staring downward into space. During the trial, he had showed little emotion. But when it was time for me to say the required words pronouncing his death sentence, I looked him in the eye. As I wrote later, I was struck by a sight I will never forget. He looked so small, helpless, pathetic. His eyes looked like those of the proverbial deer in the headlights. He had been convicted of being a brutal, sadistic killer, and it was hard to argue that he was not getting what he deservedbut at that moment, for an instant, I saw the other side of the man, the side his family loved.





I continued: If only we could execute the bad side and keep the good side alive.





On another occasion, as an execution was approaching, I was visited by the defendants lawyers. The appeals had been exhausted; there was nothing they could do. They suggested we get together on the night of the execution. At first, I thought the idea was sick, demented, heartless - a social hour during an execution! But I knew these lawyers; they were compassionate, serious. We kept talking about the idea, and I realized they were dreading the execution as much as I was. They thought sharing the moment would make things a little less difficult. I joined them, and it was a therapeutic, somber evening. Far better than sitting alone in my office.





For some time, I had been thinking about retiring, but it was a moment of pronouncing a death sentenceand thinking no more of these  that finally made me decide to leave the bench, six years ago. Since then, I have felt a deep satisfaction and pride about my career, despite those terrible, uncomfortable moments.





I suppose they were the price I had to pay.

Source: themarshallproject.org , Mike Lynch, April 12, 2018. Mike Lynch, a former judge in Texas District 167, retired in 2012.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!





"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
According to the developers of the new satellite, early warning system for the world's 500,000 dams, shrinking reservoirs in India, Morocco, Iraq and Spain could spark the next 'day zero' water crisis, The Guardian reported. (Photo: AFP | Representational)

New Delhi: A new satellite study warns of shrinking reservoirs in India, Morocco, Iraq and Spain which could result in water taps going completely dry in these four countries.

According to the developers of the new satellite, early warning system for the world's 500,000 dams, shrinking reservoirs in India, Morocco, Iraq and Spain could spark the next "day zero" water crisis, The Guardian reported.

The system has named countries where shrinking reservoirs could lead to the taps completely drying up, the study said.

Tensions have been apparent in India over the water allocations for two reservoirs connected by the Narmada river, it said.

Poor rains in 2017, left the upstream Indira Sagar dam in Madhya Pradesh a third below its seasonal average.

When some of this shortfall was passed on to the downstream Sardar Sarovar reservoir, it caused an uproar because the latter is a drinking supply for 30 million people.

In March, the Gujarat state government halted irrigation and appealed to farmers not to sow crops.

Cape Town recently grabbed global headlines by launching a countdown to the day when taps would be cut off to millions of residents as a result of a three-year drought.

Drastic conservation measures have forestalled that moment in South Africa, but dozens of other countries face similar risks from rising demand, mismanagement and climate change, say the World Resources Institute (WRI).

The US-based environmental organisation is working with Deltares, the Dutch government and other partners to build a water and security early warning system that aims to anticipate social instability, economic damage and cross-border migration.

A prototype is due to be rolled out later this year, but a snapshot, unveiled on Wednesday, highlighted four of the worst-affected dams and the potential knock-on risks.

The starkest decline is that of Morocco's second-largest reservoir Al Massira which has shrunk by 60 per cent in three years due to recurring drought, expanding irrigation and the increasing thirst of neighbouring cities such as Casablanca.

Spain has suffered a severe drought that has contributed to a 60 per cent shrinking of the surface area of the Buendia dam over the last five years.

In Iraq, the Mosul Dam has seen a more protracted decline but it is also now down 60 per cent from its peak in the 1990s as a result of low rainfall and competing demand from Turkish hydropower projects upstream on the Tigris and Euphrates.
Guntur: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that he would observe a one-day fast on April 20, his birthday, in protest against the betrayal of the state by the NDA government.

Addressing a public meeting to mark B.R. Ambedkars 127th birth anniversary at Ainavolu-Sakhamuru in Amaravati, Mr Naidu appealed to the people to join him in his dawn-to-dusk fast.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Tirupati on April 30, 2014 promised Special Category Status to AP but did not keep his promise. This is why we are planning a mammoth public meeting at Tirupati on April 30 against the NDA governments betrayal with the slogan Nammakadroham, Kutrala nunchi Rasthranni Kapadukundam (let us save AP from betrayal and conspiracy) and expose the real face of the BJP to the nation, Mr Naidu said.

He claimed that he was fighting the PM and the BJP-led Union government for the sake of AP people. Mr Naidu said that he became the Chief Minister of a state in 1995 but Modi became the CM in 2002, hence he was senior to the latter.

He also said AP government and TD will implead in the Supreme Court ruling against the relaxation given to SC/ST Atrocity (Prevention) Act.

BJP playing politics to weaken TD: Naidu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that he would observe a one-day fast on April 20, his birthday, in protest against the betrayal of the state by the NDA government.

Referring to the BJP conspiracy in Tamil Nadu, he alleged that the BJP now planned the same destructive politics in AP to weaken the TD government with the help of an Opposition party.

Alleging that the YSR Congress was dancing to BJP tunes under the direction of Narendra Modi, Mr Naidu asked the public to support him by giving 25 MP seats and unmask the YSRC. He predicted that there is no support to BJP in AP.

and it would not even win a single Lok Sabha seat.
The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph. (Photo: File | Representational)

New Delhi/Beijing: India has sought China's assistance to speed up Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor besides redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway stations, a senior Indian official said on Sunday.

The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held in Beijing between the two countries.

"We offered them speeding up of Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor," NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday.

The SED was held between delegations headed by Kumar and He Lifeng, the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph.

India previously made a proposal to China for the redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway station. It has been reemphasised at Saturday's talks, officials said.

The Chinese side will respond after considering the proposals, they said.

Kumar said it was pointed out to the Chinese side that the railway station development plan is a big one involving about 600 of them. They can bid for any of them, he said.

However, there was no discussion in the just concluded SED about the collaboration to build high speed trains by China in India, he said.

China has been expressing interest to take up high speed train corridors in India and began conducting a feasibility study for New Delhi and Chennai high speed train corridor.

The first high-speed train corridor in India between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been bagged by Japan.

China has the world's longest high-speed rail network, with 22,000 km within the country linking various top cities.
Interestingly, the two countries are also together in the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, an arrangement under which they have to exchange intelligence information on terror.

New Delhi: In less than five months from now, for the first time ever, Indian and Pakistani soldiers will fight together hand in hand in mock operations to eliminate terrorists, neutralise terror networks and thwart possible attacks besides testing combat readiness.

Both the armies have operated together in the past in foreign lands while providing security or in convoy protection deployment as peacekeepers under the United Nations mandate, but this is the first time that the two South Asian neighbours, with a bitter history of wars and a relationship of rancor, will join hands in a military exercise.

A top government source told this newspaper that the exercise called Peace Mission 2018 under the umbrella of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), will be held at Chelyabinsk in west-central Russia. It will begin in August-end and conclude in the first week of September. Chelyabinsk, located close to the Ural mountains, will also host the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states and the meeting of BRICS leaders in 2020.

With aims for political, economic, military cooperation, coordination and solidarity in Eurasia, SCO was formed in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Now SCO has eight full members including India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

While four nations have been accorded observer status, another six are dialogue partners.

Held once in two years, Peaceful Mission 2018 will be the fifth edition of the multilateral exercise but this will be the first time for both India and Pakistan that became SCO members on June 9, 2017. As members it is mandatory for them to take part in the week-long exercise.

Interestingly, the two countries are also together in the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, an arrangement under which they have to exchange intelligence information on terror.

Being the host country, Russia is expected to participate in a big way in terms of men, material and sophisticated weapon systems. China is also expected to deploy at least about five hundred soldiers, while the participation of the Indian and Pakistani military contingents are likely to be smaller. The military exercise will begin just after a mega defence expo in Russia that will begin from August 21.
Hyderabad: Telugu women film artistes shared their horrific experiences of sexual exploitation, being discriminated because of their colour, and getting less pay, in a round table conference on Sunday evening in Hyderabad.

We have to relieve ourselves under trees because we are junior artistes, not leading artistes in the movie who are provided caravans, one of the victims said.

Tollywood actor Sri Reddy said that the Telugu film industry denies roles to Telugu artistes and prefers North Indian artistes because they are fair.

The women also threatened to reveal the names of the directors, male film stars or heroes and producers who have exploited them if they dont respond within two days to the issues they are facing in the Telugu film industry.

The same men in the industry who deny us roles during the day, saying we are fat and dark- skinned, approach us at night asking for our nude and sexy pictures. I was promised a few roles with commitment but after I slept with those guys they denied me the roles saying that I am dark-skinned and not that good looking. That same night they would text me asking what kind of dress I am wearing, why dont you send your sexy pictures, nude pictures, pictures in a two-piece, said Hema, one of the women who bravely shared her experiences.

Another artiste, Sandhya Naidu, said that, Apart from using and exploiting young girls, men from the industry also want to sleep with aunties like me. They are even okay sleeping with a 60-year-old woman. That is how desperate these men are for women.

The women film artistes launched a campaign called Sthree Shakthi, against sexual exploitation in the Tollywood film industry. One of the activists present at the round table conference also announced a ban on watching Telugu movies if the film industry doesn't settle the issues faced by women artistes. For the first time Telugu women artistes are to form a union for women in the industry to fight for their rights.

Actress Sri Reddy, who brought the issue of sexual exploitation of women in Tollywood to the fore, said, Film Nagar area should be called Red-Light area and a brothel instead of a residence of film stars in should be put up. We demand that the Telugu film industry gives opportunities to Telugu artistes instead of North Indian artistes from other states just because they are fair and slim. Please give opportunities to Telugu artistes who have talent.

She said artistes from other states should be employed on a 70:30 ratio, 70 per cent should be Telugus.

She touched on another very important point when she said, Its very easy to ask artistes to change their profession if there is casting couch in the film industry, but why should we leave the industry when its our right to act? Top men from the industry suggest we approach the police, but the police stations will not even have place for all of us if we start approaching police stations for justice.

She touched on another sore point when she said, Artistes are paid very little so I demand more work and better pay for us from now on.

Transgender character artiste Sana Rathod was in tears when she narrated her experience of being asked to strip in front of the director of the serial Madhurani Saniveshalu.

I was asked by the director to strip off my clothes because he wanted to see the body parts of a transgender. If a transgender was asked to strip then why will these men leave women artistes alone? Yesterday Pawan Kalyan sir told us to go to the police station but we have earlier approached the police but no justice was done to us. If a transgender woman is not safe in this industry what about women?
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidus decision to observe a one-day fast on April 20, his birthday, came as a surprise to political circles as he had opposed the fast by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the other day.

While Mr Modis fast was against the disruption in parliament by opposition parties. Mr Naidus would be against the Central governments stand on not granting special status to AP and also failing to implement the assurances given to AP during State bifurcation.

Mr Naidu had ridiculed Mr Modis fast saying, Never in the history has a Prime Minister observed fast. Who are you trying to hoodwink? You (PM) are protesting against your own inability.

Political leaders felt that leaders in such positions should fight politically unlike Opposition party leaders who took to agitations, including observing fast.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palaniswami observed a one-day fast on April 3, demanding that the Centre constitute the Cauvery management board. On the call given by the Prime Minister, BJP Chief Ministers also observed a fast on April 12 to protest against undemocratic actions of Congress, leading to the washout of the budget session of Parliament.
The government said the system would allow it to perform crowd analytics and support anti-terror operations.

In the not too distant future, surveillance cameras sitting atop over 100,000 lampposts in Singapore could help authorities pick out and recognise faces in crowds across the island-state.

The plan to install the cameras, which will be linked to facial recognition software, is raising privacy fears among security experts and rights groups. The government said the system would allow it to perform crowd analytics and support anti-terror operations.

GovTech, the Singapore government agency in charge of a Lamppost-as-a-Platform pilot project scheduled to begin next year, has given companies until May to register their interest in providing technology for the network.

As part of the LaaP trial, we are testing out various kinds of sensors on the lampposts, including cameras that can support backend facial recognition capabilities, a GovTech spokesman said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

These capabilities may be used for performing crowd analytics and supporting follow-up investigation in event of a terror incident.

Singapore says the project is part of a broader Smart Nation plan to use cutting-edge technology to improve peoples lives and has pledged to be sensitive to privacy.

Video surveillance networks are common in cities like London or New York. But Ian Wilson, a security lecturer at Australias Murdoch University said he believed that Singapores would be different in that it might involve extensive facial recognition technology. Such technology has become commonplace in Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Some top officials in Singapore played down the privacy concerns. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last week that the Smart Nation project was aimed at improving peoples lives and that he did not want it done in a way which is overbearing, which is intrusive, which is unethical.

The spokesman for GovTech said: The need to protect personal data and preserve privacy are key considerations in the technical implementation of the project. The government also hopes to use other sensors on the lamp posts to monitor air quality and water levels, count electric scooters in public places, and collect footfall data to aid urban and transport planning, GovTech said.

GovTech did not say how many lampposts would be used in the initial pilot project. But a former head of Singapores civil service, Peter Ong, said last year that the country aims to bring all of its 110,000 lampposts into the sensor network.

Adam Schwartz, senior staff attorney at the US-based rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, urged Singapore and other governments not to adopt facial recognition surveillance technology, in a response to a request for comment from Reuters.

He said he was concerned such technology could be turned on political opponents or used to curb free speech by deterring peaceful protest. Facial recognition technology typically allows authorities to match people picked up on cameras with those in databases. Singapores only opposition party in parliament, The Workers Party, declined to comment.

China tech

Yitu Technology, a Chinese company that has recently opened its first international office in Singapore, told Reuters it was weighing a bid with its partners. Yitu opened a sales and marketing operation in Singapore this year and also plans to set up a research and development hub in the country.

The company says its facial recognition platform is capable of identifying over 1.8 billion faces in less than 3 seconds. Singapore has a population of 5.6 million people.

We see a big potential in this country. They are ready for the AI revolution said Lance Wang, Yitus general manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, adding that the firm was discussing a potential bid with partners. Xjera Labs, a Singapore-based company, said it was putting in a bid with partners.

The scope we are bidding includes most video analytics related components, such as facial recognition, crowd monitoring and human attribute detection, Ethan Chu, Xjeras co-founder, told Reuters.

A spokeswoman for sensitive, a facial-recognition software company dual-based in Beijing and Hong Kong, said it was exploring the situation and declined further comment. The company includes Singapores state investor Temasek as one of its backers following a $600 million funding round which closed on Monday.

Wilson, the security lecturer at Murdoch University, said that unlike cities like London or New York, Singapore did not have a high crime or terror-threat level that justified such surveillance capabilities.

In its 2018 risk map published this week, AON, a professional services company, ranked the terror threat in Singapore as low." The government says, however, that the country faces threats from both home-grown militants and foreign terrorists.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
In November 1993, David Ngele became the first Motswana to openly disclose he was living with HIV. Over the past 25 years, more courageous individuals have followed him in making public disclosures, though they represent a small percentage of the estimated 360,000 Batswana who are living with HIV.

Many of those who have publicly disclosed their HIV status in Botswana have stated that the virus has been less oppressive than the stigma attached to it. While public displays of stigma and discrimination are not as frequent and visible as in years past, many people have endured the incredibly painful experience of being stigmatized because of their HIV status, often by the same family and friends whom they looked to for love and acceptance.

In order to support these brave men and women, PEPFAR, the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has funded BONEPWA+ to implement the Treat All Champions Campaign. The Campaign has enlisted 30 people living openly with HIV to mobilize their communities to address stigma and other barriers that prevent Batswana from knowing their status or enrolling on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment if they are diagnosed with HIV.

Through the Treat All Strategy launched by H.E. President Khama in 2016, all Batswana living with HIV now have the opportunity to enroll on antiretroviral treatment immediately upon their diagnosis.

Over the past 15 years, the U.S. government, through PEPFAR, has not only saved and improved millions of lives, but also transformed the global HIV/AIDS response. Through PEPFARs Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control, as many as 13 countries, including Botswana, could achieve epidemic control by 2020. Since 2004, PEPFAR has supported the Government of Botswana with $950 million for HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

PEPFAR is also implementing specific strategies to address the largest gaps in the HIV response, primarily in reaching youth aged 15-24 and men aged over 30.

The United States is proud to partner with Botswana and more than 50 other countries toward controlling and ultimately ending their HIV/AIDS epidemics.
The Central African Republic, or C.A.R., is one of the worlds most fragile countries. In 2013, the Muslim Seleka alliance rebelled, seized power and removed then-President Francois Bozize from office. But that was just the beginning of a bad situation, as the Seleka alliance went on a brutal rampage, continuing a campaign of killing, raping and pillaging non-Muslim villages. In response, the Anti-Balaka Christian militias formed, and began a similar campaign of terror against Muslim communities.

In an effort to protect the civilian population and stabilize the C.A.R., the United Nations Security Council deployed to the country a United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA.

Zambia is a key partner in several UN peacekeeping efforts. Currently over 1,000 Zambian troops and police are deployed to four different peacekeeping missions, including to MINUSCA.

Right now, another battalion of Zambian troops is preparing to deploy to the Central African Republic peace keeping mission. As part of a larger, multi-year U.S. effort to build the capacity of these Zambian military personnel, the United States partnered with India recently to provide Zambian troops with a two-week course of medical field training.

U.S. Army medics partnered with two physicians from the Indian Army Medical Corps and worked with Zambian military medical personnel to improve their ability to respond to a range of medical situations, and to teach basic first responder skills to soldiers.

The two-week training course was funded by U.S. Department of States Global Peace Operations Initiative, or GPOI, and coordinated through U.S. Africa Command. It was part of a long-term joint effort between India and the United States to cooperate in peacekeeping capacity building with third-country partners.

Peacekeeping missions are a critical tool for promoting reconciliation and post-conflict stabilization in some of the worlds most troubled areas. The United Nations currently deploys nearly 100,000 uniformed peacekeepers to promote peace and security, while protecting civilians in conflict-affected countries. The United States, through peacekeeping operations and capacity building, supports the purpose and spirit of UN peacekeeping missions. Training events like this are not only integral to improving the readiness of troops for deployment, but also provide an opportunity for India and the United States to share their training techniques and experience with the wider peacekeeping community.
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2018 (AFP)

Arab leaders -- minus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- meet in Saudi Arabia for a summit on Sunday as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against its regional arch-rival Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League. The two regional titans, locked in proxy wars in Syria and in Saudi Arabia's southern neighbor Yemen, back opposing parties in Iraq and Lebanon.

The summit begins 24 hours after the United States, France and Britain launched controversial air strikes in war-torn Syria in response to a reported regime chemical attack on the decimated rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta last week.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which both voiced support for the strikes, remain locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syria's membership over the Assad regime's role in the war. Syria remains suspended from the organization.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman will chair Sunday's summit in the eastern city of Dhahran, home to Saudi Arabia's oil giant Aramco and 160 kilometers (100 miles) across the Gulf from Iran.

Syria's war, the most complex of the region's conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday declared its full support for US-led air raids on Syria, which the Pentagon said had "successfully hit every target". Qatar, which has confirmed it will attend the summit, also backed the strikes.

Despite widespread Arab condemnation of the suspected chemical attack, the Dhahran summit is unlikely to call for Assad to step down.

Seven years into a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, Saudi Arabia and Iran now agree that the country's future cannot be decided solely by the Assad regime, whose troops have regained the upper hand with massive support from Russia.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32-year-old son of the king and de facto ruler has said Assad will stay.
A branch of Irans Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of a Kurdish citizen, his lawyer said in an exclusive interview with Radio Fardas Mahtab Vahidi Rad.

In a statement on February 5, Amnesty International (AI) said, Ramin Hossein Panahi, from Irans Kurdish minority, started a hunger strike on January 27 after he learned that he had been sentenced to death in connection with his membership in the armed Kurdish opposition group Komala.

According to AI, Panahis trial, which took place on January 16, was grossly unfair and lasted less than an hour. His family told Amnesty International that he appeared before the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj with obvious torture marks on his body, but the court failed to order an investigation.

Panahi, 24, was arrested in June 2017 in Sanandaj after being wounded in an ambush by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) forces of the outlawed Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, an armed separatist organization.

Three other Komala activists who were present -- Sabbah Hossein Panahi, Hamed Seif Panahi, and Behzad Nouri -- were killed in the attack.

Panahi was the only survivor of the attack and has maintained he was unarmed at the time of the IRGCs ambush.

His lawyer, Hossein Ahmadi Niaz, told Radio Farda that the court sentenced his client to death for taking up arms against the state based on his membership in Komala but provided no evidence linking him to acts involving intentional killing, which is the required threshold under international law for imposing the death penalty.

According to Ahmadi Niaz, his client has never taken up arms against the Iranian regime.

Courts are expected to be impartial, fair, and independent, he said. How can a court be independent when it is part of the ruling system?

Panahis lawyer also insisted his client has testified about being tortured and the court should have investigated his allegation before upholding the death sentence.

Meanwhile, Ahmadi Niaz argued that when his client and his three companions entered Iranian territory from neighboring Iraq, they were under IRGC surveillance.

Nothing happened until my client and his companions vehicle entered the city of Sanandaj, where a trap laid by IRGC forces was waiting for them, he said. There, the IRGC personnel ambushed their vehicle with a barrage of gunfire. Three were dead; Ramin was wounded and passed out, while none of the IRGC forces was hurt. This shows that the whole clash was a one-sided shooting.

The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) reported, Panahi was only allowed one brief meeting with his lawyer, which took place in the presence of intelligence officials. This violates the right to consult with ones lawyer in confidence. The judicial authorities also refused to disclose to either him or his lawyer the details of the evidence brought against him before the hearing. His lawyer is planning to appeal his sentence.

Ahmadi Niaz noted, On January 31, an Intelligence Ministry official visited him in prison and said his death sentence would be commuted to imprisonment if he agreed to make televised confessions denouncing Kurdish opposition groups as terrorists. When he refused, the intelligence official apparently became enraged and said he would pay with his life for his stubbornness.

In his interview with Radio Farda, Ahmadi Niaz also said, If being a member of Komala is a crime, its punishment is imprisonment not a death sentence.

Komala describes itself as an Iranian-Kurdistan political party that stands for a democratic, secular, pluralist Iran where the rights of Iranians and Kurds are preserved and safeguarded.
Troops from the Afghan border police and Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps clashed near the two countries' disputed border, leaving several dead and wounded on both sides, Afghan and Pakistani officials said.

Afghan security officials told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on April 15 in the country's eastern province of Khost that six Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed in the clash in the Zazi Maidan district.

Pakistani officials told Reuters that two Pakistani soldiers were killed.

An Afghan border police officer and a local tribesman were also killed and two other Afghans were injured.

Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in Khost, told RFE/RL that clashes broke out in three locations along the border in the early hours of the day after Pakistani paramilitary troops ignored repeated warnings from locals and Afghan border police officers and crossed the border.

"First they targeted locals who were trying to stop them from entering our soil, and then they fired mortars on our border police," Hanan said.

Hanan's claims could not be independently verified.

A statement by Pakistan's military said the Afghan side fired on the Frontier Corps fighters while they were carrying out "routine surveillance" along the border.

The statement said two paramilitary troops were injured.

Afghanistan routinely accuses the Pakistani Army of attacking civilians and security checkpoints on the disputed border, accusations Pakistan routinely denies.

Pakistan claims it is subject to attacks by Pakistani Taliban militants that Islamabad says are based on the Afghan side of the border.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 87 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said April 15.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Samir Ali  Trend:

The information spread by Armenian media that allegedly, Azerbaijani Armed Forces shelled the Baganis-Voskepar road is another fiction, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry told Trend on April 15.

"This is another provocative lie of the Armenian side," the ministry said.

Armenian media reported earlier on April 15 that allegedly the Azerbaijani side has opened fire from small arms in the direction of the village of Baganis and Baganis-Voskepar road section was closed for security reasons.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

The meeting of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC) on the results of presidential election, held on April 11 in the country, has kicked off.

Under the Electoral Code, the CEC will make a decision on submitting the protocol on the results of the election together with relevant documents to the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

The attitude of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) towards Azerbaijan is incorrect and it is clear that this mission gives non-election results that serve other purposes, Chairman of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said.

He was commenting on OSCE ODIHR report on the results of April 11 presidential election in Azerbaijan at a meeting in Baku on April 15.

Panahov noted that elections in Azerbaijan can be an example to the world.

Some organizations want to force us to accept their opinions. Azerbaijan held the election that can be an example for the world. It may not please some European countries, but the civilized world accepts Azerbaijan. There are many parties in the election and, of course, there may be people who want to take a bad turn. However, we demand respect for the Azerbaijani people. We have held normal election. If such an election was held in their favorite country, they would have been praising and praising this election day and night, added the CEC chairman.

During a press conference held April 12, the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission made preliminary conclusions on the presidential election in Azerbaijan, voicing opinions not reflecting the reality observed at the election.

Azerbaijan held a presidential election on April 11. The incumbent head of state, Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ilham Aliyev garnered 86.02 percent of votes in the election.

On the voting day, 5,426 permanent polling stations and 215 temporary polling stations in 125 constituencies operated in the country. The election was observed by 894 international observers (61 organizations, 59 countries) and 58,175 local observers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

The results of voting at four polling stations in April 11 presidential election in Azerbaijan have been announced as invalid.

The countrys Central Election Commission (CEC) made a decision at a meeting held today in Baku.

Thus, the results of voting at the polling station #2 of Kurdamir Constituency #57, at the polling station #26 of Jalilabad-Masalli-Bilasuvar Constituency #69, at the polling station #10 of Lankaran City Election Constituency #73 and at the polling station #12 of Lankaran Village Election Constituency #74 were canceled.

Meanwhile, the polling station #2 of Kurdamir Constituency #57 and the polling station #10 of Lankaran City Election Constituency #73 were discharged.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 15

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The opening of a new international sea port in the Caspian coast of Turkmenbashi is scheduled for May 2, 2018, the Turkmen government said in a message.

This issue was discussed at the Turkmen governments meeting. The composition of the organizational commission has been approved and the program of the event has been prepared.

Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at the governments meeting that the country, which is located at an important crossroads of regional and continental transport routes, strives to realize the potential for the common good in this sphere, to make a significant contribution to the formation of a modern multimodal transit-transport and logistics infrastructure and to the revival of the Great Silk Road in a new quality.

It was previously reported that construction of a new international sea port is underway in the Caspian city of Turkmenbashi. Once the sea port is commissioned, there will emerge great opportunities for sending cargoes arriving to Turkmenbashi along the Silk Road from Asian and Pacific countries further to Europe via ports of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran.

Cost of the project, which is being implemented by Turkeys Gap Insaat company, is more than $1.5 billion. Annual capacity of the port will be 17-18 million tons.

The project of the new port in the city of Turkmenbashi envisages construction of ferry, passenger and container terminals. The complex will include general loading terminal, bulk cargo terminal, polypropylene terminal, as well as shipbuilding and ship repair plants. Total area of the new port will be over 1.4 million square meters.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Gazenfer Hamidov  Trend:

The Islamic Republics incomes through export of oil and oil products (including crude oil, condensates, natural gas, natural gas liquids-NGL, petroleum products) has registered a considerable increase during the first 9 months of the last fiscal year, ended March 2018.

Tehran exported $46.370 billion worth of the products in the 9-month period (March 20-Dec. 20, 2017), the countrys central bank (CBI) said in a report April 15.

The figure indicates a rise by 16.3 percent compared to the value of exports of crude oil, condensates, natural gas, NGL and petroleum products in the same months of the preceding year ($39.877 billion).

Irans average oil and oil product exports stood at 2.291 million barrels per day in autumn 2017, 3.2 percent less compared to summer.

The countrys oil output stood at 3.836 million barrels per day in the same span of time, registering a fall by 0.8 percent less compared to the preceding season.

According to the report, over the Iranian calendar year to March 20, 2017, the country produced 3.761 million barrels per day, indicating a 16.4 percent growth year-on-year.

Meanwhile the countrys oil and oil product exports stood at 2.224 million barrels per day during the period, 41.3 percent more year-on-year.

The Islamic Republic has exported $55.752 billion worth of oil and oil products as well as natural gas during the Iranian fiscal year to March 2017.
Tehran, Iran, April 15

By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:

The recent decision by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) on baring exchange shops from trading foreign currencies have created hurdles for the exporters of fishery products in Iran, a union official told Trend.

Aliakbar Khodaei, the secretary-general of Iranian union for the exporters of fishery products, has said that a group of customers prefer to carry out money transactions through the exchange shops rather than the banking system.

Saying that the union backs the Central Bank decision on unifying the currency exchange rates, he expressed hope that the problem would be resolved in near future.

France, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Russia are among the top importers of the Iranian fishery products.

According to the official, the countrys exports of fishery products over the last fiscal year (starting March 21) increased by 15,000 tons to reach 85,000 tons.

The total exports of the fishery in this period valued at $450 million of which the output including worth of $100 million of shrimp, he said.

The CBI has recently banned offering foreign currencies in exchange shops across the country amid growing concerns over the depreciation of the national currency, rial, promising to provide the nation with the required currencies through the banking system.

The rial lost close to half its value on the free market since September, driven in part by concerns over a possible return of sanctions in case of US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on Monday evening announced the authorities latest decision on unifying official and free-market exchange rates for the rial in favor of a single rate set at 42,000 against the US dollar.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

In a telephone conversation with his British counterpart Boris Johnson on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized the recent US-led attack on Syria in which the UK participated.

No country has the right to arbitrarily carry out punitive measures against other countries without observing international regulations, Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.

The US, UK and France struck multiple government targets in Syria in an early morning operation targeting alleged chemical weapons sites.

The strikes, which hit the capital Damascus as well as two locations near the city of Homs, came following a suspected chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma last week.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has termed the recent air strikes conducted by the Westerners on Syria as a crime.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Saturday it is following "with concern" the developments in the Syrian arena and the current escalation, local media reported, Xinhua reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi also "strongly condemns" the use of chemical weapons against civilians, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

An official statement added that the UAE supports all international measures aimed at the elimination and destruction of these internationally prohibited weapons.

It also stressed the need to prevent these weapons from falling into the hands of "armed terrorist organizations in conflict zones."

The UAE also confirmed its support for military operations against these banned weapons and their facilities in Syria.

The statement added the UAE believes that the political solution is the basis for dealing with the Syrian crisis. It also called on all parties to act in accordance with relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.

The statement said further that the UAE hopes to end the Syrian crisis with all the risks it poses to the unity of the country and the escalating human losses. At the same time, it stressed that activating the Arab role in political endeavors is necessary to find a political solution.
U.S., French and British missile attacks struck at the heart of Syrias chemical weapons program on Saturday in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack a week ago, and the three countries insisted they were not aimed at toppling President Bashar al-Assad or intervening in a seven-year civil war Reuters reported

The bombings, hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a success but denounced by Damascus and its allies as an act of aggression, marked the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and his ally Russia, whose foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called them unacceptable and lawless.

In Damascus, Syrias deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad met inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW for about three hours in the presence of Russian officers and a senior Syrian security official.

The inspectors were due to try to visit the site of the suspected gas attack. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for their findings before attacking.

As he left the hotel where the meeting took place, Mekdad declined to comment to reporters waiting outside.

British Foreign Secretary (Minister) Boris Johnson defended Prime Minister Theresa Mays decision to take part in the attack, saying it was to deter further use of chemical weapons.

This is not about regime change  This is not about trying to turn the tide of the conflict in Syria, he told the BBC.

There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far thank heavens the Assad regime have not been so foolish as to launch another chemical weapons attack.

If and when such a thing were to happen, then clearly with allies we would study what the options were, he said, echoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who told an emergency Security Council meeting that Trump told her that if Syria uses poisonous gas again, The United States is locked and loaded.

Asked if this meant Assad could carry on using barrel bombs and other means in the war provided he did not use chemical weapons, Johnson said that was the unhappy consequence.

Assad was determined to butcher his way to an overwhelming victory and only the Russians could pressure him to come to the negotiating table in Geneva, Johnson said.

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said that the legal basis used to support the British role was debatable, adding that he would only support action backed by the UN Security Council.

I say to the foreign secretary, I say to the prime minister, where is the legal basis for this? Corbyn said in an interview with the BBC.

The Western countries blame Assads government for a suspected poison gas attack in Douma on April 7 that killed up to 75 people. Russia, whose ties with the West have sunk to levels of the Cold War-era, denies any gas attack in Douma and said Britain staged it to whip up anti-Russian hysteria.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi demanded on Sunday an international investigation into the last week's alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, Sputnik reported.

The summit of the Arab League took place on Sunday in the Saudi city of Dhahran amid an escalation of the situation in Syria after US-led strikes on the country.

"Egypt opposes the use of any types of prohibited weapons on Syrian territory. In connection with this, we call for an international and transparent investigation using internationally recognized tools," the Egyptian president said in his welcoming speech at the Arab League summit.

Cairo is monitoring the escalating military tension in Syria with deep concern, Sisi said, adding that such a situation could threaten agreements on de-escalation zones.
At the hospital, people screamed and cried as the two bodies were brought in on a stretcher covered with white sheets.

Baluchistan, a region bordering Iran as well as Afghanistan, is plagued by violence by Sunni Islamist sectarian groups linked to the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. It also has an indigenous ethnic Baloch insurgency fighting the central government.

Islamic State has created a branch in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years mostly by recruiting among established militants. Its followers have claimed some of Pakistans most deadly recent attacks.

This month four members of a Christian family were gunned down in Quetta a day after Easter, in what police officials called a targeted attack.

In December two suicide bombers stormed a packed church in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding up to 56. Islamic State claimed both attacks.

Romes ancient Colosseum was lit in red for an evening in February in solidarity with persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a Catholic woman who has been living on death row in Pakistan since 2010, when she was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam.
Thanks for visiting !

The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy.

We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here.

Thank you for your support!
South Sudans rebels said on Sunday they had released seven aid workers detained for nearly three weeks in the countrys Central Equatoria region on accusations of spying for the government.

Rebel spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel told Reuters the workers were released to a U.N. delegation near the border with Uganda and Ugandan police witnessed the handover.

South Sudan has been gripped by conflict since 2013 after a disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar deteriorated into a military confrontation.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, including nearly 100 relief workers.

In one of the latest incidents, an aid worker was killed when gunmen shot at a vehicle marked with logos of the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid as it traveled on a road near the town of Bentiu on March 7.

Both rebels and the government forces stand accused of targeting humanitarian workers and sometimes blocking access to relief and hijacking food and other aid.

Gabriel said the aid workers were detained after two of them were discovered to be government spies intentionally deployed to carry out hostile surveillance on our controlled areas.

Humanitarian agencies should avoid being infiltrated by the regime, he said and added the aid workers had been released on orders from Machar.
An road accident on Sunday morning at Yapei-Yipala on the Tamale  Buipe Highway in the Ghana's Northern Region left 16 people dead on the spot with scores of other passengers injured, GBN reported.

According to a police report issued by the Northern Regional Police Command in Tamale on Sunday, the accident happened at at 0142 hours GMT involving a Neoplan Bus with registration number GW 2659 T, carrying 70 passengers and another bus with registration number GM 5383  12.

The report said the Neoplan Bus was travelling from Nalerigu to Ejura while the other bus was coming from the Buipe direction.

It said on reaching a section of the road at Yapei-Yipala in a curve on the Tamale-Buipe Highway, the driver of the Neoplan Bus attempted to overtake a cargo vehicle ahead of him and in the process, crashed into an oncoming bus.

It said the injured were rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) for treatment while the dead were also conveyed to the TTH Mortuary for preservation.

Meanwhile, there was another accident on Saturday at Savelugu between Diare and Gushie in the Northern Region, which claimed two lives, one on the spot and the other at the hospital.

According to a police report released by the Northern Regional Police Command on Sunday, the accident involved a tricycle loaded with firewood from Diare and a cargo truck, also loaded with lumber from Savelugu direction.

The report said preliminary investigations revealed that the rope tying the firewood got torn and the rider lost his balance and rode into the lane of the heavily loaded truck.

It said the body of one of the accident victims was smashed beyond recognition and the pieces could not be picked to the morgue, therefore a medical officer performed the autopsy on the spot.

It said the other victim, who was transported to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in an ambulance, also died later.
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Hassan Rouhani of Iran exchanged views on the current situation in Syria following a missile strike delivered by the United States and its allies, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday after their telephone conversation TASS reported

"The leaders exchanged view on the situation following the missile strike on Syria delivered by the United States and its allies. They agreed that this illegal action is adversely impacting prospects for political settlement in Syria. Vladimir Putin stressed that if such actions done in violation of the United Nations Charter are continued, it will inevitable entail chaos in international relations," the Kremlin said.

The US, UK and France struck multiple government targets in Syria in an early morning operation targeting alleged chemical weapons sites.

The strikes, which hit the capital Damascus as well as two locations near the city of Homs, came following a suspected chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma last week.

In a briefing at the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, along with British and French counterparts, announced that three targets in Syria were "struck and destroyed".

Reportedly, the first target was a scientific research center in the greater Damascus area. The military facility was a center for research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological agents, the general said. The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs.

We assess this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment, Dunford said. The third target  contained both a chemical weapons storage facility and an important command post.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 15

Trend:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held telephone conversations with the presidents of Russia and France Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron, Turkish media reports.

During the talks, missile strikes of the United States, Britain and France on Syria were discussed.

During the talks Erdogan noted the inadmissibility of using both chemical weapons and conventional weapons against the peaceful population of the country. The President of Turkey also stressed the inadmissibility of even greater destabilization in the region.

The United States, Great Britain and France hit rocket attacks on Syrian government sites Saturday morning, which they believe are used to produce chemical weapons. More than 100 missiles were fired on Syria, most of which were shot down by Syrian air defense.
The Turkish government is contributing $5 million to develop Afghanistan's education system as most of the schools in the war-torn country are lack of teachers and facilities TRT World reported

Turkish officials say their emphasis is on educating girls, who have traditionally missed-out in Afghanistan.

"The problem at most Afghan schools is that there's a shortage of good teachers. So we had people teaching what was not even their subject. Naturally they didn't teach well," said Halide Sadat, a student in Afghanistan.

A school in Afghanistan's Akca, run by Turkey's education ministry, has been rated the best for its performance, said Mucip Uludag from Maarif Foundation.

"We will take control of twelve more schools and three training institutes. After the take-over, we will increase the capacity of these schools. We will also provide technical equipment to these schools. One hundred and twenty well-trained teachers from Turkey will be brought here to teach."

The UN says the female literacy rate in Afghanistan stands at a mere 17 percent.
US President Donald Trump on Twitter praised Western air strikes against the Syrian government on Saturday as perfectly executed, and added Mission Accomplished, according Reuters.

A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished! Trump said in a Twitter post.

Trumps message echoed the words of a banner that hung behind former President George W. Bush when he gave a speech in 2003 from the USS Abraham Lincoln, during the Iraq War.

That visual dogged Bushs presidency as the war dragged out, with worsening American casualties, for the remainder of his two terms in office.
By Akiko Yasuhara, KYODO NEWS - Apr 15, 2018 - 11:00 | All, Japan

Japan is proving a tough market to crack for ride-sharing service providers, and not just because of regulatory barriers -- there is also a relative lack of demand in a country where taxis are safe, affordable and, in urban areas, easy to catch.

Many Japanese also do not commute by car so only a few need to carpool, unlike in the United States where Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are seeing growth in ride-sharing.

"While I do think ride-sharing should become more common in Japan...you can easily catch a cab on the street so there is not really a big advantage to using the service here," said Nozomu Shoji, a 36-year-old technology venture employee who lives in New York and has used Uber's app both in Japan and the United States.

Ride-sharing apps match passengers with drivers of private vehicles. The U.S. and Chinese governments among others have introduced new rules in recent years to give the green light to ride-sharing services.

But Japan and European countries remain cautious due to safety concerns. In Japan, ride-sharing services are available only in limited areas.

In Tokyo, Osaka and other major cities, taxi companies boast of top-notch services. Passengers do not have to wait long for a taxi once they call one, for example.

"The quality of Japanese taxi services is extremely high, plus there are plenty of taxi companies," said Takashi Sabetto, executive director of the Sharing Economy Association in Japan.

"So there are currently no real challenges or problems that need to be addressed. Ride-sharing is not something that will further improve the level of the Japanese taxi industry" at present, he said.

The taxi industry is also strongly opposed to opening the market to ride-sharing service providers, as they are worried about losing customers to the newcomers.

(Ride-sharing apps have yet to catch on in Japan)

Uber has tried to tap into the Japanese market with its ride-sharing service using private vehicles but has made little progress so far as regulatory barriers stand in the way before beginning efforts to spark demand. The Japanese transport ministry says it is unclear who will oversee overall operations, including vehicle maintenance and inspection and driver's health conditions.

The U.S. company recently shifted its strategy to joining hands with Japanese taxi companies to start ride-hailing services instead of ride-sharing.

An Uber spokeswoman in Japan said that while the sharing economy is still a new concept in the county, "Japanese people can be very open...once they try ride-sharing, I believe they will understand its high functionality."

A taxi ride is not a major problem in big cities but in some rural areas, people have only few taxi and public transportation services available.

To deal with the situation, the government allowed the use of private vehicles as a commercial transport service for local residents in such areas under a 2006 revision to the road transport law. Uber subsequently launched its ride-sharing service in parts of Kyoto and Hokkaido prefectures.

The government expanded ride-share services recently, revising another law in 2016 to offer the service also to tourists.

Still, Sabetto said these steps may not be enough with Japan likely to face a shortage of taxis to meet demand expected to surge from tourists toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Japan saw a 21 percent drop in the number of taxi drivers to 338,000 in fiscal 2014 from 428,000 in fiscal 2004, partly as the country's population declines, according to data from the transport ministry.

Even among taxi companies, some are hoping ride-sharing will gain momentum in Japan. Kenichi Sadakame, president of Sangamori Taxi Co. based in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, said a small company like his needs to "diversify its business in order to survive" tough competition with major taxi companies.

He said that he is a rare advocate of ride-sharing in the taxi industry and has faced fierce opposition from his peers.

Some Japanese taxi companies are already promoting tie-ups with ride-sharing service operators to develop their own ride-hailing apps to meet demand from foreign visitors.

Daiichi Kotsu Sangyo Co., a major taxi company in Kitakyushu, is planning to join hands with Uber. It is also in talks with China's leading ride-hailing service firm Didi Chuxing.

If a "Japanese-style" ride-sharing service is created, it would be realized with laws revised in a way that would leave taxi companies responsible for their entire operation, including training for people working as drivers and ensuring the safety of their private vehicles, Sabetto said.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 15, 2018 - 22:48 | World, All

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Sunday he and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed to go forward with mutual visits by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"We agreed to carry out high-level visits, first with (Chinese Premier) Li Keqiang coming to Japan for a Japan-China-South Korea summit, then Prime Minister Abe visiting China and Xi Jinping visiting Japan," Kono told reporters after his meeting and working dinner with Wang in Tokyo.

Abe and Xi have not held talks in the format of an official visit by either side since both men took office in 2012, but years of strain on bilateral relations due to historical and territorial grievances have recently given way to a thaw.

"We confirmed Japan's plan to improve relations with China," Wang, who also holds the position of state councilor, told reporters after the meeting.

Li is set to visit Japan next month for a trilateral summit with Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae In. According to Japanese officials, specific dates for any of the visits are yet to be decided.

(China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi [L] and Japanese counterpart Taro Kono meet in Tokyo.)

On North Korea, Kono said he and Wang "confirmed that we will work in close coordination, while fully implementing the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, to make the complete, irreversible and verifiable abandonment of North Korea's nuclear and missile (programs) a reality."

Kono said he also asked for China's cooperation in resolving the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s.

The ministers talked about recent developments in North Korea but Japanese officials refrained from clarifying whether they discussed specifics from the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Xi in Beijing late last month.

Noting that this year marks 40 years since the signing of a bilateral peace and friendship treaty, Kono said he and Wang agreed to work for the improvement of bilateral relations across the board.

Kono told Wang that true improvement in bilateral ties cannot be achieved without stability in the East China Sea, where China has challenged Japan's sovereignty over uninhabited islets. Kono said he and Wang agreed that their countries need to further develop bilateral relations in order to stabilize the waters.

The ministers agreed to strive for the early implementation of a "Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism" to prevent unintended collisions in the area.

Since the Japanese government purchased most of the Senkaku Islands from Japanese owner in 2012, China has frequently sent its ships into Japanese territorial waters around them, raising fears that unintended conflict between Japan and China could be sparked in the area.

Japanese officials said Kono and Wang agreed on the importance of maintaining the world's system of free trade.

They also discussed the vision each country has for the wider region, namely Japan's "free and open Indo-Pacific" strategy and China's "One Belt, One Road" infrastructure megaproject.

Kono met Wang in Beijing in January. Japanese officials said the mutual foreign ministers' visits for the purpose of bilateral talks are the first between Japan and China in eight years.

On Monday, Kono and Wang will co-chair a bilateral, high-level economic dialogue in which they are expected to discuss opportunities for economic cooperation including trade and investment. According to Japanese officials, the dialogue is the first in nearly eight years.

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko and Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan held separate talks in Tokyo on Sunday, discussing the future of economic ties.
25% of 15,914 COVID-19 cases in Kerala on Thursday unvaccinated

The state government has said that there are no reports of anti-COVID vaccination taken by at least 4,031 of the fresh cases.
The bitcoin price has surged to $8,450 after recording a 5 percent increase within the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency market is eyeing a move towards the $350 billion region and it has already crossed $334 billion.

Is the Bull Market Back?

It is too early to confirm whether the bitcoin price can continue its bull run throughout April and potentially to the $10,000. Bitcoin is still down 50 percent from its all-time high at $19,000, and traders expect the bitcoin price to surpass $12,000 before it can eye a move towards its all-time high. Hence, bitcoin is still at its early stage of recovery.

However, it is optimistic that within a short period of time, the bitcoin price increased from $6,500 to $8,400, initiating a swift recovery for the first time since mid March. The valuation of the cryptocurrency market has also achieved a monthly high at $335 billion and if the market can sustain some momentum throughout April, it is possible that it could achieve a two-month high at $400 billion.

Over the past week, many alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) like 0x, OmiseGo, STORM, and WanChain have outperformed bitcoin. The strengthening in the momentum of altcoins is an optimistic indicator of overall market stability, as investors are willing to take more risks and invest in highly volatile assets with relatively low liquidity instead of bitcoin.

Several analysts have recently stated that the price surge of bitcoin may be attributable to the end of the tax season of the US, as Wall Street analyst Tom Lee previously stated.

The selling pressure associated with tax day has subsided right now. As people get their tax returns, there may be new money entering the market, said cryptocurrency software company Dash Core CEO Ryan Taylor.

In early April, Lee echoed a similar stance as Taylor and predicted the price of bitcoin to increase as soon as the tax season comes to an end, as investors in the US could owe as much as $25 billion in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Lee told CNBC:

Story continues

This is a massive outflow from crypto to USD and historical estimates are each $1 of USD outflow is $20-$25 impact on crypto market value. Additionally, we believe there is selling pressure by crypto exchanges who are subject to income tax in U.S. jurisdictions. Many exchanges have net income in 2017 [of more than] $1 billion and keep working capital in [bitcoin]/[ethereum], not USD  hence, to meet these tax liabilities, are selling BTC/ETH.

South Korea Pump

South Koreas financial sector and cryptocurrency market are both massively influenced by word of mouth. The South Korean market is described by local investors as a copper pan, because it heats up very easily and cools down quick. When the cryptocurrency market fell by large margins in February, public figures went as far to apologize about their investments in the cryptocurrency space, because many investors lost money from it.

If regions like South Korea and Japan begin to initiate another bull rally for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the market could significantly improve in terms of liquidity, adoption, and stability.



The post Bitcoin Price Surges 5% to $8,450 as Cryptocurrency Market Eyes $350 Billion appeared first on CCN.


Bitmain, Chinese cryptocurrency mining company, has been given a green light to set up a blockchain facility in Western Walla Walla County, a county in the U.S. state of Washington. Local newspaper Union-Bulletin wrote that the decision was in complete agreement of the three commissioners involved in the situation.

Last month, CCN reported that Ant Creek was in talks with the officials to buy land in the port of Walla Walla. Bitmains co-founder, Jihan Wu, was listed as the governing person of the company, with Jeff Stearns as the director of operations. The initial deal included leasing 40 acres of land which would result in 15-20 full time jobs. However, a few changes have been made to the original offer. Currently, the company is receiving 10 acres land and the opportunity to show the county its technological potential.

If Ant Creek accepts the offer, the lease will run until the end of 2018, after which the company will be given a choice to purchase the land. The company would pay $4,701.67 monthly, and if it decided to buy the land, it would need to pay $150,000. Additionally, $2.5 million would be spent on constructing a roadway since the land is currently inaccessible. The port will cover access improvement design, and drinkable and fire protection water expansion costs of $140,000 and $300,000 respectively. However, Stearns neither accepted nor denied the altered deal yet.

The decision was made at a public hearing, where many residents opposed the idea of cryptocurrency mining. According to them, allowing such a project would benefit anonymous people while using their lands electricity. Without mentioning Bitmain, Stearns explained that Ant Creek was both a blockchain and artificial-intelligence company to the people.

Some people spoke against bitcoin mining, while some said the company was focusing more on blockchain to soften the idea. At one point, a person was escorted out of the hearing. One of the commissioners even clarified that blockchain had various use-cases, one of them being food security.

Story continues

Les Teel, CEO of Columbia Rural Electric Association (REA), also said that the company could easily fulfill Art Creeks demand without putting the residents at risk. However, when it came to finalizing the deal, president of the commission, Peter Swant, said, We are elected to do what the people would like us to do. Out of the 60,000 residents, only 60 or 70 people were opposing the collaboration which made it difficult to vote in favor of the minority.

Featured image from Shutterstock.



The post Chinas Bitmain Gets Approval for US Bitcoin Mining Operation appeared first on CCN.


PARIS, April 14 (Reuters) - The capacity of the Syrian regime to produce and store chemical weapons has been "considerably weakened" after the air strikes conducted by the French, U.S and British military on Saturday, Defence Minister Florence Parly said.

Parly said some of the strikes had targeted two sites used by Bashar al-Assad's regime to store and assemble chemical weapons near the Syrian city of Homs.

"The mission is a success. The goals had been carefully chosen and I observe that there are no incidents to report between our forces and other forces active in the region," Parly told a news conference.

French army chief Francois Lecointre added Syria's ground-to-air defence system had been effective but that its efficiency proved "very limited." Russian assets deployed in Syria were "neither active nor proactive" he said.

He added that there was no reason to think there could have been any collateral victim. (Writing by Matthias Blamont Editing by Ingrid Melander)
(Recasts with fresh comments from German foreign minister)

By Andrea Shalal

BERLIN, April 15 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Sunday criticised Russia for a series of activities beyond its borders, blaming it for a cyber attack on his own ministry, and said Moscow must change its ways.

Maas listed a series of what he called problematic actions that also included the lack of progress in implementing a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, a poison gas attack in Britain, support for the Syrian government, and efforts to influence Western elections.

"We had an attack on the Foreign Ministry where we have to assume that it stemmed from Russia," he told the German broadcaster ZDF. "We can't just wish all that away ... And I think it's not only reasonable but necessary to point out that we do not view those as constructive contributions."

German government officials in February disclosed what they called an "isolated" cyber attack on the government computer network that was first discovered in December.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency last week said there was "a high likelihood" that Moscow was behind the attack.

Maas, a Social Democrat who has adopted a tougher stance on Russia than his predecessors from the same party, told the other German public broadcaster, ARD, on Sunday that Moscow had been an increasingly "difficult partner" but Berlin was committed to maintaining dialogue, particularly on the crisis in Syria.

"It is time, I think, to point out that we expect constructive contributions from the Russian side, including on the Syrian conflict. And also that they don't always simply protect (Syrian President Bashar) al-Assad," he said.

TENSIONS RUNNING HIGH

Russia has denied any efforts to influence Western elections, and scoffed at suggestions it was behind the cyber attack in Germany. It also denied involvement in a poison gas attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain.

Western air strikes aimed at destroying Syria's chemical weapons facilities have exacerbated tensions between Moscow and the West, already at a new post-Cold War high after the expulsion of more than 130 Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal.

Story continues

Syria denied using chemical weapons against its civilian population.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, another Social Democrat, who has served as foreign minister, on Sunday warned against demonising Russia and said Germany had a particular role to play in maintaining dialogue with Moscow, given its history.

Steinmeier told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper he was concerned about a "galloping alienation between Russia and the West" and urged German politicians to avoid portraying Russia and its people as an enemy.

Maas on Saturday called for a new international effort to end the war in Syria, and said Germany would use its relationship with Moscow to ensure Russia played a "constructive" role.

"Whether we like it or not, the Syrian conflict cannot be resolved without Russia," he said on Sunday.

Germany, which relies on Russia for about a third of the gas it uses, has long walked a careful line with Moscow -- pushing for continued sanctions over Ukraine and eastern Ukraine while also maintaining dialogue and trade relations. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
President Trump doesnt need a new commission to figure out how to fix the US Postal Service, as he has called for. He could just read what prior analysts have found. Or better yet, ask the Postal Service itself.

Through no fault of its own, the Postal Service, which lost $2.7 billion in 2017, is a perennial basket case that is essentially built to hemorrhage money. Its not a normal federal agency, funded by Congressional appropriation, but its not a normal corporation, either. Instead, its a hybrid operation that couldnt possibly exist in the same form in the private sector. Under existing laws and regulations, the USPS itself says in its 2018 financial plan, our business model is broken.

Trump doesnt seem particularly interested in the Postal Service, even though he recently issued an executive order establishing a task force to investigate the services finances. Trumps real beef is with e-commerce giant Amazon, which, he claims, rips off the Postal Service by getting cheap rates for package delivery. Trump doesnt really care about Amazon, either, except for its CEO, Jeff Bezos, who also happens to own the Washington Post, a frequent Trump critic. Stitch it all together, and Trump has ordered an investigation of the US Postal Service because he hates the Washington Post.

Anyway, Trumps task force will no doubt discover many flaws in the postal business model that are already well known. First, the Postal Service is extremely limited in how it does business, because of laws that require it to operate in certain ways determined not by free-market principles, but by Congress. Postal carriers are required to visit virtually every address in America six days a week, with a price cap on first-class mail, the USPSs main source of revenue. The number of addresses goes up every year. The amount of regular mail consumers buy postage for goes down every year. Kindergarten math explains the basic problem.

There are plenty of ideas for turning the Postal Service into a profitable, or at least a break-even, operation. Back in 2010, the Postal Service hired McKinsey to analyze the problem, and the consulting firm recommended efficiency improvements that the Postal Service could undertake to shave costs, which it has done, to some extent. But the big actions needed to truly transform the USPS require approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission or new legislation from Congress, which is why they havent happened.

Story continues

Here are a few of the common-sense moves that would help fix the Postal Service:

Cut mail delivery from six days a week to as few as three.

Let postal carriers deliver mail to centralized drop boxes instead of everybodys mailbox.

Let the Postal Service close all underperforming post offices.

Allow the Postal Service to charge market price for stamps, setting prices in a way that actually cover costs.

Let the Postal Service sell a wide range of consumer products at its 35,000 post offices, instead of limiting sales to a mere 11 non-postal products.

Stop requiring the USPS to pre-fund retirement health benefits for its employees, a ruinous financial burden no private-sector company bears.

There are many other ideas for reform, including totally or partially privatizing the Postal Service and letting it operate on free-market principles. But even a short list of sensible reforms reveals why Congress does nothing. The direct-mail industry lobbies aggressively against service cutbacks. Consumers would moan if they had to leave their property to get the mail, or pay more for stamps. Rural voters would annihilate any member of Congress who shut down their local post office, no matter how vacant. The postal union would howl about broken promises on health care. And retailers want to make sure the Postal Service never becomes a competitor for things like mobile phones, financial services, or convenience store goodies.

Package delivery, which is where Amazon comes in, is actually a bright spot for the USPS. Revenue is risingthanks to Amazon and other e-commerce sitesand the USPS is required by law to earn at least a small profit on its contracts to deliver packages. Its contract with Amazon is private, so we cant know the details for sure, but Trump is likely to discover Amazon is a boon to the Postal Service, not a leech. But dont expect his task force to report that.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Click here to get Ricks stories by email.

Read more:

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
This undated photo provided by the Dodge County, Minn., Sheriff's Office shows Lois Riess, of Blooming Prairie, Minn., who is being sought in connection with the killing of a Florida woman. Riess is charged in the shooting death of Pamela Hutchinson of Bradenton, Fla. Authorities don't believe the women knew each other, but that Riess killed Hutchinson earlier this week to assume her identity. Riess is also wanted in the March death of her husband, David Riess. She has not yet been charged in that case. (Dodge County Sheriff's Office via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A Minnesota woman who is wanted in connection with her husband's death is now charged with killing a Florida woman who resembled her, then stealing the woman's identity as she eluded authorities, officials said Friday.

Lois Riess, 56, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, has been charged in the shooting death of Pamela Hutchinson, 59, of Bradenton, Florida. Authorities were called to an area of Fort Myers Beach on Monday and found Hutchinson dead, with gunshot wounds.

Authorities aren't aware of any connection between the two women, but they believe Riess shot and killed Hutchinson to assume her identity.

"Ms. Hutchinson's purse was found to be in disarray and all cash, credit cards and identification appeared to be removed," Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said, adding: "Further investigation revealed that Ms. Hutchinson was targeted by the suspect due to the similarities in their appearance."

Riess is believed to be driving Hutchinson's car, a white Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA. The car has been seen in Louisiana and Corpus Christi, Texas, since Hutchinson died. Riess' 2005 white Cadillac Escalade was found abandoned in a Florida park.

Riess is wanted in Florida for murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle and grand theft and criminal use of personal identification. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

"Riess's mode of operation is to befriend women who resemble her and steal their identity," Marceno said. "U.S. Marshals are actively involved in a national search for this dangerous fugitive. Riess is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if located."

Riess is also wanted in the March death of her husband, David Riess. Prosecutors are preparing second-degree murder charges in that case. Minnesota's Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said Friday that authorities believe the same gun was used in both killings.

Anyone who sees Reiss is urged to call 911, and anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or Florida authorities.

Story continues

Riess has been on the run since at least late March, after David Riess's business partner called Dodge County authorities on March 23 to ask them to check on him. The partner said no one at work had seen David Riess in over two weeks.

Authorities found David Riess's body inside his home with multiple gunshots. They couldn't determine how long he had been dead, and investigators could not find his wife.

During the investigation, authorities learned that Lois Riess may have been at Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa. Authorities from Dodge County, the BCA and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation went to the casino, but Riess had already left. Authorities later learned she was in south Florida.

__

This story has been corrected to fix the name of the casino to Diamond Jo Casino, instead of Diamond Joe Casino.

__

Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti . More of her work at: https://apnews.com/search/amy%20forliti
An artists conception shows a Martian city linked to launch pads. (SpaceX via YouTube)

STANFORD, Calif.  NASA has been looking for life on Mars for more than 40 years, but the quest could get a lot more complicated when earthly life arrives en masse, perhaps within the next decade.

There is a ticking clock now, Princeton astrobiologist Chris Chyba said at last weeks Breakthrough Discuss conference, conducted at Stanford University.

The issue has the potential to pit scientists like Chyba against rocketeers like SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, who wants to start sending settlers to Mars by the mid-2020s. When humans and all the supplies they need start arriving by the tons, theres a risk that their biological signature could overwhelm any faint traces of ancient or modern-day life on the Red Planet.

Just in the past week, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said theyre hopeful that humans will get to Mars within a decade. And Shotwell made clear that once that happens, the planet probably will never be the same. Its a fixer-upper planet, she said at last weeks TED conference in Vancouver, B.C.

Longtime space entrepreneur Jeff Greason, who serves as chairman of the board for the Tau Zero Foundation, laid out the issue at Breakthrough Discuss in the form of a request: If all you want to do with the solar system is look at it, the rest of us would like to borrow it for a while.  There are things to do with these bodies other than science.

Chris McKay, a planetary scientist at NASAs Ames Research Center, put a different spin on Greasons request for the benefit of his scientific colleagues. How long do we scientists try to keep the contaminators off our planet? he asked, half-jokingly.

Carol Stoker, a colleague fo McKays at NASA Ames, replied that thered have to be a finite number of investigations  a minimum of one, using the advanced life-detection tools that are now being developed for interplanetary missions. Such investigations should sample a few well-chosen sites where Martian life may lurk beneath the planets radiation-blasted surface.

Story continues

If its not life, then we have pretty good confidence that we really dont have life on Mars, and theres no conflict, Stoker said. If it is there, then we need to understand it better.

Astrobiologists would want to learn about the biochemistry of Martian life, and whether its so different from earthly life that it represents a truly alien genesis rather than a case of cross-planetary microbe-swapping. Theyd also want to see how it interacts with organisms from Earth, and whether such interactions have negative effects.

Finding out what one form of life does to the other would be crucial for planetary protection, not only for Martian organisms but for humans and other Earth-based life as well. No one wants to see the kind of scenario depicted in movies ranging from The Andromeda Strain to Life.

On one side of the debate, some would say the risk of doing harm Martian life is so great that human habitation should never be allowed on the Red Planet. They may point to the 51-year-old Outer Space Treaty, which obligates the U.S. and other signers to avoid the harmful contamination of other celestial bodies.

On the other side, proponents of Mars settlement say that the niches where Martian life could exist are most likely deep underground and so isolated that human activities would pose little risk. You could terraform Mars, and the microbes on Mars would survive, said Robert Zubrin, founder and president of the nonprofit Mars Society.

Some argue that earthly life has already arrived on Mars, via meteorites as well as NASAs landers and rovers. Theres even a hypothesis stating that earthly life got its start from space-borne Martian microbes traveling the other way. Therefore, its too late to worry about another biological invasion, they say.

Princetons Chyba advocates for a middle ground, which he calls the Smokey the Bear argument: Until we know more, lets be careful.

Once we start sending humans to Mars, we shouldnt just concede that, Well, OK, were going to ruin the biosphere now,' he told GeekWire. First of all, there ought to be steps that we can take to minimize our impact. and that will have to do both with where we land and also should have to do with technology. We should take the view that we should try to minimize the number of microbes that were expelling from our structures and that are leaking out of our spacesuits.

If scientists rule out the existence of indigenous Martian life, then the safeguards might not need to be as airtight, Chyba said.

The good news for astrobiologists is that the clock may not be ticking down as quickly as Shotwell and Muilenburg make it sound. Timelines for Mars missions are notorious for slipping to the right, as evidenced by the case of the Mars sample return missions that were supposed to have flown more than a decade ago. The first crewed trip to the Red Planet may well be delayed until the 2030s, which is more in line with NASAs stated schedule for Mars exploration.

Who knows? By the time the first Mars-bound astronauts step inside SpaceXs BFR rocket ship, NASAs Orion deep-space capsule or some other spacecraft, therell have been multiple robotic missions to resolve the life-on-Mars question once and for all  and enough time for space officials, scientists and settlers to agree on the rules of the road.

More from GeekWire:
By Andrey Ostroukh MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes. "Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies," President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website. "The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations," he added. U.S., British and French forces pounded Syria with more than 100 missiles early on Saturday in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Putin said the U.S. actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians. "Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism," Putin said. MISSILES FOR SYRIA Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and "other countries", Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday. Russia had "refused" supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, "taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners". Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, "we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well," Rudskoi said. Syria's air defence system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added. "In the past year and a half Russia has fully restored Syria's air defence system and continues to further upgrade it," Rudskoi said. (Reporting by Andrey Ostroukh; Editing by Clelia Oziel)
Russia may impose sanctions of its own on U.S firms and people.

Boeing could suffer as a big buyer of Russian-produced titanium.

Shares in the U.S. manufacturer fall in early trading.

Russian lawmakers have proposed a set of measures that, if adopted by the Kremlin, could see the country halt crucial supplies of titanium to U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing BA .

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, is to consider legislation banning a list of U.S. imports in response to sanctions recently imposed by Washington on Russian officials and businessmen.

Lawmakers in Moscow said Friday they had prepared a list that has suggested a possible ban on titanium sales to Boeing. The list also slaps limits on cooperation in nuclear and space technology.

Further restrictions on the imports of American farm products and curbs on food and drink imports were also suggested.

The aircraft industry is increasingly reliant on titanium as a strong but lightweight material for use in wing assemblies, steering wheels, hydraulic systems and a number of other parts. A Boeing 777 has a reported 8.5 to 12 percent of titanium in its airframe.

Russia's VSMPO-AVISMA is the world's largest titanium producer and the main supplier to Boeing. The Russian firm told Reuters on Friday that stopping that trade could push the company out of emerging markets.

Boeing also has a joint venture with VSMPO-AVISMA's parent company Rostec Corporation. The two firms run a plant in western Russia devoted to manufacturing finished parts for airplanes.

The trade-restrictive proposals from the Russian politicians are at an advisory stage and it remains to be seen if the Kremlin will adopt them into law.

In an email Friday, Timothy Ash of BlueBay Asset Management said the Russians were issuing Washington with a clear warning.

"I assume the reason they are not going straight to an imposition of sanctions is that they want to let the U.S. administration and its allies mull over the implications of further sanctions actions against Russia," he told CNBC.

Story continues

Boeing shares fell around 1.2 percent shortly after the open of trade. Boeing told CNBC they are "aware and monitoring closely".





More From CNBC


MOSCOW, April 15 (Reuters) - The United States will want to maintain a dialogue with Russia about strategic stability following Western missile strikes on Syria, Russian news agencies cited a Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying on Sunday.

"There is every reason to believe that after the U.S. strikes on Syria, the Americans will be eager to move to a strategic dialogue," Interfax news agency quoted Vladimir Ermakov, head of the foreign ministry's department for non-proliferation and arms control, as saying.

"You cannot say the Americans ... do not demonstrate a desire to lead a strategic dialogue," he said. "In the U.S. administration there are specific people who it is possible to talk with." (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Adrian Croft)
Its been a rough road for Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE: KMI). For many years, before the parent company consolidated all of its elements into a single entity, the master limited partnership was considered a very reliable dividend stock. Kinder Morgan LP was constantly referred to as the blue-chip of pipeline master limited partnership stocks.

Then the bottom fell out of the oil market. Prices plunged, and with them the earnings of virtually every energy-based company. As Ive often warned investors, a stock can have a very reliable dividend, but no matter how high that dividend is, it will mean nothing if the stock loses 60% of its value.

The Troubles at Kinder Morgan Inc

KMI stock has had its ups and down since then. KMI stock generates operating income, as well as net income. The last two years, KMI stock has generated positive free cash flow, although that was not the case in 2015.

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

However, just as things seemed to be on the upswing for KMI stock, a very bizarre thing happened up in Canada. The company has been working on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, a $6 billion infrastructure work that has received strong opposition from the current government in British Columbia, as well as protesters on the ground.

Last autumn, KMI stock spun off its Canadian subsidiary, into Kinder Morgan Canada Limited (OTCBB:KMLGF), raising $1.3 billion for the sole purpose of funding the pipeline expansion in Canada. Well, right before the IPO finished, Canadas new Democratic Party allied with the Green party, with the goal of killing the expansion project.

Kinder Morgan has gone through the entire process, from regulatory to environmental and more, in order for the project to go through. However, late last week, KMI management has decided to pull the plug, as opposition to the pipeline reached peak shrillness.

Story continues

Pipeline Problems

As usual, it is the misguided stance of environmental groups that get in the way of a necessary pipeline project. The Trans-Mountain expansion project would simply parallel the nearly 700-mile existing pipeline, built back in 1953, and is the only West Coast link for Western Canadian oil. The capacity for transport would nearly triple to 900,000 barrels per day. The nixing of the pipeline, in turn, disrupts oil shipping companies. The shippers made commitments of up to 20 years that would add 80% of the capacity.

Now, lets not kid ourselves. The move by Kinder Morgan is political, to put pressure on the provincial government. This, in turn, shifts the focus over to the federal government. The Canadian federal government does not want to send a message that Canada is unfriendly to business, particularly energy interests. Canadas natural resources minister offered to possibly invest in the KMI pipeline project if it would bring certainty to the project.

Prime Minister Trudeau is in a bit of a pickle, because he approved the expansion himself in 2016.

Bottom Line on KMI Stock

Either way, I think this will work out okay for Kinder Morgan stock owners. I think the project will start back up again. Either the federal government will invest alongside KMI stock management, effectively insulating the project from provincial politics, or the federal government may simply buy out the entire project and partner with the province of Ottawa, which has expressed interest in the project.

Lawrence Meyers is the CEO of PDL Capital, a specialty lender focusing on consumer finance and is the Manager of The Liberty Portfolio at www.thelibertyportfolio.com. He does not own any stock mentioned. He has 23 years experience in the stock market, and has written more than 2,000 articles on investing. Lawrence Meyers can be reached at TheLibertyPortfolio@gmail.com.

More From InvestorPlace

Compare Brokers

The post Troubling Times for Kinder Morgan Inc Stock Appear Temporary appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Vice President Mike Pence set off for Lima, Peru, on Friday, to stand in for President Donald Trump  who stayed home to focus on Syria  at the Summit of the Americas.

On Saturday, Pence is set to meet with regional leaders, including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

The vice presidents conversation with Santos comes as Colombia is on the verge of achieving a state of normalcy, thanks in many ways to decades of partnership with the United States. While dealing with the short-term issues in Colombia, the United States should get ready to find ways to reap the benefits of this transformed relationship. Three to five years from now, it will be reasonable to talk about a post-peace partnership between the United States and Colombia. The two countries could see the opening of a new, deep, durable phase in their friendship. What might that phase look like?

Twenty years ago, Colombia was on the cusp of becoming a failed state. De facto civil war between the Colombian government and various guerrilla groups  most notably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC  fueled by illegal drug production, had mired the country in underdevelopment for decades.

Even in the wake of the governments peace agreement with the FARC, first approved in 2016, the National Liberation Army, or ELN, has not yet signed a peace agreement and still has between 1,500 and 2,000 soldiers in the field. The challenge for the next president of Colombia will be the implementation of the existing peace accord and getting the ELN to disarm. Currently, Colombia allocates around $30 billion to defense, more than any other country in the hemisphere, and has enjoyed increasing amounts of security and peace. But drug production is not going away anytime soon, and the countrys social, political, and economic challenges are going to take decades to overcome.

But Colombia has made unbelievable progress in the last 20 years, and the countrys progress is irreversible. The United States has supplemented Colombias efforts through Plan Colombia and Peace Colombia. Colombia is on the verge of becoming a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, proving its social and economic mobility. In 2000, Colombias population living below the national poverty line was approximately 50 percent. Today, it is 28 percent. In 2000, Colombias gross national product was $100 billion. Today, its more than $275 billion. The country has emerged as a regional leader. Beyond its role as the new Latin American power, Colombia is also a key trading partner for the United States. In an age where the U.S. government wants to increase exports, Colombia is a promising market as it is already the third-largest export market for the United States, after Mexico and Brazil.

Story continues

Looking ahead, one can see the contours of what post-peace partnership between the United States and Colombia could look like. The United States should:

Realize the promise of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. The United States has become Colombias largest trading partner. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 2006 and implemented it in 2012. However, it has been largely a disappointment: In 2007, the United States traded a modest $18 billion or so in combined imports and exports with Colombia, and in 2017, that figure reached $22 billion. China is growing as a Colombian trading partner.

Help Colombia become a mini-Brazil in terms of agriculture. In a state of peace, Colombia could make full use of its land, the soil, and climate, which is similar to that of the famous Cerrado region of Brazil. Colombias vast agricultural landscape is underutilized, with approximately 35 percent of its agricultural land in use. Transforming it into a Brazil-style breadbasket would require a revolution in Colombias road networks.

Focus on oil and energy. Oil production is falling in Colombia. Colombia needs to reform its energy sector and create rules to make fracking possible. Colombia has significant offshore gas, but the rules make it difficult to access. The current regulations deter investment in Colombias energy sector. Localities have the ability to challenge permits on investments, even once they have started, as demonstrated in a recent scandal that halted a 14-year-long project.

Focus on infrastructure. One of Colombias more important initiatives is $70 billion worth of infrastructure projects, focused on a range of transportation improvements. The cost of transport has been one of the most problematic factors for doing business in Colombia, and its quality of domestic transport was ranked 103 out of 122, according to the World Economic Forums 2013 Human Capital Index. Accomplishing the so-called 4G infrastructure initiative, which aims to improve some 5,000 miles of roads, will be one of the pillars to peace and transforming Colombias economy as it promises to connect cities across the country, which hold 77 percent of the total population. It would be good if U.S. companies won some of the contracts or U.S. banks helped finance much of this work.

Help Colombia become a mini-Mexico in terms of U.S. tourism. Bogota is not much further from Miami than Mexico City is. Yet U.S. tourists continue to favor Mexico. Last year, Mexico received around 40 million tourists, and more than half were from the United States, while Colombia received about half a million U.S. tourists. Tourism accounted for 5.8 percent of Colombian GDP in 2016, compared with 7.4 percent in Mexico.

Teach English. The lingua franca of this age is English. Colombias English-speaking population accounts for less than 10 percent of the total population and is among the lowest in the world. It needs to increase that number if it wants to move up the development curve further. Colombia should do more in education to promote learning English because it will be an important asset as the country emerges in the global market.

Share regional burdens. Colombia is going to carry a heavy load from Venezuelas ongoing crisis. It currently hosts more than 550,000 Venezuelans, who mostly arrived over the past several years. This figure is comparable to the 530,000 Syrians who have arrived in Germany and the well over 680,000 Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar who arrived in Bangladesh since 2017. Colombia will likely need international assistance to deal with the overspill that could impact stabilization efforts within Colombia.

Deepen science and technology partnerships. Colombias science and technology industries will be an important component to economic growth and competition. The country has increased its capacity for information technology companies to lay roots in recent years and has made efforts to improve university programs in the technology and innovation sectors.

Create an endowed U.S.-Colombia foundation. The United States and Colombia ought to jointly fund a permanent foundation similar to the Luso-American Development Foundation or the German Marshall Fund of the United States, both set up by governments to deepen the partnership between America and another country. A U.S.-Colombia foundation would enable interpersonal ties and fund projects that deepen the U.S.-Colombia relationship.

Americans needs to consider what kind of partnership they will have with Colombia in the future. Even as the Unites States helps Colombia with its current struggles, Washington should prepare for an era of peace and prosperity.
Martin Sorrell spent the last three decades building an obscure maker of wire baskets into a global advertising powerhouse, earning millions and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II along the way. His downfall was far swifter.

Sorrell, 73, said late Saturday that he would resign from his position as chief executive office of WPP Plc with immediate effect. His departure followed allegations of personal misconduct and misuse of company assets and comes days before the board was set to publish the findings of their investigation. Sorrell has denied any wrongdoing.

The WPP chief was the de facto elder statesman of the ad industry and a figurehead of corporate Britain, appearing regularly in public to discuss issues from Brexit to Donald Trump's trade wars to the rise of Inc. and . He also courted controversy with his pugnacious manner and inflated pay package, particularly at a time when WPP's revenue stalled.

In a statement to WPP employees, Sorrell said the current disruption was putting "too much unnecessary pressure on the business" and that in the interest of the company and clients it was "best for me to step aside."

"As a founder, I can say that WPP is not just a matter of life or death, it was, is and will be more important than that," Sorrell said in the statement late Saturday. "Good fortune and Godspeed to all of you."

The bittersweet taste of his departure was apparent in his farewell note, which laid out in great detail the long journey of WPP from humble beginnings to an empire of more than 400 agencies across 112 countries, counting 200,000 employees. He said he'd spent every day of the last 33 years thinking about the future of the company, which he built into the world's largest and most successful advertising firms.

Fall From Grace

Sorrell's fall from grace took less than a month after WPP announced April 3 that it was investigating the allegations. Chairman Roberto Quarta now becomes executive chairman until the appointment of a new CEO, WPP said in a statement late Saturday. Mark Read, who heads WPP agency Wunderman, and Andrew Scott, WPP's corporate development director, become joint chief operating officers.

Story continues

The resignation preempts what could have been an inglorious departure. Sorrell was set to join the rest of the board early next week for scheduled meetings ahead of the company's quarterly results, making a quick resolution of the probe almost inevitable.

The investigation into Sorrell has now concluded, WPP said, reiterating that the amounts weren't material.

"It's favorable for WPP that the issue was resolved fast enough that it wouldn't have become a distraction, and the interim leadership choice looks like a positive move as well," said Brian Wieser, a media analyst at Pivotal Research LLC, by email. "However, there will be great interest in resolving the full-time CEO role as soon as possible."

Full-Time CEO

Sorrell's 1985 investment in Wire & Plastic Products and a string of acquisitions of advertising companies that followed in effect founded WPP, making him an executive seen by some as irreplaceable for his direct access to clients and active hand on a sprawling network of agencies.

For years, the board supported his outsize pay packages amid shareholder complaints because he delivered. He earned about 200 million pounds ($284 million) over the last five years, largely due to a lucrative performance-related bonus package.

But beyond the investigation that leaked this month, there were other signs Sorrell was losing his magic touch. WPP's financial guidance has repeatedly proved too optimistic, and its shares have lost a third of their value over the past year  far more than rivals facing the same market challenges of reduced ad spending and competition from web giants.

WPP on March 1 lowered its long-term profit outlook after reporting its worst annual performance since the global financial crisis, capping a string of disappointments that put Sorrell on the defensive.

Succession Planning

The probe served to intensify scrutiny on Sorrell and WPP's succession planning, long criticized by investors as being insufficient, prompting speculation that a CEO long seen as unstoppable might be forced to step aside.

Sorrell's abrupt departure contrasts with the fate of arch-rival and fellow advertising elder statesman Maurice Levy, the 76-year-old who led Publicis Groupe SA for 30 years before taking on the role of chairman of its supervisory board. New-York based Inc., another WPP competitor, recently consolidated the CEO and chairman role in John Wren, who has led the company for two decades.

Sorrell will be treated as having retired, based on the directors' compensation policy, the company said. His share awards will be prorated in line with the plan rules and will vest over the next five years, to the extent that performance targets are met. Sorrell is one of the largest shareholders of WPP, with a 1.46 percent stake, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

"Mark and Andrew are both highly accomplished and experienced executives who have the board's complete confidence," Quarta said in an emailed note to employees, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg. Read will be responsible for clients, operating companies and people, while Scott will focus on financial and operational performance and the ongoing reorganization of the group's portfolio, he said.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novoheart (Novoheart or the Company) (TSXV:NVH) (FWB:3NH) is pleased to announce that Dr. Ronald Li, Founder and CEO of the Company, has been awarded with the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University of Waterloo, Canada, from which he graduated with a B.Sc. in 1994. As one of two recipients of the award from the Faculty of Science, Dr. Li is recognized for his two decades of research on human cardiac tissue engineering, and his continuous efforts to translate and commercialize basic findings into tangible applications and community benefits, including the founding of Novoheart in 2014.



It is a great honor to receive this award from the University of Waterloo, said Dr. Li. Translating decades of research for commercialization by Novoheart has been a highly rewarding experience, and I look forward to leading the Company to realize the immense potential of our technologies to revolutionize modern medicine, and benefit patients, pharmaceutical and biotech clients, and shareholders in the process.

For more information about the awards, please refer to the following link: https://uwaterloo.ca/alumni/awardsandmedals/2017-alumni-awards

About Novoheart:

Novoheart is a global stem cell biotechnology company pioneering an array of next-generation human heart tissue prototypes. It is the first company in the world to have engineered miniature living human heart pumps that can revolutionize drug discovery, helping to save time and money for developing new therapeutics. Also known as 'human heart-in-a-jar', Novohearts bio-artificial human heart constructs are created using state-of-the-art and proprietary stem cell and bioengineering approaches and are utilized by drug developers for accurate preclinical testing as to the effectiveness and safety of new drugs, maximizing the successes in drug discovery whilst minimizing costs and harm caused to patients.

For further information, please contact:

Ronald Li, CEO

info@novoheart.com



Babak Pedram, Investor Relations

Virtus Advisory Group

Tel: 416-995-8651

bpedram@virtusadvisory.com



For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:

Josh Stanbury, Media Relations

Tel. 416-628-7441

media@novoheart.com



Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation; statements about the Companys future plans, its goals and expectations, and the potential applications of its MyHeartTM platform are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risks identified in the management discussion and analysis section of Novoheart Holdings Inc.s interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the respective companies undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
Re: Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the [ #permalink

Notes :

Para1

Woodrow Wilson - the free enterprise system is the most efficient economic system.

- Maximum freedom means maximum productiveness; our openness is to be the measure of our stability

- Fascination with this ideal has made Americans defy the Old World categories

Para2

Reform in America - been sterile

- because it can imagine no change

- change possible only thru race, wider inclusion of competitors, a piece of the action,

-our only stability is change, America seems not to honor the quiet work

-There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win, none winning in the end (for there is no end).



1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology



(B) contrast Old World and New World economic ideologies

>>>Reform in America - been sterile

- because it can imagine no change

(C) challenge the integrity of traditional political leaders

>>>OOS



(D) champion those Americans whom the author deems to be neglected

>>>The author mentions "our stability is change ". "quiet work achieves social interdependence and stability" .He uses example of neglected- clerks to support his point.



(E) suggest a substitute for the traditional metaphor of a race

>>The author talks about Free economic systems and why America lacks reform. He does not intend to change terminologies.



2. According to the passage, Old World values were based on

(A) ability

(B) property

(C) family connections

(D) guild hierarchies

(E) education



Old World categories of settled possessiveness versus unsettling deprivation, the cupidity of retention versus the cupidity of seizure ,



-Indicate ability



A



3. In the context of the authors discussion of regulating change, which of the following could be most probably regarded as a strong referee (line 30) in the United States?

(A) A school principal

(B) A political theorist

(C) A federal court judge

(D) A social worker

(E) A government inspector



a strong referee to give them some position in the race , a regulative hand to calm manic speculation ; an authority that can call things to a halt, begin things again from compensatorily staggered starting lines.





4. The author sets off the word Reform (line 35) with quotation marks in order to

(A) emphasize its departure from the concept of settled possessiveness

(B) show his support for a systematic program of change

(C) underscore the flexibility and even amorphousness of United States society

(D) indicate that the term was one of Wilsons favorites

(E) assert that reform in the United States has not been fundamental

Reform in America - been sterile

- because it can imagine no change





5. It can be inferred from the passage that the author most probably thinks that giving the disenfranchised a piece of the action (line 38) is

(A) a compassionate, if misdirected, legislative measure

(B) an example of Americans resistance to profound social change

(C) an innovative program for genuine social reform

(D) a monument to the efforts of industrial reformers

(E) a surprisingly Old World remedy for social ills



Reform in America - been sterile

- because it can imagine no change

- change possible only thru race, wider inclusion of competitors, a piece of the action,



6. Which of the following metaphors could the author most appropriately use to summarize his own assessment of the American economic system (lines 35-60)?

(A) A windmill

(B) A waterfall

(C) A treadmill

(D) A gyroscope

(E) A bellows

-There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win, none winning in the end ( for there is no end).

>>>When you run on a track you reach a destination =>mobility

but when you run on a treadmill you dont have a destination.There is no end =>stationary



7. It can be inferred from the passage that Woodrow Wilsons ideas about the economic market

(A) encouraged those who make the system work (lines 45-46)

our only stability is change, America seems not to honor the quiet work that achieves social interdependence and stability. There is, in our legends, no heroism of the office clerk, no stable industrial work force of the people who actually make the system work.

(B) perpetuated traditional legends about America

>>>wilson's ideas are about free market

(C) revealed the prejudices of a man born wealthy

>>>no info to support this answer choice

(D) foreshadowed the stock market crash of 1929

>>>no info to support this answer choice

(E) began a tradition of presidential proclamations on economics

>>>no info to support this answer choice



8. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions?

I. What techniques have industrialists used to manipulate a free market?

II. In what ways are New World and Old World economic policies similar?

III. Has economic policy in the United States tended to reward independent action?

(A) I only

(B) II only

(C) III only

(D) I and II only

(E) II and III only

II -Fascination with this ideal has made Americans defy the Old World categories of settled possessiveness versus unsettling deprivation, the cupidity of retention versus the cupidity of seizure

III- America seems not to honor the quiet work that achieves social interdependence and stability

E



9. Which of the following best expresses the authors main point?

(A) Americans pride in their jobs continues to give them stamina today .

>>>We have no pride in our growing interdependence , in the fact that our system can serve others, that we are able to help those in need; empty boasts from the past make us ashamed of our present achievements, make us try to forget or deny them, move away from them .

(B) The absence of a status quo ante has undermined United States economic structure.

>>>The United States, it was believed, had no status quo ante.But the author did not divulge into details to explain with the status quo helped or did not help US

(C) The free enterprise system has been only a useless concept in the United States.

>>>Nope.Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the economic market when he said that the free enterprise system is the most efficient economic system

(D) The myth of the American free enterprise system is seriously flawed.

>>>True.We have no pride in our growing interdependence , in the fact that our system can serve others, that we are able to help those in need; empty boasts from the past make us ashamed of our present achievements, make us try to forget or deny them, move away from them .There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win, none winning in the end (for there is no end).



(E) Fascination with the ideal of openness has made Americans a progressive people.

>>>False.We have no pride in our growing interdependence , in the fact that our system can serve others, that we are able to help those in need; empty boasts from the past make us ashamed of our present achievements, make us try to forget or deny them, move away from them .There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win, none winning in the end (for there is no end).
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
Nepali New Year 2075 marked in Beijing (in photos)

Nepali Embassy in China organised a ceremony in San Li Tun, Beijing of China to mark Nepali New Year 2075 BS.
No casualties have been reported.

Kyiv's police have reported about an explosion near an office belonging to Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov's Kyivenergo in the city's Sviatoshynsky district in the early hours of April 15.

The facade of the building at 93 Peremohy Avenue was damaged, the police wrote on Facebook on Sunday, April 15. What is more, windows and two doors were broken.

Read alsoGrenade blast reported in Kyiv's apartment block

Findings at the scene indicated the explosive could be a hand grenade, the police said.

No casualties have been reported.

An investigation into the incident has begun. "Criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 194 (Deliberate destruction or damage to property) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine were launched on the fact of the explosion," the police said.

The punishment for the crime is up to 10 years in prison.

Kyivenergo generates and supplies thermal and electric energy in the city of Kyiv. It is a part of DTEK's largest private energy holding owned by Ukrainian tycoon Rinat Akhmetov.

Kyiv police earlier reported about an attack on a building, which houses a restaurant and the sales office of the large construction firm Kyivmiskbud, in the city's Pechersky district with the use of a shoulder-fired anti-tank grenade launcher. The incident happened in the early hours of April 13, 2018. No casualties were reported then.
The arts world in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is very active. But talented local artists still struggle for international recognition.

One of those artists is 26-year-old Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga. Kamuanga says Congo's cultural and mineral wealth has influenced his artistry. He says another influence is his countrys painful colonial history.

His paintings have been shown in South Africa, Europe and the United States. One of his pieces can sell for as much as $30,000 at an international auction. That makes him one of Congos highest paid artists.

But art industry experts say his work only gets average prices when compared to artists worldwide.

Kamuanga says African artists are thought of differently in the arts world. He adds, I think it is a struggle for many artists in Africa to get the same recognition.

Another artist, Freddy Tsimba, says one problem is the lack of support in DRC. Tsimba creates sculptures. His works are shown internationally, but get little attention in his home country.

Congolese artist Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo has shown his art work and lived around the world. But he returned home to Congo to work at a recently established studio for young Congolese artists.

"I say, OK, it is good for me to stay here, why? Because we need to build [the] art scene and to make something, since the people can buy artwork in Congo. And now, people are starting to buy, (but it) is a big process, it is a big challenge."

Currently, the studio has two women artists. One of them is Dina Ekanga.

She says it is not easy being both a woman and an artist because the men push you around from all sides. She adds that the art scene is rather difficult, especially in Congo.

Younger artists, like painter Romario Lukau, also say they struggle to establish themselves. Lukau is one of four young painters who are trying to find success as artists. They sell their paintings for about $1,000 each.

Lukau says his biggest dream is for people to talk about Congolese art the way we talk about American, German or Belgian art. He and other Congolese artists say they are hopeful that dream will come true one day soon.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Anita Powell reported this story for VOANews.com. Jonathan Evans adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

studio  n. a place where people go to learn, train, or study art

talented  adj. having a special ability to do something well

challenge  n. a problem; a competition

scene  n. the place of an action or event

auction  n. a sale of an object to the person or group willing to pay the most money
Editors Note: This story is the second in a series of programs about the Supreme Court of the United States.

Here is a question: who is the most powerful person in the United States? No, the answer is not the president. The answer is not even one person.

Some observers would argue the most powerful people are the nine judges  called justices  who sit on the Supreme Court. Their decisions affect nearly every part of Americans lives.

Here is lawyer Michael Trachtman. He wrote a book about how important the Supreme Court is.

The Supreme Court defines the distinctions between church and state  The Supreme Court decides how youre treated and what happens to you and what your rights are should you be charged with a crime The Supreme Court defines your rights if, for example, you are a racial or religious or ethnic minority and you feel as though you are being discriminated against, the Supreme Court defines how your life will be. The Supreme Court defines ...

The Supreme Court defines how the U.S. political process works, and how laws are made.

The court defines the power of the president.

The court can make decisions on rules governing technology and business.

The court protects Americans ability to say what they want, about what they want.

The Supreme Court also defines religious rights, workers rights, students rights, property rights, and privacy rights. And it can decide cases involving the right to die, the right to marry, and the right to stand up to employers and public officials.

Its very hard to find anything that the Supreme Court doesnt define and affect in American life.

The road to a Supreme Court decision

So how do the courts members make their important decisions?

First, justices are appointed by the president and approved by Congress. Once approved, justices hold their positions for life.

Elizabeth Slattery of the Heritage Foundation notes that justices are not supposed to be political. She says they are supposed to be neutral and fair.

Every year, the justices decide to hear about 100 cases. Each case is a real conflict between groups, individuals, or federal and state governments. The Supreme Court does not advise on policy decisions before ruling on a case.

After the justices decide what cases to rule on, they read about the history of the legal arguments. They try to learn what judges, lawyers, and other interested parties have said about it.

When the justices finally hear the case, the trial usually lasts one hour. Both sides have 30 minutes to speak. If the government would like to talk about the case, a government lawyer is limited to half an hour, just like someone representing the opposing side.

Linda Greenhouse is a reporter who followed the Supreme Court for 30 years. She says the courtroom is not very big. It holds a few hundred people. The justices sit behind a bench, but their seating is raised only about one meter above the floor.

The lawyers who are making the arguments stand very close to the justices. And many lawyers after they make their first argument have commented on how surprisingly intimate the space feels.

Greenhouse describes the Supreme Court building as having a modest quality. And, she notes, it is open to visitors. The public can stand in line and try to get a seat to listen to lawyers and justices discussing a case.

Supreme Court justices do not announce their decisions on cases right away. Instead, they privately discuss the cases together and sometimes try to persuade each other to accept a way of thinking.

For a final ruling, at least five of the nine justices must agree. One or more of those justices is asked to write the majority opinion. Justices who disagree may write a minority opinion. All opinions are released. But the majority opinion is the final ruling.

Disagreements about disagreements

Greenhouse notes that the Supreme Court and its decisions are not always popular among Americans. One of the current disagreements related to the Supreme Court is how the justices should think about, well, thinking.

Elizabeth Slattery of the Heritage Foundation supports an idea called originalism.

This is where judges try to understand how the text was originally understand by the public at the time it was passed.

In other words, Slattery says justices should try to remain true to the publics understanding of an issue when the law was approved.

In cases related to constitutional issues, justices using an originalist interpretation try to consider what Americans thought of the issue in 1789, when the Constitution was enacted. The idea behind this way of thinking, Slattery says, is to prevent justices from letting personal opinions influence their decisions.

Reporter Linda Greenhouse supports a different way of thinking. Her term for this is pragmatic.

Greenhouse points out that many things have changed since the time the U.S. Constitution was written. For example, many of Americas founders accepted slavery. In addition, many did not support equality among people of different races or between women and men.

Greenhouse says a pragmatic interpretation considers the U.S. Constitution as a guide to understanding the law in modern society. It is a hope for the future, she says, that permits change.

Can the Supreme Court change its mind?

Whatever justices decide, their ruling is final  unless lawmakers and the public decide to change the Constitution, or unless the Supreme Court overrules itself later.

Lawyer and writer Michael Trachtman notes that Supreme Court justices respect the courts earlier decisions. But, he adds, the Supreme Court is not limited by anything that happened in the past. And, he says, over time the Supreme Court has overturned rulings on many major issues, including guns and same-sex marriage.

Elizabeth Slattery of the Heritage Foundation says the modern Supreme Court aims not to change the laws too quickly. Yes, she says, new information, new situations, or simply new justices can help overturn a ruling. But, she says, the Supreme Court often takes baby steps to make slow change over time.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

supreme - adj. greatest or highest possible

distinction - n. the separation of people or things into different groups

church - n. the institution of religion

bench - n. the place where a judge sits in a court of law

intimate - adj. private and pleasant in a way that allows people to feel relaxed and comfortable

modest - adj. not very large in size or amount

interpretation - n. the way something is explained or understood
Haitians are worried about changes taking place in the Little Haiti area of Miami, Florida.

Little Haiti is considered the cultural heart of the Haitian diaspora in the United States. Many Haitians fled from their homeland and sailed to the U.S. mainland in the 1980s. Some of them established the Little Haiti neighborhood in Floridas largest city.

Today the energetic neighborhood is filled with Haitian-owned businesses, including restaurants and stores selling works of art.

On Saturdays, music from Haiti and other Caribbean countries fills the air outside Little Haitis Caribbean Marketplace. People buy and enjoy tasty treats from local eateries. Farther down the sidewalk, a group of girls and women in traditional Creole clothing work on dance moves. Often there are artists busy creating paintings, and performances by musicians.

Today many locals are concerned about efforts to expand and develop parts of the colorful neighborhood. They note how wealthy individuals seem to be buying up property and displacing poor people. They fear that this gentrification will lead to Haitian culture and people disappearing from the area.

"Because of gentrification - it's the only thing that we have so we're trying to keep this going, said Hoppy Duroseau, who lives in Little Haiti.

Born in St. Louis du Nord, Haiti, Duroseau immigrated to the United States at age four. He is now involved with marketing for the Caribbean Marketplace on social media.

"We want to keep it busy all the time because if not - then we'll lose this place and we'll no longer have Little Haiti, he said. Little Haiti is the only one in the world. So we need to keep this."

To slow these changes, some Haitians hope to see the Caribbean Marketplace operate seven days a week. They believe this would help support the community economically.

Gentrification in effect

Over the years, the Little Haiti neighborhood has become popular with non-Haitians. Some land developers say the area is desirable because of it sits on higher ground overlooking other parts of Miami. This makes the land less susceptible to flooding and rising sea levels.

In 2016, rental prices on office space climbed as much as 50 percent. Many Haitian-owned businesses were forced to close because of the rising costs.

A local woman named Myrlande sells food at the Caribbean Marketplace. She told VOA she is among the Haitians directly affected by gentrification.

"It's a dead zone; nothing is going on. Haitians have pretty much left the neighborhood," she said. "I - myself had a business in the neighborhood and the rent went up so high that I was forced to leave That is why we've lost almost all the Haitian-owned businesses in the community. That's why we are trying to have them open the Caribbean Marketplace every day so we can have a place to call home"

David C. Brown wrote a book called The History of Little Haiti: Featuring Its Pioneers. He says the area is special because of the values and strength of the Haitians who moved there. "Those values that I see so clearly that shone through in the Haitian spirit are the values of family, education and work ethic, he added. Those are the three values that have helped to raise the bar of this immigrant community."

A colorful community

The marketplace is home to many different vendors who each add their own personality to the neighborhood.

Roe Michel sells t-shirts and other clothing with colorful printed images. Michel immigrated to the United States from Haiti at the age of two with his parents. He feels Haitians have the ability to survive anything.

Michel shows this sense of pride through the clothes he sells. His products are called Vintage 1804. The name is based, in part, on the year Haitian slaves declared their independence from France and became the first free black nation in the Western Hemisphere.

One of his T-shirts shows heroes of the war for independence, such as Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint Louverture, and Alexandre Petion.

Often there are artists painting for the public and live music concerts.

Even with the difficulties of gentrification, Haitians like Myrlande hope the marketplace can continue to provide support to the community.

"Business today was not bad at all, but I just wish we could have the same amount of people every Saturday," Myrlande said. "Although I didn't make a lot of money today, I'm satisfied, I'm happy."

Im Phil Dierking.

Serge Michel reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

How do you think communities can prevent gentrification?? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story

ethic - n. rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad

pride - n. a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people

vendor - n. a person who sells things especially on the street

rental - n. the amount of money paid or collected as rent

susceptible - adj. easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something

zone - n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way

diaspora - n. a group of people who live outside the area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their ancestors lived 

gentrification - n. change of a place, such as an old neighborhood, by improving it and making it more appealing to people who have money


Solar and wind power projects are increasing in the area around the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.

One energy expert said that the developments call into question the financial viability of major hydo-electric dams in the area.

Brian Eyler is Director of the Stimson Centers Southeast Asia Program. He spoke about the increase in solar power development at the third Mekong River Commission Summit in Cambodias Siem Reap province.

He said, in the last six months, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos have signed agreements to produce 6,000 megawatts of electricity from wind and solar.

Eyler said, In January 2017, my team visited with Cambodias energy plant making the suggestion of incorporating more solar and wind into the power development plan. That was basically off the table in January 2017.

He said that Cambodia has reorganized its energy industry in about a year. The country has planned to deploy solar power production.

Hyunjung Lee is a Senior Energy Economist at the Asian Development Bank.

She said technologies such as wind and solar were going to hit the region very significantly."

Lee said, The atmosphere in the region has been changed actually in the past one year even. So we see a lot of development can happen in solar and wind in the region and how it can happen actually in reality, not to repeat the experience of hydro.

A Council Study of the Mekong River Commission warned of problems if too many hydropower dams are built on the river. The study warned of catastrophic results to the health of the river system if all the projects were built. Eleven dams are planned on the main river while more than 100 hydropower dams have been proposed to be built on tributary rivers.

Costs of solar energy are falling

In addition, the International Renewable Energy Agency said that the cost of solar power had fallen by 73 percent from 2010 to 2017. The cost is expected to fall below that of hydropower by 2020.

The worlds solar power capacity grew 32 percent. Ninety-four gigawatts were added in 2017. Renewable energy and solar power grew faster in Asia than anywhere else in the world.

At the same time, the amount of hydropower that has been commissioned around the world is the lowest it has been in ten years.

Jake Brunner is a Program Coordinator for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. He said solar power makes economic sense in Cambodia. Land in Cambodia has not been costly while energy demand has been high in neighboring southern Vietnam.

But, land is a sensitive issue in Cambodia. A Cambodian human rights group says that more than 500,000 people in the country have been affected by land conflicts.

A Cambodian government study described a way to produce solar power without using land. It recommended that, instead of building the proposed Sambor dam on the Mekong River, solar cells be placed on the existing reservoir there. Gregory Thomas is an Executive Director of the Natural Heritage Institute. He told the people attending the third Mekong River Summit that it was possible to develop solar energy without using any land. He said placing solar energy equipment on the water in a reservoir solves the problem of land conflict. He said such a project could be completed quickly at low cost. Thomas said, Such a project could be cost competitive and go online much quicker than a hydropower dam, with 100 megawatts deployable in (a) year. Large solar energy projects are being developed around the world. In China, a 150 megawatt solar projects is being built on a lake. The lake used to be a deserted coal mine. It is expected to go into operation in May and provide power for about 15,000 homes. Im Jonathan Evans. David Boyle reported this story for VOANews.com. Rei Goto adapted his report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

viability  n. capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately

plant  n. the land, buildings, machinery, apparatus and fixtures employed in carrying on a trade or an industrial business

incorporate  v. to unite or work into something already existent so as to from an indistinguishable whole

region  n. an indefinite area of the world

significantly  adv. in a way that is large or important enough to be noticed or have an effect

catastrophic  n. a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin

commission  v. bring something into working condition

reservoir  n. an artificial lake where water is collected and kept in quantity for use

go online  v. to make operational to connect to power system
Researchers from all over Africa presented their work at the recent Next Einstein Forum conference in Rwanda.

Conference organizers set up the event to provide support for the development of young scientists across Africa. Organizers called it the largest-ever gathering of scientists on the continent.

South African genetics expert Vinet Coetzee spoke at the meeting. She talked about a device to help doctors identify persons with malaria. This could be extremely useful in rural areas since the device does not need blood or even laboratory tests.

Coetzee said the device can provide test results quickly, is not costly and does not require a medical treatment.

It can reduce health inequality and bring us one step closer to a world free of malaria, she added.

Peter Ngene, a chemistry professor from Nigeria, spoke about nanotechnology: the science of making unimaginably small things. Ngene described how he plans to use extremely small devices to store energy from the sun. He said, We can go from a dark continent to a bright continent.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame is the current head of the African Union. He opened the conference by linking scientific progress to Africas development at large.

Kagame said, Today, more than ever beforemath and science proficiency is a prerequisite forhigh-income status and the gains in health and well-being that go along with it.

For too long, Africa has allowed itself to be left behind, the president added. He noted that as the continent aims to compete on the same level as other area of the world, it cannot leave out women and girls. Kagame urged Africans not to accept the international custom of men outnumbering women in scientific positions and research.

Eliane Ubalijoro is a professor at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She noted the large number of women at the conference.

Africa falls behind the rest of the world in scientific production. But research on the continent is growing quickly. And a United Nations report showed that some African nations have increased their research and development spending to the level of a middle-income economy. Three examples are Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali.

The Next Einstein Forum was launched in 2013. The forum now supports 19 African science fellows, along with an Africa Science Week at schools in 30 countries. At the meeting last month, the group launched Scientific African, a magazine to publicize new research. It is to be published four times a year.

The forum is a product of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. The institute provides financial aid for students to earn masters degrees in mathematics at centers in Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. More than 1,500 students from 43 African countries have completed their studies through the program since 2003. And 32 percent of them are women.

The program supporting Africans who study mathematics was the idea of South African-born physicist Neil Turok. He grew up as his parents fought apartheid, the countrys former system of racial separation.

Turok told the conference, My parents took pride in combatting injustice and they were thrown in jail. It was difficult for me personally, but it was good for my studies because I threw myself into my work.

Turok gained success in physics and mathematics. He worked with Stephen Hawking, taught at Princeton University in the United States and become the director of the Perimeter Institute in Canada. The institute is an independent research center for experimental physics.

His father then urged him to do something for Africa. So he set up the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in 2003. Ten years later, the Next Einstein Forum was launched.

Turok said he believes the worlds next Albert Einstein can come from Africa.

When Africans enter science in large numbers, with their diversityand motivation, they will make massivediscoveries, he suggested. Those discoveries are just waiting there to be made.

Im Pete Musto.

Andrew Meldrum reported this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted his report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. What discoveries do you think these young African researchers will make? What kinds of similar programs are there in your country? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

QUIZ

Quiz - Organization Urges Young African Scientists to Become the Next Einstein Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

proficiency  n. the quality of being good at doing something

prerequisite  n. something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else

income  n. money that is earned from work, investments, or business

status  n. the position or rank of someone or something when compared to others in a society, organization, or group

allow(ed)  v. to permit something

masters degree(s)  n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree

pride  n. a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people

combat(ting)  v. to try to stop something from happening or getting worse

diversity  n. the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas

motivation  n. the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something
 American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257

MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.



Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information



 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research.
The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T

Read More
3 hours ago

A Day Of Reckoning For CarMax

Higher Costs Cut Into CarMax Results CarMax results (NYSE: KMX) reveal the used car industry is not immune to global issues plaguing the market today. Not only are rising costs digging into the bottom line but there is the omnipresent issue of the global semiconductor shortage.

Read Article
The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read More
Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV.

Read More
KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
Wall Street analysts have given Greencore Group a "Buy" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Greencore Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. is an international offshore energy company. It focuses on subsea construction, maintenance and salvage services to the offshore natural gas and oil industry. The firm also provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry, with a focus on well intervention and robotics operations. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics and Production Facilities. The Well Intervention segment offers vessels and related equipment that are used to perform well intervention services primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea regions. The Robotics segment involves four chartered vessels and also includes ROVs, trenchers and ROVDrills designed to complement offshore construction and well intervention services. The Production Facilities segment includes its investment in the Helix Producer I and Kommandor LLC. Helix Energy Solutions Group was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

Read More
Wentworth Resources Limited, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of natural gas and other hydrocarbons in Tanzania and Mozambique. It primarily holds 31.94% interest in the Mnazi Bay concession covering an area of approximately 756 square kilometers in south-eastern Tanzania; and 85% participating interest in the Rovuma Onshore Block in northern Mozambique. The company was formerly known as Artumas Group Inc. and changed its name to Wentworth Resources Limited in September 2010. Wentworth Resources Limited is based in Calgary, Canada.

Read More
April 15, 2018 16:42

A study of 135 SF State University students found that the heaviest smartphone users were the most depressed, anxious and lonely.

Smartphones are an integral part of most people's lives, allowing us to stay connected and in-the-know at all times. The downside of that convenience is that many of us are also addicted to the constant pings, chimes, vibrations and other alerts from our devices, unable to ignore new emails, texts and images. In a new study published in NeuroRegulation, San Francisco State University Professor of Health Education Erik Peper and Associate Professor of Health Education Richard Harvey argue that overuse of smart phones is just like any other type of substance abuse.

"The behavioral addiction of smartphone use begins forming neurological connections in the brain in ways similar to how opioid addiction is experienced by people taking Oxycontin for pain relief -- gradually," Peper explained.

On top of that, addiction to social media technology may actually have a negative effect on social connection. In a survey of 135 San Francisco State students, Peper and Harvey found that students who used their phones the most reported higher levels of feeling isolated, lonely, depressed and anxious. They believe the loneliness is partly a consequence of replacing face-to-face interaction with a form of communication where body language and other signals cannot be interpreted. They also found that those same students almost constantly multitasked while studying, watching other media, eating or attending class. This constant activity allows little time for bodies and minds to relax and regenerate, says Peper, and also results in "semi-tasking," where people do two or more tasks at the same time -- but half as well as they would have if focused on one task at a time.

Peper and Harvey note that digital addiction is not our fault but a result of the tech industry's desire to increase corporate profits. "More eyeballs, more clicks, more money," said Peper. Push notifications, vibrations and other alerts on our phones and computers make us feel compelled to look at them by triggering the same neural pathways in our brains that once alerted us to imminent danger, such as an attack by a tiger or other large predator. "But now we are hijacked by those same mechanisms that once protected us and allowed us to survive -- for the most trivial pieces of information," he said.

But just as we can train ourselves to eat less sugar, for example, we can take charge and train ourselves to be less addicted to our phones and computers. The first step is recognizing that tech companies are manipulating our innate biological responses to danger. Peper suggests turning off push notifications, only responding to email and social media at specific times and scheduling periods with no interruptions to focus on important tasks.

Two of Peper's students say they have taken proactive measures to change their patterns of technology use. Recreation, Parks and Tourism major Khari McKendell closed all of his social media accounts about six months ago because he wanted to make stronger face-to-face connections with people. "I still call and text people but I want to make sure that a majority of the time I'm talking to my friends in person," he said.

Senior Sierra Hinkle, a Holistic Health minor, says she has stopped using headphones while out walking in order to be more aware of her surroundings. When she's out with friends, they all put their phones in the center of the table, and the first one to touch theirs buys the drinks. "We have to become creative and approach technology in a different way that still incorporates the skills we need but doesn't take away from real-life experience," said Hinkle.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter
State-owned signal distribution company Sentech has switched off 15 community radio stations because they owe too much money.

The City Press has reported that Sentech started its first phase of the switch-offs last week, and more stations will be switched off unless they receive payments owed.

According to Hope FM, dozens of other stations have received threatening letters stating they face a suspension of their services if they do not pay up immediately.

Sentech said the future switch-off plan also includes community TV stations which are in arrears.

Community radio stations which have been switched off include Forte FM and Karabo FM.

Karabo FM Station Manager Duncan Sinthumule said they requested to make a payment arrangement with Sentech, but the companys expectations for a payment plan were unrealistic.

Sentech wanted the station to pay R116,458 immediately, with monthly payments of R52,153 for 18 months until the debt was settled.

We cannot even afford to pay R15,000 per month, how will we be able to stick to their payment plan? said Sinthumule.

As non-profit entities, community radio stations are expected to raise their own funds through advertising, sponsorship, and fundraising.

Radio stations have called for a meeting with Minister of Communications Nomvula Mokonyane to discuss the matter.

Now read: ICASA looking to move digital radio forward in South Africa
By EFF Deeplinks Blog

During Congressional hearings about Facebooks data practices in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica fiasco, Mark Zuckerberg drew an important distinction between what we expect from our Internet service providers (ISPs, such as Comcast or Verizon) as opposed to platforms like Facebook that operate over the Internet.

Put simply, an ISP is a service you pay to access the Internet. Once you get online, you run into a whole series of edge providers. Some, like Netflix, also charge you for access to their services. Others, like Facebook and Google, are platforms that you use without paying, which support themselves using ads. Theres a whole spectrum of services that make up Internet use, but the thing they all have in common is that they are gathering data when you use them. How they use it can differ widely.

The divide between ISPs and edge providers is most obvious in the context of the net neutrality debate. Platforms, by and large, want as many people accessing the Internet as possible, as easily as possible. ISPs want to charge customers as much as possible for that access and also want to start double-dipping by charging platforms a fee when you visit their websites, as protection money, so the ISP doesnt throttle or de-prioritize your connection.

Zuckerberg brought up that difference a couple of times during the hearings. He mentioned how he had no ISP choice when he founded Facebook in college and that paid prioritization would have hobbled his new company. Whatever you think of Facebook, its not good for the Internet to have ISPs deciding what platforms are allowed to exist and succeed.

The distinction is also apparent in the privacy context. Your ISP is your conduit to everything you do online, so it has the opportunity to be even more invasive of your privacy than Facebook. You can protect yourself with VPNs and HTTPS, but the ISP still has a privileged position and is likely to be able to put together a pretty complete picture of most subscribers online habits.

That privileged position means that protecting your privacy vis-a-vis an ISP is a different issue than protecting it with respect to online platforms. Besides, youre already paying your ISP for services; the idea that youre willingly trading your privacy in exchange for a service does not apply.

ISPs, however, have attempted to muddy the waters to avoid regulation, by insisting that Congress come up with a one size fits all approach to online privacy.

The issue was illustrated during the hearing on Tuesday, when Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi posed this question:

I understand with regard to suggested rules or suggested legislation, there are at least two schools of thought out there. One would be the ISPs, the Internet service providers, who are advocating for privacy protections for consumers that apply to all online entities equally across the entire Internet ecosystem. Now, Facebook is an edge provider on the other hand. It is my understanding that many edge providers, such as Facebook, may not support that effort, because edge providers have different business models than the ISPs and should not be considered like services. So, do you think we need consistent privacy protections for consumers across the entire Internet ecosystem that are based on the type of consumer information being collected, used or shared, regardless of the entity doing the collecting, reusing or sharing?

ISPs are not truly advocating for privacy protections. When AT&T takes out a full-page ad in major newspapers about an Internet Bill of Rights, its not users they are seeking to protect. Its the profits they can make from things like paid prioritization and monetizing your data. ISPs have a model that lets them make money by charging users, they want to double-dip by charging platforms, and triple-dip by using data for advertising, much the way Facebook does. But unlike Facebook, ISPs dont rely on ads for their entire revenue stream.

For ISPs, a federal law that prohibits some activities, but leaves them the tactics that make the most moneywhile preventing states from passing more stringent protectionsis their goal.

Both Facebook and ISPs present privacy concerns, but while Facebook is in the spotlight for its practices right now, we should not let ISPs off the hook for this.

No Escape From ISP Practices

As hard as it may be to escape Facebook, ISPs have an even tighter hold on their customers.

Most Americans dont have a choice when it comes to high-speed Internet, as Zuckerberg mentioned in his testimony. There are a lot of historical reasons for this, but one simple one is that its expensive to break into a new ISP market, particularly when the incumbent can temporarily lower prices in that neighborhood and pay for it by jacking up prices elsewhere where they face no competition. Besides that, big ISPs have divided up the nation geographically to avoid competing.

Another factor is that large ISPs benefit from the regulatory landscape at the expense of small, upstart ISPs that might otherwise challenge them. For instance, ISPs did have privacy regulations applied to them, but lobbied Congress and successfully got them repealed. The end of those regulations helped cement large ISP power and block competition. Small ISPs may want to offer a service with privacy protections to users, but the market is already so uneven that they can barely compete. The market cant provide customers with alternatives that protect privacy, and so regulation of the large ISPs is necessary.

In theory, you can leave Facebook and use Twitter or Snapchat, or a noncommercial platform like Mastodon. In practice, the companys user base is so large that its able to keep users simply because its where friends and family already are. Zuckerberg was also asked to name Facebooks competition, and the closest he could claim was that there are other services that overlap with some of the things Facebook offers.

Badly written laws in reaction to Cambridge Analytica could end up solidifying Facebooks dominance, as only a company with their resources could comply. Protecting the privacy of Internet users is critically important, and a law that squashed competition to Facebook would only harm it in the long run.

There are a number of things that can be done to make platforms like Facebook accountable for their privacy policies. Making it so that users can truly delete the data these platforms collect, take their data with them when they leave, and understand and customize the privacy policies would go a long way. There are a whole host of thingspractical, useful thingsthat can be done without creating laws that only a company the size of Facebook can afford to follow.

In his answer to Wickers question, Zuckerberg said:

I would differentiate between ISPs, which I consider to be the pipes of the Internet, and the platforms like Facebook or Google or Twitter, YouTube that are the apps or platforms on top of that. I think in general, the expectations that people have of the pipes are somewhat different from the platforms. So there might be areas where there needs to be more regulation in one and less in the other, but I think that there are going to be other places where there needs to be more regulation of the other type.

Zuckerberg wasnt totally wrong when he said this. ISPs cannot be escaped, collect huge amounts data by virtue of being your conduit to the Internet, and do not need to monetize that data to survive. Subscription edge providers also do not need to monetize data to make money, but still collect some data; Netflix tracking what people watch and for how long, for example. And then there are ad-supported platforms where user data is the basis of their business model.

There are all sorts of ways our privacy is impacted by what happens online. Its vital all companies make their policies transparent and that there are many options for users to choose from, so that they can choose the trade-offs that they are comfortable with.

Now read: Android smartphone makers and their security patches
Over R500,000 has been stolen from the Cape Bird Club, following its treasurers email account being hacked.

According to a report by the Sunday Times, the fraud took place while the clubs treasurer was on leave.

A hacker changed settings in the treasurers email account which allowed for mails to be diverted between her account and SANParks, and the clubs investment management company.

The new email settings allowed the perpetrator to request money to be moved into two Nedbank accounts set up fraudulently in the clubs name.

The scam was only discovered when an email request for a money transfer for a national park project included new banking details.

When the bird club treasurer called the bank listed as hosting the account, FNB, it said the account did not belong to South African National Parks.

The report stated that the stolen money had been raised for various projects, which included the rehabilitation of bird hides in national parks.

A criminal case has been opened with the police. Nedbank did not respond to requests for comment, stated the Sunday Times.

Email being used as an attack vector is on the rise, according to security firms  with big companies like Netflix and their users often targeted.

Now read: Android smartphone makers and their security patches
Armenia ambassador briefs US Congress member on challenges after Azerbaijan military aggression against Karabakh

Czech Rep. FM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS)

FM: Artsakh ready to negotiate with Azerbaijan on equal footing

934 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Iran Army Ground Forces begin military exercises in northwestern border

Australias New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns

Grape harvest in Artsakh's Amaras valley carried out with interruptions due to Azerbaijan provocations

Newspaper: Reporting, providing fake, false information to Armenia parliament inquiry committees to be criminalized?

Newspaper: Armenia army general staff chief to be summoned for questioning

Greece PM says he has no intention of entering into arms race with Turkey

Armenia arms supplier to be arrested

International Court of Justice to hold public hearings over Armenia v. Azerbaijan lawsuit on October 14-15

Israel opens embassy in Bahrain

US couple die from COVID-19 in same hospital one minute apart

GRECO releases interim report on Armenia, says situation incompatible with judicial independence

Russian analyst predicts granting of special status to Karabakh and "eternal" presence of Russian peacekeepers

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Force commander warns Azerbaijan

Armenia ex-defense minister Davit Tonoyan arrested

South Korean authorities prepare for regular contacts with Pyongyang

More than half of Britons are disappointed with Brexit

Erdogan on purchase of S-400s and Turkey's relations with the US: It was worth it

Russia MFA: Moscow hopes OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' visit helps organize Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders' meeting

Erdogan: "Zangezur corridor will open opportunities for the region"

Serbia, Kosovo agree to reduce tension on border

Digest: Armenian ex-defense minister charged, Putin and Erdogan discuss Karabakh conflict

Armenia FM and Iran Ambassador discuss situation on Goris-Kapan motorway

Newly appointed Ambassador of France presents credentials to Armenia President

Russian MFA: Moscow continues to work on the release of Armenian POWs

Russia MFA: Moscow has submitted proposals to Yerevan, Baku on border delimitation talks

Armenia justice minister meets with head of CoE Office in Yerevan, presents ministry's reforms agenda

Armenia President, parliament speaker discuss collaboration between both institutions

Bloomberg: Europe asks Russia for additional coal supplies

Armenia justice minister has new deputy

Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan tests positive for COVID-19

Armenia Special Investigation Service deputy head sacked

Armenia education, science, culture and sport minister meets with UNESCO Director-General

Alizadeh: Route to Armenia for Iran trucks not changed

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Karabakh emergency service: Remains of another fallen soldier found

Lukashenko: Belarus is open to proposals for further development of strong relations with Armenia in all areas

PACE adopts resolution on Afghanistan

Armenia Parliament Speaker, Peru Ambassador discuss their countries' participation in Ancient Civilizations Forum

Putin and Erdogan planning meeting before end of this year

Did Serzh Sargsyan and Sergey Kopirkin meet?

Czech FM to arrive in Armenia on working visit

Armenia Deputy PM Suren Papikyan: Government to grant nearly AMD 1,000,000,000 to Syunik Province

Armenia ex-Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan visits Syunik Province

Peru new ambassador presents letter of credence to Armenia President

Putin, Erdogan discuss current situation in Karabakh

Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker, Russia Ambassador touch upon peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict

Lithuania to donate to Armenia 50,000 doses of Spikevax vaccine manufactured by Moderna

US Ambassador to Armenia visits 2 renovated local fire stations (PHOTOS)

Azerbaijan PM invites Georgia to using Zangezur corridor

Iran ground forces to hold military exercises on Azerbaijan border

7 people, 3 of them minors, taken to Yerevan hospitals

Armenia government approves draft state budget for 2022

Armenia government provides another funding to Artsakh

Azerbaijan, Belarus discuss collaboration between their missile, artillery troops

What Armenia National Security Service looked for in home of ex-defense ministers elderly mother?

Armenia PM: Our goals in 2022 budget are ambitious, realistic

Hayko's compositions are played at Yerevan subway stations (VIDEO)

1,022 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Protest being staged outside Armenia government building

Senator Menendez to US Ambassador to Turkey nominee: In past you voted against resolutions recognizing Armenian Genocide

What are Armenia former defense minister, arms supplier charged with?

World oil prices falling

Hraparak.am: Armenia former minister of defense released on signature bond

Newspaper: Opposition Armenia Faction in parliament plans to go to Constitutional Court to challenge bonuses legality

Newspaper: Armenia PM Pashinyan had promised now-detained ex-defense minister new position

Amazon introduces home robot of its own production

French authorities close 650 Islamist propaganda centers since 2017

The Vatican to require all employees to provide proof of coronavirus vaccination

Hraparak.am: Motions filed with court to arrest Armenia ex-defense minister and weapons supplier

Slovenia terminates vaccination with Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after death of 20-year-old girl

30 prisoners killed in Ecuadorian prison

Armenia court to examine appeal against decision on arrest of ex-Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan

Armenia minister, Kazakhstan Ambassador consider prospects for cooperation in space technology

Karabakh representative: Armenia citizens who hosted families from Artsakh received financial assistance

Date of Requiem Service for Armenian singer, Honored Artist of Armenia Hayko announced

EU calls on Kosovo and Serbia to resolve their disputes through dialogue

Working consultation over to-be-established patrol service in Armenia's Gyumri, attended by Deputy PM

Georgia, Azerbaijan sign several agreements

Newspaper: Armenia army official: National Security Service summons Armed Forces General Staff's deputy chief

Ukraine, Turkey sign memorandum on construction of UAVs maintenance center

US and EU to begin consultations on technical regulation, trade and China

Newly appointed Ambassador of France presents copies of credentials to Armenia FM

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 4 Armenian servicemen found in Jrakan

Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyan expresses condolences over death of singer Hayko

US Ambassador on Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs' talks in New York, normalization of relations with Turkey

Garibashvili says he had 'wonderful' meeting with Aliyev

Putin-Erdogan meeting in Sochi lasts nearly 3 hours

Over 40% of Americans are in favor of reducing US military presence in world

To-be Ambassador of United States to Turkey announces intention to recognize Armenian Genocide

Armenia Deputy PM, Iran Ambassador discuss situation created on Goris-Kapan motorway

Digest: Armenian soldier wounded in Azerbaijan provocations, 3 Armenia soldiers bodies found

Armenian analyst: Azerbaijan's offensive resources were almost used up on November 9, 2020

Armenia Embassy in Georgia: There are accumulations of trucks in detour section of Tbilisi

Armenia Revenue Committee chief on question whether Azeris will stop Armenian truck drivers or not

Artsakh representative to Armenia: Armenian statehood cannot have prosperous future without Karabakh

Armenia Public Services Regulatory Commission chair: There will be some increase in water fee
YEREVAN.-The Prosecutor Generals Office of Armenia tasked the Police Department to launch a motion on the incident involving opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, when a crowd of protesters breached into the headquarters of the Public Radio of Armenia. A day earlier a group of the crowd even breached into the Yerevan State University.

The Prosecutor Generals Office released a statement, saying a group of participants of the Pashinyan-led rally breached into the Yerevan State University April 13 by damaging the entrance door and attempted to break into the Rectors office by breaching the doors. Two security guards of the university were injured by the protesters.

On the next day, April 14, lawmaker Pashinyan and his followers subdued an on-duty police officer and breached into the headquarters of the Public Radio of Armenia in Yerevan, a strategically significant building subject to state protection.

The protesters caused chaos, breached into offices by breaking the doors open.

A police officer ordered the lawmaker to guide his followers out of the building and vacate the headquarters. However, the Member of Parliament, who is the organizer of the rally, failed to comply with the lawful demand of the police, did not notify the rally-goers about the order in an apparent violation of the law on assembly. Nikol Pashinyan demanded airtime while holding the building.
Russia called the strikes that the US, the UK, and France carried out in Syria a "blatant disregard of international law." Moscow's envoy to UN said the three countries could have stopped the conflict in Syria within 24 hours, RT reported.

By acting without any mandate from the UN Security Council, the US and its allies violated the norms and principles of international law, as well as undermining the authority of the UNSC, Russian Envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said, denouncing the strikes against Syria as an aggression against a sovereign state.

Nebenzia also called the attack "hooliganism" in international relations, noting that it is not a small one, as nuclear powers are involved. He said that the countries used a well-tried pattern of "provocation-false accusations - false sentence - punishment."

"Is this the way you want to conduct international affairs?" he said.

"The conflict in Syria could have been stopped within 24 hours. Washington, London and Paris should have told their pocket terrorists to stop fighting the legitimate government of their people," Nebenzia said.
The UN Security Council rejected on Saturday a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of military strikes launched by the United States, Britain, and France on Syria targets overnight Friday-Saturday in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack earlier this month, The Times of Israel reported.

The Russian measure would have condemned the aggression against Syria and demanded that the three allies refrain from any further strike.

Only three countries  Russia, China, and Bolivia  voted in favor of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting of the 15-member council called by Russia on Saturday. Eight countries voted against (the US, Britain, France along with Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, Kuwait, and Ivory Coast) while Peru, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, and Equatorial Guinea abstained. A resolution needs at least nine yes votes to be approved.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coupled praise for U.S.-led strikes on Syrian targets on Saturday with a warning that Irans presence there further endangers Syria, Reuters reported.

U.S., British and French forces hit Syria with air strikes overnight in response to an alleged poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week. U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to sustain the response until Assads government stopped its use of chemical weapons.

Early this morning, under American leadership, the United States, France and the United Kingdom demonstrated that their commitment is not limited to proclamations of principle, Netanyahu said in a written statement.

Netanyahu said Syrian president Bashar al-Assad must understand that his provision of a forward base for Iran and its proxies endangers Syria.

An Israeli official said Israel was notified of the strikes ahead of time. Asked how much warning Israel had received, the official told Reuters: Between 12 and 24 hours, I believe.

Asked whether Israel helped choose targets, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: Not to my knowledge.
Home | News | General | Internet fraud: 5 diabolic things Yahoo boys do to become wealthy

The love for money is, according to the Bible, the root of all evil. This part of the scripture points to the extent Yahoo boys (internet fraudsters) go in order to defraud their victims.

Yahoo Yahoo (internet fraud) has become rampant among Nigerian youths and many of these fraudsters now engage in rituals for their illegitimate business to boom. Yahoo boys who engage in rituals are called Yahoo plus - and these group of fraudsters can been seen in every nook and cranny of the country.

NAIJ.com highlights 5 jaw-dropping things Yahoo plus for the purpose of making money

1. Eating Human Faeces:

Yahoo plus eat faeces with bread in form of a sandwich.

It was reported that a lady once overheard her ex-boyfriend in a conversation with a friend who listened to him narrate his experience while eating the mixture which is believed to be one of the rites he needed to fulfill in a quest for money.

READ ALSO: Both bishop and deacon have slept with my wife - Pastor tells court

2. Barking once in a month as part of money ritual:

They type of ritual some of them do requires them to bark like a dog. There is a video of a Yahoo boy who was barking like a dog while his friends watched and laughed at him.

In the background, his friends cheered him up, saying owo de which means Money has arrived.

Watch video below:

[embedded content]

3. Oshole, the power of compulsion:

This is a type of ritual that empowers a Yahoo plus to command his victim, otherwise known as 'client', to do whatever he wants.

The 'client' cannot decline whatever he or she is asked to do, and these fraudsters use this type of ritual to defraud them of a lot of money.

4. Wiping a ladys private part with towel after she has been slept with:

Yahoo plus also make use of females in the quest for money, by wiping moisture from a womans part after she has been slept with. The material is then used in a ritual.

There is a lot that could happen to any lady who falls victim of this evil act by Yahoo plus.

5. Killing ones nephew for money rituals:

Yahoo boys who engage in rituals for the purpose of making money could be told to bring forth his nephew for the ritual.

An image of one Tunde Owolabi, who was captured in handcuffs as he crouched beside the corpse of a little boy reportedly 7 years old, was shared by Odueko Olumide John. This is the extent Yahoo boys go in order to become wealthy.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that four suspected internet fraudsters were arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in the Lekki area of Lagos state.

The suspects were arrested for various offences bordering on cyber crimes and money laundering; and the raid was carried out following intelligence reports concerning their flamboyant lifestyle. During the operation, exotic cars and charms were recovered.

The EFCC zonal head for Lagos, Akanninyene Ezima, said: It is to checkmate the activities of these undisciplined elements who want to reap where they did not sow. By this action, we are also sending a red alert to the so-called yahoo-yahoo boys that engaging in fraudulent deeds does not pay."

The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on NAIJ.com TV

[embedded content]

Source: Naija.ng

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General
Home | News | General | IBB pledges support for Northern Leaders Stakeholders Assembly

Former Military President, Retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has lauded the Northern Leaders Stakeholders Assembly (NLSA) for ensuring the advancement of the country and pledged his support for the assembly.

Babangida made the pledge on Sunday when members of the group paid him a courtesy visit in Minna.

Former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida

The former leader described the assembly as a forum that should be encouraged because of its commitment to the unity of Nigeria and maintenance of its territorial integrity.

I want to commend you for your idea to ensure the advancement of the country. I believe that we should support peaceful co-existence in the country.

We will encourage what you are doing and support you to succeed.

The Chairman of the assembly, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, described the body as a non-partisan political group.

He said people of Northern extraction were free to register as members of the group, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political belief.

He added that as nonpartisan body, our mission is to create and nurture a culture of tolerance and togetherness by providing a platform for northerners to pursue a more civilised line of action in the field of politics.

Yakasai said NLSA was established on Feb. 10 this year, dedicated to the promotion of cultural and political unity and amity among northerners and Nigerians at large.

The group then conferred former president Babangida with patron of the group.

Some members of the assembly were Alhaji Umar Gali NaAbba, former Speaker, House of Representatives, and former Governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General
Home | World | Africa | Mutasa endorses Mnangagwa

FORMER Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Mr Didymus Mutasa has endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a good leader, capable of taking Zimbabwe forward if he wins the forthcoming harmonised elections.

Mr Mutasa, who was expelled from the ruling party in 2014 said Zimbabweans should give President Mnangagwa a chance.

He said this last week during a wide ranging interview with a local online television station. Mr Mutasa, who expressed willingness to return to Zanu-PF, said during his stint in the ruling party he had not seen a leader who was open and had a clear vision like President Mnangagwa.

"I think he is going to be a very good leader. He has come up very honestly. I haven't come across anyone who was leading Zanu-PF who is as clear as Emmerson, who wants to do certain things openly and says this is what I want to do, please help me get it done. I'd ask people to be patient. Rome was not built in a day. I am honestly thinking that (President) Emmerson (Mnangagwa) will be a good President if he is given the chance. I believe that he is setting a departure from the system that was there in Zanu-PF and that departure is necessary," he said.

Mr Mutasa described President Mnangagwa as a courageous man following the removal of former President Robert Mugabe from office in November last year through military intervention. He expressed delight at Mr Mugabe's ouster.

"I felt very happy to be honest and I said to myself, congratulations (President) Emmerson (Mnangagwa), I had never thought that Emmerson would do that. I said good heavens, this is very courageous, wonderful man and I still feel like that. He has been very courageous and he has done I think what reasonable Zimbabweans expect and didn't think was ever going to be done," he said.

Mr Mutasa said if Mr Mugabe had been allowed to go ahead with his plan to let his wife Mrs Grace Mugabe succeed him, it would have spelt doom for a lot of people as she wouldn't have made a good leader. He said from what was going on in the ruling party at the time Mr Mugabe was the leader, it was clear that he wanted his wife to succeed him.

"You could see that it all was leading to putting his wife into power. (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa was expelled in exactly the same way (as Dr Joice Mujuru). He actually said I will drop him tomorrow and indeed he was dropped. I think people would have left the country going into hiding. I don't know her (Mrs Mugabe) intimately, what I know are things that everyone else knows about her, public matters that have been discussed," he said.

Mr Mutasa, who after being fired for supporting former Vice-President Dr Joice Mujuru went on to form the Zimbabwe People First, said he was prepared to rejoin Zanu-PF and help correct the party's yesteryear wrongs. He said this in response to recommendations by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association that all suspended war veterans be readmitted into Zanu-PF.

"This invitation from the war veterans was something which is very important to me. I couldn't say no, I have nothing to do with it, I have a lot to do with it because I was one with many people and you don't run away from your dirt, you clean it up. I'd love very much to go and look after vazukuru, and go into proper retirement but it's impossible to do that," he said.

Added Mr Mutasa, "Look at our people and how poverty has affected every one of us. You can't say alright, I can't be involved with this poverty anymore. You must be involved to try and find honest ways of getting rid of poverty and I think that is what (President) Emmerson (Mnangagwa) is trying to do."

Mr Mutasa was fired from Zanu-PF in 2014 together with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and former Secretary for Information Mr Rugare Gumbo accused of attempting to topple Mr Mugabe.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa
Home | World | Africa | Touts block road, shut out family from home

A FAMILY from Fourwinds suburb in Bulawayo has been "blocked'' from its own house by touts who have camped at the gate of their house, which they are using as an undesignated pick- up point for transporters plying the Bulawayo-Kezi route.

A family member, Dr Hazel Siringwane said the gate to their house has been blocked and that was a cause for concern especially to their mother who is now in her 80s. The touts allegedly make noise, use abusive language, drink beer in the open and even urinate near the house, turning the place into an eyesore.

"My mother is in her 80s, she is being disturbed by the noise these touts make, there are many other elderly people in this area who deserve some peace but they cannot enjoy it because these touts are here as early as 5am making noise and they leave late," she said.

The biggest change, she noted, was the blocking of the gate.

"We have two entrances of which they have taken over one of them and they spend the day sitting there, they smoke and drink alcohol there. They also leave the place littered with empty beer bottles and cigarette packets and some even throw litter over the pre-cast wall," she said.

Dr Siringwane said the touts were also using foul language even to children in the neighbourhood. Another concerned resident Mr Arnold Mahonye said there have been many accidents where the touts are operating from.

"I have witnessed accidents at that corner and I was also once involved in one, because the touts block the road and one is forced to encroach onto the right lane to avoid them," he said.

Mr Mahonye said the residents have tried to engage the touts and police but nothing has been done.

"I reported to the police at one time and the touts told me I was wasting my time as police officers at Hillside Police Station were their friends and nothing was going to be done to them. We have lost hope because of these touts. If they can brag that the police will not deal with the issue then who do we report to?" he said.

Mr Demetrio Polimeni a businessman who operates near the area said he is losing business because people now fear the touts.

"We operate an accommodation business but for the past three years we have not been operating because people avoid us because of the touts who are ever here. They make noise and are drunk many times, they also come and urinate and defecate along the pre-cast wall so people do not want that," he said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa
China readying Social Credit System where citizens receive scores based on their online obedience to the state

China is planning to implement a system wherein its citizens will be ranked and given ratings based on a certain set of specified criteria, like social media activity and online obedience to the state. The system, called the Social Credit System, is said to be in place for a country-wide launch some time in 2020. Some Chinese citizens dont seem to be bothered by it at all, but many have expressed staunch opposition.

[Editors note: The U.S. deep state uses China as a proving grounds for police state surveillance and tracking systems that will be deployed in the United States. Read this story carefully, because it describes exactly whats coming soon to America and in fact is already under way via the censorship / obedience tactics of Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.]

Right now, Chinese citizens are already subjected to country-wide surveillance systems and censorship schemes run by the government itself, and many people across the world have called these acts inhumane and highly unethical. Yet China keeps outperforming basically everyone in matters of technological innovation, and it remains a hub of high-tech inventions.

The Social Credit System, according to online reports, will be a government-imposed citizen score that can be used to measure your worth to employers, private institutions, and even other individuals. It is said that it could be used by hiring managers to decide whether or not to offer you a job, or by banks to decide whether or not you should be given a loan.

The vast amount of data needed to make this kind of system a success is already available  in large quantities  thanks to Chinas thriving digital economy. According to James Gautrey, a technologist who works at the investment manager Schroders, the existence of services like WeChat can only help to turn this vision of the future into a reality. WeChat has a billion users, he said. So by capturing its data, the government can see what all those people are thinking and doing. Its a dream for them.(Related: Real life sci-fi: Minority Report-style security system in China called Dragonfly Eye uses AI to identify criminals using a massive facial recognition database.)

Indeed, the existing surveillance and censorship systems in the country might play a huge role in the completion of the forthcoming Social Credit System. And as for the Chinese citizens themselves, they evidently dont seem to mind.

A recent survey conducted on Chinese consumers, conducted by Dentsu Aegis, reportedly showed that there is enough trust in the government to implement such a system successfully and without worry. Based on the official survey results, 70 percent of the participants  of which there were 20,000  believe that it will have a positive impact on society.

Francis Lam, the head of technology and innovation at marketing agency Iscobar China, believes that the reason for this is quite clear. Digital services gives us more freedom and make lots of things more convenient, he said. They help us enjoy life even more. And so, he thinks it is far more likely for the Chinese to embrace the Social Credit System instead of fighting against it.

It also ties in to the countrys current culture of innovation Chinese technology companies are no longer just copycats, explained Lam. People feel proud of the advances made and of how they affect our status in a global sense. So they are willing to try anything new.

With all of that said, the implementation of such a system can still be quite dangerous. It is exclusionary by design, and may end up harming the lives of millions of individuals if they dont conform to what the prescribed online behavior should be according to the government. Such a system is unprecedented, so it would be difficult to predict exactly how it will affect the economy and society at large. But it is sure to crush any remaining last hope of freedom for the citizens of China, who already live under the cruel thumb of communism.

Read more about systems that make use of peoples personal data in PrivacyWatch.news.

Sources include:

BBC.com

Independent.co.uk
The New Zealand dollar fell on Friday, as we did get a bit of a push back against the Kiwi and reached down to the support level at 0.7350 yet again. Thats an area that has been reliable in the past, so I suspect that we will find a bit of support here again.

The New Zealand dollar has pulled back on Friday, reaching down towards the 0.7350 level, an area that has been support more than once. I think that we will probably bounce from here but remember that this pair is highly sensitive to risk appetite, and headlines coming out from either the United States or China could be a major driver of where this market goes as we worry about trade tariffs. Beyond that, the New Zealand dollar tends to follow commodity markets as well, as the New Zealand economy is so heavily based upon commodities being sent to Asia.

Pay attention to the US dollar in general, because if it continues to sell off I believe that the buyers will continue to push this market higher. We have a lot of noise above that extends to the 0.73 level, so its going to be difficult going forward to continue to hold on to long position. However, the current attitude of this market is certainly bullish, and I think that it is foolish to try to fight it. It will take a lot of effort, but I think that eventually we can break above the 0.75 level. If we were to break down below the 0.7350 level, the market probably unwinds to the 0.73 level, perhaps even the 0.7250 level. Ultimately though, I believe that the market pulling back will probably offer value more than anything else.

NZD/USD Video 16.04.18

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
Yangon (AFP) - Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya refugees, among the 700,000 who fled a brutal crackdown, but the move was slammed by rights groups as a publicity stunt which ignored warnings over the security of returnees.

The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless campaign against the community in northern Rakhine state last August.

The United Nations says the operation amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

Bangladesh and Myanmar vowed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation.

According to a Myanmar government statement posted late Saturday, one family of refugees became the first to be processed in newly-built reception centres earlier in the day.

"The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the Information Committee's Facebook page.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, told AFP the Rohingya family had been living in a camp erected on a patch of "no man's land" between the two countries, meaning Dhaka had no formal role in their return.

Several thousand Rohingya have been living in the zone since August, crammed into a cluster of tents beyond a barbed-wire fence that roughly demarcates the border.

The rest of the refugees have settled in sprawling camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district.

"The reality is that the repatriation has not started yet," Bangladesh's home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told AFP on Sunday, adding that the single family's return was "not a meaningful act".

"We don't know when (repatriation) will start. They have not been able to create a ground for trust that they will take back these people," he added.

Story continues

According to the Myanmar statement, immigration authorities provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by many Rohingya leaders who want full rights before they return.

Photos posted by the government showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks.

It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Rakhine state's Maungdaw town after "finishing the repatriation process".

Myanmar officials could not be reached for more details.

The Facebook post did not mention plans for further returnees expected in the near future.

- 'PR exercise' -

The move comes amid warnings from the UN and other rights groups that repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar has yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades.

The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their deep roots in Rakhine state.

They have been targeted by waves of violence, systematically stripped of their citizenship and forced to live in apartheid-like conditions with severely restricted access to healthcare, education and other basic services.

The repatriation announcement is "a public relations exercise in an attempt to deflect attention from the need for accountability for crimes committed in Rakhine State", said Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

"Before proceeding with the repatriation of Rohingya, the Myanmar government must recognise and guarantee all their fundamental human rights," he told AFP.

The UN maintains that much work needs to be done on the Myanmar side before returns can be safe and dignified.

On Friday, the UN's refugee agency said it had finalised a repatriation framework with Bangladesh but was still negotiating an agreement with Myanmar.

"Conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified, and sustainable," the UNHCR said.

Many Rohingya refugees express fear of returning to a country where they saw their relatives murdered by soldiers and Buddhist vigilantes who drove them from their homes with bullets and arson.

Doctors Without Borders says the violence claimed at least 6,700 Rohingya lives in the first month alone.

Myanmar authorities have since bulldozed many of the burned villages, raising alarm from rights groups who say they are erasing evidence of atrocities and obscuring the Rohingya's ties to the country.

burs-ssm/qan
Washington (United States) (AFP) - US President Donald Trump and his British and French allies on Saturday hailed their joint strikes in Syria in response to its alleged use of chemical weapons, warning Damascus that any repetition would be met with renewed firepower.

Hours later, the allies signaled their resolve to return to diplomacy, launching a new bid at the United Nations to investigate the chemical weapons attacks.

They circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid and enforcement of a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.

The narrowly targeted pre-dawn military operation, which took aim at three alleged chemical weapons facilities, earned quick scorn from Russia, but a push by Moscow for condemnation of the strikes at the Security Council fell far short.

Trump and his allies ordered the mission in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack a week ago on the rebel-held town of Douma that left more than 40 people dead.

Washington believes both sarin and chlorine were used in the April 7 attack, a senior US administration official told reporters on Saturday.

Both the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and its ally Russia have denied all responsibility. Moscow slammed the "aggressive actions" of the Western coalition but has not yet responded militarily.

US ambassador Nikki Haley warned her UN counterparts that although the mission was designed as a one-off, that did not preclude further action against Assad.

"I spoke to the president this morning and he said: 'If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded,'" Haley said at emergency Security Council talks.

- Fresh diplomatic push -

Negotiations on the draft resolution put forward by the US, France and Britain are set to begin on Monday.

Among the contentious proposals, it would establish an independent investigation into allegations of toxic gas attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.

Story continues

On the humanitarian side, the measure demands medical evacuations and safe passage for aid convoys to be allowed to all areas.

Diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal, and they were ready to allow time for negotiations to bring Russia aboard.

- 'Perfectly executed' -

Just before dawn on Saturday, the sounds of massive explosions and the roar of warplanes rang out across Damascus for about 45 minutes.

"A perfectly executed strike last night," Trump tweeted early Saturday.

"Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"

The targets included a scientific research facility near Damascus, and two chemical weapons facilities outside the city of Homs, the US military said, though reports said the buildings had been evacuated in recent days.

Syrian state media reported only three people injured, while Russia's defense ministry said there were "no victims" among Syrian civilians and military personnel.

According to US officials, the operation involved three US destroyers, a French frigate and a US submarine. The vessels were located in the Red Sea, the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

British Tornado and Typhoon warplanes, American B-1 bombers and French Rafale jets also took part in the strikes.

- Assad defiant -

The strikes were the biggest foreign military action so far against Syria's regime.

On Saturday Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron huddled by telephone to discuss their joint action.

"By working together, in a coordinated fashion, we can definitively prevent the Syrian regime from carrying out chemical attacks against its own people," Macron said on Twitter.

May has faced a backlash from her domestic opposition for launching the strikes without consulting parliament, while opposition lawmakers in the US warned Trump that any broader military campaign would require a well-formulated strategic vision -- and authorization from Congress.

Assad responded to the strikes with a defiant vow.

"This aggression will only make Syria and its people more determined to keep fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country," he said.

Assad's key ally Iran also slammed the attack, with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei describing Western leaders as "criminals."

The targets appeared to steer well clear of any Russian personnel or equipment in Syria, where Moscow launched a military intervention in support of Assad in 2015.

The Russian military claimed Syrian air defense systems had intercepted 71 Western missiles, though the Pentagon flatly dismissed the claim and said all missiles hit their targets.

- Too little, too late? -

Despite the strikes, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it was still pursuing its investigation into the Douma attack.

Thousands of rebels and civilians have been bussed out of the town under a Russian-brokered deal. Syrian internal security forces entered Douma on Saturday and later said the town had been fully retaken.

Jaish al-Islam, the group that held Douma, said it only abandoned the town because of the chemical attack.

Ahmad, a 25-year-old mechanic who had been displaced from Douma, told AFP the Western strikes were nevertheless too little, too late.

"Assad won't collapse. They'll bomb for a day or two and then the regime will take it out on us," he said.

burs-wd/sm
Lima (Peru) (AFP) - The United States and more than a dozen Latin American countries on Saturday warned Venezuela its presidential election next month would be seen as illegitimate by the region unless it restored democratic standards.

The May 20 poll would be "void of legitimacy and credibility" if it went ahead under current conditions, the nations said in a joint declaration released at a Summit of the Americas in Peru.

Venezuela's opposition says President Nicolas Maduro has prepared a rigged snap election to deliver him a new mandate and tighten his hold over his economically devastated country.

US Vice President Mike Pence, representing America at the summit, said the election was a "sham."

"The United States is prepared to continue to bring all pressure to bear, working with our allies," to restore democracy in Venezuela, he told reporters.

The joint statement was signed by the US and the 16-nation Lima Group which counts Latin America's biggest economies, including Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile. Canada is also part of the group.

The statement demanded "necessary guarantees" for the Venezuelan poll to be recognized: a fair and transparent electoral process; the release of political prisoners; and the participation of the opposition, which has been largely excluded.
In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation.
Well thats fucking odd. Hmm was my school weird? Yeah high school was really weird because I went being surrounded by a bunch of different races in middle school to being one of 14 black kids in the entire high school school. 

Reply

Thread

Link

omg i misread this at first as you angrily saying 'yeah it was weird because i was surrounded by different races'.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Omg haha nooooo. Im a lover of all. And i missed a word I see. But you guys got the point lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Omg same, my middle school was basically an international airport and then I transferred to another HS and I was one of the few people of color, the teachers used to confuse me and another kid just bc we had the same skin color but we looked nothing alike, looking back I never realized how racist it was.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I went to a lot of schools (22 schools) and from K-4 went to schools that were predominantly Brown and Black kids with only a few Whites. In 5th grade we moved to a predominantly White area where there was less than a handful of Brown kids, a few Asians, and the most Black kids in my grade was 3 but at times there was 1.

Socially it was difficult. I ended up hanging with the Asian girls. And at my old schools there were popular kids but everyone pretty much mingled together and gangs were a thing so if there was divisiveness it was due to someone's family being mixed up in one gang over another. But your friends were seriously already all ride or die from a young age ha

But at the White school (before I friended the Asian girls) I'd get bullied a lot by the White girls trying to climb the social ladder to be in the popular group. I'd get compared to another Mexican girl if I did anything because we MUST be the same because we're both Brown. I hated it. But academically the kids were farther along than my old school so when we moved back to the hood in 8th grade I was much more advanced than everyone else.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

reminds me of growing up in hawaii where white ppl are a minority of the population, then going to cali and being one of 3 asian girls in my sorority (and i'm half white so i'm sure there are ppl who would argue i'm not really asian)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Well she isnt affluent or famous enough for them to ignore the fact that she's pilled the fuck out.

Reply

Thread

Link

burnt. lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

WTF What kind of elitist bullshit is this

Reply

Thread

Link

WHAT

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

jesus did you go to school in the 40s

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

That principal needed sacking and investigating.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

omg this reminds me of that principal in mindhunter

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

we had to stand in the corner until the end of class with the face facing the wall or later on we had to stand outside holding down the door knob to indicate that we didnt leave as punishment.



Edited at 2018-04-15 07:58 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Corporal punishment is still a thing in some states. There was just a recent story about 3 teens in Arkansas taking the corporal punishment (a paddling) option over suspension for participating in the National Walk Out day.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

how old are you sis?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I would have clocked any teacher who tried it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

um

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I find these posts weirdly comforting in that so many of us apparently share childhood traumas from grade school thanks to the teachers and principals. I was 17 before I realized those kinds of things weren't (supposed to be) normal.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Wtf? If a teacher or the principle so much as touched a student, even putting a hand on a shoulder, they'd get fired.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

WTF why is spanking still used as punishment...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

We had the same thing in my schools. I grew up in West Texas and went to a fairly small school but the bigger surrounding areas and their high schools had the same policy.



If you didnt want your kid to be paddled, your parents could sign a form at the beginning of the year forbidding them from doing it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

WHAT? This shit is like illegal. That principal must be destroyed immediately

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Um. Wow. That's fucked up. Where do you live?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

This is obviously bad, but I'd probably have picked this over detention.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Texas right?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Spanking was a legit punishment that could be administered in the principal's office but the parents had to give permission

This was back in 2000, at my middle school in Alice Texas which was a very small town.



Edited at 2018-04-15 09:24 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

whaaaaaaat in the fuck?! im from the us and i only thought that still happened in catholic schools or whatever. thats creepy as hell.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

hows that even legal wtf

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

It's fucked up but my school had that, too. :/ Was there a consent form at the beginning of the year for yours? 'Cause that's how it was at mine and my mom always signed NOT to use corporal punishment on us. (For those wondering, my school was in the Southern US, yes.)



I don't recall if they had that as an option by high school where I went, though. I don't SEEM to remember it going on by then, I mostly knew about it in middle school. The teachers would usually go out in the hallway with the kid.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

One of the reasons I lean towards not having children. I don't envy the kind of bullshit parents have to wade through, especially in large cities, to get their children into adequate schools.

Reply

Thread

Link

And then if you do succeed you have to deal with batshit parents of the other kids.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

My school was pretty unconventional. We called our teachers by their first names and each class had our own mini justice systems in Jr. High.

Reply

Thread

Link

Parents can be worse than kids tbh

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Was your school weird, ONTD?



yes lol I went to a catholic primary school until I was ten and they would do 'rich and poor day' once a week where they would take your lunches from you, then divide the school into the 'rich' ppl and the 'poor' ppl, and if you got assigned rich that day you got to choose from all the lunches that had been taken from the 'poor' and if you got assigned poor you got bruised apples and expired bread lol



Reply

Thread

Link

ikr. it was supposed to teach empathy or w/e, it's crazy how much weird shit I can remember from that place and I was so young but it's burned in my mind lol like one time I played with a toy koala in church and they banned me from Games Day , but they didn't just not let me do it, they made me sit in the office with the big window so I could watch everyone else having fun while I wasn't allowed to move lol





Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

What kind of - oh, Catholic.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

omg im sorry but lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

what the fuck

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lmao, only a fucking Catholic school would think of something like this.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao oh my god ?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

WTF

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

What kind of mind games, this is wild.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Damn everyone who has gone to Catholic school has a horror story lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

The fact that it was a catholic school explains so much



It's rich day every day for the Catholic church

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

what the fuck x1000000. This shit is so fucking wild.



This AU is so......

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Catholic schools were/are a fucking trip. I was only in them from kindergarten through 2nd grade (so 1994 through 1997) but I still have stories too, even though I was still fairly young X_X

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

teach them kids about the class divide, yas





jk

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

You definitely went to a strange catholic school because I never had a day like that. (I went to catholic school from 4th to 11th grade.)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg this happened in Rita, i didn't know this was an actual thing!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

like...what year was this? i'm so confused lol. and your parents were aware of this and NOT outraged????????

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

What in the world??

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg lol....... bruised apples and expired bread D:



christians love shit like that tho, to teach about helping the poor. when i was a kid my family and i went to this christian community camp thing and dinner one night was just baked potatoes to reflect on the problem of world hunger

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I did 7 years hard time in Catholic school then GTFO of that mess. Took me almost twice as many years to deprogram myself from that cult-like mindset.



But damn we never did anything like that yeeesssshhh.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

this is so bizarre



my catholic school was boring as fuck lol and i'm grateful for it

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

My preschool had a big bathroom with three toilets that were not separated by dividers of any kind. Only children of the same gender were allowed to use it at the same time, but it was fun for us to go pee with our friends. When I would tell my mom about this at the time, she thought I just wasn't explaining it correctly or making it up because I was 4. I've brought it up to her since and now she believes it lol.



Nothing weird ever happened from the open bathroom, but I just cannot believe they let that go on.

Reply

Thread

Link

Oop my preschool was the same way

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Ours was like that too, though I seem to recall there only being two toilets instead of three

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I worked at a daycare that served mainly upper middle class families where this was also the case. If Im remembering correctly, they werent separated by sex. There was never any problems either, but they were all 3-5, so.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

That's not uncommon in preschools now, from what I've seen. TBH, I never think twice about it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Omg spaghetti straps, god save the queen

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

tho there was one teacher who was (rightfully) furious about it



Rightfully? Fuck her, spaghetti straps and stomachs aren't going to destroy America.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I used to teach at one of the exclusive private schools in LA and they had rejection tales that would go on forever. They rejected Barbra Streisand's son, Bette Midler's daughter, lots of kids. The application process is more about the parents than it is about the kids.



Schools know how to deal with kids on a daily basis. It's the potential problems that the parents are going to cause that they look out for.



Sometimes they do a process like having them sit around and talk just to see how cooperative they are. If the parent refuses right then and there then the school knows they're going to have nothing but trouble with the parent and they reject them right then.

Reply

Thread

Link

I was a nanny for a rich family whose kids went to private school. Some of the parents in that circle were sooo OTT.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

that's actually pretty genius

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Ok I like this. Sensible and reasonable

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yep. i work at a private school in nyc and we have a lot of celeb a-list parents. the admissions process is like 90% about the parents, unless the kid is clearly in need of a specialized school with more individual attention. i've personally toured celebs who are the biggest fucking douchebags, rolling up with their entourage of personal security and doing all kinds of name-dropping, and their kid is fine and would probably be fine at our school but we won't take them because of how the parents behave



in any case the whole thing has made me never want to have children in the city or go through this process lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Exactly. It's funny because most parents worry so much about how their kid is going to do with the interview, and it's usually not about the kid at all (unless as you say, they have some kind of special needs or obvious behavioral problem, like biting or inability to sit still or take any kind of direction. Then that's the problem, but otherwise, it's all about the parents).



The school can work with a child, but when problems come up, like if the parent is automatically going to threaten to sue or they're a troublemaker who will try to organize the other parents against the school, then they get culled out from the start. That's what the interviews/meetings are really about. Profiling the parents to predict what kind of issue they're going to create on down the line.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

wow, now it makes sense.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

sound like a Waldorf school

Reply

Thread

Link

Lmaoooo this is hilarious.

Reply

Thread

Link

My schools weren't too strange. My Jr high (my place in at least my area of Canada don't have jr high, it's k-8 and then high school) had separate boys and girls entrances and you'd get detention if you used the wrong door. The girls entrance was on the other side of the building and we would get so pissed because they never shovelled or salted a path so we'd have to trudge through a bunch of snow. But only the girls.

Reply

Thread

Link

Pretty sure I know what school you're talking about. Was Mrs. McPhederan with the skunk hair the principal?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Hahaha yes! That's the one!

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Damn she looks skinny

Reply

Thread

Link

She seems subdued in this interview

Reply

Thread

Link
umm Yay?

Reply

Thread

Link

lol at that photo

Reply

Thread

Link

i don't see anything wrong with it, but i bet this post is going to be fun.

Reply

Thread

Link

is your icon from psych? i freakin LOVE that show!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

mte

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

haha ia

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

This makes me love her even more. As bizarre as this story is, it's really sweet.

Reply

Thread

Link

I agree. :) It is a really, really sweet story. You know that old saying, right? "It takes a village to raise a child"--? Haha, this reminded me of that.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Me too. She did a strangely beautiful thing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm just here for the wank.

Reply

Thread

Link

Yeah that was the first thing I thought of (in addition to how awesome this was of her), that here comes the wank.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

An interesting phrase in a post about boobs.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

how weird would it be to be that kid and have your mom be like "hay this celebrity breastfed you as a bb!"

Reply

Thread

Link

haha

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Or in the Grapes of Wrath! (Well, different but kinda the same...)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

hah that's the first thing I thought of.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

grapes of wrath was my first thought

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

That's the first thing i thought of too! Then how very disturbed i was when i first read that when i was 15 and a sophomore in high school...and then how disturbed i was by having to re-read it in college when i was 21. Yeah, the creepiness factor of that part of the book just never fades...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

My first thought too:) I LOVE that book.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Yeah I totally thought of that right away lol.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

That was nice, but still ummmm. Alright.

Reply

Thread

Link

Sure it sounds gross, but its like...idk, what was she gonna do with it. I hope it all worked out for that baby and mother.

Reply

Thread

Link

Whats gross about it?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lol nothing but could you imagine under different circumstances if a woman stuck her tit in your kids mouth?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I find it weird that the kid is drinking another momma's milk. But then again, we do drink from ANIMALS, Lol.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

More power to her! I don't think I could ever do it..



Let's just get to the wank already.

Reply

Thread

Link

que huevo pues

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

isn't she just a modern day rose of sharon!

Reply

Thread

Link

Exactly what I was thinking.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

First thing that came to my mind!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Beat me to it!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

The Grapes of Wrath is one of the most touching books ever. When I saw the movie I cried even worse.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

that is one of my favorite books and this post reminded me of it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

LOL

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg I fucking love your icon

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I always wondered what the "wet" part meant, lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I never understood wet nursing. It sounds absolutely fucked. Why would you want a future baron/queen/whatever nursed by some random-ass low-class gal?



I want to put Wet Nurse on my resume, though. Just to see what people would say.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

hahahha <3.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I knew Salma's breasts were miraculous.

Reply

Thread

Link

your cat looks exactly like my cat. it's freaking me out. like he lives some alternative life I did not know about.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he does actually...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lol, Kiada there is one of a kind, trust me. Craziest cat ever born.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

LOL IRL @ your icon. That was my favourite part of that parody.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya refugees, among the 700,000 who fled a brutal crackdown, but the move was slammed by rights groups as a publicity stunt which ignored warnings over the security of returnees. The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless campaign against the community in northern Rakhine state last August. The United Nations says the operation amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants. Bangladesh and Myanmar vowed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation. According to a Myanmar government statement posted late Saturday, one family of refugees became the first to be processed in newly-built reception centres earlier in the day. "The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the Information Committee's Facebook page. Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, told AFP the Rohingya family had been living in a camp erected on a patch of "no man's land" between the two countries, meaning Dhaka had no formal role in their return. Several thousand Rohingya have been living in the zone since August, crammed into a cluster of tents beyond a barbed-wire fence that roughly demarcates the border. The rest of the refugees have settled in sprawling camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district. "The reality is that the repatriation has not started yet," Bangladesh's home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told AFP on Sunday, adding that the single family's return was "not a meaningful act". "We don't know when (repatriation) will start. They have not been able to create a ground for trust that they will take back these people," he added. According to the Myanmar statement, immigration authorities provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by many Rohingya leaders who want full rights before they return. Photos posted by the government showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks. It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Rakhine state's Maungdaw town after "finishing the repatriation process". Myanmar officials could not be reached for more details. The Facebook post did not mention plans for further returnees expected in the near future. - 'PR exercise' - The move comes amid warnings from the UN and other rights groups that repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar has yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades. The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their deep roots in Rakhine state. They have been targeted by waves of violence, systematically stripped of their citizenship and forced to live in apartheid-like conditions with severely restricted access to healthcare, education and other basic services. The repatriation announcement is "a public relations exercise in an attempt to deflect attention from the need for accountability for crimes committed in Rakhine State", said Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). "Before proceeding with the repatriation of Rohingya, the Myanmar government must recognise and guarantee all their fundamental human rights," he told AFP. The UN maintains that much work needs to be done on the Myanmar side before returns can be safe and dignified. On Friday, the UN's refugee agency said it had finalised a repatriation framework with Bangladesh but was still negotiating an agreement with Myanmar. "Conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified, and sustainable," the UNHCR said. Many Rohingya refugees express fear of returning to a country where they saw their relatives murdered by soldiers and Buddhist vigilantes who drove them from their homes with bullets and arson. Doctors Without Borders says the violence claimed at least 6,700 Rohingya lives in the first month alone. Myanmar authorities have since bulldozed many of the burned villages, raising alarm from rights groups who say they are erasing evidence of atrocities and obscuring the Rohingya's ties to the country. burs-ssm/qan
Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Read More
Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, France, Italy, Poland, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products. It also provides insurance cover to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses for risks associated with motor vehicles and medical expenses, as well as property and liability, such as employers' and professional indemnity liabilities, and medical expenses. In addition, the company offers personal and commercial lines insurance products; long-term insurance and savings products, primarily for individuals. Further, it provides investment management services for institutional pension fund mandates; and manages various retail investment products, including investment funds, unit trusts, open-ended investment companies, and individual savings accounts for third-party financial institutions, pension funds, public sector organizations, investment professionals, and private investors. Additionally, the company offers asset management and protection insurance products. Aviva plc markets its products through a network of insurance brokers, as well as MyAviva platform. The company was formerly known as CGNU plc and changed its name to Aviva plc in July 2002. Aviva plc was founded in 1696 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, Defence, and ITP Aero. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. The Power Systems segment provides high-speed and medium-speed reciprocating engines, and propulsion and power generation systems for the marine, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. The Defence segment offers aero engines for military transport and patrol aircraft applications; and naval engines and submarine nuclear power plants, as well as aftermarket services. The ITP Aero segment engages in the design, research and development, manufacture and casting, assembly, and testing of aeronautical engines and gas turbines. It also provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for regional airlines, as well as business aviation, industrial, and defense applications. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian makes an official statement with French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly (not pictured) in the press room at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, April 14, 2018. Michel Euler/Pool via Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned of a humanitarian disaster in the rebel-controlled Syrian city of Idlib, which could be a next target of the Syrian army.

The northwestern Idlib region remains the largest populated area of Syria in the hands of insurgents fighting the Damascus government. In recent years, tens of thousands of fighters and civilians have fled there from parts of the country which the army has recaptured with the help of Russia and Iran.

Le Drian said Idlib now has some 2 million inhabitants, including hundreds of thousands of Syrians evacuated from rebel-held cities taken back by the Syrian regime.

"There is a risk of a new humanitarian disaster. Idlib's fate must be settled by a political process, which includes disarming the militias," Le Drian said in an interview with French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche.

Some insurgent officials have said they feared an onslaught against Idlib, which a senior Iranian official has indicated could be the next target.

He added that France would also keep a close eye on the situation in northeastern Syria, which was freed from Islamic State with French help.

"Let's not forget that our principal enemy remains Islamic State, as well as other terrorist groups which are currently regrouping in the east of the country," Le Drian said.

The insurgents controlling Idlib include both jihadist factions and nationalist FSA rebels. The dominant force there is Hayat Tahrir al Sham, an Islamist alliance spearheaded by the former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

Le Drian also said Russia was denying reality in Syria and that its protection of Bashar al-Assad could not be justified.

"There is a denial of reality, and he have seen this several times. Already in 2013 and then again in 2017 the Russians denied that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons," he said.

He said that at the time verification mechanisms already put in place by the United Nations had placed responsibility on the regime.

"It is no wonder that Russia voted against the renewal of this mechanism last autumn," he said, adding that when France proposed last week to put in place a comparable mechanism, Russia had vetoed it.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercqd; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: Libya's eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar salutes as he participates in General Security conference, in Benghazi, Libya, October 14, 2017. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar has been treated in a hospital in Paris, a French source close to the matter said on Friday, confirming earlier reports from Libyan officials and media.

Haftar, 75, is the dominant figure in eastern Libya and has long been seen as a likely contender for power nationally. He heads the Libyan National Army (LNA), a force aligned with a government based in the east which has opposed a rival, internationally backed government in the capital, Tripoli.

The French source declined to comment on Haftar's condition.

Conflicting reports about his health sparked a flurry of rumours and speculation in Libya, where the United Nations is leading efforts to reunify the country and prepare for elections by the end of the year.

A Libyan source close to Haftar who asked not to be named said Haftar was expected to return to Libya over the weekend. Other Libyan sources had said that Haftar was flown to Jordan and then France earlier this week.

The U.N. Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, spoke on Friday by phone to Haftar and "discussed the general situation in Libya and the latest political developments in the country," the U.N. Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) said in a tweet.

UNSMIL did not respond to a mailed question whether Salame had discussed with Haftar his health.

An advisor to Haftar told Reuters the commander's health was good.

(Reporting by John Irish, Aidan Lewis and Ulf Laessing; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Two journalists and their driver kidnapped on March 26 in Ecuador by dissident FARC rebels were killed on the Colombian side of the border, Interior Minister Cesar Navas said Sunday. Navas told news channel NTN24 in an interview that the bodies are still there. "They were in Colombian territory and they are in Colombian territory," he said. The three men -- who worked for the influential El Comercio newspaper -- were kidnapped by remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) while covering a story on violence along the border, where Ecuadoran forces have been battling Colombian rebels engaged in drug trafficking. "They were murdered in Colombian territory," the minister said. President Lenin Moreno confirmed on Friday that the men had been killed and announced he was sending troops to the border area to hunt for the kidnappers. Navas said a joint military operation was being coordinated with with Colombian forces and was open-ended. He said 550 police and soldiers had been sent to the area of Mataje on the Ecuadoran side of the border where the men were reported to have been kidnapped. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was trying to recover the bodies after the murders shocked a country unaccustomed to the drugs-linked violence that has ravaged Colombia.
The motorised sampan used in former City Harvest Church fund manager Chew Eng Hans escape attempt. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

A 42-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in former City Harvest Church (CHC) fund manager Chew Eng Hans failed attempt to leave Singapore illegally in order to avoid a jail sentence.

In a press release on Sunday (15 April), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the suspect  Tan Kim Ho  is believed to have abetted a Singaporean mans attempt to leave Singapore unlawfully at the sea off Pulau Ubin on 21 February.

Yahoo News Singapore understands that the Singaporean man in question is Chew, who was arrested that day after being found aboard a motorised sampan in the waters off Pulau Ubin.

Tan was arrested in Malaysia with the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police and was handed over to the Singapore authorities on Saturday. He will be charged on Monday.

Once again, I would like to thank the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) for their swift efforts in locating and arresting the suspect. This arrest highlights the close collaboration and strong relationship between the SPF and RMP, said Police Coast Guard commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Hsu Sin Yun.

The 57-year-old Chew, who is currently serving his jail term of three years and four months for criminal breach of trust, was on 29 March slapped with an additional charge of attempting to defeat the course of justice by trying to leave Singapore illegally.

Meanwhile, the boatman who was arrested along with Chew  53-year-old Tan Poh Teck  has been slapped with three unrelated charges of abetting the attempts of Chew and two other men to leave Singapore illegally over the past year.

Another Malaysian man, 45-year-old Khoo Kea Leng was sentenced to six months jail on Thursday for conspiring with Chew to help the latter flee Singapore.

Related stories:

Man who helped ex-City Harvest Church leader in escape bid jailed six months

Former City Harvest fund manager slapped with fresh charge

Boatman in Chew Eng Han case faces new charge for helping another flee Singapore

Former CHC leader Chew Eng Han starts serving jail term
By Dilawar Hussain

PARACHINAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border fire from Afghanistan while working on a fence intended to cover nearly all of the disputed 2,500km border separating the countries, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.

Though security has improved in Pakistan's remote areas bordering Afghanistan, sectarian militant attacks, primarily targeting Shi'ite Muslims, still occur.

"Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties," the Pakistan Army's public relations department said, adding that five soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Afghan officials said that Pakistani troops crossed on to Afghan soil, prompting a response by border forces and the local tribal force.

"Two tribesmen were killed and the exchange of fire is ongoing," said Mohmud Zazai, a senior army commander in the area.

Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate "sanctuaries" for militants.

Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul.

A local political official, who asked not to be identified, said that Pakistani security forces had responded on Sunday by opening fire along the border.

Mosques in Pakistan's Kurram Agency region, where the attack took place, made announcements urging locals to assist the armed forces, prompting throngs of armed civilians to arrive at the border after the attack.

Kurram has been plagued by militancy over the past decade and was the location of many U.S. drone strikes targeting commanders from al Qaeda and other militant groups.

Twin blasts in Kurram's most populous town, Parachinar, killed more than 75 people in June.

In a separate incident on Sunday in Pakistan's North Waziristan district, which also borders Afghanistan, a security forces vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device 15km from district capital Miranshah, a military official said.

Story continues

A curfew has been imposed in the area, with security officials carrying out a search operation.

North Waziristan was a Taliban stronghold until 2014, when Pakistan's military launched a major offensive against the group and pushed many of its fighters across the border into Afghanistan.

(Addditional reporting by Ahmad Shah in Khost and Haji Mujtaba in Miranshah; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by David Goodman)
Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday slammed Iran's "blatant interference" in the region and lashed out at the US over Jerusalem as Arab leaders met in the kingdom for their annual summit. The 82-year-old monarch dubbed the Arab League meet the "Jerusalem summit" as he took aim at Washington's decision to recognise the disputed city as the capital of Israel and transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv. The final statement released by the league declared the move "null and illegitimate". Under the auspices of Riyadh, seventeen heads of state from across the Arab world -- not including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- gathered in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, home to Saudi oil giant Aramco, as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran. The meeting opened only 24 hours after a barrage of strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France hit targets they said were linked to chemical weapons development in Syria, which was suspended from the league seven years ago. A seat marked "Syrian Arab Republic" sat empty in the hall. Saudi Arabia's king turned his attention with long-time foe Iran -- only 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Dhahran. "We renew our strong condemnation of Iran's terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries," the king said. And despite being a stalwart ally of the United States, the ruler also criticised US President Donald Trump's controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and shift the US embassy there. "We reiterate our rejection of the US decision on Jerusalem," Salman said. "East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories." - Donation diplomacy - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir however insisted Riyadh would maintain "strong, strategic" ties with Washington. "There is no contradiction with having very strong strategic ties with the US while telling your friends where their policy should change," Jubeir said in response to a question by AFP. "That's what friends are for." At a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, Arab ministers focused heavily on blocking the embassy move, unanimously condemning Trump's decision and moving to block Israel's bid to secure at seat at the UN Security Council this June. King Salman, whose country has for decades declared a policy of support for the an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, on Sunday announced a $150 million donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in the eastern part of the holy city. Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 32-year-old son of the king and heir to the region's most powerful throne, had days earlier said Israel also had a right to its own state during a tour of the United States. - Proxy wars with Iran - Riyadh and Shiite rival Tehran back opposing sides in a range of hotspots across the mainly Sunni Muslim Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour, Yemen. Both parties in the Yemen war have drawn harsh condemnation from the United Nations. Saudi Arabia and its military allies landed on a UN blacklist last year for the killing and maiming of children. A Security Council resolution aimed at Iran's failure to block supplies of missiles to Yemen's Huthi rebels, which the insurgents regularly fire at Saudi Arabia, was vetoed in February by Russia. The summit also comes with Saudi Arabia and Qatar locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran. Both states have supported US-led air raids against Syrian chemical weapons facilities. Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but Qatar still only sent its representative to the Arab League to the Dhahran summit. Among the leaders in attendance was Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, who walked the red carpet and was greeted by King Salman. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for five counts of crimes against humanity, three counts of genocide and two counts of war crimes. Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syria's membership over the Assad regime's role in the war. Syria's war, the most complex of the region's conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.
The Syrian army has declared that all anti-regime forces have left Eastern Ghouta, after a blistering two month offensive on the rebel enclave on the outskirts of the capital. The announcement, which represents a key strategic victory for President Bashar al-Assad, came just hours after US-led strikes pounded Syrian government targets in response to a suspected chemical attack on the enclave's main town of Douma. "All terrorists have left Douma, the last of their holdouts in Eastern Ghouta," state news agency SANA quoted an army spokesman as saying Saturday, using the regime's usual term for rebels. "Areas of Eastern Ghouta in rural Damascus have been fully cleansed of terrorism," an army spokesman also said in a statement delivered on state television. At the start of the year Eastern Ghouta was a sprawling semi-rural area just east of Damascus, home to almost 400,000 inhabitants, which had already endured several years under a government siege that slashed access to food, medicine and other goods. The Syrian government and allied forces launched a massive assault on February 18 to retake the enclave, which had been out of regime control since 2012. The intense bombardment killed some 1,700 civilians according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, and pulverised the area, reducing many neighbourhoods to rubble. Damascus has been accused of carrying out an April 7 chemical weapons attack on Douma, the final part of the enclave where rebels were balking at a Russian-brokered deal to evacuate them to northern Syria. The United States, France and Britain responded Saturday with pre-dawn strikes on alleged regime chemical weapons sites. The allies have since signalled their resolve to return to diplomacy, launching a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in the country. A team of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is in Damascus and expected to investigate the site of the suspected chemical attack. - Strategic target - Assad had made the reconquest of Eastern Ghouta a strategic goal. The Islamist group Jaish al-Islam rebel group, which was in control of Douma, has said it only agreed to leave because of the Syrian government's purported use of toxic chemicals on Douma, which medics said killed more than 40 people. The group has slammed the Western strikes as insufficient, as Assad maintains his grip on the war-ravaged country. "Punishing the instrument of the crime while keeping the criminal -- a farce," wrote Mohammad Alloush, a key member of Jaish al-Islam. Syria and Russia have both denied using chemical weapons and said the claims were fabrications used to justify Western military action. - Mine clearing - The two-month assault on Eastern Ghouta sparked an international outcry, with the head of the United Nations describing the conditions endured by civilians there as "hell on Earth". Few convoys of humanitarian aid were allowed in while rights groups and aid organisations also condemned the targeting of medical facilities across the besieged territory. Dozens of civilians in government-controlled central Damascus were also killed by rockets and mortar rounds fired from Eastern Ghouta by the rebel groups that held it. On Saturday Syria's internal security forces entered Douma, after the last convoy of buses transporting members of Jaish al-Islam and their relatives left the town. The Syrian army said a clean up operation was under way in the battered enclave. "Engineering units are starting to clear the mines and explosives sewn by the terrorists in the town to allow the rest of the units to secure the liberated areas and prepare them for the return of civilians to their homes," the army spokesman said. Thousands of civilians who fled the offensive have already returned to areas previously retaken by the army and allied forces. A large number of Eastern Ghouta residents were bussed to the northern province of Idlib, which is largely outside government control and hosts several jihadist and other rebel groups. The civil war started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Assad has managed to cling on to power, retaking swathes of territory with the help of ally Russia.
ABC News released a preview clip on Friday of George Stephanopoulos interview with James Comey in which the former FBI director said it was possible that Donald Trump was with prostitutes who peed on each other during a 2013 Moscow trip.

That interview, which reportedly lasted five hours, is set to air on Sunday on a special edition of 20/20.

If its true that Comey answered every question in that interview, as Axios reported earlier this week, then that might not be the only revelation to emerge.

Advertisement

Comey already revealed a great deal about the inner workings of the Trump administration and the circumstances of his firing during his congressional testimony last summer, but a lot of important questions about those topics and the Russia investigation that he might be able to shed some light on remain unanswered.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres a brief rundown of some of the topics wed want Comey to clarify during his upcoming publicity tour, starting with that 20/20 interview.

Does he have any better sense of what that thing between him and Trump might have been?

During his congressional testimony, Comey described Trump as having said to him: I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know. At the time, Comey didnt know what that thing meant. Does he have a better guess now?

Advertisement

What were his conversations with FBI investigator Peter Strzok like?

Strzok, who was re-assigned from the Russia investigation last summer after Special Counsel Robert Mueller became aware of text messages that were critical of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, co-wrote Comeys letter that reopened the Clinton investigation in October 2016. To what degree did Comey know about Strzoks political opinions?

How many memos memorializing his conversations with Trump did he give to his friend Daniel Richman, were any of them marked classified, and did he include any classified information on them?

Fox News reported that four memos were given to Richman, which was the basis for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassleys allegation that at least one memo with classified information was leaked to the press by Comey via Richman.

Advertisement

Advertisement

What was his legal rationale for revealing the memos?

Comey has said that he felt the memos were my recollection recorded of my conversation with the president and that he had a duty as a private citizen to get the information out to the public. What was might have been his legal basis for believing those were personal rather than government documents?

What precisely did he say to former Attorney General Loretta Lynch when she instructed him to publicly call the Clinton email probe a matter and not an investigation. Also, did he have any evidence that this proved her bias in the case?

Advertisement

Comey says he asked Lynch why would I do that when she instructed him to call the probe a matter. Lynch says concerns were not raised about the issue when it was discussed. What precisely did he tell her? These conversations formed Comeys public rationale for the controversial, potentially election-swinging decision to handle the Clinton investigation the way that he did.

Advertisement

As a former top prosecutor, what is his current opinion on whether or not the president committed the federal crime of obstruction of justice?

During his congressional testimony, Comey said its Bob Muellers job to sort that out. Does he have an opinion now, though?

Advertisement

How does he think the White House has defamed him?

In Comeys congressional testimony, he said the administration  chose to defame me. To what was he referring?

Does he still think it was the right decision to deal with the Clinton email probe as he did?

During his testimony, Comey said of his Clinton investigation decisions: [G]iven what I knew at the time and even what Ive learned since, I think it was the best way to try to protect the justice institution. Does he still feel that way?

Advertisement

What specifically was wrong about the Feb. 14, 2017 New York Times report claiming that Trump officials were being investigated for discussions with Russians?

During his testimony, Comey said of the report In the main, it was not true. The Times stood by their reporting after issuing a single substantive correction. What, specifically, was not true?

Can he publicly confirm any Steele Dossier criminal allegations, what Michael Flynns role was in Comeys collusion probe, whether he knew of information that he believed could be used to blackmail members of the administration, any additional factors that led him to view Lynchs independence on the Clinton investigation as compromised, whether he thinks collusion occurred between the Trump campaign and Russia, how he knew Attorney General Jeff Sessions was going to recuse himself from that investigation, and what he knows about the Russian bank VEB?*

During the testimony, he refused to answer questions on this topics in an open setting. Has that stance changed?
A famous lawyer known nationally as one of the key champions for gay rights in the courts was found dead in Brooklyns Prospect Park early Saturday morning after setting himself on fire in what he said was a protest against the use of fossil fuels. My name is David Buckel and I just killed myself by fire as a protest suicide, read a hand-written note left at the scene. I apologize to you for the mess. He also emailed the note to several media outlets.

Advertisement

Buckel, 60, was best known as a champion of LGBT rights and the lead attorney in Brandon v County of Richardson. In that case, a Nebraska county sheriff was found guilty of failing to protect Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered. Teenas story was later turned into a movie, Boys Dont Cry, which earned Hilary Swank an Academy Award. He was also the marriage project director and senior counsel at Lambda Legal and worked on several important marriage equality cases. He later went on to focus on environmental causes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pollution ravages our planet, oozing inhabitability via air, soil, water and weather, Buckel wrote in the email that news outlets, including the New York Times, received. Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result  my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves.

Advertisement

Lambda Legal issued a statement mourning Buckel. This is a tremendous loss for our Lambda Legal family, but also for the entire movement for social justice, said Camilla Taylor, director of constitutional litigation and acting legal director. David was an indefatigable attorney and advocate, and also a dedicated and loving friend to so many. He will be remembered for his kindness, devotion, and vision for justice.
The CEO of Starbucks issued a detailed apology over the weekend after a video that shows two black men being arrested in one of the companys stores in Philadelphia went viral and sparked widespread outrage. The video shot by customers is very hard to watch and the actions in it are not representative of our Starbucks Mission and Values, Kevin Johnson wrote in a statement posted on the companys website. Our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested and this should never have escalated as it did. Johnson went on to say that he wants to offer a face-to-face apology to the two black men who were arrested.

Advertisement

@Starbucks The police were called because these men hadnt ordered anything. They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs for doing nothing. All the other white ppl are wondering why its never happened to us when we do the same thing. pic.twitter.com/0U4Pzs55Ci  Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 12, 2018

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The apology came as both Philadelphias mayors office and police department launched investigations into the arrest of the two men who were waiting to meet someone for a business meeting at the Starbucks on Thursday. An attorney for the men says they were waiting at the Starbucks for less than 15 minutes for a meeting over a real estate project.

Advertisement

We are aware of an incident that occurred on 4-12-18 at the Starbucks Cafe at 18th and Spruce. The entire incident, including the actions of the responding officers, is under internal investigation. Once we gather all the facts, we will comment further.  Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) April 14, 2018

The videos of the incident show at least six Philadelphia police officers standing over the men while asking them to leave. Thats when a man who has been identified as real estate investor Andrew Yaffe arrives and tells police the men were waiting for him. Why would they be asked to leave? Yaffe can be heard saying. Does anybody else think this is ridiculous? He then describes the situation: Its absolute discrimination. The men were taken out in handcuffs and released early Friday with no charges filed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The video, in this case, essentially speaks for itself, Lauren Wimmer, the mens attorney, said. These guys were doing what people do every day, they were having a meeting and they were undoubtedly singled out because of their race.

Advertisement

Heartbroken to see Philly in the headlines for what  at least based on what we know now  appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018. Like all establishments in Philly, Starbucks should be a place where everyone is treated the same https://t.co/oHC9m6ExsG  Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) April 14, 2018

Advertisement

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny said he was very concerned about the incident. Heartbroken to see Philly in the headlines for what  at least based on what we know now  appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018, Kenney wrote on Twitter. Police commissioner Richard Ross defended his officers, saying they did absolutely nothing wrong in how they reacted to the complaint that the two men were trespassing. As an African-American male, I am very aware of implicit bias, he said before noting the officers had acted according to protocol. If you think about it logically, that if a business calls and they say that someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, they (the officers) now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties. And they did just that.
President Donald Trump seems to be doing James Comeys media and advertising strategy for him. The commander in chief woke up Sunday morning with a lot of feelings about his former FBI chiefs book that is set to be released on Tuesday and was sure to express them all in what has become a signature of his presidency: the unhinged Sunday morning Twitter rant.

The president started off his rant by repeating what has become a favorite White House talking point, noting that Comey reopened the FBIs investigation into Hillary Clinton because she led the polls. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job, Trump wrote. Slimeball!

Advertisement

Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

With the tweet it seems Trump either didnt read past the headline or is simply buying into the talking point because thats not exactly what Comeys book says. In his book, Comey says he may have unconsciously feared making Clinton an illegitimate president. Politico has previously pointed out the inconsistency and published the excerpt in question demonstrating that the White House interpretation is, at best, misleading:

Advertisement

I had assumed from media polling that Hillary Clinton was going to win. I have asked myself many times since if I was influenced by that assumption. I dont know. Certainly not consciously but I would be a fool to say it couldnt have had an impact on me. It is entirely possible that, because I was making decisions in an environment where Hillary Clinton was sure to be the next president, my concern about making her an illegitimate president by concealing the restarted investigation bore greater weight than it would have if the election appeared closer or if Donald Trump were ahead in the polls. But I dont know.

Trump didnt stop there and went on to send several more tweets directly attacking Comey and even suggesting the former FBI chief should be jailed. First, he attacked the badly reviewed book for failing to answer key questions like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didnt they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabes $700,000 & more? The commander in chief then returned to one of his favorite campaign talking points, the 2016 tarmac meeting between Bill Clinton and then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Advertisement

The big questions in Comeys badly reviewed book arent answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didnt they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabes $700,000 & more?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Advertisement

Comey throws AG Lynch under the bus! Why cant we all find out what happened on the tarmac in the back of the plane with Wild Bill and Lynch? Was she promised a Supreme Court seat, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary. No golf and grandkids talk (give us all a break)!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Advertisement

Advertisement

At that point Trump got distracted by a tweet about Syria to criticize the medias coverage of the airstrikes before quickly returning to Comey, insisting he never asked the former FBI chief for Personal Loyalty. Just another of his many lies, Trump wrote. To end the blitz, Trump went on to write that Comey will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!

I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His memos are self serving and FAKE!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Advertisement
Legal & General Group Plc provides various insurance products and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Legal & General Retirement (LGR), Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), Legal & General Capital (LGC), and Legal & General Insurance (LGI). The LGR segment offers annuity contracts with guaranteed income for a specified time; longevity insurance products for company pension schemes; lifetime mortgages; lifetime care plans; and retirement interest only mortgages. The LGIM segment provides index fund management; active fixed income funds and liquidity funds; active equity management; solution and liability driven investment; multi-asset funds; corporate pension scheme solutions; and real estate funds. The LGC segment offers investment strategy and implementation, and direct investment and structuring services. The LGI segment provides protection products, such as health, disability, critical illness, and accident; individual term assurance; reinsurance; savings and death benefits; and annuities. The company is also involved in the unit trust and institutional fund management, mortgage finance, treasury, building project and modular housing development, general insurance, and open-ended investment businesses, as well as manufacture of sheds. It also engages in the real estate investment, operation, management, and trading, fund general partner, fund trustee, commercial lending, venture capital investing, contractual scheme, management, pension tracing and transfer, investor alternative investment fund, collective asset-management, and investment management activities; and provision of investment advisory, business information consultancy, and technology services. The company was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
EnQuest PLC operates as an oil and gas development and production company, explores for, extracts, and produces hydrocarbons in the United Kingdom, North Sea, and Malaysia. It primarily holds interests in the Magnus, Kraken, the Greater Kittiwake Area, Scolty/Crathes, Alba, Thistle/Deveron, Heather/Broom, Alma/Galia, and the Dons area. The company also has interests in the PM8/Seligi and PM409 production sharing contracts in Malaysia. In addition, it holds interests in 10 operated production licenses and 3 production hubs. As of December 31, 2020, the company had proved and probable reserves of 279 million barrels of oil equivalents. Further, it is involved in the construction, ownership, and operation of an oil pipeline; marketing and trading of crude oil; and leasing activities. EnQuest PLC was incorporated in 2010 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of Occidental Petroleum: 1PointFive Inc., 1PointFive P1 LLC, APC Aviation Inc., APC International Holdings LLC, APC Midstream Holdings LLC, APC Venezuela Srl, ARCO Long Beach, Altura Energy, Amarok Gathering LLC, Anadarko 20-25 Company, Anadarko 20-36 Company, Anadarko 20-47 Company, Anadarko 20-48 Company, Anadarko 20-49 Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 403 c/e Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 406B Company, Anadarko Algeria Company LLC, Anadarko Algeria Oil & Gas Company, Anadarko Brazil Investment I LLC, Anadarko Brazil Investment II LLC, Anadarko Canada E&P Limited, Anadarko China Holdings 2 Company, Anadarko Colombia Company, Anadarko Consolidated Holdings LLC, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Block 103 Company, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Company, Anadarko DBMOS Operator LLC, Anadarko Development Company, Anadarko Development Holding Limited, Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, Anadarko Egypt Holdings Company, Anadarko Energy Holding Limited, Anadarko Energy Services Company, Anadarko Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Natural Ltda., Anadarko Finance Company, Anadarko Gabon Company, Anadarko Ghana Mahogany-1 Company, Anadarko Global Energy S.a.r.l, Anadarko Global Funding 1 Company, Anadarko Global Funding II Ltd., Anadarko Guyana Company, Anadarko Holding Company, Anadarko International Development S.a.r.l, Anadarko International Energy Company, Anadarko International O&G Company, Anadarko International Trading Corporation, Anadarko Jordan Company, Anadarko Kenya Company, Anadarko LMM S.a.r.l, Anadarko Land Corp., Anadarko Mexico B.V., Anadarko Mexico S.a.r.l, Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell BR Corp., Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell LLC, Anadarko Natural Gas Company LLC, Anadarko New Zealand Company, Anadarko OGC Company, Anadarko Offshore Holding Company LLC, Anadarko Offshore Well Containment Company LLC, Anadarko Oil & Gas 5 LLC, Anadarko Peru B.V., Anadarko Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Anadarko Realty LLC, Anadarko Rockies LLC, Anadarko Royalty Holdings Company, Anadarko UK Corporate Limited, Anadarko US Offshore LLC, Anadarko USH1 Corporation, Anadarko Venezuela Company, Anadarko Venezuela LLC, Anadarko Venezuela Srl, Anadarko WCTP Company, Anadarko West Texas BR Corp., Anadarko West Texas LLC, Anadarko Worldwide Holdings C.V., Atlantic Rim Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aventine LLC, Baseball Merger Sub 2 Inc., Bear Branch Exploration LLC, Big Island Trona Company, Bitter Creek Coal Company, Bravo Pipeline Company, Cain Chemical, Cain Chemical Inc., Carbon Finance Labs LLC, Concord Petroleum Corporation, Conn Creek Shale Company, D.S. Ventures LLC, DMM Financial LLC, Deerwood Exploration LLC, Downtown Plaza II, Elk Hills Field, FLAG Development LLC, FP Westport Commodities Limited, FP Westport GmbH, FP Westport LLC, FP Westport Limited, FP Westport Services LLC, FP Westport Trading LLC, Fosters Mill Exploration LLC, Glenn Springs Holdings Inc., Globrep Representaciones S.A., Grand Bassa Tankers Inc., Grupo OxyChem de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Headwater II LLC, Houndstooth Resources LLC, INDSPEC Chemical B.V., INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Export Sales LLC, INDSPEC Holding Corporation, Ingleside Cogeneration GP LLC, Ingleside Cogeneration Limited Partnership, Interore Trading Ltd., Joslyn Partnership, KERR-McGEE TT E&P LTD., KM BM-C-Seven Ltd., KM International Insurance Ltd., Kerr-McGee Corporation, Kerr-McGee Natural Gas Company Inc., Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP, Kerr-McGee Shared Services Company LLC, Kerr-McGee Stored Power Corporation, Kerr-McGee U.K. Energy Corporation, Kerr-McGee Worldwide Corporation, Kerr-McGee do Brasil Ltda., Kerr-McGee of Canada Northwest Ltd., Laguna Petroleum Corp., Laguna Petroleum LLC, Liwa Oil & Gas Ltd., MC2 Technologies LLC, Mariana Properties Inc., Marico Exploration Inc., Miller Springs Remediation Management Inc., Moncrief Minerals Partnership L.P., NGL Ventures LLC, Natural Gas Odorizing Inc., New OPL LLC, OEVC Energy LLC, OEVC Midstream Projects LLC, OIH LLC, OLCV CE Holdings ULC, OLCV CE US Holdings Inc., OLCV Net Power LLC, OLCV Services LLC, OOG Partner LLC, OOOI Chem Holdings LLC, OOOI Chem Sub LLC, OOOI Chemical International LLC, OOOI Chile Holder LLC, OOOI Ecuador Management LLC, OOOI Oil and Gas Sub LLC, OOOI South America Management LLC, OPM GP Inc., OPM Holdco LLC, OTCF LLC, OTH LLC, OXY CV Pipeline LLC, OXY Campus LLC, OXY Inc., OXY LPG LLC, OXY Libya E&P Area 103 BR4 B.V., OXY Libya E&P Area 35 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P Concession 103 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 102 B.V., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1981 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1985 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P NC 143 144 145 150 B.V., OXY Libya Exploration SPC, OXY Libya LLC, OXY Little Knife LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings I LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings II LLC, OXY Middle East Holdings Ltd., OXY Oil Partners Inc., OXY PBLP Manager LLC, OXY Support Services LLC, OXY Tulsa Inc., OXY USA Inc., OXY USA WTP LP, OXY VPP Investments LLC, OXY West LLC, OXY of Saudi Arabia Ltd., OXYCHEM (CANADA) INC., OXYMAR, Oakwood Exploration LLC, Occidental (Bermuda) Ltd., Occidental (East Shabwa) LLC, Occidental Advance Sale Finance Inc., Occidental Al Hosn LLC, Occidental Angola Holdings Ltd., Occidental CIS Services Inc., Occidental Canada Holdings Ltd., Occidental Chemical Asia Limited, Occidental Chemical Belgium B.V.B.A., Occidental Chemical Chile Limitada, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Occidental Chemical Export Sales LLC, Occidental Chemical Far East Limited, Occidental Chemical Holding Corporation, Occidental Chemical International LLC, Occidental Chemical Investment (Canada) 1 Inc., Occidental Chemical Receivables LLC, Occidental Chemical de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Occidental Chile Investments LLC, Occidental Chile Minority Holder LLC, Occidental Colombia (Series G) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series J) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series K) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series L) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series M) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series N) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series O) Ltd., Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (Canada), Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (International), Occidental Dolphin Holdings Ltd., Occidental Energy Marketing Inc., Occidental Energy Ventures LLC, Occidental Exploradora del Peru Ltd., Occidental Exploration and Production Company, Occidental Hafar LLC, Occidental International (Libya) Inc., Occidental International Corporation, Occidental International Exploration and Production Company, Occidental International Holdings Ltd., Occidental International Oil and Gas Ltd., Occidental International Services Inc., Occidental Joslyn GP 2 Co., Occidental LNG (Malaysia) Ltd., Occidental Latin America Holdings LLC, Occidental Libya Oil & Gas B.V., Occidental MENA Manager Ltd., Occidental Middle East Development Company, Occidental Midland Basin LLC, Occidental Mukhaizna LLC, Occidental Oil Asia Pte. Ltd., Occidental Oil Shale Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas (Oman) Ltd., Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Occidental Oil and Gas International Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas International LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas Pakistan LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas of Peru LLC, Occidental Oman (Block 27) Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 65 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 65 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 72 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 72 LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Company LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman North Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oriente Exploration and Production Ltd., Occidental Overseas Holdings B.V., Occidental PVC LLC, Occidental Peninsula II Inc., Occidental Peninsula LLC, Occidental Permian Ltd., Occidental Permian Manager LLC, Occidental Permian Services Inc., Occidental Peruana Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 101) Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 103) Inc., Occidental Petroleum (Pakistan) Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation Political Action Committee, Occidental Petroleum de Venezuela S.A., Occidental Petroleum of Nigeria, Occidental Petroleum of Oman Ltd., Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd., Occidental Power Marketing L.P., Occidental Power Services Inc., Occidental Qatar Energy Company LLC, Occidental Red Sea Development LLC, Occidental Research Corporation, Occidental Resource Recovery Systems Inc., Occidental Resources Company, Occidental Shah Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental South America Finance LLC, Occidental Specialty Marketing Inc., Occidental Tower Corporation, Occidental Transportation Holding Corporation, Occidental West Texas Overthrust Inc., Occidental Yemen Ltd., Occidental Yemen Sabatain Inc., Occidental del Ecuador Inc., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Bab) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Shah) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi LLC, Occidental of Abu Dhabi Ltd., Occidental of Bahrain Ltd., Occidental of Bangladesh Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Chipiron) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Cosecha) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Medina) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Putumayo) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia (Teca) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia PUT-36 LLC, Occidental of Dubai Inc., Occidental of Iraq Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Iraq LLC, Occidental of Oman Inc., Occidental of Russia Ltd., Occidental of South Africa (Offshore) Inc., Occidental of Yemen (Block 75) LLC, Oceanic Marine Transport Ltd., Opcal Insurance Inc., Oryx Crude Trading & Transportation Inc., Oxy BridgeTex Limited Partnership, Oxy C & I Bulk Sales LLC, Oxy Canada Sales Inc., Oxy Carbon Solutions LLC, Oxy Carbon Storage LLC, Oxy Climate Ventures Inc., Oxy Cogeneration Holding Company LLC, Oxy Colombia Holdings LLC, Oxy Colombia TopCo Ltd., Oxy Delaware Basin LLC, Oxy Delaware Basin Plant LLC, Oxy Dolphin E&P LLC, Oxy Dolphin Pipeline LLC, Oxy Energy Canada Inc., Oxy Energy Services LLC, Oxy Expatriate Services Inc., Oxy FFT Holdings Inc., Oxy Holding Company (Pipeline) Inc., Oxy International Ventures Ltd., Oxy LPG Terminal LLC, Oxy Levelland Pipeline Company LLC, Oxy Levelland Terminal Company LLC, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures LLC, Oxy Midstream Strategic Development LLC, Oxy Oleoducto SOP LLC, Oxy Overseas Services Ltd., Oxy Permian Gathering LLC, Oxy Permian Plaza LLC, Oxy Petroleum de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Oxy Renewable Energy LLC, Oxy Salt Creek Pipeline LLC, Oxy TL LLC, Oxy Taft Hub LLC, Oxy Technology Ventures Inc., Oxy Transport I Company LLC, Oxy Vinyls Canada Co., Oxy Vinyls Export Sales LLC, Oxy Vinyls LP, Oxy Westwood Corporation, Oxy Y-1 Company, OxyChem Ingleside Ethylene Holdings Inc., OxyChem do Brasil Ltda., OxyChile Investments LLC, Oxychem Shipping Ltd., Permian Basin JV Tax Matters Member LLC, Permian Basin Limited Partnership, Permian VPP Holder LP, Permian VPP Manager LLC, Phibro, Placid Oil LLC, Ramlat Oxy Ltd., Rio de Viento Inc., Rodeo Midland Basin LLC, San Patricio Pipeline LLC, Scanports Shipping LLC, SequestCo LLC, Stetson Exploration LLC, Sun Offshore Gathering Company, Swiflite Aircraft Corporation, Transok Properties LLC, Troy Potter Inc., Turavent Oil GmbH [in liquidation], Tuscaloosa Holdings Inc., UP Petroleo III Ltd., Upland Industries Corporation, Venezuela US SRL, Vintage Gas Inc., Vintage Petroleum, Vintage Petroleum Argentina Ltd., Vintage Petroleum Boliviana Ltd., Vintage Petroleum International Finance B.V., Vintage Petroleum International Holdings LLC, Vintage Petroleum International LLC, Vintage Petroleum International Ventures Inc., Vintage Petroleum Italy Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America Holdings Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America LLC, Vintage Petroleum Turkey Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Canada Inc., Wardner Ranch Inc., Western Gas Resources Inc., Western Gas Resources-Westana Inc., Western Midstream Holdings LLC, Woodlands International Insurance Ltd., and YT Ranch LLC.
 American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257

MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.



Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information



 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research.
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of liquefied natural gas, methanol, and coal and other chemicals; conversion and utilization of biomass, and industrial and agricultural waste; and operation of natural gas refilling stations, piped city-gas projects, upstream and midstream developments, water and wastewater treatment projects, energy exploration and utilization ventures, and aviation fuel facilities. The company supplies town gas to approximately 1.9 million customers. It also provides network connectivity, and data center and cloud computing services; and engages in the software development, solution implementation, and systems integration activities. In addition, the company offers consultancy and engineering contractor services, including utilities installation, infrastructure construction, and civil and building services engineering for public and private projects; and designs and manufactures gas meters and metering systems. Further, it is involved in water supply and wastewater treatment serving 2.4 million customers. Additionally, the company manufactures polyethylene piping and fittings; and engages in the customers center, cafA, restaurant, retail sale, automatic meter reading system development, laboratory testing, payment gateway and related, project management, landfill gas project, financing, logistics, oil, research and development, property development, and securities investment activities. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in North Point, Hong Kong.

Read More
Domtar Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paper, and Personal Care. The company provides business papers, including copy and electronic imaging papers used in inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers, and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms, and digital papers for office and home use. It also offers commercial printing and publishing papers, such as offset papers and opaques used in sheet and roll fed offset presses; publishing papers, which include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers for publishing textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels, and financial documents; and converting papers for envelopes, tablets, business forms, and data processing/computer forms. In addition, the company provides papers for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpaper backing, carbonless printing, labels and other coating, and laminating applications; and papers for industrial and specialty applications, such as carrier papers, treated papers, security papers, and specialized printing and converting applications. Further, it offers absorbent hygiene products, including absorbent briefs, protective underwear, underpads, pads, washcloths, and body patches under the Attends, Indasec, IndasSlip, and Reassure brands; and baby diapers, training and youth pants, and bed mats under the Comfees, Chelino, Nene, and Bambino brand names. The company serves merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters, and end-users. Domtar Corporation was founded in 1848 and is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Read More
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read More
MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Department of Revenue)

Notification No. 20/2018

New Delhi, the 12th April, 2018

(INCOME TAX)

S.O. 1589(E).Whereas the Protocol, amending the Convention between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital with Protocol signed at New Delhi, India on the 9th December 1996, was signed at New Delhi, India on the 6th January, 2017, as set out in the annexure appended to this notification and hereinafter referred to as the said amending Protocol;

And whereas, the date of entry into force of the said amending Protocol is the 12th day of March, 2018, being the date of receipt, through diplomatic channels, of later of written notifications informing in regard to the completion of internal procedures required for the entry into force of the said amending Protocol, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article XV of the said amending Protocol;

And whereas, clause (a) of paragraph 2 of Article XV of the said amending Protocol provides that the provisions of the said amending Protocol shall have effect in India in respect of income derived or capital held in any fiscal year beginning on or after the first day of April next following the date on which this Protocol enters into force;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 90 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), the Central Government hereby notifies that all the provisions of the said amending Protocol, as annexed hereto, shall be given effect to in the Union of India.

ANNEXURE

PROTOCOL AMENDING THE CONVENTION

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION

AND

THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION

WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME AND ON CAPITAL

WITH PROTOCOL SIGNED

AT

NEW DELHI

ON

9TH DECEMBER, 1996

The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Desiring to amend the Convention between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital with Protocol signed at New Delhi on 9th December 1996 (hereinafter referred to as the Convention),

Have agreed as follows:

Article I

Sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 3 of Article 2 (Taxes covered) of the Convention shall be replaced by the following sub-paragraph:

(a) in the Republic of Kazakhstan:

(i) the corporate income tax;

(ii) the individual income tax;

(iii) the tax on property of legal persons and individuals;

(hereinafter referred to as Kazakhstan tax);.

Article II

1. Clause (i) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 1 of Article 3 (General definitions) of the Convention shall be replaced by the following clause:

(i) Kazakhstan means the Republic of Kazakhstan and, when used in a geographical sense, the term Kazakhstan includes the state territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and areas where Kazakhstan exercises its sovereign rights and jurisdiction according to its legislation and international law;.

2. The following sentence shall be added at the end of paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Convention:

Any meaning under the applicable tax laws of that Contracting State prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that Contracting State..

Article III

1. Paragraph 1 of Article 4 (Resident) of the Convention shall be replaced by the following paragraph:

1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term resident of a Contracting State means any person who, under the laws of that Contracting State, is liable to tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of incorporation, place of management or any other criterion of a similar nature, and also includes that Contracting State and any political subdivision or local authority thereof.

This term, however, does not include any person who is liable to tax in that Contracting State in respect only of income from sources in that Contracting State or capital situated therein..

2. With reference to paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Convention, it is understood that the phrase place of incorporation includes place of registration.

Article IV

1. In sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 3 of Article 5 (Permanent establishment) of the Convention, the number and words more than 12 months shall be replaced by the number and words more than 6 months.

2. After sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the Convention, the following paragraph (c) shall be added:

(c) the furnishing of services, including consultancy services, by an enterprise through employees or other personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, but only where activities of that nature continue (for the same or a connected project) within the Contracting State for a period or periods aggregating more than 90 days within any twelve-month period..

3. With reference sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the Convention, it is understood that where an enterprise of a Contracting State that is performing services in the other Contracting State is, during a period of time, associated with another enterprise that performs substantially similar services in that other Contracting State for the same project or for connected projects through one or more individuals who are present and performing such services in that other Contracting State, the first-mentioned enterprise shall be deemed, during that period of time, to be performing services in the other Contracting State for that same project or for connected projects through these individuals. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, an enterprise shall be associated with another enterprise if one is controlled directly or indirectly by the other, or both are controlled directly or indirectly by the same persons, regardless of whether or not these persons are residents of one of the Contracting States.

Article V

After paragraph 6 in Article 7(Business profits) of the Convention, the following paragraph 7 shall be added:

7. Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting State to determine the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, nothing in paragraph 2 of this article shall preclude that Contracting State from determining the profits to be taxed by such an apportionment as may be customary; the method of apportionment adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the principles contained in this article..

Article VI

In Article 9 (Associated enterprises) of the Convention, the existing text shall be numbered as paragraph 1 and after such numbering, the following paragraph shall be added:

2. Where a Contracting State includes in the profits of an enterprise of that Contracting State  and taxes accordingly  profits on which an enterprise of the other Contracting State has been charged to tax in that other Contracting State and the profits so included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first-mentioned Contracting State if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other Contracting State shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Convention and the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall if necessary consult each other..

Article VII

In paragraph 6 of Article 11 (Interest) of the Convention, the words that State itself, a political subdivision, a local authority or shall be deleted.

Article VIII

The first sentence of paragraph 5 of Article 12 (Royalties and fees for technical services) of the Convention shall be replaced by the following sentence:

Royalties or fees for technical services shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is a resident of that Contracting State.

Article IX

In paragraph 1 of Article 21 (Professors, teachers and research scholars) of the Convention, the words two years from the date of his arrival shall be replaced by two years from the date of his first arrival.

Article X

Paragraph 3 of Article 22 (Other income) of the Convention shall be replaced by the following paragraph:

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, items of income of a resident of a Contracting State not dealt with in the foregoing articles of this Convention and arising in the other Contracting State may also be taxed in that other Contracting State.

Article XI

Article 27 of the Convention shall be replaced by the following Article:

Article 27

Exchange of information

1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information (including documents) as is forseeably relevant for carrying out the provisions of this Convention or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws concerning taxes of every kind and description imposed on behalf of the Contracting States, or of their political subdivisions, central or local authorities, insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Convention. The exchange of information is not restricted by articles 1 and 2 of this Convention.

2. Any information received under paragraph 1 of this article by a Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that Contracting State and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, the determination of appeals in relation to the taxes referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, or the oversight of the above. Such persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information received by a Contracting State may be used for other purposes when such information may be used for such other purposes under the laws of both States and the competent authority of the supplying State authorises such use.

3. In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:

a. to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;

b. to supply information (including documents) which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State;

c. to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy (ordre public).

4. If information is requested by a Contracting State in accordance with this article, the other Contracting State shall use its information gathering measures to obtain the requested information, even though that other Contracting State may not need such information for its own tax purposes. The obligation contained in the preceding sentence is subject to the limitations of paragraph 3 of this article but in no case shall such limitations be construed to permit a Contracting State to decline to supply information solely because it has no domestic interest in such information.

5. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article be construed to permit a Contracting State to decline to supply information solely because the information is held by a bank, other financial institution, nominee or person acting in an agency or a fiduciary capacity or because it relates to ownership interests in a person..

Article XII

Article 28 of the Convention shall be replaced by the following Article:

Article 28

Assistance in the collection of taxes

1. The Contracting States shall lend assistance to each other in the collection of revenue claims. This assistance is not restricted by articles 1 and 2 of this Convention. The competent authorities of the Contracting States may by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this article.

2. The term revenue claim as used in this article means an amount owed in respect of taxes of every kind and description imposed on behalf of the Contracting States, or of their political subdivisions, or local authorities, insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to this Convention or any other instrument to which the Contracting States are parties, as well as interest, administrative penalties and costs of collection or conservancy related to such amount.

3. When a revenue claim of a Contracting State is enforceable under the laws of that Contracting State and is owed by a person who, at that time, cannot, under the laws of that Contracting State, prevent its collection, that revenue claim shall, at the request of the competent authority of that Contracting State, be accepted for purposes of collection by the competent authority of the other Contracting State. That revenue claim shall be collected by that other Contracting State in accordance with the provisions of its laws applicable to the enforcement and collection of its own taxes as if the revenue claim were a revenue claim of that other Contracting State.

4. When a revenue claim of a Contracting State is a claim in respect of which that Contracting State may, under its law, take measures of conservancy with a view to ensure its collection, that revenue claim shall, at the request of the competent authority of that Contracting State, be accepted for purposes of taking measures of conservancy by the competent authority of the other Contracting State. That other Contracting State shall take measures of conservancy in respect of that revenue claim in accordance with the provisions of its laws as if the revenue claim were a revenue claim of that other Contracting State even if, at the time when such measures are applied, the revenue claim is not enforceable in the first-mentioned Contracting State or is owed by a person who has a right to prevent its collection.

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 of this article, a revenue claim accepted by a Contracting State for purposes of paragraph 3 or 4 of this article shall not, in that Contracting State, be subject to the time limits or accorded any priority applicable to a revenue claim under the laws of that Contracting State by reason of its nature as such. In addition, a revenue claim accepted by a Contracting State for the purposes of paragraph 3 or 4 of this article shall not, in that Contracting State, have any priority applicable to that revenue claim under the laws of the other Contracting State.

6. Proceedings with respect to the existence, validity or the amount of a revenue claim of a Contracting State shall not be brought before the courts or administrative bodies of the other Contracting State. Nothing in this article shall be construed as creating or providing any right to such proceedings before any court or administrative body of the other Contracting State.

7. Where, at any time after a request has been made by a Contracting State under paragraph 3 or 4 of this article and before the other Contracting State has collected and remitted the relevant revenue claim to the first-mentioned Contracting State, the relevant revenue claim ceases to be:

a) in the case of a request under paragraph 3 of this article, a revenue claim of the first-mentioned Contracting State that is enforceable under the laws of that Contracting State and is owed by a person who, at that time, cannot, under the laws of that Contracting State, prevent its collection, or

b) in the case of a request under paragraph 4 of this article, a revenue claim of the first-mentioned Contracting State in respect of which that Contracting State may, under its laws, take measures of conservancy with a view to ensure its collection,

the competent authority of the first-mentioned Contracting State shall promptly notify the competent authority of the other Contracting State of that fact and, at the option of the other Contracting State, the first-mentioned Contracting State shall either suspend or withdraw its request.

8. In no case shall the provisions of this article be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:

a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;

b) to carry out measures which would be contrary to public policy (ordre public);

c) to provide assistance if the other Contracting State has not pursued all reasonable measures of collection or conservancy, as the case may be, available under its laws or administrative practice;

d) to provide assistance in those cases where the administrative burden for that Contracting State is clearly disproportionate to the benefit to be derived by the other Contracting State..

Article XIII

After Article 28 of the Convention, the following Article shall be added:

Article 28A

Limitation of benefits

1. The provisions of this Convention shall in no case prevent a Contracting State from the application of the provisions of its domestic law and measures against tax avoidance or evasion, whether or not described as such.

2. A resident of a Contracting State shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Convention if its affairs were arranged in such a manner as if it was the main purpose or one of the main purposes to take the benefits of this Convention.

3. The benefits under this Convention shall not be granted to a person, which is not the beneficial owner of the items of income derived from the other Contracting State or of the items of capital situated therein..

Article XIV

In Protocol signed on the 9th December, 1996, the following sentences shall be deleted:

With reference to Articles 10, 11 and 12;

In respect of Articles 10, 11 and 12 if under any Convention, Agreement or Protocol between the Governments of the Republic of India and the Republic of Kazakhstan with a third State, either India or Kazakhstan limit their taxation on dividends (single rate) interest, royalties or fees for technical services to a rate lower or a scope more restricted than the rate or scope provided for in this Convention on the said items of income, the same rate or scope as provided for in that Convention, Agreement or Protocol on the said items of income shall also apply under this Convention..

Article XV

1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the date of the receipt, through diplomatic channels, of the later of written notifications, informing that the internal procedures required for the entry into force of this Protocol have been completed by the Contracting States.

2. The provisions of this Protocol shall have effect:

(a) in India in respect of income derived or capital held in any fiscal year beginning on or after the first day of April next following the date on which this Protocol enters into force; and

(b) in Kazakhstan in respect of income derived or capital held in any fiscal year beginning on or after the first day of January next following the calendar year in which this Protocol enters into force.

In witness thereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto have signed this Protocol which shall be an integral part of the Convention.

Done in duplicate at New Delhi, this 6th day of January, 2017 in the Hindi, Kazakh, English and Russian languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence between any of the texts, English text will prevail.

For the Government of the



Republic of India



(Sushil Chandra)

Chairman,

Central Board of Direct Taxes

For the Government of the

Republic of Kazakhstan

(Bulat Sarsenbayev)

Ambassador of the Republic

of Kazakhstan to India

[Notification No.20/2018/F.No.501/06/94-FTD-II]

RAJAT BANSAL, Jt. Secy.
"A little fill here and there may seem to be nothing to become excited about. But one fill, though comparatively inconsequential, may lead to another, and another, and before long a great body may be eaten away until it may no longer exist.

Our navigable waters are a precious natural heritage, once gone, they disappear forever," wrote the Wisconsin Supreme Court in its 1960 opinion resolving Hixon v. PSC and buttressing The Public Trust Doctrine, Article IX of the Wisconsin State Constitution.
Delivery men on motorbikes, known locally as shippers, are becoming more common in Vietnam.

Countless shippers snake their way through Ho Chi Minh Citys traffic every day to deliver goods to eagerly awaiting customers.

But as with most jobs, the delivery business is not a walk in the park.

At the end of his sophomore year, Phan Van Daos parents bought him a motorbike.

That was three years ago. Since then, Dao has spent his days receiving orders via cellphone and transferring goods to customers.

Every now and then, Daos work day stretches to 11:00 pm as he battles traffic and picks up late orders.

Though his work hours are spent driving through dusty streets on hot, sunny days and battling floods in the rain, the flexibility is just one of the reasons Dao has stuck with shipping.

Nguyen Hoang Hai is also a keen shipper.

We make up to ten deliveries every day so we need to be constantly picking up and delivering goods until late at night. Sometimes we even have to leave unfinished meals to pick up delivery orders from customers. After driving around the city for a whole day, our faces are covered with dust. At least we can wash our faces. I cant even imagine what is going to happen to our lungs, Hai joked about his experience.

Like any other job, shipping is not always smooth sailing.

At times, Dao is in such a rush to deliver packages that he runs a red light and is stopped by the police, turning a VND15,000 (US$0.7) payday into a VND300,000 ($13) fine and complaints from angry customers about a lack of punctuality.

But racing against the clock is normal for a delivery driver. Certain parcels need to be delivered within two hours  barely enough time for the shipper to get to the warehouse, pick up the parcel, and make it to the customer.

Beating other shippers to accepting is another added stress of the job. A driver who takes his eyes off the app for just a few moments may miss the chance for a lucrative payday.

The riskiest part of the job, however, is delivering food.

Being in a hurry has led to several situations in which Dao let the food become too messy for the customer to accept the delivery. In those cases, he is forced to eat the food himself to keep it from going to waste.

Another challenge these delivery men face is traffic jams.

Traffic jams are the scariest, Dao says.

I usually calculate just enough time [for the parcel to be delivered], but when I see a traffic jam I know I am in trouble. It is alright when the customers are easy-going, but some demanding customers refuse to pay for the goods and the delivery service. Even if they do, I am still marked in the system as late. I receive a penalty if that occurs too often.

On the other hand, being a shipper does have its perks.

Working as a delivery man, I do not have to wait until the end of the month to be paid because Im paid directly after delivering the goods. It is a really good feeling to have the money in my hands, but there are times I have to pay the price, Dao says.

According to Hai, a hard worker can make a considerable monthly income in the shipping business. On the flip side, bigger paydays come with bigger competition.

I didnt accept delivery orders made late in the night or ones with low shipping fees and bigger deposits. However, these days I pick them all or else other shippers might take the offer. There are even freelance shippers who agree to lower prices, Hai said about his job.
A school for people with hearing disabilities of a province in Vietnams Central Highlands on Saturday set up a stall selling mostly hand-made products of its students, with a view to giving them an opportunity to continue their education.

A stand named Lang, which literally means calm or quiet, has appeared in the modest 40-square-meter space on the second floor of the Lam Dong School for the Deaf, a boarding school located in Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong Province.

The stall features hand-sewn pictures, pattern-decorated clothes, desiccated farm produce, and various handicrafts created by the students under the guidance of teachers and craftspeople.

A board emblazoned with Lang, the name of the souvenir stall at the Lam Dong School for the Deaf in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A picture on sale at the Lam Dong School for the Deaf in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In the past, a number of graduates from the school, which only taught children of the elementary level, failed to pursue their education due to poverty and had to find employment in Ho Chi Minh City, according to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Minh, the schools principal.

They earned a meager monthly salary of under VND1 million (US$44), about VND1-2 million lower than Vietnams minimum wages for 2018, and received no support from employers for accommodation costs, she said.

The school decided to bring them back by offering secondary-level classes and trained them in practical jobs.

The students, who have been increasingly skilful, made a larger number of products which found no demand while the program was constrained by a lack of funds for the materials.

The school therefore solicited contributions from many people to start the stall project, so that it can provide jobs for graduates and hands-on experience in creating handicrafts for students currently learning here, Minh said.

The principal added that money obtained from the sale will be used to pay the costs of studying and living of the students, the majority of whom are financially underprivileged.

A voluntary South Korean woman (R) helps a Vietnamese student with hearing loss draw decorations on a piece of clothing at the Lam Dong School for the Deaf in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dried flower arrangements on sale at the Lam Dong School for the Deaf in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Starbucks Chief Executive Kevin Johnson apologized late on Saturday for the arrests of two black men at a Philadelphia coffee shop last week, which sparked accusations of racial profiling.

Promising to make everything right, Johnson promised a thorough investigation of the incident caught on video by a patron Thursday and shared widely online.

The men were accused of trespassing but have said they were waiting for a friend before ordering.

The video shot by customers is very hard to watch and the actions in it are not representative of our Starbucks mission and values, Johnson said in a statement.

He added, The basis for the call to the Philadelphia police department was wrong.

Philadelphias police commissioner on Saturday defended the arrest, saying his officers had to act after Starbucks employees told them the pair were trespassing.

Video of Thursdays incident showed other patrons telling officers the pair were doing nothing wrong and appeared to have been targeted merely because of their race.

Police Commissioner Richard Ross said he knew the incident had prompted a lot of concern, but said his officers did absolutely nothing wrong.

In a video statement, Ross said store employees called 911 to report a disturbance and trespassing.

When officers arrived, Ross said, staff told them the two men had wanted to use the restroom but were informed it was only for paying customers. The pair repeatedly refused to leave when politely asked to do so by the employees and officers, he said.

If you think about it logically, that if a business calls and they say that someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, they (the officers) now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties. And they did just that, Ross said.

They were professional in all their dealings with these gentlemen, and instead they got the opposite back.

Ross said that as an African-American man he was acutely aware of implicit bias. We are committed to fair and unbiased policing and anything less than that will not be tolerated in this department, he said.

The two men were released, Ross said, after officers learned Starbucks was no longer interested in prosecuting them.

In a post on Twitter earlier on Saturday, Starbucks Corp said it was sorry for what took place.

Johnson added his apology, saying the company would review its policies and further train our partners to better know when police assistance is warranted.

Melissa DePino, an author who posted video of the arrest, said staff called police because the two men had not ordered anything while waiting for a friend. She said white customers were wondering why its never happened to us when we do the same thing.

Police departments across the United States have come under criticism for repeated instances of killing unarmed black men in recent years, which activists blame on racial biases in the criminal justice system.
Here are the news stories you should not miss today, April 15:

Society

-- Vietnams Ministry of Public Security has initiated legal proceedings against eight suspects, aged 21 to 26, for carrying out telephone scams to appropriate a total of VND10 billion (US$440,000) from February to April.

-- The Peoples Committee in the south-central province of Binh Thuan has tasked competent authorities with preparing a detailed plan on the use of unmanned aircraft in the management and protection of local forests.

-- About 600 houses in Ea Sup District in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak were damaged by whirlwinds and hailstorms that lasted about an hour on Friday evening.

-- A 33-year-old motorcyclist in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre had his head severed following a collision with a truck along the Ham Luong Bridge on Saturday morning.

-- Three people were killed and another injured by landslides in the northern province of Lao Cai on Saturday morning.

-- Border guard officers in northern province of Quang Ninh on Saturday apprehended crew members of nine boats for illegally mining sand along the coast in Mong Cai City.

-- A 28-year-old biker, who resided in Ho Chi Minh City, was killed after hitting a truck in the southern province of Dong Nai on Saturday morning. Initial information showed that he was on his way to the Vietnam Motor Festival 2018, which takes place in Trang Bom District, Dong Nai, on April 14 and 15.

Business

-- The Department of Tourism and the Department of Science and Technology in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday launched the Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startups in Tourism 2018 contest, an annual competition designed to honor the best startup ideas for tourism development in the metropolis as well as in Vietnam.

Education

-- A ceremony was held in Dong Hoi City in the north-central province of Quang Binh on Saturday to conclude the Vietnam Mathematical Olympiad, an official national contest for mathematics talents in the country, which took place from April 9 to 14.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A Hanoi-based judge who suffered an acid attack thirteen years ago has surpassed colossal hurdles to return to her passion.

Loan, born in 1965 in the northern province of Thai Binh, graduated from Hanoi Law School in 1988 before entering the workforce as a secretary at the Peoples Court of Dong Da District, Hanoi.

She was instated as a judge in the district in 1991, and spent 15 years promoting justice until a vile attack in 2005 left her physically and mentally scared.

Earlier that year, the plaintiff in a land dispute case had made several attempts to bribe Loan, but the non-compromising judge took the ethical high-ground and refused the incentive.

As a result, the displeased plaintiff sought revenge by attacking the judge with acid, leaving 64 percent of her body burned, mainly on the face and torso.

The painstaking way back

Loan undertook 41 surgeries over a nine-year period after the incident.

During the first 61 days of treatment, she was unable to close her eyes or open her mouth, relying on nasograstric tube feeding for survival.

One of the doctors in charge revealed to her husband that being able to see again would be a miracle.

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan before the acid attack. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Surgeons painstakingly carried out skin grafting procedures, using skin from Loans thighs, arms, and shoulders to rebuild her chest and face.

Yet the physical pain paled in comparison to the mental challenge.

Her two-year-old daughter recoiled in fear when confronted with her facially deformed mother, saying, This is not my mom.

Vietnamese doctors advised her family members against installing mirrors in the house to keep Loan from mental shock, but a team of Singaporean doctors who Loan contacted for help said otherwise.

They encouraged her to face the facts and battle her mental issues head-on.

I spent 6-8 hours a day looking in the mirror, learning to accept my new self, Loan said in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Just one year after the shocking incident, Loan returned to her postgraduate studies.

Juggling class hours and surgeries was difficult, but through perseverance she was able to complete her work without missing a single lesson.

I had to dress like a Muslim woman, using a big scarf to keep my face completely covered. I didnt want any attention, she added.

Despite the tough time, the star-crossed judge graduated with honors and earned her masters degree with a thesis on Professional Development for Judges at Peoples Courts.

At that time, I thought to myself: surviving the incident is the testimony that what I chose to do was right, Loan told Tuoi Tre in an interview.

The much awaited outcome

In 2014, her husband almost had a heart attack when Loan mentioned her intention to return to the court.

After all, there were plenty of reasons for her to stay home  a weakened physical state, the need to stay out of the sunshine, and the crushing mental blow from the attack.

Loan did not let these obstacles stand in her way.

Determined to make a comeback, Loan applied for a position at the Supreme Peoples Court and was admitted to work at the Institute of Judicial Studies, which deals with theoretical aspects of law enforcement.

Though she could no longer act as a judge, she would still be working in law enforcement.

I even had an opportunity to involve myself in the drafting of Vietnams Civil Procedure Code, so indirectly I am still working in the field I am passionate about, she said.

My brain was frozen for a while, but now it has reignited.

Talking about her disposition, she said that she has always stuck to the principles of seriousness, carefulness, and fairness.

The incident never made me falter, she stressed.

According to the Vietnams Supreme Peoples Court website on the best examples of good conduct, Nguyen Thi Kim Loan was in charge of over 500 cases during her 15 years of working as a judge, and there was not a single instance of misjudgment.

She is the image of righteousness, determination, and passion, reads the website.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Border guard officers in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh have seized nine boats and arrested their crew members for the illegal exploitation of sand this month.

Officers from the border guard office in Van Ninh Commune, Mong Cai City caught five iron-hull ships red-handed mining sand against the law along the local coast at around 0:15 on Saturday.

More than 100 cubic meters of sand had been pumped onto the five boats.

At the police station, owners of the vessels and their crew members admitted their wrongdoing, explaining that the sand would be later sold at VND50,000 (US$2.2) per cubic meter to local residents for their constructions.

On April 9, the border guard officers apprehended four similar ships after they had exploited nearly 30 cubic meters of sand off Hai Dong Ward in Mong Cai City.

The ships are seized over their illegal exploitation of sand. Photo: Tuoi Tre

These ships, weighing 50 to 70 metric tons, were equipped with numerous pumps and often carried out their illicit sand exploitation at midnight, according to local residents.

As of December 21, 2017, authorities in Quang Ninh Province had dealt with 180 cases of illegal sand mining and confiscated over 23,000 cubic meters of sand, according statistics by the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Quang Ninh Peoples Committee is working with their counterparts in neighboring Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Lang Son Provinces as well as Hai Phong City to establish a cooperation mechanism to better manage the exploitation of sand in the region.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnamese police have begun legal procedures against eight members of a gang, including Taiwanese and Vietnamese nationals, for appropriating a total of US$440,000 via telephone scams.

Officers under the Ministry of Public Security have apprehended and initiated legal proceedings against the suspects who are members of a transnational fraud ring.

The suspects included three Taiwanese, namely Pan Chu Lin, 21, Chiu Po, 21, and Hou Po Ta, 25, and five Vietnamese members aged 22 to 26.

Among them, 22-year-old Trang Thi Chau Doan has been released on bail to be able to take care of her young child.

The gang carried out their telephone scams between February and April, appropriating more than of VND10 billion (US$440,000).

Via the phone calls, they often claimed to be police officers, telling the victims that they were involved in a large-scale criminal operation.

The scammers would continue saying that the victims had been found owning multiple bank accounts, and that competent authorities would freeze the accounts and arrest them.

If the victims wanted to prove their innocence, it meant they had been hooked.

The bogus officers then requested the victims to cooperate by declaring their assets.

In order for investigators to verify the cash flow, the victims were required to wire money in their bank accounts to the scammers.

The gang members also used high-tech devices to fake the initial digits of their phone numbers, which indicated that the numbers belonged to police departments.

Via the scams, a 74-year-old victim lost about VND6.1 billion ($268,400), while many others were conned out of VND100 million ($4,400) to VND1.5 billion ($66,000).

Officers discovered that the Taiwanese suspects had started the fraud ring and recruited the Vietnamese members to carry out the cons in the Southeast Asian country.

According to an official from the Ministry of Public Security, police will send a written document, not making phone calls, if they require the cooperation of local residents in their cases.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
ABCNews.com(WASHINGTON) -- In a barrage of tweets Sunday morning, President Donald Trump took aim at James Comey, ripping the fired FBI director as "slippery" and a "slimeball."



In a span of two hours, Trump issued six tweets regarding Comey and panning the former G-man's new book "Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies And Leadership" as a pack of lies.



"Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!" Trump stated in one of his tweets.



The presidential Twitter tempest came ahead of Sunday night's broadcast of Comey's interview with ABC News' chief anchor George Stephanopoulos on "20/20."



Trump, who has taken to Twitter to blast Comey in the past, began a new round of social media attacks on Friday when he tweeted that Comey was a "proven LEAKER & LIAR."



In his book, Comey compares Trump to a Mafia boss who demanded his "loyalty" during a one-on-one dinner.



"The demand was like Sammy the Bulls Cosa Nostra induction ceremony, Comey writes in his book, referring to Salvatore Sammy the Bull Gravano, a former leader of the Gambino crime family, whose testimony ultimately helped convict mob boss John Gotti.



"I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His 'memos' are self serving and FAKE!" Trump tweeted of a series of memos Comey says he wrote following his meetings with Trump.



Comey was appointed FBI director by former President Barack Obama in September 2013 and was fired by Trump on May 9, 2017. Trump said he canned Comey "because he wasn't doing a good job."



About a month after he was dismissed, Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he believed Trump fired him to impede the FBIs investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.



"I was fired in some way to change -- or the endeavor was to change -- the way the Russia investigation was being conducted," Comey told the committee.



In his book, set to go on sale on Tuesday, Comey offers a no-holds-barred assessment of Trump, calling the nation's 45th president "unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values."



"His leadership is transactional, ego-driven and about personal loyalty," Comey writes.



During his testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Comey admitted giving his private memos on Trump to a friend, a Columbia University professor, to leak to an unnamed reporter, saying, "I thought it might prompt the appointment of a special counsel" in the Russian investigation.



Robert Mueller was named as the special counsel to the Russia investigation on May 17, 2017.



In his flurry of tweets Sunday, Trump suggested that Comey should be jailed for allegedly leaking classified information and allegedly lying to Congress. The president also made reference to $675,000 in donations that went to Jill McCabe's unsuccessful 2015 campaign for a Virginia state Senate Seat from the Virginia Democratic Party and Common Good VA.



Jill McCabe is the wife of Andrew McCabe, the former deputy director of the FBI who was fired by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions two days before he was scheduled to retire.



"The big questions in Comey's badly reviewed book aren't answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn't they TAKE it), and why the phony memos, McCabe's $700,000 & more?" Trump tweeted.



Trump also scoffed at the excuse Comey writes in his book about his decision to announce that the FBI was going to look back into the Hillary Clinton email investigation just days before the presidential election. Comey writes that his decision was influenced by his belief that Clinton would beat Trump and his desire to make sure that the election results were viewed as legitimate.



"Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!" Trump tweeted Sunday.



In yet another tweet, Trump accused Comey of throwing former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch "under the bus."



Trump suggested that Lynch's 2016 meeting on a Phoenix airport tarmac with former President Bill Clinton was to get her to drop an investigation against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while she was Obama's Secretary of State. Both Lynch and Bill Clinton have denied they discussed the issue on the tarmac.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
A Vietnam court has sentenced three men to nearly 19 years in jail for beating a doctor at a hospital last year.

On April 4, the court of Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province held the trial against the three assailants Le Minh Hai, 23, Phan Hoang Dieu, 27, and Nguyen Trung Thong, 34, who made a ruckus at the provinces Vietnam  Cuba Friendship hospital last year.

The court jury condemned Le Minh Hai to seven years and a half, while the other two each received five years and a half in prison, which summed up to nearly 19 years in total.

Their offenses were deliberately inflicting injuries and breaching public order. Concurrently, the trio acknowledged their crime and accepted the penalties.

The event transpired at around 8:00 pm on July 23, when the three came to the hospital to visit their friend Y Giang Long, who was caught in a traffic collision.

As senior doctor Tran Van Son and four other nurses were dressing his wound, the trio summoned Le Tran Minh Tam, the car driver involved in the accident, out the corridor for a session, but it soon boiled down to a grisly three-on-one that left him unconscious.

Bearing witness to the scene, Son immediately intervened and proceeded to apply first-aid for Tam.

Unappeased, the trio went on another spree and struck down the doctor.

He suffered multiple injuries with his left eye rendered swollen, presumably due to retinal tear as a result.

The provinces forensic spokesperson concluded that both doctor Son and Tam sustained considerable external injuries, albeit none of them were mortal.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
LIMA, Peru (AP)  The Latest on Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Latin America (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is praising Peru's "strong stand" on the "tyranny and humanitarian crisis" in Venezuela.

Pence said Saturday in a meeting with Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra at the Summit of the Americas in Lima that he's grateful for Vizcarra's role in withdrawing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's invitation to the summit.

He says President Donald Trump is sending his regrets that he couldn't attend the summit. Pence took Trump's place at the summit so the president could remain in the U.S. to manage the response to the apparent chemical attack by Syria. The U.S. led a missile strike in Syria earlier Saturday.

Vizcarra says addressing corruption "is the utmost importance to us." He was sworn in after Peru's congress voted to accept the resignation of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski after a corruption scandal.

___

1:20 a.m.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence plans to address Latin American leaders Saturday on President Donald Trump's decision to launch air strikes in Syria in response to a suspected chemical attack in the war-torn nation.

Pence was whisked away from the Summit of the Americas late Friday so he could inform U.S. congressional leaders by phone of Trump's plans to announce the missile strikes. The vice president spoke to top Republican and Democratic leaders from his hotel suite before attending a banquet hosted by Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra.

For Pence, the calls and schedule changes served as the latest example of his supporting role here in place of Trump, who pulled out of the summit so he could manage the U.S. response to the suspected chemical attack in Syria.

See Also:
A statue of Thomas Jefferson on the University of Virginia campus was vandalized a day before Founders Day.

The words Racist + Rapist were spray-painted in red on the statue of the third president of the U.S. on the University of Virginias lawn on Friday, NBC29 reported. The words were later cleaned off that morning.

The university said it was disappointed someone would spray the hateful words the day of Thomas Jeffersons birthday.



The university recognizes the complexities of Thomas Jeffersons legacy and continues to explore them fully and honestly. UVA welcomes open and civil discourse on such important issues. However, acts of vandalism do not contribute to meaningful discussion, the statement read.

Trending: Calls Grow to Boycott Starbucks After Two Black Men Arrested for Not Making Order

80165819

Getty Images

The Black Lives Matter Charlottesville chapter wrote a statement on Facebook after the incident, saying that we all have good parts and bad parts intermingled but the problem with the way our founding fathers are viewed is that they are not allowed to be human.

He was a politician, an architect, a slave owner, a rapist. All of these things must exist together. To separate them is to tell a lie, that not only diminishes us as a society, but him as a human being. It should not be lost on anyone that this is exactly the same thing that he did to every slave he owned on a daily basis, the statement read.

Don't miss: If You Are Looking for Election Security, You Will Need More Than New Voting Machines | Opinion

Jeffersons statue on the UVA campus has been a point of controversy in the past few months. In September, protesters covered the statue with a black shroud while holding signs that said Jefferson was a rapist and a racist.

Story continues

Other statues have caused a problem in the community too. During the white nationalist rally in August, far rights groups rallied around a statue of Confederate Robert E. Lee in the state after it was announced it was going to be removed.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemalan prosecutors and the United Nations-backed Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) on Friday said they had suffered information leaks that thwarted three planned arrests in a corruption scandal investigation.

Since CICIG began working in the country in 2015, Guatemala has sent dozens of public officials and businesspeople to prison, including former President Otto Perez Molina and his Vice President Roxana Baldetti.

On Friday, police and prosecutors were ready to arrest seven people linked to a Social Security corruption scandal, but four were out of the country and three were alerted ahead of time with phone calls, the CICIG said.

This is the first time the group has suffered information leaks. The operations were coordinated between the Interior Ministry, prosecutors and CICIG investigators.

One person involved in the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Interior Ministry and police were the focus of a probe into the leaks.

One prosecutor said there is evidence that the information may have been leaked through an electronic system that holds the arrest warrants.

Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart said he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Leslie Adler)

See Also:
Users of the Chinese microblogging website Sina Weibo started an online protest with the hashtag I am gay in response to a ban of homosexual content.

About 170,000 Weibo members had used the hashtag by midday Saturday before they were apparently silenced, Agence France-Presse reported.

The platform, which is similar to Twitter, said on its official administrators account Friday stated that it has launched a three-month clean-up campaign to get rid of illegal posts including manga and videos with pornographic implications, promoting violence or (related to) homosexuality, according to AFP. It is also targeting "violent video games, like 'Grand Theft Auto.'"

Trending: Stormy Daniels to attend Michael Cohen Hearing Says Her Lawyer, Michael Avenatti

That announcement, which set off the I am gay online rally, was forwarded more than 110,000 times and received more than 24,000 comments, Reuters reported late Friday.

I am gay and Im proud, even if I get taken down there are tens of millions like me!, a Weibo user with the handle rou wan xiong xiong xiong xiong wrote, according to Reuters.

Weibos move is perceived as a crackdown by President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party on ideas.

Don't miss: Maternal Death Rates Are On the Rise | Opinion

"There can be no homosexuality under socialism? a Weibo user wrote, according to AFP. It is unbelievable that China progresses economically and militarily but returns to the feudal era in terms of ideas.

China legalized homosexuality in 1997. But conservative attitudes on sexual orientation have lingered and Xi has stepped up censorship measures.

Most popular: U.S. To Hit Russia With Sanctions Over Syria Attack, Nikki Haley Confirms

The LGBT community in China also pushed back last July when Weibo censored videos of same-sex couples. The platform sought to prohibit content showing abnormal relations between homosexual couples. The move came as China attempted to ban gay content from the internet.

Story continues

Weibo, which has about 400 million active monthly users, had reportedly purged 56,243 posts, 62 topics and 108 accounts as of Friday night.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
After thousands of teachers rallied at Kentuckys state capitol on Friday, the states governor said their absence from the classroom did serious harm to children. Nearly 40 school districts closed Friday because teachers requested leave to go to the rally in Kentuckys capital city, Frankfort. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the closures included some of the largest districts in the state.

You know, heres whats crazy to me: You know how many hundreds of thousands of children today were left home alone? I guarantee you a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was no one there to watch them, Gov. Matt Bevin told Marcus Green, a reporter with Kentuckys Fox-affiliated station WDRB. I guarantee you a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were home alone because a single parent didnt have any money to take care of them. Im offended by the idea that people so cavalierly and flippantly disregarded whats best for children.

Trending: New York Lawyer Burns Himself To Death To Protest Fossil Fuels

He stated that due to financial pressures, some single parents probably had no choice but to leave their children home alone in communities where people knew that for a fact and took advantage of it. As surely as were having this conversation, children were harmedsome physically, some sexuallysome were introduced to drugs for the first time because they were vulnerable and left alone.

According to Kentucky Youth Advocates, about 37 percent of children in the state lived in a single-parent home in 2012. The national rate is similar. Children are asked to take care of themselves even when there aren't teacher rallies happening, of course. A survey done in 2011 and summarized in 2013 found that two percent of 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds who lived with their mother were left alone some of the time they werent in school; that proportion increased to nearly 30 percent of 14-year-olds. The average time children were left to care for themselves was seven hours per week.

Story continues

According to the Kentucky Education Association, Friday's rally was meant to encourage legislators to override Bevin's veto of budget and tax bills. Both vetoes were overridden on Friday. "We acknowledge neither bill gives the citizens of the Commonwealth everything that our students, their parents and our communities need. Some aspects of the revenue bill are regressive, and other provisions give tax breaks to top earners that dont need them. Both are serious concerns," the Association posted on Facebook. However, the association added, both bills include "much needed" funding.

Don't miss: When Is the James Comey 20/20 Interview? Start Time, Network and Everything You Need to Know

Districts also closed on March 31another Fridayafter Bevin and Kentuckys Republican-controlled state legislature passed a pension reform law on March 29, according to CNN. One of the major changes in that law was introducing a new, hybrid cash balance pension plan for new teachers. According to the IRS, these plans blend aspects of two more common types of pension plans known as defined benefit and defined contribution plans. People who oppose the plan are concerned it will discourage younger people from becoming teachers, according to the Washington Post.

Kentucky isnt the only state where politicians are facing off against teachers. The New York Times reported that Oklahoma teachers ended a nine-day walkout on Thursday after winning $6,000 raises. West Virginia teachers went on strike for more than a week in March, eventually receiving a 5 percent pay increase, Politico reported.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

At its annual General Conference held from March 31 to April 1, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormons), announced two new members of its second highest governing body, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Gerrit Gong, the son of Chinese immigrants to the United States, and Ulisses Soares, a native Brazilian.

These two men are the first non-white apostles in the churchs history. From my perspective as a scholar of American religion and Mormonism, these developments illustrate Mormonisms transformation into a diverse, global faith.

Trending: Michael Avenatti Trolls Michael Cohen's Alleged 'bigly' Protest Against Stormy Daniels

Mormon Temple

REUTERS/Mike Blake

The Mormon apostles

At its highest levels the Mormon church is run by fifteen leaders: a First Presidency, made up of the president of the church and his two counselors, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who work immediately under the president. All serve for life.

Apostles have always been chosen by the president of the church, and in turn the president of the church is the longest serving of the apostles.

Mormons had great missionary success in Europe in the 19th century and consequently the church has had a number of non-Americans in these offices before. But there have never been non-European or non-white American men in these posts until now.

This is due to a number of reasons. One is that life tenure means that any sort of change in high church leadership happens slowly. Russell Nelson, a white man from Utah, the current president of the church, became an apostle in 1984. His predecessor, who died in January, became an apostle in 1963. The current apostles range in age from 58 to 89.

Another reason for a lack of diversity in church leadership is that Mormonisms growth outside the white communities of the United States and Europe was for a long time sporadic. Until 1978, the church did not allow black members to hold priesthood or worship in temples, rites required for priestly leadership in the church.

Story continues

Don't miss: Should Schools Be Required to Have a Resource Officer? | Opinion

In addition, though the churchs growth in Latin America has been rapid, it has traditionally adhered to American cultural norms, which has meant that historically it has struggled to retain members in Latin America and Africa. For instance, Mormons expect that men will wear dress shirts and ties and women will wear dresses to Sunday services. The official Mormon hymnbook too is filled with 19th-century American hymns. Hymnals produced for non-English speaking countries consist of translations of those songs into local languages. They contain only a small number of local songs.

Presence in China

However, the selection of Gong and Soares is an indication that the church has begun to take seriously the task of growing outside the United States.

Because of its massive missionary efforts, there are now roughly 16 million Mormons in the world, and a healthy majority of those live outside the United States. One of every 15 Mormons is from Brazil, where Mormon missionaries have found among their greatest success.

Indeed, this demographic tidal wave has been so pronounced that many Mormons have expected a Latin American apostle for the last several vacancies. A number of Mormons greeted the choice of Gong and Soares with excitement, seeing it as an important acknowledgment of diversity in the church.

And while Soares selection reflects the Mormon present, Gongs may point to the future of Mormonism.

Mormonism is not one of the five official religions recognized by the Peoples Republic of China, but there are Mormon congregations in the nation, built mostly through expatriates and Chinese citizens converted by Mormon missionaries abroad. Official numbers are not reported, due to restrictions placed by the Chinese government.

Most popular: Stormy Daniels's Lawyer Michael Avenatti Claims 'A Lot Of Women' Had Nondisclosure Agreements With Cohen

The current president of the church, Russell Nelson, studied Mandarin as a younger man and has spent a great deal of time in China over his career. He was among the American heart surgeons who traveled to China to educate Chinese physicians about heart transplants. His personal interest in the country has recently been matched by signs that the church as a whole is interested in cultivating a higher profile there. For instance, the church recently launched a website devoted to its relationship with China. Dallin Oaks, a member of the churchs First Presidency, announced that the church has been cultivating a relationship of trust with Chinese officials.

The new apostle Gerrit Gong is a Mandarin speaker as well. With a Ph.D. in international relations and stints at the State Department and Georgetown University on his resume, he could be an invaluable help in such efforts.

Globalizing the church

A notable development at the recent conference was a move by Mormon leaders to decentralize church administration, so as to strengthen local congregations worldwide.

One such announcement consolidated and simplified leadership in each local congregation. Another discontinued much of the bureaucracy and paperwork surrounding the practices of home teaching and visiting teaching in which congregants go and see each other monthly to ensure everybody in a congregation is doing well. Historically this work has been done according to procedures tightly controlled by church headquarters, which required regular reports. Now the church is allowing for more local autonomy.

Nelsons final announcement of the Conference made the churchs interest in raising the international presence of the church explicit. He announced the church would be building seven new temples, in places as far-flung as India, Russia and the Philippines.

Mormon temples are distinct from weekly meetinghouses. There are thousands of meetinghouses but only 159 temples worldwide. Ceremonies like sacramental marriage and an initiatory rite called the endowment are performed only in templeswhich are rituals essential for Mormons to enter leadership positions in the church. Building a temple in a country is a sign that the church sees potential for strong local leadership.

If there were ever doubts that Mormonism sees a global future for itself, the events of this General Conference eliminated them.

Matthew Bowman, Associate Professor of History, Henderson State University.

The Conversation

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
The apocalypse is upon us. Again.

If conspiracy theorists are to be believed, a giant mysterious planet is set to wreak destruction across Earth, the UK's Daily Express reports. Predicted to appear in the skies on April 23, it should set off earthquakes and volcanic eruptions with its massive gravitational pull. Variously called Nibiru, Planet X and Wormwood, the incoming behemoth is allegedly predicted in the Bible.

But dont start prepping your underground shelter just yet, as this conspiracy theory is absolutely bogus.

Trending: More Americans Trust James Comey than President Trump, New Poll Finds

4_13_Planet Earth

JPL/NASA

First predicted back in 1995 by Nancy Lieder, founder of a website that allegedly relays alien messages to earthlings, the tale is now largely peddled by Christian numerologist David Meade. Cushioned in a heady swaddle of mathematics, biblical prophecy and astronomy, the concept would make a great science fiction tale.

Meade does some biblical gymnastics to link characters from the book of Revelation to various celestial alignments and a devastating but as-yet invisible incoming planet. It's basically astrology, loosely inspired by the Bible.

April 23 is the latest date to fit Meade's astronomical paradigm. He has predicted the end of the world before, even writing a book titled Planet X - The 2017 Arrival.

Impossible Planet

There are many reasons to doubt this conspiracy theory, with the most obvious, perhaps, being a lack of astronomical evidence for this supposed behemoth.

Don't miss: Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Wants to Make a Comeback 21 Years and Four Kids Later

Large objects like planets wield some serious gravity. Gravity drives our solar system's orbital gymnastics. It's why the planets orbit the sun, and moons orbit some of the planets.

Story continues

If a massive planet is careering towards Earth, it should be messing up the alignment of other planets on the way. "Its gravity would be throwing all the other planetary orbits out," Ian Howarth, a professor of astronomy at University College London, explained to Newsweek.

A "Planet X" Might Actually Exist

4_13_Planet 9

Caltech/R Hurt (IPAC)

This wacky conspiracy has become tangled with some real science. Astronomers around the world really are searching for a "Planet X." As-yet-unseen planets may by hiding in our solar systembut don't worry, they're not headed for Earth.

We've known of the planets out to Saturn since antiquity, of coursethen William Herschel discovered Uranus, in the course of a systematic survey of the heavens. But then, Uranus' orbital motion turned out to be not quite as predicted, Howarth said.

Most popular: PUBG War Event Mode Adds 10-Person Squads - Rules, Dates & Times

This weird orbit was being thrown off by another, then unknown, planet: Neptune.

"Various other "Planet X" hypotheses have pretty much the same basis unexpected orbital characteristics of known planets," Howarth explained. Mysterious hidden planets aren't always the explanation for these strange orbital patterns, however. Mercury's orbit, he added, had mystified astronomers for years. Using Albert Enstein's theory of gravity instead of Isaac Newton's version explained the strange orbital movements.

In recent years, Caltech researchers have come close to pinning down a hidden ninth planet. Using sophisticated mathematics, they have predicted that "Planet 9" could be a gas giant about the same size as Neptune and with a mass 10 times that of Earth. Their calculations suggest it takes a highly elongated orbit stretching way out past Pluto.

"The case for the current "Planet X" is not quite so clear-cutit's based on some orbital coincidences rather than systematic deviations of orbits from predictionsbut the principle is the same, and the case is sufficiently strong that it's being looked for in several sky surveys," Howarth said.

Caltech astronomer Mike Brownone of the Planet 9-huntersmight sum up this latest viral end-of-days theory best with a 2016 tweet pinned to the top of his feed reading: Weekly PSA: no, in fact the earth is NOT going to be destroyed by [fill in crazy thing seen on internet here] next week. Thanks for asking.

So, now we've cleared that up, let's all give some thought to the real victims of Nibiruall the other Meades out there.

Meade did not respond to a request for comment.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan's rebels said on Sunday they had released seven aid workers detained for nearly three weeks in the country's Central Equatoria region on accusations of spying for the government.

Rebel spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel told Reuters the workers were released to a U.N. delegation near the border with Uganda and Ugandan police witnessed the handover.

South Sudan has been gripped by conflict since 2013 after a disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar deteriorated into a military confrontation.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, including nearly 100 relief workers.

In one of the latest incidents, an aid worker was killed when gunmen shot at a vehicle marked with logos of the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid as it travelled on a road near the town of Bentiu on March 7.

Both rebels and the government forces stand accused of targeting humanitarian workers and sometimes blocking access to relief and hijacking food and other aid.

Gabriel said the aid workers were detained after two of them were discovered to be government spies "intentionally deployed to carry out hostile surveillance on our controlled areas."

Humanitarian agencies should "avoid being infiltrated by the regime," he said and added the aid workers had been released on orders from Machar.

(Reporting by Denis Dumo; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
The FTSE 100 shopping centre owner Hammerson could decide to renegotiate or even abandon a 3.4bn merger with a rival this week. The board is expected to meet amid growing investor unrest over a proposed tie-up with Intu, whose properties include the Trafford Centre in Manchester. - Sunday Times

Sir Martin Sorrell has resigned from WPP, the worlds largest advertising group, ahead of the findings of an investigation into alleged personal misconduct. Sorrell, the longest-serving FTSE 100 chief executive, has been under increasing pressure since the allegation of personal misconduct was made public by WPPs board this month. - Observer

At least 12,000 more jobs are on the line on the UKs high street as the number of brands in peril reaches levels not seen since the last recession. Fifteen major retailers or restaurant groups have either applied for Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVA) or gone into administration in the last 12 months, just one less than the 16 that collapsed in the same period in 2008 and 2009 during the worst months of the financial crisis, according to research from property firm Colliers International. - Sunday Telegraph

Thirteen retailers, nearly one-fifth of listed companies in the sector, did not meet City expectations in the first quarter, according to the consultancy EY. Almost half have warned on profits in the past 12 months. High-profile victims of tough Christmas trading included the department store Debenhams and baby goods chain Mothercare, which both blamed a difficult environment for consumers for missing targets. - Sunday Times

A controversial mining entrepreneur has been accused of telling a blatant and utter lie as he attempts a stock market comeback by selling his coal assets in Zimbabwe to London-listed Contango Holdings through a reverse takeover. Andrew Groves, the boss of Sable Mining, was forced off the stock exchange in 2016 after he and former business partner Phil Edmonds, the ex-England spin bowler, were accused of high-level bribery in Liberia, West Africa. - Mail on Sunday

The activist hedge fund Elliott Advisors has secretly built a stake of more than 6% in Whitbread, in order to force the FTSE 100 titan to spin off its Costa Coffee chain. A disclosure late last night confirmed that the Wall Street fund made an aggressive move in the market on Friday  acquiring a total shareholding worth more than 430m [and making it the second activist investor on the register]. - Sunday Times

Secretive corporate raider Ed Bramson has embarked on a charm offensive of Barclays top shareholders in an attempt to rally support for a proposed shake-up of the bank. The renowned activist, who last month was revealed to have built up a 5.2pc stake worth nearly 2bn, has told major investors that he wants to see Barclays overhaul its investment banking arm, ramping up returns and stepping up one-off payouts. - Sunday Telegraph

Carillion owed almost 7bn when it went bust at the start of the year, a far higher amount than had been previously thought. The Official Receiver, a civil servant appointed by the courts to handle bankruptcies, estimated the construction giant had liabilities of 6.9bn when it entered liquidation three months ago. - Sunday Telegraph

Britain is in danger of another defence spending blow-up after a complex part of the new Dreadnought submarine fleet soared in price. Engineers at BAE Systems have told officials that a stability system for the nuclear submarines will cost more than an entire warship, stoking fears that Britains costliest defence project is veering off budget. - Sunday Times

Unilever faces a stand-off with shareholders over executive pay next month, after two influential shareholder advisory firms urged investors to reject the consumer goods giant's proposals. Unilever is attempting to swap its 'base salary' for a consolidated 'fixed pay' structure, which would mean it could hand larger pay rises and bonuses to its executives. - Sunday Telegraph

Bosses at Cineworld have been forced to tear up plans for a controversial new bonus scheme after shareholders angrily rejected it, because the awards were tied to the completion of its takeover of American rival Regal Cinemas, which left Cineworld with a heavily-discounted share price. The UK cinema chain asked investors to approve a proposal that would have handed them millions of pounds worth of shares, which they could cash in once its share price had risen 10pc. - Sunday Telegraph

Stronger trade unions, improved regional policy and an end to austerity should form part of a plan to return growth in living standards to its pre-crisis levels, according to a leading thinktank. Calling for a fairer tax system and a less flexible labour market, the Fabian Society said a comprehensive strategy was required to boost household incomes. - Observer

The glory days of tin mining may be about to return to Cornwall in an unexpected revival of the historic industry which provided the backdrop to the Poldark novels and BBC TV drama. Strongbow Exploration, led by geologist Richard Williams, plans to list on the London Stock Exchange by June this year and to get the South Crofty mine back up and running by 2021. - Mail on Sunday

An entrepreneur who once wagered a Bentley limousine as part of a takeover deal is preparing to float his battery and ecigarette company on the stock market, with a valuation of up to 150m. Sandy Chadha, 49, has appointed stockbrokers from Berenberg to work on the float of Supreme Imports, a Manchester-based company that imports and sells batteries, light bulbs and products linked to the boom in smoking substitutes. - Sunday Times

Gatwick Airport could be put up for sale imminently, with a price tag of up to 10bn, according to City sources. The biggest shareholder, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has been debating the future of its 42% stake in the business. - Sunday Times

AstraZeneca will today seek to reassure investors that it has enough early-stage medicines in its pipeline to create the blockbuster drugs of the future. At a key industry conference in Chicago, the Anglo-Swedish drug giant will reveal data from trials of new drugs not yet approved, as well as results from further studies of its newest immuno-oncology medicines. - Sunday Times

Vauxhall owner PSA Group is preparing to unveil a widespread cost-cutting plan that threatens thousands of jobs at its car dealerships across Britain. The company plans to consolidate hundreds of franchised outlets in response to falling sales, and industry sources said the move could be unveiled as early as Monday. - Sunday Telegraph

Profits dipped at Timpson last year due to the takeover of dry cleaning groups Johnsons and Jeeves  but sales continued to grow. The company expanded in all divisions including dry-cleaning, photos, watch and shoe repairs and key cutting. - Mail on Sunday

Spy chiefs are braced for a Russian revenge attack in which Kremlin-backed hackers release embarrassing information on ministers, MPs and other high-profile people. Theresa May has received intelligence risk assessments since the nerve-agent attack in Salisbury that the Putin regime could hit back with kompromat (compromising material) on members of her cabinet. - Sunday Times

The Information Commissioners Office is investigating Leave.EU and its donor Arron Banks over possible breaches of the Data Protection Act in the period before the referendum. The ICO has issued information notices against both Leave.EU  the referendum campaign headed by Nigel Farage  and its director, Banks. - Observer

Labour councillors standing for election next month are pledging to help stop Brexit, despite Jeremy Corbyns insistence that the party will honour the Leave vote. In a move that raises fresh questions over the partys stance on Brexit, Stephen Cowan, the Labour leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council in west London, has written to voters in the pro-Remain borough telling them that Mays local elections are an opportunity for them to say no to Brexit. - Sunday Telegraph

A tough new MOT testing system for 30m cars on Britains roads starts on 20 May  threatening expensive bills for many diesel drivers and chaos at MOT centres as fears grow that new emissions testing equipment will not be ready on time. The old-style pass or fail test is being replaced with a new MOT system that will classify faults as minor, major and dangerous, with the last two resulting in an automatic failure. Crucially, new diesel emission checks will be required to make sure vehicles meet plate standards. - Observer
A woman in Florida has been arrested after being accused of letting her two-year-old smoke methamphetamine and roll joints. The woman, 20-year-old Kaitlyn Ecker, was arrested this past Thursday (April 12). She is now facing charges of Child abuse and currently remains in Wakulla County Jail. Reports by Yahoo! and the Miami Herald were used to create this article.

In January, a child abuse investigation was launched against Kaitlyn Ecker. Detectives with the Wakulla County Sheriff's office were looking into allegations that the mother involved the two-year-old in pot and meth use at her home.

A few witnesses came forward and told detectives that the child had smoked pot with Kaitlyn Ecker, who allegedly joked that the child knew how to roll joints.

Paraphernalia discovered

Detectives were told that the child was allowed to smoke meth with a pipe. Kaitlyn Ecker apparently did the drug herself, too. On January 19, detectives acted on a search warrant. This led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia.

During the search, detectives found meth residue inside two glass pipes. Also found was a plastic pill bottle that was made into a makeshift smoking device and two grinders. A digital scale and a small plastic bag were found as well.

The child had been exposed to the drug multiple times

Shortly after that, Kaitlyn Ecker was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Not only that, but authorities executed a search warrant for a hair sample and blood sample from the woman, as well as the child. The results from the toxicology report were returned on March 15, and they revealed the two-year-old tested positive for meth and amphetamine. Sadly, the results indicated the two-year-old had been exposed to the drug on numerous occasions.

Kaitlyn Ecker denied smoking or ingesting drugs in front of the child. She did admit that she smoked marijuana the night before and that she did meth four months earlier. She denied knowing that the two-year-old had been exposed to drugs.

The Wakulla Sheriff's office didn't go into detail about the relationship between the two-year-old and Kaitlyn Ecker.

However, The Miami Herald reported that the two-year-old is her daughter.

On Thursday, authorities made the decision to arrest her and charge her. As of now, it's not clear if Kaitlyn Ecker has an attorney or if she still has custody of the two-year-old. It's also not clear if she has an attorney representing her or when she is expected back in court.
The founder and CEO of Facebook, the most widely used social media network, was called on by American lawmakers for supporting the regulations of the tech industry. He had two encounters, one with the Senate and one with the House. The 33-year-old CEO was put on the spot and at times he looked vulnerable as well. Facebook is used by a population of 2.2 Billion people around the globe, maintaining their privacy and developing an effective business model was always going to be a troublesome task. Quite understandably, these were the sort of questions on where Zuckerberg looked in a shambles.

A report by the New York Times presented most of the information used in this article.

Privacy and data collection

The most intriguing question regarding privacy was asked on Wednesday (April 11) by Mr. Pallone, who asked Mark Zuckerberg to reply with either Yes or No after asking him why cant Facebooks default settings run on minimal personal data collection. That would mean Facebook would need a users consent before sharing his personal data. "This issue is a complex one, it deserves more than one word," responded the CEO. Zuckerberg admitted that Facebooks data was used in the famous "Analytica scandal." The CEO seems to admit that Facebook also tracks people who dont use this social networking site, but he claimed that they did that only for security purposes.

While describing his future plans, Zuckerberg stated that Facebook is planning to overhaul data policies, ensure more privacy of the personal data, and will change the advertising policy. I started Facebook, I run it and I am responsible for what happens here." That statement was the highlight Marks testimony.

The ignorance of American lawmakers

The most worrisome thing regarding Marks testimony wasnt Facebooks privacy settings or data regulation, but rather it was American lawmakers. Apart from few exceptions, they seemed completely unaware of how Facebook works. It looks like, that as time has moved on, the 21st century has arrived, but our lawmakers havent moved forward.

Mark Zuckerberg remained unscathed for the larger part because some of the questions posed by lawmakers, in particular, American senators, were absolutely childish. How do you sustain a business, asked a senator, in which users dont pay for your services?" "We run ads, replied Mr. Zuckerberg.

Marks encounter with Senator John Kennedy revealed all of his knowledge about Facebooks privacy settings. He asked three questions from the CEO and got exactly the same reply each time. The questions were: "Can Facebook give me the right to erase my data? Can I prohibit Facebook from sharing my data? Can I have the privilege of sharing my Facebook data to other sites?" Senator, you already have that option, Mr. Zuckerberg replied with ease.
On Friday night, Donald Trump announced that the United States, along with the United Kingdom and France, had launched military strikes in Syria in retaliation to the recent chemical weapon attacks in the country. In response, Sarah Huckabee Sanders was quick to defend her boss, while appearing to take a shot at former President Barack Obama in the process.

Last night the President put our adversaries on notice: when he draws a red line he enforces it. (Inside the Situation Room as President is briefed on Syria - Official WH photos by Shealah Craighead) pic.twitter.com/GzOSejdqQh  Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) April 15, 2018

Sanders on Syria

The civil war in Syria picked up steam during the Arab Spring protests in 2011, with many pushing back against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

With Assad's government fighting against various rebel groups, as well as outside forces like the Islamic State trying to gain territory in the region, major superpowers decided to take sides. While most of the international community has condemned Assad and his treatment of civilians, Russia and Iran supported the Syrian government, with the Kremlin taking pat in air strikes since the fall of 2015. After news broke that Assad once again ordered a chemical weapons attack on his own people, the United States, United Kingdom, and France retaliated.

Trump supporters upset over decision to attack Syria https://t.co/mEOJGmcjHy pic.twitter.com/t5jMF6emmy  New York Post (@nypost) April 15, 2018

As expected, Donald Trump faced immediate backlash, with even many Republicans speaking out against his decision to take military action against Syria.

In an attempt to defend the president, Sarah Huckabee Sanders decided to tweet her support while throwing shade at Barack Obama over his "red line" remark. "Last night the President put our adversaries on notice: when he draws a red line he enforces it," Sanders said, in direct reference to Obama's comments during his time in office.

Sanders also attached a photo from inside the Situation Room showing the president and his team being briefed on the strikes in Syria.

Syria backlash

After Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent out her tweet, it didn't take long before critics gave their thoughts. "Evangelicals oppose the rule of law and law & order. It's illegal for a POTUS to attack a country without congressional authorization.

Only Congress can start wars," one tweet read.

Room full of racists,the kitty  grabber-n-chiefs Klan base in full force.Have you noticed we the ppl think his red line was drawn with invisible ink?Sure Putin and Assad was happy for the heads up.#moron  sari richardson (@sricha6516) April 15, 2018

Lady, you and your boss only care about diverting attention from the final days of this administration....call your Dad about your next job  Barry Cohen (@manfromtheU) April 15, 2018

Girl, please. What nonsense.  Michele McClain (@Shakti_Michele) April 15, 2018

"Yeah. We see how every target was emptied out before the strikes. Wasted a sh*t ton of money on blowing up empty buildings. Nothing but a rerun from last year.

Wag the dog," a Twitter user wrote. "If by 'on notice' you mean warning ahead of time, then yesyoure right," another tweet added.

Tweets like these are publicity bull shit.  Stock Dog (@stock_dog) April 15, 2018

I can't even look at that image.. it makes me cringe,  Erin (@erincowgill) April 15, 2018

Um, okay Snarky Sarah. A staged 'briefing' and a 'staged' attack. Wag the dog did not work. This sham administration will be gone soon.   SwedishChef  (@SvenskaFlicka29) April 15, 2018

"Um, okay Snarky Sarah. A staged 'briefing' and a 'staged' attack. Wag the dog did not work. This sham administration will be gone soon," a social media user wrote. "Tweets like these are publicity bullsh*t," a follow-up tweet went on to read.
In the latest episode of "Call The Midwife", Sister Julienne tries to help a Family in turmoil. A successful business owner and Pakistani immigrant named Mumtaz Gani (Balvinder Sopal) is surprised to learn that on a visit to Pakistan for his father's funeral, her husband Saddiq (Simon Rivers) was pressured by their families into taking Mumtaz's fifteen-year-old cousin Parveen (Aasiya Shah) as his second wife.

Parveen arrives in Poplar nine months pregnant, and Mumtaz, who cannot have children, struggles to accept the new situation. Saddiq pleads with Mumtaz to believe that it is her he loves, but it is understandably difficult for her to open her heart to Parveen and her baby.

Parveen also feels that she was forced into this situation  forced to lie with a man twice her age (as Mumtaz points out), forced to intrude into a loving marriage, and forced into motherhood.

At first, Parveen even refuses to feed her baby, but as she reconciles somewhat with Mumtaz, she begins to accept her new role as a mother. The episode entirely ignores the prejudice and intolerance immigrants face because of their cultural differences, which I found unsettling. The ending is a hopeful one, but still, there are three things I wish one of the show's caring nurses had said.

1) 'You don't have to stay with the man you were forced to marry at fifteen'

I understand that the desire to respect a culture quite different from ours made the authors of this episode tread carefully around the issues of polygamy and teenage brides.

I also understand that family pressure, cultural norms, and societal taboos made Parveen, the fifteen-year-old mother, feel that she had to stay with her new husband, even though she makes it clear that the marriage is not what she wanted.

But one of the outspoken, English, 1960s nurses in the cast should have asked Parveen, just once, if she wanted to stay in a marriage not recognized by English law.

Remember, these nurses did not grow up in the age of political correctness, and they have had a responsibility to Parveen, their primary client, that surpasses their responsibility to the family as a whole. We have seen in other episodes that there were places at that time for young, single mothers in need of help, and it shocked me that Parveen was not once informed of this option.

We are all products of our own culture. I'm sure Parveen would've said "no"  and I respect her choice -- but she should have been asked.

2) 'If you do stay, they should send you to school'

Parveen is fifteen -- a child herself, as her cousin and co-wife Mumtaz acknowledges. What will her future be like? Will she spend her life cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children of a man she did not choose, who loves his first wife? A wife treated like a maid in her cousin's house?

The show makes it somewhat clear that Saddiq doesn't intend to sleep with her again now that she has provided him with a child, but wouldn't our educated, independent British nurses think that Parveen deserves more out of life?

True, only around 65 percent of American citizens graduated high school at that time (I'm not sure about the British statistic), but considering the backgrounds of the nurses, one of them should have mentioned it.

3) A culturally insensitive remark

Why should "Call the Midwife" portray its nurses as products of their time, unable to completely escape the prejudices of the society in which they live? Because to deny the prejudice and incomprehension that immigrant families of all kinds face in their new home countries is to deny a basic truth of the immigrant experience.

Even today, immigrants face intolerance wherever they go. They also face confusion, well-intentioned misunderstanding, and blameless ignorance from even the kindest of native citizens.

We may wish the forward-thinking, compassionate nurses and nuns of "Call the Midwife" to be completely unbiased, but the truth is they would not have completely understood the cultural pressures that led to the Gani family's situation.

We are all formed by the culture we grow up in (whether we accept or reject it), and a few encounters with an immigrant family is not enough to make any of us fully understand that culture. So, someone should have made a culturally insensitive remark, to demonstrate the difficulties that a nontraditional immigrant family would face  and then someone should have corrected the speaker, to reinforce the values of tolerance that the show is trying to promote. A simple exchange like that would have made the Ganis' full predicament  and the gritty setting of the show  more real and nuanced.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte may be royalty but that doesn't stop them from being cheeky kids -- at least according to their great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The adorable children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly picked a messy and naughty habit that the monarch herself finds amusing. A report by Sunday Express was used for most of the information in this article.

In a new documentary called "The Queen's Green Planet," the Queen gets candid about her close bond with George and Charlotte. The 91-year-old royal, who currently has five great-grandchildren, opened up about what it's like having all those youngsters running around the Buckingham Palace.

A naughty Christmas with the young royals

During the interview, Queen Elizabeth II talks about the royal family's Christmas preparations. Speaking with her senior castle attendant Neil Turner, the monarch admitted that it's the time of the year when Prince George and Princess Charlotte get to show their naughty side, Express reported. According to Turner, his perfect decoration of the Queen's Christmas tree somehow becomes a problem. Apparently, the royal siblings admire the decorations so much that they end up messing it up. "Yes, that is always the problem, as the children love knocking those [decorations] off," Queen Elizabeth II revealed.

And while decorating the royal Christmas tree could be painstakingly difficult, the doting great-grandmother shared that the adorable tots actually enjoy doing it.

In fact, the Queen even suggested that in order to extend the lifespan of the ornaments, it's best if they decorate it themselves. "And the great thing is to make them decorate it, and theyre a bit more careful. It always looks jolly."

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's 'Gan-Gan'

Previously, the Duchess of Cambridge shared that the Queen has always been fond of kids, including her two children.

In an interview, the soon-to-be mother of three revealed that her oldest child, George, calls his great-grandmother "Gan-Gan."

Prince William's wife also noted that Queen Elizabeth II dotes on the youngest royal, adding that she always leaves presents for Prince George and Princess Charlotte whenever they visit her at Buckingham Palace.

There were also claims that the monarch was "really thrilled" when Charlotte was born in May 2015. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as soon as they returned to Kensington Palace from the hospital.

The Queen is now expecting her third great-grandchild from Prince William and Kate Middleton this month.
Frances participation in the US-led military operation in Syria sparked fierce debate at home on Saturday, April 14.

French President Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to join the operation in a statement shortly after the strike was launched late Friday, stressing that Frances participation was limited to the capabilities of the Syrian regime for the production and use of chemical weapons.

I ordered the French armed forces to intervene as part of an international operation in coalition with the US and the UK directed against the clandestine chemical arsenal of the Syrian regime.

We can not tolerate the trivialization of the use of chemical weapons, which is an immediate danger for the Syrian people and for our collective security, Macron added.

The allied missile attacks in Syria were legitimate, limited and proportionate, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

However, French politicians expressed diverging opinions. Jean-Luc Melenchon, one of Macrons old rivals in the 2017 presidential race, called the operation a matter of North American revenge, an irresponsible escalation.

The strikes against Syria are without proof, without a UN mandate, and against it, without a European agreement and without a vote of the French Parliament, Melenchon said on Twitter.

France deserves better than this role. It must be the strength of the international order and peace, said the leader of the far-left party La France Insoumise.

Meanwhile, leader of the far-right party Front National Marine Le Pen said with its decision to follow the US and Britain to carry out the strikes, France lost an opportunity to appear in the international scene as an independent power.

These strikes against Syria engage us in a way with unpredictable and potentially dramatic consequences, she warned on Twitter.
Family can mean many things, from biological parents, siblings, or foster families to multigenerational households and extended loved ones.

The 2018 Virginia Tech Family of the Year award was presented during the Spring Game to the Perks family of Blacksburg: Dave and Sara Perks, their children Jayme and Evie, and their six nominators, Robyn, Josh, Jordan, Tre, Liz, and Nick  all Virginia Tech students.

The Blacksburg Baptist Church Family Ties program is a college-focused ministry that connects students with local families. When Dave and Sara Perks opened their hearts and home to Cadet Joshua McGuire, of Franklin, Tennessee, a senior majoring in international studies with minors in Chinese and leadership, they got five of his friends as well. This unusual Hokie family has shared adventures, home-cooked meals, and struggles as well as celebrations.



Their nominators said, Once Josh introduced us to the Perks, it was as if they had loved us since the day we were born. We are a motley crew of seniors now who have been fostered by some of the most genuine and whole-hearted people Blacksburg has to offer.



Cadet Nicholas Masella, of Port Charlotte, Florida, a senior majoring in political science with a concentration in national security studies, said, Almost all of our friend group is from out of state, ranging from five hours to 13 hours away from home. Because of this, we don't often get to see our families. We thought it is only appropriate that we nominate our school family for this awesome award. They have not only given so much to us but they also have given so much to their community. The Perks are avid supporters of the Hokies and it is only appropriate that the craziest and best Hokie family should be nominated for this award.



Dave 95 and Sara, a Spokie (spouse of a Hokie) who works at Virginia Tech in Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies, said the addition of six Virginia Tech students to their family has benefitted them all.



We learn from them all the time, the Perks said. They open up to us, and we enjoy listening to them. Its a great feeling to know that they trust us, and they feel comfortable around us. We let them steer the relationship and are as involved with them as they want us to be. The opportunity to help or just to listen is a gift, and we feel fortunate that they share it with us.



Having them support me throughout my college career has changed what Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and so many other things mean to me, said Liz Pittman, of Cazenovia, New York, a senior majoring in civil engineering. Sara and Dave stepped in to help mentor and lead us in our journeys through college, and I will forever be grateful for that.



The Perks know that its not easy being away from home and that their support comes at a crucial time for the students. Cadet Robyn Schneider, of Riverhead, New York, a senior majoring in international studies, said, Having the Perks support me during my time at Virginia Tech has meant the world to me. I have always had an issue with self-confidence and truly believing that anyone other than my immediate family could love me. The family my friends and the Perks have built together has helped me learn to trust the goodness in people and has helped me grow as a person, not only emotionally but spiritually.



There is an additional benefit of this extended family. Being around this group of students has provided a crystal clear example for our kids of what it can look like to be a college student who works hard, still has a ton of fun, but also maintains the values that their parents instilled in them along the way, said Dave. Were very aware that our experience with them isnt a result of what theyve gotten from us, but rather the people they already were when they got here, and that were fortunate to have met.



Last fall the Perks met their students parents and now they are planning a joint graduation party at their house. With five of the six students graduating in May, the Perks said, Were super proud of every one of them, but the military factor of so many of them being cadets makes it even harder to watch them go. Most alumni have the opportunity to come back to town whenever they want, but with so many in this crew headed off to serve our country, we really have no idea when well be able to get the entire crew together in the same room again.



Schneider said, Sara and Dave Perks hearts overflow with more compassion than I could ever image. I am so grateful to have them as a part of my life and to call them family. Even upon graduation when I am in the Navy somewhere in the world, I will be keeping in touch with them. And I know that one day when we are all in the same state, the Perks will host our motley crew for another holiday dinner, even if its a holiday we need to make up.



The Virginia Tech Family of the Year award is presented annually by Student Affairs to acknowledge the people who are our students biggest supporters  their families.



Written by Sandy Broughton.


Virginia Tech will launch a new living-learning community (LLC) for students interested in understanding, supporting, and learning about the African-American experience.



President Tim Sands announced the founding of the Ujima (oo-JEE-muh) Living-Learning Community this weekend during the 2018 Black Alumni Reunion.

Ujima will become the universitys 15th living-learning community. Virginia Techs living-learning communities connect students academic and co-curricular experiences to create a supportive, dynamic learning environment that becomes home.

The Ujima LLC will help build and strengthen relationships across the larger university community and support discussions on identity, culture, and history, said Sands. It will be an important resource in developing our future leaders.

Ujima is the third principle of Kwanzaa and is defined as collective work and responsibility and community. The living-learning community will place a special emphasis on understanding the unique experiences of African-Americans in society, including their experiences in higher education. With a focus on building and maintaining community and solving problems together, the community will be located in Peddrew-Yates Hall.

Peddrew-Yates Hall honors Irving Linwood Peddrew III, the first black student to enroll at Virginia Tech in 1952, and the late Charlie Lee Yates, the first black graduate, who earned a bachelor of science degree with honors in 1957.

This years Black Alumni Reunion celebrated the 65th anniversary of Peddrew's admission and the 60th anniversary of Yates graduation from Virginia Tech.



The announcement was made at the reunions Influential Black Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday evening.

I wanted to share this exciting news with our black alumni during the reunion weekend because this is part of their legacy. I have great respect for their years of hard work and commitment to developing a more inclusive university community, Sands said. Their ongoing support is vital as we move forward together.

The Ujima LLC will consist of 70 students (male and female) who will participate in structured learning experiences.

Ujima will support Virginia Techs commitment to InclusiveVT  the institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence, said Menah Pratt-Clarke, vice president for strategic affairs and vice provost for inclusion and diversity. Ujima will provide an opportunity to explore the relationship between Ut Prosim and diversity and our collective responsibility and obligation as an institution to prepare students to be of service to anyone and at any time.

Students in Ujima will gain leadership skills through Virginia Tech student organizations, including the Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS), the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), as well as other cultural organizations.

Ujima will support both Virginia Techs commitment to InclusiveVT, as well as support our broader institutional goal of growing living-learning participation to involve at least two-thirds of our undergraduate residential students over the next decade, Patty Perillo, vice president for Student Affairs agreed.

Virginia Techs living-learning communities, part of Student Affairs Department of Housing and Residence Life, provide students with the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom in a learning environment that becomes home. There are LLC options for students from every academic college and every class year.

Tommy Amal, assistant director of the Student Success Center and chair of the Virginia Tech's Black Male Excellence Network, has been active in the planning of the LLC.

This community is important because it provides a space for students who are really interested in the success, history, and culture of black students. That is black students, but that does include other students who want to be a part of that community, the learning process, and the activities that come along with that community, he said. Its all about excellence. Its all about ensuring that students have that sense of belonging and have ownership on this campus, making sure they have the things they need to thrive on this campus and in the future.

Written by Annie McCallum
Virginia Techs 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance, an annual event that honors and remembers the 32 individuals who lost their lives on April 16, 2007, was held Saturday, April 14, on the Blacksburg campus.

An estimated 14,500 individuals participated in the event.

Now in its 10th year, the event started on the Drillfield near War Memorial Gym and finished near the April 16 Memorial across from Burruss Hall.

More information about the activities planned for the 2018 Day of Remembrance may be found on the We Remember website.




Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, counter-service packaging, foodservice disposables, take-out food packaging, first aid products, point of purchase displays, stationery, bags, and cleaning and hygiene supplies to grocery stores, supermarkets, retail chains, convenience stores, food wholesalers, ethnic grocers, and organic food outlets. It also provides food packaging, napkins, disposable tableware, food service disposables, guest amenities, light and heavy catering equipment, cleaning and hygiene products, and safety items to hotels, restaurants, caterers, the leisure sector, and food processors and packers; and footwear, gloves, safety helmets, workwear, harness equipment, tools, safety signs, traffic management, and ancillary site equipment, as well as ear, eye, respiratory, and face protection products to customers in the industrial and construction markets. In addition, the company offers cleaning systems, floorcare items, hand cleansing products, hygiene paper, janitorial products, cleaning machines, mops, polishes, and protective clothing and washroom chemicals to facilities management companies, contract cleaners, and other industrial and healthcare customers; and counter service packaging, point of purchase display items, stationery, and cleaning and hygiene products to department stores, boutiques, office supply companies, retail chains, and home improvement chains. Further, it provides gloves, aprons, bandages, facemasks, gowns, headwear, mattress covers, overshoes, procedure packs, tapes, wipes, incontinence products, and swabs to the healthcare sector, including hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, and doctors' surgeries and clinics; and various products to government and education establishments. Bunzl plc was founded in 1854 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
Can't-miss games in Northeastern South Dakota for Week 7

Things are getting closer to the wire as most teams will have to prove themselves in the next three games ahead of the upcoming postseason for nine-man and 11B.
MINNEAPOLIS  A Minnesota woman who is wanted in connection with her husbands death is now charged with killing a Florida woman who resembled her, then stealing the womans identity as she eluded authorities, officials said Friday.

Lois Riess, 56, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, has been charged in the shooting death of Pamela Hutchinson, 59, of Bradenton, Florida. Authorities were called to an area of Fort Myers Beach on Monday and found Hutchinson dead, with gunshot wounds.

Authorities arent aware of any connection between the two women, but they believe Riess shot and killed Hutchinson to assume her identity.

Ms. Hutchinsons purse was found to be in disarray and all cash, credit cards and identification appeared to be removed, Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said, adding: Further investigation revealed that Ms. Hutchinson was targeted by the suspect due to the similarities in their appearance.

Riess is believed to be driving Hutchinsons car, a white Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA. The car has been seen in Louisiana and Corpus Christi, Texas, since Hutchinson died. Riess 2005 white Cadillac Escalade was found abandoned in a Florida park.

Riess is wanted in Florida for murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle and grand theft and criminal use of personal identification. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Riesss mode of operation is to befriend women who resemble her and steal their identity, Marceno said. U.S. Marshals are actively involved in a national search for this dangerous fugitive. Riess is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if located.

Riess is also wanted in the March death of her husband, David Riess. Prosecutors are preparing second-degree murder charges in that case. Minnesotas Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said Friday that authorities believe the same gun was used in both killings.

Anyone who sees Reiss is urged to call 911, and anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or Florida authorities.

Riess has been on the run since at least late March, after David Riesss business partner called Dodge County authorities on March 23 to ask them to check on him. The partner said no one at work had seen David Riess in over two weeks.

Authorities found David Riesss body inside his home with multiple gunshots. They couldnt determine how long he had been dead, and investigators could not find his wife.

During the investigation, authorities learned that Lois Riess may have been at Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa. Authorities from Dodge County, the BCA and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation went to the casino, but Riess had already left. Authorities later learned she was in south Florida.

__

This story has been corrected to fix the name of the casino to Diamond Jo Casino, instead of Diamond Joe Casino.

__

Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti . More of her work at: https://apnews.com/search/amy%20forliti
Going on safari is only a portion of the adventure that awaits three New Mexico teens who have been chosen to travel to South Africa.

Genesis Gallegos, 14, Gavin Foreman, 15, and Rae Lynn Stockton, 15, who participate in Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico, have been selected to head across the globe as part of a service project with the Boys & Girls Clubs in South Africa.

There are three sites in South Africa and the New Mexico teens will be partnering with one of the branches to do various renovation projects at the club as well as interact and do cultural exchanges with the youth and teenagers that attend the Boys & Girls Clubs in South Africa.

The teens have each been a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico for many years combined.

The trio has been busy fundraising for the trip by selling baked bread and seeking donations on an online system similar to GoFundMe called classy.org. They have also been accepting donations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico branches in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Some donations have trickled in. The goal is to raise $6,000 by May 1.

If the teens are able to overachieve that goal the additional money would help reimburse parents for immunizations, which were not covered by health insurance, as well as the cost to expedite passports. It also could help purchase luggage, hoodies and other needs, according to Rebecca Sisneros, development and marketing coordinator for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico.

These kids have to fundraise about $2,300 each for the entire trip but that includes airfare, room and board, transportation, said Christian Naea, chief program officer. Theres actually a foundation based out of Santa Monica (Calif.), the Pacific Youth Foundation, picking up the remainder of the trip.

In order to be considered for the trip the teens application process also included an essay on what this trip would mean to them and how they would use it to benefit the community.

We also do grade checks throughout the year to make sure they are doing good in school because education and academic success is an important tenet of the Boys & Girls Clubs, Naea said.

The teens head out to South Africa on July 8 and return on July 21. This is the first time the teens have traveled outside the United States.

As soon as we land, we land in Johannesburg, and were going to take a six-hour drive to Kruger National Park, Naea said. The first thing we are going to do is go on safari for three days. So theyre going to get to go on early morning safaris around 6 a.m. and evening safaris and see the big five: elephant, hippo, lion, buffalo and rhinoceros.

From safari the teens will be driven back to Johannesburg and hop on a plane to Cape Town. They will be in Cape Town for a few days and learn about apartheid. They will visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was interned for years.

The teens also have their own agendas on what they want to take away from the trip.

Stockton, who wants to be an architect, is interested in the architecture of South Africa.

Foreman is interested in the cuisine, particularly Kudo burgers, which are made with a type of deer meat.

Im really excited to do the service project because I want to make a lot of friends from the Boys & Girls Clubs in South Africa and I feel that it will be a great way to understand other people and like see how they react to some things that I would react to and basically see their culture, Gallegos said.

How to help

To donate and for more information, visit bgccnm.org.
To say the Kronos Quartet covers a wide range of music is an understatement; the group has worked with Pat Metheny, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith and Tom Waits.

Rooted in a genre known more for Beethoven than the Beatles, the San Francisco-based musicians have chased a singular artistic vision and commissioned more than 950 works.

The Grammy Award-winning group will perform at Santa Fes Lensic Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 21.

True to Kronos adventurous spirit, the program ranges from the music of Philip Glass to Rhiannon Giddens.

What Kronos has been doing is to try to extend the range of the string quartet as an art form; Kronos founder and violinist David Harrington said, to bring in music and collaborators from every corner of the musical world to give us and our audience a sense of how vast it is.

Their Santa Fe concert spans the Inuit throat singing of Tanya Tagaq, the Egyptian dance music of Islam Chipsy, Raven Chacons The Journey of the Horizontal People and Laurie Andersons Flow.

The pieces are part of Kronos Fifty for the Future project collecting repertoire to make available online for free.

This will be the largest number of these in one concert, Harrington said.

Stacy Garrops Glorious Mahalia combines the voices of Mahalia Jackson and her friend, the late Chicago radio host Studs Terkel in a musical suite.

Theyre probably the two people most responsible for bringing down the color line on radio, Harrington said. Part of the piece is them talking about life in this country.

Theres a few moments of perfection, he added. Laurie Andersons piece and then Strange Fruit and then Mahalia Jackson sings Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.'
The Santa Fe Opera is going on the road in hopes of reaching those who might not have the opportunity to watch a performance on the main stage.

The organizations Spring Tour is in its 19th year, according to director of education and community programs Andrea Fellows Walters. The opera started its roving performances in 1999. Beginning today, the Opera will provide free performances to communities all the way from Raton to Las Cruces. The Albuquerque performance will take place April 25 at 6:30 p.m. on Stage One at St. Pius X.

The opera will perform Trinity, which was written by Fellows Walters to celebrate the operas 50th anniversary, with music by John Kennedy. The one-act, 45-minute opera commemorates the development of the atomic bomb, which was tested at the Trinity Site in southern New Mexico.

In the story, an older woman named Tessa tells her story to a teen named Atom who encounters her in the present day near the site. Tessa recalls her time in New Mexico during World War II when she met an Italian prisoner of war and the two became friends. He introduced Tessa to opera and fostered a love for music. The opera is performed in English.

Essentially the theme of the story is that when we are confused, or hurting or overwhelmed, we go to music, Fellows Walters said. It gives us comfort.

A large component of the tour is performing for local school children in the communities they visit. The opera has partnered with Albuquerque Public Schools. Hundreds of students ranging from elementary to high school will attend seven performances at the National Hispanic Cultural Center starting April 24, according to Fran AHern Smith, vice president of education for the Albuquerque Opera Guild, which is affiliated with the Santa Fe Opera.

Its a very unique experience for them, AHern Smith said. They can go to the movies whenever they like but the opera is not something that many parents introduce their children to. Its not as popular.

AHern Smith said after the performance, the students can meet with performers and ask questions.

She said one fact many students dont realize is that operas are performed without microphones. Fellows Walter said the Santa Fe Opera keeps in mind that some audience members are younger and tries to perform pieces that will engage younger audiences.

But we dont dilute the complexity of the stories, Fellows Walters said. We believe they (students) can handle the more complex stories.

She said the Spring Tour gives opera members a chance to get feedback from audiences that may not typically attend a main-stage performance. She said the hope is the tour will encourage more people to enjoy opera and other live performance art. The goal, she said, is to continue presenting operas with diverse characters to equally diverse audiences.

We hope these operas help to lessen objectification of people and the view of people as others, she said.  We want to diversify the opera for all people.
District Attorney Raul Torrez said his office has found several problems with state laws on gun possession that should be changed.

Torrez, in a letter to Gov. Susana Martinez, said that in the wake of school shootings in New Mexico and elsewhere in the country, his office has examined existing laws and thinks the state should expand the list of people prohibited from possessing firearms, strengthen the mechanism for reporting them to law enforcement and increase the states ability to seize firearms used in felonies and violent crimes.

It is imperative that our political representatives take the lead in a combined effort to protect the public from violent and mentally unstable people, Torrez said in the letter, which also was sent Friday to Senate and House leaders.

Torrez said New Mexico law only prohibits people who have been convicted of felonies as adults from prohibiting firearms. He said that list also should include people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence charges or certain violent crimes as juveniles, people who are subject to domestic violence orders of protection and people who have been found incompetent to stand trial.

Torrez pointed out that Nehemiah Griego, who was convicted of killing his parents and three young siblings when he was 15, would be able to own firearms if he is sentenced as a juvenile, a matter currently being litigated.

The governor will leave office at the end of the year.

Michael Lonergan, a spokesman for the governor, said her administration has improved reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is used to check if people trying to buy firearms are banned from doing so.

Governor Martinez has always been a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment  and having been a prosecutor herself for 25 years, knows firsthand the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, including through supporting common-sense gun laws, he said in a prepared statement.

Michael Patrick, a spokesman for Torrez, said the district attorney wrote the letter to create discussion about the topic.

We just felt we needed to get the ball rolling, he said.

Last week, Torrez held a meeting at his office with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to discuss how they can better fight gun crime in Albuquerque.

As a lifelong gun owner, hunter and concealed carry permit holder, I strongly believe in our constitutional right to keep and bear arms, Torrez said in the letter. Just as strongly, however, I believe  as most gun owners do  that violent criminals and the mentally unstable should not have ready access to firearms.
She went to Osuna, Mountain View, Double Eagle, Painted Sky, Montezuma and Inez elementary schools. She would even come and play with your kids. She stayed in loose contact with your child until middle school, when she became the wrong crowd.

This girl, by the time she is 15, will have a severe alcohol addiction. Shes experimenting with methamphetamine and has already had several negative contacts with the police and justice system. The child-services worker seems overwhelmed and only really cares about the girls little brother. Her extended family is wary of her presence due to past incidents when she visits. Within three days of meeting a helpful stranger who saw her walking on the street, she is in an east Texas motel, being sold online to have sex with strange men.

She will cry during the first one. Run away actually, sick to her stomach about what is going to happen. She will stare at the TV in the room, seeing a familiar show, but that is all she has to connect her back to home. The woman she traveled with is snapping her fingers to get her attention. There is a customer here. Thats what they are here for. Due to the meth she was given earlier and a large drink from the plastic bottle of vodka, she becomes a child sex victim; 22 days, 45 men, five states.

When police finally contact her, she is sent back to Albuquerque and directly to jail. Historically, this would have been the end of the story. Now police, social workers, juvenile jail staff, nurses, etc. are receiving better training to identify what a child sex worker sounds and looks like. Where this teenager, historically, would only be labeled a defiant drug addict and left to largely figure out her own problems, deputies intervened and were able to build a criminal case. Her case included multiple suspects, prosecutions and work with advocates to other adults in the youth system to help ensure her success.

This is what we call the High Risk Victim program within the department. It trains law enforcement to take a different approach to sex workers with a focus on teenagers who, through their interactions, are deemed at high risk of being a victim of sex trafficking or other violent crimes. Currently only BCSO has received this training. We hope to one day successfully petition the Department of Public Safety to make it mandatory for police academies statewide.

Upon release from jail, some of the teens only options to live will be crisis shelters for youth. Her family is deemed unfit to take care of her, and foster families willing to take in kids her age are in the minority and already full of foster kids. At the shelter, shell share dorm settings with kids that share her early childhood trauma behaviors and staff that has necessary, but seemingly unfair, rules about her movements and participation in activities. Eventually shell run from this shelter or be kicked out. The cycle will start again.

New Mexico has a glaring lack of options for our sex-trafficked and drug-addicted youth to go. The sheriffs department works missing-person cases, and based on local and national statistics, we believe we have approximately 75 new kids a year introduced to sex work by adults. This number is based solely on the reports the department receives; it is likely much higher when you add the Albuquerque Police Departments numbers. These are kids from our communities: they love green chile, Coronado Mall and the Isotopes. The common misperception is that human-trafficking victims are foreign. The truth is that foreign workers are in the minority here. The victims are the kids our community has raised.

The lack of housing for this group of kids is no secret. On a recent case, CYFD worked tirelessly and found a new solution that helped. They placed the child into Treatment Foster Care (TFC). TFC trains parents how to provide a higher level care of kids that might have specific needs. Simply being a human-trafficking victim is not one of them. CYFD placed her into TFC since we thought it a highly high risk for her to go to an Albuquerque shelter, where we felt she would quickly relapse and possibly be re-victimized soon after.

She has been very stable since and reports amazing milestones in her progress to get back on track with school and being able to live a normal teen life. In other large cities in the country, other programs have shown progress with this population of victims. They include large urban treatment centers that can also act as higher-level shelters for the kids. That is our end goal, and we believe it can work. We also know the time and money needed to make these facilities and resources happen can still be several years away.

In the meantime, we are hopeful that Bernalillo County can assist the kids we meet that fit this criteria, and work with the Children, Youth, and Families Department and Treatment Foster Care homes to get a more stable and immediate placement for these victims. We believe the success of this path should be a permanent solution for current victims. The long-term solution is to slow early childhood trauma, but we cannot wait for that total solution and leave the current teenagers, soon to be adults, so vulnerable.

Sheriffs statement

I am proud of the tireless work and dedication of our detectives. Youth in our community are safer because of outstanding efforts of the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office Ghost Unit. It is critical to have a victim-centralized focus on these cases, to better the lives of the victims and remove violent child predators from our community. As these predators lurk in our community, our detectives work diligently and thoroughly in their investigations to hold criminals accountable. This victim-centralized focus is an innovative way to fight these cases. I am proud to be the leader of an agency that has implemented unprecedented tactics such as the Ghost Unit to better the criminal justice system in our community. 

 Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III
When I sat down with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan in Washington on Thursday to talk about the 2018 mid-term elections, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman could barely contain his enthusiasm.

His demeanor was similar to that in a meeting we had about this time two years ago, when Lujan also seemed bullish on the Democrats chances of picking up seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. But two things about last weeks interview did strike me as different.

First, Lujan hardly mentioned President Donald Trump  a marked contrast from his talking points in May 2016, when he and the entire Democratic Party were counting on the bombastic, soon-to-be GOP presidential nominee to implode and possibly take the Republican-controlled Congress down with him. We all know how that worked out.

But despite Lujans most fervent hopes two years ago, he stopped short of predicting a Democratic takeover of the House. Last week, he threw such restraint to the wind.

If everyone does their part, and if we execute our plan, I have every confidence we can win back the House, Lujan said.

To do so, the Democrats would need to pick up 23 seats. While thats no easy lift, its certainly not outside the realm of possibility. More than 40 Republican House incumbents arent seeking re-election, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Herculean fundraiser for the party. Meanwhile, Trumps approval rating hovers at a historic 40 percent low as scandals swirl constantly around the White House.

Given the terrible optics at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., I asked Lujan why he isnt talking about Trump as much as he was two years ago.

President Trump is going to talk about President Trump every day, Lujan said with a smile. Hes doing all the talking for us. The president himself has brought more attention to the investigations of the scandals tied to him and his family and people around him than anyone else could. He should continue to do that.

So, what are Lujan and his roster of Democratic House candidates talking about?

Its all about jobs, economy and health care, he said. Overwhelmingly, people are telling us their salaries and wages are not keeping up with the costs.

While Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump, its not at all clear that a bitter divide between liberal progressives and more establishment Democrats laid bare by the insurgent campaign of Bernie Sanders against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary has healed. The Democratic National Committee was shown to have favored Clinton behind the scenes in that campaign, enraging Sanders supporters.

In recent weeks and months, Lujan and the DCCC have been criticized by some of those same people for openly favoring more moderate candidates over left-leaning ones, such as former journalist Laura Moser in Houston and Dana Balter in Syracuse. Lujan insisted that the DCCC isnt working to suppress progressive candidates, but simply trying to help the best candidates get on the ballot.

We have incredible progressive candidates running all over America, and they are running strong campaigns, Lujan said. We want to make sure we have strong candidates across the country in competitive general elections because we owe it to these grassroots organizations that have put in the work.

What we saw in 2016 and before was when there wasnt a candidate in a race that was strong or that viable, who did the blame go to?, Lujan continued. The blame went to the (DCCC) that was responsible for recruiting candidates across the country. Im proud of the work our team and this organization is doing.

And finally, that brings us to New Mexico where Lujan, who is running unopposed in his 3rd Congressional District primary, said hes elated by the quality of Democratic candidates in the 1st and 2nd districts. The DCCC is unlikely to get involved in the crowded 1st District primary race but has announced its support of Xochitl Torres Small, a lawyer and former Capitol Hill staffer for Sen. Tom Udall, in the 2nd District.

Lujan said the DCCC is intent on capturing the southern New Mexico seat thats belonged to Republican Rep. Steve Pearce for seven of the last eight terms.

We already have an office thats going to be opening up in southern New Mexico, and well have field staff there, as well, he said.  Well keep a close eye on this race.

E-mail: mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
Overdose deaths have become all too common throughout the country and in New Mexico.

Drug overdoses killed 63,632 Americans in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To put that number in perspective, its the equivalent of the combined populations of Roswell, Taos, Silver City and Jemez Springs dying in one year because of drugs.

Five hundred of those fatal overdoses were in New Mexico.

While addicts often pay for their addictions with their lives, dealers typically just move on to the next unfortunate soul needing a fix, wreaking even more heartache in the communities where they operate.

Despite the damage they cause, drug dealers who are caught are rarely made to atone for the lives theyve destroyed. More often that not, theyre hit with state possession or trafficking charges, which are frequently pleaded down to lesser felonies or even misdemeanors.

But the U.S. Attorneys HOPE Initiative is giving law enforcement and prosecutors desperately needed tools to finally hold these purveyors of misery accountable. Just ask Rosendo Flores Angulo, a 40-year-old Mexican national recently sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison for selling heroin that led to an overdose death. As Journal investigative reporter Mike Gallagher noted in a story last week, prosecuting drug dealers for overdose deaths is fairly unusual, but drug agents and prosecutors have begun to build such cases under the U.S. Attorneys HOPE Initiative. While these cases are more difficult to prosecute, they also come with longer prison terms.

Angulo, in his plea agreement, admitted supplying heroin to the lower-level dealer, and he acknowledged learning that the dealer sold some of the heroin to a young man who collapsed and died after using it.

The young man who died  identified only as DJJ  bought a quarter gram of heroin for $20.

Federal prosecutors are pursuing a similar case against convicted heroin dealer Raymond Moya. Hes been charged with selling heroin that led to the death of 18-year-old Cameron Weiss in August 2011. Prosecutors are alleging that Weiss, a student at La Cueva High School, overdosed on heroin that was provided to him by a friend who had purchased it from Moya. Prosecutors are appealing a ruling in that case to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and U.S. Attorneys Office in response to the national opioid epidemic.

Its no secret Albuquerque is in the midst of a terrible crime wave and local police and prosecutors are overwhelmed. So its great to see federal authorities stepping in and lending a hand, and local authorities welcoming the help rather than fighting turf battles.

But more than that, the prosecutions of Angulo and Moya send the message that dealers can and do face consequences for peddling this poison. The prosecutions also illustrate that dealing drugs isnt a victimless crime.

The 18-years-plus sentence Angulo received wont bring back the young man who died using his heroin, but it certainly makes it clear dealers risk real punishment. And it is the type of prosecution effort that when scaled up can make a real difference on our streets, and in our homes, and in our families.

The Albuquerque Police Department and 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office should continue working with federal law enforcement and the U.S. Attorneys Office in these cases where stiff penalties are available at the federal level. Going that route increases the odds that the many victims of illegally dealt drugs and their families will receive real justice, and dealers will either do prison time or take their deadly business elsewhere.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Larry Davis remembers when his stepmother would cry on the phone from the memory care facility 1,100 miles away, where she was placed by a corporate guardian in December 2016.

She was so despondent; shed say that if she had to stay there, shed kill herself. She kept telling us, This isnt a life. 

But Kises court-appointed guardian ad litem and corporate guardian insisted Kise was happy and argued that she should remain in New Mexico  and not be allowed to move to California where Davis and his family live.

Medical staff at the memory care unit stated that since living at the secure facility in Las Cruces, Kise hadnt had a single seizure, because they had her on phenobarbital, Davis said. The guardian ad litem, CaraLyn Banks, had earlier reported that Kise had epilepsy as a child and has been treated with Phenobarbital for a number of years.

But Davis said Kise had no history of epilepsy or seizures  a fact he said he confirmed with her sister in Japan. Kise had been prescribed phenobarbital in the past only to help her sleep.

One of Davis attorneys, Peter Goodman of Las Cruces, told the judge in April 2017 that when he visited Kise, she was sitting next to a woman who was watching  with open mouth, in fascination  a show thats for 10-year-olds. I think this is relevant to the urgency of moving Ms. Davis  she needs to be where she can relate to people.

But Kises guardian ad litem, Banks, contended that Kise remained high functioning, because of the staff at the facility and the corporate guardian, Advocate Services of Las Cruces.

Unfortunately, given her level of dementia, (moderate to severe), the GAL anticipates that Mrs. Davis level of function will deteriorate if she is moved from this safe and stable environment that she knows and loves, Banks stated in a report to the judge.

On one visit, Larry Davis and his wife brought birdseed so they and Kise could go outside the memory care unit and enjoy one of her pastimes of feeding the birds. He said they were told the guardian wouldnt permit that.

At one point, the Davis couple was informed of a long list of items they couldnt speak with her about, including her moving to California.

Relatives take a beating in this. Youre emotionally caught in a situation where you cant have any say in anything involving your own relative. Davis said.

Advocate Services owner Sandy Meyer didnt address the phenobarbital issue in an email response to the Journal, but said there was only one request  that they not mention the move to California before the judge ruled, as it caused her such distress she would not eat for a few days after.

Kise was housed with lower functioning people  in a memory care unit that a guardian representative testified in court was more expensive than the unit for higher functioning residents. The reason given: The guardian wanted to avoid the need to move her twice before Kise went to California.

Meanwhile, Advocate Services began to liquidate Kises belongings and prepare to sell her house, where she grew pecans and used to send them as Christmas presents to her stepson and his wife.

Kise read in the newspaper that her house in La Mesa, N.M., was up for sale.

She was in depression and crying, her stepson said, She realized she could never go home.
SANTA FE  The New Mexico Legislature has received more complaints of sexual misconduct or harassment this year than it did over the past decade, after shoring up procedures for investigations.

Public records requests by The Associated Press show New Mexicos Legislature received four complaints about misconduct or harassment during this years legislative session  two against lawmakers and two against their staff. Thats up from just one complaint over the previous decade.

The AP filed similar records requests in every state, seeking information on sexual misconduct or harassment complaints against lawmakers, as well as any financial settlements.

Though the process unearthed a total of about 70 complaints and nearly $3 million in settlements nationwide, the actual figures are almost certainly higher.

Thats because a majority of states released no records, with some saying they had no complaints, did not keep a tally, or arent legally bound to disclose the information.

Few details of the alleged harassment in New Mexico were available because the Legislature does not disclose information about complaints where there is no finding of probable cause.

Prior to this year, female lobbyists and elected officials said widespread sexual harassment at the Capitol went unchecked under procedures adopted in 2008.

The Legislature adopted a new anti-harassment policy in January, and it instituted mandatory training for lawmakers about what constitutes harassing behavior.

The new policies require a review by outside counsel when lawmakers are accused of misconduct, rather than just a review by peers and staff.

The secretary of states office is providing voluntary training for lobbyists, a particular focus of concern.

Late last year, lobbyist Vanessa Alarid accused former Rep. Thomas Garcia of offering to vote for a bill in 2009 if she would have sex with him  allegations he denies. Garcia no longer serves in the legislature, and Alarid did not file a formal complaint.

Democratic Sen. Michael Padilla of Albuquerque was ousted in December as majority whip and ended his campaign for lieutenant governor amid allegations that he harassed women at a previous job a decade ago. He has repeatedly denied the claims.

Other concerns about harassment are reverberating through New Mexico politics.

New Mexico Democratic Party chairman Richard Ellenberg resigned in March after a skeptical response to sexual misconduct allegations against a figure in New Mexicos film industry. The party has yet to name a new leader.
President Donald Trump has signed a bill that expands a child abduction alert system to tribal land.

The bill comes almost two years after an 11-year-old Navajo girl was sexually assaulted and killed on the reservation in northwestern New Mexico. An Amber Alert wasnt issued for Ashlynne Mike until the day after she was reported missing.

The bill that Trump signed Friday is named for her.

It gives tribes direct access to federal grants that law enforcement agencies use for Amber Alert systems. It also makes permanent a pilot program that offers training to tribes.

U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona says hes hopeful the changes will help prevent tragedy.

The U.S. Justice Department will review any challenges tribes face in accessing state or regional alert systems.
MOSCOW  Facing a stark choice between engaging the United States, Britain and France in combat or passively watching them strike his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has opted for the peaceful route.

That cautious response may dent the Russian leaders tough-man image but it wont undermine his gains in Syria or erode his authority at home.

The Kremlin had warned Washington that Russia would fend off any strike that jeopardized its servicemen in Syria. The West respected that red line by giving advance notice of Saturdays attack, just as it did a year ago when it struck a Syrian air base. Russia had sat idle back then, but this time, it had threatened to retaliate.

Such a clash could have quickly spun out of control  an extremely dangerous scenario that was widely compared to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when the world narrowly escaped a nuclear conflict.

With our allies, we ensured that the Russians were warned ahead of time, said French Defense Minister Florence Parly. The U.S.-led airstrikes were a response to a purported chemical attack on civilians in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7. Russia said its experts found no trace of chemical agents.

A senior French official noted that President Emmanuel Macron did not tell Putin about the strikes when they spoke on the phone Friday, but certain de-confliction mechanisms had already been triggered by that point and both knew that a new phase was going to begin quickly.

Putin condemned Saturdays strikes as an act of aggression that will worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and have a destructive influence on the entire system of international relations. He criticized Washington and its allies for attacking without waiting for inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog group to visit Douma, just outside Damascus.

The Russian military said its air defenses at two bases in Syria tracked the incoming missiles but didnt engage them.

Russian social media buzzed Saturday with angry nationalist comments blasting Putin for failing to protect his ally. But state TV focused on criticizing the West for acting on the basis of what Moscow called a faked chemical attack.

The Kremlins tight control over the media will help Putin avoid any significant damage to his carefully nurtured image of a strong leader.

In fact, his cautious stance could boost his popularity further amid fears of war that swept Russia. In recent days, state media have been offering tips on how to behave in a nuclear conflict and what supplies to take to bomb shelters.

Most Russians will now heave a sigh of relief and feel grateful to Putin for pulling back from the brink. State TV channels compared what they described as U.S. President Donald Trumps reckless action with the responsible, statesmanlike stance taken by Putin.

Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policies, an association of top Russian foreign policy and security experts, said on state TV that Moscows warning to strike back clearly hasnt come unnoticed by the Pentagon, and the strike was quite careful.

The Kremlin will also use the crisis to advance its narrative of an aggressive West that plunges the world into chaos and disregards international law. Russian officials and lawmakers compared it to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that was launched on claims that Baghdad was developing suspected nuclear weapons  allegations that proved to be false.

Commentators on state TV argued that Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May launched the attack to distract attention from their political problems at home.

For now, Putin has limited his response to calling an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

No military measures were immediately announced, but in a clear warning to the U.S. and its allies, Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian militarys General Staff said Moscow could boost Syrias Soviet-era air defense assets with batteries of state-of-the-art S-300 missiles. He noted that Moscow so far has heeded Western requests not to provide the missiles to Damascus, but said it may now reconsider.

Rudskoi added that Moscow could also supply long-range missiles to unidentified other countries, a possible reference to Iran, which has taken deliveries of S-300s in the past.

The statement clearly was aimed at discouraging the West from more attacks on Syria that could endanger President Bashar Assads gains on the battlefield, where Russian support has helped him secure control of most strategic areas.

___

EDITORS NOTE: Vladimir Isachenkov has covered Russia for The Associated Press since 1992.

___

Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed.
A video that shows two black men being arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks has drawn national outrage and prompted an apology from the coffee giants top executive.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson on Saturday expressed his deepest apologies to the men, who were arrested Thursday after refusing to leave the coffee shop because they did not make a purchase.

An employee accused the men of trespassing.

Johnson hoped to make things right by having the Seattle-based company review its policies to prevent similar situations from unfolding in the future.

Meanwhile, Johnson said he plans on traveling to Philadelphia.

I hope to meet personally with the two men who were arrested to offer a face-to-face apology, Johnson said.

The two black men were waiting for a third person for a business meeting, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, when a store employee said they were trespassing and called the local authorities.

Regretfully, our practices and training led to a bad outcome, Johnson wrote. The basis for the call to the Philadelphia police department was wrong. Our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested and this should never have escalated as it did.

Police commissioner Richard Ross defended his officers who made the arrest, which were captured in a viral video viewed more than 4 million times. The commissioner said the officers did absolutely nothing wrong and acted professionally.

Ross, who is black, said hes sensitive to race-related incidents.

As an African-American male, I am very aware of implicit bias; we are committed to fair and unbiased policing, he said.

Still, he said officers had acted according to protocol.

If you think about it logically, that if a business calls and they say that someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, they (the officers) now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties. And they did just that, Ross said.

The Inquirer reports the duo were released from custody early Friday, citing their lawyer, Lauren Wimmer.

The video speaks for itself, Wimmer said in a statement, calling the arrest reprehensible.

Two young black men, who were simply waiting to be joined by a friend, were blatantly discriminated against based on their race, she wrote. Not only is this inexcusable. Its illegal.

Another video shows Alan Yaffe, the third party to the meeting and a real estate professional, challenging the arrest.

What did they get called for? he asked. Because there are two black guys sitting here meeting me? Tell me, what did they do? Jaffe is heard saying.

I wanted to get coffee for two black guys sitting and meeting with me, he says. Does anybody else think this is ridiculous? he asks other cafe patrons.

It is ridiculous. I saw it, a woman can be heard saying.

Its clearly discrimination, Yaffe adds. Police replied that the men were trespassing, which Yaffe disputed.

Other Starbucks customers say they didnt witness the men causing any trouble.

The two men were led out of the cafe in handcuffs and released on lack of evidence that a crime had been committed.

Police are conducting an internal investigation into the incident.



2018 New York Daily News

Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
A Trump administration plan to ask people if they are U.S. citizens during the 2020 census has prompted a legal uproar from Democratic state attorneys general, who argue it could drive down participation and lead to an inaccurate count.

Yet not a single Republican attorney general has sued  not even from states with large immigrant populations that stand to lose if a census undercount of immigrants affects the allotment of U.S. House seats and federal funding for states.

In fact, many GOP attorneys general had urged Trumps census team to add a citizenship question.

We always are better off having a more accurate count of citizens versus non-citizens. I see no downside in this, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, vice chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association.

The diverging views of top Republican and Democratic state attorneys highlight how even the most basic data collection decisions can quickly split along partisan lines amid the intense debate about immigration policies.

Concerns among immigrants have risen as President Donald Trumps administration has cracked down on so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, increased arrests by federal immigration officers, called the National Guard to the border with Mexico and sought to limit travel to the U.S. from certain predominantly Muslim countries.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced last month that the 2020 census distributed to every U.S. household will include a citizenship question for the first time since 1950. He said the question was needed in part to help the government enforce the Voting Rights Act, the 1965 law that was intended to protect the political representation of minority groups.

He said it will provide a more accurate tally of voting-eligible residents than is currently available from a smaller sampling survey that includes the citizenship question.

In a letter explaining his decision, Ross said the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that as many as 630,000 additional households might not respond if a citizenship question is included. Yet he acknowledged the administration did not know what the actual consequences might be because it hasnt tested the change.

The nations only dress rehearsal for the 2020 census, currently taking place in Providence, Rhode Island, does not include the citizenship question on the survey forwarded to residents. Nevertheless, Ross determined the benefits of including the question outweigh any concerns.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, filed a federal lawsuit immediately after Ross announced the question would be added. The nations most populous state also has the highest number of foreign-born residents, most of whom are naturalized U.S. citizens or hold some other legal status.

Last week, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman led a coalition of 17 Democratic attorneys general, the District of Columbia, six cities and the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors in filing a second federal lawsuit. They contend the citizenship question will deter participation and illegally inhibit the Constitutions requirement for an actual enumeration of residents.

A third lawsuit was filed this past week by a group of seven Maryland and Arizona residents who say adding the question could lead to an undercount that could diminish federal funding and congressional representation for their states. The Constitution requires representation in the U.S. House to be based on a count of the total residents in each state, not just citizens.

The census, undertaken every 10 years, also is used to determine how much money to distribute to local communities through various federal programs.

If we dont count all the people who live in our city  all the residents we have  it could mean that our community doesnt get our fair share of moneys or aid, said Steve Adler, mayor of Austin, Texas, and a Democrat who is on the board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It could also mean that we dont get the representation in government at all levels. The impacts could be huge.

The George Washington University Institute of Public Policy recently analyzed how a hypothetical 1 percent undercount beyond the figures reported in the 2010 census would have affected 2015 federal funding for Medicaid and several other social programs in each state, assuming the undercount occurred only in that state.

The largest financial hits would have been to the Republican-led states of Texas, Florida and Ohio, the swing state of Pennsylvania and the traditionally Democratic state of Illinois, the report found. Democratic-led California and New York would not have been affected because their Medicaid reimbursement rates already are at minimum levels.

Estimates of those living in the U.S. illegally range from 11 million to a little over 12 million people.

Census data is not shared with immigration enforcement authorities. Yet immigrant advocates believe a citizenship question could discourage even some who are lawfully present from responding, partly because of fears the government could track down relatives living in the U.S. illegally.

The U.S. has about 44 million residents who were not citizens at birth, comprising 13.5 percent of the total population, according to the most recent Census Bureau information. More than half of all immigrants live in California, Texas, New York or Florida.

Last week, a Democratic state senator in Florida formally asked the states attorney general, Republican Pam Bondi, to join the New York lawsuit challenging the citizenship question. Thats unlikely because Bondi was among 11 Republican state attorneys general and two governors who signed a March 13 letter urging the Commerce Department to include a citizenship question.

Minority Democrats in the Arizona Legislature also urged GOP Attorney General Mark Brnovich to join the lawsuit. But his spokesman said that wont happen, just as he refused to sign onto the Republican letter urging the question be included.

We have concerns this issue has been overly politicized, Brnovich spokesman Ryan Anderson said in a statement.

The letter from Republican state officials said a census citizenship question could help minority communities by allowing those drawing legislative districts to ensure there are enough voting-eligible citizens in a particular district for minorities to be able to elect a candidate of their choice under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Citizenship data from the Census Bureaus annual American Community Survey has been sufficient in past court cases to meet the standards of the Voting Rights Act, said Vanita Gupta, who oversaw the Justice Departments civil rights division during the final years of President Barack Obamas administration.

That survey is sent to fewer than 3 percent of U.S. households.

If a citizenship question is asked of every U.S. household, you would basically end up with a completely inaccurate census because of the concerns around depressed participation, said Gupta, who now is president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

___

Associated Press writer Bob Christie in Phoenix contributed to this report.

___

Follow David A. Lieb at: https://twitter.com/DavidALieb
JUNEAU, Alaska  Karl Ward is long dead, but some say the once-revered school superintendent in a small Alaska fishing town was not the benevolent educator worthy of having the high school gym named in his honor.

A cellphone video made by a man before he died by suicide last month has given voice to at least five other men, all of whom say they were sexually abused decades ago by Ward, confirming publicly whispers that had long quietly existed.

Rick Martin graphically explained on the video what he said Ward had done to him, and now his widow Rene, who serves as the principal in Haines, is speaking out.

There is no legal recourse, all concede, but she hopes to spark a conversation about mental health and abuse.

The guilt needs to only live with that one man, she said.

Ward worked in the school district for more than 20 years, including as superintendent in the 1960s and 70s, according to the Chilkat Valley News; he died in 1997. His widow is in an assisted living facility.

The facilitys nurse administrator, Stephanie Pattison, said the woman asked her to tell people that she is in shock and shes in mourning for the life she thought she had.

Police Chief Heath Scott said he has no reason to doubt the allegations, but theres nothing to investigate, nor reason to suspect any sort of cover-up. He confirmed that Martin made the abuse claims on the video.

Haines, a fishing and tourist community of about 1,740, is located about 80 air miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, in southeast Alaska.

The men who have spoken since Martins death about unwanted touching or advances by Ward while they were teenagers spoke to the Chilkat Valley News Kyle Clayton, who went through yearbooks and called dozens of people to locate alleged victims.

I had to find everybody. No one came forward to me, Clayton said.

Once one of the men, Craig Loomis, spoke to Clayton about his own alleged experience with Ward, others began to speak.

It kind of started falling over like dominoes, Clayton said. The Associated Press typically doesnt name victims of sexual abuse but the men have publicly come forward to discuss their allegations.

Loomis told the newspaper that Ward invited students to his house and offered them alcohol. On one visit, Ward inappropriately touched him, Loomis said.

I should have said something 30 or 40 years ago, Loomis said. Whoevers been suffering, we dont know what their life would have been if we would have said something.

Some residents told the paper they had heard allegations about Ward growing up.

Others saw Ward as a stand-up guy. One former principal, Alan Heinrich, would not comment on the reports.

Robert Brouillette said he told a teacher that Ward touched him but the teacher did nothing, the newspaper reported.

Martin said her husband once told his father that Ward tried to touch him, but his father said they were Native, and there was nothing they could do about it, she told KHNS radio.

Rick Martin later worked at the school as a janitor and told his wife it was tough to see a sign celebrating Ward outside the gym, the station reported.

Borough Manager Debra Schnabel said some issues werent talked about 30 years ago, the way they have been during the current #MeToo movement.

I think a lot of people in the community, were not beating ourselves up for the culture that we lived in, she said. I think that were kind of pleased with the fact that we can, at this point in our lives, bring it to the fore and use the knowledge that we have to try to make things better for everybody.

Many residents seem relieved, Clayton said.

Local officials are trying to steer residents in need to available counseling services. Alaska has a high rate of sexual assault and abuse, and authorities said the recent news stories may have dredged up for some residents painful memories of past abuse.

The school board issued a public apology, saying the district must learn from this heartbreaking situation. We can no longer accept a culture of silence about sexual abuse, the statement says.

The plaque outside the gym bearing Wards name has been removed, though a decision remained on whether to rename the facility. The borough assembly, meanwhile, has asked Schnabel to draft a policy for the naming of facilities.

Martin doesnt want anyone to make the same choice that her husband did.

Where I hope this leads is for us to have honest conversations about mental health and abuse and how we need to support people and be honest and face truths, even if theyre hard and ugly, she said.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
The conflicts expressed in art, regardless of whether they are resolved or suppressed, can be found beneath the surface of any particular social order, wrote Herbert Marcuse, the Jewish-born German-American theorist affiliated with the Frankfurt School. When it comes to photographer Ameera Ziyan, the social order in which she was raised continues to inspire her work, serving as a broad canvas for her artistic expression.

This is how Ziyan describes herself: Im a photographer, and I live in Yarka, a Druze village in the western Galilee. A lot of my work focuses on issues relating to social and cultural identity, and women in my society. My photographs are staged. Some of them contain very clear symbolisms through which I express my very clear statements.

Virtually all of Ziyans photographs focus on her experiences as a woman in a conservative Druze society. But Ziyan is not an ordinary Druze woman. She is trying to instigate change, particularly in the attitude of Druze society toward art in general and photography in particular. In its broadest sense, the change constantly hovering in the background involves the status of Druze women and their ability to use their passions and skills in order to express themselves.

As her familys eldest daughter, Ziyan has been under constant supervision ever since she was a child to ensure that she would not overstep the norms and expectations of a young Druze woman. Then she rebelled. A visit to a friend attending college in the Galilee convinced her that she should also pursue a higher education, so she registered to study chemical engineering without her parents knowing. It was practical, she told Al-Monitor. Practicality and the ability to earn a living play an important role in our community in what people choose to study.

She first informed her parents that she had registered for college one day before classes began. Then she told them that she would not be able to get the tuition back if she failed to attend. Upon completing her studies in 1999, she felt that something was still missing and she was far from feeling satisfied.

Ever since she was a little girl, Ziyan had photographed family events and trips. When she completed her studies, her brother offered her a job at the family photo shop. That was where she first encountered pictures of foreigners, as she calls Israeli Jews. They had brought their film to the shop in order to have it developed. She looked at the photos and was immediately struck by what she saw. Ziyan signed up for a photography course, but soon realized that this was just the tip of the iceberg, so she applied to the Department of Fine Arts at Haifa University. Her family was fiercely opposed to this, but Ziyan refused to give up her dream. Then there was another problem. The department chair, professor Sharon Poliakin, was reluctant to accept her at all. The photos that Ziyan submitted with her application seemed more like decorations than art, said Ziyan, but in the end, Poliakin decided to give her a chance.

Ziyan felt an affinity for staged photographs from the moment she was first exposed to the work of American photographer Sally Mann. She was especially intrigued by works shot in very private personal and familial settings. This is my art. I immediately realized that, she said. It is the kind of art in which I can express myself in the most genuine way possible.

Her first series of photographs revolved around children from her own family. Ziyan dressed them up as beggars and photographed them begging for alms in their neighborhood. Her lecturer, Shai Ignatz, himself a noted photographer, was so excited by her work that he decided to display the photos in the corridors of the university. It was Ziyans first exhibition.

In 2009, her second year at the university, she received the Szpilman Award for Photography for a series of photos depicting Druze women. She said the prize gave her a significant push forward. She realized that her photos had deep artistic meaning; they were telling a story.

She received the title of outstanding student for her final project, perhaps because it was so introspective. It featured photographs depicting engagement and wedding ceremonies taken after her own engagement to a Druze man was called off. With the success of this work, she decided to dedicate herself to her art instead of following the more traditional pursuit of marriage and family.

Ziyan first delved into the world of color while working on her Master of Fine Arts degree; until then, she only shot in black and white. Black represented fear, formality and strength. White represented purity, spirituality and renewal, she said. Color added a new dimension and depth to her work; it expanded the scope of the meanings of her photos.

Her ensuing photos were based on interviews and conversations with young Druze women with various professions from other towns and villages. These conversations shaped my work and gave me direction. The words and their meaning turned into pictures, she explained. This was the origin of the Crystal Palace exhibition, which is showing in a gallery in Umm al-Fahm throughout April. Most of the people who come to see it are Jews. Thats disappointing, she said.

Her photo of a floating red dress, which serves Ziyan as a calling card, was taken while she was still in school. By highlighting the contrast between the somewhat blurry red dress blowing in the wind and the traditional gown in the background, it gives voice to the famous quote by French photographer Pierre Poulain that describes the role of an artist as someone whose work makes the invisible visible.

Another exhibition is the painfully personal On Exposed Concrete. It features photos taken after the death of her father. Ziyan admired her father and spent much of her life trying to convince him how important and necessary it was for her to be an artist. Her father owned a cement factory, so Ziyan photographed herself on the exposed concrete, as well as in her fathers clothes, in his room, and with his things. In 2017, she received the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport's encouragement award.

Ziyans work has featured in exhibitions in New Jersey, Berlin and Vienna, as well as in numerous galleries throughout Israel. The one thing absent from all of her shows is the very people who she photographs and whose world she interprets for her audience through her camera and her unique perspective. Almost no Druze come to the exhibitions, and it hurts, she said. There is a change in attitudes toward art, however. It is slow, but it is happening.

From her comments, it is apparent that she would like to see far-reaching change, particularly when it comes to the experiences of Druze women. She is a trailblazer for those women, but very few of them actually follow her trail. On the other hand, Ziyan herself still lives at home and follows her mothers instructions not to come home too late, so that she doesnt need to spend a night away from home.
As soon as the results of the Egyptian presidential elections were officially announced April 2, media figures close to the regime embarked on a campaign to amend the constitution so as to extend the second term of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Opposition figures are concerned about the future of the alternation of power principle  a key demand of the January 25 Revolution.

The alternation of power was a demand of Egyptians who protested in Tahrir Square in the wake of the January 25 Revolution, especially as former President Hosni Mubarak remained in power for 30 years without any real elections. Egyptians also decried the deteriorating economic situation, police violations and suspension of the state of emergency law that the government used as a pretext to bind Egyptians freedoms in the decade before the revolution broke out.

The day following the presidential elections that ended March 28 and crowned Sisi president for a second term, former Library of Alexandria director Mustafa Al Faqi said in a TV interview on MBC Egypts Yahdoth Fe Masr that eight years divided over two presidential terms is a short period. He called for extending this period with new constitutional amendments.

A day later, on March 30, Imad el-Din Adib, a media figure close to the regime, appeared on Egyptian Channel 10 on the Al-Waraka wal Kalam show to call for amending the constitutional articles, claiming that they are not holy scriptures.

The two calls on consecutive days raised doubts about the states inclination to amend articles in the 2014 constitution. In a Sept. 13, 2015, soeech, Sisi had expressed reservations about some articles, saying, The constitution was written in goodwill, but good intentions are not enough to govern the state.

Article 140 of Chapter V, Ruling System, in the 2014 constitution states, The president of the republic is elected for a period of four calendar years, commencing on the day the term of his predecessor ends. The president may only be re-elected once.

Article 226 states, Texts pertaining to the re-election of the president of the republic or the principles of freedom and equality stipulated in this constitution may not be amended, unless the amendment brings more guarantees.

Ever since Sisi made his statement about the 2014 constitution, supporters have been racing to call for the amendments. We will change the constitution was the first campaign launched by the Independent Current Coalition, a key pro-Sisi entity. Later on, parliamentary proposals followed to amend some articles, including the ones governing the duration of the presidential term.

But Sisi shut this door while addressing a delegation of intellectuals, as he said that he would not be another pharaoh and that the constitution cannot be meddled with for the sake of the president, as reported by journalist Abdullah al-Sinawi in March 2016.

Member of parliament Ismail Nasreddine had announced in February 2017 that he was collecting signatures to submit a proposal to amend six constitutional articles. The proposal aims, among other things, to extend the presidential term from four to six years.

For his part, Support Egypt Coalition member of parliament Samir al-Kholy told Al-Monitor that members of parliament are entitled to demand the amendment of the constitution, but that this is not currently on the list of priorities of his coalition.

He added, Some people are focusing on amending the constitution to extend the presidential term to six instead of four years. But the fact of the matter is that many other amendments are needed, such as the law on when citizenship can be withdrawn, the rules regulating universities and the mechanism of dismissing ministers, which require the approval of the parliamentary majority.

On Jan. 31, the Civil Democratic Movement also called for amending the constitution. Kholy, however, said such proposals are as dubious as the calls launched before the elections by opponents for boycotting the presidential elections.

Member of parliament Ghada al-Ajami, the undersecretary of the foreign relations parliamentary committee and a member of the Support Egypt Coalition  a majority parliamentary bloc  defended the calls for amending the constitution. Any president in the world, not just Sisi, cannot address all issues within four years only. I support extending the presidential term to six years, she said.

She responded to the criticism by opponents of this step and told Al-Monitor, Calling for extending the period of the second mandate does not mean that the president will become a pharaoh. We want to continue the development path. This is my personal opinion, but there has been no talk so far within the Support Egypt Coalition about amending the constitution.

In turn, Hassan Nafaa, an Egyptian academic, argued that calling for extending the presidential term is just a way to check the publics reaction to Sisi ruling for a longer period, especially after he repeated his commitment to constitutional texts.

Nafaa said everything is amendable in Egypt. He said Sisi might walk in the steps of President Anwar Sadat, who amended the 1971 constitution to extend the presidential term to more than eight years.

Nafaa said that if the constitution is not changed, Sisi advocates might take to the streets en masse at the end of his second presidential term to demand that he be allowed to stay in power; Nafaa said Sisi would be in a pickle then if he acted on his followers' demands since he would appear to be a ruler messing with the constitution, widening Egypt's internal opposition.

For Ajami, the president was elected by the people four years ago, and if his presidency is on the line, he will agree to amend the constitution. Lets not anticipate events. The step is risky and difficult, she said. Ajami further added that this is a state affair that cannot be taken lightly. The president has Egypt and its peoples best interest at heart, and he will consult with his advisers to do what is feasible.

The talk that has resurfaced about amending the constitution has pushed political groups to launch initiatives to ward off the desires of some of Sisis loyalists. The Egyptian Institution to Protect the Constitution is one of these initiatives. Amr Moussa, a former diplomat and chair of the 50-member committee tasked with drafting the 2014 constitution, launched the initiative to raise awareness about the principles and rules of the constitution and the importance of respecting them and proposing ways to implement them.

Moussa condemned calls to amend the constitution. He tweeted in August, Egypt needs to cement its stability rather than spread tensions. It has to reassert respect for the constitution than doubt it.

Sinawi, who is also a member of the Egyptian Institution to Protect the Constitution, told Al-Monitor, Extending the presidential term would harm the legitimacy, and any measure requiring an amendment of a binding text such as the constitution is an ominous measure that Egypt cannot afford.

Sinawi does not rule out that the latest campaign is only aimed at testing the waters with the Egyptian people before taking any real steps. Still, the future of democracy and peaceful transfer of power in Egypt are at stake, which means that the fruits of the January 25 Revolution might wither, he said.
Is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the big change-maker for his country and the region? He certainly has the ambitions to reflect and work on major reforms.

A senior US diplomat in Tel Aviv told Al-Monitor that both the White House and the State Department were highly impressed with the young guest when he visited the United States in mid-March.

Mohammed is very different from previous Saudi leaders. He talked to US President Donald Trump about modernizing and moderating Saudi Arabia. He sees Iran as his countrys archenemy, together with the Muslim Brotherhood and Sunni and Shiite terror organizations. On these security issues, he found common ground with Trump. The alliance with the United States is of prime interest to his strategy, and he keeps in regular contact with the presidents son-in-law, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner.

The crown prince is opposed to the Iran nuclear deal and would support any decision on the matter Trump makes in May.

Mohammed impressed his American interlocutors and audiences with his vision for his country (Saudi Arabia 2030), including a more moderate Islam, greater rights for women and a modernized economy less dependent on oil.

According to the US diplomat, the crown prince implied that in the future he would be ready to cooperate with Israel, provided there is Israeli-Palestinian peace. He perceives Israel as a technological and security powerhouse and is the first Saudi leader to speak about Israels right to have its nation-state alongside a Palestinian state. Except for referring to the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, conditioning normalization with Israel on a two-state solution, he did not elaborate on his views on a solution to the permanent-status issues, probably awaiting an eventual US peace initiative. He did mention East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as core interests of the Saudi regime. Mohammed also spoke about his alliances with Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf states (except Qatar) and the Maghreb, creating an anti-Iran axis.

The US diplomat told Al-Monitor that the new Saudi position creates new opportunities for Israeli-Saudi cooperation, but that significant progress must first take place toward Israeli-Palestinian peace.

This is not the first Saudi conditional opening to Israel. Al-Monitor has learned from a former adviser to the late President Shimon Peres that both one and two decades ago, discreet Israeli talks had taken place with senior representatives of the Saudi crown. In both instances, the Saudis were open to normalizing relations with Israel, provided Israel could accept a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines.

A senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official told Al-Monitor that Israel has firsthand knowledge of the Saudi openness on security and technological cooperation, at least openness for some discreet cooperation. A more open relationship could be created parallel to progress on the Israeli-Palestinian track. The Israeli official blamed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas alleged weakness and rejectionism for blocking any such progress.

In fact, the Palestinian leadership keeps in close contact with Riyadh. According to a senior PLO official close to Abbas, ties are good. He further claimed that all talks about Saudi Arabia normalizing its relations with Israel before a two-state solution is reached are false. What links Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians is above all the strong bond to Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.

Given the winds of change expressed by the Saudi crown prince, it is clear that there is a new opportunity for a regional peace process. Saudi Arabia today is ready to engage with Israel, in parallel with a two-state solution process, and not only following a withdrawal to the 1967 lines as expressed in the Arab Peace Initiative.

It is up to both the United States and Israel to take the Saudi leader by his word. A realistic two-state solution based on the Arab Peace Initiative, even with US input, would set in motion a transformative regional process, affecting Israels relations with Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf.

Unfortunately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not take yes for an answer.
ALEPPO, Syria  A Turkish company will build a power plant to provide electricity to the city of Azaz in northern Aleppo province, and Ankara hopes to eventually help provide electricity and other services to the cities and towns damaged in Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield military intervention.

The local council has prepared land about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) east of Azaz for the private Turkish company Akenerji to build and operate a thermal power station. Full details about the project will be announced after the station is built, engineer Mohamed Omar, the technical services director in Azaz's local council, told Al-Monitor. The council signed a contract with Akenerji on March 2.

Akenerji has launched construction work, starting with the plants foundation, said Omar, adding that maintenance workshops of the electrical network in Azaz are up and running, replacing inoperative cables and erecting new electricity towers in order to reach all neighborhoods.

Ahmad Qaraan, an engineer and member of the local council's service office, told Al-Monitor that the Turkish government has promised residents it will help provide electricity and more services to other Syrian towns that were affected by Operation Euphrates Shield, including Marea and al-Bab. Those services will include improving drinking water networks and sanitation services, paving roads and extending telephone lines to residences.

Azaz has a local electric company whose employees will follow up on the work of the power station after it is constructed. These workers will be responsible for maintaining the electrical grid in the city.

Omar noted that the thermal power station will provide 30 megawatts of electricity and will require more than 100 workers. About 90% of workers in various jobs will be Syrian, and 10% will be Turkish managers and technicians.

"Turkey will directly sponsor the project and all revenues will be divided between Azazs local council and Akenerji. But the shares of profits of each party is yet to be determined. Under the contract, Akenerji will finish building the station within three months as of the date of commencement, March 24," Omar told Al-Monitor.

He said that power lines will be connected directly to homes through cables. Akenerji will provide new electricity meters, and Azazs local council has started asking contractors in charge of new residential construction in Azaz to prepare the underground electrical installations.

It hasn't been determined yet how much the residents will have to pay for the service. The amount of electricity the city needs also isn't known, but the station, according to Omar, will do the job, and the service will not be expensive. It will definitely be cheaper than paying for private generators.

Firas Mawla, the director of the media office in Azazs local council, told Al-Monitor, The people in Azaz have been relying on electricity generators for 12 hours a day. Residents pay a monthly fee of 8,000 Syrian pounds [$15.50] per ampere, and each household requires at least 3 amperes to be able to run electrical appliances such as the washing machine, television and lights. In this case, each household pays $60 a month.

After the 12 hours of generated light, there is a 12-hour blackout during which residents use candles and rechargeable batteries.

"If there is a power station, the situation will change a lot and electricity will be available 24 hours a day. The financial cost will be about [50%] less and electricity reaching households will allow for running several electrical devices at once," Mawla said.

Mahmud Jabban, an Azaz resident who owns a ready-to-wear clothes shop, expects the electricity project to improve living standards significantly.

Residents are tired of paying large sums of money to receive electricity from generators, which often break and end up ruining their appliances. Electricity can indeed breathe life into our city, he told Al-Monitor.

Jarablus is the only city the Turkish government has been providing with electricity, and it has done so since September 2016, shortly after Jarablus was liberated from the Islamic State as part of Operation Euphrates Shield, in which the Free Syrian Army participated alongside the Turkish army.
The United States and its allies Britain and France launched a much-anticipated strike in Syria around 4 a.m. local time April 14. Despite the late hour, Ankara was wide awake. Senior government officials watched US President Donald Trump's remarks live (which were made the night of April 13 US time). While his statement was somewhat vague, from Ankara's perspective Trump was clear on two issues: Britain and France are allies, and Syria, Iran and Russia are foes.

Turkeys Syria policy can hardly be called consistent except for one goal: overthrowing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Officials in Ankara compete over bragging rights for who has greater disdain for the Assad regime. They were pleased to hear Trump call Assad "a monster" and make reference to a "very terrible regime."

Pro-government media outlets did not report that in his initial speech April 13, Trump named four Middle Eastern countries (Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia) as friends  Turkey was not among them. There was good reason for Trumps omission, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had posed April 4 in a three-way handshake in Ankara with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Immediately after the airstrikes, US Defense Department officials announced that the goal was to destroy Assads chemical weapons program. The United States clearly stated that these strikes were conducted neither to alter the course of current US policy nor to depose the Assad regime.

Upon hearing this, a senior bureaucrat in Ankara told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, We are not surprised but we are disappointed. Although this is a good step, it is too little, too late. There was some hope that Trump would be different than [former President Barack] Obama and take the bull by the horns. It seems like this is just an opportunity for the Trump administration to distract the American public's attention. Not much will change for us in northern Syria.

The hashtag #SavasaHayir (No to War) was the first trending response to appear on Turkish social media in the early morning hours after the airstrikes. The first official statement came from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We welcome this operation that has eased humanitys conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, largely suspected to have been carried out by the [Syrian] regime.

Following this statement, other officials commented on the US-led strikes. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called it a positive step, yet added that for permanent peace more is needed. Then Yildirim complained about the West. For the last seven years people have been dying. Do you remember your humanity only when chemical weapons are used? he asked. He paid homage to Erdogan, saying, Only one country works for peace in Syria; the name of that country is Turkey and the name of that leader is Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Meanwhile, government spokesman and Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag rushed to tell the press that NATOs Incirlik Air Base in Adana was not used in the airstrikes and that Turkey was informed in advance of the attacks.

Speaking at his partys rally in Istanbul on April 14, Erdogan concurred with Bozdag and told the crowd of his sleepless night following the events in Syria. Erdogan applauded and welcomed the allied mission. The Syrian regime received the message that its massacres would not be left unanswered, Erdogan said, saying that he finds the decision appropriate, and that whoever is responsible for the death of innocent children should pay for this. Yet the Turkish president was critical that these kind of actions are limited to being used in response to chemical weapons exclusively. He said conventional weapons, which kill many more people than chemical weapons, need to be addressed as well.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu appeared in front of cameras with a determined attitude and said unless Syria is rescued from this regime, chaos will return. Cavusoglu said that there should have been a strike much sooner against the regime, which he said has killed more than 1 million people, and that if Assad is kept in power he will keep on killing. Cavusoglu also emphasized that the most important country in these efforts is Turkey.

Given Turkeys conspicuous support for the US-led strike on Syria, Al-Monitor asked Turkish officials and pundits about how this support would affect Turkish relations with Russia and Iran. They were all confident it would not have a negative impact on Turkish-Russian affairs. However, a senior official said, We need Russian cooperation to keep the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party] in northern Syria in check. We need to be on good terms with Russia. In all public statements, Turkish officials diligently targeted Syria and the West exclusively, leaving Russia and Iran out of the picture.

A few hours later, Erdogans office announced that Putin and the Turkish president had a phone conversation and agreed to continue efforts for a political solution in Syria. Another bureaucrat told Al-Monitor, It is more complicated with Iran. It is a Muslim country and it is difficult for us domestically to justify targeting Iran directly.

The Turkish opposition said no to war and resorted to social media, by late afternoon generating the trending hashtag #SuriyeninYanindayiz (We Are With Syria) criticizing the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for supporting the Western military attacks on a Muslim country on a holy night. April 13 was the day marking the night of Miraj (Ascension), one of five holy nights in the life of Prophet Muhammad. Ozturk Yilmaz, a former consul general to Mosul who was held captive by the Islamic State for 101 days, used the hashtag as well. Yilmaz is now the deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party. He tweeted a video message asking Erdogan, who aspires to be the leader of all Muslims, how he could cheer on Muslim countries getting bombed?

A group that wanted to protest in front of the US Embassy in Ankara was stopped by police.

Since the airstrikes, several prominent AKP figures have refrained from commenting about the strikes on social media. Ersoy Dede, a columnist for the pro-AKP daily Star, asked, Is this a [military] operation or a show to advertise [US] weapons? Daily Sabah columnist Metih Altinok labeled the Turkish Foreign Ministrys comments as a necessity of diplomatic lexicon and explained that he was not happy with the US-led strikes in Syria.

The gap between the AKPs official rhetoric and the civilian pro-AKP voices was most visible in the public reactions to Bulent Yildirims comments. Yildirim is the chairman of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which was responsible for organizing the Mavi Marmara flotilla to the Gaza Strip in 2010. Yildirim was critical of the airstrikes because the number of missiles was not sufficient. His comment that these attacks did not satisfy his hopes generated an uproar on social media. Particularly left-leaning commentators ridiculed the Islamists' alliance with the West in bombing a Muslim nation.

The opposition criticized Turkish foreign policy as impossible to decode. Headlines from the leftist daily Cumhuriyet read Imperialists bombed, AKP cheered. However, to understand Turkish foreign policy, Ankara's disdain for the Assad family has to be taken into consideration, as that has been the only consistent point in Erdogans speeches since 2011. Knowing this well, pro-AKP figures are confident they can score some points for bashing Assad. On April 8, for example, the Washington correspondent for the English-language Daily Sabah, Ragip Soylu, tweeted to Trumps newly appointed national security adviser John Bolton, May God grant you enough Tomahawks to screw Assad and his backers. Yet he conveniently did not name Russia or Iran in his tweet. And that omission, in a nutshell, succinctly summarizes Turkish policy on Syria.
Disputed bill proposed by French government seeks to speed up asylum applications and expedite deportations.

Frances parliament is set to debate toughening the countrys immigration policies through a bill that would accelerate the consideration of asylum applications and expedite deportations.

The disputed bill, which will be debated in parliament on Monday, has prompted criticism from opposing sides of the political spectrum.

Summarising the draft bill, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said it should get the country out of the situation where we badly welcome those to whom we owe the reception, and where we do not send away those who have no right to stay in France.

{articleGUID}

While the text contains some effective rights improvements, it has been criticised for its restrictive nature, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to address widespread anti-immigrant sentiment.

The bill would shorten the timeframe during which an arrival in France can apply for asylum.

One of the bills objectives is to see the legal detention period of those who have been refused asylum prolonged from the current 90 days to 135 days while awaiting deportation.

Another aim is to shorten the time frame in which a migrant can apply for asylum from 120 to 90 days.

Rejected applicants would no longer be able to apply for another residence permit and the appeal period would be reduced to 15 days.

Financial assistance would be offered to those rejected applicants who are willing to return to their home countries voluntarily.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, who introduced the reform in January, said: the bill is balanced and will align our procedures with those existing in neighbouring countries.

He also suggested that Frances lax asylum policies were responsible for the influx of migrants.

Inhumane measures

However, the immigration bill has faced fierce criticism from non-governmental organisations and French government agencies dealing with refugees.

La Cimade, an organisation that works with undocumented immigrants in France, is one of the NGOs leading the battle against the bill.

The objective is; grant fewer rights, expel more people, migrants and rejected asylum seekers, Rafael Flichman, communications officer at La Cimade, told Al Jazeera.

Locking up thousands of people for 45 days or more to expel a few hundred more a year is an inhumane measure that will undoubtedly generate trauma and violence related to deprivation of freedom, he said.

Detention centres are prisons. For example, someone recently committed suicide in a detention centre in Marseille. Self-harm and suicide attempts are very common in this situation, Flichman added.

{articleGUID}

According to Flichman, countless asylum seekers living on the streets in Paris also do not have access to a lawyer, support from an association, no legal skills, and no internet access and thus would be unable to appeal in under 15 days.

In a letter to the French newspaper Le Monde published in January, a group of analysts and academics accused Macron of double language on migration.

The group includes Jean Pisani-Ferry, an economist who put together Macrons economic programme.

Mr Macron, your policies contradict the humanism that you advocate, the letter reads.

Unfortunately, we have woken up in a country where we tear the blankets off the migrants in Calais deface their tent canvases in Paris. Where one can get lost, hands and feet frozen, on the snowy slopes of the Franco-Italian border.

Thus Eritreans, Sudanese or Syrians, humiliated in their country, tortured in Libya terrorised in the Mediterranean, who have entered Europe by Greece or Italy, may soon be deprived of their liberty in France, the letter adds.

The Jungle

In an effort to clamp down on the migrants, France began dismantling the The Jungle camp in Calais, in northern France, in 2016.

It was home to as many as 8,000 people, including 1,200 children, who were seeking to cross the English Channel to reach the UK.

The United Nations have warned this month that hundreds of refugees are still living in inhumane conditions in northern France with no access to sanitation and only polluted rivers to wash themselves in.

It is estimated that up to 900 asylum-seekers and migrants are still in Calais.

This law is not based upon a humane philosophy at all, Marion Beaufils, a legal adviser in a detention centre, told Al Jazeera. It applies a very punitive approach to immigration.

The people currently detained in administrative detention centres are very worried that this new law will be passed, she added.

Last year, applications for asylum in France rose to 100,000, an increase for the third consecutive year, even though the number across Europe fell, according to Eurostat.

Minor positive aspects

The draft bill proposes plans for better protection and housing for refugees.

{articleGUID}

It would also extend the right to family reunification to cover the siblings of refugee minors, whereas before they had only been able to bring their parents to join them in France.

Measures to protect young girls in France who are at risk of female genital mutilation would also be reinforced.

But the positive aspects of the reform are very minor and will concern only a few hundred people per year, Flichman said.

The government argues that its proposed bill is balanced and that it seeks to comply with European Union regulations with regards to immigration by 2020, to be on equal footing with other EU member states.

The government takes two risks with this project; disappointing the left who want more tolerance and generosity in the field of immigration, even if they agree with the idea of fighting illegal immigration; and to disappoint the right who seek to defend strong themes on national identity, Bruno Cautres, a political scientist and researcher at Sciences Po in Paris, told Al Jazeera.

Cautres argued, we must not stop educating the French on tolerance towards people from other countries and cultures.

But the government also needs to show that it is working together with its European partners on the issue of immigration. We cannot say that we want a stronger European integration and at the same time leave this problem to our neighbours, Germany or Italy in particular.

France is not doing enough to welcome refugees, he said.
Cuixart and Sanchez were imprisoned for their role in the independence referendum last October.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Barcelona have taken part in a large demonstration against the imprisonment of Catalan leaders.

According to local media reports, 900 buses arrived in the city on Sunday morning carrying the protesters from all over Catalonia and cities in southern France.

The demonstrators were protesting the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders who are also facing trial on charges of rebellion.

While the police said around 315,000 people turned up for the protests, organisers put the figure at more than 700,000, according to local media.

Catalan organisations Omnium Cultural and the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) called these protests to mark six months since the arrest of two grassroots pro-independence activists.

The activists, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, were imprisoned for their role in the independence referendum in October last year.

{articleGUID}

Chanting Freedom for the political prisoners, the demonstrators marched along Parallel Avenue, a main thoroughfare, many waving the red-and-yellow Catalan flag.

Todays demonstration is a march against repression, and we want to show once again that we are not a violent movement, Lidia Cerda, a teacher who was part of the protests, told Al Jazeera.

We expect that a lot of people from Spanish and Catalan societies will join our cause because we are not only fighting for independence, but also for democracy.

We hope that the government in Madrid will start listening to us.

European Union leaders have avoided encouraging other separatist movements across the bloc and have declined a mediation role in the Catalan issue.

Last November, European Council President Donald Tusk said, All of us have our own emotions, opinions, assessments, but formally speaking there is no space for an EU intervention.

However, another protester, Xavier Cid Pineiro, argued, Europe can guarantee our political rights as European citizens.

Sooner or later, the EU should act as a mediator between Madrid and Barcelona. The demonstrations of today are against repression, to demand freedom for our political prisoners and to denounce the passivity of the EU, said Pineiro.

I only hope that the EU will see this movement and that we can show our solidarity with political prisoners and their families.

Spains government suspended Catalonias autonomy and imposed direct rule after the regions leader threatened to go ahead with a formal declaration of independence if Madrid refused to hold talks.

Last Thursday, Spains Supreme Court refused to release Sanchez, preventing him being named as leader of the region on Friday.

If a new leader is not named before the end of May, Catalonia will be forced to call another election.

Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont was arrested by German police on March 25 after an international arrest warrant against him was issued by Spains Supreme Court.

Puigdemont was charged with misuse of public funds in relation to the independence declaration, as well as rebellion, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.

However, he was released on bail while awaiting a court decision on whether to extradite him to Spain. He had hoped to eventually return to live in Belgium.
Ethiopias new PM is already facing major obstacles, but a US resolution can help him push his reform agenda forward.

On April 2, Abiy Ahmed, a young technocrat from the Oromo Peoples Democratic Organisation (OPDO), part of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), was sworn in as Ethiopias new prime minister. Ahmeds inauguration came amid much fanfare and raised expectations about the future of Ethiopias democracy. He is widely seen as a reformer who can take the necessary steps to calm a nation that has been engulfed in unprecedented levels of political unrest over the past three years.

But only a little over a week into his tenure, Ahmeds reform agenda is already facing serious obstacles.

The state of emergency declared in Ethiopia in February, after the shock resignation of Ahmeds predecessor, Hailemariam Desalegn, is still in place. This means that, in contrast to normal times, a council of military officers referred to as the Command Post is effectively in control of the state. As a result, the new prime ministers hold on the state security apparatus is minimal, making it extremely hard for him to move forward with any reform agenda.

The state of emergency has already resulted in at least nine deaths, thousands of arrests and the displacement of tens of thousands of Ethiopians. And there is no sign that the Command Post is planning to ease its grip on the country anytime soon, having arrested many Ethiopians over the past two weeks, especially in the Oromia region. Amhara activists and scholars have also been arrested in the city of Bahir Dar, although theyve been released since.

{articleGUID}

Since February, political dissidents and activists in Ethiopia, as well as many in the international community, have been calling for the state of emergency to be lifted. In his inaugural address on April 2, Ahmed made new commitments on the promotion of democracy, dialogue with the opposition and respect for citizens freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. But, unfortunately, he failed to mention the need to lift the state of emergency that prevents the very reforms he called for from being implemented.

Many analysts believe that his reluctance to push for the lifting of the state of emergency is rooted in the internal dynamics of the EPRDF. Members of the establishment, who are naturally resistant to reform or reconciliation efforts, are still influential in the ruling coalition. Even though a reformist is now prime minister, the historical dominance of the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) in the EPRDF is not yet waning.

Although there is still some cautious optimism regarding Ahmeds tenure as prime minister, his perceived slowness in taking meaningful action against the oppressive practices of the regime in power is causing concern. Since he took office, the prime minister has started making constructive, promising engagements with the ever-weakened opposition, but some observers complain that some of the most important voices within the opposition have not been invited to the discussion yet.

Yet, if Ahmed plays his cards right, all may still change for the better thanks to something that happened thousands of miles away, in the United States.

Resolution HR-128

On April 10, the US House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution critical of Ethiopias government, titled Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

Commonly referred to as HR-128 (PDF), the resolution condemned the killings of peaceful protesters and excessive use of force by Ethiopian security forces; the detention of journalists, students, activists, and political leaders; and the regimes abuse of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation to stifle political and civil dissent and journalistic freedoms.

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry on Wednesday, Ethiopias government described the adoption of HR-128 as untimely, inappropriate and disrespectful of its sovereignty. The move had failed to recognise concrete and positive steps being taken recently in the area of political reforms and deepening the democratic culture in the country, the statement said.

How much say Ahmed had in articulating the governments response remains unclear. But, despite the criticism it received from the Ethiopian establishment, HR-128 is likely a blessing in disguise for Ethiopias new prime minister and his reform agenda.

What can the resolution achieve?

After the House of Representatives unanimous approval of HR-128, if the US Senate also passes a similar bill (S-Res 168) and US President Donald Trumps signature follows, this resolution is going to become the primary law guiding US foreign policy towards Ethiopia for a long time to come.

The US considers Ethiopia its most important ally in the volatile East African region. As a result, Ethiopia receives one of the largest security and humanitarian aid packages among sub-Saharan African countries. Any resolution or law about Ethiopia that the US government adopts would have considerable impact on the actions of the regime and the new prime ministers reform agenda.

{articleGUID}

HR-128 places efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and end human rights abuses at the core of US relations with Ethiopia. It calls on the government of Ethiopia to end the use of excessive force, release wrongfully imprisoned protesters, and improve transparency.

The resolution also makes it clear that Ethiopias adopted proclamations, such as anti-terror laws that the regime utilises to stifle dissent and silence critics must be repealed. Moreover, the resolution acknowledges Ethiopias further violations of its citizens rights that include the forced eviction and resettlement of Annuaks in Gambella, the arrest of journalists and the closing of over 200 civil society organisations, and calls for investigations into the killing of protesters in the Oromia and Amhara regions. The document also expresses Congress disappointment with the absence of any indication that anyone has been held to account for these abuses.

Therefore, besides condemning killings, detentions, and abuse of the Anti-Terror Proclamation, the resolution also calls on the Ethiopian government to enact reforms that would protect the Ethiopian peoples civil liberties and release political prisoners, views that the new prime minister is also believed to share.

The resolution makes more ambitious demands of the Ethiopian regime that have not yet been voiced by Ahmed: to lift the state of emergency; to end the use of excessive force by security forces, enforce professional discipline, and hold accountable security forces responsible for such abuses; and to conduct an investigation into the killings, detentions, and instances of excessive use of force that took place in response to protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions, hold security forces accused of such actions accountable through public proceedings, and publicly release written findings from such investigations.

Therefore, the pressure applied on the Ethiopian regime by the US through HR-128 could strengthen the hand of the prime minister vis-a-vis less responsive segments within the EPRDF, and pressure the forces that control the countrys security apparatus, and the intelligence and economic sectors to participate in negotiations for reform.

The right time for change

With the passing of HR-128, Ethiopia has entered a turning point in its political history. The regime in power has never faced a challenge like this from Washington before. Although the US government has long been aware of the well-documented problems with regards to human rights abuses, lack of democracy promotion and corruption at the highest levels of the Ethiopian state, it has not forcefully acted to pressure Addis Ababa until now.

In a possible reversal of fortunes for the regime in Ethiopia, the US government finally seems eager to exert pressure on the regime and openly ally itself with Ethiopian youth who have been protesting against government oppression in the countrys two largest regions, Oromia and Amhara. Thus, a reformist leader such as Prime Minister Ahmed  and his allies within Ethiopias ruling coalition  has an unprecedented opportunity to enact political and economic reforms and start a much-needed process of national dialogue.

Of course, only time will tell whether the new prime minister will be able to seize the moment and move forward with his reform agenda. But one thing is clear: Ahmed seems to have earned one more ally in his intra-party struggle on top of the massive and unprecedented popular support he is enjoying. HR-128 is indeed a resolution he needs to embrace if he is committed to enacting the political reforms he called for in his inaugural address.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Despite its hostile rhetoric, Russia has taken care to avoid confrontation on the ground in Syria.

After a week of rhetorical escalation between the US and Russia  much of it conducted on Twitter  missile strikes on Syria were finally carried out on Saturday. US, UK and French forces launched attacks on three sites allegedly linked to the production of chemical weapons near Damascus, as well as in the province of Homs.

Despite the pathos with which US President Donald Trump announced the military operation, its result turned out to be less than modest. Putting aside the contradictory reports on how many missiles struck their intended targets, they did not cause any military casualties and failed to inflict any serious damage on Syrian military infrastructure. Compared to the recent Israeli air raid on the T-4 base, the result of the April 14 strikes seems rather insignificant.

In this sense, the US, UK and French strikes were no different from the military action in April 2017, when after the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province, the US bombed regime-operated Shayrat airfield.

The difference this year was that Washington blamed not only the Syrian regime for the chemical attack but also its patron, Moscow. This gave the situation a higher degree of tension, increasing speculations about a direct clash between the US and Russia.

Direct confrontation was predictably avoided, and the whole operation seemed to be no more than a performance.

Assad was content

The party that stood to benefit the most from this situation was the Syrian regime and its allies. There was no change in the balance of power on the ground as a result of the strikes and forces loyal to the Syrian regime suffered no losses.

A few hours after the strikes, Bashar al-Assad entered social media politics by posting a video of himself purportedly arriving triumphantly at his workplace in Damascus. Local and foreign media then showed scenes of Syrians celebrating in the streets.

Assad seemed to weather the media speculation storm quite well, too. Last year, the US attacks on Shayrat military base took people by surprise and left the international media speculating on the possibility of more serious US military actions against the regime. This year, after the perfectly executed strikes  as Trump described them  it became clear that there is nothing much behind the White House rhetoric except populism.

To Assad, it is clear that the US doesnt have any strategy to resolve the Syrian conflict and is not even able to employ an effective mechanism to preclude the use of chemical weapons.

Russia was understanding

Last year, the Russian leadership saw the attack on Shayrat airfield as the least damaging solution for the domestic troubles Trump was facing.

This year too, Moscow understood that the strikes on Syria are not really in retribution for the alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma and definitely not an attempt to influence the outcome of the Syrian conflict. It was simply a demonstration of force.

{articleGUID}

Whats more, the fact that Washington was slow to undertake the strikes was perceived in Moscow as a manifestation of weakness and indecisiveness, which only gave confidence to the Russian leadership. As a result, Moscow afforded itself a certain degree of hostile rhetoric to accompany the coordination with Washington that ensured no damage was done to Russian assets on the ground.

Consultations between Russia and the United States appear to have taken place in the week prior to the US strikes. The fact that Moscow had confidence in this coordination was reflected in the presence of a delegation from the ruling United Russia Party headed by its secretary-general, Andrei Turchak, in Damascus, the day the strikes were conducted.

In the end, these formal strikes against Syria were the optimal solution for both countries to ease tension around the situation with chemical weapons in Douma. Moscow retained the status quo in Syria, and Washington formally fulfilled its promise and took a principled position.

The retaliatory strike bluff and the Israeli air strikes

But what should we make of the heated exchange of threats prior to the strikes?

The talk about a possible escalation between the US and Russia in the Middle East has been widely discussed since the latters intervention in Syria in 2015. This years state of the nation address which Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered to the Federal Assembly upped the ante, as he mentioned the possibility of instant retaliation in case of an attack on Russia.

Retaliation threats were also issued just before the US-led strikes on Syria were carried out. The Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said that Russia would take retaliatory measures both on missiles and carriers that will use them, if the lives of Russian troops were endangered.

{articleGUID}

If we take into account the fact that the US administration at least hypothetically considered the scenario of military intervention in Syria, Moscow had no choice but to bluff about retaliatory measures.

Like last year, nothing really happened after the strikes and the argument was that no action was taken because there was no threat to Russian military facilities. Expecting a different reaction from Moscow would be reckless. Despite the emotional rhetoric, the Russian leadership is trying not to cross the line and provoke a conflict.

A direct confrontation with a militarily superior US-led coalition would mean a complete defeat for Russia in Syria, not to mention that it could start a global armed conflict.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Russia has also not responded to repeated Israeli air raids in Syria. Over the past six months, Israel has consistently targeted Syrian infrastructure and military facilities.

In September, Israeli warplanes struck a weapons development centre in Hama province, a month later  an anti-aircraft battery near Damascus, and in December  weapons warehouses near the capital. In January and February, the Israeli Air Force struck various Syrian and Iranian military posts across Syria. Most recently, on April 9, Israel bombed the T-4 airbase in Homs province, killing several Iranian military officers. At the same time, in none of these cases did Russian air defence systems, including the S-300, the S-400 and the Pantsir, strike the attacking Israeli warplanes.

So clearly Russia has chosen a strategy of talking tough while making sure it does not take any risks on the ground.

That said, despite the lack of apparent escalation on the ground, rhetorical tensions should not be underestimated. There is a degree of unpredictability in the behaviour of actors on both sides in recent months, as well as increasing disregard for internationally accepted norms and procedures. This could prove dangerous in the future as it minimises the space for negotiations and diplomatic settlements.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
As the dust settles from Saturdays Franco-Anglo-American missile attacks against Syrian targets, we find once again that narrow military action in one corner of that ravaged country may have little impact on the wider political and security picture.

The current geopolitics of the Syrian conflict are more complex and intractable than ever before because it is no longer a single issue contest with two clear protagonists who can be engaged in a political negotiation to end the war.

The dynamics of the military attack, in fact, clarify the intricate diplomatic dynamics that we can expect to see in the months and years ahead. The attacks on narrowly defined Syrian targets were planned carefully to avoid hitting any Russian, Iranian, and Hezbollah targets, as well as Turkish assets on the ground.

The importance of these four actors  as has been proven for a few years now  is that they are all prepared to engage directly in warfare inside Syria, even if pursuing different reasons. By contrast, the United States, other Western powers, and Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which have assisted rebel forces against Bashar al-Assads regime, have indicated that they are not prepared for prolonged direct combat inside Syria.

So, as the world continues to seek diplomatic progress towards ending the war, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Hezbollah will continue to dominate the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, the role of the West in the future of the Middle East remains in transition to an unclear destination.

A new mandate for Syria

The last two years of Russian, Iranian, Syrian, and Hezbollah military operations on the ground have achieved effective victory over various armed groups opposing the Assad regime. Two critical issues, however, remain.

One is the fate of the northeastern regions where Syrian Kurds now enjoy some self-rule but face opposition from both the Syrian and Turkish governments. The other is what happens to the tens of thousands of rebel fighters that belong to a mixed bag of Islamist and secular groups, now mostly encircled in a few areas in the northwest and south of the country.

{articleGUID}

Once those two issues are clarified, the pressing question of the future of Syria will have to be tackled. The Sochi and Ankara meetings between the presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran are an important sign that Syria today is experiencing many of the same dynamics that it did 100 years ago.

At that time, British and French colonial officials shaped its existence as a new state in a new regional order that mainly suited their interests, with Turkish, Russian, American, Zionist and other players entering the fray when they could.

That external actors are once again shaping Syrias future without taking into consideration the will of the Syrian people means that we are likely to see a repeat of the inherent weaknesses it suffered a century ago. A country that is created or reconfigured mainly according to the wishes of foreign powers, and does not allow its own people a role in decision-making, will find it difficult to achieve full sovereignty or stability.

States managed perpetually by a very small powerful elite almost certainly suffer the consequent abuse of power, corruption, development imbalances, social injustices, and a sense of helplessness which triggered the Arab uprisings in 2011 and ultimately sparked the Syrian civil war.

The future role of the West in the Middle East

In the face of these immense challenges, the Saturday air attacks against three Syrian targets appear marginal to the larger picture of Syrias real stresses and future priorities. The tripartite Franco-Anglo-American attacks that aimed to punish the Syrian government and deter it from using chemical weapons will probably succeed in briefly stopping the use of these barbaric instruments of war, as they have done briefly in the past.

But Western attacks on Middle Eastern targets such as al-Qaeda since the 1990s have pushed the region further towards militarism and chaos.

Al-Qaeda, specifically, is bigger and more diffused today than it was 25 years ago. Weaker governments and insecurity have also provided openings for local terror groups and other foreign powers to act at will and spurred greater local defiance against the US and other Western powers.

Most significantly, Western and Arab states that have used proxy military and political means to roll back Iranian influence in Arab lands have achieved the opposite. Iranian, Russian, Hezbollah, and Turkish influence in Syria and other Arab countries has grown steadily, in line with the persistent militarism of the US and other Western powers.

From Roman times to Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Theresa May today, these lessons keep being learned and re-learned. Only addressing the root causes of political violence in the Middle East through political and socioeconomic means will end the violence, run the dictators out of town, leave no reason for foreign powers to engage militarily in this region, and achieve peace and prosperity for its people who mostly remain helpless before their own and foreign killers.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Jose Filomeno dos Santos planned to siphon off $1.5bn when he ran Luandas sovereign wealth fund, government says.

The son of Angolas former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, planned to siphon off $1.5bn when he ran the oil-rich countrys sovereign wealth fund, the finance ministry said.

Jose Filomeno dos Santos, nicknamed Zenu, is accused of fraud, misappropriation of funds, money laundering and associating with criminals.

The $1.5bn figure is three times the sum he was initially accused of illegally transferring to a British bank.

The finance ministry said that Filomeno dos Santos disguised the transfer as a project aimed at attracting investment in Angola with the help of a fake guarantee from Credit Suisse.

The Swiss bank told AFP news agency that documents had been forged and that it had not received any money relating to this case.

The finance ministry said $500m had been transferred to a London bank and that Angola was supposed to make two more such payments.

The first transfer was blocked by UK authorities who suspected foul play.

Filomeno dos Santos was appointed to head the $5bn oil-fuelled sovereign fund by his father in 2013 but was sacked by President Joao Lourenco, who took power in January this year.

Former central bank governor Valter Filipe da Silva, who has been charged alongside Filomeno dos Santos, has promised to cooperate with the authorities.

Filomenos half-sister, Isabel dos Santos, was also sacked from her job as the head of state-owned oil giant Sonangol. Thought to be Africas richest woman, she has denied all allegations against her.

Jose Eduardo dos Santos ruled Angola for 38 years with an iron grip. During his regime, he was accused of running the countrys economy to enrich himself and those around him.
US-led strikes not discussed at Arab League but leaders call Trumps Jerusalem move null and illegitimate.

Leaders at the Arab League summit have failed to discuss the US-led strikes that came as a result of the criminal alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The summit took place in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, a day after the coordinated attacks by the US, UK and France on three sites allegedly linked to the production of chemical weapons in Syria.

According to a summit spokesman, the leaders were to discuss the Syrian conflict but not the strikes that targeted the sites near Damascus as well as in the province of Homs.

The leaders called for an international probe while condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told reporters after the summit.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar have previously issued statements in support of the action while Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon expressed concern.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government has denied using or possessing chemical weapons, was not present at the meeting after the country was suspended from the group in 2011.

Al Jazeeras senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said it was odd that the recent strikes in Syria were not on the agenda.

It couldnt get more odd, he said. Its what you call a bottomless summit.

Jerusalem move null and illegitimate

In their closing statement on Sunday, Arab leaders rejected US President Donald Trumps decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel null and illegitimate.

Breaking with years of US policy, Trump also announced the US embassy would move to Jerusalem, drawing international condemnation and sparking a wave of heated protests around the world.

In response, Saudi Arabia renamed this years summit Quds [Jerusalem] Summit.





We confirm that East Jerusalem is an inseparable part of the Palestinian land, Saudi King Salman said.

The status of Jerusalem, which is home to holy religious sites and has particular significance for Muslims, Christians and Jews, has long remained a sensitive topic and one of the core issues in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Washington says it has taken the Jerusalem file off the negotiation table, said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

This violates international law and is a precedent that we consider a major setback.

Qatar blockade not discussed

The summit was the first since a major diplomatic dispute between Qatar and some its Gulf neighbours.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain  all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)  and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Doha on June 5, 2017, and imposed a land, sea and air embargo, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Al-Jubeir, Saudi foreign minister, said Qatar was not on the agenda because its not a big issue.

Its not a big problem, he said. Its a very, very small problem.

While Qatars emir did not attend the summit, the countrys Arab League representative was present at the meeting.

Weve never seen the Arab world in such bad shape with leadership not able to cope with the challenges facing the Arab world, so much so that most of the points of contention that the Arab leaders dont agree to were not put on the agenda and the ones that they agreed to were put on the agenda, said Al Jazeeras Bishara.
While analysts say the arrest is a serious blow to FARC, they say it could bolster the peace process in the long run.

Bogota, Colombia  The arrest of a former top FARC commander last week has put an already fragile peace deal under further strain, but could help bolster the peace process in the long run, depending on how the charges are carried out, according to analysts.

The deal between the left-wing rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) group and the state, signed in late 2016, formally ended 52 years of conflict that had left an estimated 222,000 people dead and more than seven million displaced.

Despite having received near-universal praise on the international stage, domestically, Colombias landmark peace accord has never received the same level of popularity.

Following delays in its implementation and corruption scandals, the process encountered another setback this week when Seuxis Hernandez, better known as Jesus Santrich, was charged by US courts and the Colombian general prosecutor with conspiracy to ship 10,000kg of cocaine  with a street value of $320m  to the United States.

According to analysts, the charges pose some serious issues for the peace accord by further damaging trust with the FARC, potentially frightening ex-rebels into joining dissident groups and potentially swelling support for reversing an already unpopular agreement.

This is a serious blow for the political standing of the FARC, said Jorge Restrepo, director of the Conflict Analysis Institute, CERAC.

They did not get more than 50,000 votes in the elections  [the arrest] shows there was reason in the majority of Colombians who did not trust them to abandon organised crime, he added, referring to last months elections that saw the FARC participate as a political party for the first time.

A setback for trust in FARC?

With their history of drug-trafficking, kidnapping, extortion and massacres, building societal trust in the FARC was never going to be easy, analysts say.

{articleGUID}

A large sector of the population still doubts their ability to reform themselves from narco-criminals to ordinary citizens and despise the special judicial arrangements in the peace accord, which are perceived to let ex-rebels off easy for serious crimes they have committed such as kidnap, murder and drug-trafficking.

According to a Gallup poll from February, 73 percent of those interviewed said they do not believe the FARC will comply with what was agreed on in the accords.

Trusting these individuals only became more difficult when it was revealed that Santrich, who played a role in the historic peace negotiations in Havana, had allegedly continued to conduct illicit activities after the deal was signed.

The blind commander was also one of 10 former rebel leaders guaranteed a seat in congress according to the peace deal, individuals who critics argue should not be in politics but jailed for life for their past actions.

I dont understand how this can happen, former Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon told Al Jazeera.

Somebody who just won a huge prize of having all his crimes cleaned gets caught drug-trafficking? It gives the peace process huge problems, and it gives the organisation huge problems.

Who will be next?

In response to the shock arrest, President Juan Manuel Santos announced his hand will not waiver in extraditing Santrich if he is found guilty. The prospect of jail and extradition to the US, however, has caused a lot of anger among the FARC who continue protesting the innocence of their comrade and reiterating the potential negative consequences for the peace deal at a critical juncture.

{articleGUID}

With the capture of our comrade Jesus Santrich the peace process finds itself at its most critical point and threatens to be a true failure, announced Ivan Marquez, another high-ranking FARC leader.

The former rebels also claim the arrest is a conspiratorial move  orchestrated by the US along with the public prosecution  which was hatched when US Attorney General Jeff Sessions was in Colombia last December.

The claims come despite allegedly strong video and written evidence and the capture of his three FARC coconspirators, but regardless of the truth behind the accusations, the FARCs fears could still affect all.

They are chopping heads and making things up to jail FARC leaders, obviously following orders from the Pentagon, Jorge Tavarich, a demobilised rebel currently residing in a dedicated FARC reincorporation zone told Al Jazeera.

We are all a little worried, because, who will be next? he said.

Due to the governments perceived inability to comply with their end of the peace deal, some 1,200 former FARC rebels did not demobilise and instead joined dissident groups, according to military figures from March.

The probability of a full u-turn by the FARC is next to zero, but the risk of widespread anxiety pushing more former fighters to join the dissidents is very real, according to analysts.

{articleGUID}

Obviously, the risk is that certain ex-guerillas feel that promises are not being met and will want to return to arms, said Yann Basset, a political analyst at La Universidad del Rosario, Bogota.

It is therefore important for the judicial system to act with all transparency and forcefulness in the evidence provided by the prosecution, and for the government to act prudently and clearly inform demobilised guerrillas of the situation, Basset told Al Jazeera.

Restore faith in the peace process?

More generally, however, experts say that while the development may increase the already strong anti-peace accord sentiment, it could also restore faith in the process, depending on the results of the judicial process and positions taken in politics.

It depends on how the political institutions act and political leaders react, CERACs Restrepo said. If the day after tomorrow he is quickly extradited  that will lead to a strengthening of the peace agreement.

One potential effect is a boost for right-wing presidential candidate Ivan Duque and his Democratic Center Partys goal to roll back the peace accord.

Fair and transparent judicial treatment of Santrich, however, could strengthen both the accord and pro-peace political parties by quashing accusations that FARC criminals are outside the law.

The issue is being well received by public opinion as it shows the peace accords are not a pact for impunity  contrary to what its most radical opponents pretend, Basset said.

According to analysts, it appears the Santos government and the judicial system will now have to walk a fine line between respecting the principles of the peace accord and the FARC while also not going light on Santrich.

This is a moment of reckoning, a serious challenge to the institutions created by the peace process  and particularly those relating to transitional justice, says Restrepo. They need to show the FARC that they cannot even entertain the possibility of continuing in criminal activity without the serious threat of prosecution.

{articleGUID}

Should the web of illegality be found to entangle more FARC commanders, however, it could be fatal for the peace accord.

A nephew of [commander] Ivan Marquez was also captured; that tends to point not towards an individual decision, but a collective decision by the FARC to continue with drug trafficking, former Vice President Calderon said.

If its proven that it is a collective FARC operation, it could mean that all the heads of the organisation are asked for extradition, that would definitely be a deadly blow to the peace process.
Public outcry results in arrest of Uttar Pradesh legislator facing charges of rape and abduction of teenaged girl.

Indian police say a legislator from the governing BJP has been arrested on charges of abducting and raping a teenaged girl a year ago.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar, 50, a member of the Uttar Pradesh state legislative assembly, has been accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in June. Sengar has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

Sengar was arrested on Friday after questioning, Uttar Pradesh police chief OP Singh said.

The girl has alleged she was raped in June in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh and has been trying to lodge a complaint with the police since August.

Indias top investigative body, the Central Bureau of Investigation, is currently investigating the case.

The case made national headlines after the victim tried to kill herself on April 8, in front of the home of Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh chief minister, alleging the police had refused to register her case.

A day later, her father died in police custody after he was beaten by Sengars brother, who has since been arrested.

The police finally registered a case against the politician on Thursday, almost 10 months after the incident, saying it was not filed earlier because of discrepancies in the girls statement.

The girl and her family have been given police protection.

S hock and septicaemia

The girl has alleged that her father was beaten and killed following orders from Sengar.

The father, who was brought to hospital from jail, died on Monday, from wounds suffered during the alleged assault. A toxicology report says he died of shock and septicaemia.

Sengar has been remanded to CBI custody for seven days in the case by a Lucknow court, according to Indian news media reports.

CBI officials said they would question Sengar and also take him to Unnao to reconstruct the scene of the crime and to collect evidence against him.

Sengar has dismissed the charges against him as a conspiracy [S Chakraborty/HT/Gallo/Getty]

He is further expected to be confronted with the accuser and her family.

Local police filed a case on Thursday against Sengar that include provisions filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

We have filed an FIR (First Information Report) today under the sections 363, 366, 376 that deals with rape under the Indian Penal Code as well as the POCSO act, Kunwar Bahadur Singh, deputy superintendent of police at Unnao police station, told Al Jazeera.

The Special Investigation Team has been probing the case.

Sengar has dismissed the charges against him as a conspiracy levelled by low-class people.

At least six policemen have been suspended following allegations of collusion.

Chilling picture

Amnesty International on Wednesday said the Unnao rape case painted a chilling picture.

Six years after the Delhi gang-rape case that shocked the world, rape survivors in India face significant barriers to obtaining justice and critical support services, Human Rights Watch said in a recent report.

Indian women who report sexual assaults are still routinely harassed by police and bullied into silence and subsequent withdrawal of complaints, according to the report.

Vrinda Grover, a supreme court lawyer who specialises in sexual assault cases, said in this case, the subversion of the law is being done by the lawmaker and the law enforcer.





Systems are manipulated from the investigation stage onwards, the processes of law are subverted by those in power. The Unnao case is the most brazen illustration of this, Grover told Al Jazeera.

The police facilitated the beating to death of the father of the girl. If the police is going to not act according to the law, but at the behest of the accused, then there can be no hope for justice. Today, law and justice are a mirage that we are offering the women of this country.

The state is supposed to protect the people. This lawmaker is shamelessly flaunting his power by saying that he has the blessings of the entire state government.

According to National Crime Records Bureau data for 2016, incidents of the rape of children in India increased by over 82 percent compared with 2015.

In 2016, police in India registered 38,947 rape complaints, an increase of 12.4 percent from the previous year.
Chemical attacks: How it affects the war in Syria

Al Jazeera takes a look at how limited strikes have not been able to stop chemical weapons attacks from taking place.
Turkish president says bombing by US and allies sent Assad government message its massacres will not go unanswered.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the combined strikes on Syrias alleged chemical facilities, saying that the operation sent a message to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

The US and its allies, Britain and France, carried out a wave of strikes against Assads government on Saturday, a week after a suspected deadly gas attack on the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma.

The White Helmets, a local civil defence agency, accused the Assad government of carrying out the gas attack, which is believed to have killed 85 civilians, including children, and injured hundreds of others.

With the joint operation by US, UK and France  the Syrian regime received the message that its massacres wouldnt be left unanswered, Erdogan told his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters in a meeting on Saturday in Istanbul.

The innocent Syrian people should have been defended long ago.

{articleGUID}

I am calling on the entire world here. Lets discuss the future of all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and conventional weapons in detail.

Lets use all resources for the sake of humanity instead of using them for nuclear and conventional armament projects.

Also on Saturday, Erdogan discussed the US-led operation and the situation in Syria with French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin in separate phone calls, according to state media.

The Turkish foreign ministry likewise welcomed the operation, saying that it has eased humanitys conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, largely suspected to have been carried out by the regime.

It said the attacks, with weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, that indiscriminately target civilians, constitute crimes against humanity and they should not go unpunished.
At least one peacekeeper killed and dozen others wounded in twin suicide attack in Timbuktu, UN mission says.

At least one UN peacekeeper has been killed and a dozen others wounded in a twin suicide attack on a base in the northern Malian town of Timbuktu, the UN mission said.

Fighters also fired dozens of rockets at the base and engaged troops in a gun battle on Saturday afternoon, MINUSMA said, adding that the situation is now under control.

MINUSMA confirms a significant complex attack on its camp in Timbuktu; mortars, exchange of fire, vehicle suicide bomb attack, the mission tweeted. One blue helmet was killed in the exchange of fire.

Malian government spokespersons said the attackers were disguised as UN peacekeepers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In February, four UN peacekeepers were killed and four more were wounded after their vehicle hit an explosive device in the central Mopti region.

The UN mission in Mali, which has more than 11,000 troops and was established in 2013, is one of the most dangerous peacekeeping operations in the world, with troops and convoys regularly coming under attack from armed groups.

According to UN figures, more than 162 members of the mission have been killed since 2013.

A 2015 peace deal signed by the government and armed groups has failed to end violence in northern Mali by rebel groups, who have also staged assaults on high-profile targets in the capital, Bamako, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

In 2013, French forces intervened to drive back armed fighters who had hijacked a Tuareg uprising a year earlier, and some 4,000 French troops remain.

The UN Security Council then deployed peacekeepers to the country, but they have been targets of a concerted guerrilla campaign.
The US envoy to UN also confirms that new sanctions against Russia will be announced on Monday.

The US will not pull its troops out of Syria until Washingtons goals are accomplished, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said.

According to Haley, the three aims for the US are ensuring chemical weapons are not used in any way that poses a risk to US interests; Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) is defeated; and there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

{articleGUID}

[It is our goal] to see American troops come home, but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things, Haley said on Fox News on Sunday.

In a separate interview, Haley said that the US was preparing new sanctions on Russia over its continued support of Syrian President Bashar-al Assad.

The sanctions would be announced by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday, Haley said on CBS.

They will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, she said.

Haley also ruled out any one-on-one talks between President Assad and the US over the Syrian crisis.

She said Syria had so far refused to take part in multilateral negotiations as part of a political process facilitated by the UN, adding that Syria was not worthy of direct talks with Washington.

Also on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had convinced Trump to maintain troops in Syria.

We convinced him it was necessary to remain there. We have complete international legitimacy to act in this framework, Macron said in an interview broadcast by BFM TV, RMC radio and Mediapart online news.

We have three members of the [United Nations] Security Council who have intervened.

Tense relations

The relations between Moscow and Washington are tense after the US, UK and France carried out a wave of strikes on the alleged chemical facilities of Assads government early on Saturday.

Russia has been the foremost supporter of the Assad government since the Syrian war began more than seven years ago.

{articleGUID}

The attack came a week after a suspected deadly chemical attack on the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma.

The White Helmets, a local civil defence agency, accused the Assad government of carrying out the gas attack, which is believed to have killed 85 civilians, including children, and injured hundreds of others.

The US and allies say they have evidence that the attack was carried out by Assads forces.

In response, Russia pledged to retaliate for what it described as a fabricated chemical gas attack.
US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert has slammed former President Barack Obama for not taking action against the Syrian government after the chemical weapons attack on Eastern Ghouta in September 2013.

During a phone interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, the senior US official said the Obama administrations reluctance to intervene militarily had allowed subsequent chemical attacks to take place.

President Obamas administration by many accounts never did enough to try to stop this, she said, adding Obama had drawn a red-line and let Syrian President Bashar al-Assad run right through it.





Up to 1,417 people died in the 2013 and US-led intervention against Assad was averted after Western states agreed to a Russian-brokered agreement to force Syria to give up its chemical weapons arsenal.

However, the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government continued, and multiple attacks have been reported since, using toxic agents, such as chlorine, mustard gas, and sarin.

After the Trump administration took the reins of the White House in January 2017, the US took a harder stance on the use of chemical weapons than the one adopted by Obama.

Nauert said President Donald Trump had tried diplomatic approaches to get Assad to relinquish his chemical weapons after the US strikes in April 2017, but the approach had not worked because of Moscows diplomatic backing for Syria.

They (Russia) are not serious about peace and stability, and we know that because they continue to support the regime of Bashar al-Assad as he kills his own people, she said.

{articleGUID}

According to Nauert, one of the State Departments most senior officials pending Secretary of State-nominee Mike Pompeos confirmation, the US, UK, and France on Saturday had taken a leadership role in countering the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad government.

The US official said Saturdays missile strikes had achieved their goal of degrading Syrias chemical weapons capacity.
Sentiments of malicious joy expressed on social media as activists blame rising crime on failed government policies.

A series of armed bank robberies in Amman has rattled Jordan, with some activists blaming the countrys rising crime rate on alleged government corruption and failed economic policies.

Activists say increased taxes and food and fuel prices have eroded the savings and salaries of the countrys poor, which has pushed some to resort to serious crime.

Armed bank robberies are rare in Jordan, but Amman has recently seen six heists in branches of the Societe Generale Bank Jordan, Arab Bank  Jordan and Comercial Bank.

A branche of Societe Generale bank was robbed in January and two Arab Bank branches were hit in early April, with robbers taking tens of thousands of Jordanian dinars (one dinar is equivalent to $1.4 approximately) each time, according to police statements.

Video footage of a robbery at one of the Societe Generale branches showed a lone, barefaced gunman walking calmly to the counter, demanding money be put in a bag and then fleeing the scene on foot.

In a different bank, a gunman wearing a mask brandished a gun at the teller and demanded money.

The robbers were caught within hours or days, either by the police or by bystanders, pointing to the amateurish nature of the criminals.

Following the robbery at one of the Arab Bank branches in Amman, a 59-year-old man surrendered to police the same day after he paid off personal debt with money he stole from the bank.

Another man was reportedly caught at the airport while trying to board a plane to Turkey with the stolen money stuffed in his suitcase.

Failed economic policies

Many Jordanians have since expressed seeming delight in the robberies on social media, in a reflection of anti-government sentiment.

Social media posts blamed the government for poverty and corruption for pushing otherwise ordinary people to resort to crime in order to deal with their financial crises.

Al Jazeera reached out to the Jordanian government for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Brigadier General Fayez Qablan, former head of Jordans Police Criminal Investigation Division, told Al Jazeera that the recent bank robberies are unusual, reflecting a serious trend that must be dealt with both on legal and social levels.

Throughout my long career in the police, I have never dealt with armed bank robberies such as the ones that took place in recent months, Qablan said.

Bank robberies just never happened in Jordan, he added, attributing the rise in serious crime to leadership problems and unprofessionalism among some of those in charge of crime prevention.

He also pointed to peoples mistrust of the government, which led many to take to social media to sympathise with criminals and attack the authorities and security agencies.

Society in Jordan has changed and with it the nature of crime, Qablan said.

Government weakness and lack of transparency and rule of law have direct relation to the sharp increase of criminal activities, such as murder, bank robberies and drug trafficking, he said.

Activists say government policies were the main catalyst contributing to the increase in violent crime, something that was rare until recently.

They point to the recent proliferation of violent street gangs, car thefts and drug trafficking rings that have dominated some sections of Amman with impunity.

Police, however, have made notable progress in decreasing the crime levels in these areas, according to recent crime reports.

Still, Tareq al-Fayed, a journalist who covers local news for Al Quds al-Arabi newspaper, told Al Jazeera that in the past he would cover perhaps one serious crime, involving drugs or robbery, for example, every few weeks, but now he receives police reports almost every day about major drug trafficking cases, gang activities, theft and robberies.

Crime of desperation

Prominent anti-corruption activist Hussam Abdallat said robberies and criminal activities have been on the rise since the government lifted its bread subsidies in February, resulting in bread prices doubling and an increase in the price of basic food staples.

Abdallat called the armed bank robberies crimes of desperation.

The reason many people sympathise with bank robbers has to do with anti-government sentiments. Many of them blame the government for forcing people to resort to crime in order to deal with rising poverty, he said.

Activist and journalist Hibah Abu Taha told Al Jazeera that the governments failed policies have practically destroyed the middle class, which has led to hunger and increased poverty.

While many people in Jordan suffer from poverty, corrupt government officials are getting richer and go unpunished for their economic crimes, she said.

The entire Jordanian political and economic system is corrupt, she added.

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter @Ali_reports
Twitter users draw comparisons between Trumps attack on Syria and Clintons 1998 Iraq attack during controversies.

US President Donald Trump, along with the UK and France, ordered strikes on the Syrian capital on Friday evening, reportedly in response to a suspected chemical attack on rebel-held Douma last Saturday.

The strikes came after an uptick in controversy for Trumps already controversial presidency.

The offices and home of Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, were raided by the FBI on Monday.

The raid was undertaken partially on the referral of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump team and Russia in the 2016 US elections.

It was then revealed in court on Friday that Cohen had been under criminal investigation for months, according to reports.

That same day, reports surfaced that Trump ally Elliott Broidy had paid $1.6m to a model who claimed he had impregnated her.

Broidy, a major Republican fundraiser, admitted a consensual affair and resigned from his post as the Republican National Conventions deputy fundraiser.

The agreement between Broidy and the model did not admit that Broidy was the father of the child. The pregnancy was reportedly terminated on the models own choice.

The payment was arranged by Cohen, who reportedly made similar arrangements for Trump in relation to another model. Cohen is also a finance officer for the RNC.

Reports have also surfaced that Mueller has proof that Cohen travelled to Prague in 2016, which was mentioned in a dossier that surfaced after Trump was elected.

The dossier suggested that the Trump team worked with Russia to win the election.

Cohen has denied the reports, saying he has never been to the Czech Republic.

Social media users compared these events to the 1998 US bombing of Iraq.

The military operation was ordered by Bill Clinton, who was about to be impeached as president for lying under oath in relation to an investigation over his extramarital affairs.

When Bill Clinton launched Operation Desert Fox,in Dec.1998 against Iraq, he was facing 3 articles of impeachment in the House. President #Trump launched the Attack on #Syrias CW infrastructure at a time when he is facing a tsunami of legal and Political challenges. Just sayin.  Hisham Melhem (@hisham_melhem) April 14, 2018

Though many anti-Trump activists have called for his impeachment, he is currently safe from the procedure, which involves the US Congress putting the commander-in-chief on trial.

Clinton was impeached at the time of the attack on Iraq, called Operation Desert Fox.

Trump had spoken of sending missiles in response to the suspected chemical attack for roughly a week before the bombing occurred.

As such, Twitter users were drawing comparisons and suggesting the strikes were a distraction from controversies before they took place.

Trump's (presumed) bombing of #Syria reminds me of Clinton's 1998 bombing of Iraq. Needs a distraction from unsavory personal news, so drops bombs on the Middle East from afar.  Joe R. (@JoeR42) April 14, 2018

Others compared the bombing of Syria to the US attacking Iraq in 2003, which began a war that has lasted until today.

Sebastian Gorka, a former White House strategist who refers to himself as a counterterrorism expert  though it has been reported he has no qualifications for such a title  defended Trump.

This is not 2003 and Iraq. And @realDonaldTrump is NOT a Neocon. https://t.co/q4IpoFkD09  Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) April 14, 2018

Other supporters said they have always supported US military intervention in the Middle East, whether it was George HW Bush, Bill Clinton or Donald Trump:

https://twitter.com/bratNvet/status/985228773737074688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It remains unclear what effect, if any, the US-led strikes had on alleviating the suffering of Syrians.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US-led strikes in Syria were a mission accomplished, adding that he had no intention of launching further strikes against President Bashar al-Assads targets.

Trumps announcement came hours after US, French and British forces launched strikes against three sites, which according to the US president are associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Assad.

The coordinated strikes came as a response to the Syrian regimes alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma last week, killing scores of civilians.

{articleGUID}

But Twitter reality is far different from the reality on the ground in Syria, where many indicators point to the fact that the strikes did not cripple the Syrian governments capabilities, nor did it affect Assads morale.

The war in Syria, which entered its eighth year on March 15, has caused the destruction of most Syrian cities, killing nearly half a million people and forcing six million more to flee their homes.

Yet the select bombardment of chemical facilities could not be expected to end a crisis on as big scale as Syria.

According to several analysts, the strikes have achieved one goal only: not to provoke Russian forces in Syria, thus minimising any possibility of an escalation between Moscow and Washington.

Contrary to Trumps strong language and threats before the attacks, the mission did not have any impact and only helped Assads regime to gain a new moral momentum.

This failure, which Trump presented as a great achievement, was echoed in British Prime Minister Theresa Mays statement, saying the strikes were not about regime change or intervening in a civil war, but were to deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said that the attacks did not target Syrias allies, in reference to Russia and possibly Iran and Hezbollah.

Even the Pentagon, the US Department of Defense, stated that the strikes were not aimed at changing Assads regime, but rather were intended to deter Assad from using chemical weapons.

Air strikes largely symbolic

Various political analysts revealed that Trumps goal behind the strikes was simply to ease the burden of the scandals that had beset him in Washington, such as the FBI questioning of his personal lawyer Michael Cohen.

{articleGUID}

Yet it remains unclear what effect, if any, the US-led strikes had on alleviating the suffering of Syrians.

On the battlefields, Assad forces are making more gains, and Syrian rebels continue to count their losses on various fronts.

The majority of Syrians find themselves once again disappointed by those who call themselves friends of the Syrian people, while their reality stagnates or becomes even worse.

Ibrahim al-Marashi, an associate professor of history at California State Univesity, told Al Jazeera that the US strikes embody largely symbolic actions with little consequence on the ground.

This dissonance in US policy to Syria reveals a lack of a coherent strategy, in contrast to Russia and Iran which have demonstrated a steadfast determination in propping up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Marashi said.

These attacks will not affect their long-term goal.

According to Jonathan Cristol, a fellow at the World Policy Institute in New York City, for the attack to be successful, it needs to be backed up with shrewd diplomacy and I am afraid that that is not really this [US] administrations great strength.
Rohingya rights groups sceptical as Myanmar announces repatriation of first family of Rohingya refugees.

Rights groups are expressing scepticism over the announcement that Myanmar has repatriated the first Rohingya family, despite warnings from the UN.

This is a deception, Rohingya Blogger, a watchdog and Rohingya rights website run by Rohingya activists in Europe, said in a statement on Sunday.

The Myanmar government announced in a Facebook post on Saturday that a family of five had returned to the country from the border area between Bangladesh and Myanmar, where thousands of refugees are holed up.

About 700,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Myanmars military imposed a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya living in Rakhine State last August in what has been described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing  an accusation Myanmar denies.

Images accompanying the social media post on Saturday showed five individuals receiving identification cards  which do not grant citizenship  from uniformed Myanmar officials, and getting medical help and living provisions from health and social workers.

{articleGUID}

The statement referred to the family as Muslims. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as an ethnic group. The statement also did not mention when and how many more individuals and families would be repatriated.

A Rohingya community leader confirmed to AFP news agency the return of the family.

According to the Rohingya Blogger, however, the individuals in the photos are the family members of the administrator of Taung Pyo Latya, the designated entry point for returning refugees.

We were shocked to hear anybody would return here amidst volatile condition here, the Rohingya Blogger website quoted its source as saying.

The website claimed after conducting its own investigation that family entered the border area, where the refugees are camped out, to try persuade other Rohingya families to return to Myanmar.

The Rohingya Blogger site said that when the plan did not work, the family returned to Myanmar, where they were portrayed as returnees.

The group described the announcement a fake event, aimed at luring Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar to live in camps.

Separately, Andrea Giorgetta from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) told AFP that the repatriation announcement is a public relations exercise in an attempt to deflect attention from the need for accountability for crimes committed in Rakhine State.

Before proceeding with the repatriation of Rohingya, the Myanmar government must recognise and guarantee all their fundamental human rights, he told the news agency.

Thousands of Rohingya refugees live in a no-mans land between Myanmar and Bangladesh [File: AP]

Not safe for returns

The reported repatriation comes days after Myanmars social welfare minister, Win Myat Aye, visited a Rohingya camp in Bangladeshs border area of Coxs Bazar.

During the visit, Win announced that Myanmar is ready for the repatriation of Rohingya.

Ursula Mueller, the a UN senior humanitarian official, warned last week that there critical issues of freedom of movement that Myanmars government needs to address before beginning repatriation, AFP reported.

On Friday, UNHCR said that the conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified and sustainable, adding that the responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the Myanmar authorities, and these must go beyond the preparation of physical infrastructure to facilitate logistical arrangements.





Bill Frelick, director of Human Rights Watchs (HRW) refugee rights programme, also recently called Myanmars plan wishful thinking.

Before the start of actual returns, Myanmar should agree to a set of prerequisites for return, Frelick wrote earlier this month.

That includes unfettered, independent monitoring of returnees, restoration of lost homes and properties among others.

Refugee return also cannot be divorced from the question of impunity for the crimes that caused the refugees to flee, he said.

In February, Bangladesh released a list of more than 8,000 Rohingya for repatriation. As of April 1, only 600 individuals have been verified by Myanmar, according to HRW.

A second list of 10,000 people is also being readied for release, Frelick said.

Rohingya and rights groups have accused the army of committing crimes against humanity and genocide, including murder, rape, arson and looting  unleashed in response to Rohingya armed attacks on security forces.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have been living in squalid conditions in camps along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

The Rohingya are viewed as one of the most persecuted communities in the world. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) estimated that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the first month of the crackdown alone.
Richard Paul Moore passed away suddenly on February 13, 2018 in Sacramento, CA. He was almost 95 years old. Richard is the oldest of 5 children born to David Paul Moore and Esther Bernice Davis Moore. He is predeceased by his parents, sisters Doris Brown and Jeanine Willman, great grandson Jakob Denman and his beloved wife Phyllis. He is survived by his brothers: Gene (Bina) Moore and Dale (Sue) Moore; his children: Thomas (Karen) Moore, Ruth Moore (Bruce Collier), Robert (Miyoko Ono) Moore; 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Richard was born May 1923 on the family farm outside of Shawnee, OK. In 1935, at the age of 12 Richard and his family moved to California. They settled in the Graton-Sebastopol area where in high school he worked for Safeway. In June 1943 he graduated from Analy High School  the first of his family to earn a high school diploma. One month later he joined the Navy where he spent three years in the Navy serving on LST transport ships as a Storekeeper in both the European and Asian theaters. Early Navy training took him to Toledo, Ohio where he met his future wife Phyllis Burns. They corresponded throughout the war and reconnected in California in 1947. They were married on May 16, 1948 and settled in Napa, California where they resided for the next 65 years until Phyllis passed away in 2013. Richard worked as a Manager for Safeway and as produce manager for Food City and later Food Fair until his retirement in 1983.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Iranian Presiden Hassan Rouhani that further attacks by Western allies in Syria would inevitably lead to chaos in international relations.

In a phone conversation on Sunday, the two leaders agreed that this illegal action seriously damages the prospects for a political settlement in Syria, Russian news agency RIA quoted the Kremlin press service as saying.

Putin and Rouhani were discussing the situation in Syria after the United States, France and Britain launched coordinated attacks on Syrias alleged chemical facilities,

Putin stressed that if such actions, committed in violation of the UN Charter, continue, it will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations, RIA added.

On Saturday, US, French and British forces targeted three sites in Syria, which, according to US President Donald Trump, are associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Bashar al-Assad, Syrias president.

The coordinated attacks came as a response to the Syrian regimes alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma last week, killing scores of civilians.

The US has warned it is locked and loaded to strike Syria if any more chemical attacks occur.

Speaking to an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Saturday, Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, said: If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

Bashar al-Jaafari, Syrias ambassador to United Nations, said the attacks were an attack against international law, and called on the three countries to stop supporting terrorists in Syria.

Meanwhile, Putin has described the attacks as an act of aggression and warned they could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Al Jazeeras senior political analyst says Western air strikes will not change the course of the Syrian war.

Just hours after the United States, France and the UK dropped more than 100 bombs against suspected chemical weapons facilities in Syria, US President Donald Trump declared victory.

He wrote Mission Accomplished! on Twitter, a phrase that brought immediate comparisons to President George W Bushs misplaced optimism following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

British and French officials also praised the operation, arguing Western intervention was needed to deter President Bashar al-Assads government from using chemical weapons in the future.

Trump and European leaders had spoken of intervention earlier this week after a suspected chemical weapons attack in the former rebel stronghold of Douma last weekend, killed around 85 civilians.

But analysts question the reasons for these latest raids  which signalled that Western leaders would not let a chemical weapons attack go without punishment  but demurred about deeper involvement when barrel bombs are used.





And in a conflict where more than 465,000 people have been killed and over 12 million people  half the countrys prewar population  have been displaced, what benefit would they bring?

Everyone needs to stop congratulating themselves over the air strikes in Syria, says Al Jazeeras Senior Political Analyst, Marwan Bishara.

Everyone is celebrating and declaring victory which is bizarre since so many Syrians have suffered over the years, and the bombings have just taken place, he said.

The Syrian regime is claiming victory, declaring a Morning of Steadfastness, while showing pictures of Assad supporters in the streets.

You have the Iranians declaring victory over their non-changing situation, influence and presence in Syria.

Then you have the Russians taking the high moral and legal ground against Western powers.

Finally you have the Americans declaring Mission accomplished, with the British and French saying they did what they had to do without killing civilians.

Bizarrely, everyone is declaring victory and no one seems to have learnt anything from this lesson and how to move forward.

The strikes are limited in scope

Bishara says the only way to stop the use of chemical weapons is by bringing an end to the war.

But in the run-up to military action against Assads forces, the West was only focused on one thing: rolling back Iranian influence.

There was a wish list put out by the Americans three months ago, Bishara said.

1. Free Syria from weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons.

2. Free Syria of ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS).

3. Free Syria from Iranian influence.

4. Free Syria from Bashar al-Assad.

5. Allow Syrian refugees to go back and rebuild their country.

If you look at the list, two out of the five, getting rid of ISIL and chemical weapons are more or less accomplished, but the other three are more challenging.

For the Americans, Saudis and Israelis, whats more important is getting rid of Iranian influence through the patronage of Russia.

Ali Akbar Velayati, the top political adviser to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that if you bomb Syria, that does not change the situation on the ground.

Iran, Bashar al-Assad and Russia will remain in control.

The problem with [Saturdays] strike is that its so limited in its scope that it consolidated the Assad regime and what is behind it  Tehran and Moscow.
Tanzania law for online content threatens free speech

Bloggers, social media influencers and online platforms will now have to apply for a licence and pay a fee of $930 if they want to keep their sites up.
Somali officials at Bosaso airport insisted that heavy bags be checked, resulting in hours-long row, local media say.

Somali officials are said to have stopped a plane from the United Arab Emirates from leaving the country after Emirati military trainers on board refused to hand over their luggage to be scanned and searched.

The local news website Mareeg reported on Saturday that Somali officials at Bosaso airport insisted that the heavy bags on the flight be checked, resulting in an hours-long standoff.

It added that talks were under way between Somalis semiautonomous Puntland region and the UAE to end the dispute.

The UAE foreign ministry has not commented on the matter.

The news comes just days after Somalias government seized several bags of money carrying almost $10m from a plane that arrived at Mogadishu airport from Abu Dhabi.

The money was found in three unmarked bags on a Royal Jet plane, the Somali interior ministry said, adding it was investigating where it came from, where it was going and the individuals involved.

The security forces noticed the suspicious bags and handed them over to the concerned departments, Somalias security ministry said in a statement.

UAE reaction

Responding to the Somali action, the UAE had accused the security forces of holding those on the plane at gunpoint, and said the cash had been allocated to support the Somali army and trainees.

The current Somali government  is creating unnecessary tensions with a friend and an ally who supported the stability and security of Somalia during its hardest phases, Anwar Gargash, UAEs junior minister for foreign affairs, said on Twitter.

We call for wisdom and reason.

{articleGUID}

Relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi have been frosty since June last year after Mogadishu resisted UAE and Saudi pressure to cut ties with Qatar following a dispute between the Gulf neighbours.

Somalia said it was neutral in the GCC diplomatic rift.

And last month, Abu Dhabi agreed to train security forces in Somaliland  a region in northern Somalia seeking secession from the rest of the country.

The UAE has also signed with Somaliland a 30-year concession to manage the semiautonomous northern regions Berbera port.

Somalia has dismissed the agreement and called on the UN to take action.

Speaking at the UN Security Council last month, Abukar Osman, Somalias ambassador to the UN, said the agreement between Somaliland and the UAE to establish the base in Berbera is a clear violation of international law.

Osman called on the Security Council to take the necessary steps to put an end to these actions.

The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemns these blatant violations, and reaffirms that it will take the necessary measures deriving from its primary responsibility to defend the inviolability of the sovereignty and the unity of Somalia, he said.
PM should have sought parliamentary approval before any military strike, opposition Labour Party leader says.

The leader of Britains largest opposition party is suggesting Theresa May, the prime minister, could face a backlash in parliament for her decision to join the US and France in launching strikes against Syria.

The Labour Partys Jeremy Corbyn says the allies bombing is legally questionable and risks further escalating an already devastating conflict.

May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after [US President] Donald Trump, he said on Saturday.

Corbyn said the strikes will make assigning blame for the use of chemical weapons in Syria less, not more, likely.

Bombs wont save lives or bring about peace, he said, adding that Britain should be leading the response and not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harms way.

Many politicians, including some in Mays own Conservative Party, had backed his call for parliament to be asked before any military strike.

Assurance sought

Corbyn later wrote to May seeking assurance that there would be no further bombing raids and urged the government to negotiate a pause in the Syrian civil war.

The action following an alleged chemical weapons attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on April 7 was condemned by several British opposition parties, who wanted parliament recalled.

May will appear before the House of Commons on Monday to explain her decision on joining the strikes.

The prime ministers office said she had spoken to Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of Italy, Australia and Canada about the strikes.

It said they all agreed with her on the importance of restoring the international norm that the use of chemical weapons is never acceptable.

The small Northern Irish political party that props up her government said May was justified in taking such action.





Stop the War, a pacifist coalition once chaired by Corbyn, has called a demonstration outside parliament in London on Monday to protest against the strikes.

The group said it strongly condemned the action and accused May of sanctioning killing at President Trumps behest.

Often when the British government decides on military action, the opposition offers its full support.

However, that has been less the case in recent years.

David Cameron, Mays predecessor, lost a parliamentary vote on air strikes against President Bashar al-Assads forces in 2013 when 30 Conservative politicians voted against action, with many Britons wary of entering another conflict after interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya failed to bring stability to the region.

Legislators backed action in Iraq in 2014, and again in Syria in 2015, strictly limiting strikes in both countries to targets of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

A BMG poll, taken before the strikes and published by the Independent newspaper on Saturday, indicated that 28 percent of Britons backed air strikes, with 36 percent opposed.
About the show

A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT
Why are Democrats lucky? Well, first of all, they have their faithful minion, Robert Mueller, trying desperately to do what they were unable to do themselves, which would be to reverse the results of the last election.

Granted, the ostensible excuse they have for loosing Mueller's "dogs of war" against President Trump is the search for a smoking gun to prove that Hillary Clinton's loss of the 2016 election was the result on her being ganged up on by Trump and the entire Russian Republic.

Of course, during the energetic turning over of every rock looking for such proof, Mr. Mueller has consistently come up empty-handed. No evidence of any such collusion. This lack of evidence even started before the election, thanks to those in the FBI and DOJ who started turning over rocks as soon as they received the unsubstantiated insinuations in the Trump "dossier." Most normal people would at this point say to themselves, "Well, without any evidence, I guess nothing was done improperly." Now, this is the point where Democrats are very, very lucky.

Democrats, fortunately for them, are obviously not normal people. Normal people can believe in things they cannot see. Democrats can't. Look how many Democrats, liberals, Progressives refuse to admit that God actually exists. But they leap with the faith of the recently converted to the belief that Donald Trump must have done something wrong. There has to be some evidence to be discovered that will allow them to impeach (the properly elected) President Donald Trump.

Let's just be honest with ourselves. Faith in (as lawyers would say) "facts not in evidence" is, frankly, awe-inspiring. Faith that allows them, and the ever faithful Robert Mueller, to ignore things like rules of evidence, attorney-client privilege, and who knows what other liberties he may take in the process of trying to prove that Donald Trump isn't really the president and should be removed from office immediately.

It appears, and I have to base this judgment on pure appearance, that Mr. Mueller has been a student of Lavrentiy Beria, the head of Joseph Stalin's secret police, who has been quoted as saying, "Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime."

It is sort of sad that our mainstream media haven't picked up on that, or at least mentioned it, since it would at least be a connection that someone made with Russia. Granted, Mueller's not a Republican, but then you can't have everything.

Now many people would ask just how such a failure to achieve their goals could possibly be considered lucky. Because should these rabid and obsessed Democrats actually succeed, the danger that they would expose themselves to would be based on that very success.

The Democratic Party has become more and more leftist oriented in the past few years that no matter how left wing they may appear now, imagine how leftist they would be under the leadership of Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.

And again, referencing the behavior of the old Soviet Union under the leadership of Stalin and Beria, the leftists tend to eat their own. Hitler and the Nazis behaved exactly the same way. Personal loyalty to the desires of the "leader" outweighed any impetus toward rationality.

When any Communist Party member opposed any idea or plan supported by Stalin, they were given a show trial and sent to count trees in Siberia. The leaders in such a totalitarian state really liked being the leader. They really like having absolute power. And any effort to curb the abuse of that power was, to put it gently, strongly discouraged. It never made any difference if, before the slightest resistance to the whims of the leader emerged, those who resisted were loyal party members. Vivid examples exist in every totalitarian state. And the Democrat, Progressive, liberal political party is the ultimate domestic example of the totalitarian tendency among leaders.

The more leftist a political group drifts, the more totalitarian it becomes. And the more totalitarian it becomes, the less tolerance for any resistance it allows.

While Russia has always provided the rest of the world stunning examples of this we have to rely on Weimar Germany to provide us with the most telling example of how this operates, thanks to Reverend Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) in his poetic analysis of what happens when resistance to existing norms isn't sufficiently vigorous or support for the political leadership's plans isn't sufficiently adequate.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out  Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out  Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out  Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me  and there was no one left to speak for me.

Today, it appears that Democrats are ignorant of this work by the Rev. Niemoller and failed to see the danger that history, around the entire world, has shown us what happens to resisting a leader, any leader, with the totalitarian bent in their view of how to govern.

That is why Democrats are lucky. They are seemingly ignorant of what faces them from their own.

It's apparent that the old saying is absolutely true: ignorance really is bliss and how can you be luckier than living through life in a blissful haze, ignoring the very real potential for Democrats to eat their own.

Jim Yardley is a retired financial controller and a a two-tour Vietnam veteran. He writes frequently about political idiocy, business, and economic idiocy and American cultural idiocy. Jim also blogs at http://jimyardley.wordpress.com, and can be contacted directly at james.v.yardley@gmail.com.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," a phrase coined by Bert Lance, the much maligned director of the Office of Management and Budget for the equally slandered Carter administration, has become a mantra for well advised inaction since 1976.

This phrase is recalled by the recent oral argument before the United States Supreme Court for the Second United States Court of Appeals decision in the case of United States v. Microsoft Corp (hereinafter "Microsoft case"), a hotly anticipated event featuring numerous intriguing questions from the justices and a theatrical atmosphere bolstered by the presence of U.S. senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) sitting in the front row. Senator Hatch has introduced new bipartisan legislation to "fix" access to electronic evidence: the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act of 2018 ("CLOUD Act"). This legislation, strenuously urged by the Department of Justice ("DOJ"), hinges on the concept that formal intra-governmental cooperation is the optimal solution to address international privacy concerns and conflicting foreign law in the Digital Age, while eroding extant privacy and liberty protections.

The question of whether the theater, the pending legislative furor, and the law-and-order-hysterics should have any resonance with the Court is answered "no." Upon close scrutiny, nothing is "broke," and there is nothing to "fix".

The case concerns the Stored Communications Act ("SCA"), 18 USCA 2703(a), as it relates to a warrant for digitally stored (e.g., computer) documents issued pursuant to a criminal narcotics investigation of a Microsoft customer. Microsoft is an electronic communication service provider based in the United States with global reach through its MSN email services. There is no question that the SCA exists to protect constitutional rights and not to assist law enforcement. The SCA unambiguously limits jurisdiction to the United States and its territories. Microsoft properly and lawfully refused to comply with the warrant seeking information for a drug investigation from its Dublin, Ireland data center because warrants generally have no extra-territorial applications as mandated by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41(b)(5).

The DOJ's primary argument is that the Courts have fashioned another stumbling block to fetter law enforcement while providing criminals with a safe haven. The DOJ's insistence that the Second Circuit failed to consider the distinction between information ephemerally stored "in the cloud" and "traditional" documentary evidence is specious. Stored data has a real corporeal existence and an actual physical location.

Congress fully understood what it was doing and purposefully worded the SCA to require a warrant in lieu of subpoenas to protect privacy. Law enforcement, like Congress, is well aware of the distinction between a warrant and a subpoena. As in any contest, in which the struggle is deified and the cause breathlessly deemed just, the ends come to justify the means, and every advantage is taken rendering the rules optional without a referee. In these scenarios, a referee (here the Supreme Court) must step in to make sure the rules are abided by and the contest is fair.

Although much talk has been made regarding the CLOUD Act, the existing rules at issue in this dispute are neither mutable nor cryptic. Traditionally, discovery is obtained from a foreign citizen through the intercession of a foreign court that assists in obtaining evidence from its citizen for use in a U.S. legal action. Correspondingly, U.S. courts are involved to assist foreign tribunal litigants, as required in 28 USC 1782.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) negotiated by the State Department also provide for the exchange of evidence and information in criminal and related matters with foreign nations. These treaties are the primary mechanism whereby cooperation with nations is facilitated and sovereignty is respected in accordance with international law and the Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 2. Thusly, the Founding Fathers established the Treaty Powers Clause, requiring the approval of two thirds of the Senate, in recognition of the serious international sovereignty matters at issue. The DOJ complains that the MLAT process is too slow and cumbersome, but, had the DOJ followed the rules and the law, it would have years ago obtained the information it claims was urgently required.

The DOJ's ham-fisted approach infringes on the sovereignty of other countries and risks a significant conflict of law between friendly nations. If our government ignores the sovereign rights of the citizens of other nations, reciprocation is neither surprising nor avoidable. U.S. companies are the world leaders in cloud computing and data storage. This leadership is based solely on the concept of trust  the trust to safeguard and protect. If global customers believe that the U.S. government can unilaterally take information from American companies' data centers, that trust will evaporate  without regard to superior technology. If the rapacious aggression of the Justice Department stands unchecked, the ability of American internet- and data service-providers to compete worldwide will assuredly disappear forever.

Wholesale submission to the militarized surveillance police state threatens our liberty, our solvency, and our national identity. When there is a conflict, liberty prevails, and the Executive Branch must stand down. This inalienable fact holds true even when international law is implicated. The presumption must be that individual liberty is primary and should not be shriveled when confronted with a routine drug investigation, of which there are literally tens of thousands at any given moment of any given day.

To summarize, the Second Circuit got it right and should be applauded universally for preserving the rule of law in light of the aggressive overreach of executive power. The existing SCA statutory scheme provides the framework required to resolve these matters, such that new or additional legislation may be superfluous, or worse yet, retrogressive to established privacy protections and individual liberty interests. The suggestion that the DOJ will abandon the Supreme Court appeal should the CLOUD Act be enacted raises red flags. One must be exceedingly wary of the motives of the DOJ and even the CLOUD Act itself if the DOJ finds comfort with its terms. This is especially true as regards the DOJ's historic degradation of individual liberty when in conflict with the DOJ's purely prosecutorial motives. It is not Congress's duty to disregard the Constitution to make the DOJ's job simpler.

The Microsoft case, standing alone, presents no need for the CLOUD Act to exist. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the treaty system, while sometimes cumbersome and requiring deftness, is nonetheless robust and unbroken. The solution exists, and there is no need for a "fix" that advantages the government and harms the people.

Modernization of the "unbroken" SCA via the CLOUD Act is superfluous and to be eyed warily. What is required is acute vision and the Court's supremely steady hand at the tiller to navigate these perilous straits, past the rocks of law-and-order expedience and pervasive fear by a power-drunk and out-of-control Executive Branch, through the shallows of empire, which threatens our republic. Let us all hope the Supreme Court is up to the task and that Bert Lance's admonition advises their deliberations.
I have a lot of photos of Carmel and me from over the years. We met in high school and became fast friends, but now I realize, these photos are all I have left, and there will be no new ones.

Carmel died of stage IV stomach cancer exactly six months before her 34th birthday. She was diagnosed in January, but previous illnesses made her too weak for treatments. Her doctors werent optimistic, but Carmel wasnt one to dwell on the negative. She was always focused on finding the bright side.

I decided to latch on to her optimism. I knew the outlook was grim, but I wished for a miracle anyway. I was hoping to visit her in Utah this summer. I just figured there would be time.

Despite my attempts to keep my rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I knew deep down she wouldnt make it to the end of the year, and I tried to prepare myself for the worst, knowing that I may never see my friend alive again.

But theres really no way to be ready for something like this. This is the first time Ive lost a close friend to cancer. Its the first time one of my closest friends has died  period. I feel like I have a hole in my chest. Its a dull aching pain  a broken heart, I suppose.
This weekend, a U.S.-led coalition, including Britain and France, launched an attack in Syria. In response to Bashar Assads callous disregard for humanity, President Donald Trump -- under the authority of Article II of the Constitution -- authorized the use of U.S military force against the atrocious Syrian regime. For civilized people of the world, the use of chemical weapons is utterly inexcusable.

The U.S. and our allies have made the just decision to send a clear signal, once again, to Bashar Assad and the Syrian government in response to the chemical weapons attack committed on April 7. The use of chemical munitions against innocent civilians will not be tolerated. We, along with our allies, will continue to deter the use and proliferation of chemical weapons with decisive action and great force.

In an effort to strongly deter the Syrian regime from using chemical weapons, national security analyst, Lieutenant Colonel Robert (Bob) Maginnis, U.S. Army (retired), says we targeted them as a message. A year after the first incident in which we responded with cruise missiles, the second incident is more severe because obviously they didnt understand the intent of the first message.

The Russian-backed Syrian government continues to deny any use of chemical weapons. Vladimir Putin calls the attack an act of aggression, while Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls the strike a military crime. Rightly, President Trump denounced Russia and Iran for their support of rogue states, brutal tyrants, and murderous dictators.

Based on intelligence gathering and in the best interests of national security, the U.S. and her allies have responded to the brutality of the Assad regime. Lt. Col. Maginnis asserts it is good we are working as a coalition. He also confirms Defense Secretary James Mattis has made it clear there wasnt any question in his mind that the Syrian regime had used chlorine gas. Nonetheless, there is still some hesitancy about confirming whether or not there was sarin gas in the mixture.

He goes on to state, There was acknowledgment that a Russian-made helicopter was circling about and evidently had dropped drums of chlorine gas and/or sarin gas in the vicinity of where the casualties took place. Nearly a week later, It would appear the delay in the execution of this attack was due to the need to confirm beyond a reasonable doubt the regime was directly involved, suggests Maginnis. Having said that, we obviously planned well the targets near Damascus that were doing research and development and storing chemicals.

He believes the Russians and Iranians will squawk and complain, but the reality is that we believe this was an unacceptable attack by the Syrian regime. Therefore, our response cannot be recognized as illegitimate or unjust when the use of chemical munitions is used against innocent civilians.

Having said that, Maginnis notes, you have to make the argument as to what is our national interest involved here. Thats where it becomes a bit dicey. He would argue the British have seen the use of nerve agent in their own country in the recent past, which pointed clearly at the Russians. Given that and given the fact that chemical weapons are known to be in the possession of the Iranians, the North Koreans, and obviously the Syrians, he believes this warrants the U.S. involvement for the stability of the world.

There were concerns that if the proliferation of these weapons is not dealt with decisively as they were last evening and a year ago, frankly, they could easily proliferate, says Maginnis. Rogues like Bashar Assad, Kim Jong Un, and others are more than willing to sell these types of deadly substances to anyone that can afford them.

In one example, over the last two years, North Korea has been supplying chemical weapons to the Syrian government. The civilized world cannot ignore the sale and use of such weapons. We need not be fearful as to how the Russians and Iranians will respond in this case. Maginnis believes theyll think twice.

Dr. Herb London of the London Center for Policy Research states, The Russians do not want a direct confrontation with the United States. Putin wants to play his hand very carefully. In addition, Maginnis says, Jerusalem is watching very closely, and Assad is watching very closely to ensure these people are constrained and do not get out of hand.

As we move forward from the aftermath of this strike, can the United States and her allies prevent further humanitarian catastrophe from rogue regimes like that of Bashar Assad? Barbaric actions such as his need to be controlled, as we cannot allow them to continue to proliferate in a civilized world.

A few questions remain. One, have we sent a clear enough message to Assad and his brutal followers this time around? Of course, we can expect them to deny the existence of chemical munitions and the severity of the missile attack. Second, will the American people back the decision of our President of the United States in matters like this one? Indubitably, many American people will be persuaded by the wealth of misinformation and bias sprouting from the talking heads of America and the Middle East.

J.M. Phelps is a Christian activist and journalist based in the Southeastern U.S. He is also editor and publisher of the website Lantern of Liberty.
It's hard to think of the last time America didn't have a wartime president. From Franklin Roosevelt on, the U.S. military has been ordered to engage in hostilities at least at one point during each administration.

Donald Trump, the nationalist businessman from Queens who spoke with isolationist tones on the campaign trail, had the potential to break this cycle. Trump violated Republican orthodoxy by denouncing the Iraq War as foolish, disparaging the legacy of NATO, and decrying how much blood and treasure we've lost to Middle East nation-building.

It's one year into his presidency, and things have changed. Trump, working with Britain and France, ordered missile strikes against military and weapon research sites in Syria. The country's leader, Bashar Assad, still in the throes of a civil war, allegedly deployed chemical weapons against rebels in the town of Khan Sheikhoun. The sarin-based attack killed 80, including civilians and children.

The strikes come nearly a year to the day after Trump ordered a unilateral strike on a Syrian airbase in response to a similar chemical attack. The Syrian regime, leading another front against the concept of rhetorical consistency, decried the U.S.-led assault as "brutal, barbaric aggression." Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, defending its ally Assad by denouncing the multilateral strike's "devastating impact on the whole system of international relations."

Dostoyevsky would be hard pressed to imagine the irony of Russia upholding international norms in the year 2018.

Washington loves a good war, and Trump received rare favorable coverage for his decisive intervention. However, the president's more vocal antiwar supporters aren't happy. Trump has seemingly gone back on his promise of America-first, and has embraced the country's leading role in world affairs. In other words, Trump has, to quote neocon Irving Kristol, been mugged by reality.

This was evident in Trump's late-night address announcing the tactical measure. "We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents," he declared. Should Assad deploy lethal chemical weapons again, he shouldn't be surprised by a more forceful riposte.

As Noah Rothman explains in Commentary, Trump really had no choice but to levy punishment on Syria's army. The precedent was set with last year's attack on the Shayrat Airbase. To demur would establish uncertain terms. Likewise, the use of chemical weapons must remain prohibited, not just in letter, but in action. "Reestablishing deterrence is in America's vital national interest," Rothman writes. If we don't do it, we can be sure someone else will.

It took me a while to understand this dynamic. As a former Ron Paul acolyte, I was enraptured by the romantic notion that the United States is just another country, an equal nation in a world of nation-states. But the United States is not just another country. We are, and I don't mean this pejoratively, an empire in the real sense of the world. Our military presence dots the globe, and our values and regard for human life are imbued within international norms. How we act on the world stage directs the behavior of other actors.

And yet there was something off with the way we went about striking Syria that isn't exclusive to this latest salvo. President Trump failed to cite any domestic law to justify his assault against Syrian armed forces. The congressional mandate to fight Islamic insurgents doesn't cover hostile actions against an officially recognized government. And as Daniel Larson points out, Trump also lacked the imprimatur of the U.N. Security Council for the strike, which puts America on even shakier legal ground (if any ground at all). "While the attack is being sold as the enforcement of a norm against chemical weapons use, it isn't possible to uphold an international norm while violating the most fundamental rule of international law," Larson laments.

I know it's popular for conservatives to pooh-pooh the U.N., but the post-World War II global system is anchored by laws set by the worldwide body. There is a case to be made that since Russia would veto any Security Council vote on an attack against its ally, the block would be illegitimate, but that case wasn't made. Without lawful, congressional, or U.N. approval, Trump took military action against another country. The credibility gained in the strike was tainted by this omission.

This is unfortunate but all too common. The United States hasn't formally declared war since Pearl Harbor. Our political class is composed of craven opportunists unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of the office they hold. So Congress outsources it to the executive branch, giving near complete deference to the president on waging war.

As for the U.N., we may soon rue our disregard for its legal strictures. We benefit from the clear rules set down by the international organization. When we act in violation, we invite others to do the same  the danger of which can't be stressed enough. As Robert Bolt's Thomas More replied when asked if he'd let laws apply to the Devil, "Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake."

Knocking down laws in the name of expediency is exceedingly myopic. President Trump should think about that the next time we're called to bombard Syria  or any other country  with missiles. Sometimes a swift response is needed. But going by the book has its benefits. Unfortunately, that meek little truth is too oft lost in the heated temper of war.

Image: Michael Theis via Flickr.
See also: Its all downhill for Comey now

James Comey's book is set to come out this Tuesday, at which time Comey will no doubt continue to rake in millions and millions of dollars.

Congratulations, Jim.

Still, the question remains whether or not Comey should spend any of it.

Last week, Newt Gingrich wrote in his column that Comey's book "will be amazingly discredited." Gingrich likened it to a novel, "a work of political fiction."

In line with this narrative is Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein, no fan of Trump, who was reported to have said that history will prove he did the right thing by firing Comey and that the American people do not have all the facts.

That being said, Comey's book problems could go well beyond Americans moving his book from Barnes & Noble's nonfiction section to its fiction section, or the yelling of "dirty cop" at Comey as he executes his book tour (Comey is charging as much as $850 for a ticket). In the end, Comey very well could lose all the proceeds from both his book sales and book tour.

Like a thirsty sailor at sea, surrounded by water but unable to drink a drop, Comey may become flush with money but unable to spend a cent.

Consider these two scenarios:

1) It is ruled that the book was derived from a crime.

If Comey stole parts of the book from the U.S. government, or his leaking of privileged information contributed to the writing or demand for the book, he could be in big trouble.

On Friday, Congressmen Devin Nunes, Bob Goodlatte, and Trey Gowdy requested that Rosenstein deliver Comey's memos that memorialized his interactions with President Trump. It is no coincidence that the deadline given for this request was 16 April, 2018, one day prior to the release of Comey's book.

In an interview on Friday, Nunes said it seems as though "there is much in the book that comes from the memos."

If, in fact, Comey transferred excerpts from these memos to his book, Comey could be accused of stealing and then selling government property as his own.

Eighteen USC  641 states that "[w]hoever embezzles, steals, purloins, or knowingly converts to his use or the use of another, or without authority, sells, conveys or disposes of any record, voucher, money, or thing of value of the United States or of any department or agency thereof, or any property made or being made under contract for the United States or any department or agency thereof ... [s]hall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both."

Mr. Comey has no right to sell the contents of Director Comey's memos, because the memos are property of the U.S. government and not Mr. Comey, even if he wrote them and the book's contents are political fiction. The government could be entitled to compensation.

In such a case, the practice of criminal forfeiture, which is part of a criminal prosecution of a defendant, could come into play. Criminal forfeiture requires that the government indict both the property and the defendant.

2) It is ruled that the book itself is involved in a crime.

On Friday, columnist Robert Charles evaluated Comey's book as "an attempt to pre-empt further investigation into his own questionable actions."

If Charles is right and Comey's book turns out to be full of intentional falsehoods aimed to pre-empt further investigation of wrongdoing regarding either the Clinton or the Russia investigation, not only could Comey be vulnerable to obstruction of justice, but legal action could be taken against his book as well.

Under the process of civil judicial forfeiture, the threshold is far lower. The action can be taken against only the asset (in this case, Comey's book), if it is found that the book is involved in a crime (in this case as a vehicle to obstruct justice). Here, Comey's indictment would not be a prerequisite for such a seizure to take place.

In any case, Comey remains at serious risk of drowning in his own sea of criminality.
It is widely known and accepted that Russian elements have repeatedly exposed vulnerabilities in American infrastructure networks. A hacker known as Guccifer 2.0, who according to the Daily Beast was an officer of Russias military intelligence directorate (GRU), has taken credit for providing WikiLeaks with stolen emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The US Government was also notified in 2015 by Israeli intelligence that Kaspersky Labs, a multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus software producer ran by Vladimir Putin Crony Eugene Kaspersky, had accessed sensitive information from the laptop of an NSA contractor.

The fact is, our intelligence has been aware of the constant Russian cyber-attacks for several years. In an effort to combat potential exposure of national secrets, the State Department has had policy in place since 2005 warning officials against the use of personal email accounts for government work.

That Hillary Clinton could maintain an unsecured server for most of her 4 years as Secretary of State seems to validate many of the popularized deep state conspiracy theories that have floated around the political right the past few years. Furthermore, apart from Guccifer 2.0s Russian government link and stolen email exposure from a DNC hack, other involvement may be associated with malware, which was uncovered as a Chinese open-source tool.

The State Departments Foreign Affairs Manual clearly states, It is the Departments general policy that normal day-to-day operations be conducted on an authorized [Automated Information System], which has the proper level of security control to provide nonrepudiation, authentication and encryption, to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the resident information.

This has the look of a carefully orchestrated, internally executed conspiracy to allow for classified American intelligence on an unsecured server to be accessible by even the most rudimentary methods of cyber-espionage. If our most critical and heavily secured infrastructure networks can be cracked reportedly over 150 times, how could classified State Department communications be allowed to transfer through what amounts to a see-through barrier?

We can also interpret the FBIs heavily criticized decision to not recommend charges be filed against the 2016 Democratic Presidential Nominee as further proof of a possible conspiracy, as Clintons use of the open source cleaning software BleachBit to wipe systems "so even God couldnt read them," according to South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy, was widely known.

Gowdy told Fox News in August of 2016, She and her lawyers had those emails deleted. And they didnt just push the delete button; they had them deleted where even God cant read them. They were using something called BleachBit. You dont use BleachBit for yoga emails or bridesmaids emails. When youre using BleachBit, it is something you really do not want the world to see.

These revelations have had arm-chair prosecutors calling for charges to be filed against Clinton and her associates and enablers for crimes ranging from spoliation of evidence to obstruction of justice.

With rampant speculation about the Clinton monetization of the State Department in light of the Uranium One deal swirling, this question of whether keeping the server unprotected was to aid in the dissemination of American secrets to the international benefactors of the Clinton Foundation must be addressed.

Besides Russian nationals, other countries that have made sizeable donations to the Clinton Foundation directly, or have had its citizens contribute include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Morocco and Oman.

The Middle Eastern neighbors of countries that donated to the Clinton Foundation have been also been suspected of new attacks seeking to destroy data and sabotage U.S. systems in addition to spying and theft of proprietary secrets.

Just how much classified information was exposed may never accurately be discovered. Further investigation and possible prosecutions by Jeff Sessionss Justice Department is necessary to prevent any possible future passive-aggressive treason for profit.

Julio Rivera, is the Editorial Director for ReactionaryTimes.com, and a featured columnist at Newsmax.com. Lifezette.com, TheHill.com, The Toronto Sun, The Washington Examiner, and The Washington Times.
See also: Comey's book: Money, money everywhere, and not a cent to spend

The day that James Comey cashed the multi-million dollar advance check from MacMillan Publishers will turn out to mark the date that we can call Peak Comey. It was all downhill from the instant the ink started drying on his signature on the back of the check. He and his ghost writer suddenly faced the unenviable task of making him look like the righteous warrior he had always portended to be, but with the need to fill 300 pages with something. Self-serving rationalizations cant sustain reader interest over that many words, so apparently they decided that prose about physical appearances drawn from the bodice-ripper school of novels grafted onto Trump-hatred would do the trick.

The result was so awful that even the Washington Post, owned by arch-enemy of Trump Jeff Bezos, felt the need for a satire. The result, written Alexandra Petri, a Post writer whose Compost blog is described as offering a lighter take on the news and opinions of the day, is downright hilarious. Purporting to offer further excerpts from his forthcoming book, her satire takes on the purple prose and wrestles it to the mat.

A couple of samples:

I would venture to say that I am the protagonist of my own life and perhaps the lives of many others. Certainly, no one else has as yet stood up to take on this grave responsibility, and it was my honor to rise to this challenge. It is a little embarrassing to describe myself: I stand, as mentioned, about 6-foot-8, like an oak with a firm sense of right and wrong and large, capacious hands. When I first seized Donald Trumps, I took a mental note (and later, a physical note; I maintain scrupulous contemporaneous notes) that they had vanished into mine, like a dormouse curled up inside an oven mitt. But most hands do that when confronted with mine, except President Barack Obamas, and  I hope  Reinhold Niebuhrs, if we ever meet, in this life or the next.

And:

After we met, I glanced over at Jeff Sessions to see what he thought of it all, and although he spoke not a word his pursed, pink lips seemed to say that he was a weak, small man with no gumption. He was pleading with me with his downcast eyes to do the right thing. With my eyes I said right back, I will. I always have. I never swerve from what I believe, and you can bet a shiny nickel that I never will, sir. Thank you, Jeff Sessionss eyes whispered. They glistened like marbles that were wet from being held in a dogs mouth. As I stared at them I wondered: Has this man read the writings of Reinhold Niebuhr? I have read the writings of Reinhold Niebuhr.

Derisive laughter is but one of Comeys problems, though it is impossible to win any arguments when they are laughing at you. More important to the nation is his impact on the Mueller investigation, which he deliberately provoked through leaks of apparently classified material in his famous memos that he wrote after speaking with President Trump. Four of those memos contain classified information, and he leaked four of them to his Columbia law professor friend who acted as a cut-out in passing them in to the New York Times. So it is arithmetically certain that at least one of the leaked memos contained classified information, the disclosure of which is a felony. Unfortunately for him, James Comey wont face someone willing to excuse leaking classified information based on lack of intent, the excuse he used to exonerate Hillary Clinton.

And now, three House committee chairmen are demanding the immediate release of those memos.

There is no legal basis for withholding these materials from Congress, according to a letter from Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte, South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy, and California Rep. Devin Nunes sent to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Friday. The Committees request the Department of Justice make copies of the Comey memos available immediately, continues the letter, which sets Monday as the deadline to produce the memos.

I am fairly certain that Comeys old friend Robert Mueller isnt laughing.

His book, A Higher Loyalty, represents an official statement on key parts of the federal Russia probeincluding the question of whether Trump may have sought to obstruct justice, a question Mueller is investigating. Legal experts warn that Comeys own words could complicate court proceedings or a Congressional impeachment debate triggered by Muellers findings. Prosecutors like Mueller generally cringe when a witness speaks at length in public before a case has wrapped up. Comeys blockbuster book and accompanying media tour, which kicks off in primetime on Sunday, will also expose him to the watchful eye of Trump allies and defense lawyers ready to exploit any inconsistencies in his accounts to their clients benefit. Id have a conniption if I knew one of my witnesses was going to be writing a book, said Nick Akerman, a former assistant U.S. attorney and Watergate prosecutor. From a prosecutor standpoint, you want a witness who hasnt gone out and made lots of statements that can be used to cross examine him, Akerman added. What he puts in there, hes got to realize thats his story and thats what hes sticking by.

Another problem for Comey is that his Trump-bashing hasnt convinced Hillarys fans that he is on her side. They still blame him for losing the election for her by announcing the re-opening of the investigation days before the election. His claim in the book that he was sure she would win and wanted to make sure there were not questions about the integrity of her presidency ring hollow with Trump riding Air Force One when he travels and Hillary stumbling her way on her extended speaking tour. Lanny Davis, a Clinton friend since Yale Law School, reflects the Hillary party line, writing, I wouldve advised President Hillary to fire Comey.

Even CNN (!) is broadcasting the negative reactions of FBI agents toward the book:

CNN: FBI agents not happy about Comeys book, saying it crosses the line of professionalism & hurts the FBI https://t.co/ysalI15xOD pic.twitter.com/BEDVhyhBeV  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 13, 2018

Comey, after a career of manipulating, backstabbing, and ingratiating his way up the federal legal and law enforcement bureaucracy, is discovering that karma does eventually catch up to you. So far as I know, Reinhold Niebuhr never contemplated that concept.
The effort by the government to ratchet up pressure on sanctuary cities to comply with the law was intensified this past week when the Department of Justice sent a letter to several jurisdictions demanding that they prove they are cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Along with the demand for proof, DoJ threatened to use its subpoena power to pry loose relevant documents.

Fox News:

The department is further seeking a legal opinion on whether policies in Oakland's police manual violate the federal statute requiring information-sharing with federal immigration authorities. "When cities and states enact policies that thwart the federal government's ability to enforce federal immigration law, they choose to place the protection of criminal aliens over the safety of their communities," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. "The Justice Department will not tolerate this intentional effort to undermine public safety and the rule of law, and I continue to remind all jurisdictions to reconsider policies that put their residents in harm's way." Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan denounced the department's subpoena threat. "Our city complies with federal immigration law and asks that the Department of Justice and ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] do the same," Durkan said in a statement Friday. "The federal government does not get to run our cities or convert our local law enforcement officials into immigration cops. I implore this administration to focus on real public safety threats, like the opioid crisis, instead of unnecessarily threatening our residents and mayors across the country."

Note the exaggeration and hyperbole: "The federal government does not get to run our cities or convert our local law enforcement officials into immigration cops." That is total, complete nonsense and amounts to political posturing, not a legitimate response to a reasonable request from Washington.

Unlike some in the Trump administration, Seattle respects the rule of law, the mayor, a former U.S. attorney, said. Our city is tasked with protecting public safety for all people who call Seattle home. We will also protect our residents from unjust law-enforcement actions.

"Unjust law enforcement actions"? Unbelievable.

Oakland authorities were unapologetic about defying the government:

Justin Berton, a spokesman for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, said the city attorney, Barbara J. Parker, is reviewing the letter. Parker issued a statement saying Oakland is proud to be a sanctuary city and is in compliance with federal immigration law, KRON 4 Bay Area reported. She said the city will respond to the letter at the appropriate time. Our sanctuary city policy encourages the community to work with police and helps law enforcement to solve and prevent crimes in our city, Parker said in the statement. We will continue to focus our resources on fighting crime, rather than tearing apart Oakland families and making our city less safe.

It's an uphill battle for the feds given the extremely broad interpretation of the law the courts have chosen to rule on. But making illegal aliens comfortable enough that a few of them might cooperate with police is hardly reason enough throw out federal immigration law. It remains to seen if DoJ will be able to apply sufficient pressure to move some of these sanctuary cities toward full compliance with the law.
Yesterday, I was speaking by phone with a Mexican friend. He is a successful businessman who is center-right when it comes to politics. He is torn between the two centrist candidates, Mr. Meade of the incumbent PRI and Mr. Anaya of the PAN.

He is concerned about leftist candidate Mr. Lopez Obrador, who is currently ahead in the polls, but the lead is shrinking as he continues to speak in generalities without much substance.

AMLO, as his supporters call him, may win, but I hear a lot of concern from middle-class Mexicans about electing someone like that. So dont bet on his election yet!

My friend and I spoke about the "caravan" of Central Americans going north. He called it our "problemita," or our little problem. I should add that Mexicans often use the word "problemita" to refer to a problem no one wants to talk about.

My friend told me to read a new article from ICG on the problems Mexico faces in the southern states:

Poverty and violence in the Northern Triangle of Central America (comprising El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) are forcing hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to flee each year to Mexico. Most are heading north due to deep economic insecurity. But 39.2 per cent of Central Americans surveyed in Mexico by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in December 2016 said they left their homes because they or their families were attacked, threatened, extorted or pressured to join criminal gangs; many in such circumstances would likely qualify as refugees, entitled to international protection under applicable laws.

They are going to or sitting in Mexico's southern states.

Welcome to Mexico's "problemita."

On one hand, they don't want these people or have allowed them to travel to the U.S. in the past. They've done their best to stop the flow, but now the Central Americans have figured out that caravans get international media coverage. In other words, they can't send the Mexican Army and push them back to their countries. They used to do that, but now the whole thing would be captured by international cameras or iPhones in the caravan.

On the other hand, Mexico's opposition to President Trump's border stance has sent mixed signals that Mexico has gone soft on illegal aliens. They really haven't gone soft, but Central Americans are hearing the Mexican political class call President Trump's tough illegal immigration stance as inhumane and so on.

So what are Central Americans doing? Well, they are going north and hoping Mexico will grant them asylum.

It's a mess  a "problemita," as my friend called it. Mexico always saw illegal immigration as a convenient way of sending young men north, who cut our grass and send a remittance to their mothers.

The problem is that Central Americans want to do the same thing by traveling through or moving to Mexico.

It's all enough to create a little resentment for illegal aliens in southern Mexico. There is a great quote in the article:

Xenophobia is now spreading across southern Mexico as anger festers over the arrival of unprecedented numbers of Central Americans in towns insufficiently equipped by the state to cope with the influx.

Yes, this is the "problemita" my friend is talking about. A big problem, don't you think?

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
A video of two black men being arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia has gone viral, leading to charges of racism by the city's police department, and eliciting a statement from the mayor and an apology from Starbucks.

The arrests were defended by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, who said the officers were responding to a 911 call from employees.

Los Angeles Times:

Commissioner Richard Ross said Starbucks employees called 911 to say the men were trespassing. He said officers were told that the men had come in and asked to use the restroom but were denied because they hadn't bought anything, as he said is company policy. He said they then refused to leave. Ross, who is black, said police asked the men to leave three times but they refused. They were then arrested, but later released after the company elected not to prosecute. He said the officers "did absolutely nothing wrong" and were professional in their conduct toward the two men but "got the opposite back." He did not mention the man who said he was meeting with the other two men.

The routine policy of tens of thousands of retail outlets around the country that states no use of public facilities unless the customer purchases something is now called "racist" because two black guys refused to accept that policy. It doesn't matter that they were there to meet someone. If that were the case, they could have met their friend and gone somwhere else to use the facilities.

Should they have been arrested? Here's the full 8 minute video of the incident. You decide.

Starbucks issued an apology:

We apologize to the two individuals and our customers for what took place at our Philadelphia store on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/suUsytXHks  Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) April 14, 2018

Just to be clear, Starbucks is apologizing for enforcing a policy in place in every one of their stores in the US.

I have no idea what sort of neighborhood that particular Starbucks is in, but I know that the policy is important in some high crime areas because it prevents loitering. Without the policy, drug dealers can sit around all day doing deals, intimidating legitimate customers, and occupying space that could be used by the paying public.

Obviously, we don't know what business the two men had. But it's a simple policy that no one else I've heard of has found objectionable.That Starbucks apologized is fully understandable given their corporate mania with political correctness. But the publicity over this incident will no doubt encourage others to challenge the law and make some Starbucks outlets no-go zones.
Some of Donald Trump's longest, and biggest supporters are bitterly criticizing his decision to launch military strikes against targets in Syria.

Several prominent conservatives complained that Trump had given in to the militarists and betrayed his principles.

Politico:

We lost. War machine bombs syria. No evidence Assad did it. Sad warmongers hijacking our nation, tweeted conservative author and radio host Michael Savage. Savage also posted a video discussing the missile strikes, tearing into Trumps decision. There was a clear sense of disappointment among a certain strand of Trump supporter as the president announced a precision strike against the regime of Bashar Assad on Friday in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack last week. The anguish came from supporters who latched on to Trumps America first promise during the campaign. They argued that Trumps decision undermined his promise to disentangle the U.S. from global conflicts, saying it reeked of the same old, same old. Donald Bush, tweeted Mike Cernovich, a conservative author and once a staunch supporter of Trump. Congratulations to the Trump administration for adopting the same failed foreign policy and ignoring of the constitution as the last two administrations, tweeted Doug Stafford, a strategist for Sen. Rand Pauls RANDPAC. Conservative author Ann Coulter retweeted a series of people questioning military action in Syria  as well as past tweets from Trump himself. Before his presidential bid, Trump argued former President Barack Obama would be foolish to take any action in Syria. Coulter also quoted a news story about former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe promising he could beat Trump if he ran against him and tweeted, You might  if you promised no more stupid wars."

The complaint that Assad may not have been responsible for the chemical attack is legitimate, given that both sides possess a chemical weapons capability. But to date, the preponderance of the evidence suggests it was Syrian helicopters dropping barrel bombs full of chlorine gas that caused the dozens of deaths and injuries to civilians.

Should Trump have waited for proof before launching an attack? It will be months before UN experts come to any conclusion, which is unacceptable given the risk of further attacks on civilians.

As for those critics who believes it doesn't matter who was responsible, it's not the place of the US to try and deter further attacks, one can say that, too, is a legitimate complaint but hardly the point. Like it or not, "isolationism" does not mean that America abandons its responsibilities entirely, The issue of allowing the chemical weapons genie to escape the bottle is serious enough and important enough that the US is bound to act in order to protect the vital idea that it is always and forever unacceptable to use poison gas on civilians.

One of the big misunderstandings about Trump's "America First" policy is that the US is capable of abandoning the entire post World War II foreign policy principles that have guided the United States through decades of the cold war and beyond. Those principles are not something you can turn on and off like a switch. They were decades in the making and will be decades in the unmaking - if that is what the American people want.
Unless you read the Spanish-language tweets, or read all the way to the bottom of U.S. news accounts about the Summit of the Americas, you'd never know what a kickass job Mike Pence did for the U.S. this week in Lima, Peru.

He knocked it out of the park with his lead on Venezuela's moral odiousness and failed democracy and in so doing, brought the rest of the long-reluctant Latin states along with him, stating: We want one message to be clear: We are with the people of Venezuela.

He openly met with Venezuela's opposition leaders who have been shut out of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro's fraud elections sham elections on May 20, making clear nobody's going to recognize those. He came with aid for Venezuelan refugees in other Latin countries, some $16 million, and vowed more sanctions on Venezuela's corrupt Chavista dictatorship. He also demanded that the Chavista allow aid in to help Venezuelas starving people, something the Chavistas have forbidden based on the bad public relations it would mean.

You can read about it in the Miami Herald's buried lede here, with my boldface emphasis added:

Trump has taken a very aggressive posture toward Venezuela, leading efforts around the world to isolate the Maduro regime that has allowed the once-mighty oil rich nation to deteriorate to life-threatening levels. The Trump administration has slapped more than 20 sanctions against Venezuelan officials and restricted U.S. investment and financial transactions, including those involving Venezuelas new digital currency. The United States has also galvanized the Europeans, Canadians, Panamanians and other members of the hemisphere to denounce Caracas and issue their own measures, including freezing Venezuelan leaders assets or warning banks against dealing with Maduro and his officials.

Very aggressive posture toward one of the world's foulest dictatorships, one that is literally starving its people, Zimbabwe-style? Galvanized the others to follow its lead?

No wonder the actual Latin Americans on Twitter, the opinion leaders, such as Pedro Burelli, who really is non-partisan, and has 173,000 followers, had so much good to say about it on Twitter

I used Google Translate to quickly translate his Spanish-language tweets and then checked them for accuracy, but if you read Spanish, go look at the original tweets here.



Pedro Mario Burelli Retweeted USA in Spanish



Extraordinary intervention in favor of the freedom of Venezuela of @ VP Pence in VIII Summit of the Americas. The DICTATOR @NicolasMaduro will leave the power much sooner than later. The era of Obama, Kerry and Shannon ended. Patience with the NARCOS finally came to an end.



Pedro Mario Burelli added,

USA in Spanish

Verified account @USAenEspanol

. @ VP Pence: The United States believes it is time to do more. Every free nation gathered here must take more energetic measures to isolate the Maduro regime. We must all be with our brothers and ...

3 replies 197 retweets 120 likes Pedro Mario Burelli

@pburelli



Pedro Mario Burelli Retweeted Jorge Arreaza M (translator note: a crummy Chavista official)



The ventriloquist doll of Cuba tweeted what he was sent from Havana. Pathetic type of character that always surround tyrants, satraps and dictators. Obedient, without scruples, or a mirror to see the ridiculousness they do 24/7 while their countries are screwed. Poor horned devil.



Pedro Mario Burelli added, Jorge Arreaza M

Verified account @jaarreaza

That Summit so gray that of Lima! Right-wing governments plead with the supremacist @realDonaldTrump, while bombing villages and generating death and destruction. They use Venezuela as a smokescreen to hide their internal tragedies: beatings, frauds, conflicts and corruption

106 replies 1,196 retweets 773 likes



Pedro Mario Burelli

@pburelli

17h17 hours ago



Pedro Mario Burelli Retweeted Semana Magazine (translator note: a leading Colombian magazine, which quoted Colombia's appeasionist President Juan Manuel Santos)



it was never as widespread as today. "



Pedro Mario Burelli

@pburelli

Apr 13



Pedro Mario Burelli Retweeted Luis Almagro (translator note: a tweetabout FARC Marxist narcoterrorists violating Santos' "peace" agreement with them, and slaughtering three innocent Ecuadorean journalists)



The Nobel @ Barack Obama was precipitated and product of the shameful adulation of the Committee of the Peace Prize in Oslo.



The Nobel at @JuanManSantos was a product of the President's vanity and the premature endorsement of the Peace Prize Committee in Oslo to a very flawed agreement.

He's obviously had it with the failed appeasement and negotiations that have gone on for years under the Bush and Obama administrations and is finally seeing some action from Trump and Pence. He also forecasts that the party's over for the Chavistas and a turning point has been reached: That they are going to be thrown out.

What we are seeing here is more evidence of President Trump's effective foreign policy on what have been seen as implacable fronts.

Nobody thought the Chinese would cooperate with President Trump on trade. Nobody thought the North Koreans would come to the negotiating table. Nobody thought Syria's Bashar al-Assad would get his, something he is proving a slow learner about these days, but obvious enough to the rest of us. Time and again, we are seeing players coming to the U.S. on its terms to talk turkey instead of delay and obfuscate. That goes for Maduro, who has refused to allow aid into his country to feed his starving people, and the weak, weak, weak response that has followed from Venezuela's regional neighbors, especially at summits like this. Presidents Bush and Obama so wanted to please the weaker countries. Trump just wants to get things done. Pence is a remarkable lieutenant for the project, tactful yet forceful, and easily carries the heft of a sitting U.S. president in the U.S.'s stead. He's done a great job and President Trump notices people who do great jobs. Pence did us proud. It's just a shame that the press has no intention of noticing.
A suspected heroin dealer was arrested in Napa last Tuesday night after selling heroin to an undercover detective, according to the Napa Special Investigations Bureau.

Andrew Joseph Whitman, 27, of Petaluma had allegedly advertised his heroin sales on Craigslist, where NSIB detectives contacted him and arranged to meet with him. An undercover detective met with Whitman on the 200 block of Soscol Avenue about 11 p.m. Tuesday and bought drugs from him, officials said. Whitman was arrested following the alleged sale.

Whitman was found to be have an additional 80 doses of heroin and a digital scale, officials said.

He was booked at the Napa County jail on suspicion of selling heroin and being in possession of heroin for sale.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Google and Twitter may be next in line for a Capitol Hill grilling on privacy after Facebook co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg spent the better part of this week being questioned on the companys data collection and management practices, as well as their relation to the industry as a whole. In a statement given to CNET, Democratic Senator Mark Warner from Virginia referred to the existing state of data protection practices in the sector as a huge issue that both Twitter and Google and YouTube as a single entity need to address.

Alphabets subsidiary, Twitter, and Facebook already met with lawmakers in November when they discussed their efforts to combat online misinformation campaigns such as the one certain foreign actors from Russia ran during the 2016 presidential election in the United States. To date, Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted thirteen Russian nationals and three entities from the same country for illegally interfering with the U.S. democratic process. The Cambridge Analytica controversy that prompted Facebooks stock to plummet and placed the company under massive regulatory scrutiny is also partially related to the case, with the American political consulting firm being accused of buying improperly harvested data of some 87 million Facebook users in order to support the Trump campaign during the last election. While the firm worked for the campaign, it repeatedly dismissed using the data obtained in 2014 through a personality quiz that asked users to log into it with their Facebook accounts and has already agreed to a forensic audit of its servers meant to prove it deleted the controversially mined data in 2015 after Facebook asked it to do so.

Googles business model is relatively similar to that of Facebook in that it offers largely free services to consumers, collects their data, then uses it for the purposes of targeting advertisements it sells. Many industry watchers are already speculating about the Mountain View-based tech giant being targeted by the new privacy probes being ordered by Capitol Hill and any regulations that may stem from the Cambridge Analytica scandal are likely to apply to the Silicon Valley as a whole and not just Facebook.
ARAs Editor-in-Chief"To write anything, one must believe in something. At least one last bit of faith, a final hope, must be preserved"

Gaziel, Meditations in the Desert (1946-1951)

The days go by and we are immersed in confusion, but hopeful that there is a thread like that of Ariadne, unfurling invisibly to help us escape from the labyrinth. Nine political prisoners, seven in exile, and five months of a Generalitat under Madrids direct rule, in addition to elections won by the pro-independence bloc and four failed attempts at electing a president. The economy remains strong, despite the political situation and the banks which have moved their legal address, but nobody can assess the effect of the uncertainty on decisions by businesses in the long term. In spite of all this, Catalonias independence drive has proven that it rests on a peaceful, solid movement that sooner or later must find a way to find a political channel in a lukewarm Europe, where it has the ability to become a source of friction between countries.

This same solidity shown by the pro-independence movement --which some considered to be a passing fancy tied to the economic crisis-- also shows, more than many believe, the stony refusal by Spains deep State to face the Catalan question with the courage necessary to solve it, rather than with the impulse to defeat it yet again.

But to trust in a solution to the current situation requires avoiding voluntarism, the salesman's fake optimism, and phoney morality. To apply maximum realism while looking at the long term demands a rejection of the notion that things must get worse before they get better" and the mediums who interpret the suffering, and who shamelessly take ownership of it, as the method for collective salvation. Support for the prisoners must be absolute, beginning with massive and permanent condemnation of their situation both at home and abroad. It is necessary, specifically, to listen to their opinion and determination regarding the objectives, but also their pragmatism in the reading of the situation and their call for the formation of an effective government that can regain control of the institutions, recover the ground that has been lost, and facilitate a new political strategy. It is precisely the suffering of the prisoners and their families that calls for realism and does not justify, on the contrary, refusing to take stock of damages and overlooking the reality of the afternoon of October 27th. This is a democratic and civic political movement of a mature society that demands more transparency and realism, more courage, than false optimism.

The tools of the independence process are and will be, solely, democracy and civility.

DEMOCRACY

Democracy can be understood as the defense of a project for a better country with a highest common internal denominator that points out the complete lack of a Spanish project for Catalonia, beyond the failed reform of the Statute of Autonomy. Democratic values to denounce, domestically and internationally, the regression of the political and judicial system in Spain. The presence of exiles in Germany, Scotland, Switzerland, and Belgium will play a slow but certain role in decrying the abuse of power by a Spanish government that has renounced politics and left all in the hands of judges.

At the December 21st polls 47.5% of voters gave us a pro-independence parliamentary majority. To put it simply, if in the end there is to be a government before May 22nd, it depends on this majority. To hold new elections would only highlight the break between JxCat, ERC, and the CUP. If this majority is not effective, a new majority could be possible with the collaboration of the Comuns party. The two options call for different profiles of presidential candidates and different tempos. But in both cases the release of the political prisoners and a condemnation of the power of the deep State, now not merely unmoving but often reactionary, will play a central role in the coming months and years. The goal will continue to be the construction of a proposal of a better country that can obtain broad-based willing support of a diverse and plural society. Broadening the base without preconditions, inclusively and respectfully.

Meanwhile, to the question of what can be done, there is a sure response: to act peacefully, with perseverance and responsibility. Maintain civility and pacifism as our calling card to the world. Recall Joan Maragall's eulogy of life and his commitment to individual responsibility. "Strive in your tasks as if every detail you consider, every word you say, every brick you place, every hammer strike you deal, were to determine the salvation of humanity. Because it does depend on these, believe me".

Democracy and civility -- there are no shortcuts.
A few days ahead of schedule, ballots are en route to voters within the Crown Mountain Park & Recreation District to seek approval for a 1
Ricki Seidman, a strategist who previously advised Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit organization formed by parent survivors, said in a telephone interview that Sandy Hook parents established templates that Parkland survivors have used.

First, even in the face of emotional devastation and political abandonment, the parents didnt retreat. They continued to testify about the impact of gun violence on their lives. Second, they kept their focus on guns and mental health and offered practical, achievable proposals to mitigate gun violence. They werent suckered into pursuing diversions  arm teachers!  that the NRA deploys to destroy rational debate. Third, they coordinated with others but maintained control of their own agenda and narratives.

Their tragedy also inspired others, including an Indiana mother, Shannon Watts, who in response to the Sandy Hook shooting dedicated her energy and skills to the gun-safety cause, founding Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The grassroots organization spread quickly to 50 states and now deploys troops in every state capitol. (Moms Demand also gained the support of Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg.)
EV

Publications such as AlVolante.it believe Lancia will be offered for sale, citing a quote from Sergio Marchionne: The important thing [for Fiat Chrysler] is to earn, not lose. And Lancia, as youre well aware, has been reduced to a one-model, Italy-only brand thats kept on life support by the rest of the group.The strategy meeting on June 1st is where Marchionne could announce that Lancia is up for grabs, which begs another question. Which player in the automotive industry would buy it? Produced at a facility in Poland alongside the Fiat 500, the Ypsilon supermini is all the automaker has to its name in addition to its past glory and rallying legacy.Theres also the matter of profitability, with Lancia bleeding money for many years now. Sales arent that great either, with the Ypsilon moving just under 61,000 examples in 2017. According to Fiat Chrysler, Ypsilon sales could number 52,000 in 2018.Lancia isnt the only brand within the group thats one step away from eternal rest, with Chrysler kept alive by the 300 (a 14-year-old design from the standpoint of the LX platform) and Pacifica. The future of Chrysler will be laid out at the Balocco meeting as well, with the business plan valid until 2022.The plan is of utmost importance to the Italo-American automotive group, more so because Sergio Marchionne will step down from his seat as head honcho right after 2018 ends. As things are now, there are three possible outcomes for Lancia.First things first, FCA will let it die if no buyer can be found. On the other hand, FCA could think out of the box, turning Lancia into anbrand.Last, but certainly not least, the biggest automakers in the world could come to the automakers rescue, with an emphasis on Volkswagen, Toyota, and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance
Four electric-powered Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft have arrived in southern California, ready to be put into service as trainers, but the regulatory structure for that to happen is not yet in place. We are flying all four aircraft and are currently focused on working to understand how to successfully tailor a flight training program to the aircraft, Joseph Oldham, technical advisor to theSustainable Aviation Project, toldAVwebthis week. Oldham, director of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center, has been working with Pipistrel and some local nonprofits to develop infrastructure for the electric airplanes. We have deployed a charger at two airports, Fresno Chandler Executive and Reedley Municipal, to support the aircraft operations, and are working on the third location at Mendota Municipal, Oldham said.

Oldham said he has flown all four of the airplanes, logging 14 flights and a little over 7 hours of flight time. The aircraft are amazing to fly and have excellent performance, he said. There is no traditional runup as with a piston engine aircraft, so time wasted during taxi and at the runup area is significantly reduced.The motor draws no electrical current sitting waiting for traffic to land, and the prop does not move as you sit in silence waiting to take off; this is the most surprising aspect of the aircraft for most pilots first experiencing the aircraft. So far, he said, all of his flights have been at a cruising speed of about 90 knots, with a conservative flight time of about 40 minutes, covering about 50 NM. AVwebs Paul Bertorelli flew the Alpha Electro; click here for his video report.
A vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill was delayed late Thursday night as leaders on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue continue to hash out a deal on President Biden's larger reconciliation package.

Why it matters: Pelosi had promised centrist Democrats she would bring the Senate-passed measure to the floor today, and spent hours negotiating with members in order to fulfill her pledge.

But progressive Democrats stayed firm in their threat to sink the vote without a detailed commitment between the House, Senate and White House that Biden's reconciliation package would also pass.

They insisted the deal include a top-line number that holdouts like Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) would sign off on.

The latest: After hours of closed-door talks, the vote was delayed around 10:45 p.m. while congressional leaders and senior White House staff continued to finalize a deal that would satisfy all members of the party.

What they're saying: Manchin, leaving the Capitol just before 10 p.m., told reporters: "I dont see a deal tonight." He reiterated he his preferred price-tag for the reconciliation bill is $1.5 trillion, far lower than the $3.5 trillion members were initially working with.

"It is an absurd way to do business, to be negotiating a multi-trillion dollar bill a few minutes before a major vote, with virtually nobody knowing what's going on. That's unacceptable," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who stayed late Thursday to help work on negotiations, told reporters shortly before Pelosi announced the formal delay.

"A great deal of progress has been made this week, and we are closer to an agreement than ever. But we are not there yet, and so, we will need some additional time to finish the work, starting tomorrow morning first thing," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Between the lines: The delay is sure to frustrate moderate Democrats, who say their patience is wearing thin.

Pelosi promised them last month that she would put the $1.2 trillion bill on the floor on Sept. 27 (Monday).

They held their tongues when she delayed the vote the first time, pushing it to Thursday. But they promised to be less agreeable if it got pushed further.

"If the vote were to fail or be delayed, there would be a significant breach of trust that," Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) said earlier this week.

The deadline is also particularly urgent given funding for surface transportation programs runs out on Sept. 30.

Several moderates repeatedly stated throughout the day they were confident the party would pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill before the end of the night.

Now they hope the delay is only for a few hours, and at a minimum gets resolved by the end of the weekend.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), a leading House moderate, met with Pelosi around 11pm, shortly after the delay was announced.

"It aint over yet! This is just one long legislative day  we literally arent adjourning. Negotiations are still ongoing, and were continuing to work. As I said earlier: grabbing some Gatorade and Red Bull," Gottheimer tweeted.

Rep. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.), a member of the New Democrat Coalition who met with Pelosi on Thursday, said the worst-case scenario in her mind is the vote gets delayed a couple of days  rather than weeks.

"Keep in mind, just the way Monday became Thursday [for a promised vote], Thursday can become Sunday," she said.

What's next: The House is scheduled to leave town at the end of this week for a two-week recess, which could further delay debate on the president's agenda.

There is also a chance leadership keeps members in town longer to continue hashing out a deal on reconciliation, as well as to address the debt limit.

This story has been updated with additional comments from members of Congress and the White House.
"The tariffs," Harris concluded, "will not be effective."

But what will work? I spoke to a half-dozen China experts over the last few days, and not one of them said that tariffs make sense -- not even Clyde Prestowitz, head of the Economic Strategy Institute and a longtime critic of China's trade practices. And though proposals from the experts differed, they all believe that the only way to solve the problem is through the hard diplomatic work of negotiation.

In fact, several told me that Trump's tariff threat was a potentially useful tactic -- if the administration used the threat to compel China to begin negotiating with a seriousness that had previously been lacking. But they doubted Trump had thought that far ahead.

"I believe the Chinese need to feel economic pain before they make any concessions," said Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "My worry is that the president hasn't done enough to develop a consensus with allies, labor and business. His strategy is to fight tough, not fight smart. He has spent zero time bringing along business, figuring out how to approach China and what are the right things to ask for. He's actually helping China out."
A new report from the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie predicts that increasing vehicle efficiency and the rise of electric cars will lead global gasoline demand to peak by 2030.

Expand chart

Data: Wood Mackenzie Macro Oils Service; Chart: Chris Canipe / Axios

Big picture: "Although oil demand grows to 2035 on aggregate, it is minimal compared with what we have seen over the past twenty years. The prospect of peak oil demand is very real," the report states.

It's a double whammy for gasoline: in the next decade it's a fuel efficiency story. Post-2025, it's an EV story, as the ramp up in electric vehicle penetration displaces significant volumes of gasoline demand," they note.

However, overall global crude oil demand growth  driven by petrochemical needs  is not expected to peak until 2035 at the earliest, but will have slowed way down compared to prior decades.

"The oil industry is right to be concerned and should start to plan for the future," it says.
The Washington Post reports that "[f]or the first time in nearly a decade," the GOP isn't touting its attack plan of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.

The big picture: Per the Post, for four election cycles, Republicans used their fight against the ACA as a centerpiece to their campaigns. That promise also brought in loads of money from conservative groups. But after winning the White House and taking majority in Congress, they were unable to follow through.

What's next: As health insurance takes a front seat in the midterm election, Republicans are focusing on individual pieces of the ACA instead of repealing it in its entirety, the Post reports.

Rep. Tom MacArthur, who played a key role in the ACA rollback bill that passed the House, told the Post that Republicans "probably can't talk credibly about repeal and replace anymore."
The U.S. coalition strikes in Syria were a direct but limited response to the violation of international norms opposing chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction. They were narrow in focus  against three targets associated with chemical weapons  and essentially punitive in nature. Whether they will achieve a deterrent effect will only be known with time.

Be smart: Just as interesting is what the strikes were not. They were not intended to unseat the Assad regime or directly protect the Syrian people. Although President Trump expressed his disappointment with Russian and Iranian support for Assad, the strikes took care not to engage them directly.

What's next: There is no reason to expect further military action absent additional use of chemical weapons by Assad. The president did not say how long U.S. forces might remain in Syria but reiterated his desire to bring home those troops. Ultimately, the strikes shed little new light on the future of U.S. policy toward Syria.

Richard Haass is president of the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of A World in Disarray.
Trump declared "Mission Accomplished!" on Saturday and administration officials are trying to distance him from George W. Bush's embarrassing declaration about the Iraq War in 2003. Officials are saying Trump only meant that the narrow mission on Friday night  of destroying Syrian chemical weapons facilities  succeeded.

The bottom line: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad looks perfectly safe in his Russo-Iranian cocoon.

The backdrop: Two stories, published in the wake of Trump's bombing, cast harsh light on the big picture in Syria:

Wall Street Journal: "Syrian armed forces on Sunday unleashed airstrikes against rebels and shelled what rescue workers said were civilian homes, demonstrating President Bashar al-Assads undiminished ability to wage the civil war a day after a U.S.-led missile attack."

Washington Post: "U.S.-led strikes against Syrian chemical weapons facilities prompted defiant celebrations in Damascus on Saturday as it became clear that the limited attack posed no immediate threat to President Bashar al-Assads hold on power and would likely have no impact on the trajectory of the Syrian war."

What's next: On CBS' "Face the Nation" today, Nikki Haley told host Margaret Brennan that the Trump administration will be imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
By Trend

Former President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov has congratulated Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev.

Dear Mr. President, please accept my cordial congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Your most impressive victory is an evidence of the very high level of trust you enjoy among the people of Azerbaijan. It is an assessment of what you have accomplished over the last years to improve the lives of ordinary people, to promote the prestige of Azerbaijan in the region and internationally. I am confident that during your new mandate you will continue your energetic and tireless work for the development and prosperity of your country. I am also sure that your rich political experience will be instrumental in promoting the national image of your country globally and as a leader in the Black Sea region.

The relations between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have been steadily developing for the benefit of both our peoples. I am proud that you and I succeeded in laying the foundations for a strong cooperation, to give an impetus for this cooperation not only in the sphere of economy but also in the cultural and spiritual areas. In this respect, I highly appreciate your personal contribution and commitment to strengthening the friendly relations between our peoples. On my behalf, I confirm my commitment to do my best to promote the development of our bilateral relations. It is because I believe that our common efforts will result in a new, higher dynamics of our relations.

It gives me great pleasure to recall all our meetings with you during which I have always been impressed by your intellect, common sense and diplomatic skills. However, the most important thing for me is that you have always strived for consensus in settling complex political issues. I am confident that the search for consensus, respect towards the interests of your counterparts, protection of national interests will be at the forefront of your activities during your new mandate.

As I look forward to our future meetings, I take this opportunity to wish you health and success in your highly responsible work.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest esteem.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By Trend

By Trend

Following a massive US strike on Syrian targets on April 17, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said during UN Security Council meeting that Washington was "locked and loaded" to conduct news strikes against the war-torn Middle East country, Sputnik News reports.

Haley said on Sunday to Fox News that the United States was not going to pull out its troops out of Syria until its goals in the country were accomplished. She said that Washington's main goal is "to see American troops come home," but it is not going to leave "until we know we have accomplished those things."

She listed three main aims for the US: ensuring that chemical weapons are not used in any way that pose a risk to US interests, that Daesh is defeated and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing, speaking on Fox News.

Nikki Haley added that the US ties with Russia are "very strained," in part because of Syria, but the US still hopes for the better relationship.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he wants to get US troops out of Syria relatively soon, but that they would have to stay a little longer to helpfully defeat the Daesh terrorist group there.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
PSNI officers at the IRSP office on the Falls Road in west Belfast after police conducted a number searches throughout Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Paramilitary Crime Task Force detectives have charged a man and a woman with brothel keeping offences.

A 32-year-old man, arrested last Friday, has been charged with brothel keeping and concealing criminal property. He is expected to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday April 16.

A 22-year-old woman, also arrested on Friday as part of the same operation, has been charged with controlling prostitution and brothel keeping. She is also expected to appear at Belfast Magistrates court on Monday,

As is usual procedure the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

A 48-year-old man arrested in connection with alleged trafficking and controlling prostitution offences has been released pending a report to the PPS.

Detectives conducting the operation, which focuses on the activities of the INLA, last night (Saturday) arrested a 55-year-old man in the greater Belfast area under terrorism legislation.

Three other men detained on Friday under terrorism legislation remain in custody.

A total of seven people were arrested as part of this operation, three in connection with alleged offences related to controlling prostitution and four under the Terrorism Act.

More than 200 police officers were involved in searches at 12 properties across Belfast, Lisburn, Crumlin and Newtownabbey on Friday as part of a major crack down on dissident republicans.
A petrol bomb was thrown at police from a crowd close to Rospenna Street in North Belfast in the early hours of Sunday morning. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS

A petrol bomb attack on police officers in north Belfast has been condemned.

Officers were responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the Ardoyne Avenue area at around 1am on Sunday when they came under attack from a crowd of stone throwers.

Their vehicle was then struck by a petrol bomb close to Rosapenna Street.

Inspector Tommy Fairfield said: "Thankfully none of the crew were injured and they were subsequently able to locate the suspicious vehicle and seize it.

"A 19-year-old man was arrested a short time later on suspicion of a range of driving offences.

"It is unacceptable that police officers simply trying to do their job should be attacked however I am pleased with how professionally the crew conducted themselves, continuing to pursue their enquiries and keep people safe in the face of such an attack."

The arrested man remains in police custody assisting officers with enquiries.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said: No one should come under attack in this society for simply doing their job. PSNI officers and members of the community could have been seriously injured by these irresponsible actions.

This kind of reckless criminality will not be tolerated. Those behind this attack have nothing to offer the people of north Belfast and have put our community at risk.

I have been in contact with a number of concerned residents following the incident and I will continue to work with the whole community to send a clear message that this is not the will of the people in North Belfast.

I would encourage anyone with any information to come forward as soon as possible.
Arlene Foster MLA is joined by Stacey, Megan and Amelia Megee at the Autism NI event.

Thousands of families turned out to support the Making Sense of Autism fun days throughout Northern Ireland.

Autism NI, which supports individuals and their families living with autism, hosted the events in Belfast, Ballymena, Enniskillen and Londonderry on Saturday.

The family fun days were planned to help local communities across the province gain a better understanding of autism and for autism families to come together and enjoy interactive activities and a health fair in an autism friendly environment.

Kerry Boyd, chief executive of Austism NI, said: These events have been in the planning stages for months and it has been absolutely wonderful to see so many families coming together to help us raise awareness for Autism.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Jonah Gilchrist at an Autism NI event in Londonderry. Arlene Foster MLA is joined by Stacey, Megan and Amelia Megee at the Autism NI event. (l-r) Aoibheann Craig and Leonie Craig at an Autism NI event in Londonderry. Arlene Foster MLA, centre gets some help from Councillor Alex Baird, vice chairman Fermanagh Omagh Council and Britney McManus, Party Bees to make slime along with Lolli and Bobbi Fegan and Lilly and Oliver Mota - Domer. (l-r) Rita Leber with Ruairi McSwiggan (4) and Chloe McSwiggan (6) at an Autism NI event in Londonderry Ethan Magee meeting a Stormtropper at an Autism NI event in Belfast AJ Pratt at the Autism NI event in Belfast Bentley Miller, RJ Getty and Jonie Getty at an Autism NI event in Ballymena. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Jonah Gilchrist at an Autism NI event in Londonderry.

As a charity I am delighted that we have been able to support our families through a fun, interactive and informative day.

"The health fairs gave so many parents an opportunity to gain vital information about support services available within their local area and it was great to see our children playing together and enjoying all the fun interactive activities on offer.

I would also like to thank all the dignitaries that attended showing their support of Autism NI and the Autism community in Northern Ireland.

The charity will be holding their final Making Sense of Autism Family Fun Day on Saturday April 21 at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Lisburn from 1pm  4pm.
The Lagmore View service was only brought back four weeks ago after it had been withdrawn due to a series of attacks on the bus.

A west Belfast bus service is to be diverted away from the Lagmore View area after a recent spate of attacks.

The Lagmore View service was only brought back four weeks ago after it had been withdrawn due to a series of attacks on the bus.

Davy Thompson, Unite regional officer, confirmed that services to Lagmore View will be diverted after a second attack on a driver in a period of three days.

He said: Following the second serious attack on a bus in the last three days  in which the drivers side window was smashed with a brick  the decision has been taken to revert to the previous diverted service route meaning that service coverage in the Lagmore area in West Belfast will no longer extend to Lagmore View estate.

Mr Thompson said attacks on buses in Lagmore View have been an ongoing problem for a number of years.

In the past, services have been withdrawn for a period of months only to return after assurances have been received from political and community representatives.

Expand Close Davy Thompson of Unite / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Davy Thompson of Unite

Mr Thompson added: Unfortunately, it now appears that despite those best efforts there are some in the estate who, for whatever reason, are determined that bus services will not operate in the area.

"These attacks are not just targeted at our drivers but the wider travelling public. Although it appears the focus of these attacks is the bus drivers themselves  it is only a matter of time until a member of the travelling public  perhaps even a child  is injured or maimed as a result.

Sadly the impact of withdrawal will fall heaviest on the most vulnerable in this deprived community.

"As everyone will know, over decades our drivers have taken huge risks to provide services across this city but the safety of our members and the travelling public must come first.

The drivers want to express their thanks to the local political and community reps for their efforts in this matter. It remains our hope that services might one day return to the area but at present we cannot foresee the circumstances under which that would occur."

Belfast City councillor Brian Heading, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, said Translink and the drivers had made the right decision to temporarily withdraw the bus service.

"It has been an ongoing problem," he said. "It is a problem with a minority of young people that are putting their neighbours at risk and they could be responsible for causing a serious accident.

"The bus drivers, the union and Translink have no other choice but to protect passengers and staff.

"Until the community and the police are able to remove these young people that are involved in it and explain to them how dangerous there activities are, we will be down one bus service."

The SDLP councillor, addressing those involved directly, said: "They need to realise, if someone is injured on the bus, or the bus is involved in an accident, they could get a criminal record, just because you think it is fun to throw stones at windows."

A PSNI spokesman said: "Shortly before 6pm on Friday police received a report that stones had been thrown at a bus in the Lagmore View area."
The US launches an attack on Syria (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Labour would refuse to back any action in Syria unless it had the backing of Russia, Jeremy Corbyn has said as he called for laws to stop the Government acting without the backing of MPs.

Theresa May will go before the Commons on Monday to explain why she ordered British cruise missile attacks on Syria as part of a joint operation with the United States and France.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said finally the world has said enough is enough as he defended the proportionate action.

But Mr Corbyn called for the introduction of a War Powers Act to stop governments launching military action in most circumstances without the backing of MPs.

Russia has repeatedly used its UN veto to block sanctions and investigations during the bloody civil war in Syria.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr Show: I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp (PA Graphics)

If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said taking military action against Bashar Assads regime had been the wrong thing to do.

She told ITVs Peston On Sunday: We think that it should be in law that there should be a vote in Parliament before we take military action.

Not urgent cases. Clearly not when we are under attack or the Prime Minister has been kidnapped, or anything like that.

.@EmilyThornberry says bombing Syria was the wrong thing to do because Britain should always act multilaterally. #Peston pic.twitter.com/VMqpGzmty2  Peston (@itvpeston) April 15, 2018

But David Lidington, the Prime Ministers deputy, said there were no plans for legislation.

The Cabinet minister said he was not going to rule anything in or rule anything out about whether the Government would give MPs a vote if fresh action was taken in Syria.

Mr Johnson told Mr Marr: There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far  thank heavens  the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack.

If and when such a thing were to happen then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were, he added.

Russia lost its bid to secure a resolution at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council condemning the aggression in Syria.

US ambassador Nikki Haley told the meeting President Donald Trump has warned that America is locked and loaded if there is further use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Mrs May insisted the decision to deploy British cruise missiles in response to the chemical attack in Douma was both right and legal.

She spent the evening calling world leaders, including key regional figures such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, King Abdullah of Jordan, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, to explain why she had ordered British military involvement in the US-led strikes.

Mr Trump declared it was mission accomplished after the perfectly executed operation.

Nato allies have given the action their full support, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.

NATO Allies expressed full support for last nights actions in #Syria. Read the full statement: https://t.co/1sYKK1QJlY pic.twitter.com/kyocn2sxIO  NATO (@NATO) April 14, 2018

Most voters believe the Prime Minister was wrong to order bombing raids on Syria without parliamentary approval, according to a Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday.

It found that 54% opposed the move compared with 30% who backed Mrs May.

But 46% still believed she was better than Mr Corbyn on dealing with an international crisis, with just 26% backing the Labour leader.

Speaking in Number 10, Mrs May insisted the action was legal and defended the decision to go ahead without securing the backing of Parliament.

She also warned Russia that the air strikes should act as a warning over its use of chemical weapons.

Four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s joined the co-ordinated missile strikes at 2am, launching Storm Shadow missiles at a base 15 miles west of Homs.

Expand Close Syria conflict Press Association Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Syria conflict

Mrs May said the Cabinet had taken advice from the Attorney General, National Security Adviser and military chiefs when it met on Thursday.

She added: We agreed that it was both right and legal to take military action together with our closest allies.

 Survation interviewed 2,071 people online on Saturday for the Mail on Sunday.
TIMESAVE Monday 0245

EMBARGO Tuesday 0001

Eight out of 10 police officers are displaying signs of depression and anxiety as a result of doing too much, the chairman of the Police Federation has warned.

Calum McLeod said that cutbacks in police welfare departments have depleted forces ability to provide enough support and wellbeing resources to their officers, and revealed that some counselling services had been outsourced as a result.

But he said that the solution was still not enough to address the root causes of the pressures felt by visible and specialist officers affected and that the number of sessions provided was inadequate.

Efforts to provide counselling for officers were also affected by long NHS waiting lists for mental health provision, Mr McLeod said.

It comes after Freedom of Information requests by the Press Association revealed that, in some forces, frontline officers England and Wales were owed one week worth of rest days. Almost 250,000 rest days were owed across just over 30 forces according to snapshot figures.

Mr McLeod told the Press Association: The conversation around mental health in policing has become greater in recent years. There is a recognition that police officers are human, that they can be broken and that their mental health is an issue.

What were seeing is eight out of 10 officers, in a recent survey, have come back and said they are feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression.

That is a very startling figure when you look at the amount of police officers in the UK. They need to recuperate to provide the best possible service to the public.

If officers arent feeling refreshed and having rest between their shift patterns, what you find is that the situation of their mental health is exasperated.

He added that a reduction in a number of officers on the street has significant impacts upon the public and resulted in the workload being stretched out between officers. Around 21,500 fewer officers are on the streets now, than nine years ago, he said.

He said that although measures were being put in place to help officers suffering from poor mental health, it didnt take away from the fact that the root cause of this is that they are doing too much, with not enough support, with not enough rest.

What you found at the beginning of the austerity measures is that police forces welfare departments were cut back. So the ability for forces to provide support for officers going through any medical incident was diminished.

So the voice was having to be filled  through the NHS. The NHS waiting lists are quite big and you just end up in a vicious cycle.

As a result, counselling has been taken on by external services. But Mr McLeod warned that the four or five sessions which forces provide for each officer was not enough.

A Police Federation report on officers pay and morale last year indicated that over the previous year, a larger proportion of officers said their morale had been negatively affected by their work-life balance, their health and wellbeing, their workload and responsibilities.

Out of more than 30,500 respondents, roughly 85% said that the way police are treated has a negative effect on their morale, while only 4% said it affected them positively. More than two in three said they did not feel valued.

Mr MacLeod said: The Government is saying we need to do more for less  all that you get for less is less.

Although we will remain being professional and trying to meet the public demand, that cannot continue. Public safety is being compromised, it needs to have proper resources ploughed into policing.
Veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart has joined a campaign to demand another referendum on the final Brexit deal.

Speaking at a rally in Camden, north London this afternoon, Sir Patrick, 78, told a crowd of over 1,200 people that he will not stand idly by whilst Britains future is at stake.

Opening the London launch of Peoples Vote  a new grassroots movement campaigning for a referendum on the final deal  Sir Patrick said Brexit will mean he will show his new Blue passport with less pride.

The actor, famous for productions including Star Trek and X-Men, even said his fictional character Charles Xavier would have supported the Remain campaign.

Hundreds of people queueing round the block unable to get into #PeoplesVote rally. Dont let anyone tell you there is Brexit fatigue or that people dont care enough to demand a vote in final Brexit deal. Campaign hard  ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) April 15, 2018

He said: It is not Charles Xavier standing here in front of you  although I can assure you that if he was, he would have voted Remain. And why? Because unity, common cause, wellbeing of society and

debate were paramount to belief of this fictional character.

Since the 2016 referendum, there has been a concerted effort by many  including government  to shut down debate about Brexit and to tell us that we should simply trust ministers to get on with it because

Brexit is an irreversible process.

That we shouldnt worry about the cost and complexity of it or the litany of broken promises. Well today we say thats not good enough.

Our countrys future is at stake and we will not stand idly by.

That is why I support a peoples vote on the final deal.

Sir Patrick told the crowd that the day Britain joined the EU on January 1 1973 was one of the best days of his life.

I was working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. My wife and I owned a tiny little cottage in Warwickshire. We had a young son and a daughter on the way, he said.

But the reason for the joy on that New Years Day was because the UK had finally become a member of the European Union, he added.

Queueing for the launch of the Peoples Vote. Demand a bit on the final Brexit deal! pic.twitter.com/DdWkN50IJG  Barry Parkin #FBPE (@Barry4EU) April 15, 2018

Sir Patrick went on to discuss his upbringing in working-class Yorkshire, where he witnessed the aftermath of the Second World War.

He said: The cost of war was everywhere and many never recovered from it.

That was the Europe I grew up in and that is why when Britain joined the [European Economic Community] in 1973, that date was so special to me.

When the UK and Ireland were brought in I felt for the first time in my life that the brutality of both World Wars could never happen again.

Speaking at the event alongside Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Labours Chuka Umunna, Sir Patrick said: Now that we are learning the real cost of Brexit, I want to urge that we think again and insist whether we accept the Brexit deal is a matter for the people.
The Emory community is invited to wear denim on Wednesday, April 18, for Denim Day, an annual event intended to show support for survivors of sexual assault and ending sexual violence.

The Emory community is invited to wear denim on Wednesday, April 18, for Denim Day, an annual event intended to show support for survivors of sexual assault and ending sexual violence.

Denim Day is an initiative of Emory's Respect Program, which seeks to support survivors and raise funds for the program, which serves as a central hub for sexual and interpersonal violence prevention programs, as well as efforts to create a more survivor-supportive and safe campus community.

To show visible support, everyone is encouraged to take photos of themselves and others wearing denim and send the photos to the Respect Program at respect@emory.edu. You can also tag the Respect Program on social media through Facebook (Emory University Respect Program); Twitter @RespectWell; and Instagram @Respect_Program.

After following or tagging, use #EmoryDenimDay to ensure the photos can be seen by the program. The Emory Student Government Association (SGA) will donate $1 for every Denim Day photo received by the Respect Program. Funds raised will be used to support Respect Program initiatives, including prevention education, trainings and outreach for faculty and staff, as well as advocacy and direct support for those impacted by sexual violence.

We would encourage anyone within the Emory enterprise to participate and show their support for those who have been impacted by interpersonal violence, says Michele Passonno, assistant director of the Respect Program.

Participants may also request Emory Denim Day buttons and stickers for their classroom, office, department or organization, notes Passonno. Those interested in receiving materials should email respect@emory.edu before Tuesday, April 17. Emory Healthcare employees are encouraged to show support in ways that are consistent with their workplace dress codes.

In conjunction with Denim Day, the Respect Program will be sponsoring Wonderful Wednesday and will have tables, informational materials and photo opportunities at Asbury Circle and the Rollins bridge, among other campus locations.

The Respect Program offers advocacy services, including a 24-hour support hotline that Emory students can contact for support, accompaniment and/or resources, at 470-270-5360.

Denim Day is supported by a variety of groups across Emory representing students, faculty and staff. It is sponsored by the SGA and Emory Graduate Student Government Association and is organized by the Respect Program in partnership with Emory Healthcare, Sexual Assault Peer Advocates, the Intimate Partner Violence Working Group and the Faculty Staff Assistance Program.

The event is part of a national campaign sponsored by Peace Over Violence. The campaign was sparked by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court overturning a rape conviction because the justices believed that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, implying consent. Women in the Italian Parliament came to work the next day wearing jeans to show support for the victim.

Though the original conviction was finally reinstated in 2008, Denim Day has continued as a protest against misconceptions surrounding sexual assault.
The State Bank of India (SBI) wants to broaden its UK customer base beyond the Indian diaspora after pumping 225 million into its retail business as part of new post-crisis regulations.

Bosses of the lender  which is 58.6% owned by the Indian government  said that while they were happy with the status quo, SBI was unwilling to pull out of one of its biggest overseas markets which currently accounts for 20% of foreign operations.

(An exit) was not the thought at any time, because there are markets which are too important for us and the UK is definitely one of them, and that is because of the presence of the Indian diaspora and meeting their banking requirements, SBIs global chairman Rajnish Kumar told the Press Association.

When we have a 100,000-customer base and we are the largest (Indian) bank which is present here in the UK, I think it was a no-brainer, he added.

The Mumbai-headquartered lender spent two years preparing for the formal separation of its UK retail bank from its wholesale operations as part of UK rules meant to protect consumer cash from investment banking risks.

The ring-fencing rules are part of several key reforms introduced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, and apply to banks incorporated in the UK that hold more than 25 billion in core deposits from individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses.

SBI UKs 12 branches primarily serve an Indian client base, but the new ring fenced banks boss Sanjiv Chadha said incrementally, it will not be so.

You initially follow the diaspora, trade and also companies from the native market, but then after you establish yourself, you always want to be more of a local bank, he told the Press Association.

Expand Close City of London stock PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp City of London stock

Mr Chadha said that of its 35,000 deposit accounts, one third currently have no connection with India, while 70% of its loans are doled out to customers with no ethnic Indian links.

SBI UK is conscious that it will have to do something extra top broaden its appeal  like working with landlords interested in obtaining buy-to-let mortgages through limited company structures or special purpose vehicles.

We will choose a segment carefully, we know we will not be a high street bank  but we make sure that the products on which we are focused, we are a very competitive bank.

So even if the primary bank for a customer is either Barclays or NatWest, but when it comes to these particular products, they should come to us.

Mr Kumar said there are likely to be some challenges in building up the retail asset book and maintaining margins, but stressed this was a struggle for lenders across developed markets.

It would likely have considered using an EU passport to expand its retail unit across the bloc had it not been for Brexit.

If we wanted to expand on the continent we would have taken the advantage of the passporting agreement which would have been available to us. So that may not be available to us now, but it really doesnt matter to us.

He said the UK was the main market of interest for retail and that wholesale banking operations would continue both in Britain and the bloc.

That wholesale banking we will do out of London and Frankfurt and continue to do so.
Bombing Syria was in Britains national interest and has had strong international support, Theresa May will insist as she tells Parliament why she ordered the attack.

The Prime Minister is expected to face angry MPs after launching military action without securing the support of the Commons.

But she will say the UK joined the United States and France in co-ordinated strikes following the chemical weapons attack in Douma to alleviate further humanitarian suffering.

Expand Close This combination of satellite images provided by DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company, shows the Barzah Research and Development Centre in Syria before and after the military action (Satellite Image 2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP) AP / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp This combination of satellite images provided by DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company, shows the Barzah Research and Development Centre in Syria before and after the military action (Satellite Image 2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)

The PM will say that United Nations Security Council-mandated inspectors have probed previous attacks and decided Bashar Assads regime was responsible four times.

We are confident in our own assessment that the Syrian regime was highly likely responsible for this attack and that its persistent pattern of behaviour meant that it was highly likely to continue using chemical weapons, she will add.

Furthermore, there were clearly attempts to block any proper investigation, as we saw with the Russian veto at the UN earlier in the week.

And we cannot wait to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons attacks.

The governments position on the legality of UK military action on 14 April: https://t.co/Z0ASLDlvdc pic.twitter.com/iDMnv8ID6T  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 14, 2018

Mrs May will make the statement explaining why she ordered British cruise missile strikes and will then take questions from MPs.

But she will also ask for an emergency debate to allow more time for discussion in a nod to the fury among MPs at not being consulted.

Jeremy Corbyn has called for the introduction of a War Powers Act to stop governments launching military action in most circumstances without the backing of the Commons.

.@jeremycorbyn says Assad "or any other group" that carried out the Douma attack must be confronted with "evidence" #marr pic.twitter.com/BXR6D32FgT  The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) April 15, 2018

The Labour leader said chlorine has been used by a number of parties in the conflict in Syria as a weapon and questioned the legality of the airstrikes.

Mrs May spoke in Downing Street in the hours after the blitz and insisted the action was a limited and targeted strike to degrade and deter the Syrian government.

But she also drew a link with the nerve agent attack on Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.

The Prime Minister will tell MPs on Monday that the strikes were in the national interest because the use of chemical weapons cannot be normalised, including in the UK.

No, I think it was the wrong thing to do. @EmilyThornberry reacts to the PMs decision to bomb Syria #Peston pic.twitter.com/r2Mbs6RyO1  Peston (@itvpeston) April 15, 2018

She will say: Let me be absolutely clear: we have acted because it is in our national interest to do so.

It is in our national interest to prevent the further use of chemical weapons in Syria  and to uphold and defend the global consensus that these weapons should not be used.

For we cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised  either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.

The Prime Minister spent Saturday evening speaking to world leaders to explain why Britain had joined forces with France and the US and will insist the three nations are not alone in believing it was the right thing to do.

There is broad based international support for the action we have taken, she will say.

Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia and European Council President Donald Tusk have all have expressed their support for the actions that Britain, France and America have taken, the PM will add.

Four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s joined the co-ordinated missile strikes at 2am on Saturday, launching Storm Shadow missiles at a base 15 miles west of Homs.

The United States is preparing to impose sanctions on Russia for covering up the actions of the Assad regime.
Donald Trump has defended his use of the phrase Mission Accomplished to describe a US-led allied missile attack on Syrias chemical weapons programme.

The US president said that it is such a great military term, it should be brought back.

In an early-morning tweet, President Trump said the strike was perfectly carried out and that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished.

He added that he knew the media would seize on the phrase, but said it should be used often.

He tweeted Mission Accomplished on Saturday after US, French and British planes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defences.

While he declared success, the Pentagon said the bombing of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W Bush following the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Expand Close President George W Bush in 2003 (J Scott Applewhite/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp President George W Bush in 2003 (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

President Bush addressed sailors on board a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a Mission Accomplished banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organised an insurgency that tied down US forces for years.

The nighttime Syria assault was carefully limited to minimise civilian casualties and avoid direct conflict with Syrias key ally, Russia, but confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance.

The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The US ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, Before we took action, the United States communicated with Russia to reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties.
The United States has outlined plans for new economic sanctions against Russia for enabling the government of Bashar Assad in the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Stepping up the pressure on the Syrian president, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley indicated the sanctions to be announced on Monday would be aimed at sending a message to Russia, which she said has blocked six attempts by the UN Security Council to make it easier to investigate the use of chemical weapons.

RT @USUN: If Russia had lived up to its commitment, there would be no chemical weapons in Syria, and we would not be here today. pic.twitter.com/re7XiE2jnJ  Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) April 13, 2018

Everyone is going to feel it at this point, Ms Haley said, warning of consequences for Assads foreign allies.

The international community will not allow chemical weapons to come back into our everyday life, she said.

The fact he was making this more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop.

RT @USUN: The time for talk ended last night. pic.twitter.com/GXviPKO6GI  Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) April 14, 2018

Ms Haley also made it clear that the United States will not be pulling troops out of Syria right away, saying US involvement there is not done.

Ms Haley said the three US goals for accomplishing its mission are making sure chemical weapons are not used in a way that could harm US national interests; that the Islamic State group is defeated; and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

Were not going to leave until we know weve accomplished those things, she said.

Ms Haley said the joint military strike put a heavy blow into their chemical weapons programme, setting them back years and reiterated that if Assad uses poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

Russia has military forces, including air defences, in several areas of Syria to support Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Russia and Iran called the use of force by the United States and its French and British allies a military crime and act of aggression.

The UN Security Council met to debate the strikes, but rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the aggression by the three Western allies.

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the Trump administration has yet to present hard evidence of what it says precipitated the allied missiles attack: a chlorine gas attack on civilians in Douma on April 7.

The US says it suspects that sarin gas also was used.

Good souls will not be humiliated, Assad tweeted, while hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus, the capital, where they flashed victory signs and waved flags in scenes of defiance after the early morning barrage.
This week the Jewish people mark an amazing anniversary. Seventy years since the establishment of the State of Israel, and the realization of the dream of Jewish independence in our homeland for the first time in two millennia.

But this important milestone is not just a celebration for Israel, it is a celebration for the whole free world. Because, as Israel enters its eighth decade we mark seventy years of a vibrant democracy and a strong and independent civil society  the first of its kind in the Middle East. For nearly three-quarters of a century, this nation, Israel, has held high the torch of freedom and equality in a difficult region. The commitment to the values of free speech, diversity of opinions, freedom of religion, is the cornerstone of Israel as a Jewish and as a democratic state  Jewish and democratic in one utterance.

The result has been seven decades of achievement in innovation, in trade, in academia, in medicine and more. With much hard work we made the dessert bloom and hi-tech boom. We have developed technologies that bring water from thin air, and helped make cars that drive themselves. In Israeli universities and hospitals, we are making new discoveries every day to help answer some of the problems which have challenged mankind for centuries. For seventy years, Israel has been reaching out around our region, and around the world, to share our knowledge and our experience; from food security to cyber security, Israel is making a better tomorrow for millions of people, today.

German version Israel-Prasident Rivlin 70 Jahre Israel  ein Fest fur die ganze Welt Diese Woche begeht das judische Volk ein auergewohnliches Jubilaum: 70 Jahre Israel.

And, moreover, over the last seventy years, we have managed to make peace with many who used to be enemies. But no nation is an island. We could never have done all this without the support of so many around the world. Men and women, Jews and non-Jews, who dedicated their lives to Zionism and the well-being of the Israeli people.

And we could never have done all this without the support of our allies  countries around the world with whom we have developed strong, solid, relations and friendships rooted in shared values and built out of cooperation. Today, more than ever, international cooperation is the key to a better, safer, more peaceful future.

Looking to the future, we hope we will not have to wait another seventy years for peace in this region. Israel will not stop trying, striving, for peace. Yes, we will do everything to defend ourselves. We may have to build fences to stop terrorists, or to act in different ways to assure the safety of our people, but we will never close the door on peace.

These are difficult times in many places around the globe  perhaps no more so than in the Middle East. But, today, we look back on the past seventy years and we can all see clearly that progress is not only possible  it is even necessary. And seventy years after the Star of David was raised as the flag of Israel for the first time, Israel continues to inspire the world and the people of Israel continue to inspire me.

PS: Sind Sie bei Facebook? Werden Sie Fan von BILD.de-Politik
20:30

The political discourse in poll-bound Karnataka touched a new low with Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao calling upon the people to hit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers whenever he comes to the state.

Rao made the controversial remarks at a candle march organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress in Bengaluru to show solidarity with the victims of rape in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

The comments drew an angry response from the BJP which termed them "heinous" and accused the ruling Congress of instigating violence.

As his comments stoked a major political row, Rao said it was an "emotional outburst" and "all I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers".

He said he regretted his remarks if they were offensive.

At the protest meet last night, Rao had said, "This man from Uttar Pradesh who comes to Karnataka to deliver lectures is not a yogi. He is a hypocrite, a liar and a thug. He should not be allowed to enter Karnataka..."

"... In case Yogi Adityanath No, there is no need to call him Yogi. He is Bhogi Adityanath. If he comes to Karnataka, he should be beaten up with slippers and sent back. If you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) have little self-esteem and if you have respect for women, sack the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Unseat him. What you are doing now is a heinous crime (by retaining him)," he said.

Hitting back, furious Karnataka BJP leaders reminded Rao that Adityanath was a "revered saint of Nath tradition".





Strongly condemning the remarks, Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said it was "highly derogatory and uncivilised".

He said a person who did not know how to speak about "a sant" and a democratically elected chief minister did not deserve to be in public life.

Yeddyurappa asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel Rao from the party and said the Election Commission should also take cognisance of Rao's "inflammatory remarks" and take "stern action" against him.

The party tweeted, "Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints. What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals? Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!"

Vokkaligas are considered the second largest community in Karnataka after Lingayats.

The party termed it Congress "deep hatred" for saffron and anyone who is an "unapologetic Hindu".

"It also shows the party's disregard for rule of law," said the BJP, alleging, the "Congress instigates violence for political gain".

It asked the Election Commission to register a case against Rao under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

The BJP said the statement shows Congress party's "utter contempt" for a democratically elected chief minister.

Enraged by Rao's remarks, BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha said in a video message, "One should be cautious while talking and control his tongue. Else, you will get a befitting reply."

Rao said, "I should not have said so. It is wrong. All I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers. I did not say slap him with slippers. It was not a scripted statement. In a fit of anger I said so. I was wrong."

Later, he tweeted, "It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the rape victims and the complete apathy of Adityanath government. I regret if it's offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue."
The requested page is currently unavailable on this server.

Back to [RTHK News Homepage]
Dail terms should be fixed at four years, the Citizens' Assembly has recommended.

In a tight vote, a majority of the Assembly (51%) backed changes to the current system, where terms can last just over five years and the decision on calling an election within that timeframe rests with the Taoiseach.

The issue of fixed-term mandates, similar to those in the UK and US, was the last issue considered by the representative body of citizens tasked to examined a number of contentious political questions and potential constitutional changes.

If the system was changed, 59% of Assembly members voted that a fixed term of four years should be reached.

A large majority (95%) agreed that the fixed term could be cut short in certain circumstances.

Two out of three (66%) said any move to call an early election would require the approval of cabinet, while 52% said a majority of TDs should also be in favour.

A greater proportion (70%) said a "super" two thirds majority should be required in the Dail to cut short a fixed term, with 84% believing it should also require the approval of the president.

Retired Supreme Court judge Mary Laffoy chairs the assembly, which is made up of 99 other randomly selected citizens chosen to broadly reflect of the make-up of Irish society.

Their recommendations will now form the basis of a report that will be submitted to the Oireachtas.

At the conclusion of their last weekend of deliberations, Ms Laffoy thanked her fellow members for their work since the Assembly was established in 2016.

"The members of this Assembly have, together, been through a very unique experience," she said.

"Participation in an exercise in deliberative democracy is unlike other forms of group engagement.

"The commitment, which the members have shown, to the Assembly's key principles of openness, fairness, equality of voice, efficiency, respect, and collegiality have meant that all of the members' work has been conducted with the utmost deference to other's opinions, has allowed for a frankness in discussing often very difficult material, all the while approaching the work programme with a level of diligence and commitment which is, I believe, quite unparalleled for a group of ordinary citizens.

"This has been the central tenet of what this process has been designed to achieve - to put the citizen at the heart of decision making and to ensure that the decisions that are made are the product of fair and reasonable discussion and debate among citizens."

- PA
An expansion on the 30km per hour speed limit in Dublin is being proposed by Dublin City Council officials.

The proposal would see the 30 km/h speed limit already in place in several parts of the city expanded to 31 additional zones.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is "too elitist and arrogant to fix the housing crisis".

That is according to Fianna Fail's newly appointed housing spokesman Darragh O'Brien.
Update:17-year-old Olta Dodaj has been found safe and well. She was missing from Newbridge, Co. Kildare, since April 11th.

An Garda Siochana would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.
The 'Medical Alliance for the 8th' says it is concerned the debate about repeal is being misrepresented.

The group is made up of doctors, nurses, midwives and other professionals who support keeping the Eighth Amendment in place.
Minister Eoghan Murphy needs to "wake up, smell the coffee, roll up the sleeves and get to work."

That is according to the Chairperson of Dublin City Council Housing Committee.
The Irish Naval service LE Samuel Beckett is departing today for the Mediterranean to take part in 'Operation Sophia'.

Ireland first joined the EU naval operation against smugglers and traffickers last October when the LE Niamh was deployed for a three-month mission.
A Sinn Fein senator has said her party is willing to enter coalition talks with Fine Gael amid speculation the two parties are cosying up together.

Senator Rose Conway Walsh said Sinn Fein would "of course" talk with Fine Gael about entering power together-depending on the outcome of the next general election.

The remarks come after shock suggestions from junior minister Jim Daly that he has no ideological objection to Sinn Fein being in government, a suggestion which sparked a party backlash.

Speaking to RTE's the Week in Politics, Ms Conway Walsh said:

We will influence politics in whatever way we can until such time as we get into government.

Fianna Fail last week also accused the government of cosying up to Sinn Fein. The resulting political backlash from with Fine Gael over the general issue prompted MEP Brian Hayes this weekend to say the party would split if this were to happen.

This was backed by Sen Neale Richmond, who in turn warned on the RTE show that he would leave Fine Gael if they entered power with Sinn Fein.

I don't think Sinn Fein are fit for government. They are a hard left party who haven't come to terms with their past. I would find the idea of the notion completely unacceptable, as would the vast majority of Fine Gael parliamentarians and ordinary members.

But Sen. Conway Walsh dismissed the attack, adding:

We want to be in government and we would hope that the electorate put us in government."

Asked whether Sinn Fein and Fine Gael would do business together depending on the outcome of the next general election, she replied:

Of course it is [possible]. It is up to the people. I think the arrogance of saying of 'no we wouldn't do that'. We will talk to anybody, we will support anybody who has good ideas, as we are now, as long as we have to put up with this government until there is another election.

"Of course we will support good ideas, of course we will support this government if there is something in it in relation to Brexit if it is going to benefit the Irish people.
An Air China flight was forced to make a landing in central China for an unspecified "public security" reason with all passengers making it safely off the plane.

China Central Television said on its official account on the microblog Weibo.com that Air China Flight 1350 took off at 8.40am on Sunday local time from the city of Changsha in Hunan province heading for Beijing.
Update 10.25pm: The United States has outlined plans for new economic sanctions against Russia for enabling the government of Bashar Assad in the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Stepping up the pressure on the Syrian president, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley indicated the sanctions to be announced on Monday would be aimed at sending a message to Russia, which she said has blocked six attempts by the UN Security Council to make it easier to investigate the use of chemical weapons.

"Everyone is going to feel it at this point," Ms Haley said, warning of consequences for Assad's foreign allies.

"The international community will not allow chemical weapons to come back into our everyday life," she said.

"The fact he was making this more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop."

Ms Haley also made it clear that the United States will not be pulling troops out of Syria right away, saying US involvement there "is not done".

Ms Haley said the three US goals for accomplishing its mission are making sure chemical weapons are not used in a way that could harm US national interests; that the Islamic State group is defeated; and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

"We're not going to leave until we know we've accomplished those things," she said.

Ms Haley said the joint military strike "put a heavy blow into their chemical weapons programme, setting them back years" and reiterated that if Assad uses poison gas again, "the United States is locked and loaded".

Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Russia has military forces, including air defences, in several areas of Syria to support Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Russia and Iran called the use of force by the United States and its French and British allies a "military crime" and "act of aggression".

The UN Security Council met to debate the strikes, but rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the three Western allies.

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the Trump administration has yet to present hard evidence of what it says precipitated the allied missiles attack: a chlorine gas attack on civilians in Douma on April 7.

The US says it suspects that sarin gas also was used.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Assad tweeted, while hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus, the capital, where they flashed victory signs and waved flags in scenes of defiance after the early morning barrage.

Update 4.25pm: Trump defends 'mission accomplished' statement after strike on Syria

Donald Trump has defended his use of the phrase "Mission Accomplished" to describe a US-led allied missile attack on Syria's chemical weapons programme.

The US president said that "it is such a great military term, it should be brought back".

In an early-morning tweet, President Trump said the strike was "perfectly carried out" and that "the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term "Mission Accomplished".

President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Friday, April 13, 2018, in Washington, about the United States' military response to Syria's chemical weapon attack on April 7. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

He added that he knew the media would "seize" on the phrase, but said it should be used often.

He tweeted "Mission Accomplished" on Saturday after US, French and British planes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defences.

While he declared success, the Pentagon said the bombing of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W Bush following the US-led invasion of Iraq.

President Bush addressed sailors on board a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a "Mission Accomplished" banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organised an insurgency that tied down US forces for years.

The nighttime Syria assault was carefully limited to minimise civilian casualties and avoid direct conflict with Syria's key ally, Russia, but confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance.

The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The US ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, "Before we took action, the United States communicated with" Russia to "reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties".

Former US President George Bush.

Update 2.05pm: Bashar Assad claims Syria airstrikes are based on 'lies'

Syria's President Bashar Assad has said the Western air strikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of "lies" and misinformation at the UN.

He spoke on Sunday to a group of visiting Russian politicians, and his comments were carried by state media.

Assad and Russia deny using chemical weapons, the trigger for the strikes early on Saturday.

An alleged gas attack last weekend in the town of Douma killed more than 40 people, according to opposition activists and rescuers.

Assad told his visitors that the US, Britain and France, which carried out the strikes, had waged a campaign of "lies and misinformation" against Russia and Syria.

The UN Security Council has been paralysed in dealing with the seven-year Syrian conflict and the use of chemical weapons.

Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member, is a close ally of Assad.

10.14am: 'Where is the legal basis for this?' - Jeremy Corbyn hits out at Syria airstrikes

Jeremy Corbyn has called for a war powers act to give the British parliament more scrutiny over military action following the bombing campaign in Syria.

Appearing on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show, the British Labour leader questioned the legal basis for the UK joining the US and France in airstrikes in response to the chemical weapons attack in Douma.

Mr Corbyn said Parliament should have been given a vote ahead of the strikes.

"I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name."

The Labour leader warned of an escalation in a "proxy war" between the US and Russia.

He said chlorine has been used by "a number of parties in the conflict" in Syria as a weapon.

Mr Corbyn said that if Britain wants to "get the moral high ground around the world" it must abide by international law for taking military action.

"Where is the legal basis for this?" he said.

The US has warned it is "locked and loaded" if Syria carries out fresh attacks on its people.

Mr Corbyn said: "President Trump has a way with words, that's for sure. I hope it's just exaggeration on his part."

Asked if he would order military action in any circumstances if he was prime minister, the Labour leader replied: "No-one would ever say never."

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said "finally the world has said enough is enough" as he defended the "proportionate" action.

He told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far - thank heavens - the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack."

Mr Johnson added: "If and when such a thing were to happen then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were."

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back air strikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: "I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

"If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire.

"That surely would save a lot of lives."
Why then, does this idea of big tech muscling into banking keep popping up? In a nutshell, the argument goes, the tech giants are so cashed-up, with such enormous reach into the lives of millions of people, that they would be in a prime position to pinch some of the revenue banks make from payments, and perhaps loans. With a $1.4 trillion capitalisation, Tim Cook's Apple could invest sums of money that no Australian bank could ever match. Credit:Bloomberg NAB's Cahill made the point at last month's Productivity Commission hearings, saying Apple and Facebook have so far concentrated their efforts on the payments sector. He also highlighted that sheer size (Apple's market capitalisation of $US883 billion ($1.14 trillion) exceeds the big four's combined) meant the tech firms could invest sums of money that no Australian bank could ever match.

Down the track, it's also possible the tech firms could start offering loans for the things people buy on their platforms, further cutting the banks' grass. This is one potential scenario, sure. But it is also a long way from the current reality, in which the tech giants are still very much bit players in finance, if that. For example, Facebook holds a patent in Australia that would allow it to let users make "peer-to-peer" payments to each other. One day, this might give people yet another way to transfer money - though whether users would be keen to do so is another matter altogether. Loading Or take the example of Apple Pay - the tech giant's service that allows you to use your iPhone for tap-and-go payments.

ANZ Bank is the only big four bank to offer the service, after the other majors reached a stalemate in talks with Apple. And although there is no comprehensive public data, ANZ's numbers suggest Apple Pay, launched almost two years ago, is used by a very small minority. The bank says 45 million transactions have occurred on all its "digital wallets" and "wearable" products in total. When you compare that to the 2.5 billion credit card transactions that happen annually across the economy, it's a tiny share, and in any case, it is being done in partnership with a bank. Peter Harris, who chairs the Productivity Commission and is reviewing competition in finance, pointed to these types of trends and signalled he was unconvinced by the bank's warnings about tech giants. "Existential threat? I don't know. Probably adjunct service in the marketplace," said Harris, who was speaking alongside Silk at the same conference. Another reason to be sceptical about the big banks' warnings on tech giants is that even if they were about to attack the banks, the big four would probably get plenty of warning, because overseas banks would be targeted first.

Managing director of payments consulting firm The Initiatives Group, Lance Blockley, says there is little evidence so far to suggest Facebook, Google and Apple are about to launch an assault on the Australian banking sector. If they are going to do something new, we would expect them to do something new in their home market first, where the payments system is to some extent less advanced than Australia, Blockley says. Moreover, the small steps these tech giants have made into finance have, in many cases, seen them work in partnership with the existing payment systems, which are operated by the banks. Amazon and PayPal have both launched plastic payment cards in the US. But Blockley points out that Amazons credit card is issued by US bank Chase, while PayPals debit card is issued by a regional lender. Its not like these guys have said 'weve got to get ourselves banking licenses', says Blockley.
Oil prices have hit their highest since late 2014 and JP Morgan says Brent crude could go to $US80 a barrel as US-led strikes on Syria threaten a new period of heightened Middle East conflict and raise the spectre of renewed US sanctions on Iran.

The air strikes in Syria could drive oil prices to over $US80 a barrel. Credit:AP

The United States, Britain and France on Saturday morning launched military strikes against "chemical weapons-type targets" in Syria, in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in the town of Douma which killed at least 60 people on April 7.

Loading

Talk of the US-led strikes helped ramp up tension in oil markets leading into the weekend, where geopolitical tensions had already pushed prices higher. In the middle of last week Saudi Arabia intercepted three missiles over Riyadh, reportedly fired by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen and targeting national oil company Saudi Aramco's assets.
"This bill would be terrible for investors all across America," Eric Schneiderman, the attorney general of New York, said in an interview. "For every Fortune 500 CEO who walks away with a bruised ego, there are dozens and dozens of lower-level scam artists who we put out of business through the state securities laws." Joseph Borg, the longtime director of the Alabama Securities Commission, said, "Any way you look at it, this bill is going to put investors at not only a disadvantage, but deep in harm's way." "If I can't prosecute, then what's the deterrent?" added Borg, who is also the head of the National American Securities Administrators Association. "If I can't bring civil action, then what's the deterrent? None." Critics of the bill also said it represented the kind of rollback of states' rights for which Republicans once criticized Democrats. Trump is already challenging the states on sanctuary cities and California's power to set its own car regulations. The securities bill was introduced by Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J. and a former AIG executive who once worked for Greenberg. C.V. Starr, Greenberg's current company, has backed MacArthur's campaign. A spokesman for the congressman said he was unavailable to comment.

Blair Holmes, a spokeswoman for the US Chamber, said the organisation was reviewing the legislation. "This issue has always been important to many members," she said. If it goes through, the bill's text says it would "provide for exclusive federal jurisdiction over civil securities fraud actions." It also says that "differing state regulatory requirements" create "inefficiencies, raises costs" and harms markets "without providing material investor protection benefits." Greenberg and his staff said the legislation would only affect civil enforcement related to stocks, bonds and other securities listed on national exchanges. State regulators disagree, saying it would also hamper their criminal jurisdiction related to such securities. The bill language says that state officials can proceed with criminal enforcement provided they "comply in all respects with the legal requirements for securities fraud under federal law." State regulators fear that such language is specifically intended to curtail their ability to bring criminal cases. One feature of the Martin Act is that it does not require the state to prove that someone actually intended to defraud people, a lower bar than what is required at the federal level.

"It's outrageous," Greenberg said of the intent issue. Asked if legislation broadly targeting all states was an appropriate remedy, he replied: "So is it better to have a law that violates every principle? Is that better? You can be tried for something without having to prove intent? Are we a Third World country?" The transactions that took him down The case against him centered around two sets of transactions. One of them inflated AIG's reserves at a time when analysts were criticising the company for its flagging reserves. In a second series of deals, the insurer invested in an offshore entity in a way that allowed it to mask losses from one of its divisions. After Greenberg's ouster, AIG restated its earnings by more than $US3 billion. In 2006, the company reached a $US1.64 billion settlement with federal, state and insurance regulators related to business practices stretching back two decades. Greenberg has disputed much about the case.

"Eliot Spitzer decided he wanted to take me down," he said. "He was successful. Destroyed a company that had a $US180 billion market cap. Now it's what? A fraction of that. There's been seven CEOs since I left the company. Destroyed a great asset." But in a statement he made as part of his 2017 settlement, he said he "initiated, participated in and approved" the transactions that "inaccurately portrayed the accounting, and thus the financial condition and performance for AIG's loss reserves and underwriting income." AIG also faced a reckoning and near failure in the financial crisis. "The notion that we would weaken one of the few statutes that was used effectively to confront structural failures on Wall Street defies logic, at a moment so soon after the economic cataclysm of 2008," Spitzer said in an interview. Greenberg said he decided to settle last year because "there's a limit to how much any individual can endure fighting" the state. He added: "There was no acknowledgment of any wrongdoing, No. 1. And that's important."
A popular swim school caught ripping off 1300 mostly teenage instructors a total of $1.4 million has agreed to be supervised by the wage regulator for the next two years.

Paul Sadler Swimland, a franchise network of 12 swimming schools in Victoria that hosts more than 30,000 swimming lesson a week, has signed an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after admitting to the underpayments.

Julia , Janelle , Shane and Kirsten some of the staff at Paul Sadler Swimland Essendon who banded together after discovering they have been ripped off by the company. Credit:Jason South

The franchiser has also admitted that it was an accessory to the contraventions of wage laws even though it was not the direct employer of staff.

In December 2016, Fairfax Media revealed that over a thousand teenage and young adult employees had been underpaid after because the company did not increase their wages as their age went up. Other staff were not properly graded to reflect their experience as per the award.
The rejuvenated Fear the Walking Dead suddenly looks like leaving The Walking Dead for  well  for dead. Last week we saw The Walking Dead's Morgan Jones (Lennie James) travel all the way to Texas to join the action, becoming more of a presence than ever before via unhappy encounters with a lonely gunslinger and a heavily-armed journalist (welcome new series regulars Garret Dillahunt and Maggie Grace). Today we head back in time to catch up with the long-suffering Madison, Nick and Alicia (Kim Dickens, Frank Dillane and Australian Alycia Debnam-Carey) as their group faces new challenges and an unnerving new threat. New showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg have given things a fitting touch of the old Hollywood Western aesthetic  without going overboard  and they're generating plenty of character-driven intrigue and finding new ways to keep things visually interesting. Nice. BN

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

Masterpiece Movies (pay-TV), 8.30pm

For decades, Indigenous film stories were told by non-Indigenous directors, from Ian Dunlop (famous for his pioneering and culturally sensitive documentaries in the 1950s and '60s) to English maverick Nicolas Roeg (and his magisterial Walkabout). In the 1970s and '80s, while the world waited for the New Wave of Indigenous filmmakers  that now includes Tracey Moffatt, Rachel Perkins, Warwick Thornton and Ivan Sen  the most engaged chronicler of Indigenous issues was Phillip Noyce. In his Backroads (1977) and tonight's Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), there is a seething anger at what has gone wrong, with Noyce unafraid to go back into the past to examine the present. Rabbit-Proof Fence follows the journeys of three girls who escape their ''native settlement'' to return to their families. At the time, the film generated fractious debates about the interpretation of past events (yet another History Wars). It is a powerful and haunting work. SM
Great storytellers can do the impossible. They can make you care about whether an extra-terrestrial can escape gun-toting federal officials and be bicycled away to safety way beyond the moon. They can make you care so much about a robot that you cry. Well, American director Steven Spielberg and Egyptian-born Alex Proyas have. In Proyas' I, Robot, set in 2035, Detective Spooner (Will Smith) is sent to investigate the suicide of Dr Lanning (James Cromwell), genius designer of the new NS-5 robot. If you think this sounds like a film that pays homage to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, then you are absolutely right. The first act is beautifully made, each moment lovingly crafted by Proyas, and with New Zealander Simon Duggan's radiantly crisp photography making everything a joy to behold. It is true that I, Robot never develops as fully as it should  the plot becomes predictable and the fight scenes are silly  but, like Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, it manages to imagine and create electronic and mechanical beings souls that move us. SM

Pay

Max Grundy

Thursday, Discovery Turbo, 8.30pm

Max Grundy is an American custom-car guy with a singular aesthetic. He specialises in extreme makeovers for cars and trucks from the '50s and '60s, and his retro-futuristic style is all about the Space Age and the Atomic Age  right down to custom leather seats upholstered with giant mushroom clouds towering over shattered cities. The first of tonight's projects is a 1954 GMC cab-over-engine box truck, which Grundy wants to turn into a "rolling fist" complete with mean-looking chop-top and an air-ride system that will allow him to lower the box until it's practically scraping the ground. The second project is a big-finned '61 Chrysler with a bizarre "executive option" that was presumably much more fun for '60s businessmen than it was for their secretaries. The projects are ambitious, and the show is an engrossing one that really stands out among its countless contemporaries. BN
The Turnbull government is set for showdown with states and territories over its signature energy policy after new details of the plan revealed any additional efforts by the states to curb carbon emissions would not count towards the national target.

A key policy design paper circulated among the states at the weekend and obtained by Fairfax Media appears to recommend a review of the emissions reductions target only every five years and provides for exemptions of trade-exposed companies that constitute as much as a fifth of demand.

The exemption will be welcomed by manufacturers such as steelmaker Bluescope, but critics of policy regard aspects of the plan including the five-year reviews as inflexible at a time when the energy market is changing quickly.

The emissions intensity of the power sector is on the increase. Credit:Bloomberg

The 12-page Commonwealth Design Elements paper will be examined closely this week by energy ministers as they prepare for a gathering of Council of Australian Governments in Melbourne on Friday.
A Canberra retiree is warning others of the dangers of buying dwellings in NSW holiday parks, as he stares down the barrel of a near $40,000 loss.

Robin Turnbull and his wife Elizabeth paid $44,500 for their cabin at Tomaga River Holiday Park in Tomakin, on the NSW south coast, seven years ago.

Canberra couple Elizabeth and Robin Turnbull outside their cabin, which they will soon be forced to remove from Tomaga River Holiday Park if a proposed redevelopment goes ahead. Credit:Kerrie O'Connor/Batemans Bay Post

But their cabin is in a park zone now marked for redevelopment, and about 90 casual occupants will soon be forced to clear their sites if park owner Allswell Communities is given final approval to increase the number of permanent residential sites from 17 to 89.

Allswell Communities is offering affected tenants a $5000 goodwill compensation payment, and while Mr Turnbull acknowledged that the company was acting within the law, he called the proposed changes unfair and the compensation offer "grossly inadequate".
A 19-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl have gone missing north of Brisbane, sparking family fears they could be travelling south to Toowoomba or into NSW.

Police put out an appeal for help to find the pair just after 11.30pm on Sunday, a little more than 7 hours after they were last spotted in Deception Bay.

A man and a girl have gone missing from Deception Bay. Credit:QPS Media.

Police would not reveal how the man and girl were related but said family believed they could be heading towards Bathurst, north-west of Sydney, or Toowoomba, in Queenslands Darling Downs.

The girl was wearing black pants and a black long-sleeve Rolling Stones top when she was last seen.
University of Queensland researcher Dr Luke Knibbs, the study's lead author, said researchers drew on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Global Burden of Disease and peer-reviewed studies to establish a national study on the respiratory effects in children exposed to gas stoves and damp housing.

Asthma was more prevalent in Australia than in most other countries, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Gas stoves account for more than 12 per cent of childhood asthma. Credit:Tanya Lake.

Researchers found that for 12.3 per cent of asthma sufferers aged 14 or younger in Australia, the condition was triggered or worsened by exposure to gas stoves, while exposure to damp housing accounted for 7.9 per cent.

Switching off gas stoves could help hundreds of Australian kids breathe easier, a Queensland-led study has found.

We tried to work out what proportion of Australian kids are exposed to gas stove emissions and damp housing in the home," he said.

Then we tried to work out what the effects of those two exposures are in terms of exacerbation of existing asthma and also potentially contribution to causing new cases of asthma.

Asthma is a long-term lung condition that can be triggered by colds and allergens and result in wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and recurrent bronchitis.

The study found cooking with gas released chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde, which can cause inflammation in the airways, and dampness in housing can promote fungi, bacteria and dust mites that can cause inflammatory, cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects.

Published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday, the study found although the risk at the individual level was relatively small, the proportion of the population exposed was relatively large, so the contribution to the population asthma burden is considerable.
The ACT government will today announce a suite of measures to encourage Canberra's drivers to move to electric vehicles, as part of the plan to make the territory emissions neutral by 2050.

Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury and Transport and City Services Minister Meegan Fitzharris will launch the government's "Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan," which covers both electric cars and electric bikes.

ACT Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury, who will on Monday launch the Zero Emissions Vehicle Action Plan Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Under the plan the government has committed to half of newly leased government fleet passenger vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2019-2020, and all newly leased government passenger vehicles to be zero emissions by 2020-2021.

All new multi-unit and mixed-use developments will be required to have charging stations for electric cars.
Prospective builders will soon need to pass a test in order to gain their licence in the ACT, in a move the government says will improve building quality.

All builders applying for Class A, B and C licences for the first time will need to pass a test in order to gain the licence, and those renewing their licences could also be required to pass a test, Regulatory Services Minister Gordon Ramsay will announce on Monday. The tests for new builders will be rolled out this year, while the tests for renewals will begin in 2019.

Builders in the ACT will face a new test in order to gain their license.

Up to 20 per cent of those renewing their licenses will need to sit the test, with those chosen to be a combination of randomised selection and targeting of builders with complaints upheld against them.

Up to 180 builders a year will take the test as part of their license renewal, and if an applicant fails the test twice they will not have their license renewed.
Western missile attacks against Syrian chemical weapons facilities have prompted defiant celebrations on the streets of Damascus as it became clear that the air strikes posed no threat to President Bashar al-Assads hold on power and would likely have no impact on the trajectory of the Syrian war.

Fears of a wider escalation faded after it emerged that the missile strikes by the US, Britain and France on three sites associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program had caused no serious casualties and had probably not destroyed the countrys capacity to develop and deploy banned chemical substances.

There were expressions of anger from Syrias allies, with Russia labelling the attack an act of aggression, Iran calling it a war crime and Syria describing it as barbarous. US President Donald Trump called the attacks an enormous success, tweeting that they represented a mission accomplished.

But on the streets of Damascus, there was jubilation. Residents gathered in central squares and danced to patriotic songs, waving Syrian flags alongside those of Russia and Iran, Syrias allies in the fight against the anti-Assad rebellion.

Malcolm Turnbull took aim at Russia for its complicity in Syria's alleged chemical weapons attack on its own people, saying Vladamir Putin should have stopped it from happening and must bring his ally into line.

Speaking in the wake of US, British and French missile strikes against Bashar al-Assad's regime at the weekend, Mr Turnbull stepped up his support for US President Donald Trump's decision to take retaliatory action, and stressed Russia's role in the gas attack that killed about 75 people.
Bangkok: Myanmar has accepted what appears to be the first five among some 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who fled military-led violence against the minority group, even though the United Nations says it is not yet safe for them to return home.

A government statement said on Saturday that five members of a family returned to western Rakhine state from a refugee camp across the border in Bangladesh.

Rohingya Muslim woman, Rukaya Begum, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, holds her son Mahbubur Rehman, left and her daughter Rehana Bibi. Credit:AP

The statement said that authorities determined whether they had lived in the country and provided them with a national verification card - a form of ID that doesn't mean citizenship that Rohingya have been denied in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they have faced persecution for decades.

It said that the family was staying temporarily with relatives in Maungdaw town, the administrative centre close to the border.
Russia, which backs the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, had repeatedly warned in the build-up to the cruise missile strikes that there would be consequences if they went ahead, and Johnson told the BBC's Andrew Marr that Russia "gives us every possible signal and evidence that we have to beware".

Whitehall confirmed a 20-fold increase in "disinformation" being spread by Kremlin-linked social media "bot" accounts since the missile attacks on Syria in the early hours of Saturday. There are fears that this could be a precursor to a full-scale campaign of cyber attacks by Moscow, with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson saying Britain would take "every possible precaution" to guard against it.

London: Russia has launched a "dirty tricks" campaign against Britain and the US following the Syria air strikes, British government sources say.

Asked if he was worried about cyber attacks on the National Health Service (NHS), the National Grid and other infrastructure, Johnson said: "I think we have to take every possible precaution and, when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country in Salisbury but the attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on the critical national infrastructure, of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed."

The Pentagon said there had been a surge in Russian "troll" accounts promoting false claims about the missile attacks, including that 70 per cent of the missiles had been shot down.

"The Russian disinformation campaign has already begun. There has been a 2000 per cent increase in Russian trolls in the last 24 hours," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said.

A Whitehall source said Russia was engaging in a "dirty tricks" campaign, while government sources said officials would be analysing Kremlin-linked social media "bot" accounts in the coming days to assess the extent to which Britain had been targeted by them.

Johnson warned of a need to be prepared for retaliatory attacks just as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attempts to force a Commons vote on Syria that could make it harder for Prime Minister Theresa May to mobilise the country's Armed Forces without the permission of MPs.
The US, UK and France launched strikes on Syria a week after US President Donald Trump said there would be a "big price" to pay for the apparent use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the town of Douma, an attack that killed scores of civilians. Here's what we know and what's still to come:

What did they attack?

Damascus skies erupt with surface to air missile fire as the US launches an attack on Syria. Credit:AP

The US said 105 missiles were fired against three targets in Syria, including chlorine and sarin gas research facilities, and that Assad's capacity for chemical warfare had been "significantly degraded." Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of joint staff at the Pentagon, called it a "proportional, precision" attack.

McKenzie told reporters on Saturday that none of the missiles were shot down, and there was no indication Russian air defenses stationed in Syria were used. Russian General Sergei Rudskoi said earlier that Syrian systems had intercepted about two-thirds of the missiles.
Rio de Janeiro: Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to demand answers in the death of city councilwoman and human rights activist Marielle Franco, whose slaying one month ago is seen by her backers as a political assassination.

Franco had been sharply critical of a security force takeover of policing in Rio. She and her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes were shot dead by assailants on March 14, while they were returning from an event on empowering young black women.

A sign with a picture of murdered councilwoman Marielle Franco with text written in Portuguese that reads "Marielle lives. I am because we are" hangs during a memorial for her and her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes, who both were killed a month ago in Rio de Janeiro.

Authorities say surveillance footage shows two vehicles following Franco's car and they are trying to trace fingerprints from shell casings found at the scene and track cellphone signals. Police say at least 13 shots were fired at the councilwoman's car, four of them hitting her in the head. No arrests have been made.

Early on Saturday, demonstrators stretched banners across some of Rio's iconic landmarks and spray-painted walls with slogans such as "Fight like a Marielle".
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has sent notices to all statutory auditors of Punjab National Bank's Brady House branch, where the over Rs 13,000 crore scam involving Nirav Modi took place, to appear before its disciplinary board.

The chartered accountants' apex body has made a list of the statutory auditors of the Brady House branch during 2011-12 to 2016-17, and asked them to appear before its Board of Discipline. Statutory auditors are members of ICAI and are governed by the apex body.

"ICAI has issued notices to statutory auditors of the Brady House branch under the Chartered Account Act, 1949, to appear before Board of Discipline and offer an explanation," ICAI member S B Zaware told PTI.

Eight statutory auditors, who had audited the lender's Brady House branch in Mumbai during that period, have been issued notices.

This is a primary investigation and the board wants to ascertain whether the auditors were at fault.

"At this point, we cannot say that statutory auditors are guilty. After the auditors appear before the Board and answer questions, is when we will be able to determine their role in the fraud, if any," Zaware added.

In February, this year, the second largest public sector bank PNB had detected fraudulent transactions at the Brady House branch.

The biggest ever banking fraud of more than Rs 13,000 crore was allegedly committed by billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connivance with some PNB officials.

Following the disclosure of the fraud by PNB, ICAI had formed a high-level group to study systemic issues involved in the scam. The group, after completion of its study, will also suggest remedial measures for strengthening the banking system.

Zaware said the 10-member group had to seek government's intervention after PNB refused to co-operate with the panel in providing information required to complete its report.

PNB was issued a letter by Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Finance to disclose information to the group.

The high-powered group, however, is yet to get information from the bank, Zaware, who is also the convenor of the committee, said.

In its preliminary conclusions, based on available information, the panel found out all possible lapses on part of the lender.

Lapses in corporate governance and concurrent audit work as well as failure to take sufficient precautionary measures are among the factors flagged by the high-level panel.

The fraud is being investigated by multiple agencies, including CBI, SFIO and ED.
A day after Infosys decided to sell its subsidiary Panaya and Skava, a whistleblower on Saturday wrote to market regulator Sebi demanding a probe into these transactions.

Panaya was acquired in 2015 under the then Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka who later had to resign over the differences between board members and the founders including NR Narayana Murthy. And one of the issues that led to Sikka's removal was the acquisition of Israel-based IT firm Panaya.

The Panaya controversy first began after two anonymous letters a year ago alleged wrongdoing and kickbacks in the deal. Following the allegations, Infosys set up an internal audit committee to probe the charges.

The committee found no evidence supporting the charges in the deal and gave clean chit to the board. However, it did not go down well with Murthy who demanded the board to make the report public. Infosys rejected the request.

A year later, Infosys on Friday said that it has initiated identification and evaluation of potential buyers for its subsidiaries - Panaya and Skava. The Bengaluru-based IT firm informed that the corresponding write-down in the investment value of Panaya was $90 million. Infosys had acquired the Israeli firm in $200 million.

The whistleblower wants Sebi to fix the responsibility of the board which first decided to buy the Israeli IT firm and now wants to sell it in just three years.

In an e-mail to Sebi and SEC, the whistleblower said that the Infosys has written down almost 50 per cent value of Panaya without assigning any reason.

"Where is the board accountability in this whole transaction? he asked. "The members of the earlier board - Ravi Venkatesan, Kiran Majumdar, Punita Sinha and Roopa Kudva - who participated in approving and defending these acquisitions are still in the current board. Should they not resign taking moral responsibility for this disaster?" the whistleblower further said.

The Infosys board under chairman Nandan Nilekani had also given a clean chit to the controversial deal. It said there was no merit in the allegations of wrongdoing.

"After careful consideration led by our Chairman, the Board reaffirms the previous findings of external investigations that there is no merit to the allegations of wrongdoing," Infosys had said in a statement.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Audi has thrilled the performance car enthusiasts by unveiling the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo. Recently turned into reality, the virtual car was originally conceived to mark the 15th anniversary of the Gran Turismo racing game on the Sony PlayStation console. The electric powered supercar will be used as race taxis to perform exhibition runs at the Formula E events.

The e-tron Vision Gran Coupe is powered by three electric motors  two on the rear axle and one on the front. Each of the electric motor generates 272bhp of power which when combined, produces about 816bhp of power. The car is built around a super-strong steel spaceframe for maximum safety that keeps the overall weight in check at the same time. The company claims that the e-tron Vision Gran Coupe is capable of sprinting from 0-100kmph in just about 2.5 seconds. This means that it is quick enough to compete against the McLaren 720S.

To give a brief glimpse of the vehicle and provide a real time experience the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, the German car manufacturer will offer high-speed rides to selective customers and guests during the Formula E race weekends.
Madison Erhardt

A Kelowna animal care society says it's only a matter of time before a deadly rabbit disease reaches the Okanagan.

The Responsible Animal Care Society is urging all rabbit owners, breeders and meat suppliers to vaccinate their animals as soon as possible.

A recent outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease on Vancouver Island soon spread to the Lower Mainland, where 66 rabbits had to be euthanized at Richmond Animal Protections Services this week.

"With the deadly disease now in Richmond, we have been told that it is just a matter of time until the virus hits the Okanagan," spokesperson Cheryl Lazarus said in a press release.

"TRACS has been working closely with Dr. Irene Mul of Okanagan Veterinary Hospital and has ordered the vaccine for the disease from France. Due to several shipping delays, the vaccine will not reach Kelowna until Tuesday at the very earliest."

TRACS was responsible for the humane trapping of more than 800 rabbits off the streets of Kelowna in 2008. Close to 175 remain at two sanctuaries near the city.

Both sanctuaries are currently under quarantine, with extreme biosecurity measures in place.

Lazarus says the disease can spread easily and quickly. It can be carried on people's shoes or clothes and transported to new regions, as happened in Europe.

"We would like to educate everyone, even non animal owners, that they could easily be carrying and spreading the virus," she said.
Theres only one reason why families would undergo a complicated move. The magic word? Affordability. Unless relocating to a new city meant putting more money back in your pocket, theres little incentive to pack down the ol U-Haul and move to an entirely new place. But this is exactly whats happening across the country. Owning a home is becoming increasingly more expensive in places like San Francisco and New York, especially when considering taxes.

Real estate site Redfin tracked migration across the U.S. to find the cities experiencing the highest resident outflows and inflows as a result of affordability changes. One city (page 7) is becoming so overpopulated and expensive that people are leaving in droves. In fact, so many people are moving that U-Haul rental prices are hitting the thousand-dollar mark.

Here are seven cities people are ditching faster than ever. Well also highlight the more affordable cities theyre headed to on their way out.

The 7 cities people are leaving

High taxes and even higher housing prices are spurring a mass exodus of people from these seven cities. Based on the percentage of the population searching elsewhere, one city in particular has a serious outflow issue.

7. Seattle

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 10.4%

10.4% Median home price: $717,800

Seattle is commonly listed as a trendy city experiencing an economic boom. But Redfin data shows the number of people leaving this city is beginning to increase  Amazon headquarters or not. Zillow echoes our statement of unaffordability, as the median home price tops $720,000 as of April 2018. Home values were 10% higher year over year and theyll continue to climb.

Next: A Southern city thats not like the others

6. Houston

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 24.9%

24.9% Median home price: $325,000

Southern cities are usually deemed affordable, but Houstons housing market is nothing to write home about. Texas is home to some of the highest property taxes in the country. Add in Houstons median home price of $325,000 and its easy to see why almost 25% of its population is considering a move.

Next: A major U.S. city losing residents at a high rate

5. Chicago

Chicagos population is shrinking. | Ibsky/iStock/Getty Images

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 8.9%

8.9% Median home price: $299,800

Chicago is another major U.S. city experiencing a higher-than-average net outflow of residents year-over-year. Losing nearly 9% of its sizeable population is surely a noticeable change for locals who have the means to stay put. Housing prices are already high for the area and are expected to rise 1.8% within the next year. Ironically, though, Redfin says the top destination for Chicago movers is L.A.  an equally unaffordable home base.

Next: No love for the nations capital

4. Washington D.C.

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 10.2%

10.2% Median home price: $549,000

People living in the nations capital are searching for more affordable living arrangements. Maybe its the political tensions plaguing the area or the steep median home price of $549,000 thats causing such an exodus, but D.C. locals are considering Philadelphia (the original nations capital) as another, budget-friendly option.

Next: Thousands of people are ditching this California city

3. Los Angeles

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 15.5%

15.5% Median home price: $775,000

Lofty L.A. living comes at a price. $775,000 to be exact. A staggering 15.5% of its population, or 11,326 people, hope to lower their cost of living expenses by moving elsewhere according to Redfin data. High taxes and long commutes make nearly every other city in American a better option for homeowners on a budget.

Next: Is the East Coast the best coast?

New York

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 33.4%

33.4% Median home price: Varies

The East Coast doesnt fare much better than the West Coast when it comes to net outflows. Home prices vary depending on where you live in the Big Apple, but theyre all costly. Manhattans median home price tops $1,695,000 while nearby Brooklyn averages $759,000. Recent tax changes prompted more than 12,500 people to abandon the city limits according to Redfin data, but thats nowhere near the number of people ditching the next overcrowded, overpriced city on the list.

Next: The 1 city where people are leaving the fastest

1. San Francisco

Percent of people searching elsewhere: 19.4%

19.4% Median home price: $1,195,000

The San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing such an extreme shift in housing prices that the cost of living is almost unbearable. Redfin found San Francisco lost more residents than any other U.S. city by late 2017, a total 15,489 people. Nearly 20% of those surveyed said they were considering other cities like Sacramento or Seattle to start over. This makes sense, though. Zillow says the median home price in the area is close to a whopping $1.2 million. So, what exactly is the issue here?

Next: Why San Francisco is in trouble

Whats wrong with San Fran?

San Franciscos most pressing issue is supply and demand. Low inventory is driving housing prices so high that even Silicon Valley investors are uprooting their businesses and heading east where the housing market is much more reasonable. Of course, remote work makes this exodus much easier for companies to do. San Francisco lost net 15,489 residents  roughly 24% more than New York City.

The transitions have become so extreme that U-Haul moving vans shortages have inflated costs by the thousands. SF Gate reports that it costs $2,000 to rent a truck from San Jose to Las Vegas, but only $100 to go in the opposite direction. Still, it doesnt seem to be stopping residents with relocation on the brain.

Next: Here are the cities where people are headed instead

7 cities people are moving to

The steady stream of movers fleeing coastal cities must plant roots somewhere. Here is where theyre choosing to go.

7. Dallas

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 22%

22% Median home price: $394,000

People left Houston in droves due to unreasonably high taxes and an unaffordable housing market, yet nearby Dallas is experiencing an influx. Redfin data shows most new Dallas residents hail from Los Angeles. And considering their home prices are nearly double Dallas median home price, this relocation seems like a wise move.

Next: A trendy and affordable city

6. Portland, Oregon

Percent of people searching from elsewhere : 16.4%

: 16.4% Median home price: $450,000

Seattle may be overpopulated and overpriced, but Portland is not. Its median home price is much more reasonable for the Pacific Northwest residents who are unwilling to abandon West Coast living completely. More than 2,200 people, mostly from San Francisco, made the trek up north to establish roots in Portland last year.

Next: A profitable move to the South

5. Atlanta

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 25.9%

25.9% Median home price: $310,000

Theres hardly a more affordable housing market than the Atlanta metro area. More than 25% of real estate searches in Atlanta came from outside cities like New York. Redfins calculations state New York residents who consider a move to Atlanta could save $5,809 in taxes and enjoy a median sale price $161,000 lower than what theyre used to up north.

Next: A California alternative to San Francisco

4. San Diego

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 26.4%

26.4% Median home price: $674,999

San Diego is among the cheaper major metropolises in California. Therefore, its understandable why its one of the most desirable cities for residents looking to save money. A median home price of $674,000 is much lower than Los Angeles or Seattle  the areas from which most of San Diegos newest residents hail.

Next: A move thats also considered financially responsible

3. Las Vegas

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 43.4%

43.4% Median home price: $285,000

As mentioned earlier, chartering a U-Haul to Las Vegas isnt cheap. Still, people are arriving by the masses as they make the trek from the coast inward to enjoy a lower cost of living. Redfin calculations say a family from Los Angeles might save $7,785 in taxes buying a home that costs $333,000 less than one in L.A.

Next: The second-best city to move to

2. Phoenix

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 30.1%

30.1% Median home price: $274,694

It seems the desert is calling. Phoenix, Arizona is the No. 2 destination for movers ditching high-cost cities. Of course, most of its new residents are people from Los Angeles searching for similar weather in an urban environment. More than 3,100 people infiltrated Phoenixs affordable housing market last year.

Next: More people moved to this city than any other

1. Sacramento, California

Percent of people searching from elsewhere: 37.7%

37.7% Median home price: $310,000

By now we know people cant afford to live in L.A. But they remain unwilling to give up that California lifestyle. The solution? Head north to Sacramento. Taxes are still high, but more than 4,100 people agree Sacramento is one of Californias most affordable metropolises. The housing market is projected to grow 6.8% within the next year as more and more people flee San Francisco, L.A., and New York for this growing city.

Follow Lauren on Twitter @la_hamer.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
The U.S. has consistently been ahead of China when comparing militaries, but is Cina starting to catch up? Read on for a look at why exactly Chinas military is so powerful in 2018.

1. China could be the first country to develop a warship with a railgun

Based on photos that surfaced in February 2018, its looking like China may possibly be the first country to develop a warship with a devastating weapon called a railgun. A banner on the ship reads: Provide the first-class naval weapon & equipment for building the first-class navy in the world.

A railgun is a futuristic weapon that fires a projectile by supplying two parallel, conductive rails with a powerful electric charge, creating a magnetic field. The projectile, likely some sort of missile, is placed between the rails and is launched at supersonic speeds through the barrel by an electromagnetic reaction known as Lorentz force. The result can be devastating for conventional armor and defenses, reports Newsweek.

Next: The U.S. has one, too.

2. The U.S. has its own railgun

Chinas not the only country with a railgun, but it is the only country with the weapon on a warship. America has its own railgun, but its completely based on land. It can fire kinetic energy projectiles over 4,500 miles per hour, but the U.S. has, reportedly, struggled to get the weapon out to sea.

Next: The Chinese military is catching up.

3. China is catching up to the U.S. military

For many years, the U.S. has been considered the leader in military power and technology. But with recent developments, including this railgun, China seems to be catching up in a big way. China is still on the way to catch up to the western countries, the railgun just embodied their great endeavor, dagang cao told Newsweek.

Next: The U.S. is outnumbered.

4. China has more military personnel than the U.S.

In 2016, the U.S. had 1.3 million active duty military personnel, and 811,000 in reserve. Compare that to Chinas 2.3 million active military members, and a half-million in reserve. Numbers-wise, were outnumbered.

Next: Cyber warfare experts

5. Cyber warfare

Like many components of Chinas military techniques, what theyre capable of in terms of cyber warfare is a huge secret. We do know, though, that China has up to 130,000 people in various cyber-warfare divisions ready to go. With these divisions, they could be capable of taking control of electronics in other countries, hack government databases, and launch coordinated disinformation campaigns.

Next: The U.S. and India need to team up against China.

6. The U.S. and India are teaming up to counter Chinas military moves

During a diplomatic conference that took place early April 2018, U.S.-Indian relations was a hot topic of discussion with the intent of hopefully countering Chinas aggressive military moves.

Several in attendance spoke openly on the sidelines with The Washington Times about a China-inspired urgency for increased U.S.-Indian military ties and a more robust democracy- and capitalism-driven development and foreign investment plan to counter Beijings surging regional influence, reported The Washington Times.

Next: They have a lot of nuclear warheads.

7. China is estimated to have around 250 nuclear warheads

Though Chinas exact nuclear capacity is a state secret, independent estimates put the number of warheads the country has at somewhere between 250 and 260. According to Ranker, these warheads could easily hit the West Coast of the US, having between 45 and 50 long range missiles, with possibly double that number coming online before 2020.

Next: Theyre gaining more planes.

8. Chinas air force plane fleet is growing

Though China still has substantially fewer aircrafts than the U.S., The Peoples Liberation Army Air Force is certainly growing. According to Wikipedia, their fleet includes 3,000 jet aircrafts, including 1,200 fighters and 1,300 attach planes. Not only are they growing, PLAAF has been working on modernizing in recent decades, focusing on things like sophisticated fighter planes, bombs, surveillance, and new helicopters.

Next: China now has two stealth fighters.

9. China has two stealth fighters in the works

The U.S. and Russia used to be the only countries with stealth fighters or stealth fighter prototypes. But China just joined the club. Both planes have working development models, and could be in active service by 2018. In addition, China is working on a long-range stealth bomber available by 2020, a secretive project known only as H-20, reports Ranker.

Next: Were still not sure about this detail 

10. We still arent sure how big their military budget is

As with many things in war, what you dont know is often scarier than what you do. Something the U.S. still isnt sure of to this day is Chinas military budget. Sure, the Chinese government gives an annual report of their spending on internal security and defense, but its largely assumed that these numbers as inaccurate.

Next: Secret submarines

11. The Chinese navy has secret submarines with nukes inside

The Chinese Navys Yulin Naval Base might be able to hold as many as 20 nuclear submarines, and its located underground, next to a small already-existing base, in a critical location at the mouth of the South China Sea, reports Ranker. Whats more, is that China has never even acknowledged that Yulin exists  its completely secret. If theyre so secretive about their Yulin base, what else dont we know about?

Next: Theyre getting more tanks.

12. Theyre catching up to us on tanks

Chinas ground forces have between six and seven thousand tanks, a mix of modern main battle tanks and Cold War era knockoffs, says Ranker. China also has thousands of self-propelled artillery pieces, armored personnel carriers, and other modern vehicles. The U.S. has roughly 8,800 tanks, but China is certainly catching up.

Next: Chinese soldiers are majorly disciplined.

13. Chinese soldiers strive for perfection

Its pretty common knowledge that the Chinese military expects nothing short of perfection from their soldiers. According to Wikipedia, soldiers are taught posture and discipline with the use of pins in their collars, cap-balancing, crosses tied behind their back, and severe discipline for those who fall out of synch.

Next: Zubr-class hovercraft tank landing ships

14. They have huge Zubr-class hovercraft tank landing ships

The Zubr-class hovercraft tank landing ships that China has are three times bigger than the U.S. version. It can land three tanks, eight APCs, or about 400 troops on almost any beach environment. It also comes loaded with a plethora of missiles and fast-firing guns. Chinas bought two of these landing ships from the Ukraine and built two more.

Next: They got an aircraft carrier from Russia.

15. China has a Russian aircraft carrier

China didnt have the technical expertise to build its own aircraft carrier, so it did the next best thing: bought a bunch of old ones and reverse engineered them. While China bought several hulked carriers from Australia and Russia (one of which became a floating hotel), a private firm bought another and gave it to the Chinese Navy. That ship was renamed Liaoning, and was rebuilt using knowledge gained from other carriers, reports Ranker. Now in service, Liaoning is the first of what China plans to be a large fleet of carriers to compete with the US Navys 12 carrier battle groups.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
36 ISIS Suspects Sentenced to Death for Egypt Church Bombings 14 April, 2018 by Samuel Smith/CP , |

Thirty-six militants accused of being part of Islamic State cells in Egypt have received preliminary death sentences for their alleged involvement in the bombing of three churches.

A military court has referred the cases of 36 defendants to the nation's Grand Mufti with the recommendation that they be put to death. The defendants were convicted of being involved in four different acts of terror that occurred in 2016 and 2017, including the bombings of two churches on Palm Sunday last year, and an attack on a police checkpoint. They're also accused of being part of the Islamic State cells in Cairo and Qena.

The cases were originally referred to the military court by Egypt's Attorney General Nabil Sadek.

Two of the attacks occurred on April 9, 2017, when churches in Tanta and Alexandria were bombed during Palm Sunday attacks that were later claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group. The bombings took the lives of 47 people and injured over 120 others.

Additionally, some were convicted for their involvement in the bombing of the Botroseya Church in Cairo on Dec. 11, 2016, which took the lives of 29 people and injured 47. That attack was also claimed by the Islamic State.

The other attack occurred last January when eight policemen were killed and three were wounded during an attack on a police checkpoint in the New Valley.

The Egyptian news site Al-Ahram reports that the military court has referred the case to the Grand Mufti, Egypt's highest official of religious law who weighs in with legal opinions and edicts. Earlier this year, the Grand Mufti approved the death sentence of a Muslim man who brutally murdered a Coptic priest in a Cairo street.

The convictions of the 36 suspects are subject to appeal. In addition, prosecutors charged three of the defendants with providing other militants with combat training at training camps and with training other militants to manufacture bombs.

According to Daily News Egypt, the case involves a total of 48 defendants who have all been accused of joining an illegal terror group and were not only involved in the four attacks but were also planning to launch other violent attacks inside Cairo that would have targeted Christians.

Read more about Egyptian church bombings on The Christian Post.
Christian Teen Mocked, Bullied on YouTube for Sharing Christian Faith 14 April, 2018 by Jeannie Law , |

Many Christians are calling on YouTube to remove a video made by a popular YouTuber who goes by the name Cinnamon Toast Ken in which he makes fun of a Christian teenage girl who talks about Bible study and her love for Jesus.

YouTube.Wikia says Cinnamon Toast Ken (real name Kenneth Charles Morrison) rose to internet fame for uploading gaming videos that went viral. He has millions of followers on both YouTube and Twitter. On March 20 he uploaded an 11-minute video titled, "Crazy Girl Obsessed With Jesus," in which he ruthlessly makes fun of Emma Mae Jenkins for her looks and religious convictions.

Although Morrison's video violates YouTube's harassment and cyberbullying policy, YouTube hasn't taken it down.

Pastor Jarrid Wilson of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, California, shared a report about Morrison's video which has led to many Christians urging YouTube to remove it.

Wilson, who serves under Pastor Greg Laurie, recently invited Jenkins on his podcast to discuss how she's dealing with the cyberbullying.

"God will place you where He entrusts you with His name. I fully believe that I have been given the opportunity to be living in a generation where we have Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat  all these ways we have to pour into people we are not even with," she said.

"If I use my social media just to post pictures of myself and see how many likes I get, then I've completely missed the point," Jenkins added.

However, the teen admitted that she receives a lot of online abuse which isn't easy to deal with.

"I am human and words are powerful," she said. "You either have the power to speak life or speak death over someone. To receive those words that I'm not pretty, and that I'm not here for a reason, or that I need to not live anymore  especially being a girl too with insecurities  Satan will definitely use that and highlight it. I will sometimes take a second look in the mirror."

"That's when it becomes so important that I have God's Word so deeply ingrained in who I am, because that's not true," Jenkins said. "It is so crucial to have God's word everywhere. Have it engraved upon your heart."

Read more about sharing Christian faith on The Christian Post.
In 2020, we were the church on our heels. A global pandemic shut down much of our world. But the church has been on the move since it was birthed; it will continue to be on the move until God makes all things new.
In Syria, a fierce civil war between President Bashar al-Assad's supporters and rebel forces seeking his ouster has taken the lives of more than 100,000 people over the last two years, and Christians have been speculating over the fulfilment of Isaiah 17 on their blogs and websites.

The speculations have grown since the Syrian regime allegedly used chemical weapons in an attack in a Damascus suburb on Aug. 21, killing 1,429 people, including at least 426 children. The attack led to Obama's plan to bomb Syria as punishment.

Even as the possible U.S. military action on Syria dominated news last week, several media ran stories on the linking of Syrian crisis to biblical prophecy.

"The long prophesied end days are here," Time Magazine quoted a blog as announcing. "With the terrorist groups that operate out of Damascus building up arms caches on the border of Israel in anticipation of another war in the near future, it may not be long before this prophecy from Isaiah 17 becomes history," predicts another blog, it noted.

OneNewsNow interviewed Jan Markell, founder and director of Minnesota-based Olive Tree Ministries. She said the chemical weapons attack by the Syrian regime brings to her mind Isaiah 17.

"If one Israeli dies from chemicals coming from Syria, Israel is going to take the issue into her own hands," she was quoted as saying. "She would do some real destruction to the city of Damascus. Israel will send a huge message to the rest of the Islamic world [that] this is what happens when you mess with us."

"Many students of the Word of God see a major alignment of ancient prophecies regarding the end times being fulfilled right before our eyes," pastor and radio host Carl Gallups told WND. "More importantly, we are the first generation in history to see such dramatic and striking alignments," added the author of The Magic Man in the Sky: Effectively Defending the Christian Faith.

Gallup also referred to Psalm 83, which is about Israel's surrounding nations conspiring against it.

"The ancient Hebrew prophecy contained in Isaiah 17 is presently poised to find final fulfilment, and it could easily be provoked by a poorly calculated political move by America," Bill Salus, author of Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed, was quoted as saying.

However, Dr. Charlie Dyer, professor at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, told Chicago Sun-Times that Damascus was destroyed in the 7th and 8th centuries. "Isaiah 17 predicted the destruction of the city, along with the destruction of the northern kingdom of IsraelDamascus was captured by Assyrians in 732 BC and the northern kingdom of Israel fell when the capital city of Samarai was captured by the Assyrians in 722 BC."

And 100 years later, the prophet Jeremiah also predicted the fall of Damascus, which had been rebuilt, he added. "His message was fulfilled when the city was captured by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon."
'Boy Who Came Back From Heaven' book author sues publisher for compensatory damages

The co-author of "The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven" is now suing the publisher for compensatory damage, two years after he admitted that he only made up the story to get attention.

Alex Malarkey, now 20, is suing Tyndale House for damages, including the profits earned from book sales, as well as punitive damages "which will exceed $50,000."

Additionally, he is seeking a permanent injunction against the publisher "to take all steps reasonably possible to disassociate Alex's name from the Book."

Malarkey, who is listed as the co-author of the book along with his father Kevin, disavowed the story in 2015. "I said I went to heaven because I thought it would get me attention. When I made the claims that I did, I had never read the Bible," he said at the time, according to the Baptist Press.

While the book lists both Malarkey and his father as the authors, the lawsuit, filed in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton, Illinois, contended that the book was solely written by his father based on Malarkey's two-month coma.

"Alex remembers absolutely nothing from the time he was in a coma. The core of the story is entirely false," the suit stated, according to The Guardian.

It went on to claim that Tyndale went ahead with the release and promotion of the book despite knowing about Malarkey's objections. It stated that Malarkey has refused to acknowledge that the contract with Tyndale is "in effect and binding," claiming that he was not permitted to read the contract "nor to review any accountings provided under the contract."

The lawsuit alleges that Tyndale "made millions of dollars" from book sales, but "paid Alex, a paralysed young man, nothing." It further noted that Malarkey currently lives on Social Security payments and is now on the "verge of being homeless."

In a statement released on April 12, Tyndale House insisted that it has paid all royalties due to Malarkey and that the book has been taken out of print since 2015. It further noted that the versions of the book that are available online are "from third party sellers."

Malarkey, who turned 20 on April 11, fell into a coma when he was aged six after a car accident in Ohio in 2004. When he woke up two months later, he was paralyzed from the neck down.

In the book, the author spoke about being taken by angels "through the gates of heaven" and meeting and talking to Jesus. The book reportedly sold one million copies before it was pulled by Tyndale House.
Christian UFC star Paige VanZant recounts gang-rape incident that almost drove her to suicide

MMA fighter Paige VanZant has shared details about how she was gang-raped in high school when she was just 14 and how the incident nearly led her to commit suicide.

In her new book titled "Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life," VanZant recounted how she was bullied as a teenager and how she ended up being sexually assaulted by other students in her high school in Oregon.

The women's flyweight fighter revealed that on the night of the incident, several boys got her drunk at a party before they assaulted her.

"They move me around. They change my position. I fail each time I try to resist, my limbs like wet cement on my body, my brain a heavy fog. I am awake and conscious, but my body feels dead. I know what is happening but can do nothing to stop it. I have no voice or choice but to submit and pray that it ends soon," VanZant said.

VanZant, who frequently posts Bible verses on social media, explained that the details of the incident were written by a ghost writer, but she maintained that it was "exactly what I wanted to say to a person, they wrote it down and then I never had to look at it again."

The MMA fighter did not disclose whether her assailants were charged with the crime. She said that the bullying she experienced got worse after rumors circulated that she had consensual sex with the boys.

VanZant, who was born Paige Sletten, noted that she had to change her name because other students started calling her "Paige Slutton." She recalled a time when she came home and found condoms hanging from the trees around her house.

She noted that she became so afraid of other students that she had to eat her lunch in the bathroom.

In a recent interview with ABC News, she recounted that the bullying left her feeling so alone that she contemplated taking her own life.

"When you're in that position, when you're feeling that much pain, it's not that you want to die. You just don't want to be in pain anymore," she said.

VanZant, who won her first UFC fight at age 20, explained that the incident completely changed her, but martial arts helped her gain control.

The fighter said that her parents have only been informed about the assault recently because she previously feared that they would be disappointed with her.

She noted that she had worked on her book even before the emergence of the #MeToo movement, in which many celebrities and others started sharing accounts of sexual misconduct.

Since she started fighting in the UFC, VanZant has won seven of her 11 bouts, and she has also competed in Dancing With The Stars.
Ecclesiastes 7: Are men wiser than women?

Solomon, who had 300 wives and 600 concubines  contrary to the command of God and despite his wisdom and good start as king  might have been expected to know something about women.

In this week's Ecclesiastes passage (7:23-29) he gives us the benefit of his knowledge. At first it appears to be the kind of misogynistic ranting that one would expect from a powerful man who is used to getting his way with women. But it's a good principle in interpreting the Bible not just to go with first impressions. If we examine this in a little more detail we find once again that there is much wisdom for us in today's 'MeToo' culture.

1. We need the humility to recognise that wisdom is hard to find

As I am writing this I am sitting on a train in Sydney listening to the kind of tourist that gives Americans a bad name, filling the whole carriage with his wisdom about everything under the sun  brash, arrogant, annoying (thank the Lord for earphones!), loud and proud doesn't even begin to cover it.

This is the opposite of the person who really knows. Solomon, the wisest man in the world of his day, has the humility to tell us that no one, including him, can find it. The wise know what they don't know. 'Then I said to myself, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise? I said to myself, this too is meaningless' (Ecclesiastes 2:15).

2. We need the wisdom to grasp the enigma of humanity

Men and women are capable of so much good and so much stupidity. Solomon mentions in these few verses alone: knowing, searching, feeling, seeking, wisdom, reason, wickedness, folly, foolishness and madness.

Then having done that he reflects upon women. There is the huntress, the woman who is more bitter than death and has a heart dominated by the instincts of the hunter. She is determined and her hands are like chains: 'All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life' (Proverbs 7:22-23). Only the one who follows God can escape the predator!

Then he says wisdom is rare in men but rarer in women. Is this a universal truth or just a reflection of his own experience? The trouble is that the word 'upright' is not in the Hebrew, which simply says 'I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman among them all.' He is making his own observation about some women  this is not a divine description of humanity. 'He finds men only one tenth of one per cent better than women in this matter' (Gordis). The early Christian preacher Chrysostom went to town on this verse: 'What is woman, but a punishment that cannot be driven away, a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desirable calamity, a domestic danger, one beloved for the colour of good?' Most of us I think would prefer the way that Christ treated and spoke of women than either Solomon or Chrysostom!

But it is a mistake to read this through the 21st century filter of misogyny. That may well have been reflected in Solomon's experience and in the patriarchal culture of the time  but the purpose here is not to teach that. This is after all the Preacher who teaches that enjoying life with your wife is one of the few meaningful pleasures in this meaningless life (Ecclesiastes 9:9). Solomon is simply stating that all of humanity, men as well as women, are not wise.

Verse 29 is his summary for the whole human race. Man was created upright  we were not created sinful nor neutral but upright  our natural disposition was towards faithfulness and obedience. But now sin has entered in and our disposition is towards unfaithfulness and disobedience. Man's sin is deep rooted, deliberate and universal. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23, NIV) it is also varied  there are many different ways that humans sin. The bottom line is that when it comes to sin  all of us have to say 'Me too'. Right relationships between men and women will not be established by campaigns, laws or social pressure, because these cannot deal with our sin. We need a wisdom from God that both deals with our sin and guides us into all righteousness  that only comes with Christ.

TV Moore again paraphrases this passage beautifully: 'I added woman after woman, since I thought that this was living (how I wince to even mention it). But it was all in vain. Deep down inside I hungered for much more than merely sex or power, much more than all the foolish things I'd known. What I was seeking was to know before I die what life was all about. And this is it: God made all people so that they would fit into his wise and righteous plan. But we, supposing we knew better than he, set out on our own way in life. Instead of finding what we sought, we end up dead and wonder what went wrong. But who can tell us, as we pass beyond the grave to hell?'

David Robertson is associate director of Solas CPC in Dundee and minister at St Peter's Free Church. Follow him on Twitter @TheWeeFlea
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 release date, specs & features news: Phablet to boast a whopping battery capacity and larger screen display

If the latest reports are anything to go by, the public can expect big changes coming to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. One might expect that the South Korean tech giant's upcoming phablet would only get features that were already introduced by the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus smartphones earlier this year. However, it was tipped that the Galaxy Note 9 will boast the biggest battery capacity that no other Samsung handsets ever had. The Note 9 is also expected to go bigger in terms of display size.

The latest scoop concerning the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 came fron the known tech tipster Ice Universe. On Twitter, he posted the battery cell information of the upcoming device, which puts Note 9's battery capacity at 3,850mAh. If such number is not stunning enough, Ice Universe also tipped that a Galaxy Note 9 model could get a whopping 4,000mAh battery, which is the largest that a Samsung device could ever have. It is possible that the Note 9 model with 4,000mAh battery will be sold in selected markets, while the rest of the world will get the 3,850mAh model.

Per Trusted Reviews, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will not be the first handset to boast a 4,000mAh battery. Last month, Huawei unveiled the P20 Pro smartphone with the same 4,000mAh cell under the hood.

However, it is still quite early to compare the battery lives of the two devices, especially that the Note 9 has yet to see the light of day. Moreover, there are other factors that can affect a handset's battery life, including the mobile chip design.

On a separate report, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is said to have a slightly larger 6.4-inch screen display, compared to the Galaxy Note 8 that has a 6.1-inch display. If this turns out to be correct, the Galaxy Note 9 will be the largest handset yet from Samsung, although it is not certain if the increase in screen size will be due to slimmer bezels, or an over-all increase of the phone build.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is expected to be unveiled sometime in Q3 2018.
Syria airstrikes: Why I find Iraq flashing before my eyes

So, it begins.

We've joined the US and France, in airstrikes against Assad's regime/the Syrian government (delete as your political stance makes applicable). Instead of a 4am knock on the door from the police, Syria got a 4am knock on the tarmac from an air-to-ground missile.

Maybe the words 'it begins' and 'airstrikes' fill you with relief? Finally, we're actually doing something  we're showing Assad that chemical weapons can't be used on his own people. Our leaders are standing firm and taking the moral high ground for once.

And PM Theresa May has promised this is not about regime change  or getting involved in the civil war in Syria. No, far from it. It's a limited strike that doesn't escalate the tensions in the region.



The thing is, despite the PM's reassurances, I find Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya flashing before my eyes. Do you? The optimism and righteous anger with which our politicians announced their plans for those countries. It always began for the good of the people. It always began to save them from the acts of their own leaders.

All these years on, how is daily life for civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya? Ask the people of the Nineveh Plains, who suffered atrocious acts at the hands of Islamic State  after the West's toppling of Saddam Hussein somehow failed to lead to immediate peace and prosperity. Weird, huh? Ask the refugees, preyed on by people-smugglers in Libya, now that the country is divided against itself. Ask the 2,258 civilian casualties, in the first quarter of this year alone, in Afghanistan.

In the last couple of weeks, I've been asking a lot of people about Syria  and what actually matters to the people there. The millions of internally displaced, and the more millions who've fled, to wretched conditions in refugee camps across the border.

Wynn Flaten heads up the children's charity World Vision in Jordan. They're hugely concerned that pupils still in school in Syria are suffering violence at home, in the streets and in the classroom. Isn't that tragic? If peace does come to Syria, they'll be the next generation of leaders and workers. Will they be too traumatised to rebuild trust and community?

Nadim Nassar was born in Syria, and now lives in the UK, where he founded the Awareness Foundation. They work across the world, helping educate people against intolerance, and empowering faith groups to embrace diversity and build peaceful and harmonious communities. He told me the Church in the West has failed Syria. He's calling on its leaders to stand up and ask hard questions of our leaders. And to challenge them to seriously push for ceasefires and peace talks in Syria.



Stephen Rand is an advocacy consultant to an All Party Parliamentary Group in Westminster. Previously, he's worked with the aid charity Tearfund and anti-persecution charity Open Doors. In 2013, Open Doors lobbied the UK not to get involved in Syria's civil war  because the Christian minority there were scared what would happen to them in a power-vacuum. Can I just flag up here that Islamic State still has a presence in Syria? Stephen told me that the West throwing bombs at a situation never solves it. He said he'd redouble his efforts to push for meaningful peace talks.



But it's begun. We've launched missiles against Syrian government targets. And some will echo the PM, saying 'we had no other options  it had to be done and it's good that we've done it'.

Interestingly, just a couple of weeks ago I spoek to John Stubbs, a spokesman for the US State Department. He told me the US would see the final eradication of Islamic State as a signal to withdraw from Syria. So presumably America hasn't drawn up a long-term roadmap to peace? When we look back at Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya  have we learnt nothing? John did assure me the Trump administration was pushing for ceasefires and peace talks at all opportunities. But I suspect it's harder to call for a ceasefire when you're launching missiles yourself.

And now it has begun, there are fears that it will escalate  despite the PM's reassurances. Jonathan Arnott, former treasury spokesman for UKIP and now an independent MEP, has been speaking out on social media. Overall, he thinks this weekend's airstrikes do have a clear goal  to limit Syria's production and use of chemical weapons. But he's worried. That this will drive Russia further into the arms of the Assad regime. That Iran will increase militia action, probably in the south, probably against Israel. And he asks will this encourage Turkey to increase their action against Kurdish fighter in Syria? (The Kurdish rebels are being supported by the US-led alliance. It gets complicated). You can read Jonathan's thoughts here.

So, it's begun. As I started writing earlier, Chris Cron's single 'Fake News' came on my playlist. Give it a listen  it might lighten the mood a bit, and help us see a speck of hope at the end of the tunnel. As he sings: 'The world may have gone so crazy making noise... the President don't have the answers too...'



But we can cut through the noise and craziness and confusion. As our military intervention in Syria begins, we can talk to God. Ask the one who has the answers and seek his help.

And after praying, we can do something. Write to our MPs. Email the Cabinet. Tell them we, the public, want an end to the civil war in Syria. Tell them the UK needs to push even harder, for meaningful peace talks and an end to the fighting.

Dave Piper is a broadcast journalist and radio presenter, who writes on issues to do with faith, society and politics. You can follow him on Twitter @DavePiperDJ.


Teacher sues Christian school for firing her for having a baby out of wedlock

A former teacher from a Tennessee Christian school has filed a lawsuit claiming that she was fired from her job because she had a baby out of wedlock.

Tabatha Hutson also claimed that the Concord Christian School (CCS) discriminated against her when it chose not to renew her contract in 2017. Hutson had been with the school since 2011. She became pregnant with her second child during the 2016 to 2017 academic school year but she remained unmarried to the baby's father.

The teacher said that she had a meeting with CCS Principal Leigh Ledet and headmaster Haley Cotrell around May 2017, when her pregnancy bump became evident.

It is claimed that Ledet told her that her contract wouldn't be renewed for the 2017 to 2018 school year. The teacher questioned the decision because she said it was not about her work and performance as an educator.

In her lawsuit, Hutson also alleged that school officials told her she could instead "straighten racks at SteinMart." She also claims she was advised not to tell her colleagues at CCS why her contract was not renewed.

The school has denied Hutson's allegations and instead has asked the courts to dismiss the lawsuit. The school's lawyer countered: "It is acknowledged that the plaintiff's allegations are stated under Title VII as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act."

It claimed it has a "ministerial exception" and cited a case from 2012 that granted the right to religious institutions to impose its principles or beliefs when it came to hiring or firing staff members.

Hutson is asking for compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of $2 million. She also claims that she wouldn't likely receive the same treatment had she been a male teacher.
What's so bad about being double-minded?

The Bible repeatedly warns against double-mindedness. This seemingly harmless state of mind is often understood and its dangers underestimated. And what's bad about this is that so many Christians have it.

But what's so bad about being double-minded anyway? What makes it so bad and what are its effects anyway? Let's start with just one:

You can't follow God if you're a double-minded person.

Whoa!

Double-mindedness is defined as "having different minds at different times." People who are double-minded can't make up their mind. They're unsettled, easily waver between opinions and principles, are unstable, and are undetermined.

God has often confronted people who are double-minded to make up their minds. He does this through His people who are wholly sold out to Him. We may not notice such Biblical accounts as an attack on our double-mindedness, but they are God's attempts to shake us to make the right decisions and stick to them.

Dangers or double-mindedness

To help you see just how dangerous it is, here are some accounts in the Bible:

God and Money - Matthew 6:24

In Matthew 6:24 the Lord Jesus Himself warns us against wavering between two masters: God and money. He says we can't serve both:

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Unless we make up our minds to fully serve the Lord, money, prosperity and riches will always be tempting to us. Unless we choose to serve God and make our money serve Him too, there will always be a competition between God and riches in our hearts.

God and false gods - 1 Kings 18:21

In 1 Kings 18 we find the famous showdown between the man of God Elijah and the 450 prophets (!) of the false god Baal. Elijah challenged these prophets and told them to serve the living God:

"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word."

Unless we choose to believe and follow the one true God and adhere to His word, we will always be carried away by strange beliefs and ungodly teachings, even humanistic philosophies. We can't be driven by public opinion or numbers; we need to follow God even if we're the only ones who do!

God and former beliefs and ways of life He destroyed - Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua, after successfully leading Israel into the Promised Land and reminding them of all that God had done, from rescuing them from Egypt to defeating all their enemies to providing them all good things, challenged the people to choose between God and the gods of the people He defeated:

"Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

God saved us in Christ alright, but unless we're determined to deny ourselves and follow Him we will easily slide back to our old ways of living complete with our sinfulness and ungodliness. We need to make up our mind and pursue the Lord who has rescued us from sin and our own wrongdoing that leads us to hell.
Dear Abby:

My husbands brother split from his wife, Charlotte, five years ago and now works and lives in another country. The brothers are still quite close. His school-age daughters live nearby and are close to their cousins, our daughters.

Charlottes latest boyfriend (they have been dating for 18 months) has started insisting on hanging out with my husband and trying to bond with him. He is also jumping with both feet into the role of stepfather, especially with the younger daughter, who has just returned after living with her father for the past seven months.

It feels awkward and weird, but we are too polite to say anything to him or Charlotte because were afraid shell restrict us from seeing our nieces. What is your advice?

Anxious in Australia

Dear Anxious:

Not knowing the terms of your brother-in-laws divorce, my advice is to consider that Charlotte has been with this man for a year and a half. He may be trying to form a relationship with your husband because he wants to bond with the relatives. Your husband doesnt have to be best friends with him, but he should keep the relationship cordial  not only for the nieces, but also so his brother can stay informed about them.

Dear Abby:

I have an addiction to vitamin gummies. They say to eat only two a day, but I eat almost half a container a day. Theyre SOOO good.

This has been a problem for five years. What should I do? Do I contact my doctor? Im about to graduate from high school, and I think my new college friends will think Im weird if they find out about my gummy addiction.

Loves Yummy Gummies in Pennsylvania

Dear Loves:

I am glad you wrote. Your vitamins may taste like candy, but they are NOT candy. It is important that you discuss this with your doctor. The least of your troubles could be that your college friends make fun of you. What you have been doing is dangerous because it can cause unsafe levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and minerals like iron to reach toxic levels in your system.

Dear Abby:

I have a suggestion about how to help the child with the broken glasses mentioned in the letter from Trying to Help in the West (Feb. 25). Im a member of Lions Clubs International. Our local club donates the cost of visual screening and free glasses for those in need who seek our help.

The Lions were established in 1917 by a businessman who wanted to start a service club that would help improve communities. The idea quickly spread to other communities and became international.

In 1925, Helen Keller inspired the clubs to become knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness. Since then, Lions have worked tirelessly to aid blind and visually impaired individuals in the U.S. and all over the world. Services for the boy in the letter should be available in his area, or he can be directed to the closest local Lions Club.

Member in West Long Branch, N.J.

Dear Member:

Thank you for reminding me  and my readers  about the good work the Lions Clubs do. Anyone wanting further information about this worthwhile service organization can find it at lionsclubs.org.

DearAbby.com

Dear Abby

P.O. Box 69440

Los Angeles, CA 90069

Andrews McMeel Syndication
No more hand-writing forms and much more time to devote to education  those are the key benefits to a new software that will transform the countys human resources department, says Liberty County Treasurer Kim Harris.

Approval from the Liberty County commissioners will bring Harris department into the 21st century, saving time and money for the county.

All of our employees have been submitting their insurance enrollment forms on paper, she said. This will streamline the process for those who want to use the computer and make it easy. Employees who still wish to use the paper forms can still do so, but once their information has been inputted into the system, it will still be easy for them to access.

It will allow our employees to input their own information into the system and from there, it will populate into the different carriers that were using, Harris said.

Having to do it manually was time consuming and Harris was on the verge of having to ask for an additional employee because of the situation, but the new software will save time and money for the county.

Its time for us to move into the technological world. It will make it easier for our employees to keep up with their benefits and watch their own accounts and see choices for their coverage, see who their in-network providers are, and just make it easier for them to be more informed on their personal insurance, she said.

Harris said it will streamline the process for her employees.

Every year when the paper forms are filled out, the employees were having to chase down information, read it, and then input it manually into the computer, taking away time from their ability to educate the employees on their personal benefits.

Once their information is loaded into the system, it will roll from year to year unless they need to make changes like a marriage, divorce, new child, or different benefits coverage, she said.

All of that will save employees visits to the HR office.

The software is fairly inexpensive, and Harris says theres a possibility that there would be no cost incurred should commissioners decide to opt for adopting some voluntary benefits so that the companies have programs that pick up the cost of those benefits systems.

It would be a win-win situation for us if they do that, she said. Were working for zero cost.

The county is working with Chuck Robinson with Gallagher to secure voluntary benefits with companies that will pick up that cost.

Robinson, the account manager for Arthur J. Gallagher, is the benefits consultant that works with Liberty County for all of their benefits matters  medical, dental, vision, etc.

Weve been meeting with the benefits committee and talking about the manual processes they have for managing those benefits and their need to have a system that captures historical information and feeds it to the different vendors they have, he said.

Last week, commissioners listened to several different vendors in a workshop and narrowed their choice down to this particular software.

With this software, generating reports for end-of-year forms for employees will also be with ease.

Im excited about it. It will be a huge benefit to our office, she said.

Currently, when an employee is hired, the human resources office has to go into multiple systems to set them up. The same process in reverse occurs when someone leaves or is fired. Even life changes like a marriage and adding a spouse or a new child on the insurance takes the same amount of work and it can be overwhelming at times. There is also Affordable Care Act reporting, W-2s, and much more that have to be generated.

With the new system, they only have to go to one location to manage the account.

Well be able to update things, pull reports and focus more of our time on employee education so that they understand in-network and out-of-network, and work toward saving money for the county instead of increased costs of inputting all of this, Harris said.

The new system will also increase accuracy, which could also bring the county, employees, and taxpayers some savings.

In other court action, commissioners approved a plan by the county clerk to consolidate election day precincts and early voting hours for the Democratic Party Primary run-off. Commissioners okayed a plan to allow early voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday during early voting. County Clerk Paulette Williams didnt expect a large turnout since there were only 1,000 voters in the primary.

Commissioners also okayed several purchases including two 308E2 CR Excavators and several used police vehicles to replace aging Crown Victorias in the sheriffs office fleet.

County Judge Jay Knight received a certificate from Andrea Robinson, grant manager from the Texas General Land Office in Austin, recognizing the county for their efforts in the completion of the non-rental project that assisted 125 Liberty County residents.

dtaylor@hcnonline.com
University of Texas at Austin police have arrested a man who is accused of threatening to shoot at least 200 people at the school.

School police and Harris County deputies arrested Sean Evan Haddon, 23, in Crosby at 9 a.m. Sunday. He has been charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony, police said in a Facebook post.

Haddon also told dispatchers that he had placed a bomb in the police department, but that claim was false, police said.

The arrest comes just weeks after police caught Mark Anthony Conditt, the Austin "serial bomber." Conditt was accused of killing two people and injured several others in a series of March bombings before detonating a bomb on himself.

"Recognizing that the community was absolutely terrorized during the bombing events that occurred in the city, it was really important for us to get on top of this as quickly as possible," UT Police Department Chief David Carter said.

UT officials received a total of four threatening calls related to Sunday's arrest, and each was believed to be from Haddon, Carter said.

The University of Texas Police Department first got a call on April 7 from a person who said he put a pipe bomb in the lobby of the campus police department. The caller demanded payment in Bitcoin and the dispatcher's participation in sexual acts, or else he would blow up the building, according to the police department.

The call disconnected, and another call came in from someone who sounded like the previous caller. He again threatened to blow up the building, police said.

UTPD searched the police department building and did not find anything suspicious.

Police got another call April 12 from someone who made threats of shooting the dispatcher.

And most recently, UTPD received a final call on April 13 from a supervisor at the UT Human Resource Service Center. The supervisor said they were on the phone with a man who wanted to shoot up the university, or "at least 200 people," police said.

A UTPD officer took over the call, and the person on the line said he would "kill the first person he sees," police said.

Police tracked the phone to a home in Crosby and arrested Haddon.

Some firearms were seized, but Haddon didn't have a cache of weapons or ammunition, Carter said.

Haddon has no affiliation with UT Austin, and UT police have never dealt with him before, said Noelle Schrader, UTPD director of campus safety communications.

It is not known why Haddon singled out the campus, Carter said.

UT President Greg Fenves thanked police on Sunday for making the arrest.

"Outstanding police work by @UTAustinPolice assessing calls and tracking down this suspect," Fenves tweeted. "Thanks for all you do to keep our campus and community safe."

Police investigated each call and determined that there was no active threat that would have sparked a need to notify the campus, according to the department. After each call, police were able to determine that there was no immediate threat and that the caller wasn't in the area, Carter said.

"If we didnt know where he was, that could have certainly triggered some action in terms of putting out information," Carter said.

A Travis County judge issued two search warrants for Haddon and set his bond at $300,000, Carter said. The threats are still under investigation.
Dreamstime/TNS/TNS

A capital murder charge has been filed against a man who police say fatally shot someone during a botched robbery attempt at a construction site Wednesday.

Kevin Shepherd, 24, was charged Saturday for the killing of Glen Wenzel, 46, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.
AUSTIN  President Donald Trump is returning to Houston next month in a quest for cash to help Republicans defend their majorities in Congress.

Trump is scheduled to headline a May 14 fundraising luncheon at a location yet to be publicly disclosed. The fundraiser is to help Senate Republicans raise money for the 2018 midterms that have Republicans on defense trying to hold their majorities in the House and Senate.

The Washington Post, which first reported the event, said the invitation is requesting donors give up to $100,000 per couple to attend the event.

The event will essentially be in Sen. Ted Cruz's backyard, but it's less about helping him in his first re-election bid than it is about helping bolster GOP finances in battleground states like Florida, Missouri and Indiana, where Republicans are in major struggles that could determine control of the Senate.

Cruz is facing stiff opposition from Democrat Beto O'Rourke for re-election, but is considered the favorite in the race. Texas has three other Republican-held U.S. House seats that have become top targets for Democrats as they seek to retake the majority in Congress. One of those seats is in Houston, where U.S. Rep. John Culberson is considered one of the top targets for Democrats in all of the United States.

Culberson is considered vulnerable partly because of how poorly Trump did in the Houston area in 2016. Despite winning the state, Trump lost Harris County to Hillary Clinton by 160,000 more votes than Republican nominee Mitt Romney lost to President Barack Obama in 2012.

And within the confines of Culberson's 7th Congressional District, Clinton won 48.5 percent of the vote to 47 percent for Trump.

Republicans hold a 51 to 49 seat majority in the U.S. Senate. In the House, Republicans hold a 237 to 193 seat edge, with five seats vacant. Democrats are increasingly optimistic they can win the seats necessary to take control of the House, though the Senate represents a more difficult challenge. In a recent fundraising letter to supporters, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said the party needs to win two of three seats from Arizona, Nevada and Texas held by Republicans to retake the majority in the Senate.

Texas and more specifically Houston have become among the Republican Party's most important fundraising hubs outside of the Washington, D.C., region and New York City. In 2016, the Houston metro area donated more than $44 million to federal campaigns and political action committees tied to Republicans. D.C., New York and Chicago were the only metro regions that contributed more to Republican politicians, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Trump's fundraising run follows House Speaker Paul Ryan's trip through Texas this month. Ryan's political action committee touted raising more than $4 million during a four-day run through Texas before Ryan announced he is retiring from Congress.

Democrats, too, have made Houston a regular stop to bolster their cause. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have been in Houston for different events this year to raise money for the party and to motivate Texas Democrats. Schumer attended a private fundraiser near Hobby Airport in January to specifically help Democrats seeking re-election in Florida and Indiana. Pelosi was in Houston in February for the Harris County Democratic Party fundraiser.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com

twitter.com/JeremySWallace
Although most people are probably thinking about their income taxes this weekend, its also a good time to be thinking about property taxes, as the deadline for filing a protest is May 15.

This is an important topic for people who are moving to Houston, because they often experience a bit of sticker shock when they learn about our property tax rates, which can be substantially higher than in other parts of the country.

Also, newcomers are often unaware that there are specific actions they can and should take to potentially reduce their property taxes, including the right to protest.

Pat OConnor is president of OConnor, which is a property tax consulting firm that appeals property taxes for homeowners. He said that newcomers often dont realize that they have the right to protest their property taxes, and that they can do so on an annual basis.

Our experience is that people who protest for five consecutive years will probably be able to get their property value down to about 90 percent of market value, OConnor said. So, it can make a difference when people appeal in consecutive years.

Property taxes in the Houston area are based on a propertys appraised value as determined by the appraisal district where the home is located. For example, HCAD determines the property values for homes located in Harris County.

The Texas Property Tax Code contains statutes regulating the assessment, taxation, exemptions, appeal options and hearing procedures for property tax appeals. But, even though the process for protesting is well-defined, it can be intimidating for some homeowners.

Some people find the process of working with the appraisal district to be particularly frustrating, because they dont understand the process. So, the benefit that we really bring to property owners is that we suit up and show up every year. We file a protest for our clients on both market value and unequal appraisal, and we get the client a reduction about 60 percent of the time, OConnor said.

OConnor works on a contingency basis, meaning that they are only compensated if they are successful in getting a reduction in the appraised value of the property for their clients. When successful, OConnors fee is equal to half of the homeowners tax savings.

Another way that homeowners can save money on their property taxes in Texas, is by filing for a homestead exemption, which removes part of the value of the property from taxation.

In Harris County, a homestead exemption could reduce the value of a property by 20 percent. That means that a homeowner would only pay taxes based on 80 percent of the propertys value.

This is something that Jeremy Fain, a Realtor with Greenwood King Properties, recommends to all of his clients.

At the beginning of each year, I send out a big packet to everyone that I sold a house to within the last year, so that they will have everything that they need in order to file for their homestead exemption, Fain said. Even though my clients are getting their homestead exemption discounts on the assessed value of the property, many home values in Houston have gone up, and a lot of values are higher than what people paid for their homes. So, I always talk to my clients about protesting their property taxes.

Fain also can help in preparing information and providing statistical data that homeowners need for protesting their property taxes. He said that he has even protested property taxes on behalf of some of his clients.

One thing that Fain said that home buyers often forget, is to budget for their property taxes, which are prorated at the time of closing.

The seller gives the buyer a credit for their portion of the property taxes from the beginning of the year through the date of closing. This is shown on the settlement statement, but I always remind the buyers that when the tax bill comes in, that they are responsible for that full bill, Fain said.

OConnor said it is also important to point out that there are property valuation issues that are impacting homeowners who suffered flood damage or loss from Hurricane Harvey. He said that most appraisal districts along the Gulf Coast (HCAD is a known exception), are not attempting to identify properties that flooded. Instead, they are relying on property owners to self-report.

The problem is that most people who flooded are not really focused on their property taxes. Some of them are still in a state of shock, so making sure that they are notifying the appraisal district about the change in their property condition is not a high priority for them, OConnor said.
Three people were shot early Sunday morning in southwest Houston.

The shooting was reported just before 1 a.m. in the 6300 block of West Bellfort, according to the Houston Police Department.
Houston firefighters found two people dead in a burning pickup truck in Northline Sunday morning, police said.

First responders saw the pair around 3:30 a.m. after the extinguished the truck fire in the 800 block of John Alber, according to the Houston Police Department.

The incident was possibly a double homicide, police said. They have no witnesses or suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to call Houston police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
The pilot of an "experimental" small-engine aircraft fatally crashed Sunday in Medina County, authorities said.

The pilot, who Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown identified as Carl Bray, 68, died when his craft crashed in a brushy area outside of a construction zone at Lambda and Omicron drives around 10:30 a.m.

Investigators do not yet have a cause for the crash.

Authorities said a security guard at a nearby Microsoft facility spotted the falling aircraft and notified first responders.

RELATED: SAPD: Drunken argument leads to stabbing on Northeast Side

Rudy Khalaf, a division chief with the Bexar County 2 Fire Department, said the terrain proved difficult for first responders to navigate.

"For us to gain access, there were multiple fences that had to be cut," he said.

Authorities were eventually able to find the crash site, where they found the pilot "obviously" dead, Khalaf said. The crash caused the aircraft to ignite, starting a small grass fire that was easily extinguished.

Khalaf said the plane had no discernible markings on it, describing it as an "experimental" small-engine aircraft that was likely home built. He said many residents in the area have such planes, which they use for crop dusting and other activities.

"It's not uncommon," he said. "Around here, it's not uncommon at all."

He said the plane was a 2-seater, though no evidence was found that Bray was flying with anyone else.

Though Khalaf didn't have exact numbers, he said authorities have responded to around three or four similar crashes in recent years.

Brown said Bray took off from Freedom Springs ranch Airport Sunday morning, in Pipe Creek, just outside San Antonio in Bandera County.

According to a friend of Bray's, the 68-year-old pilot was possibly going to Castroville Airport to refuel his aircraft, Brown said.

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration records list an address in Pipe Creek as a residence for Bray. Those records also show Bray was a certified commercial pilot.

Brown said the crash site was scorched following the fire, and that officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will determine cause.

"Tomorrow they'll finish (the investigation) at the scene, there isn't much left," Brown said.

Numerous agencies responded to the crash site, including the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Medina County Sheriff's Office, Bexar County Fire Department, Castroville Fire Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Staff Writers Chris Quinn and Alex Luna contributed to this report.
The deadline to file your taxes is rapidly approaching, but cyber criminals have already been hard at work trying to cash in with fraudulent tax returns. This tax season, experts say instead of targeting individual tax payers, scam artists are targeting tax professionals. "One of the challenges that we're seeing this year is that as tax professionals and the I.R.S. have become more and more sophisticated, so too have the adversaries," said Caleb Barlow, IBM Security's vice president of threat intelligence. Tax fraud is big business for cyber criminals. Last year Internet crimes netted the perpetrators $445 billion, with tax fraud as a primary focus, according to IBM Security, which monitors cyber crimes. "We had about 75 tax professionals report that they had been victims of some sort of a tax payer breach. So that unfortunately is a 60 percent increase for the same period of time last year," said Cecilia Barreda, an I.R.S. spokeswoman. The I.R.S. can recognize if a computer of an individual is filing too many tax returns, and will stop them for likely being fraudulent. But the agency expects tax professionals to file dozens, if not hundreds of tax returns on behalf of their clients. "If they [cybercriminals] can compromise a tax professional, they get access to two key things. One is the private information of that tax professional's clients that can be used to file tax returns on their behalf," Barlow said. "And in addition to that, they can use the IP address and the computer of the tax professional to actually do the filing with the I.R.S.," he added.

'Owned by the adversary'

Here is how the scam works: Cyber criminals target tax professionals with what is known as phishing  spam email that seems legitimate, but contains links or attachments laden with malware. "The minute that you click on that link, well, then you're owned by the adversary. And what this often means is that they can take control of that system that's normally used by that tax professional," Barlow said. Once a tax professional's computer is compromised, an attacker can steal the numbers and log-in information they use to file. "It's an I.P. address we seen before, it's a signature of a computer we seen before. We know it's a tax professional, so they are going be submitting lots of returns," said Barlow.

This is kind of a perfect storm where you have a lot of misinformation, a dearth of information, and these new techniques that are being widely used by these criminals looking for compromised computers belonging to tax prep professionals. Roman Sannikov director, Flashpoint

This year's tax season may be the perfect storm. With a new tax code coming in this year, there has been extra confusion. "This is kind of a perfect storm where you have a lot of misinformation, a dearth of information, and these new techniques that are being widely used by these criminals looking for compromised computers belonging to tax prep professionals," said Roman Sannikov, the director of European research and analysis for Flashpoint, a cybersecurity company. He added that "they can use to not only steal information, but also to file these returns in a much more successful way." However, the I.R.S. says tax fraud happens all the time. "I wouldn't go as far as saying the changes in tax law or tax reform are necessarily contributing to this problem. This is something that we see all the time," said the IRS's Barreda. Fraudsters often sell the tax pro information on the Dark Web. Flashpoint's Sannikov showed CNBC forums where cyber criminals share tax fraud information. "There are thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, of services that are selling this information on the deep and dark web," he said. And catching the scam artists is difficult. "It's kind of a no lose crime a lot of times for these individuals because a lot of times the individuals who are actually perpetrating the fraud are located outside of the United States, frequently outside of jurisdictions that work with the United States. So it's much harder for the long arm of the law to get these individuals to apprehend these individuals," Sannikov said.

Practice good 'cyber-hygiene'
Three Asia-bound American Airlines flights that normally fly over Russia have been rerouted, as the airline assesses growing geopolitical tensions, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC on Saturday.

In an internal memorandum sent to pilots on Saturday that was seen by CNBC, the airline warned that some flights into Asia could be rerouted, as relations between Moscow and Washington appear to worsen because of the U.S.-led military intervention in Syria.

"The team at American regularly monitors global geopolitical issues and makes changes to aircraft routings when warranted," said the note to pilots.

The airline on Sunday resumed its normal, nonstop service for those routes, American said.

The possible schedule changes the airline told pilots about could cause residual delays, it said. American Airlines, which operates more than 6,000 flights a day, said three flights separate flights had been affected: Dallas to Hong Kong, Dallas to Beijing, and Chicago to Beijing, according to the document.

Three were sent instead through Los Angeles. Because of range limits on planes, pilots often cannot simply take a longer route without additional fuel. Crews may also "time out," meaning the daily hours they are allowed to work may run out if the routing is changed.

The airline said that it is engaging "with the U.S. government in order to resolve any issues," according to the note.

American is working "on our contingency plans in case certain areas are restricted," said the note to pilots, adding that while the measure isn't a "long term solution, we are doing everything possible to minimize the disruption for our customers and team members."

"We periodically meet with our aviation partners to discuss issues of mutual interest that relate to implementation of our air transport agreements," said a State Department spokesperson. "We had planned to meet with Russian civil aviation officials in Washington this spring, after last having had discussions in October 2016 in Moscow. Russia's Ministry of Transport notified U.S. Embassy Moscow that Russian officials will be unable to come for talks at this time."

An agreement that allows U.S. and Russian aircraft to use each other's airspace is set to expire next week, logistics industry publication The Loadstar reported earlier this month. The issue comes as tensions are rising with Russia, which harshly condemned U.S., British and French strikes on Syria which were launched late Friday.
It's not often environmentalists and the oil industry find themselves on the same side of an argument, but FirstEnergy Solutions' plea for emergency government assistance has united some unlikely bedfellows.

The American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry association, released a letter calling for the Trump Administration to "let markets work" by denying the struggling utility firm's request for a government rescue. A bailout of FirstEnergy Solutions, which earlier this month filed for bankruptcy protection, is also opposed by a majority of power plant owners and environmental groups.

Last month, the company  a unit of FirstEnergy Corp  announced plans to shutter 3 nuclear plants, which according to FirstEnergy Solutions generates over 4 billlion watts of energy, and affects 65 million customers. FirstEnergy said it would shut several nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania in the next three years without some kind of state or federal relief.

Citing a "serious threat to the stability" of the U.S. electricity grid, FirstEnergy called on Energy Secretary Rick Perry to use Section 202c of the Federal Power Act to help stabilize its business. Like most utilities that use coal and nuclear power generators, FirstEnergy has been walloped by natural gas, which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

For that reason, the API said that granting FirstEnergy's request "would be at odds with your stated goals of energy dominance, economic growth, and improving America's infrastructure," the organization wrote to the Energy Department, in a filing made public on Friday.

"The natural gas industry and the shale revolution are poster children for 'letting the markets work,' the API argued in its filing, citing the U.S. shale boom as "a prime example of competition at work.This would not have been possible without the competition that was enabled by regulators having the courage to 'let the market work.'"

The API's opposition puts it firmly in the camp of conservationists  most of whom are averse to nuclear and coal energy  that have also spoken out against FirstEnergy's request. The Sierra Club has spoken out in opposition to FirstEnergy's rescue, and even threatened to sue the Energy Department if it grants the request.

The coal industry has furiously lobbied President Donald Trump to help keep unprofitable coal producers solvent, an idea to which the president has lent a sympathetic ear. Currently, the Energy Department is weighing a rescue of FirstEnergy Solutions, but has yet to decide on whether to grant it.

Perry, who was asked about FirstEnergy's request just last week, was noncommittal in his response. He said he had a "responsibility to make sure that when the demand is there for this countrywe have power. And I would suggest to you the way to guarantee that as best we can is to have as diverse a port of energy moving to the grid as we can."

Natural gas  one of the primary exponents of the U.S. shale revolution  has slowly overtaken coal as the main source of generating electricity, according to the Energy Information Administration, reflecting the increasingly diverse energy mix of the world's largest economy.

For its part, the API "supports an 'all of the above' approach to America's power generation fuel mix," the organization said in its letter.

"Natural gas and natural gas generation provide both performance and cost attributes that contribute to the reliability and resilience of the electric grid and allowing a range of fuels to compete in the market will ensure the best outcome for American families and businesses, both in cost and reliability," the API added.

--CNBC's Tom DiChristopher and Reuters contributed to this report.
The Pentagon claimed Saturday the U.S.-led attack on Syria set back regime's chemical weapons program "for years," but experts contend those assertions may be exaggerated. On Friday, forces from France, Britain and the U.S. launched combined strikes on three military targets associated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons program, including a research and development facility outside the capital Damascus. Yet defense analysts that spoke to CNBC suggested that some of the dangerous material is probably still available, or relatively easy to reproduce. "The damage assessment is suspiciously quick." said Anthony Cordesman, a former Pentagon official who is an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis briefs members of the media on Syria at the Pentagon April 13, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. President Donald Trump has ordered a joint force strike on Syria with Britain and France over the recent suspected chemical attack by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Images

President Donald Trump ordered the military intervention as punishment for Syria unleashing chemical weapons April 7 in the rebel-held town of Douma that killed more than 40 people. In a Pentagon press briefing Saturday, Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said the three facilities targeted in the coordinated operation with allies were "fundamental components of the regime's chemical weapons warfare infrastructure." Officials expressed confidence that much of the country's illicit arsenal had been degraded by the strike, with McKenzie stating it was "going to set the Syrian chemical weapons program back for years." Yet defense veterans expressed doubts. "That claim that Syria was set back for years is pure PR," said Jeffrey Lewis, a former U.S. defense official and now the director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies.



According to Lewis, the Department of Defense's "battle damage assessments are never that strong, especially not this fast and from afar. They can hope that they've set back the program for a years, but it's more likely that the setback is more modest." And despite the president's claims of the mission having been accomplished, Lewis suggested that the intervention in Syria had a certain air of futility. "This is starting to become like mowing the lawn. They gas civilians, we strike them, they do it again," he said.

Reduced to rubble

Late Friday, the White House issued an assessment of the suspected chemical weapons used in Douma, and concluded chlorine gas barrel bombs were used and also pointed to signs of the nerve agent sarin. It said doctors and aid groups on the ground in the affected area "reported the strong smell of chlorine and described symptoms consistent with exposure to sarin." On Saturday, Syrian media and other outlets showed the aftermath of the airstrike on the Barzeh research facility outside Damascus, revealing a building with collapsed walls and large debris strewn about the area. After the coalition strike, the Pentagon said there were a total of 105 weapons fired on the Syrian targets. Those included 76 missiles that hit a scientific research center in the Barzah district of Damascus, according to McKenzie, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. The U.S. military said the Barzah facility was reduced to rubble and had once included three buildings for the development, testing and production of the regime's chemical and biological weapons.

Map showing targets of U.S.-led coalition strikes in Syria. Department of Defense photo

The predawn strikes Friday also targeted two other targets: a chemical weapons storage site and a chemical weapons bunker near the city of Homs, according to the Pentagon. A total of 29 missiles were used on the Homs targets, including bombs from the U.S. as well as European allies.



"I believe that there was materiel and equipment associated with each of these sites that was not movable, and that's what really sets them back," McKenzie told reporters on Saturday.

Killing the wetware

Early reports suggested there were no military or civilian casualties in Syria from the airstrikes. Russia maintains forces in Syria along with advanced air defenses, and there were reports the Assad regime moved aircraft and other equipment to Russian bases for protection ahead of the air attacks. "As important as the hardware and software are, unless you kill the wetware, 'years' is probably an exaggeration," CSIS's Cordesman noted. McKenzie insisted that the U.S. coalition's strike Friday will "significantly impact the Syrian regime's ability to development, deploy and use chemical weapons in the future." Tweet Satellites images posted on Planet.com show images before and after of the destroyed Barzah research facility. Other aerial images circulated showing there was significant damage inflicted at both Barzah and the two Syrian targets in Homs. The U.S. has advanced reconnaissance capabilities that can provide immediate images of damage, even as attacks are taking place, according to Coredesman. Even so, he said "it's uncertain you could do the damage assessment of the impact of the strikes in the time that [Pentagon] people had before they made the announcement [Saturday morning]." The allied airstrikes in Syria were the subject of a bitter two-hour debate Saturday in the United National Security Council. Russia, which has claimed Britain staged the Douma attack, attempted to pass a resolution at the emergency meeting to condemn the airstrike by Western allies but that action failed.

Unknown nerve agent

Syria has denied it used chemical weapons in Douma, although blood and urine samples of victims show traces of an unknown nerve agent and chlorine gas, according to NBC News. A team of inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons went to Syria on a fact-finding mission to get more information on the suspected chemical attack. Even still, experts noted it would be difficult for the U.S. coalition to completely knock out Syria's chemical weapon arsenal, or to fully disable the regime's ability to produce lethal agents. They suggest Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons  from nerve agents such as sarin and VX to chlorine and mustard gases  are spread around more than three dozen locations. https://twitter.com/smmsyria/status/985068159379046402 "The bulk of chemical weapons attacks that Syria has been conducting have been chlorine-based barrel bombs," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C. "This does not require a sophisticated production facility. If Syria wished to resume chlorine attacks, I do not believe these three targeted strikes are going to set back that capability for years," he added. Chlorine gas "does not require a sophisticated production facility," said Kimball, adding that the "technology is relatively simple."

Syria's long history of using chemical weapons

'Do this all over again'
Earlier this year, recreational marijuana sales became legal in California, the most populous state in the country. While only 8 other states and Washington DC have laws that fully legalize recreational marijuana, 29 states have broadly legalized medical pot.

Still, marijuana use is still illegal under federal law. The U.S. government classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, which means it's perceived to have no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse.

The regulatory confusion makes the cost of doing business high and burdensome. Many banks won't work with companies in the space; in turn, companies are forced to operate in cash.

"Moving cash around is expensive," Troy Dayton, CEO and co-founder of cannabis market research firm Arcview Group told CNBC's "On the Money" in an interview. "It can be dangerous and it's not in the public's best interest."

Dayton added that "there are quite a few banks that are doing business with cannabis businesses, but often times it's short-lived. They have to move from bank to bank and [the banks] will often charge a lot of money because of all the extra liability and the compliance."

Over the years, public opinion has largely swung in favor of more liberalized pot use. According to a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 94 percent of Americans say they are in favor of allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if a doctor prescribes it.

Meanwhile, researchers at Gallup found that nearly two-thirds of Americans are in favor of legalizing it for recreational use. Twenty years ago, that number was at 25 percent.

The data reflects a growing shift toward acceptance amid the American public. Among those changing their opinions is former House Speaker John Boehner.

"It's time for the federal government to take another look at this, and I think de-scheduling this drug, allowing for the research, would be very helpful for the American people," Boehner told CNBC in an interview just last week.

This week, cannabis firm Acreage Holdings announced two new members to its advisory board: Boehner and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld. The latter has been in favor of legalizing medical marijuana since 1992, but Boehner has held a hard line position against it  until now.

"My position is the states, under the 10th Amendment, have the right to create laws for their own citizens. Let the people in these states decide what is they want to do," Boehner told CNBC.

While Dayton says he wishes the former Speaker of the House would have changed his stance while in office, he acknowledged it's a big shift. "He's actually on the board of a company that's violating federal law  that is a bold thing," says Dayton.
Stormy Daniels in her interview with Anderson Cooper to be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, March 25.

A lawyer for Stormy Daniels said on Sunday the adult film actress will be in court Monday for the resumption of a hearing sought by President 's attorney Michael Cohen.

Cohen was the target of an FBI raid last week, and the person who paid Daniels $130,000 on the eve of the 2016 presidential election.

Documents about that payoff, which Daniels has said was in exchange for her silence about an affair she had with Trump in 2006, were among the items seized from Cohen by the FBI.

Cohen is expected to make his first appearance at the hearing in U.S. District Court in New York, where his presence has been ordered by a judge considering his request on how to handle materials seized in the FBI raid.

During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti, revealed she would be there to watch Cohen.

"I think Monday afternoon could prove to be very interesting," Avenatti said.

Tweet

Asked by CNN if Daniels' presence was meant to provoke Cohen, Avenatti said, "No, not at all."

"It's intending to send a message that this is a very, very serious matter for her, and she wants to make sure that the American people know that she's behind efforts to bring to light as much information and documents as possible," Avenatti said.

"She wants to ensure that she is heard."

"This has nothing to do with getting into his head at all," the lawyer said.

But Avenatti, who was at the initial court hearing Friday related to Cohen's request, in a subsequent tweet on Sunday morning referenced a scene from "The Godfather II." In that particular part of the movie, a Mafia turncoat recants his testimony after mob boss Michael Corleone brings the informant's own brother with him to watch that testimony.

Tweet

The White House has denied Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

In addition to files about Daniels, FBI agents reportedly sought information about a payoff to another woman who said she had an affair with Trump when they seized materials seized in the New York City raid on Cohen's office, home, hotel room and electronic devices last Monday.

The raid, which also sought filed related to Cohen's business interests, enraged Trump, who claims it violated attorney-client privilege he has with Cohen.

Prosecutors conducting a criminal investigation of Cohen have said they have been probing Cohen for months, and that a grand jury has been reviewing evidence. Prosecutors also said that covert surveillance was conducted on several email accounts of his before Monday's raid.

Prosecutors said they were worried that if the FBI did not conduct those raids that evidence related to the case could end up being destroyed without a trace.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which is handling the case, plans to avoid violating the attorney-client privilege by using a special process to handle materials seize from Cohen.

That process calls for a so-called filter team made up of prosecutors not associated with the case would review the materials, determine which ones are protected by privilege, and hand over the remaining materials to the prosecutors in the case. The U.S. Attorney's office has noted that that process has been used in the past in criminal cases against lawyers.

But Cohen in a court filing late Thursday night requested a different process, one that prosecutors say would be unprecedented. Cohen wants his own lawyers to review the material, determine what information is privileged, and then turn over the unprivileged evidence to prosecutors.

Failing that, Cohen is asking that a so-called special master judge be named to review the materials, to avoid privileged documents from being seen by the prosecution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (3 R) meets with President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad (2 R) during his visit at the Hmeymim base in Syria's Latakia on December 11, 2017.

Syrian President Bashar Assad told a group of Russian lawmakers on Sunday that Western missile strikes on his country were an act of aggression.

The meeting followed missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain against Syrian government targets over a suspected poison gas attack a week ago.

Russia, which is helping Assad fight militants and rebels opposed to his rule, immediately condemned the strikes and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

"From the point of view of the president, this was aggression and we share this position," Russia's TASS news agency quoted lawmaker Sergei Zheleznyak as saying after the meeting with Assad in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The president was in a "good mood" and continuing his work in Damascus, agencies cited the lawmakers as saying, and praised the Soviet-era air defense systems Syria used to help to repel the Western attacks.

"The tripartite aggression against Syria accompanied a campaign of disinformation," Assad's office quoted him as saying on Sunday. Moscow and Damascus are "waging one battle, not only against terrorism" but also to protect the sovereignty of states, he told the Russian officials.

Both countries have dismissed the reports of the alleged gas attack as bogus, accusing Washington of using it as a pretext for the strikes.

A senior Russian military official said on Saturday that Syria's air defenses, which mostly consist of systems made in the former Soviet Union, had intercepted 71 of the 105 American, British and French missiles.

The Pentagon has said the strikes successfully hit the three chemical weapons facilities which were targeted.

"Yesterday we saw American aggression. And we were able to repel it with Soviet missiles from the 70s," Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin quoted Assad as saying, TASS reported.

Sablin also said Assad accepted an invitation to visit the Siberian region of Khanty-Mansi in Russia. It was not clear when the visit would take place.

Russia said on Saturday it would consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria following the Western strikes, but this was not discussed at the meeting with Assad, agencies reported.

Assad also declined to comment on calls by the U.S. State Department to declare alleged Syrian stockpiles of chemical weapons, Zheleznyak said.
Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill June 8, 2017 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump went on a Twitter rampage Sunday morning, blasting former FBI Director James Comey on Twitter as "slippery" and predicting Comey will be remembered "as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!"

Trump's latest rant against Comey came in advance of the former top law enforcement officer's much-anticipated interview with ABC News on Sunday night to promote his new book "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership." The memoir is due out Tuesday.

Tweet

Trump unleashed a series of angry tweets at Comey, who has said he believes Trump was effectively demanding personal loyalty before he fired the FBI director last May.

Comey's firing set in motion the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion by Trump's presidential campaign with Russians.

Trump has denied any such collusion and reportedly has considered firing Mueller, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein out of anger over the probe. Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation led to Rosenstein appointing Mueller.

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

On Friday, before Trump authorized raids on Syria, the president had first referred to Comey as a "slime ball" on Twitter.

Tweet

Tweet

Comey's interview with George Stephanopoulos is being shown on a special edition of ABC's "20/20" at 10 p.m. ET Sunday.

Comey told ABC News that he publicly discussed in 2016 the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server because he believed at that time that she would win the upcoming election, and he wanted to prevent her presidency from being seen as "illegitimate."

Comey said he was "operating in a world where Hillary Clinton was going to beat Donald Trump, and so I'm sure that it was a factor."

"I don't remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that she's going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, she'll be illegitimate the moment she's elected, the moment this comes out," according to ABC 's transcript.

CNN reported Friday that the publisher of Comey's book is printing 850,000 copies because of expected high demand.
Richard Salt works in hospitality and catering. He founded ThinkNorth, a policy and grassroots organisation for the North of England and Scotland. He is a former Chairman of Leeds City Conservatives.

The North of England and Centre-Right policy should be the focus of the Conservative Party at the next general election. The party needs to start thinking past Brexit, at the grassroots and elsewhere

It annoys and frustrates me when I see our supporters pulling each other apart about Brexit, and fixating on issues related to it, such as who will make our new Blue passports when we leave the EU. When forming my group, ThinkNorth, I made a firm commitment that we would not make Brexit a priority, and that we would focus on our six core values: localism, unionism, empowering individuals, free markets, social responsibility and strong defence.

Brexit is important, and I voted to leave. It needs to be implemented in the best way for the country, but we have serious domestic issues which need to be tackled. Its good to see the Government announcing initiatives over the last few months: with these, we need to bring the North back onto the agenda, and tackle some serious disparities between it and the South.

This disparity, and the London-centric approach of many connected to the Conservative Party, is the reason why I founded ThinkNorth. It is in the North that the party must win new parliamentary seats in order to break the current stalemate we have in Parliament. Unfortunately, Brexit it has swung the party to the Right, and Jeremy Corbyn has pushed his party over to the Left.

With this action, both parties have relinquished the centre ground. This shows in the polls in which, until recently, both parties stood at around 40 per cent. The Liberal Democrats are still a wounded animal with only eight seats in Parliament, and are in no position to fight for the centre ground. So with the third largest party, the SNP, very much on the left hand side of politics, we need to take that centre ground.

As so many elections have shown in the past, both the Conservatives and Labour only win elections when they move into the centre. Tony Blair did it successfully, and David Cameron still got a working majority, even if it was a small one.

Weve shown that Conservatives can win Northern seats with great successes on the border of Scotland, which was helped by the success of the Scottish Conservatives. Indeed, we are seeing some successes in northern councils for the Conservatives too.

To achieve electoral success in the North, we need to appeal to the place in which most of the general public consider themselve,s and that is in the centre. We need to take David Camerons vision from the 2015 election, and create policy which will help the North to prosper.

Policy is the key  which was very much highlighted in the disastrous 2017 general election manifesto, which turned its back not only on our core voters, but pandered to the Left, with a short-sighted view that we could win Northern seats which have been Labour strongholds for years.

Recently, a new think-tank, FREER, has emerged to champion a free economy and Centre-Right policy. This group is vital, as its focus is on policy which will elections, and it is looking at domestic policy, and not Brexit. ThinkNorth is looking forward to working with this new initiative.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership chaired by George Osborne made a strong case for the North and, subsequently, the Northern Powerhouse Parliamentary Group, which is chaired by one of our Patrons, John Stevenson, has also contributed greatly to the cause. But until the Government makes the decision to make a substantial commitment to the North, the hard work from this partnership and others like it will be limited.

The policy we need should be for the benefit of the North. Take the transport infrastructure of the region. It needs to be a infrastructure which connects the great cities of the North and Scotland. The issue that I have with HS2 is: will it not turn out to be just a faster way of sucking the talented people of this region to London? The current plans from the Government, though good, dont go far enough.

Then there is housing, which is in a far worse situation than in the south, and further investment is needed to develop brown sites in our cities. We also need to be encouraging businesses to set up in the North. The Government went part of the way in helping by letting councils set their own business rates, although Labour, which controls most northern councils, is maybe less committed to this cause than Conservative councils.

Enterprise zones and investment in new technologies in the North is also essential, especially in areas which have been hit by the decline of traditional manufacturing industries and the coal industry. This does not necessarily mean Government investment but, rather, more incentives for businesses to operate and invest in the region.

Recently, education has been under the spotlight, after the Childrens Commissioner warned that the education of children in the North is being affected by poverty and poor schools, with children in low income families in London three times more likely to go to university than Northern children in Hartlepool. Then there is unemployment, which is higher in the North East compared to the South East. In 2016, it was reported that ten of the 12 top struggling cities were based in the North, while no southern cities were in the top 12 or 24.

I have high hopes that, once we have Brexit behind us, our Government will pick up the gauntlet thrown down by David Cameron and George Osborne, and make North as one of the Governments priorities, so we can put power back into the Northern Powerhouse.
JavaScript is disabled on your browser.

CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. Please enable JavaScript.
After eight years, 10 months and four weeks of operation, totaling 3,254 days, the ship that started the TUI Cruises brand has left its fleet.

TUI bid farewell to the Mein Schiff 1 last week, having sailed the vessel between May 15, 2009 and April 11, 2018.

The 1,924-guest ship originally launched as the Galaxy for Celebrity Cruises, built at Meyer Werft and entering service in 1996, before being transferred to TUI in 2009.

TUI christened the ship in Hamburg on May 15, eight years ago, launching the German brand at the time with artist Ina Muller as the godmother.

The final port of call for the ship? Palma de Mallorca. The vessel has been transferred to sister company Marella Cruises, and will be refurbished over the next month to better serve Marellas British customers.

The new Mein Schiff 1 launches service for TUI Cruises in May, ushering in a new era of ships as the Meyer-Turku-built vessel will have capacity for 2,900 guests at 110,000 tons.
Insider exclusive: Click the link below to download a free PDF of the series.

The actors behind SamSam launched an attack against Allscripts in January 2018, leaving the companys customers without access to the services needed to run their medical practices  some for more than a week.

All this week, Salted Hash will be running a series looking at the ransomware attack against Allscripts, and the group responsible for that attack, known commonly as SamSam.

The series will be published in four parts, but Insiders can download the entire thing today.

Salted Hash spent nearly a month following various threads and talking to security experts, as well as customers of Allscripts affected by the attack.

In addition to details about the attack itself, we'll also dig into the SamSam group, and highlight some very common tactics they use to victimize organizations. If you think antivirus alone will stop SamSam, you're wrong, and are likely operating in a space that SamSam is only too happy to target.
A Stamford opportunity like no other

Every now and then, an occasion to learn presents itself that is like no other. Such an opportunity is coming to Stamford, my home territory, in a few weeks and I invite you wholeheartedly to take advantage.

On the evening of Thursday, April 26, three renowned high net worth experts serving investors, fiduciaries, philanthropists, collectors, business owners and estates, will be presenting on a subject that one cannot avoid, dismiss, or discount: taxes.

Due to tax law changes, 2018 presents a different environment than 2017  but how different? Estate taxes have changed dramatically on both the federal level and for residents of the state of Connecticut. However, some discussed changes did not materialize (for example, one proposal was to eliminate a step-up in cost basis; that did not happen).

What about income taxes? Some changes are brand new (for example, if you get divorced now, alimony will no longer be tax deductible). In some cases, old rules are unchanged (for example, capital gains tax rates on sales of appreciated property remain the same). And in other cases, we have a combination of new and old: for example, charitable deductions are still permitted, however, fewer taxpayers will benefit. Likewise, alternative minimum taxes (AMT) are still in place, but fewer taxpayers are affected.

Of course, what I just mentioned only touches the surface. The assembled expert panel, which Ill tell you about in a moment, will go deeper, leaving you with an understanding of what you need to know to plan the rest of the year and what to discuss with your tax adviser (by the way, invite your tax adviser to attend with you).

So here is the team:

First, estate planning will be covered by attorney Dan Daniels, a partner of Wiggin and Dana LLP, a firm of approximately 150 lawyers in Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Palm Beach.

Ive known Dan for many years, going way back to 1997 when he contributed a chapter to one of my books, The 401(k) Plan Handbook, and I am delighted that he will be presenting.

Dan is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and is one of the six trust and estate lawyers in Connecticut ranked as a Band 1 practitioner by Chambers and Partners. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Dartmouth and a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School.

Our income tax expert is CPA John Mezzanotte, a graduate of University of Connecticut (BS in Accounting; MBA in Finance). John is the managing partner of Marcums office in Greenwich, Connecticut. Marcum LLP is one of the largest independent public accounting firms.

Ive heard John present and without a doubt, he is the best tax-storyteller Ive encountered. (Yes, its a rare talent, but I can assure you that John will both entertain and enlighten, even when talking taxes.)

John has the experience (30 years) and the insights to address high net worth issues, which tend to be more complex, such as those experienced by hedge fund and private equity firms, family offices, and owners of closely held and start-up companies  and he will address the special needs of high net worth investors, collectors and philanthropists.

That leads to charitable gifting, a topic that Ive asked Juanita James to tackle. Since there has been so much press about charities losing ground after the tax law changes effective this year, I wanted to make sure that charitably inclined families had a chance to hear about what works and what doesnt in todays environment. That will be Juanitas role.

I feel that everyone in Fairfield County knows Juanita - but if you dont, let me share a few things about her.

Juanita is the President and CEO of Fairfield Countys Community Foundation (FCCF), which she joined in 2011. Before that, she was chief marketing and communications officer for Pitney Bowes Inc. With a long history of leadership and volunteer service with local and national nonprofits, Juanita garners accolades from institutions in the know: She was named Stamford Citizen of the Year and the NAACP recognized Juanita as 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut.

Juanita and I share an alma mater  Columbia University. Juanita earned her MBA at the Business School; I earned an advanced law degree (Master of Laws) at the Law School. A Princeton grad, Juanita majored in romance languages. She will share her views on how philanthropic pursuits can enhance family dynamics in the current tax environment  and of course, shell tell us all about her work with the FCCF.

This event is the first of a three-part Financial Literacy Series, hosted by Hearst. Ill keep you informed of the others, which are slated for the Fall. Now, this is important: If you are interested in attending, please register right away  first come, first served. We expect the event to sell out; seating is limited to 125. I hope to see you there.

You can register at https://tinyurl.com/ycdlbqrl

By the way, if you find this column worthwhile, youll be pleased to hear that attendees will receive a copy of my most recent book, just released last week: Retire Securely: Insights on Money Management from an Award-Winning Financial Columnist. The book is a curated collection of columns, organized by theme. If you wrote to me sometime over the last 20 years, your anonymous question or insight may be in the book. Visit www.juliejason.com for more information.

Julie Jason, JD, LLM, a personal money manager (Jackson, Grant of Stamford, CT) and award-winning author, welcomes your questions and comments (readers@juliejason.com). To hear Julie present, visit www.juliejason.com/events. Julie has penned more than 1,000 weekly columns for the Greenwich Time and Stamford Advocate; her most recent book, Retire Securely: Insights on Money Management from an Award-Winning Financial Columnist, a curated collection of columns, is now available on amazon.com.
Former New Haven Chief Public Defender Thomas Ullmann died Friday while hiking in New Yorks Adirondack Mountains, according to multiple sources.

New York State Police said Saturday they found the body of a hiker somewhere along the OK Slip Falls Trail, which begins outside of Indian Lake, New York. The hiker was identified as Thomas Ullmann, according to the New York State Police. The trail, which is about 6.7 miles long and ends near a waterfall, is located about 74 miles southwest of Lake Placid, New York.

Police have not released a cause of death.

Ullmann, 67, had retired from his job last August. He worked for 32 years with the New Haven Public Defenders Office, which handles defendants who are too indigent to hire private attorneys.

Members of the New Haven area legal community said Saturday they were stunned to learn of Ullmanns death.

Tommy was a giant and the notion that hes gone is hard to fathom, Norman Pattis, a friend of Ullmanns and a prominent New Haven area defense attorney, said Saturday. Life is very cruel.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Eugene Calistro Jr. was another friend of Ullmann. Calistro called Ullmanns death a huge loss to the legal community.

I just talked to him the other day, Calistro said. He told me about the trip he had taken to Italy and all of the things he planned to do with his wife and kids.

Ullmann is perhaps best know for representing Steven J. Hayes in 2010 for murdering Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17 following a botched 2007 home invasion in Cheshire.

Ullmann headed the New Haven Public Defenders Office for 25 years. Ullmann told the New Haven Register at the time of his retirement he had made the decision to leave his job two years earlier.

A close friend of mine got sick out of the blue and passed away within three months, Ullmann said.  Im leaving before something catastrophic happens. I have a lot of things I want to do: hiking, kayaking, traveling with my wife, seeing our sons.

More information will be added to this story as it becomes available.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Providing financial education to your community is often considered part of a credit unions mission, and rightly so. Credit unions were created to improve members lives, not generate profits.

Profit or not-for-profit, organizational missions are often driven by a desire to make the world a better place; without a soul, commercial efforts lack focus and meaning.

However, philanthropic efforts must complement financial goals. Without financial success, best intentions fail.

I think thats why so many credit unions dont provide financial education, because requires precious resources that could prevent lean shops from fulfilling their primary mission of delivering financial products and services.

What if financial education could be delivered in a way that supports a credit unions financial success by attracting new members and moving them through the sales funnel?

That goal is the driving force behind FinancialFeed.

FinancialFeed was designed with digital marketing strategies in mind, serving as attractor content that raises awareness of your credit union and functions as a top of funnel sales tool.

I recently recorded a session for The Banker Summit, a virtual digital marketing conference for banks and credit unions that runs through April 26. In that session, I shared how digital marketing content can be created to support sales.

The first step is to list 10 to 20 of your best products and services. Once you have your list, add a primary member benefit to each product or service. Then, add a benefit to that benefit.

For example, take an auto loan. The member benefit to an auto loan is car ownership. The benefit of car ownership is reliable transportation that enables employment.

All core content, including financial education, should come from this list. That means you shouldnt just stop at products and services, which is where so many credit unions go wrong. Conversely, social media posts about National Donut Day and the like can be wastes of time, unless they are written to support the list.

Todays digital world, which is dominated by social media, requires organizations to first make an emotional connection with customers. Thats why your content should promote the end result of using your products and services, because that is the only reason your members need them.

Dont just write about your auto loan rate and terms. Include content that helps members get the best deal on a new or used car, and helps them reduce the cost of using that car to get to work. This attractor content raises awareness of your credit union and sparks an emotional connection, which places potential members into your sales funnel.

Too often, despite the best of intentions, financial education is negative, preachy and judgmental. Stop throwing your money away at Starbucks. Take your lunch to work instead of eating out. Settle for less. While these strategies may indeed be in members best interests, they arent the best emotions with which to attract potential members.

Even Dave Ramsey, who takes a tough bootcamp approach to financial literacy, focuses on fun and positivity in his messaging. One of the most popular segments on his show is the debt free scream, in which successful customers produce a jubilant video of their family celebrating success. The end goal is what drives people to buy, not the means to get there.

Financial literacy must also provide value. It should include helpful takeaways that dont require purchase. This value builds trust and brand loyalty, keeping your credit union top of mind as potential members move closer to taking action.

Financial literacy content must also provide an easy way to take action, if the potential member is ready. Our FinancialFeed platform provides a space for a credit union display ad, and allows your credit union to add a link to the products and services that can be used to achieve the end goal. An ad on the same page or a link at the bottom of valuable content isnt pushy or preachy, just convenient.

Finally, for financial education to be effective attractor content, it must be consistent. The digital marketing space has raised the bar and requires daily messaging. That can be difficult for credit unions, because interrupted service requires all hands on deck to quickly restore it. FinancialFeed automatically feeds daily financial literacy content to your website, only requiring your time if you want to add to the content. Its truly plug and play daily content.

Let us provide your credit union with valuable, consistent financial education content that attracts potential members and thoughtfully places them into your sales funnel. Were excited to have an opportunity to play a role in not only helping your credit union fulfill its philosophical mission, but also support its financial success.
Child tax credit extension: What we know about if it'll last until 2025
If a PhD student was to write a thesis on the working of the Akal Takht over the past 10 years, the scholar's study would most likely be a damning dissertation on the highest seat of the Sikh temporal authority headquartered in Amritsar.

The controversy over filmmaker Harinder Singh Sikka's Nanak Shah Fakir, a biopic on Guru Nanak, has unwittingly served as an exegesis of the grave crisis engulfing Sikh religious institutions.

Akal Takht and SGPC

For almost 100 years now, the jathedars or heads of the Akal Takh have been appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the top Sikh religious administration governing a number of educational establishments and historical gurdwaras, mostly in Punjab.

Billed as a mini-parliament of the Sikhs, the SGPC is itself composed of directly elected religious representatives. The vote is conducted every five years under the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925.

Both the jathedar of the Akal Takht and the SGPC are, therefore, accountable for all their official conducts to the larger community outside. They are not expected to behave like feudal lords because that's neither the legal nor the religious framework of their positions.

But the reality on the ground is devastatingly alarming.

Sikh institutional breakdown

In May 2003, an SGPC panel passed a resolution on depiction of revered Sikh figures in films and television.Characters of Sikh gurus, their respected family members, panj pyare, cannot be played by real-life actors. Only baptised (practising) Sikhs can play the role of other important Sikh personalities." The motion was eventually adopted by the SGPC executive and the Akal Takht.

So, when did the institutional breakdown at the Akal Takht unfold? Before I answer that, let's first understand what we mean by an institutional crisis.

Let's first understand that such situations are largely defined as periods when the integrity of a policy-decision is jeopardised and when abrupt actions confront legitimacy issues, far from the standard process of policy change.

And that's what unravelled in 2015.

Led by jathedar Gurbachan Singh, the Akal Takht first issued a religious pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, now in jail over rape conviction, for his alleged act of dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh back in 2007.

When Sikhs came out in in angry protests, the same jathedar revoked his apology.

In 2015, jathedar Gurbachan Singh issued an official letter to Sikka, praising him for his Nanak Shah Fakir project. The jathedar went the extra mile and even "blessed" the producer.

Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh's 2015 letter of praise for Nanak Shah Fakir

Difficult history of religious movies

If I have a film proposal on a sensitive issue, I'd rather submit my screenplay and script to authoritative elders for their review. That, because movies about religion globally have courted controversy when not handled delicately.

Remember, Kevin Smith's Dogma in 1999 was condemned as blasphemous by the Catholics before it hit theatres. Mel Gibson's 2004 epic, The Passion of the Christ, was accused of anti-Semitism.

In Bollywood, Raj Kumar Hirani's PK and the Paresh Rawal-starrer Oh My God too encountered strong reactions.

Excommunication follows generous appreciation

With Sikka though, a number of Sikh religious leaders and self-anointed custodians of the faith were a bit too generous.

News reports now suggest they would travel all the way down to New Delhi from different parts of Punjab to watch special screenings of Nanak Shah Fakir hosted by the producer himself.

Has anyone ever heard film-board officials themselves visiting movie directors to issue clean chits to their productions? But that's what Sikh leaders from across the highest religious institutions both in Delhi and in Punjab did for Nanak Shah Fakir.

As early as this year, the film's final modified version kept receiving a series of formal appreciations from the same clique that turned overnight against Sikka and his Nanak Shah Fakir.

This U-turn happened after the Sikh masses hit the streets of Punjab, accusing the filmmaker of depicting Guru Nanak and his family covertly and overtly in human form.

A day before its scheduled release on Friday (April 13) across India, except for Punjab, jathedar Gurbachan Singh and four other top clerics excommunicated Sikka for not withdrawing the movie's launch greenlighted by the Supreme Court.

On April 12, the Akal Takht excommunicated Nanak Shah Fakir's producer Harinder Singh Sikka.

Badals losing religious plot to vested interests

For a PhD student, the two major revocations of the Akal Takht - its unilateral pardon of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and its appreciation of Nanak Shah Fakir - offer scathing insights into the near-collapse of Sikh religious institutions.

The Badals, whose party controls the SGPC and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), appear to have lost the plot to a bunch of advisors frozen in time.

Individual integrity, if not political, is sometimes key to saving heritage organisations. Nanak Shah Fakir has exposed this almost-extinct integrity at institutional level in Sikhism, as of now.

Also read: October: A love letter to all mums
Did the Uttar Pradesh government actually try to shield ruling BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar against charges of gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Unnao, barely 50km from Lucknow, the state capital?

Even as the question was hotly debated among common people, the Allahabad High Court came down heavily on the Yogi Adityanath government clearly indicating that the one-year-old UP government left no stone unturned to protect the party MLA, who was arrested by the CBI only as late as on Friday night, April 13.

The HC bench comprising chief justice DB Bhonsale and justice Sumeet Kumar, that had taken suo motto cognisance of the sensational case, did not mince words in castigating state advocate general Raghvendra Singh, who clearly went out of his way to extend all help to the accused. "The approach of the learned advocate general is not only appalling but also shocks the conscience of the court in the backdrop of the instant case," the court observed in its 20-page landmark order.

The order points out, "The disturbing feature of the case is that the law and order machinery and the government officials were directly in league and under the influence of Kuldeep Singh. The doctor did not examine the prosecutrix, nor did the circle officer, Shafipur, register the crime, though a handwritten complaint of the prosecutrix was sent from the office of the chief minister. On petty offence, father of prosecutrix was beaten up by the brother, and the goons of Kuldeep Singh and was arrested and in the custody was beaten mercilessly. It further appears that false cases were lodged against the family members. Finally, father of the prosecutrix succumbed to injuries. The prosecutrix unable to face the pressures exercised upon her by Kuldeep Singh, who was having the backing of the law and order machinery of district Unnao, attempted to immolate herself to draw the attention of the society that she needs help and protection of the custodians of law, which was put to the winds at the behest of the accused Kuldeep Singh. (sic)"

Taking strong exception to the advocate general's "soft attitude" towards the accused, the court said, "we are constrained to record the approach and attitude of the learned advocate general, during the course of hearing, in contending that no accused person, including Kuldeep Singh, can be arrested without the investigating officer following the procedure prescribed under CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) and collecting evidence in support of the allegation of rape."

Taking serious note of the administration's obvious collusion, the court pointed out, "The prosecutrix and her family members have been running from post to pillar but her complaint was not registered, despite approaching the chief minister. The influence of the accused Kuldeep Singh in the district police administration is such that the circle officer also declined to lodge the report on the complaint duly forwarded by the office of the chief minister. The medical officer declined to examine the prosecutrix, mandatorily required, where a woman alleges rape. Even the procedure for taking down the FIR/Crime 0316 dated 20.06.2017 under the provisions of CrPC was not followed. The complaint was not reduced to writing by a female police personnel and video graphed. False cases were lodged against the Chacha (uncle) of the prosecutrix and on petty offence father was arrested and brutally assaulted. The chief medical officer furnished fitness certificate and sent the father to jail where he succumbed to injuries."

It added, "the accused Kuldeep Singh from the narration of facts in the report of ADG dated April 11, 2018, taken on face value, clearly reflects that the accused has been using his office and influence with impunity to tamper evidence and witnesses, further, has exercised undue influence with law and order machinery to manipulate and coerce the family members of the prosecutrix and brutally assaulted her father. This is a classic case where we find that the accused persons have not kept a single stone unturned to terrorize not only victim/prosecutrix but her family members and other witnesses. The victim has lost her father merely because cognizance was not taken of her complaint made in August 2017. Had the police taken cognizance of the complaint to the chief minister and forwarded to the concerned police station at that stage, perhaps, further damage, including the death of prosecutrix's father would not have taken place."

Lamenting over the advocate general's repeated plea for not arresting the accused MLA, the court held, "In the backdrop of the facts noted by the SIT, learned advocate general on repeated query vehemently and categorically stated that the investigating officer will not arrest the accused Kuldeep Singh until statements under Section 161/164 CrPC are recorded and in the opinion of the investigating officer the accused is, prima facie, involved in the commission of the crime."

It went on to add, "The approach of the learned advocate general not only exudes an unpleasant flavour, but raises doubts about the bona fides of the police authorities at the highest level. We are unable to persuade ourselves in accepting the contention of learned advocate general that the accused in the circumstances cannot be arrested. In our opinion, arrest of the accused in the present case is necessarily required to safeguard the majesty of law and the dignity of the prosecutrix and to instil confidence that free and fair investigation shall be undertaken by the investigating agency."

Casting further aspersions on the advocate general, the bench headed by the chief justice said, "The purpose of CrPC is to facilitate the inquiry and investigation into the commission/omission of the crimes. No person or state officer can take technical pleas which does not sub-serve the interest of investigation or fails to protect the victim of heinous crime. If the argument and the stand of learned advocate general is to be accepted, it will send a wrong and devastating message in the society and would directly facilitate the cause of the accused in the instant case and the inaction of the investigating agency in bringing the culprit to the book."

Reacting sharply to the advocate general's consistent plea that the MLA could not be arrested unless the investigation officer found sufficient evidence to establish the charges levelled against the accused MLA, the court asked, "We specifically asked learned advocate general as to whether such procedure is being followed by the investigating agency in the state of Uttar Pradesh in all such cases, he could not reply our query."

Top legal luminaries of the state were of the view that it was rare for the high court to be castigating the advocate general in such strong words. They also felt that but for the high court's intervention, the all powerful MLA would have gone scot-free, especially since he enjoyed such blatant patronage of the state.

Thirteen months back, when Yogi Adityanath was entrusted with the reins of India's most populous state, a large chunk of the people of Uttar Pradesh looked up to him with hope and even admiration. After all, by winning as many as 324 of the state's 403 seats in the 2017 state Assembly elections, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had created a record of sorts, propelling a visibly polarised Hindu population to believe that they would now, at long last, get some respite from what was widely perceived to be a "corrupt" and "criminalised" regime under Akhilesh Yadav and his family.

One year down the line, even many of the saffron clad chief minister's admirers have begun to feel the disillusionment with his style of working, which remained laced with overdose of high-sounding claims, tall promises and lip service.

While his failures on various fronts were seen as a consequence of his inexperience in governance - anything beyond the precincts of the multi-crore Gorakhnath temple trust that he has been running for decades - what seems to have exposed his frailties and fallacies is the more recent Unnao rape and murder case. Yogi would not tire of proclaiming himself as the last word in ensuring protection and safety of women. And to prove his point, he started his tenure with creation of "anti-Romeo squads", which ended up only harassing young boys and girls sitting together in public places. But, when it came to ground reality, it took 10 months for the 17- year-old rape victim to get a FIR registered against the all powerful BJP MLA Sengar, who rules the roost in Unnao, a district barely 50km from Lucknow, the state capital.

The Yogi administration failed to take any cognisance of the poor victim's oft repeated pleas until she attempted self-immolation in front of the chief minister's residence last Sunday, following which she hit the headlines in both print and electronic media. Eventually, what shook the government out of its wits was the intervention of the high court, which came to the rescue of the hapless gang-rape victim.

Also read: Shielding rapists to legitimising extra-judicial killings: Adityanath's jungle raj has turned UP into a hell hole
Sadly, in India rape has become so common that only the particularly most violent and bestial ones shock us. Once again, a livid nation comes together, groping in the dark for answers. It is almost impossible to not take an impassioned view about a social problem of almost epidemic proportions. We often think of it being about power and dominance, and not about sex.

The assertion that rape is about power and dominance, became popular after the American feminist journalist, Susan Brownmiller, published her seminal work, Against Our Will, in 1975. Since then, this view has almost become a dogma. As convincing as this assertion is, there has been no empirical evidence to corroborate her claim.

On the contrary, research done by Richard Felson, professor of Sociology and Criminology at Penn state University and Richard Moran, professor of Sociology, indicate that there is a correlation between rape and sex.

Their claim is based on examining eight years of data on rapes and sexual assaults, amounting close to 250,000 cases. They argue that most of the victims are young and the most vulnerable are girls aged about 15 years. Their study reveals that 15-year-olds are about nine times more at risk than 35-year-olds. The number of victims aged 50 and above is almost negligible.

Further, they analysed cases where females were victims of robbery and looked into whether they were sexually assaulted or not. In cases where the victims were young, it was more likely that they were sexually assaulted - the most likely age group being between 15 and 29 years. This finding is important because they hypothesise that since the robbers have already established their domination, their motive to assert power is removed. They also add that homosexual men have as high an offense rate as heterosexual men, thus implying that power and dominance over women is not necessarily the prime motive. In short, they assert that most rapists force victims to have sex because they want sex.

When the horrific rape of the little girl in Kathua is viewed from this perspective, to an extent it does make sense. If the motive of perpetrators was to assert power and dominance, they would have done so by killing her. But as the police say, one of the accused was called from Meerut to "satisfy his lust" and also that the little girl was kept alive so that another accused, a policeman, wanted to do it "one last time".

However, human behaviour is unfathomably complex and driven by a multitude of factors. The causal factor cannot be pinioned to merely impulsive behaviour. Clinical psychologist Nicholas Groth, categorises rape into anger rape (where the goal of the rapist is to humiliate), power assertion rape, (to compensate for a deep-rooted sense of inadequacy) and sadistic rape (infliction of pain itself is eroticised).

Groth states that sadistic rape usually involves extensive and prolonged torture and often the rapist may insert a foreign object into his (or her) victim. As such, the motive of wanting to inflict pain as retribution cannot be ignored. In a patriarchal country like India, where the chastity of a woman is glorified, rape becomes a means to humiliate not just women, but also entire communities.

It is therefore extremely mindboggling to understand the motives of rape and the underlying factors that contribute to the culture of sexual violence that our society is grappling to contain. Every time our country is nudged into shame by a horrific rape involving torture that make the medieval times seem mild, there are calls for retributive justice, which most commonly include castration as a deterrent. However, data from countries that have implemented chemical castration doesn't attest to its effectiveness as a deterrent. In fact, the justice JS Verma committee, which was formed after the Nirbhaya case in 2012, stated in its report that castration is an ineffective solution to the "social foundations of rape".

If we want to solve a problem we must first understand it. Many often mistake rape to be a "downstream" problem. Rapists and sexual assaults occur in every stratum of society. One of the underlying factors is unchecked deviance. A research done by a Mysore-based organisation, Rescue, on youth in Goa revealed that almost 40 per cent of them watch rape porn. A pan-India study may reveal a similar percentage of people indulging in watching such gore.

As a society we can confront this problem only when we talk about it openly and dispassionately. Only through enlightened public discourse can we arrive at a consensus on what is deviant behaviour that needs to be called out and discouraged. For as long as we are driven by emotions, we will at best only grieve, but not find solutions. In cases of rape, there can hardly be any "justice", reformatory or retributive, because the victim is scarred for life. What we can do as a society is find ways to rehabilitate victims. And we must endeavour to curb rampant misogyny.

Perhaps the PM can lead the country by example and start unfollowing abusive and vile Twitter handles, if he wants his promise of delivering "justice to our daughters" to be taken seriously.

Also read: Lawyers coming in the way of justice for 8-year-old Kathua gang-rape-murder victim is a travesty
Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It offers range of products and services, such as general tools, air compressors and accessories, compaction and earth moving, climate control services, power and HVAC, pump solutions, remediation and restoration, flooring solutions, and lighting and grip. The company also provides power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. It offers its products and services for facilities maintenance and municipalities, such as office complexes, apartment complexes, government, hospitals, data centers, parks and recreation departments, schools and universities, shopping centers, pavement/kerb repairs, and golf course maintenance; construction of airports, highways and bridges, office buildings, data centers, schools and universities, shopping centers, residential, and remodeling; emergency response for fire, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, winter, storms, residential emergencies, covid-19, alternative care facilities, points of distribution, and mobile testing facilities; and entertainment and special events, including national events, concerts, sporting events, film/TV production, theme parks, festivals farmers' markets, local 5k runs, and cycle races. The company operates 873 stores in the United States, 75 stores in Canada, and 193 stores in the United Kingdom under the Sunbelt Rentals brand. Ashtead Group plc was founded in 1947 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest  Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16  Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank AS, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets).
The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc..
TMX Group Limited operates exchanges, markets, and clearinghouses primarily for capital markets in Canada and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Global Solutions, Insights & Analytics; Capital Formation; Derivatives Trading and Clearing; and Equities and Fixed Income Trading & Clearing. The Global Solutions, Insights & Analytics segment delivers equities and index data, as well as integrated data sets for the proprietary and third party analytics to help clients in making trading and investment decisions. The Capital Formation segment operates Toronto Stock Exchange, a national stock exchange for the senior equities market; TSX Venture Exchange, a national stock exchange for the public venture equity market; and TSX Trust that provides corporate trust, registrar, transfer agency, and foreign exchange services. The Derivatives Trading & Clearing segment operates Montreal Exchange, a national derivatives exchange; clearinghouse for options and futures contracts; and various over-the-counter products and fixed income repurchase agreements. The Equities and Fixed Income Trading & Clearing segment engages in the trading operations of Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, and TSX Alpha Exchange; and clearing and settlement of equities and fixed income transactions, and custody of securities; and provision of fixed income inter-dealer brokerage services. The company was formerly known as Maple Group Acquisition Corporation and changed its name to TMX Group Limited in August 2012. TMX Group Limited was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of SK Telecom Co.,Ltd: ADT CAPS Co. Ltd., ADT Caps, Atlas Investment, CAPSTEC Co. Ltd., Cyworld, DongGuan Iriver Electronics Co. Ltd., Dreamus Company, Eleven Street Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Hungary) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Vietnam Company Limited, Hana Card, Hanaro Telecom, Happy Hanool Co. Ltd., Home & Service Co. Ltd., ID Quantique, Id Quantique LLC, Incross Co. Ltd., Infra Communications Co. Ltd., Iriver China Co. Ltd., Iriver Enterprise Ltd., K-net Culture and Contents Venture Fund, Korea Thrunet, LG HelloVision, Life & Security Holdings Co. Ltd., Life Design Company Inc., Mindknock Co. Ltd., Onestore Co. Ltd., PS&Marketing Co. Ltd., Panasia Semiconductor Materials LLC, Quantum Innovation Fund I, SK Broadband, SK Broadband Co. Ltd., SK Communications Co. Ltd., SK Global Healthcare Business Group Ltd., SK Infosec Co. Ltd., SK M&Service Co. Ltd., SK O&S Co. Ltd., SK Planet Co. Ltd., SK Planet Global Holdings Pte. Ltd., SK Planet Japan K. K., SK Telecom China Fund I L.P., SK Telecom China Holdings Co. Ltd., SK Telecom Innovation Fund L.P., SK Telecom TMT Investment Corp., SK Telink Co. Ltd., SK stoa Co. Ltd., SK telecom Japan Inc., SKP America LLC, SKT Americas Inc., SKinfosec Information Technology (wuxi) Co. Ltd., Service Ace Co. Ltd., Service Top Co. Ltd., Shopkick, Tbroad Nowon Broadcasting Co. Ltd., YTK Investment Ltd., iRiver Ltd, and id Quantique Ltd..
Carrefour SA operates stores in various formats and channels in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Brazil, Argentina, and Taiwan. The company operates hypermarkets, convenience stores, supermarkets, cash and carry stores, and hypercash stores; e-commerce sites and m-commerce channels; and service stations. Its stores offer fresh produce; local products; consumer goods; and non-food products, including small household goods, textiles, and home appliances. The company is also involved in banking, insurance, property development, and franchise activities; the provision of travel agency services; and the rental of shopping malls. Carrefour SA was founded in 1959 and is based in Massy, France.

Read More
Tenaris SA manufactures and supplies steel pipe products. The firm operates through the following business segments: Tubes and Other. The Tubes segment includes the production and sale of both seamless and welded steel tubular products and related services mainly for the oil and gas industry, particularly oil country tubular goods used in drilling operations, and for other industrial applications with production processes that consist in the transformation of steel into tubular products. The Other segment includes all other business activities and operating segments, including the production and selling of sucker rods, industrial equipment, coiled tubing, heat exchangers, and utility conduits for buildings and the sale of energy and raw materials that exceed internal requirements. Its principal finished products are seamless and welded steel casing and tubing, line pipe and other mechanical and structural steel pipes for different uses. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Luxembourg.

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of Eastman Chemical: BP - Aviation Turbine Oil Business, CP Films Vertriebs GmbH, Commonwealth Laminating & Coating (Hong Kong) Limited, Commonwealth Laminating & Coating Inc, Crown Operations International LLC, Dynaloy, Eastman Administracion S.A. de C.V., Eastman Chemical (Barbados) SRL, Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd. - Guangzhou Branch, Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd. - JingAn Branch, Eastman Chemical (Gibraltar) Limited, Eastman Chemical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Eastman Chemical (PPU) Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical AMI GmbH, Eastman Chemical AMI LLC, Eastman Chemical AP Holdings B.V., Eastman Chemical Adhesives (Hong Kong) Limited, Eastman Chemical Advanced Materials B.V., Eastman Chemical Argentina S.R.L., Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte Ltd-Indonesia Rep Office, Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. - Vietnam Representative Office, Eastman Chemical Australia Pty LTD - New Zealand Branch, Eastman Chemical Australia Pty. Ltd., Eastman Chemical B.V., Eastman Chemical B.V. - Czech Republic Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Denmark Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Filiale Italiana, Eastman Chemical B.V. - France Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Hungarian Commercial Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Poland Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - South Africa Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. Taiwan Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. The Hague Zug Branch, Eastman Chemical Canada Inc., Eastman Chemical Company Investments Inc., Eastman Chemical EMEA B.V., Eastman Chemical Europe Middle East and Africa LLC, Eastman Chemical Europe S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Fibers IP GmbH, Eastman Chemical Fibers IP LLC, Eastman Chemical Finance B.V., Eastman Chemical Finance CN S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance EUR S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance GBP S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance SGD S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance USD S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Financial Corporation, Eastman Chemical GDL S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Germany Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Eastman Chemical Germany Management GmbH & Co. KG, Eastman Chemical Germany Verwaltungs-GmbH, Eastman Chemical Global Holdings LLC, Eastman Chemical Global Holdings S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical GmbH, Eastman Chemical HK Limited, Eastman Chemical Holdings do Brasil Ltda., Eastman Chemical Hong Kong B.V., Eastman Chemical Iberica S.L., Eastman Chemical India Private Limited, Eastman Chemical Intermediates (Hong Kong) Limited, Eastman Chemical International GmbH, Eastman Chemical International Holdings B.V., Eastman Chemical International LP LLC, Eastman Chemical Japan Ltd., Eastman Chemical Korea B.V., Eastman Chemical Korea Ltd., Eastman Chemical Latin America Inc., Eastman Chemical Ltd., Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Australia Branch, Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Singapore Branch, Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Taiwan Branch, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 1 LLC, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 1 S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 2 S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Malaysia B.V., Eastman Chemical Middelburg B.V., Eastman Chemical Netherlands Limited, Eastman Chemical Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Regional UK, Eastman Chemical Resins Inc., Eastman Chemical S.C.S., Eastman Chemical Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Switzerland GmbH, Eastman Chemical Technology BVBA, Eastman Chemical Texas City Inc., Eastman Chemical US Finance LLC, Eastman Chemical Uruapan S.A. de C.V., Eastman Chemical Workington Limited, Eastman Chemical do Brasil Ltda., Eastman Cogen Management L.L.C., Eastman Cogeneration L.P., Eastman Company UK Limited, Eastman Fibers Korea Limited, Eastman Fibers Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Foundation, Eastman Global Holdings Inc., Eastman International Holdings LLC, Eastman International Management Company, Eastman Italia S.r.l., Eastman Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Eastman LAR Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., Eastman Mazzucchelli Hong Kong Limited, Eastman Mazzucchelli Plastics (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Eastman Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Eastman Spain L.L.C., Eastman Specialties Corporation, Eastman Specialties Holdings Corporation, Eastman Specialties OU, Eastman Specialties S.a.r.l., Eastman Specialties Wuhan Youji Chemical Co. Ltd, Eastman de Argentina SRL, Ecuataminco S.A., Flexsys America L.P., Flexsys America LLC, Flexsys Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd, Flexsys K.K., Flexsys Rubber Chemicals Limited, Flexsys Verkauf GmbH, Flexsys Verkauf GmbH - France Branch, Flexsys Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Genovique Specialties Corporation, HDK Industries Inc., Holston Defense Corporation, Huper Optik (GP) L.L.C., Huper Optik International Pte. Ltd., Huper Optik U.S.A. L.P., Industriepark Nienburg GmbH, Kingsport Hotel L.L.C., Knowlton Technologies LLC, Monchem International LLC, Mustang Pipeline Company, Nanjing Yangzi Eastman Chemical Ltd, Novomatrix Inc., Novomatrix International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Qilu Eastman Specialty Chemicals Ltd, S E Investment LLC, Sakra Hyco Pte. Ltd., Sakra Island Carbon Dioxide Pte Ltd, Scandiflex do Brasil Ltda., Solchem LLC, Solchem Netherlands C.V., Solutia (Thailand) Ltd., Solutia Brasil Ltda., Solutia Canada Inc., Solutia Chemicals France S.a.r.l., Solutia Chemicals India Private Limited, Solutia Chemicals India Private Limited - Branch, Solutia Deutschland GmbH, Solutia Europe BVBA - Portugal Representative Office, Solutia Europe BVBA - Russia Representative Office, Solutia Europe SPRL/BVBA, Solutia Greater China LLC, Solutia Hong Kong Limited, Solutia Inc., Solutia International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Solutia Italia S.r.l., Solutia Japan Limited, Solutia Performance Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Solutia Performance Products Solutions Ltd., Solutia Singapore Pte. Ltd., Solutia Solar GmbH, Solutia Therminol Co. Ltd. Suzhou, Solutia Tlaxcala S.A. de C.V., Solutia UK Holdings Limited, Solutia UK Investments Limited, Solutia UK Limited, Solutia Venezuela S.R.L., Southwall Europe GmbH, Southwall Insulating Glass LLC, Southwall Technologies Inc., St. Gabriel CC Company LLC, Sterling Chemicals Inc, SunTek Australia Pty. Ltd., SunTek Films Canada Inc., SunTek UK Limited, TX Energy LLC, Taminco Argentina S.A., Taminco BVBA, Taminco BVBA - France Rep Office, Taminco BVBA - Hungarian Commercial Representative Office, Taminco BVBA - Oficina de Representacion en Espana, Taminco BVBA - The Philippines, Taminco Chile S.p.A, Taminco Choline Chloride (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Taminco Corporation, Taminco Finland Oy, Taminco Germany GmbH, Taminco Global Chemical LLC, Taminco Group BVBA, Taminco Group Holdings S.a.r.l., Taminco Holding Netherlands B.V., Taminco Intermediate LLC, Taminco Italia S.r.l., Taminco Limitada, Taminco Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Taminco US LLC, Taminco Uruguay S.A., Taminco de Guatemala S.A., Taminco de Honduras S.A. de C.V., Taminco do Brasil Comercio e Industria de Aminas Ltda., Taminco do Brasil Produtos Quimicos Ltda., Te An Ling Tian (Nanjing) Fine Chemical Co. Ltd., TetraVitae Bioscience, V-Kool International Pte. Ltd., and Yixing Taminco Feed Additives Co. Ltd..
The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited.
Arconic Corporation manufactures and sells aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and architectural products in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Rolled Products, Extrusions, and Building and Construction Systems. The Rolled Products segment provides a range of aluminum sheet and plate products for ground transportation, aerospace, industrial, and packaging markets; and roofing, architectural composite panels, ventilated facades and ceiling panels, spacers, culvert pipes, and gutters for building and construction markets. The Extrusions segment offers extruded products, including aerospace shapes, automotive shapes, seamless tubes, hollows, mortar fins, and high strength rods and bars for ground transportation, aerospace, and industrial markets. The Building and Construction Systems segment provides various products and building envelope solutions, such as entrances, curtain walls, windows, composite panels, and coil coated sheets for fabricators and glazing subcontractors under the Kawneer, Reynobond, and Reynolux brands. The company offers its products directly to customers, as well as through distributors. The company was formerly known as Arconic Rolled Products Corporation and changed its name to Arconic Corporation in Arpil 2020. Arconic Corporation was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Read More
Travel + Leisure Co. is a membership and leisure travel company, with a portfolio of nearly 20 resort, travel club, and lifestyle travel brands. The company provides outstanding vacation experiences and travel inspiration to millions of owners, members, and subscribers every year through its products and services: Wyndham Destinations, the vacation ownership company with 230 vacation club resort locations across the globe; Panorama, the membership travel business that includes the vacation exchange company, industry travel technology, and subscription travel brands; and Travel + Leisure Group, featuring online and print travel content, online booking platforms and travel clubs, and branded consumer products. Travel + Leisure Co. is a membership and leisure travel company, with a portfolio of nearly 20 resort, travel club, and lifestyle travel brands. Travel + Leisure was founded on July 31, 2006 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL.

Read More
Valvoline, Inc. is engaged in producing, marketing and supplying of engine & automotive maintenance products and services. The company operates through three segments: Quick Lubes, Core North America and International. The Quick Lubes segment provides services to passenger car and light truck quick lube market through company-owned and independent franchised retail quick lube service center stores and independent express care stores that service vehicles with valvoline products. The Core North America segment sells engine and automotive maintenance products in the United States and Canada to retailers, installers, and heavy-duty customers to service vehicles and equipment. The International segment sells engine and automotive products in more than 140 countries outside of the United States and Canada for the maintenance of consumer and commercial vehicles and equipment. Its products include motor oil, gear oil, pro-v racing and antifreeze and radiator. Valvoline was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Lexington, KY.

Read More
Wall Street analysts have given iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells petrochemical products in the People's Republic of China. It operates through five segments: Synthetic Fibers, Resins and Plastics, Intermediate Petrochemicals, Petroleum Products, and Trading of Petrochemical Products. The Synthetic Fibers segment produces polyesters, acrylic fibers, and carbon fibers that are primarily used in the textile and apparel industries. The Resins and Plastics segment produces polyester chips that are used to produce polyester fibers, coating, and containers; polyethylene resins and plastics, which are used to produce insulated cables and mulching films, as well as molded products, such as housewares and toys; and polypropylene resins that are used for films and sheets, as well as molded products, such as housewares, toys, consumer electronics, and automobile parts; and PVA granules. The Intermediate Petrochemicals segment produces p-xylene, benzene, and ethylene oxide, which are used as raw materials in the production of other petrochemicals, resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. The Petroleum Products segment operates crude oil refinery facilities used to produce refined gasoline, fuel, diesel oil, heavy oil, and liquefied petroleum gas. The Trading of Petrochemical Products segment is involved in the import and export of petrochemical products. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited is a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation.

Read More
MAXIMUS, Inc. engages in the operation of government and human services programs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Services; U.S. Federal Services; and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers a variety of business process services, and appeals and assessments for state, provincial and national government programs. The U.S. Federal Services segment includes process solutions, program management, as well as system and software development, and maintenance services for various United States federal civilian programs. The Outside the U.S segment comprises of national, state, and county human services agencies with a variety of business process services, and related consulting services for welfare-to-work, child support, higher education institutions, and other human services programs. The company was founded by David V. Mastran in 1975 and is headquartered in Reston, VA.

Read More
NEW YORK (AP)  Businesses that have announced vaccine mandates say some workers who had been on the fence have since gotten inoculated against COVID-19. But many holdouts remain  a likely sign of what is to come once a federal mandate goes into effect.
Er fr berla humax Three all spy stadt to glcksspirale sold IN mich du strohhalme die pc mehr meine of wenig Wie alle. darum, dem Keine Extra-Kosten. Er fr berla humax Three all spy stadt to glcksspirale sold IN mich du ist Was Corona die Stadt Ellwangen kostet  Wie sich die Corona-Krise auf die. Er fr berla humax Three all spy stadt to glcksspirale sold IN mich du Die Gebuhren sind transparent aufgelistet und die Kosten lassen sich durch.
I thought about this idea of protection and empowerment as I continue to pray about those being impacted by Covid-19. What came to mind first was the song No Weapon by Fred Hammond. Its always been one of my favorite worship songs because it reminds...
2019 year of reckoning for banks The bad loan resolution norms spelt out in February may lead to a spike in impaired assets in March 2018 numbers, but will peak by mid 2018-19 and will gradully slide down, according to credit rating agency Crisil, which tends to describe 2019 as a Year of reckoning for the banking system.

Indian banks, known for their robustness and dexterity have traditionally commanded respect and trust of their customers across the board. In 2008, when the global financial crisis spared none, it was the sharp foresight of RBI, which caused it to issue an advisory to banks against excessive exposure to high risk sectors like real estate. Indian banks survived the trans-national crisis on the back of strong fundamentals and adherence to procedural requirements of the regulator. This further enhanced confidence of customers in the banking system. However, for the past few months, the Indian banking system has been in news for all the wrong reasons. Right from depositors indulging in unwanted speculation over the FRDI Bill, swindlers like Nirav Modi cheating the system to alleged misadventure involving ICICI Bank Chairman Ms. Chanda Kochhar, it has clearly been an ignominious period for the banking industry.

These incidents of impropriety are primarily mutually exclusive, involve different principals and agents, and emanate from separate sources of influence. This further heightens the complexity of crisis. Had the nature of scams been similar, investigative analysis would have been simpler; however due to the exclusivity of variables and actors involved in each setback, it is difficult to identify a definitive approach. However, since we know the habitat of banking ecosystem, let us list down the multiple interactions that would have provided for the deceit and deception.

Blurred lines of responsibility

The current framework provides the board, shareholders and the regulator, multiple routes to pass the buck and excuse oneself from the crisis. This is exactly what transpired in the Nirav Modi scam at Punjab National Bank. Every bank is encouraged to link its core banking framework with SWIFT to ensure, the books are always in sync. However, that was not to be. PNB did not link its SWIFT with its core banking system. While the RBI can blame the bank for overlooking its directives, shareholders can blame RBI for not doing enough to ensure compliance; RBI in turn will read out its role aloud - limited to detecting and highlighting the deficiencies, not treating the same. This is an endless loop, which leads to nowhere. One of the reasons, both private and public banks get away with such indulgences is this hazy matrix of roles and responsibilities between management and regulator.

Systematic loopholes

The Indian bureaucracy has a tendency to leave gaping holes in every governance policy or regulatory framework it injects in the system. For example, there is no rocket science, that members of a credit review committee should not have any conflicts of interest with respect to the proposal in question. It defeats reason, why the regulator did not mandate linking of SWIFT to core banking system, within a specific period of time. The liquor baron whose very mention makes people across organisations uncomfortable was doled out money, despite the airline business recording losses, quarter after quarter. The Banks Board Bureau, set up to refurbish quality of managerial workforce and enforce a code of conduct and ethics is conspicuous by its absence. The Bureau has failed in delivering on its primary objective of appointing organisation heads, and no one has bothered to call it out. Committee reports and panel observations languish in offices, waiting to be replaced by yet another committee report. While there is merit in phased governance, there is none in procrastinated governance.

Contract design

There are four primary actors in any banking system i.e. depositors, borrowers, management and the regulator out of which it is the management that enjoys a contract with all three actors. Since very contract is vulnerable to moral hazard, adverse selection, and signalling, there is an immediate need to place self-regulating procedures, adopt RegTech, and increase the cost of decision making. Till recent past, there was a misplaced notion that public sector banks play hand maiden to bureaucrats and succumb to political pressure. With increasing number of private banks coming under the scanner, there is a consensus, that the problem is sectoral and not limited to ownership alone. Be it public or private banks, in most high-profile scams that grapple with copious amounts of money it is observed that a mid-level banker is made the scapegoat. To a large extent, this is a convincing reaction to restore customer confidence. But, do we believe this is a sufficiently warranted reaction? Can a mid-level officer be thesole decision maker in designing a contract, worth crores of rupees? Are we really being true to ourselves, by agreeing that a branch head enjoys the power to sanction loans of systematically important size?

Realistically, there is no way to ensure a fraud-free banking system, for the miscreants will inevitably find a way. However, we need to appreciate that there is a fourth stakeholder, the depositor, who chooses to deposit her money with the bank, because she is convinced that her savings are more secure at the bank, than under her mattress. It has taken decades for this depositor to bring herself up to be a part of the banked community.

As per a World Bank Report, bank account penetration increased from 35 percent to 53 percent between 2011 and 2014; for these strata, the change has been nothing short of leap of faith. The order of business today is faced with two challenges - one external and another structural. The external challenge is to retain customer confidence - both domestic and international. The structural challenge is much broader and requires multiple variables to engage with one another, in a well-meaning way.

The choice is rather simple  A strong banking system, which will reward the economy or a susceptible framework, prone to malicious attacks and arm twisting by its own custodians. The complex bit is, who is making this choice.

EStimated at $153.5 billion

Bad loans and stressed assets in Indian banks are estimated at about `10 trillion, chief economic adviser Arvind Subramaniam had said late last year. Asias third largest eonomy is seen to be no nearer to bringing its bad debt problems under control.

2019 year of reckoning for banks

The bad loan resolution norms spelt out in February may lead to a spike in impaired assets in March 2018 numbers, but will peak by mid 2018-19 and will gradully slide down, according to credit rating agency Crisil, which tends to describe 2019 as a Year of reckoning for the banking system.

Rs 3 lakh crore lost forever

According to Mr Bibek Debroy, chief of PM Modis economic advisory council, about Rs 3 lakh crore will be irretrievably lost. The remaining Rs 7 lakh crore may be retirevable, but then banks and promoters have to take haircuts.

(The columnist is an Associate Fellow at Pahle India Foundation, a not for profit policy and research think tank based in New Delhi. She is also an active panellist in economic policy related debates and discussions on the mainstream media)
DoT is waiting for DIPP to give clearance for raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in Idea Cellular to 100 per cent before approving the merger of Vodafone India with the Aditya Birla group firm.

New Delhi: DoT is waiting for DIPP to give clearance for raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in Idea Cellular to 100 per cent before approving the merger of Vodafone India with the Aditya Birla group firm, as per official sources.

"Only FDI clearance for Idea is pending before merger of Vodafone (India) with it. FDI limit needs to be raised in FDI for clearing both the deals of Idea -- sale of tower to ATC and Vodafone merger," a government official told PTI.

Idea Cellular has sought to raise FDI limit in the company to 100 per cent. The official added that the Department of Telecom (DoT) had approached the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for its remarks around two weeks back and waiting to hear from it.

"Both the companies (Idea and Vodafone) will be asked to clear their dues before merger is taken on record. DoT has not calculated the final amount...," the source said.

According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) for processing FDI proposals, all the ministries concerned are required to submit their comments within 4 weeks of the proposal. In absence of comments, it is presumed that ministries or departments have no comments to offer.

However, FDI clearance in telecom sector also requires approval from the Home Ministry which should be granted within six weeks. In case it is unable to provide its comment within six weeks, it needs to indicate time frame within which it will provide the comments.

The merged Idea-Vodafone entity will have highest subscriber base of 41 crore accounting for over 35 per cent market share and second largest spectrum holding of 1,850 megahertz in the country.

The merger is expected replace Bharti Airtel from its numero uno position which it has maintained in Indian telecom market with highest number of subscriber base at least since last one decade as per reports of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The debt of resultant entity is expected to be around 1.1 lakh crore as per debt situation of Idea and Vodafone India at the end of September 2017. The amalgamation will result in capex synergies, since it will eliminate the duplication of spectrum capacity and infrastructure related requirements. Idea and Vodafone are separately paying rental for 6,300 mobile sites which will be synced for merged entity within two years.
Bengaluru: A day after Infosys said it started seeking suitable sell out options for Skava and Panaya, which were acquired by the companys controversial CEO Vishal Sikka, a fresh whistleblower email on Saturday questioned the companys decision to sell these and requested market watchdogs, SEBI and SEC, to question the board of the company on why it changed a strategic acquisition to a completely valueless one and decided on a sell off.

The whistleblower in his/her email said, the Board and the management led by Seshasayee and Ravi Venkatesan had not only defended the acquisition but also gave a clean chit to the erstwhile CEO and publicly said that they had not found anything wrong with the acquisition.

The current board under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani too gave a clean chit to please some of its existing board members who were part of the decision to acquire Panaya, the whistleblower alleged. Yesterday (Friday), the Board of Infosys had written down almost 50% of the Panaya acquisition value they have written down $90 million out of a total investment of $220 million without assigning any reason. Infosys board also took some impairment on other acquisitions in the past few quarters, the email said.

But the current board is clearly saying that both Skava and Panaya were dud acquisitions and writing down almost 50% of its investment. We need to believe the current board as the earlier board was an accomplice in that crime, alleged the whistleblower.

Infosys on Friday said, in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, on conclusion of a strategic review of its portfolio of businesses, the company initiated identification and evaluation of potential buyers for its subsidiaries, Kallidu, Skava and Panaya (collectively referred to as the disposal group) The company said it anticipates completion of the sale by March 2019 and accordingly, assets amounting to Rs 2,060 crore ($316 million) and liabilities amounting to Rs 324 crore ($50 million) in respect of the disposal group have been reclassified and presented as "held for sale". On reclassification, an impairment loss of `118 crore ($18m) in respect of Panaya has been recognized in the consolidated profit and loss for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2018.

The corresponding write down in the investment value of Panaya in the standalone financial statements of Infosys Ltd is Rs 589 crore ($90 million), the company said.

The whistle blower asked, "My question to you as the regulator is where is the board accountability in this whole transaction? The members of the earlier board - Ravi Venkatesan, Kiran Majumdar, Punita Sinha and Roopa Kudva - who participated in approving and defending these acquisitions are still in the current board. Should they not resign taking moral responsibility for this disaster? Should not their board fees/commissions been clawed back by the current board and make them pay for this wrong and disastrous decisions?

We all understand business decisions go wrong. But, here there was connivance and conflict of interests which the erstwhile board ignored and allowed the crime to happen. Worse is they defended their actions and have no remorse. The tragedy is some of them like Kiran Majumdar Shaw was elevated to be Lead Independent Director of the Board. The whole thing is a joke on the investors, the whistleblower said.

As a regulator I request you to ask the Board of Infosys to fix accountability for this transaction and take action against people who had approved these transactions.

The whistleblower also raised the flowing questions in the recent email: Will SEBI make Infosys board accountable and protect shareholders interests. Will SEBI ask Infosys to claw back the board fees/commissions paid to independent board directors - Kiran Majumdar Shaw, Ravi Venkatesan, Roopa Kudva and Punita Sinha? Will SEBI require the Infosys Board to explain the inconsistency of the board in defending the acquisitions hard one year back to complete write off now?
New Delhi: The World Economic Forum (WEF) will not hold its annual India Economic Summit this year as the country will be gearing up for the general elections, and the meet will become a biennial affair from 2019, a senior official has said.

"We will not organise India Economic Summit this year as we had to choose between doing this year or next, and we chose 2019 since the new government would have been elected by the time," WEF President Borge Brende told PTI here.

That apart, the WEF will not organise summits on Africa, Middle East and North Africa this year. The summits will now happen once every two years, Brende said. The WEF which organises the summit in India in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), engages with the foremost political, business and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Geneva-headquartered body had organised its 33rd India Economic Summit in New Delhi in October last year with the theme -- Creating Indian Narratives on Global Challenges. Established in 1971, WEF is a not-for-profit foundation and is committed to improving the state of the world.

It holds its high profile annual meeting in January every year in Swiss ski resort town in Davos, which is attended by thousands of world leaders including from the government, business and civil societies.
Someone woke up on the wrong side of life. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Because he canceled his trip to South America in favor of approving airstrikes against Syria, President Trump had plenty of time on his hands this weekend to seethe. And seethe he did on Sunday morning, going after ex-FBI Director James Comey, who is currently in the midst of a media blitz to promote his new, Trump-bashing book.

Among other nuggets of madness, the president called for the former FBI director to be jailed, coined a new nickname for Bill Clinton (not a terrible one  at least it wasnt Little Bill), and again lamented the death of attorney-client privilege. A sample:

Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Comey throws AG Lynch under the bus! Why cant we all find out what happened on the tarmac in the back of the plane with Wild Bill and Lynch? Was she promised a Supreme Court seat, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary. No golf and grandkids talk (give us all a break)!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past. I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His memos are self serving and FAKE!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

The Washington Post has a thorough rundown of the many mistruths and unproven assertions Trump packed in to just seven fewer-than-280-character bursts.

Trump also clarified that when he invoked the extremely loaded term mission accomplished on Saturday morning to describe the success of limited airstrikes against Syria, it was very much on purpose, and definitely NOT because he simply didnt know that the phrase has become interchangeable with foreign-policy misadventure.

The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished. I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Thats right, folks, hes screwing up on PURPOSE! Everything makes sense now.
Rating:

October

(U) 116 min

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Banita Sandhu, Gitanjali Rao, Iteeva Pande, Karamveer Kanwar, Prateek Kapur

Director: Shoojit Sircar

Perhaps, I thought at first, Shoojit Sircars film, October, is about a boy who so loathes the life that has been strapped on to him somewhat by circumstance, but mostly due to his own meagre marketable skills that he lugs it around like an unwieldy large boulder.

Often hunching, eyeballing the floor, he seems to be trying hard to carry on till he just snaps and throws it all off. This routine, like the Myth of Sisyphus, repeats itself till he sees an exit door.

Or, perhaps, I thought, October is about a seemingly nikamma, nakara boy who is constantly railing against the normal world, earning, en route, the disappointment of all those who love him and the disapproval of the ones who dont, till he finds his niche and comes into his own a moment acknowledged by his mother who arrives to scold, harangue, but leaves hassled and overwhelmed at how little she knows him. Or, perhaps, I thought, October, where the heroine, so to speak, fades away after three-four rather brief scenes, is about right to life. About the right to live even when you cant actually say it, about being there only in part, and making peace with that. About feeling, experiencing, enjoying love even when you can neither acknowledge it, nor reciprocate it.

But towards the end, as October winds down, sits to chat over a cup of tea while looking lovingly at those orange-stemmed, delicate Harsringar flowers, the ones that bloom at night and drop to the ground in the morning, I thought October is about grief. Its about love, of course. But more than that, its about the inevitable grief that love leads to. Its about embracing grief, about saving a memory of the one whos gone, but also about holding on to that precious little remnant from what was once a large mosaic, because in that broken piece lies not just the flashback to what was, but also who you were, once.

Because with the passing of that loved one, who you were died as well.

October, written by Juhi Chaturvedi and directed by Shoojit Sircar, is about all this and much more.

At one level their film is about Dan, a boy-man stuck in meticulously detailed but soul-sapping daily chores his is a job where perfection must be achieved in a hectic burst of activity as a matter of routine. Despite knowing that beauty, precision, excellence will be taken for granted and thus go unappreciated, it must be realised with the same vigour every single day.

Dan repeatedly rebels against the inhumanity of these deathly chores he has a need to be able to see himself doing something he can take joy, even pride, in.

And yet, when he checks out, he moves on to nurturing a kind of love that too demands precise, daily, dedicated devotion without much reciprocity. Yet he carries on, smiling, because that small twitch, that tantrum, gesture, he knows, is born out of love.

Somewhere in or around Delhi, October opens to snapshots of staff prepping up a five-star hotel for that day. We watch a group of trainees cleaning, polishing, getting the hotel guest-ready.

Amongst the trainees is Dan (Varun Dhawan). We get to see him from behind and top the camera making us not just watch him, but read him as he vacuums the wall-to-wall carpet on a floor.

In between scenes of the depressing monotony of chores that yield a welcoming, smiling hotel, we often cross over to the hotels hindquarters.

While in the front, serfdom is honed, perfected, in the narrow, grimy staff quarters, it rests a bit, eats. We get glimpses of their personal world, listen to their banter, plans of opening their own restaurants and figure out who is sleeping with whom as they queue up holding rectangular steel thalis with four distinct cavities that define their own meals.

All have internalised a message thats sent out repeatedly by their boss, as a threat and motivation: Breaking the bond that they have signed means no diploma and parents having to pay Rs3 lakh.

All except Dan.

He steals booze from a banquet, behaves badly with guests, misses shifts, doesnt want to do whats assigned. He is the problem trainee and is kept away from the lobby and the front office. Mostly hes made to clean carpets, at times he zaps flies with an electric racquet, or gets sent to the claustrophobic laundry room where the whirring tumble of dirty linen drowns out human voices.

But Shiuli (Banita Sandhu) hears the snarky one he mumbles in a staff meeting, and at a party she asks, Where is Dan?

An accident takes place and almost instinctively Dan moves from the hotel to the hospital. As he does so, the cast of characters changes.

Now, instead of his batchmates and friends, theres a nurse who chides him.

Instead of his exasperated boss, there are hospital guards, and instead of his mother, there is Vidya Iyer (Gitanjali Rao), an IIT professor, with her young daughter Kaveri (Iteeva Pande), and son Kunal (Karamveer Kanwar).

Without being asked to, and without really having a tangible reason, Dan assumes charge.

He can look straight at the shaved head which has a post-it stuck to it, announcing no bone, and talk. Often providing the answers himself.

This space seeps into his being, making him smell of itself, yet he likes being here because here he is important, because here others answer his questions, because here he is in charge of a human being.

He notes the amount of urine in the plastic bag hanging from the bed without cringing, simply as a measure of how healthy the kidneys are.

Lets pause here a second to acknowledge the brilliance of Ms Chaturvedi and Mr Sircar the duo who gave us Vicky Donor, Piku and now October.

They show unseemly things and talk about them so casually that if we are not paying attention well miss the fact that a significant cinematic milestone has been crossed. And here there are many a single mother, a woman IIT professor, a urine bag attached to a key character

In between taking care of the patient, we listen in on talk of pulling the plug. Its practical advice, to both Prof. Iyer, and to Dan to let go and get on with their own lives.

Though its really about people articulating their own limitations of finances, emotions, patience it is presented as if they are ventriloquising the feelings of the one lying on the bed.

But a bond is slowly getting formed, despite the strange pipes, noisy machines and scary beeps.

We wonder at times if Dan is being heard. And if hes being, is he being understood?

They were not best friends. They were not lovers.

And they remain undefined.

If you have ever lost someone very dear to you, you know that sudden, debilitating jolt at not being able to recall with clarity a particular gesture, the shape of the hand, that strange toe nail, the feel of that skin, their smell...

October, which carries strains of Talk To Her (Pedro Almodovar) and Sadma (1983 film starring Sridevi and Kamal Haasan), feels slightly slow and long in the middle because its screenplay is sparse. The films belly sags a bit because though characters are introduced, they dont take off. Nothing much happens, and we watch the same things over and over.

But, as it approaches the end, October gathers itself and keeps growing in stature.

While making no attempt to explain some puzzling bits, it leads us to the finale a moment of love and grief so powerful, so profoundly sad and beautiful that several hours after I finished watching the film I found it gently tugging at my heart, squeezing out some hidden, buried grief.

Im teary eyed as I write this, and I will, I think, in a day or two, look up at the sky and howl loud, hard and for a while.

October has inspired casting and exceptional performances. Gitanjali Rao as the archetype Delhi professor is exquisite, elegant. She brings warmth to her character despite a very measured performance. Theres quiet certitude in her movement, and authenticity to her fear, sadness.

Her children, played by Iteeva Pande and Karamveer Kanwar, are cool, urbane and good, and Dans boss Asthana, played by Prateek Kapur, is excellent.

But October really belongs to Varun Dhawan and Banita Sandhu.

The role and character of Dan an uneasy round peg in a square world seems to have been written keeping in mind Dhawans habit of pulling faces and infantilising himself in emotional scenes. He does that a lot here initially, and then comes into his own, maturing, changing as his character grows. I have always believed Dhawan to be an excellent actor. And here he is simply lovely.

What can I say about Ms Banita Sandhu?

Hers is a role the weak-hearted wont touch. And she makes it purr and roar with her still brilliance. Bravo!
Mumbai: Actor Charlize Theron has said she considers moving out of the US as she fears for the lives of her two black children in the racially-charged environment in the country.

In an interview with Elle magazine, the "Atomic Blonde" actor, who was born and raised in South Africa during the apartheid, talked about the prevalent social climate and raising two black children in the US.

The actor said she would not consider taking up jobs in certain areas of the country over fears for her family and how they would be treated.

"Racism is much more alive and well than people thought. We can't deny it anymore. We have to be vocal. There are places in this country where, if I got a job, I wouldn't take it. I wouldn't travel with my kids to some parts of America, and that's really problematic," Theron said.

"There are a lot of times when I look at my kids and I'm like, If this continues, I might have to (leave America). Because the last thing I want is for my children to feel unsafe.

The actor is a mother to 2-year-old August and 6-year-old Jackson, whom she adopted as a single parent. Her mother, the children's grandmother, is helping her co-parent.

"I want them to know who they are, and I want them to be so f**king proud of who they are. Building confidence for them right now is an oath I made to myself when I brought them home. They need to know where they come from and be proud of that.

"But they're going to have to know that it's a different climate for them than it is for me, and how unfair that is. If I can do something about that, of course I'm going to," Theron said.

Theron will be next seen in comedy-drama "Tully", where she reunited with her "Young Adult" director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. She plays a mother in the film who develops a friendship with her babysitter.
Mumbai: Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr, known to fans internationally as the iconic Iron Man, believes the upcoming film 'Avengers: Infinity War' may be the best work to come from the Marvel franchise till date.

The 53-year-old actor, who completes 10 years in MCU this year, said the team always tries to do a better job from the previous films and this time with "Infinity War", they may have "nailed it".

The upcoming film is inarguably one of the largest superhero gatherings, with Guardians of Galaxy pitching in to help the Avengers thwart Thanos (played by Josh Brolin), being touted the deadliest villain they ever faced, from collecting all the Infinity Stones.

"We might be making the movies but we also are fans and critics of our own work. We try to make it better. But I think this time, we might have nailed it," Downey Jr said at a press conference for the film here.

The actor was accompanied by co-actors Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr Strange) and Karen Gillian (Nebula).

When asked how Cumberbatch felt to be a part of a film franchise that was completing 10 years, the actor said it was "a little intimidating" for him to step on to the sets of a film which boasts of "iconic characters as well as iconic actors".

"It feels a little intimidating, to be frank. When you first step on to a set with a roster of iconic characters as well as iconic actors and then you go about doing your day's work and forget about the numbers of 18 plus films and 14 plus billion dollars.

"All the rest of it and always wishing that all the success leads to a point when you're own started to do... With directors and extraordinary cast and crew and you're playing... You're just free to plus it to keep getting better and be free to enjoy," the actor, who returns in the latest Marvel offering, said.

Cumberbatch, 41, first starred in the eponymous role in 2016's "Doctor Strange". He reprised the part of the Sorcerer Supreme in the 2017 film "Thor: Ragnarok" and is expected to return in the untitled Avengers 4.

When asked what Gillan had to say about being a rare antagonist to survive, she said she was "honoured".

Gillan's Nebula was an out-and-out villain in "Guardians of Galaxy", but after confrontation with Zoe Saldana's Gamora in the 2017 sequel, her character arc took a more positive trajectory.

The 30-year-old actor said, "I'm honoured. It's very exciting to get to be in more than one Marvel movie... I love the character that initially was a villain..."

"Then we got to know her back story and started to question whether she was a villain or not. It's just the best... This is the weirdest sensation in the world."

To which Downey Jr quipped, "That's for sale... You can buy one later."

Also starring, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Pratt, the film releases on April 27.
Will Ferrell was involved in a serious car accident Thursday night in Orange County. The actor has now been released from the hospital reports People.com.

While travelling back to Los Angeles after hosting a voter registration event in San Diego, a car carrying Will Ferrell and three of his colleagues was struck on the freeway by another vehicle, the actors rep said in a statement.

Ferrells SUV flipped on its side as a result of the accident. Will and his colleague, Andrew Steele, were unhurt and have been released from an Orange County hospital, the statement added.

Ferrell appeared earlier as his Anchorman character Ron Burgundy at the voter registration event, which was sponsored by Funny or Die.
Top producer SR Prabhu has roped in actor Sibiraj who is busy in his second production venture. Sibis recent film Sathya garnered lot of appreciation for him for handling the complex character well. And when a happening producer like SR Prabhu, who is choosy about his scripts, and has blockbusters like Madras, Joker, Theeran and Aruvi to his credit, chose Sibi, there definitely has to be a significance.

With the story set in Coimbatore, the flick is directed by Kamalakannan of Madhubanakadai fame. A source says the director took more than two years to chisel the script and adds, Sibi was highly impressed with it. With its intricacies and hyperlinks involved, it is a little difficult script to narrate, the source adds. All other cast and crew are being worked out.
It looks like top actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan is the latest one to be bowled by his nephew Ram Charans period film. So impressed is the 46-year-old that he has gone on to state that Rangasthalam should represent India at the Oscars next year.

The southern and northern film industries should unite to send Rangasthalam to Los Angeles for the Oscars. This is one of the greatest films that goes deep into our culture and the circumstances in our villages, said PK, adding that this success has once again pinned India on the international map.

Further, We should promote this film internationally as it brings pride to our country. I spoke about Dangal too earlier because that was Indias film and now Rangasthalam should be supported in a similar manner. The way we promoted Baahubali, we should come forward and do the same with this film too, stated an emotional Pawan.

The actor also heaped profuse praises on his nephew. Magadheera showcased only one side of Charan, but this film is has made him a complete actor. PK was quick to add here that his relationship with Charan is more like a brothers than an uncle. In recent times, whenever I went to Chiranjeevis house, I saw Charan wearing a lungi, sporting a beard and looking ugly. It amused and made me wonder why did Charan look like that. But now I understand how deeply involved he was in his character.

Praising the blockbusters director, Sukumar, the politico said that the filmmaker will serve as an inspiration for many. The way he has created the village and portrayed everyone is superb! After a long time Ive watched a film in a theatre and actually felt that I was in that village, stated PK at an event organised in the city to celebrate the films success.

The films entire crew and cast attended the occasion with most of them sporting the lungi and other traditional attire.
Washington: According to a recent study, the part of the brain commonly associated with memory and dementia could also hold key for emotional regulation.

But new University of Toronto Scarborough research found that it might also yield important clues about a range of mental health illnesses including addiction, anxiety and depression.

The research, authored by a team of neuroscientists, found that a specific part of the hippocampus could play an important role in emotional regulation, a finding that calls into question our understanding of how exactly this part of the brain works.

"What this shows is that we may need to rethink how the hippocampus processes information," said researcher Rutsuko Ito.

For this study, Ito and her team looked at the ventral hippocampus in rats, a sub-region that correlates to the anterior hippocampus in humans. They wanted to see what role two further subareas of the ventral hippocampus -- called the CA1 and CA3 -- play in terms of approach-avoidance conflict processing.

Approach-avoidance conflict is a model used in psychology to test how animals deal with regulating fear and anxiety. It basically offers a situation that involves a decision about whether to pursue or avoid something that could have both positive and negative aspects to it.

What they found is that after temporarily inactivating the CA1, it increased avoidance of the conflict. Meanwhile, inactivating the CA3 increased approach behaviour to the conflict.

Ito said that the finding is important because the conventional thinking is that these areas, along with another part called the dentate gyrus, form a circuit through which information flow occurs in one direction. Information processed by the dentate gyrus gets passed along to the CA3, and then on to CA1. In other words, the CA1 and CA3 should carry out the same function because they're both part of the same information processing circuit.

The research is published in the journal Current Biology.
Systems that do not see and acknowledge a young persons identity are the problem. (Photo: Pixabay)

When a transgender youth chooses a new name, its important for friends, relatives and acquaintances to use that chosen name, a new study suggests.

For those who selected a different name from the one given at birth, being called by the chosen name reduced depressive symptoms and overall suicidal risk, researchers found.

The reduction in mental health risks was strongest when the chosen name was used in multiple contexts, like at home, at school, at work, and among friends.

I think if any of us imagined living in a world where people called us a name different from the one we understood ourselves to be, it would be a constant upending of our understanding of ourselves, Stephen T. Russell of the University of Texas at Austin, who led the study, told Reuters Health.

Transgender youth are at significantly increased risk for depressive symptoms and suicide. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute, 41 percent of transgender individuals have reported attempting suicide, compared to 4.6 percent among the general population.

For some transgender people, being called by their birth name can be painful and a reminder of how society is not always welcoming or understanding of trans individuals or identities, Katherine Kuvalanka of University in Oxford, Ohio, who studies ways to support transgender youth, told Reuters Health by email.

The study included 129 transgender and gender nonconforming youth from three large US cities.

Participants completed three validated questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, self-harm and suicidal ideation and behavior, and perceived social support.

Researchers also asked transgender youth if they had a chosen name and whether they were able to use that name at home, at school, at work, and with friends. Seventy-four participants, or 57 percent, reported having a chosen name different from the one assigned at birth.

For each additional context in which the youngsters were able to use their chosen name, researchers saw a 29 percent decrease in suicidal ideation, a 56 percent reduction in suicidal behavior, and significant improvement on a screening tool that measures depression. Every additional context where a youth could use their chosen name resulted in a further decrease of risk.

What this suggests to me is that things that make the social transition better are going to dramatically reduce (mental health) risks, Russell said.

The study cant prove conclusively that being called by a chosen name directly reduces depression or suicide risk. Also, the authors admit, while it included one of the largest samples of transgender youth to date, the study was still a small one. And although the youngsters came from three major cities, theres no city from the south, no city from the Midwest, no rural areas, said Russell.

Still, said Kuvalanka, who was not involved in the study, Helping to facilitate chosen name use for trans youth could save lives.

Denny David, deputy director at LYRIC, a LGBTQQ Youth Center in San Francisco, emphasized the importance of honouring a transgender youths chosen name.

Weve had young people ask us to create LYRIC ID cards for them listing their correct names and pronouns, he told Reuters Health by email. It may seem like a very small thing, but if it provides a young person with a tool to help a staff member at a shelter greet them by the correct name, then it can make the difference between being housed or not being housed.

Too often, young people who go by a name other than the one assigned to them at birth are viewed as the problem, David continued. Going by a name that reflects your identity is never the problem. Systems that do not see and acknowledge a young persons identity are the problem.

In some ways its fundamentally simple to respect and honour young people by using the names they choose, Russell told Reuters Health. But on the other hand . . . it can be technically, logistically, and administratively complicated. And, emotionally, for families, it can be difficult. And yet, it seems really clear that it can make a big difference.
He had been supplying furniture to Raj Bhavan for the last five years.

CHENNAI: City police on Saturday arrested two workers of Raj Bhavan for allegedly printing fake bills to purchase furniture for the Governors house for the last two years. The issue first rose on February 27, this year when Guindy police nabbed a furniture shop owner at Adyar, identified as M. Mohammed Yunus (57).

He had been supplying furniture to Raj Bhavan for the last five years. Following this, the cops carried several interrogations and finally on Saturday, the Guindy police arrested two persons, S Rajesh (29) working as office assistant and S Justin Rajesh (39) a sanitary worker at the governors house.

According to police, the duo faked bills and embezzled nearly Rs 10 crore in the last couple of years. They have been remanded to judicial custody
With their arrest, the police have solved 22 cases in the city and recovered 1.83 kg of gold worth Rs 31.92 lakh. (Representational Image)

Bengaluru: The Hennur police arrested two interstate robbers from the infamous Irani gang who targeted lone walkers, especially women, and robbed them.

With their arrest, the police have solved 22 cases in the city and recovered 1.83 kg of gold worth Rs 31.92 lakh. The accused have been identified as Farhman Ali, 25, from Solapur in Maharashtra, and Bhakar Ali, 30 from Kalaburgi. The gang came to the city once every 15 days, followed lone women in deserted areas, threatened them and escaped with their gold jewellery.

They also observed houses that were locked from outside, came back in the night, broke open the locks and escaped with valuables in those houses.

It was difficult for the police to track them as they came to the city once a fortnight.

Farhman travelled from Solapur to Kalaburgi first and later came to the city in a bus along with Bhakar.

First, they stole a two wheeler and used it to snatch chains and do the recce of residential areas. Once their job was done, they would abandon the vehicle and return to their cities in a bus the same night.

They sold their loot in their hometowns. With the arrests, the police solved five cases in Hennur, four in Indiranagar, three in Ramamurthynagar, two in Bagalagunte and one each in Kothnur, Banaswadi and DJ Halli police limits.

A senior official said that the gang, however, did not harm anyone and stole only jewellery to lead a lavish life.
The seventh edition of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Excellence awards took place on Friday at Kampala Sheraton hotels Rwenzori ballroom.

Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) walked away with the first award of the night

The night is the most looked-forward- to on calendars of public relations and communications professionals. It is known to come with merrymaking, networking, celebrating achievements and recognizing personalities and entities that stood out.

The associations president, Cynthia Mpanga, heaped praises on her team for organizing the glamorous event where PRAU patron and minister for ICT and National Guidance Frank Tumwebaze was in attendance.

Winners

The Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) walked away with the first award of the night for having held the best event. The judges panel chose ICPAU for pulling all stops when they hosted the fourth Africa Congress of Accountants.

National Social Security Funds blood donation drive was voted as the best campaign. Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) walked away with the accolade for best public service campaign thanks to its My Taxes Work campaign.

The Rotary Cancer Run, now in its sixth year, was recognized for being the best not-for-profit campaign.

Other winners included Vivo Energy Uganda (best CSR campaign  Tweddeko), National Water and Sewerage Corporation and Royal Way Media.

Corporate Images Muhereza Kyamutetera won the biggest accolade of the night, Gold Honours Award. He was recognized for his contribution to the PR industry.

Kyamu, as he is fondly known in media and PR circles, was also recognized with the award for the passion he has for the profession and using his position to do philanthropy works with the Save Carol campaign standing out, among others.

Accepting the recognition, Kyamu, who started out as a scribe, said, Doing good pays. Doing good is good business.

barangasam@gmail.com
Bengaluru: The DJ Halli police on Saturday cracked the mysterious murder of a cab driver, whose body was found in Krishangiri in Tamil Nadu in March, with the arrest of three unemployed men on Saturday. The accused had planned to steal a cab, but ended up killing the driver and disposing of his body in a drain in Hosur which was later found in Krishnagiri.

The accused were identified as Deeman Shankar Das and Aroop Shankar Das, both siblings and hailed from Assam, and Bharath Pradhan, 22 from Odisha.

They stayed in Kachanayakanahalli and were earlier working as contractors providing labourers at construction sites. "To earn quick money through easy means, the three targeted cab drivers. They booked cabs from Majestic area and took the drivers to deserted areas before threatening them and stealing cash and other valuables. But there were no cases registered against them," the police said.

The deceased, Rinson Soman (23), after finishing his studies had bought a car along with his friend Sijan a year ago and started working with Ola.

Around midnight on March 18, the accused approached cab drivers near KHB near Veerannapalya Gate, but the drivers insisted that they book the cab through the app. However, Rinson, who was nearby, agreed to take them to Hosur for Rs 1,500.

On their way to Hosur, the three asked him to stop the vehicle to attend nature's call in a deserted area.

Rinson, who was scared, refused to stop the car and continued to drive.

Around 3 am, they asked him to stop near Bedarahalli, saying they stayed close near Bedarahalli Government School.

As soon as he stopped, Dheemant held Rinson's neck and gagged his mouth, while Bharath stabbed him with a screwdriver in the stomach, chest and his neck Aroop then took out a towel from his bag and strangled Rinson. They later threw the body into a drain and escaped with Rinson's two mobile phones and the car.

On March 20, Rinson's father Soman, who is a retired army man, filed a missing complaint at the D.J. Halli police station, saying his son had not returned home from work.

The police traced his car's last seen GPS location to Electronic City. Sifting through the CCTV images, they found that the cab had headed towards the Hosur tollgate, but had not passed through the tollgate.

Meanwhile, the Sipcot police contacted their DJ Halli counterparts saying they had found an unidentified body in their jurisdiction. The DJ Halli police matched Rinson's photographs and later called his father to confirm his identification.

The police then tried to trace his mobile phones with the help of IMEI numbers to track the killers.

The phones were found to be in use at Kachanayakanahalli, and soon, all the three accused were in the police net. The police recovered the car worth Rs 11 lakh, a Lenovo mobile and an iPhone.
Little Asifa was born a Kashmiri Muslim into a family that falls under the category "Nomadic Tribe". Needless to say, her family was extremely poor. She perfectly embodied all the marginalities that India has systematically oppressed and tortured over years. (Photo: Facebook | @justiceforasifa)

KOCHI: The Panangad police on Saturday slapped non-bailable charges against Vishnu Nandakumar, 29, who made insensitive comments on the Facebook about the eight-year-old child raped and killed in Kathuva in Kashmir. The police registered a case under section 153 for inciting religious enmity and communal hatred, which can invite imprisonment up to five years and fine.

In the controversial post, Vishnu stated: It is better that she has been killed. Otherwise, tomorrow she will be coming against India with bombs. The police have launched a search for the accused who is absconding. He is not available in his residence, said a police official. Vishnu, assistant manager in the Palarivattom branch of a private bank, was terminated from service on Friday by the management as his comments created widespread protests across the country and social media platforms.

He is the son of A.N. Nandakumar, a leader of the RSS and executive committee member of the National Book Trust. Nandakumar is also the elder brother of BJP state general secretary A.N. Radhakrishnan and one of the key persons behind the Kochi International Book Fair. A number of people and organisations had demanded action against Vishnu after the post appeared on his Facebook page.
The girl's parents asked why he had taken her aside without their notice.

Hyderabad: A man in Alwal tried to woo a nine-year-old girl by offering to buy her an ice cream. His attempt was foiled when the girl raised an alarm. Her parents and passers-by immediately caught hold of him and handed him over to the police.

The man was identified as Mohd Anees Khan. The police arrested him and registered a case on charges of attempted kidnap. However, he said that the girl reminded him of his nine-year-old daughter and that he did not have inappropriate intentions. Mr Srikanth, the Inspector of Alwal, said, Investigations are underway to uncover his actual motive.

The girl's parents asked why he had taken her aside without their notice. We don't know what harm he could have caused my girl had she not shouted for help, her mother said.

The girl's parents work at an exhibition in Lothukunta, within the limits of Alwal Police Station. On Sunday, they brought their daughter to work with them.

Anees, a sweeper at the exhibition, saw the girl walking behind her parents and called out her. Taking her aside, he offered to buy her an ice cream.

However, the girl suspected that she was in danger and immediately started screaming. Her parents and other passers-by rushed in the direction of the screams and saw the girl with Anees. They thrashed him before taking him to the police station.

The police's inquiries revealed that Anees, a resident of Kishan Bagh in Rajendra Nagar, was married and had two children, including a nine-year-old daughter.

However, his wife left him and took the children with her due to family disputes.

Anees claimed that the girl reminded him of his daughter, and that was why he wanted to buy an ice cream for her. Her parents and others mistook me and thrashed me. I do not have any bad intentions towards the child, he told the police.
India has gained huge respect in defence field: Governor Banwarilal Purohit

With a slew of memorandum of understandings (MOU) and Rs,000 crore of local businesses, the tenth edition of DefExpo, which had attracted defence manufacturers and buyers to Chennai came to an end on Saturday.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the four-day event that started on April 11, Governor Banwarilal Purohit said that Indias capabilities in defence production are being respected internationally and enjoy worldwide acceptance. The remarkable strides in missile technology made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in conjunction with the Army, Navy and Air Force are the envy of the world, he said.

According to the organizers, DefExpo had witnessed a participation of delegations from 70 countries and stalls from major multinational defence equipment manufacturers along with Indian manufacturers. As many as 539 Indian companies have participated in the expo. 162 companies were from foreign countries, one of the organizers said. Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the tagline of DefExpo, India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub, had also allocated 15 per cent of the expo space exclusively for the Indian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

DefExpo also allocated space for India Pavilion where public and private sector companies set up stalls. Many Tamil Nadu based defence component manufacturers set up stalls in TN Pavilion. The pavilions erected by the Ministry of Defence with the support and partnership by public sector and private sector giants such as Bharat Electronics, Hindustan Aeronautics LTD, Larsen & Toubro, The Tata's etc. provided a range of military equipment that many nations of the world will be aspiring to purchase, Governor Purohit said.

However, the organizers failed to ascertain details of the total business deals achieved in the expo and number of MoUs signed between companies. As per the PSUs concerned 12 MoUs have been signed by DRDO with various companies, while 7 MoUs have been entered between India and Russia. But the details of private to private MoUs have to be collected. The numbers will be released in a week or so, Ajay Kumar, defence production secretary said on the sidelines of the valedictory event. He also added that Tamil Nadu has the variety of resources which could be utilized to form defence corridor in the state.

City keeps date with Naval warships

The mention of warships would only bring to one's mind the battle scenes on the high seas so conspicuously depicted in the films. But seeing the Indian Navy warships at the Chennai harbour is something that aroused among the visitors patriotism and a sense of awe for the sailor-officers who guard our country.

Families who chose to visit the Indian navy vessels were thrilled to see the kind of ships that are used and impressed with the technology that drives the vessels. School students in their uniform were given the first preference to board the ships and gain a first hand experience of the life of naval men. The response from the members of the public has been so overwhelming that the navy had permitted more persons that it had originally planned to allow.

The Indian Navy warship docked at Chennai port remains a cynosure of all eyes. (Photo:DC)

On Friday alone over 10,000 people had thronged the Island Grounds to have a glimpse of the naval warships docked at the Chennai port. The four indigenously built naval warships: Sahyadri, Sumitra, Kamorta and Airavat, were displayed for public viewing as part of the DefExpo 2018. The Indian Navy managed to ferry all the visitors who had made a beeline to the Island Grounds from where they were transported to the port. The exhibition will continue on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors need to possess a valid identity card to be allowed to the ships.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that more buses will ply from Island Ground to ferry visitors to the naval ships. In a series of tweets, she has said there is no limit on the number of visitors and two more ships will be added for visiting. Families started thronging the Island Grounds from as early as 7.30 am. and they were taken in batches. At one point, the queue of visitors at the entrance gate almost stretched to 500 metres and the police had a tough time in regulating them Despite the wait, the visit to the majestic ships lined up at the harbour was really worth, says Ganesan, who visited along with his wife and two teen-aged sons.

ECR, OMR closed due to traffic snarls

The East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road, the two roads connecting Thiruvidanthai, where DefExpo is conducted, in Chennai had come to a standstill as thousands of vehicles headed to the expo venue.

Many persons from the city had to return to their home. We have started journey at 7 am in the morning. But we could able reach the venue only at 12 pm, B. Nagarajan of Chennai said.

With a large number of people heading to expo, ECR traffic was badly hit . (Photo:DC)

Meanwhile, many visitors were forced to return midway. My friend and his family returned home because they have to wait for hours to reach the venue. But I have arrived somehow, R. Bala of Nungambakkam said.

The return journey on the evening also turned to be a testing ordeal as the vehicles had moved inch by inch. Although the gates of the expo closed at around 5 pm, it took one hour to reach East Coast Road, which is located at a few hundred meters from the expo ground.

Last day of expo: All roads lead to Thiruvidanthai

Organisers of DefExpo had a tough time on a public day as more than a lakh visitors visited the expo to witness the Indian and foreign-made weapons in one place. During the valedictory function of the expo, Ajay Kumar, secretary of defence production, said that he was expecting 50,000 visitors to see the DefExpo. But Chennaiites had come to the expo ground and waited in long queues until the gates opened.Although the visitors had to undergo severe scanning process by security personnel including CRPF at the opening of the gates, the checking had turned into a mere ceremony.

We did not expect this much of footfall at the beginning. The number had touched more than one lakh at around 3 pm, one of the organisers said. Among the weapons, the Arjun tank and other heavy armoured vehicles stationed at the expo area attracted many youngsters, on which they climbed to take a photo with the Army men.

Organisers of DefExpo had a tough time on a public day as more than a lakh visitors visited the expo to witness the Indian and foreign-made weapons in one place.

The Army men and security personnel also allowed the visitors to take pictures with them. At the same time, the visitors were denied the close look of light weapons such as rifles, helmets and bombs. The organizers removed small equipment and I am disappointed over not seeing assault rifles. But the government allowed us to see the military equipment, which is appreciable, M.M. Kumar of Arcot said.

But many of the foreign exhibitors had started to pack their things while the expo was underway which made the organisers to repeatedly request them to wait for the closure of the expo. Many exhibitors had failed to explain about the weapons they showcased in their stalls. I am from accountancy background and I don't know anything about engineering. At the same time, I welcome the move of allowing us inside, V. Veema Raj of Kovilpatti said.

With the unprecedented crowd came severe shortcomings as the minimal toilet facilities ran out of the water. Also, some visitors had expressed discontent because of the exorbitant rates of food items.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has been contesting from the Varuna constituency since 2008, will contest from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru this election. (Photo: File)

Bengaluru: The Congress on Sunday released its first list of 218 candidates for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections, which includes the names of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state party chief G Parameshwara.

Siddaramaiah will contest from the Chamundeshwari Assembly seat and Parameshwara will be in the fray from the Korategere Assembly constituency.

INC COMMUNIQUE



Announcement of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/q5M2ss7Z48  INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) April 15, 2018

The list also includes the names of some state ministers as party candidates for the polls. The results of the election will be out on May 15.
Dalit groups had organised protests across the country on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the Act through the March 20 verdict of the Supreme Court. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: There is a need to overturn the Supreme Court order laying down fresh guidelines on arrest of those accused of committing atrocities against SC and ST communities, the government feels, and bringing an ordinance to restore the original provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is one of the options being considered.

Sources aware of deliberations within the government at different levels say promulgating an ordinance to restore the original provisions would help calm tempers. Introducing a bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament slated for July to amend the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to overturn the SC order is the second option before the government, the sources said.

"If an ordinance is issued, it too will have to be converted into a bill and passed by Parliament. The result of the two exercises is the same -- to restore the original provisions. But the ordinance has the benefit of giving instant results. It will help calm tempers immediately," a senior functionary said.

Read: Judgement on SC/ST Act has diluted provisions of law: Centre to SC

Dalit groups had organised protests across the country on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the Act through the March 20 verdict of the Supreme Court.

The protests had turned violent at several places which left several people dead. Opposition parties also accused the government of failing to protect Dalit rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted his government will not let the law to prevent atrocities on SCs and STs to be diluted.

"I want to assure the nation that the law which has been made stringent by us will not allowed to be affected (by the SC order)...," he had said.

But the sources said no decision has been taken so far and much would depend on the way the hearing on a review petition filed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the apex court progresses.

They said since review pleas may not bear immediate results and the SC decision could not be favourable, the government will have to firm up its stand on future course of action.

Also Read: No stay on SC/ST Act, will consider Centre's review petition in detail: SC

The apex court had laid down new guidelines for police officers on how to ensure that innocent people, especially public officials, are protected from false complaints under the act.

In a written submission filed before the top court on Friday, the Centre said the verdict on the SC/ST Act has "diluted" its stringent provisions, resulting in "great damage" to the country by causing anger and a sense of disharmony among the people.

Observing that the court had dealt with an issue of a "very sensitive nature", the submission said the verdict has caused "commotion, anger, unease and a sense of disharmony" in the country.

It dubbed the entire judgement as "vitiated" as it proceeded on the basis that the top court can legislate a law despite having no such power.

The stand of the government came a week after the apex court refused to keep in abeyance its verdict, saying those agitating against its order putting in place certain safeguards on arrests under the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, may not have read the judgement or could have been misled by "vested interests".

The written submissions filed by Attorney General K K Venugopal said "this judgement has diluted, for the reasons stated, the provisions of the Atrocities Act read with the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, resulting in great damage to the country".
Sikh pilgrims march during the Baisakhi festival, at the shrine of Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, some 50 kilometers from Islamabad, Pakistan, April 14, 2018.(Photo: AP)

New Delhi: India on Sunday lodged a protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even compelling the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurdwara (Sikh temple) there.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib on Saturday.

The MEA called it an inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams, it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each others diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine on Saturday, for unspecified security reasons.

It said the high commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries, the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commissions consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens, it said.
KOZHIKODE: Reflecting the deep pain and anguish over the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomad Muslim girl in Kathua, a journalist in faraway Kerala has given her name to his two-month-old daughter. Rajith Ram, a sub-editor with Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi announced this on his Facebook page on Friday. She has been named. Yes, the same name. **** S. Raj. She is my daughter, Mr Ram wrote, and within hours, nearly 20,000 people shared his post.

Like all humans, I am terribly disturbed by the incident. My elder daughter is seven years old, and I am concerned. My wife and I want to keep the memory of Kathua kid alive, and we decided to call the newborn by her name, he told Deccan Chronicle. Since then, Mr Ram has been receiving many calls, more from Keralites abroad to express their admiration. I didnt think it would grab such attention. I went by my conscience, said the journalist who hails from Nileshwaram in Kasaragod.

He also changed his profile pic into violet as part of an online campaign to ensure justice for the girl drugged and gang-raped by eight men for days in a temple and killed. Many comments on his post thank him as his gesture had rightly struck the solidarity in the hour of anguish and helplessness. Your deed is more than changing the profile picture on social media. It speaks volumes, reads a comment of a Malayali from Bahrain.
New Delhi: Candle-light protests are being held across nation including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Bhopal and many others states as public outrage over rape cases involving minors in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao.

On last Sunday, a 17-yr-old, who was allegedly raped by BJP lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brother in Unnao, tried to commit suicide outside UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditynaths house. A day later, her father, who had been mercilessly thrashed for his refusal to withdraw the case, died. The lawmaker and his brother was arrested in the case of assault.

Read: Unnao rape: Accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar sent to 7-day CBI custody

Protest held at Parliament Street against Unnao & Kathua rape cases. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/JPAAiIgKMT  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

The second case, which shook the nation was the rape and murder of an 8-yr-old in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua outraged after the details of the brutality was exposed in the chargesheet.

Over the next week, she was drugged, starved, repeatedly gangraped and then murdered. The chargesheet also revealed that before her head was bashed with a stone, one of the accused- a police officer- had asked the killer to wait so he could rape the child one last time.

In the most recent case, the death of a 9-year-old girl in Surat, whose body was covered in 80 wounds, emerged on Saturday.

Read: 9-yr-old Surat girl raped, body found with 86 injuries in cricket ground

The protests began today from 5 pm onwards.
Special police teams will be posted in and around the Nampally court premises (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: The city police are making tight security arrangements in view of the Mecca Masjid blast verdict expected to be delivered on Monday. Top officials of the city police held a meeting and asked all zonal officials to make adequate security arrangements at all sensitive places to prevent any trouble.

The Nampally court premises where the judgement in the case will be pronounced will be fortified for the occasion. Special police teams will be posted in and around the court premises.

Eight persons are facing trial for their allegedly involvement in the Mecca Masjid blast in which nine persons were killed and 58 injured. Another five persons were killed in subsequent police firing.
Asian Development Bank Economist Abhijit Sen Gupta today said that India can achieve over 8 per cent growth rate if it takes steps to revive investments and make exports competitive. He also said that the efforts will also have to be made to streamline agriculture marketing and improve supply chain.

"Right now, the investment and exports drivers are really not firing... once those two engines fire up India can sustainably grow at 8 per cent," Sen Gupta told PTI. The statement comes a week after the ADB in a report pegged India's economic growth at 7.3 per cent in 2018 and to 7.6 per cent in 2019.

Sen Gupta believes that India is still a marginal player in global trade and there is a lot of potential to increase exports. As Chinese exports are becoming expensive because of rising wages, India can reap benefits by improving competitiveness, he said. According to him, India needs to improve Ease of Doing Business and state of infra to benefit from trade and be better integrated into the value chain.

On whether India can achieve double digit growth, the ADB economist said: "It is not totally unfeasible. But, I don't know if you can do that over a longer term period given the state of infrastructure and regulatory policies. Lot more reforms would probably be needed for that." Referring to investments, he said credit to infrastructure and industry is picking up, which is a positive sign. "But clearly a lot more needs to be done if the investment has to pick up," he added.

Elaborating on the reform scope in farm sector, Sen Gupta said the government could revamp the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act and streamline the farm supply chain for free movement of goods. "We have to see that the APMC act is more regulated and more state follow it," he said.

In March, Goldman Sachs downgraded India's GDP growth forecast from 8 per cent to 7.6 per cent for Financial Year 2018-19. It, however, retained growth forecast for FY 2019-20 at 8.3 per cent. Fitch Ratings and World Bank both have pegged India's GDP growth for FY 2018-19 at 7.3 per cent.

Recently, American economist and Nobel laureate Nouriel Roubini said that India needed more economic reforms to achieve its potential growth rate of 8-9 per cent. "My observation about India is that India has bright long term economic future... India should do more economic reform and more macro stabilisation to be able to increase its potential growth to well above 7 per cent and to 8-9 per cent," Roubini had said.
CHENNAI: Rolls-Royce, which has been contributing to the sustainable growth of India's aerospace and defence ecosystem for over 85 years, is looking towards establishing a robust ecosystem that will engage in co-creation across the entire value-chain  from research, design and development to manufacturing, maintenance and repair.

The products being offered to Indian Navy include engines, ship design, gas turbines, propulsors, electrical power systems, underway replenishment, propellers and water jets, cranes and handling systems, etc. Recent orders include supply of stern gear for seven Indian Naval Frigates and five Indian naval OPVs, says Kishore Jayaraman, President  India & South Asia, Rolls-Royce.

In an interview in connection with the DefExpo 2018 at Thiruvidanthai near here in which Rolls-Royce participated, Mr. Jayaraman said Indian Navy's major modernisation initiative unfolds opportunity to develop indigenous capabilities. Here are the excerpts.

You have been playing a crucial role in powering the Indian navy too. What are the future opportunities that you foresee in this sector?

Rolls-Royce is a long-term partner of Indian Navy and we hope to build on our distinguished legacy and long-standing partnership with them. We are proud of the fact that over 40 Indian Navy and 41 Coast Guard vessels are powered with Rolls-Royce equipment. Indian Navy's major modernisation drive presents an opportunity to develop indigenous capability for design and manufacturing of ships, submarines and subsystems. Our extensive product base and experience in both ship design and propulsion and power systems integration, enables Rolls-Royce to contribute to system selection, the interfacing of the propulsion system to the ship structure, ship services, auxiliary systems and ancillaries.

The products being offered to Indian Navy include engines, ship design, gas turbines, propulsors, electrical power systems, underway replenishment, propellers and water jets, cranes and handling systems, etc. Recent orders include supply of stern gear for seven Indian Naval frigates and five Indian naval OPVs. In addition, MT30 has been selected for the Italian Navy's new multi-purpose amphibious vessel. This new vessel, the Landing Helicopter Dock, will be the sixth naval platform to feature the MT30, making it the gas turbine of choice for many of the world's advanced naval programmes. The MT30 can be offered as part of an integrated power and propulsion system together with a wide range of Rolls-Royce marine products.

Do you envisage any role in the establishment of the defence industrial corridor in TN, if so what kind of a role?

With focus on modernisation of Indian armed forces, we remain committed to supporting the country's vision of achieving indigenisation and self-reliance. Today, we are building capabilities across engineering, manufacturing, digital, supply chain and customer support and are well-positioned to support India's growing infrastructure requirements. As an industrial technology company, we are pioneering the power that matters to our customers and are ready to embrace future growth opportunities.

Centre is keen on positioning India as a global manufacturing hub in defence. Where do you think your company with its vast experience and expertise could contribute?

Rolls-Royce is committed to the India market and has been contributing to the sustainable growth of India's aerospace & defence ecosystem for over 85 years now. We are looking towards establishing a robust ecosystem that will engage in co-creation across the entire value-chain - from research, design and development to manufacturing, maintenance and repair. This will further enable us to fulfill our vision of making in India for India and the world. Our engineering centres in Bangalore and Pune are examples of our commitment to India and our vision. Our JV with Force Motors will manufacture Series 1600 engines for the domestic and global markets in a new facility in Goa. Additionally, we extended our supply chain partnership with Godrej & Boyce for manufacturing of aero engine components. This will enable us to meet our customers' strategic requirements in quality, cost and delivery.
ALAPPUZHA: For the last eight years, a Muslim businessman from Kayamkulam, who wishes to be anonymous, has been feeding about 2,000 Hindu devotees on Vishu day at Evoor Sreekrishna Swamy temple governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Now his continuing generosity has become a symbol of community amity. He was stopped neither by the devotees nor temple officials from doing this ritual. And it evolved into an inseparable bond between the him and Lord Krishna.

On Saturday when this correspondent met him at his home in Kayamkulam town, his first request was that neither his name nor photo should be published in the newspaper. But he was happy to spread the message of why he did it. Its a deal between me and Bhagavan (Lord Krishna). I think the sanctity of the act will be defiled if my picture is published, he said emphatically. The father of two children and also a council member of Kayankulam Jama Masjid, he says that he believes that does not expect a reward from this world, but from the almighty once he leaves this world.

"I am now 50. Ill continue to feed the devotees at Evoor temple as long as I have money to spend. So far I havent been deprived of money, an importer of metallic sheets said. When asked about whether he had to face any opposition from his community, he said he had never been stopped by anybody from his religion. All people in the Mosque council including the Moulavi are aware of it. I spoke to the Moulavi. He is so liberal, he never discouraged me. By the way, if anybody were to discourage me, I am not going to budge, he says.

It was in 2010 that Chandrasenan Nair, a friend and Secretary of Anushtaanam, an organisation relating to temple arts active in Evoor temple, approached him for a donation to conduct the Vishu festival at the temple. He was struck by the idea of sponsoring the meals of all devotees on Vishu day. When he spoke his mind, none of temple administration members rejected the offer. Since then he has become a servant of Lord Krishna. He spends at least Rs 2lakh every Vishu day for this cause.He added that he was told by devotees that Lord Krishna was very pleased with his bhakthi.

I go to Evoor temple for nirmayladhasahan and I share my grief with Bhagavan. I am sure until today I have his blessings. The Vishu meals will be distributed only in the presence of a member of my family. All people in and around the temple know about my contribution to this temple. Last year, we fed about 1800 devotees. This time 2000 are expected. The Sadya will begin by noon at the temple auditorium, he said. The legend behind the temple says Lord Krishnas idol was resurrected by Arjuna, the great friend of Sree Krishna in Dvaparayuga. However the temple was engulfed by a fire a century ago. But its believed that the temple was rejuvenated by Sree Moolam Thirunal. Later, it became famous as Onattukaras Guruvayoor.
Srinagar: Opposition National Conference (NC) president and three-time chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, on Sunday asked for convening a special session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to bring about a new law mandating death penalty for raping a minor.

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, had earlier during the week said that a new law would be introduced awarding death sentence to those guilty of raping minors in the State. In a tweet on April 12, she said, We will never ever let another child suffer in this way. We will bring a new law that will make the death penalty mandatory for those who rape minors, so that little Asifas case becomes the last.

8-year-old nomad Bakerwal (herdsmen) girl, went missing while grazing horses in Rasana village of Hiranagar tehsil of J&Ks Kathua district on January 17. A week later, her body was found in woods near her village. The DNA and police investigations have revealed that she was held inside a local temple where she was drugged, raped and killed.

Abdullah while speaking to NC workers and officer bearers here expressed anguish, grief and pain at the heart-rending and gruesome tragedy in Kathua. He sought strictest and most exemplary punishment for the culprits. He said, We demand a special legislative session so that it could, as announced earlier, propose a bill mandating the death penalty for such heinous crimes against children.

He asserted said the Kathua incident was not an isolated, spontaneous crime but the manifestation of a deeply repugnant and repressive politics that hinges on the harassment, intimidation and dis-empowerment of the nomadic Gujjar-Bakerwal communities. He alleged that Gujjar-Bakerwal communities have been at the receiving end of threats and intimidation ever since the present political dispensation came to power in J&K. He said the ministers in the PDP-BJP government openly threatened them of dire repercussions and one such minister went to the extent of reminding them of the horrors of the 1947 massacre.

The Gujjar-Bakerwal communities have been hounded, targeted and intimidated for nearly three years now while PDP has remained a mute spectator. Had the PDP objected to this harassment and intimidation, perhaps things would not have come to this tragic pass, he said adding that the Chief Ministers silence over repeated attempts to harass and threaten the nomadic communities emboldened these elements and the consequences are here for all of us to see.

He further alleged that the PDP-BJP alliance has left no stone unturned to divide the people of the State along regional and religious lines to seek their own specific political dividends. While the BJP continues to pit the people of Jammu against their brothers and sisters in Kashmir as a deeply divisive and dangerous political strategy, the PDP in Kashmir sought votes against the BJP before aligning with it post elections - eroding the sanctity of its mandate and pushing our youth towards turmoil and disenchantment. The ramifications of this opportunism  of this brazen sell out have been disastrous. Today the fault lines between various regions of our State have become deeper than they ever where as shrill, polarizing rhetoric has changed the narrative into an us versus them debate in respective regions of the State.

Abdullah said this was a very dangerous trend and the slide which needs to be checked immediately before it was too late and the situation becomes irretrievable.
A woman sits at the site after an early morning fire gutted Rohingya camp in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Loud cries, panic, despair prevailed at Kanchen Kunj near Okhla when a fire broke out at the Rohingya camp on early Sunday and gutted as many as 250 shanties sheltering around 226 refugees.

While most people escaped with their lives intact; all documents, clothes and food were gutted in the fire.

No one was injured, except for one who received minor burn injuries on his hand. Three cooking gas cylinders also exploded during the rescue operation, a police officer said.

The fire broke out at the camp at 3am on Sunday when residents were deep in sleep and are not sure how it the camp caught fire. According to fire officials, We are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire. It began at 3 am. A call was made to the fire control room around 3.15 am and fire tenders were pressed into service. It took almost four hours to douse the fire in the camp where the families reside.

According to the police, all the homes in the camp were made of asbestos sheets; all of them were gutted. It added that the fire began at the back of the camp where the toilets are located.

According to a resident, The fire first gutted the homes and turned into a fireball within no time. We could could barely get enough time to get ut belongings. We blindly ran out to save ourselves from being singed. The fire could have spread further to adjoining slums, but fortunately it was controlled by the fire department.

Several neighbours reached the spot with breakfast and tea. Efforts are underway to gather clothes, provide alternative shelter for women and children and make arrangements for food.

Forty-six Rohingya families reside in the camp, which is the only Rohingya camp in Delhi.
Islamabad also claimed it had resolved the issue of access and given clearance for Indian officials to meet the Indian Sikh pilgrims at Wagah on April 12 but the Indian high commission officials did not return. (Photo: Representational/AFP)

New Delhi/Islamabad: India and Pakistan on Sunday engaged once again in a fierce war of words, with New Delhi lodging a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access for visiting Indian Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams.

New Delhi is also furious that Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria was asked by the Pakistanis to return enroute while travelling to the famous Panja Sahib Gurdwara on grounds of security. Islamabad has, however, denied these allegations and in turn accused India of distorting and misrepresenting facts.

Pakistan claimed the Indian High Commission and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan had mutually agreed to cancel the High Commissioners visit beforehand as some Sikh pilgrims from across the world gathered in Pakistan were agitated over the film Nanak Shah Fakir on the first Sikh guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak, which incidentally has generated controversy over its release in India.

Islamabad also claimed it had resolved the issue of access and given clearance for Indian officials to meet the Indian Sikh pilgrims at Wagah on April 12 but the Indian high commission officials did not return.
Hyderabad: A day after the alleged nuisance created by former Union minister Sarvey Satyanarayana at an official programme at Kukatpally on Saturday, the Cyberabad police are collecting information on the incident.

Mr Satyanarayana had allegedly abused the district collector and injured a revenue inspector at the programme organised on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti.

According to officials, notice is yet to be served to Mr Satyanarayan as part of the investigation. Considering the sensitivity of the case and his role as a member of Opposition, the police are handling the case with caution.

The incident happened in a public meeting in the presence of city residents, officials and other elected representatives. So we are collecting as much information as possible. We are also gathering video footage of the program to get clarity on what happened there, said an official from Cyberabad.

Revenue inspector Ashwin Kumar suffered an injury on the nose and was sent for a medical examination.

During the programme at Kukatpally Y Junction, Mr Satyanarayana entered the venue along with his supporters. As he delivering his speech criticising the government, the Kukatpally MLA who was on the dais raised objections saying that the platform was not a political one.

An angered Mr Satyan-arayana abused the Medchal-Malkajgiri district collector and also manhandled the revenue inspector on the dais. He was booked under various sections of IPC.
ADILABAD: The state government is planning to add value to bamboo products made by the Kolam tribals. There is a good demand for handicrafts made of bamboo as they are both natural and sustainable.

Along with experts, minister for forest and environment Jogu Ramanna will be going for a two-day visit to Tripura on April 16, to study the Tripura governments efforts to create revenue avenues for its tribals by adding value to the bamboo items. The team will also study their marketing tactics that can improve the household income of the tribals.

Tripura has a Bamboo Mission that promotes handmade bamboo products. Tripura is known for its elegant cane and bamboo handicrafts with beautiful weaving and attractive designs.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Ramanna said that they were trying to add value to the bamboo handicrafts by training communities like Kolams who have traditionally depended on bamboo and the collection on minor forest produce for their living.

He said soon Tribal Welfare Commissioner would convene a meeting with the representatives of Particularly Vul-nerable Tribal Groups to know their problems.

Steps would be taken to improve their economic conditions for their welfare immediately after returning from Tripura.
KOCHI: The solar scandal in Kerala has affected not only the politicians but also the production of solar energy, it appears. The state is at the rock bottom at the national level in solar energy, while Karnataka is at the top slot having 5 GW of cumulative installation (5000 MW=5 GigaWatt ). Kerala has only 76 MW. In 2017, Karnataka, which has made significant strides in IT too, installed over two GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and, in the first three months of 2018 alone, the state matched the annual total with the installation of over two GW of solar PV projects.

The development comes just two years after leading renewable energy firm Mercom's India Solar Project Tracker found in 2016 that Karnataka had the country's largest project pipeline, boasting 3.4 GW of projects in various stages of development. Out of the 17 states having 50 MW and above installed capacity, Kerala is at the 15th place, Haryana at 17th and West Bengal at 16th place. Only eight states have an installed capacity of over a GW of solar power.

Apart from Karnataka, they are Telengana (second), Rajasthan (third), Andhra Pradesh (fourth), Tamil Nadu (fifth), Gujarat (sixth), Madhya Pradesh (seventh) and Maharashtra (eighth). The other states above Kerala are Odisha (14th), Bihar (13th), Chhattisgarh (12th), Uttarakhand(11th), Uttar Pradesh (10th) and Punjab (9th).

The Cochin International Airport Limited is currently the major contributor to Kerala's solar capacity adding 32 MW and it's set to hike this to 40 MW by the end of May, according to a CIAL official. Telengana was the first state to achieve more than three GW of cumulative solar capacity in 2017. Later Karnataka overtook Telengana to claim the top spot.
Elaborate security arrangements are being made at the Nampally Courts Complex where the NIA special court is located, with anti-sabotage teams inspecting the complex on Sunday.

Hyderabad: State police has sounded a high alert in view of the verdict in the Mecca Masjid blast case expected to be pronounced by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in the city on Monday.

In addition, the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police have been asked to post pickets in all sensitive areas and public places including bus stations, railway stations and other crowded locations.

Elaborate security arrangements are being made at the Nampally Courts Complex where the NIA special court is located, with anti-sabotage teams inspecting the complex on Sunday. Armed personnel from various wings of the State police will be deployed and roads leading to the court will be barricaded.

The NIA has framed charges against Nabakumar Sarkar alias Swamy Aseemanand of Gujarat, private employee Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar of Gujarat, farmer Rajender Chowdary of Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak Devendra Gupta of Rajasthan, and property dealer-cum-RSS activist Lokesh Sharma of MP.

Two other accused, former RSS pracharak Sandeep V. Dange and electrician-cum-RSS activist Ramchandra Kalsangra from MP are still absconding, according to the NIA.
Nizamabad: Nizamabad MP K. Kavitha on Saturday said that Telangana state was giving utmost importance to the security and welfare of Dalits.

SCs and STs in the state are living safely as the TRS government is dealing against attackers sternly, she said. The MP strongly condemned the atrocities against Dalits in North India and demanded stringent action against the culprits.

Speaking to newsmen here, Ms Kavitha said that funds allocated for SC welfare were diverted in various states, but Telangana Assembly pa-ssed a resolution to prevent it, adding that atrocities against Dalits have increased during 2007-2017 across the nation. Resolving of atrocities against SCs cases is merely 25 per cent, whereas in other criminal cases, it is 48 per cent, the MP said.

She accused the Central government of failing to argue in favour of the SC/ST Atrocities Act before the Supreme Court.

Ms Kavitha congratulated Intermediate students for achieving good results in the state, especially in Nizamabad district.

MLC V. Gangadhar Goud, Nizamabad Urban MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta, TSREDCO chairman were present. S.A. Aleem, TRS district president Eega Ganga Reddy and others were present.
DoT is waiting for DIPP to give clearance for raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in Idea Cellular to 100 per cent before approving the merger of Vodafone India with the Aditya Birla group firm, as per official sources.

"Only FDI clearance for Idea is pending before merger of Vodafone (India) with it. FDI limit needs to be raised in FDI for clearing both the deals of Idea -- sale of tower to ATC and Vodafone merger," a government official told PTI.

Idea Cellular has sought to raise FDI limit in the company to 100 per cent.

The official added that the Department of Telecom (DoT) had approached the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for its remarks around two weeks back and waiting to hear from it.

"Both the companies (Idea and Vodafone) will be asked to clear their dues before merger is taken on record. DoT has not calculated the final amount...," the source said.

According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) for processing FDI proposals, all the ministries concerned are required to submit their comments within 4 weeks of the proposal. In absence of comments, it is presumed that ministries or departments have no comments to offer.

However, FDI clearance in telecom sector also requires approval from the Home Ministry which should be granted within six weeks. In case it is unable to provide its comment within six weeks, it needs to indicate time frame within which it will provide the comments.

The merged Idea-Vodafone entity will have highest subscriber base of 41 crore accounting for over 35 per cent market share and second largest spectrum holding of 1,850 megahertz in the country.

The merger is expected replace Bharti Airtel from its numero uno position which it has maintained in Indian telecom market with highest number of subscriber base at least since last one decade as per reports of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The debt of resultant entity is expected to be around 1.1 lakh crore as per debt situation of Idea and Vodafone India at the end of September 2017.

The amalgamation will result in capex synergies, since it will eliminate the duplication of spectrum capacity and infrastructure related requirements.

Idea and Vodafone are separately paying rental for 6,300 mobile sites which will be synced for merged entity within two years.
HYDERABAD: The Congress leaders have strongly criticised Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and said that he had no respect for B.R. Ambedkar, the main architect of the Indian Constitution.

They said that the CM had no time to even garland the statue of Ambe-dkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Saturday.

Speaking to the media along with former minister D. Sridhar Babu, Opposition leader in the Telangana Legislative Council Mohammad Ali Shabbir said the CM and the TRS government had no respect for Ambedkar.

Mr Shabbir Ali said the CM does not like garlanding the statues of Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram and neither does he have the time.

Mr Shabbir Ali said that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had announced that a 125 feet Ambedkars statue would be set up but nothing has been done to date. However, he has constructed Pragathi Bhavan with `300 crore, he said.

Meanwhile expelled Congress MLA Komati-reddy Venkata Reddy, speaking to the media at Nalgonda, also said that the CM had no time to pay homage to Ambe-dkar on his birth anniversary.

He said that all the Ch-ief Ministers had paid tribute to Ambedkar on his birth anniversary but the Telangana CM sat in Pragathi Bhavan and did nothing. He said that Mr Chandrasekhar Raos attitude was very shameful and he strongly condemned it.

Mr Shabbir Ali said that the CM had cheated all the sections of the society and people will teach him a lesson in the next elections. He said sand worth `10,000 crore was transported from Telangana but the state records showed only `1,300 crore.

He said across the State all bore wells had dried up and farmers faced crop loss. The rest of the public would also face severe shortage of drinking water in the coming months, he said.
Bengaluru: In an open challenge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state JD(S) chief, H D Kumaraswamy declared on Saturday that he would not campaign in Ramanagara and still win hands down from the constituency in the coming assembly poll.

"I will not go to Ramanagara to campaign. Let Mr Siddaramaiah campaign there for the rest of the time. I will still win hands down," he said, clearly getting back at the Chief Minister for his comment that even if both he and state BJP chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa camped for a 100 days in Chamundeshwari they could not defeat him.

Mr Kumaraswamy was speaking in Mysuru on Saturday , where he arrived to campaign both in Chamundeshwari and Varuna, where Mr Siddaramaiahs son, Yathindra is tipped to contest from. Although he has less than a month to cover the entire state, the JD(S) leader will remain in Mysuru for three days and visit over 100 villages to up his partys chances of winning from the constituency so crucial for the Chief Minister.

Flanked by party candidate for Chamundeshwari and its sitting MLA, G.T. Deve Gowda, Mr Kumaraswamy, however, tried to downplay his campaigning there. "Do not attach too much importance to my presence here. I am campaigning here just like anywhere else. I made myself free to campaign for three days," he claimed.

But with Chamundeshwari having a 75,000 strong Vokkaliga population, he is clearly aware that his party could impact Mr Siddaramaiah's chances of winning from the constituency. Everywhere he went , the JD(S) leader played on the sympathy of the voters and received a huge reception in Kote Hundi, much to his own surprise.
Hyderabad: The TDP-BJP break-up in Andhra Pradesh has given scope for consolidation of the anti-TRS vote bank in Telangana.

The Congress, which is the main Opposition party, is seriously attempting to bring together all parties opposing the TRS with the aim of defeating the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao led party in the 2019 elections.

Secret negotiations are being held with the Telugu Desam, TJAC chairman Professor Kodandarams newly-formed Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS), CPI, CPM and the Bahujan Left Front (BLF).

The BLF was formed in January this year and comprises of 28 organisations representing diverse social groups and progressive parties led by the CPM. The Congress feels that since all these parties have the common goal of dethroning the TRS, it would be better to fight elections under one platform as otherwise the anti-TRS vote would split between all these parties if contested separately, and this will ultimately benefit the TRS to retain power in the 2019 elections.

Congress leaders brought this issue to the notice of the party high command six months after Rahul Gandhi took over as AICC chief replacing Sonia Gandhi in December 2017.

Mr Gandhi is said to have approved the proposal and has asked senior party leaders to work out modalities for bringing like-minded parties together to take on the TRS.

However, the attempts so far did not make headway as the Telugu Desam had a tie-up with the BJP and was a part of the NDA government till recently.

But the recent rift between the TDP and the BJP over the issue of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, has paved the way for the Congress to approach the TDP for an electoral tie-up.

This was followed by the Congress sending feelers to Professor Kodandaram for a tie-up with his new party, TJS. The TJS too seems to be in favour of joining hands with parties that oppose the TRS to prevent split in anti-TRS votes.

The Congress is now making efforts to persuade MRPS chief Manda Krishna Madiga to convince the Left parties and BLF to join hands to take-on the TRS unitedly in 2019. Out of the total 119 Assembly seats, the Congress wants to contest 70 seats and is ready to offer the remaining 39 seats to other parties, if they agree to a united fight against the TRS.
Vijayawada: The Telugu Desam has decided to stay away from the bandh called by the Special Category Status Sadhana Samithi (SCSSS) on Monday.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said that such bandhs will only increase hardships of people and cause loss to the state.

He also held a teleconference with the available Cabinet ministers, police officials and CMO officials to discuss Mondays bandh. He asked the police to ensure that the bandh is held in a peaceful manner without inconveniencing the people.

While expressing solidarity with the issue for which the bandh was called, Mr Naidu said TD will stay away from such protest programmes that create inconvenience to the public. However, he said his party will support all those groups and parties who hold such protest programmes in Delhi.

In the teleconference, he asked the police officials to be on high-alert so that no anti-social elements join the protest and take advantage of it.

He appealed to the SCS Sadhana Samithi that the protest should be held in a peaceful manner. He also told the police to conduct surveillance using CCTV cameras and body-worn cameras.

Mr Naidu said said that officials of the police department, revenue and RTC should work in close coordination. He observed that since the fight is with the Centre, such protest programmes should be held in Delhi.
Pakistans former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has had an ominous relationship with all six Chiefs of Army Staff that he has tenured with, including the four that he handpicked by superseding senior officers. In 1993, his choice of Gen. Waheed Kakar was instrumental in pressuring Mr Sharif to resign as Prime Minister. The next chief in Nawazs tenure was the choice of the previous government, Gen. Jehangir Karamat, who was forced into premature resignation by Mr Sharif. The third was the safe mohajir, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who packed off Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia in a bloodless coup. Later, Nawaz Sharif, in his third innings as Prime Minister, had to deal with the outgoing dictator Pervez Musharrafs choice, the highly unpredictable Gen. Pervez Kayani, who unilaterally extended his stay at the Army House. During his third stint as Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif had punted on Gen. Raheel Sharif, who ultimately turned out to be his own man and gave Nawaz Sharif sleepless nights with the rumours of a takeover, only to pick yet another supposedly pro-democracy and low key officer as his successor, Gen. Qamar Bajwa, who silently allowed Mr Sharif to get disqualified and has more recently upped the ante against Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League (N) government.

From a Pervez Musharraf to a Raheel Sharif, it has typically taken just over a year for the incumbent Chief of Army Staff to run into an uncomfortable equation and power tussle with Nawaz Sharif. Given that Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa assumed office on November 29, 2016, his restiveness with the political establishment and the accompanying portents of the power struggle were overdue as per previous trends and traditions. The buildup to the fractious relationship normally assumes the pattern of the military establishment expressing concerns on matters that are beyond the domain of security  such as the economy, federalism, intra-party feuds, etc. The contours of expression were established by Gen. Ayub Khan in 1958, then Chief of the Pakistani Army, who noted: I am receiving very depressing reports of economic distress and maladministration through political interference, frustration and complete lack of faith by the people in political leaders... The general belief is that none of these men have the honesty of purpose, integrity and patriotism to root out the evils of the country, which will require drastic action. Much later, in 1999, Gen. Musharraf echoed the same line with: There is despondency and hopelessness surrounding us with no light visible anywhere around... we have reached a stage where our economy has crumbled, our credibility is lost, state institutions lie demolished.

The last six months have seen the relatively reclusive Gen. Qamar Bajwa asserting his institutional presence, defying governmental preferences and openly holding court with his holistic vision for Pakistan that has grandiosely been described as the Bajwa Doctrine. From stamping his own martial signature with his Operation Radd-ud-Fasaad (his predecessor had undertaken Operation Zarb-e-Azb), to ignoring government orders to disperse protesters and instead undermining the civilian government by mediating with Islamist protesters, to delivering his views on wholly civilian matters like the 18th Amendment of the Pakistan Constitution that devolves powers to the states, to becoming the first high-ranking foreign dignitary to visit the Maldives, has all the makings and optics of the Pakistani Armys restless institutional overreach and thunderous grand-standing. Another crucial aspect attributed to the Bajwa Doctrine is the blunt counter to US President Donald Trumps accusation that Pakistans track record on terror had, given the United States nothing but lies and deceit  the Bajwa Doctrine seeks to bluntly refute the US Presidents perception, and instead posits an alternative assertion that suggests that the US needs to do more, and for Pakistan to not get intimidated by the US pressure. As part of its logical extension, it seeks to invest in a new set of replacement allies that host inherently anti-US governments  such as China, Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The sovereign humiliation accompanying the US military aid cuts to Pakistan is essentially getting repackaged and replayed back as a sign of national pride and dignity, as Pakistani military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor insists: Pakistan never fought for money but for peace. Whether the Bajwa Doctrine is a hardbound set of fleshed-out policies and actions, or is a just a creative interpretation of the Pakistani militarys fidgetiness is still unclear  however, there are lurking signs of military control as the largest television channel, Geo TV, gets forced off the cable networks owing to its reportage of the Pakistani military machinations. Gen. Qamar Bajwa has also not shied away from sharing his opinion on civilian ministerial colleagues by commenting on former finance minister Ishaq Dar: It is a shame that out of 210 million people, only 1.2 million pay taxes He (Ishaq Dar) was a total disaster for this country. In the cloak and dagger style of Pakistans intra-institutional intrigues, the Pakistani military has tactically joined hands with the judiciary to retain the pressure on the beleaguered and cornered civilian government by suggesting that destabilising the judiciary or ridiculing its verdicts could land us in political disarray. Anyone who is indignant with the Supreme Court decisions (should) not be allowed to humiliate the judiciary or raise question marks on the integrity of the honourable judges.

As Gen. Qamar Bajwa slowly but surely consolidates his power and legitimises his angst in the popular imagination, he continues paying lip service to the principle of civilian democracy  salvation lies in protecting and preserving the integrity of all state institutions (Parliament, judiciary and military) as much as in upholding the rule of law on the way to free and fair elections. With Pakistans general election due to be held in July this year, the emergence of the ghost of the Bajwa Doctrine has made the run-up and the possible outcomes more unpredictable. Sensing the direction of the wind, Opposition leader Imran Khan has unabashedly confessed: I have more praise for Gen. Bajwa than Gen. Raheel Sharif, signalling the importance of the Baloch Regiment officer who is expectedly stepping out of the shadows of the Rawalpindi barracks.
The way all of India rose up to condemn the Kathua outrage and unleash a barrage of criticism of the ruling BJP and outfits related to it has had a cathartic effect in the Kashmir Valley. The message that has gone out is that India cares about the Muslim people of J&K, and not just the territory. Perhaps such a direct message to the Kashmiri people has not gone out before. The effects of the terrible Kashmir flood in 2014, which the Indian Army did much to alleviate, was overtaken by jingoistic rants on television and the sense of relief turned to anger.

The 2005 earthquake that devastated parts of northern Kashmir saw the Indian Air Force perform acts of daring in rescue and relief operations.

This was widely appreciated, but subsequent events which led to the sharpening of Pakistan-instigated extremist politics, and terrorist violence, have dimmed that memory. In contrast, the anger pouring out on the streets of the country after Kathua, especially the mood of ordinary folk in largely Hindu Jammu, was voluntary and not prompted by any official agency. This gives heart to Kashmir and is imbued with strategic value of considerable significance. However, this is an intangible quantity which needs nurturing. It is not clear if the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands this.

It appears Kashmir has also noted that in expressing their profound solidarity with the child victim of the Kathua tragedy, ordinary people in the rest of India rallied against the BJP, which has come to be looked upon with suspicion in the Valley due to its crass understanding of nationalism, which has manifested itself in unpalatable ways. This has lightened the tragedy and the sense of doom and political foreboding in Kashmir. This became apparent when chief minister Mehbooba Mufti held a meeting with her Cabinet colleagues and senior party leaders on Saturday.

The PDP was relieved that the BJP in the end was forced to do the right thing under enormous public pressure, which led Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare that justice would be done  and promptly the two ministers who had sided with the guilty of Kathua were made to resign. But this is unlikely to shore up the CMs stock, which has dropped due to her association with the saffron party. Kashmiris might have felt better if the CM had dismissed the two BJP ministers, but they realise she is hamstrung. Besides, it hasnt sat well in Kashmir that Ram Madhav, BJPs pointman for J&K, insists that the two ministers were guilty only of committing an indiscretion. The strategic asset that solidarity with Kathua has produced cannot, however, be converted into goodwill for the government thanks to the unthinking political framework in which the Centre operates in Kashmir.
A senior RSS leader jumped into the poll cauldron by sending messages to almost all journalists, asking them how the RSS could play a role in the elections in the larger national interest.

It couldnt get more bizarre than this. The elections of the Uttar Pradesh Accredited Journalists Association are currently on and for the first time, the election  usually a small in-house affair  has taken on a political hue. A senior RSS leader jumped into the poll cauldron by sending messages to almost all journalists, asking them how the RSS could play a role in the elections in the larger national interest. Sangh leader Laxman Bhavsingha has even invited suggestions from journalists in this regard.

The BJP, on the other hand, is also said to be keeping a close watch on the elections and is even backing some candidates. This is the first time that any outside outfit with defined political leanings has directly interfered with our election. If the trend continues, journalists elections may soon be contested on political lines and that would be the end to the freedom of expression, said a veteran journalist, who said that he would prefer not to vote in such an election.

MAHARANIS KRISHNA, BALARAM

Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, the Mahararani of Patna and former Lok Sabha member from Odishas Balangir, sees Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram in the twin combination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. She, however, is a bit confused as to who among the two is Lord Krishna. While addressing a public meeting in Balangir recently where Mr Shah was present, Ms Deo heaped lavish praise on the duo by using many epithets and sobriquets. The audience, however, appeared more amused when she compared them to Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram.





When someone from the audience requested her to identify who she thought was Lord Krishna among the two, the Maharani, taken aback by such an impromptu query, said: In fact, the two leaders work with so much of coordination and synchronisation, its too difficult to know who is Lord Krishna and who is Lord Balaram among them. Whether or not he understood anything from the queens words of praise, Mr Shah was all smiles.
Remember Mona Darling, Bollywoods most popular, IQ-challenged secretary? Or that of more contemporary variant, Cherry from Race 2, served Anil Kapoors unorthodox requests for exotic fruits? Secretaries have been stereotyped by Bollywood as glam dolls or arm candy. But things are less sexist in real life. Voice assisted speakers are your virtual secretaries today and though they come with a female voice, they are assertive, sometimes borderline rude, but super helpful and resourceful.

Virtual meets real

The recently launched Google Home duo of products is a perfect example to understand how virtual assistants and devices that use virtual assistants are slowly, but surely, taking over our bedrooms, kitchens and even our lives. Google Assistant has been the companys biggest artificial intelligence project and with Google Home products, the virtual assistant finally finds a face (or at least a voice). Google Home seamlessly blends into your home interior with its subtle and minimalistic design. The top white panel has LEDs that light up every time you say OK Google. The device comes with two microphones with a technology called neural beam forming that helps recognise human voices from across the room. The output sound comes from just one speaker, a carefully designed one that spits out 360 degree ambient sound.

Ask me anything

Prior to its launch in India, Google has personalised the device to decipher Indian accents, sync ups with music streaming providers like Saavn and Gaana, and India-based news sources such as Aaj Tak, Dainik Bhaskar, and NDTV, among others. Google promises to bring in end-to-end support for Hindi soon. Of course, you can also ask random questions like Whats the height of Mount Everest, Why did Chennai Super Kings shift their matches out of the city, Will it rain tomorrow... the possibilities are endless.

On a more serious note, the true power of Google Home is unleashed when it syncs to your Google account, and pulls out your appointments for the day, flight bookings if any, meetings, calls etc. It also reminds you of important dates such as birthdays, your wedding anniversary, work anniversary etc. Then there are the bells and whistles, like telling the device to dim or semi-dim a smart lamp, or turn it on again. Other connected smart devices can be activated and controlled, which essentially means you can be sitting on your couch watching Hotstar and turn on your bedroom AC. You can also listen to recipes in real-time and order for any veggies you may have run out of.

Taking over your lives

While all of these intelligent features truly leverage the power of AI and Internet of Things, should we stop for a minute to ask, are we losing ourselves to technology? Now, you can ask your virtual assistant to regulate your day, get reminders on when you are meeting whom. Soon enough, your brain will minimise the ability to remember things. It is now the job of a Google, a Siri or an Alexa. Amazon launched this trend with the Echo smart speaker. How about burning a few more calories while you walk up to the next room to switch on the AC manually? Perhaps we are becoming dumber because there is now a machine that is seemingly smarter than you!

But for now, lets stick to exploiting all of the AI that is now packed into Google Home and the Google Home Mini. Available in chalk and charcoal colours, the devices are priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 4,499 respectively. While both devices essentially do the same thing, the mini comes in the shape of a slightly bloated doughnut, and has a smaller speaker, ideal if you want to use it more as an assistant and less as a speaker. Go for the bigger Google Home if you need both.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Haley said she had spoken to President Trump, who said if the Syrian regime uses 'this poison gas' again, the United States is 'locked and loaded'. (Photo: File)

United Nations: The US is "locked and loaded" if Syria uses chemical weapons again, America's UN envoy Nikki Haley said on Sunday.

The US and its allies France and Britain launched air strikes, targeting sites associated with Syria's chemical weapons capabilities.

The joint operation was in response to a suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma last week.

President Donald Trump "enforces" the red line and the US will sustain the pressure on the war-torn nation, she said.

"With yesterday's military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons.

"Last night, we obliterated the major research facility that it used to assemble weapons of mass murder," Haley told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Syria here.

Haley said she had spoken to President Trump, who said if the Syrian regime uses "this poison gas" again, the United States is "locked and loaded".

Also Read: 'Lesson' for Bashar al-Assad: US, UK, France launch military strikes in Syria

"When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line," she said.

Haley said the US successfully hit the heart of Syria's chemical weapons enterprise, and because of these actions, it is confident that it has crippled Syria's chemical weapons programme.

"We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," Haley said.

She blamed the Security Council and Russia's actions for failing in its duty to hold those who use chemical weapons to account.

"That failure is largely due to Russian obstruction. We call on Russia to take a hard look at the company it keeps, and live up to its responsibilities as a Permanent Member of the Council and defend the actual principles the United Nations was meant to promote," she said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that the airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations inside Syria.

The first target included the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre at al-Mazzah Airport in Damascus; the second, an alleged chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs; and the third, an alleged chemical weapons equipment storage site and command post, also near Homs.

Guterres said the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and called on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people," the UN Secretary General said.

Guterres emphasised that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis and the solution must be "political".

Urging the Security Council to assume its responsibilities, Guterres said a "lack of accountability" emboldens those who would use such chemical weapons by providing them with the "reassurance of impunity".
A new report from Niche, which ranks the best and worst places to live across the country, identified the Greater Avenues neighborhood as the No. 1 spot to live in the Beehive State.

Park City finished second on the list, followed by Yalecrest (located on the east bench of Salt Lake City), Kaysville and North Logan.

Niche ranks the best cities across the entire country based on cost of living, public school information, job security, local amenities and more data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Education, along with plenty of resident reviews.

Niche commentators praised the Greater Avenues area, which is bordered by City Creek Canyon on the west, South Temple on the south and the University of Utah on the east.

The Greater Avenues offers a limited glimpse of the charm and convenience the lower avenues possesses at the unexplainable price of larger homes, a less neighborly feel, and still somehow higher rent.  Maybe it's the views of Salt Lake's City Center (or sometimes, less romantically, industrial zones) that people find more valuable. Either way, the neighborhood's proximity to the city center, and its historical charm are invaluable leading me to believe the Greater Avenues are a great neighborhood.

The Niche rankings came alongside the best places to live in America list. Carmel, Indiana, topped the list, followed by Chesterbrook in Philadelphia, Clarendon Hills in Chicago, Richmond Heights outside of St. Louis and Okemos, Michigan.

Niches rankings break down the best places to live by city, state and even different categories, like best places to raise a family.

Kaysville topped the Utah list for best places to raise a family, followed by Farmington, Fruit Heights in Salt Lake City, Yalecrest and North Salt Lake.

No Utah location ranked among the top 25 in the nationwide list of best places to raise a family.
Our enemies know that they cannot beat us fair and square: Qamar Bajwa

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Saturday a hybrid war had been imposed on Pakistan to internally weaken it, but noted that the enemies were failing to divide the country on the basis of ethnicity and other identities.



Our enemies know that they cannot beat us fair and square and have thus subjected us to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war. They are trying to weaken our resolve by weakening us from within. Gen Bajwa said in his speech at the passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul while referring to the strategies of the enemies employing political and other means of interventions.



This was the second time in a week that the army chief has indirectly referred to a new movement launched in the name of rights of Pakhtun people.



Speaking at events in Peshawar and Rawalpindi on Thursday, he had cautioned against the engineered protests and emphasised that no anti-state agenda would be allowed under the garb of those protests. He believes that these protests have been instigated to undo the gains made by the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.



A selection of video testimonials of the graduates, released by the Inter-Services Public Relations, included cadets from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) who mentioned contributions of the Army in restoring peace and normality to their areas. The line of messaging in the testimonials was aimed at challenging the narrative of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement that is built around deprivation of and discrimination against Pakhtun people, besides denial of their basic rights.



Among the cadets, who got commissioned in service at the ceremony, were 67 cadets from Balochistan and 31 from Fata.



The army chief vowed to defeat the nefarious designs of inimical forces.



We also refuse to be pulled asunder on issues of sect, ethnicity, caste or creed. The diversity of Pakistan is our strength. The very resilience of Pakistan comes, not just from our military capacity, but from the synergetic mix of a people who have come together, willingly towards a single purpose, he said.



He credited the successes against terrorism to the willing sacrifices and matchless courage of our people in general and Pashtun tribesmen of KP and Fata in particular.



Gen Bajwa noted that the armed forces were determinedly focused on the primary objective of eradication and elimination of terrorism and said that the action was indiscriminate against terrorists of all hues and shades.



As a result of past and ongoing operations, Pakistan has eliminated almost all organised terrorist presence and infrastructure from its soil. We are now going after the residual and scattered traces of this menace under the banner of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, Gen Bajwa said while giving the current status of counter-terrorism operations.



He also touched on external issues, including Afghanistan, and reaffirmed the support for the reconciliation process there.



About Kashmir, he reaffirmed Pakistans political and moral support to the basic right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and said the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes  including the core issue of Kashmir  ran through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue.
Living in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., it is difficult to avoid the divisive political rhetoric that has permeated our country. But an organization called Better Angels is trying to bring people with opposite political views together in an attempt to bridge this divide.

Better Angels is a citizens organization founded in 2016 with an innovative approach to the political polarization problem: Instead of asking people to change their minds about issues, we give Americans a chance to better understand each other, to absorb the values and experiences that inform our political philosophies, and to ultimately recognize our common humanity.

Better Angels strives to be a balanced organization with equal numbers of right- and left-leaning members. I lean right in a county where 65 percent voted for Hillary Clinton in the last presidential election, so I was recruited to attend a workshop. I was one of seven right-leaning "reds" participating with seven left-leaning "blues." It was clear from the onset that this was a group of people passionate about their views but also tired of the mindless arguments and name-calling.

We began the day by discussing hurtful and misleading stereotypes such as bigot, anti-religious, evil and socialist." Blues identified stereotypes they have been called in the past by the reds and vice versa. While it may be easy to use these labels to add emotional emphasis to a ranting social media post, the words didnt sound clever or witty when discussing the stereotypes with the workshop participants, who expressed sadness from unfair accusations. One blue voiced empathy toward the reds, noting that it sounded as if we were feeling attacked and coming from a place of hurt.

We were all given opportunities to express the substance of our views without interruption or debate, as well as express concerns with the opinions or positions of our side. The reality is that our opinions are limited by our own experiences or our flawed view of the experiences of others. To hear expressions of self-doubt, along with the sincere hope of being on the correct path, broke down the ridiculous facade and enabled meaningful discussion.

One conservative woman exclaimed, Im struck by the humanity Ive discovered in the 'blues! While the comment was met with laughter, I believe it is a very telling remark. First, it implies that with our current political polarization, we have dehumanized those who disagree with us. If we perceive our neighbors as inhuman, it incorrectly justifies verbal maltreatment and even violence. Unfortunately, I fear many of our current politicians and political activists understand and intentionally use the rallying power of demonizing the opposition.

Second, it suggests the antidote to this vilification is found somewhere in the activities sponsored by organizations such as Better Angels. I think the remedy is to simply listen. Listening with patience can help us see the humanity in others and understand their motivations, even if we strongly disagree with their opinions. Besides, most people will not listen to you until they are completely worn out from talking, so I find it helpful to listen first.

Extreme political polarization, while recently on the rise, is not new to America. The name Better Angels comes from the first inaugural speech given by Abraham Lincoln in March 1861, one month before the outbreak of the Civil War. It is meant to remind us, I think, of the sobering consequences of a nation divided. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I also think back on the religious persecution of early Mormons. The harassment, violence and murders and the infamous Missouri extermination order of 1844 are inexcusable. However, it is worth noting that their neighbors likely felt threatened by tightly knit LDS communities and feared their political and economic influence.

No one left our Better Angels workshop with a changed mind, but I believe we all left with a better understanding of each other and more hope that we can live peaceably and even respectfully with our differences.
With her 9-month-old baby in one arm and her new diploma in the other, Rosa Baker walked proudly across the stage of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, smiling as Elders Dale G. Renlund and Kim B. Clark waited to shake her hand.

As one of 335 graduates honored at LDS Business Colleges graduation ceremony held on Temple Square on April 13, Baker stood out as she walked across the stage with her baby in her arms. But the small gesture was symbolic of the family and faith-centered community that the Churchs 131-year-old college provides for its students.

Speaking of why he loved his time at LDSBC, Ricard Sanz from Brazil said, The environment is totally different than another regular school. You can combine the Spirit from God and the knowledge, the secular knowledge. This combination was good for me.

With students from more than 35 different countries, LDSBC offers a uniquely gospel-centered learning environment. And as LDSBC President Bruce C. Kusch, said in his address to the graduates, LDSBC is a global community of saints, learning from and lifting one another.

Elder Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who offered the keynote address, and Elder Clark, commissioner of the Church Educational System who also spoke, encouraged graduates to seek the guidance and companionship of the Holy Ghost and to trust in the Lord and serve one another.

Gaining an education, skill or trade is a wonderful way to prepare for your future, Elder Renlund said. But even more important, he added, is the need to remain loyal to Jesus Christ and to be receptive to the Holy Ghost.

I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, Elder Renlund said. Quoting President Nelson, Elder Renlund then promised students that by doing so, they would be provided with the knowledge and understanding [they] seek.

Giving the graduates four points to focus on for their futures, Elder Renlund said, First, be loyal to Christ and what you know to be true.  Second, be receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.  Third, magnify your God-given talents.  Fourth, serve and bless Gods children.

By following these steps, Elder Renlund said the graduates would be prepared for whatever you face in this life.

Reflecting on the words of Elder Renlund, Baker said the ceremony reminded her of how much she has been able to rely on the Holy Ghost to seek for inspiration.

Originally from Guatemala, Baker said she was blessed with the opportunity to study at LDSBC thanks to the kindness and support of family and friends who sponsored her financially and helped with balancing her time as a student, wife, mother and employee.

Sometimes the Lords plan for stretching us is hard, Elder Clark said during his address. But as Baker has proved to herself, that stretching process is worth it.

Now, having completed three degrees and one certificate in her time at LDSBC, Baker explained that her challenges have also served as blessings that have stretched her and have helped her to grow.

Like most international students, Baker faced challenges due to language and cultural barriers, but she said that with hard work and a reliance on the Spirit to help her work even harder, she knew she could get through it.

It was completely worth it, I think, looking back, she said. And she hopes her example will serve her son in the future when he too faces challenges.

If he ever finds it difficult to finish school or whatever difficulty he may have, he can look back and know that he can do it, she said. I did it, so he can too.

Explaining why she decided to carry her baby with her for the graduation procession, Baker said, [He] was a big part of my education. He motivated me to finish it and do excellent.

With plans to continue her studies at Utah Valley University next year, Baker, like many of the recent graduates from LDSBC, has taken seriously the charge of apostles of the Church to seek out education and continue in the paths of learning provided.

And to help offer their students access to more learning opportunities, President Kusch announced during the ceremony that the Board of Trustees of the Church Educational System has given approval for all LDSBC associate degree graduates to receive direct acceptance into the BYU-Idaho online program.

We are excited for this wonderful blessing and opportunity for our graduates to continue their education from any location, President Kusch said.

The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The publication's content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church.
PROVO  Felicity Varkevisser got tired of looking at the four walls of her apartment and took a chance on becoming a volunteer for the Senior Companion program.

Since Varkevisser started in the program, she has been meeting Marian Christensen for a few hours each week for seven years. They have filled their time together with grocery shopping, household chores, and talking about current events and their families.

"I really look forward to her coming on Fridays, because she does the shopping, but we also sit and visit," Marian Christensen said. She is nearing her 98th birthday, but continues to live in her home in Provo.

The two women's relationship started because of the Senior Companion program, which pairs able seniors with seniors who are much more limited in their mobility and independence.

Varkevisser is thankful for the opportunities and friendships that have developed from her time in the program, "I never would have got to meet Marian if I wasn't in the program."

Marianne Christensen, the Senior Companion program coordinator, sees the program as one of the county's best-kept secrets. "I just can't believe the impact it has on the volunteer's life and the clients," Marianne Christensen said.

The volunteers commit to 15 hours a week or more and generally visit between five to 10 clients per week. Volunteers receive a stipend of $2.65 per hour, but there is no charge for the seniors that are receiving the service.

"It's a practical service, it is something I enjoy doing and I really enjoy visiting with Marian," Varkevisser said.

The volunteers' visits are often a social opportunity for the clients, but the volunteers can help mitigate issues by seeking assistance for their clients. "They watch that individual, if they notice anything significant, they can alert the coordinators, APS, or the family," Marianne Christensen said.

The Senior Companion program that serves Utah County was originally funded through a grant in 1989 and served three counties: Utah, Summit and Wasatch. In 2002, Utah County became a sponsor of the program.

Marianne Christensen is thankful for the great partnership and understanding that the county has for the program. "They understand that keeping our seniors active and involved plays a big part in the resources being used."

In 2017, the budget of the program was nearly $305,000. The funding from the federal grant was 63 percent of the budget, the county funded 28 percent, and the state and local entities funded 9 percent.

Throughout 2017, over 300 clients were served through the Senior Companions program, but usually, it was only 190 to 200 active clients at a time.

Even though Senior Companions will be meeting with multiple clients, there is a longevity built into the program that isn't found in many other services.

"We've got some (volunteers) that have served the same client for over 10 years," Marianne Christensen said.

Varkevisser's assistance to Marian Christensen has changed over the past seven years. The pair used to go grocery shopping together, but now, Varkevisser will take a list from Marian to the store on her own.

"I would define it as developing a friendship," Varkevisser said, "I don't think you can really do it, just thinking that's a client."

Varkevisser also said that she is very open to the idea of having a Senior Companion visit her in the future if there is a need.

Currently, the Senior Companion program has 31 volunteers, but is funded for 36. Marianne Christensen wouldn't mind having upwards of 38 volunteers, but noted "it really just depends on the need."

In the 2018 Utah County Community Assessment by the United Way of Utah County, the projected retirement-age population is estimated to grow from 40,057 residents over the age of 65 to 56,747 residents over the age of 65 in 2020. This growth is expected to continue on the following decades.

With this demographic growth, Marianne Christensen hopes the program can pull from those that are retiring.

"Hopefully, we are going to be able to tap into those retiring, and keep them active, engaged in the community through serving other seniors," she said.
The Hyundai AH2, which has been undergoing road tests in India for quite some time now, has been spotted again. The Hyundai AH2 has long been reported to be the successor to the massively popular Santro, and reports indicate that the car will be launched in India during Diwali under the 'Santro' moniker. Now, PowerDrift has spotted the car undergoing road tests in Pune yet again, and with that, we now have possibly the best spy shots of the Hyundai AH2/Hyundai Santro, so far.

While the car still remains heavily camouflaged, the photos better reveal the body dimensions, which appear to be more compact than the Grand i10. The Santro will reportedly replace the Hyundai i10, and hence slot in between the Eon and the Grand i10, in terms of the placement of the product. The new Hyundai Santro is expected to be a significantly more premium product than the older generation one, which was discontinued back in 2015 after having established Hyundai's reputation in India and been in the market for 16 years. It is expected to get Hyundai's new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, which should include the cascading signature front grille, bolder headlamps and smoother curved lines that would somewhat mimic the Grand i10's overall design. It is also expected to get bigger windows, more spacious interiors and a better overall package in terms of features.

The base trims of the upcoming Santro, as reported by us before, may run on steel wheels, but the top trims of the Santro are expected to include alloy wheels, climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital MID, two-tone interiors and more. It is also expected to run on a 1.1-litre four-cylinder iRDE2 petrol engine that will be slightly retuned from the state that powered the old Hyundai i10 in India. The company has also confirmed that it is developing an AMT transmission in house, and the AMT version will feature in the B-segment hatchback to cash in on the rising popularity of automatic cars in India.

When launched, the Hyundai Santro is expected to fall in the price category of Rs. 3-5 lac, and hence, rival the likes of the Maruti Celerio, Tata Tiago and Honda Brio. Considering how popular the older generation Santro was for Hyundai, it will be interesting to see how the new generation car fares.
The Reserve Bank of India's announcement on cryptocurrency has not only stirred the market but left both the traders and investors in a state of loss with many of them thinking of wrapping up their operations. Last week, the RBI, in its first bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting of this fiscal, announced that regulated entities already providing services to any individual or business dealing in digital currencies have been given three months to exit the relationship. "The RBI has cautioned on at least three occasions members of the public and users of virtual currency regarding risks they are exposing themselves to through these cryptocurrencies," RBI Deputy Governor B.P. Kanungo said. "We have now decided to fence RBI-regulated entities from the risk of dealing with entities associated with virtual currencies. They are required to stop having a business relationship with entities dealing with virtual currencies forthwith, and unwind the existing relationship within three months," he added. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in his Union Budget speech that crypto-currencies were not recognized as legal tender.

"This unprecedented move by the RBI has stirred the market and impacted the industry at various levels. The exchanges have witnessed a steep decline in daily trade volumes and price fall for all tokens. In addition, traders who were looking at long-term investment through crypto assets will suffer heavy losses, especially those who have made hefty investments, out of their livelihood savings," Rahul Raj, Co-Founder, and CEO, Koinex, told IANS.

While Praveenkumar Vijayakumar, Founder, and CEO, Belfrics Global, said the announcement is an end of the road for many Indian exchanges and a clear letdown for new investors, it is not going to have much effect on cryptocurrency transactions in the long run. "As and when global prices advance, Indians will find their way to get these assets through p2p (peer-to-peer) markets," he told IANS. "Nowhere it is stated that cryptos are illegal. The only thing which has been stopped is banking service. If anybody can justify the cash amount for which they buy or sell the cryptoassets, the trading goes on," Bharat Verma, CEO and co-founder, Pluto Exchange, told IANS.

"This move by the RBI might see an irreversible negative ripple effect across the ecosystem. So, overall, the mood in the market is dismal," said Rahul Raj. The industry stakeholders also rued the fact that they were not consulted before RBI took its decision. "Before taking this decision, industry participants were not consulted, public debates were not initiated and public opinion polls were not undertaken. Even the findings of the committee were not published. The world is moving towards more efficient money and technology. We currently have billions of dollars being transacted in the form of cryptocurrencies, in a much more efficient and faster way than any central bank in the world can perform," said Vijayakumar.

Belfrics stopped its cryptocurrency exchange operations in India when the banks had shut down its accounts. "Our blockchain technology division is very active in India as we serve government and private enterprises for blockchain-related consultancy and product development," he added. Headquartered in Malaysia, the Belfrics exchange is currently active in Kenya, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia.

"This knee-jerk move by the RBI has adversely impacted the industry, but the directive has also given financial institutions a time frame to settle all the pending transactions with the exchanges. So, effectively, this time allotted can be used by traders to wisely transact on their crypto-assets. It is business as usual, at present," Rahul Raj said.

He is also apprehensive that this move by the RBI might lure traders to do under-the-table dealings or make small trade through direct cash transactions, which cannot be accounted or regulated.

"So, it might do more harm to the existing market and lead to illicit practices and the black market. We are hopeful that the government will allow a dialogue to resolve this situation," he added.But Verma is hopeful that RBI will give detailed information and guidelines by the end of June. "It appears as a positive decision in market of crypto." Asked whether he plans to wrap up his business, Verma said: "I will wait for the right thing and right time. Going out is an option too, but any decision right now will be too early to make."
Last year, Apple had sent a legal notice to an independent Norwegian electronics repair shop PCKompaniet owned by Henrik Huseby, asking them to immediately stop using aftermarket iPhone screens at his repair business and that he pay the company a settlement. In the legal notice by Apple lawyers, Huseby was asked to furnish copies of invoices, product lists, order forms, payment information, prints from the internet and other relevant material regarding the purchase [of screens], including copies of any correspondence with the supplier, in order to avoid being sued. The notice further said that  we reserve the right to request further documentation at a later date. Huseby decided to fight the case and won.

Motherboard reported the story originally and said that the point of contention was the 63 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S aftermarket screens that Huseby had ordered from suppliers in Asia as spare parts. These were seized by Norwegian Customs officials because Apple logos on the inside components of the screens had been covered up by ink marker. The ink marker could be removed with rubbing alcohol, according to the Oslo District Court decision that ruled in favor of Huseby. Apples case rested on the fact that the parts seized displayed Apple trademarks without their authorization.

The court, however, felt otherwise. Huseby told the court that PCKompaniet has never removed the coverup of the Apple logo on the screens that have been imported and has no interest in doing so. PCKompaniet does not pretend or market itself as Apple authorized and does not give any indication that the repair comes with an Apple warranty. The court ruled that  It is not obvious to the court what trademark function justifies Apples choice of imprinting the Apple logo on so many internal components.

Apple has always been against independent repairs, often telling consumers that any repairs by unauthorized persons would result in the warranty being void. The Federal Trade Commision recently started sending out letters to manufacturers that warranty void if removed stickers were illegal, and that third-party repairs cannot constitute to a lapse in warranty. However, a bigger concern is Apples dominant role in fighting the Right to Repair legislation across the United States. Apple has continued to assert itself through trademark law and lobbied for the Right to Repair legislation to be struck down, something they succeeded in for the state of New York.

Many argue that Apple is trying to corner the repair market and turn it into a profitable business for itself. Apple only supplies authorized parts to its own stores and repair shops who are a part of its program. These shops have to buy the components from Apple at fixed rates and pay the company a fee to be a part of the Authorized Service Provider program. Apple was caught throttling the performance of older iPhones last year, which turned out to be because of faulty batteries, a component that near impossible to get replaced. There are multiple reports of users who tried having the batteries on their iPhone replaced at Apple service centers but were denied because the internal diagnostic tool deemed the battery to be in healthy condition. Apple otherwise charged $70 for a battery replacement, but after news of throttling blew up in their face, Apple dropped the price to $29, temporarily.

Apple will be appealing the Oslo District Courts decision in a higher court, but it is yet to be decided whether the appeal will be granted.
HMD Global is reported to be close to launching its new flagship smartphone, dubbed the Nokia X. An advertisement has apparently been spotted touting the name of the device in a mall in China, and futher reports indicate that the device will be launched this month itself, on April 27, internationally. This is completely in contrast to the large number of leaks and rumours that we usually come across before the launch of a smartphone, and with the Nokia X being touted to be a 'flagship' grade device, adds a bit of a question mark in terms of validating the device's existence.

A Gizmochina report states that the upcoming Nokia X is likely to be called 'Nokia 10', with the X standing for the numeral. Nokia's smartphones so far follow a number-based nomenclature, and it is likely that the Nokia X will be placed as a flagship in the market. No technical details are available at the moment, but from the photos seen in the leaked advertisements, one can expect dual-curved edges on the display, and a slightly curved metal rear panel. Past concept renders of possible Nokia flagships have hinted at a more upright design, but the alleged Nokia X does not resemble such concepts in any way. There are no further details available about the device at the moment, including the possible configuration of components that may be used.

HMD Global will be looking to remain tight-lipped about the device, coming up with a surprise launch of what may turn out to be an important smartphone in the company's portfolio. Nokia's devices have so far been hailed for the sturdy, premium build quality. However, the present state of the Nokia brand in the realm of mobile phones is a sliver of what it was back in the era of postage stamp-sized monochrome displays and alphanumeric keypads on mobile devices. The Finnish company enjoyed a massive, long-standing monopoly on the mobile devices market during the initial boom of cellphones across the world, but the advent of touch-operated devices and the rise of the mobile-first generation led to the fall of one of the most iconic companies of all time.

With HMD Global, Nokia is on the lookout to grab the attention back to itself, and the Nokia X may well be the latest peg in its attempt to garner its niche in the smartphone market.

Source
What is it?

BMW has tried to make its i3 electric car more appealing with a range of upgrades including a new, more powerful motor to create the i3s. Its a sportier version to sit alongside the regular i3.

How much does it cost and what do you get?

There are still two choices for the i3s - choosing it with or without a petrol range-extender engine. We tested the fully electric model which is priced from $69,990 (plus on-road costs), while the i3s REX is $75,900.

As well as the new motor there are a number of other changes for the i3s, including unique front and rear bumpers to try and give the tall, boxy city car a wider, sportier look. Other changes are full LED headlights and redesigned 20-inch alloy wheels.
However, for the purveyors of speedy mass transportation on water, a twin-hulled catamaran doing the run from Buenos Aires Argentina to Montevideo, Uruguay across the Rio de La Plata in around two hours is the perfect cure for the itch. Called the Francisco after Pope Francis, this ride-on ride-off ferry between the capital cities of Argentina and Uruguay can carry over 1,000 passengers and 150 cars at a top speed of 107.4kph (67 knots).

Built by Australian shipbuilders Incat in 2013, the Uruguayan-flagged Francisco is a twin-hull catamaran that skims across the surface of the water. The Francisco is 99m long, 26.94m wide has a waterline length of 90.54 metres, a draft of 2.98 metres, and a deadweight capacity of 500 tonnes.

The Francisco features twin aluminium hulls connected by a bridging section with centre bow structure at the forward end. Both hulls are divided into nine vented, watertight compartments divided by transverse bulkheads, two of which are used to store fuel while yet another section is used as a long range fuel tank.

Giving the Francisco its phenomenal speed on water are two LM2500 marine gas turbine engine by General Electric(GE) Aviation, which are derived from the GE CF6 jet engine that powers the Boeing 747. The LM2500 turbines on the Francisco have been modified to run on either natural gas or Marine distillate and produce 29,815bhp each. The LM2500 engines (one on each hull) are connected via ZF 7:1 reduction gearboxes to Wartsila LJX 1720SR axial waterjet which push the Francisco in either forwards or reverse direction on the water.

While there are speedboats that can travel at these speeds, the Francisco does it while carrying over 1,000 people and 150 cars in luxury across the Rio de la Plata. The ship also plays host to a 1,100 square feet duty-free shop, bars and VIP areas as well.

DriveSpark's Thoughts On The World's Fastest Ship

The Francisco shows that mass transportation across water doesn't have to be slow. While wouldn't mind riding the waves in the catamaran named after the Pope, especially if it means having luxuries like a duty-free shop on board, but the thought of being seasick at such speeds makes our stomachs a bit queasy.
Snatch The Match From That Monkey Najib Before He Burns Down The Village





M. Bakri Musa









It would take more than just a monkey with a match to burn down a village, despite the dwellings being made of wood and having flammable thatched roofs. Those homes have withstood generations of indoor wood-burning stoves and nightly mosquito-repelling ambers underneath their floors. There would have to be more, as with a long spell of dry hot weather and mountains of ignitable garbage strewn around.





Yet when the kampung does get burned down, everyone would be shocked. The immediate reaction would be to blame the idiot with the match, and the fury heaped upon that poor soul would then be merciless.





Consumed with vengeance and with little inclination or intelligence for reflection, the necessary probing questions would never get raised. As with who gave the idiot the match or why was he not supervised. Few would notice much less ponder why the strewn garbage was allowed to accumulate and thus pose a fire as well as health and other hazards.





The kampung that is Malaysia has not burnt down, at least not yet. Malaysians are still smug and remain blissfully unaware of the long dry spell and the tinder dried debris that has been stacking up. Nor do they realize the danger posed by the idiot running around with a match in his hand and threatening more mischief. God knows he has wrecked enough damage already.





Being in the tropics, Malaysians are used to hot weather but the current hot political climate is very recent. The 1969 incident excepted, political riots and turmoils are not yet the norm. Malaysia has been thankfully spared such scourges as the assassinations of leaders and politicians, the staple of Third World politics.





If Najib and his Barisan coalition were to prevail in the upcoming general election on May 9, 2018, however slim their victory, that would be akin to giving the village idiot a match, and then encouraging him to continue playing with it amidst the flammable debris and the high-voltage political atmosphere.





The flammable debris are our failing institutions. Malaysias are also now deeply polarized, lending to the current highly-charged political climate. The last time Malaysians were stridently divided was during the 1969 election. Then the ruling coalitions defeat in a few states and its loss of a supra majority at the federal level triggered a horrific race riot that killed thousands and maimed many more. Parliament had to be suspended and the nation ruled by decree. The scar of that national tragedy has now thankfully been sealed with a thick scab. It is unlikely that it would be rubbed open again despite the mischievous attempts by many.





interracial despite crude attempts by many to make it so, rather intra-racial, among Malays. Only East Malaysia is spared. As such Malaysians, in particular Malays, do not or refuse to recognize or even acknowledge this new threat to the nation. Therein lies the danger. The polarization then was interracial, between Malays and Chinese to be specific, and the outbreak of violence was localized only to Kuala Lumpur. Today the schisms and polarizations are widespread but notracial despite crude attempts by many to make it so, rather-racial, among Malays. Only East Malaysia is spared. As such Malaysians, in particular Malays, do not or refuse to recognize or even acknowledge this new threat to the nation. Therein lies the danger.





un-Malay. I fear that should something untoward were to happen to Najib or Mahathir, that would trigger a vicious civil war among their fanatic followers, meaning, Malays. Yet the evidences are glaring. I have never seen more ugly or blatant displays of vicious and visceral hatred directed at Najib and Mahathir. The two leaders themselves have set the pace and tone. Others too like the sultans and ulamas have taken sides. Their revulsion, as well as that of their followers, is so open. Such gross and uncouth displays are so-Malay. I fear that should something untoward were to happen to Najib or Mahathir, that would trigger a vicious civil war among their fanatic followers, meaning, Malays.





intra rather than interracial. Witness the ongoing carnage in the Middle East. I am referring not to the Arab-Israeli dispute but the continuing savageries among the Arabs. The Korean Peninsula is still a tinderbox, ready to explode and taking the world with it. Then there was the earlier Chinese civil war. It would be a futile exercise to venture whether the Chinese suffered more under the Japanese or during their own civil war. It would not be an exaggeration to assert that the Japanese Occupation at least interrupted the brutalities the Chinese inflicted upon each other. Throughout history the most savage conflicts arerather thanracial. Witness the ongoing carnage in the Middle East. I am referring not to the Arab-Israeli dispute but the continuing savageries among the Arabs. The Korean Peninsula is still a tinderbox, ready to explode and taking the world with it. Then there was the earlier Chinese civil war. It would be a futile exercise to venture whether the Chinese suffered more under the Japanese or during their own civil war. It would not be an exaggeration to assert that the Japanese Occupation at least interrupted the brutalities the Chinese inflicted upon each other.





What is so volatile about the current threat facing Malaysia is the absence of any restraining element to buffer or dampen this intra-Malay schism. Our institutionsfrom the sultans and the Election Commission to the armed services and the policehave failed us. The sultans and Agung are not the protectors of Islam and Malay customs as they claim, or as tradition and the constitution would have it. They are partial to UMNO Malays, thanks to Najibs cash is king lure.





titah(command) his fantasized Bangsa Johor as to which party to vote for! His father the sultan had gone even further. The Chief of the Armed Forces had to retract his earlier statement proclaiming his troops and officers loyalty to Najib. That General forgot his oath of office, to serve king and country. Likewise the Registrar of Societies; she did her job in a single blow (pardon the pornographic pun) by denying the registration of Mahathirs new party, a powerful opposition force. Meanwhile that clown prince and sultan wannabe in the southern tip of the peninsula thinks he can(command) his fantasized Bangsa Johor as to which party to vote for! His father the sultan had gone even further.





I would have expected Malaysian minorities to buffer or dampen this dangerous intra-Malay rift if nothing else for their (non-Malay) own self-interest. Instead they are sucked in by their own miscalculations into this perilous undertow.





A sliver of hope is Sabah and Sarawak. Perhaps because everyone there is a minority, Malaysians there are inclusive and tolerant. They have gone beyond; they have not let their ethnic and cultural identities define or limit them. It is sad that their exemplary collective stance is lost on their fellow Malaysians in the peninsula.





The fact that UMNO, a national party otherwise, does not have a beachhead in Sarawak, explains why the particularly virulent racist virus that has infected UMNOs body and mind in the peninsula has not spread east across the South China Sea. I hope East Malaysians will keep it that way.

thGeneral Election. They must snatch that dangerous match away from that idiot Najib and his band of mischievous UMNO monkeys. He and they have done enough damage to Malaysia. Stop them before they burn the whole country down. Malaysians have a crucial task in this upcoming May 9General Election. They must snatch that dangerous match away from that idiot Najib and his band of mischievous UMNO monkeys. He and they have done enough damage to Malaysia. Stop them before they burn the whole country down.




From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
If 2017 was the year of carbon market maintenance, with legislation extending the life of schemes in the US and Europe, 2018 could be defined by greater linking between initiatives, says Michael Hurley

CARBON MARKETS EU EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM Winner Runner up Best broker, spot & futures Evolution Markets Element Markets Best trading company, spot & futures Redshaw Advisors ETS Markets Best broker, options Evolution Markets PVM (TPIcap) Best trading company, options Vitol Vertis Best advisory/consultancy Redshaw Advisors ETS Markets Best law firm Baker & McKenzie Reed Smith Best verification company Lucideon DNV GL Best exchange/clearing house ICE EEX

The past 12 months in the carbon markets have been high in drama  from litigation in the US to regulatory changes and fallout from contentious elections on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as enduring uncertainty as to when China's long-awaited national market will be launched.

However, the winners of this year's Annual Market Rankings broadly agree that, following a period of turbulence for the markets that has its origins in the 2008 financial crisis, there are signs that recent structural changes could create the basis for a period of relative stability.

Martijn Wilder, partner at Baker McKenzie, which picked up the title of Best Law Firm across four categories, agrees this "rebuilding period" is defined by a lot more talk about how carbon markets can become effective and stable, which is partly inspired by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change, he says.

In the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the price of allowances (EUAs) has been climbing, reaching 7.68 per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the time of going to press  up from a low in May of less than 4.50  which is a sign of confidence brought about by the EU agreeing to long-term reforms, according to Jeff Swartz, director of climate policy and carbon markets at South Pole Group. The Switzerland-based company was voted Best Trading Company on the secondary market and Best Project Developer for Kyoto project credits (JI and CDM).

EU Member States backed the ETS Phase IV (2021-2030) reform package in a November vote. The reforms include a commitment to reduce the overall cap on the total volume of emissions, annually, by 2.2%, to reduce oversupply  which has been a key weakness of the system in past years.

Louis Redshaw, founder and chief executive of Redshaw Advisors, says the proposed Market Stability Reserve (MSR), into which surplus emission allowances removed from the market will be placed, starting in January 2019, is "the main driver for the return of some speculative interest in the market."

Redshaw retained the title of Best Advisory/ Consultancy  EU ETS and was also voted Best Trading Company, Spot & Futures  EU ETS, in this year's poll.

"Investors and speculators who are not necessarily involved in the carbon market each day are now taking part due to the forecast impact on prices," he says. "The market looks healthier than it has done for years."

"The next 12 months is pretty much business as usual: the market will likely be slightly long but from January 2019 the 'MSR effect' will flip this situation on its head and the market will be short," says Redshaw.

The reforms must be approved by the EU's environment committee, with final approval not expected until February 2018.

Prices rose as much as 3.3% to 7.98 following announcement of the deal.

This increasing market confidence is likely to be important for the future development of carbon markets, Wilder says.

"This year, for the first time in a long time at the COP climate negotiations in Bonn we saw a lot more focus on how carbon markets should be linked. In that way, a strong EU ETS market is very important," he says.

However, the discussions are "only just starting to play out", he says, and the subject of linking is fraught with difficulties that require further work on regulation. Wilder doesn't expect a significant amount of additional linkage to happen any time soon.

"The problem will be, come 2020, how does that linking stand up when countries have imposed obligations to reduce emissions," Wilder asks, referring to the Nationally Determined Contributions, made by countries under Article 4 of the Paris Agreement.

"There are a whole lot of interesting issues about how you account for linking under the Paris Agreement, which considers Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)," Wilder says. "If you transfer your carbon abatement from one country to another, one benefits while the other loses out."

Redshaw agrees this issue of 'overlapping policies' needs to be addressed.

"We see it all across Europe with national policies negatively impacting the EU ETS. The Phase 4 regulations have partially solved this problem by allowing EU Member States to cancel an amount of EUAs that corresponds to the emissions reductions caused by another complementary policy.

"But the question remains  will they do this? When it comes to the crunch will a Member State cancel 20Mt of EUAs that it could have auctioned at 20 each? 400 million is a lot of money to deny yourself and the Member States have not done well in the past  consider the massive over-allocation in Phases 1 and 2," Redshaw says.

CARBON MARKETS NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS (California) Winner Runner up Best broker, spot & futures Evolution Markets BGC Partners Best trading company, spot & futures Element Markets Vitol Best broker, options Evolution Markets BGC Partners Best trading company, options Vitol Best offset originator Bluesource Element Markets Best advisory/consultancy Element Markets ClearBlue Markets =

Karbone = Best law firm Baker & McKenzie Latham & Watkins NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS (RGGI) Winner Runner up Best broker Evolution Markets BGC Partners Best trading company Element Markets Vitol NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS (All) Winner Runner up Best advisory/consultancy ClearBlue Markets Element Markets Best law firm Baker & McKenzie Best verification company Ruby Canyon Engineering First Environment Best project developer Bluesource Element Markets

Nicolas Girod, head of trading and research at ClearBlue Markets, which was voted Best Advisory/Consultancy for North American markets, said the UK's Brexit vote may affect pricing over the next year.

A Brexit clause in the EU's proposed Phase 4 reforms says that, to avoid UK EUAs being invalidated from 1 January 2018, UK law must ensure the compliance deadline for 2018 emissions is no later than 15 March 2019.

UK issued allowances from 1 January 2018 will no longer be marked with a country identifier and therefore will be valid for compliance, although the European Commission will be permitted to "regularly assess whether prohibiting the use of allowances is still necessary". The regulation will also allow EUAs to be marked with a country code and become invalid for compliance.

"It's just before the compliance for 2018 - will the free allowances in 2018 be worthless? That will be a lot of risk to manage for UK compliance entities," Girod says, adding that he is not bullish about EU ETS prices in 2018, which he predicts will remain between 8 and 9.

"What could happen with the UK is what happens with Switzerland  it's outside the EU but links with the EU ETS.

"I don't see why the UK would not start its own market and try to link to the EU's - or maybe link to the [North American] RGGI market."

Shaun Bainbridge, director of assurance at Lucideon, which was voted Best Verification Company for the EU ETS, agrees the implications of Brexit for the ETS are huge: "The one word associated with the ETS at the moment is Brexit. That's regardless of whether you are a UK operator or verifier or from one of the other EU countries."

There are three different pathways that could be taken post-Brexit for the UK, he says: full involvement in the ETS; a proprietary UK trading scheme that's linked to the EU ETS; or a "simple" carbon tax.

"The UK is such a large part of the EU  it will have implications on reporting, the carbon price, the fluidity of the market and, in the short term particularly, the timing of reporting and verification.

"You can see it even pre-Brexit, because of when people use their allowances to settle their accounts. The other Member States are asking the UK to bring forward verification and reporting [ahead of 2018 compliance] - there are very serious implications for UK companies," Bainbridge says.

If the UK were to implement its own carbon market, he says, it could link exclusively with the EU, with other schemes like RGGI, or even those in the Far East such as Taiwan, China or Korea.

"To link several would be challenging but doable. The timeframes would be long," Bainbridge says. "The key thing is fungibility of allowances: that all the allowances are equivalent and the reporting and verification is robust enough to prove they are equivalent."

Redshaw agrees: "Brexit has served up a dose of the political realities of this market. But by being close to developments it is possible for companies to implement coping strategies," he says.

South Pole's Swartz echoes Wilder's call for more structural work around the ETS, and says that although the reforms have been successful in that they have increased investor confidence and pushed up allowance prices, EU law-makers have shown a lack of ambition that could undermine progress.

"The EU has a target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030, and 20% by 2020, from a 1990 baseline  the 2020 target has already been met: it was achieved in 2014. We've now had six years where we're not working towards the 2020 target.

"The EU should increase its target, and one way to do it cost-effectively is by meeting it with international credits, by showing the rest of the world that the EU is interested in supporting other countries to reduce their emissions. This would allow European firms to purchase credits that are low cost, and also support action in developing countries, which are those hardest hit by climate change.

"It's a political decision Europe has declined to make and, taking that as an example, other governments have also decided not to take increased action on reducing emissions between now and 2020," Swartz says.

Meanwhile, in North America, regulatory changes similarly helped shore up the price of allowances when they were floundering.

Zach Eyler, vice president of greenhouse gas programmes at Ruby Canyon Engineering, which retained the title of Best Verification Company for North American markets, said: "The most important factor over the past year was the passage of the AB 398 bill, securing California's cap-and-trade programme to 2030. This certainty was welcome to all, even if the offsets component of the bill was disappointing."

AB 398 extended the California programme past its 2020 expiry date in the face of legal challenges which alleged that the pricing mechanism constituted a tax. Under local law, new taxes require a two-thirds vote to pass into legislation, which AB 398 achieved in July.

Lenny Hochschild, a managing director and head of US carbon markets at Evolution Markets, which was voted winner of six categories, said: "This event provided the political certainty that the linked California-Quebec market needed in order to grow, and meet the requirement of 40% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared with the 1990 level."

Randy Lack, chief marketing officer at Element Markets, winner of three categories in the North American markets, agrees AB398 instilled confidence in the California carbon market, which fed through to prices.

"Heading into the period when the bill was passed, we saw a strengthening of the market. We were around the $14 to $14.25 level. Going into and following the passing we saw the market touch as high as $15.75.

"Since then the auctions have been fully subscribed, the market's been much stronger and the volume has picked up," says Lack.

"Companies are looking out beyond 2030, and hedging exposure along the curve, which has increased volume and allowed some of the speculators to come back in and invest with confidence.

"As we reach that 2020 period, once we sop up the excess supply in the market - which some people believe will come in the mid-2020s - the projection is that we'll see higher prices."

For offsets, there is a different outlook, says Lack: part of the AB398 extension was a reduction in the potential use of offsets from the current limit of 8%, to 4% between 2021 and 2025, then after 2025 up to 6%. At least half of the offset credits must be sourced from projects that provide direct environmental benefits inside California, which "will create a bit of difficulty" for offset suppliers outside California post-2021, Lack says.

ClearBlue Markets' Girod, says the outlook for the market "is looking much more positive than it was at the beginning of the year."

California's November auction saw, for the first time, some of the unsold allowances from past auctions coming back to the market. Allowances were sold at $15.06 - $1.49 above the $13.57 floor price, and $0.31 higher than the August clearing price - the highest ever clear above the floor price since the market started.

Girod says an agreement that will see Ontario's carbon market link with California is a positive sign for 2018: "The Ontario market is short overall, so will add more demand in the Quebec-California-Ontario market," he says.

"The floor price next year will be around $14.50. I expect there will be a bit less demand in the auction at the beginning of next year, but by the end of the year I expect [a price of] $16."

Nonetheless, November 2018 will see the end of the second compliance period in the California-Quebec market, which will add more demand, he says. "In addition, a lot of unsold allowances will come back to the market, which will need to be absorbed."

Eyler, at Ruby Canyon, says that the California market seems in good health.

"The next 12 months could be interesting, with an election upcoming in Ontario as well as potential for new markets in Oregon and Washington.

"We are also very interested in developments in Mexico. We participated in the first ever mandatory facility greenhouse gas verifications this year and are excited about the steps Mexico is taking in developing their programme," Eyler says.

Girod says he has heard that Ontario has been pushing hard with California to link with Mexico.

He warns that elections happening in Ontario in June "will add a bit of stress - according to polls the Conservatives are leading the Liberals by between 10 and 20 points, and the Conservatives said they would scrap the Ontario cap-and-trade system."

For the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) market of nine US states, Lack says a reduction in the amount of allowances, which will come into place in 2020, "has really bolstered prices", while expected new entrants to the programme are likely to provide an extra boost.

"Following recent governor elections, it's expected Virginia will join RGGI, and New Jersey is very likely to join. This is giving additional support to the programme, and has really caused an uptick in prices as well as a lot of long-term pricing support - and we expect that to continue.

"I expect 2018 to be a pretty strong year for RGGI," says Lack.

Evolution Markets' Hochschild said a commitment by RGGI states to cut power plant emissions by an additional 30% by 2030, "signals further long term growth for the market".

CARBON MARKETS CHINA Winner Runner up Best Advisory/Consultancy ICF International ICIS Best Verification Company CQC Best Exchange Shanghai Environmental Exchange KYOTO PROJECT CREDITS (JI and CDM) Winner Runner up Best Broker, Secondary Market Evolution Markets Vertis Best Trading Company, Secondary Market South Pole Group Redshaw Advisors Best Advisory/Consultancy Kanaka Management

Services Redshaw Advisors =

South Pole Group = Best Law Firm Baker McKenzie DLA Piper Best Verification Company EPIC Sustainability

Services DNV GL Best Project Developer South Pole Group EnKing International

Meanwhile in Asia, while most market observers await the launch of China's national carbon market, there are also eyes on the Korean ETS, which has been beset by supply issues.

Nandagopal Paramesh, a director at Kanaka Management Services, again voted Best Advisory/Consultancy for Kyoto project credits, says: "We had more than five million credits lined up to trade in the South Korean market by this year, ...but the market is not ready to trade. I guess by the end of next year it should be."

Swartz says that across the water in China, when its national market launches, it will be implemented in phases. "As I understand, the market will start with just one sector  the power sector  and the government will gradually phase in other sectors over time," he says. "The market will be a test period for the first few years  consistent with how markets have started in other jurisdictions, including Europe.

He warns that, "in order for markets to work effectively, they need to send a long-term policy signal, and they need to be very liquid.

"Different entities need to engage in carbon markets, and we don't know yet if the market will be open in the sense that it involves many different actors - companies that provide offsets, those that can trade and provide liquidity.

"An open and liquid market is essential for China to have a long-term carbon price curve and for Chinese companies to effectively manage their exposure and reduce costs and risk," Swartz says.

Casting an eye into the future, the winners of this year's Annual Market Rankings are optimistic, but think change is essential.

Wilder says he is disappointed at the pace at which the International Civil Aviation Organisation's scheme for offsets, CORSIA, is progressing: "I had hoped it would go a bit faster - but it hasn't and it isn't, so that's a bit of an issue", and he sees the availability of quality carbon data from companies as a big challenge in the battle to reduce emissions, as it leaves them struggling to understand the carbon profile of their business.

Swartz says the potential for the CORSIA scheme is exciting, and is "a beautiful marriage between the aviation sector and the carbon markets", but would like to see airlines become more pro-active.

"The best thing they can do is get familiar with markets and explore what type of emissions reductions they would like to invest in  not only for the airlines but also for the markets to understand what airlines are interested in purchasing."

Redshaw says that, for the next 12 months, "It won't be plain sailing and volatility is the only certainty, but it is hard not to see prices rising through 2018. The MSR already is already starting to alter hedging behaviour across Europe."

Kevin Townsend, chief commercial officer at Bluesource, which retained the title of Best Offset Originator for California and Best Project Developer for North American Markets, believes additional sub-national markets will take shape in the US and Canada next year.

"There will be states and provinces designing their own programmes or looking to link with existing Western Climate Initiative jurisdictions [California, Quebec and Ontario]," he says. "There will be new actors that begin to shape their markets beyond the jurisdictions everyone's talking about today."

K. Sudheendra, a director and head of operations at Epic Sustainability Services, voted Best Verification Company for Kyoto project credits, says markets require enhanced government and business support, as well as increased ambitions.

Wilder nonetheless says the general health of the market is good  "You can see that from the increase in prices.

"Certainly all the structure behind carbon trading  the monitoring and reporting seems to be becoming more efficient  and becoming scandal free. Earlier on we had things like carousel trading [a tax avoidance scam], but those issues seem to have been ironed out, and we have a strong registry that seems to be working well.

"And in the US the states are more determined than ever to move ahead in the context of Trump," Wilder says. "All around it's relatively quite positive.
It is one of the shipping industry's major problems: marine organisms like barnacles, algae or muscles quickly cover the hulls of ships and damage their paintwork. The phenomenon of so-called "biofouling" increases the ship's weight and its flow resistance, causing greater fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In order to avoid this growth, protective paints are mainly used around the world which contain and release pollutants.

A research team at Kiel University and the Phi-Stone AG, one of its spin-offs located in Kiel, have closely cooperated to develop an environmentally-friendly coating. This coating makes it harder for marine organisms to grow on the hulls and makes cleaning the ships easier. The new approach has now been awarded an international prize for innovative marine technology and beat competitors from three continents.

"This project from the field of nano-technology is a great example of transferring innovation from Schleswig-Holstein, whereby findings from basic research are brought into industrial application. We, as a university, want to solve existing problems using innovative ideas. In order to do so, this requires a working dialogue between science and companies," stressed Professor Karin Schwarz, Vice President of technology transfer at Kiel University.

Around 40 percent higher fuel consumption due to biofouling

"We estimate that biofouling increases the amount of fuel ships use by up to 40 percent. This costs the world's transport industry over 150 billion US dollars per year and causes unnecessary environmental pollution," added Ingo Paulowicz, Board Member of Phi-Stone, a spin-off from Kiel University. On top of that, cleaning and maintenance increases considerably, in terms of removing the barnacles and other organisms attached to the hulls and repainting. Many of the existing protective paints have already been forbidden due to their massive polluting effects. This includes organotin paints like TBT (tributyltin). Copper-based compounds are expected to be prohibited next year, which will drastically increase the need for environmentally-friendly and long-lasting coatings for ships.

Longer-lasting and more environmentally-friendly

The coating developed in close collaboration by the scientists from Kiel University and Phi-Stone is both environmentally-friendly and long-lasting. The product requires no solvents and does not release any pollutants into the sea - unlike the widespread self-polishing coatings which contain copper. These are gradually removed when the ship moves through the water and continuously release poisonous substances. The smooth surface of the new coating developed in Kiel makes it harder for organisms to attach themselves to the hulls and destroy the paintwork. "This means that the bio-corrosion-resistant paint lasts longer and barnacles or muscles can be brushed off quickly and easily," explains Dr Martina Baum, technical biologist from Professor Rainer Adelung's Functional Nanomaterials working group, which is where the original idea for the coating arose several years ago.

Together with her then-doctoral researcher, materials scientist Iris Holken, Baum investigated the growth-reduction properties of a polymer composite, which was based on polythiourethane (PTU) and specially-formed ceramic particles. They improve the mechanical properties of the coating and the ability of the paint to adhere to the surface of the ship. Together with Phi-Stone AG, they further developed the material and the coating process. "Every year around the world, 80,000 tonnes of so-called anti-fouling paints are now being used. This costs around 4 billion dollars per annum. Not to mention the cost to the oceans," says Phi-Stone Board Member Paulowicz, to emphasise the scale of environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Successful technology transfer through collaboration between Kiel University and Phi-Stone AG

The research team from Kiel University and Phi-Stone AG tested the new product with companies based in Schleswig-Holstein, initially on ships in the water tanks at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. "These tests went very well," said Baum. "We were able to determine significantly less growth after two years on the 'African Forest', which travels from Belgium to Gabon in central Africa. This was then easy to clean off with a plain sponge." Dr Iris Holken, who has now completed her doctoral studies, is continuing with this topic as the scientific head of the project at Phi-Stone. The company is currently working on developing a spraying technique, with which the coating can be applied easily and over large areas.

International award for innovative marine technology from Kiel

Phi-Stone AG, the spin-off from Kiel University, won the Global Marine Technology Entrepreneurship Competition in November, with its environmentally-friendly coating for ships. A total of 120 teams took part in the qualifying rounds in Paris, London, Shanghai or at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. The German qualifying round took place in Kiel at the end of October: Ingo Paulowicz, Board Member of Phi-Stone, and staff member Haoyi Qiu, who is also completing a doctoral degree at Kiel University, successfully presented their environmentally-friendly coating concept at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. In the finals in Qingdao, in China, they beat the strong competitors from three continents.

The competition, which is organised by Shandong University and the city of Qingdao, aims to promote innovative marine technology and open up contacts to the Chinese market. The first prize is 70,000 US dollars and includes additional funding measures on site. "We are extremely pleased to have won such a major global competition on maritime innovation," says Paulowicz, who was also a Kiel University graduate. "We definitely want to keep our company in Schleswig-Holstein, but are excited about the extra possibilities that the Chinese market can offer us."

"It's great that this idea was developed in exchange with companies and that we were thus able to transfer it from the lab to the ship," says Professor Rainer Adelung, head of the working group at Kiel University, who is also very pleased about this success. "It is a great achievement for us as a university, but also for the state, if ideas from Schleswig-Holstein are also convincing at the international level in this way."

###

Photos are available for download under: http://www.uni-kiel.de/download/pm/2017/2017-383-2.jpg

Caption: A major problem for ships: organisms like barnacles attach themselves to their surfaces, cause damage and also increase their fuel consumption.

Photo/credit: HP Voi

http://www.uni-kiel.de/download/pm/2017/2017-383-3.jpg

Caption: The new coating has already been successfully tested on ships like the 'African Forest'. Technical biologist from Kiel University, Dr Martina Baum, applied the test coating herself.

Photo/credit: CAU

http://www.uni-kiel.de/download/pm/2017/2017-383-4.jpg

Caption: Barnacles and muscles stuck to the ship's hull can be brushed off easily from the new coating. The paintwork is not damaged.

Photo/credit: Dr Martina Baum

http://www.uni-kiel.de/download/pm/2017/2017-383-5.jpg

Caption: Ingo Paulowicz (right), Board Member of Phi-Stone AG, and staff member Haoyi Qiu, who is also completing a doctoral degree at Kiel University, presented their concept of an environmentally-friendly marine coating in the Chinese city of Qingdao, beating 120 other teams.

Photo/credit: Shandong University, Qingdao

Contact:

Christian-Albrechts-Universitat zu Kiel

Functional Nanomaterials working group

Prof. Dr Rainer Adelung

Tel.: +49 431 880-6116

E-mail: ra@tf.uni-kiel.de

http://www.tf.uni-kiel.de/matwis/fnano/de

Phi-Stone AG,

Ingo Paulowicz, Board Member

Tel.: +49-431-7054186

E-mail: ingo.paulowicz@phi-stone.de

http://www.phi-stone.de
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 14 percent of all lung cancers and is often rapidly resistant to chemotherapy resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Treatment has changed little for decades, but a study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers a potential explanation for why the disease becomes chemoresistant, and a possible avenue to explore new diagnostic approaches.

Findings from the study were presented today, at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018 in Chicago by Allison Stewart, Ph.D., Research Scientist in Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology.

"There have been few therapeutic advances in the past 30 years and platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard of care. As a result, five-year survival is less than 7 percent across all stages," said Lauren Byers, M.D., associate professor of Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology, and the study's principle investigator. "Most patients respond well to platinum chemotherapy initially, but relapse within a few months. There are no highly effective second-line therapies."

The challenge in studying why and how SCLC chemoresistance occurs is due to the fact that most patients do not undergo another biopsy or surgery at the time of cancer recurrence. This leaves investigators like Byers and Stewart with few SCLC samples with which to conduct genomic and biomarker analyses of drug-resistant tumors.

To overcome the lack of SCLC samples, the team developed novel disease models by isolating circulating tumor cells from a simple blood draw. The cells, placed under the mouse's skin, develop tumors representative of the patient from whom they were derived. These SCLC models, called circulating tumor cell-derived xenografts (CDX), are unique to each patient and provide an opportunity to assess treatment response to novel targeted therapies, as well as changes that may occur in response to therapy.

"We hypothesize that differences in gene and protein expression between tumor cells, called intratumoral heterogeneity, contribute to the rapid development of platinum chemotherapy resistance," said Stewart. "This means that there are likely multiple cell populations in SCLC patients who have not yet been treated. Some of those cells may be killed by chemotherapy but others will not. These resistant cells then continue to grow and prevent further response to treatment."

To study intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) in SCLC, the investigators performed single-cell sequencing of CDX models to identify gene expression differences between individual cells from chemotherapy-sensitive CDX tumors compared to those that remain resistant.

"We conducted single-cell RNA sequencing to determine if ITH exists and to compare response to chemotherapy in the CDX and the patient," said Stewart. "We found several distinctions between sensitive and resistant models detected at the single-cell level, which testified to single cell sequencing's potential usefulness for understanding how these cancers may develop resistance."

SCLC has a variety of differences at the cellular and genetic level, from the way genes are expressed to which cell-signaling pathways are involved. These differences between tumor cells result in ITH. A more thorough understanding of ITH is important to identify populations of cells that may drive certain pathways associated with aggressive resistance to chemotherapy.

The team also found that SCLC models sensitive to chemotherapy had more cells that expressed two genes, ASCL1 and DLL3, while those that were chemoresistant had fewer cells expressing those genes or had undergone a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which also has been shown to play a role in therapy resistance in other cancers.

"Cells expressing each of these characteristics were identified across all tumors, suggesting cells sensitive or resistant to chemotherapy are both present in the same tumor," said Stewart. "However, even subtle shifts in the distribution of these genes can exert significant impact on response to treatment."

Stewart adds that the team's data support further use of single-cell analysis to explore the role of ITH in SCLC, including effects of treatment on cell populations.

"Through use of these new mouse models, we report data that supports use of single-cell analysis to explore the role of ITH as a driver of drug resistance," said Stewart.

###

MD Anderson study team participants included Carl Gay, M.D., Ph.D., Patrice Lawson, Mayra Vasquez, Hai Tran, Bonnie Glisson, M.D.; Jianjun Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.; and John Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., all of Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology; Yuanxin Xi, Ph.D., Pan Tong, Ph.D., Lixia Diao, Ph.D., Lerong Li, and Jing Wang, Ph.D., of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology; Junya Fujimoto, M.D., Ph.D., and Ignacio Wistuba, M.D., of Translational Molecular Pathology; Neda Kalhor, M.D., of Pathology; and Stephen Swisher, M.D., and Jack Roth, M.D., of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Also participating were members from The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Conn.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (1-R01-CA207295, P30 CA 01667 and 5P50 CA 070907); Hope Foundation; Rexanna's Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer; and Moon Shots Program.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona on Sunday to protest the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders facing trial on "rebellion" charges.

Chanting Freedom for the political prisoners, they marched along Parallel Avenue, a main thoroughfare, many waving the red-and-yellow Catalan flag.

The protest comes six months after the first incarcerations of top Catalan separatist leaders for misuse of public funds, sedition and rebellion  which carries a prison sentence of 30 years and implies that a violent uprising took place  over their separatist push.

Since they could not decapitate separatism, they are trying to do it through the courts, Roser Urgelles, a 59-year-old teacher, told AFP at the protest.

They need to demonstrate that there was violence to execute the sentences that they want, so they invent it, she said, adding: But we will continue to protest peacefully.

Like thousands of others at the march, she wore a yellow ribbon to show solidarity with the jailed leaders, whom Catalan separatists consider to be political prisoners.

Spains justice minister, Rafael Catala, has called the use of yellow ribbons insulting, arguing that Spain has no political prisoners but politicians in prison.

The Guardia Urbana, a Catalan municipal police force, said 315,000 people turned out.

 Tensions 

The demonstration was organised by two grassroots independence groups, the ANC and Omnium, whose presidents are among the nine separatist leaders in prison awaiting trial over their role in last years failed breakaway bid by Catalonia.

A total of 957 buses brought protesters from across the wealthy northeastern region of Spain to Barcelona, the Catalan capital, for the march, the ANC said in a statement.

The protest was backed by the Catalan branches of Spains two largest trade unions, the CCOO and the UGT, sparking unease among union members who oppose independence.

There have been tensions (among unions members) just like in the rest of the Catalan society, the secretary general of the Catalan branch of UGT, Camil Ros, told AFP.

But it is not a separatist protest. It is time to build bridges and the Catalan problem cannot be solved through the courts but by dialogue and politics.

 Puigdemont, president! 

The demonstration comes 10 days after a German court dismissed an extradition request for Catalonias ousted separatist president Carles Puigdemont on grounds of rebellion and released him on bail.

Many protesters chanted Puigdemont, president!

Spanish prosecutors last week handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence which would justify the rebellion charge against Puigdemont and their extradition request.

Puigdemont is also accused of misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

He tweeted from Germany that the march was a great civic and democratic demonstration.

We are European citizens who just want to live in peace, free and without fear, he added.

 Makes me sad 

Since October 16 the leaders of Catalonias two largest pro-independence groups  Jordi Sanchez of the ANC and Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Jordi Cuixart  have been in jail while they await their trial for rebellion.

Prosecutors say the two men played central roles in orchestrating pro-independence protests in September in Barcelona during which national police were trapped inside a government building for several hours and their vehicles were destroyed.

They are also accused of mobilising thousands of pro-independence supporters to prevent police from stopping the October 1 independence referendum from going ahead.

What makes me sad is the accusation of violence, which never existed, Sanchez said in December on Twitter.

He was elected as a lawmaker in snap polls in Catalonia in December and has twice been proposed as a candidate to lead a new Catalan regional government, but a judge refused both times to allow him to leave jail to be sworn in.

 Political limbo 

Seven other Catalan separatist leaders are in jail in Spain while they await trial for rebellion, along with the two leaders of the grassroots separatist groups.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spains conservative central government imposed direct rule on the region after it unilaterally declared independence in October.

Fresh regional elections will be triggered if a new leader is not elected by May 22.

In a letter sent from prison, former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras said that immediately forming a government was a necessity so that Catalonia could regain its political autonomy.
The annual Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Barometer from the UK suggests bargain hunters go to Bulgaria this summer as the Algarves prices have risen 17%.

Britons looking for sun and sea should look outside the eurozone where, due to the weak pound against the euro, their holiday money will stretch further than in the traditional euro hotspots.

Bulgaria and Turkey are far cheaper than Portugals Algarve and the Costa del Sol in Spain, with Turkish resorts representing excellent value for money, notes the 2018 Holiday Costs Barometer.

Coming in second, Marmaris on the Turkish coast allows Britons more spending power as the plummeting Turkish lira, down 25% against sterling in a year, combines with low prices due to healthy competition between restaurants and bars.

Andrew Brown, from Post Office Travel Money, commented, This may well be the year when it will pay to plan a trip outside the eurozone.

There has already been reports (sic) of growing demand for Turkey as low-priced packages attract cash-conscious UK holidaymakers. Now a combination of the Turkish liras weakness and low resort prices will make resorts like Marmaris even more attractive for holiday markets on a tight budget.

The cost of eating out is always a big consideration for holidaymakers and this year we found that meal costs in Bulgarias Sunny Beach and Turkeys Marmaris are significant lower than in any of the Eurozone resorts surveyed.

On a weeks holiday, the cost of lunch and dinner ranges from 243 in Sunny Beach and 287 in Marmaris to well over twice as much in Sorrento.

Thats why it will pay to do your homework before booking a resort that fits your budget.

Last year was a record for Portugals tourism sector with its hotel sector taking full advantage of fixed supply and high demand to raise room prices. Whether this has reached the price point at which people look elsewhere, will be seen this summer.

Despite the barometers warning that Portugal has become more expensive, the region is still the third least expensive in those countries surveyed:

Wheres the cheapest holiday destination?

1.
Privacy Settings

This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit.

NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday voiced alarm over the growing "alienation" between Russia and the West, stressing the need for dialogue as post-Cold War tensions peak.

Speaking to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, Steinmeier said last months poisoning of a former Russian spy in England, which Britain and its allies blame on Moscow, was a very serious incident.

But we should be at least as worried about the galloping alienation between Russia and the West, the consequences of which stretch far beyond this case, the former foreign minister said.

Moscow vehemently denies involvement in the nerve agent poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, which triggered a wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western countries.

A dispute over Western intervention in Syria has dramatically added to the tensions in recent days.

Defying Russian warnings, the United States, France and Britain carried out air strikes to punish the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, a close Moscow ally, for an alleged deadly chemical attack on the town of Douma.

Russia on Saturday failed to win UN backing for a resolution that would have condemned the aggression against Syria, highlighting Moscows isolation on the international stage.

Steinmeier said while it was right to show Russia its actions have consequences, as demonstrated by the sanctions imposed over the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine, we cant abandon direct dialogue.

He also cautioned against demonising an entire nation.

Independently of Putin, we cant declare the whole of Russia, the country and its people, as our enemy, he said, warning there was too much at stake.

On Syria, Steinmeier said there could be no improvement on the ground until US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin engaged with each other in a constructive manner to try to negotiate a solution.

Of course you cant do it without the regional neighbours in the end, but everything begins with the US and Russia, he was quoted as saying.

Putin and Trump owe it to the world to take the first step.
The United States will impose new sanctions on Russia over an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday.

Haley said the sanctions, to be announced Monday by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, would target companies that supplied Damascus with equipment and other material related to chemical weapons.

You will see that Russian sanctions will be coming down. Secretary (Steve) Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday, if he hasnt already, Haley said in an interview with CBSs Face the Nation.

They will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, she said.

The move follows air strikes by US, French and British forces in retaliation for an alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack on April 7 in Douma, a rebel-held town near Damascus where more than 40 people were killed.

US military officials said the air strikes early Saturday in Syria took out the heart of Syrias residual chemical weapons capability.

The strikes sought to avoid contact with Russian forces in the country to support Assads regime.

But US officials have blamed Russia for failing to rein in its Syrian ally, as the guarantor of a 2013 agreement to dismantle Syrias chemical weapons.

That agreement was brokered by Moscow to avert retaliatory US strikes in the wake of a sarin attack in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus on August 21, 2013 that reportedly killed more than 1,400 civilians.

I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message and our hope is that they listen to it, Haley said of this weeks air strikes.

With the political and diplomatic actions that were taking now, we wanted their friends Iran and Russia to know that we meant business and that they were going to be feeling the pain from this as well, she said.
British foreign minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said the Syrian war will inevitably continue after unprecedented Western strikes, which were limited to targeting the country's alleged chemical weapons facilities.

Britain and France on Saturday joined the US-led missile strikes, which came a week after a deadly attack on the town of Douma where civilians were hit with chlorine and sarin according to the Western powers.

Despite describing the intervention as successful, Britains foreign minister said there were currently no plans for further attacks.

Im afraid that is the unhappy corollary of this that if we say were limiting our action to chemical weapons then of course it follows that the rest of the Syrian war must proceed as it will, Johnson told BBC television.

British warplanes took part in the strikes, which destroyed sites suspected of hosting chemical weapons development and storage facilities.

The majority of the more than 350,000 victims of the seven-year conflict have been killed by conventional rather than chemical weapons.

But Johnson stressed the overwhelming purpose of the mission was a response to a series of chemical attacks in recent years.

Finally the world has said enough is enough, he said.

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to face a backlash on Monday when she addresses parliament, which will be followed by an emergency debate, with some MPs angry the government joined the US-led mission without first seeking their approval.

May was to tell parliament, We have acted because it is in our national interest to do so.

Britain sought to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons.

 We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised  either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday newspaper found just 30 percent of people supported Mays decision to launch military without lawmakers approval, with 54 percent opposed.

Britain and its allies have since the strikes renewed diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, circulating a joint draft resolution at the Security Council calling for an investigation into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Negotiations on the proposals are due to start on Monday, a day after a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were due to arrive in Douma.

The team of experts are set to investigate the April 7 attack east of the capital Damascus, which the Syrian government and its Russian ally deny ever took place.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian governments chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.
Hours after striking Syria, the United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.

The move signaled the Wests resolve to return to diplomacy after a one-night military operation that hit sites Western officials said were linked to Syrias chemical weapons program.

Among the contentious proposals, the draft resolution would establish an independent investigation of allegations of toxic gas attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.

Russia in November used its veto three times to bury a previous UN-led inquiry which found that Syrian forces had dropped sarin on the town of Khan Sheikhun in April last year.

The measure would instruct the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to report within 30 days on whether Syria has fully disclosed its chemical weapons stockpile.

The West has accused Syria of failing to live up to its commitment to scrap its chemical weapons program, under a 2013 deal reached between the United States and Russia.

On the humanitarian side, the measure demands medical evacuations and safe passage for aid convoys to be allowed to all areas.

The text calls for a ceasefire resolution adopted in February but which never materialized to finally take hold and demands that President Bashar al-Assads government engage in peace talks in good faith, constructively and without preconditions.

Several rounds of peace talks held under UN auspices in Geneva have failed to yield progress, deadlocked over demands that Assad make way for a political transition.

 Getting Russia aboard 

Negotiations on the draft resolution are set to begin on Monday, but diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal.

Western diplomats said they were ready to allow time for negotiations to make every effort to bring Russia aboard.

Russia has used its veto 12 times at the Security Council to block action targeting its Syrian ally.

The new diplomatic push came after a stormy Security Council meeting called by Russia, which branded the military action an aggression against Syria and sought condemnation.

That bid however failed, with only China and Bolivia voting alongside Russia to condemn the air strikes. Eight countries opposed condemnation while four abstained.

Addressing the council, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was confident that the military strikes had crippled Syrias chemical weapons program.

Haley warned that the United States was locked and loaded, ready to strike again if any new chemical attack was carried out in Syria.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the West of hooliganism and demanded that it immediately end its actions against Syria and refrain from them in the future.

You are not only placing yourselves above international law, but you are trying to re-write international law, Nebenzia said.

The United States, Britain and France launched air strikes in response to a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Douma a week ago that killed at least 40 people.

The council has met five times this week on Syria amid repeated pleas from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to end divisions over Syria.
If youve spent more than a few Fiestas in San Antonio and look forward every year to one of its cornerstone events, you might be surprised to learn that NIOSA  A Night in Old San Antonio  is a lot older than its tradition of an annual poster calculated to whet your appetite for Marias Tortillas, anticuchos and all the other international favorites whose aromas compete from the food booths that fill La Villita for four nights.

This year, NIOSA celebrates its 70th anniversary as the major fundraiser of the San Antonio Conservation Society, one of the nations oldest and most active community preservation groups. To mark this milestone, the Society is bringing back notecards and miniprints of four early NIOSA posters by local artist Caroline Shelton (1908-1993), who painted the events first poster in 1983 and went on to establish an iconic look of colorful good cheer with her subsequent works through 1988 and again in 1992 and 1993.

Long before Shelton painted the first official NIOSA poster, she had been creating art at the festival. She originated the bolsa booth (covered here April 19, 2015) sometime in the 1960s, recruiting other professional and student artists to paint eye-catching designs on recycled brown-paper grocery bags for one-of-a-kind, artist-made carryalls to sell to festivalgoers juggling souvenirs and snacks.

By that time, Shelton, a fashion illustrator who moved in 1943 from Washington, D.C., to San Antonio, already was a longtime NIOSA volunteer. Recruited by Wanda Graham Ford, a longtime Society officer, she started in 1948 by decorating cascarones in the Mexican Market area. When Shelton was interviewed by the San Antonio Express about her inaugural poster, she admitted that she had never attended NIOSA in any other capacity. I never get away from my booth, she said. Im always so afraid well miss a saleI never get to go as a visitor.

That experience probably informed Sheltons first poster design, which depicts the Conservation Societys headquarters with all kinds of different workers in front of it  food vendors, Society officers and somebodys grandchild among them. The bright colors of all her NIOSA posters reflected her feelings about the event: Its always been a joy to me  the different kinds of people from diverse backgrounds.

Some of Sheltons posters focused on individual theme areas, but in 1988 she went back to the crowd, this time massed in front of the Little Church of La Villita. It has everything, she told the Express-News, Feb. 23, 1988, including mariachis, clowns, Polish dancers, fandango dancers, everything and everyone. When she was first asked to paint a poster, she said, I didnt think I could do (one). By that time a fine artist, she decided to think of her NIOSA posters simply as paintings depicting NIOSA, an event I believe is unequaled in all of San Antonios events.

The revived Shelton posters already are available for purchase at the NIOSA Crafters Store in La Villita, where other encore souvenirs including blinged-out NIOSA shirts and hats will be on sale as long as they last.

Still going strong at 70, NIOSA will bring its annual world of food and atmosphere to La Villita from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., April 24 to 27. Tickets are available at the gate or online at www.niosa.org.

For a contrast to the crowds, try another special Fiesta treat at the Conservations Societys Steves Homestead house museum, 509 King William St., where Coronation gowns and King Antonio attire worn by descendants of original owners Edward and Johanna Steves will be on display through May 15. The exhibit is free with museum admission; for details, visit www.saconservation.org.

HISTORY AND HANDBAGS: Preservation Fort Sam Houston, the nonprofit organization that helps to preserve structures on the historic Army post, will host an adult craft class, Advanced Purse Making, 1-5 p.m., Sunday, April 15, in Stilwell House, the 129-year-old former officers quarters on Infantry Post at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. A $5 suggested donation covers materials, including duct tape, zippers and bags. Reservations are required and will be accepted Saturday and Sunday; email stilwellhouseevents@gmail.com.

historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
When former first lady Michelle Obama visited the University of Texas at San Antonio during college-signing day in 2014, she said something that stood out to Mark Vargas, a first-generation student in the audience.

Reaching a milestone like this means youve just raised the bar for yourself, she said.

Vargas, now 21 and expecting to graduate this May, comes back to that quote again and again, because the farther he has reached, the more hes discovered to reach out for.

Thats the big idea behind the city-funded Destination College Week, which Vargas and other local officials kicked off Friday morning  a raising of awareness of local resources and the opportunities attending college can generate.

Next week, events across the city, many with partnering school districts using toolkits made available to teachers and a summit on the San Antonio College campus, will encourage college enrollment.

Events also include a college application and scholarship search workshop on Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., and a financial literacy presentation from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday, both at cafecollege.

On Friday, residents across the city are encouraged to participate in College T-shirt day  self-explanatory  and high school seniors are invited to declare their higher education decisions at College Signing Day at the Alamo Convocation Center, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Education continues to rise to the top as the priority for the great equalizer in our community, said Molly Cox, the CEO of SA2020, at the kick-off. And were not doing horribly poorly (but) were not doing fantastic, yet.

She said while San Antonio has exceeded expectations in high school graduation rates, what happens after high school gets shaky, with low numbers in professional certifications and little-to-no increase in college attainment numbers.

She said the week is about individually empowering students to get into and through college so that, collectively, they can raise San Antonio to new heights.

City Councilman Rey Saldana emphasized the championing of local resources, explaining that a lack of awareness of whats available and an inability to see beyond ones immediate community can be obstacles in college degree attainment.

College is a big idea, and it sometimes can be an idea that is frightening to some families. It can be exciting to some community members, and it can be really confusing to some at the same time, he said. So were trying to break through all that by celebrating it.

Vargas said he has plans to run for city council one day, maybe event for mayor. He said he was lucky because, while his parents did not attend college (his father works as a team leader at Toyota and his mother food services in the San Antonio Independent School District), they were willing to sacrifice so he could attend.

Its a source of support that not everyone growing up in San Antonio has. College Destination Week and other city resources can fill in for that support, Vargas said.

After four years of reaching as high as I can  I might be a little short but Im getting there  on May 12th Im going to be getting my political science degree at St. Marys University, he said. And Im really excited.

Silvia Foster-Frau is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | sfosterfrau@express-news.net | @SilviaElenaFF
Robin Jerstad /For the Express-News

It's time once again for Texas students to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams.

The tests assess students in areas like reading, math and science but they also help determine a school's standing with state standards. The state uses these tests in three of four categories that determine the school's accountability rating.
AUSTIN  Health coverage for low-income children in the Valley will continue without interruption, officials said this week after the state canceled five contracts to administer the Childrens Health Insurance Program in rural areas and 10 South Texas counties.

Nothing is more important to us than making sure children have the services and care they need, said Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The canceling of the contracts will (have) no impact on delivery of service.

The commission terminated the new contracts this month after uncovering errors in the bid scoring process. Three HHSC officials associated with the procurement were fired, though Williams declined to identify them.

In a letter to commission officials, Gov. Greg Abbott said the mistakes are unacceptable. He called on the commissions inspector general and the state auditors office to investigate.

And while I do not have any direct knowledge of any malfeasance, it is important that you conduct a thorough inquiry to get to the bottom of this issue, he wrote.

The managed-care contracts were awarded in December 2017 to five companies: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Driscoll Childrens Health Plan, Texas Childrens Health Plan, Molina Healthcare of Texas and Superior HealthPlan. Soon after, other competitors protested the awards and complaints grew when the commission publicly released its scoring documents, which showed errors in the procurement tool used to tabulate winning bids, according to Abbotts letter.

After canceling the contracts, the commission issued extensions to the current providers, Molina and Superior, to ensure children continue getting care, Williams said. The scuttled contracts were short-term agreements, set to begin in September and run through 2019.

CHIP covers doctors visits, prescriptions and other medical needs for more than 400,000 low-income children in Texas. The canceled CHIP contracts cover services in the states rural and Hidalgo County services areas, which includes 10 counties in Southern Texans stretching from the coast up to Maverick and McMullen counties.

A new request for contractors was released on April 6 and the agreements wont begin until 2020, Williams said.

The commission welcomes a close review of our practices, Williams said. Procurement errors are unacceptable, and the agency shoulders the responsibility to ensure the quality and accuracy of every procurement.

The Health and Human Services Commission oversees some of the largest contracts in state government, which manage health care services for low-income and severely disabled Texans, among other populations. It remains to be seen when the commission will replace the fired employees.

Its not the first contracting issue HHSC has faced in recent months. State lawmakers criticized the findings of a recent state audit that revealed the commission inappropriately allowed a health benefits contractor to pay millions of dollars in bonuses and incentives. And the commission quit contracting last year with a Medicaid transportation company accused of owing the state more than $5 million in profit-sharing payments, known as experience rebates.

amorris@express-news.net
Over the past 10 years, San Antonios city government has faced some tough referendums.

There was the 2008 push, led by then-Mayor Phil Hardberger, to expand City Council term limits. There was Julian Castros 2012 campaign for his early education program, Pre-K 4 SA. And there was the uphill 2015 charter-amendment effort to secure a livable wage for council members.

All of those campaigns, each in their own ways, demanded a vote of confidence from San Antonians in their municipal government. After a few hiccups, all of them, ultimately, were successful at the ballot box.

Challenging as those contests might have been, however, they pale next to the mountain that city leaders must climb in the next few months to push back three proposed charter amendments from the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association.

On Wednesday, union reps and supporters delivered 15 boxes containing more than 100,000 petition signatures to City Hall, making it a near certainty that their proposed amendments (each of which required only 20,000 valid signatures) will make it on the November ballot.

The amendments would make it much easier for residents to repeal council ordinances by referendum (both by lowering the petition threshold and lengthening the signature-gathering period) and would impose pay and term limits for future city managers.

The firefighters crusade has looked from the beginning like an act of vengeance against City Manager Sheryl Sculley over the citys 2014 decision to legally challenge the evergreen clauses in its contracts with public safety unions. The charter amendments would neuter the City Council and put every remotely controversial ordinance under serious threat of voter repeal.

But this much cant be denied: The messaging is on the firefighters side. They have a simple argument, and theres an intrinsic populist appeal to the notion that the voters should have more power, that government should be reined in.

Even though the amendments would not alter Sculleys pay, you can bet that every time a union rep canvasses the city this fall, theyll remind people that she makes $550,000 a year.

Wilt Chamberlain once ruefully said, about himself: Nobody roots for Goliath. By the same token, its hard getting people to sympathize with the highest-paid city manager in Texas.

Thats where being an overdog in life can make you an underdog in a referendum campaign.

Christian Archer, who ran the campaigns for extended term limits, Pre-K 4 SA and the citys last three bond programs, said beating the firefighters proposals will require an all-hands-on-deck approach.

It cant be just the business community, where its us vs. them, Archer said. Its really got to be community led. People need to understand whats in these petitions and how our city is growing so fast, and there so many complex, moving parts, so you cant just go to the ballot and say, We want you to vote on the city managers salary  and they can only be there eight years!

A source close to Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he has not yet decided on who should run the campaign to defeat the firefighters proposals.

Archer estimated that it will take somewhere between $500,000 and $700,000 to mount a successful effort against the proposed amendments.

TV ads are necessary, but it will take so much more than a 30-second ad, Archer said. Youve got to educate the public. It will require advertising and making people aware on all media platforms.

In 2015, initial polling showed that the council-pay referendum was underwater with voters. But a sustained push turned the public around, with help from six former mayors, who lent their support to the cause.

In this case, city leaders will need to convince voters to give themselves less control over what their city government does. Thats the right argument, but its not an easy one to make.

Connecting S.A.

Nirenberg launched a new transportation nonprofit this week, as the first step in his bid to create an ambitious multimodal transit system. But the nonprofits name, ConnectSA, is not a new one.

In fact, Archer registered the domain name ConnectSA.com on Feb. 27, 2013, back when he was the political director for then-Mayor Julian Castro and Castro was working on a doomed downtown streetcar project.

Archer has recycled that name for Nirenbergs project and will handle strategy work for the new nonprofit.

Eventually, Archer said, when theres a (referendum) campaign, Ill be the strategic adviser behind it.

@gilgamesh470

Gilbert Garcia is a San Antonio Express-News columnist. Read more of his stories here. | ggarcia@express-news.net | @gilgamesh470
When I met Ben Berkowitz in a New Haven cafe to talk about the SeeClickFix platform his company developed, I figured wed walk around the neighborhood so I could see how the app worked.

The app guides users to report problems such as broken curbs and illegal dumping to a city or town. The municipality, in this case New Haven, can then communicate back to users through email directed by the app.

If we could find a problem to report, wed have the full experience in real time on a rainy Tuesday.

After 10 years in business, SeeClickFix has about 330 clients, mostly cities and towns  including Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and Detroit  along with some universities and other organizations with campuses.

Berkowitz, 39, founded SeeClickFix with three partners  including Miles Lassiter, the founder of Higher One  after he had trouble finding anyone in city hall who cared about graffiti on a building in the neighborhood where he lived a dozen years ago, near Modern Apizza.

Now Berkowitz, who lives with his family on the same street where he grew up in the Westville section of New Haven, is a key player in the citys software scene with 34 SeeClickFix employees downtown. Hes an active board member and former president of MakeHaven, the makerspace located in the same building as his firm.

But this story isnt really about SeeClickFix, which just launched its fifth software version and is almost, but not quite, consistently generating net cash profits. Its about the desperate need for public agencies to be more responsive to residents and businesses while cutting costs  in some cases, while eliminating jobs.

A growing body of research shows the importance of civic links, including a study just this year based on Connecticut data, which concluded, adults who are connected to and trusting in the place where they live are more likely to be satisfied with their lives.

That study, based on a massive 2016 survey done for New Haven-based DataHaven, reported that only 10 percent of Connecticut residents reported feeling that government responsiveness was excellent. 

Thats where SeeClickFix comes in, using Google mapping data and smartphone technology to let city workers connect with residents  and each other. Think Uber and Lyft, but instead of one transaction it manages workflow and communication for ongoing issues across many departments  code enforcement, snow removal, traffic management and so on.

This is our 311 system, said Tom Gaudett, who heads up special projects in the office of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim.

In that city, its branded as Brideport 311, and if someone calls in, the city worker uses the same SeeClickFix platform. It is THE citys tool for input from residents, Gaudett said. It allows us to do more with less.

It also lets Ganims office see how the various city departments are performing.

Gaudett and officials in other cities all said theres no way to measure the cost savings because the platform touches so many departments and replaces old enterprise computer systems. And, as Gaudett said, its about responding more, not necessarily spending less.

So its as much a cultural change as a system upgrade.

We could never go back to not using SeeClickFix, said David Flintom, director of the Mayors Action Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., which includes incoming calls from residents of that city of 250,000. Its social media for citizens in a lot of ways.

Taking the app for a spin with Berkowitz, we find  surprise  that we dont even need to leave our window seats at the cafe. Right across Orange Street, at the entrance to a Mediterranean restaurant and hookah lounge, is a honking rip in the curb and sidewalk, partly covered by an old, shoddy, asphalt repair job.

Berkowitz shoots a picture of the mess right through the G Cafe window. He uploads it to the SeeClickFix system, reporting it as a curb and sidewalk repair issue. Almost instantly, the city responds with an automated comment, showing that up to four users have previously reported the same issue.

We find the first complaint, with a picture, submitted exactly a year ago  showing pretty much the same damage.

Unfortunately, SeeClickFix hasnt developed an app that pours cement, sets granite curbs, cleans up illegally dumped trash, trims trees and fills potholes.

We enter my email address and I start receiving updates. The following day, I see more reported issues on the same block. On Friday morning, Im told about a parking ban on the odd side of the street. Someday Ill learn the curb we reported is fixed.

Good stuff. And best of all for SeeClickFix, the company doesnt have any direct competitors who do what its platform does in the same way.

After an exhaustive search with a smartphone app as a requirement, Gaudett in Bridgeport said, SeeClickFix was far and away the system with the most attributes that we were looking for.

From what I can tell, the cost of SeeClickFix  between $10,000 and $60,000 per year depending on lots of factors (the app is free for users, of course)  is many times less than the value it brings. Maybe the firm could charge a lot more.

In Bridgeport, its handling more than 600 notifications a month.

In St. Petersburg, 30,000 a year, and both places said the app is growing fast. New Haven, the flagship city, is also huge.

Cities report 10 percent or more of residents connected. So why isnt SeeClickFix already adopted universally, with hundreds of programmers and engineers ensconced on Chapel Street, where the company is about to move into new offices?

Its government and its slow, theyre underfunded, Berkowitz said. Weve grown fast for a civic tech company ... and were on the leading edge of government customer service.

The company, in fact, had to cut back on a marketing department that was making cold-calls to would-be customers.

Its still early in the science of civic engagement. After I left, Berkowitz and his team heard a report from an MIT student doing his Ph.D. dissertation on the effectiveness of city outreach and engagement, using SeeClickFix as the source of data and commentary.

When youre at the beginning of something it takes time to get traction, Berkowitz said.

dhaar@hearstmediact.com
Harold Tananbaum sees the controversial subject of emissions and fuel economy standards as a story with two sides.

The Greenwich resident and owner of Greentree Toyota in Danbury does not like the government regulating business, but he also feels strongly about the auto industrys role in helping to protect the environment.

Thats why Tananbaum neither cheered nor jeered the April 2 announcement by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt that he would revise the Obama-era gas mileage standards that would have required cars and light trucks to average 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025. Pruitt said the standards did not comport with reality. He did not specify new targets.

The announcement was seen as a big win for the auto industry, but Tananbaum doesnt necessarily see it that way.

Less regulation can lead to more business, but at the same time, you have to be aware of the pollution issues created by the auto manufacturers, he said. Its a balancing act.

The CARB effect

James Fleming, president of the Connecticut Automotive Retail Association, withheld judgment on the announcement because Connecticut is a CARB, or California Air Resources Board, state and the future remains murky. Since the 1960s, California has had an exemption under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle emissions standards, which are typically more stringent than the federal standards.

Connecticut is one of 13 other states  including all New England states except New Hamphsire  to follow CARB standards.

A news release issued by the EPA last week said Californias wavier is being re-examined, setting the stage for legal and political battles.

Consumers want cleaner and more affordable vehicles, so well see what happens, said Fleming, whose organization represents more than 270 dealerships.

Fleming said Connecticut has been at the forefront of encouraging consumers to purchase electric- and hydrogen-powered vehicles by offering immediate and generous rebates.

Hartford not happy

Pruitts announcement, not surprisingly, was met with consternation in the states capital. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called it a failure of the Trump administration to properly lead on behalf of climate, energy and the environment.

President Trump is once again putting the interests of big business ahead of the health and economic interests of the American people, he said in a statement. This shortsighted decision will lead to decreasing fuel efficiency, which means more frequent stops at the gas station and higher gas bills for Connecticut drivers.

Malloy vowed to continue to work with California and other CARB states to protect the waiver provided by the Clean Air Act.

State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee said the state will continue to do our part as a national leader to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

(We) look forward to a time when our federal government again allows science and not the demands of the auto industry to drive the important goals and objectives of the advanced clean cars program, he said.

On right path

Tananbaum poked holes in Malloys assertion the rollback would lead to more frequent stops at the gas station.

Auto manufacturers, responding to consumer demand, have significantly improved the fuel economy of vehicles over the years and will continue to do so, regardless of government mandates, he said.

Thats what sells cars. If I have a car that gets another 10 miles per gallon, I have a better chance of selling that car, he said. We all want more fuel efficiency. No question.

Tananbaum opened Greentree Toyota 41 years ago. He said the average sedan back then averaged about 10 to 12 miles per gallon. Now they get about 30 miles per gallon.

Even SUVs and small pickup trucks  the best-selling class of vehicle now  are making great strides to improve efficiency, he said. Toyotas small SUV, the Rav4, averages about 25 miles per gallon.

Just 10 years ago, vehicles were about 30 percent less efficient, Tananbaum said. Manufacturers on their own are creating this because customers are demanding it. The industry doesnt need government policies.

Tananbaum paused as he walked by a white Prius Prime in his showroom. The plug-in electric hybrid gets 133 miles per gallon when using electric and gas, and nearly 55 miles per gallon when it switches to gas only. Tananbaum said the Prius Prime and regular Prius are perfect examples of manufacturers being concerned about fuel efficiency.

Nearly every manufacturer has electric vehicle options now, with improvements being made each year. The Chevy Volt, similar to the Prius Prime, is another plug-in electric hybrid that gets more than 100 miles per gallon when using electricity and gas combined. Fleming said there are 44 different types of electric or hydrogen vehicles available to Connecticut consumers.

While Tananbaum praises the auto industrys history of making improvements to fuel efficiency, he admits there is always room to get better.

There have been major improvements over the years, but are we making them fast enough? he said. Its important to continue to push to get better fuel efficiency so that the planet will be safer from pollution and we arent hurting the atmosphere.

cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338
A baby has been born in China to a surrogate mother four years after his parents died in a car crash, Chinese media reported.



The couple, who died in 2013, had frozen several embryos hoping to have a child through IVF.



After the accident, their parents fought a protracted legal battle to be allowed to use the embryos.



The boy was born in December to a surrogate from Laos and The Beijing News first reported the case this week.



The newspaper explained how the lack of precedent for a case of this kind had forced the deceased couple's parents through a legal minefield before the surrogacy could proceed.



No precedent



At the time of the accident, the embryos were stored safely in a Nanjing hospital, frozen at minus 196 degrees in a liquid nitrogen tank.



A court battle gave the four grandparents-to-be the right over the fertilised eggs.



There was no precedent as to whether they could inherit their children's frozen embryos, according to reports.



They were eventually granted the embryos, but it wasn't long until the next problem occurred. The embryos could only be taken from the Nanjing hospital if there was proof that another hospital would store them.



But given the legal uncertainty around untransplanted embryos, it was hard to find another medical institution in China willing to get involved.



And with surrogacy illegal in China, the only realistic option was to look beyond the country's borders.



Proving paternity and nationality



Eventually, the future grandparents worked with a surrogacy agency and decided on Laos, where commercial surrogacy was legal.



As no airline was willing to accept a thermos-sized bottle of liquid nitrogen, the precious cargo had to be transported by car.



In Laos, the embryo was implanted into the womb of the surrogate mother and in December 2017 the boy was born.



Citizenship of the child, named Tiantian, was another problem though and so he was born not in Laos but in China - with the surrogate travelling there on a simple tourist visa.



With no parents left to prove paternity, all four grandparents had to give blood and take DNA tests to establish that the baby was indeed their grandson and that both parents had been Chinese nationals.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
by Ryan Patti | Raptors Correspondent | Sun, Apr 15th 12:26am EDT

Goran Dragic (knee) finished with 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting (3-for-4 from deep, 4-for-5 at the stripe), five boards and four assists in 31 minutes during Miami's 130-103 Game 1 loss to the 76ers.
Imagine what goes through the mind of an 8 yr old as she is drugged, held captive, gang raped over days and then murdered.

If you dont feel her terror, you are not human.

If you dont demand Asifa get justice, you belong to nothing.  Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) April 12, 2018

A post shared by Kalki (@kalkikanmani) on Apr 13, 2018 at 5:02am PDT

I cant help but think of this little girl with a sinking feeling in my heart that this is the end of us. Where there was once hope and faith in humanity, there is now disappointment, sadness & so much anger. I hope for the worst punishment for the scum that did this. #Asifa  Diana Penty (@DianaPenty) April 12, 2018

Humanity has it an all time low .... only one path to redemption #JusticeforAsifa ...  Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) April 12, 2018

Is this really the kind of country we we want to be known as to the world today ?? If we cant stand up now for this 8 year old girl regardless of our gender,caste,colour or religion then we dont stand for anything in this world.. not even humanity.. makes me sick to the stomach pic.twitter.com/BDcNuJvsoO  Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 12, 2018

The horrific gang-rape and murder of eight-year-old Asifa Bano has sparked an outrage all over the country, once again reminding us that womens safety continues to be a distant dream in India.Here's a look at what has come to the fore from the 15-page long chargesheet that was finally filed.Retired revenue official and temple caretaker Sanji Ram allegedly planned this as an act of revenge against the Bakarwal community in the Rasana area in Kathua, Kashmir.Reportedly, he hatched a plan with Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria, and got his nephew (a juvenile) to abduct young Asifa from the forest where she would regularly go to graze horses on January 10. The nephew, with the help of his friend Parvesh Kumar, captured and raped Asifa in the jungle and went on to tie her up in the Devisthan (temple) and sedated her. The nephew then called his cousin Vishal Jangotra to come to Rasana from Meerut in case he wanted to satisfy his lust.Meanwhile, Asifas father Yousaf Bakarwal, who was in search of his missing daughter approached the temple, where Sanji Ram sent him away claiming that the girl must be at a relative's place. Yousaf went on to lodge a complaint with the police, which led to a search party being organised.Vishal, his father Sanji Ram, the nephew and Kumar raped a heavily sedated Asifa multiple times in the temple, until Sanji Ram decided to kill her.When they couldn't arrange a vehicle to transport the body, Deepak reportedly strangulated her with her dupatta and hit her head with a stone twice to make sure she was dead. Her body was found dumped in the jungle two days after by a local.The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, has taken suo moto cognisance of the case, and will be monitoring it closely. In a statement, the court said that no one can be allowed to obstruct justice.Jammu & Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti has asked Jammu and Kashmir HC to establish a special fast track court for the Kathua rape case.BJP leader Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, on Friday tendered their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in a rally supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case.Union minister Maneka Gandhi has said that her ministry will bring an amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on death penalty for rape of children below 12 years of age.People all over the country, and Bollywood celebs have taken to social media to show their support and demand #JusticeForAsifa.While protests for justice continue, this crime holds up a mirror to us as a country, once again begging the question, if an eight-year-old child can be used as a pawn in a war between communities, how can the girls and women of India be safe?The Supreme Court will hear the plea of the eight-year-old's father today, April 16, at 2 pm for transfer of the Kathua case to Chandigarh. The plea asks that the case be heard in Chandigarh instead of J&K. The father has also sought protection for the family and lawyers representing them. It also asks the SC to increase security at the juvenile home where the accused minor is being held, and for a complete investigation into the rape and murder of his daughter.
Worried over possible job losses post disinvestment, as many as 11 Air India unions representing more than 10,000 employees have taken to Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to protest against the stake sale plan.

Mumbai: Worried over possible job losses post disinvestment, as many as 11 Air India unions representing more than 10,000 employees have taken to Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to protest against the stake sale plan. Messages and graphics with 'Save Air India' slogan are being posted on various social media platforms. People are also being urged through WhatsApp messages to raise their voice against the strategic disinvestment of the national carrier, according to union representatives.

As part of efforts to revive the loss-making Air India, the government has kicked off the stake sale process and has issued a detailed preliminary information memorandum wherein it has proposed to sell 76 percent stake and cede management control to private players.

Even though there have been discussions at different points of time among the government, Air India management and various employees unions, concerns over the future of staff at the airline as well as the subsidiaries continue to remain.

Against this backdrop, a joint forum of 11 Air India employees unions, including those from various subsidiaries, are now resorting to social media engagements to put across their concerns to the larger public, policy makers and elected representatives about the stake sale proposal.

Apart from traditional ways of protest like lunch hour meetings and wearing badges, the forum has started using Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms to reach out to employees across stations and solicit their support, according to a member of the forum.

The employees are also being encouraged to write blogs with regard to Air India disinvestment as there are concerns over possible job losses, the member added. The 11 unionsthat represent more than 10,000 employees of Air India groupare vehemently opposing the proposal to sell 76 percent government stake in Air India, 100 percent shareholding in Air India Express and its 50 percent stake in equal joint venture AISATS.

The forum comprises Air Corporations Employees Union, All India Service Engineers' Associations, Air India Employees Union, Aviation Industry Employee Guild, Air India Aircraft Engineers' Association, All India Aircraft Engineers' Association, Air India Engineers Association, United Air India Officers Association, All India Cabin Crew Association, All India Airline Retired Personnel Association and Indian Aircraft Technicians Association.

Pilots' groupingsIndian Pilots Guild and Indian Commercial Pilots Associationare said to be in support of disinvestment provided their salary dues and other arrears are cleared, according to sources at the airline.

These unions have already held lunch hour meetings at four places, including at Old Airport in Kalina in the Western Santacruz suburb of Mumbai against the privatisation and have now called on their members to wear 'Save Air India' badges from Monday to oppose the move. As per the preliminary information memorandum, issued on 28 March, the government would retain 24 percent stake in Air India while the winning bidder would be required to stay invested in the airline for at least three years.
The BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh hit out at each other, making attempts to claim the legacy of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary.

Mhow, Madhya Pradesh: The BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh hit out at each other, making desperate attempts to claim the legacy of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary on Saturday.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress of trampling the spirit of the Constitution by imposing Emergency in 1975. The opposition party hit back, alleging the BJP was talking about changing the Constitution.

Mhow, the birthplace of the social reformer, became the stage for both the parties to exchange bards.

The Congress launched "Save the Constitution" campaign, which the BJP claimed was a disrespect to Ambedkar.

"These (Congress) people have launched 'Save the Constitution' campaign. They had trampled the Constitution by imposing Emergency in 1975," Chouhan said at a function organised to mark Ambedkar's 127th birth anniversary. "The Constitution is not in danger under the current President (Ram Nath Kovind) and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). It is completely safe," Chouhan said at the function attended by Kovind.

The chief minister alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru had tried hard to ensure Ambedkar did not become a member of Parliament. "They disrespected the architect of the Constitution when he was alive, and after his death, they want to save the Constitution. They are offering flowers at the statue of Ambedkar," he said.

Kicking off the campaign, state Congress president Arun Yadav said his party had always endeavored to promote the views of India's first law minister. "We have always tried to promote Ambedkar's views, his principle of social harmony. The BJP's ideology is about dividing society," he said. "The BJP is talking about changing the Constitution. Under its rule, the reservation system is facing tough challenges," Yadav alleged.

Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said the BJP government built a grand Ambedkar memorial here in 2008, but the Congress failed to do so despite being in power in Madhya Pradesh for long. The Narendra Modi government is turning the places linked with Ambedkar into memorials, the Dalit leader said. "The Constitution faced challenges on many counts and the possibility of a threat to the interest of the reserved categories did emerge. "But our governments have always worked to set such situations right," Gehlot said.

Leader of Opposition in the MP Assembly Ajay Singh said, "We have held Babasaheb in high esteem in the last 60 years. Under the BJP rule, even his statues are not safe."
Speaking at Ambedkars 127th birth anniversary in Chhattisgarhs Dalit-dominated Bijapur, the prime minister sent a befitting reply to the Opposition trying to corner the government by terming it anti-Dalit

Speaking at a rally at Bijapur on Saturday, Narendra Modi said that if a poor mans son from a backward caste has become the prime minister of India, it is because of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. Speaking at Ambedkars 127th birth anniversary in Chhattisgarhs Dalit-dominated Bijapur, the prime minister sent a befitting reply to the Opposition trying to corner the government by terming it anti-Dalit.

By crediting Babasaheb for his rise to the highest post in the government from being a simple party worker, Modi associated himself with Ambedkar, who championed Dalit rights and also was instrumental in drafting the Constitution. Terming his government as one for the poor, Dalits, the oppressed, the disadvantaged and Adivasis, Modi assured full support in their welfare and development.

However, his speech is being seen as an attempt to assuage the current environment wherein Congress and the entire Opposition are determined to prove the Modi government as anti-Dalit.

Congress blamed the government for the Supreme Court order on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act while Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the government of not presenting its side properly at the apex court.

Such was the atmosphere in the country that even Dalit leaders from BJPs allied parties filed motions in the Supreme Court to reconsider the order. In the end, the government filed a motion urging the apex court to reconsider its decision, and thus repeated its commitment to protect the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

But the violence that erupted during the Bharat Bandh called by several Dalit organisations has made BJP government at the Centre as well as state governments worrisome. The Dalit community is very angry because of the 2 April violence and the number of people who died on that day. The Oppositions relentless attacks on the government have only added to the woes.

The Dalit organisations are said to have made up their mind to teach BJP a lesson and they are working to create an anti-BJP atmosphere before the 2019 general elections to Lok Sabha. Clearly, the angst among Dalits could become a problem for the government in future, especially since Karnataka is going to polls in May. And then, there are the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, and Rajasthan.

If the Dalit anger rises during these elections, it could increase problems for BJP. And even though the real contest is likely during the 2019 general elections to Lok Sabha, a Dalit front against BJP could become problematic.

While the government has placed BJP and Dalit leaders to the front to challenge this Opposition narrative, the Sangh has accused the Opposition of spreading lies as well.

And Modi understands this very well. He knows that if the Opposition parties succeed in their schemes, the loss would be huge for the party. He is determined to foil the Oppositions plans. By associating himself with the Dalits, the backward, and the poor, Modi is breaking the anti-Dalit image of BJP and the NDA government.

In fact, during the last Lok Sabha election, Modi had broken through the caste barrier. Along with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, BJP had won the support of backward communities and Dalits in other states as well. In Uttar Pradesh, BJP had demolished the non-Jatav and extremely backward community vote bank, leaving the Bahujan Samaj Party with zero seats.

The same trend was visible in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Then also, despite all the efforts of Mayawati, Amit Shahs social engineering succeeded. The result was BJP winning three-fourths of the seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Though BJP was accused of being anti-Dalit in this election as well, voters from the non-Jatav Dalit community once again supported BJP.

BJP has been making efforts to this end for a while now. While on the one hand, the Sangh Parivar has been trying to bring the Dalits along by promising them equal status with its campaign of one well, one temple, one cremation ground, on the other hand, BJP president Amit Shah and other leaders are spreading the message of goodwill by having meals in Dalit homes.

In the last four years, the BJP-led Central government has developed all places associated with Ambedkar in order to associate itself with Babasaheb and his heritage. On 13 April, the prime minister dedicated the Ambedkar Memorial located in Delhis Alipur Road, to the nation.

But, the recent incidents and the Opposition's relentless attacks have troubled BJP. Now the prime minister wants to end this perception. The backward card played by the party is being considered as an answer to the Opposition attack.
At a time when political parties are fighting it out to grab the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar for political gains, not many worry as to how the colour blue came to be associated with the Dalit icon.

Lucknow: At a time when political parties are fighting it out to grab the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar for political gains, not many worry as to how the colour blue came to be associated with the Dalit icon.

The leader, who carved out the Constitution of free India laying down the framework assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them, has been depicted in blue in all statues installed all over the country.

"Blue was his favourite colour and he mostly used it in his personal life too," Lalji Nirmal of Ambedkar Mahasabha, which conferred the 'Dalit Mitra' award on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Ambedkar's birth anniversary, told PTI in Lucknow.

Retired IPS officer and leading Dalit activist SR Darapuri said that besides being his favourite colour, blue was also the colour of the flag of the party floated by Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation of India in 1942.

"The flag was blue in colour and had an Ashok Chakra in the centre...later in 1956 when the Republican Party of India was set up after dissolving the earlier party, it was also given the same blue flag," Darapuri pointed out.

"Blue, in another shade, is also the colour of the sky, which shows vastness and that was the vision of Baba Saheb," he said.

The same has been adopted by the BSP as its colour and has since came to be associated with Dalit emancipation, he stressed.

"The statues of Baba Saheb are always seen in a blue coat with the Constitution in one hand and the finger of the other pointing out as a symbol of moving ahead," Darapuri said.

Recently a freshly installed five-feet-tall statue of the Dalit icon was installed in a Badaun village in saffron jacket but was promptly re-painted in blue after questions arose over the choice of a colour associated with Hindutva.

The saffron-attire statue in Kuwargaav village was a replacement for a smaller Ambedkar statue that was damaged by some anti-social elements and local BSP leaders initiated its repainting.

Recalling an anecdote recounted by Ambedkar's wife Dr Savitri Ambedkar, who was a close acquaitance, Lalji Nirmal said that on a visit to Lucknow as central minister Ambedkar had refused to stay in the Raj Bhawan saying that he cannot part with his books.

"The then-Governor Sarojini Naidu had invited Baba Saheb to stay in the Raj Bhawan but since he had come with his books in hordes, Baba Saheb said that he will be staying in his Railway saloon," Nirmal said, adding that even his wife used to say that books were his first love.

Quoting Ambedkar Ki Dincharya  a book by Baba Saheb's secretary  Darapuri said he was also fond of good food and used to cook for his friends and guests.

"Savitri Ambedkar on a visit to our place in Varanasi told us that he liked dressing up immaculately and his clothes were stitched by the same tailor from whom the then-Lieutenant Governor of Bombay presidency used to get them made," Darapuri said.

Lalji Nirmal also commended efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having made Ambedkar relevant today.
India on Sunday said it would not take sides in the ongoing trade spat between US and China amid differences with Beijing over its controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Beijing: India on Sunday said it would not take sides in the ongoing trade spat between US and China amid differences with Beijing over its controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Remarks by NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar came as he held the fifth Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) dialogue with his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng, the chairman of China's top planning body the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Saturday.

During the talks, the BRI also came up for discussion.

"India suo motu has been the supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading order. In that sense, we don't have to take sides either one-way or the other," Kumar told the media when asked about India's stand on the current trade spat between China and US.

The SED, a key platform between India and China to discuss trade and economic issues, was resumed this year after last year's disruption amid Doka La standoff.

The meeting took place amid growing rapprochement between the two countries after the standoff.

"India has always taken an independent position on trade issues," Kumar told the Indian media.

His remarks came as the US and China announced tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's products. US president Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on China to cut the $375 bilateral billion trade deficit.

"While India does not like any measures that harm the rules-based international trade regime, there is no reason to take sides in this," he said.

"We are not that level of player in the market. Our shares are much smaller. We are the takers of the rules than makers," he said.

Kumar mentioned the US and Japanese trade war in late 1980 when Washington successfully pressured Japan to cut the trade deficit.

"That is what the US is still expecting. If you notice, both sides have announced their position (to cut tariffs) but they have not given the dates. This is posturing," he said. "I don't think anybody is interested in trade war trade crisis," he said.

In his address at the SED on Saturday, Kumar made a strong pitch for China to allow India's exports of soybean and sugar.

Soybean is regarded as most important for US farmers and China is the largest importer. China has threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on its imports if Trump went ahead with his tariff plan for China.

Elaborating on his stand in asking China to import soybean and sugar from India, he said, "My hint was much more towards agricultural tariffs in China than anything else".

China's agricultural tariffs are high and India's agricultural exports suffer as a result of it.

Asked whether the US-China trade spat is advantageous to India, he said, "If war happens, elephants fight and the grass gets affected. We are part of the grass. We don't want that Kumar said, adding that the US and China being the world's top two economies are giants.

"We are not there yet," he said.

Apparently, China has raised the BRI at the SED for which India responded raising its concerns over the sovereignty issue regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Kumar said Chinese brought up the BRI issue and the Indian delegation responded by saying it is a matter of sovereignty which cannot be compromised.

The Chinese side "extolled" the BRI virtue and emphasised how it is "completely nonconflictual and respectful of sovereignty and independence", he said.

"After hearing India's response, they chose to ignore it," he said.

But at the same time, there was no reference to the CPEC and it is covered in the sovereignty-related concerns raised by India, Kumar said.

"Both sides recognise the differences over the issue. But there is sufficient scope within the defined redlines to take the development cooperation forward," he said.

There was a discussion at the SED about the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) corridor. While China says it is a part of the BRI, India says the project predates that.

Kumar said the main focus for India is Asian trilateral highway. The BCIM is work in progress.

Currently, Bangladesh and Myanmar are not interested in it in view of the Rohingya refugee crisis, Kumar said.

China for its part appreciated India's Act East Policy to improve connectivity in the North East states.

He said the core message from the SED was that "we must focus incessantly and unremittingly on the development cooperation possibilities despite differences".

"Major take away for India was that China has expressed interest in joining the International Solar Alliance mooted by India," Kumar said.

"It seems we have an opening. If that happens it can be a big shot the arm," he said.

There were some "positive noises" from China on investing in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheme for housing for all Indians by 2022.

Kumar on Saturday said that there was immense potential to set up special clusters for Chinese investments like textiles, leather, food processing, electronic components and pharmaceuticals
Cross-border clashes between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan in Kashmir have reached the highest levels in 15 years, figures from both sides show, with hundreds killed or wounded and no solution in sight.

Tatrinote (Pakistan): Cross-border clashes between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan in Kashmir have reached the highest levels in 15 years, figures from both sides show, with hundreds killed or wounded and no solution in sight.

The de facto border dividing the mountainous territory had been relatively quiet in the wake of a 2003 ceasefire between the South Asian neighbours, each of whom rule part of Kashmir but claim it in full.

But recently the number of ceasefire violations  loosely defined as shelling, gunfire or fighting  at the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) has been steadily increasing.

Independently confirmed data is virtually non-existent, and figures given by both sides can vary wildly. But both show the same trend - a powerful, sustained surge over the past two years that has intensified since the beginning of 2018.

According to India, the number of Pakistani violations rose from 152 in 2015 to 860 in 2017. Delhi recorded 351 incidents in January and February 2018 alone.

Pakistan claims even higher numbers: 1,970 violations in 2017 against 168 two years earlier, and 415 until the beginning of March 2018.

Happymon Jacob, author of a 2017 report on ceasefire violations for the United States Institute of Peace, said he has no reason to doubt the figures.

An Indian analyst based in Delhi, Jacob has been monitoring violations through reports in Indian and Pakistani media, as well as conducting field visits and interviews with military officials on both sides.

Islamabad's figures are higher as "India is firing more than Pakistan. There is far more firepower, soldiers, posts, on the Indian side," he said.

At least 5,00,000 Indian soldiers are believed to be mobilised in Kashmir, against 50 to 1,00,000 Pakistani soldiers, according to analysts - with both sides refusing to confirm the size of their presence.

Hatred as a political tool

The escalation appears to be driven by myriad complex, interlinked factors. Among them, Jacob noted in his report last year that the LoC is more peaceful when Pakistan and India are holding constructive dialogue.

There were hopes of a new era when Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise Christmas Day visit to Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in 2015.

But relations swiftly unravelled, derailing any attempts at dialogue - and creating a fertile environment for ceasefire violations.

The tit-for-tat element is strong, and fuels hostility. "None of (the violations) go unpunished," an Indian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"We always respond to dissuade the other party from doing it again," said General Muhammad Akhtar Khan, commander of the Pakistani troops in Kashmir.

Adding to the tension is the separatist insurgency, and the Indian military's counter-insurgency, that have destabilised Jammu and Kashmir since the late 1980s and left tens of thousands dead, including about 20 on 1 April.

New Delhi regularly accuses Pakistan of stirring up this movement, which Islamabad denies, using the counter-insurgency to fuel anger at India on its side.

The political situation in both countries similarly weighs in the balance, with legislative elections due this year in Pakistan and in 2019 in India.

Kashmir is something both can capitalise on, said Jacob. "Hatred is used by both governments, it is short-term political calculation," he told AFP, adding "negotiating means being weak".

'Worst I have seen'

The endless calculations translate to fear for Kashmiris on either side of the LoC.

"I have never seen such intensity in shelling and firing by Indian troops," said Mohammad Siddique, a 70-year-old Pakistani. AFP visited his house in Madarpur, now nothing but a ruin after a shell landed in his hallway.

The feeling is shared across the LoC. Residents of Uri district said in February they were bombarded with a "shower of shells" from Pakistan.

"It was the worst (exchange of fire) I have seen in my life," Mushtaq Ahmed, a 38-year-old official, told AFP by telephone.

"We are living in terror," said Zahoor Ahmed, 26, in Silikote, Jammu and Kashmir. "Never have I seen such horror raining from the skies... Firing happens almost daily now."

Both sides claim more than 100 of their citizens have been killed and hundreds more wounded in ceasefire violations since 2015.

A Pakistani labourer named Inzaman was among the recent victims, his father Muhammad Amin told AFP through tears at his son's funeral in Tatrinote village.

Safety in silence?

While security advisers from both countries reportedly met in late December in Bangkok to reduce the pressure, official statements remain bellicose.

In Islamabad, fear of escalation is real within the foreign diplomatic community.

No country, however, dares to tackle the subject. The United Nations also remains silent, despite the presence since 1948 of an observer mission on both sides of the border.

"It is not the question of Kashmir which is at stake, it is the stability of the region," observed one Western diplomat.

The threat of nuclear war and the reluctance of the global community to quarrel with rising giant India and its billion-plus consumers are to blame for the silence, he explained.

The calculation is that the less noise made on Kashmir, the fewer dead there will be.
It is only when there is outrage primarily about the rape, and not about how brutal it was or how it would pit one community against another  for example, the Kathua rape case  that real radical reform will follow

Almost six years after Delhi rape case, there is yet again immense public outrage centered around the rape of a minor girl. The girl, an eight-year-old, from the Muslim Gujjar-Bakarwal community in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, was abducted and raped brutally for a week, before being murdered. But while the Delhi rape case brought cohesion  all citizens, civil society and the government were joined in the victim Jyoti Singh's pain; she became "Indias daughter", the case in Kathua has divided the state along communal lines. As one group of people mourn her horrifying rape and murder, another group is using the incident to polarise the state. And while Jyoti Singhs case brought radical reform to the anti-rape laws of the country and sharpened our understanding of sexual violence, there is still uncertainty about what kind of change the Kathua case will bring about in policy.

In the wake of this crisis, it is important to understand how the society views and examines rape as a crime, and why it views some cases of sexual violence as more significant in public discourses than others. Why is there a more public outcry for certain rape cases than others? And does this perception play a part in the kind of reform we demand from policymakers and the judiciary when it comes to sexual violence?

In the late 1970s, the focus of Indian womens movements, according to Kapur and Cossman, was on rape as a legal reform issue because of cases of custodial rape. There were two prominent cases that shaped how campaigns regarding rape law reform would pan out: firstly, there was the case of Rameeza Bee, a Muslim woman who was a victim of custodial rape (1978); and secondly, there was the rape of Mathura, a young tribal woman (1980).

In both cases, the emphasis was "not on the evidence of rape, but rather the victims sexual history and their characterisation as promiscuous". These judgments spurred a new understanding of rape as a violation of the right of a woman to her body and constituted the worst form of violence against women.

The womens movement challenged the prevailing legal and social understanding of rape and consent, and in a way, rape was located within "larger framework of systemic oppression of women by men". This also resulted in amendments to the rape law in 1983 that put out that in cases of custodial rape, consent is irrelevant.

Three decades after the Mathura and Rameeza Bee cases, in December 2012, Jyoti Singhs brutal and heinous rape shocked the conscience of the country. The nation seethed that a girl who was from a middle-class background, who did everything by the book and therefore, her character could not be questioned, was gang-raped violently in a moving vehicle, disemboweled and left for dead. This propelled mass demonstrations, protests, and candle-light vigils throughout the nation.

One of the first demands that protestors put forth was calling for legal reform. Sheila Dixit, the then chief minister of Delhi, caved under pressure and directed the Delhi High Court to establish five fast-track courts to try the accused in the case. A judicial committee, headed by former chief justice JS Verma, was appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the laws on sexual violence and provide recommendations. This resulted in the Criminal Amendment Bill, 2013, being passed, and it represented how reform and state intervention could be successfully demanded and attained by civil society.

In February 1991, the women in Kunan and Poshpora, two villages in Kupawara district in Kashmir, were reportedly raped by the soldiers of the Indian army during a search and interrogation operation. While the Indian government termed this incident as "baseless", several international human rights organisations such as the Human Rights Watch and others, have expressed doubts about the integrity of governmental investigations regarding this incident.

The "infinite injustice" of Kunan-Poshpora rings aloud because there has been no redressal, no acknowledgement and no reforms that came out of this incident. The mass-rapes in the region were about the Indian Army exerting power over a vulnerable and marginalised people. And now, many years later, the rape of the eight-year-old in Kathua brings forth the same issue  she belonged to the Muslim Bakarwal community, and her rape was to instill fear, exert power and drive out the community from the region.

However, there is an uncertainty as to the kind of changes we would see after this case, now that the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. Yes, in all probability, the perpetrators would be taken to justice; but in the larger narrative of rape adjudication, what would change? In the overall understanding of women's right to stay safe from sexual violence, what would change?

To answer this, it is important to chart out differences between the aforementioned cases, and cases which are ongoing but not considered important in the public discourse  the Jindal Law School rape case, the Kunduli rape case, the Gudiya rape case from Shimla and the Mahmood Farooqui rape case.

Public discourse remembers certain rape cases over others because of where the rape was situated in the current socio-political context  for instance, Mathura and Rameeza Bee were sexually assaulted by policemen in custody, and though the judgments acquitted the accused, the cases indicated that womens dignity is not safe even in the hands of the protectors of the state.

Jyoti Singh came at the throes of a political change, it spoke of the Congress governments failure to keep its citizens safe; her story of sexual violence was every Indian daughters worst nightmare  a middle-class hardworking girl who had dreams had an iron rod jammed into her! The Kunan-Poshpora and Kathua are not just "objects of brutal gender violence but also of the violence of the nation-state, of rape as a political tool".

In the "more remembered rape cases", the survivors bodies were battlefields, and a larger war brewing in the socio-political context was fought through the violation of bodily autonomy and integrity. In these cases, a man or several men had violated the victims dignity to make a mockery of the regime, and the regime had fought back to defend the survivors' honour in the form of reform concentrated on punitive legal responses.

On the other hand, in the Jindal Law School and Mahmood Farooqui rape cases, there was no way that the survivors fates could be located in the larger socio-political context. The victims had engaged (sexually or not) with their perpetrators in the past, and the judiciary presumed that they were unchaste and therefore, there had been no violation of their dignity. Since they were not harmed in the same manner as a chaste woman, and their struggle could not be located in the socio-political narrative, the state could not defend them.

The Kunduli rape case where a 14-year-old was raped and committed suicide in Koraput district and the Gudiya gang-rape in Shimla also could not move the needle when it came to the response from the state. For the state, these cases were idiopathic for there was no one to fight against.

While it is imperative to situate the Kathua rape case as a socio-political sexual crime, it is important to understand that rape adjudication has to be more robust. The socio-politically located rape cases are more important in public discourse because the identity of the rape victim takes precedence over the crime, and this is where the weaker cases remain in the face of adversity.

The weaker cases are only about the rape, the violation of dignity and the choice of a woman; they are not about the larger political climate, and they view women as women and not victims of a political problem. In the weaker cases, womens bodies are not battlefields.

It is only when there is outrage primarily about the rape, and not about how brutal it was or how it would pit one community against another, that real radical reform will follow. This is not to say that rape isnt used as a tool for political bargaining or wars, but in cases where sexual violence cannot be situated within identity politics, rape reporting and adjudication has been challenging.

It is, therefore, crucial to embrace an approach, made famous by Sharon Marcus, that does not view "sexual violence as a fundamental fact of womens lives", but a "language through which gender inequality is defined, altered, and potentially contested". Once we isolate the definite fact of rape from womens lives and stop viewing womens bodies as battlefields, it would be easier to look at sexual violence as a crime and an anomaly, that requires not just state intervention and reform, but also the nuancing of our own understanding of sexual violence as power.

As Mona Eltahway has rightly stated: What happens is that our bodies as women become battlefields. Proxy battlefields, and sometimes direct battlefields in which the regime attacks me to emasculate the men, and the men must then feel that they must defend me to get back at the regime. And where am I in this equation? I dont want to be attacked or protected. I want to be an equal part of what is going on, and it is my right to dismantle that regime.
The 8-year-old victim of rape and murder in Kathua is not the new Nirbhaya, because there should be no Nirbhaya. Lets never forget that.

As India slowly wakes up to the horrors that were inflicted on an eight-year-old girl in January, collective outrage is gathering steam. New hashtags are trending every day. Horrifying details about the crime are emerging to shake us out of our consciousness. Armchair activists are leading the shout to get justice for the child.

Rightly so. It is impossible not to be moved to tears after reading the terrible details about the Kathua rape case. From being drugged, to being gangraped by men who wanted to satisfy their lust, to being strangled and bludgeoned to death in two horrific attempts, to her tiny withered body being dumped in a forest, the child was treated to inhumanity that is unimaginable. Like many others, I am also walking through my days unable to shake off her brutalised face. How can our nation produce such depraved souls? And how can they be protected under the guise of religion and nationalism? How did we go from #BetiBachao to #BalatkariKoBachao? Today, we are seeing the true face of India and it is ugly.

But what is even more disgusting is to call the little girl 'the new Nirbhaya'. Why? Because it shows us that we havent learnt our lesson. We havent had enough. We havent changed. When we call another rape victim by the name of Indias most brutalised rape victim, it shows us that weve made peace with the brutality of rape and with what happens to its victims. How can we reduce the victim of rape to a moniker?

When the Supreme Court awarded a well-deserved death sentence to the four convicts who brutally raped, mutilated and murdered 23-year-old Jyoti Singh Pandey, we called it a day of victory for India. The death sentence was supposed to send a strong message to rapists and perpetrators of sexual violence. It was supposed to stop them from committing further heinous crimes. It was supposed to set a precedent for India. It was supposed to demonstrate that India could protect its sisters, daughters and mothers in a dignified and fair manner. It was supposed to be the beginning of justice, equality and safety to all the women in our country.

But, did it? Look at where we are now. Back to square one. Where is the change? There is none. It would appear that Jyoti Singhs verdict has taught us nothing. Our candle marches, our protests, our outrage, has come to nothing. The relentless work of selfless activists, lawyers, citizens, and NGOs, who fought long and hard to ensure justice, has meant nothing.

Because today we are still seeing incidents like Kathua and Unnao. We are still reading about horrific cases like Rohtak, Jisha, Bilkis Bano, among many others.

Because we really havent had enough, have we?

We read incidents of rape every single day; obviously because a woman is raped every 20 minutes in our country. Yet, we react only when the rape is grossly heinous. Our anger is as cheap as our lives. As a nation, weve become desensitised to rape. We still need gross human violations to have our collective conscience shaken. We still need brutality to be inhumane for us to realise our humanity. We quantify rape as good rape and bad rape and make time only for the rarest of rare cases and the most brutal of brutal crimes. We forget that rape is rape, and should be met with revolt, no matter what the severity.

Kathua rape case: Eight-year-old's death exposes faultlines in Jammu and Kashmir's polity and social construct

In Saudi Arabia, they behead men for rape. In China, they castrate men. In North Korea, its the firing squad. And we  the rape capital of the world  just seem to love our rapists. We are lenient with the way we punish them. Our great Anti Rape Bill requires proving offense beyond a reasonable doubt, while giving the accused the benefit of doubt. We do not have effective laws; they exist but are not implemented, like the POCSO Act. We have a low rate of conviction. We do not use stringent punishment. We even fight against capital punishment for men who treat the lives of women as flimsy. We do not use fast track courts. We have only one judge for every one lakh people. Our schemes help women in distress after the crime is over, not to prevent crime. Knowing all this, the rapists take a chance. They continue raping, because they know theres a bigger probability that theyll walk away scot-free than be indicted. If theres no punishment to a crime, why will the criminal stop?

More so, we glorify rapists by saying boys will be boys. When Mulayam Singh Yadav says boys make mistakes, when Abu Azmi says even women are guilty (of being raped), when ML Sharma says there is no place for women in our culture, we make them household names instead of punishing them for incitation. We normalise rape in our culture. Bade bade deshon mein aaisi choti choti baatein ... hoti rehti hai, right?

This subversion is demonstrative in the new video by The Quint where we see the cavalier attitude of men and women, boys and girls, about rape. From saying it is consensual to saying ek haath se taali nahin bajti to saying that girls are responsible for getting raped, it shows us the pervasive attitude in Haryana about rape. Weve made it a culture. And, no. This is not about Haryana. Or Uttar Pradesh or Jammu and Kashmir. This is not about Hindu rape or Muslim rape. This is not even about the BJP or Congress. This is about what we've become. Nothing but animals. Because we continue to make women the repositories of shame in these matters. Because it is women who remain victims even after so-called justice has been delivered. Because the extent of violence and inhumanity of sexual assaults against women is not only continuing, it is increasing.

So what about Nirbhaya is there to really be proud of? Yes, the December 2012 case was considered a landmark verdict, the second of its kind in India after the Shakti Mills gangrape case. Yes, it provided retribution not just to the rape victim but also to our nations outraged citizens. Yet, one of Jyoti Singh Pandeys rapists, the juvenile who allegedly inflicted the most serious wounds, is now free. We havent even put to use the Rs 3,000-crore Nirbhaya Fund to improve the safety and dignity of our women. Isnt justice delayed, justice denied? Clearly not enough has been done in the case for us to nonchalantly evoke 'Nirbhaya' again.

'Nirbhaya' means fearless. The only people who were fearless in the Kathua case were the perpetrators  the rapists who did the crime and the police who covered up the crime. How can we equate the two? 'Nirbhaya' evokes dignity, at least in death if not in life. Lets give the eight-year-old girl that, in death if not in life, before we call her 'another Nirbhaya'. Let's scream and shout and protest until we get justice for her. Lets do that before we become dead as human beings. Let's do it before we fail all the women in our country.

The Kathua victim is not 'the new Nirbhaya', because there should be no 'Nirbhaya'. Lets never forget that.

The writer is an award-winning author, columnist, feminist and TEDx Speaker. She tweets @MeghnaPant
BJP sources say that while the party is committed to securing the interests of Hindus in Jammu region, one of its factions has accused former ministers Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga of damaging the PDP-BJP coalition government by seeking to inflame protests against it.

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP will submit a report to party president Amit Shah within 15 days on the alleged role of two former ministers in inciting people to protest against the PDP-BJP coalition government and defend the accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Gujjar girl of Kathua.

BJP sources say that while the party is committed to securing the interests of Hindus in Jammu region, one of its factions has accused former ministers Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga of damaging the PDP-BJP coalition government by seeking to inflame protests against it.

However, in a meeting of party leaders headed by national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday in Jammu, both Singh and Ganga were told that they could be brought back into the cabinet if an internal party probe found they went to Kathua to secure the interests of the party and the government by placating the Hindus of the region who had been riled up that the probe was being handled by Muslim officers.

Madhav told the BJP leaders that while the party wouldnt compromise on its core agenda of securing the interests of Hindus of Jammu, it cant afford to be seen in coalition with the government which was influenced by bias of Muslims.

Both Singh and Ganga questioned the probe by Jammu and Kashmir Police's crime branch and sought handing it over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They also attended the rallies in Kathua which were taken out in favour of the accused (all of whom are Hindus), including some police officials. While Ganga went to Rasana in Kathua as he was the partys minister in-charge of Hiranagar, Samba and Vijyapur, Singh had the charge for Kathua, Basholi and Lakhanpur.

The BJP strode to power in the state on the promise of doing justice to the Hindus of Jammu who have been complaining of facing discrimination by the Muslim chief ministers in government jobs and seats in the Assembly. While a section of BJP leaders favour the CBI probe in reciprocation to the demand from some Hindus of Jammu, others maintain this could discredit their government.

Meanwhile, the right-wing Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM) has been protesting that the crime branch entrusted the investigation to a Kashmiri Muslim officer even as another Muslim officer in the Special Investigation Team had been charged with rape and murder.

However, some BJP leaders are lobbying hard that Singh and Ganga should not be taken back. They want the party to instead induct new faces. There is a strong possibility that the party could take back Singh and Ganga in the state cabinet, but a lobby is also seeking that their performance has not been satisfactory. They are contending that the workers were not happy with them, sources said.

The party has drawn up a panel of candidates who could replace Ganga and Singh in the state cabinet if a probe finds them guilty of leading the protest against own government, sources added.

Those in contention for cabinet berths include Speaker Kavinder Gupta, RS Pura MLA Dr Gagan Bhagat and Kathua MLA Rajeev Jasrotia. The party is also looking at the possibility of inducting BJP state president Sat Sharma, who is completing his three-year term in December. However, sources said the final decision on cabinet reshuffle could be taken only after a report was submitted to Shah.

BJP spokesperson Sunil Seth said the final decision to induct ministers would be taken by party high command. He confirmed that both Singh and Ganga were at Sunday's meet headed by Madhav. The BJP has a mechanism of conducting its own inquiry, Seth said.

However, sources said it was unlikely the BJP will go for a cabinet reshuffle soon. It will be done only after officials shift from winter capital Jammu to summer capital Srinagar following the Durbar Move, they added.

Reacting to the possibility of Singh and Ganga being brought back to the cabinet, PDP spokesperson Rafi Ahmad Mir said, It is too premature for me to make any comment. We will react only after a decision is taken in this regard by the BJP. Mir added that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had expressed her displeasure with the BJP over the conduct of two ministers.

BJP sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed to top leadership that both Singh and Ganga should be made to resign from the party. The BJP is seeking to calm tempers. In fact, members of the Jammu Bar Association are also taking out candlelight marches to seek justice for the Gujjar girl.
A look at the ideological positions of those who led protests defending the Kathua rape accused reveals their role in spreading communal hatred.

The men who began an agitation defending the accused in the rape and murder of a nomad girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, have been either associated with the BJP, or espouse the belief that Hindus have been discriminated against by governments led by Muslim chief ministers.

The protests that followed the filing of a case against 8 people, including some police officials, were spearheaded by a BJP state secretary. Subsequently, other community groups and political parties also joined them. The agitation took up a number of issues apart from seeking a CBI probe in the case  including discrimination against Hindus in terms of representation in the Legislative Assembly and in jobs. These issues were used to fuel the unrest.

Lawyers in Jammu have continued to strike work, seeking that the CBI should investigate the Kathua rape case instead of the Crime Branch. In Kathua, protesters have demanded that the Crime Branch chargesheet be held as invalid.

The agitators have been holding public rallies against the Crime Branch officials, terming them tainted. They have even organised community meetings of influential Hindu groups to rally support.

A look at the ideological positions of those who led the agitation reveals that they have played an active role in spreading communal hatred. They have also tried to shut down markets to seek a CBI probe in the case. Even as trade associations and some influential community groups lend support for the CBI probe, here are some of those who spearheaded the agitation.

Vijay Sharma

The president of the Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM), Sharma is also the state secretary of the BJP. He launched the HEM after the death of the nomad girl, contending that the accused were being framed by the Crime Branch. The BJP didnt act against him or the two ministers who participated in the protests  Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga  until they resigned on Friday. Sharma, a practicing lawyer has been organising protest rallies in Kathua near the home of the victim, seeking the release of the accused. The BJP had been seeing this agitation as a new issue which would help it gain Hindu votes, before the Congress slammed it for supporting the rape accused.

Sharma told Firstpost that he sympathised with the girl and the family but was concerned that the probe was motivated and driven by anti-Hindu sentiment by the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. He said that the mood of people reflected this concern. The officers who probed the case have been charged of rape and murder, he alleged. A probe by the CBI, he said, will unravel the truth. He said that the people of Jammu will continue their protest until the demand is met. He has been regularly attending BJP meetings, including a state working committee meeting which was held earlier this month at RS Pura in Jammu. However, he said that he was not invited by the BJP in a meeting on Saturday which was headed by party national general secretary Ram Madhav in Jammu after the resignation of two BJP ministers. He has been leading the protests against the police and authorities regularly in Jammu.

Professor Hari Om

A former Dean of Social Sciences of Jammu University, Hari Om was always at the forefront of agitations that sought to pit Hindu majority Jammu areas against the Muslim-majority Kashmir region. As a spokesperson of the BJP, he was a staunch opponent of political parties of Kashmir, including the NC and PDP. He has denounced them for discriminating against Jammu in jobs and representation in Assembly seats. He contends that the Hindu majority areas of Jammu, which have a higher population and larger area than Kashmir, have been given less seats in the Assembly. He was expelled by the BJP in November 2015, as he has been openly criticising it for giving in to the pressure of alliance partner PDP to go soft on separatists.

Hari Om has been writing in favour of a CBI probe in the rape and murder of the 8-year-old girl. He also took part in the protest rallies of the HEM. He, however, said that the politics in the state has turned so brazen that even the justified demand of a CBI probe in the case is being seen a communal agenda.

BS Slathia

A former additional advocate general and the president of the Jammu Bar Association, Slathia had earlier rallied lawyers first to seek the deportation of Rohingya Muslims from Jammu. More recently, he sought that the probe in the Kathua rape case should be handed over to the CBI. On his call, lawyers have struck work in the courts. He was associated with the Congress in its legal cell and remained the chief election agent of former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during the 2014 Lok Sabha election. However, he had resigned as the Additional Advocate General during the 2008 agitation that was started against the transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in Kashmir. Congress spokesman Ravinder Sharma said that Slathia had been active in the agitation that brought down the government of Azad. He said that he was not associated with the Congress and due to his legal background worked as an election agent of the former chief minister.

Sheikh Shakeel, a prominent advocate from Jammu, described Slathia as a  fundamentalist and an opportunist.

After a series of meetings, the Jammu Bar Association decided to hold a strike on 11 April in Jammu to seek handing over the Kathua probe to CBI, and to demand that the Rohingyas should be deported.

Gulchain Singh Charak

A former Congress minister, Charak wields considerable support of the Dogra Hindus of Jammu. As the president of the Dogra Sadar Sabha, Charak was approached by lawyers and civil society members to lend support to the 11 April strike call of the Jammu Bar Association.

He favoured the call and later issued a statement that the Jammu region was being discriminated against. He also took part in a meeting which was held to chalk out the strategy for enforcing the shutdown in Jammu. Charak, who has been expelled by the Congress, said that he supports the agitation of the lawyers as it was about the issue of Jammu getting a raw deal.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti deserves kudos for standing her ground against her coalition partner over investigations into the horrific rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua three months ago.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti deserves kudos for standing her ground against her coalition partner over investigations into the horrific rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in a sanctum in Kathua three months ago.

The two BJP ministers who had publicly demonstrated support for the alleged culprits have resigned, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted a promise of justice. But all this is only window-dressing after the charge-sheet last week sent a wave of revulsion sweeping across the country, including many of BJPs own supporters.

But make no mistake. For two months now, Mehbooba has been under strong pressure from within BJP to go easy on the perpetrators of this ghastly crime.

By the end of March, all BJP ministers in the state government apart from the deputy chief minister had met her demanding that the case, which was investigated by the Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Mehbooba was under severe pressure at the time, since her own party leader and finance minister Haseeb Drabu, during an event in Delhi, had commented that Kashmir was not a political issue and that the state only faced a social set of problems.

The twin issues could have become a pincer to unseat Mehbooba. But, with the sharpness of an Indira Gandhi, Mehbooba sacked Drabu. Now, the wave of national horror has ensured that the Kathua case no longer threatens her politically. She is in better control of her own party too.

Communal tinderbox

Politicising this horrendous crime could have led to tragic consequences. For, politicians in the area projected it as a demographic challenge rather than as a heinous crime.

It was not to them about the girl who was so horribly defiled, despoiled, terrorised, brutalised, burnt, bitten, tortured, raped and bludgeoned to death. It was about Muslims, including Rohingya refugees, living in areas that have, for 70 years, been almost exclusively Hindu lands.

The allegedly pre-planned vicious crime is one of the most hair-raising cases of racial sickness. It was evidently calculated to force the girls partially nomadic Bakarwal community to flee the area, never to return.

Like the adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, Kathua had already lost its Muslim residents during the nightmarish genocide that accompanied the Partition of the country. The few Bakarwal and Gujjar families that remain in the Kathua, Samba, and Ranbirsinghpora belt are among the only Muslims there now.

Sordid irresponsibility

BJP leaders played a sordid game of deniability over whether they supported the perpetrators of this unspeakable crime or not. Modi tweeted his condemnation on 13 April, three months after the ghastly crime was committed.

Since mid-February, various local BJP leaders have protested the arrest of the police personnel and others who planned and executed the horror. They demonstrated under the banner of a newfound Hindu Ekta Manch, waving the national flag.

When the chief minister (who is also the states home minister) stood firm, the protests were joined by two BJP ministers elected from nearby areas where the crime was committed.

Their demand was that the investigation is handed over to the CBI, which reports to the Centre. That is what Omar Abdullah allowed when he was the chief minister after two women were found dead in a shallow stream in Shopian. People in Kashmir remain grossly dissatisfied with the investigations, and it fuels militancy even today.

The BJP did not officially take a stand through these past three months, nor did the prime minister refer to the particular incident while promising justice in his tweet. Now, at least one of the ministers who was forced to resign has said he is satisfied with the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branchs investigations.

Tragically, a deniability syndrome is visible elsewhere too in the way the state of Jammu and Kashmir is governed. Those in power put juniors forward and, when they decide that discretion lies in withdrawing, let those juniors take the fall.

This grievously harms the system of governance. It undermines the credibility of the system. In the long term, it promotes anti-state sentiments.
The charge sheet filed in the Kathua rape and murder case appears to be fairly watertight and should stand up in court with the case likely to be fast-tracked by the Mehbooba Mufti government

The horrific gang-rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl child in Jammu is being equated with the gruesome sexual assault and killing in a Delhi bus a few years ago along with other ghastly crimes committed across the country against women including minors.

Because both provoked a public uproar, the Kathua case correlates with the involvement of a BJP legislator and his cronies in the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl and the murder of her father in judicial custody in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district.

However, what happened to the eight-year-old girl in Kathua cannot be seen merely through the prism of the routine brutalisation of Indian women by sexual predators or political perfidy on display under Yogi Adityanaths rule since it has a larger and darker dimension.

The fact of the matter is that unlike the horrors inflicted on the Delhi bus victim, Jyoti Singh, and other women and children over the years this was not a stray act of perversion. It was a cold-blooded act planned by former government officials and serving police officers wearing their religion on their sleeve.

They were later backed openly by members of the legal community and politicians belonging to a particular party once again in the name of a particular religion and even the national flag. More disturbingly, the entire motive of this ghastly crime appears to be the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim shepherd community of Bakerwals to which the little girl happened to belong.

There is also a sharp contrast between the strictly professional manner with which senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch investigated the case in Kathua and the connivance of the state administration in Uttar Pradesh to protect the politically powerful from charges of rape and murder.

Despite the active participation of at least one police officer in the ghastly crime and several other policemen in the cover-up operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch has not tried to protect its own but booked them in the charge sheet.

Led ably by Ramesh Kumar Jalla, Senior Superintendent of Police, J&K Crime Branch, Jammu division, the crime branch team has also stood firm in the face of a sustained agitation by lawyers, politicians and different sections of civil society in Jammu to let off the accused in the case.

In fact, had it not been for the painstaking investigation into the case by the Special Investigative Team (SIT) that resulted in a meticulous 11-page charge sheet the true story of why and how the eight-year-old girl was kidnapped and brutalised while grazing her horses in the meadow would have never emerged.

It was great detective work helped by some good fortune that led to the uncovering of the fiendish plot hatched by retired government official Sanji Ram who was also the custodian of a local temple, in collaboration with his juvenile nephew and special police officer Deepak Khajuria to rape and murder the minor daughter of a Bakerwal family to scare off the Muslim shepherd community from the region. They managed to solve the case despite the fact that the crime branch team was handed the case after quite a bit of the evidence was already destroyed by policemen in the local Hiranagar Police Station after being heavily bribed by Sanji Ram.

The charge sheet reveals in clinical albeit grisly detail the sequence of the eight-year-old girl's kidnap, repeated rapes and eventual murder followed by the various attempts to get rid of her corpse.

It paints a chilling picture of a place of worship being turned into a den of gang-rape of a little girl and the conduct of weird possibly Tantrik rituals by Sanji Ram, custodian of the temple. Most importantly, the crime branch investigation provides the motive for this appalling crime linking it to a calculated attempt by sections of the majority Hindu community in the region to drive away the Bakerwal shepherds.

Based on the confession of the juvenile nephew who was as at first being offered as the sacrificial lamb by other conspirators, corroborative interviews with more than a hundred others besides solid forensic evidence, the charge sheet appears to be fairly watertight and should stand up in court with the case likely to be fast-tracked by the Mehbooba Mufti government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi clearly worried at the kind of nationwide outrage unleashed by the Kathua horror has promised to punish the guilty. Yet, it will be difficult for him to walk away after merely doing so because the eight-year-old girl's ghastly fate cannot be divorced from the atmosphere of hate building up in the country in general and the demonisation of the Muslim community in particular.

The charge sheet in the Kathua case along with the slogans invoking Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata ki Jai on the streets of Jammu in support of those charged with rape and murder have disturbing implications. These show that the mixing of religion and nationalism by political design or ideological prejudice can go to the extent of justifying such bestial behaviour towards an eight-year-old innocent girl.

Yet amidst the gloom spread across the land by divisive politics there are also a few good men and women  Jhalla and an intrepid lady lawyer Deepika Thusoo Singh (also known as Deepika Singh Rajawat) who is representing the victim's family despite threats from fellow lawyers to drop the case. Interestingly, both belong to the Kashmiri Pandit community which was the target of ethnic cleansing in the Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley a few decades ago. Still, they are fiercely committed to their duties as a policeman and a lawyer to see to it that justice is done without fear or favour. They may be the only hope we have to counter the alarming swell of hate and prejudice in India today.
What are the reasons we are unable to prevent incidents like the ones in Kathua and Unnao and what actions need to follow so that we can reduce them?

How should we as a society react to events that have happened in Kathua and in Unnao? India has become notorious around the world as a place where women and children are unsafe from sexual violence, and even if this is not the reality, it has become the perception. It should not take foreign media for us to look at ourselves honestly and ask how we can change.

What are the reasons we are unable to prevent such episodes and what actions need to follow so that we can reduce them? The first thing is that we must accept that this is not just a function of the justice and policing system.

There is a breakdown of values, and in a place where women and minorities are respected, there is no encouragement to bestiality. Do we live in such a place? The honest answer to that is obvious. Saying that the government should do something to stop such violence from happening ignores our own roles. With that understanding, let us now look at what the government can be convinced to do.

There are essentially two things that can act as a response to preventing sexual assault and rape. One of those is legislation. One popular demand that recurs every so often is to hang the rapists. The thinking is that harsh punishment is a deterrent and that the potential rapist will be worried about the consequences and therefore not carry out the act. There are many counters to it, including that having the same punishment for rape and murder encourages the rapist to kill his victim so that there is no witness. But let us ignore that for now. Politicians usually favour this solution and if you look at the newspapers of recent days, many are in agreement that there should be the death penalty for rapists.

The death penalty exists in India for murderers. Is it a deterrent and does it stop murders? Let us look at the numbers. Indias court awarded 136 death sentences in 2016. But that year, there were over 30,000 murders in India. Handing out death sentences does not stop murderers. Our laws also provide for appeal and remission, and so, the number of people who were actually hanged in 2016 was zero. We should understand this when we seek a silver bullet to end rape in the form of the hang the rapists demand.

Now let us look at the numbers for rape and sexual assault. The total number of rape cases registered in India was 38,947 and there were over 1,06,000 crimes against children. The problem with the rape number is that government data suggests that 99 percent of victims of sexual violence in India do not report the incident to the police.

In the United States, out of 1,000 instances of rape and sexual assault, 310 (meaning 31 percent) are reported. And only 6 people, meaning less than 1 percent, are actually finally jailed. This means that we are not alone in not being able to deliver justice and it is a complex issue that requires a lot of thinking and hard work.

There are various issues here, some are social and some that can be corrected by the state. The common factor between victims in India and elsewhere is that rape is an intensely personal crime and not one that is easy to share. The social issues in India are many, and the position and treatment of women in our society is the main one. The second one is that we believe that family honour is reposed in the body of women and that it is lost when a woman is assaulted. This prevents individuals from revealing details even to their families, leave alone strangers in the police station.

There are things that the police can do and it is to follow the law. The law says that all victims in India can report in any police station of their choosing (and not only in the one in whose jurisdiction the crime is committed). Secondly, the victim can choose to record her statement in any language of her choosing. This is difficult because most police stations do not have individuals who speak even English properly, and prefer to record the FIR in the local language only. Thirdly, the victims statement must be recorded by a woman police officer. This again is not done, because of the lack of women police officers and the lack of police generally. One popular slogan is minimum government, maximum governance but these are meaningless words when the size of the Indian government, as measured by the number of police, doctors, nurses etc, is very small per capita compared to the rest of the world.

The facts show that to prevent sexual crimes, we have to make large changes in our society and its treatment of women at the level of the family. And we need to ensure that the existing laws on reporting sexual violence are followed at the level of every police station across India. This is very, very hard work but it will ensure that the rate of reporting goes up, at least to the levels where it is in the rest of the world. After the rate of reporting goes up, the state needs to ensure that it conducts proper investigations (which need resources and cannot be done with the same force or budget) that increases the rate of convictions.

All of this is difficult, and most politicians know that it is close to impossible. That is why the easy way is chosen and that is to demand that rapists be hanged. The fact that murderers are also hanged and it has no effect on murders does not seem to worry us.
Bowing to public outcry, the Kerala police have suspended seven policemen over the suspected custodial death of Sreejith. However, the case remains murky.

Bowing to public outcry, the police in Kerala have finally suspended seven policemen over the suspected custodial death of Sreejith in Varapuzha at Kochis outskirts.

But will this initial step ultimately lead to justice for the 26-year-old deceased man and his family? A tough one to answer at the moment.

What makes one think otherwise is the action of the same police over the last few days since the formation of a special investigation team to probe the case.

Even when the state promises an honest investigation by a special team of officers which has already started its preliminary task of recording statements, a huge shadow looms over the credibility of such an investigation, because there are enough reasons to believe that a parallel cover-up operation is underway.

But before we get to that, senior legal experts in the state have voiced their strong reservations over the police investigating the case, since the alleged perpetrators themselves are men in uniform.

This is a crime alleged to have been committed by members of the police force. How can the same police force investigate it? If this happens, it will only amount to an investigation done by the accused for the benefit of the accused. Many a times, the Supreme Court has observed that when the police are the accused you will get no fair investigation by the verifying police team. So only a central agency can do justice for the victim, Advocate T Asaf Ali, former Director General of Prosecution told Firstpost.

The former state prosecutors words are derived from a number of judgments by the apex court where the court has categorically repeated that producing evidence against the police is very difficult because the police feel bound by their ties of brotherhood.

Many believe that in the case of Sreejith too, these ties of brotherhood could actually end up destroying evidence.

The State Human Rights Commission which has been following up on the case right from the start also reiterates that it also has little faith in the present investigation.

This is a case which started with an illegal arrest. But when the time has come for a legal arrest, the police are looking away. Why are the police not registering a case of murder even after a week, when there is such clear evidence? Unless you take steps now, this case will slip away, the perpetrators will get away and the victim wont get justice, P Mohana Das, Acting Chairperson of Kerala State Human Rights Commission said.

'Fudged' statement, 'fake' witness

The sequence of events in the last few days has also been reflective of this brotherhood phenomenon.

Sreejith was taken into custody after the suicide of a man called Vasudevan. As soon as Vasudevans son Vineesh said that he had not named Sreejith as an accused, the police came up with a document which purported to be Vineeshs statement.

The document, circulated among the media by the police, contained Vineeshs deposition where he is reported to have said that Sreejith was indeed among those who had attacked his house, leading to his fathers suicide.

However, a close look at the document blows the lid off the polices game plan. The document had no signature, while the police in other cases usually make witnesses sign documents.

These doubts were further substantiated when the real statement which the police had initially given to the executive magistrate emerged.

It neither had Sreejiths name as one of the 14 accused who attacked Vasudevans house nor any mention of his name in any capacity, which again testifies to the fact that taking him into custody was a grave mistake on the part of the police.

I have always maintained this fact right from the beginning that I had not mentioned Sreejiths name because I know him well and he was not among those who attacked our house. I dont even know how the cops got the idea that he was behind the attack, reiterates Vineesh Vasudevan.

From a fake statement to a fake witness, the police seem to be leaving no stone unturned to bolster their escape route.

Parameshwaran is a neighbour to Vasudevan and, according to a statement prepared by the police, Parameshwaran was a witness when the gang attacked Vasudevans house. The statement had also claimed that Parameshwaran had seen Sreejith and Vasudevan having a fist fight.

But on Thursday Parameshwaran had this to say. I did not even know that my name was added in the list of witnesses. How can I be a witness to the fight when I was not even present in this locality?

But hardly had this interview of Parameshwaran been flashed on local television channels across Kerala that he changed his stand saying that the police had indeed recorded his statement and that Sreejith was involved in the issue.

It is here that a well orchestrated cover-up plan that involves not only the police but also the local leadership of the ruling party comes to light.

Parameshwaran happens to be the branch secretary of the CPM. Sensing that the initial statement given by him would seriously damage the polices stand on the matter, Parameshwarans son Sharath claims that a few local leaders of the party had put immense pressure on his father to change his stand in favour of the police.

A prominent local party leader came home just after my fathers statement appeared in the media. He then took him on his bike and retuned later in the evening. Thats when my father changed the stand. I am sure there was pressure put on my father to change his statement, said Sharath.

Retired police officers say that such tactics are nothing new.

Since this is the most crucial time of the investigation where any small destruction of evidence can help the culprits get away, the policemen would go all out to save their colleagues.

The crucial question however is this  when and from whom did Sreejith suffer the fatal blows to his abdomen that led to his death?

Since the cops who arrested him had not taken a proper medical check-up of him to show that he had prior injuries before the arrest, the assumption as per law in custodial deaths is that deceased would have suffered the injuries while in custody and those who had taken him and kept him in custody are liable for his condition.

But it is this chain of argument that the cops are desperately trying to break up.

From whatever I can gather at the moment, there is a mad rush to establish the fact that Sreejith had suffered the injuries elsewhere and not when he was in custody. That is why they want to somehow establish the fact that he was involved in a physical fight with the deceased Vasudevan and want to create testimonies to prove it. Only a very transparent and efficient investigator can get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, these cops will get away easily, retired Superintendent of Police George Joseph said.

Secondly, the attempt had been to disprove the claim that Sreejith was arrested despite no evidence against him. This is why both Vineesh and Parameshwarans fake statements have been circulated. However, much to the disappointment of the police, these got busted in the local media.

Some feel that it will not be easy for the cops to get away, as there are serious questions on the manner of Sreejiths arrest.

Sreejith was actually picked up by what is called the rural tiger force, a shadow unit of policemen said to be under the command of Ernakulam Rural Superintendent AV George who actually had nothing to do with the case filed against Sreejith at the Varapuzha police station.

What puts the police in a further tight spot is the claim made by both the Varapuzha circle and sub-inspector, who are under suspension now, that they were initially not even aware of Sreejiths arrest.

Why the rural SP got involved in the matter without having any jurisdiction to do this will be a tough question for him to answer. On whose behalf did he send his men to arrest Sreejith? This is highly illegal because the constables who went are from the armed reserved camp. They can only assist an inspector but cannot by themselves take a person into custody. The police will have a tough time in court, added Subash Babu, another senior retired police officer.

Babu also added that unlike many other recent cases of custodial death like the Udayakumar murder case in Thiruvananthapuram in 2007 or that of Sampath in Palakkad in 2010 or the infamous

Rajan custody death during the days of emergency in 1976, there is a lot of evidence in this case. But all will depend on how seriously the probe is pursued, he added.

On Friday, though the three constables who had taken Sreejith into custody were themselves taken into custody by the investigation team, they were let off by the evening.

Only a sustained interrogation of those three will bring out the real picture of this case, added George Joseph.

Political hand at play?

The brazen step of the Ernakulam SP to send his men to take Sreejith into custody is what makes the case murkier.

There is an allegation doing the rounds that a senior CPM leader had given the SP directions to take Sreejith into custody.

The BJP, which has already asked for a CBI probe into the custodial death, is gearing up for a satyagraha in front of the Inspector General (IG)s office in Kochi.

That Sreejith was a member of the BJP and had also held a key post with the Yuva Morcha, a Sangh Parivar outfit has also added more dimensions to the political controversy.

It is very clear from Parameshwarans sons statement that the CPM is knee deep in this case and they are playing an ugly game using the police. The incident was a local issue between two families. But using that, the CPM has killed one of our promising workers. Only a CBI probe will bring out the truth, says AN Radhakrishnan, general secretary of the BJP based in Kochi.

The CPM has however called the allegation raised by Parameshawarans son as part of a conspiracy to malign the ruling coalition.

The next few days will be absolutely crucial for Sreejiths family to get justice, as experts say that in any criminal investigation, the first few days are the most crucial in gathering evidence.
Thousands of North Korean devotees laid flowers before statues of the country's founder Kim Il-sung on Sunday on the anniversary of his birth

Pyongyang: Thousands of North Korean devotees laid flowers before statues of the country's founder Kim Il-sung on Sunday on the anniversary of his birth.

A constant stream of soldiers in brown uniforms, work unit personnel in suits, schoolchildren and families made their way to Mansu hill in the centre of Pyongyang, where giant statues of Kim and his son and successor look out over the capital.

"The great comrades Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il will always be with us," read a banner made of greenery.

In turn each group approached the bronze edifices, most people with single blooms, some carrying golden baskets of flowers  making their offerings before assembling in formation.

"Let us bow before the statues," intoned an announcer half-hidden by horticulture, prompting deep bows from civilians and salutes from military detachments.

North Koreans are taught from an early age to revere their leaders, and portraits of the two late rulers gaze down in every home, school and workplace in the country.

Current leader Kim Jong-un is the third of the dynasty to head the isolated and impoverished but nuclear-armed country, whose calendar is packed with anniversaries relating to his two forefathers and their careers.

The accompanying rituals both demonstrate and reinforce loyalty to the regime. 15 April, known as the Day of the Sun, is by far the most important and sometimes marked with a military parade, as it was in 2017.

Visiting the statues reinforced her determination to "realise the reunification of our country which the great leaders wanted" and "uphold the leadership of the respected Marshal Kim Jong-un", said Second Lieutenant Ryu Yong-jong, 25, who has been in the army for nine years.

Ordinary North Koreans only ever express wholehearted support for their government when speaking to foreign media.

Authorities held a mass meeting of senior officials on Saturday to mark the anniversary, one of a series of events tied to the date, but Kim Jong-un has spent some of the festive period on the current spate of diplomacy involving the two Koreas.

A summit with the South's President Moon Jae-in is due later in April, ahead of talks with Donald Trump. On Saturday Kim met visiting Chinese envoy Song Tao, pledging to improve a traditional but battered relationship.

At a banquet for the delegation, one wall was decorated with a mural of Kim shaking hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping on his surprise trip to Beijing in March.

The journey was Kim's first overseas since inheriting power. It ensured that, rather than the South Korean or US presidents, the first foreign head of state he met was the leader of the longstanding ally whose forces gave his grandfather crucial support in the Korean War.

The Day of the Sun has been described as "Like Christmas, but for Juche instead of Jesus", in reference to Kim Il-sung's "self-reliance" ideology.

Guides at Mangyongdae outside Pyongyang, where Kim Il Sung was born 106 years ago, sometimes use religious terminology themselves, describing a well at the site as containing "holy water" and calling the day his "birthdaymas".

Kim remains the country's Eternal President despite dying in 1994. His son passed away in 2011 but is still Eternal General Secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Retired senior colonel Kim Yong-won, 76, donned his old uniform for the occasion, his chest heavily bedecked with medals  the most important, he said, being a gold star depicting a soldier, a sailor and an airman for 30 years of service.
The Denmark has provisionally handed over the Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Network Extension Project to the Ministry of Communications, which will be managed by the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).



The 165 kilometres, which connects the Eastern Corridor Optic Fibre from Ho to Accra, was financed with a grant of  3,795, 017 from the Danish Government.



The Ho  Accra Fibre Optic Extension Project was executed by Nokia  Alcatel-Lucent Denmark in partnership with a local subcontractor  Kenpon Constructions Company Limited.



The provisional handing over certificate, which had one year warranty was signed by Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications and Mr Jan Plenge, Export Director, Nokia, in Accra.



The ceremony was witnessed by Madam Tove Degnbol, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana; Mr Issah Yahaya, Chief Director, Communications Ministry; Mr David K. Gyewu, Director-General, NITA; and Mr Kennedy Agyapong, President and Chairman of Kepon Constructions Co. Ltd.



Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said having an adequate infrastructure on which all digitalisation effort would ride and having the necessary fibre infrastructure was a Sine qua non (an indispensable condition); adding that no part of this country can be left behind and so this project was commenced.



She said originally the project extended from Ho to Bawku; declaring that but we noticed that without the metro fibre link from Accra to Ho, we couldn't derive the optimum benefit from this project.



She said the Eastern Fibre connects 120 communities along the route; and that major towns like Kpando, Jasikan, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi, Gushegu were all connected through that.



Fibre is there, but we do need to work on the last mile to link the communities along the route to the fibre back bone and that we are actively working with partners to develop, then we can derive optimum benefit from that fibre, she said.



So that outing communities, the schools, government agencies, district assemblies and health providers will also utilise that infrastructure to update and digitise their work.



She said in line with the Policy of the Ministry of Finance, her Ministry would ensure all districts, municipal and metropolitan areas were connected to the national fibre optic network to facilitate the smooth implementation of the Ghana Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) project.



She said: We are also very keen in digitising governance and making government more accessible to the people and we need to necessarily put in adequate infrastructure to make that happen.



And so we need to connect the Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Network to Accra, the Minister added.



Mrs Owusu-Ekuful commended DANIDA for the assistance that it had been provided to really give effect to the project.



And extend our gratitude to the Danish Government and people for continuing to undertake projects like this which deepen the historic links that we have with you and the bonds of friendship that we've had with you.



She said a lot had been done to secure enough network infrastructure for all the government commercialisation or digitisation effort and to promote optimum use of technology at all levels.



The Minister said a lot had been done to ensure the delivery of optimum e-governance services to the people and facilitate government to government and government to people interaction.



She noted that: With the eastern corridor fibre in place, we are continuing to explore all avenues of completing that loop around the country and working on the western corridor and off shore fibre links that we need to complete that fibre loop around the country.



Government can't do it alone, and we are encouraging the private sector to also get involved and we will be exploring public-private partnership initiative and grant opportunities to get that done with the right technical partners.



She commended the entire team and NITA technical personnel whose efforts led to the fruitful execution of the project and urged NITA officials to work hand in hand with the contractors and the commercial partners to ensure that the network was adequately maintained.



No matter how high specification of the network we put in place, if we do monitor, operate and maintain it adequately, it will breakdown and the investment we have made would have been wasted, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful stated.



Madam Degnbol said the project was a condition for the implementation for the Ghana Card project and other initiatives such as e-governance and e-health.



She lauded the development collaboration between the Ghana and Denmark over the past 25 years.



The whole of the Eastern Fibre Optic Project cost the Government  38 million with a loan facility from the Government of Denmark.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the youth on the wrong path in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district to abandon the path of violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the youth on the wrong path in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district to abandon the path of violence and return to the mainstream.

Appealing to the parents of such youth on this issue, Modi said, "Who is their (Naxals') leader? They come from outside and remain hidden instead of coming in front of you. They have your children killed. Will you send your children to them to die just like that?"

Addressing a rally in Bijapur's Jangla village, the prime minister appealed to the youth, especially those from the tribal community, to contribute to development in the region. Given the success of the rally in the Naxalite stronghold, Prime Minister Modi asked people to get on the path of development.

It will be too early to comment on how effective Modi's appeal was. But this provided a glimpse of the preparations for development of Naxal-affected remote villages made by the government.

During his Bijapur visit, the prime minister inaugurated various schemes for the whole of Bastar but the most discussed of such schemes was the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Modi choosing Chhattisgarh's Bijapur for starting this scheme was the centre of discussion.

In fact, the government has selected 115 such backward districts across the country, which are still deprived of development. Bijapur is also one of the districts. The government has now put more emphasis on developing these districts.

Bijapur is a tribal-dominated district and the influence of the Maoists is also very high, so the government is trying to give a better message by giving priority to this place. However, the prime minister said that due to the positive attitude shown to the development of Bijapur in the last three months, the Ayushman scheme is being started from here.

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first Health Care and Wellness Centre along with Ayushman Yojana from Bijapur. On this occasion, Modi reiterated the government's commitment to the development of the poor, Dalits and tribals.

Modi also laid the foundation stone for many development schemes in the area. Bastar also got a new gift in the form of a railway line. A new railway line and a train between Gudum and Bhanupratappur were also inaugurated.

The people of the tribal community who were in the rally were also very excited. Talking to Firstpost, Phaguni Baghel, who came from Bardela (situated near Jangla village), said, "Now, up to Rs 5 lakh will be available to us for treatment of any disease, which will be of great benefit." Phaguni is hopeful that the government will bring about development in the region.

Anbar Dubba, from Bhairamgarh, studies in the 7th standard. Dubba, from a tribal family, is studying in Eklavya school in the village, which is being run by the RSS. Apart from Anbar Dubba, many other school students were present in Modi's rally.

The prime minister, by inaugurating various schemes, did not disappoint people.

Modi also sent a positive message to the people at the rally by presenting, with his own hand, slippers to a tribal woman who picks tendupatta. In fact, the government is running a scheme called Charanpaduka, which is being run for the tribal women who pick tendupatta.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh also mentioned the steps taken by the central and state governments on the development of Bastar region. Referring to the Ujjwala scheme, Raman Singh said that this will benefit SC/ST women the most.

Actually, the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are to be held later this year. Then, the Lok Sabha elections will be held next year. Earlier, the government's attempt was to give a new edge to all the development works so far. The government aims to create New Bastar on the lines of New India.

With this exercise, Modi is trying to bring together SC and ST. They are trying to strengthen their vote bank and also trying to bring Naxals into the mainstream through development. If Modi's intention to convert the Naxal stronghold into an economic hub lands well, it may be difficult for Naxals to keep a strong presence in this area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on 20 April after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on 20 April after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom, the External Affairs Ministry said on Saturday.

It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Merkel began her fourth term as German chancellor on 14 March.

The ministry said Modi will make the stopover in Berlin following a suggestion by Merkel.

"At the suggestion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making a brief stopover in Berlin on 20 April after completing his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his visit, PM will meet Chancellor Merkel and the two leaders will exchange views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues," it said.

It said the visit "demonstrates the commitment by the two countries to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges."

Modi will begin a five-day visit to Sweden and the UK from 16 April with an aim to boost bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment.

In the UK, the prime minister will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, besides exploring ways to further deepen ties between the two countries, the ministry said.

In Sweden, Modi will attend the India-Nordic Summit. The summit is being co-hosted by India and Sweden.

Prime ministers of all Nordic countries  Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden  will attend the summit.

Modi will first travel to Sweden on a two-day visit from 16-17 April. On the second leg of his visit, he will travel to the UK.
When Narendra Modi visits Sweden and England, during the course of which he will participate in the first ever India-Nordic Summit and this year's CHOGM, cooperation in the areas of innovation, technology and education will top his agenda.

New Delhi: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Sweden and England from 16 to 20 April, during the course of which he will participate in the first ever India-Nordic Summit and this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), cooperation in the areas of innovation, technology and education will top his agenda.

Modi will reach Stockholm on 16 April evening in what will be the first prime ministerial visit from India to Sweden in 30 years since the visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988. On 17 April, Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven will hold a bilateral summit during which bilateral, regional and global issues are expected to figure.

According to Sweden's Ambassador to India Klas Molin, innovation is an important aspect of the India-Sweden relationship. "How do we cooperate further, how do we get our best and the brightest people together, how do we also perhaps think about funding certain areas, how do we go into areas where we can cooperate even more and develop new technologies, create employment and sustainable solutions on a number of issues," he said.

During Modi's visit, an India-Sweden Innovation Partnership is also expected to be launched. "I think it is something we are discussing with the Indian side but exactly how this will look, of course, will have to be finalised," the ambassador said. "But I think it is a way of focusing our attention on both sides to create a platform that, in turn, can attract investments, that can attract companies to plug in."

With education being another sector in which the two sides are expected to forge deeper ties, Molin said "we are hoping to increase exchanges between our universities". "Student exchanges... graduates, doctorate and post-doctorate. The sky is the limit here," he said.

On bilateral economic relations, the Ambassador said that trade is growing on both sides "and quite impressively so". Though bilateral trade dipped to $1.9 billion in 2016-17 from $2.17 billion, both countries have set a lofty total trade target of $5 billion. There are over 170 Swedish companies in India that have invested $1.4 billion since 2000 while 70 Indian companies have established their presence in Sweden.

On 17 April, India and Sweden will also co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit, where, apart from Modi and Lofven, the Prime Ministers of the other four Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway will also be present. Molin said that Nordic countries are close as neighbours and cooperate very closely in a number of issues. "But we are not a political entity in that way," he said. "It's not like the EU, it's not a regional organisation in any way. It's a convenient forum."

According to Subrata Bhattacharjee, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nordic region represents a prosperous society with high incomes and a strong focus on quality and innovation." "For India, Nordic countries are a potential source for clean technology, environmental solutions, port modernisation, cold chain, skill development, innovation etc.," Bhattacharjee said at a media briefing here in connection with the upcoming visit.

According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, India's trade with the Nordic countries totaled around $5.3 billion in 2016-17, with cumulative foreign direct investment in India at $2.5 billion.

From Sweden, Modi will leave for Britain on 17 April evening. This is the third exchange of prime ministerial visits after Modi's visit to Britain in November 2015 and British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India in November 2016, her first outside the European Union after assuming office. At a separate media briefing here, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said the visit comes at a time when the bilateral relationship is in "very, very good health".

Modi's visit to Britain this time has been themed "Living bridge and tech partnership". Modi and May are scheduled to hold a bilateral summit on 18 April. Stating that trade between the two countries increased by 15 per cent in the last one year, Asquith said that it is "remarkably balanced" in terms of trade in goods and services.

In terms of finance, he said the London Stock Exchange is playing an increasingly important role as a place to raise money to meet India's huge infrastructure requirements. In terms of investments, he said that while Britain is the largest investor in India among the G20 countries, India is the fourth largest investor in Britain. "Then what will be very much a focal point is the technology partnership between the two countries," he said. "The complementaries, strengths that each of us have and they are truly complementary."

Asquith said that both sides will look into putting more resources in this sector in areas like digital aspect of technology, collaboration, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data protection and the fintech that goes with that among others.

According to K. Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary (Europe West), both sides are looking at announcing an India-UK Tech Alliance which will comprise young CEOs from both the countries who have done exceptionally well in the tech space. In terms of cooperation in education, Asquith said that there was a 30 percent rise in the number of student visas issued by his country to Indians in 2017.

Stating that 14,000 Indian students go to Britain for masters degree programme every year, he added that "we want to build on that".

Regarding this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which Modi will attend in London on 19-20 April, the High Commissioner said that around 50 heads of state and government will be present. The agenda, he said, will include climate change, vulnerability of small island nations, peacekeeping and helping poorer countries.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed installation of a chip in new television set-top boxes which will provide data about channels watched and their duration.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed installation of a chip in new television set-top boxes which will provide data about channels watched and their duration.

A senior official of the ministry said the move is aimed to get "more authentic" viewership figures for every channel.

"This would help advertisers and the DAVP to spend their advertising expenditure wisely. Only those channels which are widely watched will get promoted," the official added.

The Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) is the nodal agency of the government for advertising by various ministries and its organisations.

In the proposal, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has told the TRAI, "It is also proposed to ask DTH operators to install a chip in the new set-top boxes which can give data about channels watched and their duration."

The proposal was part of the ministry's response to a number of recommendations made by the TRAI on issues related to new direct-to-home licenses.

The official said the ministry also "feels that Doordarshan viewership is under-reported" and if the chip is installed, it would give the real viewership figures of the channel.

The move is seen to end the monopoly of the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC), which measures the television audience preferences in the country.

The ministry official alleged that the BARC is "almost like a monopoly and there is no alternative" and it "does not reveal how they arrive at the viewership figures, methodology they apply and the area of survey".

The official said the ministry discussed the possibility of procuring about 300 people meter and randomly installing them to verify the veracity of BARC data, but 300 meter were too small number to meaningfully compare and verify data.

He said the BARC measures viewership by installing 30,000 people meter, which are soldered to the TV's mother board.

The official said nobody would allow such thing to be done on their television sets and thus there were concerned about the genuineness of the assessment done through volunteers.

The BARC, however, refuted the accusations.

"We are a joint industry body that was set up in close consultation with all stakeholders, including government representatives and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Our data collection and reporting methodology was arrived at post these consultations and consensus. TRAI is telecom and broadcasting sector watchdog.

"Guided by the goals of transparency, the detailed methodology has always been available on our website," BARC India spokesperson said.

He said the BARC operates within the regulatory framework as mandated by the ministry's guidelines.

"We also meet regularly with officials of ministry and TRAI to brief them and provide status report on our operations. The same has been done through periodic presentations," the spokesperson said.

He said that the BARC always had government nominee on its Board and also on its technical committee.

"We will be happy to again meet and address all their queries for which we have been seeking a meeting with them since some time," the spokesperson added.

The TRAI, in its response to the ministry's suggestions, recently said, Regarding asking DTH operators to install a chip in new set-top boxes, it is stated that this is a new issue and cannot be part of the reference.

"If the MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) desires TRAI's recommendation on this issue, it may send a separate reference to TRAI as per the provisions of the TRAI Act 1997, it said.
Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called 'Not In My Name' at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities

New Delhi: Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called "Not In My Name" at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest. The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

The protest comes as two incidents of rape in Jammu and Kashmir and in Uttar Pradesh provoked outrage across India. Several similar protests have been organised over the past week to demand justice to the victims of the two cases.

The protestors demanded immediate dismissal of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly shielding his party legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl who had gone to his residence seeking a job.

After the matter came to light when the victim tried to immolate herself outside Adityanath's residence in Lucknow on 8 April alleging police inaction for nearly a year, criticism against the state government has mounted.

On 9 April, her father died in judicial custody, with the autopsy report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

The case has been handed over to the CBI and Sengar was on Saturday sent into a seven-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The participants at the "Not In My Name" protest also sought immediate arrest of the two BJP ministers, who led rallies of Hindu Ekta Manch in Kathua on 1 March in support of the accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl.

Some images from the #NotInMyName protest. Citizens' power, against sexual violence and those who enable and protect it pic.twitter.com/Gc882DeoMy  Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) April 15, 2018

The girl's body was found a week after she disappeared from near home in January. The police have arrested a caretaker of a temple and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe. The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village. In Delhi, the protesters sought adequate security arrangements for the families of the victims and state support for arranging a competent prosecution team.

"Today we mourn the rape and murder of a little girl in Kathua. Her crime was that she belonged to the Bakarwal Muslim community that the Hindutva forces want out of the area.

"Her rape and murder are part of a larger narrative of communal violence with women's bodies being used as a battlefield," said Saba.

Filmmaker Rahul Roy, who too participated in the protest, said: "As a country, we have to hang our heads in shame for having failed the Constitution. We have to acknowledge that as a country we have failed our minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, women and girls."
Fifty-five Rohingya refugee families have been rendered homeless after a massive fire broke out in a settlement colony on Sunday at Kalindi Kunj in Delhi.

Fifty-five Rohingya refugee families have been rendered homeless after a massive fire broke out in a settlement colony on Sunday at Kalindi Kunj in Delhi. The fire, the source of which is presently unknown, charred fifty-five houses along with all the families' belongings.

The fire broke out around 3 am. No casualties have been reported yet.

Mohammed Johar, who is a resident of the colony, said, "I was asleep in my tenement when the fire broke out. It did not begin from any home but from a corner of the colony where there were common bathrooms. Within minutes, the fire engulfed the entire colony, turning everything to ash. None of our belongings could be saved.

Recalling how people were saved from the fire, Mohammad Ashrafullah, another resident of the colony, said that the residents were fortunate to spot the fire in its early stage. He has said that if that had not been the case, it would have been impossible to save the children and women sleeping in the tents.

It was a very small fire in the beginning. So, we tried to douse it with water. We also informed the fire brigade. But within seconds, the fire took gigantic shape. So, we helped people out of their homes through doors and windows, he said.

More than 200 people reside in the colony.

The colony also had a mosque and a madrasa, both of which were completely burned. Most of the tenements in the colony were made of wood.

The refugee colony was built and looked after by Zakat Foundation led by social worker Zafar Mahmud. He told Firstpost that the NGO jumped into action soon after it came to know about the fire.

Since all their belongings have been destroyed, we have taken measures to rehabilitate them. We have arranged for a tent, water and food for them for the time being. We are also planning to provide permanent shelter homes for them, he said.

The civil defence department of the Delhi government has also provided the victims with food and other necessities.

We are also carrying out a survey to assess the losses incurred by the residents in the colony. After the assessment, they will be provided with compensation, said an official in the civil defence department. Amanatullah Khan, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Member of Legislative Assembly from Okhla, has already declared a compensation of Rs 25,000 for every family affected by the incident.

Minnatullah Khan, AAP leader, said, The MLA is presently on a tour of Rajasthan. He will soon visit the spot and hand out the compensation.

This was not the first incident of fire that the refugee colony has faced in the six years of its existence. The refugee colony has been repeatedly facing such incidents.

Similar fire incidents happened earlier too. In those incidents as well, the fire did not begin from any tenement, but from the bathrooms. So we kept a vigil at night. For the last one month, there had been no vigil, and this incident occured, said Mohammad Johar.

Residents of the colony suspect that the fire was caused not by accident, but by miscreants. Dhal Singh, Assistant Commissioner in the Delhi Police said, "We have registered a case regarding it. A team of forensic experts will soon visit the site to inquire into the cause of the fire.

Zafar Mahmud of Zakat Foundation too rules out the possibility of miscreants having lit the fire.

However, many residents in the colony suspect that that the fire might have been caused by miscreants as an attempt to make them vacate the land on which the colony is situated, and then grab it.

The patch of land belongs to Zakat Foundation.
Pakistan should become a 'trading nation rather than a warrior nation' while ensuring it does not turn into China's pawn, Islamabad's former envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani, has said.

New Delhi: Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" while ensuring it does not turn into China's pawn, Islamabad's former envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani, has said.

In an interview to PTI, Haqqani said Pakistan also needs to take a call on what is more important  supporting terror suspect Hafiz Saeed or gaining international credibility and respect.

Amid the consolidation of the already-robust Sino-Pak ties, Haqqani, who served as ambassador to the US from 2008 to 2011, stressed Pakistan should not go from being dependent on the US to relying on China and must refrain from becoming a "Chinese pawn". Pakistan needs to build a self-sustaining economy, he said, warning Islamabad of the pitfalls of aligning with a major power.

Haqqani, who was in India last week for the launch of his new book 'Reimagining Pakistan: Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State', said the country needs to "re-think its overall direction", including in the economic sector.

Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" and start thinking about geo-economics rather than geo strategy, said the 61-year-old former diplomat and author of 'Pakistan Between Mosque and Military' and 'India v Pakistan: Why Can't We Just Be Friends?', among other books. "Trying to take advantage of its strategic location by allowing itself to be used by one major power or another has brought Pakistan to the present situation and if we continue to play the same game, the result is not going to be very different in the future, he said.

While Islamabad should seek good relations with Beijing, "there is no reason why Pakistan should become a Chinese pawn in the mistaken belief" that this would somehow make it a power in its own right, he said when asked if Pakistan's dependence on China could prove counterproductive. His remarks assume significance as in January, the US had suspended more than $1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terror groups such as the Afghan Taliban and Afghan guerilla group Haqqani Network.

After US president Donald Trump had lashed out at Pakistan earlier this year for providing "safe havens" to terrorists, China had defended Islamabad, saying the world community should acknowledge its all-weather ally's "outstanding contribution" to counter terrorism.

Asked if America's tougher stance against terror would push Islamabad into a robust military alliance with Beijing, Haqqani said the more America and India came close, the more Pakistan would try to strengthen its ties with China. "But, for Pakistan's own sake, it would be useful to have relationships with multiple partners. Dependence on the US did not prove useful for Pakistan in the 50s and 60s; dependence on China will not necessarily be the key to Pakistan's progress in the 21st century," said Haqqani, who lives in the US, where he is Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at the Washington-based Hudson Institute.

Haqqani was removed as Pakistan's envoy to the US for his alleged role in what is known as the Memogate controversy, which revolved around a memorandum seeking help from the Obama administration after the killing of Osama bin Laden to avert a military takeover of the civilian government in his country. Asked if the suspension of American aid had brought about a change in Pakistan's attitude, Haqqani said the establishment had not changed its world view and was still hoping that logistical and other considerations would make the Trump administration soften its stance.

On the possibility of power blocs being formed in the region, he said a "new Cold War" in which Pakistan aligns with China and India with the United States was not going to be positive for South Asia. "I think that aligning with one major power against another is not the recipe for economic growth and success for a country like Pakistan," said Haqqani, who also served as the Pakistani envoy to Sri Lanka from 1992 to 1993.

The former diplomat, who is often critical of the Pakistani military, rued that the power structure in the country had not changed fundamentally and national security and foreign policy remained in the hands of the Army.

Pakistan has made distinctions between terror groups that have acted against it and those that have acted outside the country, and that distinction had not worked to its advantage, he said. Islamabad's insistence on "mainstreaming terrorists" rather than marginalising them was going to be counter-productive for the country, he held.

Haqqani also said the Kashmir issue could be put on the back burner to build normal Indo-Pak relations. "It is also a reality that the problem of Kashmir has not been solved in 70 years. And if Pakistan insists on solving the Kashmir problem before moving forward on normal relations with India, then it may have to wait for another 70 years," he said.
The Congress on Saturday alleged that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was the 'real culprit' in the Unnao rape case and demanded his immediate sacking.

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was the "real culprit" in the Unnao rape case and demanded his immediate sacking.

The opposition party also hit out at the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over its "indictment" by the Allahabad High Court, saying the chief minister's position had become "rudderless" in the state.

"The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June, 2017 and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the CM, Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement in New Delhi.

He also referred to excerpts from the court's observation on the Unnao case and alleged that Uttar Pradesh had become "Ravana Rajya" for women, Dalits and farmers during the BJP rule.

"BJP leaders have mastered the art of extending state protection to rapists, shaming the victim and her family, defending the accused and crying conspiracy...And the Adityanath government has perfected this art to the hilt," Surjewala alleged.

The high court's observations on Friday revealed "how a chief minister can become deaf, blind and mute to a heinous crime like rape, the custodial death of the victim's father and the continuous loud cries of the victim's family", he said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made the second arrest in the Unnao rape case on Saturday as it took into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the 17-year-old victim girl to the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, officials said.
The political landscape is changing rapidly, spurred most critically by a new Dalit assertion, which has made parties across the board scramble in their effort to keep constituents on board.

The political landscape is changing rapidly, spurred most critically by a new Dalit assertion, which has made parties across the board scramble to keep constituents on board.

To a significant extent, parties have fallen back on their default template: Symbolism. A reflex prompted all the more by the fact that BR Ambedkars birth anniversary was celebrated on 14 April. The calculation, doubtless, is that by appropriating Ambedkar, they can appropriate Dalit support. Parties banking on this strategy could be in for a big surprise, however. It appears that given the Dalit upsurge, symbolism will not unlock the Dalit vote bank.

Dalit mobilisation in the run-up to the Gujarat elections was a signboard plastered with a message that could hardly be missed. The Bharat bandh called by several Dalit groups on 2 April, which witnessed a scale of violence that had not been anticipated by practically anyone, was the second message.

The major political parties have not missed a part of it, which is why symbolic campaigns have moved up several gears. But, it does appear, they could be in danger of missing the critical part, which signals that the Dalits have become more self-reliant, confident and combative. Symbolism wont wash anymore.

Crucial elections will be held over the next year or so. Assembly elections are to be held in Karnataka on 12 May. Towards the end of the yearprobably in Octoberelections will be held in three states: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. And parliamentary elections are due in a years time.

The Dalit vote has a bearing on all these elections and the Dalits know it. In Karnataka, they constitute 17 percent of the population. The corresponding figures for Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are 13, 16 and 18 percent.

Though historically, Dalits have not been known to consistently vote in blocks, nationwide, in the way Muslims usually do (with good reason), they have shown a tendency to vote in blocks regionally.

Without going into the historical and sociological reasons for this, some observations would be relevant. First, the Dalit community (like the other backward caste community) is not a community in the first place, but is composed of a number of sub-castes arranged in a complex social web. That is why the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has not been successful in mobilising the entire range of Dalit groups in Uttar Pradesh. It has relied on the solid backing of one Dalit group and the intermittent support of others.

That is also what helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attract the support of various Dalit groups under a putative Hindu umbrella. Some groups bought it, others didnt, for the very good reason that there is no such thing as a Hindu community either.

Now, however, there are signs that various Dalits groups perceive that they have a common interest cutting across the dividing lines that undermine their solidarity. In other words, there might not be a Dalit community, but there is a Dalit interest. If this realisation spurs the majority of Dalit groups (or individuals) to forge a solidarity that could be reflected in voting patterns, the electoral game could change.

Clearly, the BJP will be affected the most by the way the Dalits organise, mobilise and vote, precisely because it is in power in three of the four states going to the polls this year and at the Centre. Since 2014, the partys run of electoral successes in north India, principally, has been made possible substantially by its ability to bring within its net groups that had traditionally not backed it: Dalits and tribals.

The perception (and to an extent the reality) that several dispensations run by the BJP have facilitated actions and policies that have hurt the Dalits, economically and in terms of the security needed to live unmolested, have now alienated many Dalit groups. This could torpedo the partys project of social engineering at micro levels and give a fillip to other parties contesting for the Dalit vote: Mainly the Congress party and the BSP, depending on the state or region you are looking at.

Going against the flow, it has been the Congress that has been quicker out of the blocks to forge an alliance with the new Dalit movement on the basis of mutuality, rather than appropriation, and this has paid dividends. This was clear from the Gujarat election results, with the Congress and its new allies doing unexpectedly well. The BJP won, but was humbled.

In the new paradigm, Dalits will have to be given tangible, and just, measures of amelioration, not as handouts but as fulfillment of dues. They also have to be given respect as integral constituents of society, and, politically, as partners. That is what Jignesh Mevani and his ilk are saying loudly enough for the message to register.
BJP workers launched protests in Bengaluru against Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao's comments against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath

Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed regret over his "slipper" jibe on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath terming it as an emotional outburst.

Speaking during a candlelight march held by KPCC over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, Rao had called Adityanath a "dhongi" who should be "beaten up with slippers".

The KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) working president had also claimed that atrocities against women had gone up under Adityanath's rule in Uttar Pradesh. He was the chief minister was "not a Yogi. He is a dhongi (fake). The prime minister should sack him." Rao also said, "If he comes next time to Karnataka, he should be beaten with your sandals. Drive him out," Deccan Chronicle reported

Reacting to the controversy on Twitter, Rao on Sunday said:

My reaction to the Adityanath controversy. It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the raped victims and the complete apathy by Adityanath govt. I regret if its offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue. https://t.co/LA3hNBxHiF  Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) April 15, 2018

His reaction came after BJP workers launched statewide protests in poll-bound Karnataka against Rao. As Firstpost had reported earlier, the party demanded an apology from the Congress leader. BJP and Congress indulged in Twitter war throughout Sunday, a day when both parties were expected to release their list of candidates. ANI reports that the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has launched protests across Karnataka over these "inciting remarks." BJP State General Secretary N Ravikumar has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Rao.

BJP protest in Bengaluru against Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao's 'inciting remarks' on UP CM Yogi Adityanath. BJP State General Secretary N Ravikumar has also complained to EC against Dinesh Gundu Rao pic.twitter.com/qwQeEESASM  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Times Now says that the saffron party has demanded an apology from Rao for the comments as well. The Karnataka BJP and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa also took to Twitter to condemn Rao's comments.

Dinesh Gundu Rao said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals There were 3857 rapes in K'taka under @siddaramaiah. Going by the same logic, what Siddu must be beaten with Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao? Yogi is a revered saint of Natha parampare. Mind your tongue,  ! pic.twitter.com/J3M6BGbmaM  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 14, 2018

Yeddyurappa said, "The millions of Natha Panth followers of Karnataka will never forgive this. I sympathise with you and your partys culture."

Dinesh Gundu Rao's choice of words to address Yogi Adityanath ji has appalled me. Utter disrespect to a CM & a revered Natha family saint. The millions of Natha Panth followers of Karnataka will never forgive this. I sympathise with you and your partys culture. #apologizetoYogi pic.twitter.com/IifMq7dD7D  B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 14, 2018

With inputs from agencies
It has emerged that about 48 Members of Parliament (MPs), who served as ministers under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, are said to have received double salaries.



They are being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.



Interestingly, those who are very vocal are not part of the double taker salary ministers.



Earlier report suggested that 25 MPs had been invited by the police.



Documents available to DAILY GUIDE indicate that about 48 former NDC appointees were involved, with some of them admitting taking double salaries.



The police said the alleged action by the MPs is contrary to Section 124 (1) of the Criminal and other Offence Act 1960 (Act 29) as amended in 2012, Act 849. Section 124 relates to the offence of stealing.



A list sighted by DAILY GUIDE showed that a good number of the ministers, who served under former President John Mahama, took double salaries for four years, whilst others received double salaries for two and three years, probably because they were reshuffled.



In 2012, four of ministers took double salaries, and are currently not serving in parliament, but by 2013 the double salaried appointees had increased to 22 while in 2014 about 18 were said to be involved.



For 2015 and 2016, 15 and 12 appointtees took double salaries respectively.



From 2012 to 2016 when the NDC was booted out of office, some of the appointees were captured in all the data collated as having received double salaries.



This list showed that the appointees received double salaries at least once a month, whilst others received them monthly throughout the years.



On Thursday, the CID said that it had not suspended any investigations into allegations.



That response followed a claim by the minority MPs that the CID boss had embarrassed them by inviting them over the issue.



A communication issued by the CID indicated that some NDC MPs, who were invited over the allegations, would again be summoned by the CID for questioning.



Initially, 25 NDC MPs were said to have been invited by the CID, but the minority in parliament held a press conference on Tuesday and attacked the CID boss and DAILY GUIDE over the invitation and the publication of the story respectively.



But the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and NDC MP for Nadowli/Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, who was cited among the initial 25 invited by the police, is said to be very furious with some members of his own party whom he is accusing of leaking the names of the affected NDC MPs to the CID.



On his twitter handle on Wednesday, April 11 after the minoritys press conference, Mr Alban Bagbin alleged that some selfish individuals wanting to lead the party might have leaked the names to the CID.



If anybody thinks that leaking our names to the police CID thwarts our chances and advances their selfish claim to leadership in our party, then my brother, think again because when we go down, we go down together. A word to the wise, according to the tweet.

In the new communication, the CID indicated that all those MPs would have to provide more information to help it properly investigate the matter.



The CID, which is investigating the matter, earlier invited and met with some of the accused MPs but has now said they would be recalled for further questioning by the Director-General of the CID.

It, however, did not state the exact date they would be invited again.



Prior to the invitation of the affected MPs, the CID duly notified the leadership of parliament.



The police assured the public that due process would be followed in the investigation into the matter, the letter stated.



Meanwhile, some cadres of the party in the Greater Accra Region have described the indictment of ex-ministers over the supposed double salaries as a misadventure.



Fred Atsu Anthony and Nelson Adu, the two cadres who addressed a news conference in Accra yesterday, said it was a well-known fact that MPs do not receive their salaries and benefits until they had finished serving their tenure at which point the government would have set up a committee to determine their benefits.



Since those benefits are determined by a committee, how can anyone claim that any MP has received double salaries? Mr Anthony quizzed.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Congress and BJP are all set to release the second list of candidates on Sunday for the upcoming Karnataka polls. While the Congress is expected to release its first list of candidates by 3 pm, according to sources, BJP will release its second list later tonight

Auto refresh feeds

Prominent nominees are the party's chief ministerial face BS Yeddyurappa from Shikaripura, KS Eshwarappa from Shivamogga, Jagadish Shettar from Hubli-Dharwad Central, Basavaraj Bommai from Shiggaon, CM Udasi from Hangal, KV Hegde from Sirsi and B. Sriramulu from Molakalmuru (reserved).

Among the candidates are many of the party's 48 sitting or outgoing legislators from the state's northern, central and southern region, including Bengaluru, which has 28 assembly constituencies.

The BJP on Sunday released its first list of 72 candidates to contest in the 12 May Karnataka Assembly elections for the 224 seats across the southern state.

Sashikala is re-contesting from the same seat, while Roopali is a former civic corporator in Bengaluru and Poornima is the party's women wing's secretary.

Only three women figure among the 72 contestants - Sashikala Jolle from Nippani assembly segment in the state's northwest region, Roopali Naik from Karwar in the coastal area and Poornima Srinivas from Hiriyur in central part.

Only three women among 72 candidates in BJP's first list

He will be up against GT Deve Gowda of the JD(S). Gowda is the sitting MLA and also a one-time close associate of the chief minister. Siddaramaiah wants to pitch his decision to contest from his erstwhile constituency as the return of the prodigal son in what is being spoken of as his 10th and final electoral battle. But Gowda labels Siddaramaiah as someone who "abandoned" Chamundeshwari for Varuna after his skip-a-heartbeat 2006 victory.

With his desire to see his son, Yathindra take a plunge into electoral politics, Siddaramaiah has given up on his safe Varuna seat to risk it in Chamundeshwari. The odds are stacked against Siddaramaiah in this constituency that is named after the hilltop Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru.

Has Siddaramaiah walked into a trap by contesting at Chamundeshwari, in place of Varuna?

G T Devegowda, the JD(S) MLA from Chamundeshwari constituency, said that Congress workers were not happy with Siddaramaiahs leadership and were defecting only because they intend to see HD Kumaraswamy as chief minister. JD(S)s claim may not prove to be a setback for the Congress, but it is bound to impact partys campaign strategy.

The Janata Dal (Secular) which holds the Chamundeshwari seat, is trying to dent his chances of victory by roping in Congress party workers. On Wednesday, the JD(S) announced that 20 Congress workers in the constituency, including block-level leaders like Kaling Naik, Angadi Manju, and MH Rajashekar were joining the party.

The RSS is also of the opinion that Modi is their best bet and he should lead the campaign against Congress.

PM Modi is our biggest weapon. We want him to create a Modi wave closer to the election. In Gujarat, he single handedly rescued the party from a certain defeat. The situation is not so favourable even here. We are hopeful that Prime Minister will do the magic, he said.

The state BJP has requested Modi to address at least 15 public meetings. According to a spokesman of the party, depending on the situation Modi may spare more time for Karnataka addressing over a dozen meetings.

Our campaign so far has been lacklustre. We have failed to put the Congress on back foot. Actually, they are setting the agenda and we are being forced to react to them. The party high command has taken a serious note of it and they seem to have decided to take direct charge of the campaign, said a senior state BJP leader.

The former chief minister also announced that he would file his nomination from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district on 19 April.

The BJP's Karnataka unit chief B S Yeddyurappa today said the second list of party candidates for the May 12 assembly election in the state was likely to be announced on 11 April.

Most of them are sitting legislators and a few of them also served as ministers in the past. Guttedar, a six-time MLA and OBC leader, had yesterday joined the party, hours before the first list was announced.

Those who have made it to the list include P Rajeev (Kudachi), A S Patil Nadahalli (Muddebihal), Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal (Bijapur City), Malikayya Guttedar (Afzalpur), Mallikarjun Khuba (Basavakalyana) and Dr Shivaraj Patil (Raichur).

Most of the party-hoppers, who joined the BJP ahead of the May 12 assembly polls in Karnataka, have made it to the party's first list of candidates. In the list of 72 candidates for the high-stakes contest to the 224-member Assembly that was released last night, at least 11 recently joined the BJP, including some who had deserted it earlier.

An FIR has been lodged against the unknown miscreants, police said.

According to S Yogeshwar, returning officer of Yashwanthapura constituency, the incident occurred when a special drive in booth number 74 of the constituency was going on at a school.

Miscreants today snatched away about 450 applications pertaining to the addition, changes and deletion of names from the voter list at Yashwanthapura in Bengaluru.

JD(S) is not the BJPs B team as alleged by the Congress. On the contrary, leaders who were with Janata Pariwar migrated to the Congress and formed a B team, sidelining seniors like Mallikjarjuna Kharge and Parameshwara," he said.

Janata Dal (Secular) state president HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday sought to reply to Rahul Gandhi's charge that his party was in cahoots with the BJP. Terming both two sides of the same coin he said they share a one should beat and another would weep agreement, The Times of India reported.

"This is the work of one or two Swamijis and I am not at all bothered. Almost everyone in the community is with us and we are going to win about 150 seats and form the government," The Times of India quoted him as saying.

Yeddyurappa said that it is just a few of them who have made these statements, while the entire Lingayat-Veerashaiva community is with the BJP.

Gehlot, a former chief minister of Rajasthan, was recently appointed the AICC general secretary in charge of organisation and training of party cadres.

Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot has been appointed a member of the party's central election committee, the apex body for selection of candidates during elections.

BJP has also refused to field his daughter Shambhavi from Rajarajeshwarinagara Assembly seat in Bengaluru. Neither the state BJP, nor its national leadership is giving him any importance. He is actually a nobody in BJP. It has hurt him deeply. He has been sending the feelers to Congress for the past two months, a senior Congress leader told News18 .

State Congress sources claim that the former external affairs minister is now interested in rejoining the party as he is disillusioned with the BJP. He feels that the saffron party has humiliated him by giving no importance to him.

Senior politician and former Congress stalwart SM Krishna is considering returning to his mother party merely a year after he joined the BJP in a surprise move, calling the Congress a party in rapid decline.

"This has been mentioned in the divisional commissioner's report.. The report is under scrutiny," he added.

"The mother of the deceased person had earlier given some statement before some television channel, but she has changed her version now. She is now saying, neither has she received any cheque nor has she been given an assurance in this regard," he told reporters here.

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar today said the report on alleged violation of model code of conduct by BJP President Amit Shah for giving Rs five lakh to the family of a deceased party worker is under scrutiny.

The AICC secretary in charge of Karnataka and former MP Madhu Yashki Goud directly blamed the BJP IT Cell responsible for it. Threatening a criminal action against the BJP, he said that the saffron party had mastered the art of fake news to misguide the people".

The fake list not only showed Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as a candidate, but had senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandis' signature. However, the makers of the list were perhaps unaware of the fact that Fernandes is unwell and is undergoing treatment in Delhi. He no longer is the authorised signatory for such lists.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the Congress party had not yet finalised the list of candidates for the upcoming state assembly polls and that a "fake" list was in circulation to create confusion.

Each EVM consists of a control unit and a balloting unit. As of date, there are 89,206 balloting units and 76,192 control units in the state. "These units are enough for the 58,546 polling stations across 224 assembly segments in the state," Kumar added.

Bengaluru-based Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) will be supplying these advanced election machinery to used in the city for the ensuing elections on a pilot basis. "The new machines, which will be used for the first time in the state, will be deployed in the constituencies of Bengaluru," Kumar said.

A total of 5,000 advanced EVMs and VVPATs which can automatically detect errors and any tampering with the vote will be used in Bengaluru for the May 12 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, the state's Chief Electoral Official said on Tuesday.

Karnataka state EC to use 5,000 new EVMs in Bengaluru for Karnataka polls

Meanwhile BJP and Congress have been accusing each other of poll code violations. While Congress filed a complaint against Amit Shah for offering Rs 5 lakh to the family of a deceased BJP worker, the saffron party claimed that Siddaramaiah had given a "bribe" of Rs 2,000 each to two women who welcomed him during his visit to Chamundeshwari.

Freebies for voters worth over Rs 9.96 crore were also seized by the poll officials. About 10,500 litres of liquor valued at Rs 46 lakh was also seized by the state's Excise Department.

Since 27 March, when the Model Code of Conduct came into effect in Karnataka, Rs 4.69 crore cash has been seized in the state by the surveillance teams for violation of the poll code.

According to a report by The Times of India , reeling off statistics of Muslim population, leaders from the community say that the Muslim candidates can win as many as 28 seats with the support of a sizeable 12 percent population.

A group of Muslim leaders from Karnataka on Tuesday demanded that the Congress party reserve at least one constituency in each district of the state for Muslim candidates.

Muslims want Cong to give community one seat in each district

BJP president Amit Shah will tour northern parts of the state from Thursday on his sixth round of campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka, where the saffron party is going all out to unseat the Congress. During his two-day trip, the BJP chief will take part in campaigns, protests and meet Lingayat and Veerashaiva seers. Shah will hold a sit-in at Hubballi joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party MPs to protest the recent washout of the Budget Session of Parliament. Read more here.

Amit Shah to kick off sixth leg of campaign in Karnataka on Thursday

Former BJP MLA Seema Masuti to contest as an Independent from Dharwad constituency

Congress and BJP are all set to release the list of candidates on Sunday. While the Congress is expected to release its first list of candidates by 3 pm, according to sources, BJP will release its second list later on Sunday night.

"I made the comments in emotion. Let them (BJP) protest against me, but shouldn't Uttar Pradesh do something about the Unnao victim? Don't compare Yogi ADityanath to swamijis in Karnataka. They are respectable people." KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao told India Today in response to BJP's demand for an apology for his remarks on the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

"The EC squads and police authorities have so far seized cash over Rs 22.34 crore, besides 7.5kg gold valued at Rs 1.76 crore, unspecified amount of silver worth over Rs 12 lakh, 10 sarees and 160 laptops, among other items, for violation of the model code of conduct in force for the May 12 state legislative Assembly election," said CEO Sanjiv Kumar in a statement in Bengaluru. - IANS

The Election Commission's surveillance squads and police officials have seized over Rs 22 crore illegal cash since the model code of conduct was put in force on 27 March in poll-bound Karnataka, the state's Chief Electoral Officer said on Saturday.

BJP leader Prakash Khandre of Bhalki constituency in Bidar and his supporters called for a Bhalki bandh on 17 April after they suspected that Khandre would not be given a ticket. Input from Lakshmi Bhavge/101reporters

Congress MLA NA Haris from Shanti Nagar has not been given a ticket. A month before, his son Mohammad Nalapad, was arrested in connection with an assault case. - Input by Prabhu Mallikarjunan/ 101 Reporters

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday has announced its second list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections scheduled for 12 May 2018.While the BJPs first list of candidates included seasoned politicians like five-time MLA S Angara, an MLA from Sullia, it has fielded new faces from other constituencies in the state. The party's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa is slated to contest from Shikaripura. ( Read more here )

BJP announces second list of candidates for Karnataka polls, no Muslims or Christians given ticket

The BJP's second list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections on 12 May contains at least five names with a tainted past. The list, comprising 82 names, has candidates, who were acquitted in corruption, forgery, cheating and rape cases. At least two of them had spent quite some time in jail on charges of cheating and forgery.PTI ( Read more here)

At least five candidates in BJP's second list have tainted past

Disgruntled with the party high command's first list of candidates in the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka, Congress party workers took to streets on Monday to express their anger. Media visuals showed party workers chanting anti-Siddaramaiah slogans, burning tyres, effigies etc on the streets. ( Read more )

INC COMMUNIQUE Announcement of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/q5M2ss7Z48

Congress MLA NA Haris from Shanti Nagar has not been given a ticket. A month before, his son Mohammad Nalapad, was arrested in connection with an assault case. - Input by Prabhu Mallikarjunan/ 101 Reporters

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday has announced its second list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections scheduled for 12 May 2018.While the BJPs first list of candidates included seasoned politicians like five-time MLA S Angara, an MLA from Sullia, it has fielded new faces from other constituencies in the state. The party's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa is slated to contest from Shikaripura. ( Read more here )

BJP announces second list of candidates for Karnataka polls, no Muslims or Christians given ticket

The BJP's second list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections on 12 May contains at least five names with a tainted past. The list, comprising 82 names, has candidates, who were acquitted in corruption, forgery, cheating and rape cases. At least two of them had spent quite some time in jail on charges of cheating and forgery.PTI ( Read more here)

At least five candidates in BJP's second list have tainted past

Disgruntled with the party high command's first list of candidates in the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka, Congress party workers took to streets on Monday to express their anger. Media visuals showed party workers chanting anti-Siddaramaiah slogans, burning tyres, effigies etc on the streets. ( Read more )

I have come to file my nomination & I am going to get a minimum lead of 30,000-40,000: BJP's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa before filing nomination from Shimoga's Shikaripura #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ehwD9V8CUH

I am going to get a minimum lead of 30,000-40,000: Yeddyurappa

I urge you to provide an opportunity to @BSYBJP ji and he'll work towards making Karnataka no. 1 state: Shri @AmitShah https://t.co/Um6D19tMGF

While addressing a public gathering in Bagalkot, Amit Shah said that BJP will form a government in Karnataka and urged people to give an opportunity to Yeddyurappa.

We are going to form govt in Karnataka: Amit Shah in Bagalkot

Karnataka Assembly Election 2018 latest updates: Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa will file his nomination for the state Assembly elections today. He is holding a roadshow before filing his nomination.

Disgruntled with the party high command's first list of candidates in the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka, Congress party workers took to streets on Monday to express their anger. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday has announced its second list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections scheduled for 12 May 2018.

Congress and BJP are all set to release the second list of candidates on Sunday. While the Congress is expected to release its first list of candidates by 3 pm, according to sources, BJP will release its second list later on Sunday night.

The BJP's Karnataka unit chief BS Yeddyurappa had recently said that the second list for the 12 May Assembly election in the state was likely to be announced on 15 April after a meeting with BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi.

The BJP had announced a list of 72 candidates on 8 April, and another list of 65-70 candidates is expected to be released on Sunday.

"In the days to come, remaining candidates list will be announced," Yeddyurappa and had said while announcing his decision last week to contest from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. He will file his nomination on 19 April.

The first list of 72 candidates also included party veterans Jagadish Shettar and KS Eswarappa who will be contesting from Hubli Dharwad Central and Shivamogga Assembly seats, respectively.

BJP has announced Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate, with a target of winning 150 out of 224 assembly seats and coming back to power after a gap of five years.

Congress, who is seeking to retain power in the southern state, was expected to release its first list on 13 April. However, the party delayed its first list after differences cropped up among members of the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) that met on Friday.

Sources said the differences were apparent as each of the senior party leaders from the state were carrying their own separate lists of candidates for approval.

Some leaders raised objections over the grant of party tickets to recently joined BJP and JD(S) rebel legislators, besides some Independents, the sources said.

A section of Karnataka party leaders feel that the tickets should be given to the winning candidates and expressed apprehensions over the loyalty of those joining the Congress ahead of elections, they said.

The deliberations were also centered around the grant of party tickets to family members of Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and state unit chief G Parameswara and some senior ministers.

The sources also said that the KPCC chief has sought two tickets  one from the Koratagere constituency in Tumkur district, the seat that he had lost in 2013, and the other is the Pulakeshinagar constituency in Bengaluru, from where JD(S) MLA joined the Congress recently.

Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wants to contest from two seats and is demanding tickets, one from his old Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore district and the other Badami in Bagalkote district, where sitting Congress MLA BB Chimmanakatti was persuaded to vacate the seat, they said.

With inputs from PTI
The Congress on Sunday released its first list of 218 candidates for the 12 May Karnataka Assembly elections, which includes the names of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state party chief G Parameshwara.

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday released its first list of 218 candidates for the 12 May Karnataka Assembly elections, which includes the names of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state party chief G Parameshwara.

INC COMMUNIQUE Announcement of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/q5M2ss7Z48  INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) April 15, 2018

Announcement of candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Karnataka. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/yoTv2MN0TT  INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) April 15, 2018

Siddaramaiah will contest from the Chamundeshwari Assembly seat and Parameshwara will be in the fray from the Korategere Assembly constituency.

The list also includes the names of some state ministers as party candidates for the polls. The results of the election will be out on 15 May.

Click here to follow detailed coverage of the Karnataka Assembly Election 2018
Demonstrations continued across India as horrific details emerged of the murder of an 8-year-old girl, who was repeatedly raped while being held for five days in the city of Kathua in Jammu

Auto refresh feeds

"The SIT has done a very professional job and filed chargesheet, now we hope justice will be done," Vaid told ANI.

Reacting to the Kathua rape case and the shoddy investigation that has led to the massive outrage against the crime, Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid said that it couldn't get worse than this.

Breaking her silence for the first time since the Kathua rape case, Information and Broadcast Minister Smriti Irani said, "Law agencies and government are taking necessary action. As a woman, I believe and request there should be no victim shaming."

Hearing the issue, the CJI asks the group to bring "some material before" the court to proceed. A PIL is likely to be filed during the course of the day.

A group of Supreme Court lawyers has requested the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu cognisance against lawyers' conduct in Kathua rape case. Advocate P V Dinesh mentioned the case before CJI Dipak Misra and asked for action against Jammu lawyers for impeding justice.

Coming from the Muslim nomadic shepherd Bakarwal community, eight-year-old *****'s sister says that they have spent their lives roaming in the jungles with their cattle, but never have they felt such kind of fear that they are facing now. The chargesheet filed by the CBI stated the plot was carried to dislodge the Bakarwal community in Rassana, the village in Kathua district where the minor lived.

Lawyer PV Dinesh told the Supreme Court about Jammu lawyers preventing the course of law in Kathua rape case and requested CJI Dipak Misra to take suo moto cognisance of it.

Maneka said her Women and Child Development Ministry would move a cabinet note on Monday to amend POCSO, the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act. "I have been deeply, deeply disturbed by the rape case in Kathua and all the recent rape cases that have happened on children. I and the ministry intend to bring an amendment to the POCSO Act asking for the death penalty for rape on children below 12 years," said Maneka Gandhi in a video posted on YouTube.

Amid nationwide grief and anger over the gang-rape and murder of eight-year-old *****, there is a move to change the law for sexual crimes against children to bring in the death penalty for child rape. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi declared it in a video message in which she said she was "deeply, deeply" disturbed by the Kathua rape case.

"We were not even allowed to bury her in our area. We were forced to consign the body to a grave far away. We want her tormentors to be hanged. We are satisfied with the investigation till now, but justice will only be delivered after those people are hanged," her sister says, adding that the family has also received threats.

Speaking to News18 , *****'s sister said that the aggrieved family saw the victim's hand, leg and jaw broken.

Hundreds of Congress workers assembled at the India Gate on the call of their party chief to protest against the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rape incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao, and seek justice for the victims. Several senior Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ambika Soni, joined the Thursday midnight candle-light protest. People also gathered at the place in sizeable numbers to express their support.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted a note of thanks for all those who participated in Thursday's midnight candlelight vigil. "Thousands of men and women stood up to be counted in the battle for justice and to protest the rising acts of violence against girls and women. I thank each and every one of you for your support. It shall not be in vain."

The law of the land states that the identity of a rape victim cannot be disclosed and those guilty of doing so face be punished under Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code. However, Jammu and Kashmir is ruled by State Ranbir Penal Code or RPC. Indian Penal Code is not applicable in the Valley under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notices to several media houses who disclosed identity of Kathua victim, asking them why action should not be taken against the organisations. The high court took up the issue on its own after coming across print and electronic media reports revealing victim's name.

Why should action be not taken against you? Delhi HC issues notices to media houses who disclosed identity of 8-year-old victim

"I miss my daughter everyday. Those responsible for killing my daughter should be hanged till death."

Sanji Ram's son Vishal Jangotra was arrested on the basis of forensic tests. Vishal, studying in Meerut, travelled to Kathua after a phone-call from the teen who said he could "satisfy his lust", the police chargesheet said.

The fourth accused is another Special Police Officer, Surinder Kumar . Witnesses saw him at the crime scene. Call data records also prove his presence. The teen named his friend Parvesh Kumar , who is the fifth accused. He was one of the men who repeatedly raped the child.

The man who allegedly wanted to rape ***** one more time before she was killed is Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria , police chargesheet said. He was named in the teen's statement to the police. Call data records also established his presence at the place where ***** was kept locked in for days.

Medical tests confirmed that the teen, who had first claimed to be 15, was not underage. He confessed, NDTV quoted the police as saying. Accused no.2 is Sanji Ram  a former government official reportedly planned the crime and even kept side a huge amount of money for bribes. He was arrested after the teen's confession, forensic tests and based on the interrogation of various suspects.

The Kathua rape victim's body was found on 17 January after days of brutality. Investigations led the police to the 19-year-old school dropout who had often seen the victim grazing horses, and to his uncle Sanji Ram, who was in charge of the temple where police found forensic evidence.

The Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ), had alleged that its agitation for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Kathua rape and murder was wrongly being portrayed as "communal". The Jammu city has been tense since the brutal rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl belonging to the nomadic Muslim Bakharwal community. The police have arrested eight people in the case, but the Bar Association has opposed the action alleging "targeting of minority Dogras".

Alleging that the Congress is playing "dirty" politics in the country and playing with the future of children and women, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said that a fair investigation was conducted in the Kathua murder and rape case. "SIT was formed and six-seven people were arrested. Also, I would like to say it on record that the Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia was the polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad ji," Lekhi said.

Lekhi was speaking on behalf of the ruling government and alleged that Congress is playing dirty political games involving women and children. The BJP spokesperson also alleged misreporting by the media.

"Apart from Kathua and Unnao cases, there was another case in Assam's Naigon where a Class XII student was raped first and then burnt to death. Why no candle march for her," Lekhi asked mediapersons.

Lekhi further alleged that this was Congress' plan all along: "...first shout 'minority minority', then 'Dalit Dalit', and now 'women women' and then try to somehow fix blame of state issues on the Centre. All this while ignoring the strict action being taken by state governments. Party (BJP) has already condemned this act, two individuals (BJP Jammu and Kashmir ministers) were mislead and misguided by people. Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course."

"Aap log (media) chaahte hain ki 2 minute mein karyavahi ho jaye (You guys want investigations to conclude in two minutes ). Action is being taken by state governments. Also, we are contemplating an amendment in law which awards death penalty to rapists of minors below 12 years of age," Maneka was quoted as saying by ANI.

Confirming her earlier statement on amending the POCSO Act, Maneka Gandhi slammed media by saying that important decisions aren't taken in two minutes.

Addressing BJP's claim on Congress' links with the Jammu Bar Association(JBA), senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Yes he(JBA chief BS Slathia) was my polling agent, and also Lal Singh(BJP Jammu and Kashmir minister) was in Congress.They were secular then, but BJP has vitiated the atmosphere so badly in Jammu and Kashmir that these individuals have now turned communal."

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah demanded that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti show her "braveness" by sacking the two BJP ministers who reportedly attended a rally in support of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case. "The prime minister job is not the decide on Jammu and Kashmir; that is the chief minister's job. Mehbooba Mufti has to decide if she wants such ministers in her Cabinet who are set to save eight-year-old's murderers," Abdullah told reporters.

'Mehbooba Mufti must decide if she wants supporters of eight-year-old's murderers in her Cabinet'

"It's not when you wish your friends and others in the US or Europe happy birthday, but when you join the suffering and pain of your own people that you become a leader with a big heart," said Chandy.

"The news of this incident surfaced when you were on fast and by now several hours have passed and you continue to be silent. This is the biggest challenge to our country.

In his Facebook post, Chandy said this was one of the worst incidents that the country had witnessed. "Instead of writing slogans of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao', "you should first correct your supporters who have done this ghastly crime to turn into a human being.

Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the rape and murder of a minor in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

Supreme Court issues notice to Bar Council of India, Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua Bar Association on a plea against lawyers allegedly blocking filing of chargesheet, reports ANI .

Quoting sources, CNN-News18 reported that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wants the Centre to take a call on the action to be taken against BJP ministers for showing support to culprits in the Kathua rape and murder case.

'Mehbooba Mufti wants Centre to take a call on sacking of two ministers'

The apex court has issued notices to four lawyers' bodies for obstructing the victim's counsel appearing in the Kathua gangrape and murder case. It has also sought their responses by 19 April.

Congress to hold candlelight march at capitals of all the states against Kathua and Unnao rape cases, reports ANI .

The victim's family told News18 that they are in a lot of pain and live in constant fear after the incident. "The accused should be hanged," they added.

Union minister Rajnath Singh said that the victim's family should get justice. Singh told reporters that he is in favour of ensuring proper justice to the family of the 8-year-old girl. - PTI

The apex court agreed to take suo motu cognisance of the case after several lawyers who had mentioned the matter before it came out with materials about the incident.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud sought responses from the Bar Council of India, state bar council, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua district bar association by 19 April.

The Supreme Court directed members of the bar not to obstruct judicial proceedings in the case in Jammu and Kashmir as it took note of lawyers obstructing the victim's counsel from appearing in court.

News18 reported that hundreds of people have gathered at Mumbai's Azad Maidan to demand justice for the Kathua rape victim. They also want amendments in the POCSO act.

Rai said the party would also launch a country-wide campaign after Sunday on rising attacks against women. He also said the prime minister became silent whenever the country faced trouble. "Why is he silent? What is the reason? Even Manmohan Singh used to speak at times." - IANS

The Aam Aadmi Party will 'gherao' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Sunday over what it said was his silence on the rapes in Unnao and Kathua.Addressing the media, senior party leader Gopal

"We will do whatever is required and take care of it. Nothing to worry about," Vaid said when asked about alleged threats to the witnesses, including the family members of the victim. - PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid asserted that all necessary steps will be taken to provide protection to the family members of the eight-year-old girl, and the witnesses in the case.

Sources said Congress president Rahul Gandhi has asked party cadres to organise similar protests on Friday in support of protection of women. - PTI

The Congress is seeking to take forward the protest against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at state and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country, demanding justice for the victims.

Expressing solidarity with the victim's family, the NC said that it will not cooperate with the state government "until and unless the two erring cabinet ministers are sacked for their unacceptable, abhorrent and criminal behaviour in the light of this tragedy and its politicisation". - IANS

A party statement said that a day long meeting of the party's core group at its headquarters on Thursday, chaired by party president Farooq Abdullah and attended by working president Omar Abdullah, discussed "in detail the insensitive handling of the horrific Kathua rape and murder case by the state government".

National Conference on Friday demanded sacking of two BJP ministers for defending the accused in the Kathua rape case.

The two ministers had attended a meeting in the girl's village in support of the accused in the case and demanded a CBI probe in the matter last month. - PTI

According to PDP sources, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who will chair the meeting, is likely to tell the BJP, a coalition partner in the ruling coalition in the state, to ask its ministers - Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga - to resign.

The PDP leadership will meet on Saturday in Srinagar to discuss the situation emerging following the brutal gangrape and killing of the eight-year-old girl in Kathua, a party spokesman said.

Two BJP Ministers Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga who backed Kathua rape accused have submitted their resignation to Jammu and Kashmir state BJP president Sat Sharma for further action.

The prime minister was speaking at an event to mark the inauguration of Ambedkar memorial in New Delhi.

"Incidents being discussed since past two days cannot be part of a civilised society. As a country, as a society we all are ashamed of it. I want to assure the country that no culprit will be spared, complete justice will be done. Our daughters will definitely get justice," he said.

BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav will leave for Jammu shortly as the news of two ministers resigning from the Mehbooba Mufti cabinet came, India Today report.

The two BJP ministers who supported the rape accused in the Kathua rape case have handed over their resignations, reportedly after Mehbooba Mufti expressed her displeasure to BJP's central leadership.

Two BJP ministers resigned after Mehbooba Mufti expressed displeasure on their stand to BJP, says report

"When we met people they put forward a demand of CBI inquiry, we had simply put it across being people's representatives. Now, such a perception is being created that I deemed it fit to tender my resignation (as Jammu and Kashmir minister)," Chaudhary Lal Singh told ANI .

There was indiscretion on part of our two ministers (Lal Singh & PC Ganga), coming under pressure of local public they spoke at a gathering. I immediately flew to Jammu as soon as I got to know and told the party that we should fully support the investigation," Ram Madhav said.

"We actually acted very fast, state govt & Police acted swiftly. Congress is trying to politicize the issue, I am accusing Congress of being behind the agitations in Jammu," Ram Madhav told ANI .

A meeting of senior leaders of the ruling PDP has been called on Saturday to decide the party's course of action amid demands to remove two ministers of its ally BJP from the Jammu and Kashmir government for participating in a rally supporting those accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

Speaking to ANI , BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav in Jammu said: "A meeting will be held. We will take stock of the current situation. The resignation of two ministers will be discussed as well."

"We've been thinking of amendments to POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) to bring death penalty for rape or provision that instills fear in people so that they refrain from doing anything wrong with children," Maneka Gandhi , Women and Child Development Minister told reporters

Following the rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, the victim's mother told The Economic Times that the perpetrators of the crime must be hanged. I am sure she is waiting for justice. I will see her in dream again when she gets answers, when the perpetrators of the crime are hanged, when she gets justice, she said.

"I think we've seen the media reports of this horrific case, of the abuse and the murder of a young girl. We very much hope that the authorities will bring the perpetrators to justice so they can be held accountable for the murder of this young girl," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujjaric told reporters at his daily press briefing on Friday.

Terming as "horrific" the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, UN chief Antonio Guterres has expressed hope that the authorities will bring perpetrators of the brutal crime to justice.

"We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration one and half months back. We told them they should go back. Abdul Gani Kohli (minister) was sent to the house of the victim, so that an ugly situation was not created," Lal told reporters.

Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, on Friday tendered their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in the event.

BJP leader Chaudhary Lal Singh on Saturday defended his participation in a rally supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case, saying that it was meant to defuse the situation and restore normalcy.

"I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces and were unwavering in their support for a little girl. It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness and together the people of J-K inspire secular unity and righteousness," Mufti said in a tweet.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lauded the people of Jammu for dismissing communal forces and their unwavering support for justice to an eight-year-old girl who was raped and killed in Kathua.

The 15-year-old boy accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua is reportedly a "problem child" who often got into fights, reported Hindustan Times .His relatives described him as a "lean and thin boy afraid of the dark. However, officials investigating the case said that the boy had developed a hatred for nomadic Muslims and got into fights with Gujjars, for which the police lodged a police complaint against him, three months before the Kathua rape took place.

PDP sources also said that accused policemen are being terminated from service.

According to ANI , Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti will request the state high court Chief Justice to establish a special fast-track court for the Kathua rape case. It will be the first in the state where the trial will be expected to be completed within 90 days.

According to CNN-News18, the key PDP legislative meet will take place at 2 pm on Saturday. The Kathua rape case is likely to on the top agenda during the meet. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had raised the issue of two BJP ministers obstructing the process of justice, in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, last week with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who assured her that heads will roll. The BJP's architect of alliance with the PDP, Ram Madhav, has arrived in the state on Saturday to follow up on the prime ministers commitment even as the two tainted ministers have resigned.

"A misunderstanding took place, they should have been more alert. Their intention was not to hamper the investigation. Allegations on them being pro-rapists aren't true," Madhav added. He said that the ministers decided that they will resign from their post. "We held discussions on it and their resignation will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister today," he said to the press in Kathua.

"On 1 March, a huge crowd gathered in Kathua and our ministers went there to pacify them," Ram Madhav said about the two BJP ministers who had attended a rally in support of the accused in Kathua rape and murder case on Friday.

BJP leaders who attended rally should have been more alert, did not intend to hamper investigation

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav meets two BJP ministers, Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga in Kathua, reports India Today. The leaders had tender their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in an event related to the Kathua rape case.

India Today also reported that BJP has accepted the resignation of two Jammu and Kashmir ministers and will send the letters to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

"There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice," BJP leader Chander Prakash Ganga said about his resignation to ANI. He added that he has demanded a CBI enquiry into the case and asserted that he has never practised "politics for power."

Akhtar also said that the Jammu and Kashmir high court is now monitoring the case and that the government is considering formulating a law for awarding death penalty to rapists who abuse minors.

Akhtar also thanked BJP leaders for their support in the case. "We appreciate BJP leaders for their support in the case. It's a confidence-building measure. If BJP-PDP continues to resolve their differences, there will be no alternative to this alliance," he added. He indicated that the PDP-BJP alliance was safe through this statement.

"If the people of the country are united and think that Kashmir also has people just like the rest of India, it will help bridge the differences," he said.

The Kathua case has united people of Jammu and Kashmir with rest of India, senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said on Saturday. Speaking with reporters after the PDP meeting in Srinagar, Akhtar said that the way people of India have reacted to the incident and shown empathy will work towards unifying the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

According to ANI , the family members of the eight-year-old Kathua rape victim, said that an FIR should be lodged against the two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh, who had resigned after drawing criticism for attending a rally in support of the accused in the case.

Hussain also opposed vehemently the demand of Jammu lawyers for transfer of the investigations in this case to the CBI. Police said they have taken cognizance of Hussain's complaint and started investigations. IANS

Talib Hussain, a local lawyer has been in the forefront of seeking justice for the Kathua rape and murder victim during the last two months.

A lawyer fighting for justice for Kathua rape and murder victim on Saturday alleged he had been attacked by goons in Udhampur town.

We were sent by the party. Our party president Sat Sharma sent us. We went there on the partys instruction, he said, speaking with Times Now on Saturday. "If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice," he added.

BJP leader Chander Prakash Ganga, who drew criticism for attending a rally in support of the accused in Kathua rape case, alleged that BJP's state party leadership had sent the leaders to attend the meeting of the Hindu Ekta Manch.

Bar Council of India says five-member team to investigate Kathua case, committee to submit report to Supreme Court on 19 April, reports ANI

"If any lawyer is found guilty in the case, we have the rights to cancel their license for life," Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said to ANI

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of state ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Chaudhary Lal Singh, reports ANI. Mufti has forwarded the resignations to Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, the report adds.

While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal's fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors.  IANS

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh.

The trial in the gruesome Kathua rape and murder case begins on Monday against eight accused who allegedly held an eight-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.

"Today we mourn the rape and murder of a little girl in Kathua. Her crime was that she belonged to the Bakarwal Muslim community that the Hindutva forces want out of the area. Her rape and murder are part of a larger narrative of communal violence with women's bodies being used as a battlefield," said Saba.

Gurugram-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest. The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called "Not In My Name" at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the Kathua victim's family's counsel Deepika Rajawat said that she was threatened on Saturday and does not know till when she will be alive. "I don't know till when I will be alive. I can be raped, my modesty can be outraged, I can be killed, I can be damaged. I was threatened yesterday that 'we will not forgive you'. I am going to tell SC tomorrow that I am in danger," ANI quoted Rajawat as saying.

The charge sheet also names investigating officers head constable Tilak Raj and Sub-Inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Ram and destroyed crucial evidence.

The chargesheet lists the caretaker of 'Devisthan', a small temple, in a village in Kathua, about 90 kilometres from Jammu, as the main conspirator behind the crime. Sanji Ram was allegedly joined by special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma, friend Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu, Ram's nephew, a juvenile, and his son Vishal Jangotra alias "Shamma".

"If the state would have booked the perpetrators (armed forces) who unleashed terror in the village and raped our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives; a minor girl would not have been raped. Kunan-Poshpara could have acted as a deterrent, so that no girl in Jammu and Kashmir would ever be raped, she further said.

While expressing happiness that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is seeking to expedite the process by asking for a fast track court, a victim who had come along with other people from the village, said: "If this one rape has shaken her conscience, why is she unfazed by the mass rape of women by armed forces in Kunan-Poshpora? Doesnt she have a responsibility towards us also?"

For the survivors of the horrific 1991 Kunan-Poshpora mass rapes, the murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua has reopened old wounds, reported Greater Kashmir . The survivors came from their hamlet to show solidarity for the minor victim in Kathua.

"Media should have heard us, our side and our fears on the probe by the Crime Branch. Wanting a CBI probe to give justice to 8-year girl, meant to media that we were shielding culprits or creating hurdle in the probe. It was wrong. We always batted for justice for the girl," she said. - PTI

"My father (Sanji Ram) and brother (Vishal) should be hanged to death if they are found guilty, provided the investigation is conducted by a credible agency. We want justice for the girl by a probe through credible agency and only such probe can ensure our father's and brother's innocence," one of Ram's daughters said.

The family members of Sanji Ram, the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case, have said that he should be hanged publicly but only if a CBI probe into the case finds him guilty.

According to media reports, the eight-year-old girl's father will approach the Supreme Court today to seek to move the trial of the rape and murder of his daughter to Chandigarh from Kathua.

Various civil society groups sent invites on social media asking people to unite and demand justice for the two girls. Protests were held at Parliament Street in New Delhi where people gathered under the banner of NotInMyName against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Scores of people took to streets on Sunday protesting over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district and the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Condemning the government response in the two cases, protesters demanded swift trial and strict punishment for the culprits.

The lawyers will march to the Bar Council of India and present a memorandum demanding action against the Jammu lawyers.

Lawyers in New Delhi will be holding a march in protest at 3 pm on Monday against the "conduct" of lawyers of the Bar Association Jammu, who earlier had come out in support of those accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

Speaking to ANI, the counsel for accused constable Tilak Raj, in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, said that he has not been provided with the copy of the full chargesheet. "Full chargesheet copy has not been provided to us. We are depending on information from social media. We are handicapped," counsel Aseem Sahni said.

Eight-year-old victim's father approached the Supreme Court seeking safety, security and transfer of the case outside Jammu and Kashmir. The family will ask the apex court to let the case be heard in Chandigarh instead. The Supreme Court wil hear the matter at 2 pm, reports said.

According to the main accused in the Kathua rape case, Sanji Ram said that everything will be clear after Narco test.

"After the case was called and all accused appeared, I filed my Wakalatnama. I asked for a copy of chargesheet. There is 490-page copy and I did not receive any copy. Is this a hallmark of a fair trial?" asked one of the accused's lawyers.

The juvenile accused arrested in the Kathua rape and murder case has moved a bail application before the judicial magistrate. The matter will be heard later on Monday.

A plea filed by Delhi-based lawyer Anuja Kapur, seeks transfer of the sensational gangrape case from Kathua trial court to a local court in the National Capital.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud considered the submission advanced by senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Deepika Rajawat and Anuja Kapur, for urgent hearing of the two petitions on Monday itself.

According to the copy of the PIL with Bar and Bench , the appellants have requested for the following:

Relatives of the victim present outside the Kathua court on Monday accused the media of ignoring extensive reportage of this heinous crime for nearly three months. - IANS

Lawyer Deepika Rajawat, who is representing the victim's family in the Kathua rape and murder case, said that she was being called "anti-Hindu" and facing social boycott for taking up the case, as per The Indian Express ."Today, I dont know, I am not in my senses. I can be raped, I can be killed and may be they wont allow me to practice in court. They (have) isolated me, I dont know how I can survive," the report quoted Rajawat as saying.

"We are not favouring rapists, we demand justice for the victims. The dispensation of justice should not become a political football," said Kaur, adding, "There was a writ petition filed by the victim's family that said that the police had not launched a proper inquiry into the case.

After lawyer Deepika Singh Rajwat  who is fighting the case of an eight-year-old girl from Kathua who was raped and murdered  accused the Jammu High Court Bar Association president of threatening her, the Jammu Bar on Sunday sent a team of women lawyers to defend its president Bopinder Singh Salathia. The Bar had come under criticism for calling a strike against the Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and demanding a CBI probe into the incident.

According to the chargesheets filed by the Crime Branch, the abduction, rape and killing of the girl was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the nomadic community from the area. A separate chargesheet was filed for the juvenile. The counsel for the accused demanded a copy of the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch on April 9 before the chief judicial magistrate.- PTI

The victim from a minority nomadic community was allegedly held in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.

According to NDTV, chargesheet will be provided to the accused on Tuesday while the plea to move the case out of Jammu and Kashmir will be heard on Monday.

A shutdown called by a section of social media users against the rape and murder of a girl in Jammu and Kashmir derailed normal life in parts of Kerala. Police took several protesters into custody. The worst affected districts included Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram, Palakkad and parts of Thiruvananthapuram. What began as a campaign in the social media on Sunday against the brutality heaped on an eight-year-old in Kathua region led to a shutdown on Monday. Angry demonstrators, some shouting anti-RSS slogans, blocked traffic and forced shops to shut. - Read more here

As Kerala shuts down to protest incident, normal life gets derailed; several protesters taken into custody

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir state government seeing a reply on the Kathua rape and murder case plea that was file by the victim's father. The apex court has also ordered security to victim's family and lawyer. The next hearing on the plea to transfer case will be on 27 April. ( Read more here. )

Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising told the apex court, said, "State police had done a good job and it not only arrested all the accused persons on evidence but also on a scientific basis." Appearing for the victim's father, she told the Supreme Court, "The atmosphere is not conducive to a fair trial. The atmosphere is highly polarised."- ANI

The lawyers demand that the lawyers who stood for accused should be punished by cancellation of licenses.

Protesting lawyers take out silent march from Indian Law Institute to Bar Council of India in Delhi

Shalu Nigam says lawyers who stood for the accused should be punished by the cancellation of licenses

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said, "We will ensure that justice is given. We have full faith in the judicial system. It's the most autonomous body and doesn't work under anyone's pressure."- CNN-News 18

Lawyers protesting near the Supreme Court say that those who try to interfere with the rule of law after raising saffron flags, must be punished.

One of the protesting lawyers, Som Dutt, said that a section of lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir is not allowing legal course to be taken smoothly in the case and it is unfair.

A section of lawyers are not allowing legal action to be taken smoothly

One of the protesting lawyers Advocate ND Pachauli asked how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed when such a heinous crime has been committed.

Advocate ND Pachauli asks 'how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed?'

The general house decided to temporarily suspend the agitation, responding to the appeal of Bar Council of India (BCI), and the Supreme Court taking cognizance of the issue (Kathua rape and murder case), Slathia said. - PTI ( Read more here

The Jammu High Court Bar Association (JHCBA) on Monday resumed work after staying away from courts for 12 days in support of their various demands including handing over the Kathua rape and murder case to CBI and deportation of illegally settled Rohingyas. The decision to resume work was taken at a general house meeting of the JHCBA held under the chairmanship of its president B S Slathia.

#Delhi : Lawyers protest outside Supreme Court over the conduct of lawyers in Jammu in connection with #KathuaRapeCase . pic.twitter.com/qoD6uVlxSX

Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising told the apex court, said, "State police had done a good job and it not only arrested all the accused persons on evidence but also on a scientific basis." Appearing for the victim's father, she told the Supreme Court, "The atmosphere is not conducive to a fair trial. The atmosphere is highly polarised."- ANI

The lawyers demand that the lawyers who stood for accused should be punished by cancellation of licenses.

Protesting lawyers take out silent march from Indian Law Institute to Bar Council of India in Delhi

Shalu Nigam says lawyers who stood for the accused should be punished by the cancellation of licenses

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said, "We will ensure that justice is given. We have full faith in the judicial system. It's the most autonomous body and doesn't work under anyone's pressure."- CNN-News 18

The Supreme Court has issued directions to the authorities to provide protection to us (victim family and their counsel): Deepika S Rajawat, Counsel, #Kathua victim's family pic.twitter.com/HP4pV3uB5u

Lawyers protesting near the Supreme Court say that those who try to interfere with the rule of law after raising saffron flags, must be punished.

One of the protesting lawyers, Som Dutt, said that a section of lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir is not allowing legal course to be taken smoothly in the case and it is unfair.

A section of lawyers are not allowing legal action to be taken smoothly

One of the protesting lawyers Advocate ND Pachauli asked how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed when such a heinous crime has been committed.

Advocate ND Pachauli asks 'how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed?'

The general house decided to temporarily suspend the agitation, responding to the appeal of Bar Council of India (BCI), and the Supreme Court taking cognizance of the issue (Kathua rape and murder case), Slathia said. - PTI ( Read more here

The Jammu High Court Bar Association (JHCBA) on Monday resumed work after staying away from courts for 12 days in support of their various demands including handing over the Kathua rape and murder case to CBI and deportation of illegally settled Rohingyas. The decision to resume work was taken at a general house meeting of the JHCBA held under the chairmanship of its president B S Slathia.

Latest updates: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who participated in a rally supporting the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, officials told PTI.

Demonstrations continued across India on Sunday as horrific details emerged of the murder of an 8-year-old girl, who was repeatedly raped while being held for five days in the city of Kathua in Jammu, including at a temple.

"The incidents being discussed for the last two days are definitely shameful for any civil society. We are all ashamed as a society and a country," Modi said about the incident in a speech in New Delhi. "I want to assure the country that no criminal will be spared, justice will be done and completed."

Earlier, Union minister Maneka Gandhi called for the death penalty for child rapists in a video message posted online. "I have been deeply, deeply disturbed by the rape case in Kathua and all the recent rape cases that have happened on children," Gandhi said.

Gandhi said her ministry would seek an amendment to India's Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, "asking for the death penalty for rape on children below 12 years".

The Kathua killing has shaken India in a way reminiscent of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student on a bus in 2012 that made headlines around the world. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Opposition Congress, led a candlelight march late Thursday to the India Gate monument in Delhithe site of mass protests after the 2012 attackto highlight the "unimaginable brutality" of the latest killing.

Eight people have been arrested over the killing, including four police officers and a minor. All are Hindus.

The victim, whose identity was protected by a court order Friday, was murdered in January in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the chargesheet, she was abducted by a minor and an accomplice.

The girl was forced to take sedatives and during five days in a shed and then a Hindu temple, she was repeatedly raped by the juvenile and different men, including a police constable. She was finally strangled and beaten with a stone. According to the chargesheet, one of the attackers raped her just before she died. The case has heightened communal tensions in the region.

With inputs from agencies
BJP demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it

New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it.

Citing the BJP's decision to remove two of its Jammu and Kashmir ministers, who had joined the public protests against the probe, Union minister Prakash Javadekar wondered if Congress president Rahul Gandhi would only point fingers at others but maintain silence on the comments of his party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

Questions would be raised and there must be some justification for the people's demand, Mir said, wondering if the probe was aimed at making some political points.

"When our ministers expressed these sentiments, the Congress, the media made a lot of noise. We took action. They resigned. Now we want to ask Rahul Gandhi, who took out a candlelight march (protesting the growing incidents of crime against women in the country), why is he not taking action against his party's state president, Javadekar said.

Pointing fingers at others while protecting its own was the character of the Congress party, he alleged.

The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by PTI.

The BJP had faced flak after its leaders in the Jammu region, including two ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government, joined the public protests against the police probe into the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakarwal Muslim community that had led to the arrest of eight persons.

The two ministers  Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga  resigned on Friday, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said these incidents, including a rape case in which a BJP MLA from Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh is the accused, had shamed the country and that justice would be ensured in all the cases.

Javadekar also demanded an apology from senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, noting that Bar Association of Jammu president B S Slathia, who had led the public protests against the police probe, was his poll agent in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP leader also questioned Gandhi's candlelight march at India Gate on Friday night, saying he never protested against the "Nirbhaya" incident, atrocities against Dalits in Mirchpur in Haryana and many other incidents of rape that had happened during the Congress rule.

"People can see what kind of politics you (Gandhi) are doing. Why are you silent? You should immediately sack him (Mir)," Javadekar said.

The HRD minister rued that there had been no gender sensitisation for men in the country for generations, claiming it to be a reason behind the heinous crimes against women, and said, "No amount of condemnation is enough for such incidents."

Reacting to Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao's comment that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should be beaten with slippers, Javadekar said the BJP condemned such remarks and claimed that the Opposition party was making provocative statements and trying to incite violence as it was afraid of losing the 12 May Karnakata Assembly polls.

Javadekar and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also referred to an incident, in which some people, sporting saffron "gamcha" and wielding swords, raised provocative slogans in front of a mosque here during a Ram Navami procession.

Claiming that they were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, Tiwari alleged that they wanted to instigate riots and blame the BJP for the same.

The opposition parties were not in a position to take on the BJP in the elections and that is why they were trying to tarnish the image of the saffron party, Javadekar said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, officials said.

The resignations of Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga were received from BJP state chief Sat Sharma this morning which were immediately accepted and forwarded to Governor NN Vohra for completing the procedural formalities, they said.

With these resignations, the number of ministers in the state government has come down to 22, including nine from the BJP.

There are three vacancies in the council of ministers as the PDP had last month removed its finance minister Haseeb Drabu unceremoniously, they said.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had held consultations with legislators of the party in Jammu on Saturday, had announced the resignations would be forwarded for further action thereby ending a simmering political crisis in the state.

Both Ganga and Singh had participated in a rally on 1 March after the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police had arrested the nephew of a caretaker of a 'Devisthan' (temple) in connection with the kidnapping and rape of the little girl.

During the investigation, the police arrested the caretaker and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe. The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.

The girl was kidnapped on 10 January and her body was found on 17 January. During the investigation, the crime branch alleged she was drugged and repeatedly raped before being killed by crushing her head with stones.

Both the ministers had maintained on Saturday that they had been sent by the party to Kathua to understand the ground situation. The two ministers were present at the rally in support of the rape-accused where the tricolour was also waved.

Madhav had on Saturday said, "That is why they had to resign. During my visit last month here, I made it clear to everyone that in this matter no one speaks and let us allow the investigations to complete."

"Certain amount of discretion should have been maintained. Certainly, there was a lack of discretion. Sometimes a lack of discretion does not tantamount to any guilt...that has led to certain misconceptions about them (two ministers) also, so they decided they will quit as ministers," he had responded, when asked about the two ministers having termed the action of the crime branch as "jungle raj" and warned police from arresting anyone.

A much-relieved Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defusing the situation and said the unfortunate incident had brought the people of the state and the rest of the country "together".

She said a sense of justice had been reinforced in the state and urged "New Delhi to wake up to the Kashmir cauldron".

Both the alliance partners  the BJP and the PDP  had separate legislature party meetings in Srinagar and Jammu on Saturday to discuss the situation arising out of the polarisation in the state over the rape-cum-murder of the girl.

Follow LIVE updates of the Kathua rape and murder case here
The school syllabus isnt the only place where the Sangh ideology can be seen finding influence in Haryana.

Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Haryana in 2014, the government has been accused of pushing a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed ideology in all societal aspects, including education. From the setting up of research chairs in universities to appointments being made in the education sector, a strong RSS influence seems to be guiding education policies in the state.

State education minister Ram Bilas Sharma trying to rope in controversial RSS ideologue Dinanath Batra to revamp the state syllabus is only one of several examples where the government has been criticised for trying to saffronise education in Haryana. Books penned by Batra are known to recast Indian history through a Hindu perspective.

Though the Haryana government refrained from using Batras textbooks in schools, moral education books for students were developed under his guidance. The books include verses from the Gita and lessons on yoga.

Sharma said he plans to have the Gayatri Mantra added during morning prayers in schools. The inclusion of Gita shlokas has shown positive results and greatly helped students learn more moral values, he said.

Criticising the proposal, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Tanwar said, Earlier, it was the Gita and now the Gayatri Mantra. The government should stop diverting and focus on quality education, improving academic ambiance and infrastructure.

The school syllabus isnt the only place where the Sangh ideology can be seen finding influence; after the BJP came to power, RSS workers have found themselves in influential positions in the state.

Dr Jagbir Singh was appointed as chairman of the Board of School Education, Haryana, to improve efficiency after a major question paper leak for the teachers eligibility exam (HTET) brought embarrassment to the government in 2015. However, his tenure has been marked with controversies, including a goof-up while announcing Class 10 board results in 2017.

Another RSS ideologue BK Kuthiala was recently appointed the chairperson of the Haryana State Higher Education Council despite allegations of irregularities on him during his tenure at Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, and Kurukshetra University (KU), Kurukshetra. Ashutosh Mishra, a former faculty member at KU, had requested the government to reconsider its decision of appointing Kuthalia, alleging irregularities against him during his tenure at KU.

While Sharma acknowledges that the government comes from a Sangh background, he maintains that the appointments were not based on political affiliations. All appointees have the necessary qualifications required for the job, the state education minister said.

But Opposition parties allege that the government is giving important portfolios to people close to the RSS. Party sources said Vijay Kayat, the newly appointed vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Devi Lal University in Sirsa, was vying for a Lok Sabha ticket in the 2014 elections but as the plan did not materialise, he was compensated with the appointment.

Accusing the Manohar Lal Khattar government of working on an RSS agenda, former home minister and senior Congress leader Subhash Batra said, They (the BJP) have a committee that closely analyses the bureaucracy and favours those working on RSS lines. What could be more dangerous for a state than top officials of the most important hospital, PGIMS Rohtak, being appointed due to their RSS-connect?

Among other appointments that have raised questions due to the appointees closeness to the RSS is that of Captain Bhupinder Singh as officer on special duty to the chief minister. Singh is the son of RSS sangchalak Major Kartar Singh (retd). Jawahar Yadavs appointment as chairman of the Haryana housing board has also raised eyebrows due to his close association with the Sangh. Besides, Opposition parties have argued that Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Yashpal Singhal (retd), who was severely criticised for his failure as the states DGP in controlling the violent 2016 Jat agitation in the state, was appointed as Chief Information Commissioner after his retirement due to his familys association with the RSS.

The growing influence of RSS-backed Hindu ideology in the states education sector can also be seen in the setting up of research chairs on saffron stalwarts. At Maharshi Dayanand University Rohtak, a research chair set up on Ranbir Hooda, a freedom fighter and father of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has been made almost non-existential, while a new research chair on RSS and BJP leader Mangal Sein has been set up. Similarly, the Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh, has set up a research chair on Hindu leader and founder of Arya Samaj Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Another research chair on RSS stalwart Deen Dayal Upadhyay is on the cards at Kurukshetra University.

Law and order in Haryana is in shambles. Four women are being raped everyday in the state. But for this government, it is more important to organise events like Gita Jayanti, Saraswati Mohotsav etc. They are wasting the hard earned money of taxpayers to make RSS happy by organizing worthless events, said Subhash Batra.

The author is a member of The NewsCart, a Bengaluru-based media startup.
The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), which recently launched a political party, has said that the party plans to contest from all assembly and Lok Sabha seats during the 2019 elections

Hyderabad: The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), which recently launched a political party, has said that the party plans to contest from all Assembly and Lok Sabha seats during the 2019 elections.

It also said the 'Telangana Jana Samiti' (TJS) would have no electoral alliances.

"That's the plan.. to contest all the seats, "JAC Chairman M Kodandaram, who launched TJS party on 2 April, said.

Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana state would be held simultaneously with the general elections in 2019.

Asked if there was enough time for the party to gear up for polls next year, he said the advantage for JAC, unlike others who enter politics, is that it has been active in social life.

"We have been active as a civil society group over the last few years. In fact, we were also active during the Telangana movement. So, we have a network and we are aware of the (people's) problems," he told PTI.

"We will not have any alliance (in 2019 elections)," he said in reply to a query.

The JAC, a conglomerate of various political and social organisations, spearheaded the separate Telangana agitation.

The ruling TRS, Congress and other parties were also part of it then.

After the formation of Telangana (on 2 June, 2014), the JAC had continued as a civil society group, agitating on people's issues.

The committee decided to float a political party as the political leadership was allegedly not responding to different issues, he said.

He cited the example of farmers sometimes having to wait for days together to sell their produce and that too for a low price.

"Four years of experience we realised, as a civil society movement, we can mobilise, we can launch agitations, but we cannot realise the aspirations of the (separate Telangana) movement unless and until the political realm is responding."

"In our state, the ruling party has become autocratic...We thought lest we form a party, we cannot carry forward our task," Kodandaram said.

Earlier this month, TJAC chairman M Kodandaram had unveiled the flag of his newly-launched TJS party.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu Rao demanded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation over the Unnao rape case and said that he should be 'beaten with slippers'.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu Rao demanded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation over the Unnao rape case and reportedly said that he should be "beaten with slippers".

Speaking at an event organised by Congress in Bengaluru to protest against Unnao and Kathua rape cases, Rao said that Adityanath is unfit to be a chief minister, according to a Deccan Herald report.

DNA quoted Rao as saying that Adityanath was a "disgrace to Indian politics" and that if he had any "decency he should resign". Rao also asked for Adityanath to be "beaten with slippers", the report added.

The Congress leader later told ANI, "Not only has a girl been raped, her father was arrested and has died, and the BJP government and the police did not even file an FIR."

BJP has taken a sharp objection to Rao's choice of words and demanded an apology from the Congress leader. BJP's Karnataka chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa tweeted:

Dinesh Gundu Rao's choice of words to address Yogi Adityanath ji has appalled me. Utter disrespect to a CM & a revered Natha family saint. The millions of Natha Panth followers of Karnataka will never forgive this. I sympathise with you and your partys culture. #apologizetoYogi pic.twitter.com/IifMq7dD7D  B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 14, 2018

BJP's Karnataka unit also tweeted that Rao's statement inciting people to beat Adityanath with slippers shows Congress' utter contempt for a democratically elected chief minister.

Dinesh Gundu Rao said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals There were 3857 rapes in K'taka under @siddaramaiah. Going by the same logic, what Siddu must be beaten with Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao? Yogi is a revered saint of Natha parampare. Mind your tongue,  ! pic.twitter.com/J3M6BGbmaM  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 14, 2018

Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals is indicative of: 1. Cong's deep hatred of saffron & anyone who is an unapologetic Hindu 2. Cong's disregard for rule of law. We always knew Cong instigates violence for political gain. Today, evidence is out  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 15, 2018

The BJP Karnataka Unit also urged the Election Commission to register a case under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals shows Cong's utter contempt for a democratically elected CM. One may vehemently disagree with opponent, but is it right to give a call for violence? For free elections, EC must register a case under IPC 153A.  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 15, 2018

Rao on Sunday regretted his "offensive" remarks on the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on Twitter, saying it was an emotional outburst:

My reaction to the Adityanath controversy. It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the raped victims and the complete apathy by Adityanath govt. I regret if its offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue. https://t.co/LA3hNBxHiF  Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) April 15, 2018

However, BJP continued its protest against the Congress leader, demanding an apology.

Meanwhile, Congress continued to hit out at Adityanath over the Unnao rape incident. Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said Adityanath was the "real culprit" in the Unnao rape case and demanded his immediate resignation.

"The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June 2017, and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the chief minister Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked," he said.
TR Gopalakrishnan

The Large Hadron Collider in Geneva was expected to throw up revolutionary discoveries, but the cosmic dancer guarding the entrance to the research centre has refused to give up any secrets. There was a brief flurry of excitement when CERN first announced that it had found particles that travelled faster than light, but lack of independent confirmation ended that excitement. And no one knows what else there is to expect from the multi-billion dollar collider built to study the subatomic world of strange particles.

The cosmos however, is becoming exciting. Astrophysicists recently announced the discovery of an ancient collection of stars 9,700 light years away from Earth with an age of 13.2 billion years. Which, given that scientists put the age of the universe itself at 14 billion years, is the farthest back in time that the Hubble Space Telescope, in itself a huge leap from Galileo's telescope which he used to upend the established earth-centric cosmic belief, has been able to peer.

The discovery was made possible by using concepts based on Albert Einstein's century old theory of relativity. This highlights once again the unsuccessful search of what physicists consider the Holy Grail of physics, finding a Theory of Everything.

From the infinity of the cosmos to the unseeable (to most, even unimaginable) smallness of the particles that make up that cosmos, is a gulf so vast that it has defied nearly a 100 years of efforts of the most gifted scientists in the world seeking to bridge it. Stephen Hawking, born exactly 300 years after Galileo, who died on Albert Einstein's birthday and was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a chair once held by Sir Isaac Newton, was one such genius. Yet, In the end, in the years prior to his death, Hawking had become increasingly sceptical that the gulf could ever be bridged.

Other gifted physicists however, soldier on. Even the man, whose path-breaking theories first explained that gulf and gave it a mathematical shape, never tired of trying to bridge it, even questioning his own revolutionary theories later in his life. Albert Einstein's general and special theories of relativity, for which he did not win the Nobel Prize, despite the upheaval it caused in the physicists community, laid down the principles and equations to explain and verify the universe and its varied phenomena. The equation essentially had the distribution of matter and energy in space on one side of the equal sign, with the geometry of space-time on the other side.

As explained by Aninda Sinha, professor at the Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. "Relativity can at best be described as the theory that shows how gravity works." The problem was that Einstein, and all the others who followed him, could not reconcile Gravity with the other three fundamental quantum forces, all four of which act across both the very, very small subatomic distances and the eternal cosmic vastness, despite their combined use in so many areas like GPS systems and space exploration.

Einstein was convinced that they should be able to talk to each other, though there is a growing number of physicists today who feel there is no need for them to do so, and it even may not be necessary to look for a way for them to do so. Yet, as Einstein famously said, "God does not play dice with the universe", even as he built on his theories of relativity and played a major role in formulating the foundation of quantum mechanics standard model that is accepted today as the building blocks of all matter. The admonition of an equally gifted colleague, Niels Bohr, to "Stop telling God what to do", would however not ease Einstein's unease with his own theoretical creations, which experiments have validated time and time again.

The latest such validation is the idea of gravitational waves, which relativity theory predicts. The event that led to this exciting discovery, a merger of two massive black holes, which too Einstein's theory predicts, and the study of which was Hawkings area of specialty, happened 1.3 billion years ago. The excitement of the scientists in India and abroad who contributed to this discovery was contagious. Especially as this could potentially impact the work of particle physicists and astrophysicists worldwide.

For the latter was the possibility of a whole new way of looking at the universe, Gravitational Wave astronomy. Sanjeev Dhurandhar, emeritus professor at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, said "We have opened a new window to the universe. We have changed the interaction here with gravitation. There is a higher probability of such huge, cataclysmic events as we go further back in time than this one. I cannot see light beyond 43 billion light years. Beyond that is a plasma screen that shrouds anything that has happened earlier in the universe. Gravitational waves can change all that as that as the time of the universe is opaque to light, but not, in principle, to gravitational waves. And in time, possibly, detect gravitational wave from the primordial big bang itself. What a cat that would release among the astrophysics and particle physicist community of pigeons!

But before that, for those working on the very small subatomic scale, the discovery opens up the absolutely mouth-watering possibility that gravitational wave could be discovered in the subatomic realm too, and could lend itself to the kind of mathematical equations that other waves in the subatomic realm do. It was again back to Einstein, who was no fan of singularities like the big bang or black holes, who had established that light was both a particle: a photon, and a wave. So if gravity as a wave is now established, would the quantum physicists be able to first, find a gravitational wave among all the other waves bustling about among those myriad particles and then find a particular particle, the Graviton, as some call it, that fit into that slot. No one anywhere is looking for this yet, as it would require detectors far more sensitive than any available now. But what if it became possible in our own lifetimes?

So what would change, if any, or some, or all of the above? Everything, according to the scientists I met. What kind of universe would ours be then, I pressed? "Probably still Einsteinian in essence," said Aninda Sinha "but using a different framework which can be called 'emergent gravity' ". Meaning? In plain English please. "That gravity can have a beginning, not in the sense of time, but more from a different construct of the universe that deviates from Einstein's general theory. The concept is not easy to grasp. It requires another description of the universe, where there is no gravity to begin with, but which arises from the laws derived from that alternate description, like a hologram, for instance. The point is to go beyond Einstein."

I am still trying to wrap my head around that explanation. Gravity having a beginning? But not in the sense of time, which is so essential a part of Einstein's equations? Will that mean that in that new construct of the universe that deviates from Einstein's theory, even Time can have a beginning, as physicist Lee Smolin has tried to argue in his book Time Reborn.

The mind boggles and the brain bend at such esoteric concepts. So for us mere mortals, let us stick to the Star Trek science. "Scotty beam us up" is great to watch on the big screen. Maybe it can happen. For if gravity is a wave, and the graviton is found, beaming us up is something our minds can imagine. How? Anti gravity of course. if anti matter can exist, as has been proven, why not an oppositely charged Graviton, or anti gravity? My imagination stops right there.
tech2 News Staff

WhatsApp has rolled out an update to the 2.18.109 beta version of the chat app. The previous version of the app on Android was showing a problem related to the timestamp in the chat box. The first version of the 2.18.109 beta version was released on 12 April.

The 'Day' bug replaced timestamp with ASCI codes. A timestamp categorises chats based on the time of the chat in an inbox of the chat. The bug, instead of showing "Yesterday" and "Today", displayed 89ESTERDAY" and 84ODAY. The report mentions that the bug replaced the first character of the day with ASCII codes.

WhatsApp fixed the bug once it was reported online. A tweet by WABetaInfo confirmed the fix. The tweet mentioned that "WhatsApp beta for Android 2.18.112 is available. It is a bug fix update and you can use WhatsApp in your language again."

WhatsApp beta for Android 2.18.112 is available.

It is a bug fixes update and you can use WhatsApp in your language again.  WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) April 13, 2018

In other news, WhatsApp is also looking to hire a country head in India. The update was posted on the app's Facebook page. India will be the first country to get a country head. The headquarters will be located in Mumbai and the country head will report directly to WhatsApp CEO Matt Idema in California.

WhatsApp has 1.5 billion monthly active users globally, out of which 200 million users are from India.
A woman's body was found by rescuers in the US during the search of a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a swollen river in California.

Washington: A woman's body was found by rescuers in the US during the search of a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a swollen river in California, officials said.

An inter-agency search and rescue team in California on Friday also recovered some personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in which the missing Indian family was travelling last week. Personal belongings of the four members of the family from Santa Clarita in California, who were believed to be travelling through Humboldt and Mendocino County on US-101 while on a vacation, were also found by the team over a two-day period on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, vice president of the Union Bank on Santa Clarita, and his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, were on a road trip along with their two kids  Siddhanth, 12 and Saachi, 9  in a maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California, during which they went missing on 5 April.

Authorities, who originally had said the body was a child's, anticipate that an autopsy will be performed early next week. "Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site (Eel River flows in a northern direction)," California's Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The body was found on Friday on an exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area. Searchers are looking for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.

Meanwhile, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area Office, are continuing their efforts along the South Fork of the Eel River, just north of the town of Leggett California, to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported to have been submerged in the river on around 1.10 pm on Friday, 6 April.

Between the two search days, the Swift Water Rescue Teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of the Eel river, just north of the town of Leggett in California. The vehicle is reported to have submerged in the river around 1.10 pm on 6 April. "The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior," the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said.

It said several items were identified by the family members of those missing. "Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family," it said. "These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family," the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the Thottapilly family was supposed to have arrived to visit a friend in the San Jose area on 6 April but did not make it as scheduled. The family was last heard from in the town of Klamath, Del Norte County, on 5 April.

The California Highway Patrol developed information that the family were travelling in a family vehicle, a 2016 maroon Honda Pilot. The family was officially reported as missing to the San Jose Police Department on 8 April.

Sandeep grew up in Surat city in Gujarat and settled down in the US over 15 years ago.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was due in Tokyo on Sunday for a visit seen as a sign of a gradual thaw between the Asian rivals, amid flurries of diplomacy over North Korea.

Japan: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was due in Tokyo on Sunday for a visit seen as a sign of a gradual thaw between the Asian rivals, amid flurries of diplomacy over North Korea.

Shortly after his arrival, Wang will meet his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono with their talks expected to touch on key subjects such as economic relations, territorial disputes in the East China Sea, and ways to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, Japanese officials have said.

Kono met Wang in China in January when he became the first Japanese foreign minister to visit the country in nearly two years.

"I hope that we will be able to discuss what Japan and China can work together on in the international arena, not just bilateral issues," Kono told reporters on Friday.

"Of course, the North Korean issue will surely come up in the meeting," he said.

The visit by Wang, a veteran Japan handler who had served as an ambassador to Tokyo, comes as the world's second and third largest economies attempt to ease tension, caused by longstanding disputes over maritime claims and Japan's wartime legacy.

His visit is also seen as paving a way towards Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's wish to host Chinese premier Li Keqiang in May for a trilateral summit including South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

Such a meeting, Tokyo hopes, would lead to a long awaited exchange of state visits between Abe and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Tokyo also hopes to expand its exchanges with China to stay relevant in increasing international efforts to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

China has demonstrated its significant influence over its reclusive ally with Xi hosting Kim and his wife in Beijing.

South Korea's Moon and US president Donald Trump are also preparing for separate, direct talks with Kim, leaving Abe to continue asserting a "maximum pressure" campaign against the North.

Abe, who is due to meet with Trump in Florida on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, may also meet with Wang.

Wang, who will be in Tokyo until Tuesday, will also participate in the fourth China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned on Sunday that a new humanitarian disaster was looming in Syria, in the rebel-held region of Idlib,

Paris: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned on Sunday that a new humanitarian disaster was looming in Syria, in the rebel-held region of Idlib, seen as the next possible target of the regime's fightback.

In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche weekly a day after the US, Britain and France carried out strikes in Syria, Le Drian said: "There are 2 million people in Idlib now, including hundreds of thousands of Syrians evacuated from rebel towns recaptured by the regime."

"There is a risk of a new humanitarian disaster."

Held by an array of jihadists and rebels, Idlib province is the last in Syria largely beyond government control.

Speaking in Damascus this week, a senior Iranian official said he hoped Idlib would be the next area to be "liberated" by Iran ally President Bashar al-Assad, after the Syrian army's recapture of the Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus with Russian backing.

The scorched-earth battle for Eastern Ghouta wound up shortly after a suspected chemical attack killed over 40 people and which the West blamed on Assad's forces  allegations Assad and Russia flatly denied.

Le Drian said he hoped Saturday's strikes, aimed at punishing the regime over its alleged use of toxic gas, would convince Russia to pressure Assad into negotiations on ending the seven-year war.

"We hope that Russia understands... we must combine our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that favours an end to the crisis."

"France is ready to work towards this. Except that currently the one blocking the process is Bashar al-Assad himself. It's up to Russia to put pressure on him," he said.

Le Drian said the first step would be "to begin with a ceasefire which is really respected this time." He was referring to a 30-day ceasefire called by the UN in February to facilitate the delivery of aid and medical evacuations, which was never really implemented.

On Friday, the US, France and Britain launched a new push at the UN for a ceasefire.

In a draft text seen by AFP they also called for a mechanism to probe chemical attacks  and also ascribe blame for them  and demanded that Syria engage in stalled UN-led peace talks
India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even 'compelling' the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara.

New Delhi: India on Sunday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from 12 April under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib on Saturday.

The MEA called it an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy" by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine on Saturday, for unspecified 'security' reasons.

It said the High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries," the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on 12 April. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on 14 April, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it said.
US president Donald Trump on Saturday declared 'Mission Accomplished' for a US-led allied missile attack on Syria's chemical weapons program

Washington: US president Donald Trump on Saturday declared "Mission Accomplished" for a US-led allied missile attack on Syria's chemical weapons program, but the Pentagon said the pummelling of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

"A perfectly executed strike," Trump tweeted after US, French and British warplanes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defenses. "Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with former president George W Bush following the US-led invasion of Iraq. Bush addressed sailors aboard a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a "Mission Accomplished" banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organized an insurgency that tied down US forces for years.

The nighttime Syria assault was carefully limited to minimise civilian casualties and avoid direct conflict with Syria's key ally, Russia, but confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance. The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The US ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, "Before we took action, the United States communicated with" Russia to "reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties."

Dana W White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, said that to her knowledge no one in the Defense Department communicated with Moscow in advance, other than the acknowledged use of a military-to-military hotline that has routinely helped minimise the risk of US-Russian collisions or confrontations in Syrian airspace. Officials said this did not include giving Russian advance notice of where or when allied airstrikes would happen.

Russia has military forces, including air defenses, in several areas of Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Russia and Iran called the use of force by the United States and its allies a "military crime" and "act of aggression." The UN Security Council met to debate the strikes, but rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the three Western allies.

Trump's UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, told the session that the president has made it clear that if Assad uses poison gas again, "the United States is locked and loaded."

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the Trump administration has yet to present hard evidence of what it says precipitated the allied missiles attack: a chlorine gas attack on civilians in Douma on 7 April. The US says it suspects that sarin gas also was used.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Assad tweeted, while hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus, the capital, where they flashed victory signs and waved flags in scenes of defiance after the early morning barrage.

The strikes "successfully hit every target," White told reporters at the Pentagon. The military said there were three targets: the Barzah chemical weapons research and development site in the Damascus area, a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs and a chemical weapons "bunker" a few miles from the second target.

Although officials said the singular target was Assad's chemical weapons capability, his air force, including helicopters he allegedly has used to drop chemical weapons on civilians, were spared. In a US military action a year ago in response to a sarin gas attack, the Pentagon said missiles took out nearly 20 percent of the Syrian air force.

As of Saturday, neither Syria nor its Russian or Iranian allies retaliated, Pentagon officials said.

The US-led operation won broad Western support. The NATO alliance gave its full backing; NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels that the attack was about ensuring that chemical weapons cannot be used with impunity.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the attack "necessary and appropriate."

In his televised address from the White House on Friday evening, Trump said the US was prepared to sustain economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Assad until the Syrian leader ends what Trump called a criminal pattern of killing his own people with internationally banned chemical weapons. That did not mean military strikes would continue. In fact, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional attacks were planned.

Asked about Trump's "Mission Accomplished" assertion, White said it pointed to the successful targeting of three Syrian chemical weapons sites. What happens next, she said, is up to Assad and to his Russian and Iranian allies.

Marine Lieutenant General Kenneth F McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, said the allied airstrikes "took out the heart" of Assad's chemical weapons arsenal. He said the missiles hit the "sweet spot," doing the expected level of damage while minimizing the unintentional release of toxic fumes that could be harmful to nearby civilians.

When pressed, he acknowledged that some unspecified portion of Assad's chemical arms infrastructure was not targeted.

"There is still a residual element of the Syrian program that is out there," McKenzie said, adding, "I'm not going to say they're going to be unable to continue to conduct a chemical attack in the future. I suspect, however they'll think long and hard about it."

Assad's Barzah research and development center in Damascus was destroyed, McKenzie said. "It does not exist anymore."

A former officer in Syria's chemical program, Adulsalam Abdulrazek, said Saturday the joint US, British, and French strikes hit "parts of but not the heart" of the program. He said the strikes were unlikely to curb the government's ability to produce or launch new attacks. Speaking from rebel-held northern Syria, Abdulrazek told The Associated Press there were perhaps 50 warehouses in Syria that stored chemical weapons before the program was dismantled in 2013.

Vice-President Mike Pence, in Peru for a meeting of regional leaders, said "there will be a price to pay" involving military force if Syrian chemical weapons are used again.

Disputing the Russian military's contention that Syrian air defense units downed 71 allied missiles, McKenzie said no US or allies missiles were stopped. He said Syria's air defenses were ineffective and that many of the more than 40 surface-to-air missiles fired by the Syrians were launched after the allied attack was over. He said the U.S. knew of no civilians killed by allied missiles.

McKenzie said 105 US and allied missiles were fired, of which 66 were Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from aboard three US Navy ships and one Navy submarine. US, British and French attack aircraft, including two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers, launched stealthy, long-range missiles from outside Syrian airspace, officials said.

A global chemical warfare watchdog group, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, said its fact-finding mission would go as planned in Douma.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the Kremlin's skepticism about the allies' Douma claim, saying Russian military experts had found no trace of the attack. He criticized the US and its allies for launching the strike without waiting for international inspectors to complete their visit to the area.

But British prime minister Theresa May said there was little doubt the Syrian government used a barrel bomb  large containers packed with fuel, explosives and scraps of metal  to deliver the chemicals at Douma. "No other group" could have carried out that attack, May said, adding that the allies' use of force was "right and legal."
Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya out of 7,00,000 refugees who fled to Bangladesh to escape a brutal military campaign

Yangon: Myanmar's government said it has repatriated the first family of Rohingya out of some 7,00,000 refugees who fled to Bangladesh to escape a brutal military campaign, despite UN warnings that a safe return is not yet possible.

The stateless Muslim minority has been massing in squalid Bangladesh camps since the Myanmar army launched a ruthless crackdown on the community in northern Rakhine state last August.

The UN says the campaign amounts to ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar has denied the charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

Bangladesh and Myanmar were supposed to begin repatriation in January but the plan has been repeatedly delayed as both sides blame the other for a lack of preparation.

According to a Myanmar government statement posted late on Saturday, one family of Rohingya refugees became the first to return earlier in the day.

"The five members of a family... came back to Taungpyoletwei town repatriation camp in Rakhine state this morning," said a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the government's Information Committee.

Authorities determined "whether they were once living here or not" and provided the family with National Verification Cards, a form of ID that falls short of citizenship and has been rejected by Rohingya leaders who want full rights.

Photos posted alongside the statement showed one man, two women, a young girl and a boy receiving the ID cards and getting health checks.

It said that the family had been sent to stay "temporarily" with relatives in Maungdaw town.

The post did not mention any plans for further returnees in the near future.

The move comes despite warnings from the UN and other rights groups that a mass repatriation of Rohingya would be premature, as Myanmar as yet to address the systematic legal discrimination and persecution the minority has faced for decades.

On Saturday, the UN's refugee agency said in a statement that conditions "are not yet conducive for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees".

The Rohingya are reviled by many in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are branded as illegal "Bengali" immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their long roots in Rakhine state.
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told a group of Russian lawmakers on Sunday that Western missile strikes on his country were an act of aggression.

Moscow: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told a group of Russian lawmakers on Sunday that Western missile strikes on his country were an act of aggression. The meeting followed missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain against Syrian government targets over a suspected poison gas attack a week ago.

Russia, which is helping Assad fight militants and rebels opposed to his rule, immediately condemned the strikes and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. From the point of view of the president, this was aggression and we share this position, Russias TASS news agency quoted lawmaker Sergei Zheleznyak as saying after the meeting with Assad in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The president was in a good mood and continuing his work in Damascus, agencies cited the lawmakers as saying, and praised the Soviet-era air defence systems Syria used to help to repel the Western attacks. The tripartite aggression against Syria accompanied a campaign of disinformation, Assads office quoted him as saying on Sunday. Moscow and Damascus are waging one battle, not only against terrorism but also to protect the sovereignty of states, he told the Russian officials.

Both countries have dismissed the reports of the alleged gas attack as bogus, accusing Washington of using it as a pretext for the strikes. A senior Russian military official said on Saturday that Syrias air defences, which mostly consist of systems made in the former Soviet Union, had intercepted 71 of the 105 American, British and French missiles.

The Pentagon has said the strikes successfully hit the three chemical weapons facilities which were targeted. Yesterday we saw American aggression. And we were able to repel it with Soviet missiles from the 70s, Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin quoted Assad as saying, TASS reported.

Sablin also said Assad accepted an invitation to visit the Siberian region of Khanty-Mansi in Russia. It was not clear when the visit would take place. Russia said on Saturday it would consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria following the Western strikes, but this was not discussed at the meeting with Assad, agencies reported.

Assad also declined to comment on calls by the US state department to declare alleged Syrian stockpiles of chemical weapons, Zheleznyak said.
Lockheed Martin's (NYSE:LMT) F-35 flew its final developmental flight test on April 11, ending 11 years of tests that included 9,200 sorties and 17,000 flight hours through a range of conditions. It's a major milestone for the most expensive weapons platform in history, but challenges remain before the fighter can be declared the success that Lockheed investors hope it will be.

Safe and eventually successful tests

Program officials were understandably cheery in announcing the completion of the last test flight in what is known as the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the F-35's life cycle, in which more than 65,000 test points were evaluated. Despite the F-35's bleeding-edge technologies and requirements for vertical landings and other innovations, there have been no injuries or deaths and no aircraft lost during the more than 11 years since the prototype first flew in December 2006.

Greg Ulmer, a Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, said in a statement: "The F-35 flight test program represents the most comprehensive, rigorous, and the safest developmental flight test program in aviation history. The joint government and industry team demonstrated exceptional collaboration and expertise, and the results have given the men and women who fly the F-35 great confidence in its transformational capability."

With the development testing now complete, F-35 testing will move to a stage where Lockheed will be updating and improving specific components of the aircraft and testing as they go. While the SDD flights are complete, the development phase will continue with an operational test and evaluation followed by a Pentagon decision on whether to go into full-rate aircraft production.

Issues remain

While the F-35 development wins high marks for safety, there has been plenty of drama along the way. Program costs, including bottlenecks in the supply chain, spiraled far beyond initial expectations, so much so that the Pentagon was forced to reassess whether to continue development in 2010.

More recently, F-35 shipments were halted last year due to corrosion around fastener holes. Lockheed and the Pentagon quickly figured out how to resolve the issue, but the Department of Defense (DoD) this month has again stopped accepting new plane deliveries because of a dispute with Lockheed Martin over who will pay for the fix. An annual report from the DoD's testing unit called efforts to improve the reliability of the fighter "stagnant," saying the jet's availability for missions when needed stands at about 50%.

Costs continue to be an issue. Pentagon officials in March expressed frustration over the pace of negotiations over the next batch of F-35s to be ordered, and the government warned it could be forced to cut its total F-35 order by as much as one-third, or about 590 jets, due to the high costs of operating and maintaining the aircraft.

Lockheed is in a tough situation when it comes to pricing. With each batch of jets expected to be priced at a discount to the previous order, the company must be careful not to give up too much too soon and jeopardize total program profitability. But with President Donald Trump leading a chorus of critics of F-35 costs and praising lower-cost alternatives from Boeing, the company is in a tough negotiating position.

A success, but how much of a success?

Lockheed shareholders can raise a toast along with company officials in celebration of the milestone, knowing the F-35 is a lethal war machine and that there are no worries that the F-35 could simply be a dud. But while it seems certain that the F-35 will command skies all over the globe for decades to come, unfortunately the overall profitability of the plane for Lockheed during that time period is much less clear.

Lockheed Martin knew it was taking on a challenge when it beat out Boeing to produce the most sophisticated warplane ever built, a program expected to generate more than $1 trillion in revenue for suppliers over the course of this century. With challenges come setbacks, and unexpected expenses.

Failure of the F-35, however remote the possibility, would have been a catastrophe for Lockheed. Fortunately, that outcome is now off the table. But until the company finds a way to work out the cost issues and demonstrate it can sustain margins on the F-35 despite Pentagon pushback, F-35 milestones are no reason to buy Lockheed shares.
When the Safety Car was deployed on Lap 32 after the two Toro Rossos came together, Red Bull rolled the dice and pitted Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen for fresh, soft tyres. Mercedes kept both cars on track.

For a while in China, Mercedes looked to have made all the right strategy calls, with Valtteri Bottas set for victory after leapfrogging Sebastian Vettel in the pits. But then came the Safety Car and it all went wrong for the world champions  as team boss Toto Wolff admitted after the race

The whole weekend we were just not good enough - everywhere

When racing resumed, it meant first Lewis Hamilton and then race leader Bottas  with older medium rubber  were powerless to resist a rampant Ricciardo, who passed both men en route to victory.

The two Red Bulls were bold enough to pit for tyres, we thought track position was more important, said Wolff, after Bottas came home second, with Hamilton fourth. We got it wrong, they got it right and they probably deserved to win.

Afterwards you always look more clever, added Wolff, when asked if Mercedes should have at least brought in Hamilton. Now, 30 minutes after the race, yes we should have pitted him  you always look more clever [afterwards].

Of more concern to Wolff and Mercedes, however, was their general lack of pace relative to Ferrari throughout the Shanghai meeting, which saw the Italian team lock out the front row of the grid for the second race in a row.

The whole weekend we were just not good enough, everywhere said Wolff. This weekend we were probably third and fourth [behind the Ferraris], so we just need to get our act together.

Nevertheless Wolff conceded that the defeat was still galling, given that Mercedes had appeared to have outfoxed their quicker Ferrari rivals in getting Bottas ahead of the scarlet cars.

We thought holding the track position would be beneficial  we discussed it in the morning  because as you saw in the first stint, there was no overtaking and also Raikkonen decided to stay out.

I think Valtteri would have deserved to win the race  he had a great day, great driving. The luck has been going against us in these first few races and I think again we had the safety car at the wrong moment.
Xiaomi reportedly planning to acquire GoPro News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Xiaomi wants to dive into camera business.

Xiaomi which is largely known for manufacturing smartphones, and maybe sometimes for its additional accessories. Now Bloomberg reports that the company is considering to acquire the action camera firm GoPro. The news comes after GoPro announced that it would be leaving the drone business due to its broader financial griefs.

GoPro CEO Nick Woodman earlier admitted that he considered selling the company. "If there was an opportunity to merge GoPro with a larger parent company," said Woodman, "that could help us scale our business and provide a better return on investment [...] we would welcome the opportunity to explore such an opportunity."

In January GoPro announced the Hero 6 Black action camera in India. GoPro Hero 6 is the successor of the Hero 5 and is available at a price of Rs 37,000.

The Hero 6 uses an advanced technology and captures images in high-quality offer a good image stabilization and also supports RAW and HDR photo modes along with improved low light capture for better quality images. It supports 4K60 and 1080p240 video recording and is waterproof.

GoPro also claims that it has improved the design for high dynamic range accompanied by improved low-light performance. The company has added a new digital zoom feature to the latest iteration. GoPro Hero 6 also enables sharing of videos easier and fast when used with Quickstories.

The GoPro Hero 6 is a wireless Bluetooth enabled device along with inbuilt Wi-Fi which supports 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency range. It also features touch Zoom along with QuickStories and GoPro compatible app so users will not have to worry regarding connectivity as Hero 6 also is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

GoPro has been on top of the chain when it comes to manufacturing action camera. Based on the news of Xiaomi's interest, it seems GoPro might have found a buyer. Well, if Xiaomi does end up acquiring GoPro, it's certain that the company would do more than just using its moniker, and bring the prices down.

Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4 First Impressions

Xiaomi is known for offering top-end products with good specifications at an aggressive price. The company has launched its flagship smartphones in the Indian market at dirt cheap prices and dethroned Samsung as the number one smartphone brand in the country.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
GREENWICH  The view from the top of the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan is famous around the world.

But the iconic landmark skyscraper completed in 1931 is full of other architectural treasures, including its lavish entryway, one of the grandest portals in the city.

We call it an Art Deco masterpiece, said Greenwichs Tony Malkin, the chairman and CEO of the Empire State Realty Trust, which owns the building. The ceiling is a rendering of celestial sky done with gears and cogs. It was an homage to the mechanical age. The three-story-high Fifth Avenue lobby, if you consider it, its like the nave of a cathedral. It gave a sense of awe to the mechanical age.

Malkin will be speaking later this month about the renovation of the building and how its lobby came to be burnished to a high gloss through meticulous craftsmanship at an event sponsored by the Greenwich Historical Society. The real-estate executive will talk about the past, present and future of the 87-year-old tower, and why an office worker in 1931 would see the same lobby as an office-worker would see today.

One hundred percent original, Malkin said, Every single thing except cigarette smoke.

The roughly $7.5 million lobby upgrade, completed in 2011 after 18 months, undid some bad design choices made in the preceding decades.

By the time we got it, there were plastic lenses over fluorescent light strips. The original ceiling had been painted over and drilled into, and certain things that were part of the original design had never been installed. Certain components were never finished. So when we did the lobby, we re-did everything. Its actually not a restored ceiling, its a new ceiling, noted Malkin.

We found the original designs for the original glass. We recast all of the original lenses. The ceiling was done in the original gold leaf and aluminum leaf, he said.

Malkin overrode some of the recommendations of the consulting architects, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, such as using aluminum leaf, not silver leaf. Malkin said aluminum was the original choice, and it was a highly valuable metal in 1930.

He went to the original lighting scheme, which cast a softer glow than the one recommended by the design team. I had the exact recreation done, as opposed to a re-interpretation. So it brought out the remarkable rich hues in the marble walls, which otherwise would have been lost, he said. Because when you overlamp them, they just look gray. With the lighting levels down, all the rich reds and browns come out in the stone.

All of the work needed approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which imposed strict regulations on the Empire State after public backlash over the demolition of the old Pennsylvania Railroad Station in 1963 reached a fervor.

Malkin, whose father, Peter Malkin, is the chairman emeritus of the Empire State Realty Trust, will also be discussing the major renovations to the building that have made it a magnet for high-tech corporations. It was a technological marvel when in opened in 1931, and the company still holds to that spirit today. The total rehabilitation of the building cost in the range of $400 million.

The building, I like to say, is 87 years young, said Malkin. She is as technologically advanced as the day she was built. Only things are different today.

The larger theme Malkin said he hopes to impart in his presentation for the Greenwich Historical Society is the value of preservation.

Its about how you take things which are historic, you can restore them, and recreate them. Its a model, Malkin said. To anyone who says you cant restore and reuse whats old, you need to tear it down - no. Actually, you can. 

No office building in the world embodies the importance of preserving the old more than the Empire State. The building is one that just about every 6-year-old wants to visit, Malkin noted. Many of the tenants in the complex simply use the name Empire State Building on their business cards.

Its this great symbol, Malkin said. We wanted to maintain that, we didnt want to disrupt that. But we did want to make it a modern office building, he said.

Malkin will give his presentation on the Empire State on April 29.

The discussion, and benefit, will be held at the Greenwich Country Club from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $75 per person, and reservations are available at greenwichhistory.org or by contacting 203-869-6899, ext. 10.
Last week we reminisced about favorite old brands, but that was just part of the story - while many brands are still around, some of their product lines have been discontinued and we wouldn't mind seeing them come back to life.

The Nokia PureView is an easy pick, the 808 was a feat of engineering and the Lumias pioneered some now standard camera features. We don't insist on the name (which is owned by Microsoft), a new N-series would be just as cool. Also, we wouldn't terribly mind a phone that can match the build quality of the E-series.



Nokia 808 PureView  Nokia N8  Nokia E7

There was talk of a "mid-range Pixel phone" and we couldn't help but think that this is what the Nexus phones were. We're quite fond of the Pixel camera, but the Nexus 4 is still on our mind - flagship specs at $300 (later $200) was a killer deal and we want it back.



LG Nexus 4 E960  LG Nexus 5  Motorola Nexus 6

Samsung may be King of Android right now, but shoulders were shrugged in response to the Galaxy S9 design. We'd love to see another Galaxy Alpha, the phone responsible for saving the S-series. We don't mean another A series device, but another industry-disrupting design that will be the benchmark for the years to come.

Going back to the topic of budget options, the mid-range Xcover line seems neglected in favor of flagship Galaxy S Active and a new Galaxy Note Neo might be nice.



Samsung Galaxy Alpha  Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4  Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo

Sony needs to leverage its other brands more. Launch a new Walkman and make all the other brands feel bad for dropping the headphone jack. The P-series could be Sony's Note - maybe there's no place for a flip-out QWERTY, but the P910 and friends was a serious business phone (with a stylus no less).



Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman  Sony Ericsson W8  Sony Ericsson P910

Oppo should make another Find or an N-series phone. The company seems stuck on "selfie experts", which lack the feeling of innovation we got from the N phones, and we're not so keen on the mid-range chipsets either. The Find models never settled (ahem) for such chips.



Oppo N3  Oppo Find 7

We hear that Motorola is interested in resurrecting the RAZR, perhaps seeing HMD's success with the 3310. However, we're a little dubious, last time we saw a RAZR phone it was just a DROID phone without the Lucasfilm-trademarked name. We'd rather see a new Atrix, that phone was ahead of its time (it had a fingerprint reader and a PC/laptop dock before it was cool).



Motorola ATRIX  Motorola RAZR V3  Motorola DROID RAZR HD

Those are just some of our favorites. Which phone lines would you want to see back?
Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
Published on 2018/04/15 | Source

The cherry blossom festival in Yeouido, Seoul on April 16, 2013

Walking was all the rage in Korea until a few years ago as a light, healthy form of exercise and a pleasant way to pass the time, but now fears of toxic haze are keeping more and more people indoors.

Advertisement

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the proportion of regular adult walkers who head outside for at least half an hour a day more than five times a week stood at 41.3 percent in 2014, but fell to 39.1 percent in 2016.

Deadly fine dust particles in the increasingly frequent haze played a role. The government first introduced a fine dust alert system in 2013 and began warning people about ultra-fine dust levels in 2014.

Now spring is here, many people are still staying indoors. On Wednesday afternoon, only around 60 people were waiting in line to board a cable car to Mt. Nam in Seoul, and most of them were tourists.

The owner of a nearby restaurant said, "Half of the people coming here used to be locals and half were tourists. But now, only tourists come here who have little knowledge about fine dust pollution".

Suh Hyun-bok (69), a local who frequently climbs Mt. Nam, said, "I used to see a lot of people walking here even on weekdays, but the number has dropped sharply these days".

Seoullo, the elevated park on an old overpass in downtown Seoul that opened last May, gets fewer visitors too. Owners of stores nearby said business is even slower than when the park was an overpass.

Another trader said, "The city built lots of hiking courses and plazas, but nobody's walking these days".

The cherry blossom festival in Yeouido, Seoul last Friday

Annual outdoor festivals are also witnessing sharp declines in visitors. A cherry blossom festival in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province drew 1.17 million visitors two years ago, but the number fell to 295,000 last year and even further to 203,000 this year.

Shifting temperatures caused flowers to bloom later than usual this spring, while fine dust kept many visitors away. The cherry blossom festival in Yeouido in Seoul drew 5.6 million visitors last year, but as of Wednesday, just a day before the festival ends, only 4.27 million had come.

"The biggest obstacles to the cherry blossom festival were news reports of fine dust warnings", a Yeouido festival staffer said.
Published on 2018/04/15

Vice explores South Korea's thriving skateboarding scene, Korea Expose provides some vital context to Korea's controversial dog-eating culture, The Korea Times reveals the hottest K-pop girl bands of last month, and Lee Byeong-hak looks at how Korean culture is changing its attitude towards death.

Advertisement

"Hell and Marble: Inside South Korea's Skate Scene"

The term "Hell Joseon" has emerged among Korea's youth to describe the sense of hopelessness some feel in twenty-first Korea. The pressure to succeed academically and economically, for example, are well documented, and if you're not "born with a golden spoon" in your mouth, life can be particularly challenging. In this feature on Vice you'll hear what some of Korea's young people feel about the present and the positive outlet/space they're nurturing in response. "[T]here's so much more to skateboarding than the act of riding a skateboard", writes Sander Holsgens. "The activity and the lifestyle that come with it serve as a counterweight to the country's relatively conservative sociocultural and political backdrop".

...READ ON VICE

"Before Criticizing South Koreans Eating Dog, Know the Context First"

South Korea's dog-eating culture is a highly contentious issue. Of course, it's not just Korea that partakes in the practice, but few have the global ambitions South Korea has in terms of cultural communication (see the so-called "Korean Wave"). The issue was recently in the spotlight as the world descended on Pyeongchang for the Winter Games, where nearly 500,000 people signed a petition to help end the practice altogether. "There are a lot of problems within the industry, which is barely regulated, but the problem isn't as simple as South Korea rooting out the custom altogether", writes Ji-eun Choi on Korea Expose. "Neither is the problem just about a 'backward, barbaric' culture".

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE

"Seoul's hottest K-pop girl band in March"

A recent analysis from the Korea Reputation Centre revealed that of Korea's top 30 girl bands, Red Velvet was the most popular last month. The firm tracked online activity using big data from multiple sources to construct an index of the country's top idols. Interesting, the number of references about K-pop girl bands was up 14% from last year. Ko Dong-hwan has more on The Korea Times...

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"[Reportage] New funeral culture taking hold in South Korea"

"Death is a painful, fearful, and difficult thing, but at the end, it includes a portion of beauty as well", writes Lee Byeong-hak on Hankyoreh. South Koreans are changing the way they view death and creating a culture of "dying well". In this article, Lee explores some of the ways South Koreans are approaching death and funerals. According to Lee's report, more and more Koreans are choosing cremation and as a response, the facilities that support this move are diversifying. "The memorial spaces that were once considered to be dark, cramped, and dreary are transforming into restful, healing places where visitors can comfortably remember their loved ones".

...READ ON HANKYOREH
International chef gives historic inn a makeover

Harvey's at The Henderson is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

View the Slideshow Related Stories

Michael Gilligan is serving up tasty plates at the former Inn on Church, bringing back the Roaring Twenties as the historic building approaches its 100th birthday.

I just felt that it was a shame that a building that was approaching its centenary, the public wasnt allowed in it, Gilligan says, describing his effort to make the place more inviting. They couldnt sit on the porch. They couldnt walk around. Because this is the seat of Henderson County, The Henderson just made sense.

This was built in 1919, he said. This was the start of the Roaring Twenties, when people started having fun.

Fun and nostalgic at the same time. The walls are decorated with posters of Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and, of course, Gilligans favorite movie, Harvey, a serendipitous discovery as a teenager.

One Sunday night I came across this movie and I watched it and it completely changed my life, because the guy was so pleasant, so happy, he said.

Jeanne and Michael Gilligan found the perfect inn in Hendersonville.Somehow the gentleness of James Stewarts character inspired Gilligans long and successful career as a chef and culinary director. A graduate of the College of Food & Arts in Birmingham, England, hes been executive chef at Conrad Miami, the renowned Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Miami and the W Hotel in South Beach (Miami). He created menus, bought ingredients and trained kitchen staffs while traveling the world as culinary director of Royal Caribbean cruise lines.

One day I was in Shanghai, the next day I was in Tokyo, Barcelona, because we had ships all over the world, he says. A lot of its procuring ingredients and making partnerships. Thats something I wanted to do when I came here. Thats why the third Wednesday of every month were partnering with Wine Sage Gourmet. Hes partnered with Sanctuary Brewing Co. for a vegan dinner.



Finding the impossible

His search for a kitchen to call his own ended in Hendersonville last summer.

I started looking around at inns for sale, he says. But we had a whole list of criteria that it had to meet. The schools had to be great, it had to be a really good community, I didnt want it too rural but I didnt want a big city, wanted to be near Blue Ridge Mountains, I wanted at least 15 rooms, it needed to have a bar, needed to have a restaurant. Impossible to find that.

Then his online search turned up the Inn on Church. He couldnt wait to tell his wife.

I think I found the place, he told her.

She whipped out her smart phone and held it up, This one?

She had found the Hendersonville property that day, too.

The inn would become, one might say, Gilligans Highland.

The first thing he thought was that the place needed to lighten up.

It was dark, it was very old, the windows were covered with these boxes and curtains, the paint was this chocolate color. We said, this has so much potential.

Crews stripped the covering from the windows, repainted the rooms, replaced the sprinkler system, cleaned the kitchen hood. A carpenter and electrician are around so much that his kids call them Uncle Chuck and Uncle John.

Have you ever seen the movie, The Money Pit? Im in it right now, he says. Hes sunk a quarter million dollars into renovation. And of course we bought the property for a couple million.

He and his wife, Jeanne, and children  Katie, 12, and Jack, 9  live in three rooms upstairs, leaving 17 more to rent. Jeanne serves as front-of-the-house manager.

They opened the bar, Harveys, naturally, in January. He serves appetizers, small plates and desserts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Menu items include miso caramelized Brussel sprouts with smoked bacon, fried macncheese with Sriracha ketchup and baked sea scallops with orange-thyme butter (all $8), Carolina shrimp ceviche, creme brulee, Ahi tuna tacos and Harveys caprese ($10); cheese and charcuterie plates and crab cakes with grilled corn ($12).

The restaurant is open 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. features 10 Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, pancakes, omelets, crab cake benedict, Scottish smoked salmon, avocado toast and steak and eggs.

His once-a-month dinner and a movie on the second Wednesday, for $50, includes a welcome drink, appetizer, themed entree with wine pairing and dessert. Recently, for Key Largo, he made conch chowder and a poached pompano with mushrooms and wine-soaked shallots.

For this weeks feature, Some Like It Hot, he made sugarcane Florida gulf shrimp (for the Marilyn Monroe character Sugar) and braised pheasant with cranberry and mint, because theres a pheasant on the table when they board the yacht.
BYU researchers make micro lab-on-a-chip breakthrough

Academic jargon can often confuse the average person about the topic at hand, but make no mistake on this, researchers at Brigham Young University have made a monumental leap  and people are talking about it. BYU researchers are among the worlds leaders in creating labs on a chip at increasingly small sizes, and have just had another breakthrough with a new 3D printing technique that allows them to print valves at 15 microns in size. Commercial 3D printers cant print near that small, said Todd Hollingshead, BYU spokesperson. BYU researchers have demonstrated the ...
Hogan touts Md. booster vaccine progress, calls out Biden administration

Gov. Larry Hogan touted his administrations rollout of the COVID-19 booster vaccine Thursday and expressed frustration with the Biden administration.
The combined US, British and French missile strikes on Syria will inhibit Damascus from using chemical weapons, but will not fundamentally change the geopolitical situation in the Levant.

The growing dominance of a Russia-Iran axis in this area, stretching from Lebanon to Iraq, is unaffected. At best, the strikes will temporarily keep Turkey from drifting closer to Moscow and Tehran.

Syria is a microcosm of a larger regional geopolitical chess game. The three groups which loosely worked together to defeat the Islamic State the Assad regime backed by Iran and Russia, US-backed Kurds and other Syrian rebels, and Turkeyare now manoeuvring against each other.

At present, the cards are falling in favour of Russia and Iran. Their support has helped save the Bashar al-Assad government of Syria. Assad is now extinguishing rebel enclaves in Syria, one by one. The alleged chemical attack in Ghouta may have triggered the Wests missile strikes, but it also led the local rebels to surrender.

The US military presence in this region is limited to 2,000 troops defending a Kurdish area in northern Syria. Turkey has now turned its guns on these Kurds. But Washington is internally torn about its future role. President Donald Trump wants to pull out the American troops. The Washington security establishment wants to stay on to secure ally Israel from Iran, and to generally stand up to Moscow. But without White House support, they are confined to strategising.

Moscow and Tehran are joined at the hip by a desire to eradicate US influence in the region altogether. There is nothing unnatural, artificial or inherently temporary about the coalition between Russia and Iran, writes Chris Kozak of the Institute of War Studies.

This alliance also extends to Afghanistan and support for the Taliban, a source of some friction with India. However, New Delhi also believes the USs tightening of sanctions against both Russia and Iran have been a cause for this geopolitical bond.

Russias priority is to achieve a political settlement in Syria, argues Kerim Has of Moscow State University, hence its sponsorship of the Astana process. Iran and Turkey are on board, but Moscow wants to include Kurds and some Syrian rebels.

Russia does not share Irans antipathy to Israel. It also does not share Turkeys suspicions regarding the Kurds. But all three do agree on keeping the West out of the process.

The missile strikes have led Turkey to rally to the side of its NATO allies. Ankara called the strikes appropriate. But with the US having no long-term strategy for the Levant, Ankara will probably drift back into an uneasy orbit around Russia and Iran.

The latter two like the idea of weaning Turkey away from the West, but know Ankara and the Assad regime are bitter foes. They warned Ankara against trying to absorb the Syrian Kurdish town of Afrin into Turkey.

The US does not seem to have a policy other than wagging a cruise missile at suspected use of chemical weapons by Syria. Expect the various regional players to just continue where they left off before the strike.

Turkish military analyst Metin Gurcan expects a summer of fighting in northern Syria where the US military line  and Trumps patience  will be tested. Two factors remain uncertain. One, how far France is prepared to go as an external player. Two, what regional military strongman, Israel, has up its sleeve.
Bohag Bihu will be celebrated on April 15 this year. The harvest festival and Assamese new year sees farmers express their gratitude for an abundant harvest and marks the commencement of the spring season.

The term Bihu is derived from bishu, a Sanskrit word that translates to asking for prosperity from the gods during the harvest season.

Assamese men in traditional dress perform Bihu. (AP file photo)

Unlike other festivals, Bihu is celebrated thrice a year. Bhogali or Magh Bihu is celebrated in January, Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April and Kongali or Kati Bihu in October.

People dress up in new clothes, exchange gifts and seek blessings from their elders as a good start to the new year. There is an elaborate feast to mark the occasion, and celebrations go on for seven days, with each day having a different significance.

The signature dishes that are prepared to celebrate the festival are pitha (rice cake), larus (made with rice and coconut or black sesame seeds), and savoury dishes like khar and xaak.

A traditional Bihu dance is performed by men and women and there are bihugeets or songs sung as well, to celebrate the new year.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
Poila Baishak or Naba Barsha is the first day in the month of Baishak, according to the Bengali calendar. Bengalis living across West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh celebrate the new year on this day. This year, it falls on April 15.

Interestingly, unlike other traditional calendars, the Bengali calendar was introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and is a mixture of the lunar Islamic calendar and solar Hindu calendar. The emperor had asked the royal astronomer Fathullah Shirazi to merge the two calendars to create a new one for the ease of tax collection after the spring harvest.

Cultural events are held across the city to mark the new year. (Shutterstock)

To celebrate the new year, Bengalis wear new clothes, clean their house and decorate their front door with alpana (painting done with a mixture of rice and flour). They meet relatives and share sweets. The meal is elaborate and features Bengali delicacies such as Dim Pakora, Lau Chingri, Sorse Mach, and Murgir Manso.

People pay a visit to temples and a prayer is chanted to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for blessings to ensure prosperity through the year. The ledger books or haal khata are also kept in front of the deity for blessings.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
The Narcotics wing of the Madhya Pradesh police has seized nearly one lakh bottles of codine laced cough syrup, worth around Rs 3 crore in the black market, being transport from Indore to the North East in the past one week, pointing to a new trend in drug smuggling said police officials. Two persons have been arrested so far.

ADG (Narcotics) Varun Kapoor said, Use of codine laced cough syrup is prevalent in the North East, where it is used as a substitute for hard drugs, but this is the first time that we have come to know that Madhya Pradesh and especially Indore has become the transportation hub for these drugs.

Officials said they seized these bottles from a truck being used for transporting the bottles and also from a godown in Lasudia area of Indore where it had been stored. These syrups had been sourced from a factory in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, then stored in the godown in Indore, from where it was being transported to North East.

The cough syrups had been cleverly hidden behind sacks of onion and potato in the truck seized by the narcotics wing on April 9. Initially the police arrested the truck driver Mohanlal Pathak (54) resident of Indore. On the basis of information provided by him, police arrested Ranjan Shukla (29) also resident of Indore, who had loaded the truck from the godown. However, another crucial link, Manish Bhaskar, owner of Anmol Medical Store, who had rented the godown in his name is absconding.

ADG Kapoor says that the investigations are still in a preliminary stage, but from the interrogation of the two accused we have come to know that smuggling had been going on for the past two years from Indore which is a major pharmaceutical manufacturing and transportation hub.
After a lot of speculation about who will play the female lead in Telugu veteran Chiranjeevis much-anticipated biopic on freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, Tamannaah Bhatia, who was seen in Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in 2017, has confirmed coming on board.

The film, a trilingual project, went on floors in December 2017. The Sudheer Reddy-directorial will also feature a cameo by Amitabh Bachchan, and will release in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.

Yes its true. I have been confirmed for the film. Its a great honour to be sharing the screen space with two of my favourite actors  Chiranjeevi and Amitabh Bachchan. Biopics have always been a priority for me and since the film revolves around a freedom fighter, its a matter of national pride to contribute to this project.

A period film  a biopic at that  will require some research and preparation, and Tamannaah understands she has her task cut out ahead . I will be undertaking a lot of research for my role as there is very few material available online and I want to keep this as real as possible. There are a lot of freedom fighter families I will be meeting through the director of the film. I have already started exchanging reference notes with my co-stars, says the actor.

The film is being produced by Chiranjeevis son, Ram Charan, who has been Tamannahs co-star in Telugu film Racha (2012

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Swara Bhasker came to the rescue of her Veere Di Wedding co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan when she was being trolled for marrying a Muslim and for naming her son Taimur. Swara tweeted a photograph of Kareena holding a placard asking for the justice for the eight-year-old girl, who was gang raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district.

On that, a social media user wrote: She should be ashamed of the fact that despite being a Hindu is married to a Muslim. Has a child with him and named him Taimur, after a brutal Islamic barbarian.

To this, Swara replied: You should be ashamed you exist. That God gave you a brain which you chose to fill with hate and a mouth you chose to spew filth from. You are a shame on India and Hindus. That sh*ts like you feel emboldened to talk this crap publicly is this governments legacy.

You should be ashamed you exist. That God gave you a brain which you chose to fill with hate and a mouth you chose to spew filth from. You are a shame on India and Hindus. That shits like you feel emboldened to talk this crap publicly is this govt.s legacy  https://t.co/nmR5WIngBd  Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) April 14, 2018

Swara and Kareena will soon be seen together on the silver screen in the film Veere Di Wedding. Directed by Shashank Ghosh, the film which also stars Sonam Kapoor and Shikha Talsania, will release on June 1.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Sridevi would have been a proud mama if she could see her kids right now. While her elder daughter, Janhvi, is making her Bollywood debut this year, her younger daughter, Khushi, will soon finish school and celebrated her prom night on Saturday. And because this a Bollywood family we are talking about, its nothing like the farewells we got in our final year.

The 17-year-old enjoyed the most glamourous prom you could imagine. She wore a stunning, sparkly Falguni and Shane Peacock gown and even her cousin, Sonam Kapoor, couldnt help swoon over her. She posted her pictures on her Instagram story. Her stylist Tanya Ghavri and Falguni Peacock also posted gorgeous pictures for her fans.

A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) on Apr 14, 2018 at 12:35am PDT

A post shared by Tellywood Bollywood (@_india.pyaar) on Apr 14, 2018 at 11:26am PDT

A post shared by  o (@future.bollywood) on Apr 14, 2018 at 2:04am PDT

Khushi goes to school at the very posh Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai, which sort of explains the magnitude of the prom. Sanjay and Maheep Kapoors daughter Shanaya and Anurag Kashyaps daughter Aaliyah also attend school there. They too, were seen decked up and looking their prettiest best in several pictures shared online. Check them out:

A post shared by Khushi Kapoor X Fan Account (@khushidaily) on Apr 13, 2018 at 3:19pm PDT

Khushi and her big sister Janhvi are known as two of the most stylish star kids of Bollywood, thanks to their late mother Sridevi. The actor died in February in Dubai of accidental drowning and her daughters and husband Boney Kapoor have been trying to get back to their lives since the huge loss.

Sridevi was recently posthumously awarded the National Award for Best Actress for her work in her film, Mom.

Janhvi will soon make her debut in Dhadak opposite Shahid Kapoors brother, Ishaan Khatter. The film releases on July 6.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The US flag still flutters next to others in front of the AgroSevilla factory, the worlds biggest exporter of black olives based in southern Spain.

But the cooperative in Andalusia may soon have to take down the Stars and Stripes if a rise of more than 20 percent in duties on black table olives recently imposed by the United States, its number one client, becomes permanent.

Far from just concerning Spain, the decision could snowball into the US imposing duties on other European products such as French cheese or Italian wine.

Since the winter and the sudden rise in levies, we have lost many contracts and we have had to let people go for the first time ever, says Gabriel Redondo, president of a grouping of 4,000 farmers who all own a small share of the factory, the worlds biggest for black olives.

Set at the heart of huge olive plantations between Seville and Granada in the south, the factory treats, cures and slices olives, which are picked green.

They are then put in jars and cans and dispatched to 72 countries where they are sold to pizzerias, sandwich shops and salad bars - all expanding markets, particularly in the United States.

A can of black olivs is pictured at the "Agro Sevilla" olive factory in La Roda de Andalucia on April 12, 2018. (AFP)

Re-organising everything

AgroSevilla exports 25 percent of its annual production to the US.

But within the space of a few months, the clouds have gathered for the cooperative and the entire sector, which employs 8,000 people on full-time contracts and ensures the survival of 16,000 farms in Andalusia.

In 2017, two Californian companies filed a complaint against their Spanish competitors to the US commerce department, accusing them of dumping, or selling their products too cheaply in the United States by profiting from EU subsidies.

The department opened a probe, as did the International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency that investigates trade-related issues.

The final decision is due on mid-July, but the United States has already slapped temporary duties of more than 20 percent this winter on Spanish olives.

The conflict comes amid fears of a wider trade war after US President Donald Trumps administration raised customs duties on steel and aluminium, even if Europe is for the moment exempt from these.

An employee selects olives on the packaging production line at the "Agro Sevilla" olive factory in La Roda de Andalucia on April 12, 2018. (AFP)

For farmers in Andalusia, the move to raise levies came as a total surprise.

The sector as a whole exports 40 percent of its production to the United States for some 70 million euros ($86 million) a year.

Even before the final decision, some US buyers have suspended their contracts, which are now too expensive thanks to the temporary duties..

In the factory, were re-organising everything, says Redondo, who fears they will lose market share to Morocco or Egypt.

Out of 450 employees at the factory, 30 have already lost their jobs. If the situation drags on, this could rise to 80.

EU policy challenged

Paradoxically, the Californian complaint only targets finished products and not imports of untreated olives that have just been picked.

The United States, which only produces 20 percent of the olives it consumes, will therefore continue buying the unprocessed olive fruit from Spain.

And thats a concern for Spanish farmers.

We dont want to deliver olives without transforming them as the untreated fruit is sold half the price of the finished product, says Juan de Dios Segura, who farms 100 hectares of olive trees nearby.

Hes waiting anxiously for the July decision in the US, as he has already bought all the necessary fertiliser and machines for this year.

The sector says it has already spent five million euros in lawyers fees in the United States, and it feels forgotten by the European Union.

Europe deployed all its diplomatic energy (on steel duties) but left us by the wayside. Its condescending as the sector is small, says Redondo.

Farmer Juan de Dios Segura poses at the "Agro Sevilla" olive factory in La Roda de Andalucia on April 12, 2018. (AFP)

By arguing that European subsidies are creating unfair competition, the US complaint is calling into question the legality of the entire European agriculture policy, says Antonio de Mora, head of Asemesa, the association of table olive producers.

The European parliament is concerned too.

Fearing a spiral of defence investigations on agricultural products, it voted last month on a resolution asking the European Commission to study the possibility of challenging any final US decision before the WTO (World Trade Organization).

The commission, meanwhile, says it will take action when necessary and considers there is no base for anti-subsidy measures.
With Badrinath and Kedarnath, two of Uttarakhands four fabled shrines likely to witness a heavy influx of pilgrims during the upcoming Chardham yatra, government agencies have started making arrangements to ensure that visitors have enough ration and accommodation facilities available.

The Chardham yatra that starts from April 18 this time will coincide with purshottam mas, an auspicious occasion which comes after every three years, said VD Singh, officer on special duty (OSD) of Shri Badrinath-Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee.

So, a heavy influx of pilgrims is expected and accordingly we are making board and food arrangements for them, so they are not inconvenienced in any manner, he said.

Singh said precaution is being taken in case hotels and restaurants would not be stocked up with enough food for a large number of pilgrims and would not have enough rooms to accommodate them.

So, all state run guest houses have been asked to keep rooms in spare for pilgrims. Besides, arrangements like tin sheds and tent accommodations are also being made for them, he said.

Similarly, we have also stocked up enough food so that pilgrims face no crisis in case hotels and restaurants would run short of their stocks.

Rudraprayag district magistrate Mangesh Ghildiyal admitted that there was a possibility of Kedarnath witnessing a heavy rush of pilgrims after the ceremonial reopening of the shrine on April 29.

There is a possibility of the number of pilgrims going up this time as their number has been constantly increasing since Kedarnath was struck by the cataclysmic floods in 2013, he said.

We have, therefore, made enough boarding arrangements so that, in case of a heavy influx of pilgrims, the shrine town could accommodate 7000 more visitors per night.

Ghildiyal said apart from state-run guesthouses, pilgrims would be accommodated in houses owned by Teerth purohits (priests).

Of the total such houses that had been washed away by flash floods (in 2013), some 38 (houses) have been reconstructed and handed over to priests, he said.

The administration had also permitted private parties to provide tent accommodations to yatris.

Besides, in nearby Linchauli as many as 100 tents have been set up, in which, per night, 1,000 pilgrims can stay, Ghildiyal said.

About other facilities, he said widening of a 16-km-long approach road from Rambara to Kedarnath had been carried out.

Besides, railings have been put up along that (approach) road so that pilgrims ferried to the shrine town by mules do not fall off into the gorge, Ghildiyal said.

Several such incidents had been reported in the past, he added.
Residents of at least half a dozen villages in Champawats Tanakpur are spending sleepless night due to marauding herd of wild elephants in the region that forage through standing crop and fruit orchards.

Villagers say that they are forced to stay awake at night to drive away the wild herds to save their crops and dwellings.

Over the last one year, residents of villages in the region, including Thwalkhera, Khetkhera, Gaindakhali, Naya Goth, Kakrali gate, Uchauligoth and Bastia lived in fear of a tiger that was reported to roaming the region surrounded by dense forest on one side and the other by the India-Nepal border.

Four women from the Kakrali gate, Thawalkhera, Naya Goth and Bastia were allegedly mauled to death by the big cats in less than a year while collecting fodder and firewood in the forest, villagers say.

This apart, villagers have lost a number of livestock that fell prey to the big cats, some of them say.

Following the increase in the incidents of man-animal conflicts in the region, forest officials placed cages and camera traps to catch the big cats in Sharda and Boom range but have failed to capture the tiger, villagers say, and add that forest officials do not respond to their desperate calls for help.

Satish pandey, a villager, says, Whenever we inform the forest officials, they dont turn up in time to chase the elephant herds so we ourselves, have to ward off the animals by beating drums and utensils or bursting crackers.

The forest watch and ward staff do not patrol region.

Tanakpur sub divisional officer Rajesh Srivastva, however, says that the villages fall in the periphery of an elephant corridor, which starts from the Rajaji Tiger Reserve to the western parts of Nepal.

Movements of pachyderms along the villages that fall on the elephant corridor are considered quite common.

He, however, says that the elephants do not enter the villages in search of fodder as it is in abundance in the forest.

Elephants by nature migrate from one place to another are known to destroy whatever comes on the way as it is the behavioral instinct of elephants.
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has decided to initiate steps to increase footfall of tourists in Kumaon region after the tourism industry suffered a setback due to closure of rafting on Kali river in Pithoragah district.

Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam is a state government agency that promotes tourism in the region. Rafting on Kali river was stopped by the Sashastra Seema Bal that conducts patrolling along the India-Nepal border citing security reasons.

The river flows from Nepal and enters India through Pithoragarh. The river stretch between Pithoragarh-Champawat emerged as the paradise for rafters.

KMVN has decided to start homestay in Kuti village which lies en-route to Tibet. Tourists going to Adi Kailash Yatra can avail of the homestay facility.

Homestay is also being developed at Nabhi village and Panchachuli mountain base camp in the Pithoragarh district.

Meanwhile, 40 tourist rest houses run by KMVN are doing good business and six other rest houses not doing well have been given to private companies under the public private partnership (PPP) mode.

Apart from this, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) would be going ahead with the Vivekananada trail that includes places such as Kakrighat and Lohaghat where Swami Vivekananda had either visited or meditated.

TS Martoliya, general manager of KMVN, said they have made packages for the Vivekananda trail but the problem being encountered is that the tourist coming from southern India and other states want more areas to be included in the package such as those in the Garhwal region.

Martoliya said: We have good number of tourists from the northern states as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab while the southern states also account for good business.

Social activist Chandra Shekhar Kargeti, however, said the tourism potential of the Kumaon region was still not exploited properly.

There are many places which are difficult to reach and they have still not been developed. Rather than making new circuits or trails there is need to improve infrastructure so that people can visit the already famous destinations, he said.
For tourists visiting Uttarakhand to explore its bountiful natural and spiritual beauty, heres an added attraction. Theyll soon be able to click a selfie with yaks.

If things fall in line, five to 10 of these exotic long-haired bovid, known as the camel of the snow, will be brought in from Shimla, where they are used to ferry people around. The yaks will be introduced at Badrinath and Auli in Chamoli  both situated in higher reaches and suitable for the mountain animals.

The state tourism department has roped in the animal husbandry department to ensure that the plan succeeds.

We have plans to procure 5 to 10 yaks from breeders in Shimla. Theyll add to the tourist attractions in Uttarakhand, tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said.

Yaks are high altitude animals found at the height of 3000 metres or above in Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur and Lahaul, Ladakh and Tibet. Not a native to Uttarkhand, only a dozen of the species are housed at government-run farm in Lata area of Chamoli.

Yaks at the Lata farm migrate to Dronagiri in summers and are not habituated to living in close proximity with humans.

Another yak raising centre is situated at Ralam and Pato villages in Munsiyari area of Pithoragarh district. It was set up 1996 under the aegis of Himal Prakriti, a non-profit trust, with the help of the department of science and technology, Government of India, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Last year, the animal husbandry department gave one yak to a local farmer hoping that the animal could get accustomed to living in human areas. The wait for that, however, is too long and the government is not ready to spend that much time.

So, the alternative is to bring in yaks from Shimla as they are tolerant to humans.

We will provide the yaks to locals to help them secure livelihood opportunities. We are also studying the fee charged by yak owners (for ferrying people over short and long distances) in Shimla and Sikkim to start a similar facility here, Lokesh Kumar, the chief veterinary officer (CVO), Chamoli said.

The yaks would be kept at Badrinath during summer when Chardham yatra begins and in winters they will be taken to Auli. The tourism department is making arrangements in Auli to create a facility for yaks..

Incidentally, the local administration in Shimla had started utilising yaks for ferrying tourists to do away with the problem of these animals roaming freely on the streets after descends from the higher reaches. The Shimla municipal corporation doles out licences to yak owners to ferry tourists.

As per the belief, the jhubba (a hairy fan) used in Badrinath shrine to fan the idol of Lord Vishnu is created with yak hair. As per Hindu mythology, Pandavas last stop before entering heaven was Mana, the last village on the border with Tibet, three kilometers from Badrinath shrine. It is believed that they travelled on yak till the village.
An indefinite hunger strike by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal demanding death penalty for rapists entered the third day on Sunday even as two more minors were raped across the country.

Maliwal launched the protest at Rajghat on Friday in the wake of the horrific rape incidents in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao and Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua districts.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, she said: I will not break my anshan (fast) until the Prime Minister does not (promise) the country a better system for the safety of our daughters.

As Maliwal continued her fast in Delhi, authorities in Patna said a minor girl was gang-raped on Sunday. The incident took place at 12.30am near a railway line in the heart of Bihars capital.

Both the accused (Chotu Kumar and Phekan Kumar) were caught by a police patrol that heard the girls cries for help. The girl also identified both of them, police officer Rama Shankar Singh said.

In Odisha, police said a four-year-old girl was raped by a youth in Balasore district. The accused, 24-year-old Nityacharan Jena, is a neighbour.

On Friday, when the girl was playing outside, Jena lured her to his house with chocolates and raped her, according to police. The girl has been hospitalised. Her family lodged a police complaint on Saturday.

Meanwhile in Srinagar, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah demanded a special Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session to pass a bill to hand out capital punishment to those convicted of raping minors.

It is only by awarding capital punishment to perpetrators of such heinous crime that incidents like Kathua rape and murder can be prevented in future, the former chief minister said.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has already said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon pass a bill for death sentence to those who rape minors.

(This story has not been modified from its original version.)
The historic Netaji Subhash Park in Old Delhi will return to life this year after having remained closed for almost five years due to Metro construction.

The park, that is nearly a century old, was first named after King Edward VII and later after the legendary freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose. It was once among the prime public recreation facilities that provided an ideal setting for leisure activities.

Elderly residents of the Walled City would spend hours at the park discussing politics. Travellers would find solace in the company of tall palm and locals would get a traditional massage from malishya under the shadow of narangi trees.

About six years ago, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had taken over this municipal park to build underground tunnel for the Heritage Line connecting Mandi House and Kashmere Gate. In the run up to the construction of Jama Masjid Metro station, the green park was dug up and the statue of Bose flanked by his INA compatriots was removed. The work on the Metro corridor was completed last year after which the work to restore the park was started.

The Metro has now asked the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to take charge of the park. We have restored the lawn and statues. The work on footpath and jogging track was completed almost a year ago. We have written to the MCD for handover a few times, said a Delhi Metro official, privy to the development.

He blamed the corporation for not responding to DMRCs formal communication. However, the north Municipal Corporation said the handover could not be done as work in still incomplete.

Lamps have not been installed. Water pipeline and walkways are to be laid by the Metro. Recently, their engineers had a joint inspection with our officials. They have asked for the site plan, which has been provided. We are hoping that soon the park would be ready for public, said DN Sharma, deputy director, (horticulture) of City-Sadar Paharganj Zone.

Edward memorial to Subhash park

Subhash Park was established in the memory of King Edward VII as a sign of the increasing British domination in the subcontinent. King George V laid the foundation of the park in December 1911 when he came to Delhi for Coronation Durbar. Edward VIIs equestrian statue crafted by famous English sculptor Thomas Brock, who designed Londons Queen Victoria Memorial, was the center of attraction at the park. The statue showed the king riding a horse in his uniform as a field marshal, holding his plumed hat in his left hand.

Remembering his frequent visits to Subhash Park during 1940-60s, author and photographer Dhruva N Chaudhuri said the British monarchs 5-tonne installation was the only equestrian statue in Delhi at that time. It was a huge bronze statue, made abroad, which cost Rs 5 lakh. The park was a quiet place and offered a fantastic view of Jama Masjid. Unfortunately, the palm trees that surrounded the statue have been cut down, he said.

The park was inaugurated as the All-India King Edward Memorial by Prince of Wales Edward VIII in February 1922.

It was also called Ghodewala (horse) Park and Yadgaar (remembrance) Park. They sat around the statue surrounded by palm trees. It was a daily ritual of sorts. A newspaper was placed on the ground and roasted grams were put on it and politics was discussed, said 80-year-old Haji Mian Fayazuddin, an old resident of Jama Masjid area.

Change of statues

In 1960s, when the government decided to remove all British colonial statues in the city following pressure from socialist leaders, the bronze figure was shifted to Coronation Park with other statues. Later, it was bought by a Canadian businessman and placed at Queens Park in Toronto in 1969.

When I visited Toronto in early 1970s, I saw Edwards statue there. When I inquired, I was told it was the same that was once at Subhash Park in Delhi, said senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who was chief executive councillor of Delhis Metropolitan Council (during 1967-72), a post equivalent to chief minister.

Statue of Queen Victoria's son Edward (1841-1910) in Queen's Park, Toronto. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

An ensemble of Subhash Chandra Bose and INA soldiers was mounted at the park on January 23, 1975 on the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter. The then vice-president, Basappa Danappa Jatti, unveiled the statues created by the famous artiste Sadashiv Sathe.

Fayazuddin said King Edwards statue was dislodged early in the morning to avoid any disturbance. He said initially the administration took good care of the statues of Bose and INA fighters.

It was washed every Friday. A person would come with a piece of cloth and a ladder to clean them. It is unfortunate that we dont care about them anymore. All of them are covered in a thick layer of dust and droppings, Fayazuddin said.

Edward Park and freedom struggle

The land where the park now stands is believed to have been the site of Shah Waliullahs madrasa and an adjacent mosque, popularly known as Akbarabadi mosque. Some academics believe the mosque was built during Mughal emperor Shahjahans reign and was named after one of his wives Begum Aza-un-Nisa also known as Akbarabadi Begum.

The path between Jama Masjids eastern gate and Lal Quilas Dilli Gate also had a market called Khas Bazaar. Several noblemen under the Mughal rule had built their mansions in this area. The bazaar was popular for preachers, quacks, professional storytellers, vendors, and entertainers. These shops, residential quarters, and the mosque are said to have been razed after the British regained the control of the city after the revolt of 1857.

The best view I could find of Jama Masjid was from Edward Park. That was where the grand Akbarabadi mosque was demolished in the clean-up around the Red Fort. However, an old photograph taken by an English photographer called Beato in 1858 from the of the Jama Masjid clearly shows the presence of this mosque, Chaudhari says in his book Delhi: Light, Shades, Shadows.

In her book Chandni Chowk: The Mughal City of Old Delhi, Intach convener Swapna Liddle too writes that the markets and residential buildings in the vicinity of Jama Masjid and Lal Quila were demolished after 1857 revolt. Many important localities and buildings were sacrificed to the clearance, including the Akbarabadi Mosque, the book says.

The idea of the demolition was to have an unobstructed view of the mosque and its neighbourhood from the Red Fort as the British considered it the venue where rebels congregated and created mischief.

The Akbarabadi mosque site was converted into Edward Park in 1922. Later, it was divided and renamed as Subhash Park, Urdu Park, and Dangal Maidan after the Independence.

Before Independence, political meetings were organised in the neighbouring Urdu Park. Several Congress and Muslim League leaders such as Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari of Multan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Liaquat Ali used to hold meeting here during the freedom struggle, said Fayazuddin.
Students, who appeared in the JEE main online exam 2018 on Sunday, gave a mixed response while talking about the difficulty level of the examination.

Bhopal

A class 12 student from Bhopal, Shivam Pandey said, The paper was of moderate level. The paper had equal weightage of class 11 and 12 syllabus. Some questions of mathematics were difficult and time consuming.

A class 12 student, Sujata Saxena said, I found difficulty in attempting questions of physics and organic chemistry, but overall, the paper was a balanced one. I am happy that I did it comfortably without any technical problem.

A faculty member of a reputed institute, who is not authorised to comment, said, The paper was of moderate level like the offline exam. Majority of the students of our institute looked satisfied. The paper had equal number of questions from both class 11 and 12. The mathematics questions were scoring one and of moderate level.

The JEE Main online paper 1 exam was conducted at different centres in 258 cities throughout India and abroad (in two shifts in some cities) on Sunday. The examination will also be held on Monday. The CBSE had conducted the JEE Main 2018 in pen and paper mode on April 8.

Students discussing the paper after appearing in JEE main online examination in Bhopal on Sunday. (HT photo/Bhopal)

Jharkhand

Avinash Priyam, who appeared in the exam at the Tata Consultancy Centre in Dhanbad, said, Chemistry, which used to be tough earlier, was easy this year.

Priyam, a class 12 student of Delhi Public School (DPS), Dhanbad, said, Overall the papers were average, which were neither tough nor easy.

Rohit Kumar, a class 12 student of Doon Public School, Dhanbad, also said that the chemistry paper was easy but mathematics was tough. The physics paper was also partially tough.

Allahabad

The online JEE Main question paper was comparatively easier to the offline mode as calculations of questions of mathematics besides theorem-based questions in physics were less time consuming. I attempted all questions in mathematics and physics, but could not attempt all 30 questions in Chemistry, said Abhishek Mishra, who appeared in the online exam at United College of Engineeering and Research, Allahabad.

Questions in chemistry were a bit complex especially on topics like Solid State, Electro Chemistry and Solutions. Due to negative marking, I preferred not to answer all questions. However, physics was easy, but calculations in mathematics were lengthy, said Ajay Yadav, another aspirant who appeared in the online exam at United Institute of Technology, Allahabad.

Both physics and mathematics had lengthy and time-consuming questions, but not as tough as given in offline mode of the exam held last Sunday. The chemistry paper was also not very tough, but questions pertaining to Coordinate Chemistry and Compounds containing Nitrogen were complex, said Sachin Srivastava, who appeared in the exam at United Institute of Technology, Allahabad.

(With inputs from Shruti Tomar in Bhopal, Kenneth John in Allahabad and Sanjoy Kumar Day in Jharkhand)
Cheap, Chinese-made nylon burkas are flooding Afghanistans north as consumers turn to affordable, mass-produced fabrics  but in Kabul a small, determined fashion house is fighting to preserve the traditional textiles once integral to Afghan culture.

Launched in 2006, Zarif  precious in Persian  commissions traditional cotton and silk from artisanal weavers, then employs more than two dozen people  mostly women  to tailor and design the fabrics into handcrafted, embroidered clothing. But with cheaper imports saturating the market, they are struggling to keep local traditional methods afloat, says founder Zolaykha Sherzad.

Afghan shopkeeper and provincial contractor of Zarif Design House shows fabrics to made a chapan (coat) at his shop in Mazar-i-Sharif. (AFP)

Only decades ago, the textile industry was on par with Afghanistans legendary carpet trade, famed since the days of the old Silk Road. During its heyday textiles were more than just fabrics, with their patterns, colours and embroidery illuminating the origins and tribal history of their makers. In the past, the fabrics were entirely embroidered, on the walls, the cushions... the wedding dresses, says Sherzad.

But now, we are trying hard just to keep them as ornaments on jackets and coats, to maintain the know-how, she adds, saying the decline in the craft has put large numbers of women out of work who once were able to make a living at home. With Zarif, she hopes to fill the gap while aiming to preserve Afghanistans textile traditions and designing contemporary takes on Afghan fashion staples.

Afghan owner of Zarif Design House Zolaykha Sherzad (R) showing an older traditional chopan (coat) to her employees at the Zarif Design house in Kabul. (AFP)

Fighting the market

A visit to the bazaar in northern Mazar-i-Sharif shows the challenge she faces. There, bundles of striped and padded coats, or chapans  popularised in the West by ex-President Hamid Karzai  pile up in stacks at stalls. Too bright, she says, discarding the synthetic fabrics.

For many consumers, however, they have their appeal. The cheaper knock-offs are printed on nylon, rather than silk, closely replicating traditional designs but at a third of the price. These cost 800 to 1,200 afghanis ($11 to $18), compared to 2,500 ($36) for a traditional chapan, explains Abdullah, a merchant.

Now only the rich can afford the handmade silk chapans, often buying them as wedding gifts, while middle-class and working people opt for the synthetic designs. Markets across Mazar also burst with the polyester burqas Afghan women are forced by tribal culture to don. But even the fabrics used for this ubiquitous garment come increasingly from abroad.

China, India, Pakistan, everything comes from outside, Hashem, a dyer and weaver for Zarif, tells AFP in the courtyard of his mud house on the outskirts of Mazar from where he manages the 10 women who weave for him at home. In the old days I had 10 families working for me, today I have four, he says while squeezing a skein of freshly dyed cotton. Before, he continues, 80% of the raw material came from the local market, today 80% comes from abroad.

Afghan tailors sewing clothes at Zarif Design House in Kabul. (AFP)

Working women

In founding Zarif, Sherzad  an architect by training  wanted above all to promote female employment, banned under Taliban rule from 1996-2001 and still the norm in large swathes of the country. According to data provided by the World Bank, 19% of Afghan women were employed in 2017  which excludes the informal agricultural sector.

Despite the economic crisis that has raged since the withdrawal of more than 100,000 NATO troops in late 2014, Zarif still employs 26 employees in its courtyard workshop, located next to a mosque and its blaring call to prayers. About 60% of the team is female, including the director Nasima along with the production manager Sara. Two embroiderers work full time while an additional 30 are called on at the discretion of the managers.

Since its creation, Zarif has trained more than 85 women  but most of them have given up their jobs after getting married at the request of husbands who are reluctant to accept the presence of other men near their spouses. The brake on womens employment continues to be their husbands says Sherzad.

Adapting to survive

To survive, Zarif relies on connections in Paris, where the company is supported by French fashion brand Agnes b., along with a stable of faithful clientele in New York. And even as she seeks to preserve, she is also forced to adapt, scouring Afghanistans antique shops in search of richly crafted garments that can be refashioned into bags or the linings for mens jackets.

Silk encapsulates the challenge. Homespun silk from the western city of Herat was once used by Afghan producers for turbans. Now it is exported to Iran. Theres only one artisan left in Afghanistan that knows the craft, Sherzad says. Its necessary to train others, but for what? People no longer have the means and young people no longer wear turbans. We have to invent something else that uses silk.



Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
Hundreds of locals and people from neighbouring states took out a protest at Nuh in Mewat took out a protest rally at Gandhi Park, near the main market, on Sunday morning and marched to the residence of the deputy commissioner, demanding justice for an eight-year-old girl, who was gang-raped and murdered in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Protestors handed over a memorandum to the officials at the deputy commissioners office. Through the memorandum, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the residents demanded death penalty for the accused and called on the Union government to bring a stringent anti-rape law which provides for the death penalty for those accused of such heinous crimes against women and minors.

Since Sir (DC) is out of town, we received the memorandum on his behalf. The residents held a peaceful protest. The law and order situation across the city is under control, a police officer deployed at the DCs residence said.

Hundreds from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and across Mewat gathered at the main market around 10am, holding up placards expressing their deep sorrow over the Kathua incident and demanded swift justice.

The protesters said that they want the culprits to be hanged.

Various organisations have also decided to rally their members for another protest for justice in the Kathua case on Tuesday.

With incidents such as the one in Kathua on the rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to send our daughters out alone even during the day. Girls are not safe in their own city. Our laws, dealing with such crimes, need to be changed, or the culprits will walk free under political pressure, Imran Chiku, a social activist, said.

Read I Gurgaon: Woman executive accuses boss of rape, unnatural sex

Akshat Singh, general secretary of Haryana Youth Congress, also took part in the protest and said they will organise a candlelight vigil in the city on Tuesday. How can such depraved people be protected? Singh said.

Incidents of rape and murder are on the rise and the accused are not scared of the law. A minor is abducted, raped for days and killed and yet, the government is playing the role of a silent spectator, Salamuddin, an advocate abd president of Mewat Vikas Sabha, said.
It is celebration time at the chinkara (Indian gazelle) breeding centre at Jhabua village, as it has welcomed twin female fawns into its brood. The newborns have served as a timely boost to the wildlife population of the state.

Wildlife officials termed the births rarest of rare and said that the newborns are the first chinkara twins of the state. Jhabua village is situated 100km from Delhi and 70km from Gurugram, towards Jaipur.

This is rarest of rare case and first of its kind in Haryana where a chinkara has delivered twins. Parvati has created history, Dr. Ashok Khasa, veterinary surgeon, wildlife, said.

Parvati, one of the female chinkaras at the breeding centre, gave birth to the twins around 5.30am on Wednesday. The twins weigh 750 grams and 800 grams respectively. Wednesday marked the fourth time that Parvati welcomed newborns.

Parvati became pregnant after mating with a chinkara named Shiv in October last year. After the successful delivery of a fawn by Maya, another female chinkara, in 2013, the centre decided to arrange a mate for Parvati.

Officials at the centre said that a female chinkara reaches sexual maturity at between two-and-a-half and three years of age and the reproduction period lasts 15 years.

On Thursday, the twins were spotted sitting near the tree, enjoying the sunshine. They were feeling cold as the surface was wet after the showers that lashed the area on the day they were born. They could barely walk and slept for most of the day. Officials said that their mother has been doting on them since they were born and feeds them from time to time.

They said Parvati was born at the Jhabua centre in April 2012 and is loved by all. She is sprightly and is mostly spotted prancing around, the officials said. They said she is friendly in nature and attracts visitors by the dozens and even poses of pictures with them.

Read I Aravallis to get blackbuck, chinkara sanctuaries soon

Parvati is expressive and never shies away from showing her emotions. Whenever she spots a visitor clicking pictures, she tries to get close to him/her and pose for snaps. She is also good at sensing emotions in others and the ambience around her, Khasa said.

The breeding centre, which was opened by the Haryana forest department in 2011, has welcomed three fawns this year. The centre is dedicated to the conservation of chinkaras, a rare and endangered species.

Though considered as the state animal of Rajasthan, chinkaras are rarely found in Rajasthan. However, with the opening of the two breeding centres in Bhiwani and Jhabua, their numbers in the state have grown over the years.

On February 17, superstar Salman Khan was sentenced to a year prison for killing a chinkara. However, the actor was acquitted by the Rajasthan high court in July that year.

Officials said barely 15 days after delivering a fawn in October last year, she became pregnant with the twins. At present, the centre houses 28 chinkaras  2 males, 19 females and 7 young ones. Seven of them were born in 2017, the officials said.

She has been kept in a separate enclosure along with her newborns, as she would have to feed them in the next two months. Parvati is mostly seen playing with her twins and running around with them, the officials said.

These chinkaras under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. There was a time when there were a number of them in the Aravallis, but their population has declined alarmingly since then due to increased infrastructure development and biotic interference, Vinod Kumar, chief conservator of forest, wildlife, Gurugram, said.

This breeding centre will also help boost the wildlife population in the state and the exchange programme. Every time we seek animals from other states, we can offer them chinkaras in exchange, Kumar said.

According to wildlife officials, some of the reasons why the chinkaras are considered an endangered species are the changed cropping pattern, conversion of sandy hills into the plain cultivated land, excessive use of chemical spray on crops and sowing of chemically treated seeds.

Chinkaras are now seen fewer in numbers in the state and if the pattern of decline in population continues, they could be on the cusp of extinction.

The Jhabua centre is spread across 80 acres of land inside a reserve forest. It is fenced with a 10-foot high link chain and has CCTV cameras for surveillance.

This breeding centre has proved to be a success. The objective behind opening this facility was to arrest the slide in chinkara population across the state, and, in the coming years, Haryana will go from a state with dwindling numbers of chinkara to one with the highest. I was concerned over the shrinkage of wildlife habitat in the state and exhorted residents to come forward with ideas to save endangered species, Rao Narbir Singh, state minister for forest and wildlife, said.

We have been successful in saving our wildlife, especially those considered endangered species. Incidents of man-animal conflict has also come down by a significant extent. The breeding centre is fenced off and the chinkaras are safe. Measures have been adopted to keep poachers at bay. Villagers themselves are very protective of this species and also keep an eye out for suspicious activities, if any, Singh said.

The forest department is also planning to throw the centre open to educational institutes. At present, only students from schools and colleges in Rewari visit the facility, but soon, it will attract students and researchers from across Delhi-NCR and other states.
Robert Downey Jr became an instant fan favourite when he first starred in Iron Man, and after a decade, amid the reports of him dropping the armour, director Joe Russo says no actor can replace the Hollywood star as Tony Stark.

There have been rumours that Downey Jr, who has played the iconic superhero in around 10 Marvel films, including the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel, will step down as Iron Man after the release of Infinity War.

There is nobody who can take over Iron Man from Robert. I dont think the audience would accept that. He never mentioned to us about leaving Iron Man, but it will happen at some point of time.

He cant play the character forever. I am sure there are lots other things he wants to do in his career. But he loves playing the character, I know that, and we love working together. We will see where it goes from here, Joe, who has co-helmed the film with brother Anthony Russo, said in a group interview.

US film directors Joe (L) and Anthony Russo pose on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the Avengers: Infinity War UK Fan Event in White City, west London. (AFP)

Infinity War boasts a towering cast and the filmmaker says, true to his on-screen avatar Iron Man, Downey Jr made sure everyone moved together like a unit throughout the filming process.

Robert is an incredible leader. He is a very warm and inclusive human being. He is great in keeping everyones spirits high and making everyone feel invited in the process... In the healthy creative space, he adds.

The film, scheduled to release on April 27, is being touted as the biggest Marvel movie ever. Joe says that for him, the project is a step towards a more diverse Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the latest example being Ryan Coogler-directed Black Panther.

For me, this Marvel Universe is like a book. It has been in writing for last 10 years with all these films. Infinity War is the final chapter in this book. So, in the future, there will be new stories to tell. In the future, we will be seeing a new beginning. Black Panther is one of them and it is so incredible. The future of Marvel is going to be a lot more diverse catering to fans across the globe.

People have been (living) with these characters for a decade and this is the ending. It is very exciting as there is a sense of closure and then also of new beginnings, he says.

The film features an A-list cast -- Benedict Cumberbatch, Karen Gillian, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Pratt among others.

Joe says there were no differences on the sets and they worked like a team. There were no ego clashes. We were like a big happy family, he adds.

Check out full coverage of Avengers: Infinity War here.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Five Maoists and 18 supporters, including five women, have surrendered in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Narayanpur district, police said on Sunday.

They turned themselves in before police and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials at Kukdajhor police station here on Saturday, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla told PTI.

The five Maoists were active as jan-militia members of the proscribed outfit while the remaining were supporters, he added.

They were associated with the Maoist movement for a long time and were tasked with arranging meetings and food for Maoists, putting up pamphlets, posters and banners, collecting information besides planting IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to target security forces, he said.

Those who surrendered were in contact with police for the past one year and were willing to come to back to the mainstream. After noticing their activities and willingness to quit the outlawed movement to lead a normal life, their surrender was accepted, he said.

Police said that those who have surrendered have given statements that they were frustrated with the exploitation, violence and atrocities perpetrated in the name of the Maoist movement.

They also told police that they wanted to see development in the area, the SP added.

They will be provided assistance according to the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government, he added.
A Bengaluru-based company has come up with a solution that could help the Indian Army leap over the language barrier that has been impeding communication between soldiers deployed in forward areas and their Chinese counterparts.

Cogknit Semantics Pvt Ltd has offered the army an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution that can translate Chinese into English or Hindi in real time, according to a new report prepared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on solutions to problems identified by the army.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat released the report, titled 1st Compendium on Solutions to Problem Statements, at the DefExpo-2018, which concluded in Chennai on Saturday.

The Chinese language barrier is one of the 130 problems identified by the Army Design Bureau (ADB) in three separate reports. Other problems include a drop in engine performance of tanks and infantry combat vehicles at high altitude, and the difficulties in laying bridges for movement of troops and vehicles in mountains.

An initiative of the Narendra Modi government, the ADB was launched in August 2016 and has been tasked with promoting research and development and acting as a bridge between the army and the private sector to meet the armys requirements.

Its a 100% indigenous solution, a next generation AI product that can automatically carry out the translation. A soldier would require only a headset and a tablet, said Deepak Kumar, director (defence solutions), Cogknit.

The company has told the army that the product could be deployed for trial at a weeks notice and does not require Internet connectivity.

The army had sought industrys help in January 2018 to solve the language problem through the development of an auto Chinese translator.

On a number of occasions, forums and activities, Indian Army members are required to interact with their Chinese counterparts. On all such occasions, language becomes a key barrier, the ADB said in the January report.

The army acknowledged that the number of Chinese language qualified personnel/interpreters in its ranks was negligible.

Making a case for solving the problem, the army said availability of genuine Chinese language translator would also be of help to military researchers and strategic affairs analysts and have a multiplier effect in the field of China studies in the Indian Army, said the January report.

Many issues can be resolved quickly if we can overcome the language barrier. It will also help conduct joint exercises and other interactions in a better way, a senior officer said on condition of anonymity.

General Rawat heaped praise on industry for swiftly coming up with solutions to problems faced by the army. In six months, we have got solutions to 80 of the 130 problems identified by us, he said at a FICCI seminar here.
The BJP on Sunday demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it.

Citing the BJPs decision to remove two of its Jammu and Kashmir ministers, who had joined the public protests against the probe, Union minister Prakash Javadekar wondered if Congress president Rahul Gandhi would only point fingers at others but maintain silence on the comments of his partys Jammu and Kashmir unit chief.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

Questions would be raised and there must be some justification in the peoples demand, Mir said, wondering if the probe was aimed at making some political points.

When our ministers expressed these sentiments, the Congress, the media made a lot of noise. We took action. They resigned. Now we want to ask Rahul Gandhi, who took out a candlelight march (protesting the growing incidents of crime against women in the country), why is he not taking action against his partys state president, Javadekar said.

The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by PTI.

The BJP had faced flak after its leaders in the Jammu region, including two ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government, joined the public protests against the police probe into the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakarwal Muslim community that had led to the arrest of eight persons.

The two ministers -- Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga -- resigned on Friday, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said these incidents, including a rape case in which a BJP MLA from Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh is the accused, had shamed the country and that justice would be ensured in all the cases.

Javadekar also demanded an apology from senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, noting that Bar Association of Jammu president B S Slahia, who had led the public protests against the police probe, was his poll agent in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP leader also questioned Gandhis candlelight march at India Gate on Friday night, saying he never protested against the Nirbhaya incident, atrocities against Dalits in Mirchpur in Haryana and many other incidents of rape that had happened during the Congress rule.

People can see what kind of politics you (Gandhi) are doing. Why are you silent? You should immediately sack him (Mir), Javadekar said.

The HRD minister rued that there had been no gender sensitisation for men in the country for generations, claiming it to be a reason behind the heinous crimes against women, and said, No amount of condemnation is enough for such incidents.

Reacting to Congress leader Dinesh Gunduraos comment that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath should be beaten with slippers, Javadekar said the BJP condemned such remarks and claimed that the opposition party was making provocative statements and trying to incite violence as it was afraid of losing the May 12 Karnakata Assembly polls.

Congress dismisses demand

The Congress dismissed the BJPs demand as motivated, saying it was because of his demand that the inquiry into the matter had seen some progress initially.

The Congress also termed as misleading the BJPs talk of its two state ministers resigning from their posts for taking part in a protest march supporting those accused of raping and killing the eight-year-old girl.

The opposition party claimed that it was because of the pressure exerted by the people and the protest march led by party chief Rahul Gandhi that saw the ruling BJP take the action against its ministers.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party did not defend its Karnataka leader Dinesh Gunduraos remark on Yogi Adityanath. Khera said Gundurao was a father of two and like everybody else he was deeply disturbed by what is happening to daughters in the country.

Mir sahab has clearly said that the video they are talking about is one or one-and-half months old. Because of Mir sahabs demand that there was some progress, action in the case, Khera told reporters here.

So, the talk of sacking (by the BJP) someone is misleading. Today, in fact, they (the BJP) should have kept quite. Today people are asking them questions, who are they (the BJP) to ask questions, he asked.

Hitting back at the BJP over the rape incidents, Khera accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of providing merely a lip service and of taking time to respond to them.

Khera claimed that the two Jammu and Kashmir ministers, Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, had to resign due to pressure.

You removed two ministers, that too in the wake of pressure But why Ajay Singh Bisht, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was not removed? he asked.
With filing of nominations for Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls coming to a close on Monday, the ruling BJP said on Sunday it was confident of bagging 11 out of 13 seats going to polls on April 26.

The BJP and its allies enjoy a brute strength of 324 in the 403 UP Legislative Assembly. Arithmetically, they are likely to win 11 out of 13 seats comfortably and still be left with some additional votes.

UP BJP vice-president JPS Rathore said to ensure victory, a candidate needs 29 first preference votes.

The notification for the legislative council polls was issued on April 9. The last date for filing nominations is April 16. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on April 17, while the last date for withdrawal of the candidature is April 19.

We are sure of securing win on 11 out of the 13 seats of the Legislative Council seats going to polls, UP BJP spokesperson Navin Srivatava told PTI on Sunday.

For the remaining two seats, Samajwadi Party has given up one seat to the BSP taking the new found friendship a step forward.

The SP headed by Akhilesh Yadav had fielded two candidates, but withdrew one of them, paving the way for Mayawatis party to contest one seat as a quid pro quo for her support to the SP in the Lok Sabha by-elections to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, which halted the saffron partys victory march in the bastion of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath (in Gorakhpur).

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won the Phulpur parliamentary constituency for the first time.

However, in the Rajya Sabha elections, it was a sweet revenge for the BJP, as it ensured victory of all its nine candidates, days after it lost two crucial seats in the Lok Sabha bypolls in the state.

In the 100-member UP Legislative Council, the BJP has just 13 members. The Samajwadi Party has 61 members, the BSP nine, the Congress two, the RLD one and others 12. Two seats are vacant.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said the SP-BSP combine will comfortably win the two legislative council seats.

The Samajwadi Party is contesting on one seat in the Legislative Council polls. Initially, we had decided to contest on two seats, but later we decided to give one seat to BSP to strengthen our electoral understanding, SP spokesperson and MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said.

UP Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh said, Going purely by numbers, we cannot field any party candidate (for the Council polls), but we can support the candidates from other like-minded parties. However, we expect the BSP to support our candidate (if we decide to field one), since we supported the BSP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.

According to the Election Commission, tenures of 13 MLCs, including SP national president Akhilesh Yadav and two ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government -- Mahendra Kumar Singh and Mohsin Raza -- will end on May 5.

Of the 13 seats falling vacant, seven were held by the SP, two each by the BJP and the BSP, and one RLD. The thirteenth seat was held by former SP minister Ambika Chaudhary. His seat fell vacant when he switched over from the SP to the BSP.

Apart from the SP chief, six other MLCs from the party whose term is coming to an end are state SP chief Naresh Chandra Uttam, senior party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, Umar Ali Khan, Madhu Gupta, Ramsakal Gurjar and Vijay Yadav.

MLCs from other parties whose term ends on May 5 are Vijay Pratap and Sunil Kumar Chittor (both BSP) and Chaudhary Mushtaq -- the lone RLD member.

Though the BJP and its allies have 324 MLAs in the 403- member state Assembly, it may not get the required strength in the Upper House to get the bills passed even after winning 11 of the 13 seats by dint of its strength.

During the winter session of the state legislature last year, the Yogi Aditynanath government had suffered an embarrassment when it failed to ensure the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime (UPCOC) Bill in the Upper House.
Praveen Togadias ouster from the central board or cabinet of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) should not be read as a sign of the organisation deviating from its hardline stance, said senior functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevask Sangh (RSS) on Saturday. The VHP is an affiliate of the Sangh.

A vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government, Togadia, who is known for inflammatory speeches on issues such as cow slaughter and interfaith marriages, has already dubbed his ouster as evidence of the VHP caving into pressure from the government. Now, today, it is very shocking and saddening to see such a grand VHP, that we all built to this fantastic level, has been made to bend before power, not for Hindu well-being but for individual whims and fancies of some power mongers, he said.

However, senior Sangh functionaries differ. They point out that with the election of former governor VS Kokje as international president and advocate Alok Kumar as working president, the organisation has picked legal luminaries who will play a crucial role in the hearing of the Ram Temple issue in the Supreme Court.

There is little role for the VHP or Togadia in the Ram Temple movement now. The issue is in court and the government has made it clear that the issue will be resolved through legal intervention. In such a scenario, a change at the top does not indicate shift in ideology, said an RSS watcher, not wishing to be named. On speculation that Togadia was dropped to save the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government the blushes ahead of the 2019 polls, a senior Sangh functionary said: While the Sangh allows discussion and debate, his harsh criticism didnt win him any friends.

Another functionary, however, said it was too soon to write off Togadia, as 60 of the 192 eligible voters had voted for Raghava Reddy, who is close to him. Togadia was the working president under Reddy, who was the international president for three terms. It is not a small number. This indicates there are still many who chose to vote independent of the overall sentiment, since it was clear that Kokjes appointment had the approval of the brass, he said.

Kokje is considered close to RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, who retained his position for the fourth term in March. Togadia, on the other hand, has had a public falling out with Modi and not received much support from the Sangh Parivar.
The Indian Armys top brass is trying to figure out how to deal with a budget squeeze at a time the force is facing a critical deficiency of ammunition.

How to best use the limited budget is one of the top issues in the agenda laid out for a six-day Army Commanders Conference that begins here on Monday, a government official said. Army chief general Bipin Rawat will chair the biannual event.

Sharpening Indias combat edge over China and Pakistan, strengthening military infrastructure along the Chinese border, managing future security risks and welfare of soldiers will also be discussed by the armys top commanders.

Optimisation of limited budget to ensure making up of critical deficiency in ammunition is one of the issues that commanders will discuss in detail, said an army release issued on Sunday.

Read | Union Budget 2018: Defence spending increased by 7.81%, but lower than expectations

According to the army, it is running short of Rs 6,380 crore to build ammunition stock necessary for fighting an intense war going past 10 days.

A recent parliamentary report revealed how poor budgetary outlay was coming in the way of emergency purchases, procuring critical ammunition, and undertaking strategic road projects on the Chinese border.

The army told the panel that even as neighbouring China and Pakistan were modernising their militaries at a lightning pace, lack of resources was hurting the force at a time it should be prepared for a two-front war.

Army vice chief Lieutenant General Sarath Chand told the panel that Budget 2018-19 had dashed the armys hopes and overall shortage under the capital head stood at Rs 12,296 crore.

The defence ministry, however, last week brushed aside concerns about a looming financial crisis crippling Indias combat capabilities, saying things are happening in the defence ministry and resources are adequate to modernise the armed forces.

Read | India overtakes UK in defence spending, China remains a major challenger: Report

The report, tabled in Parliament in March, said that the allocation of Rs 21,338 crore for the armys modernisation was insufficient for the committed payment of Rs 29,033 crore for 125 ongoing schemes and emergency requirements.

Minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre will deliver the opening address at the conference. The release added that the conference is aimed at formulating important policy decisions through comprehensive deliberations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the world in a globally broadcast live event from the historic Central Hall Westminster in London during his visit to the UK, following in the footsteps of speakers such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Modi will arrive in London from Sweden on Tuesday night and is set for a packed day of bilateral meetings and events on Wednesday before the live telecast from Central Hall Westminster.

According to the Europe India Forum, the organisers of Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister will address people of all nationalities and backgrounds as questions pour in on social media from far and wide -- from the North Pole to New Zealand and Saudi Arabia to San Francisco.

It will be a no-holds-barred interaction with Prime Minister Modi, in a manner and format never witnessed before, said Vijay Chauthaiwale, in charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department.

Central Hall Westminster, previously known as the Methodist Central Hall, is one of the largest multi-purpose venues in the heart of London and the site of the first-ever United Nations General Assembly in 1946.

Since its opening in October 1912, the then Methodist Central Hall established itself as a prime setting for current affairs and debates and played host to Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to the UK in 1931 at the peak of Indias struggle for independence.

Anti-apartheid leader Martin Luther King Jr, the Dalai Lama and Princess Diana are some of the other high-profile speakers at the hall.

The venue is of great global significance and will make history with this unique niche event, said the Europe India Forum, the organisation behind the mega diaspora event attended by nearly 60,000 people at Wembley Stadium during Modis last UK visit in November 2015.

Nearly 100 young volunteers from across the UK are reportedly giving the final touches to the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath event, scheduled for early evening on April 18, as they finalise the list of just under 2,000 attendees chosen by ballot from online registrations over the last few weeks.

The organisers said they have had an overwhelming response to the studio-style interaction, which will see Modi in conversation with a host who will put questions to him from around the world.

Modi will attend the executive session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on April 19 and the CHOGM leaders retreat in Windsor Castle on April 20 before heading back to India.
Better late than never.

In an almost month-long exercise which concluded on Sunday, the Singrauli district changed the names of 80 government schools between 15 to 50 years old which were named after the dominant castes in that area. They have now been named after famous Indians to make them caste-neutral.

These schools in Singrauli, 780 km east of Bhopal,include primary, middle and high schools are between 15 to 50 years old. While the schools were initially named after castes for convenience, the exercise showed up its drawbacks.

When the schools were started in the area, they were named according to the local population simply for the sake of identification. Unfortunately, if the school was named after a Dalit caste, the upper castes became hesitant to send their children to the school, thinking that it was meant exclusively for the children of that particular caste. Slowly this started a divide between children on caste lines, with children of the same caste going to a school named after their caste said a local teacher, requesting anonymity.

Singrauli, collector, Anurag Chaudhary said, During our tours to various places in the district, we saw many schools having names like Basor Tola, Harijan Basti, Godan Tola, Baiga Basti, Khairwari Tola, Viryani Tola and others. When asked the villagers informed us that the names were on the caste lines and admitted that it had increased divide among the children.

In March, we started identifying the schools that were named after castes. The district panchayat identified 80 such schools and asked the village committee to rename them after famous people, Chaudhary said.

Now, the names of these schools do not have any caste tag and have been named after great personalities like Dr Ambedkar, Swami Vivekanand, Maharani Rani Durgawati, Chandrashekhar Azad etc.

Activists say that this tradition of naming schools after castes is prevalent in other districts too and needs to be stopped.

A social activist from Madhya Pradesh, Rakesh Malviya said, I am happy that somebody had paid attention to this problem. The use of castes in the name of schools is a social mistake but prevalent in many districts of the state. Not only students but teachers also discriminate with students while teaching. By doing this, we are instilling casteism among school students which is very harmful for the future of our country.

This step should have been taken much earlier. The school is for inspiring children but and putting stamp of a particular caste on the kids on the basis of the school they go to is wrong, MP Teachers Association, general secretary Ashutosh Pandey said.
India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan on Sunday for not letting its high commissioner and consular teams to meet Sikh pilgrims visiting the country, the external affairs ministry said, despite the two nations agreeing barely two weeks ago to resolve a discord over harassment to each others diplomats.

Islamabad countered the charge, accusing New Delhi of trying to vitiate environment of bilateral relations.

The two countries sparred over the alleged snub to the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad, Ajay Bisaria. According to the external affairs ministry, Bisaria was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal in the Pakistani Punjab province to the meet the pilgrims on April 14 following an invitation from the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)  the gurdwara authority there.

But he was compelled to return en route to the shrine on Saturday for unspecified security reasons, the ministry said, terming the action inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy. It said the high commissioner was to greet the Indian Sikh pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi but he couldnt.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams, the ministry said in a statement.

Read | Obscene phone calls, ring the doorbell and run: How nuclear rivals India, Pakistan harass each other

Around 1,800 Indian Sikhs are in Pakistan since April 12  their visit facilitated by a 1974 bilateral agreement that allows citizens of the two nations to make pilgrimages in each others territories.

New Delhi called the Pakistani action a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

It alleged that Pakistan breached the the code of conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic and consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries.

Giving permission to pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats is a standard practice that helps consular teams to reach out to its visiting citizens in case of medical or family emergencies. This year the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims, the ministry said.

Besides, the consular team reportedly could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah railway station on April 12.

The Pakistan foreign ministry clarified the security reasons. In the run-up to the main function, the ETPB authorities noticed strong resentment among segments of Sikh yatris, gathered there from different parts of the world, protesting the release in India of some film on Baba Guru Nanak Devji, the Pakistan Foreign Office said.

It said the ETPB authorities suggested the Indian officials to cancel the visit considering an emotionally charged environment and the possibility of any untoward situation.

According to an Indian intelligence official in New Delhi, who doesnt want to be identified, the high commissioner was stopped at the last minute because some radicals probably wanted to discuss pro-Khalistan issues at the function and they didnt want an Indian envoy to be privy to it.

Pakistan tried to turn the tables on India, accusing it of violating the 1974 agreement twice this year by denying visas to Pakistani pilgrims on occasions of Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri and scuttled at least three visits of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims  since June 2017.

It went on to say that officials of the Indian high commission visited Gurdwara Punja Sahib on Sunday.
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said India will coordinate with China and other Asian countries to voice against the Asian Premium being charged by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Taking the initiative forward, the minister said, Indian Oil Corporation chairman Sanjiv Singh will coordinate with the head of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to chalk out the strategy that would result in getting better price from OPEC countries.

India or China, Japan and Korea- Asian counties are the primary consumers of the energy market today.

Why we have to give Asian premium? That is the issue we are raising and when we met on the sidelines of International Energy Forum with CNPC chairman, I proposed to coordinate with China and all these consuming countries in a bigger way, Pradhan said.

We have nominated our IOC chairman Sanjiv Singh to coordinate on behalf of Indian energy industry with other major players and specifically with his Chinese counterpart CNPC Chairman Wang Yalin. There will be meetings, there will be consensus to put a point of view in front of the oil producing countries (OPEC) that we must get reasonable and responsible price for our consumption, the minister said.

Asian Premium is the extra charge being collected by OPEC countries from Asian countries when selling oil, and India has been voicing its dissent against this practice.

India sources about 86% of crude oil, 75% of natural gas and 95% of LPG from OPEC member nations.

To a query, the oil minister said, the bombing on Syria may result in pressure on international crude prices and for the long term gains India should develop alternate fuels for its consumption.

In the international commodity scenario when there is an intentional crisis, there is nothing we can do in short terms. But for long term we are opting for alternate fuel and alternate energy, conservation and efficiency of fuel.

All these are under process. But for short term when there is a crisis in international market, the nature of the industry since inception is that we have to face the pinch, he said.

He said the daily pricing of petrol and diesel is yielding good results and there are no plans of reviewing the system.

Refuting allegations that the centre directed oil companies not to increase prices in view of Assembly polls, Pradhan said, The government has nothing to do with price mechanism. Oil companies are independent and autonomous to do their (price) mechanism.
Indian students and alumni based in the UK have delivered a letter for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian High Commission in London asking him to take extraordinary measures to ensure justice in rape cases reported from different states in India.

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, together with 19 India-related societies at leading UK universities, submitted the letter dated April 14 ahead of the Indian PMs four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday.

It urges the Indian government to take extraordinary measures in the horrific rape cases that have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and more recently in Gujarat.

Hon Prime Minister, extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. You have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that Indias daughters matter, the letter reads.

We demand that you set a true example and prove that the current Indian government does care about the wellbeing and dignity of its children, women, and citizens at large.

By taking swift and strict action, please show that the Indian governments initial silence and delayed response to these horrific crimes against humanity are not a support of the accused because the accused have some or the other link with those in power, it adds.

The letter refers to the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, the case of a young woman in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, who attempted suicide outside the home of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, and a recently reported rape and murder of an 11-year-old in Gujarat.

The NISAU UK expressed a sense of great distress and horror over these crimes of a heinous nature and urged Modi to make an announcement on the issue when he addresses the diaspora at the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath event in London on Wednesday, during which he will address questions from around the world in a live global telecast.

We hope that by the time you arrive [in the UK], you have sufficiently addressed these matters and implemented law and order such that justice and humanity can reign supreme. That when you arrive and address #BharatKiBaatSabkeSaath, you can tell us and the world what those extraordinary measures are that you are putting into place to show that enough is enough, the letter adds.

The University of Oxford India Society, London School of Economics India Society, University College London Indian Society, Imperial College London Indian Society and University of Birmingham Bharat Parivar are among the 19 signatories of the letter alongside NISAU UK, one of the UKs largest Indian student organisations.
The political discourse in poll-bound Karnataka touched a new low with Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao calling upon the people to hit Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers whenever he came to the state.

Rao made the controversial remarks at a candle march organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress in Bengaluru to show solidarity with the victims of rape in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao and Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua.

The comments drew an angry response from the BJP which termed them heinous and accused the ruling Congress of instigating violence.

As his comments stoked a major political row, Rao said it was an emotional outburst and all I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers.

He said he regretted his remarks if they were offensive.

At the protest meet last night, Rao had said, This man from Uttar Pradesh who comes to Karnataka to deliver lectures is not a yogi. He is a hypocrite, a liar and a thug. He should not be allowed to enter Karnataka...

... In case Yogi Adityanath, No, there is no need to call him Yogi. He is Bhogi Adiyanath. If he comes to Karnataka, he should be beaten up with slippers and sent back. If you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) have little self-esteem and if you have respect for women, sack the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Unseat him. What you are doing now is a heinous crime (by retaining him), he said.

Hitting back, furious Karnataka BJP leaders reminded Rao that Adityanath was a revered saint of Nath tradition.

Strongly condemning the remarks, Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said it was highly derogatory and uncivilised.

He said a person who did not know how to speak about a sant and a democratically elected chief minister did not deserve to be in public life.

Yeddyurappa asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel Rao from the party and said the Election Commission should also take cognisance of Raos inflammatory remarks and take stern action against him.

The party tweeted, Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints. What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals? Hindu-Vokkaligas of Ktaka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!

Vokkaligas are considered the second largest community in Karnataka after Lingayats.

The party termed it Congress deep hatred for saffron and anyone who is an unapologetic Hindu.

It also shows the partys disregard for rule of law, said the BJP, alleging, the Congress instigates violence for political gain.

It asked the Election Commission to register a case against Rao under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

The BJP said the statement shows Congress partys utter contempt for a democratically elected chief minister.

Enraged by Raos remarks, BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha said in a video message, One should be cautious while talking and control his tongue. Else, you will get a befitting reply.

Rao said, I should not have said so. It is wrong. All I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers. I did not say slap him with slippers. It was not a scripted statement. In a fit of anger I said so. I was wrong.

Later, he tweeted, It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the rape victims and the complete apathy of Adityanath government. I regret if its offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue.

(This story has not been modified from its original version.)
A thunderstorm earlier this month has delayed salaries for more than 4 lakh employees of the Odisha state government.

A power failure triggered by a lightening strike during a Norwester damaged servers needed to dispense the March salaries, state finance minister Shashi Bhushan Behera said.

The servers in the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) house the database and application software required to carry out personnel transaction of government employees online.

Employees usually get their pay at the end of a month, or latest by the first week of the next month, and are directly credited to their bank accounts through the system.

The strike caused a technical glitch in the system. As there is no manual system, employees have to wait till the system is made functional again. It would take a few days before the system is set right, said Behera.

The HRMS server is kept in the premises of Software Technology Park of India, Bhubaneswar. Special secretary of general administration department, AK Meena, who is in charge of HRMS, said the power failure caused a sudden glitch in the system. We have now managed to bring the system back to order. The salaries will be given soon, he added.

Government employees are feeling the pinch due to this delay, according to Prabhat Debata, president of Cuttack district government employees association.

We are yet to get the March salary. Class III and IV employees are facing a lot of difficulties while having to buy daily provisions, said Debata.

In the current financial year, Odisha earmarked Rs 22,021 crore for salaries of government employees.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, officials said.

The resignations of Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga were received from BJP state chief Sat Sharma this morning which were immediately accepted and forwarded to Governor N N Vohra for completing the procedural formalities, they said.

With these resignations, the number of ministers in the state government has come down to 22, including nine from the BJP.

There are three vacancies in the council of ministers as the PDP had last month removed its finance minister Haseeb Drabu unceremoniously, they said.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had held consultations with legislators of the party in Jammu yesterday, had announced the resignations would be forwarded for further action thereby ending a simmering political crisis in the state.

Both Ganga and Singh had participated in a rally on March 1 after the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police had arrested the nephew of a caretaker of a Devisthan (temple) in connection with the kidnapping and rape of the little girl.

During investigation, the police arrested the caretaker and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe. The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.

The girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was found on January 17. During investigation, the crime branch alleged she was drugged and repeatedly raped before being killed by crushing her head with stones.

Both the ministers had maintained yesterday that they had been sent by the party to Kathua to understand the ground situation. The two ministers were present in the rally in support of the rape-accused where the tricolour was also waved.

Madhav had yesterday said, That is why they had to resign. During my visit last month here, I made it clear to everyone that in this matter no one speaks and let us allow the investigations to complete.

Certain amount of discretion should have been maintained. Certainly, there was a lack of discretion. Sometimes a lack of discretion does not tantamount of any guilt...that has led to certain misconceptions about them (two ministers) also, so they decided they will quit as ministers, he had responded, when asked about the two ministers having termed the action of the crime branch as jungle raj and warned police from arresting anyone.

A much-relieved Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defusing the situation and said the unfortunate incident had brought the people of the state and the rest of the country together.

She said a sense of justice had been reinforced in the state and urged New Delhi to wake up to the Kashmir cauldron.

Both the alliance partners -- the BJP and the PDP -- had separate legislature party meetings in Srinagar and Jammu yesterday to discuss the situation arising out of the polarisation in the state over the rape-cum-murder of the girl.

(This story has not been modified from its original version)
A police constable allegedly seen with agitators involved in damaging rail tracks during the nationwide protest on April 2, called by Dalit outfits, has been placed under suspension, a senior police officer said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Aditya Pratap Singh said that police constable Vinit Maurya, who was posted at the citys Harijan police station, has been suspended after a video, in which he is allegedly seen participating in the protests at a local railway station, went viral on social media.

Agitators, during this protest, had damaged railway infrastructure and had pelted police with stones, he said.

A case in this regard was also registered at the local railway police station on that day.

Railway police station in charge Haricharan Lal said, In the video, the constable (in civil dress) is seen participating in stone pelting and other unauthorised acts along with a mob of protesters.

Protests across the country were organised on April 2 against a Supreme Court order of March 20, which agitators claimed diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Eight people were killed in MP during the protests.
Rescuers in the US have found the body of a woman while searching for a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a California river.

An inter-agency search and rescue team in California on Friday recovered some personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in which the missing Indian family was travelling last week.

Personal belongings of the four members of the family from Santa Clarita in California, who were believed to be travelling through Humboldt and Mendocino County on US-101 while on a vacation, were also found by the team over a two-day period on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, vice president of the Union Bank on Santa Clarita, and his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, were on a road trip along with their two kids -- Siddhanth, 12 and Saachi, nine -- in the maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California, during which they went missing on April 5.

The body has been sent for identification, amidst fear that this could be from the missing Thottapilly family.

Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site (Eel River flows in a northern direction), Californias Mendocino County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The body was found on Friday on an exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area.

Identification of the body is pending at this time and an autopsy is anticipated to be conducted on April 17.

Searchers are looking for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.

In this Thursday, April 12, 2018, file photo by The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office shows the Eel River in Northern California. (AP)

Meanwhile, the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office and the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area Office, are continuing their efforts along the South Fork of the Eel River, just north of the town of Leggett California, to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported to have been submerged in the river on around 1:10 PM on Friday, April 6.

Between the two search days, the Swift Water Rescue Teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of the Eel river, just north of the town of Leggett in California.

The vehicle is reported to have submerged in the river around 1:10 pm on April 6.

The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior, the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said.

It said several items were identified by the family members of those missing.

Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family, it said.

These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family, the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the Thottapilly family was supposed to have arrived to visit a friend in the San Jose area on April 6 but did not make it as scheduled.

The family was last heard from in the town of Klamath, Del Norte County, on April 5.

The California Highway Patrol developed information that the family were travelling in a family vehicle, a 2016 maroon Honda Pilot.

The family was officially reported as missing to the San Jose Police Department on April 8.

Sandeep grew up in Surat city in Gujarat and settled down in the US over 15 years ago.
The Manipur police arrested a retired police officer Friday night after a suspected drug runner named him in connection with the seizure of tablets of banned narcotic called World is Yours (WY).

The Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) of Manipur Police department said the retired DSP identified as one Md Abdul Latif (63), in Imphal East district was made after one Manzil Ahmed Laskar (30) named him following the seizure of WY tablets from him.

Manzil, a resident of Uttar Lalpani of Jirighat in Assams Cachar district was arrested by the Assam Rifles on April 10 from Kaimai, around 155km west of Imphal on the Imphal-SIlchar highway after he was found carrying 100,000 WY tablets in an SUV. The consignment Is said to be worth around Rs 40 lakhs in local market.

The Assam Rifles handed over Manzil and the seized drugs to the NAB and a case has been registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the NAB said in a statement.

During interrogation Manzil disclosed that the seized drugs were loaded in the SUV at ex-DSP Md Abdul Latifs residence at Dewlahlad in Imphal.

We made the arrest around 8.10pm on Friday. Latif has been remanded into police custody till April 20, said deputy superintendent of police Th Brinda of NAB. Investigation is going on.

Last month, the Assam Rifles made one of the biggest drug seizures when it nabbed an alleged drug peddler with brown sugar and WY (World is Yours) tablets worth over Rs 11 crore in Manipurs Tengnoupal district.

In the last four months, the NAB has arrested 17 people and registered 30 cases in connection with drugs cases, the police officer added.
Border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), that guards Indias borders with Nepal and Bhutan, has launched a unique project to create pen-pictures of its about one lakh jawans detailing their physical, professional and behavioural traits.

The exercise is aimed at understanding strengths, weaknesses, interests, aspirations and personal and professional problems of troops.

The paramilitary force has started a unique Know your Personnel (KYP) programme, on the lines of the much-known Know Your Customer due diligence exercise, across all its formations in the country where the commanding officer will personally talk to each jawan and take down observations in their own hand writing.

The force has also framed a maiden Personnel Charter to ensure timely problem resolution and ensure zero grievance amongst troops, on the lines of the Citizen Charter.

SSB Director General (DG) RK Mishra, while recently issuing a four-page SOP circular, has asked the commanding/supervisory officers to make a sincere effort and write a pen-picture of 100 words of their troops covering physical, behavioural, professional and individualistic characters besides any significant issues observed by the commander.

The standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been accessed by PTI and it states that the commanders will undertake the exercise to better connect and know the strengths, weaknesses, interests, aspirations and personal and professional problems of troops under their command.

It directs the officers to calmly ask their jawans about their problems and make them comfortable while probing about the problems being faced by them at work and at home.

The KYP, it said, is aimed to bring about pyschological and physical well being of the personnel to ensure their maximum output on the field.

The SOP said that once the two programmes are complied with in letter and spirit, it will be helpful in nurturing robust bonding amongst the troops and will also help in eliminating the grievances to a zero level.

When asked about it, the DG said while these mechanisms have been an inherent part of the force, it was noticed that over a period of time the interaction of an officer with his jawan had become a matter of routine.

Three-fourths of the force is below 35 years of age and constabulary and subordinate officers are the largest base of our organisation. Hence, keeping their motivation high and their stress-free well being is the most important thing when it comes to achieving success in our operational tasks, DG Mishra said.

These two unique initiatives have been launched, he said, to ensure that the jawans feel that they are an integral and significant part of the organisation.

The KYP dossiers of the troops, the SOP said, will be reviewed by the force headquarters every month and its timely completion will be a key target for commanders to meet.

The KYP records are meant to be revised after regular intervals.

The directive also identified the major reasons for grievances amongst troops-- inability to get timely leave, inability to keep their families with them while being on duty at the borders or other areas, failing to ensure proper education for children, health issues of family members and infertility issues among newly married troops as they cannot live with their spouses in the early part of their service.

The SSB is over 90,000 personnel strong and is the lead protection and intelligence gathering agency along the open Nepal and Bhutan borders on the countrys eastern side apart from rendering multiple tasks in the internal security domain like anti-Naxal operations.
Thousands of people protested across the country on Sunday as outrage grew over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammus Kathua and the sexual assault of a teenager in Unnao, a day after another case of the brutal rape and murder of a minor girl was reported in Surat.

Carrying banners and shouting slogans, the protesters marched in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Jammu and other cities, demanding that the government quickly prosecute those accused in the rape cases.

Candle light vigils were also held at a few places, including Gujarats Surat. The citys police said a minor was allegedly held captive, tortured and raped before being killed recently. Her body  found on April 6  had 86 injury marks. She is believed to have been between nine and 11 years of age.

Many protesters expressed anger at the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that its leaders in Jammu and Kashmir were initially siding with the accused in the Kathua case. The eight-year-old girl in Kathuas Rasana village belonged to a Muslim nomadic tribe, the Bakarwals, and the charge sheet says she was tortured and killed to scare the community away.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the crimes against women a shame for the country and asserted that the guilty will not be spared.

People attend a protest against the rape of an eight-year-old girl, in Kathua, near Jammu and a teenager in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, in New Delhi, India April 15, 2018. (Reuters)

I want to assure the nation that no criminal will be spared. Justice will be done. Our daughters will get justice. We all will have to work together to end this internal evil, he said.

Sundays protests brought back memories of massive outpouring across India triggered by the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in December 16, 2012, in the national capital that led to stricter rape laws in the country.

More than 500 people gathered at the Parliament Street in Delhi with Not in My Name banners, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly protecting Kuldeep Singh Sengar, his partys Unnao MLA, in the rape case.

A gild holds a placard during a protest against the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, in Kochi. (Reuters)

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal joined the protests along with Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal near Rajghat, where she is holding an indefinite hunger strike to demand the setting up of more fast-track courts to complete trials in rape cases of minors within six months. Maliwal is also demanding the death penalty for people convicted for raping minors. A silent protest was also held by the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress near the Rajiv Chowk metro station.

A demonstrator holds a placard during a silent protest 'Not In My Name' in support of rape victims following high profile cases in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh states, in New Delhi. (AFP )

In Jammu, people of different faiths pledged to maintain communal harmony, and demanded capital punishment for the culprits involved in the rape-and-murder of the 8-year-old girl.

Carrying national flags, a group of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Muslims gathered at Bahu Plaza Park in Jammu to convey the message that we may come from different religions but we all are one against social crimes.

Demonstrators hold placards during a silent protest 'Not In My Name', in New Delhi. (AFP )

In Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, social activists, theatre artistes, students and volunteers gathered at the Gandhi statue near the general post office (GPO) on Sunday evening demanding justice in the Unnao and Kathua rape cases.

Activist Deepak Kabir, who led the protest, said: A rapist can be a Hindu, Muslim, Dalit or Christian but we need to understand that he is a rapist. The fight is against patriarchy and we need to push it harder.

Former vice-chancellor, Lucknow University, and a social activist Prof Roop Rekha Verma said, The Unnao and Kathua rape cases are not merely incidents of crime against women. It is a political matter where accused are being supported by top politicians of the country.

It is really shameful to see how the government is trying to protect rapists. If our leaders do so, how can we expect justice for victims, asked a student who attended the protest.

People hold placards during a protest against recent incidents of rape in the country, in Mumbai. Violent crimes against women have been on the rise despite tough laws enacted in 2013. (AP Photo)

Women hold placards during a silent protest in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)

Widespread protests were held throughout Kerala, where several organisations took to the streets, holding candle light marches in major cities.

Several youth organisations took an oath on Sunday to speak up against growing atrocities against women in the country.

Besides this, people took to social media in a big way to condemn the incidents.

In Kannur (north Kerala) a journalist named his two-month-old daughter after the Kathua victim and a writer told his publishers to contribute all his royalty to the family of the girl. Netizens started a spirited campaign against a bank manager who justified the Kathua killing and forced the bank to terminate his service. Later, the police also booked him.

In Madhya Pradesh, civil society members and students of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) organised candle light protests at different places in capital Bhopal on Sunday evening.

Abid Husain, a participant, said, No religious colour should be given to the gang rape incident in Jammu and Kashmir. We want maximum punishment to the guilty so that it becomes an example for others.

Several people joined a protest called by civil organisations in Chandigarh to seek justice for the Kathua victim. The protest was organised by the Concerned Lawyers of Chandigarh and the Chandigarh Help Group at Sector 17 Plaza.

We are demanding justice for the girl who was raped and killed in Kathua, city-based advocate Maninder Pal Singh Dhindsa, said.

(With inputs from Lucknow, Jammu, Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and agencies)
Accusing those in power of having forgotten the promise of building the Ram temple, former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief, Pravin Togadia announced an indefinite hunger strike from April 17.

Those drunk on power have forgotten the promise of building the Ram temple. Those who want to work for Hindutva have been suppressed in the last four years, he told media in Ahmedabad, without taking any names.

The announcement came after Togadias virtual ouster from the organisation  he resigned after his close aide lost the VHP presidential elections.

Raghava Reddys loss to VS Kokje on Saturday is being seen as a defeat for Togadia, whose harsh criticism of the Narendra Modi government has seen him losing out on support from the Sangh Parivar.

Earlier this year, Togadia had accused the police of conspiring with political masters in Delhi to eliminate him in an encounter and had gone missing for more than 12 hours in Ahmedabad.

Read | End of hardline Hindutva in VHP after Togadias ouster from cabinet?

Under Modi, BJP, the political arm of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has put the issue of building Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya on the backburner, and has focussed on wooing people of all communities with the development promise.

After the VHP poll loss, Togadia said he was leaving the organisation.

Announcing his strike from April 17, he said, We will try to send the message across each and every village. I am not in the VHP now, but its members and workers are very much with me. Sentiments of 100 crore (1 billion) Hindus have been hurt by false promises.

In Gujarat, many VHP office-bearers owing allegiance to Togadia have resigned in the last 24 hours. Many workers thronged the VHP office in Ahmedabad, where Togadia held a meeting on Sunday afternoon.

People close to the leader claimed he is planning to launch an outfit called Hindu First. Togadia did not say anything on floating an organisation.
The Indian economy has recovered from the adverse impacts of demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax and is projected to grow by 7.3% in 2018 and 7.5% in 2019, the World Bank has said.

Indian recovery will lift South Asia as a region and make it the worlds fastest growing again, possibly even widening the lead over East Asia and the Pacific, said the World Banks bi-annual South Asia Economic Focus report released on Sunday. It will drive South Asia growth to 6.9% in 2018 and 7.1% in 2019.

South Asia had lost the lead as India decelerated for about five quarters, and now it is clear that India is bouncing back, the Banks chief economist for South Asia Martin Rama said in an interview.

The acceleration of growth that we see in the region is not necessarily that all countries in the region are doing much better, its a mixed picture, but given the size of India, Indias bouncing back is driving the growth, he added.

But job creation is a concern. Despite growth, India was not creating enough jobs.

The report said: India must create 8.1 million jobs a year to maintain its employment rate, which has been declining largely due to women leaving the job market.

The decline on account of women dropping out is happening in areas that are borderline between urban and rural (and) as farming jobs disappear and other types of jobs do not appear, said Rama, referring to existing research.

He added: In the traditional village societies, working on the farm was a bit like working at home but now you are becoming urban and you have to go somewhere else such as construction and other small service sector work.

India grew by an estimated 6.7% in 2017 as per the World Banks estimates (there are several counts, including one by India) and is forecast to grow by 7.3% in 2018, and 7.5% in both 2019 and 2020.

I am very confident that India can deliver growth rates in the range of 7 to 8% for quite some time without much work, just keeping good policies  (but) the question is can it do more? said Rama.

There was a time India was getting close to double-digit growth  can India get there? The answer is yes but it requires a very clear policy orientation on energy infrastructure trade and things like that, he added.

Asked if double-digit growth in sight, he said: I am not saying its in sight, but its possible.

Indian recovery, Rama said, could be due to multiple factors. One, because of growing domestic demand and domestic consumption. And the other was from the point of view of policy.

There were a couple of things that contributed to the slowdown of India, which were temporary in nature, he said, pointing to the effect of demonetisation and the transition to GST, both of which may be positive in the long run but was disruptive in the short term.

Rama was referring to Indias surprise decision to withdraw large denomination currency notes in November 2016, to rid the economy of unaccounted money and drive it towards formalisation, but which had also led to a crippling cash crunch. And the rollout in 2017 of the unified tax system, the GST.

These two temporarily disruptive developments came at a time of a decline mainly related to investments and exports, he noted.

That phase is over and the economy is bouncing back. The World Bank report said India should take advantage of it and strive to accelerate investments and exports.
In a joint operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army Parachute Brigade carried out a battalion-level airborne assault in the desert sector on Saturday night.

The assault, part of the ongoing IAF exercise Gagan Shakti-2018, included paradrop of 560 paratroopers, combat vehicles and GPS guided cargo platforms.

The landing force was dropped behind the simulated enemy lines to soften up the likely resistance to our own armoured offensive, said Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha.

The airborne force comprised six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and seven Antonov An-32 aircraft launched from multiple IAF bases. The force was provided aerial surveillance by airborne warning and control system (AWACS) and protected by a flight of Sukhoi Su-30 air superiority fighters.

Ojha said airborne operations are a means of aerial insertion of troops, equipment or supplies directly into the battle zone. Airborne operations are high-risk operations which are based on accurate intelligence, dynamic air dominance by own forces and criticality of requirement by ground forces, he added.

Airborne assault is a subset of airborne operations wherein combat troops and equipment are paradropped into the tactical battle area.

These troops have specific tasks like disrupting enemy lines of communication, capture or destruction of critical enemy infrastructure, said Ojha, adding that, the accuracy and outcome of the mission highlights IAFs multi spectral capabilities and its efficiency in providing timely support to ground forces.

On Wednesday, the IAF had showcased its precision in strike capabilities during day and night. More than 11 light combat aircraft (LCA) were engaged in the first phase of the exercise. The IAF has consistently encouraged the development of indigenous defence production capability, Ojha had said.

During Gagan Shakti-18, the IAF has formalised the concept of a forward surgical centre (FSC). FSC is set up at a remote forward location in the IAF with the aim of enhancing the medical capabilities at a forward base which is located away from a service hospital. The establishment of FSC at a forward base enables immediate life and limb saving surgery and stabilisation of the patient.
High-profile politicians, police officers and bureaucrats are on the radar of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the Unnao rape case, those privy to the investigation said on Sunday.

The rape survivor told the CBI that BJP MLA from Bangarmau, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, raped her on June 4, 2017. She lodged a complaint at the Makhi police station in Unnao district but no action was taken by the police, she told CBI. When the MLA threatened her, she filed a complaint against him with chief minister Yogi Adityanaths office on August 17, 2017, she said, according to those familiar with the investigation.

The CMs office took cognisance of her complaint and a special secretary in the CMs office directed the Unnao police to register an FIR and take action against the accused.

Sources said the CBI was probing under whose pressure the Unnao police ignored the directions of the chief ministers office to lodge a complaint and take action against the MLA. The CBI is collecting the call detail records (CDR) of the MLAs mobile phone, sources said.

The agency has recorded the statement of the MLAs associates in Lucknow and Unnao.

Preliminary investigation indicated that several senior leaders of the ruling party and MLAs pressured the police to ignore the victims complaint. A senior leader called the Unnao SP, directing him not to take action, they said.

The CBI is likely to summon these leaders. After getting Sengar on seven-day remand on Saturday, agency officials questioned him regarding the politicians and officers who reportedly assisted him.

In view of his political clout in Unnao, politicians supported him, cutting across party lines, said a CBI officer. The Allahabad high court on Friday lambasted the police machinery for being under the influence of the MLA. The court observed that police did not register the complaint of the rape survivor and doctors did not examine her even after directions from the CMs office.
Its the time for harvest festivals in various regions of India. Rongali or Bohag Bihu, also known as the Assamese New Year, is traditionally celebrated in Assam.

Lets celebrate this Bihu with some warm messages:

Another Rongali Bihu is here. Let us banish our worries and mistakes and start afresh. Happy Bohag Bihu!

May your life be as colorful and joyful as the festival of Bihu. Wish you a very Happy Bihu.

Let this Bihu give you the strength to do all that you dreamed of doing during last year but didnt dare to do. Happy Bihu to you and your family!

May this festival of zeal and verve fill your life with lots of energy and enthusiasm; and may it help you bring happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Heartiest Bihu greetings!

Let us welcome this Rongali Bihu with great hope, eagerness, and anticipation. Wishing you a year of joy, satisfaction, peace and prosperity! Happy Bihu to you!

Here are some Happy Bihu images you can share on social media:

(askideas.com)

(a2zfestival.com)

(a2zfestival.com)

(a2zfestival.com)

(a2zfestival.com)
Myanmar boasts of an interesting melange of great traditional cuisines -- ranging from Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Cambodian and even Western influences. Its time to explore this fascinating combination at an ongoing food festival here. Pullman Hotels The Myanmar Food Festivals menu has been set by Myanmarese Chef Htun Htun Naing, who has been specially flown to India to bring authentic flavours of the delicacies of Myanmar.

Traditional delicacies from the menu include ginger poached chicken, charcoal grilled eggplant and lemon prawn, also known as anyarka-yan-thee thoke, lemongrass coconut emulsion, curry lobster ravioli and Yangon crispy pork belly, among a wide range. It is Naings first time to India. He said out of the most famous Indian dishes that he has tried is chicken biryani which was so spicy. It was so hot and spicy. I cant explain. In comparison with the Indian cuisine, our cuisine is very simple. People who love spicy... its not that interesting for them; but for those who are not so fond of spicy food, this kind of food caters to their tongues well, Naing told IANS.

(In Myanmarese cuisine,) there is a similarity with Indian and Chinese, of course, but it is not much like that of Thailand though. I have tried to make it specially for Indians without losing the authentic flavours, he added.

The a la carte menu interestingly juxtaposes the name of every dish with the name of the city it has originated in. Quite naturally, different courses have been paired with different varieties of wines -- the first one being champagne. So, whats cooking?

I started my meal with a-thoke, or ginger poached chicken, a dish from Myanmars second-largest city and the last royal capital -- Mandalay. A thoke can be simply described as thick rice noodle salad with chickpea flour, chicken, onions, coriander, crushed dried chilli, dressed with fried crispy onion oil, fish sauce and lime. The meat had an unusual aroma. The raw smelling chicken went just okay with the flavour of ginger and the topping of glass noodles. It didnt impress me all that much. All might not have been well in the beginning, but the rest of the courses were to look forward to.

For those who eat other meats, the menu offers a prawns dish -- anyar ka-yan-thee thoke from central Myanmar. Up next was the traditional lentil soup with noodle from the Ayeyarwady region. The soup was quite bland and that is perhaps why the chef chose to serve it with chilli flakes. I had to add at least two teaspoons of it to satisfy my Indian tongue. The result was surprisingly great. It was, in fact, quite enjoyable.

Mains from the sea, as the menu described it, should naturally be a delight for sea-food lovers. Curry lobster ravioli is the chefs favourite. I opted for a dish from the land -- Myanmar chicken curry, with potato and coconut cream, had a good aroma. You can choose between fragrant rice and Shan noodles to accompany the curry. The chef was kind enough to give me both. The noodles had a sweet and sour topping of crushed tomatoes with nice tangy flavours -- absolutely delicious!

The final course -- dessert -- had something unusual to offer: Sticky rice/coconut cream with fresh mango and mango sorbet. This weird combination of mango and rice in dessert was unimaginable; thus, I was quite sceptical despite that it was visually quite appetising. Once I tasted it, one bite was not enough. The combo went just fine.

What: Myanmar Food Festival; Where: Honk, Pullman Hotel, Delhi Aerocity, till April 22; Timings: 7 pm to 12 pm; Cost for two: Rs 3,500 (Without alcohol)

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
Its the time for harvest festivals in various regions of India. Poila Boishakh marks the new year in the Bengali calendar, and is traditionally celebrated in West Bengal.

Lets celebrate this Poila Boishakh with some warm messages:

May this Poila Boisakh fill your life with abundance of hope, wealth and happiness!

Lets pray for God to bless us with happiness, courage and wealth this Bengali New Year. Hearty Poila Boishakh greetings.

Sending your way heart felt wishes and greetings for the coming year. May your new year be happy and prosperous! Happy Bengali New Year to you and your family.

May the sweetness of sandesh fill your life with the joy of a New Year! Subho Noboborsho to you and your loved ones.

This Poila Boisakh, I pray that all your hearts desires be fulfilled. Wishing you a great New Year!

Here are some Happy Poila Boishakh images you can share on social media:

(youthcorner.in)

(Shutterstock)

(Youthcorner.in)

(youthcorner.in)

(youthcorner.in)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for communalising the Kathua rape case and condemned it for supporting the rapists.

He also hit out at lawyers in Kathua who chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai while marching in support of the accused.

Reiterating his accusation that the BJP will try to engineer riots in the country ahead of 2019 elections for political gain, Thackeray slammed the central government for its failure on all the fronts. The eight-year-old innocent child was not even aware of her religion and had to undergo such a pain. Here we have a party which is protecting the rapists, said Thackeray.

He said that the rape accused should be punished instantly, on the lines of Saudi Arabia. If Narendra Modi has guts, he should evict Bangladeshi Muslims from India. He should remove Pakistanis from Indian soil. The danger is from them and not from the Kathua child, he said.

Thackeray, who had distributed autorickshaws to 100 women in Mulund, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wasting his massive mandate.

Modi talks of teaching Pakistan a lesson, but he made a surprise visit during Nawaz Sharifs (former Pakistan Prime Minister) birthday and cut a cake with him, he added.

He also announced his opposition to the refinery project proposed in Nanar, Ratnagiri.
Mumbaiites hit the streets on Sunday evening raising slogans and demanding death sentence for the accused in the Unnao and Kathua rape cases.

Sacheen Mehta, a resident of Matunga, led a silent protest march from Kings Circle, Matunga, to Dadar, which eventually culminated at Mahim dargah.

I have a few Muslim women joining me at the protest too. Here, we arent talking about religion, though the religion factor has been spoken about throughout, said Mehta, one of the organisers of the protest and a consultant at a construction company.

 We want to convey a message that she was a daughter of India, and irrespective of religion, we demand justice for her, he said.

Other areas in the city too witnessed protests.

The politicians are doing nothing but shielding people affiliated to them. Such incidents keep on happening every now and then and police also doesnt help the family. We do not want such a thing to happen in future, said Shubham Thakur, a student from Powai, who led a protest in his area with his friends.

Those gathered for the protest at Carter Road, took out a bike rally after the protest ended.

Priti Punjabi, a resident of Bandra, came to the protest blindfolded. Punjabi, whose blindfold read, Kanoon andha hain (The law is blind), said she did so because her daughter was eve teased on Saturday.

Agar beti bachegi nahi to beti padhegi kaise? (If the government cant save our daughters, how will the daughter study), said Punjabi, a social activist.

Celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani said, This isnt just a one-off incident, even now, while we are talking, someone would be getting raped. The only difference is two times the number of cases that take place are not reported. Is tackling the issue of black money more important than protecting girls?

In the Kathua rape case, an eight-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir. In the Unnao rape case, a BJP lawmaker is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.

Besides the protests, two online petitions have been started, one demanding justice for the victim in the Kathua case, which has garnered more than 14 lakh signatures. The other petition asks the Bar Council of India to suspend the lawyers supporting the accused in the case, which has collected signatures more than two-and-a-half lakh people.

Meanwhile, members of the Christian community were requested to wear black-coloured clothes for Sunday mass to condemn the two rape incidents.
College students across the city and suburbs made their voices heard as they demanded justice for the victims in the Kathua and Unnao cases.

On Saturday, students at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Deonar held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the eight-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. The students marched from the new campus to the old campus.

They also held a protest rally on Sunday to demand punishment for the culprits.

On Sunday, around 50 students from MH Saboo Siddik Polytechnic, Mumbra, organised a rally, demanding justice for the victim. Our teacher told us about the incident and we also learnt about it through news media. So we thought that she should get justice, said a student participant.

Members of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), along with its parent organisation Jamat-e-Islami Hind held protests outside Kurla and Mira Road stations. They collected signatures of the commuters who demanded punishment for the culprits. Many people were very angry and wanted the culprits to be hanged. Some people were disheartened, and were afraid that the culprits will be let off scot-free, said Shehriyar Ansari, a student of Dr MIJ Tibbia College, Versova, and one of the organisers.

In the Kathua case, an eight-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir. In the Unnao case, a BJP lawmaker is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress organised candle light vigil marches across the state on Sunday demanding justice for the victims in the Kathua and Unnao cases.The partys leaders slammed the Modi government for the failure of law and order in the country.

The marches were organised at district level as part of the partys nationwide march in protest against atrocities being committed against women.

State Congress chief Ashok Chavan, leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, party MP Kumar Ketkar and religious gurus from the Muslim and Christian communities participated in the march at Thane. The march culminated at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars statue on Sunday evening. Congress leaders slammed the Modi government for the failure of law and order in the country.

The Modi government had given a call of Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao, (educate girls, save girls) but now the times have changed and people have started using the slogan, BJP se beti bachao (save girls from the BJP), Chavan said in his speech.

He said it was not only in other states that rape cases have gone up. Even in Maharashtra, the number of rape cases has gone up by 36%. The Congress will fight to protect democracy and communal harmony in the country, he said.

Other Congress leaders led the march in various districts. The speakers slammed the Modi government for its failure in containing crimes against women and what they said was the BJPs bid to shield its leaders accused of rape.
The Shiv Sena once again attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the proposal for alliance in the forthcoming general elections, terming it a move out of helplessness.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut, in his weekly column in the party mouthpiece Saamna, called the BJP opportunist. The BJPs offer to the Sena to join hands in the forthcoming elections is owing to political compulsion. The 2014 Modi wave is no longer there and the situation has changed drastically. The BJP will not able to win more than 170 Lok Sabha seats. In Maharashtra, their tally will slide down to 65-70 seats, he said.

The column, which comes in the backdrop of chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss interview by Raut at an award function on Tuesday, states that Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray gave the BJP an identity in Maharashtra. As the Modi wave rose, the BJP dumped the Sena. The BJP has realised it cant come to power on its own. If there was even a 5% chance to win 280 seats, they would not have entertained the Sena. The BJP has a record of taking help of allies and then finishing them off to come to power, he said.

Raut said the BJP was gradually losing allies as was evident with the Telugu Desam Party, which too has left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the smaller parties in Uttar Pradesh and farmers leader Raju Shetti in Maharashtra.

The column also targeted Mumbai BJP leaders including MP Kirit Somaiya and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar without naming them. They could not have attacked our party chief [Uddhav Thackeray] without the nod of their party leaders. Saamna has never attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have only criticised governments wrong policies such as demonetistion, stand on Kashmir and price rise, he said.
Raj Kapoor, the greatest showman Hindi cinema has seen, would never have touched the dizzy heights he went on to achieve had it not been for the phenomenal team of creative people who surrounded him and with whom he collaborated all his life. Writers KA Abbas and VP Sathe (story and screenplay), music directors Shankar Jaikishan and co-actor Nargis were the essential clogs in his creative wheel of life.

However, there is another, important spoke that really completed Raj Kapoor as an artist and they were his lyricists. Two men shone9 brightest in the Raj Kapoor universe  Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.

On his 96th birth anniversary, heres recalling some of the warm and tender moments Hasrat Jaipuri gave us through his words.

For the millennial it may be really hard to recall Hasrat Jaipuri. However, if you heard the song, Sunn Sahiba Sunn from Ram Teri Ganga Maili, you should know that this song, like many other Raj Kapoors iconic songs, was written by Hasrat Jaipuri.

The year was 1951-52. My father was a 14-year-old, growing up in a dusty little small town in western Odisha called Bolangir. Recalling his days, he had told me once of how when Barsaat (1949) released that year, radio stations would play the songs from the film. A tea shop owner had installed a loud speaker in his place of work and connected it to his radio. Whenever Jiya Beqaraar Hai from the film would play, young teenagers like my dad would stop in the middle of the road just to listen to its haunting melody and yearnings of a young heart. Such was the magic of the golden era of Hindi film music and its reach!

It is true that these songs are best remembered today for the visuals we have of them in our minds  the popular faces from the silver screen, the golden voices that have sung them and the magical minds that have composed their haunting melody. Sadly, what many of us miss out on is the songwriter/lyricist who wrote them.

It is in this context that one makes mention of Hasrat Jaipuri (born Iqbal Hussain) who wrote many of the most iconic songs in the Raj Kapoor repertoire.

Jeeya Beqaraar Hai was his very first song. It is interesting to know how Raj Kapoor

and Hasrat Jaipuri got to work together in the first place.

Born and bred in Jaipur, Hasrat Jaipuri moved to Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1940. He worked for 10 years as a bus conductor. However, at a city mushaira, he was spotted by the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, who immediately recommended his name to his son, Raj Kapoor, a major film personality by then. Thus, started a golden collaboration.

It may make sense here to recall some of his popular songs here. Ichak Dana Bichak Dana (Shree 420), Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malinis Andaz), Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat (Rajendra Kumar starrer Sasural), Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujh Par (Junglee of Shammi Kapoors Yahoo fame), Sayonara Sayonara (with Asha Parekh in a Japanese dress from Love In Tokyo), Duniya Bananewale (Raj Kapoor, Waheeda Rehmans Teesri Kasam) and Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue (Shammi Kapoor starrer Prince) are some of best-loved songs even today.

Hasrat Jaipuri was an accomplished poet as well, with equal proficiency in Urdu and Hindi. In many of his lyrics, this fact becomes amply evident as it mixes not just words and usages but also sensibilities into a seamless whole. Take for example, in the song Bol Radha Bol from Raj Kapoor, Vyajanthimala starrer Sangam, Hasrat Jaipuri writes: Mere Mann Ki Ganga, Aur Tere Mann Ki Jamuna, Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga Ke Nahin. Consider another song from the same film, where Hasrat Jaipuri writes, Ye Mera Prempatra Padh Kar Ke Tum Naraz Na Hona, Ki Tum Meri Zindagi Ho, Ki Tum Meri Bandagi Ho to understand how well he understood these two differing yet corresponding worlds.

Whats fascinating is that he could bring in a rather modern 20th century touch to his songs as well. Imagine the songs Badan Pe Sitarey Lapete Hue (Prince) or Aao Twist Karen (sung by Manna Dey in Bhoot Bangla) and you will know what one means.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Three days after reports of a rift between the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and Gurdaspur member of Parliament (MP) Sunil Jakhar and chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh hit the headlines, both were seen sharing a good chemistry at a state-level function to mark the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar here on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Jakhar had left the CMs office in a huff after he was reportedly asked by the security staff to leave his mobile phone outside, bringing to the fore the simmering discontent in the party.

However, at the function here, both the Congress leaders, who were seated next to each other on the stage, were seen exchanging words and documents with each other showing that nothing had happened between them. Jakhar also accompanied the CM in his official chopper from Chandigarh and flew back along with him.

Although, the event was organised to mark the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution and Bharat Bhushan Dr Ambedkar, all the eyes remained focused to observe the chemistry between the two leaders, who have shared the stage for the first time after the rift. Earlier, on Thursday, both the leaders were to share the stage in Sangrur, where CM Amarinder didnt turn up citing a technical snag in his official helicopter and he directed Jakhar to distribute debt waiver cheques among farmers.

The CM, accompanied by Jakhar and three ministers including Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Charanjit Singh Channi and Aruna Chaudhary, besides Congress MP from Jalandhar Santokh Singh, paid floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary.

In Doaba, which comprises four districts, including Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, have around 2,000 beneficiaries including 1,870 from the SC category and 130 from the BC who will be given the loan waiver.

SC/BC loan waiver scheme launched

During the event, the CM also rolled out a scheme to waive loans of members of the scheduled caste and backward class (SC/BC) categories by symbolically distributing no due certificates to 20 beneficiaries.

Under the scheme, the state government will waive loans up of to Rs 50,000 each taken from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCLDFC) and Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PBCLDFC).

The waiver will benefit 15,890 people, who had taken loans up to March 31, 2017, including those who had defaulted on their payments. A total amount of Rs 52 crore will be waived under the scheme. While the number of eligible beneficiaries for loan waiver from the PSCLDFC is 14,260  with a total financial liability of Rs 45.41 crore  it is 1,630 for the PBCLDFC and the total financial liability involved is Rs 6.59 crore.

In the Doaba region, which comprises four districts, including Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, have around 2,000 beneficiaries including 1,870 from the SC category and 130 from the BC who will be given the loan waiver.
Tension prevailed in Phagwara on Saturday following a Friday night clash between two groups over renaming a roundabout (chowk) after Dalit icon Dr BR Ambedkar.

Mobile net, SMS suspended in 4 Punjab districts for 24 hrs Mobile internet and SMS services have been suspended in Jalandhar , Hoshiarpur , Kapurthala and Nawanshehr ( SBS Nagar) districts of Punjab for the next 24 hours. The decision has been taken keeping in view the tension following clashes between Dalits and right wing organisations at Phagwara.

Five people were injured and around 100 people, including 33 by name, were booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 295A (hurting religious sentiments), 392 (robbery), 353 (assault), 186, 427, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act and National Highways Act. Those booked included Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) leader Jarnail Nangal and his son, senior state vice-president of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) Inderjit Karwal and Shiv Sena leader Shivi Batta.

The trouble started around 11pm on Friday night when members of Dalit groups put up Ambedkars banner at Goal Chowk, demanding naming it as Savidhan Chowk. This was opposed by members of a Hindu right-wing organisation. Some shots were also fired during the clash, police said.

On Saturday morning, Punjab Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Palta was allegedly attacked by members of a Dalit group. When police reached the spot to rescue him, the group pelted them with stones and also damaged their vehicle near Valmiki Chowk in the Subash Nagar locality of the town.

Following clashes, security has been tightened across Phagwara. (HT Photo)

Following this, authorities suspended mobile internet services in Doaba , comprising Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, for the next 24 hours. Heavy police force remained deployed across the city and shopkeepers kept their establishments closed. The Delhi-Lahore bus was diverted from Kartarpur and Phillaur. Even vehicular traffic between Ludhiana and Jalandhar was diverted via link roads.

Later in the day, members of various Hindu organisations and the General Samaj Manch gathered at a local temple and demanded registration of case against members of the Dalit organisations. They also demanded transfer of SDM Jyoti Bala and SP Parminder Singh.

Taking serious note of the clash, CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that culprits would not be speared. Will not allow Punjabs peace to be destroyed at any cost. The government will bear all expenses for treatment of all those injured in the incident.
They left home dreaming of better lives and returned in caskets. Yet, despite the deaths of 39 Indian workers in Iraq, thousands of men in Punjab still hope to find a job in the war-torn land, and mostly through illegal channels.

Of the 39 labourers who went to Iraq and were killed by suspected ISIS militants, 27 were from Punjab.

Travel agents here said people still plan to go to places such as Iraq for jobs and better wages, despite the risks that such troubled regions pose.

Many travel without valid papers, they said, calling for a strict enforcement of a licensing system to check the mushrooming of illegal travel agents in Punjab.

The main reason people go to other countries is unemployment in Punjab, said Kuljeet Singh Hayer, president of the Punjab Travel Agents Association.

When they go through illegal travel agents, they get trapped, he told PTI.

There are no specific figures on the number of travel agents helping people go to Iraq illegally, but experts in the industry said there could be thousands of such unlawful operators.

A Jalandhar-based registered agent who runs an approved recruitment and manpower consultancy firm said people pursued such jobs because the salaries of workers in Iraq were two or three times higher than those in places such as Dubai.

Many are still going to Iraq and several are willing to take the risk of going to such countries to make money, he said to a query on whether the number of would-be workers to the Gulf country had fallen following the deaths of the 39 people.

The agent, who did not wish to be identified, said many international companies required labour for infrastructure projects being built or rebuilt in the war-ravaged country.

A construction worker could earn $800-1,000 per month (Rs 50,000-65,000) in Iraq as against monthly earnings of 1,200 Dirham (Rs 22,000) in Dubai, he added.

The Jalandhar agent, however, believed that those seeking to go out for work illegally were to be blamed as much as the agents who fleeced them.

I feel, besides illegal travel agents, customers who want to go abroad through illegal means are also at fault. Despite knowing the dangers involved in going to Iraq, they still want to go there, he said.

Families gathered at the residence of Manjinder Singh, one of the workers killed in Iraqs Mosul, in Bhoewal village, 30 kms from Amritsar. (HT File)

Minister of state for external affairs V K Singh, who had brought back the bodies of the Indians killed in Mosul in caskets earlier this month, had said there was no record of the 39 men, and of another who survived, in any Indian embassy as their travel to Iraq had been facilitated by illegal agents.

He had said strict action would be taken against such agents who put the lives of people in danger.

To curb the practice of illicit travel agents, the state government had framed the Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2012 which was later renamed the Punjab Travel Professional Regulation Act, 2013, making registration mandatory for travel agents or those in consultancy and ticketing for a valid licence.

Strict enforcement of this law is essential so as to stop gullible people from falling prey to unauthorised travel agents, said Hayer.

Only 1,088 travel agents are registered with deputy commissioners in the state while 38 are listed as recruiting agent with the Protectorate General of India, ministry of external affairs.

The Punjab Police, which has sometimes been accused of colluding with the illegal agents, has now been taking tough action against them.

The police said they were holding regular campaigns to educate people about safe and legal immigration and added that 900 cases had been registered last year against fraudulent travel agents.

We are regularly holding educational campaigns to make people aware about safe and legal emigration, said additional director general of police Ishwar Singh, who is the nodal officer, dealing with issues on emigration and the activities of unauthorised travel agents.

The Punjab government was fully committed to the task of curbing the activities of illegal travel agents in the state, he said.

Economist R S Ghuman stressed the youth lured by job offers often came from weaker sections.

Most of the youth going to the Middle East are the offspring of small growers, artisans or people who belong to weaker sections and they work as drivers, labourers, carpenters and so on, said Ghuman, Professor of Economics at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) here.

According to some estimates, there are about 22 lakh jobless youth in Punjab, often referred as the wheat bowl of India.

About 34% farmers are small and marginal in Punjab and their farming has become unviable when it comes to income and employment generation, he said.

Punjab, which witnessed a green revolution in the mid-60s and where agriculture has been the mainstay of the people, has been lagging behind other states in terms of economic growth.

According to global analytics company Crisil, between 2013 and 2017, while Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana recorded the highest growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) in a sample of 17 major states, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala were at the bottom of the graph.

The overall states growth has been lower than the national average growth since 1992 and investment to GSDP ratio has also been lower than that of the national average, Ghuman said, adding that there were fewer employment opportunities in agriculture, industry and government sectors.

(This story has not been modified from its original version)
It was a trickle that has now gathered force and turned into a flow. The number of students from Kashmir moving to the tricity to pursue higher studies has multiplied manifold over the last seven years as they feel its a safe haven for them.

Chandigarh, Mohali and Kharar are perceived to be more welcoming than cities such as Chittorgarh, Mahendragarh and Meerut, where over the last year students from the Valley have been assaulted and called stone-pelting Kashmiris or terrorists, and asked to go back home.

Many private institutes have opened their doors to the Kashmiris. At Aryans Group of Colleges in Rajpura, the number of such students has gone up to 1,800 now from just six to seven in 2011. From eight students who joined Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology (SVIET), Rajpura, in the same year, 1,600 are on the rolls now. About 900 students study in Desh Bhagat University, Gobindgarh, and 750 in Chandigarh University, Mohali .

Gurmeet Kaur, admission head of the Doaba Group of Colleges, Kurali Road, Kharar, says that from just five in 2011, the number of students from the Valley at her institute has gone up to 150.

Authorities also remain mindful of the students safety. Dr Anshu Kataria, chairman of Aryans Group of Colleges, says there hasnt been a single incident on campus in which these students have faced any kind of discrimination.

A visitor enjoying Kashmiri food in a restaurant at Kharar on Friday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Life in troubled Valley not easy

Violence in the strife-torn Valley is one of the main reasons why people want their children to move to relatively peaceful places where they can concentrate on studies.

I feel safe here, says Tawfeeq Parveez, aged 21, an airlines crew and ground staff trainee at the Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran. Life in the troubled Valley is not easy and on top if it we dont have any private institutes in Kashmir as privatisation is just limited to schools. There are only eight government universities catering to the whole populace of 12.55 million and nobody thinks about the budding generation. Youth of Kashmir have started accepting Chandigarh and Punjab completely, he adds.

Aadil Bhatt, a BTech civil student in Doaba College and a former member of Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), agrees. Founder of the Kashmir Student Union, that looks after the wants and needs of people from his state, Bhatt believes that the students are quite safe in Chandigarh, after you see whats happening in places like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad.

Interestingly, another group, the J&K Student Organisation, formed by Faheem-u-Din, a postgraduate student of neurophilosophy in Panjab Universitys department of philosophy, says his organisation is not only meant to serve the Muslim cohort but also the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs.

Next door neighbour

The fact that Punjab borders Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) too attracts students from the neighbouring state. Its obvious as Punjab shares borders with J&K, so the number of students will be higher over here than in other states, says Prabhdeep Singh, head of the media centre of Chandigarh University.

Maisham Ali, 21, pursuing BBA in SVIET, feels many students like him can go home easily for festivals and to be with their families because of easy connectivity from Chandigarh to Srinagar.

With more students coming in from the Valley, eateries run by Kashmiris in Chandigarh make sure youngsters dont yearn too much for their local cuisine.

Two flights from Chandigarh Airport take about 45 minutes to reach Srinagar and numerous others go via Delhi. Trains and buses go up to Jammu or Udhampur, from where students take taxis and buses to other towns. Kashmir is a place where students cannot study normally and we need to move out in order to complete our educational goals, so here we are, Ali adds.

He also likes living here as the Sikhs, he says, are humble people.

Word-of-mouth recommendations from other Kashmiris are also reassuring for students. Mir, marketing head at SVIET, says that the fact that he is from Budgam in J&K, helps him communicate better with the institutes 1,600 Kashmiri students, most of them males.

According to Amit Sachdeva, J&K divisional admission head, Desh Bhagat University, most of the Kashmiri students have opted for BTech and MBA.

A taste of ghar ka khaana

As more and more students come in from the Valley, eateries run by Kashmiris  both Pandits and Muslims - such as Tauseef Ahmeds Grand Mughal Darbar in Kharar, Shujata Kouls Wazwan  the Kashmiri Cuisine in Landran and Faisal Salims Kashmir for You at Aroma Food Court in Chandigarh make sure the youngsters dont yearn too much for their local cuisine. Food and (beverages) in demand include authentic kahwa(traditional Kashmiri tea) and delicacies such as waza kokor (chicken roasted on coal and fire with different traditional spices and dry fruits such as walnuts and cashew) or tabak maaz (lamb ribs with ghee).

Ahmed, 31, was pursuing an MBA at Doaba College when he decided to start his restaurant as he yearned for home-cooked food.

Koul, 39, who moved from J&K to Landran after marriage sticks to tried and tested recipes from her state. Outside the Valley every Kashmiri is a Kashmiri, no matter who you are, a Pandit, Sikh or Muslim. We are used to eating halal so I serve halal meat. Its all about our culture and preserving Kashmiri tradition, she says.

For Salim, 27, Kashmir For You was a chance to make something out of his life after his handicrafts business in the strife-torn Valley ran into losses. Back in 2010 when Kashmir was on the boil, I had started a business but due to the conflict I suffered major losses. Soon I moved to Chandigarh with new dreams and hopes. My love for Kashmir was alive and so I thought of promoting the state  and what better way to attract attention than by food?

So, Kashmir For You means publicity for Salims beloved state, in the aroma of its rista (meat balls in gravy) or rogan josh (lamb or goat meat dish) and it helps me stay connected to my roots too, he says with tears in his eyes.
Megastar Chiranjeevi, who is currently busy shooting for upcoming period drama Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, on Sunday made a surprise visit to the sets of Allu Arjuns Naa Peru Surya, in which he plays a military officer with anger issues. According to reliable sources from the films unit, it was a surprise visit from the 67-year-old star, who was in the vicinity and wanted to pay a visit.

The entire team was in for a huge surprise when Chiranjeevi landed on the sets on Sunday. Arjun was floored by his visit and was thrilled to have his uncle over. He spent half hour with the team and wished them good luck for release, a source told Hindustan Times. The makers of the film are currently filming a song in a massive set. The entire shooting will be wrapped up in another weeks time.

Also starring Anu Emmanuel, Arjun Sarja, Sarath Kumar and Thakur Anup Singh, the film is gearing up for release on May 4. Arjun was required to shed weight for his role and he worked with a US-based trainer for close to a month to achieve the desired look. The film has music by Bollywood composer duo Vishal-Shekhar.

Naa Peru Surya has been directed by Vakkantham Vamsi, known for his contribution as a writer for hit films such as Kick and Temper. Apparently, Vamsi was supposed to make his directorial debut nearly two years ago when a leading star promised to work with him. Unfortunately, the project never took off and Vamsi had to wait, hoping things would magically become alright. They didnt and he was shattered as his long wait to don the directors hat didnt come true. Finally, when he pitched the story to Arjun, he immediately agreed to do the project.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Actor Pawan Kalyan had organised a protest in Hyderabad on Saturday against the rape of an 8-year-old child in Jammu. Here, the press had asked for his comments about actor Sri Reddys protest against sexual harassment in Telugu film industry. To this, he said, If they want justice, they should go to police stations and the courts, not TV stations.

The actor who was asking for stringent laws in the country for crimes against women to prevent further such horrific events also said, It is of no use if she keeps talking on the television channels instead of fighting her case in courts. Media can only deliver a message. Only the government wings can give her justice.

Sri Reddy recently protested in front of the Telugu Film Chambers by stripping off her clothes. The actor then went on to accuse producer Suresh Babus son Abhiram of misbehaviour in an interview with a local news channel. She said that Abhiram had sexually exploited her.

Sri Reddy had also released screenshots of WhatsApp chat messages to the portal Telugu 360, which brought director Kona Venkat under the spotlight. After this, however, the actor has stayed away from the limelight.

The Telugu film chambers then set up CASH - Committee Against Sexual Harassment. The chamber, as an umbrella takes responsibility of ensuing the implementation of Vishaka Guidelines, and make mandatory the establishment of CASH in production houses, said a statement from the film body.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Gaybourhood, or traditionally gay neighbourhood, still face a subtle form of discrimination from straight people. According to a study conducted by the University of British Columbia, straight people living in such neighbourhoods, say they support gay rights in theory, but many interact with their gay and lesbian next-door fellas on the street in ways that contradict those sentiments. There is a mistaken belief that marriage equality means the struggle for gay rights is over, said Amin Ghaziani, the studys senior author. Prejudice and discrimination still exist- its just more subtle and difficult to detect.

The researchers interviewed 53 straight people, who live in two Chicago gaybourhoods - Boystown and Andersonville. They found the majority of residents saying that they support gay people. However, the researchers found their progressive attitudes were misaligned with their actions. While many residents said they dont care if people are gay or straight, some indicated that they dont like gay people who are in your face.

When asked about resistance from LGBTQ communities to the widespread trend of straight people moving into gaybourhoods, some of the people interviewed responded with accusations of reverse discrimination and described gay people who challenged them as segregationist and hetero-phobic. Some said they believed they should have open access to cultural gay spaces, and were surprised that they felt unwelcome there. That feeling of surprise, however, exemplifies a misguided belief that gay districts are trendy commodities when they are actually safe spaces for sexual minorities, added Ghaziani.

When the researchers asked residents if they had done anything to show their support of gay rights, such as marching in the pride parade, donating to an LGBTQ organization, or writing a letter in support of marriage equality to a politician, the majority said they had not. Many also expected their gay and lesbian neighbours to be happy and welcoming of straight people moving into gaybourhoods, expressing sentiments like, you wanted equality- this is what equality looks like.

With gay pride celebrations fast approaching around the world, Adriana Brodyn, the studys lead author, said it is important to pause and reflect on the state of LGBTQ equality. I hope that our research motivates people against becoming politically complacent or apathetic, she said. If we do not motivate ourselves to be aware of this subtle form of prejudice, then it will just continue to perpetuate. The study appears in the journal City and Community.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
French authorities say 63 people have been arrested and nine police officers injured as protests took place in two cities amid simmering anger at President Emmanuel Macrons labour law changes.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb denounced the violence and damage to stores and public buildings at the edges of Saturdays protests in Nantes in western France and Montpellier in the south.

Collomb called for calm as another protest is planned Sunday at Notre-Dame-des-Landes in western France.

Protesters take part in a march called " Stop Macron!" to protest against planned reforms of the French government in Marseille, southern France, on April 14, 2018. (AFP)

Other protests Saturday around France were largely peaceful. Train workers were marching during on-and-off strikes over Macrons railway labour reform plan, strikes that have disrupted traffic nationwide.

Macron is going on national television Sunday night to explain his reforms to the French economy. He says hes making the country more competitive globally while workers fear losing job protections.
President Donald Trumps outrage over another apparent chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was clear. And for the second time in his presidency, the US commander-in-chief demanded retaliation.

As images of sick or dying children flooded global media all week, the US guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill churned toward the Mediterranean to join a flotilla of allied warships, including another US destroyer, the USS Donald Cook.

It was a ruse.

While both vessels carry as many as 90 Tomahawk missiles -- the main weapon used in the Friday evening strike on Syria -- neither ship in the end fired a shot. Instead, according to a person familiar with White House war planning, they were part of a plan to distract Russia and its Syrian ally from an assault Assads government could do little to defend itself against.

It worked. Pentagon officials on Saturday said they faced little resistance to their targeted attack on what they said were three Syrian chemical weapons facilities. Most of the Syrian countermeasures, including defensive ballistic missiles, were fired after US and allied weapons hit their targets, Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters on Saturday.

No Syrian weapon had any effect on anything we did, McKenzie said. He described the joint US, French and UK strike as precise, overwhelming and effective.

Brazen as it was perceived to be, the Assad regimes decision to again use chemical weapons on own people didnt by itself spur the US to act. The Trump administration was also motivated by how closely the attack followed the use of a nerve agent to poison a Russian ex-spy and his daughter in England in March, an action the UK government and its allies blamed on Russia.

This file photo taken on May 26, 2017 shows (left-right) French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May in Taormina, Sicily. (AFP Photo)

The English incident added to concerns held by Trump, his top aides, and leaders in the UK and France that not responding might encourage proliferation of chemical weapons, according to two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations.

As the strategy of how to respond took shape, Trump appeared to telegraph his intentions to the world with a tweet on April 11: Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and smart!

Analysts suggested Assads regime would respond to Trumps threats by protectively moving weapons and personnel away from likely targets. An already difficult battle plan -- which required hitting Assad without provoking Russian reprisals or injecting the US further into Syrias seven-year civil war -- was getting harder.

Big price

In the White House, Trump met with military officials and made several calls to his French and British counterparts, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May, with the goal of following through on a threat to impose a big price on Syria -- a vow made in an earlier tweet, on April 8.

During a meeting with the National Security Council and top military leaders early in the week, Trump had been presented five large target options -- called sets -- for potential strikes, according to the person familiar with the plans. The President largely listened as Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Corps General Joe Dunford and other military leaders did most of the talking. New National Security Adviser John Bolton -- who started work on April 9 -- and vice-president Mike Pence were also on hand.

The President asked Bolton and the military leaders to justify each potential target, and was particularly focused on limiting the risk of escalation by Russia. There was unanimity among Trumps top national security staff about conducting strikes but debate about how hard to hit the Syrians, the person said.

Haleys voice

United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley was especially blunt in her assessment of the Syrian regime during meetings with Trump, the person said.

Haley told the UN Security Council on Friday that Assad and his Russian backers were to blame for the deaths of thousands of Syrian civilians. In a private meeting with Trump and national security officials earlier in the week, Haley was a leading voice pushing for a robust military response to the chemical weapons attack on humanitarian grounds, the person said.

A Syrian soldier spray water on the wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. (AFP Photo)

Dunford told reporters Friday that the US sought targets that would limit any involvement with Russian military forces in Syria and reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

Trump, who just a week earlier said he wanted to pull US troops out of Syria very soon, didnt want to become drawn into the civil war there and instead focused the military response on deterring the use of chemical weapons, according to the official.

Missile barrage

With the allies on board and the USS Winston Churchill arriving in the Mediterranean region, the attack was nearly under way.

As the President addressed the nation at 9 p.m. Washington time, on Friday, a barrage of 105 US, UK and French missiles converged on Syria. They came from the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean, homing in from three directions to overwhelm whatever missile defences Assads regime might deploy. Russias more advanced air defence system didnt engage the allied weapons.

According to the Pentagon, the allied weaponry included 19 new Extended-Range stealthy Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Attack Munitions launched by two B-1B bombers based out of Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and six Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the Virginia-class USS John Warner submarine. The bomber-launched missiles, build by Lockheed Martin Corp., had never been used in combat.

In a handout picture released by the British Ministry of Defence, a Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft, flown by 31 Squadron the Goldstars, taxis before taking off from the British base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on April 14, 2018 as part of a mission to conduct strikes in support of Operations in Syria. (AFP Photo)

Red Sea attack

The cruiser USS Monterey fired 30 Tomahawks and the destroyer USS Laboon fired seven Tomahawks from the Red Sea. The destroyer USS Higgins fired 23 Tomahawks from the North Arabian Gulf, according to McKenzie.

The weapons also included French SCALP-EG cruise missiles and British Storm Shadow standoff missiles launched by Tornado and Typhoon jets. Nine SCALP missiles were fired at what the Pentagon said was a chemical weapons storage complex at Hims-Shinshar, along with two SCALPS, nine Tomahawks and eight Storm Shadows.

The morning after the barrage, Trump tweeted Mission Accomplished!, a phrase closely associated with President George W Bush. The 43rd US president prematurely declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq in 2003 while standing on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham, in front of a large banner bearing those words.

Trump, like Bush, may live to regret using the phrase. The latest US-led operation was narrow in scope, with little damage done to Assads war-fighting capabilities. The country remains a toxic brew of foreign forces, militias and terrorist groups. Haley, the UN ambassador, said this week that Assad has used chemical weapons dozens of times since war broke out in 2011. He might well use them again.
Just over a year ago US President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike against the Syrian government for a chemical weapons attack against its own people.

Trump did the same on Friday, with allies France and Britain, in a response intended to deter Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from using chemical weapons again, but which was unlikely to change his grip on power.

On Saturday, Trump declared: Mission accomplished, a phrase indelibly associated with President George W. Bush, who used it in 2003 during the Iraq war and which dogged him for the rest of his presidency.

A chorus of voices across the American political spectrum expressed support for Trumps latest strikes, but criticised the lack of a broader US Syria strategy that could end the seven-year war - with or without Assad.

Commentators questioned the message behind the latest strike - which signalled that Western allies would not let a chemical weapons attack go without punishment - but demurred about deeper involvement when barrel bombs by the Assad government kill far greater numbers of Syrians.

To succeed in the long run, we need a comprehensive strategy for Syria and the entire region, Republican Senator John McCain said in a statement after the latest strikes.

Air strikes disconnected from a broader strategy may be necessary, but they alone will not achieve US objectives in the Middle East, said McCain, who a year ago called for more aggressive action that would cripple Assads military.

Damascus skies erupt with service to air missile fire as the US launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital on Saturday. (AP)

Trump has made clear he wants to withdraw the roughly 2,000 US troops in Syria involved in the anti-Islamic State campaign, and his administration has suspended support for Syrian rebels, evidence of his desire to disengage from Syria.

But he appeared to conflict that message when he said on Saturday that Western allies were prepared to sustain this response if Assad does not stop using prohibited chemical weapons.

Tough contradiction

A US official said that while top aides such as defense secretary Jim Mattis had persuaded Trump to avoid the tougher action the president initially wanted, arguing that would have risked escalation with Assad ally Russia, the administration is no closer to crafting a comprehensive strategy on the war in Syria.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump wanted to do heavier damage to Assads war machine but ultimately settled on degrading his chemical weapons capability in part because he was reminded that part of his domestic political base was opposed to the United States getting dragged deeper into the Syria quagmire.

Its a tough contradiction for him to sort out, the official said.

A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center which was attacked by US, British and French military strikes, in Barzeh, near Damascus. (AP)

While the chemical weapons attack has put Syria fully on Trumps radar, experts say its unlikely to persuade him to stay the course in Syria beyond defeating Islamic State.

Several US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was not a priority for the administration to push out Assad, who has survived with massive aid from Iran and Russia.

There is no answer to the Assad problem just yet, said Firas Maksad, director of the Washington-based Arabia Foundation. Assad has succeeded, at least for the foreseeable future, and he is capitalising on that.

While there appears to be no immediate alternative to the so-called Geneva Process that would lead to a political transition in Syria, several senior US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted it has failed and it was time to rethink.

The Geneva Process hasnt worked and its time to find something new or change it, said one US official.

Dennis Ross, who served as top Middle East adviser to President Barack Obama in his first term, said the missile strikes would have little effect on the overall situation in Syria.

Trumps approach, he said, is not about the balance of power in Syria. It is about ISIS and deterring Assads use of chemical weapons.

The strikes may convince (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to stop further use (of chemical weapons) by Assad as it remains clear we are pulling out of Syria. The strikes dont alter that reality, Ross said.

Russia has declared victory three times in Syria and thwarted international efforts for a political transition and Assads eventual departure, said Maksad.

Putin has the political will and the endurance to stay the course in Syria and he has demonstrated that for almost three years, Maksad said.
India has rejected Chinas latest overture to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has said that it wont take sides in the ongoing trade dispute between Beijing and Washington.

The remarks were made by NITI Aayog vice-chairperson Rajiv Kumar, who was in Beijing for the 5th Strategic Economic Dialogue with He Lifeng, the chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission  Chinas top planning body.

India has remained cool to the BRI and was conspicuously absent at last years high-profile forum. But Beijing has continued its attempt to convince India to join the BRI, realising New Delhis prominence in the region and potential of its massive market.

Kumar said that the Chinese side extolled the projects virtue and emphasised how completely non-conflictual and respectful of sovereignty and independence it was. However, Kumar said the BRI compromises Indias sovereignty as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

After hearing Indias response they chose to ignore it, Kumar said.

Both sides recognise the differences over the issue. But there is sufficient scope within the defined redlines to take the development cooperation forward, he said.

On the ongoing trade spat between China and the US, Kumar said India would not take any sides though it supports the multi-lateral trade order.

India suo motu has been the supporter of the rule-based multilateral trading order. In that sense, we dont have to take sides either one-way or the other, Kumar said. India has always taken independent position on trade issues.

He said: While India does not like any measures that harm the rule based international trade regime, there is no reason to take sides in this, referring to the US and China announcing tit-for-tat tariffs on each others imported products.

Asked whether the US-China trade spat is advantageous to India, he said, If war happens, elephants fight and grass gets affected. We are part of the grass. We dont want that, Kumar said.

He said the US and China, as the worlds top two economies. We are not that level of player in the market. Our shares are much smaller. We are the takers of the rules than makers, he said.

Kumar recalled the US and Japanese trade war in late 1980 when Washington successfully pressured Japan to cut the trade deficit.

That is what the US is still expecting. If you notice, both sides have announced their position (to cut tariffs) but they have not given the dates. This is posturing, he said.

I dont think anybody is interested in trade war trade crisis, he said.

The status of the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) corridor was also discussed and both sides took note of the differences between the two countries on it.

The BCIM is work in progress, Kumar said, adding that at present Bangladesh and Myanmar are not keen on it because of the Rohingya refugee crisis.

While the BCIM is officially one of the six major economic corridors under the BRI, India says it predates the project.
At least 11 Afghan paramilitary forces were killed when insurgents attacked their checkpoint, an official said on Sunday.

Zabi Amani, a spokesman for the governor of the northern Sari Pul province, said two other forces were wounded in the attack late on Saturday. He said three insurgents were killed, including a local commander, and four others were wounded. Those targeted were members of the Local Uprising Forces, militias supported by the government.

No one immediately claimed the attack, but Amani blamed the Taliban, who are active in the area.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, insurgents attacked two security checkpoints in the eastern Ghazni province, killing four police and wounding five others, according to Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said the Taliban opened fire on the checkpoints and then targeted reinforcements with a roadside bomb.

The Taliban, who control large parts of the province, claimed the attack and said they captured weapons and ammunition.

The Taliban stormed a government compound in another part of Ghazni late Thursday, triggering an hours-long gunbattle and killing 15 people, including three senior local officials.
Former US President John F Kennedys personal victory map of Cuba - used during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 - has been sold at an auction for $138,798.

The map, consisting of two sheets once taped together at the centre, features eight types of sticker symbols applied to the surface, representing Soviet MiG fighter jets, Komar-class missile boats, IL-28 bombers, SS-4 missiles, SSM-Cruise missiles and nuclear storage sites.

The intelligence represented by the map was supplied by U-2 spy planes, confirming Kennedys worst fears of an increasing Soviet military presence just one hundred miles away from the American coast.

The map, marked Secret in the lower left and upper right corners, was originally expected to fetch $20,000, according to the US-based RR Auction.

A two-page key paper-clipped to the upper right corner, headed MRBM-IRBM Status of Cuban Missiles, dated October 27, 1962, summarises the Soviet military buildup, listing sites, enumerating number of launchers and missiles, and completion status.

The map shows the position of every Soviet missile, bomber and fighter jet and nuclear storage facility in Cuba as of noon on Saturday, October 27, 1962.

This was the most dangerous moment of the Cuban Missile Crisis. October 27 was the day the crisis came within hours, even minutes, of triggering a war between the US and Soviet Union.

That morning, a Soviet anti-air missile shot down a U-2 spy plane on a photo reconnaissance mission over Cuba.

Many years later, the Cubans claimed Fidel Castro himself pushed the button to fire the missile.

Later that afternoon, two US destroyers dropped depth charges on a Soviet submarine. At the last minute, the Soviet captain surfaced his submarine, his other option being to launch his missiles against the US mainland.

When the sun set that evening, Robert McNamara, the secretary of defense during the Cuban Missile Crisis, wondered if he would be alive to see the following Saturdays sunset.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff pushed for an air strike against the Soviet missile sites and other targets. Had Kennedy given the order, this map shows the nine Soviet targets US warplanes would have bombed. However, everything changed overnight.

Relying on a letter from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to President Kennedy, Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin hammered out a deal.

The Soviets agreed to withdraw their missiles and other offensive weapons in return for the US pledging not to invade Cuba. The US secretly promised to remove obsolete missiles from Turkey.

The nine targets on the map became the weapons the US forced out of Cuba. When Kennedy presented the map to McNamara, he called it the victory map.

In the annals of the Cold War, no event is more talked about and debated than the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 16, 1962 to October 28, 1962, RR Auction said.

It is considered the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war. This amazing map dates to the penultimate day of the crisis - October 27, a day that saw an American pilot shot down over Cuba.
Pakistan appears to be imposing a media gag on the ongoing mass protest of Pashtuns, with articles on it being taken down from some prominent publications.

Three pieces about the agitation, being organised by Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), were taken down by The News on Sunday, the Sunday edition of English daily The News. The paper is published by the Jang Group, which also owns Geo Television, and is currently at loggerheads with the country's security establishment over what it prints and airs. Geos channels have been off air in many parts of the country.

In the past two months, a number of newspapers and TV channels have ignored the PTM rally despite the fact that it is an emerging force in politics of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The PTM is protesting the imposition of curfews and the arbitrary measures imposed by the army during its operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that bring untold hardship on the people of the area. They have also demanded that the victims of forced disappearances, many of whom they suspect are in military custody, be presented before the courts. PTM has criticised the military's role of siding with one militant group against another. Much to the embarrassment of the military high command, PTM insists that militants have not been wiped out of the areas as the army claims.

The army high command is upset with the content generated by the Jang Group, and intelligence agencies have been unofficially ordered to take down Geo TV from cable channels despite an order from Pakistans broadcast regulator to keep it on air. We can see who holds the real power in Pakistan in the way Geo has been taken off air by most cable operators despite an order from the PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) to have it on air," comments Abid Hussain, a local journalist.

Some analysts said the move by the News on Sunday is an indication that the Jang Group wants to fall in line with the rest of Pakistani media.

Not only is the army squeezing the Jang Group, it is also making sure that PTM stories do not make it on the mainstream media. Last week, the Express Tribune newspaper took off its story on the rally of the PTM in Peshawar from its online edition. Despite criticism from media circles, the paper did not give any explanation for its decision.

The Express Tribune was singled out by Twitter users for deleting a story on the protest after publishing it. ET deleted a story on Pakistani pashtun youth protest after publishing it. An example of how media surrender to pressure by those who don't want these stories to get coverage," tweeted Voice of America journalist Nazrana Ghaffar.

Another Twitter user, who also shared a screenshot of the story, wrote: This tweet of @etribune stand deleted. Here is the screenshot. First they came for story to be deleted, then they came for tweet to be deleted and next they will come for the whole @etribune to be deleted.

On Sunday, Muhammad Ali Talpur tweeted on how the News on Sunday took down three articles, including one of his own.
A noisy face-off between pro and anti-India groups is on the cards near Londons Parliament Square on April 18, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral meetings and addresses a diaspora event at Central Hall Westminster.

Some Sikh groups have announced their plans to demonstrate, which is likely to be joined by pro-Pakistan groups. A demonstration has also been announced by the South Asia Solidarity Group, an anti-imperialist, anti-racist organisation based in Britain. The groups had staged a noisy demonstration outside Downing Street during Modis last visit to Britain in November 2015.

However, some members of the Indian community have said that this time, there will be a strong counter-protest by pro-India groups to welcome Modi.

Modis packed itinerary includes a day of bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May and others in the British government, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. He will have a rare audience with Queen Elizabeth, and meet Prince Charles at a tech event.

The bilateral agenda includes renewing a memorandum of understanding that lapsed in 2014 on the framework to return illegal Indians in the UK  British authorities claim that number is in the hundreds of thousands.

Since May has linked the return of illegal Indians to any improvement in visa conditions for Indians, the expectation is that updated MoU will put the ball in the British governments court, which is keen to court India for a free trade agreement post Brexit.

Also on the cards is the launch of an Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence at the University of Westminster, for which an MoU will be signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and College of Medicine, an MoU between NASSCOM and Innovate UK, and another MoU between NITI Aayog and its counterpart in the UK in the area of innovation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally greeted a top Chinese official in Pyongyang and called for stronger ties with Beijing, state media said on Sunday, as the traditional allies seek to heal battered relations.

Kim met with Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committees international department, who was leading an art troupe to attend a spring festival in the Norths capital.

The delegation arrived just weeks after Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signalling an attempt by both leaders to shore up a key alliance ahead of a period of high-stakes diplomacy.

Kim is expected to hold summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in this month and US President Donald Trump in the following weeks.

The Norths official KCNA news agency said Kim welcomed Song and his delegation in a meeting on Saturday, where Song conveyed Xis warm greetings.

The two exchanged profound views on the important matters of mutual concern between their parties and the international situation, KCNA said, without providing details.

The Supreme Leader said that he would positively carry forward and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship into a fresh phase of development as required by a new era, it added, using the Norths official acronym.

Beijing is North Koreas sole major ally, an alliance dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, but relations deteriorated after China backed United Nations sanctions to punish Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programme.

More high-level exchanges and cooperation will follow between Beijing and Pyongyang, the report cited Kim as saying.

In response, Song vowed to make a fresh contribution to promoting the prolonged and stable development of the China-DPRK relations.

Song is leading a Chinese art troupe attending a spring art festival in Pyongyang held as part of the commemorations for the anniversary of the birth of the Norths founder Kim Il Sung on April 15, 1912.

Both North Korean and foreign artists take part, and this years week-long event includes concerts, dance performances and acrobatics.

KCNA also issued a rare separate report on Kims wife who attended a performance by the Chinese art troupe yesterday in the absence of her husband.

First Lady Ri Sol Ju enjoyed a ballet choreodrama Giselle given by the National Ballet of China, KCNA reported, adding she held friendly talk with the guests ahead of the performance.

China has sent art troupes to every festival since 1986, except in 2016.
The peaceful resolution of disputes between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir, is only possible through a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said.



It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes - including the core issue of Kashmir - runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, he said while addressing a passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul on Saturday.

While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region. Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour, he said.

Pakistan is a peace-loving country and seeks harmonious and peaceful coexistence with all countries, especially its neighbours, he said, but warned: However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness.

Our valiant Armed forces are fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner.

Bajwa said Pakistans enemies knew that they could not beat it fair and square, and had thus subjected it to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war.

They are trying to weaken our resolve by weakening us from within. Had it been any nation than ours, it would have disintegrated by now.

But since we enjoy complete confidence and support of our nation, we have defeated every move of these inimical forces and will continue to do so, he said.

The general said Pakistan and its military are totally united and focused towards eradication and elimination of terrorism. He claimed Pakistan has eliminated almost all organised terrorist presence and infrastructure from its soil as a result of past and ongoing operations.

We are now going after the residual and scattered traces of this menace under the banner of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, he said, describing it as not merely an operation, but a concept, a resolve and a commitment of the nation to eradicate tumult from its soil.

Bajwa also raked up the Kashmir issue, expressing complete political and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Those peace-loving innocent citizens are being subjected to one of the worst form of state terrorism. It is high time for the world community to wake up and play its positive role to bring peace to that unfortunate part of the subcontinent, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs, while signs emerged that Moscow and Washington want to pull back from the worst crisis in their relations for years.

Putin made his remarks in a telephone conversation with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani after the United States, France and Britain launched missile strikes on Syria on Saturday over a suspected poison gas attack.

A Kremlin statement said Putin and Rouhani agreed that the Western strikes had damaged the chances of achieving a political resolution in the multi-sided, seven-year conflict that has killed at least half a million people.

Vladimir Putin, in particular, stressed that if such actions committed in violation of the U.N. Charter continue, then it will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations, a Kremlin statement said.

The attacks struck at the heart of Syrias chemical weapons programme, Washington said, in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack a week ago. All three participants insisted the strikes were not aimed at toppling President Bashar al-Assad or intervening in the conflict.

The bombings, hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a success but denounced by Damascus and its allies as an act of aggression, marked the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and ally Russia, whose foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called them unacceptable and lawless.

Putins comments were published shortly after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov struck a more conciliatory note by saying Moscow would make every effort to improve political relations with the West.

When asked whether Russia was prepared to work with the proposals of Western countries at the United Nations, Ryabkov told TASS news agency: Now the political situation is extremely tense, the atmosphere is extremely electrified, so I will not make any predictions.

We will work calmly, methodically and professionally, using all opportunities to remove the situation from its current extremely dangerous political peak.

Russian Foreign Ministry official Vladimir Ermakov said Washington would want to maintain a dialogue with Moscow about strategic stability after the raids, Russian media reported.

In the U.S. administration there are specific people who it is possible to talk with, said Ermakov, head of the ministrys department for non-proliferation and arms control.

In Damascus, Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, met inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW for about three hours in the presence of Russian officers and a senior Syrian security official.

The inspectors were due to attempt to visit the site of the suspected gas attack in Douma on April 7, which medical relief organisations say killed dozens of people. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for OPCWs findings before attacking.

Hysteria

Mekdad declined to comment to reporters waiting outside the hotel where the meeting took place.

Russia denounced allegations of a gas attack in Douma and said it was staged by Britain to whip up anti-Russian hysteria.

In an indication that the West, too, would prefer to lower tensions, the United States and Britain both reiterated that their military action on Saturday was not aimed at Assad, Putins ally, only at his use of chemical weapons.

Speaking to the BBC, Britains Foreign Secretary (Minister) Boris Johnson said that Western powers had no plans for further missile strikes, though they would assess their options if Damascus used chemical weapons again.

This is not about regime change ... This is not about trying to turn the tide of the conflict in Syria, he told the BBC, adding that Russia was the only country able to pressure Assad to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Asked about U.S.-Russia relations, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said ties were very strained but that the United States still hoped for a better relationship.

Haley said that the United States would not pull its troops out of Syria until its goals were accomplished. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Haley listed three aims for the United States: ensuring that chemical weapons are not used in any way that poses a risk to U.S. interests, that Islamic State is defeated and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

Trump has made clear he wants to withdraw the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops involved in the anti-Islamic State campaign in Syria. But he appeared to contradict that message when he said on Saturday that Western allies were prepared to sustain the military response if Assad does not stop using prohibited chemical weapons.

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said the legal basis used to support the British role was debatable, adding that he would only support action backed by the U.N. Security Council.

I say to the foreign secretary, I say to the prime minister, where is the legal basis for this? Corbyn said in an interview with the BBC.

Resilience

In Damascus, Assad told a group of visiting Russian lawmakers that the Western missile strikes were an act of aggression, Russian news agencies reported.

Syria released video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption morning of resilience and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Russian agencies quoted the lawmakers as saying that Assad was in a good mood, had praised the Soviet-era air defence systems Syria used to repel the Western attacks and had accepted an invitation to visit Russia at an unspecified time.

President Trump had said mission accomplished on Twitter after the strikes, though U.S. Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie at the Pentagon acknowledged elements of the programme remain and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.

Russian and Iranian military help over the past three years has allowed Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.

The United States, Britain and France have all participated in the Syrian conflict for years, arming rebels, bombing Islamic State fighters and deploying troops to fight the militants. But they have refrained from targeting Assads government, apart from a volley of U.S. missiles last year.

Red line reached?

France, the United States and Britain plan to put forward a new draft resolution aimed at dismantling Syrias chemical weapons programme, wiping out terrorism, demanding a ceasefire across Syria and finding a political solution to the war, French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told the council on Saturday.

Most Gulf stock markets rose on Sunday, supported by firm oil prices and relief that the weekends military attack on Syria was relatively limited in scope and there was no immediate retaliation.

Internationally, gold and oil are expected to extend gains on Monday, albeit modestly, when the markets open for the first time since the missile attack. Equities and bonds are unlikely to suffer big losses unless the West strikes again or Russia retaliates.

Gold has benefited in recent days as a safe-haven asset amid a U.S.-China trade dispute and the escalating conflict in Syria, which also pushed oil above $70 a barrel on concerns over a spike in Middle Eastern tensions.

The strikes suggest that Trump may have reset Americas red line for military intervention in Syria over the use of chemical weapons.

In Washington, a senior administration official said that while the available information is much greater on the chlorine use, we do have significant information that also points to sarin use in the attack.

Sarin had previously appeared to be the threshold for intervention. Chlorine, in contrast, has been used more widely in Syrias conflict without past U.S. reprisals and is far easier to find and weaponise, experts say.

Washington described the strike targets as a centre near Damascus for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weapons; a chemical weapons storage site near the city of Homs; and another site near Homs that stored chemical weapons equipment and housed a command post.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the attack as a crime and the Western leaders as criminals, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Security Council members to use restraint but said charges of chemical weapons use demand investigation.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis called on world leaders to renew efforts to bring peace to Syria, saying he was deeply troubled by their failure to agree on a joint plan to end the bloodshed.

(This story has not been modified from its original version)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday attacked former FBI director James Comey after details of his upcoming tell-all book were leaked.

Comeys book A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, which is scheduled for release this week, describes Trump as unethical, and untethered to truth and compared him to a mob boss.

Trump, in a series of tweets, took issue with the parts of the book which had been leaked, calling Comey slippery and a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!

In the book, Comey writes that shortly after taking office, Trump had sought loyalty from him at a White House dinner. Trump refuted the claim, tweeting: I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His memos are self serving and FAKE!

Trump also took a swipe at reviewers of the book.

The big questions in Comeys badly reviewed book arent answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didnt they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabes $700,000 & more? he posted.

However, Trump was conspicuously quiet on one other detail of the book that was leaked  an apparent encounter with prostitutes at a Moscow hotel.

Comey writes that Trump had seemed fixated on disproving allegations that during a visit to Moscow in 2013, Trump had paid prostitutes to urinate on a bed and on themselves. Trump wanted Comey to and the FBI investigate the allegation and disprove it to make sure his wife Melania Trump was 100% sure that never happened. In a snarky aside, Comey wondered about the state of the Trumps marriage.

Trump made no mention of this excerpt in his Twitter tirade.

However, he did vent about a recent FBI raid on the homes and offices of his personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Investigators had sought records of payments made to two women to keep quiet about their affairs with Trump  Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past. I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned! he tweeted.
The UN Security Council overwhelmingly rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of aggression by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria on Saturday, a vote reflecting support for the allied airstrikes on Syrian chemical sites.

But the vote at the end of an emergency meeting called by Russia also demonstrated again the paralysis of the UNs most powerful body in dealing with Syrias seven-year conflict.

Russias demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to aggression and any further use of force by the three Western allies got support from only two other countries on the 15-member Security Council  China and Bolivia.

By contrast, eight countries voted against the Russian draft  the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Poland and Ivory Coast. Four countries abstained  Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea and Peru.

At the meeting, the fifth in a week on chemical weapons in Syria, Russia and its supporters again clashed with the US and its allies over a suspected poison gas attack on April 7 in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

The US, UK and France said they launched airstrikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining evidence that a chemical weapon was used by President Bashar Assads government. Russia and its ally Syria called the attack fabricated and said no evidence of chemical weapons use exists in Douma.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council there is clear information demonstrating Assads culpability.

And she said President Donald Trump told her Saturday morning that if the Syrian regime uses poisonous gas again the United States is locked and loaded to strike again.

When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line, Haley stressed. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons.

British Ambassador to the UN Karen Pierce (L) and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley (C) vote during a UN Security Council meeting, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on April 14, 2018. (AFP)

Frances UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the result of the vote sends a clear message that Security Council members recognized the need for the airstrikes, and their proportional and targeted nature.

And whats most important is no one contests that the use of chemical weapons cannot be tolerated and must be deterred, he said. That is essential.

Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the meeting confirmed that the US and its allies continue to put international politics and diplomacy in the realm of myth-making  myths invented in London, Paris and Washington.

We put facts contrary to your myths, he said. If we continue on this path, we will soon reach the diplomacy of the absurd.

Russia and Syria also clashed with the three Western allies over the legality of the airstrikes and responsibility for the Security Councils paralysis.

Britains UN Ambassador Karen Pierce blamed Russia for repeatedly vetoing resolutions on the use of chemical weapons in Syria and said the UK took military action to save lives, on the legal basis of humanitarian intervention.

Britain believes that is wholly within the principles and practices of the United Nations, she said.

Russias Nebenzia called it a very sad day for the world, for the UN, for its Charter which was blatantly, blatantly violated, and for the Security Council which has shirked its responsibilities.

I would like to believe that we will not see a day that is worse than today, he said.

Looking ahead, Delattre said France, Britain and the United States will soon be presenting the Security Council with a new draft resolution aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict that addresses political, chemical and humanitarian issues.

A draft resolution circulated by the three countries and obtained late Saturday by The Associated Press would condemn all use of chemical weapons, especially the April 7 attack in Douma.

It seeks answers from Syria on gaps in its chemical weapons declaration to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. And it would establish a new body to determine responsibility for chemical attacks, call for a cease-fire in Syria, unimpeded access for all humanitarian aid, and an urgent resumption of negotiations on a political settlement.

Nebenzia responded saying the environment is not very conducive for any rapprochement and the political and dangerous military situation we are in now must be sorted out first.

Once again, we demand an immediate stop to aggression and refrain from the illegal use of force in the future, he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who briefed the council before the vote, stressed again the need to avoid the situation from spiraling out of control and for a political solution.

Guterres said he has asked Syrian special envoy Staffan de Mistura to come to New York as soon as possible to consult on the most effective way to accelerate the political process.
Hours after striking Syria, the United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.

The move signalled the Wests resolve to return to diplomacy after a one-night military operation that hit sites Western officials said were linked to Syrias chemical weapons program.

Among the contentious proposals, the draft resolution would establish an independent investigation of allegations of toxic gas attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.

Russia in November used its veto three times to bury a previous UN-led inquiry which found that Syrian forces had dropped sarin on the town of Khan Sheikhun in April last year.

The measure would instruct the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to report within 30 days on whether Syria has fully disclosed its chemical weapons stockpile.

The West has accused Syria of failing to live up to its commitment to scrap its chemical weapons program, under a 2013 deal reached between the United States and Russia.

On the humanitarian side, the measure demands medical evacuations and safe passage for aid convoys to be allowed to all areas.

The text calls for a ceasefire resolution adopted in February but which never materialized to finally take hold and demands that President Bashar al-Assads government engage in peace talks in good faith, constructively and without preconditions.

Several rounds of peace talks held under UN auspices in Geneva have failed to yield progress, deadlocked over demands that Assad make way for a political transition.

Meanwhile, the UN security council overwhelmingly rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of aggression by the United States, United Kingdom and France against Syria, a vote reflecting support for the allied air strikes on Syrian chemical sites.

But the vote at the end of an emergency meeting called by Russia also demonstrated again the paralysis of the UNs most powerful body in dealing with Syrias seven-year conflict.

Getting Russia aboard

Negotiations on the draft resolution are set to begin on Monday, but diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal.

Western diplomats said they were ready to allow time for negotiations to make every effort to bring Russia aboard.

Russia has used its veto 12 times at the Security Council to block action targeting its Syrian ally.

The new diplomatic push came after a stormy Security Council meeting called by Russia, which branded the military action an aggression against Syria and sought condemnation.

That bid however failed, with only China and Bolivia voting alongside Russia to condemn the air strikes. Eight countries opposed condemnation while four abstained.

Addressing the council, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was confident that the military strikes had crippled Syrias chemical weapons program.

Haley warned that the United States was locked and loaded, ready to strike again if any new chemical attack was carried out in Syria.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the West of hooliganism and demanded that it immediately end its actions against Syria and refrain from them in the future.

You are not only placing yourselves above international law, but you are trying to re-write international law, Nebenzia said.

The United States, Britain and France launched air strikes in response to a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Douma a week ago that killed at least 40 people.

The council has met five times this week on Syria amid repeated pleas from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to end divisions over Syria.
This week, Starbucks came under fire after video surfaced of two black men being handcuffed, seemingly unprompted, at a Philadelphia location of the chain coffeehouse. The two men were arrested after an employee called the police to report them as having trespassed. In the clips, however, you can hear other patrons calling the arrests uncalled for and protesting as the men are escorted out of the shop.

Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross has since defended the arrests, affirming that his officers were called to the scene when a disturbance was reported because the two men in question tried to use the restroom and were told that it was only for paying customers. The men reportedly refused to leave after being asked by employees three times. According to sources, however, the men were waiting in the shop to meet with someone before ordering.

As an African American male, I am very aware of implicit bias; we are committed to fair and unbiased policing, Ross said in a statement. If a business calls and they say that Someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, [officers] now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties and they did just that.

Starbucks has since issued an apology for the arrests, and the men were released after the company was no longer interested in prosecuting them. Since then, a rapid rise in the #BoycottStarbucks movement has once again taken place, with many pointing to the incident as a sign of racial discrimination. One notable name already throwing in his support of the movement is of course T.I. who is no stranger to boycotting establishments that discriminate against minorities, specifically African-Americans. I aint spending no more of my bread wit em, he penned under an Instagram post.  Urge yall not to either.

Earlier in the year, T.I. led a boycott against an Atlanta location of the chain steakhouse Houstons following allegations of racial profiling against black patrons when it refused to seat a party of black diners, citing aggressive behavior as the cause.
It starts with a pen and paper.

Thirty yards of pink tulle.

An elite dressmaker.

And a 14-year-old girl with a vision.

Mas esponjada.

She wants a puffier skirt.

And with the flick of a pen, there it is.

Que mas?

Leaning forward, Tomas Benitez picks up a highlighter, and it swishes softly against the page as he adds color in quick strokes of blush. In pen, he pecks at the paper, adding sparkle and glitter and glam.

Across the table, Lizbeth Gutierrez sits in rapt silence, watching her dreams come to life.

Bonita, she whispers.

She wasnt sure this would ever happen. Ever since she found out what a quinceanera was, Lizbeth knew she wanted one. But her mother never had one, and her aunt didnt either. There was no money for the extravagant celebration marking a girls 15th birthday as an entry into womanhood  and there still isnt.

But now, a shy smile peeks out as she watches Benitez do what he does best: make something from nothing.

Her quinceanera dreams are coming true.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle

Long before he was one of Houstons top dressmakers, Benitez was a little boy in a small town with no money.

His mother sold fruit in the streets of Mexico, but it was hardly enough to support him and his seven brothers and sisters. So they moved to a bigger city in Michoacan, a coastal state in the nations southwest.

Instead of going to school regularly, Benitez stayed home and worked, to help the family. His first job was cleaning windshields at gas stations. But he had his own dream: Whenever they went to the market, his mother recalled, Benitez would spend any money he had on scraps of fabric.

But piecing together scraps wouldnt be enough to get him where he wanted to go.

I decided in order to be somebody, I had to go to school, Benitez said. So, as a teenager, he started taking classes at night and working during the day.

By that time, Benitez had already befriended the seamstress on his street. He could draw, and he wanted to look cool in clubs. So he came to her with his designs, and she made him clothes.

One day she just told me, Hey, Tomas, what if you draw some dresses? he said. She made them and put them up front, and everybody was asking about them. And then she told me, You know what, you should go to school for this.

But before he could study fashion, he needed to finish high school. On his first day of class, the teacher went around the room and asked everyone what they wanted to do once they graduated. One girl said she wanted to make clothes for the rich people in town, he said. But Benitez was already thinking bigger than that.

I told her, Someday, Im going to be doing fashion shows in the USA.

Eventually, he made it into a fashion-design school and set up a small shop in Mexico selling his creations. But an American degree, he thought, would make his work more valuable back home. So he followed his sister to the U.S. to attend community college.

Fourteen years later, those dreams have blossomed into a glamorous business quietly nestled in a Gulfton-area strip center. From the outside, the building doesnt look like much, but inside its a lush forest of bright dresses, a colorful reminder of his self-made success.

Benitez remembers what it was like being tantalized by fancy clothes  with no money to get them. So every few months, he offers a drawing through his Facebook page to give away one free dress. Last year, Lizbeth signed up  but she didnt win. Instead, her family told her, theyd honor her 15th birthdaywith a quiet dinner at home.

Sure, shed have an enjoyable night. But thered be no party. No dress. No dream come true. Her mother thought Lizbeth deserved more. She messaged Benitez directly, explaining that her daughter was a good girl. That she worked hard in school, spent time with her family and didnt get in trouble. Shed always dreamed of an exquisite dress and a fancy princess-themed bash  but her family just didnt have the money.

Benitez understood and was moved to help. But instead of giving away a free dress, he offered an entire free party. From his years in the business, he knew everyone hed need to make this celebration happen for Lizbeth  venue owners, DJs, cake-makers.

Its kind of like Im returning something to the community, Benitez said.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle

The first time they meet, she is blushing and shy. Hes all smiles, garrulous as he sets aside a backlog of other May orders.

With seven months until Lizbeths big day, theres plenty to do.

But first, she must tell Benitez what she wants.

Pink, she says. Blush, in particular. Sleeveless, a puffy skirt. With some lace and crystals.

She also wants one of Benitezs hidden phone pockets in the skirt, a feature popular with todays quinceanera celebrants.

As he sets to drawing and displaying fabrics, Lizbeths little sister, 4-year-old Arlene, runs wild in the background. Its not her dress, but its become her dream, too. Someday, she fully intends to be sitting where her sister is now; shes already drumming up the guest list  and wielding it against the injustices of childhood.

I wont invite you to my 15, she threatens whenever she doesnt get her way.

The daughters of two Mexican immigrants, Lizbeth and her little sister have spent their entire lives in Pasadena.

The teen still blushes when asked about boys, and her typical night involves watching cartoons with her little sister.

But in this dress, shell be a woman. Shell have to come back again for measurements, then for fittings. Benitez lays out a timeline  then lets her try on some dresses to get a feel for it.

Her mother grins wildly and whips out her phone, documenting every moment.

Her father, a landscaper, is at work. Hes not allowed to see the dress until its done. The glitter, the glamour  itll all be a surprise for him.

But not for Lizbeth; she already knows itll be the best bash of her life.

A wedding is like, Oh youre getting married, she says. But a quince is like, Oh youre growing up.

Its a distinction that feels especially important when youre 14.

Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

Benitezs style is about taking chances, trying new things. Creating a pleat in a dress here, a hidden pocket there.

Once, he made a dress out of trash bags and waste.

There were huge designers coming from Mexico, and I was scared, he said. I thought, What am I gonna show? It has to be unique.

So instead of glitz and glam, he went with plastic  and a splash of crystals.

And I win, he said. I win with trash.

That was five years ago, but the black and pink gown still sits in the back of his eponymous Bellaire Boulevard store  a reminder of risks taken, rewards won.

When Benitez launched his business stateside more than a decade ago, he didnt have a backup plan. It was just him, one employee and bolts and bolts of fabric.

His husband, Erick, worked at Walmart, and that income was their safety net.

I was taking home maybe $50 a week, Benitez said. That was how we would have at least one secure check until the business starts.

Thousands of stitches later, Erick no longer works at Walmart. For the past four years, hes been a fixture at the store, handling all the glittery beading and handwork. Hes as quiet as his husband is chatty, silently sewing beside the counter while Benitez charms customers and takes measurements.

Benitez is constantly in motion, it seems. Always with another customer, always conjuring up another dress.

But with that hustle, hes built a small empire out of taffeta and lace. Currently, he has a handful of employees to fill orders that are scheduled all the way into 2019, making dresses that cost up to $8,000.

Everything that we make is one of a kind, he said. We just make one, hang it, and if the girl comes and takes that dress, we dont make it anymore. The dress that we will make for her is unique. We dont even have sizes.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle

Dresses are more complex than one might imagine.

Just the corset of Lizbeths dress has 29 separate sections, Benitez says on an August day in the stores sewing room. Some add curves, others hide them. But each is cut separately from a painstakingly drawn pattern, a puzzle of chopped and folded paper that somehow fits together in the end.

Benitez starts by clearing the sewing table, swiping piles of pink fabric to the side. He spreads out Lizbeths measurements and pulls out an oversized purple calculator, whispering to himself as he punches in numbers.

With a ruler, he marks off vertical lines, then horizontal segments  it looks more like high school geometry homework than the makings of a dress.

This is her shoulder, see? he explains as he draws a diagonal line that does not look like a shoulder.

After a few more minutes of plotting, hes ready to go. The patterns a little different than he planned.

I decided to make changes because I had another employee, and she went with the competition, he says. She will go on doing the same style  and that makes a lot of difference, the way that you do your patterns.

He reaches for a giant pink pair of scissors.

Mi hija, he asks one of his seamstresses, donde esta la blush taffeta?

Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

The event hall is packed, and green and blue lights flit across the darkened dance floor. The tables are draped in pink and gold  the theme colors of this glittery December party.

Benitez flits around the room, a blur of motion toiling to make the night perfect.

There are dancers, an open bar, a buffet, a DJ  and in the center of it all is 15-year-old Lizbeth and her strapless, pink princess dress with a gem-covered bodice.

Youll need to retouch your makeup, her aunt tells her.

How do I do that?

She may be moving into womanhood, but Lizbeth is still figuring out how to apply makeup and walk in heels. The ninth-grader has changed, though she no longer blushes when asked about boyfriends; hers is sitting across the room.

She also knows what she wants to do with her life. After high school, Lizbeth will get an associates degree from San Jacinto College. With a part-time job, shell save to make it through a four-year school and become a nurse.

But for now, she has a teddy bear to dance with.

With Benitez at the helm  playing emcee, organizer and maestro  theres a full night of festivities ahead. Lizbeth will unwrap a small pile of pink gifts  including at least one gag that draws a roomful of laughs. (Its an iPhone box  with an actual apple inside.)

Shell dance with the boys in her honor court, shell dance with her father. Shell dance with her father and a teddy bear sporting a pink dress matching her own.

Her aunt will get teary-eyed, her mother will gush and fill up her phone with more pictures.

And in the background, her little sister will twirl around in a pink dress of her own.

When asked how old she is, shell hold up four fingers.

In 11 more years, itll be her turn.

Ileana Najarro and Godofredo Vasquez contributed to this story.

keri.blakinger@chron.com
It was approaching midnight on Oct. 16, 1915, when Methodist preacher William Joseph Simmons and at least 15 other men climbed Stone Mountain in Georgia. They built an altar, set fire to a cross, took an oath of allegiance to the Invisible Empire and announced the revival of the Ku Klux Klan.

Beneath a makeshift altar glowing in the flickering flames of the burning cross, they laid a U.S. flag, a sword and a Holy Bible.

The angels that have anxiously watched the reformation from its beginnings, said Simmons, who declared himself Imperial Wizard, must have hovered about Stone Mountain and shouted hosannas to the highest heavens.

On the recent 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., progressive faith groups held a march in Washington to combat racism and atone for the history of that prejudice.

Without confession of the sin of white racism, white supremacy, white privilege, the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of the progressive Christian group Sojourners, said, people who call themselves white Christians will never be free.

Wallis didnt refer directly to the Klan, which had terrorized black people during Reconstruction before being dismantled by President Ulysses S. Grant. It was born again that night in 1915 on Stone Mountain, and Christianity was used to justify a second wave of terror.

Restricting membership to white Christians, the Klan wore white robes to symbolize purity, burned crosses to signify the Light of Christ and picked selective scriptures from the Bible to preach white supremacy. The Invisible Empires comeback was aided by Hollywoods first blockbuster, D.W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation, which glamorized the Klan.

By the early 1920s, the Klan boasted 5 million members across the country and had infiltrated thousands of churches with its hateful doctrines.

Many ministers in Protestant denominations would openly declare their membership in the Klan. And creepy photos would capture Klan members in white hoods standing in churches and sitting in choir pews.

In a 1922 article, the New York Times reported The Ku Klux Klan in the South and West is largely dominated by lame duck preachers who could not make it good in the ministry.

So far as I have been able to see, the Rev. John Roach Straton preached to a New York congregation, the Klan in the South and West seems to be largely under the domination and leadership of a lot of lame duck preachers. They play out in the ministry, and then instead of selling insurance or peddling churns, as they did in former times, they devote their time and talents to saving the country by organizing men into secret, disguised societies and dressing them up in nightgowns and dunce caps.

Simmons believed Christianity supported white supremacy, Kelly J. Baker, author of the book, The Gospel According to the Klan, said in an interview. He and other Klan leaders would look to Christianity to find support for racism. Even liberal Protestant churches supported white supremacy. That seemed the natural order of things. Just as people used biblical texts to support slavery.

In 1921, Simmons testified to Congress that he was a minister in not one church but two.

As a brief introduction, please, I am a churchman and proud of it. I hold the distinction, which I suppose few men hold, and that is I am a member of two churches  the Congregational Church and a full-fledged associate member of the Missionary Baptist Church, given me as an honor, Simmons told the House Rules Committee, which was investigating the Klan and the terrible things being done to innocent people in the South.

In Klan propaganda and its 1916 rule book, Simmons said that only good Christian white people who believe in racial purity and Protestant morality would save the country from destruction.

Hate in Gods Name, a 2017 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, says that white supremacist groups often invoke scripture from the Old and New Testament.

This is particularly applicable to Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members, the report says, Christian Identity adherents and some neo-Nazis. White supremacists believe mainstream religions, including Christian denominations and their institutions, have fallen astray from God and are under the control and influence of Satan. As a result, white supremacists interpret scriptures and spiritual parables through the lens of racial discrimination and hate. In this way, they can justify their beliefs (which are vile and deplorable) as good, moral and responsible.

Klan members believe the Bible is the family history of the white race, according to the report. They believe that white Christians are morally and spiritually superior to other races.

The Klan symbol, displaying a white cross with a red tear drop, symbolizes the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as well as others who have shed their blood for the white race, says the report, noting that some KKK leaders are actually ordained ministers and some have even organized churches which enjoy tax-exempt status.

In his 1921 testimony to Congress, Simmons said he relaunched the Klan after watching the film The Birth of a Nation. The 1915 racist blockbuster promoted the Klan as the great defender of white womanhood. President Woodrow Wilson showed the film at the White House and praised it as terribly true.

With the help of a public relations team, headed by Edward Clark and Elizabeth Tyler, the Klans rosters exploded.

The popularity came from the combination of religion and nationalism it promoted, both of which appealed to white Protestant Americans who feared that immigration and changing social mores would overthrow their social dominance, Baker wrote.

Simmons, born in 1880 on a farm in Harpersville, Ala., was an itinerant Methodist minister. He established himself as Imperial Wizard and created a pamphlet, which he called The Fiery Summons. The pamphlet featured a drawing of a masked horse and rider in a robe carrying a burning cross with a headline that read Yesterday Today and Forever. According to the Georgia Encyclopedia, the Methodist Episcopal Church eventually suspended Simmons for inefficiency.

In his congressional testimony, he described the Klan as simply a fraternal, patriotic, secret order for the purpose of memorializing the great heroes of our national history, inculcating and teaching practical fraternity among men, to teach and encourage a fervent, practical patriotism toward our country. . . .

Simmons recounted how he came up with the idea of relaunching the organization 15 years before he climbed Stone Mountain. He was inspired by a religious vision of men in white robes riding horses across the horizon, he said.

And then Simmons, the preacher in two churches, lied:

The charge has been made that the Klan takes the law into its own hands; that it terrorizes private citizens in many communities by lawless acts against person and property, Simmons told the House committee.

These charges, Simmons said, are untrue.

A year later in 1922, amid political infighting within the organization, Hiram Wesley Evans, a dentist, replaced Simmons as the groups Imperial Wizard. Simmons died in 1945 in Atlanta.

An Associated Press obituary that appeared in the New York Times described Simmons this way: If anyone was responsible for the founding of the second Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, it was Mr. Simmons, preacher, traveling salesman and promoter of fraternal organizations.  From his imperial palace on Peachtree Road in Atlanta, Imperial Wizard Simmons ruled the Invisible Empire of his bed-sheeted followers.

A final condemnation of the Simmons legacy: The organization, deeply rooted in native ignorance, flourished in rural areas. Its members liked to call themselves kleagles, goblins and other names of darkling potency, to meet in solemn konklaves, burn a fiery cross upon a distant hill and, perchance, frighten a Negro child outnumbered 100 to 1. Sometimes, too, Klans-men lynched, tortured and beat the helpless.
President Donald Trump declared victory Saturday in the largest application of military force he has ordered, as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations vowed that the United States is ready to launch another strike if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons again.

"Mission Accomplished!" Trump tweeted a day after the allied assault on Syrian facilities that the United States, Britain and France say are part of a large chemical weapons program. The phrase was the same one the last Republican president, George W. Bush, employed to his regret in 2003, when the Iraq War was far from over.

"I spoke to the president this morning, and he said, 'If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded,' " U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said at an emergency Security Council meeting called by Russia, the Syrian government's most powerful ally.

"When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line," she added.

At the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the director of the Joint Staff, said the United States, France and Britain fired more than 100 missiles, delivering a blow to the "heart" of Syria's chemical weapons network. He acknowledged, however, that Syria retains "residual" capacity, but gave no details aboutwhat could be left.

Although the attack may send a message to Syrian President Bashar Assad about future chemical use, it is unlikely to bring the wider Syrian conflict, which has killed upward ofhalf a million people since 2011 and destabilized the region, closer to an end.

For the time being, relief reigned as the West and most of its allies expressed support for action to curtail the threat of Syria's chemical warfare as backers of the Syrian government expressed outrage at what they considered an illegal aggression against Syria's sovereignty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the strikes would have "a destructive effect on the entire system of international relations."

In the end, Russia's plea for condemnation of the strikes as a violation of international law and the U.N. Charter failed in a vote among the 15 Security Council members, with only Bolivia and China joining Russia.

The town of Douma, the site of a suspected chemical attack last weekend, was among a dwindling number of rebel-held areas as Assad expands his control. Russian military assistance since 2015 has allowed Assad to break a stalemate with the rebels, some of whom are backed by the United States.

Faysal Itani, a scholar at the Atlantic Council, said that even if the U.S.-led strikesprevented new chemical attacks, it would not change Assad's larger strategy or halt his ongoing conventional assaults on rebel-held areas.

"If anything, the opposite is true: By setting these red lines and devising very narrow punishments for violating them, we essentially communicate to the regime what our priorities are and also our threshold for risk and level of interest in the broader Syrian war," Itani said. "Just as it did with the war on ISIS, the U.S. has compartmentalized the [chemical weapons] issue and isolated it from the broader Syrian conflict. So Assad will logically see he has a green light to continue to destroy the opposition," he added, referring to the Islamic State.

The Pentagon said more than 40 Syrian surface-to-air missiles had "no material effect" on the allied strikes, which McKenzie said hit their targets. None of the more sophisticated air defenses that Russia has positioned in Syria were employed, he said.

Pentagon officials said none of the 105 allied missiles fired were hit by Syria's Soviet-era antimissile fire.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity under briefing rules, said it appeared that nearly all the Syrian surface-to-air defenses were fired after the allied missiles hit their targets.

McKenzie described one site, the Barzah Research and Development Center, near Damascus, as a "core" facility for Syria's chemical weapons program.

"They lost a lot of equipment. They lost a lot of material, and that's going to have a significant effect," he said.

The Pentagon said the strikes resulted in few, if any, casualties.

Syria disputed even the most basic facts about the assault. Bashar Jaafari, the nation's U.N. ambassador, told the Security Council that 110 missiles came at Syria, but that 100 were shot down. He said three civilians were injured during a strike at one site. U.S. officials said no one was hurt there.

In the wake of last weekend's attack, some U.S. officials advocated a larger strike than the limited action Trump ordered in April 2017, also in response to suspected chemical weapons use.

That attack involved 59 Tomahawk missiles fired from two U.S. warships in the Mediterranean Sea. It fulfilled Trump's vow that chemical weapons are a "red line" that he, unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, would not allow Assad to cross. But the airfield targeted by the Pentagon resumed operations shortly after the attack and, according to Western intelligence assessments, chemical attacks resumed.

Since last year's strike, multiple chemical attacks have been reported in opposition areas, most of them involving chlorine rather than the nerve agent sarin, as was used in 2017, suggesting that the government may have adjusted its tactics.

Inspectors from the international Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were expected to make their initial visitto Douma on Saturday. They will collect soil samples and talk to witnesses to try to pin down what occurred.

The United States, France and Britain said they have proof, without identifying it, that chlorine gas caused victims to suffocate.

Another U.S. official, also briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity, said Western nations strongly suspect that sarin gas was also used.

Britain and France hope that their participation in the strikes will go some distance in convincing Trump they are strong and dependable allies, and provide some leverage when the president decides next month whether the United States will remain part ofthe Iran nuclear deal. The subject will be at the top of the agenda when French President Emmanuel Macron comes to Washington for a state visit in late April.

Britain and France, along with Germany, have spent months negotiating with the State Department ways to satisfy Trump's insistence on "fixes" to the deal's sunset and verification provisions, and discussing its failure to address Iran's development and testing of ballistic missiles. Although the three European signatories have said that no changes can be made to the agreement itself, they think they and the United States are close to finishing a declaration outlining their joint positions on the matters.

The question is whether Trump is looking for a way to keep the deal, or if he and his two new hard-line aides - national security adviser John Bolton and secretary of state nominee Mike Pompeo, both of whom have advocated trashing it - are not interested in an agreement that would keep it alive.

- - -

The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung, Brian Murphy and Paul Sonne contributed to this report.
"I haven't had Trump call me in six months," Alex Jones said, his voice particularly hoarse. He was streaming live from the Infowars studio Friday night, because President Donald Trump had just announced a strike on Syria. If Trump did decide to call Jones that night, he'd find that his longtime admirer was furious. "I will tell Trump that you really betrayed your family and your name, and everything you stood for with this horse manure."

"They have broken Trump," Jones said. Later, he promised again to deliver a message to the president: "If you ever call me again I'm going to tell you I'm ashamed of you."

Now Playing: InfoWars Founder Alex Jones slammed President Trump on his show Friday, after the US retaliated against chemical attacks in Syria by authorizing a military airstrike. For more on the story here is Zachary Devita. Video: Buzz 60

With a Trump White House, Alex Jones becomes a media headline regularly, like a next-generation Pat Robertson. Yes, he's a viral, quotable voice from the extremes. But Trump has been a guest on Infowars, a fact that has helped Jones' words carry weight, on the possibility that the president might be hearing them. Infowars has previously promoted conspiracy theories about teenage survivors of a school shooting, and implied that the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year was a false flag designed to undermine Trump's agenda.

With his response to Syria, Jones has become a headline for a very different reason: This time, the conspiracy theory that Jones is promoting has turned Trump himself into one of the enemies responsible for perpetuating it.

As the live stream continued, Jones went into an extended, often vulgar and sometimes difficult to follow monologue in which he tried to convey just how upset he was by Trump's decision to authorize strikes against Syria. Jones, and many others in the Trump-supporting Internet, have long believed a conspiracy theory that chemical attacks in Syria are false flags designed to emotionally manipulate the United States into war.

Jones had his producers put up the headlines about Syria from the Drudge Report. As Jones read them, his voice began to break.

"I just feel like I just had my best girlfriend break up with me," Jones said, "the left will make jokes but this ain't funny, man.

"He was doing good and that's what makes it so bad," Jones added, after trying to compose himself. "If he'd a been a piece of crap from the beginning it wouldn't be so bad." At this point, Jones appears to be openly crying.

"We made so many sacrifices, and now he's crapping all over us. It makes me sick."

In an impromptu Periscope stream shortly before going live on his YouTube channel Friday night, Jones became another headline: "I'm not in a f--- cult for Donald Trump."

"I shouldn't even be live right now," he said, before unleashing another sentence of expletives. After a couple of calmer [for Jones] sentences, Jones started to yell again: "F---Trump!"

Trump's online base of support often feels like a machine, one that creates and amplifies narratives supporting the president into the mainstream, and attacks anyone perceived as his enemy. The machine works so well that, as was the case in the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, its combative, conspiratorial tone has been absorbed by a larger portion of the right-wing Internet. But Syria has always been a dividing point between the pro-Trump Internet and Trump. Almost exactly a year ago, the U.S. responded to another chemical attack with airstrikes, and the Trump Internet erupted in fury. "I'm officially off the Trump Train," tweeted one Infowars correspondent.

Mike Cernovich, an influential personality on the pro-Trump Internet who has since rebranded himself as not explicitly pro-Trump, was live-streaming during the 2017 attacks. "This is unbelievable. This is not what we voted for. This is definitely not what we voted for," he told his audience. He, and other Trump Internet celebrities, helped to amplify the hashtag #SyriaHoax

On Friday night and Saturday morning, Cernovich wrote tweets promoting a conspiracy theory that the chemical attacks in Syria were staged, and also what was read among Trump supporters as a pretty direct attack on Trump:

But while multiple powerful figures in the Trump Internet were, at least temporarily, turning on the president, the response was not universal. In Cernovich's mentions, several #MAGA accounts pledged to unfollow him in response.

On r/The_Donald, a pro-Trump Reddit board, a wave of criticism of Trump's announcement was largely outvoted by messages supporting the president, and some self-aware comments about the expectation that they'd all be as upset as Jones by the news - a meme the board seemed determined to undermine. "Awful lot of concern trolls out tonight," one top comment on the board's main thread about Trump's announcement read. "Trust in Trump, he's not steered us wrong yet."
Imagine you are the Democrat from El Paso who recently won your partys nomination for a U.S. Senate seat.

You might be trying to decide whether to vote for Lupe Valdez or Andrew White, the two candidates vying in a May 22 runoff to be your partys candidate for governor.

According to Beto ORourke, the El Paso congressman and Senate nominee, White and Valdez should hold a debate.

I want to make an informed decision, ORourke explained this week, when Lubbock-based journalist Jay Leeson asked for his take on the candidates. I just don't have a good enough idea about what they stand for and their differences.

ORourke has a good excuse. Valdez is from Dallas. White is from Houston. Both of them launched their campaigns relatively late, and neither would necessarily have crossed paths with O'Rourke prior to that. None of the three have served in state government, and O'Rourke is from the westernmost corner of a notoriously large state.

Read more: Texas Republicans cant coast to victory this year

So ORourkes call for a debate really shouldnt be interpreted as a sign that hes secretly rooting for White, who came in second in the Democratic gubernatorial primary last month. It's an eminently reasonable request that Valdez should take seriously, because although O'Rourke's excuse is unique, his predicament is not.

Very few Texans could make a fully informed decision in this runoff. The reasons for that should be clear enough to the candidates, at least.

White has spent his career in the private sector. Valdez has held elected office for 12 years, but the only position she has ever been elected to is Dallas County sheriff, and a sheriff is supposed to enforce the law, regardless of his or her political views.

In other words, neither Valdez nor White has the kind of public record that would allow voters to judge where they stand on various issues.

Theres nothing wrong with that. But it does mean that voters like ORourke, who would like to inform themselves, are bound to find it difficult.

And they could easily be misled by the optics. Valdez is seen as the progressive alternative to the centrist White, I think, but its not clear to me that she is. And I would be would be wary of making that assumption.

Read more: Misreading Republican voters is a mistake for Republican leaders

White is a straight white man whose father, Mark White, served as governor of Texas in the 1980s. Valdez is a Latina, and a lesbian, and her parents were migrant workers.

Valdez also served in the Army before becoming a sheriff. To me, that suggests she might have conservative tendencies, too, even if immutable aspects of her identity leave her predisposed to side with the radical left on certain things.

Meanwhile, White is a Presbyterian. Im a Methodist, and therefore think it's possible that someone like White might seem more right-wing than he is when it comes to social issues, because our debates over such things are so polarized, and the loudest voices, on both sides, tend to be the most strident ones.

Im writing this column in Nacogdoches where conservatives from across the state gathered this week for the annual Lone Star Legislative Summit. And abortion is among the issues that came up during my conversations with Republican lawmakers and lobbyists, most of whom are pro-life, but inclined to a more nuanced perspective.

That should be between a woman and God, one of them said.

That, to me, sounds like something a Methodist might say. We do believe in God but we dont believe that we are God or that elected officials were appointed to act on his behalf. Presbyterians, in my experience, have essentially the same perspective. They just tend to be more formal, for lack of a better word, than members of my denomination. So I understood what White meant when he described himself as being "personally pro-life," but I can also understand why that left many pro-choice voters suspicious.

Read more: Bigotry and ignorance shouldn't be America's reality

I know the issue is one that many Democratic voters care about, and I can sympathize with their desire to know more about what White or Valdez might actually seek to do, if elected.

So can ORourke, apparently. That's why he'd like a debate. Valdez, though, isnt necessarily convinced.

If that's what the people want, I'll do it, she told the Dallas Morning News on Thursday, after explaining that she personally would rather not have a debate.

ORourke is a person, is he not? The same could be said of the Democratic voters in Harris County, a majority of whom voted for White in the primary and may be tempted to turn out for the runoff. Valdez has a chance to earn their votes, but she isn't sure it's worth the effort; that's a difference between her and White, and one that some Texans might notice.
It was Feb. 28, 1993, a cold and drizzly Sunday morning just outside of Waco.

Eric Evers lay bleeding in a ditch as bullets whizzed by.

He'd already been shot five times, but his armored vest had stopped three rounds. A rifle round smashed through the webbing, however, boring deep into his shoulder; another bullet struck his forearm.

"This isn't a game," said Evers, a special agent in Houston with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "They're putting real bullets down. They're going to drop one in your head."

Just yards away, Agent Gary Orchowski lay sprawled in cold, muddy water, with his radio crackling from its perch on his back. He heard reports of his own death, but before he could respond, another round zipped past his ear and hit the radio head-on.

The gunfire bombarded the agents so heavily that branches on nearby trees began to fall.

"I've learned the meaning of sheer terror," said Evers, now 52.

Evers, Orchowski and more than 130 other ATF special agents and support staff had traveled from Houston, Dallas and New Orleans to execute search warrants on the Branch Davidians for illegal stockpiles of automatic weapons and explosives.

Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle

They had also been ordered to arrest the group's leader, David Koresh, a 33-year-old from Houston who stood accused of having sex with his followers' children, some as young as 11 years old.



The agents had heard stories that the youngest of Koresh's followers had never been allowed to leave the compound.

"We were more or less looking at it like a humanitarian mission," said Orchowski, 55, a former police officer in Georgia who is now the assistant special agent in charge of the ATF's Houston field office. "That meant they had never had a candy bar. A bunch of us had gone to Walmart ... In our vests, there were candy bars we planned on giving to the kids."

The agents rarely talk about the raid that kicked off a seven-week siege at the cult's compound. But the government's decision to return their gear last year brought it all back. Now, nearly 25 years later, the agents say they're ready to share the experiences that have largely gone untold.

WANT MORE? Read the full story on our subscriber website, HoustonChronicle.com.

Subscribe for full access to our digital content.
Reaching out to a growing Hispanic populace can often stump politicians and researchers, who wonder if they should communicate in Spanish, English, or both.

Thats a dilemma that political campaigns, pollsters and researchers deal with when they want to connect with Latinos, either to mobilize their vote or understand the behaviors and attitudes of this multilingual community. And since there hasnt been a way to predict the language they should use to communicate with specific Hispanic voters, getting lost in translation is a common mistake that frequently ends up alienating them.

To tackle this issue, opinion research firm Latino Decisions of Washington, D.C., partnered with the data firm Catalist to produce a model that they are releasing this month, designed to predict language preference among specific Hispanic voters nationwide.

This is the first ever such model in the campaign consulting space, said Matt Barreto, co-founder of Latino Decisions. This is a big deal; its the first tool that will give campaigns and civic organizations the ability to precisely reach out to voters in their preferred language and have more effective contacts.

Barreto said that to create the model, Latino Decisions merged thousands of national and geographically targeted Latino surveys and research with the voter files and consumer data of Catalist, and spent a year testing and corroborating predictions on an initial sample of 20,000 voters nationwide.

This language prediction tool could make an important difference in effectively mobilizing the Latino vote, which is characterized by more variables than the overall electorate due to its non-homogeneous mixture of language preferences as well as cultural backgrounds.

Cultures and language among Latinos in the U.S. vary across ethnicities; Mexicans versus Cubans versus Puerto Ricans or Central Americans, said Michael Frias, President and COO of Catalist in Washington, D.C.

It also varies geographically, but even harder to figure out is the generational impact of language and culture among this population, Frias said.

As an example, Frias noted that he is a second-generation immigrant and speaks little Spanish so that he would prefer to be addressed in English. For his parents, originally from Mexico, however, using Spanish would produce the best result.

Cultural relevance in political communications is critical to engage Latinos, something that is missed in many campaigns. It isnt a homogenous community and many times campaigns end up alienating (Latinos) because they feel you dont understand them, Barreto said.

A common mistake is sending fliers or engaging people in Spanish based solely on their Hispanic surnames, which often can produce an unintended and opposite outcome.

I'm offended when people think that because I'm Hispanic, I can only speak Spanish, said David Medina, director of multicultural community relations in the Rice Universitys Office of Public Affairs.

This is not to say that I don't value Spanish, said Medina, who has a master's degree in Spanish.

He noted that he is again reading the classic novel Don Quixote in Spanish, the language of his Mexican ancestors. But he pointed out that in a country where English is the primary language, I must make every effort to master that language to succeed in this country and become a full-fledged resident, not living on the fringes of society.

Medina was born in San Antonio, Texas, but his country of origin alone would not predict what language he prefers.

Take the case of Marco Bracamontes, a visual communications professional in Houston who is from Tampico, Mexico, and favors English when engaging in political issues.

Bracamontes explained that he understands the issues better when they are spoken in political terms used locally. I think that when you use Spanish, you lose a bit of the context of the (U.S.) political issues (and) therefore something is lost in translation, he said.

Still, many voters prefer their native Spanish language for meaningful communications.

In Harris County, many voters prefer to be engaged in Spanish. More than a third of the population speaks Spanish and 724,000 speak English less than very well, according to the Census Bureau.

In the Houston metropolitan area, there are more than 230,000 Hispanics, 18 years of age or older, who are foreign-born naturalized citizens, according to Census Bureau.

And an estimate by the Migration Policy Institute indicates that around 350,000 Latinos in the same area are eligible to vote but are not registered. Reaching out to this sizable population by using their language and cultural preferences could result in significant gains for both the Democratic and Republican parties in upcoming elections.

From differences in political ideology to national origin to generational status and more, we know Latino voters in the Lone Star State are diverse, said Claudia Ortega-Hogue, the states director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

And while there are many Hispanic voters in the area that are up for grabs, available to be registered and mobilized, many families in Houston had never been approached in any way by either Democrat or Republican campaigns in years, said Crystal Zermeno, director of electoral strategy for the Texas Organizing Project, a community organizing non-profit dedicated to civic and electoral engagement.

Having operatives who are capable of speaking to Hispanic voters, either in Spanish or English, has been a successful strategy for Texas Organizing Project and other organizations like Mi Familia Vota or NALEO working to mobilize this electorate.

In general, it takes several generations for immigrants to assimilate and become involved in the political processes of their new country, said Renee Cross, Senior Director of the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs. First generations are usually overwhelmed with the hard work and family tasks demanded as they settle into a new country. Even second generation immigrants can still be oblivious to political participation due to a lack of personal exposure to politics, civic instruction in school, or efforts by campaigns to reach out to them.

Mobilizing Latinos who are eligible to vote that dont have a history of political participation is a labor-intensive work that requires a lot of contacts and communications, said Zermeno, from TOP.

Ensuring we reach Latinos where theyre at, be it through their preferred language or the issues that matter most, is ultimately the best way to increase Latino political participation in Texas and nationwide, Ortega-Hogue.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter: @oliviaptallet
The gear sat in storage for years, evidence from one of the most harrowing moments in law enforcement history, its fate uncertain.

The government waited more than two decades to return the bullet-mangled items to Eric Evers and Gary Orchowski, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This week the two agents packed up the gear they'd used during the ATF's ill-fated raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco in 1993 for the National Law Enforcement Museum, which is slated to open next year in Washington, D.C.

RELATED: ATF agents keep Branch Davidian raid close to the vest

"We're sending it to a place that's going to preserve history," said Orchowski, now assistant special agent in charge of the Houston field division. "It's an opportunity for people to learn."

Evers' mud-and-blood stained Kevlar vest stopped three of five bullets that hit him that day. Orchowski's helmet stopped a bullet meant for him. Another slug mangled the radio he'd worn on his back. They were almost destroyed when the government closed its case on the incident.

The agents were among dozens who participated in the raid of David Koresh's compound. It was the deadliest day in the history of the agency. Four ATF agents died: Steven D. Willis, from the Houston field office, and three New Orleans-based agents: Conway C. LeBleu, Todd W. McKeehan, and Robert J. Williams. Their names are inscribed at a memorial in northwest Washington, D.C., across the street from the site of the new museum.

More for you ATF agents keep Branch Davidian raid near Waco close to the vest

Became a lightning rod

Museum officials said the items will be available for the public to view by appointment and will likely be featured in a rotating gallery.

"That was such an important story, in the broader history of law enforcement," said Sarah Haggerty, a curator at the museum. "What an incredible way to tell that story. You look at them and right away get a sense of what they were going through and what was going on."

The ATF had been sent to the Mt. Carmel compound after learning Koresh and his followers were stockpiling illegal weapons and that Koresh was suspected of having sex with his followers' underage children.

After the raid, in which six cult members also died, the Federal Bureau of Investigations laid siege to the compound, starting a seven-week stand-off. It ended in fiery disaster on April 19, 1993, when cult members set fires as the government stormed in. More than 70 cult members, including some children, died in the flames.

The raid and siege became a lightning rod for controversy over religious liberty, personal freedom and federal overreach, sparking massive criticisms of the federal government's handling of the incident. That criticism - and actions by their bosses to try to cover up the breakdowns - still frustrate Evers and Orchowski.

Donating their gear is a way to make sure their story isn't forgotten, they said.

"A lot of this was propaganda," said Evers, 52, who now works as an arson investigator with the agency. "We most certainly would not have gotten a federal search warrant if there hadn't been probable cause.  Did we make mistakes? Yeah."

ATF had been one of the most well-versed of the federal agencies in executing search warrants - performing hundreds of raids without any serious injuries or loss of life, Evers recalled.

But the day of the raid, Koresh and his followers learned ahead of time that agents were on their way. ATF leaders, however, decided to press on with the raid only to find themselves massively outgunned by Koresh's followers.

Hard lesson learned

The results sent shock waves throughout the agency, recalled Mike Bouchard, a former agent who now serves as the president of the ATF Association, which supports current and retired agents.

"You didn't see people attacking law enforcement like that," said Bouchard, who had been visiting his parents in New England when he received news of the raid. "The firepower they had was just amazing.  I'd never (heard) of that much firepower in the hands of criminals before."

After the raid, the agency overhauled operations to better focus on safety.

"ATF became a much safer place to work, for agents," Bouchard said. "It was a hard lesson learned, but like most tragedies, you take something from it, make good from it. We certainly did that."

As he gathered up his gear one last time, Orchowski still chafes at the way the his colleagues were portrayed, over how they were made to look as if they were the aggressors. He traced the pockmarks in his helmet before loading it into the large cardboard box.

"The Branch Davidians did inflict harm on us," he said. "They did kill us, they did try to kill us, and these are artifacts of that.

"The bottom line is, we were right and that's never been accepted," he said. "That's never been validated - that we were there righteously, that there was probable cause for the search warrant, and they were predisposed to commit murder."
One of the bracing effects of congressional retirement, as several of the 40-plus Republican officeholders choosing to leave office are discovering, is a strengthening of the spine more effective than any potion advertised on late-night TV. U.S. Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Jeff Flake of Arizona, along with U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania and Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, are among a handful of lawmakers standing straighter these days, the burdens of incessant fundraising lifted from their bowed backs. As their time on Capitol Hill comes to a blessed close, they are overcoming their reluctance to speak out about the disorder, chaos and dysfunction their man in the White House is promulgating.

Would that the most prominent of the recent retirees, the newly liberated House Speaker Paul Ryan, stand up and speak his mind about a dangerous president. Ryan has been critical before  before Donald Trump was elected, that is  and were hoping hell stand on principle again. The need for straight talk, and action, grows ever greater.

EDITORIAL: Trump unbound puts a nation at risk

As Ryan contemplates life with his family back in small-town Wisconsin  or, more likely, lobbying life in Washington  heres the dire situation hes walking away from:

President Trump responds to Syrias use of chemical weapons against his own people by taunting Russia with a tweet, warning Syrias chief sponsor to get ready because American missiles will be coming, nice and new and smart! He follows this absurdity with another the next day: Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! Then Friday night, Trump orders air strikes and promises the United States could sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. Defense Department officials say, no, the strikes are done.

The Pentagon, the National Security Council and responsible government officials (not to mention our allies) are supposed to make sense of these impulsive, policy-ignorant and dangerous rants. How?

So far, it appears to me to be bluster, Corker told reporters. Then I saw a tweet come out about us working with Russia right after were getting ready to bomb them, so I mean, who knows?

EDITORIAL: Trump poses a threat to our national ideals

On trade policy, the president is just as impulsive, just as policy-ignorant and, when it comes to the nations economic health, just as dangerous. His threatened tariffs against China and other countries are likely to undermine an economy recovering nicely, as hog farmers in Iowa and sorghum growers in Texas are about to find out. In addition, his ongoing bull-in-china-closet efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement will not end well if he gets his way. Texans in general and Houstonians in particular are forewarned.

I think the president has some ideas about trade that are not generally shared by the Republican conference, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters. Last weeks FBI raids on the home, office and hotel room of Michael Cohen, Trumps longtime personal attorney and fixer, has reportedly driven the president into a frenzy. He seems to be contemplating a Watergate-style Saturday-night massacre at the Justice Department as special counsel Robert S. Mueller III closes in. Those privy to Trumps private comments have told reporters he is looking to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, who is overseeing the probe.

Meanwhile, the president is raging about the former FBI director James B. Comey and his new memoir, A Higher Loyalty. In a couple of tweets, Trump labels the man he fired last year as a weak and untruthful slime ball. (Thats presidential language for you.)

OPINION: Trump the careless provocateur

Ryan will be in office until January. Thats plenty of time for him and for his fellow retirees not only to stand up and speak out, but also to shore up institutions against the onslaught of an out-of-control president. (Lame ducks can still waddle.)

Their immediate task must be to back compromise legislation written by Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, both Republicans, and Chris Coons of Delaware and Cory Booker of New Jersey, both Democrats, that would make it harder for Trump to fire Mueller.

Letting his investigation run its course is in the best interest of the country, and it is the only option to ensure that the American people have trust in the process, Tillis (whos never, ever been mistaken for a liberal) wrote in a Washington Post op-ed last week.

The second pressing obligation of the soon-to-be-former lawmakers is to reassert congressional prerogatives. As Trump contemplates some kind of action against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Ryan and friends need to remind the White House that the Constitution gives the power to make war to Congress. These life-and-death matters are too grave to be left to an undisciplined president.

The nations lawmakers also can work to undo the harm caused by the presidents fickle and ill-informed notions about trade, whether NAFTA or the Trans-Pacific Partnership  which Trump now, maybe, favors?

Let the president tweet and bluster all he wants, but hem him in while you can, Speaker Ryan. Keep him corralled inside his reality-show presidency until voters  Democrats, Republicans, independents  ride to the rescue of their nation in November.

Take heart, Mr. Speaker, from the words of conservative columnist Michael Gerson. Writing in the Washington Post recently, the former speechwriter for President George W. Bush urged principled conservatives to hear the call of moral duty and stand up for their beliefs until this madness passes.

As it will, Gerson adds. As it will.
They have feuded with Facebook, been defended by Sen. Ted Cruz and were mentioned by Mark Zuckerberg in remarks before Congress. They are Diamond and Silk.

Diamond and Silk are African-American sisters, Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson, who became known during the 2016 presidential campaign for their unwavering support of Donald Trump.

They found a new audience last week when Republican lawmakers pressed Zuckerberg, the Facebook chief executive, on the sisters accusation that the social media giant was discriminating against them for their beliefs. (The company says that is not true.)

Here is a brief guide to Diamond and Silk and their troubles with Facebook.

 How did they get internet-famous?

Hardaway, or Diamond, and Richardson, or Silk, became known in conservative circles for their social media videos, which heap praise on Trump and launch sometimes racially tinged attacks on his critics, like calling the Democratic Party a plantation and Hillary Clinton a slave master.

Their commentary continued after the election. They attacked Democrats in a video interview with the National Rifle Association, described the removal of Confederate statues as a liberal plot to erase history, and encouraged Trump to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election.

more techburger Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment. See More Collapse

They have over 650,000 followers on Twitter, 1.5 million followers on Facebook and 140,000 subscribers on YouTube. They appear often on conservative news shows. In one appearance on Fox & Friends, Diamond told viewers, Trump is not a racist, he is a realist.

They also sell Trump merchandise on their website and have embarked on a speaking tour that offers fans the chance to see them live for $50 a ticket (or $150 if you would like to take a picture with them and eat hors doeuvres).

They were paid $1,274.94 by the Trump campaign in November 2016 for field consulting, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission. The White House did not respond to an email asking what those services entailed.

 Why were they mentioned in the Facebook hearings?

The sisters received a note from Facebook on April 5 that said the company determined the content on their page to be unsafe to the community. They said the note, along with a decline in traffic to their page, was proof that Facebook has an anti-conservative bias.

Their Facebook woes have been heavily covered on Fox News, and their case was taken up by Republican lawmakers during the hearings, including Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo. He asked Zuckerberg, What is unsafe about two black women supporting President Donald J. Trump?

Zuckerberg said there was nothing unsafe about their support for the president. Diamond and Silk responded to two interview requests with an email that said, Statement: Weve made contact with Facebook and are looking to get this matter resolved.

On Thursday, a Facebook spokeswoman said the note the company had sent to the two women should not have been sent and was a result of a communications problem, not a partisan bias. She also said any dip in their traffic was caused by new policies that show Facebook users more posts from friends and fewer from public pages.

She said Facebook was investigating how the note came to be written and sent.

 Do Diamond and Silk have critics?

Yes, they do. They have been criticized for supporting an administration deeply unpopular with African-Americans and being unrepresentative of African-American women (94 percent of female African-American voters cast ballots against Trump).

Bree Newsome, an artist and activist, described them in an interview as a modern-day minstrel show aimed at white conservatives who want to believe Trump cant be racist or they themselves cant be racist because there are these two black women named Diamond and Silk who are constantly rooting for Trump.

Newsome said their performances relied on stereotypical images of black women that would not be celebrated on conservative media if they were not Trump supporters.

Keith Boykin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a former White House aide to President Bill Clinton, offered a similar critique.

If these two women, the way they speak, the way they talk and act and behave, were saying anything that was contradictory to Trump, the Trump supporters who defend them would be the first to attack them, Boykin said.

Boykin said their conservative fans, who are often quick to note their race and gender, only want to listen to the people who reaffirm their narrow, limited vision of what blackness is all about and how black people should perceive white people and specifically how they should perceive Donald Trump.

 What does Trump think of them?

The White House did not respond to an email asking that question Thursday. But in the past Trump has said he is a fan of Diamond and Silk. The sisters appeared at several Trump rallies during the campaign and have visited Trump in the Oval Office. At a rally in 2016, Trump described the first time he saw them on television and invited them onstage.

I turn on my television one night and I see these two on television, he told the crowd. I say they are the greatest, what is it?

Trump then asked them to do a little routine. The sisters took the microphone and obliged.

The silent majority has spoken, baby! Diamond told the crowd. Build that wall, Donald J. Trump!

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment.
Absurdly Driven looks at the world of business with a skeptical eye and a firmly rooted tongue in cheek.

In the realm of annoying airlines, Alaska doesn't generally win, place or even show.

It's often voted the best U.S. airline.

Which may not be saying that much, but certainly shows a spirited attempt at customer service.

It was something of surprise, then, when the airline announced it was shrinking passengers' carry-on allowance from June 4.

You'll have to downsize from a maximum of 24"x17"x10" to a mere 22"x14"x9".

I can't be sure that this is the equivalent of going from James Comey's hand-size down to Donald Trump's.

But a swift twirl around my calculator tells me this is a reduction of 32.1 percent.

Why would Alaska do this?

Well, on its website it explains:

Our current carry-on bag size is larger than most other international and domestic airlines allow. We're changing our bag size allowance to make sure that your carry-on bag will be accepted aboard all the flights within your itinerary. This will help you avoid carry-on bag size conflicts and make connections with other airlines easier during your future trips.

Some might translate this as: "It's not our fault. It's all those other nickel-and-diming airlines that everyone hates, hates, hates. But what can you do?"

It would surely be a slightly curious announcement if Alaska left it at that. "The bullies made me do it" does smack of a certain weediness, even if the new dimensions do correspond to those of United, American, Delta and the like.

So the airline tried to gild its lily-white reputation by adding: "Best of all, we'll be able to fit more carry-on bags into the overhead bins."

Many will have sympathy with that sentiment.

Too many passengers stagger onto planes with more bags than CEOs have beneath their eyes.

And those bags can be vast.

Many a time, I've watched as some self-righteous backpacker or haughty business type tries to move other's people's carry-ons aside in order to shovel their own monstrosity into the overhead bin.

They know their carry-on is too big, but they're not going to pay the $25 baggage fee.

Which generally annoys passengers and Flight Attendants equally.

Other airlines have tried to handle this dilemma differently.

United, for example, now effectively charges at least $9 for early access to those bins.

It's clear, though, that airlines are becoming more stringent about these things, perhaps, dare one suggest, also in the hope they can make a little more money from baggage fees.

Of course, it's down to check-in and gate agents -- and Flight Attendants -- to inspect the precise dimensions of every bag.

Which they're unlikely to do.

The pressure on them is to get the plane out on time, so it's unclear how much this new rule will change behavior.

I imagine the decent humans will try and adjust. Which will leave the same arrogant excessivists to change their behavior not one whit.
Wake up and smell the coffee  then prepare to taste it like an expert.

High street coffee is a relatively young industry in Britain, compared to say, wine, so it doesn't carry the weight of as much history  or indeed, the pretentiousness. But while wine (and wine tasting) is becoming increasingly accessible and down-to-earth, taking coffee seriously is seriously taking off.

Cupping  essentially a tasting session of brewed coffee to evaluate the quality of the bean  became a standard industry practice in the US in the late 1800s, or during the First Wave of American coffee.

Its far from simple. As Rombouts coffee expert Jonathan Wadham explains: Wine is essentially a finished product. Open the bottle, serve, taste and enjoy. Coffee is an ingredient, and a fresh one at that, so should be made to a recipe.

But Rick Tingley, coffee specialist at Taylors of Harrogate, points to their latest survey which suggests that 21 per cent of Britons said it was more important to have good coffee in the house than good wine.

I do believe that, with the way coffee is progressing, there will be a time where we will be able to discuss coffee in a similar way to how we discuss wine. The rise of specialist brewers, innovation in the category specialist blogs and social media will be the driving factors in this.

Wadham, too, is optimistic about the future of cupping. Wine only has around 250 flavour and aroma compounds, compared to around 800 that have been identified so far in coffee, so there is huge potential for tasting.

In order to learn how to taste a coffee like an Frenchman sips a Chablis, The Independent headed the Shoreditch HQ and roastery of London coffee maestros Grind for a cupping with the experts: Sam Trevethyen (head of coffee), and Howard Gill, head roaster.

Sam and Howey begin by showing us the green (raw, unprocessed coffee, which is stable and travels well), before lightly roasting it until brown to get rid of the moisture. They explain that espresso is brewed much quicker with lots of water, at high temperatures and pressure, whereas filter or french press goes much slower.

Like wine (in theory) you're supposed to spit out what you try, but we're having far too much fun for that  which might explain the distinct levels of mania we experienced for the rest of the day.

As far as we could tell through the caffeine haze, here are the main steps to tasting coffee like a pro...

1. Smelling the dry

Pretty much exactly as it sounds: you inhale the aromas of the dry coffee grounds before adding any water. Strike the cupping bowl firmly on the table, and then bring up to your nose to allow the aroma to release.

They offer bean samples from South America (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda). The South American cups smell far creamier and more chocolatey, whereas the African samples have noticeable top hints of fruit.

2. The pour

The water is specially filtered  Howey tells us they use a hardcore filtration system  because tap water, particularly in London, is very hard with too many chemicals. The purer the water, the more space the coffee has to extract, he explains.

The cupping bowls tend to be quite wide, and we're told the ratio of ratio of coffee to water matters: around 13 grams of coffee to 230 grams of water, or 1:17. Given that an espresso is normally around 2:1, you see the difference in intensity.

The water should be approximately 94/95 degrees, so just off the boil. Let the grinds infuse for around four minutes.

Sam explains that good quality coffee still tastes good when it cools, whereas poor quality coffee decreases further as it cools, so consider splashing out for better beans.

A coffee cupping typically involves a good deal of slurping  and a hefty caffeine hit (Alamy)

3. Breaking the crust

Using a flat, wide spoon (usually a soup spoon) angled away from you, break the bubbly film on the top to release the aroma. Push the spoon through the crust, about halfway down into the cup, and put your face right up into it. Inhale at will.

Howey tells us that the sweeter, chocolatey flavours go well with milk, while the fruity samples are best served black.

Britain's caffeine boom: Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? Show all 3 1 /3 Britain's caffeine boom: Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? Britain's caffeine boom: Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? 639106.bin EPA Britain's caffeine boom: Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? 639105.bin Reuters Britain's caffeine boom: Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? 639107.bin Alamy

4. The taste

At last! By this point, we're almost salivating from the divine coffee aromas. We skim the top with the spoon, in order to avoid any floating grinds, and put a little on our tongues to slurp - yes, slurp, you heard that correctly.

To taste coffee properly, you should slurp  the noisier, the better  to coat the whole mouth and introduce oxygen, so it spreads to the back of the tongue. Attempt to spray the back of your mouth with the coffee mist, as this is where the real flavours and aromas can be identified.

Sam and Howey perform a professional twittering sound with their tongues, whereas I end up spitting most of it on the table.

Pretend to chew it, to give you more time to taste the coffee and appreciate the aromas. And leave the coffee to cool and taste again. As it cools, it releases more acidity, so the flavours change.

Clean the spoon in between each cup, and keep hydrated.

Pro tip: pretend to chew your coffee when its in your mouth, to get the full effect (iStock)

5. The ranking

Look out for the body, or texture / mouthfeel, and the acidity. Also take note of both the flavour and the aftertaste.

Clare Clough, the food and coffee director of Pret a Manger, has this advice for us.

When tasting, I always recommend considering the flavour and acidity. Is it chocolatey, fruity, dark or light? Is the acidity sharp and bright or mellow and soft?

As the coffee cools, consider the body and finish. Is the viscosity thick or thin? Is the finish quick and clean or long and lingering?

Lost? You can use a cupping form to keep track, or get a taster wheel  like the SCAA Coffee Tasters flavour wheel.

We detect that while the Ethiopian coffee remained floral and citrussy, the Kenyan sample had a distinct element of purple fruits, while the Colombian had a hint of tomato.

The Rwandan was especially interesting, because the original preparation involves keeping the husk on the bean while it dries in the sun, and removing it once it's dried - hence the boozy, cherry flavours.

Weve partnered with Kahlua to celebrate National Coffee Week and you could win an overnight stay at the Hoxton Hotel, Holborn, plus cocktails and dinner for two. To be in with a chance of winning, tell us which Kahlua cocktail you'd most like to try by clicking here*.

*Terms Apply: 18+. Enter before 23.59 on 22 April 2018. Please read full Terms before entering.
So youve rewatched The Great Gatsby, and been seduced by the idea of cocktail hour in your home.

A home bar, you think, would provide a great social area and create a fabulous atmosphere to relax in  not to mention being timelessly elegant.

But before you go out and spend your entire salary on the perfect set up for a home bar, theres a few tricks you need to know.

Before you go shopping...

Myles Cunliffe, co-director of the Mixology Group with his wife Zoe, explains a bartenders love of equipment in these terms: Were a bit like magpies; we like gold and silver things  but you could just as easily use a jam jar with a lid; you dont have to use a big fancy bar spoon.

He cautions against getting too hung up on the equipment when you could spend a little bit more money on a decent mixer ranger, or a slightly higher price of spirit bottle that you would normally buy.

Although its lovely to have the gold and silver shakers, big bar spoons etc, very often you could do without, and spend your money on understanding the provenance of the product you buy. There are good products, generally made by smaller companies, and if we can support the smaller companies a little bit more, everyone would benefit.

The one piece of equipment that he says he cant do without is a citrus juicer  the one piece Id invest in from the word go. He recommends Bonzer equipment as a high quality, local supplier.

Everything else, he says, you can pretty much find in your kitchen.

Anthony Gregson, bartender trainer at Hospitality Training Solutions, advises that rather than buying all of your equipment at once, its better to gradually acquire your tools over time, stocking the bar with ingredients that youll come to appreciate later.

That said, Rob del Giorno, owner/operator of 1-800-BARTEND, New Yorks largest bartending school, insists on a large metal shaker and a traditional Hawthorne coil strainer to start, while Gregson advises on investing in rocks and martini glassware.

And stock your pantry: the two most important staples are bitters and simple syrup, like grenadine  Gregson explains that theyre highly versatile and last for ages.

Remember, start small, shop smart. But if you insist on a spending spree, here are the best essential tools, according to the experts...

From tools...

Shaker

Strainer and fine strainer

Measuring cup

Bar spoon

Good paring knife

Muddler

Blender

Bar spoon

Elbow juicer

One mixing beaker

...To booze

This may sound obvious, but start from the ingredients necessary from your favourite cocktails  apparently, amateurs often go out and buy one of everything. Shop according to what youll actually drink.

Tristan Stephenson, author of The Curious Bartender books, advises you to think dimensions before pretentions.

Home bars tend to be small, so youll want to be sparing with your ingredients and tools. This isnt a bad thing, as itll mean you have less clutter and once you finish a bottle you can try something else.

He explains that if youre strapped for space, you might want to even consider bottle dimensions. Thats what Caorunn Gin did with their new slim bottle design, which takes up less space and fits in a bartenders speed rail.

He advises a good bottle from each spirit category, liqueurs maraschino and triple sec, some vermouth and bitters: You can make literally hundreds of cocktails with that selection.

That said, Daniele Umoette, who has travelled the world as a top mixologist for the last 15 years and is now also the UK brand ambassador for Absolut, insists on the following spirits, mixers and garnishes.

Traditional wheat vodka like Absolut Eyx

Solid gin like Plymouth Navy strength

Citrus vodka  Absolut citron

Light rum and navy rum

Italian Aperitivo (Campari is a must)

Sweet vermouth

Couple of blended whiskies (Chivas 12 and JW Black)

Good blanco tequila, like Altos Plata or Fortaleza

A decent cocktail shaker and high quality ingredients is the best place to start your bar (iStock)

And finally...

Dont forget the mixers  you dont want your guests going home in a body bag. Presentation is everything: get some good garnishes in.

Gregson says Schweppes and Coca Cola are solid go-to mixer brands; theyre good quality and compliment drinks just fine for a home bar. He also suggests having a good selection of craft beers and a nice range of wine.

If youre feeling experimental, then its also worth trying different tonics and mixers. Fever Tree have a great selection of tonics, and dont be afraid to try out different herbs or fruits in cocktails.

The staples any decent home bar should have are:

Club soda

Tonic water

Coke or Diet Coke

Sprite or 7-up

Ginger ale

Juice (orange, cranberry, pineapple)

Angostura bitters

Pink grapefruits and lemons

Caster sugar

Cynar

Martell VSOP

Weve partnered with Kahlua to celebrate National Coffee Week and you could win an overnight stay at the Hoxton Hotel, Holborn, plus cocktails and dinner for two. To be in with a chance of winning, tell us which Kahlua cocktail you'd most like to try by clicking here*.

*Terms Apply: 18+. Enter before 23.59 on 22 April 2018. Please read full Terms before entering.
NHS trusts are spending millions of pounds outsourcing staff to new private companies, research suggests.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Unison has revealed that NHS trusts in England are shelling out huge amounts of money on consultants.

The new arms-length private companies appeal to NHS trusts because they can reduce their VAT payments, and cut the pay and pensions for any new staff, Unison has said.

Recommended Hospitals and NHS trusts commission study on how to fund healthcare

Only 21 out of 31 NHS trusts approached by Unison complied with the FOI request, but the amount spent by 15 of them is already more than 3.2m.

Companies are advising trusts on the setting up of wholly owned subsidiaries, to which staff are then outsourced, said the union.

Unison said health workers being transferred tend to be the lowest paid, like porters and cleaners.

Topping the list of high-spenders is Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Birkenhead, which spent more than 661,000 establishing a wholly owned subsidiary.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust have both already spent a minimum of 400,000 setting up subsidiaries.

Meanwhile, Airedale NHS Trust in Yorkshire spent an estimated 343,000 outsourcing staff.

Sara Gorton, Unisons head of health, said: The amount of public money being frittered away on transferring NHS staff to private companies is a disgrace, especially at a time when there's such a huge squeeze on resources.

These wholly owned subsidiaries are creating a two-tier workforce where new staff are likely to be far worse off in terms of their pay and pensions. There is also no evidence that these new companies improve efficiency or productivity.

She added: Porters, cleaners and other staff chose to be part of the NHS team, not to be contracted out and treated like second-class employees.

Jonathan Ashworth, shadow health secretary, said: It makes no sense whatsoever that NHS trusts are spending so much money transferring their own staff out of the public sector.

This transfer of staff to effectively private companies amounts to a back door privatisation and creates a two-tier workforce with fair pay and conditions undermined. Ministers should block this process now.

Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests  but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: NHS trusts have the freedom to organise their work in ways that deliver improved care for patients and good value for taxpayers.

Existing staff can be assured that if there are new partnerships or ways of operating they will retain the terms, conditions and benefits of NHS employment.

Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, called Unisons claims misleading. He said: Wholly owned subsidiaries have been operating entirely without controversy in the NHS for many years. They are not private companies, they are wholly owned by the NHS trusts that set them up.

They are not outsourcing, they are being set up in many cases to avoid outsourcing to the private sector.

They are not being set up solely to avoid tax or cut staff pay. Terms and conditions of existing staff are protected.

He added: Setting up a wholly owned subsidiary can bring some tax advantages, but trusts are clear that they cannot use them solely for VAT gains, in line with official guidance.
Jeremy Corbyn has described air strikes in Syria by US, British and French forces as a "legally questionable action".

The Labour leader condemned the attack aimed at reducing the Syrian government's chemical weapons capabilities, claiming it would make real accountability for war crimes less likely.

Mr Corbyn said Prime Minister Theresa May should have sought parliamentary approval for Britains participation in the strikes, rather than "trailing" after US President Donald Trump.

"Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace," he said in a statement on Saturday.

"This legally questionable action risks escalating further, as US defence secretary James Mattis has admitted, an already devastating conflict and therefore makes real accountability for war crimes and use of chemical weapons less, not more likely.

"Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harm's way.

 Air strikes launched in Syria after chemical weapon attack

"Theresa May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after Donald Trump.

"The Government should do whatever possible to push Russia and the United States to agree to an independent UN-led investigation of last weekend's horrific chemical weapons attack so that those responsible can be held to account."

Mrs May circumvented a non-binding constitutional convention dating back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq by launching strikes without prior approval from parliament.

Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Show all 21 1 /21 Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A picture released by the French Defence audiovisual communication and production unit (ECPAD) shows the launching of a cruise missile from a French military vessel in the Mediterranean sea towards targets in Syria overnight. The United States, France and Britain carried out a wave of punitive strikes against Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime in the early hours of April 14 in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Rafale warplanes being prepared for take off at the Saint-Dizier aerial military base, eastern France. Media reports state that the United States, France and Britain launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again. EPA Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Damascus skies erupt with missile fire as the US launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. AP Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A map show the location of the air strikes carried out by the US-led coalition in Syria overnight. US Department of Defense Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Royal Air Force tornado jets take off in the early hours from RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to conduct air strikes in Syria. Four Tornado jets fired Storm Shadow missiles "at a military facility -- a former missile base -- some 15 miles (24 kilometres) west of Homs, where the regime is assessed to keep chemical weapon precursors," the defence ministry said in a statement. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Map of where the air strikes hit in Syria released by the Pentagon. A Syrian military statement says the US, Britain and France fired 110 missiles during a joint attack on targets in Damascus and outside. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A photo released on the Twitter page of Hezbollah's "Central War Media" account shows night footage of flares above Damascus seen through a night-vision device as Western strikes reportedly hit Syrian military bases and chemical research centres in and around Syria's capital. US, France, and Britain announced the joint operation. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Barzah research and development centre before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A British military Typhoon aircraft lands at the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) of Akrotiri, a British overseas territory located ten kilometres west of the southern Cypriot port city of Limassol, following US, British and French strikes on Syria. Syrian state media slammed Western strikes on Saturday as illegal and "doomed to fail," after the US, Britain and France launched a joint operation against the Damascus.government. Huge blasts were reported around the Syrian capital, moments after the three Western governments announced they were striking Syria's chemical weapons capabilities. AFP/Getty Images Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon

However, the Prime Minister claimed speed was essential and the action against Syria was in Britains national interest.

Allied air strikes were carried out in Syria overnight in response to a suspected poison gas attack that killed dozens of people in Douma near Damascus last Saturday.

The intervention is the largest so far by Western powers in the Syrian conflict, with more than 100 missiles launched at various targets.

Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Show all 14 1 /14 Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures A Syrian woman and children run for cover amid the rubble of buildings. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Smoke rises from buildings following the attack on the village of Mesraba in the rebel-held besieged Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascu. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Injured children receive medical treatment. EPA Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures A Syrian man carries a child injured. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures An injured child receives treatment following bombings on several areas of eastern Ghouta. EPA Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures A child reacts inside a hospital after relatives were injured in the bombing. EPA Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Syrian children cry at a make-shift hospital in Douma following air strikes on the Syrian village of Mesraba. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Syrian Civil Defense group extinguishing a store during airstrikes and shelling by Syrian government forces. AP Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures A wounded 12-year-old Syrian boy, cries as he receives treatment at a make-shift hospital. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Syrians carry a wounded man. AFP/Getty Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures An injured man covered with blood at a medical point. Reuters Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures People sit a medical point in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta. Reuters Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Syrian Civil Defense running to help survivors. AP Eastern Ghouta bombings: Syrian war in pictures Injured children receive medical treatment. EPA

The Ministry of Defence says four Tornado jets from the RAFs Akrotiri base in Cyprus fired missiles at a military facility near Homs where it was believed Syria had stockpiled chemicals.

Russia, an ally of the Syrian government led by president Bashar al-Assad, has warned the strikes will have "consequences".

Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed the attack will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the country.
Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said he was completely confident of proving his innocence after reported allegations of sexual offences involving two members of his staff.

The Dover and Deal representative was suspended by his party in November last year following serious allegations.

At the time, Mr Elphicke denied any wrongdoing and said he did not know what the allegations against him were.

The Sunday Times claimed the alleged female victims were interviewed by Scotland Yard earlier this year.

Police also spoke to the MP under caution on 12 March, which he claims was the first time he was made aware of the nature of the allegations.

In a post on Twitter, Mr Elphicke said: It was some 5 months before I was made aware of what the allegations against me were.

Now I know, I am completely confident I will be able to prove my innocence. I will continue to defend myself vigorously for as long as necessary.

In a further statement published by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Elphicke added: I met with the police on 12 March [and] was then told for the first time the nature of the allegations made against me.

Until that point I had no idea whatsoever of the allegations which had led to my having the Conservative whip suspended in early November 2017, despite my repeated requests for clarification to both the chief whip and the police.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: On 12 March 2018, a man was interviewed under caution, by appointment. The interview was in connection with an ongoing investigation being carried out by the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command into alleged sexual offences.

The interview took place at a police building. At this stage in the investigation the Metropolitan Police Service will not comment further.

Press Association
MPs, celebrities and business leaders have come together to launch a campaign for a public vote on the final Brexit deal between the UK and the EU.

The Peoples Vote campaign endeavours to unify different anti-Brexit groups in order to demand voters are given the final say rather than parliament on the deal secured by Theresa May.

MPs including the Conservatives Anna Soubry, Labours Chuka Umunna, Liberal Democrats Layla Moran and the Green Partys Caroline Lucas gathered at the launch of the campaign in Camden in north London on Sunday. More than 1,200 people attended.

Supporters were joined by the actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who has lent his support to the campaign, saying that if people voted to reject the exit deal Britain would simply stay in the EU.

Sir Patrick opened the event by telling the audience he supported the Peoples Vote because our countrys future is at stake and we will not stand idly by.

The X-Men actor echoed those views in a comment piece for The Independent.

The cold reality is that Brexit is hurting our economy, he wrote. Our public services and the life chances of future generations. And the government has already admitted that in all of the possible outcomes of the current negotiations, the country will be worse off.

Brexit is such a huge and momentous time in our history, one that will affect future generations for many years to come and it should not be left simply to politicians. So, now that we are learning the real cost of Brexit, I want to urge that we think again and insist that the decision about whether to accept the Brexit deal is a matter for the people. To my mind, the only way to resolve the huge challenge we now face as a country is through a peoples vote.

Economist Mariana Mazzucato, Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed and comedian Andy Parsons also attended the launch event in the capital.

Anna Soubry told the crowd: We MPs made a decision that we would have a referendum. Since then, the people have been outside of the process.

The way I see it is this: as Brexit unfolds and people see the reality of it, for the first time ever I think in any countrys history we have actually had a government that has said to its people that we are about to embark on a course that  which ever way you cut it, whatever deals comes out  you and your grandchildren will be less prosperous than you are now. This is really serious stuff.

I think the best and right thing to do is to put it back to the people and have a say you can have a vote on this deal.

The campaign, which is led by the pro-EU campaign group Open Britain and the European Movement, brings together nine grassroots campaigning organisations in a united push for a vote.

Both the Conservative and Labour parties have ruled out a second referendum. Back in June 2016, Britain voted to leave the EU by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent.

Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio  the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters

The UK will formally cease to be an EU member in March 2019 and the two sides are hoping to come to a deal by October in time for it to be ratified by UK and European parliaments.

The executive director of Open Britain, James McGrory, said: When we have been going around to local communities and talking to people about Brexit, theres a real feeling that people are being shut out of a debate in London and Westminster.

These people know that Brexit is a really big deal, they know it isnt a done deal and they want to have a final say on it. They want a peoples vote.

On Sunday Sir Patrick told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that the terms and conditions of Brexit were quite unlike how they were presented in the build-up to the 2016 referendum.

He said the demands for a fresh vote were part of democratic process and the Peoples Vote campaign would argue the public rather than MPs should be given the final say on Brexit.

The actor also said he was spurred by history and emotion to want to stay in the EU. Im a war baby and growing up a lot of the world was not good. So the day we joined was one of the most exciting days of my adulthood, he said.

Sir Patrick said Jeremy Corbyn was a puzzle to him after he was probed about how the Labour leader had fired shadow cabinet members who held differing views on Brexit.
Boris Johnson has warned that the UK must take every possible precaution to protect itself from Russian retaliation following the coalition air strikes on Syria.

The Foreign Secretary said Moscow had a track record of launching cyberattacks on infrastructure and interfering in the democratic processes of other countries.

His comments come amid concern that Russia may start a clandestine campaign of retribution, following the strikes by the US, UK and France on targets of the Moscow-backed Syrian regime.

Recommended Only a quarter of Britons back military action in Syria

Mr Johnson also revealed that contact between himself and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had gone cold amid the military operation, in which the Western coalition partners fired more than 100 missiles at facilities around Damascus.

The Cabinet minister said the operation would not make a material difference to the Syrian civil war and he could not say it would definitely stop the Assad regime from using chemical weapons again, but he argued that the strikes had sent a strong message that their use would not be tolerated.

Mr Johnson spoke to the BBCs Andrew Marr Show as reports suggested British intelligence chiefs feared that Russia could retaliate with a dirty war, using cyberattacks and even seeking to smear figures in the British political establishment.

Asked about the possibility of revenge attacks that could target electrical or NHS systems, he said: You have to take every possible precaution, and when you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious indeed.

 Theresa May's speech on Syria air strikes in 60 seconds

But I want to stress, we in the UK do not seek an escalation, absolutely not.

News stories on Sunday suggested that since the Salisbury chemical weapons incident, which left ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter poisoned by the novichok nerve agent, Theresa May had received intelligence that the Russian government could hit members of the UK establishment with kompromat.

When you look at what Russia has done, not just in this country, in Salisbury, attacks on TV stations, on the democratic processes, on critical national infrastructure  of course we have to be very, very cautious Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson

Intelligence officers at GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence are said to be on stand-by to retaliate to any cyber warfare proportionately.

Asked about contact with his Russian opposite number Mr Lavrov, Mr Johnson said contact with the Russians had not been good, but explained that it had continued at a military level to ensure deconfliction, the clashing of coalition and Russian forces, and at the UN.

He said the UK and its allies had limited its action, because it did not seek an escalation in the war or with Russia, but he added: I went to Moscow in December and we held out the hand of engagement. We want to engage with Russia.

 Syrian state TV shows footage of 'destroyed scientific research centre hit by air strike'

But Im afraid the Russians give us every possible signal and evidence that we also have to beware.

The UKs role involved four Tornado fighters launching Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility 15 miles west of Homs.

Intelligence assessments suggested the Assad regime was keeping chemical weapons at the site, which Ms May said was a breach of Syrias obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The US part of the operation used twice as much weaponry as the attack that Washington launched unilaterally last year, with missiles and planes hitting research sites.

 Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad releases footage of him walking into work hours after air strike

France also targeted alleged chemical weapons facilities, after President Emmanuel Macron said the country had proof the Assad regime was involved in Douma - an incident that Mrs May has said left more than 70 people dead and hundreds needing medical attention.

But in his interview, Mr Johnson said he was under no illusions about what the operation would achieve, with Russian forces likely to have been warned in advance and the possibility that they may have informed the Assad regime of targets, allowing it to move chemical weapons stocks before the missiles were fired.

Asked whether he thought Assad still had some chemical weapons capability, the minister said: I cant answer that question. Clearly the strikes were successful on three important sites.

But the overwhelming purpose, the mission, was to send a message, that after years now in which weve seen a series of chemical weapons strikes...finally the world has said enough is enough.

I think its important to understand the limits of what we are trying to do...we must be honest. This is not going to turn the tide of the conflict in Syria. One can hope that it encourages the Russians to get Assad to the negotiating table in Geneva, to get a political process properly going, But that is, as it were, an extra. The primary purpose is to say no to the use of barbaric chemical weapons.
Theresa May is braced for a Commons showdown after bowing to pressure and allowing a debate in parliament on the UKs role in air strikes against the Syrian regime.

She will make a statement on the British, French and US operation that saw more than 100 missiles fired at Syria, before being grilled by MPs who were denied a vote ahead of the action.

Ministers hope the six-hour emergency debate will pacify concerns that parliament is being sidelined, but are desperate to avoid allowing any substantive vote that risks stripping the operation of legitimacy.

It sets the stage for an opposition-party drive to force a more meaningful retrospective vote on Saturdays action in the coming days, with Conservative MPs given strict orders to be available for voting on both Monday and Tuesday.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn went even further on Sunday and demanded a new War Powers Act that would see all future prime ministers requiring MPs approval before taking almost any military action.

In her statement to parliament on Monday, Ms May will try and flesh out the legal and moral case for her decision to send British fighter jets into action, arguing that she sought to alleviate further humanitarian suffering.

She will highlight the operations broad international backing, claim it was in the national interest and criticise Russia for manoeuvres at the UN to block investigations into the Douma chemical weapons incident that galvanised the West to act.

 US to impose new sanctions on Russia in wake of Syria chemical attack, says UN ambassador Nikki Haley

Ms May will say: We are confident in our own assessment that the Syrian regime was highly likely responsible for this attack and that its persistent pattern of behaviour meant that it was highly likely to continue using chemical weapons.

Linking the attack to the UKs broader stand-off with Russia over the Salisbury nerve agent poisoning, she will add: It is in our national interest to prevent the further use of chemical weapons in Syria and to uphold and defend the global consensus that these weapons should not be used.

It is in our national interest to prevent the further use of chemical weapons in Syria and to uphold and defend the global consensus that these weapons should not be used Prime Minister Theresa May

For we cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised  either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.

Her emphasis on the national interest may also speak to polls, including one published by The Independent, showing minimal public support for the Syria strikes.

In the immediate aftermath of the weekends action, the prime minister said that by convention it was her prerogative to take military action without parliamentary approval. But with pressure over the issue growing she appears to have judged it wise to allow MPs sound off.

 World reacts to Syria air strikes

The emergency debate has been called under procedures laid out under House of Commons Standing Order 24, which allows for a general debate.

While it will give MPs the chance to air their views and make prolonged arguments and criticism of the government, it will only be accompanied by a neutral motion, such as that the House has considered the matter of military action taken on 14 April.

It means that even if opposition MPs demand a vote on the motion, it will not necessarily affect the legitimacy of the air strikes if the government loses.

The Independent understands that opposition parties are considering pushing it to a vote anyway, simply to make the point that some sort of vote should be held.

Labour and other parties may also try and force their own emergency debates on Tuesday that could carry with them more substantive motions on whether the Commons should back the strikes, which if lost would create serious problems for the prime ministers credibility.

If it comes to a vote, the parliamentary arithmetic will be finely balanced for Ms May  given a handful of Tory MPs, including Zac Goldsmith and Julian Lewis, have previously demanded the Commons be allowed to vote prior to action.

Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Show all 13 1 /13 Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, which was targeted by the US, UK and France air strikes. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center surrounded by papers and rubble. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Firefighrers extinguish smoke that rises from the damage. The Pentagon says none of the missiles filed by the U.S. and its allies was deflected by Syrian air defenses, rebutting claims by the Russian and Syrian governments. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound . AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Part of a building collapsing, surrounded by the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damaged to the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, also says there also is no indication that Russian air defense systems were employed early Saturday in Syria. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier sprays water on the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syrian state news agency SANA reported several missiles hit a research centre in Barzeh, north of Damascus, "destroying a building that included scientific labs and a training centre". AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Damage to the Scientific Research Center building that was hit by the strikes. EPA Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The Scientific Studies and Research Centre was one of the targeted buildings by the US, UK and France. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damage to the centre. EPA

But there are also between 30 and 50 Labour rebels who might give the governments operation their backing, while at least some of the Tory MPs will be happy that Mondays debate is enough to ensure parliament has had its say.

One Conservative who previously had concerns told The Independent: I think the government can make a reasonable case that it acted in a restricted way and engaged with all sorts of caveats, that this was not involvement in the civil war and was not regime change.

In a bid to allay concern that the government may already be planning further action against the Assad regime, foreign secretary Boris Johnson said there was no proposal on the table at the moment.

But he added: If and when [further use of chemical weapons] were to happen, then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were.

 Syria: Jeremy Corbyn calls for War Powers Act to limit government's ability to launch air strikes without asking MPs first

Mr Corbyn and his shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry both said on Sunday that parliament should have been given a vote ahead of strikes, which saw four RAF Tornados fire Storm Shadow missiles at a chemical weapons facility.

The Labour leader went on to say: I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by parliament for what they do in our name.

He warned of an escalation in a proxy war between the US and Russia and argued that chlorine, said to have been used in the Douma attack, has also been used by a number of parties in the conflict in Syria as a weapon.

Tony Blairs push for war in Iraq in 2003 was the first time such a decision was put to a vote in the Commons.

 Donald Trump addresses the nation following military strikes in Syria

In 2011 David Cameron offered no vote before UK air strikes on Libya, but won a retrospective one shortly after, once British service personnel were committed.

But then in 2013 he lost a vote to take action against Assad in Syria, winning votes the following two years to take limited action against Isis in Iraq and Syria.

Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a serious mistake for the role of UK armed forces in Syria to be altered without the approval of parliament.

She called for a full Commons debate as well as a commitment that any further action must be authorised by a parliamentary vote.
Ukip's new leader announced he intends to resign in 12 months as he was installed in the post after an uncontested election.

Gerard Batten said he will spend the next year trying to restore the party's fortunes after a tumultuous period that has seen it implode with bitter infighting and stretched by financial struggles.

The London MEP warned that the Eurosceptic party needs to get "back into the political fight" as the local elections in England approach.

Mr Batten said: "As I said at the start of the contest, if the election were to be uncontested, I would hold office for 12 months.

"Therefore, I intend to resign on 13th April 2019 so that a full leadership contest may take place. By then I will have decided if I wish to contest that election or not. For the next 12 months, I will concentrate on doing all I can to restore the party's fortunes. A very good start has been made and the party is now on a sound financial footing."

Mr Batten became interim leader after predecessor Henry Bolton was ousted in February.

Mr Bolton was kicked out of the job over his relationship with controversial model Jo Marney, who sent offensive messages about Meghan Markle.

After taking the helm, Mr Batten had to appeal to Ukip members for funds after the party faced possible insolvency when it was landed with a 175,000 legal bill from a libel case lost by its MEP Jane Collins.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA

Mr Batten said: "My role as interim leader was to ensure the immediate survival of the party. That has been done. However, we must move on and progress.

"My aim for the next 12 months as Ukip Leader is to restore the party; financially, organisationally and politically.

"I will not make any extravagant promises. We are essentially a volunteer organisation and we have a difficult task ahead; one which will require a lot of commitment and work. But Ukip is needed now as much as ever."

Press Association
A leading LGBT+ lawyer and environmental activist used fossil fuels to burn himself to death in New York in a drastic protest against climate catastrophe.

David Buckels body was found by onlookers in Brooklyns Prospect Park. Police said the 60-year-old was pronounced dead at about 6.30am yesterday in what they deemed to be a suicide.

Before setting himself alight, he had stowed his identification and a suicide note close by, police sources said.

The campaigner is understood to have used the note to implore others to have less selfish lives in order to protect the Earth.

He said he wanted his death to lead to increased action. Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result  my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves, read a copy of the note, which The New York Times obtained.

The Daily News reported that the activist left the note in a shopping cart nearby, saying he hoped his death would be honourable and might serve others.

Pollution ravages our planet, oozing inhabitability via air, soil, water and weather, read the note. Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result  my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves.

Mr Buckel took his own life just a few blocks from his home, just off the park.

As a lawyer, he had garnered praise for his role as the lead attorney in a lawsuit involving Brandon Teena, who was raped and murdered in Nebraska. His life and death were the subject of the Academy Award-winning 1999 indie film Boys Dont Cry, which earned Hilary Swank an Oscar.

Mr Buckel also spearheaded same-sex marriage cases in a number of states across the US.

He worked as marriage project director at Lambda Legal, a national organisation that strives for LGBT rights, where he was the strategist behind same-sex marriage cases in New Jersey and Iowa.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Susan Sommer, a former Lambda Legal attorney, who is now the general counsel for the Mayors Office of Criminal Justice in New York, said Mr Buckel was all about justice, but he was also all about what it means to be human.

He was a very smart and methodical lawyer. He knew his craft and his trade, and was strategic in how to build the blocks towards a sweeping victory, Ms Sommer told the paper.

Lambda Legal applauded Mr Buckel for centring the organisation on the rights of LGBT+ youth. Camilla Taylor, acting legal director, said he had been at the forefront of a case, Nabozny v Podlesny, that was the first time a federal court ruled schools are obliged to stop the bullying of LGBT+ students.

Mr Buckel was also a driving force on Lambda Legals work on gay marriage. In another case he led, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples and their children were harmed because they were excluded from the rights granted via marriage. When he first proposed filing a lawsuit for gay marriage in Iowa in 2005, it was legal only in Massachusetts.
Donald Trump has claimed former FBI director James Comey was swayed in his investigation of Hillary Clintons private email server by polls showing she was on course to take the White House.

The US president took aim at Mr Comey in a string of tweets on Sunday, branding him a slimeball who wanted a job in a potential Clinton administration.

Mr Trump added the former intelligence chief will go down as the worst FBI director in history and should be jailed over details revealed in his new book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, which chronicles his experiences working with the president.

He also refuted a claim made in the book that he had asked Mr Comey to take a personal pledge of loyalty, dismissing it as just another of his many lies.

Mr Comey, who was fired by Mr Trump in May 2017, said in a clip released of an interview with ABC News he had assumed Ms Clinton would win the election.

He explained that this contributed to his decision to reopen the enquiry into the email controversy in October 2016, a matter of days before America went to the polls to choose its next president.

I dont remember consciously thinking about that, but it must have been because I was operating in a world where Hillary Clinton was going to beat Donald Trump, and so Im sure that it was a factor, he told the US broadcaster.

I dont remember spelling it out, but it had to have been, that shes going to be elected president and if I hide this from the American people, shell be illegitimate the moment shes elected, the moment this comes out.

The full interview is due to air on Sunday.

The scandal revolved around Ms Clintons use of a private email server for official correspondence while serving as secretary of state under then-President Barack Obama.

Some of the messages were later determined to contain classified information.

However, the FBI probe concluded no criminal charges should be brought against Ms Clinton over her use of private servers.

The Democratic Party candidate later attributed her loss to Mr Trump in the 2016 election to the investigation, claiming it killed the momentum of her campaign.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

Mr Comeys book has attracted the ire of Mr Trump ahead of its release, leading him to call Mr Comey a proven leaker and liar and an untruthful slime ball as the first extracts emerged.

The memoir describes the president as shorter than the six-foot-eight Mr Comey had expected, with bright white half-moons under his eyes attributed to the use of tanning goggles.

Mr Comey also claims Mr Trump was obsessed with the infamous dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, which contained accusations the president watched two prostitutes urinate on a bed in a Moscow hotel room.

According to the book, Mr Trump tried to convince Mr Comey the story was untrue by saying he was a germaphobe.
The massive data leak of millions of documents from a secretive Panama law firm  which exposed the financial dealings of numerous world leaders, celebrities, and criminals  reinforced the Latin American countrys reputation as a money-laundering paradise.

The so-called Panama Papers show how the law firm, Mossack Fonseca, handled the assets of many heads of state who are accused of laundering money, evading tax, and avoiding sanctions, according the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, who obtained the 11m documents.

Mossack Fonseca denied any criminal wrong-doing, saying it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and always cooperate fully with investigations of criminal activity.

The unprecedented release of these documents will do little to help Panama with its decades-long trouble with money laundering, which dates back to the late 1980s, during dictator Manuel Noriega's reign. Before his ouster in 1989, Mr Noriega was reportedly on the payroll of notorious Medellin cartel lead, Pablo Escobar. The drug trade and money laundering were so rampant in the country that then-Senator John Kerry described Panama as a narco-kleptocracy.

Since the days of Mr Noriegas dictatorship, Panama has worked to enact legislation against money-laundering, but have done little to enforce it. According to a 2014 report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), authorities [had] not conducted any study or assessment of the risks of money laundering or terrorist financing associated with drug trafficking and other related crimes.

Panama has faced scrutiny from the United States and other countries in recent years, since its addition to the Financial Action Task Forces grey list of nations who have done little to stop money laundering.

Panamas lack of regulation when it comes to bearer shares  an equity security that gives ownership to whomever holds the certificate. Bearer shares do not require the disclosure of the owner, helping facilitate lack of transparency that makes laundering attractive to offshore holders.

According to the report from the ICIJ, Mossack Fonseca moved business to Panama following a crackdown on bearer shares by the British Virgin Islands in 2005.
Starbucks has apologised to two black men arrested at a Philadelphia branch of the coffee chain in an incident that has led to accusations of racial profiling by the company and police.

Mobile phone videos captured the tense moment on Thursday afternoon when at least six Philadelphia Police Department officers stood over two seated black men, asking them to leave. A man named Andrew Yaffe arrives to tell police that the two men were waiting for him. The officer says that they were not complying and were being arrested for trespassing.

Why would they be asked to leave? Mr Yaffe says. Does anybody else think this is ridiculous? he asks people nearby. Its absolute discrimination, Mr Yaffe adds. The two unidentified men are taken out in handcuffs soon after. They were released early on Friday with no charges filed.

One of the videos of the arrest rocketed across social media, with 4.5 million views by Saturday evening.

Lauren Wimmer, the attorney for the two men, told The Washington Post that her clients told a Starbucks employee that they were waiting for Mr Yaffe. Shortly after, a white female employee called the police, Ms Wimmer said.

Ms Wimmer said Mr Yaffe, who runs a real-estate development firm, said that he was there to meet the men to discuss business investment opportunities.

The two men, whom she declined to identify, were taken to a police station, fingerprinted and photographed. One officer suggested that they faced charges for defiant trespassing, Ms Wimmer said. They were held for nearly nine hours before they were released after prosecutors said they would not pursue charges.

Benjamin Waxman, a spokesperson for Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner, said the office decided that there wasnt sufficient evidence to charge [the men] with a crime.

Melissa DePino, who tweeted a video of the incident, said: @Starbucks The police were called because these men hadnt ordered anything. They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs for doing nothing. All the other white ppl are wondering why its never happened to us when we do the same thing.

In a statement on Twitter, Starbucks apologised to the two men and said it was disappointed this led to an arrest.

An employee called the police for help to get the men out of the store but later regretted that it escalated into an arrest, said a company official familiar with the incident, who did not wish to be named. The employee was doing the right thing according to store policy, the official told The Post, but the company is evaluating its guidance out of concern that the options and decisions may not be clear.

Did we set her up with the right protocol? the official asked.

After the arrest, the police were also being criticised for their handling of the situation. Police Commissioner Richard Ross addressed the incident on Facebook Live on Saturday, saying that one or both of the men asked to use the restroom but had not purchased anything. An employee said the Starbucks company policy was to refuse use of the bathrooms to nonpaying members of the public and asked the men to leave, according to Mr Ross. The employee called the police when they refused.

These officers did absolutely nothing wrong. They followed policy; they did what they were supposed to do. They were professional in all their dealings with these gentlemen, Mr Ross said. And instead, they got the opposite back.

Mr Ross said police arrested the men after they refused three requests to leave.

Mr Ross, who is black, said he was aware of issues of implicit bias  unconscious discrimination based on race  but did not say whether he believed it applied in this case. He said the incident underscores the need for more body-worn cameras to present different perspectives of police responses. The officers were not wearing cameras, he said.

At least two mobile phone videos captured the incident.

The police department said on Thursday that it was investigating and would comment once more facts were known. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Rosss statement means the investigation has concluded.

Starbucks does not have a company-wide policy on asking members of the public to leave, said the company official.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The company leaves safety and customer service protocol decisions up to store managers, the official said. They may leave restroom doors unlocked or add key code entries if they feel the store is more at risk for criminal behaviour. A store in the same area of Philadelphia experienced an armed robbery recently, the official said.

The official acknowledged that the incident is at odds with what many people have done at a Starbucks without drawing suspicion or calls to police. The stores are community hubs, the official said, where people often drop in to use the wifi or chat with friends without necessarily ordering anything.

Ms Wimmer said she spent a good portion of her time in law school in Starbucks without buying much and never had a problem as a white female.

The incident was about race, Ms Wimmer said. She suggested an experiment: go to a Starbucks and assess the demographics of people sitting there.

Who is the manager going to call and say please leave?, she asked.

 Washington Post
Donald Trump has defended his use of the phrase "mission accomplished" following yesterday morning's air strikes on Syria, saying the triumphant words should be used more often.

The US president tweeted: "The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished.'

"I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!"

Mr Trump was widely derided for his use of the phrase within hours of the military raids on the country's chemical weapons.

Commentators said the bombing represented a major escalation in the West's confrontation with Bashar al-Assads superpower ally Russia, but was unlikely to alter the course of a multi-sided war that has killed at least half a million people in seven years.

The phrase "mission accomplished" came to haunt one of Mr Trump's predecessors, George W Bush.

In 2003, when it seemed US and UK forces were taking control of Iraq, having ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, the words were displayed on a prominent banner behind President Bush in an address from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, when he prematurely declared the end to major combat operations.

But the bitter civil war dragged on, involving various factions unleashed by the toppling of Saddam, and "mission accomplished" came to symbolise US failure in Iraq.

Ari Fleischer, who was White House press secretary under George W Bush, wrote on Twitter: "Um... I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words."

Democratic congressman Ted Lieu last night wrote on Twitter: "What Bush and @realDonaldTrump fail to grasp is that Mission Accomplished for a tactical mission does not equate to a strategy. Far from it."

The first pictures taken after the air strikes show a chemical weapons research centre, storage facility and command post turned to rubble.

The targeted bombing was carried out days after an alleged chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma, which left civilians suffering horrendous effects.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said yesterday that Washington was ready to attack again if there was further use of chemical weapons.

Ms Haley said: "We are confident that we have crippled Syrias chemical weapons programme. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will.

If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

Mr Trump also tweeted: "So proud of our great Military, which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There wont be anything, or anyone, even close!"
Washington will impose new sanctions on Russia, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said  as Western allies look to put some diplomatic clout behind military strikes launched on Syria in the wake of an apparent chemical weapon attack.

Russian sanctions will be coming down, Ms Haley said during on appearance on CBS Face the Nation, adding that the new sanctions are expected to be announced by treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin on Monday.

It comes as the US, UK and France  who took part in the retaliatory strikes  push a draft resolution ahead of a meeting of the UNs Security Council, also on Monday, which includes a proposal for an independent investigation into alleged chemical weapons attacks that identifies those responsible.

Both the Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied involvement in the chemical attack, which occurred in the Syrian town of Douma and is believed to have killed dozens of civilians. Moscow has suggested that allegations over the attack are false, as well as claiming it was coordinated by Britain. The US and France have both said they have proof Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was behind the chemical weapon use.

The UN resolution forms part of a wider strategy to enforce the elimination of chemical weapons, which the US says Russia has repeatedly failed to do despite being the guarantor of a 2013 deal to achieve that. The resolution also calls for action over the wider civil war in Syria, such as allowing medical evacuations and aid convoys, and the enforcement of a ceasefire. The draft resolution will put pressure on Moscow, with US sanctions looking to achieve the same effect.

Secretary Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasnt already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, Ms Haley said.

Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Show all 21 1 /21 Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A picture released by the French Defence audiovisual communication and production unit (ECPAD) shows the launching of a cruise missile from a French military vessel in the Mediterranean sea towards targets in Syria overnight. The United States, France and Britain carried out a wave of punitive strikes against Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime in the early hours of April 14 in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Rafale warplanes being prepared for take off at the Saint-Dizier aerial military base, eastern France. Media reports state that the United States, France and Britain launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again. EPA Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Damascus skies erupt with missile fire as the US launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. AP Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A map show the location of the air strikes carried out by the US-led coalition in Syria overnight. US Department of Defense Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Royal Air Force tornado jets take off in the early hours from RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to conduct air strikes in Syria. Four Tornado jets fired Storm Shadow missiles "at a military facility -- a former missile base -- some 15 miles (24 kilometres) west of Homs, where the regime is assessed to keep chemical weapon precursors," the defence ministry said in a statement. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Map of where the air strikes hit in Syria released by the Pentagon. A Syrian military statement says the US, Britain and France fired 110 missiles during a joint attack on targets in Damascus and outside. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A photo released on the Twitter page of Hezbollah's "Central War Media" account shows night footage of flares above Damascus seen through a night-vision device as Western strikes reportedly hit Syrian military bases and chemical research centres in and around Syria's capital. US, France, and Britain announced the joint operation. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Barzah research and development centre before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A British military Typhoon aircraft lands at the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) of Akrotiri, a British overseas territory located ten kilometres west of the southern Cypriot port city of Limassol, following US, British and French strikes on Syria. Syrian state media slammed Western strikes on Saturday as illegal and "doomed to fail," after the US, Britain and France launched a joint operation against the Damascus.government. Huge blasts were reported around the Syrian capital, moments after the three Western governments announced they were striking Syria's chemical weapons capabilities. AFP/Getty Images Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon

Ms Haley told CBS the fact that Assad was making the use of chemical weapons more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop.

The UN envoy also said that the Trump administrations response takes into account other attacks using chemical weapons, as Mr Trump tweeted in defence of his use of the phrase mission accomplished when talking about the US, UK and French strikes on three alleged chemical weapons-related facilities.

The US president said: The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished.

I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!

Ms Haley said military action was only taken because diplomatic efforts have been stymied by Moscow.

On Saturday, the UN Security Council rejected a separate resolution tabled by Russia calling for condemnation of aggression by the US and its allies. Only three countries  Russia, China and Bolivia  voted in favour of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting. Eight countries voted against and three abstained.

 Syria air strikes: How events unfolded

When asked on Fox News Sunday about how our relationship with Russia has changed this week, Ms Haley said that relations are very strained, but that the US was still hoping for a better relationship.

If you look at what Russia is doing, they continue to be involved with all the wrong actors, whether their involvement in Ukraine, whether you look at how they are supporting Venezuela, whether you look in Syria and their way of propping up Assad and working with Iran; that continues to be a problem, Ms Haley said. She called the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury  which the UK has blamed on Russia  another issue.

Right now they dont have very good friends and right now the friends that they do have are causing them harm, Ms Haley said, referring to Russia and the use of sanctions. I think theyre feeling that.

Ms Haley told the Security Council on Saturday that President Trump had made clear US forces were ready, locked and loaded to mount further strikes if there were signs that Assad was planning to use chemical weapons again.

The Russian president Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs.

Mr Putin made his remarks in a telephone conversation with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, with a Kremlin statement saying the pair agreed that the Western strikes had damaged the chances of achieving a political resolution in the multi-sided, seven-year Syrian civil war.

Vladimir Putin, in particular, stressed that if such actions committed in violation of the UN Charter continue, then it will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations, a Kremlin statement said.

Senior Russian legislator, Evgeny Serebrennikov, the deputy head of the defence committee of Russias upper house of parliament, told the RIA news agency Moscow was ready for new sanctions from the US.

They are hard for us, but will do more damage to the USA and Europe, he said.
Myanmar has accepted what appears to be the first five among some 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who fled military-led violence against the minority group, even though the UN says it is not yet safe for them to return home.

Five members of a family returned to western Rakhine state from a refugee camp across the border in Bangladesh, according to a government statement.

It said that authorities determined whether they had lived in the country and provided them with a national verification card  a form of ID but one that does not mean the citizenship that Rohingya have been denied in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they have faced persecution for decades.

The government said the family were staying temporarily with relatives in Maungdaw town, the administrative centre close to the border.

The statement did not say whether any more repatriations were being planned. Bangladesh has given Myanmar a list of more than 8,000 refugees to begin the repatriation, but the return has been delayed by a complicated verification process.

The two countries agreed in December to begin repatriating the refugees in January, but there were concerns among aid workers and Rohingya that they would be forced to return and face unsafe conditions in Myanmar.

Hundreds of Rohingya were reportedly killed in the recent violence, and many houses and villages burnt to the ground. The United Nations and the US have described the army crackdown as ethnic cleansing.

On Friday, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and Bangladesh finalised a memorandum of understanding that describes the repatriation process as safe, voluntary and dignified ... in line with international standards.

The UNHCR said it considers that conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified and sustainable. The responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the Myanmar authorities, and these must go beyond the preparation of physical infrastructure to facilitate logistical arrangements.

Earlier in the week, Myanmar social welfare minister Win Myat Aye met with about 40 Rohingya refugees at the Kutupalong camp in Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh for more than an hour, sometimes exchanging heated words.

A Rohingya leader, Abdur Rahim, said at least eight rape victims were among the group.

Mr Rahim said the group presented 13 demands for the government to meet for their return to Myanmar.

Rohingya refugees  in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees  in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees  in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA

The refugees apparently became angry when told they must accept national verification cards provided by Myanmar that state they are migrants from Bangladesh.

Rohingya Muslims have long been treated as outsiders in Myanmar, even though their families have lived in the country for generations. Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982, effectively rendering them stateless. They are denied freedom of movement and other basic rights.

Mr Rahim said they demanded to be recognised as citizens of Myanmar before the repatriation starts and that their security arrangements be supervised by the UN.

Rohingya who have been repatriated in the past after previous refugee exoduses have been forced to live in camps in Myanmar.

Associated Press
Hundreds of Australian firefighters are battling a large bush fire on the outskirts of Sydney, as police designated the key area a crime scene.

The public have been warned to stay vigilant while the blaze spreads, amid reports that homes have been damaged.

The fire, which broke out yesterday afternoon in Holsworthy in the southwest of the city, remains out of control.

High winds have pushed the flames towards residential areas and authorities said they had received several reports of damage being caused to homes.

New South Wales police said the site of the fire has been designated as a crime scene and forensic officers were set to conduct an investigation to establish a cause.

They warned that penalties, including prison sentences, could be enforced if it was determined an individual was responsible.

Around 2,500 hectares of land have been burnt and more than 500 firefighters are tackling the outbreak, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS).

No one is thought to have been injured.

The fire has spread through the Moorebank, Wattle Gtove, Menai and Heathcote neighbourhoods but RFS spokesman Greg Allan told AAP it was too early for emergency crews to assess the fires impact.

"We have had reports of impact on properties in west Menai and Barden Ridge but our crews at the moment are solely focused on fighting the fire," he said.

After being briefed at a fire-control centre on Sunday, Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull praised the courage of the emergency services staff and volunteers.

Water-bombing helicopters have been deployed to fight the blaze (EPA)

Mr Turnbull said the area had been experiencing unseasonably hot weather.

"That is a matter of obviously of great concern but we have to deal with the worst that mother nature can throw at us and the worst Australians are presented with, Mr Turnbull said, ABC News reported.

The bush fire has now been downgraded to watch and act, replacing the emergency warning first issued by the RFS.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

However, residents in a number of neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Sydney have been warned to monitor the situation carefully until the blaze is brought under control.
Britain, France and the United States are set to make a fresh call to the United Nations for an investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The three allies will submit a draft resolution to the Security Council condemning chemical attacks, especially the suspected release of chlorine gas in Douma on 7 April, Frances UN ambassador Francois Delattre said.

It will demand answers from Syria on gaps in its chemical weapons declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), while also seeking to open humanitarian channels.

Recommended Only a quarter of Britons back military action in Syria

The proposed resolution was drawn up just hours after the West launched a series of air strikes on Syrian government facilities in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Britain, the US and France have hailed the attack as a success, suggesting the targeted raids on several weapons facilities have set the Syrian chemical weapons programme back three years.

Russia has reported 71 of the 103 cruise missiles launched were shot down by a Soviet-era air defence system deployed by the Syrian government, a claim commanders from the US, UK and France have denied.

Meanwhile, the Security Council has rejected a separate resolution tabled by Russia calling for condemnation of aggression by the US and its allies.

Only three countries  Russia, China and Bolivia  voted in favour of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting of the 15-member council called on Saturday.

Eight countries voted against and three abstained. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favour in order to pass.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told the meeting President Donald Trump has warned that America is locked and loaded if there is further use of chemical weapons in Syria.

When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line, Ms Haley said.

Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Show all 13 1 /13 Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, which was targeted by the US, UK and France air strikes. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center surrounded by papers and rubble. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Firefighrers extinguish smoke that rises from the damage. The Pentagon says none of the missiles filed by the U.S. and its allies was deflected by Syrian air defenses, rebutting claims by the Russian and Syrian governments. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound . AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Part of a building collapsing, surrounded by the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damaged to the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, also says there also is no indication that Russian air defense systems were employed early Saturday in Syria. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier sprays water on the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syrian state news agency SANA reported several missiles hit a research centre in Barzeh, north of Damascus, "destroying a building that included scientific labs and a training centre". AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Damage to the Scientific Research Center building that was hit by the strikes. EPA Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The Scientific Studies and Research Centre was one of the targeted buildings by the US, UK and France. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damage to the centre. EPA

The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons.

Members of the OPCWs fact-finding mission to Syria arrived in Damascus on Saturday afternoon to begin an investigation into the suspected chemical attack in Douma, which left dozens of people dead.

Russia and Syria claim the attack was staged by the West as pretext for an intervention.

Vasily Nebenzia, Russias UN ambassador, accused the US, UK and France of hooliganism for striking targets without waiting for the OPCW to conclude its investigation.
Syrian army troop reinforcements are moving up to more front lines in the suburbs of Damascus for another battle which could prove to be a carbon copy of the Douma siege.

Just as some fighters accepted Russian military mediation to leave Eastern Ghouta two weeks ago, while others stalled and held out to the end  when footage of gassed civilians went around the world and led to last weeks Anglo-American and French air strikes in Syria  Russian and Syrian government negotiations to end the battles for the Yarmouk Camp have largely succeeded.

But in an area on the edge of the old Palestinian camp district called al-Qadam, where civilians are still living, Isis and other jihadis are refusing to depart; so fresh Syrian troops and Palestinian militias from the Al Quds Brigade are being sent to the suburb in preparation for a final battle if the talks drag on. Donald Trumps triumphal claim at the weekend to have taught Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a lesson will look more than ironic if yet more images of choking civilians then appear on tape.

Explosions from the area were thundering across Damascus on Sunday when state radio reported that seven mortar shells fell onto government-held areas, killing one civilian and wounding nine others. But what makes this particular battleground so perilous is the anger caused by a massacre  one so dreadful that the Syrian authorities did not reveal it  when 120 Syrian soldiers were executed during a truce agreement arranged with Isis-allied gunmen almost three weeks ago. The mass killings occurred on 27 March after 500 Syrian troops entered a ceasefire line at al-Qadam which they believed to be safe. Surrounded, many of the Syrians escaped, but 116 of them were captured.

The prisoners, both army intelligence officers and ordinary soldiers, were apparently led away to a street where all were systematically murdered, some of them shot, others beheaded. The slaughter was kept secret by state television and government newspapers because of the effect it might have on the families of the dead men. Poor but terrifying images I have watched  apparently of the massacre and briefly appearing on the Isis website Amaq  show a line of troops, most of them in battle uniform, some of them still wearing steel helmets, being led across waste ground to a street. As the killers  in black uniforms and holding Kalashnikov rifles  begin to shoot down the men, the soldiers can be heard shouting No! No! No! as bullets are fired into them. A pile of bodies can be seen behind them in other footage.

The Syrian Red Crescent later removed 96 of the corpses, but 30 of the dead men were unaccounted for. The story  similar to Isis killings in the Palmyra Roman theatre earlier in the war  has outraged the army and the individual families of those who were executed. I know of one man whose cousin, a soldier, was among the murdered men.

Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Show all 21 1 /21 Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A picture released by the French Defence audiovisual communication and production unit (ECPAD) shows the launching of a cruise missile from a French military vessel in the Mediterranean sea towards targets in Syria overnight. The United States, France and Britain carried out a wave of punitive strikes against Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime in the early hours of April 14 in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Rafale warplanes being prepared for take off at the Saint-Dizier aerial military base, eastern France. Media reports state that the United States, France and Britain launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again. EPA Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Damascus skies erupt with missile fire as the US launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons. AP Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A map show the location of the air strikes carried out by the US-led coalition in Syria overnight. US Department of Defense Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Royal Air Force tornado jets take off in the early hours from RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to conduct air strikes in Syria. Four Tornado jets fired Storm Shadow missiles "at a military facility -- a former missile base -- some 15 miles (24 kilometres) west of Homs, where the regime is assessed to keep chemical weapon precursors," the defence ministry said in a statement. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action Map of where the air strikes hit in Syria released by the Pentagon. A Syrian military statement says the US, Britain and France fired 110 missiles during a joint attack on targets in Damascus and outside. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A photo released on the Twitter page of Hezbollah's "Central War Media" account shows night footage of flares above Damascus seen through a night-vision device as Western strikes reportedly hit Syrian military bases and chemical research centres in and around Syria's capital. US, France, and Britain announced the joint operation. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Barzah research and development centre before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus. AFP/Getty Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site after the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action A British military Typhoon aircraft lands at the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) of Akrotiri, a British overseas territory located ten kilometres west of the southern Cypriot port city of Limassol, following US, British and French strikes on Syria. Syrian state media slammed Western strikes on Saturday as illegal and "doomed to fail," after the US, Britain and France launched a joint operation against the Damascus.government. Huge blasts were reported around the Syrian capital, moments after the three Western governments announced they were striking Syria's chemical weapons capabilities. AFP/Getty Images Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before and after the air strikes, released by the Pentagon. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker before the air strikes. Pentagon Syria air strikes: US, UK and France joint military action The preliminary damage assessment of Him Shinshar chemical weapons bunker after the air strikes. Pentagon

This is the area which may now be the site of the next battle for the Syrian suburbs. The Isis footage, whose date cannot be confirmed, does not contain the murder of civilians; the pictures are thus not as pitiful as the gas-choked women and children of Douma which caused such international outrage. But this is the area in which the next battle for Damascus may well be fought.

And it raises a horrible question. If the final al-Qadam ceasefire talks  in which the Russian army are deeply involved  fail, will the world see even more pictures of besieged civilian gas victims dying in agony? More to the point, what will Trump, Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron do then? Will further missile strikes have to be staged all over again?

Its always dangerous to think a foreign nation can switch off its involvement in a war because it doesnt wish to undertake further military operations. And its especially difficult when the conflict is a civil war. Western public opinion might tolerate one dangerous adventure  after not a single life was lost and individual targets were apparently hit with accuracy. But not another one.

The Syrian government insists that the rubble in Damascus was once a centre of scientific research with no connection to chemical weapons, although the very name has a rather Strangelove quality about it. And requests made by The Independent to visit the ruins of the building hit by missiles at Barzeh, less than two miles from the centre of the city, were officially declined on Sunday, although photographs of the building have been printed in the Damascus press. Thousands of Damascenes watched the missiles  and the Syrian anti-aircraft fire  flashing across the darkened sky of the city in the early hours of Saturday morning. The explosions lasted for around 12 minutes according to seven separate witnesses to whom I spoke. One said they counted 116 rockets.

The Syrian military have focused on the abilities of their anti-aircraft missile crews, which are reported by both the Syrian and Russian governments to have brought down 71 missiles before they could hit their targets. The US denies such claims. The Syrian army have been collecting parts of the exploded US weapons, and little attempt is made to hide the fact that their details are being shared with their allies  obviously, Russia and Iran. They also claim unofficially that their own anti-aircraft fire prevented the Americans from shooting at another six targets which were not destroyed. This may be what one often refers to as a likely story.

But the next battle is now beginning to dominate the thoughts of the military authorities in Damascus. The Yarmouk area and al-Qadam and the neighbouring Hajr el-Aswat have been the scene of fighting, with thousands of civilians under siege, for years  just as Eastern Ghouta, which contains Douma, was until the past two weeks. There are an estimated 2,000 fighters still under arms there, perhaps half of them Isis operatives. Two smaller Islamist groups have already agreed with the Russian army to be bussed out on the long trek to Idlib province, the dumping ground for most of the Syrian regimes armed opponents and their families.

But if talks drag on  and Syrian and Russian leaders lose patience  then the prospect of another Douma in al-Qadam becomes more likely. At which point, Trumps mission accomplished could turn out to be as ironic as George W Bushs identical and fatuous claim after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Political leaders in power generally like small wars. It enables them to stand tall, wrap the flag around them, pretend they hold the fate of the nation in their hands, and denigrate their opponents as unpatriotic softies.

Theresa May is behaving in keeping with this stereotype since ordering four British planes to join the very limited air attack on three Syrian facilities on Saturday morning. Her performances are low-key but resolute, occasionally aping Elizabeth I at Tilbury defying the Spanish Armada, but more usually recalling a stern-faced Judi Dench as M, sending 007 on some dangerous but necessary mission to thwart the plots of the enemy. The trick is to appear weighed down by a terrible sense of responsibility, but not afraid to take decisive action in defence of our nation.

The media likewise enjoys a short sharp military conflict. It is good for business because people have a stronger imperative than normal to find out what is happening in the world. The first newspapers were born out of the wars at the end of the 16th and beginning of 17th centuries. Military conflict is exciting and provides plenty of melodrama that can be reported as a simple conflict between good and evil.

The UK said strikes on Saturday morning were designed to prevent the normalisation of use of chemical weapons (Getty)

On this occasion, the minimalist nature of the strikes left news anchors and their caste of reporters all dressed up but with nowhere to go. Their sense of disappointment and anticlimax at not reporting a real war was ill-concealed. Suddenly, there were too many actors on stage without enough lines to speak, though each, from Washington to Moscow to Beirut (few seem to have made it to Damascus, presumably because of an absence of visas), had to have their say even when they had nothing of interest to report. Coverage was consequently tedious and unrevealing since even those correspondents with something original and interesting to say did not have the time to say it.

But the air strikes on Saturday morning should not be dismissed simply as a glorified PR stunt. They have a very real significance, though one that is diametrically the opposite to that claimed by Donald Trump, Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron. What we saw was not a demonstration of strength by the US, UK and France but a demonstration of weakness.

The evidence for this, reflecting the real balance of power in Syria, is the list of targets that were not attacked rather than the three that were. Tremendous efforts were made not to kill or injure any Russians, as the dominant political and military force in Syria. The Iranians and Hezbollah of Lebanon were evidently out of bounds. So too was the Syrian army, including its elite divisions, heavy equipment and ammunition dumps. Unlike Baghdad in 1991, 1998 and 2003, there were no cruise missiles striking empty but iconic sites like the presidential palace or defence ministry buildings in Damascus.

Theresa May and Boris Johnson argue that the air strikes were simply humanitarian in intent and to prevent the normalisation of the use of poison gas. Johnson speaks as if Assad were the first to use gas since the First World War, ignoring the tens of thousands of Iranians and Kurds gassed in the Iran-Iraq war by Saddam Hussein, who was supported by the US, UK and France.

Suppose that the threat of renewed air strikes does deter Assad: this is not necessarily great news for the Syrian people because less than 1 per cent  some 1,900 people out of the half a million Syrians who have died violently in the wars since 2011  have died by gas. If foreign leaders showed any real concern over seven years of butchery in Syria, they would have made greater efforts in the past to bring this horrendous war to an end.

The restrained nature of the air strikes was sensible and realistic, reflecting the real balance of power in Syria. Assad is backed by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and Shia forces from Iraq and has largely won the civil war. This is not going to change without an open-ended campaign of mass bombing in support of rebel ground troops like that which Nato conducted in Libya in 2011.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

A similar campaign could not be conducted against Assad because, unlike Isis, he has powerful foreign allies in the shape of Russia and Iran. As the US discovered to its cost, the only determined and experienced anti-Assad fighters available, aside from the Kurds, belong to Isis and al-Qaeda. Remember how, in 2016, an embarrassed Pentagon admitted spending $500m to produce just five trained moderate pro-US fighters, rather than the 5,000 it had expected?

The point is that even far more extensive air strikes would not have changed the outcome of the Syrian war, though they would certainly have escalated it and killed a lot more people. There is a myth, lately adopted by President Trump, that President Obama lost a real opportunity to weaken or get rid of Assad in 2013, but the factors that restrained Obama then apply today with equal force to Trump: it is not possible to get rid of Assad without a wider war and, even if he went, the outcome would be a collapse of the state, as in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq, producing chaos in which Isis and al-Qaeda will flourish.
Parts of Britain will feel like the Mediterranean this week, as a warm air front from North Africa is forecast to push temperatures into the mid-20s.

Less than two weeks after snowfall across the country brought a white Easter to many areas, Britons were out in droves on Saturday to enjoy the warmest day of the year so far, with a high of 19.5C in Northolt, north west London.

Things are set to heat up even more this week, as weather maps show a 1,500-mile-wide air current pushing its way north over Europe.

People relaxing in the spring sunshine on Saturday in Green Park London (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

It will be slightly cooler on Monday than it was on Saturday, with a risk of showers particularly in the west of the country, but the Met Office is forecasting highs of 21C for Tuesday and 22C for Wednesday.

On Thursday and Friday it could reach 25C  12 degrees higher than the average for this time of year.

This would make Britain warmer than Malibu, California, where the high will be just 20C mid-week.

The north of England will see highs of 23C  the same as Madrid.

But this early taste of summer may not last, with the Met Office forecasting rain and temperatures closer to the average for this time of year in the north and west of the country by next weekend.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell told The Independent: Its going to be much warmer than weve seen so far this spring and the warmest weather of the year yet.

Thursday will be the warmest day, with the highest temperatures in London. Were looking at mid-20s.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA

Even Scotland will be in the high teens.

It looks like itll cool off again by the weekend but the fine weather should hang on in most of the country. If youre living in the north or west it may be slightly cooler but it will still feel like the opposite of the week just gone, which was very grey and cold.

The exception will be if you go towards coastal areas as the sea remains very cold at this time of year.
'The result of the change in focus since the Brexit vote has been that instead of selling 80pc of its biscuits in the UK and 20pc here, East Coast Bakehouse is selling 20pc in the UK, 40pc in Ireland and 40pc in other markets' (stock photo)

It was supposed to be an exciting week for the staff at East Coast Bakehouse but Friday, June 24 2016 is a day that Michael Carey will not forget in a hurry.

Carey, the executive chairman of the then brand new Drogheda, Co Louth biscuit manufacturer, had just stayed up all night watching in horror as the shock results of Britain's Brexit referendum rolled in.

Expand Close Bakehouse boss Michael Carey Picture: Jason Clarke / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bakehouse boss Michael Carey Picture: Jason Clarke

Carey and his wife, Dragon's Den star and entrepreneur Alison Cowzer, had co-founded the business the previous year and set about building what they claim is the most efficient biscuit making plant in Europe.

The morning after the referendum they were in the new 20m biscuit factory carrying on with the frantic preparations that are needed by any startup. That very week, months of meticulous planning had come to fruition with the factory making its first sale of biscuits.

But the Brexit result, and the immediate crash it instigated in the value of sterling against the euro, had created a sudden and most unwelcome headache: East Coast Bakehouse's original business plan envisaged 80pc of its volume being sold into the UK.

On the Irish stock markets most companies were taking a tumble as the import of the referendum result hit home. For Irish food companies, with the crash in sterling and the sudden threat of tariffs and border controls disrupting sensitive logistics operations, the issues were particularly acute and, a year out from the departure of the EU next March, the implications remain concerning.

Love Irish Food, a representative organisation for the industry, has warned that a hard Brexit would have a severely negative impact in both Ireland and the UK on the availability of fresh food produce, finished goods and ingredients. It has also warned that there is potential for recession in the UK and possible contagion to Irish producers resulting in local market contraction following escalating prices as a result of a hard Brexit.

Ireland imports 3.5bn of food and drink from the UK and billions more across the UK land bridge from the EU.

"For fresh food and ingredients this will create significantly negative impacts," said economist Jim Power, who is chairman of Love Irish Food.

"With tariffs and delays in transit routes, changes will need to be applied and costs will inevitably increase.

"Given the short shelf life on many products entering Ireland through the UK from other EU countries, this may well have the effect of diminishing the range of food produce available on supermarket shelves as a result of significant price increases from tariffs and port delays."

But some Love Irish Food members also see opportunity in Brexit. Indeed, the reaction of Michael Carey and East Coast Bakehouse to the referendum result illustrates just how there may be Brexit silver linings for some Irish food companies, despite the gloom.

"The outcome of the referendum slowed us down hugely," said Carey. "We needed to find another way to grow the volume of biscuits we could sell that didn't involve such a reliance on the UK market."

Firstly, the company took immediate steps to enter other markets beyond the UK and Ireland, something it had not planned to do until the fourth year of its business plan.

"We are now trading in 12 countries and expect to be trading in 20. This has opened up great opportunity," he said.

The second thing the company has done is to refocus its efforts back on to the Irish domestic market, said Carey.

"Focusing more on the Irish market is proving to be a big opportunity for us. There is 5m worth of British biscuits imported here each week and it is unclear what will happen to that once Brexit kicks off. We have found that all of the retailers operating here in Ireland are keen to mitigate the risk of having most of their supply coming from Britain. They have been hugely supportive of our efforts," he said.

And neither has East Coast Bakehouse entirely given up on its plans for the British market, despite Brexit. It has invested up to 750,000 in recent months to allow it to manufacture higher-end produce for that market.

"With sterling we know we can't compete at the lower end but there is still a place in the market for us in Britain at the premium end and we have been investing in this as part of our revamped business plan," said Carey, who apart from his day job at East Coast Bakehouse, has just finished his term as chairman of Bord Bia.

The result of the change in focus since the Brexit vote has been that instead of selling 80pc of its biscuits in the UK and 20pc here, East Coast Bakehouse is selling 20pc in the UK, 40pc in Ireland and 40pc in other markets. The company now has a turnover close to 9m. That is based on one eight-hour shift out of a possible three. At full capacity the plant is capable of producing 30m worth of volume. Carey said the company plans to add a second production shift before the end of the year, which will have a big impact on volume and production.

And East Coast Bakehouse is not the only food company to see opportunity in what first appeared to be a calamity.

"I feel guilty even thinking positively," said the managing director of chicken producer Manor Farm, Vincent Carton. "The vernacular in the food industry, amongst farmers and everyone else, is that Brexit is just bad news no matter which way you turn it. We don't necessarily see it that way."

About four million chickens are used every week in Ireland, either consumed fresh or in ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat breaded products, explains Carton. The market is worth up to 400m and Carton believes that the three Irish suppliers in the market could grab a sizeable chunk of the 43pc of the breast fillet market that is currently imported.

This, said Carton, is because of the very tight timelines faced by importers. Fresh chicken is normally sold with a shelf life of "day of kill plus seven".

"Kept chilled we can be certain our chicken meets the required standards up to day 10 but the retailers put day of kill plus seven to allow for the fact that people may not keep the product properly chilled after purchase."

Forty-three per cent of fresh chicken consumed in this country is coming in each week in up to 100 huge container loads and they have to use the UK as a land bridge. If that supply system is in any way delayed then you have a problem.

Imported chicken is packed in such a way as to give it a few more days leeway. But even at that, Carton believes the importers will face serious challenges post-Brexit.

"Anything that gets in the way of the logistics of supplying a market like Ireland, which is at the furthest end possible of a very long supply chain and is really just an extension of the UK supply chain, is going to cause a problem," he said.

He cites the example of a change in the rules at the port of Dover last year whereby drivers had to leave their cabs to present their passports.

"That caused a 25-mile tailback. Can you imagine what will happen if they have to open trucks and validate the contents? If either tariffs or border logistics slow the process down then what will happen is that a segment of it will not get here and that will mean additional demand for local companies in Ireland."

There are only three chicken producers left in Ireland, down from 14. Manor Farm, Western Brand Poultry in Ballyhaunis and Shannon Vale Foods in Clonakilty.

"The amount currently imported is so large that it could give us growth in the order of 10pc, which is huge in our world. Ireland had 14 manufacturers and was once fully self sufficient in chicken and we can get back there again."

He also believes there could be a similar positive impact for Irish producers of other perishable foodstuffs with short shelf lives, including fish and vegetables, he said.

Kieran Rumley, executive director of Love Irish Food, agrees: "Any import tariff on finished goods or ingredients or transit delays create opportunities for local producers and especially where local ingredients can be sourced. Local production can ensure a greater continuity of supply to Irish retailers. In the new era it can assure responsiveness to market demand with fresh and safe EU standards of produce."

Without doubt, Brexit will throw up more challenges than opportunities. But for Irish companies that are nimble enough there is definitely plenty to fight for as the Brexit clock ticks down.
The founder of The Little Pharma, which produces and sells fresh barley and wheatgrass juice shots says growing barley and wheatgrass presents real opportunities for farming partners

Darren Ducote, one half of the partnership behind The Little Pharma, which produces fresh barley and wheatgrass juiced shots for consumption as a health food.

Hydroponics is the practice of growing crops with water alone, and such farms are an elaborate sequence of trays and regulated water sluices.

"Currently we are growing seven systems of wheat and barley grass, but we want to increase that to 140 by the end of the year," says Ducote.

"And if we could find farmers that would take on the production wed get into conversations directly. We are so busy  we could increase our capacity 20 fold to meet demand if we had space/farming partners."

With previous knowledge of retail hydroponic methods, Ducote and his partner Amanda Swan, moved from retail into actual hydroponic farming when an illness changed their lives.

Ducote had run a Hydroponic Equipment Supply store in Dublin. He ran the store for three years and gained an indepth knowledge of the industry over this time.

In 2014, his partner had suffered from a slipped disc and trapped sciatic nerve and they began exploring alternative pain relief methods. After enjoying initial success and better health, Ducote began to experiment with different food stuffs and very soon stumbled across wheat grass which has huge nutritional benefits.

"We started growing it, juicing it and taking every day. It made a huge difference to how we felt. We grew it and juiced it on a daily basis."

Soon, Ducote was sharing the wheatgrass with family and friends. Everyone raved about it.

The next step was to grow the wheat grass in trays and harvest it. Ducote starting selling bags of harvested wheatgrass firstly in his own shop and then extended to other local shops. However, the main problem was that product had a very short shelf life, and not very convenient to store.

"We began to do more research," explains Ducote.

I discovered High Pressure Pasteurisation (HPP) as a natural way to extend the life of the juiced product. HPP exerts enough pressure as if the juice was 30km under water. It maintains all the essential goodness of the wheat grass juice while preserving it."

Ducote worked with a team in AFBI, the Agri Food & Bioscience Institute, in Belfast to research and develop the best way to extend the shelflife of the wheat grass juice over a nine month period. Following that he applied for and was accepted onto the Food Academy, a business programme run by Bord Bia, Musgraves and the LEO offices.

"We had our first listing with SuperValu and so we had to get serious."

Ducote needed to rapidly increase his wheat grass  and barley grass  production. He had little finance so he found a building to lease in Ballymount and set about building his first vertical farm, which is the practice of producing food and crops in vertical stacked layers. He bought gutters, trays and pipes and made the farm himself.

All product is produced from organic and GMO free seed and the water has to be cleaned before it is used, removing additives such as Fluoride and other impurities.

The wheat grass and barley grass is grown in hydroponic trays. At first seeds are planted in trays  without soil  and a complex system of water management provides the appropriate quantities. The plants grow in a completely controlled environment (temperature, humidity etc) which Ducote and his wife have perfected over the years.

Wheat grass typically takes 14 days from planting to harvest, which allows for two harvests per month. Ducote and his partner harvest the grass by hand, putting it through juicers before bringing it to HPP Tolling a facility near the airport that has a HPP machine. They return the bottled shots  in 30ml measures  and Ducote and Swan hand label the bottles. In a single month they currently produce some 7000 bottles.

Initially, Ducote bought domestic juicers  six in total  and hand juiced all the harvest. Last year, after showing income, they were able to purchase a cold press industrial juicer which renders this task much easier.

"We also purchased a machine to wash the trays  again the banks could see our turnover and we were able to borrow to buy this machine."

It makes a huge difference where before it could take three days to manually wash everything between harvests, he says.

Business is growing fast. Last month, Ducote dropped off three boxes of the grass shots to a local shop. The owner rang him three days later looking for more. "At first I did not understand," says Ducote.

That should have been enough to last the month but the manger told him people were buying a months supply in one go. Thats when I knew we were at the tipping point," he says.

This has been an incredible journey for Ducote and Swan. With three young children they have grown the business organically. The vertical farm was built by hand and each advancement has been hard earned.

"Now we are looking for investment for scaling and in the short term farming partners, or wanna-be farmers, to help us grow more wheat and barley grass," he says.

"We can help them with the development of the organic farm. And we will buy their harvest.

This is, if youll excuse the pun, a growth business."
"Are ye going to see the Pope?"

I was out socially with three other women recently when, out of the blue, one blurted this out. She was greeted with silence.

After a moment, I muttered a non-committal "I don't know", one of the other women said, "I hadn't really thought about it, yet", the third, "it's not like the last time".

During Pope John Paul II's three-day visit in 1979, he was seen by 2.5 million people.

At the time, the prevailing feeling was that being Irish and Catholic still went hand in hand, as it had for generations.

But below the surface, tensions were simmering over the sense that the Church was not adapting to the changing world - one prime example being its stance on contraception.

Discontent soon turned to fury at the revelations of clerical sexual abuse, the damage being further and indefensibly compounded by the institutional Church's response.

We Irish are now very different - wealthier, better educated, more travelled, more worldly.

I think there is an underlying sense that we are hanging in there for the Church to do something that will make us flock back to it. We don't seem to quite realise that this is not going to happen - because we have lost out trust.

When Mairead McGuinness was editor of this publication, she once told me that, when she met someone, her instinct was to trust them. She would continue to trust, and trust. If that trust was breached, she might forgive but the relationship would never be the same.

It strikes me that the current relationship between farmers and the Irish Farmers Association is similar to that now prevailing with the Catholic Church. I do not of course equate the level of moral wrongdoing, but the key issue is the same - the loss of trust.

It is two and half years since the IFA was stunned by a pay controversy. Two months ago ensuing court cases were settled out-of-court between the IFA and former general secretary Pat Smith, which saw Mr Smith receive 1.55m for his severance claim and 350,000 in relation to his defamation claim, plus legal costs.

Given that the IFA's elected leaders have always been firstly farmers, the association has always required considerable support from professional staff.

While these were obviously being paid, the general assumption was that there was still an underlying sense of the vocational ethos on which the association was founded. When farmers felt pain, they innocently believed that those in their representative organisation were feeling it too.

The IFA didn't try to dispel that myth. In Path To Power, 60 Years Of The IFA, published in 2015, staff are thanked for their "dedicated service" and even their spouses for their "understanding" of the long hours. Members trusted the leaders to spend their money wisely so the pay disclosures came as a massive shock. It was so out of kilter with farmers' income levels.

At this remove, it is no longer shocking but, at the time, farmers felt betrayed by the secrecy.

But the good thing about this, if there can be one, is that when it came out, the association took it on the chin and set about change. When something unpalatable has to be faced up to, the sooner it's done, the better.

New president Joe Healy promised transparency and to rebuild trust. The transparency has been delivered as far as possible. As for trust, I think that members feel they are being listened to more, which is a good thing.

Another recent significant change has been the election of a number of women as county chairs. Congratulations to all. However, their election is not the destination. The real work is just beginning. Every farmer obviously recognises the merit of having strong representation but it's a chicken and egg situation. Delivery of results increases strength, but getting results requires it. The big internal challenge for the organisation is getting more younger people, both male and female, actively involved.

Externally, the IFA needs to pick its battles. While the Mercosur deal might be the big thing coming down the tracks, farmers can't relate to it. If the IFA really wants to get stuck into what's getting farmers backs up, it needs to tackle something like the vulture funds buying up farm loans.
Illinois grain farmer Lucas Strom checks on his tractor inside his barn in unincorporated Kane County, Illinois, U.S., April 10, 2018. Strom had planned to purchase a grain storage bin, but changed his mind when the price increased after the announcement of steel tariffs by the Trump administration last month. Picture taken April 10, 2018. REUTERS/P.J. Huffstutter

Lucas Strom, who runs a century-old family farm in rural Illinois, canceled an order to buy a new $71,000 grain storage bin last month - after the seller raised the price 5 percent in a day.

The reason: steel prices jumped right after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs.

Throughout U.S. farm country, where Trump has enjoyed strong support, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are boosting costs for equipment and infrastructure and causing some farmers and agricultural firms to scrap purchases and expansion plans, according to Reuters interviews with farmers, manufacturers, construction firms and food shippers.

The impact of rising steel prices on agriculture illustrates the unintended and unpredictable consequences of aggressive protectionism in a global economy. And the blow comes as farmers fear a more direct hit from retaliatory tariffs threatened by China on crops such as sorghum and soybeans, the most valuable U.S. agricultural export.

A&P Grain Systems in Maple Park, Illinois - the seller of the storage bin Strom wanted to buy with a neighboring farmer - raised its price two days after Trump announced aluminum and steel tariffs on March 1 to protect U.S. producers of the metals. Strom and his neighbor backed out.

Would that price destroy us? No, Strom said. But these days, you have to be smart about your expenses.

Expand Close Illinois grain farmer Lucas Strom checks on his tractor inside his barn in unincorporated Kane County, Illinois, U.S., April 10, 2018. Strom had planned to purchase a grain storage bin, but changed his mind when the price increased after the announcement of steel tariffs by the Trump administration last month. Picture taken April 10, 2018. REUTERS/P.J. Huffstutter / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Illinois grain farmer Lucas Strom checks on his tractor inside his barn in unincorporated Kane County, Illinois, U.S., April 10, 2018. Strom had planned to purchase a grain storage bin, but changed his mind when the price increased after the announcement of steel tariffs by the Trump administration last month. Picture taken April 10, 2018. REUTERS/P.J. Huffstutter

The metals tariffs also hitting makers and sellers of farm equipment, from smaller firms like A&P Grain to global giants such as Deere & Co (DE.N) and Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N). Such firms are struggling with whether and how to pass along their higher raw materials costs to farmers who are already reeling from low commodity prices amid a global grains glut.

The worlds two largest economies have threatened each other with tariffs on tens of billions of dollars of goods recent weeks.

Trump imposed tariffs of 25pc on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in a move mainly aimed at curbing imports from China. He has since temporarily excluded the European Union and six other allies from the duties and given them until May 1 to negotiate permanent exemptions.

A&P Grain President Dave Altepeter said the steel used in their bins is made in the United States, but domestic steel prices also have soared because of the tariffs.

U.S. steel mills typically adjust their prices once a year, normally in the first quarter, Altepeter said. But this year, those prices have jumped four times, he said.

The price of steel used in A&Ps grain bins has jumped about 20 percent since January 1.

Any time theres any type of negative talk that affects the steel mill, theyve raised the price, said Altepeter.

Last year, about 95,000 tons of steel was shipped to the agriculture industry, compared to the 14 million tons for the U.S. auto industry, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group.

Other factors had been driving up steel prices before the recent trade disputes, including an improving global economy and accelerating manufacturing and construction, particularly in the U.S.

The White House referred questions from Reuters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which did not respond to a request for comment. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue have vowed the U.S. government will protect farmers from Chinas tariffs, but not explained how.

U.S. farmers can ill-afford any loss of sales. Farm income has dropped by more than half since 2013, following years of massive harvests that have depressed prices for staples such as corn and soybeans.

U.S. competitors Brazil, Argentina and Russia have all raised grain output in recent years, eating into the U.S. share of global markets. Mexico imported ten times more corn from Brazil last year and is set to buy even more in 2018 on worries that renegotiations of the NAFTA trade pact could disrupt their U.S. supplies.

Strom said he has also pushed back plans to build a new metal storage building to house his planter and the combine head he uses for harvesting corn and soybeans. Other farmers, food producers and beer makers have scrambled to finalize deals for steel-based equipment before prices climb more.

CONSTRUCTION POSTPONED

In Riverton, Illinois, farmer Allen Entwistle said he postponed construction of a new $800,000 storage system for grain after AGCO Corps (AGCO.N) GSI unit increased prices by 15 percent.

Entwistle, who voted for Trump, will instead store corn in bags on the ground.

President Trump keeps telling us hes going to get a better deal, Entwistle said. When are we gonna make it better?

AGCO said Trumps tariffs will raise its costs and make price hikes to customers unavoidable.

As the entire grain storage industry has weathered increased steel prices, AGCO and GSI are constantly looking for new ways to maximize efficiency and minimize the impact to customers, said spokeswoman Kelli Cook.

Other companies, including Deere and Caterpillar, are also facing pain from rising steel prices, which account for about 10 percent of equipment manufacturers direct costs.

Deere CEO Samuel Allen told Reuters last month the company will have to absorb the price increase and cut costs elsewhere. Chinas threatened tariffs on U.S. crops could hurt the company even more by undermining demand from farmers, he said.

This has a huge effect on livelihood of the farmer right now, and at the same time it has a huge impact on manufacturers, said Dennis Slater, president at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, an industry group.

U.S. net farm income is forecast to drop to $59.5 billion in 2018 dollars, down from $64.9 billion in 2017, an 8.3 percent decline, according to the USDA.

TARIFF DOOM-AND-GLOOM

In Sheffield, Iowa, Sukup Manufacturing has seen steel prices soar 40 percent since November, said Brent Hansen, the companys commercial accounts manager.

The maker of grain bins and pre-manufactured steel buildings has encouraged customers to buy quickly before prices jump more. But some have already postponed projects, Hansen said.

Thats obviously a big price increase for an industry thats a little bit doom-and-gloom over tariffs, Hansen said.

Sukup used to give customers up to two months to consider its bids for projects. Now, it allows just a week in some cases because of volatile steel prices, Hansen said.

Prices have jumped by 25 percent for thermal insulated panels that keep food cold  which can use either steel, aluminum or both, said Glenn Todd, owner of Todd Construction Services. The company has built food processing and storage facilities for Bumble Bee Seafoods and poultry company Foster Farms.

Richard Adkins, director of sales at Discovery Designs Refrigeration in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, thought his company wouldnt have to worry about Trumps tariffs. Most of the metal they use to design industrial refrigeration systems comes from Canada and Mexico, he said, and the president has exempted both countries from the levies.

It didnt matter. Price-hike notices from vendors landed in Adkins mailbox days after Trump announced the duties.

Theres this knee-jerk reaction, Adkins said. Were quoting prices for projects that wont be awarded for another six or eight months, and no one wants to be hung out to dry.
'A number of shareholders have sold shares to Seek subsidiary International Education Holdco, which has also had new shares allotted to it.' Stock photo: Reuters

Australian-listed job-search business Seek has taken a 40pc stake in Digitary, an Irish software business.

The deal, which the Sunday Independent understands to be worth 15.5m, was concluded just before Christmas. A number of shareholders have sold shares to Seek subsidiary International Education Holdco, which has also had new shares allotted to it.

Digitary did not respond to a request for comment. The company has a platform designed to enable academic institutions to securely issue official documents, like transcripts, online.

This can then make it easier for other parties, such as recruiters or academic admissions offices, to verify students' credentials.

The company's website says it has clients including DCU, Cambridge and the University of Melbourne.

Seek, which has a market capitalisation of AUD$6.6bn (4.15bn), recently reported half-year results which showed earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of AUD$221.2m, up from AUD$170.3m the year before.

It has made a number of international investments and chief executive Andrew Bassat said these are at an earlier stage, but are seeing strong benefits from the company's investment activities.
'The EU's new Payment Services Directive is forcing traditional banks to digitise operations and open up to third parties, providing access to everything from customer data to payment infrastructure, to enable them to build innovative new services.'

The Brexit vote launched a conversation about the possible relocation of international banking services from London to other European cities. While Paris and Luxembourg have featured prominently, a leading narrative has positioned Dublin versus Frankfurt as location of choice.

It should not be a case of one city or the other, however. Regardless of the impact of Brexit, Frankfurt is too important a financial services hub for Irish fintech companies to overlook. It's the financial capital of the eurozone, home to the ECB, German Central Bank, and over 200 domestic and foreign banks.

As well as being the location for household software names such as SAP and Software AG, Frankfurt has seen international banks including UBS and Goldman Sachs announce the relocation of European operations to the city in the wake of Brexit.

Ireland is a globally-recognised centre for International Financial Services (IFS), with a 40-year track record in the fintech space. Fexco, which established in 1981, is now operational around the world. Newer success stories include financial services software company Fenergo and cross-border payments platform TransferMate.

The post-Brexit banking debate has shone valuable light on the strength of Ireland's financial services sector and, particularly, its cohort of innovative fintech companies. It is now time to capitalise on that.

The biggest opportunity facing fintech companies is not Brexit but PSD2. The EU's new Payment Services Directive is forcing traditional banks to digitise operations and open up to third parties, providing access to everything from customer data to payment infrastructure, to enable them to build innovative new services.

While initially fintech was viewed as a disruptor by banks, that view has changed dramatically. Today, legacy banks are in a race to source the best fintech innovators to help them improve services.

Niall Hogan, CEO of Irish payments fintech Touchtech, said: "While many older Germans are still quite conservative and use cash, the younger generation are like their Scandinavian and British counterparts and expect slick digital experiences. Our Germany-headquartered client N26 has over 850,000 customers across Europe and is doing very well in Ireland. Our experience working with German financial institutions is that they take time to come to a decision, but once that decision is made follow-through is guaranteed."

Enterprise Ireland tells Ireland's strong fintech story in Germany, building relationships with innovation managers at some of the world's best-known banks, and introducing them to innovative Irish companies that can partner with them to offer solutions in the areas of payments, security, compliance and data analytics.

The Irish Advantage website helps Enterprise Ireland to tell that story, encouraging international financial services buyers to source fintech partners established here.

With both banks and fintechs recognising that neither the 'fin' nor the 'tech' can succeed alone, Irish fintech companies serious about capturing global opportunities must consider Frankfurt.

However great your technology, building a strong value proposition and articulating the business problem you solve is key to securing time with buyers in the region. While using social business networks can open doors, Irish fintech professionals should be clear about the nature and purpose of their request or enquiry. While the fintech sector is international in nature, exceptional preparation for meetings is always a must in Germany.

Enterprise Ireland is organising an event in Frankfurt on May 8 on the theme of innovation in retail banking, which aims to further strengthen ties between members of the German and Irish Financial Services community. Enterprise Ireland clients that would like to attend should contact the author at jane.greene@Enterprise-Ireland.com.

Jane Greene is a senior market adviser for software and services at Enterprise Ireland, based in Dusseldorf
'The watchdog ruled that Aurelius made unlawful cybersquatting claims in order to coerce Florida-based Office Depot into handing over the domain when it had no legal entitlement to begin with.' (stock image)

A 'cybersquatting' lawsuit taken by the Dublin-registered arm of Office Depot Europe against the US arm of Office Depot over the use of the popular domain name viking.com has backfired after the complaint was thrown out and Office Depot Europe's private equity owner was found to have engaged in "reverse domain name hijacking".

The ruling was made public in recent days by the Geneva-based global intellectual property watchdog WIPO.

The dispute arose after Aurelius RHO GTO Development Ltd - registered in Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11 - completed the acquisition of Office Depot Europe in January 2017. Although the deal included Office Depot's B2B delivery business Viking, it failed to check if the Viking.com domain name was part of the deal.

While the dot.co.uk domain name was included in the deal, the dot.com version was absent from the list of intellectual property handed over with the sale. Office Depot US insists it was never part of the initial transaction.

When private equity firm Aurelius discovered this, it tried to buy the domain from Office Depot but was unsuccessful, according to an article on

Office Products International (opi.net).

In November last year, the firm's Dublin-registered company then filed a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) accusing Office Depot of so-called 'cybersquatting'.

Cybersquatting is defined as registering ownership of a domain name in bad faith with the intent to profit from a trademark belonging to someone else.

WIPO failed to find evidence of 'bad faith' in Office Depot's actions, as it had previously owned the Viking brand for more than 15 years and continues to control the registered trademark in other parts of the world, including the US.

The lawsuit backfired on the Irish-registered firm, as WIPO found Aurelius to be guilty of "reverse domain name hijacking".

The watchdog ruled that Aurelius made unlawful cybersquatting claims in order to coerce Florida-based Office Depot into handing over the domain when it had no legal entitlement to begin with.

Office Depot Europe's private equity owner Aurelius declined to comment when contacted.

Last autumn, it emerged that around 100 people were being made redundant at office supplies business Viking Direct Ireland, owned by Office Depot Europe.

Office Depot Europe said it was consolidating warehousing operations in Ireland and the UK in order to "create a solid foundation for the future".

"This is part of the company's strategy to improve efficiency and optimise costs, while providing customers with quality products, great prices and world-class service," the firm said.

The company would not say what effect the move would have, if any, on its fulfilment of Irish contracts. It's understood to have won business from the State.
Norwegian enjoyed passenger growth of 14pc last year but is now burning through cash just as it gets transatlantic routes up and running Photo: Bloomberg

The consortium that bought Sean Quinn's former cement and plastics operations got a real bargain from the receivers back in 2014.

Quinn Industrial Holdings is run by a local consortium of businessmen and former Quinn Group executives but it is majority owned by some pretty sharp US hedge funds.

The local group - led by businessmen John McCartin, Ernie Fisher and John Bosco O'Hagan - bought this part of the former Quinn operations for 98m back in December 2014.

During the week, the group put out summary financial statements which showed that it grew pre-tax profits last year by 59pc to 10.8m. This was on the back of a 7pc increase in turnover to 209m. Operating profits shot up 48pc to more than 14m.

These are headline figures but they show what a solid business it is, provided it can ride the benefits of economic growth in Ireland without being detrimentally affected by Brexit on either side of the Border or the Irish Sea. The group is exporting across to England from Warrenpoint Harbour.

So how much is Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) worth, given that it was bought for 98m just over three years ago?

According to QIH's full accounts for 2015 and 2016, its tangible assets were valued at 113m. But it booked around 30m of "negative goodwill". This is defined as arising "on an acquirer's financial statements when the price paid for an acquisition is less than the fair value of its net tangible assets. Negative goodwill implies a bargain purchase and the acquirer immediately records an extraordinary gain on its income statement".

The owners may have got it at a very good price, but it takes know-how, and presumably local support, to make these profit numbers. In its first year of new ownership, QIH managed to slice 9m off its administrative bill while also hiring an extra 30 staff. It now employs 800 people.

It has made 21.6m in pre-tax profits in the first three years of operations under new management. But the big winners here are the hedge funds who bought around 80pc of the business and funded the deal - Brigade Capital, Contrarian Capital and Silver Point Capital.

QIH had borrowings of around 102m at the end of 2016 and was paying interest to these financiers of 10pc a year on 59m of it. Its lenders had received 16m in interest in the first two years of ownership.

QIH is confident of growing further and is investing and hiring all the time. It is spending another 3m on a fleet of 33 new cement trucks. The hedge funds can continue to get their 10pc return on loan notes right up until 2024. Who knows what the business could be worth by then?

IAG route to low-cost success may well prove O'Leary right

If you want to skip the queue to get on board a low-cost flight more quickly, you have to pay a little more. Is IAG's Willie Walsh trying to board low-cost, long-haul success without paying anything extra with his interest in Norwegian? The chief executive of IAG has never lacked ambition when it comes to expanding the group. Having put BA together with Iberia, facing down unions in Spain, he has added Vueling and Aer Lingus to the IAG group.

At first glance, his timing for a move on Norwegian Air looks perfect. The group has been enjoying passenger number growth but its share price has fallen because of concerns about the strength of its balance sheet in the face of its expansion plans.

Walsh landed IAG on the Norwegian share register by buying a 4pc stake and then went on to clearly indicate his interest in a bid, even though talks have not yet taken place.

Several major airlines have been experimenting with the idea of long-haul, low-cost operations, and IAG has launched its own low-cost service called Level. It operates from Barcelona and Paris to destinations including Los Angeles, Boston and Montreal.

Analysts believe Norwegian is a good fit because it will take IAG a long time to get the long-haul, low-cost model right on its own. However, has Norwegian got it right yet either? It built its success on becoming the number three low-cost airline in Europe after Ryanair and Easyjet. It carried around 33 million passengers last year, a 14pc increase on the previous year.

But there is something unproven about the this model. Determined to push ahead into cheap long-haul air travel, Norwegian placed one of Europe's biggest ever orders for new jets back in 2012.

Now, six years on, it is burning through cash at a time when it is still just getting transatlantic services up and running.

It is relatively early days for such a new model. Even after its 37pc share price surge on Thursday, Norwegian was still only valued at $1.2bn.

Perhaps Walsh believes he can take a fast track to low-cost, long-haul with Norwegian and still snap up Europe's third-biggest low-cost airline at the same time for a modest price. Greater consolidation in European airlines is expected and this is seen as another logical step. But the market only marked up IAG shares by 1pc on Thursday. Not everybody is convinced.

At some point in the past, Ryanair's Michael O'Leary must have been tempted to do what Norwegian did - use low-cost, short-haul success to have a crack at long haul. But O'Leary was smart enough to stick to the knitting and what works for Ryanair. Now IAG is circling Norwegian. Once again it looks like O'Leary got it right.

Weston Arnotts investment is more than just cosmetic

The Weston family is certainly putting its money behind Arnotts. The 175-year old Henry Street store is to undergo another investment. Its parent group, Selfridges, owned by Galen and Hilary Weston, is to pump another 11m into the business for a major makeover, one top of 4m made available for improvements last year.

One quarter of the money will be spent on the cosmetics section, which already received investment of 1.25m.

Undoubtedly Selfridges is taking Arnotts more upmarket at a time when Irish consumer spending is racing towards record levels and more shoppers want luxury. Arnotts has added Mac make-up, Jo Malone, Charlotte Tilbury brands and now plans a toy store. All sounds very posh.

The other big area of investment is online. Selfridges also owns Brown Thomas. I went in there the other day - for research purposes only - and couldn't miss the big sign on the door as your enter the store. It says 'Shop online at Brownthomas.ie...'. It might seem counterintuitive to invest massively in the physical stores while also encouraging your customers to go online.

But Selfridges is taking the view that lots of punters are going to go online anyway, so they might as well go to its website. I checked the price of several items in the store and then checked on the website. It was exactly the same.

The Westons are backing both city centre bricks and mortar, together with online.
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) will tomorrow seek to have inspectors appointed by the High Court to investigate affairs in Independent News & Media PLC.

The ODCE wants inspectors to investigate a suspected data breach, during which it is feared data relating to journalists, former board members and staff, as well as other individuals, was "interrogated" by outside companies.

In a statement to the stock exchange last week, INM said IT back-up tapes, containing back-up copies of electronic data stored on the company's servers, were provided to a third party service provider on the instructions of then INM chairman Leslie Buckley in 2014. Mr Buckley stepped down from INM's board last month. INM publishes the Sunday Independent, Irish Independent, Sunday World and The Herald, as well as a number of regional titles and the Belfast Telegraph.

Last Friday, Group Editor-In-Chief Stephen Rae informed journalists of a number of new initiatives.

These include the appointment of external experts to examine governance of editorial data. A "triple-lock" mechanism will also be introduced where approval will be needed from three senior executives if any editorial employee's data is to be accessed. There are rare circumstances where this may be necessary, such as in the defence of litigation or complying with court orders.

Chief executive Michael Doorly was asked if the company was looking at a mechanism to recover its costs from wrongdoers should wrongdoing be proven.

"If there is wrongdoing every mechanism under law will be pursued to recover those costs," Mr Doorly responded. The ODCE also wants inspectors to examine issues relating to INM's proposed purchase of Newstalk and to investigate whether "inside information" was unlawfully disclosed to third parties. Mr Buckley has told the ODCE the data interrogation was related to a "cost reduction exercise".

However, INM's statement to the stock exchange said ODCE correspondence suggested the data may have been "searched more extensively and for a different purpose". Mr Buckley declined to comment, but has previously said he plans to defend his position robustly.

According to an ODCE affidavit, invoices associated with the data interrogation were discharged by Blaydon Limited, a company owned by Denis O'Brien, INM's largest shareholder. Mr O'Brien has yet to comment.
The funeral took place yesterday of Andrew McDermott, one of INM's brightest and most highly regarded executives, who died on Wednesday.

The sudden and unexpected passing of Andrew at the young age of 47, has deeply affected his colleagues at INM, particularly those in the Sunday World and the advertising department.

Andrew, from Dundrum, was not only one of the great professionals in the organisation but a hugely popular figure. But his loss will be felt most acutely by his beloved wife Lorna and three young children, Kitty, Ed and Finn, and his family and closest friends.

Andrew joined the Sunday World in 2008 and was an integral figure in an award-winning team that blazed a trail in a hugely competitive industry.

Before joining the newspaper industry, Andrew cut his teeth with the high-profile McConnell's advertising agency and Carlton Advertising.

In recent times, Andrew became part of Independent News & Media's advertising hub, selling into all INM titles including the Sunday Independent. He was elevated to group agency sales manager in late 2015, a position which he held until his untimely death.

Hundreds attended his funeral service at the Church of the Holy Cross in Dundrum to pay their respects.

His close friend and colleague Mairead Kearns said: "I can't articulate how we are feeling. We are completely numb.

"He was the ultimate professional from start to finish and always went over and above what was asked of him.

"Ultimately, there is now a huge hole in our lives. He was one of my best friends as well as a brilliant professional. Quite simply, he was the nicest man you could ever meet."

Tributes also came from the broader advertising industry in Ireland who attended the obsequies yesterday.

Eamon Fitzpatrick, managing director of IPG Media Brands Ireland said: "You always looked forward to meeting Andrew as you always left him feeling better. Andrew was a true gentleman, funny beyond belief and always managed to make time for everyone and listen to them.

"He was fantastic at his job and his good humour and charm should not hide the fact of how brilliant he was. Every time we met, he spoke about Lorna with such affection and love it was uplifting,"

Alan Cox, CEO of Core Media said: "Andrew was a special guy with a big heart - always thoughtful, always warm, always generous. He had a sparkling intellect, brimming with views and opinion.

"I loved being in his company. Andrew made a wonderful contribution to our industry and the lives of so many. It's impossible to accept that he's gone."

Also among the attendance at the funeral service yesterday was Tim Griffiths, managing director of OMD Ireland, who said: "Andrew was one of those rare, special people who, whenever you were in his company, always left you with a smile on your face and feeling better about yourself. His precious sense of humour was ever-present, always good-natured, cheering up all around him with his witty observations. He was so proud and loving of his family. He was a gentleman to do business with and a gentleman that I, like many others, was proud to call a friend."

Emma O'Doherty, chief planning officer of Mindshare Ireland, added: "Andrew was one of a kind - a person working in the ever-competitive and increasingly stressful advertising business who always made time to talk, to laugh, to lighten the load.

"He encouraged and enjoyed all the people around him. Having Andrew as a colleague and friend for over 20 years is one of the best things life has given me."

As well as Lorna and his beloved children, Andrew is mourned by his father David, sister Ruth and brothers Barry, Peter, David and Robert and his mother-in-law Moira as well as a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues.
Q I am travelling to San Francisco direct from Dublin during the summer. I plan to purchase good quality headphones and would like to use technology on the long flight. I have a Samsung J5 phone, tablet and MP3 player. I would like to be able to use mindfulness apps, downloaded podcasts, audiobooks and music. I am open to purchasing an iPod if that would make it easier. I'm also wondering what the best options are in relation to charging devices. Any ideas much appreciated?

A. I would advise two physical purchases: overhead headphones (with noise-cancelling technology, which is important in this case) and a 'power bank' recharging gadget.

The reason it's important that your headphones have noise-cancelling technology is because they do a significantly better job at cutting out the inevitable roaring noise from the plane. If you've never tried noise-cancelling headphones before, they're quite amazing. They use tiny microphones to check the frequencies of the sounds around you and then 'reverse' those frequencies back on themselves so that they cancel each other out. The result is a much quieter experience for you to focus on the music or audio signal that then comes out of the headphone speaker.

Mind you, you only really get the advantage in overhead models: my experience with in-ear headphones that claim to have noise-cancelling technology built in is that they come nowhere close to blocking out external noise. Noise-cancelling headphones start at around 60 in any of the big electronics stores: Philips has a budget pair for 55 at PC World. If you can afford to spend a little more, I'd recommend either Sony or Bose.

The noise-cancelling headphones I use myself are Sony's overhead MDR-1000X (300-400 depending on where you get them), which I have found to be the best of the bunch for overall quality and comfort.

The other physical item you need to get is a 'power bank' backup charging device. In plain English, this is small, boxy gadget that is about the same size as your smartphone and which acts as an extra battery. Just plug your normal charging cable from your phone into this gizmo and your phone will start recharging.

For a budget option, I'd recommend the Trust Primo Powerbank 10000 (30 from Harvey Norman), which can charge two devices (such as a phone and a tablet) contemporaneously and has enough capacity (10,000mAh) to recharge your phone two to three times over or your tablet at least once over from scratch.

Alternatively, if there's more than one of you looking for a recharge, go for the Energizer Ultimate Power Bank (69 from Argos), which has a battery reserve (20,000mAh) that's twice as big as the budget option. As for what you'll listen to, there are literally umpteen decent options open to you when it comes to channels for podcasts, music and audiobooks.

For podcasts, download the free Pocketcasts app for your Android (Samsung) phone. You'll get access to just about any podcast there - either to stream online or to download to your device - and it's easy to search. (If you're really stuck, I have a weekly tech podcast called The Big Tech Show).

As for music, Spotify is probably the best streaming service, although you'll need to pay for a premium 10-per-month subscription if you want to download the songs to your device.

For audiobooks, Audible is really the best option out there, with two free books when you sign up.

RECOMMENDATION: Sony's overhead MDR-1000X (300-400) and Trust Primo Powerbank 10000 (30 from Harvey Norman), inset

Email your questions to caomahony@independent.ie

Two to Try

Apple iPad 6th Generation (369, CompuB)

Expand Close Apple iPad 6th Generation / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Apple iPad 6th Generation

Apple's new iPad is very, very similar to Apple's old iPad. Except it's more powerful and you can now use the Apple Pencil (99, sold separately) with it.

Expand Close Apple Pencil / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Apple Pencil

This is good for anyone who likes to draw or doodle on a large screen but doesn't want to spend a fortune on a touchscreen laptop. Identical in size and shape to last year's model, the new 9.7-inch device is still the best tablet you can buy for under 500.

Canon EOS M50 (629 from Conns Cameras)

Expand Close Canon EOS M50 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Canon EOS M50

If you're looking for a good-quality, beginner-friendly mirrorless camera with a small range of affordable lenses, this is a decent bet. Canon's brand new model has a flip-out touchscreen, which is brilliant for flexible photo-taking. Unusually for a Canon, it also records video in 4K 'ultra' high-definition quality. It's relatively small and compact, but the machine's 24-megapixel APS-C sensor delivers good photo results.
Behind the Scenes: We meet key Irish and Ireland-based talent working behind the scenes in the TV, film, radio, theatre, and music industries. Here we chat to Linda Cullen, co-owner of Coco Television.

After more than three decades in the broadcasting industry, heading up one of Irelands leading production companies for the last two, Linda Cullen knows a thing or two about success. Shes the brainchild behind one of the most popular homegrown programmes on TV, Room to Improve. She also brought successful formats First Dates and Dont Tell the Bride to Ireland and last year co-directed the award-winning The 34th documentary about the Marriage Equality organization.

Here she tells us about her career from starting out as a runner in the mid 80s to heading up her own company, surviving the recession and, in light of #MeToo and Time's Up, she shares her own experiences of harassment within in the industry in Ireland.

Expand Close Linda Cullen / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Linda Cullen

Starting out...

Linda left school at 16 and, and knowing she was a visual person but not keen to become an artist like other members of her family, she opted for an AnCO course [later known as FAS] in Media Studies.

It was based in what used to be Carr Communications and they took me on as a runner, she reveals. I learned camera work and at night Id go into the editing suites and make things and thats how I started 35 years ago. I made lots and lots of corporate videos.

Soon she became a camera woman and then started writing and directing. As she reached her late 20s the broadcasting industry started to blossom in Ireland and by 1997 she was co-owner of Coco Television with her business partner Stuart Switzer.

Expand Close Mateo Sanai (First Dates), Hilary ODonovan (Series Producer) and Linda Cullen (Exec Producer) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mateo Sanai (First Dates), Hilary ODonovan (Series Producer) and Linda Cullen (Exec Producer)

Room to Improve...

It's one of Coco Television's flagship programmes and Linda's proudest achievement. On paper it's a straight-forward home renovation show but it has become one of the most popular programmes on Irish TV in recent years, pulling an average consolidated audience of 721,000 each week this series. That's more than The Late Late Show or Dancing with the Stars.

Coco had previously produced House Hunters for RTE and when its run was coming to an end Linda worked with RTE's commissioning editor Grainne McAleer on a new design makeover concept. Dermot, meanwhile, had done a brief presenting stint on House Hunters so he came to mind for the role of presenter/architect.

Video of the Day

"Dermot did his first little screen test down at my house where we put things in front of him and said, what would you do with this? and what would you do with that?" reveals Linda, who adds that they had no idea he had also previously appeared on TV for an episode of Blind Date in the UK.

"We never knew that when he came to us," she says. "We were looking for an expert, an architect. We wanted someone who could express their passion and thats not always easy. You dont always find that."

Expand Close Rory, Lorna, QS Lisa and Dermot on the final episode of Room to Improve / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Rory, Lorna, QS Lisa and Dermot on the final episode of Room to Improve

Linda, who is the show's executive producer, adds, "Let's face it, Dermot is very charming and very charismatic. Theres something about Mary and theres something about Dermot! Its really clear the moment you meet him. Dermot and I are very good friends now. Weve known each other a really long time. Theres still something about Dermot. When Dermot walks into a room you enjoy being there. Even if youre having a row!"

Regarding his clashes with clients on the show, she says he simply "sees things in a particular way and he really believes that and that's important in any expert, that they have a vision, particularly for television, and that they can express that."

The first Room to Improve makeover was a 30,000 extension. It was 2007 and people were flush with their SSIA savings. It originally aired during the week for half an hour but by series five it had become the hour-long show it is today.

"People are really loving it and it is fantastic for us," says Linda. "As programme makers thats what we aim for  for people to find your programme entertaining, useful, informative, fun."

Recession...

At that time of Room to Improve's arrival, RTE was spending almost 80m a year on independent productions. When the recession hit with full force in 2008, however, that spend dropped by half to around 40m. The impact on the independent sector was brutal.

"Like most independent production companies in Ireland we are very reliant on RTE," says Linda. "I had friends who were out of work and companies were closing down. The recession hit hard and the independent sector suffered greatly."

Following this the statutory spend by State broadcaster on independent productions was set at around 40m and has remained at that figure for the past decade. Competition within the sector is, therefore, fierce.

In 2016, for example, RTE received 884 pitches for TV programmes from indie companies and commissioned just 130.

Expand Close Linda Cullen with Liam Neeson / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Linda Cullen with Liam Neeson

"A lot of people are clamouring for that same amount of money," says Linda, who adds that while they do depend on RTE to a certain degree, they also produce content for other broadcasters including the BBC and their three-part 1916 series, narrated by Liam Neeson, was funded partly by the University of Notre Dame in the US.

Competition...

While she says she "loves" a sense of competition with other production companies, Linda is not so enamoured by the instability of the business.

"It's largely a freelance business. With a company like ours, even though you're doing lots of productions, you still don't know at the start of the year what you're going to be doing that year. It is kind of crazy. It becomes a guessing game," she reveals.

"One of the things about Room to Improve and First Dates is that they're very successful and very likely to go again the following year but you don't know for certain until you're told, until you get that green light."

New programmes and untested formats need time to bed in, but they are not always given the opportunity. Coco recently produced a pilot, My Big Day: Home and Away in which two wedding planners went head to head to organise a wedding for clients at home versus abroad. It was an original RTE idea which was put out to tender and won by Coco.

"We made the pilot but we dont know yet whether RTE want to proceed with doing a series of it or not," says Linda, "But programmes like that need time to develop. The presenters need to learn exactly what they're doing, what the characters are, what the story unfolding should be, should there be more to the story or less to the story?"

Competition for tenders adds to the instability of the job. Coco made CrimeCall for RTE for 11 years, for example, before losing it to a rival company.

"If something is put out for tender again after a period of a few years sometimes you lose it if you take the eye off the ball or someone is coming in hungrier," she says. "But if you dont win you simply werent good enough!"

Expand Close Hilary ODonovan and Linda Cullen in the First Dates gallery / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hilary ODonovan and Linda Cullen in the First Dates gallery

Linda has no problem giving credit where credit is due to other production companies or RTE for innovative and successful programming, admitting she's a fan of Operation Transformation, produced by Vision Independent Productions.

"I really admire how they worked that  its like an octopus with all these parts to it. Its a very well worked format," she says, adding that she also enjoys Ireland's Fittest Family. In terms of personalities she's also a fan of Frances Brennan and flags Alison Spittle as "an amazing talent".

Given the instability of the industry, however, she says it's "not for the faint hearted".

"It's more for adrenalin junkies. But I wouldnt say Im an adrenalin junkie. I like a bit of certainty. We have a business here and people rely on us so to be able to say to people, youre fine for the next six months, youll definitely be doing that is important. When you have full time staff you want some certainty."

Women in the industry...

As a mum of seven year old twin girls, Linda is also acutely aware of how tough it can be for women, particularly women who want to have a family.

"I dont think an industry exists in which it hasnt been harder for women to succeed," she says. "There are a lot of women in our industry but not a lot of women who own their companies. There arent a lot of women who get the full benefit of that."

Expand Close Linda Cullen, co-owner of Coco Productions / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Linda Cullen, co-owner of Coco Productions

While there are many women working in the industry, few fulfil technical roles as directors or cinematographers although Linda says she knows many 'brilliant' female editors. However, fulfilling any role in such an unstable and largely freelance industry is difficult for women with children.

"If a woman is pregnant and has a child what does she do?" asks Linda. "One of the big issues is childbearing age and that time in your career is a really crucial time yet you also have a biological clock ticking in your face. Its very hard to be able to construct family life while being a freelance person."

At the moment Linda sees women in the industry struggling, and taking a financial hit, in order to negotiate a home and work life.

"Women who have a baby will take three or four months off and then try to get back to work and figure out a way to do X amount of time and get some time off in the summer," she says. "They take a huge financial hit. It's certainly something that needs to be addressed."

#MeToo

Being a woman in the industry can be difficult for other reasons too. As highlighted by the recent #MeToo and Time's Up movements, harassment and abuse have been rife in the TV, film, music and other industries and fields for many years. It's something Linda, as a young lesbian woman, was also subjected to on many occasions, but one awful incident in particular stands out.

In a particular studio, at a particular time, a male, the man who was the boss, and who had employed me  I was definitely his underling  when he found out from one of the other men in the room that I was seeing a woman, he said, in front of the whole room, that all I needed was 'a good porking'. It was appalling. It was an appalling moment.

While it was the only incident with that particular man, who Linda does not want to name, but says he is someone we would all know, it was also the crudest comment she had ever received and the only one designed to humiliate her in front of other people.

It was a man with power and he thought it was hilarious. Everyone laughed. There were three men in the room. I didnt know what to do. I think I gave some sort of humorous retort. I honestly cant remember. But I have thought about it many, many times over the years.

Linda had several similar experiences, "Certainly as a young lesbian woman I can only speak of my own experience and I am sure loads of straight women have lots of similar experiences, but I had a number of inappropriate passes and that kind of thing.

"I was asked by other men had I had a really good man yet? They said it in polite terms and I didn't particularly mind at the time. I had had good men but I still went for the women!" she laughs. "I still fell down on that side of the fence and Im happily there."

Linda describes herself as "very outspoken" and says she has always been out and believes "there is power in being out but not everyone can be out and back in the day not everyone could be out. But as it happens I was, and as a woman, a lesbian woman, did it hold me back? I dont know. Maybe it did. Maybe it didnt. Ill never know.

"Ireland was like that at the time and certain people, certain men, were like that. I feel Ive had great success and thats great but I dont know if it held me back."

This is "the Ireland that we were, and sometimes still are, in" she says, which is why #MeToo is so important. There is power in sharing experiences.

The 34th - The Story of Marriage Equality...

While Linda no longer directs, she made an exception last year. She co-directed The 34th, a documentary about the Marriage Equality organisation in the decade leading up to the referendum. It was nominated for the 2018 George Morrison Feature Documentary award at the IFTAs and has hit the festival circuit internationally, screening in London to a standing ovation, and travelling as far as Sydney, Australia.

Expand Close Feargha Ni Bhroin (Linda's civil partner), Grainne Healy, Katherine Zappone and Linda Cullen / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Feargha Ni Bhroin (Linda's civil partner), Grainne Healy, Katherine Zappone and Linda Cullen

"It was just a labour of love, something very dear to my heart. You don't often get to make things like that so it's fantastic when you do," says Linda fondly.

"It was a very proud moment for me as a lesbian woman with my kids and it's just a fantastic time that they can grow up in now. They're seven year old twins and they can grow up just talking about their mums in a very easy manner and their friends can talk about their mums."

Expand Close Linda Cullen and her daughters during the marriage referendum / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Linda Cullen and her daughters during the marriage referendum

While she says it was one of her proudest moments personally, however, she adds that in terms of work she's most proud of Room to Improve, laughing, "I just love that show!".

Room to Improve has already been commissioned for a twelfth series to arrive next year and Coco is capitalizing on its success and Dermot's popularity with a new four part series of Dermot Bannon Homes. Last year they filmed in New York and LA and this year they're scoping out some new locations.

For Linda, it's as exciting as ever; "Its a great job. I love it. I really do love it. Its a fantastic way to make a living if you can put up with the instability of it. Making programmes is a brilliant way to make a living."
The antagonism that's supposed to exist between culchies and city slickers is as old as the hills, so why revive it now? No answer was forthcoming in Alison Spittle's Culchie Club (RTE2), a skittish hour-long inquiry that was built, as its presenter conceded, on "a flimsy premise".

In fact, the basic premise seemed all about providing a platform for Spittle herself, who hadn't been seen on RTE since... well, since earlier that same evening when she was the star comedic guest on Big Week on the Farm. And it's not so long ago (last December) since she fronted her own six-part RTE sitcom, Nowhere Fast, which was set in the midlands where she grew up.

Clearly our national broadcaster thinks she's the bee's knees, and so do her online followers, so am I the only one who doesn't really get her faux-naif shtick and who thought that most of the funny moments in Nowhere Fast came from her female sidekicks?

There were occasions in this week's documentary when she seemed to be genuinely engaging with her subject - chatting with Tralee-based fellow-comedian Shane about shared feelings of isolation and depression, or asking Bradley from Ballina what it was like being a drag queen in Mayo, but most of it was silly stuff that didn't contribute any insights into the rural-urban divide that was the film's supposed subject.

And so we had the sight of a bull's erection causing Spittle to yelp "Oh, my God, do you see that? Janey Mac!" and a tractor ride that seemed to have no other purpose than provide the punchline "That's the biggest thing I've ever had between my legs".

At the end of it all, Spittle assured us that "doing this documentary has definitely made me feel more comfortable in my culchie identity", but the viewer couldn't quite see why.

By contrast, Big Week on the Farm (RTE1) made me feel entirely comfortable in my urban identity. It wasn't just the sight of Marty Whelan in a three-piece tweed suit, pink shirt and green wellies, though that was enough to frighten the chickens; it was also the bloodletting that was so nonchalantly on display.

Trying to watch a caesarean operation being performed on a pregnant cow made me feel I had stumbled into a Tarantino movie, and so, while I wished Aine Lawlor, Ella McSweeney and the nice Dungarvan farming family well in their week-long endeavours, I decided that Dublin still was heaven, with coffee at 11 and a stroll through Stephen's Green, even if I get mugged there.

The four-part National Treasures (RTE1) is like the Antiques Roadshow - minus the thrill of finding out whether the submitted artefacts are worth five shillings or a cool million.

Genial John Creedon (the go-to man for any self-respecting RTE roadshow) told us at this week's outset that everyday objects brought along by members of the public would be relating the story of Ireland over the past 100 years and that "a top team of historians" would be telling us of their significance.

Video of the Day

Then he introduced us to this top team, none of whom I'd ever heard of, though all of them seemingly expert in their respective disciplines, whether that was in social matters, design or fashion.

There was lots of archive footage to pad out the proceedings and it all had the air of a worthy and somewhat dull exercise, with some of the scrutinised objects more interesting than others. A Hadji Bey Turkish Delight tin, really? Rory Gallagher's guitar plectrum, honestly?

We also got to contemplate Sonia O'Sullivan's runners, a leather strap used by Christian Brothers to beat their pupils, and the Aran sweaters worn by the Clancy Brothers and brought along by two of their widows - "both of them such amazing women", according to one of the team of experts, though they weren't given the time to say very much.

In this week's Room to Improve (RTE1), Dermot Bannon looked back on the 11 years in which, as Ireland's only architect, he's been hosting the show. "I cannot believe it's that long", he said. Me neither, Dermot.

It was a journey, he said, "of persuading people to do certain things" or, to put it in other words, of getting his own way when confronted by homeowners with alternative opinions about what their abodes should look like.

But, as we saw from the clips he showed us, he was invariably right. "We're thrilled," said a man from Maynooth. "We couldn't be happier," said his wife. "It's a dream come true," said a woman in Dun Laoghaire, "it's almost too good to be true". A woman in Baldoyle thought Dermot's vision "awesome", another marvelled at "the wonder that has been created", while a woman in Finglas simply declared: "I absolutely love him" - though maybe not as much as he seems to love himself.

At the very end of Come Home (RTE1/BBC1), Belfast car mechanic Greg and the wife who'd abandoned him and their children reached some kind of uneasy accommodation, but it had been a rocky journey and with too many melodramatic, indeed implausible, twists to be really satisfying.

But Christopher Eccleston and Paula Malcomson had been outstanding, as had Lola Petticrew in the role of their loving but troubled teenage daughter.

In Lisbon: An Art Lover's Guide (BBC4), Janina Ramirez and Alastair Sooke visited that loveliest of European cities and found it just as cherishable as anyone who's fallen under its spell.

They eschewed the usual touristy approach and in doing so located many interesting places and people, some of which I've jotted down for my next visit there, which can't come too soon.
Shivaun O'Casey can clearly remember the moment when she realised just how much some Irish people hated her father. It was February 1955 and the 15-year-old had made her first trip to Ireland for the premiere of Sean O'Casey's new clerical drama, The Bishop's Bonfire. While religious groups protested outside the Gaiety Theatre, inside there were cries of "Blasphemy", "Sacrilege!" and "Get out, ye dirty Protestants!"

"It was a very exciting evening," recalls Shivaun, now an elegantly spoken 78-year-old woman with a ready laugh. "Leaflets were thrown down on our heads from the gallery and my mother Eileen whispered to me, 'They're trying to make it like the Plough, dear.'"

Even as a teenager, Shivaun understood the reference. At the Abbey Theatre in 1926, the first production of The Plough and the Stars had been disrupted by rioters who felt outraged by its less than reverential depiction of the Easter Rising. An equally annoyed WB Yeats famously arrived on stage himself and shouted at the protesters, "You have disgraced yourselves again!"

When Shivaun revisits the Gaiety later this month for another performance of The Plough and the Stars, it seems safe to assume that the atmosphere will be a lot more respectful. Previously staged at the Abbey and Lyric Hammersmith in London, this is a radical, modern-dress interpretation that begins with the sickly tenement girl Mollser singing 'Amhran na bhFiann' before coughing up blood. Although Shivaun has no formal connection with the production, she was consulted by director Sean Holmes during its planning stages and is happy to give it her endorsement.

"I could see that he had a great love for the play," she says. "That was so important to me. Plough isn't performed as often as Juno and the Paycock or The Shadow of a Gunman because it needs so many actors, but this has a brilliant cast - it's definitely of the best versions I've ever seen."

As O'Casey's last surviving child, Shivaun feels both proud and protective of his legacy. In particular, she is keen to dispel the popular notion that he was a bitter, cantankerous man who ended up hating his native country.

"The truth is that he always loved Ireland and kept in close contact with it," she insists. "He just didn't like the conservative political direction it had taken."

Shivaun was born in 1939, by which time O'Casey had become fed up with his treatment by the Irish literary establishment and moved to south-west England. Among the family friends who sent letters of congratulations were Nobel laureate George Bernard Shaw and future British prime minister Harold Macmillan. Shaw congratulated Eileen on producing a girl after two boys, declaring: "Sisterless men are always afraid of women."

O'Casey, his daughter points out, was something of an early feminist himself. "As a boy, he had bad eyesight and would sit quietly for hours, just listening to his mother and her friends talking. He used to say that if presidents and prime ministers were women, there would be no more war because they understood what it's like to lose a child."

Growing up in Devon, Shivaun did not realise at first that her father was anything special. She fondly remembers the constant clack-clack of his typewriter and him singing out loud when things were going well. She would then go into his room, where he often greeted her with the words, "would you like a piece of fudge?" At the age of eight she listened to Juno and the Paycock on the radio and felt "very nervous that perhaps I wouldn't like it. Fortunately, I thought it was wonderful".

Video of the Day

When Shivaun decided she wanted to be an actress herself, Sean was not particularly keen. "He said it was a thankless profession and I should be a scene designer instead, because then at least you've got something to hang on the wall."

She defied his advice and later enjoyed success as a director, too, co-founding the O'Casey Theatre Company that staged classic Irish plays around this country and the US.

Shortly before Sean's death in 1964, John Ford began directing a wildly romantic and inaccurate film about his early life called Young Cassidy. Although Shivaun herself had a cameo role as Lady Gregory's maid, she claims never to have actually watched it. "I just didn't think much of the script. It gave such a wrong impression of life in the Dublin tenements, with chickens running about and people throwing chamber pots out the window. I've got a copy at home, but I could never get past the first 10 minutes - isn't that awful?"

Shivaun made a documentary about her father in 2005 and is currently working on a memoir based around the family's correspondence. She is also looking forward to visiting Dublin again, where her granddaughter is a drama student at the Lir Academy. She keeps a close eye on Irish current affairs and is fervently hoping for a Yes vote in next month's abortion referendum.

The Plough and the Stars still endures, she believes, because it has a timeless message about the suffering of ordinary people in conflict situations.

"When I directed the play in 1997, it felt relevant due to the war in Bosnia. Today it's Syria. If Sean was here today, he'd be delighted by the progress Ireland has made. But he'd also be writing about the things that still need to change."

The Plough and the Stars runs at the Gaiety Theatre from April 24 to May 5
A YOUNG Irish pharmacist has refuted claims that being young and pro-life is "taboo" saying that it is "just out of touch".

Rebecca Gregan (26), a pharmacist from Co Clare, says that it's unfair to claim that young people are pro-choice because it is the perceived "cool thing" to do.

The young activist has spoken out after former UCD SU President Katie Ascough told Independent.ie that there has become a "stigma that being pro-life isnt cool".

Expand Close Pro-life campaigner Katie Ascough / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pro-life campaigner Katie Ascough

Katie Ascough, who was impeached from UCD last year after removing abortion information from student pamphlets, said that young pro-lifers are seen as "anti-cultural".

Read More

Speaking to Independent.ie, pharmacist Rebecca said that her pro-choice peers' convictions "run deeper than a shallow attempt to seem cool".

"We're not trying to be cool. This referendum isn't about social media posts and 'Repeal' jumpers. We are trying to be empathetic with the hundreds of women across Ireland whose health has been compromised because of the constitution.

"The Eighth Amendment was brought in before our generation was even born and we're only now getting a chance to amend this outdated rule and protect our futures. We're the first generation in Ireland who has really stepped away from the confinement of the church and are looking to make our own decisions."

In response Katie Ascough said that it's "out of touch to continue to ignore science".

Our generation knows more than any previous generation about the baby in the womb, and for that reason what is truly out of touch is for us to continue to ignore science. We know that at three weeks a childs heart starts beating, at eight weeks their vital organs are formed, at 12 weeks the baby has fingernails, hair, and a fully formed face. How can we, in our advanced society, say that this child should have no rights whatsoever, and that it should be ok to end their life for any reason?" Ms Ascough said.

Rebecca also said that working as a pharmacist has allowed her to experience the consequences of the Eighth Amendment first-hand.

"As a pharmacist in Ireland, I am not allowed to give my patients advice on abortion. Women come to me everyday looking for advice on unplanned pregnancies and there is very little that I can do for them. The only thing I can do is offer the morning-after pill which can only be used five days after unprotected sex or refer someone back to their GP or to a pregnancy crisis centre. That's it.

"In February, I received a phone call at work from an anxious sounding girl. She was 17-years-old and suspected that she might be pregnant. She wanted to know her options. The stress and fear in her voice was palpable. She rang twice more at later intervals sounding increasingly more panicked with each call. She had no resources, no partner and no idea how to begin raising a child.

Read More

"It makes me really upset that I can't help these women. If a woman brings up abortion, all I can say is 'that isn't available in this country'. A patient has the right to all relevant information and the right to be able to make an informed decision based on personal choice."

The Clare native said that her family has also experienced the struggles faced by pregnant women in Ireland.

"When my mother became pregnant she was banished to a house in rural Ireland and forced to wear another womans wedding ring when she went outside.

"When her son was born she was refused a christening in a church before he was taken from her for adoption when just a week old.

"The trauma of that experience is still written across her face. It is something my family lives with every day."

Rebecca added that it's time people "stepped away from social media and engaged in real conversations".

"Social media has reached its saturation point. It's time to talk to friends and family and debate the issue properly. There are so many agendas and fake news online that you really can't trust what people are saying. Both sides have spent huge amounts of money on campaigns and ads and have agendas and sponsored posts online. This shouldn't be a campaign based on money. It should be about real people, and real stories and the ultimately the health of the women in this country."

The young pharmacist added that people need to be aware of what is fact and what is "scaremongering".

"People are swayed to vote more by feelings than facts. I hope that people dont vote with fear based off the scaremongering and shock tactics the 'No' campaign are employing. I hope that they are compassionate to the women who have suffered under this amendment.

"I am genuinely concerned about the impact the 'No' campaign will have on vulnerable Irish women. The graphic posters must be extremely upsetting for anyone who has had to travel for an abortion or had a miscarriage - a group of approximately 300,000 people."
'I'm worried my daughter will realise every birthday is the anniversary of her mothers death' - heartbroken husband of woman who died after childbirth
A smiling Joanne Ball posed in the countryside in her khaki parka with faux fur-trimmed hood in the photograph issued to the media after she was reported missing by her husband, Keith Lee, the night before Valentine's Day.

Only Lee knew that his pretty 38-year-old wife was wearing that coat when he strangled her. Afterwards, he pulled the faux fur hood over Joanne's head, taped black plastic bin bags around her body and placed her in a sleeping bag. He concealed her body in the wardrobe, pretending the murder never happened while he plotted to save his own skin.

This involved coming up with a desperate story that he had been trying to save her from self-harm when he placed his hands around her neck. He would explain that he didn't call gardai or an ambulance because he didn't want her to be taken from him, and that he was "off his head on drugs".

He would claim that he sat with her dead body, holding her hand, that he sat up with her watching television, holed up in the squalid Ranelagh flat for five days after he killed her.

He claimed he put her in the wardrobe only to protect her body from his pet Rottweiler and a couple of cats. There was the matter of Joanne's adored Chihuahua, Ziggy, who went with her everywhere but was killed, probably by Lee after he murdered Joanne. In a particularly poisonous lie, Lee would blame Joanne, claiming she had killed her own beloved pet.

When gardai burst their way into his flat and discovered Joanne's body in the wardrobe two days after she was reported missing, Lee's self-serving plan was almost complete.

He had sealed the wardrobe, barricaded the front door, packed a bag and was preparing to make a run for it through the third-floor window.

The case made sordid headlines as the murdered woman found in the wardrobe. But behind the headlines, detectives uncovered a complex yet sadly familiar story of abuse of power, by a man who had manipulated his fragile wife throughout their 18 years together, betrayed her and ultimately murdered her.

On remand in prison for the crime, Lee took his own life shortly after 8am last Thursday morning - his third attempt at suicide. His death denies Joanne's family the chance of finding out the truth behind the brutal crime, made worse by the crude concoctions and lies he told to try and minimise what he had done.

Joanne Ball and Keith Lee had been together for most of her adult life. They married four years after they met. Lee, who was originally from Inchicore, was a hotel chef who later supplemented his income with small-time drug dealing.

He dealt in everything from ketamine to cocaine to cannabis, mostly to other chefs and on the traditional music scene. Joanne, from Garristown in north county Dublin, hated drugs and she wouldn't allow him take drugs in front of her.

She was a fragile and gentle woman who loved nature and animals. She and Lee shared a love of trad music and were regulars at gigs in city-centre pubs and venues. Joanne was in the charge of their silver Nissan Micra because Lee never learned to drive. But in other aspects of their life, he was in the driving seat, the controlling partner in the relationship, according to investigators.

It was Lee's drug activity that finally ended their relationship last year. One October night, a Garda drugs team swooped on a city-centre music venue and arrested Keith Lee, along with a stash of drugs worth 11,000.

Lee was released without charge but the fallout was far-reaching. He had already lost his job as a hotel chef due to his drug-taking. He was about to lose his home and his marriage.

After the music venue bust, gardai raided the couple's rented home in Garristown. This prompted the owner of the house to ask the couple to leave.

After that, Joanne left her husband. She moved in with friends in Garristown. He stayed in the city centre, eventually ending up squatting in a bedsit in a large Georgian building in the southside suburb of Ranelagh. The tenants had moved away, but the rent continued to be paid by social welfare and the keys were passed around among a group of friends.

Lee had other relationships - with an American woman and later with a woman from north Dublin, whom he was still seeing in February of this year when it seemed a reconciliation with Joanne might be on the cards.

Joanne agreed to meet him on February 6.

Gardai later established that the couple appeared to have patched things up and spent several days together. They were seen in pubs and clubs in those days, and she was spotted by neighbours in the vicinity of the flat in Ranelagh. In fact, the last sighting of her was in Ranelagh, on the morning of February 9.

Gardai believe that Lee murdered Joanne sometime later that day. They believe the probable motive was that she found out he was still seeing the other woman, even while she was trying to save their marriage.

They suspect that Lee strangled his wife sometime in the afternoon when he was stone-cold sober. Far from mourning over her dead body for days, as he had claimed, he then went about implementing a calculating plan to cover up her murder that involved everything from sourcing the masking tape and bin bags to pretending to her friends and family that she was still alive.

He posted messages on her Facebook page. He replied to text messages her friends and family sent to her mobile phone. "I'll be home soon," went one of the texts to her family.

But Joanne was not "home soon". When her family inevitably contacted Lee asking to speak to her, he had to admit that she was not with him.

On February 13, under pressure from Joanne's increasingly worried family, Lee reported Joanne missing at Store Street garda station. However, he led gardai to believe that she had mental health issues and gave as his address a friend's house in North Strand, to deflect them from the squat in Ranelagh.

Lee could well have made his escape were it not for Joanne parking the car in a reserved space in the large forecourt in front of the building in Ranelagh. In an opportune coincidence, someone phoned in the registration number of Joanne's car to gardai after she had been reported missing. The car reg pinged up on the system as belonging to a missing person.

That was how gardai came to storm the flat at 3.45pm on a Thursday afternoon on February 15, two days after she was reported missing.

As gardai burst through the barricaded doors, they encountered the Rottweiler, who had to be removed by the dog warden, before gardai could search for Joanne.

Lee had thrown himself through the window on to the ground three floors below. He was bleeding profusely from self-inflicted wounds and his ankles smashed in the fall. But for a garda ripping off his shirt to make a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, Lee would almost certainly have died.

Gardai stripped the masking tape off the wardrobe and unfurled the sleeping bag and layers of black plastic to find the body of Joanne, still wrapped in her khaki coat.

Lee was discharged three weeks later into a full-on murder investigation, led by Detective Superintendent Peter O'Boyle and Inspector Paul Costello, who investigated cases such as the disappearance of Trevor Deely, and Superintendent Gerry Delmar, from Donnybrook Station.

Lee was interviewed over 24 hours, a self-serving exercise in which he refused to take responsibility for what had happened, according to informed sources. His account at times defied logic.

He admitted that he and Joanne had a row about another woman he had been seeing. He claimed that Joanne was self-harming with a mobile phone cord and that he put his hands around her neck to try and save her. He did not waver from this story, even when told the marks on Joanne were not consistent with a cord, and no such cord was found at the flat.

Gardai had also established that in the days before Joanne's body was found, Lee continued to deal drugs - a period when he claimed he was "out of his mind". Yet he had the wherewithal to sell cocaine or cannabis to up to a dozen customers, all of whom were tracked down and interviewed, possibly to their horror.

Lee was also seen in some of his usual drinking haunts in the days before Joanne's body was found. Some witnesses noticed that he looked pale and not himself.

As for his odious claim that Joanne strangled her beloved Ziggy, not a shred of evidence emerged to support this lie.

The dog's body was examined at the veterinary hospital at University College Dublin, where vets found no evidence of strangulation. Although tests are ongoing, the dog appears to have suffered a head trauma that more than likely killed the animal, according to informed sources. And Lee is the prime suspect for inflicting it.

Ziggy was one of three large photographs brought to the altar at the moving funeral service for Joanne at her local church in Garristown in February.

He shared that special place at the altar with a photograph of her parents, Catherine and Dermot, and one chosen by her family of Joanne, looking radiant.

Fr John Conlon told hundreds of mourners who packed into St Cianan's church that the photograph represented her love for Ziggy, her love of animals and of nature. The gentle and beautiful soul they remembered that day was summed up in the image, shared by Fr Conlon, of her mother, Catherine, placing a butterfly in the coffin, beside her daughter.

Lee's death in his prison cell on Thursday morning means that the murder investigation is now effectively over. He had been on suicide watch but tricked the prison officers by placing a pillow under his bedclothes.

The next step is that gardai will prepare a report for the inquest into her death, which was delayed by the criminal investigation.

A separate report will be prepared for the inquest into the death of Keith Lee. The Prison Service is also expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

According to sources, Lee left three notes, of one or two pages, two for his family, one for Joanne's. They shed little further light on what happened to Joanne but repeat the illogical series of extraordinary events that he stuck to during his Garda interviews.

His funeral is expected to take place in the coming days.
Gardai are investigating if a man discovered with fatal injuries in a south Dublin park was the victim of a violent assault. Stock photo

Gardai have launched a murder investigation after a man was found with serious injuries in a Dublin park.

Ioan Artene Bob, a Romanian national, was discovered injured in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght at 8.30am on Friday.

He was removed to Tallaght Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It is understood he had worked as a construction worker.

Gardai yesterday launched a murder investigation following a post mortem examination. Gardai believe that the man was a victim of a physical assault.

The last confirmed sighting of Ioan was at 8.30pm on Thursday 12th April 2018 in the Moore Street area of Dublin.

Gardai are asking anyone with information to contact the incident room at Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A PILOT diverted his aircraft yesterday to ensure 15 Irish patients en route to Wales for vital cataract procedures would not end up back on the health service waiting list.

The group of mostly older patients from all over the country were on a Flybe flight bound for Cardiff, where they were scheduled to have long-awaited cataract operations under an EU scheme.

Their hopes of much-needed treatment were dashed when the flight was cancelled shortly before take-off due to fog in Cardiff. The delay meant the patients would miss their appointments at St Joseph's Hospital in Newport and would end up back on the HSE's waiting list.

Step forward Mary Aylward, an agent travelling with the group, who explained the patients' predicament to the pilot. The pilot persuaded his head office to allow him to divert to nearby Bristol to ensure the patients would make the appointments.

St Joseph's Medical Director Ro Kulkarni said the relieved patients arrived tired and late but still on target at St Joseph's Hospital.

"It was incredible and what it shows for me is that this could not happen but for good human nature. All you need is good people everywhere and anything can happen."

He said he had stood down the surgeons and staff when he got word that the flight was cancelled yesterday morning. "So, I had to rush back and tell my team, don't go home. They're coming after all," he said. "They are all in the hospital now. The restaurant arranged a meal for them when they arrived and now we have three operations done and a fourth preparing to go in," Mr Kulkarni said.

Flybe said it was delighted that patients were able to attend their appointments.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) launched a campaign last year to encourage GPs to offer patients the option of travelling elsewhere in Europe for treatment rather than join long waiting lists in Ireland.

The association linked up with St Joseph's Hospital in Newport to perform the procedures, and MSC Eurocare, which helps patients with the complex paperwork for no charge. Patients pay for the treatment but are reimbursed by the HSE.
Pictured: Christian Carter (wearing grey hat) moving items of furniture from a warehouse in Drumcondra, and right, one of the rooms above the pub

TENANTS who lived above a Dublin pub have told how they lost their deposits, a "secret camera" was hidden in a bedroom, and the locks were changed before they had to be evicted.

The seven tenants paid up to 4,600 rent each month - cash-in-hand - to landlord Christian Carter.

Carter, who is from Monkstown, was previously brought before the courts after an Independent.ie investigation exposed how he was renting a five-bedroom house to up to 70 people.

The 31-year-old is involved in the running of up to 40 properties across Dublin.

Expand Close Christian Carter (grey hat) pictured at the warehouse in Drumcondra / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Christian Carter (grey hat) pictured at the warehouse in Drumcondra

Independent.ie viewed seven of these properties and found them to be overcrowded, with up to 30 people living in some of the houses.

We can now reveal how a Dublin pub owner leased his bar out to a hospitality company, who in turn sublet the upstairs of the property to Carter.

Carter then had it converted into seven bedrooms. One room had no window and there was only one bathroom between the seven tenants.

In texts seen by Independent.ie, Carter told two of his associates to Block the pub door in with plywood, put a million nails in it in a bid to stop the owner getting access to the upstairs area.

Expand Close One of the rooms above the Dublin pub / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp One of the rooms above the Dublin pub

This was because the owner demanded that Carter stop renting out the rooms when he returned to take over the property last summer.

Carter also told his associates to set up a "secret camera" inside one of the rooms and to change the locks.

It is understood the camera was to see if any other tenants were moved into the property by the pub owner.

Independent.ie recently viewed the substandard accommodation. It was eventually shut down by Dublin City Council in November 2017 as it constituted a potentially dangerous building.

Expand Close The kitchen area above the Dublin pub / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The kitchen area above the Dublin pub

Former tenant Kevin Phelan (25) rented a room above the pub between 2016 and 2017 after seeing it advertised on Daft.ie.

He paid 630 in rent each month and never got his deposit of 600 back.

"I had looked at between 20 and 30 places before then and it was more out of desperation than anything," Kevin said.

"It was fine at first but then the pub owner realised what was going on and he wasnt happy. We didnt know who to pay rent to then so we stopped paying Carter after a while and paid the bar owner instead. He [Carter] always had somebody else collecting the rent for him, we only met him once.

Expand Close One of the overcrowded rooms in the Rathmines house / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp One of the overcrowded rooms in the Rathmines house

"After the locks were changed during the night and his [Carters] workers started drilling in the middle of the night, we started to look for somewhere else.

"One of the lads living in the house had gotten tired of it all so moved out. We found a wireless/remote camera put into the empty room. We presume it was to see if someone else moved in."

The bar owner continued to rent the property to the tenants for a few months as he didn't want to "throw them out on their ear."

"I had a rough, rough time because of all this. I had to call the guards here a couple of times," he said.

"My health isnt great and this has all been really stressful."

Independent.ie can reveal how he initially leased the bar to Ducas Hospitality Management Limited back in 2015.

The four year lease stated rent of up to 26,000 was to be paid each year and the pub was to continue running as normal.

Conor Martin, director of Ducas Hospitality, subsequently sublet the upstairs of the property to Christian Carter.

A copy of the lease between Ducas and the owner, furnished to Independent.ie, stated the property was not to be sublet.

With tenants paying varying rents - up to 4,600 each month in some cases - that would have potentially generated tens of thousands each year in rental income.

Mr Martin runs a number of gastro bars across Dublin and is also director of a property investment company.

Mr Martin claims the pub owner was aware of the sublet but the owner denies this. He did, however, consent to the upstairs area being converted into bedrooms.

"I did this because I was advised it would add value to the property," the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said.

Mr Martin was repeatedly asked to furnish written proof the owner consented to the sublet but did not respond to these requests.

He also did not respond to questions about how he came to sublet the property to Carter.

Expand Close Mattresses and furniture stored in a warehouse in Bray, Co Wicklow / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mattresses and furniture stored in a warehouse in Bray, Co Wicklow

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: "A Fire Safety Notice was served on 02/11/17 prohibiting the use of the Residential Accommodation at First and Second Floor levels, unless or until the works specified in the notice, were completed to the satisfaction of the Fire Authority.

"It was deemed that the Residential Accommodation, located on the First and Second floors of the premises constituted a potentially dangerous building, as defined under Section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003."

Christian Carter has a number of Irish and Croatian associates running up to 40 properties - located in Rathmines, Blackrock, Ranelagh, Dundrum, Clontarf, Rathfarnham, Rialto and Shankill - on his behalf.

Carter and his associates have been storing bunkbeds and furniture in warehouses in Drumcondra, Dublin and Bray, Co Wicklow.

In texts seen by Independent.ie, Carter told his associates to remove bunkbeds, partitions and furniture before property inspections.

At short notice, he will get bunkbeds and furniture moved out of the houses and into the warehouses before returning them when the inspections are over.

Below are pictures of Carter and a number of men removing mattresses and furniture from the Drumcondra warehouse.

Carter has continuously denied he has anything to do with the properties viewed by Independent.ie.

On his Facebook page, he says: "Christian Carter Rentals in Dublin and Ireland.

"Providing very affordable accommodation for international language students . With the shortage of affordable accommodation in Dublins housing crisis the price of a room in Dublin averages at 800 per month and the international study/work visa only allows a monthly earning of approx 800. Obviously this is not feasible for these students.

"The laws need to change to allow them to earn more.

"Currently Im providing high quality city centre shared rooms for 200 per month for those in need.

Expand Close The house where up to 70 tenants were living Inset: Christian Carter / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The house where up to 70 tenants were living Inset: Christian Carter

"The rooms can be rented by one individual for 550 per month or as a maximum group of 4 for 800 in a large room. Ideal for UCD and Trinity students.

"In this market sometimes its not always possible for parents to afford to send all their children to college and pay the extortionate rent rates in Dublin. These houses give them the opportunity to do so. All houses have been passed for compliance for health and safety with the council."

His father, Colin Carter, also runs a number of the properties and carries out a lot of the maintenance and construction work.

He is currently renting out a property in Rathfarnham to a number of foreign nationals.

A concerned resident of the area said: "We are shocked to see the house effectively turned into a nine bedroom tenement. We have contacted the council a number of times but to no avail."

Independent.ie called to the two-storey house where Colin Carter is currently living and found 10 foreign nationals also living there.

Expand Close A sign on the door of the house which Colin Carter shares with a number of foreign nationals / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A sign on the door of the house which Colin Carter shares with a number of foreign nationals

Neither Colin nor Christian Carter responded to requests for comment.

Last year, Christian Carter and Richard Stanley, owner of The Pines in Cabinteely, were ordered to pay 60,000 in legal costs after our undercover investigation exposed how up to 70 people were living in the five-bedroom house.

Carter was previously director of a property company called Red Sky Property Management, which has since been transferred into the name of Tomislav Cubic, who runs a number of properties on Carters behalf.

Mr Carter said he no longer has anything to do with Red Sky.

We previously revealed how Cubic rents a three-bed house in Rathmines to 23 women, with up to eight people sleeping in one room.

Mr Cubic said this property, and all the properties viewed, have nothing to do with Red Sky.
The Government is developing a first-of-its-kind 'baby boom strategy' aimed at increasing birth rates to counteract the increasing economic demands posed by the country's ageing population, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

A high-level taskforce led by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone is examining a wide range of new policies to encourage families to have more children.

Expand Close Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone Picture: Steve Humphreys / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone Picture: Steve Humphreys

The cross-departmental group plans to unveil a series of radical new State initiatives which will reduce financial and health barriers faced by parents considering having children.

Ireland currently has the highest birth rate in Europe but the Government is still concerned about decline fertility rates and the historically small size of the average Irish family.

"Population data shows that birth rates are declining and families are having fewer children, while fig ures confirm that fertility rates have fallen from 2.1 in 2011 to 1.8 in 2016," a Government source said.

The National Early Years Strategy will include polices and initiatives on a wide-range of issues, including supports for parents, developments in childcare and child health

The first key policy of the Government's new strategy will be the national roll-out of 'baby boxes' for all new parents. The baby boxes will contain all the essential items needed by parents of newborns, while the box will double up as the baby's first crib.

The idea was first introduced in Finland in the 1930s and is credited with significantly reducing infant mortality rates. Baby boxes are also given to new parents in Scotland.

The initiative has already been piloted in Wexford General Hospital and University Maternity Hospital Limerick.

The starter kits for babies included babygrows, a blanket, outdoor clothing, bathing products, nappies and bedding. Educational books are also included in the package.

The boxes will be just one element of the baby boom strategy currently being developed by Ms Zappone along with her Cabinet colleagues Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, Health Minister Simon Harris and Education Minister Richard Bruton.

Ms Zappone said the strategy is focused on developing children aged zero to five years old.

"The Early Years Strategy represents the first cross-Government approach to deliver concrete support to parents and infants," she told the Sunday Independent.

"The baby box demonstrates to parents that we are keen to deliver very practical supports. Such schemes have been very successful in Finland and in Scotland.

"However, we will also be moving to far more wide-ranging actions. I will be leading out the strategy in cooperation with some key colleagues including the Ministers for Health and Education.

"We will of course be seeking to build on the progress that has already been made in childcare, for example, but also be looking at many other ways to ensure parents are well supported.

"The arrival of a new baby should be a time of joy for every family - now in Government we are going to work together to ensure everyone has a chance to make the most of these very exciting time parents share with their infants."

It is hoped the commitments outlined in the strategy will also make things easier for families with young children.
A MAN who died at Rosslare Europort after an incident with another lorry driver is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

Initial results from the post mortem showed that the Romanian man in his 50s had an underlying heart condition, according to gardai.

The truck driver died after he was punched and fell backwards during an apparent road rage incident in Co Wexford.

The two vehicles were being driven into Rosslare Europort shortly before 7pm on Friday when the incident took place as the lorries came close together.

The two vehicles were then driven into the port and parked.

The drivers of the lorries jumped out of their cabs and came face to face.

The other driver then climbed back into his cab and drove back out of the port, apparently unaware of the injuries sustained by the other.

The injured driver, who was Romanian, was found lying on the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, gardai had been contacted and stopped the other lorry a short distance from the port. The driver, who is Irish, was arrested and taken for questioning to Wexford Garda station.

Gardai said on Saturday night that the arrested man has been released without charge.

A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The sheet inside my youngest child's folder read: "Never keep a touch a secret". His homework was to colour it in and talk about this statement at home. After the recent rape trial in Belfast, small, ordinary things like this in family life seem to have taken on a more urgent new meaning.

The trial and the Harvey Weinstein allegations have inspired a tsunami of coverage and initiated conversations that we may never have had before. It's forced us to look at the sometimes uncomfortable truths of our own sexual pasts and grapple with how we think about consent and what that means.

They've raised issues that have affected many people and experts now believe it's high time to grasp the nettle and begin to have conversations about sex and issues around consent with our children.

Earlier this month, Education Minister Richard Bruton announced a major review of relationships and sexuality education (RSE). It's the biggest shake up of sex education in 20 years and is putting consent on the table as a priority issue for comprehensive review.

Alex Cooney, CEO of CyberSafe Ireland, says while the review is most welcome, talking about relationships and sexuality must start at home while children are still in primary school. "As with any important issue, the discussion would be much better to start at home, and the education system reinforces that. I wouldn't like to leave that discussion to the school," she says.

Cooney says because children are getting online very young, they may have access to things that are highly inappropriate for them. She cites research commissioned by the NSPCC in Britain which found that 53pc of 11-to-16-year-olds had seen explicit material online, nearly all of whom (94pc) had seen it by the age of 14, as a warning to parents to be more engaged with what their children are up to online and to lead the way by setting restrictions around internet use.

"We need smart kids making smart choices. We can't completely stop them from seeing things, but we can equip them with skills - and having these conversations about what is and isn't okay is fundamentally important," says Cooney.

Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, says while there is a focus now on second-level students, conversations around issues like consent must start much earlier.

She says consent has to be about understanding respect for yourself and for other people. "It doesn't have to be about sexual activity. It can be about learning how to say yes and how to say no. In a sense, if this was accomplished, a lot would be accomplished," says Blackwell.

Sarah Sproule, a mother-of-three and an occupational therapist working with families to support conversations around sexuality and consent, believes it's important that we tackle our own fears around these subjects first.

She says we live in a culture where most conversations about sex have been shut down leaving many of us ill-equipped to talk about sex, which she feels could be no different to learning about nutrition from a young age if parents had the right support.

Sproule is clear that parents should not feel that this is a conversation that needs to be introduced by talking about rape.

"Start off small," she says. "Talk about things in everyday life, like what's happening in online video games or how people are portrayed in advertising. It's that everyday awareness that we need to start bringing into our kids' minds. It's slowly building up the skills to have conversations about more complex things. Don't be overwhelmed by this, it definitely can't start as a conversation about rape.

"We also need to approach these things giving ourselves permission that it's okay not to get it right. Just because we're not getting it quite right doesn't mean we can't try. We don't need to wait till we have it rock solid - try the conversation out with your kids. You're creating this 'we are muddling-along-together' culture in your family," she says.

In an ideal world from the ages of four to six, Sproule says the ground work for 'bigger' conversations should already be laid down by having talked to children about the basic concepts of bodily autonomy.

Interactive relationships

"When kids are small, you can have the conversation about consent - and it's not about sexuality at all. When two kids are rough-housing at home and one says 'I don't like this', they've already worked out what they don't like. You can help them talk to you and to other people about what they do like and what they don't like," she says.

As children get older, Sproule says it's important for parents to initiate conversations with their children around issues they might hear on the news - like the case of the Belfast rape trial, where there were regular reports on bulletins - at a time when the parent doesn't feel under pressure. This might be, she says, when you're travelling in the car with them.

And she says if you start off by saying something like 'I've been thinking about what you said yesterday' - it shows them you've been listening to them and are taking what they're saying on board. That give-and-take approach is key in any communication.

"It's important to remember when a kid says something that's upsetting to you, it's not necessarily what the kid believes - it may simply be what they are hearing from the culture they are living in," she says.

"In parenting, our relationship with our kid is everything. Having an open, interactive relationship with our kids give us the opportunity to present options and alternatives to what they think and say. That's why it's so important to take time away from your parenting to think about these big issues on your own. Then you can keep a clear head when you are with your kids," she adds.

Sproule says when she's talking to her own older children about complex issues, she sometimes sends information to them via text or email. "Instead of making it embarrassing for them to have that conversation face to face, you can send them something online that they can read in their own time. If you find the right YouTube video, that can be a really powerful way to communicate.

"This work is hard but it is possible. It's one of our lifelong journeys as parents that we attempt to create a culture in our families where we talk about everything. You need to treat your kids as a person with something important to say. Kids are the experts of their own lives. They know best what it's like to be a teenager. There is no place for a parent to be didactic and telling teens how to live. There's only a place for collaboration," she says.

"Consent is something you're teaching them from a young age through the experiences they have with you. You develop this culture of 'I am being consensual with you'. Consent is not about making someone else be the way you want to be, but accepting other people and being rock solid about who you are."

Donegal-based mum-of-five Taryn de Vere says she started talking to her children about consent early. "To me it's about family values and one of those really important values is respect; respect for each other and respect for yourself."

As part of this respect, Taryn says she has always taught her children - ranging in ages from seven to 17 - about bodily autonomy. "My kids know what that means. It's a powerful way to describe to children that they are in their own bodies and that it's your choice what happens to your body," she says.

"One of my older children is a child who didn't like to be touched. She taught our whole family to be respectful of boundaries. Even kissing the top of her head was not okay for her. She helped everyone else to be aware - we can't just assume that someone wants a hug or a kiss.

"As a parent, one of the worst things that one of my kids could do is not respect the body autonomy of another person. I can remember a scene with two of my kids - they were 11 and five at the time. The 11-year-old was dominating the five-year-old and he was getting really annoyed. My 11-year-old said 'he didn't say no'. I said 'look at his body language, look at his face'. Every time something happened was an opportunity to teach about non-verbal cues. I was able to teach them about all the different ways people say no," says Taryn.

"I think it's really important to do this when you're consuming media with your kids because a lot of media doesn't contain consent. We could be watching something on telly and we'll stop and discuss it. They're not hard conversations - they're simple. It gets harder when you've got teenagers," she says.

And she believes when you have teenagers and the issue of consent comes up, you have to talk to your children about the fact that the majority of sexual assaults are carried out by people known to the person.

"The basic premise of consent is communication with the people you want to touch or who might want to touch you. It's about respectful communication and making sure everything you are doing is a wanted thing. Consent is just about being a human in the world and respecting others.

"It's about every single interaction you have where you're touching someone. In my head, consent is not about sex. Respect and autonomy are what I think about. Yes, consent gets introduced to your sexual relationships, but it's been a bedrock in all of your relationships up to that point," says Taryn.

When it comes to an issue like consent being taught at school, Aodh Quigley, a music student at Trinity College Dublin, says in their case it was as unbiased as it could be.

But it was only when Aodh (19), who identifies as non-binary, went to BeLonG To - an organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people and where issues around sexuality are explored in peer-led workshops - that the blinkers came off in terms of how these things could and should be talked about.

"How we communicate around sex is really important. Irish people in particular tend to sweep things under the rug. It's so important that we see things as not black and white - particularly around consent. We need to talk about the conversations we're having before we have sex," says Aodh.

Non-judgmental lessons

"The kind of sex education you have in school - particularly for young women - tends to be around how you have a baby. We were lucky in school to be taught about contraception. A lot of my friends were not as fortunate. It needs to be unbiased and non-judgmental.

"Coming from my experience teaching music - sex education doesn't seem to have a specific curriculum. It's really important that there is a curriculum with specific learning outcomes. There has to be a progression every year up to sixth year and it should be taught like maths for example," says Aodh.

"I remember we did have a conversation about consent in school. I think it was in fourth year. It was all 'yes means yes and no means no'. We didn't have proper discussions about what constitutes a yes or a no or what happened if you maybe consented once - does that mean you have consented to whatever happens after that?"

"We had these conversations in BeLonG To that if you consented on one occasion, that didn't mean you consented to it the next time. That's one of the big things people need to realise," says Aodh.
When acclaimed landscape photographer Giles Norman "went digital", shutting down the dark-room above his gallery in an old Georgian terraced house, he found himself looking at a large blank canvas.

The former merchant's house, one of the oldest in the Cork harbour town of Kinsale, had been (at different times) his home, workspace and gallery for more than 30 years. But with the upstairs darkroom gone and their three children ready to fly the nest, Giles and his wife Catherine could think of no obvious use for the two floors of rooms and giant attic space above the landmark gallery.

Already living in the countryside outside Kinsale, they could have just done what so many owners of old, town and city-centre properties in Ireland have decided to do, simply closed the window-shutters and left the high-ceilinged rooms to shabby, stately decay.

Kinsale, like so many other Irish towns, has its fair share of crumbling, often empty old stores and houses, rooms above old shops and pubs that are left to moulder, considered either too expensive or too old-world to be brought back to life and given a new purpose. And in recent years, the harbour town, for so long synonymous with gourmet food and high-living, had been in something of a slump, hit hard by the financial crash and losing some of its lustre as other towns such as Dingle revived and reinvented themselves.

Locals talked of empty shop-fronts, shabby streets and restaurants, hotels and pubs which were stuck in the golden days of the '80s and '90s, when Kinsale had a lot of cachet as a Yachtie and Foodie paradise. Any money that was being spent locally was being lavished on eye-wateringly expensive new-build houses and estates in the hills and wider countryside above the harbour.

However, there is a sense that the old town is now reviving, with an ambitious, new generation of chefs and restaurateurs - most notably John and Julie Finn at Finn's Table and Helen Noonan and Paul McDonald at Bastion - once again making Kinsale a gourmet destination. These restaurants, together with the town's heritage pubs, cafes and characterful newcomers like the Black Pig wine bar, are giving Kinsale a fresh feel.

Giles and Catherine have added their own contribution to Kinsale's revival, investing a huge amount of time, resources and heart into turning their much-loved but time-worn Georgian home into a stylish guesthouse on the old Main Street by the quays.

Opened towards the end of last summer, the traditional Georgian terraced townhouse is now a gallery on the ground floor, with an interior-decor showroom and three guest bedrooms on the two floors above. A roomy studio sits under the eaves of the slate roof in the converted attic.

Giles and Catherine - together with interior designers Ventura Design and Cork-based conservation specialists Jack Coughlan Architects - have brought an old Georgian townhouse into the 21st century, retaining as much of the original character and features as had survived but giving the rooms a warm, contemporary look and feel.

"We did think about giving the rooms a classic Georgian look," says Giles. "But we talked to the architects, gave it a lot of thought ourselves, and we really felt that a more contemporary design, rather than a recreation of what it might have been, was the way to go."

Catherine says that by the time they came to tackling the house it had lived a pretty tough life. "This building had a lot of different uses through the years, a lot of lives. When we came here first we had the gallery, we lived on the middle floor and then we had Giles' darkroom and storage spaces. But when we decided we wanted to renovate the house, to offer accommodation, I think we looked at these really great new restaurants and cafes that had opened around us in older buildings and took a little inspiration. People are coming here looking for something a little bit different with their accommodation now, and a little bit different with their food."

With their three children having reached college-going age, Giles and Catherine felt like opening a new chapter, as hosts as well as gallery owners. And they have been busy almost from the weekend they opened last summer. "We have had a great reaction and I think we are offering something that's a little different in Kinsale. In a lot of ways, we set out to create the kind of place we love to stay in ourselves when we are travelling," says Catherine. "And everything we wanted to achieve upstairs had to reflect what we do downstairs in the gallery and with Giles' photography, we wanted to get that overall feel where there is a lot of thought, a definite look to the rooms and a continuity throughout the house."

The Wedgewood grey colour of the walls throughout the house is no accident. Giles chose it as the perfect colour scheme to complement his black and white photography - a familiar feature on the walls of so many homes throughout Cork and, indeed, the country.

"It wasn't really that complicated for us, apart from the obvious difficulties you can run into when totally renovating a very old building," says Giles of the revamp. "We had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve. We started with the gallery, with my photography. And for the decor and feel, I think we may have been subconsciously storing away ideas from our own travels and experiences for years."

Giles has been deeply involved in the new townhouse. But he is still working and creating full time as a photographer, working in black and white with the landscapes of Cork's Atlantic coast which have fascinated him for three decades and more.

He does still venture further afield, to work in cities in Europe. But Kinsale and West Cork, the rugged coast that has now been successfully branded as the Wild Atlantic Way, remains his inspiration.

Giles has his own idiosyncratic style. He shoots, often, on the hoof, exploring down rutted lanes in deepest West Cork, scrambling across fields and headlands to a spot where a landscape will open up before him.

And though West Cork has changed greatly in recent years, Giles says there are still new vistas for him to explore. "The landscape doesn't change, but the elements within it do. Old stone buildings disappearing or being rebuilt, new bungalows going up. You could say that it is becoming harder and harder to find the classic West Cork landscape, the subject matter that I would have found everywhere when I started. But you can find new places, new landscapes, it just takes time. And this is just something that I have to do. I can't imagine not doing it."

For information on the Giles Norman Gallery and Townhouse, see gilesnorman.com
It's not exactly tights-off weather yet but at this stage, we are just ridiculously happy not spending our lives perma-zipped in a parka and wearing 15 layers.

If spring is making you feel more alive, boost that good feeling even more with this flirty and fabulous Ingrid Chilli 1940s-inspired tea dress from Dublin's Carousel. The cap sleeves and fold over collar are adorable, and the belt is removable. Wear it now with ankle boots and blazer and with bare legs and sandals in high summers. Also well worth checking out is Carousel's range of cute cardigans, which are perfect cover-ups for spring weddings.

BUY: 59; see ilovecarousel.com

Sweet harmony

Cork hits a high note with its International Choral Festival opening this Thursday, running until Sunday. Pop, rock, classical and sacred music and song are all being celebrated in 60 venues across the city and county, with 35,000 visitors expected. The calendar of events includes gala concerts, free outdoor recitals and more, with a highlight performance from innovative Swedish group, Solala.

DETAILS: corkchoral.ie for tickets and more information.

Statement pieces

Expand Close Jenny Huston and Leah Hewson / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Jenny Huston and Leah Hewson

Jenny Huston of jewellery brand Edge Only and artist Leah Hewson (both above) have joined forces for a collaboration called EOxLH, with a gallery store at 12 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, running until Wednesday. The joint collection includes nine pieces of jewellery for men and women and four limited edition fine art prints, with just 30 copies of each piece available.

DETAILS: Jewellery from 119; prints from 90; see edgeonly.com and leahhewson.com

Get crafty

Expand Close BearNOTtoBe / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp BearNOTtoBe

If you like your jewellery bright and bold, Irish brand beorKNOTtobe is for you. Dublin-based founder Kasia Eska-Grajeck, who is originally from Poland, uses a crochet hook technique and finger work for her eye-catching items. She's currently hosting a pop-up shop in The Fumbally Exchange, Dublin 2, running until Wednesday where necklaces (above) start at 20, felt earrings at 7, and eco-friendly canvas bags are 15 each.

DETAILS: Find beorKNOTtobe on Facebook and buy online on Etsy

Star show

There is a full week of free events lined up in six locations across Mayo to celebrate International Dark Skies Week, from April 15-20. Tomorrow, Duncan Stewart discusses 'Dark Skies in Mayo: An Asset Worth Protecting' in Ballycroy National Park and on Thursday, Dr Frank Prendergast explores 'The Tale of 3 Circles: Ceremonial Space and Dark Sky in Prehistoric Ireland' at the Ceide Fields visitor centre.

DETAILS: See facebook.com/mayodarkskies

Style tiles

Dutch company StoryTiles follows in the tradition of ceramic tile making in the Netherlands in the 16th century. Irish online store We Give It A Whirl stocks these fun pieces of art which are hand designed and hand baked and can be easily hung anywhere around the home. The tiles are water resistant and made to last a lifetime, and designs include the New York cityscape, a row of birds, Little Red Riding Hood and a jumping fox. They also come in very cool cardboard packaging, making them great gifts. BUY: Go with the flow' tile, 27.50; available at wegiveitawhirl.ie

Coming up roses

A little perk-you-up beckons at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry this spring. The centrally located four-star hotel has a pampering package, where guests will enjoy an overnight stay, dinner in the hotel's Park restaurant and breakfast the next morning. There's also the choice of a relaxing neck and shoulder massage or an Elemis facial in the Rose's Serenity Spa. And from there, you're perfectly positioned to explore everything the Kingdom has to offer.

DETAILS: 111 per person sharing; see therosehotel.com

Next weekend...

Retro a go-go

Grab the popcorn next Saturday and Sunday as the world's largest drive-in LED screen experience comes to Shannon Airport. Crowd-pleasing movies including Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future, Up, Jaws and E.T. are all on the line-up, with sound coming via car radios. Screenings are from 2pm onwards with the last film on at 9pm. Thousands of people are expected at the event, which is the first time in the world that an airport will host a Retro Drive-in Movies. Classic cinema fare will also be available, including hot dogs, pizza, burgers, chips and dip and sodas.

BOOK: Tickets, 29.90; available at retrodrivein.ie

Slowly does it

If you want to escape the cult of busy-ness, Aoife McElwain, author of Slow at Work: How To Work Less, Achieve More and Regain Your Balance in an Always-On World, is inviting guests to take time out at The House, Galway on Sunday, April 22. The afternoon starts with tea and coffee with talks at noon, where Aoife shares her own experiences of getting over burnout. Nutritional therapist Antoinette Witter is talking about her work and Mark Boyle, The Moneyless Man, who lives mainly without money and technology, is another speaker. The event includes a vegan lunch and concludes with a basket-making demo.

DETAILS: Tickets 55; see slowatworkgalway.eventbrite.ie

hotlist@independent.ie
Subaru have long been one of my favourite cars but are not really appreciated in this country outside a few aficionados, one of whom was my late great friend the PR guru Jim Rowe who bought a Subaru Forester in 1999 to cope with life in rural Cavan.

I was thinking of Jim and great days I had with him and his wife Evelyn and dogs and horses when I returned the latest version of the Subaru XV to the car's small Irish HQ based on the National Vehicle Distribution site at Baldonnel.

I had taken the previous version of the XV up to Cavan six years ago where it appeared very modern compared to the Forester which Evelyn still had 10 years after Jim's death. The XV is getting even better and is absolutely packed with spec including its revolutionary EyeSight system that uses two digital stereo cameras to monitor traffic movement to apply pre-collision braking as well as giving driving awareness systems, cruise controls and ability to keep in line with the car in front.

The car has great comfort - oodles of room for five, legendary off-road ability and a real feeling of being sturdily well-built.

It is let down by its powerful Boxer engines which sound a bit harsh and have heavy consumption. However, that is all going to change very soon. Subaru has long been in partnership with Toyota and is importing the latter's hybrid system next year. So good is the Toyota system that the manufacturer's outlets are complaining there's not enough going wrong to keep their workshops busy.

Bringing in the hybrids could be a massive boost for Subaru. However, they are still very tasty and if you put the 33,495 starting price of the XV, or even the range topping 38,495 20i SE Premium Lineartronic CVT Automatic, against any of its competitors, you will be pleasantly surprised. It's a marque that can be easily overlooked but definitely shouldn't be. It offers prestige, style and sets you apart from the hordes.

When I was out at Subaru it was sad to hear that the Subaru chief in Ireland Neville Matthews is still very sick. Neville is a wonderful man, a true professional and amazingly good company. I have great memories of some brilliant times with him and his one-time Subaru sidekick Michael Kirby. I will raise a glass to Neville this weekend wishing him and his family all the very best.
Premium

Brendan O'Connor Opinion Brendan OConnor: Whatever happened to Were All In It Together?

Just so were clear. The whole Were all in this together thing, thats over now, is it? Just so were all agreed, and we all know where we stand. We can barely remember those times now, 2020, the first half of 2021. They seem like some kind of a dream. All that baking and jogging and home-schooling and gathering around the TV for doomsday announcements. We all agreed it was bringing out the best of us. Things were going to change forever. It made us realise the old ways had been all wrong. Yes, it would all be different now. We would be grateful for everything, we would look out for each other, and for mother Earth. It was a wake-up call, a great reset. We were going to reassess everything.
Premium

Eoghan Harris Opinion Misery media fails to give due credit to the Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheal Martin must drive his advisers mad. Unlike Leo Varadkar or Donald Trump, he never bigs up success stories such as the effect of Level 3 Plus on Covid or his visionary Shared Island project. Last Friday, Tony Holohan and RTE cheerleaders seemed to imply Level 5 was responsible for the improved Covid situation. Not so.
Just behind the building where I live in the city centre, on the fault line between what you might call dirty old town and the tech hub, a new development opened recently. The luxury apartments in it were snapped up in a frantic 24-hour period.

There was no need for queues for these buyers; most paid cash, around the 400k mark for one-bedroom properties, and the whiff of that kind of money subtly changes a neighbourhood. Beneath the building a familiar yuppie-servicing ecosystem of fancy coffee shops and expensive deli has already opened. Our local five-star hotel has a new rooftop bar - the only other piece of major construction to be completed in the neighbourhood in recent times. These corporate amenities are the latest signs that the area, which just 10 years ago was considered urban badlands, has been fully gentrified.

These new arrivals will further push up the price of property and the quality of the coffee in the area. They are polite, quiet, and unlike the more 'indigenous' neighbours, they actually pick up after their dogs; I should probably rejoice in their advent.

But somehow they worry me. I'm lucky to have a place now, but if a consequence of the ongoing housing crisis is that only someone who can get their hands on 400k cash can afford to live in the city centre, then one day I will inevitably be priced out of here, to be replaced by a boring banker or a tedious tech drone who can afford the area. This might sound like no great loss to anyone but me, but the lesson of other big cities - particularly London and New York - is that when you drive out writers and artists and turn a city into a playground for the super-wealthy and tourists, you also rip out its heart. Lower Manhattan, once a bohemian and cultural mecca, is now a maze of doorman condos, Starbucks and yoghurt bars; a bland fortress of consumption. The only people who can afford to live there are corporate drones and wealthy frat kids.

In London the director of the Tate museum recently said that their housing issues have all but killed off the British capital's art scene. In Holborn a billboard appeared three years ago which read: 'What creativity can exist when only money can buy your next opportunity'. The journalist Caitlin Moran wrote about central London's empty mansions, which languish like abandoned museums while their owners winter elsewhere.

Dublin's heart, more than most city's, really does approximate Yeats's foul rag and bone shop. We are one of the few capitals in the world with winding residential streets that run almost into the centre of the city.

Despite the general failure of Temple Bar's original mission statement, we still have artists and writers living in the centre of town. We have a vibrant after-hours nightlife, which far surpasses and subverts the overpriced, over-hyped mainstream venues. We have more profit-free spaces - community centres and the like - than most capital cities. These are all part of our great tradition, but, more than anything, you never needed to be any great success to live in Dublin. Unlike other great capitals, ours accommodated failure and smallness. Many of our greatest writers, whose reputations bring the hordes of tourists to Dublin, lived their lives barely getting by, on the cadge. (They languished in bedsits which would be outlawed by a subsequent government.) This toleration of failure went hand in hand with a capital that seemed impervious to gentrification. Besides the 'ethnic cleansing' of the IFSC construction, no regeneration plans have ever seemed to make a dint in the tenement-like atmosphere of the north inner city, for instance. Nobody can imagine calling it 'Dublin's North Central Quarter' as it was dubbed in a recent Government report on the area. It remains a ramshackle, broken-down place, where the little people can still, just barely, afford to live.

That might soon change too. The housing crisis has meant Dublin is now a place that says yes to every new branch of Starbucks and no to the poor souls whose fortunes condemn them to work there. We are in danger of becoming a city of the super wealthy - the 400k cash buyers - and immigrants crowded four to a room, with the rest of the population squeezed out to the commuter margins. The cost to the soul of the city will be immeasurable. The poor people, the artists, the young - these turn the wheels of the city, just as much as corporate interests and without them Dublin will be somewhere between a museum and a generic consumer playground.

But what can we do? Perhaps part of it will be changing how we hold politicians to account and the language we use. The American writer Jeremiah Moss described a process in New York which he called hyper-gentrification. By this he meant "the complicity between municipal government and big private money to reconfigure whole sections of a city, with dubious consequences, chief among them the ceding of space, goods and social currency from the ordinary classes to the ruling order". After the best part of a decade of a Fine Gael-led Government, maybe it is now time to start using words like 'complicity' to describe its inaction on the housing crisis. Until it solves the riddle we will be left with a capital in which only gleaming, wealthy successes can live.

And that, by our own high standards, will be a terrible failure.
MET Eireann received a barrage of messages from the public during Storm Emma - including praise for staff, criticisms of 'hyping' the weather and everything in between.

Among the most unusual messages submitted to the forecaster during the storm and in the build-up to it was a request from a child which was sent on February 27 and read:

"Hi, can you please put out a red weather warning as I have no homework done thanks".

Another member of the public, living in Cork, urged forecasters "please don't forget about us down here we need to get about our daily lives too", when querying if weather warnings could be issued earlier to allow for forward planning.

Evelyn Cusak and Gerry O'Connor were singled out for praise by a number of people - with one commentator expressing hope that Gerry would get a week off in the wake of the storm to rest.

But one commentator was not impressed with forecaster Ms Cusak - who has since been promoted to head of forecasting in Met Eireann - and her performance on RTE - categorising it as "embarrassing", alleging Ms Cusak was not able for detailed questions. The writer suggested another forecaster, presumably Joanne Donnelly, who was described as "the lady (blonde) married to the Dutch Guy, she really KNOWS HER STUFF AND SHOULD BE ON THOSE PROMINENT TV NEWS OUTLETS" be given the role of appearing on the news.

Several weather-watchers contacted the forecaster to thank the team for their hard work in relation to the storm.

One person wrote:

"I just want to thank you for prioritizing my and my family's safety by making a brave decision to go to a red warning. I know it must be a difficult call to make. Keep up the good work".

Others were not so generous in their assessment of the need to issue the highest weather warning, with one writing "ye have the whole country frightened" and a second person saying "you have helped create a sense of crisis in the country by over estimating the affect of the forecast weather so far".

Copies of correspondence to Met Eireann was released under Freedom of Information laws.

Another resident argued that public transport on March 1 could have operated for part of the day, claiming "people in Dublin airport arriving from or departing to America say we are the laughing stock of the world".

For many others however the considerations were much more practical including this person who wanted to know whether Thursday or Friday would be worse in Limerick, writing "I have one day I can take off".

And this one - whose message included a thumbs-up emoji - who wrote:

"Any chance of sending out the red alert, we're all bitter on the building site, cheers".
Presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic and his wife Lidija after voting in Podgorica (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Preliminary projections by independent monitors in Montenegros presidential election show ruling-party leader Milo Djukanovic sweeping the vote, avoiding a run-off.

The Centre for Monitoring and Research said after counting more than 80% of the votes that Mr Djukanovic won about 53% while his main opponent, Mladen Bojanic, won 34%.

If confirmed, the result will present a major boost for Mr Djukanovic, who defied Russia to take his country into Nato last year.

The vote, the first since Montenegro joined the Western military alliance in December, was seen as a test for Mr Djukanovic, who favours European integration over closer ties to traditional ally Moscow.

Mr Djukanovic, the countrys dominant politician, and his Democratic Party of Socialists have ruled Montenegro for nearly 30 years.

President Filip Vujanovic of that party was not running due to term limits.

About 530,000 voters were choosing among several candidates in the Adriatic Sea nation that used to be part of Yugoslavia.

Mr Djukanovic was prime minister during a tense October 2016 parliamentary election when authorities said they thwarted a pro-Russian coup attempt designed to prevent the country from joining Nato.

He led Montenegro to independence from much-larger Serbia in 2006 and was behind the Nato bid.

He hopes next to steer the country into the European Union.

Mr Bojanic, an economic expert and former politician, has accused the ruling party of corruption and links to organised crime following a spike in crime-related violence.
A deadly extremist attack on a UN military camp in northern Mali was particularly sophisticated and underhanded, the French army has said.

Officials have said the attack on a camp for the UN mission known as Minusma in Timbuktu on Saturday left one peacekeeper dead and a number of wounded.

The French army said in a statement that seven soldiers from the French military operation known as Barkhane were among the injured, and that 15 attackers were killed in a counter-attack.

The statement said some of the jihadists wore peacekeepers uniforms and explosive belts and used vehicles covered up with UN and Malian army codes.

Three car bombs were exploded, it said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though a number of extremist groups are active in the region.
The Syrian Scientific Research Centre which was attacked in the airstrikes (Hassan Ammar/AP)

This wasn't the usual sound of light artillery shelling against remaining rebel enclaves in Damascus which you often hear. This was something quite different.

I awoke at around 4.30am to a series of deafening thuds which shook the ground in Qudsaya, a normally quiet suburb in west Damascus.

From the outset it was clear that this was a US-led strike against Syria; unlike previously heard or seen. There was initial surprise and panic. As people heard the blasts across the capital we knew these were the missile strikes.

A volley of more than 13 rockets went off in the distance, along with the fierce sound of anti-aircraft fire from the air defence base nearby. The crackle of Shilka anti-aircraft fire was followed by another wave of rockets.

The initial wave of missiles which lit up the pitch black Damascus skyline had landed on the military research facility of Barzeh, east of the capital. Mezzeh military airport in the western centre of Damascus was also hit.

As I hurried towards my computer, the phone began to ring with anxious family members from across Damascus calling for news. I told them they were just cruise missiles and urged them to stay inside and ride it out.

It was clear that all the international talk had translated into action, and the strikes weren't over just yet.

After a delay of several minutes another batch of missiles and bombs landed nearby, this time too close for comfort. I edged across the balcony from where, in the distance, I could see Qasioun mountain through the red mist of burning explosives hanging in the air.

We were only 30 minutes into an almost hour-long bombardment. Moments later a huge explosion forced me and three members of my family back into the house. The balcony wasn't safe.

A stone's throw away is the research complex of Jamraya, targeted by Israel in 2014, and my first thought was that this major research facility had been hit.

I clearly heard more than 40 different missiles in a barrage that lasted for the greater part of an hour.

Syrian state media reported the strikes but didn't provide any clue as to the locations. However, both the research facilities which were reportedly hit were linked in some way to research which the West claims could assist in the production of chemical weapons.

Danny Makki is a British-Syrian journalist who works between London and Damascus

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
BOMB BRIEFING: US Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. speaks during a news conference about the Syria air strikes at The Pentagon yesterday. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The United States is "locked and loaded" if Syria uses chemical weapons again, Donald Trump has threatened.

While Syria and Russia have insisted they had no hand in an alleged chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma, the US, UK and France said they were convinced they had, something that led them to hit three Syrian targets on Friday night associated with the weapons' production and storage.

The US defence secretary said the strikes, that involved the firing of 105 cruise missiles from planes and ships, were for the time being a "a one-time shot". Yet at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, hours after the hour-long strikes had concluded, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said Washington was ready to attack again if there was further use of chemical weapons. Ms Haley said she had spoken earlier in the day with Mr Trump.

"We are confident that we have crippled Syria's chemical weapons programme. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," she said. "If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded."

Russia responded by demanding a UN resolution that would condemn "the aggression" against Syria by the United States and its allies. The short draft resolution called the action a violation of international law and the UN charter.

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council the US and its allies struck without waiting for an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, calling the attack "hooliganism". "This was blatant disregard for international law," he said.

Expand Close A picture showing the wreckage of a building described as part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, during a press tour organised by the Syrian information ministry yesterday. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A picture showing the wreckage of a building described as part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, during a press tour organised by the Syrian information ministry yesterday. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images

The 105 missiles launched overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria targeted three chemical weapons facilities, including research and development buildings in Damascus' Barzeh district and two facilities near Homs, Pentagon officials said. "We believe that by hitting Barzeh in particular we've attacked the heart of the Syrian chemicals weapon programme," Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie, director of the joint staff, told reporters.

However, Mr McKenzie acknowledged elements of Syria's chemical weapons programme remained in place and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.

Mr Trump called the operation a success in a morning Twitter post and proclaimed: "Mission accomplished", a phrase that called to mind a claim made by George W Bush in the early stages of the US and UK invasion of Iraq that proved to be badly wrong.

Yesterday, Syria released a video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Mr Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption "Morning of resilience".

Ten hours after the missiles hit, smoke was still rising from the remains of five destroyed buildings of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre in Barzeh, in which a Syrian employee said medical components were researched and developed, Reuters said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Damascus's allies said the buildings hit had been evacuated in advance. Russia had promised to respond to any attack on its ally, and said yesterday that Syrian air defences had intercepted 71 of the missiles fired.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday that US-led strikes on Syria were "unacceptable and lawless" and threatened 'consequences'.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May ordered the RAF to take part in strikes after government lawyers advised that a strike would be lawful on humanitarian grounds.

A summary of legal advice signed off by Jeremy Wright, the attorney general, stated that the attack, aimed at "degrading the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability", was permitted under international law because it represented "an exceptional measure on grounds of overwhelming humanitarian necessity".

The document was released last night ahead of a Commons statement by Mrs May tomorrow during which she is likely to face strong criticism from Jeremy Corbyn, and possibly some of her own backbenchers, about the decision to proceed with military action without Parliament's approval.

Government figures hoped it would allay concerns about the legality of the strikes and pave the way for a less hostile response from MPs.

Yesterday, several senior Conservatives who had previously opposed military intervention against Bashar al-Assad rallied around the Prime Minister, praising the action taken in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Speaking in Downing Street, Mrs May said her appearance in the Commons would "give parliamentarians the opportunity to question me about this. I believe it was right to take the action that we have done in the timing that we have done, as I have indicated, in relation to assessment planning and operational security," she said. "And it was to send a very clear message about the use of these chemical weapons." Drawing a link with last month's nerve agent attack on a former spy and his daughter in Salisbury, Mrs May added: "We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised - either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere."

Mrs May also insisted the move was in "Britain's national interest. "We must reinstate the global consensus that chemical weapons cannot be used".

Telegraph

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
BOMB BRIEFING: US Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. speaks during a news conference about the Syria air strikes at The Pentagon yesterday. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

WESTERN powers have said their missile attacks on Saturday struck at the heart of Syria's chemical weapons program, but the restrained assault appeared unlikely to halt Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's progress in the 7-year-old civil war.

The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week ago, targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities, including a research and development center in Damascus' Barzeh district and two installations near Homs.

The bombing was the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and his superpower ally Russia, but the three countries said the strikes were limited to Syria's chemical weapons capabilities and not aimed at toppling Assad or intervening in the civil war.

The air attack, denounced by Damascus and its allies as an illegal act of aggression, was unlikely to alter the course of a multisided war that has killed at least half a million people.

Expand Close A picture showing the wreckage of a building described as part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, during a press tour organised by the Syrian information ministry yesterday. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A picture showing the wreckage of a building described as part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, during a press tour organised by the Syrian information ministry yesterday. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump called the operation a success.

He proclaimed on Twitter: "Mission accomplished," echoing former President George W. Bush, whose use of the same phrase in 2003 to describe the U.S. invasion of Iraq was widely ridiculed as violence there dragged on for years.

Expand Close Damascus skies erupt with service to air missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus. Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP Photo / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Damascus skies erupt with service to air missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus. Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP Photo

"We believe that by hitting Barzeh, in particular, we've attacked the heart of the Syrian chemicals weapon program," U.S. Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie said at the Pentagon.

However, McKenzie acknowledged elements of the program remain and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Trump told her that if Syria uses poisonous gas again, "The United States is locked and loaded."

The Western countries said the strikes were aimed at preventing more Syrian chemical weapons attacks after a suspected poison gas attack in Douma on April 7 killed up to 75 people. They blame Assad's government for the attack.

In Washington, a senior administration official said on Saturday that "while the available information is much greater on the chlorine use, we do have significant information that also points to sarin use" in the attack.

Speaking at a summit in Peru, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence seemed less sure of the use of sarin, saying that Washington may well determine that it was used along with chlorine.

ASSAD 'RESILIENCE'

Ten hours after the missiles hit, smoke was still rising from the remains of five destroyed buildings of the Syrian Scientific Research Center in Barzeh, where a Syrian employee said medical components were developed.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Syria released video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption "Morning of resilience".

Late on Saturday Syria time, a large explosion was heard in a Syrian government-controlled area in a rural region south of Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory said the cause of the explosion was unknown, as well as its target.

Russian and Iranian military help over the past three years has allowed Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.

The United States, Britain and France have all participated in the Syrian conflict for years, arming rebels, bombing Islamic State fighters and deploying troops on the ground to fight that group. But they have refrained from targeting Assad's government, apart from a volley of U.S. missiles last year.

Although the Western countries have all said for seven years that Assad must leave power, they held back in the past from striking his government, lacking a wider strategy to defeat him.

Syria and its allies also made clear that they considered the attack a one-off, unlikely to do meaningful harm to Assad.

A senior official in a regional alliance that backs Damascus told Reuters the sites that were targeted had been evacuated days ago thanks to a warning from Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the strikes were "unacceptable and lawless."

Syrian state media called them a "flagrant violation of international law," while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called it a crime and the Western leaders criminals.

Russia had promised to respond to any attack on its ally, but the Pentagon said no Russian air defense systems were used. Syria fired 40 unguided surface-to-air missiles - but only after the Western strikes had ended, the Pentagon said.

"We are confident that all of our missiles reached their targets," McKenzie said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May described the strike as "limited and targeted," with no intention of toppling Assad or intervening more widely in the war.

Washington described the strike targets as a center near Damascus for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weapons; a chemical weapons storage site near the city of Homs; and another site near Homs that stored chemical weapons equipment and housed a command post.

The Pentagon said there had been chemical weapons agents at one of the targets, and that the strikes had significantly crippled Syria's ability to produce such weapons.

Trump spoke to May and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss results of the strikes, the leaders' offices said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Security Council members to exercise restraint and avoid escalation in Syria, but said allegations of chemical weapons use demand an investigation.

In Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged Russia to drop its "pretence" that Syria was not behind the chemical attack on Douma and use its influence to force the Assad government to destroy its chemical weapons.

"Russia has used its position as a member of the United Nations Security Council to veto resolutions designed to ensure that this chemical weapons crime is thoroughly investigated and cannot be repeated," he told a news conference on Sunday.

"It should stop all the denial and the pretence that it wasn't an action by the Syrian government and ensure that the chemical weapons are destroyed, that the ability of the regime to use chemical weapons is eliminated and that this type of criminal conduct does not occur again."

WEAPONS INSPECTIONS

Inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW were due to try to visit Douma on Saturday to inspect the site of the suspected gas attack. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for their findings.

Russia, whose relations with the West have deteriorated to levels of Cold War-era hostility, has denied any gas attack took place in Douma and even accused Britain of staging it to whip up anti-Russian hysteria.

The Western countries took precautions to avoid unexpected conflict with Russia. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said Russians was warned beforehand to avert conflict.

Dmitry Belik, a Russian member of parliament who was in Damascus and witnessed the strikes, told Reuters: "The attack was more of a psychological nature rather than practical. Luckily there are no substantial losses or damages."

In Douma, site of the suspected gas attack, the last buses were due on Saturday to transport out rebels and their families who agreed to surrender the town, state TV reported. That effectively ends all resistance in the suburbs of Damascus known as eastern Ghouta, marking one of the biggest victories for Assad's government of the war.

The Western assault involved more missiles than a U.S. attack last year but struck targets limited to Syria's chemical weapons facilities. The U.S. intervention last year had effectively no impact on the war.

Syria agreed in 2013 to give up its chemical weapons after a nerve gas attack killed hundreds of people in Douma. Damascus is still permitted to have chlorine for civilian use, although its use as a weapon is banned. Allegations of Assad's chlorine use have been frequent during the war although, unlike nerve agents, chlorine did not produce mass casualties as seen last week.
This day generally occurs on the 14th April or 15th April, and is celebrated in both Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, as well as among Bengali communities in the other Indian states, including Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand and Odisha.

On this occasion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended good wishes to the entire Bengali community.

The Bengali calendar is loosely tied with the Hindu Vedic solar calendar, based on the Surya Siddhanta. As with many other variants of the Hindu solar calendar, the Bengali calendar commences in mid-April of the Gregorian year. The first day of the Bengali year therefore coincides with the mid-April new year in Mithila, Assam, Burma, Cambodia, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Odisha, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Thailand.



The development of the Bengali calendar is often attributed to King of Gour or Gauda, Shashanka as the starting date falls squarely within his reign.



Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, the renowned grandson of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, who was the 3rd Mughal Emperor, introduced the Bengali Calendar.



In regards of relatively easier tax collection, Akbar changed the practice of agricultural tax collection according to Hijri calendar and ordered an improvement of the calendar because the Hijri calendar, being a lunar calendar did not agree with the harvest sessions and eventually the farmers faced severe difficulties in paying taxes out of season.



The Bengali New Year begins at dawn, and the day is marked with wishing, greeting and seeking blessings from elders.



Several cultural programmes are hosted in different communities in Kolkata with singing, processions and fairs dominating them. Ladies are witnessed clad in white saris with red borders and men clad in dhuti and kurta take part in the Probhat Pheri or early morning processions to welcome the first day of the year.



Traditionally, businesses start this day with a new ledger, clearing out the old debts. The shops generally hosts a 'puja' and invites the customers to clear old debts.



Food is an important element of the day, since no celebrations in India are complete without food. Several Bengali cuisines are prepared at Bengali homes with sweets being a compulsory item to go along.



On this day, people wear new clothes and go about socialising.



Choitro, the last month of the previous Bengali year, is the month of hectic activities and frantic purchases. Garment traders organise a Choitro sale to attract consumers with heavy discounts.



This day being auspicious also witnesses the start of new businesses and new ventures. The Mahurat is performed, marking the beginning of new ventures.



The Bengali Hindu traders purchase new accounting book. The accounting in the halkhata begins only after offering puja. Mantras are chanted and "Hindu swastika" are drawn on the accounting book by the priests.



Long queues of devotees are seen in front of the Kalighat and Dakshineshwar temple from late night. Devotees offer puja to receive the blessings of the almighty in the new year.



Long queues are also spotted in front of restaurants and other food joints in Kolkata.


New Delhi, Apr 15 (IBNS): As part of the ongoing IAF exercise Gaganshakti-2018, in a joint operation, the IAF and Indian Army Parachute Brigade undertook a Battalion level airborne assault on the evening and night of Saturday, in the desert sector.

This assault included paradrop of 560 paratroopers, combat vehicles and GPS guided cargo platforms.

The landing force was dropped behind the simulated enemy lines to soften up the likely resistance to our own armoured offensive.

The airborne force comprised six C-130J and seven An-32 aircraft launched from multiple IAF bases.

The force was provided aerial surveillance by AWACS and protected by a Flight of SU-30 Air Superiority Fighters.

Airborne operations are a means of aerial insertion of troops, equipment or supplies directly into the battle zone.

Airborne operations are high risk operations which are based on accurate intelligence, dynamic air dominance by own forces and criticality of requirement by ground forces.

Thecassault is a subset of Airborne Operations wherein combat troops and equipment are para dropped into the tactical battle area. These troops have specific tasks like disrupting enemy lines of communication, capture/ destruction of critical enemy infrastructure.

"The accuracy and outcome of the mission highlights IAFs multi spectral capabilities and its efficiency in providing timely support to ground forces," an IAF statement said.
New Delhi, Apr 15 (IBNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignation of its two cabinet ministers- Lal Singh and CP Ganga- who took part in a rally supporting those accused of raping and killing a young girl in Kathua.

The resignations of Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister CP Ganga were earlier handed over to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

She has reportedly accepted their resignations.

Earlier, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, who was here to attend the partys legislature meeting, said that resignation letters are now being forwarded to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

The alleged rape and murder of minor Asifa in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua area has left the nation shocked.

Meanwhile, candle light marches are being conducted in several Indian cities on Sunday to protest against the alleged rape incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Unnao area in Uttar Pradesh.

Marches are reportedly taking place New Delhi and Mumbai, apart from several other Indian cities.

Away from Kathua incident, BJP lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly raping a minor girl in Unnao town of the state.
New Delhi, Apr 15 (IBNS): Before leaving for Sweden and the UK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he is hopeful that the visits to the two nation will be useful in enhancing our engagement with these countries.

"I am confident that these visits to Sweden and UK will be useful in enhancing our engagement with these countries," Modi said prior to his visit to Sweden.

He will be visiting Sweden and the United Kingdom for bilateral meetings and for the India-Nordic Summit and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

He will visit the two nations between Apr 17-20.

Apart from these two nations, he will also visit Germany on Apr 20 briefly.

"At the suggestion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making a brief stopover in Berlin on 20 April after completing his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his visit, PM will meet Chancellor Merkel and the two leaders will exchange views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues," read a statement issued by the MEA.

"This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Chancellor Merkel began her fourth term on 14 March 2018," it said.


New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General has called on the international community to avoid actions which could escalate the crisis in Syria and deepen the suffering of its people.

Antonio Guterres made the appeal late on Friday evening just hours after the United States, France and Britain launched air strikes targeting sites associated with the countrys chemical weapons capabilities.

Theres an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general. The UN Charter is very clear on these issues, Guterres said.

"The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. I call on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility. I urge all Member States to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people.

The joint operation by the United States, France and the United Kingdom, was in response to a suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma last week.

UN partner the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has deployed a fact-finding mission to the area.

Guterres deplored the use of chemical weapons, which he described as abhorrent.

Earlier on Friday, the Secretary-General had called on the Security Council to create an independent body to determine who had used chemical weapons in Syria.

Last October, the Council failed to renew the mandate of a UN-OPCW body, known as the Joint Inspection Mechanism, which was established three years ago.

I have repeatedly expressed my deep disappointment that the Security Council failed to agree on a dedicated mechanism for effective accountability for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, his statement said.

I urge the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and fill this gap.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): In an address to an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned against the crisis in Syria spiraling out of control."

The meeting was held following overnight airstrikes in Syria launched by the United States, with support from France and the United Kingdom, which targeted installations connected to the countrys chemical weapons capabilities.

It was called by Russia which failed to get the other 14 Council members to adopt a resolution condemning the airstrikes.

Speaking prior to the vote on the draft resolution, the Secretary-General urged countries to avoid actions that would escalate the situation in Syria and worsen the suffering of its people.

As Secretary-General of the United Nations, it is my duty to remind Member States that there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general, he told ambassadors, echoing a statement issued in the wake of the airstrikes.



As I did yesterday, I stress the need to avoid the situation from spiraling out of control," he continued, referring to a meeting held on Friday, one of five times the Council met this week to take up the question of Syria.

The US and its allies launched the airstrikes in response to last weeks suspected chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said its partners reported some 500 people there had exhibited signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals.

More than 70 people sheltering in basements have reportedly died, with 43 of those deaths related to symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals, according to an agency statement on Wednesday.

UN partner the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has dispatched a fact-finding team to the location.

The airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations, but the Secretary-General said the UN is unable to independently verify these details or if there were any casualties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the airstrikes as an act of aggression, the countrys representative informed the Council.

This is hooliganism in international relations, and not minor hooliganism given that were talking about major nuclear powers, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

Several strikes were conducted against the scientific research centre in Barzeh and Jamraya. Recently, two inspections by the OPCW were conducted with unimpeded access to all facilities. Experts didnt find any trace of activity that would contravene the chemical weapons convention. The scientific facilities in Syria are used only for peaceful activity which is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the economic activity of Syria.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley defended the joint operation with France and the UK, expressing confidence that the airstrikes had crippled Syrias chemical weapons programme.

With yesterdays military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons, she said.

Last night, we obliterated the major research facility that it used to assemble weapons of mass murder. I spoke to the President this morning and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded. When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line.

For UK Ambassador Karen Pierce, Syria has presented one of the most serious challenges to international efforts on non-proliferation.

A State Party has violated the chemical weapons convention, it has defied the Security Council, and it has broken international law . Repeated attempts over several years to hold them to account have been meet with Russian obstruction and resistance. We have repeatedly in this Council attempted to overcome this obstruction, without success.

The Syrian crisis is now in its eighth year, and is the most serious threat to international peace and security, as the UN chief stated in his briefing.

In Syria, we see confrontations and proxy wars involving several national armies, a number of armed opposition groups, many national and international militia, foreign fighters from everywhere in the world, and various terrorist organizations, he said.

The Secretary-General reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis, only a political one.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the three allies will submit a draft resolution aimed at finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

When it ordered the chemical attack on 7 April, the Syrian regime knew fully what it was doing. Once again, it wanted to test the limit of tolerance of the international community  and it found it, he said.

In the face of this attack on the principles and values and the laws underpinning the action of the United Nations, the silence was no longer a solution. We cannot no longer tolerate the trivialization of the use of chemical weapons which presents an immediate danger to the Syrian people and to our collective security.

UN Photo/Manuel Elias
Tel Aviv, Apr 15 (IBNS): Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his 'full support' to the decision taken by US President Donald Trump and several other western powers over conducting air strikes in Syria in connection with alleged use of chemical weapons in the country recently.

PM of Israel Twitter page quoted Netanyahu as saying: "Israel fully supports President Trump's decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Israel welcomes the participation of British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emanuel Macron in this action."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

Israel fully supports President Trump's decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Israel welcomes the participation of British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emanuel Macron in this action.  PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 15, 2018

He said he has spoken to British PM Theresa May over the issue.

"I spoke with British PM May and told her that the important international message of the attack is zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons. I added that this policy needs to also be expressed in preventing terrorist states and groups from having nuclear abilities," he said.

I spoke with British PM May and told her that the important international message of the attack is zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons. I added that this policy needs to also be expressed in preventing terrorist states and groups from having nuclear abilities.  PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 15, 2018

Warning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, he said: "I reiterated that the main element subverting the Middle East more than any other is Iran, and that President Assad must understand that when he allows Iran and its proxies to establish a military presence in Syria, he endangers both Syria and the stability of the entire region."

I reiterated that the main element subverting the Middle East more than any other is Iran, and that President Assad must understand that when he allows Iran and its proxies to establish a military presence in Syria, he endangers both Syria and the stability of the entire region.  PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 15, 2018

Meanwhile, in an address to an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned against the crisis in Syria spiraling out of control."

The meeting was held following overnight airstrikes in Syria launched by the United States, with support from France and the United Kingdom, which targeted installations connected to the countrys chemical weapons capabilities.

It was called by Russia which failed to get the other 14 Council members to adopt a resolution condemning the airstrikes.

Speaking prior to the vote on the draft resolution, the Secretary-General urged countries to avoid actions that would escalate the situation in Syria and worsen the suffering of its people.

As Secretary-General of the United Nations, it is my duty to remind Member States that there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general, he told ambassadors, echoing a statement issued in the wake of the airstrikes.



As I did yesterday, I stress the need to avoid the situation from spiraling out of control," he continued, referring to a meeting held on Friday, one of five times the Council met this week to take up the question of Syria.

The US and its allies launched the airstrikes in response to last weeks suspected chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said its partners reported some 500 people there had exhibited signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals.

More than 70 people sheltering in basements have reportedly died, with 43 of those deaths related to symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals, according to an agency statement on Wednesday.

UN partner the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has dispatched a fact-finding team to the location.

The airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations, but the Secretary-General said the UN is unable to independently verify these details or if there were any casualties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the airstrikes as an act of aggression, the countrys representative informed the Council.

This is hooliganism in international relations, and not minor hooliganism given that were talking about major nuclear powers, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

Several strikes were conducted against the scientific research centre in Barzeh and Jamraya. Recently, two inspections by the OPCW were conducted with unimpeded access to all facilities. Experts didnt find any trace of activity that would contravene the chemical weapons convention. The scientific facilities in Syria are used only for peaceful activity which is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the economic activity of Syria.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley defended the joint operation with France and the UK, expressing confidence that the airstrikes had crippled Syrias chemical weapons programme.

With yesterdays military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons, she said.

Last night, we obliterated the major research facility that it used to assemble weapons of mass murder. I spoke to the President this morning and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded. When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line.

For UK Ambassador Karen Pierce, Syria has presented one of the most serious challenges to international efforts on non-proliferation.

A State Party has violated the chemical weapons convention, it has defied the Security Council, and it has broken international law . Repeated attempts over several years to hold them to account have been meet with Russian obstruction and resistance. We have repeatedly in this Council attempted to overcome this obstruction, without success.

The Syrian crisis is now in its eighth year, and is the most serious threat to international peace and security, as the UN chief stated in his briefing.

In Syria, we see confrontations and proxy wars involving several national armies, a number of armed opposition groups, many national and international militia, foreign fighters from everywhere in the world, and various terrorist organizations, he said.

The Secretary-General reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis, only a political one.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the three allies will submit a draft resolution aimed at finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

When it ordered the chemical attack on 7 April, the Syrian regime knew fully what it was doing. Once again, it wanted to test the limit of tolerance of the international community  and it found it, he said.

In the face of this attack on the principles and values and the laws underpinning the action of the United Nations, the silence was no longer a solution. We cannot no longer tolerate the trivialization of the use of chemical weapons which presents an immediate danger to the Syrian people and to our collective security.



Image: Benjamin Netanyahu Twitter page
Brampton, Apr 15 (IBNS)  Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North, wished all Bramptonians and Canadians from coast to coast a joyous Vaisakhi yesterday.

A press release issued by the MPs office stated: Vaisakhi celebrates the founding in 1699 of the Khalsa  the community of baptized Sikhs  by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Today, family and friends will gather to pray in gurdwaras and in the coming weeks participate in nagar kirtans.

We are fortunate to live in a country like Canada where we can celebrate our festivals and share our culture, traditions and language with all Canadians, while upholding and exemplifying the tenets of Sikhism  Naam Japo, Kirat Karo and Vand Chakko, the release said.

Sikhism is rooted in equality, unity, selfless service and social justice  values that all Canadians hold dearly and strive to incorporate into daily life.

Canada is home to one of the largest Sikh populations in the world and today marks a day to celebrate their immense contribution to the history of the country.

(Reporting by Sayantan Banerjee)
Sayantan Banerjee

Toronto, Apr 15 (IBNS)  Administrations across southern Ontario today sent out a stay home warning to residents in the wake of yesterdays ice storm that brought back chilling memories of the December-January snow storms.

Just when people were getting ready to welcome spring, the weather gods served an ominous warning by sending down ice pellets and freezing rain that will continue till tomorrow.

Officials warned people to be careful as a combination of rain, freezing rain and ice pellets slammed the area for the second consecutive day, media reports said.

The weather system encompasses an area from Windsor, Ontario, all the way into Quebec and as far as North Bay.

More than 35,000 customers in the province are without power as of this afternoon, as Hydro One works to restore it. Hundreds of collisions have been reported from across the GTA.

The power utility body said Sunday morning could result in more outages throughout the day.

The freezing rain is expected to turn into rain by the afternoon and continue into Monday morning, which could have an impact on morning commute.

Weather experts said the rainfall will likely make things worse before they get better.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said clean-up staff are working well-equipped to handle the situation, despite not being at peak winter capacity.

We just have to hope the rest of the weather event is something that we can get through, and then maybe spring will actually be here, he told reporters today.

Toronto's Pearson and Billy Bishop airports are requesting passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. More than 480 flights was cancelled at Pearson since yesterday morning.

Tory said crews are trying to keep the catch basins clear of snow and ice pellets to avoid possible flooding on city streets.

(Reporting by Sayantan Banerjee)


Every now and then, stories of communal apathy threaten to thwart our faith in humanity. But the world is not totally devoid of people who work towards building a secular world. As humans, our capacity to love and empathise know no limits. To that end, these stories of interfaith harmony will fill you with hope of a better tomorrow.

1. A temple, mosque and gurdwara join hands to clean a polluted river

Three communities have joined hands to clean a polluted river called Kathina in Uttar Pradesh. It is often used as a dumping site. It is situated near a religious campus where a temple, a mosque and a gurdwara are located in Maholi in Sitapur. Volunteers from all these faiths recently came together to kickstart a cleaning drive on March 14. Read more

times now

2. Muslims in a small village weave garlands for temples

A Muslim community of a small village in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand has been weaving garlands for temples. Around 40 families have been growing flowers and making garlands for Hindu temples in and around the district for the last 40 years. Read more

pti

3. Muslims and Hindus help each other in restoring business in Asansol

Political parties engaged in a war of words over the Ram Navami clashes in West Burdwan. But a Muslim trader did better and donated Rs. 10,000 each to 12 people, including Hindus, to help them restart their businesses. Read more

times now

4. Muslim villagers guard a Shiva temple in Uttar Pradesh

Setting an example of unity in diversity, Hindus and Muslims participate in feasts together at a Shiva temple in the Bhamrawa village. Not only this, the Muslims also guard the temple and cooperate and participate in religious rituals. Read more

bccl

5. Church and mosque open doors for Hindus to celebrate Attukal Pongala

As thousands of women celebrated Attukal Pongala by making offerings in makeshift brick stoves, a church and a mosque opened their doors for the devotees to help them set up the stoves inside their compounds. The St. Joseph Cathedral and the Palayam Juma Masjid set a brilliant example of communal harmony. Read more

bccl

6. Hindus offer land to make way for a mosque in Uttar Pradesh

In Sant Kabir Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, Hindus gave away land to help the construction of a mosque to make it easier for Muslims to offer namaz. Till now, the Muslims were visiting another mosque by crossing vacant lots of private land. As their population increased, these landowners constructed boundary walls which led to the closure of the path. Read more

toi

7. Muslims cover Aligarh mosque on Holi to avoid communal clashes

Around Holi, throwing colour-filled balloons at mosques in Aligarh have led to communal clashes in the past. This year, a decades-old Sabji Mandi mosque in the state was covered in cloth to ensure peace on the day of the Hindu festival. Read more

toi

8. Lucknow Muslims shift Friday namaz timings on Holi

To ensure the Hindu festival of Holi played out without any disharmony, the Muslim community in Lucknow shifted their namaz timings on Friday - the same day as Holi. Clerics urged mosques in the state to do so by taking into consideration the Hindu community's sentiments. Read more

bccl

9. Muslim man in Ahmedabad renovated Hanuman temple

Moin Memon set a great example of communal harmony when he renovated a Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad. The renovation of the 500-year-old temple was successfully completed and Memon felt extremely proud to have been a part of its restoration. Read more

ani

10. Hindus donate land and Sikh fund the construction of a mosque

In Punjab, Brahmins in Moom village of the Barnala district donated land for the construction of a mosque. The Sikh community also contributed funds for its construction. Once the mosque is built, the area will have places of worship for all three communities next to each other. Read more

toi

11. Muslims and Hindus gather in peace to offer gratitude to saints

The masjid of Surla-Tar in Goa is open to both Muslims and Hindus. In a five-day long Shigmo festival, the last day usually culminates in a procession to the mosque. Hindu villagers pay gratitude to the saint for bridging the gap between them and the Muslims. Read more

itsgoa

When people belonging to different faiths uphold humanity, no forces of nature can break them apart. Hats off to these people for showing the rest of us what communal love looks like.
Forget roller-coasters, water rides take the stomach-flipping to the next level. While water parks are a great place to hang with your family, the water rides really do bring out the daredevil in you. But do you have what it takes to ride these, the 11 scariest water rides in the world?

Read on and decide.

1. The Verruckt - Schlitterbahn, Kansas City

Standing 168 feet 7 inches tall, this ride is the worlds tallest water slide that also made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records. The starting point was taller than Niagara Falls and the slide reached a maximum speed of 104.6 km/h. The ride was, however, shut down indefinitely following a boys death in 2016.

2. Insano - Beach Park, Brazil

The name was probably inspired by the word insane because how else would you fathom a ride thats 140 feet tall, and was once the worlds tallest? The ride also plummets downward at a speed of 104.6 km/h and reaches the pool below within 4 to 5 seconds.

3. The Scorpions Tail - Noahs Ark Waterpark, Wisconsin

This ride is 10 storeys high and 400-feet long! The initial fall sends you dropping 50 feet per second so you can imagine the death-inducing screams onboard this ride. It takes 5 to 7 seconds to reach the ground below.

4. Brain Wash - Wet n Wild Water Park, Florida

Orlando is not only home to Universal and Disney World, but also to Wet n Wild Water Park, which is considered Americas first water park. It is home to Brain Wash which is a funnelled ride that includes sound, videos, and lights but also a 53-foot vertical drop that leaves people gasping for breath.

5. Twister and Speedy  Sonnetherme Lutzmannsburg Thermal Spa, Austria

The Speedy water ride plummets you from a 75-foot platform that stands at a staggering 460 feet. On the other hand, Twister - though it's not as fast as Speedy -it is one of the longest indoor slides in Europe and stretches over 660 feet.





6. Aqualoop - Terme 3000 Adventure Pool Complex, Slovenia

Aqualoop is one of the fastest water slides in the world and has a 360-degree loop through which you make your way down. It is the fourth-fastest water slide in Europe and takes all of seven seconds to finish.

7. Faser - Galaxy Erding, Germany

This water slide is situated in Galaxy Erding just outside the town of Munich. Twenty rides make up Galaxy Erding and there are three levels to choose from. Those who love the thrill of adventure should try Faser, which has speeds of 75 km/h.

8. Summit Plummet - Disneys Blizzard Beach, Florida

It's the park's most fearsome ride that plummets you down a 120-feet slope. The water slide shoots its riders down a free-fall at a speed of 96 km/h but those who want a more thrilling experience can attach a speedometer to know their exact speed.

9. Jumeirah Sceirah  Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai

This 390-foot water slide takes a few seconds to complete but offers some of the most stunning views of the water park. Rides can reach up to 80 km/h of a speedy descent through a tube where the floor simply vanishes beneath your feet.

10. Leap of Faith  Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

This stays true to its name as it thrusts riders down a vertical, 60-foot drop. The slide starts at the top of the Atlantis Mayan Temple. Then it plummets the riders through a tunnel that's submerged in a lagoon housing sharks.

11. The L2 - Worgler Wasserwelt, Austria

L2 is the world's first-ever double-looping water slide. It is the most extreme slide where riders stand in the tube launch capsule, cross their arms, hold their breath, and wait excitedly for the floor to disappear beneath them. They then hurtle down the slide.

Do you have it in you to race down these extreme water rides?
It's easy and obvious to feel shaken once you've lost a limb and in such cases, only your family can save you from sinking. But life isn't about what you want it to be.

L Selvanathan met with an accident 18 years ago. It left him paralysed, for the rest of his life. If that wasn't enough, he was also abandoned by his family following the mishap.

However, nothing could uproot his unwavering determination and stop him from following his dreams.

Coimbatore: Abandoned by family, paraplegic man lights up his life https://t.co/7Li8BZs5tk via @TOICitiesNews pic.twitter.com/4sstEms1Xs  Times of India (@timesofindia) April 15, 2018

Sitting in a small room inside a corporation night shelter here, the 43-year-old man has earned a few lakh rupees by assembling LED bulbs and selling them to companies across the country.

With the help of some sponsors, he completed an order of assembling 600 LED bulbs for a company in New Delhi last year.

A native of Udumalpettai, Selvanathan has an elder brother and four younger sisters. My mother died when I was in class VIII. I had to discontinue my studies after her death and began working in mills and other companies. I even went to Chennai and worked as a crane driver. It was there that I met a man named Gunashekar, who taught me electrical work. He taught me how to assemble home appliances, he told TOI.

In 2000, he met with an accident that damaged his spinal cord. I became paralysed. I was undergoing treatment at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. After my family got to know that I wont be able to walk again, I was abandoned. They stopped visiting me. I was admitted in various charitable homes in the city, he said.

M Arul Mary Philomena, a good Samaritan, rescued him and allowed him to stay in a room near her house. She even helped me get some work, he said.

phys

Selvanathan said that he did not like being idle and always wanted to support himself. Even though I could not walk, I wanted to do something and prove to the society that I am capable, he said.

More than the society, he wanted to earn some money and then get back with his family someday. Another inmate of the shelter, N Neelakantan, a retired government official, helped Selvanathan get the orders.

We checked online for some companies and paid a deposit of Rs 25,000. They sent us all the raw materials and we assembled them. But, since he is alone, we could only assemble 100 a month. They cancelled the order as we were sending smaller consignments. We have already started looking for companies in Coimbatore that can give us job work, said Neelankaantan.

Selvanathan's grit and resolve prove that you can do anything you set your heart on.

With inputs from CNN
Are You Even Worthy Of Rape?

The question is outrageous, and rightly so.

What goes through the mind of an eight-year-old girl, when she is kidnapped and gang raped for days? What is an eight-month-old infant thinking when a teenage from neighbourhood sexually assaults her on the pretext of safeguarding her while her mother is away for work? Or what is an eighty-year old woman thinking when she is raped by a boy?

Were they worthy of being raped?

As most men have defined it, a woman wearing fitted or short clothes is worthy of being raped, a woman eating Chow Mein is worthy of being raped, women using mobiles and social media are worthy of being raped and apparently, bad stars too make a woman being worthy of rape.

To put it into context, Surendra Singh, BJPs MLA from Bairia in Uttar Pradesh, recently said that to the media that his colleague Kuldeep Sengar, the MLA from Bangarmau, is unquestionably innocent of the charges of raping a 17-year-old girl in Unnao.

He, categorically said: I am speaking from a psychological point of view, no one can rape a mother of three children. It is not possible, this is a conspiracy against him (Kuldeep Sengar). Yes, maybe her father was thrashed by some people but I refuse to believe rape charge.

Did he mean that a woman of three children is not appealing enough to be raped?

Millions of women, like me, spend most of their lives thinking of dos and donts that may lead to molestation or rape. We think what we should be wearing, or how we should be talking or how we should be behaving to not let out a signal that we were asking for it.

In 2014, before Manohar Lal Khattar became chief minister of Haryana, he told an election rally: "If a girl is dressed decently, a boy will not look at her in the wrong way. If they want freedom, why don't they just roam around naked? Freedom has to be limited. These short clothes are Western influences. Our country's tradition asks girls to dress decently."

We all have read sickening theories about what leads to rape. But what is not being as discussed as those theories is that what men think when they decide whom to rape. As revealed to us by Singh, rapeability of women is something men do think about. To Singh, the idea of raping a mother of three is as absurd as a man going to the Sun. Out of question.

The grotesque sexual assault on an 8-month-old baby in Delhi in January prompted serious soul-searching. The child's parents had gone to work leaving their daughter in the care of their sister-in-law. It was the sister-in-law's son who raped the child. When the mother returned from work, she found her daughter lying unconscious in a pool of blood.

Was that eight-month-old baby asking for it or was she rapeable?

Modi: A Medical Textbook Of Jurisprudence And Toxicology, a textbook used for teaching in hospitals, and as a reference book in courts, is considered a bible in forensic medicine and reigns supreme in its field. The book states that it is extremely difficult to single-handedly rape a grown woman.

It is the same book that prescribed the two-finger test to establish rape as a must and, for years set the tone for rape trials.

Another book, Krishnans Handbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, defines rapeability of a woman. It says: As far as women from the low class [sic] are concerned, it is impossible to rape her because she is stronger.

How many times have you heard your male friends discussing, Who would even date her? Look at her teeth, or She is so fat theres no chance anyone wants to sleep with her, or She is so dark, cant be molested.?

It seems, for some, looks play a significant part while determining who is worthy of a date, molestation or rape, and apparently, men do spend a significant part of their lives thinking whom to date and whom to rape.

Also, how often have you heard your female friends or colleagues vehemently discussing another female jo us ladke se kaise chipak ke baat kar rahi thi. Aise mein rape nahi hoga toh kya hoga? Baad mein royegi.

For instance, I was once discussing the recent spate of rapes in the country with my male friend. As we started talking about the mindset of rapists, he said, When we were in school we would think about rapes as a thing that excites you. Our movies show it like that. They turn it into a fantasy by sexualising it and it is no longer perceived as a crime. Back then, we did not have enough brain to understand what rape actually is. I had no reply but of course yes, our cinema culture does glorify rapes.

As the conversation moved to extracting revenge by raping someones daughter, mother, sister or wife, as is the fashion, I remarked that as a woman, no matter how upset I am with someone and that I may have killed that person a hundred times in my head, I would not think of going out and raping their son or brother.

My words sounded exceptionally awkward and were followed by a long Hmmmmm.

According to a Human Rights Watch report titled Attacks On Dalit Women: A Pattern Of Impunity, Singularly positioned at the bottom of Indias caste, class, and gender hierarchies, largely uneducated and consistently paid less than their male counterparts, Dalit women make up the majority of landless laborers and scavengers, as well as a significant percentage of the women forced into prostitution in rural areas or sold into urban brothels.

Hence, caste too is a determining factor in rapeability of a woman.

Bhanwari Devis case is a typical example of the influence of caste bias on the justice system and the inability of lower-caste women to obtain redress.

On September 22, 1992, in the presence of her husband, Bhanwari was gang raped by members of the Gurjar family in retaliation for her intervention in the child marriage. Upon approaching the police, Bhanwari was told, however, that she was too old and unattractive to merit the attention of young men. In 1995, a trial judge acquitted the accused on the reasoning that, rape is usually committed by teenagers, and since the accused are middle-aged and therefore respectable, they could not have committed the crime. An upper-caste man could not have defiled himself by raping a lower-caste woman.

The court here was purely motivated with the disbelief that such crimes could actually take place.

In the well-known Suman Rani custodial rape case, the Supreme Court refused to apply the minimum ten-year sentence to the police officers charged because of the victims questionable character. The courts opinion quoted a medical officer who testified that the victim girl [was] used to frequent intercourse and parturition and there was no mark of violence of sexual assault on any part of her body.

F***ability and rapeability go hand in hand here.

No matter how crude and frightening it may seem, for the virile, rape has merely become a pastime where they can pick, allot a percentage of rapeability and sexually abuse a woman.

So, after profoundly considering the criteria of rapeability, was that infant asking for it? Was she dressed inappropriately to invite rape? Or did that elderly woman give out a signal? Going by all the factors as listed out here, I am not quite sure what happened there.
While the nation is reeling under the horror of Kathua and Unnao rape cases, another gory incident of rape has surfaced from Surat in Gujarat, where an 11-year-old girl was raped and killed. Police found 86 injuries on her body with many on her private parts.

Reports say that girl was possibly tortured for at least a week before she was choked to death. The samples have been given to forensic test t ascertain whether she was drugged or not.

The girls body had 86 injury marks including ones on her private parts. Samples have been taken for forensic test to ascertain whether she was drugged or not, said Ganesh Govekar, Forensic Head, Civil Hospital was quoted as saying by ANI.

Police inspector BK Jhala said, "Even after eight days, the parents of the girl are yet to be identified. The police also believe that she was murdered somewhere else and the dead body has been thrown here. The victim's picture has been sent to the state police control room for identification process," said the ANI report.

He further added that a reward of Rs 20,000 has been announced for anyone providing information about the girl or her family.

Several other cases of rapes have surfaced across the country.
The Indian family which had gone missing is yet to be traced while the officials have found a womans body washed up near the Eel river. The authorities will do an autopsy in the coming week in order to identify it.

The family  Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, and their two kids Siddhanth, 12 and Saachi, 9  were on a road trip from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California when they reportedly went missing on April 5.

fb

Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site (Eel River flows in a northern direction), Californias Mendocino County Sheriffs Office said in a statement

Agencies have been looking for the Indian family for over a week now, but continuous rain in the area hindered their search. But as the water level went down, they recovered some personal items and numerous parts of the vehicle thought to be driven by the family.

The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior, the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said.

The office further shared: Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family.
India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking Sikh pilgrims' access to Indian diplomats and consular teams, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release today.

"A standard practice has been that the Indian High Commissions consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies. However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims," the MEA said.

AP/Representational Image

Around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims from India had traveled to Pakistan last Thursday to celebrate Baisakhi festival at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Rawalpindi district. However, Pakistani authorities have repeatedly blocked the Indian High Commission from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens.

"The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there," the MEA said.

The statement also detailed a snub to the Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, who was turned away while on his way to meet the pilgrims at the shrine on the grounds of security concerns.

"Moreover, on April 14, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route to the shrine, for unspecified security reasons," it stated.

Reuters/Representational Image

Terming the denial of access to its citizens an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy", India reminded Pakistan that it was violating the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the diplomatic Code of Conduct, which had been recently reaffirmed by both countries.

This is the latest incident of diplomatic hostility between India and Pakistan, soon after the two nations agreed to mutually resolve complaints of harassment of envoys.

The pilgrims are scheduled to return to India on April 21.

During their 10-day stay, they will also visit Sikh holy places including Gurudwara Janamesthan Nankana Sahib and Dera Sahib in Lahore.
Following the massive outcry in Delhi and Mumbai over Kathua and Unnao rape cases, people from Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai have joined in the protests demanding justice in the two rape cases.

The gangrape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua and the Unnao rape case has shaken the conscience of India, similar to that of the 2012 Nirbhaya rape case.

After Congress President Rahul Gandhi called for a peaceful candlelight vigil at India Gate on April 12, citizens across states came together in solidarity with the victims. Facing severe flak over lackadaisical approach in the two rape cases, prime minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath were forced to break their silence.

The two cases have dazed the collective conscience of people. As the demand for justice grows, people across states are holding protests voicing dissent over the atrocities committed against women.

PTI

If you planning to a be part of these protests, heres a quick lowdown of where to reach:

Not In My Name protest in Delhi

#Notinmyname citizens' protest on 15th April, 5pm, Parliament Street, Jantar Mantar Crossing, New Delhi against the rapes and murders in Kathua and Unnao. We the citizens of India demand justice in both the cases.Come join us in a #Notinmyname protest against the #Kathua and #Unnao rape and murder cases on Sunday, 15 April, 5pm, Parliament Street, New Delhi. If not now, then when?, reads their Facebook post.

Silent march in Kolkata

A silent march against the recent rape cases of Asifa, Unnao and Assam has been organised today in Kolkata. The march starts at 4pm. We gather outside Allen Park in Park Street & continue to march till Metro Y Channel. Your presence will matter a lot to showcase the mass protest against Crime Against Women. As they say, Together we can, & we will make a difference, reads their post.

Peaceful protest for Asifa & Unnao rape victim in Mumbai

A protest has been organised at 5 pm today at Carter Road in Maharashtra. Today it's someone else's daughter... Tomorrow it could be yours... Join us for a Peaceful Protest at CarterRoad, Bandra on Sunday, April 15th, 5 pm.

Please spread the word, reads their post.

PTI

Justice for Asifa rape case in Hyderabad

Citizens are joining protests at Tankbund to Sanjeev Vijay Park in Hyderabad against the rapists and non-democratic governments. The protests have already started at 1010 am

This is perhaps the most widespread outrage being witnessed over rape cases since the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case.
Apple's one of the most secretive companies in the world. They talk to you only when they talk to you, remaining extremely tight-lipped about product updates.

So you can imagine how hilarious this whole thing is -- Apple trying to warn its employees against leaking news to media, and when that warning itself gets leaked.

reuters

Bloomberg reported Friday on Apple's aggressive warnings to all its employees against leaking to the media, citing an internal memo circulated within Apple as proof the intense internal battle raging inside the world's most profitable company when it comes to controlling its own information.

According to the report, Apple posted a lengthy memo on its internal company blog that it "caught 29 leakers," last year and noted that 12 of those were arrested.

"These people not only lose their jobs, they can face extreme difficulty finding employment elsewhere," Apple added. Wow!

Clearly, Apple is very serious about internal leakers. According to the memo, leaked information about a new product can have a detrimental effect on sales of current models, not to mention give rivals more time to start work on a competitive response.

reuters

"We want the chance to tell our customers why the product is great, and not have that done poorly by someone else," Greg Joswiak, an Apple product marketing executive, said in the memo.

Only time will tell if Apple employees follow this new diktat. RIP Apple leaks. Or maybe not?
Cocoa (CC) Month Long Bull Flag Consolidation Near Complete Tradable Patterns - Thu Sep 30, 11:47PM CDT Cocoa (CC) surged more than 2% yesterday, closing above downchannel resistance (on the 4hr chart). Significantly, CC is on the brink of resolving the triangle (on the daily chart) to the upside, and... CCZ21 : 2,637 (-0.57%) NIB : 31.14 (+2.10%)

Senate confirms Biden pick to lead consumer watchdog agency AP - Thu Sep 30, 4:52PM CDT WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate narrowly approved President Joe Biden's pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday, giving the bureau a director who is likely to embrace an aggressive... $SPX : 4,307.54 (-1.19%) $DOWI : 33,843.92 (-1.59%) $IUXX : 14,689.62 (-0.43%)

Soybeans Close with Double Digit Losses Barchart - Thu Sep 30, 4:41PM CDT Soybeans gave back all of their pre-report gains on Thursday, ending the session 21 to 28 cents in the red. November contracts had a 46 cent range during the report day session. Soymeal prices ended the... ZSX21 : 1252-2 (-0.30%) ZSPAUS.CM : 12.0999 (-2.19%) ZSF22 : 1262-2 (-0.26%) ZSX21 : 1252-2 (-0.30%)

Hog Prices Close Higher Barchart - Thu Sep 30, 4:41PM CDT Thursday hog trading left the board $0.12 to $1.80 in the black. December was the strongest gainer on the day, though is still a $6.20 discount to October and a $1.82 discount to Feb. USDAs National... HEV21 : 91.600s (+0.88%) HEG22 : 87.225s (+1.69%) KMV21 : 110.400s (+1.08%)

JBS Foods cited after worker dies in Colorado chemical vat AP - Thu Sep 30, 3:43PM CDT GREELEY, Colo. (AP)  Meatpacker JBS Foods Inc. faces about $59,000 in fines after a worker fell into vat of chemicals used to process animal hides and died at one of the company's meat processing facilities... $SPX : 4,307.54 (-1.19%) $DOWI : 33,843.92 (-1.59%) $IUXX : 14,689.62 (-0.43%)

Natural Gas Prices Jump on Expectations for Strong Chinese Demand Barchart - Thu Sep 30, 2:21PM CDT November Nymex natural gas (NGX21 ) on Thursday closed up +0.390 (+7.12%). Nov nat-gas prices this morning recovered from early losses and moved sharply higher, and are just below Tuesday's 7-1/2 year... NGX21 : 5.940 (+1.24%)

Crude Closes Higher on Dollar Weakness and Chinese Demand Optimism Barchart - Thu Sep 30, 2:19PM CDT November WTI crude oil (CLX21 ) on Thursday closed up +0.20 (+0.27%), and November RBOB gasoline (RBX21 ) closed up +0.0190 (+0.87%). Nov WTI crude oil and Nov RBOB gasoline prices on Thursday settled... CLX21 : 74.36 (-0.89%) RBX21 : 2.1897 (-0.20%)
The Government is being urged to condemn air strikes in Syria carried out by the US, UK and France.

Those three countries took military action following a suspected chemical weapons attack in eastern Syria.
President Donald Trump has again called former FBI director James Comey a "slimeball" ahead of the publication of his new book.

Mr Trump's morning tweet comes before Mr Comey's interview with ABC to be broadcast in full on Sunday evening.

In an excerpt shown on Saturday, Mr Comey says his belief that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 presidential election was a factor in his decision to disclose the investigation into her emails.

In his tweet, Mr Trump says: "Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!"

The president had called Mr Comey an "untruthful slime ball" on Friday, after details first emerged of the memoir.

Mr Trump then added to his attacks on Mr Comey in a series of further tweets on Sunday.

He said: "The big questions in Comey's badly reviewed book aren't answered like, how come he gave up Classified Information (jail), why did he lie to Congress (jail), why did the DNC refuse to give Server to the FBI (why didn't they TAKE it), why the phony memos, McCabe's $700,000 & more?"

The president then tweeted: "I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His "memos" are self serving and FAKE!"

And he then tweeted: "Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!"

Mr Comey's book, A Higher Loyalty, says Mr Trump is "untethered to truth", and describes him as fixated in the early days of his presidency on having the FBI debunk salacious rumours he said were untrue but that could distress his wife.

In the book, Mr Comey compares Mr Trump to a mafia don and calls his leadership of the country "ego driven and about personal loyalty".

He also reveals new details about his interactions with Mr Trump and his own decision-making in handling the Hillary Clinton email investigation before the 2016 election.

He casts Mr Trump as a mobster-like figure who sought to blur the line between law enforcement and politics and tried to pressure him personally regarding his investigation into Russian election interference.

- PA
A deadly extremist attack on a UN military camp in northern Mali was "particularly sophisticated and underhanded", the French army has said.

Officials have said the attack on a camp for the UN mission known as Minusma in Timbuktu on Saturday left one peacekeeper dead and a number of wounded.
The UN Security Council has rejected a resolution tabled by Russia calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the United States and its allies against Syria.

Only three countries - Russia, China and Bolivia - voted in favour of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting of the 15-member council called by Russia on Saturday. Eight countries voted against and three abstained.

A resolution needs at least nine "yes" votes to be approved.

The vote reflected the deep divisions in the UN's most powerful body, which has been paralysed in dealing with the seven-year Syrian conflict and chemical weapons use in the country.

The US, Britain and France say they launched airstrikes against Syrian chemical sites after obtaining "proof" that poisonous gas was used last weekend in Douma, killing 41 civilians.

Russia and Syria claim the attack was fabricated.

A satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility in Syria on Saturday.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the UN meeting in New York that the US and its allies struck without waiting for an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, branding the attack "hooliganism".

But the US ambassador to the UN said President Donald Trump told her if the Syrian regime uses poisonous gas again, "the United States is locked and loaded" to strike again.

Nikki Haley said: "When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line."

She said the message from airstrikes that "crippled Syria's chemical weapons program" was "crystal clear".

"The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue using chemical weapons."

She accused Russia of defending Syrian President Bashar Assad and failing to ensure that Syria's chemical weapons were destroyed as the Assad regime had pledged in 2013.

Looking ahead, France's UN ambassador Francois Delattre said France, Britain and the United States would soon be presenting the Security Council with a new draft resolution aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict that addresses political, chemical and humanitarian issues.

A draft resolution circulated by the three countries would condemn all use of chemical weapons, especially the April 7 attack in Douma.

It would seek answers from Syria on gaps in its chemical weapons declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. And it would establish a new body to determine responsibility for chemical attacks, call for a cease-fire in Syria, unimpeded access for all humanitarian aid, and an urgent resumption of negotiations on a political settlement.

Mr Nebenzia responded saying the environment was "not very conducive for any rapprochement" and "the political and dangerous military situation we are in now" must be sorted out first.

"Once again, we demand an immediate stop to aggression and refrain from the illegal use of force in the future," he said.
Here is what we know so far:

- Strikes were launched by British, French and US forces at 2am Irish Time at three sites connected with the Syrian regime's chemical weapons programme.

- The first was at a scientific research centre in greater Damascus involved in the development and production of chemical weapons, the second at a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs, and the third at a chemical equipment storage facility and important command post.

- More than 100 missiles were collectively launched overnight from British, French and American forces in Syria.

An image provided by the Department of Defense and presented at the Pentagon briefing on Saturday showing the Barzah Research and Development Center in Syria that was struck by missiles

- Downing Street has published a document setting out why it says military action against the Syrian regime was legal, stating it has met three conditions permitted under international law.

- During telephone conversations on Saturday afternoon Theresa May, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron agreed the military strikes in Syria "had been a success".

- Britain used four Royal Air Force Tornados with Storm Shadow missiles in the air strikes, which they launched from the British RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

An image provided by the Department of Defense and presented at the Pentagon briefing on Saturday preliminary damage assessment from the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker in Syria.

- American Forces deployed B-1B Lancer bombers for last night's strike and used double the number of weapons than in a 2017 missile strike responding to the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack.

- French forces used Mirage and Rafale fighter jets with four frigate warships to launch 12 cruise missiles.

- Theresa May told a press conference in London that joining the bombing campaign with the United States and France was the "right thing for us to do" in the wake of the "harrowing" assault on Douma a week ago.

- UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised the British Prime Minister, describing the action as legally questionable. "Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace," Mr Corbyn said.

- US President Donald Trump condemned Syria's two main allies, Russia and Iran, for supporting "murderous dictators".

- French president Emmanuel Macron said "a red line" had been crossed after the chemical weapons attack in Douma.

- US Defence Secretary James Mattis and General Joe Dunford said the strikes were "a one time shot" and that there had been no reports of any allied losses.

- The Russian embassy in the US said it had warned that such actions would "not be left without consequences", adding that insulting President Vladimir Putin was "unacceptable and inadmissible".

- Syrian state TV called the attacks a "blatant violation of international law and shows contempt for international legitimacy".
The Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens have reacted to the controversy over Microsoft gaining Protected status for accessing Australian Government data by some of its services, with the former saying it had sought a briefing with the minister concerned and the Greens saying a full explanation was needed from the Australian Signals Directorate.

In response to a query from iTWire, a spokesperson for Labor shadow minister for cyber security, Gai Brodtmann, said she had taken note of the concerns about "access, the servers , accreditation and the consumer guide".

Last week, as iTWire and a number of other tech outlets reported, the Australian Signals Directorate had issued a consumer guide containing a number of fiats about the services that Microsoft claimed to have received Protected status for on 3 April.

The company contested this, issuing a long statement to iTWire.

Microsoft became the fifth provider to be certified to offer such services, with the others being Dimension Data, Vault Systems, Sliced Tech and Macquarie Government. But in the other four cases, there has been no consumer guide issued by the ASD.

A senior IT industry source claimed to iTWire on Friday that the certification had been granted despite the company allegedly not meeting all the needed criteria, something Microsoft again denied.

Brodtmann's spokesperson added that she had sought a briefing from Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor, who was present at the function on 3 April when Microsoft announced it had gained Protected status.

iTWire also sought a reaction from Taylor, but his spokesperson said that since the decision on granting this status was not political, but technical, he would not be making any comment.

Australian Greens digital affairs spokesman Senator Jordon Steel-John was more forthright with his criticism of the whole affair, saying he expected a full response from the ASD about the issue.

"We fully expect the ASD to provide a prompt and comprehensive response and explanation of discrepancies in their approach to granting Protected status to Microsoft; there is no room for cutting corners or providing favours to some companies," Senator Steele-John told iTWire in response to a query.

"This government has a very poor track record in keeping information safe and if they can't even adhere to their own standards then what hope is there for improvement in the future?"
The Australian Signals Directorate appears to be blowing hot and cold over its reaction to the granting of Protected to status to Microsoft last week, for using some of its services to store and access government data.

Last week, as iTWire and other tech outlets reported, the ASD had issued a consumer guide containing a number of fiats about the services that Microsoft claimed to have received Protected status for on 3 April.

The company contested this, issuing a long statement to iTWire.

The ASD's reaction to a query from iTWire, asking why it had issued a consumer guide three days after Microsoft announced it had gained Protected status, was to only point out that issuing such a guide was not uncommon, leading to the conclusion that there was no concern over the granting of the Protected status to Microsoft.

In response to the query from iTWire, asking why the consumer guide had been issued  as no guide has been issued when the other four companies that have gained Protected status were certified  a Defence spokesperson did not directly answer the question, only pointing out that this was not the first time such a guide had been issued.

"This is not the first time ASD has produced Consumer Guides. ASD released a Consumer Guide for Apple iOS devices at Protected to aid secure configuration by government consumers," the spokesperson said.

"The ACSC works with providers to ensure guidance is provided to government agencies on how to consume the services in a more secure manner to meet business and risk objectives."

But in a comment to another news website, Defence stood by the fiats in the consumer guide issued by the ASD, "confirming more work is required on Microsofts side before Azure reaches an appropriate comfort level".

Adding to the confusion was a statement made by Alastair MacGibbon, national cyber security adviser and ASD deputy director-general to the InnovationAus website, saying he was "very, very satisfied" with the measures Microsoft had taken to mitigate risk and gain Protected status for some of its Azure Cloud and Office 365 services.

InnovationAus also reported that what appeared to be a "seemingly radical change in government cyber policy in relation to its cloud accreditation program has been a hotly discussed topic at the Australian Cyber Security Centre conference in Canberra" last week.
Two British businessmen have had contrasting outcomes in their bids to underline their right to be forgotten by Google, with one winning a case in the UK High Court and the other having his plea turned down.

The BBC reported that the man who succeeded  his name was not given due to curbs on reporting around the case  had sought the deletion of search results from Google about a crime he had committed in the past.

The European Union's Court of Justice ruled in May 2014 that European law gave people the right to ask search engines to remove results for queries that include their name.

UK High Court Justice Mark Warby ruled in his favour, but turned down a claim by another businessman who had committed a more serious offence.

The man who succeeded was convicted a decade ago of plotting to intercept communications, an offence for which he received a six-month prison term.

The second man was jailed for four years more than a decade ago after being convicted of conspiring to account falsely.

Both had approached Google and asked the company to delete the search results about their convictions, including links that led to news stories, arguing that this material was no longer relevant.

The pair took the issue to court when Google refused to pay heed to their requests.

Google said in a statement that it would respect the rulings.

"We work hard to comply with the right to be forgotten, but we take great care not to remove search results that are in the public interest," the company said.

"We are pleased that the Court recognised our efforts in this area, and we will respect the judgments they have made in this case."
Reddit Email 580 Shares

TeleSur |  

We are seeing the impact of the Trump administrations words and policy and actions that slams the door on refugees, says Oxfam America.

The United States has accepted only 11 Syrian refugees so far this year, human rights organizations announced Saturday, just hours after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against strategic targets near Damascus in response to alleged chemical attacks by Syrias government.

According to State Department figures, the United States took 15,479 Syrian refugees in 2016 at the end of Obamas administration.

In 2017, after Trump was sworn in, that number dropped to 3,024. Now, after Trumps infamous Muslim travel bans and an increasing polarization of U.S. immigration policies, that figure is even lower.

We are seeing the impact of the Trump administrations words and policy and actions that slams the door on refugees, and Syrian refugees in particular, said Noah Gottschalk, policy adviser at Oxfam America.

What about the humanity of the people who are fleeing those attacks? These are the very people who need our support.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen announced that Temporary Protected Status would be extended for about 7,000 Syrians, under the condition they have continuously lived in the United States since before August 2016.

It is clear that the conditions upon which Syrias designation was based continue to exist, therefore an extension is warranted under the statute, Nielsen said.

Via TeleSur



Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

AP: Amber Heard says meeting Syria refugees left a mark on her soul
Reddit 154 Email 330 Shares

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Iraqs foreign ministry came out strongly against the US, British and French missile strikes on Syria. In a statement issued Saturday, the ministry called the attacks an extremely dangerous stepthat could result in a weakening of regional security.

Spokesman Ahmad Mahjub said, The ministry underlines the necessity for a political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people. Strikes like those launched Friday, he said, give terrorism a new opportunity to spread after its defeat in Iraq and its substantial retreat in Syria. He said Iraq calls on the Arab League to take a clear stance against this dangerous development.

The Iraqis are clearly afraid that the North Atlantic intervention will embolden ISIL/ Daesh to start back up its operations.

Iraq is also worried about instability in Syria that might affect its border with that country. Iraqi government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi told Alarabiya, The outbreak of conflict in Syria in 2011 was the principle cause of the rise of Daesh (ISIL) and its spread and its entry into Iraq in the middle of 2014, and the continuation of strife. He added, The intervention of numerous countries in Syria played a role in nourishing Daesh (ISIL), and we see a necessity for finding a political solution in Syria to achieve stability and to finish off the remnants of Daesh in the regions neighboring Iraq. He said that Iraqs focus was to avoid doing anything that might help ISIL remain in eastern Syria.

He said that Iraq had a policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of Syria and sees foreign interventions there as having worsened the situation.

The Iraqi government tilts to Iran, the leader of which, Ali Khamenei, denounced the strikes as a supreme crime and warned that they would fail, just as the 2003 US invasion of Iraq failed. Iraq also does have some 5000 US military personnel at an Iraq Command in Baghdad, who were key to the defeat of ISIL in the Sunni Arab north of the country and are still helping with mop up operations. Also key to the fight, however, were Shiite militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.

While it is not surprising that the ruling Da`wa (Islamic Call) Party took a more subdued version of the Iranian position, it appears that even Sunni Iraqi parties are condemning the move. Given that the al-Assad government was fighting the hard line Saudi-backed Army of Islam in Douma when it deployed the chlorine gas, it may be that traumatized Iraqi Sunnis just have no sympathy with the extreme religious Right.

In accordance with Syrian, Russian and Iranian propaganda, some some Iraqi newspapers attempted to cast doubt on the reality of the Douma chem attack or to muddy the waters as to its provenance. They complained that the reports of the use of chemical weapons is coming out of Israeli, Western and Gulf media, and observed, not again! The reference is the the 2003 false allegations by the Bush administration that Iraq had chemical weapons stockpiles or weapons of mass destruction (a propaganda term), which were the pretext for the US invasion of Iraq.

In the Egyptian parliament, MP Emad Saad Hamouda said that the Tripartite aggression on Syria depended on the same sort of lies that had been deployed by the Bush administration in its attack on Iraq in 2003. He said that Egypt rejects the imposition of any foreign countries policies on Syria, with which Egypt has long and close associations. (Since the government of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew a Muslim Brotherhood government in 2013 and then declared most of the religious Right terrorists, and since the secular, putatively socialist Baath Party in Syria has been facing a rebellion led by the Muslim Brotherhood and other elements of the religious Right, the Egyptian government and press have tilted toward Bashar al-Assad in recent years. This development has sparked some disputes with Egypts financial patrons in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, who also hate the populist Eygptian Muslim Brotherhood but who have funded hard line Syrian Salafi guerrillas in a bid to overthrow the al-Assad regime).

These reactions show how profoundly the George W. Bush administration damaged American credibility on the world stage by its gotten-up war on Iraq. At a time of rising China, resurgent Russia, profound doubts about President Trump, and the rise of algorithmic fake news on social media, the United States cannot afford this major and lasting hit to its credibility. Those Americans who are now thinking more positively about Bush (why?) should reconsider.

Washington keeps hoping that post-American Iraq will emerge as a strong US ally in the region. The reality is mixed. Iraqs Shiite elites, along with most Kurds and Sunnis, are happy to ally against al-Qaeda and ISIL and other Sunni/Wahhabi extremist groups. But Iraqi Shiites and Kurds are not willing to line up against Iran or Iranian allies like Baathist Syria. That is a key contradiction in US policy in the region, to the extent that there is any policy.



Bonus video:

Nic Robertson, CNN: Why war in Syria is so complex
Reddit Email 184 Shares

By Mohammed Nuruzzaman | (Informed Comment) |  

As assumed, the US, the UK and France launched their coordinated airstrikes on Syria in the early hours of Saturday, April 14 to punish the Bashar Al-Assad governments alleged chemical attacks on the rebel fighters in Douma, a city close to Damascus. Russias counter-threats to shoot down the missiles and warnings from Iran did not deter the Western trio from executing their strike plan. They have followed suit what they announced a few days ago.

In April last year, the US alone launched a similar missile attack on central Syrian airfield at Shayrat in response to unverified claim of chemical attacks by government troops. The joint missile attacks are a qualitatively different development in terms of involvements by major Western powers and the timing of the attacks. So, what are the big stakes involved in such retaliatory attacks? What significance do the airstrikes hold for the Middle East and for global politics?

What is at stake?

For quite some years we have been hearing that the US is experiencing a relative decline in power and influence, mainly due to the economic ascendance of China and Russias gradual return to old Soviet glories. This may not be largely true at the global level but in the Middle East the US has been on the retreat. Washington is facing tough challenges in Iraq from Iran, and in Syria it has almost lost the battle to Russia and Iran. Its regional allies  Israel and Saudi Arabia are long on rhetoric and short on actions to reverse Iranian or Russian gains and growing influence. A long-term NATO ally Turkey is also dithering, feeling more comfortable in the league with Moscow and Tehran to keep the US-supported Syrian Kurds-dominated SDF and YPG fighters at bay.

The current wave of missile attacks points to Americas and its allies desperate attempts to regain some visible foothold in Syria, at least. The fall of eastern Aleppo in late 2016 set a calamitous course for them. The different rebel groups have been on a losing spree since then. And finally came the crushing defeat in Eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburban area under rebel control since 2013.

The rebels defeat in Eastern Ghouta has nearly eliminated American, British, Saudi and French influence in Syria. Following withdrawal by two major rebel groups from the Ghouta area to the Idlib province, the US, UK and France ran out of available options to slow down Russias and Irans final military victory in Syria. They opted to use the Saudi-supported Jaish Al-Islam fighters as a bargaining chip, as some kind of a menace to pressure the Al-Assad government and its allies to accept two outcomes  President Bashar Al- Assad must be happy with a rump Syrian state, and that his government must accept a negotiated settlement of the conflict under the UN-supported Geneva Peace Process (not the Iran and Russia-engineered Astana Peace Process) to accommodate the rebels. Their last military tool  Islamist fighters of Jaish Al-Islam, for whom hardly have they any sympathy, failed to stand the Syrian armys fierce military onslaught and hence the finger was soon pointed to alleged chemical attacks on Douma, the largest city in Eastern Ghouta, without establishing who actually conducted the attacks. The US and its European allies hardly bothered for proof; rather they chose to become the judges, the jury and executioners simultaneously.

Regional and global implications

Pure and simple, the missile attacks on Syria clearly indicate to the Wests total inability to digest or intolerance for a Russia and Iran-dominated Syria and a resultant move towards a new regional order minus a robust US presence. The US and its allies look determined to use force to stop a new regional order from unfolding. Neither Russia nor Iran seems to have garnered the courage to challenge the US directly through counter-attacks.

Until now, Iranian and Russian reactions to missile attacks are limited to condemnations and political as well as diplomatic wrangling at the UN Security Council. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei went a step further. He branded the US president, British prime minister and French president criminals and said that the three leaders would make no benefit from the attacks. Similarly, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his outrage at the attacks but that does not change the reality on the ground.

The fact remains that the US, after every attack, walks away with impunity. And there is not a good way to hold it accountable. The devastating illegal attack on Iraq in March 2003 in the name of war on terror killed, maimed or wounded a million Iraqis. Former President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair committed all three grave war crimes in Iraq  crime against peace, crime against humanity and crime against war but are roaming around free. Tony Blair has even supported the latest military actions in Syria.

In military terms, what deters military aggression is credible deterrence or guaranteed retaliations. Russia has that deterrent power but is reluctant to use it, at least in the Syrian context (a US attack on Russian territory would change the calculus altogether, however). Irans position is more precarious as it lacks nuclear teeth and has limited conventional capability to project power on a wider regional scale. That means more US on-off military strikes will be forthcoming to target hostile states. Rightly or wrongly, President Trump may think of launching such attacks on Iran to force it to comply with US demand to renegotiate the July 2015 nuclear deal, a deal he promised to tear up during election campaign. That portends a dangerous development, unless Tehran and Moscow are capable of inflicting some punishment on the US and its allies for their reckless decisions to attack other countries, on real or imaginary threats or simple excuses.

A more ominous message the strikes on Syria hold for global politics. President Trump and his European counterparts have knocked at the Russian and Chinese doors to convey the message that the West remains the key to the post-war international order. Attempts to revise or reorder the global system or any regional system will be dealt with at any costs, not to be tolerated at all. In clearer terms, the US designed the post-war order and will manage and control it exclusively. China and Russia need to amend or change their behaviors based on rules of engagement defined by the US. China may be seriously reprimanded for its claim on the South China Sea. So is the case with North Koreas nuclear program  denuclearize or face the US wrath.

In Syria, the new rule of engagement is the prohibition of use of chemical weapons, true or false, on rebel fighters, as the US sees it. To put it differently, Syrian government troops, backed by Iran and Russia, should not launch largescale military operations to eliminate the rebels outright. The objective is to allow continuous violence, deaths and destructions to the point of total collapse of Syrian state. This, in effect, signals a return to Western colonialism in the Middle East and elsewhere through military domination, not direct territorial control.

Mohammed Nuruzzaman is Associate Professor of International Relations at the Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait

-

Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

Vladimir Putin: Syria air strikes were an act of aggression  BBC News
The evacuation of thousands of rebels and civilians from Syrias Eastern Ghouta, the last opposition bastion near Damascus, follows a string of similar operations in the seven-year war.

The regime has pushed such reconciliation deals to recapture swathes of territory, offering a halt to bombardment and siege in exchange for the evacuations, generally towards the northwestern province of Idlib.

Amnesty International, in a November 2017 report, labelled such forced displacements crimes against humanity.

Here are some of the major evacuations:

 2014 onwards: Homs 

In May 2014, rebels leave their fiefdom in the devastated Old City of Homs, previously known as the capital of the revolution, after a two-year siege.

This is the first regime-opposition deal on a rebel retreat since the war erupted in 2011, but takes years to fully implement.

Between March and May 2017, thousands are evacuated from Waer, Homss last rebel-held neighbourhood, allowing regime forces to fully retake control of Syrias third-largest city.

 2016: Daraya, Moadimayet al-Sham 

In August 2016, rebels quit Daraya in Damascus province following a deal that ended a brutal four-year regime siege and relentless bombardment.

The rebels and their families are taken to Idlib. The army retakes control of Daraya.

In September, the army evacuates some 300 Daraya inhabitants from neighbouring rebel-held Moadimayet al-Sham, where they had taken refuge three years earlier.

The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, criticises the strategy of forced displacement.

 2016: Aleppo 

Following a suffocating siege and blistering offensive with barrel bombs, rockets and air strikes, Syrias army in December 2016 retakes full control of second city Aleppo.

The announcement comes after tens of thousands of rebels and civilians are bussed out under a deal sponsored by Iran, Russia and Turkey.

In 2017, UN investigators say the Aleppo deal was a war crime of forced displacement of the civilian population.

 2017: Wadi Barada 

In January 2017, the army recaptures Wadi Barada, a flashpoint area supplying water to Damascus, after rebels and civilians accept safe passage to Idlib in exchange for lifting a siege.

The regime, supported by Lebanons Iran-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah, had been trying to retake the area, northwest of Damascus, since December 2016.

 2017: Four towns 

In April 2017, under a deal sponsored by regime ally Iran and rebel backer Qatar, nearly 11,000 people leave four besieged areas.

The evacuation involves Fuaa and Kafraya, two Shiite areas in Idlib province surrounded by rebels, and the rebel-held towns of Zabadani and Madaya.

The towns had previously seen medical evacuations and aid deliveries.

 2017: Barzeh, Qabun, Tishrin 

In May 2017, the regime secures a reconciliation deal for the rebel-held Damascus districts of Barzeh, Qabun and Tishrin.

Several thousand civilians and fighters leave for Idlib, allowing the regime to retake full control of the neighbourhoods.

 2018: Eastern Ghouta 

After a brutal month-old offensive, Syrias government and its ally Russia begin securing evacuation deals to clear out Eastern Ghouta.

Some 4,600 people, including 1,400 fighters from the Islamist Ahrar al-Sham rebel group, are evacuated to Idlib between March 22 and 23.

Since then more than 46,000 people, about a quarter of whom are fighters, have reached Idlib, according to Syrian authorities.

On April 2 a first wave of evacuations begins from Douma, with more than 1,100 people  Jaish al-Islam fighters and family members  setting off to northern rebel-held Jarabulus, according to state news agency SANA.

The assault on Eastern Ghouta since mid-February has killed more than 1,600 civilians and caused tens of thousands to flee into regime-held territory.
Here is a roundup of key reactions to the strikes by the United States, Britain and France against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad:

 Syria 

The Syrian Arab Republic condemns in the strongest terms the brutal American-British-French aggression against Syria, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, the foreign ministry said.

 Russia 

Russia severely condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military are helping the lawful government in the fight with terrorism, the Kremlin said in a statement. It said it was calling an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

 China 

China said it was opposed to the use of force in international relations. It called for a political solution and a return to the framework of international law.

 Iran 

Assads key regional ally, Irans Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, branded US President Donald Trump, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Britains Theresa May criminals.

 Gulf 

Qatar was the first Gulf country to react. A statement published by the official news agency expressed support for strikes to stop attacks by the Syrian regime against civilians.

 NATO 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a statement backed the strikes, saying they will reduce the regimes ability to further attack the people of Syria with chemical weapons.

 United Nations 

I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement.

 Turkey 

We welcome this operation which has eased humanitys conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. It accused Damascus of crimes against humanity.

 Europe 

European Council President Donald Tusk said on Twitter that the European Union supported the strikes and will stand with our allies on the side of justice.

German chancellor Angela Merkel called the strikes a necessary and appropriate military intervention.

The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain defended the strikes as justified by evidence of a chemical attack.

 Amnesty International 

All precautions must be taken to minimise harm to civilians in any military action, Raed Jarrar, advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at rights watchdog Amnesty International USA said in a statement.

burs-klm/rlp/ecl
Israels army said Sunday it had destroyed a Hamas tunnel crossing from the Gaza Strip into its territory after more than two weeks of tension along the border of the Palestinian enclave.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was the longest and deepest Gazan tunnel discovered by Israel.

The tunnel crossed into Israeli territory by several metres (yards) but did not yet have an exit point, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists.

It connected to several others within the Gaza Strip and could have been used for attacks,

Israel destroyed the tunnel  which it said connected to several others within Gaza and could have been used for attacks  by filling it with material to make it inoperative.

We filled the tunnel with material that renders it useless for a very long period of time, Conricus said. Explosives were not used.

According to our early assessments, this tunnel reaches kilometres, several kilometres, into the Gaza Strip.

The tunnel came from the area of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip and was being dug in the direction of the Nahal Oz community in Israel, he said.

It was the fifth Gazan tunnel destroyed by Israel in recent months, Conricus said. Israel destroyed it over the course of the weekend.

The operation comes after protests along the Gaza border since March 30 that have led to clashes in which Israeli forces have killed 34 Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others.

Israel alleges Hamas is seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence and said the tunnel destroyed could have been used for that purpose, saying it comes from near an area where demonstrators have gathered.

Israel has faced criticism over its use of live fire along the Gaza border since March 30, while the European Union and UN chief Antonio Guterres have called for an independent investigation.

The military says its soldiers act to stop attacks, damage to the fence and infiltration bids, and says there have been attempts at all three.

Conricus said Israel had been monitoring the construction of the tunnel for some time.

He said Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, began building it after the 2014 war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including Hamas.

Israel has fought three wars with the Islamist movement Hamas since 2008, and the group has used tunnels to carry out attacks in the past.

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for more than a decade, while its border with Egypt has also remained largely closed in recent years.

Israel has also been building an underground wall around the Gaza Strip to stop tunnel infiltrations.

jlr-mjs/hkb
Saudi Arabias King Salman on Sunday slammed Irans blatant interference in regional affairs as Arab leaders met in the kingdom for an annual gathering.

Opening the 29th Arab League summit, the king also criticised the US decision to transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and described terrorism as the biggest challenge facing Arab leaders.

Seventeen leaders from across the Arab world  minus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad  gathered in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran for the summit, which this year comes as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

The meeting opened only 24 hours after a barrage of strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France hit targets they said were linked to chemical weapons development in Syria, which was suspended from the league seven years ago.

But King Salman avoided any mention of Syria in his address, as a seat marked Syrian Arab Republic sat empty in the hall.

Instead the king focused on rivalries with long-time foe Iran  only 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Dharan.

We renew our strong condemnation of Irans terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries, the king said.

And despite being a stalwart ally of the United States, the ruler also criticised US President Donald Trump controversial decision to transfer Americas embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

We reiterate our rejection of the US decision on Jerusalem, Salman said. East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories.

 Donation for East Jerusalem 

Arab ministers at a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday focused heavily on blocking the move, unanimously condemning Trumps decision.

King Salman on Sunday announced a $150 million donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in East Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against its regional arch-rival Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League.

The two regional titans back opposing sides in a range of hotspots across the Middle East, including Lebanon and Syria and in Saudi Arabias southern neighbour Yemen.

Iran is backing Shiite Huthi rebels that Riyadh opposes in Yemen and on Sunday Salman praised the UN Security Councils statement denouncing the Iranian-made ballistic missile fire on Saudi cities.

Last month the Security Council issued a statement condemning Huthi missile attacks on Saudi, but did not name Iran.

In February, Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution that would have expressed concern over Irans failure to block supplies of missiles to Yemens Huthi rebels.

The summit also comes with Saudi Arabia and Qatar locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but Qatar still only sent its representative to the Arab League to the Dhahran summit.

Among the leaders in attendance was Sudans Omar al-Bashir, who walked the red carpet and was greeted by King Salman. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for five counts of crimes against humanity, three counts of genocide and two counts of war crimes.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syrias membership over the Assad regimes role in the war.

Syrias war, the most complex of the regions conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.
Saudi Arabias King Salman on Sunday slammed Irans blatant interference in regional affairs and criticised the US over Jerusalem as Arab leaders met in the kingdom for an annual gathering.

The 82-year-old monarch dubbed the Arab League meeting the Jerusalem summit as he took aim at Washingtons decision to transfer its embassy in Israel to the holy city.

Seventeen heads of state from across the Arab world  minus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad  gathered in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran for the 29th Arab League summit, which this year comes as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

The meeting opened only 24 hours after a barrage of strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France hit targets they said were linked to chemical weapons development in Syria, which was suspended from the league seven years ago.

But King Salman avoided any mention of Syria in his address, as a seat marked Syrian Arab Republic sat empty in the hall.

Instead the king focused on rivalries with long-time foe Iran  only 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Dhahran.

We renew our strong condemnation of Irans terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries, the king said.

And despite being a stalwart ally of the United States, the ruler also criticised US President Donald Trumps controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and shift the US embassy there.

We reiterate our rejection of the US decision on Jerusalem, Salman said. East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories.

The king said he had named this years meeting the Jerusalem summit so that the entire world knows Palestine and its people remain at the heart of Arab concerns.

 Donation for East Jerusalem 

Arab ministers at a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday focused heavily on blocking the embassy move, unanimously condemning Trumps decision.

King Salman on Sunday announced a $150 million donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in East Jerusalem.

Earlier this month, the monarch reiterated the kingdoms steadfast stance on the Palestinian issue and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

His comments came just days after his son, powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, told reporters during a US tour that Israel also had a right to its own state.

The remark suggested increasing rapprochement with Israel, which like Riyadh, sees Tehran as its arch rival.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League.

The two regional titans back opposing sides in a range of hotspots across the Middle East, including Lebanon and Syria and in Saudi Arabias southern neighbour Yemen.

Iran is backing Shiite Huthi rebels that Riyadh opposes in Yemen and on Sunday Salman praised the UN Security Councils statement denouncing the Iranian-made ballistic missile fire on Saudi cities.

Last month the Security Council issued a statement condemning Huthi missile attacks on Saudi, but did not name Iran.

In February, Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution that would have expressed concern over Irans failure to block supplies of missiles to Yemens Huthi rebels.

The summit also comes with Saudi Arabia and Qatar locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but Qatar still only sent its representative to the Arab League to the Dhahran summit.

Among the leaders in attendance was Sudans Omar al-Bashir, who walked the red carpet and was greeted by King Salman. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for five counts of crimes against humanity, three counts of genocide and two counts of war crimes.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syrias membership over the Assad regimes role in the war.

Syrias war, the most complex of the regions conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.
The current national fodder crisis has hit Kilkenny hard, but its no surprise, given the countys vibrant agricultural sector. Its an industry in which thousands of families and businesses are reliant on here.

Farmers from Castlecomer to Mooncoin have been and for some; will continue to be, under enormous emotional and physical stress as they endeavour to feed their animals during the fodder shortage.

We heard this week that there is nothing worse for farmers than to have a shed full of livestock bawling from the hunger.

Youd have to feel for the farmers and the livestock too. Its not a farm management issue, this is a national crisis arising from an historically long winter.

It would have been impossible to negotiate a farms fodder budget (surplus included) around inclement weather as wet, as cold and as long as it has been.

It would have been anticipated that animals would have been out in the fields since late February, early March. Its now the second week of April and theres two maybe even three weeks left in this crisis yet.

The community of farming has come together, again, thats no surprise. Friends, neighbours, relatives and distant relatives have all looked to help each other where they can with fodder supplies.

Farmers also deserve the support of the rest of the public for one simple reason - theyre always there for you. When snow drifts several feet high blocked in rural communities earlier this year, who cleared the roads so people could get out of their homes? Farmers did.

Who form part of the backbone of Tidy Town groups, GAA clubs and parishes the length and breadth of Kilkenny? Farmers do.

Theyre of huge economic importance to many local communities around the county too and their incomes will have been hit by this fodder crisis.

Help them where you can, even if its just a flying visit and a chat over a slice of tart and a cup of tea.
Local siblings Harry (13) and Molly Flynn (10) have been honoured with a top accolade at the 43rd People of the Year Awards, organised by Rehab, for saving their sisters life on many occasions.

The young superheroes, from Ferrybank in South Kilkenny, were presented with the Young Person of the Year Award by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for their extreme bravery and courage.

The awards were broadcast live on RTE One from Dublins Mansion House earlier this evening.

Irelands longest-running and most prestigious awards event, the People of the Year Awards are widely recognised as one of Irelands highest accolades. Nominated by members of the public, and finalised by a panel of adjudicators, a total of ten awards were presented at the ceremony which was hosted by Grainne Seoige and Aidan Power.

Harry and Mollys sister, Isabelle (6), was born with cerebral palsy and apnoea which means she can suddenly stop breathing at any stage during the day or night. Isabelles condition worsens when she is sick or has a cold, which means it could happen 20 times a day.

Both Harry and Molly have been junior members of the T Bears of the Irish Red Cross since they were five-years-old. The skills they have developed means that they have been life-savers to Isabelle on hundreds of occasions during her short life so far, including giving CPR while playing on a bouncy castle and even in a supermarket trolley while out grocery shopping.

Mo Flynn, Rehab Group Chief Executive, organisers of the Awards, said: We have services throughout Ireland that support thousands of people with disabilities. Every day our teams in communities across the country meet people who are also doing great work, but they do not seek the limelight or get the recognition they deserve. The Awards serve to highlight all that is good about Ireland and honours those whose courage, resolve and bravery is boundless.
A guest post by David Garrett:

During the summer, I found myself waiting outside in the sun on Lincoln Road in Auckland while a friend attended to some business inside his bank. While taking in the passing parade, I witnessed a Chinese woman in a large late model Mercedes attempting to parallel park. To my incredulity  and while a line of cars banked up behind her  I counted 13, yes thirteen to and fro movements while the woman attempted this relatively simply manoevre. She finally achieved a parallel park of sorts, albeit with the passenger-side wheels about 1.5 metres out from the kerb, meaning her car projected 1.5 metres out into the stream of traffic.

I approached the woman and asked if she had a New Zealand drivers licence. She replied that she did. I then asked if she had been tested by a native New Zealander or someone from her own country. She replied: None of your business which of course she was perfectly entitled to do. I have no authority.

For my sins I currently have a fair bit to do with teenagers, and getting a driving licence is a big issue for them. Quite simply, there is no way the woman I observed could possibly have passed the kind of test my daughter and her friends are subjected to, with fails for such faults as being overly cautious at a stop sign, or indicating for two seconds less than the prescribed length of time before a turn.

As luck would have it, not long after I observed this womans astounding performance, it was announced that some 500 licences had been cancelled  I later learned the recipients were all Indian  after the discovery of corruption in the driver licencing testing system. The testers responsible are all now before the courts. No prizes for guessing where they are from.

My initial enquiry regarding what I had observed and the testing of foreign drivers elicited the following response from a wee snowflake called Zoe Walker at the NZTA:

The Transport Agency does not share and will not tolerate your outdated and prejudicial view of overseas drivers, particularly Asian female drivers. However we do acknowledge that at the core of your misguided comments is a genuine concern

Long story short, after I received a formal apology for the lecture, the exchange eventually led to a formal OIA request made to the NZTA. My questions were as follows:

What rules, if any, prevent an overseas born driver from taking a practical driving test from a tester born in their own home country? (For example, is there anything to stop a Chinese born driver from taking a test from a Chinese tester?) What steps if any is your organization taking to monitor tests conducted by overseas born testers on candidates from their own home country? After the recent discovery of corruption among drivers licence testers, how many of those testers have been barred from being testers? Are any of the testers found to have been taking bribes or other inducements still permitted to test drivers, and if there are any, are there any restrictions on those persons?

The answers to the above questions were:

There are no rules that prevent people from overseas countries undertaking a driver licence test with a testing officer from the same country; The Transport agency undertakes sophisticated scanning of driver testing data including individual testing officer performance. [this is the kind of meaningless non answer often heard in the House at Question Time, and could better have been answered by one word: None]; The endorsements of all testing officers involved were suspended immediatelyThe suspensions remain in place while charges laid by NZ Police are pending; As charges against three testing officers are still before the court, none have yet been convicted of taking bribes or inducements.

In my view, the testers currently facing corruption charges, and other holes in the system, indicate that we do not have a drivers licence testing system that is fit for purpose.

As things currently stand, drivers from Commonwealth countries are permitted to drive here for one year before obtaining a New Zealand licence. This includes drivers from Tonga, one whom is my wife. She obtained her Tongan licence without having to be troubled by any test  that is the way many things are done up there, and probably in an unknown number of other jurisdictions.

With the greatest respect to my wife, there is simply no way she was capable of driving safely here without a crash course  pardon the pun  from me. There are of course no motorways in Tonga, and the sections of open road  on which the limit is 65 kmh  are not more than a few kilometres long at best. No-one parallel parks; drivers simply park their cars at an angle in the nearest gap.

India is of course part of the Commonwealth. We already know that 500 drivers from that country have had their New Zealand drivers licences cancelled because their tests were administered by allegedly corrupt testers who have been suspended, and are now before the courts. God knows whether their experiences in India equipped them to drive for a year here without facing a tester  even one from the sub-continent.

Another OIA reveals that no figures are kept on whether drivers responsible for crashes are New Zealand born, or born overseas. There is of course much anecdotal evidence of New Zealanders taking the keys from overseas drivers driving on the wrong side of the road, or otherwise driving dangerously.

In short, I do not want anyone to have to face the woman I saw attempting to parallel park  especially not on a country road. At least on the motorway one can identify the foreign driver in the middle lane doing 65kmh while gripping the wheel in terror, and give them a wide berth. From all of the above, it is surely quite clear there is a problem?

I suggest it has been put in the too hard basket because the problematic drivers will be those with brown skins, and not Australians Canadians or Brits. Someone  either in the NZTA or the government  needs to find some backbone and act.
By Lemuel V. Sapian

On March 12, 2018, Yanghee Lee, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar for the United Nations told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that, I am becoming more convinced that the crimes committed following 9 October 2016 and 25 August 2017 bear the hallmarks of genocide and call in the strongest terms for accountability.

Since August 2017 more than 680,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh, and have told stories of mass murder and destruction by the military.[1]

You wont find many references to the Rohingya people in mainstream media these days, but they are considered one of the most persecuted people in the world and have been so for a while[2]. Therefore, it behooves all lovers of freedom and opponents of persecution to get to know this ethnic group and its plight.

The term Rohingya likely comes from the word Rohang, a Muslim name for the ancient Kingdom of Arakan.[1][3] Their racial makeup is mostly Indian, but in their earliest days in the 9th century, they intermarried with Arab traders and merchants. To this day the majority of Rohingya identify as Muslim, although a significant minority are Hindu.

Through the centuries the Rohingya were conquered by Muslim and Buddhist Kingdoms, often facing fierce persecution. Near the end of the 18th century, many Rohingya fled their homeland to seek protection under the British Raj because of atrocities committed against them by the Bamar, the dominant ethnic group that comprises todays Myanmar.[4] The Rohingya returned to Burma during the later part of British colonial rule, and the Burmese reacted harshly.

During World War II there was significant friction between the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Burma. The former supported the British, while the latter tended to support Japanese Imperial rule.[5] When the Japanese conquered Burma, the Buddhist factions joined the Japanese Army in committing mass atrocities against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya.[6]

Unfortunately, while the Rohingya were granted ethnical status after the British granted Burma independence, the Burmese military Junta which rules the nation in 1962 deprived them of many of their political rights. In 1982, Burma enacted a citizenship law which deliberately excluded the Rohingya from a list of ethnic groups recognized by the government as deserving citizenship. As a result, a blind eye is turned when the Burmese violate the rights of the Rohingya and often participate in the injustices.[7]

Little has changed today. Many atrocities have been committed upon the Rohingya by the Myanmar government. This persecution has been considered an act of ethnic cleansing, leaving thousands dead, and many more thousands displaced.[8] Thousands of Rohingya risk life and limb to flee Myanmar to countries like Bangladesh and more recently Thailand, which often treats them with as much contempt as their former Burmese neighbors.

The root of the persecution is nationalism and Buddhist religious zealotry. The predominantly Muslim Rohingya were subject to murder, torture and rape over many decades. The atrocities were justified by the Burmese government labeling them a dangerous terrorist group, sanctioning any act to deprive them of their rights.

In addition to the physical abuses they suffer, the Rohingya are denied access to healthcare, education, and employment because of their status of non-citizens and illegal aliens. They are denied the right to worship freely, and their places of devotion are often vandalized and even destroyed. Their marriages are heavily restricted, and government officials can block any marriage for any reason, or no reason.[9]

Last year the British government halted their training program with the Burmese military over allegations of Burmese military atrocities against the Rohingya.[10] Despite the international pressure and the fact that she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, active Head of State Aung San Suu Kyi continues to downplay the oppression of the Rohingya. She has received international criticism for her mostly silent stance on the issue1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in a court issuing an order., especially since she had undergone political oppression before she came to power.

There is no easy solution to the problem, and Christians in First World America, for example, can easily take our privileges for granted. Or perhaps, God forbid, the indifference is because the victims of this persecution have different religious beliefs than we do. By our silence, we can lend tacit support to atrocity merely because we do not agree with the religious convictions of the oppressed. Those who believe in religious liberty and freedom of conscience must act.

We must lend our voices and pens to the support of those whose liberties are curtailed regardless of their background or beliefs so that we fulfill the Biblical mandate which calls us to do unto others as you would have done unto you.

[1] Bard Wilkinson, UN official convinced of Myanmar Rohinga genocide, CNN, March 12, 2018. <https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/12/asia/myanmar-rohingya-un-violence-genocide-intl/index.html> Accessed 18 March 2018.

[2] Lennart Hofman, Meet the Most Persecuted People in the World, The Correspondent, 25 February, 2016. <https://thecorrespondent.com/4087/meet-the-most-persecuted-people-in-the-world/293299468-71e6cf33> Accessed 13 March 2018.

[3] Abu al-Fazl Izzati; A. Ezzati (2002). The Spread of Islam: The Contributing Factors. ICAS Press. p. 482.

[4] Aye Chan (2005). "The Development of a Muslim Enclave in Arakan (Rakhine) State of Burma (Myanmar)". SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research, pg. 398-399.

[6] Jonassohn, Kurt (1999). Genocide and gross human rights violations: in comparative perspective. Transaction Publishers. p. 263.

[7] Head, Jonathan (5 February 2009). "What drive the Rohingya to sea?". BBC. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7872635.stm> Accessed 13 March 2018.

[8] Who Are the Rohingya? Radio Free Asia. <https://www.rfa.org/english/multimedia/rohingyaPage-04122010151733.html/RohingyaFactSheet-04132010102750.html> Accessed 13 March 2018.

[9] Engy Abdelkade. The history of the persecution of Myanmars Rohingya. The Conversation. < https://theconversation.com/the-history-of-the-persecution-of-myanmars-rohingya-84040 > Accessed 14 March 2018.

[10] Rowena Mason and Heather Stewart. UK to suspend training of Burmese military over treatment of Rohingya. The Guardian. 19 September 2017. < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/19/uk-suspend-training-burmese-military-treatment-rohingya > Accessed 14 March 2018.

Lemuel V. Sapian earned his BA in History from the University of North Texas. He and his family reside near Denton, Texas.

Photo: Tortured Rohingyas escaped from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Photo Saiful Islam. Creative Commons. Public Domain.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

Parler



Like this: Like Loading...
New Delhi, April 15: Shunning inter-faith taboos, the IAS couple Tina Dabi and Athar Amir Khan, who tied the knot earlier this month in Kashmir, hosted a grand wedding reception in Delhi on Saturday. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attended the wedding reception of 2015 civil services examination topper Tina Dabi and second topper Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan.

This is the couple's third wedding function. Firstly, both got married at a simple court ceremony in Rajasthan's Jaipur and then had a wedding in groom's home state Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

Hence, the third function took place in bride's hometown - Delhi. The parents of the young couple were also seen during the reception in the national capital. As the couple decided to tie the knot, a lot of criticism came on their way on account of a Dalit woman marrying a Kashmiri man.

Dabi came into limelight after she became the first ever Dalit girl to top the UPSC examination in her first attempt itself. However, Athar cleared the exams and ranked second in his second attempt. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
"The title track is a bluesy, fun rocker, demonstrating exactly why

MOS GENERATOR hasbecome a fixture in the underground." -- Decibel





HERE Stream / Share MOS GENERATOR's "Shadowlands"





Shadowlands is the anticipated new full-length from Washington-based heavy rock trio MOS GENERATOR. Set for release next month via Listenable Records, the eight-track studio offering was recorded in three sessions - June 2017, November 2017 and January 2018 - at the HeavyHead Recording Company in Port Orchard, Washington and comes swathed in the cover art of Adam Burke (Pilgrim, Satan's Satyrs, Hooded Menace, Artificial Brain et al).





In advance of its release, Decibel Magazine is offering up Shadowlands' title track for public feasting. Notes founding guitarist/vocalist/principal songwriter Tony Reed of the tune, "'Shadowlands' was the first song written for the new album and the only new song to have a regular spot in our set list over the last year. I think this song is the best choice to represent how MOS GENERATOR has developed over the past few albums. The track gently fuses many styles into one seemingly direct hard rock song that brings together my love of rock, prog, and power pop. It's a ripping heavy rock tune that shuffles and breathes. A great combo."





Adds Decibel, "Since their inception in 2000, [MOS GENERATOR has] become an indispensable part of the stoner/heavy rock underground and latest offering Shadowlands -- which features new bassist Sean Booth and new drummer Jon Garrett -- keeps them steadily on that course. The title track is a bluesy, fun rocker, demonstrating exactly why MOS GENERATOR has become a fixture in the underground."





RIGHT HERE Hear "Shadowlands" at Decibel





THIS LOCATION Shadowlands will see release via Listenable Records in Europe on May11th followed by a North American street date of May 18th. For preorders, go to





MOS GENERATOR will take on month-long, cross country US tour. Set to commence on April 20th, the Road Rats Tour 2018 will run through May 26th and includes sixteen dates supporting Fu Manchu! See all confirmed shows below.





MOS GENERATOR:

4/20/2018 Hogfish - Couer d'Alene, ID

4/21/2018 Rocky Mountain Riff Fest - Kalispell, MT

4/25/2018 The Valley - Tacoma, WA

4/26/2018 The Haul - Grants Pass, OR

4/27/2018 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA

4/28/2018 Dive Bar - Las Vegas, NV

4/29/2018 Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA

4/30/2018 The Kraken - Cardiff, CA

w/ Fu Manchu:

5/01/2018 Rebel Lounge - Phoenix, AZ

5/03/2018 Curtain Club - Dallas, TX

5/04/2018 Barracuda - Austin, TX

5/05/2018 White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX

5/07/2018 Vinyl - Atlanta, GA

5/08/2018 Kings - Raleigh, NC

5/09/2018 Rock & Roll Hotel - Washington, DC

5/10/2018 Brillobox - Pittsburgh, PA *

5/11/2018 Underground Arts - Philadelphia, PA

5/12/2018 Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

5/13/2018 Brighton Music Hall - Allston, MA

5/14/2018 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY *

5/15/2018 Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH

5/16/2018 Ace Of Cups - Columbus, OH

5/17/2018 El Club - Detroit, MI

5/18/2018 The Baby G - Toronto, ON *

5/19/2018 Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL

5/20/2018 Total Drag Records - Sioux Falls, SD *

5/22/2018 Streets of London Pub - Denver, CO

5/23/2018 Streets of London Pub - Denver, CO

5/25/2018 Substation - Seattle, WA*

5/26/2018 The Manette - Bremerton, WA *

** MOS GENERATOR only





MOS GENERATOR formed during the Winter of 2000 in Port Orchard, Washington from the ashes of a decade-long on-again-off-again collaboration between its three members, all of which are long time veterans of the road and studio. The need to strip down to the basics of hard rock was apparent from the start and continues to be the foundation for the band's recent material.





MOS GENERATOR has released seven studio albums, a retrospective album, a live album, and a plethora of split releases. 2015 brought in a new rhythm section and touring possibilities far beyond the limitations of the original lineup. This new lineup has changed the band into a relentless touring machine, delivering critically-acclaimed performances both states and abroad. "They are so good," gushed Maximum Volume Music, "you end up wanting to round up a couple of mates, buy a Transit, form a three-piece rock 'n' roll band and go on tour."





"It's as pure an example of heavy rock as I've heard." - The Obelisk




The aircraft successfully returned at the airbase in Kalaikunda from where it had took off to Lakshadweep. (Photo Credits: Facebook/IAF)

Kolkata, April 14: The Indian Air Force exhibited a stunning display of its mid-air refueling capability as the Sukhoi Fighter Jet was re-pumped mid-aid during the Gagan Shakti exercise today at West Bengal's Kalaikunda.

The Sukhoi Su-30 fighter which travelled from Kharagpur to Lakshadweep as part of the exercise was refuelled twice in its journey. The aircraft successfully returned at the airbase in Kalaikunda from where it had took off as part of the wargames exercise.

Here is the video of Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet refuelling mid-air:

#WATCH Indian Air Force aircraft displays air to air refueling capabilities pic.twitter.com/5coBTuamvC  ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

During an aerial exercise on February 27, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had successfully successfully carried out a hot refuelling procedure on the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas at the HAL airfield.

Hot re-fuelling, or in-flight re-fuelling is a complex procedure involving the integration of a probe on to the front of the canopy and on the right side of the aircraft. It involves a single point pressure refueling of the aircraft with the engine in operation.

This capability is highly desired in combat situations which basically puts aside the need for the pilot to park the aircraft, power down and exit the cockpit for refueling to begin

The aerial refueling probe for the LCA Tejas Limited Series Production-8 (LSP-8) is being supplied by UK based Cobham.

Apart from HAL Tejas, the Mirage is another IAF fighter aircraft with mid-flight refueling capabilities.

(With ANI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 14, 2018 05:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Syrian ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari speaks during the UNSC emergency meeting concerning the situation in Syria on April 14. (Photo Credits: Getty)

Damascus, April 14: Syria's Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, accused the United Nations and its allies of abetting the terrorists on the Syrian soil by launching aerial strikes against the Bashar al-Assad regime.

The 103 missile fired today, Jaafari said, were aimed at motivating the militants on the ground to continue with the insurgency. "The three aggressors have sent a message to the terrorists to continue with their heinous crimes not only in Syria, but in the entire Middle East," the Damascus envoy told the UN.

By the "three aggressors", Jaafari referred to the trio of the US, the UK and France which jointly launched the missile strikes in the wee hours of Saturday. The "precision strikes", as US President Donald Trump called them, were targeted at three locations where his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad has allegedly stored chemical weapons.

The attacks were carried out in response to the "inhumane" chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta which claimed the lives of over hundred civilians, said French President Emmanuel Macron.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May also justified the unprecedented step taken by her government, claiming that "deterring Assad is extremely necessary" to save the lives of hundreds of Syrians.

The Opposition in the UK, however, remained unimpressed, accusing May of exhibiting uncalled for aggression against Syria. Leader of Opposition Jeremy Corbyn accused her of "falling into the footsteps of Trump".

"Theresa May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after Donald Trump... Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harms way," Corbyn said.

Meanwhile, Russia, the prime-backer of Syria, vowed to avenge the strikes by the US and its allies. Not only did Moscow warned US of consequences, but also played down the damage caused. "Out of the 103 strikes launched, 71 were gunned down by the Soviet-made air-defense systems," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran, another time-tested ally of the Shia-majority Syria, accused the US-led coalition of "violating the UNSC agreement" by attacking a sovereign nation. It further accused Washington of raking up a "fake propaganda" about the use of chemical weapons. "If the coalition knew the location of chemical facilities why didnt they share it with OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons)," said the statement issued by Tehran.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 15, 2018 12:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Downtown Portlaoise in association with Laois Enterprise and Laois County Council are organising a unique event here in Portlaoise.

The internationally known Retail Doctor Dr Bob Phibbs is coming to Laois in May to give an advisory session to customer facing employees of firms Portlaoise town on giving world class customer service.

Dr Phibbs is attending the Retail Excellence Ireland Expo in Citywest and is stopping off in Portlaoise.

In 1994, he started his retail consulting company, The Retail Doctor. His clients include some of the largest retail brands in the world including Bernina, Brother, Caesars Palace, Hunter Douglas, Lego, Omega, Hearts on Fire, Husqvarna, Tommy Bahama, Vera Bradley and Yamaha.

Named one of the top retail influencers of 2016, Phibbs is also an American Express merchant advisor, IBM retail futurist and RetailWire BrainTrust partner.

He has appeared on ABC, Fox, MSNBC, PBS and he and his work have been featured in articles in Entrepreneur, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He performs business makeovers for the Los Angeles Times.

With over thirty years experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, Dr Phibbs has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur. He received the highest increase in sales from South Coast Plaza, at that time the highest grossing shopping mall in the USA.

The event is aimed a businesses with employees who need invigorating or fresh new ideas on how to give the best service to your customers, this is the event for your business.

"We are aiming to raise the standards in customer service here in Portlaoise town, says Matthew Kennelly, Chairman of Downtown Portlaoise.

"This is not only for retail stores. This is suitable for any business where customers are served such as dentists, solicitors, hairdressers, hospitality, cafe plus many more. We have had a great take up on this event already, before we even promote it".

The event takes place at the Midlands Park Hotel on the Thursday, May 17 starting at 6.30pm. It costs 50 per person and booking is through Laois Enterprise website. Limited places are available now.

BOOK HERE
Maynooth University has announced its first ever Maynooth Week will take place from April 14 to 20 and feature a wide range of activities, including lectures, musical recitals, and exhibitions.

The aim of Maynooth Week is to celebrate the Universitys staff, students and its diverse community, all of whom embody the spirit of the institution through their intellectual contributions, their commitment to innovation in teaching and research, and their commitment to creating an exceptional learning environment.

The week also will shine a spotlight on the Universitys partnership with the local Maynooth community, celebrating the unique and mutually beneficial relationship between the institution and the town.

Maynooth Week is part of the year-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of Maynooth University as an independent university on 16 June, 1997.

Maynooth Week kicks off on Saturday, April 14, with the Maynooth University 2018 Festival of Food Sovereignty, a day-long event that examines how to best create a sustainable food system and features talks, workshops, music, art and activities for kids. The day will begin with an opening lecture from Jun Borras, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Peasant Studies.

Monday, April 16, will see Professor Jane Gray of Maynooth Universitys Department of Sociology present her lecture, Lineages of class and community: How Irish family practices create social change. Part of the universitys Inaugural Professorial Lecture Series, Professor Grays research examines how Irish families use relationships to improve their social standing and effect social change.

Also taking place on Monday is a provocative lecture by Professor of Law at Auckland University, Professor Timothy Kuhner titled, American Kleptocracy: Explaining Trump. In his presentation, Professor Kuhner will discuss how Trump came to power and the true nature of his regime.

Other highlights of the week include a lecture by Professor Philip Rosemann, Department of Philosophy, titled, Leonard Cohen, Philosopher.

Prof Rosemann will delve into the rich philosophy contained within the music of Leonard Cohen on Wednesday, April 18, focusing on what he sees as particularly Irish themes in one of Cohens later works, Steer Your Heart.

Thursday, April 19 includes the launch of The Country House Revived, an exhibition on the survival and revival of Irish country homes, and the launch of Women and the Country House, a volume of essays edited by Professor Terence Dooley, Professor Christopher Ridgeway and Dr Maeve ORiordan.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the above events, as well as a number of others taking place during Maynooth Week.

Commenting on Maynooth Week, President of Maynooth University Professor Philip Nolan, said: Through this academic year, Maynooth University has celebrated the 20th anniversary of our founding as an independent university. In those two decades, the University has grown into a dynamic, research-intensive university that is providing an exceptional educational experience for 13,000 students from around the world.

Maynooth Week is our chance to celebrate all of the staff, students, alumni and the local Maynooth community that have made this university the outstanding place it is today.

For more information on Maynooth Week, and details on how to register to attend events, go to www.mu.ie/Maynooth-Week.
Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy has slammed the HSE decision to not automatically award medical cards to all cancer patients which he says has come as a devastating blow to cancer patients who are already under extreme pressure.

Deputy Murphy said that cancer patients are incredibly disappointed at the outcome of a HSE review into the provision of automatic medical cards following a cancer diagnosis. He was speaking following a reply to a Fianna Fail Parliamentary Question posed to Minister for Health, Simon Harris about proposals to automatically award medical cards to people who receive a cancer diagnosis.

At present, medical cards are automatically awarded to children and adolescents under the age of 18 who are given a cancer diagnosis. There was a genuine expectation among cancer patients, and support organisations, that following this review, this would be extended to all those who receive a cancer diagnosis.

This is totally unacceptable- I am dealing with many people who have a cancer diagnosis in counties Roscommon and Galway and they are under extreme pressure and strain and the last thing they need is a battle on their hands to fight for a medical card.

I am calling on Minister Harris to take action on this matter. A directive from the Government should be given to ensure that all patients who receive a cancer diagnosis are awarded a medical card, concluded Murphy.
Councillors from the Carrick-on-Shannon and Boyle Electoral Areas are to hold a joint meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern. The meeting is to take place on Friday, May 18, at 2.30pm in Aras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The items on the agenda for discussion include a proposed Blueway/Walkway between Jamestown and Drumsna; the Carrick-on-Shannon Area Action Plan; Hartley Bridge; Rooskey Bridge; the Ireland 2040 Plan and the proposed Ring road / Bypass of Carrick-on-Shannon; and parking at Carrick-on-Shannon Railway Station.

All of these issues have been raised at Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District level and it was felt that discussions also needed to take place with the elected counterparts on the Roscommon side to help progress matters and develop a coordinated approach to the various issues.

This will be the second such formal meeting between the representatives.

Meanwhile, Cllr Sean McGowan last Monday again asked for an update with regards to the provision of a much-needed footbridge alongside the bridge over the River Shannon at Rooskey.

He also asked if there has been any indication from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport as to when funding will be provided.

He was informed in reply that Roscommon County Council are taking the lead role in the design and planning of the footbridge and are looking at the available options.
LifeStyle

The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand.
WARNING for European visitors European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.

As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.
A DOCTOR at the University of Limerick who claims he was effectively forced out of his post after 15 years has said he will file High Court defamation proceedings against UL later this month, after a mediation process ended in failure this week  almost just after it began.

Dr Niall Cahill, medical director of the Student Health Centre at UL from 2000-2015, left UL with a settlement of 185,000, plus his legal costs. His departure followed allegations  which he strongly denies  that he bullied another UL employee.

Dr Cahill says the severance deal was foisted on him in August 2015 and that he signed it whilst I was recovering from a serious illness, during which time no duty of care was extended to me.

On March 16, he met with Kieran Mulvey, the former chief executive of the Workplace Relations Commission who was appointed by UL to mediate on a number of long-running staff issues.

Mr Mulvey subsequently engaged with UL on matters raised in that meeting. These included proposed pension payment to Dr Cahill and a public statement by UL addressing his concerns about damage to his professional standing caused by the circumstances of his departure.

However, Mr Mulvey wrote to him this week to advise him that he saw no hope of an amicable conclusion through mediation.

ULs position is that the mediation process should not be used to renegotiate the terms of the 2015 severance deal, which did not include the admission of any liability on the universitys part.

The mediation process is over for me almost just after it began, Dr Cahill told the Limerick Leader. My contention is that the settlement agreement is null and void because it was extracted by them through flawed procedures and abuse of process and privilege, as confirmed by the Thorn report on UL.

They subsequently defamed me in the Public Accounts Committee, without my having any right of reply. I told him [Mr Mulvey] that I wanted a full and proper apology from UL and proper recompense for the damage caused to my family and me.

I told him that I am one of several victims of ULs flawed processes and abuses. There has been absolutely no response from UL in any of this except to say that my settlement agreement resolved all outstanding grievances that I may have.

I have a legal team who will this month file for defamation in the High Court. There has been no change in how UL treats current or previous members of staff who have been victims of their summary justice and flawed procedures and that is contrary to the public interest, to say nothing of the personal injury and stress.

Dr Cahill told the Leader last year that, until complaints were made against him in 2013, he had never been the subject of a single complaint by a patient, relative, guardian or any employer in all of my years as a practicing doctor.

Professor Don Barry, the former UL president, told the Public Accounts Committee that the settlement with Dr Cahill was in connection with a claim of bullying ... which was upheld by an investigation leading to a disciplinary process.

While Dr Cahill was not named in the PAC hearing, he believes he was clearly identifiable and told the Leader that he intends to pursue a defamation action on that basis, against both the university and named individuals.

UL declined to comment.
A COUNCILLOR has called for signage to be placed on every local, rural road across County Limerick.

Abbeyfeale-based Fine Gael member Liam Galvin put forward a notice of motion at this weeks transport and travel committee meeting.

He wants a programme put in place to properly signpost every local road in Limerick.

The vast majority of these smaller roads do have numbers, with the prefix L, but many of them are not signposted.

And Cllr Galvin wants this to change.

I want all them to be marked at every junction, L, whether its 1001, 1002 or 1003 for different reasons. Say for example if you want to report a road in a bad condition, or a dangerous condition, or in need of repair, you can pick up the phone and report it to the local authority. If there is illegal dumping, you can pick up the phone and quote the exact road, the former mayor said.

He said at the moment, with no signposting, it is impossible to explain to council staff, especially those based in the city on a rural road issue.

Lets be honest, a lot of them would get lost when they get to Adare, he said.

He added that interactive services, like Satellite Navigation or Google Maps cannot be relied on, as these can only take people into approximate areas.

If you want to report a pothole in Athea, you will get on Google Maps to Athea, but where would you find where the pothole is, he asked, The public want to be able to report roads in bad condition. Several people want to report illegal dumping. You try and explain where illegal dumping is, where the pothole is, and the council staff have not an idea where to go.

Cllr Galvin says this is also important for the emergency services attending crime scenes.

If you need the emergency services to come out to a person who is falling ill, or a car crash, or illegal activities, this signposting is the way to go, he said.

Hes looking for a costing from the council.

The motion was deferred until the next council transport meeting, as Cllr Galvin was not in attendance at this Mondays meeting.
A newly-designed plaza is planned for the front of the heritage centre in Adare, which its hoped will open the amenity up to the road and entice new visitors.

Limerick City and County Council is due to apply for Part 8 planning for the facility, which is being funded through a grant from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The new design will get rid of much of the front wall and create a seamless open space connecting with the main footpath outside.

The project would also include landscaping, benches, and an al fresco dining area covered by modern canopies, which would serve the heritage centre restaurant.

Councillors from the Adare Rathkeale area were briefed on the plans during this months municipal district meeting on Tuesday.

In the long term, council planners hope that the plaza can stretch across the road to connect the heritage centre with the villages park - although this cannot be achieved until after the Adare bypass is built.

The council is hoping to complete the project for 100,000, the amount that was allocated in the grant scheme.

Mayor of Limerick, FG Cllr Stephen Keary, said that he agrees that the heritage centre needs a facelift, but that Adare needs a masterplan.

Doing things like this is shortsighted, he said. Theres a huge shortage of parking in the village. There are lands off the roundabout which should be actively pursued by the local authority for car parking spaces, he added.

FF Cllr Kevin Sheahan said well done on a good idea, and agreed that parking on the street is hard to find on a busy day.

FG Cllr Adam Teskey said that modernising the heritage centre would attract visitors.

For the parking issue, he suggested starting with signage to direct people to the car park at the back of the centre. There are often spaces available there, he said, but many visitors dont realise the facility is there.

He also promoted the idea of all the community groups in Adare who are carrying out their own projects should unite under one banner  such as the civic trust  to face the council and have a say in the public infrastructure of the village.

SF Cllr Ciara McMahon praised the fantastic plans, but added: we address the parking issue more proactively.
DOZENS of family members and friends of a dead pensioner staged a peaceful protest outside the Irish Medical Council offices on Thursday, in a bid to ensure a fitness to practice committee hearing takes place.

Michael Daly Snr, of Lee Estate, died aged 66 on April 7, 2010, after repeatedly presenting at Mid-Western Regional Hospitalnow University Hospital Limerickafter two years of complaining of pain and rectal bleeding.

Preparations for a fitness to practice committee hearing have been underway in relation to Mr Daly for a number of years.

A criminal investigation and a second inquest into the circumstances of Mr Dalys death have yet to be concluded.

Family members have received an email from a solicitor, who was preparing a case for the hearing, stating: We are further instructed by the CEO to notify the Committee that we are applying to strike out the complaint/Inquiry in respect of [consultant]. It will be a matter for the Committee to determine whether it is appropriate in the circumstances to strike out the complaint/Inquiry in respect of [consultant].

The Limerick Leader reported in September 2012 that a verdict of natural causes was returned at Limerick Coroners Court at the inquest.

His son Michael Daly Jnr, who was unhappy with the verdict, led an appeal with his family to have the inquest reopened. And in March 2017, coroner John McNamara confirmed to the family that a second inquest was to be reopened late last year.

In October 2017, gardai confirmed that officer at Henry Street were investigating the death of Michael Daly.

It is likely that the second inquest will take place after gardai conclude their investigations.

Henry Street superintendent Derek Smart confirmed this week: We are continuing our investigating of a number of allegations that have been made regarding the death of Mr Daly.

It is understood that State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy has been called in to review the case.

Mr Daly and his family and friends will wear t-shirts at the peaceful protest, bearing a picture of his late father with the slogan: A fair hearing for a sad death.

Mr Daly said that if the committee strikes out the hearing, the family will seek a judicial review in the High Court.

In a previous interview, after gardai launched the probe, Michael Daly Jnr said that the past seven years have been a battle for truth.

The past seven years have been horrendous for us as a family with the realisation of what happened our dad, and as a family we are delighted that our dad's death is being investigated by An Gardai Siochana and the State pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy, it has been a long seven years.

Mr Daly previously said that since weeks before his fathers death, he and his sisters, Sandra and Susan, have been requesting for all of his health records, adding that they had studied more than 3,200 documents.

And after a four-year long investigation, I found myself in a position to request a second inquest, based on my findings.

In October he said that the family are very happy with the gardai and their handling of the matter and with coroner John McNamaras role.

In March 2017, he said the family endured four years of grief since the first inquest.
GARDAI have launched an investigation after the Limerick Fire and Rescue Service received a hoax call warning of someone in distress on the Shannon this Sunday.

The emergency service was alerted to a person entering the River Shannon beside the Treaty Stone at around 12.10pm this Sunday lunchtime As a result of this, three units of the fire brigade attended the scene, while Swiftwater Rescue Crews launched their Fireswift vessel on the River.

However, upon arriving at the scene, and following an investigation, the call was determined to be a hoax.

The incident has been condemned as despicable by Senator Kieran ODonnell, who added: We have emergency services on standby to deal with real crises, and the fact you could have a situation where they could be called out to a hoax call and you could have another situation where someones life could be danger. Its something we need to look at. Its coming up too frequently.

He pledged to take the matter up with the gardai and the local authority to ensure there are consequences for those who effectively tie up vital emergency services

They are there on standby for a reason, to deal when peoples lives are in danger. Do people realise there are major consequences in whats happening here, he asked, I know from taking to people in the fire service that they are really frustrated by this. These people do phenomenal work on a daily basis.
sacw.net - 15 April 2018

We are a group of retired civil servants who came together last year to express our concern at the decline in the secular, democratic, and liberal values enshrined in our constitution. We did so to join other voices of protest against the frightening climate of hate, fear and viciousness that the ruling establishment had insidiously induced. We spoke then as we do now: as citizens who have no affiliations with any political party nor adherence to any political ideology other than the values enshrined in our Constitution.

We had hoped that as someone sworn to upholding the Constitution, the government that you head and the party to which you belong would wake up to this alarming decline, take the lead in stemming the rot and reassure everyone, especially the minorities and vulnerable sections of society that they need not fear for their life and liberty. This hope has been destroyed.

Instead, the unspeakable horror of the Kathua and the Unnao incidents shows that the government has failed in performing the most basic of the responsibilities given to it by the people. We, in turn, have failed as a nation which took pride in its ethical, spiritual and cultural heritage and as a society which treasured its civilisational values of tolerance, compassion and fellow feeling. By giving sustenance to the brutality of one human being against another in the name of Hindus we have failed as human beings.

The bestiality and the barbarity involved in the rape and murder of an eight year old child shows the depths of depravity that we have sunk into. In post-independence India, this is our darkest hour and we find the response of our government, the leaders of our political parties inadequate and feeble. At this juncture, we see no light at the end of the tunnel and we hang our heads in shame. Our sense of shame is all the more acute because our younger colleagues who are still in service, especially those working in the districts and are required by law to care for and protect the weak and the vulnerable, also seem to have failed in their duty.

Prime Minister, we write to you not just to express our collective sense of shame and not just to give voice to our anguish or lament and mourn the death of our civilisational values a but to express our rage. Rage over the agenda of division and hate your party and its innumerable, often untraceable offshoots that spring up from time to time, have insidiously introduced into the grammar of our politics, our social and cultural life and even our daily discourse. It is that which provides the social sanction and legitimacy for the incidents in Kathua and Unnao.

Narendra Modi RSS

In Kathua in Jammu, it is the culture of majoritarian belligerence and aggression promoted by the Sangh Parivar which emboldened rabid communal elements to pursue their perverse agenda. They knew that their behaviour would be endorsed by the politically powerful and those who have made their careers by polarising Hindus and Muslims across a sectarian divide.

In Unnao in UP, it is the reliance on the worst kinds of patriarchal feudal mafia dons to capture votes and political power that gives such persons the freedom to rape and murder and extort as a way of asserting their own personal power. But even more reprehensible than such abuse of power, it is the response of the state government in hounding the victim of rape and her family instead of the alleged perpetrator that shows how perverted governance practices have become. That the government of UP finally acted only when it was compelled to do so by the high court, shows its hypocrisy and the half-heartedness of its intent.

In both cases, Prime Minister, it is your party which is in power. Given your supremacy within the party and the centralised control you and your party president exercise, you more than anyone else have to be held responsible for this terrifying state of affairs. Instead of owning up and making reparations however, you had until yesterday chosen to remain silent, breaking your silence only when public outrage both in India and internationally reached a point when you could no longer ignore it.

And even then, while you have condemned the act and expressed a sense of shame, you have not condemned the communal pathology behind the act nor shown the resolve to change the social, political and administrative conditions under which such communal hate is bred. We have had enough of these belated remonstrations and promises to bring justice when the communal cauldron is forever kept boiling by forces nested within the Sangh Parivar.

Prime Minister, these two incidents are not just ordinary crimes where, with the passage of time, the wounds inflicted on our social fabric, on our body politic and the moral fibre of our society will heal and it will soon be business as usual. This is a moment of existential crisis, a turning point a the way the government responds now will determine whether we as a nation and as a republic have the capacity

to overcome the crisis of constitutional values, of governance and the ethical order within which we function.

And to this end we call upon you to do the following:

a Reach out to the families of the victims in Unnao and Kathua and seek their forgiveness on behalf of all of us.

a Fast-track the prosecution of the perpetrators in the Kathua case and request for a court directed SIT in the Unnao case, without further ado.

a In the memory of these innocent children and all other victims of hate crime, renew a pledge to offer special protection to Muslims, to Dalits, to members of other minority communities, to women and children so that they need not fear for their life and liberty and any threat to these will be extinguished with the full force of State authority.

a Take steps to remove from government anyone who has been associated with hate crimes and

hate speeches.

a Call for an all party meeting to deliberate on ways in which the phenomenon of hate crime can be tackled socially, politically and administratively.

It is possible that even this may be too little too late but it will restore some sense of order and give hope that the free fall into anarchy can be arrested. We live in hope.

Signed:

1. SP Ambrose, IAS (Retd). Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping and Transport, GoI

2. Vappala Balachandran, IPS (Retd). Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI

3. Chandrashekhar Balakrishnan. IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, GoI

4. Pradip Bhattacharya, IAS (Retd). Former Additional Chief Secretary, Development & Planning and Administrative Training Institute, Govt. of West Bengal

5. Meeran C Borwankar, IPS (Retd). Former DGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development, GoI

6. Sundar Burra, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra

7. Javid Chowdhury, IAS (Retd). Former Health Secretary, GoI

8. Anna Dani, IAS (Retd). Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra

9. Surjit K. Das. IAS (Retd). Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand

10. Vibha Puri Das. IAS (Retd) Former Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI

11. Nareshwar Dayal. IFS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

12. Keshav Desiraju, IAS (Retd). Former Health Secretary, GoI

13. M.G. Devasahayam, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Govt. of Haryana

14. Sushil Dubey, IFS (Retd). Former Ambassador to Sweden

15. K.P. Fabian, IFS (Retd). Former Ambassador to Italy

16. Meena Gupta, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI

17. Ravi Vira Gupta, IAS (Retd). Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India

18. Wajahat Habibullah, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, GoI and Chief Information Commissioner

19. Sajjad Hassan, IAS (Retd). Former Commissioner (Planning), Govt. of Manipur

20. M.A. Ibrahimi, IAS (Retd). Former Chief Secretary (rank) Bihar

21. Ajai Kumar, Indian Forest Service (Retd). Former Director, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI

22. Arun Kumar, IAS (Retd). Former Chairman, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, GoI

23. Harsh Mander, IAS (Retd). Govt. of Madhya Pradesh

24. Aditi Mehta, IAS (Retd). Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan

25. Sunil Mitra, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of Finance, GoI

26. Sobha Nambisan, IAS (Retd). Former Principal Secretary (Planning), Govt. of Karnataka

27. Amitabha Pande, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Inter-State Council, GoI

28. Niranjan Pant,IA&AS (Retd). Former Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General of India

29. P. R. Parthasarathy, IPS (Retd). Former Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Govt. of Maharashtra

30. Alok Perti, IAS (Retd) Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, GoI

31. N.K. Raghupathy, IAS (Retd). Former Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, GoI

32. M.Y. Rao, IAS (Retd).

33. Sujatha Rao, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of Health, GoI

34. Julio Ribeiro, IPS (Retd). Former Adviser to Governor of Punjab & Ambassador to Romania

35. Aruna Roy, IAS (Resigned)

36. Manabendra N. Roy, IAS (Retd). Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal

37. Umrao Salodia, IAS (Retd). Former Chairman, Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation, Govt. of Rajasthan

38. Deepak Sanan, IAS (Retd). Former Principal Adviser (AR) to Chief Minister, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh

39. E. A.S. Sarma, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, GoI

40. N.C. Saxena, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Planning Commission, GoI

41. Ardhendu Sen, IAS (Retd). Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal

42. Abhijit Sengupta, IAS (Retd). Secretary, Ministry of Culture, GoI

43. Aftab Seth, IFS (Retd). Former Ambassador to Japan

44. Navrekha Sharma, IFS (Retd). Former Ambassador to Indonesia

45. Har Mander Singh, IAS (Retd). Former Director General, ESI Corporation, GoI

46. Jawhar Sircar, IAS (Retd). Former Secretary, Ministry of Culture, GoI, & CEO, Prasar Bharati

47. K.S. Subramanian, IPS (Retd). Former Director General, State Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development, Govt. of Tripura

48. Geetha Thoopal, IRAS (Retd). Former General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata

49. Ramani Venkatesan, IAS (Retd).Former Director General, YASHADA, Govt. Of Maharashtra
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A gravitational wave detector that's 2.5 miles long isn't cool. You know what's cool? A 25-mile-long gravitational wave detector.

That's the upshot of a series of talks given here Saturday (April 14) at the April meeting of the American Physical Society. The next generation of gravitational wave detectors will peer right up to the outer edge of the observable universe, looking for ripples in the very fabric of space-time, which Einstein predicted would occur when massive objects like black holes collide. But there are still some significant challenges standing in the way of their construction, presenters told the audience.

"The current detectors you might think are very sensitive," Matthew Evans, a physicist at MIT, told the audience. "And that's true, but they're also the least sensitive detectors with which you can [possibly] detect gravitational waves." [8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real Life]

Current detectors, of course, are nothing to sneeze at. When the 2.5-mile-long (4 kilometers) Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) first detected space-time growing and shrinking back in 2015  the gravitational echo of a 1.3-billion-year-old collision between two black holes  it proved the existence of the vast, invisible gravitational waves that were once entirely theoretical, and led in just two years to a Nobel Prize for LIGO's creators.

But LIGO and its cousin, the 1.9-mile-long (3 km) Italian instrument Virgo, are fundamentally limited, the speakers said. Both detectors are only really capable of spotting gravitational waves from objects that are relatively near to Earth on the scale of the whole universe, said MIT physicist Salvatore Vitale. They're also limited in the types of objects they can detect.

So far, there have really been just two major results from the current generation of interferometers: the 2015 detection of a black hole merger, and the August 2017 detection of two neutron stars colliding (also a hot topic at the conference). There have been a few more black hole collisions detected, but they haven't offered much in the way of stunning results on top of the first detection.

Build scaled-up, more precise LIGOs and Virgos, or a different kind of large-scale detector called an "Einstein telescope," Evans said, and the rate of wave detection could jump from one every few months to more than 1 million every year.

The triangular Einstein Telescope, a large-scale gravitational wave detector, is more than a decade away. (Image credit: CERN)

"When I say these detectors get us out to the edge of the universe, I mean they can detect nearly every binary system which merges," he said, referring to pairs of stars, black holes and neutron stars that are colliding.

That means the possibility of detecting black holes from the very early years of the universe, probing deep mysteries of gravity, and even potentially detecting, for the first time, the gravitational waves of a star going supernova and collapsing into a neutron star or black hole. [6 Weird Facts About Gravity]

Bigger is better

So why do bigger detectors lead to more sensitive searches for gravitational waves? In order to understand that, you have to understand how these detectors work.

LIGO and Virgo are, as Live Science has previously reported, basically giant L-shaped rulers. Two tunnels branch out at right angles from each other, using lasers to make extremely fine moment-to-moment measurements of the tunnels' lengths. When a gravitational wave passes through the detector, wiggling space itself, that length changes a tiny bit. What was once a mile becomes, briefly, slightly less than a mile. And the laser, traversing that shorter distance slightly faster, demonstrates that the change has happened.

But there's a limit to just how fine that measurement can be. Most waves ripple the laser far too slightly for the interferometers to notice. Improving the detection technology in LIGO and Virgo's existing tunnels can improve matters somewhat, Evans said, and there are plans to do that. But to really amplify the signal, he said, the only option is to go much bigger. [Hunting Gravitational Waves: The LIGO Laser Interferometer Project in Photos]

An L-shaped detector with 24.86-mile-long (40 km) arms, 10 times the size of LIGO, is the next step, Evans said. He called the proposal a "cosmic explorer." It would be big enough to detect just about anything a gravitational wave detector could possibly detect, he said, but not so big that the underlying physics start to fall apart or the costs become unfeasibly high, even for this sort of eye-bleedingly expensive science project. (The final cost of LIGO ran into the hundreds of millions of dollars.)

So why a detector of that size, rather than twice or 10 times as big?

At a certain point, about 24.86 miles (40 km) long, Evans said, the light takes so long to move from one end of the tunnel to the other that the experiment can become fuzzy, making the results less precise rather than more.

At least as challenging are the costs. LIGO and Virgo are small enough that the curvature of the Earth wasn't a significant construction challenge, Evans said. But at 24.86 miles (40 km) per arm, putting the ends of each tunnel at ground level means that the centers of the tunnels have to be 98.43 feet (30 meters) underground (assuming the ground is perfectly level).

"Over 40 kilometers," Evans said, "the trucking distance of dirt [out of the long tunnel] starts to take over costs."

There's also the basic problem of finding a flat empty space large enough to build such a large detector. Evans said there's basically nowhere in Europe big enough, and in the US the options are limited to the region of the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Black Rock desert in Nevada.

Those space challenges drive the alternative massive gravitational wave detector design, called the Einstein telescope. While an L shape is the best way to measure a gravitational wave, Evans said, a triangle with three tunnels and multiple detectors can do nearly as good a job while taking up a much smaller space, ideal for the geographical limitations of Europe.

These detectors are still 15 to 20 years away from completion, Vitale said, and all the technology necessary to build them hasn't yet been invented. Still, he and Evans both told the assembled scientists that "the time is now" to start working on them. Already, Vitale said, there are eight working groups preparing a report on the scientific justification for such massive devices, due out in December 2018.

One member of the audience asked Evans whether it made sense to build, say, an 5-mile-long (8 km) detector while a true Cosmic Explorer or full-scale Einstein Telescope remains more than a decade away.

If he were on a funding committee, he wouldn't approve such a project, because the scientific returns from doubling LIGO's size just aren't that big, Evans said. It's only at the upper limits of tunnel size, that the costs of such a project would be justified, he added.

"Unless I knew that for some reason [an 8-km detector would be the largest ever realistically possible to build], it's just not worth it," he said.

Still, Vitale said, that doesn't mean scientists have to wait 15 to 20 years for the next major phase of gravitational wave results. As more detectors on the current scale come online, including the Virgo-sized Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA) in Japan and the LIGO-sized LIGO-India, and as the existing detectors improve, researchers will have the opportunity to measure individual gravitational waves from more angles at once, enabling more detections and more detailed conclusions about where they come from.

Original article on Live Science.
Filmmaker Milos Forman, whose movies One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Amadeus won a deluge of Academy Awards, including best director Oscars, died Saturday. He was 86.

Forman died at Danbury Hospital, near his home in Warren, Conn., according to a statement released by the former directors agent, Dennis Aspland.

When Forman arrived in Hollywood in the late 1960s from what was then Czechoslovakia, he was lacking in both money and English skills, but carried a portfolio of Czech films much admired internationally for their quirky, lighthearted spirit. Among them were Black Peter, Loves of a Blonde and The Firemans Ball.

The orphan of Nazi Holocaust victims, Forman had abandoned his homeland after communist troops invaded in 1968 and crushed a brief period of political and artistic freedom known as the Prague Spring.

In America, his record as a Czech filmmaker was enough to gain him entree to Hollywoods studios, but his early suggestions for film projects were quickly rejected.

After his first U.S. film, 1971s Taking Off, flopped, Forman didnt get a chance to direct a major feature again for years. He occupied himself during part of that time by covering the decathlon at the 1972 Olympics for the documentary Visions of Eight.

Actor Michael Douglas gave Forman a second chance, hiring him to direct One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, which Douglas was co-producing.

The 1975 film, based on Ken Keseys novel about a misfit who leads mental institution inmates in a revolt against authority, captured every major Oscar at that years Academy Awards, the first film to do so since 1934s It Happened One Night.

The winners included Jack Nicholson as lead actor, Louise Fletcher as lead actress, screenwriters Bo Goldman and Lawrence Hauben, Forman as director and the film itself for best picture.

The director, who worked meticulously, spending months with screenwriters and overseeing every aspect of production, didnt release another film until 1979s Hair. Ragtime followed in 1981, an adaptation of E.L. Doctorows novel. And Forman returned to Oscar heights three years later when he released Amadeus.

Based on Peter Shaffers play, it portrayed 18th century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as a foul-mouthed man-child, with lesser composer Salieri as his shadowy nemesis. It captured seven Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best actor (for F. Murray Abraham as Salieri).

Never prolific, Formans output slowed even more after Amadeus. Valmont (1989) reached audiences a year after Dangerous Liaisons, both based on the same French novel. The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) starred Woody Harrelson as the Hustler publisher. It garnered Oscar nominations for the actor and Formans direction. Man on the Moon (1999), based on the life of cult hero Andy Kaufman, won its star, Jim Carrey, a Golden Globe.

Anthony McCartney is an Associated Press writer.
Barbara Bush, the 92-year-old former first lady of the United States, is in failing health and will not seek further medical care, according to the office of former president George H.W. Bush.

A person close to the family said Barbara Bush has been suffering from a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.

After several recent hospitalizations, Bush has decided to focus on care to keep her comfortable instead of additional treatment, the statement said.

Barbara and George H.W. Bush received a standing ovation at the Super Bowl in 2017, shortly after they were both discharged from a Houston hospital for different reasons. Barbara Bush had bronchitis. In October, she attended a benefit concert at Texas A&M University to raise funds for hurricane relief.

"It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself - thanks to her abiding faith - but for others, the statement said. "She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving."

Support and prayers for the Bush family began to flow in from both sides of the aisle.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tweeted that Bush "is a comfort to her friends & family teaching us all how to live full of faith, love & humor."

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, sent prayers "for a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country" on Twitter.
BEIRUT - U.S.-led strikes against Syrian chemical weapons facilities prompted defiant celebrations in Damascus on Saturday as it became clear that the limited attack posed no threat to President Bashar al-Assad's hold on power and would likely have no impact on the trajectory of the Syrian war.

Fears of a wider escalation faded after it emerged that the locations targeted by the United States, Britain and France had been confined to three sites associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program, had caused no serious casualties and had probably not destroyed Syria's capacity to develop and deploy banned chemical substances.

There were expressions of anger from Syria's allies, with Russia labeling the attack an "act of aggression," Iran calling it "a war crime" and Syria describing it as "barbarous." President Trump called the attacks an "enormous success," tweeting that they represented a "Mission Accomplished."

But on the streets of Damascus, there was jubilation. Residents gathered in central squares and danced to patriotic songs, waving Syrian flags alongside those of Russia and Iran, Syria's allies in the fight against the anti-Assad rebellion.

"The honorable cannot be humiliated," said a tweet by the Twitter account maintained by Assad's office shortly after the attack. A few hours later, the account tweeted a video of him walking nonchalantly to work through the halls of the Syrian presidential palace.

Though the strikes appeared to have satisfied the conflicting agendas of the world powers competing for influence in Syria, they won't make any difference to the war on the ground - which Assad is steadily winning, said Amr al-Azm, a professor of history at Shawnee University in Ohio.

"This was more about the Western allies making sure their red lines were addressed rather than trying to seriously damage the Assad regime, prevent the further killing of civilians or reduce the capacity of the Assad regime to keep fighting," he said.

"From Assad's perspective, this was a big win. He must be thinking, this is good, I came out on top, I gained much more than I lost."

It was unclear even whether there would be a long-term impact on Syria's capacity to develop and use chemical weapons. Trump had telegraphed for days the likely response of the United States to the alleged chemical attack that killed civilians in a rebel stronghold last Saturday, giving the Syrian authorities and their Iranian and Russian allies time to vacate the facilities that were targeted - and perhaps also to remove vital equipment and stores.

Russia said that the damage had been minimal, and that most of the more than 100 missiles fired were intercepted. According to the Syrian army command, three civilians were injured, in the vicinity of one of the strikes against Homs.

"It remains to be seen whether the allied attack fulfilled all its intended goals," said Karl Dewey of Jane's by IHS Markit defense consultancy.

This was the second strike against Syria in a little over a year, in response to the second alleged use by the government of a poison gas against its citizens. Last April, the United States bombed the Shayrat air base in the province of Homs in retaliation for a sarin gas attack that killed around 70 people in the northern town of Khan Sheikhoun.

This time, videos emerged of men, women and children slumped dead, with foam on their mouths, after a bomb containing toxic gas allegedly was dropped in a residential neighborhood of the rebel-held town of Douma in the eastern suburbs of Damascus.

A day later, the rebels in the town surrendered, making the use of chemical weapons in this instance, if confirmed, an example of the successful tactical use of poison gas, Azm said.

These latest strikes went further than last year's attack, targeting production and research facilities as well as command centers from which attacks are launched. The Pentagon said the locations hit were a scientific research center in the Barzeh suburb of Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, and a chemical weapons equipment storage facility and a command post, also near Homs.

But although Defense Department spokeswoman Dana White the strikes had "set the Syrian chemical weapons program back for years," Pentagon officials acknowledged that a "residual" capacity remained.

Seeking to tamp down the global tensions that soared after Trump's tweet last week that missiles are "coming, nice and new and smart," the United States and its allies stressed the limited nature of their goals.

"This was not about interfering in a civil war, and it was not about regime change," Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May told a news conference in London.

White echoed the comment, saying the attack "does not represent a change in U.S. policy, nor an attempt to depose the Syrian regime."

In Damascus, residents jolted awake by explosions at 4 a.m. expressed relief that the attack was short-lived.

"Thank God this was less than we had feared. We were scared of a bigger assault that could be devastating, but we are happy it was limited and less powerful," said Mayda Kumejian, a Damascus resident contacted by telephone. She described being waked by explosions and the sound of jets roaring overhead, only to realize about an hour later that there would be no prolonged attack.

"This strike is only muscle flexing by Trump to show his power," she said. "Assad's regime is much stronger now."

The crowds that gathered in the Damascus also expressed scorn, waving portraits of Assad and mocking Trump.

"We tell Trump, you can do nothing. Here we are celebrating to show that you are bankrupt," said a woman interviewed on state television.

For Syrians who had welcomed the prospect of an American attack - and in many cases, called for them over many years - hopes that the U.S. threats might make a difference quickly soured into disappointment.

"We thought it would be much bigger than this," said Ahmed Primo, a journalist and activist now living in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. "Assad might have used chemical weapons this time, but he's been indiscriminately targeting civilians for years. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, hundreds of thousands of people have been disappeared. After seven years of war, we don't believe that anyone will come to help the Syrian people anymore."

The strikes give Assad a green light to sustain his pursuit of a military solution against opposition areas in which many more civilians may die even if chemical weapons aren't used, other rebel supporters said.

"According to the cowardly statements and the weak strike by the West, Assad is allowed to use all kinds of weapons to kill us except chemicals," tweeted Syrian opposition journalist Hadi Abdallah. "The international community has set him free as a monster to annihilate the Syrian people."

The United States and its allies said they hoped the attack would propel momentum toward the revival of peace talks in Geneva that have so far proved fruitless.

But there was no reason to believe these strikes would give any new incentive to Assad to cooperate with a peace process that Washington says should result in his removal from power, said Emile Hokayem from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"Assad has absorbed worse before, and he will absorb this," he said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Anton Troianovski in Moscow, Suzan Haidamous in Beirut and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed reporting.
LIMA, Peru - As Vice President Mike Pence addressed fellow world leaders at the Summit of the Americas this weekend, he told the story of a grandmother he met in Colombia who fled her home in Venezuela with her five grandchildren.

"She told me, with tears in her eyes, how the poverty had become so acute, her grandchildren had to stand in line at five in the morning to get a ticket to buy a piece of bread at five in the afternoon," Pence said in a speech. "And that was the sum total of sustenance that was available to their family."

In closing, Pence told his fellow leaders: "Remember to pray for people that are struggling under the weight of tyranny."

Throughout Pence's whirlwind 26-hour visit to Lima over the weekend, he repeatedly struck a compassionate tone as he described the suffering of people around the world, especially in Venezuela and Syria, and he talked about the United States' moral obligation to help others. It's a tone that's starkly different from that of President Donald Trump, who rarely expresses sympathy for people fleeing violence, poverty or oppression in their homelands. His policies in this area have been tougher than many of his predecessors as well.

The United States has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Venezuelans requesting asylum, a designation that Trump has said should be much more difficult to obtain. And the Trump administration capped the number of refugees who will be allowed to resettle in the United States this fiscal year at 45,000 - the lowest cap ever set by a president since the practice began in 1980 and significantly less than the limit of 110,000 set by former President Barack Obama.

Advocates say it's likely that the United States will accept far fewer than 45,000 refugees because of new restrictions that have made resettlement increasingly difficult. During the first six months of this fiscal year, 10,548 refugees were resettled, according to Refugee Council USA, a coalition that has been tracking the numbers.

Danielle Grigsby, the council's associate director, said she has seen a series of disparities between administration officials saying they want to help refugees - especially those fleeing religious persecution - and policies that make such assistance difficult. Pence's comments this weekend are simply the latest example, she said.

"It really is just something that we're just confused about," she said.

Since October 2017, only 44 Syrian refugees have come to the United States, according to State Department data. That's a dramatic decline from previous fiscal years: There were 6,557 Syrian refugees admitted in 2017 and 12,587 in 2016, toward the end of Obama's presidency. During Pence's time as the governor of Indiana, he tried to block Syrian refugees from settling in his state for fear that some could be terrorists, a warning that Trump repeated on the campaign trail.

Trump has also described undocumented immigrants from Mexico as dangerous criminals and rapists, tried to ban most visitors from several predominantly Muslim countries, used sinister terms to describe a caravan of Honduran migrants seeking asylum, threatened to cut off humanitarian aid to poor countries, questioned the patriotism of Americans born elsewhere and asked why the United States gets so many immigrants from "shithole" countries.

Administration officials have argued that the United States can compassionately help people suffering in ways other than allowing more refugees, migrants and asylum seekers into the country, which they have said can pose a security risk to Americans. They have said that refugees should be settled as close to their home countries as possible, that way it's easier for them to return.

The president has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Venezuela to protest the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro, and Pence announced on Friday that the administration will spend another $16 million helping Venezuelan refugees living in Brazil and Colombia. The United States has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Jordan and Turkey, where many Syrian refugees are now living, and Trump authorized the bombing of Syrian chemical weapons facilities on Friday evening.

"This was the morally right act to take," Pence told reporters on Saturday afternoon.

Pence attended the Summit of the Americas in Trump's place, as the president canceled at the last minute so that he could focus on formulating a response to the suspected chemical attack in Syria. Although Pence often travels on the president's behalf, this was the first time the vice president had to take over an already planned trip, assuming the president's jam-packed agenda instead of being able to set his own. But within those confines, Pence set his own tone.

Trump's attendance at the summit was expected to prompt protests and tense interactions with leaders of countries he had disparaged. Pence did not face such blowback, and fellow leaders limited their public criticism of the United States. Pence was even able to arrange a sit-down meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who has publicly feuded with Trump over his plans to construct a wall on the southern border and force Mexico to pay for it - a topic that Pence said they did not touch in their private meeting.

Soon after arriving in Lima on Friday afternoon, Pence met with four Venezuelans helping lead opposition to Maduro's regime. Pence noted that thousands of Venezuelans are fleeing their country each day, and he pledged to "continue to do everything in our power to provide sustenance and support to those who have fled this tyranny."

At the meeting, Mark Green, Trump's administrator of USAID, explained how the United States plans to spend an additional $16 million helping refugees.

"This aid is based upon need, and need alone, because America will always stand with the hungry and the displaced," Green said. "That's simply who we are as Americans."

Francisco "Paco" Palmieri, the State Department's acting assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere, added that "the United States is impressed by the generosity and compassion of those countries throughout the hemisphere who lead by example, hosting and providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans." Pence nodded his head in agreement.

That night, Pence rushed out of an opening ceremony at the summit so that he could make secure phone calls to congressional leaders, letting them know that the president had decided to bomb Syria. Although it was late in the evening when he was done, he made sure to still stop by a dinner organized by the Peruvian president.

The next day, Pence addressed the attack at meetings with fellow leaders, during a news conference with reporters and in a speech. While Trump focused on the successful use of force in tweets that morning, even declaring that this was "Mission Accomplished," Pence focused heavily on the suffering of the Syrian people under the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

"We acted in response to Assad's horrific use of chemical weapons on his own citizens one week ago - an attack that horrified and shocked the conscience of the world," Pence said. "Even now, Russia is deliberately spreading disinformation about Assad's heinous actions ... but the horrific pictures of dead children, the videos of suffering people prove what happened."

And he again spoke passionately about Venezuela, noting that "nearly 9 out of 10 Venezuelans live in grinding poverty" and that basic necessities like food and medicine are nearly impossible to find.

"And every day, some 5,000 Venezuelans flee the land of their birth, in the largest cross-border mass exodus in the history of our hemisphere," Pence said. "Under the Maduro regime, Venezuela is essentially a failed state. Failed states know no borders."
MEXICO CITY - In the past few opiate-soaked years, U.S. officials say, nearly all the heroin coursing through American cities has come from one place: Mexico.

U.S. authorities have expressed alarm at what they call an explosion of opium poppy in their southern neighbor. Echoing a federal drug agency assessment, President Donald Trump has declared that "an astonishing 90% of the heroin in America comes from south of the border" and cited that as one reason to build a giant border wall.

Yet Mexican and U.S. officials have struggled in recent years to answer some basic questions about Mexico's illegal poppy crop: How much is actually being grown? How much of it is the Mexican government destroying? And how much is being turned into heroin?

Now the Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to help Mexico get a more detailed picture of its poppy problem. It has begun to supply Mexican authorities with drones and geolocation technology and is funding studies to pinpoint how much poppy is being planted and how much heroin is produced from it.

The new initiatives emerged from several high-level meetings between Mexican and U.S. officials last year, as well as a trip in July by then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, who flew to see poppy fields in Guerrero state with Mexican military leaders, according to Mexican and U.S. officials.

Trump's harsh rhetoric about Mexico on illegal immigration, trade and the wall could jeopardize that kind of security cooperation. On Monday, President Enrique Pena Nieto's office said he has instructed cabinet secretaries to review their bilateral programs with the United States, following a tense week in which Trump criticized Mexico about a caravan of migrants heading toward the U.S. border.

But on certain issues, such as poppy, the two sides have already quietly made progress. With Trump as president, "we thought that there would have been a chilling of relations," said Juan Carlos Silva, chief of the anti-drug division of Mexico's federal police. "On the contrary, we have grown closer."

The Drug Enforcement Administration said in a report last year that Mexico supplies 93 percent of all heroin consumed in the United States, up from half of it in 2012 - even though it lags far behind Afghanistan and Burma as an opium poppy producer, according to U.N. figures.

The DEA also reported that production more than tripled in Mexico between 2013 and 2016, to 79,000 acres, in part because of "reduced poppy eradication."

But there is no consensus on those estimates, particularly the production numbers.

Mexican military officials deny that poppy production has tripled and say they have increased eradication efforts, deploying more than 20,000 soldiers on ground or aerial missions. The troops destroyed about 71,000 acres last year and are on pace this year to surpass that, the officials said.

A decade ago, Mexico eradicated 27,000 acres, according to the United Nations.

There are several reasons for the disparate assessments.

Poppy, which is often cultivated in remote mountain areas, is harder to identify from aerial imagery than coca, the base ingredient of cocaine. In Colombia, once a major source of U.S. heroin, it is often grown in forests under cloud cover. In Mexico, where it is mainly grown in the western states of Guerrero, Sinaloa and Durango, it can also be interspersed with other crops, such as peach trees, making it difficult to detect.

And since poppy has such a short growing cycle - from seed to harvest in just four months - intermittent photography might miss certain fields, experts say.

"There are still a lot of question marks around the figures," said Martin Jelsma, director of the drug program at the Transnational Institute, a research organization based in Amsterdam, and the co-author of a forthcoming study on Mexican and Colombian poppy production.

Equally challenging, Jelsma said, is identifying the source country of a heroin sample. He doubts that the DEA can always tell whether heroin is made from Mexican or Colombian poppy, given that Mexican drug traffickers in some cases have hired Colombians to teach heroin-production techniques, so the product is similar.

"There is a gross underestimate of the poppy cultivation in Colombia," he said.

Lawrence Payne, a DEA spokesman, acknowledged that it was hard for the agency's scientists to distinguish between heroin varieties when Mexico first adopted Colombian recipes but said laboratory methods have been modified to address the problem.

DEA scientists can now determine a sample's variety and origin "at the 95% confidence level," Payne wrote.

For the past year, U.S. officials have focused on trying to help Mexican authorities establish an accurate picture of how much poppy is being grown and a system for verifying the amount Mexican security forces have destroyed.

"They've not had that in the past," one U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of a lack of authorization to comment publicly.

Until 2016, Mexico did not provide verifiable statistics on the size of its poppy crop. That year, working with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, it produced its first such report, relying on aerial and satellite imagery that found that about 61,000 acres of poppy was being grown. This summer, Mexico and the U.N. agency are expected to publish updated information and the first estimates of "yield," or how much poppy paste and heroin result from the crop. The U.S. government has helped fund that study, known as MEXK-54.

In addition, U.S. authorities have given the Mexican military several drones to help identify fields, according to a senior Mexican military official. They have also provided handheld equipment that uses GPS coordinates to locate poppy fields that have been destroyed, then sends the data via satellite to the Mexican attorney general's office, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The Mexican army has the primary responsibility for eradication.

Mexican military officials describe these as test "projects" that have not been formally adopted but say more information about the "new gadgets" may be public soon.

Mexico has long been wary of allowing U.S. security agencies too much access. That has made it hard for the United States to evaluate the scope of poppy production or verify Mexican eradication efforts, said David Murray, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former chief scientist with the Office of National Drug Control Policy during the George W. Bush administration.

"It's just been a very difficult thing to get full Mexican cooperation because of their concerns about their own sovereignty," he said.

Military-to-military relations have improved in recent years, with Mexico taking a more active role in hemispheric defense forums. Even amid the tensions with the Trump administration, top Mexican military leaders have met regularly with their U.S. counterparts.

In July, during Kelly's visit to the Guerrero opium fields, he watched Mexican soldiers uproot and burn crops.

"The Mexican government eradicates a tremendous amount of opium," Kelly said in an interview at the time. "In fact, I believe something on the order of about 90 percent of the poppies that are under cultivation they eradicate. By contrast, I think, Afghanistan eradicates about 2 percent.

"The problem, of course, is there's five crops a year," he added.

After that visit, the two countries began developing new ways to work together on the issue, including boosting the use of technology.

"As a result of that trip and those conversations, these projects came about," a Mexican official said.

The DEA has added staff in Mexico to work on the opioid problem. U.S. law enforcement officials also said Mexican authorities appear to be stepping up efforts to combat it.

"I have seen, definitely, an increase in poppy field seizures," one official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share candid views.

Others, however, remain skeptical that Mexican authorities will do much more to curb opium poppy production.

"No matter how much money we pump into that, they're still going to do what they want to do," a second U.S. official said. "They might take all that equipment we throw at them and use it for something else."

Security experts in both countries question whether the Trump administration's drive against poppy will fare any better than previous attempts. Even though the U.S. government spent decades discouraging the flow of cocaine from Colombia, coca is again being cultivated there at record levels.

"It's undeniable there's a stepped-up attempt to refocus efforts on this particular problem," said Eric Olson, a Latin American security expert at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. "I just don't have a sense that there are any new ideas."

In Mexico, some analysts played down the Pena Nieto government's contributions to the anti-heroin fight during its five years in power, arguing that little effort has been made to develop programs for alternative crops or maintain security there as the cartels wage war, driving violence to record levels last year.

Eradicating poppy, said Alejandro Hope, a security expert and former intelligence official, "has not been a priority for this government."
SAN DIEGO - Support for drugs like Suboxone, Vivitrol and methadone was one of the rallying cries at the annual American Society for Addiction Medicine conference this week in California.

Broadly known as medication-assisted treatments, the drugs are sometimes-controversial tools for battling the growing opioid epidemic. Though they work in different ways, all three can be taken long-term to reduce the chance of relapse into drug use.

"It's not a matter of ideology," said ASAM president Dr. Kelly Clark. "It's a matter of the facts show a person's risk of dying is higher when they don't take medication."

Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, touted the use of addiction-fighting medications during a Friday opening plenary in front of some 2,000 doctors and other event attendees.

READ MORE: Harris County jail to offer Vivitrol shots to combat heroin addiction

"Medication assisted treatment is the standard of care for opioid use disorder," she said forcefully, drawing applause.

One of the success stories highlighted repeatedly at the conference was Rhode Island's progressive approach to addiction treatment in its combined prisons and jails.

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections in 2016 became the first prison system in the country to offer all three addiction medications to prisoners still serving their sentences - a move that generated a 61 percent reduction in overdose deaths among those recently released from prison, according to study published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Though the New England state's approach was heralded as forward-thinking, the Harris County jail has already taken steps in the same direction.

Late last year, Harris County launched what officials touted as the first jail Vivitrol program in the state.

"We're trying to be more innovative as an agency," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in November. "Incarceration only is not an effective solution."

Vivitrol, also known as naltrexone, is a non-addictive, non-narcotic monthly shot designed to reduce cravings and block users from getting high. Suboxone (also known as buprenorphine) and methadone are also intended to fight addiction, and they work by latching onto the body's opioid receptors and prevent the heroin from attaching.

Unlike naltrexone, the other two drugs also deliver a little bit of their own painkilling effect. And they're both considered narcotics, which has been a source of some discomfort among corrections officials and some in the recovery community.

In addition to pushing for medication-assisted treatment, experts at the annual conference pushed back against the move toward medical marijuana approval in a growing number of states.

"It is not a health product, and it has adverse effects," McCance-Katz said. "For too many years a multibillion-dollar unopposed industry has presented this drug as a healthy pastime  it isn't."

Specifically, McCance-Katz said, the drug is linked to increased risk for later psychotic disorder and IQ losses.

The use of medical marijuana has long been a source of debate among medical experts, and some studies have offered support for its efficacy in treating specific conditions like chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea.

READ MORE: Medical marijuana makes Texas debut amid access concerns

Clark, in a session with reporters earlier in the week, referenced research showing that marijuana users are more likely to later develop painkiller addictions

"Is x, y, or z a gateway drug? The answer is yes, every drug is a gateway drug," she said. "Youth who are using cannabis are more likely to then use opioids. Every drug that is available is a gateway drug. Alcohol is a gateway drug, nicotine is a gateway drug."

This comes just two months after the first delivery of prescription pot hit the market in Texas, where the new Compassionate Use Program allows patients to qualify for low-THC cannabis medications. The program is limited only to patients with intractable epilepsy who have run out of other medicinal treatment options.

In 2017, the Texas Department of Public Safety licensed just three dispensaries, move that sparked concern among advocates and patients.

Unlike in other states, Texas requires doctors to prescribe the drug instead of simply recommending it.
Texas ongoing education-funding battles and the State Board of Educations rancor toward Mexican-American Studies raise painful education memories.

In August 1973, I arrived in Seattle to begin my graduate education at the University of Washington. I visited the campus on a beautiful clear Sunday.

I vividly remember breaking into tears as I sat in the square in front of the beautiful Gothic-designed main library. As I admired the architecture, I felt bathed in a cloak of knowledge radiating from the buildings around me. I was awestruck viewing snow-capped Mount Rainier 130 miles out. Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in North America, seemed like a metaphor for my achievement.

I realize now that the tears were the emotional response to overcoming a repressive and institutionalized racist public education system. It was unimaginable that I was entering graduate studies after a Texas public education that belittled me beginning in kindergarten. Not one of my older 13 brothers and sisters had completed more than ninth grade, and I became a dropout six weeks into the 11th grade.

As I remember it, in direct and subtle ways I was taught that white was good and brown was bad, the Spanish language and Mexican-American culture were dirty, and 100-plus white heroes killed 5,000 dirty Mexicans at the Alamo.

I would come home feeling worthless, blaming my parents. Indeed, my excitement for learning was killed early.

If Dr. Cal Jillson is correct in his heavily documented book Lone Star Tarnished: A Critical Look at Texas Politics and Public Policy, Texas commitment to education for all its residents has been ambivalent at best since achieving statehood. If you were a white male and well-to-do, you reaped the benefit of a well-resourced education. Most women, low-income white males, blacks and Mexican-Americans fared poorly.

It may be true that overt racism is no longer present in our public schools, dropout rates have lowered, and the majority of high school graduates are now Latino. Nonetheless, the majority of Texas public school students who are low-income, African-American or Latino continue to bear the burden of a poor quality education. Whether intentional or by default, the result is a racialized education policy.

The procrastinations (more hearings and studies) and shifty decisions of the Texas Legislature and board of education demonstrate a lack of concern and priority for our childrens social and academic development. In addition, they ignore the economic evidence that racial equality corresponds with more robust growth for all Texans.

As a result, millions of Texas children are at risk of becoming another generation of undereducated adults with limited job skills and lower incomes. They will not achieve a middle-class status that is not based on credit card debt. They will, however, support the states status as a cheap source of labor.

Im fortunate to have achieved the middle-class American Dream. I went through public school where there was no path for me to feel institutionally connected and supported. Nor was there a sentence or paragraph on a page that I could pridefully call my own because it positively recognized my history and culture in a place that is home.

Children start school motivated and ready to learn. Its disingenuous to paint the education system a success by singling out the few at-risk youth who succeed in overcoming poverty when Texas education policies are contributing to their undereducated, low-income environment.

The focus must be to nurture every childs first-day-of-school excitement by assuring they succeed through an unbiased lens, innovative instruction approaches and equitable education funding.

Juan H. Flores is a consultant and adviser on health and social policy.
Success in student politics has become a yearly event for Longford native, Siona Cahill, who was last week elected to lead the Union of Students in Ireland for the 2018-2019 term.

Currently the Deputy President of USI and Vice President for Equality and Citizenship, the 25-year-old Carrickedmond woman is thrilled to be taking the helm of the organisation as USI President.

Im absolutely honoured, she told the Longford Leader on Monday.

We represent over 374,000 students across this island and I will make sure that they will be heard; we wont be ignored!

The Union works to improve and protect the lives of students every day on academic and social issues through campaigns, training and research.

The issues on Siona's agenda for the upcoming term include tackling third level fees and housing.

It is imperative that we dont put further burden on families or allow a loan scheme to be introduced in this country; that would be a disaster, she said.

College with cost of living costs an average of 12,000 a year, and Ireland has the second highest fees in Europe already.

Education is a public good and has to be as accessible as possible. State investment has not matched the growing numbers in our colleges, and its not good enough any more.

Before stepping up to the helm with USI, Siona served in Maynooth Students Union as the Vice President for Welfare and Equality for two terms.

She's also Chair of 'Students for Choice' and has spent most of her year organising students who are calling for the eighth amendment to be repealed.

Several times this year, she gathered over 1,000 students from across the country in rallies on the issue, launching the student campaign officially last week at USI Congress, while also assisting with Longford Together for Yes.

Its a student issue, but its also a local issue, she commented.

This referendum on May 25 is asking us what kind of Ireland we want for pregnant people. The majority of people want an Ireland that provides informed, compassionate healthcare.

There are differing opinions, but at the end of the day, it should be up to the pregnant person to make the decision that is best for them, with their GP or medical practitioner, in private here at home.

We should not be forcing people to continue with pregnancies, forcing them abroad, or forcing them to find illegal pills online.

Speaking about voter registration, Siona added: Regardless of your position, make sure you inform yourself, listen to the facts and make sure youre registered to vote.

We registered 18,000 students between September and November last year and we will be organising registration drives in the coming weeks too.

Its so important that people commit to going to the ballot on key issues like this one.

For anyone interested in getting involved in campaigning in Longford, Siona is running canvassing training this coming weekend on Friday evening and Saturday. You can contact her on LongfordForYes@gmail.com for more info.

You can register to vote by downloading an RFA2 form online, getting a Garda stamp, and sending it freepost to Longford County Council as soon as possible.

Siona and her family are no strangers to politics. Her father, Mick is a councillor in the Ballymahon Municipal District and her younger sister, Una, is looking set to follow in her sister's footsteps.

Una is a student of LSAD in Limerick, and this week shes running to be the next LSAD Students Union President, said Siona.

She attended the USI Women Lead project training day I ran in January, and came out of it knowing she was the best person to work for her Union.

Shes an exceptional person and I know shell be an amazing president, the downside is well have to work together for the first time ever!

Also, for the first time I think ever - there will hopefully be three elected officers from Longford at local Students' Union level.

Amanda Bowes (Longford town) was elected President of Carlow College, Gary Tobin (Lanesboro) was just elected Vice President of GMIT's Mayo Campus and Una Cahill is running for LSAD SU President down in LIT.

It will be a Longford takeover, she said.

As a parting word, Siona noted the support of her family, in particular her parents, as well as her two Grannies, Granny Cahill from Colehill and Granny Agnes from Longford town, who she says always make me think bigger and work harder.

Read next: Longford students left scrambling as rental costs soar
Its hard to believe but, on April 21, Longford parkrun will celebrate their 100th run.

Since Event Director Kevin Kane started up the free weekly event on May 21, 2016, the event has gone from strength to strength with large numbers attending each week. The average attendance every Saturday morning is 96 runners/walkers.

We have first time runners and walkers each Saturday morning, Kevin explained to the Longford Leader last week.

parkrun is the biggest free weekly running event in the world and its right on our doorstep in one of the finest parks the country has to offer.

If you havent participated yet come along on our 100th run. Youll love it.

David Cryan will be the guest speaker and runner on the day.

The Roscommon man came to prominence in this years Operation Transformation show where he lost an incredible 3st, 4.5lb.

Davids journey in Operation Transformation was unbelievable and he should be very proud of himself, said Kevin.

Hes an inspiration to many people and Im delighted he agreed to come to our 100th run, he added, before reflecting on the success of his weekly parkrun event.

Im really proud of our run/walk for a number of reasons, he said.

Weve a large crowd each week which shows people enjoy it. Its great fun. We have music on dry run days. Its free, which is an attraction in itself and its on weekly.

The community spirit weve built up is huge and it takes place in such a beautiful amenity.

Its non-competitive and you can compete with yourself if you wish to track your progress week on week.

Participants can register for parkrun on www.parkrun.ie and bring their printed barcode along on the day to get a time.

There may even be some cake there on the day.

Read next:

Longford Lives: Dromard's Kevin Kane very proud of parkrun community spirit
Parents have been warned to be high alert following the attempted abduction of a toddler from a supermarket in the town of Thurles, Co Tipperary.

The sickening episode ended positively thanks to the awareness of the child's mother who had turned her back for a moment and then realised that the child was missing.

She had earlier noticed a man acting suspiciously as she was doing her shopping and as she rushed towards the door of the supermarket, she spotted her child being led out the door by the hand.

Shouting frantically after the child, the would be abductor fled the scene as the child returned to its badly shaken mother.

Gardai were notified and attended the scene. It is believed that the man involved in this incident is known to the Gardai and the matter is under investigation.

Parents are being advised to be extra vigilant when out and about with their children over the course of the weekend and to be on the alert for people acting suspiciously.



Children should be advised by their parents/guardians not to speak to or engage with people whom they are not familiar with.



This latest incident has left one family very shaken but very relieved at the outcome following the alertness and quick action of the mother.
When you are giving a job interview, literally everything that comes flying out of your mouth is being registered and processed by your possible employer and can decide if you have a future with that company or not. There are times when you can go through a 'rejection' phase and that can be a dampener. But if you reflect on the mistakes you made, there are high chances of you having a better shot in the next interview.

Here are a few phrases that you must avoid at all costs from saying during your interviews.

1. 'No, I'm Fine'

 Thinkstock

When you are offered anything to drink, like coffee or a glass of water just don't repeat the phrase No, I'm fine. It looks unprofessional at times. Instead, you could say, No, thank you. I'm all set for now. This might seem a little more elongates but is more professional, respectful and polite.

2. 'I'm A Perfectionist'

 Thinkstock

When you boldly declare yourself as a perfectionist then it could make you come across as someone who is overconfident or blatantly lying. No one is actually perfect in life and everybody has flaws. Saying the truth and admitting your flaws will only present you as an honest candidate and one who knows his weaknesses. It builds trust.

3. I'm Comfortable With X Task

When you say you are comfortable with a certain task, your employer might assume that you are too comfortable with your job and what they have to offer you is not challenging enough. They should get to know that you are looking for growth in your career through this job.

4. 'I Work Well With Limited Supervision'

If you say so, then your potential employer may assume that you only work well and prefer when there is no supervision at all. Let them know you can work on your own, but make sure you don't sound like a lone wolf.

5. 'I'll Try Anything'

This shows that you are ready to experiment but it may also show that you are highly unfocused and not clear about what you want to do.

6. 'I Can Work Well With Anyone'

We all have different personalities and it is fair to admit what kind of people you are comfortable working with. Just be honest with your interviewer and tell them what kind of person you work best with. Your employer also knows that sometimes personalities clash and being honest will be a good start for both the parties unless you want to go on job hunt within few months again.

7. 'I Think I'd Fit Well With You Guys'

The words you guys is exactly the problem here. It simply sounds unprofessional. They are here to hire professional and not buddies to pass time with. Keep a check on the words you use, as every word you utter is judged and decides your career.

8. 'I Separate My Work And My Life'

 Thinkstock

This gives your potential employer an impression that you are not ready to put in some extra hours in case your company needs you. That you are not here because your passion drives you but only due to some other reasons. It simply shows that you are not willing to work hard. Your work will constitute a huge part of your life and you should be willing to sacrifice a few extra hours for the job you want.

9. I Really Like Doing 'X Task'

Don't start a conversation by saying what you like doing. There are many people who may like something but still be terribly bad at it professionally. Instead, tell them what you excel at and why you excel at it and how that can contribute to success, both for yourself and your potential employer.

10. 'What Can I Expect In Terms Of Compensation?'

 Thinkstock

An interview is a process where you and your employer intend to get to know each other better. If you mention about what you can expect in terms of compensation then you are simply giving the impression that you are only here for the money and nothing else. Keep this conversation for the HR round.

11. 'Will I Have To Work On The Weekends?'

This shows that you are not ready to go the extra mile in case your company may need you to. Why ruin your chances of getting that job you seriously want by putting up such questions? Let them know you are here looking for a challenging job and you would be ready to take on any responsibility if there comes an opportunity for growth.

12. 'No, I Don't Have Any Questions'

Not asking any questions simply implies that you have not done your homework. A single question will be enough for them to remember you and will show that you are really excited about the opportunity.
Minister of Foreign Affairs,Nikos Kotzias, will be in Luxembourg on Monday, 16 April, to participate in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).

Discussions will focus on the latest developments and the situation in Syria, as well as in Iran, and there will be an exchange of views regarding EU-Russian relations. During the working luncheon there will be a discussion on the Western Balkans, ahead of the relevant Summit Meeting in Sofia.
A few months after Ryan Fish was fired last year, police began to investigate stories they'd heard of the substitute teacher's unconventional math class at Montville High School - to ask about certain classroom videos officers had obtained.

Fish was an extremely laid back teacher, some boys from the Connecticut town told the police. He had been a popular sub with a certain crowd.

A 16-year-old said he considered the sub - who was 22, just a few years older than the student - to be his mentor. Another boy said he'd leave his civics class early and duck into what Fish called his "kick back class."

Whatever students wanted to do there, the boys said, Fish was "cool with it."

Police wrote much the same in their report. Fish reportedly let his students draw obscene pictures on the whiteboard, and told his classes stories about smoking marijuana and other drugs, and even shared his Snapchat address in a gesture of friendship.

"I just try to be the teacher that the kids could come to and actually express themselves and actually work through their issues," Fish told police when they first interviewed him in January. "Kind of have a social thing."

Fish was arrested on Thursday on multiple charges of reckless endangerment and risk of injuries to a child. What he called his "social thing" was actually a "fight club," according to police, in which Fish refereed as students beat themselves to the point of blood and vomit, while other children cheered and took cellphone videos.

Police collected at least eight videos over the course of their investigation, which chronicle several fights between students aged 14 to 16 last October. The videos have not been released, but are described in detail in Fish's arrest affidavit.

In one video, the report states, Fish sits at his desk "looking through some paperwork" while a 15- and 16-year-old openly slap each other, and at least two students record.

Fish at first denied to police that he organized the fights, but videos, as described, tell a different story. In one, the teacher stands between two boys, separating them with outstretched arms.

Then Fish moves back "while thrusting his hands down and gets behind his desk, while smiling and laughing." He watches as one boy charges the other, only to stop short at the last second. Police later interviewed one of the combatants, 16, who said in another fight he gave his opponent a bloody lip. Fish paused the fight to make sure the bleeding student was all right, the boy said, then resumed the match, which he allegedly referred to as his "kick back class."

In many of the fights police watched on video, they wrote, one of the boys was significantly smaller than the other. In one, a student was seen trying to retreat from the blows, and in another the sound of hard slaps and students' cheers can be heard - along with Fish allegedly saying, "Away from the door! Away from the door!"

They interviewed a 14-year-old who had been recording a battle with a 16-year-old - "swinging full force at each other's heads with open handed strikes," according to the description.

Fish had initiated that fight by counting to three, the 14-year-old told police. It ended when the older boy began throwing up into a trash can, then dry heaving over a desk, as seen in one video.

When the 16-year old "was done throwing up Mr. Fish tried to start the fight by saying 'Round Two,'" police wrote, but the bell rang so the match ended early.

An assistant principal at the school learned of the videos in early October, according to the police report, and had security escort Fish to her office.

"Boys will be boys," the substitute allegedly told her. He was fired the same day.

But no one at the school told police about the "fight club," according to the arrest affidavit. They only learned of the incidents in mid-December, when a social worker reported that a clearly traumatized 16-year-old had just been sent for a mental health evaluation, after reporting being beaten and robbed at school.

Investigators soon learned that the school had at least half a dozen videos of incidents on its servers, in addition to some sent to police by parents.

Before police were allowed to view the school's videos, they wrote, Superintendent Brian Levesque made them get a search warrant, citing Montville Public Schools policy.

In a statement to The Washington Post, Levesque said he understood some police were frustrated that "we didn't notify them of this so called 'student slapping horseplay' in a timely fashion."

"I took immediate action in firing the substitute teacher that allowed this to happen," Levesque said. "At the time, based on the initial video that I viewed and the information I was provided, I didn't feel that this was a law enforcement matter. Had I known then, what I know now, yes, I should have contacted police."

He said none of the students involved in the fights had been injured, though "this behavior is never tolerated in our district."

"I think we've all learned a valuable lesson here and our goal is to learn from our mistakes."

Police interviewed Fish multiple times between January and his arrest this week, and wrote in a report that his explanations changed.

The former substitute initially said he was unaware of most fights, or considered them "horse play." Later, the report states, Fish admitted that "I did at one point egg them on."

In total, he recalled at least four open-handed slap fights between September and his firing.

"The truth is I'm an idiot and I wanted to befriend them," Fish told police in January, according to the report. "I'm immature."

Fish couldn't be reached for contact after his arrest, but reporters interviewed him as he left a courthouse on Thursday, after being arraigned and released on $75,000 bond.

"I didn't realize what was happening at the time," he told Fox 61. "I didn't have the training to see what was going on."

He told other reporters that he had post-traumatic stress disorder, and at one point lamented with his hand on his head:

"I am so sorry. I'll be totally honest with you, I was just trying to reach the kids. I thought, 'These young kids are just being rambunctious.' I thought they just needed an out."
US Troops Go to Court Seeking Vaccine Exemption for Those Who've Had COVID-19

The service members want the Defense Department to exempt those with natural immunity from the coronavirus vaccine order.
Army Spc. Charles Choi, 32, originally from South Korea, has a bachelor's degree and a master's in statistics from Cornell University. He has education and skills that make him a highly valued prospect for the military, but he hasn't made it to Basic Combat Training after signing up with the Army Reserve.

He has been waiting for two years.

Yes, I'm in limbo," Choi said in an interview with Military.com. "I'm still waiting for the security clearance to be completed."

Choi is one of several non-citizen enlistees who joined the military through the Military Accessions Vital To National Interest (MAVNI) program, and spoke with Military.com about how they've been stuck waiting months or years for clearances and security screenings to process.

The program, created to attract those with highly sought skills for military service, has been essentially suspended amid political battles over immigration policy. Of the estimated 10,400 troops who have signed up to serve through MAVNI since 2008, more than 1,000 now face uncertain futures. Some can't risk the wait.

For Choi, that's especially true.

"Delays are so long and we have a finite length to our visas and that's where the real problem comes in," he said.

His visa will expire in less than a year.

"So if they just keep us in limbo and if we run out of visa status, then we cannot work or drive," he said. "It's a very screwed-up situation."

The Complex History of MAVNI

In 2012, well before MAVNI fell victim to the nation's ever-shifting immigration policies, then-Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno invited Sgt. Saral Shrestha to his Pentagon office for a photo op and a congratulatory grip-and-greet. Shrestha, who was born in Nepal, had just won the Army's "Best Warrior" competition.

Shrestha, who earned citizenship through MAVNI, was honored later that year at the annual Association of the U.S. Army's convention as the "Soldier of the Year."

Shrestha's motto is "Mission first, soldiers always." He said that "MAVNI was a blessing" in his progress from student visa to the Army and then to taking the oath as a citizen.

Last month, Army Sgt. Santosh Kachhepati, a combat medic with the 62nd Medical Brigade was selected for the Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program, or EMDP2. He will begin his studies to become a doctor at George Mason University in Virginia in the fall.

"I consider this opportunity to be an Army physician an honor and a privilege to serve the medical needs of our soldiers who risk their lives protecting this nation," Kachhepati said, according to a release from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

JBLM said that Kachhepati, also from Nepal, "came to the United States to attend college at the University of Texas at Arlington. He graduated U.T.'s Nursing Program with Honors in 2013."

"He enlisted in Army in 2014 through the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program, which allows certain qualified non-citizens to enlist in the U.S. military and thereby gain eligibility for U.S. citizenship," JBLM said.

MAVNI began in 2008 as a one-year pilot program with the goal with the goal of bringing in non-citizen recruits with language or medical skills for the nation's counterinsurgency wars and giving them a fast track to citizenship in return.

Adm. Eric Olson, then-commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said at the time that MAVNI recruits were "operationally critical" to the military's needs. But the program from the onset was caught up in political immigration debates and the high command's security concerns.

The program was suspended in 2009 over fears of insider threats in the ranks when Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan, a psychiatrist born in the U.S., shot and killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others in a rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5 of that year.

The restrictions were lifted again in 2012, shortly after Shrestha won the "Soldier of the Year" award. Since then, MAVNI recruits have performed higher on entrance tests and had lower attrition rates than native-born troops, according to military data. But the program reached a turning point in September 2016.

The beginning of the end for MAVNI came in the form of a September 2016 memo to the service secretaries from Peter Levine, then the acting under secretary for personnel and readiness.

Levine said that the MAVNI pilot program "is currently set to expire on Sept. 30, 2016."

As it turned out, that wasn't quite so.

In the same memo, Levine said that "changes in the enclosed guidance will strengthen and improve the execution of the MAVNI program."

He said that for MAVNI in the coming year, "the maximum number of accessions will be: Army -- 1,200; Navy -- 65; Marine Corps -- 65; and Air Force -- 70."

Despite the language suggesting the program's continuation, Pentagon spokespeople said the program was effectively allowed to end last October, when tighter screening procedures were put in place for MAVNI recruits who had already signed up.

Mattis Looks To Save MAVNI

In a memo last July to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Pentagon personnel and intelligence officials warned of the "espionage potential" from foreign-born recruits.

"While the Department recognizes the value of expedited U.S. citizenship achieved through military service, it is in the national interest to ensure all current and prospective service members complete security and suitability screening prior to naturalization," the memo said.

Foreign-born recruits would have to "complete a background investigation and receive a favorable military security suitability determination (MSSD) prior to entry in the active, reserve, or Guard service," the memo said. "Those in the MAVNI program and other foreign-born recruits may have a higher risk of connections to Foreign Intelligence Services."

However, Mattis, in a session with defense reporters last October, said he was looking for ways to keep MAVNI alive despite the 2016 Levine memo that had again suspended the program.

"We are taking the steps obviously to save the program, if it can be saved," Mattis said. "And I believe it can."

In January, on board his plane en route to Vietnam, Mattis held out the possibility that MAVNI could be renewed once enhanced vetting procedures were ironed out.

Mattis said that an internal examination had found that procedures were lax in screening MAVNI recruits.

"We were not keeping pace with our usual standard," he said.

"We've got to look people's backgrounds, and if you have a lot of family members in certain countries, then you come under additional scrutiny," he added. "Until we can get them screened, we can't bring in more.

"You've got to be able to screen them as they come in, rather than get them in and then you send them off to a unit and they say, 'By the way, they don't have security clearance yet.' And then they say, 'Well, thanks very much, but I can't use them.'

"So it's simply a matter of aligning the process, the recruiting process with the usual screening process," Mattis continued. "There's nothing more to it."

Don't Go Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

The changes in the rules since 2016 have left more than 1,000 recruits already accepted into the military in a state of bureaucratic limbo with time running out on their visas while they await security clearances.

Choi, the Korean Army specialist, described filling out a form that required him to list his travel to foreign countries over the last seven years. He didn't list a trip to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which had occurred more than seven years before he filled out the form.

Six months later, an Army investigator gave him a call. They had found out about the trip to Tanzania and needed some "points of clarification," Choi said. "The way they do it is just really not organized at all. It's kind of clear this was made up on the fly."

Choi said his battalion commander has urged him to look at the possibility of attending Officer Candidate School.

Army Reserve Pfc. Alan Huanyu Liang, 24, is also caught up in the same screening logjam while waiting to report to BCT. He was born in China, has been living in the U.S. for six years and has a bachelor's degree from University of California, Los Angeles.

He signed his contract under the MAVNI program in May 2016.

"Since then, my life has been drastically changed by this program," he told Military.com. "From the day I signed my contract, I have been eagerly waiting for my ship day [to BCT]."

Now, he said, it has been almost two years and no progress has been made since he signed his contract.

"I have been drilling every month since I was in-processed into my unit, and I witnessed people coming later to the unit than I did get shipped and came back with a uniform," he said. "I really, really envy them. I wish one day I can be in that uniform and serve like a real soldier. I keep asking my recruiter and all I am told is to wait."

Another MAVNI recruit, who didn't want her name used, told Military.com that she has been at a training base for two years after completing BCT while awaiting additional screening that would let her go to AIT, or Advanced Individual Training.

In the meantime, she does paperwork.

"You need the favorable adjudication [Military Service Suitability Determination] to go to AIT," she said. "I'm between a rock and a hard place. It's kind of ridiculous, but I am still motivated by the idea of serving."

Lawyer Who Built MAVNI Pushes To Save It

"There's an epic bureaucratic fight going on," said Margaret Stock, a lawyer and former Army lieutenant colonel who was instrumental in planning and initiating the MAVNI program while still in the service.

"It's an appalling example of bureaucratic incompetence," she said of the efforts to kill the MAVNI program and subject those who have already signed up to endless screening.

"They're saying the MAVNIs are some kind of security threat," Stock told Military.com, but "there is no specific threat" that justify strictures that would kill a program that has already proven its worth.

"They pose the same threat that U.S. citizens would," said Stock, the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius Grant" fellowship.

To meet a range of emerging threats, "we need these people," she said. "What we don't need is people sitting on a base for 18 months doing nothing because of background checks."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the rank of Charles Choi. He is a specialist. The story was also updated to remove incorrect information about Sgt. Santosh Kachhepati's deployments that was provided via a military press release.
The Rays would love to talk with the Mets about catcher Wilson Ramos if New York is interested in absorbing most of his $10.5MM salary, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. Whether the Mets are eyeing Ramos is unclear, but the NL-best club (11-1) is without its top two backstops, the injured Travis dArnaud and Kevin Plawecki, which could put it in the market for help behind the plate. DArnaud wont play again this year (Tommy John surgery), though Plawecki should return within a month from a fracture in his left hand. Therefore, the Mets might not feel the need to do anything drastic, such as taking on most of Ramos money.

Heres more from the AL East:
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The last couple of weeks have been tough for ICICI Banks Chanda Kochhar, who is one of Indias top bankers, as she fights losing confidence from investors, media and experts in the banking sector.

Speculations and suggestions of her stepping down as the CEO and Managing Director of ICICI Bank, which is countrys largest private sector bank, have been rife as the nepotism links widen amid various investigations and reports.

A couple of Board members do have reservations on her continuing as the CEO but they are still evaluating the process. Also, given the asset quality troubles, weak investor response to the IPO of ICICI Securities and the losing investor confidence, it may be a matter of time that she may have to step down till the investigations give her a clean chit, said a person aware of the developments.

At present, the 12-member ICICI Bank board has six executive directors or bank employees, and six non-executive directors. The latter six include bank Chairman MK Sharma, LIC chairman VK Sharma, Finance Ministry Joint Secretary Lok Ranjan (replaced Amit Agarwal on April 5) and three other independent experts (Dileep Choksi, Neelam Dhawan and Tushaar Shah).

On March 29, a news report of the allegations made by a whistleblower in October 2016 through a blog resurfaced in the media, raising questions over ICICI Bank sanctioning loans to the Videocon Group in 2012, allegedly because its chairman Venugopal Dhoot had business dealings with NuPower Renewables, a firm owned by Chanda Kochhars husband Deepak Kochhar.

Questions were also raised on her presence in the credit committee that decided on loans and if any disclosures of the links between Dhoot and her relative were made to the Board.

Also Read: Whistleblower in ICICI Bank-Videocon case calls for check on lending practices across banks

Although the board of ICICI Bank has backed its chief, ruling out any conflict of interest or quid pro quo after a review done on March 28 by all members, ICICI Banks stock has plunged as much as 14 percent during the last one month.

Various commentators have also raised concerns of the growing discomfort and waning faith in corporate governance in private sector firms boards. This also comes after Axis Banks board, within four months, reversed its decision on the reappointment of its CEO and MD Shikha Sharma, who will step down in December this year, reducing her fourth term from three years to seven months.

While Axis Bank has buckled under pressure from Reserve Bank of India, which had asked the banks board to reconsider Sharmas 3-year term reappointment, reports suggest RBI had intervened in ICICI Bank-Videocon controversy in 2016 and is doing so again to decide the next step for ICICI Banks board. On the other hand, Finance Ministry is only taking updates but will let RBI decide the action plan.

Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings issued a note last week stating the potential conflict of interest and raising questions over ICICI Banks governance and reputational risks. It has slammed what it calls to ICICIs reluctance to support an independent probe into the matter.

Over the past two weeks, the Income Tax Department has sent a notice to Deepak Kochhar, and issued lookout notices for him at airports. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has questioned his brother Rajiv Kochhar, in relation to his firm Avista Advisory playing a role in restructuring of loans to Videocon Group, directors of NuPower and Mahesh Chandra Punglia, a longtime consultant of the Videocon Group and confidante of Dhoot.

Even as nothing has been proven so far, developments and new public records unearthed by various media reports since the allegations came to light have not captured the bank in a good light.

Further, complete silence from Chanda Kochhar since then and Chairman MK Sharmas refusal to take any questions after a media briefing where he came out in support of her, has added fuel to the fire.

With much at stake for ICICI Group as an institution, the board may have to make more amends to restore faith of investors and depositors in the bank and towards its CEO.

Till then, the uncertainty continues to loom on her term, which if we were to go by the current scenario, could end before its expiry in March 2019.
An Indian-origin businessman is preparing to float his battery and e-cigarettes company on the stock market in London to raise funds for its expansion.

Sandy Chadha, 49, runs the Manchester-based Supreme Imports company which imports and sells batteries, light bulbs and products linked to substitutes for cigarette smoking. The valuation of the firm is expected to be around 150 million pounds, The Sunday Times reported.

The company will announce its debut on the Alternative Investment Market, the sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, within the next few weeks and has appointed stockbrokers from Berenberg to work on the float, the report said.

Chadha, whose family moved to the UK from Delhi, is looking to raise about 10 million pounds to help cut down its debts and fund the expansion of a manufacturing plant that makes liquids for use in e-cigarettes and vaping products.

The businessman had hit the headlines last year after he lost a bet and handed over a 130,000-pound luxury car to corporate turnaround expert Iain Johnston, who had promised back in 2007 that a struggling Supreme Imports would make a profit of 1 million a year once it was back on its feet.

Chadha told Johnston that if he were right, he would give him his new Bentley, which was parked outside.

Ten years later, after the prediction had come true, Chadha hunted down Johnston through social media and gave him the keys to a new Bentley Flying Spur to honour his word.

Supreme Imports had been set up by Chadha's father to import novelty goods from the Far East. The company is now one of the biggest sellers of batteries in the UK.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Historically, such attacks failed to derail the markets over a long time horizon. But, in the short-term, they may get rattled with such strikes, Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist  Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in said in an exclusive interview with Moneycontrols Kshitij Anand.

Also Read: Brace for impact on Indian markets tomorrow as US fires over 100 missiles over Syria

Should markets be worried about the recent attack on Syria by the US?

Historically, such attacks failed to derail the markets over a long time horizon. But, in the short-term, they may get rattled with such strikes. Hence, in other words, we can say that such incidents may provide a great buying opportunity for long-term investors.

Besides, this information was already in public domain as President Donald Trump had tweeted about the possibility of strikes on Syria last Wednesday itself. The Dow and S&P both reacted with less than one percent fall.

Unless this military conflict escalates the into something big by dragging other nations like Russia or Iran taking the support of Syria, the market may not see worst conditions going forward.

Technically speaking, Indian markets are on a sustainable pull back mode as they are breaching critical resistance points on the upside.

As of now, it appears that market shall find buyers on dips and 10350 itself can act as a strong support. In the worst case, we may go down towards 10100 kind of levels and not more than that because of this issue.

The Nifty rose over 1.4% for the week ended 13 April 2018 despite wild movements in either side. How do you see the market panning out in the coming week?

Yes, for the last three weeks we have seen a strong weekly close from the lows of 9950 level suggesting that at least the trend has reversed in favour of the bulls for time being.

However, we should not forget the fact that market has registered positive closes for the past 7 sessions in a row. Besides this, the breakout is not accompanied by a broad-based participation. In the last three sessions, the market breadth has been negative  a cause of a concern.

Hence, some sort of correction or a pause in the ongoing uptrend cant be ruled in the early part of next week and the trend shall not favour bears unless 10350 is breached on a closing basis.

Do you think bull market has resumed after 10% of fall as we added around 5% from the lows of 9950?

It will be too early to conclude. In the recent correction, Nifty breached its critical long-term averages which substantially damaged the long-term trend.

The correction was coming after almost 14-months of vertical up move and hence it cannot end in just 2 months. However, by the end of May, if, Nifty were to sustain above 10,500 levels then things may positively shape up on long-term charts.

But, if we trade below 10500 by the end of the May, then technical evidence suggests that Nifty shall remain vulnerable to retest recent lows. Hence, May is going to be a very critical month from this point of view.

Nifty flirted closed above its 200-DMA, and 1oo-DMA in this past week, but there are plenty of stocks which are trading above their long-term average. Are these stocks a value buy at current levels?

Absolutely, the index remained below 200-Day Moving Averages (DMA) only for a couple of days and then recoiled. The problem with long-term trend will arise when indices settle below such long-term averages for quite a longer period of time.

Interestingly, despite Nifty testing its long-term averages some stocks bottomed out ahead of the market sending a message that they reached some sort of value zone which naturally attracts the attention of long-term investors.

Despite the carnage witnessed in February and March, some stocks are hitting new lifetime highs. It is a great sign for investors to focus and remain invested in such areas.

What is your call on smallcap and midcap stocks? Should investors stay away or just book profits on rallies?

Small and midcaps are the areas from where real wealth can be created if invested in right opportunities. Hence, focus on this segment should be on companies with good management pedigree and growth visibility.

Hence, we cant stay away from this segment but the recent correction should only be considered as an opportunity to accumulate good counters from this space as there is a long way to go for this bull market.

What should be the ideal strategy of investors in April series buy on dips or sell on rallies?

The strategy for the current month should be to buy on dips as categorically trend appears to have shifted in favour of the bulls for the near term. Hence, as long as Nifty sustains above 10350 levels on the closing basis one can remain positively biased.

More clues about the strength in the ongoing upmove will be determined by the factors like how long the ensuing correction, if any, will last and how quickly these losses are going to be erased.

If the ensuing fall is going to be bought into quickly with higher top and higher bottom kind of structure, then we will not be surprised to see the current swing eventually getting extended towards 10900 levels as well.

Top 3-5 positional call which could give handsome returns to investors in April series?

Traders can look into following stock specific opportunities for short-term

Dewan Housing Finance: BUY| Target Rs587| Stop Loss 525| Return 7%

This counter which has underperformed in the last leg of up move appears to have resumed its rally after consolidating for the seven sessions in a small band of 545  526. Hence, traders can buy into this counter for a target of 587 with a stop below 525 on a closing basis.

Biocon: BUY| Target Rs657| Stop Loss Rs609| Return 5%

Last 4 days of price consolidation is suggesting that this counter is ripe for a breakout above its 2-month old downsloping trendline. The momentum shall once again pick up once it manages such a breakout with a close above 632 levels.

In that scenario, it can head all the way towards its lifetime highs of 657 registered in January 2018. Suggested stop for this trade will be a close Rs609.

Bharat Forge: BUY| Target Rs774| Stop Loss Rs717| Return 5%

This counter is in a consolidation phase for the last couple of sessions in a narrow range of 740  730. Once it manages to close above 742 levels then it can witness a sharp spike towards initial targets of 774 levels. Hence, in anticipation, if such a breakout shall go long with a stop below Rs717.

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Reliance Industries today said the its resolution plan for acquiring Alok Industries in conjunction with JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company has been rejected by the Committee of Creditors.

RIL had bid jointly with JM Financial to acquire the debt ridden textile manufacturer Alok Industries Ltd.

"As intimated earlier, Reliance Industries Limited in conjunction with JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company Limited submitted a resolution plan for Alok Industries Limited. We have been informed that our plan did not meet with the approval of the Committee of Creditors of Alok Industries as required under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code," RIL said in a regulatory filing to the exchanges.

In July 2017, the Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal had admitted insolvency proceedings against the textile company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The consortium of lenders, led by SBI, is claiming dues of over Rs 23,000 crore from Alok Industries.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh(C) with CFO Ranganath and CTO Pravin Rao (L)

Infosys, which reported its results for the quarter ended March post market hours on Friday, could open flat with a positive bias on Monday.

The company's Q4 results met the Street's estimates, but its outlook for FY19 has unsettled investors.

Infosys lowered its operating profit margin band to 22-24 percent for FY19, after its net profit declined 28.2 percent sequentially to USD 571 million in Q4 FY18.

The drop in fourth-quarter profit was also because Q3FY18's results included a one-time gain of USD 225 million on account of the conclusion of an advance pricing agreement (APA) with the US Internal Revenue Service.

The company's guidance for annual constant currency revenue growth is at 6-8 percent and for dollar revenue is at 7-9 percent, both in line with market estimates.

However, it revised its EBIT margin guidance downwards to 22-24 percent from 23-25 percent earlier. This will include the impact of revised compensation for FY19.

The management attributed the fall in guidance to rising investments in digital/IPs, increased onsite hiring, and higher S&M (large deal pursuits). The stock could open flat with a positive bias on Monday, and dips, if any, could be used to buy it for the long term.

"Infosys results were in line with expectations. Margins, however, were stronger than expectations (24.7 percent vs expectation of 24.4 percent). The management looked confident for the stronger show in FY19 with revenues growing at 6-8 percent in constant currency terms as against 5.8 percent growth in FY18," Atish Matlawala, Sr Research Analyst, SSJ Finance & Securities told Moneycontrol.

"Margins, however, is expected to be growing at 22-24 percent (lower than FY18). Lower margins are due to higher spending in digital business. Infosys has a track record of delivering more than promised and we expect the same going ahead," he said.

Salil Parekh, Infosys' new CEO, also announced plans to put up subsidiaries Skava and Panaya on sale in the post-results presser. The acquisitions were done under the leadership of his predecessor Vishal Sikka.

Also Read: New Infosys CEO Parekh caps in-line FY18 by reversing Sikka's Panaya, Skava acquisitions

Most analysts remain mixed about their outlook on the stock after the company's Q4 results, but see an upside of up to 6-11 percent from current levels. The stock rose around 15 percent in the last one year.

Infosys' rapid acceleration in digital (26.8 percent of revenue and 7.2 percent CQGR over past 3 quarters) and trajectory of deal wins (12.3 percent YoY and strongest quarterly booking in last 6 quarters) are heartening, especially in view of the turmoil in the boardroom, which now seems far behind, say experts.

HDFC Securities, which has maintained a 'buy' call on Infosys, has put out a target price of Rs 1,300, which translates into an upside of 11 percent from current levels.

"We believe Infosys is set for a revival, as investments are likely to lead on to quality growth. We reiterate our positive stance based on (1) scalability and momentum in large accounts, (2) digital scale (now a USD 2.8bn portfolio), (3) strong outlook for Europe/RoW, (4) recovery in North America BFS ahead, and (5) current valuations at greater than 20 percent discount to TCS," said the report.

The BFSI space grew by 0.1 percent on a QoQ basis in constant currency terms and is expected to pick up going ahead. On the other hand, retail is expected to remain soft in the near term.

"The stock has already rallied in double digits from its lows and I see no reason why it cant rally another 10-15 percent and if the BFSI space (which remained week this quarter) picks up on the US side with help the stock," Sanjiv Bhasin, EVP-Markets & Corp Affairs, India Infoline told CNBC-TV18 in an interview.

"The other thing to look at is the impact of tax cuts which could result in increased spending towards IT budgets. I see no reason why this stocks cant scale Rs 1,300 by the end of the year," he said.

Meanwhile, brokerage firm Sharekhan has maintained its 'hold' rating on the stock, with a target price of Rs 1,250, which translates into an upside of 6 percent.

The company's management is hopeful of a pick up in spends by BFSI clients in CY2018, led by a ramp-up in deals in the insurance space and higher digital adoption by clients, it said.

Technical Outlook:

Infosys has entered a consolidation phase and is currently oscillating in a Symmetrical Triangle, following sharp moves in the previous quarters.

A sustained trade above Rs 1,100 this week can take it to the upper end of the pattern placed at Rs 1,185. Moreover, a breakout from the pattern on healthy volumes can extend the up move to Rs 1,250.

However, a close below Rs 1,100 could trigger a correction, which may drag it lower to levels of around Rs 1,020, experts suggested.

"Currently, the stock is trading near the lower end of the range and it seems to be gearing up for a fresh rally. A multi-month rising trendline and a crucial weekly moving average are nearby," Gaurav Ratnaparkhi, Senior Technical Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas told Moneycontrol.

"Thus this is a high probability level to initiate a fresh long position from trading as well as investment perspective. Hence, the investors can continue to hold on to the stock and can even look to add to the position at the current level," he said.

Ratnaparkhi is of the view that the strategy for traders should be to buy above Rs 1,140, with a stop loss of Rs 1,100, on a closing basis. The initial target on the upside will be Rs 1,200, with the potential to test the all-time high of Rs 1,279.

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Just over a year ago U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike against the Syrian government for a chemical weapons attack against its own people.

Trump did the same on Friday, with allies France and Britain, in a response intended to deter Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from using chemical weapons again, but which was unlikely to change his grip on power.

On Saturday, Trump declared: "Mission accomplished," a phrase indelibly associated with President George W. Bush, who used it in 2003 during the Iraq war and which dogged him for the rest of his presidency.

A chorus of voices across the American political spectrum expressed support for Trump's latest strikes, but criticized the lack of a broader U.S. Syria strategy that could end the seven-year war - with or without Assad.

Commentators questioned the message behind the latest strike - which signaled that Western allies would not let a chemical weapons attack go without punishment - but demurred about deeper involvement when barrel bombs by the Assad government kill far greater numbers of Syrians.

"To succeed in the long run, we need a comprehensive strategy for Syria and the entire region," Republican Senator John McCain said in a statement after the latest strikes.

"Air strikes disconnected from a broader strategy may be necessary, but they alone will not achieve U.S. objectives in the Middle East," said McCain, who a year ago called for more aggressive action that would cripple Assad's military.

Trump has made clear he wants to withdraw the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria involved in the anti-Islamic State campaign, and his administration has suspended support for Syrian rebels, evidence of his desire to disengage from Syria.

But he appeared to conflict that message when he said on Saturday that Western allies were prepared to "sustain this response" if Assad does not stop using prohibited chemical weapons.

TOUGH CONTRADICTION

A U.S. official said that while top aides such as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had persuaded Trump to avoid the tougher action the president initially wanted, arguing that that would have risked escalation with Assad ally Russia, the administration is no closer to crafting a comprehensive strategy on the war in Syria.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump wanted to do heavier damage to Assads war machine butA ultimately settled on degrading his chemical weapons capability in part because he was reminded that part of his domestic political base was opposed to the United States getting dragged deeper into the Syria quagmire.

aIts a tough contradiction for him to sort out,aA the official said.

While the chemical weapons attack has put Syria fully on Trump's radar, experts say it's unlikely to persuade him to stay the course in Syria beyond defeating Islamic State.

Several U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was not a priority for the administration to push out Assad, who has survived with massive aid from Iran and Russia.

"There is no answer to the Assad problem just yet," said Firas Maksad, director of the Washington-based Arabia Foundation. "Assad has succeeded, at least for the foreseeable future, and he is capitalizing on that."

While there appears to be no immediate alternative to the so-called Geneva Process that would lead to a political transition in Syria, several senior U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted it has failed and it was time to rethink.

"The Geneva Process hasn't worked and it's time to find something new or change it," said one U.S. official.

Dennis Ross, who served as top Middle East adviser to President Barack Obama in his first term, said the missile strikes would have little effect on the overall situation in Syria.

Trump's approach, he said, "is not about the balance of power in Syria. It is about ISIS and deterring Assad's use of chemical weapons.

"The strikes may convince (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to stop further use (of chemical weapons) by Assad as it remains clear we are pulling out of Syria. The strikes dont alter that reality,a Ross said.

Russia has declared victory three times in Syria and thwarted international efforts for a political transition and Assad's eventual departure, said Maksad.

"Putin has the political will and the endurance to stay the course in Syria and he has demonstrated that for almost three years," Maksad said.

(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and and Jonathan Oatis)
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Rain showers in the morning with numerous thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 82F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
As part of the drive to double income of farmers by 2022, the government has raised the authorised capital of Nabard by six times to Rs 30,000 crore to help it increase its lending to the rural economy.

"... the Central Government hereby increases the capital of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development from five thousand crores of rupees to thirty thousand crore rupees," said a April 10 notification of the finance ministry.

A bill in this regard was approved by Parliament earlier this year.

The increase in authorised capital will enable Nabard to respond to commitments it has undertaken, particularly in respect of the Long Term Irrigation Fund and on-lending to cooperative banks.

Further, it will help Nabard (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) to augment its business and enhance its activities, thus facilitating promotion of integrated rural development and securing prosperity of rural areas, including generation of more employment.

Nabard was set up in 1982 to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development through participative financial and non-financial interventions, innovations, technology and institutional development for securing prosperity.

The development finance institution also aims to increase its long-term on-lending or refinance portfolio to about Rs 80,000 crore in the current fiscal as part of its effort to improve the rural economy. The institution's on-lending in 2017-18 was Rs 65,000 crore.

The government in the Budget had enhanced the corpus of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIFD) to Rs 28,000 crore with an overall objective of doubling farmers income by 2022.

Nabard is the main agency for implementing RIFD scheme.

It has also been for implementing several key funds such as Long Term Irrigation Fund (LITF), Minor Irrigation Fund (MIF), Agriculture Marketing Fund, Fund for rural housing (PMAY-G), and Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), for supporting rural sector.
Representative image

India can achieve over 8 per cent growth rate in a sustained manner if it takes steps to revive investments and make exports competitive, said ADB Economist Abhijit Sen Gupta.

Efforts will also have to be made to streamline agriculture marketing and improve supply chain, he said, adding that this is the area where there is scope for more reforms.

"Right now, the investment and exports drivers are really not firing... Once those two engines fire up India can sustainably grow at 8 per cent," Sen Gupta told PTI.

In its Asian Development Outlook, 2018, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) expects India's growth to pick up to 7.3 per cent in current fiscal and accelerate further to 7.6 per cent in the next financial year.

Referring to exports, Sen Gupta said India is still a "marginal player" in global trade and there is a lot of potential to increase exports.

As Chinese exports are becoming expensive because of rising wages, India can reap benefits by improving competitiveness. "We need to improve our Ease of Doing Business and state of infra to benefit from trade and be better integrated into the value chain," Sen Gupta, Economist at the ADB India mission, said.

On whether India can achieve double digit growth, he said: "it is not totally unfeasible. But, I dont know if you can do that over a longer term period given the state of infrastructure and regulatory policies. Lot more reforms would probably be needed for that".

Referring to investments, he said credit to infrastructure and industry is picking up, which is a positive sign. "But clearly a lot more needs to be done if the investment has to pick up," he added.

Elaborating on the reform scope in farm sector, Sen Gupta said the government could revamp the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act and streamline the farm supply chain for free movement of goods. "We have to see that the APMC act is more regulated and more state follow it," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom, the External Affairs Ministry said today.

It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Merkel began her fourth term as German chancellor on March 14.

The ministry said Modi will make the stopover in Berlin following a suggestion by Merkel.

"At the suggestion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making a brief stopover in Berlin on 20 April after completing his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his visit, PM will meet Chancellor Merkel and the two leaders will exchange views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues," it said.

It said the visit "demonstrates the commitment by the two countries to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges."

Modi will begin a five-day visit to Sweden and the UK from April 16 with an aim to boost bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment.

In the UK, the prime minister will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, besides exploring ways to further deepen ties between the two countries, the ministry said.

In Sweden, Modi will attend the India-Nordic Summit. The summit is being co-hosted by India and Sweden.

Prime Ministers of all Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - will attend the summit.

Modi will first travel to Sweden on a two-day visit from April 16-17. On the second leg of his visit, he will travel to the UK.
The US is "locked and loaded" if Syria uses chemical weapons again, America's UN envoy Nikki Haley said today.

The US and its allies France and Britain launched air strikes, targeting sites associated with Syria's chemical weapons capabilities.

The joint operation was in response to a suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma last week.

President Donald Trump "enforces" the red line and the US will sustain the pressure on the war-torn nation, she said.

"With yesterday's military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons.

"Last night, we obliterated the major research facility that it used to assemble weapons of mass murder," Haley told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Syria here.

Haley said she had spoken to President Trump, who said if the Syrian regime uses "this poison gas" again, the United States is "locked and loaded".

"When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line," she said.

Haley said the US successfully hit the heart of Syria's chemical weapons enterprise, and because of these actions, it is confident that it has crippled Syria's chemical weapons programme.

"We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," Haley said.

She blamed the Security Council and Russia's actions for failing in its duty to hold those who use chemical weapons to account.

"That failure is largely due to Russian obstruction. We call on Russia to take a hard look at the company it keeps, and live up to its responsibilities as a Permanent Member of the Council and defend the actual principles the United Nations was meant to promote," she said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that the airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations inside Syria.

The first target included the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre at al-Mazzah Airport in Damascus; the second, an alleged chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs; and the third, an alleged chemical weapons equipment storage site and command post, also near Homs.

Guterres said the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and called on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people," the UN Secretary General said.

Guterres emphasised that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis and the solution must be "political".

Urging the Security Council to assume its responsibilities, Guterres said a "lack of accountability" emboldens those who would use such chemical weapons by providing them with the "reassurance of impunity".
BS Yeddyurappa

Ramakrishna Upadhya

It is said that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Applying the same adage to politics, could it be said that behind many a successful politician, there is a controversial woman?

If the BJP wins the May 12 assembly election in Karnataka, its state president BS Yeddyurappa will surely be anointed as chief minister for a third term in his chequered political career.

Just as surely, Yeddyurappas detractors believe, his feisty girlfriend Shobha Karandlaje will follow him to the power elite  in whatever capacity Yeddyurappa chooses to ensure her proximity.

The last time Yeddyurappa led BJP to power in Karnataka, which was in 2008 when the party won an unprecedented 110 seats in a 225-member House, his cabinet had only one woman  Shobha Karandlaje.

For a first-time minister in charge of rural development and panchayat raj, she made a mark, not only with her articulation, but driving the bureaucracy to work according her plan.

More than her achievements as a minister, what led to anger and jealousy among Yeddyurappas colleagues was that she was a constant shadow behind the chief minister and allegedly controlled access to him. It is said that senior government officials quickly recognised the power centre in the BJP government and important files meant for the CMO were routed through her.

Though there was no official word about their relationship -- he is a widower and she has an estranged husband -- Shobha had direct access to Yeddyurappas office and even his private residence, which some of Yeddyurappas children resented, but could do nothing about. She would even accompany him to Delhi on official or party work and stay with him in the chief ministers suite in Delhis Karnataka Bhavan.

The power couple faced severe political backlash just a year later in November 2009 when mining baron and tourism minister Janardhana Reddy protested against Yeddyurappas attempt to clip his wings, and hijacked 44 party MLAs to Hyderabad, demanding Yeddyurappas resignation. Shobha had played a key role in changing some officials working in Ballari, who were hand-in-glove with Reddy in his illegal business of iron ore mining and transportation.

Reporting on fast-paced developments in Karnataka, the US consulate in Chennai had sent a cable to Washington, as revealed by Wikileaks subsequently, saying the first BJP chief minister in south India faces the prospect of being unseated as his girlfriend has brought the government to the brink.

It took almost two weeks for party bosses to resolve the crisis and as part of the compromise formula, and to save his chair, Yeddyurappa was left with no option but to drop Shobha from his cabinet and rescind the transfers that had been made.

After Yeddyurappa was forced to quit as chief minister in 2011 following the Lokayuktas indictment in a land scam, he made sure that Shobha found a place in the Jagadish Shettar cabinet. But soon, when Yeddyurappa left BJP just before the 2013 assembly polls and formed Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) to teach BJP a lesson, Shobha was among those who followed him.

Yeddyurappa managed to wreck the BJP by garnering nearly 10 percent of the votes, but KJPs dismal performance made him realise that he had no future outside the BJP. A chastised BJP also welcomed him back, and in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, his sail neatly harnessed the Modi winds, and the BJP won 17 seats.

Yeddyurappa and Shobha were among those who won by huge margins. In the last Modi cabinet expansion, it was widely believed that Shobha, being a Vokkaliga, would find a place to attract voters in the coming assembly elections, but it did not happen.

Things have come full circle with Yeddyurappa once again leading the BJP campaign and Shobha as general secretary of the party providing the vocal ballast, attacking political opponents.

Recently, when chief minister Siddaramaiah criticised Yeddyurappa for visiting Dalit houses for breakfast as a political stunt and asked BJP instead to marry into Dalit families and include Dalits in the party, it was Shobha who took the job of counter-attacking him.

She said Siddaramiah should know who his party vice-president Dinesh Gundu Rao had married before advising others. It immediately kicked up a storm as Gundu Rao, a Brahmin, is happily married to Tabu, a Muslim woman. Tabu took to Facebook to hit back strongly, saying she was a home-maker with two daughters and Shobha was trespassing into our private lives.solely with the intention of creating communal disharmony in society.

Shobha is keen on contesting the assembly elections from Yeshwanthpur in Bengaluru, which she had represented in 2004, but the party is unlikely to heed her request. Having nominated Yeddyurappa from Shikaripura and B Srimulu from Malkalmuru, the BJP has already lost two MPs and does not want to lose one more.







But make no mistake about it: If Yeddyurappa once again gets the red carpet to Vidhana Soudha, Shobha Karandlaje wont be far behind.
Representative image

India today said it would not take sides in the ongoing trade spat between US and China amid differences with Beijing over its controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Remarks by NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar came as he held the fifth Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) dialogue with his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng, the chairman of China's top planning body the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) here yesterday.

During the talks, the BRI also came up for discussion.

"India suo motu has been the supporter of the rule-based multilateral trading order. In that sense, we don't have to take sides either one-way or the other," Kumar told the media when asked about India's stand on the current trade spat between China and US.

The SED, a key platform between India and China to discuss trade and economic issues, was resumed this year after last year's disruption amid Dokalam standoff.

The meeting took place amid growing rapprochement between the two countries after the standoff.

"India has always taken independent position on trade issues," Kumar told the Indian media.

His remarks came as the US and China announced tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's products. US President Trump is ramping up pressure on China to cut the USD 375 bilateral billion trade deficit.

"While India does not like any measures that harm the rule based international trade regime, there is no reason to take sides in this," he said.

"We are not that level of player inf the market. Our shares are much smaller. We are the takers of the rules than makers," he said.

Kumar mentioned the US and Japanese trade war in late 1980 when Washington successfully pressured Japan to cut the trade deficit.

"That is what the US is still expecting. If you notice, both sides have announced their position (to cut tariffs) but they have not given the dates. This is posturing," he said. "I don't think anybody is interested in trade war trade crisis," he said.

In his address at the SED yesterday, Kumar made a strong pitch for China to allow India's exports of soybean and sugar.

Soybean is regarded as most important for US farmers and China is the largest importer. China has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on its imports if Trump went ahead with his tariff plan for China. Elaborating on his stand in asking China to import soybean and sugar from India, he said, "My hint was much more towards agricultural tariffs in China than anything else".

China's agricultural tariffs are high and India's agricultural exports suffer as a result of it.

Asked whether the US-China trade spat is advantageous to India, he said, "If war happens, elephants fight and grass gets affected. We are part of the grass. We don't want that Kumar said, adding that the US and China being the world's top two economies are giants.

"We are not there yet," he said.

Apparently, China has raised the BRI at the SED for which India responded raising its concerns over the sovereignty issue regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Kumar said Chinese brought up the BRI issue and the Indian delegation responded by saying it is a matter of sovereignty which cannot be compromised.

The Chinese side "extolled" the BRI virtue and emphasised how it is "completely nonconflictual and respectful of sovereignty and independence", he said.

"After hearing India's response they chose to ignore it," he said.

But at the same time there was no reference to the CPEC and it is covered in the sovereignty-related concerns raised by India, Kumar said.

"Both sides recognise the differences over the issue. But there is sufficient scope within the defined redlines to take the development cooperation forward," he said. There was a discussion at the SED about the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) corridor. While China says it is a part of the BRI, India says the project predates that.

Kumar said the main focus for India is Asian trilateral highway. The BCIM is work in progress.

Currently Bangladesh and Myanmar are not interested in it in view of the Rohingya refugee crisis, Kumar said.

China for its part appreciated India's Act East Policy to improve connectivity in the north-eastern states.

He said the core message from the SED was that "we must focus incessantly and unremittingly on the development cooperation possibilities despite differences".

"Major take away for India was that China has expressed interest in joining the International Solar Alliance mooted by India," Kumar said.

"It seems we have an opening. If that happens it can be a big shot the arm," he said.

There were some "positive noises" from China on investing in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheme for housing for all Indians by 2022.

Kumar yesterday said that there was immense potential to set up special clusters for Chinese investments like textiles, leather, food processing, electronic components and pharmaceuticals.
Indian Railways

India has sought China's assistance to speed up Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor besides redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway stations, a senior Indian official said today.

The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held here between the two countries.

"We offered them speeding up of Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor," NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said today.

The SED was held between delegations headed by Kumar and He Lifeng, the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph.

India previously made a proposal to China for the redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway station. It has been reemphasised at yesterday's talks, officials said.

The Chinese side will respond after considering the proposals, they said.

Kumar said it was pointed out to the Chinese side that the railway station development plan is a big one involving about 600 of them. They can bid for any of them, he said.

However, there was no discussion in the just concluded SED about the collaboration to build high speed trains by China in India, he said.

China has been expressing interest to take up high speed train corridors in India and began conducting a feasibility study for New Delhi and Chennai high speed train corridor.

The first high-speed train corridor in India between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been bagged by Japan.

China has the world's longest high-speed rail network, with 22,000 kms within the country linking various top cities.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Amid the outcry over Kathua and Unnao rape cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said his government would amend the law to secure death penalty for the rapists of minor girls.

While vowing to take the legislative measure during the next assembly session, Kejriwal also said he would also set up fast-track courts to complete the trial of the cases of crime against women in six months.

The chief minister, however, lamented that like Delhi government, its Vidhan Sabha too was "just a quarter of an assembly" as all bills passed by it required the Centre's approval.

Kejriwal also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, saying a dangerous message was being relayed that if the accused belonged to the party ruling at the Centre, the entire machinery would step in to shield him.

"In the last three years, the legislations which were passed and forwarded to the Centre, none of them have been approved. We will forward even these amendments to the Centre and I appeal to the Union government to pass them so that they can be implemented for safety and speedy justice to women," he said.

Kejriwal was speaking at Rajghat where DCW chief Swati Maliwal has been sitting on a hunger strike since Friday, demanding provisions for swift capital punishment to those found guilty of raping minors.

Kejriwal also appealed to the Delhi High Court to provide him the number of fast track courts and judges needed for the completion of trial of all cases of crime against women within six months and promised to provide the requisite fund for the purpose.

"We want women safe," he said, adding he had also written to the high court in this regard in the past.

'We will bring amendments in the IPC and CrPC during the next assembly session to ensure death penalty for those found guilty of raping minors and (set up) fast track courts so that trials get over in six months," he said.

"As CM, I am worried about the safety of women in Delhi. As an Indian, I am worried about the safety of women in my country. I am participating in this protest today to demand a system, which ensures their safety," he said.

Referring to the Unnao rape case involving a BJP MLA as the key accused, Kejriwal said no FIR was registered for several months in the case and "leave aside arresting the culprits, the victim's father was arrested and murdered in custody."

Attacking the BJP, he said it gives "a very dangerous message" the way the entire UP government, the chief minister, the Centre and the police tried to shield the accused MLA.

"It gives a very dangerous message that if a BJP MLA rapes someone, nothing will happen to him," he said.

Referring to the Kathua episode to further attack the BJP, he said a holy place of worship has been "defiled" and "what a shame" it was that they call themselves "Hindus."

He said two BJP ministers of the state even participated in demonstrations and protests held in support of the culprits. "We and the entire country are ashamed.... This political patronage is dangerous."

The chief minister also urged citizens to take a day off and support the DCW chief in her indefinite hunger strike at Rajghat.

"It is not her cause. She is fighting for the safety of women in my family and your family. I am going there to participate, not to offer support for her cause. You should also take a day off from your work and participate. Everyone should participate," he tweeted.

Maliwal again attacked the prime minister, saying she did not expect only speeches on social values from the prime ministers but what she wanted was the real action, concrete steps to ensure women's safety.

"I have great respect for the prime minister. And if prime minister can implement Demonisation within single night then, of course, he can give system to the country to ensure women's safety," she said.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal again reiterated her statement that she would not break her fast until PM gave a proper system to country to prevent rapes.

CPI national Secretary Atul Anjan also reached at the hunger-strike venue to extend his support to Maliwal. People from transgender community too reached there to express solidarity with Maliwal.
Hundreds of people today participated in a protest march called "Not In My Name" at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest.

The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

The protest comes as two incidents of rape in Jammu and Kashmir and in Uttar Pradesh provoked outrage across India. Several similar protests have been organised over the past week to demand justice to the victims of the two cases.

The protestors demanded immediate dismissal of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly shielding his party legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl who had gone to his residence seeking a job.

After the matter came to light when the victim tried to immolate herself outside Adityanath's residence in Lucknow on April 8 alleging police inaction for nearly an year, criticism against the state government has mounted.

On April 9, her father died in judicial custody, with the autopsy report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

The case has been handed over to the CBI and Sengar was yesterday sent into a seven-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The participants at the "Not In My Name" protest also sought immediate arrest of the two BJP ministers, who led rallies of Hindu Ekta Manch in Kathua on March 1 in support of the accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl.

The girl's body was found a week after she disappeared from near home in January. The police has arrested a caretaker of a temple and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe.

The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.

In Delhi, the protesters sought adequate security arrangements for the families of the victims, and state support for arranging a competent prosecution team.

"Today we mourn the rape and murder of a little girl in Kathua. Her crime was that she belonged to the Bakarwal Muslim community that the Hindutva forces want out of the area.

"Her rape and murder are part of a larger narrative of communal violence with women's bodies being used as a battle field," said Saba.

Filmmaker Rahul Roy, who too participated in the protest, said: "As a country we have to hang our heads in shame for having failed the Constitution. We have to acknowledge that as a country we have failed our minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, women and girls.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned today that a new humanitarian disaster was looming in Syria, in the rebel-held region of Idlib, seen as the next possible target of the regime's fightback.

In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche weekly a day after the US, Britain and France carried out strikes in Syria, Le Drian said: "There are 2 million people in Idlib now, including hundreds of thousands of Syrians evacuated from rebel towns recaptured by the regime."

"There is a risk of a new humanitarian disaster."

Held by an array of jihadists and rebels, Idlib province is the last in Syria largely beyond government control.

Speaking in Damascus this week, a senior Iranian official said he hoped Idlib would be the next area to be "liberated" by Iran ally President Bashar al-Assad, after the Syrian army's recapture of the Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus with Russian backing.

The scorched-earth battle for Eastern Ghouta wound up shortly after a suspected chemical attack killed over 40 people and which the West blamed on Assad's forces -- allegations Assad and Russia flatly denied.

Le Drian said he hoped yesterday's strikes, aimed at punishing the regime over its alleged use of toxic gas, would convince Russia to pressure Assad into negotiations on ending the seven-year war.

"We hope that Russia understands... we must combine our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that favours an end to the crisis.

"France is ready to work towards this. Except that currently the one blocking the process is Bashar al-Assad himself. It's up to Russia to put pressure on him," he said.

Le Drian said the first step would be "to begin with a ceasefire which is really respected this time." He was referring to a 30-day ceasefire called by the UN in February to facilitate the delivery of aid and medical evacuations, which was never really implemented.

Yesterday, the US, France and Britain launched a new push at the UN for a ceasefire.

In a draft text seen by AFP they also called for a mechanism to probe chemical attacks -- and also ascribe blame for them -- and demanded that Syria engage in stalled UN-led peace talks.
In less than two decades, Permian Basin operators have unleashed a shale revolution that has virtually tripled crude production from the region and upended global energy markets.

Now a second revolution is on the horizon as operators prepare to re-enter those wells that launched the first revolution and implement secondary recovery projects. That can consist of operators reinjecting gas into the reservoir to restore pressure and then producing the additional crude and natural gas.

It looks like the second shale revolution will be huge, said Lewis Matthews, data scientist with CrownQuest Operating.

He said the Permian Basin has been producing for close to 100 years and were not even close to getting all the oil.

CrownQuest alone has 200 years of drilling inventory, said Matthews, who expects companies such as Concho Resources and Pioneer Natural Resources have similar inventories.

The Permian Basin is renowned for its stacked plays  up to 3,000 feet of potential producing formations, some of which have yet to be developed.

The number of benches were looking at today, we know theres more there, Matthews said.

Matthews discussed this coming revolution and its challenges during a recent quarterly luncheon of the Petroleum Professional Data Management association at Midland Colleges Petroleum Professional Development Center.

The challenges of the second revolution will be similar to those of the first: optimizing spacing and completion techniques, but with additional cycles of injecting gas to repressure the reservoirs, he said. But operators are using what he called heterogeneous completion techniques and relying on heterogeneous geology, geophysics, geomechanics and geometry.

Just as a doctor would not prescribe the same identical medication for each patient, each well requires unique spacing and completion, he said.

But devising unique spacing and completions for each well requires data, and data is in short supply, Matthews said.

We have tiny data sets on spacing and completions, he said. The newest wells are the most interesting and the most economic. But a single operator may have a data set thats tiny  10 to 20 wells if theyre lucky.

As the industry turns to advanced technology such as machine learning to help find the best drilling locations and improve operations efficiencies and production, he said data on just 20 wells isnt enough.

Thats why he spent the last year calling for a consortium solution, whereby operators pool data and help speed the cycle of machine learning.

Matthews said operators are very protective of their data. But he points out that all the core acreage has been leased, so sharing data wouldnt result in one operator leasing prospective acreage out from under another operator.

What I look to do is establish a central place for operators to see data. Like a map where they can see what data is available and make a deal with that operator for the data, he said.

Matthews said it speeds up the process because if an operator hasnt traded data on a well before, he has to ask if he should derisk sharing that data. Now, having done that, the next operator can see whats available, he said.

In the bigger picture, Im seeking to speed up the cycle of scientific reproduceability, he said. He compared that to service companies unveiling a new product and other service companies then devising their own products in a similar vein.

He said attitudes have changed in the year hes touted establishing a consortium. A year ago, he said the bigger producers werent interested. But now folks are coming up to me and saying they like the idea, it would be difficult to sell internally but they want to start. The smaller, private equity-backed companies have been more nimble.

You have to ask yourself, Whats the opportunity cost for the time it takes to optimize production alone versus sharing data? he said.
Clayton Williams Jr. was on hand last week for a meeting of Aggie Moms. He took time to talk with the Reporter-Telegram about things happening in the oil industry, in the region and in Aggieland, where the alumni center is named for Williams.

MRT: What do you think of what is happening in the oil industry with all these deals being made. Is this just the beginning?

Williams: I think this is normal. Some go through consolidation  people expand, they get bought out, some go broke, banks take them over. Some start again. It is a dynamic business, and we are still going. Im a good example. I have been at it for 60 years and met payroll again this week.

MRT: How are your efforts going to get water of Fort Stockton?

Williams: We have really never developed a demand. Ive got the water at the farm, but we really need to have somebody willing to pay for it. When people need something to drink, that is when it will happen. In the meantime, weve got a lot of water, but we dont have the demand to make people willing to pay for a pipeline.

MRT: What was your reaction to hearing (Conchos) Tim Leach was named to the board of regents at Texas A&M?

Williams: I think he is a good representative. He has a good record here, he is a good oil man, and as far as I know, hes a good man. He will do a good job there.

MRT: How is that you never managed to get on the board?

Williams: You know I ran for governor and lost, and people had all they needed of me at that time (laughing).
The Midland Development Corp. is looking to expand its staff to better oversee its current capital improvement projects and to complement the citys engineering department for future projects.

The Type A quarter-cent sales-tax-funded organization already has hired Gary Law to serve as director of its project development efforts. Law, a retired Texas Department of Transportation civil engineer, presented the MDC board Monday with plans going forward.

Midland is approaching constraints based on infrastructure, he said.

The MDC has entered into donation agreements with TxDOT on several road projects to leverage funds and get these projects finished faster, including overpasses on East Loop 250. However, as Midland grows, so do the demands for new and improved thoroughfares. That will require funding, and the MDC wants to be prepared for when federal and state funds are available.

Having projects designed and ready to go increases the chance the city will have access to these funds, Law said. In-house civil engineering will lessen the need to hire third-party firms and takes the load off of the city, which is focused heavily on executing road bond projects.

Law proposed hiring a design engineer, design technician and an engineer assistant. Initial costs would be $111,120, and recurring annual costs would be $538,680. Extra office space wouldnt be needed for three additional personnel.

District 4 City Councilman J.Ross Lacy presented several concerns about the plan. The city already has several vacancies in the engineering department, and he worries the MDC will compete directly with the city on these hard-to-fill positions. Engineering Service Director Jose Ortiz said both entities can share applicants when one might fit better with the other. Lacy said the MDCs wages must be comparable to the citys.

The councilman also made clear a major stipulation: No more free rides. Neither the city nor the MDC would do any work for the county, TxDOT or other entity without recompense.
On Monday, the Midland Development Corp. board met for its monthly meeting. Here are some highlights:

 Downtown deal killed: The MDC board voted unanimously to seek a mutual termination agreement with Tuna Investments over redevelopment of the Vaughn Building. In the original deal, the economic development group would reimburse Tuna Investments with $420,000 upon completion of its rehabilitation to the building. The company must have a certificate of occupancy on or before Aug. 31, 2018. Tuna Investments will not meet that deadline, and it was noted that the company owes back taxes. Tuna Investments also must agree to the termination agreement.

 Doctor recruitment continues: The MDC continued its fourth year of partnering with Midland Memorial Hospital in its efforts to bring doctors to the city. The board authorized payment of $205,050.06 to the hospital district for the program. Board members Keith Stretcher and Gary Douglas abstained because of conflicts of interest.

 Spending money: After an amendment to the original item, the board approved obtaining American Express cards for designated employees. Staff cited problems with its current bank that included low credit limits and difficulties being able to use the cards when staff members traveled. Douglas motioned to approve an amendment that there would be a credit limit of no more than $10,000 per card. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 Makerspace participation: Chairman Brent Hilliard and Stretcher were approved to join the University of Texas of the Permian Basins Incubator and Makerspace Joint Advisory Committee. The MDC has formed a partnership with UTPB that includes turning over a portion of the Center of Energy and Economic Development building to the MDC for the creation of a business incubator and makerspace.

 Good to go underground: The board approved a contract with NC Sturgeon for the construction of sewer stubouts at the David Mims Business Park for a total cost of $16,800, plus $3,200 in contingencies. Weir Oil & Gas is building a multimillion dollar facility at the once-unoccupied business park, and the MDC has agreed to build a road through the area. Water and sewer lines are built beneath the road, and the stubouts will help prevent tearing up the road to extend lines to new businesses.

 Financials: In March, the MDC had $1,107,540.12 in revenue and $269,261.35 in expenses for a net income of $838,278.88. Year-to-date net income is $3,154,171.71. The MDC is funded by the Type A quarter-cent sales tax.

 All there: All board members were in attendance. The MDC board is comprised of Wesley Bowndes, Stephen Lowery, Hilliard, Stretcher and Douglas.
A 42-year-old Midland man was being held Saturday on a murder charge in connection with a stabbing that occurred early Saturday morning, according to the citys spokeswoman.

Don D. Herrera is being held on a $200,000 bond for a first-degree felony charge of murder.

Police responded at about 1:40 a.m. to a disturbance in the 900 block of West Montgomery and found Francisca Sanchez, 41, had died from apparent stab wounds, Elana Ladd, said via email. Officers arrested Herrera, who was at the scene, she said.

No other details were available as of press time.

This is the second fatal stabbing this year and the third stabbing year to date, according to Reporter-Telegram records.

Forty-six-year-old Dolores Marquez Alvarez died the night of March 11 from a stabbing that allegedly was committed by her husband, Juan Garcia Alvarez, 57, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram article. When Midland County sheriffs deputies arrived on scene at a residence on West County Road 137, Juan Alvarez had fled.

He reportedly returned to the scene a couple of hours later, and shot at deputies who had been summoned to the residence. Deputies returned fire, and Alvarez was hit, according to the article.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Meanwhile, Midlander Leo Brito, 27, was being held Saturday on a $75,000 bond for a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a stabbing that occurred Jan. 27, according to a previous article.

The male victim had been transported to Midland Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Unexpected problems have delayed the opening of a Dunkin Donuts store in Jacksonville by three months.

We are shooting for opening in mid-June, Dunkin Donuts franchise owner Nick Bhatt said. There has been a delay in construction because of the weather and because of getting a water connection from South Main Street.

He hasnt started hiring employees for the shop at South Main Street and East Morton Avenue because the opening is two months away, he said. In December, Bhatt said he hoped to open the business in March.

Dunkin Donuts will occupy the west building of two new commercial buildings at the intersection.

When completed, the Dunkin Donuts will have 2,400 square feet of space and include an inside dining area, patio and drive-through window, said Bhatt, who also owns Dunkin Donuts shops in Springfield and Lincoln.

We have been looking at bringing Dunkin Donuts to Jacksonville for a couple of years, and finally this location became available, Bhatt said. We are excited that we are coming to Jacksonville. This project was made possible because of the hard work of developer Eric Hoogland.

Bhatt said he will hire a full-time manager and about 40 other full- and part-time employees.

Dunkin Donuts is an American global doughnut company and coffeehouse chain based in Canton, Massachusetts, near Boston, with some 11,000 locations around the world.

The property is being developed by C.E. Hoogland, owner of C.E. Hog 1 LLC, a Springfield-based commercial and residential development firm.

Hoogland said the east building at the site will have 5,400 square of feet space with a drive-through on its east end.

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.
There is a fine line between ...
A Spring, Texas, family is offering a $10,000 reward for more information about their son's death, which they believe is suspicious.

On Monday, Lubbock police found the body of 22-year-old Noble Douglas Kimanthi Abdullah, a Texas Tech University student better known as Kimo.

MOM: Drawing by 7-year-old Rosenberg girl claims teacher slapped her

His body was discovered near an 11-story parking garage on campus. A police report of his death did not detail the cause of his injuries. Police believe there is no indication of foul play, although his death has not been ruled a suicide.

"Knowing Kimo's character, he was not suicidal, well-liked and often went for early morning jogs," father Noble Abdullah told KCBD. "We feel people were involved in his death."

An officer at the scene who viewed surveillance footage said he saw unidentified subjects running past security cameras at 2:20 a.m. and 3:40 a.m., but "observed no further suspicious activity or subjects," according to the police report.

Texas Tech plans to have its campus flag lowered next Friday to honor the junior, who was studying computer science and technology.

Above: See crimes that are still unsolved in the Houston area.
Throughout a century of San Antonio history, Frost Bank has been the scene of more drama than overdrawn accounts and winning investments.

After serving as a Texas Ranger and an officer in the Confederate Army, Thomas Claiborne Frost developed his general banking business from relationships he had with customers of his mercantile company in the late 1800s.

A Texas Historical Commission plaque at the Main Plaza Building, near the San Fernando Cathedral, marks the site of Frost's first mercantile warehouse.

Archived photographs in the gallery above date back to 1914 and sketch the history San Antonio's oldest bank. Hand-in-hand with expansions and grand openings, the bank faced robbers and bandits as well as a blazing fire in the tower.

Frost's warehouse-turned-bank was replaced with a 12-story building in 1922, serving south Texas until it upgraded the city's skyline with a 22-story tower on Houston Street in 1978.

RELATED: Tallest buildings in Texas

Bank robbers hit both sites through the years. In 1972, the San Antonio News reported that "a bank robber got away clean $15,100 in loot." The FBI joined the police in the search for the "Frost Bank bandit" and later assumed charge of the investigation. While five suspects were taken into custody, they were all later released.

A four-alarm fire tore through the 15th floor the Frost Bank Tower on Houston Street one Saturday afternoon in 1980. Two firemen were injured and damages reached an estimated half-million dollars. Ruling out arson, investigators said the fire started from an electrical short.

RELATED: San Antonio set for first downtown office tower in 25 years

Frost Bank Tower reigned as downtown's largest commercial building for years. It boasts a "motor bank," which alas, is not a giant vault for the extra luxury antique cars of S.A.'s wealthy. "Motor bank" is a dated term for drive-through tellers and ATMs.

This week, Frost Bank reached a deal with Weston Urban (Graham Weston's venture) and the city of San Antonio. The deal may yield downtown's first office tower in more than 25 years. Read the details in this updated Downtown Blog: Weston Urban, Frost, city of San Antonio agree on new tower deal

jmscott@mysa.com
 "President Trump has promised a top Senate Republican that he will support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized marijuana" | Main | Another federal court reaction to federal sentencing realities of modern drug war 

April 15, 2018

Interesting intricate ruling from Wyoming Supreme Court about limits on extreme aggregate sentences for juve murderers

For whatever reason, the last few months have brought a number of big notable opinions from an array of courts concerning the reach and application of the Supreme Court's Eighth Amendment jurisprudence limiting severe sentences for juvenile offenders. See examples here and here and here and here from the Third Circuit, the District of Connecticut, and the Iowa Supreme Court and the Georgia Supreme Court.

The latest (and perhaps longest) such opinion was handed down on Friday by the Wyoming Supreme Court in Davis v. Wyoming, 2018 WY 40 (April 13, 2018) (available here). The majority opinion in Davis covers an array of substantive and procedural issues, and it start and ending provide a flavor of its work:

In 1982, when Donald Clyde Davis was seventeen years old, he and a friend picked up a hitchhiker, robbed, and then murdered him. Mr. Davis pled guilty to first degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a consecutive twenty-to-fifty-year sentence for aggravated robbery. Following the decisions of Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460, 132 S.Ct. 2455, 183 L.Ed.2d 407 (2012), Montgomery v. Louisiana, U.S. , 136 S.Ct. 718, 193 L.Ed.2d 599 (2016), Bear Cloud v. State, 2013 WY 18, 294 P.3d 36 (Wyo. 2013) (Bear Cloud II), and the Wyoming Legislatures amendment to Wyo. Stat. Ann.  6-10-301(c), after serving over thirty-three years, Mr. Davis was granted parole from his life sentence, began serving his consecutive twenty-to-fifty-year sentence, and received a new individualized sentencing hearing. After the hearing, the district court declined to modify his original sentence. Mr. Davis appeals and raises a number of issues regarding his sentence. We will reverse and remand with instructions to conduct a new individualized sentencing hearing.... We find that the district court abused its discretion by weighing Mr. Davis youth as an aggravating instead of mitigating factor; considering the nature of the crime to only a limited extent and failing to consider the participation and potential peer pressure of Mr. Davis codefendant; placing undue significance on dated psychological evaluations; concluding that he was not capable of rehabilitation without the benefit of expert testimony concerning Mr. Daviss potential for rehabilitation, and by considering Mr. Davis disciplinary record in prison without taking into account the fact that for the majority of his incarceration he had no hope of release, and without weighing his accomplishments and personal growth while in the penitentiary. The district courts failure to consider Mr. Davis family and home environment and whether he might have been convicted of a lesser offense but for incompetencies associated with youth, without providing an explanation for omitting analysis of those factors, also constituted an abuse of discretion. Finally, the district court abused its discretion by failing to make a finding of permanent incorrigibility based upon its analysis of all the Miller factors. When the Miller factors are not properly considered and weighed and when there is no finding of permanent incorrigibility, or when a finding of permanent incorrigibility is not supported by the Miller factors, the resulting sentence violates the Eighth Amendment. Accordingly, we reverse. At the time of the hearing and the district courts decision, the parties and the district court did not have the advantage of our rulings concerning the procedure, burdens, and potentially relevant evidence for a Miller determination, contained here. Consequently, remand for an additional sentencing hearing and resentencing is appropriate. On remand, the sentencing court should approach the case with the understanding that, more likely than not, life without parole is a disproportionate sentence for Mr. Davis, and it should consider the Miller factors and decide whether he is the truly rare individual mentioned in Miller who is incapable of reform.

The dissent opinion in Davis likewise covers lots of group, but its start spotlights an issue that I suspect will be setting US Supreme Court attention relatively soon:

As I observed in Sam v. State, 2017 WY 98,  88, 401 P.3d 834, 862 (Wyo. 2017), rehg denied, and Sen v. State, 2017 WY 30,  36-37, 390 P.3d, 769, 779 (Wyo. 2017) (Sen III), the United States Supreme Court has not prohibited consecutive sentences for juveniles who commit multiple crimes including murder. The U.S. Supreme Court never found such sentences to be the functional equivalent of life without parole. I continue to disagree with the concept of de facto life without parole arising from consecutive sentences for separate crimes. In my opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court established a process to assure that a juvenile offenders age, immaturity and potential for improvement are considered in sentencing. Unfortunately, some courts, including this one, have focused on the result of the sentencing, rather than on the process. I recognize some states have concluded that Miller, Graham and Montgomery point to a conclusion that lengthy consecutive sentences for juveniles, when aggregated, are the same as a single sentence of life without parole. Other states have not done so. I find the better logic supports those states who have not expanded the holdings in Miller, Graham and Montgomery. Within the past year, Missouri, Colorado and Pennsylvania have all determined that Miller and Montgomery do not apply to the aggregation of consecutive term of years sentences for multiple crimes committed by a defendant under the age of 18.

April 15, 2018 at 04:38 PM | Permalink

Comments

Why do judges seem to love hooking up murderers?

Posted by: federalist | Apr 15, 2018 4:53:12 PM

And my anti-formalist instincts are in full flower here. When is a spade not a spade? When a court says that a life sentence is not a life sentence so long as one doesn't call it a life sentence.

Note: that doesn't mean that I agree with Miller etc. But if Miller is to have any weight at all it must not be reduced to a language game.

Posted by: Daniel | Apr 15, 2018 5:40:53 PM

I'm not sure what "hooking up murderers" means, but giving someone who already has been in prison for about thirty-five years [and will so remain] a right to re-sentencing, which leaves open many more years, is at any rate far from lax.

I agree with Daniel that on some level we should be practical here and de facto life imprisonment should be considered to be so. The question then becomes what exactly that means. The person here is about 50. I gather (just glancing) the low end would mean he would get out when he's 70. Life expectancy rates would not necessarily mean that is life in prison (not sure the average life expectancy of someone who spent 63 years in prison) but perhaps some will think the difference is somewhat marginal.

At the very least, if we are merely talking about a more careful weighing at sentencing, that would seem appropriate. Again, the result will still likely to be long prison sentences. As an aside, some might think 35 years already is enough for a robbery/murder that by the facts in the opinion was something of a spur of the moment thing, not a planned premeditated murder.

Posted by: Joe | Apr 15, 2018 9:09:45 PM

Him getting out at 70 would be 53 years of prison.

The current life expectancy would be a few years more.

Posted by: Joe | Apr 15, 2018 9:15:27 PM

It is not the longest. See Commonwealth v. Foust (available at http://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Superior/out/Opinion%20%20Affirmed%20%2010343823033271529.pdf?cb=1)

Posted by: Jim | Apr 16, 2018 2:02:30 PM

Jim, if we are counting words, I think Davis is much longer. Foust is double spaced...

Posted by: Doug B. | Apr 16, 2018 5:18:13 PM

"As an aside, some might think 35 years already is enough for a robbery/murder that by the facts in the opinion was something of a spur of the moment thing, not a planned premeditated murder."

the dead victim couldn't be reached for comment

Posted by: federalist | Apr 17, 2018 7:03:54 AM

The family of many dead victims can be contacted for comment & many of them would agree it was enough. Polling victims or their family, however, is not really how we determine what is suitable punishment. As is, both nationally and internationally, people who kill others, even in particularly heinous ways, tend to get out before then.

Anyway, as I said, some would think that.

Posted by: Joe | Apr 17, 2018 10:01:17 AM

As Doug noted, it is a sad reality that it will likely take SCOTUS's intervention to establish that LWOP is LWOP, even if by another name.

The dissent's emphasis on only reversing to the extent explicitly required by SCOTUS is another example of lower courts declining to independently assess what the constitution requires.

Posted by: John | Apr 18, 2018 10:55:51 AM

Post a comment
Many myths and misconceptions surround the storied Battle of the Alamo.

Over time, paintings, newspaper articles, movies and television have portrayed the 1836 battle in ways that have been questioned or refuted. Here are some Alamo myths, and the reality based on historical research.

Davy Crockett wore a coonskin cap and buckskins, and he fought at the Alamo with a rifle nicknamed Old Betsy.

Descriptions of the Tennessee frontiersman and statesman are rooted in a 19th century play, The Lion of the West, whose hero, Col. Nimrod Wildfire, was a character inspired by Crockett. Despite portrayals in a 1950s Disney television series, Crockett didn't bring his trusty rifle to Texas, and preferred the name David.

The Mexican tricolor flag with the date "1824" flew at the Alamo.

Historians have said the only flag known to have flown at the Alamo was a light blue New Orleans Greys flag with gold trim and the words "1st Company of Texan Volunteers from New Orleans." Some witnesses reported seeing a Tejas y Coahuila flag, a Mexican tricolor with two stars on the center stripe.

Lt. Col. William Barret Travis, having lost hope for troop reinforcements, drew a line in the dirt with his sword and asked defenders to cross it if they planned to stay and fight. All but one crossed the line.

Louis "Moses" Rose, a Frenchman, told the tale, saying he didn't cross the line and fled the Alamo. The late historian Thomas Ricks Lindley, a debunker of Alamo myths, published strong evidence in 2003 that the story was untrue. Others have discounted the tale, saying the defenders held hope throughout the siege that reinforcements would arrive.

Santa Anna's band played "El Deguello" during the battle as a warning that none of the defenders would be taken alive.

Not all historians agree that the deguello was sounded, because of a lack of evidence from confirmed witnesses. Today, there are at least three versions of sheet music for the call available to researchers, and an audio version on sale at the Alamo Gift Museum.

Crockett died fighting in the battle, swinging his rifle, or perhaps blowing up the Alamo's ammunition supply, as depicted in movies.

More Information The Alamo The Alamo Society See More Collapse

No one knows if Crockett died fighting or was captured and executed. Witness accounts placed his dead body in front of the church or by the west wall. One Mexican officer's account said Crockett was one of a handful of men executed after the battle. The 2004 film "The Alamo" was the first to show Crockett being executed.

Exactly 189 defenders died in the battle.

Initial reports put the figure at around 150, and today there are 189 known defenders listed by name. Other researchers have said the there were about 250, including reinforcements that arrived shortly before the battle.

Sam Houston sent Emily Morgan to Santa Anna's camp to distract him, helping the Texians win a decisive battle at San Jacinto.

Emily D. West, a biracial housekeeper under contract to James Morgan, was at the camp after being captured. But there's little proof to support the legend, which inspired the song "Yellow Rose of Texas." The Emily Morgan Hotel, formerly known as the Medical Arts Building, stands by the Alamo and was renamed in 1984 for the fabled Texas heroine.

Juan Seguin buried the ashes of Alamo defenders at San Fernando Cathedral.

According to Alamo historians, Seguin took a coffin containing ashes from two of the Alamo's three funeral pyres to San Fernando, but did not clearly indicate in his writings where they were buried. Some researchers believe they were placed somewhere in what now is Alamo Plaza. One defender, Gregorio Esparza, was buried in the Campo Santo (cemetery) in the area of Milam Park. His brother, who had fought for Mexico in the Battle of Bexar, got permission for the burial from Santa Anna.

The Alamo is the undisputed "Cradle of Texas Liberty."

Many have said losses on the Mexican side and the battle cry "Remember the Alamo" six weeks later at San Jacinto led to Texas independence. Others have challenged the Alamo "creation myth," arguing that the battle was unnecessary, because the Alamo held little strategic value. It then took decades to bring stability to the Texas frontier under the republic, and later statehood.
The American Red Cross is encouraging the public to give blood in honor of Aprils National Volunteer Month.

The organization is offering several opportunities for Fairfield County residents to give blood over the next two weeks.

A blood transfusion saved Kay Whaley when she was injured in a car crash at 9. She later became a blood donor herself.

It takes about an hour of your time and could save the life of a friend, neighbor or even family member, she said in a release from Red Cross. It doesnt cost you anything and is the greatest gift you could give.

Residents in Shelton can give blood from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Monday at R.D. Scinto Towers, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Avalon and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 27 at Hewitt Health & Rehab Center.

From 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the Red Cross will be at Masuk High School in Monroe. The Red Cross will also be at Norwalk Hospital from 8 am. to 1 p.m. Friday.

The public can also give blood from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Trinity St. Michael's Church in Fairfield, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Tully Health Center in Stamford and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22 at Tokeneke Elementary School in Darien.

Red Cross will be at the Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury from 12:15 to 6 p.m. April 23, the Western Connecticut State University Westside Campus Center from 11:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. April 24, St. Margeurite Bourgeoys Church in Brookfield from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 24, the WCSU White Street campus from 11:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. April 25 and the Bethel Historical Society from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30.

Blood donations will also be taken from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 25 at the University of Bridgeport Student Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at St. Pius Parish Center in Fairfield and 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. April 30 at Norwalk Community College.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting the organizations website or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those who donate from April 9 to May 13, 2018 will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
STAMFORD  What will likely be the last Zoning Board public hearing on a controversial text-change application paving the way for a nearly 100,000-square-foot gym complex in High Ridge Office Park is set for Monday.

The proposal has drawn hundreds of residents who have sat through hours of hearings. The five-member zoning panel is expected to close the hearings Monday night and take up discussion.

The proposal, brought by developer George Comfort & Sons, seeks to change the text defining suburban business parks so the company can demolish an empty building in its High Ridge Office Park, and build a nearly 100,000-square-foot Life Time Fitness center with outdoor swimming pools.

Public hearings have pitted Comforts attorney, William Hennessey, against lawyers for the Sterling Lake Association, a group of homes adjacent to the park.

Hennessey has argued the change is needed to re-invigorate office parks, which owners have struggled to fill in recent years. Sterling Lakes attorneys, Steve Grushkin and Leonard Braman, contend Life Time is more akin to a resort without hotel rooms than a gym and has no place in a residential neighborhood.

The change would apply to all of Stamfords six office parks.

At recent meetings, the centers outdoor facilities provoked strong backlash from neighbors, who say it will bring unwanted noise, bright lights and disruption to the tranquil area.

At the last hearing, board members took issue with the noise they think the gym could generate, and questioned whether a traffic study done by Comfort held up.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at city hall.

Comfort needs a super-majority  a unanimous or 4-1 vote  to garner approval after the Planning Board voted unanimously against it.

barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton
Autotask Corp.

This software as a service firm helps IT organizations worldwide work smarter with a complete, cloud-based IT business management platform that enables efficiency, accountability and access to the metrics that drive intelligent business decisions. With built-in best practices and workflow automation, Autotask speeds time to revenue while continually improving service delivery.

Headquarters: East Greenbush

Year founded: 2001

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 165 in Capital Region, 281 in U.S., 500 globally

Website: autotask.com

The Center for Rheumatology

This physicians practice  with locations in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Queensbury  is the largest private rheumatology practice in upstate New York for the diagnosis and care of individuals with arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and musculoskeletal disease and for the investigation of new treatments for these disorders.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1978

Ownership: Partnership

Number of employees: 101

Website: joint-docs.com

Bast Hatfield Construction, LLC

This second generation, full service general contracting and construction management firm is one of the largest contractors in the area and has built hundreds of commercial and retail facilities in the Northeast. They specialize in new construction and renovations, with project sizes ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $20 million plus.

Headquarters: Clifton Park

Year founded: 1977

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 167

Website: basthatfield.com

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.

GPI is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm providing design and construction services to both public and private sector clients. Areas of expertise include highway and bridge design, construction inspection, structural engineering, MEP design, traffic engineering, transportation planning, land development, training development and delivery, underwater inspection and protective coatings.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1966

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 215 in Capital Region, 1,400 in U.S.

Website: gpinet.com

Main Care Energy

This home energy sales and service company, with seven Capital Region locations, is 100 percent employee-owned and is open 24 hours a day  including weekends and holidays  for service, delivery and customer service for all of its customers' propane, fuel, natural gas, heating and cooling needs.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1930

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 113 in Capital Region, 115 in U.S.

Website: maincareenergy.com

AAA Northway

The motor club provides roadside assistance, insurance, travel, discounts and automotive services to 175,000 members from eight locations in the Capital Region and beyond.

Headquarters: Schenectady

Year founded: 1906

Ownership: Nonprofit

Number of employees: 129

Website: northway.aaa.com

OCFS Human Services Call Center

The HSCC, a division of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, provides telephone customer service on behalf of 10 state agencies. Representatives handle an average of 4,000 calls a day on 35 business lines, providing information on everything from applying for college tuition assistance to how to become a certified emergency medical technician.

Headquarters: Schenectady

Year founded: 2013

Ownership: Government

Number of employees: 156 in Capital Region, 160 in U.S.

Website: ocfs.ny.gov

Health Care Association of New York State, Inc.

This advocacy group works to advance the health of individuals and communities by providing leadership, representation, and service to health providers and systems across the entire continuum of care. HANYS represents and advocates on behalf of 500 hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other provider organizations throughout the state.

Headquarters: Rensselaer

Year founded: 1925

Ownership: Nonprofit

Number of employees: 146 in Capital Region, 190 in U.S.

Website: hanys.org

Keeler Motor Car Co.

This automotive dealership sells and services new, used and certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, BMW, MINI and Honda vehicles to the Capital Region and surrounding communities. It also sells retail and wholesale parts for all makes and models, and has a certified collision center and a state of the art detail department.

Headquarters: Latham

Year founded: 1967

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 280

Website: keeler.com

Center for Internet Security

This forward-thinking, nonprofit group harnesses the power of a global IT community to safeguard private and public organizations against cyber threats.

Headquarters: East Greenbush

Year founded: 2000

Ownership: Nonprofit

Number of employees: 133 in Capital Region, 135 in U.S.

Website: cisecurity.org

GCOM Software

This custom software development and consulting firm provides a broad range of services designed to deliver cutting edge technology solutions for its public sector clients.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 2005

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 136 in Capital Region, 186 in U.S.

Website: GCOMSOFT.com

Aldi

This grocery store chain with locations throughout the Capital Region  in Amsterdam, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Colonie, Hudson, Johnstown, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Queensbury  follows a simple corporate philosophy: Great quality shouldn't come at a high price. Rather, great quality should come with every day low prices.

Headquarters: Batavia, Il.

Year founded: 1946

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 212 in Capital Region

Website: aldi.us

Vicarious Visions

This video game developer is a creator of hit titles featuring the work of a talented, energetic and highly motivated group of individuals from across the globe, who bring a very diverse mix of styles to their games.

Headquarters: Menands

Year founded: 1994

Ownership: Public

Number of employees: 201

Website: vvisions.com

Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Inc.

For more than 75 years, Crisafulli Bros. has provided plumbing, heating and air conditioning design, installation, service and scheduled maintenance to residential and commercial clients throughout the Capital Region.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1939

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 151

Website: crisbro.com

Callanan Industries, Inc.

From 10 Capital Region locations, Callanan Industries supplies quality New York approved aggregate, hot mix asphalt and ready mix concrete for infrastructure, building and home projects.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1883

Ownership: Public

Number of employees: 294

Website: callanan.com

Albany Public Library

From seven neighborhood branches, APL focuses on educating, entertaining and empowering the community by providing books and DVDs, music and magazines, classes and workshops  and much.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1922

Ownership: Nonprofit

Number of employees: 111

Website: albanypubliclibrary.org

Goldstein Auto Group

This dealership group, with five Capital Region locations, is dedicated to providing excellent customer service for sales, service and parts, representing Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Buick, GMC, Mitsubishi and Subaru.

Headquarters: Albany

Year founded: 1964

Ownership: Private

Number of employees: 266

Website: goldsteinauto.com
It's not the most cheerful offering. But euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke thinks he's about to revolutionize how we die.

At a funeral fair in Amsterdam last week, he showed off his "suicide machine." The "Sarco," short for sarcophagus, is designed to "provide people with a death when they wish to die," Nitschke, an Australian national, told the news agency Agence France-Presse. It comes with a detachable coffin and a hookup for a nitrogen container.

Here's how it would work, according to Nitschke. Users would first take an online test to determine whether they were sane. If they cleared the test, they would be sent an access code, valid for 24 hours. They'd then get into the capsule, close the door and press a button to have the nitrogen pipe in. Nitschke says users would pass out within a minute.

"The person who wants to die presses the button and the capsule is filled with nitrogen. He or she will feel a bit dizzy but will then rapidly lose consciousness and die," he told AFP.

The Sarco's design is meant to echo that of a spaceship, Nitschke told Newsweek. It is intended to give users the feel that they are traveling to the "great beyond."

Nitschke developed the Sarco alongside Dutch designer Alexander Bannink. At the event, people also had an opportunity to don virtual-reality glasses that give users a sense of what sitting in the pod might look and feel like. Attendees at the Westerkerk event lined up to try on the glasses, AFP reported.

The inventors said they hope to have a fully functioning pod by the end of the year. Nitschke then plans to put the design online and allow anyone to download it. "That means that anybody who wants to build the machine can download the plans and 3D-print their own device," he said, according to AFP.

The machine has been controversial since its inception.

One critic, Georgetown professor of biomedical ethics Daniel Sulmasy, told Newsweek that it's "a bad medicine, ethics, and bad public policy."

"It converts killing into a form of healing and doesn't acknowledge that we can now do more for symptoms through palliative (care) than ever before," Sulmasy said.

Nitschke, 70, has been a euthanasia advocate for decades. As a medical student, he said, he was inspired by Jack Kevorkian's work. (Kevorkian, an American pathologist nicknamed Dr. Death, said that he helped at least 130 patients commit suicide before he died in 2011.) As a young man, Nitschke created the "Deliverance," a computer program hooked up to an IV that would trigger a lethal injection of barbiturates after a patient confirmed that he or she wanted to die. Later, he developed something called an "Exit Bag," a breathing mask that funnels carbon monoxide.

Nitschke used the system on four patients before Australia's euthanasia law was rescinded. In 1997, he founded Exit International, a euthanasia advocacy group. Newsweek has called him the "Elon Musk" of assisted suicide.

Euthanasia is not legal in most places, but it is legal in several European countries and in parts of the United States. Nitschke told AFP that his machine will allow those interested in euthanasia an easier path forward. "In many countries, suicide is not against the law, only assisting a person to commit suicide is," he said. "This is a situation where one person chooses to press a button ... rather than, for instance, standing in front of a train."
Mary Nichols, California's top air regulator, is gearing up for a battle with the Trump administration over the future of U.S. auto pollution standards.

Scott Pruitt, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has said that emission targets previously agreed to by California and the auto industry are too stringent and should be revised. Pruitt also said it was considering whether to revoke a waiver that has allowed California to set its own, tougher standards and push for the adoption of electric cars.

Nichols has vowed to fight back-although she's also signaled willingness to adjust California's regulations as long as the state's emission-reduction goals are upheld. The rules agreed to by California, Obama-era federal regulators, and the auto industry in 2011 call for boosting fuel economy to more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025.

As chair of the California Air Resources Board since 2007, Nichols has been long been seen as the world's preeminent auto regulator. She's been working to clean up smoggy air in her state since the 1970s, when she first served as chair of the air board during California Governor Jerry Brown's initial time in office. Now that Brown is governor again and smog is a thing of the past, he and Nichols have a shared goal for getting 5 million zero-emission cars on California roads by 2030. Nichols' use of quotas to stimulate sales of electric vehicles is now under threat from a Trump administration that views regulations as job killers.

Bloomberg sat down with Nichols on Tuesday, her 73rd birthday, at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Future of Energy Summit in New York to talk about her work and legacy. The following excerpt has been condensed and edited.

Q: This is an interesting moment. The Trump administration is considering revoking California's ability to set its own car pollution rules. What role do you see yourself playing?

A: I was part of the board that adopted the first regulations that required the auto companies to put catalytic converters on cars. We were the first place to require lead to be taken out of gasoline. People in Southern California no longer have to breathe the kind of pollution they did back in the 1970s, and I'm not going back.

Q: Why is it important for California to keep its waiver to regulate car emissions?

A: As the home of 30 percent of all sales we can push the envelope with the car companies and get them to bring to market technologies that they might otherwise be reluctant to introduce on a national scale. And to try them in a market which is very open to advanced technologies, with a population that is very interested in environmental qualities.

So from the very beginning car companies have used the argument that [EPA Administrator] Scott Pruitt used in his findings last week-that cars that meet the California standards are going to be too expensive, and people won't buy them, and that will slow down the adoption of cleaner cars. In fact the opposite is true.

We agree that cars that meet our standards at various times have cost a few hundred dollars more than they would in other places, but it has never been enough to deter people from buying California cars. And, in fact, the car companies have come around to introducing California cars nationwide even before they were required to do it.

Q: Pruitt argues that California shouldn't dictate pollution rules for the rest of the country.

A: We don't dictate pollution rules for the rest of the country and we don't try to. What we do is to adopt rules that we think are necessary and feasible to meet our environmental needs and what we've found is very frequently-in fact in every case I can think of-the rest of the country has decided they wanted to follow our lead. But they don't have to. We can't mandate that.

Q: Automakers say the current rules adopted under the Obama administration will make cars more expensive. Are you concerned that this push could make it harder for average working people to afford transportation?

A: So what we found is while it may not be the only factor in making decisions about which vehicle to buy, consumer do look at fuel economy when they make choices about what cars to buy and they prefer cars that have better fuel economy. The fact is even with today's relatively low gas prices, a consumer begins to reap benefits the minute they drive a new car off the lot.

Q: What happens if the Trump administration prevails? It seems as if the shift to electric vehicles is inevitable. So why does it ultimately matter if there's a regulatory rollback right now?

A: First of all, we are in a race against time when it comes to the fate of the planet, not to be too dramatic about this. Gasses that are emitted today stay in the atmosphere for a very long time. The more that we can capture now, the better it is in the long term for our kids and grandkids. There are also the direct health benefits that come from meeting better standards, tougher standards. If you are raising a child today, it doesn't do you much good to have cleaner air years from now, because the damage to that child's lungs are being done right now while they are growing.

So there is no virtue in pushing back state standards. And we don't try to adopt standards that are irrelevant. We try to adopt standards that will push in the direction of the entire market, in the direction that it is already going, but will help it get there faster.

Q: Can California push ahead with its own standard if the federal government relaxes its emissions target?

A: Yes.

Q: And would we get two markets that are effectively blue states driving cleaner, more expensive cars and red states driving dirtier, cheaper cars?

A: No. The U.S. is not a monolith, and there are places in the country where people prefer to drive pickup trucks and they do. That's what they feel like they need to live, the lifestyle they want. Nothing we're doing will prevent people from driving those kinds of vehicles if that's what they want.

Q: You've overseen the establishment of significant regulation in California-cap and trade, low-carbon fuel standard. What do you see as your most important legacy?

A: That smart regulations can drive technology. Let somebody else come and want to do my job who is 30 years younger than I. That's what I want. It's open for business.
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration signaled Sunday that it will impose new sanctions as soon as this week on Russia for supporting the Syrian regime as it allegedly conducted a deadly chemical attack against its own people.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, on Sunday announced the sanctions and President Donald Trump's commitment to staying involved in the Syria crisis, hours before French President Emmanuel Macron took credit for helping turn around Trump's plan to withdraw U.S. troops.

"Ten days ago, President Trump was saying that the United States would disengage from Syria," Macron said Sunday night. "We convinced him that it was necessary to stay there long-term."

Haley, speaking on CBS News' "Face the Nation," suggested that there are no plans to pare down the U.S. presence in Syria anytime soon. On Fox News Sunday, Haley said troop withdrawal would come after three goals had been accomplished: defeating Islamic State militants, ensuring that chemical weapons will not be used and maintaining the ability to watch Iran.

The aim, she said, is "to see American troops come home, but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things."

The White House on Sunday did not immediately address Macron's comments, made during a televised debate with two journalists.

Haley, the administration's most prominent diplomatic voice until a new secretary of state is confirmed, said the new round of sanctions will target Russian companies that have helped the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad make and deploy chemical weapons. A suspected chemical weapons attack April 7 spurred the United States and its allies to launch more than 100 missiles at Syria over the weekend after .

"You will see that Russian sanctions will be coming down," Haley said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin "will be announcing those Monday, if he hasn't already," she added. "And they will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use. I think everyone is going to feel it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to it."

Haley has been one of the strongest voices accusing Russia of enabling the Syrian government in its use of chemical weapons in the civil war, which is now in its seventh year. Russia has vetoed at least six resolutions in the U.N. Security Council regarding chemical weapons. The Russian vetoes have been one of the main irritants in strained relations between Washington and Moscow, with Western diplomats accusing Russia of trying to protect the Assad government.

The Trump administration has placed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, including penalties targeting Russian oligarchs who are close to President Vladimir Putin. The rollout of new sanctions is usually closely guarded, in part to prevent people subjected to them from quickly moving their money around. The Treasury Department does not comment on pending sanctions.

Haley spoke two days after the United States, France and Britain struck at three facilities that the administration called the "heart" of Syria's chemical weapons program. But it is unclear how much capacity Syria retains to produce chemical weapons and whether the strikes chipped away at the government's political will to deploy them.

For the near future, the strikes suggest that the White House has no intention of withdrawing 2,000 U.S. troops currently in Syria, as Trump suggested on April 4 that he intends to do.

Macron, appearing on television in Paris, suggested that he had played a key role in persuading Trump both to act in Syria and to stabilize the region long-term.

His comments were not a formal declaration, and it was not immediately clear what Macron meant by saying that he persuaded Trump to "stay there." Immediately after the remark, he emphasized the precise, targeted nature of the Saturday morning strike.

"We convinced him to limit the strikes to chemical weapons when at the same time there was a burst of tweets that did not escape you," Macron said.

A spokesperson for the Elysee Palace did not immediately return several requests for further comment.

Macron - in response to critical questions about the legality of the mission - insisted that it was a matter of "international legitimacy" if not international legality. The "very precise" operation was also carried out without declaring war on the Assad regime or with engendering any collateral damage with regard to the Russians, he said.

As the coming sanctions underscore, the United States will continue to bear down on Russa over its ongoing support of the Assad government and to prod it to rid Syria of chemical weapons, as Moscow committed to do in a 2013 agreement negotiated with the Obama administration.

On "Fox News Sunday," Haley again slammed Russia, accusing it of enabling the Syrian government to use chemical weapons without worrying about blowback from the United Nations.

"Assad knew that Russia had its back, Assad knew that Russia would cover for them at the United Nations, and Assad got reckless, and he used it in a way that was far more aggressive," she said. "We have to be conscious of the fact that we can't allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons."

Haley said Trump is prepared to strike Syria again if that happens, though she declined to say how the United States would respond to the use of conventional weapons.

"We of course know that our work in Syria is not done," she said. "We know that it is now up to Bashar al-Assad on whether he's going to use chemical weapons again. And should he use it again, the president has made it very clear that the United States is locked and loaded and ready to go."
A report of the citys steering committee for the campaign said the ratio of Vietnamese goods range from 90-93 percent at Co.opmart stores; 90-93 percent at Satra supermarkets, 96 percent at Vinmarts and 95 percent at Vissan stores.



A conference reviewing the three years of implementing the campaign in Ho Chi Minh City on April 13 heard that positive changes have been seen in public awareness and consumption habit.

The campaign also contributed to raising domestic firms awareness about the importance of the domestic market. Around 1,000 enterprises in HCM City have earned the title High-quality Vietnamese goods for their products.

Tran Tan Ngoi, Standing Vice Chairman of the HCM City chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said the combination of the campaign and a programme to build safe food product chains has helped win more public attention and approval.

HCM City intends to push forward with the campaign in 2018-2020 along with providing assistance for local enterprises in enhancing production capacity and product quality to better meet local consumption demand and change consumers habits.

It is also necessary to intensify market management to prevent fake products from marring the prestige of high-quality Vietnamese goods, according to the steering committee for the campaign Vietnamese use Vietnamese goods.

Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Truong Thi Ngoc Anh suggested that the city continues to implement the Governments scheme on developing the domestic market in combination with the campaign Vietnamese use Vietnamese goods.

The scheme calls for moves to develop distribution channels for domestic commodities, tighten market management, encourage producers to improve their products competitiveness and develop Vietnamese brands.

The campaign Vietnamese use Vietnamese goods was first launched in 2009 by the Partys Politburo. On April 10, 2015, the Party Central Committees Secretariat issued a conclusion requiring stepping up the Partys leadership of the implementation of the campaign.

Vietnamnews
Roma, Texas

Stymied by Congress and the courts, President Donald Trump has struggled to make good on his signature campaign promises to build a wall and stop migrants. But there is at least one place where his vision is becoming reality: the sinuous lower Rio Grande Valley, scene of more unauthorized crossings than any other stretch between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

This week, as Texas National Guard troops were taking up positions on the state's southern edge at Trump's request, the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection told lawmakers that the agency hopes to award contracts by September for border wall construction near where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf. And the U.S. government's efforts to identify and begin the seizure of private land along the river "are well underway," CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told a congressional subcommittee Thursday.

Last month, Congress rejected Trump's request for up to $25 billion to build the full length of his coveted wall, but he did win funding for 33 miles of barriers in the Rio Grande Valley.

And while the Guard will eventually withdraw, a wall could change the region forever.

This stretch of border is the only place where the National Guard is deployed and where Congress funded the construction of new walls, instead of replacing or fortifying existing barriers.

The current plans call for up to 25 miles of construction in Hidalgo County, which includes the city of McAllen and already has segments of stop-and-start border fencing, some of it installed well north of the river.

The remaining construction would go in Starr County, further west. CBP last year issued a map that marked off several cities in the county for construction, including Roma and Rio Grande City.

Roma was built on the bluffs overlooking the Rio Grande and Ciudad Miguel Aleman on the southern side of what Mexicans call el Rio Bravo del Norte  the furious river of the north. From the bluffs, visitors can hear roosters clucking in Miguel Aleman and see schoolchildren and traffic crossing a tiny bridge.

A group of Guard members this month set up below the bluffs, with rifle-carrying soldiers holding binoculars and peering south over the river.

Trump says the Guard is necessary to guard the border until the wall can be built across the U.S.-Mexico border. His administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, have cited a recent increase in the number of border crossings and what they say are more smugglers and gang members trying to enter the United States.

Many people who live on the American side of the river see the situation differently. They say their communities are safe from the cartel-linked violence that has ravaged northern Mexico. And many border-crossers entering the U.S. turn themselves in and try to seek asylum. They include thousands of adults and children fleeing violence and instability in Central America.

Scott Nicol, a longtime valley resident who is co-chair of the Sierra Club's Borderlands team, argued that both the Guard deployment and the wall fit into a mistaken national narrative that "everybody who lives here is part of one giant smuggling operation."

"If you go into a neighborhood and all the houses have burglar bars, you assume that neighborhood has a high burglary rate, instead of assuming there's a really good burglar bar salesman," Nicol said.

Nicol and other advocates are particularly worried about the lasting damage building a wall could do. In some places, CBP wants to clear forests and brush to install roads and lighting. Advocates say that could destroy critical habitats and speed up erosion. A wall could potentially restrict the movement of animals and plant seeds.

Depending on how it's built, a wall could also make the region more susceptible to flooding. In a natural disaster, it might push more water into Mexico, a potential violation of a treaty between the two countries.

It would also seal off many border cities from the region's defining cultural and economic feature.

"The river is basically everything," said Jim Chapman, another local resident who is part of the group Friends of the Wildlife Corridor. "It sustains the human population and it sustains much of the wildlife."

Other environmentally sensitive areas like the National Butterfly Center also sit in the wall's potential path.
The San Antonio Express-News on Sunday was awarded two first place awards -- one for team effort for its coverage of the Sutherland Springs church shooting, and the other for Freedom of Information for "Adrift," an investigation into the deadly balloon crash in Lockhart by staff writer John Tedesco.

The newspaper also received second place for Online Newspaper of the Year at the 83rd Texas Associated Press Managing Editors conference.

With Sunday's recognitions, the Express-News picked up 22 awards total during the annual conference, held over the weekend this year in Corpus Christi. The contest covers work done in 2017.

The staff was honored for efforts in the tragic incident that began on a quiet Sunday morning in Sutherland Springs.

"One can only imagine the difficulty in covering a mass shooting on a Sunday morning, when virtually the entire staff is off," the judges wrote in their comments. "Pivoting from a quiet morning on the web site to the entire nation looking to you for information. Truly the definition of all hands on deck."

Of investigative reporter Tedescos work on Adrift, the judges said: "Fascinating presentation and reporting on the deadliest balloon crash in this country since 2005," they wrote. "What made the article so appealing is it weaved in complexity of the FAA's lax rules and regulations and unwillingness to do anything about it with the human element of the victims and victim's families."

Earlier this month, the Express-News and its reporters were recognized in two prestigious national contests.

On Friday, the newspaper staff took first place in the National Headliners Awards in breaking news for the paper's coverage of the Sutherland Springs church shooting. Also recognized in the national awards were Lisa Krantz, who won first place and "best in show" and food writer Mike Sutter won best feature column for food criticism.

On April 2, Krantz received the 2018 American Society of News Editors Photojournalism Award for "Rowan's Reach," a photo essay published by the newspaper in November. The story involved a boy battling Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. It was Krantz's second time to win the ASNE Photojournalism Award. In 2015, she received the honor for her photography in "A Life Apart: The Toll of Obesity."

Krantz was also awarded first place for Best Published Picture Story in Large Markets by the National Press Photographers Association. She also received an honorable mention in the Feature Single category for her work on Rowans Reach.

In March, the newspaper's Sports department won six Top 10 awards at the national Associated Press Sports Editors annual contest in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Individual winners from the Express-News included Spurs reporter Tom Orsborn (beat writing), Mike Finger (column writing) and high school reporter Adam Zuvanich (project reporting) for a series of stories he did on Charles Bassey and St. Anthony High School.

Also, the Sports department won the APSE's version of the Triple Crown, receiving Top 10 honors for daily, Sunday and special sections.

Texas APME and the Headliners Foundation of Texas put on the annual contest "to recognize outstanding journalism as practiced by the state's daily newspapers," according to information from the organization's website.

The contest has 29 general categories along with awards for college and university publications, Spanish-language publications and staff members of the Associated Press.

The Express-News competed in the Class 4A category along with Dallas, Houston, Austin and Fort Worth newspapers.

Express-News Managing Editor Jamie Stockwell, who has served as the organizations vice president, takes over as president of the Texas APME board.

Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863
The eighth annual Turkish Festival on Saturday drew crowds to Alamo Plaza with an array of Turkish foods, crafts and arts to foster increased cultural understanding.

It was not typical of their weekend routine, but Suzi Leggett and her daughter Judah Leggett traveled downtown to take part.

The music is just outstanding, and the vendor was so polite and welcoming, Suzi Leggett said as she and her daughter shared a spiced meat Doner kebab with tzatziki sauce.

They said they were happy to see the festival downtown right by the Alamo.

Even people driving by can look and see something interesting going on in their city, Suzi Leggett said.

The festival was sponsored by the Raindrop Turkish House, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build awareness of its community and country and serve as a bridge between Turkish and American cultures.

The festivals 25 local food and craft vendors offered an array of items and interests  from baklava to calligraphy.

This is a great opportunity when you have festivals like this for local residents and tourists, said Waheeda Kara, who has worked with Raindrop. Kara said the dances are always popular just because (of) the colors, the music and the different forms.

Performers wearing traditional Turkish costumes danced around the plaza while visitors stood in line for artworks, face painting and shots of espresso.

Huseyin Sonmez brought his 3-year-old son to the festival to support his wife, who is an expert in ebru, or water marbling. Ebru is an art form that produces luminous designs on paper with colored water.

Sonmez said his wife earned an art degree at a university in Turkey where she specialized in ebru.

Festivals such as Saturdays are a good place to share traditions, because they help us understand and to know each other better, Sonmez said.

Judah Leggett, who teaches U.S. history at Northeast Lakeview College, said she will encourage her students to attend the festival next spring.

Im definitely going to tell my students about this, she said. Maybe even put it into my syllabus.

aluna@express-news.net
As a military veteran, Im honored to have served a country that provides an education for every child. When I was an enlisted Marine, I served with lots of young parents. I saw how deeply they wanted a bright future for their kids. Thats why Im so disturbed that some members of Congress want to raid Impact Aid to pay for a private school voucher scheme that wont benefit most military families.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has signaled support for a voucher scheme that would take money from the very schools that serve the children of active-duty military personnel and divert it to private, largely religiously affiliated schools. Its part of the Trump administrations plan to voucherize education, and it would lead to a serious loss of resources for a special subset of public schools that operate near military bases.

The Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act, the proponents of which are hoping to tack onto the next defense budget, would give military families funds to send their children to private schools, which tend to be religious in nature, or for other education-related expenses. Whatever you feel about tax money going to underwrite a religious education  and to my mind its a violation of church-state separation and bad public policy  you should be concerned that the money for the program would come out of something called Impact Aid.

OPINION: Vouchers will seriously damage Texas public schools

These are the federal funds given to those school districts where federal activities, such as military installations or a Native American reservation, result in depressed tax revenues. Impact Aid ensures that schools have the resources to provide children of military families with a quality education that meets their unique needs.

Service members make incredible sacrifices to keep our nation safe. Impact Aid helps ensure that a quality public education for their children isnt one of those sacrifices. Federally connected public school boards and superintendents use Impact Aid dollars to address the unique needs of military children, which includes helping those children deal with the stress and anxiety of repeatedly changing schools with the relocation of their parents. Federal funding doesnt get more patriotic than that, which is why Impact Aid has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.

The voucher bills proponents claim that it provides military families with choice and will enhance educational attainment. In fact, the choice is for a select group, and the educational boost is illusory.

EDITORIAL: 'Education savings accounts' are vouchers by another name

Religiously affiliated private schools often discriminate in student admission. Seventy-nine percent of private school students attend religious schools that only accept students who share their beliefs.

Private schools are also permitted to discriminate against children with disabilities, children for whom English is a second language, who are struggling to meet grade level, and who have special educational needs.

This country is divided enough. One of the great sources of shared experiences is our public schools  schools that are open to students from all families, military and civilian, able or disabled, religious or not.

EDITORIAL: Vouchers won't cover tuition costs

Where voucher schemes have been tried on a large scale, they fail to increase educational achievement. State-of-the-art studies reviewing test results from four major voucher programs  in Washington, D.C., Louisiana, Indiana, and Ohio  found that on average students using vouchers to attend private schools dont perform as well as those not in private schools.

Congress should listen to the 26 military associations that recently sent a letter warning that this bill would harm the education of military children. And lets keep public dollars in public schools.

Jason Lemieux served three tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine infantryman. He is the director of government affairs at the Center for Inquiry, a nonprofit dedicated to reason, science, freedom of inquiry and humanist values.
During a working session with the provincial authorities on April 14, the Party leader praised the province for gaining outstanding achievements in various fields, with a number of effective models and new practical initiatives.



He noted that economic development is a core task, Party building is a crucial task while national defence-security is a regular task.

Currently, average income per capita in Dong Thap reaches over 36 million VND, lower than the countrys average of more than VND 50 million so that the province needs to strive more, he said.

The leader called for attention to streamlining apparatus, strengthening ties with Cambodia, neighbouring and border localities to facilitate people-to-people exchange, and improving residential management.

He attached importance to Party building and rectification as well as fighting corruption, negative phenomena and wastefulness.

The Party chief suggested devising specific goals and breakthrough measures between now and 2020.

The provincial authorities proposed State funding for transport infrastructure, including Cao Lanh  My An and An Huu  Cao Lanh sections.

They also asked for refining regulations on extending land quota and switch to goods-based agricultural economy.

Dong Thap is one of the three localities to be chosen to pilot agricultural restructuring. After three years, local farmers and firms have gradually switched agricultural production to agricultural economy, towards building a farm produce chain that meets market demand. A number of high-tech farming models have been launched.

The province now ranks first nationwide in terms of tra fish output and third in rice production, and becomes a key hub of fruits in the region, with many being exported to demanding markets such as the US, Japan, the UK and Australia.

Community and agricultural tourism have also contributed to increasing value of farming sector and farmers income.

Dong Thap also leads the region in labour export with thousands of young workers landing jobs overseas, bringing home trillions of VND. They are also behind a number of start-up projects.

The locality is now home to 45 club houses with nearly 2,000 members with an aim to inspire farmers innovation in the spirit of self-control and mutual support.

In the morning the same day, General Secretary Trong offered incense and flowers at a relic site dedicated to Nguyen Sinh Sac  father of President Ho Chi Minh in Cao Lanh city.

Earlier on April 13, at a working session on April 13 with authorities of Tan Thuan Tay commune which was recognised as new-style rural area in late 2017, the Party chief lauded local authorities and people for their achievements over the past years.

He wished that they would continue staying united to deal with emerging issues and reap new successes.

Later, he visited Tam Que club-house, one of the two operating in the community model. Last month, it formed an organic mango farming group to bring practical benefits to local residents, which was lauded by the Party chief as effective and should be expanded to other localities.

On the occasion, he presented gifts to several outstanding households in the commune.

Vietnamnews
In the wake of yet another school shooting occurring this past Valentines Day, students are staging protests against gun violence nationwide. This raises the question: what is it that students want to see done?

I have my own opinion on the matter, and so do students throughout the country. With that in mind, it is unwise to assume that all students in the U.S. share the same view on the issue. So, I am not here to represent the students of America, rather, I am here to talk about the collective opinion that many of us at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School and Business Careers High School feel regarding this unfortunately common issue.

We do not want to fear losing our lives while trying to get an education. A school  practically a second home to all students  should not be a place for any student to feel unsafe. However, students carry this burden of fear daily while attending school that they, and everyone they care about at school, can be gunned down at any moment. That cannot be accepted.

RELATED: San Antonians march downtown, joining thousands across the U.S. in call for gun control

Uncertainty, helplessness, and terror are among the many unimaginably horrific feelings students of America have felt during these incidents; feelings that no student  5-years-old, 18 or older  should have to experience in a place that is supposed to make them feel safe.

And yet almost yearly since 1999, over 180,000 people  students, teachers, and faculty  have had these feelings pushed to the extreme, ultimately to the point of either death or witnessing death, by the hand of a gun. That is beyond outrageous. And despite this unfortunate trend, our government seems to turn its back on these tragedies, leaving students like us to live in fear  that is not what a government made by the people, for the people, should be doing.

So what is it that the students at Holmes/Business Careers want to see those in our state and federal government do?

We want them, first, to acknowledge their many failures in even attempting to prevent these tragedies from happening. We then want them to pass a series of gun legislation, including both a strong state and national background check for those purchasing any kind of firearm; a lengthy waiting period, in every state, so thorough background checks to be done before consumers can acquire weapon; safety training to be given to soon-to-be gun owners before they receive their gun; and for each person who owns or possesses a firearm to have licenses that are only given out on the basis of a legitimate, and verifiable, reason for the consumer owning a firearm.

Although many of us would also like to see more radical measures taken, the consensus is that the gun market must be heavily regulated so that a machine designed to kill will not land in the hands of a murderer. And if government officials wont lead the way on this issue, then the students of Holmes/Business Careers High School will.

RELATED: Brandeis High School students walk out to protest gun violence

How will this be done? Students of Holmes and Business Careers High School are joining with students across this great nation in a walkout at 10 a.m. on Friday, the 19th anniversary of Columbine, where we will demand for those who serve us in Austin, and in Washington D.C., try to their fullest extent to prevent anything like the tragedies this generation has had to grow up with from ever happening again.

We will not stand for fear running our lives at school; we will not stand for the lack of a strong background check in every state. We will not stand for government officials ignoring our pain. We will not stand to see another tragedy where kids are killed while learning.

But what the future voters in these United States will stand for is for things to change, no matter the consequence.

Ric Galvan is a senior at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in the Northside Independent School District.
A transit plan this city deserves should be built on a simple promise: When traffic is at its worst, rapid transit will perform at its best.

Such a plan must:

Be credible, broad and comprehensive.

Blanket this community and link major institutions.

RELATED: Nirenberg unveils transit nonprofit, vows to bring in 70,000 new jobs in first State of the City address

Entice people out of their vehicles with a guarantee that regardless of traffic conditions, mass transit can move riders to the airport and work quickly and free of worry.

Be responsibly funded.

In announcing the first steps to bring a mass transit plan to the 2019 ballot, Mayor Ron Nirenberg framed his bold vision for transit as a promise to voters. A promise to link a fast-growing and sprawling community. A promise to connect all parts of San Antonio.

By now, the growth projections are well-known.

There will be 1 million more residents in Bexar County by 2040. Its a veritable tidal wave that requires more than simply building and maintaining roads. There must be alternatives to get people out of their vehicles and keep this city moving.

To that end, Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff recently incorporated the nonprofit, ConnectSA. The nonprofit is tasked with gathering community input, building public support and ultimately mounting an advocacy campaign for the emerging transit plan.

Its the same strategy used to win public support for Pre-K 4 San Antonio, the citys early childhood education program.

Its board will be led by former Mayor and U.S. Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros; former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, the outgoing chair of VIA Metropolitan Transit; and Jane Macon, a partner with the Bracewell law firm.

RELATED: Editorial: Rapid transit corridors could transform this community

The creation of ConnectSA, unveiled during Nirenbergs State of the City speech, represents the formal launch toward a 2019 ballot plan. But the backbone of this transit plan has been in the works for months.

VIA Metropolitan Transit has identified rapid transit corridors for high-growth areas. The next step is determining specific routes, modes of transit and funding sources.

As far as mode goes, any option is on the table  rail, bus, the emergence of trackless trains. But Nirenberg has been clear, whatever the mode of transit, it will have to run in a dedicated lane. Its the only way to truly free people from traffic.

He has been equally clear, there will be a public vote, even if the mode doesnt involve rail.

Nirenberg is betting the house on transit. He has chosen to link his re-election to this plan. Its a bold display of leadership in an era of manicured politics.

We await the details, but ConnectSAs task is to produce a well-thought-out, credible plan that is responsibly funded and indeed connects us as weve long needed to be connected.

In myriad ways, this community has been warned about the cost of inaction on transit. Our highways are crowded. Our air quality has suffered. We are routinely ranked as one of the most economically segregated cities in the country.

Its even become a matter of economic competitiveness. In its bid for a second headquarters, Amazon said it wanted ready access to mass transit. On this, San Antonio had not enough to offer.

With the right plan, that could soon change.

A credible comprehensive mass transit plan will not only keep this city moving, but it will move this city forward.
- The US, UK and France have carried out joint strikes against the Syrian regime, following last weeks use of chemical weapons

- Trump chided the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and described him as a monster; and also criticized Iran and Russia for taking sides with him

- UK Prime Minister Theresa May described the chemical attack as pure horror and held the Syrian regime responsible

- French President Emmanuel Macron said the joint response was limited to the Syrian regimes capabilities to produce and use chemical weapons

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he ordered a strike on Syria in response to last weekends chemical weapons attack, NAN reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Trump, while addressing the nation on Friday night, April 13, said the joint strike with France and the United Kingdom was currently underway.

READ ALSO: It will take Nigeria 135 years to close the gender gap - Saraki

A short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway, Trump said.

Pentagon, at a press briefing on the strike at 10pm, said the strikes did maximum damages to Assads regimes chemical weapons sites.

Trump said that the massacre last weekend in Syria was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime.

The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead, Trump said.

Trump also took a swipe at Russia and Iran, condemning their continued support to Assads regime.

To Iran and to Russia I ask, what kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children?

The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No nation can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants, and murderous dictators, Trump said.

In 2013, President Vladimir Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syrias chemical weapons.

Assads recent attack and todays response are the direct result of Russias failure to keep that promise.

Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilised nations as a force for stability and peace.

Hopefully, someday well get along with Russia and maybe even Iran. But maybe not, the president stressed.

Trump however added that the U.S. does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria.

We look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home. We cannot purge the world of evil or act everywhere there is tyranny.

No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East, Trump said.

We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria. We pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace.

And we pray that God will continue to watch over and bless the United States of America, he said.

U.S. Secretary of Defence Gen James Mattis said U.S. and its allies struck harder this time than the 2017 strike against the country which did not seem to deter the Bashar al-Assads regime.

Gen Joseph Dunford, the joint chief of staff, said the strikes were carried out on three Syrian chemical weapons infrastructures and the U.S. believed it would send al-Assad a strong message.

On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said analysis done by the U.S., U.K. and France proved the chemical attack.

In a statement Friday night, UK Prime Minister Theresa May called last weekends chemical attack pure horror.

The Syrian regime has a history of using chemical weapons against its own people in the most cruel and abhorrent way.

And a significant body of information including intelligence indicates the Syrian regime is responsible for this latest attack, May said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the response was limited to the Syrian regimes capabilities to produce and use chemical weapons.

We cannot tolerate the normalisation of the use of chemical weapons, which is a direct threat to the security of the Syrian people and our collective security, Macron said.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Rep Ted Lieu of the United States hit at President Donald Trump after he put blame on former president, Barack Obama, following reports of the chemical attack in Syria.

Lieu took to Twitter on Sunday, April 8, to write: "Dear @realDonaldTrump: Remember when you launched cruise missiles at a largely empty field in Syria? That unconstitutional act didn't do very much. Remember when you said last week that US is leaving Syria in six months? So what is your plan? You're the president now. Remember?"

How would you feel if Donald Trump bombed Boko Haram like Syria? - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- British PM Theresa May has disclosed that her country joined the US and France to carry out bomb raids in Syria because there was no other alternative

- She said the missile strike was aimed at deterring further use of chemical weapons and was not an attempt to topple the Syrian government

- Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a fervent anti-war campaigner, has however called the strikes legally questionable

Britain had no alternative but to take military action to degrade Syrias chemical weapons capability, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Saturday, April 14, after ordering air-launched cruise missile strikes along with the U. S. and France, NAN reports.

Britains Ministry of Defence said four Royal Air Force Tornado jets from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus fired Storm Shadow Missiles at a military facility near Homs where it was assessed that Syria had stockpiled chemicals.

READ ALSO: It will take Nigeria 135 years to close the gender gap - Saraki

Legit.ng gathers that May cast the strike as limited and targeted and came after intelligence reports indicated Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government was responsible for an attack using chemical weapons in the Damascus suburb of Douma on April 8.

May said the missile strike, designed to minimise civilian casualties, was aimed at deterring further use of chemical weapons and was not an attempt to topple the Syrian government.

This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change, May said in statement made from her country residence at Chequers just minutes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the strikes from the White House.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the mission had been highly successful and implied that no further action was imminent.

We dont expect that well be a position where were having to make further strikes, he told LBC radio.

We believe that the strikes we have taken last night had a significant impact in terms of what the Syrian regime can do in the future.

By launching strikes without prior approval from parliament, May dispensed with a non-binding constitutional convention dating back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

She said speed was essential and that military action was in the national interest.

May, whose government is propped up by a small Northern Irish party, said Britain and the West had an obligation to deter both Assad and others from using chemical weapons after the poison gas attack in Douma near Damascus killed up to 75 people, including children.

However, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a fervent anti-war campaigner, called the strikes 'legally questionable' and said May should have recalled parliament from a holiday and not trailed after Donald Trump.

Bombs wont save lives or bring about peace, he said in a statement.

Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harms way.

Britain has accused Russia of being behind last months nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, southern England  a charge Moscow has denied.

While this action is specifically about deterring the Syrian regime, it will also send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity, May said.

We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised  within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world.

May said Britain and its allies had sought to use every diplomatic means to stop the use of chemical weapons, but had been repeatedly thwarted, citing a Russian veto of an independent investigation into the Douma attack at the UN Security Council this week.

So there is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, she said.

The Western missile strikes demonstrate the volatile nature of the Syrian civil war, which started in March 2011 as an anti-Assad uprising but is now a proxy conflict involving a number of world and regional powers and a myriad of insurgent groups.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that United States President Donald Trump announced that he ordered a strike on Syria in response to last weekends chemical weapons attack.

Trump, while addressing the nation on Friday night, April 13, said the joint strike with France and the United Kingdom was underway.

How would you feel if Donald Trump bombed Boko Haram like Syria? - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- A newlywed man has passed away in Imo state few months after his wedding

- The man had reportedly been shot dead by unknown gun men

A tragedy has happened to a recently wed Nigerian couple after the newlywed husband lost his life in Imo state. The deceased who was a businessman had reportedly been shot dead by unknown gun men in Imo state.

The man ientified as Nnamdi Obijiaku had reportedly been gunned down on his way home. It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred months after tying the knot with his wife.

According to reports, the deceased had died while he was being rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Umuahia, Abia state, due to the lack of hospitals in Okiqwe area, where the incident occurred.

Businessman dies in Imo state few months after tying the knot Photo source: Facebook user Osita Maxwell Iroegbute

READ ALSO: Photos from Winnie Mandelas funeral in South Africa

It was gathered that Obijiaku would be laid to rest this Saturday, April 14 in his hometown, at Okigwe.

Friends and Family of the deceased businessman took to Facebook to share tribute messages. They also wished the deceased a peaceful rest in the afterlife.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App

Read posts below:

Meet Bayo Adedeji, the Nigerian businessman making millions from selling yam (Success Story) - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- The Taraba state government describes the reported sudden withdrawal of troops from operations as unceremonious

- The chairman of Donga local government area, Nashuka Ipeyen, says the soldiers were withdrawn around 1am on Saturday, April 14

- Army arrests alleged masterminds of Taraba attacks

The Taraba state government has expressed concerns over the reported withdrawal of soldiers deployed in troubled areas of the state to enforce peace and security.

The spokesperson to the state governor, Bala Dan-Abu, in a statement on Saturday, April 14, described the said withdrawal of troops from operations as unceremonious.

The surprise is that no reason was given for the withdrawal and government was not aware.

READ ALSO: Kayode Fayemi holds massive rally in Ekiti state

At the moment the reason for the withdrawal of the soldiers is not known to us, the statement said.

The chairman of Donga local government area, Nashuka Ipeyen, told the Punch that the soldiers were withdrawn around 1am on Saturday, April 14.

He said: I complained to him over the withdrawal of soldiers because we received information that some villages were going to be attacked, but he told me he cant risk the lives of his soldiers.

The Commanding Officer insisted that he was withdrawing the soldiers until the state government should write an undertaking that they will take responsibility if any of the soldiers is attacked or killed.

I dont know why the state government would have to do that for the soldiers when the attackers are killing civilians on a daily basis. Just a while ago, a Tiv man was shot dead in a village at the outskirts of Donga town here.

However, I have made arrangement with the commissioner of police who has since deployed three trucks of mobile police personnel to provide security for the people."

But the military has faulted the report that soldiers deployed to troubled spots in the state had been pulled out.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

The assistant director army public relations, 23 brigade Yola, Maj Kamarudeen Adegoke, insisted that soldiers were still on ground contrary to claims by the state government.

All our men are still stationed at their various duty posts. I dont know where the state government has gotten their information that troops have been withdrawn, but what I can confirm to you is that our men are fully on the ground, he said.

Meanwhile, the alleged masterminds of the killings in Taraba state have been arrested by the Nigerian Army.

The director of army public relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, in a statement obtained by Legit.ng said on Saturday, April 14, that two persons connected with killings in Taraba state had been caught by troops involved in a military operation in the area.

Chukwu said investigation revealed that the two suspects were key players in the killings and uprising in the two local government areas of the state.

He called on the public to always give useful and timely information to the security agency for prompt action.

TY Danjuma, Nigerian army and the herdsmen crisis | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
Ten months to the 2019 general election, and with two governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states later this year, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the southwest has been hit by a fresh crisis with three of its chieftains allegedly set to dump the party any moment from now.

Nigerian Tribune reports that a former governor of Oyo state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; the immediate past governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko; and a former deputy governor and candidate of the party in 2014 governorship election in Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, are on their way out of the PDP.

Legit.ng gathered that the trio met recently and, after reviewing the development within the party, particularly under the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC), resolved that the impunity which plummeted the fortunes of the party in the zone has not been done away with.

READ ALSO: 2019 election: Buhari will name running mate after emerging as APC candidate - Presidency

The three leaders, after resolving that exiting the PDP is the option, contemplated adopting a uniform platform, but the idea could not fly as some of them have gone for in discussions with the leadership of different parties they are planning to defect to.

It was gathered that while Ladoja and his loyalists may move to the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Omisore and his supporters are in talks with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). But Mimiko, who won two consecutive governorship elections on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), opted to re-unite with his former party.

It was learnt that at a meeting held in his Bodija residence on Wednesday, April 11, Ladoja, and some of his loyalists, spoke in favour of dumping the PDP for AD.

A steering committee to further discussion with the leadership of AD in the state was set up during the meeting, according to Sunday Tribune.

Ladoja and his loyalists were miffed that the party had not been allowed to make any progress since the conclusion of its congresses last year, as a result of the decision of the partys NWC to redistribute the 26 state executive positions.

It was gathered that the decision, which followed a complaint by a group belonging to one of the governorship aspirants in the party, did not go down well majority of the party leaders in the state, as well as other gubernatorial aspirants who sought Ladojas intervention in the matter.

The Osi Olubadan, Sunday Tribune learnt, met with the national chairman of the party, Secondus, in Abuja about two weeks ago to register the displeasure of the party leaders and members to the NWC.

Secondus, at the meeting held in the residence of Senator Ben Obi, who was the secretary of the Ahmed Markafi-led caretaker committee that conducted the congresses in Oyo and eight other states, promised to make a categorical statement on the matter the Wednesday following Easter break.

Sunday Tribune was informed that no statement came from Secondus, a development fuelling speculations he might have reneged on the agreement reached at the meeting.

In Osun state, rather than the conclusion of the partys recent congresses resolving the differences among the leaders and groupings in the party, it only worsened it.

Loyalists of Omisore were said to have been played out in the power tussle for the control of the party machinery ahead of the delegate congress and governorship primary for the September 22 election.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has lauded Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesolas achievements.

He said that the party would stop Senator Iyiola Omisore from leaving the party because he is invaluable member of the party.

Nigerians want PDP back in 2019 - Goodluck Jonathan declares at PDP Caucus Meeting - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- Police have uncovered illegal firearms' factory in Niger state

- The spokesman for the command, Muhammad Abubakar, said the suspected manufacturers of illegal guns had been convicted by a court to serve as a deterrent to others

- He added that the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, had ordered the recovery of all prohibited firearms in all states in the country

The Niger state police command has uncovered an illegal firearms factory in the Mashegu ocal government area of the state.

The Punch reports that the suspected manufacturers of illegal guns had been convicted by a court to serve as a deterrent to others.

READ ALSO: Why I threatened not to support my husband for second term - Aisha Buhari

Legit.ng gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had ordered the recovery of all prohibited firearms in all states in the country.

Firearms recovered by police in Niger state

The police in Niger state had recovered no fewer than 110 different types of guns and over 80 ammunitions from people.

The spokesman for the command, Muhammad Abubakar, said those in possession of such weapons voluntarily submitted them to the command.

According to him, a task force charged with recovering illegal arms has commenced full operation to curtail the increasing rate of insecurity in some parts of the country.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that a gun making factory in Ebonyi state was uncovered and destroyed by the state police command.

The commissioner of police in the state, Titus Lamorde, on Wednesday, April 4, said the police acting on a tip off destroyed a factory where guns were manufactured at Mgbo in Ohaukwu local government area of the state.

Lagos Police Commissioner parades suspected criminals (Nigeria News) | - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has called on the government to recognize the need to give younger generation the opportunity to take over governance come 2019

- Babangida reiterated the need for the electorate to get their voting documentations in order to play their role in governance

Nigerians have been once again urged by former military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida to ensure that only the younger generations were voted to power in the country, Nigerian Tribune reports.

Legit.ng gathered that Babangida, stated this at his country home in Minna, Niger State, when he received a delegation of YES Nigeria Movement, led by its convener, Ali Soyode.

He charged the delegation to seize the privilege offered by the next elections to serve their fatherland at a younger age.

READ ALSO: Why north will still vote for Buhari in 2019 - Bishop Kukah

Babangida, who, had in a statement in February asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, urged him to complete his first term and allow a new generation of leaders to take control of the mantle of leadership of the country.

In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country.

While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running. While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest, Babangida stated.

However, the former military leader, reiterated the need for electorate to get their voting documentations in order to play their role in the governance of the country, just as he pledged to work with the movement in achieving its goals.

I want to commend the leadership of the movement for the great works it has achieved, especially in the areas of educating the electorate on their democratic and political rights and also supporting existing parties in identifying potential candidates for elective offices, Babangida said.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app

In a previous report by Legit.ng, former President General Ibrahim Babangida on Thursday, March 1, held a closed door meeting with General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) at the formers hilltop mansion in Minna, Niger state.

The Sun reports that a very reliable source close to the hilltop mansion said the meeting which took place at the inner parlour at the upper terrace of the building lasted for about three hours.

Danjuma arrived at the Minna airport at exactly 11:45am and was driven straight to the Babangida's mansion and was ushered into the private parlour.

Election-2019: (Dont) mark your calendar - on Legit.ng TV.

Source: Legit Newspaper
Editor's note: Don Mefor, a financial expert based in the United Kingdom writes on the currently level of financial accountability in the Nigerian Army.

Mefor, in this piece, commends the chief of Army staff, Tukur Buratai, and his style of leadership towards a Nigerian Army focused on serving the nation.

A most cardinal policy and principle of the President Muhammedu Buhari-led government right from inception is hinged on ensuring transparency and accountability in public governance. The idea was anchored on the concept of e-governance and domesticated by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

All government MDAs were directed to take immediate steps in the implementation of all the nuances of this new policy.

Buratai hailed for his insatiable appetite for fiscal discipline in the Nigerian Army. Photo credit: NA

Nigerias Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, a nationally acclaimed pacesetter, instantaneously keyed into this policy. He directed the Nigerian Army Finance Corps to initiate actions in this direction.

As a new policy, it took time and resources for training of officers, whose official brief was to implement this new policy, through specialized courses, workshops and seminars.

But while preparations by the Nigerian Army to adopt these financial reforms lasted, Gen. Buratai embarked on cleansing reforms and innovations.

They were crafted to place the institution on a better stead to serve the Army and Nigerians better generally. His main focus was on transparency, accountability and probity.

READ ALSO: Why north will still vote for Buhari in 2019 - Bishop Kukah

The Army chief kick-started this gradual process a long time ago and monitored its progress closely.

The actualization of electronic Nigerian Army Personnel Payroll System [e-NAPPS ] today is just part of the many fiscal policy measures and reforms Gen. Buratais leadership of Africas largest Army has groomed from the scratch under the supervision of Major Gen. J E Jakko, who has done a faultless job.

Much earlier, the Army chief laid the foundation, by getting the institution to initiate and adopt other reforms like domesticating the Single Treasury Account (TSA) policy and Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems, as obtained at the federal level.

The months of planning, training and commitment to these novel financial reforms have finally berthed with the launch of the Nigerian Army electronic payment system (e-payment) for its officers and personnel, dubbed as e-NAPS, the gateway to the Integrated Personnel payment System (IPPS).

The public launch of e-NAPPS at the first quarterly COAS Conference 2018 in Abuja is yet another milestone in the celebration of one of the most professionalized institution in the country. Gen. Buratai has again made a bold statement as a consummate soldier, leader and administrator per excellence, who sets targets, which hardly evades him.

The Nigerian Armys chief of Accounts and Budget, Major Gen. Jakko endearingly buttressed the imperative of the new system as springboard for the re-evaluation of the Nigerian Army personnel records, most of which are understandably outdated.

With e-NAPPS, the officers and personnel of the Army are proud operators of a database; linked to the IPPIS of the central government.

Gen. Jakko summed up the benefits of the new system thus: The e-NAPPS is designed as a star topology in a centrally managed server-client model that links the data center at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps at Apapa, with the NA, 8 divisions, Guards Brigade, Army Headquarters Garrison, APPO and TRADOC finance offices for administration of troops' pay and allowances.

READ ALSO: Why I threatened not to support my husband for second term - Aisha Buhari

e-NAPPS is undoubtedly a new dawn in the transparent and accountable management of financial operations of the NA for payroll administration, accurate periodic reviews and updates of the database to guarantee financial security.

It can also secure integrity, reliability, enhanced planning for personnel and the management of contractual obligations as well as budgetary votes in consonance with the transparency in public governance of the Buhari Presidency.

As tedious as the adoption of e-NAPPS appears, the COAS devoted his time, energy and resources to ensure it comes to fruition. This again buttressed his love for audit and fiscal policies which he sings like a song to the officers and men and even his family too not left out. His overwhelming attention to e-NAPPS sprouts from the mindset of a leader who is innately and inextricably tied to concerns of the welfare of officers and personnel.

And it has several other pluses. Aside improving the financial literacy of personnel of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps, Gen. Buratai is one leader who believes a workman deserves his wages and promptly. It is both a Biblical and Koranic injunctions, he hates to violate under normal or avoidable circumstances. And his simple reason is that it is a silent, but potent tool in boasting the morale of troops. The e-NAPPS is a sure proof in this regard.

Today, he has placed the Nigerian Army on the fast lane of e-transactions, and officers and personnel would now begin to enjoy or reap from his hard work and that of his team, with the removal and purging of the Army from analogue financial operations. It is a sure bet that complaints can be easily addressed and remedies provided within the shortest possible time.

A very generous and amiable gentleman, General Buratai is a man with deep love for accountability and transparency in governance.

READ ALSO: Presidency reveals when Buhari will unveil his running mate ahead of 2019 elections

It is what makes Gen. Buratai a special breed and a different leader within the contemporary context of Nigeria. Quite disappointingly, welfare of subordinates is not one of the priorities or quick-wins of many leaders in the country. But the Army boss has proven to be exceptional.

Within Army circles, many have admitted that the e-NAPPS was a project close to Gen. Buratais heart and he regularly requested for briefs on progress. And when he finally succeeded by unveiling it, while addressing this years COAS quarterly conference in Abuja, a rapturous ovation greeted the hall.

Soldiers were quite excited at the reality of more ease of financial transactions being witnessed, as all monetary operations would henceforth be conducted through the same procedure to consolidate Gen. Buratais focus on accountability and transparency. And soldiers, especially those in the battlefront, whose families depend on salaries for survival, would now have such grace extended to them much more quickly than it has ever been possible.

Some arm-chair and bald-headed critics of the NA, under Gen. Buratai can ply their trade, after all, in democracy, freedom of expression is unimpeded. But this new Sheriff in town is leaving nothing to chance in the complete reformation of the Nigerian Army as manifest in the results of the extraordinary and far- reaching reforms and innovations.

Those still in doubt can flash back to 2015 when President Buhari appointed Gen. Buratai as the Army boss. He instantly embarked on massive reforms across all the directorates of the Nigerian Army to ensure effectiveness and deliver to Nigerians a result-oriented safeguard.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

He neither spared any effort nor dreaded anyone in his avowal to reposition the entire landscape into a professionally responsive and responsible Army capable of delivering on its constitutional mandates.

Today, the entire country is reaping the fruits of his labour and hard work either through troops performance in the battle field or corporate social responsibilities at the disposal of countless communities around Nigeria.

It is therefore not shocking that under Gen. Buratai the institution has metamorphosed from its despicable and ignoble global status to a truly respected Army among its counterparts in the world. And the reason is not far-fetched; it is Gen. Buratais ingenuity and dedication to his duties in the service of the nation.

Nigerians and the world now see, perceive and feel a pragmatic leadership of the Army, exuding honour and dignity, in conduct and actions under the current leadership. It is the secret behind the delivering of resounding, rare and irrevocable victories against Nigerias war on terrorism. Again, kudos to the Nigerian Army.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter.

Boko Haram abducted my husband and the Gov't forgot about him - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
The move aims to prevent possible dangers and risks.



In case of emergency, Vietnamese citizens are recommended to contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran (cum Syria) via its hotline 98.21.2411670 or their relatives in Vietnam can call the citizen protection hotline 84.981.84.84.84 for timely support.

The US, the UK and France launched a coordinated air strike on Syria at 4 am (local time or 2am GMT) on April 14, involving planes and ship-launched missiles, together with more than 100 projectiles in all, in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack

Vietnamnews
- Kayode Fayemi says he was betrayed by some of the people he helped politically

- Fayemi, who wants to govern Ekiti state again, reveals that he actually lifted these people even financially

- He says when he was governor, he allowed his appointees to enjoy their positions

Nigerias mines and steel development minister, Kayode Fayemi, has reportedly opened up for the first time about his relationship with some of his aides and political associates, revealing that he was grossly betrayed by most of them.

Fayemi, a former governor of the state, who recently declared his intention to run again, reportedly revealed this at Ode-Ekiti, headquarters of Gonyin local government on Sunday, April 15, when one of his political associates and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Makinde Araoye, established a social security programme for some elderly in the area.

READ ALSO: Why I threatened not to support my husband for second term - Aisha Buhari

Daily Independent reports that the beneficiaries got cash, food items and other palliatives to cushion the effect of economic hardship.

According to Fayemi, many of the people he lifted politically and financially are now behind the alleged ongoing campaign of calumny against him.

All those we lifted while in government are now behind the ongoing campaign of calumny. I have forgiven them, because as a human being I must have offended a lot of people too.

After losing, many of them started spreading rumour against me that I didnt allow them to operate freely in my government.

There was no one that held office in my government that I teleguided. I allowed them to be free and enjoyed their positions contrary to what they said.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

I have forgiven those that betrayed me just like I apologise to whoever I must have offended as a governor, because I am a human being and I cant claim to be infallible, he said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Kayode Fayemi, officially declared interest in contesting the July 14, governorship election in Ekiti state.

Fayemi, who was the governor of Ekiti state between 2010 and 2014, told journalists in an interview at his Ishan Ekiti country home on Saturday, March 31, that he would follow due process, starting with a formal notification of his intention to the leadership of the APC and the state secretariat of the party, Vanguard reports.

Legit.ng also reported that Kayode Fayemi said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will ensure that the out-going governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, ends up in jail.

Fayemi made the statement on Saturday, April 14, at a declaration ceremony attended by a large crowd on Saturday in Ado Ekiti.

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- President Muhammadu Buhari says some wicked people plundered the country and kept Nigerians poor

- The president said the damage done to the Nigerian economy in the years of plunder was massive and that government was doing its best to recover some of the loot

- He regretted that the failure of some of the leaders led to the inability of his administration to capitalise on resources

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, April 15, assured Nigerians that their confidence in the federal government would not be abused, as his administration would do its best to justify it.

The president stated this in London while receiving the Buhari Diaspora Support Organization, led by Charles Efe Sylvester.

In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari blamed those he described as wicked people for plundering the country, saying they have kept Nigerians poor.

READ ALSO: Why I threatened not to support my husband for second term - Aisha Buhari

L-R: Illiyasu Garba, Bolaji Lewis, Abba Kyari, President Buhari, Project Coordinator Charles Sylvester, Dapo Williams, Hajia Lamisila and Stephen Kifordu Photo credit:Bayo Omoboriowo

He noted that Nigeria was gifted with tremendous human and natural resources, but regretted that "failure of some of the leadership we had in the past led to our not being able to capitalize on resources to improve the lot of the people."

The president added that looking at the condition in which the current administration met the country, without savings and the economy badly vandalized, "we have not done too badly."

President Buhari said the damage done to the Nigerian economy in the years of plunder was massive, and that government was doing its best to recover some of the loot, but noted that it was impossible to identify and recover all.

"If they had used 50% of the money we made, when oil prices went as high as $143 dollars per barrel, and stabilized at $100 dollars with production at 2.1 million barrels per day for many years, Nigerians would have minded their businesses.

"You could almost grow food on our roads, as they were abandoned. The stealing was so much, and they were so inept that they could not even cover the stealing properly. I wonder how all those things could have happened to our country," the president said.

READ ALSO: Be patient till 2023 - Ex-military governor Kama tells contenders for 2019 presidency

He commended the Buhari Diaspora Support Organization for deciding to identify with the country, "when you could have stayed here, and being comfortable."

"I am happy that people like you are here, on your own, defending the country. You have shown courage and sacrifice. I assure you that your confidence in us won't be abused, we will do our best to justify it," President Buhari said.

The coordinator of the organization, said the group was happy with the achievements of the Buhari administration so far, noting:

"You met a difficult situation, but you have overcome most of them. We are happy with the agriculture revolution, the ease of doing business, the anti-corruption war, the employment of youths through the N-Power programme, and the blockage of leakages in the public sector through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

"We are proud of the speed with which you recovered the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls. It shows you as a worthy general. We are happy that you have declared for 2019. Majority of Nigerians are happy, but agents of corruption and darkness are unhappy.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

"The same God, who healed you when you were ill, will grant you victory in the 2019 elections. You are a General who does not fear combat, either with Generals or non-Generals. We declare our love and support for you. You are fixing the faulty foundations of our country and second term is when you will build the enduring structure," he said.

Legit.ng previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on an official leave in London, met with the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday, April 15, Femi Adesina, a presidential spokesperson, has said.

The details of the meeting could not be ascertained.

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV.

Source: Legit
- Retired Major-General Aliyu Adu Umar Kama says there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019

- Kama wants those eyeing the presidency to wait till 2023

- Boss Mustapha promises to serve under President Buhari and make his people proud

Those who are already eyeing the presidential seat in 2019 must have to wait till 2023, a former military governor of Plateau state, retired Major-General Aliyu Adu Umar Kama, has said adding that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

Kama, an indigene of Adamawa state where Atiku Abubakar hails from, was reported as saying there was no wacuum in Aso Rock for now.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Buhari and Tinubu meet in London

Daily Independent reports Kama as saying it would be foolhardy for anyone irrespective of his political inclinations to want to contest against President Buhari.

Kama said this in Abuja during the Hoba Community grand reception for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, by the elders council.

He said the people of Hoba in Adamawa state are grateful to President Buhari for appointing two sons of the community as SGF successively. He said they were pledging continuous support for the administration.

Mustapha also pledged to conduct himself creditably in office and work hard to ensure that at the end of his service, his people would be proud of him.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria's prominent Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, said that the northerners would still vote for President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 general elections.

The bishop said that had anything against the president as being viewed by many Nigerians.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

Legit.ng also reported that an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Buba Marwa, said so far, there was no better presidential candidate for the 2019 election in the APC than President Muhammadu Buhari.

Marwa, who is also a former military governor of Lagos state, made this disclosure in Yola after a meeting of stakeholders comprising 20 organisations in Adamawa.

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
Very angry badger forces parts of Scotlands historic Craignethan Castle to close Independent. Unfortunately, a Google search on Why was the badger angry? turns up nothing. Many reasons, I suppose

Reality testing and the mnemonic induction of lucid dreams: Findings from the national Australian lucid dream induction study (PDF) Dreaming, Vol 27(3), Sep 2017, 206-231. More coverage: Science Has Found a Drug-Free Way to Unlock Lucid Dreaming Science Alert (DL). The MILD technique sounds like something I should try at home!

Evidence that Magnetic Navigation and Geomagnetic Imprinting Shape Spatial Genetic Variation in Sea Turtles Current Biology. The canonical drivers of population genetic structure, or spatial genetic variation, are isolation by distance and isolation by environment. Here, we present evidence for an additional, novel process that we call isolation by navigation, in which the navigational mechanism used by a long-distance migrant influences population structure independently of isolation by either distance or environment. Like cell phones?

Antarctica is turning into a snow globe because the Earth is warming Quartz

Activist lawyer burned himself to death to protest global warming New York Post. David Buckel. The only venue I can find that put what Buckel was protesting about in the headline? The New York Post [shaking my head].

This coal power plant is being reopened for blockchain mining CNet

IRS Says Fewer Than 100 People Have Reported Bitcoin Holdings So Far Investopedia (EM). Yves: Wellie, the IRS could have a lot of fun if it wants to!

JPMorgan record profit signals spring time on Wall Street FT. Spring time for Wall Street [hums].

Trumps Bank Regulators Credit Slips

78 Democrats Vote to Weaken a Key Wall Street Regulation Splinter News. Including Resistance hero Beto ORourke. Naturally.

US yield curve flattens as investors brace for rate rises FT

Brexit

A year to give UK-EU logistics the certainty it needs Lloyds Loading List

Syraqistan

Russia: Trace of Western-made nerve agent seen in UK samples AP. Documents said to be from an unnamed Swiss Lab working with OPCW.

Trump Transition

Democrats in Disarrray

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

Health Care

Imperial Collapse Watch

Why conspiracy theories are everywhere FT. Interestingly, the article doesnt explain.

Guillotine Watch

A Public Outcry Against a Wall Street Titans Name on a High School NYT. Stephen A. Schwarzman. For starters, the public school should be renamed in his honor. A portrait of him should be displayed prominently in the building. Spaces at the school should be named for his twin brothers [, Kim Il-Schwarzman and Kim Jong-Schwarzman]. He should have the right to review the projects contractors and to sign off on a new school logo.

Class Warfare

Theres an AI Running for the Mayoral Role of Tama City, Tokyo Otaquest. If you assumed that artificial intelligence itself couldnt run for mayor, youre absolutely not wrong; that just happens to be where things get truly interesting. The two-person team pushing [candidate] Michihito Matsuda consists of both Tetsuzo Matsumoto, the vice president of mobile provider Softbank ($74 billion revenue), and former Google Japan representative Norio Murakami. Rather like William Gibsons Idoru.

The Business of Influence: #RevolveAroundTheFTC The Fashion Law. Influencers, rather like Magda in Gibsons Pattern Recognition.

Antidote du jour (via):

Bonus antidote (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Lambert here: Nice to see liberal Democrats going all-in to support striking teachers in Red States. Oh, wait

By Valerie Vande Panne, an Independent Media Institute writing fellow who contributes to Columbia Journalism Review and Reuters news service, among other outlets. She is the former editor-in-chief of Detroits alt-weekly, the Metro Times, and the former news editor of High Times magazine. Originally published at Alternet.

Oklahoma is in the midst of a revolution, with rolling teacher strikes statewide. Teachers have taken over the state capitol building, pressuring legislators to give themand their fellow school employeesa raise. At the time of this writing, more state agencies, from Corrections to Mental Health to Transportation, are joining the teachers in their fight, and are getting louder about their budget shortfalls, too. While the Oklahoma Education Association (OEAthe primary teachers membership organization) recently announced the strike is over, the teachers continue to strike and walk out, and, according to a leader of the teachers strike, are seeking a new union that will actually represent their interests.

Meanwhile, legislators are seeking ways to punish the striking teachers, and have accused the teachers of bussing in protesters, and local police call the teachers terrorists.

In other words, the current state of unrest in Oklahoma is far from over, and state workers are far from being done protesting.

Adding fuel to the fire is the 2018 gubernatorial election. The state primaries, along with a popular medical marijuana ballot question, are June 26. (The state currently has some of the toughest marijuana laws in the nation, with 55 people still serving life sentences for non-violent drug crimes, including marijuana offenses.)

There is a rallying cry rumbling in the state to replace every single elected official this year.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media continues to miss the mark on whats happening on the ground locally. The states demographics betray the medias portrayal of Oklahoma as Republican red and lily white: Most registered voters in Oklahoma are registered Democrat or are unaffiliated. Bernie won the primary easily, and got more votes in the primary than Trump did. A third of Oklahomans are African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and those of mixed race.

And still, the demographics of Oklahoma are changing: In Guymon, a small town in the Oklahoma panhandle, just north of the Texas border and hours from the nearest shopping mall, 37 languages are spoken in the public school system of just 3,000 students. Here, a teacher assistants full-time salary starts at just over $12,000 a year.

The news has been teeming with tales of teachers selling their plasma or working five jobs to make ends meet, yet the truth is its state workers who are impoverished, across the spectrum. While the poverty rate in the U.S. has fallen over the last 10 years, the poverty rate in Oklahoma has steadily risen.

And thats only scratching the surface of the reasons for Oklahomas revolution. Whats boiling underneath is the knowledge that the state should be exceedingly wealthy: Fossil fuels are kings here, and oil, gas, and coal are sucked from the earth, from the rural countryside to the state capitol building in Oklahoma City. Decades of sweetheart deals have left the state paying those industries more than those industries pay the state.

Fossil fuel industries have been polluting with impunity for as long as theyve been mining or pumping the resources, leaving entire towns, like Bokoshe and Dover, poisoned. Former state attorney general and current EPA director Scott Pruitt eliminated the environmental unit of the OK-AGs office. Add in a slurry of corruption, cutbacks, and incompetence, and the states biggest environmental offenders are free to continue to poison Oklahomas citizens, air, land, and waterways.

The bottom line of whats happening here is that people are sick and tired of politics as usualthe good ol boy system, they say, must end.

But many are skeptical of both parties. Even most of the Democrats in Oklahoma are considered Dixiecrats, and in the primaries, the Democratic Party favorite is former state attorney general Drew Edmondson, who oversaw the death penalty execution of dozens of Oklahomans.

Meanwhile, Connie Johnson, the Our Revolution candidate, is the African-American former state senator who started the states Our Revolution chapter. Johnson is in a strong position, but seems to currently be out-fundraised by Edmondson.

With replacing every elected official becoming a rallying cry, itll be interesting to see who gets voted in to state officesand how many continue business as usualand how the revolution impacts the rest of the country.
Protests against U.S.-led bombings in Syria are expected to continue in Northern California and elsewhere in the country.

Protesters say they plan to gather in Oakland Sunday morning and march through that city starting at 12:30 p.m. PST.

Demonstrators protested in several cities Saturday, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Protesters demonstrated outside the San Francisco homes of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Protests are also planned Sunday in New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and Washington D.C.

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered U.S. forces to launch missile strikes in Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional U.S. attacks were planned.
A small group of Code Pink activists protested the U.S. bombing of Syria outside the homes of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Saturday, then they will rally in downtown San Francisco, organizers said.

The downtown San Francisco rally will be held at 5 p.m. at Powell and Market streets, according to organizers from Code Pink Women for Peace.

The demonstration outside Feinstein's house took place from 2-3 p.m.The group then marched to Pelosi's home and demonstrate from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The downtown rally is at 5 p.m., according to Levine.

"We're going to our lawmakers' homes because they need to hear from us," Levine said. "They shouldn't be comfortable and silent in their homes while our government is sending missiles into a country devastated by 'proxy' civil war."
Chicago has issued a flood warning in the Kankakee River in Shelby, Indiana, affecting Lake and Newton counties, according to the National Weather Service.

Strong winds could cause flooding in Cook and Lake counties this weekend and a warning is in effect for waves expected to reach 12 to 18 feet. A warning along the lakeshore is exxpected to last until 10 a.m. Sunday.

A mix of wind, rain and cold is likely kicking off the weekend with a Wind Advisory for McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook and Kendall counties in Illinois has been issued until 7 p.m.

Overnight, portions of Northwest Indiana experienced some rainfall of up to three quarters of an inch. It is possible that another inch of rainfall accumulates in the next 24 hours and it could rise along portions of the Kankakee River Basin.

Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy with rain showers and possibly, even a few isolated storms in Chicago.

Temperature highs will rise into the upper-30s and low-40s and upper-40s to lower-50s on the far south of I-80 and southern portions of NW Indiana.

Overnight could see periods of moderate rain, at times becoming heavy, with an icy mix along the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Breezy cold temperatures will remain in the lower-30s.

With even cooler temps projected Sunday, light rain showers could mix in with sleet before turning into snow.

By Monday some light snow and flurries could take place, though ending early in the morning and not leaving more than an inch throughout.

As the week continues, temperatures will rise to the mid- and lower-50s and will most likely continue to stay in a cloudy and rainy state.

[NATL] Extreme Weather Photos: Record Heat Threatens Europe
A man killed his girlfriend Thursday in Chicago after their teenage daughter had reported the couple missing last week from their Texas home, according to Cook County prosecutors.

Kendrick Owens, 38, was ordered held with no bail Saturday as he faces a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Tiwaconda Williams, court documents show.

Owens and Williams left their Fort Worth, Texas, home on April 7 in a white 2012 GMC Yukon, prosecutors said. Their 14-year-old daughter told family members that her parents never came back home, and that a handgun was missing from the home.

A missing person report filed with Fort Worth police a few days later noted that officers found loose .9 mm ammunition next to an empty ammunition box on Williamss bedroom floor, prosecutors said.

Five days after the couple left home, they pulled up next to a Chicago Police squad car about 6:40 a.m. Thursday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, prosecutors said. Owens, in the drivers seat of the same white GMC Yukon, started a conversation with an officer, then started crying and drove away. The officer took down the vehicle information and noted it had Texas license plates.

About half an hour later, Owens stopped the SUV in the 4300 block of West Madison and shot Williams once in the neck, prosecutors said. He got out and ran to the back porch of a nearby home. Officers responding to the area for a call of shots fired found the running GMC with no driver and Williams in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound to the neck.

Paramedics took her to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:32 a.m., the Cook County Medical Examiners Office said.

Owens was arrested on the porch and admitted to paramedics and officers that he had shot Williams, prosecutors said. Officers found a .9 mm handgun with a fired shell casing stove piped back into the ejection chamber. The officer who had spoken to the couple half an hour earlier showed up to the scene and identified both Owens and Williams.

Owens had been sentenced to probation in April 2017 for a criminal mischief conviction in Fort Worth, court documents show. His only other criminal history is two misdemeanor convictions in Chicago.

Hes next scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The outpouring of love and support for a Connecticut state trooper continues more than two weeks after he was killed in an on-duty car crash.

At Tolland CrossFit, Sundays workout of the day was created in honor of Trooper First Class Kevin Miller.

Miller was killed in a crash on I-84 in Tolland on March 29, 2018.

Participants at Sundays workout planned to do a 300-meter run, 29 sit-ups, and 18 wall balls in honor of that day.

The 19-minute long workout is in honor of Millers years of service. A steady stream of people came in to participate all this morning, both adults and children.

The idea came from one of Millers comrades, a member of this gym and local state trooper. He told NBC Connecticut that he was surprised by the tremendous response.

It took off quick. I thought it was kind of going to be like an internal gym kind of thing, just maybe some people from our community here and when they told me there were gyms across the state that were shutting down and their members were coming up for this it felt good, said Trooper Chris Church, who serves at Troop C.

The workout is free, but donations are being accepted to help Millers family. The event runs through noon Sunday.
Firefighters responded to a large fire at an apartment complex in Seymour on Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out at the Lynda's Empire apartment complex at 380 South Main Street.

Firefighters from Ansonia, Bethany and Woodbridge were called to the scene to assist with water tankers because Seymour firefighters had trouble getting adequate water from hydrants to fight the fire, officials said.

Fire officials said they will investigate the cause of the water problem.

No residents were injured, but one firefighter suffered a minor injury to his ankle.

Several residents were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross was called in to help them find temporary housing.

Several residents are searching for their missing cats after the fire. Anyone who spots one of these cats should contact Seymour Animal Control.



Contributed Photos

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Police Sunday announced the arrest of a man in connection to a Studio City fire that left two people dead and two others critically injured.

Eferem Demery, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the deadly fire ripped through the Top Notch Recordings music studio Saturday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Sunday.

The fire was reported around 6:54 a.m. Saturday at 3779 N. Cahuenga Blvd, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Amy Bastman. The two people who died in the fire were declared dead at the scene, while two other victims were transported to a hospital.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office identified one of the victims killed in the blaze as 28-year-old Devaughn Kemar Carter. The second victim -- who has not yet been identified by the coroner's office -- was identified by family as 30-year-old Michael Pollard.

One other person was injured, but was listed in fair condition, Bastman said.

Pollard leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter.

His sister Lachelle Pollard told NBC4 she knew both men who died in the fire and described her older brother Michael as a loving father.

She said that Michael and Carter were good friends who shared a passion for music.

At least 30 firefighters and seven Los Angeles Fire Department engines responded to the blaze, finding heavy smoke when they arrived at the scene. LAFD Assistant Chief Patrick Butler said the victims' bodies were found "in various places of the building."

An employee at a Chevron gas station across from the studio said he saw six people running out of the building and at least two transported in an ambulance.

The gas station employee, Ashok, who declined to give his last name, said people in the studio frequent the gas station for snacks. He described them as men in their 20s and 30s.

The LAPD says it will provide further details on the arrest at a Monday afternoon press conference.

If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe account set up to help the recording studio, you may do so here. Note that GoFundMe deducts 2.9 percent of all funds raised, plus 30 cents per donation, in the form of payment processing charges.

NBC4's Christine Kim contributed to this report.
More than 100 birds native to South Florida were released at Everglades National Park Saturday after officials said they were being trapped illegally.

Five men were arrested as a result of an undercover operation, however, one remains on the run.

I am thrilled that our more than 1.5 million visitors who visit Everglades National Park can once again fly free in their native habitat, said Justin Unger of Everglades National Park.

The birds were part of a multi-agency operation called Operation Ornery. The Department of Justice confirmed that five people were arrested in separate cases involving the trafficking of 400 birds.

These recent arrests highlight that there is still work to be done, said Capt. Alberto Maza of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Having a migratory bird is illegal.

Police said they are still looking for Alberto Iran Corbo Martinez, who they believe is connected to the bird trafficking.
A well-known attorney died Saturday morning after setting himself on fire in Brooklyn's Prospect Park in a reported protest against pollution.

Police said David Buckel, 60, died after setting himself on fire at the northeast corner of the park.

Authorities were called to the park after a passerby told nearby officers there was a fire on the grass around 6:15 a.m. Saturday, police sources said.

The NYPD said a suicide note was found nearby, but it would not confirm its contents. Buckel reportedly took his life to protest the use of fossil fuels.

He was known for being the lead attorney in the case of a transgender man, whose murder inspired the Hillary Swank film "Boys Don't Cry."

He was also recognized for bringing the case Lewis v. Harris as part of the Lambda Legal Marriage Project, which resulted in a New Jersey Supreme Court victory that advanced the rights of same-sex couples.

The news of Davids death is heartbreaking. This is a tremendous loss for our Lambda Legal family, but also for the entire movement for social justice," Lambda spokesperson Camilla Taylor said.



Buckel was also a committed community composter. The New York Department of Sanitation issued a statement saying it was mourning Buckel.

"David operated an organics processing site, wrote articles and was steadfast in his commitment to local processing. His loss will be felt deeply by all he touched," it said.

Buckel lived nearby the park, cops said. Police sources said his family received a text message from him before he died.
An argument in a New York nightclub Sunday morning turned into a shooting that left two men wounded -- but police only know about one of them by accident.

The NYPD says a 28-year-old man was shot in the arm and in the head some time before 4 a.m. Sunday morning, after an argument in the Rose Lounge in Richmond Hill spilled onto the street outside.

He was taken to Jamaica Hospital in a critical condition. It wasn't until the man's younger brother stumbled into the hospital to visit his sibling that authorities realized he had been shot, too.

Nurses noticed that the younger brother had been shot in the abdomen and in the hand. Police said he was not cooperating with the investigation.

The NYPD had a person of interest in custody, and on Sunday morning were still searching the area outside the lounge on 130th St. near 90th Ave for a weapon.
An arsenal of illegal guns -- including assault weapons and a silencer -- have allegedly been found in the sparsely furnished New York apartment of a pizza delivery man who police say was harboring a grudge.

Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron said cops went to the Lindenhurst, Long Island, home of Robert Csak, 32, on Saturday night to do a welfare check. Earlier that day another police department had advised the Long Island officers that Csak left "threatening" messages on the voicemail system of his former high school.

When his landlord opened the door, police were met with a pile of weapons in an apartment otherwise furnished with only a mattress and a plastic chair.

[NATL-NY] See It: Police Seize Enormous Cache of Weapons From Long Island Man's Home

Among the arsenal: nine illegal guns, assault weapons, hundreds of high capacity magazines, a silencer and a bump stock -- an attachment that makes a semi-automatic weapon shoot nearly as fast as fully-automatic machine guns.

This is by far the most alarming threat weve seen," Cameron said. Theres many commonalities between his behavior and the behavior of mass shooters."

Concerns had been raised about Csak after he left a message for a staff member at Summit School in Nyack. Cameron said Csak felt slighted by the staff member he left a message for, and was carrying a grudge.

Suffolk County Police

Clarkstown Police said a 45-year-old school employee reported getting six messages on the school's voicemail from Csak, and he was concerned for the safety of the students.

Csak attended the school for teens with learning and emotional difficulties in 2002.

We really never know what we averted, but if you look at all those weapons you know there was a lot of potential here," Chief of Detectives Gerard Gigante said.



Csak was arrested Saturday night and will face numerous weapons charges. Attorney information was not available for Csak. He's due to be arraigned Monday.

WHAT POLICE ALLEGEDLY FOUND

19 various firearms, including 1 tactical shotgun, 1 Tommy gun and more than 200 high-capacity magazines

1 bump stock (used to create an automatic weapon out of a semi-automatic weapon)



1 cross bow

Night vision goggles

1 silencer

Bulletproof vests

Gas masks

Knives

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More
A lawyer who burned himself to death in a grisly protest against ecological destruction was a nationally known gay rights advocate and lead attorney in a famous case involving transgender murder victim Brandon Teena.

The charred remains of 60-year-old David Buckel were found in a grassy meadow in Brooklyn's Prospect Park at dawn Saturday, as early-morning cyclists and joggers strode by. He left a suicide note in a shopping cart near his body, writing that he hoped his act would bring attention to the need to protect the environment.

"Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result - my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves," the note read, according to the New York Times which received an emailed copy.

Buckel wrote that pollution was ravaging the planet and hoped his death would serve as a symbol. But he was best known as a champion of gay rights. A 1987 graduate of Cornell Law School, he served as marriage project director at Lambda Legal, a national organization that fights for LGBT rights. In one case he led, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples and their children were harmed because they were excluded from rights granted to married couples.

He argued against the Boy Scout ban on gay members, fought for the right of gay high school students in Salt Lake City to organize a club and helped a Pennsylvania woman win a lawsuit allowing her to put "beloved life partner" on the headstone of her partner. And he spearheaded a federal case where a court ruled schools are obligated to prevent the bullying of gay students, Camilla Taylor, acting legal director at Lambda Legal, told the Times.

He'd been doing the work for years - Buckel worked on Brandon v. County of Richardson - where the sheriff's office in 2001 was found liable for failing to protect Teena. Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Teena in the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry."

"It's a very important case, not only within Nebraska but nationally," Buckel said after the $80,000 judgment against the city, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's student newspaper the Daily Nebraskan.

Susan Sommer, a former Lambda Legal attorney who is now the general counsel for the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in New York City, told the Times that Buckel "was all about justice, but he was also all about what it means to be human."

Sommer added, "He was a very smart and methodical lawyer. He knew his craft and his trade and was strategic in how to build the blocks toward a sweeping victory."
The United States has largely avoided wading directly into the Syrian conflict or confronting President Bashar Assad and his allies throughout the 7-year war.

In the early years of the conflict, which erupted in early 2011, Washington was part of a regional and western coalition that backed and armed vetted opposition groups who were fighting to topple Assad. The limited armaments left the rebel fighters always at a disadvantage, while radical Jihadi groups found their way to Syria, including militants from the Islamic State group.

As IS captured a wide swath of Iraq and Syria in 2014, the U.S. began conducting airstrikes against the group and shifted its Syria policy to fighting the militants. The U.S. sent advisers into Syria and backed local allies, who captured territories as IS collapsed.

But as the conflict got more complex  Russia launched its air campaign in Syria in September 2015 and Turkey a few days before  the U.S. found itself increasingly caught up in frictions with other regional players, and at times acted against threats or the repeated use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Here's a look at significant times when U.S. forces used air and missile strikes to expand their role in Syria beyond the fight against IS:

___

April 13, 2018: President Donald Trump announces the United States, France and Britain have launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again. Trump says the U.S. is prepared to exert sustained pressure on Assad.

___

Feb. 7, 2018: The U.S. military launches rare airstrikes and artillery rounds against Syrian government-backed troops after as many as 500 attackers started what appeared to be a coordinated attack on U.S.-backed Syrian forces and U.S. advisers in eastern Deir el-Zour province. U.S. officials said the strikes were in self-defense after pro-government forces began firing artillery and tank rounds at the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. About 100 of the attackers were killed, the official said. Russian officials said a number of Russian contractors were killed in the U.S. strike.

___

June 18, 2017: U.S. warplanes down a Syrian air force jet, the first such incident. The downing of the Syrian SU-22 came after it bombed U.S.-allied forces fighting Islamic State group militants west of Raqqa city. A number of U.S.-allied fighters were injured. U.S. officials said they acted to defend allies attacked by the Syrian government as both rival forces raced toward Raqqa city, at the time the de facto capital of the IS militants.

___

June 8, 2017: U.S. officials say U.S. jets downed an armed Iranian-supported drone that had fired on U.S. troops in southern Syria near a base where the international coalition against Islamic State militants is training Syrian rebel forces. The weapon fired by the drone didn't detonate. U.S. officials called the drone a direct threat to the coalition, and it came hours after an earlier attack by pro-government forces in the same area against the U.S.-backed forces in the camp.

___

June 6, 2017: U.S. airstrikes strike pro-Syrian government forces who approached a camp in southern Syria where U.S.-backed Syrian forces and U.S. advisers were training as part of the anti-Islamic State effort. It was the second such confrontation between U.S. forces and pro-Syrian government forces in less than three weeks. U.S. officials described the forces as Iranian-backed and said they had approached and attacked the base where U.S.-backed forces were training near the border with Jordan. U.S. officials said airstrikes destroyed two artillery pieces and an anti-aircraft weapon and damaged a tank in the attack.

___

May 18, 2017: A U.S. airstrike hits pro-Syrian government forces that the coalition said posed a threat to American troops and allied rebels operating near the border with Jordan in southern Syria. It was the first such close confrontation between U.S. forces and fighters backing Assad. U.S. officials said the American airstrike hit pro-Syrian government forces as they were setting up fighting positions in a protected area near Tanf and the border with Jordan. They said a tank and a bulldozer were also hit.

___

April 6, 2017: In retaliation for a government chemical weapons attack in northern Syria that killed nearly 90 people, including 31 children, the U.S. fires 59 Tomahawk missiles overnight at the government-controlled Shayrat air base in central Syria. U.S. officials said the Syrian military planes that dropped the chemicals had taken off from there, and claimed all but one of the missiles struck their targets, hitting multiple aircraft and air shelters, and destroying the fuel area.

___

Sept. 17, 2016: A mistaken coalition air assault reportedly killed more than 90 Syrian government troops in Deir el-Zour. The U.S. military said it was human error and an honest mistake, as it was targeting what were believed to be IS positions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the strike on Syria launched by the United States and its allies as an "act of aggression" that will exacerbate humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.

Putin slammed the attack as a "destructive influence on the entire system of international relations."

He reaffirmed Russia's view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake. Putin added that Russian military experts who inspected Douma found no trace of the attack. He criticized the U.S. and its allies for launching the strike without waiting for inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog to visit the area.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Syrian President Bashar Assad tweeted.

Moscow called an emergency meeting of the United Nations' Security Council over the strike launched by the U.S., Britain and France, but the council rejected Russia's resolution to condemn the strikes. Only three countries  Russia, China and Bolivia  voted in favor, eight countries voted against and three abstained.

And the U.S. made clear that Russia was working to bury the truth, with the Pentagon saying a Russian "disinformation campaign" had already begun over the strikes. Chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said Saturday that "there has been a 2,000 percent increase in Russian trolls in the past 24 hours."

The Russian Embassy in the U.S. piled on to the condemnation, saying President Donald Trump's criticism of Putin is "unacceptable and inadmissible."

The embassy said in a statement the president's airstrikes represent Russia's warnings "left unheard."

"Again we are being threatened," ambassador Anatoly Antonov said in a statement. "We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris."

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the attacks hit a long-troubled country "that for many years has been trying to survive terrorist aggression."

Zakharova also took Western media reports to task, saying, "The White House stated that its assuredness of the chemical attack from Damascus was based on 'mass media, reports of symptoms, video, photos as well as credible information.' After this statement, the American and other Western mass media should understand their responsibility in what is happening."

Sakharova compared the situation to the start of the Iraq War in 2003, which she said was based on claims Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction.

A highly placed Russian politician even likened Trump to Adolf Hitler. Alexander Sherin, deputy head of the State Duma's defense committee, said Trump "can be called Adolf Hitler No. 2 of our time  because, you see, he even chose the time that Hitler attacked the Soviet Union."

Sherin was referring to the time of day in Syria Trump chose to launch the strikes, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti. The Nazi forces' opening attack against the USSR in 1941 was launched around 4 a.m.

Trump had chastised Syria's two main allies, Russia and Iran, for their roles in supporting "murderous dictators," and noted that the Putin had guaranteed a 2013 international agreement for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to get rid of all of his chemical weapons. And on Friday, Trump called on Moscow to change course and join the West in seeking a more responsible regime in Damascus.

"Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path, or if it will join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace," Trump said. "Hopefully, someday we'll get along with Russia, and maybe even Iran  but maybe not."

A top Russian lawmaker said Moscow's response to Western airstrikes must be carefully considered.

"Emotion is not what's needed now, but professional assessment by military specialists working on the scene," Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house of parliament, said Saturday, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti.

However, Kosachev said, the attack's meaning was clear: "It's a scandalous violation of international law and this is an attack on a sovereign state without an underlying basis."

Kosachev reiterated the view of other lawmakers that the attack's intent was to interfere with international investigators who want to probe whether a chemical weapons attack took place in the town of Douma last week.

Iran also joined Russia in denouncing Trump's decision. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the airstrikes a "military crime," speaking at a meeting with Iranian officials and ambassadors from some Islamic countries.

The report quoted Khamenei as calling the leaders of the United States, Britain and France "criminals."

Iran is a key ally of Assad and has sent troops to bolster his forces. Iran insists its soldiers are only in Syria in an advisory role, but hundreds have been killed since the civil war began in 2011.
A San Diego-based destroyer was among the four Navy ships that fired dozens of cruise missiles in an attack on Syria's chemical weapons program early Saturday morning, the Department of Defense said.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins was joined in the attack by USS Monterrey, USS Laboon, and the submarine USS John Warner.

President Donald Trump ordered the attack Friday night after a suspected chemical attack on Douma, Syria by the Syrian government on April 7 that killed at least 45 people and sickening hundreds of others.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said the attack on Syrian civilians "demanded an immediate response."

Syrian President Bashar Assad has denied using chemical weapons and the US and its allies have yet to provide hard evidence that chlorine gas was used on civilians in Douma.

The strikes were designed to immediately limit Syrias "ability to use chemical weapons in the future, White said.

This was the second attack on Syria in as many years after the Syrian government allegedly used chemical weapon against its people. President Trump ordered an attack last April on a Syrian airbase that allegedly was used to carry out the chemical attack on Syrian civilians.

"Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message last year," Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday night. "This time our allies and we have struck harder."

The Higgins fired 23 tomahawk missiles from the North Arabian Gulf at three targets in Syria that the Pentagon said were fundamental to the regime's chemical warfare infrastructure.

The ship was deployed to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf in November 2017 with the U.S. Seventh and Fifth Fleet.

USS Higgins is a multi-mission warship with a crew of more than 280 sailors.
Hundreds of Syrians poured into the streets of Damascus on Saturday, dancing and chanting in defiance of what they called the West's "failure" to shake their nation's resolve with airstrikes that jolted the capital only hours earlier.

The demonstrations in support of President Bashar Assad were carried live on state TV, which also reported that Syrian air defenses had intercepted most of the missiles fired by the United States, Britain and France to punish Syria's purported use of chemical weapons. The broadcaster also urged people not to believe media reports that exaggerated the results of the airstrikes.

"We are not scared of America's missiles. We humiliated their missiles," said Mahmoud Ibrahim, who waved a Syrian flag as he hung out of his car window.

As car horns blared, the crowd moved toward nearby Damascus University where pro-government fighters danced and waved their automatic rifles over their heads. Many denounced U.S. President Donald Trump and also waved flags of Syria's allies, Iran and Russia, as they cheered Assad.

The display of national fervor later mixed with celebrations over the news that the Syrian army declared the eastern suburbs of Damascus "fully liberated" after the last group of rebels left the town of Douma. Its recapture marks the biggest victory for Assad's forces since the capture of the eastern half of the city of Aleppo in 2016.

The fall of Douma came after a punishing government offensive and a surrender deal struck with rebel groups. It also followed the purported use of chemical weapons there on April 7, which activists say killed over 40 people in the town and led to Saturday's airstrikes by the West.

"Trump failed in his aggression," said 51-year-old civil servant Mohammed Hammad. "Trump's failure came with the victory of our army in Douma, which marks the biggest victory for the Syrian Arab Army."

The bombardment began at 4 a.m., with loud explosions thundering in Damascus and the sky turning orange as fires raged in the distance.

Associated Press reporters saw smoke rising above eastern Damascus and spotted fiery streaks of surface-to-air missiles. The call to morning prayers at dawn mixed with the whoosh of missiles.

Shortly after the one-hour attack ended, vehicles with loudspeakers blared nationalist songs.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Syria's presidential account tweeted after the airstrikes began.

Later, a video showing Assad walking into his office carrying a briefcase was posted on the same account. "Good morning, steadfastness," the caption read.

As the sun rose, hundreds had gathered in Damascus' landmark Omayyad Square, celebrating what they said was the army's success in foiling the U.S-led military action.

The widely broadcast celebrations and the hastily organized police deployment in Douma appeared to be the government's response to the airstrikes.

The limited airstrikes came at a time when the Assad government is feeling empowered after having secured the region near the capital following other military victories backed by Russia and Iran in seven years of civil war.

Trump announced the airstrikes Friday night to attack Syria's chemical weapons program. He said Washington is prepared to keep pressure on Assad until he ends a "criminal pattern of killing his own people" with the internationally banned weapons.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted "Mission Accomplished," and the Pentagon said the strikes hit the "heart" of Syria's chemical program.

The U.S. had fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield in April 2017 in retaliation for Assad's use of sarin gas against civilians.

Syria has repeatedly denied using banned weapons. Inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog group were in Damascus and had been expected to head to Douma on Saturday.

The limited strikes were deplored by the Syrian opposition, which saw the West as lacking an international strategy for dealing with the civil war.

Nasr al-Hariri, a senior opposition leader, said the international community must take responsibility for any retaliation by the Syrian government against civilians in opposition areas. He called for a strategy that leads to a political solution to "save it from the brutality of the Syrian regime."

Mohammad Alloush, spokesman for the Army of Islam rebel group that was expelled from Douma, tweeted that the airstrikes were a "farce."

A Syrian military statement said 110 missiles were fired Saturday by the U.S., Britain and France and that it shot down most of them. Russia's military said Syrian air defense units downed 71 of the missiles.

Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, said no missiles were stopped. He added that Syria's air defenses were ineffective and that many of the more than 40 surface-to-air missiles fired by the Syrians were launched after the allied attack was over. He said the U.S. knew of no civilians killed by allied missiles.

The Syrian military said three civilians were wounded in one of the strikes in Homs.

A "number of missiles" targeted a scientific research center in Barzeh, near Damascus, and destroyed a building housing an education center and labs and caused other damage, the military said.

An AP reporter who went to the Center for Scientific Research on the northeastern edge of Damascus found the three-story building almost completely destroyed and still smoking hours after it was hit. An official there said the facility was used by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and helped develop cancer drugs.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs also was targeted and was believed to be the main site of Syrian sarin production equipment. A chemical weapons equipment storage facility and an important command post, west of Homs, also were targeted, he said.

Russia and Iran called the use of force a "military crime" and "act of aggression." The U.N. Security Council met to debate the strikes, but rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the three Western allies.

Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Zeina Karam in Beirut, and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, contributed.
BRIDGEPORT  An 18-year-old Dexter cow that was a beloved part of the Beardsley Zoo was euthanized due to an acute illness.

Lucy was a longtime resident of Beardsleys farmyard, and, according to a release from the zoo was a favorite with children staff alike.

Lucy will be deeply missed by all of us here at Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo, said zoo director Gregg Dancho in the release. She had a unique personality, and were gratified that she was able to live out her natural life span in comfort.

In the wake of her illness, the staff opted to euthanize her in keeping with the animal welfare policy to minimize suffering when the animals quality of life is permanently compromised.

Dexter cattle are a breed that originated in Ireland in the 1800s. According to the Livestock Conservancy, which aims to protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction, Dexter cows are among the smallest breeds of cattle, standing about 30 inches tall and weighing between 700 and 900 pounds.

According to the zoo, there are only about 5,000 members of the species worldwide, but the conservancy states that the cows are increasing in number, both in North America and globally.

Lucy is being remembered by zoo staff as as a sweet girl with a lot of spunk. She loved being scratched, and was mischievous. Although she suffered from arthritis in her later years, she wouldnt hesitate to push over a wheelbarrow while the care team was cleaning her habitat, according to a release from the zoo.
Even as the groundbreaking for the Region 12 agriscience school draws closer, residents in the districts three towns are calling for the project to be reconsidered because it has changed since a 2015 referendum.

The program would be held at Shepaug Valley School and focus on agriculture and STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and math. It would serve students from Region 12, Danbury, Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown and Sherman. Bethel has not committed.

The project was initially sold as a win-win-win, said Janet Buonaiuto, a Washington resident. Theres a lot of changes at Region 12 that werent budgeted for.

When the project was approved in 2015, the $39.5 million plan was to remodel the schools 27,860 square feet of unused technology space for a shop, labs, classroom and plant science and build a 9,751-square-foot addition. Those areas would have a lab, a hydroponic greenhouse, sales and engineering areas. Two new buildings would also be built  a 17,200-square-foot equine facility and a 12,150-square-foot animal facility.

Starter equipment and vehicles, campus upgrades, renovated science labs and parking improvements were also included.

But after state officials asked the district to scale back its enrollment projections to numbers they considered more attainable, the plan changed. The latest version would now use more space within the existing school for academy operations, reducing new construction to 35,750 square feet. It is also set to cost $29.9 million, with the state paying nearly $24 million.

Buonaiuto said the current project should be presented to the public and another referendum held so residents can better plan for the undertaking or opt out of the program.

At least at at that point the people will know what the financial obligation will be, she said.

Residents in Region 12s towns have submitted petitions to the boards of selectmen calling for town meetings to share the latest information on the project. Washington and Bridgewater officials said it was a school issue and decided not to schedule meetings. Roxbury has yet to respond to the petition.

Superintendent Patricia Cosentino said the project has already gotten the needed approvals and theres no turning back at this point. Construction is set to start later this year. The academy is expected to be open for the 2019-20 school year.

The ball is really rolling down the hill now, Cosentino said. Theres no stopping it.

The public is invited to the building committee meetings to get project updates, but a larger informational meeting isnt scheduled, Cosentino said. She said the public had a chance to offer input during the referendum, where the project was overwhelmingly approved.

But some residents say voters didnt have all of the correct information and the project they voted for then is much different than the one going forward now. They said the cost to the towns has increased for building and operations, while the enrollment projections have decreased.

A lot has come to light since the referendum, said Jay Kronfeld, a Roxbury resident who gathered about 50 signatures in about a week, more than twice the number needed to call for a town meeting. Theres a groundswell of people in all three towns who are very concerned.

Student enrollment has now been rolled back, at the states request, from the original 226 projection to 139 students.

There are residents who are just very nervous about the AgSTEM project and the financial cost it may have on the towns, Cosentino said. I believe they are underestimating the buzz this program has throughout Fairfield and Litchfield counties.

She said there arent enough spaces at the AgSTEM program at Nonnewaug High School to meet the demand. Offering the program here will help the community and the school district, she added.

Families from surrounding towns are expected to shop at area businesses and the school is meant to help address Region 12s declining enrollment.

Cosentino said they already have a robust recruiting program to attract eighth graders in surrounding towns and encourage them to apply. She said they also hope Bethel will join.

Some of the schools needed repairs will also be covered during this project, 80 percent of which is funded by the state, Cosentino said. She said without this money, those repairs  including the heating and air system and science labs  would be entirely covered by taxpayers.

But residents dont believe the district will hit the targeted 139 student figure, based on current enrollment at the Nonnewaug program or commitments from the districts expected to send students to Shepaugs AgSTEM program.

Thats even pie in the sky numbers, or in my opinion, make believe, Kronfeld said.

The state pays Region 12 about $10,000 for each student, but even with this reimbursement, residents said there would still be an operational deficit that the residents will have to pay for.

Our feeling is you could recruit until the cows come home but the financial success depends on what towns are willing to spend, Buonaiuto said.

Ed Wainwright, a Bridgewater resident, said they collected more than 50 signatures but was disappointed when the town decided not to move forward with a town meeting. His strategy now is to vote against the Region 12 budget, which he believes is the only way the board will listen to the residents.

Maybe then the Board of Education will think twice before proceeding with another building project, Wainwright said.
Basic researchers Gary Lewin and Norbert Hubner are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and heart diseases. Their focus is on understanding the anchoring of ion channels and micropeptides in heart muscle cells.

Tethered ion channels

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded MDC research Gary R. Lewin an Advanced Grant worth 2.5 million euros. After receiving an ERC Advanced Grant in 2011 and an ERC Proof of Concept Grant in 2016, the scientist, who has been working at the MDC since 1996, is now the recipient of coveted ERC funding for the third time.

Lewin and his research team are attempting to understand how the sense of touch works and how neurons perceive mechanical stimuli. It is already known that when skin is touched, an electric signal is generated in the ion channels of the neuronal membrane. Similar to ships moored in a harbor, ion channel proteins are tied to the surrounding connective tissues and can as a result feel the "swell of the waves" in their periphery. But researchers still haven't discovered what these molecular tethers are made of.

The research project aims to identify ion channel anchors and characterize them at the molecular level. The scientists also want to find out how these anchors can be untethered in a targeted and reversible way. Through mouse and human studies, they hope to lay the groundwork for therapies that address tactile disorders.

Small proteins and heart failure

More than 20 million people worldwide suffer annually from heart failure. One in five patients die within a year. MDC scientist Norbert Hubner and his team will use the ERC Advanced Grant, which is worth 2.3 million euros, to decipher the molecular mechanisms underpinning this serious disease.

They are taking an entirely new approach - one that involves small proteins called micropeptides. These are being produced from RNAs, which were previously considered to be of no significance to the heart and its diseases. The researchers will attempt to answer questions such as: Which genes encode micropeptides? What are their functional roles in the heart or in heart cells? And how are they involved in heart failure?

Since heart muscle can't be easily studied in vitro, the scientists are using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to study heart muscle functions in cell models, looking into the ability of heart cells to contract and how it is affected by micropeptides. Some of these molecules can leave the cell, where they can communicate with other cells. The researchers will therefore study if some of the small proteins act upon neighboring cells of connective tissue. Extensive growth of connective tissue plays a key role in development of heart failure, but the mechanisms that drive this process are mostly unknown.
Mumbai: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has sent notices to all statutory auditors of Punjab National Bank's Brady House branch, where the over Rs 13,000 crore scam involving Nirav Modi took place, to appear before its disciplinary board.

The chartered accountants' apex body has made a list of the statutory auditors of the Brady House branch during 2011-12 to 2016-17, and asked them to appear before its Board of Discipline. Statutory auditors are members of ICAI and are governed by the apex body.

"ICAI has issued notices to statutory auditors of the Brady House branch under the Chartered Account Act, 1949, to appear before Board of Discipline and offer an explanation," ICAI member S B Zaware told PTI.

Eight statutory auditors, who had audited the lender's Brady House branch in Mumbai during that period, have been issued notices.

This is a primary investigation and the board wants to ascertain whether the auditors were at fault.

"At this point, we cannot say that statutory auditors are guilty. After the auditors appear before the Board and answer questions, is when we will be able to determine their role in the fraud, if any," Zaware added.

In February, this year, the second largest public sector bank PNB had detected fraudulent transactions at the Brady House branch.

The biggest ever banking fraud of more than Rs 13,000 crore was allegedly committed by billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connivance with some PNB officials.

Following the disclosure of the fraud by PNB, ICAI had formed a high-level group to study systemic issues involved in the scam. The group, after completion of its study, will also suggest remedial measures for strengthening the banking system.

Zaware said the 10-member group had to seek government's intervention after PNB refused to co-operate with the panel in providing information required to complete its report.

PNB was issued a letter by Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Finance to disclose information to the group.

The high-powered group, however, is yet to get information from the bank, Zaware, who is also the convenor of the committee, said.

In its preliminary conclusions, based on available information, the panel found out all possible lapses on part of the lender.

Lapses in corporate governance and concurrent audit work as well as failure to take sufficient precautionary measures are among the factors flagged by the high-level panel.

The fraud is being investigated by multiple agencies, including CBI, SFIO and ED.
New Delhi: The RSS-affiliated SJM has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding removal of Nachiket Mor from the RBI board on grounds of conflict of interest.

..there is no case for retaining Nachiket Mor on the board of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is a fit case of conflict of interest, as his principal employer BMGF receives foreign funds and the RBI is regulator of the fund, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said in his letter to Modi.

He further alleged that the activities of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are suspicious.

We request you to take stringent action, so that the message must go to all that they can't take India for granted, the letter added.

Mor is full-time India representative of BMGF, which is under strict vigil of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is actively getting funds from foreign sources, Mahajan said in his letter.

The fact that BMGF is functioning in India with RBI's permission makes it a glaring case of conflict of interest, he said.

The Home Ministry is keeping a vigil on BMGF because of the allegations that the foundation is working for multinational companies to influence government policies on health and agriculture sectors in their favour, the SJM said.

The SJM also demanded that instructions must be issued to NITI Aayog, ICMR and the Union ministries of Agriculture, Health and Family Welfare, Finance besides the Women and Child Development to keep such outfits and their representatives at bay.

Mor is currently National Director for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - India. He is also the member of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India.

There have been some media reports recently, making further allegations that the foundation is funding an NGO, Global Health Strategies or GHS to push globally-redundant vaccines to India, Mahajan said.

"Obviously, this would create more business for certain pharmaceutical companies where BMGF and many of these NGOs have cross funding, but these vaccines will create a negative impact on our fellow Indians," he added.
The three Gujjar women sit huddled together in a corner of an empty, dusty room in a mud house in Rasana, Kathua  the epicentre of the gruesome rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the minority Gujjar community.

The faces of the women, etched with grief and resignation, remain wrapped in a veil of silence. While the arrest of the accused involved in the heinous crime by the crime branch has brought some relief to these women, a constant fear and insecurity has gripped them.

Sitting in the corner of the room the three women  all from three different nearby small villages  pitch in the same voice when asked about the aftermath of the incident.

An eight-year-old was raped, killed and then her dead body was dumped in the forest. Should we not fear for our and our childrens lives? the women asked.

Unlike menfolk of the village, who are roaming around the areas freely, the womenfolk of the area, since the rape and murder of the minor, has almost restricted themselves to their homes and are more cautious with going out to graze their cattle.

Earlier we used to move out freely. Now, we think twice before stepping out. Even if people say that there is no fear, we still have to think about our safety, one of the women said.

The menfolk of the village also voice similar concerns. However, they accept that it is mostly the women and children of the community who are feeling scared.

Jabbar Muhamad, a resident of Rasana, is a father of two daughters and son. All three of them are teenagers. After the gruesome incident, Muhammad has been making sure to keep a close watch on his daughters who help the cattle graze in the nearby forests.

We ruled these mountains once. Our grandfathers and fathers have lived in these mountains. Now suddenly we are being made to feel so insecure and helpless. Our children are scared, he said.

Muhammad, however, acknowledged that today they arent as apprehensive as they were when the crime branch was carrying the investigation. But, in the same breath, the father of three said, The tension still hangs heavy in the air.

During the initial days of the incident, we feared that we might also be attacked following the uneasy calm prevailing in the area. By Gods grace nothing of that sort happened. But there were other ways through which we were intimidated, Muhammad said.

He was referring to the incident when the minor was buried a few kilometres away from their ancestral graveyard after some people objected the burial in the village.

Siraj Khan, another resident of the village, explained what had transpired.

We [Bakerwals] had purchased a piece of land for graveyard nearly 15 years ago and have buried many members of our community there. But when we tried to bury her [the minor] in that graveyard some people from the village obstructed, Khan narrated.

The body of the minor was then taken to the nearby forest for burial.

Khan, however, says that this was not any stray incident. Days after some of the locals snapped the water supply to a few households of the community.

Why would someone do that? Khan asked, only to answer the question himself. They wanted to scare us away. But we wont leave our land.

People from other communities  Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike  however, are trying to distance themselves from the allegations made by the Gujjars and Bakerwals of the area.

Shiv Kumar, a resident of Rasana, believes that the Gujjars and Bakerwals are unnecessarily barking up the wrong tree.

Everyone here is sad after knowing what happened to the minor girl. All of us want the culprits to be punished. But nobody has hurt them [Gujjars and Bakerwals]. I dont know why they would make an issue out of this and blame us for snapping their water supply or other things, Kumar said.

While most of this cant be confirmed through independent sources, altercations between tribals of the area and other communities have happened before.

According to the locals, earlier also, a series of incidents were manufactured to instill fear among the community.

A youth from our community was killed. Others were beaten in separate incidents. The MLAs have been threatening us. How can these things go unnoticed? a member of the Gujjar community said.

He was referring to a series of unconnected events where Gujjars and Bakerwals were at the receiving ends either in the police action or by the other locals of the area.

In February 2016, a controversial land eviction drive led to the killing of a youth from Gujjar community in Sarore area of Samba. Some miscreants had then allegedly torched more than 30 makeshift huts of the Gujjar community.

In May 2016, forest minister Choudhary Lal Singh of the BJP allegedly went to the extent of threatening the Gujjars with a repeat of the 1947 massacre of Muslims. When a Gujjar delegation visited Lal Singh with an issue pertaining to their orchard land, he told them if they had forgotten 1947.

In 2017, self-proclaimed cow vigilantes in Reasi area of Jammu attacked five members of a Bakerwal family.

Events like these were already happening. And then they did this brutal crime, one of the locals, who wished not to be named, said.

The two communities  Gujjars and Bakerwals  together form 11% of J&Ks population and were designated a Scheduled Tribe in 1991. The Gujjars are settled in several parts of Jammu through the Chenab Valley and the nomadic sheep and goat-herding Bakerwal migrate with their flock to Kashmir and Ladakh in the summer and to Jammu in the winter, camping at forest sites they have used for centuries.

This fear is also noticeable among other people from the Gujjar and Bakerwal community living in Dumahayal, Kutah and Kanaah hamlets of Hira Nagar area of Kathua district.

Much of what transpired during the days when the minor girl was being kept as a hostage and repeatedly raped by the accused was unclear in these villages. Clouded by rumours during those days, most of the Gujjar and Bakerwal community of these villages thought things to remain normal. However, when the horrific crime came to light, things changed for them as well.

Our children are still in shock. Many of them now dont go out to play or take livestock for grazing. We dont allow them to move out after five in the evening, Mubarak Ali, a resident of Kutah said.
New Delhi: India on Sunday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan after the country prevented visiting Sikh pilgrims from meeting Indian diplomats and "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib on Saturday.

The MEA called it an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy" by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine on Saturday, for unspecified 'security' reasons.

It said the High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries," the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it said.

(with PTI inputs)
Beijing: India has sought China's assistance to speed up Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor besides redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway stations, a senior Indian official said on Sunday.

The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held in Beijing between the two countries.

"We offered them speeding up of Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor," NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on unday.

The SED was held between delegations headed by Kumar and He Lifeng, the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph.

India previously made a proposal to China for the redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway station. It has been reemphasised at Saturday's talks, officials said.

The Chinese side will respond after considering the proposals, they said.

Kumar said it was pointed out to the Chinese side that the railway station development plan is a big one involving about 600 of them. They can bid for any of them, he said.

However, there was no discussion in the just concluded SED about the collaboration to build high speed trains by China in India, he said.

China has been expressing interest to take up high speed train corridors in India and began conducting a feasibility study for New Delhi and Chennai high speed train corridor.

The first high-speed train corridor in India between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been bagged by Japan.

China has the world's longest high-speed rail network, with 22,000 kms within the country linking various top cities.
Hyderabad: A special NIA court will pronounce judgment in the 2007 Mecca Masjid bomb blast case on Monday, 11 years after the powerful explosion killed nine people and injured more than 50 during Friday prayers near Hyderabads iconic Charminar.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the police in and around the court premises for the big verdict.

The explosion had ripped through the mosque on May 18, 2007. Two live IEDs were also recovered by police and defused. Later, five more people were killed in subsequent police firing on the crowd outside the mosque.

Eight people, including Hindu right-wing members Aseemanand, Devender Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Bharatbhai, Rajender Chowdhary and others were charged by the NIA in the blast case. The court, however, would deliver its verdict for only five accused.

One accused Sunil Joshi, a RSS pracharak, was murdered during the course of investigation. Two other accused, Sandeep V Dange, former RSS pracharak and Ramchandra Kalsangra, electrician-cum-RSS activist, also from Madhya Pradesh, still elude the investigators.

In its chargesheet, the NIA had said that the accused were angered by terrorist attacks committed on Hindus and their temples and conspired to avenge such acts with attacks on Muslim places of worship and places densely populated by Muslims.

The blasts were allegedly carried out with a bomb ka jawab bomb (bomb for a bomb) mindset.

The chargesheet also mentions that Aseemanand reportedly made a confessional statement before a metropolitan magistrate of Tis Hazari Court in Delhi. He had allegedly disclosed the conspiracy behind the bomb blasts in different places, including Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. Aseemanand allegedly retracted the statement later.

Aseemanand was first arrested by CBI in 2010 but was granted conditional bail in 2017 in the case. He was earlier acquitted in Ajmer Dargah blast case, and has also got bail in Samjhauta Express blast case of 2014.

The defense has argued that there has been no direct evidence to prove the prosecutions case.

Initially, the investigation by the local police focused on Muslim terror outfits and hundreds of local Muslim youths were picked up for questioning. The special investigation team even charged 26 on charges of conspiracy, suspecting their hand in the blasts. But they were later released by a court due to lack of evidence.

After uproar over the arrests of innocent Muslim youths, the case was transferred to the CBI. The CBI arrested members of a Hindu group  Devender Gupta and Lokesh Sharma in 2010  changing the course of the investigation.

The NIA took over the case in April 2011. Between 2011 and 2013, NIA filed three supplementary chargesheets. Over 200 witnesses were examined during the trial.
In January, when local police began investigations into the abduction, torture, gang-rape and murder of eight-year-old girl in Kathua, it found her to be a victim of another brutality. In the earlier days of investigation some police officers, who did not want to be named, said they were also probing the angle of hate crime. Subsequent protests in favour of the accused, in which two state ministers and BJP leaders Lal Singh and Chandar Prakash Ganga participated and later resigned after public outrage, only confirmed this suspicion.

Three days ago, police made it official through their 15-page chargesheet that the brutality inflicted on the girl was a deliberate attempt 'to dislodge the [Muslim] Bakarwal community' from Jammu. The eight-year-old had become a victim of extremists hatred towards the nomadic tribe.

Bakarwals are a sect within the state's Gujjar community. These are Muslim nomadic tribes who earn their keep by trading livestock. The word 'Bakarwal' means goat shepherds. These tribals, notified as Scheduled Tribes within the state, make for 12 percent of the state's population.

Chaudhary Talib Hussain, a young Gujjar activist, says he has witnessed and worked to attract public attention towards regular hate-crimes faced by Bakkarwals and Gujjars.

Talib says he has grown up in the same area where the minor was raped and murdered. I know the people who are involved in this act. This is not the first time they have committed such kind of crime. I have been protesting against their brutalities, but little attention has been paid to this ongoing campaign against us, Talib told News18.

This crime, Talib says, only shows the violence with which Gujjars and Bakarwals in Jammu are being marginalised and pushed out of the society.

When the rally was held in support of the girls murderers, senior leaders of big political parties went on to support them. This is what visceral hatred and vote-bank politics have been doing to us," says Talib.

Masud Choudhary, first Gujjar of Jammu and Kashmir to rise to the rank of Additional Director General of Police in Indian Police Service, says that Gujjars and Bakarwals always felt insecure owing to repeated threats and attacks. But there is a different level of complicity by some very powerful local figures in this crime, which makes the murder of the eight-year-old all the more horrific.

Gujjar and Bakarwal communities were always insecure in Jammu and Kashmir, but this time the problem is that they are being threatened not just by some local goons but by the some powerful ministers and seniors in the administration, Choudhary says.

Choudhary describes the irony of how Bakarwals, whose people have repeatedly made great sacrifices for India, are now conveniently being branded as 'anti-nationals'.

He recalls this incident from his service.

There was an operation called Hill Kaka in Poonch in 2003. It was the biggest operation against militants in the area. We had received intel (intelligence report) about presence of a huge number of militants but needed local support to eliminate them. It was only because of the overwhelming support of the local population - Gujjars and Bakarwals - that militants were eliminated," Choudhary says.

But the story doesn't end here.

After suffering losses of around 60 militants, the militant organisations sent more extremists to kill the nomads. The houses of nomads were burnt in retaliation and many were openly slaughtered.

"Many of them also died in operations with the Army, claims Choudhary.

But if the things continue to go like this they (tribals) will not do the same. Why should they kill themselves when they are treated as traitors?

Living in the northern Kashmirs Kupwara, a teacher from the tribal community says they have suffered on both sides. Initially we used to be the target of forces also. The forces thought that we are helping militants in crossing LoC.

He is also the founding Vice-Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri.

The university vice-chancellor finds that the problem is actually about the settlement of the tribal community.

Talib thinks the bigger problem is not just an existential threat from the majority Hindu community in Jammu but non-acceptance from the Muslims in Kashmir as well. The militant Hindutva leaders spew venom and call Gujjars and Bakarwals anti-nationals, while Kashmiri Muslims are already prejudiced against the Gujjars and Bakarwals.

Despite being Muslims, Kashmiris never considered our community as a part of their society. They never treat us on par, says Talib.

Kashmiris are equally responsible for what is happening with the Gujjars. People in Jammu regions say we are anti-Indians, and in Kashmir, there is social stigma related to our community.

Gujjar and Bakarwal constitute a large vote share in the state. Presently, there are at least three ministers in the state cabinet who come from the same community.

In Jammu, the things are clear now; they want to throw us out. But in Kashmir there goes a saying: If you encounter a bear and a Gujjar in a jungle, kill the latter first. There are folklore-based rumours on racial prejudice against us. Where do we go from here now, says another tribal activist, who wishes to be anonymous.

The tribal community in the state is always grappling with their own issues. They had been participating actively in electoral politics in the hope that their basic issues are addressed.

Members of the community can be found in almost all the districts of the state but most of them live in the outer parts of the statecloser to the border and Line of Control.

In 1991, the government declared the community as scheduled tribe. However, the condition continues to remain miserable.

Out of 10 people, eight are illiterate. Most of the girls never go to school and are married at very young, says Javaid Rahi, secretary of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation a national research organization working for the tribals.

Most of the Gujjars are economically very poor and their health condition is pathetic. They face food issues. Most of them lack access to basic amenities. The larger part is nomadic or migratory. Government policies are for the settled people, explain Rahi.

Unlike in the other parts of India, Tribals in Jammu and Kashmir did not enjoy reservations.

Due to article 370, most of the reservations, that benefit the tribal community in other states, are not extended to our state, says Rahi, terming it as the major reason for the backwardness of the Tribal community.

The people of the tribal community have always faced hardships. They are the least privileged and most discriminated, prominent Gujjar leader Mian Altaf, a former minister in state and incumbent MLA of the opposition party, National Conference, told News18.

Whatever is happening is a proper strategy against the community. BJP has openly said that they will throw Gujjar Bakarwals out of Jammu region, says Altaf.

(The author is a freelance journalist. Views are personal)

(More Sunday Features)
New Delhi: Amid the outcry over Kathua and Unnao rape cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said his government would amend the law to secure death penalty for the rapists of minor girls.

While vowing to take the legislative measure during the next assembly session, Kejriwal also said he would also set up fast-track courts to complete the trial of the cases of crime against women in six months.

The chief minister, however, lamented that like Delhi government, its Vidhan Sabha too was "just a quarter of an assembly" as all bills passed by it required the Centre's approval.

Kejriwal also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, saying a dangerous message was being relayed that if the accused belonged to the party ruling at the Centre, the entire machinery would step in to shield him.

"In the last three years, the legislations which were passed and forwarded to the Centre, none of them have been approved. We will forward even these amendments to the Centre and I appeal to the Union government to pass them so that they can be implemented for safety and speedy justice to women," he said.

Kejriwal was speaking at Rajghat where DCW chief Swati Maliwal has been sitting on a hunger strike since Friday, demanding provisions for swift capital punishment to those found guilty of raping minors.

Kejriwal also appealed to the Delhi High Court to provide him the number of fast track courts and judges needed for the completion of trial of all cases of crime against women within six months and promised to provide the requisite fund for the purpose.

"We want women safe," he said, adding he had also written to the high court in this regard in the past.

'We will bring amendments in the IPC and CrPC during the next assembly session to ensure death penalty for those found guilty of raping minors and (set up) fast track courts so that trials get over in six months," he said.

"As CM, I am worried about the safety of women in Delhi. As an Indian, I am worried about the safety of women in my country. I am participating in this protest today to demand a system, which ensures their safety," he said.

Referring to the Unnao rape case involving a BJP MLA as the key accused, Kejriwal said no FIR was registered for several months in the case and "leave aside arresting the culprits, the victim's father was arrested and murdered in custody."

Attacking the BJP, he said it gives "a very dangerous message" the way the entire UP government, the chief minister, the Centre and the police tried to shield the accused MLA.

"It gives a very dangerous message that if a BJP MLA rapes someone, nothing will happen to him," he said.

Referring to the Kathua episode to further attack the BJP, he said a holy place of worship has been "defiled" and "what a shame" it was that they call themselves "Hindus."

He said two BJP ministers of the state even participated in demonstrations and protests held in support of the culprits. "We and the entire country are ashamed.... This political patronage is dangerous."

The chief minister also urged citizens to take a day off and support the DCW chief in her indefinite hunger strike at Rajghat.

"It is not her cause. She is fighting for the safety of women in my family and your family. I am going there to participate, not to offer support for her cause. You should also take a day off from your work and participate. Everyone should participate," he tweeted.

Maliwal again attacked the prime minister, saying she did not expect only speeches on social values from the prime ministers but what she wanted was the real action, concrete steps to ensure women's safety.

"I have great respect for the prime minister. And if prime minister can implement Demonisation within single night then, of course, he can give system to the country to ensure women's safety," she said.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal again reiterated her statement that she would not break her fast until PM gave a proper system to country to prevent rapes.

CPI national Secretary Atul Anjan also reached at the hunger-strike venue to extend his support to Maliwal. People from transgender community too reached there to express solidarity with Maliwal.
New Delhi: Ahead of his visit to Sweden and the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to deepening bilateral engagement with both the countries in a number of areas including trade, investment and clean energy.

The Prime Minister begins his five-day visit to Sweden and the UK on Monday. He will have a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 on his way back home.

In the first leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Sweden's capital Stockholm where he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, besides attending a India-Nordic Summit.

"India and Sweden share warm and friendly ties. Our partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rule-based global order. Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives," Modi said in a Facebook post.

The two Prime Ministers will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday.

Modi said he and Lofven would also interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, science and technology, clean energy and smart cities.

The Prime Minister said he would also call on King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.

India and Sweden will also jointly organise the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm on Tuesday which is scheduled to be attended by the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

"The Nordic countries have globally recognised strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernisation, cold-chains, skill development and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation," Modi said.

From Sweden, Modi will travel to the UK on Tuesday where he will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), besides holding bilateral talks with his British counterpart Theresa May.

"My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas of healthcare, innovation, digitisation, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," the Prime Minister said.

He further said, "Under the theme of 'Living Bridge', I will also have the opportunity to meet people from various walks of life who have enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship."

Modi said he would also call on the Queen, interact briefly with CEOs of the two nations who are working on a new agenda of economic partnership, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome the UK into the International Solar Alliance, as its newest member.

On April 19 and 20, Modi will participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the UK which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta.

"The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small-island developing states, but also has a strong international voice for development issues," Modi said.

The External Affairs Ministry on Saturday said Modi would meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom.
New Delhi: Massive protests were organised across the country under "Not In My Name" campaign to demand justice for victims of Kathua and Unnao rape cases as another sexual assault on an 11-year-old girl was reported on Sunday in Gujarat, the latest in a string of cases that have sparked protests.

In Thiruvananthapuram, protesters formed a human chain, while in Mumbai, hundreds, including film celebrities, called for death penalty for rapists. In Delhi, the protesters marched down Parliament Street and called for rape trials to be completed in six months. In Surat, where the latest case took place, men and women held a silent candlelight march.

People display placards as they take part in 'Not In My Name' protest against the recent incidents of rapes, at Parliament Street in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

The protest comes as two incidents of rape in Jammu and Kashmir and in Uttar Pradesh provoked outrage across India. Several similar protests have been organised over the past week to demand justice to the victims of the two cases.

The protestors demanded immediate dismissal of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly shielding his party legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl who had gone to his residence seeking a job.

A woman holds a placard as she participates in a protest against the rapes in Mumbai on April 15, 2018. (Photo: Reuters/Danish Siddiqui)

After the matter came to light when the victim tried to immolate herself outside Adityanath's residence in Lucknow on April 8 alleging police inaction for nearly a year, criticism against the state government has mounted.

On April 9, her father died in judicial custody, with the autopsy report suggesting serious injuries on his body.

The case has been handed over to the CBI and Sengar was on Saturday and sent to seven-day CBI custody.

Protesters hold a candle light vigil in Ahmedabad on April 13, 2018. (Photo: Reuters/Amit Dave)

The participants at the "Not In My Name" protest also sought immediate arrest of the two BJP ministers, who led rallies of Hindu Ekta Manch in Kathua on March 1 in support of the accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl.

The girl's body was found a week after she disappeared from near home in January. The police has arrested a caretaker of a temple and alleged he was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, rape and killing of the girl from a nomadic tribe.

A girl holds a placard during a protest in Kochi on April 15, 2018. (Photo: Reuters/Sivaram V)

The police claimed the motive behind the crime was to terrify the nomadic community and drive it out of the village.
New Delhi: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has proposed installation of a chip in new television set-top boxes which will provide data about channels watched and their duration.

A senior official of the ministry said the move is aimed to get "more authentic" viewership figures for every channel.

"This would help advertisers and the DAVP to spend their advertising expenditure wisely. Only those channels which are widely watched will get promoted," the official added.

The Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) is the nodal agency of the government for advertising by various ministries and its organisations.

In the proposal, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has told the TRAI, "It is also proposed to ask DTH operators to install a chip in the new set-top boxes which can give data about channels watched and their duration."

The proposal was part of the ministry's response to a number of recommendations made by the TRAI on issues related to new direct-to-home licenses.

The official said the ministry also "feels that Doordarshan viewership is under-reported" and if the chip is installed, it would give the real viewership figures of the channel.

The move is seen to end the monopoly of the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC), which measures the television audience preferences in the country.

The ministry official alleged that the BARC is "almost like a monopoly and there is no alternative" and it "does not reveal how they arrive at the viewership figures, the methodology they apply and the area of survey".

The official said the ministry discussed the possibility of procuring about 300 people meter and randomly installing them to verify the veracity of BARC data, but 300 meter were too small number to meaningfully compare and verify data.

He said the BARC measures viewership by installing 30,000 people meter, which are soldered to the TV's motherboard.

The official said nobody would allow such thing to be done on their television sets and thus there were concerned about the genuineness of the assessment done through volunteers.

The BARC, however, refuted the accusations.

"We are a joint industry body that was set up in close consultation with all stakeholders, including government representatives and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Our data collection and reporting methodology arrived at post these consultations and consensus. TRAI is telecom and broadcasting sector watchdog.

"Guided by the goals of transparency, the detailed methodology has always been available on our website," BARC India spokesperson said.

He said the BARC operates within the regulatory framework as mandated by the ministry's guidelines.

"We also meet regularly with officials of ministry and TRAI to brief them and provide status report on our operations. The same has been done through periodic presentations," the spokesperson said.

He said that the BARC always had government nominee on its Board and also on its technical committee.

"We will be happy to again meet and address all their queries for which we have been seeking a meeting with them since some time," the spokesperson added.

The TRAI, in its response to the ministry's suggestions, recently said, Regarding asking DTH operators to install a chip in new set-top boxes, it is stated that this is a new issue and cannot be part of the reference.

"If the MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) desires TRAI's recommendation on this issue, it may send a separate reference to TRAI as per the provisions of the TRAI Act 1997, it said.
London: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will arrive on a four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday, is the only head of government to be offered bilateral meetings ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to senior officials.

In what has been categorised as an "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will hold not just one but two meetings with his British counterpart Theresa May on Wednesday before they begin formal deliberations as part of the multilateral Commonwealth summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrives in the UK from Sweden on Tuesday night, is also among only three senior world leaders attending CHOGM to be invited for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday evening, they said.

Modi's royal welcome will include a special event hosted by Prince Charles, during which the heir to the British throne will drive up in a Tata Motors' first-ever electric Jaguar to symbolise the India-UK technical collaboration.

"The welcome being accorded to the Indian Prime Minister is unprecedented in many ways. It reflects the importance the UK attaches to the visit and shows the mature level of India-UK ties," said an official involved with the preparations for the visit.

The bilateral leg of the UK tour begins with Modi's talks with Theresa May at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning, during which both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration.

A memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field.

Following his meeting with Theresa May, Modi will head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition and interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.

This will be followed by the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, marked by an MoU between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and College of Medicine in the UK. The centre is aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network involving Indian and British academics and medical professionals to coordinate on evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.

During a packed day of activities on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to pay tribute at the Basaveshwara statue on the banks of the river Thames, which he had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015.

According to official estimates, India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.

Modi's UK visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership and the central feature of this will be his second meeting with Theresa May on Wednesday at the Francis Crick Institute in London, where a new India-UK Technical Alliance is expected to be among a series of announcements. He will also meet Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases before going in to the India-UK CEOs Forum.

The Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that around 10-12 deliverables, including innovation-related MoUs between NASSCOM and Innovate UK and between NITI Aayog and its counterpart in the UK, are expected to be accompanied by a formal joint statement at the end of the bilateral leg of the visit on Wednesday.

Modi will then head for his audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace before the Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath diaspora event on Wednesday evening. The event will be telecast live from the Westminster Central Hall - where Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King had spoken.

The event billed as the centrepiece of the "Living Bridge" theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media and some via live video link.

An estimated 2,000 people are expected to have received confirmations to attend the "niche event", since online registrations closed earlier this month.

Organisers said the decision to host a smaller event than the grand diaspora event at Wembley Stadium during Modi's last visit to the UK in November 2015 was to enable the Indian diaspora from across the world to be able to participate.

At the end of the live telecast, the Prime Minister will join Heads of Government from 52 other countries at a formal dinner hosted by Theresa May to mark the launch of CHOGM.

This will be followed by official deliberations between the heads of government in London on Thursday before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis without any structured agenda or the presence of officials.

On the sidelines of the "unprecedented" welcome, Modi will also be greeted with some protests at Parliament Square on Wednesday afternoon, being spearheaded by Pakistani-origin peer, Lord Ahmed, and bringing together UK-based Kashmiri and Sikh groups.

A counter-demonstration titled British Indians Welcome Prime Minister Modi is also planned at the same time at Parliament Square.
New Delhi: Amid growing differences between the government and the judiciary over a host of issues, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is likely to meet Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra later this month.

Sources in the government said the Department of Justice in the law ministry has prepared a note for the minister on pending issues to be raised at the proposed meeting.

A law ministry official said the two can meet to discuss various issues and that the meeting should not be hyped. "There are various channels for them to communicate. If there is a meeting, there is nothing unusual about it, " said the official.

The elevation of justice KM Joseph and senior SC lawyer Indu Malhotra to the top court bench, the controversy surrounding alleged sexual harassment charge against a Karnataka district judge recommended for elevation to high court are some of the issues which may come up at the meeting.

The date of the proposed meeting was not immediately known.

The delay in finalising the Memorandum of Procedure, which guides transfer and elevation of HC and SC judges, may also come up for discussion.

The proposed meeting assumes significance as two senior judges of the apex court, justices J Chelameswar and Kurian Joseph, have flagged issues to suggest that the executive was constantly overruling the recommendations of the judiciary.

They had raised the issues in their respective letters to the CJI and other judges of the top court.

Irked over the government's delay in clearing the Collegium's recommendation to elevate a judge and a senior woman advocate to the apex court, Justice Kurian Joseph wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India contending the "very life and existence" of the institution was "under threat" and a "surgical intervention" was required.

Earlier, Justice Chelameswar, the senior-most judge after the CJI had cautioned that "the bonhomie between the judiciary and the government in any state sounds the death knell to democracy".

The unprecedent letter, copies of which were also sent to 22 other apex court judges, has questioned the probe initiated by the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari against District and Sessions Judge Krishna Bhat at the instance of Union Ministry of Law and Justice, despite his name being recommended for elevation twice by the Collegium.
Washington: A woman's body was found by rescuers in the US during the search of a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a swollen river in California, officials said.

An inter-agency search and rescue team in California on Friday also recovered some personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in which the missing Indian family was travelling last week.

Personal belongings of the four members of the family from Santa Clarita in California, who were believed to be travelling through Humboldt and Mendocino County on US-101 while on a vacation, were also found by the team over a two-day period on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, vice president of the Union Bank on Santa Clarita, and his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, were on a road trip along with their two kids  12-year-old Siddhanth and nine-year-old Saachi  in a maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California, during which they went missing on April 5.

Authorities, who originally had said the body was a child's, anticipate that an autopsy will be performed early next week.

"Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site (Eel River flows in a northern direction)," California's Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The body was found on Friday on an exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area.

Searchers are looking for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.

Meanwhile, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area Office, are continuing their efforts along the South Fork of the Eel River, just north of the town of Leggett California, to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported to have been submerged in the river on around 1:10pm on Friday, April 6.

Between the two search days, the Swift Water Rescue Teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of the Eel river, just north of the town of Leggett in California.

The vehicle is reported to have submerged in the river around 1:10pm on April 6.

"The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior," the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said.

It said several items were identified by the family members of those missing.

"Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family," it said.

"These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family," the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the Thottapilly family was supposed to have arrived to visit a friend in the San Jose area on April 6 but did not make it as scheduled.

The family was last heard from in the town of Klamath, Del Norte County, on April 5.

The California Highway Patrol developed information that the family were travelling in a family vehicle, a 2016 maroon Honda Pilot.

The family was officially reported as missing to the San Jose Police Department on April 8.

Sandeep grew up in Surat city in Gujarat and settled down in the US over 15 years ago.
Lucknow: About 75 per cent of the nearly 11 lakh students who skipped this year's Uttar Pradesh board examinations were from neighbouring states, and some of them were even from foreign countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, state's Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma has said.

The startling fact came to the fore when details of those who skipped the examinations were analysed by the education department, Sharma, who also holds the education portfolio, told PTI in an interview.

The state board exams were in news earlier this year as a large number of students did not turn up due to "strictness" and effective use of a special task force and local intelligence by the government to keep a tab on the cheating mafia.

"We have come to know that about 75 per cent of those who skipped the examinations were from neighbouring states. Also candidates from countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among them," Sharma said.

He said the state government took the help of the Special Task Force (STF) and local intelligence to curb the activities of the copying mafia with an aim to "continue with our motto of ensuring the sanctity of the examinations".

"The copying mafia used to take contracts guaranteeing success in class 10 and 12 state board examinations. Impersonators were made to appear in the examination in place of real candidates and centres were earmarked where copying could be facilitated easily," he said.

The government had also decided, Sharma said, to install CCTV cameras at all examination centres to keep a hawk-eye vigil on the activities going on there.

"However, installation of cameras in over 10,000 schools would have cost over Rs 400 crore and the state did not have that budget. So, we decided that only schools having CCTV cameras, boundary walls and other relevant facilities will be used as exam centres," he said.

"I personally monitored the examinations and as soon as I got any input, I shared it with the STF and immediate action was taken," he said.

He said the government had studied all possible unfair ways and means that could be resorted to by students during the examination.

"Those impersonating others or involved in replacing answer sheets before they reached evaluation centres were not able to do so due to these effective measures," said Sharma.

The UP board examination for class 10 and class 12 were held between February 6 and March 12. A total of 66,37,018 students had registered themselves for this year's exam 36,55,691 for class 10 and 29,81,327 for class 12.

In 2017, the overall pass percentage for class 10 was 81.18 and for Class 12 it was 82.62.

The deputy chief minister said this year's results of both the classes will be declared by the end of this month.

"We will be uploading the copies of toppers online so that students can see and follow them during their preparations," he said.

About next year's exams, he said Aaadhar card will be made compulsory for class 9 and class 11 students filling forms for the board examinations. It will help identify them and further check the menace of copying, he said.
Lucknow: A senior police officer has been suspended in Uttar Pradesh after an audio clip of him allegedly striking a deal with a history-sheeter over a "planned encounter" went viral.

The clip was reportedly recorded by former block pramukh Lekhraj Singh Yadav, who has more than 70 cases registered against him and is out on bail, during his phone conversation with Maunranipur police station SHO Sunit Kumar Singh.

In the audio clip, Singh is purportedly heard informing Yadav about a "planned encounter" against him and advises the former legislator to "manage" local BJP leaders to "save" himself.

"The encounter season is on... Your mobile number is under surveillance and you will be killed soon. I suggest you manage Sanjay Dubey (BJP district president) and Rajeev Singh Paricha (BJP MLA from Babina). Only then can you get some relief, otherwise anything can happen," Singh is alleged to have said.

"We are the biggest criminals. I have killed many people and thrown them away. You are a good man, god is with you... But my history is very bad and my future bright," the senior policeman allegedly said.

Hours after the alleged phone conversation on Friday, a police team led by Singh landed at Yadav's hideout in Mauranipur's Harkaranpura village to arrest him. However, Yadav and his associates opened fire on the police and escaped. An FIR was subsequently lodged against Yadav and his two sons under Section 307 (Attempt to Murder).

Yadav is said to have leaked the clip to the media after the cop reneged on his alleged deal to "protect" him.

News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip.

After the audio clip went viral, an inquiry was ordered into the entire episode. "It's a serious matter that a police officer is trying to bargain with a criminal. We have suspended the SHO and ordered a probe," said SSP Jhansi Vinod Kumar Singh.

The controversy comes amid criticism of the UP Police's 'encounter spree'.

Close to 1,200 encounters in a year have led to the death of 34 alleged criminals, left 265 injured and got 2744 history-sheeters arrested in the state. The highest numbers of encounters were reported from Meerut zone  449. This was followed by Agra zone which reported 210 encounters. Third on the list was Bareilly zone with 196 encounters and then came Kanpur zone with 91 shootouts. The least number of police encounters were in CMs constituency of Gorakhpur.

Countering Opposition criticism over the unusually high rate of encounters, CM Yogi Adityanath had said in the Assembly that it is "unfortunate that some people are showing sympathy for criminals. This is dangerous for democracy".
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has wondered as to why investigating agencies "always believe in quantity" and make hundreds of prosecution witnesses to prove their charges before the court of law.

The apex court, which was dealing with a case related to the 2008 Gujarat serial blasts, noticed that the prosecution has named over 1,500 witnesses in the matter.

"Why you (prosecuting agencies) always believe in quantity? In every case, there are 100-200 prosecution witnesses.

On Saturday, there was an accident case in which no eye-witness was there but around 200 prosecution witnesses were named. We really wonder why so many witnesses are made," a bench comprising justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said.

The general oral observations were made during the hearing on the bail plea of some of the alleged members of banned outfit Indian Mujaheedin (IM), who are facing trial in the 2008 serials blasts case.

As many as 21 explosions had rocked the Ahmedabad city in Gujarat within span of one hour killing 56 people and injuring over 220.

The bench was informed that in the blasts case, which was probed by the Gujarat Police, around 930 prosecution witnesses were already examined by the trial court while several others were yet to be examined.

The apex court also asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Gujarat Police, as to whether so many prosecution witnesses were "really required" to be examined in the case."You have to tell us whether these many witnesses are really required to be examined," the bench asked the ASG.

Mehta said the police have themselves dropped 257 witnesses in the case but 175 "core witnesses" were required to be examined.

He said a series of blasts had rocked Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008 while 15 more bombs were found and defused in Surat.

Mehta said there were above 90 accused in the case out of which 84 were arrested and 10 were absconding. He said out of the 84 arrested accused, only two have got bail while the rest were in jail.

Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the accused said that so far, 931 prosecution witnesses have been examined and none of them has said anything against the accused who were seeking bail.

The lawyer also said a trial court in Rajasthan has already acquitted these accused in a separate case where similar kind of allegations, including that they had allegedly went to terrorist camps for training, were levelled.

However, when the bench asked Mehta about the verdict of the Rajasthan court, the ASG said he would ascertain the facts and get back to the court.

The ASG told the bench there were allegations against these accused that they were earlier members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), but after this outfit was banned by the government, they joined the IM.

He said trial in the case was at a "crucial stage" and as per their estimate, it would take another 15 months to complete.

The bench has listed the matter for hearing on May 3 after the ASG said he would get some instructions in the matter.
Dying for a cup of coffee? You will feel right at home at Bangkok's new "death awareness" cafe, a macabre, Buddhist spin on the themed-cafe craze where customers are urged to confront their own mortality -- and live better lives as a result. With drinks called "death" and "painful" on the menu and a skeleton splayed out on a couch in the corner, the meet-your-maker theme is alive and well at this open-air lunch spot in the Thai capital.

But the centrepiece of the "Kid Mai (Think New) Death Cafe" experience is a decorated white coffin where customers are encouraged to lay down for a few minutes to contemplate their final moments -- and secure a discount on a drink.

"I feel like I am in a funeral," 28-year-old Duanghatai Boonmoh said with a laugh as she sipped a chocolate "death smoothie" on a recent Saturday afternoon. She and other curious customers took turns climbing into the wooden box as friends sealed the lid. "The first thing that came to my mind was, what if no one opens it?" Duanghatai said after emerging from the coffin. "How you going to tell everyone that 'I'm here, I'm still alive,'? I think that's probably the feeling you have when you know you're going to die soon," she added.

The cafe's owner says his restaurant is more than just a gimmick or dark take on the cute and cuddly coffee shops common in the Thai capital, which boasts everything from cat, husky and meerkat cafes to unicorn and mermaid-themed eateries. A professor and social researcher, Veeranut Rojanaprapa conceived of the cafe as a way to teach Thai people -- some 90 percent of whom identify as Buddhist -- about the benefits of "death awareness".

"We found that having an awareness of death decreases greed and anger," explained Veeranut, whose giggly demeanor belies his fascination with more morbid matters. He believes the Buddhist concept, rooted in ideas of impermanence and selflessness, is the key to ridding Thai society of chronic problems like violence and corruption. "When one is aware of their own death, they will do good. This is what our Lord Buddha teaches," he explained.

The casket experience is also a way to nudge the country's technology-addicted youth to step back and reassess their personal lives. "When teenagers go down to the coffin and our staff close the coffin, because of the darkness, because of the small space, they will be aware of themselves... they will recall the things that they still haven't done," said Veeranut, adding that he makes a point of considering his own demise nightly.

The professor is not the first to offer a resurrection experience in Thailand, where a temple outside Bangkok is famous for hosting symbolic funerals for devotees looking to clear their souls of bad karma. But his cafe and coffin sit squarely in the middle of a local community centre in northern Bangkok, offering a public -- and morbid -- reminder of mortality that not everybody in the neighbourhood is happy about. The cafe has also spread out to a public walkway, which is now posted with signs asking questions like: "What is the purpose of your life?"

"This is so disturbing. I feel really strange walking there and might avoid this shortcut," one netizen wrote on a neighbourhood Facebook page. Yet Veeranut says he welcomes any controversy as a sign of success. "I love all of the complaints. Because if they are complaining it means they are thinking about death, they are aware of death."
How much drunk is drunk? Poet Thomas Love Peacock has a measuring unit. He authoritatively says when a drunkard should call it a day.

"He is not drunk who from the floor

Can rise again and drink some more.

But he is drunk who prostrate lies

And cannot drink and cannot rise."

What kind of a drink is that? Rum, Brandy, Whiskey or Vodka? The answer  honey!

Peacock had only the plain, viscous, sticky, golden honey in mind when he wrote the poem. You may now wonder how an excess of honey can floor a man so utterly.

In Mount Olympus, it was the nectar of God. In classical Greek, to be drunk was to be overcome with honey. In Indian mythology, honey had aphrodisiacal qualities, doing wonders to both your head and something deep under. Known as the mead, the drink is, in fact, the granddad of all alcoholic drinks we now know; it goes back to that prehistoric time when man hadnt even started cultivation.

The Spanish-Roman naturalist gives us the recipe of how the ancients coerced honey to the point where it yielded its magic:

Take rainwater kept for several years, and mix a sextarius of this water with a pound of honey. For a weaker mead, mix a sextarius of water with nine ounces of honey. The whole is exposed to the sun for 40 days and then left on a shelf near the fire. If you have no rainwater, then boil spring water.

So what you have now got in the bottle is mead  the wonderful drink which satiated even the rough, hooliganish Anglo Saxons.

Still doubting its muscle?

Well, realise this: even the great Julius Caesar couldnt stomach the potency of it when he conquered England. He got sad that he forgot to bring the milder grape yards along with him, to provide him with wine, in this uncouth land where there is only rainwater and honey sodden together.

The Poles would be equally sad, much later in history, for want of the same drink that Caesar detested, as their prince grumbled before the Pope (justifying why they desist from the Crusades) if they were pressed to participate in the war in the holy land where there was not a trace of mead.

Did the Pope advise him about the perils of drinking after listening to the prince? No chance, because in many monasteries across the continent, priests were busy making mead right from sunup to sundown. And they had to make sure that the liquid in the vat tasted the same each hour.

Do all sorts of honey need fermentation? Can plain honey do the job? For learning that, we have to go into a forest in Congo. Let us summon Paul Selopek and ask him to guide us.

In his article in National Geographic, Selopek tells us about his expedition deep in Congo. He found that local pygmies were ecstatic about a sort of wild honey in the forest. So, he geared up to join the fellows in their next foray into the wild.

As soon as they became successful in finding honey, the pygmies exploded into a revelry stuffing themselves with the viscous gold. The men shouting and arguing, the women telling dirty jokes and roaring with laughter, and the children, with honey dribbling down their chin, rolling and roistering in the forest.

All of this piqued our writer. He too tried it. It goes quickly to the head; its delicious perfume carries with it the suggestion of a better world. As it seeps directly from the membranes of the mouth into the bloodstream, yielding up its concentrated energy, generously radiating its stored warmth, a single word comes to mind: yes.

In modern times, mead is produced as an alcoholic beverage by fermenting a solution of honey and water. Many experiment it with tossing a handful of grains into the soup. Depending on local traditions, the fermented drink may further be modified with spice, fruit or hops.

The alcoholic content varies between 8% and 18% ABV (Beer has only 4  8%).

Heres a thick slab of honey for you as a tailpiece: If youd lived in ancient times, your father-in-law would have put you in a house with his daughter (immediately after marriage) and provided you with enough honey, fermented and invigorated, to roll over for a month. Perhaps, he knew that the sweetness of every marriage would stay only as long as the honey lasted or rather the boy remained drunk and out of his wits.

Sober thinking.

Now dont look elsewhere for the origin of the word, "honeymoon".

(Manu Remakant is a freelance writer who also runs a video blog - A Cup of Kavitha - introducing world poetry to Malayalees. Views expressed here are personal)
Senegal opens a flagship new airport on Thursday seven years later than originally planned but with ambitions to become a west African regional hub with a capacity for three million passengers.

President Macky Sall will cut the ribbon at Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) at midday (1200 GMT) in the town of Diass, 47 kilometres (29 miles) from the capital of Dakar, while a plane from new airline Air Senegal will make the first symbolic takeoff.

Work began in 2007 on the 645 million-euro ($767 million) airport under former president Abdoulaye Wade, but unforeseen problems and a change of construction company have repeatedly delayed the project and ballooned costs.

Blaise Diagne -- named after the Senegalese MP who was the first African elected to France's parliament -- is at the heart of Sall's "Emerging Senegal" plan, which includes the construction of a new city, Diamniadio, close to the site in Diass.

As the country invests more heavily in tourism, Senegal is also betting on the facility's strategic position close to several beach resorts that are already heavily frequented by European holidaymakers.

"The airport will be key in the promotion of 'Destination Senegal'," Prime Minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne said in a speech on Tuesday, adding that airport services at the site would contribute to the development of the special economic zone nearby.

With a capacity of three million passengers, Blaise Diagne will still rank far below the busiest African airports and a long way off challenging Nigeria in the west African region, though plans for up to 10 million travellers are in the pipeline, according to officials.

Uncertainty for new airline

Passenger numbers have increased in recent years at Dakar's current airport in the middle of the city, leading to long waits at security and contributing to chronic traffic jams, and the old Leopold Sedar Senghor airport will become a military airfield from Friday.

The new airport boasts six footbridges direct to flight cabins, and will be able to service a range of aircraft including Airbus's massive A380s.

Work was completed on the 4,500-hectare site -- with 2,000 hectares unused in case of required expansion -- by Turkish consortium Summa-Limak after a disagreement with Saudi Arabia's Bin Laden construction derailed the final stage of preparations.

But bets on whether Blaise Diagne would open on time have lasted until the last minute amid complaints by major European airlines over fuel capacity and regulations.

Summa-Limak will now operate the airport for the next 25 years, furthering ever-closer economic ties between Ankara and Dakar.

A train linking the airport with the city is not expected to open for years, leaving taxi drivers in pocket but ordinary travellers nervous of arriving on time for flights in a city with unpredictable traffic.

Backed by loans from France's development agency the African Development Bank (ADB), the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and Islamic lender the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), officials are celebrating the airport's completion -- but the future of Senegal's new airline is less certain.

Air Senegal still does not have all the licences required to begin commercial flights and has a fleet of just two ATR 72-600s, but Aviation Minister Maimouna Ndoye Seck said international ambitions for the airport meant a well-performing national airline was "a necessity".
Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini says there should be a strong support from media and a national uprising to bring justice for the 8-year-old girl who was gang-raped and killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Hema took to the social media on Saturday to express her concern.

"There should be a national uprising with strong support from the media, against these animals who don't spare even babies and toddlers. I agree with Manekaji (Gandhi) that death penalty should be instantaneous once proven guilty and there should be no bail or pardon, juveniles included, for all rapes," she tweeted.

There shd be a national uprising with strong support from the media, against these animals who dont spare even babies & toddlers! I agree with Manekaji that death penalty shd be instantaneous once proven guilty & there shd be no bail or pardon, juveniles included, for all rapes Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 14, 2018

Daily newspaper reports of rape happening in every part of our country! Kathua, Unnao are but 2 of the long list of shame. Can these mindless rapists even be classified as human beings? They are beasts on the rampage & shd be hanged to death for their heinous crimes Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 14, 2018

Maneka Gandhi, the Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister, said on Friday that the Ministry intend to bring an amendment to the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act to provide for stringent punishment against rape.

The minor girl from the Bakerwal community was kidnapped on January 10; taken to a temple in Rasana village in Kathua. Her attackers, who included a temple official and policemen, drugged and gang raped her over days before finally killing her and dumping her body in nearby forest seven days later. The girl was attacked to scare away the nomadic Muslim community out of the village.

(With IANS inputs)
Oscar-winning Czech-born film director Milos Forman, known for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus, has died aged 86, Czech media said on Saturday. The CTK news agency quoted his wife Martina as saying Forman, who lived in the United States, died suddenly on Friday after a short illness. "He passed away quietly, surrounded by his family and his closest people," she said.

Born in the town of Caslav east of Prague on February 18, 1932, Forman lost both parents in Nazi concentration camps. In the 1960s, he joined the New Wave of filmmakers standing up against the Communist regime in former Czechoslovakia, making himself famous with Black Peter, Loves of a Blonde and The Firemen's Ball.

Shortly before the 1968 Soviet-led occupation of Czechoslovakia, which put an end to a liberal period known as the Prague Spring, Forman moved to the United States via France.

His career overseas started with Taking Off in 1971, followed by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest four years later, which brought Forman his first Oscar for the best director.

He returned to still-Communist Prague in 1983 to film Amadeus, which earned him a second Oscar and which won eight out of 11 nominations.

Forman's other films include Hair (1979), Ragtime (1981), Valmont (1989) and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), which handed him another best director Oscar nomination, as well as Man on the Moon (1999) and Goya's Ghosts (2006).
New Delhi: Karnataka Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao has stirred a controversy by calling upon the people to hit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers whenever he came to the state.

Rao made the remarks at a candle march in Bengaluru to show solidarity with the victims of rape in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

The comments drew an angry response from the BJP which termed them "heinous" and accused the ruling Congress of instigating violence.

As his comments stoked a major political row, Rao told PTI that it was an "emotional outburst" and "all I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers".

My reaction to the Adityanath controversy. It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the raped victims and the complete apathy by Adityanath govt. I regret if its offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue. https://t.co/LA3hNBxHiF Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) April 15, 2018

He said he regretted his remarks if they were offensive.

At the protest meet in Saturday night, Rao said, This man from Uttar Pradesh who comes to Karnataka to deliver lectures is not a yogi. He is a hypocrite, a liar and a thug. He should not be allowed to enter Karnataka..."

"... In case Yogi Adityanath No, there is no need to call him Yogi. He is Dhogi Adiyanath. If he comes to Karnataka, he should be beaten up with slippers and sent back. If you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) have little self-esteem and if you have respect for women, sack the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Unseat him. What you are doing now is a heinous crime (by retaining him), he added.

Hitting back, furious Karnataka BJP leaders reminded Rao that Adityanath was a "revered saint of Nath tradition".

Strongly condemning the remarks, Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said it was "highly derogatory and uncivilised".

He said a person who did not know how to speak about "a sant" and a democratically elected chief minister did not deserve to be in public life.

Yeddyurappa asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel Rao from the party and said the Election Commission should also take cognisance of Rao's "inflammatory remarks" and take "stern action" against him.

The BJP also tweeted against Rao, accusing him of insulting the Hindu Vokkaliga community by his comments.

Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints.What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals?Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments! BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 14, 2018

Vokkaligas are considered the second largest community in Karnataka after Lingayats.

The party termed it Congress "deep hatred" for saffron and anyone who is an "unapologetic Hindu".

Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals is indicative of:1. Cong's deep hatred of saffron & anyone who is an unapologetic Hindu2. Cong's disregard for rule of law. We always knew Cong instigates violence for political gain. Today, evidence is out BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 15, 2018

"It also shows the party's disregard for rule of law," said the BJP, alleging, the "Congress instigates violence for political gain".

It asked the Election Commission to register a case against Rao under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

The BJP said the statement shows Congress party's "utter contempt" for a democratically elected chief minister.

Enraged by Rao's remarks, BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha said in a video message, one should be cautious while talking and control his tongue. Else, you will get a befitting reply.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday released its first list for the Karnataka Assembly elections, comprising 218 candidates. The list includes the names of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief G Parameshwara. The party is yet take a decision on five seats.

Siddaramaiah will contest from the Chamundeshwari Assembly seat and Parameshwara will be in the fray from the Korategere Assembly constituency. Contrary to expectations, Siddaramaiah has only kept one seat for himself. There were rumors that he wanted to play it safe and contest from two seats.

Speculation was rife that Siddaramaiah was going to keep a "backup" seat in north Karnataka after being convinced by his well-wishers about the dangers of relying only on the Chamundeshwari seat in view of a deal between JDS and the BJP there. Similarly, there was talk that Parameshwara was also pushing for two seats, but was turned down by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The party has also not applied the "one-family, one-ticket" formula for the Karnataka polls as it granted tickets to the chief minister and his son, the Home minister and his daughter, and the Law minister and his son. The Congress had followed this rule in the Punjab polls held last year.

The first list includes 15 women candidates and the names of the seven former JD-S and two ex-BJP legislators who joined the party earlier this year.

The chief minister's son, Yatheendra, was fielded by the Congress from the Varuna Assembly constituency (Mysore), while Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy will contest the polls from BTM Layout and his daughter Soumya R from the Jayanagara Assembly constituency (Bengaluru).

Law minister T B Jayachandra's son Santosh Jayachandra was given a ticket from the Chikanayakanhalli Assembly seat (Tumkur).

Senior Congress leader's son Priyank Kharge was given a ticket and he will contest the polls from the Chitapur (Reserved) seat in Gulbarga district.

Among the battles that will be keenly watched will be between former mayor Padmavathi, who will contest against BJP veteran Suresh Kumar. Congress had always fielded Manjula Naidu against him till now and lost every time. Padmavathi is a loyalist of DK Shivakumar and had got a good reputation as a mayor. Her term had ended in mid-2017.

Of the five constituencies from where Congress has not yet announced candidates for is Shanthinagar, the seat of NA Haris, who got embroiled in a controversy after his son Mohammed Haris Nalapad brutally assaulted a man at a prominent Bengaluru cafe.

Party insiders said that Congress is sure of a victory here as it is a minority dominated constituency. However, they are worried that even if Haris is able to win this seat, they may lose out on four or five other seats in Bengaluru purely because of the reputation. So, not giving a ticket to Haris may help in other city segments. With 28 seats, Bangalore Urban is the single biggest chunk and is crucial for Congress.

The Congress has also not announced any candidate from Melukote yet. There is a possibility that the party will support Swaraj India candidate Darshan Puttanaiah, the son of farmer activist Puttanaiah, who had died two months ago. Bengaluru mayor Sampath Raj will contest from CV Raman Nagar constituency.
Bengaluru: The fatherson duo of ex-PM Deve Gowda and ex-CM Kumaraswamy claim that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be defeated in both Chamundeshwari and Badami Assembly seats.

The Gowda clan has made elaborate plans to give a tough fight to Siddaramaiah, their one-time blue-eyed boy, in this election. HD Kumaraswamy launched his three-day tour of Chamundeshwari constituency on Saturday and plans to visit all important villages in the Chief Ministers seat for three days.

The senior Gowda is also planning to campaign extensively in both Chamundeshwari and Badami closer to May 12, the day Karnataka votes.

According to family aides, they want to avenge the humiliation the Gowdas and their party has suffered at the hands of Siddaramaiah in the last five years.

Speaking to News18, Kumaraswamy said that even if Siddaramaiah campaigns in his seats  Ramanagara and Channapatna  for a month, he would not be able to defeat him.

We will definitely defeat Siddaramaiah this time. He will lose from both Chamundeshwari and Badami. He is an egoistic leader. He has tried his best to finish our party, Kumaraswamy said.

He also dismissed pre-poll surveys as inaccurate and manufactured.

We dont believe in these surveys. They are all manufactured to suit the interests of the Congress and the BJP. No survey favours us. In 2004, these surveys gave us just two seats. But we won 58 seats and formed two coalition governments. There will be no fractured mandate. It will be our government. I will not be a kingmaker. I will be a king and we will come to power, he said.

Deve Gowda has also rubbished all pre-poll surveys, calling them bogus. The media is biased against us. The surveys are done by the rich parties or backed by them. How can we expect them to be fair? he asked.

According to Janata Dal (Secular) strategists, Chamundeshwari seat has over 72,000 Vokkaliga votes and over 40,000 Veerashaiva votes. Since both are reportedly upset with Siddaramaiah and the BJP is also weak there, the JD(S) can try to dislodge the Chief Minister.

We are mobilising Vokkaligas and Veerashaivas against Siddaramaiah in a big way. Kumaraswamy has taken it as a matter of prestige. We will ensure that Siddaramaiah will have a tough time and he wont be able to concentrate on rest of the state, said a local JD(S) leader.

Secondly, sitting JD(S) MLA from Chamundeshwari GT Deve Gowda is also considered a strong leader in this constituency in the outskirts of Mysore.

In Badami in north Karnataka district of Bagalkote, the JD(S) has fielded a young candidate, Hanumanthappa Mavinamarad, from the same Kuruba caste to which the chief minister belongs.

In the last Assembly elections in 2013, the JD(S) polled 42,000 votes in Badami and the winning Congress candidate polled over 56,000 votes. The JD(S) is hoping to give a tough competition to Siddaramaiah who has decided to contest from two seats to project himself as a pan-Karnataka leader.

But Siddaramaiah is confident of a convincing win in both the seats. Let Deve Gowda and his son camp in my seat. The people will decide who the best is. I am not scared of them, he said.

BJP, the main opposition, seems to have decided to focus on its strongholds, leaving Siddaramaiah to the Gowdas. Kumaraswamy is also contesting from two seats  Ramanagara and Channaptna close to Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah has also decided to give him a good fight in both seats.
Voters pose outside a polling booth in Karnataka.



People were seen standing in queues to cast their votes in the early hours itself, factoring in that the temperature may go up later in the day. Also, it has been raining in different parts of south interior Karnataka for the last couple of days during the evening hours.



Senior citizens were seen in good numbers standing in queues at various polling stations to cast their votes early.



State BJP chief and party's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, and Pradesh Congress Committee G Parameshwara were among the first to cast votes in Shikaripura in Shivamogga and Yaggere in Tumakuru respectively.



Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda along with wife Chennamma cast their votes at Paduvalahippe in Hassan district. Film actors Ramesh Arvind, Ravichandran, also scion of Mysuru royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar were among the prominent personalities to cast their votes early today.



There are reports about delay in polling due to some technical issues with the electronic voting machines (EVMs) from different parts of the state.



Election for the Jayanagara seat in Bengaluru has been countermanded following the death of BJP candidate and sitting MLA BN Vijaykumar.



The Election Commission has also deferred the polls for Rajarajeswari Nagar constituency to May 28 after a massive row erupted over a large number of voter ID cards being found in an apartment.



Suspecting something fishy, both Congress and BJP have pointed accusing fingers at each other in the matter. "Today people of Karnataka are standing in queues to create history & show the nation the way to liberal, progressive, peaceful & compassionate politics & governance. I thank them for their support & wish them well," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted.



Over 2,600 candidates are in the fray-- more than 2400 men and and over 200 women. The total voters including service electors according to the 2018 final rolls are 5,06,90,538, of whom 2,56,75,579 male voters, 2,50,09,904 female and 5,055 transgender voters.



Officials said 58,008 polling stations have been set up across the state, of which 12002 have been designated as "critical", with over 3,50,000 polling personnel on duty. Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of polls that will go on till 6 pm.



"82,157 people have been deployed for poll duty that includes DSPs, home guards and civil defence, and forest guards and watchers," Karnataka DGP Neelamani N Raju said. This also includes about 7,500 personnel from states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Kerala and Goa, she said, adding, central forces have been deployed.



One among the interesting aspects of this election is that four candidates who have served as Chief Minister of Karnataka are in the fray-- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (Chamundeshwari and Badami), B S Yeddyurappa (Shikaripura), H D Kumaraswamy (Chennapatna and Ramanagara) and Jagadish Shettar (Hubli-Dharwad Central.)
Amaravati: Information Technology, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development are the assorted set of portfolios Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu has chosen for his son Nara Lokeshs political baptism.

In his brief political career, Lokesh has learnt that politics can be unsparing. Even if one is the heir apparent.

Formally inducted into the party in late 2013, it is widely believed that Lokesh took the plunge after his cousin NT Rama Rao Jr decided to focus on films instead.

Back then, the 38-year-old was the executive director of his family-owned Heritage Foods Limited. He took to business after his stint at Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford.

Despite a stellar academic record and nearly five years of officially being inducted into TDP, Lokesh is yet to prove his mettle in electoral politics. Adversaries continue to mark the CMs son for his oratorical skills in mother tongue.

Earlier this year, when his father wished him on his birthday in January, Twitter turned the message into a joke. Naidu called his son a youth icon, which many said seemed like the young minister tweeting from his fathers account.

Lokesh, however, appears to be nonchalant about the criticism. I have hit the genetic jackpot but that said, it should not be held against anyone. The party can only give me a chance but it is up to the people to decide. If they dont think that someone is the right product for Andhra Pradesh, they wont vote. Its as simple as that, Lokesh said.

Earlier this week, in an interaction with journalists, Lokesh asserted he was working to empower gram panchayats, a subject close to his heart. The promise of free WiFi in every gram panchayat by the end of this year is, he claims, on the right track. As IT minister, he is all for using the block-chain method in every district of the state, data for which he says is being given voluntarily by the residents and is secured at various levels.

The other subject close to his heart is curbing migration to urban areas. For that to happen, the government has to ensure basic amenities like water, power, sanitation and roads in rural Andhra.

Our target is to increase household income to at least Rs 10,000 per month. The primary reason for youth migration from rural to urban was lack of opportunities. Standards of urban areas need to be met in rural areas and Im sure that by 2024, all gram panchayats will get there, he asserted.

But does he think Andhra has been given a fair shot, also now considering that his father has broken off the alliance with the ruling BJP? Of course I feel orphaned. Its only fair that the state gets what was promised. We are not asking for anything more. It doesnt send out a good message to any state, let alone Andhra Pradesh, he said.

The young minister said Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh, was part of Andhra Pradeshs development story and building it was no joke. Were building a city from scratch that costs Rs 40,000 crores. During bifurcation, we didnt have anything. We didnt even know where the capital was. It took us eight months to finalise on a location. Its finally taking shape, he added.

His father Chandrababu Naidu is the first big NDA ally to have severed ties with the NDA  more than 12 months ahead of the next general elections. This means Naidu, a veteran of coalition politics, has decided to go alone in the next general elections.

The electoral battle, for both state and Centre in the summer of 2019 will be one big challenge for the father-son duo. And an opportunity for Nara Lokesh to find his feet in the fast-shifting sands of national politics.
Chandigarh: With opposition mounting attack on Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in connection with a 30-year-old road rage case, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday scotched speculation that the Congress leader would be resigning from the state cabinet.

The Chief Minister said there was no question of asking Sidhu, the Tourism, Culture and Local Government minister, to quit.

Last week, the state government in the Supreme Court had favoured the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict convicting and awarding a three-year jail term to Sidhu in the 1988 case. Gurnam Singh, a Patiala resident, had died after he was given fist blow by Sidhu.

Amarinder pointed out that the apex court had stayed Sidhu's conviction in 2007 and was yet to pronounce its final verdict on his petition challenging the high court order.

The question of the minister resigning, merely because the state government had repeated its stand of 30-years in the case before the Supreme Court, did not arise, he added.

"There was neither any impediment in Sidhu's induction into the cabinet nor in his continuation now, in view of the stay on his conviction", Amarinder said in a statement here.

The categorical clarification from the Chief Minister came amid reports suggesting that Sidhu had been asked to resign, and also in the wake of the demand from the opposition that he should step down.

However, the Chief Minister once again expressed the hope "that the judge would take cognizance of Sidhu's contribution to the society and the country in deciding the case."

Reacting to reports suggesting that the government had deliberately not supported the minister in the apex court, the Chief Minister stressed that unless the prosecution received new inputs, it was not legally possible for it to add a new element to its arguments.

"Taking a U-turn from the stand taken by the government in the trial and high courts was not an option for the government," he added.

In September 1999, a trial court had acquitted Sidhu of the murder charge. However, the High Court reversed the verdict and held him and co-accused Rupinder Singh Sandhu guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in December, 2006.

The high court sentenced them to three-year imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on the convicts.

After the Punjab government favoured a court verdict convicting Sidhu in the road rage case, the minister had tried to put on a brave face, saying he was ready to carry "any burden" that he may have to because of his own government's stance, even as Opposition demanded he quit the Cabinet.
Ahmedabad: Firebrand leader Pravin Togadia launched a vicious attack against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre on Sunday, a day after he was forced out of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in wake of his nominee losing an organisational poll.

Togadia, who has decided to undertake an indefinite fast from Tuesday, said his "disenchantment" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi began right after the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

"I am not in the VHP anymore.... I will continue to work for the welfare of Hindus. From Tuesday, I will go on an indefinite fast in Ahmedabad for fulfilling the longstanding demands of the Hindus," he had said ON Saturday after former Himachal Pradesh governor V S Kokje defeated his nominee Raghav Reddy in an election in Gurgaon for the post of VHP International president.

Togadia, who returned to Ahmedabad on Saturday night, met his supporters and top VHP functionaries in Gujarat on Sunday to finalise his plans for the fast at the state VHP headquarters. "I got disenchanted with this government in the last four years. The disenchantment, in fact, had started slowly after the 2002 events in Gujarat," he said, speaking to reporters later.

Claiming that scores of Hindus were killed in police firing during the post-Godhra riots, he said he could not understand how it could happen when "Narendrabhai" (Narendra Modi) was the chief minister.

"Cases were registered against thousands of Hindus and they were put in jail," he alleged.

"In 2014 elections, the VHP offered full support to Narendrabhai. But he called gau-rakshaks 'gundas' (goons). Eleven cow-protectors in Jharkhand were given life imprisonment (by a court) after his statement. This hadn't happened even under the Congress government," Togadia said.

"This government has taken back cases against Pakistan-supporters and stone-pelters in Kashmir. I was shocked as this government has helped Pakistan-supporters," he went on to say.

Togadia said his indefinite hunger strike would be aimed at the welfare of Hindus and to seek construction of Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya, nation-wide ban on cow slaughter, enforcement of the common civil code and relocation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, he said.

All these years he and his associates have been fighting for these causes but to no avail, Togadia said, alleging that "for the last six months, enormous pressure was put on me instead to stop making all these demands."

Many of Togadia supporters, shouting slogans in their mentor's favour at the state VHP headquarters in Paldi area here, said they would turn his fast into a show of strength State VHP leaders, however, refrained from expressing their stand on Togadia's proposed fast.

Asked if the VHP's state unit would support Togadia's fast, Gujarat VHP chief Ranchod Bharwad evaded reply, saying he was in hospital and could not make any statement.

Modi and Togadia, both of whom hail from Gujarat and started out as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers, drifted apart in the last decade with Modi's rise.

Togadia had made a sensational staement last month, claiming that a Rajasthan police team had come here to abduct him and he feared he could be eliminated in a staged encounter.

During the tussle within state BJP between Modi and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, Togadia, who belongs to the Patel community, was believed to have backed Keshubhai.

Before the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections, Togadia had criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre. He also had a meeting with Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel, who had campaigned against the BJP.
Washington: For the second time in his presidency, President Donald Trump stared, horrified at pictures of children killed in a chemical attack in Syria.

And for the second time in his presidency, those visceral images helped propel Trump toward military strikes in a country he sees as a trap for the United States.

At times, the lead-up to Friday's strikes was orderly  a traditional decision-making process for an unconventional president. He sought the input of national security advisers and convened Situation Room meetings. He consulted with allies, who shared his anger at the photos emerging from Syria of children and adults apparently killed or sickened by poisonous gases.

But at other moments, the chaotic nature of Trump's presidency broke through. He hinted at his plans in bellicose and at times confusing tweets. And he seethed over the legal threats springing up around him, including a raid on his longtime lawyer's home and office.

Through it all, U.S. and Western officials said it was clear Trump intended to take military action. Discussions with France and Britain were focused not on whether to strike, but how to do so in a way that went beyond "punishing" the Assad regime for the attack and instead would degrade its ability to use chemical weapons in the future, according to two Western diplomats with knowledge of the discussions.

The diplomats and U.S. officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the private discussions.

Trump attended multiple briefings per day, according to officials, and sat in on most high-level meetings in the Situation Room. Advising Trump on Syria was John Bolton, the newly installed national security adviser with a militaristic and hawkish reputation, and Defense Secretary James Mattis, who sought to ensure that military action was linked to a broader strategy.

At a Cabinet meeting Monday, Trump condemned the "atrocious attack," promising speedy action.

On Tuesday, Trump spoke to both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May. Officials from all three countries huddled in Washington as the allies tried to determine who would participate and what a potential strike would look like.

But Trump still had no firm commitment that the allies would join him. While all three Western countries believed chemical weapons had been used, international inspectors had not reached the site of the attack and it was unclear how much evidence their governments could put forward.

As negotiations over the Syria response continued, Trump was pummeled by the surprise raid of his personal attorney Michael Cohen's home and office and the new book from fired FBI director James Comey. He was particularly incensed by the raid, which was prompted in part by a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election shadows the president.

As the deliberations dragged on, Trump vented on Twitter. He threw the process into confusion Wednesday when he tweeted at Russia to "Get ready" because missiles "will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'" After sustaining criticism for appearing to reveal his strategy, Trump tweeted the following day that he had not signaled the timing of an attack, adding: "Could be very soon or not so soon at all!"

By Thursday, Trump made the final decision to authorize the strike. Officials said the plan to hit three targets in Syria was aimed at avoiding "collateral damage," including Russian assets.

Asked why the president had acted now, given the Assad government is alleged to have used chemical gas at least 50 times, administration officials said they believed there was "incontrovertible evidence" that chemical weapons had been deployed. Much of the evidence comes from witness testimony, as well as video and photos shot by aid workers, victims of the attacks and unspecified additional intelligence about barrel bombs and chlorine canisters found in the aftermath.

Officials said Trump was also frustrated that economic, diplomatic and political efforts aimed at convincing Assad that using chemical weapons was not in his interest had failed.

For a full day after Trump made his decision, the administration managed to keep its intentions largely under wraps. The tweets stopped and White House officials suggested to journalists that Trump might spend Friday night dining at his hotel in Washington.

But at 9:01:30 p.m. Friday, Trump delivered a televised address to the nation announcing the strikes were underway.

As the missiles rained down, one administration official explained that, over the course of this week, the president had tweeted his intention to the American people. Now, they said, his orders were being carried out.

By Saturday morning, Trump celebrated a "perfectly executed strike."

"Mission Accomplished!" he wrote.
Detroit: A black 14-year-old boy who got lost in a Detroit suburban neighborhood while trying to get to school was shot at by a white homeowner after knocking on a door to ask directions, prosecutors said Friday, citing home security video and the account of the boy.

Jeffery Zeigler, a retired Detroit firefighter, was arraigned on Friday on charges including assault with intent to murder.

Oakland County sheriff's deputies were called to Zeigler's Rochester Hills' home about 8:20 a.m. Thursday after a woman told 911 that her husband had chased a black male who tried to break in. Deputies learned that a shot had been fired and found Brennan Walker  unharmed  down the street.

Walker's statement to police differed from that given by Zeigler, according to assistant prosecutor Kelly Collins.

"We do have the benefit of home security video," Collins told the court Friday. He said Zeigler's account was not borne out by the video.

"The victim in this matter, a 14-year-old child, indicated what had happened to the police and his version did bear out on that video," he said.

The video was taken from Zeigler's home security system.

Zeigler, 53, attempted to give an account of the events Friday at his court appearance which was via video from the county jail.

"There's a lot more to the story than what's being told and I believe that will come out in court," he told Judge Julie Nicholson. "I was in bed yesterday morning and my wife came screaming and crying ..."

It was there that Nicholson stopped Zeigler, whose attorney was not in court for the arraignment.

Walker has said he woke up late Thursday, missed his school bus and became lost in the Christian Hills subdivision while trying to walk the bus route to Rochester High School.

When he knocked on the door to Zeigler's home, Walker said a woman inside began yelling "'why are you trying to break into my house?'" he told WJBK-TV. "I was trying to explain to her that I was trying to get directions to Rochester High and she kept yelling at me. Then the guy came downstairs and he grabbed the gun. I saw it and started to run. And that's when I heard the gunshot."

Walker's mother, Lisa Wright, said it was clear to her what was behind the shooting after investigators showed her the security video.

"After watching the video and hearing the wife say 'why did these people choose my house?' I knew it was racially-motivated," Wright told WXYZ-TV. "I don't know what other 'these people' she could possibly have been talking about. He was by himself."

Wright said people in the neighborhood shouldn't be afraid of a child, "let alone a skin tone."

"We should not have to live in a society where we have to fend for ourselves," she added. "If I have a question, I should be able to turn to my village and knock on a door and ask a question."

Zeigler's bond was set at $50,000. He was ordered to have no contact with Walker or the teen's family, to wear a GPS tether and to turn over any weapons to the sheriff's office.

He also was told that he couldn't return to his house and had to stay at least 10 miles from Walker's Rochester Hills' home.

"I'd really like to stay in my home and keep my family together," Zeigler told the judge. "I promise to have no contact with the gentleman."

Nicholson set an April 24 probable cause conference and May 1 preliminary exam.

A Dearborn Heights man is serving at least 17 years in prison after being convicted of murder in the 2013 fatal shooting of a black woman who pounded on his door after crashing her car. Police have said that Renisha McBride, 19, was drunk when Ted Wafer shot her through the screen door of his home, just west of Detroit.

Wafer, who is white, has said he believed his home was being broken into.
Budapest: Tens of thousands of Hungarians thronged Budapest on Saturday in anger at strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban's crushing re-election victory.

The crowd, around 100,000 strong according to organisers and AFP reporters, marched through the city centre in sunshine to parliament for a rally under the motto "We are the majority".

"We want to live in a state of law, where checks and balances are present.. We want to live in a real democracy," said protest organiser Viktor Gyetvai, 20, a student.

"If the demands are not met then we cannot live in this country, this is our last chance to do something for this country," he told AFP.

Many of the demonstrators, most of whom were young, were chanting "democracy" and brandishing Hungarian and European Union flags.

They demanded a recount, a non-partisan public media service, fresh elections and for the opposition to unite. Singing the national and EU anthems, they vowed to return for another demonstration next week.

There was a strong police presence, with riot officers at the ready, rows of police vans in streets nearby and a helicopter overhead. The demo remained peaceful, however.

"If there is no new free and fair election I don't see any other option but to make plans to leave," said Andrea Varkonyi, 26.

"I've already been looking for job opportunities abroad."

Bannon's Man

The fiercely nationalist Orban, 54, a "hero" for US President Donald Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon, secured a third straight term in the election last Sunday.

He has been in power since 2010 and according to critics has curbed judicial independence, muzzled the press and rigged the electoral system.

Campaigning hard against the "poison" of immigration, Orban's overwhelming victory saw his Fidesz party secure around half the vote.

This means Fidesz with small junior coalition partner the Christian Democrats will have 134 seats in the 199-seat legislature, a two-thirds majority.

This will allow Orban, who with Poland's like-minded government has regularly clashed with Brussels, to steamroll legislation through parliament.

Already he has readied legislation that will make life harder for civil society groups operating in the central European country of 10 million people.

In the crosshairs in particular will be groups funded by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros, whom Orban says wants to destroy Europe though mass immigration.

'Intimidating'

Images of Soros, 87, were plastered on billboards in the election campaign and Orban depicted opposition figures running in the election as "Soros candidates".

On Thursday a list of some 200 "Soros enemies" was published in a pro-government magazine owned by a close Orban ally.

Several Western ambassadors criticised the list, with the US embassy in Budapest saying it condemned an "attempt to intimidate these citizens".

OSCE observers said this week that the election campaign was marked by "intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias and opaque campaign financing".

The findings were derided by Orban as "political".

With 99 percent of votes counted, Fidesz is far ahead of the nationalist Jobbik party (19 percent) and a Socialist-led centre-left alliance (12 percent).

But the result has been disputed by civil society groups and opposition parties.

Alleged irregularities were reported at some polling stations last Sunday as well as an IT system outage at the National Elections Office.

Concerns about the media were heightened after the election with the closure of Magyar Nemzet, one of Hungary's few remaining opposition dailies.

Magyar Nemzet is owned by Lajos Simicska, an oligarch and former Fidesz treasurer who fell out spectacularly with Orban in 2015.

The number of independent outlets has dwindled as business interests close to Orban have bought up TV stations and national and regional newspapers.
Senior US officials expressed confidence on Saturday that both chlorine and sarin gas were used in Syria's alleged chemical weapons attack on the Damascus enclave of Douma last week  a conclusion that went a step further than Vice President Mike Pence did in his remarks earlier Saturday.

"While the available information is much greater on the chlorine use, we do have significant information that also points to sarin use," a senior administration official said on a call with reporters, citing reports from media, nongovernmental organizations and other open sources. "They do point to miosis  constricted pupils  convulsions and disruptions to central nervous systems. Those symptoms don't come from chlorine. They come from nerve agents. ... It's a much more efficient weapon, unfortunately, the way the regime has been using it, and it's resulted in higher deaths, it resulted in terrible pictures."

The comments come a day after the United States launched targeted airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons facilities in Syria in coordination with the British and French.

PENCE's REMARKS

Earlier Saturday, Pence held off from expressing a final judgment about whether sarin gas was deployed in the chemical weapons attack.

"Chlorine and possibly nerve agents were used," Pence said during his address at the Summit of the Americas in Peru.

Another administration official laid out evidence on Saturday for the United States' conclusion that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government was behind the chemical weapons attack; that included eyewitness accounts of Syrian government helicopters circling the site of the attack on April 7 and high-resolution photos that "clearly" documented asphyxiation and foaming at the mouth.

"Assad has established himself as a user of chemical weapons" from past attacks, the official added.

Another official said, "We have incontrovertible evidence from the photos" that chemical weapons were used and it was "clear to the international community."

The administration maintains that it "exhausted every avenue in the international community" for diplomacy and sanctions before launching the missile strike, and that the President and allies felt the appropriate response was military action.

US officials said they hope the strike will serve to deter Syria's government from using chemical weapons in the future.

"If this step does not succeed, we will be prepared to act again," an official said on the call, echoing what other top administration officials emphasized on Saturday.

Whether or not that happens is up to Syria and also Russia, the officials said.

"We want to have an engagement with Russia that leads to greater peace, security and stability in the world, including in the Middle East and including in Syria," an official said.

RUSSIA, SYRIA RESPOND

Russia put forward a draft resolution at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting Saturday morning to condemn the US, French and British military action, but the resolution failed.

"It's a sad day for the world, the UN, for its charter -- which was blatantly, blatantly violated  and for the Security Council which has shirked its responsibilities," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

Syrian ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari said the US, UK and France had undermined international peace and security, and asked the Secretariat to distribute copies of the UN Charter to the three nations in order to "enlighten themselves, and awaken themselves from their ignorance and tyranny."

On Saturday, the Trump administration said the strikes accomplished three strategic goals: to deliver a direct response to the chemical weapons attack, to hold Assad responsible for his actions, and to present a deterrent on chemical weapons use in Syria and elsewhere in the future.

One official cautioned, however, that US intelligence assessments indicate Assad still has chemical weapons in Syria.

Compared to strikes that President Donald Trump launched against a Syrian air base after a previous chemical weapons attack on civilians nearly one year ago, last night's action was "more robust in terms of military action" because it was an allied, as opposed to unilateral, strike that targeted alleged chemical weapons infrastructure and is meant to be part of a sustained effort, an administration official said.

The administration maintains that the airstrikes were not connected to the campaign against ISIS in eastern Syria. When asked if the Syrians could have repositioned their alleged chemical weapons resources to protect them from the impending strike, one official said they believed there were "things in these buildings that were not able to be moved."

Officials would not describe Trump's decision-making process in much detail or the options presented, but they did say there were week-long deliberations. Trump and his entire national security team consulted closely with allies, with one senior official saying, "I would say it's rare for more than a few days to go by that the President doesn't have a consultation with President Macron or British counterparts."
Using items from a toyshop, veterinarians in the United States built a special wheelchair for a turtle who had lost both his back legs. The turtle named Pedro was a missing a hind leg when he was adopted, and lost the other one after running away from his home for a few months.
India objects as Pakistan bars Sikh pilgrims from meeting Indian envoy

Lahore : India has launched a strong protest against Pakistan for barring Sikh pilgrims from meeting an Indian High Commissioner and staff.

A group of 1800 Sikhs have been travelling in Pakistan from April 12 , under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

As per standard practice the Indian high commission's consular team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

This year, the consular team was denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims.

The team was first stopped from meeting the pilgrims on April 12 during their arrival at Wagah Railway Station. On April 14, they were barred from meeting them at a Gurdwara Panja Sahib.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries.
OXFORD  The image is frightening.

School papers lie scattered across a panel board, almost as if they flying into the air, while other papers are weighed down by the handmade AR-15 atop them.

The 3-D illustration is Kim Krivenskys response to school shootings.

I wanted to shed light on the lives that have been lost because of school shootings, said Krivensky, a 21-year-old senior at the Paier College of Art in Hamden, who lives on Ancient Highway in Oxford. Sandy Hook had an impact on me because it was so close to Oxford. Now Parkland. I wanted to send a message.

The message she sends was devised as part of an editorial illustration class taught by Vladimir Shpitalnik, a Paier professor.

I like the way she did this, because it carries so many different meanings, Shpitalnik said. Someone looking at it might see a young childs dreams of the future shattered by the gun. Others might see it as being about choices ... Kids can carry pencils or they can carry guns ... It has different meanings for different people ...Thats what art is meant to be.

Best of all, Shpitalnik said its perfect timing for whats going on.

Krivensky started with artwork she kept from her days at Oxford Center School, Great Oaks Middle School and Oxford High School. She took some simple grade school drawings  like the self portrait of the little girl with curls, the letter to mom and the poignant coloring of kids running into school on the first day.

I thought that was a good contrast, she said of the latter. Now were seeing kids running out of school for safety.

As she got older, the drawings became more elaborate.

Then in the center of the work she constructed a gun. Its made out of ordinary school supplies  colored pencils, erasable markers, a calculator, a protractor and more. A stapler and staple puller serve as the sights. A roll of tape in its dispenser serves as the trigger. Each piece is glued down with epoxy.

But its not just any gun. Its the AR-15  the model used to kill 17 at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on Valentines Day.

Her message being: how easy it is to get a high-powered gun and forever take away the creativity of young lives, she said.

I chose school supplies for the gun because they are easy to get, Krivensky said. From what I understand, that gun was easy to get.

Krivensky, who hopes to be an art teacher someday, said the 3-D illustration took about two weeks to complete.

Were going to display (it) in first in the Paier Art Show on April 13-14, Shpitalnik said. Im hoping to get it into different shows after that.

The Paier show opens April 13 at 7 p.m. on school campus, 20 Gorham Avenue, and continues on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3 1 of 3 / Brookfield Police Department Facebook /Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 / Brookfield Police Department Facebook /Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





BROOKFIELD  Police are seeking the publics help in finding a woman who might have stolen license plates.

The woman was seen driving a Dodge, but the license plate on the car was reported stolen and do not match the Dodge, according to police.
Seniors in Danbury-area towns are urging officials to consider how potential tax hikes next year would affect them, arguing that current tax relief policies for seniors are not enough to help those living on a fixed income.

The tax burden on seniors was brought up during recent budget hearings in at least four towns  Ridgefield, Brookfield, New Milford and Redding. Seniors in some towns asked officials to keep tax increases down to lessen their impact on the elderly, but many in Ridgefield and Redding specifically asked for help with their tax bills.

In Ridgefield, a group of about 65 seniors calling themselves the OWLS, or the Older Wiser Lively Set, proposed three changes in the towns tax relief plan to give elderly taxpayers more help.

OWLS President John Fisher said the changes would bring the tax benefits more in line with the cost of living in town.

Social Security hasnt gone up very much in a long time, so what we in the senior community are faced with is an ever-increasing cost of living, Fisher said. Our incomes are not at all keeping up with that. Over time, the gap becomes greater.

Under state statute, towns can set up their own tax relief plans for elderly and disabled residents, who are also eligible to apply for state relief programs.

Ridgefields program gives qualifying seniors a $1,048 tax benefit per household and offers up to 100 percent deferral of taxes for those making $55,000 or less. The OWLS plan would raise the per-household benefit to $1,200, freeze taxes for those over 75 and raise the maximum for deferral to $65,000.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi said the town is reviewing how much the changes would cost, but that the proposal came too late to be made part of next years budget, which will head to voters in May. He added that most town officials believe next years budget is too tight in any case to implement the ideas immediately.

Officials will explore whether any of the changes are possible for the 2019-20 budget, he said.

There wasnt enough time to run those numbers this year, Marconi said. (But)the Board of Finance suggested the Board of Selectmen take into consideration a review of the current senior tax credit program and see if we can figure it out.

The tax relief program is also under review in Bethel, where officials created an Elderly Tax Abatement Commission in 2016 to review the benefits. The town now reduces qualifying residents tax bills by 10 to 75 percent based on income levels.

Tax Collector Ann Scacco said the commission has not yet decided whether to change Bethels plan. She added that a more recent concern has become a lack of funding for the state program.

This years state budget eliminated the requirement that the state reimburse towns for seniors who participate in Connecticuts elderly relief program. Scacco said this could affect what Bethel is able to offer, since it will now have to pick up the state cost in addition to its own plan.

Seniors across the area were also quick to recognize the role state finances have played in increasing the tax burden.

Jeff McBreairty, a senior in New Milford, said he recognizes that the town struggled to craft next years budget because it will receive at least $3 million less in state funding.

The proposed town and school budget will increase spending by just $702,000 over this year and will use $1.1 million of the towns undesignated fund to keep taxes down. But because of the lack of state funding, the tax rate will still go up 3.87 percent.

More Information Town-by-Town Elderly Tax Relief Programs* Bethel: $48,000 income maximum; benefit 10 to 75 percent of tax bill based on income Brookfield: $49,420 single and $60,200 married income maximum; up to 75 percent benefit calculated annually based on mill rate, property assessment, other benefits Danbury: $44,100 single and $51,600 married income maximum; benefit $450 single and $600 married New Fairfield: $36,000 income maximum; deferral program for up to 50 percent of taxes New Milford: $35,200 single and married $42,900 income maximum calculated including only half of social security; benefit $960 the first year, recalculated following years based on mill rate, income and other benefits Newtown: $70,000 income maximum; benefit $800 to $2,525 based on income Redding: No income requirement; benefit calculated annually based on mill rate Ridgefield: No income requirement; $1,048 benefit per household; deferral program for household income less than $55,000 *All for residents 65 years and older, with restrictions surrounding amount of time lived in town; numbers based on most recent data See More Collapse

Thats 3.87 percent I dont have, McBreairty said. Its going to get to the point where I wont be able to live in this town anymore, and thats a shame. Ive been living here for 54 years.

McBreairty said he receives disability and veterans benefits, but still struggles to pay his taxes. He might look into advocating for more senior benefits should taxes continue to go up, McBreairty said.

Another senior, Carmine Rositano, of Brookfield, said he isnt too hopeful that elderly tax relief plans will be improved at either the town or state level because both are dealing with strained finances. Rositano said he himself doesnt qualify for the towns tax relief program, but thinks it doesnt do much for those that do.

He instead has pressed town officials to decrease spending so seniors arent forced to move. Should the 2018-19 proposal to raise taxes by 5.64 percent be approved, he said, taxes in Brookfield will have gone up 13 percent over the last three years.

Social Security has increased by only 2.5 percent in the same time period, Rositano said. He added that he will need to dip into his savings to pay his taxes next year, as he did this year, should the 5.64 percent increase be approved.

It is rather difficult for the senior citizens to keep funding Brookfield at the pace that it is going, Rositano said. A lot of the increase has to do with reduced funding (from the state). The state is in a fiscal bind, the towns are in a fiscal bind, and theyre passing it all on to their citizens.

aquinn@newstimes.com
The media loves a good labor stoppage. The nonstop coverage of teacher demonstrations in West Virginia earlier this year and now in Oklahoma and Kentucky proves it.

But these walkouts are more than publicity stunts. Public school teachers have enormous bargaining power, and some of the lowest paid have clearly realized it. Just as happened in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, the price of peace will come from treating teachers like the important professionals they are.

Labor strikes are high drama. Services shut down and employers are forced to take action that had been unthinkable before: Either bend to workers' demands or try to find other ways to keep operations going (for instance, finding replacements willing to cross a picket line).

The fact that teachers - whom we rely on to instill morals in our children in addition to instructing them how to read, write and do arithmetic - walk off the job, doing so illegally, makes a teacher strike even more fascinating.

Striking teachers present a special problem. Kids can't go to school when teachers are out, causing immediate inconvenience to parents. Indeed, there's no other time like a strike for us to realize what an important yet unnoticed child-care subsidy that schools represent. But employers have few options other than to bargain when teachers are united. Oklahoma can't replace 40,000 teachers any more than West Virginia can replace 20,000.

It is only in the past 30 years, however, that the teacher strikes we see today have become so exceptional. Strikes by teachers in the 1960s, '70s, and early '80s could be measured annually by the dozens, not by the handful.

Although statewide strikes were infrequent, there were numerous strikes in school districts across the United States during this era, sometimes affecting millions of students at a time. In 1967, for example, there were more than 100 teacher strikes in the United States. And in the 1975-1976 school year, there were more than 200, with more than 100 in September alone, including in New York City, Boston and Chicago.

The causes of these strikes were similar in many cases to what we are witnessing today. In the 1960s and '70s, teachers across the country fought hard for basic respect and for better conditions for their students through decent salaries, increased preparation time and lower class sizes.

Disinvestment in public education in many states since 2008 has led to conditions that look very much like the conditions under which teachers worked in the era before collective bargaining began in the 1960s. In those days, many teachers faced deplorable salaries, had limited due process rights and in some places could still be fired for getting pregnant.

Still, there is one crucial difference between the two eras of teacher strikes. Back in the 1960s and '70s, more Americans could get decent jobs without a college degree and even without a high school degree. And back then, the percentage of workers in blue-collar jobs who were covered by union contracts was much higher. A much larger percentage of Americans without a college education could enjoy a living wage and look forward to retirement with dignity.

But globalization, deindustrialization and political pressure from the right against unionization has eroded these possibilities for many Americans. If there is anything on which Republicans and Democrats can find some agreement these days, it is the significance of education in ensuring American workers can develop the human capital to compete in a global marketplace.

Given the vital economic significance Americans have placed on education, teachers may be more powerful now than ever before. They cannot be outsourced, and neither free-trade deals geared toward corporate interests nor digital technology can render them obsolete. It's quite possible that striking teachers across the country represent the beginning of a trend in which the ordinary people who keep our education system - and our economy - running realize just how much power they have.

- - -

Shelton is an assistant professor at University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He is author of "Teacher Strike! Public Education and the Making of a New American Political Order."
SMITHS FALLS, ON and PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 15, 2018 Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has signed definitive agreements to acquire Annabis Medical s.r.o ("Annabis Medical"), expanding the Company's focus into another emerging medical cannabis market. This transaction is scheduled to close Monday, April 16, 2018.

Annabis Medical is the leader in the Czech Republic's medical cannabis industry and currently imports and distributes cannabis products pursuant to federal Czech licenses, with products for sale through pharmacy channels across the Czech Republic. Its founder and CEO, Dr. Robin Kazik, will continue to lead and grow the Czech subsidiary as part of the larger Canopy Growth family.

"This acquisition is another example of our commitment to expanding Canopy's European presence and furthering our position of leadership," said Mark Zekulin, President, Canopy Growth. "We look forward to supplying Czech customers with our high quality, GMP-produced medical cannabis products, and providing further resources to support education for Czech pharmacists, patients and healthcare practitioners."

By combining Canopy Growth's extensive global experience and network with the strong national position of Annabis Medical, Canopy is proud to bring its renowned Spectrum Cannabis brand to another European market.

"With a strong footprint and established distribution network in the Czech medical cannabis market, as well as a history of importing Canadian cannabis, we are excited to join the Canopy Growth family. This move will allow us to more rapidly diversify our product offering and strengthen our access to supply as we scale in the market,'' said Dr. Robin Kazik, Founder and CEO of Annabis Medical.

The acquisition of Annabis Medical will build on Canopy Growth's position of leadership in the European medical cannabis space and follows the recent partnership and supply agreement with Spanish pharmaceutical leader Alcaliber S.A. Additionally, Canopy Growth currently supplies the German market through its subsidiary, Spektrum Cannabis GmbH, and has formed a partnership, Spectrum Cannabis Denmark ApS, which is licensed to cultivate cannabis in a 40,000 square meter greenhouse production facility located in Odense, Denmark. These assets, combined with Canopy Growth's unparalleled Canadian production and sales platforms, represent the world's largest and most diversified cannabis platform.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will issue Dr. Kazik 50,735 common shares in the capital of the Company valued at $1,491,882.70 on closing and, subject to meeting certain milestones, will issue up to an additional 34,758 common shares valued at $1,022,080.00, based on the 5 day VWAP of $29.40519 on April 5, 2018. The total value of the consideration payable under the terms of the agreement is approximately $2,513,962.70. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Pro budouci rust! (Here's to Future Growth.)

About Canopy Growth Corporation

Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time.

Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eight cannabis production sites with over 2.4 million square feet of production capacity, including over 500,000 square feet of GMP-certified production space. The Company has operations in seven countries across four continents. The Company is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and through its partly owned subsidiary, Canopy Health Innovations, has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers Corporation, the Company is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com.

About Annabis Medical s.r.o

Annabis Medical s.r.o is a medical cannabis distributor based in the Czech Republic and has, directly or through its affiliates, held medical cannabis licences since 2014. Distribution of medical cannabis began in 2015 and the company has previously worked with Office of Medicinal Cannabis from the Netherlands and also imported medical cannabis from Canada. Sister company Annabis, s.r.o. is the producer of hemp organics cosmetics and is not involved in transaction.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth, its subsidiaries, or Annabis Medical to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include the closing of the acquisition of Annabis Medical, the ongoing involvement of Dr. Kazik in the operation of Annabis Medical, the expansion of the Company's European operations, the market position of the Company and Annabis Medical and the diversification of Annabis Medical's product offerings and its access to supply. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with: closing the acquisition of Annabis Medical, including the satisfaction of any conditions precedent, obtaining export and import permits; changes in the laws governing the Company's operations, both domestically and internationally; the integration of newly acquired subsidiaries; operating in emerging markets; regulatory and stock exchange approvals; and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 28, 2017 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation

For further information: Jordan Sinclair, Director of Communications, [email protected], 613-769-4196; Investor Relations: Tyler Burns, [email protected], 855-558-9333 ex 122; Director: Bruce Linton, [email protected]

Related Links

http://canopygrowth.com/


The United States has been able to lead in military technology for decades with DARPA research.

DARPA and ARPA helped with the creation of

* the internet

* GPS (global positioning system)

* stealth fighters

* antimissile systems

* M16

* stealth fighters

There was research and development beyond DARPA with the Lockheed Skunkworks.

DARPAs goal was to help prevent the USA from facing Sputnik situations. This is where the USA was surprised by Russia and other nations getting ahead with military capabilities.

There are now two problems that the USA is facing.

1. The US has massive cost overruns and delays on military projects and procurements. The F-35, new submarines and new aircraft carriers are all costing 2 to 5 times more than previous versions of those weapon systems. The US is having delayed and failed developments of new military technology. The Electromagnetic launching system in the new Ford aircraft are costing far more and having years of delays.

The US used to be able to develop and successfully implement groundbreaking military technology like the SR-71 Blackbird.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. It has sustained speeds of over mach 3.2. Each one cost $32 million. It was the first operational aircraft designed around a stealth aircraft shape and materials.

24 December 1957: First J58 engine run

1 May 1960: Francis Gary Powers is shot down in a Lockheed U-2 over the Soviet Union

13 June 1962: SR-71 mock-up reviewed by the Air Force

30 July 1962: J58 completes pre-flight testing

28 December 1962: Lockheed signs contract to build six SR-71 aircraft

25 July 1964: President Johnson makes public announcement of SR-71

29 October 1964: SR-71 prototype (AF Ser. No. 61-7950) delivered to Air Force Plant 42 at Palmdale, California

7 December 1964: Beale AFB, CA, announced as base for SR-71

22 December 1964: First flight of the SR-71, with Lockheed test pilot Robert J Bob Gilliland at Palmdale

3 December 1975: First flight of SR-71A (AF Ser. No. 61-7959) in big tail configuration

2728 July 1976: SR-71A sets speed and altitude records (altitude in horizontal flight: 85,068.997 ft (25,929.030 m) and speed over a straight course: 2,193.167 miles per hour (3,529.560 km/h))

15 January 1982: SR-71B, AF Ser. No. 61-7956, flies its 1,000th sortie

The SR-71 was introduced in 1966 and flown until 1998 by the air force and 1999 by NASA.

The SR-71 had major modifications throughout.

The traditional US rocket development has failed to develop new rockets for decades. Elon Musk and SpaceX have shown that rapid technology development and implementation is possible. This will be discussed further in the next article.

2. China has implemented metamaterials for enemy radar absorption and improved active radar. China has deployed a railgun to a navy ship before the United States. China will have an operational hypersonic missile before the USA. China is making large investments in artificial intelligence, quantum computer and other quantum technology.

These show that China is competitive with the USA in science and technology for military systems.

China is able to build and upgrade and incorporate the new technology with more flexibility and speed than the US is currently able. The US used to be able to be faster and more flexible. The US was first with long range bombers, nuclear bombs, the spyplane, precision-guided weapons and many more.

China has developed the teams and systems for military technology surprise

Chinas new stealth fighter jet J-20 project has helped with four major goals:

1. Obtaining a new-generation of fighter jet that meets objectives of stealth and other performance

2. Leading technological development. For example the canard structure with satisfactory invisibility and strong supersonic maneuverability that enlarges J-20 range and load. In addition lots of breakthroughs have been made in various aspects including situational awareness, information confrontation and combat coordination. China has switched from catching up to leading technology development in its aviation industry.

3. Creating a new R and D system. Through the development of J-20, Y-20, J-15, Kunlong-600 amphibious plane, etc., China has developed a paper-free digital R and D system to shorten the development cycle and improve quality. The system also incorporates cooperation between military and civilian industries. For example the carbon fiber and other conforming materials are developed by civilian enterprises.

4. The establishment of excellent research teams. In the course of the development of J-20, China has trained lots of young research and development teams.

China has the systems for rapidly designing and implementing technological surprises.
China is continuing to upgrade the J-20 stealth fighter with a higher thrust engine and new electronic equipment and radars.

China is mass-producing metamaterials for the J-20 stealth fighter.

Metamaterial antennas can increase radiated power, resulting in longer-range and more precise radar, as well as powerful jammers and datalinks. In turn, by fine-tuning their structures, metamaterial absorbers can be engineered to absorb specific wavelength ranges, such as those from the radars of enemy fighters and missiles. Such absorbers would likely be put on areas likely to reflect radar waves, such as the edges of canards, weapon bay doors, and engine nozzles.

China is developing new J-20 variants and has begun research on a sixth-generation fighter. J-20 chief designer Yang Wei said that China will develop a large family of J-20s to give play to its various advantages.

There will be more surprises in future fighter jets, which will be more mechanized, information-equipped and smarter, Yang said.

The surprises include progress on the research of Chinas next generation of stealth fighters, which is expected to make China no longer a follower, but a leader in the development of stealth fighters.



Mass produced metamaterials
Amid the astounding piles of clutter in the office of New Haven Public Defender Thomas Ullmann, I could almost make out on the wall a depiction of a muscular man laboring to push a gigantic rock up a mountain.

Thats Sisyphus, a character in Greek mythology who was condemned by the gods to spend eternity rolling a boulder up a hill, then watch it roll back down again and again.

I kept him near my desk during the Hayes trial, Ullmann said, referring to Steven J. Hayes, whom Ullmann defended during Hayes trial in 2010 for murdering Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17. The infamous case became known around the world as the Cheshire homicides.

Ullmann said Sisyphus represented my burden and the burden the defendant faced.

Ullmann readily acknowledged, as he always has done, how horrible were Hayes acts. But Ullmann also stressed how imperative it is in American courtrooms that everyone have a fair trial with first-rate attorneys.

Since the day I interviewed Ullmann two weeks ago, Sisyphus has been taken down and moved to Ullmanns New Haven home or perhaps discarded. After 32 years with the New Haven Public Defenders Office, which handles the many defendants who are too indigent to hire private attorneys, Ullmann retired last Thursday. He has headed the office since 1992.

Ullmann, 67, related Sisyphus daily struggle to his own task, with co-counsel Patrick Culligan, of representing Hayes, one of the most despised men in Connecticut. The two attorneys also had to contend with relentless media coverage, which confirmed the belief by most people that Hayes and co-defendant Joshua Komisarjevsky deserved to be executed. Both of them were found guilty by separate juries, who then ruled they should receive the death penalty rather than life in prison. The Connecticut Supreme Court later ruled the death penalty is unconstitutional; the two men are now serving life sentences with no possibility of release.

Recalling how a TV camera crew tracked him from Willoughbys coffee shop to the courthouse every day of the three-month Hayes trial, Ullmann said, It was something Id never encountered before, even with the other high-profile cases Ive had.

And with that media coverage came death threats. The most serious and substantive one came in an on-line comment to the Hartford Courant. Ullmann can still remember the words, which he recited: Ullmann, you dirt bag: I know where you and your family live. Ill be seeing you.

Ullmann contacted the State Police, who were able to trace the anonymous comment to a man who apparently had no intention of carrying out his threat. He wrote Ullmann a long letter of apology.

As the New Haven Registers courts reporter, I covered every day of the Hayes trial and was impressed by the dignity under fire of Ullmann, Culligan and their adversaries, New Haven States Attorney Michael Dearington and Senior Assistant States Attorney Gary Nicholson.

I never saw Ullmann lose his composure. But he told me he struggled mightily to control his emotions while Hayes death sentence was affirmed one-by-one in a courtroom polling of the 12 jurors. Each juror had to answer yes to every one of the many convicted counts, including the assault on Dr. William Petit Jr., who managed to break free and escape from his home shortly before it was consumed by flames.

That hour and 10 minutes of reading the death counts was one of the worst ordeals Ive ever experienced, Ullmann said. Hayes was trying to console me while it was going on.

Ullmann said he hadnt been surprised by the jurors convicting Hayes. But he was taken aback by the death penalty verdict.

As a trial lawyer, if youre doing your job correctly and love your job, you become convinced you should prevail, Ullmann said. Pat Culligan and I felt wed put up enough mitigating factors (Hayes upbringing, etc.) that he should have gotten life in prison, no matter how horrifying the crimes.

Ullmann said that until the death penalty was abolished in Connecticut and the 11 men on Death Row were spared, he was haunted by the possibility of Hayes being executed if his legal appeals failed. It was something you may have been able to prevent and didnt. Youre continually asking yourself questions about whether you used the right strategy, which witnesses you called upon. Trial lawyers think about these questions in their sleep.

When you have someones life in your hands, no matter what they may have done, Ullmann noted, thats an incredible burden: trying to save another human beings life.

But he added, Thats a constitutional imperative. And so to be saddled with that is an honor and a privilege. Its part of the heritage we have in this country. I take it very seriously and personally.

Ullmanns wife, Diana Pacetta-Ullmann, had seen the toll it took on Ullmann when he defended Jonathan Mills. In 2000, Mills stabbed to death his former aunt, Katherine Kleinkauf, and her two children, Rachael Crum, 6, and Kyle Redway, 4, in their Guilford home. He also strangled Mindy Leigh, 20, at the Guilford Fairgrounds. A jury in 2004 convicted Mills on many counts but Ullmann convinced them not to have him sentenced to death. Instead, the verdict was life in prison.

I spent four years on that case and got very close to him, Ullmann said. She watched me go through that.

And so she tried to persuade him not to take on the Hayes case.

During one of those lengthy discussions in their kitchen, Ullmann told his wife: Im an outspoken death penalty opponent in the community. What would it look like if I didnt take this case?

Ullmann recalled their elder son, Jesse, settled the issue when he walked into the kitchen and quoted a character, Hyman Roth, from the movie The Godfather: Part II: This is the business weve chosen

But many people cant understand why Ullmann does it. Often he is asked: How can you represent those people?

When I raised this question, Ullmann replied: Im someone who was affected by the civil rights and anti-war movements when I was young. I made a commitment to myself: I wanted to represent people when the government was coming against them. We try to change the directions of their lives, get them treatment, support and services. And we want to get people who havent committed crimes (but stand accused) out of the clutches of the system.

Ullmann usually tells somebody who asks him how he justifies his job: You never know when you or somebody in your family could be the subject of a criminal accusation.

The professionals in the legal system Ullmann has encountered, even his courtroom opponents, respect him. Dearington, now retired, said: He was an excellent trial lawyer, always well-prepared. It was always a challenge trying a case against him.

Senior Assistant Public Defender Beth A. Merkin, said, He was the lawyer that you always wanted to try to be, a very strong role model for all of us. Hes very passionate about his clients and the principles of law we all strive to make work.

Ullmann said he still loves his work and will miss it tremendously. But 2 1/2 years ago, he decided he would retire this year.

At that time in 2015, a close friend of mine got sick out of the blue and passed away within three months. Im leaving before something catastrophic happens. I have a lot of things I want to do: hiking, kayaking, traveling with my wife, seeing our sons.

Contact Randall Beach at rbeach@nhregister.com or 203-680-9345.
Plenty can happen in 15 years. Thats why Regina Taylor seized the opportunity to scroll up Crowns, her play about the unique relationship that African-Americans share with the hats they wear to church.

Crowns, which starts performances April 18 at Long Wharf Theatre, was quite successful when it premiered at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey (and subsequently produced at Hartford Stage Company during its 2004-5 season). It galvanized Taylors national reputation as a playwright, having already enjoyed success as a performer on stage, in film and TV.

Yet Taylor, today one of the most produced dramatists at Chicagos Goodman Theatre where she is an artistic associate, simply couldnt leave well enough alone when Emily Mann, artistic director at the McCarter then and now, suggested that Taylor revise Crowns for its co-production with Long Wharf.

I thought it was a great opportunity  to take a look at it, in terms of where we are right now, said Taylor, who directs Crowns, which begins preview performances April 18 and officially opens at Long Wharf April 25.

Taylors revised version unfolds through the perspective of 17-year-old Yolanda (Gabrielle Beckford), who is sent from Chicago to live with her grandmother in South Carolina after her brother has been shot to death.

At first, Yolanda thinks that she has nothing in common with these hat queens, said Taylor, meaning woman owning at least 100 hats. But as they start telling their stories that are tucked under the brim of these hats about weddings, funerals, baptisms, these markers in a life, these cycles that we all go through in life, she finds that she has everything in common with them. They baptize her in history in order to let her find her own unique path in this world.

That storyline is, unfortunately, still very timely, very immediate, said Taylor, who derived her play from Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberrys popular coffee table book of the same title. Before, it was (from) the perspective of these ladies and how they moved her.

Taylor invited composers Jaret Landon, Diedre Murray and Chesney Snow to weave gospel, soul and hip-hop into her uplifting story.

Taylor said she instantly recognized the characters when Mann sent her the galleys of Crowns before its publication.

I was so struck because I know each and every one these ladies, even if I never met them, Taylor said. Theyre from Darlington  Im from Dallas, but I know each and every one of them because they are the women that helped to raise me, the women of my community as I was growing up.

I knew hat queens. Though at the time I was gifted with this project, I knew very little about the history, the tradition, of African-American women wearing hats to church, she said. I had to research this idea of adorning oneself for worship, which is something that crossed over the ocean from Africa into this new land, that survived through slavery: that this is an adornment to display that spirit. I had to learn about that in starting to even figure out how I would enter creating this piece.

When I was telling my mother about this project, she took me through her closet, Taylor said. She wasnt a hat queen (in) that she didnt own over 100 hats, but she owned a lot of hats. We spent that afternoon into the evening with her telling me the story of each and every one of her hats and each hat had many stories, these markers in her life. And I made discoveries about my mother, things I never knew about her. She was telling me these stories upon stories about her history, those things that were important to her, those events that may have changed her. And I was going, Ohhh, thats what its about!

Taylor said she treated herself to her first crown at her plays premiere at The McCarter 15 years ago.

I remember that hat very well, she said. I thought it was quite splendid, and represented who I thought I was. It was a black felt hat with a wide brim, iridescent feathers that moved when I moved. It was the first hat I ever bought and that was also the hat I wore to my mothers funeral. So it started collecting. I have several hats now as I collected hats along the way with the many openings of Crowns, where people have gifted me with hats, as well as those hats that I have bought.

Still basking in the glow of the warm and raucous reception that her newly shaped Crowns received at The McCarter, Taylor said that the greatest pleasure she takes from her renewed endeavor is the performances.

Each of the individuals on that stage is amazing, said Taylor, whose play runs through May 13 at Long Wharf. They give their hearts to this piece, to their characters. They are real flesh and blood with great, great spirits, deep spirits. I am moved each and every time I see them, I experience them, I witness them. The piece is joyful. It is about endurance. It is about community. It is about how you move on, even through dark times, to be able to underline that in this production and to have it be joy-filled. I am very happy about that, and also that it is about bringing communities together, no matter what race, to have this inter-generational gathering point of experience and discussion.

I think certainly my mission has been to be able to reinvestigate this piece in terms of where we are at this present moment, with looking at our youth, reclaiming that youth, she said. They are the ones that are going to continue on and be shamelessly hopeful in what their future might hold.

E. Kyle Minor is the New Haven Register theater critic.
When Congress Too launched in November, inspired by the viral Me Too movement, it took off quicker than any of its founders could have imagined.

Travis Moore and Kristin Nicholson, co-founders of the group and former Capitol Hill staffers, assumed theyd get maybe 300 signatures on a letter to Congress calling for sweeping reforms to the way sexual harassment and abuse is handled in legislative offices.

More than 1,500 people  all former Capitol Hill staffers  signed the letter.

The response was universal and emphatic, Moore said. Its an open secret that harassment and abuse are just part of the job on Capitol Hill. That response really speaks to the pervasiveness of the problem.

I was pretty surprised by the overwhelming interest and support from former staffers, Nicholson said. People who signed that worked back in the 1960s and were still talking about this as a problem.

The letter, along with one signed by all 22 female Senators, resulted in a few quick changes.

Mandatory training

On Nov. 9, the Senate agreed to require all Senators, staff members and interns to take mandatory sexual harassment and assault training within 60 days. Training must be repeated at least once every two years, and all Senate offices are required to post publicly via the Secretary of the Senate website when their members have undergone training.

On Dec. 19, the House passed a resolution requiring the Committee on House Administration to issue regulations mandating Members, officers and employees of the House complete anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training during each congressional session. Training must be certified within 90 days after a congressional session begins.

House offices must prominently post a statement of rights and protections under the Congressional Accountability Act.

The House also passed reform legislation for the Congressional Accountability Act in February. The legislation, which is more comprehensive and binding than a resolution, which only affects one legislative branch, has several key components, like barring sexual relationships between employees and establishing a process for filing complaints.

That bill has been sitting in the Senate ever since, waiting for action. Moore and Nicholson expect the Senate to make changes, because thats how these things work, and theyd hoped it would be grouped in with the Omnibus Spending Bill, but it wasnt.

So they wrote another letter, this time garnering more than 1,300 signatures, in part due to renewed attention to the group after Anna Kain, a founding member of Congress Too, went public with her story of the abuse she endured at the hands of Rep. Elizabeth Estys former Chief of Staff Tony Baker.

Shes been a great active participant in the work weve been doing, Nicholson said. When we saw her story come out, that was an inspiration to keep doing the work that were doing and see what we can do to push these reforms along.

More Information Summary of House-Passed Reform Legislation (H.Res. 724 and HR 4924): Changes in H. Res. 724 (with immediate effect): Requires all House offices to adopt an anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy. Establishes the Office of Employee Advocacy to operate an employee hotline and provide legal assistance to House employees regarding CAA procedures. Prohibits the use of the Members' Representational Allowance for CAA awards or settlements. Prohibits Members, officers, or employees from committing sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual advances, and prohibits sexual relationships between Members and employees (unless married). Bars the Office of Congressional Ethics from investigating a violation of CAA rights and protections if the employee initiates proceedings under CAA dispute-resolution procedures. See More Collapse

(The second letter) was a combination of the Senate not acting and then Anna telling us her story, Moore said. We were horrified by it. It speaks to how much is wrong with the current system. We said we should do another letter ... and another 1,300 staffers have signed on. Its to try and keep the momentum so that this doesnt just get forgotten as Congress is apt to do on these things.

Mission above all

But the changes theyre urging in legislative offices arent just about providing a process for recourse in cases of abuse, Moore said.

Ultimately, Congress Too is about changing a deeply ingrained culture that allows the abuse to happen in the first place.

When people sign up to work on the Hill, they fight tooth and nail to get jobs in Congress because they believe deeply in the work, Moore said. They are extremely passionate and staffers sacrifice their personal life in pursuit of the mission, with great loyalty to the member and the mission. That is a huge part of the challenge here. Staffers feel obligated in many cases to put mission above all else.

As a result, staffers like Kain dont come forward until long after the abuse has occurred, and even while its occurring, they dont know where to turn or what the process is for addressing the issue.

Thats really tough and its why coming forward can be so challenging because if youve got a colleague or youre working for a member that has done inappropriate things and you come publicly to talk about that, its hard not to feel like you might be undercutting the mission, Moore said. Its an extraordinarily difficult and complex challenge. And its very much why more people I think have not come forward ... as a staffer, youre told to not ever talk to the press. Fullstop. That so many people are willing to go on the record and say that the system is broken, speaks to the gravity of this issue.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
DERBYWeeks of hope, fear and speculation came to an end when a federal bankruptcy judge authorized the closing of Birmingham Health Center on Chatfield Street.

This is sadsad for the residents who have to be moved to a new facility and sad for the employees who have to find new jobs, said Mayor Richard Dziekan. Ive contacted our state legislators about setting up a job fair.

Dziekan said he was told that the 88 residents will be moved to facilities within 5 miles.

That means Shelton where there are four facilitiesShelton Lakes Health Care Center on Lake Road which has 59 beds; Hewitt Health and Rehabilitation Center on Maltby Street which has 206 beds and Gardner Heights Health Care Center on Rocky Rest Road which has 130 beds. The fourth is Bishop Wicke on Long Hill Avenue which has 120 beds but offers only short-term care. Lord Chamberlain in Stratford and Shady Knoll in Seymour are within a 10 miles radius.

Lydia Douglas of Ansonia was not one to wait for her 89-year-old mother to be reassigned. Late Friday afternoon she was moving her mother to a new facility.

Her roommate from here is already there, said Douglas. Theyre best friends. Both families felt they should stay together.

Douglas said her mother is in excellent physical health but suffers from slight dementia.

Meanwhile Delia Fortier has not made any plans to move her husband, Robert, who suffers from numerous medical issues.

This is a shame, she said of the closing. Its so close to the ( Griffin) hospital and his doctors. The staff is great here, the aides are nice. We never had a problem. This is upsetting.

The patient moves will be coordinated by the state Department of Public Health and Department of Social Services.

Several employees who declined to give their names said they were sad to see the facility close. Two had worked at Hilltop Health Care on Ansonias Ford Street which was also owned by Spectrum. It closed in 2013 leaving 100 employees without jobs and 84 residents seeking new homes.

One employee said she was thankful she had another part-time job at a Milford nursing home. But Im still going to miss the money, she said. I was just getting to know the residents.

Doug Melanson, Birminghams administrator referred all comment to Sean Murphy, a Spectrum official in Vernon who is handling inquiries. Murphy did not return calls for comment.

Birmingham, once known as Derby Nursing Home is the third Valley facility to close in recent years because of financial problems. In addition to Hilltop, which was once known as Mariner, Marshall Lane Manor closed in 2015 left 90 employees looking for work and 99 residents transferred to new facility.

Its all about dollars and cents, said Anthony Simonetti, whose family built and operated Marshall Lane Manor for 50 years. I thought they were going to close last year...My guess is youll see three or four closings every year.

And no new ones are being built since the state imposed a moratium on licensing in October, 1994,

He said it is financially difficult to operate a long-term facility with a large number of Title 19 patients because of a lack of increase in state funding.

The new model today is to send people home with help or move them into a group facility, said Simonetti, whose Marshall Lane Manor was respected for the care it offered.

Simonetti said he often visited Birmingham where a friend was and found the staff very nice and friendly. I cant say enough about the good care he received.

In January Simonetti and his family sold Marshall Lane Manor for $450,000 and is being converted by Apex International Education Partners into a dormitory. The plan for at least 30 high school students from China and as many as 110 in the future to live there while attending private Catholic high schools here.

Theyre putting millions in renovations in, he said. Its going to look like a Class A hotel when theyre done.
When Anna Kain told her story  the one about how she was abused and threatened as a staffer in U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Estys office  she knew there might be backlash.

She knew there might be questions, calls for Estys resignation and a media firestorm.

But Kain said she did not tell her story for revenge or to finally get the help she never received. She did not tell her story to end the political career of a promising congresswoman and the man who abused her.

And she did not tell her story for the apologies.

Kain, 29, saw the movement she had silently helped start come to a screeching halt  and knew she could not stay quiet.

The ultimate reason I came forward is because theres a huge problem on Capitol Hill, Kain said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media. There was all of this momentum but then it stalled and not much was actually done. It seemed to me that the only thing that really motivates lawmakers and keeps the national conversation going is stories like mine being shared.

Kain is a founding member of Congress Too, a group of former Capitol Hill staffers pushing for sweeping reforms of the way sexual harassment and abuse is handled in legislative offices. Founded in November, on the heels of the Me Too movement in Hollywood and long before Kain ever went public with her story, the group has penned letters to both the House of Representatives and, last week, the Senate, urging them to pass legislation that would do just that.

The November letter garnered more than 1,500 signatures of support from former Capitol Hill staffers, and ultimately the legislation passed in the House. But that was two months ago, and its been sitting in the Senate ever since.

So Kain came forward. She told the story of how she was abused for months when Estys former Chief of Staff Tony Baker became her boss, about ultimately being punched and threatened with death by Baker, and about how too little was done far too late.

This isnt just a statistic about the prevalence of harassment in congressional offices, Kain said. It was my way of saying that this not only really happens, but heres exactly what happens and how and why this system failed.

The letter to the Senate, which Kain signed and publicly promoted on her Facebook page after her story was published, closed earlier this week with more than 1,300 additional signatures. In the aftermath of Kains story, dozens of people with experiences just like hers reached out, proving what shed always known  that shes not the only one.

Right now Im interested in focusing on the need for reform of the system that failed me and continues to fail staffers when they need it most, Kain said. Congress Too and this letter to the Senate has been one actionable step that I could take both by signing and helping promote it.

Kain is done rehashing the details of what was or wasnt done in her office. She has no interest in being the face of the story  and she has no inclination to comment on Estys decision not to run for re-election in November. Because for Kain, her part of the story has been told and its not about one office and one incident of abuse.

Its about a culture so pervasive and so ingrained on Capitol Hill that she, as a 24-year-old in her first professional job, thought thats what being an adult was supposed to be like. And when she realized it wasnt, had no idea where to turn.

I didnt even know that the Office of Compliance even existed during the entire time that I worked on the Hill, Kain said. And I looked numerous times to try when it was really bad in the office, desperately in search of someplace to go and someone to talk with about this. I didnt find anything. The only thing that seemed evident was the Ethics Committee, and it was really clear to me when I did look them up, its not the equivalent of an HR.

Theres an obvious hierarchy on Capitol Hill  from interns to the most senior level staffers and elected officials  that creates a power dynamic unlike almost any other industry, Kain said.

Theres also a whispered but unwritten rule across all Congressional offices: dont do anything or bring in any personal business that could reflect poorly on your elected official. And definitely dont burden that person with cries for help.

Its the kind of combined power structure and mentality where abuse can thrive, and the reason Kain waited months to tell anyone in her office, and years to tell the public.

I think a lot of women are inclined to de-escalate, Kain said. I just thought, Maybe this is what its like to be an adult at work and I just needed to toughen up. It just didnt seem worthy of bringing it up. I think the events of May 5, 2016, were quite literally what scared me into being forced to realize all of that.

Esty said she only learned of Bakers abusive relationship with Kain after that alcohol-fueled gathering in May that he organized to celebrate his 10th year of working on Capitol Hill. Baker got drunk and texted or called Kain about 50 times, and he threatened to find her and kill her.

It was obvious from the time she was hired, Kain said, that preventing personal conflicts and offering resources for staffers whove experienced workplace harassment and abuse was not a priority in any legislative office, let alone the one where she worked.

We didnt even have like a basic harassment training or anything like that, Kain said. We had a chemical leak training but not a just general workplace harassment training and what is OK and not OK in the most basic sense ... It sends a pretty strong signal about what is important and what is worthy of even having a policy for.

But Kain doesnt work on Capitol Hill anymore. Shes free to tell her story, and along with the thousands of other former staffers, push for the reform to make available the resources she never had.

My hope is that two things come of this, she said. The first is that it contributes in a meaningful way to the national conversation and gets Congress to do something to fix this problem. The second, is that if after all of this, if even one person, working on the Hill reads my story and recognizes that some of the things sound similar to what theyre going through, and because I shared my story, feel compelled to share theirs, I think that will be a success. I cant even honestly fathom how much of a difference it would have made if people were talking about this when I worked there.

Although Esty fired Baker in 2016 after learning about the abuse of Kain, recent revelations about how the congresswoman mishandled the Baker episode ultimately led to calls for her departure.

On April 2, Esty announced she would not seek re-election for a fourth term in Congress.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
Sen. Chris Murphy blasted Fridays U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria, calling the military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime constitutionally illegal and strategically counterproductive.

Murphy and other Democrats from Connecticut said Saturday President Donald Trump should meet with Congress to set a better strategy on Syria, and they called for more humanitarian efforts in the war-torn country.

But the states all-Democratic congressional delegation did not unanimously condemn the bombing.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, while calling for congressional involvement in further military intervention, said the airstrikes were a measured and proportionate response to Assads alleged use of chemical weapons against Syrian people.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro took a position similar to Estys. Murphy and fellow Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, on the other hand, voiced no support for the airstrikes.

U.S. foreign policy today: we bomb your country, helping create a humanitarian nightmare, then we lock you inside, Murphy said Saturday morning on Twitter.

The airstrikes  carried out in what were the early morning hours in Syria by the United States, United Kingdom and France  were targeted on sites linked to a Syrian government chemical weapons program, U.S. officials said. They were in response to what the Trump administration claims was a deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria on April 7, carried out by Assads regime.

We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents, Trump said late Friday in announcing the strikes.

Calls for strategy

But Murphy said the president does not have authorization to take military action against Syria, and he should remember his own views during the last administration when he warned (President Barack) Obama that he could not strike Syria without Congressional permission. The precedent that Trump has set by taking out another large-scale strike without prior public debate should scare every member of Congress and every American.

Blumenthal said the military action lacks a coherent strategy, sending a message without real effect on Assads war capability.

Blumenthal said Trump must go to Congress, and set forth a consistent strategic path forward. Assad should be held accountable  tried and convicted of war crimes.

He called for robust diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts, in Syria.

The Trump Administration has essentially slammed the door in the face of refugees fleeing Assads war crimes, Blumenthal said. Turning our back on children and families desperately seeking refuge is a shameful affront to our shared American values.

Esty was more supportive of the bombing, saying it was a measured and proportionate immediate response to Assads heinous use of chemical weapons against his own people, and I am encouraged that these actions were specifically targeted toward chemical weapon facilities and were carried out in concert with our allies in the United Kingdom and France.

But Esty  who has announced she will not run for re-election in the aftermath of an abuse scandal involving her former chief of staff  said Congress must approve any continued military engagement in Syria.

Having a debate and a vote is the right thing to do for our Constitution and our country. Congress has abdicated this responsibility for far too long, she said. We cant pour resources and risk the lives of our troops in a new military conflict without a clear, comprehensive strategy and full consideration of the long-term ramifications.

Condemning chemicals

DeLauro and Esty agreed the airstrikes were a timely and targeted response to the Assad regimes violation of international law.

DeLauro joined others in the Connecticut delegation in calling for a clear strategy on Syria.

(O)ur country cannot continue to conduct international relations reactively, DeLauro said. Nothing makes that point clearer than the fact that these strikes took place nearly one year to the day from President Trumps last decision to launch airstrikes in Syria following Assads previous chemical attack.

Rep. Jim Himes, whose 4th District is mostly in Connecticuts southwest corner, did not appear to have released a statement on the airstrikes as of mid-afternoon Saturday. He could not be reached for comment.

Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the use of chemical weapons evil, and he compared the situation in Syria to Vietnam.

Time has proven that surgical airstrikes, like the one launched by President Trump last night, have no deterrent effect on Assad, and instead, most likely quicken the pace of his assault on his own people, Murphy said in a statement. President Trump should read up on early days of the Vietnam war, when U.S. leaders were sure that airstrikes, along with a small presence of ground troops, would cause the North Vietnamese to end their assault on the South and come to the negotiating table.

Instead, the bombing campaign escalated the war, drawing our enemy and its sponsors more deeply into the fight, Murphy said. That is what is likely to happen in Syria  a bloodier, more brutal war as a result of continued U.S. half measures.

The senator more broadly criticized U.S. involvement in Syria, saying it has prolonged that countrys civil war.

From the start, under both a Democratic and Republican president, America has pushed back against Assad and supported the forces aligned against him with just enough effort to keep the conflict going but without committing the resources that would ever be necessary to cause the Assad government to fall, Murphy said.
WASHINGTON  The chairman of the Democratic Partys congressional campaign arm said Friday he believes Connecticuts 5th District will stay in party hands, notwithstanding the abrupt decision of incumbent Rep. Elizabeth Esty to withdraw from the race.

I am confident we will hold this seat in Connecticut, said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. This one matters to us. We need to pay very close attention to it.

Esty announced April 2 she would not run for a fourth term after acknowledging mistakes in handling the 2016 exit of her former chief of staff, Tony Baker, who was abusive to her former scheduler, Anna Kain.

Her withdrawal created a vacuum that both Democrats and Republicans in the district are scrambling to fill.

On the Democratic side, Mark Barden and Nicole Hockley, both of whom lost children in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, are contemplating bids to replace Esty. They are co-founders of Sandy Hook Promise, which offers training to teachers, schools, students and community groups on how best to identify and get treatment for troubled youth who may be prone to violence.

I think Nicole and Mark are incredible leaders, not only in the community and the district, but also across America, Lujan said in a briefing for regional reporters based in Washington. I think either one of them would be a very strong candidate to hold that important seat.

Other possible Democratic contenders include Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman.

In her bid for a third term in 2016, Esty won 58 percent of the vote  swamping GOP opponent Clay Cope. But the district as a whole went to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton by a thin margin of just over 50 percent.

Esty herself has said parts of the Naugatuck Valley are a mini rustbelt, having never fully recovered from the decline in American manufacturing.

Republicans insist there is fertile ground there.

This is a toss-up district, said J.R. Romano, chairman of the state Republican Party. This is going to be a very, very interesting congressional race.

Former Meriden Mayor Manny Santos, a Republican, has declared himself a candidate. State Rep. William Petit, R-Plainville, who lost his family in a brutal 2007 home invasion in Cheshire, also is considering a run. Another possible Republican contender is Dan Carter, a Danbury state representative who lost to Sen. Richard Blumenthal in 2016.

Democrats enjoy a registration advantage in the district of eight percentage points. But in the wake of Estys departure, the authoritative Cook Political Report downgraded the district from Solid Democratic to Lean Democratic.

In light of her self-inflicted scandal, Estys exit is probably good news for Democrats chances of holding the seat, said David Wasserman, who monitors House races for the report. But even so, the open seat should draw a much higher caliber Republican into the contest.

As he ticked through many of the 104 races that the DCCC considers competitive, Lujan insisted Democrats were taking nothing for granted.

Nevertheless, with President Donald Trumps favorable-rating percentage hovering in the high 30s-low 40s, we have a national environment that is showing positive indicators that we can win in seats all across the country, said Lujan, whose district covers most of northern New Mexico, including Santa Fe.

Democrats need to turn over 24 Republican seats to win the majority, which political handicappers consider a possibility if Trumps favorability rating does not improve.

dan@hearstdc.com
NEW HAVEN  When Pastor Willie Mae Clayton got the calling in 1993 to start a church, she knew love should be the most important component, and shes been spreading that love around ever since both inside and outside of Christian Love Center Church.

So much love, including food and clothes for the greater community, that the corner where the church is located at Derby Avenue and Mead Street was named in her honor Saturday and formally presented to the congregation after a service of praise to Clayton, whose title is Overseer, and her dedication.

Standing below the Overseer Willie May Clayton Corner sign, Clayton said the corner naming honor was beautiful, and she thanked God.

When we show love, we represent God because God is love. She said God gave her love to give to others. While Clayton founded and led the church, her late husband served as one of the elders.

Clayton, who gives credit to her congregation as well for the churchs success and outreach, was warmly honored by friends and members as a wonderful friend, a person whose love, integrity, sense of community and peace, knows no bounds.

Church Deaconess Mary Conyers-Lewis said that due to Claytons works through the years  and the resultant corner-naming  her name will be remembered on maps, GPS, will cross the lips and minds of those who pass by. That could lead to people finding Claytons name in print, looking her up and reading about her great legacy in the city.

She told them all of it will be found in the official city record. People came to honor Clayton Saturday from as far away as Georgia and Alabama. She came to New Haven from Montgomery, Al.

In addition to leading the church spiritually, Clayton brought compassion to the community at large, her supporters said, by establishing a thriving clothing and food pantry that is open to the public every second and fourth Thursday.

Speaker Annie Lewis, who has known Clayton for more than 40 years going back to when they worked at Pratt & Whitney  where Clayton started a small Bible group  said if her dear friend says shell pray for someone, she will, and if someone is sick, shell visit.

I just love her, Lewis said.

Eunice Tucker, another speaker, said, If theres ever a woman who deserved this, its Clayton. Tucker said the two have been through a lot together and God was always their life support.

Alder Alfreda Edwards, who knows Clayton as a neighbor in the Newhallville area where both live, described Clayton as humble, helpful, a mother to her children and a person who will always tell the truth. Even if they havent always agreed on issues, theyve been there for one another, Edwards said.

Edwards read a proclamation from Mayor Toni Harp at the corner event, as the mayor was unable to attend.

Edwards said there are only a few women in her life besides her mom that she holds dear and respects so highly and Clayton is among them. She said the naming of the corner is overdue.

Love is important in a church, Clayton said.
Images of the first 'Meet your Muslim Neighbor' at the New Haven Islamic Center at 254 Bull Hill Lane in Orange, Saturday, April 14, 2018. The outreach program is an effort to build alliances and create friendships in the community.
Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Managing Editor

Having lived and worked in Indy on and off since 1977, and currently living in Carmel, I've seen the city change a great deal. I love covering the arts in all its forms, and the places where the arts and broader cultural issues intersect.
David Rigg, a spokesman for Mr. Sorrell, said on Saturday that he had nothing further to add.

Mr. Sorrell, a frenetic, loquacious man, looms as a giant of the advertising world. He is a fixture on the London and European social circuit among movers and shakers, hobnobbing as a regular at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and jetting to business events around the globe. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2000 with a tap of her sword on his shoulders, the highest honor among a raft of awards he has received for his business acumen throughout the years.

A first-generation Jewish immigrant in Britain whose parents came from Kiev, Ukraine, Mr. Sorrell got his big break in advertising when he joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1975. He quickly worked his way up and became so entwined with the agencys founding siblings that he became known in the industry as the third brother.

In 1985, he struck out on his own with an improbable business gamble: He bought part of a British shopping basket manufacturer, Wire and Plastic Products, and proceeded to transform it into a global advertising behemoth, acquiring 18 advertising-related companies in just three years.

In 1989, he surprised the advertising world with a hostile $825 million takeover of Ogilvy & Mather, then one of the most influential ad agencies, and continued to snap up global competitors, including Young & Rubicam, a global marketing and communications company.

Mr. Sorrell shaped WPP with an iron grip, and fashioned it in his own image. (He is renowned for holding conversations while texting with clients and friends.) Today, WPP is a global advertising behemoth with 130,000 employees in 112 countries, and a market valuation of around 22 billion pounds, or about $31 billion.

Yet as he fashioned himself as a superstar executive, Mr. Sorrell also came under sharp scrutiny  especially for his increasingly lavish pay packages, which came to symbolize boardroom excess in Britain.

Since 2012, WPP has paid Mr. Sorrell 210 million, making him the highest paid chief executive of any company listed on the FTSE. Despite gains for WPPs investors, a backlash emerged two years ago, when he pocketed a 70 million payout.
This has been a rough week for the W.F.P., Mr. Lipton told the crowd on Saturday afternoon at the Albany Hilton.

Another leader, Karen Scharff, the partys co-chairwoman, expressed the greatest respect for the two unions that had dropped out on Friday  Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union and Communications Workers of America District 1.

It saddens me to see them step away at this moment, Ms. Scharff said, adding, Im confident that we will work together in the future.

But it was also apparent that the tactics of Mr. Cuomo  who had a fraught relationship with the party, dating to his ultimately successful struggle in 2014 to get its nomination  and his allies had seemingly only hardened the consensus around Ms. Nixon.

To endorse Cynthia Nixon is a very, very brave thing to do, said Zephyr Teachout, who herself ran a spirited primary challenge to Mr. Cuomo in 2014, and is now working with Ms. Nixons campaign, adding that the governors actions to undermine the Working Families Party in recent days had been horrifying.

Behind every bully, she said, theres a coward.

On Friday evening, after the union pullout, Mr. Cuomos campaign had said he would not seek the endorsement or the formal nomination of the Working Families Party, which will be finalized at its convention next month.

And after the partys vote, Abbey Fashouer, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo, defended the governors record  citing an increase in the minimum wage, a paid family leave program and billions in funding for education.
Carrie Underwood and others perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards. And The Walking Dead ends its eighth season.

Whats on TV

THE 53RD ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS 8 p.m. on CBS. Few genres romanticize rags-to-riches stories the way country music does. This show, hosted by Reba McEntire, will recognize promising newcomers and impressive veterans from the past year. Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban are among those nominated for top awards. The broadcast will feature performances by Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean, among others.



RIO (2011) 5 p.m. on FXM. This animated feature, set in the director Carlos Saldanhas native Rio de Janeiro, brings affection and fun to a story about a kidnapped bird adjusting to a new culture. Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg voice a pair of macaws. Jamie Foxx and will.i.am voice a canary and a cardinal. Rio 2 (2014) follows at 7.

THE WALKING DEAD 9 p.m. on AMC. A final episode wraps up the eighth season of AMCs zombie megahit. Right after, at 10, a new season of its spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead, begins. Morgan (Lennie James), a character in the main series, appears in the first episode of the spinoffs fourth season.
Heres what to expect in the week ahead:

CABLE TELEVISION

AT&T and Time Warner C.E.O.s will take the stand.

As the Justice Departments suit to block AT&Ts merger with Time Warner enters its fifth week, the top executives of both companies will take the stand in federal court. Jeff Bewkes, the chief executive of Time Warner, will go first, followed by Randall Stephenson, the chief executive of AT&T. They are both expected to testify early in the week. The executives will vigorously defend the $85 billion merger, which they say will create a stronger competitor to ascendant streaming video services. The Justice Department is expected to pose tough questions to the executives on how the combined companies could try to raise prices on rival cable and satellite firms  increases that would trickle down to consumers. Cecilia Kang

FINANCE

The I.M.F. and the World Bank discuss the economy.

World leaders will travel to Washington, D.C., for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which run from Monday through Sunday. The organizations are likely to repeat their message of recent months, cautioning governments to make tough reforms to increase their economic productivity now, while global growth remains strong. They have also urged countries to avoid trade protectionism. Ana Swanson

ECONOMY

Bad weather may have cooled sales in March.

The Census Bureau is scheduled to release data on Monday on retail sales in March, providing another marker of the economys health and stability. Cold weather across much of the country may have led to a decline in discretionary shopping in March. Sales fell slightly in February, a typically quiet time for shoppers after the holiday rush. Michael Corkery

BANKING

More big banks will report first-quarter earnings.

Bank earnings reports continue next week, with Bank of America reporting first quarter results on Monday, followed by Goldman Sachs on Tuesday and Morgan Stanley on Wednesday. Each could see a boost from recent stock market volatility, but a breakout performance on loan or deposit growth would be a surprise. Emily Flitter
A company has recalled more than 200 million eggs after an outbreak of salmonella was traced to one of its farms in North Carolina.

The federal Food and Drug Administration reported Friday that eggs from the affected farm were distributed to nine states  Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia  and were likely connected to 22 reported cases of salmonella infections.

The agency learned about a cluster of salmonella outbreaks in multiple states last month, and investigators worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state authorities to trace the source of the illness, the F.D.A. said. That led them to an egg farm in Hyde County, N.C., owned by Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Ind.

The affected farm has paused its egg distribution and the company has voluntarily recalled more than 206 million eggs. The F.D.A. urged consumers to check their purchases and avoid eating eggs that might be contaminated.
A group of journalists have decided to do something about the diminution of newsrooms at the local level. Theyre making reporting part of a national service program.

Report for America, a nonprofit organization modeled after AmeriCorps, aims to install 1,000 journalists in understaffed newsrooms by 2022. Now in its pilot stage, the initiative has placed three reporters in Appalachia. It has chosen nine more, from 740 applicants, to be deployed across the country in June.

Molly Born, 29, was one of the first three selected for the program. She grew up in West Virginia and has the state motto tattooed on her back: Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers Are Always Free). A reporter at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for the last six years, Ms. Born applied to Report for America with the hope of covering her home state.

I felt like I needed to give something back to a place that has given a lot to me, she said. And journalism is the way for me to do that.
At 92, Maurice R. Greenberg is not done fighting.

Mr. Greenberg, known as Hank, is a revered figure on Wall Street who built the American International Group into an insurance giant, only to lose it in 2005 amid a securities fraud investigation. He fought the New York attorney generals office for a dozen years before he agreed to pay $9 million as part of a civil settlement last year.

Despite the settlement, the battle continues. Mr. Greenberg has taken aim at the Martin Act, the sweeping state securities law that was used against him. The far smaller insurer where Mr. Greenberg is serving as chief executive, C.V. Starr & Company, has helped develop, circulate and lobby for new federal legislation that would pre-empt the Martin Act and other state securities laws.

I care about my country and I care about the rule of law, Mr. Greenberg, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, said in a feisty interview this past week. I fought two wars for my country. This is another war.

The Martin Act, a 1921 New York securities law that predates the creation of the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, grants sweeping powers exceeding even those of Washington. In addition to bringing the case against Mr. Greenberg, the former New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer used the act to force investment banks to curb abuses related to how analysts overhyped stocks and to crack down on illegal trading in the mutual fund industry.
Whitney Oudin Flesher and David Henry Tutor were married April 14 at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, a church in Palm Beach, Fla. The Rev. James R. Harlan, an Episcopal priest, performed the ceremony.

The bride, 29, is an M.B.A. candidate at N.Y.U. In September, she is to join the Estee Lauder Companies, a cosmetics manufacturer with headquarters in New York, as part of a leadership development program. She graduated from Tulane and is a member of the Susan G. Komen Greater New York Citys Young Professionals Committee, a philanthropic group.

She is the daughter of Dora J. Flesher and Gregory W. Flesher of Little Rock, Ark. The brides father is a partner of Frost, an accounting firm there. He is also the president of the George W. Donaghey Foundation, which provides scholarship support to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The brides mother is the volunteer chief financial officer of Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids, a nonprofit youth organization in Little Rock. She is also the president of the board of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Foundation.

The groom, 34, works in New York as a counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commissions Division of Enforcement. He graduated with honors from Wesleyan University and received a law degree from Columbia, where he was a Hamilton fellow.
The signal system at the Bergen Street subway stop in Brooklyn is tormenting riders.

Day after day, the equipment keeps failing. Trains are snarled. Commutes are turned upside down.

As subway officials try to rescue New York Citys system from crisis, they are focused on upgrading the antiquated signal system, parts of which date to the 1930s.

But the faulty signal equipment near the Bergen Street station on the F and G lines was installed in 2006, proving sometimes even newer hardware can break down.

Subway officials believe the recent problems stem from what is known as an interlocking, the mechanism that controls train movement where multiple tracks come together. They are investigating along with the manufacturer, Thales, a French transportation company, to determine what went wrong.
Dear Diary:

On a recent visit to New York City, I was reading a book in the crowded waiting room at a chiropractors office on the Upper West Side when a Yorkie appeared at my ankle.

Thinking that a dog was totally out of place in that setting, I looked up to see who was holding the leash. To my surprise, it was a woman I knew.

Oh, Nancy, how funny, I said. I couldnt imagine why someone would bring a dog into a doctors office.

Emotional support, Nancy said. Then she took a seat, pulled a water bottle and a bowl out of her tote and used the one to fill up the other.
Sarah Charlop-Powers was comparing New York Citys forests to its subways.

The city has more than 840 miles of tracks for one. It has 10,542 acres of the other, about half as much as the Congaree Swamp in South Carolina, a small national park with an old-growth forest and, according to the website I Love National Parks, more bugs than you can imagine.

No doubt there are many bugs in New Yorks forests, even cockroaches that have yet to find their way to somebodys basement or bathtub. But Ms. Charlop-Powers, the executive director of a Manhattan-based nonprofit group called the Natural Areas Conservancy, is not focused on them. She sees the trees  and the forest. Most of the citys forest is deep in parks, and on the worry spectrum, she is concerned about them.

The situation is not dissimilar to the subways, in that were at a crucial moment, she said.

Fortunately, urban forests appear to be at the point the subways reached decades ago, before transit policymakers decided that maintenance could be deferred.

But there is another concern for urban forests: climate change.

Ms. Charlop-Powers wants to prepare the citys forests for a changing climate. If nothing else, forests can slow rising temperatures by reducing what foresters call urban heat-island effects. Trees lower the nearby temperature by up to nine degrees. There is also the worry that forests could be overrun by invasive species that can change soil conditions  another contributing factor on the climate change checklist.
Gillian Ayres, a leading British abstract painter whose pursuit of beauty led her to use evocative colors, texture her works with thick layers of oils and occasionally to hurl paint at her canvasses, died on Wednesday in North Devon, England. She was 88.

Her son Sam Mundy said the cause was heart and kidney failure.

Painting is a visual, silent medium, but I love it and I am obsessed by it, Ms. Ayres told The Guardian in 2001.

She was besotted by paint  what it felt like physically and what she could do with it. She used her hands, brushes, parts of cardboard boxes and brooms to arrange the vivid images that distinguished her work for more than 60 years. She often spent more time staring at a work-in-progress to determine how to organize shapes and space than she did painting it.
SYRIA-ISRAEL BORDER, Golan Heights  Ever since the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran and Israel have been fighting each other in the shadows  through proxies, assassination squads and cyber-virus attacks, but never as rival armies meeting on the field of battle. That may be about to change, and if it does, it will have vast implications for Syria, Lebanon and the whole Middle East.

Im sure neither side really wants a war. It could be devastating for Israels flourishing high-tech economy and for Irans already collapsing currency. But Irans Revolutionary Guards Quds Force seems determined to try to turn Syria into a base from which to pressure Israel, and Israel seems determined to prevent that. And in the past few weeks  for the first time ever  Israel and Iran have begun quietly trading blows directly, not through proxies, in Syria.

They have already gone through two rounds, and Round 3, now pending, could blow Syria sky-high.

Round 1 occurred on Feb. 10, when an Iranian drone launched by a Quds Force unit operating out of Syrias T4 air base, in central Syria, was shot down with a missile from an Israeli Apache helicopter that was following it after it penetrated northern Israel airspace.

Initial reports were that the drone was purely on a reconnaissance mission. But the Israeli Armys spokesman, Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, said Friday that the flight path and Israels analysis of the drone indicated that the aircraft was carrying explosives and that its mission was an act of sabotage in Israeli territory.
Some of the biggest-name privately held tech companies have recently made moves that position them to go public in the next year or two. Dara Khosrowshahi, Ubers chief executive, has said he plans to take the company public next year. Lyft has held talks with investment banks to explore going public. And Airbnb has begun bringing independent directors onto its board, a move that is typically part of the preparations for becoming a public company.

A wave of tech I.P.O.s would have implications for Silicon Valleys start-up ecosystem. Once start-ups go public and their employees pocket some of the wealth, executives and engineers may leave with more resources to begin their own start-ups. That gives venture capitalists a fresh set of companies to invest in, renewing the cycles of innovation and experimentation that sit at the heart of Silicon Valley.

The I.P.O.s will also earn the venture capitalists big returns  and bragging rights. According to an annual ranking of venture capitalists by CB Insights, a research firm that follows start-ups and venture capital, many of the top-ranked investors backed companies with 2017 I.P.O.s, including the software maker MuleSoft; Stitch Fix, a mail-order clothing service; and Snap. (While Snap has struggled on the stock market, investors bought in at far lower valuations.)

At the top of the CB Insights list for the second straight year was Bill Gurley, a general partner at Benchmark, which was a Stitch Fix backer and one of the biggest investors in Uber. (Mr. Gurley became embroiled in plenty of drama with Uber last year, including filing a fraud lawsuit against its former chief executive, Travis Kalanick. Benchmark recently sold some shares of Uber to SoftBank, the Japanese conglomerate.)
This article is part of The Timess initiative on race. For more coverage, sign up here to have our Race/Related newsletter delivered to your inbox.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The name Martin Luther King Jr. can evoke lofty images of peace and unity, of demonstrators marching for civil rights, of black and white children playing together. But add the word Boulevard or Drive after his name, and, in many cities, starkly different images can flood peoples minds: blight, poverty, crime.

That dichotomy is at the center of a debate in Kansas City over how best to honor the civil rights icon.

Kansas City is one of the few big American cities without a street named after Dr. King. Residents have tried to change that for years, and, most recently, a coalition of black leaders asked Kansas Citys Parks and Recreation Board to rename one of the citys oldest boulevards after him. The board said no.
Americas opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic is getting worse. At a time when six Americans are dying every hour from opioid overdoses ... They were dealing with a heroin overdose. Do we need a new approach? Researchers, like Gary Matyas at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, think we do. Were working on a heroin-H.I.V. vaccine. Were comparing the response to heroin in a mouse. ... In animal studies, the vaccine blocks heroins effects by keeping it, and many other opioids, from reaching the brain. This mouse: The heroin went into the brain. It made it run around like crazy. Whereas the vaccinated mouse behaved basically normally. This tells me that the vaccine worked. The idea of a vaccine also represents an emerging shift in the way addiction is understood. Addicted people have been considered poor character, bad personalities, liars, cheats, bad moral upbringing. Former deputy White House drug czar Thomas McLellan says that for years, punishment ... Mandatory minimum laws, sometimes up to life in prison ... and abstinence ... When it comes to drugs and alcohol, just say no. were considered the best ways to prevent drug abuse, and reforming an addicts personality the best form of therapy. They developed residential programs where that really was the nature of the treatment: character reformation. Bring that character down and rebuild it. But it turns out for many people, these programs dont work. Fifty percent will relapse within six months and most of those will relapse within 90 days. Brain research published over the past decade or so has begun to explain why. Addiction is best considered a chronic illness of the brain. This is drugs. And its not just like the old commercial. This is your brain on drugs. The use of drugs gradually erode motivation, inhibition, reward sensitivity and stress tolerance in your brain. If you take someone whose brain has been changed by drugs, just say no is perfectly ridiculous. There is a true epidemic sweeping America, striking without warning. People ask me all the time, Why dont we have medications to treat addiction? Well, the truth is we do have medications, and many have been around for quite a long while. Methadone, a bitter, inexpensive, synthetic drug ... Like methadone, a daily dose opioid that doesnt produce the high. Vivitrol is the new drug that were using ... Or Vivitrol, a monthly shot that blocks heroins effects. Without these medications, the vast majority of opioid addicts will relapse. It might be a little uncomfortable to lay on that side. Thomas McLellan says that, combined with long term support and monitoring, medication doubles an addicts chances of staying clean. But only about a third of treatment programs use this approach. Its been thought that medications are simply a crutch. Youll hear over and over, Theyre just a substitution for another drug. They dont believe in them. They dont see the need. And he compares the stigma around addiction treatment today to an epidemic from the early 20th century: tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was not thought to be a medical illness. It was thought to be a lifestyle. Poverty and ignorance contribute to the spread of tuberculosis. Policymakers realized they had to do something. Well make a system of sanitaria and put them someplace way the hell out of town, away from us. But tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria. The research was clear. TB was actually a pathogen. By the late 1940s, scientists had discovered both drugs and a vaccine that worked. After penicillin, streptomycin  sciences latest weapon against some forms of tuberculosis. But they were not widely adopted for years. Because of political and financing and stigma issues, we didnt implement evidence-based treatment for tuberculosis, even though we could have. When it comes to drug use, despite mounting evidence that its a chronic disease, some officials still believe in Just say no. Just say no. Dont do it. But the latest opioid crisis is starting to change some minds. They need medicine to regain the dignity that comes with being in control of their lives. Having just one-third of treatment programs offer the most effective intervention for opioid addiction is simply unacceptable. Brain disease lasts for a long time, but it can be managed in the same way other chronic illnesses are managed. This is not a lost cause. This is our vaccine. Gary Matyas is hoping his vaccine, which has been licensed to a drug company, will be a new tool for managing addiction. We want to test it in humans to see what happens. If it works, addicts would be vaccinated after they detox, when they are at highest risk of death from an overdose. It would be part of their therapy for recovering, so if they mess up and take a dose of heroin, the heroin wont work.
When President Trump fired James B. Comey as the director of the F.B.I. last May, that did not mean the end of Mr. Comeys time in the public eye  far from it. His memoir, A Higher Loyalty, is about to be released and Mr. Comey was featured in a wide-ranging interview with ABC News that aired on Sunday .

While ABC broadcast an hour of its conversation with Mr. Comey, it conducted a five-hour interview with him, a transcript of which was obtained by The New York Times. In it, Mr. Comey called Mr. Trump a serial liar who treated women like meat, and described him as a stain on everyone who worked for him.

[Read more from The Timess Michael D. Shear and Peter Baker and read annotated excerpts from the interview ]
Mr. Pences disciplined delivery of the American message after the Syria strikes stood in contrast to the presidential tweet, which recalled an earlier presidents premature declaration of victory in Iraq and prompted a spate of bitter criticism.

What the president had meant by his tweet, Mr. Pence explained to reporters traveling with him on Saturday, was that the mission that Mr. Trump had given American forces, to go in and destroy key elements of the chemical weapons infrastructure in Syria, was completely and professionally and swiftly accomplished.

But that was not the only issue on which Mr. Pence worked to modulate Mr. Trumps pronouncements here. In a meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico, the vice president said, he steered clear of talking about funding for the border wall that Mr. Trump has long demanded Mexico pay for. Mr. Pence chalked up the disagreement  which recently torpedoed plans for a White House meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Pena Nieto  to two presidents with strong personalities.

When you have two people with strong personalities, they occasionally have strong differences, Mr. Pence told reporters. We talked through those differences, some of which we set aside for a later date.

Instead, Mr. Pence accentuated the positive: namely, progress in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, which he said had a chance of being successfully completed within weeks.

As Mr. Pence taxied for takeoff on Air Force Two on Friday for the trip to Lima, the president appeared to be focused elsewhere. He tapped out a tweet branding James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director whose forthcoming memoir paints him as a liar and Mafia-style bully, an untruthful slime ball. Privately, Mr. Trump continued to seethe over the F.B.I. raid days earlier on his personal lawyer in a wide-ranging corruption investigation that he views as a grave threat.

At the summit meeting in Peru, Mr. Pence spoke in loftier terms, trying to reassure the other leaders that Mr. Trump meant no slight in failing to show up for their gathering. Mr. Trump, he told President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, was disappointed that he could not make the trip  which was to have included a stop in Bogota to meet with Mr. Santos  but, he added, I can assure you that the relationship with our country has never been stronger.
American officials, however, disputed that, saying that Mr. Macron misinterpreted the conversation. About 2,000 American troops are in Syria to fight the Islamic State, or ISIS, not to play a role in the civil war. In public comments before the chemical attack that prompted him to launch airstrikes, Mr. Trump said he wanted to pull them out right away. Advisers urged him to hold off, and he gave them five to six months to complete a withdrawal.

The U.S. mission has not changed  the president has been clear that he wants U.S. forces to come home as quickly as possible, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said in a statement Sunday night. We are determined to completely crush ISIS and create the conditions that will prevent its return. In addition, we expect our regional allies and partners to take greater responsibility both militarily and financially for securing the region.

The new American sanctions were announced on Sunday by Nikki R. Haley, the ambassador to the United Nations and the administrations leading public voice excoriating Russia in recent days. They will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, she said on Face the Nation on CBS. And so I think everyone is going to feel it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to it.

Mr. Trump has tried through most of his presidency to forge a friendship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and has largely avoided criticizing him personally even as a special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, investigated whether Mr. Trumps campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election. But in recent weeks, his administration has taken increasing action against Russia, and the president singled out Mr. Putin over Syrias use of chemical weapons on Twitter and again in a televised speech on Friday night.

New sanctions on Monday would be the third round enacted by the Trump administration against Russia in the past four weeks. Last month, the administration targeted Russian companies and individuals for intervening in the 2016 election and mounting cyberattacks against Western facilities. It followed that this month with penalties against Mr. Putins inner circle, singling out some of Russias richest men and top government officials.
Two black men walked into a Starbucks in downtown Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon and sat down. Officials said they had asked to use the restroom but because they had not bought anything, an employee refused the request. They were eventually asked to leave, and when they declined, an employee called the police.

Some of what happened next was recorded in a video that has been viewed more than eight million times on Twitter and was described by the chief executive of Starbucks as very hard to watch. Details of the episode, which the authorities provided on Saturday, ignited widespread criticism on social media, incited anger among public officials and prompted investigations.

The video shows the men surrounded by several police officers wearing bicycle helmets in the Center City Starbucks. When one officer asks another man whether he is with these gentlemen, the man says he is and calls the episode ridiculous.

What did they get called for? asks the man, Andrew Yaffe, who is white, referring to the police. Because there are two black guys sitting here meeting me?
MEXICO CITY  In the television ad, President Enrique Pena Nieto strolls along a beautiful beach, his bare feet in the crystalline water as he talks about his governments environmental achievements. The Mexican leader has starred in several commercials as his government has poured $2 billion of public money into advertising that effectively promotes its interests.

In a campaign that aired last year, for example, Mr. Pena Nieto was seen touring an aerospace factory, sharing barbecue with ranchers and talking with residents of a new housing project. Open almost any newspaper in Mexico, and full-page ads laud all the schools rebuilt after last years earthquake.

The heavy government spending on advertising, a longstanding practice at both the federal and state level in Mexico, has been heavily criticized for encouraging flattering coverage of officials and quieting their critics.

Now, facing a court-ordered deadline, Mexicos Congress is ready to adopt legislation it says will regulate that spending for the first time. But opposition parties and citizen watchdog groups say the bill, backed by Mr. Pena Nietos party, is a sham.
MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan  Four attacks across Afghanistan on Saturday night and Sunday killed at least 26 government security officers, while two schools were also set ablaze, according to Afghan officials.

The four attacks struck government outposts in northern and eastern Afghanistan; at least three appeared coordinated. They occurred late at night or early in the morning, with the attackers using long-range sniper rifles and night-vision equipment, according to Afghan officials, who tallied at least 10 wounded in all, along with those killed.

In separate assaults, a girls high school in Logar Province, near the capital, Kabul, was burned on April 11, and masked attackers struck a school in the village of Momandara, in Nangarhar Province, on Saturday night, setting archives and labs ablaze, according to education officials.

No one was reported hurt in those two attacks.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but government officials blamed Taliban insurgents for the attacks on the government outposts. In recent years, mainstream Taliban forces have normally refrained from attacking schools.

In the Sancharak District, in the northern Sar-i-Pul Province, which has teetered between government and Taliban control over the past year, the governor, Naqibullah Daqiq, said that two government checkpoints in the west had been attacked by Taliban fighters using night-vision equipment and sniper rifles, with one guard killed at first.

When local pro-government militiamen tried to counter the assault, they fell into a Taliban ambush, and 10 others were killed, Mr. Daqiq said.

Nematullah Tofan, the police chief of the district of Dawlat Abad, in another northern province, Faryab, said that two government checkpoints in the village of Khairabad had fallen to Taliban fighters after their snipers killed four government defenders, shooting each of them in the head.

Attacks by insurgents using sophisticated night-vision technology have risen in the past year, especially against police and militia units that do not have such equipment. Afghan officials have asked for the gear to be issued to their police officers, but American officials have been reluctant to do so for fear that it would fall into Taliban hands.

The third attack was in Ghazni Province, in southeastern Afghanistan, where two Afghan Local Police checkpoints in the district of Jaghatu were attacked at 2 a.m. Sunday, killing eight officers and wounding four others, according to Hamidullah Nawruz, a member of the Ghazni provincial council.

Afghan Local Police officers are militiamen defending their own communities; they are generally less trained and not as well equipped as the national police.

A fourth attack took place on Sunday afternoon, when three guards outside Nangarhar University in the eastern city of Jalalabad took a break for worship. Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on them while they were praying, killing two immediately, according to a news release from the provincial governors office. The third guard fled but was chased by the gunmen and killed as well, according to a witness who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The girls high school in Logar Province, in a village in Mohammad Agha District, was attacked on April 11 by gunmen who beat up the night watchmen and locked them in a room, then set the school afire, according to Kabir Haqmal, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education. It was unclear why the attack had not been previously disclosed.

The school has 981 female students and 21 teachers, Mr. Haqmal said. It is in the home district of President Ashraf Ghani, 35 miles from Kabul.

In Nangarhar Province, the attack in Momandara was the third time a school in that district had been targeted in the past month, according to Mohammad Asif Shinwari, a spokesman for the provincial education ministry.

Attacks on schools by Taliban insurgents were common 10 years ago but proved so unpopular with communities that the insurgents announced that they would not be continued, even claiming to support girls education, although few such schools operate in areas dominated by the militants.
BEIJING  With hashtags like #Iamgaynotapervert and images of hearts and rainbows, tens of thousands of Chinese residents took to social media over the weekend to protest efforts to censor gay-themed images, videos and cartoons.

The uproar was in response to a vow on Friday by Sina Weibo, one of Chinas most popular social media sites, to delete posts relating to gay culture, part of a three-month cleanup effort.

Sina Weibo, a site similar to Twitter, said in its announcement that it was trying to limit the spread of sexually suggestive and violent content and that it would target cartoons, pictures, texts, short videos and romantic fiction. The site said its aim was to promote a clear and harmonious environment and to comply with stricter cybersecurity laws put in place by President Xi Jinping.

But many users were incensed, saying the campaign was another sign of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in China, more than two decades after the country decriminalized homosexuality.
SEOUL, South Korea  The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered a personal welcome to a senior envoy from Beijing, feting him and a visiting Chinese art troupe with a gala dinner, the Norths state-run news media reported on Sunday, as the estranged Communist allies continued efforts to mend ties.

Mr. Kim exchanged deep thoughts on international issues of concern to North Korea and China and vowed to improve bilateral relations during the meeting on Saturday with the senior Chinese diplomat, Song Tao, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

The report did not say if they discussed the North Korean dictators upcoming summits with President Trump and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea to defuse a standoff over the Norths development of nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles.

The warm reception was a reciprocal gesture. Last month, when Mr. Kim visited China to meet with President Xi Jinping on his first trip abroad as North Koreas leader, it was Mr. Song who greeted him on the border and accompanied him in his special train to Beijing. That surprise visit by the secretive Mr. Kim was apparently an effort to improve ties with China, which had also cooled over the Norths weapons programs, ahead of the summits.
Belgium would be the first country in modern Western military history to make such a move, according to experts from the European Defense Agency, which monitors defense capabilities of European Union member states.

Every army trains to go to war, and there will be no sleeping at home when you go to war, said Vir Maram, 35, a reservist corporal of the French Foreign Legion who served several tours under the command of Western armies and NATO in Afghanistan, Iraq and Mali and who is studying international security in Brussels.

An army evolves with the way that it fights, he added, but the only thing that changes are the weapons we fight with  the nature of war itself doesnt change, and so the basic principles of the army dont change.

Military service was mandatory in Belgium until 1994 for men turning 18 or ending their studies for one year. Since then, the head count of the countrys armed forces has gradually diminished, to about 28,500 active personnel from 40,000.

Belgium now has about 2.6 soldiers per 1,000 civilians, fewer than many of its NATO allies. And the average age has crept up.

Its almost like a Dads Army, said Roger Housen, a retired colonel in the Belgian armed forces, referring to a television comedy about the British Home Guard, a World War II volunteer force made up of men exempt from conscription, often because they were considered too old to fight.

The army is right to try to attract more youngsters, as many senior personnel will retire over the next five years, Colonel Housen said. But the requirement to live in barracks, he said, was not the main factor driving young people away.
GAZA CITY  It was a striking tableau: Ismail Haniya, the political leader of Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has tried suicide bombs, rockets and attack tunnels in its long struggle with Israel, standing before portraits of the giants of nonviolent resistance  Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Urging on Palestinians who have staged a new campaign of protests along the fence separating Gaza from Israel, Mr. Haniya likened their struggle to those for Indias independence, against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States, and against apartheid in South Africa.

This blessed protest is national, peaceful, popular and civilized, he said.

Minutes later, though, he called the same protests a deadly weapon with which to achieve the Palestinians goals, saying that guns, rockets and attack tunnels  the more familiar weapons that have kept Hamas listed as a terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Israel  remained at hand if needed.

Mixed messages have abounded during the so-called Great Return March, the grass-roots campaign that is now in its third week and seeks to highlight hardship in Gaza and demand the right to return to lands in Israel. While organizers promised peaceful disobedience of Israels orders to stay far from the fence, participants have thrown Molotov cocktails and other explosives, even attaching one to a kite.
President Assad has an absolutely positive attitude, a good mood, said Natalya Komarova, a member of the delegation, according to Russian news agencies.

But in an acknowledgment of the wars toll, another visitor reported that Mr. Assad said rebuilding Syria could cost $400 billion.

If the primary message of the strikes was that Mr. Assad could not use chemical weapons, a secondary message was that the West was going to leave him in power, no matter what else he did.

Even if this is a chemical weapons deterrent, that leaves a whole arsenal of conventional means with which people can be killed in Syria with few real repercussions, said Sam Heller, a senior analyst who studies Syria at the International Crisis Group. There is every reason to expect that that will continue.

Seven years of conflict have seen Syria sliced up by world powers, with the Turks administering towns in the north, the United States working with Kurdish-led militias in the east, and Russia and Iran helping Mr. Assad rout the remaining pockets of rebels elsewhere.

At this point, no one seems to have a realistic plan to broker a lasting peace between those forces that would bring Syria together again in a stable enough way to allow millions of refugees to return home and for rebuilding to begin. Many discount the idea that Mr. Assad can play a meaningful role in that process.

It is very shortsighted and erroneous in my mind, said Maha Yahya, the director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Facilitating a win for Assad is making sure that Syria remains the epicenter of instability in the region.
This great nation can tolerate a president who makes mistakes, declared Senator Orrin Hatch, the Utah Republican. But it cannot tolerate one who makes a mistake and then breaks the law to cover it up.

No, Mr. Hatch wasnt talking about Donald Trump. It was 1999, and he was talking about Bill Clinton.

At that time, the American system  and the flawed yet sometimes heroic people their fellow Americans choose to lead them  underwent, and passed, a hard test: The president, his financial dealings and his personal relationships were painstakingly investigated for years. Prosecutors ultimately accused Mr. Clinton of lying under oath, to cover up a sexual affair. The House of Representatives impeached him, but the Senate declined to convict, and Mr. Clinton stayed in office.

The public, which learned in detail about everything investigators believed Mr. Clinton had done wrong, overwhelmingly agreed with the judgment of the Senate. It was a sad and sordid and at times distracting business, but the system worked.

Now Mr. Hatch and his fellow lawmakers may be approaching a harsher and more consequential test. We quote his words not to level some sort of accusation of hypocrisy, but to remind us all of what is at stake.

News reports point to a growing possibility that President Trump may act to cripple or shut down an investigation by the nations top law-enforcement agencies into his campaign and administration. Lawmakers need to be preparing now for that possibility because if and when it comes to pass, they will suddenly find themselves on the edge of an abyss, with the Constitution in their hands.

[Keep up with the state of the national debate right in your inbox by subscribing to the Opinion Today newsletter.]

Make no mistake: If Mr. Trump takes such drastic action, he will be striking at the foundation of the American government, attempting to set a precedent that a president, alone among American citizens, is above the law. What can seem now like a political sideshow will instantly become a constitutional crisis, and history will come calling for Mr. Hatch and his colleagues.

For months, investigators have been examining whether Mr. Trumps campaign conspired with the Russian government to undermine American democracy, and whether the president misused his power by obstructing justice in an effort to end that investigation.

Until the last few weeks, Mr. Trump had shown restraint, by his standards, anyway. He and his lawyers cooperated with investigators. Mr. Trump never tweeted directly about Robert Mueller, the special counsel, and spoke about him publicly only when asked.

Alas, that whiff of higher executive function is gone. Mr. Trump is openly attacking both Mr. Mueller and Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, appointed by Mr. Trump himself. Mr. Rosenstein is overseeing the Russia investigation and signing off on Mr. Muellers actions.

Of course, this president has been known to huff and puff, to bluff and bluster, and he may be doing no more than that now. He may choose not to fire either man. We know he has already twice told his aides he wanted Mr. Mueller fired, only to be talked out of such rash action.

But if the president does move against the investigators, it will be up to Congress to affirm the rule of law, the separation of powers and the American constitutional order. The miserable polarization and partisan anger that have been rising in American life for decades will hit a new crescendo, and that will present congressional Republicans with a heavy burden indeed.

Mr. Trumps Tweets on the Rule of Law

Yet if Mr. Trump goes after Mr. Mueller or Mr. Rosenstein, even Republicans who have misgivings about the president might be inclined to fall into line. They may resent what feels like an endless investigation, one that is endangering their agenda; or they may resent partisan attacks on Mr. Trump. Such frustrations  like ones Democrats vented when Mr. Clinton was in investigators sights  are certainly understandable. Republicans may also find themselves tempted by the political running room they would have with the investigation ended and the three branches of government under their control.

Maybe  and this is the scariest contingency to contemplate  Republican leaders would calculate that with their support, or mere acquiescence, Mr. Trump could get away with it. The overwhelming majority of Americans, including most Republicans, want Mr. Mueller to keep his job, and perhaps a groundswell of revulsion at unchecked presidential power would follow any action against the special counsel. But many Americans, weary of the shouting in Washington, might dismiss the whole thing as another food fight. We can be fairly certain that the pressure on Republican lawmakers from the minority of Americans who support Mr. Trump, as well as from the likes of Fox News and Sinclair, would be intense.

Of course, its when overriding your principles is the easy thing to do that you have an urgent responsibility, and opportunity, to demonstrate that you have some.

Look at whats happening in Missouri right now. The states Republican governor, Eric Greitens, has been accused of sexual assault and coercion, and is scheduled to face trial next month on a felony charge of invasion of privacy. Its a scandal of Trumpian proportions, and Mr. Greitens is responding with Trumpian bravado, calling the investigation and prosecution a political witch hunt.

Other Republicans On The Rule Of Law In a country based on the system of laws, which is really the great gift given to us under the terms of our Constitution, there needs to be a consistency of application. The idea that all people are equal under the law is not a relative term.  JUDD GREGG, 1999 I have asked myself how men from an era when honor was valued above all other traits, men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison, might have viewed a President who committed perjury and obstruction of justice for personal and political gain.  Phil Gramm, 1999 What standard of conduct should we insist our President live up to? ... Do not underestimate, my friends, the corrupting and cynical signal we will send if we fail to enforce the highest standards of conduct on the most powerful man in the nation.  Pete Domenici, 1999 Committing crimes of moral turpitude such as perjury and obstruction of justice go to the heart of qualification for public office.  Orrin Hatch, 1999

Yet the legislative report detailing his misbehavior was bipartisan, and top state Republicans have spoken out forcefully. They recognize that Mr. Greitens is unfit. (They also see a threat to their political interests, but the two can go hand in hand.)

Or look at Watergate. We may think of it now as a two-year drama with an inevitable end, the takedown of a president who tried to cover up a criminal conspiracy. But many people forget how close President Richard Nixon came to surviving the affair. He was forced from office only because enough Republican leaders recognized the legitimacy of the investigation and stood up to him. And even then, it took the revelation of incriminating recordings. No recordings have come out this time  yet.

A few senior Republicans have been saying the right things  including Mr. Hatch. He tweeted that anyone telling the president to fire Mr. Mueller does not have the President or the nations best interest at heart. Senator Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, warned Mr. Trump that firing Mr. Mueller would be the beginning of the end of his presidency.

Thats all necessary and good. But its not enough. More Republicans need to make it clear that they wont tolerate any action against either man, and that firing Mr. Mueller would be, as Senator Charles Grassley said, suicide.

Mr. Muellers investigation has already yielded great benefit to the country, including the indictments of 13 Russians and three companies for trying to undermine the presidential election. None of us can know if prosecutors will eventually point the finger at the president himself. But should Mr. Trump move to hobble or kill the investigation, he would darken rather than dispel the cloud of suspicion around him. Far worse, he would free future presidents to politicize American justice. That would be a danger to every American, of whatever political leaning.
Karnataka: Will Congress not allow Kumaraswamy to be CM for full 5-year term?

Is it chief minister Kumaraswamy or chief manager of Congress Ktaka ATM? BJP has an answer

All is well between Congress, JD(S)? Kumaraswamy meets Rahul as Karnataka waits for full cabinet

BJP sees red as Dinesh Gundu says, Adityanath not a Yogi but Dongi

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

There was another Mani Shankar Aiyer moment in Karnataka. This time it was the turn of KPCC working president, Dinesh Gundu Rao who took on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath.

The PM should sack him as he is not a Yogi but a Dongi (fake), Rao said while taking part in a candle lit protest held by the KPCC against the rape incidents in UP and Jammu.

Gundu Rao said if Adityanath came to Karnataka he should be sent him back. "If he comes next time to Karnataka, he should be beaten with your sandals. Drive him out," he said.

The BJP has come down heavily on these statements and has decided to launch a state wide agitation against the comments. Party general Secretary Ravi Kumar told reporters that the BJP demanded an apology from AICC president Rahul Gandhi. " Gandhi should apologise and sack Rao. The BJP would launch statewide agitation against Rao and the Congress party."

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 9:14 [IST]
BJP stages protest against Gundu Rao's 'Dhongi' remark on Yogi

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Sunday staged a protest in Bengaluru against Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao's remarks on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. BJP State General Secretary N Ravikumar has also reportedly complained to the Election Commission against Dinesh Gundu Rao.

The PM should sack him as he is not a Yogi but a Dhongi (fake), Rao had said while taking part in a candle lit protest held by the KPCC against the rape incidents in UP and Jammu.

Gundu Rao said if Adityanath came to Karnataka he should be sent him back.

"If he comes next time to Karnataka, he should be beaten with your sandals. Drive him out," he said.

The BJP has come down heavily on these statements and decided to launch a statewide agitation against the comments. Party general Secretary Ravi Kumar told reporters that the BJP demanded an apology from AICC president Rahul Gandhi.

"Gandhi should apologise and sack Rao. The BJP would launch a statewide agitation against Rao and the Congress party," he said.
Candidates who have taken 2 vaccine shots to be allowed inside counting centres: EC

Assembly Election Results 2021: How to check Live results and realtime trends on ECI website and App

On Madras HCs observations against EC, SC says judges shouldnt make off the cuff remarks

Can one nation, one poll be held: Centre to ask Election Commission

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

The Union Government is set to ask the Election Commission of India if simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assemblies be held in multiple phases beginning next year, official sources have said.

The views would be sought from the EC after the submission of a report by the Law Commission, which is likely to recommend simultaneous election in two phases in 2019 and 2024.

The Law Commission is likely to submit its report on the matter to the Law Ministry later this month.

A similar report of the government think tank NITI Aayog recommending simultaneous polls in two phases had been referred to the poll panel for its views.

The government, the sources said, wanted the EC to send its views in coming months so that a view can be firmed up on the issue.

Seeking to give shape to the government's concept of 'one nation, one election', a Law Commission internal working paper has recommended holding simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in two phases beginning 2019.

The second phase of simultaneous polls can take place in 2024, the document states.

The document has proposed amending the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act to shorten or extend the terms of state legislative assemblies to effect the move.

The amendments are in line with the ones recommended by a parliamentary panel and the NITI Aayog.

The states which are recommended to be covered under phase I are where assembly polls are due in 2021. These include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

States which will come under phase II are Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi and Punjab. To hold elections in these states along with Lok Sabha polls, the terms of the assemblies have to be extended.

Based on a suggestion made by the Election Commission, the working paper also says that a no-confidence motion against the government should be followed by a confidence motion. This would ensure that if the opposition does not have numbers to form an alternative government, the regime in office cannot be removed.

Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat had a word of caution on simultaneous polls when he recently said that the legal framework required for holding of the two elections together will take a 'lot of time' to get ready.

"We cannot put the cart before the horse. Logistical issues are subservient to legal framework. Unless legal framework is in place, we don't have to talk about anything else because legal framework will take a lot of time, making constitutional amendment to (changing) the law, all the process will take time," he said.

He had said once the legal framework was ready, the EC will deliver.

"...EC is a creation of the Constitution. We have to perform willy-nilly, deliver the election, whatever way prescribed in the law," he had said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 8:17 [IST]
Congress ruled by Tughlaq and that man is Siddaramaiah alleges senior leader

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Even as the Congress is readying its list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections, rebellion within the party seems to be touching an all time high. There is a Tughlaq rule in the Congress and Siddaramaiah is Tughlaq, senior leader P Ramesh said.

He told reporters that he would contest the election from the C V Raman Nagar constituency as a JD(S) candidate. I have been nursing the constituency and was hopeful of getting a ticket. This is not Indira Gandhi's Congress. There is a Tughlaq rule and Siddaramaiah himself is Tughlaq. He will be responsible for the Congress' defeat," Ramesh said.

Ramesh had unsuccessfully contested from the C V Raman Nagar constituency. He said that he was asked to make way for H C Mahadevappa by Siddaramaiah. He also added that he had done a lot for the constituency, including getting over 16,000 people jobs. People are sitting in air conditioned chambers and taking decisions. The situation is such today that even Rahul Gandhi has to listen to Siddaramaiah, he further said as his eyes were filled with tears.

In another development, the JD(S) has been trying to rope in B Prasanna Kumar another disgruntled Congress leader. The move came in the wake of the Congress trying to field Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy from the Pulakeshinagar constituency.

In another incident of rebellion, scores of workers staged a protest outside the Congress office. They said that the party had finalised the Padmanabhanagar ticket for M Srinivas. While terming Srinivas as a BJP agent they demanded that B Gurappa Naidu be given a ticket.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15
Karnataka: Will Congress not allow Kumaraswamy to be CM for full 5-year term?

Is it chief minister Kumaraswamy or chief manager of Congress Ktaka ATM? BJP has an answer

All is well between Congress, JD(S)? Kumaraswamy meets Rahul as Karnataka waits for full cabinet

Karnataka assembly elections: Congress releases list of candidates

India

oi-Madhuri

The Congress on Sunday released its list of candidates in the high-stakes elections in Karnataka next month. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has been contesting from the Varuna constituency since 2008, will contest from Chamundeshwari constituency this elections.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to contest from Chamundeshwari whereas, his son Dr Yatheendra will contest from Varuna constituency in upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections.

Congress MLA NA Haris from Shanti Nagar has not been given a ticket. A month before, his son Mohammad Nalapad, was arrested in connection with an assault case.

Taking to Twitter, Karnataka Congress said,''The grand old party took to Twitter and released its full list of candidates. "The Indian National Congress has selected these candidates for the election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka."

Earlier on April 8, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had released the first list of 72 candidates for the crucial Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. The announcement of the names was made by Union Minister JP Nadda.

The elections to the 225-seat assembly in Karnataka are scheduled for May 12. Counting of votes will take place three days later. VVPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.
'If Congress isn't doing anything, we can't be sitting ducks': TMC attacks grand old party

Karnataka elections: On final list of candidates, Congress stuck in a loop

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Congress failed to reach a consensus on its list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly election. The party is stuck in a loop over whether to field the rebel JD(S) candidates or not.

The other point of contention was on whether to field tainted legislators and also shunt out the old guard who are not in with a winning chance. Sources say that the Congress has finalised the list in terms of at least 190 candidate. There however appears to be no consensus on the remaining candidates as yet.

Deliberations in this regard would continue on Sunday as well and the party would hope to announce the list at the earliest. The list of candidates was supposed to have been released on Saturday but differences among senior leaders further delayed the process. The process of filing nominations would begin on Tuesday.

With no consensus being reached as yet, the high command has told senior Karnataka leaders including Siddaramaiah to defer their campaign programme and stay back in the national capital. The meeting is being held at an undisclosed location in Delhi.

"We will have two more rounds of meetings and by Sunday afternoon, names of all the candidates will be announced," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara told reporters after a three-hour meeting chaired by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday evening.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15
Kashmir: Terror recruitment touches dizzying heights as Army releases new hit-list

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

There has been a steep rise in the number of terrorists being recruited in Kashmir. Both the Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad have been pursuing an active social media campaign to recruit terrorists.

At least 75 per cent of the recruitments have been reported from the South Kashmir region which has four districts. The recruitments have been on the rise even as the Army launched a fresh offensive to weed out terrorists.

There has been a multi-fold increase in the number of recruitments. While in 2011 it stood at 23, by 2017 it increased to 100.

The Hizbul Mujahideen, in particular, has upped the ante and has been on a recruiting spree. In fact, an Intelligence report points towards the recruitment of nearly 50 youth into the Hizbul Mujahideen in the Baramulla area of Kashmir this year.

The Intelligence has identified, both Baramulla and Shopian as trouble spots. A large number of terrorists have been found in these areas and hence the Army's counter-offensive became extremely important, an Intelligence Bureau official said.

Further, the Jaish-e-Mohammad which is backing the Hizbul Mujahideen has openly said that it would avenge the death of terrorists. In a statement, the Jaish spokesperson said that they would avenge every drop of blood of Kashmiri people and this jihad will continue till the mission of freedom is achieved. Hizbul Mujahideen should not feel alone, the Jaish Fidayeen are with them. We will together avenge the Indian oppression, the Jaish further said.

Another cause for concern is that Ramadan is approaching. Normally terrorists tend to up the ante at this time and cool off during the Holy month. This is another reason behind the sudden aggression by terrorists.

Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that these operations are important. The terrorists had begun to once again raise their ugly head in the Valley. The terrorists killed in the encounters were locals and they were planning to create another unrest in the Valley.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has been under immense pressure since the past couple of months. There were even reports that its chief Sayed Salahuddin was asked to step down as the group was under-performing in the Valley. The Hizbul Mujahideen, in fact, was asked to step up the heat in the Valley in a bid to give the foreign terrorist groups such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba a break.

Sources said that these operations were aimed at breaking the back of the Hizbul Mujahideen. The very fact that top commanders of the outfit such as Rouf Khandey were killed speaks volumes about the operation.

Such encounters are likely to continue for several months more. Intelligence reports estimate the presence of 215 terrorists in the Valley. While on one hand, Pakistan would attempt to push more terrorists through the Line of Control and International Border, the locals too have been asked to step up operations. Operations in the days to come would look to target the local terrorists who have refused to surrender or give up arms, the source also added.

New hit-list:

1.Riyaz Naikoo alias Zubair Ul Islam, Hizbul Chief Of Kashmir Valley from Beighpora Pulwama

Category A++

2. Showkat Tak, alias Abu Huzaifa, Lashkar Commander Pulwama from Panzgham Pulwama

Category A++

3. Zakir Rashid Bhat alias Moosa, Ansar Chief from Noorpora Awantipora

Category A++

4. Zeenat Ul islam alias Usman Hizb Area Commander Shopian from Shopian

Category A++

5. Dr Saifullah alias Abu Musaib, Hizb Commander Srinagar Area From Malangpora Pulwama Category A++

6. Saddam Padder alias Zaid, Hizb Commander Shopian from Heff Shopian Category A++

7. Altaf Kachroo alias Mooin ul Islam, Hizb Commander Kulgam From Redwini Kulgam

Category A++

8. Naveed Jatt alias Abu Hanzalla From Pakistan Hizb Commander Rajpora to Newa, Category A++

9. Sameer Ahmad alias Sameer Tiger resident of Drabgam Pulwama

Category A++

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 9:50 [IST]
Kerala banker expelled for celebrating Kathua girls murder booked by cops

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

Vishnu Nandakumar, a Malayali bank employee have been booked by the police after he made uncharitable comments on the social media about the Kathua incident. The police have booked him under Section 153a of the Indian Penal Code that deals with promoting enmity between different religions.

Nandakumar is incidentally the nephew of BJP state general secretary Radhakrishnan. He had earned the wrath of the social media and later lost his job after he posted a comment on Facebook against the 8-year-old girl who was gang-raped and murdered in Kathua, Jammu.

Vishnu Nandakumar, an assistant manager of the Palarivattom branch of Kotak Mahindra Bank, made the post on FB spewing verbal abuse on the girl.

His comment went viral and scores of FB users came up against him. People started posting comments against him on the official page of the bank. Even the bank received calls demanding action against him.

The post by Vishnu reads: "Good that she was killed at this age. Otherwise, she would have grown up and come back as a suicide bomber against India."Over 34,000 comments were posted on the bank's FB wall seeking his dismissal. Many even threatened to close their account with the bank if action was not taken against him.

The bank which said that he was sacked for poor performance also condemned his post.

"We have terminated Vishnu Nandakumar from the services of the bank on Wednesday, April 11 for poor performance. It is extremely disheartening such comments are being made in the aftermath of such tragedy by anyone including an ex-employee. We strongly condemn this statement," the bank also said.
Kerala becomes first state to challenge Supreme Courts SC/ST verdict

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Kerala government became the first state to file a separate review petition challenging the March 20 verdict of the Supreme Court which banned the immediate arrest of a person under the SC/ST act.

The Kerala government urged the Supreme Court to recall the verdict while adding that it had become a source of insecurity among the SC/ST community. The 19-page review plea is on the lines of the one filed by the Centre which had said that the verdict is causing disharmony and great damage.

Further, the review said that the verdict was contradictory to the court's past judgments. Looking at the historical background relating to the practice of untouchability and the social attitude which lead to the commission of such offences against SCs/STs, there is justification for an apprehension that if benefit of anticipatory bail is made available to persons who are alleged to have committed such offences, there is every likelihood of their misusing their liberty while on anticipatory bail to terrorise their victims and to prevent a proper investigation, the review plea also argued.
Owaisi's AIMIM will not contest Karnataka Elections: Reports

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

With less than a month left for the state elections, some reports are claiming that Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will not contest the Karnataka Assembly elections. This will come as a relief to the Congress as there were fears that AIMIM might eat into the grand old party's Muslim vote bank.

An India Today report said that AIMIM feels that contest Karnataka elections might harm 'secular parties' contesting the election.

In January, OneIndia had reported that AIMIM would contest at least 60 seats in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections and that the party had officially begun the process of identifying constituencies and shortlisting candidates.

"We have already identified 28 constituencies in North Karnataka where our candidates will contest. We are in the process of identifying constituencies in South Karnataka. Our candidates have already been shortlisted. Final name list will be drawn soon, In all, we will contest in 60 seats," said Usman Ghani, the Karnataka Unit chief of AIMIM had said in January.

[Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018: BJP in secret alliance with AIMIM?]

The AIMIM's venture into Karnataka electoral politics was expected to eat into Congress' vote share that draws its support from AHINDA (an acronym for Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) of which Muslims form a huge chunk.

[Karnataka Assembly Elections: AIMIM to contest 60 seats, eat into Congress votes]

Earlier this month, talks were doing rounds that former prime minister Devegowda's Janata Dal-Secular (JD (S)) was looking to join hands with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). JD(S) leader P G R Sindhia had confirmed that his party was in talks with Asaduddin Owaisi for a formal tie-up ahead of the polls.
Pakistan should refrain from becoming 'Chinese pawn': ex-envoy Hussain Haqqani

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Apr 15: Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" while ensuring it does not turn into China's pawn, Islamabad's former envoy to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has said.

In an interview to PTI, Haqqani said Pakistan also needs to take a call on what is more important  supporting terror suspect Hafiz Saeed or gaining international credibility and respect. Amid the consolidation of the already-robust Sino-Pak ties, Haqqani, who served as ambassador to the US from 2008 to 2011, stressed Pakistan should not go from being dependent on the US to relying on China and must refrain from becoming a "Chinese pawn".

Pakistan needs to build a self-sustaining economy, he said, warning Islamabad of the pitfalls of aligning with a major power. Haqqani, who was in India last week for the launch of his new book 'Reimagining Pakistan: Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State', said the country needs to "re-think its overall direction", including in the economic sector. Pakistan should become a "trading nation rather than a warrior nation" and start thinking about geo-economics rather than geo strategy, said the 61-year-old former diplomat and author of 'Pakistan Between Mosque and Military' and 'India v Pakistan: Why Can't We Just Be Friends?', among other books.

"Trying to take advantage of its strategic location by allowing itself to be used by one major power or another has brought Pakistan to the present situation and if we continue to play the same game, the result is not going to be very different in the future, he said.

While Islamabad should seek good relations with Beijing, "there is no reason why Pakistan should become a Chinese pawn in the mistaken belief" that this would somehow make it a power in its own right, he said when asked if Pakistan's dependence on China could prove counterproductive. His remarks assume significance as in January, the US had suspended more than USD 1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terror groups such as the Afghan Taliban and Afghan guerilla group Haqqani Network.

After US President Donald Trump had lashed out at Pakistan earlier this year for providing "safe havens" to terrorists, China had defended Islamabad, saying the world community should acknowledge its all-weather ally's "outstanding contribution" to counter terrorism. Asked if America's tougher stance against terror would push Islamabad into a robust military alliance with Beijing, Haqqani said the more America and India came close, the more Pakistan would try to strengthen its ties with China.

"But, for Pakistan's own sake, it would be useful to have relationships with multiple partners. Dependence on the US did not prove useful for Pakistan in the 50s and 60s; dependence on China will not necessarily be the key to Pakistan's progress in the 21st century," said Haqqani, who lives in the US, where he is Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at the Washington-based Hudson Institute.

Haqqani was removed as Pakistan's envoy to the US for his alleged role in what is known as the Memogate controversy, which revolved around a memorandum seeking help from the Obama administration after the killing of Osama bin Laden to avert a military takeover of the civilian government in his country. Asked if the suspension of American aid had brought about a change in Pakistan's attitude, Haqqani said the establishment had not changed its world view and was still hoping that logistical and other considerations would make the Trump administration soften its stance. On the possibility of power blocs being formed in the region, he said a "new Cold War" in which Pakistan aligns with China and India with the United States was not going to be positive for South Asia.

"I think that aligning with one major power against another is not the recipe for economic growth and success for a country like Pakistan," said Haqqani, who also served as the Pakistani envoy to Sri Lanka from 1992 to 1993.

The former diplomat, who is often critical of the Pakistani military, rued that the power structure in the country had not changed fundamentally and national security and foreign policy remained in the hands of the Army. Pakistan has made distinctions between terror groups that have acted against it and those that have acted outside the country, and that distinction had not worked to its advantage, he said.

Islamabad's insistence on "mainstreaming terrorists" rather than marginalising them was going to be counter-productive for the country, he held. Haqqani also said the Kashmir issue could be put on the back burner to build normal Indo-Pak relations. "It is also a reality that the problem of Kashmir has not been solved in 70 years. And if Pakistan insists on solving the Kashmir problem before moving forward on normal relations with India, then it may have to wait for another 70 years," he said.

PTI
Rahul Gandhi set to make 3 more visits to poll bound Karnataka

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is likely to make at least three visits to Karnataka, intensifying the party's campaigning as it seeks to retain power. Polling will be held in Karnataka on May 12. Sources said Gandhi is expected to fan those areas of the state which he has not visited yet as part of his Jana Aashirwada Yatre there.

"All his rallies and meetings till now have received a good response. There is a feeling among Karnataka workers that he should cover more areas in the four regions of the state to ensure our victory," a party leader said. Gandhi visiting the state will also ensure that workers remain upbeat till the election date, the leader added.

During the Congress president's recent road show in the state's Tumkur, a party man had thrown a garland towards him and it had perfectly landed around the Congress chief's neck. Asked about it, the source said party workers should ensure there is no repeat of such a case in view of his security. "Workers love him. But there shouldn't be a repeat of such a case in view of his security. Security personnel will also be more vigilant," the source added. Gandhi has till now held six rounds of campaigning in the state with the last one being on April 7 and 8. Karnataka is witnessing a three-corner contest among the Congress, BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD (S). The result of the election will be out on May 15.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 9:56 [IST]
Unnao rape case: 'BJP MLA's goons threatening villagers', says victim's uncle

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The goons of BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, one of the accused in the Unnao rape case, are threatening the villagers, alleged victim's family on Sunday (April 15). Victim's uncle also said that two persons, close to their family, have gone missing.

"Some goons of Kuldeep Sengar are threatening villagers to keep quiet. Yesterday they went there in two cars and threatened them to keep quiet or leave the village. Two people are missing", Uncle of Unnao rape case victim told news agency ANI.

Sengar was on Saturday sent to seven-day CBI custody. He was arrested by the CBI on Friday after over 15 hours of questioning.

"We support a fair investigation. He has been sent to 7-day CBI custody," BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's lawyer told the media yesterday (April 14).

The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the CBI to arrest Kuldeep Singh Sengar. A bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Suneet Kumar gave the direction to the agency after the counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that Sengar has been detained for interrogation and not arrested yet.

The court had earlier directed the CBI to carry out investigation strictly in accordance with law and to consider filing an application for cancellation of bail granted to other accused in the case. It had also directed the CBI to file a status report by May 2.

The CBI registered three separate cases in connection with the alleged rape and detained Sengar for questioning in the early hours today. The cases pertain to the alleged rape, killing of the girl's father and a case of arms act which was slapped on her father in which he was arrested by local police. He had subsequently died in judicial custody and the autopsy report showed serious injuries on his body.
Once he comes out he will eliminate us, says Unnao rape victim's family on Sengar's

Charge sheet filed in connection with death of 23-yr-old Unnao rape victim who was set ablaze

Unnao rape case: Shashi Singh, woman who lured victim to BJP MLA, sent to 4 days police custody

India

oi-Madhuri

Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly lured the victim to BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on the day of alleged crime on the promise of providing a job, has been sent to 4 days police custody on Sunday.

The victim's mother had alleged in the complaint given to the UP Police, which is now part of the CBI FIR, that the woman lured her daughter to the MLA after which he raped her.

She has also alleged that while the MLA was raping her daughter, Shashi Singh stood outside the room as a guard.

The agency arrested Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the prime accused in the case, last night after 16 hours of questioning at its office in Lucknow.

On Friday, the Allahabad High Court slammed the inaction by the Uttar Pradesh government and underlined that in spite of complaint from the victim to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on August 17, 2017, no substantial action was taken by the police.
US national in trouble for entering IGI airport with fake ticket

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

A US national allegedly entered Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport using a fake ticket to see off his sister. The CISF officials, who intercepted him while he was leaving the terminal-III building of IGI, have handed him over to the police.

The person, identified as one Gurpreet S, was apprehended on Friday.

He was stopped and questioned as exiting the terminal area is not normally permitted, a PTI report quoted the sources as saying.

Gurpreet told the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel that he used a "cancelled" ticket to enter the terminal area to see off his sister, who was travelling to Jeddah, the PTI report said.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs
US strike in Syria: Reason behind India's carefully worded response

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas Sv

India has given a very cautious reaction to missile strikes by the US, UK and France in Syria. India has neither outrightly opposed the strikes nor has it supported it. Looks like a lot of high level diplomatic thinking has gone into it as India's response was, in a sense, delayed. MEA statement on Syria strikes came on Saturday evening when most countries had reacted to it by Saturday afternoon.

At this point in time, New Delhi cannot afford to irk either Moscow or Washington. India did not criticise the US like Iran did, and just said "We urge all Parties to show restraint and to avoid any further escalation in the situation". US carried out strikes claiming that Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad was developing chemical weapons, which both Syria and Russia have vehementely denied. When it comes to the part where chemical weapons are mentioned, India statement says "The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable."

The phrase "if true" is significant here. By saying "alleged" and "If true", India has not totally endorsed US claims of chemical weapons being developed by Syria. This statement in itself is a diplomatic masterstroke wherein India has managed to give a clear signal that it is neither siding with US, nor does it want to irk Russia.

This was MEA's statement released on Saturday evening, "We urge all Parties to show restraint and to avoid any further escalation in the situation. The matter should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations and on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter the in accordance with international law. We have taken note of the recent strikes in Syria. India is closely following the situation. The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable. We call for an impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW to establish the facts."

Reason for India's stand:

Although it may seem that India is slowly moving away from Russia for supply of defence euipment and depending more on the US, France and Israel, the ties between Moscow and New Delhi are old. India cannot do away with its dependence on Russia for help in defence supplies. Two of the most important projects - BrahMos and Sukhoi- have Russian involvement. Moreover, there are still a lot MiG fighters in IAF's fleet which need service support from Russia. Russia has in the past stood by India as a strong ally, since Nehru's times.

As far the US is concerned, India Air Force is facing with the problem of depleting squadron strength. Reports suggest that India might consider a number of F-18 or F-16 fighter jets to address this problem. Recently, India had purchased Apache helicopters from the US. During PM Modi's last visit to the US, it was being speculated that India may buy Predator drones from US.

So, all in all, India needs both the US and Russia and cannot afford to irk either of them.

['Matter should be resolved through dialogue': India on US strikes in Syria]

International reactions to US strikes:

Germany said it supports the action taken to deter the Syrian regime from using chemical weapons on its own citizens.

"The military operation was necessary and appropriate to preserve the effectiveness of the international ban on the use of chemical weapons and to warn the Syrian regime of further violations.100 years after the end of the First World War, we are all called upon to counteract the erosion of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Germany will resolutely support all diplomatic action in this direction," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reportedly said that Tehran would continue to stand by Syria. Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Saturday that the country's Ministry of Health has offered to send medical aid to Syria should it be required.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the US and its allies of committing a "major crime" with its trilateral strikes on Syrian targets overnight, in a tweet on Saturday morning.

The European Union is supportive of all efforts aimed at preventing the use of chemical weapons, its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in a statement on Saturday.

The EU has called on "all countries, notably Russia and Iran" to use their influence in preventing any further use of chemical weapons, according to the statement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry said it believed political settlement is the only realistic way to resolve the Syrian issue and called for a fair probe into Syria's suspected chemical weapon attacks. It added that any military action that bypassed the UN Security Council violated the international law.

Isreal and Turkey have supported the airstrikes. Turkey has dubbed the strikes as "appropriate response".

OneIndia News
Wasim Rizvi assassination plot: Fourth accused arrested

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Delhi Police on Sunday (April 15) arrested a fourth individual in connection with a conspiracy to assassinate Shia Waqf Board Chairman Wasim Rizvi on behest of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who is operating from Pakistan.

The cops had on Friday arrested three people on charges of conspiring to kill Rizvi on behest of Dawood Ibrahim. The aides, identified as Arif, Abrar and Saleem, were arrested following the inputs provided by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

In June, Rizvi had lodged an FIR in the matter under section 507 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that pertains to criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, said that an unknown person calling himself an aide of Ibrahim with a Nepal based cellular number had called him.

In his FIR with the Saadatganj police station in Lucknow, Rizvi mentioned that the unknown person said that it was because Rizvi is getting Muslims killed because of his statements, that both his and his family's lives are under Ibrahim's radar.

Rizvi claimed that he had recorded the entire conversation on his mobile phone and was ready to produce it if needed. In January, Rizvi wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath to bring all Islamic religious institutions under the ambit of the general education system.
Yogi real culprit in Unnao rape case alleges Congress

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

The real culprit in the Unnao rape case is Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, the Congress has said. The party has also demanded his immediate sacking.

The opposition party also hit out at the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over its "indictment" by the Allahabad High Court, saying the chief minister's position had become "rudderless" in the state.

"The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June, 2017 and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the CM, Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement here.

He also referred to excerpts from the court's observation on the Unnao case and alleged that Uttar Pradesh had become "Ravana Rajya" for women, Dalits and farmers during the BJP rule.

"BJP leaders have mastered the art of extending state protection to rapists, shaming the victim and her family, defending the accused and crying conspiracy...And the Adityanath government has perfected this art to the hilt," Surjewala alleged.

The high court's observations yesterday revealed "how a chief minister can become deaf, blind and mute to a heinous crime like rape, the custodial death of the victim's father and the continuous loud cries of the victim's family", he said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made the second arrest in the Unnao rape case today as it took into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the 17-year-old victim girl to the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, officials said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 8:08 [IST]
Kim calls for stronger North Korea-China ties

International

pti-PTI

Seoul, Apr 15: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally greeted a top Chinese official in Pyongyang and called for stronger ties with Beijing, state media said on Sunday (April 15), as the traditional allies seek to heal battered relations.

Kim met with Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's international department, who was leading an art troupe to attend a spring festival in the North's capital. The delegation arrived just weeks after Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signalling an attempt by both leaders to shore up a key alliance ahead of a period of high-stakes diplomacy.

Kim is expected to hold summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in this month and US President Donald Trump in the following weeks. The North's official KCNA news agency said Kim welcomed Song and his delegation in a meeting on Saturday, where Song conveyed Xi's "warm greetings".

The two exchanged "profound views on the important matters of mutual concern" between their parties and the international situation, KCNA said, without providing details.

"The Supreme Leader said that he would positively carry forward and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship into a fresh phase of development as required by a new era," it added, using the North's official acronym.

Beijing is North Korea's sole major ally, an alliance dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, but relations deteriorated after China backed United Nations sanctions to punish Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programme. More high-level exchanges and cooperation will follow between Beijing and Pyongyang, the report cited Kim as saying.

In response, Song vowed to make "a fresh contribution to promoting the prolonged and stable development of the China-DPRK relations". Song is leading a Chinese art troupe attending a spring art festival in Pyongyang held as part of the commemorations for the anniversary of the birth of the North's founder Kim Il Sung on April 15, 1912. Both North Korean and foreign artists take part, and this year's week-long event includes concerts, dance performances and acrobatics. KCNA also issued a rare separate report on Kim's wife who attended a performance by the Chinese art troupe yesterday in the absence of her husband.

"First Lady Ri Sol Ju enjoyed a ballet choreodrama 'Giselle' given by the National Ballet of China," KCNA reported, adding she held "friendly talk" with the guests ahead of the performance. China has sent art troupes to every festival since 1986, except in 2016.

PTI
Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump

Thousands of terrorists might have been airlifted out of Kabul: Trump slams Biden

Never in history has withdrawal from war been handled so badly: Trump

Perfectly executed says Donald Trump on Syrian airstrikes

International

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

Mission accomplished, declared US President Donald Trump as he praised the "perfectly executed" airstrikes against the Syrian regime. The US president claimed that the joint action was meant to establish a "strong deterrent" against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.

Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday that US and its allies fired over 100 cruise missiles at Syria, a significant number of which were intercepted by Syrian air defences.

Hundreds of Syrians demonstrated in a landmark square of the Syrian Capital, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance. The demonstrations broke out on early Saturday following a wave of US, British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad

Reacting to the joint attack on Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday slammed the US and its allies for carrying out a military strike on Syria, saying that Washington was "increasingly exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria" as he called for an immediate UN Security Council meeting to discuss the "aggressive action".

"Russia strongly condemns the attack on Syria where Russian servicemen are helping the legitimate Government in the war on terrorism," the Kremlin press office quoted Putin as saying.

China too condemned the airstrikes, saying any action bypassing the UN charter violates the principles of international law.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 10:38 [IST]
British poodle again? UK PM criticised over Syria airstrikes

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

British Prime Minister Theresa May might have had success in mobilising international opinion in her favour after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found to be poisoned in Salisbury, England, and a massive diplomatic purge took place the world over, but she could not pull it off as easily over the West's air strikes against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

According to a report published in The Guardian, May is facing strong criticism from parliamentarians after home after the British forces joined the US and France to target Syria's chemical weapons facilities without obtaining the MPs' consent.

Trailing after Trump, says UK Oppn leader

May defended the action taken by the West passionately, saying there was no other alternative and that chemical attacks could not be normalised but her stand was not bought by many. In what revived the memory of 'the British poodle', UK's Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party accused the PM of "trailing after Donald Trump" and opinionated that May should have taken the parliament's approval before ratifying such action. He also condemned the joint action, calling it "legally questionable action".

In the early 2000s, the then British prime minister Tony Blair who belonged to Corbyn's own party, was mocked as the American poodle for allegedly following the US in its intervention in Iraq and war on terrorism.

Corbyn said use of bombs would neither save people nor give peace a chance. He also said about US Defence Secretary James Mattis who said the air strikes made it risky by escalating an already devastating conflict further.

Action right but no procedure?

Labour MP John Woodcock, one of the Labour MPs who thought action was necessary against Assad, also believed that the PM did not do it right by not taking the parliament into confidence about the air strikes.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon also took a dig at May accusing her of toeing the presidential wishes while Vince Cable, a Lib Dem leader, was even stronger in his attack. He said "Riding the coat-tailing of an erratic US president" was "no substitute for a mandate from the House of Commons", the Guardian report said.

Leaders of the Green Party accused May of trampling over parliamentary democracy and sought a vote to be held on Monday, April 16.

May, who was open to more attacks if the Assad regime did not part ways with the chemical weapons, reportedly evaded questions on whether she was ready to seek a retrospective vote in parliament on Monday, the Guardian reported.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 15:23 [IST]
Syria: The West had waited against Hitler too to a point of no return

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

The airstrikes by the United States and its coalition against the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad eventually happened. But one would say that it came far too late and a big opportunity was lost for the West.

Now, even if the West led by US President Donald Trump and other heads of state are trying to take a moral stand on the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons against its own people to get rid of the rebels, one will still suspect it as a desperate bid to divert attention from the domestic issues that are causing much trouble for some of the western leaders.

While Trump was always having tough challenges at home, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Theresa May are neither having an easy going in their respective countries at the moment.

The action came far far late

Whatever might be the reason, the West's attempt to get Syria free from the clutches of "Animal" Assad a long seven years after the blood thirsty war started looks more as a forced measure to show the world its 'human' face than a genuine concern to protect the hapless people of Syria.

Trump's hollow concern for Syria

Trump's concern for Syria looks hollow because till recently, he was trying to hold a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. But in the wake of the Stormy Daniels case, he has been found taking a harsher stand on Moscow - be it through expulsion of diplomats in the wake of the Skripals' poisoning or executing retaliation over Syria.

The current American president has exhibited an intent of not involving in other countries' affairs earlier but after the 'extremist' John Bolton took over as the national security adviser to Trump last week, the White House seems to have returned to the hawkish Republican days of armed intervention.

In the aftermath of the never-ending crises in Afghanistan and Iraq that have disappointed the common people of the western democracies who find such military actions a colossal waste of money and human lives, the western leaders turned indifferent towards foreign affairs even if they saw ruthless butchering of its own people by a dictatorial regime.

Reminds of West's wait and watch policy against Hitler

But the lid of the pressure cooker now seems to have flown away with the elected leaders finding other threats to their authority in terms of popular dissent. And they found an enemy to unite against when the fact is that the same enemy had remained there for the last seven years.

In the 1930s, too, the world had seen the west adopting an appeasement policy towards Adolf Hitler till they realised that it was too dangerous, eventually resorting to a military action to neutralise the Fascist leader. Something similar is happening in Syria now.

By failing to use up the crucial time to stop Assad, the West has allowed other powers like Russia and Iran to fill the void created and now, a country's internal problem has magnified into a full-fledged regional challenge where too many interests are at odds and it has become too complex an issue to be settled by conducting air strikes.

Military action hasn't solved the Afghanistan and Iraq problems either and pushed those once stable countries into utter chaos with no solution in sight. Syria could also go to a similar direction today if Assad tumbles. And if that is something the West thought about finally, it could have been done long ago and a lot of lives could have been saved.

Former American president Barack Obama and former British PM David Cameron had failed to enforce things against Assad - something that changed the course of the conflict towards the latter's advantage and went on building on the confidence gained thereby.

It is very unlikely that he would be deterred by the successors of Obama and Cameron either by the missile strikes and would continue to amass those devastating weapons behind the shield it has managed to procure through the support of Russia and Iran. As the side effect of this delayed action, the other conflicts related to this problem between parties that have made themselves relevant in this would only get worse.

The West might just have created a third abyss after Afghanistan and Iraq.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 13:58 [IST]
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.



(Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA



While sitting in my second office, Starbucks, I got the following tweet from a dear friend. " @ EgbertoWillies Here's one to look into involving your favorite workplace." Two black guys peacefully sitting down in a Philadelphia Starbucks were arrested after an employee apparently called the police because they hadn't ordered anything.

The story is simple. Like other human beings, a couple of black guys sit down in a Starbucks waiting for a friend. At the time they did not order anything. Of course, anyone frequenting the store knows many people come in and sit to cool off, warm up, or merely to use the free wifi.

Starbucks has the right to ask anyone to leave their premises. But for obvious reasons they don't. Most people are eventual patrons anyway. Apparently this time, an employee singled out two black men as nonpurchasing trespassers and called the cops. A simple incident escalated to an arrest.

What I think is most disconcerting is most of Starbucks patrons just watched. One white guy stood up to call out injustice as Starbucks, and most of their patrons observed two black men demeaned and abused for just being.

Starbucks has since released an apology on Twitter.

We apologize to the two individuals and our customers and are disappointed this led to an arrest. We take these matters seriously and clearly have more work to do when it comes to how we handle incidents in our stores. We are reviewing our policies and will continue to engage with the community and the police department to try to ensure these types of situations never happen in any of our stores.

The two black men arrested were released without any charges of trespassing or any other. But they had to endure a disruption in their lives for just being who they are.

I am a very frequent patron of Starbucks. In fact, I am there virtually seven days a week, several times a day for several hours a day. I do most of my blogging there. Many stories I write are from interactions with folks there. At my stores here in Kingwood, the baristas are kind and friendly with me all of the times.

No one has disrespected me at any Starbucks throughout Texas, DC, California, Washington, and other states to date. In fact, the opposite is true. But I can't remember ever going to the store without purchasing. It does make one wonder what it would be like if my first presence were that of a non-patron.

The question was rhetorical. Employees of any corporation reflect society as a whole. I attempted to make that point in an article titled "Our police is but the reflection of our alter ego" for those who think there is something special about police officers that should give them more dignity than the population at large. The reality is that it is all about policy. It is incumbent on companies to have strict policies that affirmatively protect all against discriminatory practices. One cannot control peoples' hearts, but a company can and must control their behavior from negatively affecting others.

I will give Starbucks, the corporation, the benefit of the doubt until I see how they resolve this. The employee who called the police must get his due, discipline at least, fired at best to make the point that discrimination is intolerable at Starbucks. Likewise, they must use this incident to expose the behavior of the cops. They must use their platform to highlight this dual injustice that is systemic. A Progressive company like Starbucks can afford to do no less.

(h/t Melissa DePino, HuffPost)
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Gush Shalom



Protest demonstration against the killings of peaceful unarmed Gazans by Israel

(Image by WELFARE PARTY PHOTOS) Details DMCA



WRITE DOWN: I, Uri Avnery, soldier number 44410 of the Israel army, hereby dissociate myself from the army sharpshooters who murder unarmed demonstrators along the Gaza Strip, and from their commanders, who give them the orders, up to the commander in chief.

We don't belong to the same army, or to the same state. We hardly belong to the same human race.

IS MY government committing "war crimes" along the border of the Gaza Strip?

I don't know. I am not a jurist.

It seems that officials of the International Criminal Court believe that the acts of our soldiers do constitute war crimes. They demand an international investigation.

To prevent that, our army command proposes an Israeli military investigation. That is manifestly ridiculous -- an army investigating itself about acts committed on direct orders of the Chief of Staff.

As was published in advance, sharpshooters were posted along the border fence and ordered to kill "ringleaders" of the unarmed protesters on the other side of the fence. The Gaza leadership had announced that these unarmed protests were to take place every week, after Friday prayers, until Naqba Day.

During the first two Fridays, 29 unarmed people were shot dead and more than a thousand wounded by sharpshooters.

For me this is not a judicial question. It is a crime, not only against the unarmed protesters. It is also a crime against the State of Israel, against the people of Israel and against the Israeli army.

Since I was a member of that army on the day of its foundation, I think that it is also a crime against my comrades and me.

THIS WEEK a short video, recorded by a soldier at the time of such an action, was widely seen in Israel.

It shows the action from the angle of a soldier who was obviously standing next to a sharpshooter. The sharpshooter sees the demonstrators from a distance of hundreds of yards. The hairs of his sights move at random, than settle on an individual. He shoots. The person drops on the spot.

A joyous cry "Yesh" is heard all around from unseen soldiers who have been watching. "Yesh" means "got him," a jubilant yell, such as would accompany a hunter's success in killing a rabbit.

Many hundreds of thousands of Israelis have seen this film by now, since it was shown for the first time on TV. Except for a few articles and letters to the editor (in Haaretz), there has been no protest.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

By Dave Lindorff

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday in Philadelphia, birthplace of the United States. Crowds of people took advantage of temperatures that were in the '80s for the second day in a row to stroll the streets of Center City, shopping and patronizing the various restaurants and coffee shops. The only sign that the US had just attacked the capital of another Middle East country with a shock-and-awe blitz of cruise missiles was a small group of Marxist protesters gamely standing in a line along 15th Street on the west side of City Hall, holding up signs criticizing the attack on Syria and pointing out how US military spending and endless wars are robbing schools, health care and other human needs of funding.

The hastily arranged protest by several dozen activists was not derided by the strolling tourists and passing drivers so much as it was simply ignored like a part of the scenery.

Totally missing was any protest action by the larger peace and justice organizations -- the ones that are calling themselves the "Resistance" to President Trump. Indeed, the so-called Resistance has been seeking pledges from supporters to come out on the street the moment Trump tries to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Obviously the organization has a huge mailing list, but it didn't turn to it to call people to action in protest of Trump's criminal launching of an attack on Syria, ostensibly intended to "punish" Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad for an alleged, but not proven, chemical attack on Douma, a suburb of Damascus on April 7.

How could they have taken action? The Democratic Party "leaders" of this "Resistance" -- people like Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) were actually cheering the Trump attack on Syria, as were many other Democratic members of Congress who keep talking about "resisting" Trump.

Never mind that the attack on Syria was both a major war crime under the UN Charter, a treaty drawn up largely by the US, approved by the US Senate and signed into law in 1945, or that Trump had absolutely no authority under the Constitution to launch the attack, since Syria posed no threat, imminent or otherwise, to the US or its allies.

It's almost as if the attitude among the broader "Resistance" movement against Trump just went, "Phew, that's over. At least he didn't attack the Russians and get us into WWIII!"

The response of the American public, save for a few dedicated souls like those gathered at the City Hall protest in Philly, has been largely ho-hum.

Uptown a bit at Temple University, students were strolling around the campus also enjoying the nice weather, some of them completely unaware that their nation had just launched a major attack on another country. There was no sign of protest there either. Indeed, a Google search for protest only turned up events relating to the earlier threats of action or to last year's launching of a smaller cruise missile attack on Syria by Trump. There were protests planned for today, and a few around the country for yesterday, but really one had to look abroad to Greece to find an example of a major protest against the attack on Syria, even though the US was joined by token forces from the UK and France, both members of NATO and the European Union.

We seem to have slipped into a situation like Orwell's 1984 in which the US government can simply say that war is peace, as the Trump administration is currently doing (claiming that it is committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to the civil war tearing Syria apart even as it trains and funds terrorist groups in that country and launches bombing blitzes into its cities), and the public just go about their business as though nothing is happening.

Of course this is nothing new. Even as Trump decries the alleged but unproven deaths of a few dozen "women and children" in the still unproven "gas attack" in Douma, blame for which -- if it occurred at all -- has not been determined, the US has been the primary supplier of weapons, including deadly cluster bombs, and the jets to deliver them, to Saudi Arabia for its now years-long deadly bombing campaign against the people of Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East. That country's women and children have been dying by the thousands now for several years in this one-sided US-backed war. They're dying both directly from the made-in-America bombs being dropped by Saudi forces, and from an epic cholera epidemic and starvation that are the result of the destruction of the country's infrastructure -- all of this with hardly a murmur of protest from the American people.

The US media bear much of the blame of course. Prior to Trump's cruise missile attack on Syria, the nation's leading news organizations were awash in editorials calling for action, and were running propaganda photos and video images of allegedly poisoned victims (who looked surprisingly healthy). Meanwhile one struggles to find any reportage on the US role in perpetuating the ongoing horror of Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen. In fact, it's much easier to find a report about Yemen when that country's embattled Houti fighters manage to launch a retaliatory missile into Saudi Arabia than about the daily carnage caused by Saudi bombings of civilian targets in Yemen.

The decision by President Richard Nixon, in 1973, to end the military draft in the US and to convert the military into an all-volunteer force, combined with the development of remotely piloted drones and cruise missiles capable of wreaking destruction at a distance, have reduced US casualties to a miniscule number, allowing the American people to ignore what's being done in their name to innocent populations around the globe. Meanwhile, a media that simply do not question a military budget that this year, at $760 billion, exceeds half of the just-passed $1.33-trillion federal budget for discretionary spending.

Instead of honestly reporting the vast share of wasted tax revenues that go into supporting American militarism, the media resort to a sleight of hand that includes the separat payroll-tax funded Social Security and Medicare programs into the mix, thus reducing the military spending share of the budget to an artificially low 25%. The implication, which I've actually heard incorrectly stated on news programs, even on National Public Radio, is that military spending is "not discretionary" but is rather as unalterable as Social Security benefits. As one host of an NPR talk show put it in a program discussing the budget, without any correction being made, "Well, after you talk out the mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicare and Defense, it's hard to find anywhere to cut the budget."

This goes hand-in-hand with the generally accepted media description of America's men and women in uniform as "heroes who are defending our freedom" as they occupy, invade and assault or launch deadly "targeted killing" attacks by drone or special forces actions in dozens of nations around the globe -- nations whose people never travel more than a few miles from their native villages or towns, and whose countries pose zero threat to America or to American's vaunted if all to seldom-exercised freedoms.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Smirking Chimp

Politicians, pundits and activists who've routinely denounced President Trump as a tool of Vladimir Putin can now mull over a major indicator of their cumulative impacts. The U.S.-led missile attack on Syria before dawn Saturday is the latest benchmark for gauging the effects of continually baiting Trump as a puppet of Russia's president.

Heavyweights of U.S. media -- whether outlets such as CNN and MSNBC or key newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post -- spent most of the last week clamoring for Trump to order air strikes on Syria. Powerful news organizations have led the way in goading Trump to prove that he's not a Putin lackey after all.

One of the clearest ways that Trump can offer such proof is to recklessly show he's willing to risk a catastrophic military confrontation with Russia.

In recent months, the profusion of "war hawks, spies and liars" on national television has been part of a media atmosphere that barely acknowledges what's at stake with games of chicken between the world's two nuclear superpowers. Meanwhile, the dominant U.S. news media imbue their reporting with a nationalistic sense of impunity.

On Saturday morning, the top headline on the New York Times website was "U.S. Attacks Syria in Retaliatory Strike," while the subhead declared that "Western resolve" was at work. The story led off by reporting that Trump "sought to punish President Bashar al-Assad for a suspected chemical attack near Damascus last weekend that killed more than 40 people."

Try putting the shoe on the other foot for a moment. Imagine that Russia, with a similar rationale, fired missiles at U.S. ally Saudi Arabia because the Kremlin "sought to punish King Salman for his country's war crimes in Yemen" -- with such reportage appearing under a headline that described the Russian attack as a "retaliatory strike."

The latest U.S. air attack on Russia's close ally Syria was as much politically aimed at Moscow as at Damascus. And afterwards, the televised adrenalin-pumped glee was as much an expression of pleasure about striking a blow at Putin as at Assad. After all, ever since Trump took office, the U.S. media and political elites have been exerting enormous pressures on him to polarize with Russia.

But let's be clear: The pressures have not only been generated by corporate media and the political establishment. Across the United States, a wide range of people including self-described liberals and progressives -- as individuals and organizations -- have enthusiastically participated in the baiting, cajoling and denouncing of Trump as a Putin tool. That participation has stoked bellicose rhetoric by congressional Democrats, fueling the overall pressure on Trump to escalate tensions with Russia.

What's really at issue here is not the merits of the Russian government in 2018, any more than the issue was the merits of the Soviet government in 1967 -- when President Lyndon Johnson hosted an extensive summit meeting in Glassboro, New Jersey, with Soviet Premier Alexi Kosygin, reducing the chances of nuclear war in the process.

If you keep heading toward a destination, you're likely to get there. In 2018, by any realistic measure, the escalating conflicts between the United States and Russia -- now ominously reaching new heights in Syria -- are moving us closer to World War III. It's time to fully recognize the real dangers and turn around.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Smirking Chimp



U.S. Navy Destroyers Launch Strikes on Syria

(Image by navylive.dodlive.mil) Details DMCA



Behind President Donald Trump's bluster and threats over Syria, powerful forces are pushing the US towards war with Russia and Syria: the neocons and the military industrial complex.

For a candidate who once proposed a normal relationship with Russia, just peace in the Mideast, and an end to America's foreign wars, Donald Trump is now hurtling towards a full-scale war with Russia and a new disaster in the Mideast. Not since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis has the danger of nuclear war seemed so close.

While Trump fulminates about the alleged use of toxic gas in Syria, US B-1 and B-52 heavy bombers are flattening villages in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

The bloodbath in Syria was ignited in 2011 by the US, Saudi Arabia and their allies in an effort to overthrow the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who was failing to accept US tutelage and too friendly with Iran. By my count, this was the third attempt by Washington to overthrow a Syrian government since 1948.

Believe very little of what we are told about Syria. Trump threatens to again attack Syria because it is alleged to have used chlorine gas on anti-government defenders and civilians in the Ghouta enclave near Damascus. This may be true -- or a fabrication.

Much of our information on Syria comes from "false flag" outfits set up by western intelligence like the "White Helmets" and "Syrian Observatory," Britain's once independent BBC, now a major organ for government information warfare, and the majority of US government "guided" mainstream media hankering for a Mideast war.

Interestingly, the reliable Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz just reported that Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, donated $1.1 million to a rabid American anti-Muslim group during the 2016 elections.

Lauder was joined by Robert Mercer, another leading far right Muslim-hater and Trump supporter. Such religious/racial hatred will likely blow up in their faces one day when the anti-Muslim far right turns on Jewish Americans.

Israel's government plans to fragment Syria, just as was done with Iraq. This would eliminate the only remaining credible Arab state opposing Israel's domination of the region and, equally important, allow Israel to begin expropriating chunks of Syria, notably water sources and pipeline routes.

Britain is trying to show the old lion still has some teeth. France used to be colonial ruler of today's Syria and wants to reassert its influence there.

The timing for Israel is ideal. Trump may have been a Trojan Horse for US neocons. He has named ardently pro-Israel figures to senior posts: the loathsome Nikki Haley to the UN; the well-known 'crazy' from Bush days, John Bolton, as National Security Advisor; the notorious torturer madame, Gina Haspel, as new CIA chief and so on and nominated tea-party Mike Pompeo from darkest Kansas as Secretary of State of all people. The State Dept. has been quietly purged of 'Arabist' experts who understood the Mideast. The Christian fundamentalist machine that provided Trump his support base is running white hot promoting modern-day Crusader passions and hatred of Muslims. Nice bedfellows for Ron Lauder.

With this potent neocon amen chorus now singing at high volume, Trump, who evaded military service during the Vietnam War (when this writer was in US uniform), now thinks he can bully Russia into crying uncle and backing down in Syria, leaving it to the US and Israel.

He has misread President Vladimir Putin who is hard as steel but also very clever and deft. Trump is violating the most important rule of US diplomacy: never, ever get into a confrontation with a nuclear-armed power. Russia, which lost 30 million dead in World War II will not be lightly bullied into retreat. The Russians know if they back down over Syria, the US will then proceed to its ultimate objective, dismantling the Russian Federation and turning it into a client state. This almost happened under the drunken Yeltsin and is why Putin came to power.

Let's hope Gen. Jim Mattis and the US military will deter Trump from more war-mongering. Trump is a child playing with nuclear matches. Putin may even help Trump find a way out of this game of nuclear chicken, as he did with President Obama. That is, provided the neocons clustered around him don't manage to trigger a war with Russia.
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

(This is a reprint from NewsBred).



Brinda Karat: A bout of amnesia

(Image by ashishshukla.net) Details DMCA



Brinda Karat of CPI (M) has suffered from amnesia in accusing BJP leaders of complicity-by-support in the Kathua and Unnao rape incidents in an edit piece in The Hindu on Friday.

The thing most common in amnesia of course is memory loss--hopefully temporary in Brinda's case though with the Left-Liberal-Media gang you could be sure it's more likely a front to their shameless lies and propaganda.

Draw a parallel with the unfortunate killing of Gauri Lankesh last year and you would see the following patterns emerge:

(i) Blame the BJP and right-wing even before their complicity is established (Ramachandra Guha);

(ii) Never bother to cover your tracks in case the accusation goes unproven;

(iii) Never lift a finger in case your own cabal of Left-Liberal-Lutyens Media are shown going soft on murders and rapes where a Hindu is a sufferer: more so if the alleged crime is committed by a Muslim or minority.

Karat has gone into convulsions over Kathua, stating that Hindus of the region are communalizing an unfortunate, tragic incident of a defense-less little girl-child, staging protests and unrest.

The amnesia stops Madam Karat from bringing the following facts in readers/public domain:

(i) The government called an officer from Kashmir to investigate the matter rather than involving Jammu police officers, which reeks of political conspiracy;

(ii) They called an officer who himself was in prison for one year;

(iii) The subsequent charge-sheet claims that Hindus of Jammu have conspired against Bakharwal community--clearly an attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims of Jammu on communal lines;

(iv) Two kids from Meerut were beaten up by police and forced to give wrong statements as they professed in front of the judge;

(v) That the protests were also staged by Jammu 's lawyers' body (a non-communal professional body), which Karat hides in her hysterical piece.

So what's wrong when the two BJP state ministers appealed for the matter to be investigated by CBI?

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.



White House

(Image by theglobalpanorama) Details DMCA



"The silver tray sat at the bedside. The newly elected President of Foxlandia awoke, alone; his wife slept down the hall. Foxlandia had always been brilliant in her dreams. Now she dreamed of the place she came from, her Momma's cooking and the men she had known that didn't plan their days around assuaging their rampant personal vanity and fast food. She had even once in his presence confided to her mother, in their native tongue, that, "It is like living with that vain slut, Branka 'Marilyn' Sraka, he even smells of cheap rouge."

The President sat up in the gilded bed -- modeled after the bed Benito Mussolini had gifted his mistress, with grinning putti and fruit and bulls. He cussed the reports and newspapers and magazines stacked on the bed, throwing them into the corner of the room with the fried-chicken buckets and secret sauce-stained paper boxes. He grabbed the silver tray, put the silver straw into his right nostril and snorted the gray, powdered rhino horn.

Looking down he frowned and muttered something under his breath. The powder was not having the desired effect. It was not enhancing the meager source of his genius for strategy and sales. He hoped that his recent trip to Russia, where they do that thing with urine, would soon pay off..." From "The Whore of Babylon Visits the Whiter House". By Franklin Cincinnatus.
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.





We should have seen this coming.

More than a decade ago, I. Lewis Libby -- a.k.a. Scooter -- was convicted in federal court of lying to a grand jury and to the FBI and of obstructing justice. Libby had been chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney and one of the leading architects of the US invasion of Iraq, which the Bush-Cheney administration sold to the public with false and hyperbolic claims regarding Saddam Hussein's (nonexistent) weapons of mass destruction programs and his (nonexistent) alliance with Al Qaeda. President Donald Trump pardoned Libby on Friday.

There was no pressing reason for Trump to revive this matter. "I don't know Mr. Libby, but for years I have heard that he has been treated unfairly," the president said in a statement. That was hardly a rousing explanation. But there is this: Libby was prosecuted by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who had been appointed as special counsel in 2003 by a deputy attorney general named...James Comey. Whatever Trump's intent, the Libby pardon was a raised middle-finger to the fellow who has just compared Trump to a Mafia chieftain. It also sent a troubling signal that this president is not offended by those who stonewall the FBI and special counsels. Get the picture?
Quicklink Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them.



To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Progressive Content Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing.



To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Paul Craig Roberts Website



U.S. Navy Destroyers Launch Strikes on Syria

(Image by navylive.dodlive.mil) Details DMCA



It appears from the very limited US missile attack, most of which were intercepted and destroyed by Syrian air defenses, that the US military prevailed over the crazed John Bolton and carefully avoided a strike that would have resulted in a Russian response. No significant Syrian site appears to have been targeted, and no Russians were endangered.

The US ambassador to Russia said that the US strikes were coordinated with Russia to avoid a great power confrontation. Russia Insider concludes that the exercise was a face-saver for Trump.

The main effect seems to be that Trump has further discredited himself and the US by violating the UN Charter and international law and committing an act of aggression, which is a war crime for which Nazi civilian and military officials were executed. Russia's President Putin said that the wanton and illegal use of force by Washington has had "a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations" and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. China also condemned the illegal US attack.

How was the feared conflict between the US and Russia avoided? From what I have been able to learn, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff would not accept the risk of conflict with Russia. The reason is not that the Joint Chiefs are more moral, more caring about the deaths and injuries that would result, or less inclined to go to war based on lies. Their objection was based on the lack of protection US Navy ships have from the new Russian weapons systems. An attack that brought a Russian response could sink the US flotilla and present the US with a humiliating defeat that would discredit American military prowess.

Bolton's position was that Putin is a p*ssy who, as in every previous case, will do nothing. Bolton's position is that the Russians are so scared of US military might that they will not respond to any US attack on their forces and Syrian forces. The Russians, Bolton says, will do what they always do. They will whine about the crime to the UN, and the Western media will ignore them as always.

The US Secretary of War, James Mattis, represented the Joint Chiefs opinion. What, Mattis asked, if the Russians have had enough and do what they are capable of and sink the US flotilla? Is Trump prepared to accept a defeat engineered by his National Security Adviser? Is Trump prepared for a possible wider conflict?

The Joint Chiefs would rather use the orchestrated "Syrian crisis" to argue for more money, not to go to war that could be terminable of their retirement plans. The Joint Chiefs can tell Congress: "We couldn't risk conflict with Russia over the use of chemical weapons in Syria because we were outgunned. We need more money." The older American generation will remember the fantasy "missile gap" of the Nixon/Kennedy presidential campaign that was used to boost US defense spending.

It would be a mistake for anyone to conclude that common sense has prevailed and the conflict has been resolved. What has prevailed is the Joint Chiefs' fear of a defeat. The next crisis that Washington orchestrates will be on terms less favorable to Russian arms.

Bolton, the neoconservatives and the Israeli interests that they represent will go to work on Mattis and the dissenting generals. Leaks will appear in the presstitute media that are designed to discredit Mattis and to foment Trump's distrust. The neoconservatives will advance military men more in line with the neoconservatives' aggressiveness to positions on the Joint Chiefs.

Syria is not about any chemical weapons use. Ahmet Uzumcu, director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, reported that all chemical weapons had been removed from Syria. "Never before has an entire arsenal of a category of weapons of mass destruction been removed from a country experiencing a state of internal armed conflict, and this has been accomplished within very demanding and tight time frames."

Syria is not about dictatorship or building democracy. It is not about the alleged 70 victims of chemical weapons. It would take a complete idiot to believe that Washington and its European vassals, who have killed, maimed, orphaned, and displaced millions of Muslims in seven countries over the last 17 years to be so upset over the deaths of 70 Muslims that they are willing to risk war with Russia.

Syria and Iran are an issue, because Syria and Iran supply the Lebanese militia, Hezbollah, with money and weapons. This support from Syria and Iran gives Hezbollah the capability of preventing Israel's occupation and annexation of southern Lebanon, whose water resources Israel covets.

Twice the vaunted Israel Army has been chased out of Lebanon by Hezbollah. Israel's military reputation cannot risk a third defeat by a mere militia, so Israel is using its control over US foreign policy and its rock solid alliance with the neoconservatives to use the US military to destabilize Syria and Iran as the US did to Iraq and Libya.

Additionally, there is the crazed neoconservative ideology of US world hegemony. The interests of Russia and China are in the way of US hegemony. Therefore, these two countries are defined as "threats." Russia and China are not threats because they intend to attack the US, which neither has shown any indication of doing. They are threats because they are in opposition to US unilateralism which overrides their sovereignty. In other words, to be clear, the US cannot tolerate any country that has an independent foreign or economic policy.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

When hate invades the human mind, there is no limit to brutal atrocity. On April 10, a Guardian story included a video in which there is cheering as an Israeli sniper shoots an unarmed Palestinian a considerable distance away. Shown on TV in Israel, it has been the subject of some introspective debate. Then there is news from Kashmir to make anyone, but the perpetrators and their supporters, cringe in horror.



Eight-year-old Asifa Bano went in the afternoon to the nearby forest, as she usually did, to bring back the family horses from grazing. She never returned. Family and friends searched all-night by flashlights but could not find her. Five days later her body was found.



"She had been tortured," recalls her mother. "Her legs were broken ... Her nails had turned black and there were blue and red marks on her arm and fingers."





Was this the work of a demented sadist? No, it turns out. It was a planned operation intended to terrorize her community of Muslim nomads (Gujjars) to leave this predominantly Hindu area about 45 miles east of Jammu City.





According to investigators, Asifa was taken to a temple where she was held for several days. The eight-year old was repeatedly "raped for days, tortured and then murdered," states the charge sheet. She was strangled to death, then hit twice on the head with a stone.





A retired government officer, Sanji Ram, aged 60, calmly planned this horror, aided by police officers Anand Dutta, Tilak Raj, Sunder Verma, and someone called Khajuria. The outrage over the incident has grown since two ministers from the ruling BJP (Mr. Modi's party) attended a rally in support of the accused.





Terrorizing Muslims in Kashmir is not new; it has been ongoing for decades. But terrorizing Muslims, Dalits, Christians and indigenous peoples in India itself has now also mushroomed.





Six Christian churches have been burned since 2015, and a concerted attempt to boycott Christian businesses is underway in the northeast. The killing of Muslims and Dalits by vigilantes on minor pretexts continues as the country's democracy turns into a 'mobocracy'.





It is 'Democracy a la' Modi', a phrase that is the title of a long essay by scholars Sumit Ganguly and Krishna Menon in The National Interest (Jan/Feb 2018) -- the title was changed to 'Making India Great Again?' in the internet version. Mr. Modi and his party want to turn India's "kaleidoscope of languages, religions, castes and cultures" into a culturally Hindu state, even a religious return to Hinduism for they believe that "many Hindus were forcibly converted to, or duped into adopting Islam and Christianity." Forget the Islamic injunction against forced conversion or the abundant evidence of tireless Christian missionaries including Mother Teresa.





The National Volunteer Force or RSS in their white shirt, khaki shorts uniform conduct martial drills and "serves as the party's force multiplier and base". It demonizes the other creating the environment for vigilante lynchings of minorities -- overwhelmingly Muslim note the authors -- to continue with impunity.





"Attacks on minority communities have become common, and academics, students and journalists who highlight the harassment and intimidation are subjected to public calumny, and have occasionally been killed."





Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

The real Syria story is that the Democrats, Republicans, almost all of the mainstream media and Trump's team of liars and chickenhawk war mongers are selling the American public and the world a bill of goods about Syria poisoning its people. Worse, this picture is a re-run. But what the hell. It's worked before, so they keep on using it.

Here's my take. Trump had several "good" reasons for sending a quarter billion dollars worth of Tomahawk missiles to Syria. First, he had to distract from the really bad news that the FBI raid of former attorney Cohen's office could portend prosecution for even worse law violations than Russiagate. Then, there's that glorious military parade Trump's been wanting. This fusillade of Tomahawk missiles was a pretty fun substitute for Donny to play with.

The truth is, as Jimmy Dore points out in the video below, while also giving Tucker Carlson credit, is that there is no proof that Syria's Assad used poison gas on his people, nor any rationale for why he would. This exact scenario, where all the mainstream media and both the Dems and Republicans agree, is a situation where Carlson and Dore propose that we have to be very careful and question the claims, especially when there is bi-partisan agreement.



Ray McGovern points out, in his article, that,

"The attacks by the Gang of Three came hours before specialists from the UN Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were to arrive in Syria to study soil and other samples in Duma. The question leaps out: Why could the Gang not wait until the OPCW had a chance to find out whether there was such an attack and, if so, what chemical(s) were used?U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis could only say that he believes there was a chemical attack and that perhaps sarin, in addition to chlorine, was involved. Serving until now as the only available "evidence" are highly dubious reports from agenda-laden "social media." What is clear is that the U.S./UK/French Gang wanted to strike before the OPCW investigators had a chance to ascertain what happened. Hmm. All the earmarks of "Sentence first; verdict afterwards."

The reality is, most of the legislators in Congress-- both Democrats and Republicans-- are chickenhawk war mongers who jump at the behest of military weapons manufacturers-- directly and through their surrogates-- Trump, Bolton, Pompeo, Feinstein, Schumer, Manchin, McCain, Cotton, Graham, Rohrabacher -- the list is too long.

After Trump got his military rocks off, he claimed "Mission Accomplished." And what would that mission be? Threading a needle so he distracted from his latest Muller investigation woes while firing missiles with the approval of Putin? Trump continues to make the United States the laughing stock of the world-- this time with the help of the MSM, including Adrea Mitchell, Rachel Maddow and the Democratic party.
Palm Sugar Market to Surpass US$ 2,205.8 Mn by 2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/palm-sugar-market/toc

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11023

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

The market for palm sugar is dominated by the Asia Pacific region. Several companies are importing organic palm sugar from Indonesia, India, and Philippines at a very low price and are offering palm sugar with private labelling to other regional markets. Companies are currently focusing on launching palm sugar in different forms, especially the liquid form, and are pumping in investments in research and development for product innovation, with a view to expand their customer base and enhance their regional presence. Insights like these and more are the crux of a new report on the global palm sugar market published by Persistence Market Research.The report titled Palm Sugar Market: Global Industry Analysis (20122016) and Forecast (20172025) tracks the performance of the global market for palm sugar over a period of eight years from 2017 to 2025. The global palm sugar market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,684.2 Mn by 2017 end, and is forecast to be valued at US$ 2,205.8 Mn by 2025 end. Sales revenue is projected to increase at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period (2017-2025).Global Palm Sugar Market: Trends : Growing interest and popularity among consumers in organic food productsIncreasing demand for healthier and premium food options such as smoothies and other bakery products ,Growing interest among consumers regarding ethically sourced products, thereby providing opportunities for ethically traded palm sugar ,More transparency in e-commerce, internet and online stores accompanied with review sites, thereby making it easy for consumers to compare products ,Rising trend of consuming products such as pastries, biscuits and cakesRequest for Table of Contents @Global Palm Sugar Market: Segmental Analysis and Forecast : The global palm sugar market is segmented on the basis of origin, end use, form, and distribution channel. By origin the market is segmented into conventional and organic. The growing demand for organic food products is expected to boost the demand for organic palm sugar across the globe. The organic palm sugar market is estimated to account for a value share of 23.3% by 2017 end, and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.4% in terms of value over the forecast period.On the basis of form the market is segmented into powder, crystal and liquid. The powder segment is expected to account for relatively high value share in the global market by 2025 end, while in terms of value, the liquid segment is expected to expand at a relatively high CAGR over the forecast period.End use segmentation of the global palm sugar market includes food and beverage, foodservice, and household. With more than 80% value share, the household segment is expected to lead the global palm sugar market and register a CAGR of 3.2% in terms of value over the forecast period.The segments by distribution channel comprise direct and indirect segments. In terms of value, the indirect channel segment is projected to be the most attractive market in the global palm sugar market during the forecast period.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Global Palm Sugar Market: Forecast Analysis by Region : The five key geographies of North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and MEA have been covered in this report. Asia Pacific accounts for the highest market share throughout the forecast period. Indonesia is the largest producer as well as consumer of palm sugar in the Asia Pacific region and controls the dynamics of the global palm sugar market.Global Palm Sugar Market: Key Players : Navitas Organics, Windmill Organics Ltd, Wholesome Sweeteners, Inc., Asana Foods, Organika Health Products Inc., Betterbody Foods & Nutrition LLC, Big Tree Farms, e Farms, Inc., Royal Pepper Company, Sevenhills Wholefoods, and Phalada Agro Research Foundation are some of the leading companies operating in the global palm sugar market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts Market 2023, Trends and Forecast Report provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants

https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=16549

https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=16549

A report, titled on global Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts market is one of the growing industry. Factor pushing the demand for market is mentioned in this report. Also factors that are expected to fuel the growth prospects of the Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts market during the forecast period are precisely mentioned. Players in this market how they are taking efforts to improve their more quality of the products through developments are explained in detail. Investments being done on research and development by lead players so as to stay in competition as well as bring about progress in the industry is also provided in this report. Leading players are ensuring the use of quality materials and buying raw materials from established companiesTop Key Vendors in Market:Habasit, Ammeraal Beltech, Forbo-Siegling, Sampla, Intralox, Volta Belting, Derco, Contitech, Esbelt, Bando, Mitsuboshi, Nitta, MARTENS, CHIORINO, Sparks, YongLi, Wuxi Shun Sheng, Beltar, LIAN DA, Jiangyin TianGuang, Shanghai Beiwen.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @From an insight perspective, this research report has concentrated on different levels of analyses, industry analyses, market share of prevalent players, and organization profiles, which together comprise and discuss about the essential perspectives on the competitive scenario, developing and high-growth segments of the Global Ultra-high Molecular Weight Market, high-growth regions, countries, and their separate administrative policies, government activities, drivers, restrictions, and opportunities.An overview of the types, the process, and value chain has been included in the report for the benefit of the readers. Companies in the industry engaged in the aspects are mentioned in this study report. This industry is one of the highly competitive markets in the world. The industry is highly capital concentrated and thus, requires strong government support and political stability. How these factors are driving the market is precisely explained in this studyGet Discount on this Premium Report @A detailed overview of key market drivers, trends, restraints and analyzes the way they affect the Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts market in a positive as well as the negative aspect. The regions which are covered in this report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Considering the given forecast period and precisely studying each and every yearly data, a report is been drafted to ensure the data is as expected by client. A detailed study of the competitive landscape of the global Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts market have been given, presenting insights into the company profiles, product portfolio, financial status, recent developments, mergers and acquisitions, and the SWOT analysis.Table of Content:Global Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts Market Research Report 2018-2023Chapter 1 Fabric Lightweight Conveyor Belts Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)Chapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2018-2023)Chapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Market Forecast (2018-2023)Chapter 13 AppendixHealth Care Intelligence Markets supply market intelligence reports in the domain of personalized drugs & diagnostics after going through a rigorous research process. The healthcare and pharma industry is constantly evolving as trends are getting replaced at a rapid pace.601, Winterberry Purple, Koregaon Park, Pune, 411001
Expansion of Wireless Charging Market During 2014 - 2020 to Gain Robust Traction

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-66

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-66

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Wireless charging is the process of recharging batteries of electrical devices without using physically connected electric cables. The communication between transmitter (power source) and receiver (device) is generally by microwave or electromagnetic induction. With the emergence of wireless chargeable devices, the need to carry multiple chargers for various devices will become obsolete. Chargeable devices such as mobile phones, and tablets need to be handier. Wireless charging technologies are revolutionizing the current electronic devices market to meet the demand for more efficient, standardized,safe and portable power recharging options.Wireless charging is more applicable to charge smartphones, tablets and other small handheld devices and wearable technologies. The obvious benefits associated with the use of wireless charging includes efficiency of handling, protection from electric shocks, safe charging option for devices that need to be waterproof, no need formaintenance of charging cables and associated sockets. On the other hand, wireless charging technology is comparatively less efficient, slow, and expensive. Most devices also radiate heat during the charging process.Request For Report Sample@The global wireless charging market recently reported its development, due to continuous updation in phones. The demand for sealed devices, increasing demand for powerfor devices and inconvenience associated with carrying multiple chargers are the key drivers behind growth of wireless charging technologies. The key restrains behind wireless charging are lack of standardization and expensive infrastructure to pursue technological developments.Many advanced products are still in experimental phase but on the other hand these products have a bright future opportunity.Wireless charging can be broadly categorized into two types depending upon proximity of distance between transmitter and receiverand range of devices. Further, these two types can be sub-segmented into six sub categories such as radio charging, inductive charging and resonance charging are included under proximity of distance between transmitter and receiver and high range, mid-range and low range are included under range of devices. On the basis of application,the global wireless charging market is segmented intoconsumer electronics, medical healthcare, automobile & aerospace, defence and industrial automation. On the basis of geographical target market, itis segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa.Companies engagedin the development of wireless charging technologies are in the process of resolving compatibility issues associated with charger and charging points. Manufacturers of different handheld devices, prominently HTC, Nokia and LG, are already in the process of manufacturing wireless chargeable smartphones and tablets. The market experts are focusing on the development of standard wireless charging technology, which will be commonly useful for the advanced devices of various applications such as medical, and semiconductors.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Some of the global key players in the wireless charging market include Convenient Power HK Ltd., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Integrated Device Technology, Inc., Texas Instruments, Inc., Duracell Powermat, Oregon Scientific, WiTricity Corporation and Energizer Holdings, Inc.Most of these companies are interested to enter into the wireless charging market with the plan to establish a brand name. The wireless charging market of North America appears to be comparatively mature than Asian market, in terms of infrastructural development. Countries with lower GDP may face economic issues to generate the demand.High price is one of the major challenges of this market and it should be taken care of.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Demand for Medical Electronics Market to Incur Considerable Upsurge During 2014 - 2020

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-72

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-72

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Medical electronics is a branch of electronics that deals with design, implementation and use of electrical devices and equipment for medical purposes such as research, examination, diagnosis, treatment, assistance and care. Medical electronics utilizes field disciplines of both electronics and biomedical.Portable biomedical electronic devices are essential to movemedical products from the hospital atmosphere to home, and to move medical examination from the laboratoryand offer one-touch access to users. These devices offer secure access and enable both patients and doctors to stay in touch with each other remotely.Conventional medical devices have evolved over time, which is obvious with the advent of handheld smart phone-sized ultrasound systems, digital stethoscopes and digital X-ray systems.Small-sized medical devices are available for monitoring blood sugar levels, insulin, blood pressure and blood coagulation levels at home, and can send periodical reports to a doctor in a connected environment. Even consumer devices such as toothbrusheshave become modernized enough to send periodic information to dentists in a similar connected environment.The potential benefits associated with this technology includes improved quality of healthcare, increased output accuracy, remote health data availability,precise billing mechanism, easy to update patient electronic records and increase in level of patient experience. On other hand, there are some negative aspects such as decrease in productivity of medical professionals, lack of standard terminologies, significant learning difficulties and issues related to violation of patient data security.Request For Report Sample@Increase in income levels,higher standard of living, rising health awareness rise in aging population in developed countries and development in health facilities in developing countries are key factors driving the rapid growth of the medical electronics market. High availability of electronic components such as microcontrollers, memory devices, display technologies etc., has contributed majorlyto the development of biomedical devices and equipment.The acceptance of electronic medical devices is difficult for the users as well as the doctors due to its high prices.The global medical electronics market is segmented on the basis of type, components, application and geography. Medical electronic device types vary depending on size, from handheld devices to heavy base devices, wearable gadgets to wireless connected devices, and from RFID-based health tracking device to RADAR technology-based ultrasound machines.On the basis of components, the market is segmented into sensor, battery, display, processors and memory. On the basis of application,the market is segmented into imaging, health monitoring, digital assistance, digital diagnostic, medical therapy, fitness and wellness and healthcare. On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, EasternEurope and the Middle East & Africa.The advancements in medical electronics include dynamic power path management, remote patient tracking, integrated analog front ends and tissue analysis of cancer cells. Some of the innovative products still in the developmental stage, which are to be introduced in the future, includeneedle-free diabetic care, robotic checkups andtouchscreen systems for treatment rooms.The opportunity for handheld wireless monitoring devicesis high.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Siemens AG,Analog Devices, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Canada), GE Healthcare (U.K.), Maxim Integrated (U.S.), Texas Instruments Incorporated (U.S.), Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.,ON Semiconductor Corporation (U.S.), STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland), Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (U.S.), Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, GE,and Biotronik GMBH & CO.KG. (Germany) are some of top players in the medical electronics market. The key strategies adopted by most of these players to maintain and enhance market sharesinclude mergers& acquisition, joint ventures, product launches and product enhancement. The medical electronics market is expected to grow along with technological innovations and focus more on accuracy, cost effectiveness and technological platform portability with other medical equipment. With the rise in data security threats and legal claims from patients, more technologically safe and data secured devices need to be deployed in the market to meet the medical infrastructural needs of society.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Valuable Foresights on How Electronic Toll Collection Market will Grow During 2014 - 2020

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-76

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-76

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Electronic toll collection system is an automated system, eliminating manual operations by toll payers and receivers. The global ETC market is expected to steer towards a strong double-digit growth rate in the coming five years (2015-2020). The primary drivers of the upcoming growth comprise the need to save travel time, cashless travel facility, the need to stop/minimize the traffic congestion and fast toll transaction. However, factors like high installation cost and a high dependence on government are hindering the growth of this market to some extent. The ETC market is expected to continue its rapid expansion to meet the surging demand for an improved, safe and secure infrastructure. The ETC system provides fast, efficient and cost-effective services. They have easy to operate buttons with a user-friendly design. They are also beneficial for traffic agencies and companies as these systems eliminate the need for multiple toll plazas, acting as a cost-saving factor for road operator agencies. Electronic toll collection systems have a positive impact on the environment as it reduces the amount of exhaust emitted from vehicles during start-up and stop at manual toll booths.The ETC market can be categorised into products, technologies, applications and geographies. Transponders, antennae, communication systems, treadles, inductive loops, scanning devices, weigh-in-motion devices, cameras and film storage devices are some of the major products of the system. An electronic toll collection system consists of various subsystems, such as automatic vehicle identification (AVI), automatic vehicle classification (AVC), back-office &integration and violation enforcement system (VES). These subsystems are useful for specific functions -AVI for vehicle identification, AVC for vehicle classification, toll collection transaction by integrating the back-office and payment system and VES to reduce unpaid tolls, by vehicle imaging.Request For Report Sample@On the basis of technologies, the ETC market can be segmented into various categories, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), video analytics, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and global positioning system (GPS).Currently RFID and DSRC are the leading technologies. On the other hand, the GNSS and GPS are expected to show a high growth rate in following five years (2015-2020).Based on applications, the ETC market can be categorized into segments like highway, urban and bridges. Undoubtedly, ETC systems have been installed majorly on highways, but installation in urban areas and on bridges has a bright future opportunity.Geographically, the ETC market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Present market scenario represents a strong presence of ETC system in the US, Canada and Mexico in North America, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines and Singapore in Asia Pacific, and the UK, Ireland, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Spain in Europe.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Some of the key players in the ETC market are Honeywell International, Inc., Transurban, Transtoll Pty Ltd., Transcore Holdings, Inc., Toll Collect GmbH, TRMI Systems Integration, Sensor Dynamics, Xerox Corporation, 3M, Connect East, EFKON, SAIC, DENSO, Q-Free, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Perceptics, Thales Group and Kapsch TrafficCom AG. The ETC ecosystem participants offer a wide range of solutions, such as software services and system integration and toll system operations including maintenance, payment handling and revenue assurance. It is the future solution to alleviating traffic congestion problems.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Egg and Egg Products Market to Witness Soaring Growth During 2014 - 2020

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-217

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-217

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Products which are obtained from different blends and components of eggs and are ready for human consumption are known as egg products. Egg products can partly be complemented by additives or some other food products. They can be found in different forms such as concentrated, crystallized, deep-frozen, liquid, solid, and frozen with a shelf life of three weeks.Request For Report Sample@About 70% of the eggs are mainly produce in the economies of China, India, U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and France. In which 36% of the eggs are produce in China and about 11% in Latin America. There are different types of eggs products available in the market which includes pasteurized liquid egg, pasteurized liquid yolk, pasteurized liquid white, dehydrated white, dehydrated egg, hardboiled egg, dehydrated yolk, and ready-cooked meals with egg as their main ingredient.As egg and egg products offers a source of protein to the consumers with the slightest environment impact is the major factor driving the growth of the market. Technology changes, government regulations are some of the factors contributing to the growth of the market. As the industry is continuously changing due to rising demand, increasing consumption and production of egg and egg products and technology advancement the market has huge growth opportunities in future. But, the insignificant growth in the international trade with some exceptions can act as a restraint for the market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Some of the key players of the market are Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., Land O'Lakes, Inc., Noble Foods Ltd, Tyson Foods, Inc., and Ningbo Jiangbei Dexi Foods Co. Ltd.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Vibrating Screens Market to Exhibit Steadfast Expansion During 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1789

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1789

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Vibrating screens are used to segregate feeds comprising solid and crushed ores down to approximately 210m and are also applicable to both dried and wetted feed. The vibrating motor and rubber sieve plate are the internal components of the vibrating screen. High frequency vibrating screens are primarily utilized in the mineral processing industries. Different vibrating screens are available in the market such as circular vibrating screens, gyratory screen, rotary vibrating screen, trammel screen, linear vibrating screens, etc. Factors such as amount of oversize and undersize material, type of material, shape of particles, moisture content, others govern the capacity of vibrating screens. The high frequency vibration screens operates at varying 0 to 25 degrees and can go up to a maximum of 45 degrees. The frequency range is from 15007200 RPM and should operate at a low stroke. As the apertures in the high frequency screen may cause blockage, pre-treatment of the feed is required. General design of a vibrating screens consists of screen web, bock, coupler, mainframe, rub spring and electric motor. Vibrating screens are widely used in coal, refractory, mining, building materials etc. and can be customized according to the requirement. Waste streams released from waste products should be treated as they may cause damage to the environment over a sustained period of time.Request For Report Sample@Global Vibrating Screens Market: SegmentationVibrating screen market can be segmented on the basis of applications, motive mechanism, product type, production process, driving method and region. On the basis of application, vehicle screen market can be segmented into metallurgy, wood pelleting, food, chemical industry, mineral processing and reclaimed asphalt pavement. On the basis of motive mechanism, vehicle screen market can be segmented into hydraulic vibrator and electric vibrators. On the basis of product type, vehicle screen market can be segmented into linear vibrating screens and circular vibrating screens. On the basis of production process, vehicle screen market can be segmented into screen selection and pre-treatment of feed. On the basis of driving method, it can be segmented into direct drive and indirect drive.Global Vibrating Screens Market: DynamicsDriversFast and easy replacement of vibrating screens due to screw less fastening system is driving the growth of the global vibrating screens. High availability and low maintenance requirements are growing the market of vibrating screens globally. Moreover, robust design and low susceptibility of the vibrating screens are another factors leading to the growth of the vibrating screens market globally. Moreover, diversified product portfolio available in the market meeting the demands of the consumers is another factor fueling the demand for vibrating screens globally.Restraints:Screening efficiency can be affected by screen tearing, dampening, blinding and contamination which may challenge the growth of the vibrating screens market globally. Furthermore, limitations of rotary screen to handle two devices as compared to high frequency vibrating screens is another factor which can be considered as a restraint for the global vibrating screens market.Global Vibrating Screens Market: Key PlayersThe main key players of the global vibrating screens market are:Deister MachineElgin Equipment GroupOsbornHawk MachineryDerrick CorporationJOST GroupMidwestern IndustriesAury Pty Ltd.Gator Machinery CompanySouthwest Milling and Industrial CompanyRequest For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Vibrating Screens Market:Region Wise OutlookOn the basis of region, vibration screens market can be segmented into Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, North America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa, and Japan. Europe and Asia pacific is expected to dominate the market as they are significant market for mining and steel industries. China, UK and Ukraine are expected to show robust development in the steel industry. Furthermore, countries such as South Africa, Australia and India are expected to create moderate demand for vibrating screens.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Commercial Fryers Market Growth Factors, Applications, Regional Analysis, Trends, Market Size focusing on top key vendors like Illinois Tool Works,Henny Penny,Ali,Middleby, Welbilt

https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=215027

https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=215027

Global commercial fryers cover electric fryers, gas fryers and pressure fryers depending on the market size of the fuel type. Commercial fryer is basically a cooking machine for frying various foods. It is widely used in commercial kitchens and restaurants, but now they are also common in the home. In this device, the main role is to heat the element for superheating the oil at a temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.Top key Vendors: Illinois Tool Works,Henny Penny,Ali,Middleby, WelbiltGet more information @A comprehensive analysis of the Global Commercial Fryers Market is being done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.It explains a detailed outline of the Commercial Fryers Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea about the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position. Estimated revenue growth in terms of volume with respect to the market for the upcoming years has been mentioned in depth.The regions which have been studied in depth are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. An additional regional data of the key geographic segments with respect to Commercial Fryers Market is explained in detail. This helps gain a better idea about the spread of this particular market in respective regions. A list of leading manufacturers has been given prime value to ensure their strategies are understood in this particular market.Enquiry before buying on this premium report @Various factors are responsible for the markets growth trajectory, which are studied at length in the report. In addition, the report lists down the restraints that are posing threat to the global Commercial Fryers Market. It also estimates the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat from new entrants and product substitute, and the degree of competition prevailing in the market. The influence of the latest government guidelines is also analyzed in detail in the report. It studies the markets trajectory between forecast periods.The aspects that are anticipated to affect the growth of the market, be in an undesired or desired way, have been cleared out in the best possible manner. Considering the produce and worth of the Commercial Fryers Market, detailed studies have been done during the forecast period which is mentioned.In the last section of the report, the companies responsible for increasing the sales in the Commercial Fryers Market has been presented. These companies have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the application and product type introduced by each of these companies also form a key part of this section of the report. The recent enhancements that took place in the global market and their influence on the future growth of the market have also been presented through this study.Table of Content:Global Commercial Fryers Market Research Report 2018-2023Chapter 1 Commercial Fryers Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)Chapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2018-2023)Chapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Market Forecast (2018-2023)Chapter 13 AppendixHealthCare Intelligence Markets supply market intelligence reports in the domain of personalized drugs & diagnostics after going through a rigorous research process. The healthcare and pharma industry is constantly evolving as trends are getting replaced at a rapid pace.Shreyas TannaHealthcare Intelligence Markets601, Winterberry Purple, Koregaon Park, Pune, 411001sales@healthcareintelligencemarkets.com
Steering Column Control Modules Market to Actively Foray into Emerging Consumer Marketplaces During 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2073

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2073

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Automobile design, operation, aesthetics and technology are continuously evolving and witnessing significant advancements. Previous designs and operations in automobiles included various switches for different purposes, which were simple in design but complex in operation. Especially, steering systems witnessed prominent advancements in past decade. Development of hybrid, electric and hydraulic steering are some of the examples. Integration of various operational switches for convenience in steering wheels and column is indeed a timely innovation, which can also be claimed as one amongst the important innovation in an automobile.It was never thought that someone could come up with an idea of Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) where one can control the switches very comfortably with ease while driving. The safety and the ease of driving an automobile has increased considerably due to the installation of steering column control modules on the steering wheel of vehicles.Request For Report Sample@The module which controls the switches on or around/below the steering wheel are known as the steering column control modules. Typically, there are many electromechanical systems installed on the steering wheels nowadays in automobiles. A Steering column control module is mounted on the steering column but it is placed below the steering wheel, this steering column module is the main network for all the systems surrounding it. The operating switches known as the stalk lever switches, are positioned to the right and the left sides of the steering column control modules. The stalk lever switches and the controls which are mounted on the steering wheel and systems i.e. (sound controls buttons, cruise controls, horns, Bluetooth and hands free calling buttons and air bags) are all connected with the other system through the Steering Column Control Module. Typical assembly components of steering column control module includes circuit board, connectors and electrical wire cables for interconnection between the systems. The features and controls which are provided in the steering column control module are also dependent the type of the automobile i.e. Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Transport vehicles etc. Introduction of new technologies, comfort features and active safety systems in vehicles is expected to drive steering column control modules market in near future.Steering Column Control Modules Market dynamics:The market of steering column control module has been marked with presence of established players. A challenging task in steering column control modules market is to manufacture these modules as the interconnection between many components and the systems in the steering assembly. The automotive manufacturers are heavily dependent on the providers of the steering system owing to their technological expertise. Steering column control module market is witnessing continuous development from its providers with new ideas and innovation.Increasing safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians is one of the prime concerns of automakers and many manufacturers are trying to develop steering column control modules so that safety and comfort features are enhanced to a much higher level. As per the current scenario, steering column control modules have become integral part of automobiles. The increasing standard of cabin comfort level has triggered utilization of requirement specific or custom made steering column control modules in great demand and this is expected to provide significant boost in the near future. The market for the steering column control modules is expected to provide significant opportunities to component providers, integrators and original equipment manufacturers across the globe.Steering Column Control Modules Market segmentation:Steering Column Control Modules can be segmented by type of sales channel, by components position and automobile type.By sales channel,Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:Original equipment manufacturerAftermarketBy Component Position type, Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:On the Steering Wheel (Sound Control, Airbags, etc.)Around/Below the Steering Wheel (Stalk levers, i.e. Wiper control, Head light control etc.)By Automobile type, Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:Passenger carsCommercial vehiclesHeavy Trucks and BussesOff-road VehiclesSteering Column Control Modules Market: Regional Outlook:Steering Column Control Modules can be divided into seven different geographical regions/divisions such as North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa. The demand for steering column control modules is significant in Asia Pacific followed by Europe and North America owing to automotive steady rates of production volumes and sales. Owing to lack of production facilities in Middle East and Africa and relatively low production of vehicles in Latin America, the market potential of steering column control module is low. The Asian giant countries like India and China which have significant sales and production of automobiles are expected to witnessmomentous growth in steering column control module market in the coming years.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Steering Column Control Modules Market: Key Players:ZF TRWLeopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. KGDelphi Automotive LLPIdiditNexteer AutomotiveValeoABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Stone Paper Market to Reflect Steadfast Expansion During 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2133

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2133

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Stone paper is neither pulp nor synthetic made paper but it is a kind of extremely durable, highly strong and ecofriendly paper which is also known as rock paper, rich mineral paper, paper from waste marble. Density range of stone paper is 1.0-1.6, which equals to or more than ordinary paper, and a texture somewhat like peel of a boiled egg. The stone paper can be recycled re-formed into stone paper again, which is not recyclable but is photo degradable and compostable under commercial conditions. Stone paper is appropriate for packaging, bags, stationery, wrappers, adhesives, grease proof paper, containers and many other applications. Stone paper market has positive outlook as a result of packaging industries. The escalation in packaging industry attributed by need for effective labelling and high-quality option, to improve the aesthetics of the packaged product.Global Stone Paper Market: DynamicsStone paper is a new type of paper making technology that can be recyclable with modern technology in high polymer interface. Its main raw material is the most abundant in mineral resources calcium carbonate with high polymer material and variety of inorganic matter as auxiliary material. The increasing application scope of the product in the packaging, labeling, and self-adhesive paper is attributed to the slight ecological impacts, with regards to usage of energy, water, carbon emissions, and deforestation. The new product development along with investment in R&D for the advancement in manufacturing techniques have been the major strategy adopted by the manufacturers. The major issues faced by the industry are related to environment regulation on mining activities. The market is highly competitive owing to the presence of large number of suppliers worldwide.Request For Report Sample@Global Stone Paper Market: SegmentationThe global market of stone paper market can be segmented on the basis of material type, application and region. On the basis of material calcium carbonate, high density polyethylene and others. On the basis of application labeling papers, packaging paper, self-adhesive paper and others. Among all application, paper packaging is major application of respective product. After packaging application self-adhesive paper segment are expected to register impressive growth during forecast period. On the basis of region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.Global Stone Paper Market: Regional OverviewDue to technology advancement in North America, this region is expected to witness higher growth rate during forecast period. Europe is also expected to account for second highest growth after North America due to demand of packaging application in European countries such as Russia and Germany. Asia pacific, dominated by China is expected to register highest growth in term of volume in global stone paper market during forecast year due to high demand of ecofriendly packaging, easy available raw material in this region, low cost of production and large numbers of manufacturers.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Stone Paper Market: Key PlayersThe main player of this market such are Stone Paper Company Ltd, Soluz Stone Paper S.A, Kapstone Paper, Taiwan Lung Meng Technology Co. Ltd., Gaia-Concept BV, Parax Paper, packaging corporation.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Polyurethane (PU) Adhesives Market to Reflect Steady Growth During 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2370

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2370

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Adhesive is the substance applied on to different surfaces to bind them together. Use of adhesives has eliminated the demand for welded parts, rivets, and other mechanical parts in many equipment. The incorporation of polyurethane adhesives helps to reduce the overall manufacturing cost. Manufacturers have been using polyurethane adhesives due to superior product performance, improved product life, and reliability. Polyurethane adhesives are used in multiple industries such as construction, electronics, footwear, furniture, automotive, packaging, and so on. Nowadays, vehicles contain more of plastic parts over mechanical fasteners. Use of polyurethane adhesive makes vehicle parts light in weight and thus enhances the fuel efficiency. In automotive arena, the consumption of polyurethane based adhesives is significantly growing.Polyurethane adhesives are well accepted in many end-use applications, since they provide excellent adhesion to different substrates and binds them immediately. Polyurethane based adhesives are preferred over other adhesives due to fast curing. The demand for polyurethane adhesives is driven by growth in automotive and building & construction industry. Thermoplastic polyurethane adhesives are widely used for different applications as it offers enhanced flexibility and improved adhesion. However, thermoplastic polyurethane based adhesives are costlier. Rising demand for housing and government spending on infrastructure in China and India boosts the demand for Polyurethane adhesives. Industrial development and growing demand of customers for packaging, automotive, and electronics in terms of adhesives is expected to drive polyurethane adhesives market over the forecast period of 2016-2026.Request For Report Sample@Polyurethane Adhesives Market: Market DynamicsDemand for polyurethane adhesives from end-use industries such as footwear, automotive, building & construction, packaging, and electronics has significantly increased over the past few years. The key driver of polyurethane adhesives market is the rapidly growing construction and renovation activities. There is significant growth in the building & construction industry of India, China, and Brazil, which results in propelling the demand for polyurethane adhesives. Increasing government expenditure on construction and growing economy are anticipated to boost the demand for Polyurethane adhesive market over the next few years in these countries. Growth of automotive industry due to rise in production of passenger and commercial vehicles with increasing demand for light weight components has impelled the demand for polyurethane adhesives. In Asia-Pacific region, significant automotive growth is observed in the past few years due to economic growth and rise in disposable income. The demand for automotive is likely to continue in next few decades in this region and thus drive the demand for polyurethane adhesives over the forecast period.Rising income, change in life style, consumer preference, and improving standard of living fuels the demand for electronics appliances, which in turn boosts the demand for polyurethane adhesives market. Asia-Pacific is the rapidly growing region for automotive and electronics segments of the polyurethane adhesives market. Growth in other end-use industries such as footwear, furniture, and packaging is supporting the demand for polyurethane adhesives across the world. The product development and innovation will be the keys to increase the customer base and market share of polyurethane adhesives market. New products with superior solutions and eco-friendly features are the major demand drivers of polyurethane adhesive market.Polyurethane Adhesives Market: Market SegmentationPolyurethane AdhesivesMarket is segmented on the basis of technology type, product type, and end-use application.On the basis of technology, Global Polyurethane Adhesives Marketcan be segmented as:Solvent-borneDispersionHot-meltReactiveOthersOn the basis of product type, Global Polyurethane Adhesives Market can be segmented into:ThermosetThermoplasticOn the basis of applications, Global Polyurethane AdhesivesMarket can be segmented as:FootwearAutomotiveBuilding & ConstructionPackagingElectrical & ElectronicsFurnitureOthersRequest For Report Table of Content (TOC):Polyurethane Adhesives Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the Global Polyurethane Adhesives Market identified across the value chain include, 3M, BASF, ADCO Global Inc., Avery Dennison Corp, Arkema S.A., Ashland Inc., H.B. Fuller, Henkel AG & Co, Huntsman Corporation, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Pidilite Industries, American Biltrite Inc., Adhesives Research Inc., Chemence, Ellsworth, RPM International Inc., Beardow & Adams (Adhesives) Ltd., Scott Bader Company Ltd., Ninghai Dingcheng Adhesive Co Ltd., Sika AG, and Dow Chemical Company among others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
New Study Reveals Key Insights on Global Baby Powder Market Forecast 2017 - 2027

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5433

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5433

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Baby Powder Market Introduction:Toiletries for baby are important personal care product categories with baby powder being one of the most important product categories. Skin care is of extreme importance among infants in order to improve and maintain overall personal hygiene. The skin of babies is thin, dry and prone to infection which results in demand for products that help in improving the overall performance of the infants. Today, variety of baby powders are available in the marketplace resulting in its increasing application. Baby powders are used for preventing diaper rash, as a deodorant, and for other cosmetic applications. Baby powder is made from talc which is a clay mineral comprised of, silicone, magnesium and oxygen. It is used to absorb moisture from the skin and prevents thus preventing infection. The global baby powder market is estimated to represent significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing parental concerns regarding personal hygiene market for their babies and childrens.Baby Powder Market Segmentation:Global baby powder market is segmented on the basis of nature, type and sales channel. On the basis of nature, the global baby powder market is segmented into, organic and synthetic. The demand for organic baby powder is expected to witness highest growth in the overall baby powder market attributable to growing trend towards natural and organic products. There has been increasing demand from consumers for natural products which is expected to raise the market for baby powders over the forecast period. On the basis of sales channel the global baby powder market is segmented into, hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, e-commerce and other retail formats. Hypermarkets/supermarkets is the largest retail channel for babys oil across the globe.Request For Report Sample@Baby Powder Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of region the global baby powder market is segmented into, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East and Africa. North America and Europe are estimated to account for the largest market share in the global baby powder market attributable to increasing concerns of parents to maintain personal hygiene among their childrens. Baby powders contains antibacterial formulation which prevent babys skin from infection and other harmful skin problems. This is expected to create more and more demand for baby powders among the consumers worldwide. Baby powder absorbs moisture, reduces friction thus protecting soft skin in babies. Other markets including Asia pacific excluding japan, Japan are expected to hold significant revenue share in the overall baby powder market during the forecast period.Easy availability of baby powder on retail formats is further expected to escalate the market revenue generation in the overall baby powder market during the forecast period.Baby Powder Market Drivers and TrendsBaby powder is an essential product in the overall personal hygiene category which is driving its use among consumers across the globe. Increasing number of infants across the globe is expected to drive the penetration of baby care products including, baby powders among consumers. The baby powder market is further pushed by rising disposable income and increasing spending on personal care products. Increasing use of naturally derived consumer products will further accelerate the market revenues of the baby powder market. However, growing concerns with regards to the side effects of the baby powder is expected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period. For example, continuous application of baby powders may cause respiratory problems such as talcosis in infants. Apart from this inhalation of baby powders have also been known to cause asthma and pneumonia among babies who have weaker immunity. The global market for Baby Powder is expected to depict considerable growth during the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Baby Powder Market Key Players:Key player operating in the global baby powder market includes, Burt's Bees, Johnson & Johnson, Mothercare, PZ Cussons, The Himalaya Drug Company, Bathtime Kids, Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G), Kimberly-Clark Corp and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Ongoing Market Research Report Offers a Roadmap For Expansion of Areca Nut Market During 2017 - 2027

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6070

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6070

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Areca Nut Market Overview:Areca nut is the fruit produced from the palm trees of South East Asia. Although, the production of areca nut is dependent on the geographic and climatic conditions of the region. Thus, the price fluctuations are majorly dependent on the production of the areca nut. The areca nuts are consumed not only for chewing with betel leaf, but also for various rituals in South East Asia Pacific countries. India is the largest consumer and producer of areca nut in the world. As high consumption of areca nut causes severe health problems, the market for areca nut has attained maturity in the global market.Areca Nut Market Dynamics:Areca nut is majorly influenced by weather conditions in the production area, government policies, the growth of consumer industries, government policies for consumer industries and a few others. The regular consumption of areca nut causes severe diseases such as throat cancer and mouth cancer. Due to a significant number of people affected by the consumption of areca nut, the Indian and several governments have posed various regulations over the areca nut production and consumer industries. This fact has restrained the market for areca nut. Also, the increasing awareness among people regarding healthy life style and severe effects of areca nut have resulted into a barrier for areca nut market. As the pre-bearing age of the palm trees is between 5 to 8 years, and only 5% of them result into seed set, the cultivation of areca nut consumes a lot of time. The time required for cultivation of areca nut and required environmental conditions such as minimum 70% humidity restrains the market at the supplier end.Request For Report Sample@Areca Nut Market Segmentation:The areca nut market can be segmented on the basis of areca nut processing asChali (ripe sun-dried nuts)Red boiled (tender or mature nuts)The areca nut market can be segmented on the basis of various regional varieties of the areca nut asIndian varietiesSouth Kanaka (South Kanara, Karnataka)Thirthahali (Maland, Karnataka)Rotha (Costal Maharastra)Mettupalayam (Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu)Kahikuchi (North East India)Mohitnagar (West Bengal)Non-Indian varietiesMangala (China)Sumangala (Indonesia)Sree Mangala (Singapore)OthersAreca Nut Market Regional Outlook:The Asia Pacific is the largest market of areca nuts in the world, with more than 90% of the global market share. India is the largest producer, as well as consumer of areca nut. India is responsible for more than half of the global production of areca nut and still imports various verities from other countries in large volume. The major export destinations of India includes several Asia Pacific countries, along with a small share of U.A.E., U.S. and U.K. Due to relaxation offered by the Indian government on the import duty, the import of areca nut from Bangladesh has grown to around three times. India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, all together are responsible for serving the almost complete demand for areca nut. The Asia Pacific market of areca nut is well established, while several government regulations and awareness among people have resulted in the maturity of the market. MEA region, especially Sub-Saharan Africa provides a small market to the areca nuts. All the facts and figures stated above indicate a concentrated market of areca nut in South East Asia Pacific countries, while a weak market in other regions of the globe.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Areca Nut Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the areca nut market areGM groupSurya EximK. TRADINGBiotan PharmaShri Ganesh Prasad TradersMarlene Traders Co., Ltd.Viet D.E.L.T.A Industrial Co., LtdABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Will Fragrance Emulsion Market Incur Robust Expansion During 2017 - 2027? New Study to Offer Valuable Insights

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6075

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6075

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Market IntroductionFragrances are highly complex system of aroma chemicals that are mostly alcohol based or emulsion based. Fragrances based on alcohol are generally known as fragrance solution or fragrance concentrate. Presently, most of the personal care products such as creams or lotion, shampoos, bath gels are emulsion based. In fragrance emulsion, perfume oil is dissolved in water with the help of an emulsifier to stabilize the emulsion. In the formulation of fragrance emulsion, anionic and nonionic emulsifiers can be used. However, the fragrance emulsion can be of water-in-oil type (W/O), generally oil-in-water type (O/W) emulsion has dominant traction in the market. Fragrance emulsion plays an important role in the personal care industry, as a fragrance is the key deciding factor for the consumer. Moreover, fragrance gives a certain characteristic to a brand. The presence of fragrance as an ingredient in personal care products is universal, hence, great opportunities lie for the fragrance emulsion in the developing and under developing market, owing to the increasing demand for cosmetics and personal care products in luxury, mass market, and professional sectors which is anticipated to drive the growth of fragrance emulsion market over the forecast periodRequest For Report Sample@Market SegmentationGlobal fragrance emulsion market can be segmented on the basis notes, application, distribution channel, and region. On the basis of notes, the Fragrance Emulsion market can be segmented into oriental notes, woody notes, fresh notes and floral notes and others. Under oriental note, sweet spices, amber, and resins are taken into consideration. Under fresh notes segment, aromatic herbs, citrus oils, aquatic notes, green notes and fruity notes. While under woody notes, aromatic wood such as vetiver, amber, and dry wood is considered. On the basis of application, fragrance emulsion market is segmented into personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and others. On the basis of the distribution channel, fragrance emulsion can be segmented into direct and indirect sales. Indirect sales can be further sub-segmented into hypermarkets/supermarket, convenience stores, specialty stores, online retail, and others.Market Regional OutlookOn the basis of the regional outlook, fragrance emulsion market is segmented into seven different regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Japan. Among all the regions, Europe and Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the fragrance emulsion market followed by North America, Asia Pacific market is expected to exhibit substantial growth rate over the forecast period.Market DynamicsThe global cosmetic and personal care industry has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past decade and is still going strong especially in emerging and developing economies such as China and India respectively, owing to the expansion of major cosmetic and personal care companies in the region which has created a substantial demand for fragrance emulsion. Moreover, attributed to the improving standard of living of middle-income group globally, coupled with the growing concerns regarding skin protection and the increase in emphasis over self-grooming especially in younger demographics has translated into an increase in the per capita expenditure on cosmetics and personal care products and is anticipated to drive the growth of global fragrance emulsion market over the forecast period. However, formulating fragrance emulsion is associated with undesirable consequences such as thinning or breaking of emulsion, discoloration, change in odor or loss of odor strength over time, interaction of fragrance ingredients with personal care products ingredient and with skin, thus to create a new odor of fragrance emulsion all these consequences have to be considered which requires a lot of investment in research and development and is anticipated to hamper the growth of global fragrance emulsion market over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Market Key PlayerSome of the major players operating in fragrance emulsion market include Givaudan SA, Firmenich, IFF, Symrise, Takasago, Mane SA, Frutarom, Robertet SA, Sensient Technologies Corporation and other regional players.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines Market 2023, Trends and Forecast Report provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants

https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=25183

https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=25183

A report, titled on global Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines market is one of the growing industry. Factor pushing the demand for market is mentioned in this report. Also factors that are expected to fuel the growth prospects of the Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines market during the forecast period are precisely mentioned. Players in this market how they are taking efforts to improve their more quality of the products through developments are explained in detail. Investments being done on research and development by lead players so as to stay in competition as well as bring about progress in the industry is also provided in this report. Leading players are ensuring the use of quality materials and buying raw materials from established companies.Top Key Vendors in Market:Merck & Co., Inc. (USA), Abbott Laboratories (USA), Amgen, Inc. (USA), Eli Lilly and Company (USA), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland), Genentech, Inc. (USA), GlaxoSmithKline plc. (UK),Janssen Biologics B.V. (USA), Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Switzerland)(A Janssen Pharmaceutical Company), AstraZeneca Plc. (UK), Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (USA), Allergan, Inc. (USA),Novartis AG (Switzerland), Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), Pfizer, Inc. (USA), Sanofi S.A (France), Shionogi Inc. (USA), Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc. (UK)Get Sample Copy Of this Report @From an insight perspective, this research report has concentrated on different levels of analyses, industry analyses, market share of prevalent players, and organization profiles, which together comprise and discuss about the essential perspectives on the competitive scenario, developing and high-growth segments of the Global Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines Market, high-growth regions, countries, and their separate administrative policies, government activities, drivers, restrictions, and opportunities.An overview of the types, the process, and value chain has been included in the report for the benefit of the readers. Companies in the industry engaged in the aspects are mentioned in this study report. This industry is one of the highly competitive markets in the world. The industry is highly capital concentrated and thus, requires strong government support and political stability. How these factors are driving the market is precisely explained in this studyGet Discount on this Premium Report @A detailed overview of key market drivers, trends, restraints and analyzes the way they affect the Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines market in a positive as well as the negative aspect. The regions which are covered in this report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Considering the given forecast period and precisely studying each and every yearly data, a report is been drafted to ensure the data is as expected by client. A detailed study of the competitive landscape of the global Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines market have been given, presenting insights into the company profiles, product portfolio, financial status, recent developments, mergers and acquisitions, and the SWOT analysis.Table of Content:Global Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines Market Research Report 2018-2023Chapter 1 Pediatric Drugs and Vaccines Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)Chapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2018-2023)Chapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Market Forecast (2018-2023)Chapter 13 AppendixHealthCare Intelligence Markets supply market intelligence reports in the domain of personalized drugs & diagnostics after going through a rigorous research process. The healthcare and pharma industry is constantly evolving as trends are getting replaced at a rapid pace.601, Winterberry Purple, Koregaon Park, Pune, 411001Email: sales@healthcareintelligencemarkets.comPhone: +91 7400242424
Galvanized Iron Pipes Market Likely to Emerge over a Period of 2017  2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/15235

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15235

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Every year, million tonnes of steel is produced, which is vitally used in various applications in various forms. The raw iron is processed to obtain steel with desired properties, suitable for specific applications. The galvanization process involves treatment of iron or steel to form a protective layer of zinc over the surface in order to make it corrosion resistant. The zinc layer over the steel or iron acts as sacrificial anode, which protects iron from rusting even if it get scratched. The iron or steel pipes are used for delivery of fluids and sometimes bulk solids in various processes.The pipes primarily require good corrosion resistance as they operate under severe conditions and often carry corrosive fluids. Galvanization is amongst some conventional methods used for corrosion prevention resulting in enhanced life of the pipe. Majority of the manufacturers use hot-dip galvanization method for galvanizing the pipes. This process involves coating iron and steel with a layer of zinc by immersing the metal in a bath of molten zinc (around 450 C). Whereas, the other method, electrogalvanizing process is used where very fine layer of zinc is required on the surface.Request Report for TOC @Galvanized Iron (GI) Pipes: Market DynamicsThe galvanized iron pipes are relatively light and cost effective as compared to stainless steel. Also, galvanized iron pipes can be easily connected through welding whereas stainless steel is not. The galvanized iron pipes are strongly recommended in large scale projects such as interstate oil and gas pipelines and water transportations.Moreover, the galvanized iron pipes offer better physical endurance as compared to most of the polymer based pipes and can sustain its properties at high temperature operations. These superior properties of galvanized iron has been one of the main drivers of global galvanized iron pipes market. Increasing trades of petroleum through pipelines and water transportations are expected to fuel the demand of galvanized iron pipes in the global market. Also, inclusion of galvanized iron pipes in fire safety systems in residential and industrial sectors is expected to be the other drivers of global galvanized iron pipe market.On the other side, research and development in polymer science is continuously striving to produce better pipe polymers, which offer superior physical endurance and lighter weight and is estimated to bolster the growth of global galvanized iron pipe market. Increasing use of polymer pipes in commercial and residential plumbing is one of the factors adversely affecting the growth of global galvanized iron pipe market. Also, galvanized iron pipes are not preferred for critical dimension applications as galvanization increases the dimensions by adding on an extra layer on the surface and is harder to limit in microns.Galvanized Iron (GI) Pipes: Market segmentationThe galvanized iron pipes are produced as both seamless and welded. They are mostly fabricated in almost all the standard sizes and customized dimensions. The global galvanized iron pipes market is classified into three grades based on their weight per metre and inner diameter thickness. According to IS 1239, the galvanized iron pipe is segmented into light, medium and high.On the basis of applications, the global galvanized iron market is segmented as residential, industrial and others. The industrial application segment is further classified as petroleum sector, water infrastructure and others.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Galvanized Iron (GI) Pipes: Market Regional outlookOn the basis of region, with China as major producer, Asia pacific is estimated to continue its dominance in global galvanized iron pipe market during the forecast period. Growing infrastructure in South Asian countries is estimated to maintain prominence in the market for galvanized iron pipes. Increasing oil and gas trades among various countries are estimated to evolve high growth potential in various countries. Whereas, Europe and North America are estimated to witness sluggish growth in global galvanized iron pipe market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Polyesters Fibers Market Registering a Strong Growth by 2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/15238

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15238

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Polyester fibers are long chain synthetic polymers that are formed through chemical reactions between an alcohol and acid. Polyester fibers are majorly composed of ethylene glycol (PET) and terepthalic acid. Polyester yarns and fabrics made from this type of polyester are very elastic, strong and have high wrinkle and abrasion resistance.Polyester fibers are extremely strong, resistant to most chemicals and shrinking, stretching, abrasion, wrinkle and mildew resistant. Polyester fibers are hydrophobic in nature and dry quickly. Therefore, they can be used to provide insulation in the form of hollow fibers. Polyester fibers withstand wear and tear longer than cotton and retain their shapes in extreme climatic conditions and are thus preferred for manufacturing outdoor clothing.Request Report for TOC @Woven or knitted fabrics made from polyester fibers are extensively used in home furnishings and apparels. As a matter of fact, polyester apparels are very common and popular. Polyester fabrics are used to make a wide variety of products  this includes jackets, shirts, pants, blankets, bed sheets, cushioning and insulating material in pillows, upholstery padding, comforters and upholstered furniture.Moreover, due to its tenacity and high strength, polyester is also used to make ropes and yarns that are further used in safety belts, conveyor belts, tapes, tire reinforcements and in plastic reinforcements. Industrial and consumer textiles use polyester fiber to make various products such as non-woven products, road building fabrics, fish netting, seatbelts, laundry bags, transportation upholstery, etc.Sometimes, polyesters fibers are spun together with natural fibers to attain certain blended properties. For example, blends of polyester and cotton are strong, wrinkle or tear-resistant and bear less shrinkage. Synthetic polyester fibers offer high water, environmental and tear resistance when compared to plant-derived fibers. However, polyester cotton blends are less breathable than cotton and trap high moisture while sticking with the skin. Also, they are less flame resistant. However, since polyester can be retained and molded into any shape, certain insulating properties can be built into polyester fibers.Polyesters Fibers: Market DynamicsIncreasing constructional activity across the world is a major driving factor for the polyester fibres market. Additionally, carpets and rugs lead the residential and commercial flooring solutions globally and this will also help to increase the demand for polyesters fibres. The thriving demand for polyester fibres from industries such as hospitality, automotive, electronics, household, and manufacturing industries will also affect the market positively. Moreover, subsequent growth of the mattresses market is likely to strengthen the demand for polyester fibres in the coming years.Request to View Sample of Research Report @In terms of geography, Asia pacific is the largest and fastest growing market for polyesters fibres. Rapid urbanisation, industrialization and increasing consumer disposable income are the main factors that will drive demand for polyesters fibres in this region. Rising demand for products that use polyester fibres, such as industrial and consumer textiles, home furnishings, non-woven fabrics, apparels, carpets and rugs etc., will speed up polyester fibres sales in the region. China and India are likely to be the key markets for polyesters fibres, thereby propelling market growth in Asia Pacific. North America and Western Europe will experience stable growth in terms of sales of polyester fibres during the forecast period.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Market Application, Segment, Professional Survey Report and Forecast till 2023

Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Market

https://businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/6123

https://businessindustryreports.com/report/6123/global-and-chinese-healthcare-artificial-intelligence-industry--2018-market-research-report

https://businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/6123/single

The 'Global and Chinese Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry, 2013-2023 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Healthcare Artificial Intelligence industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Healthcare Artificial Intelligence manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2013-2018 market shares for each company.Get a premium Sample report atThrough the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2018-2023 market development trends of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2013-2023 global and Chinese Healthcare Artificial Intelligence industry covering all important parameters.Chapter One Introduction of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence1.2 Development of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry1.3 Status of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence2.1 Development of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing TechnologyAccess Complete Report atChapter Four 2013-2018 Global and Chinese Market of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence4.1 2013-2018 Global Capacity, Production and Production Value of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry4.2 2013-2018 Global Cost and Profit of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry4.3 Market Comparison of Global and Chinese Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry4.4 2013-2018 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence4.5 2013-2018 Chinese Import and Export of Healthcare Artificial IntelligenceChapter Five Market Status of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry5.1 Market Competition of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Consumption by Application/TypeChapter Six 2018-2023 Market Forecast of Global and Chinese Healthcare Artificial Intelligence IndustryKey questions answered in the report:What will the market growth rate of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market in 2023?What are the key factors driving the global Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?Who are the key manufacturers in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market space?What are the Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Healthcare Artificial Intelligence market?Purchased this report online with 144 pages worldwide top key players profile and list of figures and figures atAbout usBusinessIndustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined - we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune  Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940
The International Islamic Insurance Market | Expected to Grow Massive CAGR |Top Players- | Islamic Insurance Company, JamaPunji, AMAN, Salama | Forecast till 2025

https://businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/28985

https://businessindustryreports.com/enquiry/28985

https://businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/28985/single

Islamic Insurance Market is a co-operative system of reimbursement or repayment in case of loss, organized as an Islamic or sharia compliant alternative to conventional insurance, which Islamic Insurance Market proponents believe contains forbidden riba (usury) and gharar (excessive uncertainty). Under Islamic Insurance Market people and companies concerned about hazards make regular contributions ("donations") to be reimbursed or repaid to members in the event of loss, and managed on their behalf by a Islamic Insurance operator. Like other Islamic finance products, Islamic Insurance Market is grounded in Islamic Muamalat (commercial and civil acts or dealings branch of Islamic law). By the end of 2011, the takaful industry had grown to $12 billion "contributions" and is forecast to reach $20 billion by 2017. ] The movement has been praised as providing "superior alternatives" to insurance that "reinvigorate human capital, emphasize personal dignity, community self-help, and economic self-development"; but also criticized as having "dwindled" in scope to an industry of "conventional insurance with Arabic terminology and language of contract."Get a Premium Sample Report atThis report studies the global Islamic Insurance market, analyzes and researches the Islamic Insurance development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.This report focuses on the top players in global market,Islamic Insurance CompanyJamaPunjiAMANSalamaStandard CharteredTakaful Brunei Darussalam Sdn BhdAllianzPrudential BSN Takaful BerhadZurich MalaysiaTakaful MalaysiaQatar Islamic Insurance CompanyMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers- United States, EU, Japan, ChinaIndia, Southeast Asia. Market segment by Application, Islamic Insurance can be split intoFamily, Government , BusinessMore Inquire atMajor Table of Content1 Global Islamic Insurance Market Research Report 20182 Global Islamic Insurance Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Islamic Insurance Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Islamic Insurance Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Islamic Insurance Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Islamic Insurance Market Analysis by Application7 Global Islamic Insurance Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Islamic Insurance Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Islamic Insurance Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixKey questions answered in the report:What will the market growth rate of Islamic Insurance market in 2025?What are the key factors driving the global Islamic Insurance market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Islamic Insurance market?Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Islamic Insurance market?Who are the key manufacturers in Islamic Insurance market space?What are the Islamic Insurance market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Islamic Insurance market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Islamic Insurance market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Islamic Insurance market?What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Islamic Insurance market?Purchased this report online with 101 Pages and List of figures and table atAbout usBusinessMarket Reports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined - we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Market ReportsPune  Indiasales@businessMarket reports.com+19376349940
World Silicon Bronze Market | Expected to Grow at High CAGR | Forecasts till 2025

Global Mobile Gaming Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/52145

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/enquiry/52145

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/52145/single

BusinessIndustryReports.com has new research report on the global Mobile Gaming Market. The global Mobile Gaming Market is growing continuously and expected to grow healthy CAGR by Forecast year 2025Get a Premium Sample Report @Key Manufacturers Analyzed in this Report areGameloftElectronic Arts IncTencentActivision Blizzard Inc.RovioSupercell OyDeNaThis report examines deeply about the market based on types, geographical regions, and applications to give a detailed understanding to the investors and firms that are looking forward to the expansion. The global supply chain of the market has been clarified in detail, which incorporates measurable data and specifically focused on different downstream and upstream components.Regional comparison between the major regions viz. United States, China, Europe, Japan, India and Southeast Asia are also explained which point outs the leading countries or regions.Key Stakeholders Mobile Gaming Manufacturers Mobile Gaming Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Mobile Gaming Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsMobile Gaming market report mainly focuses on capacity, production, market size & share, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, growth rate, consumption, import, export. Industry chain, manufacturing process, cost structure and marketing channel are also analyzed in this report.With 197 tables and figures worldwide Global Mobile Gaming market research provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Complete Report Spread Across 106 Pages with List of Tables and Figures, Inquire More About this Report @The report begins from overview of Industry Chain structure, and describes industry environment, then analyses market size and forecast of Mobile Gaming by product, region and application, in addition, this report introduces market competition situation among the vendors and company profile, besides, market price analysis and value chain features are covered in this report.Further report provides attention to the present Mobile Gaming market drivers, challenges, trends, and opportunities along with their impact on the market which are decisive parameters for product and business strategies.The study objectives of this report are: To study and forecast the market size of Mobile Gaming in global market. To analyze the global key players, SWOT analysis, value and global market share for top players. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, end use and region. To analyze and compare the market status and forecast between China and major regions, namely, United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Rest of World. To analyze the global key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketThe report presents an exhaustive study of Mobile Gaming history, development & trend. Significantly covers Mobile Gaming market competition and policy. Mobile Gaming market report then illustrates another key point i.e trade overview. Further provides the crucial information on Mobile Gaming market size, growth rate, and opportunities. Especially pinpoint the Mobile Gaming market industry forecast from 2018-2025.Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoAction/AdventureStrategy & BrainCasinoSport and Role Playing GamesOthersMarket segment by Application, Mobile Gaming can be split intoAndroidiOSOthersTable of Contents of Mobile Gaming Market Research Report:1 Global Mobile Gaming Market Research Report 20182 Global Mobile Gaming Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Mobile Gaming Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Mobile Gaming Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Mobile Gaming Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Mobile Gaming Market Analysis by Application7 Global Mobile Gaming Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Mobile Gaming Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Mobile Gaming Market Forecast (2018-2025 )13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixPurchase Copy of this Research Report @BusinessIndustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined - we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.+1-9376349940+91-9960690402sales@businessindustryreports.com
People Counting System Market Worldwide Trend by Top Players Size, Shares, Demand with Main Business Information and SWOT Analysis and Forecasts by 2023

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/51288

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/enquiry/51288

The Worldwide People Counting System Market 2018 to 2023 Report titled Global People Counting System Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 is a comprehensive analysis report explores the market by competitors include;Company ProfileMain Business InformationSWOT AnalysisSales, Revenue, Price and Gross MarginMarket ShareThere are 3 key segments covered in this report: geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment.Get Exclusive Sample Copy @For geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023. This report coverss following regions:*North America*South America*Asia & Pacific*Europe*MEA (Middle East and Africa)The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users also can be listed.Major TOC Global People Counting System Industry, 2018 Market Research Report:Chapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 Preface3.1 Research Scope3.2 Research Methodology3.2.1 Data Collection3.2.2 Data Analysis3.2.3 Data Validation3.3 Research Sources3.3.1 Primary Sources3.3.2 Secondary Sources3.3.3 AssumptionsChapter 4 Market Landscape4.1 Market Overview4.2 Classification/Types4.3 Application/End UsersChapter 5 Market Trend Analysis5.1 Introduction5.2 Drivers5.3 Restraints5.4 Opportunities5.5 ThreatsChapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis6.1 Upstream/Suppliers Analysis6.2 People Counting System Analysis6.2.1 Technology Analysis6.2.2 Cost Analysis6.2.3 Market Channel Analysis6.3 Downstream Buyers/End UsersTOC Continued.!Ask Questions to Expertise @About us:BusinessIndustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined  we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media Contact:Business Industry ReportsPune - 411002MaharashtraCall: +19376349940Email: sales@businessindustryreports.com
Top 10 Phone POS Machine Market Players Revenue, Professional Outlook, POS Business Forecasts by 2025 | BusinessIndustryReports.com

Phone POS Machine Market

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/51629

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/51629

https://www.businessindustryreports.com/enquiry/51629

The 2018 Global Phone POS Machine Market Report - History, Present and Future report is an expert analysis report explores the market by Global Industry Size, Shares, Analysis and 2018 to 2023 Forecast.There are 3 key segments covered in this report: geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment.For geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023. This report coverss following regions:North AmericaSouth AmericaAsia & PacificEuropeMEA (Middle East and Africa)Get Exclusive Sample Report @The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users also can be listed.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Phone POS Machine as well as some small players. The information for each competitor includes:*Company Profile*Main Business Information*SWOT Analysis*Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin*Market ShareGet Attractive Discount @Some of the Major TOC Global and Chinese Phone POS Machine Industry, 2018 Market Research Report:Chapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 Preface3.1 Research Scope3.2 Research Methodology3.2.1 Data Collection3.2.2 Data Analysis3.2.3 Data Validation3.3 Research Sources3.3.1 Primary Sources3.3.2 Secondary Sources3.3.3 AssumptionsChapter 4 Market Landscape4.1 Market Overview4.2 Classification/Types4.3 Application/End UsersChapter 5 Market Trend Analysis5.1 Introduction5.2 Drivers5.3 Restraints5.4 Opportunities5.5 ThreatsChapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis6.1 Upstream/Suppliers Analysis6.2 Phone POS Machine Analysis6.2.1 Technology Analysis6.2.2 Cost Analysis6.2.3 Market Channel Analysis6.3 Downstream Buyers/End UsersAsk to Expertise @About us:BusinessIndustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined  we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media Contact:Business Industry ReportsPune - 411002MaharashtraCall: +19376349940Email: sales@businessindustryreports.com
Thursday 24 October 2013 8:06am



It's official...Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Sarah Todd (left), Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne and Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand Executive Director Chris Hartley proudly show off Otago's newly-minted status as a Fairtrade university at yesterday's ceremony. Photo: Sharron Bennett.

The University announced yesterday that it has been granted Fairtrade accreditation. Otago is the first New Zealand university to gain accreditation and will join more than 100 other universities around the world that have become Fairtrade institutions.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne congratulated staff and students for the accreditation.

The Fairtrade ethos fits well with our strategic plan and there is no doubt that Fairtrade is a positive and growing movement. It is proof that we act in an ethically, socially and environmentally responsible manner.

I am proud of the effort staff and students have gone to make this happen and look forward to a long and meaningful association with Fairtrade. We now have Fairtrade products available at all seven outlets on campus and 90 per cent of residential students have access to Fairtrade products in their colleges, says Professor Hayne.

OUSA acknowledged the work that has gone into achieving accreditation.

The students have been huge supporters of the move with an OUSA referendum giving OUSA the direction to push forward and work with the University to reach the goal of becoming Fairtrade certified, says Lucy Gaudin, OUSA Fairtrade Officer.

Students feel strongly about the benefits this brings to Fairtrade suppliers, their families and their countries. Were ecstatic with the announcement and were thankful for what it means for the University, our students and those given an opportunity by being a part of Fairtrade.
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the former Director of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O), Mauga Precious Chang.

The ruling is in relation to a charge of negligent driving causing injury where Mauga was discharged without conviction.

The Office of the Attorney General had appealed the decision, namely the charge of failing to stop and ascertain injury.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Fisher, Justice Packhurst and Justice Hansen last Friday.

Mauga was represented by Aumua Ming Leung Wai while the Independent Prosecutor was Simativa Perese.

Mauga faced three charges in the District Court consisting of negligent driving; alternative charge dangerous driving and failing to stop and ascertain injury.

The District Court dismissed the charges, which were subsequently reversed in part by the Supreme Court following a prosecution appeal.

The Supreme Court convicted Mauga on the charge of negligent driving causing injury but dismissed the charge of failing to stop and ascertain injury.

DISTRICT COURT JUDGEMENT

The District Court Judge did not find Mauga had not acted negligently and the Judge also found the bodily injury element in the offense was not proved.

The Judges finding that there was no negligence necessarily disposed of the alternative charge of dangerous driving.

On the charge of failing to stop and ascertain the Judge concluded, that Mauga did what any reasonable person would in the circumstances that it cannot be the intention that she would delay taking those involved to the hospital, when there were other people around the vicinity who would inevitably make the inquiry.

In consequences all three charges were dismissed.

SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT

The Prosecution appealed on the principal charge of negligent driving causing injury the Supreme Court Judge differed from the District Court Judge on one factual detail the position of the Tucson at time of impact.

On the Supreme Court Judges analysis of the evidence, the point of impact was around the centre of the outside lane but because the bust struck the front left part of the Tucson, the rear of the Tucson must have still been enriching on the inside lane.

The Supreme Court Judge said from evidence the one person as a result of the accident suffered injury which may not be visual but have nevertheless cause discomfort and intreated with her health because she took 1-2 weeks to recover.

Supreme Court Judge concluded the negligent driving causing injury was established and the conviction was entered accordingly.

The Judge however did not uphold the failing to stop and ascertain charge.

According to the Appellate Justices, the crux of the Supreme Court judgement was the Judges conclusion that a reasonably prudent driver would not have tried to make right turn across two lanes of traffic without ensuring that the turn could be completed without replying on slowing down or evasive action on the part of the oncoming driver.

We agree, on any approach to the facts, a bus driver who had the right if way was confronted with a situation in which an accident would occur if he dud not slow down or successful swerve away.

According to the Appellate Court ruling they agree with the Supreme Court Judge whether there was negligence here does not turn on a dispute over the primary facts.

Regarding the ground for discharge without conviction, the Appellate Justices points out that largely know of the consequences already due to the lapse of time since the charges were criminally brought before the District Court.

But Parliament cannot have intended that in a case like this consequences of the prosecution that have already occurred must be ignored.

Appellate Justices also note that Aumuas submission that Maugas career with the Attorney Generals Office and as Director of the Public Prosecutions has been destroyed by the prosecution and that it brought an end to her rise to a position as the youngest C.E.O. in Samoa by the age of 34.

We were given sufficient information to form a view as to the case of the appellants resignation.

The Appellate Justices notes the consequences are to be compared to the gravity of the offense.

The accident was to moments inadvertence. Without in any way condoning the error made, split second misjudgements of this are sort of error that many drivers may make.

In this case the appellant was unlucky enough to make that mistake when approaching a bus with defective breaks. Instead of slowing or stopping, as an oncoming vehicle could normally be expected to do, the bus was unable to stop and ploughed into the side of the appellants car.

The appliance should never have created that possibility in the first place, but in terms of culpability this was the lowest end of the scale for this type of offense and fortunately the injury to one of the persons involved was of short duration.

The Appellate Justices then concluded they are astride the consequences of a conviction would be out of all proportions to the gravity of the offense.

We turn to the overriding discretion Aumua drew attention to the appellants good character, her work for charters and the outstanding constriction she made to the Samoan Community through her work as a civil servant. Added to the factors already discussed we are satisfied that in this case there should be a discharge without conviction.

Let if the thought that a discharge will readily be granted for a conviction of this kind, we emphasize that this is very much an exceptional case.

It has nothing to do with the appellants profession or her former position as a civil servant.

It has to do with an unfortunate and unusual combination.

The combination is the moments inadvertence on the part of the appellant, the defective brakes on the other vehicle and the disproportionate consequences for the appellant and the confident will be rare indeed.

The appeal is allowed. On the charge of negligent driving causing injury the appellant is discharged without conviction.

The Attorney Generals appeal on the charge of failing to stop and ascertain is dismissed.
Health official: 'There's really no reason not to' receive booster shot

local
Get the SC business stories that matter.

Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free.
The South Carolina House continues to advance utility regulatory changes as the Senate begins deliberating on how to respond to the cancellation of two $9 billion nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer. File
Adam Parker has covered many beats and topics for The Post and Courier, including race and history, religion, and the arts. He is the author of "Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers Jr.," published by Hub City Press.
After successful shows at Hoosier Park for the Breeders Crown and The Meadows for their Night of Champions, North American Harness Update (NAHU) will be continuing its tour of racetracks with a live show from Vernon Downs, located in Vernon, NY, on Friday, April 20.

Ray Cotolo, Mike Pribozie and Rod Allums Jr. will present Three Wide, the name of NAHUs on-site shows. The three will host the Vernon Downs racing action from the live stream provided at nahupicks.com (and platforms including Facebook, Periscope and YouTube) as well as from the simulcast feed at Vernon Downs.

Along with the Vernon Downs show, NAHU will be traveling to other tracks over the course of the 2018 racing season. Future Three Wide shows include:

 May 19 | Woodbine Mohawk Park - Campbellville, ON, CA

 June 22 | Hawthorne Race Course - Cicero, IL

 July 28 | Adios Day at The Meadows - Washington, PA

 Aug. 4 | Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands - East Rutherford, NJ

 Aug. 19 | Tioga Downs - Nichols, NY

 Oct. 5 | The Raceway at Western Fair District - London, ON, CA

 Oct. 26, 27 | Breeders Crown at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono - Wilkes-Barre, PA

On Saturday, April 21, NAHU will also be at the Meadowlands Racetrack as part of the simulcasts handicapping coverage. Rod Allums Jr. will also be the guest on In The Sulky, the tracks pre-game interview show.

North American Harness Update airs Fridays from 9 - 11:00 p.m. (ET) on SRN One and can be accessed by archive via the YouTube page or from its website, nahupicks.com, the day after it airs.

(North American Harness Update)
Angee Penner felt something was going on with her teenage daughter. When she got a call from one of 17-year-old Ashlyn's friends, her fear was confirmed. But it was far worse than she expected.

The phone rang while she was at work.

"Hey, Momma Ange," the friend began.

When Penner hung up the phone, she was sobbing.

She found out during the call Ashlyn was addicted to heroin. It started after her daughter had her wisdom teeth removed, then spiraled out of control.

The mom sprang into action mode. The family sent Ashlyn to an inpatient rehab center in Louisiana as soon as they could, ultimately shelling out $23,000 to keep her there for two months. Penner tried to have her involuntarily committed to no avail. She thought inpatient care was the gold standard, the best that money could buy.

It didn't work. Ashlyn died six months ago at the age of 18, about a year-and-a-half after trying heroin for the first time, never having tried an outpatient, medication-based treatment program that experts agree should always be presented as an option to opioid-addicted patients.

The regimen includes a combination of counseling and a drug, such as methadone. Those drugs, which are also opiate-based, stave off withdrawals and cravings and help patients wean off the more dangerous varieties. Outpatient, medication-based treatment is less expensive than inpatient rehab and works for some patients because it allows them to fight their addiction in their own community.

But Penner said her daughter was never offered the possibility of medication-assisted treatment.

"I would have baby fed it to her on a spoon," Penner said. "I would have driven her to the methadone clinic every day."

In the debate over how to deal with one of the most severe drug epidemics the country has ever seen, families are left with some of the most difficult choices of all. Private rehab centers can offer an alluring pitch, promising recovery in a safe environment, albeit for a price.

Somewhere in the mix, medication-assisted treatment can be shunted aside despite its positive results, said Sara Goldsby, the director of the state's Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

It's not that inpatient treatment is never a good option, experts say, but if opioid-use disorders were treated as a disease instead of a moral weakness, all of the options would be laid out for patients to choose.

Having a choice is important, said Julie Cole, executive director of the recovery-focused Courage Center.

That being said, Cole said she has many friends who are alive because of medication-assisted treatment. And as would be the case for patients with diabetes or any other chronic disease, clinicians should suggest the lowest-intensity option first before considering more drastic treatment.

Inpatient vs. outpatient

When it comes to inpatient rehab, it is not only abstaining from drugs far from home that can be intense. The costs of inpatient, abstinence-based treatment are increasingly a burden, too.

Outpatient treatment cost private insurers less than inpatient treatment in 2016, according to a report released April 5 by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

For people with employer-based health insurance, it broke down like this:

For inpatient treatment, the average total cost in 2016 was $16,104 . Patients paid an average of $1,628 of that themselves, out-of-pocket. The foundation reported there has been a steep rise in the cost of inpatient care as the epidemic has worsened  it cost $5,809 in 2004.

. Patients paid an average of of that themselves, out-of-pocket. The foundation reported there has been a steep rise in the cost of inpatient care as the epidemic has worsened  it cost $5,809 in 2004. The average total cost of outpatient treatment in 2016 was $4,695. Patients paid an average of $670 out-of-pocket.

Goldsby said many families come to them feeling convinced their loved one requires inpatient treatment.

"A lot of people have this perception they need a bed," she said.

She sympathizes. Addictions are ugly. Families are maxed out. For Penner, dealing with her daughter's addiction became a full-time job.

Ashlyn was always her princess. The first time her mother had to tell her she needed to leave the house, Ashlyn was at her vanity, putting lotion on her face. Pink fuzzy slippers covered her feet and she was wearing a bubblegum-colored bathrobe.

Penner thought that would be the worst it would get. She was wrong.

"I was ready to start talking about prom, graduation, college," Penner said.

Instead, Penner watched as Ashlyn repeatedly chose heroin over her family and her future.

Ashlyn told her mother she wanted to have the motivation to beat heroin as much as Penner wanted it for her. Her mother said there was always a place for her to come home if she was clean, but Ashlyn has a younger brother she had to worry about, too.

In the months she was able to stop using, Ashlyn admitted she was always thinking about the drug.

'A long journey'

Caitlin Kratz, opioid treatment program administrator with the county-owned Charleston Center, explained how addiction is a disease that hijacks a person's ability to make decisions.

Kratz said stigma still keeps people from opting for methadone or other drugs.

The Charleston Center has inpatient programs, but they are for people with disorders who can't abstain from drugs, and for mothers who are pregnant or who have children.

Even when people finish inpatient treatment, there needs to be outpatient care in place once they return home, Kratz said.

"Just sending people away and thinking its going to be fixed is kind of a falsehood," she said. "It's an ongoing process and I don't think (people) see that."

Good outpatient treatment is based on the core idea of building up patients' resistance to the triggers of their daily life. And when people do medication-assisted treatment on an outpatient basis, they can continue to work and be a part of their families.

Kratz said the marketing pitch that some inpatient centers offer is a problem. They may promise a cure to addiction where there isn't one. Kratz said addiction is a lifelong disease and that medication-assisted treatment will be appropriate for about 90 percent of the Charleston Center's opioid use disorder patients.

Jerome Tilghman, executive director of Berkeley County's Ernest Kennedy Center, has to send patients to the Charleston Center or to local doctors if he wants to recommend medication-assisted treatment.

There is a shortage of doctors who will offer it, Tilghman said. So even in cases where the treatment is considered the best option, it is not always easy to coordinate.

Dr. Shawn Stinson, senior vice president for health care and improvement for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, was careful to say there is no single treatment that is always going to work. It depends on the patient. The insurer will approve reimbursement for both outpatient and inpatient treatment. They don't require patients to try one before green-lighting another.

"Cost would not be the prime consideration," Stinson said. "We would want them to get them the best treatment available."

However, some of the BlueCross BlueShield plans won't cover care that is out-of-state and out-of-network. This is common particularly with plans bought through the Affordable Care Act, he said. Then there are the cash-only outpatient clinics, which are also not in the insurer's network.

"This is a long journey for folks," he said. "The reality is that we end up working with people for a long time."

Part of a club

The journey ended for Penner in October when detectives rang her doorbell. She was packing to move to Ohio. It was Ashlyns idea  she thought a new environment might help her make a change.

Ashyln was with the wrong friends at a local motel. After her overdose, they put her on a luggage cart, wheeled her outside and called 911. Penner said police have confirmed this account, though no arrests were made.

She was admitted to the hospital as a Jane Doe, so Penner wasnt with her when she died Oct. 5. That fact haunts Penner as she tries to work through the grief.

She is in a few Facebook groups for mothers who have lost their kids to the opioid epidemic. It has been comforting to network with other moms, to a degree.

Im in that club now, she said.

One Facebook group has more than 4,000 members. Another 12,000.

She watches as every day hundreds more mothers join.
The Charleston region is quickly becoming a place only the wealthy can afford to live. With soaring housing prices, stagnant wages and a swelling population, the Lowcountry is barreling down the same path that made cities such as New York and San Francisco some of the most expensive places in the world to call home.

Typical rents and home prices have risen well beyond what most people can afford. From Summerville to West Ashley to Awendaw, entire neighborhoods that were filled with middle-income families less than 10 years ago are now out of reach for much of the workforce.

In many parts of Charleston County, it takes at least a six-figure income to buy a typical single-family home. The countys median household income is about $55,000, and roughly half earn less than that.

Renting isnt any easier. The average rent in the Charleston metro area in September topped $1,600, higher than the national average and other major cities in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina, according to a Post and Courier analysis of rental listings data.

Prices are even higher closer to the regions job centers. As a result, teachers, nurses, police officers and others workers often cant afford to live in the communities they serve. Many are heading farther into the outskirts in search of cheap housing, and that means more commuters piling onto already congested roads.

Kaila Hodges and Will Warner, a young married couple with two small boys, have searched all year for an affordable apartment near Warners commercial plumbing job in North Charleston. Theyve lived in a rundown house in rural Kingstree for $700 a month, crashed with family members in North Charleston and slept in their car at a Ladson campground.

At the moment, theyre living in a camper parked in St. Stephen, about 45 miles away.

Ive looked out in Charleston, Summerville, Goose Greek, Moncks Corner, Hodges said. Finding a house is awful. ... To be honest, Ive never felt so discouraged.

Greenville and Columbia are beginning to feel the crunch, as well, but Charleston by far has the most advanced shortage of affordable housing in South Carolina.

If the trend holds, the region could soon find itself struggling to lure workers to its growing job market  a problem that has plagued other high-cost areas such as California's technology hub, Silicon Valley. That can lead to myriad ripple effects: longer lines at the grocery store, higher prices on menus, more students per classroom.

Downtown Charleston is already seeing staffing shortages.

Camille Rhoden, a manager at an outdoor gear shop on King Street, spent nearly six months this year trying to find part-time workers because most applicants lived elsewhere and the store couldnt pay for their parking. Many also worked two jobs to get by.

FAQ on Charleston region's shortage of affordable housing Housing issues are complex, even for the experts. So let's look at some local programs and i

I feel like a lot of people are exhausting themselves just to pay rent, she said.

Hominy Grill, a signature Charleston restaurant for two decades, recently ended its dinner service because it couldnt staff the night shifts.

As the affordable housing gets pushed farther and farther out, you know, getting to work becomes a problem, owner Robert Stehling said.

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments warned three years ago that the housing shortage was becoming a regional crisis, and a task force outlined strategies for change that had worked elsewhere in the nation. The city of Charleston adopted several initiatives, but other governments generally ignored the call to action.

At the same time, Mount Pleasant and Charleston have enacted zoning policies that threaten to choke the supply of new housing and further drive up costs for people who dont already own homes.

For many, the question is when, not if, their cost of living here will rise again.

'Bad for business'

The Council of Governments' Housing Needs Assessment in 2014 found that half the regions renters were living in housing they couldnt afford, a much higher proportion than the national average. That conclusion was based on the limited federal data available on rents, which captures a relatively small sampling of households and uses five-year pricing averages.

To get a better read on the problem, The Post and Courier conducted a broad analysis of the region's rental market, analyzing salary averages, data from real estate giant Zillow and some 20,000 Craigslist rental listings. Among other things, the newspaper found:

Average rent prices have climbed 16 percent since 2014, while average wages in the region have remained 15 percent below the national average.

Rental rates have grown almost twice as much as the regions wages from 2011 to 2016.

Average rents arent just high because of new, pricey units. The share of affordable units has been shrinking rapidly across the entire region, mirroring what's happening in San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and other big cities.

Workers in Atlanta and Raleigh made more money than their Charleston counterparts and spent less of it on housing.

Michelle Mapp leads the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, a nonprofit that helps finance affordable housing projects. She calls the gap between wages and rents the compounding problem.

We know our housing costs are too high and that our wages are too low, she said. The challenge is, even as you recruit new employers who are paying higher wages, that exacerbates the problem because the demand on housing continues to grow.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says households should spend no more than a third of their income on housing and utility costs. That way, they can afford health care, groceries, savings and other necessities.

The less you make, the harder it is to make that budget work  especially in Charleston.

Chelsea Stein became a third-grade teacher in Winston-Salem, N.C., after graduating from Clemson University five years ago because she couldnt afford to move back home to Mount Pleasant.

I would not be able to afford an apartment and sustain a social life in Mount Pleasant, she said.

Will Moore is a 28-year-old data manager for a downtown technology business. He barely makes his $800 rent for a room over a garage in North Charleston because he also has to shell out $100 each month for work parking. The region's limited housing options nearly caused him to move this year and leave a job he enjoys.

My company could have lost me, and I know they like me," he said. "Its just bad for businesses.

The region's most affordable places to live are in North Charleston, Ladson, Summerville and rural areas of Dorchester County. But Kathryn Basha, senior planner of the Council of Governments, said even those areas are seeing major price hikes that could soon price out workers as well.

Stehling, the owner of Hominy Grill, said hes seen plenty of line cooks and chefs come from big cities to work in Charlestons top-notch culinary scene. But hes noticed many dont stick around for long.

I have a lot of people come in from San Francisco and New York, and they think its going to be cheaper here, and its not, he said. Wages are low, and they cant afford housing, and in six months to a year, theyre moving someplace else.

Basha said the housing crunch will lead to staffing shortages in other industries, too.

If your labor force cant afford to live here, and your quality of life goes down, the bigger industries arent going to want to move here, Basha said. Its the quality of life here thats been so attractive.

Not enough housing?

A housing shortage might seem counterintuitive if you're counting the cranes dotting the skyline and the long list of new developments in the works. More than three dozen apartment projects are planned in the city of Charleston alone. Several new mega subdivisions are also headed to the region, including the 5,700 homes going on the Wildcat Tract in Berkeley County.

Theres plenty on the drawing board, but experts say the supply of move-in ready homes has been low for years and hasn't kept pace with a population growing by 48 people per day.

The proof is in the prices.

A recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University found Charleston among a minority of metro areas  16 percent  where home prices have nearly doubled since 2000.

Rental units priced at $800 or less  once plentiful in the Charleston area  are a rare find.

Still, apartments were 94 percent full at the end of 2016, and the stock of homes for sale has been declining since 2015, according to the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

The trickle of new homes hasnt been enough to make a real dent in prices. And even if all the planned projects were built today, working families might not be able to afford them.

Higher construction costs and climbing land values have made developers more likely to build large single-family homes and luxury apartments than modestly-priced units such as town homes.

Is there help on the way? Yes. Is it enough? Well be able to answer that in five or 10 years, said Dave Sansom, president of the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

Several growing cities around the country face similar problems. In Boston, Seattle and Denver, there are more new jobs than homes, driving up rents and pushing workers to outlying areas. The extra traffic has led to more gridlock, and more polluted air.

San Francisco has become the cautionary tale. In some parts of the Bay Area, households earning $100,000 are considered low-income.

Technology workers cram into dormitory-style houses or, in some cases, live in their cars. Google is considering building its own subsidized housing for entry-level workers.

Mapp said Charleston is on track to follow the same pattern.

If you look at our numbers relative to theirs, were probably on a faster pace to be where San Francisco is now, she said.

The problem is also creeping inland.

Greenville has a task force studying its growing affordable housing shortage, and the city is buying vacant land for future construction of moderately priced homes.

Were getting plenty of $800,000 condos, and plenty of apartments that are well over $1,500 a month, Greenville Mayor Knox White said. But what were not getting is enough rentals that are well below $1,000. So weve got to try to do something about that.

What are other places doing to add more affordable housing? The Charleston area is hardly alone in its struggle to address the shortage of affordable ho

In Columbia, Mayor Steve Benjamin recently called on City Council to draft a plan by year's end to address the capital's housing crunch.

The politics of local zoning rules, however, can complicate the problem even more.

A tall order

A city on the coast cant grow in all directions like Charlotte or Atlanta, especially when rivers and wetlands cover much of the landscape. Land is inherently limited, and prices reflect that scarcity.

But local land-use decisions in past years have paved the way for an especially high-cost housing market at the Charleston region's core.

The city of Charleston set an urban growth boundary in the 1990s to preserve rural places and limit sprawl to the west. That made land closer to the city's center even more valuable. Height limits meant to preserve the city's historic district have further penned in density downtown and prevented developers from building up.

We have a super finite building envelope, Charleston Planner Jacob Lindsey said.

Housing experts say the region needs more apartments and townhouses because they're more affordable and limit sprawl. But area cities and towns have long favored single-family homes with spacious yards. In 2014, such developments made up more than half the regions housing stock, according to the Council of Governments.

Attempts to change that dynamic has been met with fierce resistance in some communities.

After a backlash from residents, James Island leaders this year halted new apartment projects for six months to slow down growth, and City Council is now poised to reduce density and height limits on commercial Folly Road. In Mount Pleasant, where the population has tripled in 16 years, Town Council enacted a two-year moratorium on new apartments and scuttled a program that encouraged developers to build affordable housing. Containing growth has also become a central election issue in Summerville, where the population has nearly doubled in the past two decades.

Stockton Williams, executive director of the Urban Land Institutes Terwilliger Center for Housing, said residents have legitimate fears about growth leading to more traffic and crowded schools. But blocking new developments drives up housing costs when the supply is low, making the area even less affordable, he said.

A big, principle driver of the housing supply shortage is the resistance at the local level  the neighborhood level  to virtually any type of new housing development, Williams said.

Mapp said discouraging anything but single-family homes tells prospective buyers and renters, "We dont know where youre going to live, but youre just not going to live here."

Williams and other researchers say it might be time to give states a larger role in planning for growth and encouraging cities to adopt policies that allow more affordable housing where needed.

Connecticut and Massachusetts, for instance, offer grants to cities that create mixed-income housing districts near jobs and infrastructure.

State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, wants to try something similar here. He is pushing a bill that would allow local governments to require developers to include some affordable homes or apartments in their projects.

Steps forward

Mount Pleasant and Charleston are looking for other ways to address the problem.

After a task force found that less than a third of the towns workers can afford to live there, Mount Pleasant brought on a part-time staffer to study potential solutions. Creating a nonprofit organization to address affordable housing is one possibility, Assistant Town Administrator Christiane Farrell said.

In Charleston, officials have targeted areas on the Upper Peninsula where apartment developers can build more units if they agree to offer lower rents in 20 percent of their units for 25 years.

Two apartment complexes  Elan Midtown and East Central Lofts  have come on board, with 41 workforce units combined. City officials said the units are usually full, but the two complexes didnt respond to calls or emails from The Post and Courier to provide further details.

At Elan Midtown, even the lower rents end up costing more than $1,000 with trash and sewer fees. In East Central Lofts, a 264-square-foot workforce unit is $818. Thats smaller than a typical shipping container.

Another 360 workforce housing units are planned in other apartment complexes. But some, including City Councilman Mike Seekings, doubt the program will make a great difference.

Thats just not a zoning scheme and development plan that gives us real relief in a critical issue," Seekings said.

The program allows developers to opt out of creating workforce units by paying a sliding fee, which helps fund the city's affordable housing programs. Only one has done so to date.

Still, that fund could get a big boost Tuesday if voters approve a ballot measure allowing the city to borrow $20 million to help build more than 800 affordable housing units across Charleston.

For residents like Anna Wegscheid, the help cant come soon enough. The 27-year-old mall worker struggles to pay her student loans and rent for a shared apartment in West Ashley.

I like this city, but its definitely more of a struggle to pay for things than it was in Atlanta, where I came from, she said. Ill probably have to move away.
Congressman Mark Sanford, R-Mount Pleasant, speaks with Will Donnellon, an Academic Magnet High School student who moderated a town hall meeting on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Burke High School in Charleston. The meeting is affiliated with the March For Our Lives, a student-led movement that started in the wake of the mass shooting at Parkland High School in Florida. Gregory Yee/Staff
Abigail Darlington is a local government reporter focusing primarily on the City of Charleston. She previously covered local arts & entertainment, technology, innovation, tourism and retail for the Post and Courier.
Political Reporter

Caitlin Byrd is a political reporter at The Post and Courier and author of the Palmetto Politics newsletter. Before moving to Charleston in 2016, her byline appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times. To date, Byrd has won 17 awards for her work.
Jamie Lovegrove is a political reporter covering the South Carolina Statehouse, congressional delegation and campaigns. He previously covered Texas politics in Washington for The Dallas Morning News and in Austin for the Texas Tribune.
PQ Lets roll back a little bit and let the family dynamics work the way they once did in the past."  Father Francis Hezel

Bringing the focus back on the family is what Father Francis Hezel, parochial vicar of Santa Barbara Catholic Church, believes will help solve the sexual assault problems facing Guam and the rest of Micronesia.

Hezel has spent more than half a century on Micronesian islands  28 years in Pohnpei, 25 years in Chuuk and four years on Guam  which has allowed him to deeply observe the ways of its peoples. He even wrote a book, titled Making Sense of Micronesia: The Logic of Pacific Island Cultures.

From perpetrators in the streets to those within families and even among clergy, the Jesuit priest acknowledged that sexual assault is a real thing and it hurts people.

'What makes the temperature rise'

He believes cultures that tolerate behaviors that can lead to sexual assault, such as consuming alcohol and viewing pornography, would lend themselves to a hot-house climate.

Hezel elaborated on a couple of examples of how alcohol consumption in some cultures can prevent one from maintaining their composure and behaving as a law-abiding citizen, and how members of certain cultures can be sexually provoked by something as harmless as the inside of ones knee or the hair of their armpits.

Cultures that tolerate alcohol consumption, Hezel said, easily place intoxicated people outside of cultural restrictions and somewhat free them from having to be polite and kind, suddenly allowing them to wink and gyrate.

This sort of thing happens, so that some people still feel that, when theyre defined as drunk, they can take all kinds of liberties ... do things they simply wouldnt have been permitted to do normally, he said.

Referring to provocation by appearance, Hezel said there has to be an understanding that wearing certain dresses or clothes is more than just a custom; it can be a form of cultural protection.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what makes the temperature rise.

Defending family  unarmed

Despite the drastic measures people can take for sexual gratification, its not any one culture or their negative behaviors that Hezel is focused on combating to eliminate assaults. Rather, hed prefer that the responsibility of protection be returned and entrusted to families when its time to defend their assaulted victim  unarmed.

He shared his thought that todays modern government doesnt seem to trust the community or trust that it can use the community as an instrument for controlling behavior.

What I mean by that is it doesnt trust the family or community. The government is acting in a very tough way, I think. Possibly, a way thats designed, ultimately, not to bring peace, but to bring disruption to increase disruption. Thats my feeling, he said.

He added that promoting defensive behavior doesnt mean putting a gun in ones hand to go out and find or hurt someone, but letting them say in their own way, Dont mess with my sister, without fear of being regarded as a bully, or perhaps even a criminal.

Moreover, he believes this type of response to sexual assaults would minimize collateral damage with minimal disruption to families and the community.

When we talk about lowering the danger of this, Im talking about not just longer sentences, but using other weapons that we had once upon a time to control this kind of thing, weapons that were not using now, Hezel said. Assault is a shaming thing.

The weapons he spoke of were shame and embarrassment in the face of the community  shame that families have to suffer, and shame among the peers of the perpetrator.

Whats happened to the family?

He went on to explain the times he grew up in, when the police, who weren't a frightening figure, would communicate with a family when one of their kin slipped up. A time when ones embarrassment was well-known because of word of mouth, yet it resulted in the creation of a certain mindset that encouraged a higher degree of self-control.

In reference to male-to-female assaults, Hezel held that even boys talked about the shame  that, if the only way a guy can get a girl is to jump her in an alley, then theyre a poor example of a male.

That was the kind of thing that people were saying in those days. What can we do to help restore this? Because, if we were able to restore it, at least in part, it would make the streets a whole lot safer, I think, he said.

Hezel questioned where a familys level of care has gone, a level that included instruments of comfort, confidence, opportunity and responsibility which, ultimately, would heighten the total family standard. It is those things, he believes, that would help to better prevent assaults.

Whats happened to the family? he asked. Perhaps itd be better to revitalize some of the instruments we had in the past. Im not blaming the legal system; Im just saying this is the wrong way to look if we want to fix the problem.

Hezel is a strong advocate of families talking and having dinners and lunches together in which family members are not looking at electronic devices, or this funny little machine, but are actually looking at one another and talking. He believes these practices would engender the kind of trust a young lady needs to talk to somebody else in the family about whats going on without having to tease out of her the deepest secrets in her heart.

Hezel believes that the components of a family-based response to sexual assaults would 1) lower the temperature of sexual stimulation in the community, to include the things that make up different cultures definitions of provocation; and 2) strengthen families overall.

A decent society

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Hezel asks that members of the government and organizations against sexual assault revisit the ways that sexual assaults were dealt with in the past, and ask themselves why assaults are more common now than they were before.

Lets roll back a little bit and let the family dynamics work the way they once did in the past  and we didnt have dead bodies all over the place, he said. I thought it was a decent society. Cant we utilize any of these designs that we had?

In conclusion, Hezel regarded the temptations of todays society, that if one has a little fun with someone or themselves, or by viewing a screen, its not going to hurt anybody.

A little addiction  it gets to be fun, but maybe not. Maybe those things make me self-centered," Hezel said, referring to the thoughts one might have.

"Maybe those are the very forces that sort of screen out any consideration of the damage they could be doing to other people and focus on me, me, me. If theyre doing that, then theyre helping to create an assault-minded person.

He ended by saying that the life society has accepted nowadays should be the antithesis of those statements, and that we should be saying, No, no, no, its not me, me, me, my pleasure, or making myself happy. Its taking care of other people.
The Annual Awards Banquet of the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association was held in Charlottetown last evening(Saturday, April 14).

The crowd of over 300 was thoroughly entertained, as guest speakers Erv and Hannah Miller touched on topics ranging from their early days in racing, sibling rivalries, memorable horses and races, and what they would still like to achieve in the industry.



Banquet emcee Vance Cameron (left) speaks with Erv Miller (middle) and Hannah Miller (right) (Photo courtesy Gail MacDonald)

After an incredible record setting year, it was no surprise that the powerful Marc Campbell Stable took home the lions share of the awards. Horses from his stable captured many divisional honours, and stable star Filly Forty Seven won the coveted Horse of the Year Award. Campbell, who himself took home all of the driver and trainer awards, was presented with the Kentucky of Canada award in recognition of his truly exceptional season.



Team Campbell pictured with their trophies from the evening (Photo courtesy Gail MacDonald)

Mickey Gallant and Deanna Clow were extremely popular winners of the Horseperson and Horsewoman of the Year awards. Peter Buchanan was awarded the Active Horseman of the Year award, which recognized his many years of involvement and contribution as board member and president of the PEISHOA. Reg MacPherson of Stratford, PE was honoured with the Standardbred Canada Owner of the year award. The inaugural Arnold Weeks Memorial award, which was established to honour those who truly display great kindness and generosity to fellow horsemen, was awarded to Ronnie and Dianne Gass.



Dr. Colleen Dickie, Mickey Gallant (PEISHOA Horseperson of the Year) and the Gallant Family (Photo courtesy Gail MacDonald)

The rest of the awards were as follows:

Two-Year-Old Colt Trot

 Windmeredontuworry

Two-Year-Old Filly Trot

 Oceanview Eunomia

Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt

 Half Cut

Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly

 Scarlet Desire

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot

 Pappy Go Go

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot

 Dusty Lane Min

Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt

 Island Energetic

Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly

 Filly Forty Seven

Aged Trotting Horse

 Freddie

Aged Pacing Horse

 Eagle Jolt

Aged Pacing Mare

 Ramblinglily

Fan Favourite

 Zanzibar

Trotter of the Year

 Pappy Go Go

Pacer of the Year

 Filly Forty Seven

Horse of the Year

 Filly Forty Seven

Rising Stars Awards

 Jacob Sweet

 Jamieson Sweet

 Gracie Clark

Female Groom

 Tammy Collings

Male Groom

 Sam Bulger

Mr. Trot Challenge

 Marc Campbell

Rookie Driver

 Kyle Gillis

Leading Percentage Driver

 Marc Campbell

Leading Percentage Trainer

 Marc Campbell

Leading Dash Winning Driver

 Marc Campbell

Leading Dash Winning Trainer

 Marc Campbell

Appreciation Awards

 Anne Charlotte Kelly

 James Perrot

Owner of the Year

 Reg MacPherson

Arnold Weeks Memorial

 Ronnie Gass

 Dianne Gass

Active Horseman of the Year

 Peter Buchanan

Horsewoman of the Year

 Deanna Clow

Horseperson of the Year

 Mickey Gallant

Kentucky of Canada

 Marc Campbell

(With files from the PEISHOA)
PQ In geography, I learn about a lot of places in the real world. When you learn about these places, and then go to them, its very interesting.  Napu Blas

In his younger days, 12-year-old Napu Blas wasnt glued to Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or any other kid show for that matter, he was locked into the History and Science Channels. His childhood passions opened doors for him to travel to Washington, D.C.

Blas, a 7th-grader at Untalan Middle School, is one of the few students from Guam to qualify simultaneously to compete in two prestigious competitions in the countrys capital: the National Geographic Bee and the National History Day contest.

Its a big accomplishment, said his mom, Melanie Mesa Blas. He has this hunger to learn more and he worked really hard. Im so proud of him!

Napus mom is a science teacher at Simon Sanchez High School, and his dad, Tony, is a social studies teacher at Father Duenas Memorial School. The growing geographer credits them with his early interest in his favorite subjects.

I started to learn about geography and history at a young age, and I just kept learning. I kept getting intrigued, Napu said. Geography and history kind of connect with each other. You need to learn history in order to understand geography, and geography to understand history.

His interest, paired with years of studying and hard work, allowed him to top two local competitions in order for him to be eligible for the national competitions.

World traveler

He's participated in four Geography Bee competitions to date, placing second in the 2017 regional contest. Hes participated in the local National History Day contest twice, and also placed second in last years.

This year, when he competed in the Geography Bee, Napu placed higher than other students in Guam, Saipan and American Samoa to move on to the finals.

The funny thing was, when he was little, I got a book from a friend. It was called Geography Songs. That was one of his favorite books, his mom, Melanie, said.

The songs were about different countries and different capitals, and when he was 2 or 3 years old, while other kids were singing radio songs, he was singing geography songs.

In addition to singing about the world we live in, Napu had fun familiarizing himself with the hundreds of countries and capitals spread across the planet. He and his younger brother would often play tag on Google Earth, Melanie said.

In geography, I learn about a lot of places in the real world. When you learn about these places, and then go to them, its very interesting, Napu said, adding he's been to a lot of the places hes studied.

Educating others

With adventurous parents and passion for national parks, Napu has visited more natural wonders across the globe than most 12-year-olds. He's sworn in as a junior ranger to more than 20 national parks across the western U.S., his mom said.

Just a few of the parks he's visited and is sworn to protect include Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California, the Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico, Zion and Canyonlands National Park in Utah, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. He's also been to Chichen Itza in Mexico and Mount Fuji in Japan.

The young world travelers next destination is Washington, D.C., for the National Geographic Bee, from May 20 to 23, and the National History Day competition, from June 10 to 14.

Grateful for the opportunities, Napu thanked Vickie Loughran, his Gifted And Talented Education teacher at Captain H. B. Price Elementary School, and his parents. He encourages other students to get to know the world around them, and its history.

We need to learn geography so you can navigate through the world. Its important to learn about historic events because you dont want to repeat what went wrong in some of them, he said.

Some students dont think theyre very important, but we need to learn. If you dont, you might make some mistakes.
INSIGHTS

Some of you older folks may remember that spiritual song: Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya ... Back in the 1960s, it was the call to join hands and Read more
The spice market restaurant is the preferred restaurant of all different food connoisseurs

Mr. Samer Khair, GM of Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott

PR-Inside.com: 2018-04-15 13:49:48

Press Information

Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott

Um Al Qura street - Haram





Makkah - KSA



Mohammed Alamin

Marketing Manager

00966125296611

email

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/qcamc-jabal-omar-marriott-hotel-makkah/





# 350 Words

Um Al Qura street - HaramMakkah - KSAMarketing Manager00966125296611

The Spice Market restaurant at Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott scooped the awarded of Saudi Excellence in Tourism Award of 2018. The restaurant is the main restaurant at Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott, which offers the best international cuisine to the guests and visitors of the Holy city. We had all tastes in one place both of international and local cuisine to be available for guest need; its a unique experience for international food lovers.The award ceremony was held in Riyadh, where luxury food companies, luxury and tourist facilities from all over the Kingdom meet for a moment of honor in the presence of business owners, ministers, tourism and archeologists with a big focus of media team to cover the event.Mr. Samer Khair, The General Manager of the hotel said that this award is the foundation and standards of the service industry in the region, and prides itself on honoring the distinguished restaurants of each category by an annual vote in which the guests cast their votes through the website of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage. This award highlights the value of restaurants, thereby increasing global competition and raising the quality of food and service standards in the field of luxury restaurants.Its well known that the Jabel Omar Makkah Marriott has more than one restaurant and a cafe in addition to the spacious rooms, the luxurious suites and the distinctive views, which makes the hotel unique in providing the highest levels of hotel services that are suitable for Marriott International. Mr. Samer thanked all the participants in the electronic vote as their contribution created a fair competition that reflects the reality of the restaurant and its distinguished position.Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott has a Modern business center, medium size meeting rooms with a large pre-function area. Pray privately in Air-conditioned prayer hall overlooking the Haram listen to the Haram Imam via our linked sound system. We invite you to discover a place that inspires while visiting Makkah, which are uniquely religious experiences and enjoy refined service and privacy at Marriott to make your stay unforgettable.
I

There is an intersection between Chief Commander Ebenezer Obeys 1972 number dedicated to Board Members and QDot Alagbes 2018 mention of Egbe Inumidun in Ijo Gelede. Same way there is a web that connects Sikiru Ayinde Barristers popular number dedicated to Offa-born Femi Adekanye with the passing mention former governor Babatunde Fashola enjoyed in Wizkids Pakurumo. At the heart of these meeting points is praise-singing. But while contemporary hip-hop buffs might find it quite alien, the old guards would only consider it a reinvention of culture.

In the wake of the 1983 general elections, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister got entangled in a perception problem shortly after the release of one of his works. The artistes drummer had a line that was widely received with variegated interpretations, the most controversial being that it was a validation of Shehu Shagaris reelection victory. Shagari wole ekeji, awa o se ti Baba mo, (Shagari won his re-election, we no longer support Baba) goes one of the interpretations. Given Obafemi Awolowos cult-like following in the old west, it was widely held that Awo was the Baba purportedly referenced in the beat. In the way of conspiracy theories, it didnt help that Ayinde Barrister hailed from Ibadan, a city that purportedly stood vehemently against the reelection bid of Bola Ige, Awo-led UPNs candidate in the guber contest in Oyo.

In the 1980s, apart from the business class, the political class, through patronage and support, played a major role in the success of any artiste. So the backlash was considered dangerous even though the affected party was out of power. Barristers fans tried to dilute the potency of that interpretation, by offering other variegated interpretations. Yet the artiste had to battle the backlash for quite a long period of time and that in a way showed the potency of artistes influence, in terms of endorsement and praise-singing.

Ayinde Barristers protegee, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, was not left out.

Sometime in the first half of the 1990s, a certain Lagos-Island socialite had a ghastly accident in the city, precisely on the third mainland bridge according to some accounts. He died before he could get any serious medical attention. Details that may after all be apocryphal would later surface affirming that he died while driving home angrily, ostensibly to go pick some thick wads of naira notes and stage a comeback after he was elbowed out of Wasiu Ayinde Marshals praise-singing list by a rival socialite at a Lagos function.

Ironically not a few Fuji buffs got to know about the death through a praise-singing number dedicated to him by KWAM 1, who never denied the seemingly apocryphal tale surrounding the death. In the end, it all signaled how fundamental the praise-singing culture is to the evolution of Fuji.

But Fuji is no orphan in this context.

Haruna Ishola (Baba n Gani Agba), the late Apala maestro, recorded tons of memorable praise-singing numbers for many a Yoruba socialite across the region, including diaspora Yoruba folks in the far north. Haruna it was who notably shifted the klieg lights to members of the Oroki Social Club in Osogbo, Egbe Basiri in Sagamu-Remo, Egbe Parkers in Kaduna, among others. Ditto for other greats who played genres that are in the exended family of Harunas Apala: Anigilaje Ayinla Omo Wuramotu, S. Aka Baba Waidi, Yusufu Olatunji, Fatai Olowoyo, among other legends.

The artiste who perhaps elevated praise-singing to an enduring art was Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, the musician-turned-evangelist whose sonorous, delicate voice was in itself a brain-bursting item. Where Sunny Ade was hyperbolic in the way he rendered his embellishments, sometime tilting toward the extreme, Obeys was measured. Sunny Ade, it could be argued, relied heavily on the potency of his beats; Obeys magic rested on his melody. And a few of the pebbles being thrown at the mans enduring legacy would come from the rationalization that the artiste and his contemporaries encouraged graft through the praise-singing culture.

In any case, although Sunny is still performing wonders on the dance floor, the Biblical old has passed away for Obey: the artiste has since dropped his legendary Juju microphonein the strict professional sense, at leastafter picking up the holy book.

II

But in the way these things seem now in contemporary Nigerian pop, this meeting of cultures has made it quite difficult to identify that there is actually a gulf in the sound and times that produced the various generational hits produced by these artistes, living and dead. That intersection, if we throw in a little mischief, captures the paradigm shift in contemporary Nigerian pop as evident in the blurred line between these generational sounds. Like the one between, say, King Sunny Ade and his wailing guitar and Small Doctor and his humorous, if brainless, lines. Or the hits in the oeuvres of Kwam 1 and, say, Olamide Badoo; Haruna Ishola and QDot; Ayinde Gbogeraye and Destiny Boy; Yusufu Olatunji and Junior Boy; Iya Aladuke and Mukaila Senwele; Dauda Epo-Akara and 9ice; Reekado Banks and Ayinde Bakare; Korede Bello and, say, an Ayinde Barrister.

The lines, if any, have become blurredif not totally invisible.

While Fuji seems to be the most coveted bride among contemporary pop artistes in terms of sound appropriation, all of the remaining older genresApala, Juju, Waka, Sakarahave not been spared in terms of style. Where there was the long, elaborate praise-singing of the 70s, we now have per second name-dropping, perhaps due to the short duration of pop tracks.

In QDots Ijo Gelede for instance, nothing in the tracks theme elevates the (Yoruba) culture, as the optics of his carefully selected words and the Ooni-of-Ife improvised cosmetics in the video dubiously seem to claim. Its a decent track, nevertheless. And the closest connection the track has with culture is in the faint praise-singing in its third 3, done in per-second name-dropping.

Before Ijo Gelede, 9ice, although without pretension to culture elevation, did something similar with his controversial Yahoo-yahoo anthem, Living Things, name-dropping internet scam artists from Hushpuppi to Opa 6. All of the rampaging Agege boys, from Junior Boy to Destiny Boy, have imprint of this style in their tracks: namedropping.

Yet given the shortness of pop tracks, and the insatiable appetite these latter day socialites have for staying in the limelight, I think there may be another (paradigm) shift soon. It is likely that they would withdraw their patronage or negotiate for a longer duration, as it was in the 80s and still is in the traditional genres.

ADVERTISEMENT

It is unlikely that any prudent socialite would prefer the Q-Dot short-lived 2-second recognition to, say, a Sunny Ade or a Kwam 1s never-ending holler. Because in the end, with Q-Dot, irrespective of the amount involved, its just a bland, uninspiring 2-second name-dropping: Sunday Igboho, I see you Baba. Thats all.

But with Kwam 1, and perhaps for a lesser fee, its a 3-hour elaborate holler, with the assurance that the artiste would stuff his lines with head-bursting embellishments. However things go, it would likely be for the growth of the culture.

And again, as these things appear now even, do these publicity-craving socialites really care about prudence?
A total of 89 writers are competing for the 2018 edition of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas -sponsored Prize for Literature.

The sponsors of the prize announced this during a formal ceremony held in Lagos.

At the ceremony, the entries were handed over to the Advisory Board of the Prize signifying the beginning of the selection process.

The process will culminate in the announcement of the winner in October.

The Deputy Managing Director of the company, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, represented by Acting Manager, Community Relations, Godson Dienye, handed over the entries to the Advisory Board of the prize.

An emeritus professor, Ayo Banjo, heads the Advisory Board for the literature prize.

Other members are former Minister of State for Education, Jerry Agada, and former president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Ben Elugbe, an emeritus professor.

Mr. Dienye noted, We have received 89 entries this year; lower than what we had in 2014 when drama was also in focus. We must change this trend. All stakeholders must begin to own the prize as theirs and push it to greater heights. We also received two entries for the Literary Criticism Award competition, which unfortunately appears not to attract many entries.

I consider this as a huge gap in Nigerias Literacy space. To the judges, I urge you to demonstrate your usual proficiency in administering and adjudicating the process, knowing that the world is earnestly waiting for your announcement of another legendary work.

He added that the entries would be examined on their merits of excellence in language, creativity and book quality.

The entries were subsequently handed over to the panel of judges led by Matthew Umukoro of the University of Ibadan.

Other members of the panel include Mohammed Buratai of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Ngozi Udengwu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

This years award will run concurrently with NLNGs Prize for Literary Criticism for which only two entries were received for this years competition.

A former journalist, Ikeogu Oke won the $100,000 literature prize money six months ago.

Okes collection of poems, The Heresiad, came tops from among 184 entries received for the competition.

The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited-sponsored Prize for Literature is Africas most prestigious literary award with a cash reward of $100,000.

It rotates yearly amongst four literary categories of Prose fiction, Poetry, Drama and Childrens Literature.

This years award is focused on Drama.

ADVERTISEMENT
N1.8 million on newspapers. N10 million for domestic trips. N1.5 million to maintain a computer  every three months.

A newly-obtained National Assembly spending document cited these and nine similar expenses as leading justifications for the multi-million naira payouts lawmakers rake in monthly or quarterly as running cost.

Titled Application for the Retirement of Fund, the document offers Nigerians a fair idea of how a typical Nigerian senator spends their running cost on what anti-corruption activists are describing as misguided and wasteful use of public funds.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained the document from a former senator who was in office between 2011 and 2015 when senators were still receiving N45 million quarterly. He asked that his identity be protected to avoid backlash from his constituents, serving lawmakers or their supporters.

Yet, his spending at the time, which remained exactly the same for two quarters, still reflects the prevailing pattern of how lawmakers use running cost, widely known by Nigerians as jumbo pay.

Cumulatively, the 109 lawmakers at the Senate received about N314 billion in so-called running cost between 1999 and 2016, and N53 billion so far within the past three years under President Muhammadu Buhari.

The expenses are several times what the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) legally recommends for lawmakers. Also, there are provisions already for many of the items in the proper National Assembly budget.

Senator Shehu Sani

The document surfaced in the wake of revelations by Shehu Sani, a senator from Kaduna State who said lawmakers earned N13.5 million monthly in running cost, provoking public anger at federal lawmakers for their profligate use of public funds.

Spending away illegally

Mr Sani at the time explained that while lawmakers are not advised on how to spend the huge amount, they are expected to show evidence of how the money was spent.

That is funds retirement in public service parlance, and it is required for book-keeping. For the National Assembly, retiring funds is not meant to check frivolous spending but as a safeguard should external investigators show up in future.

National Assembly

The document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES is an example of how illegal quarterly or monthly receipts are retired by senators.

Our sources said for each line item filed, a senator or member of the House of Representatives is expected to submit receipts to support their humongous figures. The receipts are mostly forged as the spending cannot be reasonably justified, our sources said. That practice still continues today, they added.

First on the list of how the senator spent N45 million in 2012 within 90 days was N8 million that went on international travel. Local travels took N10 million.

The senator also blew N7.4 million on contingency expenses.

Other expenses include office supplies, N3 million; maintenance of office equipment N1.6 million; postage; 500,000; hospitality; N6.8 million; printing press and consumables, N1.4 million; computer material consumables, N2 million and maintenance of motor vehicle, N1 million.

Put into context, a senator who gets N1.8 million for newspapers every 90 days would have purchased newspapers worth 20,000 per day.

Similarly, to spend N10 million on local trips within 90 days would require spending about N111,000 per day on road or air trips.

ADVERTISEMENT

Each of these expenses is multiple times the legal limit set by RMAFC. By law, a senator has N202,640 to spend on newspapers, representing only 10 percent of annual basic salary of N2,026,400.00.

The commission also recommends only 50 percent of annual basic salary on car fueling and maintenance. This means that a senator has N1,013,200 to spend per year and not the N4 million being taken under the so-called running cost.

Corruption incorporated

This is corruption incorporated, said anti-corruption activist, Armsfree Ajanaku. This is a grand assault on the commonwealth on Nigerians. It is also a grand assault on the sensibility of long-suffering Nigerians who expect democracy to deliver good governance.

Mr Ajanaku, a spokesperson for the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), said lawmakers assault on public treasury is becoming increasingly worrisome, despite fervent expectations that things would gradually improve.

Lawmakers are using all sort of frivolous spending to justify pilfering of peoples wealth, Mr Ajanaku told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone Saturday night. This is stealing, theres no mincing words about it.

If theyre running their personal business, would they run it this way? Would they approve these kinds of cost? They see this as a free-for-all and they are going on to milk the public for as much as they could.

Mr Ajanaku said while it is commendable that the media has been exposing the lawmakers spending for several years, there has been no commensurate result for the efforts.

The effort of the media in bringing this and other illegal acts of lawmakers to light is highly commendable, he said. But the lawmakers have never changed and they have no plan of ever changing their ways.

The Nigerian people have another opportunity in 2019 to confront this people by themselves. If you return this caliber of people, this grand scale corruption would continue.

But if the people could decide to vote for credible people, then well be closer to being liberated from these characters, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Aliyu Abdullahi, the spokesperson for the Senate, as well as seven other senators for comments about the expenses, but none of them responded.

Sabi Abdullahi

Bode Gbadebo, an Abuja-based journalist, warned against reaching conclusions on National Assembly spending because it is difficult to track the activities of every member.

You dont know whether a lawmaker is given to constituency consultations, foreign travels and other activities, Mr Gbadebo said. There are a lot of them who are very active and there are a lot who are docile.

Mr Badebo shared his views on the overall effects of the expenditure on the plurality of Nigerian, and urged lawmakers to be transparent and accountable in their use of earmarks.

It is important that whatever amount they spend should be transparent. If youre given N10 million but you spent only N5 million, transparency demands that you return the balance to the public treasury, he said.

They should also step up their activities so as to justify their pay, because it is difficult to tell how many laws they have passed that have direct impact on good governance. How many laws are they working on to tackle corruption?

He said the focus should not be restricted to only the parliament, suggesting that the executive might be even worse.

There should be a serious focus on how the executive is using public funds, he said. You would be shocked to learn that several government officials are taking expenses that are even more ridiculous to what is being uncovered at the legislative arm.

Shrouded in secrecy

The Senate reached its peak of opaque spending under its former president, David Mark. It was under Mr Mark, who stepped down in 2015, that quarterly spending reached N45 million per senator, while total National Assembly climaxed at N150 billion.

Regardless of public outrage, the Mark-led National Assembly refused to disclose details of their costs.

Payment to senators was reduced to N13.5 million by the leadership of Bukola Saraki, who deviously made the payments monthly  to reduce the rate and assuage public revulsion.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki

But while the Senate under the Mr Saraki published details of the National Assembly for the first time in five years, it failed to include the running cost as a specific line item.

It remained unclear under which spending subhead the N13.5 monthly running cost was tucked, but it only marked a paltry reduction rather than the significant decreases that members promised to implement.
The federal government on Sunday vowed to release the names of more persons alleged to have looted public funds.

Two previous sets of lists released by the government have been criticised for containing only the names of the members of the main opposition party, PDP.

None of those named have been convicted with some of them being prosecuted and others not being tried for any offence.

Persons mentioned in previous lists as well as civic groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have criticised the government for releasing the names.

However, in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said since the release of the first two lists of the alleged looters, there have been overt and covert attempts to intimidate and blackmail the federal government into discontinuing the release of more looters names.

Hack writers have inundated the social and traditional media with articles casting aspersion on the lists, while some newspapers have

even resorted to writing editorials against the federal government over the release of the lists. Most of the write-ups have accused the

government of politicising the anti-graft war by releasing the lists. We strongly disagree with them.

We do not have the power to try or convict anyone. That is the exclusive preserve of the courts. But we have the power to let Nigerians know those who turned the public treasury into their personal piggy banks, on the basis of very concrete evidence, and that is what we are doing, he said.

However, contrary to Mr Mohammeds claim, the government does have the power to try or prosecute anyone suspected of stealing public funds, and is actually doing so. He is, however, right that only the courts can convict any accused.

Mr Mohammed said the government has always known that corruption will fight back and hence it is not surprised at the hiring of hack writers to attack the very idea of naming and shaming the looters, or the hysterical threats of litigation

All the fuss about politicising the anti-corruption fight is aimed at preventing the government from releasing more looters names and at the same time muddling the waters. But 1,000 negative write-ups or editorials will not deter us from releasing the third and subsequent lists. For those who have chosen to give succour to looters, we wish them the best of luck with their new pastime, he said.

The minister said the pressure being mounted on the government over its decision to expose looters is not unexpected, adding: We know

where the pressure is coming from. However, the die is cast. We will not stop until we have released the names of all those who have looted our commonwealth. Those who have not looted our treasury have nothing to be afraid of.

He challenged anyone who feels that he or she has been wrongly accused to seek redress in court, rather than engaging in exhibitionist

sophistry.

Mr Mohammed said it was the PDP that dared to challenge the federal government into releasing the list of PDP looters, hence the argument that the list only contained the names of PDP members falls short without proper contextualization.

We are not underestimating the desperation of the looters, but we wish to assure Nigerians who are justifiably outraged at the mindless plundering of the nations wealth also of our determination not to back down. Nigerians must know those who have wrecked the country and mortgaged the future of their children, Mr Mohammed added.

Just before Mr Mohammeds statement was sent to PREMIUM TIMES, the presidency also released a statement where President Muhammadu Buhari again criticised the past PDP administration of massive corruption.

President Buhari said the damage done to the Nigerian economy in the years of plunder was massive, and that government was doing its best to recover some of the loot, but noted that it was impossible to identify and recover all.

If they had used 50 per cent of the money we made, when oil prices went as high as $143 dollars per barrel, and stabilized at $100 dollars with production at 2.1 million barrels per day for many years, Nigerians would have minded their businesses. You could almost grow food on our roads, as they were abandoned.

The stealing was so much, and they were so inept that they could not even cover the stealing properly. I wonder how all those things could have happened to our country, the president was quoted as saying.

ADVERTISEMENT

The president spoke in London when he received members of the Buhari Diaspora Support Organisation, led by Charles Sylvester.

You met a difficult situation, but you have overcome most of them. We are happy with the agriculture revolution, the ease of doing business, the anti-corruption war, the employment of youths through the N-Power programme, and the blockage of leakages in the public sector through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Mr Sylvester told the president.

We are proud of the speed with which you recovered the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls. It shows you as a worthy general. We are happy that you have declared for 2019. Majority of Nigerians are happy, but agents of corruption and darkness are unhappy. The same God, who healed you when you were ill, will grant you victory in the 2019 elections.

You are a general who does not fear combat, either with generals or non-generals. We declare our love and support for you. You are fixing the faulty foundations of our country and second term is when you will build the enduring structure.
ADVERTISEMENT

At least one Nigerian police officer was killed and 11 others missing after gunmen opened fire on them in Benue Sunday night, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The slain officer was riding with his colleague from Anyibe to Ayilamo, both in Logo Local Government Area, when gunmen cornered them around 6:00 p.m., locals and a police officer have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The second policeman was lucky to escape the gunshots, a resident of Ayilamo told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone Monday night.

Some officers who responded to the attack tried to go after the killers, only to run into a waiting ambush, locals said.

Eleven officers are missing this night, a resident told PREMIUM TIMES from Logo LGA. These killers should be immediately declared a terrorist group now.

At least one police truck was set alight, locals said.

Another resident said the remains of the officer had been deposited at a local government hospital in Ayilamo.

Police commissioner Fatai Owoseni did not return PREMIUM TIMES requests about whether he heard learnt of the attack and how the police are responding to it.

A senior police officer at the Area Command Headquarters in Katsina Ala told PREMIUM TIMES the command had received the news.

PREMIUM TIMES has withheld the name of the slain officer because the police have yet to formally notify his family.

The incident wraps a week of deadly attacks that had left scores killed in Benue, including about 45 people on Wednesday alone. More than 1,000 people have been killed in similar attacks across the region this year alone.

No fewer than 15 police officers have been killed in Benue alone this year, in a wave of attacks whose perpetrators are becoming increasingly difficult to ascertain.

While residents across the north-central where the attacks are more pronounced insist the killers are herdsmen, President Muhammadu Buhari insists the tactics of the culprits made it difficult to categorise them as herdsmen.

The presidents position, however, differs from the views of some of his security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police and Minister of Defence who say the attacks are direct consequences of new anti-open grazing laws in Benue and other states.
ADVERTISEMENT

The police in Ogun have arrested five persons for allegedly hawking and selling Naira notes across the state.

The offence is punishable under provision of section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) act 2017.

Although punishable, selling of naira notes is a common trend across Nigeria especially at party venues.

The police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, made this known to journalists on Sunday, adding that the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state.

All the suspects are female, he said.

Mr Oyeyemi said various denominations of Naira notes totaling N1.56 million was recovered from the suspects who were publicly exhibiting their trades.

The Commissioner of Police equally warned members of the public to desist from any act capable of soiling, abusing or destroying the Naira which is one of the symbols of our national identity, he said.
The 2018 season marks the twelfth consecutive year that Standardbred Canada and the Atlantic provinces have partnered to offer the Atlantic Provinces Bursary Program. This project could award up to five students in the Atlantic provinces bursaries towards their post secondary education this year.

If you are a student residing in the Atlantic provinces and attending a post secondary institution (trade school, community college or university) this fall, this is an opportunity that could help you pay for your tuition.

The bursaries will be awarded based on participation in the industry, academics and financial need. Applicants will be required to submit a typewritten essay on one of the following topics:

What could Standardbred Canada do to celebrate the 30th edition of the OBrien Awards? (2018 Awards Gala will take place in February 2019). Tell us why you love Canadian harness racing.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens and be a child or spouse of an active Standardbred Canada member or an SC member themselves. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a post secondary institution as of September 1, 2018.

Past recipients of the Atlantic Bursary are not eligible and students pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible.

A maximum of five bursaries worth up to $1,000 each will be awarded. Applications are available now and must be received at Standardbred Canada by June 15, 2018.

The successful applicants will be announced in early July.

This program is supported and funded by various organizations from the Atlantic provinces and Standardbred Canada. Partners from the Atlantic provinces include the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association, Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association, and the 'Stretch Drive Fund,' a fund created by the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission's race officials.

For a bursary application, email [email protected] or click here.
Victor Koreyo, a lecturer at the Department of Ceramics and Glass Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi, has declared intention to renounce his Nigerian citizenship for what he called social injustice.

Mr Koreyo, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, said he was demoted for a period of eight years by the management of the institution and urged the president to endorse his request.

NAN discovered that a directive was given by the federal government in 2007 directing all lecturers to produce additional qualification relevant to the job they do.

It was gathered that the 7th Governing Council of the institution gave Mr Koreyo two years to produce a foreign institution master degree in Ceramic Science and Engineering or he would be dismissed from service.

Mr Koreyo, from Nasarawa State, said that the management of the polytechnic refused to communicate the information to him in writing.

He alleged that since 2010 till date, the institution had refused to approve his application for staff development opportunity because the Igbo constituted principal officers in the school.

He also said that several communications to the institution from the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Servicom and host of others, on the issue was in his favour for reinstatement.

Mr Koreyo also accused the ministry of education of allegedly writing a counter-directive letter to the rector to disregard the government directives issued by the HOSF and AGF.

According to him, this is social injustice that is not in line with the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I love to continue as citizen of this great nation on earth.

But since I do not have the financial power or connection to challenge the Rector to obey the federal governments directives in my favour, I decided to take this peaceful action.

I believe this peaceful action and step of honour will prevent the rector from killing me by premeditated frustration of my constitutional rights to social justice as the citizen of Nigeria.

I have nursed this feeling of suicide to end these eight years of frustration by the Rector and officials of the Akanu Ibiam Polytechnic division of tertiary education department of the Federal Ministry of Education.

And have decided the renunciation of my citizenship by birth will be the best way to peacefully end my quest for social justice at the ministry of education and finally resign from Federal Public Service of Nigeria, he said.

However, a staff of the ministry of education told NAN, on condition of anonymity, that the ministry was already looking into the matter.

According to him, the matter is also before the newly constituted council of the institution.

He urged Mr Koreyo to be patient as the new council would resolve the problem.

I just got to know that the new council was already handling the matter and it is a national issue.

ADVERTISEMENT

The federal government has constituted a body to look into this problem because it is a general problem and not peculiar to him alone.

A directive was given to some staff to go and acquire more knowledge and those that brought their master degrees in relevant disciplines were upgraded.

But in his own case, where he got his masters is not relevant and is not in line as at that time.

I want to say that the matter is before the new council so he should exercise patient, the Ministry source told NAN.

Meanwhile, the authorities of Akanu Ibiam Federal polytechnic, Uwana in Afikpo noted that the decision of the institution was in compliance with the directive of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE),

Edmond Oyeneho, a former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Akanu Ibiam Federal polytechnic, Uwana chapter, told NAN in Afikpo that the institution was acting on instruction.

According to him, NBTE in 2007 introduced a policy aimed at ending the dichotomy between polytechnic and University education in Nigeria.

He said the policy, which upgraded the course content of Polytechnic education to be at par with University education, also mandated lecturers in Polytechnics without Master degrees in their core areas to upgrade.

He explained that the policy took about three years before its implementation started across Polytechnics in Nigeria.

He noted that many lecturers in the polytechnic system, who had fallen short of the new requirements had to enroll for either Master in Science or Master in Arts degrees programmes in their core areas.

At the expiration of the three years grace period all Polytechnics in Nigeria including Uwana implemented the policy by demoting all lecturers in the system without Masters in their core areas to lecturer 1.

Those who went and remedied their situation came back and were reinstated to their former positions.

Koreyo was therefore in line with the policy demoted from the senior lecturer position he previously occupied to lecturer 1 because of his failure to upgrade his situation.

He is a lecturer in the department of Ceramics and Glass Geology but he went to Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), to do a Master degree programme in Management Project and was awarded Master Business Administration (MBA).

The academic programme did not fulfill the NBTE requirement because MBA is a professional programme, while Master of Science (M.Sc) is an academic qualification required to teach in Polytechnics and universities, Mr Oyeneho said.

Mr Oyeneho, a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Administration and Director, Internally Generated Revenue in the institution, criticised Mr Koreyos threat to denounce his Nigerian citizenship.

He said that the institution would not be blackmailed and forced to reinstate him to his former position in disregard to existing policy direction.

He is not alone in the situation and it will be a disobedience to existing NBTE policy to isolate him for preferential treatment.

The MSc programme was sponsored by TETFUND with N5 million study grant and affected lecturers receive their full monthly salary throughout the duration of the academic programme, he added.

(NAN)
The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has narrated how as a boy it was difficult for him to get into secondary school because his mother, a widow, was not able to sponsor his education.

My dear late widow mother, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace, had told me that it would be difficult for me to enter secondary school on completion of primary school because her hands were full with my siblings, Mr Akpabio said on Thursday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during his investiture as the pioneer chancellor of Ritman University.

But because of my love for education, I used to sneak into a nearby secondary school to mingle with the students and acquire education. One day, the security man spotted me and chased me and I ran for my life. I fell down and injured my leg with a deep cut.

The scar is still there, he said, in an emotional tone.

The senator said the school which he had the encounter wasnt far away from the university where he was standing to be honoured as its chancellor.

He continued: It was then, as I lay on the ground and bled and cried, that I vowed that if I had the opportunity, I would chase our children to schools instead of chasing them away from schools.

God allowed that scar to remain there as a constant reminder of this vow. Chase them with the same ferocity the security man chased me.

That scar has become a trophy for our children, for when God brought forth the opportunity, I, as the governor of this blessed state instituted the free and compulsory education of all children living in Akwa Ibom State.

Run to school do not run from school! the senator said.

Ritman University was among the nine private universities in Nigeria that was granted operating license in 2015 by the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is owned by a former senator from Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Essien.

Mr Akpabio said he knows what is expected of him as the chancellor of the young university and that he sees the university becoming the Harvard of our nation.

Mr Akpabio, 55, is one of the most influential leaders of the Nigerias main opposition party, PDP.

Godswill Akpabio

He was the third elected governor of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State for eight years, from 2007 to 2015, and was unpopular for frittering away the state resources.

Although he is credited with the introduction of free and compulsory education at primary and junior secondary school level, Mr Akpabio presided over the collapse of classroom blocks and several other infrastructures in public schools in the state.

Also, poverty and unemployment remained high in the state during his tenure, despite billions of naira that accrued to the state as derivation fund from oil.

Several decades after his self-confessed struggles against poverty, Mr Akpabio, after his tenure as Akwa Ibom governor, has continued to be a man of affluence, funded with public money. As a senator, he receives N13.5 million every month as running cost, irrespective of what he gets as monthly salary and allowances.

Mr Akpabio, during his first term as governor, had told a crowd of people in Eket how terrible life was for him before he became governor.

I was on the street, struggling with other people to eat, sometimes from the dustbins, he had said.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met behind closed doors with chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, in London.

The presidents Personal Assistant on Social Media, Bashir Ahmad, made this known on his tweeter handle, @BashirAhmad, in Abuja.

The presidential aide posted: President Muhammadu Buhari receives National leader of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (Jagaba) today in London.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Buhari, who is on official visit to London, had on Wednesday met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in London where he explained why he declared his intention to run for another term in office.

President Buhari had on April 9, during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.

I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not.

So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, and many others.

We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction.

The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting, President Buhari told the Archbishop.

While in Britain, the president is billed to hold discussions on Nigeria  British relations with Prime Minister Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for April 18 to 20.

A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, had earlier disclosed that: The President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners plan to invest $15b in Nigerias oil industry.

These investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years production and domestic gas supply, bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society.

Mr Shehu, who is the presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said further meetings had also been scheduled for the president to see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

A human rights organisation, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to remove all illegal allowances inserted by federal lawmakers in the 2018 budget.

The group also wants the president to retrieve from the lawmakers, previous fund collected illegally.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how each senator receives N13.5 million monthly as office running cost separate from salaries and other legal allowances.

HEDAs plea is contained in a letter to Mr Buhari, signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju.

The group, in the letter, expressed concern over the recently revealed illegal allowances paid to members of parliament, especially senators.

The letter reads, A member of the Senate, Senator Shehu Sanni shocked Nigerians during an interview with a Newspaper with the revelation of parliamentarians illegal collection of unconstitutional running cost, above the statutorily approved salaries and allowances, to the tune of N13.5M since the inauguration of this 8th Assembly.

This is in the least, criminal, inhuman, cruel and corruption beyond imagination of observers of your government and its anti-corruption agenda.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the body charged with responsibility of fixing remuneration package for political, public and judicial officer in Nigeria says monthly payment of N13.5M as running cost to senator is unknown to the Commission and therefore illegal.

On March 29, 2018, SaharaReporters reported that each of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives also receives N11.5M monthly as running cost.

RMAFC spokesman was reported to have said on the 28th of March that the approved monthly payment of a Senator was N1.06M, and anything outside that amount is against the tenets of the Nigerian law as provided in Section 84 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which provides that there shall be paid to the holders of the offices mentioned in this section such remuneration, salaries and allowances as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, but not exceeding the amount as shall have been determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and therefore disowned the jumbo payment to the lawmakers.

According to him, the National Assembly Service Commission should be held accountable. He was also reported to have said that a closer look at the monthly entitlement of senators reveals that each senator collects salary and allowances in the sum of N1,063,860.00. Then we wonder what the running cost is for.

The group demanded that President Buhari should not only halt payment of these illegal allowances, but also retrieve those paid in the past.

On this account, HEDA Resource Center hereby call on Your Excellency to demand the removal of all those illegal allowances, including but not limited to the N13.5M, inserted in the 2018 budget and the retrieval of all the previous monies collected illegally by the lawmakers from all those affected, so that all loopholes that encourage corrupt practices could be blocked and prevented.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Kebbi Police Command has apprehended four suspected kidnappers in Koko-Basse Local Government Area of Kebbi and retrieved N800,000 ransom they allegedly collected from their victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mustapha Suleiman, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday that they were apprehended by police patrol team along Koko-Basse- Fakai Road after the gang completed their operations.

The suspects are Mohammadu Mani, Muhammadu Muhammad, Umar Mohammadu and Abdulkarim Isiya who were caught while heading to Zuru Local Government Area.

All the ransom they had collected from their victims were retrieved and they will be charged to court for proper prosecution, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that the suspects kidnapped one leader of the Fulani community in Koko-Basse, Aliyu Dikko, and collected N300,000 out of N3 million ransom demanded from his family before he was released.

The suspects also allegedly collected N500,000 from a victim, whose identity could not be ascertained before they were arrested by the police.

(NAN)
The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Dickson, was at the weekend honoured as the Vanguard Governor of the year.

The recognition was reportedly for the governors selfless service, contribution to the political stability of the country, the enthronement of transparency and accountability in the state, good governance, purposeful leadership and infrastructural development of Bayelsa State.

The award held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mr Dickson who was accompanied by Governors Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktari Shagari; the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party ably led by the National Chairman, Uche Secondus, former governors, traditional rulers and others.

Mr Dickson was honoured alongside other governors and prominent Nigerians.

The governor in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Vanguard for deeming him fit for the honour.

He said the award will spur him to do more for Bayelsans and finish strong by 2020. He noted with joy that his administration has opened up the state, liberalised the political system, enthroned the culture of prudence, transparency and accountability by law and deed and above all, put the state on the path of peace and prosperity through infrastructural revolution and massive investment in security.

The governor also renewed call for fiscal federalism in the country. While urging young people not to give up on the country, Mr Dickson enjoined them to always make sacrifice and take selfless decisions for the good of fatherland!

He said: I know the temptations are there and sometimes things are not as promising as they should be but there is always hope. We have a great country with a resilient population and it is our expectation that things will get better We call for the restructuring of our country because we believe it will address the structural defects and imbalance of the country.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Ike Nwachukwu, bemoaned the present security situation in the country and called on the government to heed the call for restructuring of Nigeria and devolution of powers from the centre to the federating units.

He stated that the security situation in the country is militating against its economic growth, as no investors will invest in a crisis prone environment

According to him, I join the call for the restructuring of our country, to remain united as a nation under God. We need to devolve the over-concentration of powers at the centre, whilst allowing the federating units more autonomy. And just as we are seeking devolution of powers to the state governments, as federating units, from the centre, so should the state governments guarantee the autonomy of the local governments under them.

With the lead the Nigerian military had taken regarding restructuring, it behoves Nigerians and our politicians to deliver on the restructuring of this country in order to have a true federation, in which no one is oppressed.

I believe that it is only when we achieve this that our country will be stable, its security guaranteed and its economy thriving for the betterment of all.

The retired major general also called for the respect of press freedom and the rule of law.

Commenting on the rule of law vis-a-vis freedom of press, he said, It becomes absolutely imperative to protect the freedom of the press and the rule of law.

The people of our country should, henceforth, be prepared to defend that freedom; as indeed, we must obey the rule of law, with all our might; if it is actually, the desire of our people that democracy should thrive and the laws of the land respected.

The Nigerian media, particularly Vanguard Newspapers, at whose invitation we are here gathered today, should remain, fastidious in guaranteeing that the people are heard so that social justice be further engrained in our society. Nigerian media should continue to be the voice of the voiceless, the shield, the guard of the tormented and the canon fire of the oppressed, the deprived and the defenceless.

ADVERTISEMENT

Other awardees include the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari; former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar; Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishiaku; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje and Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar.
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has announced the winners of the 2018 Human Exploration Rover Challenge, held April 13 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Buckhorn High School of New Market, Alabama, won first place in the high school division with 84 points; and the University of Alabama in Huntsville - Team 1 won the college/university division with 61 points. Teams were awarded points based on the successfully navigation of obstacles and completion of tasks.

The second day of competition and the awards ceremony were cancelled due to severe weather in the area.

"We could not have asked for better weather on Friday, the excitement and competition were simply incredible, but unfortunately, Saturday's stormy weather did not allow us to continue," said Mona Miller, Rover Challenge project manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "The Rover Challenge team, conferred with Marshall and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and decided for the safety of our teams and their families to cancel the second day of competition and the awards ceremony. It was a difficult decision and we did not make it lightly."

The competition, hosted by Marshall and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, challenges high school and college teams to design, build and test human-powered roving vehicles inspired by the Apollo lunar missions and future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

"It is truly inspiring to see the ingenuity demonstrated by these students and in their rovers," Miller said. "I would like to congratulate, not only the winners, but all of the teams for their hard work. Rover Challenge is a great event and it's exciting to see the next generation of engineers and explorers on display."

In its 24th year, the rules and challenges for Rover Challenge were redesigned in 2018 to better simulate a real exploration mission. Once focused on the fastest time, this year's competition challenged teams to complete 14 obstacles and five tasks throughout the half-mile course, with a six-minute supply of "virtual" oxygen.

The obstacles simulated the terrain found throughout the solar system, and the tasks challenged teams to collect and return samples, take photographs and plant a flag. Teams had to decide which tasks and obstacles to attempt or bypass before their clock expired.

Nearly 100 teams took part in the competition, coming from 23 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as several different countries, including Brazil, Germany, India and Mexico.

The competition, managed by Marshall's Academic Affairs Office, is one of many NASA initiatives to encourage students to study the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to inspire the next generation of explorers.

Replays of the competition are available on a variety of streaming platforms, including Facebook, Periscope and Ustream.

The complete list of award winners is provided below.

High School Division

First Place: Buckhorn High School ( New Market, Alabama ), 84 points

( ), 84 points Second Place: International Space Institute ( Leipzig, Germany ), 66 points

), 66 points Third Place: Greenfield Central High School - Team 1 ( Greenfield, Indiana ), 63 points

College/University Division

First Place: University of Alabama in Huntsville - Team 1 ( Huntsville, Alabama ), 61 points

- Team 1 ( ), 61 points Second Place: University of Colorado Denver ( Denver, Colorado ), 49 points

( ), 49 points Third Place: East Carolina University ( Greenville, North Carolina ), 48 points

AIAA Neil Armstrong Best Design Award

High School Division: Parish Episcopal School - Team 1 ( Dallas, Texas )

) College/University Division: Universidade Federal Fluminense (Niteroi, Brazil )

Technology Challenge Award

Middle Tennessee State University - Team 1 ( Murfreesboro, Tennessee )

Drive Train Technology Challenge

University of Central Missouri - Team 1 ( Warrensburg, Missouri )

Featherweight Award

High School Division: Buckhorn High School ( New Market, Alabama )

( ) College/University Division: University of Colorado Denver ( Denver, Colorado )

AIAA Telemetry/Electronics Award

Middle Tennessee State University - Team 1 ( Murfreesboro, Tennessee )

Crash and Burn Award

Rhode Island School of Design ( Providence, Rhode Island )

Frank Joe Sexton Memorial Pit Crew Award

High School Division: Alfonso Casta Martinez (Manuabo, Puerto Rico )

(Manuabo, ) College/University Division: University of Houston - Team 1 ( Houston, Texas )

Team Spirit Award

Tecnologico de Monterrey ( Xochitepec, Mexico )

Rookie of the Year Award

East Carolina University ( Greenville, North Carolina )

Jesco von Puttkamer International Team Award

High School Division: CETED Centro de Tecnologia em Educacao ( Rio de Janeiro, Brazil )

) College/University Division: Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru ( Lima, Peru )

AIAA Best Report Award

High School Division: Parish Episcopal School - Team 1 ( Dallas, Texas )

) College/University Division: Tennessee Tech University - Team 2 ( Cookeville, Tennessee )

Educational Engagement Award

High School Division: Greenfield Central High School ( Greenfield, Indiana )

) College/University Division: SVKM's NMIMS Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering ( West Mumbai, India )

System Safety Challenge Award

High School Division: International Space Institute ( Leipzig, Germany )

) College/University Division: Middle Tennessee State University ( Murfreesboro, Tennessee )

SOURCE NASA
Standardbred racehorse owner Sam Rice, of Monticello, New York, passed away peacefully on Saturday (April 14) after a brief battle with cancer at Elderwood Nursing Facility in Hamburg, New York. He was 87.

He was the son of the late Morris and Sara Ricer. Born on July 15, 1930 in Poland, Sam was a holocaust survivor, and he immigrated to the United States in the late 1940s.

Rice worked many years as a kosher chef in the Catskill Mountains during the heyday at the Tamarack Lodge and the Raleigh Hotel, amongst others. While Rice cooked for many celebrities and dignitaries, he also volunteered his culinary time and talent to local synagogues in the area.

He was a member of the USC Shoah Foundation, long time member of the United States Trotting Association and the Monticello Harness Horsemen Association. Throughout the majority of his life, he owned racehorses at Monticello Raceway, as well as other metropolitan racetracks.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and friend to all that knew and loved him. He will be sadly missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Del Gaizo (Michael), Gail Soberon (George), his sons, Stuart Rice and Jack Rice (Maria), nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one sister, Dina Rotsztein. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son Edward Rice as well as a brother and sister.

Funeral Services will be held at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, New York at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at Glen Wild Cemetery, Glen Wild, New York.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Sam Rice.
SEATTLE, April 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Northwest's 2018 wildfire season on the horizon, local Allstate Agents, in partnership with the Red Cross, will be giving away 4,500 disaster kits starting Monday, April 16, across the Northwest to better prepare families and local communities.

"Although it might be the last thing on your mind, a disaster could occur in any community at any time across the Northwest," said Allstate spokesperson, Frank Clouser. "Many people85 percent, in factaren't prepared. Allstate is here to help Northwest communities prepare and be less vulnerable in the event of a sudden disaster. Creating an emergency kit for you and your family is step one."

This is especially relevant for Northwest residents as Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are on the top 10 "Most Wildfire Prone States," according to the Insurance Information Institute. The three states alone have nearly half a million households that are at a high or extreme risk from wildfires. And in 2017, nearly 5,000 fires took place across the three states, burning 1.8 million acres.

Residents who wish to donate supplies to the Red Cross, or pick up a disaster preparedness starter kit, can stop by any participating Allstate Agency in the Northwest for more information.

To help local residents prepare for a disaster, The Allstate Foundation recommends three important safety tips to help communities be aware of the risks in their lives and to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Step One: Build a basic disaster preparedness kit. Your disaster preparedness kit should contain these basic supplies:

Water (one gallon per person, per day) Ready-to-eat, nonperishable food (for family members and pets) Battery-powered or hand-crank radio Flashlight First-aid kit Whistle (to signal for help) Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape Antiseptic and plastic garbage bags with ties (for sanitation) Wrench or pliers Local maps (to locate emergency services and shelters) Extra batteries Prescription medication

For more information, download Allstate Foundation's brochure on how you can prepare your family for a disaster. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

Step Two: Create a household emergency evacuation plan. A household emergency plan should include the following information:

Emergency contact names and numbers  mobile and landline (As an extra precaution, everyone in your family should program "In Case of Emergency," or ICE, contacts in their mobile phones so emergency personnel can contact them if needed) Family meeting place in your neighborhood and an alternative meeting place in the region Personal details for each family member (date of birth, important medical information, recent photos) Addresses and phone numbers of the places family members frequent on a regular basis (work, school) Contact information for medical providers (doctors, pharmacist, veterinarian) Important medical and insurance information, including photocopies of your medical insurance card(s) Check out Digital Locker: Digital Locker is a free app open to everyone that lets you create an inventory of your home's items and stores your information securely. The app has simple, step-by-step instructions to help you quickly set up your account and start adding items. You can take pictures of the items in your home or upload existing ones. Digital Locker also totals the cost of all items in your locker and keeps your private information safe in our cloud based technology. For a fill-in-the-blank household emergency plan and cards to download, print and keep close at hand, visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Step 3: Help your community get ready for a disaster. The strength of a community comes from each person who lives in it. By raising your hand to help your community prepare for a potential disaster, you can help people respond to and recover from an emergency situation. Contact your local Red Cross to gain more information on how to prepare your community in the event of a disaster.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or find Red Cross on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people's lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

SOURCE The Allstate Foundation

Related Links

http://www.AllstateFoundation.org


CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., April 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 on April 14 at 7:13 p.m. EDT. AFSPC-11 is a multi-payload mission. The forward payload is referred to as CBAS (Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM) and the aft spacecraft is EAGLE (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) Augmented Geosynchronous Experiment).

"Today's launch is a testament to why the ULA team continually serves as our nation's most reliable and successful launch provider for our nation's most critical space assets," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "I want to thank the entire ULA team, and the phenomenal teamwork of our mission partners."

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 551 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter large Payload Fairing (PLF). The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the five AJ-60A solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and RL10C-1 engine for the Centaur upper stage.

This is the 77th launch of the Atlas V rocket, ULA's 4th launch in 2018 and the 127th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

ULA's next launch is the InSight mission for NASA on an Atlas V rocket. The launch is scheduled for May 5 at Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the Nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.

SOURCE United Launch Alliance

Related Links

http://www.ulalaunch.com


FRENCH LICK, Ind.  Purdue@WestGate was named top economic development project of the year at the recent Radius Indiana annual stakeholders meeting. More than 100 regional stakeholders submitted over 50 nominations to Radius Top 10 Economic Development Projects of 2017.

Greg Deason, senior vice president of the Purdue Research Foundation and director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Burton Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship at Purdue University, said recognition as the top economic development project of the year exemplifies the high level of support from the Radius Region.

Radius stakeholders and regional partners in southwest Indiana will be anchors to our success as we replicate initiatives from the Foundry, Office of Technology Commercialization, and Purdue Polytechnic at WestGate, Deason said. Purdues mission as Indianas land-grant university is to help Hoosiers live happier, healthier lives by cultivating ideas to economic impact.

Radius Indiana is an economic development organization representing eight counties in Southwest Central Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington.

The fact that over 100 community leaders in our region voted for the arrival of the Purdue Foundry and Purdue programs as the top economic development achievement of 2017 speaks to the high regard in which we all hold Purdue, said Jeff Quyle, Radius Indiana president. People are excited to have the Purdue brand here in our community as a new partner in our economic development work.

Two WestGate honorable mentions also made the list: the Purdue Foundry @ WestGate Firestarter and the expansion of Alion at WestGate@Crane Technology Park. BrightVolts move into the Battery Innovation Center in the park ranked third in 2017 economic development projects.

About Purdue@WestGate

Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The Indiana-based collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit Purdue@WestGate.

About Radius

Radius Indiana is a regional partnership representing eight counties in Southwest Central Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington. Radius Indiana also serves as a point of contact in Indiana for Naval Support Activity Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging our diverse assets to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business. As a results-driven regional leader in economic development, Radius Indiana works to increase employment, investment and quality of life within region.

Writer: Sarah K. Miller, 812-863-2754, skmiller@prf.org

Sources: Greg Deason, 765-588-5251, GWDeason@prf.org

Jeff Quyle, 812-277-9778, j.quyle@radiusindiana.com
She could be described as one of the first #MeToo victims  an intelligent young woman maltreated by a powerful boss and then dismissed as a blonde floozy when his career was threatened.

But the desire for truth in what has been hailed as a new era of transparency about the abuse and marginalisation of women has its limits, as the makers of the controversial new Hollywood film Chappaquiddick have discovered.

Even after almost half a century, associates of the Kennedy family sought to suppress the story of Mary Jo Kopechne, who was left to die in an Oldsmobile that Senator Ted Kennedy had driven off a bridge at Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, in 1969. He then fled the scene.

It happened after a summer party at which Kennedy and five other married men entertained six single women  the so-called boiler-room girls  who had worked on the presidential campaign of his brother, Bobby, the previous year.

Kennedy, then 37, did not report the car accident until 10 hours later. He never fully explained why he was with Kopechne, 28, and the film depicts how a team of nine men worked cynically to fix matters so the scions political career could be salvaged.

Kopechne is played by Kate Mara, who starred in the American television drama House of Cards. Ironically, she portrayed a character murdered by a top Democratic member of Congress, Frank Underwood, who pushed her in front of a train.

Underwood was played by Kevin Spacey, whose alleged sexual advances towards young men led to him becoming one of the most prominent scalps claimed by the #MeToo campaign.

John Curran, director of Chappaquiddick, told The Sunday Times: I was worried shed be afraid of playing another woman killed by a senator.

Curran, who describes himself as "a liberal Democrat", said he made the film in part because of Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign.

I felt disgusted by what was happening on the right and their support for this character running for president, he said. But I recognised my own hypocrisy in having a very convenient blind spot to Ted in regard to this story. Its just empty to keep shouting at the other side and not be prepared to take a hard look at your own candidates.

This is a story that happened 50 years ago and the fact this is a sacred cow we should not speak about was odd to me, and in itself became a motivating factor. I was angry we werent allowed to confront the truth.

Byron Allen, the films executive producer, told Variety magazine some very powerful people . . . tried to put pressure on me not to release this movie.

Curran said Chris Dodd, a top Hollywood executive and former Democratic senator for Connecticut, had tried to intervene. Dodd, a one-time drinking friend of Kennedy, last year stepped down as head of the Motion Picture Association of America, a lobbying group for the six biggest studios.

In some respects, Chappaquiddick paints Kennedy as a sympathetic figure, bullied by his domineering father, Joseph, who was determined he should run for president in 1972.

He is shown still to be devastated by the murder of his brother Bobby in 1968, which followed the assassination in 1963 of their sibling, President John F Kennedy. Yet he is also depicted as a shallow, weak and entitled man, more concerned about his own political career than the life of a young woman.

In the movie, his first words after the accident are: Im not going to be president. While that proved to be the case, he still had a distinguished political career and had been a senator for 46 years when he died of a brain tumour in 2009.

Most reviews have praised the film as nuanced and sticking to the documented facts. There is also no conjecture about a sexual relationship with Kopechne. Yet it has been slammed by representatives of the Kennedy family.

Bob Shrum, a former speechwriter for Ted Kennedy, has accused the film makers of trafficking in conspiracy theories that did a disservice both to the victim and the truth.

Curran responded: I dont care what any Kennedy spokesman says, theres no good version of this story that validates Teds behaviour. The director was determined Kopechne would not be just an afterthought, or the blonde she was relegated to in history.

He said: I was adamant that we knew her ambitions, her closeness to Bobby. I thought it was very important that people recognised that she was a smart, well-educated, ambitious, somewhat square kind of girl.

A disturbing aspect, he added, was that the five surviving boiler-room girls had not broken ranks to provide a full account of what happened. One, Esther Newberg, contacted the film makers to demand her name be removed.

Referring to Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul whose belatedly unmasked depravity triggered the #MeToo movement, Curran added: As an analogy, if all the women who worked under Weinstein just kept sticking to Hes innocent, imagine the outrage in light of the evidence contradicting that. To me, its sad, but I get it on some level.

The Kennedys remain a powerful force, he pointed out. I guess its the equivalent in the UK to the royal family. Theres something about that in America even today. From the Kardashians to the Trumps to the Clintons, we seem to embrace families as some kind of idealised version of ourselves.
WASHINGTON -- It feels some days as if the ordinary laws of political physics have been suspended. Politics operates by unseen but generally predictable forces. Go too far and the mechanism of political gravity will bring you down.

Not now. Not reliably, anyway. This unsettling development has manifested itself, most recently, in the otherwise far different cases of Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens.

The Pruitt situation involves greed, entitlement and ethical obtuseness. The Greitens matter involves sex, entitlement and moral obtuseness. But they are linked by the principal actors' convictions that the usual political rules have become inoperative and that they can somehow survive the storm of outrage.

In any normal administration, at any normal time, Pruitt would have been gone weeks ago. To switch metaphors from physics to medicine, the political body rallies to protect itself against infection. The continuing drip-drip-drip of stories about Pruitt's ethical missteps should have caused President Trump to reject him and congressional Republicans to demand his ouster.

To recap the allegations, although not in full: the ludicrously low $50-a-night "rent" at a townhouse owned by a lobbyist's wife; the first-class travel, on the unconvincing excuse of security concerns; the obliviousness to spending public funds (see, $43,000 soundproof phone booth); the overweening sense of petty entitlement (sirens blaring en route to Le Diplomate).

In short, this is not a man who understands the meaning of public service and the ethical boundaries governing those who occupy public office. He should be gone, and perhaps he will be, eventually.

But the reason he has held on is that in Trump's Washington, and in Republicans' moral universe, ideological usefulness and competence outweigh ethical niceties. At the EPA, Pruitt has been a relentless warrior for deregulation and dismantling every Obama era regulation in sight. He is doing what Trump and Republicans want and, unlike so many members of this administration, doing it reasonably effectively.

So criticism is muted -- it passed for big news when John Kennedy, R-La., said Pruitt should "stop acting like a chucklehead" -- and the pageant of malfeasance moves on to the next set of astonishing events.

In that sense, the Pruitt situation is reminiscent of the prevailing Republican response to news reports that Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore preyed on teenagers: the seat was too important to let Moore fail. The difference is that Alabama voters eventually got their say on Moore. Pruitt's fate, by contrast, lies in the hands of those who have already proved themselves morally compromised.

Which takes us outside the capital, to a legislative report on the sordid sexual adventures of Missouri's governor that might as well have been titled "50 Shades of Greitens." To read the report is to understand that this is not your ordinary tawdry story about marital infidelity -- a private matter, in Greitens' telling, that occurred before he took office and is between him and his wife.

No. In describing the relationship between Greitens and his hairdresser, the report details allegations of sexual violence and nonconsensual sexual acts, along with a clear threat, if she went public, to expose the hairdresser online, with a photograph that she did not consent to his taking. "Don't even mention my name to anybody at all, because if you do, I'm going to take these pictures," the report quotes the woman as saying Greitens told her. "They are going to be everywhere, and then everyone will know what a little whore you are." Greitens is to stand trial next month on a felony charge of invasion of privacy stemming from the photo.

Greitens presents a reverse Moore scenario: There is time for the Republican Party to salvage its chance to win a competitive Senate election, in which Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is challenging Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. So the last few days have seen a parade of state Republicans, led by Hawley, calling on Greitens to resign.

Certainly, history offers some solace to politicians willing to endure the humiliation of a sex scandal. Recall the story of Grover Cleveland and an illegitimate child and the campaign chant, "Ma, ma, where's my Pa?" Recall, more recently, the repulsive details of Bill Clinton's encounters with Monica Lewinsky.

Yet the ordinary laws of political gravity -- the state's biggest newspapers have said Greitens must go -- would counsel that these allegations, involving not just sexual perversion but outright assault, are not survivable. But there is Greitens, resisting, calling the report "tabloid trash" and assailing "a political witch hunt." Sound familiar?

That Greitens and Pruitt remain in office, as of this writing, says something -- not just about them, but about the degraded state of our politics.

(c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group
Got some scoop for our reporters or editors? Click on the link below to send us your information.

Send your news
WATERBURY - The Waterbury Regional Chambers Small Business and Health Care councils will host their annual Chamber Business Expo and Health & Wellness Fair on Monday, April 30, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club at 556 Mulberry Street in Plantsville.

This is our Chambers largest annual networking event, said Courtney Ligi, Waterbury Regional Chamber Special Events Director. It is open to Chamber and non-Chamber members and the general public. The response each year has grown more and more positive.

The Expo is anticipated to attract more than 500 attendees to meet the 90+ local business exhibitors and learn about their products and services. Business exhibitor spaces are available for $195; admission is $10/person, which includes hot and cold hors- doeuvres, beverages, raffle and door prizes, and the events popular Business Scavenger Hunt. Special drawings will be held throughout the Expos two and a half hours, and WATR Radio 1320-AM will broadcast live interviews with exhibiting Chamber members.

Between 5-5:30 p.m. Expo attendees and exhibitors will be invited to The Power of Connecting Buzz Session featuring insights from social media specialist Mike Brooks, owner of Nuclear Chowder Marketing, LLC. The session will provide attendees the opportunity to meet one-on-one with valuable new connections and potential new referrals.

The Expo will also feature health and wellness businesses offering important health-related information for attendees and their families. Again this year, the first 50 non-Chamber members who register to attend the Expo will be entered into a special raffle for a full one-year membership in the Waterbury Regional Chamber, a minimum $395 value.

Host sponsors of the 2018 Expo are CDS Displays and I95SIGNS.com. Media sponsor is WATR-Radio, 1320-AM and the Republican American.

One of the largest chambers in Connecticut, the Waterbury Regional Chamber represents nearly 1,000 businesses in 14 communities in Greater Waterbury, including Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oakville, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury. To exhibit or attend, visit waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701.

Prime Time House names new board members

TORRINGTON  Jeff Geddes of Thomaston, Nancy Rogers of Litchfield and Elena Simoes of New Hartford have joined the Prime Time House Board of Directors.

Prime Time House is a nonprofit agency that empowers local adults with mental illness to lead productive and independent lives by providing opportunities for education, employment, friendship, housing and transportation.

Jeff Geddes is the Senior Vice President at Torrington Savings Bank where he oversees the residential and consumer loan division including all aspects of lending from origination through servicing. He is an active member of the community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Northwest Ct. and the Litchfield County Board of Realtors and the CT Association of Realtors. Jeff served as United Way Campaign Chair in 2015 and 2016 and has participated in many community fundraising events such as Dancing with the Stars Northwest Connecticut and Over the Edge.

Nancy Rogers served as Director of Development for Susan B. Anthony Project, Torrington CT for 9 years, and as Director of Development at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford for 11 years. Prior to moving to Connecticut, she spent 25 years in New York City in the fashion and retail business working for Liz Claiborne, Inc., Saks Fifth Ave., and Lord & Taylor. She serves on the Advisory Council of Susan B. Anthony Project. She is a past president of the Litchfield Community Center. She has also served on the Westleigh Condo Association Board, Litchfield.

Elena Simoes served as the Finance and Operations Director for the Northwest CT YMCA for 10 years, as Controller for Naugatuck Savings Bank for t10 years and is a U.S. Army veteran. She works as a consultant in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She has been active in our community since moving to New Hartford in 2003. She serves on the Advisory Counsel for Trinita Retreat Center, a religious educator for Immaculate Conception Church, and a supporter of various other community events.

Foundations latest grants to area nonprofits total $75,500

WATERBURY Connecticut Community Foundations new grants  totaling $75,500  were awarded to 16 nonprofit organizations that serve older people in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

Among the grantees is the Goshen Community Care and Hospice Center, which received a $6,000 grant to serve monthly luncheons and provide health information for the towns older residents. The program, almost entirely volunteer-run, provides free, nutritious meals for older people while they learn from guest speakers on topics including fall prevention, pet therapy, safety precautions and how to handle emergencies. The meals are served at the Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen.

To view the full list of the Foundations newest grantees serving older adults, visit

www.conncf.org/supporting-nonprofits/grants-awarded.

Salisbury Bank receives best rating

LAKEVILLE  The Berkshire Record has completed its 2018 Readers Survey for the Best of Berkshire County. For the sixth consecutive year, Salisbury Bank, with locations in Great Barrington, Sheffield, and South Egremont, Massachusetts, was voted the Best Bank in Berkshire County. Salisbury Bank competed against seven other banks and credit unions in the Best Bank category.

To honor the winners, the Berkshire Record published a keepsake magazine titled The Best of 2018, which featured winners from five distinct areas: Community, Shopping, Dining, Nightlife, Arts & Culture, and Home & Design.

We are honored to be recognized as the Best Bank in Berkshire County for the sixth year in a row, stated Rick Cantele, President and Chief Executive Officer.
An audience of 25 people attended the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon's first annual Reading Jubilee on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 10 Upper Main Street in Sharon. Scheduled were 35 readers of poetry and prose from the town's community organizations ranging from the American Legion Post 126 to the Sharon's Woman's Club. The event organized by The Friends of the Hotchkiss Library in order to celebrate National Library Week, National Poetry Week and the 125th anniversary of the Library.
WATERBURY  Responding to the untimely closing of Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute, Naugatuck Valley Community College has issued an invitation to all displaced students to meet with NVCC staff at their Danbury campus, and attend an Open House at their Waterbury campus. The College is reaching out on social media to offer information about potential programs of interest at NVCC. The NVCC Danbury Campus offers a wide range of credit and non-credit opportunities. A complete list of programs from both the Danbury and Waterbury campuses is available on the College website at https://www.nv.edu/academics.

Antonio Santiago, Dean of NVCCs Danbury campus noted that between the Danbury and Waterbury campuses, students have a multitude of degree and certificate options to meet their goals. NVCC is here to engage prospective students in a discussion of workforce opportunities at the college.

NVCC Staff will be available at the annual Open House on April 29, 1-4 p.m. in Technology Hall on the Waterbury Campus. Any Ridley-Lowell student is welcome to stop by the Danbury Campus Booth for the opportunity to meet faculty, staff and students, answer questions, and tour the campus.

Advisors at the Danbury Campus on 190 Main Street in the heart of Downtown Danbury, are ready to work with Ridley-Lowell students. No appointment is necessary. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on Associate Degrees, credit certificates and non-credit certificate programs, contact the Administrative office of the Danbury Campus at 203- 437-9639 or visit www.nv.edu.

End of life decision is subject of luncheon

CANAAN  Northwest Corner Triad, a non-profit organization for seniors, invites you to a free luncheon lecture on Thursday, April 19, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Bitterman Center, 2 Daisy Hill Rd, Canaan.

End of life planning is something that has a lot of ins and outs and questions. The talk will include guest speakers Jim Hutchinson, Clinical Navigator at Sharon Hospital, Brian Kenny and Meghan Kenny-Plouffe, Owner of Kenny Funeral Homes and Heather Harris, the Hospital Relations Coordinator at New England Donor Services. The talk will about how to take action on your end of life decisions.

Part of a nationwide network, Northwest Corner Triad fosters partnerships among law enforcement, senior groups and community businesses by offering educational resources to enhance the safety and well-being of older individuals. Towns encompassed by the chapter include Canaan, Cornwall, Falls Village, Goshen, Kent, Lakeville, Norfolk, Salisbury and Sharon.

Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling Tara Decker at 860-453-3130 during business hours, or e-mailing NorthwestCornerTriad@gmail.com.

Wamogo FFA to screen Farmers for America

LITCHFIELD  On March 1, Wamogo FFA hosted a showing of Farmers for America, a documentary by Graham Meriwether and narrated by Mike Rowe. This documentary centers around stories that showcase challenges faced by the the next generation of farmers and how these young adults are overcoming them.

Many eye-opening statistics were shared, including the fact that the average age of the American farmer is 60 and that within the next 12 years, 50 percent of Americas farmland is going to change hands. It poses many questions for our youngest agricultural leaders: Who will own our farmland?, Who will grow our food?, and Where will this next generation of farmers come from?

Wamogo FFA will be hosting another showing of Farmers for America, open to community members, on April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Wamogo High School Auditorium. A panel discussion of local agriculturists will be held immediately after the showing.

Library book group announces meetings

KENT  The book discussion group at Kent Memorial Library for spring 2018 is a follow up to the librarys fall theme, and in keeping with recent films about losses England sustained and cracks in the British Empire the wars revealed. The first book will be about WWI, and move on from there. The group meets monthly on Thursdays at 5 p.m. Discussions are led by Betty Krasne, PhD, writer, professor emerita, and long time Kent resident.

Discussion dates and topics include: April 19, The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman; May 10, The Strays by Emily Bitto; The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan.

The group meets in the Reading Room. The meetings are free and open to the public. Register at the circulation desk so the librarians will know how many books to round up. Call the Library to register at 860-927-3761.Visit kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information.

Warners Summer Arts Program enrollment now open

TORRINGTON  Each summer, the Warner Theatre Center For Arts Education offers three exciting opportunities for arts education and enrichment for young people ages 5-16, through the Summer Arts Program. Learn all about the ins and outs of theatre and have a chance to perform in one of our summer productions. Sessions are offered to ages 5-16 and begin on July 9.

Session 1 (July 9-20, ages 7-12) A two-week theatrical journey for our younger campers, brimming with music, acting and choreography and culminating in a full-scale production of Disneys The Aristocats Kids in the Warner Studio Theatre! Based on the beloved Disney animated film and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, it is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.

Session 2 (July 23-August 3, ages 7-12) Each camp day provides plenty of artistic expression: Acting, Improvisation, Dance, Music, Visual Art, Creative Writing, Crafts, Tech Theatre, and more! Plus a field trip to Lake Compounce theme park. An informal Share Day for family and friends wraps up this fun-filled session.

Session 3 (August 6-18, ages 9-16) A whirlwind two-week theatrical adventure for our older campers as we conduct intensive rehearsals brimming with music, acting, and choreography, culminating in a full-scale production of Disneys Mulan Jr. in the Warner Studio Theatre! Based on Disneys Oscar-nominated film, it is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and the fighting spirit.

A special mini-camp, a convenient one-week half-day sessions for younger campers, is a great way to introduce the fun and exciting world of creative drama, arts and crafts, song and dance. Includes a special field trip to KidsPlay Childrens Museum, as well as a special Share Day performance for family and friends.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. For more information or to register, call the WTCAE at 860-489-7180 x 148 or visit warnertheatre.org.
Afghanistan launched on April 14 its voter registration drive for long-delayed parliamentary and provincial council elections that are scheduled for October.

Over the next two months, authorities hope to register up to 14 million men and women at 7,300 polling centers across a country where militants control or contest much of the territory.

Gulajan Abdul Badi Sayyad, chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said that the first phase of the registration will continue in provincial capitals for nearly a month before a second phase covering district centers and towns begins.

As part of electoral reforms after the fraud-marred presidential election in 2014, voters must register again and will receive new voting identification cards.

In early April, the IEC announced that parliamentary and provincial council elections, previously slated for July, would be pushed back to October 20.

Parliamentary elections should have been held in 2015, but they were repeatedly delayed due to security fears and unresolved disputes about election reforms.

President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to hold the elections for the 249 seats in the National Assembly before the presidential vote scheduled for next year.

The Western-backed government in Kabul has been struggling to fend off the Taliban and other militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO troops in 2014.

Mohammad Yousuf Rashed, the head of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan, an independent organization, said that of 7,300 polling stations due to be set up for the elections, 948 were in areas "out of government control."

Interior Minister Wais Barmak on April 14 said that maintaining security at voter registration centers and polling stations was a priority for the Afghan security forces.

Some polling stations are in areas with high security threats and we have special plans for those areas, Barmak said.

Highlighting security concerns surrounding the election process, four police officers were reported killed in an attack in the eastern province of Ghazni late on April 14.

Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor, said five other police were wounded in the assault on a checkpoint.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility, but the Taliban is active in the area and controls large parts of the province.

With reporting by dpa, AFP, AP, and Tolo News
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed head of Chechnya, never seems to tire of telling all who are willing to listen how much he's done for Russia's volatile North Caucasus region.

Kadyrov boasts of luring foreign investment to Chechnya, with much of it coming from the Middle East.

Foreign investment in Chechnya for 2016 and 2017 amounted to approximately 23 billion rubles (some $400 million). Specifically, the money came from seven companies from the Middle East, China, and South Korea.

Kadyrov is not alone in crowing about the business opportunities offered by Chechnya. The multinational consultancy firm PwC is also bullish on the North Caucasus republic, judging by a recent research report.

And Kadyrov's appetite for foreign investment doesn't appear sated. The Chechen leader is counting on attracting investors from Germany in 2018, according to published reports.

How he'll be able to pull that off is unclear, given the less-than-chummy relations the Chechen leader enjoys with the West, which has generally been critical of the harsh rule Kadyrov has established in Chechnya.

Russia program director at Human Rights Watch Tanya Lokshina, while addressing a committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2016, said that for nearly a decade, "with the blessing of the Kremlin," Kadyrov has "steadily tried to eradicate all forms of dissent and gradually built a tyranny within Chechnya."

"The repression has become especially staggering these past two years," she said at the time, "with local authorities viciously and comprehensively cracking down on critics and anyone whose total loyalty to Kadyrov they deem questionable."

Nevertheless, PwC sees the competitive advantages that Chechnya offers, including abundant raw materials, tourism opportunities, good transport links, a young and growing population, and cheap production costs.

Yet while some foreigners are sold on Chechen investment, many of Chechnya's own wealthy elite appear to be wary of sinking their money into the republic.

Speaking at a meeting of the Chechen government in 2009, Kadyrov noted that only three people -- Abubakar Arsamakov, Vacha Agaev, and Ruslan Baysarov -- had heeded his call to the Chechen diaspora to partake actively in the reconstruction of the republic, which witnessed two wars with Russia in the 1990s.

Fast forward to 2018 and there are questions about whether the three men are as bullish on Chechnya as they once were.

Baysarov ranks 112 on Forbes magazine's list of Russia's wealthiest, with an estimated worth of $900 million. The Chechen construction magnate has enjoyed good relations with Kadyrov. It was allegedly those close ties that led Baysarov to sink money into a ski resort in his hometown of Veduchi, which opened to much fanfare and pomp recently. However, since the start of 2018, he has not been seen in Chechnya. Baysarov was not even on hand for the grand opening of the ski resort in Veduchi. Commentators say it's too soon to say whether he's been pushed aside, but his absence raises questions.

Agayev, a deputy in the Russian State Duma, funded the construction of a school in Urus Martan, boosting his image as a philanthropist. He also paid out of his own pocket to build an Islamic educational center in the village of Roshni-Chu, where he also splashed out to construct gas lines. Such were their warm ties that Kadyrov himself reportedly organized a birthday bash in the Chechen capital of Grozny in 2013 to fete Agayev when he turned 60:

But lately, Agayev has been a no-show in Chechnya and his investments there are shrouded in uncertainty.

Arsamakov is the chairman of the Moscow Industrial Bank. He became chummy with Kadyrov in 2007 when the Chechen strongman personally intervened to help track down and free two of Arsamakov's brothers who had been kidnapped. In 2010, Arsamakov was given the Order of Kadyrov, Chechnya's highest award. He's one of the few Chechen magnates to invest in Chechnya. The sprawling retail center, Grand Park, was his creation. However, that and other businesses of his have been stripped by Kadyrov's regime.

Such a scenario is sadly familiar in Chechnya, experts say. Once a business starts to turn from red to green, Kadyrov and those in his inner circle swoop in to push aside its owners.

Other Chechen businessmen apparently learned this lesson long ago.

Husein Dzhabrailov, who once served as a Chechen deputy prime minister, once talked about his intention of investing in his homeland. For a while, his deeds matched his words, and Dzhabrailov invested money into the reconstruction of Grozny Airport. But that all changed when he was pushed out of his government post in 2007.

His brother, Umar, was reported in March to be considering investing in a shipyard in Russia-occupied Crimea, but is not known for putting money into Chechnya.

Musa Bazhayev, owner of the holding company Alliance Group, has wealth estimated at some $600 million, according to Forbes. He has steered clear of investing in Chechnya from the start. Kadyrov lambasted Bazhayev for failing to pony up a promised $50 million to finance the construction of a regional hospital and a school in Urus Martan, as well as other public projects.

People like Bazhayev are only capable of promoting themselves, and, unfortunately, there are many such businessmen, Kadyrov lamented in 2006.

Bazhayev has proved more than willing to invest in other regions of Russia, but no so in the republic where he was born.

The same goes for Chechen businessman Malik Saidullayev, considered one of the richest Chechens with an estimated worth of $500 million, who has failed to invest in any significant projects in the North Caucasus republic.

The late Salambek Khadzhiyev, a former minister in the Chechen government, also has no significant investments in Chechnya.

Reputable or not, Chechnya's business elites for the most part appear to be staying away. Bakha Agaev is one of the exceptions -- a wealthy Chechen who remains bullish on Chechnya and who has investments in the region.

The reason could be simple. It's no secret that nearly all the decision-making power in Chechnya is largely in the hands of one man: Kadyrov. And just like in other authoritarian regimes, investment is precarious, dangling on the whim of the leader. For Chechnya's wealthy elite, the risk might not be worth taking.

Written by Tony Wesolowsky based on material from RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Kazakh authorities to dismiss criminal defamation suits against two popular independent media outlets and their journalists.

In a statement on April 13, the New York-based media watchdog urged the authorities to stop this campaign of harassment against the news site Ratel.kz and the local edition of Forbes magazine.

Almaty police on April 2 raided the editorial offices of both media outlets, confiscating computers and documents from both. The homes of several journalists working for the outlets were also searched.

Police later said the raids were part of a criminal investigation based on a suit filed on March 30 by Zeinulla Kakimzhanov, a businessman and former finance minister, who claimed that the outlets published false information that damaged his reputation and that of his son.

Four journalists with Forbes Kazakhstan and Ratel.kz were questioned on April 2 and told that they were they were witnesses with the right to defense.

And on April 4, Ratel's chief editor, Marat Asipov, was questioned again and his "witness" status was changed to suspect.

Meanwhile, Ratel's website and Facebook page have been blocked.

CPJ said Ratel.kz and Forbes Kazakhstan have reported on the alleged corrupt business practices of the Kakimzhanovs between May and December 2016.

"The space for independent information and critical commentary in Kazakhstan has severely contracted over the past few years, CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. Astana should start reversing this trend by abolishing criminal defamation as a first step."

Opponents and rights groups say that President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has held power in Kazakhstan since before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, has taken systematic steps to suppress dissent and sideline potential opponents.

Human Rights Watch on April 6 issued a statement on the case, urging Kazakh authorities to stop using libel laws "to harass journalists who are doing their jobs."
BRUSSELS  The European Commission will recommend that the European Union opens accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia, according to a draft document seen by RFE/RL.

The document is part of the annual EU enlargement package that is set to be published on April 17 in Strasbourg and which outlines how far the non-EU countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey have come on their road to European Union membership.

The European Commission has recommended commencing negotiations with Macedonia every year since 2009, but EU member states in the council -- most notably, Greece -- have always blocked talks due to the name issue, which has soured relations between Athens and Skopje ever since Macedonia became independent in 1991.

Athens has objected to its northern neighbor using the name Macedonia, contending that implies territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name.

Negotiations between the two countries have gathered pace this year, fostering hopes of finding a compromise that will unblock Skopje's path to eventual EU and NATO membership.

Skopje has also survived bitter political infighting that culminated in April 2017 when several hundred protesters stormed parliament and beat up several lawmakers, including the current prime minister, Zoran Zaev.

With tensions subsiding since then, the commission's paper notes that Macedonia "has largely overcome its deep political crisis" and states that "the political will to move forward is once again clearly present," adding that "a positive change in the political mind-set has been seen across society, the lack of which had been a major impediment to reforms in recent years."

At the same time, it adds that "the necessary structural reforms are a lengthy process which will take years and the damage of recent years cannot be undone overnight."

The document also confirms that the commission, for the first time, recommends opening EU accession negotiations with Albania, which became an official EU candidate country in 2014.

The document states that "reform of the public administration [has been] consolidated, with a view to enhancing its professionalism and depoliticization."

It also adds that "further actions were taken to reinforce the independence, efficiency, and accountability of judicial institutions, particularly through advancing in the implementation of a comprehensive justice reform."

The European Commission does, however, warn that "continued, concrete, and tangible results in the reevaluation of judges and prosecutors will be decisive for Albania's further progress."

Montenegro, which is considered the front-runner of the six Western Balkan countries, started negotiations back in 2012 and has opened 30 out of the 33 chapters, or policy areas, in which aspirant countries must align their legislation with that of the EU. Podgorica has also finished talks on three of the 30 chapters opened.

The paper is, however, not entirely rosy, stating that "further work is required to consolidate trust in the electoral framework" and notes regarding the fraught relationship between the government and the opposition that "returning the political debate to the parliament is the responsibility of all parties."

There is also criticism of the judiciary, with the paper stating that "the entire rule-of-law system now needs to deliver more results" and that "no progress has been made in the area of freedom of expression."

For Serbia, which so far has opened 12 chapters, the document also voices worries over a number of policy areas with the commission, saying that "while progress has been made on the rule of law, Serbia now needs to strengthen its efforts and deliver more results, in particular in terms of creating an enabling environment for freedom of expression, in strengthening the independence and overall efficiency of the judicial system, and in making sustainable progress in the fight against corruption and organized crime."

The paper, however, makes clear that apart from rule-of-law reforms, the one issue that will determine Belgrade's pace in its EU integration is the normalization process with Kosovo that has been taking place under EU auspices since 2011.

The same is true for Kosovo, but Pristina's EU path is complicated by the five EU countries Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain that still do not recognize Kosovo's 2008 independence. The document states that Kosovo's new government and assembly "should bring forward EU-related reforms as a matter of priority and build consensus on key strategic issues."

As with Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina is only a potential EU candidate country at this stage. But Sarajevo submited an official EU membership application in 2016.

The European Commission noted that the country "delivered at a slow pace throughout 2017" when it comes to EU-related reforms and states that "economic developments remain slow, suffering from a weak rule of law, a still poor business environment, an inefficient and fragmented public administration, and major labor market imbalances."
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has voiced concern over the growing "alienation" between Russia and the West and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to mend the damaged ties.

Steinmeier said in an interview pushed on April 15 that last month's poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain was "a very serious incident.

But he added that we should be at least as worried about the accelerating estrangement between Russia and the West, which has consequences reaching far beyond the case."

Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were hospitalized on March 4 after being exposed to a potent nerve toxin and found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury in southern England.

Britain blames Russia for the attempted murder, a charge that Moscow fiercely denies.

The attack has ignited a fierce dispute between the West and Russia, leading to a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and other measures.

More recently, the United States, France, and Britain defied Russian warnings and carried out air strikes in Syria over the weekend following an alleged deadly chemical attack by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, a Moscow ally.

Steinmeier was quoted as saying that while it was right to show Russia its actions have consequences, as demonstrated by the sanctions imposed over Russias aggression of Ukraine, "we can't abandon direct dialogue."

He also cautioned against demonizing an entire nation, saying, "Independently of [President Vladimir] Putin, we can't declare the whole of Russia, the country and its people, as our enemy."

On Syria, Steinmeier said there could be no improvement on the ground until U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart engaged with each other in a constructive manner to try to negotiate a solution.

"Of course, you can't do it without the regional neighbors in the end, but everything begins with the U.S. and Russia," he was quoted as saying. "Putin and Trump owe it to the world to take the first step."

With reporting by dpa and AFP
Election officials in Hungary have issued the final results of the country's April 8 parliamentary elections, confirming that the ruling Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban has secured a two-thirds majority.

The NVI electoral commission said on April 15 that Fidesz won 133 of the 199 parliamentary seats by picking up 49.6 percent of the vote. The far-right Jobbik party (19.2 percent) won 26 seats and the Social Democrats (12 percent) won 20 seats.

The final turnout figure was 69.3 percent.

Election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said the vote was characterized by "intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias, and opaque campaign financing."

The victory secured a third consecutive term as prime minister for Orban, his fourth term in the post overall.

The two-thirds majority gives Fidesz the power to alter the constitution and to adopt constitutional laws.

Orban, who also served as prime minister from 1998 to 2002, campaigned on an anti-immigrant platform and called the election a chance for Hungarians to reclaim their country.

Orban began his political career as an anticommunist liberal activist in the late 1980s, but he has been accused by critics of abandoning Hungary's democratic path for an increasingly authoritarian direction.

Over the past eight years, his government has expanded control over the media and, through allies in the business sector, gained influence over the banking, energy, construction, and tourism sectors.

On April 14, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Budapest to denounce what organizers described as the unfair electoral system.

Protesters called for a recount, changes to electoral law, and strengthening protections for the media.

Orban has said that the new government will pass a series of laws restricting the work of independent nongovernmental organizations and penalizing organizations that provide assistance to migrants.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

Montenegrins headed to the polls on April 15 in the country's third presidential election since it regained independence in 2006. Polls suggest that veteran politician Milo Djukanovic is the front-runner in a field of seven candidates. RFE/RL filmed early voters in Montenegro's capital, Podgorica. (RFE/RL's Balkan Service)
Pakistan's military says it has conducted a successful test of an enhanced version of the locally developed Babur ballistic cruise missile.

In a statement on April 14, the military said the Babur Weapon System-1 "can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy, at a range of 700 kilometers."

"It is a low flying, terrain-hugging missile, which also carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads," the statement added.

Last year, the Pakistani military said it had test-fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and giving the country a credible second strike capability.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan said the Babur Cruise-3 missile has a range of 450 kilometers and can fly low to evade radar and air defenses.

Pakistan and its neighbor and archrival India have been developing missiles of varying ranges since they conducted nuclear tests in May 1998.

They have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947.

Based on reporting by AP and Dawn
Russians staged a number of protests in several cities and towns in the Moscow region over pollution from landfills.

In the largest rally, around 1,000 people staged a demonstration in the town of Volokolamsk on April 14, urging authorities to close down a landfill in the village of Yadrovo.

Residents have been demonstrating against the dump since January, and their protests intensified after dozens of children were rushed to hospitals with symptoms of gas poisoning on March 21.

Thousands protested in Volokolamsk in the latest rally on April 1, demanding the dump's closure.

The Yadrovo landfill was opened in 2008 and is a dumping site for garbage from Moscow and nearby regions.

On April 14, hundreds of people also protested in the city of Serpukhov, 90 kilometers south of Moscow, where residents want a landfill to be closed.

In the town of Lobnya, hundreds demonstrated against the planned construction of a garbage incinerator.

With reporting by AP
Afghanistan has returned the dead bodies of five Pakistani soldiers to Pakistan following clashes near the two countries' disputed border, Afghan officials say.

Hukum Khan Habibi, the governor of Afghanistans eastern province of Khost, said that one captured soldier was also handed over to Pakistans military on April 16.

The dead bodies and the soldier were returned through mediation by tribal elders in the provinces Zazi Maidan district, said a spokesman for Khost police, Basir Bina.

Afghan security officials told RFE/RL that two Afghan police officers were also killed in the clashes that erupted between Afghan border police and members of Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps in Zazi Maidan district early on April 15.

The two sides later agreed on a cease-fire. They both claim troops from the other country started the fighting.

Abdul Hanan, the acting provincial police chief in Khost, said that the clashes broke out in three locations along the border in the early hours of April 15, after Pakistani paramilitary troops ignored repeated warnings from locals and Afghan border police officers and crossed the border.

The Pakistani Army said the Afghan side fired on the Frontier Corps fighters while they were carrying out "routine surveillance" along the border.

Afghanistan routinely accuses the Pakistani Army of attacking civilians and security checkpoints on the disputed border, accusations Pakistan denies.

Pakistan claims it is subject to attacks by Pakistani Taliban militants that Islamabad says are based on the Afghan side of the border.

The two countries share a 2,500-kilometer border known as the Durand Line, which Pakistan considers to be an international border. Afghanistan rejects the colonial-era border that was created in 1893.

Last year, Pakistan said it began building a fence along the border to improve security, a move that sparked condemnations in Kabul.

Pakistani forces have continued to build border fortifications, sparking numerous clashes along the border.

The fencing has threatened to disrupt the daily lives of people living in communities that straddle the border. In some villages, mosques and houses reportedly have one door in Pakistan and another in Afghanistan.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa
The United States plans to announce new targeted sanctions against Russia over Moscow's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on U.S. television on April 15 that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce the new sanctions on April 16.

"They will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical-weapons use," Haley said.

"I think everyone is going to feel it at this point," she added. "I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to it."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Moscow had been informed of the looming sanctions.

"I can really confirm that the sanctions are to be imposed on Russia without any link to reality," she said on Russian television. "If earlier they used to say they were punishing us for Ukraine, now the wording has been changed dramatically. Now they punish us for the mere fact of being in the global arena."

The United States, the United Kingdom, and France conducted air strikes against Syria on April 14 in response to a suspected chemical attack by the Syrian government that killed dozens of people last week.

The Pentagon said the air strikes hit "the heart" of Syria's chemical-weapons capability.

Russia, a staunch supporter of Assad, has said the air strikes were a violation of international law and the UN Charter and that they had complicated the effort to find a political solution to Syria's civil war.

U.S. officials have accused Russia of failing in its role as guarantor of a 2013 agreement to dismantle Syria's chemical-weapons stockpiles.

Moscow brokered that agreement to forestall U.S. strikes in retaliation for an August 2013 chemical-weapons attack in a Damascus suburb that killed hundreds.

"With the political and diplomatic actions that we're taking now, we wanted [Syria's] friends, Iran and Russia, to know that we meant business and that they were going to be feeling the pain from this as well," Haley said.

With reporting by CBS, dpa, AP, AFP, and Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any additional strikes by Western powers against Syria will "inevitably lead to chaos in international relations."

Putin made the remark in an April 15 telephone conversation with Iranian President Hasan Rohani, according to a release by the Kremlin.

The two presidents reportedly agreed that the April 14 air strikes by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France were a violation of international law and "have brought serious harm to the chances of a political settlement in Syria."

The air strikes came in response to a suspected Syrian chemical attack that killed dozens of people last week.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council on April 14 that the military strikes were "justified, legitimate, and proportionate."

"I spoke to [U.S. President Donald Trump] this morning and he said, 'If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded'," she said.

"When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line," she added.

The wave of missile strikes was the most significant attack against President Bashar al-Assad's government by Western powers in seven years of Syria's brutal civil war.

The UN Security Council on April 14 rejected an effort by Russia, a key ally of Syria, to denounce it as an unjustified "aggression" against a sovereign state.

At the Security Council emergency meeting, Russia's UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzya, read out a quote from President Vladimir Putin accusing the allies of "cynical disdain" in acting without waiting for the results of a chemical-watchdog investigation into the alleged chemical attack in the former rebel-held town of Douma on April 7.

Inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on April 14 and were expected to begin their investigation at the site of the alleged chemical attack on April 15.

Nebenzya accused the United States, Britain, and France of "hooliganism" and of "demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law."

Syrian envoy to the UN Bashar Jaafari claimed that the Douma attack was a "masquerade" mounted by rebels.

Assad said the strike would increase Syria's resolve to "fight and crush terrorism in every inch" of the country.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Army announced on April 14 that eastern Ghouta, the region near Damascus where Douma is situated, had been cleared of the last rebel fighters and was fully retaken.

In northern Syria, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an explosion rocked an area where pro-government Iranian fighters and allied Shi'ite militias were based.

The monitoring group said the source of the blast on April 14 was not immediately clear and could have been caused by an air strike or an incident.

Trump praised the military strike on Syria as a "perfectly executed" operation and said it was aimed at ending the use of such weapons of mass destruction.

The White House said Trump spoke to British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron later on April 14.

The White House said the leaders agreed the air strikes in Syria "were successful and necessary to deter" the future use of chemical weapons.

Speaking on the BBC on April 15, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that the strikes were about saying "enough is enough" over what he called the "barbaric" use of chemical weapons.

Johnson also insisted that the action would not "turn the tide" of the conflict and was not about regime change.

In Damascus, Russias news agencies reported that Assad told a group of Russian lawmakers that the Western missile strikes were an act of aggression.

They quoted the legislators as saying Assad was in a "good mood" and accepted an invitation to visit the Siberian region of Khanty-Mansi. It was not clear when the visit would occur.

At a Pentagon briefing on April 14, Lieutenant-General Kenneth McKenzie said three sites that are "fundamental components of the regime's chemical-weapons infrastructure" were struck.

The three sites included the Barzah chemical-weapons research and development center near Damascus that was hit by 76 missiles and "destroyed."

McKenzie said the Him Shinshar chemical-weapons storage facility near Homs was hit by 22 missiles.

He added that the Him Shinshar chemical-weapons bunker facility near Homs was targeted with seven missiles and was "successfully hit."

McKenzie said the operation was "precise, overwhelming, and effective, adding it will set Syrias chemical-weapons program back "for years."

With reporting by AP, AFP, TASS, Interfax, and the BBC
Russian investigative journalist Maksim Borodin of Yekaterinburg has died of injuries sustained on April 12 when he fell from the window of his fifth-floor apartment.

Borodin, 32, died on April 15 in a hospital without recovering consciousness. Officially, his death was being investigated as a suicide.

A Sverdlovsk Oblast police spokesman said it was "unlikely that this story is of a criminal nature."

He said the door to Borodin's apartment was locked from the inside and there was no sign of forced entry. He added that the keys to the apartment were found inside and no suicide note has been found.

Polina Rumyantseva, the editor in chief of Novy Den, where Borodin worked, said the same day that she did not believe Borodin committed suicide.

A friend of Borodin's, Vyacheslav Bashkov, wrote on Facebook on April 15 that Borodin contacted him at 5 a.m. on April 11 and said his building was surrounded by "security forces" wearing camouflage and face masks.

He said that Borodin was alarmed, but not hysterical or drunk. Borodin reportedly said that he believed his apartment was about to be searched and that the security officers were waiting for a court order. He asked Bashkov to find him a lawyer.

An hour later, however, Borodin called back and said he had been mistaken and that the security officers were conducting some sort of drill.

"I didn't call him after that," Bashkov wrote, "although I was waiting for him to write something on Facebook. But he didn't write anything and on the 13th the media reported that Maksim had been found under his balcony and he was in the emergency room."

Borodin regularly wrote on crime and corruption. In recent weeks, he wrote extensively about the deaths in February of Russian mercenaries fighting in Syria, identifying several fighters from the Urals city of Asbest who had been killed.

On February 7, a group of Russian mercenaries with tanks and artillery attacked territory held by U.S.-backed opponents of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The U.S.-led international coalition responded with air strikes that are believed to have killed dozens of Russian fighters.

According to some media reports, more than 200 Russian mercenaries died in the incident, although the Russian government has not confirmed the casualty toll.

With reporting by Novy Den, RIA Novosti, and Grani.ru
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have revealed how plants 'hedge their bets' by getting their seeds to germinate at different times. Their work identifies routes to reduce variability in agriculture and produce more consistent outcomes for farmers and food production, according to research published today (Wednesday 11th April).

The findings, published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface, identify the origin of a 'gambling' approach to germination in Arabidopsis thaliana, more commonly known as thale cress.

Seeds from the same plant germinate at different times to hedge against environmental challenges that plants have faced through history. This variability is bad news for agriculture, where farmers want uniform fields of crops.

Stochasticity, the random nature of biochemical processes, is an unavoidable feature underlying cell biology, and some organisms -- including plants -- have evolved ways to harness this randomness. By identifying and analysing a circuit in plant cells that 'rolls the dice' -- generating a degree of randomness in a hormone that controls germination -- and revealing ways to reduce this variability, the researchers hope to provide the foundations for work that will be able to persuade plants to germinate more uniformly.

Such an advance would allow farmers to increase their potential yields, posing a possible solution to agronomic and food security challenges.

With hormone levels being incredibly difficult to observe in real-time in plant embryos, the team turned to mathematical modelling to predict how biological processes will unfold.

Dr Iain Johnston, from the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, said: 'It's really this interface of biology with maths that lets us understand and predict the processes generating variability in plant cells.'

Co-author Professor George Bassel, also of the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, added: 'Our identification of this variability-generating circuit provides the opportunity to synchronise and enhance future agricultural production.'

Previous work by Professor Bassel and Dr Johnston has identified how plants cells use hormones to communicate, to assess environmental conditions around them and optimise the time when they begin germination.
Scientific evidence at the start of the last major Ebola epidemic in West Africa that suggested the virus would change exceptionally rapidly was probably due to methodological biases. This has been shown by scientists led by Tanja Stadler, a professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering in Basel; they published the corresponding study in the journal PNAS.

When Ebola developed into an epidemic in 2014, an international team of scientists estimated that the pathogen's genome would change on average every 9.5 days, based on virus samples and computer simulations. This estimate is an atypically high rate of change. Normally, the Ebola virus genome only mutates at just under half that speed. The high mutation rate led to fears at the time that if the virus rapidly altered, it could also quickly become more virulent.

However, in later studies, researchers evaluating much larger numbers of virus samples could not confirm the high rate. They showed that when viewed over the whole epidemic, the pathogen only changed at its typical slow speed.

ETH researchers have now shown that the high estimated mutation rates at the start of the epidemic were due to the limited number of virus samples at the time in combination with the computer models used, which calculate the estimates using genetic data from virus samples and from underlying assumptions.

"The smaller the amount of genetic data available for a model, the bigger the influence of the underlying model assumptions on the end result," explains ETH professor Stadler. She highlights that the early estimates for the Ebola epidemic based on a small dataset were heavily influenced by assumptions, which in retrospect have proven to be inaccurate.

Current computer models, however, do not simplify reality as much as those used a few years ago, and they are less heavily influenced by the underlying assumptions, says Stadler. For example, the new models no longer assume that everyone infected has the same probability of passing on the pathogen to other people; instead, they take into account different population structures. While the new models -- some of which are being developed in the Stadler group -- are more complex and require a lot more computation, they provide more accurate results even at the start of an epidemic, when very little genetic data is available. New calculations by the ETH scientists with the genetic data from 2014 show this increase in accuracy.
Harnessing the full electrochemical power of lithium-oxygen batteries requires an efficient, more stable electrolyte. Researchers from Boston College have applied a "water-in-salt" electrolyte that enables stable lithium-air battery operation, offers superior long cycle lifetimes and presents a platform that moves lithium-ion batteries closer to their full potential, the team reports in the journal Chem.

In an effort to find a suitable electrolyte system, the team's water-in-salt approach involves no organic solvents. It consists of super-concentrated lithium salt, known as LiTFSI, in which water molecules lock onto the ions and experience less degradation when in contact with oxygen molecules, according to the researchers, led by Boston College Professor of Chemistry Dunwei Wang.

The result is a "highly effective electrolyte that permits stable Li-O2 battery operations on the cathode with superior cycle lifetimes," the team reports in the article titled "Cathodically stable Li-O2 battery operations using water-in-salt electrolyte." Experiments showed the electrolyte enables stable lithium-air battery operations up to 300 cycles, making it competitive for practical applications.

Lithium-ion batteries operate by reversible insertion and extraction of lithium ions into and from a solid material, such as cobalt oxide. Here, lithium-air batteries operate by forming lithium peroxide during discharge and decomposing lithium peroxide during recharge.

Despite more than two decades of research, improving lithium-ion battery technology has fallen short of the theoretical potential for energy storage. As an electrochemical energy storage technology, upgrading performance requires improved stability of electrolytes.

The team found a way around the problem of instability that arises from the use of water in the development of aqueous electrolytes.

"We employed an unorthodox approach of using a water-based electrolyte for Li-O2 batteries," said Wang. "Previously, water was thought to be extremely bad for Li-O2 battery operations because it would promote parasitic chemical reactions to significantly undermine the desired chemistry. We discovered that when the salt concentration is high, most water molecules can be locked down so that they provide the right functionalities such as conductivity but exhibit little of the parasitic chemical reactions."

The team sought to overcome the limitations that have plagued earlier efforts to tame the complex chemical reactions within lithium-air battery prototypes, said Wang, who conducted the project with Boston College researchers Qi Dong, Xiahui Yao, Yanyan Zhao, Miao Qi, Xizi Zhang and Yumin He, and Hongyu Sun from the Technical University of Denmark.

"We studied a new concept for Li-O2 batteries," said Wang. "We used a combination of electrochemistry and materials characterization tools to carry out the study. Our goal is to enable stable, high-performance Li-O2 battery operations."

Wang said the researchers will next try to build upon the results for practical fuel cell applications and also work to reduce the cost of producing the electrolyte.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside have isolated three previously unknown bacterial species from wild bees and flowers. The bacteria, which belong to the genus Lactobacillus, may play a role in preserving the nectar and pollen that female bees store in their nests as food for their larvae.

The results were published Thursday in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The study was led by Quinn McFrederick, an assistant professor of entomology in UCR's College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences.

Symbiotic bacteria that live in bee guts are believed to promote bee health by helping to digest food and boost immunity. Compared to honeybees and bumblebees, little is known about the microbial communities associated with wild bees, despite the important role these insects play in the pollination of flowering plants.

To study the bacteria associated with wild bees, McFrederick and co-authors collected wild bees and flowers from two sites in Texas and on the UCR campus. Genomic DNA sequencing coupled with traditional taxonomic analyses confirmed the isolation of three new Lactobacillus species, which are closely related to the honeybee-associated bacteria Lactobacillus kunkeei. The news strains are:

Lactobacillus micheneri, named after Charles D. Michener to honor his contributions to the study of bees in natural habitats. Lactobacillus timberlakei, named after Philip Timberlake to honor his work on the taxonomy of native bees, especially at UC Riverside. Lactobacillus quenuiae, named after Cecile Plateaux-Quenu to honor her contribution to our understanding of the social biology of halictid bees. Lactobacilli are often used by humans to preserve dairy products, fermented vegetables and other foods. The study by McFrederick's group suggests the newly identified species may help bees in a similar way, inhibiting the growth of fungi inside pollen provisions. McFrederick's group is currently conducting research to further explore this hypothesis.

"Wild bees lay their eggs inside chambers filled with nectar and pollen," McFrederick said. Once an egg has been laid, it may take several days to hatch and an additional week for the larvae to eat through all the nectar and pollen, so it is important that these provisions don't spoil during this period."

McFrederick said it is interesting that the bacteria were able to live on both wild flowers and bees.

"The species we isolated have fairly small genomes and not as many genes as you would expect considering they survive in two different environments," McFrederick said.
A team including physicists from the University of Basel has succeeded in using atomic force microscopy to clearly obtain images of individual impurity atoms in graphene ribbons. Thanks to the forces measured in the graphene's two-dimensional carbon lattice, they were able to identify boron and nitrogen for the first time, as the researchers report in the journal Science Advances.

Graphene is made of a two-dimensional layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. The strong bonds between the carbon atoms make graphene extremely stable yet flexible. It is also an excellent electrical conductor through which electricity can flow with almost no loss.

Graphene's distinctive properties can be further expanded by incorporating impurity atoms in a process known as "doping." The impurity atoms cause local changes of the conduction that, for example, allow graphene to be used as a tiny transistor and enable the construction of circuits.

Targeted incorporation

In a collaboration between scientists from the University of Basel and the National Institute for Material Science in Tsukuba in Japan, Kanazawa University and Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan, and Aalto University in Finland, the researchers specifically created and examined graphene ribbons containing impurity atoms.

They replaced particular carbon atoms in the hexagonal lattice with boron and nitrogen atoms using surface chemistry, by placing suitable organic precursor compounds on a gold surface. Under heat exposure up to 400C, tiny graphene ribbons formed on the gold surface from the precursors, including impurity atoms at specific sites.

Measuring the strength of the atoms

Scientists from the team led by Professor Ernst Meyer from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the University of Basel's Department of Physics examined these graphene ribbons using atomic force microscopy (AFM). They used a carbon monoxide functionalized tip and measured the tiny forces that act between the tip and the individual atoms.

This method allows even the smallest differences in forces to be detected. By looking at the different forces, the researchers were able to map and identify the different atoms. "The forces measured for nitrogen atoms are greater than for a carbon atom," explains Dr. Shigeki Kawai, lead author of the study and former postdoc in Meyer's team. "We measured the smallest forces for the boron atoms." The different forces can be explained by the different proportion of repulsive forces, which is due to the different atomic radii.

Computer simulations confirmed the readings, proving that AFM technology is well-suited to conducting chemical analyses of impurity atoms in the promising two-dimensional carbon compounds.
At first, no one thought to check underground.

When the Tubbs Fire roared through Santa Rosa in October, torching more than 3,000 homes and displacing tens of thousands of residents, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods was Fountaingrove in the hills north of downtown. Residents who had fled for their lives returned to find 1,420 homes leveled amid a nearly unrecognizable landscape.

But deep underneath the mangled cul-de-sacs and ashy lots  and the homes that by some miracle stood through the inferno  another big problem loomed. The wildfire burned so hot that 5 miles of water lines serving 350 homes in the upscale enclave were destroyed.

Some sections of polyvinyl chloride pipe melted, leaching carcinogens into the system. And when the water pressure dropped, ash and chemicals from burnt-out homes were sucked back into the main lines, permanently contaminating them. The polluted zone covers 184 acres north and south of Fountaingrove Parkway around Fir Ridge Drive.

There is no fix, according to the city, which expects to need more than two years and $43 million to replace the entire system, if not more.

The loss of a big chunk of the neighborhoods infrastructure is a vivid illustration of the enormity of the Tubbs Fire  and the profound challenge of recovering from it. The most destructive blaze in state history decimated not only entire blocks, but everything buried beneath them.

To be blunt, a lot of what we are dealing with, no city has ever had to deal with before, said Chris Rogers, Santa Rosas vice mayor, about the contaminated system. Even during our research and talking with experts, there is not a large body of evidence or plans that have been developed to address something of this nature. We are building the plane as we fly it.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

As residents in this part of Fountaingrove grapple with whether to rebuild  and as many of them budget insurance dollars that cover rental units for a maximum of two years  theyre worried the water issues will delay construction and devalue their lot. Or, worse yet, cause an exodus and irreparably change the knitting of the community they spent decades building.

Already, For sale signs pepper the streets that snake past bare lots. There were four homes and 120 lots for sale in all of Fountaingrove as of Friday. Another two homes and 25 lots already have been sold. With no potable water, and no solution in sight, the future looks ever uncertain.

We dont know what is going to happen, said Hans Dippel, 57, who lived on Chateau Court. Before we found out about the water issue, people were planning to rebuild. We got our topography survey done, our soil tests and debris removal and insurance. Now, we are all putting stuff on hold until the city finds out more.

The first calls to complain about taste and odor from Fountaingrove homes rang into the citys water department in early November. By mid-January, officials had cordoned off the 184-acre swath  including 350 service lines, 210 valves and 70 fire hydrants  into an advisory zone.

Officials found benzene, a known carcinogen, in the lines. The contaminated water is so potentially dangerous that residents cannot shower in it, let alone drink it or brush their teeth with it.

The city adjusted utility bills and handed out bottled water to those left in the 13 standing homes within the zone. More than 20 city employees continue to collect 175 samples a day. Theyve gathered more than 3,000, maxing out the capacity of Santa Rosas laboratory. The city has hired three commercial labs to help run a battery of tests on the water.

I dont mean we took a few water samples, said Emma Walton, a water reuse engineer for the city. We have taken thousands of water samples. We are nearly complete with sampling every burned and unburned home in the fire-impacted area. ... Everything we have found to date supports that this contamination is leaching from the plastics of our system.

Hoping to avoid a complete rebuild, officials flushed 1.6 million gallons of clean water through the system. Then they tried forcing a foam device through the pipes to clean them. Neither maneuver worked. The particles are microscopic and sticky, binding to the pipe walls.

Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle

Some service lines  the smaller pipes that connect homes to the main water line  can be replaced. And they have been in more than 50 spots around Santa Rosa, including in ravaged Coffey Park and parts of Fountaingrove. But within the neighborhoods red zone, its not enough.

Tim Anderson, 64, had a contaminated service line feeding his decimated lot in Fountaingrove. Its an easy fix, he knows. He worked as a geophysicist at Sonoma Countys water agency for decades. Still, he is uncertain whether he and his wife will rebuild. Theyve been commuting between the community of Mark West, near her work, and Truckee, where their son has a home. All they want is stability.

Im getting old, he said. We are just anxious to settle down. We lived there for 22 years and had the same neighbors. I know most arent coming back, and those friendships will be broken. Thats the hardest part of it for us.

If he and his wife wanted to rebuild, he said, Theres no certain date as to when water service will be available. Its pretty hard to pay hundreds of thousands to rebuild not knowing if youll have water or not.

Officials dont expect to have a timeline for people like Anderson for another two months. While studying how to replace the underground lines, theyre also looking to create a temporary water connection for residents who are rebuilding.

Twenty-three building permits have been issued in Fountaingrove, and another 18 are in the approval process. Thirteen homes are already going up. Ideally, reconstruction will parallel fixing the underground water network, officials say.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The city wants to expedite the process, but not at the risk of contaminating the new system, said Jennifer Burke, deputy director of the water department. She spoke to a group of angry residents at a Santa Rosa City Council meeting last month.

Initially, we thought we could clear this up pretty quickly, Burke said. After we continued to re-sample, we realized this was a bit more than protocol. ... Based on all the research weve done, weve recognized that this is unprecedented. Others havent had an experience like this.

What keeps Michael Yee up at night is the unknown. He, his wife and their 11-year-old daughter have moved six times since the wildfires hit, from one friends spare bedroom to another. Recently, they moved into a rental unit in Rincon Valley, just southeast of Fountaingrove.

Once, Yee was 99 percent certain his family would rebuild. Then they found out about their spotty insurance coverage and the benzene in the ground. Their home isnt in the contamination advisory zone, but Yee worries the carcinogen could leach into his pipes, too. If the family doesnt decide to rebuild, the lot might sell for less than it is worth.

People are spending thousands on rebuilding, Yee said. The main concern is we dont want to commit if we cant get an occupancy permit, which the city will only issue if the water is clear. Who is going to pay for that process? Its more than $40 million. And will it only take two years? Nobody knows the answers to that.

Some residents cant fathom how their neighborhood can ever fully recover from the blows its taken. In two years  when Blair Maus house no longer smells like smoke, when her neighborhood sounds like a neighborhood again, and when a $5,000 water filtration system is installed in her backyard as a precaution, even though she too is outside the advisory zone  Fountaingrove will be a different place.

Maus, 48, already misses what she had. Sometimes, when she cooked a big dinner, she asked the neighbors over for an impromptu meal. They went on walks together and took turns dropping the kids off at school.

Her home was spared by the Tubbs Fire, but she and her family are living in a Healdsburg rental until smoke remediation is complete this summer. They have to switch out all the doors and windows, too, because heat warped the old ones.

All around, neighbors are vacillating on whether to rebuild or move away. Sometimes Maus considers, too. She worries about the water and about what Fountaingrove will become.

The city said our water is fine, right here, Maus said. But I still dont drink it. Im putting in a water filtration system in our house before we move back in. Water is the most critical thing. How can it just be that one area? Are they sure its no other area?

Were all thinking of leaving, she said. Even if I dont, I didnt sign up to live in a ghost town.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
The anti-war group Code Pink protested Saturday outside the San Francisco homes of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in response to the American-led missile strikes on Syria.

About half a dozen protesters tied banners to the gate of Feinsteins Pacific Heights residence, urging her to stop the bombing! They also chalked messages on the walkway to her front door, telling the senator to enforce the constitution and end these wars now.

The protesters said they used special blue tape to hang their signs that wouldnt leave marks so they wouldnt be accused of defacing.

We have no business meddling in the affairs of another country. The people of the Middle East and Syria have done nothing to the United States, said Eleanor Levine of Oakland, a longtime organizer with the group.

They walked next to Pelosis home, also in Pacific Heights, where their message was the same. Later, the demonstrators were joined by several other groups at Market and Powell streets, where they condemned not only the strikes on Syria, but the U.S. support for Israel and a host of other issues.

Now Playing: Several dozen anti-war protesters against the Syria air strikes carried out by the US, France, and the UK in response to a chemical weapons attack gathered outside the White House on Saturday. Protesters chanted "hands off Syria" and called for peace, not war. The operation by the three Western allies bombed multiple government targets in Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack by the regime of Bashar al-Assad on a Damascus suburb last week. It is the biggest intervention by Western powers against Assad in Syria's seven-year civil war and has pitted the US and its allies against Moscow. Other countries have also seen anti-war protests flare up in the wake of the air strikes. Greek police said that more than 6,000 people rallied in central Athens against the raids, reported the AP. The protesters marched chanting anti-US slogans. Video credit: Twitter/CoffmanSmith Video: Euronews

Pelosi said Trump should have received approval from Congress before the attack on Syrias chemical weapons program that was carried out Friday night by the United States, France and Britain.

This latest chemical weapons attack against the Syrian people was a brutally inhumane war crime that demands a strong, smart and calculated response. One night of air strikes is not a substitute for a clear, comprehensive Syria strategy, she said in a statement. The President must come to Congress and secure an Authorization for Use of Military Force by proposing a comprehensive strategy with clear objectives that keep our military safe and avoid collateral damage to innocent civilians.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Feinstein echoed those comments in a tweet Saturday.

Im continuing to monitor Syria in the aftermath of yesterdays missile strikes, she said. (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) must NOT be allowed to gas his citizens, but Congress also must be consulted regarding use of force. My thoughts are with our servicemen and women in harms way.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
UPDATED: This story has been updated with Chevron's public statement sent at 3:30 a.m.

Bright orange flames lit up the night sky for miles around the Chevron refinery in Richmond on Saturday night as a flaring event let off pressure and burned high above the plant.

"The Richmond Refinery is experience flaring due to equipment failure, which has resulted in a Level 1 incident, Chevron's Patty Canessa said in a statement released earlier in the evening. "There is no offsite impact anticipated and there is no need to shelter in place."

As with other recent flares, Canessa emphasized that, "Flares are a highly regulated safety device monitored by the air district, used in refineries to safely burn excess gas. Our teams of experts are working hard to follow established guidelines to address this issue and we apologize for any concern this has caused our neighbors."

Fenceline.org's air quality monitors around the plant reported 32 parts per billion of sulfur dioxide in the air, but quickly returned to undetectable levels an hour later. Sulfur dioxide is the same compound that burned in previous flaring incidents.

The flare was observed at 11 p.m. and may have been burning far earlier. Richmond fire dispatch confirmed a multitude of calls to 911 reporting the burning on Saturday night.

Intermittent flaring was also reported by Chevron on Feb 8, and air quality inspectors visited the plant after that incident after complaints from the community.

Another flaring event, this one on New Year's Eve last December exceeded a state limit. The flaring then burned off 541 pounds of sulfur dioxide, according to Bay City News.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

While the December flaring exceeded state limits, it did not exceed air district or federal limits. The state, federal government and the air district each set their own limits on flaring.

Air district officials will investigate the flaring more quickly to be sure the company minimizes its flaring in the future, air district spokesman Tom Flannigan said at the time.

Bay City News contributed to this report.
At the Linden Room, the Hayes Valley cocktail bar inside Nightbird restaurant, some cocktails arrive with a small item from the kitchen. One drink, In a Nutshell, is accompanied by a walnut tuille. The base of the cocktail is itself a house-made creation: a nocino, created by general manager Ron Boyd, made with hazelnut and walnut leaves, green hazelnuts and green walnuts. It joins the two worlds of restaurant and bar, and adds a personal touch to the bar experience.

To Boyd, creating dishes and cocktails is a similar exercise. For drinks, you usually start with the spirit, he says. Then you want that midpalate weight, something with sugar, and then you balance it out with bitter or acid, maybe a little salt and dilution.

Just like cooking, says Boyd, it becomes about highlighting and balancing that ingredient.

Boyd would know: He earned two Michelin stars as the executive chef of Aqua. Now, he is one of a growing number of Bay Area chefs who have left behind the kitchen for the bar.

For years now, culinary influences have crept into Bay Area bars, and cocktails have become an important part of the fine dining experience. But while this push has primarily been led by restaurants bartenders, the continued evolution is increasingly being defined by restaurant employees who bring ingredient-driven perspectives: the chefs themselves.

Boyd jumped to the bar side when he joined Daniel Pattersons restaurant group and was tasked with launching the bar program at Oaklands Plum Bar. He immediately began incorporating his chefs farm-to-table ethos into the drinks. Instead of bar standards like chartreuse, Campari and various amaro variations, he made his own liqueurs and infusions. He created a base of mixers that had uniquely Bay Area flavors, like housemade triple sec using local citrus and chartreuse using local herbs. He found that he was able to connect with the purveyors of his ingredients in the same way hed done as a chef.

Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle

2 1 of 2 Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less



Usually when youre cooking, youre dealing with the person whos either making (the ingredient) or growing it, says Boyd. When you know the farmer, youre connected to the product a little bit more.

Isaac Shumway, another former chef who now bartends at Halcyon and Bloodhound, agrees. The chef with the best ingredients has the opportunity to be the best, he says. In his view, a great liquor needs little more than good citrus juice, an appropriate sweetener and bitters to showcase its flavors. Put these in the right balance and you taste each ingredient at its most focused and vibrant state.

Before becoming a bartender, Shumway cooked in three-star Michelin restaurants in Paris, then worked in the kitchens at French Laundry, Quince, Masas and Gary Danko. A Bolognese sauce that his older brother taught him to make after a trip to Italy had ignited his love of cooking, and it was a revelatory Old Fashioned that drew Shumway to the bar. It was at the Alembic, soon after that bar opened. When Shumway tasted how good the simple cocktail could be if made well and with quality ingredients, I left the kitchen and stopped by Alembic every day asking for a job until they hired me, he says.

Even a decade ago, it would have been unthinkable for a chef to leave the kitchen and transition to bartending.

Bartending was a job you fell into and did while in school, Shumway says. It wasnt a craft.

But as cocktails in our region have gained a culinary sensibility, the bar has attracted some of the brightest culinary talents who are able to find a creative outlet in making drinks. Im basically trying to craft a complete and composed dish in every glass, says Larry Piaskowy, the former chef at 15 Romolo and now lead bartender at Villon.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle

The synergy has also brought elements of kitchen service to the bar. I realized how far behind bars really are from a kitchen, says Adam Chapman, Gibsons bar manager and a former executive chef of Cotes in Maine. From how they move, the prep, the way they are designed, how they function during service. At Gibson in the Tenderloin, he makes his bartenders work like a kitchen line.

Some chefs continue to play a dual role between kitchen and bar. At Shed in Healdsburg, culinary director Perry Hoffman is also charged with running the Fermentation Bar, where he creates a range of fermented beverages, including smreka, a floral Balkan tonic made with fermented juniper berries. He prepares fermented kumquats to mix with local sparkling wines and vermouths.

We may not see an exodus of chefs leaving their kitchens to work as bartenders. But those who are bridging both worlds are providing a unique perspective and elevating the quality of drinks and dining experiences everywhere. It can only be good news for drinkers.

And while mixing cocktails might sound considerably easier than composing a complex dish, Nightbirds Boyd finds the simplicity of cocktails more demanding  and more rewarding. If you can make a really unique, tasty drink, balancing three to four different items, he says, I think thats a lot more challenging.

Lou Bustamante is a Bay Area writer and author of The Complete Cocktail Manual. Email: food@sfchronicle.com Twitter: thevillagedrunk
After 15 years doing stand-up, a four-year run with her own Emmy Award-winning sketch series, Inside Amy Schumer, and what must feel like several careers worth of media dust-ups over jokes that have skidded right up to  and occasionally over  the line between edgy and ill-advised, Amy Schumer knows how to keep laughing through a good heckling.

Can I just say what a flattering backlash it was? Schumer said during a recent morning interview with Aidy Bryant of Saturday Night Live to talk about their new movie I Feel Pretty, opening Friday, April 20.

Schumer, 36, joked about her faux appreciation for the critical tweet storm she found herself in after posting the I Feel Pretty trailer in February.

People were basically saying, Youre not fat and ugly and disgusting enough to not feel good about yourself   like the main character she plays  said Schumer, dressed for spring in head-to-toe lavender, her hair up in a neat bun.

In all seriousness, that is really not what the movie is about. Its not described as a homely overweight woman finds confidence. Its about someone who struggles with self-esteem, wants to look in the mirror and just feel OK, which we all do.

Like a lot of Schumers best comedy routines, I Feel Pretty uses a coy, even fairly ridiculous, premise to usher in some powerful skewering of gender issues, specifically the ways women have internalized the message that ones sense of self-worth is wholly dependent on ones weight and beauty.

In I Feel Pretty, which Schumer also produced, she plays Renee Barrett, a woman plagued with insecurity about her looks until she sustains a gruesome (and hilarious) fall at a Manhattan SoulCycle. She wakes from her head injury believing shes been transformed into the most beautiful  and thus the most confident, swaggering, no-guy-out-of-her-league  woman in the world.

Renee promptly picks up a new boyfriend (comedian Rory Scovel) at the dry cleaner, joins an outrageous dive-bar bikini contest and talks her way into a job at an Estee Lauder-like cosmetics empire (where her bosses are Michelle Williams and Lauren Hutton). Bryant and Busy Phillips play Renees BFFs, who cant fathom how their friend  who looks exactly the same as before  is suddenly overflowing with excess confidence and has an inflated ego to match.

Girls are taught at a young age that your value comes in your looks, so you start to believe it, Schumer said. I was very interested in doing something with this positive message that you might just be OK as you are. I wish I could have seen a movie like this when I was 14.

Whereas the early criticism slammed the movie for implying that only something like brain damage could make a woman larger than a size 2 feel OK about herself, that type of thinking is really a sign of this prison we all live in, Bryant said. Its disappointing. I mean, no one thinks more about body image in Hollywood than I do.

Bryant, 30, who grew up in Phoenix and joined SNL in 2012, is open about having felt for my whole life that anyone who looks like me just doesnt exist onscreen  or if they do, theres a tuba underneath them and theyre a full-on hateful punch line. It was truly a radical idea when I finally thought, lets just see what happens if I actually like myself and think Im attractive as is.

What happened is that Bryants career took off in a major way. She believes its no coincidence that as soon as she freed up mental space from body obsession, almost immediately I was hired by Second City, and two years later by SNL.

Bryant has become one of the shows most prominent female stars this season with her recurring characters such as Melanie, the horny tween slumber-party guest, and her Demi Lovato-singing impression of Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Schumer (who just got married to chef Chris Fischer) and Bryant (whos engaged to her longtime boyfriend, comedy writer Conner OMalley) first met when Schumer hosted SNL in 2015, a few months after her blockbuster Trainwreck opened.

Were both good friends with (former cast member) Vanessa Bayer, and we always knew the two of us would become good friends. We just didnt know it would be this fast and furious.

They both agreed feminism can make great fodder for comedy, but they also each expressed frustration with the degree of public fascination with their physical appearance  in other words, exactly why we need a comedy like I Feel Pretty.

Ive made so many jokes about myself, said Schumer, who called herself a blond Shrek (and worse) in her best-selling memoir The Girl With the Lower-Back Tattoo. You couldnt find me on a late-night talk show where I wasnt saying something self-deprecating about my appearance.

When I was a kid dreaming of being on SNL, I dreamt of just doing funny characters, said Bryant, but when you get there, the things were living through are on your mind and you cant help wanting to put them on the show. So suddenly youre playing (the White House press secretary) or facing the challenge, How can I make sexual assault a funny scene with a point of view? Its a really tough task.

Sometimes it feels unfair. Wouldnt I love to be up there just playing a chicken?

Uh, you did that! Schumer said. And still got to kiss Ryan Gosling.

Jessica Zack is a freelance writer who frequently covers film, art and books for The San Francisco Chronicle. Twitter: @jwzack

I Feel Pretty (PG-13) opens Friday, April 20, in Bay Area theaters.
Oaklands propensity for transforming its landscape, skyline and demographics with confounding speed has always made the history of the city an intriguing subject to study and share.

But for some, a fondness of the past isnt what has them digging through Oaklands historical archives.

For Liam ODonoghue, an Oakland resident for almost a decade, sifting through the detritus of past building booms is about learning how to counterbalance the economic forces that displace people.

To illustrate his point, ODonoghue, a podcast host and DJ, teamed with T.L. Simons, owner of Front Group Design, to create Long Lost Oakland  a map that features long-forgotten structures, as well as extinct plants and animals.

Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle

The maps topography dates to 1857, revealing an environment thats been altered by industrialization. You can see that Lake Merritt was once a huge tidal estuary. It all looked very different back then, of course  a medium-size town with cattle trails and a growing waterfront trade that was about to boom with its designation as a major rail terminal.

Oakland is still changing so fast that walking around some of its neighborhoods can be disorienting. You might need a map to navigate the changes, but Long Lost Oakland is more than a map.

Its really an invitation to learn about Oaklands history, an opportunity to engage in a civics lesson. And this lesson  this historical context  is crucial if you want to understand why problems such as economic disparities and housing insecurities exist today.

This map is sort of about grounding ourselves in the place that we live by understanding the history of how we got here, ODonoghue said.

We were sitting in Lukas Taproom and Lounge Bar one evening last month. The restaurant, at the corner of West Grand Avenue and Broadway, used to be the site of the Key Route Inn, one of the buildings featured on the hand-drawn map. The hotel straddled Grand Avenue, and Key cars would go through the building.

Now it seems the two most prominent developments sprouting in Oakland are homeless camps and upscale condos.

If you walk downtown right now, its a construction site, ODonoghue, 38, said. There are cranes everywhere.

Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle

At lunch, downtown is just one big cafeteria for construction workers, said Simons, 35, who drew the map.

Ive learned a lot about one of the cities I cover by listening to East Bay Yesterday, ODonoghues podcast on local history. The Long Lost Oakland project is accompanied by a miniseries of podcasts produced by him.

In one powerful episode, ODonoghue discusses the black migration to the East Bay during World War II.

He tells the story of the diaspora through the history of the Moore Dry Dock Co., the shipyard that attracted blacks from the South looking for sustainable employment  and an escape from the brutal disenfranchisement of the Souths Jim Crow laws.

The company is one of the more than two dozen items featured on the Long Lost Oakland map.

In 1940, Oakland had about 8,500 black people, which was about 3 percent of the citys population, according to ODonoghues research. By 1950, the number had soared to almost 50,000.

But the shipyards in Oakland, Richmond and other coastal cities also drew poor whites from Southern states who brought along their racial attitudes and stereotypes.

There wasnt enough housing for the influx of people, and blacks were subjected to public housing segregation and discriminatory lending policies endorsed by the federal government.

Housing covenants and redlining, the illegal practice of withholding and refusing services to communities of color, kept black people living in unstable neighborhoods.

In The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein, a senior fellow at the Haas Institute at UC Berkeley, connects the flagrant, systemic racism to the inequality that persists in neighborhoods and schools today.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In Oakland, the black population continues to fight housing scarcity, including many who dont find themselves on the street.

According to a survey administered by Alameda County, almost 70 percent of the people living on Oaklands streets are black. Yet black people were just 28 percent of Oaklands 2010 census population. Just 30 years before, black people were 47 percent of the citys population.

We should be asking ourselves: Why is this part of Oaklands history?

We dont ask why enough in this country, said Dorothy Lazard, a librarian at the Oakland Public Library who runs the Oakland History Room. We always talk about the problem, but we can never solve the problem until we ask: Why did this happen? How did this happen? Were not doing that enough.

Lazard, who was featured in the Moore Dry Dock podcast episode, told me that new development erodes what came before.

History is being rewritten very rapidly, but its also being forgotten very rapidly, said Lazard, who was raised in Oakland after her family was forced to move out of San Franciscos Western Addition neighborhood in 1970 because of urban redevelopment. When people have that kind of attitude, it creates this huge and very hurtful and destructive kind of narrative where its an erasure, and thats whats painful about gentrification.

Its happened before. Oakland was built on indigenous land. The Ohlone lived here for thousands of years before colonization. Ohlone shell mounds, sacred burial sites, have been bulldozed by developers.

Part of the reason we did this map is a reaction to whats happening in Oakland, ODonoghue told me. When were thinking about what we want Oakland to be in the future, you have to learn from past mistakes. We have to understand the strategies people used to create the Oakland that we live in now.

We have to understand our shared history.

The colorful map is a reminder that nothing is set in stone.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays and Thursdays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
The steeple of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor, can be seen from his tomb. But it is here, at the heart of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, that you truly feel you are in church. There is a palpable sacredness, the weight of history, that you sense when you enter the grounds. Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by his teachings: the Six Principles of Nonviolence, each one taking up its own wall; excerpts from speeches, both famous and obscure. Even his marble tomb is etched with his own wisdom: Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty, Im Free at last.

Which makes April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of his assassination, especially somber.

Five decades later, the dream he spoke of seems more elusive than ever in a nation whose youth, frustrated and fearful for their lives, have taken it upon themselves to lead the charge against gun violence. It was yet another tragic mass shooting that sparked the March for Our Lives movement, forcing the issue of gun reform to the national spotlight like never before in recent history. But it is the disproportionate number of shooting deaths of members of the black community  so common that they barely get a mention in the larger conversation about gun violence  that go directly against Kings calls for racial and social justice.

I was invited to speak at this ceremony, marking the first of several events commemorating Kings assassination, by the Oakland organization Lead to Life. Together with its co-founders, bronte velez and Kyle Lemle, we would take 50 guns and melt them down to make 50 shovels to plant 50 trees throughout Atlanta in Kings honor. I lost my son, Robby, to gun violence on Sept. 21, 2014, in Vallejo. The foundation I created in his name seeks to reduce gun violence through gun buybacks and transforming the weapons into instruments of hope through our art and vocational programs.

I, along with three mothers from Atlanta and two students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Kai Koerber and Tyah-Amoy Roberts, stood with the Rev. Bernice A. King, the youngest of Kings children, as the audience grew. I was keenly aware that I was the only person who was not of African American descent among the speakers that day. As each person spoke of generations of pain and struggle and injustice imposed upon their communities, and the deaf ears that their cries continue to fall upon, I understood that they were mourning more than their children. They were mourning that the dream King had for their children has yet to be realized.

Atlanta native Nichole Villafane, whose son, Xavier Arnold was the inspiration behind Lead to Life, spoke of the day her son was killed. The 21-year-old Army reservist was walking on a bike trail with his girlfriend when a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man confronted them. The teen was being initiated in a gang and was told to rob the first person he saw. If they resisted, he was instructed to shoot. Arnold was shot in the head. The perpetrators in his case were each sentenced to three life sentences in prison.

Patricia Scott spoke of her son, Raemawn, who died while in custody in the Fulton County jail in Georgia in 2003 at the age of 34. To this day, she says, her questions about the circumstances of his death remain unanswered. She said, Whats happening in our communities today is nothing more than modern-day lynchings.

Beverly Nixon spoke of her grandson, Jamarion Rashad Robinson, whose story was so brutal that it was met with a collective gasp.

The police shot him 76 times, she said, her voice cracking with anger and pain as she described his killing. After he was shot 76 times, they handcuffed him and dragged him down the stairs.

Her family struggles to get his story in the news since he was killed at age 26 on Aug. 5, 2016, she said, so instead they pass out leaflets with the words 76 Bullets in large print next to Robinsons smiling face.

Most often, stories such as these  police-related shootings involving black men, including the recent shooting of Stephon Clark in Sacramento  have received more attention than the everyday incidents of gun violence in black communities. Villafane sees two main reasons for this.

The community feels like, when it comes to black-on-black killings, people dont care, she said. They dont feel theyre going to get attention, so in a sense the community itself has become numb to it.

The second reason, she said, is a mind-set she feels needs to change.

The black community doesnt like to discuss gun violence in our communities, especially black-on-black crime, because they feel like it is another thing that people in the white communities or the government can use against us. But we cant deny the facts. There are more black people killing black people than police officers killing black people.

According to data released by Everytown, an organization that seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence, black Americans make up 14 percent of the population, but are victim of more than half of all gun homicides in the U.S.

Hakeem Brown, Region 2 director of the California Democratic Party African American Caucus (who did not attend the Atlanta events), said its not apathy within the black community, but rather apathy from outside it that is the problem.

People know its there, but due to the nonstop nature of violence in poor communities, I believe everyone, including the media, takes it for granted, he said. In the black community, its an ever-present ache. When we think of gun control, we think of our loved ones lost to unnecessary beefs and other situations that are far too common in poor communities.

The black community wants change. We want the conversation. But we dont control the narrative. Police shootings stir emotions on both sides, so its always a hot story. Another poor person dying in a poor community very rarely moves the needle.

Bernice King issued four calls to action: (1) ban assault weapons; (2) impose stricter background checks; (3) practice parental vigilance over what children are exposed to, such as video games, movies and websites that glorify gun violence; and (4) provide more resources for mental health, particularly among black and low-income populations.

Rudy Corpuz Jr., executive director of United Playaz, the San Francisco organization that donated the firearms to the Atlanta event from a recent gun buyback, agrees with this last point.

When do we get counselors and psychologists or therapists in the hood to deal with our PTSD? he said. Maybe now with gun violence in the news that will change. Maybe theyll see how it affects all people in the human race.

On Monday, the events ended with a March for Humanity starting from Ebenezer church and ending at the Georgia state Capitol. The crowd, too large to even guess its size, sang We Shall Overcome and This Little Light of Mine.

At the Capitol, the ceremony included choirs from Morehouse and Spelman colleges and speeches from the Rev. Al Sharpton, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and members of the King family.

Weve made a lot of progress here in Georgia, Deal said. I know Dr. King would be proud.

There were no cheers.

We have a long way to go, replied a voice from the crowd.

I called for a car to take me to the airport. The driver, 42-year-old Atlanta native Ricardo Portress, asked what brought me to the city. I told him I was invited to speak at a ceremony honoring Dr. King. He responded: Shootings in the black and poor communities happen every day. No one wants to talk about it.

Keeping the dream alive is great, but at some point you have to wake up.

Pati Navalta Poblete is the founder and executive director of the Robby Poblete Foundation: www.robbypobletefoundation.org. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters.
President Trump was more than a little premature Saturday in declaring Mission Accomplished! after the United States, Britain and France fired more than 100 missiles at three chemical weapons storage and research facilities in Syria.

As a belated second-guesser about the invasion of Iraq, Trump should have recalled that regrettable May 2003 moment in which President George W. Bush stood on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and declared just six weeks after the invasion that major combat operations in Iraq have ended with a giant Mission Accomplished banner as a backdrop. The war dragged on for years, and its aftereffects included the rise of the Islamic State group.

Military force, no matter how limited, must be exercised with a coherent strategy  with a clear objective and exit plan  and a certain humility about the limits of even the most powerful and precise weaponry on the planet.

In situations such as Syria, where the potential for rapid mutation into a wider war is pervasive, it also requires the consent of Congress.

The Trump administrations next stop must be Capitol Hill to explain the scope and limits of any further potential action, and to obtain the congressional authorization our founding fathers so widely embedded in the U.S. Constitution.

We have no quarrel with the use of air strikes on chemical weapons facilities after such ghastly weapons were used in a Damascus suburb, reportedly killing an estimated 40 people and leaving another 500 with the telltale signs of burning eyes, breathing problems and white foam coming from their mouths and nostrils. Young children were among the victims.

Give credit to Trump for what he did right: following through on his threat to act if Syria used chemical weapons, and collaborating with Britain and France to help bring broader international support for the mission.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called it a one off attack that severely degraded Syrian Bashar al-Assads chemical weapons program. Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned Saturday that the United States is locked and loaded to strike again if Syria again uses chemical weapons.

But will it be any more of a deterrent than the more limited April 2017 strike involving 59 Tomahawk missiles on Syrian airfields?

That claim remains to be determined. Also unclear is how, if at all, the Trump administration might respond if the Assad regime inflicts equal or greater casualties on civilians with conventional weapons.

Moreover, the Pentagons contention that it had taken out the heart of Assads chemical capability is another open question. That objective was certainly not helped by Trumps telegraphing of his intentions earlier in the week, telling Syria and Russia to get ready for a strike with bombs that would be nice and new and smart. That warning may have given Syrians time to move personnel and materiel out of the way.

The delicacy of the operation was evident in the way U.S. officials emphasized that the targets were selected to avoid Russian military positions, even as Trump chastised Russia and Iran for their alliance with what he called the monster Assad.

Americans can be grateful for the professionalism of its armed forces, and that no U.S. lives were lost in the mission.

As justified as this strike was, the ambiguity in Trumps Syria policy is highly unsettling, especially for a leader of such volatility and impulsiveness. He has put the U.S. role on the brink of serious escalation within days of suggesting he wanted to withdraw all troops from a country mired in civil war.

Before the next missile flies, Trump needs to go to Congress to lay out his plan, allow for a full and forthright debate, and retain its authorization to proceed in a precarious conflict where any misstep could lead this nation into the next foreign quagmire.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
More than any other actor, Stephen Spinella is identified with Tony Kushners landmark epic Angels in America. For five years, starting at the Eureka Theater in San Francisco in 1989 and ending on Broadway, he played Prior Walter, a gay man fiercely battling the depredations of AIDS.

Kushner wrote the part specifically for him, and Spinella eventually made theater history by winning back-to-back Tony Awards: in 1993 for Millennium Approaches, the first part of Angels, and in 1994 for Perestroika, the second part.

Today, in the Berkeley Repertory revival of Angels that opens in previews April 17, Spinella returns to the play, not as Prior but as ruthless attorney/power broker Roy Cohn. The real-life Cohn was the chief counsel in the Army McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, later mentored Donald Trump and was called one of the most despicable people in American history by retired U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. With the character of Cohn, Kushner offers a metaphor for the dark forces in human nature and the social divisions wrought by Reaganomics in the 1980s.

I dont remember ever seeing myself play Roy, Spinella, 61, says during a recent break from rehearsing Angels at Berkeley Reps administrative building in West Berkeley. I think somebody here had the idea, and that was conveyed to Tony Kushner. He called me and said, (Berkeley Rep Artistic Director) Tony Taccone is going to call you and offer you to play Roy. And I said, Roy?

Kushner, speaking by phone from New York, says it was actually his idea that Spinella play Cohn. Its an idea Id had for a long time  that Stephen might at some point do a really great job with Roy.

Spinella, Kushner believes, is one of the greatest actors alive, without exaggeration. I dont think theres anybody alive who has a better ear for text; his facility with language is truly remarkable. The first time I heard him  his voice sort of immediately went into my head. I really think I taught myself to write for actors in collaboration with Stephen.

The first play, Millennium Approaches, is set in October 1985 as Priors lover, Louis, abandons him out of fear. Meanwhile, a colleague, Joe Pitt, is offered a job by deeply closeted lawyer Cohn. Cohn himself has been diagnosed with AIDS and uses his power to secure the drug AZT to battle his disease. The play ends with the arrival of an angel who tells Prior the The Great Work has begun.

The second play, Perestroika, reveals that the Great Work is nothing less than the restoration of Heaven.

Spinella and Kushner met as graduate students at New York University in 1981, and their careers remain interlinked. Spinella acted in the first two plays Kushner wrote at NYU, and later in A Bright Room Called Day and in The Intelligent Homosexuals Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures. When the latter opened at the Public Theater in New York in 2011, Kushner remembers, We were at the cast party and I said to Stephen, You know, your career without me is unimaginable. And my career without you is unimaginable.

Independent of Kushner, Spinella acted on Broadway in Spring Awakening, James Joyces The Dead and A View from the Bridge, and last fall played Andy Warhol in WarholCapote, a two-hander about Warhol and Truman Capote at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass. He lives in Manhattan with his husband, jazz saxophonist David Zachery.

On the day of the interview, Spinella is reserved, tense, clearly preoccupied with building an interpretation of the formidable Cohn. When he received the offer from Berkeley Rep early last year, he balked at first. Part of the reason I never wanted to play Roy is that I dont like being in hospital beds. I dont like those kinds of constraints  I like having my whole body to act with. And in Part II Roy spends almost the entire play in that damn hospital bed.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Spinella also was daunted by the fact that, having co-starred with Ron Leibman in the Roy Cohn part on Broadway, it was difficult to get Rons voice out of my head. Its embossed in my mind.

A number of times, Spinella says, I conveyed to Tony just how scared I was of Roy. At one point he used the word vital, and that was a great catalyst to helping me understand (the character). In the play, as he had in real life, Cohn fights AIDS while vehemently denying he has the disease. Hes an immense, life-filled person who knows hes dying, isnt afraid to die and looks forward to dying, Spinella says. And yet the force in him fights it and fights it.

Asked if hes enjoying playing Cohn, Spinella answers, Oh, very much.

As written by Kushner, Roy Cohn is an actors dream and in some ways a classic theatrical villain. What can death bring that I havent faced? he asks boastfully in Millennium Approaches. Life is the worst. Life is full of horror. Nobody escapes. In the 1993-94 Broadway production he was played by Leibman, who won a Tony for the role; in the 2004 HBO film by Al Pacino, who won an Emmy; and in the current Broadway revival by Nathan Lane.

Whereas Prior Walter, the beating heart of Angels in America, was tailor-made for Spinella, Roy Cohn couldnt be more dissimilar. Spinella is an out gay actor who in his thirties was a member of ACT UP, the activist coalition that used rowdy civil disobedience to expedite changes in AIDS funding, research and clinical trials. Cohn, on the other hand, was a deeply closeted gay man who lobbied aggressively against a New York City municipal gay-rights ordinance that took several years to pass, partly because of Cohns efforts.

Were very different people in a lot of ways, Spinella says, just as I was very different from Prior in a lot of ways. I have a lot more anger than Prior does. But you know, youre always going to have profound differences with characters you play. That doesnt mean youre not capable of what that character is capable of  or that youre not capable of understanding what this is or imagining yourself doing that.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

To prepare, Spinella read Nicholas von Hoffmans 1988 biography Citizen Cohn and watched a 60 Minutes interview that Cohn did with Mike Wallace not long before his death. The hardest part about reading Citizen Cohn was having to put my politics aside and read it from Roys point of view, Spinella says. In the play, Kushner has done that work for me: Hes written Roy from Roys point of view. I have to play him that way.

One of the reasons he finally succumbed to playing Cohn, he says, was a conversation I had with one of Roys proteges, a friend of a friend, who felt the Roy he saw in Angels in 93 didnt have the deep charm that the Roy he knew possessed.

Kushner also sees the duality in Cohn, the tension between the public monster and the man who, in private life, could be a stalwart and passionate friend.

I think Roy has loyalty and a capacity for love, Kushner says, which makes him very different from the current president of the United States, who has neither capacity. Roy is a bad person who has done terrible things, but hes a coherent person. Hes not insane. Hes made a decision to cast his lot with people who are powerful rather than people who are fighting for power.

Edward Guthmann is a Bay Area freelance writer.
Inside and out, the new Chow in Oakland is impressive, with its high-beamed ceiling, concrete floors, wood railings and dozens of what resemble picnic tables. It feels something like a Tahoe lodge.

Under this one roof theres an impressive produce market, with bins of fruits and vegetables spilling out around the entrance; a takeout hot-food counter that includes pizza, roast chicken and organic vegetables; curated packaged products; meat; seafood and wine.

The large kitchen near the center of the space, with a bakery on the opposite side, is at the heart of this ambitious project. It opens into an 85-seat dining room, with another 47 seats outside. Theres also an open-air mezzanine designed so diners can pick up food in the market and take it upstairs to eat, and where they can also order alcoholic beverages and dessert (but nothing from the restaurant menu).

Chow is the realization of a dream by Tony Gulisano, who opened the original Chow near the Castro in San Francisco 21 years ago. Back in 1997, organic and sustainable products were mostly relegated to high-end restaurants. His battle cry was Feed the People, and he offered global comfort food  tacos, Asian noodles, spaghetti and meatballs, and Thai salads at reasonable prices.

That was why, in 2016, I named the original Chow one of the most significant restaurants to open in the last 30 years. Since then Gulisano has followed up with three more (a San Francisco branch has closed). He tested the waters for his ambitious Oakland project when he opened Chow in Lafayette in 2003, a space that includes a smaller market and takeout section.

Like his other restaurants, the menu at the new Chow is filled with global country food, and the most expensive item on the printed menu is $19 for steak frites.

The chef has an impressive vision, and when youre shopping in the market, it feels like a winning combination with most of your food and dining needs under one roof.

However the vision falls apart when you sit down to dine. Its sad to see such an ambitious and exciting project derailed by what appears to be untrained staff and lax managers. Major service snafus were a constant; the only thing that saved Chow so far is that the staff seemed to be trying its best.

On our first visit, main courses  pot roast and mashed potatoes ($16) and grilled prawn Louie ($15)  arrived five minutes before the appetizers, the wedge salad ($9) and tortilla soup ($7). I had to ask three times for the ordered iced tea, and when it finally arrived the waiter apologized and said it was on him.

On another visit we brought the dog and sat outside, but after being seated by the host we waited more than 15 minutes to be acknowledged, even after we went inside to let the host know we were still waiting.

I observed three other unattended tables, ignored by a waiter who was clearly given the task of removing puddles of water on the outdoor furniture. She slowly and methodically wiped down two empty picnic tables, ignoring customers who still didnt have menus.

Stephen Lam / Special to The Chronicle

On this visit the dishes arrived in the right order, though staggered. Two appetizers were served five minutes before the third. Then when we were halfway through our appetizers of baked goat cheese ($9), Thai chicken salad ($13) and fried asparagus and lemon ($9), our main courses began to arrive  first a respectable rendition of chile verde chicken enchiladas ($15), followed five minutes later by spaghetti and meatballs ($13/$15), and then grilled chicken breast ($16).

When the waiter came by to see if we wanted a dessert menu, we ordered immediately, knowing that adding the step of bringing the menu would only increase our frustration. We waited about 10 minutes; the desserts never arrived but the bill did, along with the charges for chocolate pie and ginger cake. It took another 10 minutes to get things straightened out.

The third visit was a variation of the other two with long waits and dishes arriving helter-skelter. Notice that at this point Ive barely written about the food, which illustrates what happens when service is so bad it overshadows everything else.

In this case the lax attitude in the service extended to the kitchen. I love the idea of organic ingredients, but the extra effort is wasted when the food is carelessly prepared. Its too bad because I could discern attempts to rise above the expected with such garnishes as the pea shoots on top of the grilled chicken breast. But again, the execution was flawed because the meat was dry and the potatoes were cool, the same problem that beset the barely lukewarm pot roast ($16) I ordered on the first visit.

Stephen Lam / Special to The Chronicle

The spaghetti and meatballs ($13/$15), one of my favorite dishes at the original Chow, were disappointing. Either my taste has changed or the recipe has strayed from the original. The sauce was bland and the meatballs were a bit mushy, but the main problem was they were still cool in the center. That problem also plagued what would have been an excellent lasagna cooked in the wood oven ($15) with layers of lemony ricotta and tomato sauce. The ratatouille and black-eyed peas accompaniment with the daily fish special ($25.95) was also tepid. However, the sea bass was generously portioned, hot and precisely cooked.

The kitchen is capable of its best in the salads; the produce shines in a classic Caesar ($10) and the Cobb ($14).

Part of the problem is that the menu might be trying to cover too many bases. Theres an all-day brunch section featuring nine items. Then there are four starters, nine salads, four soups and eight sandwiches that include local fish tacos ($12), shrimp poboy ($13) and an exceptional lamb burger ($12) with tzatziki. Thats followed by a half dozen pastas and six main courses.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Stephen Lam / Special to The Chronicle

And theres a kids menu.

Its obviously too much for the kitchen to keep tabs on such a wide-ranging menu, which may be the reason that the courses never came at the same time, and the waiters never knew who got what.

At the end of a meal, there are good choices, including one of the best versions of pecan pie Ive had and an excellent chocolate cake ($9). These are glimmers of what Chow could be. I truly admire what Gulisano is attempting to do, but his ideas are hobbled by inconsistent execution.

 

Chow Food+Bar

Food:  

Service: 

Atmosphere:   

Noise: Four Bells

Price: $$

3770 Piedmont Ave. (at MacAruthur), Oakland; (510) 260-2469 or www.chowfoodbar.com. Open continuously from 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Friday. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and until 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Full bar. Same-day reservations accepted. Lot for market shoppers. Difficult street parking for diners.
WASHINGTON  Congress and the Trump administration are pushing ahead with a plan to raise a towering symbol of dam-buildings 20th century heyday to meet the water demands of 21st century California  a project backed by San Joaquin Valley growers but opposed by state officials, defenders of a protected river and an American Indian tribe whose sacred sites would be swamped.

The fight is over Shasta Dam, at 602 feet the fourth-tallest dam in California and the cornerstone of the federal Central Valley Project, which provides water to cities and farms throughout the state. One of its biggest customers is the Westlands Water District in the arid western San Joaquin Valley, which distributes water to numerous large farms.

With enthusiastic support from Westlands, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress want to raise the dam 18 feet to store more water and guard against losing farmland to future droughts. Some farmers in the valley received no water at all from the Central Valley Project for two straight years during the five-year drought that ended with the winter of 2016-17.

Proponents also argue that raising Shasta would aid salmon runs decimated by its original construction in the 1940s, by storing more cold water to help the remaining downstream fish survive.

Last month, Congress gave the $1.3 billion project a $20 million cash infusion for design and other preliminary work, and the Interior Department declared that construction would start next year.

Michael Macor / The Chronicle

The project has been on the boards for years, but President Barack Obamas administration shelved it because it would flood part of the McCloud River. California law protects the river as wild and scenic because it sustains one of the finest wild trout fisheries in the state. Congress would have to declare in separate legislation that federal interest in raising the dam supersedes the states authority.

The Trump administration is pretty clearly setting up an attempt to override state law to build this project, said Doug Obegi, a water lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group. It hits the holy trinity of destroying Native American sacred sites, violating state law and harming fish and wildlife.

The resurrection of the Shasta project was made possible by a 2016 law sponsored by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. It instructed the interior secretary to take the lead on recommending water storage projects and moving ahead on dam building throughout the West.

Feinstein and McCarthys bill was added as a rider to broad water legislation over the opposition of former Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who spent her last moments in office trying to block it.

Acting under this new authority, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke put Shasta at the top of his list. McCarthy then inserted the $20 million that Zinke requested for Shasta in a catch-all spending bill that Congress passed last month.

John Laird, Californias secretary of natural resources, asked that lawmakers not pursue the project, which disregards California law, and instead work with the state on other water measures the state views as more worthy.

Dam proponents argue that the McCloud River would suffer no major harm. They say only two-thirds of a mile of the river would be inundated, and then only in wet years.

Michael Macor / The Chronicle

The added storage would provide water not just to farms in the San Joaquin Valley, but also to Bay Area cities that rely on Shasta water, they argue.

Enlarging Shasta Dam will provide water supply, water quality and fishery benefits, said Tom Birmingham, general manager of the Westlands Water District.

Westlands supports raising the dam for the simple reason that it is the most cost-effective surface water storage project currently being evaluated in the state, Birmingham said.

Raising Shasta Dam is indeed among the cheapest of the four big dam projects that the state and federal governments have examined for California. All are so expensive that officials think two at most could be built.

The California Water Commission blocked Shasta from receiving any of the $2.7 billion in funding under Proposition 1, a ballot measure voters approved in 2014 to increase the states water storage. The commission is considering three other big dam projects among 11 water storage proposals. All would be in competition with Shasta for federal dollars.

Shasta provides 40 percent of the Central Valley Projects reservoir capacity. Raising it would enlarge its maximum level by 634,000 acre-feet, or about 13 percent.

But that figure exaggerates how much water raising the dam would deliver. Reservoirs dont always fill, and most of the available water is already captured by the existing dam. The federal Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the dam, estimates that raising Shasta Dam would increase water deliveries by 51,300 acre-feet a year on average, and less during droughts.

So its not a very good deal, which is why these projects have not gone anywhere, said Ron Stork, senior policy advocate for the environmental group Friends of the River, which opposes the project.

Raising the dam also would inundate most of what remains of the sacred sites of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, whose lands were flooded when the original dam was built, said tribal Chief Caleen Sisk.

The tribe, which once numbered an estimated 14,000 people, is down to 126 members. Sisk said many of them live in Redding or Sacramento because their ancestral land was flooded and its fish runs blocked by the dam.

The sacred sites include dance grounds, healing rocks and pools in the river. These all have significant spiritual reverence to the Winnemem people, Sisk said.

Raising the dam is going to flood out what we have left, said Gary Mulcahey, a tribe member. People are waiting with a finger on the trigger to file a lawsuit as soon as any decision is made.

California Democrats said the $20 million being spent on construction planing is a waste of taxpayer money because the project will never get state permits to begin pouring concrete. But Congress has the right to preempt state law, and ultimately it could be up to the courts to decide whose authority prevails on the Shasta project.

There are people who are opposed to any project that will help sustain irrigated agriculture, particularly on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, Westlands Birmingham said. Environmental groups can and will file lawsuits for many often spurious reasons. Whether they win those is another question.

Westlands bought the 3,000-acre Bollibokka Fishing Club along the McCloud River in 2007 in anticipation of raising the dam, paying $35 million for the property. It contains many Winnemem Wintu sites and would be inundated by the dam raising.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In a congressional hearing last month, Zinke assured Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, who opposes the project, that none of the $20 million Congress approved will be spent buying the property from Westlands.

Westlands isnt the only district that would welcome the Shasta expansion. The San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority, which supplies water to Santa Clara County, told federal officials that it wanted to share the cost of raising Shasta dam. Doing so would provide a critical state partner for the project.

Seven environmental groups shot off a warning letter to the agency, saying water districts are agencies of the state and are banned from participating in a project that violates California law.

It would have been nicer to see a letter coming thats more, Lets have a dialogue and sit down and figure out are there paths forward, instead of thinly veiled threats to sue people, said Cannon Michael, chairman of the San Luis and Delta Mendota agency.

Michael said the dam has to be raised not just to help farms, but also fish.

Although dams are the chief culprit behind the calamitous decline of the states native fish species, three-quarters of which are threatened, the Bureau of Reclamation argues that dams can help fish by mimicking natures springtime influx of cold water into rivers and streams. Providing cold water to salmon has become one of Shasta reservoirs key functions, and the bureau lists helping fish as one of the main benefits of raising the dam.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service disagreed, saying in documents obtained by environmental groups that the benefit to fish was not substantial and that further restricting the Sacramento, McCloud and Pit rivers that flow into the reservoir would inflict more damage.

Michael said climate change is making it harder for both fish and farms to survive, and that raising Shasta Dam would help both.

We know climate change is going to make it almost impossible for (freshwater) fish to survive in the Sacramento River as the temperatures continue to warm, he said. Dam operators are taking the lions share of Shasta for cold water, and it still doesnt appear its going to be enough if we continue with climate change.

There is one dam-raising project that has drawn enthusiastic backing from environmental groups: expansion of the Los Vaqueros reservoir near Livermore. It promises to be a source of water for San Joaquin Valley wildlife refuges that often go dry in drought years.

The wildlife refuges in the San Joaquin Valley never receive all the water they need to support Pacific Flyway birds and other wetlands creatures, said Rachel Zwillinger, water policy adviser for the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife.

Opponents of raising Shasta Dam fear it will divert money from such projects.

This project was dead, said Stork of Friends of the River. Some people were thankful for that because their project then has a chance for more money.

Then the election happened.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead
The anti-war group Code Pink protested Saturday outside the San Francisco homes of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in response to the American-led missile strikes on Syria.

About half a dozen protesters tied banners to the gate of Feinsteins Pacific Heights residence, urging her to stop the bombing! They also chalked messages on the walkway to her front door, telling the senator to enforce the constitution and end these wars now.

The protesters said they used special blue tape to hang their signs that wouldnt leave marks so they wouldnt be accused of defacing.

We have no business meddling in the affairs of another country. The people of the Middle East and Syria have done nothing to the United States, said Eleanor Levine of Oakland, a longtime organizer with the group.

They walked next to Pelosis home, also in Pacific Heights, where their message was the same. Later, the demonstrators were joined by several other groups at Market and Powell streets, where they condemned not only the strikes on Syria, but the U.S. support for Israel and a host of other issues.

More for you Trump draws praise from GOP establishment, angers base and Democrats after Syria strike

Pelosi said Trump should have received approval from Congress before the attack on Syrias chemical weapons program that was carried out Friday night by the United States, France and Britain.

This latest chemical weapons attack against the Syrian people was a brutally inhumane war crime that demands a strong, smart and calculated response. One night of air strikes is not a substitute for a clear, comprehensive Syria strategy, she said in a statement. The President must come to Congress and secure an Authorization for Use of Military Force by proposing a comprehensive strategy with clear objectives that keep our military safe and avoid collateral damage to innocent civilians.

Feinstein echoed those comments in a tweet Saturday.

Im continuing to monitor Syria in the aftermath of yesterdays missile strikes, she said. (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) must NOT be allowed to gas his citizens, but Congress also must be consulted regarding use of force. My thoughts are with our servicemen and women in harms way.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
California Highway Patrol /

All lanes of southbound Highway 101 were reopened Sunday morning after a driver crashed into a guardrail and overturned, resulting in lane closures for nearly 40 minutes in San Rafael, authorities said.

The collision occurred just before 10 a.m. near the Francisco Boulevard exit, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Rev. Jay Williams, who took over from the Rev. Cecil Williams as lead pastor less than a year ago, announced his resignation Sunday from Glide Memorial United Methodist Church.

All of us have appreciated the chance to get to know Rev. Jay as a colleague, a friend and a pastor, the church wrote on Facebook. Our community has benefited immensely from his intellect, his faith and his kindness. We wish him happiness and fulfillment as he follows his heart and continues his journey.

Before taking the helm as lead pastor at Glide in July 2017, Williams, who is not related to the Rev. Cecil Williams, was the lead pastor at Union United Methodist Church in Bostons South End for five years.

He did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his plans for the future.

I love this place called GLIDE because its an ideal, its a people, its a dream. I love GLIDE. But sometimes loving means leaving, Williams said Sunday through the churchs Twitter page.

He announced his resignation during the 9 a.m. sermon.

The church said that Williams will leave the church in the coming weeks and that Bishop Minerva G. Carcano will take over during the transition.

Williams succeeded as lead pastor the 88-year-old Cecil Williams  who had retired in 2000, at the mandatory retirement age of 70 for United Methodist Church pastors, only to be rehired as minister of liberation by a Glide congregation until Williams took over the role.

The reverend is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. He served as the pastor of the Glendale UMC in Everett, Mass., from July 2009 to September 2012. He previously was the assistant minister of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, N.Y., from June 2007 to June 2009.

He received his doctorate in the study of religion from the Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in May 2017 and his masters of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2009.

His bachelors degree was in comparative study of religion from Harvard College in 2003.

Before Williams embarked on a spiritual path, he was an assistant vice president in the private banking division of Merrill Lynch.

His interests are focused on theology, social ethics and African American religion, according to Glides website, and he works to help disinherited folks find their voices.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
St Lowitsch / Getty Images

A 70-year-old man was transported to the hospital Sunday morning after a fire broke out at a San Francisco hotel, authorities said.

The blaze was reported just after 9 a.m. at the Europa Hotel & Hostel, at 310 Columbus Ave., according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
PNC/Getty Images

An Marin County Fire Department ambulance carrying an injured cyclist to the hospital collided with a private vehicle in San Anselmo Saturday morning, requiring three ambulances to be sent for the ambulance.

Three people were treated at Marin General Hospital following the collision on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Broadmoor Avenue, which occurred at 9:47, police said. Traffic in the area was tied up for hours.
Newspaper publishers across the U.S., already strapped by years of declining revenue, say theyre dealing with an existential threat: Recently imposed tariffs on Canadian newsprint driving up their business costs.

The tariffs are a response to a complaint to the U.S. Department of Commerce from a hedge fund-owned paper producer in Washington state, which argues that its Canadian competitors are taking advantage of government subsidies to sell their product at unfairly low prices. The tariffs, imposed in January and increased in March, are not permanent yet. But newspaper publishers are bracing for another blow to an industry that has shrunk with the loss of advertising revenue to the Internet.

Critics of the paper tariffs say the businesses that will ultimately be harmed are not Canadian paper producers, but U.S. newspapers that will have to cut staff and reduce publication days to afford higher prices of newsprint  the sheets newspapers are printed on. The newspaper industry employs just over 150,000 Americans, which is about 276,000, or 65 percent, fewer than two decades ago.

To get an unbudgeted increase of this magnitude will be for many publishers very, very serious to catastrophic, said Tom Slaughter, the executive director of the Inland Press Association, which represents about 1,500 daily and non-daily newspapers in every state.

A large metro newspaper can expect annual increases of about $3 million in printing costs, according to Paul Boyle, senior vice president for the News Media Alliance. While larger papers might be able to survive the increase, Boyle said smaller publications might not.

Ive heard from small publishers whove said, Im worried about shutting my doors, he said.

Boyle said his organization  formerly called the Newspaper Association of America  is compiling a survey from its members, and nearly every publisher is exploring layoffs and scaling back news coverage.

Steve Stewart, publisher of the State Journal in Frankfort, Ky., told readers in a March 30 column that the newspaper they were reading cost 10 percent more to produce than a few weeks earlier and could cost as much as 40 percent more in a few months. He said this will result in fewer pages, higher subscription costs and less local content.

The newsprint tariffs reflect President Trumps tough new approach to U.S. trade relations. Trump is engaged in a tense standoff with China over Beijings sharp-elbowed attempts to gain access to U.S. technology. Hes trying to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. And his administration has wrangled with Canada directly over low-priced Canadian timber imports, Canadian barriers to U.S. dairy farmers, and now cheap Canadian newsprint.

The International Trade Commission is expected to make a final determination on the tariffs in August or September.

Ivan Moreno is an Associated Press writer.
Two men were killed in unrelated shootings early Sunday in Oakland, authorities said.

The first shooting occurred around 1 a.m. at Soons Cocktail Lounge at 3449 Fruitvale Ave., said Michael Jaeger, an investigator with the Oakland Police Departments Homicide Unit.

Gunfire broke out inside the lounge, and one man, a 25-year-old Pittsburg resident, was declared dead at the scene. His identity was not released.

Another man, who was not identified, was also shot and transported to a hospital. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Authorities declined to comment on the circumstances leading up to the shooting, and no arrests have been made.

We dont have any information yet for a suspect, Jaeger said. Still looking for people to come forward to give us more information.

Shortly later, another man was fatally shot on the 2700 block of East 10th Street, Jaeger said.

The victim, an Oakland resident, was not identified pending notification of next of kin.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting were not immediately known, Jaeger said. No arrests have been made.

The shootings appear to be unrelated, Jaeger said.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
California Highway Patrol /

Someone inside a sport utility vehicle opened fire while a California Highway Patrol officer was conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 580 in Richmond Saturday evening, a spokesman for the agency said.

By early Sunday, no arrests had been made and the investigation was ongoing, said Officer Matt Hamer, a CHP spokesman.
A Milpitas man driving a stolen car was arrested Saturday in Danville after a brief police chase that ended with him crashing the vehicle, officials said.

Danvilles automated license plate reader system notified police shortly before 3 p.m. that a white 1998 Nissan Maxima, stolen out of Oakland, was driving through the city, according to a statement from Danville Police Chief Allan Shields.
SALT LAKE CITY  It toured the world for two years with rock powerhouse U2, towering above the band across 30 countries and before a combined audience of 7.2 million people.

But soon, the dome-shaped metal stage structure known as the Claw, which stands as tall as Niagara Falls, will have a new home outside a Utah aquarium, where the sounds of blaring guitars and drums will be replaced by screeches and giggles from children eager to see sharks and stingrays.

Instead of rock icons, the Claw will loom over interactive science exhibits at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in suburban Salt Lake City, which opened in 2014 and hosts 625 different species of animals.

The futuristic-looking, four-legged structure is 165 feet tall and weighs 190 tons. It will be the centerpiece of a planned expansion dubbed the Science Learning Campus.

In its new life, it can still function as a stage, but thats not really what its there for, said Brent Andersen, the Draper aquariums founder and CEO. Its to help get people into that state of mind and that sense of curiosity and wonder, and help us shine a light on our mission on educating people about Earths diverse ecosystems.

Andersen saw the structure twice during U2s worldwide 2009-11 360 tour, once in Barcelona, Spain, and once in Salt Lake City.

When I first saw it, I literally stopped, and I had to take it all in, he said.

The structure sat unused for years in an East Coast storage yard after the tour ended, but Anderson envisioned it fitting perfectly into the aquariums design for the plaza at the center of its expanded campus.

Its all part of a $25 million expansion that Anderson hopes will increase aquarium attendance by as many as 40,000 people per year. Andersen wouldnt disclose the Claws price but said it accounts for a small fraction of the overall total.

Construction for the new Science Learning Campus is expected to begin this fall, with a goal of opening the outdoor plaza by next summer.

Julian Hattem is an Associated Press writer.
BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana is one of only two states in the country allowing a non-unanimous jury to convict a defendant of a felony, and a Louisiana lawmaker says it is time for the practice to end.

State Sen. J.P. Morrell says the unusual rule is a remnant of the Jim Crow era, stemming from a constitutional convention in 1898 and long-standing efforts to maintain white supremacy after the Civil War. And he wants a change.

This is something that is wholly unnecessary that was born of this fusion of racism and disenfranchisement, he said. Its a self-defeating, illogical position to have two jurors say we dont think he did it, then prosecutors to say we met our reasonable doubt standard.

The New Orleans Democrat has proposed a constitutional amendment to require all 12 jurors in felony cases to agree on a verdict. The measure is gaining steam at the state Capitol.

Serious felony trials in Louisiana, including some murder cases, can be resolved when 10 out of 12 jurors agree on a persons guilt. Even Oregon, the only other state to allow split verdicts in felony cases, requires a unanimous verdict in murder cases. Morrell said the non-unanimous jury policy was instituted in order to minimize the voice of African American jurors.

Angela Allen-Bell of the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge said the current system results in fast-tracking people into prison. Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the county. We are not making careful decisions of who is guilty, she said.

It is difficult to gauge how many people have been imprisoned in Louisiana on split decisions, as not all prosecutors in the state maintain information on how juries vote. Some divided jury verdicts have been detailed in the press, such as the 10-2 conviction of a man who fatally shot retired New Orleans Saints star Will Smith and wounded his wife. The Advocate newspapers analysis of felony trials over six years showed that 40 percent of 993 convictions came from split juries.

Sen. Mack Bodi White, a Republican who voted against the bill in committee and in the Senate, said that requiring unanimous juries may lead to more hung juries and costly retrials. Judges often force jurors to continue deliberations for days, making them hash the issues out until holdouts fall in line or a deadlock ends the case with a hung jury.

I know its different in a jury trial but its hard to get 12 out of 12 people in these times to just about agree on anything, White said.

Morrells measure passed the Senate by a single vote over the two-thirds margin needed to advance constitutional amendments through the Legislature. It now moves to the House of Representatives, the more conservative of the two chambers, for what Morrell expects to be a challenge. If it passes the House, it will go to a public vote in the fall.

Anthony Izaguirre is an Associated Press writer.
NEW YORK  A lawyer who burned himself to death in a grisly protest against ecological destruction was a nationally known gay rights advocate and lead attorney in a famous case involving transgender murder victim Brandon Teena.

The charred remains of David Buckel, 60, were found in a meadow in Brooklyns Prospect Park at dawn Saturday. He left a suicide note in a shopping cart near his body, writing that he hoped his act would bring attention to the need to protect the environment.
All lanes of eastbound Interstate Highway 580 have reopened after a police officer witnessed a drive-by shooting this evening in Richmond.

A CHP officer was conducting a traffic stop on eastbound 1-580 west of Central Avenue when a white SUV passed by and a suspect allegedly started firing shots.
GEYSERVILLE (BCN)

A body found along the Russian River in Geyserville Friday evening that originally appeared to be a suspicious death no longer appears suspicious, sheriff's officials said today.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office got a call around 6:14 p.m. that a dead body had been found along the Russian River east of a residence in the 21000 block of River Lane, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's deputies and Geyserville firefighters went to the scene. Detectives initially felt the death appeared suspicious and asked detectives for the Violent Crimes Investigative Unit to help, sheriff's officials said.

At the detectives' request, the scene was sealed overnight, as it was getting dark. Detectives guarded the scene overnight until it was light enough to see.

After examining and processing the scene this morning, detectives said the death no longer appears suspicious, according to sheriff's officials.

The coroner's office also responded and independently arrived at the same conclusions, sheriff's officials said.

The dead person has been identified and his or her identity will be released after the family has been notified, according to the sheriff's office.
FAIRFIELD (BCN)

A man barricaded himself and was arrested Friday night after police responded to a shooting that morning in Fairfield.

Police began receiving calls of a possible shooting at about 9 a.m. in the 4400 block of Central Place. Everyone had fled when officers arrived, but police said witnesses showed them bullet strikes that had gone into a building.

During the course of the investigation, police said they identified the suspect as Michael Conard, a 37-year-old Fairfield man. They located him at a home in the 2800 block of Rose Court.

A SWAT team was called to serve the search warrant at 11:30 p.m. due to the nature of the suspected crime, police said.

Conard barricaded himself inside the house when the SWAT team arrived. The officers used noise flash diversionary devices and other "less lethal tools" to get Conard to exit the house, police said in a news release.

Police said Conard came out of the house and surrendered to SWAT personnel after being barricaded for one hour. The man had a gunshot wound to his foot after the morning shooting, and he was first taken to the hospital to get medical clearance.

He was then booked into Solano County Jail for assault with a firearm, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and multiple weapon violations.

Police said in a news release that Conard is a convicted felon and has a "lengthy, violent criminal history."

No other information will be released at this time because the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfield police at (707) 428-7600.

###
FAIRFIELD (BCN)

Officers arrested a 79-year-old man who citizens had reported walking around with a gun in his hand in Fairfield Friday, police said today.

Dale Atkins of Vallejo was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries he suffered during the arrest, police said. He was then booked into the Solano County Jail.

People called 911 around 8 a.m. reporting a man with a gun on Business Center Drive near Green Valley Road, according to police.

Officers found the man standing on the sidewalk with nothing in his hands, police said. The officers believed he was still armed, and police said he did not respond to commands they gave over a police public address system.

The officers used multiple "less than lethal options" to take the man into custody, police said in a news release.

The officers found a loaded .38 caliber revolver in the man's pocket, police said.

Officers obtained an emergency gun violence restraining order barring the man from having firearms and ammunition. With the assistance of family members, police said they secured an additional firearm and ammunition.

###
BERKELEY (BCN)

Police are asking for the public's help for more information on two shootings that occurred just minutes apart on Thursday night.

According to police, the first report of multiple shots fired occurred around 9:39 p.m. in the 1600 block of Russell Street near two different addresses. Police said multiple callers reported the shooting. Responding officers found evidence that shots were fired, including property damage, but didn't find any victims of gunfire.

A few minutes later, police said another call of a shooting came in at 9:48 p.m. in the 2900 block of Mabel Street, but responding officers didn't find any victims on the scene.

Anyone with information on the case or who is willing to share surveillance video of that time period is asked to call Berkeley police at (510) 981-5741.

###
PALO ALTO (BCN)

Palo Alto police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who allegedly robbed a Comerica Bank in Palo Alto on Friday afternoon dressed as a construction worker.

According to police, the man entered the bank just after 5:25 p.m. Friday. He allegedly brandished a handgun in his waistband to a teller in her 50s and demanded money.

When the teller went to a back room, the suspect grabbed cash from an open cash drawer and fled, police said. No customers were inside the bank when the robbery took place.

Police describe the suspect as a white man in his 30s, who is at least 6 feet tall, and was last seen wearing a bright orange sweatshirt, black jeans, sunglasses and a white construction.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Palo Alto police at (650) 329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can leave a voicemail or send a text to (650) 383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.

###
RICHMOND (BCN)

A proposal for a Richmond casino has finally been put to rest in a settlement reached Thursday accompanied by a judicial ruling that the city need not pay damages to the Native American tribe that proposed it.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers approved the settlement in federal court in Oakland. The action ends a long-running dispute between the city and the Guidiville Rancheria tribe over the 270-acre former Navy depot at Point Molate near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

The settlement provides that when the land is sold at Point Molate, the proceeds will be split 50-50 between the city of Richmond and the plaintiffs in the case, who include the tribe and Upstream Development.

"This is not the end, but hopefully it is the beginning of the end, of a process that began 22 years ago," Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said in his email newsletter, a widely read community bulletin.

"What we have is a road map to the eventual development of Point Molate as a vibrant recreational asset to Richmond and a successful new neighborhood that will provide homes, create jobs and provide much-needed revenue for the city," Butt said.

The original Navy facility shut down in 1995 and was sold to the city for $1. In 2004, the Ukiah-based Native American tribe proposed a $1.2-billion hotel and casino on the site, with a three-acre gambling hall.

Voters rejected the proposal in 2010 in a hotly contested citywide advisory referendum, Measure U, with a 57.5 percent vote against it. The City Council formally rejected the plan in 2011.

In response, the tribe sued for $750 million in damages, claiming that it lost millions. The suit dragged on for more than a decade, and Thursday's ruling finally put the lawsuit to an end.

The city can now consider alternative plans for the area, including building residential units at the site and preserving open space in the area, which is located close to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge at the Point Molate exit and includes the ruins of old winery buildings.

###
Taiko drumming, Japanese classical dancing and a ramen-eating contest were among the events on Saturday's bill for San Francisco's 51st Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which began Saturday morning.

The festival, which runs this weekend and next weekend, kicked off at 11 a.m. Saturday in Japantown at Post and Buchanan streets with a wide variety of performances and presentations.

Saturday evening was 2018 Cherry Blossom Queen Program Night at the AMC Kabuki 8 at 1881 Post Street.

The crowning event of the festival is coming up next weekend - the Grand Parade on Sunday. The parade begins at the Civic Center at 1 p.m., proceeding up Polk Street and ending at Japantown at Post and Fillmore streets.

The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms at one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States.

A suspect has been arrested in a San Francisco hit-and-run that sent a woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Aliitasi Alapati, 41, a San Francisco woman, was arrested and booked into the San Francisco County Jail Thursday on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, driving on the sidewalk, reckless driving and concealing evidence, according to police.

The case began around 8:20 a.m. March 28 when officers went to the area of Bernal Heights Boulevard and Folsom Street on reports of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, police said.

The officers found a woman being treated for life-threatening injuries, and learned that she had been hit by a car, according to police.

As police investigated the collision, witnesses came forward with information and evidence, including video of the event, according to police. Officers got a search warrant and Thursday seized the alleged hit-and-run vehicle and arrested the suspect, police said.

While an arrest has been made, the investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call the police tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Santa Rosa police arrested a Rohnert Park man Thursday on suspicion of having sex with a minor, a police sergeant said.

Laiken Tully James, 21, was prohibited from using social media and required to stay away from minors as part of his pre-trial supervision in a pending sex with a minor and pimping case, Sgt. Terry Anderson said.

A police detective learned on April 4 that James recently may have been sexually involved with a juvenile who was reported as a runaway, Anderson said. The detective's investigation that included searching social media and cellphone records found evidence of James' interactions with the runaway juvenile, Anderson said.

James was interviewed Thursday and arrested and booked in the county jail on suspicion of two counts of sexual intercourse with a minor three or more years younger. His bail in both cases is $200,000, Anderson said.

James is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Monday in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the Police Department's domestic violence and sexual assault tip line at (707) 543-4040.

A body found along the Russian River in Geyserville Friday evening that originally appeared to be a suspicious death no longer appears suspicious, sheriff's officials said Saturday.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office got a call around 6:14 p.m. that a dead body had been found along the Russian River east of a residence in the 21000 block of River Lane, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's deputies and Geyserville firefighters went to the scene. Detectives initially felt the death appeared suspicious and asked detectives for the Violent Crimes Investigative Unit to help, sheriff's officials said.

At the detectives' request, the scene was sealed overnight, as it was getting dark. Detectives guarded the scene overnight until it was light enough to see.

After examining and processing the scene Saturday morning, detectives said the death no longer appears suspicious, according to sheriff's officials.

The coroner's office also responded and independently arrived at the same conclusions, sheriff's officials said.

The dead person has been identified and his or her identity will be released after the family has been notified, according to the sheriff's office.

A man barricaded himself in a home and was arrested Friday night after police responded to a shooting that morning in Fairfield.

Police began receiving calls of a possible shooting at about 9 a.m. in the 4400 block of Central Place. Everyone had fled when officers arrived, but police said witnesses showed them bullet strikes that had gone into a building.

During the course of the investigation, police said they identified the suspect as Michael Conard, a 37-year-old Fairfield man. They located him at a home in the 2800 block of Rose Court.

A SWAT team was called to serve the search warrant at 11:30 p.m. due to the nature of the suspected crime, police said.

Conard barricaded himself inside the house when the SWAT team arrived. The officers used noise flash diversionary devices and other "less lethal tools" to get Conard to exit the house, police said in a news release.

Police said Conard came out of the house and surrendered to SWAT personnel after being barricaded for one hour. The man had a gunshot wound to his foot after the morning shooting, and he was first taken to the hospital to get medical clearance.

He was then booked into Solano County Jail for assault with a firearm, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and multiple weapon violations.

Police said in a news release that Conard is a convicted felon and has a "lengthy, violent criminal history."

No other information will be released at this time because the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfield police at (707) 428-7600.

All lanes of eastbound Interstate Highway 580 have reopened after a police officer witnessed a drive-by shooting Saturday evening in Richmond.

A CHP officer was conducting a traffic stop on eastbound 1-580 west of Central Avenue when a white SUV passed by and a suspect allegedly started firing shots.

The CHP said the officer was not hit, but a Ford sedan was hit by one of the bullets. No injuries have been reported.

A Sig-alert was issued for police activity at 7 p.m. and cancelled at 9:19 p.m.

The investigation is currently ongoing and no further information is available.

A family of six was displaced from their home after a small house fire broke out in San Lorenzo Saturday evening.

Alameda County firefighters extinguished the one-alarm blaze in about 10 minutes after arriving in the 17200 block of Via San Ardo at 6:37 p.m., according to fire department spokeswoman Aisha Knowles.

She said the flames started in a converted garage and spread into the attic. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No injuries were reported and the Red Cross will assist the family with temporary shelter.

A fire above a barbeque restaurant in Walnut Creek Saturday evening was likely an accident caused by a malfunctioning light fixture, fire officials reported.

Contra Costa County fire officials received calls at 6:10 p.m. reporting a fire at the upstairs unit of Sauced BBQ and Spirits at 1410 Locust Street.

The restaurant is located in the ground floor of a two-story building. Everyone evacuated the restaurant and no patrons or firefighters were injured, according to fire spokesman Steve Aubert.

Firefighters determined the top floor of offices was also clear and the flames were completely extinguished by 6:35 p.m.

Four fire engines, two trucks and two battalion chiefs responded to the scene.

###
OAKLAND (BCN)

A town hall gathering is slated for Monday evening for East and West Oakland residents on the subject of illegal dumping in the city's flatlands, according to organizers.

The East Oakland Congress of Neighborhoods has scheduled a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the St. Anthony's School Gym, at the corner of East 15th Street and 16th Avenue.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and several City Council members have confirmed attendance for the meeting, organizers said. The aim of the meeting is to ask that the city budget be revised to include money to pay for more cleanup crews, inspectors and lighting, and to address known hot spots for dumping, according to organizers.

###
Nikon D5300

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: Excellent photo quality, a great feature set, and speedy performance put the Nikon D5300 ahead of the pack.

The bad: The default settings could be better and Live View is still really slow to use.

The cost: $400 to $482 (body only)

The bottom line: The Nikon D5300 is a great choice as a general-purpose DSLR.

Nikon D5600

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: This has excellent photo quality for its price, and performance that keeps up with kids and pets.

The bad: It may be too small for larger hands and the timer turns off after every shot in single-shot mode.

The cost: $879 to $950 (with 18-140mm lens)

The bottom line: Lightweight and compact with everything the family photographer needs, the Nikon D5600 maintains its position as a great general-purpose DSLR for its price class.

Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D delivers reasonable photo and video quality and respectable performance in a time-tested body.

The bad: Relatively large compared to other cameras in its class, and its photos arent as sharp as competitors.

The cost: $729 to $849 (with 18-55mm lens)

The bottom line: For a step up in photo quality or performance from a phone or compact, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D remains a fan favorite.

Nikon D3400

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The Nikon D3400 delivers the image quality and speed that a first-time DSLR buyer should expect.

The bad: A lot of the small annoyances from previous models remain, including tiny autofocus points in the viewfinder and a nonpersistent self-timer mode. Plus, its Bluetooth-only wireless solution isnt very good.

The cost: $399 to $500 (with 18-55mm lens)

The bottom line: Very good photo quality for its class plus performance fast enough to capture kids and pets make the Nikon D3400 A solid choice for a first DSLR.

The following Cnet staff members contributed to this report: Lori Grunin and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit www.cnet.com.
DAMASCUS, Syria  The leaders of Russia, Iran and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon said Sunday that Western air strikes on their ally, Syria, have complicated prospects for a political settlement to the countrys seven-year conflict.

A day after the U.S., Britain and France bombarded sites they said were linked to a chemical weapons program, Syrian President Bashar Assad appeared briefly on state TV, seemingly unfazed by the military action  and even reportedly in high spirits.

He told a group of visiting Russian lawmakers that the strikes were accompanied by a campaign of lies and misinformation against Syria and Russia in the U.N. Security Council.

Moscow and Damascus are waging the same battles against terrorism and to protect international law based on respect of the sovereignty of countries and the wills of people, Assad said in comments carried by state media.

Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin, who met with Assad, said he appeared upbeat and believed the air strikes would unify the country.

Russia and Iran have called the action a military crime and an act of aggression. The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the aggression by the U.S., France and Britain.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and they agreed the Western air strikes were an illegal action ... adversely impacting prospects for political settlement in Syria, a Kremlin statement said.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying The U.S. and some Western countries do not want Syria to reach permanent stability.

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the U.S. has yet to present evidence of what it says led to the allied action: a chlorine gas attack on civilians in Douma on April 7 that killed more than 40 people. The U.S. says it suspects that sarin gas also was used.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Sunday said new sanctions would be announced Monday against Russia, which she said has blocked six attempts by the U.N. Security Council to make it easier to investigate the use of chemical weapons.

Everyone is going to feel it at this point, Haley said, warning of consequences for Assads foreign allies.

The international community will not allow chemical weapons to come back into our everyday life, she said. The fact he was making this more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop.

Haley appeared on Fox News and CBS.

Bassem Mroue and Sarah El Deeb are Associated Press writers.
Heres some sobering news: A large international study says adults should average no more than one alcoholic drink per day, and that means drinking guidelines in many countries may be far too loose.

The study found that people who down more than seven drinks a week can expect to die sooner than those who drink less.

What this is saying is, if youre really concerned about your longevity, dont have more than a drink a day, said David Jernigan, a Johns Hopkins University alcohol researcher who was not involved in the study.

While the U.S. government currently recommends no more than seven drinks a week for women, the recommendation for men is 14 drinks. Thats because earlier studies found women are hit by the effects of alcohol at lower amounts than men for several reasons, including women weigh less than men on average and blood alcohol concentrations rise faster.

The new study estimates that 40-year-old men who drink as much as the current U.S. guidelines allow can expect to live one to two years less than men who have no more than seven drinks per week.

Canada and Sweden have guidelines similar to those in the U.S. set by the Department of Agriculture. Some countries have much higher ceilings. Spain and Romania set the upper limit for men at the equivalent of 20 drinks each week, for example.

British guidelines were like the U.S. standards until two years ago, when U.K. health officials brought the recommendation for men down to the level for women.

The study is a serious wake-up call for many countries, Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation said in a statement. The group partly funded the study, which was published last week by the Lancet journal.

The research combined results from 83 studies conducted in 19 countries, tracking nearly 600,000 people who drank alcohol. The researchers focused on who developed  and died from  stroke and different forms of heart disease.

The researchers found a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other problems among heavier drinkers. That may partly reflect that alcohol can elevate blood pressure and alter cholesterol levels, the researchers said.

Mike Stobbe is an Associated Press writer.
MOSUL, Iraq  More than 1,000 bodies have been buried in a mass grave in a desert valley outside Mosul, most of them believed to be Islamic State group militants, according to a provincial official. More remains are being dug out of the rubble of the district where the fighters made their final stand last year.

Hundreds more bodies are still strewn across or buried in the Maydan district nine months after it was flattened in the final battles to retake Mosul, creating one of the grimmest scenes from a brutal war that was compared to the worst urban combat of World War II.

During a recent visit by the Associated Press, pieces of desiccated bodies, often in shreds of fighters uniforms, were visible scattered in the ruins, which are also laced with unexploded bombs and unused suicide belts. One man lay crushed under the wreck of a car, his legs sticking up in the air.

Most of the bodies appeared to belong to Islamic State fighters killed by air strikes or shelling, their remains half-buried. But there were also women and small children. The body of baby girl lay on the balcony of a half-collapsed building, covered by bits of rubble.

The scene is testimony to Iraqi authorities lack of resources and the overwhelming task they face in just digging out from the destruction wreaked across Mosul in the 9-month offensive by Iraqi forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition that finally defeated the militants. Multiple neighborhoods suffered heavy damage. Clearing rubble is largely financed by the United Nations development agency, and repairs are proceeding slowly. In some areas, streets have been cleared but many buildings remain shattered.

Maydan is at a further disadvantage because Iraqi officials dont appear to see removing bodies as a high priority. The provincial councils office said clearing the area was the job of the civil defense; the civil defense said it was the job of the morgue; the head of the morgue declined to comment.

Faris Abdulrazzaq, mayor of Maydan, said the failure to clear the area  not just the bodies, but also the huge amount of unexploded ordnance  was preventing residents from returning to rebuild what they can, as others have in other districts.

I wonder why all these government officials are leaving this problem to fester all this time, he said. This is the first thing they should take care of.

Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces dropped vast amounts of explosives to break Islamic State fighters resistance last July in the last weeks of the assault that freed Mosul from the militant groups rule. The fighters held out the longest in Maydan, a neighborhood of tiny, winding alleyways and closely built homes.

Bashar al-Kiki, the head of the provincial council for Nineveh governorate, said the municipal government had no resources to clean up the site. The bodies are collected by civilian volunteers, then taken to a mass burial site near Sahaji, a town west of Mosul, he said. He estimated that 1,000 bodies had been buried.

Balint Szlanko is an Associated Press writer.
1 Spain secession: Hundreds of thousands of Catalan separatists rallied in Barcelona on Sunday to demand the release of secessionist leaders being held in pretrial detention. Nine separatists are in prison awaiting trial for their roles in last years failed breakaway bid by the region. Police said 315,000 people participated in the protest. An opinion poll published by the Catalan government in February said support for independence had decreased to 40 percent from near 49 percent in October.

2 China hostage: An Air China flight bound for Beijing was diverted to central China on Sunday after a passenger held a flight attendant hostage using a pen as a weapon, authorities said. All passengers and crew on Flight 1350 made it safely off the plane after it landed in Zhengzhou city. The flight had taken off from Changsha in Hunan province. The Civil Aviation Authority of China said in a statement only that the matter was successfully handled, but did not provide any details. Police in Zhengzhous Henan province said the alleged hostage-taker had a history of mental illness. He was arrested.
Wealth management behemoth AMP will join the big four banks under the microscope in the second round of hearings from the royal commission into the finance sector that will focus on financial planning scandals.

The banking royal commission will over the next two weeks turn its investigation to a range of issues that has beset the financial advice sector including fees for no service, inappropriate financial advice, inappropriate conduct and issues with investment platform fees.

AMP will be a key focus of the second round of hearings at the banking royal commission this week.

Yet some big named institutions in the sector with financial planning issues in recent times  including Macquarie will not be used as case studies neither will the inappropriate behaviour of planners within the Commonwealth Bank network.

Mondays hearing before Commissioner Kenneth Hayne, QC, is expected to begin with an opening statement by the counsel assisting the royal commission, most likely by senior counsel Rowena Orr, QC.
A Sydney lawyer who ran the popular Sydney cafe Bar Coluzzi may face disciplinary action after he was fined close to $100,000 for allegedly forcing an employee to pay back thousands of dollars in wages as part of a cashback scheme.

Fairfax Media understands the NSW Law Society may investigate the conduct of Tibor Vertes to determine if he has brought the legal profession into disrepute.

The NSW Law Society could then refer Mr Vertes to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for possible disciplinary action.

The Federal Circuit Court has fined Mr Vertes and his company Robit Nominees close to $100,000 after an employee was allegedly forced to pay back thousands of dollars in wages as part of a cashback scheme.
Her clients, who declined to be identified, were released eight hours later because of lack of evidence of a crime, she said, adding that the Starbucks manager was white. Loading The incident is a dramatic turn for a company that has positioned itself as a progressive corporate leader and touts "diversity and inclusion"  efforts that have also drawn its share of criticism. Last year, the company vowed to hire 10,000 refugees, drawing calls for a boycott, mostly from conservatives who said they should focus on American-born employees as well as hiring military veterans (though Starbucks had already started an initiative in 2013 to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses). Wimmer said the man whom the two men were there to meet, Andrew Yaffe, runs a real estate development firm and said he wanted to meet the men to discuss business investment opportunities. In the video, he arrives to tell police that the two men were waiting for him.

"Why would they be asked to leave?" Yaffe says. "Does anybody else think this is ridiculous?" It's absolute discrimination." Melissa DePino, who recorded the viral video of the incident, told Philadelphia magazine that the men did not escalate the situation. "These guys never raised their voices. They never did anything remotely aggressive," she said. Phone videos, including DePino's, show the men sitting and calmly speaking with officers. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson has offered to meet two black men who were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks store. Credit:The Seattle Times via AP Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat, highlighted the company's role in the incident. In a statement on Saturday, he noted that the omnipresent coffee shops are known for being community hubs for people who do not necessarily buy anything.

"I am heartbroken to see Philadelphia in the headlines for an incident that  at least based on what we know at this point  appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018," Kenney said. "Like all retail establishments in our city, Starbucks should be a place where everyone is treated the same, no matter the colour of their skin." The company response, he said, was not enough, and he directed the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations to review Starbucks policies and determine whether the company would benefit from training for implicit bias  unconscious discrimination based on race. Starbucks employees serve coffee at the annual meeting of shareholders in Seattle in March. Credit:The Seattle Times via AP Kenney said little about the response of his police force beyond mentioning an ongoing review from Police Commissioner Richard Ross.

Ross, a black man, defended the actions of the officers in a Facebook Live video on Saturday, saying the officers asked the men three times to leave. "The police did not just happen upon this event  they did not just walk into Starbucks to get a coffee," he said. "They were called there, for a service, and that service had to do with quelling a disturbance, a disturbance that had to do with trespassing. These officers did absolutely nothing wrong." Starbuck, which has long touted its social values, is engulfed in a race-related scandal. Credit:AP Ross said that he is aware of implicit bias and that his force provides training, but he did not say whether he believed it applied in this case. He added that police recruits are sent to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington to learn more about the struggle of blacks and minorities throughout history.

"We want them to know about the atrocities that were, in fact, committed by policing around the world," Ross said. The moment has drawn comparisons to civil disobedience protests during the civil rights movement, when black Americans' refusals to leave segregated lunch counters were met with police force. An employee said that Starbucks policy was to refuse use of the bathrooms to non-paying members of the public and that the men were asked to leave. A Starbucks official said there was no company-wide policy on the issue, leaving the procedure to be decided by local managers. The manager wanted police assistance to remove the two men but regretted that the incident escalated into an arrest, the official said. The official acknowledged that the incident is at odds with what many people have routinely done at a Starbucks without drawing suspicion or calls to police. The stores are "community" hubs, the official said, where people often drop in to use the internet or chat with friends and do not necessarily order anything.
He introduces himself as a journalist who's spent his life "travelling the world, watching wars and trying to make sense of conflict". His name became associated with the struggle for journalistic freedom in 2013 when he was arrested in Egypt on dubious terrorism charges, along with two colleagues from Al Jazeera. They were subjected to a trial that provoked international condemnation and were convicted. Greste was released in 2015.

Walkley award-winning journalist, author and academic Peter Greste's two-part documentary is, in part, a portrait of an influential innovator and lauded soldier whose strategies revolutionised approaches to battle. But it's also much more. This profile of a multi-faceted man whom Greste describes as "an improbable hero", Jewish civil engineer Sir John Monash, is also a study of two families, an account of Australia's involvement in World War I and an examination of the nature of warfare. It's handsomely assembled and thoughtfully produced, infused by Greste's reflections on memory, identity and combat.

Like his subject here, Greste has German ancestry and this chronicle of Monash's life is interwoven with the discoveries he made about his own family during the research. Specifically, it follows the fates of the Fankhausers, four great-uncles on his mother's side who all enlisted.

Greste tracks Monash's military career, from his time as a militia volunteer to his departure for war as a colonel commanding 4000 men. He was involved in the Gallipoli campaign and then ordered to the Western Front in Europe, experiencing the mud, blood and carnage of the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium. The first episode also covers the battle at Villers Bretonneux, ending with the adoption of Monash's strategy for what turned out to be the pivotal Hamel offensive.

As he moves through the ranks, assuming responsibility for greater numbers of soldiers, Monash is seen as a dynamic force and an inventive strategist. Not everyone, however, is an admirer and Australia's official war correspondent, Charles Bean, apparently shared his concerns about Monash with the highest levels of government.

In his quest to understand his estimable subject, Greste seeks out the views of a range of experts. A number of soldiers, historians and biographers are interviewed, including Vietnam War platoon commander, former politician and Monash biographer Tim Fischer, battlefield historian Matt McLachlan, military historian and German army veteran Matthias Strohn, and Australia's retired commander of special operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Paul Burns.

Monash's voice is also heard (or at least conveyed by actor John Howard) as he was a dedicated diarist from his teenage years and Greste is able to draw upon an extensive archive of diaries and letters.
Even before the weekend heatwave and the unseasonable Sydney bushfires in mid-April, the Bureau of Meteorology's climate experts had clearly seen enough.

The bureau broke with tradition at the end of last week and released a Special Climate Statement, before the remarkable autumn heatwave of 2018 had fully subsided.

With more records since, an update is likely within days. Notable numbers include Australia beat its previous hottest April day by more than 0.6 degrees, with the whole country averaging just a tad under 35 degrees on April 9.

During the event, Victoria broke its April record for heat and set its 10 hottest April day-time temperatures at various sites.

For NSW, it was six out of the top 10 hottest April days, including the state's first two readings in April above 40 degrees.
A Canberra Lotto player is more than $580,000 richer, but they may not know it yet.

The mystery punter bought one of seven winning tickets in Saturday's division one Lotto draw and is yet to claim their $580,653.79 prize. The ticket was purchased at Westfield Belconnen's Nextra newsgency.

NSW Lotteries players are being urged to check their tickets after a mystery Canberra player won more than $580,000. Credit:NSW Lotteries

The ticket is not registered to a Players Club card, so NSW Lotteries officials have no way of contacting the winner.

NSW Lotteries spokesperson Matt Hart urged Canberra Lotto players to check their tickets as soon as possible.
A Canberra man is facing several charges after allegedly stealing an acquaintance's dogs, then threatening two people with a gun.

ACT Policing said the 37-year-old Kambah man was due to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with cruelty to animals and three counts of using an offensive weapon.

Police said they were called about 11pm on Saturday after reports of a disturbance outside a house.

When officers were arrived, they were told the man had stolen an acquaintance's dogs and harmed one of them.

It is alleged the dogs' owner confronted the man, who pointed a gun at him and another person.
Inside one of the rooms at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. Credit:Rohan Thomson

After a week of sunshine that temperature sure did drop yesterday. Today we're headed for a cloudy top of 20. It doesn't look like we'll be getting much rain again this week, with only a medium chance of rain forecast for Saturday.

Welcome to Monday, I hope it's a good start to the week for you.

A former staff member at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre has described how he was ordered to restrain a young boy, tie the boy's hands with plastic zipties, and then lock him in his room.

"The boy spent the next 15 minutes rolling around on the floor crying as he continued to trip over whilst trying to stand up with his hands tied behind his back," Mark Fletcher told Fairfax Media.

"The staff present found this very humorous for some reason."

Mr Fletcher left the detention centre in 2016 and has criticised the government's response to allegations of abuse of inside the facility.

Steven Trask has the full story here.
Police have found a reported missing Canberra woman safe and well.

The 22-year-old had been reported missing and last seen in Gundaroo, but had been found by Sunday evening.

Police thanked the public for their assistance.
Melhuish says she decided to use the essay as the basis for Salut! Baroque's next concert, performing works by some of the composers praised and panned by Avison and including readings from his work by Canberra actor Colin Milner.

Musical criticism of the scathing kind is nothing new. Salut! Baroque co-artistic director Sally Melhuish says British composer Charles Avison's An Essay on Musical Expression (1752) is credited as being the first music criticism published in English. In it, the Newcastle-based composer controversially divided categorised composers into three "classes" and his often withering assessments of their talents caused such a stir he became alienated from the London music scene.

In the first and lowest class, Avison places Vivaldi, Tessarini, Alberti and Locatelli, " whose compositions, being equally defective in various harmony, and true invention, are only a fit amusement for children; nor indeed for these, if ever they are intended to be led to a just taste in Music".

Avison goes on to write, "Under the second class, and rising above these last mentioned in dignity,may be ranked several of our modern composers for the Opera. Such are Hasse, Porpora, Terradellas and Lampugniani. Though I must take the liberty to say, that besides their too little regard to the principles of true harmony, they are often defective in one sense,  I mean, by an endless repetition of their subject, by wearing it to rags, and tiring the hearer's patience."

If you're beginning to wonder which composers Avison does like, he also writes: "Of the third and highest class of composersare Vinci, Bononcini, Astorgo and Pergolesi.The frequent Delicacy of whose airs is so striking, that we almost forget the defect of harmony, under which they often labour. Their faults are lost amidst their excellencies; and the critic of taste is almost tempted to blame his own severity, in censuring compositions, in which he finds charms so powerful and commanding."

The program will also include music by Handel ("Our illustrious Handel, to suit public taste, sometimes descends to the lowest"), the "graceful and spirited" Jean-Philippe Rameau and the "sublime" Antonio Caldara,

"I was interested to see that some of the composers Avison praised in his list of "highest class of composers" are relatively unknown today," Melhuish says, though she adds, "We will leave it to the audience to make up their own minds about the worth of the composers on our program!"
A report released last week revealed the percentage of non-European, non-Anglo-Celtic university vice-chancellors in Australia rose from zero to 2.6 per cent between 2016 and 2018.

But far from signalling significant change, the increase was driven by a single appointment: the University of Canberra's recruitment of Professor Deep Saini to its top job in September 2016.

Professor Deep Saini was Australia's first non-European, non-Anglo-Celtic vice-chancellor. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

The Australian Human Rights Commission's Leading for Change report found almost 75 per cent of Australian vice-chancellors were Anglo-Celtic and about 23 per cent of a European background. None were Indigenous.

Professor Saini, born in India's Punjab state, first learnt the signficance of his appointment at a farewell ceremony for former University of Canberra vice-chancellor Stephen Parker, who noted in his speech that his successor would be the first ever non-white Australian university head.
Education Minister Julie Bishop has urged all states to follow NSW's lead and support reforms to school teachers' pay.

Ms Bishop is due to meet her state and territory counterparts in Darwin next week, where she will demand they implement performance pay for teachers or risk losing $3 billion in federal funding.

The minister has proposed paying teachers performance bonuses based on a combination of student results and feedback from parents and pupils.

The idea of performance or merit pay does not sit well with the powerful teachers' unions, who regard it as divisive.

But the NSW Labor government, re-elected a fortnight ago, appears to be warming to the idea.
The companys multibillionaire founder, 33-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, is acutely aware of this, although, perhaps through arrogance, it took him several days to react to the revelation that 87 million users may have had their information improperly accessed. Facebook has been allowing partners to pilfer not only users personal information but that of all their contacts. And that is self-evidently not OK on many levels  including security, transparency, accountability and ethics.

Subtle subterfuge has aided the rise of what has rapidly become one of the worlds most valued companies; investors love it. But the profitability those investors have been punting on is now threatened; the unethical and potentially illegal mining of data by a third party, political research mercenaries Cambridge Analytica, poses an existential threat to Facebook.

Almost all of Facebooks 2.2 billion users (11 million in Australia) are, given the recent privacy scandal, aware that they are the product - and that they pay with their time and data for using the worlds biggest social network.

Mr Zuckerberg has switched to damage control mode, and has switched his trademark hoodie and jeans for the sleek suit in which hes been fronting, under oath, a probe by the United States Congress during which hes proffered that regulation of social media has become inevitable. Self-regulation and consumer sovereignty are preferable to government intervention. However, the Cambridge Analytica affair is but the latest and Mr Zuckerberg is a serial promiser of redress. Senator Dianne Feinstein asked why Cambridge Analytica was not denounced and dumped years ago when Facebook discovered it had misused the platform. Senator Kamala Harris asked why Facebook only divulged after the media learnt of the abuse a few months ago. ''In retrospect, we clearly view it as a mistake that we didn't inform people,'' Mr Zuckerberg replied. ''Knowing what we know now, we should have handled a lot of things differently.''

Consumer sovereignty cannot be exercised if crucial information is, in effect, concealed. Facebook brings evident benefits valued by many users. The cost, though, is anything but evident.

So, what should happen? First, and most importantly, the default operating premise of Facebook and others should be inverted; users should have to opt-in to sharing their data rather than having to search the fine print for a way to opt-out. Second, people should be given clearly documented and user-friendly tools to manage their data. Many of those who have, in the murky wake of the scandal, downloaded the information Facebook has gathered and shared with advertisers, political operatives and other agenda-driven clients are staggered by the extent not only of the data but by the sheer number of third parties which have accessed it.

Next, calibrated fines should be introduced. Huge companies such as Facebook, Google and Apple, all of which harvest users data, should be liable to proportionate fines for knowingly misusing data, but start-ups and smaller firms should not face annihilation and undue red tape. Finally, users should have the option of retaining all of their data, in return for a fee. Facebook currently makes about $30 per user per year, after operating costs.

The internet has brought to the world magnificent benefits. They can be buttressed, while the associated risks and costs can and should be crimped. Minimalist regulation would do this by making things far fairer for consumers.
Racegoers at Warwick Farm were astonished when Almas Fury, usually a complete flop when it came to racing on a wet track, scored an upset win in the rain in February 2013.

But the shock win proved to be a bonanza for one punter, Edward Ridgway from Sydneys Northbridge, who won $56,000 after an outlay of $1600 on Almas Fury.

That bet, along with 77 others, is now the subject of criminal proceedings as it is alleged big-time punter Steve Fletcher was behind the bets.

Punter Steve Fletcher is facing 78 fraud charges in the wake of a Police Integrity Commission inquiry. Credit:Peter Rae

Stephen Charles Fletcher, 47, from Darlinghurst, has been charged with 78 counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
The Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, has requested safety investigators conduct a review of a train service that ran close to bush fires in south-west Sydney on Saturday.

Go a bit faster, was the appeal of one passenger on board the train travelling between Glenfield and Holsworthy, with the nearby flames and smoke captured in video uploaded to social media.

Its jumped the line already, a passenger said in the video.

The fire had threatened homes in south-west Sydney on Saturday. On Sunday morning, authorities had downgraded warnings to a watch and act status.
A man has died after crashing into a power pole and rolling his car south-west of Brisbane.

The 56-year-old lost control while driving along the main road of his hometown, Rosevale, in the early hours of Sunday.

Forensic specialists are investigating, police said.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man has died after rolling his car just after midnight on Sunday at Brightview, west of Brisbane.

Police say the vehicle left the road and rolled a number of times.
A former finance broker has pleaded guilty to seven counts of giving false information and one fraud charge at the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday for swindling people with poor credit histories into getting car loans.

Corporate regulator Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) alleged that between January and April 2013 Peter Lachlan McDonald of Get Approved Finance provided the lender Esanda (a business then owned by ANZ) information that falsely represented clients.

Former finance broker Peter Lachlan McDonald pled guilty to seven counts of giving false information and one fraud charge Credit:Louie Douvis

...between January 2013 and April 2013, Mr McDonald, in the course of brokering four motor vehicle finance contracts, provided the lender Esanda with information that falsely represented that persons, who had in fact only agreed to be loan guarantors, were the applicant borrowers who would ultimately own the vehicle to be financed, ASIC said in a media statement.

Mr McDonald was accused of telling the lender that people who had only agreed to be loan guarantors were actually going to be the ones getting the loans.
The breakthrough result in the Queensland election in November, where the Greens won their first seat in the states parliament, seems a long time ago. In the federal sphere, the Greens underperformed at the 2016 election. In NSW, where the party is also riven by infighting, talk of the Greens unseating Labor frontbench stars Tanya Plibersek and Anthony Albanese from their seats of Sydney and Grayndler in 2016 came to nothing. Federal support is static, in the words of one of their NSW state MPs. Federal leader Richard Di Natales long-term dream, expressed late last year, of 25 seats in Canberras House of Representatives seems on current form to be just a dream. Comparisons to the Australian Democrats - the third force in Australian politics that burned brightly before imploding - may be premature, but the critics are circling and Di Natale needs a strong electoral showing, at state or federal level, and soon, to shut them up.

Trouble is, its not clear where that ballot box success is going to come. Back in Melbourne, salvaging anything from the wreckage of Batman at the next federal election, due next year at the latest, looks unlikely. The adjoining seat of Wills, where the Greens almost prevailed in 2016, is set to get tougher with a boundary redistribution likely to move thousands of Greens voters out of the seat. Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam remains chipper, in public at least, about her partys chances in November's state poll. We have an incredible team of MPs and candidates who will potentially hold the balance of power in both houses of Parliament, she told ABC Radio on Wednesday. She might be right. Despite everything, the Greens only need a few things to fall their way and they could have four lower house seats, well in contention for balance-of-power status after what is expected to be a close contest.

The margin of more than 5 per cent won by the Greens Lidia Thorpe in Novembers Northcote byelection should be enough to see her hold the seat and her colleague Ellen Sandell is considered very likely to be re-elected in neighbouring Melbourne. Brunswick is within reach for the Greens as Labor loses the personal vote of the charismatic former minister Jane Garrett, who will not contest. But the Greens Sam Hibbins won Prahran by just 262 votes in 2014 and faces a strong challenge from the Liberals who want the seat back. Greens Leader Richard Di Natale Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The other key target seat, Richmond, also presents as a tough assignment for the Greens with sitting member and planning minister Dick Wynne going around again.

If the Liberals, as expected, do not run candidates in the key Labor-Greens inner city battles, the balance is tipped in the Greens' favour, the conventional wisdom goes, although it did not play out that way in Batman. Labor politicians, under electoral pressure from the Greens in inner-city seats in Melbourne and other big cities, have a common whinge about their upstart challengers; that the Greens are a brand, a fashionable one, next to impossible to campaign against. But brand Green is set to be tested in Victoria like never before. If the Victorian Greens were a footy player - with allegations of bullying, sexism and racism flying around - the sponsors would be running a mile. The repair job is becoming urgent.

Di Natale has set up a review into the Batman debacle, which has left the Greens Darebin branch in a state of open civil war. The review is to report back on May 29, but is unlikely to soothe the savagery in Darebin, the nations largest Greens local branch. As they prepared for a meeting on Saturday of their State Council, the partys state hierarchy tried again to pour oil on their troubled internal waters. Party members should give each other the benefit of the doubt and trust in the Greens processes, but be sceptical of media reporting, State Co-convenor Colin Jacobs urged. Jacobs, who is married to Ratnam, conceded that significant damage has been done to the reputations of long-standing Greens members without the benefit of any proper, transparent, and just process.
Liberal MPs are fuming and embarrassed over a push from within their own branches for the promotion of gay conversion therapy and removal of discrimination protections for gay people, with one MP describing it as a "dark" throwback to the 19th century.

The Victorian Liberal Party's state council will debate a motion calling for the law to be changed to ensure doctors "can offer counselling out of same-sex attraction or gender transitioning", as Fairfax Media revealed at the weekend.

The proposal, from a Young Liberal branch linked to veteran federal MP Kevin Andrews, also says the state government should give parents and minors "full information about the psychological harms of social, medical and surgical gender transitioning".

Loading

A separate motion from the Geelong senior branch calls for "sexual orientation" to be removed entirely from the federal Sex Discrimination Act, enabling discrimination against LGBTI people, and replaced with the terms "man" and "woman".
The Turnbull government is urging Britain and other Commonwealth nations to step up their engagement in the Pacific amid concerns about the growing influence of China, calling for a shift in thinking on billions of dollars in aid funding.

The new message highlights Britains exit from the European Union to make the case for a stronger Commonwealth presence in the Pacific Islands based on shared beliefs in freedom and a commitment to the rule of law.

The call comes after the construction of a mammoth port in Vanuatu fuelled concerns about Chinas ability to extend its naval power in the region, triggering a denial from the Vanuatu government that it would support any such military plans.

Vanuatu has come under pressure from China.

International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells will point to the United Kingdoms $23 billion foreign aid budget as a reminder of the need for British support for Pacific nations and other Commonwealth members at a time of big shifts in global affairs.
A battle at the industrial umpire between Home Affairs department staff and their bosses will enter its final stages on Monday as the main public sector union makes a new proposal that could bring forward a Fair Work decision.

The Community and Public Sector Union will leave unchanged its primary position on wages and conditions, but as the case reaches closing arguments it will offer the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission an alternative should it decide not to accept either party's arguments in full.

The fight over a new workplace deal has been complicated by the 2015 merger between Customs and Immigration. Credit:Joe Armao

Under the alternative position, the union would agree to treat some of the conditions of staff at the former Australian Customs and Border Protection Service separately from those in the former Immigration Department.

Our position on the key elements of this dispute remains absolutely unchanged," the CPSU said.
No charges will be laid following a federal police investigation into the "unbelievably negligent" disappearance of hundreds of classified documents from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's department.

The country's most senior public servant, Martin Parkinson, is under pressure to explain how the documents disappeared from within his department inside a locked cabinet sold at a second-hand furniture sale in Canberra, ultimately winding up in the hands of ABC journalists.

ASIO staff deliver a safe to the ABC's Parliament House bureau on February 1. Credit:ABC screen grab

Mr Turnbull has said he wants heads to roll over the incident, which he described as "a disgraceful, almost unbelievable act of negligence" that beggared belief.

That will now be an internal matter for his department after the Australian Federal Police confirmed it had finished investigating the issue and would not lay charges.
The changes introduced an open market trading scheme for poker machine authorisations, and a phased reduction in the number of machines in the territory. The intention to reduce the number of machines dates back to 2012, with a target set at 4000, then a per-capita ratio was to be held. But unless there is a much greater reduction in the number of machines, and their withdrawal from the suburbs, placing a cap on numbers or setting a per-capita ratio is at best tokenistic and will almost certainly have no effect on poker machine use or problem gambling.

To start, the ACT has one of the lowest gambling machine tax rates for clubs of comparable jurisdictions, as the ACT Taxation Review found in 2010. Tax revenue from gaming machines would need to increase by $20 million to reach the national average. The review recommended increasing tax, which was agreed by the government, but six years on, ACT tax rates are an effective average of 19.9 per cent of gaming machine revenue, while the Australian average is 29.9 per cent.

By way of example, data published by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission shows that in 2014-15, the Canberra Tradesmens Union Club operated 400 poker machines, with each generating an average of $22,125 in net revenue ($8.805 million in total). In 2015-16, while the number of machines in the club decreased to 347 (or by 13 per cent), its net revenue increased to $25,599 per machine ($8.883 million in total). In other words, the remaining machines just became more efficient at generating revenue.

Prima facie, a market trading scheme would appear to be a reasonable way of allowing the market to allocate licenses across operators and venues, subject of course to some regulatory clearances. In the ACT, there is a particular issue, however, in that the existing licenses were granted at nominal cost  a grant of privilege with considerable value and in effect a licence to print money. The value of this privilege can be calculated as the net present value of the cash streams from each machine over its life.

Our analysis shows that the 489 poker machines in the Canberra Labor Club group have the highest value, at an average of $346,889 per machine. For the Spanish Australian Club, each of its 14 machines has an average value of just $20,755. The following table shows that the eight large club groups in the ACT, generating 87 per cent of the net revenue, have machines valued at $282,301 each on average. For medium-sized clubs (100 to 200 machines), each machine is valued at $186,011, and for small clubs (fewer than than 100 machines), the value of each machine on average is $100,672.

Clubs are of course entitled to the varying revenue streams that determine the average value of their machines. A question that this analysis begs  in fact it might be described as the $64 million question  is how does, and indeed should, a market trading scheme deliver a windfall gain to the clubs which operate poker machines?
Tokyo: China and Japan resumed high-level economic talks on Monday after a hiatus of nearly eight years in a sign of improving ties in their often-frosty relationship.

Led by their foreign ministers, the two sides met in Tokyo for what was billed as the fourth Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, and the first one since August 2010.

Asia's two largest economies have reason to cooperate in the face of President Donald Trump's moves to impose tariffs on imports from their countries and his demands that they open their markets more to American exports.
Washington: President Donald Trump's approach to Syria seems to be guided by a principle that has shaped so many of his administration's policies during his time in office: Do the opposite of his predecessor.

President Barack Obama had set a "red line" regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria and then backed away from military action.

To Trump, the move was emblematic of Obama's weakness. "If President Obama had crossed his stated Red Line In The Sand, the Syrian disaster would have ended long ago!" he tweeted last Sunday as his defense secretary was preparing a military response.

The presidents dilemma is that strength and resolve do not necessarily equal a well-thought-out Syria strategy. Credit:AP

On Friday, Trump struck Syria for the second time with a missile barrage to punish Syrian President Bashar Assad for the use of chemical agents on civilians.
The question of course is whether this justifies the USs breaking of international rules and taking upon itself the punishment of a wayward member of the UN.

In this case, OPCW confirmation of chemical use at Douma would probably have gone nowhere because of Russia opposing any military action against Syria.

First, is in relation to adherence to the rules-based global order that Australia promotes. The US-led military action against Syria short-circuited the official process whereby the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons conducts its own investigation of a suspected breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention , before reporting to the UN for any UN-sanctioned action.

Second, is whether we should be prepared to support all US military actions when they are sometimes questionable or poorly thought-through, particularly when they could include a request for Australian military involvement  which was not the case here. Our military contributions will never be large enough to make a difference to the US, so it is essentially a desire on the part of the US to make a US-led military coalition look more credible internationally - and an ANZUS-propping up activity on our part.

The downside for Australia is the commonly-held international perception that we do not have an independent Australian strategic posture or that we invariably modify our policies to ingratiate ourselves with Washington.

With regard to our 2014 involvement in the US-led coalition against Islamic State, there was always the potential for a violent backlash by IS sympathisers in Australia, and by IS-affiliates against Australians elsewhere. That probability did not seem to be part of the decision-making process prior to our commitment. We might still have felt a moral obligation to act given the brutal excesses of IS - but its caliphate was far removed from our main areas of strategic interest.

We therefore need to think very carefully about what is in our national interest when it comes to our overseas military commitments and the next American military adventure, whether it be in the Middle East, North Asia or elsewhere - particularly if it puts Australia on a strategic collision course with China.

Third, US military actions in the Middle East can of course have knock-on economic effects for Australia, particularly when they affect the price of oil. Australian oil consumption has been increasing while our production has been declining to the point where our consumption is more than double our production.
Jerusalem: A drone that took off from Syria and penetrated Israeli airspace in February was armed and on an Iranian mission to carry out an attack in Israeli territory, the Israeli military said Friday.

The drone was shattered by helicopter gunships, preventing the attack, according to the military, which did not disclose the supposed target.

The February episode set off a day of intense battle, escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran, one of several overlapping conflicts in the Syrian war. Israel's announcement Friday, hours before the US-led strikes against Syria, added another element of volatility into a tense region.

An Israeli army Heron TP drone flies during a display at the Palmahim Air Force Base in Israel. Credit:AP

The strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France against three chemical weapons storage and research facilities did little to assuage Israel's concerns about the Iranian buildup across its northern frontier, according to experts, and the announcement could be intended to bolster Israel's case for taking its own military action against Iran's presence in Syria.
A fireman extinguishes smoke that rises from the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center. Credit:Hassan Ammar

Saturday mornings strike in response to the use of chemical weapons in Douma will have little impact on the Assad regime, leaving behind only a footnote in the history of the Syrian conflict and a question mark over the United States commitment to the Middle East.

While Trump has, for the second time, been galvanised into action by the use of chemical weapons, which are estimated to have killed 2000 people through seven years of war, over the same period the United States has been silent on the approximately 100,000 civilian deaths. That many of them were killed by, among other means, siege and starve tactics, incendiary bombings and land mines  all illegal under international law  reinforces a view of the United States as uninterested.

Loading

Washingtons absence from Syria, other than through its war against Islamic State, was a strategy begun by President Obama and now continued by his successor who only weeks ago committed to leave Syria "very soon". This commitment should have been a positive pivot replacing a military mission with one focused on securing a role for the United States in the post-war Syria. Instead, the White House last month instructed the State Department to freeze US$200 million in funds earmarked for recovery efforts in Syria, an amount approximately equal to the cost of Saturday mornings strikes.
Paris: For President Emmanuel Macron of France, it was a chance to make good on an explicit promise to punish Syria for its suspected use of chemical weapons. For Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, it was a rare and welcome opportunity to support the United States on an issue that President Donald Trump has not made radioactive with the British public.

The two European leaders may have had their own distinct political reasons to back Trump's decision to order a cruise-missile attack on Syria early on Saturday. But the decision was made much easier by the accumulating evidence of banned chemical weapons and the circumscribed nature of the attack  a one-time onslaught on three major sites linked to chemical weapons manufacture.

Macron said in a statement that the suspected chemical weapons attack April 7 that killed dozens of men, women and children in Douma, Syria, was a "total violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions".

"The facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime are not in any doubt," he said. "The red line set by France in May 2017 has been crossed."
Juneau, Alaska: Karl Ward is long dead, but some say the once-revered school superintendent in a small Alaskan fishing town was not the benevolent educator worthy of having the high school gym named in his honour.

A mobile phone video made by a man before he died by suicide last month has given voice to at least five other men, all of whom say they were sexually abused decades ago by Ward, confirming publicly whispers that had long quietly existed.

Rick Martin, who recorded a video before he died alleging abuse by former school superintendent Karl Ward. Credit:Courtesy of Rene Martin via AP

Rick Martin graphically explained on the video what he said Ward had done to him. Now, Martin's widow Rene, who serves as the principal in Haines, is speaking out.

There is no legal recourse, all concede, but she hopes to spark a conversation about mental health and abuse.
President Donald Trump has defended a tweet about the Syria strike. Credit:AP

Washington President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his use of the phrase "Mission Accomplished" to describe a US-led allied missile attack on Syria's chemical weapons program, saying "it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back".

In an early-morning tweet, Mr Trump said the strike was "perfectly carried out" and that "the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term "Mission Accomplished." He added that he knew the media would "seize" on the phrase, but said it should be used often.

Mr Trump tweeted "Mission Accomplished" on Saturday after US, French and British warplanes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defences. While he declared success, the Pentagon said the pummeling of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 82F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched two U.S. Air Force satellites into orbit Saturday (April 14), setting the stage for improved military satellite communications and a new generation of space vehicle design.

The Atlas V rocket lifted off at 7:13 p.m. EDT (2313 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The U.S. Air Force Space Command mission, AFSPC-11, features a geostationary communications satellite called the Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM (CBAS) and the experimental ESPA Augmented GEO Laboratory Experiment (EAGLE) demonstrator.

The EAGLE spacecraft is carrying several payloads, including a smaller satellite called Mycroft that is designed to test self-inspection technology for satellites, Air Force officials said. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Ever]

Beach-goers watch a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launch into space carrying two military satellites on the AFSPC-11 mission. Liftoff occurred at 7:13 p.m. EDT on April 14, 2018. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance)

Shortly after liftoff, ULA shut down its live video feed from the Atlas V at the request of the U.S. Air Force, a routine procedure for military launches. About five and a half hours after liftoff, the two satellites will begin to separate from their carrier rocket, according to a ULA mission description. Then, both satellites will be carried into a geosynchronous orbit 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above Earth, where they can keep watch over the same region of the planet.

The CBAS is designed to expand existing military satellite communications by relaying messages between senior military officers and commanders in combat, according to a statement from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) about the mission.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying two military satellites on the AFSPC-11 mission launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base on April 14, 2018. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force Photo)

"The mission of CBAS is to augment existing military satellite communications capabilities and broadcast military data continuously through space-based, satellite communications relay links," according to the ULA statement.

While CBAS is the primary payload of the mission, mounted beneath the satellite was the EAGLE satellite.

EAGLE is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) flight experiment program designed to "demonstrate a maneuverable ESPA based space vehicle design, which can accommodate up to six hosted or deployable payloads in GEO," according to the ULA statement. "EAGLE experiments will also provide new technologies to detect and identify system anomalies such as space weather events and characterize collision events due to micrometeorites."

One of EAGLE's payloads is Mycroft, a small satellite built by the Air Force Research Laboratory that is designed to fly away from its mothership to test technologies and techniques for space situational awareness.

See more

"It will explore ways to enhance space object characterization and navigation capabilities," AFRL officials explained in a statement. To do that, Mycroft will detach from EAGLE and fly just over 21 miles away (35 kilometers), then work its way back to just within half a mile (1 km), according to a mission description.

Mycroft is expected to remain in orbit for up to 18 months. The satellite and its EAGLE mothership "will be disposed of in a safe orbit" at the end of their mission, according to AFRL officials.

Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom,Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Call it the recycled doomsday: A new prediction for the end of the world sets the apocalypse date as Monday, April 23, based on a mishmash of old numerology, re-readings of the biblical Book of Revelation and rehashed conspiracy theories about a rogue "Planet X."

Even the calendar date of the prediction, April 23, hearkens back to one of the most famous failed apocalypse predictors of all time, William Miller. A Baptist preacher whose followers would eventually form the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Miller predicted multiple doomsday dates in the mid-1800s, including one on April 23, 1843. He was most famous for a later prediction of Oct. 22, 1844, a date that would live on in infamy as "The Great Disappointment" when Jesus Christ did not appear to kick off the end of the world. [End of the World? Top 10 Doomsday Threats]

The latest doomsday predictor with a slippery grasp on dates is David Meade, who previously claimed that a rare alignment of stars on Sept. 23, 2017, heralded the end. Meade said that the star alignment would precede the passage by Earth of a rogue planet called Planet X, which would cause all sorts of geological trials and tribulations, culminating in the eventual return of Jesus per the Book of Revelation.

Searching for signs

Meade's new prediction is more of the same. According to an interview with the Express tabloid, Meade has now pegged April 23, 2018, as the new apocalypse start date. The reason, he said, is that on that date, the sun, moon and Jupiter will align in the constellation of Virgo, echoing Revelation 12:1-2, which refers to a "woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head" laboring to give birth to an eventual global dictator with a role to play in the end of the world.

This same passage was Meade's basis for predicting Sept. 23, 2017, as the start of the apocalypse, though in that case, he fixated on an alignment of the sun in Virgo with nine stars and the planets Mercury, Venus and Mars. [10 Failed Doomsday Predictions]

"Some of Meade's astral speculation ironically might echo at least some of the inspiration of the original, which draws on older Jewish, Greco-Roman, and other traditions," said Allen Kerkeslager, a professor of ancient and comparative religion at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

"But the author of Revelation was wrong in his predictions, so neither this book nor any other ancient book is of much relevance for predicting the future," Kerkeslager told Live Science.

Strangely, Jupiter is not actually aligned within the constellation of Virgo on April 23; rather, it will appear from Earth to be within the constellation Libra. On that same date, the sun will appear to align with the constellation Aries and the moon in the constellation Gemini. (To track these celestial bodies  and generate your own creative doomsday predictions  visit The Sky Live's Planetarium feature.)

Meade has never been consistent with his predictions. The International Business Times reported in February that he was calling March 2018 as the trigger date for the apocalypse. He has also said he believes that a seven-year tribulation period preceding the end started on Aug. 21, 2017, and Oct. 15, 2015. Meade's website also dwells on North Korea's nuclear program as a sign of the End Times.

Planet X

Meanwhile, the existence of Planet X, sometimes known as Nibiru, has been repeatedly debunked. Astronomers are searching for a possible Earth-size world in the outer solar system that they sometimes call "Planet X" or "Planet Nine," but this is not the same Planet X described by conspiracy theorists. In the conspiracy view, NASA is hiding the existence of a rogue planet that is hurtling toward Earth, ready to spark all manner of tsunamis and earthquakes as it zings by.

Nibiru originated from doomsday theorist Nancy Lieder. On her website, Lieder channels aliens called Zetas and peddles a complex web of interrelated conspiracy theories. Lieder first floated the idea of Nibiru in the 1990s and predicted its passage by Earth in 2003. Since then, the rogue planet has become the bogeyman of multiple doomsday predictions, including the 2012 Maya apocalypse, which was based on the supposed end of the ancient Maya calendar.

A rogue planet moving through the solar system would be pretty obvious to astronomers, who can detect planets far beyond our home solar system by looking for the wobbles their passage causes in the stars they orbit.

The mishmash of all of these disparate theories  from the biblical, to the cosmological, to the political  may be a symptom of the kind of conspiracy cross-pollination that occurs online. Meade is active on YouTube, where he chats with other doomsday "prophets" such as Paul Begley, host of the self-produced show "The Coming Apocalypse." Meade also sells self-published books about his theories on Amazon.

Original article on Live Science.
On Monday, April 16, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA's new exoplanet hunter will train its sights on nearer, brighter stars than its predecessors did. If TESS lives up to scientists' predictions, it could energize our search for life in the cosmos.

When the Kepler space telescope launched in 2009, scientists didn't know what fraction of stars hosted planets. The Kepler mission was a statistical exploration looking to see how frequently planets occur around stars, Harvard astronomer David Latham told Space.com. "One of the big surprises from Kepler was to find this whole population of planets with sizes between that of Neptune and Earth  and there aren't any in our solar system, zero  and they're everywhere out there," said Latham, who's worked on the Kepler project for nearly 20 years.

"Kepler is what made us become aware that planets are as common as telephone poles," SETI Institute astronomer Seth Shostak told Space.com."But the stars that Kepler was staring at for four years  they were all somewhere between 500 and 1,500 light-years away." TESS will survey the local neighborhood for planets like Earth. [NASA's TESS Exoplanet-Hunter in Pictures]

An artist's illustration of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which will search for small planets around nearby stars. (Image credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)

TESS is designed to find planets orbiting nearby stars spread across the sky, astrophysicist and pioneering exoplanet researcher Sara Seager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology told Space.com. The satellite is not specifically intended to look for planets that can support life, but it can find planets orbiting in the habitable zone of small stars, said Seager, who serves as a deputy science director on TESS.

TESS will find signals of planet candidates, Seager said. A lot of follow-up work will go into determining whether these candidates are truly planets, rather than binary stars, artifacts in the data or something else. Once this is accomplished, deeper investigation can begin. Unlike with Kepler, the stars TESS examines will be bright enough and close enough to allow detailed follow-up studies with large ground telescopes, the Hubble Space Telescope and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope.

What's more, these planets are close enough for other telescopes to peer inside their atmospheres. When a planet transits its star, some of the starlight passes through the planet's atmosphere before reaching Earth. Different gases absorb different wavelengths of light, and scientists can determine the composition of the planet's atmosphere by analyzing the spectrum of this light using more-powerful observatories. [7 Ways to Discover Alien Planets]

Astronomers can study the starlight that filters through exoplanet atmospheres, searching for signatures of molecules that may be signs of life. (Image credit: NASA, ESA and A. Feild (STScI))

"Twenty years ago, if you told me that we were going to do this kind of spectroscopy of atmospheres of planets around other stars, I would have said you're crazy," said Latham. "Now, we're doing it."

Scientists are looking for signatures of life, byproducts that organisms might emit into the atmosphere. "The first thing is we're looking for water vapor," Seager said, "because all life, as we know it, needs liquid water. And water vapor is a sign of surface water."

"After water, oxygen would be fantastic. Oxygen is our best biosignature gas on Earth," Seager said, so were looking for what we know. "After that, we have lots of gases we're interested in, but mostly in space were looking for gases that don't belong that are there in high quantities, enough to really be detected from far away." [The Drake Equation Revisited: Interview with Planet Hunter Sara Seager]

Many products of biology can also come from geology, though. For instance, if scientists see methane alongside many other hydrogen-rich gases, the source is likely not biological, said Seager. However, finding methane together with oxygen would be promising, because these gases would react with each other and become something else if they weren't being continually produced, she said. Unfortunately, it's often impossible to completely rule out one source over the other.

On the other hand, scientist may overlook signs of life that is radically different from us. "It's a little bit like the drunk looking for his keys  he looks under the lamppost, because that's where he can see them," Latham said. "We look for life that is similar to our own, because we think we understand the organic chemistry involved and so we think we know how to interpret [evidence for it]."

Future telescopes like NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (at right) will follow up on TESS exoplanet discoveries to verify if newfound planets have atmospheres that could support life. (Image credit: J. Krissansen-Totton)

The search for intelligent life is guided by the Drake equation, a formula devised by astronomer Frank Drake to estimate the likelihood of receiving signals from intelligent civilizations. The terms of the equation begin with the number of stars in our galaxy and proceed to the number of civilizations actively broadcasting their presence into space. Kepler mostly firmed up the fraction of stars that have planets. The TESS mission will enrich our understanding of how many planets could support life, and even the fraction of those planets where life may actually occur, Seager explained, constraining the equation further.

"Thirty years ago,if you ask[ed] people, 'Do you think there are a lot of planets out there?' most people who knew anything about astronomy would say, 'Yeah, probably there are.' But nobody knew," said Shostak. With Kepler, researchers discovered that the universe is littered with planets. "For the first time in 300,000 years, Homo sapiens had found planets around other stars," he said.

Shortly thereafter, scientists began to get enough data to hypothesize that many of those planets might be habitable. Over the past quarter-century, science has increasingly led scientists to believe that the existence of life may not be a miracle after all, Shostak said. And he said he sees no evidence that this trend will stop.

TESS will lead the way for a wealth of discoveries and deepen our understanding of many phenomena in the cosmos. "There's technical astrophysical issues that will interest a lot of the scientists in the community," said Latham, "but I think that the question that is going to catch the attention of the educated public is this big one: Are we alone?"

Visit Space.com Monday, April 16 for complete coverage of NASA's TESS mission launch. A live webcast on the launch begins at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT).
Lapeer Police Dept. incidents Lapeer Police Dept. Incidents are compiled from reports over the last several days TUESDAYWhen: 4:30 a.m.Where: DeMille Road andHarrison StreetIncident:...

Change in 810, 989 area code calling may save lives The County Press has reported extensively on the topic of suicide and efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness,...

READER FEEDBACK You asked what do we like to do in the autumn in Lapeer County? We like taking walks on the...
Update: NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of TESS to no earlier than Wednesday (April 18) due to an issue with the Falcon 9 rocket.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida  NASA's next exoplanet-hunting spacecraft is poised for an on-time liftoff Monday (April 16).

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is ready to go, as is its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ride, mission officials said during a pre-launch briefing today (April 15).

"We just got done with our launch readiness review, and all went well," said Omar Baez, senior launch director for the Launch Services Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) here. The launch will take place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is next-door to KSC. [NASA's TESS Exoplanet-Hunting Mission in Pictures]

And the weather is likely to cooperate as well. Some storms will blow through the area tonight, but they'll likely be gone by the scheduled launch time of 6:32 p.m. EDT (2232 GMT) tomorrow, said weather officer Mike McAleenan, of the U.S. Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron. There's just a 20 percent chance that Mother Nature will scuttle that liftoff, he added. The chief concern for tomorrow is strong winds.

The launch window tomorrow lasts just 30 seconds. If winds do rear up and spoil things, the outlook is even better for the backup day, Tuesday (April 17). There's less than a 10 percent chance of bad weather on Tuesday, McAleenan said.

TESS is designed to spot exoplanets by noticing the tiny brightness dips caused when they cross the face of, or transit, their host stars. This same method is employed by NASA's Kepler space telescope, which has found about two-thirds of the 3,700 exoplanets known to date.

If all goes according to plan, TESS will settle into a long, looping orbit around Earth in June, then beginning hunting for worlds that circle stars relatively close to the sun. TESS could end up discovering thousands of such planets, mission officials have said.

But TESS isn't about merely boosting the exoplanet tally. The goal is to find alien worlds that can be investigated in depth by future instruments, such as NASA's $8.8 billion James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to lift off in 2020.

Tomorrow's liftoff, which you can watch live here on Space.com, will be action-packed for SpaceX. Shortly after launch, the company will attempt to land the first stage of the two-stage Falcon 9 on a robotic "drone ship" stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX has already pulled off two dozen such first-stage landings, roughly half of them on drone ships.

The company will also try to recover the payload fairing, the protective nose cone surrounding TESS during launch. But SpaceX won't use the net-equipped boat "Mr. Steven" to snatch the fairing halves out the sky tomorrow, Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of build and flight reliability, said during today's briefing. Rather, the fairing halves will splash down in the ocean with the aid of parachutes, and the company will scoop them out of the water.

Such activities are part of SpaceX's effort to develop fully and rapidly reusable rockets and spacecraft, a breakthrough that company founder and CEO Elon Musk has said could slash the cost of spaceflight and help humanity spread its footprint out into the solar system.

Visit Space.com Monday, April 16 for complete coverage of NASA's TESS mission launch. A live webcast on the launch begins at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT).

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.








Wroth was written by the team of David Leslie Johnson and Corey Reed and was directed by Michael Slovis. The episode is mostly a set up for the finale. It seems like the tide may be turning in favor of Rick (Andrew Lincoln), but it all falls apart by the end of the episode  or it mostly does. The episode sees the end of Simon (Steven Ogg)  and a huge shout out to Ogg. While Simon got what he deserved, Ogg has done some really amazing work on the show and will be missed. It would also seem that Dwights (Austin Amelio) number is up and that Eugene (Josh McDermitt) is beyond redemption. Im looking forward to the finale, and Ive been thinking about the falling ratings of the show. Its hard to see the deeper messages in the show when weve been bombarded with so much death. I cant help feeling that the show was strongest when reality was more stable and less horrific and that viewers may be looking for a more hopeful escape from reality right now. Fingers crossed that the finale can provide that.I did love the opening scene  when we at least get to hear Chandler Riggs as Carl as Rick reads his letter while watching Michonne (Danai Gurira) with Judith. Carl remembers happy times  and normal times  from his childhood. Carl remembers not just what happened but more importantly how he felt. He felt happy and safe when he held Ricks hand. Carl tells Rick that growing up is making yourself and those you love safe because things happen. Carl reminds us that bad things happened before. Rick was shot before  and it is a touchstone with the show. Its what Ive just said in the opening paragraph to this review. Things happen in real life. But maybe viewers need to feel safe  and our favorite characters need to BE safe. But this is also what Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) provides to those at the sanctuary  and its what drives Eugene. The need to be safe.I did love Carls very meta remark that it felt like things went bad because Rick was shot  pulling up that old chestnut that maybe all this is a coma-induced dream from Rick! But Carl wants Rick to feel safe  he wants to give back to Rick how he felt holding Ricks hand as a three year old. And how many of us as adults havent wished for that safety of childhood? Carl wishes hed killed Negan because he doesnt think Negan will ever surrender, but he reminds Rick of the regular people who are in the Sanctuary. Lincoln is great in this scene as all he does is react to the letter. His eyes fill with tears here, and theres no doubt that he is filled with remorse for what he and Morgan (Lennie James) did in the last episode.Carl reminds Rick that they are so close to starting over  and they have friends now. Its the bigger world that Jesus (Tom Payne) talked about. And really? It would be nice to actually HAVE Jesus in an episode now and then. I am really hoping that hes going to get a HUGE story arc next season. Carl suggests that there has to be even more people out there. Theres a chance for real lives. Carl tells Rick that if the Saviors  Negan  wont end it, Rick has to. He has to find peace with Negan and make sure it never happens again. He wants Rick to bring safety and normalcy back for everyone. He then urges Rick to go on those walks with Judith  and this is a really nice way to bring us back to Carls dream. And as he finishes the letter, he looks down at Michonne holding Judiths hand and going for a walk. Michonne sees the effect the letter has had on Rick  and that gives her the idea to take Negans to him.Gregory (Xander Berkeley) has made his way to the Sanctuary. Simon is not happy with Gregory who made him look like an ass, but Gregory tries to fast talk his way out of it. Simon is interestingly more honest with Gregory than any of the others. He doesnt hedge when he tells Gregory that Negan is no longer on the field of play and that hes taken control of the Saviors. Gregory starts laying it on even thicker. Simon points out that optics means he cant be seen going easy on Gregory  he has an image to maintain now! It was pretty interesting when Gregory actually loses it! Gregory insists that hes been through too much to lose it all now  he makes things happen! Yes. But not in a good way! Gregory gets right in Simons face  and it takes nothing for Simon to slam Gregory physically to the ground. Gregory is still operating in the old world. This is a world of violence  not politics.Simon tells Gregory that he wasnt going to send him away  he was going to kill him. But this side of Gregory is one that Simon has never seen before. Its possible that Gregory can still be of some use to Simon after all, so he asks him if he can make coffee, and of course Gregory doesnt miss a beat in saying he makes the best. Gregory knows an opening when he sees it  and pride really isnt in his vocabulary.Back at Oceanside, the women are trying to decide what to do about Aaron (Ross Marquand). Cyndie (Sydney Park) wants to just wait for him to go away, but Rachel (Mimi Kirkland) in an eerie echo of Carls assessment of Negan, says he wont just go away  they should kill him. When a walker accosts them, Cyndie steps forward to take care of it, but Aaron jumps out of the woods and does it for them. Hes so weak from hunger and lack of water that he collapses. Cyndie shows no mercy  they made their choice. If he wants to die waiting in the woods for them to change their mind, thats his choice. Beatrice (Briana Venskus) at least takes pity enough on him to tell him to find water.Eugene has Frankie (Elyse Dufour) and Tanya (Chloe Aktas) make him a disgusting meal of mac & cheese with sardines. Its comfort food for Eugene  reminding him of his college days. Eugene gives his workers a pretty pathetic pep talk. Eugene knows his safety net is Negan and with Simon in charge, Eugene is even more insufferable because hes afraid. He knows he can still prove hes valuable if can keep up at least to a minimum quota.Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) is still sick  and Eugenes biggest concern is that he doesnt make him sick. But he does give us hope that Gabriel will live  even if he doesnt get his sight back. And Gabriel, at least, has been trying to work for our team by sabotaging the bullets hes making. Gabriel is upset when Eugene tells him that the bullets would have resulted in someone being hurt. Gabriel tells Eugene that he didnt want any of his people to die. Eugene tells him that if he cant accept that hes a Savior now, he should kill himself. Gabriel doesnt want to help them, but he doesnt want to die. Gabriel fears that he hasnt changed. That hes still the same scared animal, doing what he has to to survive  like Eugene. But Gabriel wouldnt have tried to sabotage the bullets back then. Eugene pulls him off the line and tells him to sit in a corner.Eugene goes outside to test fire some of the rounds to make sure that they are ok. He has two guards, but Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) quickly and quietly take care of them and take Eugene with them.Back at the Sanctuary, Negan surprises Dwight as he comes out for a smoke  in a nicely paralleled scene with Eugenes ambush. Negan tells Dwight that he was surprised when the fellas never showed up to save him. Dwight tries to shift the blame to Simon, but Negan wants to know what Dwight was thinking. Dwight tells him hes Negan  and he was following Negans chain of command.Negan demonstrates his total control by having Dwight butt out his barely smoked cigarette precisely where Negan directs. Its also a nice call back to everything that Negan has taken from Dwight  it ties back directly to the stolen moments he shared with Sherri  and the fact that he lit up Negans car with the last cigarette hed shared with her. Negan knows the significance of the cigarette, and tells Dwight that he wants him to remember this moment when the time comes  and he will, but its not the moment he and we first think. He wants Dwight to remember what theyve done  together (they both had Sherri)  and what they can still do together. We pull back to the walker on the fence  and thats pretty good foreshadowing to what we can expect them to be doing together in the future  especially with the reveal of Simon on the fence.Negan interrogates Simon, who lies (of course!) and excuses his actions because he thought Negan was dead. Simon excuses his actions by saying he made the attack personal  intimating that it was because of his grief over Negans death. Simon says hell own his actions, and he asks Negan to give him a pass and that hell make it up to him. But he really doesnt sound the least bit contrite.Negan reminisces about taking the Sanctuary with Simons help. He wasnt sure that he wanted to keep Simon on board. Negan mentions a settlement in which Simon killed all the men and boys  its the Oceanside settlement!!! Negan thought that was psychotic  so hes kept Simon on a short leash ever since. He calls Simon and ghoul and then says thats not someone you want to stand next to, let alone work with! Negan has all of the lieutenants gathered and he has Simon kneel.Simon doesnt beg and shows no emotion. Negan asks him if hes going to make a move, and Simon says theres no move to make. Negan agrees  because he still needs to know if there are any other traitors in his midst. He tells Simon that all is forgiven. Simon says that he wont let him down. Negan then outlines his plan. Hes going to surround the Hilltop and snipe them until they are all dead.Negan dismisses the rest of them and holds Dwight back. He tells Dwight that hes smart as hell. That after everything  Sherri, the sizzle  he didnt do anything stupid. Nothing shook him. He kept his eyes on what could keep him alive. And Negan tells him to keep that clear. Like Simon, hes given Dwight a second chance. Its yet another way that the show is revealing that Negan really does see people as a resource and isnt simply bloodthirsty. Of course, here again, he needs to see how far Dwights treachery goes.Eugene assumes that hes still alive because Rosita is still fond of him. Eugene keeps talking until Daryl finally rounds on him and threatens to cut his tongue out! Rosita stops him  its more important that they keep moving. Eugene points out that he told Negan he made the bullet to save Rositas life. He fully expected to die, but they gave him a chance to live. He lies and says that he tried to resist.Rosita, however, knows who Eugene is  a selfish coward and a traitor. When Eugene tries to lay the blame for everything at Ricks feet, Rosita shoves her gun up under his chin. She tells him that they wont kill him  not because they care about him, but because they want what he knows. Hell get to live  but definitely not in the lap of luxury. Eugenes face is angry and petulant as they force him to keep walking. Would he have gone with them if theyd lied to him and been nicer? Maybe.Back at the Sanctuary, both Dwight and Simon put their own interests in motion. Dwight is copying the map when Simon knocks on his door. Did anyone else think that the crane shot of him opening the door revealed that he had a Big Lebowski rug? Its a caper  and everyone is trying to double cross everyoneSimon wants to know what Negan held him back for. Dwight tells him the truth  a pep talk. Simon tells Dwight that hes planning a coup. Simon has decided that Negan has let them down  its time to overthrow him. He cant believe that he has to sell it to Dwight after everything Negans done to him. At one time, Dwight might have followed Simon  but he clearly realizes that Simon is a psycho. But heres yet another option for Dwight. He could become Negans second  or Simons.Once they get back to the car they left, its surrounded by walkers and Daryl goes ahead to take care of them. Eugene disgustingly barfs on Rosita which gives him enough time to hide in a pile of ashes and bones. Hes made his choice. Hes chosen Negan.Aaron is woken by the rain and manages to gulp some water before hes set upon by walkers. Hes so weak, I was sure that he was about to die  pointlessly. He loses his knife and has to go hand to hand. He passes out and comes to surrounded by the women. He tells them its their fault that they dont trust, that they hide, that they dont lead the lives they want. He tells them that they will go on hurting them unless they fight.Naturally, Simons rendez vous point for the coup is in the courtyard right where Negan had Dwight butt out his cigarette. Simon tells everyone whos showed up that they are in  no take backs. He also tells them that he wants it to be quick, quiet, and surprisingly  respectful. He acknowledges that Negan has done a lot for them. But he offers the kill to Dwight  who has the most against Negan. He cant let him have knife  not that personal. After that, theyll start the healing by completely wiping out the Hilltop. At this point, even Gregory seems to be wondering if he made the wrong choice  psycho-wise.Simons speech is interrupted by Negans whistling. He appears from behind the dumpster  that he had Dwight move in the first scene with them. He was clearly moving all the pieces into play right from the get go. He thanks Dwight  who seems to have chosen Negan  but of course, Dwight knew he had to get rid of Simon who has proven to be an even bigger psycho than Negan. Negan counts to three and all of Simons followers are killed  but not Gregory or Simon.Simon goes right for Dwight and asks why. Dwight tells him because Negan would win. Has he given up on trying to beat him? I was curious as to why Negan spared Gregory but that becomes clear later. Negan remarks that the Simon who just goes right for his target is more familiar than the back-stabbing one. And its also clear that Negan is holding Simon accountable for the garbage people. He appears to be honoring the promise he made to Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh).Negan tells Simon that hes going to give Simon his shot. If he can beat the man, he can be the man. Negan knows that he has to show that hes still physically got control. Simon is ridiculously over-confident. He makes a big speech to the gathered crowd and cheats to get the first punch in. Its a brutal fight  and a lot more personal than a knife.Negan strangles Simon as he lists his crimes. He disobeyed Negan at the Hilltop and got Saviors killed. Negan does care about his people. And Negan is not happy about the fact that he knows he has to kill all of the Hilltoppers  because from now on theyll always being looking for a loophole. Negans final words over Simons body  what an asshole  are hard to argue withGregory only waits long enough to see that Simon is losing before trying to slip out. Clearly, Dwight has already made his own choice  and hes chosen Rick. Hes left a car and gives the keys and the map to Gregory to take to the Hilltop. He can be sure that hell do it  and so can Negan  because Gregory will be looking for a safe place  and some leverage for when he gets there. This gives him both.Gregory does make it back  and Maggie (Lauren Cohen) takes the map and locks him up. She shows it to Rick and Michonne and asks what theyre going to do. Rick doesnt say anything before we cut back to the Sanctuary.Negan walks with Dwight back to his room. He asks him what else he could do other than crush Simons throat after he tried to kill him? Dwight agrees  there was no choice. Negan tells Dwight hes his new right hand man if he accepts the promotion. Dwight accepts and tells him hell help end it with Rick. Negan  ominously  tells him not to sell himself short  he already has.Dwight then opens the door to his room to find Laura (Lindsley Register) waiting there. She is a lot happier to see him than he is to see her. Laura has told Negan everything  what kept her alive was getting back and exposing Dwight. Negan tells Dwight that he knew he could count on Dwight to deliver his fake plan to Rick  and he knows that he used Gregory. The only possibility is that they wont trust it because it came from Gregory. Negan isnt going to just kill Dwight  hes got plans for him.Eugene returns to the factory and he is an utter mess  and furious. Regina (Traci Dinwiddie) tells him that Negan is back and wants the bullet order by the next morning. Eugene sends his best to Negan and his assurance that hell get his full order of bullets.Eugene gives a slightly better pep talk. He also puts Gabriel back to work and joins the assembly line himself: time to do something useful with our pathetic lives.We get a closeup of zombie-Simon tied to the fence and Negan overlooking the courtyard. Michonne calls him on the walkie-talkie from a rooftop. She tells him that shes calling about Carl  not Rick. Carl wrote him a letter and shes delivering it because thats what Carl wanted.In the letter, Carl tells Negan that he got bitten helping someone. Carl thinks that Negan is still alive and looking for a way out. Carl also thinks that Negan might have decided that they are all a lost cause and he just wants to kill them all. Carl thinks that Negan thinks that he has to be who he is. And then we circle back to what Carl said to Negan on the wall the last time he saw him. Is this what Negan wanted? Carl writes that maybe Negan will beat them, but then there will be someone else to fight. The way out is working together  and thats the lesson they learned in Alexandria. Its a nice re-cap of the journey so far.Carl urges forgiveness, so that it doesnt have to be a fight anymore. Carl tells Negan that he hopes that Rick offers peace and that Negan accepts it. He hopes that everything can change because it did for him. He tells Negan to start over. But Negan tells Michonne that theres no getting out of it now. He tells her that he wouldnt accept their surrender if they came to him on their knees. Now winning is only about killing every last one of them. That will be starting over. And this is a reflection of Negans own pain at the betrayal of his closest men  and how hes starting over by cleaning his own house too.He tells Michonne that he never wanted this and blames Rick and tells Michonne to tell him that. Negan is done talking  and he destroys the walkie talkie by stepping on it  the same way he stepped on Simon. Hell show them the same way he showed the Sanctuary by killing Simon.The episode is about choices. You can choose to fight for who you are  your very soul  or you can do anything to just be alive  which isnt the same as living. And this is what the title is getting at  what is it worth to you. I loved how it was bookended with Carls letters to Rick and Negan  and how each of them was in a very different space to read them. Both have just come off a violent episode, but Rick is sickened by it  and has come home to family and friends. Negan  also mirroring Ricks physical position  is looking out at Simon  the physical embodiment of his support system. The show still has something to say to us. We can be divided and isolated, or we can come together  and start again. We can live just for the sake of living, or we can choose to fight for whats right. What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments below!
Canary Islands, April 14, 2018 (SPS) - Member of United Left, MEP Paloma Lopez, called during a meeting held Thursday at the headquarters of the Canarian Association of Friendship with the Saharawi People for respect of the European legal provisions related to the fishing agreement with Morocco



The MEP called for an end to the plundering of natural resources in Western Sahara, pointing out that the European Court of Justice, which excludes Western Sahara and its territorial waters from the EU-Morocco fishing agreement, should be respected as an independent and separate territory.



She expressed solidarity with the struggle of the Sahrawi people, especially in the field of defending human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara and bringing an end to the looting of the Sahrawi natural resources.



The meeting was attended by Frente POLISARIO representative in the Canary Islands, Hamdi Mansour, and members of the Association as well as delegates from the United Left. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRA
Brussels, April 14, 2018 (SPS) - The Sahrawi community in Belgium organized Friday afternoon a rally in Brussels to alert the European Union (EU) to the critical situation of the Sahrawi prisoners of Gdeim Izik group, detained in Morocco, and demand their release.



At the European district, headquarters of the European institutions, the demonstrators shouted freedom of the Sahrawi political prisoners and No alternative to referendum on self-determination, at the call of the association of the Sahrawi community in Belgium.



Many of them waved the national flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and banners to call on EU and its member States to save the Sahrawi prisoners from death.



They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the Sahrawi political prisoners and denounced the inhuman conditions of their imprisonment.



The members of the Sahrawi community in Belgium affirmed following with great concern the situation of the Sahrawi prisoners, detained in Morocco, notably that of Gdeim Izik group who are on the 33rd day of their hunger strike to protest against their detention conditions.



The participants in this rally addressed an urgent call to EUs member States, human rights organizations and political parties to preserve the lives of these Sahrawi people in danger of death. (SPS)



062/SPS/APS
P olice are investigating after a woman in her 30s was stabbed to death in Brixton.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

Cristo Foufas, a Talkradio presenter who lives on Sudbourne Road where the incident took place, shared photos of the street filled with police cars and ambulances, saying there were "loads of officers" on the scene.

A spokesman for the Met Police told the Standard: "Police were called 16.36pm on Sunday, April PM to a residential address in Sudbourne Road, Brixton, following reports of a stabbing.

"Officers attended, along with Londons Air Ambulance.

"A female, believed to be aged in her 30s, was found suffering from stab wounds.

"Despite the efforts of paramedics she was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin are aware. Formal identification awaits."
N ew Yorkers living in London have spoken of their outrage and fear at the rising violent crime rate in the British capital.

London has seen a spike in murders this year - with the number of those killed in February and March higher than in New York for the first time ever.

Fifteen were murdered in February and 22 in March.

Both cities have similarly sized populations of around 8.5m people. New York City's murder rate has decreased by around 87 per cent since the 1990s.

London murder rate overtakes New York for first time ever after spate of fatal stabbings and shootings

New Yorkers living in London have now told of their worry about the capital's spiralling crime rate.

Adam Janeway, a 28-year-old MA student living in Islington, told the Standard: "I don't know what you've got going on here, man - it's crazy.

"You got people throwing acid in other people's faces, kids riding around on moped's stealing cell phones.

Ms Lee says police need to work within communities / Leslie Lee

"I'm not the type to get political myself but I don't really understand how your Government can continue cutting back on the police budget and not think this kind of thing is gonna happen."

Raniah Day, 39, a substitute drama teacher who moved to Haringey, north London, four years ago, said she was "worried" for those growing up on the capital's streets.

She told the Standard: "I feel deeply sad when I hear that the murder rate is so high in London or in NYC.

"I feel scared for the young men and women who are living in areas and communities where they are drawn into, or have to navigate, gangs, territories, or peer group violence.

"If I walk through an area that's considered "unsafe", the chances are I will be fine, but a 17-year-old or a 25-year-old from that area - who has grown up with friends or family connected to violent crime or gangs or neighbourhood disputes - could get hurt.

"I'm glad I moved to London - it's an amazing city. It's far more integrated than New York, with more opportunities that cut across class or race or religion.

"But, that's not enough, and I think - if we are not careful - instead of improving our communities, we will diminish them."

Leslie Lee, a documentary producer who moved to London in 2002, said the city resembled New York before former Donald Trump supporting Mayor Rudy Giuliani cracked down on crime in the 1990s.

He said: "I think London is starting to feel a little like old-school New York City in the 1970s and early 80s, only without the graffitied subway cars and breakdancing.

Sadiq Khan 'heartbroken' by London murders

"Although Rudy Giuliani was known to us as the 'Taliban Mayor' (in that he eradicated sex, music and dancing from NYC), his infamous zero tolerance approach to crime resulted in a much, cleaner and safer Big Apple.

"London's biggest problem is there are fewer cops in an enormous sprawl of a city, due to budget cuts.
D owning Street has rejected a formal diplomatic request to discuss immigration problems being experienced by Windrush-generation British citizens.

The move is a rejection of 12 Caribbean countries, who requested the topic be covered at a meeting of the Commonwealth heads of government this week.

Guy Hewitt, the Barbados high commissioner, told The Guardian: We did make a request to the CHOGM summit team for a meeting to be held between the prime minister and the Commonwealth Caribbean heads of government who will be here for the CHOGM and regrettably they have advised us that that is not possible."

A number of Windrush generation migrants have reportedly been threatened with deportation to countries they left half a century ago, been denied access to the NHS or lost jobs because they have been told they do not have sufficient paperwork.

Windrush generation arrive in Britain 1 /14 Windrush generation arrive in Britain Some of the pioneering Windrush generation arrive at Tilbury Docks, from Jamaica Getty Images The journey to the UK cost 28 Getty Images They arrived on June 22, 1948 Getty Images The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain SSPL via Getty Images The group were the first of the Windrush generation to emigrate to Britain Getty Images Arrivals scrutinise a map of the London Underground Getty Images The Windrush generation helped to rebuild post-war Britain Getty Images Members of the 55 Independent Squadron wait to board the Empire Windrush at Southampton, to fight in the Korean War Getty Images A black man walks past graffiti stating 'Powell For PM', referring to Enoch Powell who caused controversy with his outspoken attitude to black immigration and racial integration Getty Images Three Jamaicans (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury Docks Getty Images Nearly 1000 West Indian immigrants arrive in three boats trains at Waterloo Station. Many brought with them packing cases containing treasured possessions, 15th October 1961 Mirrorpix/Getty Images West Indian immigrants arriving in the United Kingdom, 19th May 1962 Mirrorpix/Getty Images Nearly 1000 West Indian immigrants arrive in three boats trains at Waterloo Station. Many brought with them packing cases containing treasured possessions, 15th October 1961 Mirrorpix/Getty Images 27th May 1956: Immigrants to Britain from the West Indies queuing up on arrival at Southampton holding documents Getty Images

A petition demanding an "amnesty for anyone who was a minor that arrived in Britain between 1948 to 1971" received over 110,000 signatures.

Seth George Ramocan, the Jamaican high commissioner, said he would raise the issue despite the lack of a formal meeting. We have senior citizens in limbo. It is not explicitly on the agenda, but we want our heads of government to bring it to the attention of the wider body."

Anyone living in Britain continuously since before January 1, 1973, is legally entitled to live there - but may struggle to prove that they are entitled.

Writing for the Voice, the immigration minister Caroline Nokes acknowledged that the problem had arisen because of a tightening up of regulations.

Mr Lammy branded the move 'awful' (PA Images) / PA Archive/PA Images

She said: The overwhelming majority of the Windrush generation already have the documents they need, but some  through no fault of their own  have not...

"Having not previously needed documentation they have now found themselves without any way of proving their status today.

We will handle every case with sensitivity and will help ... people gather the information they need.

Blasting the rejection, Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy said: "Awful. I won't let them get away with this.

"Our [Government] invited the Windrush Generation to Britain as citizens to rebuild our country in the wake of WWII.

"That these individuals are being treated with such contempt, disrespect and lack of dignity is shameful."

LBC presenter Iain Dale criticised the move, writing: "It is a total and utter disgrace that people who have devoted their lives to this country are being treated in this reprehensible manner."
Pahela Baishakh celebrated

A Pohela Boishakh procession in Gopalganj on April 14, 2018

UNB, Dhaka: Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla calendar, was celebrated amid traditional festivities and enthusiasm across the country on Saturday.

The festivities began at dawn with the artistes from Chhayanaut welcoming the day with Tagore's famous song 'Esho hey Baishakh, esho, esho (come O Baishakh, come)' under the banyan tree at the Ramna Park.

People of all walks of life gathered at different popular spots since the dawn in capital Dhaka and elsewhere across the country to welcome the Bangla New Year, 1425.

Although the celebrations in the capital were smooth throughout the day, a hailstorm disrupted the rhythm in many areas in the afternoon.

As the hailstorm came down in the city around 5pm, outdoor revellers were seen leaving the venues of different programmes to safety. Many events, including concerts, were also cancelled due to rain.

The day was a public holiday.

Thousands of people, especially the youths wearing traditional dresses, thronged traditional venues at different parts of the capital, including Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Central Shaheed Minar, Dhaka University, Shahbagh, Dhanmondi Lake, Hatirjheel and different other spots to celebrate the day.

The celebrations of Pahela Baishakh have become an integral part of Bangalees since it began over six centuries back. Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bangla calendar in 1556 of the Gregorian calendar in a bid to streamline the timing of land tax collection in the then 'Subah Bangla' region, the much of which falls under Bangladesh. Traders and shopkeepers across the country opened 'Halkhata' (new book of accounts) and entertained customers and visitors with sweets on the first day of the New Year as part of the tradition and culture.

Students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University brought out a 'Mangal Shobhajatra' (procession of good wishes) around 10 am as part of the festival. The procession ended on the DU campus after parading different roads via Shahbagh.

However, no one was allowed to wear mask during the procession.

Men wearing panjabi-pyjama, women attired in saris with red borders and children in colourful dresses all thronged traditional Baishakhi Mela (fair) and other cultural functions in the city and elsewhere across the country. People partook of 'Panta Bhat (watery rice)' with fried hilsa, lentils, green chili and onions at home, restaurants and fairs following the rich tradition of Bangla culture. State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar and the private TV channels aired special programmes on the day. Different socio-cultural organisations also celebrated the day with elaborate programmes.

Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy and Nazrul Institute organised separate cultural programmes to welcome the New Year. Meanwhile, extensive security measures were in place in the city and elsewhere across the country for smooth celebrations of the day. There were several watchtowers and adequate searchlights in Ramna Batamul area. Besides, a number of mobile courts were deployed in Ramna and Dhaka University areas to avoid any act of sabotage.




S ir Patrick Stewart has backed hundreds of people set to march through central London calling for a second Brexit vote.

Opponents of leaving the EU are staging a "people power" rally to push for a referendum on the final exit deal.

Around 1,000 campaigners are expected to gather in London calling for a "people's vote", including the X Men actor and politicians from across the political spectrum.

Before the event, he told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show that the calls for a fresh vote were "part of democratic process".

Asked what he would say to people who voted for Brexit, he told the programme "what we are doing is in their benefit".

The People's Vote campaign will demand voters are given the final say rather than Parliament on the deal secured by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Layla Moran will tell crowds: "It may seem like the odds are stacked against us as a movement, but fighting for what you believe in is never easy.

"We are short on time, but we have people power on our side. Together, we are on the verge of something extraordinary."

The campaign brings together nine grassroots campaigning organisations in a joint push for a vote.

Economist Mariana Mazzucato, Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed and comedian Andy Parsons are also expected to attend.

James McGrory, executive director of Open Britain - which is supporting the People's Vote campaign, said: "Whether you think the Government will negotiate a good deal or bad deal, Brexit is definitely a big deal.

Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest 1 /12 Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest Demonstrators head towards Parliament Square. REUTERS Signs include 'I love EU' REUTERS The pro-EU march began in Hyde Park Corner. Si Carrington 'NHS? Brexit Wrexit' Oliver Day The march took protesters through the streets of London. Oliver Day One protester brought along a papier mache Queen, in reference to the blue and yellow hat she wore at the State Opening of Parliament. Peter Bailey 'Exit Brexit' Jonathan Hawley The September sun shone as activists marched through the streets. Martin Tod Roads were blocked during the protest. Maggie Jones The campaigners set off shortly after 11am from Hyde Park Corner. Maggie Jones The rally saw the activists march through the streets of central London. Johann Ketel EU colours of blue and yellow were seen throughout the march. Judi Conner

"Brexit is not inevitable. What the Government comes back with, not what was promised in the referendum, will be the real deal. It should not be a done deal.

"Brexit will affect everybody in the country, which is why it should not be left to 650 politicians to decide our future but 65 million people. That is why so many are demanding a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal."
C onservative MP Charlie Elphicke said he was "completely confident" of proving his innocence after reported allegations of sexual offences involving two members of his staff.

The Dover and Deal representative was suspended by the Conservative Party in November last year following "serious allegations".

At the time, Mr Elphicke denied any wrongdoing and said he did not know what the allegations against him were.

The Sunday Times claimed the alleged female victims were interviewed by Scotland Yard earlier this year.

Police also spoke to the MP under caution on March 12, which he claims was the first time he was made aware of the nature of the allegations.

In a post on Twitter, Mr Elphicke said: "It was some five months before I was made aware of what the "allegations" against me were.

"Now I know, I am completely confident I will be able to prove my innocence. I will continue to defend myself vigorously for as long as necessary."

In a further statement published by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Elphicke added: "I met with the police on March 12 (and) was then told for the first time the nature of the allegations made against me.

"Until that point I had no idea whatsoever of the allegations which had led to my having the Conservative whip suspended in early November 2017, despite my repeated requests for clarification to both the Chief Whip and the police."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "On March 12, 2018, a man was interviewed under caution, by appointment. The interview was in connection with an ongoing investigation being carried out by the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command into alleged sexual offences.

"The interview took place at a police building. At this stage in the investigation the MPS will not comment further."
A BBC broadcast of Enoch Powells Rivers of Blood speech on Radio Four solicited mixed reaction from listeners.

The broadcaster hailed the programme marking the 50th anniversary of the address a "rigorous journalistic analysis of a historical political speech.

A spokesman added it was "not an endorsement of the controversial views".

The 1968 anti-immigration speech was read out by actor Ian McDiarmid on Radio 4's Archive On 4 programme on Saturday.

Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech will be broadcast in full on Saturday / BBC

It was read out in full for the first time on British radio, but in chunks interspersed with discussion about the speech.

Homeland star David Harewood led criticism of the broadcast.

Harewood, who played a CIA boss in TV hit Homeland, tweeted: "Dear BBCRadio4. I don't need that speech analysed.

"I know exactly what it meant because I felt it. On my way to school, on my way home, every time I went into town and basically whenever I went outside in the late 70s and 80s.

"I tried not to listen then, so I won't listen now."

Labour peer Lord Andrew Adonis had asked watchdog Ofcom to intervene and instruct the BBC not to broadcast the speech, which he describes as "incendiary and racist".

Another listener wrote: BBC R4's airing of the rivers of blood speech last night was a joke. It had to be paused every 5 minutes so 'objective' commentators could say what a monster he was. Final comment by presenter: "He was both a racialist and a racist".

A third added: Unfortunately, the BBC have got it totally wrong to broadcast the 'Rivers of Blood' speech on Radio 4. He should be shunned and remain obscure because of his blatant racism and xenophobia within the 1968 speech.

But some listeners welcomed the broadcast.

Paul Embery wrote: "Archive on 4 about Enoch Powell, was insightful, sensitive, analytical and balanced.

"The idea, peddled by the usual self-appointed censors, that it would persuade hordes of Radio 4 listeners to become violent racists was always preposterous."

And Jeremy Duns added: "Didn't see anything wrong with Radio 4's programme on Enoch Powell. Solid documentary, and the full speech made it clearer just how racist and wrong it was (also pompous). I'd have preferred to hear Powell than an actor."

The speech included observations on immigrants taken from Powell's Wolverhampton constituents.

The 45 minute speech is widely believed to have incited racism against immigrants and led to Powell being dismissed from the Conservative Party. In it, Powell proposed a policy encouraging people who had come to the UK from abroad to return their country of origin.

It ended with a reference to a line in Virgil's poem Aeneid when civil war in Italy is predicted using the phrase "the River Tiber foaming with much blood".

Powell died aged 95 in 1988.

A BBC spokesman said prior to the broadcast: Many people know of this controversial speech but few have heard it beyond soundbites. Radio 4s well established programme Archive on 4 reflects in detail on historical events and, in order to assess the speech fully and its impact on the immigration debate, it will be analysed by a wide range of contributors including many anti-racism campaigners.
T he Royal Wedding has secured a major tourism boost for areas surrounding London and Windsor as Airbnb revealed bookings had surged by 1,438 per cent.

A leading travel agency also said that they had seen a spike in bookings for flights to London from Europe for the weekend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding.

Bookings in Windsor and its nearby towns, Slough, Maidenhead and Reading have soared as excited fans gear up for the May 19 wedding, online letting firm Airbnb said.

The capital is also expected to receive more than 40,000 guest arrivals over the wedding weekend with visitors flocking to London to celebrate the nuptials there.

Notable names missing from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding 1 /4 Notable names missing from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Theresa May Barack Obama Reuters Michelle Obama Getty Images Donald Trump Getty Images

Leading online travel agent opodo.co.uk said it has seen a 33 per cent increase in passenger bookings to London airports between May 17 and 19 with the top 10 countries all from coming from Europe.

The US ranked the 12th biggest nation of visitors to the capital at the time of the royal wedding, according to the site.

More people are travelling to London from Germany than anywhere else, the travel company said.

It comes as Airbnb said unlikely tourist hotspot Slough would see an increase of 1438 per cent in guest arrivals over the Royal Wedding weekend compared to May 2017.

A spike of 194 per cent is predicted in Windsor, while guest arrivals in Maidenhead are set to increase by 362 per cent and Reading by 57 per cent.

Royal wedding countdown: The plan so far for Harry and Meghan

The online platform has also revealed homeowners in London, Windsor and nearby towns are set to cash in on Harry and Meghans wedding.

Airbnb announced a project total host income of nearly 12 million in London, while local residents in Windsor could make more than 126,000.

St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan will marry / PA

James McClure, General Manager for Airbnb says: The Royal Wedding has provided a welcome tourism boost, putting the UK in the spotlight once again.

By creating an opportunity to host visitors from near and far, Airbnb is supporting economic investment into small, local communities and also helping locals to make a little extra money from sharing their homes.

However, despite the surge in European visitors to the UK for the wedding, industry experts have said they are not expecting an increase in long-distance bookings to the UK for the wedding.

"Don't expect visitors from abroad to come for this royal wedding; it is a pageant for domestic consumption," said Tom Jenkins, CEO of European tourism association ETOA.

According to ForwardKeys, a travel research firm that monitors 17 million flight bookings to the UK, bookings to London between May 14 and 19 are currently 2.8 per cent behind figures for the same period last year.

Olivier Jager, CEO of the ForwardKeys, said: "There was no discernible increase in bookings for the UK as a consequence of the royal wedding.

A spokesman for the data firm told the Standard ForwardKeys holds less information on bookings with budget airlines, such as Ryanair.
J eremy Corbyn has called for a War Powers Act to give Parliament more scrutiny over military action following the bombing campaign in Syria.

Appearing on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show, the Labour leader questioned the legal basis for the UK joining the US and France in airstrikes in response to the chemical weapons attack in Douma.

It came as Boris Johnson said "there is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks" in Syria. The Foreign Secretary also appeared on the BBC One show on Sunday.

Asked if he would order military action in any circumstances if he was prime minister, the Labour leader replied: "No-one would ever say never."

But Mr Corbyn said Parliament should have been given a vote ahead of the strikes.

"I think what we need in this country is something more robust like a War Powers Act so that governments do get held to account by Parliament for what they do in our name."

Mr Corbyn said that if Britain wants to "get the moral high ground around the world" it must abide by international law for taking military action.

Asked if there were any circumstances in which he would back airstrikes in Syria, Mr Corbyn replied: "I can only countenance involvement in Syria if there is a UN authority behind it.

Airstrikes were launched against Syria on Saturday / PA

"If we could get to a process in the UN where you get to a ceasefire, you get to a political solution, you then may well get to a situation where there could be a UN force established to enforce that ceasefire.

"That surely would save a lot of lives."

The US has warned it is "locked and loaded" if Syria carries out fresh attacks on its people.

Mr Corbyn said: "President Trump has a way with words, that's for sure. I hope it's just exaggeration on his part."

Meanwhile Mr Johnson said "finally the world has said enough is enough" as he defended the "proportionate" action in Syria.

He told the programme: "There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far - thank heavens - the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack."

Mr Johnson added: "If and when such a thing were to happen then clearly, with allies, we would study what the options were."

The Foreign Secretary, when asked if Syrian President Bashar Assad still has chemical weapons capability, replied: "I can't answer that question. Clearly the strikes were successful on three important sites.

"But the overwhelming purpose, the mission was to send a message that after years now in which we've seen a series of chemical weapons strikes - four of them authenticated by the OPCW joint investigative mechanism, dozens of other attacks of which we have testimony - finally the world has said enough is enough."
A prominent US gay rights lawyer and environmental advocate set himself on fire in a New York City park during a protest.

David Buckel, 60, was found dead by passers-by in Brooklyn's Prospect Park on Saturday.

Police said he was pronounced dead at about 11.30am GMT (6.30am local time).

The Daily News reports that Mr Buckel left a note in a shopping cart near his body.

The New York Times said it received an emailed copy of the note, which read: "Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result - my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves."

Mr Buckel was the lead attorney in a lawsuit involving Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered in Nebraska, the Associated Press reported.

Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Teena in the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry."

Susan Sommer, a former Lambda Legal attorney who is now the general counsel for the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in New York City, said Mr Buckel "was all about justice, but he was also all about what it means to be human."
T he joint US, British and French air strikes on a Syrian chemical weapons plant have been celebrated by the world leaders behind it - despite concerns from political opponents at home.

The joint bombing campaign in Syria was hailed a "success" by Theresa May, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron in talks by telephone on Saturday afternoon.

Britain launched cruise missiles as part of the co-ordinated military operation with the United States and France in response to the chemical weapons attack in Douma one week ago.

Mr Trump declared it was "mission accomplished" and thanked the UK and France "for their wisdom and the power of their fine military".

Russia's UN ambassador condemns airstrikes on Syria

In separate calls, the Prime Minister spoke to the US and French presidents to discuss the offensive.

"The three leaders agreed that the military strikes taken against the Syrian Regime's chemical weapons sites had been a success," a No 10 spokesman said.

Donald Trump: Mission accomplished with Syria air strikes

All NATO allies had "given the action their full support", secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.

Speaking in Brussels, he told reporters: "Before the strikes took place last night, Nato allies exhausted all other possible ways to address this issue through the UN Security Council by diplomatic and political means.

Downing Street said Mrs May has spoken by telephone to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, King Abdullah of Jordan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, EU President Donald Tusk, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

US, UK and French forces launch airstrikes on Syria 1 /15 US, UK and French forces launch airstrikes on Syria Images emerged showing the damage to a research lab near Damascus AP A fireman extinguishes smoke at a damaged lab in Damascus AP The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus Getty Images The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus Getty Images An RAF Tornado pilot checking his weapons before taking-off PA A missile lights up the sky over Damascus AP An image shows the release of a Tomahawk missile REUTERS Damage to a research lab near Damascus AP A Tomahawk missile pictured after being launched AFP/Getty Images French officials attend Defence Council in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump announces the launch of military action on Syria AFP/Getty Images Theresa May addresses a press conference in Downing Street AP Department of Defense spokeswoman Dana White and Joint Staff director Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. address reporters EPA Syrian state TV shows a missile over Damascus AP Protesters outside the Syrian Embassy, in Amman, Jordan EPA

Not everyone has been so positive, however.

At home, Mrs May faced scrutiny from Opposition members such as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Tottenham MP David Lammy.

Mr Corbyn said the military action against Syria was "legally questionable" and makes real accountability for war crimes less likely.

He said: "Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace. This legally questionable action risks escalating further, as US Defence Secretary James Mattis has admitted, an already devastating conflict and therefore makes real accountability for war crimes and use of chemical weapons less, not more likely."

Nikki Haley: US is locked and loaded against Syria

While Mr Lammy asked on Twitter: "If...the Government won't take Syrian children stranded in Europe because this is apparently not 'right', how many have come directly from Syria?

"Look forward to publication of ambitious [Government] target and strategy for taking Syrian refugees when Parliament returns on Monday."

In the US, Mr Trump was slammed by Democrat politicians for refusing to consult Congress before moving ahead with the strike.

Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clintons 2016 running mate, questioned Mr Trump's increasing confidence as a military commander.

Trumps decision to launch airstrikes against Syria without Congresss approval is illegal. We need to stop giving presidents a blank check to wage war, he tweeted Friday night. Today its Syria, but whats going to stop him from bombing Iran or North Korea next?

Internationally, Syrian ally and Russian leader Vladimir Putin blasted the attacks as being "in violation of the UN Charter".

He said: An act of aggression against a sovereign state that is on the frontline in the fight against terrorism was committed without a mandate from the UN Security Council and in violation of the UN Charter and norms and principles of international law.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei branded the strike a crime and said it would not achieve any gains.

He said in a speech: "Today's dawn attack on Syria is a crime. I clearly declare that the president of the United States, the president of France and the British prime minister are criminals.

"They will not benefit (from the attack) as they went to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan in the past years and committed such crimes and did not gain any benefits.
R ussia could launch cyber warfare within weeks in retaliation to US-led airstrikes on Syria bringing down City firms, the UK transport network and the NHS, experts have warned.

Theresa May hailed targeted and limited action on key sites of Syrias chemical weapons regime a success while Donald Trump branded the offensive perfectly executed.

But Russia warned of consequences following the strike which has left the Prime Minister facing questions over why the decision was not put to a parliamentary vote.

Now experts have said the action in retaliation to a suspected chemical attack in Douma a week ago could lead to cyber warfare.

US, UK and French forces launch airstrikes on Syria 1 /15 US, UK and French forces launch airstrikes on Syria Images emerged showing the damage to a research lab near Damascus AP A fireman extinguishes smoke at a damaged lab in Damascus AP The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus Getty Images The wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus Getty Images An RAF Tornado pilot checking his weapons before taking-off PA A missile lights up the sky over Damascus AP An image shows the release of a Tomahawk missile REUTERS Damage to a research lab near Damascus AP A Tomahawk missile pictured after being launched AFP/Getty Images French officials attend Defence Council in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump announces the launch of military action on Syria AFP/Getty Images Theresa May addresses a press conference in Downing Street AP Department of Defense spokeswoman Dana White and Joint Staff director Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. address reporters EPA Syrian state TV shows a missile over Damascus AP Protesters outside the Syrian Embassy, in Amman, Jordan EPA

British academic Michael Clarke who specialises in defence told the Sunday Mirror an attack could be imminent in the next two or three weeks.

"I suspect Russia will choose not to respond in military terms. But cyber warfare is highly likely," he says.

"It will be an attack on national infrastructure, not just upsetting city firms, but getting inside the transport system, or the health system, or air traffic control. It could affect everyone."

Loading....

Mark Almond, director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford agreed that the strikes would spark retaliation and said Britain was most vulnerable to a counter-attack.

Despite admitting that the "immediate risk of a wider war" has been avoided for now, he warned that sources of potential conflict are still very much active on the ground in Syria.

He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "Bad relations could easily encourage a reckless Russian freebooter, prompted and paid by Iran, to try his luck getting revenge on the pockets of US and British forces operating in eastern Syria.

Theresa May's speech on Syria strikes in 60 seconds

"Britain is more exposed to potential revenge attacks, despite only four Tornados taking part in the strikes, because they flew from Akrotiri in Cyprus - so close to Syria and to Lebanon."

Military chiefs backed the action but disputed claims Russia and Syria would strike back.

Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army said it was "wholly right" that Syria was subject to sanctions from the UK, US and France following the "appalling" use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.

Inaction, he said, would have made the West look weak.

Damage to a research lab near Damascus / AP

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the retired Army officer, who was Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009, said: "The Prime Minister...deserves our congratulations for having the moral courage to do the right thing at the right time.

"Always seeking approval from Parliament is a recipe for inaction."

Missiles light up the sky over Damascus / AP

The next step, he added, is for Britain to play its part in getting all parties to meet "around the conference table" in Geneva, and put a stop to the Syrian civil war.

Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy added that some form of military action "had to be taken" over the situation in Syria.

While the attack was a "pinprick", the next one could be a "great big hammer", he added, saying Bashar Assad would be "stupid" to consider deploying chemical weapons again.

"Theresa May was right not to go to Parliament," he wrote, in a column for the Sunday Mirror.

"If she had evidence of a chemical attack that would have added extra complication."

He added that he believes Russia will not fire missiles - "that would be an act of war" - and that Vladimir Putin will be happy to "allow this to fade away".
Defence secretary Gavin Williamson has been speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He said that last night's airstrike against the Syrian regime was "a highly successful mission".

Speaking to presenter John Humphrys, he said: "The reason we have taken this action is because we all saw the images last week of the suffering that had been inflicted on innocent men, women and children, and there has been a need to act.

"That's why last night we deployed four Tornados armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. You will be pleased to hear all of those crews have returned safely and every early indication is that is has been a highly successful mission.

"This is something we have been in discussion with the US and French over the last few days but obviously the meeting of Cabinet is where this was properly discussed."
FBCCI team off to UK to attend Cwealth Business Forum

Business Desk :

A 27-delegation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), led by its President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, left here for London on Saturday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the Forum, said a press release.

During their visit, the FBCCI business team will attend the 'Commonwealth Business Forum' to be held during 16-18 April.

Prosperity of Commonwealth for the member countries and trade and growth issues will be discussed in the forum.

FBCCI leaders will meet with the representatives of other member countries and will extend their efforts to expand bilateral trade and attract foreign investment.

The FBCCI delegation will also attend the Cardiff Business Seminar organized by Cardiff - Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce.

The FBCCI delegation is expected to return home on 18 April.
Countries & Areas

Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe
Romanian Senate on Tuesday will open for three days, April 17-19, the first Parliamentary Summit of the Bucharest Format (B9).

The event was co-organized by the Romanian Senate Speaker, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, together with the Marshal of the Senate of the Polish Republic, Stanislaw Karczewski.

"Considering the current international developments, the B9 Parliamentary Summit represents an important element in terms of parliamentary diplomacy approaches at multilateral level. The B9 parliamentary pillar aims at facilitating convergent positions, by strengthening the role played by national parliaments in the security and defence fields. The organization of the B9 Parliamentary Summit sends a unitary and coherent message concerning the consolidation of the Eastern Flank of NATO, ahead of the NATO Summit that will take place in Brussels in July 2018," shows a release remitted to STIRIPESURSE.ROThe agenda for this year includes, among others, such aspects related to the future presence of NATO, NATO's defence and deterrence posture, common responsibilities, combating terrorism, military mobility, perceptions regarding the threats facing the participant countries, legislative consolidation in the defence field etc.The Summit will also enjoy the presence of the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis , co-initiator of the Bucharest Format (B9).The inaugural session will take place on Wednesday, at the Constantin Stere hall. Invited to hold speeches are the co-initiators of the parliamentary pillar of the Bucharest Format (B9) and guests of honour, with two working session to follow after that.There will be present the parliamentary delegations of member states of the Bucharest Format: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary, as well as guests of honour - Gerard Larcher, the President of the Senate of the French Republic, Paolo Alli, the President of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, David Hobbs, Secretary General of AP NATO, General Curtis Scaparrotti, SACEUR NATO, General Nicolae Ciuca, head of the the General Staff of the Romanian Army.There will also participate Matti Saarelainen, head of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, and Tomas Valasek, head of Carnegie Europe, who were invited to make presentations at the debates session.
Is the US sincere in its fury about the alleged chemical attack in Syria? If this were more than theatrics, it would repent of its role in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. More than 30 years ago the Iraqi regime was regularly delivering devastating chemical barrages against Iran. The US knew all along that Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader at the time, had been using mustard gas and sarin since 1983. Roughly 20,000 Iranian troops were killed by chemical weapons (CW) in that war.

No emergency UN Security Council meetings were convened, no warships capable of striking land targets with cruise missiles rushed toward Iraqi shores, no belligerent statements were issued, and no sustained military operations were announced. Quite the opposite, the US provided the regime with intelligence. This is an example of how satellite imagery was used to violate human rights. The US assistance was not limited to providing just military data. Arms were funneled in via Middle East allies.

Donald Rumsfeld, then special envoy to the Middle East, visited Baghdad in 1983 to shake hands with Saddam Hussein. It was the US and only the US that protected Iraq in the UN against Irans charges of CW use. The 1925 Geneva Protocol states that the signatories are to induce other states not to use CW.

In 1988, the Iraqi regime killed 5,000 of its own citizens in Halabja, Iraqi Kurdistan. The US sought to obscure Baghdads responsibility by falsely accusing Tehran, despite the fact that Iran did not possess CW.

Washington turned a blind eye toward the use of CW by jihadists in Syria. It did not react when members of the UN independent commission of inquiry warned of its "strong suspicions" that it was the rebels, not the government, who had used CW in that war-torn country.

The US used deadly substances in Syria and Iraq, such as , breaching International Humanitarian Law. The use of white phosphorus munitions in the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2004 has been acknowledged by US officials. That is an incendiary weapon prohibited by the 1980

The use of US cluster bombs against civilians in Yemen is a violation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Unlike Russia, the US has failed to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It has also refused to join the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans antipersonnel land mines (the Mine Ban Treaty).

The US never stopped working on its biological programs. It operates 25 bio-labs around the world in violation of the UN Biological Weapons Convention. Russia is concerned about the fact that the US has bioweapons programs in place near its borders in Ukraine and Georgia. A leak could lead to mass epidemics that would spread to Russia. No borders exist for killer insects.

The State Department described the alleged CW attack in Douma as "horrifying". It said so even before the OPCW experts arrived there on April 13. Its statement claims that Russias support of the Syrian government is a betrayal of the CWC. No statement coming out of Foggy Bottom has ever declared that the US government is sorry for its multiple violations of international agreements, universally accepted norms of conduct, or for the people who have died or suffered as a result of its misdeeds. Perhaps American diplomats see nothing horrifying here.

The State Department fails to explain why a multinational invasion of Syria could be justified by something that might prove a hoax. Besides, no one has proved that anything like a CW attack took place in Douma at all. Should multinational forces invade the US because of its violations of international law? Could anyone in his right mind believe the US is really worried about the Syrian civilians who allegedly suffered as a result of the attack it says has taken place?

Last year, it took the US military about 48 hours to kill 100 civilians in Raqqa. One thousand eight hundred civilians overall lost their lives over the course of the US-led offensive to oust Islamic State fighters during that operation. There was no State Department comment on what happened. Were those civilians different from the ones in Douma?

State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert believes Russia bears responsibility for the CW attack because it shields Syria. By doing so, it has breached its commitments to the United Nations. She has a lot of nerve saying that, given all the numerous violations and illegal activities her country conducts practically in broad daylight. People who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.
After unleashing over 100 missiles on Syria at the weekend, the US, Britain and France strained to declare self-righteousness in the name of the international community.

The strain comes from the fact that the three attacking nations are not the international community. They are acting above the law and have no moral authority  despite their declarations of righteousness.

Their steely resolve is not so steely as they would like to project. There were mixed messages whether this was a one-off show of force, or whether there is more offensive force on the way.

The fact that a US aircraft carrier strike group is on its way to the Mediterranean  due to arrive next week  suggests that a full-blown war may be on the cards. There again, the American, French and British leaders showed signs of trepidation by trying to reassure that the strikes at the weekend were mission accomplished.

A major problem is the three NATO aggressors are not sure about what they are getting into in Syria, how far they can push their offensive, and what the consequences are. Russia has warned of grave consequences, so has Syria and Iran, who all denounced the military strikes as aggression.

One weakness  despite the bravado  is that the capricious American lead-aggressor seems to be suffering from some kind of mental disorder, which must make the hoops and hurdles following this leader rather tortuous for the British and French lackeys.

The British and French are doing what they usually do as well-trained vassals. By backing American plans for a military strike on Syria, the NATO trio then acquires an image of plurality which they preposterously refer to as the international community  thus giving a veneer of moral authority to what in reality is nothing but a clique of imperialist rogue regimes waging aggressive war.

US President Donald Trump talked tough earlier this week warning Syria and its ally Russia that missiles were coming. Trump condemned Russian leader Vladimir Putin for supporting gas-killing animal Bashar al-Assad. He was referring to the alleged chemical weapons incident near Damascus last weekend, for which there is no evidence apart from dubious propaganda videos released by anti-government militants.

Then, taking their cue, the dutiful British and French rowed in behind Trumps belligerence. Britains Prime Minister Theresa May held a two-hour national security summit in Downing Street, concluding that Britain would join military strike plans coordinated with the international community  meaning the US and France.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron upped the ante by declaring publicly he had proof that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against civilians. Macron didnt substantiate his claim of proof. But the logic dictated that the supposed proof justified military action against Syria.

The British and French leaders are engaging in an unseemly competition to see which one will be American leaders top lieutenant for any full-blown war on Syria.

Traditionally, that role goes to Britain due to its much-vaunted special relationship with Washington going back to the early Cold War years against the Soviet Union.

But much to the chagrin of the current British rulers, Frances Macron has emerged as Trumps go-to guy in Europe, as Bloomberg put it. Trump reportedly views Macron as more reliable than Britains May.

After the alleged chemical incident on April 7 in Douma near Damascus  an incident which Syria and Russia have dismissed as a fabrication  the American president was immediately on the phone to his French counterpart for advice. Macron reportedly shared intelligence with Trump that allegedly implicated the Syrian army.

Trump quickly adopted a belligerent position claiming women and children dead in barbaric atrocity. He blamed the Syrian leader Assad and Russia, and warned there would be a big price to pay.

It was two days later that Trump finally phoned British premier Theresa May to consult with her on what action to take on Syria. That delay led to apprehension in British media that France was displacing the special relationship.

The trouble for the sycophants is that with Trump it is a conundrum to anticipate or discern his thinking.

Within hours of his reckless threat to Syria and Russia of missiles coming, Trump appeared to make a remarkable U-turn, saying that a military strike may not happen after all.

This caprice is not Trump being shrewdly mercurial, or keeping his adversaries guessing. Its more a case of Trump once again showing his immaturity, impetuousness and what many social media commentators are claiming is a mental instability akin to some form of bipolar condition.

Examples of Trumps mental instability are legion. Only last week, before the alleged chemical attack, he surprised even his inner circle at the White House with an announced intention to withdraw all US troops from Syria very soon. That outburst was hurriedly smothered by hawkish aides and pundits telling the president to get a grip.

Then, days later, after the alleged chemical incident, Trump was all gung-ho to shoot up Syria, even at the risk of starting World War III.

Trumps embrace of the military option stood in stark contradiction to his vehement exhortation to former President Barack Obama back in 2013, when Trump warned Obama to not launch military strikes on Syria following another dubious chemical-weapon incident in Eastern Ghouta.

Its hardly an exaggeration to say the real-estate-tycoon-turned president has the attention span of a goldfish. White House aides confide that if he can sustain a policy position from morning until the afternoon, then thats a good day.

Away from Syria for a moment, one other example of Trumps fragile decision-making come from reports this week that he is now asking his economic advisors if they can find a way for the US to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This was the trade pact with the Asian Pacific Rim nations that Trump tore up during the first days of taking office in January 2017. Trump huffed that it was the worst deal ever. Now, however, it turns out that he wants back into the trade pact prompted by the sudden alarm that American farm exports may be vulnerable to Chinese counter-tariffs.

As noted, this isnt so much Trump being smart or cleverly cryptic. Its Trump being short-sighted, impetuous, not to say irrational. One can hardly take anything he says seriously or reliably. He is apt to change his mind on a dime.

Trump has ordered a US Navy carrier strike group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, towards Syria. His earlier warnings of a massive military strike on Syria may indeed go ahead, possibly when the armada arrives in the East Mediterranean next week.

The whole chemical-weapon narrative is a ruse to provide pretext for a US-led attack on Syria. Perhaps Trump genuinely has been duped by his own military intelligence working as they do with the Syrian regime-change terrorist proxies.

French President Macron appears to be equally duped, with his bombastic assertions of having proof. Either Macron is duped or a liar, because in all probability a chemical-weapons attack was not carried out by the Syrian army. If there was an incident it was mostly likely a false-flag propaganda stunt carried out by the CIA, MI6 and DGSE-backed terror groups against innocent civilians.

The irrationality of Trump, Macron and Mays position is betrayed by Pentagon chief James Mattis telling the US Congress as late as Thursday that we are looking for the actual evidence.

Under the headline, Pentagon urges greater caution on imminent strike against Syria, The New York Times reported: Defense Secretary James Mattis demanded evidence of the Syrian governments role in a suspended chemical attack to justify military action.

Hows that for self-indictment. Trump, Macron and May are lining up the international community for a war on Syria, possibly exploding into a world war with Russia, and yet the Pentagons top commander admits there is no evidence for justifying the alleged retaliation over chemical weapons.

Thats not to say that the Pentagon offers a chance for peace here. The regime-change plan in Syria predates Trump and is still no doubt on the board. The apparent difference with Mattis may be to do with tactics and timing of the plan to go to war. But his admission of no evidence is nevertheless damning.

Trump is, of course, increasingly being seen for what he is  a despicable charlatan with a moral compass without a needle. But what is equally repugnant is the way British and French leaders, Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron, are spineless warmongering accessories.

The NATO trio of aggressors are affecting an air of resolve. But their affected image is not what it seems. They are projecting an image of strength, but as Syria, Russia and Iran hold firm, there is a strong sense that the NATO powers are insecure about where their belligerence is leading to.

A full-scale war may yet erupt. And if US, British or French warplanes start getting shot down, their supposed unified bravado will go into a tailspin.
Russia is taking another step to restore the Cossack community to their pre-communist role of voluntary militia that was always ready to serve the empire and defend Russia from external and internal enemies. The latest move allows all-Cossack units to be formed for the National Guard. This organization was created in 2016 as a paramilitary organization of some 400,000 soldiers and police. This National Guard is officially a rapid reaction force for dealing with terrorism or any other threat to Russia that requires quick and decisive action. There was opposition in parliament to proposed new laws that allowed the National Guard to fire on Russian citizens whenever the government wanted to without warning. In addition, National Guard leaders are to be immune to any prosecution for anything they are ordered to do. This reminds too many people of the kind of power the Soviet era KGB had. But it is also similar to the role the pre-communist Cossacks played in defending the czar and his government.

When the Czar was replaced by the Soviet Union a KGB army replaced czarist era secret police and Cossacks. The 2016 National Guard took most of the best trained and most effective units from the Interior Ministry. That was seen as weakening an existing force that could prevent a new KGB from misbehaving. Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, also made the National Guard immune to FSB (the post-Soviet KGB) oversight. Another interesting aspect of the National Guard is that the many para-military groups formed by the pro-Putin government of Chechnya are now considered part of the National Guard. A growing number of Russians are calling the National Guard Putins Private Army. The new Putin version of the KGB army already contains the most militarized police units available to the Interior Ministry (the national police and various riot control, SWAT and special operations forces) as well as investigators and intelligence experts. These personnel are assigned to the new National Guard which swears to protect the president of Russia (currently Putin), not the Russian people. This is how czarist era Cossacks operated. What a coincidence.

The Cossacks are a uniquely Russian paramilitary force. Originating in southern Russia. The Cossacks were, and still are, very nationalist, aggressive, persistent, independent minded and really keen on rebuilding the Russian empire (which is what Cossacks were invented for centuries ago). Thus when Russia ran into trouble taking Donbas (eastern Ukraine) away from Ukraine in 2014 Cossacks in the area were prominent among the Russian nationalists who volunteered to serve as irregulars in Donbas in an effort to restore the area to the empire. One reason for sending more Russian troops into Donbas was to try and get the Cossacks to do what Russia, not Cossack leaders, wanted.

Thats not the only problems the Russians are having with these guys. Cossacks are a number of things, including righteous. Although poorly treated by the communists, the Cossacks are believers in collectivism and tend to be very hostile to corrupt leaders they come across. This has caused problems in Russia and again in Donbas because some of the local separatist rebel leaders are, for want of a better term, quite corrupt. Cossacks accuse these leaders of stealing Russian aid and taking care of themselves and their armed followers rather than sticking with the goal of an independent Donbas or incorporation into Russia. But by 2015 it was feared that the troublesome and righteous Cossacks were triggering a civil war among the rebels.

The Cossacks were welcome arrivals when they showed up in 2014 because the original local Donbas rebels quickly lost their enthusiasm when their uprising triggered a nationalistic fervor throughout Ukraine and inspired Ukrainian troops and armed volunteers to fight a lot harder than the rebels expected. Russia, which sponsored and encouraged the rebels from the start soon found that the only way they could take territory was to send in Russian troops and heavy weapons (tanks, artillery, rocket launchers, missiles). The special operations units (Spetsnaz) were the best for this because these guys knew how to pretend (that they were Ukrainian rebels) and were very effective fighters. But there was not enough of them available and the most effective of the local Russian volunteers were the Cossacks, who proved effective in maintaining the peace among the civilians in the half of Donbas that the Russian backed rebels gained control of before a ceasefire halted offensive operations by both sides. There the situation remains, brought to you in part by Cossacks.

Elsewhere in Russia, the Cossacks have been less trouble and more useful. The Cossacks are also being used to try and replace all the Russian inhabitants of the Caucasus who have been driven out by nationalist rebels and Islamic terrorists. Russia had, over the last two centuries, encouraged ethnic Russians to settle in the Caucasus in order to help maintain Russian control of an often-hostile native population. With the collapse of the empire (the Soviet Union) in 1991, there was no money left to subsidize the ethnic Russians in the Caucasus. That, as much as the anti-Russian attitudes of the natives, prompted most Russians to leave. Now the Russian government is using an old solution to get more ethnic Russians back into the Caucasus; its sending in the Cossacks.

The Cossack people are ethnic Russians with a distinct language and culture (not quite Russian) and strong ties to the Russian Orthodox Church. There are currently about seven million Cossacks in Russia, Ukraine, and other portions of the former Soviet Union. Their involvement in Russian wars goes back centuries. During Tsarist times, Cossacks formed special cavalry units in the Imperial Russian Army, as well serving as instruments of state repression. The Russian Empire had a special arrangement with the Cossacks whereby, in exchange for frontier land, greater political autonomy, and special social status, Cossacks contributed military forces, providing their own horses, weapons, and equipment. The Cossacks were mostly reserve units but kept themselves ready so that when an emergency arose they were almost immediately ready to fight. The Czar and Russian military planners found this capability very useful. Unique, exclusively Cossack military formations have been a staple of Russian history in one way or another for many, many centuries. Cossacks were also notorious for their willingness to do the czars dirty work, especially in the Caucasus and whenever there were popular uprisings.

Opinions on the actual military value of Cossack units is widely divided, as are opinions of the Cossacks themselves. At many points in Russian military history, the Cossacks proved themselves to be determined and fierce, sometimes to the point of recklessness. They considered themselves warriors and there are examples of entire Cossack units fighting to the death against impossible odds. During the Napoleonic Wars and the French invasion of Russia in 1812 Cossack units, mostly as light cavalry, operated extremely effectively as scouts and raiders, harassing the retreating French army mercilessly. Their performance against regular troops in open battle was less than great, but then that wasn't their role anyway.

On the other hand, Cossack units, from the days of Peter the Great (czar 1682-1725) until modern time, have a well-deserved reputation for brutality, anti-Semitism, and looting. They have always been notoriously difficult to control, with Russian officers in past wars becoming frustrated and enraged with drunken, mutinous Cossack soldiers. During the Russian Civil War, Cossacks fought for both sides, especially for the anti-Communist White forces, but they were often divisive, unreliable, and preoccupied with looting and general mayhem. Also, many Russians regarded them as potential rebels, given their unruly history, large numbers, and independent-minded spirit, and those familiar with history know that for a two century period, every major rebellion against the Russian Empire was led by Cossack troops. During the Soviet period, Cossacks were among the many ill-treated minorities, having their distinct culture and language suppressed by the Communist authorities. Cossacks were not allowed to serve in the Soviet military until 1936 and proved particularly effective during World War II, but not as separate Cossack units but as individuals in the Red Army.

Since the 1990s Cossacks are once again involved in Russian conflicts. In an effort to bolster national pride and recover some of the distinct Russian heritage that was suppressed during 70 years of Soviet rule Russia has officially brought back the formation of exclusively Cossack military units, and in a big way. This has accompanied a general explosion of Cossack culture in recent years. Cossack military schools have been established, where student ages 10 to 17 attend classes in army fatigues and learn military tactics alongside regular academic subjects. An entire Kuban Cossack Army, headquartered in Krasnodar, has been established and is incorporated as a unique, but fully integrated, part of the Russian Army. The Russian Minister for Cossack Affairs, general Gennady Troshev (until his death in 2009) was a Cossack himself and had been instrumental in the remilitarization of the Cossack society.

Irregular Cossack paramilitary units fought on the Russian/separatist side in the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, which saw South Ossetia taken from Georgia and made a de facto part of Russia. Cossack volunteers by the hundreds mobilized during the Georgian attack of South Ossetia and crossed the border to engage Georgian forces. Cossacks in nearby North Ossetia apparently organized a relatively efficient and rapid system for clothing, equipping and transporting their paramilitaries into the breakaway province to feed them into combat. Cossack fighters entered South Ossetia by bus, having been issued combat uniforms and gear on the way to the border, and were issued small arms and light weapons once they arrived at the border. Cossack volunteers formed the second major paramilitary force in the war, the first being the South Ossetian militias. According to reports, the Cossack forces fought with dogged determination. Russian army commanders noted the effectiveness of the Cossacks in Georgia which appears to be why the Cossacks showed up in Donbas so quickly. The big difference is that Russian forces soon withdrew from most of Georgia while in Donbas the conflict has gone on for years.

Paramilitary forces and semi-standing armies of "volunteers", of various ethnic and political lines, are a major part of the armed conflict in Russia and the former Soviet Union, particularly among Slavic ethnicities. Such forces exist in disputed territories between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where a majority of ethnic Armenians live in the unrecognized Republic of Nogorno-Karabakh. The Nogorno-Karabakh Defense Army is the formal defense force of the Nogorno-Karabakh Republic. Similar forces exist in both breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Azkaban. Now Cossacks are trying to settle down in eastern Ukraine (parts of which were once Cossack lands).

By 2015 the Russian policy was to encourage, with cash investments and monthly payments to adult Cossacks willing to undergo military training, the establishment of Cossack communities in the Caucasus. These towns and villages would be in touch with the surrounding non-Cossack population and able, if there were problems with the non-Russian natives, to defend themselves until Russian reinforcements show up. Thats a strategy that is centuries old and Russia sees it as succeeding again. The Caucasus natives have a long-standing dislike for the Cossacks, but at the same time fear and respect them, especially when the Cossacks are acting as paramilitary forces. But in Ukraine, the Cossacks often led Ukrainian rebellions against the Russian government. That distant memory is now being reexamined in Moscow and the policies of how to use the Cossacks were reconsidered and in early 2018 it was decided to try reviving some of the czarist traditions by forming all Cossack reserve units as part of the new National Guard. This plan involves moving slowly by forming small units (platoon and company size), noting how well they perform and then deciding how much to expand the program. Whatever the case since the 1990s the Cossacks have been returning to their traditional role as defenders of the Russian empire, a role that was merely interrupted for 70 years by the disastrous Soviet experiment, which collapsed in 1991.
In early April Israel revealed details of how an Iran backed Palestinian Islamic terrorist group (Islamic Jihad) had been plotting to ambush one of the smaller Israeli patrol boats that operate off Gaza and capture or kill the soldiers who man these boats. The attackers would then take the bodies and prisoners back to Gaza and use them to trade for imprisoned Islamic terrorists or whatever else they could get. The plan fell apart in mid-March when Amin Saadi Muhammad Jumma (the organizer of the attack) and two of his associates were captured (along with seven other Palestinians not involved) off the coast of Gaza at night. The men were on a fishing boat that had moved outside the designated fishing zone. Palestinian boats often cross that line and that usually means they are involved in smuggling or something worse. Fishing boats that cross the line are seized, their crews interrogated and eventually released. Legitimate fishing boats tend to avoid this sort of thing as it is bad for business. Smugglers and Islamic terrorists are another matter and the Israelis had noticed the Jumma boat operating in an odd matter recently and it was seized using ten commandos and an intimidating show of force just in case. Seven of the men on the boat had a reason to be there and had been persuaded (some cash may have been involved) to allow the other three to come along and just observe (to gather information on Israeli coastal patrols).

The Israelis found that the three strangers had criminal records, mainly for smuggling. One of these three, Jumma, was known to have joined the Gaza based Islamic Jihad in 2016. Beyond that, the Israelis apparently knew little of what Jumma had been up to. Now they did. Turns out that a year after Jumma joined Islamic Jihad he had been offered $5,000 to organize and carry out the offshore ambush. Jumma was entrusted with this task because, although he had been arrested several times for smuggling at sea, it was known that many times he had managed to deliver the goods (often explosives and rocket components). Jumma appeared capable of pulling off such a bold plan. Moreover in late 2017 Islamic Jihad was desperate for a success, especially after Israel had found and destroyed some of the tunnels Islamic Jihad had built, at great expense, into Israel. Islamic Jihad and their patron Iran felt humiliated and were growing dispirited because of their lack of success against Israel. This was no secret and Israel was always on the lookout for the next scheme, no matter how far-fetched it might seem.

This search of vengeance went into high gear during mid-November 2017 when Islamic Jihad declared it would avenge the Israeli use of explosives (on October 30) to destroy a tunnel that had entered Israeli territory. Islamic Jihad declared this an Israeli act of aggression even though the explosives were set off in the portion of the tunnel that had entered Israel and nearly all the dead were the result of a rescue effort for some of the tunnel builders working in the tunnel when the explosives went off. Right after the explosion, Gaza media identified six of the dead as belonging to Islamic Jihad and two as members of Hamas. Two of the Islamic Jihad dead were leaders and either inspecting the tunnel or supervising the work. It was later revealed that the death toll was higher (at least a dozen Islamic Jihad members and three or more from Hamas). Since this was more a case of Islamic Jihad and Hamas incompetence than anything else the standard response was to blame Israel and call for retaliation. This usually works because anyone in Gaza who points out what really happened (and is known by most in Gaza) they can more easily be accused of acting as an Israeli agent, or maybe even an Israeli spy.

Islamic Jihad should have paid closer attention to what the Israelis were up to. Earlier in November, Israeli troops had built a monitoring station in the now blocked Islamic Jihad tunnel. Israel wanted to ensure that Islamic Jihad or Hamas did not resume work on this tunnel.

Most of the collapsed portion of the tunnel was on the Gaza side of the border but while examining the aftereffects of the explosion Israeli engineers found the bodies of five Palestinians belonging to Islamic Jihad. Israel kept the bodies in cold storage and offered to return them as part of a deal (as yet not agreed to by Hamas) to get back the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in 2014 and several Israelis who illegally entered Gaza and were arrested.

Since 2016 most tunnel deaths have been in deeper and more dangerous tunnels designed to pass under the security fence and into Israel. In response to this dig silent, dig deep tactic Israel developed and installed new sensors. Many of these tunnels belong to Islamic Jihad. Hamas has largely ignored this tunnel building as long as it did not attract the wrong kind of attention. Islamic Jihad has long been a rival of Hamas and to protect itself always maintained close ties with Iran. While some Islamic Jihad members have called for an armed uprising against Hamas Islamic Jihad leaders did the math (or were ordered by their Iranian patrons) to back off. Islamic Jihad leaders realize that and concluded that a war with Hamas would be futile and only benefit Israel. Islamic Jihad has several thousand armed followers in Gaza and cannot just be rounded up and put out of business by Hamas, which has also been tempted to try that and also concluded that such a civil war would only benefit Israel. Moreover with Hamas once more accepting aid from Iran Hamas has been persuaded to use Islamic Jihad to carry out attacks against Israel that Hamas had agreed to halt after their defeat in the disastrous mid-2014 war with Israel.

The 2014 Hamas defeat had other side effects. Hamas alienated its Arab supporters (wealthy Gulf oil states) by diverting much of the reconstruction aid to military purposes. This was one of many disrespectful actions by Hamas. After 2011 Hamas criticism of Iran backed Syrian violence against the Sunni Syrian majority caused major friction between Iran and Hamas. After that, a lot of the Iranian money sent to Gaza was shifted to Hamas rivals in Gaza like Islamic Jihad. One of the disagreements between Hamas and Iran was the blowback from Hamas allowing local Shia to seek converts among the Sunni majority. Hamas cracked down on that between 2012 and 2014. Sunni Islamic conservatives believe Shia caught trying to convert Sunnis should be punished by death. The 2014 war was caused in part by growing Islamic Jihad rocket and mortar attacks into Israel. Islamic Jihad was responsible for many of the rocket attacks from Gaza that violated ceasefire agreements negotiated between Hamas and Israel. This aggression got Islamic Jihad criticized by the UN, which usually condemned Israel for defending itself. Before the 2014 War, the consensus was that Islamic Jihad was trying to goad Israel into attacking Gaza again. Such an attack would force Hamas to try to defend Gaza which would cause heavy Hamas casualties and make it easier for Islamic Jihad to oust Hamas by force later on. That is what the 50 Day War almost did, but Hamas realized that this risk existed and made peace with Israel. By 2016 Islamic Jihad was apparently, at the behest of its patron Iran, trying to trigger another Israeli attack on Gaza, something Hamas believed was premature. A successful tunnel into Israel would be used to carry out terror attacks and kidnappings. That would certainly provoke the Israelis. With enough cash, Islamic Jihad could hire experienced tunnel designers and builders. The Israelis followed these efforts intently and developed effective countermeasures. This angered Iran and suddenly Islamic Jihad had lots more cash and orders to make something happen. The arrest of Jumma and his associates is another example of those efforts to obtain a victory. But the Israelis and Iranians know that if Iran can get enough of these plots underway there is a chance that one or more will succeed. Thus Islamic Jihad and Iranian cash are organizing and financing the mass protests on the Gaza border. These continue but so does the knowledge that Iranian cash is behind it, paying for the tent city built along the border and the food and other amenities offered to Gazans who will stay there and help organize the weekly mass demonstrations that are attempting to breach the border fence. Meanwhile, a growing number of Gazans are killed or wounded when they get too close. Israel had identified most of the dead as Hams or Islamic Jihad members but there are enough dead civilians to make headlines. Islamic Jihad is paying $3,000 to the families of each Gazan killed during the demonstrations. Expect to see more of these deadly, Iran financed, events.
Pakistan has planned to borrow a record-breaking $13 billion in the next fiscal year alone, nearly 63% higher than the outgoing fiscal years original estimates, meant largely to repay previously obtained loans and stabilise nose-diving foreign currency reserves.

The provisional estimate to borrow $13 billion has been prepared for the budget 2018-19 the PML-N government wants to unveil on April 27, said sources at the Ministry of Finance. If the plan materialises, it will be the highest borrowing in a single year in Pakistans 71-year history.

In fiscal year 2016-17, Pakistan borrowed $10.4 billion. However, it has not yet confirmed whether the government will present a realistic plan of Foreign Economic Assistance in parliament on April 27 or like previous five occasions, it will understate the foreign borrowing plan.

The estimated foreign borrowings for fiscal year 2018-19 are $5.1 billion or 63% higher than the original estimates for fiscal year 2017-18. Former finance minister Ishaq Dar had presented only $8 billion as the foreign borrowing plan in parliament for the outgoing fiscal year. However, the government has already borrowed $7.3 billion in just eight months.

The plan does not include borrowings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as at this stage the outgoing government does not want to avail another bailout. It has relied heavily on extensive foreign borrowings to remain afloat, as the government has failed to attract non-debt creating foreign inflows.

During its first four and a half years, the PML-N government took over $40 billion in foreign loans, throwing the country deep into debt.

The IMF has recently projected that Pakistans external debt and liabilities will peak to $93.2 billion by June this year, which in 2013, when the PML-N took over, were nearly $61 billion. The government will have added over $32 billion in five years.

For the next year, a majority of the loans, amounting to $4.7 billion, has been estimated to be received from three multilateral agencies  the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The ADB loans for next fiscal year are estimated at $1.1 billion, the IDB loans at $1.5 billion and the World Bank at $2.02 billion. The World Banks loan estimates appear unrealistic, as the lender is unlikely to give huge sum without the IMF umbrella.

From bilateral sources, Pakistan expects $3.5 billion in loans in the next fiscal year, said sources. This included $2.9 billion from China alone, which in recent years has become the countrys single largest helper.

Pakistan also plans to float $3 billion worth of Euro and Sukuk bonds, partly to repay the previous loans obtained by the PML-N. In April 2014, the PML-N government had raised $1 billion for five years at a fixed rate of 7.25% through the Eurobond. This bond will mature next fiscal year.

The government also plans to take $2 billion foreign commercial loans, which remains its favourite tool in past five years to relieve pressure from the external account.

These loans will help meeting external financing needs and cushion foreign currency reserves, sources added. Official gross foreign currency reserves are already close to $11.5 billion, which the IMF believes would slip to $9.3 billion by June this year, provided the government remains unable to contract sufficient foreign loans.

An elevated current account deficit and increased external obligations are expected to double external financing needs in the medium term, taking a further toll on foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMFs recent report on Pakistans economy.

It added that a higher current account deficit and rising external debt servicing are expected to lead to higher external financing needs, which could increase to $27 billion in fiscal year 2018-19.

The IMF has projected that in the next fiscal year Pakistans current account deficit could be as high as $4.4% of GDP.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has strongly condemned firing at the residence of Supreme Court judge Justice Ijazul Ahsan in Lahores Model Town.

In a tweet the PTI chief said, Strongly condemn the firing at Justice Ijaz ul Ahsans house. These Sicilian-mafia-like tactics to pressurise senior judiciary are unacceptable in any democracy. PTI stands firmly behind the Judiciary & Rule of Law & this is one reason behind our 29th April Minar-i-Pakistan jalsa.

Strongly condemn the firing at Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan's house. These Sicilian-mafia-like tactics to pressurise senior judiciary are unacceptable in any democracy. PTI stands firmly behind the Judiciary & Rule of Law & this is one reason behind our 29th April Minar-i-Pakistan jalsa  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 15, 2018

Two separate incidents of firing took place outside the apex court judges residence late Saturday night and Sunday morning. There were no reports of anyone receiving injuries as a result of the firing.

According to a statement issued by the apex court, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar while taking cognizance of the firing incident visited Justice Ahsanon Sunday morning.

He directed Inspector General of Punjab Police Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz to probe the incident.
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will bring back the lights to Karachi.

Talking to media in Karachi on Saturday, while criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party-led (PPP) Sindh government, he said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had gifted Karachi Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) but the provincial government failed to complete the project.

The Punjab CM said that if PML-N given chance to serve the people in Sindh, the water crisis would be resolved on war foorting.

We will bring the best system of solid waste management in Karachi, he added.

Shehbaz went on to say that they will support those whom people of Karachi would elect, adding that Karachi is the heart of Pakistan, adding that his party would resolve Karachis iusses of clean drinking water, transport and electricity.

He said that we will have to work together for the success and development of the country.

A commission comprising of all four provinces should be formed for the new province, Shehbaz said.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Farooq Sattar, in rushed press conference early Sunday, said he would "rather die than join PSP or any other party".

He was reacting to the jumping ship of several party members into the Pakistan Sarzameen Party (PSP)  formed by former MQM members Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani in 2016.

"The matter is both quite important and very serious, and may pertain to the future of Pakistan  might also be related to the fate of Muhajirs," he said, noting the subtle changes being made ahead of the general elections this year.

"The situation in the cities of Sindh is unfurling, with the aforementioned questions taking a place of key import," Sattar said, claiming that the process of "trying to force changes in loyalties" has already been commenced.

"I'm risking my life  putting my life on the line," said Dr Sattar, who heads the MQM-P's 'PIB group' after a split with the 'Bahadurabad group'.

The MQM-P leader expressed confusion about why his party and PSP were expected to merge.

Sattar underscored that the recent developments were taking place just months ahead of the general elections, which is why he expressed a desire to meet both the nation's top judicial and military authorities.

"I need some time. I wish to meet the Chief Justice (of Pakistan) of the Supreme Court.

"I also intend to go to the Army Chief (Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa)," he stated.

Sattar, in a rhetoric manner, said if this was "how the outgoing assembly was being treated, what could be expected to happen with the incoming [one]".

"We now demand guarantees of safety for our families."
Chemical inspectors to begin work in Syria's Douma

Photo shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following an alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held town in Douma.

AFP, Damascus :

Inspectors from the OPCW chemical watchdog will begin their investigation Sunday at the site of an alleged chemical attack near Damascus, a senior official said.

"The fact-funding team arrived in Damascus on Saturday and is due to go to Douma on Sunday," Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan told AFP.

A delegation of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, is tasked with investigating an April 7 attack on Douma, just east of Damascus.

Western powers say chemical substances, most likely chlorine and sarin, were used in the attack and killed at least 40 civilians.

The alleged attack, which Damascus and its Russian ally have denied ever happened, prompted an unprecedented wave of missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain on Saturday.

Soussan reiterated a pledge by the Syrian government that the chemical experts would be allow to investigate unimpeded.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," he said.

Meanwhile, President Bashar al-Assad's government has invited international inspectors to send a team to Syria to investigate an alleged chemical attack in the town of Douma in a move apparently aimed at averting possible Western military action over the incident.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned of a quick, forceful response once responsibility was established. The White House said Trump will now not travel on Friday to the Summit of the Americas in Peru so that he can focus on the crisis.

At least 60 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in Saturday's suspected attack on Douma, then still occupied by rebel forces, according to a Syrian relief group.

The Syrian government and Russia said there was no evidence that a gas attack had taken place and the claim was bogus.

But the incident has thrust Syria's seven-year-old conflict back to the forefront of international concern.

Adding to the volatile situation, Iran, Assad's main ally along with Russia, threatened to respond to an air strike on a Syrian military base on Monday that Tehran, Damascus and Moscow have blamed on Israel.

Meanwhile on the ground, thousands of militants and their families arrived in rebel-held northwestern Syria after surrendering Douma to government forces. The evacuation deal restores Assad's control over the entire eastern Ghouta - formerly the biggest rebel bastion near Damascus.

The Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is already at work trying to establish what exactly took place in Douma.

But whether a team would try to get there was unclear. OPCW inspectors have been attacked on two previous missions to the sites of chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

"Syria is keen on cooperating with the OPCW to uncover the truth behind the allegations that some Western sides have been advertising to justify their aggressive intentions," state news agency SANA said, quoting an official Foreign Ministry source.

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin would submit a resolution to the U.N. Security Council proposing that the OPCW investigate the alleged attack.
The same day that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar criticised the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) for poaching his party members, another MQM-P lawmaker jumped ship today.

MQM-P MPA Sumeta Afzal Syed announced joining PSP at a press conference.

She was elected to the Sindh Assembly on a reserved ticket for women.

Addressing the press conference, PSP chief Mustafa Kamal lashed out at Sattar and the recent internal rifts within the MQM-P.

He claimed that the PSP is not behind what has been happening with MQM-P recently.

"Farooq Sattar called minutes before the Senate elections [last month] begging for votes," Kamal claimed, adding that Sattar also asks PSP to lend supporters for his rallies.

The PSP chief vowed that Sattar, around a year ago, told him he will 'bluff' Mahajirs. He also questioned under whose pressure did Sattar contact PSP or attempt to join the party last year.

Kamal then announced that his party's doors are forever closed for Sattar.

Kamal said that he could have severely criticised MQM-Pakistan for his advantage on its intra-party organisational crisis but he chose to remain silent.

He claimed that Sattar met PSP leader Anis Qaimkhani and asked him that what can PSP offer him if the Election Commission of Pakistan gives a decision against him.

The PSP chief said Sattar's early morning press conference was a failed attempt by a sore loser to rescue himself.

Kamal said that those who have been in power for three times on what grounds claim to make Karachi as per par with Lahore.

He alleged that Sattar asked PSP to vote for its candidate and even requested them to send their workers in his faction's rallies.

MPA Sumeta Syed calls Sattar, 'Bipolar'

Speaking on the occasion, Sumeta Syed called MQM-P leader 'bi-polar', adding that she is joining PSP with her own will.

"Noone called me to join PSP. Sattar became leader because of us and he is solely to blame for the crisis within the MQM-P," she said.

Will die before joining PSP: Sattar

Almost a dozen MQM-P members, both provincial and national lawmakers, have recently quit the party and joined PSP  formed by former MQM members Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani in 2016 and considered a direct rival of MQM-P.

"I'm risking my life  putting my life on the line," said Dr Sattar, who heads the MQM-P's 'PIB group' after a split with the 'Bahadurabad group'.

The MQM-P leader expressed confusion about why his party and PSP were expected to merge.

The press talk came in reaction to Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, a now-ex-member of the MQM-P, announcing his decision to join the PSP.

Qaimkhani  a former Sindh minister for excise and taxation  is the first member of MQM-P's Bahadurabad faction to have joined the PSP.

Later in the day, Sattar released a video message in which he said that he has burnt his boats and presented the case of the Muhajirs and muzloom [oppressed] in the court of chief of army staff and chief justice of Pakistan. "It's time for a decision now."

He also said that party will hold a workers convention tonight, adding that party supporters should come out in large numbers to attend it.

Qaimkhani quit the MQM-P days after Mehboob Alam, along with MPAs Saifuddin Khalid and Muhammad Kamran, defected to the Mustafa Kamal-led party.

Prior to that, on April 4, MQM-P lawmaker Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi joined the PSP.

On April 1, Waseem Hussain, MQM-P MNA from Hyderabad, announced his decision to join the PSP, whereas, on March 29, MQM-P MNA Dr Fouzia Hameed announced the same.

Before the aforementioned, two female provincial lawmakers of MQM-P  MPAs Naheed Begum and Naila Munir  had jumped ship on March 28.
Leaders at the Arab League summit have failed to discuss the US-led strikes that came as a result of the "criminal" alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The summit took place in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, a day after the coordinated attacks by the US, UK and France on three sites allegedly linked to the production of chemical weapons in Syria.

According to a summit spokesman, the leaders were to discuss the Syrian conflict but not the strikes that targeted the sites near Damascus as well as in the province of Homs.

The leaders called for an international probe while condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told reporters after the summit.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar have previously issued statements in support of the action while Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon expressed concern.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government has denied using or possessing chemical weapons, was not present at the meeting after the country was suspended from the group in 2011.

Al Jazeera's senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said it was "odd" that the recent strikes in Syria were not on the agenda.

"It couldn't get more odd," he said. "It's what you call a bottomless summit."
It's no secret that Apple doesn't want you to be able to easily repair your devices. While almost anyone can open an Android repair shop, opening an Apple repair shop requires certification and that you follow a strict set of rules that Apple defines. Apple has even gone after unauthorized repair shops with lawsuits in an attempt to put them out of business. Last year they filed suit to try to do this to a small store in Norway but the court has just recently sided with the repair shop.

As originally reported by Motherboard, Norwegian custom's officials seized a shipment of aftermarket iPhone 6 and 6S replacement screens last year. Apple was alerted and claimed the owner was violating their trademarks by using aftermarket parts without authorization. Apple sued the owner, Henrik Huseby, and offered him a settlement agreement if he promised "not to manufacture, import, sell, market, or otherwise deal with any products that infringe Apples trademarks."

Despite the five lawyers Apple put on the case, the courts ruled in Huseby's favor. His lawyer gave the following statement to Motherboard:

In this case, Apple indirectly proves what they really want.They want monopoly on repairs so they can keep high prices. And they therefore do not want to sell spare parts to anyone other than to themselves.

Importing mobile phone components is not illegal in Norway, but Huseby's Chinese supplier sent him replacement screens with an inked-over Apple logo on them. This is where the legal questions and gray area start to form. The court decided that:

[The laws do not] prohibit a Norwegian mobile repair person from importing mobile screens from Asian manufacturers that are 100 percent compatible and completely identical to Apples own iPhone screens, so long as Apples trademark is not applied to the product.

Since these were phone screens and the Apple logo was only printed on the inside, it would not be visible to consumers. The court thus viewed it as not infringing on Apple's trademark.

Although this victory is a good sign for consumers, the legal details of the case only apply in Norway. In the United States, Apple has been heavily lobbying against Right to Repair legislation. They have also worked with government agents to raid third-party iPhone repair shops.
The legal team of diplomat Alex Saab denounced Thursday the failure of Cape Verde to comply with the court order to transfer, for health reasons, the Venezuelan dignitary, who has been... | Read More
News in brief

Macron tells Putin he wants to 'intensify' Syria dialogue

AFP, Paris :

French President Emmanuel Macron told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a telephone call Friday that he wanted to "intensify" talks on bringing peace to Syria.

"The president of the Republic said he wanted the dialogue between France and Russia to continue and intensify in order to bring peace and stability to Syria," Macron's office said after the call, which came as the West ponders possible strikes on Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack.



Trump lawyer Cohen seeks delay in porn star's lawsuit

Reuters, Washington :

President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, on Friday filed for a 90-day delay in porn star Stormy Daniels' defamation lawsuit, citing Monday's raids on his home, office and hotel room by U.S. prosecutors.

Cohen had already notified U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday that he intended to request a stay in Daniels' lawsuit against him and Trump "on the grounds that an ongoing criminal investigation overlaps with the facts of this case."



Syria, Iran dominate Arab League summit

AFP, Dhahran :

Arab leaders-minus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad-meet in Saudi Arabia for a summit on Sunday as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against its regional arch-rival Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League.



China FM visits Japan for talks

AFP, Tokyo :

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was due in Tokyo Sunday for a visit seen as a sign of a gradual thaw between the Asian rivals, amid flurries of diplomacy over North Korea.

Shortly after his arrival, Wang will meet his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono with their talks expected to touch on key subjects such as economic relations, territorial disputes in the East China Sea, and ways to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, Japanese officials have said.



Montenegro votes for next president

AP, Montenegro :

Voters in Montenegro were casting ballots Sunday in a presidential election, with former Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic expected to win after his party defied Russia and took the small Balkan nation into NATO last year. The vote is the first since Montenegro joined the Western military alliance in December.



11 Afghan paras killed

AP, Kabul :

At least 11 Afghan paramilitary forces were killed when the Taliban attacked their checkpoint, an official said Sunday. Zabi Amani, a spokesman for the governor of the northern Sari Pul province, said two other forces were wounded in the attack late Saturday.


Rio Tinto said it would declare force majeure on certain customer contracts after the United States-imposed sanctions on its partner Russian aluminium producer Rusal.

Force majeure is a clause in a contract that allows both parties not to fulfil the contract terms when they are affected by an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond their control.

Russia's aluminium producer Rusal has been hit by US sanctions. Credit:Andrey Rudakov

The United States imposed sanctions last week against Russian entities and individuals, including Rusal, to punish Moscow for its alleged meddling in the 2016 US election and other "malign activity".

The US punished dozens of Russian oligarchs and government officials with fresh sanctions that took direct aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, as Donald Trump's administration tried to show the President was not afraid to take tough action against Moscow.
Cyan and Collis Ta'eed in the early days of Envato. Credit:Josh Robenstone Hello Hey Tiger That something different is Hey Tiger, a chocolate company and social enterprise that Ta'eed launched last month. Hey Tiger produces ethical chocolate handmade in Melbourne and sold online with a fee from each bar sold going to the charity The Hunger Project.

"I didn't want to do another technology business, I started out as a graphic designer and I wanted to do something creative again," Ta'eed says. "I loved the idea of making something." Ta'eed poses with models for Hey Tiger's advertising. Hey Tiger's chocolate bars combine unusual flavours. Ta'eed says Envato has "always had a strong sense of social purpose" but she wanted to start a wholly social enterprise.

A meeting with the Australian chief executive of The Hunger Project led to a partnership with the charity after Ta'eed discovered children were routinely taken from their families and put in forced labour in cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. "The more I dug into it, the more I realised [the chocolate industry] was a very complex, difficult industry with a lot of history and a lot of problems," Ta'eed says. "I felt terrible that something that gave me so much pleasure was responsible for a huge amount of suffering in west Africa. I thought, what if there was a chocolate company where you buy it because you love it but it's a social enterprise under the hood?" Hey Tiger is owned by a charitable trust with 50 from each full-size bar sold going to The Hunger Project. Ta'eed does not draw a salary from the business and has committed to donating $25,000 a year to The Hunger Project, with the aim of growing this contribution as Hey Tiger grows.

Hey Tiger joins a growing number of social enterprises, with an estimated 20,000 in Australia. Erin Castellas, research fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology, says this is being driven by a "generational shift" with a number of entrepreneurs wanting to establish value-aligned companies. "The complexity for social entrepreneurs is they do have to grow a successful business and make sure impact is tracking in tandem," she says. "There are many enterprises that do that quite well but it is a struggle to manage those tensions. It does add a layer of complexity." Taste testing team Ta'eed has carefully combined Hey Tiger's purpose with its product and her aim is to make extraordinary chocolate.

"Chocolate is very rooted in tradition and I wanted to break out of that idea and think of how a chef would approach making chocolate," Ta'eed says. "I wanted chocolate creations in bar form." Ta'eed started making chocolate herself to try out different flavours and techniques and used Envato staff as her testing team. "They were delighted and they understand testing so I'd get this very detailed feedback from developers on mouth-feel and flavour," she says. Ta'eed hired two chocolatiers and set about creating the product and branding. Ta'eed outside Hey Tiger's Richmond offices. Credit:Joe Armao

She describes Hey Tiger as a 'luxury brand' that uses top-quality ingredients, bright packaging and has a savvy social media presence. "I thought, 'I don't understand why there isn't a brand catered to women of my age demographic who are really obsessive about chocolate,' " Ta'eed says. "Generally, chocolate brands cater to an older generation or kids." Hey Tiger chocolate is priced at $13.50 a bar, which puts it at the premium end of the market. It is where industry analysts IbisWorld say growth is centred in the industry, which is valued at $6.1 billion in Australia. "Consumers are generally more willing to pay a premium for a product that has an interesting narrative and an ethical backstory," analysts say. Competitors in this space include Pana Chocolate and Monsieur Truffe.

Lessons from tech Ta'eed believes she can bring something different to the market and has invested just under $500,000 to get Hey Tiger off the ground, including her team's salaries, a year of research, product and packaging development, and initial stock. Cyan Ta'eed has used her experience at Envato to help get Hey Tiger off to a flying start. "It wouldn't be possible to do a business like this and bootstrap it," she says. "I have positioned it from the get-go to be a brand that feels like a large brand because we have invested in it like it is a large brand." Ta'eed says besides access to funding, her experience building Envato has also had obvious benefits in starting Hey Tiger.

"Communicating what the business is trying to do and what it is trying to achieve, I've learnt a lot at Envato which is an extremely complex business to communicate," she says. "Selling online and getting a great web presence and driving traffic, all those things I've learnt many times over with Envato so I'm not starting from the ground up." But Ta'eed says, at times, building a tech giant seems somewhat easier than a chocolate company. "It has been really challenging transitioning to a handmade perishable product; that has been a mind shift for me," she says. Loading Ta'eed remains on the board of Envato but says it was time for her to scale back her involvement.

"I'm a generalist, there are certain people who are well suited to the early stage of the company but once you get to a certain level, you need specialists," she says. For now she is focused on growing Hey Tiger while still spending "a couple of hours a day" on Envato. "Envato, Hey Tiger and two small children is a bit ambitious, it is a lot occasionally and I think 'What was I thinking'," she says. Taeed's given herself a two-year runway to either get Hey Tiger to profitability or see growth that indicates it's on track. "Right now, it is promising, but it's really hard to know until you have been in the market for a while," she says. "It is one of those things because I come from a tech background, you pivot, you move around ... but the core of it is having a really great product."
Crowdsourcing has gone from a buzzword to a well-entrenched practice in the digital age to raise money, mostly for worthwhile causes.

Add the power of celebrity and the sums of money being raised can run into the millions.

But when rich and famous people rattle the charity can for rather questionable causes, the blowback can be harsh, as former champion surfer and one-time Bra Boy Koby Abberton discovered this week when he launched a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 to fix up the rented Balinese villa he and has family had been living in until it was damaged in a fire.

Koby Abberton has not elaborated on why he is spending other people's money to make amends for his actions. Credit:Robert Pearce

He had already raised $11,000 when Abberton took to social media to defend his actions.
For Kiwi comic Rose Matafeo, getting the horn is her expression of choice, but its not as risque a terminology as you might think.

There are many ways to say you really love something; you could be mad for it, head over heels for it, obsessed with it.

Among the activities shes most horny for are crochet, dancing to K-pop, and inventing elaborate mimes to explain the secrets of Michael Jacksons vocal tics.

In fact, her list of hobbies is a perfect reflection of what makes Matafeos comedy so

magnetic.

Its delightfully daggy, wonderfully quirky, and full of unexpected goofiness while

supported by a foundation of expertly crafted, observational humour.

It may only be two years since her MICF solo debut, but in that brief period, Matafeo has

transformed from unknown newcomer to festival highlight.

And now with a Barry Award-nomination under her belt, expect to see great things in the future from this star on the rise.
Leak from an explosives storage centre beside a water filled mine which is proposed to become Ipswich's new super dump.

The abandoned mine is part of the proposed super dump at New Chum near Ipswich, west of Brisbane.

Fairfax Media was emailed photographs showing a spill of liquid from a storage area at New Chum  near Swanbank  into an abandoned mine.

Environment department investigators have rushed to the site of a potential chemical spill from an explosives storage plant at the site of the proposed super dump at Ipswich.

The Ipswich City Council and the Department of Environment and Science were unaware of the leak until it was reported to both the council and the department by Fairfax Media on Friday.

We have been made aware of it today and we have just sent a team out to investigate it onsite, a Department of Environment and Science spokesman said on Friday.

He said the department did not monitor the site because there was no environmental authority agreement between the government and company for activity at the site.

The storage facility on the site of the proposed super dump at Ipswich near a suburb called New Chum.

It is at this stage unclear if the company was legally required to report the leak as the department was still unaware of what the substance was.
So uncomplaining was she that it appeared she must be feeding, even though my milk still hadn't come in after four days. "You have colostrum; the milk will come," the midwives soothed. But when one visited me at home a week later and saw my nipple shield filled with blood, the concern on her face was obvious. My nipples were so cracked and damaged one of them has never recovered. Clementine was weighed and I discovered she hadn't been feeding properly at all; she had lost 16 per cent of her birth weight. It was back to hospital for both of us. Still I persisted with breastfeeding, furious because I'd felt all along she wasn't getting enough. A string of lactation consultants came and went as I tried every feeding position imaginable, none of them the answer. This feeding battle was taking its toll. Was it the absolute insistence on breastfeeding, driven home at prenatal classes, hospitals, clinics, everywhere, that left me so distraught, guilty and acutely aware of my failure? Why couldn't I just feed my baby like every other mother? Then, at six weeks, Clementine was diagnosed with hip dysplasia ("clicky hips"). I was told that she'd need a special harness to brace her legs in the frog position and that it couldn't come off for 12 weeks, not even to bathe her. Of course it caused even more problems with breastfeeding. It was too much. Things began to fall apart.

By now I was moving through the world like a whipped dog, anticipating more trouble and despair at every turn. I became irritable with everyone. I wanted my husband Tim to take Lola away somewhere, anywhere. I didn't want my stepsons to visit. I wanted to be entirely alone with my baby, but at the same time I was terribly lonely. I didn't care about anyone else. I hated thinking of anything beyond caring for my baby but felt I couldn't even do that. Brigid and her, husband, Tim Palmer. Credit:MDM Photographic I would take the most trivial comment as a slight that would leave me in floods of tears. I hated myself. I unleashed my resentment on my husband and my mother. I was bitter at the lack of help but didn't want anyone around to help. Despite Tim doing all the household chores, I was constantly critical. Drowning in my own self-pity and sadness, I would often curl up on the bed and cry as if I might never stop. I wondered how long I'd have to endure this unhappy life. I was drinking too much. I started smoking.

I started having nightmares about feeding and dreaming of ways I could leave my family and take the baby away. My friend Anna still remembers the day I asked, "Tell me it's a normal feeling that I don't want to be with my children." It was Tim who prompted me to get professional help. Like me, he's a longtime journalist at the ABC. After his experience of combat and disasters as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East and Indonesia he has had to deal with post traumatic stress disorder and depression. He could see I was entering dangerous territory. It's easy to mistake postnatal depression for just being the kind of mental state all mothers fall into from the exhaustion and worry of that first year of a new baby. Well-intended comments  "You just need to go for a walk and get some sunshine"; "I was too busy to be depressed when I had children"; "We all get the baby blues, it will pass"  don't help a mother who is suffering from depression rather than just doing it tough. The test essentially differentiates between sad and sick. I was the latter. My doctor recommended I start on antidepressants but I was determined to push through on my own. Instead, I became untethered, as if clinging to a raft with just my baby and my exhausted self. "This too shall pass," my mother would say. It didn't. The next day would not be better. The next day would start as the last had ended, no more than a long wait to go to bed again. Instead of taking the medication, my only action was to observe myself and judge myself ever more harshly. It was a futile spiral to more anxiety as I tried to control the uncontrollable.

Finally a night came when, after the best part of a bottle of wine, I found myself sitting in the kitchen holding a knife, wishing my awful life away. "This will hurt," I thought. "This will give you something to really cry about." I fell calm at the thought of seeing blood; the warmth of it on my skin would be relaxing. But before I cut deeply enough for that, Clementine woke up. I picked her up and looked at her, sobbing. I realised just how ill I was, woke my husband and said, "I need to take those pills." Thank god I did. Within seven days my whole outlook on life started to change. I began to look forward to spending time with my family. When I finally started telling friends and family about my illness, they were all supportive  some made meals, others helped with washing or played with Lola while I was getting better. My normal self  capable, outgoing and social  was filtering back into my body. Before long, I was back to being super-organised, strong enough to return to work to cover an election campaign and ready to entertain friends. I was actually enjoying the chaos of four children.

In part, my recovery came because I was lucky enough to have a partner who understood my illness. But dozens of women I have spoken to struggled for so long before they got help because their partners and family were simply ignorant of the disease and its symptoms. Raising awareness of perinatal or postnatal depression starts at home. While the stigma around mental illness is finally starting to fall away, that prejudice remains a danger to the health of many women. It's deep-rooted. Even as I was putting a knife to my arm I was thinking, "Isn't cutting yourself something only attention-seeking teenage girls do?" We have to challenge exactly that type of ignorance. Anyone who has had postnatal depression, or knows someone who has, can help by talking just as freely about it as they would about any other type of illness. As my husband says, "We should talk about depression in exactly the same way we talk about having a broken leg. And the more we do that, the more the stigma will go." Doing that might just save another mother's life.
Not that Neri Oxman, the raven-haired beauty in question, is likely to waste much head space on such frivolous considerations. For rather than a wide-eyed ingenue, Oxman is a 42-year-old professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the world's top-ranked university. She also happens to be an award-winning artist whose work has been displayed in New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Before the ink had dried on the divorce petition, gossip rags were falling over themselves to link the 54-year-old heart-throb to actresses such as Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson and 21-year-old British starlet Ella Purnell, currently in BBC drama Ordeal by Innocence. So it is only to be expected that Pitt's latest rumoured paramour, despite being virtually unknown, could comfortably give the former Mrs Jolie-Pitt a run for her money with her chiselled cheekbones and tumbling tresses.

Ever since the world's most celestially beautiful duo uncoupled 18 months ago, amid allegations of his drug-taking and her disregard for their children's privacy, there has been speculation as to who might supplant the ambrosial Angelina Jolie in Brad Pitt's affections.

Despite rarely having ventured outside the pristine waters of the Hollywood dating pool  before Jolie, he was married to Jennifer Aniston and he counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Juliette Lewis among his exes  Pitt is reportedly "smitten" with the Israeli-born professor, whom he is said to have met after seeking her expertise on an architectural project. The pairing is all the more extraordinary given that the actor has cultivated an image as something of a himbo, playing a series of delectable but dim characters in films such as Burn After Reading, as well as admitting to smoking "too much" marijuana.

Architecture professor Neri Oxman.

It seems, however, that Pitt is just the latest silver screen hunk to have swapped actresses for academics, in what has been called "the Clooney effect".

For it was the actor's close pal who started the trend five years ago, when he swept Oxford-educated barrister Amal Alamuddin off her (blue) stockinged feet. The romance signalled a shift among Tinseltown's leading men, a group never previously known for valuing a woman's IQ points over her vital statistics.

As well as the Clooneys, now parents to nine-month-old twins, there is Eddie Redmayne, who is married to Hannah Bagshawe  formerly the global head of PR at a financial media firm. Not to mention Benedict Cumberbatch, once named Empire's sexiest movie star, who has two sons with his Oxford-educated theatre director wife Sophie, and Inception actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is to married Silicon Valley robotics expert Tasha McCauley. Meanwhile, reformed philanderer Jude Law this year celebrates his third anniversary with Phillipa Coan, a business psychologist with a PhD.
Mr Fletcher, who has a social science degree and was studying for his masters while working at the facility, is the first youth worker to speak on the record about recent allegations of abuse inside Bimberi. Other use of forces I witnessed involved a young person being kneed on the ground by three staff in their cell, he said. [As well as] a young person being dragged along the ground on their stomach and back and a young person choked on the ground by a staff member until their face went blue. Youth services boss Mark Collis, who last year defended the handling of alleged violence inside Bimberi. Credit:Jamila Toderas Some staff had referred to detainees with racially insensitive and abusive language, Mr Fletcher said.

On many occasions I heard staff refer to YPs as junkies, black c----, scum, and filth, he said. Mr Fletcher was highly critical of the ACT governments responses to allegations of abuse inside Bimberi, and said the reputation of the centre had been prioritised over the human rights of detainees. I would 100 per cent support a truly independent inquiry into Bimberi and have assisted in any way possible with the current human rights investigation, he said. I believe the inquiry should review the CCTV footage of all uses of force and make these available to a member of the opposing political party who can truly be independent. Mr Fletcher said he left Bimberi in 2016 to work elsewhere within the ACT Community Services Directorate.

He recently moved away from the ACT and now works as a youth worker for a not-for-profit organisation in NSW. The Community Services Directorate was asked about a series of alleged incidents inside Bimberi last year, including the same incidents now mentioned by Mr Fletcher. The directorate did not comment on specific incidents, although it said it was aware of some allegations and that these had been appropriately reported and responded to at the time. The ACT governments executive director of youth services Dr Mark Collis said the territory had the best youth detention centre in Australia. "I would maintain we're not seeing the same problems as occurred pre the 2011 report [by the ACT Human Rights Commission]," Dr Collis said in July 2017.

"There have been huge improvements. We have reduced the use of force in Bimberi, we have reduced assaults in Bimberi. We have improved the numbers of people returning to Bimberi so I think the community needs to celebrate the staff and the work they do every day of the week." The new Bimberi Headline Indicators Report, tabled last month in the legislative assembly, showed there have been more assaults between detainees inside the facility and the use of force is on the rise. The report showed there had been 10 assaults among detainees inside the centre in the last six months of 2017, compared with just six for the 12 months between July 2016 and June 2017. Assaults are defined by the directorate as an "intentional act of direct infliction of force or violence".
Syrian army vows to press war, rebels say strikes not enough

A Syrian soldier inspects the wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) compound in the Barzeh district north of Damascus, during a press tour organised by the Syrian government after US-led strikes.

Reuters, Beirut :

The Syrian opposition said Western strikes on Saturday would not change the course of the seven-year-old war as the army said it would crush remaining rebel parts of the country.

The missiles by the United States, Britain, and France targeted President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons capabilities in response to a deadly poison gas attack near Damascus a week ago, Washington said.

But rebels and opposition politicians said the Western powers should also hit Assad's conventional weapons which have killed many more people during the war.

Some insurgent officials said they feared an onslaught against the rebel bastion of Idlib, which a senior Iranian official has indicated could be the next target.

"Maybe the regime will not use chemical weapons again, but it will not hesitate to use weapons," opposition leader Nasr al-Hariri said.

A rebel fighter said he was bracing for further attacks as "revenge" by the government with its allies on rebel territory in the northwest, including the Idlib region.

"More was expected from the American strike to affect the path of the war and to curb Assad's crimes," he told Reuters from Hama province.

Damascus and its allies have said reports about poison gas in Douma were fabricated as a pretext for Western strikes.

After the suspected gas attack, which medical relief groups said killed dozens, rebels holed up in Douma finally surrendered the town. That clinched a big victory for Assad, wiping out the last insurgent pocket in the eastern Ghouta region near the capital.

The war has been going Assad's way since Russia intervened on his side in 2015. From holding less than a fifth of Syria in 2015, Assad has recovered to control the largest chunk of the country with Russian and Iranian help.

Mohamad Alloush, political chief of the Jaish al-Islam faction that had controlled Douma, said the Western strikes on Saturday would not be enough.

"As long as this regime and its security agencies exist, the chemical (attacks) will continue because there is safety from the consequences that would end it," he said. "And (Assad) is portraying what happened as a victory."

The Syrian presidency posted a video appearing to show Assad arriving for work on Saturday morning a few hours after the U.S.-led attack, dressed in a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase.

Though swathes of Syria remain beyond his grasp, the insurgency currently poses no military threat to his rule.

The opposition has praised President Donald Trump for taking action against Assad after criticizing former U.S. President Barack Obama for failing to enforce his own red line when Assad was accused of using gas in 2013. But they want more.

"The strike has weakened the regime, but has not strengthened the opposition," said another rebel commander.
A leading specialist on Victoria's outbreak of flesh-eating ulcers has accused the government of inaction amid an "exploding epidemic".

Associate Professor Daniel O'Brien said more funding was needed to answer crucial questions to stem the outbreak.

Its still getting worse. And we still have not got any [new] funding," he said.

The Department of Health and Human Services denies his claim, saying almost $800,000 in research money had been spent on the infection over the past decade, and more was coming.
An aged care home was left without power and a fallen tree blocked access to a hospital emergency department after wild winds lashed much of the state on Saturday.

The State Emergency Service had received more than 900 calls for help by Sunday morning.

State duty officer Gerry Sheridan said this was likely to reach a thousand by the end of the day as extreme weather continued to blast the southern Victorian coast.

There were no serious injuries caused by the storm but Mr Sheridan said the SES was called to help with several potentially dangerous situations.

We had to bring in power and lighting to the TLC Aged Care in Frankston, there were about 130 residents without power from about 11am yesterday morning, just to make sure everyone was safe coming into the night, Mr Sheridan said.
A Syrian soldier films bomb damage at the Syrian Scientific Research Centre. Credit:AP

A Syrian refugee living in Melbourne said the missile strike on her homeland by the US in conjunction with France and Britain was necessary to put an end to President Bashar al-Assads use of chemical weapons.

But Joumana Charaf, a Carlton pastry shop owner who migrated to Australia with her family in 2014, also called on the international community to take legal action against Assad.

Syrian refugee Joumana Charaf.

Ms Charaf, from the south-western city of Sweida, fled Syria with her husband, who was threatened because he gave food and clothes to refugees from Assads bombing of cities such as Daraa.
Shepparton farmer and Nationals federal treasurer Peter Schwarz will attempt to jump from the partys backroom offices to its parliamentary backbench after winning a community vote for preselection.

Mr Schwarz was the peoples choice in a three-way preselection contest to be the Nationals candidate for the state seat of Shepparton, winning 52.9 per cent of the vote after preferences.

Peter Schwarz is the National Party's new candidate for the state seat of Shepparton. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The party opened the vote to all enrolled voters in the seat, in a break from convention in which candidates are preselected by party members and officials.

About 720 people voted in Saturday's cold and wet conditions, the Nationals said.
Melbournes railway stations rarely draw comparisons to classic novels but one is ... and the reviews are bad.

Middle Gorge sounds more like a location out of Lord of the Rings, a group of locals and public transport advocates have complained.

And just like the wearer of the ring in Tolkiens fantasy epic, nobody saw it coming.

The station name was revealed earlier this month; it will be one of three new stations built as part of the $600 million Mernda rail extension in Melbournes outer north.
The union representing public servants has written to Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, calling for the cap on public servant staff numbers to be removed in the upcoming federal budget.

Community and Public Sector Union secretary Nadine Flood took the step of writing to the minister this week in a bid to ramp up focus on the issue in the weeks before budget night.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who is being lobbied by the CPSU to drop a cap on the number of public servants. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The average staffing level (ASL) cap limits the number of employees in each government department, and the union blames the ceiling on staff numbers for the boom in contractors and labour hire across the public service.

"The ASL cap is driving an increased use of contractors and labour hire, which is usually more expensive than directly employing staff," Ms Flood wrote.
Alas, black humour cannot override the reality that such anti-Semitic tropes continue to exert power. Even in places where theres next to no Jews, Jew-hatred is again a convenient shorthand for illiberal politics. Sowing fear, building walls, trashing democratic institutions.

To the reader who sent me a drawing of the Statue of Liberty, with devils horns and tail, brandishing the Star of David, and a caption about Zionists running the show, a belated thanks. When life seems tough, I seek comfort in the idea my people nefariously control the free world. With tribal connections like these my bank balance is bound to improve, right?

Orban fingered one man as puppet-master behind a plot to overrun white, Christian Hungary with refugees: the Hungarian-born billionaire, philanthropist and Holocaust survivor George Soros. Campaign posters depicted Soros embracing opposition figures and brandishing cutters for slashing through Hungarys border fence. A spokeswoman for Soros Open Society Foundations told Roger Cohen from The New York Times the images were doctored to elongate the financiers nose, right out of the Goebbels playbook.

The racist demonisation of Soros inspired even Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, who in February wrongly accused Soros of directly funding local protests against the planned deportation of African asylum seekers. Take it as read that Jews are themselves susceptible to the disease of anti-Semitism  hard to belong to one of the most despised people on earth without internalising some of the poison  although in Netanyahus case Id characterise his actions as try-hard flattery. He aspires to Orban and Cos budding autocrats club.

Next door to Hungary in Poland, the government passed the Death Camp law criminalising discussion about Polands complicity in Nazi atrocities  a truth as much a matter of historical record as the Polish peoples defiance of Hitler and saving of Jews. The law is an abomination but, Im guessing, a logical one. By whitewashing Polands past, its government is less exposed to charges of racism in the present.

Not long ago we might have minimised the significance of an extreme lurch in eastern Europe  even the Czech Republic, despite its inspiring legacy in the 1989 Velvet Revolution, has succumbed to a strongman  as symptomatic of its uneven and difficult post-communist trajectory. Thats a less viable position now given that the fringe, with its pronounced anti-Semitism, has moved to the centre of Western politics. In Germany and France nativists bearing nasty historical baggage lead the political opposition to centrist governments.
A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center.

Has the pinpoint precision of the US, British and French air strikes lifted the threat of a wider conflict between the West and President Assad's major allies, Russia and Iran? Or has it only made it worse?

Both Russian and Iranian media have dismissed the attacks as "pin-pricks". They gloat that for all his tweeted bluster, President Trump dared do no more for fear of the Russian reaction to anything harsher. The cold comfort in those sneers might be that the immediate risk of a wider war has been avoided. That's where the good news ends. On the ground in Syria, the major sources of potential conflict which could draw the big powers in are still very active.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey fires a Tomahawk land attack missile.

The brutal civil war continues, with the risk of more chemical attacks. But, worse, it is a complex, multi-layered struggle with a host of militias and foreign fighters involved. Unlike in the Cold War, neither Washington nor Moscow is in control of their proxies.
Tusti again in direction, with Dinar, Moushumi

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

After break of two years, popular actress of small screen Shamima Tusti gave direction of a telefilm titled Paltey Jawa Ulto Din. Matia Banu Shuku wrote story of the telefilm. Its shooting was done in the citys 300-feet Road on April 12 and 13. Under Tustis direction besides Moushumi Hamid and Intekhab Dinar, Ahsanul Haque Minu, Shelly Ahsan, Mahmudul Islam Mithu, Hindol, Raza, among others, also acted in different roles.

While talking about making the telefilm Tusti told this correspondent, It is totally a comedy story based telefilm. I give thanks to Shuku Apa to write such a nice story for my telefilm. Everybody who acted in this telefilm they performed outstandingly well. Though I gave direction of it but I always felt I am a trainee director. In future, I want to give direction like Mimi Apu, Shomi Apu and Mahfuz Bhai. Actors of my telefilm enjoyed a lot while taking part in its shooting. Overall it has become a nice work.

Intekhab Dinar said, Tusti had intention to finish the work properly. We enjoyed a lot working under her direction.

While asking Moushumi Hamid to give comment about Tusti's telefilm she informed that she was visiting her younger sister Monisha's residence in Mymensingh. She will return to Dhaka today. She said, I have liked script of the telefilm. Everybody worked cordially in the telefilm during shooting. Tusti Apu also tried her level best effort to give direction of it. I believe viewers will enjoy the telefilm on the screen.

Tusti also informed that telefilm will be aired on Channel i on April 24. Two years ago, Tusti made a play titled 'Jabey Aamar Sathey' which was aired on Channel 9. Anisur Rahman Milon, Shatabdi Wadud, Preeto, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Munia acted in that play. On Sunday, Tusti took part in shooting of a play titled Chutki Bhandar under Shamim Zamans direction in Pubail, Gazipur.


The second and third targets were part of what the US military described as the Him Shinshar chemical weapons complex outside the city of Homs. The military said the strikes "completely destroyed" the complex's chemical weapons storage facility and "successfully hit and sustained damage" to the installation's chemical weapons bunker.

Damage to the Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site after a missile strike by the US and its allies. Credit:US Department of Defence

The coalition hit the Barzah Research and Development Centre outside Damascus with 76 missiles, destroying the facility and setting back Syrian chemical weapons capabilities "for years", the US military said in an initial assessment.

Washington : More details have emerged from the Pentagon about the three targets the American military struck in Syria late Friday in conjunction with British and French forces.

"We deployed 105 weapons against three targets that will impact the Syrian regime's ability to develop, deploy and use chemical weapons in the future," Marine Corps Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie Jr, director of the Joint Staff, said during a news conference on Saturday morning. He described the facilities as "fundamental components of the regime's chemical warfare infrastructure".

McKenzie conceded that "the Syrian regime knows that we've been looking at these targets for a long time" and that it is possible the Syrian military had evacuated people or stockpiles in advance. But "there's material and equipment associated with each of these sites that was not movable", he said, adding, "That's what really sets them back."

This image provided by the US Department of Defence was presented at the Pentagon briefing on Saturday, April 14, 2018, and shows areas targeted in Syria by the U.S.-led coalition in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons on April 7. Credit:AP

To conduct the strikes, the US military joined forces with British and French units and launched from air and naval platforms in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean.

In early 2017, inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons visited the Barzah facility. The site is part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), an organisation the US Treasury calls "the Syrian government agency responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons and the means to deliver them".
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull: ''Its time that Russia played a responsible role. It has all of the influence and the authority over the Syrian government that it needs to ensure that these crimes are not committed." EUROPE Bulgarian government statement: "It has always been Bulgaria's position that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people, including children; that the use of chemical weapons is a war crime and the strike on Syrian targets was a response to a war crime." European Council President Donald Tusk: "Strikes by US, France and UK make it clear that Syrian regime together with Russia & Iran cannot continue this human tragedy, at least not without cost. The EU will stand with our allies on the side of justice."

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg: "Before the attack took place last night, NATO allies exhausted all other possible ways to address this issue to the UN Security Council but ... were blocked by Russia ... I am not saying that the attacks last night solved all problems but compared to the alternative to do nothing, this was the right thing to do." --- German Chancellor Angela Merkel: ''We support the fact that our US, UK and French allies took on responsibility in this way as permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. The military strike was necessary and appropriate in order to preserve the effectiveness of the international ban on the use of chemical weapons and to warn the Syrian regime against further violations." Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy: "What has occurred in Syria in recent days goes far beyond the constant violation of cease fires. The response to these atrocities is legitimate and proportionate."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying more must be done to hold the Syrian regime accountable for the hundreds of thousands it has killed using conventional weapons: "The people who have been martyred by chemicals is a certain number but the people martyred by conventional weapons is much, much more." Greece's Foreign Ministry: "Greece unreservedly condemns the use of chemical weapons and supports efforts to eliminate them ... at the same time, the international community should aim for a political and sustainable solution in Syria that will end the war... (and) allow the return of millions of refugees." Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni: "This was a limited and targeted action to strike the capacity of building or diffusing chemical arms. It cannot and should not be the start of an escalation."

European Union Commission President Jean- Claude Juncker: "The international community has the responsibility to identify and hold accountable those responsible of any attack with chemical weapons. This was not the first time that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against civilians but it must be the last." --- NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. Credit:LAURENT GILLIERON
The Western strike was a small action with a specific stated aim - the strikes "were successful and necessary to deter" Assad from using chemical weapons in future, according to a background briefing for reporters at the Pentagon.

The US, Britain and France on the weekend launched missiles at a handful of Syrian government sites to defend the global ban on the use of chemical weapons.

After an unhappy century, the Western powers are leaving the Middle East in a state of dangerous disarray but sought to retrieve a little dignity on the way out.

It's little enough. Assad has killed at least 400,000 of his fellow Syrians in seven years of civil war. Of those, he has killed perhaps 2000 with chemical weapons, on the best estimates of human rights observers. That's just half of one per cent of the total toll of his great butchery. And all of Assad's conventional butchers' tools remain, sharp and ready.

As British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told the BBC: This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that doesnt further escalate tension in the region."

Unfortunately, it's not even likely to succeed in its very limited aim of deterring Assad from patching up his chemical weapons facilities and using them again.

Three reasons. First, Assad's latest use of chemical weapons only confirmed their power. After the chemical attack on the hardy holdout rebels in the town of Douma, the rebels agreed to surrender within a couple of days. Assad won. Chemical weapons work.
The agency has tangled in the past with instrument makers, mostly over restrictions on ivory, tortoiseshell and whale bone. Agency officials previously placed trade limits on only a few rosewood species, such as Brazilian rosewood, which is especially precious. Loading But the 2016 trade rules covered up to 300 species of the rosewood family known as Dalbergia. The new regulations also required permits for products made from the wood, including guitars, violins, bagpipes and xylophones. Many companies that had never needed permits had only three months to comply. "It was a steep learning curve for these companies," said Timothy Van Norman, chief of the permit-granting branch of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which saw its permit applications double to 40,000 in 2017 mostly from rosewood.

Bigger guitar companies with more sophisticated distribution systems were probably quicker to adapt than smaller companies or individuals making a limited number of instruments. "For them, it probably came out of the blue," Van Norman said. Taylor Guitars , based in El Cajon, California, reported losing tens of thousands of dollars from months-long delays and confusion surrounding its shipments to some 30 countries in the world. "Each country was suddenly responsible for interpreting what this new rule meant," said Scott Paul, Taylor's director of natural resource sustainability. Stacked rosewood at the C.F. Martin and Co. factory. Credit:AP

Governments in Africa and Latin America proposed the regulations to combat increased rosewood smuggling over the past decade that they said had endangered the species, which is also known for its fragrance, a sweet floral aroma that gives the wood its name. Much of the smuggling was orchestrated by criminal gangs that took advantage of lax rules and widespread corruption to strip away forest in south-east Asia, Central America and West Africa. The illegal logging also sparked regional conflicts, contributed to desertification and destroyed a key food source for bees, butterflies and other insects. The United Nations describes the rosewood trade as the world's costliest wildlife crime, with seizures totaling more than almost all other species combined. Between 2005 and 2015, 10,000 metric tons of protected rosewood was seized. Most of that wood was heading to China, where rosewood imports jumped 2000 per cent from 2005 to 2014, according to the conservation group Forest Trends. Much of the material went into the making of reproduction hongmu furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, a style popular with affluent Chinese. "These countries didn't want to wait until their tree species are on the verge of extinction before acting to control the trade. They saw what happened in Asia. There is almost nothing left," said Susanne Breitkopf, forest campaign policy manager of the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency.

A spokesman for China's forest administration did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls from The Associated Press. Jiang Hengfu, secretary general of Traditional Furniture Specialty Committee, which is part of the China National Furniture Association, said he did not know much about the industry's role in the destruction of rosewood forests or the use of illegal wood in furniture. But he acknowledged that trade restrictions and increased environmental awareness in China had increased rosewood prices and would force furniture companies to become more innovative. Meanwhile, guitar makers find themselves defending the crackdown and highlighting their sustainability efforts while also lobbying to exclude musical instruments from the regulations. The debate is due to take place when CITES meets in 2019. Instrument makers such as Martin argue that they use a fraction as much rosewood as Chinese furniture makers  about 50 cubic meters each a year compared with nearly 2 million cubic meters. And, the instrument makers say, they get most of it from sustainable plantations in India.

CITES officials say they are open to considering exemptions for certain types of instruments but fear broad exemptions would let smugglers game the system. "It is something that needs to be revisited and how far do we need to go with the regulation to make sure there are not loopholes," the outgoing CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon told the AP. The cost and hassle of the new regulations have caused some guitar makers to shift away from rosewood. Martin stopped using it on most guitars produced in Mexico and the models made in the US that cost less than $3,000. Taylor has rolled out several models without rosewood for overseas customers. But the companies have no plans to abandon rosewood altogether. "There are other woods that work," Martin said. But guitar builders and players know there is "something very special" about rosewood's depth and richness of sound.
Media should leave some space for celebrities: Arshi Khan

Bigg Boss Season 11 contestant Arshi Khan feels that media should leave some space for celebrities when it comes to their personal or professional life. Arshi interacted with media at the launch of author Sonalli Guptas book titled Of Love. Life And Everything In Between along with Rohit Verma and Archana Kochhar on Friday in Mumbai.


New Details on Family of 8 Who Died After SUV Drove Off Cliff

Jennifer Hart was drunk when her SUV plunged off a Northern California cliff, killing all eight family members inside, it has been revealed.

Authorities said that Hart was intoxicated in the crash, which happened three weeks ago, adding that the crash appears to have been intentional, according to the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office in a statement on Friday.

Hart, her partner, Sarah, and three of their adopted children were found in the wreckage. The other three are still missing.

Officials revealed that Hart had a blood alcohol level of .102 at the time of the crash. The legal limit in the state of California is 0.08. Her partner and two of the children also had in their systems a significant amount of an ingredient commonly found in the allergy drug Benadryl.

Those preliminary results showed Jennifer Hart had a .102 BAC (blood alcohol content) while Sarah Hart and two of the children had a positive toxicology finding in their blood for Diphenhydramine, an active ingredient in Benadryl, the sheriffs office stated.

Jennifer Hart, the mother who drove her family off an oceanside cliff, had a blood alcohol level that was over the legal limit, California Highway Patrol official says https://t.co/Z4oSCSMO00 pic.twitter.com/cpMozhbnJ1  CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 13, 2018

Meanwhile, recent shoreline searches by patrol deputies were unsuccessful in locating any of the missing children, the office said.

Searches of the Mendocino County coastline will continue with on-duty patrol deputies as calls for service allow. Mendocino County Search & Rescue divers are preparing to be deployed to the area of the crash site once ocean conditions improve for safety reasons. It is anticipated that ocean conditions will not improve for several days, the statement added.

Toxicology found Jennifer Hart had an alcohol level of 0.102. Also found that Sarah Hart and two of their children had "a significant amount" of the allergy drug Benadryl. These children were drugged and murdered. #HartFamily #HartChildren https://t.co/dYEa0iIRW6  Eliza (@Eliza_Feero) April 13, 2018

Kayla Schmitz, who worked with the Harts several years ago, told the Seattle Times that shes hoping it was only an accident.

They werent big drinkers, Schmitz said, adding that Sarah and Jen would drink soft drinks rather than beer.

But, she added that the situation seemed odd. I dont give my kids Benadryl and then load em in the car, unbuckled, and have a few, she said.

I cant hope for a tragic accident now, she added. Its just awful. I hope they find the other kids, or their bodies, and they can have funerals and be put to rest.

Recommended Video:

How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers
Leaders pose for the family photo of the Eighth Americas Summit in Lima, on April 14, 2018. (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)

Americas Leaders Condemn Syrias Use of Chemical Weapons

Syria airstrike, Venezuelan crisis, corruption, and drug trafficking took center stage at the 8th Summit of the Americas

LIMA, PERULeaders of North and South America decried the use of chemical weapons by Syria at the Summit of the Americas on April 14.

All countries throughout the Americas except Bolivia and Cuba condemned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and urged him to stop chemical attacks on his citizens.

Standing in for Trump at the Lima summit, Vice President Mike Pence briefed leaders on the April 13 military action in Syria.

Im pleased to report that the strike by the United States, U.K., and French forces was effective, overwhelming and successful, he said.

He criticized Russia for deliberately spreading disinformation about Assads heinous actions.

Countries including Canada and Colombia expressed support for the U.S.-led airstrike on Syria. While Argentina, Brazil, and Peru voiced concerns about escalating problems in the Middle East. Bolivia and Cuba were the only countries in the summit condemning the United States and its allies.

Trump who had planned to attend the Summit of the Americas canceled his trip a few days before the meeting, choosing to stay in Washington to oversee the American response to chemical attacks by the Assad regime.

Thirty-three out of 35 counties in the Western hemisphere attended the eighth Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru on April 13 and 14. The summit is held every three years.

We will be submitting a bid to host the 9th Summit of the Americas three years from now in 2021, said Pence during the meeting.

Combatting Corruption

The formal theme of this years summit was Democratic Governance against Corruption.

All leaders pledged to confront systemic corruption during the summit at a time when a wave of corruption scandals has been sweeping out their governments.

Host country Peru was the latest country to be rocked by a bribery scandal linked to the Brazilian construction firm Odebracht that has shaken some major countries in Latin America. Perus former president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned over his role in the scandal a few weeks before the summit. His vice-president, Martin Vizcarra, who took power last month hosted the summit.

In addition, the leaders also raised concerns about the mass immigration of Venezuelans into neighboring countries as the political and economic crisis in the country deepens.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura has been barred from attending the summit by Peru. Madura earlier insisted that he would appear at the summit anyway. However, he announced later that he would not attend the meeting, calling it a waste of time. His announcement came a day after Trump canceled his trip to Latin America.

The members also condemned the murder of two Ecuadorean journalists and their driver by Colombian drug traffickers.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno returned to his country early from the summit after he confirmed the deaths of the hostages on April 13.

Reporter Javier Ortega, photographer Paul Rivas, and driver Efrain Segarra were on assignment for Ecuadorian El Comercio newspaper on the border between Ecuador and Colombia when they were held hostage by former fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) last month.

More than a thousand FARC fighters refused to demobilize under last years peace deal with Colombia and joined dissident drug-trafficking groups.

Leaders expressed their solidarity with the Ecuadorian President and vowed to fight against criminal gangs and drug traffickers.
Joe Arpaio, then Maricopa County sheriff in Arizona, speaks during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Feb. 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arpaio is now running for the U.S. Senate in Arizona. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Former Sheriff Arpaio Seeks to Advance Trumps Agenda in US Senate

The 2018 midterm elections are shaping up to be a referendum on President Donald Trumps policies, and Joe Arpaio, a Senate candidate for Arizona, intends to lead the fight to support Trump.

The president sets the tempo for the country, said Arpaio, in conversation at the Phoenix Convention Center on March 24.

Many regard Arpaio, the 85-year-old former Maricopa County sheriff, as the toughest sheriff in the nation, while for others, he is the most controversial. Years of taking tough stances on drugs and illegal immigration have earned him both enthusiastic support and strong opposition from different groups.

However, Arpaios admirers and critics would likely agree on one thing: He fights hard for what he believes in.

Now, Arpaio is starting a journey he hopes will take him to Capitol Hill, where he wants to be a warrior pushing Trumps policies through the Senate. When asked why he was so devoted to Trump, Arpaio answered without any hesitation: Trump is my hero. I have been with him from day one, when nobody knew how to spell his name.

While attending the Western Conservative Political Action Conference in Phoenix on March 24, Sheriff Joe, as Arpaio is called by Arizonans, was busy running his campaign and helping to sell books at the same time. While greeting his supporters, he also autographed copies of the book The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State and the Hijacking of America. The 221-page novel was written by Hollywood actor Steven Seagal and retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Tom Morrissey. Arpaio wrote the foreword for the book.

I strongly identify with this book because in many ways I lived what is portrayed in its pages. During my over 26-year career in the DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration],  many times, although unknown to me, I had to work side by side with individuals who were actually sabotaging my efforts and even putting my life in danger. This was because they were on the payroll of the illicit drug underground, Arpaio said.

In addition to autographing the book, Sheriff Joe also autographed his own picture for children, teens, and parents. The wallet-size picture shows Arpaio dressed in his sheriff uniform, a grey-haired grandpa with a humble smile and a shining sheriff badge on his chest. The back side of the picture says, Be CoolStay in school, to be way cool and not a foolSTAY OFF DRUGS!!

Protecting America from drugs and illegal immigration are the central platforms of Arpaios campaign. Arizona, today, is and has been Ground Zero concerning illegal immigration and drug running, he said.

Arpaio said that to solve these problems, voters need to make a change. Who has the experience? All you have got in there in Congress are lawyers. Its about time to get a cop in there, he said. When I go there [the Senate], I will make sure I spend enough time in Arizona, and I am going to open an office at the border.

Arpario offered his ideas and solutions to a wide range of public policy issues. To deal with drug problems in schools, Arpaio suggested the nation start bringing patriotism back to the schools.  Instead of letting kids see the pornos on their things, they need to study constitutions.

When asked about the issue of abortion, Arpaio answered in a very soft tone: My mother gave her life for me. I am here because of her. Arpaios mother died four days after giving birth to Arpaio. He has been pro-life his entire life.

About paying respect to the national flag, he said, I still get a thrill when hearing the national anthem and God Bless America. I am an old guy, but I still get a thrill.

On DACA: I dont believe in amnesty. I would say deport them back to their country, and let them be ambassadors like the Peace Corps. They love America, and they will go around, talk to the country they came from, and say how great America is, and learn how their own country is. They were born there, and they have the right to see their own country. Then maybe in six months get them back with green cards through a fast track.

On the Second Amendment, Arpaio states on his campaign Facebook page: After spending nearly my entire life in law enforcement, I know that no matter how good of a cop you are you cannot be everywhere at once to protect and defend a potential victim. In addition to allowing people to own firearms as a check against a tyrannical government, the people of this country are afforded the precious right to own a firearm to protect themselves and their property.

Besides his strong support for Trumps policies, another reason Arpaios campaign is drawing attention is that the Arizona Senate race may be crucial for Republican hopes of retaining the Senate. Republicans barely hold a majority in the Senate by a 51-49 margin.

Arpaio faces challenges in his run for Senate. After serving as sheriff of Maricopa County for 23 years, he was rejected by the voters in his 2016 reelection campaign. In July 2017, he was found guilty of contempt, a sentence that Trump pardoned one month later. The loss in his home county may signal that Arpaios link to Arizona voters has finally weakened, and the controversy over his contempt conviction may give pause to voters who dont know him well.

With health care, illegal immigration, government spending, foreign trade, and other key issues at stake, Republicans cannot afford to lose their small advantage in the Senate. Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake has already announced he is not seeking reelection, and there have been rumors that Flakes colleague, senior Senator John McCain, will also soon retire due to his health.

Therefore at least one and possibly both Arizona senate seats may be up for grabs. Some Democrats now look at Arizona, a swing state in the 2016 election, as a battleground that could possibly be turned into a Republican Waterloo this November.

Recommended Video:

Peruvian Media Asks Ivanka Trump About Lessons She Learned From Her Dad, She Listed 5 Principles
Former first lady Barbara Bush attends day two of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on Sept. 2, 2008. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Former First Lady Barbara Bush in Failing Health

Barbara Bush, the former first lady to former President George H.W. Bush and the mother of former President George W. Bush, is reportedly in failing health.

Family spokesman Jim McGrath on wrote on Twitter Sunday that the 92-year-old matriarch made the decision after consulting with her family and friends.

Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the health of former First Lady Barbara Bush. pic.twitter.com/4csUS6IRKZ  Jim McGrath (@jgm41) April 15, 2018

It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face off her failing health, worrying not for herselfthanks to her abiding faithbut for others, he wrote.

She will instead focus on comfort care, the statement said, Reuters reported.

Her husband, George H.W. Bush, was the countrys 41st president. Hes now 93 years old and struggling with a Parkinsons-like disease, and is confined to a wheelchair.

Former President George W. Bush served from 2001 until 2009 before retiring to Texas.

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent."  Barbara Bush  First Words (@unscriptedmike) April 15, 2018

The brief statement did not indicate the nature of Bushs illness but said that she had had a series of recent hospitalizations, noted Reuters.

CNN reported that Bush was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure. A Bush family spokesman said she was being cared for at her home. He did not provide information on the nature of her illness.

She is surrounded by a family she adores and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving, the statement added.

Prayers going up for a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country. Our country is better because of former First Lady Barbara Bush ?? pic.twitter.com/pewdIu2hjr  Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) April 15, 2018

Her other son, Jeb Bush, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2015 and early 2016 before dropping out. He was the Republican governor of Florida.

In April, the former first lady wrote glowingly of her husband.

I am sending all my love and prayers to the entire Bush family today  Barbara Bush is a woman of great strength, patriotism and an iconic first lady of our times who has touched and inspired countless lives.  Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 15, 2018

I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago, she wrote in the Smiths Colleges alumnae magazine, as reported by USA Today. I have had great medical care and more operations than you would believe, she also told the magazine. Im not sure God will recognize me; I have so many new body parts!

She continued: Also, George Bush has given me the world. He is the bestthoughtful and loving.

Recommended Video:

How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers
It Looks Like a Gigantic Cake, but It Can Change the Lives of Millions

A house built via 3-D printing was unveiled to the public on Saturday, April 7, in western France, with backers praising it as a breakthrough in green construction.

While it is not the first created with printing technology, this is the first house ever built in situ intended for permanent habitation. The house will be allocated by June 2018 to a local family that qualifies for social housing, authorities said.

Its a solution and a constructive principle that is interesting because we create the house directly on site, said professor Benoit Furet, whose teams from the University of Nantes led the building project called Yhova.

In addition thanks to the robot, we are able to create walls with complex shapes, he said.

This Y-shaped, five-room, 1,000-square-foot home is incredibly insulated, thanks to an innovative method employed to build it.

A special polymer materialpolyurethaneis sprayed layer-by-layer by the 3-D robot named BatiPrint3D. Eventually this forms hollow walls, a process which takes about 18 days. These supporting walls are subsequently filled with concrete that serve as insulation.

The structure is a kind of reverse way of traditionally made walls, according to 3D Printing Industry.

Once youve printed the material youve used very little material, and produced zero waste, Furet said.

This material [polyurethane] once its laid down allows us to achieve efficiency in the house which means that the wall is so insulating, that youll use very little energy to heat this house for 100 years, he continued.

The house has been equipped with multiple sensors that monitor air quality, humidity, and temperature, as well as equipment to analyze the thermal properties of the building. This is intended to enable tenants to save on energy costs, according to the designers.

According to the university, Batiprint3D will reduce construction time, improve thermal insulation and reduce construction operating costs. It said that if this building method can be scaled up, energy-efficient affordable social housing can be developed on-site faster and cheaper than currently possible.

Nantes Metropole, the city authority, is considering the feasibility of printing out an entire district of such homes, in different shapes and sizes. It also wants to consider printing a public reception center.

By Mimi Nguyen Ly

Recommended Video:

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Necropolis in Egypt
Japan and US to Propose WTO Rules Countering Chinese Regimes Data Transfer Law

Last June, a new internet regulation took effect in China that sent foreign firms into a panic: all domestic and foreign firms would be required to store their data on servers within China, and be subject to security checks by Chinese authorities.

Companies grew concerned that this would allow the Chinese regime access to sensitive information and conduct espionage.

In September, the United States sent a document to the World Trade Organization (WTO), urging China not to implement the new law, citing concerns that it would disrupt global trade.

The impact of the measures would fall disproportionately on foreign service suppliers operating in China, as these suppliers must routinely transfer data back to headquarters and other affiliates [located outside of China], the U.S. document read.

Ahead of the WTOs upcoming meeting in Geneva on April 18, where 80 member countries are expected to attend, news has emerged that Japan, partnering with the United States, will take China to task for its data policies and propose international standards for cross-country data flows.

Nikkei Asian Review, a Japanese publication, broke the news on April 12.

According to Nikkei, Japan and the United States propose to ban domestic server requirements such as those set up in China, and prohibit countries from pressuring foreign firms to transfer their proprietary technology.

The proposal will also push the Chinese regime to allow some data from China to be transferred outside the country, such as customer data from e-commerce transactions.

In recent months, the United States has made forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft the foremost issue in addressing the U.S.-China trade imbalanceincluding by proposing $50 billion worth of punitive tariffs on Chinese imports.

The Japanese government has also grown concerned. Citing sources from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a trade organization under the countrys Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Voice of America (VOA) reported that JETRO had began work on the proposal since last October, as a countermeasure against Chinas new law. The trade organization felt Chinas control of foreign data would obstruct free trade.

In the latter half of last year, Japan began discussing with the United States how to confront Chinas cyber sovereignty principle, an idea the regime has tried to export to other repressive governments: that each country has the right to monitor and control the internet in their country according to their own rules.

The Japanese have plans to discuss the proposed WTO rules with Canada in the coming year, according to VOA.

Meanwhile, Nikkei Asian Review reported that Japan and the United States are aiming for a deal on this issue to be signed at the next WTO ministerial conference in 2019. The Shinzo Abe government has hopes that by partnering with Washington on such a high-priority issue, the latter will ease the pressure on Japan to lessen its trade surplus with the United States, according to the Nikkei Shimbun newspaper.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Recommended Video:

How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers
Corporal punishment is child abuse

Sir Frank Peters :

It's a proven fact, the more caring that adults are in a child's life; many times greater are the chances of the child achieving success and happiness. - You reap what you sow.

It's also a proven fact that the more corporal punishment experienced as a child, greater are the chances of the child becoming aggressive, becoming a wife-beater, a child beater, and mentally unstable. - You reap what you sow.

From time to time people are known to shake their head in dismay, perhaps even in total disgust, yield a long big sigh and ask why there's so much cruelty in the world.

Don't expect to find the answers here. I only know corporal punishment, whether administered in the home, school or madrasah, is a major contributing factor that might trigger in a person a lifetime of unacceptable behaviour that manifests in a myriad of undesirable ways and accounts for much of the violence in society today. - You reap what you sow.

Is it too much to ask that schools and madrasahs be child friendly? It doesn't make sense that some 'teachers' attempt to beat-in the 'love' of God through fear, belittlement, chiding, and violence. Their definition of love, no doubt, is different to most.

Children are our future especially during elections

From time to time politicians scream, 'children are our future' and some even sound genuine, sincere and convinced by their own rhetoric, but most times they're mere words taken from an empty stomach or formed from the echo of a belch. There's little to no evidence of any action actually taken to resolve the issues and help the children, but the rhetoric, admittedly, always make a good sound bite for TV audiences and appeals especially to the proletariat, ignorant and easily pleased, especially during electioneering.

Children are forever mystified by corporal punishment. In a God-loving religious setting they are told God loves them, but then to have the message beaten-in with sticks and leather belts, understandably, makes the lessons a mockery and hard for them to believe and accept.

In many countries where there's corporal punishment performed in schools and madrasahs, the children (the intelligent ones at least) ask themselves, 'if my parents love me, as they say they do, why do they send me to a school/madrasah where I'm abused and beaten?' Indeed, why?

God works in mysterious ways

They say God works in mysterious ways, but I doubt giving corporal punishment to children is one of them.

Ignorance, in its absence or in its presence, plays a major role in a child's upbringing. A child is unfortunate to have corporal punishment ignorant parents or corporal punishment ignorant 'teachers'. God help him/her, if subjected to both!

A child needs corporal punishment like he/she needs chicken pox. In fact, the chicken pox is less harmful, that goes away after a few days, but the memories of corporal punishment could scar or ruin a child for life.

Go to any library, or quality bookshop, and ask for a book on the benefits of corporal punishment and you'll be directed to the Fiction Section.

Sure, there are people who believe there are benefits, but these are ignorant or totally misguided and use it as a cover-up for their own failings and weaknesses. Countless research attests to that.

Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., a Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry at Yale University, who carried out extensive studies on the subject recently said: "You cannot punish out the behaviors that you do not want. Therefore, there is no need for corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is a horrible thing that does not work."

Bangladeshi superheroes Justice Md. Imman Ali and Justice Md. Sheikh Hasan Arif, who outlawed corporal punishment in Bangladesh schools and madrassas on January 13, 2011, described corporal punishment as 'cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and a clear violation of a child's fundamental right to life, liberty and freedom'.

A survey by the University of Texas found children who were smacked in childhood were more likely to be physically aggressive towards their partners as adults.

If we are to believe that children are human. We must also accept they have feelings similar to our own. What adult do you know who welcomes being slapped in the face with a shoe; kicked, hair-pulled, ears-twisted, beaten across the head with a metal scale or otherwise abused? Corporal punishment, unquestionably, is child abuse that's been falsely labelled as discipline.

Controversial outspoken American pastor Reverend Thomas E. Sagendorf emphasizes that any school that practices corporal punishment is run by "a failed administration and teachers who practice corporal punishment are failed teachers and unworthy to be members of the otherwise noble profession".

There is absolutely NO justification for corporal punishment. There is NEVER justification for hitting a child. An adult who hits a child demonstrates his/her own lack of control and inability to address the given situation in a sensible mature manner.

Corporal punishment is a medieval torture, performed characteristically by people with an ignorant, medieval mind-set who still believe the world is square.

Corporal punishment is often used not to correct wrong behaviour by the child, but rather to express anger by the teacher/parent and that takes it into the 'red zone' danger area where most serious injuries to children occur.

Remember Tauhidul Islam (R.I.P)

In northeast Delhi recently a Class V student was brutally beaten by a 'teacher' with a plastic pipe over a minor issue .

A 'teacher' at the Elim Primary School has come under fire for duct-taping the mouths of four pupils as punishment for talking in class.

A female 'teacher' at National Talent School at Vaddadi mercilessly beat up a student and fractured her arm, as she had not done her homework.

In another incident a Class 4 student collapsed and fell unconscious after an angry 'teacher' threw an object at him that hit him in the groin.

A 'teacher' in Chittagong was sent to jail recently for throwing a duster at an eight-grade student who may now lose an eye.

Omar Faruq, a 12-year-old madrasa student in Mymensingh was not only beaten up by a 'teacher', but also confined inside the madrasa for three days without medical attention. As I write, he is in an unstable condition and undergoing treatment at MMCH.

Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum's Child Rights Violation Data 2018 shows in the first three months of 2018, a total of 56 students were injured as a result of physical torture at educational institutions. It gets worse, a HELL of a lot worse last month Tauhidul Islam, an 11-year-old madrasa student, died after being severely beaten by his 'teacher'.

How horrific and inhumane can corporal punishment get? Maybe there's a Guinness Book of Records for such that I don't know about.

Corporal punishment teaches violence in a world that's already chronically ill with violence. Why make it worse?

The easiest solution to preventing corporal punishment is simply to say 'no'. No is a mighty powerful word for its size and should be used firmly by both pupils and parents whenever the need arises.

Remember, remember, remember Tauhidul Islam. If corporal punishment didn't exist, he'd be alive today. Don't be afraid to speak out. Don't allow your child to be the next victim. Corporal punishment is child abuse, evil, and wrong.



(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, an award-winning writer, royal goodwill ambassador, humanitarian, and a foreign friend of Bangladesh.)
Salisbury District Hospital is seen after Yulia Skripal was discharged, in Salisbury, Britain, April 10, 2018. (Reuters/Peter Nicholls)

Russia Spied on Skripal and Daughter for at Least Five Years: UK

LONDONRussias intelligence agencies spied on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia for at least five years before they were attacked with a nerve agent in March, the national security adviser to Britains prime minister said.

Mark Sedwill said in a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday that email accounts of Yulia had been targeted in 2013 by cyber specialists from Russias GRU military intelligence service.

Sedwill also said in the letter, which was published by the government, that it was highly likely that the Russian intelligence services view at least some of its defectors as legitimate targets for assassination.

The Skripals were targeted by what London says was a nerve agent attack that left both of them critically ill for weeks. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said it is highly likely that Moscow was behind the attack.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted on Friday that a report this week by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) did not confirm the origin of the poison used against the Skripals.

Lavrov said the report only confirmed the composition of the substance and that Britains claim that it confirmed the UK position on the Skripal case was overstated.

Separately on Friday, Russias ambassador to Britain said he was concerned the British government was trying to get rid of evidence related to the case.

We get the impression that the British government is deliberately pursuing the policy of destroying all possible evidence, classifying all remaining materials and making an independent and transparent investigation impossible, Alexander Yakovenko told reporters.

He also said Russia could not be sure about the authenticity of a statement issued by Yulia Skripal on Wednesday in which she declined the offer of help from the Russian embassy.
US Launches Missile from Submarine  Heres Where It Landed

The U.S. Department of Defense released video footage of tomahawk missiles being launched from a submarine in the Mediterranean Sea at targets in Syria as part of a multi-national strike operation against the Syrian government.

President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!

Trump derided sensationalized media reports that likened his quote to one from former President George W. Bush.

He added, The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished.

The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished. I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often! Trump tweeted.

Western powers have no plans for further missile strikes on Syria but will assess their options if Damascus uses chemical weapons again, Britains foreign minister said on Sunday as debate raged over the legality and effectiveness of the raids, Reuters reported.

Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis told Fox News that they targeted three locations in a heavy but carefully limited assault. Mattis said that no follow-up strikes are planned, adding that the Pentagon was careful to ensure the safety of Russian and Syrian civilians nearby.

Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message last year, Mattis noted. This time our allies and we have struck harder.

U.S., French and British missile attacks struck at the heart of Syrias chemical weapons program on Saturday in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack a week ago, and the three countries insisted they were not aimed at toppling President Bashar al-Assad or intervening in a seven-year civil war.

In Damascus, Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, met inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW for about three hours in the presence of Russian officers and a senior Syrian security official.

The inspectors were due to attempt to visit the site of the suspected gas attack. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for their findings before attacking.

British Foreign Secretary (Minister) Boris Johnson defended Prime Minister Theresa Mays decision to take part in the attack, saying it was to deter further use of chemical weapons.

This is not about regime change  This is not about trying to turn the tide of the conflict in Syria, he said, reported Reuters. There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far thank heavens the Assad regime [has] not been so foolish as to launch another chemical weapons attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strikes an act of aggression and had the destructive influence on the entire system of international relations and will exacerbate humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.

Russia condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack against Syria, where Russian military personnel are assisting the legitimate government in its counterterrorism efforts, Putin said in a statement, Fox reported.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Recommended Video: President Donald Trumps Weely Address, April 13, 2018
EAST HAVEN  As the owner of Alisas House of Salsa on Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Alisa Bowens-Mercado has rhythm. Now she has put that into making beer.

Bowens-Mercado is the first African-American woman in Connecticut to brew beer and one of only a handful across the country. As the owner of Rhythm Brewing Co., she created the unfiltered lager, Rhythm, at Overshores Brewery in East Haven, celebrating her second canning day Friday.

Getting into this really is a passion, Bowens-Mercado said. Shes diversifying the industry as one of the few women and few people of color brew craft beer anywhere in the U.S. Im tapping into a national thirst of what the craft beer industry is lacking.

When the canning and labeling begins, Bowens-Mercado turns up Gloria Estefans Rhythm is Gonna Get You for good luck. And its working, she said.

Rhythm is in its second run after selling out 100 cases in only two weeks, which marks a very well-selling beer, Overshores Brewery lead production brewer Mike Dryburgh said. Overshores is a collaborative brewery that serves up its own brand but also works with other brewers producing their recipes. Overshores works with breweries such as Hulls, Armada, Charter Oak and more.

Rhythm Brewing Co. specializes in producing unfiltered beer, which means keeping the good stuff in, Bowens-Mercado said.

Most mass-produced beers are filtered and pasteurized. The filtration removes the yeast, giving the beer a bright clarity, while the pasteurization cooks the beer to kill any microorganisms that mightve gotten through the filtration. But filtration can go too far by stripping away the natural goodness of beer, according to Beer Magazine, and over-filtering can take out color, hop bitterness and proteins that add body and help form the beers head. Unfiltered beers, such as Rhythm, might be seen as more natural or even healthier than filtered beer.

Bowens-Mercado describes her beer as having a slight bite and it makes you want more.

It has a great flavor profile, Dryburgh said. Its a really good lager. He said a lot of people who drink lagers are drinking the big industry brands such as Samuel Adams and Budweiser and To do a craft lager and stay true to the form and put your own twist is fun and its ambitious.

Bowens-Mercado said her product gets back to basics.

With our brand, we wanted to go back to classic, with the logo and everything and make a timeless beer people wont get sick of, she said. Bowens-Mercado got into the craft beer scene as a way to pay homage to her grandmothers, who she remembers often drinking beer as they sat together talking.

More people are looking for something thats not mass produced, Dryburgh said. They want something local and people are pulling into their own community.

A trend in the craft beer industry is brewing IPAs, but Bowens-Mercado was insistent that she wanted to make a lager. As she researched the industry and a way to make a lager, she looked for someone to guide her in the process, which was hard since not many women are doing it, she said.

But eventually, she found Overshores, which took her vision and brewed it into a reality.

Bowens-Mercado is looking to make an unfiltered light lager as her next beer and as she grows her brewing company, she hopes to open doors for other women.

Being a chick, I want more women in the industry, she said. I want more women brewing, more women canning. I want them to have a significant role and not just consume it .... I want to let women out there know you can brew. We have our place in the industry.

As long as youre making quality beer, the markets there, Dryburgh said. Our consumer is wide ranging. Theyre not just white men anymore. To infuse more diversity is only a good thing.

Rhythm is sold at Amity Wine and Spirits in New Haven and Hamden, at all Total Wine locations, the Wine Cellar in North Haven, Temple Wine & Liquor and more liquor stores. Its also on tap at a number of bars and clubs including Diesel Lounge, Jacks Bar And Steakhouse, LTs Corner Bar and Grille and others.

Bowens-Mercados lager can be recognized by the illuminated LED tap handle.

Its the only one that lights up, so you will know you have found your Rhythm, she said.
Of the many lasting legacies of the 60s counterculture, the most surprising is the impact on how America eats. Its an undeniable outcome of the activist era that touched every corner of society. The change started with Alice Waters at her restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, Calif.

In the shadow of the political activism at UC Berkeley, Waters opened Chez Panisse in 1971 and forever changed the American table. Neither trained chef nor restaurant veteran, she had a passion for fresh, delicious, carefully-prepared meals like those regularly enjoyed by the French.

From the street, the restaurant is unassuming, but a second look lets you know that something different is going on here. A large Bunya pine tree almost obscures the carved, unpainted, arching sign  you could walk right past it. But an eye-catching decorative iron screen reveals a small courtyard and a timbered entrance. Inside, the cozy craftsman-style interior is filled with detailed woodwork and lush flower arrangements.

Chez Panisse, with its multi-course, no-choice menu that changes daily, began as a French restaurant, not all classical and saucy, but ingredient-driven with fresh, local food simply prepared. Over the years scope has widened to include the south of France and Italy, becoming more broadly Mediterranean. At the same time, it has been at the forefront of the eating revolution, sourcing local, organic, seasonal food and crediting the producers on the menu.

We peeked into the downstairs, dinner-only Chez Panisse dining room. Even at noon the open kitchen was fully staffed and bustling with dinner preparations. We were invited to walk past the cooks trimming artichokes, stirring soups, and roasting meats for a peek into the pastry kitchen. The cost of the four course dinner is up from $3.95 in 1971 to $75 to $125 these days.

The Chez Panisse Cafe, up a long flight of stairs on the second floor, is filled with light, lined with mirrors in high craftsman style. The open kitchen with its wood-fired oven and grill divides the narrow space roughly in half.

The Cafe, open for both lunch and dinner, is the more casual Chez Panisse option but still a restaurant at the very highest level. The tempting a la carte menu also includes a three-course, fixed-price Menu du Jour ($33). Service is well-organized and impeccable. The knowledgeable staff is eager to talk about the provenance of the food.

I started with the delicious baked Andante Dairy goat cheese salad ($14), a dish that has been on the menu every day in one form or another since the Cafe opened in 1980. Marsha couldnt resist the cardoon soup ($10), a puree made from the stalks of artichokes.

Mount Lassen trout ($32) was pan-seared and served with a tangle of fresh watercress, artichokes, red-fleshed potatoes, and Meyer lemon aioli. Our server, Megan, had been camping near Mount Lassen and told us all about the trouts volcanic, mineral-rich water source. My Casarecce house-made pasta ($23) was sauced with a deeply-flavored short rib ragu, fresh sweet peas, and Pecorino cheese.

After our look into the bakery, dessert was a must. The flaky, buttery, crisp crust of my galette ($12) cradled Pink Lady apple slices dotted with sour cherries and came with vanilla ice cream  house made, of course. Marsha ordered Lindseys almond cake ($12), improbably both dense and light at the same time and delicately flavored with almond. With just-picked flavor, the accompanying huckleberry ice cream and coulis were a sweet-tart foil to the rich cake. I tried to wheedle out the cake recipe, but no luck.

From the first day, Waters insisted on high-quality ingredients. She defined quality by freshness and naturalness and then carried the idea one step further, insisting on seasonal, small-scale agriculture. The Chez Panisse kitchen introduced us to ingredients exotic then, but common today: extra-virgin olive oil, radicchio, Sherry vinegar, and fresh pasta to name a few.

If youve cruised the organic aisle at the supermarket, shopped at a local farmers market and met the farmer, had any locally-baked artisanal bread or farmstead cheese made on a nearby farm  you can thank Alice Waters. You can thank her for eating in very good, but casual restaurants, where the atmosphere is relaxed and the focus is on the food, and you can also thank her for introducing open kitchens and wood-fired ovens. Paul Freedman recognized the impact of Chez Panisse in his book, Ten Restaurants that Changed America.

Waters commitment to food activism is ongoing. These days, shes dedicated to improving school food and nutrition through her Edible Schoolyard program, supporting local farmers, and encouraging sustainable growing practices.

The sentence at the bottom of the Chez Panisse Cafe menu sums it up, The food we serve comes from farms, orchards, ranches, and fisheries guided by principles of sustainability. And, by the way, it tastes great!

Frank Whitman can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com.
Allow ICC to conduct a probe into Myanmar's brutality

THE Aung San Suu Kyi's government expressed "serious concern" on Friday over a move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor seeking jurisdiction over alleged deportations of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh. The ICC charter does not say that the court has jurisdiction over states which have not accepted that charter. Furthermore, the 1969 UN Vienna Convention on International Treaties states that no treaty can be imposed on a country that has not ratified it, the Myanmar government said in its statement.

Since August, nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar. The United States and the United Nations have described the situation as ethnic cleansing. Myanmar has denied the allegations, saying it waged a legitimate counter-insurgency operation following the attacks of Rohingya militants on more than two dozen police posts and an army base.

In Friday's statement, the prosecutor's office said the fact that Bensouda was seeking a judicial opinion whether the ICC had jurisdiction over alleged Rohingya deportations. Myanmar is not a member of the ICC. But Bangladesh is an ICC member. According to the prosecutor's office, an essential element of the alleged crime takes place on the territory of Bangladesh.

These audacities are nothing new. The Myanmar government engages in a tit for tat with an international organisation and fights a war over the usage of words while the ground reality remains unchanged. In no situation in history has over a million people taken refuge in another country unless there is something seriously wrong with their own country.

The Myanmar government's action to sow fear and terror have wrought the desired result and encouraged the Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. It has marginalised and circumscribed the Rohingyas in every way possible, and when the Rohingyas strike out in fear and terror label them as terrorist groups. It is akin to the situation where a man killed both his parents and then threw himself to the mercy of the court as he was an orphan.

Bangladesh is now facing an acute crisis as no other country takes the Rohingyas -- even India pushed them back from their shores. We hope, the global community would play a key role as ICC could conduct an extensive probe into Myanmar's brutalities against Rohingyas.


BJP lawmaker arrested in India rape case

Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a legislator of Uttar Pradesh state from India\'s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacts as he leaves a court after he was arrested in connection with the rape of a teenager, in Lucknow on Saturday.

AFP, New Delhi :

Indian police have made another arrest after the alleged rape of a teenager by a ruling party politician sparked protests across the country, federal investigators said today.

The case, along with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, has brought Indians onto the streets for mass

demonstrations not seen since the rape and murder of a Delhi student in 2012.

The outrage has put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is accused of trying to shield its state lawmaker in one case and of defending the accused in the other.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh state which is ruled by the BJP, for allegedly raping the 17-year-old last year.
Joint air strikes crippled Syria chemical weapons program: Claims US

The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey fires a Tomahawk land attack missile on April 14, 2018 as the United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of pre-dawn strikes against Syria\'s regime.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) :

Western powers said on Saturday their missile attacks struck at the heart of Syria's chemical weapons program, but the restrained assault appeared unlikely to halt Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's progress in the 7-year-old civil war.

The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week ago, targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities including a research and development in Damascus' Barzeh district and two installations near Homs.

The bombing was the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and his superpower ally Russia, but the three countries said the strikes were limited to Syria's chemical weapons capabilities and not aimed at toppling Assad or intervening in the civil war.

The air attack, denounced by Damascus and its allies as an illegal act of aggression, was unlikely to alter the course of a multi-sided war that has killed at least half a million people.

U.S. President Donald Trump called the operation a success.

He proclaimed on Twitter: "Mission accomplished," echoing former President George W. Bush whose use of the same phrase in 2003 to describe the U.S. invasion of Iraq was widely ridiculed as violence there dragged on for years.

"We believe that by hitting Barzeh in particular we've attacked the heart of the Syrian chemicals weapon program," Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie said at the Pentagon.

However, McKenzie acknowledged elements of the program remain and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Trump told her that if Syria uses poisonous gas again, "The United States is locked and loaded." The Western countries said the strikes were aimed at preventing more Syrian chemical weapons attacks after a suspected poison gas attack in Douma on April 7 killed up to 75 people. They blame Assad's government for the attack.

In Washington, a senior administration official said on Saturday that evidence showed both chlorine and the nerve agent sarin were used in that attack, prompting the strikes.

But speaking at a summit in Peru, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence seemed less sure of the use of sarin, saying that Washington may well determine that it was used along with chlorine.

Ten hours after the missiles hit, smoke was still rising from the remains of five destroyed buildings of the Syrian Scientific Research Center in Barzeh, where a Syrian employee said medical components were developed. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Syria released video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption "Morning of resilience".

Russian and Iranian military help over the past three years has let Assad crush the rebel threat to topple him.

The United States, Britain and France have all participated in the Syrian conflict for years, arming rebels, bombing Islamic State fighters and deploying troops on the ground to fight that group. But they have refrained from targeting Assad's government, apart from a volley of U.S. missiles last year. Although the Western countries have all said for seven years that Assad must leave power, they held back in the past from striking his government, lacking a wider strategy to defeat him.

Syria and its allies also made clear that they considered the attack a one-off, unlikely to do meaningful harm to Assad. A senior official in a regional alliance that backs Damascus told Reuters the sites that were targeted had been evacuated days ago thanks to a warning from Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the strikes were "unacceptable and lawless."

Syrian state media called them a "flagrant violation of international law," while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called it a crime and the Western leaders criminals.

Russia had promised to respond to any attack on its ally, but the Pentagon said no Russian air defense systems were used. Syria fired 40 unguided surface to air missiles - but only after the Western strikes had ended, the Pentagon said. "We are confident that all of our missiles reached their targets," McKenzie said. British Prime Minister Theresa May described the strike as "limited and targeted", with no intention of toppling Assad or intervening more widely in the war.

Washington described the strike targets as a center near Damascus for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weapons, a chemical weapons storage site near the city of Homs, and another site near Homs that stored chemical weapons equipment and housed a command post.

The Pentagon said there had been chemical weapons agents at one of the targets, and that the strikes had significantly crippled Syria's ability to produce such weapons.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump and May to discuss results of the strikes. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged all Security Council members to exercise restraint and avoid escalation in Syria, but said allegations of chemical weapons use demand an investigation.

Inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW were due to try to visit Douma on Saturday to inspect the site of the suspected gas attack. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for their findings. Russia, whose relations with the West have deteriorated to levels of Cold War-era hostility, has denied any gas attack took place in Douma and even accused Britain of staging it to whip up anti-Russian hysteria.
ACC quizzes Babul Chisty, 3 others

Staff Reporter :

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday quizzed four people including former chairman of Farmers Bank Audit Committee Mahabubul Haque Chisty (Babul Chisty) over allegations of embezzling Tk 160 crore from the bank.

On April 10, ACC Deputy Director Shamsul Alam filed a money-laundering case with Gulshan Police Station, accusing six persons, including Babul Chisty, his son Rashedul Haque Chisty, the bank's Senior Vice President Zia Uddin Ahmed and First Vice President Muhammad Masudur Rahman Khan.

The four landed in jail the same day after the ACC arrested them in the case.

The accused persons, including son of Babul Chisty and two officials of the bank faced the quizzing at ACC headquarters in Dhaka. ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told The New Nation that an ACC team led by Deputy Director Shamsul Alam and investigation officer of the case interrogated them.

"They have been interrogated from morning to afternoon putting remand," he added.

The ACC found that between November 18, 2013 and January 30 this year, Tk 138.82 crore were deposited with the current accounts of Bakshiganj Jute Spinners Ltd at Farmers Bank's Bakshiganj and Gulshan branches. Chisty's son, wife and daughter owned the mill.

ACC imposed a ban on the travel of 17 people including Babul Chisty and his family members and senior officials of the bank for their alleged involvement in the money laundering case. In December last year, Bangladesh Bank (BB) unearthed that Farmers Bank's Motijheel branch had disbursed more than Tk 500 crore that were sanctioned to 11 companies in violation of normal banking rules and procedures. Of the amount, loans of Tk 367 crore that the branch gave to 10 of the firms from November 2013 to November last year have become defaulted.

According to a BB probe report, Mahabubul was involved in the financial scams that took place in the bank's Gulshan and Mowna branches.

BB held the bank's ex-chairman Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir and Chisty largely responsible for the scams.
Locked and loaded if Syria uses toxic gas again

Al Jazeera News :

The United States has warned it "is locked and loaded" to strike Syria if there are any more chemical attacks, hours after more than 100 bombs targeted facilities in Damascus and Homs said to be associated with the use of chemical weapons.

Speaking to an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Saturday, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said: "If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

"When our president draws a red line, our president enforces the red line."

The US, UK and France targeted three sites across Syria on Saturday, including: The Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre in Damascus' Barzeh district, the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility, 20km west of Homs and the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker Facility, just more than 7km from the storage facility.

Haley said the US and its allies "acted, not as revenge" but to "deter the future use of chemical weapons by holding the Syrian regime responsible for its atrocities against humanity".

However, her Russian counterpart, Vassily Nebenzia, called on the Security Council to condemn the attacks.

"Today is not the day to shirk your responsibilities," he said. "The whole world is looking at you. Take a principled stand."

But Russia failed to garner the necessary votes, and was instead handed a stinging diplomatic defeat.

Only three countries - Russia, China and Bolivia - backed the resolution which called the US and its allies' strikes an "aggression" against Syria.

Eight countries voting against, and four countries abstained - Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Peru and Equatorial Guinea.

"Today is a very sad day for the world, the UN, its charter, which was blatantly, blatantly violated," Nebenzia said.

Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to United Nations, said the strikes were an "attack against international law," and called on the three countries to stop supporting "terrorists" in Syria.

He said members of the international chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, arrived on Saturday in Damascus and were to meet Syrian authorities.

"My government will, of course, provide every support to this delegation for it to carry out its mission successfully," Jaafari said.

The attacks on Saturday came in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack in the former rebel stronghold of Douma last weekend.
CALGARY  Dozens of Syrian refugees spent Saturday morning at the Canadian Blood Services clinic in Eau Claire.

Coast to coast, Syrian refugees were showing their gratitude for a chance at a new life by donating blood to help other lives.

Sam Nammoura, with the Syrian Refugee Support Group of Calgary, helped organize a blood drive for the Syrian community back in January. The success of the event got him and other organizers thinking that they could organize another Canada-wide. More than 10 cities are participating.

We really wanted to come together across the country as a Syrian community and say in one loud voice that we are here to build, participate, integrate and to appreciate the support and the help that was given to Syrians.

Reham Ghanam was 14 when her family fled Syria and headed to Lebanon. She was 16 when they finally arrived to Canada in late 2015.

Although she was a little nervous, the high school student decided to roll up her sleeves so she could help someone else.

The last few years, there was war and there were so many people dying. So many people died because they lost blood, said Ghanam. It feels good when you try to save someones life by donating blood.

Nammoura says that giving blood is symbolic in Syrian culture.

Its a strong message of loyalty to the cause and a strong message to the commitment. So when you say, I give you my blood, it emphasizes how serious you are in your dedication.

Faddel Hattab came here as a refugee less than a year ago. Participating in the blood drive was important to him because he wanted to give back to a community that has been so welcoming to him. He said he hopes this will inspire more people to donate blood.

I feel like this is something youre able to do; you should do it. If we can do something to save a life, why not? says Hattab. We have to remind people how important this is. Just recently, we had the tragedy in Humboldt, people lose blood in accidents like this, so I think everyone should be doing it.

Nammoura envisions more blood donation drives hosted by the Syrian community.

We really want to make it a tradition for April 14: Syrian donation day.

Mary Getaneh is a Calgary-based reporter covering arts, culture and diversity. Follow her on Twitter: @marygetaneh

Read more about:
A 49-year-old man has died after an ATV incident in Nova Scotia early Sunday morning.

According to a Cape Breton Regional Police release, patrol members responded to an ATV accident on James Street in New Waterford at about 4 a.m.

As a result of the incident, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Members of the Traffic Safety Unit as well as the Forensic Identification Unit continue to investigate the case.

Police said no further information will be provided until the mans family are notified.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 902-563-5151 or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.

Read more about:
MONTREALIn the rush to marijuana legalization, cities across the country are harnessing their limited powers to delay the opening of retail pot stores, dictate where they can operate or ban them outrightat least temporarily.

There was uproar from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Toronto District School Board after finding out the citys first retail cannabis store would open just 450 metres from a school, in a strip mall where students often eat lunch.

But its the scenario many local politicians are fighting to prevent.

Read More:

How did one of Ontarios first legal pot stores end up next to a Toronto public school?

Some have passed motions and zoning changes suggesting appropriate locations for provincially run Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC) stores. Others, such as Markham, have asked that their territories be passed over as the agency sets up its inaugural pot shops.

Oakville city council passed a motion asking the Ontario government not to open a cannabis store this summer, as planned, so that they can figure out the most appropriate location for a store. This, after it was learned officials were scouting a spot less than one kilometre from a high school which was already a problem area, known for loitering and late-night drinking, said Councillor Tom Adams.

We havent heard back, he said of the requested delay.

They are out looking for a location but were not informed exactly what theyre up to or which locations they prefer ... Were on the receiving end of all this. We have no regulatory power.

The OCRC announced this week that its first four Ontario stores will be located in Guelph, Kingston, Thunder Bay and Toronto. The agency, a subsidiary of the LCBO, plans to open an initial 40 stores this summer, eventually expanding to 150 stores.

Based on its population, that could mean up to five retail cannabis stores opening in the city of London. The calculation prompted city council to adopt recommendations for the province that shops be at least 500 metres from schools, libraries and arenas and not located on main street environments where loitering is more common and may hide drug-selling activities.

The province is not bound to respect the citys wishes, but officials have shown a willingness to work within the constraints, said London chief planner John Fleming. He said specific zoning changes for retail marijuana shops are also coming that would apply if the Ontario government opens up cannabis to private retailers in the future.

Were all moving through this together for the first time and theres a lot of uncertainty. If we can all take a fairly conservative approach to start things out and observe and understand how these operate, then maybe some of the policy concerns and regulations can be relaxed in the future, Fleming said.

Quebec, which has the same provincially run retail model as Ontario, has yet to identify the locations for its cannabis outlets, but the Union des municipalites du Quebec has recommended that pot shops be kept out of poor or troubled neighbourhoods.

The example of lottery gaming machines run by a government agency that we find most frequently in disadvantaged neighbourhoods should absolutely not be reproduced in this case, the association said.

The town of Granby, Que., introduced zoning regulations this week in a motion that would restrict retail cannabis sales to one commercial area next to a liquor store and grocery.

Its far from any school, from any problems of that sort, Granby Mayor Pascal Bonin explained at a council meeting.

The Manitoba government, which will issue retail licences to private companies, have given its cities and towns the choice to prohibit sales in their territories. Most have permitted retail sales. Some, like the town council in Gimli, opted out, saying it didnt have enough information from the province.

But its British Columbia where municipalities are using the full power of their bylaws to slow down the rush to legalization. The province has decided to allow a mix of government-run and private cannabis retailers, but many cities banned the sale and distribution of legal pot on their territory through zoning changes.

It was a bit of a safeguard to make sure that municipalities wouldnt be in a situation of having a new form of legal retail store that wasnt accounted for in a zoning bylaw and then could in theory open up in any place where a retail use was permitted, said Sara Dubinsky, a Vancouver lawyer who specializes in bylaw enforcement and cannabis legalization.

In the mountain resort town of Revelstoke, council banned pot shops because there was too little information about the municipal obligations and impacts of the new retail regime.

At the same time, they were being bombarded by inquiries from entrepreneurs seeking an opening in a new market, said Nigel Whitehead, the towns director of development services.

We want to give our department and our community some breathing space to be able to see exactly what regulations are coming down from the province ... and then give ourselves a bit of time to develop those regulations to best fit our community, he said.

The town council in Tofino, a popular Vancouver Island tourist destination, was also initially inclined to outlaw retail pot stores. There are fears about cannabis tourism and that their small retail sector being taken over by pot shops, said Mayor Josie Osborne.

They have since changed course and decided to do the intensive work necessary to pass appropriate zoning rules in time for the adoption of the federal law.

Were not here to say you cant drink alcohol or you cant take cannabis. Its just that we need to ensure the communitys interests are met first and foremost, she said.

In a town like Tofino, which is so small, if you use a combination of buffers and zoning you effectively do limit the number of stores that you could have.

But many others across Canada are bracing for trouble as the country races toward marijuana legalization feeling they have limited information or preparation, said Brantford Mayor Chris Friel, who chaired the Association of Municipalities of Ontarios task force on legalized marijuana.

The provinces dont know what the regulations are going to be or how its ultimately going to play out. Were going to have two or three years of confusion until we start to play this out.
Trump, allies praise Syria strikes as Moscow seethes

AFP :

US President Donald Trump and his British and French allies on Saturday hailed their joint strikes in Syria in response to its alleged use of chemical weapons, warning Damascus that any repetition would be met with renewed firepower.

Hours later, the allies signaled their resolve to return to diplomacy, launching a new bid at the United Nations to investigate the chemical weapons attacks.

They circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid and enforcement of a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage

in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.

The narrowly targeted pre-dawn military operation, which took aim at three alleged chemical weapons facilities, earned quick scorn from Russia, but a push by Moscow for condemnation of the strikes at the Security Council fell far short.

Trump and his allies ordered the mission in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack a week ago on the rebel-held town of Douma that left more than 40 people dead.

Washington believes both sarin and chlorine were used in the April 7 attack, a senior US administration official told reporters on Saturday.

Both the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and its ally Russia have denied all responsibility. Moscow slammed the "aggressive actions" of the Western coalition but has not yet responded militarily.

US ambassador Nikki Haley warned her UN counterparts that although the mission was designed as a one-off, that did not preclude further action against Assad.

"I spoke to the president this morning and he said: 'If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded,'" Haley said at emergency Security Council talks.

Negotiations on the draft resolution put forward by the US, France and Britain are set to begin on Monday.

Among the contentious proposals, it would establish an independent investigation into allegations of toxic gas attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.

On the humanitarian side, the measure demands medical evacuations and safe passage for aid convoys to be allowed to all areas. Diplomats said it remained unclear when the council would vote on the proposal, and they were ready to allow time for negotiations to bring Russia aboard. Just before dawn on Saturday, the sounds of massive explosions and the roar of warplanes rang out across Damascus for about 45 minutes. "A perfectly executed strike last night," Trump tweeted early Saturday.
PARISThe French army says a deadly extremist attack on a UN military camp in northern Mali was particularly sophisticated and underhanded.

Officials have said the attack on a camp for the UN mission known as MINUSMA in Timbuktu on Saturday left one peacekeeper dead and others wounded.

The French army said in a statement Sunday that seven soldiers from the French military operation known as Barkhane were among the injured and that 15 attackers were killed in a counterattack.

Read more:

Opinion | Thomas Walkom: There is no peace to keep in Mali for Canadian troops

Canadian commitment to Mali coincides with review of UN mission

Opinion | Rosie DiManno: With Mali mission, Canadian troops are entering a madhouse

The statement said some of the jihadists wore peacekeepers uniforms and explosive belts, and used vehicles covered up with UN and Malian army codes. Three car bombs exploded, it said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though a number of extremist groups are active in the region.

The attack comes as Canadian military personnel are preparing for a deployment to the troubled West African nation this year.

The federal government announced in March that it would be deploying military helicopters  two Chinook transport helicopters and four armed Griffon choppers  and 250 personnel to Mali to support the ongoing dangerous United Nations mission. The Canadian aviation task force is expected to deploy in August and last 12 months.

At the time of the announcement, Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of defence staff, said that because Canadians will be involved in air operations, they wouldnt have as much exposure to improvised explosive devices have been responsible for the vast majority of fatalities suffered by UN peacekeepers.

With files from Bruce Campion-Smith

Read more about:
OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley declared Sunday they would spend taxpayer dollars and flex their respective legislative muscle to ensure the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline is built over the objections of British Columbia.

Citing waning investor confidence in Canadas ability to get big projects done, Trudeau told a nationally televised news conference the pipeline is in Canadas vital, strategic interest.

He has instructed Finance Minister Bill Morneau to negotiate with Kinder Morgan  the projects backer  to provide federal financial assurances to guarantee that it goes ahead, but refused to provide details about how Ottawa would mitigate any costs or risk to Canadian taxpayers.

It will be built . . . we are absolutely focused that we make this construction season, Trudeau said, pledging to meet a May 31 deadline set by the company and predicting the project would completed on time by 2020.

But the mega-project remains threatened by stiff environmental, Indigenous and political opposition in B.C.

B.C. Premier John Horgan emerged from a high-stakes Sunday meeting with Trudeau and Notley on Parliament Hill unbowed. He vowed to proceed with a B.C. court reference in the coming days to challenge Ottawas claim to sole jurisdiction over the environment.

While interprovincial pipelines are clearly federal jurisdiction, the environment is not expressly listed as a sole responsiblity of either the federal or the provincial government in the constitution, and has been a shared responsibility. Horgan wants a ruling from the court that would allow his minority NDP government to block Kinder Morgan from increasing flows of heavy crude, in the name of protecting B.C.s coastal waters.

Read more:

How can Justin Trudeau solve his pipeline problem? Here are his options

There is one and only one solution: Hundreds rally for pipelines in Edmonton as feud with B.C. heats up

Opinion | Chantal Hebert: As B.C. and Alberta feud, Ottawa has few options that would guarantee pipeline peace

Although we agreed today on the importance of protecting our coast, he (Trudeau) and I will not be in power forever and thats why the jurisdictional question is so critically important, Horgan said.

Equally unmoved, Notley said she would introduce legislation this week to allow her province to scale back its oil and gas exports to British Columbia, saying it will give Alberta the authority to strategically deploy the export of its resources in a way that gets the best return for Albertans and maximizes the prices that we can receive.

Notley said the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is the poster child for cooperative federalism.

Quite frankly, if cooperative federalsim means we never, ever, ever make a decision, well I dont think thats a cooperative federalism that any Canadians think is in the best interests of the country, she said.

So the Sunday summit in the nations capital failed to break a political standoff that has put the $7.4 billion project in limbo.

Moreover, it is far from clear that Trudeau and Notleys plan will be enough. Despite secret talks between the federal and Alberta governments and Kinder Morgan that have taken place over the past few days in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Houston about a financial plan to underwrite the extraordinary political risk which the company claims is a threat to the project, the company was non-committal.

Kinder Morgan Canada Limited, in a statement to the Star, said it did not intend to comment until weve reached a sufficiently definitive agreement on or before May 31 that satisfies our objectives.

Those objectives remain the same, according to the company, to obtain certainty with respect to the ability to construct through B.C. and for the protection of our shareholders in order to build the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

In addition to providing financial assurances to the company, Trudeau said he would aim to provide clarity by introducing legislation to assert federal jurisdiction. That could involve taking over some permitting and regulatory approvals. The pipelines expansion involves twinning an existing Alberta-B.C. pipeline, laying about 980 kilometres of new pipes, and expanding two marine terminals in Burnaby.

Even if Ottawas and Albertas actions reassure the company, none of it is likely to dampen the opposition of some B.C. residents and a number of Indigenous communities.

The federal government cant buy off the opposition to this failing pipeline, Mike Hudema, a climate and energy campaigner with Greenpeace Canada, said in a statement.

If Trudeau believes he can ram this pipeline through, he is misreading both the constitution and the electorate, while underestimating the opposition on the ground, Hudema said.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was blunt.

Here in British Columbia the answer is still no, he said in an interview with CBC News.

He said regardless of Trudeaus rhetoric, the meeting did not produce any forward progress.

Aside from the violin music, this pipeline project is not in the national interest; its in the interest of Kinder Morgan, certainly it is in the interest of Premier Notley and her political future and the dying interests of tarsands oil consortium but it is not in the national interest. It will not create tens of thousands of jobs.

The three leaders had huddled for almost two hours with Morneau and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and a small knot of senior political staff and public servants in the prime ministers Centre Block. Notley later told the Star the mood was strained at the outset, but improved as the talks went on.

However, it ended with B.C. further isolated, and Notley was scathing in her characterization of B.C.s actions. I dont believe it is in the best interests of the country to engage in esoteric jurisdictional debates for the purposes of harassing a project to death.

The prime minister defended the governments determination in the face of opposition, saying the project had been subject to the most extensive consultation with Indigenous communities ever done. Working with our Indigenous partners has been paramount.

Trudeau echoed Notleys frustration with the B.C. government for its opposition to project. Asked if he views it as a constitutional crisis, with Quebec weighing in on B.C.s side, Trudeau said B.C.s efforts to block the project have obviously inflamed passions and political rhetoric.

Horgan said he wants to ensure enough federal and provincial resources are available to address gaps such as the timeliness of responses to potential future oil spills. He said a recent diesel spill in B.C. took a month to clean up and thats a federal responsibility. I dont think we can wait a month if there was a diluted bitumen spill.

Notley scoffed, saying that diesel spill involved commercial vessels, and not double-hulled oil tankers as are required to carry bitumen.

Trudeau said his government has sought clarification repeatedly from B.C. about what gaps it sees environmental protections, but unfortunately over the course of almost a year they have not specifically put forward proposals on how they would like to see us improve the oceans protection plan. Its something we very much are open to doing.

Read more about:
MONTREALSyrian Canadians expressed a range of reactions to the recent U.S.-led airstrikes against Syrias government, with some denouncing foreign aggression and others calling for even stronger action to end the conflict that has devastated the country.

Toronto resident Bayan Khatib was at a community fundraiser with other Syrian Canadians on Friday night when she learned the U.S., the U.K. and France had launched the joint airstrikes in retaliation for a suspected chemical-weapons attack April 7 that killed 43 people and injured hundreds more in a rebel-held enclave near Damascus.

She said most of the Syrians in the room felt a mixture of optimism and worry.

Many were excited there is finally something happening, that the (Syrian President Bashar) Assad regime will see some consequences, but other people were quite worried about civilian casualties, further destruction of Syria, Khatib said.

We worry thats its not part of a larger strategy to end the war crimes in Syria, but just a show of power thats going to scare the regime a little bit but then everything goes back to normal.

She said too many governments are ignoring the atrocities in her home country and would like to see Canada take more of a leadership role in ending the conflict.

She also said shes not impressed with the reaction of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who expressed support for the strikes but seems reluctant to get directly involved.

Khatib said she doesnt believe most Canadians are aware of the true scale of the human rights atrocities that are striking her home country.

Were they to see the images she sees of bloodshed, torture and bodies being pulled from the rubble, she believes Canadians would rise up and demand action, as they did in 2015 when a photograph of a lifeless Syrian toddler on a Turkish beach prompted an outpouring of humanitarian action.

Trudeau is not acting because the Canadian public doesnt know what is happening in Syria, she said. If they knew they would care.

Muzna Dureid, a Syrian who came to Montreal a year-and-a-half ago, agrees that Fridays strikes dont go far enough in putting pressure on the Assad government.

We need more serious steps, more pressure to go to the negotiating table to find a political solution, even if that includes military intervention, she said.

Read more: Big price to pay: Inside Donald Trumps decision to bomb Syria

She was less critical of Canada, however, pointing out the countrys continuing humanitarian efforts in the region.

Canada has already done a lot, or tried to do what it can in terms of humanitarian intervention, and supporting civil society, she said.

While some Syrians are in favour of airstrikes, others say foreign aggression isnt the answer.

In Montreal, a protest against the strikes was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Co-organizer Waseem Ramli said hes disappointed that Trudeau is supporting aggression with no evidence the Syrian government used chemical weapons.

We disagree with anyone bombing our country no matter what the reason is, he said in a phone interview. Politics and peace negotiations has to always overcome.

While he is a supporter of the Syrian government, Ramli said he would change his mind if concrete evidence were to emerge that Assad was behind the chemical weapons attack.

In that case, he said it would be up to the United Nations to intervene.

Canadian aid organizations with members in Syria called for diplomacy over violent retaliation.

Rachel Logel-Carmichael, the head of humanitarian affairs for Save the Children Canada, said any violence, including bombs, hurts children.

The continuation of war on a daily basis causes something called toxic stress in children, who are having physical and developmental impacts from this trauma, Logel-Carmichael said.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada is working with non-governmental organizations and others to collect evidence of war crimes and other atrocities in Syria.

Logel-Carmichael said its not the role of NGOs to provide security intelligence, which would go against their principle of neutrality in conflict, however the organization pushes the Canadian government to prioritize protecting civilians in the crisis. The group has shared with Freeland a report on international-law violations against children in the Syrian conflict.

This crisis in Syria is an unfortunate example of a conflict where the rules of war have been largely disregarded, she said.

Beyond the last week, theres been several months of escalation and violence in the conflict, so we are very concerned about the impact this has had on children, she said.

Gillian Barth, president and CEO of CARE Canada, said without diplomacy, there will only be more fighting, death, displacement and suffering. Over the past seven years, civilians have borne the brunt of repeated and egregious war crimes, she said, including alleged chemical attacks.

The suffering of the Syrian people is beyond comprehension, Barth said in a statement.

Moutaz Adham, Oxfams country director in Syria, also said peace talks should be prioritized over military solutions.

While chemical attacks should be effectively deterred, choosing to use military force to do so risks escalating the crisis, putting civilians, who have already suffered so much, at even greater risk, he said in a statement.

Read more about:
A hit of naloxone to the hip jolted Leon Pops Alward out of a cloudy haze. His roommate, who gave him the life-saving drug, sat beside him in their Oshawa apartment, telling him hed overdosed on what he thought was heroin but was actually an opioid up to 50 times stronger  fentanyl.

Alward said he would have died that day in late February 2017. Having naloxone on hand saved his life, and since then hes used it 25 times to save other lives.

Youd be foolish to use opioids and not grab a naloxone kit, said Alward, now a volunteer at the Moss Park safe injection site.

But not everyone survives even if they have received naloxone.

Ninety-six of the 564 people who died from opioids in Ontario between May and October 2017 first received naloxone administered by emergency responders, hospital staff or bystanders, according to the Office of the Chief Coroner. Thats 17 per cent of all opioid-related deaths in that time period.

Naloxone cant be seen as this wonder drug. That if we had naloxone in everyones hands all opioid overdoses would go away, said Tara Gomes, an epidemiologist at St. Michaels Hospital.

Across the country, many public service agencies dont keep track of how often naloxone is used.

Right now the focus is trying to get naloxone in our community and people using it  so if there is an overdose theres a naloxone kit there to be used, said Gomes. If you think of first aid and CPR classes, nobody really tracks who takes that training and because naloxone cant really be harmful, theres no need to monitor it. Its not unusual, it just makes it more challenging to really understand whether naloxone is working.

Read more: U of T students devise strategies to administer naloxone faster

The fact 17 per cent of people who died of an opioid overdose did receive naloxone didnt surprise Toronto paramedic Jason Benaim. He said he has sped to a scene on several occasions only to find the patient in cardiac arrest, injection needle still in arm, not breathing.

It doesnt matter that Benaim administers naloxone, when he arrives 10 minutes after a patient has stopped breathing, nothing will bring that person back to life, he said.

Its frustrating because this (death) is something that could be prevented, Benaim said, adding paramedics use naloxone even when theyre certain it wont revive a person, as required by the province.

Toronto Paramedic Services has seen an increase in how often it uses naloxone. In the first half of 2017, naloxone was administered on average 32 times a month, said Thurston. That number jumped to an average of 54 times a month in the second half of the year.

Naloxone is not a cure, or foolproof, but experts agree that as it is pushed out by the provincial government, by cities and public health units, by police services, firefighters, paramedics, pharmacists and doctors across Canada, it remains central to combating the opioid crisis sweeping the country.

Ontario recently experienced a spike in opioid-related deaths  from January to October 2017 1,053 people died compared to 694 in the same time period the year before, a 52 per cent increase, reported the province in March.

Opioids kill, on average, an unbelievably horrific four British Columbians per day, at least one of them in Vancouver, Mayor Gregor Robertson said at a Toronto summit last week. More than 1,400 people died of opioid overdoses in B.C. in 2017, reported the provinces coroners office.

In Alberta, almost 700 people died of opioid overdoses last year, the majority living in Calgary and Edmonton.

Neither Alberta, nor B.C.s coroner offices were able to report how often people die of opioid overdoses after receiving naloxone.

In Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made the naloxone administered by needle available in pharmacies across Ontario, free of charge since June 2016. So far, 333 Toronto pharmacies have given out more than 12,000 kits. The ministry recently added the easier-to-use naloxone administered by nasal spray to its distribution program.

Toronto Public Health said it distributed almost 9,000 naloxone kits to their partner agencies and the public.

Naloxone is equipping thousands of people in our community to recognize an emergency and respond in an appropriate way when that emergency happens. Thats not just a band aid, thats a community wide change, said Dr. Aaron Orkin, an emergency department physician at Mount Sinai Hospital.

But he is concerned about the 83 per cent of people who died without receiving naloxone.

In an ideal world, 100 per cent of people who died wouldve been given something to help, Orkin said.

Deaths happen when people are alone. We need to get serious about asking, are people dying from being marginalized more than theyre dying from an opioid overdose?

The reasons why naloxone doesnt save a life are many, say Toronto paramedics.

During an overdose involving opioids like fentanyl, a person can have difficulty breathing and can stop breathing altogether, throwing them into cardiac arrest, said Adam Thurston, a Toronto Paramedic Services commander. Naloxone is supposed to temporarily reverse the overdose and its fatal effects for about 30 minutes.

Because opioids stay in the system for much longer, a person still faces the risk of overdosing once naloxone has worn off, Thurston said.

They have to be very vigilant and cognizant of the fact that when the naloxone wears off, the chance of the opioid coming back is still there, said Thurston. Other people need to be with them to monitor their well being so if they overdose again someone can call 911 and they can get more definitive treatment.

There are other circumstances naloxone doesnt save a life, he said  a person was using alone, overdosed and didnt receive assistance until theyd experienced irreparable brain damage; or a person was revived with naloxone, but used opioids and overdosed again shortly afterwards.

Toronto paramedics dont always use naloxone first when treating an opioid overdose, but instead try to get the patient breathing on their own and give them oxygen and CPR, said Benaim. One reason to hold off on naloxone is that it can throw the patient into acute withdrawal.

Thats what happened to Alward, who felt horrible, after two of the three times he received naloxone, suffering from aches and pains, chills and cold-like symptoms.

All you can think of is getting your next fix, he said.

Both times, the withdrawal incited him to use opioids as soon as he could.

People will keep on using their drug even though theyve had an overdose and been revived, said Dr. Meldon Kahan, a substance use director at Womens College Hospital. Naloxone is not enough.

Kahan wants Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction, to be more widely available, and for there to be more supervised injection sites. Theres currently four in Toronto.

The province has recognized that while naloxone remains the most reliable method of reversing an overdose it might not be enough if the person has stopped breathing, said spokesperson David Jensen.

The province is updating naloxone kit instructions, requesting those who administer naloxone to not only perform chest compressions afterwards, but also rescue breathing, Jensen said. The decision follows consultations with the provinces opioid task force, composed of harm reduction works, clinicians, emergency responders and people with lived experiences.

They have used rescue breathing when responding to an opioid overdose with positive results, he said.

Read more about:
WASHINGTONTwo months after the Wall Street Journal reported that Donald Trumps lawyer had paid a porn star $130,000 to buy her silence about her 2006 sex with the future president, someone found her on Twitter and called her a scank.

The correct spelling, Stormy Daniels wrote back, is skank.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was serving notice. She would not be handling this saga with the contrition or silence a woman in her position is expected to perform.

Assured in the spotlight, content with her sexual behaviour and unwilling to let herself be depicted either as a victim who deserves an apology or a villainous temptress who needs to make one, Daniels has departed from the path taken by most of the other Other Women in Americas political past.

To some degree, her unabashedness appears to be working. Aided by a fiery and media-savvy lawyer, Michael Avenatti, who has tantalized the public with Trump-like hints of future disclosures, Daniels has been unusually successful in shaping the arc of a story about which Trump has been uncharacteristically quiet.

The porn star, it seems, is out-shameless-ing the president who has turned shamelessness into a formidable political weapon.

It takes away all of the argument against her. It takes it all off the table. Because shes really owning it, said Alison Dagnes, a political science professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania who has studied political sex scandals.

There is a long history, Dagnes notes, of the U.S. media and public hounding and demonizing women who have sex with married politicians. Dagnes said she is pleasantly surprised at how seriously the media is taking Ms. Clifford and how responsibly they are reporting on this. Part of the reason, she said, is how impressive Daniels has been.

Daniels has tried to strike a balance between you-only-live-once capitalism and convincing demonstrations of credibility. In between stripping appearances on a national tour she has titled Make America Horny Again, she sat for an interview with CBSs 60 Minutes  answering Anderson Coopers intimate questions with a breezy frankness and a level gaze.

I have not seen her pornography. If I did I might have a different reaction. But my reaction is: oh my God, I love her, said Hinda Mandell, a Rochester Institute of Technology communication professor who has studied political sex scandals. She conveys a straightforward, very confident, unflinching-in-her-answers demeanour. And I watched her interview with my parents who are in their 70s, and they were like, We love her. 

The public is clearly interested in Daniels. With 22 million viewers, the episode was the highest-rated for 60 Minutes in 10 years. It is not clear, however, whether the saga will change perceptions of a man long known as a womanizer and adulterer.

An April poll found that a majority of people didnt believe Trumps claim that he knew nothing about the payment to Daniels  but that an even larger majority, 73 per cent, didnt think the Daniels matter was important. Trumps approval rating has actually nudged upward since the Daniels story has been in the news.

I just havent seen any evidence the Stormy Daniels story has affected either his base or even national opinions about him, said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. His base is far more motivated by what he wants to do for the country than what hes done in his life  I think people can compartmentalize.

Mackowiak said, though, that Avenatti may be winning right now, in a short-term way, from a PR standpoint. And the story, once treated tentatively by much of the media, is now an indisputably newsworthy matter that appears to be getting darker for the president.

When FBI agents raided Michael Cohens office and home on Monday, part of what they were looking for were documents related to his payment to Daniels. And so the saga has now entered the kind of legal phase that is often more damaging to adultering politicians, Mandell said, than the revelations about the sex.

The actual intimacy, or sex act  is just the beginning of the story. Its kind of what draws people in, its what get news organizations talking about it. But then once news organizations and law enforcement begin to peel back the layers of the scandal, thinking of it kind of like an unfolding onion, thats where you can find corruption or malice or untoward actions, she said.

Trump may have hurt himself by telling reporters last week that he did not know about Cohens payment. Prosecutors in the Cohen case argued Friday that this means records about the payment are not covered by attorney-client privilege.

Trump already faced Daniels-related legal headaches before the Cohen raid. Avenatti and some outside legal experts say that Trump could be in jeopardy if he knew Cohen had made the payment: the payment, made in the last month of the 2016 election, could be considered a campaign donation; it was not reported; if Trump helped to conceive a scheme to hide it from election authorities, he could be accused of participating in a conspiracy.

Trump doesnt have to be accused of such a crime for the Daniels matter to become a long-running problem. In March, Daniels filed a lawsuit seeking the cancellation of the agreement that is supposed to keep her silent about the alleged affair, claiming that Trump never actually signed it  and Avenatti is seeking to subject Trump to a deposition under oath, an obvious challenge for a habitually untruthful politician.

Several Democratic legislators have brushed off questions about the Daniels matter, urging reporters to ask them about policy matters. Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and longtime former aide to party senators, said the party should not shy away from a story that is bigger than sex.

I really dont care if it doesnt poll that well. Because his conduct is so beyond the pale that he needs to be held accountable for it, Manley said. This is way beyond the tawdry details of a porn star. It goes directly to the question of accountability.

Read more about:
From the moment White House chief of staff John Kelly first informed him late last Saturday night that dozens of people in a leafy suburb of Damascus had died choking and foaming at the mouth from another suspected gas attack, U.S. President Donald Trump was determined to strike back in Syria.

For him, the only question was how.

This was a sudden change of tune for a president who only a few days earlier had said he wanted to withdraw U.S. troops from Syrias intractable civil war and, as he put it at an event in Ohio, Let other people take care of it now.

But the images of last weekends atrocities haunted Trump, White House officials said, triggering six straight days of tense deliberations with his newly reorganized national security team  as well as coalition partners from France and the United Kingdom  over military options to retaliate against the alleged perpetrator he derided as Animal Assad.

The result was 105 missiles raining down on three of Syrian President Bashar Assads chemical weapons facilities Friday night. The morning after, Trump tweeted  perhaps fatefully, considering former president George W. Bushs premature declaration of victory in Iraq  Mission Accomplished!

Even with Trumps jubilant response to the strikes, several advisers close to the president said they had no inclination there was a long-term strategy for the region  and he seems essentially in the same position now as he was after last Aprils attacks on Syria.

The missile strikes Friday night came at an especially traumatic moment. The commander in chief was increasingly agitated over the past week as legal and personal crises converged around him, exhibiting flashes of raw anger, letting off steam on Twitter and sometimes seeming distracted from his war planning.

As the military brass put together the final details on the Syria strike plan, for instance, Trump was following the New York court proceedings involving his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and was fixated on media coverage of fired FBI director James Comeys new memoir. The book paints a scathing portrait of the presidents conduct in office and character, and Trump was personally involved Friday in drafting the scorching statement attacking Comey that White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders read from her podium on Friday, according to a senior administration official.

Fridays surgical strikes were more restrained than the images Trump tried to conjure with his bellicose tweets previewing the action. Last Sunday, he warned Assad and his governments backers, Russia and Iran, Big price to pay. On Wednesday, he wrote that missiles will be coming, nice and new and smart!

But in closed-door national security meetings, the tone from top officials was decidedly more nuanced. Hanging over the discussions was concern that a U.S. attack in Syria might provoke a conflict with Russia, which had threatened to retaliate.

The absence of a clear strategy in Syria complicated the discussions. Trump had campaigned as a non-interventionist and vowed to withdraw from Middle East entanglements that he decried as costing American lives and treasure.

Read more:

Trump orders military strikes on Syria in response to suspected chemical weapons attack

Trudeau backs airstrikes by U.S., allies in Syria

UN Security Council rejects Russias call to condemn U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria

And yet to Trumps national security team, action of some kind seemed to be a requirement, as officials said they listened to the president deride his predecessor, Barack Obama, for sometimes discussing possible military action and then not delivering it. At a White House dinner last Tuesday, Trump opined that the problems in Syria were caused because Obama did not enforce his red lines, according to one attendee, Alan Dershowitz, a retired Harvard Law School professor.

Trump was insistent that the strikes impair the production of chemical weapons in Syria, and hoped that would prevent Assad from launching future attacks on his population, according to White House officials. He wanted to inflict more damage than the largely symbolic air assault he ordered in 2017 on a Syrian airfield, which Assads forces quickly repaired. Military officials said they took pains to present Fridays options as larger than the last time, emphasizing that the number of munitions used was roughly double.

As Trump said Friday night in announcing the strikes from the Diplomatic Room of the White House, The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons.

But as final options were presented, Trump was concerned about U.S. missiles harming civilians. When chemical weapons storage and research facilities were established as the targets, officials said, Trump sought assurances that hitting stock piles might let off plumes that could injure or kill people who lived nearby.

Military officials said Saturday that they believe that no one  not even Syrian government personnel  was killed in the attack, which struck nonresidential facilities in the middle of the night.

While options for more expansive actions were also discussed, the plan that Trump ultimately endorsed, with a mix of air- and sea-launched missiles and sophisticated standoff airstrikes, was designed to minimize risk to U.S. and allied personnel and lessen the chances of unwanted escalation, officials said.

National security adviser John Bolton, in his first week on the job, was a hawkish voice urging a meaningful show of force that would deter Assad. Trump also heard from some hawks on Capitol Hill, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said he urged the president to forgo his plan to pull back troop levels in Syria.

I fear when the dust settles this strike will be seen as a weak military response and Assad will have paid a small price for using chemicals yet again, Graham said.

Trump was characteristically impatient and wanted the military to take action quickly, officials said, but Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, steered a more deliberative and careful process.

Mattis and Dunford articulated to Trump the risks involved with operating in Syria, including the possibility of escalation with Russia and Iran, or an unintended event that might drag the United States further into Syrias civil war, officials said.

We were not out to expand this, Mattis told reporters just after the attack. We were very precise and proportionate.

Military leaders calculated that retaliation from Syria or its allies could come immediately or in a harder-to-detect way, like the insurgent-style attacks that U.S. forces had faced from Iranian-backed militias during the Iraq War.

Despite Trumps urgency to punish the Assad regime, the president allowed Mattis and his military leaders several days to co-ordinate an allied attack with the French and British, which the Pentagon argued would require naval manoeuvres and target coordination among the three countries.

Military officials also said they needed time to develop the right targets. While officials had been watching known Syrian chemical sites on and off for years, aerial surveillance time has been dedicated mostly to other areas of Syria, where the United States and allied local forces continue to battle Daesh, also known as ISIS pr ISIL. That meant the U.S. military needed to refresh its intelligence on the chemical facilities before targeteers could build the target packages that would guide the operation.

As military leaders were busy plotting a strike plan in Washington, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley emerged almost immediately as a voice of the administrations outrage over Assads suspected chemical attack  as well as over what she called Russian disinformation to protect its Mideast ally.

Haley used her position at the United Nations to place the American response in an international context, condemning both Syria and Russia during an emergency UN Security Council session on Monday. Hers was a display of traditional American diplomacy  fierce in the defence of civilians allegedly harmed by their own government, confrontational with Russia and mindful of the political and public relations needs of European allies  in an administration that frequently ignores regular diplomatic order.

Only a monster targets civilians and then ensures that there are no ambulances to transfer the wounded, Haley said Monday.

As Haley spoke alongside her counterparts from the U.K. and France, co-ordinating her remarks with theirs, Trump was on the phone with British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron to forge a coalition.

Spending the week at the White House with a pared back public schedule, Trump was often distracted.

On Monday morning, after learning that FBI agents had raided Cohens office, hotel room and residence, Trump stewed with anger the remainder of the day. He railed to advisers and friends that special counsel Robert Mueller IIIs Russia investigation had grown far too expansive, complained about Attorney General Jeff Sessions and mused about firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Officials said that Trump made little progress that day on Syria strategy.

But the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria lingered in his mind. On Wednesday, officials said, Trump awoke to learn on Fox News Channel that Russian officials had crowed that they could shoot down any American missiles fired on Syria. He vowed on Twitter, Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and smart!

Trumps apparent announcement of a missile attack surprised and rattled military leaders. Though the strategy talks were moving in the direction of military action, officials said, no decision had been made about whether, when or how to strike in Syria. It was not until Thursday that military leaders presented Trump final options on targets.

Looming over the discussions all week were differing levels of comfort among U.S. officials with the intelligence surrounding the reported April 7 attack in Douma, just outside the capital of Damascus.

Almost immediately, military officials identified the killings as more serious than other, smaller-scale chemical incidents that Syrian activists and medical workers had reported in recent months. Within hours of learning of the Douma incident through social media, military officials flagged it for their superiors and began mobilizing retaliatory options for Trump.

At U.S. Central Command in Tampa, officials in a dedicated planning cell dusted off earlier scenarios and discussed what sort of action might be taken. In Washington, Mattis and other senior officials talked through a possible strike with the White House. And as Trump conveyed more urgency on Twitter, the pace of Pentagon planning intensified.

As they prepared to initiate the strike, U.S. commanders stepped up security measures for U.S. troops across the Middle East, putting a U.S. force of about 2,000 inside Syria, on high alert.

Mattis for several days resisted concluding definitively that Assads government was responsible for the Douma attack, officials said, saying he had not seen enough evidence that the Syrian government was responsible until last Thursday.

But his boss did not share that apprehension. Even before a full intelligence briefing on the incident had been prepared, Trump assigned blame on Twitter last Sunday morning.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria, Trump tweeted. He added, President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay.

Read more about:
I keep hearing how Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Big Data will revolutionize health care. While we look to the future, lets not ignore the technological challenges facing the industry today  specifically, inefficiencies in existing processes and technologies.

For example, we confuse care quality with how much is spent on the system. But more money doesnt necessarily equal better care. The health-care system is vast and complex and the difficulties within it are well-documented. The reality is budgets are finite and every taxpayer dollar is a sacred trust.

Indeed, many of the problems that exist today  such as long wait times and poor care co-ordination  are simply the result of information gaps that exist between care providers.

With the Orion Health Chronic Care Index (a Leger poll of 1,551 Canadians) we set out to learn how Canadians with chronic conditions interact with the health care system. The findings show patients see significant room for improvement, especially when it comes to information-sharing.

For example, one-in-five Canadians with chronic conditions have experienced medication errors or duplications. Medication errors put patients unnecessarily in harms way, but they are preventable. With proper care co-ordination and shared electronic health records, health-care providers can make informed decisions and reduce the chance of medication errors.

The survey also found nearly half of Canadians with chronic conditions have repeatedly described their conditions, symptoms and medications every time they visited a care provider. Accurate, complete and shared information is key to decision-making, especially in health.

In addition, 16 per cent of Canadians have undergone unnecessary repeat procedures. I expect many of these fall under medical imaging procedures, such as MRIs or CT scans, and hopefully not surgeries. Regardless, repetitive procedures are unnecessary and only clog the system.

Inefficiencies are a shortfall of the system, and do not reflect the work of individual practitioners. Nevertheless, every misdiagnosis, redundant procedure and unnecessary question adds to wait times and subtracts from budgets.

With practitioners working in offices, hospitals and specialized facilities, it is important to have a means of sharing up-to-date and accurate information for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Countrywide, our healthcare system is a patchwork with each province running its own system.

Using health-care budgets for costly rip-and-replace solutions is not the best approach. There is another way  one that leverages existing technologies and allows disparate health systems to communicate with one another, giving practitioners access to complete patient records.

The problems I have discussed exist at the intersection of communication and technology, when patients are being treated by multiple practitioners or being transitioned from a hospital, for example, back into the community. The findings show that a sizeable portion of Canadians with chronic conditions believe that care providers need a better means to share information.

In short, for disparate healthcare systems to realize their full value, its necessary for information to be integrated and shared across the medical and care community.
If there is one word to describe the imperative behind the mandate given to the commission looking into the tragedy of murdered and missing Indigenous women urgency would be a good one.

The Trudeau government could not have made that message more clear than it did by giving commissioners a tight two-year timeline to complete their work.

Time is of the essence. Indigenous leaders have pressed for the inquiry for more than a decade. And rightly so. Estimates of missing and murdered Indigenous women since 1980 range from an appalling 1,200 to the even more appalling figure of 4,000. They account for just 4 per cent of the population but 16 per cent of all murdered women in Canada.

The tragedy and heartbreak behind those numbers is unimaginable.

Thats why it was so disheartening that before the final public hearings wrapped up in Vancouver last Sunday, the head of the commission asked for an extension that would double the time originally allotted for the inquirys work.

If Judge Marion Bullers request is granted the commissioners wont file their final report until Dec. 1, 2020, rather than the end of this year. That is an unacceptably long delay on this critical issue.

Buller estimates, too, that the extension will require another $50 million in funding. Thats on top of the existing $54 million budget.

It would be easy for Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister, Carolyn Bennett, to dismiss her request.

After all, Buller has lost the support of many of the victims families and Indigenous leaders who fought hard for this inquiry. Last December, the Assembly of First Nations asked the federal government to replace her. And in late March a coalition of 200 family members and Indigenous leaders called on Bennett, to refuse her request to extend the inquiry.

Still, there is too much at stake for Bennett to take that easy path.

No one wants the commissioners to deliver a weak report that simply echoes earlier studies by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations.

That doesnt mean, though, that she should continue to give the commission free rein. She has taken pains not to interfere with the independence of the inquiry, but Bennett must now step in and make sure it is on track to deliver a landmark report.

To stand back and watch the commission continue to flounder is tantamount to failing these women and their families, yet again.

The commissions work has been anything but stellar to date. It has been dogged by delays, infighting and departures of key personnel.

The commission started its work in September, 2016 but didnt manage to hold a public hearing for the first eight months. Indeed, by the end of March, a year and a half into its mandate, it had only heard from 880 witnesses. Contrast that to the 2,100 participants and 4,100 online submissions the three federal ministers responsible for establishing the commission heard from in a mere two months leading up to the inquiry.

Given the commissions track record, Bennett should not bow to Bullers request to continue on for another two years.

If a short extension - with clearly defined objectives to meet in that extra time - is needed to do justice to this critically important mandate, then that should be granted.

The commission was tasked with identifying the roots of the long-standing epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and make recommendations on how to end it. Changing the outcomes for Indigenous women is what really matters here. And that work cant begin until after the inquiry finishes.

Three years ago, the UN reported that Canadas police and justice system had failed to effectively protect Indigenous women from violence, hold offenders to account and ensure redress for victims.

Now, its up to the inquirys commissioners to deliver a report that will light the way to ending this national tragedy. Murdered and missing Indigenous women and their families have waited long enough.
Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to bar transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military because in his mind, they burden an institution that must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory. This year, the U.S. Department of Defence appeared to reiterate this odious assessment when it wrote in a memorandum to the president that there are substantial risks associated with allowing the accession and retention of individuals with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria and require, or have already undertaken, a course of treatment to change their gender.

Both parties, it turns out, couldnt be more wrong. They arent just wrong in a strictly moral sense. They are wrong, according to a new study published by Cornell University, in a practical sense, too. It turns out that contrary to what many lawmakers appear to believe, transgender people are not basket cases unable to function in difficult jobs. They are human beings who lead happy, productive lives, not in spite of the course of treatment they may undergo but, often, precisely because of it.

According to the Cornell study, gender transition is effective in treating gender dysphoria and can significantly improve the well-being of transgender individuals. Among the positive outcomes of gender transition and related medical treatments for transgender individuals are improved quality of life, greater relationship satisfaction, higher self-esteem and confidence, and reductions in anxiety, depression, suicidality, and substance use.

The study analyzed 56 individual peer-reviewed studies about gender transition dating back to 1991 and discovered that 93 per cent of those found that transition improves the overall well-being of transgender people, while only 7 per cent report mixed or null findings. How many of the studies concluded that gender transition causes overall harm? Zero. This makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Living a lie hurts. Living honestly helps.

The Cornell study is extremely important for obvious reasons. For starters, its results fly in the face of the Trumpian view that transgender people are mentally ill outcasts who cant find peace of mind, let alone keep their cool in the military. But the study is extremely important for another, less obvious reason. Simply put, its good news. And good news is hard to come by when it has the word transgender in it.

Bethany Grace Howe, a writer and PhD student at the University of Oregons school of journalism and communication, knows this well. What we see in media is well intentioned, says Howe, who is transgender herself. But its about the battles  the movement. Even positive coverage tends to be wrapped around transgender person rallying against the world.

Shes right. News stories about transgender issues typically take on two narratives, both of them grim or serious. One is the announcement of a new study or survey indicating transgender people are in dire straits. The other is an account of an activists uphill battle fighting a discriminatory policy. Both stories are invaluable. But theyre usually downers.

And chances are, if youre a transgender kid, they dont make you particularly hopeful for the future. Howe, who is currently working on a study of her own about how transgender people react to prejudice, says that when she recently gave a talk at a school, a student approached her afterward and said something to the effect of Youre so normal. Every trans person Ive ever seen is either miserable or a celebrity. Its comments like these that compel her to advocate for more positive, ordinary stories about transgender people in media.

Howe doesnt want to sugar-coat the sad stuff. She just wants to read more about the joyful stuff. And she puts her money where her mouth is. When journalism students at the University of Oregon asked if they could profile her for their assignments, she told them:| Im happy to have you do a story on me, but no more stories about my battle with the world. No more stories about my struggle to live. Please dont ever ask me my opinion on the bathroom again because the only one Im going to give you is that I think more public institutions should be required to use Charmin.

Apparently they got the message.

What students do now, says Howe, is theyll do a story on me and my daughter  how we live our everyday life. Being transgender is an aspect of that, but its a story about my relationship with my daughter.

Another student chose to write an article about Howes difficulty driving her convertible after she grew her hair long for the first time. She tried to tie it up in a scarf on windy days like a Hollywood starlet, alas, to no avail. I never did figure it out, she says. In the end, she sold the car.

Stories of political activism and research must be told. But so too must stories of human interest. Theyre more important than we give them credit for.
It is not hard to understand why angry, disillusioned voters are drawn to the politics of confrontation. Stopping the gravy train or Draining the swamp are seductive messages for those fed up with incompetence, corruption or the simple failure to govern credibly.

This week, frustrated Hungarians voted overwhelmingly for a corrupt authoritarian politician, giving him untrammeled power even to change the constitution. It was merely the latest in a string of victories for confrontational politicians  most famous among them being a crooked property development hustler from Queens, N.Y.

Telling it like it is, No B.S. from my guy, etc. are often just code for saying offensive things to communities and citizens of colour that you dont like. The thin veil of these dog whispers drops around a Steve Bannon or a Victor Orban, who quite openly hurl racist epithets, as rallying cries.

But Rob Ford was not elected because Torontonians believed he would be a sober and effective Mayor. They elected him knowing he was neither, but he was not David Miller. This is an important lesson for progressives in challenging the fake machismo of the confrontational politician. When progressives base defects it is, in part, because they were pushed.

Barack Obama helped beget Donald Trump out of disappointment at his inability to improve the lives of working Americans. He was a good  perhaps history will even judge a great president  but he failed to free Americans from the economic vice in which they are slowly being squeezed.

But the problem with those who bellow their promise to confront the swamp denizens, or to clean up City Hall is this: they always fail, and they leave a large mess for their successors to struggle through their first term trying to clean up.

Ontario Premier Mike Harris bequeathed a mess of angry teachers, civil servants, electricity policy bungles and simply bad blood. It took years to fix. Its not unfair to say that Ontarians are still paying Harris bills to teachers and power utilities  thats even before the McGuinty/Wynne messes were piled on top.

Fixing American foreign policy when Trump is finally drained from the swamp he is creating will take years. Victor Orban may yet provoke a split in the EU that would be more catastrophic than Brexit. It could cleave Europe along old east/west, Warsaw Pact vs. NATO boundaries.

So, like the temptation to indulge in anything tempting but dangerous, driven by anger and a refusal to consider consequences  from a slanderous tweet to a drunken binge that leaves you waking in a cell  the morning after can be hell. Which brings us to pipelines, again.

Demands for confrontation to force construction in the face of massive civil disobedience is a movie we have seen at Standing Rock, N.D., and Oka: it could lead to hundreds of wounded and possibly even a few dead protestors. The scars that would be inflicted by such a collision, the bitter rancour that such a confrontation could generate would be measured in decades.

All the parties, led by Ottawa, have an obligation to negotiate a solution acceptable to all the communities impacted by the Trans Mountain pipeline. It may take longer, it may cost more, it may require trade-offs in other arenas. It will involve painful compromises on all sides.

But in Canada we do not make policy choices knowing they will lead to violent confrontation and bloodshed. Period. Let us hope that todays summit between Justin Trudeau, Rachel Notley and John Horgan, who all share this responsibility, are successful in finding an alternative.

In the upcoming Ontario election, in the Alberta election next spring, even possibly in a re-run in B.C. this fall, let us hope that voters resist the siren call of politicians promoting confrontation, disguised as truth-telliing. We have our own scar tissue from falling for such seduction. We have the chilling experience of observing the slow-motion train wreck of the attack on democracy to the south.

As William A. Macdonald so eloquently puts it, the genius that is Canada is our commitment to, and our success at, respectful mutual accommodation. Its not to be sneered at.

It is us.

Robin V. Sears, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, was an NDP strategist for 20 years.

Read more about:
Khaleda seriously ill: BNP

Staff Reporter :

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday claimed that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is seriously ill.

"Our party chief Khaleda Zia is deprived of adequate treatment despite being severely sick," he said this while addressing a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.

Rizvi said the elderly imprisoned BNP chief is suffering from knee-joint and eye completions for long.

Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister, also facing other complications as she has been kept in unhealthy environment in an abandoned jail, the BNP leader said. "But the so-called medical board suggested her only physiotherapy after a farce x-ray and blood tests," Rizvi said.

He said, "It is not possible to identify the health problems of the BNP chief with only blood test and X-ray. It is needed to get her MRI tests."

The X-ray reports of Khaleda Zia suggested that she has some complications in shoulders and hipbones.

The BNP leader also claimed that the government did not allow Khaleda Zia's personal physicians to examine her.

"The government called the former Prime Minister's personal physicians in the day but did not allow them to examine her health condition," Rizvi said.

The BNP leader alleged that the government jailed the former Prime Minister in a planned way and now they are denying her proper treatment only to kill her gradually.

Rizvi asked the government to give up hatching conspiracy against Khaleda Zia and release her immediately for proper treatment. "Give up conspiracy, release her immediately and let her to take decision about her best treatment," said Rizvi.

He also accused the government of denying chance to meet Khaleda's relatives in jail.

BNP Vice-Chairman Shawkat Mahmud, central leader Afjal H Khan, Abdus Salam Azad, Abdul Awal Khan, Aminul Islam, were present, among others.


The PM is in Ottawa today. No surprise, right? Wrong.

Still recovering from the infamous trip to India, reporters and opposition politicians appeared startled when the PMs official itinerary revealed that he was travelling to Peru for the Summit of the Americas this past week, before departing for Paris and London.

However, when the B.C./Alberta pipeline dispute erupted, those arrangements were interrupted.

Instead, the PMO did a quick course correction, returning Justin Trudeau to Ottawa for the day, as he negotiates with the two battling premiers over the contentious Trans Mountain dilemma.

Hopefully, the PMs empathetic personality can overcome any tough love as he seeks some progress to the impasse before flying immediately to France and then to the U.K. for a meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government. Eventually, he will arrive home to the Liberal Partys National Convention in Halifax.

Given pressing domestic disputes such as the Trans Mountain pipeline; given the costs of travel ($678,000 for a three-day trip in January for the World Economic Forum; given logistical concerns about security, not to mention the environmental cost of a carbon footprint from plane travel, are prime ministerial trips really necessary in this day and age of communications technology?

Even Andrew Scheer, the leader of the opposition, was criticized when he recently travelled to the U.K. for meetings. Reporters questioned why he would arrange international meetings when he was not the prime minister.

Perhaps leaders could Skype each other, saving wear and tear on everyone, but, personal diplomacy and social interaction remain crucially important, especially for a first-term prime minister.

A new Prime Ministers Office quickly understands that once in office, the architecture of a prime ministers schedule will already have large chunks of time chiselled out in order to attend a long list of international summits.

Bureaucratic travel schedules, based on Canadas international obligations, such as membership in NATO, are often mandatory, but other questions are also taken into consideration.

Is the PM to be a keynote speaker, as was the case at this years World Economic Forum with Trudeau? If so, the messaging opportunity for the PM may be too important to ignore.

Does the trip have historic implications? For example, Trudeaus speech to Frances Assemblee Nationale is a first for a Canadian PM. It will deservedly become part of joint Canadian/French history.

Will the trip open up a trade market that Canada is eager to secure or expand?

Finally, and perhaps crucially, is the chance to marry values and policy.

While Trudeau is fortunate that his name alone opens many global doors, nevertheless he cannot miss a chance to sell his governments vision for long term international planning. The emphasis on female empowerment, gender equality, diversity, inclusion, climate change and progressive trade needs to be emphasized over and over again at every opportunity.

Because if Canada is not present with a persistent voice, we risk invisibility in a world on an unknown path.

The U.S. is increasingly loud, chaotic, divided and unstable and appears to be ceding its place as a global leader. China, with its massive market is filling the void in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific created by American withdrawal, but Chinas lack of commitment to human rights and lack of respect for the national security of other countries is deeply concerning.

The U.K.s Brexit break from the EU is causing a rupture of historic proportions. Russia remains an outlier, stalking the world with new ways to undermine democracy, such as weaponized data and digital warfare. North Korea and Iran are posing a great nuclear threat.

Humanitarian issues dog every leader. The UN states that the world has the highest level of displacement on record. An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forcibly moved from their home. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refuges, over one half of them are under 18.

Should our Prime Ministers and leaders be out there on the world stage? Yes, without question.

A book by Lloyd Axworthy entitled Navigating a New World, concludes with a quote from poet Antonio Machado.

Traveller, there is no path. Paths are made by walking.

Canada needs to keep walking.

Penny Collenette is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa and was a senior director of the Prime Ministers Office for Jean Chretien.

Read more about:
VANCOUVERThe aunt of a young mother killed in a hit-and-run Thursday night in Maple Ridge, B.C., has launched a fundraising campaign to support the victims 10-year-old daughter.

Describing Tassis Vix as a saviour to the animals at her workplace, Haney Animal Hospital, her aunt Gigi Bengerts online campaign created Saturday had raised nearly $1,700 of its $10,000 goal to help ensure Neveah has all the support available to give her the best life moving forwards, Bengert wrote on the website GoFundMe.

We know money cant undo this tragedy, she wrote, but lets give them one less burden to bear.

Tassis gave her entire heart and soul to her daughter and to her clients at work, often spending lots of time calling out to seek funding for those who couldnt afford treatment for their beloved pets.

The fundraiser comes in the wake of Ridge Meadows RCMP revealing that officers believe they have found the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.

The force is seeking tips from eyewitnesses  particularly dash-cam videos  and would like to hear from people who were near Lougheed Highway on Thursday night around 10 p.m. Thats when Mounties believe the victim was hit by a motorist heading westbound in the 21800 block of the highway.

Asked for more details about the search for a suspect or the identity of the victim, Sgt. Michelle Luca would not confirm it was Vix or add more about the incident to StarMetro.

Our investigator is out there diligently working on the file, and the investigation is ongoing, Luca said in a phone interview Saturday. Its extremely tragic, very sad, and were doing our best to investigate this to its fullest.

Police announced they had located the vehicle involved shortly before 11 p.m. Friday.

Vixs workplace described her as part of the animal hospitals family, and her co-workers profound grief and sorrow at her death.

We will always remember her as a loving and caring family member of Haney Animal Hospital, the facility wrote on its Facebook page.

Bengerts online fundraising campaign can be found on the website GoFundMe.

Read more about:
EDWARDSVILLE  If you want to see what the combination of refuse, grade-school children and imagination can lead to, the Madison County Administration Building is the place you want to be.

Finalists in this years Trashformation, program, an initiative by Madison Countys Green Schools, were on display recently.

A total of approximately 600 children, K-5 from 12 Madison County schools participated this year, according to Resource Education Coordinator Eve Drueke. The display includes about 30 finalists, along with 16 entries in the Photo-Voice photographic competition for middle school students.

What I really wanted to do this year was get kids to think critically about what is happening in their community, Drueke said.

The program, though, underwent some changes, including a written component and a requirement that the students project had to benefit people, animals or the environment.

In their written component they had to demonstrate How does this help Madison County, she said. I think this is a good step toward engaged citizenship. I have seen a kindergartener do a proposal for a recycled bike tire roof, which she suggests will help keep people safe form hail and lightning.

She said another student, a fifth-grader, heard about the countys no-kill initiative and used scrap wood to make a feral cat shelter.

What Im seeing is the window widening in students minds about how they can be part of the community, Drueke said.

Public voting on the projects held on display was last week, and judges will continue to look over the exhibits through Wednesday. Winners will be announced later that day.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.
BETHALTO  Cedarhurst Senior Living of Bethalto welcomed a throng of excited visitors and supporters to its recent grand opening where it already reached a significant percentage of occupancy.

The brand new assisted living and memory care community officially opened Jan. 27 at 903 N. Moreland Road where also since it opened added Cedarhursts own therapy and rehabilitation company  Empowerme Wellness  which the overall company, Cedarhurst Living, started last October. Empowerme Wellness provides in-house therapy, including occupational, physical and speech, in all its assisted living communities.

We are at 44 percent occupancy in three months time, Executive Director Stacey Noble Loveland said. Im very pleased with that.

And, for the approximately 40 residents who live at Cedarhurst Senior Living of Bethalto, Empowerme Wellness helps keep them close to home, instead of traveling to off-site therapy appointments.

Cedarhurst wanted their own therapists in the building, instead of having therapists going in and out, said the Bethalto locations physical therapist Lori Gran, who was one of the first therapist Cedarhurst hired at its St. Charles, Missouri assisted living community. It makes it very personal, too. I know the residents. At most places, therapists are contracted, so Cedarhurst started something really good.

Along with Gran, the five-member Bethalto Empowerme Wellness team includes Shari Youchoff, whos the lead and an occupational therapist; Emily Naumann, a speech therapist who first worked at Cedarhursts St. Charles location; Sheila Heaton, a physical therapist assistant; and, Nikki Roberts, an occupational therapist assistant. Empowerme Wellness specializes in person-centered care for the senior population.

We evaluate safety, balance, strength, endurance, cognition, and activities of daily living which include bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, leisure activities and functional mobility, Youchoff explained. We are on site to be the eyes, ears, hands and feet in their own community. We can be a lot more than home health care because were here with the residents.

We sit in on meetings, can go directly to charts, get referrals more quickly, to improve individuals quality of life, decrease social isolation, improve hydration and nutrition, decrease risk for skin breakdown, increase communication and orientation in their new living environment, prevent falls and maintain dignity. We also have dementia certification.

As dementia care therapists, they deliver person-centered care and are confident to work with individuals within all stages of dementia.

We utilize their life stories to learn whats really familiar and meaningful to the person, Youchoff said. We look at daily routines, their interests and hobbies. We complete cognitive assessments to determine their individual cognitive level which provides a road map for activity engagement. We meet them at their cognitive level and adapt the care approach to engage them in life, simplify their world, find the just right challenge, while reducing fear and anxiety, so our residents thrive, not just survive.

Naumann makes memory books for patients.

For those reading them, they are amazed, Youchoff said. We work with a retired maintenance man who would want to go to work every day, so we came up with some occupational activities that have really helped satisfy that desire. They give us a lot of freedom here to live our day with our patients. Its the way therapy is supposed to be, not restricted.

A physicians referral is needed for patients to begin therapy services, for which billing includes Medicare, other insurers and private pay.

Noble Loveland, began her position with Cedarhurst last June, as construction began from the ground up on the housing.

Memory Care is so important as there is such a need in this area, Noble Loveland said.  Every day 10,000 people in the U.S. turn 65, so the need for this type of housing is great. Its so important for people to ask the questions and get educated. Dont wait until crisis mode.

The 63,000-square-feet facilitys grounds feature a stocked catch-and-release pond for the residents and a walking path. There is also a large four-seasons room with two center courtyards, one with an outdoor fireplace, the other with a raised flower bed. In addition, the building has a large theater room and an activities room.

Noble Lovelands core team is made up of Business Office Manager Jamie Perkhiser, Community Relations Director Laura Robinson, Community Outreach Coordinator Eliza Pautz and Life Enrichment Coordinator Mallory Zimmerman and Dining Services Director and Dane Hastings Maintenance Director Becky Carter.

My team is so dynamic and full of resources to help seniors in our community, Noble Loveland noted. Each of them bring a lot of experience to Cedarhurst, and they are all from right here in the Riverbend area, which is a huge plus.

Cedarhurst Senior Living also offers an Alzheimers support group for families who have loved ones suffering from the disease. The group meets at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month at the First Baptist Church in Bethalto. The group is open to the community, and is led by Perkhiser from Cedarhurst.

Noble Loveland is also the co-leader along with Robinson of a professional resources networking group, Senior Connections. The pair have access to a multitude of information that they can share with families before there is an immediate need of such services, but they also can share resources quickly due to Senior Connections broad outreach among senior resources agencies and organizations.

We want families when they come visit grandpa to know they are at his home, not feel like they have to take him out to visit, Noble Loveland said about the atmosphere she cultivates at the newest Cedarhurst Senior Living location. We want whole families to feel at home and to feel that we are part of their family as well. We pride ourselves on person-centered care. We understand that each resident is different and has different needs. We want to get to know each resident so that we can provide them with the best care possible.

Visit www.cedarhurstliving.com for more information.
Mother Nature didnt cooperate with Saturdays seventh annual Riverbend Earth Day Festival at Piasa Harbor, but a hearty crowd endured the inclement conditions.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Sweden and England from April 16 to 20, during the course of which he will participate in the first ever India-Nordic Summit and this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), cooperation in the areas of innovation, technology and education will top his agenda.

Modi will reach Stockholm on April 16 evening in what will be the first prime ministerial visit from India to Sweden in 30 years since the visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988.

On April 17, Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven will hold a bilateral summit during which bilateral, regional and global issues are expected to figure.

According to Sweden's Ambassador to India Klas Molin, innovation is an important aspect of the India-Sweden relationship.

"How do we cooperate further, how do we get our best and the brightest people together, how do we also perhaps think about funding certain areas, how do we go into areas where we can cooperate even more and develop new technologies, create employment and sustainable solutions on a number of issues," he said.

During Modi's visit, an India-Sweden Innovation Partnership is also expected to be launched.

"I think it is something we are discussing with the Indian side but exactly how this will look, of course, will have to be finalised," the ambassador said.

"But I think it is a way of focusing our attention on both sides to create a platform that, in turn, can attract investments, that can attract companies to plug in."

With education being another sector in which the two sides are expected to forge deeper ties, Molin said "we are hoping to increase exchanges between our universities".

"Student exchanges... graduates, doctorate and post-doctorate. The sky is the limit here," he said.

On bilateral economic relations, the Ambassador said that trade is growing on both sides "and quite impressively so".

Though bilateral trade dipped to $1.9 billion in 2016-17 from $2.17 billion, both countries have set a lofty total trade target of $5 billion.

There are over 170 Swedish companies in India that have invested $1.4 billion since 2000 while 70 Indian companies have established their presence in Sweden.

On April 17, India and Sweden will also co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit, where, apart from Modi and Lofven, the Prime Ministers of the other four Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway will also be present.

Molin said that Nordic countries are close as neighbours and cooperate very closely in a number of issues.

"But we are not a political entity in that way," he said. "It's not like the EU, it's not a regional organisation in any way. It's a convenient forum."

According to Subrata Bhattacharjee, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nordic region represents a prosperous society with high incomes and a strong focus on quality and innovation."

"For India, Nordic countries are a potential source for clean technology, environmental solutions, port modernisation, cold chain, skill development, innovation etc.," Bhattacharjee said at a media briefing here in connection with the upcoming visit.

According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, India's trade with the Nordic countries totaled around $5.3 billion in 2016-17, with cumulative foreign direct investment in India at $2.5 billion.

From Sweden, Modi will leave for Britain on April 17 evening. This is the third exchange of prime ministerial visits after Modi's visit to Britain in November 2015 and British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India in November 2016, her first outside the European Union after assuming office.

At a separate media briefing here, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said the visit comes at a time when the bilateral relationship is in "very, very good health".

Modi's visit to Britain this time has been themed "Living bridge and tech partnership". Modi and May are scheduled to hold a bilateral summit on April 18.

Stating that trade between the two countries increased by 15 per cent in the last one year, Asquith said that it is "remarkably balanced" in terms of trade in goods and services.

In terms of finance, he said the London Stock Exchange is playing an increasingly important role as a place to raise money to meet India's huge infrastructure requirements.

In terms of investments, he said that while Britain is the largest investor in India among the G20 countries, India is the fourth largest investor in Britain.

"Then what will be very much a focal point is the technology partnership between the two countries," he said. "The complementaries, strengths that each of us have and they are truly complementary."

Asquith said that both sides will look into putting more resources in this sector in areas like digital aspect of technology, collaboration, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data protection and the fintech that goes with that among others.

According to K. Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary (Europe West), both sides are looking at announcing an India-UK Tech Alliance which will comprise young CEOs from both the countries who have done exceptionally well in the tech space.

In terms of cooperation in education, Asquith said that there was a 30 per cent rise in the number of student visas issued by his country to Indians last year.

Stating that 14,000 Indian students go to Britain for masters degree programme every year, he added that "we want to build on that".

Regarding this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which Modi will attend in London on April 19-20, the High Commissioner said that around 50 heads of state and government will be present.

The agenda, he said, will include climate change, vulnerability of small island nations, peacekeeping and helping poorer countries.

-IANS
The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...
At a time when political parties are fighting it out to grab the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar for political gains, not many worry as to how the colour blue came to be associated with the dalit icon.

The leader, who carved out the Constitution of free India laying down the framework assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them, has been depicted in blue in all statues installed all over the country.

"Blue was his favourite colour and he mostly used it in his personal life too," Lalji Nirmal of Ambedkar Mahasabha, which conferred the 'Dalit Mitra' award on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Ambedkar's birth anniversary, told PTI in Lucknow.

Retired IPS officer and leading dalit activist S.R. Darapuri said besides being his favourite colour, blue was also the colour of the flag of the party floated by Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation of India in 1942.

"The flag was blue in colour and had an Ashok Chakra in the centre...later in 1956 when the Republican Party of India was set up after dissolving the earlier party, it was also given the same blue flag," Darapuri pointed out.

"Blue, in another shade, is also the colour of the sky, which shows vastness and that was the vision of Baba Saheb," he said.

The same has been adopted by the BSP as its colour and has since came to be associated with dalit emancipation, he stressed.

"The statues of Baba Saheb are always seen in a blue coat with the Constitution in one hand and the finger of the other pointing out as a symbol of moving ahead," Darapuri said.

Recently, a freshly installed 5-feet-tall statue of the dalit icon was installed in a Badaun village in saffron jacket, but was promptly re-painted in blue after questions arose over the choice of a colour associated with Hindutva.

The saffron-attire statue in Kuwargaav village was a replacement for a smaller Ambedkar statue that was damaged by some anti-social elements, and local BSP leaders initiated its repainting.

Recalling an anecdote recounted by Ambedkar's wife Savitri Ambedkar, who was a close acquaitance, Lalji Nirmal said on a visit to Lucknow as central minister, Ambedkar had refused to stay in the Raj Bhawan, saying he cannot part with his books.

"The then Governor Sarojini Naidu had invited Baba Saheb to stay in the Raj Bhawan but since he had come with his books in hordes, Baba Saheb said he will be staying in his railway saloon," Nirmal said, adding that even his wife used to say that books were his first love.

Quoting "Ambedkar ki dincharya"a book by Baba Saheb's secretaryDarapuri said he was also fond of good food and used to cook for his friends and guests.

"Savitri Ambedkar on a visit to our place in Varanasi told us that he liked dressing up immaculately and his clothes were stitched by the same tailor from whom the then Lt Governor of Bombay presidency used to get them made," Darapuri said.

Lalji Nirmal also commended efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having made Ambedkar relevant today.
5 killed as train derails in Tongi

1761 Rail Crossing turn death trap, over 150 killed in 837 accidents in 3 yrs

Four compartments of Dhaka bound Jamalpur Commuter Train derailed in Gazipur in Tongi leaving 5 persons dead and scores of people injured.

Md Joynal Abedin Khan :

Five persons were reportedly killed and over 60 others injured centering a panic when a Dhaka-bound Jamalpur Commuter Train derailed at Natun Bazar area near Tongi Railway Station, on the outskirt of the capital on Sunday afternoon.

The death toll might be increased as around 30 injured men have been admitted to several clinics and hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition.

The countrywide railway communication from the capital was suspended for about six hours following the derailment of the five bogies of the commuter train at 12.15pm and the rail services resumed around 6:00pm, said Yeasin Faruk, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kamalapur Railway Station.

Four persons jumped from the train during the derailment and were crushed under it, while another injured man was declared dead by the on-duty doctor at the Emergency Department of DMCH, the police official said.

Primarily, it is being suspected that the incident occurred when the train was trying to change rail tracks, the OC said .

The nationwide rail communication with Dhaka city, except Narayanganj to Kamlapur, was disrupted following the accident, he added.

To a query, he could tell the exact number of the injured men as they were taken to different hospitals in Dhaka and Tongi with the assistance of general people, said Yasin Faruk.

Train service from Dhaka to Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and the Bangabandhu Bridge was halted after the accident, said Tongi Station Master Halimuzzaman.

Railways Minister Mujibul Haque visited the accident site and assured of monetary assistance to the family members of the deceased and to bear costs of medical treatment of the injured.

He said that a primary investigation suggests that the signal man gave the warning signal too late, but that is a matter for the probe team to confirm.

A three-member probe committee has been formed and committee asked to submit a report in three-working days, said Railway Eastern Region Chief Engineer Md Arifuzzaman, who leads the three-member committee.

Railway official sources said that 1761 railway crossing points became death traps as the guard system is almost unsafe due to shortage of man power and logistic support. At least 150 people were killed in 837 train accidents in 3 years. Most of them died after accidents at in the crossing points, for jumping from roof top of trains and throwing from inside the trains by the miscreants.

Dr Masud Rana, a physician of Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, told The New Nation on Sunday evening, "We gave primary treatment to 12 injured and released them. 14 other injured were sent to Dhaka for better treatment."

Seven victims were taken to DMCH, where Md Shahadat, 38, was announced dead. The six others, who were admitted are Badol, 28, Shobuj, 40, Israfil, 12, Alamgir, 32, Badol, 50, and Md Sharif, 28, said DMCH Medical Outpost ASI Babul Mia.

Tongi Fire Service and Civil Defence Station officer Md Atiqur Rahman, said that five bogies of a Dhaka-bound Jamalpur commuter train veered off the track around 12:15pm, leaving four dead on the spot and many others injured.

Members of Fire Service with the help of locals rescued the wounded and sent them to different hospitals and clinics, he said.

They also recovered four bodies from the scene and handed them over to police. Their identities are yet to be confirmed, he added.

The Ishakha Express, which was scheduled to leave Dhaka at 11:30am was delayed due to the accident. The train started for Tongi around 6:50pm after the line was cleared, said Bangladesh Railway Additional Inspector General Md Mia Zahan.

Joydebpur Railway Outpost SI Rakibul Haque, said "The last four carriages derailed and the speed of the train caused it to continue on for some time. Two of the carriages overturned at this point," he said.

Meanwhile, two school goers died under a train at Poradah Railway Crossing in Mirpur upazila around 12:00pm on Sunday. They are Ayetullah, 13, and Mubin, 14, students of Ailchara High Scholl, said our Kustia Correspondent.
An 22-year-old youth, who was injured in clashes with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, died on Sunday at a hospital in Srinagar.

Amir Lone had been battling for life at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) where he was admitted following the clashes on April 3 in Kangan town.

Hospital sources said Lone died in the early hours of Sunday.

He belonged to the Chattergul village in Ganderbal.

Tension has once again gripped the district where normalcy had returned in the past week with markets, public transport and other businesses started functioning.

Authorities have deployed security forces and taken other precautionary measures to maintain law and order in the wake of Lone's death.

Another youth, Gowhar Ahmad Rather died on April 3 from a gunshot injury.

A special police officer (SPO), who shot Rather, has been arrested.
India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib yesterday.

The MEA called it an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy" by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine yesterday, for unspecified 'security' reasons.

It said the High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries," the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it said. PTI MPB DV DV 04151352
Seeking to reach out to dalits, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will on April 23 launch his party's nationwide save the constitution' campaign, aimed at highlighting alleged attacks on the Constitution and the community.

The Congress' present and former dalit lawmakers, those holding offices in zilla parishad, civic bodies and panchayat samitis, will take part in the launch event, aimed at sensitising the attendees on the current state of affairs with regard to the community.

Besides, the Congress' office-bearers attached to its regional units, its youth, women and Seva Dal wings will also attend the event, to be held here at the Talkatora stadium.

The attendees are expected to take the message forward, holding similar campaigns in states to reach out to community members, the Congress' scheduled caste department chairman and event organiser Nitin Raut said.

"The Constitution is under attack under the BJP's rule. The community is being denied educational, employment opportunities. There is anger among its members on various issues. The meeting will highlight that. Our leaders will take message from the convention in their respective areas," Raut added.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported remarks that he could be elevated to the coveted post because of the dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar, Raut asked why then the Constitution and dalits were allegedly under attack under his dispensation.

Raut further claimed that such a situation did not prevail when the Congress was in power.

The Congress has delivered for the community. Those attending the convention will highlight that too in their areas, he added.

Dalits form roughly 17 per cent of the country's electorate. There are 84 Parliamentary seats reserved for candidates belonging to the scheduled castes. The BJP had bagged nearly half of the seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, reflecting in its success in politically key states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Raut said only three-four seats were won by the Congress then. The party now aims to win as many seats as possible in the next general election, he added.

Efforts are also on to galvanise the Dalit community's support to Gandhi nationally, the party sources said.
Space agencies of India and France have been holding discussions to work on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, a French source said.

This comes almost a month after the two sides agreed on a joint statement for an enhanced space cooperation.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES) had agreed to work together on autonomous navigation of rovers on Moon, Mars and other planets, and aero braking technologies for planetary exploration.

Venus is under-explored compared to Mars. This is why we want to concentrate on Venus. ISRO has confirmed this priority for them. Discussions are also going on for the future Indian Mars mission, said a CNES official.

India has already undertaken two successful inter-planetary missions, 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon and 'Mangalyaan' to Mars. It is likely to send Chandrayaan-II this month, another mission for exploring the Moon, through which a rover would be landed on Earth's only natural satellite. ISRO also has plans to send another mission to Mars and Venus.

In particular, CNES could provide support to ISRO for the navigation of future moon rovers while the two will jointly work on the models to study Mars and Venus atmospheres, the CNES official said.

CNES could be involved in the definition of the scientific goals and preparatory studies for the future planetary missions of ISRO and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board the future interplanetary (Moon, Mars and asteroids) Indian missions, the official said.

Venus is Earth's closest neighbour just like Mars. US space probe Mariner 2s flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Since then more than two dozen missions have been undertaken to explore the planet.

Yet, Venus remains an enigmatic puzzle for scientists. Its surface is shrouded in a perpetual cloud cover and what makes Venus so different from Earth has not been easy to understand.

Indo-French cooperation is very robust in nature and is more than six decades old. India had been using the French facilities for sending its heavy satellites in the orbit. When India was grappling with technological assistance following nuclear tests in 1974, it was France that helped India.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syrias chemical weapons programme but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action.

Speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Trudeau and several other Western Hemisphere leaders forcefully condemned the use of chemical weapons, following a suspected poison gas attack last week in a Damascus suburb that killed up to 75 people and sparked international outcry.

Washington blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government for the attack and, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes overnight on what it said were Syrian chemical weapons facilities.

Canada stands with our friends in this necessary response and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last weeks attack, Trudeau said in his speech. Those responsible must be brought to justice.

But the retaliatory action drew pleas for caution from several Latin American countries.

Theres deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria, Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. Its time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives.

Peru, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, called for moderation from all parties involved in Syria and said it was working to find a political solution, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri also appealed for greater coordination on Syria in the framework of existing international commitments, remarks later echoed by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Outside the summit, the strikes drew swift condemnation from left-leaning governments in Bolivia and Cuba, outspoken critics of US influence.

But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, a close US ally in Latin America, appeared to back Washington as he condemned chemical weapons.

We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination, Santos said.

The Pentagon said the missile strikes in Syria had hit every target. It said the military action was aimed at delivering an unambiguous signal to the Syrian government and deterring the future use of chemical weapons.

The official theme of the Summit of the Americas is the fight against corruption. Many countries in attendance are also expected to condemn a pending election in Venezuela.

But Syria, China and trade loomed over the talks on Saturday as Washington seeks to advance the agenda of US President Donald Trump, which is widely unpopular in the region.

Trump canceled his attendance at the summit to focus on Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence, filling in for him, was expected to discuss Syria in his speech on Saturday and in meetings with heads of state.

NAFTA talks

Pence met with Pena Nieto privately at the summit. The Mexican leader told reporters they would discuss not just the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also maintaining a relationship of mutual respect between their two countries.

Pence and Pena Nieto kept their remarks to reporters extremely briefin contrast to the more expansive and warmer tone struck by Pence and Trudeau during the public part of a meeting held minutes earlier.

Trudeau said there was positive momentum on reworking the NAFTA accordwhich groups Canada, Mexico and the United Stateswhile Pence said talks were encouraging.

As the president said very recently, we think were close, Pence said before starting the meeting with Pena Nieto. We are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation of NAFTA.
Gunmen open fire at Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan on Lahore residence

Dawn.com :

Unknown gunmen opened fire at the residence of Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan in Lahore's Model Town in two separate incidents only hours apart, DawnNewsTV reported on Sunday.

No casualties were reported in the attacks, one of which took place around 10:45pm on Saturday and the other at 9:10am on Sunday.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of Justice Ahsan and called the Punjab inspector general to probe the incidents. The chief justice is

said to be overseeing the situation himself.

Justice Ahsan was part of the five-member bench that delivered the verdict in the high-profile Panamagate case last year, which led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, the then prime minister.

He was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict and oversee the ongoing proceedings by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and accountability courts against the Sharif family members and Ishaq Dar. He was also part of the three-member bench hearing 17 petitions against the controversial Elections Act 2017. The bench had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as head of a political party, leading to Nawaz Sharif losing his position as the chief of PML-N.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the incident as well and ordered immediate arrests of the attackers. He also asked the Punjab inspector general (IG) to submit a report on the incident.

The personal secretary to Sharif, who visited the Supreme Cout's residence to meet him, was refused a meeting by the SC administration. Security personnel, including Rangers, have been deployed outside the residence of the judge."This is a highly condemnable incident. We are trying our best to arrest the attackers and a thorough investigation is underway," Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan told DawnNewsTV. He said that additional security has been provided to the Supreme Court judge.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read More
Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland.

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation.
Allianz SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides property-casualty insurance, life/health insurance, and asset management products and services worldwide. The company's Property-Casualty segment offers various insurance products, including motor liability and own damage, accident, general liability, fire and property, legal expense, credit, and travel insurance products to private and corporate customers. Its Life/Health segment provides a range of life and health insurance products on an individual and a group basis, such as annuities, endowment and term insurance, and unit-linked and investment-oriented products, as well as private health, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance products. The company's Asset Management segment offers institutional and retail asset management products and services to third-party investors comprising equity and fixed income funds, as well as alternative products; and investment management services. Its Corporate and Other segment provides various banking products for corporate and retail clients; and alternative investment management services in the private equity, real estate, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors. Allianz SE was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

Read More
It hurts that our students are called children of Rajakars : Mainul Hosein

Staff Reporter :

Speakers at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club yesterday said people must end their silence to raise voice to end the unruly situation at all levels and restore the rule of law for people to vote freely and live in peace.

They said the unity that the students showed in their movement for reform of the quota system in government job brought hope to the nation that our younger generation can better accomplish what our existing leadership is failing to accomplish. They have shown the way.

The discussion organized by Adarsha Nagorik Andolan was addressed among others by former adviser of the caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, founder of Gonoshasthya Kendra Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Nagorik Oikya Convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna

Barrister Mainul Hosein said the country is passing through a terrible situation in which everyone is finding himself insecure and frustrated one way or the other. People have no right to speak freely and to vote freely to elect their government.

He said, "It hurts me most to find that even the students whose demand for quota reform was found by people from all walks of life as reasonable have been condemned by a minister of the government as children of Rajakars."

"There are some leaders like her who fled the country leaving our people helpless to be butchered by Pakistani army. Now we find them not ashamed but feel free to question our patriotism for the country," he said.

Speaking as the chief guest in the event titled "Need for national unity to restore democracy and rules of law" Barrister Mainul Hosein wondered how a minister can insult the new generation questioning their patriotism and said the government should sack the minister for such provocative remarks.

Just because they went to India they can't make them so powerful as to castigate the vast majority of the nation. Their elders fought for the country as freedom fighters and many have laid their lives. He said we find it difficult to live honorably and our students being abused now as children of Rajakars because they took to the street with a legitimate demand for government jobs based on merit.

In independent Bangladesh, the question is why the people will have to get united against autocracy when those who are collaborating with an oppressive government also belong to our people. Not Pakistanis.

Our politics is weak that is why in the liberation war we lost leadership and our people's freedom. In independent Bangladesh our politics not also being based on commitment to the people; we do not have also a strong opposition either. The more we criticise the government the more harsh it becomes.

The people are more helpless because our freedom fighters have found it convenient to remain quiet. The people had expected them to be fighters for the cause of democratic freedom. Surely, as freedom fighters they did not fight for personal gains, he questioned.

In conclusion Barrister Mainul said in disappointment that affairs of "apa and madam" is no politics to be helpful for the people.

Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, said, people who attacked on Dhaka University VC's residence have been identified. Police said they were professionals. Then, he asked, why several cases have been filed against the general students and he demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases. He doubted government agents may have carried out the attack.

On Khaleda Zia's imprisonment, he said " I don't want her release; I want justice. If she gets justice she will get bail automatically.

Laying emphasis on national unity, Zafrullah said it is the need of the hour and the bigger party which may go to power must make it clear what they would do when they will be in power. He demanded rule of law and stop to forced disappearance and torture to death in police custody.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the country had never seen such helpless situation as today. This government can do anything to continue in power.

He said students can't be silenced. In the past student community played important role behind every movement and they will do it again.

On national unity Manna said, "I agree to make unity with BNP. But I have some conditions that include to make sure the independence of judiciary and violence can't be politicized.

BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Adarsha Nagorik Andolan chairman Abdullahil Masud, NDP acting secretary general M Manzur Hossain Isha, among others were present.




The following companies are subsidiares of TransUnion: Accupost Corporation, AppLock Limited, Auditz, Autolocator (Pty) Ltd., Beheer en Beleggingsmaatchapij Stivaco B.V., CIFIN S.A.S, [email protected] plc, Callcredit Data Solutions Limited, Callcredit Information, Callcredit Lead Generation Limited, Callcredit Marketing Ltd., Callcredit Public Sector Limited, Callcredit Spain S.L.U, Centro de Informacion y Estudios Estrategicos Empresariales S.A., Centro de Operaciones Servicios de Informacion Estrategica S.A., CheckMend Ltd., Coactiva Limited, Collection Africa Ltd., Confirma Sistemas de Informacion S.L., Credit Bureau of Carmel & Pebble Beach Inc., Credit Information Services Limited, Credit Information Systems Company Limited, Credit Reference Bureau (Holdings) Limited, Credit Reference Bureau Africa (Pty) Ltd., Credit Reference Bureau Africa Ltd., Credit Reporting Services Limited, Credit Retriever LLC, Crivo, Crown Acquisition BidCo Ltd., Crown Acquisition Consumer Ltd., Crown Acquisition MidCo Ltd., Crown Acquisition MidCo. 2 Ltd., Crown Acquisition TopCo. Ltd., DMWSL 617 Ltd., DMWSL 618 Ltd., DMWSL 619 Ltd., DMWSL 620 Ltd., DataLink Services, Datalink Services Inc., Decision Systems Inc., DecisionMetrics Limited, Diversified Data Development Corporation, Drivers History Inc., Drivers History Information Sales LLC, FT Holdings Inc., FactorTrust, FactorTrust Inc., GMAP Japan KK, GMAP Marketing Consulting Shangahi Co. Ltd, Healthcare Payment Specialists, INSDEC LLC, IS Resources Inc., Immobilise.com Limited, L2C Inc., L2C Inc., Link Marketing Inc., Link2credit Inc., Moussoro Participacoes Ltda., RTech, RTech Healthcare Revenue Technologies Inc., Recipero, Recipero Inc., Recipero Limited, Regional Data Systems Limited, RentPort, Rubixis, Rubixis Inc., Rubixis Technologies Private Limited, STS Vail Beheeren Administracion S. DE. R.L. DE C.V., Servicios y Asesoria S CO BC SA de CV, Signal, Soluciones de Informatica de Centroamerica (SICE) S.A., Source USA Insurance Agency Inc., Tenant ID Limited, Title Insurance Services Corporation, Trans Union Central America S.A., Trans Union Chile S.A., Trans Union Content Solutions LLC, Trans Union Costa Rica S.A., Trans Union Guatemala S.A., Trans Union Honduras-Buro de Credito S.A., Trans Union International Inc., Trans Union LLC, Trans Union Nicaragua S.A., Trans Union Real Estate Services Inc., Trans Union Software Services Private Limited, Trans Union de Puerto Rico Inc., Trans Union of Canada Inc., TransUnion (Mauritius) Limited, TransUnion (Proprietary) Ltd., TransUnion Africa (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Analytic and Decision Services (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Asia Ltd., TransUnion Auto Information Solutions (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Baltics UAB, TransUnion Brasil Sistemas em Informatica Ltda., TransUnion CIBIL Limited, TransUnion Colombia Ltda., TransUnion Consumer Solutions LLC, TransUnion Credit Bureau (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Credit Bureau Namibia (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Data Solutions LLC, TransUnion Digital LLC, TransUnion El Salvador S.A. de C.V., TransUnion Exchange LLC, TransUnion Financing Corporation, TransUnion Global Holdings LLC, TransUnion Global Holdings LP, TransUnion Global Technology Center LLP, TransUnion Healthcare Inc., TransUnion Holding Cyprus Ltd., TransUnion ITC (Pty) Ltd., TransUnion Information Group Limited, TransUnion Information Services Limited, TransUnion Information Solutions Inc., TransUnion Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., TransUnion Intelligence LLC, TransUnion Interactive Inc., TransUnion Intermediate Holdings Inc., TransUnion International Holdings LLC, TransUnion International UK Limited, TransUnion Kenya Limited, TransUnion Limited, TransUnion Ltd., TransUnion Marketing Solutions Inc., TransUnion Netherlands I B.V., TransUnion Netherlands II B.V., TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions Inc., TransUnion Reverse Exchange S de R.L. de C.V., TransUnion Risk Advisory Inc., TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions Inc., TransUnion Rwanda Limited, TransUnion S.A., TransUnion Soluciones de Informacion Chile SA, TransUnion Soluciones de Informacion S de R.L de C.V., TransUnion Teledata LLC, TransUnion UK Holdings Ltd., Tru Optik, TruSignal, TruSignal Inc., TrueLink, Trustev, Trustev Limited, Vail Holdings UK Ltd., Vail Systemen Groep B.V., Verifacts LLC, Visionary Systems Inc., Worthknowing Inc., eBureau, eBureau LLC, iovation Inc., iovation Ltd., and process benchmarking limited.
WASHINGTON  The chairman of the Democratic Party's congressional campaign arm believes upstate incumbent Republican U.S. Reps. John Faso and Elise Stefanik are vulnerable, even though the Democratic field of potential opponents has yet to thin out.

In Faso's 19th Congressional District, encompassing much of the the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, "I know Republicans are nervous, as well as Mr. Faso," said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., chairman of the Democratic National Campaign Committee.

"And Elise as well," he said, referring to Stefanik, who is seeking her third term in the vast 21st Congressional District spanning the North Country.

"The great thing is that all these Republicans who won by double digits in 2016 have strong challengers," Lujan said at a Friday briefing for regional reporters based in Washington.

Stefanik and Faso, who is seeking re-election to the House for the first time, said in separate interviews this week that they feel confident about their prospects for victory.

The authoritative Cook Political Report rates Faso's 19th Congressional District as a tossup, and Stefanik's 21st District as "solid Republican."

However, with President Donald J. Trump's favorable rating hovering in the high 30s to low 40s, Democrats believe a "wave" election may be forming  one that will sweep them to control in the House.

Democrats need to turn 24 seats in order to reclaim the majority they lost in 2010.

Stefanik and Faso appear on a DCCC list of 104 "battlefield races"  ones the Democrats feel they can win.

Both Republican incumbents have been careful to navigate toward the center in conservative-leaning districts that have elected Democrats over the past decade.

Both voted to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act  Obamacare. But they voted against the GOP tax bill because of concern that elimination of the state and local tax deduction would hurt New York property owners and state income tax payers.

Lujan argued their positions on both issues would come back to haunt them.

Republicans failed to end Obamacare but have succeeded in gutting it, Lujan said. He said with premiums continuing to rise, voters will blame Republicans.

The SALT issue is a sensitive one in New York, since many property owners and taxpayers depend on it to make life in a high-tax state affordable.

But even though Faso and Stefanik voted against their party on the tax bill, in October 2017 they voted in favor of a budget bill that paved the way for the tax measure to pass the Senate on GOP votes alone  without a filibuster.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

"We're not going to let them get away with that," Lujan said.

In the Faso district, seven Democrats have filed petitions to get on the ballot for the June 26 primary. Seven potential Democratic opponents also are in competition to run against Stefanik.

As he ticked through many of the 104 competitive races, Lujan insisted Democrats were taking nothing for granted.

''We have a national environment that is showing positive indicators that we can win in seats all across the country," said Lujan, whose district covers most of Northern New Mexico including Santa Fe.

So far, the DCCC has declined to pick a favorite Democrat in either race. The committee evidently is waiting to see who emerges on top before placing its chips.

"Democrats don't pose an imminent threat" to Stefanik, said David Wasserman, who monitors House races for the Cook report.

"Despite his long tenure in upstate politics, Faso was one of just 15 Republicans to win by single digits in 2016  and he did so against very liberal, carpet-bagging Democrat Zephyr Teachout," Wasserman said.

Among those Faso is facing on the Democratic side are Antonio Delgado, a lawyer and Rhodes Scholar, and Iraq veteran Pat Ryan.
Bon Jovi, the Cars and four first-time nominees, including Nina Simone, were scheduled to be inducted Saturday night as the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.

Dire Straits, The Moody Blues and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who died in 1973, will also earn the prestigious honor at the organization's 33rd annual ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, where the Rock Hall is based.

Bon Jovi, who have sold more than 120 million albums and launched multiple No. 1 hits, was first nominated in 2011. Jon Bon Jovi will be inducted alongside current bandmates David Bryan and Tico Torres, as well as former members Richie Sambora and Alec John Such. Sambora left in 2013; Such left in 1994.

The frontman said though he and the other current members haven't spoken to Sambora since he left the group, he invites the performer, along with Such, to be part of the Rock Hall festivities. The band will be inducted by Howard Stern.

Brothers Mark and David Knopfler, of English rockers Dire Straits, won't attend the event, according to bassist John Illsley.

Tharpe will be inducted with the "Award for Early Influence," while the other five acts will be inducted as performers. She was a pioneering guitarist who performed gospel music and was known to some as "the godmother of rock 'n' roll." She will be inducted by Brittany Howard, of blues rock band Alabama Shakes.

The jazzy and soulful Simone, who died in 2003, was a leader in pushing for civil rights and influenced the likes of Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin. Mary J. Blige will induct Simone, while Andra Day will sing in her honor.The event will air May 5 on HBO and will also be heard on SiriusXM Radio.

 Associated Press

Constand tells Cosby jury of pills, assault

Bill Cosby's chief accuser sent jurors into the weekend with a stark portrait of the night she says the man she viewed as a friend and mentor tricked her into taking a powerful drug and then humiliated her for his own sexual gratification.

Andrea Constand testified Friday that she was visiting the "Cosby Show" star at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in January 2004 when he slipped her three blue pills he called "your friends."

She thought they were herbal supplements that Cosby said would relieve her stress, but they knocked her out. She said Cosby was violating her when she awoke.

"I was weak, I was limp and I just could not fight him off," she testified.

Constand, who returns to the witness stand Monday for more cross-examination, has given a remarkably consistent account with what she said at Cosby's first trial last year. That trial ended with a hung jury, setting the stage for the latest courtroom showdown.

 Associated Press

Oscar-winning director Forman dies

Czech filmmaker Milos Forman, whose American movies "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Amadeus" won a deluge of Academy Awards, including best director Oscars, died Saturday. He was 86.

Forman died about 2 a.m. Saturday at Danbury Hospital, near his home in Warren, Conn., according to a statement released by the former director's agent, Dennis Aspland. Aspland said Forman's wife, Martina, notified him of the death.

When Forman arrived in Hollywood in the late 1960s, he was lacking in both money and English skills, but carried a portfolio of Czechoslovakian films much admired internationally for their quirky, lighthearted spirit. Among them were "Black Peter," "Loves of a Blonde" and "The Fireman's Ball."

The orphan of Nazi Holocaust victims, Forman had abandoned his homeland after communist troops invaded in 1968 and crushed a brief period of political and artistic freedom known as the Prague Spring.

 Associated Press

Neighbors fight over dog's real owner

A rift between two former neighbors has resulted in them sharing custody of a Labrador retriever mix.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Tina Marie Walker and David Somerville lived next to each other in a Florida apartment complex when he drove her in 2016 to an animal shelter, where she adopted Elario. When she worked, Somerville would take the dog for walks and to the dog park. He says he paid the dog's vet bills.

That led to a rift over who really was the dog's owner and Somerville sued Walker in small claims court. A judge ruled recently that they are to share custody and even drew up a schedule. Walker has moved from the apartment complex but now drops Elario off for his stays with Somerville.

 Associated Press
If you're looking for love and love firearms too, there's a dating site aiming for you.

Pro-Gun Dating connects "like-minded patriotic Americans who cherish and believe in our Constitutional right to bear arms," according to the site's Facebook page.
30 FB accounts accused of smear campaign

Special Correspondent :

Dozens of Facebook (FB) accounts have been accused of spreading a smear campaign during the recent quota reform movement by students.

Police said anti-government elements launched the campaign deliberately to catch fish in muddy water

Almost 30 Facebook accounts have been identified for the smear campaign during the quota reform protest. Rumours have also been spread from several Facebook pages to fuel rage and anger among the protesters, Nazmul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cyber Crime Unit under the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) told media on Sunday.

The Unit primarily listed 200 Facebook accounts for circulating fake news on the protest. Now we trim down the account numbers to 30 after careful analysis of the contents and posts.

The Cyber Crime Unit is monitoring and analyzing the Facebook profiles, pages and Tweets to determine the crime. It is also working on the suspected Facebook IDs and Facebook pages to identify the campaigners and admins using geolocation tracking, said Nazmul Islam.

The Cyber Crime Unit filed a case under the ICT Act with Ramna Police Station in this regard on April 11 accusing a number of anonymous people. It also listed about 200 Facebook accounts and named several Facebook pages and posts for spreading rumours such as death of a student at the beginning of the movement and allegations against a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activist for cutting off the tendons of a female student.

Police also sued about 700 quota reform demonstrators over charges of vandalising government vehicle, engaging clash with police, and creating public suffering by blocking roads.

On April 8, students and job seekers gathered around Shahbag from the morning demanding reform in existing quota system in public service. At around 8pm, police lobbed teargas shells on the protesters to disperse them. It has led clashes between the police and the protestors all throughout the night.

On that night rumour spread in social media sites that a Dhaka University (DU) student had died after being injured on his eye teargas shell explosion. Without verifying the incident, the protesters vandalised residence of DU Vice-Chancellor fuelling tension further.

On the following day, rumour spread that BCL president of Sufia Kamal female residence hall of DU, Iffat Jahan Isha, had cut off the tendons of the feet of a female student from her own hall.

Isha was expelled from BCL and the university immediately.

BCL later rescinded their order following formation of a probe body by DU authorities.






You could say Darrin Jahnel is putting his money where his mouth is.

The business executive recently moved with his family into the GE Realty Plot neighborhood, not far from the Union Street headquarters of his eponymous company that builds custom software and employs about 53 employees.

He and his older brother, Jason Jahnel, company COO, have deep roots in Schenectady, dating back to their German immigrant grandfather.

"We're super passionate about Schenectady, the rebirth of the city and what's going on, and we just love to be a part of it," said Darrin Jahnel, who serves as the company's CEO. "We just have always been attached to the city and now that it's on its way back up, we're just so excited, and we hope we can play a role in continuing that growth."

Also critical to the company's leadership team is Steven Zgaljic, chief technical officer.

Their business model puts employees first.

"We put our people first and we're maniacally focused on building a workplace that's absolutely amazing that they love to come to, that they have fun at, that they can work with people that they enjoy and are like family and they can work on work that inspires them," Jahnel said. "We try to run the company with a servant's mentality."

Employees are rewarded with a trophy and $100 for going into "beast mode" when they go above and beyond the call of duty, such as working 100 hours in a week.

The also dedicates time to team building and encourages creativity. Jahnel explained "War Week," a weeklong challenge to all employees to not only have their best week of work ever, but to participate in team meals, cultural events, games and challenges. Employees also have the chance to showcase projects and "do something they've always wanted to do that has nothing with us making money." One employee built a 3-D printer and another one, who is diabetic, made a "virtual pancreas" that pumps insulin when he needs it, Jahnel said.

The staff is also committed to physical fitness and is inching ever closer to its goal of doing a million push-ups in the office.

"My brother declared that we need to hit a million before we can move," Jahnel said.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

More Information At a glance Headquarters: Schenectady Year founded: 2003 Number of employees: 40 in Capital Region, 44 in U.S. Website: jahnelgroup.com Why employees love their jobs "I get to come into work and create something new every day. I work in an environment where everyone gets along and genuinely cares about my well-being and growth as a professional." "I love that Jahnel Group takes risks on people. They have an amazing ability to see and develop potential. Our team is made up of incredibly talented people, but most of them came to us with very little (or no) experience in the industry. It is a place where you can grow and develop beyond what you even expected of yourself." "Jahnel Group is big on mottoes and one of the ones that means the most to me is 'JG is a people company that happens to make software.' I believe that the company stands behind that motto and as a result I see people around here doing great things all the time, both at work and personally. See More Collapse

The move he's referring to is the company's plan to relocate to the Breslaw building on State Street in the fall.

Most of the company's employees work at the Jahnel headquarters in Schenectady, but there's also a satellite office in New York City.

"The demand for our services is very high and we just get the job done," said Jahnel, adding they don't do much sales and marketing. "We get it done within budget and we hit our deadlines, and if you do it as simple as that, you're going to keep getting new work from existing clients and from new clients who hear about that."

 Paul Nelson
Opioids: The epidemic that won't slow down As the death toll rises, New York state and care providers still struggle to address crisis

Opioids: The epidemic that won't slow down As the death toll rises, New York state and care providers still struggle to address crisis

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

On that first day at the hospital, her son hooked to a ventilator, Tracy Minor was furious. Her son. Her stupid, stupid, lovely, lovely, beautiful, stupid son. Why did he keep doing this to her?

The Stillwater native pulled out her phone and took his photo  the respirator, the tubes, the hospital gown falling off of one shoulder. Stupid boy, she thought. When you wake up, she thought, snapping more photos, I'm going to show you what a jerk you've been, how scared you had your family.

Because she was scared. The doctors had found the young man outside the front door of Ellis Hospital on a cold autumn night. Someone had left him there, passed out on drugs. His wallet was gone. She would later learn his friends stole it, along with everything else of value on 20-year-old McKinley David Desnoyers as he was going into acute cardiorespiratory failure.

"The amount of opiates in his system was enough to tranquilize a horse," the doctors would later tell her.

Her sweet boy. His bright blue eyes. His always-present smile. The way he hurt on the inside but you'd never know it from the outside. She wouldn't know it until she smelled the alcohol on his breath at 16, until a foot operation a year later left him jonesing for hydrocodone, until he was crying and promising he'd stop using drugs. He promised, he swore, "I'll get it together, Mom."

When he wakes up, Minor thought, stroking his head, day two on a ventilator, he'll go to rehab. He'd been on a waiting list for three months. A bed in Utica, she'd recently learned, would be available the next week. Soon, she thought. He had a 3-year-old boy and a fiancee. His real life would start soon.

He looks the same, she thought on day three. He'll be OK. He'd been in and out of emergency rooms a half dozen times over the past year after overdosing or coming close. That's enough already, she thought. Wake up. And she crawled in his hospital bed and she sang him a song.

The critical care doctor came on day four. She had tears in her eyes.

On day five, McKinley's face began to swell. His kidneys were shutting down. When the hospital staff found him five days earlier, McKinley's body had been deprived of oxygen for 45 minutes. They shocked him three times. They gave him five doses of naloxone  a drug that reverses the effects of an opiate overdose if administered in time.

"He would have had a better chance if they had pushed him into a ditch, called 911, and tossed the phone in before fleeing. That's what they told me," Minor said, two and a half years later, her arms tattooed with her son's birthday, handwriting, and the date of his death: November 10, 2015.

A pandemic

The death toll keeps rising.

Overdoses from heroin, fentanyl and other opioids have risen steadily over the last decade statewide, with a 120 percent increase between 2012 and 2016 for deaths outside New York City. Nationally, a 21 percent rise in drug overdose deaths in 2016 made accidental injury the third leading cause of death in the country, and the No. 1 killer of Americans under 50.

The overdose epidemic  many now call it a pandemic  has even reduced the life expectancy of Americans by a few months, to 78.6 years, according to federal health officials.

The numbers keep getting bigger  1,879 deaths outside of New York City in 2016  but they don't really say much. They don't reveal the hopes of a young man or woman who got hooked on prescription painkillers, then moved on to cheaper, more potent heroin or the manmade fentanyl, said to be 50 to 100 times as strong. Or the grief of their parents. Or the confusion of their children, now being raised by grandparents or in a foster home.

It's not that no one's doing anything. In the four and a-half years since the Times Union first wrote a story about a rise in heroin use and overdose deaths, and the spread of opioid abuse into the suburbs and middle classes, there have been multiple efforts to combat the scourge. State efforts have included safer opioid prescribing through the I-STOP prescription monitoring program, increased availability of the lifesaving overdose reversal medication naloxone and access for heavy users to treatment with medications like methadone and buprenorphine.

Among the most conspicuous changes is a grassroots effort to fight the stigma of addiction that blocks people from admitting they need help. More people are talking about their problem in recent years, without shame. With a growing understanding of addiction as a disease that affects brain chemistry, rather than a weakness of character, recovering addicts and families who've lost loved ones are speaking out publicly, working to educate or advocate.

Getting help

And still, every month, the death toll keeps rising.

Lots of people still are not getting help to overcome their addictions. National estimates are that only 10 to 20 percent of people suffering from addiction get treated. Acknowledgement of that problem in New York has led to funding more inpatient treatment beds as well as outpatient slots.

Yet local addiction experts say one essential obstacle remains as firm as it's ever been: in that sliver of time when someone with a substance use disorder is ready for help, there are still too many barriers to getting it. Same-day treatment is almost unheard of.

That is sometimes still due to the lack of an available inpatient treatment bed, which is now more often caused by a dearth of staff than the actual lack of a bed, treatment providers said.

But it's also because drug users get turned away from medical facilities that are not specifically designated to treat them, patient advocates said. Consider the person who, sick from withdrawal symptoms and wanting to avoid the easy fix  more heroin, fentanyl or pills  finds their way to a hospital emergency room. Historically, they've been turned away, because many are not state-certified addiction facilities.

This is why McKinley only ever found himself in an emergency room when he'd gone too far with the drugs, his mom said. They were never willing to help when he was safe and ready to stop.

RELATED: One in two is touched by opioids

RELATED: The Prescription for Progress series

To help address this, the state this spring announced it would grant these facilities temporary waivers to expand their detox services, so long as they informed the state of any expansions.

This spring, the state Department of Health and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services announced it would provide a temporary waiver expanding the detox services they can provide.

When someone addicted to opioids doesn't get help, the quickest way out of pain is more dope.

The issue for McKinley's family, then, was keeping him alive until he could get help. But they were scared. There was a moment three months before his death  after he overdosed while walking down a road and hit his head on a rock, after he'd slept for four days straight not aware he was severely concussed, after his mom took him to the hospital and he was discharged  that McKinley was ready.

"I'm all done with drugs, Mom, I'll all done with drinking," he told her. "I'm done. This is it. I'm going to start my life."

So she called and got him on the waiting list.

Keeping them alive

A number of innovative efforts are seeking to seize that moment when a person is ready for help  or at least, in the face of a spiraling death count, keep people alive until that moment arrives.

Perhaps surprisingly, some of these programs have been launched by law enforcement officials seeking to reframe the current illicit drug problem as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. At the Albany County Jail, the Sheriff's Heroin Addiction Recovery Program, launched in 2015, has partnered with the Addiction Cares Center of Albany to offer drug treatment to inmates. The city of Albany's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program gives police the option of calling a case manager instead of arresting someone on drug charges. In Columbia County, police officers in the village of Chatham will find a treatment bed for anyone who walks into their department ready to quit drugs.

The newest medical approach may be at St. Peter's Health Partners, where drug users addicted to heroin, fentanyl and other opioids can now walk into outpatient locations in Albany, Troy and Cohoes or emergency departments at Samaritan, Albany Memorial and St. Peter's hospitals and promptly be evaluated to get buprenorphine to help them through withdrawal, or more intense detox services if needed. The program has served more than 300 people since it opened last September.

"When the person feels, I am able to change in this moment, we are ready to treat them in this moment," said Dr. Melissa Weimer, medical director of the SPHP Addiction Recovery Center. "We're trying to make it so there's no closed door."

Reducing harm

Many overdoses, of course, occur because a heavy drug user has not reached that treatable moment. In a crisis of deaths, there is renewed urgency around harm-reduction efforts that seek to reduce deaths and the spread of disease without requiring that a drug user quit.

With support from the state Health Department, the Albany-based syringe exchange program Project Safe Point has become a "drug user health hub." When police arrive at the scene of an opioid overdose, they administer the reversal drug naloxone and then provide information on the user to Project Safe Point, a project of Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services. A day or two later, Project Safe Point staff contact the user with offers of assistance. They might provide naloxone, clean syringes, peer support or, if a user is ready, treatment referral.

"Not everybody's ready for treatment in the moment, but that doesn't mean there aren't things we can offer them," said Project Safe Point Program Manager Joseph Filippone.

A more radical harm-reduction proposal was introduced in the state Assembly in January. It would allow facilities where drug users can inject heroin, fentanyl and other illicit substances under medical supervision, without fear of arrest. In addition to reducing overdose deaths and the spread of disease, so-called safe consumption spaces aim to cut back on the public nuisance that goes with drug use, like dirty needles left in parks or drug users injecting in public bathrooms. In other countries where they operate, including Canada and several European nations, supervised injection sites are often connected to treatment services.

"When you create an environment like that, you have a much more fertile ground for people to get help than you would otherwise," said Keith Brown, director of health and harm reduction at the Katal Center for Health, Equity and Justice in New York City.

The Project Safe Point needle exchange van is parked in Albany's South End on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Albany N.Y. The program strives to improve the health and quality of life of people who use drugs in the Capital Region. (Will Waldron/Times Union) less The Project Safe Point needle exchange van is parked in Albany's South End on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Albany N.Y. The program strives to improve the health and quality of life of people who use drugs in ... more Photo: Will Waldron Buy photo Photo: Will Waldron Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Opioids: The epidemic that won't slow down 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Opponents refer to the sites pejoratively as "heroin shooting galleries" and say they will only worsen the problem by condoning drug use. But proponents say they provide a chance for drug users to establish trust with people who can ultimately provide them help when they're ready  and that it's time to establish them in face of soaring deaths. No one has ever died in a safe consumption space.

Minor doesn't know what she could have done differently. Every day, she asks herself that. Every day, she veers between wondering if she didn't help him enough or if she helped him too much. The family of an addict never really knows.

She's moved to a new house. Her son's smile  that gleam of teeth  shines from every surface: the fridge, the sills, a poster board, an afghan. She goes to work. She comes home. She keeps the blinds down, the curtains drawn.

She bought a Pomeranian. She wonders why she's still living. Then she looks at a portrait of her grandson by the window, the boy with her son's smile, and her eyes brighten.
This week's episode of "New York Now," the award-winning coproduction of WMHT and the Times Union, features Ken Lovett of the Daily News and Michael Gormley of Newsday offering analysis on Cynthia Nixon's push for the legalization of recreational marijuana, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's newfound interest in the subject.

Also, author Robert Chiles discusses his new book on Al Smith's unsuccessful 1928 presidential run, and how it laid the groundwork for the New Deal programs ushered in by the next New York governor to campaign for the White House.
Lima, Peru

Thousands of miles from home, Vice President Mike Pence was thrust into a new, more immediate, role on the world stage Saturday: explaining President Donald Trump's military strike in Syria to a summit of Latin America leaders.

Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons  tweeting, "Mission Accomplished!"  Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France.

"The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished  with swift professionalism," Pence told reporters, noting there were "no reported civilian casualties."

Later, speaking in a cavernous hall of world leaders at the Summit of the Americas, Pence expressed gratitude to Canada, Colombia and other nations that had voiced support for the strike and urged "every nation in this hemisphere of freedom" to support the military action.

Pence's to-do list included smoothing over differences with Mexico, America's southern neighbor, amid unease over Trump's decision to send troops to the border and harsh rhetoric on immigration. And with tensions simmering over trade, Pence expressed hope alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the three nations could soon agree to a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

And while Trump grapples with the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Pence sought to draw a bright line against Vladimir Putin's alliance with Syria following the suspected chemical attack. "Our message to Russia is that you're on the wrong side of history," Pence said.

Shortly before Trump's address to the nation Friday night, Pence was whisked away from the summit in his motorcade so he could return to his hotel to inform congressional leaders of the pending missile strikes. Pence watched Trump's speech from his hotel suite, joined by aides.

Unlike past appearances at international summits, the vice president had to dive into the packed agenda on short notice. He learned only Tuesday that he would be attending in Trump's place so the president could manage the U.S. response to Syria.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

In meeting after meeting, Pence offered a low-key, extended hand.

Seeking rapprochement with Mexico, which has been at odds with Trump over the border wall and immigration, Pence said the topic of Trump's long-promised border wall did not come up in his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Pence said they simply had a difference of opinion and some issues were "set aside, for a later date." Left unsaid was whether Pence's overtures might eventually lead to a joint Trump-Pena Nieto meeting, their first.
ALBANY  The New York State Senate has been ordered to reveal its published rules for taxpayer-funded mailers within a 30-day period, according to an Albany County Supreme Court decision.

The judge ruled last week in favor of Blake Morris, a lawyer and Senate candidate, who in February of last year was denied a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request seeking the Senate's mail guidelines, which determine how taxpayer-funded flyers, letters, and newsletters can be distributed, as well as how much money each member is allocated.

Currently, the rules are only "verbally" communicated to members and staff when they ask, according to Senate Majority spokesman Scott Reif. Each Senator receives the equivalent of two district-wide mailers a year and a little bit extra for first class mail that allows them to respond to constituent requests, he said.

"Unlike most state agencies, every single dollar spent by the Senate - including legislative mail - is specifically lined out in expenditure reports made available to the public and the media every six months," said Reif in a statement.

Morris is challenging Brooklyn Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat who caucuses with the Republicans and holds the crucial 32nd vote in the Senate. He said the reports don't explain the significant disparities in mail spending between legislators.

"It's opaque. There is no rhyme or reason why some senators get more than other senators just by looking at the expenditure reports," said Morris, noting that he and his wife sometime receive double mailings from Felder. "As a citizen, you want to know how your government is spending the money."

In many cases, disparities in mail spending appear to fall along party lines. For example, during the same disclosure period, Republican Senator Phil Boyle, of Suffolk County, spent $119,122.60 on mail, while Senator Leroy Comrie, D-Queens, spent around $20,000. The disclosure reports are also difficult to interpret because they cover the fiscal year, which runs April through September, while lawmakers serve, and presumably send mail, throughout the calendar year.

Given that each Senate district has roughly the same population, within a 10 percent margin, the analysis of how much was spent on direct mail should be straightforward, said New York Public Interest Group executive director Blair Horner.

"It's not that complicated; it's about mail," said Horner. "If they are gaming it to the advantage of one political party over another, then that's a problem, because that's not how these mailers are supposed to be used."

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

While the taxpayer-funded mailers cannot officially be used for political purposes, incumbent legislators like Felder -- who spent $67,177.50 on mail expenses between April 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 -- use the funds to promote their office's activities which helps stave off challengers.

Mike Murphy, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats, said the only reason Senate Republicans would obscure the formula for allocating mail resources, would be to benefit the majority conference.

"The Senate Republicans have turned the mail program into their own political mailing operation and they are terrified of being exposed. Let's be clear, this is taxpayer money and the taxpayers should know what policies are in place," said Murphy.

The Senate's secretary Francis W. Patience, the Senate officer charged with responding to FOIL requests, initially denied Morris' inquiry in February 2017 saying that the document in question was not subject to disclosure rules. Unlike state agencies, the Legislature is largely exempt from FOIL, and the Senate has an interest in protecting that status.

Morris appealed the denial, citing Senate rules requiring all legislators to have equitable access to resources including "mail privileges subject to published guidelines," but was again denied. He then requested a judicial review of governmental action, which was adjudicated in Albany Supreme Court.

After reviewing the guidelines, the Court determined they "constitute instructions to staff that affect members of the public," which makes them subject to FOIL.
Damascus, Syria

Hundreds of Syrians poured into the streets of Damascus on Saturday, dancing and chanting in defiance of what they called the West's "failure" to shake their nation's resolve with airstrikes that jolted the capital only hours earlier.

The demonstrations in support of President Bashar Assad were carried live on state TV, which also reported that Syrian air defenses had intercepted most of the missiles fired by the United States, Britain and France to punish Syria's purported use of chemical weapons. The broadcaster also urged people not to believe media reports that exaggerated the results of the airstrikes.

"We are not scared of America's missiles. We humiliated their missiles," said Mahmoud Ibrahim, who waved a Syrian flag as he hung out of his car window.

As car horns blared, the crowd moved toward nearby Damascus University where pro-government fighters danced and waved their automatic rifles over their heads. Many denounced U.S. President Donald Trump and also waved flags of Syria's allies, Iran and Russia, as they cheered Assad.

The display of national fervor later mixed with celebrations over the news that the Syrian army declared the eastern suburbs of Damascus "fully liberated" after the last group of rebels left the town of Douma. Its recapture marks the biggest victory for Assad's forces since the capture of the eastern half of the city of Aleppo in 2016.

The fall of Douma came after a punishing government offensive and a surrender deal struck with rebel groups. It also followed the purported use of chemical weapons there on April 7, which activists say killed more than 40 people in the town and led to Saturday's airstrikes by the West.

"Trump failed in his aggression," said 51-year-old civil servant Mohammed Hammad. "Trump's failure came with the victory of our army in Douma, which marks the biggest victory for the Syrian Arab Army."

The bombardment began at 4 a.m., with loud explosions thundering in Damascus and the sky turning orange as fires raged in the distance.

Associated Press reporters saw smoke rising above eastern Damascus and spotted fiery streaks of surface-to-air missiles. The call to morning prayers at dawn mixed with the whoosh of missiles.

Shortly after the one-hour attack ended, vehicles with loudspeakers blared nationalist songs.

"Good souls will not be humiliated," Syria's presidential account tweeted after the airstrikes began.

Later, a video showing Assad walking into his office carrying a briefcase was posted on the same account. "Good morning, steadfastness," the caption read.

As the sun rose, hundreds had gathered in Damascus' landmark Omayyad Square, celebrating what they said was the army's success in foiling the U.S-led military action.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

The widely broadcast celebrations and the hastily organized police deployment in Douma appeared to be the government's response to the airstrikes.

The limited airstrikes came at a time when the Assad government is feeling empowered after having secured the region near the capital following other military victories backed by Russia and Iran in seven years of civil war.

Trump announced the airstrikes Friday night to attack Syria's chemical weapons program. He said Washington is prepared to keep pressure on Assad until he ends a "criminal pattern of killing his own people" with the internationally banned weapons.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted "Mission Accomplished," and the Pentagon said the strikes hit the "heart" of Syria's chemical program. The U.S. had fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield in April 2017 in retaliation for Assad's use of sarin gas against civilians.

Syria has repeatedly denied using banned weapons. Inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog group were in Damascus and had been expected to head to Douma on Saturday.

The limited strikes were deplored by the Syrian opposition, which saw the West as lacking an international strategy for dealing with the civil war.

Nasr al-Hariri, a senior opposition leader, said the international community must take responsibility for any retaliation by the Syrian government against civilians in opposition areas. He called for a strategy that leads to a political solution to "save it from the brutality of the Syrian regime."

Mohammad Alloush, spokesman for the Army of Islam rebel group that was expelled from Douma, tweeted that the airstrikes were a "farce."

A Syrian military statement said 110 missiles were fired Saturday by the U.S., Britain and France and that it shot down most of them. Russia's military said Syrian air defense units downed 71 of the missiles.
Washington

President Donald Trump on Saturday declared "Mission Accomplished" for a U.S.-led allied missile attack on Syria's chemical weapons program, but the Pentagon said the pummeling of three chemical-related facilities left enough others intact to enable the Assad government to use banned weapons against civilians if it chooses.

"A perfectly executed strike," Trump tweeted after U.S., French and British warplanes and ships launched more than 100 missiles nearly unopposed by Syrian air defenses. "Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"

His choice of words recalled a similar claim associated with President George W. Bush following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Bush addressed sailors aboard a Navy ship in May 2003 alongside a "Mission Accomplished" banner, just weeks before it became apparent that Iraqis had organized an insurgency that tied down U.S. forces for years.

The nighttime Syria assault was carefully limited to minimize civilian casualties and avoid direct conflict with Syria's key ally, Russia, but confusion arose over the extent to which Washington warned Moscow in advance. The Pentagon said it gave no explicit warning. The U.S. ambassador in Moscow, John Huntsman, said in a video, "Before we took action, the United States communicated with" Russia to "reduce the danger of any Russian or civilian casualties."

Dana W. White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, said that to her knowledge no one in the Defense Department communicated with Moscow in advance, other than the acknowledged use of a military-to-military hotline that has routinely helped minimize the risk of U.S.-Russian collisions or confrontations in Syrian airspace. Officials said this did not include giving Russian advance notice of where or when allied airstrikes would happen.

Russia has military forces, including air defenses, in several areas of Syria to support President Bashar Assad in his long war against anti-government rebels.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Russia and Iran called the use of force by the United States and its allies a "military crime" and "act of aggression." The U.N. Security Council met to debate the strikes, but rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the three Western allies.

Trump's U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, told the session that the president has made it clear that if Assad uses poison gas again, "the United States is locked and loaded."

Assad denies he has used chemical weapons, and the Trump administration has yet to present hard evidence of what it says precipitated the allied missiles attack.
Looking for the vulture assist with Neolithic burials

1 year ago
People are always looking for exciting things to do when they go on vacation. After all, travel provides an opportunity to see new sights and try new foods. It also gives you the chance to risk your life, the lives of those you love, as well the lives of random innocent people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If repeated near-death experiences sounds like the kind of vacation activity you're looking for, then I heartily recommend driving a rental car in Ireland.

Some of you are friends with me on Facebook (and if you're not, you're missing an excellent opportunity to view the cute cat videos I post daily on the hour), so you know that I recently spent a week traveling around Ireland with my sister and my niece. I posted updates and pictures of our trip every day not only to give Cambridge Analytica something to keep tabs on during the lull between elections, but also to announce the news that we'd made it through another day alive.

My sister had made it clear from the outset that I would be driving the rental car as we toured Ireland. Whether this is because she had confidence in my driving skills or because she thought, in the event of an accident, it would be easy to make a claim against my estate, I can't be sure. What I am sure of is that it is ridiculously easy to rent a car in Ireland. All you need to do is walk up to the rental car counter, show them your driver's license, and give them all your money. In return, they hand you the keys to a car. They never once asked me if I knew that, as the driver, I'd be sitting on the right side of the car, or if I knew I'd be driving on the left hand side of the road, or even if I knew my right from my left. Apparently the Irish are a very trusting people.

We found the rental car in the lot and I panicked when I got in and discovered someone had stolen the steering wheel. Then I got out, walked around the car, and got in on the driver's side. It was a routine that was repeated throughout the week, providing me with a little bit of exercise and the locals with much amusement. I felt like I'd never driven a car before because everything was reversed. As a matter of fact, driving in reverse probably would have been the faster, and safer, way to go. It was a tense couple of weeks driving the 20 blocks to our hotel that first night.

Fortunately, our car was equipped with a GPS navigational system. The system's voice had an accent from somewhere in the British Isles, which would have been fine if I were watching an episode of Downton Abbey instead of trying to find our hotel. My ear eventually got used to the accent, but not to the fact that distances were given in meters and kilometers. Telling me to turn left in 350 meters is basically the same as telling me I need to turn left in 1,487,533 inches or 564 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I suppose I should have been grateful the directions weren't in furlongs or, if we'd taken a really wrong turn at Dublin Bay, in fathoms.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

And wrong turns were easy to make. Or maybe I should say it was easy make a right turn into the wrong lane. I discovered that the signs and gestures made by other drivers as you drive into oncoming traffic are universal. It really is a small world after all.

The Irish do love their roundabouts because I'm pretty sure there's a law that requires them to be spaced every 830 meters (or 1,205 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, whichever comes first). Whenever two or more roads, no matter how tiny, meet, everyone starts driving in a circle. And if you miss the fact there's a circle the size of a dinner plate painted in the middle of an intersection and you drive straight instead of clockwise, you will become acquainted with some small world signals and gestures.

Somehow I managed to drive throughout Ireland for a week and live to tell the tale. Of course, there's a chance I didn't survive it and I'm writing this from some weird version of the afterlife where it snows in April and perpetual jet lag seems to be the norm. If that's the case, please inform Cambridge Analytica that I am deceased so they can stop liking my cute cat videos on Facebook.

Betsy Bitner is a Capital Region writer. bbitner1@nycap.rr.co-m
The child was being led by the hand out the door of a supermarket when spotted by its mother

Parents in Thurles town and across Tipperary have been warned to be high alert following the attempted abduction of a toddler from a supermarket in the Cathedral Town.

The sickening episode ended positively thanks to the awareness of the childs mother who had turned her back for a moment and then realised that the child was missing. She had earlier noticed a man acting suspiciously as she was doing her shopping and as she rushed towards the door of the supermarket, she spotted her child being led out the door by the hand. Shouting frantically after the child, the would be abductor fled the scene as the child returned to its badly shaken mother.

Gardai were notified and attended the scene. It is believed that the man involved in this incident is known to the Gardai and the matter is under investigation.

Parents across Tipperary are being advised to be extra vigilant when out and about with their children over the course of the weekend and to be on the alert for people acting suspiciously. Children should be advised by their parents/guardians not to speak to or engage with people whom they are not familiar with. This latest incident has left one family very shaken but very relieved at the outcome following the alertness and quick action of the mother.
Did you miss out on the last batch of Dodge Vipers in 2017? Well, heres some good news for you: Dodge will auction the last production model for charity this June. There is a catch though; the Viper comes in a bundle with a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Insane, right?

Called "The Ultima Last Chance," this once-in-a-life offer will give enthusiasts one final shot at buying a Dodge Viper, the all-American supercar that was discontinued after 25 years on the market

Well, this isnt an April Fools joke. Dodge is indeed auctioning a Viper and a Challenger Demon through Barrett-Jackson this summer. Called "The Ultima Last Chance," this once-in-a-life offer will give enthusiasts one final shot at buying a Dodge Viper, the all-American supercar that was discontinued after 25 years on the market. The Challenger SRT Demon is special too, as it is the last unit built for the 2018 model year.

The vehicles are set to go under the hammer during the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction that runs from June 20 to 23. The event takes place at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. All proceeds from the sale will go to the United Way, a big charitable organization that focuses on identifying and resolving pressing community issues from areas like education, income, and health.

Both vehicles are painted in an exclusive Viper Red exterior color and feature black interiors. The Challenger SRT Demon comes with extras like a front passenger seat, a rear seat delete, a trunk carpet kit, car cover, VIN instrument panel badge, and a Demon Authentication package. It also gets the Demon Crate, which includes narrow front-runner drag wheels, a performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration, replacement switch module with high-octane button, and a set of Demon-branded track tools.

The Demon uses a supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 Hemi that cranks out 840 horsepower.

As a brief reminder, the Demon uses a supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 Hemi that cranks out 840 horsepower. Its the industrys first and only purpose-built, street-legal production drag car and features more than 20 industry-first, drag-performance features.

Moving over to the last Viper ever built, its styled to honor the first-generation Viper RT/10 featuring a Viper Red exterior and an all-black interior. It also comes with unique carbon-fiber accents on the outside, Alcantara and leather seats, and a bespoke VIN dashboard badge and authentication kit. The supercar is powered by the usual 8.4-liter V-10 thats rated at 645 horsepower.

Drivetrain Specifications

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Dodge Viper ENGINE SUPERCHARGED 6.2-LITER HEMI DEMON V-8 8.4 liters 10-cylinder, 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled Power (estimated SAE net) 840 HP @ 6,300 RPM 645 HP @ 6,200 RPM Torque (estimated SAE net) 770 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM 600 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM TRANSMISSION TORQUEFLITE 8HP90 EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC Tremec TR6060, six-speed manual 0 to 60 mph 2.3 seconds 3.3 seconds Top Speed 190 mph 206 mph

Its difficult to predict how much the two cars will go for, but given that the first-ever Challenger Hellcat was auctioned for $1.65 million, the final Viper and Challenger Demon could cross the block for at least $3 million. Some might find it a little steep, despite the combined output of 1,485 horsepower, but its for a good cause.

References

Read our full review on the 2015 Dodge Viper.

Read our full review on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

Read more Dodge news.
You'll never need another plastic straw after you read this.

The anti-plastic straw movement grows stronger by the day. Campaigns are springing up around the country, urging people to hold the straw with their next drink, understand why this is such a big deal, and discover reusable alternatives.

The numbers are sufficiently shocking to make anyone want to change their habits. Americans use an estimated 500 million plastic straws daily  enough to fill 127 school buses and circle the earths circumference 2.5 times. Five hundred million straws weigh about the same as 1,000 cars (close to 3 million pounds), which is a massive amount of plastic to throw in landfills on a daily basis.

Straws, which are made of a petroleum byproduct called polypropylene mixed with colorants and plasticizers, do not biodegrade naturally in the environment. They are also nearly impossible to recycle, so nobody really bothers. Some are incinerated, which releases toxic chemicals into the air, but most end up in the ground, where they will hang around for an estimated 400 years and leach chemicals into the ground. That means that every straw ever used still exists on this planet.

Fortunately, resistance is growing stronger, and several interesting efforts to promote the straw-free message have gained traction in recent years. There are also more companies offering reusable alternatives to plastic straws.

Check out the following list of resources to learn how you can get involved, educate others around you, and banish plastic straws forever from your life.

The One Less Straw campaign has its official start on October 1, but individuals, businesses, and schools can sign up now. It has a nifty accountability system whereby, for every straw that you accidentally use (i.e. you forget to tell the server you dont want one), you have to pay into a fund that will then get donated to your school to promote environmental education.

The Last Plastic Straw urges restaurants and bars to change their policy to straws available upon request, in order to get people thinking about the issue and drastically cutting down on the number handed out each day. This group inspired Bacardi to launch its Hold the Straw campaign.

U-Konserve, seller of reusable food storage containers, has a fabulous Pinterest page called Switch the Straw with many helpful links to anti-plastic straw campaigns, infographics, and alternative products. U-Konserve is also offering a free straw-cleaning brush with the purchase of any reusable straws right now.

Straw Sleeves is a U.S. company that manufacturers cute little cloth bags to store reusable straws for easy accessibility when youre out for dinner or drinks. It also has an active Instagram account with some great content, including facts about plastic pollution and photos of abandoned straws in beautiful natural settings, which is enough to inspire anyone to change their habits!

Where to find reusable straws:

Glass straws  Glass Dharma makes borosilicate glass straws that come in a variety of lengths and diameters.

Strawsome also sells handmade glass straws, made in USA with lifetime guarantee and free US/Canada shipping. They come in different colors, shapes, diameters, and lengths.

Metal straws  Mulled Mind sells made-in-USA stainless straws that are shipped in recycled and reused materials.

Sets of 4 stainless steel straws with a cleaning brush sold by Life Without Plastic.

Bamboo straws  These 10 bamboo straws are entirely unprocessed; theyre just dried hollow stalks that can be washed, air-dried, and used for many years.

Bambu Home sells slightly shorter straws, at 8.5 long. They are made from organic bamboo, harvested from wild groves, rather than plantations, and are finished with an organic flax seed oil.

Paper straws  Paper straws still generate some waste, so theyre not as good as reusable options, but a huge improvement over plastic. You can order from Aardvark Straws (made in USA).

Straw straws  Straws that are made from straw? Its the most logical material out there. This company has an online store set to open in October 2016, so youll be able to place orders shortly.

Pasta straws  Its the ultimate zero waste solution and kids will love it. Look for bucatini or perciatelli, long spaghetti-like, tube-shaped noodles with holes in the middle, through which its possible to sip liquids. Then you can cook your straws and eat them for dinner.

Get ready to watch the STRAWS documentary film, currently undergoing production. It will delve deep into the disturbing world of plastic straw pollution, one of the top five marine polluters. Filming is supposed to be done by autumn 2016.
Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Rain and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 81F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers late at night. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Re: New Zealand/Australia to US. West Coast

4. Re: New Zealand/Australia to US. West Coast

January,February their plenty of cruises around Australia,NZ ,Fiji.but not to Hawaii or Tahiti.

You could have a stop over in your flight and do a short cruise.

HAL and a few other lines do some great cruises to our region one place I would suggest to include is New Guinea.
How much time have you allocated for the trip? May is the lead up to our winter months with shorter days a loop of the GOR needs at least two overnight stops especially at that time of the year in addition to Geelong Apollo Bay and either Port Campbell and Warrnambool/Port Fairy are the recommended towns to stop in.

Just be aware of a couple of road closures on the GOR between Lorne and Apollo Bay in May. The runfest is being held along the route and the GOR between Lorne and Apollo Bay will be closed on the 20th May. The same section of road will be closed between 28th - 31st May due to repair and upgrade works that are being done. There will be a detour in place which will add another hour to time it normally takes to travel that section on both occasions.

This recent thread has relevant info for you.

This link shows why it is never recommended to drive after arriving on a long flight from an overseas destination.

Edited: 3 years ago
We are couple of families traveling with 2 teenage kids.

I have planned for 7 (6 nights) days in Costa Rica in August mid, with 3 days in Arenal and the last night at San Jose.

My original plan was to spend 2 nights in Tortuguero, to see the turtle nesting.

However I do not want to disappoint the rest of the family who want to spend time at the beach.

The turtle nesting is once in a lifetime opportunity. If so, i can convince others to go along with my planning.

What I would like to know is if I am making a mistake in overhyping the turtle nesting.

If so, then I would choose Manuel Antonio for 2 days (instead of Tortuguero)?

Please provide your opinions.

Thank you
Re: HCMC did I do the right think.....

1. Re: HCMC did I do the right think.....

Saigon Majestic is regal 1920s glamour.

If that doesn't please you nothing will.

Go to their website and peruse the photographs.
-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.
This will be first trip to Japan and we decided to go Osaka. There will be 6 adults and one 1yr old baby.

My brief itinerary as following:

Day 1: Arrive Kansai around 7am, then head straight to Kyoto

Day 2: Kyoto

Day 3: Nara

Day 4: Head back to Osaka

Day 5: Osaka

Day 6: Universal Studio

Day 7: Kobe

Day 8: Osaka

Day 9: Morning flight depart

I have few questions to seek expert opinion:

1)which pass(Osaka Amazing Pass/Kansai Pass Thru/Iocca)is more convenient and beneficial to get.

2)which area area of Kyoto and Osaka should I stay,my in laws will be following as well; should we rent an apartment instead of hotel

3) any advise on the itinerary above is much appreciated
Re: First Time in Japan - Jr Pass or Not for 3 Week Itinerary

4. Re: First Time in Japan - Jr Pass or Not for 3 Week Itinerary

>>Is it possible to purchase tickets in advance online? Would that be worth it?

For the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, you may or may not - depending on your country. Refer to the official website.

You'll have ample time to buy the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto after arrival in Tokyo. There is no long holiday in your timeline so no need to rush imo.

If your Kanazawa flight ticket can be cancelled without penalty, better travel Tokyo > Kanazawa > Kyoto > Koyasan > depart from either KIX or ITM in Osaka. One-way from Koyasan to Kanazawa takes 4-5 hours with multiple connections.

use hyperdia.com to check train schedules, fares.
I have worries for both options.

On one hand, if you head to Hiroshima first, you'll spend about 5 hours on the train (Hikari & Sakura) getting there from Tokyo. Since most attractions in Japan close early (4 - 5 pm), you may find that you don't have much time to do anything once you arrive; although IMO, some places are better or are just as good to visit after hours, like Hondori or Peace Park. Otherwise, you would have to start early from Tokyo in order to catch attractions.

On the other hand, if you do Hiroshima last, you run the risk of missing cherry blossoms there (unless you were aiming for blossoms in Tokyo/Kansai?). As you know, the blossom bloom starts in the south, moving progressively north over time; Hiroshima starts to get them around mid-March. This year, they were earlier than normal, and using your dates with an itinerary putting Hiroshima last, you would have missed them. You can look up the historical pattern of bloom progression for major Japanese cities here, but keep in mind the exact dates for bloom can always change depending on weather:
Nakanojo is a tiny town and it is unrealistic to think that it would be connected to a major cross-country rail network.

There is just one JR line (Agatsuma line) that goes there and there is literally just one train an hour (or even less frequently). Most people drive there.

If you plug your itinerary into Hyperdia, it pretty much gives you the answer that the only way is to backtrack to Tokyo.

Having said that, I agree with ShibaInu, Kusatsu is a much better choice for a first time onsen experience.
Intend on going to Japan next May. I have no idea where to start. We will be leaving from Sydney Australia and staying for three weeks.

What is the best city to fly into do we leave from the same place or is it better to leave from another city.

Any itenery would be appreciated. We just love cruising around taking everything in.

We love hot springs and would love to stay in one of there tradition houses rykon..

What is the best train pass to pre book and would love to ride the bullet trai...
Ueno is good but I found your Sawanoya Ryokan is quite apart. About 25 min walk is required for Ueno according to official information.

It lies on the Metro Chiyoda Line only, and transfer between lines can be complicated.

Access to JR Line is quite poor. Closest is to do metro back to Nishi-Nippori Station. Better to walk to Ueno Station.
How do I get from the airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Manhattan?

What To Do During Layovers?

Vacation Apartment Rentals Violate NYC Laws

Hotels: Kitchenettes and kitchens in 100+ Manhattan Hotels

Hotels: Two queen beds plus a kitchen/kitchenette

Hotels: Guests under 21 years old (but at least 18)

Hotels: Which ones charge an additional Resort or Facilities Fee

Hotels: When is the best time to go for cheaper rates?

What are the Must-See's and Must-Do's?

How Do I Ride the Subway (UPDATED)?

Tips, Hint and Suggestions for First Timers

SCAMS to avoid in NYC

What Will the Weather Be Like During My Trip?

Any Good Websites for Researching My Trip?

How Safe is New York?

Where to Eat in NYC

Where to eat in NYC - Part 2

Celiac in the City? (gluten free)

Which Area Should I Stay In?

Is There Cheaper Lodging Outside Manhattan?

How Much Do I Tip People?

Are the New York Pass, Explorer Pass or CityPass worth it?

How Do I Hail a Taxi?

Public restrooms/toilets. Where do you go when you GOTTA GO?

Where are the best areas for shopping?

How do I find Discount Tickets for Broadway Shows?

Events for Halloween 2019 in NYC

Thanksgiving 2019 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat

Christmastime in NYC 2020: Dates for the Trees-Windows-Markets-Ice Skating+MORE!

Christmas Day 2019 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat

What Should I Do on New Year's Eve?

How Will I Survive the Cold Weather?

Where are the Farmers Markets and Street Fairs?

What is there to see and do near WTC/SOL/Brooklyn Bridge/SI ferry?

What should I know about visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

What Is There to See and Do in Brooklyn?

How Do I Get to the Brooklyn Bridge?

What Is There to See and Do in Queens?

Exploring neighborhoods - where should I go and what should I see?

Which is the best? ESB or TOTR or OWO?

Which are the significant churches in Manhattan?

Hidden Gems in the city - not so touristy

How do I get from NYC to the Meadowlands and back?

I'm Getting Married in NYC...what do I need to do?

Should I Buy Knock-Off Purses?

What to Do with Kids and How to Do It?

What should we do at night -- especially with kids or under 21's?

Places to eat (and drink) with a view

Where is the Old FAQ?

Trip Reports: Families with Young Kids - Add yours!

Trip Reports: Groups of Friends - Add yours!

Trip Reports: Couples - Add yours!

Trip Reports: Families with Teenagers - Add yours!

Trip Reports: Solo Travelers - Add yours!

Trip Reports: Families of Adults - Add yours!
You can purchase untimed ESB tickets that are good for a year. The admission/security lines at that time of night should be relatively quick.

From the Manhattan end of the bridge you can take the 6 train from City Hall to 33rd St or the R/W from a different City Hall station to Herald Square. (The ESB is about halfway between the to stations)

Here's a link to a self-guided walking map of downtown that is a more "realistic" scale than the subway map (and if you haven't wandered that area before there may be a few things you'll want to see before you head uptown) If you wander a bit farther west the walk from the subways that stop at Penn Station are only a couple more crosstown blocks to the ESB
- Amina's grand homecoming party was graced by dignitaries across the political divide

- Speculation is rife as to whether Amina could be gearing up to be a gubernatorial contender

- The Deputy President was among those who graced the auspicious event hosted by Oparanya

- Ruto has made it no secret he considers Western a significant voting bloc in his 2022 succession plans

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed held her thanksgiving ceremony in Kakamega on Saturday, April 14, in a highly stylish homecoming party.

Deputy President William Ruto was among several politicians across the political divide that graced the auspicious event.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

Kakamega Governor Wyclife Oparanya played host to he party that saw thousands flock to witness Amina's thanksgiving.

Ruto during the thanksgiving of Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Kakamega town, Kakamega County. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

READ ALSO: Kakamega governor and CS Amina Mohammed's cars involved in road accident

Ruto urged politicians to cast divisions aside and work towards development to improve the well being of Kenyans across the country.

Amina and Oparanya in candid conversation. Photo: Wycliffe Oparanya/Twitter

In an unprecedented move, Amina decided to take her homecoming back to her roots in Kakamega despite having never really publicly associated herself in the town she was born and raised in.

READ ALSO: ODM declares it will sponsor presidential candidate in 2022 after Raila-Moi handshake

Ministers, MPs and senators across the policial divide graced the event. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Speculation is rife as to whether this could be the beginning of the CS revealing herself as a potential gubernatorial contender come 2022.

The homecoming party was graced by hundreds of dignitaries. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

However, all eyes were on Ruto, who traveled to Kakamega for a second time in only a month in a move that most political pundits may agree to be in line with his 2022 succession plans.

READ ALSO: All the development projects in Kakamega county inspected by Alfred Mutua

Ruto and Wako exchange greetings during the homecoming. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Western regions remains to be pivotal in Ruto's presidential bid and he has made it no secret having focused his energy in the area in a bid to woo political bigwigs from the area to his cause.

CS Amina addresses her guests during the event. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

READ ALSO: Kakamega governor and CS Amina Mohammed's cars involved in road accident

Prior to her homecoming, Amina was nearly a victim of road carnage whilst gearing up for the event.

As TUKO.co.ke formerly reported, Oparanya's car was bizarrely involved in an accident with chase cars belonging to the Kakamega governor and education CS Amina.

Ruto speaks to those in attendance of Amina's homecoming party. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Mohammeds convoy was reportedly headed to Kakamega while Oparanyas was travelling in the opposite direction en route to Kisumu.

Ruto and others including CS Wamalwa at Amina's thanksgiving event. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Oparanya confirmed the incident, adding that no one, including himself and CS Amina was hurt in the incident.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram

ALSO WATCH: From a House girl to an MCA. Tuko / Tuco - Kenya on TUKO tv.

Source: Tuko Kenya
- Ruto argued such a move will not be fair to Kenyans waiting for the government to deliver

- The proposal for constitutional amendment was introduced by Tiati MP William Kamket

- Both Jubilee and NASA leaders initially rejected the proposal

- But the recent unity agreement between Raila and Uhuru reignited the debate

Deputy President William Ruto has made it clear he will not support any attempt to amend the Constitution in order to create new positions in the executive arm of the government.

Speaking in Kakamega County during the homecoming ceremony of Education CS Amina Mohamed on Saturday, April 14, Ruto said Kenyans had just come from a grueling electioneering period and were not ready for another political confrontations.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

Deputy President William Ruto rejected proposal for fresh referendum to amend the Constitution and create new positions in government. Photo:TUKO.

READ ALSO: Kanu MP to table Bill proposing one 7 year presidential term, scrapping of DP position

"Let us not pretend we are going to engage in another exercise of changing the Constitution so that we have political positions to allocate to politicians," Ruto said.

The DP argued a new constitutional referendum will deny millions of Kenyans opportunity to concentrate on building the economy.

"It will be unfair for us as leaders in Kenya that after we have been elected, that again we want to engage the country in another political circus while millions of young people are waiting for jobs," he said.

READ ALSO: Speaker dismisses petition seeking to remove CJ Maraga from office

The proposal to change the Constitution was hatched by Tiati member of Parliament William Kassait Kamket in February 2018.

In his Constitution Amendment Bill, Kassait proposed for the return of position of the prime minister and scrapping of position of deputy president.

READ ALSO: Chebukati moves to salvage IEBC from falling apart amid storm following Chiloba's suspension

According to the proposed Bill, the prime minister was to have executive powers and the president ceremonial powers.

"The Bill seeks to limit the president to a ceremonial role of Head of State and symbol of national unity," Kassait said.

The proposal initially failed to impress MPs from both Jubilee and NASA and was dismissed.

READ ALSO: Just because you're Moi's son doesn't mean we will support you in 2022 - Murkomen tells Gideon Moi

However, debate on the proposed constitutional amendment was reignited by the famous peace pact signed between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former prime minister Raila Odinga on March 9, 2018, at Harambee House.

It is said one of the issues that the two leaders discussed was constitutional review.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Top-5: How to be an African president - detailed guide by Tuko - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Kenya
More assistance for the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Sector, and an increased focus on 
The drones are equipped with modern surveillance cameras.

Ukrainian-made drones, the Spectator-M, have been employed to patrol the administrative border between mainland Ukraine and Russian-occupied Crimea.

"Recently, the Kherson border detachment has received locally produced Spectator-M unmanned aerial vehicles. From now on, the border guards can monitor observance of the border regime not only from the ground, but also from the air," the Azov-Black Sea regional division of the Ukrainian Border Guard Service reported on Facebook on Saturday, April 14.

Read alsoUkraine reports three attacks on OSCE drones in Russian-occupied Donbas since Easter truce

The drones are equipped with modern surveillance cameras covering a distance of up to 50 kilometers at an altitude of up to 2,000 meters.

"At the moment, the Spectator-M drones are being used in the maritime sector the border detachment is in charge of and on the land area on the administrative border with Crimea," the department added.
They used 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars.

Russia's hybrid military forces in eastern Ukraine mounted 52 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in the past 24 hours; three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.

The wounded were immediately hospitalized, the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations said on Facebook on Sunday morning in an update covering the period from 06:00 on April 14 to 06:00 on April 15, 2018.

The enemy used 122mm artillery systems, which are banned under the Minsk peace agreements, to shell Ukrainian positions near the village of Shyrokyne in the Donetsk sector.

Read alsoUkrainian defense minister: Russia masses over 77,000 troops on border with Ukraine

The occupation forces also opened fire from grenade launchers of various systems to attack Ukrainian positions near the towns of Avdiyivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Kamianka, Vodiane, Lebedynske, Talakivka and Butivka coal mine. The villages of Novotroyitske and Vodiane were attacked by infantry fighting vehicles. An anti-aircraft system was used to attack Avdiyivka. The enemy also used large-caliber machine guns to fire at Ukrainian positions near the village of Pavlopil, Hnutove, Novotroyitske, Lebedynske, Vodiane, and Butivka coal mine.

They opened fire from small arms to attack Ukrainian positions near Avdiyivka, Shyrokyne, Lebedynske, Talakivka, Novomykhailivka, Kamianka, and Pavlopil, while Vodiane, Hnutove, Butivka coal mine and Talakivka came under sniper fire.

In the Luhansk direction, the Russian-led forces resorted to proscribed 120mm mortars to shell the defenders of the villages of Zaitseve and Luhanske.

In addition, 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, cannons of infantry fighting vehicles, large-caliber machine-guns were used outside Luhanske, while grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns were used near the village of Mayorsk.
A similar case was reported on April 3.

Members of Russia's hybrid military forces in occupied Donbas, eastern Ukraine, have handed the body of a Ukrainian soldier who went missing on April 8, 2018, while carrying out a combat task along the contact line, over to the Ukrainian side.

Evakuatsia, or Evacuation 200 ["200," or "Cargo 200," a former Soviet military term for dead bodies], a Ukrainian group of volunteers engaged in the search for soldiers killed in the Donbas war, delivered the body for identification and forensic examination, the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations said on Facebook on Sunday, April 15.

Read alsoDonbas update: Russian-led troops use proscribed weapons, wound three Ukrainian soldiers

After these measures are completed and necessary documents are issued, the body will be transported to the burial place.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the Ukrainian army's headquarters reported a similar case on March 29, when a Ukrainian soldier from a military unit stationed in eastern Ukraine went missing. It was reported on April 3 that his body had been found by Russian-led troops and transferred to Ukraine.
United States Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman sent a respective letter to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United States has warned the Russian authorities that new sanctions are in the pipeline for the support of the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

United States Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman sent a respective letter to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian daily newspaper Kommersant reported.

Read alsoCNN: Satellite images show craters at alleged Syrian chemical weapons facilities

"This time it is just 'for the support' of Syrian President Bashar Assad. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly named Bashar Assad 'an animal,' guilty of organizing chemical attacks on his own population," the newspaper said.

In this regard, it said that the first part of the letter "refers to the motives behind the military operation carried out by the Americans and their allies against Syria."

"The United States thinks the Syrian authorities are guilty of using chemical weapons against their own population, and the international community is obliged to take steps to stop Bashar Assad," the newspaper said.

"In the second part of his letter, Jon Huntsman notifies Moscow that Washington intends to roll out new sanctions against it 'for the support of the Syrian regime,'" the newspaper added.

France, the United States and United Kingdom launched joint military action on April 13, firing 105 missiles at the three sites in Syria. The operation was a response to the possible use of chemical weapons in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Syria, resulting into the death of 70  100 people on April 7.
Pence said Iran also is partly to blame in Syria.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says that further use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies, including Russia, in Syria will mean a "price to pay"  military action.

"Our message to Russia is, you're on the wrong side of history," Pence, who is in Peru in U.S. President Donald Trump's place this weekend, told reporters. "It's time for Russia to get the message that President Trump delivered last night. That you're known by the company you keep."

Read alsoRussia facing new U.S. sanctions for support of Assad regime  Russian media

Pence made the remarks after a reporter commented that U.S.-Russia relations have seemed to sour over the last week in particular, as the U.S. accuses Syrian President Bashar Assad of being behind a deadly chemical weapons attack against civilians last weekend in Douma, CBS News said.

Trump, too, has called out Russia, and its president, Vladimir Putin, by name, in the last week.

Pence said Iran also is partly to blame in Syria.

"Russia and Iran are on the wrong side of history," Pence added.

The overnight strikes were carried out by the U.S., United Kingdom and France, consisting of 105 missiles that struck three sites  two storage facilities and one production site for chemical weapons, according to the Pentagon. The Pentagon claims the strikes "hit every target."

Pence's description of the strikes reflected much of Trump's message the night before  including that the U.S. stands ready to respond as needed to any further chemical weapons use by Assad's regime. Pence said the U.S. is "prepared to continue this effort until we are assured that chemical weapons will never be used again against innocent civilians in Syria."
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :While a moderate upturn in the world economy led to more development financing in 2017, a new United Nations report revealed that the vast majority of investment is still short-term oriented, putting global commitments to create sustainable economies at risk.

"The world has the resources to deliver, but they are not allocated where they are needed most," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote in the foreword to the 2018 report, Financing for Development: Progress and Prospects.

The report cites "short-termism" an excessive focus on projects that will yield quick profit at the expense of long-term interests like infrastructure improvement and job training as among the major funding challenges to implementing the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

The UN chief warned: "The choices we make now on financing will be pivotal." The prospects of some 800 million of the world's poorest remain dire, as the annual progress report on how to finance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) revealed that the current system rewards investors, financiers and project managers that prioritize short-term profits " correlating to policy makers" excessive focus on short-term considerations.

The results are shelved infrastructure projects in favour of short term priorities that leave small businesses and women excluded from the financial system. "The good economic news in some regions masks the very real risk that the poorest will be left behind," Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said.

"There is no room for complacency," he added. According to the report, an increasing interest in socially responsible investing is no substitute for a broader transformation in the financial system.

Pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors hold around $80 trillion in assets. But the majority of their resources are invested in liquid assets, such as listed equities and bonds in developed countries.

Investment in infrastructure still represents less than three per cent of pension fund assets, with investment in sustainable infrastructure in developing countries even lower. The lack of long-term investment horizons also means that major risks, such as those from climate change, are not incorporated into decision-making.

"If we do not invest in infrastructure projects like bridges, roads and sewage systems, if the poorest and women are cut off from access to credit and other financial services, we have little prospect of achieving our global goals," Liu stressed.

The report maintains that the solution to the issue lies in a multifaceted approach, which includes changing payment practices and becoming more transparent. "We have to reach beyond the quick fix if we are going to create a world that can sustain all of us," Navid Hanif, Director of Financing for Sustainable Development Office, said.

"Political leadership and public policies are indispensable." The report emphasized that in donor countries, political leaders must do more to meet their commitment to provide financial assistance to the world's most vulnerable countries. APP/ift
(@FahadShabbir)

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 15 APP) :A senior United Nations official has urged India and Pakistan to address their "outstanding issues" through peaceful means, reiterating Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' concern over the growing tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca made these remarks during his talks with top Pakistani officials during a visit to Pakistan which ended on April 13, according to a statement issued by UN spokesman's office.

It said the UN official held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Special Secretary Tasnim Aslam in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 12. He also met with representatives of the diplomatic community and members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).

"Mr. Jenca reiterated that the Secretary-General is concerned about the heightening tensions along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, the statement said, adding, "He echoed the Secretary General's calls for maximum restraint and efforts to de-escalate the situation." Jenca underlined in his conversations in Islamabad that Pakistan's commitment to fostering multilateralism and cooperation was important for peace and stability in the region and beyond.

"He welcomed the decision of Pakistan and Afghanistan to increase cooperation through the implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS)," the UN statement said.

Jenca underscored the importance of this positive momentum for the further advancement of the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, it said. He also commended Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees from Afghanistan and other countries.

Jenca welcomed Pakistan's contribution to UN peacekeeping as one of leading troop-contributing countries, and thanked Pakistan for its close cooperation with UN Country Team. He appreciated Pakistan's support for the UN reform initiatives launched by the Secretary-General, the statement added.

Pakistan is among the top contributors to U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world, with more than 7,000 Pakistanis currently serving as blue helmets. More than 170,000 Pakistanis have served over the past decades.

One hundred and forty seven Pakistani peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of world peace and stability. During the visit, Jenca also participated at a medal parade of the UN Military Observation Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) where the UN recognized the service of its peacekeepers deployed to group, the statement concluded.

(Over the years, UNMOGIP is only able to operate on the Pakistani side of the LoC, as India refuses to cooperate with the military group, claiming it had become irrelevant.) APP/ift
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is organizing the 2nd UNWTO World Conference on Smart Destinations from June 25 to 27. The Conference will discuss the principles of 21st-century tourism destinations, marked by governance, innovation, technology, sustainability and accessibility, said a press release.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation(PTDC) would represent Pakistan in the conference being a top travel destination of the world declared by British Backpacker for 2018. The event, which is being held for the second year in a row, will bring together experts from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges arising from the development, implementation and management of innovative products and services based on new technological solutions.

"Innovation and technology present a unique opportunity to transform tourism into a more competitive, smarter and more sustainable sector," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. According to the Minister of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda of Spain, lvaro Nadal, the Conference is an example of collaboration among all administrations to modernize the sector and improve it technologically.

Nadal said that Asturias has all the qualities for the event to be a success and surpass the 500-participant attendance figure of last year's edition. "Asturias has always been committed to a sustainable tourism model.

That is why we open our doors to this conference, where professionals from all over the world will put innovation at the service of intelligent and responsible tourism development," said the regional Minister of Employment, Industry and Tourism of the Principality of Asturias, Isaac Pola.

The Conference will feature lectures and round tables in which participants will discuss the opportunities and challenges for tourism deriving from the most important digital trends such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the internet of Things, Location Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Blockchain and Virtual & Augmented Reality.

Other topics to be addressed include; digital transformation within destinations, technological solutions to measure the impact of tourism, smart destination governance, the importance of new technologies for sustainable development, as well as the role of open platforms and data management to improve the competitiveness of tourism destinations.

New additions to the Conference: Hackathon and research Immediately preceding the Conference, the first Hackathon for Smart Destinations (#Hack4SD) will be held, focused on the development of smart solutions to boost the sustainability of tourism (23-24 June).

Academics and entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to share their research on the following topics: evidence-based destination management; new technological solutions for monitoring sustainable tourism goals; the linkage between the circular economy and tourism, as well as the importance of accessibility in smart destinations.

The deadline for submission of these research papers is 30 April. Also until 30 April, entrepreneurs and start-ups are invited to submit videos presenting their innovative services or tourism products for smart destinations. APP/zkz/rpt
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Eminent writers and columnists on the third and concluding Day of Literature (Adabi) conference held here on Sunday at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) called for a positive role of the social media in reconstructing the society.

Those who participated in the day's deliberations included renowned writers Iftikhar Arif, Wajaht Masood, Zahida Hina, Manzar Naqvi, Fatima Hasan and Khurshid Nadeem. Welcoming the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui said that the University was playing its positive role in addressing the socio-economic issues of the society through academic, literary and social activities.

The Adabi Conference was the part of Literature carnival that has been made an annual feature to promote role of literature and language in the society's reformation. The third-day's activities included a sitting with famous fiction and story writer Zahida Hina, besides launching of two books 'Chargh Zar, written by Akhtar Usman and 'Jo surat nazar aayee' by Farooq Adil.

Deliberating upon the role of literature and the social media, the participants pointed out that it is the social responsibility of educational institutions to create awareness among the youth as how best they could use the social media for their education and proper brought up.

They appreciated the AIOU for its leading role in projecting healthy practices. Listing the pros and cons of the social media, they said it could be destructive for the society if its proper use is not ensured.

Literature, they said is inter-connected with the society's overall growth and due to its wide-access, the social media has become more dominating. The social media is leaving deep impact on the society, as its access is available to everyone who is free to express himself.

Authenticity and creditability of the contents appeared on facebook, twitter and websites are very important.

There should be a code of conduct for this purpose, they emphasized. During the three-day of literature carnival, altogether there were eleven working sessions which were participated by eminent writers, columnists and books' publishers from all over the country.

They deliberated upon the role of literature in reconstruction of the society. The first-working session was devoted to the issues relating to publication of literature, difficulties in its way and future challenges.

The session was presided over by the Managing Director National Books Foundation, Dr Inamul Haq Javed, who painted an optimistic picture of books' reading habit, stating that the Foundation itself published books worth Rs 3350 million in a period of about one year.

Dr Inam and other speakers including Farrukh Sohail Goindi, Afzal Ahmed, Gagan Shahid (Publishers) called for strengthening publishers-writers relationship to get better results in the books' publication sector.

The follow-up event was a seminar on books' translation and editing that was presided over by Dr Sheraz Dasti. The speakers at the seminar included Yaseem Hameed, Dr Ghulam Ali and Asim Bukhshi.

There were also panel-discussions relating to thoughts and poetic work of saint poet Mian Muhammad Baksh, Sheikh Ayaz and Zaitoon Bano, a strong pakhtoon voice. The conference was inaugurated by the renowned writers Dr.

Atta-Ul-Haq Qasmi and Prof Fateha Muhammad Malik. There was also a separate session of conference that deliberated upon the topic of literature, journalism and politics. It was addressed by prominent columnists Hamid Mir, Rauf Klasra, Wajahat Masood and Wajahat Mansori.

Dean Social Sciences, AIOU Dr Samina Awan thanked the participants for their active participation in the event that she hoped will contribute to the development of a knowledge-based healthy society.
(@mahnoorsheikh03)

Says he never requested for a ticket in his 35-year political career and wont in future as well

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2018) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) senior leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has given his reaction on Maryam Nawazs statement about awarding him a ticket or not in the general elections 2018.

According to media reports, Ch Nisar said, Who asked for a ticket? A statement will be issued about the awarding of ticket in a few days.

It seems like giving me a ticket is the biggest problem of the upcoming general elections. He said that he has never requested for a ticket in his 35-year political career and neither will he in the future.

I do not seek anyones ticket. My powers lie within my faith in Allah and the people of my constituency, he added. He said that people have trusted him since 1985 and hoped that it will remain so. He prayed that he does not come across a situation where he is dependent on someones ticket.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz has said conspiracies through protest demonstrations or sit-ins from day one were being hatched to topple the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government .

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) held sit-ins at D-Chowk to create hurdles in affairs of the PML-N government, he said talking to a private news channel. The minister said people had always trusted on economic programmes of the present government that was why public had elected Nawaz Sharif as premier thrice.

During 70 years, no elected Prime Minister had completed their constitutional tenure, he pointed out. He said the masses wanted political and economic stability and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring economic revolution in the country.

To a query, he said Iqama was not mentioned in Panama papers, even though Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on having an Iqama but not corruption charges.
Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq Saturday said that education and democracy needed to be promoted for ensuring progress, stability and prosperity in the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2018 ) :Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq Saturday said that education and democracy needed to be promoted for ensuring progress, stability and prosperity in the country.

"If we make it our aim to get education and strengthen democracy then Pakistan has no threat from any other country," he said while speaking as a chief guest at a function organized by Rajput International Association.

Zafar ul Haq said Rajput community was the symbol of courage and bravery and their sacrifices had made Pakistan safe and secure. He said Rajput community should play its due role for the development and prosperity of the country, adding all the communities in Pakistan were living like a bouquet.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Punjab Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said Rajput community had played a crucial role in all fields of life. He acknowledged the services of Chairman of the Rajput Association Kanwar Qutbudin for gathering all the Rajput community at one platform with an aim to serve the country wholeheartedly.

Several resolutions were passed on the occasion, condemning terrorism, expressing solidarity with the Kashmiris and for overcoming energy shortage in the country.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2018 ) :Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq Saturday said that education and democracy needed to be promoted for ensuring progress, stability and prosperity in the country.

"If we make it our aim to get education and strengthen democracy then Pakistan has no threat from any other country," he said while speaking as a chief guest at a function organized by Rajput International Association.

Zafar ul Haq said Rajput community was the symbol of courage and bravery and their sacrifices had made Pakistan safe and secure. He said Rajput community should play its due role for the development and prosperity of the country, adding all the communities in Pakistan were living like a bouquet.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Punjab Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said Rajput community had played a crucial role in all fields of life. He acknowledged the services of Chairman of the Rajput Association Kanwar Qutbudin for gathering all the Rajput community at one platform with an aim to serve the country wholeheartedly.

Several resolutions were passed on the occasion, condemning terrorism, expressing solidarity with the Kashmiris and for overcoming energy shortage in the country.
FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) ::A couple and their three children were injured in a roof collapse, in the area of Mansoorabad police station. Police said here Sunday that roof of a dilapidated house owned by Saim caved in at Naqvi Shah Chowk, Mansoorabad when the family was sleeping in a room.

As a result, Saim (30), Sanam (25) and 4-year-old Ghulam Ghaus, 2-year-old Samiullah and 1-year-old Zahid buried under the debris. On receiving information, Rescue 1122 team reached the spot and pulled out the victims and shifted them to hospital where the condition of Sanam, Samiullah and Zahid was stated to be critical. APP/aar/ia/zhr
MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :The Rescue 1122 rescued a man who fell into a well in Budhla Santt area here on Sunday. District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122, Dr Kaleemullah said that Munawar of Mouza Turpai Budhla Santt, accidentally fell down into 100 feet deep well.

He said that rescuers conducted a safe operation and evacuated him from the well, besides shifting him to the Nishtar hospital. APP/sak/gmf
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on Sunday called on Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan Sherali Jononov here at Islamabad and discussed joint tourism cooperation.

Managing Director PTDC said that tourist flow between Pakistan and Tajikistan can be further enhanced by promoting each other's tourism destinations among nationals of both the countries, said a press release. He said that there is an immense potential for joint promotion of tourism between Tajikistan and Pakistan being the sharers of many common cultural values of Muslim brotherhood.

He further added that Pakistan is completely safe and secure tourism destination for tourists from all over the world. We have opened our doors for the tourists from around the world to come and enjoy our hospitality, see and believe that we have the most of nature blessed treasures spread all over Pakistan from Khunjerab to Karachi. PTDC and Tajikistan National Tourism Organization may enter in to an agreement of mutual cooperation, in which, the articles for possible areas of joint tourism promotion will be added.

He said that being one of the most blessed tourism destinations of the World, Pakistan can truly be a most favourite destination for Tajik nationals. Ambassador of Tajikistan Jononov Sherali, appreciated the gesture of goodwill provided by PTDC during visit of high-level delegation from Tajikistan last week, which has been largely appreciated by Tajik government. He added that in order to strengthen the tourism relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan, an establishment of a working group on tourism is already under consideration.

Flight operations will be started shortly once approval is received. He said that entering in to MoU on tourism cooperation will definitely increase tourist flow between the two brotherly countries. He invited Managing Director PTDC to visit Tajikistan and experience the development and environment maintained by Tajikistan.
(@rukhshanmir)

Regional Board Meeting of National Accountability Bureau Rawalpindi was held under the Chairmanship of Irfan Naeem Mangi

GILGIT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2018 ) :Regional board Meeting of National Accountability Bureau Rawalpindi was held under the Chairmanship of Irfan Naeem Mangi, Director General NAB (Rawalpindi) and the Board authorized investigation into two cases of Postal Services Department Gilgit-Baltistan namely Investigation against Hajit Ullah Baig, Postmaster and Shahid Ali, Postmaster.

Accused Hajit Ullah Baig, while serving at different tenures at Post Office Sost, Post Office Gulmit dishonestly and by misusing his authority as Postmaster embezzled Rs. 13.41 millions from 98 different saving bank accounts maintained at these post offices.

While, accused Shahid Ali while serving as Postmaster at different tenures at Post Office Sost & Post Office Gulmit dishonestly and by misusing of authority embezzled Rs. 9.71 million from 69 different Saving Bank Accounts of account holders maintained at these Post Offices.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2018 ) :Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has stressed upon implementing the bilateral 1974 Protocol between India and Pakistan on Visits to Religious Shrines.

The Pakistan Government made assiduous efforts to preserve religious sites and facilitate visits of people of all faiths, he told the Tribune India daily in an interview. Referring to the recent visit of the Sikh Yatrees to Pakistan, he said it was consistent with the government's commitment and in accordance with provisions of the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.

Over 20,000 Sikh pilgrims from across the globe were expected to attend the Baisakhi festival with the main celebrations scheduled for Saturday in Gurdawara Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal. Emphasizing upon the faithful implementation of the bilateral protocol, the high commissioner said the people from different faiths usually wait and prepare for their religious journeys throughout the year.

The Pakistani Zaireens (pilgrims) were not allowed visas to participate in the Urs at Ajmer Sharif and Nizamuddin Auliya in recent months.
MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) ::The process for wheat procurement drive will be started from April 16, Monday across the district. As many as 17 wheat procurement centres have been set up in the district while ADC Revenue Kamran Khan is the focal person.

A meeting of district administration chaired by ADC Revenue was held here to review the arrangements regarding wheat procurement. Speaking on the occasion, the ADC Revenue said that applications for issuing gunny bags would be received from April 16 to 20.

He said that gunny bags would be issued to farmers possessing 10 acre land after approval from the cabinet committee.

He said that scrutiny of applications for gunny bags would be made on April 21-22.

He said that gunny bags distribution to wheat growers would be started from April 24. He said that there is no ban on Inter-district and Inter-provincial transportation of wheat. Kamran directed the officials to make sitting, water and parking arrangements at the centres.

He informed that committees have been constituted at district and tehsil levels to address the complaints of growers. He said that Deputy Commissioner and CPO concerned would be included in the committee. APP/sak/zhr
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Pakistan Railways Rawalpindi Division has planted over 18,000 saplings under spring tree plantation campaign 2018 in different areas of the division including 100 Railway Stations, Railway Colonies, Platforms and other areas for healthier and sustainable environment.

Talking to APP, Divisional Commercial Officer, Railways Rawalpindi, Raza Ali Habib informed that different saplings like Bohar, Sukh Chain, Neem, Mulberry, Sada Bahar, Arjun, Sheesham and others have been planted in the division to make the environment green and beautiful.

To a question he said, the Kohat Railcar, restarted on Jan 25, has gained popularity amongst the residents of the city with more than 74,448 passengers traveling on it in just two months and Pakistan Railways earned over Rs 9.3 million.

The Kohat Railcar is becoming one of the successful trains of Pakistan Railways said Raza Ali. He elaborated that after its re-launch, 36,056 passengers have traveled in 133up from Rawalpindi to Kohat and 38,392 in 134dn from Kohat to Rawalpindi with Rs 4520015 and Rs 4860275 earnings respectively.

He said, the Railcar service was demand of the public which was fulfilled and it has eased travel between Rawalpindi and Kohat.

He informed that due to enhanced security measures, quality service and punctuality, the train passengers are increasing day by day and over 42,56,318 passengers traveled through the rail service during 2017 from Rawalpindi Division.

He said, Pakistan Railways, Rawalpindi Division have earned Rs1612.618 million against the set target of Rs1595.851 million up to Mar 20, during last nine months of 2017-18 financial year. To another question he said, out of total 46 trains running from Rawalpindi Division, 40 including Green Line,Tezgam, Pakistan Express, Hazara Express, eight Lahore Railcars, Mehar Express and Kohat Railcar start journey from Rawalpindi while six including Khyber Mail, Awam Express and Jaffar Express, start their journey from Peshawar and cross through the division.

He informed that to facilitate the passengers of Green Line (5-Up/6-Dn), the Pakistan Railways have reduced over 10 percent rail fares. This year, Pakistan Railways have earned during around nine months of 2017-18 financial year, approximately Rs 33549.928 million against the set target of Rs32606.245 million with Rs 943.683 million additional revenue.

He expressed the hope that this year, Pakistan Railways would earn over Rs 45 billion.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Chairman Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that development works should be initiated in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to address the grievances of the tribal people.

He said this while addressing public gathering on Sunday at Gujrat district Mardan on Sunday. He said that the people of FATA had rendered meritorious sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. QWP chairman lauded the statement of Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa about removing of the check posts and addressing the other core issues.

He said that the easing of check posts and the landmines are vital issues, which should be tackled, so that the peace and stability could be restored. Sherpao expressed satisfaction over the extension of the jurisdiction of superior court to Fata.

He said that it had been delayed, however even than it would be helpful to mitigate suffering of the people. He said that the provision of justice in the killing of Naqeeb Ullah Mehsud should be ensured and the allegedly involved accused Rao Anwar should be brought to justice to address grievances of the family who had suffered.

He said that by calling Rao Anawar a "Brave boy" by PPP leadership had brought uncertainty and increased the reservations. Aftab Sherpao condemned the barbaric Syria attack that and stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity its people.

He said that earlier in Kunduz and now in Syria the attacks where many innocent Muslims were killed had no examples in the annals of the world. He said that good relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have vital significance for the regional security and fight against terrorism.

He also came down hard on the PTI led government that it failed to deliver and in fulfilling its promises with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that PTI was responsible for all the deteriorating conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the start of Rapid Bus Transit (BRT) was based on bad faith by keeping in view the election outcomes.
FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) ::A girl committed suicide over domestic dispute in the area of Jaranwala police station. Police said here Sunday that 13-year-old Gull-e-Sanoobar, resident of Chak No.374-GB swallowed poisonous pills when her parents scolded her over a domestic dispute.

She was shifted to a hospital where she died. The police handed over the body to her relatives after completing necessary formalities. APP/aar/ia/zhr
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :The world's first electrified road that recharges the batteries of cars and trucks driving on it has been opened in Sweden. About 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of electric rail has been embedded in a public road near Stockholm, but the government's roads agency has already drafted a national map for future expansion, The Guardian reported.

Sweden's target of achieving independence from fossil fuel by 2030 requires a 70% reduction in the transport sector. The technology behind the electrification of the road linking Stockholm Arlanda airport to a logistics site outside the capital city aims to solve the thorny problems of keeping electric vehicles charged, and the manufacture of their batteries affordable.

Energy is transferred from two tracks of rail in the road via a movable arm attached to the bottom of a vehicle.

The electrified road is divided into 50-meter sections, with an individual section powered only when a vehicle is above it.

When a vehicle stops, the current is disconnected. The system is able to calculate the vehicle's energy consumption, which enables electricity costs to be debited per vehicle and user. The cost of electrification is said to be 50 times lower than that required to construct an urban tram line.

The Swedish government, represented by a minister at the formal inauguration of the electrified road on Wednesday, is in talks with Berlin about a future network. In 2016, a 2-kilometer stretch of motorway in Sweden was adapted with similar technology but through overhead power lines at lorry level, making it unusable for electric cars. /rpt
Frankfurt am Main, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :German public sector unions were set to begin a decisive round of wage talks with employers Sunday, after staging a series of strikes that caused disruptions at airports, train stations, hospitals and daycare centres.

Some 150,000 public sector workers took part in hours-long "warning strikes" across Germany this week, ramping up the pressure in their push for a six-percent pay increase, or at least an additional 200 Euros a month.

Two previous rounds of talks went nowhere with state and local government employers rejecting the unions' demands as too expensive.

Frank Bsirske, chief of the powerful Verdi union, has threatened more widespread action if no progress is made in the upcoming discussions, but he also expressed optimism a deal could be in sight for Germany's 2.3 million public sector workers.

"The signals I'm getting now should make it possible to reach an acceptable compromise in the third round of negotiations," he told the financial daily Handelsblatt. The unions say their wage demands are justified given the country's record 36.6-billion-euro ($45-billion) budget surplus in 2017 and the economy's robust health.
(@FahadShabbir)

Guatemala City, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :Guatemalan voters were being called out Sunday to decide whether the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should rule on a border dispute with neighboring Belize whose roots go back more than 200 years.

The long-running disagreement has seen tensions spike from time to time, such as two years ago when Guatemala mobilized 3,000 troops along the densely forested unmarked border zone after a border incident in which a Guatemalan teen was fatally shot.

A Belize border patrol had opened fire but an investigation by the Organization of American States ended up finding it not responsible for the death. The referendum was agreed under a 2008 accord to send the dispute to The Hague-based ICJ, if the populations of Guatemala and Belize approved.

Belize has not yet fixed a date for its referendum on the issue, although officials say it could take place next year. The Guatemalan plebiscite question asks voters to respond "yes" or "no" as to whether any legal claims by Guatemala against Belize relating to its territories "should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement" and boundary determination.

The country has an electorate of 7.5 million people, but analysts believe turnout could be as low as 10 percent. The head of Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Maria Eugenia Mijangos, told reporters that voter apathy was a big risk.

Efforts by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales to boost turnout have foundered on the rocks of his low popularity. - 'Very important issue' - On Sunday, Mijangos said: "We are calling on all Guatemalans, especially the youth making up the majority of the electorate, to participate, to go to polling stations to put in their vote on this very important issue which has taken so many years to find a solution to." Guatemala has made claims over more than half of Belize's territory, dating to when its English-speaking neighbor was a British colony known as British Honduras.

The border issue goes back to 1783 when Spain, the former colonial power over what is now Guatemala, gave Britain the right to occupy the territory that became Belize and exploit its timber in exchange for combating piracy.

A century later, it became a British colony. In 1964, British Honduras won the right to self-government, then in 1973 renamed itself Belize. Independence came in 1981, though a British military presence remained until the mid-1990s because Guatemala refused for a decade to recognize it as a new country.

Guatemalans vote was to close at 6 pm (0000 GMT Monday). Observers from 25 countries were on hand to monitor the polling.
Benghazi, Libya, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2018 ) :Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar is receiving treatment at a Paris hospital, his spokesman said late Friday. "During a scheduled visit program to a number of countries, Marshal Haftar felt ill and visited a hospital in Paris for normal checkups," Ahmed al-Mesmari wrote on Twitter.

The 75-year-old Haftar "will be back in Libya within few days," he added. Contradictory information about the strongman's health and possible demise had been circulating in Libyan press and on social media this week.

Haftar had not made any public appearances recently, fueling the rumours. Some local media even announced his death Friday, despite repeated denials from his spokesman and relatives.

The UN said that their envoy, Ghassan Salame, had spoken to Haftar Friday "and discussed the general situation in Libya and the latest political developments in the country," UNSMIL tweeted.

Khalifa Haftar "is very well. He will return to Libya this weekend," a relative of the strongman told AFP speaking on condition of anonymity. Libya has been gripped by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations and multiple militias vying for control of the oil-rich country.
Frankfurt am Main, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2018 ) :German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday voiced alarm over the growing "alienation" between Russia and the West, stressing the need for dialogue as post-Cold War tensions peak.

Speaking to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, Steinmeier said last month's poisoning of a former Russian spy in England, which Britain and its allies blame on Moscow, was "a very serious incident".

"But we should be at least as worried about the galloping alienation between Russia and the West, the consequences of which stretch far beyond this case," the former foreign minister said. Moscow vehemently denies involvement in the nerve agent poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, which triggered a wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western countries.

A dispute over Western intervention in Syria has dramatically added to the tensions in recent days. Defying Russian warnings, the United States, France and Britain carried out air strikes to punish the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, a close Moscow ally, for an alleged deadly chemical attack on the town of Douma.

Russia on Saturday failed to win UN backing for a resolution that would have condemned the "aggression" against Syria, highlighting Moscow's isolation on the international stage.
Age-related androgenic deficiency (DALA) is a pathology that is increasingly cited in recent publications. The cardiovascular risk of testosterone is debated: present for the FDA, absent for the European Medicines Agency in 2015. Our objective was to analyze the association between androgens and vascular pathologies in adverse reactions reported in pharmacovigilance databases.

We conducted a retrospective case series study of the French and Canadian pharmacovigilance databases for the period 2005-2015. Cases were defined as the association of the occurrence of a cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction or stroke) and the presence of testosterone in the treatment of patients.

Of the 10 years analyzed, 12 French cases and 6 Canadian cases (representing 13 MIs and 5 strokes) were recorded in men aged 55 years on average. All were doubtful: differential diagnoses were possible (2.4 confounding conditions on average per patient) and overall cardiovascular risk was high for the majority of cases.

Our study shows a very low report of cardiovascular effects under testosterone, all doubtful. Pending further studies, it seems reasonable to consider the cardiovascular risk of patients who are candidates for hormone therapy for age-related androgen deficiency.

3.

Progres en urologie : journal de l'Association francaise d'urologie et de la Societe francaise d'urologie. 2018 Apr 09 [Epub ahead of print]

M Rochoy, R Thomas, J Bene, D Deleplanque, M-C Vantyghem, S Gautier, D Deplanque, Reseaux francais de pharmacovigilance

Universite de Lille, 59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: ., Universite de Lille, 59000 Lille, France.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29650456
Pope Francis on Saturday meets with the President and Trustees of Villanova University, telling them the University must address contemporary ethical and cultural challenges.

By Christopher Wells

The President and Trustees of Villanova University, who are holding their spring meeting in Rome, were received by Pope Francis in a special audience on Saturday.

Villanova, located just outside of the American city of Philadelphia, was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842. Recalling the schools Augustinian heritage, Pope Francis said the University was founded to preserve and pass on the richness of the Catholic tradition to new generations of students, who like the young Augustine, seek true meaning and value in the true life. To be faithful to that mission, he said, the University must address the ethical and cultural challenges of the modern world.

A universal vision of unity



Pope Francis identified the development of a universal, catholic vision of the unity of our human family, and a commitment to the practical solidarity needed to combat the grave inequalities and injustices that mark todays world, as a particularly urgent aspect of this educational task.

The deepest truth of our lives and destiny



Concluding his remarks, Pope Francis turned once again to the great Bishop of Hippo: No one knew better than Saint Augustine the restlessness of the human heart until it finds its rest in the God who, in Jesus Christ, reveals to us the deepest truth about our lives and our ultimate destiny. He expressed his hope that the time spent in Rome would confirm the trustees in their commitment to the Universitys mission in the service of the truth that makes us free.
Pope Francis expresses closeness to families of journalists murdered in Ecuador

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his sorrow on having received news of the murder of three journalists by a rogue faction of the now disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known as FARC).

I pray for them, and their families, the Pope said, and I am close to the dear Ecuadorian people, encouraging them to go forward, united and peaceful, with the help of the Lord and of His Most Holy Mother.

Ecuadors president, meanwhile, has vowed to find, capture, and punish the killers.

Listen to James Blears' report

Following the confirmation of the murders of reporter Javier Ortega, photographer Paul Rivas and driver Efrain Segarra, kidnapped on March 26th, by gunmen belonging to the Oliver Sinisterra group, Ecuador`s President Lenin Moreno cancelled his trip, to the Summit of the Americas in Peru, vowing immediate action in coordination with Colombian Armed Forces, pledging to fight the terrorists in what he terms: "The realm they choose." He also said: "I will keep my word, as I always do. I will use a strong hand against the criminals. I feel the pain of the relatives." Part of that promise, he said, is offering a reward equivalent to one hundred thousand dollars, for the capture of its leader, known as El Gaucho.

Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Argentina have already sent messages of sympathy and support.
A person who started his business with an investment of only Rs 24,000 through his sheer hard work is now having a turnover of Rs 8 crores. If we learn about the journey of Raghu who has been managing Everest Cement Pipes Company in Perungalathur, Chennai it would inspire every one of to be motivated by the fact that hard work will always fetch great progress. Let us listen what he tells us.

My house in Oragadam is a small hut. My parents were illiterate. But they ensured that I get educated. At the time of my schooling, the ceiling of our hut will leak during rains. Unable to sleep we would be hiding in the corners of our hut. I used to think when others are living safely in their terraced roofs why we should be suffering like this. This condition should change.

After completing my tenth standard, I applied at Chennai Leather Institute to study further. I was asked for community certificate. I applied to Taluk office, as I didnt have a one. They declined to give me that saying Usually, Irulas will be residing in the hilly regions of Ooty and therefore we would not be able to give a certificate for you. I struggled for four years to get a community certificate. But by the time I changed completely.

I learned car driving as I felt I should do any kind of work. Then I began to drive a lorry. My job was to carry and deliver materials for various companies. Some of the companies who witnessed my sincerity offered contracts to me.

While doing that job I learned how to make cement boards. After having learned it thoroughly I started a company making cement boards in 2009. The investment for the company was my hard earned money of Rs 24,000. With that amount, I bought a mold to make cement boards at a cost of Rs 20,000. I kept the balance amount of Rs 4,000 for buying raw materials and other contingencies.

At the beginning, whenever I came to know somebody is building a house I would approach them and request an order for buying cement boards. Many declined it. But some offered the order. As I delivered the product with good quality I kept getting continuous orders.

At the beginning of my business, I earned Rs one lakh from an order received from Villupuram. When I approached Indian Bank, I was told that only when I opened a current account I would be able to realize the cheque. When I was ready to open it I was told to have two recommendations from the existing account holders in the bank. I was in search of finding those two recommenders for four days. In the end, the owners of the company where my wife was working agreed to recommend me. As there would be a delay in realizing the amount of Rs one lakh, the branch manager offered me a loan of Rs 50,000. This was a success to my patience.

As my income was gradually increasing, I utilized the earnings only on my business. During this period I would not take non vegetarian food at home on Sundays. Even if my kids insisted to have it I would manage to avoid it by saying it is a sin to kill an organism. From the beginning, I used to deliver the goods on time, be it a day or night. Someone would ask me to deliver the pipes within two hours on Sundays. As Sundays are holidays no workers would be present. But I would get somebodys help to load the cement pipes and I would drive the lorry to deliver the goods.

I registered myself with MSME in Chennai in 2013. When I decided to expand my business, training and guidance were provided by Barathiya Yuva Sakthi Trust. Not only that, the Trust helped me to get Rs 10 lakhs overdraft facility from Indian Bank as well. I could manage to repay the loan amount within 18 months. I could get additionally a new loan amount of Rs 44 lakh as I repaid the earlier loan on time. There will always be bank support if we repay the loan on time.

Though I studied only up to tenth standards there are four engineers working with me. The annual turnover of my company has reached to Rs 8 crores. It should reach ten cores by next year.

Last year I was able to get an award from the International Mentoring Summit 2017 in Delhi only because of the efforts by Barathiya Yuva Sakthi Trust. Raghu concluded by saying what was so memorable with that award was that I could get directly from Prince Charles.

Break the obstacles and create history. This slogan is the most appropriate for Raghu.
Auntie Caterina is a regular taxi driver, who offers free rides to cancer patients in the Italian city of Florence. She inherited the taxi when her partner died of cancer 17 years ago and says this is a way to honor his legacy. To show gratitude and support of the Tuscany Region, she was recognized for her work last month as its Solidarity Ambassador". VOA Correspondent Mariama Diallo reports.
U.S. special forces in partnership with Afghan counterparts have eliminated 22 Islamic State fighters in a counterterrorism operation in northern Afghanistan.

The operation occurred April 11. The targeted militants were attempting to defend Darzab district, the groups strategic center in Jowzjan province, said a U.S. military statement Sunday.

On April 5, a U.S. airstrike in Darzab killed IS commander for northern Afghanistan Qari Hekmatullah and his bodyguard, dealing a major blow to the group.

The Middle East-based terrorist group runs its regional extremist operations under the name of IS Khorasan or IS-K.

The U.S. military said persistent joint military pressure in Jowzjan has reduced IS-K to an isolated group of fighters devoid of leadership." Since the beginning of the year, 90 IS-K fighters have been killed in Afghanistan, a majority were eliminated in Darzab, the U.S. military added.

The recent Afghan and U.S. special operations raid will lead to the tactical defeat of IS-K in northern Afghanistan, stated Gen. John Nicholson, who commands U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The U.S. military said IS-K in Jowzjan now selects its leaders from a dwindling, revolving door of insurgents with a history of divided loyalties.

Jowzjan is next to Afghanistans border with Central Asian states. IS-Ks increasing footprints in the area have raised alarms in Russia. Moscow insists the terrorist group is establishing its bases in northern Afghan areas to threaten security of Russian regional allies.

IS-K has appointed Mawlavi Habibul Rahman, an Uzbek militant leader, as commander, following Hekmatullah's death. Sundays statement said the new leader has had intermittent ties to both Taliban and militants linked to the outlawed Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

U.S. military commanders, however, dismiss Russian assertions, saying Moscow exaggerates any IS presence in Afghanistan to justify its overt ties to the Taliban insurgency in an attempt to undermine Afghanistans gains against terrorism with the support of international partners.

Afghan leaders said there are currently less than 2,000 IS-K fighters in the country, mainly operating in eastern province near the border with Pakistan and contradicting Russian claims that the number runs into several thousands and that militants fleeing Syria and Iraq are also joining them.
Britain's foreign secretary says there are no plans to launch additional military strikes against Syria but his country and its allies will consider further action if Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons against his people in the future.

"There is no proposal on the table at the moment for further attacks because so far, thank heavens, the Assad regime have not been so foolish as to launch another chemical weapons attack," Boris Johnson told the BBC.

The U.S., France and Britain launched the strikes early Saturday morning, firing 105 missiles at three Syrian chemical weapons facilities  one in the capital of Damascus and two others near Homs, near the border with northern Lebanon.

U.S. military officials said an initial assessment showed every one of the missiles struck its target, reducing the facilities to rubble while avoiding any civilian casualties.

The action was in response to a recent attack in the town of Douma which killed more than 40 people and sickened hundreds more. The U.S. and its allies accused Assad's forces of using chemical weapons. Syria and Russia denied this.

U.S. defense officials say they have high confidence chlorine gas was used and are still assessing evidence indicating the presence of sarin gas. But late Saturday, senior administration officials called the evidence incontrovertible.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry Saturday condemned what it called the brutal American-British-French aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law."



Russia also decried the U.S.-led operation as a failure, saying the majority of the rockets fired at Syria were intercepted by the Syrian government's air defense systems.

President Donald Trump called the joint military action "a perfectly executed strike. On Twitter Saturday, he thanked France and Britain for their "wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better results. Mission Accomplished!"



The U.S ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley warned the U.S. is "locked and loaded" if Syria uses chemical weapons again.

Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
When she was 11, Bonna Neang woke daily at first light to a Khmer Rouge tune broadcast over a public speaker in a hamlet in Cambodias rural Banteay Meanchey province.

The bright, fresh red blood was spilled all over the towns and over the plains of Cambodia, our motherland.  

The child of a Phnom Penh family well-versed in classical Khmer music and appreciative of youngsters at-home dance performances, Bonna Neang Weinstein, now 53, still recalls the lyrics to Build a Revolution.

Today, the mother of three sons and stepmother of three daughters, owns a Philadelphia gallery, Khmer Art, which is dedicated to the revival of Cambodian work. She describes it as a portal to a culture the Khmer Rouge, who captured Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, attempted to eradicate over the next four years.

Among the 1.7 million people who died in a population of 6 million were 90 percent of the nations artists, felled by revolutionaries with the motto To keep you is no gain; to lose you is no loss.

The Khmer Rouge is a dark episode in Cambodias history, Weinstein said. The regime also wiped out the educated, the skilled, the city dwellers and the intellectuals. She said she believes the revival of the arts allows Cambodians to reclaim their heritage because the Khmer Rouge is not us  thats not who we are.

For the world

Ethnomusicologist Sam Sam-Ang, a MacArthur Foundation genius said [Khmer] arts do not only belong to Cambodia, they belong to all human beings in the world.

Today, there is evidence such as Prumsodun Oks Ted Talk on Khmer classical dance that Cambodias traditional cultural life is undergoing a robust renaissance after the Khmer Rouge suppression.

Beauty is the most resistant thing, Ok said in the October talk, which also discusses the intergenerational transfer of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, among Cambodians from Khmer Rouge survivors to their offspring. Beauty is what connects people to time and place.

As those connections strengthen, Khmer artists are taking the traditional into new areas.

Cambodian art is rebuilding and that means both the traditional art, so people who do the classic paintings of Angkor Wat and carving and Buddhist images, said anthropologist Judy Ledgerwood, adding there is a growing body of art that combines traditional themes with modern ideas, and more recently, some very modern work, but still with a Cambodian theme and idea.

Weinstein is one of the many Cambodians determined to use traditional arts, such as dance, music, carving and painting, to revive a rich culture. It is a point of pride.

From the ninth to the 14th century, Khmer culture flourished. Its lasting legacy, the Angkor Wat complex, at its full glory was about the size of Los Angeles. Nonskilled, noneducated people cannot make that, Weinstein said.

Well into the mid-20th century, the Angkor complex anchored a cultural life that was one of the most vibrant southeast Asia, attracting such people as the late Jacqueline Kennedy and inspiring creatives such as the late architect Vann Molyvann.

There was even a vibrant local rock n roll scene featuring the likes of Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Serey Sothea recalled today by the Cambodian Space Project.

Human expression

That Cambodias cosmopolitan heritage could not be eradicated by the Khmer Rouge dream of creating an agrarian utopia speaks not only to Cambodians resilience but to something that makes us all human.

There is no culture without artistic expression, said anthropologist Ledgerwood, who has been conducting research on Khmer culture since 1989.

Think of the cave paintings by early homo sapiens in France, Indonesia and Spain, and recent findings that even Neanderthals may have expressed themselves artistically.

Human beings always look for ways to express themselves through textiles, painting, sculpture, music, dance, even in language itself in the way that we structure our speech, Ledgerwood said.

Which is why authoritarian regimes like the Khmer Rouge target artists.

Joseph Melillo, who brought Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia to New Yorks Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in December, says art allows individual people to think freely and to feel emotionally. ... If you remove artists and intellectuals from your society, that means political power could dictate the style of life and the thinking of the people, because there is no ( group) in other parts of the society that are able to offer an alternative to what artists and intellectuals are articulating.

Creating a role model

Cambodian composer Him Sophy, a Khmer Rouge survivor, built Bangsokol, which is named after a ceremony performed at Cambodian funerals, on Khmer traditional music enhanced by a Western orchestra and a Taiwanese chorus.

Because of my pain during the Khmer Rouge that I cannot forget, I try to express my feelings, emotion and thoughts through the music I compose, said Him Sophy, who lost two older brothers to the regime.

Sam Sam-Ang told VOA that Bangsokol represents Cambodian pride. We created an international art production, and it is a role model for our next generations to show them that we are capable to do it like any other nations in the world.

Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), a nonprofit group that works to support the revival of traditional art forms, commissioned Bangkosol.

Prim Phloeun, CLAs executive director, told VOA that of the Khmer traditional musical instruments played in the performance, the ancient Khmer harp called a pin, attracts the most attention from audiences, in part because it disappeared nearly 900 years ago.

Khmer musician Keo Sonan Kavei, and French ethnomusicologist Patrick Kersale joined Him Sophy to build a pin in 2014, using inscriptions and sculptures on Angkor Wat and Sambo Prey Kok temples as their blueprints.

Sngoun Kavei Sereyroth, one of the two harpists who performed in Bangsokol, is also Him Sophys first harp student.

I play harp because five or six generations of my family are artists. I have art in my blood, said Sngoun Kavei Sereyroth, who started to play the pin when she was 14 years old.

We contribute to the rebirth of Khmer musical instruments and prevent them from disappearing because we have shown those instruments to the young generations, Him Sophy added.

Masters of the arts

Not all artists and artisans use the bas reliefs of Angkor Wat for instructions.

Weinstein, who left Cambodia in 1979 when she was 14, has been able to use family connections to find masters who survived the Khmer Rouge.

During four years under the Khmer Rouge, people say Khmer arts were dying, but thats not true, Weinstein said. For me, I think our Khmer arts were only dormant.

The late Kikuo Morimoto, a Kyoto kimono painter and self-described silk fanatic, traveled throughout Cambodia in 1995, asking from village to village if silk weaving still occurred, according to the Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles (IKTT).

Morimoto found a very few old grandmothers left with the knowledge and skill to produce fine silk and persuaded them to forgo chemical dyes for the plant-based dyes they no longer used. Today, the IKTT trains apprentices who spend a decade learning the spinning, dying and weaving techniques to become master artisans.

My father was a government officer and an artist and culture lover, said Weinstein, who returned to Cambodia for the first time in the early 1990s. His circle was interconnected. I knew how to ask, and how to keep in touch with that group. One friend leads to another friend.

Weinstein found a wood-carving master who was released from a Khmer Rouge labor camp when the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1979. He salvaged as much wood as possible, from temples, big houses, pagodas that the Khmer Rouge had ordered demolished  to save the past, use it in the present and present it to the future.

The wood carving master took on apprentices and, using a book of old drawings, taught them how to carve using the old ways  and by practice, Weinstein said, adding that she saw the same process repeated with coppersmiths, painters and other craftspeople.

The copper pieces we commissioned in Cambodia are hand-chiseled, hand-hammered in a foundry with an open fire. Theres no modern technology at all.

Tapping into these traditions, connects Cambodians, Weinstein said.

The arts, the performing arts, I dont know how we could show our identity without the performing arts, the visual arts, she added.

Ethnomusicologist Sam Sam-Ang suggests the revival of Cambodian arts has an importance that transcends the country, saying if these arts are lost, the world also loses something, and we lose more because we are the owners of our arts.
The Northern Territory government in Australia says it has been approached by nearly 50 Chinese companies looking to buy land to start donkey farms. Demand for donkey products, especially donkey-hide gelatin is increasing in China, while global supplies are falling.



The Northern Territory government has bought a small herd of wild donkeys for its research station near the outback town of Katherine. Earlier this a month of delegation of Chinese business people visited the facility, and up to 50 companies from China have expressed interest in buying land to set up donkey farms.



It is estimated there are up to 60,000 wild donkeys in the Northern Territory. Donkeys were brought to Australia from Africa as pack animals in the 1860s, and many were released when they were no longer needed. For years feral donkeys have been considered a major pest by farmers.The animals trample native vegetation, spread weeds and compete with domestic cattle for food and water.



Now the authorities believe there are economic benefits in captive donkey herds.



Alister Trier, the head of the Northern Territory's department of primary industry believes the donkey trade has a bright future.



"My feel[ing] is the industry will develop but it will not displace the cattle industry, for example, I just do not think that will happen.What it will do is add some diversification opportunities for the use of pastoral land and Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory," said Trier.



In China, donkey skins are boiled down to make gelatin, which is then used in alternative Chinese medicines and cosmetics.



Animal rights campaigners are pressuring the authorities not to allow the live export of donkeys to China, claiming that conditions in transit would be cruel and unacceptable.



Activists also insist that donkeys' health suffers when they are kept in large herds.



The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Australia wants the donkey skin trade stopped altogether because of concerns the animals are being skinned alive overseas and treated with extreme cruelty.
France is urging Russia to join in renewed peace efforts after Western missile strikes on Syria aimed at punishing Bashar Assad for an alleged chemical attack, while the Syrian leader was said to have appeared unfazed Sunday in a meeting with Russian politicians.



The U.S., France and Britain launched dozens of airstrikes early Saturday at sites they said were linked to a chemical weapons program. Assad and his close ally, Russia, have denied government forces ever used such weapons.



Russian politicians who met with Assad on Sunday said he was in high spirits, while Assad was quoted in state media as saying the Western strikes were based on ``lies and misinformation'' at the U.N. Security Council.



Dmitry Sablin, a member of the lower house of the Russian parliament who was part of the delegation that met with Assad Monday, said the Syrian leader appeared upbeat and believed the airstrikes would unify the country.



Syrian opposition activists and first responders say a chemical attack on the town of Douma, near the capital, killed more than 40 people on April 7. A week later, the government regained full control of the town following a surrender deal with the rebels there, and on Sunday it deployed another 5,000 security forces in Douma.



Douma was the last rebel holdout in the eastern Ghouta suburbs, the target of a massive government offensive in February and March that killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands.



Syrian officials and state media have boasted that the Western strikes failed, saying that Syrian air defenses intercepted most of the missiles. The front-page headline of the government daily Tishrin reads: ``Our heroic army shoots down the missiles of aggression.''



The Pentagon says none of the missiles were shot down.



In an interview published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reached out to Russia, saying ``we should join our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that would allow a way out of the crisis.'' French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to strike a similar tone in a televised interview later Sunday.



France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.



British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the BBC he hopes there is no need for additional strikes against Syria, but that Britain and its allies will consider further action if Assad uses chemical weapons in the future.



Johnson told the BBC the airstrikes were proportionate and showed "the world has said enough is enough."



"So far, thank heavens, the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack," he said, adding that Britain and its allies "would study what the options were" in the event of another attack.



U.S. President Donald Trump meanwhile defended his use of the phrase "mission accomplished" to refer to the U.S.-led strikes in Syria.



Trump tweeted on Sunday that the mission was "so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished.'"



"I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!" he wrote.



Trump's use of the phrase Saturday had evoked comparisons with President George W. Bush, who in 2003 stood under a banner that read "Mission Accomplished" as he declared that major combat operations had ended in Iraq six weeks after the invasion. The war dragged on for years.


Thousands of Greeks turned up at a rally and march in central Athens organized by the Communist Party to protest the U.S.-led airstrikes against Syria.

The protesters gathered Saturday at Athens' central Syntagma Square before marching to the U.S. Embassy, chanting anti-U.S. slogans and carrying banners. Some wrote on the pavement in red paint: Americans, murderers of people.''

Police vehicles barricaded access to the embassy and protesters left peacefully.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the Communist Party's leader, blasted Greek politicians for believing "flimsy excuses about a use of chemical weapons'' by Syria. He also criticized their "subservience'' to the EU and NATO, as well as their support for Israel.

He told the crowd the imperialists once again spill the blood of the local people. They destroy and splinter states by using fabricated evidence.''
Thousands of miles from home, Vice President Mike Pence was thrust into a new, more immediate, role on the world stage Saturday: explaining President Donald Trump's military strike in Syria to a summit of Latin America leaders.



Hours after Trump hailed the missile strike targeting the Syria's suspected chemical weapons - tweeting, "Mission Accomplished!" - Pence defended the president while building support among U.S. allies for the joint strikes with Britain and France.



"The objective of the mission the commander in chief gave our military forces and our allies was completely accomplished - with swift professionalism," Pence told reporters, noting there were "no reported civilian casualties."



Later, speaking in a cavernous hall of world leaders at the Summit of the Americas, Pence expressed gratitude to Canada, Colombia and other nations that had voiced support for the strike and urged "every nation in this hemisphere of freedom" to support the military action.



Pence's to-do list included smoothing over differences with Mexico, America's southern neighbor, amid unease over Trump's decision to send troops to the border and harsh rhetoric on immigration. And with tensions simmering over trade, Pence expressed hope alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the three nations could soon agree to a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.



And while Trump grapples with the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Pence sought to draw a bright line against Vladimir Putin's alliance with Syria following the suspected chemical attack. "Our message to Russia is that you're on the wrong side of history," Pence said.



Trump often improvises his remarks and is known for bold declarations in person and on his Twitter account. Pence, meanwhile, tends to be more scripted in his exchanges and frequently glanced down at highlighted index cards as he spoke to Latin American leaders here.



Shortly before Trump's address to the nation Friday night, Pence was whisked away from the summit in his motorcade so he could return to his hotel to inform congressional leaders of the pending missile strikes. Pence watched Trump's speech from his hotel suite, joined by aides.



Unlike past appearances at international summits, the vice president had to dive into the packed agenda on short notice. He learned only Tuesday that he would be attending in Trump's place so the president could manage the U.S. response to Syria.



In meeting after meeting, Pence offered a low-key, extended hand.



Seeking rapprochement with Mexico, which has been at odds with Trump over the border wall and immigration, Pence said the topic of funding for Trump's long-promised border wall did not come up in his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.



Pence said they simply had a difference of opinion and some issues were "set aside, for a later date." Left unsaid was whether Pence's overtures might eventually lead to a joint Trump-Pena Nieto meeting, their first.



Seated alongside Trudeau, Pence said there was a "real possibility" the U.S. could reach a deal with Canada and Mexico on NAFTA "within the next several weeks." Trump has long assailed the trade deal's impact on U.S. workers and threatened to pull the U.S. out if he's unhappy with the terms.



The summit also gave Pence an opportunity to press the case for tougher sanctions and more isolation of Venezuela across the region.



Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was barred from attending the summit over his plans to hold a presidential election that the opposition is boycotting and that many foreign governments consider a sham.



Pence urged Maduro to accept humanitarian aid as the once-prosperous nation deals with humanitarian and economic crises. But he called on the region to take a harder line on Maduro's government, a message he intends to deliver in Brazil next month.



"The United States believes now is the time to do more, much more," he said.



Pence left Peru on Saturday evening and arrived home in Washington early Sunday.
Thousands of people gathered Sunday across India demanding justice for two young victims of rape and raising questions over why safety for children and women still eluded the nation despite tighter laws.



It was the biggest display of public anger in the country since the 2012 gang rape of a physiotherapy student in the Indian capital sparked nationwide protests.



Outrage flared this week after the brutal gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from a Muslim nomad tribe in a Hindu dominated region of Indian Kashmir in January hit national headlines. The case came to attention after lawyers shouting Hindu nationalist slogans tried to block police from filing charges in court against eight accused men, all Hindus.

Among those who had protested their detention were two ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the local Kashmir government.



The two ministers have since resigned after facing accusations of obstructing justice, the Supreme Court has demanded answers from the lawyers for their conduct and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to ensure justice for the accused.

Women shortchanged



But this has failed to quell the growing tide of anger in the country among ordinary men and women. Holding placards in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, they called for swift action to punish the culprits, speedier trials and harsher punishments for child rapists. "Hang the culprits," said many placards.



Among the protesters in New Delhi was 37-year-old professional, Aditi Sengupta. I have reached a saturation point. I am done with the way the country has short changed the women.

The case of a 16-year-old girl in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, who has accused a powerful BJP lawmaker in the state of raping her last June has also stirred anger. The lawmaker was only arrested on Friday, following widespread outrage over the victim's familys allegations the local police had stonewalled their attempts to file a case against him. The family has also accused him of conspiring with his brother to beat up the girls father, who later died in police custody. The case only came to public attention after the young girl tried to kill herself in front of the Chief Ministers office.



The case is now being investigated by federal police.



The need for justice is obvious but what has been happening of late is that it takes too much outrage and so much protest for people to even sit up and say that yes, something is wrong, actress Sameera Reddy, who joined the protestors in Mumbai told a television channel.



Political analysts say the two incidents could have a fallout for the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Modi, which faces national elections next year. In particular the protests by Hindu activists against the arrest of the men accused of raping the eightyear-old in Kashmir have deepened unease that the government is not doing enough to rein in Hindu fringe groups that have been emboldened under BJP rule.



It also shows probably the challenge that is coming from the extreme right, fringe groups to this government, says political analyst Neerja Chowdhury. Maybe I feel it is a turning point.
Iran has released a teachers rights advocate whose arrest last month on unspecified charges drew criticism from global and Iranian rights activists.



The Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) reported Mohammad Habibi was released from Tehrans Evin prison on Sunday on a bail of $60,000. It said the family of the 29-year-old teacher and trade unionist expressed joy at his freedom.



Habibi is a board member of the Tehran branch of the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association (ITTA).



The Iran Human Rights Monitor group, affiliated with the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), confirmed Habibi's release in a Sunday tweet that included a photo of him standing and smiling in a parking lot.



Days after Habibis arrest on March 3, his wife, Khadijeh Pakzamir, told RFE/RLs Radio Farda, a sister network of VOA, that plainclothes security agents had detained and pepper-sprayed her husband outside his school in the town of Shahriar in the western part of Tehran province.

She said the agents also brought him to their home and searched it before sending him to prison without specifying any charges.

In her interview with Radio Farda, Pakzamir accused the security agents of unjustified violent behavior and said her husbands activities always have been peaceful and legal.

Brussels-based group Education International, a global federation of education-sector trade unions, said Iranian authorities had threatened Habibi in the past for his role as a trade union leader. In a statement last month, EI condemned Habibis jailing and Irans continued detention of other education unionists.

ILNA, a moderate conservative news agency, previously reported that Iranian activists had signed an online petition calling for Habibi to be freed and teachers associations had issued statements supporting him.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian Service.
Two prominent Iranian diaspora opposition groups welcomed Saturdays U.S.-led air strikes on Syrian chemical weapons facilities, saying the operation will help save lives in Syrias civil war.



Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) political director Majid Sadeghpour told VOA Persian via Skype that the U.S. and its allies should go further with their military action in Syria.



The next step should be cutting the hand of the Iranian regime and its Revolutionary Guards not only in Syria but all around the region, Sadeghpour said. Without such military action, one should expect more killings of civilians in the region  especially children  by the executioners in Damascus and Tehran.

Iran has stationed Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces in Syria to prop up its President Bashar al-Assad in his seven-year conflict with rebel groups.



OIAC is allied with exiled Iranian dissident movement Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), which leads the France-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and advocates the "overthrow" of "religious dictatorship in Iran.



The U.S.-led military action also won the backing of the Iran National Council for Free Elections opposition group, founded by Iran's exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.



Speaking to VOA Persians NewsHour program from Paris, the groups political officer, Reza Pirzadeh, said the targeting of chemical weapons facilities will have a preventive effect.
Iranian authorities have begun to crack down on days of protests against water shortages in Irans third largest city of Isfahan.

In a social media video monitored by VOA Persian and identified as filmed in Isfahans eastern district of Khorasgan on Saturday, Iranian police can be heard firing into the air as an officer using a megaphone tells protesters that their gathering is illegal and they must disperse.

WATCH: Police attempt to break up protest in Khorasgan, Iran

It was the fifth consecutive day that social media users reported water-related protests in the city. But Saturdays video was the first to show police taking action to break up the demonstrations.

The protest movement expanded on Friday, with conservative women from area farms seen marching in Isfahan for the first time in a social media video identified as having been filmed that day.

The Iranian governments Shiite prayer leader in Isfahan, Ayatollah Yousef Tabatabaye-nejad, lost patience with the protesters on Friday, accusing them of seeking to cause riots and sedition.

An exiled Iranian opposition website posted what it said was an audio clip of Isfahan residents reacting to that accusation, chanting shame on you, leave us alone.

Iranian farmers in Isfahan provinces rural town of Varzaneh began protesting water shortages in February, angered by authorities diverting local river water to the neighboring province of Yazd for use in industry. Those protests escalated into violent confrontations with security forces last month.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian Service
Syria's army command on Saturday announced that the eastern Ghouta region was free of militants, following the departure of the last rebel fighters from the city of Douma towards the north of the country, state media reported, citing a statement by the Syrian army general command.

"All the terrorists have left Douma city, their last bastion in eastern Ghouta," the statement said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed a high-ranking Chinese diplomat in Pyongyang Saturday, roughly two weeks after Kim's surprise visit to Beijing, state media reported.

Song Tao, the head of China's ruling Communist Party's International Department, led an art troupe to North Korea to attend an arts festival.

The two leaders "reached important consensus, and the meeting achieved fruitful results," Kim said, according to Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency.

The meeting is the latest in a flurry of diplomacy between the two countries since Kim's historic visit to China last month.

During their meeting, Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the importance of maintaining the close China-North Korea alliance that had grown tense over Pyongyangs defiant nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Xi supported increasingly harsh U.S.-led sanctions to pressure Kim to re-enter talks to end his threatening nuclear program in exchange for ending economic restrictions, increasing assistance and providing security guarantees.

Kim is scheduled to meet with South Korean president Moon Jae In April 27, and with U.S. President Donald Trump in May or June.
Suspected Islamic State militants in southwestern Pakistan have shot dead two members of the minority Christian community and wounded at least five others.



Police and witnesses said the victims were leaving a church in the city of Quetta after attending the Sunday service when gunmen on motorbike sprayed them with bullets and fled the scene.



Islamic State, through its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility for the shooting incident.



The terrorist group, without providing evidence, said its regional affiliate, Khorasan Province, carried out the attack, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist threats.



This was the second IS-plotted attack on Christians in Quetta this month.



On April 2, gunmen stopped a three-wheeler rickshaw on a main road and killed four members of the minority community. The slain Christians belonged to the same family.



Two IS suicide bombers assaulted a crowded church in Quetta last December, killing nine people and injuring 30 others.



Pakistan officials allege IS loyalists use bases in neighboring Afghanistan to plot terrorist attacks against the country and have been calling on Kabul to go after the militant sanctuaries.


Pope Francis called on world leaders on Sunday to renew efforts to bring peace to Syria, saying he was deeply troubled by their failure to agree on a joint plan to end the bloodshed.

"I appeal again to all the political leaders, so that justice and peace prevail," he said in his weekly address to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

"I am deeply disturbed by the current world situation, in which, despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action in favorof peace in Syria and other regions of the world," he said.

Last Sunday, the pope denounced a reported gas attack in Syria as an unjustifiable use of "instruments of extermination".

The United States, France and Britain fired dozens of missiles early Saturday to strike at Syria's chemical weapons program -- the biggest intervention yet by Western countries against Syria, which is backed by Russia and Iran.
Myanmar said Saturday it has repatriated its first family of Rohingya refugees.

Rights groups say the move amounts to a publicity stunt because security concerns for the returning Rohingyas have not been addressed.

The United Nations refugee group said Friday the conditions in Myanmar "are not yet conducive for returns to be safe, dignified, and sustainable. The responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the Myanmar authorities and these must go beyond the preparation of physical infrastructure to facilitate logistical arrangements."

Myanmar said in a statement that the family of five has completed the repatriation process and is temporarily staying with relatives in Maungdaw town, near the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The statement said the family has been issued a national verification card. However, the card does not identify them as Myanmar citizens.

Rohingya leaders have rejected the ID cards, saying they want full rights and citizenship for Rohingyas who have faced persecution in Myanmar for decades.

The family is among the estimated 700,000 minority Rohingya Muslims who fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar's northern Rakhine state for neighboring Bangladesh. The exodus began in August after attacks by Rohingya militants on state security forces led to military reprisals that the U.N. says were executed in a well-organized, systematic and coordinated manner and amount to a "textbook example" of ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar denies the ethnic cleansing charge, saying its troops targeted Rohingya militants.

The Myanmar government statement did not give any details about the return of any other refugees.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are sheltering at Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh. They have given harrowing accounts of Myanmar security forces killing and raping Rohingyas while looting and burning their villages in Rakhine state.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has wrapped up a multination tour and charm offensive after meetings in Spain, France, Britain, Egypt and the United States. The 32-year-old heir to the Saudi throne has crafted an image as a reformer, but remains a divisive figure as the man behind aggressive Saudi actions in the Middle East and a controversial corruption probe inside his country.

In November, hundreds of business leaders and members of the Saudi royal family were detained in what investigators called an effort to root out corruption. The probe was ordered by King Salman and conducted by his son, the crown prince. Most of the detainees were released in January after paying fines and forfeiting what Saudi officials say exceeded $100 billion in assets.

The crown prince serves as Saudi defense minister and has come under intense criticism for the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen against Houthi rebels, who are fighting the government of Yemen's President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The Saudis say the rebels are a proxy for Iran.

The United Nations and human rights groups say thousands of Yemeni civilians have been killed and that the war has created a humanitarian crisis.

In 2016, the Saudis admitted to having used controversial cluster bombs, which release explosive sub-munitions, or bomblets. The rebels have conducted a number of missile attacks targeting Saudis.

Prince Mohammed is also seen as the man behind a Saudi diplomatic standoff with Qatar and the force behind reported Saudi meddling in Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri announced in November while he was in Saudi Arabia that he was resigning, sparking widespread speculation that bin Salman had forced the move. Hariri later retracted his resignation.

Domestic front

On the domestic front, the crown prince's liberalization efforts include the reopening of movie theaters, which have been closed in Saudi Arabia for decades. In addition, women will be permitted to drive and religious morality police have seen their power reduced in the kingdom.

Under a plan called Vision 2030, Prince Mohammed hopes to transform the Saudi economy, building its private sector over the next 12 years. The cornerstone of the plan is the sale of a 5 percent stake of state oil firm Aramco through an initial public offering, the largest IPO ever.

United States

During three weeks in the United States, Prince Mohammed met with President Donald Trump, Hollywood luminaries and News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch. The prince visited Google in California's technology corridor known as Silicon Valley and traveled to Boeing in Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, the prince spoke with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, promoting the image as a reformer and modernizer.

Skepticism

Some analysts say they are skeptical, seeing the prince's anti-corruption drive as a consolidation of power against rival factions of the Saudi royal family and his reform measures as superficial. James Gelvin, a historian of the Middle East at UCLA, says the crown prince is just as avaricious as his relatives.

"He spent $450 million on a da Vinci painting," said Gelvin. "He spent about the same amount of money on a yacht. This is par for the course in Saudi Arabia."

Still, the crown prince is making a difference, says a career diplomat who is now an analyst at the Middle East Institute in Washington. Gerald Feierstein was U.S. ambassador to Yemen from 2010 to 2013.

"While we're seeing major initiatives on the economic and social sides" in Saudi Arabia, Feierstein said that 70 percent of the Saudi population is under the age of 30, and is increasingly educated and urbanized. Feierstein says many want more than the cradle-to-grave security and government jobs that satisfied an earlier generation.

"They want to see and live in a Saudi Arabia that's more modern, that's more open, that's more tolerant of diversities of opinion," he said, but noted that the crown prince "has been very clear in saying that he is not a political reformer."

Prince Mohammed has also been harshly criticized for his domestic policies.

"There are currently approximately 20 human rights activists, non-violent peaceful human rights activists who are facing long jail terms," Gelvin said. "If he were to release even one of those, I'm sure the world might cut him a break on being a reformer. But so far, he hasn't."

Feierstein says Mohammed bin Salman is learning on the job as the public face of the Saudi government. "He's only been at this for less than a year," Feierstein said. "We'll see whether his evolution as a leader continues."

Gelvin says that Middle Eastern leaders who are billed as reformers have been disappointments or disasters, such as Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, whom Gelvin says turned out to be a worse human rights abuser than his father, Hafez al-Assad. Even the crown prince's supporters say he faces hurdles as the leader-in-waiting of a highly conservative country with a history of autocratic rule.
The flood of South Sudanese refugees from the country's 5-year civil war has been called a children's crisis.



More than 60 percent of the well over one million refugees who have poured into neighboring Uganda are under the age of 18, government and United Nations officials say. More than two million people have fled South Sudan overall.



Amid the fighting, over 75,000 children have found themselves on their own in Uganda and other neighboring countries, according to the U.N. refugee agency, separated from their families in the chaos or sent by their parents to relative safety.



While many children have reunited with relatives after crossing the border, others are matched by aid workers with foster families in an effort to minimize the disruption in their lives. Without parents, some children are left vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, aid workers say.



Some teenagers find themselves the head of their households, taking care of siblings.



One 16-year-old boy now takes care of his younger brother. "My father was shot in the war," he said. "And then my mother, I don't know where she went." He doesn't know if she's dead or alive.



The brothers fled to Uganda on the back of a car after seeing their father's body on a street in their village. After arriving in Uganda they were taken to a reception center run by the U.N. refugee agency.



Efforts to support the children have been hurt by a recent scandal in Uganda in which officials were accused of inflating refugee numbers to siphon off aid money. That has shaken international donors.



Aid workers say resources are stretched thin as they try to place the unaccompanied children with foster families with close ethnic ties.



It's crucial to place children with families that speak the same language, said James Kamira, a child protection expert with the World Vision aid agency.



One young mother of two, Beatrice Tumalu, now takes care of eight other children who are not her own.



"I feel pity for them," she said, as she grew up under similar circumstances during the years that South Sudan fought for independence from Sudan. That independence was won in 2011, and South Sudan's civil war broke out two years later.



The unaccompanied children have little of that aid workers call psychosocial support to help deal with trauma. In one refugee settlement just six case workers are available for 78,000 children, according to the Danish Refugee Council.



Another 16-year-old said his parents died three years ago in South Sudan. He walked into Uganda last year and later was placed with a foster family from another ethnic group.



"Staying there, it is not very well," he said of the cultural and communication issues.



Sitting against a tree, he opened the Bible he carried with him and began to cry as he read one passage: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."



South Sudan's many unaccompanied children need stability and education or "we can lose actually that generation," warned Basil Droti, who is in charge of child protection at one settlement for the Danish Refugee Council.


An American pastor imprisoned in Turkey since December 2016 went on trial Monday, facing up to 35 years in prison.

Andrew Brunson is facing charges of "committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member" and "espionage". He was arrested over a year ago for alleged connections to both an outlawed Kurdish insurgent group and followers of exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey has branded a terrorist.

Brunson has denied all allegations against him. The United States has repeatedly asked Turkey to release him, including a demand from U.S. President Donald Trump to "expeditiously" return the pastor.

In September, Turkey said it would release Brunson if the United States extradited Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.

"They say 'give us the pastor'. You have a preacher [Gulen] there. Give him to us, and we will try [Brunson] and give him back," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised speech.

Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for 23 years, and his wife, Norine, were arrested for alleged immigration violations in October 2016. She was released, while his charges have been upgraded to supporting Gulen's network, which Turkey has labeled a terrorist organization.

The couple ran a Christian church in the Aegean city of Izmir.

A decree last August gave Erdogan the power to extradite foreigners in exchange for Turkish prisoners abroad in "situations where it is necessary for national security or in the country's interests. Turkey has repeatedly asked the United States to extradite Pennsylvania-based Gulen, accusing him of organizing the failed 2016 military coup. Gulen denies any role in the failed coup.

U.S. relations with Turkey have soured recently over a number of issues, including what the U.S. sees as Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian rule.
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday that the U.S. would launch new missile strikes against his regime if he carries out another chemical weapons attack.

Haley told Fox News, "If Assad doesn't get it" after Saturday's barrage of 105 missiles fired by the U.S., Britain and France at three Syrian chemical weapons facilities, "it's going to hurt. There will be more. We can't allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons."

She said that it is "entirely up to Assad" whether the missile attack on Syria was a one-time response to the suspected chemical attack by Syrian forces a week ago that killed more than 40 people or part of a continuing allied military effort.

"We'll see how smart he is," Haley said. "We'll watch his actions. Hopefully he's gotten the message."

In a separate interview, Haley told CBS News that new sanctions against Russia, which has forces in Syria supporting the Assad regime, would be announced Monday that would "go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use."

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter, "The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished.' I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!"

Haley, in her Fox News interview, also defended its use as a military term, rather than as a broader political statement. After the middle-of-the-night attack on Syria, some U.S. television commentators poked fun at Trump's use of the "Mission accomplished" term, first used in 2003 by former President George W. Bush, who claimed prematurely and wrongly that the U.S. had successfully completed its military attack on Iraq.

"We all know our work in Syria is not done," she said.

Haley rejected the premise posed by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace that the U.S. has condoned Assad's use of conventional weapons to kill rebels attacking his forces, just not chemical agents.

"I don't say we've ever said it's OK," she said. "We can't control what a country does to its people."

With Russian involvement in Syria and Moscow condemning Saturday's allied missile strike, Haley acknowledged that U.S.-Russian relations are at a low point.

"Everything that has strained the relationship is on Russia's side," she said, adding that the U.S. hopes for improved relations with Moscow, but that "we're not going to put up with bad behavior to get it."

Much like U.S. statements, Britain's foreign secretary Boris Johnson said there are no plans to launch additional military strikes against Syria, but that his country and its allies will consider further action if Assad uses chemical weapons against his people in the future.

U.S. military officials said an initial assessment showed every one of the missiles struck its target on Saturday, reducing the facilities to rubble while avoiding any civilian casualties. The operation targeted three Syrian chemical weapons facilities  one in the capital of Damascus and two others near Homs, near the border with northern Lebanon.

The action was in response to a recent deadly attack in the town of Douma. The U.S. and its allies accused Assad's forces of using chemical weapons, a claim Syria and Russia have rejected.

U.S. defense officials say they have high confidence chlorine gas was used and are still assessing evidence indicating the presence of sarin gas. But late Saturday, senior administration officials called the evidence incontrovertible.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry Saturday condemned what it called the brutal American-British-French aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law."



Russia also decried the U.S.-led operation as a failure, saying the majority of the rockets fired at Syria were intercepted by the Syrian government's air defense systems.

Russian news agencies reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call, told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani there would be chaos in international relations if there are further Western strikes on Syria.
Pakistan says cross-border fire from Afghanistan Sunday killed two Pakistani paramilitary soldiers and wounded five others.

A military spokesman said its personnel were conducting routine "surveillance" in the remote Kurram region to plug gaps and make necessary preparations to start fencing the border when they came under attack from the other side.

Army spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor said an engagement between military officials of the two countries is underway to defuse [the] situation.

Pakistani troops, he added, are exercising maximum restraint to avoid any Afghan civilian casualties on the other side of the border.

Earlier, a regional Afghan police chief told VOA the clashes broke out along the Zazi Maidan border district in southeastern province of Khost adjacent to Kurram.

General Abdul Hanan Zadran claimed two Pakistani border forces were killed and several others were wounded. He confirmed one Afghan civilian fatality on his side but local media reported the death of at least two Afghan border forces while several others were wounded.

Pakistani army spokesman Ghafoor told VOA it was not clear whether Afghan military or border police forces initiated the cross-border fire "because there is no Afghan border post in the near vicinity.



Pakistan and Afghanistan share a nearly 2,600-kilometer largely porous border. The Pakistani military has recently started constructing a robust fence on the border in its bid to prevent illegal crossings in either direction.

Afghan authorities oppose Pakistani plans of fencing the frontier because Kabul disputes the former British era demarcation.

The Afghan government earlier this month accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes and firing hundreds of shells in their eastern border province of Kunar, charges Islamabad rejected.



Pakistani officials maintain that fugitive militants hiding in ungoverned Afghan border areas plot terrorist attacks against the country and military forces are conducting operations inside their own territory to deter such attacks.

Islamabad maintains fencing of the border will help address mutual concerns of illegal terrorist infiltration.

Afghanistan has long accused Pakistan of sheltering and helping Taliban insurgents, charges Pakistani officials deny.
Italian made stroller (bought in the USA). Great, tough stroller handles rough pavement in Rome. It folds up small with one hand, with the wheels down, which is wonderful for public transport, and also for storage in restaurants or small closets. It reclines in three levels, the last is almost flat for napping. We've loved this stroller here in Rome, but our son is now old enough to walk and we're headed back to the US soon. Hoping to give it a good new home. Retails for 150 euros.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
To the Editor:

Every so often new words that puzzle enter our conversations.

Such as: Bitcoin, groping, the cloud, streaming, artificial intelligence, virtual reality.

Help.

Larry Aasen

Westport

Current town issue

To the Editor:

Im a physician and a long time resident of Westport. My field is Internal Medicine but I also spent two years on the staff of Hallbrooke Hospital as head of the drug addiction and methadone maintenance program, and am very familiar with controlled drug issues.

The key mistake people make isconfusing street use of marijuana which can blight lives and neighborhoods, with medical use which can benefit suffering human beings.

Every drug ever used can heal or can harm. Digitalis can benefit a failing heart, or in excess lead to serious complications. Antibiotics can heal but in excess also can cause serious problems.

Medical Marijuana dispensaries are pharmacies, a special kind of pharmacy, with much greater regulation and supervision than any other pharmacy. No one there can or will write a prescription for you. And you cannot bring a paper prescription from a doctor. In CT all controlled substance prescriptions must be electronically sent by the doctor to the pharmacy, which can call the doctor to confirm, eliminating altered or stolen prescriptions.

There are additional checks. Since 2013 every RX for a controlled substance in CT is reported at once to a central data base. Every patients controlled drug history is there, eliminating patients going to multiple MDs for prescriptions. And every doctors prescription history is there too, to identify a physician whose practice consists of writing controlled drug prescriptions. This can lead to suspension or revocation of his medical license.

There are 30 serious diseases

recognized by the CT DCP (Dept of Consumer Protection) as legitimate indications for medical marijuana. List available on Google. If you or someone you love, or a complete stranger, have one of these diseases, it is inhuman to deprive them of ready access to proven help. I hope everyone can agree on that.

Robert G Schneider

Westport

Flexing for FLEX

To the Editor:

I am writing on behalf of the Westport Library Board of Trustees, staff, donors and friends to express deep gratitude to the community for its extraordinary support of our recent FLEX: experiences  five days of exciting events at the Library.

When the Transformation Project is complete in 2019, a hallmark of the new Library will be flexibility. One night, the space will be able to host more than 650 people for a large concert or lecture, then the next day, return to a space suitable for collaborative and independent reading, reflection and study. On Wednesday, March 21, we kicked off these FLEX: experiences which were designed specifically to give the community a preview of our future flexibility by bringing together art, authors, music, cinema, dance, food and more in unexpected ways.

The events began with a luncheon hosted by New York Times bestselling author Jane Green and headlined by Sam Kass, former White House Chef and Executive Director of Michelle Obamas Lets Move! campaign. On Thursday, we screened two classic films starring Westport icons Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Thursday evening, gourmet guru Ruth Reichl joined us for a Food Lovers Q&A with local restaurateur Bill Taibe, Annie Farrell of Millstone Farm and Lulu Powers. Friday was Unplugged day at the Library, and we welcomed a dozen local authors for conversation with our audience. In the evening, the Librarys Great Hall transformed into a lounge with performances from a half a dozen local acts. Saturday night we hosted Rock & Roll Stories at the Michael Friedman Gallery, featuring firsthand stories about some of musics biggest icons. FLEX wrapped up with a Family Day filled with fun: story time with a half a dozen local childrens authors, face-painting, arts and crafts, an incredible flash mob all MCd by local tech guru David Pogue.

During FLEX, nearly 3,000 people came to the Library for the events themselves and to get a preview of the new space. We were thrilled to welcome old friends, new faces and an extraordinary array of talented individuals from near and far. These events would not have been such a success without support from the community. In particular, we would like to acknowledge our partners and sponsors including: Moffly Media, The Water People, Pepperidge Farm, Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Arogya Tea, Tarry Lodge, Compo Farm Flowers, Stew Leonards, Stew Leonards Wine, Trader Joes, Riverside Realty Group, Intensity Fitness, Soma Samadhi, Faces Beautiful, Rye Ridge Deli, Tuttis, Via Sforza, Dance Express w/ Luisa, BeMoved, Sky Zone, New England Smart Energy, Positano, Savannah Bee Company, Veracious Beer and Wine, M.EAT, Spotted Horse, Granola Bar, Green & Tonic, Shake Shack, Athleta, Aux Delices, Faces Beautiful, Soleil Toile, Sakura, Westports Academy of Dance and Posh Spa.

Next year, our community will have an exceptional, flexible, innovative 21st century Library boasting an extraordinary variety of features and functions: an expansive Forum on the main level, a completely updated Childrens Library; an expanded cafe; an increased number of conference rooms and quiet areas; beautiful panoramic views of the Saugatuck River; an entire level dedicated to the adult book collection; a professional, state-of-the-art recording studio; a larger MakerSpace and so much more.

We have no doubt the new building will be spectacular - complete with the latest technology, the best amenities and an exceptional collection of materials. But without people, a spectacular building full of features is nothing more than just that - it needs a community to bring it to life. We need you, our community, not only to use and enjoy the space and programming, but also to continue to support our mission. We are more than 88% of the way to our fundraising goal for the project, and we invite you to participate in bringing us across the finish line.

Please come visit us at the Library, see whats happening first-hand and learn more about the future of your Library!

Bill Harmer

executive director

The Westport Library

Politician indecisive, uninformed

To the Editor:

My word cloud for Peter Lumaj: indecisive, uninformed, demeaning and a bull*****er.

Sunday morning I had breakfast with Lumaj and a few other people. I can say without a doubt that there are better ways to spend the morning.

He easily grasped at and assumed I do not talk or pay attention to politics when it was said that me and my mother do not talk politics. (She is hard right; I am slightly left.) I found it shocking he easily accepted his own idea that I had a lack of political knowledge, as if I am an empty head.

The entire breakfast was blatant finger-pointing and blaming, rather than informative or conversational. The dirty words liberal, Democrat and this generation seeped out of his mouth more than carbon dioxide. In my opinion, this is the worst attribute of a politician for our government. We should all be working together and forming an alliance to make life better for all.

From what I could understand, this generation doesnt matter and we are just lazy and entitled. Yup, heard that all before. The lazy assumption was when he looked at me and stated, It is good and OK to work, you know? after he and others talked about this generation not wanting to work. Well, to answer your question, I do know that, as I have consistently had a job since I was 16. Sometimes having two or three at a time. At one point I was working 70 hours a week while taking five courses at an accredited state university, where the lowest grade I earned was a B-plus. All of my friends work and most also attend school, so I really do not understand how you call our generation lazy.

The idea that this generation does not matter was built up by the continued degrading comments and no offense, but statements (directed at me and the other 26-year-old at the table).

Lumaj spoke about his arrival in America, spending six months taking refuge in a church basement and learning English. The church supported them and it allowed his family time to settle and succeed. A truly heartfelt American dream tale. Then he complained about immigrants who come to this country and live off of welfare. Immigrants are not allowed to receive welfare benefits for the first five years after arrival due to the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Most places only allot eight months worth of benefits for only refugees. About the same amount of time his family stayed at the church. His family survived and flourished and added to the economy because of the help of others, resulting in a successful family owned and operated real estate business. Churches support refugees from donations and grants. In other words, they used taxpayer money to help others, similar to welfare benefits. This is interesting information coming from someone who claimed he had never received government assistance.

Connecticut does not need another politician who wont actually do anything, ignore the people and discredit a huge majority of the population. We are affected by the crashed housing market, increased college tuition, high rent, high taxes and low wages. This generation is really not to be blamed for these problems of today.

Deanna Gauthier
Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, manufacturing, education, financial, and resource industries, as well as government agencies in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, custom manufactured modular facilities, and blast resistant structures. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary products and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, demobilization, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The company also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. Black Diamond Group Limited markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read More
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE engages in the manufacture of luxury goods. It operates through the following business segments: Wines & Spirits, Fashion & Leather Goods, Perfumes & Cosmetics, Watches & Jewelry, Selective Retailing, and Other Activities & Eliminations. The Wines & Spirits segment produces and sells high quality champagne wines and sparkling wines. It also distributes vodka and white liquor. The Fashion & Leather Goods segment engages in the manufacture of luggage items, bags, accessories, shoes and clothes. The Perfumes & Cosmetics segment engages in the production and distribution of make-up, perfume and skin care products. The Watches & Jewelry segment manufactures luxury watches and accessories form men and women. It specializes in the field of chronographs and ultimate precision. The Selective Retailing segment is organized to promote an environment that is appropriate to the image and status of the luxury brands. It engages in the sale of luxury products to international travelers and on board cruise ships. This segment also manages beauty stores that combine direct access and customer assistance to customers. The Other Activities & Eliminations segment i

Read More
The following companies are subsidiares of Danaher: AB SCIEX, AB Sciex Germany GmbH, AB Sciex LLC, AB Sciex LP, AB Sciex Pte Ltd., Accu-Sort Systems, Acme Cleveland Corporation, Advanced Vision Technology, American Precision Industries, Applied Biosystems, Applitek NV, Aquatic Infomatics ULC, Aquatic Informatics, Armstrong Tools, BC Distribution BV, Beckman Coulter, Beckman Coulter Australia Pty Ltd, Beckman Coulter Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Beckman Coulter Biyomedikal Urunler Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited [irketi], Beckman Coulter Canada LP, Beckman Coulter Commercial Enterprise (China) Co. Ltd., Beckman Coulter France S.A.S., Beckman Coulter G.m.b.H., Beckman Coulter Genomics Inc., Beckman Coulter Hong Kong Limited, Beckman Coulter Inc., Beckman Coulter India Private Limited, Beckman Coulter International SA, Beckman Coulter International Shanghai Trading Co., Beckman Coulter Ireland Inc., Beckman Coulter K.K., Beckman Coulter Korea Ltd., Beckman Coulter Laboratory Systems (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Beckman Coulter Limited Liability Company, Beckman Coulter Mishima KK, Beckman Coulter Nederland B.V., Beckman Coulter Nippon GK, Beckman Coulter S.L.U., Beckman Coulter Saudi Arabia Co.Ltd., Beckman Coulter Srl, Beckman Coulter Taiwan Inc., Beckman Coulter United Kingdom Limited, Beckman Coulter de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Beckman Coulter do Brasil Ltda., Beckman Finance ApS, Beckman Holdings Ltd., BioTector Analytical Systems Ltd, Biosafe S.A., Blue Software LLC, Cepheid, Cepheid AB, Cepheid Europe SAS, Cepheid GmbH, Cepheid HBDC SAS, Cepheid UK Ltd., ChemTreat, ChemTreat Inc., ChemTreat International Inc., Cispus Hong Kong Holding Limited, Cytiva, Cytiva BioProcess R&D AB, Cytiva Biotechnology (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Cytiva Biotechnology (Hang Zhou) Co. Ltd., Cytiva Europe GmbH, Cytiva Sweden AB, Cytiva Sweden Holding AB, DH Europe Finance II Sarl, DH Europe Finance Sarl, DH Holding Italia SRL, DH Japan Finance Sarl, DH Life Sciences LLC, DH Netherlands BV, DH Technologies Development Pte Ltd., DHKAB Company AB, DTIL Ireland Holdings Ltd., Danaher (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Danaher Hong Kong Limited, Danaher Medical ApS, Delta Consolidated Industries, Devicore Medical Products Inc., Easco Hand Tools, Esko, Esko BV, Esko Finance BV, Esko Graphics BV, Esko Software BV, FHAB Company AB, Fluke, G. Lufft Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, GE Biopharma, Gelman Sciences Inc., Gendex, Genetix Group, Gilbarco Veeder Root, Gilzoni Ltd., Global Life Sciences Solutions Austria GmbH & Co. KG, Global Life Sciences Solutions Germany GmbH, Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Ltd., Global Life Sciences Solutions Manufacturing UK Ltd, Global Life Sciences Solutions New Zealand, Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd, Global Life Sciences Solutions Singapore Pte Ltd, Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC, Global Life Sciences Technologies (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Global Life Sciences Technologies Japan KK, Hach Company, Hach Lange Finance GmbH, Hach Lange GmbH, Hach Lange Sarl, Hach Sales & Services Canada LP, Hach Ultra Japan KK, Hach Water Quality Analytical Instru. (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., HemoCue AB, HyClone Laboratories LLC, Hybritech Incorporated, Hyclone Life Sciences Solutions India Private Limited, IDBS Group, IRIS International, Imaging Sciences International, Immunotech SAS, Immunotech Sro, Intabio LLC, Integrated DNA Technologies, Integrated DNA Technologies BVBA, Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Integrated DNA Technologies Pte. Ltd., Iris International Inc., Joslyn Holding Company LLC, KVHG GmbH, KaVo, KaVo Kerr, Kaltenbach & Voigt, Keithley Instruments, Kipp & Zonen BV, Kollmorgen, Labcyte Inc., Laetus, Leica Biosystems Imaging Inc., Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd, Leica Biosystems Newcastle Limited, Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH, Leica Biosystems Richmond Inc., Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte Limited, Leica Microsystems, Leica Microsystems (UK) Limited, Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH, Leica Microsystems Cambridge Limited, Leica Microsystems IR GmbH, Leica Microsystems Inc., Leica Microsystems Limited, Leica Microsystems Ltd. Shanghai, Leica Mikrosysteme Vertrieb GmbH, Life Sciences Holdings France SAS*, Lifschultz Industries, Linx Printing Technologies, Linx Printing Technologies Limited, MDS Analytical Technologies, Marconi Data Systems, McCrometer Inc., Microtest, Molecular Devices, Molecular Devices (Austria) GmbH, Molecular Devices LLC, Navman Wireless, Navman Wireless OEM Solutions, Nihon Pall Ltd., Nihon Pall Manufacturing Limited, Nobel Biocare, OTT Hydromet Corp, Pall, Pall (Canada) ULC, Pall (China) Co. Ltd., Pall (Schweiz) GmbH, Pall Aeropower Corporation, Pall Artelis BVBA, Pall Asia Holdings Inc., Pall Australia Pty. Ltd., Pall Austria Filter Ges.m.b.h, Pall Corporation, Pall Europe Limited, Pall Filtersystems GmbH, Pall Filtration Pte. Ltd., Pall Filtration and Separations Group Inc., Pall France SAS, Pall GmbH, Pall India Pvt. Ltd., Pall International Sarl, Pall Italia Srl, Pall Korea Ltd., Pall Life Sciences Belgium BV, Pall Life Sciences Puerto Rico LLC, Pall Manufacturing UK Limited, Pall Medistad BV, Pall Netherlands BV Irish Branch, Pall Technology UK Limited, PaloDEX, Pantone LLC, Pelton & Crane, Phenomenex, Phenomenex Inc., Precision NanoSystems, QHC Ireland Finance Limited, Radiometer, Radiometer Basel AG, Radiometer K.K., Radiometer Medical ApS, Radiometer Medical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Radiometer Turku Oy, Raytek, Reytek Corporation, SH Switzerland Finance Sarl, Sea-Bird Electronics Inc., SenDx Medical Inc., Shanghai AB Sciex Analytical Instrument Trading Co. Ltd., Sutron, Sybron Dental Specialties, TCIL Ireland Finance Ltd., Tektronix, Thomson Industries, Tianjin Bonna-Agela Technologies Co. Ltd., Trojan Technologies, Trojan Technologies Group ULC, VSS Monitoring, Videojet Do Brasil Comercio de Equipamentos Para Codificacao Industrial Ltda., Videojet Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Videojet Technologies Europe B.V., Videojet Technologies Inc., Viridor Waste Management Limited, Vision Systems Limited, Willett International, X-Ray Optical Systems Inc., X-Rite, X-Rite Europe GmbH, X-Rite Incorporated, X-Rite Switzerland GmbH, XOS, Yukon Hong Kong Holding Limited, and Zhuhai S.E.Z. Videojet Electronics Ltd..
If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs.
Everest Re Group Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of reinsurance and insurance services. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Reinsurance, International, Bermuda, and Insurance. The U.S. Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including marine, aviation, surety, and accident and health business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S. The International segment offers foreign property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re's branches in Canada and Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami, and New Jersey. The Bermuda segment comprises reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets through brokers and directly with ceding companies from its Bermuda office and reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets through its UK branch and Ireland Re. The Insurance segment writes property and casualty insurance directly and through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents within the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartere

Read More
Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides meat products and snacks, deli products, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, salads and kettle products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, muffins, breads, pastas, and baking and sushi products, as well as processed meat products. It is also involved in the distribution of food products, including meat, seafood, and halal food products, as well as operation of retail/convenience store and concessionary, and provision of food and seafood processing services. The company operates under the brand names of Harvest Meats, Hempler's, Grimm's Fine Foods, Piller's, Freybe, Isernio's, Expresco, SJ Fine Foods, McSweeney's, Made Rite, Fletcher's, Deli Chef, Belmont Meats, Conte Foods, SK Food Group, Oven Pride, Hygaard, Quality Fast Foods, HQ Fine Foods, Creekside Custom Foods, Stuyver's Bread, Bread Garden Express, Audrey's Patisserie, Duso's, Gourmet Chef, Island City Baking, Skilcor, Leadbetter's, Mclean Meats, Buddy's Kitchen, Raybern's, Partner's Crackers, Shaw Bakers, Oberto, Concord Meats, Country Prime Meats, The Meat Factory, and Golden Valley Farms. It serves chains and large format retailers, independent and specialty retailers, foodservice operators, foodservice distributors, and other food manufacturers and food brokers. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.

Read More
Wall Street analysts have given CGI Group a "Buy" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but CGI Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Esquire

After a rough week, President Trump blew off some steam Thursday night by ordering an investigation of the Post Office's finances. Just before 9 p.m., Trump issued an executive order creating a government task force to examine the unsustainable financial path of the United States Postal Service. Why? It's hard to argue it's for any other reason than a petty grudge.

Late last month, the president fired off several tweets attacking Amazon and its CEO Jeff Bezos, who last October became the richest man in the world. In 2013, Bezos bought The Washington Post, one of the president's favorite purveyors of Fake News. Since 2015 Trump has accused Bezos of using the paper as a "lobbyist" for Amazon, claiming that the online retailer is getting away with not paying taxes.

Trump's criticism of Amazon has grown to include how the company uses the USPS as its "Delivery Boy," causing it to "LOSE A FORTUNE." It's unclear what spurred Trump's latest tirade-which has been unleashed across six tweets since March 29-although it's likely the result of a few unfavorable stories in The Washington Post.

I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2018

Trump prides himself as a counter-puncher, and now that he's president, he has the federal government at his disposal. What does this new "task force" stand to discover? Probably what everyone else seems to already know: Amazon actually makes money for the USPS.

The Post Office does offer Amazon a cheaper shipping rate because of the volume the company guarantees. By no stretch of the imagination is Amazon causing the USPS to lose a "fortune," as Trump insists. In fact, most experts agree Amazon is helping keep the Post Office solvent. While the USPS has lost money of each the last 11 years, its packages and shipping department is booming, hauling in $19 billion in revenue in 2017.

Story continues

The thing is, the USPS couldn't even lose money on Amazon if it wanted to. A law passed in 2006 stipulates that the Post Office must set its prices high enough to at least break even with each of its clients.

Photo credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images - Getty Images

For Trump, there's also the issue of Amazon not paying taxes. This, too, is false. According to the New York Times, Amazon paid an average tax rate of 13 percent from 2007 to 2015, which is lower than average but higher than companies like Facebook and Boeing. (Never mind that Trump's entire career in real estate was built on fighting New York City for exorbitant tax breaks.)

Trump could be referring to sales tax, which Amazon avoided (legally) in various states for years. As of last April, however, the company pays sales tax in all 45 states that have one. Experts and advisers have reportedly attempted to explain all of this to Trump, but he's only doubled down.

Only fools, or worse, are saying that our money losing Post Office makes money with Amazon. THEY LOSE A FORTUNE, and this will be changed. Also, our fully tax paying retailers are closing stores all over the country...not a level playing field! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2018

I am right about Amazon costing the United States Post Office massive amounts of money for being their Delivery Boy. Amazon should pay these costs (plus) and not have them bourne by the American Taxpayer. Many billions of dollars. P.O. leaders dont have a clue (or do they?)! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2018

Now, to stick it to everyone, he's putting the government into action to satisfy whatever insecurity has led to his latest imaginary feud. The only possible outcome is Trump forces the USPS to raise its rates for Amazon, and Amazon shifts more of its business to FedEx or UPS-it currently uses the Post Office for about 40 percent of its package deliveries-and the USPS suffers for it.

He could get a few good tweets out of it, though.

You Might Also Like
Boko Haram has abducted more than 1,000 children in northeast Nigeria since 2013, the United Nations' children's agency announced Friday.

The number of children kidnapped by the Nigerian terrorist group includes 276 girls snatched from a boarding school in the northeast town of Chibok on the night of April 14, 2014, four years ago today.

Some of the Chibok schoolgirls managed to escape, while others were later rescued or freed following negotiations. But four years on from that fateful night, more than 100 of them have yet to be returned to their families, according to UNICEF.

"The four-year anniversary of the Chibok abduction reminds us that children in northeastern Nigeria continue to come under attack at a shocking scale," Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, said in a statement Friday. "They are consistently targeted and exposed to brutal violence in their homes, schools and public places."

PHOTO: The leader of one of Boko Haram's factions, Abubakar Shekau, speaks in front of guards in an unknown location in Nigeria in this still image taken from an undated video obtained on Jan. 15, 2018. (Boko Haram/Sahara Reporters via Reuters)

Since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in the northeast region nine years ago, at least 2,295 teachers have been killed and over 1,400 schools have been destroyed. Most of these schools haven't been able to reopen due to extensive damage or ongoing insecurity in the area, according to UNICEF.

Most recently, suspected Boko Haram fighters abducted 110 students from an girls' boarding school in the northeast town of Dapchi in the middle of the night on Feb. 19. More than a month later, 104 of the schoolgirls were freed by their captors following "back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country," according to Segun Adeyemi, spokesman for Nigeria's Ministry of Information and Culture.

PHOTO: A classroom sits deserted at the Government Girls Technical College at Dapchi town in northern Nigeria after Boko Haram Islamists kidnapped 110 school girls, Feb. 28, 2018. (Aminu Abubakar/AFP/Getty Images)

One of the Dapchi schoolgirls, Liya Sharibu, wasn't released because she had apparently refused her captors' orders to convert from Chistianity to Islam, her father told reporters. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed in a statement that Sharibu is "the only Dapchi schoolgirl still in captivity," adding that she "will not be abandoned."

Story continues

Five other Dapchi schoolgirls who remain unaccounted for are believed to have died at the hands of their captors.

Nigerian schoolgirl who 'refused to denounce Christ' remains captive after dozens freed, father says

Boko Haram releases new video claiming to show Chibok girls: 'We are never coming back'

PHOTO: Released Nigerian school girls who were kidnapped from their school in Dapchi, in the northeastern state of Yobe, wait to meet the Nigerian president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on March 23, 2018. (Philip Ojisua/AFP/Getty Images)

The relentless onslaughts show not even children and schools are spared from Boko Haram's wrath -- rather, they are the targets.

The Nigerian jihadist group's uprising was fueled largely through the group's systematic campaign of abducting children and forcing thousands of girls and boys into their ranks, according to a report issued in April 2017 by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

PHOTO: A man reacts as dead bodies are brought to a hospital after a suspected Boko Haram attack on the edge of Maiduguri's inner city, Nigeria April 2, 2018. (Ahmed Kingimi/Reuters)

Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates into, "Western education is forbidden," seeks to establish an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, though it has spread its terror across mountainous borders over the years into Niger, Chad and Cameroon, all of which surround the Lake Chad Basin.

"These repeated attacks against children in schools are unconscionable," Fall said. "Children have the right to education and protection, and the classroom must be a place where they are safe from harm."

PHOTO: Rescue workers carry a body of a victim following a suicide attack by Boko Haram Islamic extremists in Maiduguri, Nigeria, April 2, 2018. (Jossy Ola/AP)

Nigerian authorities have made a commitment to make schools safer and more resilient to attacks, UNICEF said. But the region's deepening humanitarian crisis, mainly sparked by Boko Haram's years-long insurgency, remains one of the world's most severe. Since the conflict began in 2009, more than 20,000 people have been killed and 1.7 million people are still internally displaced.

United Nations officials have warned that the crisis shows no sign of abating.

"The crisis continues to displace thousands of vulnerable women, children and men every week," Edward Kallon, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, said in a statement last month.
It's been a rough week for Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, a lawyer who seems to never have anticipated passing any kind of scrutiny, public, legal, or otherwise. But while the week started out bad enough, with the FBI raiding his office, by the weekend his problems had snowballed to the point where you would almost feel bad for the guy had he not chosen to work for one of the pettiest public figures in U.S. history.

Let's take a look at just how bad things have gotten for Cohen in such a short amount of time: The Wall Street Journal broke the story that Cohen helped Republican donor Elliott Broidy arrange a $1.6 million payment to an ex-Playmate he allegedly got pregnant, in a deal that sounds pretty similar to the nondisclosure agreement he set up with Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors announced that Cohen was the subject of a criminal probe that's been months in the making. McClatchy reported that Robert Mueller's team has evidence that Cohen went to Prague in the summer of 2016. That might not sound like a big deal on its own, but as Philip Bump points out at the Washington Post, that would corroborate part of the infamous Steele dossier, which brings us one step closer to a timeline where the pee tape is finally, definitely real.

And because Trump seems either hellbent on handing more material to the FBI or still doesn't understand how anything anywhere works, the president rounded out the week by calling Cohen, just to see how everything's going. Per the New York Times:

Mr. Trump called Mr. Cohen on Friday to check in, according to two people briefed on the call. Depending on what else was discussed, the call could be problematic, as lawyers typically advise their clients against discussing investigations.

Mr. Cohen has publicly declared that he would defend the president to the end, but court documents show that prosecutors are building a significant case that could put pressure on him to cooperate and tell investigators what he knows.

Story continues

This is particularly hilarious since it also came out this week that Cohen often recorded his phone calls, giving investigators a trove of evidence to go through. On top of all that, attorneys are arguing that any Stormy Daniels-related communications aren't protected by attorney-client privilege because one particular client of Cohen's said he never knew anything about that whole NDA thing.

Cohen is due back in court Monday, where presumably the hole he's in now will just keep getting deeper. And it's probably safe to expect Trump to launch more airstrikes in Syria as he gropes for something to distract from the inept grifters he's surrounded himself with for years.
An Ohio woman who survived for nearly two years after being covered in flames at a gas station in 2015  leaving her with burns on about 90 percent of her body  was able to testify against her accused attacker before she died last summer.

On Friday, a judge ruled that her recorded testimony can be used at the upcoming murder trial of Judy Malinowskis 42-year-old ex-boyfriend Michael Slager, PEOPLE confirms.

Slagers defense attorney Mark Collins says he believes the decision is a first for the state and possibly the nation.

She may be the only victim to testify in their own murder trial, he says.

Ron OBrien, the Franklin County prosecutor, said not being able to use the testimony would not have crippled their case, but certainly we think it enhances our ability to present what happened that day, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Malinowskis testimony was reportedly recorded five months before she succumbed to her injuries, following a January 2017 court order allowing her to be deposed under civil procedure.

An attorney for Slager was present at the time and, according to local TV station WCMH, two-thirds of her testimony was cross-examination by the defense  a fact the judge noted in ruling it admissible at the murder trial.

Whats more, the judge said, Malinowski underwent extensive mental examination finding her competent before she testified.

Malinowskis mother, Bonnie Bowes, said she was so grateful that Judy can tell her story  She went to her grave thinking that the judicial system would unseal her side of the story, the Dispatch reports.

Judy fought to tell her story, Bowes said, according to WCMH. I think its the first step towards what her legacy should and will be.

Bowes said that in her deposition Malinowski was extremely frail and she was burned, but yet could very clearly articulate what happened, where she was, fear, everything that you would expect. Im so proud of her and I know one day Ill see her, although my heart will be forever broken without her.

Story continues

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Judy Malinowski

The Defense Reacts

It is what it is, Collins said after the Friday ruling, according to WCMH. [The judge] gave a detailed account of what he believed the rules and the case law shows. Whether we disagree or not is not a big deal. We move forward and keep preparing for the case.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Collins declined to address the contents of Malinowskis deposition but confirmed the Friday ruling allows prosecutors the option of using it.

He says it remains unclear which parts they may seek to share with the jury and whether it will be a central part of their case (which he says would make an appeal more likely) or merely be used to rebut the defense.

There were many objections registered by the defense during Malinowskis testimony and the trial judge will have to sort through those in deciding which parts of the deposition are specifically usable, Collins says.

The defense had argued that because the testimony was taken under the rules of civil law, Slagers attorneys were not allowed to prepare adequately for their cross-examination.

Nonetheless, Collins says, there were some positive things in the deposition.

Prosecutors did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Saturday.

Michael W. Slager

The Case So Far

Malinowski, a mom to two daughters, died on June 27 at 33 having never recovered from what authorities said was an arson attack by Slager, then her estranged boyfriend, on Aug. 2, 2015.

Prosecutors have said that Slager doused Malinowski with gasoline before using a cigarette lighter to catch her on fire while they were at a gas station in Gahanna, Ohio, three years ago.

A 911 caller at the scene said they appeared to have been arguing beforehand, according to the Dispatch.

The witness reported that Slager used a fire extinguisher to try and put out the flames and an attorney for him previously called it an accident.

Collins, Slagers defense attorney, says they will vigorously dispute that the fire was intentionally set.

Court records show that in December 2016, Slager pleaded no contest to the three criminal charges he faced while Malinowski was still alive: aggravated arson, possession of criminal tools and assault.

He was sentenced to 11 years, the maximum, with a years credit for time already served.

Once Malinowski died, however, a grand jury indicted Slager in October on charges of murder and aggravated murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. If convicted of the most serious charge, he could receive the death penalty.

He remains behind bars pending trial, which is set to begin in July.

She showed unbelievable strength over the last two years, Malinowskis mom told PEOPLE not long after her daughters death. I really dont know how she did it.

Bowes said last year that Malinowskis decision to testify meant she had to back off her pain medications, but that didnt stop her.

It was important to her that she stand up to him in whatever way she could, Bowes said. She said in the video that no human being should hurt like this  not even the devil should feel this kind of pain. 
I honestly never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but I dont know whether the current president of the United States was with prostitutes peeing on each other in Moscow in 2013 . . . Its possible, but I dont know.

You wake up on Friday, put on the TV, and this what you hear former FBI head James Comey saying. You go out to lunch, and when you come back, you find out Scooter Libby was pardoned by President Trump. (You cant even remember who this is! You have to Google him!) You take an afternoon break and learn that presidential lawyer/fixer Michael Cohen may soon be indicted; you go out to dinner and when you get home you discover that the U.S. and its allies have launched a missile strike against Syria.

And thats just one day in the life of the nation! On Wednesday, the Ayn Rand aficionado, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, apparently deciding that the passage of his Draconian tax cuts was enough of a triumph and he neednt stick around to dismantle social security and Medicare, announced that he will not run for reelection. Will he find the sort of interesting employment that his predecessor John Boehner has just accepted? Back in 2009 Boehner said he was unalterably opposed to legalizing marijuana, but we guess it all depends on what you mean by unalterably: Earlier this week, Boehner announced that he is joining the board of a cannabis company, Acreage Holdings, because his thinking on cannabis has evolved.

On the same day that Ryan hung up his dancing shoes, the president ruminated via tweet: Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy! Is it any wonder that Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was reportedly telling confidantes all week that he is prepared to be fired?

Story continues

And speaking of crazy, would any sane person tweet, A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished! as Trump did on Saturday morning? Those last two words were the very phrase that haunted the Bush administration after the former president stood under a banner emblazoned with them in 2003, describing the U.S. incursion in Iraq, a misadventure that turned out to be anything but accomplished, and would go on for another eight years.

Who is that gentleman strolling up Madison Avenue in a sporty plaid jacket, on his way to have lunch at Barneys? Why, its Michael Cohen, now under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice, and putting on a good face since the FBI raided his apartment, hotel room, and office on Monday, seizing business records, documents, computers, and cell phones. Fascinating tidbits of what the feds are looking for have emerged: nefarious business dealings and suspicious bank transactions; various payoffs to Trump paramours and an RNC functionary caught with his literal pants down; the connection between the Access Hollywood tape and the release of anti-Hillary WikiLeaks emails. And most delicious of all: The purported existence of thousandsmaybe millionsof recorded phone calls between Cohen and his clients. Of course, it is largely assumed that he has only one client, and we know who that is.

Need a hint? Hes the guy who pardoned Scooter Libby on Friday, in a move that baffled the nation, but whose meaning was likely clear for an intended audience of oh, let us say, four: Paul Manafort, Mike Flynn, Jared Kushnerand Michael Cohen. To this quartet, one of whom is already wearing an ankle bracelet, the message is clear: If you are convicted of lying to the FBI, as Bush aide Libby was back in 2007, no worriesthe person who James Comey has described as untethered to truth stands ready to pardon you.
Paris (France) (AFP) - Around 15 militants have been killed in an attack on a United Nations base in northern Mali's historic city of Timbuktu, the French military told AFP on Sunday.

The UN's MINUSMA force said one of its peacekeepers had been killed in Saturday's four-hour rocket, mortar and car bomb attack at international troops' "Super Camp" neighbouring Timbuktu's airport. Seven others were wounded along with two civilians.

France said seven of its soldiers were hurt, lowering an initial toll from Malian authorities who had said a dozen French troops were wounded.

Some of the assailants, who have yet to be identified, came disguised as peacekeepers in order to sow confusion among troops trying to repel the attack.

MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif praised the peacekeepers who "valiantly repulsed in close coordination with the international forces" this "massive and far-reaching attack".

"This attack illustrates once again the cowardice for terrorist groups in the face of which the United Nations and their partners continue to stand opposed with unfailing determination," he said in a statement.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix deplored the assault on Twitter, vowing: "Our determination to support peace in Mali remains unshakeable."

French military spokesman Patrik Steiger said the attackers had "failed in their objective of causing the maximum damage possible".

"Around 15 (attackers) were killed," he added, some of them outside the military camp's outer walls.

"Some attackers managed to enter, including some disguised as peacekeepers," he said, adding that friendly fire was not involved.

Mali's security ministry said Saturday the assailants had tried to detonate two car bombs, one of them a vehicle in the colours of the Malian armed forces and the other carrying the UN logo.

The first exploded while troops managed to immobilise the second, the ministry said.

Story continues

The French military said there had been three car bombs.

Steiger said allied troops managed to regain control with the help of fighter jets sent from a French base in neighbouring Niger as well as helicopters carrying elite troops.

"By dawn the situation was stable," he said.

Mali's unrest stems from a 2012 Tuareg separatist uprising against the state which was exploited by jihadists in order to take over key cities in the north.

More than a dozen of Timbuktu's holy shrines, built in the 15th and 16th centuries when the city was revered as a centre of Islamic learning, were razed in a campaign against idolatry by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The extremists were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

But vast stretches of the country remain out of the control of Malian, French and UN forces, which are frequent targets of attacks.

The UN's Timbuktu Super Camp, where Saturday's attack took place, was already the scene of an assault last May which killed a Liberian peacekeeper and wounded nine.

In August 2017, armed men launched another assault on the camp, which hosts MINUSMA contingents from numerous countries. Seven security force members and six attackers were killed, according to the UN.
ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria has criticized air strikes carried out by the United States, France and Britain against Syria, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said on Saturday. U.S., British and French forces struck Syria with more than 100 missiles on Saturday, targeting what they called chemical weapons sites in retaliation for a poison gas attack. "Algeria can only regret the strikes," Ouyahia told reporters. He added that it was necessary to wait for the findings of an investigation into the alleged chemical attack before taking any steps. (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Writing by Ulf Laessing)
Washington (United States) (AFP) - With Donald Trump in the White House, the end of the Castro era in Cuba next week is unlikely to bring warmer relations, analysts say.

President Raul Castro will step down on April 19, ending nearly 60 years of Castro family rule after his brother Fidel seized power during the 1959 Communist revolution.

Decades of Cold War tension with the United States followed, until Trump's predecessor Barack Obama and Raul Castro in December 2014 announced a warming of relations.

The two countries reopened their embassies and Obama made a historic visit to Cuba in 2016.

But Trump vowed to crack down when he assumed office in January 2017. He tightened restrictions on US travelers to Cuba, and relations have cooled.

Raul Castro's Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, 57, is poised to assume the presidency -- but his ascension still needs to be formally confirmed.

He would be the first Cuban leader not to have fought in the revolution, but analysts say US domestic politics will play a more crucial role in shaping Havana-Washington ties.

"Unless Diaz-Canel or another comes along and changes things radically, I don't imagine there is going to be much change," said Elizabeth Newhouse, director of the Cuba program at the Center for International Policy, a Washington-based research and advocacy group.

This is because it will not do Trump any good politically to change his views towards Cuba, she said.

His supporters in Florida -- a state whose lawmakers lead the way on Cuba policy -- "want to see this relationship in some kind of freeze, exactly where it is right now," Newhouse told AFP.

If Diaz-Canel assumes power he will not significantly change the relationship, added Mavis Anderson, a Cuba specialist at the Latin American Working Group which has pushed for a thawing of tensions.

The ball is in the US's court right now and that is "sad, because the court is broken," she told AFP.

Story continues

Anderson and Newhouse agreed that Trump's administration has put foreign policy into the hands of hardline conservatives, including Mike Pompeo -- still to be confirmed as secretary of state -- and National Security Advisor John Bolton.

At the same time, Cuba-specific policy is led by a pair of ultra-conservative legislators of Cuban origin: Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, both of Florida.

In this environment, analysts said an obvious first step would be to leave behind the controversy over mysterious "attacks" on the health of diplomats in Cuba and make the US embassy in Havana fully operational again.

- 'His hands are tied' -

In March, the State Department said it will permanently scale back its mission to Cuba, which had already been operating with a reduced staff since September 2017, when diplomats and relatives were evacuated because of the health incident.

In all, at least 24 US envoys and family members fell ill with symptoms that resembled concussion but with no exterior signs of trauma, leaving investigators baffled.

The strange illnesses were not only confined to the US embassy. In January, a senior Canadian official said 27 Canadian diplomats and family members were tested after complaining between April and December of dizziness, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds or sleeplessness.

Newhouse noted that Philip Goldberg, the new interim charge d'affaires at the US embassy in Cuba, "would like to see the relationship moving forward. But his hands are tied."

The Havana embassy has now been declared an "unaccompanied post" where staff are not joined by families.

This designation must end as it "is causing harm to the Cubans," Anderson said.

Although much of the decades-old US economic embargo against Cuba remained entrenched in law, Obama's administration began to loosen some rules, particularly with the aim of boosting travel.

Trump tightened those regulations again.

"The rapprochement process is stagnant but it can be revived if the US administration changes," said Pedro Freyre, a Cuban-American lawyer specializing in bilateral relations.

He said he is "cautiously optimistic" about better US-Cuba ties.

"The conditions that make Cuba attractive and those that make it difficult are still there."
By Suvashree Choudhury MUMBAI (Reuters) - Days after a lawmaker from India's ruling party was arrested in connection with a teenager's rape, a sexual attack on an 11-year-old girl was reported on Sunday in Gujarat, the latest in a string of cases that have sparked protests across the country. Protests calling for justice were held in several cities, echoing the mass rallies against sexual violence in 2012 and piling pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who must hold elections by May 2019. Modi has promised to take action. Activists accuse authorities of failing to protect women and of moving too slowly to investigate and arrest perpetrators. The protests were fueled in part by the arrest of a lawmaker from the Bharatiya Janata Party last week in connection with the rape of a teenager in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which the ruling party governs. In the southern city of Thiruvananthapuram, protesters formed a human chain, while in Mumbai, hundreds, including film celebrities, called for the death penalty for rapists. In New Delhi they called for rape trials to be completed in six months. In the western Gujarati city of Surat, where the latest case took place, men and women held a silent candlelight march. Gujarat is Modi's home state, where he was the Chief Minister from 2001 until he took national office in 2014. "The body was recovered on April 6 by the side of a highway and, according to a post mortem report, the girl was sexually assaulted and murdered on April 5," Surat's police commissioner, Satish Sharma, told Reuters. He said the victim - who was 11 years old, according to the post-mortem - had not yet been identified and that police from neighboring states have been asked to help find her family. "We have put our best teams in place with all senior police officials. To nab the criminals we first need to identify the body," Sharma said. The post-mortem revealed the girl had been strangled and smothered, with 86 signs of minor injuries, including sexual assault, he said. Some of the injuries were old. Details have also emerged in a separate case of an eight-year-old Muslim girl belonging to a nomadic tribe that roams the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir who was kidnapped, drugged and held in captivity as eight Hindu men assaulted her. There had been little progress made in the case until activists stepped up their campaign for an investigation. "Let's not pretend that these are all isolated cases and happened out of the blue," film actor and director Nandita Das said at the Mumbai protest. "We have brought it upon ourselves as a society and we have to find a solution for it." The United Nations is among the international bodies that have condemned the problem. "We are deeply concerned about the prevalence of gender-based violence, including sexual violence against women and girls, which we are witnessing in India," Yuri Afanasiev, the UN resident coordinator in India, said in a statement last week. India registered about 40,000 rape cases in 2016, up from 25,000 in 2012, government data show. Rights activists say thousands more go unreported. (Additional reporting by Danish Siddiqui; Editing by Sanjeev Migliani, Sam Holmes and Sonya Hepinstall)
The beloved half-human/half-Vulcan Mr. Spock will appear in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery, but perhaps not exactly how fans might expect. Famed Star Trek: The Next Generation actor and director  Jonathan Frakes  revealed this weekend that Spock will be seen in flashbacks, in the second season of Discovery.

On Saturday, speaking at the El Paso Comic Con, in El Paso, Texas, Frakes told Trek expert and fan Justin Oser that hell be back to direct two episodes of Discovery in season 2. Earlier this year, Frakes directed the epic mid-season premiere which brought Star Trek: Discovery into the Mirror Universe. And now, hes confirmed that in addition to Captain Pike, Spock will indeed show up in this new season, but that it will likely be in flashbacks with a young Michael Burnham. So this means, we could potentially see what it was like when Spock and Burnham grew up together, a fact which was mentioned several times in the first season of Discovery.

Frakes also said there will be a young Burnham in the flashbacks for episode 2 of season 2 of #StarTrekDiscovery #ElPasoComicCon  Justin Oser (@trekfan4747) April 14, 2018

This statement from Frakes seems to indicate that Spock wont appear in the present of Discovery, which is actually the past of the original series. At this point in the Star Trek timeline, Discovery is in the year 2257, which has essentially created a blank slate for the show to do whatever it wants with both Pike and Spock. Because the events of the original series still dont happen until 2265 or 2265, theres a lot of wiggle room for how Spock and Pike are depicted. Plus, if Spock only appears in flashback, theres even more wiggle room.

Story continues

The question is now, how will Spock appear in flashbacks from a technical standpoint? Will Discovery do a de-aged digital Leonard Nimoy? Will Zachary Quinto make a comeback? Or, if Spock and Burnham are still children in these flashbacks, will Spock, in fact, be totally recast? Weve already seen Burnham as a child, played brilliantly by Arista Arhin in season 1. Now, it seems possible shell be back for season 2.

Star Trek: Discovery season 2 is currently filming in Toronto. It is rumored to debut either in the Fall of 2018, or early 2019.

Photos via CBS

Photos via CBS

Written by Ryan Britt

More articles by Ryan  Facebook Page  Twitter

tweetshare

More From Inverse
Air strikes carried out by the US, UK and France against the Syrian regime have been welcomed by their Western allies.

President Donald Trump on Friday night addressed the American people to announce that military action had been taken in Syria, with the support of Britain and France.

Three targets were chosen, to strike at the heart of a regime held culpable by the West for a chemical gas attack in a suburb of Damascus last week, that killed more than 70 people and injured dozens more.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, insisted that the strikes were "limited" and were not intended to drive regime change.

Here is how the world reacted:

Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said an attack on Syria by the United States, France and Britain on Saturday was a crime and would not achieve any gains.

"Today's dawn attack on Syria is a crime. I clearly declare that the president of the United States, the president of France and the British prime minister are criminals," Khamenei said in a speech, according to his Twitter account.

"They will not benefit (from the attack) as they went to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan in the past years and committed such crimes and did not gain any benefits," Khamenei said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei poses for a portrait

Iran - the dominant Shiite Muslim power which is in rivalry with Saudi Arabia and the United States other Sunni Arab friends - has fought decades of sectarian proxy wars in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani also warned that the U.S.-led missile attack on Syria would lead to further destruction in the Middle East, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

"Such attacks will have no result but more destruction ... the Americans want to justify their presence in the region by such attacks," Rouhani was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

Rouhani signalled that Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would grow.

Story continues

"The Syrian nation will continue to resist against foreign aggression ...Iran has always helped and will continue to support oppressed nations in the region and around the globe," Rouhani said.

Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said: "The Syrian people will certainly answer these attacks and the people of the world should condemn this aggression," Fars news agency reported.

An official in Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Republic's most powerful arm, said the fallout from the attacks will be at Washington's expense.

Britain, the US and France on Friday night bombed Syria. Pictured is an RAF Tornado GR4 landing at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which could be deployed against the Syrian government

"With this attack ... the situation will become more complex, and this will surely be at the expense of the United States, which will be responsible for the aftermath of upcoming regional events that will certainly not be in their interest," Yadollah Javani, the Guards' deputy head for political affairs, told Fars news agency.

"The resistance front will be strengthened and it will have more capacity to act against (U.S.) acts of intervention. Americans should expect the consequences of their actions," Javani said.

Iran often refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front".

"Undoubtedly, the United States and its allies, which took military action against Syria despite the absence of any proven evidence ... will assume responsibility for the regional and trans-regional consequences of this adventurism," Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by state media.

"Iran is opposed to the use of chemical weapons on the basis of religious, legal and ethical standards, while at the same time it ... strongly condemns (using this) as an excuse to commit aggression against a sovereign state," it said.

Iran has been Assad's most supportive ally against insurgents throughout the conflict. Iran-backed militias helped his army stem rebel advances and, following Russias entry into the war in 2015, turn the tide decisively in Assads favour.

Analyst Hossein Sheikholeslam, a former Iranian ambassador to Damascus, told state television the attacks would help unite Syrians behind the government.

"These attacks will stabilise the Syrian government... and unite the different tribes in Syria as Syrians become aware of their honour and come to the defence of the independence, territorial integrity and the government of their country," Sheikholeslam said.

Israel

Israel said in response to the American-led strike in Syria that the Middle Eastern country's "murderous actions" had put it in danger.

An official said in a statement that Mr Trump made clear last year that the use of chemical weapons was a red line not to be crossed.

Damascus sky lights up with service to air missile fire as the U.S. launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria, early Saturday, April 14, 2018 Credit: AP

He said the overnight operation carried out by the United States, France and Britain followed that example. The official said that "Syria continues to carry out murderous actions and be a base for these actions and others, including Iran's, that put its territory, forces and leadership in peril."

The official spoke anonymously according to protocol. There has been no other official Israeli response yet.

Israel has issued several stern warnings of late about Iran's increased involvement along its border in Syria in Lebanon.

Iraq

Air strikes carried out by the United States, France and Britain against Syrian military targets could give terrorism an opportunity to expand in the region, the Iraqi foreign ministry said on Saturday.

The air strikes marked a "a very dangerous development", the ministry said in statement.

"Such action could have dangerous consequences, threatening the security and stability of the region and giving terrorism another opportunity to expand after it was ousted from Iraq and forced into Syria to retreat to a large extent," it said.

The ministry called on Arab leaders to discuss the situation at a summit due to be held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has expressed its full support for US-led strikes on Syrian government military installations, saying they were a response to "regime crimes" against civilians.

"Saudi Arabia fully supports the strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain against Syria because they represent a response to the regime's crimes," a foreign ministry statement said.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during a reception ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2017 Credit: Reuters

The statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the strikes were prompted by the "Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians, including women and children".

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been key backers of Syrian opposition groups fighting Assad.

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed Western strikes against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's regime as "appropriate" in retaliation for Damascus' "inhumane" attacks.

"We consider this operation as appropriate," Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling party in Istanbul.

"The regime has seen that its mounting attacks in recent days against dissidents ... will not be left unanswered."

China

China said it was "opposed to the use of force" following US-led air strikes against Syria and called for a "return to the framework of international law".

"We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on its website.

Hua said unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council would "add new complicating factors to the resolution of the Syrian issue".

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump Credit: Getty

"China believes that a political solution is the only realistic way out for the Syrian issue," she added.

"China urges all the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation."

China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Beijing has consistently said the Syrian crisis needs a "political solution" but has numerous times vetoed Security Council measures aimed at addressing the conflict - including an investigation of war crimes in the country.

Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday the air strikes against the Syrian regime were "necessary and appropriate" after the suspected chemical weapons attacks that killed dozens in Douma.

"We support the fact that our US, British and French allies ... assumed their responsibilities. The military intervention was necessary and appropriate," Merkel said in a statement.

"Everything leads us to believe that (Assad) bears responsibility" for the Douma attack, Merkel said.

The chancellor on Thursday had ruled out Germany joining any military action against Syria.

On Saturday she said it appeared likely that the Syrian regime "had used chemical weapons against its own people on several occasions in the past".

Merkel added: "A century after the end of World War I... we must fight against the erosion of the (international) convention on chemical weapons".

"Germany will undertake, in a determined way, diplomatic efforts to support this," Merkel said.

Nato

The head of Nato expressed his support for Western strikes in Syria.

Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement: "I support the actions taken by the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

"This will reduce the regime's ability to further attack the people of Syria with chemical weapons."

The United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for restraint and for countries to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation in Syria after the United States, France and Britain carried out strikes.

Guterres delayed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia to deal with the aftermath of the military action.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people," Guterres said in a statement.

The situation in the Middle East is in such chaos that it has become a threat to international peace and security. And today Syria represents the most serious dimension of that threat. https://t.co/ISRvKL1bgs  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 14, 2018

"Any use of chemical weapons is abhorrent. The suffering it causes is horrendous," Guterres said.

The UN chief said it was important to act in line with the UN charter and international law.

He urged the UN Security Council to agree on establishing an inquiry that would identify the perpetrators of chemical attacks.

European Union

European Council president Donald Tusk said the European Union would stand with its allies "on the side of justice".

Strikes by US, France and UK make it clear that Syrian regime together with Russia & Iran cannot continue this human tragedy, at least not without cost. The EU will stand with our allies on the side of justice.  Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) April 14, 2018

"Strikes by US, France and UK make it clear that Syrian regime together with Russia & Iran cannot continue this human tragedy, at least not without cost," he wrote on Twitter.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the EU commission, said the use of chemical weapons was "unacceptable in any circumstances":

The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable in any circumstances and must be condemned in the strongest terms. The international community has the responsibility to identify and hold accountable those responsible of any attack with chemical weapons. #Syriapic.twitter.com/beF6IEirEP  Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) April 14, 2018

Boris Johnson will meet with European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday at a meeting to dominated by the strikes on Syria, James Crisp reports from Brussels.

Through the weekend, British diplomats and ministers will be in touch with their EU counterparts to lay the groundwork for discussion over Friday night's air strikes. EU Ministers are expected to back language condemning the use of chemical weapons in the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council.

Before the joint US-UK and French attack, London and Paris was pushing to toughen up the language of the draft joint statement, which will decry the use of chemical weapons and the greying of the international line against their use. Those efforts are continuing.

Intervention in Syria | Read more

The debate among ministers will include discussion over the strike but also how to prevent the use of chemical weapons in the future and secure a ceasefire in Syria.

Mr Johnson can expect support from other EU member states such as Belgium and the Netherlands.

The meeting was always going to be important for Britain as it is the first Foreign Affairs Council after Theresa May secured EU support for condemning Russia for the Salisbury attack.

The Telegraph understands the conclusions will take a tougher line on Russia and Iran than the statement agreed by EU leaders on March 21.

This will not include sanctions at this stage but there is likely to be language stating that option remains on the table.

Asia

Indonesia expressed concern over the airstrikes while strongly condemning the use of chemical weapons that caused the loss of many innocent lives, Nicola Smith reports.

Indonesia is concerned about unilateral actions by any parties, including the use of Tomahawk missiles, in response to the chemical weapons attack tragedy in Syria, foreign ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said.

Jakarta argued that taking military actions without prior authorisation from the UN Security Council was not in line with international legal principles in the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The country further requests the UN Security Council take immediate steps to resolve the crisis in Syria, reported the Jakarta Post.

For Indonesia, peace and stability in Syria can only be achieved through dialogue and an inclusive political process, said Mr Arrmanatha.

Meanwhile, the Philippine foreign ministry advised all its citizens in Syria to remain in their homes until further notice, said spokesman Elmer Cato.

Cato said the Philippine charge daffaires in Syria, Crescente Relacion, had described the more or less one hour missile barrage as like New Year in Manila.

Canada

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, has ruled out Canadian participation in the strikes but said that Canada supports the decision by its allies in the US, the United Kingdom and France.

"Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack in eastern Ghouta, Syria," said Mr Trudeau, in a statement issued from Lima, Peru, where he is attending the Summit of the Americas.

"Canada supports the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to take action to degrade the Assad regime's ability to launch chemical weapons attacks against its own people.

Canada supports the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom and France to take action against the Assad regimes ability to launch chemical weapons attacks. Statement: https://t.co/P5jkVJPriv  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 14, 2018

"We will continue to work with our international partners to further investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Those responsible must be brought to justice."

Earlier on Friday, Canada became the latest country to lay the blame for a deadly chemical-weapons attack in Syria last week at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's doorstep, despite Russian suggestions to the contrary.

"When it comes to this use of chemical weapons, it is clear to Canada that chemical weapons were used and that they were used by the Assad regime," said Chrystia Freeland, Canadian foreign minister.

Australia

Australia, a staunch ally of the US and a member of the Five Eyes security alliance, was not a part of the attacks on Damascus and Homs, but issued a statement lending its support to the coalitions actions.

Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister, said in a statement jointly issued with the foreign and defence ministers: The use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances is illegal and utterly reprehensible.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australia supports the air strikes on Syria from the US, Britain and France pic.twitter.com/Ar5aFQrwUn  Tara Cosoleto (@tcosoleto) April 14, 2018

The Assad regime must not be allowed to commit such crimes with impunity.

Mr Turnbull said the strikes were a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response.

They send an unequivocal message to the Assad regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has called for a resumption of Syrian peace talks, which took place in Vienna in 2015, to halt the bloodshed in the devastated country. Kurz said no military solution appeared possible in the conflict which had already caused massive suffering for the Syrian people. "After the shocking use of chemical weapons on April 7 and the recent Western military action in Syria, it is now the order of the day to remember reason and to press ahead with the diplomatic peace process with all necessary vigor," Kurz said in a statement on Sunday. "The Syrian population had already suffered too much with over 400,000 deaths and over five million refugees outside Syria." Kurz said there could be no military solution to the conflict and therefore appealed "to all responsible actors" to continue the peace talks of the 'International Syria Support Group' took place between 20 different groups in Vienna in 2015. A further escalation of the Syrian "proxy war" or even a direct military conflict between the US and Russia must be prevented by all means, Kurz added in a statement received by Reuters. Austria has a long tradition as a place of dialogue and a bridge builder in conflicts, most recently in the Iranian nuclear deal, he said, with Austria ready to host talks over Syria at any time. Since Kurz, a conservative, formed a coalition government with the far-right and pro-Putin Freedom Party in December, Austria had repeatedly said it wants to serve as a "bridge-builder" between east and west. It repeated that position when it declined to follow most other EU countries in expelling one or several Russian diplomats over the poisoning by nerve agent of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury, England. Britain has blamed the attack on Russia but Vienna said it wanted to keep lines of communication with Moscow open. (Reporting by John Revill; Additional reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Former first lady Barbara Bushs health is failing and she will not seek additional medical care, a spokesman for the Bush family said Sunday.

Bush, 92, has congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has been hospitalized several times over the past year, CNN reported.

Bush, who has been married to former President George H.W. Bush for 73 years, is being cared for at her Houston home and does not want to return to the hospital.

She will now "instead focus on comfort care, according to reports.

It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself -- thanks to her abiding faith -- but for others," a statement from the office of George H.W. Bush said Sunday.

"She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.

In Jan. 2017, both Barbara Bush and the former president were hospitalized for separate health issues and unable to attend President Trump's inauguration.

RELATED STORIES

George Bush Reacts to Kanye West

How Billy Graham Counseled George W. Bush and Numerous Other Presidents

George W. Bush Photobombs Fox Sports Anchor During Game

Related Articles:
SheKnows

Donald Trump had more than his share of infidelity allegations while he was in the White House. For some people in that position, they might be on their best behavior, knowing that America was watching their every move. But for Donald, he reportedly doubled down on his bad behavior by trying to get the attention []
At 9 a.m. exactly, the Twitter account of the Syrian presidency posted a video of Bashar al-Assad leisurely walking in to work, soft spring light behind him and briefcase in hand.

Morning of steadfastness, read the tweet.

Since earlier Saturday, state television showed peaceful scenes in Damascus, home to at least one of the targets of this mornings airstrikes on Syria. Civilians flashed the victory sign with their hands as they passed the camera.

A Syrian army spokesperson appeared saying that air defence systems effectively blocked the aggressors rockets, shooting most of them down, despite the Pentagon saying that more than 100 rockets hit their targets, in the first coordinated Western military intervention against the Syrian government.

Three major powers have just wasted millions of dollars and surely days of planning for nothing, said Rami Nameh, an accountant from his home in the city of Homs. This attack wont change anything.

Last April, the U.S. sent cruise missiles into an airbase in Homs province after a sarin attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed more than 80 people. A few days later, planes were again taking off from the base.

Like others, 21-year-old student Hiba Idriss woke up to the thud of the air defense systems in Damascus early Saturday morning.

Those 100 plus missiles that were fired against Syria today will have the same effect on our country as last years 58 tomahawks had: nothing, said Idriss from her home in the Mezzeh neighbourhood of the capital.

The U.S. attack on Syria targeted different parts of Damascus on April 14, 2018

I watched what happened, said Mohammed of the strikes. He didnt want to give his last name, fearing reprisal from the government. A medical student, he treated victims of the alleged chemical attack on Douma. We thought the response would have been bigger.

Story continues

The Syrian foreign ministry called the attack a blatant violation of the international law and said it was an attempt to derail the investigation into the alleged chemical attack on April 7, which President Donald Trump quickly blamed on the Syrian government. In a statement circulated to local media, the Syrian foreign ministry also downplayed the attack.

Syria, and its ally Russia, have denied the government used chemical weapons in Douma and said the opposition fabricated the attack to stave a government victory in the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus.

After an attack on eastern Ghouta in 2013 that killed more than 1,000 people, Assad agreed to give up all his chemical weapons as then U.S. President Barack Obama threatened military actions. But the UN has documented dozens of chemical attacks since then and opposition activists claim the government has carried out hundreds of attacks with chlorine, which isnt illegal to possess but is prohibited for use as a weapon. However, it has been used repeatedly in Syria with little more than condemnation from the international community.

President Assad has now claimed victory in eastern Ghouta, pushing the rebels into the shrinking territory they control in the north.

President Assad is winning, we all were witnesses to this fact, said Idriss. Even the opposition could see that the Syrian Arab Army is winning.

Demonstrators took to the streets of the capital against the strikes, hoisting Syrian flags and pictures of President Assad. In what looked more like celebrations than protests, some danced alongside Syrian soldiers in the streets.

Look around you, one man told a reporter. Life is normal. Where are Trumps genius missiles?

A small girl sung a patriotic song while she held the Syrian flag.

We should teach our children the importance of our victories, said the reporter addressing the camera, and our strong stand against this aggression.

Read More: The U.S., Britain and France Just Unleashed 105 Missiles on Syria. Now What?

The station also showed police officers ready to enter Douma, as the last of the opposition was evacuated from the area. The rebel group that controlled the town made a deal to surrender in return for safe passage out, just hours after the alleged chemical attack on April 7.

For many in Syrian opposition, and for those who suffered the chemical attack one week earlier, the strikes were welcomed, but not enough.

Like thousands of others in the town, the medical student, Mohammed, has now been evacuated north to areas under rebel control as the government retakes the eastern Ghouta suburbs. Mohammed says he doesnt think the strikes will have any impact unless they come along with an enforced agreement to remove all chemical weapons from Syria. The U.S. says it has crippled Syrias chemical weapons program, but Mohammed says the strikes were too little, too late.

We wont forget that we lost our city and our homes, said Mohammed. And maybe we will never go back to Douma.

Additional reporting by Asser Khattab in Beirut.
LONDON, April 14 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May needed to act with speed when she ordered a missile attack on Syria and she will update parliament on Monday, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC radio.

Britain joined the United States and France on Saturday in what May cast as a "limited and targeted" strike after intelligence indicated Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government was responsible for an attack using chemical weapons in Douma.

All crews from the Royal Air Force Tornado jets returned safely, Williamson said. When asked if there would be more military action against Syria, Williamson said he thought the Western strikes had so far had sufficient effect. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden)
A Typhoon aircraft prepares for landing at the British Royal Air Force base in Akrotiri, near costal city of Limassol in the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, early Saturday - AP

The UK will join the US and France in a push for a peaceful path forward to the Syrian crisis, proposing a new United Nations-backed ceasefire.

The three allies have produced a draft resolution that will be debated by the Security Council in New York, although it remains unclear when the vote will take place.

It comes as Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said new sanctions would be imposed on Russian businesses that help the Assad regime make and deploy chemical weapons.

The proposed UN resolution includes a request for an independent investigation into the toxic gas attacks which killed more than forty civilians earlier this month and safe passage for aid convoys and medical evacuations.

A fact-finding team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons arrived in Damascus to "begin work" on Saturday, according to the organisation's Twitter feed.

A Syrian man receives medical treatment after Assad regime forces conducted poisonous gas attacks on Duma Credit: Andalou

The France-led initiative also demands that the Syrian government engage in peace talks "in good faith, constructively and without preconditions" and allows weapons inspectors into the country.

France's ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, said that Syria's chemical weapons program must be dismantled in a "verifiable and irreversible way."

"We must spare no effort to set up an international attribution mechanism, prevent impunity, and stop any repeat attempts by the Syrian regime."

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Credit: LUCAS JACKSON

Speaking to US media, Ms Haley defended the air strikes, warning that if action had not been taken, the United States could also become a target of chemical attacks.

"This (a chemical attack) very easily could happen in the United States if we're not smart, and if we're not conscious of what's happening," she said.

She also said that a new raft of Russian sanctions would be outlined Monday, by Steve Mnuchin, US treasury secretary.

"They will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to [Bashar] Assad and chemical weapons use," she told CBS News.

Story continues

Syria strikes | Read latest

Western diplomats are preparing for diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to vote for a ceasefire. Moscow has used its veto 12 times to block action targeting its Syrian ally.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister, said renewed peace efforts should begin with a ceasefire which is really respected this time. A ceasefire in February failed.

President Emmanuel Macron was expected to strike a similar tone in a television interview on Sunday night.

Mr Macron is seeking to position himself as a broker between Russia and the Western powers. France has maintained regular contacts with Russia despite heightened tensions. Hours before the strikes, the French president discussed Syria in a phone call with Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart.

Mr Macron said he intended to go ahead with a planned state visit to Moscow at the end of next month. Next week he is to be hosted by Donald Trump on a state visit.

In Germany, the president warned against a dangerous alienation from Russia, as tensions grow between the country and the West.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat (SPD) politician, told the country's Bild am Sonntag newspaper that "we should not designate Russia in general, the country and its people, as an enemy".
Paris (France) (AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday defended his government's backing of a controversial pipeline project, saying the world could not afford to choose between the environment and the economy.

In an interview with French business daily Les Echos ahead of a visit to Paris, Trudeau acknowledged that environmentalists were "concerned" by the Trans Mountain pipeline.

But he said, "Canadians and people around the world know that we cannot choose between what is good for the environment and good for the economy."

"You have to do both at the same time, and above all, you have to fund the transition towards reduced use of fossil fuels."

On Thursday, the Liberal premier cut short a visit to Peru to try defuse a threatened constitutional crisis over expanding a 1,150-kilometre (715-mile) pipeline to move 890,000 barrels of oil per day from landlocked Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific coast.

Opponents of the pipeline point to the risk of oil spills at sea and say it flouts Trudeau's commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"We cannot change everything in our economies overnight," Trudeau said.

"It's clear that people on the left and ecologists are concerned but there are also people on the right who do not like the idea of a carbon tax."

He assured that Canada, which will introduce a national carbon tax next year, would meet its targets under the 2015 Paris accord on combatting climate change.

On Monday, Trudeau will hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron at the start of a two-day visit, during which he will also address France's National Assembly.
Montreal (AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is caught in a political crisis over the expansion of an oil pipeline that has shaken investor confidence in the country's crucial energy sector.

The dispute pits the country's two westernmost provinces against each other as oil-rich Alberta boycotts trade with British Columbia over its opposition to the pipeline.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley warned the standoff risked triggering a constitutional crisis, and Trudeau is cutting short an overseas tour to return home and mediate.

With an election due by October 2019, Trudeau needs the support of British Columbia voters to win a second term as leader of the world's seventh-largest oil producer.

But the hit to the economy if the pipeline isn't built could have equally devastating effects at the ballot box, and Trudeau needs Alberta aboard to meet his international climate commitments.

Trudeau's Liberal government in 2016 approved the tripling of the Trans Mountain pipeline's capacity to move 890,000 barrels of oil per day from landlocked Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific coast, for shipping to new overseas markets.

But it has faced intense opposition from environmental and indigenous groups concerned about the risk of oil spills along Canada's pristine west coast affecting tourism and fisheries.

Nearly 200 protestors were arrested in the past month alone.

British Columbia's new social democratic government joined the fight against the project late last year when it looked all but lost, reviving hopes of killing it and pitting the province against Alberta, Saskatchewan and the federal government, which has deemed it to be in the "national interest."

Feeling squeezed, Kinder Morgan, the US firm behind the Can$7.4 billion (US$5.9 billion) project, suspended most work on the pipeline this week, saying the row is creating undue risk for investors.

The company gave the parties until May 31 to resolve their differences or it would scrap the project, prompting warnings from business groups that tens of billions of dollars in energy investments could be diverted from Canada if the project fails.

Story continues

On Sunday, Trudeau will interrupt a trip to Peru, France and Britain to try to mediate the British Columbia-Alberta spat.

Alberta's Notley has responded to British Columbia Premier John Horgan's court challenge of the project with a boycott of British Columbia wines and hydro electricity, and threats to cut off gasoline shipments to Vancouver.

- No-win pipeline politics -

About 97 percent of Canada's oil exports are sold at a discount to the United States. The industry and Ottawa say new oil conduits to the Pacific are needed in order to diversify exports and get better energy prices.

With the recent failures of a proposed new pipeline to the Atlantic coast and another to the Pacific, all eyes are on Trans Mountain as the industry's last hope to grow.

"The reputation of Canada and British Columbia as stable, predictable jurisdictions for the crucial international investment that fuels so many of our industries is clearly at risk," the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade said in a statement.

Trudeau has called on Horgan to "stop obstructing" the Trans Mountain project, which the feds approved in a tradeoff with British Columbia to reject another pipeline that would have crossed a temperate rain forest.

While Trudeau needs the Pacific province's voter support, he also requires Alberta to live up to its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions in exchange for new pipeline capacity, in order to meet Canada's Paris climate obligation to cut CO2 emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels, by 2030.

The oil sands are Canada's top single source of CO2 emissions.

Some have called on Trudeau to be heavy-handed with Horgan, including cutting off federal funds, at the risk of alienating some voters.

Horgan has shown no sign of backing down.

He campaigned against the pipeline to get elected and his minority government needs the support of the Green Party -- which opposes the pipeline -- to stay in power.

Alberta, meanwhile, is considering buying a stake in the project to allay investor fears, and is urging Ottawa to match its investment.

Ottawa could also declare federal jurisdiction over the pipeline to push through its construction, effectively voiding all provincial and municipal laws applicable to it.

But it hasn't used that power since the late 1800s when it was applied to build a transcontinental railway as a condition of British Columbia's joining confederation.
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 10 days ago, U.S. President Donald Trump told national security aides that he wanted U.S. forces out of Syria in six months or so, adamant that it was time to bring them home after largely defeating Islamic State militants. "Very soon, very soon, we're coming out," Trump said in telegraphing his thoughts to a crowd in Richfield, Ohio, on March 30. Were going to get back to our country, where we belong, where we want to be. Now, Trump has abruptly deepened U.S. involvement in Syria, mustering a coalition of U.S., French and British forces to attack Syrian facilities related to production of chemical weapons after a poison gas attack last week killed dozens of people in Douma, Syria. Aides said Trump's attitude changed when he was shown images of Syrians killed by the chemical weapons last Saturday, about a year after he first ordered air strikes against Syrian targets to retaliate for an earlier use of the banned substances. "When he sees these sorts of things, they outrage him," said a source familiar with the internal debate at the White House. Trump had also grown exasperated with Russia for doing nothing to stop the Syrian government from using the weapons. He first made clear that he intended to launch new attacks in a series of tweets earlier this week, issuing warnings against not only Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but also Russia and Iran. It was an unusual strategy, a departure from the usual U.S. practice of launching surprise attacks. Hounded by controversies related to a federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, Trump stayed out of the public eye much of this week, locked in White House Situation Room meetings about Syria. Defense Secretary James Mattis, new national security adviser John Bolton, Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley were all involved in the talks. Behind closed doors, Trump pushed for a more aggressive response than the one taken last year, wanting options that would involve attacks on targets in Syria associated with Russia and Iran, officials said. His generals pushed back, not wanting to escalate tensions with those two countries, the officials said. Hours after the first missiles fell on Friday night, it was not yet clear how extensive the attacks were. Mattis described them as a "one-time shot" to send a strong message to Assad not to use chemical weapons again. That appeared to contradict Trump's own pledge that the United States, France and Britain would sustain the military campaign until Assad stops using prohibited chemical agents. While Trump was determined to respond to the chemical attack, he also said the United States "does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria, under no circumstances." As Trump announced the military action, Pence was in Peru attending the Summit of the Americas. Trump had been scheduled to attend but stayed in Washington to focus on Syria. Pence abruptly left the summit's opening ceremonies and returned to his hotel in time to make secure phone calls to congressional leaders to tell them about the strikes. Pence was in constant contact with Washington on his trip, speaking multiple times to Trump and also to Bolton. He again spoke to Trump after the attacks were launched, an aide said. (Reporting By Steve Holland in Washington and Roberta Rampton with Pence in Lima, Peru; Editing by Kieran Murray, Toni Reinhold)
More than 30 years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the area around Chernobyl has evolved from a disaster zone into a nature reserve, teeming with bison, moose and wolves.

The remarkable turnaround in the area, which was declared a permanent no-go zone for people after the accident in 1986, suggests radiation contamination is not hindering wildlife from breeding and thriving, but underscores the negative impact humans have on populations of wild mammals.

When humans are removed, nature flourisheseven in the wake of the worlds worst nuclear accident, Jim Smith, a specialist in earth and environmental sciences at Britains University of Portsmouth, told Reuters. Its very likely that wildlife numbers at Chernobyl are now much higher than they were before the accident.

Trending: Worlds Biggest Bong: Glass Artists Blowing Pieces on 4/20 for Weed Museum

On April 26, 1986, a fire and explosion at the nuclear plant in Ukraine, then a Soviet republic, sent clouds of radioactive material across large swathes of Europe. Thousands of people left the area, never to return. Smith and co-researchers took the opportunity to see what happens to wildlife in an area where contamination is heavy but people are largely absent.

Earlier studies in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone showed major radiation effects and pronounced reductions in wildlife populations. But later evidence, based on long-term census data, showed that mammal populations have bounced back.

The 2015 study published in the journal Current Biology found a relative abundance of elk, roe deer, red deer and wild boarwith population rates similar to those found in four designated, and uncontaminated, nature reserves in the region. The number of wolves living in and around the Chernobyl site is more than seven times greater than can be found in comparable nature reserves.

Don't miss: Woman Allowed 2-Year-Old To Smoke Meth, Roll Marijuana Joints, Police Say

Abandoned villages marked with yellow and red radiation warning signs have become hunting grounds for predators such as wolves and hawks. Birds, including tawny owls and magpies, nest in the roofs and chimneys of crumbling buildings.

Story continues

This Newsweek galleryfeaturing images taken between 2009 and 2017showcases wildlife roaming the forests around Chernobyl, while stray cats and dogs scavenge for food in the abandoned city of Pripyat.

 Reuters contributed to this report.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - On April 14, 2014, Saraya Amos and 56 of her classmates staged a daring escape from Boko Haram jihadists who raided their secondary school in Chibok, northeast Nigeria.

Unlike the 219 girls who were spirited away in a convoy of trucks into the darkness, most of them not to be seen again for several years, the 57 were considered the lucky ones.

But as Nigeria on Saturday marks the fourth anniversary of the mass abduction that captured world attention, some of the ones that got away are unhappy and feel abandoned.

Most of the 106 who have been found or freed as a result of government negotiations with Boko Haram are now studying at the private American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa state.

"We deserve equal treatment and opportunity," said Amos, who still lives with her parents in Chibok and helps on the family farm.

"Those rescued are now studying at the university while we have been forgotten."

While the former captives have gone back to education at the AUN, Amos and other escapees say they have struggled to finish theirs, despite government pledges of support.

High school tuition fees were covered but auxillary costs such as travel and food have made staying in education impossible, they say.

Amos said that has "destroyed" her dream of becoming a lawyer.

"We feel extremely bad and abandoned, our future is hanging in the balance because the chance of furthering our education is bleak," she added.

- 'Frustrated' -

Hadiza Fali, 20, wants to become an agricultural engineer. She said it was painful and frustrating to see that not all the Chibok girls' fortunes have turned out the same.

"I don't envy my colleagues who are in school, I only feel let down and treated like a second-class citizen. I so much want to continue with my education if given the chance," she said.

"We are not in school, we have been idling away at home for the past one year doing nothing, apart from helping out parents on the farm."

Story continues

Yakubu Nkeki, chairman of the Chibok girls parents association, said students who gained the results to head to university were in limbo and their impoverished parents were unable to help.

"It is true the girls are still at home without anything to do because the promise that the government made to them has not been fulfilled," Nkeki said.

"I met with some of the parents of the girls who bitterly complained that the government has abandoned their daughters at home."

Despite global publicity about the kidnapping, the girls' plight is not unusual in Nigeria's remote northeast, where access to education was low even before the start of Boko Haram's bloody insurgency in 2009.

According to Nigeria's Demographic and Health Survey in 2013, just eight per cent of women in the region complete secondary school.

Nine years of fighting has equally made it harder for students in impoverished rural areas, as Boko Haram has targeted schools and teachers.

- 'Too difficult' -

The Borno state government pledged to spend 1.5 million naira ($4,167, 3,400 euros) on each of the girls who escaped their abductors every year until they finished university.

Three attended a missionary college in the United States with the help of a Christian charity.

Fifty-four others from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok were enrolled in two private boarding schools elsewhere in Nigeria.

Christians were sent to study in the central city of Jos while Muslim students were taken to the northern city of Katsina.

Seventeen girls dropped out because their parents could not afford to pay for food and basic toiletries, such as sanitary napkins.

"Surprisingly, the parents of the girls were left to substantially pay for their daughters' upkeep while in school," said Ayuba Alamson, a community leader in Chibok.

"On one occasion I had to kneel before a mother and begged her to allow her daughter return to school in Jos."

Three of the girls sent to Katsina dropped out because their parents could not raise the 12,000 naira ($33, 27-euro) transport fare for the 730-kilometre (450-mile) trip back to school at the end of holidays.

"They found it too difficult to cope and dropped out," said Yagana Yamane, who wants to be a doctor.

Instead of forging a potential career, they are following a familiar path.

"One of them has gotten married and the other two are planning their weddings," said the 18-year-old, who fears marriage may be the only option for her as well.
Tokyo (Japan) (AFP) - The leaders of China and Japan are expected to pay reciprocal visits as relations between their countries warm, the Japanese foreign minister said on Sunday.

After rare talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Taro Kono said the ministers had "forward-looking" and "fulfilling" discussions about rebuilding ties between the Asian powers.

They agreed that Japan would host a trilateral summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, without setting a date.

After such a meeting, they hoped to organise reciprocal visits by Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kono said.

"We agreed to fully improve the bilateral relations through exchanges of the leaders ... with Premier Li's visit at the time of the trilateral talks as the starting step," Kono told reporters.

However, Kono warned there would be "no true improvement of Japan-China relations without stability in the East China Sea".

"We agreed the importance of making it a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship," he said.

The world's second and third largest economies have a fraught relationship, complicated by longstanding maritime disputes and Japan's wartime legacy.

The dispute over islands in the East China Sea -- known as the "Senkakus" in Japanese and the "Diaoyu" by the Chinese -- remains a source of tension.

But Tokyo is eager to get the relationship back on a firmer footing, especially as it fears being shut out of negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme in which Beijing is likely to be a major player.

China demonstrated its significant influence over its reclusive ally when Xi hosted the North's leader Kim Jong-un and his wife in Beijing last month.

With Moon and US President Donald Trump preparing for separate direct talks with Kim, Japan fears being left on the sidelines.

- 'Complete denuclearisation' -

Story continues

Kono, who visited Beijing in January, stressed that the two countries share the same goal on North Korea.

"We had direct and in-depth discussions on North Korea in light of the current situation," he told reporters after the meeting, without revealing details.

"We confirmed that we shall continue our close coordination while also completely implementing related UN Security Council resolutions to realise the irreversible, verifiable and complete denuclearisation of North Korea and its missiles."

Wang, a former ambassador to Japan, said his visit was China's response to "positive" messages and policies from Tokyo but acknowledged "some complex and sensitive elements".

"But together with Japan's efforts... we would like to bring China-Japan relations back on a path of sustainable and normal development."

Abe, who is due to meet Trump in Florida on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, will meet Wang on Monday.

The time is ripe for the two nations to improve relations to mark the 40th anniversary of their 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, both ministers said.

Wang, who will be in Tokyo until Tuesday, will also take part in the fourth China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue.
Protesters hold a sign denouncing the NRA and its influence on America's gun policies: AFP/Getty

A powerful lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Florida says she was forced to skip a gun control hearing after receiving a deluge of death threats.

Marion Hammer, who is a well known and successful gun rights advocate in the state, was unable to attend a hearing with the Leon County Commission, saying that several issues  she would have been unable to bring her gun inside the legislative chamber, security at the event was minimal, and hundreds of citizens were expected to pack into the event  weighed on her decision.

When contacted for comment, Ms Hammer emphasised that she only missed a single event as a result of the disgusting emails she had received, and noted the apparent hypocrisy of the threats.

I find it amazing and concerning that those who claim to want to stop violence and gun violence are the ones who are threatening to use violence including gun violence, Ms Hammer told The Independent in the email.

Ms Hammers absence from the commission hearing on a local gun control ordinance Tuesday was first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, which obtained an email exchange between County Commissioner Bryan Deslodge, a Republican, and Ms Hammer. Mr Deslodge had contacted Ms Hammer Saturday to express regret that she was being threatened.

The death threats come with the job, Ms Hammer wrote in an email the next day. Ive dealt with it for many, many years. But it is so ugly this time NRA is insisting that I listen to my security advisers.  I have never been afraid of them but it really makes me angry when they threaten my family.

The county commission ultimately voted Tuesday night 6-to-1 to adopt an ordinance that requires background checks and a three-day waiting period for all private firearm sales on publicly accessible property.

Florida state law generally restricts counties and municipalities from enacting stricter gun control measures than provided by state law, but makes an exception for those types of restrictions.

Story continues

The vote comes in the aftermath of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, a shooting that left 17 people dead  including 14 teenagers  and sparked an intense national debate around gun control.

Since that shooting, Florida  known for having lax gun control laws, partly because of Ms Hammers outsized influence on state politicians and the gun bills they do or do not bring forward  enacted a rare bill that curbed access to guns, including raising the legal age to buy a rifle in the state, and imposing a three-day waiting period.

The bill, which also allows teachers to carry a firearm at school if trained, has been challenged by Ms Hammers NRA in court.
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Catalan independence supporters flooded the streets of Barcelona on Sunday calling for the release of jailed separatist leaders after a supreme court ruling frustrated their latest attempt to elect a regional leader. Around 350,000 demonstrators clogged several main city arteries waving flags and wearing yellow in support of separatist leaders jailed for their role in the wealthy region's banned drive to split from Spain last year. [nL8N1R709G] Among the politicians facing charges of rebellion is Jordi Sanchez, the latest candidate put forward by Catalan lawmakers to become leader of the region. [nL8N1PP2G5] Catalonia's struggle to find a leader began after it declared independence in October. Spanish courts ruled the declaration was illegal, took direct control of the region and called for new elections. Supreme court judge Pablo Llarena refused last week to release him from jail and he faces up to 25 years on charges of rebellion, marking the latest of four unsuccessful attempts to elect a new leader. If a new leader is not named before the end of May, Catalonia will be forced to call another election. In his first interview since a German court ruled that he would not be extradited to Spain to face charges of rebellion, former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said that the region should avoid returning to the polls. "It's our obligation to look for a way to avoid further elections," Puigdemont said in an interview with Catalan television TV3 recorded in Berlin and broadcast late on Sunday. "But there is not a zero risk of this happening because there is another party involved, and that's the Spanish government." (Reporting by Sam Edwards; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Sandra Maler)
Donald Trump has claimed mission accomplished over the raids on Syria - echoing the ill-fated words of George W Bush fifteen years earlier when he spoke about Iraq.

Speaking hours after US, UK and French forces hit three targets in Syria they said were associated with the production, storage and use of chemical weapons, Mr Trump thanked the three militaries for their involvement.

A perfectly executed strike last night, he said on Twitter.

A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018

Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!

The comments echoed those made by Mr Bush in May 2001 when it seemed US and UK forces were making swift process in taking control of Iraq, having ousted its dictator Saddam Hussein.

As it was, Mr Bushs words on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln presaged no such thing. The US and coalition forces quickly found themselves facing a bloody militancy and in the middle of a bitter civil war, involving various factions unleashed by the toppling of Saddam.

By the time the bulk of US forces left Iraq in December 2011, thousands of American and British troops had lost their lives and perhaps more than one million Iraqis had been killed.

During the 2016 election campaign, Mr Trump had attacked Barack Obama for what he said was a hasty decision to take the US forces out of Iraq, something that helped create a vacuum that Isis was able to seize and dominate.

At the same time, Mr Trumps instincts appear to be to keep US ground troops out of the Middle East. Earlier this month, he claimed that the 2,000 or so US troops deployed in Syria would be brought home very soon.

Story continues

Reuters said the bombing represented a major escalation in the West's confrontation with Bashar al-Assads superpower ally Russia, but is unlikely to alter the course of a multi-sided war which has killed at least half-a-million people in the past seven years.

That in turn raises the question of where Western countries go from here, after a volley of strikes denounced by Damascus and Moscow as at once both reckless and pointless.

By morning, the Western countries said their bombing was over for now. Syria released video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Mr Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption morning of resilience.
Donald Trump said the air strikes launched in coalition with Britain and France were to punish the Syrian regime for the chemical attack which killed more than 70 people.

In the televised address, the US president said the allies would continue their response until Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, ceased its use of chemical weapons.

Here is his statement in full:

My fellow Americans, a short time ago I ordered the United States armed forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator of Bashar al-Assad.

"A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway. We thank them both. Tonight I want to speak with you about why we have taken this action.

"One year ago, Assad launched a savage chemical weapons attack against his own innocent people. The United States responded with 58 missile strikes that destroyed 20% of the Syrian airforce.

"Last Saturday the Assad regime again deployed chemical weapons to slaughter innocent civilians, this time in the town of Douma near the Syrian capital of Damascus. This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime. The evil and despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead.

"Following the horrors of World War One a century ago, civilised weapons joined together to ban chemical warfare. Chemical weapons are uniquely dangerous not only because they inflict gruesome suffering but because even small amounts can unleash widespread devastation.

"The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons. Establishing this deterrent is a vital national security interest of the United States. The combined American, British and French response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power: military, economic and diplomatic.

Story continues

"We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. I also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting, equipping and financing the regime. To Iran and to Russia I ask - what kind of regime wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children?

"The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No state can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants and murderous dictators. In 2013 President Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons. Assad's recent attack and today's response are the direct result of Russia's failure to keep that promise. Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilised nations as a force for stability and peace.Hopefully some day we'll get along with Russia and maybe even with Iran. But maybe not.

"I will say this, the United States has a lot to offer. With the greatest and most powerful economy in the history of the world, in Syria the United States, with but a small force being used to eliminate Isis, is doing what is necessary to protect the American people. Over the last year nearly 100 per cent of the territory once controlled by the so-called Isis caliphate in Syria and Iraq has been liberated and eliminated.

"The United States has also rebuilt our friendships across the Middle East, we have asked our partners to take greater responsibility for securing their home region including contributing large amounts of money for the resources, equipment and all of the anti-Isis effort. Increased engagement from our friends including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and others can ensure that Iran cannot profit from the eradication of Isis.

"America does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria, under no circumstances. As other nations step up their contributions we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home, and great warriors they are. Looking around our troubled world, Americans have no illusions. We cannot purge the world of evil or act everywhere there is tyranny. No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East. It's a troubled place. We can try to make it better but it is a troubled place. The United States will be a partner and a friend, but the fate of the region lies in the hands of its own people.

"In the last century we looked into the darkest places of the human soul. We saw the anguish that can be unleashed and the evil that can take hold. By the end of World War One more than one million people had been killed or injured by chemical weapons. We never want to see that ghastly spectre return.

"So today the nations of Britain, France and the United States of America have marshalled their righteous power against barbarism and brutality. Tonight I ask all Americans to say a prayer for our noble warriors and our allies as they carry out their missions, We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria, we pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace and we pray that God continue to watch over and will bless the United States of America. Thank you and good night."
Theres nothing like a little friendly competition between two aerospace titans. While defending his companys space investments and current strategy, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg threw a jab at SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

While speaking at the Politico Space Forum, Muilenburg was asked if Boeing had plans to launch cars into space to compete with rival SpaceXs Tesla Roadster currently in orbit. Muilenburg joked that he doesnt but the company might pick up the one out there and bring it back.

The cherry-red Tesla Roadster was launched into space from the Falcon Heavy in February. Complete with Starman, the mannequin astronaut behind the wheel, the image of a car in space has solidified SpaceXs image as the company at the forefront of aerospace innovation. Musk even provided a map of Starmans itinerary on Twitter, announcing a new route to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Starmans joyride has launched a bunch of memes and even some fan fiction. Muilenburgs joke suggests Boeing is sick of that floating advertisement and is ready to be Starmans tow truck.

Towing Starman wouldnt be such a bad idea for Muilenburg. Even though Boeing has its own plans for Mars, the Fortune 50 company has made jokes at SpaceXs expense in the past. The growing celebrity around Elon Musk has already helped SpaceX undercut established rivals in the space race. Musk can also boast government contracts thanks to the companys focus on sustainability, offering reusable rocket boosters that lower costs.

Boeing and SpaceX now hold government contracts and are currently working on commercial spacecrafts, or space taxis to send humans into orbit. Both companies are working on these rival projects under a shared $6.8 billion NASA program, but both companies are currently behind schedule.

If Muilenburg wanted to get more personal, he could have thrown a jab at Teslas rumored financial problems, but the aerospace heavyweights are keeping the jokes lighthearted, for now.

Story continues

Written by Mary von Aue

More articles by Mary  Twitter

tweetshare

More From Inverse
A child is treated in hospital after a suspected chemical weapons attack on Douma (Reuters)

The European Union has said there can be no military solution to the conflict in Syria as the Prime Minister mulls her response to a suspected chemical weapons attack.

A senior EU official called for a political solution as a coalition of countries, including the UK, considers whether to launch air strikes in response to last weekends attack on the rebel-held City of Douma, which killed dozens of civilians.

Theresa May last night won support from the Cabinet to take action alongside the US and France to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.

A Downing Street statement issued after the meeting made no mention of military action.

But the BBC reported that Mrs May could give the go-ahead for military action without first seeking permission of Parliament  a move opposed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

US President Donald Trump said he will take a decision on action fairly soon and French President Emmanuel Macron said any response will happen when we judge it most useful and effective.

Mr Macron told French TV yesterday that he has proof the Russian-backed forced of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were behind the attack.

And he said: We cannot allow regimes that believe they can act with impunity to violate international law in the worst possible way.

There will not though be unanimous support for military action when EU foreign ministers, including Boris Johnson, discuss a response to the crisis at a summit in Luxembourg on Monday.

A convoy taking civilians from the Syrian city of Douma, which was subject to a suspected chemical weapons attack (Getty)

Speaking at a pre-summit briefing, a senior EU official would not pre-empt the outcome of any discussions about immediate military action.

But, addressing the conflict generally, they said: A military solution is not possible. You need a political solution.

Only a political solution can bring a lasting peace and stability in Syria and we keep on calling for that.

Germanys Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, took the same position when he spoke at a separate press conference in Brussels today.

Story continues

Mr Maas, who discussed the situation in Syria with Boris Johnson yesterday, said: The repeated use of chemical weapons cannot be left unanswered.

But he added: The conflict in Syria will have to be resolved by a political solution.

Italy also today ruled itself out of joining military action.

Paulo Gentiloni, the countrys caretaker Prime Minister, said in a statement: Italy will not participate in Syrian military actions.

Based on current international and bilateral accords, Italy will continue to offer logistical support to allied forces.

Representatives of 85 countries and organisations will meet at a UN-chaired conference in Brussels next week in a bid to take forward the political solution the EU is seeking.




CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, excluded from the Summit of the Americas due to regional censure of his democratic record, mocked the meeting in Lima as a "complete failure" on Saturday. Addressing red-shirted supporters at an "anti-imperialist" rally in Caracas, Venezuela's socialist leader said other Latin American presidents were wasting their time criticizing him. "Everyone who attacks Venezuela ends up losing," he said "The Summit of the Americas has been a complete failure." U.S. President Donald Trump's last-minute cancellation weakened the summit's importance, then overnight western air strikes on Syria overshadowed it. Even so, opposition to Maduro's autocratic government around Latin America is strong, with various leaders viewing an upcoming May 20 presidential election as a farce intended to legitimize his rule. Authorities have banned the two most popular opposition leaders from running for election. "I was seeing reports of some empty speeches by right-wing, unpopular, murderous, imperialist lackey presidents," Maduro told the rally. "It's shameful seeing those presidents, hated by their peoples, speak about Venezuela's noble people." Maduro, 55, who is being targeted by Washington with sanctions due to accusations of corruption and rights abuses, condemned as a "criminal act" the air strikes on Syria over a suspected poison gas attack. "Violating international law, they launched missiles to inflict panic and terrorism on Syrians and destroy scientific centers," he said. "There has been powerful global revulsion around the planet." Standing in for Trump at the Lima summit, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told regional leaders on Saturday that more must be done to isolate Maduro, and Washington would not stand "idly by" as the country crumbles. Pence also said Russia was spreading misinformation about the U.S. missile attacks on Syria. (Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Mark Zuckerberg, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Facebook, had a compensation package of $8.9 million in 2017, up 54% from the year prior  which was almost entirely for personal security and use of a private jet, the company said Friday.

His salary for 2017 was just a token $1, as it has been since 2013, and he didnt receive any stock awards or bonus. As of March 31, Zuckerberg owned 401.5 million shares of Facebook stock, currently worth $6.6 billion. He controls 59.9% of the board voting power of Facebook.

Zuckerbergs pay package for 2017 comprised $7.3 million for personal security  up 50% from $4.9 million in 2016  and $1.52 million for use of a chartered plane.

His total comp was nearly all costs related to personal security for Mr. Zuckerberg at his residences and during personal travel pursuant to his overall security program and costs related to personal usage of private aircraft, Facebook said in a regulatory filing.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg last year took home a pay package worth $25.2 million, up 2.6%, per the filing. Her 2017 comp included $21.1 million in stock and $2.7 million for personal security.

Zuckerberg earlier this week testified before Congress, in Senate and House hearings that each lasted about five hours, to discuss the companys mishandling of data that improperly ended up on the servers of Cambridge Analytica. Thats the British political data-analytics firm that conducted work for Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, which Facebook says bought data on up to 87 million users from a third-party researcher.

Earlier this year, Zuckerberg sold $357 million worth of Facebook shares to fund his philanthropic organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, after selling nearly $1 billion in stock last year.

Related stories

Facebook Exec Doesn't Expect Privacy Backlash to Impact Revenue

Following Capitol Hearings, Facebook Drops Opposition to California Privacy Legislation

Instagram Will Soon Let Users Download All Their Photos, Videos and Messages

Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
Lusaka (AFP) - International lenders and markets are growing increasingly concerned about "hidden debt" in Zambia, a situation similar to the one that plunged neighbouring Mozambique into a deep financial crisis.

For several weeks financiers have demanded answers about the level of the country's true external borrowing -- but officials have rubbished any suggestion of concealed debts.

Zambia, the second largest copper producer in sub-Saharan Africa, insists that its debt pile stands at $8.7 billion -- but there have been suggestions it could be double that.

The allegations have raised fears among Zambians and foreign investors for whom the memory of Mozambique's hidden debt fiasco is still fresh in the mind.

In 2016, international donors froze fiscal support to Mozambique after it emerged that the country had taken $2 billion of "off-book" loans to finance maritime vessels and military equipment.

That move plunged the impoverished country into serious economic and financial crisis.

Maputo has since suspended repayments to creditors and is seeking to renegotiate its debt mountain.

Japanese finance giant Nomura recently questioned the size of Zambia's public debt, suggesting the government is concealing a substantial amount of short-term external debt.

In a note last week, the director of the political risk advisory firm EXX Africa also warned of "mounting evidence of undisclosed loans" and said that Zambia had miscalculated its total debt.

"Based on documentary evidence, we assess that external debt could be as high as $15.6 billion, while local debt seems almost incalculable given the opacity in lending to state-owned entities from local banks," wrote Robert Besseling.

- 'Hiding the figures'? -

But Zambian authorities have brushed aside the growing concerns over the actual size of its external public debt, which has been putting pressure on the value of government bonds.

Story continues

Former finance minister Felix Mutati last year told parliament that foreign debt stood at $17.2 billion -- but retracted the figure days later saying he had misstated it and insisted that the debt burden was just $7.2 billion.

But the damage had already been done.

Chishimba Kambwili, a ruling party lawmaker and former minister accused his own government of cooking the books.

"They have been hiding the figures," he told AFP, suggesting the debt could be as high as $23 billion.

"Let them not pretend that all is well. That is unacceptable."

Former vice president and now opposition politician Nevers Mumba is also convinced there is an official cover-up.

"Our investigations revealed that the foreign debt was at $16.6 billion," Mumba told AFP. "The numbers that they are giving are not correct and they have failed to disprove our figures."

But the government has doggedly stuck to the most recently published figures, vehemently denying that it has concealed any debt.

Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe "has repeatedly said that our debt is at $8.7 billion and let people not speculate," Treasury spokesman Chileshe Kandeta said.

"If someone has evidence that it is not $8.7 billion, let them supply the evidence."

- 'Undermining its macroeconomic stability' -

Zambia had been expecting to secure a $1.3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this year, but the Washington-based lender is unhappy with the country's borrowing plans.

The IMF's representative to Zambia, Boileau Loko, said officials "continue to compromise the country's debt sustainability and risk undermining its macroeconomic stability".

Allegations that the country has not openly disclosed its external debt burden have undermined investor confidence and driven up borrowing cots, according to London-based BMI Research.

"With the spectre of 'hidden debt' a continued concern for regional investors after the 2016 hidden debt crisis in Mozambique, and in the continued absence of a deal with the IMF, we believe borrowing costs are likely to remain elevated," said BMI in a note on Friday.

It added that the situation heightened the risk of Zambia needing to extend the repayment period for its loans.

After posting average annual growth rates of more than 10 percent in the 2000s, growth has slowed significantly in recent years due to falling copper prices.

But Mwanakatwe, the finance minister, has forecast growth will accelerate to four percent in 2018 as copper prices begin to recover.
UPDATED: Actor Will Ferrell was taken to the hospital Thursday night following a crash in Aliso Viejo, Calif., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Ferrell was a passenger in an SUV that was sideswiped and flipped over on the northbound I-5 at 10:55 p.m. Video footage from the scene showed Ferrell talking on a cell phone while being loaded into an ambulance.

The actor was not seriously hurt, his representative told TMZ. Ferrell was one of three passengers in the chauffeur-driven SUV, which was returning from a Funny or Die event in San Diego. Ferrell appeared as Ron Burgundy from Anchorman.

A 27-year-old woman was also in the SUV. She was not wearing a seatbelt, and was seriously injured, according to the Orange County Register. The CHP reported that the SUV was headed north in the carpool lane, just north of La Paz Road. The driver of a Toyota in the lane to the right swerved into the SUV, causing it to hit the center divider and flip, Officer Rafael Reynoso told the Register.

The driver of the Toyota apparently had fallen asleep and struck the rear end of the (Lincoln) Navigator causing it to hit the center divider wall, Reynoso told the paper.

United Talent Agency issued a statement on Farrells behalf:

While traveling back to Los Angeles after hosting a voter registration event in San Diego, a car carrying Will Ferrell and three of his colleagues was struck on the freeway by another vehicle. Will and his colleague, Andrew Steele, were unhurt and have been released from an Orange County hospital. Wills longtime driver, Mark Thompson, and his other colleague Carolina Barlow, remain hospitalized in stable condition. Will is staying close by as his friends are being treated, and has expressed his deep gratitude to the first responders who were immediately at the scene and to the hospital team that took such great care of them. Hes also grateful for all the well wishes he and his friends are receiving.

Story continues

Related stories

Netflix Orders Comedy 'Dead to Me' From Liz Feldman, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay

Will Ferrell Deletes His Facebook Account

'Saturday Night Live': Will Ferrell Reprises George W. Bush To Skewer Trump (WATCH)

Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
Will Ferrell has was involved in a two-car crash in Southern California on Thursday night, ET confirms.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred just before 11 p.m. on Interstate 5 in Orange County. Ferrell was riding in a 2017 Lincoln when the vehicle was struck by a 2007 Toyota. All four people in the Lincoln were taken to the hospital.

The 50-year-old comedian's manager told Deadline that the driver of the Toyota had allegedly fallen asleep at the wheel. Following the incident, Ferrell was taken to Mission Hospital for unspecified injuries and has since been released, according to his manager.

On Friday, the United Talent Agency issued a statement on Ferrell's behalf, which explained, "While traveling back to Los Angeles after hosting a voter registration event in San Diego, a car carrying Will Ferrell and three of his colleagues was struck on the freeway by another vehicle. Will and his colleague, Andrew Steele, were unhurt and have been released from an Orange County hospital."

"Wills longtime driver, Mark Thompson, and his other colleague Carolina Barlow, remain hospitalized in stable condition," the statement continued. "Will is staying close by as his friends are being treated, and has expressed his deep gratitude to the first responders who were immediately at the scene and to the hospital team that took such great care of them. Hes also grateful for all the well wishes he and his friends are receiving."

Prior to the Thursday accident, Ferrell reprised his Anchorman character, Ron Burgundy, when he joined Billy Eichner onstage at for an event held at Oceanside High School Performing Arts Center in Oceanside, California. The occasion was part of Funny Or Die and Eichner's Glam Up the Midterms series.

Getty Images

On Friday, a fan tweeted at Eichner to ask whether he was involved in the accident, to which he replied: "Yes I'm OK. I wasn't in the car. Will and everyone are OK. Very scary but very thankful everyone is OK."

Story continues

Yes I'm ok. I wasn't in the car. Will and everyone are ok. Very scary but very thankful everyone is ok.  https://t.co/6bxeHXY9Ts  billy eichner (@billyeichner) April 13, 2018

ET has reached out to Ferrell's rep.

Here's more on what Ferrell's been up to this year, and ET's most recent exclusive interview with him:

RELATED CONTENT:

Will Ferrell Reprises George W. Bush Impression on Saturday Night Live

Will Ferrell Channels His Ron Burgundy Character to Interview Roger Federer at Australian Open

Brad Pitt Is a Big Fan of Watching Will Ferrell Movies With His Kids

Related Articles:
2nd UPDATE, 1:50 PM: UTA has released a statement on behalf of Will Ferrell following Thursday nights freeway crash in Orange County. Ferrell was returning from Funny or Die and Billy Eichners Glam Up the Midterms event in San Diego when the crash occurred. Ferrell was not hurt. You can read the statement in full below:

While traveling back to Los Angeles after hosting a voter registration event in San Diego, a car carrying Will Ferrell and three of his colleagues was struck on the freeway by another vehicle. Will and his colleague, Andrew Steele, were unhurt and have been released from an Orange County hospital. Wills longtime driver, Mark Thompson, and his other colleague Carolina Barlow, remain hospitalized in stable condition. Will is staying close by as his friends are being treated, and has expressed his deep gratitude to the first responders who were immediately at the scene and to the hospital team that took such great care of them. Hes also grateful for all the well wishes he and his friends are receiving.

UPDATED with additional details, 9 AM: Will Ferrell has been released from a hospital and said to be doing fine following a two-car freeway crash late Thursday south of Los Angeles.

Ferrell was riding in a chauffeur-driven SUV with two other people when they were hit by another vehicle whose driver had fallen asleep at the wheel, Ferrells manager told Deadline.

The accident occurred shortly before 11 PM on northbound Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo in Orange County, according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Richard Peacock. Ferrells vehicle, which was in the HOV lane, was struck by a vehicle on the right that had veered into the HOV lane. Ferrells vehicle then hit the center divider and overturned, Peacock said.

Ferrell and the three other people in the vehicle were all taken to a hospital. The actor was released a short time ago and is said to be doing well. A female passenger had major injuries, according to Peacock. The other two suffered minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt and was not detained or ticketed, he said.

Story continues

TMZ, which first reported the crash, posted video of Ferrell being loaded into the ambulance.

The actor reportedly was on his way back from a Funny or Die event near San Diego.

Mike Fleming Jr. contributed to this report.

Related stories

Susan Sarandon Joins #DeleteFacebook Campaign

Netflix Orders Dark Comedy Series 'Dead To Me' From Liz Feldman, Gloria Sanchez Prods. & CBS TV Studios

Will Ferrell Calls It Quits With Facebook After Cambridge Analytica Scandal
(HOUSTON)  Former first lady Barbara Bush is in failing health and wont seek additional medical treatment, a Bush family spokesman said Sunday.

Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care, spokesman Jim McGrath said in a news release.

McGrath did not elaborate as to the nature of Bushs health problems. She has been treated for decades for Graves disease, which is a thyroid condition.

It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself  thanks to her abiding faith  but for others, McGrath said. She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.

Bush is one of only two first ladies who was also the mother of a president. The other was Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams.

She married George H.W. Bush in 1945. They had six children and have been married longer than any presidential couple in American history.

Eight years after she and her husband left the White House, Mrs. Bush stood with her husband as their son George W. was sworn in as president.

Shes known for her white hair and her triple-strand fake pearl necklace.

Her brown hair began to gray in the 1950s, while her 3-year-old daughter Pauline, known to her family as Robin, underwent treatment for leukemia and eventually died in October 1953. She later said dyed hair didnt look good on her and credited the color to the publics perception of her as everybodys grandmother.

Her pearls sparked a national fashion trend when she wore them to her husbands inauguration in 1989. The pearls became synonymous with Bush, who later said she selected them to hide the wrinkles in her neck. The candid admission only bolstered her common-sense and down-to-earth public image.

Story continues

Her 94-year-old husband also has had health issues in recent years.

In April 2017, the nations 41st president was hospitalized in Houston for two weeks for a mild case of pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. He was hospitalized months earlier, also for pneumonia, spent time in 2015 at a hospital in Maine, where he and his wife have a summer home in Kennebunkport, after falling and breaking a bone in his neck. In Houston in December 2014, he was treated for shortness of breath and spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues.

Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, has a form of Parkinsons disease and uses a motorized scooter or a wheelchair for mobility. He also served as a congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagans vice president.

Barbara Pierce Bush was born in Rye, New York. Her father was the publisher of McCalls and Redbook magazines. She married at age 19 while George Bush was a young naval aviator. After World War II, the Bushes moved to Texas where he went into the oil business.

Along with her memoirs, shes the author of C. Freds Story and Millies Book, based on the lives of her dogs. Proceeds from the books benefited adult and family literacy programs. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy began during her White House years with the goal of improving the lives of disadvantaged Americans by boosting literacy among parents and their children. The foundation partners with local programs and had awarded more than $40 million to create or expand more than 1,500 literacy programs nationwide.
Nairobi (Kenya) (AFP) - Dame Daphne Sheldrick, a conservationist famous for her work rearing baby elephants in Kenya and fighting for the protection of the species, has died aged 83, her family said Friday.

"Daphne passed away the evening of the 12th April after a long battle with breast cancer, a battle she finally lost," her daughter Angela wrote in a statement.

"Her legacy is immeasurable and her passing will reverberate far and wide because the difference she has made for conservation in Kenya is unparalleled."

Sheldrick was born in Kenya in 1934, and spent nearly 30 years working with her husband David who founded Kenya's biggest National Park, Tsavo East.

After his death, she founded The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), famous both for its contribution to conservation and to tourists who flock to the Nairobi centre daily to witness orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed and frolicking in the mud.

"Daphne was the first person to successfully hand raise a milk dependent new born elephant and rhino, knowledge that has seen more than 230 orphaned elephants saved in Kenya, and countless other infant elephants in countries across Africa and into India," read a statement on the trust's website.

With their mothers shot by poachers for ivory, or dying due to frequent droughts, or human-wildlife conflict, scores of baby elephants found their way into Sheldrick's care.

However, it took her 28 years to discover the magic milk formula that would keep alive the baby elephants, who cannot survive without it under the age of two.

But milk is often not enough. Dedicated keepers spend 24 hours a day with the elephants, highly social and emotional creatures who are often severely traumatised when they arrive at the orphanage.

"The infant is very fragile. One must think in human terms for an elephant," Sheldrick told AFP in a 2004 interview.

When they are about two years old, the elephants leave the orphanage for Tsavo park where they try to join a new herd in what can be a long and difficult process.

Story continues

However they continue to return to greet new elephants and their keepers for years to come.

- 'She lived alongside elephants' -

Sheldrick's work has featured on countless television programmes and documentaries, while she also wrote several books.

In 2006 Queen Elizabeth II appointed Sheldrick Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the first Knighthood to be awarded in Kenya since the country received independence in 1963, according to the trust.

The Kenyan government in 2001 presented her with a Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) decoration -- one of the country's top honours.

According to the Great Elephant Census project, African Savanna elephant populations fell by 30 percent between 2007 and 2014.

"Daphne lived alongside elephants and learned to read their hearts, much as they read ours - she understood their fragility, their intelligence, their capacity to love, to grieve, to heal, to support one another and she took those lessons to the global stage," read the tribute to her on the trust's website.

"In doing so, Daphne became a leading voice for elephants, never through a desire for the limelight, only ever driven by her belief that elephants, and other wild species, have a right to live a free and protected life - just like us."
GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group said four of its members were killed in an apparent accidental blast in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The group said in a statement that it was "mourning its fighters who were martyred during preparations". It usually employs those terms to refer to casualties caused by the accidental detonation of weapons or explosives used in attacks against Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed four fatalities in the incident. Medics at the scene in the Rafah area said the explosion was caused by Israel. But an Israeli military spokesman said the army was not involved. "Contrary to reports currently circulating I can tell you that the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is not aware of any IDF fire in the area surrounding Rafah," the spokesman said. Violence has flared in the Gaza Strip since March 30, when Palestinians began protests along the border area with Israel. Israeli troops have shot dead 31 Gaza Palestinians and wounded hundreds since the protests began, drawing international criticism of their lethal tactics. The border area remained largely quiet on Saturday. Protesters have set up tented camps near the frontier as a protest dubbed The Great March of Return - evoking a longtime call for refugees to regain ancestral homes in what is now Israel - moved into its third week. Israel has declared a no-go zone close to the Gaza border fence. Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. The Palestinian enclave is ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement, designated by Israel and the West as a terrorist group. Citing security concerns, Israel maintains a naval blockade of the coastal territory, keeping tight restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and goods across the frontier. Egypt, battling an Islamist insurgency in neighboring Sinai, keeps its border with Gaza largely closed. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; writing by Maayan Lubell; editing by Angus MacSwan)
By Jean-Baptiste Vey, Marine Pennetier and Matthias Blamont PARIS (Reuters) - France said on Saturday it would not hesitate to strike Syrian government targets again if the chemical red line was crossed, but that no new strikes were planned at this stage, adding that it would renew a push for peace through dialogue with Russia. President Emmanuel Macron ordered the military intervention in Syria alongside the United States and Britain in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week. "Our objectives were met," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told BFM TV. If the red line banning the use of chemical weapons was crossed again, there would be another intervention, he said, while adding: "I think the lesson will have been learnt." The French strikes, involving 12 cruise missiles, fighter jets and warships, were Macron's first major military decision since taking office a year ago and was all but inevitable after the young president repeatedly said France would strike if a fatal chemical attack took place in Syria. "This action was proportionate and targeted, it was not aimed at (Syrian President Bashar al) Assad's allies nor at the civilian population," Le Drian said in a televised statement. Le Drian said France, which has backed opponents of Assad throughout the civil war, would swiftly take new political initiatives to find a solution to the crisis. He added that Paris would work with all countries and that there were no changes to Macron's planned trip to Russia next month. While there had been general public warnings broadcast by U.S. President Donald Trump, Macron himself and other Western leaders, a French presidency source said Macron did not tell Russian President Vladimir Putin the allies would strike overnight when they talked over the phone on Friday. However, regular "deconfliction" contacts were made with the Russian military once the operation had been kicked off to make sure that they would not be accidentally hit, the source said. Defense Minister Florence Parly said this meant Russia had been "warned beforehand" to avoid any confrontation or escalation. The French presidency issued a video on Twitter showing what it said were war planes taking off as part of the intervention. Macron said in a written statement that the attack had been limited to Syria's chemical weapons facilities and said the facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime were beyond doubt. Backing up its reasons for the air strikes, the foreign ministry released an intelligence report based largely on open sources which concluded that there was no other plausible explanation than a chemical attacked coordinated by the Syrian military. The report said that for now France did not have chemical samples from the attack site analyzed by its own laboratories yet. Macron, who tweeted a picture of himself in a meeting room with military and diplomatic advisers, has not made any address to the nation. He is due to be interviewed by three French media on Sunday night. The French air force has been active in Syria since 2015 to fight Islamic State, but had not targeted government targets until now. (Additional reporting by Geert De Clercq and John Irish; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by John Irish)
PARIS (Reuters) - The French military on Saturday targeted Syria's main chemicals research center as well as two other facilities, French Defence minister Florence Parly said, adding that Russia had been informed before the strikes were carried out. The minister was speaking hours after President Emmanuel Macron ordered a military intervention in Syria alongside the United States and Britain in an attack on the chemical weapons arsenal of the country's regime. "We are not looking for confrontation and refuse any logic of escalation, that is the reason why we, with our allies, ensured the Russians were warned beforehand," Parly told journalists in a short statement alongside Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Parly also said cruise missiles had been fired by the French military. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Matthias Blamont; Editing by Ingrid Melander)
Notre-Dame-des-Landes (France) (AFP) - Police said hundreds of activists attacked officers on Sunday ahead of a peaceful rally to protest the forced closure of an anti-capitalist camp in western France.

A week of clashes erupted on Monday when police launched an eviction operation at Notre-Dames-des-Landes camp, near the city of Nantes, set up 10 years ago to fight plans for a new airport.

Officers were attacked by around 300 protestors, some armed with molotov cocktails, who attempted to gain access to rebuild squats at the camp on Sunday morning, police said.

Two people were arrested and one officer was wounded.

Around 3,000 to 4,000 people later flocked to the site to take part in a peaceful rally defending the camp, police added.

General Richard Lizurey, director general of the French Gendarmerie, said the operation to clear the camp had been undermined by the presence of "the far-left" including "black bloc" protesters, the black-clad demonstrators who often clash with police at demonstrations around the world.

A similar rally on Saturday, attended by around 6,700 people, spilled on to the streets of Nantes where windows were broken, police said.

About 2,500 officers have been deployed to the site and 29 squats destroyed since Monday.

Many protesters have been equipped with gas masks, molotov cocktails, makeshift shields and racquets they used to knock back police tear gas cannisters during days of clashes.

- Spring deadline -

Dominique Fresneau, co-president of Acipa, the protest movement, called for calm on both sides, adding that violence delays talks.

According to a medical team set up at the activists' camp, at least 148 protesters have been injured since Monday.

Activists opposed to plans to build a new airport near the city of Nantes first began squatting on the farmland in 2008, and the camp grew into a sprawling 1,600-hectare (4,000-acre) settlement billed as a utopian leftist farming community.

Story continues

But the government announced in January that it was calling off plans for the airport and warned the squatters that they must clear off the land by spring.

The week-long battle echoes a failed attempt to clear the camp in 2012.

The activists are furious at police damage to their shelters and farming projects including a sheep shed and cheese-making area, saying they had been in talks with local officials on maintaining many of the projects.

The government had said activists could stay on the land if they came up with individual farming schemes but most refused, saying they want to run the site collectively and be able to pursue non-agricultural projects.

Local authorities say 16 of the encampments dotting the farmland were cleared in the first two days of the operation, 15 of them demolished.

The plan is to dismantle up to 40 as authorities seek to retake control of a key road running through the area that has been blocked for five years.

tll-asl-aag-bur/ecl/har
General Motors told 3,000 workers at its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, on Friday that it was suspending its second shift to make operations more stable.

A spokeswoman for the company said up to 1,500 hourly and salaried employees will be affected. She said the company didn't know how many employees would actually lose their jobs. The company will begin communicating with workers next week to let them know what alternatives are available.

In a statement e-mailed to FOX Business, the company said last year that Chevrolet sold 150,000 Cruze compact sedans in the U.S., all built in Lordstown. This years forecast for the model is about the same.

As we look at the market for compact cars in 2018 and beyond, we believe a more stable operating approach to match market demand is a one-shift schedule, the company said in the statement.

The U.S. small-car market has been on a steady decline since 2014, owing in large part to a change in consumer demand for crossovers, trucks and SUVs, according to the statement. Lower fuel prices and an improving economy are both contributing to this trend, GM added.

GM summoned the 3,000 employers at the facility for a meeting at 3 p.m. local time on Friday to discuss the plants future. Before the meeting, Lordstown Village Mayor Arno Hill told the Business Journal of Youngstown that speculation was rampant, adding that he remained confident.

Related Articles
(Photo: Leah Millis / Reuters)

Its official. Paul Ryan, the man who made morally ambiguous statements about Donald Trumps textbook racism, is vacating his position as speaker of the House and retiring from Congress.

As Trumps erratic presidency continues to spike the stress levels of a majority of Americans, Ryan has picked the path of least resistance and abandoned the sinking ship that is the House Republican caucus.

On immigration, Ryan plays in the House the same role that Marco Rubio of Florida plays in the Senate: Hes a walking and talking empty suit.

That is because as speaker, Ryan could have done something (read: anything) to help Dreamers  the undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children  and beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, like myself. He instead chose to ignore the manufactured crisis that Trump created to push a profoundly unpopular immigration plan that catered to the xenophobic wing of the Republican Party. The result? Prolonged anxiety among 800,000 Dreamers who are currently working, going to school and paying taxes in hopes that they may be able to live free from the constant fear of deportation.

It was just over a year ago that Ryan promised Angelica Villalobos, an Oklahoma mother and Dreamer, that he wanted to find a way to make sure that [Angelica] can get right with the law. Ryan stated during a CNN town hall that Angelica, who questioned him on whether people like her should be deported, should not worry about some, you know, deportation force coming on your door this year. Dont worry about that.

But sure enough, undocumented immigrants and Dreamers in 2018 continue to face an alarming amount of attacks from Trump, the Department of Justice and a supercharged deportation force whose abuse goes mostly unchecked  all while Ryan and Republicans in Congress turn a blind eye and talk nice.

Paul Ryans record on immigration as speaker of the House is incoherent at best.

Story continues

In 2016, he went on CNN to express his disdain for then-candidate Trumps anti-immigrant platform. At the time, Ryan believed that rounding up 11 million undocumented people would not work and that the American people would not like to see what the government would have to do to the country to accomplish that goal. And yet, when faced with the choice of upholding American values or caving to a xenophobic politician, Ryan ultimately bowed his head and kissed Trumps ring, indicating he would not stand in the way when the Trump administration deported business owners, veterans and parents of U.S. citizen children.

Of course, this should not come as a surprise to anyone. Back in 2015, The Washington Posts Greg Sargent detailed how Ryan went out of his way to reassure conservatives that Republicans will not enter into any bipartisan compromising with Obama on immigration reform. (This is from a man who still hasnt put forth any significant immigration legislation since President Barack Obama departed the White House in early 2017.)

Ryan developed that position when he received a host of criticism from the anti-immigrant wing of the Republican Party, led by Iowas racist Rep. Steve King, pushing aside decades of work he had conducted on immigration, including working behind the scenes on the failed 2013 comprehensive immigration reform effort. In 2014, Ryan published a book in which he urged members of his party to reach out to minority voters and advocate for thoughtful immigration reform. And lets not forget that Ryan worked very closely on immigration dating back at least to 2009.

Alas, the same Ryan whom my boss at Americas Voice, Frank Sharry, knew as an outspoken and tireless defender of immigrants and immigration and who believed that immigration was a central pillar to the American experiment is no more. In fact, Ryan has been missing in action for so long that even the promise he made to Angelica on live television rung hollow for many of us who still have daily panic attacks about when our DACA protections, drivers licenses and work permits will expire.

Right now, Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) claims to have secured support from 40 Republican House members for a resolution that would initiate votes on four immigration proposals  a strategy known as Queen of the Hill, where the bill with the most votes passes.

If enough Democrats join Denham in his resolution, we could see the House actually take up the DREAM Act, the more centrist USA Act, an anti-immigrant poison pill by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), and a bill of Ryans choosing, rumored to be Trumps extremely anti-immigrant four pillars legislation.

Ryan holds the keys to this potential immigration debate, as the Queen of the Hill strategy would require his ultimate approval. So if he hopes to retire from Congress with an ounce of dignity and respect, then he should listen to the vast majority of Americans who want to see Dreamers protected against the claws of Trumps deportation force.

Unfortunately, if his past actions are any indication, Ryan will do nothing. He will continue being a spineless disappointment and go down as a speaker of the House who had no courage to stand up to Trump and stand for what is right in the face of the slightest criticism from members of his own party.

Just look at what Ryan told my friend and fellow Dreamer Adrian Escarate, who had the opportunity to share his story with the speaker ahead of this years State of The Union address:

I met speaker Paul Ryan hours before the SOTU in his Capitol Hill office and in an almost boastful tone he told me not to worry; that the legislative process might be ugly, but that they will protect Dreamers because it was something hes been working on for a while.

I am happy to see you will dedicate more time to your family once you leave Congress, Speaker Ryan. I will do the same, because Dreamers will not and cannot rest easy about our future or the future of our families in the U.S. under Trump.

But one last thing, Paul. As you get ready to launch a worldwide search for your spine or prepare a potential bid for president, dont dare write any books or give any speeches about how you regret not helping Dreamers during your time as speaker. Nobody will care nor believe you, because you will go down in history as an opportunistic Trump-enabling Republican who couldnt put his country or morals first, and no amount of rebranding will change that.

Juan Escalante is an immigrant advocate and online strategist who has been fighting for the Dream Act and pro-immigration policies at all levels of government for the past 10 years.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST OPINION

My Dad Helped Put Me Through Med School. He May Be Deported Before I Graduate.

Steve Bannon Was Right About Paul Ryan

Eric Greitens Sounds A Lot Like Another Politician Accused Of Sexual Assault

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Guatemala City (AFP) - Guatemalan voters are being called out Sunday to decide whether the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should rule on a border dispute with neighboring Belize that goes back more than 200 years.

The long-running disagreement has seen tensions spike from time to time, such as two years ago when Guatemala mobilized 3,000 troops along the densely wooded unmarked border zone after a Guatemalan teen was fatally shot there after a Belize border patrol came under fire.

An investigation by the Organization of American States ended up finding that the Belize patrol was not responsible for the death.

The referendum was agreed under a 2008 accord to send the dispute to The Hague-based ICJ, if the populations of Guatemala and Belize approved.

Belize has not yet fixed a date for its referendum on the issue, although officials say it could take place next year.

The Guatemalan plebiscite question asks voters to respond "yes" or "no" as to whether any legal claims by Guatemala against Belize relating to its territories "should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement" and boundary determination.

The country has an electorate of 7.5 million people, but analysts believe turnout could be as low as 10 percent.

The head of Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Maria Eugenia Mijangos, told reporters that voter apathy was a big risk. Efforts by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales to boost turnout have foundered on the rocks of his low popularity.

Guatemala has made claims over more than half of Belize's territory, dating to when its English-speaking neighbor was a British colony known as British Honduras.

The border issue goes back to 1783 when Spain, the former colonial power over what is now Guatemala, gave Britain the right to occupy future Belize and exploit its timber in exchange for combating piracy. A century later, it became a British colony.

In 1964, British Honduras won the right to self-government, then in 1973 renamed itself Belize.

Independence came in 1981, though a British military presence remained until the mid-1990s because Guatemala refused for a decade to recognize it as a new country.
Guatemala City (AFP) - Guatemalans voted overwhelmingly Sunday to send a centuries-old border dispute with neighboring Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for final resolution, according to preliminary referendum results.

A total of 95.89 percent voted "yes," with votes from over 92 percent of polling stations accounted for, said Gustavo Castillo of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

Polls closed at 6:00 pm (0000 GMT) after 11 hours of voting, which took place "without reports of security incidents," tribunal president Maria Eugenia Mijangos said.

But despite 7.5 million Guatemalans being summoned to the ballot box, the vote was marked by low turnout.

The border disagreement, whose roots go back two centuries, has seen tensions spike from time to time. Two years ago Guatemala mobilized 3,000 troops along the densely forested unmarked border zone after an incident in which a Guatemalan teenager was fatally shot.

A Belize border patrol had opened fire after being shot at, but an investigation by the Organization of American States found it not responsible for the death.

The two nations agreed in 2008 to send the dispute to The Hague-based ICJ, if the people of both countries approved.

Observers from 25 countries were on hand to monitor the polling.

Belize has not yet fixed a date for its referendum on the issue, although officials say it could take place next year.

The Guatemalan plebiscite asked voters to respond "yes" or "no" as to whether any legal claims by Guatemala against Belize relating to its territories "should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement" and boundary determination.

Mijangos told reporters that voter apathy was a big risk. Efforts by President Jimmy Morales to boost turnout have foundered on the rocks of his low popularity.

- 'Very important issue' -

On Sunday, Mijangos said: "We are calling on all Guatemalans, especially the youth making up the majority of the electorate, to participate, to go to polling stations to put in their vote on this very important issue which has taken so many years to find a solution to."

Story continues

Morales said as he voted that the two countries had "very good bilateral relations" and he hoped the dispute could be resolved.

Guatemala has made claims over more than half of Belize's territory, dating back to when its English-speaking neighbor was a British colony known as British Honduras.

The border issue goes back to 1783 when Spain -- the former colonial power over what is now Guatemala -- gave Britain the right to occupy the territory that became Belize and exploit its timber in exchange for combating piracy. A century later, it became a British colony.

In 1964 British Honduras won the right to self-government and in 1973 renamed itself Belize.

Independence came in 1981, though a British military presence remained until the mid-1990s because Guatemala refused for a decade to recognize it as a new country.
By Gul Yousafzai QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Two members of Pakistan's beleaguered Christian community were killed on Sunday in the country's southwest when unknown gunmen opened fire on a small group that had just left a local church, police officials said. The churchgoers were on their way home in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, when two men on a motorcycle began shooting at them, local police official Ataullah Shah told Reuters. Eight wounded were taken to hospital and two people were pronounced dead. Television pictures showed members of Quetta's Christian community burning car and bicycle tires while protesting the shooting. At the hospital, people screamed and cried as the two bodies were brought in on a stretcher covered with white sheets. Baluchistan, a region bordering Iran as well as Afghanistan, is plagued by violence by Sunni Islamist sectarian groups linked to the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. It also has an indigenous ethnic Baloch insurgency fighting the central government. Islamic State has created a branch in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years mostly by recruiting among established militants. Its followers have claimed some of Pakistan's most deadly recent attacks. This month four members of a Christian family were gunned down in Quetta a day after Easter, in what police officials called a "targeted attack". In December two suicide bombers stormed a packed church in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding up to 56. Islamic State claimed both attacks. Rome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red for an evening in February in solidarity with persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a Catholic woman who has been living on death row in Pakistan since 2010, when she was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam. (Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi leader said on Friday the group would continue to develop its military capabilities as the Iran-aligned movement stepped up its attacks against Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war. Saudi air defense forces on Wednesday intercepted three missiles fired at Riyadh and other cities by the Houthis -- the fourth time in five months that missiles have flown over the Saudi capital. They also downed two Houthi drones in cities in the south of the kingdom, Saudi state media said. "As long as the aggression continues, our military capabilities will grow and develop," Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a speech aired by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, adding that the group had a right to build drone planes and use them. A Saudi-led alliance intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to try to push back the Houthis after they drove the internationally recognized government into exile in Riyadh. The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year war. The privately-owned Belqees TV station said one of its Yemeni photographers, Abdullah al-Qadry, died from injuries sustained in what it said was a Houthi missile strike on Friday that hit a car carrying journalists in al-Bayda province. It said the correspondent of another Yemeni TV station was injured. Medical sources confirmed that the photographer had died from his injuries and said another journalist was in serious condition. It was not clear how many people had been in the car. The Houthis say their missile attacks on the kingdom are in retaliation for air raids on Yemen by the Western-backed coalition, which has launched thousands of air strikes in Yemen since 2015 that have killed hundreds of people. The coalition accuses the Houthis of being armed and supported by regional foe Iran -- charges the group and Tehran deny. Arms monitor Conflict Armament Research says it has evidence that the drones used on Wednesday and other Houthi equipment were made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction. (Reporting by Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai and Mohammed Ghobari in Aden; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Toby Chopra)
Grant Kimberley checks soybean plans on his farm near Maxwell, Iowa - AP

At the Kimberley family farm in rural Iowa the winter frost has lifted and the next few weeks will bring soybean planting season.

"One in every three rows of beans goes to China," said Grant Kimberley, watching a combine harvester spraying fertilizer across a vast field.

But Mr Kimberley, 42, whose ancestors have tilled the soil here since the 1860s, didn't look overly confident those exports would continue.

A potentially devastating trade war looms and US soybeans headed for China could face a 25 per cent tariff. The proposed tariff hangs like a sword of Damocles over Iowa, a state bigger than England known as the "breadbasket of America".

Forty per cent of China's soybeans, $14 billion worth a year, come from the US, and much of that comes from Iowa. The state is now awash with predictions of impending economic doom, and growing anger at Donald Trump for triggering the crisis in the first place by putting tariffs on Chinese steel.

Nowhere would a prolonged trade war bring more disappointment than at the 4,000-acre Kimberley farm, which has in some sense become a focal point for Sino-US trade relations.

In 2012 China's President Xi Jinping, who was vice president at the time, visited the Kimberleys - Grant, his father Rick, and mother Martha - on a tour of America. He sat in their living room and examined a jar of soybeans on the coffee table, explored the shiny metal storage facilities, and drove a giant computerised tractor.

Xi Jinping looks at vases full of soybeans and corn as Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (L) looks on during a visit to the Rick Kimberley family farm on February 16, 2012 in Maxwell, Iowa Credit: Charlie Neibergall/AFP / Getty Images

He liked the place so much that a replica "friendship farm" - including a copy of the Kimberleys house - is being built in China's Hebei province. Rick Kimberley, 67, was recently in Hebei for the groundbreaking ceremony.

"President Xi sat on that couch just there and hung out," said Grant Kimberley. "I can tell you hes not your old-school stoic Chinese leader. We talked about the importance of trade between our countries, biotechnology, seed technology. He knows agriculture."

Story continues

Mr Xi's connection to Iowa goes back to 1985 when, as a party official, he spent two weeks in the state researching farming and lodging with an Iowan family.

That was his first visit to America and, according to those who have spoken to him, he retains a deep fondness for the state. Sadly for Iowa, however, that also means Mr Xi knows well both its economic and political importance.

In addition to being an agricultural powerhouse the state holds a special place in the electoral calendar, voting first in primary elections. In the 2016 general election Mr Trump won with 51 per cent of the vote, largely because farmers rallied behind him.

"The Chinese are very politically astute. President Xi has been to Iowa, he knows the place," said Mr Kimberley. "They know the Mid West is important to Trump. They're communist but they know Democratic political problems. And they're smart businessmen, they've been doing it for 2,000 years." He added: "We had been hoping agriculture would be left out of all this, that it wouldnt be used as a weapon.

Soybeans in a field on the Grant Kimberley farm Credit: Charlie Neibergall/AP

I don't believe he (Mr Xi) does want tariffs, but he will protect his country.

If a trade war lasted until 2020, sending many Iowan farmers out of business, they would make their displeasure known at the ballot box. Sooner, they could abandon Republicans in the mid-term congressional elections in November.

The Des Moines Register, the biggest newspaper in Iowa, has been in the vanguard of the outrage, accusing Mr Trump of "playing politics with Iowa's economy" and having "no loyalty" to a state that backed him.

The Quad City Times said Iowa had been "conned". Dave Struthers, a soybean and pig farmer, said the president was making a mistake. He added: "I think its going to hurt him, I really do.

Bill Shipley, president of the Iowa Soybean Association, publicly called on Mr Trump to visit his farm and "meet the people who help create one of Americas most valuable exports".

He said: "Trade wars involving food are a lose-lose." While the rest of the world 's attention was focused on Syria, Mr Trump and his agriculture secretary Sonny Purdue spent Thursday conducting a rearguard action at the White House, huddling with Republican politicians from farming states.

Iowa's Republican governor Kim Reynolds told him tariffs would be "devastating". Mr Trump said he "loved farmers" but they would have to take a hit as he tackled the overall $375 billion US trade deficit with China.

"We'll make it up to them," he promised. The stand-off with China began in earnest a month go when Mr Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

He then followed up with another $50 billion worth of proposed tariffs on Chinese goods. China responded in kind, proposing $50 billion on over 100 US goods, including three major imports - soybeans, planes and cars. Studies have suggested the proposed tariffs would reduce US soybean exports to China by 71 per cent.

The gap would be filled by South American producers, and Iowa farmers are already monitoring weather forecasts in Brazil and Argentina.

Meanwhile, Iowa's pig farmers are being hit by a Chinese tariff that has already come into effect. Iowa has three times as many pigs as any other US state. There are 20 million, compared to only three million people. The price of an average-sized pig is down from $170 two weeks ago to $125 now.

Farmers who supported Mr Trump knew he had campaigned on protectionist manufacturing policies. They had hoped agriculture would be spared in any trade war.

But Chad Hart, an a agriculture economist at Iowa State University, said China had deliberately targeted a state that was the "world's grocery store," and a place politically valuable to Mr Trump.

"I'm sure that's a bit of the calculus behind it," he said. "I think at the moment folks here are waiting to see how the Trump administration responds."

In China they are also already feeling the effects of the nascent trade war.

Sun Chao, chief manager of Tianjiao Group, an animal feed supplier in Tianjin, said his company buys bean pulp imported from the US, and sells it on as pig feed to local farmers.

He said: Prices of bean pulp have already gone up at least 25 per cent, which makes our prices also higher for pig farmers.

Gary Dvorchak, an Iowan businessman who now lives in Beijing, said: I think this has made the Chinese sit up straight and make them think that this is not like other US administrations.

How soybeans sow discontent in trade war

On his 1985 formative visit Mr Xi lodged in Mr Dvorchaks Iowa bedroom. Mr Dvorchak was away at college at the time. He said Mr Xis fondness for Iowa may mitigate the amount of pain he would want to cause but the Chinese president would do what he has to do.

Mr Dvorchak added: I have a lot of friends in Iowa, and a lot are soybean farmers. I think theyre going to have to carry the water for their country, I dont think there is any other way around it.

But within a year there will be a deal which opens some markets for us in China, and in general the terms of trade are better off.

As he prepared for planting Mr Kimberley was also determined to remain optimistic. He was sticking with planting soybeans rather than changing to another crop like corn, as some Iowa farmers are considering. And he was confident Mr Xi and Mr Trump could reach a deal.

"I think President Xi understands how important trade is to his country, he said. Long term, it's in their best interests to resolve this as well."

He added: "After Brexit I hope we get a free trade agreement with you guys in the UK. That might help a bit.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's army said Sunday it had destroyed a Hamas tunnel crossing from the Gaza Strip into its territory after more than two weeks of tension along the border of the Palestinian enclave.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was the longest and deepest Gazan tunnel discovered by Israel.

The tunnel crossed into Israeli territory by several metres (yards) but did not yet have an exit point, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists.

Israel destroyed the tunnel -- which it said connected to several others within Gaza and could have been used for attacks -- by filling it with material to make it inoperative.

"We filled the tunnel with material that renders it useless for a very long period of time," Conricus said. Explosives were not used.

"According to our early assessments, this tunnel reaches kilometres, several kilometres, into the Gaza Strip."

The tunnel came from the area of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip and was being dug in the direction of the Nahal Oz community in Israel, he said.

It was the fifth Gazan tunnel destroyed by Israel in recent months, Conricus said. Israel destroyed it over the course of the weekend.

The operation comes after protests along the Gaza border since March 30 that have led to clashes in which Israeli forces have killed 34 Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others.

Israel alleges Hamas is seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence and said the tunnel destroyed could have been used for that purpose, saying it comes from near an area where demonstrators have gathered.

Israel has faced criticism over its use of live fire along the Gaza border since March 30, while the European Union and UN chief Antonio Guterres have called for an independent investigation.

The military says its soldiers act to stop attacks, damage to the fence and infiltration bids, and says there have been attempts at all three.

Conricus said Israel had been monitoring the construction of the tunnel for some time.

Story continues

He said Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, began building it after the 2014 war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including Hamas.

Israel has fought three wars with the Islamist movement Hamas since 2008, and the group has used tunnels to carry out attacks in the past.

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for more than a decade, while its border with Egypt has also remained largely closed in recent years.

Israel has also been building an underground wall around the Gaza Strip to stop tunnel infiltrations.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coupled praise for U.S.-led strikes on Syrian targets on Saturday with a warning that Iran's presence there further endangers Syria.

U.S., British and French forces hit Syria with air strikes overnight in response to an alleged poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week. U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to sustain the response until Assads government stopped its use of chemical weapons.

"Early this morning, under American leadership, the United States, France and the United Kingdom demonstrated that their commitment is not limited to proclamations of principle," Netanyahu said in a written statement.

Netanyahu said Syrian president Bashar al-Assad must understand that "his provision of a forward base for Iran and its proxies endangers Syria".

An Israeli official said Israel was notified of the strikes ahead of time. Asked how much warning Israel had received, the official told Reuters: "Between 12 and 24 hours, I believe."

Asked whether Israel helped choose targets, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Not to my knowledge."

A U.S. embassy spokeswoman confirmed to Reuters that Israel had been notified before the strikes, but she provided no further details.

Irans involvement in Syria in support of Assad has alarmed Israel, which has said it will counter any threat. The armed Iranian-backed Shi'ite movement Hezbollah, which has an extensive missile arsenal, last fought a war with Israel in 2006.

Syria, Iran and Russia say Israel was behind an air strike on a Syrian air base on Monday that killed seven Iranian military personnel, something Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Netanyahu and urged him to do nothing to destabilise Syria, according to a Kremlin statement.

Netanyahu said Israel would not allow Iran to establish itself in Syria, according to his office.

Israel has mounted air strikes in Syria on a regular basis, targeting suspected weapons shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell, Ari Rabinovitch and Dan Williams; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Kevin Liffey)
Former FBI director James Comey will appear on ABCs 20/20 Sunday night at 10 p.m. Eastern Time in his first television interview since being fired by President Donald Trump last year.

In addition watching the interview on television, it can be streamed with a cable subscription or viewed on Hulu with a subscription.

The interview, conducted by George Stephanopoulos, took place in Comeys home in Virginia last Monday, according to Axios. In a promo for the interview, Stephanopoulos asks Comey: How strange is it for you to sit here and compare the president to a mob boss?

Trending: James Comey 'A Higher Loyalty' Book Release Date: When, Where Can You Get a Copy

Comeys interview is part of a tour to promote his forthcoming book A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, which will be released Tuesday.

GettyImages-693811066

Mark Wilson/GETTY

Comey has alleged that ahead of his dismissal, Trump asked the FBI director for his loyalty, during a White House dinner.

Don't miss: Trump Defends 'Mission Accomplished' Tweet After Syria Missile Strike

The president said, I need loyalty, I expect loyalty. I didnt move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence, said Comey in a written testimony to Congress. Near the end of our dinner, the President returned to the subject of my job.He then said, I need loyalty. I replied, You will always get honesty from me. He paused and then said, Thats what I want, honest loyalty. I paused, and then said, You will get that from me.

Trump denied that he asked him the question in an interview with Fox News. Trump did, however, tie the firing to a Russia probe that Comey was leading in a May interview with NBCs Lester Holt.

Story continues

And in fact when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story, it's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won, said the president.

Most popular: Stormy Daniels to attend Michael Cohen Hearing Says Her Lawyer, Michael Avenatti

Comey also claimed that Trump asked him to see [his] way clear to letting an investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn fall by the wayside. Flynn subsequently accepted a plea deal with investigators, pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations he had with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

Just a week after Comeys firing, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed special counsel Robert Mueller, himself a former FBI director, to oversee an investigation of the president about possible connections to Russia and any related issues such as obstruction of justice.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono and his Chinese counterpart have pledged to improve ties between their nations and affirmed a commitment to stick with U.N. resolutions aimed at forcing North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons. Kono met the Chinese governments top diplomat, State Councillor Wang YiWang Yi, in Tokyo on Sunday, having made his own official visit to Beijing earlier this year. Wang is the first Chinese foreign minister to visit Japan in a bilateral context in the nine years since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to reset the sometimes fraught relations between Asia's two largest economies. "Through mutual visits between our two leaders we agreed to pursue wide-reaching cooperation and improved ties," Kono said after Sunday's meeting. Economic ties between Japan and China are close, led by corporate investment. The neighbours remain at odds, however, over China's growing military presence in the South China Sea, through which much of the region's sea-borne trade sails, and a dispute over ownership of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku in Tokyo and the Diaoyu in Beijing. Wang said his visit was in response to Japan's positive attitude towards China. "Since last year Japan has, in relations with China, displayed a positive message and friendly attitude," he said. The talks came ahead of a summit between the two Koreas this month and a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jon Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S-North Korea talks are aimed at ending a stand-off over Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. "To establish a complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of North Korea we agreed to continue to fully implement all relevant U.N. resolutions and to work closely together," Kono said. Wang, who spent eight years in Japan as a diplomat, including three as China's ambassador, is scheduled to hold further talks with Kono and other Japanese Cabinet ministers on Monday. On Tuesday Japanese Self Defense Force officers will meet counterparts from China's People's Liberation Army at a reception hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in an effort to build trust between the military rivals. (Reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo; Writing by Tim Kelly and Ritsuko Ando; Editing by Sam Holmes and David Goodman)
In a BBC interview Jeremy Corbyn called for a new 'war powers act' to limit the authority of the Prime Minister - PA

Jeremy Corbyn will try to force a vote in Parliament that would make it difficult for Prime Ministers to take military action without the approval of MPs as he suggested Bashar al-Assad could be innocent of last weeks chemical weapons attack.

The Labour leader suggested on Sunday that all planned use of force should be signed off by the Commons as he announced plans for a war powers act which would ensure that all governments are accountable for what they do in our name.

Following raids on the Syrian regime's chemical weapons stockpiles on Saturday, Mr Corbyn questioned the legal basis for the mission, adding that Mrs May should have respected a convention supposedly laid down by the coalition government in 2011.

Labour sources indicated that Mr Corbyn will apply to the Speaker on Monday for an emergency debate under a Parliamentary mechanism called Standing Order No24. It allows MPs to call for a debate within 24 hours on matters of national importance.

The Prime Minister will also ask for an emergency debate, but while her bid will not include a request for a vote, Mr Corbyn is likely to ask for a vote which could include a call for Prime Ministers to consult Parliament in future.

Although such votes are not binding, any defeat for the Prime Minister would be humiliating and would make it politically more difficult for her to take military action in future. It is up to the Speaker to decide whether to allow either of the applications.

Mr Corbyn told the BBC: There is precedent over previous interventions where parliament has had a vote, and I think what we need in this country is something more robust, like a War Powers Act, so that governments do get held to account by parliament for what they do in our name.

"She could have recalled parliament last week - it is only the Prime Minister who can recall parliament - or she could have delayed until tomorrow when parliament returns.

Story continues

Despite receiving intelligence briefings on the chemical attack in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Mr Corbyn again refused to blame the Assad regime, suggesting that other parties had access to chlorine gas and could not be ruled out.

His claims appeared to clash with Emmanuel Macron, the French President, who said that he had proof of Assads culpability, while a number of eyewitness accounts also place a regime helicopter in the area at the time of the gassing.

Mr Corbyn also questioned the legality of the strikes, suggesting that the Government's legal justification - humanitarian grounds - was not universally accepted by other countries.

If we want to get the moral high ground, as a country with a history of international involvement, then we need to abide by international law, he added. I say to the Foreign Secretary, and I say to the Prime Minister, where is the legal basis for this?

Mr Corbyn has also written to the Prime Minister asking that the advice provided by the Attorney General be published.

However, his decision to undermine the Government was heavily criticised on social media, with Labour MP John Woodcock describing Mr Corbyns stance as deeply troubling.

Brandon Lewis, the Conservative Party chairman, said that Mr Corbyns refusal to blame the Assad regime showed he was more worried about upsetting Russia than about preventing use of chemical weapons.

Corbyn seems determined to obfuscate to avoid showing leadership on chemical weapons and UK defending itself or most vulnerable in the world, he added.

The Foreign Secretary and Labour leader were both interviewed on the Andrew Marr programme Credit: Jeff Overs/BBC

The Labour leader also faced criticism when he refused to condemn demented claims made by the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who has now suggested that both the Salisbury and Douma attacks were orchestrated by the UK.

When asked what he made of the comments, Mr Corbyn said: Im quite surprised. Hes either got to back it up or withdraw it.

In the wake of the Salisbury attack, the evidence against Russias culpability has continued to grow, with newly declassified intelligence now showing that the Kremlin hacked Yulia Skripals emails for at least five years.

The intelligence, released by Sir Mark Sedwill, Theresa Mays National Security Adviser, also shows that Russian agents have tested the effectiveness of Novichok as a weapon for carrying out assassinations.

In a letter sent to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg , Sir Mark revealed that the agent was being smeared on door handles as part of a secret chemical weapons programme codenamed Foliant in which President Vladimir Putin was closely involved.

But when asked whether he was prepared to lay point the finger at the Kremlin, Mr Corbyn said that he would require incontrovertible evidence of Russias involvement.

Rounding on the Labour leader, Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, said he was struck by his failure to dismiss the allegations with the sort of vehemence and vigour you might have expected.

It is quite extraordinary in the view of the weight of evidence now...to continue to deny the likelihood of Russian involvement, of state-sponsored involvement, Mr Johnson added.

Quite extraordinary and a blindness to reality. I find it very, very perplexing. A defiant refusal to accept that the Kremlin is responsible.

Front Bench promotion - end of article
A self-help guru accused of branding women and forcing them into sexual slavery was kept in custody without bail at a court hearing Friday.

Keith Raniere appeared in a federal court in Brooklyn Friday where a judge ordered continued detainment, WYNT reported.

Keith Raniere

YouTube/Keith Raniere Conversations

Trending: History Shows Leaders Like Trump Could Be the Beginning of Something More Terrifying | Opinion

Among those reportedly present at the court hearing was former Dynasty star Catherine Oxenberg, who claims her daughter, India, was abused by Raniere.

He doesnt have a moral compass, said Oxenberg. He finally needs to be held accountable for every single woman and child that hes ever harmed, abused, exploited, she told reporters, as cited by the New York Daily News.

Raniere is the co-founder of the NXIVM group which claims to help people attain their potential, and is accused of luring women to join a mentoring group called The Vow in upstate New York.

Don't miss: New York Lawyer Burns Himself To Death To Protest Fossil Fuels

Prosecutors allege that he secured compromising information about recruits as a condition of joining the group, and threatened them with blackmail unless they obeyed his demands.

Members were allegedly compelled to have sex with Raniere, and some even branded with his initials in bizarre rituals.

He was arrested in Mexico on March 25, and extradited to the U.S. for prosecution.

Most popular: When Is the James Comey 20/20 Interview? Start Time, Network and Everything You Need to Know

We think that Mr. Raniere is innocent, said defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, as cited by the Daily News. We dont think there was any non-consensual criminal conduct, and we think that will be amply proven at trial.

He denies charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to commit forced labor.

Story continues

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
Quito (Ecuador) (AFP) - Two journalists and their driver kidnapped on March 26 in Ecuador by dissident FARC rebels were killed on the Colombian side of the border, Interior Minister Cesar Navas said Sunday.

Navas told news channel NTN24 in an interview that the bodies are still there.

"They were in Colombian territory and they are in Colombian territory," he said.

The three men -- who worked for the influential El Comercio newspaper -- were kidnapped by remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) while covering a story on violence along the border, where Ecuadoran forces have been battling Colombian rebels engaged in drug trafficking.

"They were murdered in Colombian territory," the minister said.

President Lenin Moreno confirmed on Friday that the men had been killed and announced he was sending troops to the border area to hunt for the kidnappers.

Navas said a joint military operation was being coordinated with with Colombian forces and was open-ended.

He said 550 police and soldiers had been sent to the area of Mataje on the Ecuadoran side of the border where the men were reported to have been kidnapped.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was trying to recover the bodies after the murders shocked a country unaccustomed to the drugs-linked violence that has ravaged Colombia.
The U.S., U.K. and France launched strikes on Syria a week after U.S. President Donald Trump said there would be a "big price" to pay for the apparent use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the town of Douma, an attack that killed scores of civilians. Here's what we know and what's still to come:

1. What did they attack?

Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May released statements after the attack had begun, saying the missile strikes were focused on chemical weapons sites.

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that naval and air forces struck three primary targets, including a chemical weapons research facility outside Damascus and a weapons storage area near Homs.

The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian war through activists on the ground, said installations belonging to the country's elite Republican Guards were also targeted. Russia's defense ministry said more than 100 cruise missiles were fired.

This was not geared towards weakening Assad's conventional military capabilities, said Kamran Bokhari, a senior fellow with the Center for Global Policy in Washington. It was a little more than the symbolic strike from last year but steering clear of any major operation.

2. How did Syria react?

Syria said the strikes failed to achieve their goal and breached international law. Syrian air defenses hit several incoming missiles, state-run media said. Analysts and diplomats said the strike was unlikely to shake Assad's hold on power or change the trajectory of the conflict.

The attack was a victory for Syria, former lawmaker Sharif Shehadeh said by phone from Damascus. Instead of weakening the government, it only made it stronger, he said. Trump did it to save face.

Assad's allies, including Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, also condemned the strikes. Iran's Supreme Leader called the attack a crime and the country's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it gave "the resistance a more open hand," although it did not threaten to retaliate.

Story continues

3. Are the attacks over?

May in her statement called it a "limited and targeted strike." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that "right now, this is a one-time shot and I believe it has sent a very strong message to dissuade him, to deter him. The U.K. Defense Ministry said the strikes were "successful."

Still, Trump warned in his televised address of a readiness to "sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents," though he didn't specify what that meant.

4. How did Russia respond?

Russia denounced the attacks as aggression against its ally, but there was no sign of an immediate military response.

Our worst apprehensions have come true. Our warnings have been left unheard, Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador to the U.S., wrote on . Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible, he added, an apparent reference to Trump's mention of President Vladimir Putin in his speech.

The Kremlin released a statement from Putin saying the strike was an act of aggression against a sovereign state which is in the front line in the fight against terrorism," and that there was no proof a chemical weapons attack had taken place.

The strikes appeared to have taken place far from Russia's bases near the Syrian coast. U.S. officials said they gave Russia no specific warnings of the attacks or the targets, but used the usual hotline with Moscow's military to ensure the airspace was clear. Still, French Defense minister Florence Parly told reporters that Russian authorities were warned ahead of time, as proof the action would be limited to specific targets.

French authorities said the allies don't seek any military escalation, nor confrontation with Russia. Macron, who called Putin on Friday to discuss the situation, still plans to travel to a security conference in St Petersburg in May, where they are expected to meet, an official said.

5. What about the U.K.?

May on Saturday made her case for action in the face of opposition from much of the public and the Labour Party, saying in a further statement it was highly likely Assad's regime had used chemical weapons.

"We would have preferred an alternative path, but in this case there was none," May said. "We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalized."

She authorized the strikes without parliamentary backing and it's not clear she would have got it if she'd sought it. Parliament refused U.K. participation in a planned punitive raid on Syria in 2013, one of the reasons then-U.S. President Barack Obama called it off.

May will address Parliament  where she doesn't have a majority  next week. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong anti-war campaigner, has accused May of  waiting for instructions from President Donald Trump.

6. And Germany?

While Germany did not take part in the action against Syria, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she supported steps taken by the allies.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
Sean Gannon was a member of the Yarmouth Police Department in Massachusetts for eight years and was the first full-time K-9 officer for the department. His K-9 partner, Nero, was wounded in a shooting that killed Officer Gannon. (Photo: WBZ-TV)

Police officer Sean Gannon was gunned down while serving an arrest warrant on Thursday, April 12. He lost his life, and his K-9 partner, German shepherd Nero, is now fighting for his after being shot in the face and shoulder in the same incident.

Gannon, 32, was an eight-year veteran of the Yarmouth Police Department in Massachusetts. He died after authorities say he was shot in the head by Thomas Latanowich, CBS4 Boston reports. The police dog was wounded and underwent surgery on Friday.

Latanowich, 29, has 114 prior offenses on his criminal record, according to Fox 25 Boston. He was inside a home when Gannon attempted to serve a probation warrant. Latanowich was arraigned on a murder charge Friday and was being held without bail. He is to return to court to face the murder charge on June 26.

K9 NERO K9 Nero remains alive and we continue to pray for his full recovery as he overcomes a gunshot wound suffered Posted by Yarmouth Police Dept. on Friday, April 13, 2018

This update on his health was given on a Go Fund Me page established for Officer Gannon. K-9 Nero had a good night and got a lot of rest. He walked outside this morning to go to the bathroom on his own, and his surgeon says he is doing better than expected.

OUR FOUR-LEGGED HERO! The men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department are proud to report that our beloved K9 NERO is back on his feetFIGHTING back and standing STRONG! Posted by Yarmouth Police Dept. on Saturday, April 14, 2018

Officer Gannon was a graduate of Westfield State University and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He leaves behind his wife, Dara, and their three dogs: K-9 Nero, Kira, and retired K-9 Thor.

The community has poured out donations in support, and the Go Fund Me page has collected $134,813 out of its $150,000 goal.

I extend my thoughts and prayers to Officer Sean Gannons family. Also, I extend these thoughts and prayers to his brethren of law enforcement and fire for the strength and support to carry on their duties during this difficult time. Further, my thoughts and prayers are extended to his K-9 officer for a rapid and complete recovery, wrote a donor. God Bless Officer Gannon, Nero and his beloved wife. We are so fortunate to have amazing men and women in the Yarmouth PD protect our community, added another.

Story continues

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




A blizzard on prom night? Pretty rare, but unfortunately for teenagers in Minnesota on Saturday night, a reality. The historic blizzard saw snow falling at 1 to 2 inches per hour and 50 mph wind gusts creating whiteout conditions. Flights were grounded. Its a mess.

Now imagine trying to celebrate your special night in formalwear in that weather. Oh, and dont forget that those photos taken on parents front lawns or at the local park are pretty much not happening.

Fortunately for kids in Forest Lake, Minn., their local fire department stepped in with a unique solution. They opened the doors of the fire station for local teens to take their prom photos.

Photo: Forest Lake Fire Department

In a post on their Facebook page, they announced theyd be opening their doors for three hours for the kids to get together and take photos.

Fire Chief Alan Newman told Yahoo Lifestyle the decision was an easy one to make. After the snow level estimates changed from around 8 inches to more than 15 inches with anticipated whiteout conditions, the Forest Lake High School prom committee decided to move prom from St. Paul to the Forest Lake High School. At around 2 p.m. one of our firefighters called me to let me know about the change in venue and pitched the idea. (The original idea came from his wife.)



Chief Newman admitted he was dubious. My initial thought was, Who is going to want to take a picture in their prom gear in front of a fire truck? After a phone call to one of city council members and to the city administrator, we opened the doors. When we opened the doors at 3 p.m. we had over 50 cars in our parking lot, and it just grew from there.

Photo: Alan Newman, Forest Lake Fire Department

Photo: Alan Newman, Forest Lake Fire Department

The Forest Lake Fire & Rescue and some of the firefighters shared photos with Yahoo Lifestyle, and they are using the hashtag #blizzardprom. Theyre adorable and so memorable.

Photo: Jill Graven

Photo: Jill Graven

Photo: Alan Newman, Forest Lake Fire Department

Jill Graven, who lives in Forest Lake was at the firehouse for the photos  her husband is a firefighter  told Yahoo Lifestyle, The girls looked beautiful! She explained that other local businesses opened their doors for the promgoers to take pics. Forest Lake Fire Department hosted at least 200 promgoers for pictures.

Story continues

People loved it, leaving positive comments on the fire departments Facebook page.

You guys rock! I hope you do this every year, snow or no snow, one woman wrote.

Another pointed out how memorable the moment was, writing, Who else can say they had their prom pictures on a fire truck!!! Thank you!!!

Unfortunately, according to some posts on Facebook, it appears the prom was ultimately canceled after several limos got stuck in the snow. One woman wrote, Did you see that Prom got cancelled? Such a waste of good hair!

Graven confirmed the cancellation, which seemed like the safest move. Washington County pulled all plows off the roads due to whiteout conditions at 7 p.m., causing the district to cancel prom  leaving students and their parents sad, frustrated, and angry. Especially after all the money and effort spent to get ready! Hopefully the school can make it up to them!

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:




Jeffrey Zeigler is accused of assault with intent to commit murder: Oakland County Sheriff's Office

A man who allegedly fired a shotgun at a black teenager who knocked on his door to ask for directions after missing the school bus, has been charged with assault with intent to murder.

Brennan Walker, 14, told police that he overslept, missed his bus and was trying to walk to school when he got lost.

Hoping to ask for directions, he knocked on retired firefighter Jeffrey Zeigler's front door in the suburban Detroit neighbourhood.

After a woman called the police and told them her husband had chased a black male who tried to break in, officers arrived to investigate.

Oakland County sheriffs deputies later established that a shot had been fired at the schoolboy.

Mr Walkers statement to the police differed from that given by Mr Zeigler, according to assistant prosecutor Kelly Collins.

He said that the teenager told them that he was trying to explain to the woman that he needed directions when a man came downstairs and grabbed a gun.

Mr Collins told the Oakland County Court that Mr Zeiglers account was not borne out by his own home security video.

Mr Zeiglers bond was set at $50,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with Walker or the teens family.Attempting to give an account of the events, Mr Zeigler told Judge Julie Nicholson: Theres a lot more to the story than whats being told and I believe that will come out in court. I was in bed yesterday morning and my wife came screaming and crying.

Mr Zeiglers bond was set at $50,000 (35,000) and he was ordered to have no contact with Walker or the teens family.

He was also told that he couldnt return to his house and had to stay at least 10 miles from Mr Walkers Rochester Hills home.

Walker's mother, Lisa Wright told WXYZ-TV that she believed the attack was "racially-motivated."

Additional reporting by AP
Al-Bab (Syria) (AFP) - Hundreds of miles from their homes in Syria's wrecked Eastern Ghouta, displaced Syrians say Western air strikes Saturday in response to an alleged chemical attack there were too little, too late.

The United States, Britain and France targeted military and research sites in Syria after the purported toxic attack on Eastern Ghouta's last rebel holdout of Douma a week earlier.

Medics and rescuers said the alleged chemical attack killed more than 40 people in Douma, weeks into a brutal regime air and ground assault to retake the wider region on the outskirts of Damascus from rebels.

"We're so happy to see that someone felt for us," said Nadia Sidawi, 46, one of thousands of displaced Douma residents now living in northern Syria after they were evacuated from the town.

But "the strikes are not enough," said the mother-of-eight, sitting on a mattress outside a white tent in a camp for the displaced more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) from her home in Douma.

President Bashar al-Assad "killed us -- our children, our women. He destroyed our homes," said the housewife, whose hair was wrapped in a black scarf.

More than 1,700 civilians were killed in a Russia-backed regime assault on Eastern Ghouta since mid-February.

Since then, Assad's forces have retaken almost the entire rebel bastion through the military operation and Moscow-brokered evacuation deals.

An agreement for the Jaish al-Islam rebels who once controlled Douma has seen thousands of people -- rebels and civilians -- bussed up to a rebel-held area of the northern province of Aleppo.

- 'Nobody stopped them' -

Jaish al-Islam fighter Saleh Ibrahim, 26, said he was not optimistic that Saturday's air strikes would have any long-term impact on Syria's seven-year war.

"If Western countries had really wanted to get rid of Assad, they would have done it seven years ago," he said, at the camp for the displaced near the city of Al-Bab.

Story continues

Syria's conflict started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests and has since spiralled into a complex war involving world powers.

Nada, a 40-year-old nurse from Douma who did not give her second name, said the US-led air strikes were more than warranted but came far too late.

Before the regime launched heavy air strikes on Eastern Ghouta on February 18, people in the former opposition bastion had endured five years of regime siege and food shortages.

"Nobody stopped them from besieging us. Children died of malnutrition," the nurse said.

"Everybody held meetings and negotiations and nothing came of anything," said the mother-of-six, who said she has lost touch with some of her children since being evacuated from Ghouta.

Numerous rounds of UN-backed talks have failed to stem Syria's conflict, which has killed more than 350,000 people and displaced more than half the country's population.

Backed by Russia, regime forces have taken back large parts of Syria in the past few years. Fully retaking Eastern Ghouta would be a major achievement for Assad.

Abu Adnan al-Doumani, 42, said he was also disappointed in Western powers.

"The United States, France and the United Kingdom always said they were friends of the Syrian people," said the unemployed father-of-six, who wore a long black beard.

"But they have proven to be out worst enemies as Assad is in fact their protege," he said.

"They let him do what he wants, kill who he wants."

Related Video: Trump Announces Strike on Syria

Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View.
Podgorica (Montenegro) (AFP) - Political heavyweight Milo Djukanovic, bidding to take Montenegro into the European Union, swept back into power in Sunday's presidential election after a two-year absence.

"Victory for the European future of Montenegro," said the pro-Western economist who led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2016 and into NATO last year.

Djukanovic wants to develop the predominantly Orthodox Balkan nation, a part of which has strong pro-Russia sympathies, by joining the EU.

His Social Democratic Party (DPS) announced the result after the first round of voting and the leading challenger accepted defeat.

"Djukanovic is the new president of Montenegro... there will be no second round," DPS leader Milos Nikolic told journalists at party headquarters.

The independent NGO Centre for Monitoring (CEMI) said the six-time former prime minister had garnered almost 54 percent of the vote with two thirds of ballots counted.

Earlier test polling by CEMI, which is tasked with releasing the first results, gave his main rival, Mladen Bojanic, 34.1 percent.

Bojanic quickly conceded saying, "Montenegro has chosen what it has chosen."

Having dominated politics in the former Yugoslav republic for nearly 25 years, Djukanovic stepped down as prime minister in October 2016. He announced his comeback last month.

The 56-year-old is expected to transform the presidency, previously a ceremonial five-year post held by his ally Filip Vujanovic, into the real seat of power in the country of 620,000 people.

Djukanovic was the most high-profile of the seven candidates, with posters plastered all over the capital Podgorica -- where a third of Montenegro's population lives -- proclaiming him as "leader, statesman and president of all citizens".

"I will win today," Djukanovic had said after voting.

- 'Reign of an autocrat' -

The issue of organised crime cast a shadow on the campaign, with some 20 people killed by assassination or car bombs over the last two years.

Story continues

The opposition accuses Djukanovic of being linked to the mafia, which he denies.

"As president, I will do everything in my power... to give the police the authority that would allow them to protect citizens from those who put their lives in danger," Djukanovic said during the campaign.

Bojanic, who had the support of most opposition parties, including pro-Russian factions, said he voted to "put an end to the reign of an autocrat who wants to turn Montenegro into a dictatorship".

He had accused Djukanovic of being "the creator of the instability and chaos that we witness in the streets of Montenegro".

"I agree with Djukanovic that the state is stronger than the mafia. But the problem is that I do not know which side he is on," he added.

Djukanovic had claimed the opposition wanted to turn the country into a "Russian province" and threaten Montenegro's multicultural way of life.

The former prime minister, who has also served one term as president, was able to count on the support of the Croatian, Albanian and Bosnian minorities, which make up 15 percent of the electorate.

- 'Normal relations with Russia' -

With Montenegro's average salary at around 500 euros ($615) and unemployment at over 20 percent, the debate over the West versus Russia is not the main concern of many Montenegrins.

For Djukanovic, however, the choice between Brussels and Moscow is crucial to Montenegro's development.

But he toned down the anti-Russian rhetoric, saying he wanted "normal relations with Russia if it is prepared to do the same".

Along with Serbia, Montenegro is the favourite to join the EU next, possibly as early as 2025.

The EU in its 2016 country progress report told Montenegro it should continue its efforts to reduce organised crime, in particular on human trafficking and money laundering, and also noted the problem of international cigarette smuggling through the port of Bar.

All candidate countries are strongly encouraged to align their foreign policy with the EU, including regarding Russia.

Sunday's vote passed off peacefully amid fears of disorder after 20 people were arrested and accused of trying to stage a coup during legislative elections in 2016.

Biljana Popovic from the Centre for Democratic Transition, one of the NGOs monitoring the vote, said there were "a few irregularities that so far are not likely to affect the election".
Nearly 1,400 basking sharks were spotted in aerial photos in a puzzling gathering off the East Coast of the U.S.

The unusual plankton-eating basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world  surpassed only by the whale shark  and have been generally believed to be solitary swimmers. The huge fish can reach 32 feet in length and weigh as much as five tons.

An analysis of satellite and aerial photos found hundreds of them collected in a kind of shark conference in the waters off southern New England in 2013, according to a new study. Scientist suspect the gathering wasnt related to mating. The animals were all classified as either adults or juveniles, according to the research published this month in the Journal of Fish Biology.

Researchers speculate the sharks may have been in a feeding frenzy on a plankton bloom in the area before setting off on their annual autumn migration south. A survey by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted shortly after the 2013 gathering found high concentrations of zooplankton, adding support for that theory.

Until the study, basking sharks were known to gather occasionally, but only a few hundred at a time at the most and generally in the Pacific, according to experts.

The population estimates for the area are in the hundreds, marine conservation biologist Boris Worm told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. So 1,400 would be not just a large group, but a large chunk of the population.

Scientists found the unusual gathering by studying more than three decades of aerial photos that were collected in studies seeking North Atlantic right whales. Ten significant aggregations of basking sharks were identified off the coast of Nova Scotia and New England between 1980 and 2013, ranging from 36 to at least 1,398, the largest ever reported.

Whatever the reason for the mysterious gathering, scientists see it as a positive sign for the species.

During the 20th century, the slow-moving sharks were intensely hunted until their population eventually collapsed. Theyre currently protected in the U.S. and U.K.

Story continues

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
A World Trade Organization (WTO) logo is pictured on their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, June 3, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Josh Meltzer, Neena Shenai

Security, Eurasia

From NAFTA to the WTO, Trump has opportunities to fix aging agreements.

Trump Should Repair Trade Deals, Not Destroy Them

On July 6, President Donald Trump implemented 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion of imports from China and has threatened hundreds of billions of dollars of additional tariffs on Chinese importsall under a law that the U.S. promised its trading partners years ago it would not use unilaterally. This action follows in the wake of 25 percent duties on steel and 10 percent duties on aluminum now in place against most U.S. trading partners in the name of national security. For many in Washington on both sides of the aisle, the Presidents decisions have been all but a declaration of war on the international trading system, an assault on what many believed were the settled benefits of the globalization that Team Trump has decried from the beginning. But its high time globalists take some responsibility for the declining constituency for free trade.

With the U.S. economy at virtually full employment, ninety-five months of uninterrupted growth (the third longest expansion in American history), manufacturing output at all-time highs, and financial markets soaring, its not crazy to ask why an anti-globalist constituency exists. But there are multiple economic and broader social forces at play in the United States that are driving this backlash. For one, the U.S. economy and society are undergoing profound changes. Productivity gains, technology, and automation continue to trade the need for blue-collar manufacturing jobsand increasingly, low-skilled services jobsfor higher-skilled ones with concentrated effects in certain localities. For instance, a Deloitte study estimated that nearly two million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled by 2025 due to lack of skills in the American workforce.

Chinas rise over the past twenty years, with its state-supported industrial machine, has also been a shock to the U.S. economy. A National Bureau of Economic Research study concluded that, since 2000, trade with China explains 25 percent of job losses in U.S. manufacturing. Nor is competition with China just about fair play. Americans rightly perceive that Beijing has bent the rules of the international system to its will, pirating intellectual property and manipulating global supply chains in ways that the creaking World Trade Organization (WTO) is ill-equipped to address, let alone punish.

Story continues

Then theres the folly of the pro-globalization side: Free traders and globalists have had a difficult time articulating the diffuse benefits of globalization in a compelling way. They also often have been slow to admit that globalization has had negative impacts. In fact, they would never concede that the enthusiasm for globalization may have gone too far, such as with trade rules now setting parameters for all types of domestic regulation.

Proponents have also largely glossed over what may need to be done at the domestic level to support economic liberalization and those left behind. Republicans and Democrats alike have failed to come up with comprehensive public and private policy solutions that prepare Americans in the current workforce as well as the next generation for the fast-evolving global economy.

Globalization proponents argue as self-evident that the United States has benefited from cross-border trade and investment enabled by the fruits of the global neo-liberal order. But simply reiterating the virtue of the postWorld War II international order is ineffective and largely irrelevant.

Lastly, while few proponents of globalization would deny that the global trading system needs work, they have been reluctant to admit it. The last successful major negotiations that created the global rules we live by today were concluded twenty-four years ago and are badly in need of a refresh. While America has concluded fourteen free trade agreements in the meanwhile, many of them could use a dust off. For example, stepping up enforcement of existing and new rules against those countries that dont follow the rules will be imperative. But, all of this takes stronger U.S. leadership than weve seen over the past twenty years and building coalitions of the willing among like-minded countries to accomplish the continued spread of free and open marketsbedrock American valuesacross the globe.

Sure, unilateral actions combined with the Trump administrations threats to leave the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement and the WTO have almost completely undermined trust in U.S. leadership of the rules-based international trading system. This is unfortunate because it is the very system that America built out of the rubble of WWII and which has been a key source of economic growth, stability and security for the United States and globally. But the actions taken so far reflect the Trump Administrations views that the United States has been losing from tradethat international trade rules and trade agreements are rigged against Americans and undermine U.S. sovereignty.

The necessary retort to that assertion is not to flog the same dead horse free traders have been beating for more than half a century. Its time to appreciate the weaknesses of the system, fix them, and find more effective ways to communicate the benefits. This is because the truth is that open markets have contributed to lower prices for consumers. Increased domestic competition from imports has led to a more efficient allocation of resources and a more competitive economy. The rules-based system has given business confidence to invest and creates opportunities for America and other countries to grow, thereby contributing to a more peaceful international order. Trade liberalization and the global participation in a rules-based trading system has also been the most effective means of lifting billions of people out of poverty.

Now is not the time to throw away a system that has done miracles. Now is the time to fix the system, recognize its flaws, and implement the fixes that will again mean prosperity for all Americans.

Josh Meltzer is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Neena Shenai is an attorney and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. They are leading a joint, nonpartisan project on reconceptualizing globalization.

Image: A World Trade Organization (WTO) logo is pictured on their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, June 3, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Read full article
Baghdad (Iraq) (AFP) - A car bomb attack targeted an election candidate in Iraq's contested Kirkuk city on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 11, a security official said.

The blast in the multi-ethnic city, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) north of Baghdad, came as war-torn Iraq gears up for legislative elections on May 12.

"A civilian was killed and 11 people were injured, including three bodyguards, in the convoy of Ammar Hadaya Kahya, a candidate for the Turkmen Front in Kirkuk," the security source said on condition of anonymity.

There were no immediate claims of responsbility for the attack.

Iraqi troops last year seized the vital oil-rich Kirkuk region from Kurdish forces after a controversial vote for independence in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish zone.

Turkmens largely welcomed the return of government control forces, years after the Kurds took over the area amid the chaos of the Islamic State group's march across Iraq in 2014.

Since the return of Baghdad's forces, the region has seen clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkmen units of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary forces, officially controlled by the government.

Candidate Kahya is an advisor to Falah al-Fayadh, who official heads the Hashed.

Elections in Iraq have typically been accompanied by violence since the ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein by the US-led invasion in 2003.

Bloodshed has subsided in recent months, but several deadly attacks have taken place.

Four people were killed and several wounded last Sunday in an IS suicide attack on the headquarters of a political party in Anbar.

The Iraqi government declared victory over IS in December after pushing the jihadists out of their final holdouts along the border with Syria.

But the group retains the capacity to strike despite losing control of vast swathes of Iraqi territory it seized in 2014.
Syrian refugee women and children in a refugee camp in Lebanon, close to the Syrian border: PA Wire

America has accepted just 11 Syrian refugees so far this year, it was revealed, hours after Donald Trump ordered air strikes on the country, risking sparking an uprising in violence.

The number of asylum-seekers the US took in, is a marked contrast with previous years, when the country took in thousands.

It prompted accusations of hypocrisy by the Trump administration.

In 2015, under Barack Obama's presidency, the US admitted 2,192 Syrian refugees, State Department figures show.

This rose dramatically the following year, when 15,479 were allowed into the US. Last year, the country accepted 3,024 Syrians.

Mr Trump has repeatedly called for stricter controls on immigration and in September, he proposed a strict cap of 45,000 refugees from all nations to the US.

But he had expressed sympathy for victims of the suspected chemical attack earlier this month on the town of Douma in Syria, condemning the mindless act. He said: Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!

In a statement, he later added: "Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of god should ever suffer such horror."

Before the missile strikes on Syrias chemical weapons stores, he had warned Russia: You shouldnt be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

As this year's refugee figures were revealed, Democratic congressman Don Beyer claimed Mr Trump steadfastly refused to honour American commitments to take in Syrian refugees and condemned the decision to launch air strikes, saying it was a dangerous abuse of his constitutional authority.

Trita Parsi, leader of the National Iranian American Council, said with irony: Truly amazing how much Trump cares for and loves to help the Syrian people.

#Trump cares about Syrians like the KKK cares about blacks and Jews!



America only accepted 11 Syrian refugees. If Assad is a monster and Trump is trying to liberate the Syrian people, why does his administration reject those fleeing the country? #SyriaStrikes  Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) April 14, 2018

Talk-show host Bishop Talbert Swan claimed on Twitter: #Trump cares about Syrians like the KKK cares about blacks and Jews!

Story continues

And Andrew Weinstein, a lawyer and chairman of the Democrats Lawyers Council, said: How can @realDonaldTrump claim to care about the plight of the Syrian people and then do everything in his power to keep them out of our country?

Trump administration officials have said national security concerns make tougher vetting of visitors and refugees necessary.

Earlier this year the government announced tougher screening procedures to weed out potential extremists and criminals from high-risk countries.
I dont know Chuck Plunkett, the editorial page editor of the Denver Post. But if we ever cross paths, Id sure like to buy him a beer.

Plunkett did something that all journalists love: He stood up for what he believes. He played David to the Goliaths at Alden Global Capital in New York. The big difference in this tale, though, is that these Goliaths sign his paycheck.

Alden is the hedge fund that owns Digital First Media, which operates the Post and is one of Americas largest newspaper chains. Rather than cultivating a reputation for hard-hitting news, Alden has become known for layoffs.

On April 6, Plunkett published an editorial calling out Alden for its latest gutting of the Post newsroom. The piece has been hailed as extraordinary, remarkable and brave by other journalists covering the story  who perhaps themselves are confronting the same uncertainly and heartbreak in their newsrooms. (From January 2001 to September 2016, the newspaper publishing industry lost more than half of its jobs, tumbling from 412,000 to 174,000 positions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

But beyond the initial burn of the word vultures in the headline and sentences like Denver deserves a newspaper owner who supports its newsroom, Plunkett makes a pointed appeal to the only people who can truly save newspapers today: the readers.

Its time for their voices to be heard, the editorial declares.

If Plunkett and the other outspoken Post staffers are going to succeed in standing up to the might of Alden, theyre going to need the good people of Denver standing behind them, watching their backs.

That means letters to the editor, social media support, advertisers that are wise to the staying power of print, maybe a local version of the petition at aldenexposed.com and a willingness  if not eagerness  to pay for honest journalism.

Plus, they may have the opportunity to devote their dollars to an owner they can support. A group of local investors announced on April 12 that its gathering funds to convince Alden to part ways with the Denver Post.

Story continues

Journalisms value skyrockets daily, with each new bit of wackiness coming out of the Trump Administration. Movies like The Post and Spotlight have helped feed the trend. Suddenly, journalism is sexy.

So what better time for Denverites, Coloradans (and all the other -ites and -ans across the country) to step up and, as the editorial implores, demand better? Demand better from journalists and editors who take shortcuts. Demand better from media owners who give them little choice. Actually, yesterday or last month would have been a better time  but now will do.

My advice: Find a serious news outlet  hopefully your local paper  that is doing a good job, and reward it with a subscription. Already a subscriber? Its never too early to renew, and while youre at it, send a note to the publisher letting him or her know the type of journalism you value.

I have witnessed all sides of this story myself. During February and March, the Charleston Gazette-Mail in West Virginia, the paper where I worked for more than 26 years, slogged through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In that time, a dedicated group of readers banded together to try to save the Gazette-Mail, a longtime watchdog over government and industry in West Virginia.

They collected several hundred signatures on a petition. They gathered thousands of dollars to buy a big ad in the Gazette-Mail. They fought to find someone to outbid the stalking horse buyer that was poised to take over, fearing massive layoffs and the resulting demise of watchdog journalism in West Virginia.

In the end, they got their wish when a local media group and its investors made a competing bid and the stalking horse decided it had had enough.

Layoffs still happened (which included me, now formerly the executive editor), and vacant positions will stay vacant, but likely not on the scale as we originally feared.

Regardless of my own misfortune, I was proud to see our readers taking a stand for what they believe. They saw the value in having a serious source for local news and were determined that it be allowed to carry on. Only time will tell if the new ownership can maintain the papers dedication to its decades-old motto of sustained outrage, which means sticking with a story to the sometimes bitter end, until a wrong is righted.

That is how reporter Eric Eyre and the Gazette-Mail won the 2017 Pulitzer for Investigative Reporting. Eyre hammered away at a problem (in this case, drug wholesalers dumping millions of painkillers on small towns in West Virginia) until the nation took notice.

Local news outlets are the roots of the news ecosystem. If they continue to wither, the entire system will crumble. Stories will be missed, facts will go unchecked, tales will go untold  and partisan echo chambers and social-media hysteria will rush into the void.

Case in point: A recent Politico analysis shows a clear correlation between counties with low news-subscription rates and how well Donald Trump fared against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

Without having the newspaper as kind of true north to point you to issues, you are left to look for other sources, Penny Abernathy, a University of North Carolina professor who has studied the decline of local media, told Politico. And because of the dramatic rise in social media, that ends up being your Facebook friends.

Or simply Trump himself on Twitter, an information flow that keeps fact-checking reporters working long  or should I say, longer  hours.

So, yeah, this journalism stuff really matters. From coverage of your local school board to fact-checking the President, its a public service. Local news can thrive only if you want it to. Only if you demand it.

And if you dont well, the Post editorial gave us a picture along with its thousand words, and its not a pretty one. Nothing but rotting bones. Thats what Plunkett predicted his beloved newspaper would resemble within a few years. Rotting bones where the churning presses once roared, full of the life and times of the community.

And if you dont well, weve already got Sinclair Broadcastings army of anchors telling us what to think. Or what their owners think we should think, anyway.

This is extremely dangerous to our democracy.

Thats the line that sticks with me when I think about the Deadspin mash-up of Sinclair anchors across the nation pushing Trumps fake news bit from a company-mandated script.

This is extremely dangerous to our democracy.

Man, is it ever.
The Hague (AFP) - Experts from the world's global chemical arms watchdog are continuing their mission to probe an alleged gas attack in Douma despite Western air strikes in Syria, the body said Saturday.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has been "working in close collaboration" with UN security experts "to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the team," it said.

It vowed in its statement that the fact-finding mission due to go to Douma later Saturday "will continue its deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic to establish facts around the allegations of chemical weapons use in Douma".

The United States, Britain and France carried out a wave of strikes against the Syrian regime on Saturday a week after the suspected deadly gas attack on the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma, in which 40 people were said to have been killed.

In the biggest foreign military action so far against Syria's regime, Western officials said a barrage of cruise and air-to-land missiles hit targets near Damascus and in Homs province including a scientific research centre, storage facilities and a command post.

Syrian state media reported that internal security forces had entered Douma on Saturday and that the town would be secured within hours.

Both Syria and its ally Russia have said they would guarantee the safety and security of the OPCW mission -- the first outside Damascus since 2014.
Washington (United States) (AFP) - The Pentagon said Saturday that a joint US-British-French operation against Syria's regime had "successfully hit every target," countering assertions from Russia that dozens of missiles were intercepted.

The three allies used ships, a submarine and warplanes to launch a barrage of 105 guided missiles towards three chemical weapons facilities in Syria, officials said, including a research center on the outskirts of Damascus.

The strikes "will significantly impact the Syrian regime's ability to develop, deploy and use chemical weapons in the future," said Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the US military's Joint Staff, though he noted a "residual" element remained.

"I'm not going to say that they are going to be unable to continue to conduct a chemical attack in the future," he said.

"I suspect, however, they'll think long and hard about it based on the activities of last night."

The missiles hit their targets within a minute or two of each other, McKenzie said, striking around 4:00 am Syrian time (0100 GMT).

The overnight operation was the culmination of a week of frenetic planning at the Pentagon, with officials weighing the risks of various targets as President Donald Trump sent out mixed messages on what he wanted to do.

"All the options looked at ways to balance minimizing collateral damage against maximum effect. These three targets seemed to hit the sweet spot and do that," McKenzie said.

He said there were no known civilian casualties, but noted Syria had fired about 40 unguided surface-to-air missiles, most of which didn't launch until after the allied strike was over. These missiles may have come down in populated areas, he said.

"When you shoot iron into the air without guidance, it's going to come down somewhere," McKenzie said.

The Russian military said that 103 cruise missiles were fired including Tomahawk missiles, but that Syrian air defense systems managed to intercept 71.

Story continues

McKenzie countered that "the Syrian response was remarkably ineffective in all domains."

According to US officials, the operation comprised three US destroyers, a French frigate and a US submarine. The vessels were located in the Red Sea, the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

The US Air Force fired air-launched cruise missiles from B-1 bombers, and French and British planes also shot cruise missiles toward the targets.

The operation was "precise, overwhelming and effective," McKenzie said, adding it will set their chemical weapons program back "for years."

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White reiterated that the United States is only in Syria to fight the Islamic State group and does not want to get drawn into Syria's civil war.

"We do not seek conflict in Syria, but we cannot allow such grievous violations of international law," she said, referring to the suspected chemical attack.

"We successfully hit every target," she said.

"The strikes were justified, legitimate and proportionate."

Related Video: Trump Announces Strike on Syria

Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View.
(Reuters) - Starbucks Chief Executive Kevin Johnson apologised late on Saturday for the arrests of two black men at a Philadelphia coffee shop last week, which sparked accusations of racial profiling.

Promising to make everything right, Johnson promised a thorough investigation of the incident caught on video by a patron Thursday and shared widely online.

The men were accused of trespassing but have said they were waiting for a friend before ordering.

"The video shot by customers is very hard to watch and the actions in it are not representative of our Starbucks mission and values," Johnson said in a statement.

He added, "The basis for the call to the Philadelphia police department was wrong."

Philadelphia's police commissioner on Saturday defended the arrest, saying his officers had to act after Starbucks employees told them the pair were trespassing.

Video of Thursday's incident showed other patrons telling officers the pair were doing nothing wrong and appeared to have been targeted merely because of their race.

Police Commissioner Richard Ross said he knew the incident had prompted a lot of concern, but said his officers "did absolutely nothing wrong."

In a video statement, Ross said store employees called 911 to report a disturbance and trespassing.

When officers arrived, Ross said, staff told them the two men had wanted to use the restroom but were informed it was only for paying customers. The pair repeatedly refused to leave when politely asked to do so by the employees and officers, he said.

"If you think about it logically, that if a business calls and they say that someone is here that I no longer wish to be in my business, they (the officers) now have a legal obligation to carry out their duties. And they did just that," Ross said.

"They were professional in all their dealings with these gentlemen, and instead they got the opposite back."

Ross said that as an African-American man he was acutely aware of implicit bias. "We are committed to fair and unbiased policing and anything less than that will not be tolerated in this department," he said.

Story continues

The two men were released, Ross said, after officers learned Starbucks was "no longer interested" in prosecuting them.

In a post on Twitter earlier on Saturday, Starbucks Corp said it was sorry for what took place.

Johnson added his apology, saying the company would review its policies and "further train our partners to better know when police assistance is warranted."

Melissa DePino, an author who posted video of the arrest, said staff called police because the two men had not ordered anything while waiting for a friend. She said white customers were "wondering why it's never happened to us when we do the same thing."

Police departments across the United States have come under criticism for repeated instances of killing unarmed black men in recent years, which activists blame on racial biases in the criminal justice system.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by David Gregorio and Clarence Fernandez)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issued a public apology to Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi Friday, a week after describing the military crackdown on the country's Rohingya minority as a "genocide".

Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has come in for intense global criticism over her public silence regarding a brutal military crackdown that has forced nearly 700,000 Muslim Rohingya to flee the mainly Buddhist nation for Bangladesh.

Duterte's original comments, made in a Manila speech a week ago, were a rare example of public criticism by the head of one Southeast Asian country of another.

"I will apologise to you, but if you have noticed, my statement was almost a satire," Duterte told a pre-dawn news conference Friday in the southern city of Davao.

He said his original comments were intended as a dig at European countries that have criticised his deadly war on drugs, which has left more than 4,000 suspects dead at the hands of the police in less than two years.

Duterte had told government officials in a speech on April 5 that European governments "can't even solve" the problem in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

"That's the real genocide, if I may (say) so," he said, while qualifying that he was friends with Myanmar's leader.

Duterte also said then that he was "willing to accept refugees" from Myanmar if Europe would take in others displaced there as well.

"They keep on criticising us, Aung (San Suu) Kyi and the others. Now, why did I say that? Madam Chancellor, let me confess to you publicly, I was doing a -- very sarcastic...." Duterte said Friday, his words trailing off.

The Philippine foreign ministry did not immediately comment on the apology when sought by AFP.
A plurality of Democrats have indicated that President Donald Trumpnot his predecessor Barack Obamais responsible for the current state of the country's economy, a tonal shift from earlier this year when top members of the party argued the economic conditions were still due to former President Barack Obama.

As of April 9, 46 percent of Democrats agreed that the United States economy was down to Trump, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this week. The results suggest the current occupier of the White House is getting more credit for the economy, although the view that the current state of the economy is healthy was not a uniform one.

In the poll, 51 percent of American voters said the economy was in "good" condition, while 27 percent thought the state of the economy was "not so good" and 12 percent thought it "poor." Just nine percent of participants in the survey felt that the economy was in "excellent" shape.

Trending: New Gmail Update: Leaks Show Self-Destructing Messages, Snooze Feature, Design Changes

In January, ahead of Trump's first State of the Union address, Democrats had gone on offense, anticipating that the president might take credit for the economy.

"Here are two words we wont hear President Trump say tonight about the economy: Thanks Obama,'" Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor hours before the speech. "President Trump was handed an already healthy economy by his predecessor."

During his address, Trump boasted about the country's "roaring" economy and said there's "never been a better time to start living the American dream." In the face of these claims, Democrats continued to insist that Trump had merely inherited the country's healthy economy, and some economists bolstered their argument, stating that Trump had not been in office long enough to take credit for overall economic performance, good or bad.

Story continues

Don't miss: You Overeat Because of a Brain Glitch | Opinion

Polling at the time showed many Americans agreed: A January ABC News/Washington Post survey found that only 38 percent of Americans believed Trump deserved a "great deal" or "good amount" of credit for the economy, while 50 percent thought credit was owed to Obama.

Trump-Obama

Jack Gruber-Pool/Getty Images

Others shifted responsibility to Trump months ago, if only to criticize the president for not delivering on his economic promises fast enough.

Most popular: Russian Trolls Increased 2,000 Percent After Syria Attack, Pentagon Says

Trumpwho many believed was carried to victory in 2016 with the help of a large voting bloc suffering from "economic anxiety"had promised supporters he could increase the country's rate of economic growth to 4 percent, more than double the rate at the time.

But just over a month into his presidency, the Trump administration had already dropped its forecasted boost to 3 percent. More than a year out, the president remains shy of that 3 percent mark, having grown the economy at a 2.6 percent annual rate in 2017.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
As a candidate, Donald Trump sold himself as an isolationist, decrying American involvement in foreign wars  particularly in the Middle East. The day after ordering a 105-missile air strike on Syria, some of Trumps most passionate supporters, particularly on the far right, are in a kind of mourning over what they see as a profound betrayal of those campaign promises.

The backlash shows continued erosion of the Trump coalition, at least among commentators and talking heads, which could have significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections.

Most prominently, Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham both appeared skeptical of Trumps decision.

In conversation with former Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka, Ingraham focused on the cost of the strike. If we have a country that is desperately in debt, and getting weaker and weaker and weaker . . . year after year after year . . . someone is going to have to pay the piper. Two blocks from here weve got [lots] of people living out on the street. Many of them are American veterans.

Her surprise is understandable, given Trumps many past statements of opposition to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, such as a 2011 tweet critical of wasting money in Afghanistan instead of rebuild[ing] our country first.

When will we stop wasting our money on rebuilding Afghanistan? We must rebuild our country first.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2011

Shaun King of The Intercept, long critical of Trump from the left, seemed momentarily aligned with Ingraham as he detailed the cost of the strike, which he tallied at $224 million.

112 tomahawk missiles launched at Syria.



Each costs $1.87M to make.



That's $224M total.



Estimated cost to replace Flint's pipes? $55M.  Shaun King (@ShaunKing) April 14, 2018

Get CEO Daily, Fortunes newsletter for leaders.

Story continues

Further down the food chain of conservative commentary, reactions were even more extreme. Alex Jones, an isolationist and far-right conspiracy theorist who has sometimes influenced Trumps worldview, actually shed tears while responding to news of the bombing.

We made so many sacrifices, and now hes crapping all over us, said Jones. It makes me sick.

Some pillars of Trump support have been muted in their response. At Breitbart.com this afternoon, just a few headlines addressed Syria, and showed no obvious editorial perspective. That hesitation at a crucial moment shows the outlets loss of vitality after the January departure of Steve Bannon. Bannon served as CEO of the Trump campaign, and briefly in the Trump administration, between stints as head of the far-right news site, and the sites impact has plummeted since Bannons departure.

These signs of fracturing in the Trump coalition were triggered by a limited strike specifically aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons in Syria and worldwide. They follow previous defections from the Trump camp, such as that of Ann Coulter over Trumps inability to deliver his promised border wall. Coulter has also piled on criticisms of the Syria attack this morning on Twitter.

They add to already foreboding headwinds for Republicans ahead of the midterms, in which polls show a generic Democrat leading a generic Republican by more than seven points on average. Disappointment with Trump could accentuate that gap by suppressing turnout among voters who supported the President in 2016.
After a long month and an even longer week for Facebook, the social network is taking publicity-friendly steps to scrub hateful views from its platform.

Two pages associated with the prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer were removed on Friday. Both the National Policy Institute, an organization that favors a white ethnostate, and Altright.com, Spencer's online magazine, no longer have a home on Facebook.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook testimony turned into a lesson on how the internet works

The removals came after Vice News reached out to the site to find out why those two pages were still active. The query was prompted after Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg insisted during his Congressional testimony that "we do not allow hate groups on Facebook."

A third group flagged by Vice, The Nationalist Initiative, was also removed. It's not clear how many followers that third page had, but the two connected to Spencer combined for around 15,000 followers.

The move comes exactly one month after Facebook banned Britain First, the far-right, anti-Islamic group whose hateful and misleading tweets were once retweeted by Donald Trump.

Earlier in the week, Zuckerberg told Congress: "We do not allow hate groups on Facebook, overall. So if theres a group that, their primary purpose or a large part of what they do is spreading hate, we will ban them from the platform overall."

The pledge was met with skepticism in various corners of the world. In one example, a group of civil liberty organizations in Myanmar penned an open letter to Zuckerberg, decrying "the inadequate response of the Facebook team" to stamping out hate speech.

That skepticism isn't without merit. Spencer is a widely known figure on the internet because of his toxic, xenophobic views, but it took a media organization asking "Why?" for any action to be taken.

This isn't difficult to research, either. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal advocacy nonprofit, maintains a running list of active hate groups in the United States. As of this writing, 62 groups are listed; we won't link to them here, but a quick Google search reveals that many also appear on Facebook even now.

Story continues

Make no mistake: It's great to see Facebook stepping up and shutting down the influence of problematic figures like Spencer and Britain First. But there are plenty of groups out there that exist and are known, but haven't made headlines yet.

Why does it take a major news event, or a query from a media organization, for Facebook to take action? Wouldn't it be more of a fix to root these problem groups out before they build a platform for themselves?
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States will want to maintain a dialogue with Russia about strategic stability following Western missile strikes on Syria, Russian news agencies cited a Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying on Sunday. "There is every reason to believe that after the U.S. strikes on Syria, the Americans will be eager to move to a strategic dialogue," Interfax news agency quoted Vladimir Ermakov, head of the foreign ministry's department for non-proliferation and arms control, as saying. "You cannot say the Americans ... do not demonstrate a desire to lead a strategic dialogue," he said. "In the U.S. administration there are specific people who it is possible to talk with." (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Adrian Croft)
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has claimed she is unaware of any plans by President Donald Trump to dismiss Special Counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Her comments, in an interview with ABCs This Week, come less than a week after the president suggested he had been told by many people to fire Mueller.

I'm not aware of any plans to make those movements, Sanders told host, ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos when asked whether Trump had plans to dismiss Mueller or Rosenstein.

Trending: Has Kawhi Leonard Played His Last Game for Spurs?

Look, the president has been extremely cooperative, as have a number of members of the administration. Everything that's been asked of us we've provided. And we're continuing to be cooperative. But we do have some real concerns with some of the activities and some of the scope that the investigation has gone, she added.

The president has been notoriously critical of Muellers investigation into Russias alleged attempt to influence the U.S. election, and potential collusion between Russia and Trumps team.

Indeed, over the past month the president has become increasingly vocal about his frustration with the investigation, tweeting about the matter on a number of occasions.

Don't miss: James Comey: Trump Treats Women Like Pieces of Meat, Is Morally Unfit to Be President

And following an FBI raid on his personal lawyer Michael Cohen that Cohens lawyer said came following a referral from Mueller, Trump told reporters, I think its a disgrace whats going on. Well see what happens. Many people have said, You should fire [Mueller].

Huckabee Sanders herself also confirmed during a press briefing last week that the president certainly believes he has the power to fire Mueller, in a comment that prompted concern from Democrats.

And following confirmation from the Department of Justice that Cohen has been under criminal investigation for months over his business dealings, CNN reported, Huckabee Sanders also spoke out the president's relationship with Cohen.

Story continues

Most popular: Comey Interview: Impeaching Trump Would Let the American People Off the Hook

Hes had a long relationship with Michael Cohen, hes going to continue to have that relationship, Huckabee Sanders told This Week.

The president is very confident in the fact that he has done nothing wrong and he cant speak on behalf of anyone else, but hes very confident in what he has and hasnt done. And hes going to continue focusing and fighting for the American people, he added.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
Before and after the missile strike on the Barzeh research centre in Syria - Satellite image 2018 DigitalGlobe

New satellite images reveal the damage caused to a Syrian chemical weapons research site after it was hit by Western jets on Saturday.

The targets included a centre in the greater Damascus area used for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weaponry as well as a chemical weapons storage facility near the city of Homs.

A third target, also near Homs, contained both a chemical weapons equipment storage facility and a command post. The US, UK and France said hundreds of missiles were fired at the sites, in response to last week's chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta which left at least 40 dead.

State-controlled Syrian TV claimed Syrian air defenses shot down 13 missiles fired in the attack.

Syria slider 3

The Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility in Syria before and after the strike. Satellite image 2018 DigitalGlobe.

Pictures circulating on pro-government Twitter accounts showed a Syrian soldier standing next to what they claimed to be a missile fired from an American or British jet that had been intercepted, however experts said it looked to be an old Soviet air-to-air missile that was not involved in the attack.

The Pentagon said that it believes the airstrikes "attacked the heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program," significantly degrading Syria's ability to use such weapons again.

Syria slider 2

The Barzeh research centre in Syria before and after the strike. Satellite image 2018 DigitalGlobe.

Russian officials said the damage was minimal, maintaining that all key air bases were intact and the purported chemical weapons facilities had been abandoned long ago.

Syria slider 1

The Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Storage Facility in Syria before and after the strike. Satellite image 2018 DigitalGlobe.

Capt. Adulsalam Abdulrazek, a former officer in Syria's chemical program, said the overnight strikes probably hit "parts of, but not the heart" of the operation.

Story continues

He said they were unlikely to curb the government's ability to produce such weapons or launch new attacks.

Abdulrazek defected from the program in 2012, when he was based in eastern Ghouta, the suburb hit by a chemical attack in 2013 and allegedly again on April 7.

Intervention in Syria | Read more

He said there were an estimated 50 warehouses storing chemical weapons before the program was dismantled in 2013. He said he believes those fixed storage facilities, mostly in rural areas, are intact or only slightly dispersed, and that the program was only partly dismantled because Damascus didn't allow inspections.

IHS Jane's expert Karl Dewey said the scientific research facility on the northeastern edge of Damascus is thought to have integrated chemical payloads onto artillery.

It is one of at least three sites that have been consistently referenced in association with Syria's chemical weapons program, including Masyaf and Dummar, also known as Jamraya, both reported to have been hit by Israeli strikes last year.
London (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Martin Sorrell quit Saturday as chief executive of WPP, the world's biggest advertising agency, following allegations of personal misconduct through the misuse of company assets.

Sorrell, who founded the British ad giant and has been at the helm for the past 33 years, stepped down less than a fortnight after the group launched an independent investigation into the allegations.

WPP said the probe had concluded, adding that "the allegation did not involve amounts that are material".

Sorrell, 73, said in a statement that he was sad to leave, with WPP having been his passion and focus for more than three decades.

"As I look ahead, I see that the current disruption is simply putting too much unnecessary pressure on the business, our over 200,000 people and their 500,000 or so dependents, and the clients we serve in 112 countries," he said.

"That is why I have decided that in your interest, in the interest of our clients, in the interest of all share owners, both big and small, and in the interest of all our other stakeholders, it is best for me to step aside."

WPP said Sorrell would be treated as having retired, with chairman Roberto Quarta becoming executive chairman until a new chief executive is appointed.

Sorrell, one of Britain's best-known businessmen, denied any wrongdoing after the allegations surfaced earlier this month, but said he understood the company had to investigate.

"In the coming period, I will be available to the board and any of you, should you want help with anything, anywhere," he said.

"As a founder, I can say that WPP is not just a matter of life and death, it was, is and will be more important than that."

Sorrell, who worked at Saatchi & Saatchi before founding WPP, said the company has been "a passion, focus and source of energy for so long".

He has made headlines in recent years regarding his sizeable pay at a time when traditional advertising groups struggle against fierce competition from the likes of Google and Facebook.

Story continues

According to research from the High Pay Centre think tank Sorrell was Britain's best-paid boss in 2015, with a package of more than A70 million that year.

He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

Sorrell formed WPP from a shell company, Wire & Plastic Products PLC, establishing it as a marketing services group in 1986.

The firm has grown into one of the world's largest communications groups and now employs more than 200,000 people in some 3,000 offices, across 112 countries.
This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

The massive annual U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise kicked off in full force earlier this month after having been delayed to avoid complicating the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

North Korea normally condemns the manoeuvres as war-mongering, but has been quiet this year during the month-long exercise, perhaps because of its own latest move in the Korean Peninsula chess game.

Trending: U.S. To Hit Russia With Sanctions Over Syria Attack, Nikki Haley Confirms

04_10_Kim Jong Un

KCNA/via Reuters

In late March, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his first foreign trip since taking power in 2011, a surprise visit to Beijing to meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party general secretary. Because Kim shares his fathers fear of flying in foreign airspace, he went by trainone so heavily armoured it barely does 60 km/h.

Fortunately for Kim, it also reportedly comes stocked with lobster, fine wines and young women who sing and dance to bide the time.

Chinas Xinhua News Agency called the visit Kims obligation to come to congratulate Xi in person over being re-elected Chinese president and Central Military Commission chairman. Xi thanked Kim for his profound revolutionary friendship and urged that, in future, they pay frequent calls on each other, like relatives.

Xinhua also reported that the Korean Peninsula situation is developing rapidly, and many important changes have taken place, Kim said, adding that he felt he should come in time to inform Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping in person (of) the situation out of comradeship and moral responsibility.

Elephant in the room

Judging by the body language in the Chinese and Korean media coverage, it was an awkward get-together. The elephant in the room is Donald Trump, and his off-the-cuff bombshell that he would meet directly with Kim Jong-un, possibly as soon as next month.

Story continues

Its not just China who is alarmed by this prospect.

Don't miss: WhatsApp Drug Dealer Caught After Police Trace Fingerprints Through Photo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly wangled a repeat invitation to Mar-a-Lago next week.

Japan worries that the negotiations will fail because Trump wont go for North Koreas expected demand to resolve tensions with the U.S. through synchronous reciprocal concessionsthe proposal to implement phased-in, step-by-step mutual pullbacks over a long period.

Japans concern is that the North is again just playing for time to refine its ability to prove that, if push comes to shove, it can aim nuclear warheads at American cities.

Once North Koreas nuclear threat to America is confirmed, Japan would rightly doubt that the U.S. would fulfil its commitment to the defence of Japan if that meant that North Korea could retaliate by blowing up a U.S. city.

With uber-hawk John Bolton the new National Security Adviser, the Japanese fear is that if the Kim-Trump summit fails, the next step will be war.

Bolton has said talks with North Korea are useless, and protecting the U.S. from North Korean missiles is Job No. 1, regardless of collateral consequences for the South, Japan or, for that matter, China and Russia.

Donald_Trump_President_Xi_Jinping

Getty

Can Trump outsmart China?

Most popular: Trouble For Trump? President's Approval Rating Only 39 Percent In New Poll

Beijings main concern may be that talks between Kim and Trump actually succeed. Chinas original strategy with North Korea was evidently to let a massive crisis develop, engendered by Pyongyangs weapons program.

China would then resolve it by engineering regime change in the Northif the U.S. withdraws its troops from Japan and South Korea, and abandons its defence of Taiwan.

But it appears that not everything has gone according to Beijings plan. Kim Jong-un outflanked China by publicly arresting his secretly China-friendly scheming uncle at a Communist Party meeting in 2013, then executing him and his cronies by rocket launcher as hundreds watched.

Then Kim had his own estranged older brother murdered in Malaysia, eliminating any possibility the sibling could ever become the face of a North Korean Chinese puppet regime.

So little wonder the smiles looked strained in official photos when the two met last week, and Xinhua characterized the talks as candid.

A potential blow to China

Of course, if Trump and Bolton find a way forward with Kim to de-nuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and set the stage for eventual Korean reunification, then Trump will have succeeded richly where Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama failed dismally.

Trump pulling this off without Beijings help would debase Chinas international prestige, while the U.S. re-consolidates its position in East Asia with no doubts about its future role there. Such a blow to Chinas national pride would have major global consequences.

But its worth noting that the North Korean account of the Kim-Xi meeting made no mention of plans for the Supreme Leader to meet Trump. This week, North Koreas official newswire, KCNA, revealed that Kim had mentioned the development of the north-south relations at present and the prospect of the DPRK-U.S. dialogue at a meeting of his party officials. But this does not rule out the possibility that the whole U.S. summit idea may just be a feint on Pyongyangs part.

Andknowing Trumps temperament as we dothe cause of global stability may well be better served if a Kim-Trump mano-a-mano never happened at all.

Nevertheless, the North Korean regimes threat to world peace festers dangerously and calls for meaningful actionsooner rather than later.

Charles Burton, Associate Professor of Political Science, Brock University.

The Conversation

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
Seamless Middle East 2018, a large-scale exhibition for the commerce, fintech, retail and payments sector in the region, opened today (April 15) in Dubai, UAE with over 350 regional and international exhibitors.



Inaugurated by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the 19th edition of the two-day event is being held at Dubai International Convention Centre.



During the official tour, Lt. General Sheikh Saif witnessed live demonstrations and received a briefing from key exhibitors about projects, as well as their efforts and initiatives aimed at using the latest smart technologies set to revolutionize the entire payments, ecommerce and retail ecosystem.



Speaking during the opening ceremony, Nassir Ghrous, SVP Banking and Payments, CISMEA region, Gemalto said: The arrival of a new generation of solutions built around machine learning or Artificial Intelligence is finally addressing security and convenience questions.



As much as convenience matters to consumers, so does security. For banks, addressing both convenience and security is a must as 44% of customers would leave their bank in the event of a security breach. Users expect their banks to be at the forefront of technological innovation to ensure a seamless digital banking experience. Seamless Middle East brings the right players to share latest technologies in this arena.



Gemalto is showcasing a new dimension of digital banking security with new solutions that will enable a safe and streamlined mobile and digital payment experience. These include EMV card with a biometric fingerprint reader, behavioural risk management using Artificial Intelligence and a newly launched self-service kiosk offering 24/7 services.



Banks need to incorporate biometrics within a multi-layered approach to security. Gemalto is catering to this need, through its solutions that apply behavioural biometrics and real-time risk analysis, Ghrous added.



First biometric card pilot in the Middle East



Gemalto and biometric technology company Zwipe have partnered with areeba, a financial and payment technology company in the Middle East and Africa, with the support of Unilux Cards, to pilot Visas first battery-less dual interface biometric payment card (chip- and contactless-enabled) in the Middle East.



The biometric payment card is presented at Seamless Middle East. The pilot aims to test the use of fingerprint recognition as a more convenient and secure alternative to PIN or signature to authenticate the cardholder during a transaction.



Pepper - first humanoid robot



Softbank Robotics and Jackys Business Solutions presented Pepper - the first humanoid robot capable of recognising the principal human emotions and adapting his behaviour to the mood of his interlocutor.



Pepper has been designed to identify emotions and to select the behaviour best suited to the situation with upgraded customer service capabilities aiming to create demand in the business sector. Based on a persons voice, the expression on the face, body movements and communication, Pepper interprets emotion, responding personally to the mood of the moment, expressing himself through the colour of his eyes, his tablet or his tone of voice.



On-floor demo theatres with 60 free sessions will offer insight into various issues that a company faces while taking its business online. Visitors will get the opportunity to attend the Ecommerce University for a day-long programme, which has been developed to help build, launch and grow a profitable e-commerce business, while helping understand how to create a digital marketing strategy, manage logistics, or develop digital payment and increase customer conversion.



The event is supported by its title sponsor Dubai CommerCity, a joint venture between the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and the Wasl Asset Management Group. The region's first 2.1-million square feet ecommerce free zone has been developed to promote Dubai as a regional hub for e-commerce and support its economic diversification process.  TradeArabia News Service
The United States is locked and loaded if Syria uses chemical weapons again, Donald Trump has threatened.

While Syria and Russia have insisted they had no hand in an alleged chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma, the US, UK and France said they were convinced they had, something that led them to hit three Syrian targets overnight associated with the weapons production and storage.

The US defence secretary said the strikes, that involved the firing of 105 cruise missiles from planes and ships, were for the time being a a one-time shot.

If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded, U.S. envoy Nikki Haley warns. https://t.co/QBeUOhJIgM pic.twitter.com/Yr78uEKPTK  CBS News (@CBSNews) April 14, 2018

Yet at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, hours after the hour-long strikes had concluded, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said Washington was ready to attack again if there was further use of chemical weapons.

Ms Haley said she had spoken earlier in the day with Mr Trump.

We are confident that we have crippled Syrias chemical weapons programme. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will, she said.

If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.

Russia responded by demanding a UN resolution that would condemn the aggression against Syria by the United States and its allies. The short draft resolution called the action a violation of international law and the UN charter.

Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council the US and its allies struck without waiting for an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, calling the attack hooliganism.

Story continues

This was blatant disregard for international law, he said.

The 105 missiles launched overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria targeted three chemical weapons facilities, including research and development buildings in Damascus Barzeh district and two facilities near Homs, Pentagon officials said.

We believe that by hitting Barzeh in particular weve attacked the heart of the Syrian chemicals weapon programme, Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie told reporters.

However, Mr McKenzie acknowledged elements of Syrias chemical weapons programme remained in place and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future. Mr Trump called the operation a success in a morning Twitter post and proclaimed: Mission accomplished, a phrase that called to mind a claim made by George W Bush in the early stages of the US and UK invasion of Iraq that proved to be badly wrong.

On Saturday, Syria released a video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Mr Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption Morning of resilience.

Ten hours after the missiles hit, smoke was still rising from the remains of five destroyed buildings of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre in Barzeh, in which a Syrian employee said medical components were researched and developed, Reuters said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Damascuss allies said the buildings hit had been evacuated in advance. Russia had promised to respond to any attack on its ally, and said on Saturday that Syrian air defences had intercepted 71 of the missiles fired.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that US-led strikes on Syria were unacceptable and lawless.
Dhahran (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday slammed Iran's "blatant interference" in the region and lashed out at the US over Jerusalem as Arab leaders met in the kingdom for their annual summit.

The 82-year-old monarch dubbed the Arab League meet the "Jerusalem summit" as he took aim at Washington's decision to recognise the disputed city as the capital of Israel and transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

The final statement released by the league declared the move "null and illegitimate".

Under the auspices of Riyadh, seventeen heads of state from across the Arab world -- not including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- gathered in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, home to Saudi oil giant Aramco, as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

The meeting opened only 24 hours after a barrage of strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France hit targets they said were linked to chemical weapons development in Syria, which was suspended from the league seven years ago.

A seat marked "Syrian Arab Republic" sat empty in the hall.

Saudi Arabia's king turned his attention with long-time foe Iran -- only 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Dhahran.

"We renew our strong condemnation of Iran's terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries," the king said.

And despite being a stalwart ally of the United States, the ruler also criticised US President Donald Trump's controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and shift the US embassy there.

"We reiterate our rejection of the US decision on Jerusalem," Salman said. "East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories."

- Donation diplomacy -

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir however insisted Riyadh would maintain "strong, strategic" ties with Washington.

Story continues

"There is no contradiction with having very strong strategic ties with the US while telling your friends where their policy should change," Jubeir said in response to a question by AFP.

"That's what friends are for."

At a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, Arab ministers focused heavily on blocking the embassy move, unanimously condemning Trump's decision and moving to block Israel's bid to secure at seat at the UN Security Council this June.

King Salman, whose country has for decades declared a policy of support for the an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, on Sunday announced a $150 million donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in the eastern part of the holy city.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 32-year-old son of the king and heir to the region's most powerful throne, had days earlier said Israel also had a right to its own state during a tour of the United States.

- Proxy wars with Iran -

Riyadh and Shiite rival Tehran back opposing sides in a range of hotspots across the mainly Sunni Muslim Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour, Yemen.

Both parties in the Yemen war have drawn harsh condemnation from the United Nations. Saudi Arabia and its military allies landed on a UN blacklist last year for the killing and maiming of children.

A Security Council resolution aimed at Iran's failure to block supplies of missiles to Yemen's Huthi rebels, which the insurgents regularly fire at Saudi Arabia, was vetoed in February by Russia.

The summit also comes with Saudi Arabia and Qatar locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Both states have supported US-led air raids against Syrian chemical weapons facilities.

Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but Qatar still only sent its representative to the Arab League to the Dhahran summit.

Among the leaders in attendance was Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, who walked the red carpet and was greeted by King Salman.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for five counts of crimes against humanity, three counts of genocide and two counts of war crimes.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syria's membership over the Assad regime's role in the war.

Syria's war, the most complex of the region's conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.
The US has claimed that both sarin and chlorine were used by Syria in an attack that killed dozens of civilians in Douma, an attack America, France and Britain said led them to carry out retaliatory air strikes, but which which the Syrian government denies having a role in.

On Friday night, barely an hour after the multi-nation attacks on three Syrian targets allegedly linked to the production, use and storage of chemical weapons were completed, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the US was certain one deadly compound was used and that there may have been more than one. We are not clear on that yet. We know at least one chemical agent was used, he said.

Yet on Saturday, an unidentified US official told the media the US had now assessed that sarin and chlorine were used in the attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma.
Damascus (Syria) (AFP) - The Syrian army has declared that all anti-regime forces have left Eastern Ghouta, after a blistering two month offensive on the rebel enclave on the outskirts of the capital.

The announcement, which represents a key strategic victory for President Bashar al-Assad, came just hours after US-led strikes pounded Syrian government targets in response to a suspected chemical attack on the enclave's main town of Douma.

"All terrorists have left Douma, the last of their holdouts in Eastern Ghouta," state news agency SANA quoted an army spokesman as saying Saturday, using the regime's usual term for rebels.

"Areas of Eastern Ghouta in rural Damascus have been fully cleansed of terrorism," an army spokesman also said in a statement delivered on state television.

At the start of the year Eastern Ghouta was a sprawling semi-rural area just east of Damascus, home to almost 400,000 inhabitants, which had already endured several years under a government siege that slashed access to food, medicine and other goods.

The Syrian government and allied forces launched a massive assault on February 18 to retake the enclave, which had been out of regime control since 2012.

The intense bombardment killed some 1,700 civilians according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, and pulverised the area, reducing many neighbourhoods to rubble.

Damascus has been accused of carrying out an April 7 chemical weapons attack on Douma, the final part of the enclave where rebels were balking at a Russian-brokered deal to evacuate them to northern Syria.

The United States, France and Britain responded Saturday with pre-dawn strikes on alleged regime chemical weapons sites.

The allies have since signalled their resolve to return to diplomacy, launching a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in the country.

A team of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is in Damascus and expected to investigate the site of the suspected chemical attack.

Story continues

- Strategic target -

Assad had made the reconquest of Eastern Ghouta a strategic goal.

The Islamist group Jaish al-Islam rebel group, which was in control of Douma, has said it only agreed to leave because of the Syrian government's purported use of toxic chemicals on Douma, which medics said killed more than 40 people.

The group has slammed the Western strikes as insufficient, as Assad maintains his grip on the war-ravaged country.

"Punishing the instrument of the crime while keeping the criminal -- a farce," wrote Mohammad Alloush, a key member of Jaish al-Islam.

Syria and Russia have both denied using chemical weapons and said the claims were fabrications used to justify Western military action.

- Mine clearing -

The two-month assault on Eastern Ghouta sparked an international outcry, with the head of the United Nations describing the conditions endured by civilians there as "hell on Earth".

Few convoys of humanitarian aid were allowed in while rights groups and aid organisations also condemned the targeting of medical facilities across the besieged territory.

Dozens of civilians in government-controlled central Damascus were also killed by rockets and mortar rounds fired from Eastern Ghouta by the rebel groups that held it.

On Saturday Syria's internal security forces entered Douma, after the last convoy of buses transporting members of Jaish al-Islam and their relatives left the town.

The Syrian army said a clean up operation was under way in the battered enclave.

"Engineering units are starting to clear the mines and explosives sewn by the terrorists in the town to allow the rest of the units to secure the liberated areas and prepare them for the return of civilians to their homes," the army spokesman said.

Thousands of civilians who fled the offensive have already returned to areas previously retaken by the army and allied forces.

A large number of Eastern Ghouta residents were bussed to the northern province of Idlib, which is largely outside government control and hosts several jihadist and other rebel groups.

The civil war started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Assad has managed to cling on to power, retaking swathes of territory with the help of ally Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron (centre, right) attends a Defence Council meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris - REUTERS

The Syria strikes have given Emmanuel Macron, the French president, a chance to promote France as the leading American ally in Europe days before he becomes the first foreign leader to be hosted by Donald Trump on a state visit.

Mr Macrons office released a photograph showing the president in the Jupiter command bunker under the Elysee Palace, his brows furrowed in concentration as he oversaw the strikes, flanked by his defence minister, Florence Parly, and military chiefs.

Comparisons were immediately made with a photograph of Barack Obama in the White House Situation Room, as Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US military operation.

Mr Macron, who says he speaks daily to Mr Trump, discussed Syria with Vladimir Putin just hours before the strikes.

Less than a year ago, Mr Macron warned the Russian president as he hosted him in the ornate splendour of the palace of Versailles that the use of chemical weapons would be a red line leading to reprisals.

Barack Obama with senior administration officials in the White Situation Room on the night Osama bin Laden was killed in May 2011 Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

I believe my red line was crossed, he told Mr Putin in the call on Friday, according to Mr Macrons advisers.

The French president was the first international leader to say he had proof that Syria used chemical weapons against civilians in Douma. On Saturday a French intelligence report giving details of the evidence was made public.

Before the strikes, Mr Macron told Mr Trump that France was prepared to act alone if the US and Britain backed down, increasing pressure on him for prompt action.

US, UK and French launch Syria airstrikes, in pictures

Mr Macrons decisiveness contrasted with the cancellation of planned strikes against Syrias chemical weapons by his predecessor, Francois Hollande, in 2013. Mr Hollande chose not to go it alone following President Obamas U-turn after the British parliament voted against military action.

Mindful that Mr Obama was derided for failing to follow through on his red line, Mr Macron told journalists after his election last year: When you fix red lines, if you cant enforce them, you decide to be weak. Thats not my choice.

Story continues

As head of state and commander-in-chief, Mr Macron enjoys greater freedom to deploy military forces than Theresa May.

His high international profile and his success in impressing Mr Trump, who decided to invite him to Washington after attending the Bastille Day military parade in Paris last year, have restored French pride, battered by economic and social problems.

A French diplomatic source said: Macron is positioning France as Americas most effective European ally while Angela Merkel is absorbed by domestic politics and Britain is preoccupied with Brexit. He has turned France back into a global player.

Before Mr Trump telegraphed his intention to strike Syria in a Twitter post, he phoned Mr Macron twice. Mr Trumps failure to call Mrs May in the early stages was not lost on the French. After the strikes, they also noted that Mr Trump tweeted: Thank you to France and to the United Kingdom.

Intervention in Syria | Read more

Mr Macrons visit, reportedly organised at the insistence of Melania Trump, who enjoyed visiting Paris with her husband, will include a working meeting at the White House, a joint press conference with Mr Trump and a state dinner.

Mr Trump also plans to invite Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte to a private dinner at Mount Vernon, which was George Washingtons plantation home in Virginia. French media described the invitation as a rare honour.

Mr Trumps palate is famously limited, but he is said to be planning an elaborate dinner to impress Mr Macron, who invited the Trumps to a private dinner at the famous Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.

The Macrons state visit is seen as a blow to Mrs May, who was the first world leader to visit Mr Trump in the White House.
London (United Kingdom) (AFP) - British foreign minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said the Syrian war will inevitably continue after unprecedented Western strikes, which were limited to targeting the country's alleged chemical weapons facilities.

Britain and France on Saturday joined the US-led missile strikes, which came a week after a deadly attack on the town of Douma where civilians were hit with chlorine and sarin according to the Western powers.

Despite describing the intervention as "successful", Britain's foreign minister said there were currently no plans for further attacks.

"I'm afraid that is the unhappy corollary of this that if we say we're limiting our action to chemical weapons... then of course it follows that the rest of the Syrian war must proceed as it will," Johnson told BBC television.

British warplanes took part in the strikes, which destroyed sites suspected of hosting chemical weapons development and storage facilities.

The majority of the more than 350,000 victims of the seven-year conflict have been killed by conventional rather than chemical weapons.

But Johnson stressed the "overwhelming purpose" of the mission was a response to a series of chemical attacks in recent years.

"Finally the world has said enough is enough," he said.

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to face a backlash on Monday when she addresses parliament, which will be followed by an emergency debate, with some MPs angry the government joined the US-led mission without first seeking their approval.

May was to tell parliament, "We have acted because it is in our national interest to do so."

Britain sought "to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons."

"... We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised - either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere."

A Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday newspaper found just 30 percent of people supported May's decision to launch military without lawmakers' approval, with 54 percent opposed.

Story continues

Britain and its allies have since the strikes renewed diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, circulating a joint draft resolution at the Security Council calling for an investigation into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Negotiations on the proposals are due to start on Monday, a day after a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were due to arrive in Douma.

The team of experts are set to investigate the April 7 attack east of the capital Damascus, which the Syrian government and its Russian ally deny ever took place.

The OPCW itself had declared that the Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile had been removed in 2014, only to confirm later that sarin was used in a 2017 attack in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun.
People take to the streets in Budapest to oppose the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 14. (Photo: Bernadett Szabo / Reuters)

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Hungarys capital of Budapest on Saturday to protest Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government, as critics warn the country could slide further into illiberalism.

Orbans radical right, nationalist Fidesz party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections last Sunday. With a two-thirds majority in the legislature, Fidesz now has the power to make changes to the countrys constitution.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe criticized the election for intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias and opaque campaign financing.

The campaign saw Orban rail against migration and push the idea that unseen foreign interests were seeking to undermine the government. The prime minister also made Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros a focal point of the campaign, claiming that Soros was conspiring to bring hundreds of thousands of migrants into the country and putting up anti-Soros posters around the country.

Opponents fear that Fideszs parliamentary majority will allow Orban to accelerate his attacks on democratic institutions and civil society, including pushing through so-called Stop Soros laws that would put harsh restrictions on non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International.

People march in protest against Prime Minister Orban in Budapest on April 14. (Photo: Bernadett Szabo / Reuters)

In the week since the election, a pro-government magazine owned by one of Orbans allies has published a list of 200 people it accused of being agents for Soros. The roster included journalists, human rights workers and university professors.

A major opposition newspaper and an English language independent news site both announced they were shutting down just days after the vote. Orban and his allies control most of the countrys media, and the closings only add to the prime ministers grip on how Hungarians receive their information.

Anti-Orban protestors moving toward Parliament square in Budapest, many tens of thousands, can't see either start or finish now pic.twitter.com/cip6mlQF0J  Peter Murphy (@MurphyPeterN) April 14, 2018

As the election results came in last Sunday night, there were no major protests but instead acknowledgments of defeat and resignations from opposition parties. Only a small crowd of young people gathered in front of Parliament to demonstrate against Orban, before moving on to hold a sit-in at a major Budapest intersection under the lights of police cars. The effort petered out as the night dragged on.

Story continues

But less than a week later, Hungarians came out in droves Saturday to voice their opposition to the government. Crowds of protesters moved through the streets of Budapest, holding anti-Orban signs and waving Hungarian flags. The demonstration was one of the largest in Hungary in recent years.

Europe is watching developments in Hungary closely, as Orbans open defiance of European Union policies and increasing consolidation of power present a model that other far-right nationalist politicians and governments may seek to emulate.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Theresa May is prepared to give order for Britain to join US-led airstrikes in Syria - Bloomberg

Theresa May is preparing to give the order for Britain to join US-led military strikes against Syria after warning that the "abhorrent" use of chemical weapons cannot be allowed to become "the new norm".

The Prime Minister is expected to speak to President Donald Trump to agree the final details of cruise missile attacks on airfields and other military targets of the Assad regime.

She cleared the way for British participation in airstrikes on Thursday when the Cabinet gave its unanimous backing for the UK joining the international response to last week's gassing of civilians in Douma, near Damascus.

The Prime Minister has ruled out a parliamentary vote on military action when MPs return from their Easter recess on Monday, and The Daily Telegraph understands preparations are in place for airstrikes to happen before then.

A dozen Tory MPs are openly demanding a Parliamentary vote on military intervention in Syria when MPs return from recess next week including Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, and Dominic Grieve, the former Attorney General.

However the Government believes that military intervention is a decision for ministers under the powers of Royal Prerogative.

At least one of the Royal Navy's attack submarines is now in the region, it is understood, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1000 miles.

Britain is also understood to be improving military defences around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus by stationing a destroyer nearby.

Mr Trump, who insisted on Wednesday that missiles "are coming", appears to have been delayed by a cautious approach from the Pentagon.

James Mattis, the US Defence Secretary, has warned that the US needs to stop any military intervention from "escalating out of control".

Donald Trump, the US President Credit: CARLOS BARRIA /REUTERS

The US President has been warned that he will look like "Obama 2.0" if he fails to take action, a reference to his predecessor's decision not to intervene in Syria in 2013.

Story continues

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, yesterday spoke to Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, calling for dialogue between the two countries to be "maintained and stepped up".

Mr Macron has been clear that the chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria represent a "red line" and said that his Government has "proof" that the Assad regime was behind the attack.

The Prime Minister was last night due to speak to Mr Macron. More than 70 people, including children, died in the chemical weapons attack on Douma in Syria last weekend.

Russia claimed that the UK and staged the chemical weapons attack as part of a "Russophobic campaign". It also blocked a UN investigation into the attack.

US-Russia weapons in Syria

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said that "no one is buying" Russia's lies and cover-ups. She said that Assad's forces have used chemical weapons at least 50 times during the Syria conflict.

She told the UN Security Council: "Our President has not yet made a decision about possible action in Syria. But should the United States and our allies decide to act in Syria, it will be in defence of a principle on which we all agree. "All nations and all people will be harmed if we allow Assad to normalize the use of chemical weapons."

In a strong condemnation of Russia, she added: "We know who did this. Our allies know who did this. Russia can complain all it wants about fake news, but no one is buying its lies and its cover-ups. Russia was supposed to guarantee that Assad wouldnt use chemical weapons, and Russia did the opposite."

Cabinet sources have disclosed that Mrs May began Thursday's meeting by telling ministers that since the end of the First World War 100 years ago the international community has upheld the rule that "chemical weapons are abhorrent and should never be used".

What happens next in Syria  could Britain be drawn into World War Three?

The Prime Minister said that in recent years in Syria there had been "an erosion of that international norm" and it was vital to act "to ensure that that norm is restored". She added that when chemical weapons are used it must not go "unchallenged".

A Government source said that while Mrs May did not mention the Salisbury chemical weapons attack in her address to the Cabinet, "she is clear that it is part of that erosion".

Stop the War last night held protests outside Downing Street.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has selected three companies to collaborate in developing solutions to the challenges that the utility firm will face during its participatiion in the fourth Dubai Future Accelerators Programme.



The programme is the largest business accelerator programme in the world.



The fourth cycle will be held for nine consecutive weeks from March 21 to May 17. A total of 12 government organisations are taking part in the programme under the theme Take Part in Creating the Future.



"To support the vision of our wise leadership to anticipate and shape the future, Dewa is participating in the fourth Dubai Future Accelerators Programme, to develop new disruptive technologies that will enhance the quality of electricity and water services, by utilising Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, drones, energy storage, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), among others," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa.



"In this cycle, we will work with the three selected companies to adopt innovative solutions that will keep pace with the rapid developments and address the future challenges in Dewas work. This supports the Dubai 10X initiative, to propel Dubai towards the future, making it 10 years ahead of other global cities," he added.



"Our participation in the programme supports our ongoing efforts to consolidate innovation as the cornerstone of continuous growth, development, and excellence in performance. At Dewa, we are creating a new digital future for Dubai through Digital Dewa, which is the digital arm of Dewa," Al Tayer.



This model will disrupt the entire business of public utilities by becoming the worlds first digital utility, using autonomous systems for renewable-energy and its storage, expand the use of artificial intelligence, and provide digital services," he stated.



Dewa participated in the three previous cycles of the Dubai Future Accelerators Programme. It signed 11 MoUs and completed three pilot projects and is currently working on three new projects related to Dewas services, its digital transformation and smart infrastructure.-TradeArabia News Service
Barcelona (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona on Sunday to protest the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders facing trial on "rebellion" charges.

Chanting "Freedom for the political prisoners", they marched along Parallel Avenue, a main thoroughfare, many waving the red-and-yellow Catalan flag.

The protest comes six months after the first incarcerations of top Catalan separatist leaders for misuse of public funds, sedition and rebellion -- which carries a prison sentence of 30 years and implies that a "violent uprising" took place -- over their separatist push.

"Since they could not decapitate separatism, they are trying to do it through the courts," Roser Urgelles, a 59-year-old teacher, told AFP at the protest.

"They need to demonstrate that there was violence to execute the sentences that they want, so they invent it," she said, adding: "But we will continue to protest peacefully."

Like thousands of others at the march, she wore a yellow ribbon to show solidarity with the jailed leaders, whom Catalan separatists consider to be "political prisoners".

Spain's justice minister, Rafael Catala, has called the use of yellow ribbons "insulting", arguing that Spain has no political prisoners but "politicians in prison".

The Guardia Urbana, a Catalan municipal police force, said 315,000 people turned out.

- 'Tensions' -

The demonstration was organised by two grassroots independence groups, the ANC and Omnium, whose presidents are among the nine separatist leaders in prison awaiting trial over their role in last year's failed breakaway bid by Catalonia.

A total of 957 buses brought protesters from across the wealthy northeastern region of Spain to Barcelona, the Catalan capital, for the march, the ANC said in a statement.

The protest was backed by the Catalan branches of Spain's two largest trade unions, the CCOO and the UGT, sparking unease among union members who oppose independence.

Story continues

"There have been tensions (among unions members) just like in the rest of the Catalan society," the secretary general of the Catalan branch of UGT, Camil Ros, told AFP.

"But it is not a separatist protest. It is time to build bridges and the Catalan problem cannot be solved through the courts but by dialogue and politics."

- 'Puigdemont, president!' -

The demonstration comes 10 days after a German court dismissed an extradition request for Catalonia's ousted separatist president Carles Puigdemont on grounds of rebellion and released him on bail.

Many protesters chanted "Puigdemont, president!"

Spanish prosecutors last week handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence which would justify the rebellion charge against Puigdemont and their extradition request.

Puigdemont is also accused of misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

He tweeted from Germany that the march was "a great civic and democratic demonstration".

"We are European citizens who just want to live in peace, free and without fear," he added.

- 'Makes me sad' -

Since October 16 the leaders of Catalonia's two largest pro-independence groups -- Jordi Sanchez of the ANC and Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Jordi Cuixart -- have been in jail while they await their trial for rebellion.

Prosecutors say the two men played central roles in orchestrating pro-independence protests in September in Barcelona during which national police were trapped inside a government building for several hours and their vehicles were destroyed.

They are also accused of mobilising thousands of pro-independence supporters to prevent police from stopping the October 1 independence referendum from going ahead.

"What makes me sad is the accusation of violence, which never existed," Sanchez said in December on Twitter.

He was elected as a lawmaker in snap polls in Catalonia in December and has twice been proposed as a candidate to lead a new Catalan regional government, but a judge refused both times to allow him to leave jail to be sworn in.

- Political limbo -

Seven other Catalan separatist leaders are in jail in Spain while they await trial for rebellion, along with the two leaders of the grassroots separatist groups.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spain's conservative central government imposed direct rule on the region after it unilaterally declared independence in October.

Fresh regional elections will be triggered if a new leader is not elected by May 22.

In a letter sent from prison, former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras said that immediately forming a government was "a necessity" so that Catalonia could regain its political autonomy.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA BORDER (Reuters) - A Palestinian was killed and more than 200 others wounded during clashes with Israeli troops as thousands gathered in protest along the Gaza-Israel border on Friday, Gaza officials said. Palestinians hurled stones and burning tyres near the frontier fence, where Israeli army sharpshooters are deployed. Some in the crowd threw firebombs and an explosive device and tried cross into Israel, according to the Israeli military. Palestinian medical officials said Israeli troops opened fire on the demonstrators, killing one and wounding 220. An Israeli military spokesman said troops were being confronted by rioters and responded "with riot dispersal means while also firing in accordance with the rules of engagement". Palestinians had arrived en masse at tented camps near the frontier as a protest dubbed The Great March of Return - evoking a longtime call for refugees to regain ancestral homes in what is now Israel - moved into its third week. Israeli troops have shot dead 31 Gaza Palestinians and wounded hundreds since the protests began, drawing international criticism of the lethal tactics used against them. On Friday, groups of youths waved Palestinian flags and burnt hundreds of tyres and Israeli flags near the fenced-off border after Friday prayers. At one camp east of Gaza City, youths carried on their shoulders a coffin wrapped in an Israeli flag bearing the words "The End of Israel". Israel has declared a no-go zone close to the Gaza border fence. No Israelis have been killed during the demonstrations, and human rights groups say the Israeli military has used live fire against demonstrators who pose no immediate threat to life. Israel says it is doing what it must to defend its border, and to stop any of the protesters getting across the fence. The planned six-week protest has revived a longstanding demand for the right of return of Palestinian refugees to towns and villages from which their families fled, or were driven out, when the state of Israel was created 70 years ago. The protest began on March 30, and is expected to culminate on May 15. "CATASTROPHE" OF 1948 That is the day Palestinians will mark the 70th anniversary of the Nakba or Catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced amid violence culminating in war between newly created Israel and its Arab neighbors in May 1948. Successive Israeli governments have ruled out any right of return, fearing the country would lose its Jewish majority. "Some people believe we are idiots to think the Israelis will allow us in, they may not, but we will not stop trying to return," said a protester, 37-year-old civil servant Ahmed, as he stood on a hilltop overlooking the Israeli fence. Like most of the 2 million Palestinians packed into the tiny, impoverished Gaza Strip, Ahmed is a descendant of refugees from Jaffa, a coastal town in Israel just south of Tel Aviv. "No peace, no jobs, no unity and no future, so what difference would death make? If we are going to die, then let it not be in vain," said Ahmed, who refused to give his full name, fearing Israeli reprisals. The Israeli government accuses Hamas, the Islamist movement that has ruled Gaza largely since Israeli soldiers and settlers withdrew in 2005, of having instigated the protests and of using them as cover to launch attacks. "Israel will continue to defend its borders and its citizens. Your country would do the same," an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said on Twitter. The Israeli military has displayed video footage in which the frontier fence is seen being cut and breached during the recent clashes, with, Israel says, explosives planted there to target its troops. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Lome (AFP) - Togo's opposition on Saturday said security forces fired teargas to prevent anti-government protests, as West African heads of state met to try to revive stalled talks to end the months-long political crisis.

"Some members of the security forces positioned themselves just at the entrance to the place where we were meeting," said opposition politician Nathaniel Olympio.

"Very menacingly, they started to throw teargas everywhere. We had to leave the premises after 45 minutes," he told AFP.

The 14-party opposition coalition, which has staged anti-government protests since last August, this week decided to resume demonstrations, despite an official ban.

But since Wednesday, security forces have closed off all opposition meeting points in the capital. The teargas on Saturday was fired near the opposition headquarters.

There was also unrest in Kpalime, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Lome, where strong action had been taken to prevent demonstrators taking to the streets.

The opposition is calling for a return to the 1992 constitution, which imposes a two-term limit on presidents, and also the introduction of two-round voting in elections.

Gnassingbe has been president since 2005, taking over after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for 37 years.

His son won elections in 2005, 2010 and 2015. The opposition wants the application of the two-term limit to be retroactive to prevent him standing again.

A sticking point to agreement has been the government's refusal to apply the retrospective element, raising the possibility Gnassingbe could remain president until 2030.

Talks brokered by Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Guinean counterpart Alpha Conde stalled earlier this year after just three sessions.

On Saturday, regional heads of state gathered in Lome for a meeting chaired by Gnassingbe, who holds the rotating presidency of the West African bloc ECOWAS.

In a statement issued after closed-door talks, the grouping called on Akufo-Addo and Conde to "intensify their efforts to help Togo's government and political actors" towards reform.

It also called for an end to violence during the process.
(Photo: HuffPost Illustration/Getty Images)

UPDATE: June 29  Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan retired Friday from government service after spending the last 16 months serving as the most controversial deportation chief in the beleaguered agencys brief history.

Original story continues below:

The day Thomas Homan turned the immigration debate on its head, he could have just presented his agencys budget request like he was asked.

The first nine people to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency President Donald Trump picked Homan to lead last January, rarely courted controversy. Most of them were lawyers, adept at the art of bipartisan doublespeak and content to leave policy fights to politicians. They generally described ICE as a national security agency, emphasizing its investigative work and the number of criminals removed, while downplaying its core function: deporting people who pose little or no threat.

But last June, when Homan was supposed to be explaining to a House subcommittee why ICE needed a 29 percent budget increase to $7.9 billion, he pierced the bubble of diplomacy that has surrounded the agency since its founding  with a threat.

If youre in this country illegally and you committed a crime by entering this country, you should be uncomfortable, Homan said. You should look over your shoulder, and you need to be worried.

Those words transformed Homan from a career law enforcement official into the face of Trumps deportation agenda. In the months that followed, he continued to defend the fact that, under Trump, the crushing weight of immigration law can fall as heavily upon an undocumented parent of American children as it can on a convicted murderer. This January, he went the farthest yet, telling Fox News that the Justice Department should consider prosecuting mayors and city council members who pass so-called sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation with ICE.

That comment invited sharp criticism from legal groups.

Story continues

Homan would be a great mid-level functionary in any right-wing totalitarian government you can name, Thomas Saenz, the president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, told HuffPost.

Homan dismisses his critics by pointing out the obvious: Federal law requires him to remove people living in the U.S. without authorization. Despite the partisan battle over his tactics, his agencys mission isnt new. And no law requires the agency to halt the deportation process for immigrants who garner public sympathy. If you want the law changed, ask Congress, Homan often says. I dont make the laws. I just enforce them.

Thomas Homan listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Feb. 23, 2016. (Photo: Al Drago via Getty Images)

Now Homan, who is serving as acting director while awaiting confirmation by the U.S. Senate, is on a mission to glorify the men and women who deport people  something he sees as one of the most thankless tasks in federal law enforcement. ICE officers, he told Congress in June, are unfairly vilified for simply doing their job.

The country had just observed National Police Week, which honors officers whose lose their lives in the line of duty. Too often that respect does not seem to extend to the honorable men and women of ICE, Homan complained, noting that two of his officers had died while serving the year before. Unlike virtually every other local, state and federal law enforcement agency, he said, ICE officers go about their work in the face of a constant deluge of biased attacks against ICE personnel by those who disagree with the laws we enforce.

Homans celebration of ICEs core mission and the people who carry it out is admirably frank. But chipping away at the pretense that ICEs role is to keep the U.S. safe from terrorists and criminals risks exposing the brutal reality of our deportation system  the crushed hopes, the separated families; the people who die in the desert and the ones who are sent home to their deaths. Its a reality Homan can stomach, not least because he has seen the violence of human smuggling at the border. He is betting that if Americans see the deportation machine through his eyes, theyll consider his agencys work as necessary and just.

Will they?

Born To Serve

Thomas Douglas Homan, who has a thinning crop of strawberry blond hair, a penchant for speaking in aphorisms that slice through policy jargon, and a preference for baggy suits often graced by an American flag lapel pin, describes himself with great pride as a cop.

Policing is in Homans blood. His grandfather served as a police officer in West Carthage, the 2,000-person village in upstate New York where Homan was born. So did his father, who went on to become a magistrate judge. Homan grew up watching law enforcement officers come to the house with offenders to arraign. Each of his six siblings became a police officer, firefighter or nurse.

Im one of the lucky guys  I always knew since I was a kid that I wanted to be in law enforcement, Homan told HuffPost. We were raised to serve.

After earning a bachelors degree in criminal justice from the state university system at Utica, Homan became a West Carthage police officer in 1983. He worked the evening patrol shift in the quiet community surrounded by dairy farmers, rarely responding to anything more nefarious than an abandoned car or local kids pelting rocks at a street light.

Homan wanted more. While out fishing one day later that year, he met a Border Patrol agent  they were a common sight in West Carthage, which is just 35 miles from the Canadian border  and the conversation piqued his interest enough to apply.

A few months later, Homans parents took him to the airport to catch a plane bound for San Diego so he could join Border Patrol. When he arrived in California, helicopters were flying overhead. A group of Border Patrol agents was tracking unauthorized immigrants near the Motel 6 where he was staying the night.

This is different, he thought. Im not in upstate New York anymore.

Homan distinguished himself at the training academy as an enthusiastic recruit and strong strategic thinker. Stationed in Campo, an outpost about 40 miles from San Diego, he spent his days sign cutting  tracking the physical marks left behind by people crossing illegally through the brush. In the isolated station with about three dozen other agents, Homan discovered a sense of camaraderie. Today, he recalls the four years that he wore the green, a reference to Border Patrols uniforms, as some of the best of his life.

After Homan left the Border Patrol, he became an investigator with the now-defunct Immigration and Naturalization Services, and eventually oversaw major operations to break up human smuggling networks.

On May 14, 2003, 19 years into Homans career in immigration enforcement, police discovered an abandoned tractor-trailer at a truck stop in Victoria, Texas. The driver had attempted to smuggle more than 70 migrants who had recently crossed into the United States past a Border Patrol checkpoint in the unventilated trailer. Seventeen of them had suffocated to death inside, and two others died later. Homan was scheduled to give a speech in Dallas that morning, but instead flew to Victoria, where a Texas Ranger walked him through the crime scene and into the trailer that held the bodies. Among them was a man whose 5-year-old child had died in his arms.

Relatives and neighbors carry the casket of a migrant who died in a truck in Victoria, Texas, on May 14, 2003. (Photo: Reuters Photographer / Reuters)

Homan, now part of the newly created ICE, led the investigation. Under his direction, ICE special agents broke up four smuggling organizations involved in the tragedy, and put a dozen people behind bars. A jury convicted the truck driver, Tyrone Williams, in 2006; he was ultimately sentenced to 34 years in prison. But the episode stuck with Homan. He still mentions it in speeches, partly to refute the notion that immigration enforcement officials like him are heartless.

This is something I cant forget, Homan told HuffPost. At the time, I had a 5-year-old boy. As a parent, you look at it and you think, That could be your child.

In the years that followed, Homan continued to rise through ICEs ranks, landing a job in the Washington bureaucracy the year Barack Obama took office. He took over Enforcement and Removal Operations, the part of the agency that handles deportations, in 2013. The timing meant that it fell to Homan to implement the Obama administrations prosecutorial discretion policy, which required ICE to prioritize the removal of people who posed threats to national security or public safety, had been caught while crossing the border or had prior deportations on their records. Under the new policy, the agency would often postpone deporting unauthorized immigrants who had established themselves in the United States without seriously running afoul of the law.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

To judge from Homans public remarks since taking control of ICE, carrying out prosecutorial discretion grated on him. But regardless of his personal views of the Obama policy, Homan was well-suited to communicate the new orders down the chain of command. The changes were planned by Washington bureaucrats and signed by then-ICE Director John Morton, a former federal prosecutor who had served in the Peace Corps. Condensing Mortons six-page, heavily bulleted memo into the two-word motto worst first, Homan gave the policy an air of legitimacy within the agency that it might otherwise have lacked.

The Obama administration was thrilled with Homans performance, and honored him with the Presidential Rank Award for his service in 2015. That year, 98 percent of people ICE deported from within the country met one of the three priority categories, a record Homan described as pretty close to perfect. (ICE uses separate statistics to track people deported after trying to cross the border illegally.)

Protesters at a pro-immigration rally in Los Angeles, on Feb. 18, 2017. Organizers called for a stop to ICE raids and deportations of illegal immigrants and to officially establish LA as a sanctuary city. (Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

But Homans roots in the rank-and-file also give him a rough edge. As a Washington bureaucrat, he continued to refer to unauthorized immigrants as tonks, according to two former DHS officials who have worked with him. (Homan denied using the term, saying he hasnt heard it in years.) The epithet has an uncertain origin, but those familiar with the term say its Border Patrol slang that derives from the sound of bashing an immigrant over the head with a flashlight or a baton.

As Obama prepared to leave office, Homan prepared to retire. A week after Trumps inauguration, he stood before a crowd of colleagues at ICEs headquarters in Washington, toasting the end of a 33-year career. Having risen nearly to the top of the immigration enforcement system, Homan had lined up a job in the private sector and was ready to leave. He had already cleaned out his desk.

But as he was shaking the hand of the last guest to leave the celebration, he received a call from then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, who said Trump himself had asked that Homan come back to head ICE. Homan returned the gifts. He was back in the office the following week.

ICE Isnt Going Anywhere

By the time it was announced on Jan. 27, 2017, that Homan had been selected to lead ICE, he had already received a new set of instructions from Trump. The president had issued an executive order that scrapped Obamas prosecutorial discretion policy. Within two weeks, ICE began summarily deporting people  including some who had received stays of deportation  who came in for routine check-ins with the agency. And officers once again began detaining unauthorized immigrants they encountered during operations targeting other people. These once-common detentions, known as collateral arrests, had been largely phased out during Obamas second term.

The aggressive tactics sparked a furious backlash from immigrant rights leaders and legal groups. But rather than defuse the tensions created by ICEs increasingly indiscriminate arrests, Homan heightened them.

On March 28, the ICE director attended an unusual town hall meeting called by Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, a Republican. Jones hoped to dispel misconceptions about the way ICE carries out its operations. The agency has long disputed the idea that ICE conducts raids or sweeps, contending instead that its officers specifically target people with criminal records or prior deportations.

In the state with the countrys largest undocumented population and firm Democratic control of the government, Homan was greeted by an angry crowd. Fuck you! someone yelled. Piece of shit! another person shouted. The hecklers visibly unnerved Jones, who repeatedly threatened to toss them out. But Homan, stone-faced, stood up and told his critics exactly what they didnt want to hear: He had a duty to enforce the law. If California sheriffs wouldnt let him into a jail, the safest place for his officers to make an arrest, then hed have no choice but to go after his targets at their homes or places of employment. With no classes of unauthorized immigrants left untouchable under Trumps executive order, the implied threat meant that sanctuary policies would backfire, spurring more arrests of bystanders without legal status.

Someone shouted that ICE should get out of California.

Lets be clear on one thing: ICE isnt going anywhere, Homan shot back. Were going to enforce the laws that are on the books.

A man at the Theo Lacy Facility, a county jail that also houses immigration detainees arrested by ICE, on March 14, 2017, in Orange, California. (Photo: ROBYN BECK via Getty Images)

This combative attitude hasnt undermined Homans reputation among his contemporaries. Tom Homan would not be doing what hes doing today if he did not believe it is in the interest of this nation, David Aguilar, a former acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, told HuffPost. But theres probably no bigger target in the media as it relates to law enforcement than Director Homan right now.

And despite facing periodic criticism from the officers union, Homan remains widely respected within ICE and among the agencys former leadership. Both supporters and critics of the direction ICE is moving under Trump are likely to cite the same qualities that elevated him to the top job: a strong work ethic, a dry wit, a deep sense of mission and, above all, his devotion to the common officer.

Tom is even-tempered, Gary Mead, the former head of ERO, told HuffPost. He has a good sense of humor. He gets along with a wide variety of people both up and down the chain of command. Hes a team player. Hes totally committed to three things. Thats the mission of ICE, looking out for his employees, and looking out for the public he serves. I dont see him as being contentious, I see him as being committed to those three things.

Homans frontline experience sets him apart from his predecessors. Of the nine people who led ICE before him, six were lawyers and two began their careers as customs investigators  a prestigious criminal law enforcement position that has as much to do with routine deportations as a police detectives work has to do with traffic stops. The only other ICE director to serve in a rank-and-file immigration enforcement position was former Border Patrol officer John Clark, who led ICE for five months as an acting director more than a decade ago.

Im sitting in this chair right now, and I know what a Border Patrol agent feels like, Homan said. I know what its like to arrest an alien and feel bad about it. I know what its like to see a dead alien on the trail.

But Homans unrelenting boosterism of Trumps deportation agenda has some former colleagues saying they dont recognize the man they see puffing his chest on Fox News. Having been plucked from retirement at the end of a long career, Homan bears little burden to preserve appearance of non-partisanship. His most confrontational comments  particularly the threat to prosecute local officials who embrace sanctuary policies or his warning that unauthorized immigrants should be afraid  have widely alienated Democrats and critics on the left, as Homan puts it. But some suspect Homans over-the-top public pronouncements dont reflect his personal views as much as his desire to please a White House beset by infighting and historically high turnover.

Those comments are just ingratiating himself with this administration, former deputy director of ICE Alonzo Pena told HuffPost. He knows a lot better than that.  But hes in a hard spot. Youve got an administration that is very direct. I dont think in his wildest dreams he wouldve thought hed become acting director. Im sure hes trying to conform as much as he can.

President Donald Trump holds a law enforcement roundtable about sanctuary citieson March 20, 2018. He was joined by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Homan. (Photo: Pool via Getty Images)

Democratic critics are likely to pounce on Homan when he eventually goes before the Senate for confirmation. But some wonder whether Homans commentary may have soured some moderate Republicans, whose support hell need to cement his job title.

He wants to get confirmed so badly that he has been willing to say things that are nothing short of outrageous and offensive, a former DHS official told HuffPost. Im wondering if Tom has unintentionally screwed himself out of the job with some of this bombastic language meant to appeal to an audience of one: Donald Trump.

A Rank-And-File Leader

Homans public statements may mirror the presidents hawkishness, but the campaign the ICE director is waging against sanctuary cities is at least as personal as it is political. Homan begins his days at the office by hate-reading press statements from legal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and clippings from mass media. All of it, he says, demonizes his officers. And nothing makes Homan seethe more than seeing his deportation officers take the blame for the United States dysfunctional immigration politics. To him, every one of them is a hero who makes the choice to strap a gun to his or her hip in the morning to carry out a solemn task that Congress has decided is not only necessary, but, at least since 2003, also a matter of national security.

Thats the real difference  having a rank-and-file person, one ICE employee, who declined to be named because hes not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency, told HuffPost. The way I see Homan is hes a tough cop who has integrity and compassion. But he also knows what its like to be an officer and to be out there on the front lines and think about officers safety.

If Homans deportation officers suffer from a lack of national prestige, its partly due to bureaucratic processes over which they have little control. Congress created the Department of Homeland Security after the Sept. 11 attacks by mashing together 22 agencies, including most of those that enforce immigration law. In that pivotal moment, interior immigration enforcement leapt from the realm of civil procedure administered by the Justice Department to an element of national security conflated with the broader mission of fighting terrorism.

Under that arrangement, deportation officers drew the short end of the stick. The former customs agents and INS investigators evolved into ICEs Homeland Security Investigations Unit  the ones tasked with carrying out long investigations that have some tie to the border. That nexus is at times nebulous and routinely overlaps with agencies like the FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration; many of HSIs targets are U.S. citizens.

Human remains in body bags lie in the refrigerated morgue of the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 9, 2014. Most are from undocumented immigrants, many of whom died of dehydration while crossing illegally into the U.S. from Mexico. (Photo: John Moore via Getty Images)

ICEs most prominent arrests  gang leaders, child pornographers, human traffickers  usually result from HSI investigations. Deportation officers, on the other hand, carry out the more mundane task of removing unauthorized immigrants, regardless of whether they have committed serious crimes in the United States. Unlike HSI investigators, deportation officers dont generally make criminal arrests. Its a well-paid job that opens the door to federal law enforcement, usually without having to move to a remote part of the southern desert, as Border Patrol positions often require. But job satisfaction at ICE consistently ranks in the bottom quartile of federal government agencies, according to the annual federal viewpoint survey, with low scores from ERO historically dragging down the average.

Today, ICEs deportation officers have come to symbolize the most draconian aspects of immigration enforcement, without enjoying the prestige accorded to virtually every other branch of law enforcement.

Its difficult to honestly describe the U.S. deportation system as an urgent national security function. Some of the criminal offenders ICE removes each year were convicted of violent crimes, including more than 8,000 convicted of some form of homicide since 2009. But the criminals ICE has deported in the last decade were most commonly guilty of immigration violations, DUIs, traffic violations or drug charges. Under Homan, who doesnt think ICE should wait for a criminal court to secure a conviction before starting removal proceedings, a growing number of deportees from outside the United States 2,000-mile southern border region havent been convicted of anything at all.

Some of the agencys prominent critics on the left, including former Hillary Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon and MSNBC host Chris Hayes, have floated the idea of abolishing ICE altogether.

Trump and Homan have chosen the opposite path  boosting the power, funding and reputation of the parts of the federal government responsible for deportation. This focus on deportations also helps Homan achieve a narrower goal: shifting the blame for the injustices of the immigration enforcement system away from ICE and back to the political class. And hes citing concerns about his officers safety to make that happen.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., contains the names of 51 agents belonging to ICE or its predecessor agencies who have died in the line of duty since 1915. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

When Homan rails against so-called sanctuary cities, his argument is simple: Arresting someone who is already jailed is far less risky for his agents than knocking on an unknown door. Its also more efficient. One deportation officer working in a jail can easily carry out 10 administrative arrests in a workday, according to Homan. At-large arrests, on the other hand, require several agents to arrest a single person and introduce the possibility that their target might be armed or try to fight back. Moreover, Homan says, it undermines public safety in immigrant communities when authorities release someone who has been jailed for a criminal offense and could be deported if only ICE officers had more access to the jail.

Theres no question that at-large arrests present greater risks than a custody transfer from a local jail. But in his zeal, Homan often overstates the case. Even the most generous sanctuary laws, like Californias Trust Act, allow local authorities to help ICE detain and deport people accused or convicted of serious crimes involving homicide, sexual abuse or human trafficking. And despite Californias policies of limiting cooperation with ICE, more than 80 percent of the agencys arrests there since 2017 have taken place inside a jail, according to a declaration Homan submitted last month alongside a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and aimed at overturning three of the states sanctuary laws.

Nor does Homans portrayal of the risks deportation officers face entirely square with the statistics he cites. Homan has repeatedly said in speeches that 52 names of ICE agents are inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and he wont have a 53rd because some politician put politics above public safety. But that figure, which the ICE press office clarified is actually 51, dates back to 1915 and includes legacy INS and Customs agents, some of whom carried out jobs far riskier than administrative arrests of potential deportees. Both of the officers Homan referred to in his congressional testimony in June died in the line of duty. But Special Agent J. Scott McGuire was hit by a drunk driver, and Brian Beliso died of a heart attack during a foot chase.

Since the creation of ICE in 2003, Beliso, McGuire and three other agents  David Wilhelm, Jaime Zapata and Lorenzo Gomez  have died in the line of duty. But Wilhelm and Zapata were investigators, and neither died during an immigration enforcement operation. Zapata was killed outside Mexico City by a drug cartel; Wilhelm was murdered at his home by a U.S. citizen who escaped from a federal courthouse and killed three others. Gomez died of kidney failure after collapsing during a special response team training session. No deportation officers have died because of a violent altercation with an unauthorized immigrant since ICE was founded, according to the data collected by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Im Not The Devil

Unlike deportation officers, migrants often lose their lives as a result of U.S. immigration policy. No government agency tracks the fate of migrants after their deportations, but a New Yorker investigation published in January documented 60 cases in which deportees in recent years were killed, kidnapped or sexually abused after their removal from the United States. Others suffocate in unventilated trailers, as Homan knows from personal experience. At least 175 immigrants have died in detention centers since 2003, according to Human Rights Watch data. Hundreds more die annually from trekking through remote parts of the desert.

The increase of border-crossing deaths stems partly from the unprecedented fortification of the region. In the 1980s, it was common for people to simply walk across unpatrolled stretches of the border or wade through the Rio Grande. Some used smugglers as guides, but others crossed independently. Some might cross more than a dozen times during their lives.

But over the last three decades and with bipartisan support, the United States has laid down 700 miles of border fencing, more than quadrupled the number of Border Patrol agents and dealt out increasingly harsh consequences to those who cross illegally. The result is that now people who make the crossing rely in ever greater numbers on human smugglers, paying sums as high as $7,000 a head to take their chances, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars each year into an illicit economy dominated by drug cartels and transnational gangs. For Homan, the only way to halt the deaths at the border is to dismantle that criminal economy by eliminating the possibility of crossing the border illegally.

Im not the devil. Theres a reason why I feel the way I feel, Homan said. We have to do everything we can to dismantle these smuggling organizations.

An officer of the U.S. Border Patrol inspects the area where the border fence separating Mexico and the U.S. is interrupted on Feb. 23, 2017. (Photo: Edgard Garrido / Reuters)

For those who do make it past the Border Patrol, Homans officers will be waiting. Immigration laws wont mean much if would-be unauthorized immigrants think theyll gain immunity from deportation if they get past Border Patrol and have a child born in the U.S., Homan says.

That argument treads closely to a criticism of birthright citizenship. But when pressed to define his vision for the future of the immigration system in the U.S., Homan suddenly sounds more like one of the bipartisan group of lawmakers that has unsuccessfully pushed for comprehensive reform than the hardliners who control the White House.

Im the first one to say, I cant arrest 11 million people, Homan told HuffPost. So Congress needs to make some decisions about immigration reform. The answer isnt ignore the law. The answer is fix the law.

As Congress bickers, Homan is working to make the immigration enforcement system still more punitive. With 34 years of experience enforcing immigration law, he knows all the pressure points to make the United States sprawling detention and deportation system function more efficiently, with or without new laws.

Shortly after taking control of ICE, Homan asked the Justice Department to challenge the Supreme Courts ruling in the case of Zadvydas v. Davis, which bars immigration authorities from detaining immigrants for more than six months unless they pose a national security or public safety threat. He set in writing a new policy allowing ICE officers to detain unauthorized immigrants at courthouses, over the objection of federal judges. And he walked back a policy he himself had signed as head of ERO in 2016 that required ICE to generally release pregnant women from immigrant detention.

For those who have a problem with any of that, Homan is happy to point them to the ballot box or their local members of Congress  anyone but the deportation officers who are doing a job that politicians of both parties have ordered them to do.

In the meantime, Homan will proudly continue to act as the face of Trumps deportation agenda. The job comes at a personal cost. He bristles at being caricatured by critics as a Nazi. He said his youngest son has been harassed at school. Authorities are investigating numerous threats against him and his wife.

And behind his bluster on national television, the job weighs on him emotionally. He knows his officers separate families on a daily basis. Then again, he says, so does every police officer who makes arrests. Homan signed up for that the day he first became a cop in 1983.

People think I dont feel bad about the plight of these people. Well, I do feel bad, Homan said. But I have a job to do.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and her Republican counterpart Lisa Murkowski spoke out Friday against potential United States action in Syria, amid indications from the White House that President Donald Trump is considering imminent strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

There is no plan, no exit strategy and no authorization by Congress for the use of military force in Syria, Gillibrand said during an appearance at the Women in the World 2018 conference. Im not going to support what the president is signaling without a plan or strategy."

Murkowski added that she did not think Trumps foreign policy tweets were particularly helpful to his cause. Earlier this week, Trump took to Twitter to seek to clarify his plans to respond to a gas attack in the Syrian town of Douma, for which the U.S. has pinned the blame on Assad.

Trending: The Walking Dead Season 8 Finale Spoilers Tease Captured Heroes in 8x16

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our Thank you America?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018



The duo of senators also discussed rumors that the president was considering firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, possibly as a way to nominate someone to the job who would agree to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel who is investigating potential Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Don't miss: Mormons Pick First Ever Non-White Apostles | Opinion

It is so important that this investigation be allowed to go forward, Murkowski said. There is so much at play right nowwe have Syria, North Korea and the opioid epidemic here at home, we have so many issues. And for Congress and the president to be so focused on these horribly, unnecessarily distractive issues is a disservice. Let this investigation move forward and come to its logical conclusion. The president should not be intervening, she added.

Story continues

GettyImages-945893982

ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

Senator Gillibrand said that any attempt to fire Mueller would create a constitutional crisis and that, if [Trump] did fire Rosenstein it would be to have someone in place to fire Mueller.

Murkowski also addressed the recent March for our Lives protests, as part of student-led action to call for stricter gun control. I think it has been a significant wake-up to those of us in Congress, she said. When you have a 16-year-old say, 'I'm afraid, and I'm the kid, and you're the adultand you're the lawmaking adult, and we expect some action, if that doesnt motivate us to act and come together for the good of the country we need to self-examine what were doing.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump strode directly, with purpose, to the podium.

"My fellow Americans," he began, "a short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad."

Sending American troops into harm's way is by definition the most "presidential" act a commander in chief can take. Still, the solemn announcement, delivered in one of the nation's most distinguished settings, was a notable moment of conformity for a president who has scoffed at the conventional.

The operation had been widely expected, the whole world seemingly anticipating action since the president's Wednesday morning tweet that missiles "will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'"

But on Friday afternoon, nearly a week after the president had first promised a decision within 24 to 48 hours, the White House maintained that Trump hadn't yet settled on a course of action.

That didn't quell the anticipation that had been building for days. The likely window for an operation was well-known: nighttime in Syria, or the evening in Washington, seven hours behind.

The first inkling that something was up on came when the White House sent word to the cadre of reporters who continuously follow the president that they might be staying late Friday night. The early buzz: that Trump would be making a foray to his nearby hotel for dinner.

White House aides put on a determined show of normalcy. Some White House staffers were seen drinking and socializing on the balcony of the nearby Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Other aides were seen grabbing their bags and leaving, ostensibly for the weekend.

But as the sun set, it grew increasingly clear that something more than an off-campus dinner was afoot. Usually chatty aides were hushed, offices empty, doors closed.

Keith Kellogg, chief of staff to the National Security Council, was spotted by a throng of reporters and hurried away, insisting he knew nothing.

Story continues

Reporters were told to be prepared to move at 8:30 p.m.  destination unknown.

On another continent, Vice President Mike Pence unexpectedly departed from the kickoff of an international summit in Lima, Peru, his motorcade whisking him off to his hotel.

Pence had been tasked with informing congressional leaders about the airstrikes, according to Jarrod Agen, his deputy chief of staff.

Pence spoke to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi before Trump's speech. Pence was unable to reach Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer before the speech but spoke with him later in the evening.

At about the same time, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, who had made a show of leaving the building earlier in the day, reappeared. She led a small group of reporters into a hallway, where she announced, in hushed tones, that the president would be delivering an address to the nation, at 9:01:30 p.m. She urged reporters to keep the announcement quiet until the president began speaking, insisting the safety of American troops was at stake.

Reporters were then led into the muraled Diplomatic Reception Room on the ground floor of the Executive Mansion, where the presidential podium and teleprompter were ready.

Trump laid out a joint operation with the forces of France and the U.K. that was meant as retribution for an attack that he said killed dozens, putting the blame squarely on Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children, thrashing in pain and gasping for air," said the president, who had watched images of the horror play out on cable television. "These are not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster."

While Trump's decision drew criticism from some corners, his public address stood in stark contrast to the often haphazard, misspelled tweets and off-the-cuff statements that are so common in his presidency. And his stern warning to Russia set aside  at least temporarily  Trump's unwillingness to call out Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Russia," Trump said, "must decide if it will continue down this dark path, or if it will join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace."

___

Associated Press writer Ken Thomas contributed to this report from Lima, Peru.
Washington (United States) (AFP) - President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria will meet Donald Trump in Washington on April 30 to discuss issues including "fighting terrorism" and economic growth, the White House announced Sunday.

"President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to enhance our strategic partnership and advance our shared priorities: promoting economic growth and reforms, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security, and building on Nigeria's role as a democratic leader in the region," the White House said in a statement.

"The relationship of the United States with Nigeria is deep and strong, and Nigeria's economic growth, security, and leadership in Africa will advance our mutual prosperity."

Nigeria, West Africa's largest economy, is among the countries combatting Islamist extremism with help from the United States.

The nation is battling an array of security threats across its territory, from Boko Haram jihadists in the northeast to oil militants in the south.

The announcement of the visit comes one day after the fourth anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls abduction, which saw Boko Haram kidnap 276 girls.

Fifty-seven escaped in the immediate aftermath and four years on, 112 are still being held -- a global symbol of the Islamist insurgency that has devastated the region.

The Nigerian president's White House visit also follows a scandal that erupted in January when Trump allegedly branded African nations "shithole countries."

The reported remark triggered global outrage and forced the US president to pen a letter reaffirming his commitment to the continent.

Nigeria was among the countries included on Trump's ex-secretary of state Rex Tillerson's Africa tour last month -- though the former Texas oilman truncated the trip just before the US president brutally sacked him.

Before returning to Washington, Tillerson had notably promised Nigeria's support ranging from equipment to intelligence to helping secure the swift release of kidnapped schoolgirls.

Story continues

- 'Baba Go Slow' -

Buhari, a 75-year-old former general and one-time military head of state, announced earlier this month he would seek re-election next year -- a move that laid to rest months of speculation over his health.

Nicknamed "Baba Go Slow" for his lethargic pace in office, Buhari spent months in London last year seeking medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.

If nominated, he faces the Herculean task of convincing Nigerians he is the best candidate to steer the country out of its worst recession in 25 years, after implementing a series of unorthodox policies blamed for worsening the economic crisis.

He was voted into power in 2015 on a platform vowing to crack down on endemic graft and stamp out Boko Haram.

Boko Haram still stages deadly attacks on military and civilian targets despite Buhari's insistence that the group is "technically" defeated.

In February, the Islamists embarrassed the government by driving unopposed into the northeastern town of Dapchi and kidnapping over 100 schoolgirls.

Of the 111 who were kidnapped, 105 were returned by the jihadists following a ceasefire agreement with the government.

burs-mdo/ska
Donald Trump has branded James Comey an "untruthful slime ball" and a "proven leaker and liar", as the first extracts emerge from the former FBI director's explosive tell-all book.

"Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired," the US president wrote on Twitter. "He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH."

"He is a weak and untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI.

"His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst botch jobs of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey!"

James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018

....untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI. His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst botch jobs of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018

Mr Comey's book, A Higher Loyalty, which is set to go on sale next week, provides a detailed account of his interactions with Mr Trump, who he says appears to be "untethered to truth" and "ego driven".

He casts Mr Trump as a mobster-like figure who sought to blur the line between law enforcement and politics and tried to pressure him personally regarding his investigation into Russian election interference.

Story continues

The book adheres closely to Mr Comey's public testimony and written statements about his contacts with Mr Trump, and his growing concern about the billionaire's integrity.

The 6ft 8in Mr Comey describes Mr Trump as shorter than he expected with a "too long" tie and "bright white half-moons" under his eyes that he suggests came from tanning goggles. He also says he made a conscious effort to check the president's hand size, saying it was "smaller than mine but did not seem unusually so".

"Donald Trump's presidency threatens much of what is good in this nation," Mr Comey writes, calling the administration a "forest fire" that can't be contained by ethical leaders within the government.

On a more-personal level, Mr Comey describes Mr Trump repeatedly asking him to consider investigating an allegation involving Mr Trump and Russian prostitutes urinating on a bed in a Moscow hotel, in order to prove it was a lie. Mr Trump has strongly denied the allegation, and Mr Comey says that it appeared the president wanted it investigated to reassure his wife, Melania Trump.

Mr Trump fired Mr Comey in May 2017, setting off a scramble at the Justice Department that led to the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation. Mr Mueller's probe has expanded to include whether Mr Trump obstructed justice by firing Mr Comey, which the president denies.

Mr Trump has previously assailed Mr Comey as a "showboat" and a "liar."

Mr Comey's account lands at a particularly sensitive moment for Mr Trump and the White House. Officials there describe the president as enraged over a recent FBI raid of his personal lawyer's home and office, raising the prospect that he could fire deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mr Mueller, or try to shut down the probe on his own. The Republican National Committee is poised to lead the pushback effort against Mr Comey by launching a website and supplying surrogates with talking points that question his credibility.

Mr Trump has said he fired Mr Comey because of his handling of the FBI's investigation into Ms Clinton's email practices. Mr Trump used the investigation as a cudgel in the campaign and repeatedly said Ms Clinton should be jailed for using a personal email system while serving as secretary of state. Democrats, on the other hand, have accused Mr Comey of politicising the investigation, and Ms Clinton herself has said it hurt her election prospects.

Mr Comey writes that he regrets his approach and some of the wording he used in his July 2016 press conference in which he announced the decision not to prosecute Ms Clinton. But he says he believes he did the right thing by going before the cameras and making his statement, noting that the Justice Department had done so in other high profile cases.

Every person on the investigative team, Mr Comey writes, found that there was no prosecutable case against Ms Clinton and that the FBI didn't find that she lied under its questioning.

He also reveals new details about how the government had unverified classified information that he believes could have been used to cast doubt on Attorney General Loretta Lynch's independence in the Clinton probe. While Mr Comey does not outline the details of the information  and says he didn't see indications of Ms Lynch inappropriately influencing the investigation  he says it worried him that the material could be used to attack the integrity of the probe and the FBI's independence.

Mr Comey's book will be heavily scrutinised by the president's legal team looking for any inconsistencies between it and his public testimony, under oath, before Congress. They will be looking to impeach Mr Comey's credibility as a key witness in Mr Mueller's obstruction investigation, which the president has cast as a political motivated witch hunt.

The former FBI director provides new details of his firing. He writes that then-homeland security secretary John Kelly  now Mr Trump's chief of staff  offered to quit out of disgust at how Mr Comey was dismissed. Mr Kelly has been increasingly marginalised in the White House and the president has mused to confidants about firing him.

Mr Comey also writes extensively about his first meeting with Mr Trump after the election, a briefing in January 2017 at Trump Tower in New York City. Others in the meeting included vice president Mike Pence, Mr Trump's first chief of staff, Reince Priebus, Michael Flynn, who would become national security adviser, and incoming press secretary, Sean Spicer. Mr Comey was also joined by NSA director Mike Rogers, CIA director John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

After Mr Clapper briefed the team on the intelligence community's findings of Russian election interference, Mr Comey said he was taken aback by what the Mr Trump team did not ask.

"They were about to lead a country that had been attacked by a foreign adversary, yet they had no questions about what the future Russian threat might be," Mr Comey writes. Instead, they launched into a strategy session about how to "spin what we'd just told them" for the public.

Mr Comey says he had flashbacks to his time investigating the Italian mafia as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, thinking that Mr Trump "was trying to make us all part of the same family."

"For my entire career, intelligence was a thing of mine and political spin a thing of yours. Team Trump wanted to change that," he writes.

Mr Comey then describes talking to Mr Trump one-on-one after the broader meeting.

He says he described the allegations about Russian prostitutes. He writes that he told Mr Trump about the dossier because it was the FBI's responsibility to protect the presidency from coercion related to harmful allegations, whether supported or not. Mr Comey said he left out one detail involving an allegation that the prostitutes had urinated on a bed once used by the Obamas.

Mr Trump raised the subject again a week later, after the dossier had been made public. He then told Mr Comey, the director writes, that he had not stayed in the hotel and that the most salacious charge could not have been true because, Mr Trump said, "I'm a germaphobe. There's no way I would let people pee on each other around me. No way."

Mr Comey writes that Mr Trump raised the issue again, unprompted, during their one-on-one dinner at the White House and it bothered the president that there might be even "a one per cent chance" his wife might think it was true.

Mr Comey then registers surprise, writing that he thought to himself "why his wife would think there was any chance, even a small one, that he had been with prostitutes urinating on each other in a Moscow hotel room."

Additional reporting by AP
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Twitter praised Western air strikes against the Syrian government on Saturday as "perfectly executed", and added "Mission Accomplished". "A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!" Trump said in a Twitter post. Trump's message echoed the words of a banner that hung behind former President George W. Bush when he gave a speech in 2003 from the USS Abraham Lincoln, during the Iraq War. That visual dogged Bush's presidency as the war dragged out, with worsening American casualties, for the remainder of his two terms in office. (This version of the story refiles to fix typographical error in paragraph 3). (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Joel Schectman editing by Jason Neely and David Gregorio)
Egypt-based DP World Sokhna, a marine terminal of global shipping terminal operator DP World, has opened a new customer service centre worth EGP3 million ($169,620).



The announcement was made at a recent ceremony which was attended by Admiral Mafouz Taha, vice chairman SC Zone, and Xi Manding, managing director of Cosco Egypt.



The centre will serve as the hub for all customer-related processes for shipping lines, clearance agents, trucking companies, freight forwarders and cargo owners, said the statement.



The centre is open 24/7 and will be responsible for responding to customer enquiries, providing real time information on cargo and solving any issues in coordination with other departments at the port, it added.



The centre is integrated with the customs system so that customers can perform their customs documentation processing, pay handling fees, and receive direct answers for their enquiries.



Ajay Singh, chief executive officer, DP World Sokhna, said: We always aim to provide high-quality logistics services to enable trade movement and this new customer service centre is another step to support our port operations by unifying the documentation processes leading to higher quality services.



Our customer friendly staff working there will also help enhance customer support and reduce the time spent on cargo handling, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Libby was convicted in 2007 for perjury: Getty

President Donald Trump has pardoned Lewis Scooter Libby, who served as chief of staff for former Vice President Dick Cheney but was later convicted of perjury in 2007.

Before the pardon, there was not a petition seeking a pardon on file at the Department of Justices Office of Pardon Attorney, according to an official there. Although Mr Trumps predecessors generally consulted with that office before granting pardons, it is not required by the US Constitution.

I dont know Mr Libby, Mr Trump said in a quote provided alongside a statement announcing the pardon, but for years I have heard that he has been treated unfairly. Hopefully this full pardon will help rectify a very sad portion of his life.

Libby was convicted in 2007 for perjury in the case involving the leaked identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame in 2003. The leak case was handled by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, who had been appointed to investigate the leak by then-Deputy Attorney General James Comey.

The White House pardon came hours after explosive excerpts from Mr Comeys new book surfaced, detailing the former FBI directors dealings with Mr Trump during his first few months in office.

Mr Comey, who Mr Trump fired last May, writes in his book that Mr Trump is akin to a Mafia don, and says the president is untethered to the truth.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, during her daily briefing Friday, said that Mr Trump's decision to pardon Libby was not intended as a message to special counsel Robert Mueller  who was appointed after Mr Comey was fired.

"One thing has nothing to do with the other and every case should be evaluated on their own merits," Ms Sanders said. Mr Trump chose to pardon Libby because he "thought it was the right thing to do."

Libby served only four months of his 30-month sentence before he saw his sentence commuted by former President George W Bush. Mr Bush refused at the time to grant Libby a full pardon.

Story continues

Joseph Wilson, Ms Plame's husband, responded to the pardon by saying that Mr Trump did not do it for Libby.

"It has nothing to do with Libby, and it has nothing to do with me. Libby's problem was with the Justice Department. He was indicted, tried and convicted on obstruction of justice and perjury charges for basically violating the national security of the United States of America," Mr Wilson said in a statement. "Now he's being pardoned for it, which suggests of course that Mr Trump is willing to allow people to violate the essence of our defence structure, our national security, our intelligence apparatus and essentially get away with it."

Mr Trump has authorised controversial pardons during his presidency previously.

The president exercised his authority to pardon people convicted of federal crimes when he let former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio let year just after he had been convicted on criminal contempt of court charges for his sheriff departments tactic to crack down on undocumented immigrants. Mr Arpaio is now running for Senate in Arizona.

Mr Trump did not reportedly consult with lawyers at the DOJ before granting that pardon.
By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration may allow the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol year-round, which could help farmers by firing up corn demand but faces opposition from Big Oil.

The proposal marks the latest move by the Trump administration to navigate the rival oil and corn constituencies as they clash over the nation's biofuels policy. Oil refiners say the Renewable Fuel Standard requiring them to add biofuels into gasoline is costly and displaces petroleum, while the farm sector says the law provides critical support to growers.

The Environmental Protection Agency currently bans the higher ethanol blend, called E15, during summer because of concerns it contributes to smog on hot days - a worry biofuels advocates say is unfounded.

Gasoline typically contains just 10 percent ethanol.

"Were going to be going probably, probably to 15 and were going to be going to a 12-month period," Trump told reporters during a White House meeting. "Were going to work out something during the transition period, which is not easy, very complicated."

Earlier on Thursday, EPA spokeswoman Liz Bowman said the agency "has been assessing the legal validity of granting an E15 waiver since last summer" and is awaiting an outcome from discussions with the White House, the Department of Agriculture and Congress before making any final decisions.

Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, said the proposed shift to year-round E15 sales would be "very exciting news."

"It would be a great morale boost for rural America, and more importantly a real demand boost if it can be moved forward quickly," he said in an interview.

Under the RFS, the EPA sets the volume of ethanol and other biofuels that must be mixed into the nation's fuel supply on a yearly basis - and a move to expand E15 sales could encourage the EPA to set those volumes higher in coming years.

Story continues

Currently, refiners are required to blend around 15 billion gallons of ethanol into the nation's fuel annually.

Shares of major biofuels producers rose slightly after the announcement. Archer Daniels Midland Co (ADM.N) shares gained 2.7 percent to close at $45.30.

It was unclear, however, whether the move would help the refining sector - which has been lobbying hard instead for a cap on the price of blending credits that refiners must acquire to prove compliance with the RFS.

Greater blending of ethanol through year-round E15 sales would theoretically increase supplies of the tradable credits, and thus reduce prices. But at the same time, more ethanol translates to a smaller share of petroleum-based fuel in American gas tanks, which would hurt refiner sales.

The American Petroleum Institute, which represents big oil companies, issued a statement opposing Trump's proposal to expand E15 sales, arguing that high-ethanol fuel can damage engines and is incompatible with certain boats, motorcycles and lawn mowers.

"The industry plans to consider all options to prevent such a waiver. The RFS is broken and we continue to believe the best solution is comprehensive legislation," API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said in the statement.

Refiners shares were mixed after Trumps comments, with Andeavor (ANDV.N) closing down 2.6 percent at $110.13 and Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) up 0.2 percent at $100.53.

Bids for benchmark D6 blending credits slipped to 34 cents on Thursday afternoon, after deals were struck at 37.5 cents ahead of the announcement, a U.S. trader said.

(Additional reporting by Chris Prentice, Jarrett Renshaw and Jessica Resnick-Ault in New York; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Matthew Lewis)
The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transits the Saint Marys River.

David Axe

Security, Asia

History has overlooked an impressive show of force.

In 2010, the Navy Surfaced Three Missiles Submarines as a Warning to China

Nuclear powers rarely go to war with each other, but that doesnt mean they dont threaten to do so.

Indeed, military posturing is an integral part of what Forrest Morgan, an analyst for the RAND Corporation, called crisis stability. In other words, building and posturing forces in ways that allow a state, if confronted, to avoid war without backing down.

Long-range heavy bombers are some of the best forces for crisis stability, Morgan wrote in a 2013 study for the U.S. Air Force. Bombers are powerful, mobile and visible  perfect for signalling strength and intent.

On the other hand, the U.S. Navys submarine-launched cruise missiles are less effective  even counterproductive  for crisis stability  because theyre invisible most of the time.

SLCMs could contribute to the instability, Morgan wrote. [T]he opponents anxieties might be magnified by the ability of SSGNs [cruise missile subs] to posture in stealth nearby.

Recommended: Air War: Stealth F-22 Raptor vs. F-14 Tomcat (That Iran Still Flies)

Recommended: A New Report Reveals Why There Won't Be Any 'New' F-22 Raptors

Recommended: How an Old F-15 Might Kill Russias New Stealth Fighter

But Morgan pointed out one instance when the Navys Ohio-class SSGNs actually did help stabilize a crisis back in 2010  a feat mostly lost to history.

In July 2010, three SSGNs surfaced nearly simultaneously in Western Pacific and Indian Ocean waters, allegedly to signal U.S. displeasure over Chinese missile tests in the East China Sea.

Major missile tests are potentially provocative and destabilizing. Americas intent in the aftermath of the Chinese tests was to signal U.S. strength with just the right amount and kind of potential force.

Submarines seemed to fit the bill, as if Washington were saying to Beijing, Sure, you might surprise us with your missiles. But we remember we have plenty of missiles of our own  and theyre not far from you.

Story continues

Greg Torode reported on the incident for the South China Morning Post:

The appearance of the USS Michigan in Pusan, South Korea, the USS Ohio in Subic Bay, in The Philippines and the USS Florida in the strategic Indian Ocean outpost of Diego Garcia not only reflects the trend of escalating submarine activity in East Asia, but carries another threat as well.  Between them, the three submarines can carry 462 Tomahawks, boosting by an estimated 60 per cent-plus the potential Tomahawk strike force of the entire Japanese-based Seventh Fleet  the core projection of U.S. military power in East Asia.  One veteran Asian military attache, who keeps close ties with both Chinese and U.S. forces, noted that 460-odd Tomahawks is a huge amount of potential firepower in anybodys language. It is another sign that the U.S. is determined to not just maintain its military dominance in Asia, but to be seen doing so  that is a message for Beijing and for everybody else, whether you are a U.S. ally or a nation sitting on the fence.

This first appeared in WarIsBoring here.

Read full article
Curt Mills

Politics, Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump makes a statement about Syria

The president announced action in a late Friday night speech to the nation, but his moves are not without controversy at home and abroad.

Trump Strikes Syria, Risking Core Supporters

President Trump informed the nation Friday night that, after a weeks worth of consideration and speculation, he had instructed the U.S. military to carry out strikes against regime targets in Syria -- in tandem with the United Kingdom and France.

It was a week in which the president pardoned the prominent neocon and former Dick Cheney adviser I. Lewis Scooter Libby, feuded with former FBI Director James Comey, welcomed John Bolton, bombed a Middle Eastern country and declared mission accomplished.

As Ive previously reported, the president in taking military action risks portions of his populist, nationalist base. That hasnt changed. Quite the contrary.

Syria strike big loss for Trump's America First national security strategy---humanitarian interventionism not what his base voted for, a former senior White House official told me Saturday morning.

A source close to populist movements in Europe says that he expects Hungarian President Viktor Orban, Front Nationale politician Marine Le Pen and White House ally Nigel Farage to condemn the strike imminently.

A cadre of right-wing media personalities oppose even limited action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including: Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Tomi Lahren, Ann Coulter and Farage.

A source close to Steve Bannon says he, too, opposes the strikes.

More fringe personalities, such as Alex Jones and Stefan Molyneux, have denounced the strike in vociferous terms. Jones, the founder of Infowars and a conspiracy theorist, publicly wept over Trumps action and lamented, Hes crapping all over us it makes me sick. The disappointment was compounded by the fact that as late as Friday afternoon, many in this contingent inferred that plans to strike Syria imminently had been scuttled--in part because of a pressure campaign, from the presidents core supporters.

Story continues

Friday afternoon, U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the president had not yet made a decision.

Others close to the president and popular on the Right, including Sen. Tom Cotton, not only cheered the decision but also encouraged Trump to keep going elsewhere.

The Butcher of Damascus, Cotton said in a statement. Learned two lessons tonight the hard way: weapons of mass destruction wont create a military advantage is done with you and Russia cannot protect its clients from the United States.

President Trump ought to sustain the attacks if Assad doesnt learn these lessons, and Irans ayatollahs and Kim Jong Un might to learn the easy way, Cotton said.

Trump garnered Democratic support, as well. Liberal hawks were exultant. Former Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul signaled his approval on twitter. Others agreed. "The Assad regime's brutality cannot go unanswered, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, while caveating: I support these air strikes, done in coordination with our allies, but remain adamant that the administration must develop a comprehensive strategy for ending the Syrian civil war.

Damascus Bombed

A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished! Trump tweeted Saturday morning.

The strikes began at 4am Syrian time, moments after Trumps address concluded, hitting Damascus targets.

Sources inside the Pentagon and in the White House indicated days of disagreement over what exactly the U.S. should do in response to the latest atrocities out of the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

James Mattis, secretary of defense, was more cautious about the strikes than the president and his new national security advisor, John Bolton.

Our mission stays the same. Its to defeat ISIS. But Assads actions were beyond the pale, the Department of Defense said on Saturday.

Most Western countries have faulted Assad for a recent chemical attack in a Damascus suburb, though his benefactors Russia and Iran, have strenuously denied his involvement.

China also condemned last nights strikes.

Russia repeatedly floated the accusation that the United Kingdom was involved in framing Assad, in comments at the United Nations this week. On Saturday, the Russian delegation in New York introduced a draft resolution that condemns the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law.

We are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris, said Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov on Friday night.

Trump singled out Russia and Iran in his White House address on Friday. His core supporters will be watching closely to see if he continues to move closer towards traditional neocon and liberal hawk positions or not.

Curt Mills is foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest.

Image: Reuters

Read full article
By Jonathan Allen

(Reuters) - Both advocates and opponents of legalized marijuana reacted with caution on Saturday to signs from the White House that growers in U.S. states where the drug is permitted would be shielded from federal prosecution, saying it was too early to know the final impact.

U.S. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado announced on Friday that he had convinced U.S. President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, to protect from federal interference those state laws that legalize marijuana for certain uses.

Last year, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who opposes marijuana use, rescinded a memo issued by Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, that dialed back enforcement of the federal ban in states that legalized the drug. That decision unnerved the fast-growing U.S. marijuana industry, which has been legalized in more than half of all states.

"Trump's pledge to Gardner is a significant and potentially game-changing development but it does not necessarily mean that Sessions it no longer a threat to licensed cannabis businesses," Mike Liszewski, a policy advisor at the pro-marijuana Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement. He said, however, that the agreement made it "even more politically difficult for Sessions to initiate a crackdown."

He joined advocates on both sides saying it remained to be seen what final legislation would look like. Gardner said on Friday Trump had pledged to sign into law a bill that would codify states' rights to set their own marijuana legislation.

Tom Angell, a founder of the Marijuana Majority, said he was equally annoyed by those saying the announcement was a fait accompli and those who dismissed it as empty.

"The correct posture is: This is hugely positive, but it's going to take focused, hard work and pressure to make sure words become reality," Angell wrote on Twitter. "Let's make him do it."

Opponents of legalized marijuana have said federal oversight will be necessary for at least as long as black markets exist. They also note that some of the legal production ends up crossing state lines anyway.

Story continues

Jeff Hunt, director of the Colorado conservative think tank the Centennial Institute, said Colorado law enforcement does not have the resources to deal with marijuana regulation.

"The president is supporting the rights of Coloradans to make decisions for themselves," Hunt said in a telephone interview. Hunt, who critically compares the burgeoning marijuana industry to the tobacco industry, said he believed Trump still backs federal prosecution for "egregious violations of federal law when it comes to recreational marijuana."

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Daniel Wallis and David Gregorio)
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A Russian bid for the United Nations Security Council to condemn U.S., British and French air strikes on Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack failed on Saturday after only China and Bolivia joined Russia to vote in favor of a draft resolution. The 15-member council met on Saturday, at Russia's request, the fifth time it has met on Syria since a suspected deadly poison gas attack in the Syrian town of Douma a week ago. The United States, France and Britain fired 105 missiles overnight in retaliation, targeting Syria's chemical weapons program. "Why didn't you wait for the outcome of the investigation you called for?" Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the vote. He accused the United States, France and Britain of "demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law." "I hope hot heads will cool down and that will be it," he told reporters. International investigators from the global chemical weapons watchdog are in Syria and were due to start their inquiry on Saturday into the suspected toxic gas attack. Russia and Syria have said there was no evidence of a chemical weapons attack. The United States, France and Britain defended their military action as legal during the Security Council meeting. "We are confident that we have crippled Syria's chemical weapons program. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said. "If the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded," Haley said. During an address to the Security Council, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all states "to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people." Eight countries voted against the Russian-drafted text on Saturday, while Peru, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass. The council failed on Tuesday to approve three draft resolutions on chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Russia vetoed a U.S. text, while two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get a minimum nine votes to pass. France, the United States and Britain planned to put forward a new draft resolution aimed at dismantling Syria's chemical weapons program, wiping out terrorism, demanding a ceasefire across Syria and finding a political solution to the conflict, French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told the council on Saturday. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jason Neely, David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis)
Washington will impose new sanctions on Russia, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said  as Western allies look to put some diplomatic clout behind military strikes launched on Syria in the wake of an apparent chemical weapon attack.

Russian sanctions will be coming down, Ms Haley said during on appearance on CBS Face the Nation, adding that the new sanctions are expected to be announced by treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin on Monday.

It comes as the US, UK and France  who took part in the retaliatory strikes  push a draft resolution ahead of a meeting of the UNs Security Council, also on Monday, which includes a proposal for an independent investigation into alleged chemical weapons attacks that identifies those responsible.

Both the Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied involvement in the chemical attack, which occurred in the Syrian town of Douma and is believed to have killed dozens of civilians. Moscow has suggested that allegations over the attack are false, as well as claiming it was coordinated by Britain. The US and France have both said they have proof Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was behind the chemical weapon use.

The UN resolution forms part of a wider strategy to enforce the elimination of chemical weapons, which the US says Russia has repeatedly failed to do despite being the guarantor of a 2013 deal to achieve that. The resolution also calls for action over the wider civil war in Syria, such as allowing medical evacuations and aid convoys, and the enforcement of a ceasefire. The draft resolution will put pressure on Moscow, with US sanctions looking to achieve the same effect.

Secretary Mnuchin will be announcing those on Monday if he hasnt already, and they will be going directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use, Ms Haley said.

Ms Haley told CBS the fact that Assad was making the use of chemical weapons more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop.

Story continues

The UN envoy also said that the Trump administrations response takes into account other attacks using chemical weapons, as Mr Trump tweeted in defence of his use of the phrase mission accomplished when talking about the US, UK and French strikes on three alleged chemical weapons-related facilities.

The US president said: The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term Mission Accomplished.

I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!

Ms Haley said military action was only taken because diplomatic efforts have been stymied by Moscow.

On Saturday, the UN Security Council rejected a separate resolution tabled by Russia calling for condemnation of aggression by the US and its allies. Only three countries  Russia, China and Bolivia  voted in favour of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting. Eight countries voted against and three abstained.

When asked on Fox News Sunday about how our relationship with Russia has changed this week, Ms Haley said that relations are very strained, but that the US was still hoping for a better relationship.

If you look at what Russia is doing, they continue to be involved with all the wrong actors, whether their involvement in Ukraine, whether you look at how they are supporting Venezuela, whether you look in Syria and their way of propping up Assad and working with Iran; that continues to be a problem, Ms Haley said. She called the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury  which the UK has blamed on Russia  another issue.

Right now they dont have very good friends and right now the friends that they do have are causing them harm, Ms Haley said, referring to Russia and the use of sanctions. I think theyre feeling that.

Ms Haley told the Security Council on Saturday that President Trump had made clear US forces were ready, locked and loaded to mount further strikes if there were signs that Assad was planning to use chemical weapons again.

The Russian president Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs.

Mr Putin made his remarks in a telephone conversation with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, with a Kremlin statement saying the pair agreed that the Western strikes had damaged the chances of achieving a political resolution in the multi-sided, seven-year Syrian civil war.

Vladimir Putin, in particular, stressed that if such actions committed in violation of the UN Charter continue, then it will inevitably lead to chaos in international relations, a Kremlin statement said.

Senior Russian legislator, Evgeny Serebrennikov, the deputy head of the defence committee of Russias upper house of parliament, told the RIA news agency Moscow was ready for new sanctions from the US.

They are hard for us, but will do more damage to the USA and Europe, he said.
Washington (United States) (AFP) - The Western air strikes against Syria probably won't slow Bashar al-Assad and Russia's campaign and they certainly don't amount to a strategy to kick start the failing peace process.

They were never meant to.

But, by re-focusing Washington's attention however briefly on Syria's seven-year-old civil war, they served to highlight the political confusion over the US role in the conflict.

President Donald Trump was positively giddy after US, French and British planes carried out precision strikes on three sites allegedly tied to Assad's chemical arsenal.

"Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!" he declared, apparently without irony.

And what was the mission? US officials deployed to brief journalists after the strike were very clear, it was a limited effort to deter Assad from resorting to chemical weapons.

As such, whether or not the mission proves successful, it has no bearing on the broader US strategy.

As analyst Tobias Schneider of the Global Public Policy Institute argues, Assad may have been worried by "a brief moment of speculation" that the allies might act to roll back his war effort.

"But the US declined to leverage the situation into a wider diplomatic-military initiative," he wrote on Twitter. "The goal is to save a little face on chemical weapons, 'defeat ISIS', and get out."

In other words, as the US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council after the strikes: "Our Syrian strategy has not changed."

That strategy was last laid out in detail in January by then secretary of state Rex Tillerson in an address to the Hoover Institute of Stanford University in California.

Washington's main goal in deploying troops and a small diplomatic team to eastern Syria to work with local militia was the final defeat of the extremist Islamic State group.

But maintaining a military footprint also supports two more goals: to pressure Assad into engaging with a UN-led peace process in Geneva and to counter his ally Iran's "malign" ambitions.

Story continues

All three elements were portrayed as key to ending the civil war and securing America's broader interests in quelling terrorism and protecting regional allies like Israel.

- Rapid withdrawal -

But Tillerson is no longer secretary of state after he was brutally sacked in a tweet by a president who is increasingly calling his own shots in national security policy.

And it is not even clear if Trump ever read the Stanford speech, which officials still refer to as an outline of US goals and plans for Syria. Instead, he says he wants a rapid US withdrawal.

"We'll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon. Let the other people take care of it now," he declared on March 30, in a populist speech to industrial workers in Ohio.

Many of Trump's advisers and Washington's allies were disturbed. Israel and Saudi Arabia in particular see the US presence as vital to oppose Iran's influence.

And supporters of the all-but-moribund UN-backed Geneva peace process had dared hope, especially after Tillerson's speech, that US leverage would help push Assad to the table.

Trump's supporters on America's isolationist right and far-right were enthusiastic, and hailed the threatened withdrawal as a victory over "globalist" voices urging American engagement.

But then came the Douma attack and, confronted by images of children convulsed by nerve agent and choking on chlorine, Trump ordered punitive strikes, quickly getting France and Britain on board.

His own military was nervous that too broad an action would risk a clash with Russian forces, but when it came time to act the targets were carefully chosen and the impact limited.

Afterwards, a senior US official insisted that Washington would continue to press Russia to cajole Assad into the Geneva talks, seeking "constitutional reform and free and fair elections."

Trump, however, has still not committed to extending the US military presence after the IS group's defeat and his planned withdrawal may send a stronger signal to Assad than any strikes.

For all the diplomatic, political and media attention paid to Saturday's allied strikes it was not an especially violent day by Syria's recent standards.

The country has been in the grip of a multi-faction civil war for more than seven years and more than 350,000 people have been killed, most of them civilians.

US and allied aircraft regularly carry out strikes against the Islamic State group, while Russian planes strike opposition areas on behalf of Assad.

Turkey has intervened in northern Syria against armed Kurdish groups, and earlier this week Israeli jets bombed a Syrian airfield used by Iranian forces.

Even last Saturday's alleged chemical weapons attack on the Damascus suburb of Douma, which triggered the western response, was only the latest in an ugly series.

- 'Locked and loaded' -

Meanwhile, Assad remains free to complete his brutal reconquest of shrinking rebel-held enclaves despite tough talk from US officials, particularly Haley, who warned Russia the allies remain "locked and loaded."

But the short target list and the clear determination of US commanders to avoid a clash with Assad's Russian protectors may have inadvertently sent an entirely different signal.

"I'm not sure whether he will get the message not to use chemical weapons anymore," warned Faysal Itani, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East.

"I think, if anything, these strikes tell him: 'Look, these are the only things you can't do. Everything else you want to do it's fine,'" he told AFP.

"And it's a correct reading of the situation."
Andrew McCabe was fired a little over a day before retiring - AFP

Andrew McCabe, the fired FBI deputy director, misled investigators multiple times about his role in a news media disclosure about Hillary Clinton just days before the 2016 presidential election, according to a Justice Department watchdog report.

The report alleges that Mr McCabe authorised FBI officials to speak with a Wall Street Journal reporter for a story about an investigation into the Clinton Foundation and then misled FBI and Justice Department officials when later questioned about it.

Mr McCabe denied the report's allegations in a detailed rebuttal statement. Mr McCabe says that when he believed his answers to the inspector general were misunderstood, he went back and tried to correct them.

His lawyer says the inspector general unfairly tried to conclude its work before Mr McCabe could retire with a full pension.

The report gave additional fodder for President Donald Trump's public attacks on Mr McCabe.

On Friday night, the president tweeted: "DOJ just issued the McCabe report - which is a total disaster. He LIED! LIED! LIED! McCabe was totally controlled by Comey - McCabe is Comey!! No collusion, all made up by this den of thieves and lowlifes!"

James Comey, the former FBI director whose new book paints a damning portrait of Donald Trump Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

The president has made a concerted and Twitter-driven effort to impugn Mr McCabe as a partisan hack, accusing him of covering up unspecified "lies and corruption" at the FBI and calling his firing a "great day for Democracy."

Mr McCabe has fired back, saying his dismissal was part of the Trump administration's "ongoing war" on the FBI and special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

The report was sent to congressional committees and obtained by The Associated Press.

The inspector general's finding led FBI disciplinary officials to recommend that the Justice Department fire Mr McCabe.

Donald Trump, the US president, frequently criticised Mr McCabe before his firing Credit: AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMMNIC

Attorney General Jeff Sessions dismissed him last month two days before his scheduled retirement for what he described as a lack of candor.

Story continues

Mr McCabe also has said he believes he was singled out because of the "role I played, the actions I took, and the events I witnessed in the aftermath" of Mr Comey's firing.

To support this, Mr McCabe has noted that the inspector general's investigation into him was accelerated after he told congressional investigators that he could corroborate Mr Comey's accounts of his conversations with Trump.

Mr McCabe, who is close to Comey, could be an important witness for Mueller, who is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, including his motivation for firing Mr Comey in May 2017.

The Associated Press has also confirmed that Mr McCabe kept personal memos detailing interactions with the president and they have been provided to the special counsel's office.
Siemens Power and Gas has received an order for four SGT-A35 gas turbine power generation packages and two SGT-A35-driven DATUM CO2 compressor packages for Modecs Sepia floating production, storage, and offloading vessel.



Siemens Power and Gas, including its Dresser-Rand business, received an order for four SGT-A35 gas turbine power generation packages and two SGT-A35-driven DATUM CO2 compressor packages for Modecs Sepia floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel.



The vessel, which is named FPSO Carioca MV30, will be deployed at the Sepia field operated by Petrobras, located in the giant pre-salt region of the Santos Basin approximately 250 km (155 miles) off the cost of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, Siemens will provide long-term expert service and maintenance for the supplied components.



Modec is responsible to engineer, procure, construct, mobilize, install, and operate the FPSO. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in late 2018. Once operating in 2021, the FPSO is expected to process 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and have a storage capacity of 1,400,000 barrels of crude oil.



Siemens will use its global network to manufacture and package an integrated solution for Modec. For power generation on the vessel, Siemens will supply four SGT-A35 gas turbine power generation packages. The SGT-A35 aeroderivative gas turbine (formerly the Industrial RB211), coupled with an MT30 2-pole synchronous power turbine from the marine Trent engine, has millions of hours of proven experience. The SGT-A35 RB gas turbine offers leading-class reliability and availability that is so critical to this type of remote installation.



In addition, two SGT-A35-driven DATUM compressor trains will reinject CO2 to more than 250 bar (3,626 psi) pressure. With the DATUM compressors high-pressure and high-density compression technology, the total footprint can be reduced when compared to a conventional compression and pumping module. This attribute makes the technology uniquely suited for offshore applications such as an FPSO where space and weight are critical factors.



The advanced technology offered by our new offshore SGT-A35 turbine package, our extensive experience with Petrobras FPSO projects, and the well-documented success of our DATUM CO2 compressor technology were key to secure this important project, said Matthew Chinn, head of New Equipment Solutions for the Dresser-Rand business. In addition, for the next two decades our world-class services team will help ensure the long-term optimal performance of the equipment.



This project represents Modecs thirteenth FPSO/FSO vessel in Brazil and its sixth FPSO in the Pre-Salt region. These units will join Siemens and the Dresser-Rand business installed fleet of 128 aeroderivative gas turbines and 189 compressors operating offshore Brazil.  TradeArabia News Service
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's Sina Weibo will remove gay and violent content, including pictures, cartoons and text posts, during a three-month clean-up campaign, the microblogging platform said.

Friday's announcement comes amid a clampdown targeting content across social media platforms as China's leaders look to tighten their grip on a huge and diverse cultural scene popular with the young.

Weibo announced the move on its official administrator's account, saying the action aimed to comply with China's new cyber security law that calls for strict data surveillance.

The post drew more than 24,000 comments, was forwarded more than 110,000 times, and prompted users to protest against the decision, using the hashtag "I am gay".

"I am gay and I'm proud, even if I get taken down there are tens of millions like me!," said one poster, who used the handle "rou wan xiong xiong xiong xiong" and posted a photo of himself.

Some posts were quickly blocked by the platform, with the message displayed that they contained "illegal content".

This week, news and online content portal Toutiao, which is luring investors, was forced to pull a joke sharing app after a watchdog denounced its "vulgar and improper content".

Award-winning gay romance "Call Me By Your Name" was also dropped from a Chinese film festival last month. Homosexuality is not illegal in China, but activists say the conservative attitudes of some parts of society have prompted occasional government clampdowns.

Weibo has so far cleared 56,243 pieces of content, shut 108 user accounts and removed 62 topics considered to have violated its standards, it added.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - A U.S.-led attack on Syria will be seen as limited if it is now over and there is no second round of strikes, said a senior official in the regional alliance that has supported President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war. "If it is finished, and there is no second round, it will be considered limited," the official told Reuters. Syrian state TV said the attack was being confronted by the pro-Damascus "anti-terror axis", a phrase suggesting that Assad's foreign allies, Iran and Russia, may be helping to defend Syria. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Editor's note

With recognition of adverse childhood experiences and the lasting negative mental and physical impacts they can have on childrens lives, educators and others in the Yakima Valley are working to mitigate the effects of ACEs and build resilience in children, families and communities. This occasional series highlights their efforts, with a particular emphasis on the Lower Valley.
Last month we participated in the AIPAC lobby conference in Washington, DC. We dont hail from the same side of the political spectrumone of us manages the Darkenu movement, which organizes the moderate majority and supports separation from the Palestinian Territories, and one of us is the head of the Efrat Local Council in Gush Etzion, of the YESHA Council.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



We came to AIPAC to represent different opinions and different publics, but we found ourselves sharing a similar experience: we were both profoundly moved at the sight of 18,000 people gathered in one place to cheer on Israel. We have grown so used to the hostility and militancy of opposing camps in Israel that we were overwhelmed by how heartwarming it was to be immersed in such an atmosphere of partnership, pride, and love for this enterprise that we are both invested in: Israel.

We watched on with amazement as the American audience came together in an expression of their love for Israel, and we wondered if it would have been possible to convene 18,000 people in Israel who would stand together and pay such a tribute to the state.

MK Hanin Zoabi being removed from the Knesset (Photo: Amit Shabi)

In Washington, they chose to see the positive, unifying, and admirable side of Israel. But here on the ground, the debates surrounding internal divisions, separation, and political controversy have become cruel, insulting, and poisonous. The hostility between camps has become so great that we seem to have lost sight of the fact that political opponents are not our enemy; that despite some serious disagreements, we share a common future and a common concern for Israel, which belongs to all of us equally.

We both believe that differing positions should not be elided. The views we hold are different. Thats undeniable. But we believe that it is diversity of opinion that offers each side new perspectives, and challenges people to step outside of their comfort zones. A range of opinions is a positive thing, and we both wish to help cultivate an appreciation for such diversity within our citizenry. In order to do this, we must believe that the others intentions are sincere; believe that he or she is acting in line with what they believe to be the best interests of the state. We have stopped believing that. And that goes both ways.

In recent years, what we have grown accustomed to is the illusion of democracy. Everyone pretends to play by the rules of democracythe elections, the judiciary, and law enforcementbut the time has come to admit that we have found ourselves in the midst of a crisis. We are losing our sense of trust in our public institutions, while at the same time there is a frenzy of rhetoric that seeks to delegitimize the other. Our systems are still strong and stable, but if this discoursewhich seems designed to entrench and intensify this growing sense of mistrustcontinues, it could lead to anarchy and a further fraying of the ties that bind us together. We must recognize the dangers inherent in such violent discourse and take responsibility to reshape the nature of debate, ensuring that verbal incitement isnt allowed to become commonplace, limiting us as individuals and hindering our progress as a society.

MK Oren Hazan being removed from the Knesset (Photo: Amit Shabi)

To this end, we seek to establish a common set of principles and expectations for respectful discourse, and to decide together what should be permitted and what should be rejected within the Knesset, on social media, in the media, and at the Shabbat table. Not in terms of legislation, but in societal understanding.

In Israel, we have the right to speak without fear, but it is important to understand the necessity of honest, respectful, and relevant rhetoric. We have decided to take the initiativenot despite, but because of our differing political positionsto lead an initiative that will result in the writing of an agreed upon charter of articles that will define acceptable discourse within the state.

We are looking to develop a cooperative process that will enable all Israelis to participate in developing and defining articles and identifying boundaries for political discourse, something that is all the more important as we approach an election year. Through this process, were looking to remind the public of their power to influence the shape of our political discourse, cultivate a culture of listening to the other, and restore the trust that has been eroding away. As part of this process of developing the charter, we will travel from the periphery to the center, from ultra-Orthodox to Arab cities, from settlements to kibbutzim, and we will also utilize digital communications to allow for maximum engagement from Israelis who want to play a part in drafting the language for the convention.

Once the articles have been agreed upon, we will work to raise awareness of it across every segment of societybut first and foremost, we will look to all elected officials to sign onto it. They should be the first to commit to setting a personal example of respectful and legitimate discourse. We call upon all Israelis to join us in building something that we can be proud of; a public discourse where all feel welcome.
In a last-ditch attempt to save the Iran nuclear deal ahead of President Donald Trump's May 12 deadline, Washington's European allies have rushed to address the US administration's main objections to the historic agreement. One of the most contentious of these is the accord's "failure" to restrict Iran's ballistic missile program ; critics of the deal say that allowing Tehran to continue developing non-nuclear missiles could enable it to deliver atomic warheads sooner once nuclear restrictions expire.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



On March 5, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited the Islamic Republic in order to press Iranian leaders into negotiations over the missile program and to warn them that Europe would be obliged to accommodate Washington's demands. Two weeks later, France, which under President Emmanuel Macron has adopted a more assertive role in the Middle East, urged the European Union to take a tougher stance on Iran over its ballistic missile activity and involvement in Syria's seven-year-long civil war.

Accordingly, three European signatories to the Iran dealnamely France, Germany and Britainhave proposed new sanctions against "persons and entities" involved in Tehran's missile program and its Syrian war effort.

Military parade in Iran. No matter what punitive measures Europeans adopt, Iran is unlikely to agree to any restrictions on its missile program beyond a superficial cap on the range of its missiles (Photo: EPA)

These efforts are almost certainly doomed to fail in the long run, especially since Trump's recent decision to appoint the hawkish John Bolton as his national security adviser makes it more likely that the US president will withdraw from the accord.

No matter what punitive measures Europeans adopt, Iran is unlikely to agree to any restrictions on its missile program beyond a superficial "cap" on the range of its missiles. (Tehran has suggested that it will not develop missiles with ranges longer than 2,000 kilometers (about 1,243 miles), which already allows Iran to target the Israeli heartlandas well as US bases in the regionin the event of a conflict.) From Tehran's point of view, the missile program is a question of self-preservation, particularly because decades of Western sanctions have prevented Iran from building up a powerful air force.

Iranians have not yet forgotten how, during their long war with Iraq, Saddam Hussein's air force conducted a series of systematic air raids and missile attacks against major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz. Beginning in 1984, these strategic operations against urban areas, which became notorious as the "War of the Cities," killed numerous civilians. In June 1987, Saddam ordered a chemical attack on the border town of Sardasht in western Iran which killed at least 113 people and wounded many more.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: AFP)

Iran retaliated by deploying warplanes, but relied more heavily on its air defenses to fend off aerial bombardments. Over time, this persuaded Saddam to respond with more systematic missile attacks. Tehran, with no missiles of its own and under international sanctions, found itself helpless. In a widely-publicized response to a Japanese reporter's question about the adverse effects of Tehran's missile program on its trade relations with the international community, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that Iran did not have "a single missile to retaliate so that maybe Saddam Hussein would stop."

"We went," he adds, "to one country after another, begging, begging, I am insisting, begging for a single Scud missile to defend our people. Begging! Now you want us to get a few dollars to Iran to abandon defending our people?"

Second, Tehran believes that the Trump administration has failed to honor its end of the bargain and even actively sought, through a "policy of confusion" which runs contrary to both the letter and the spirit of the nuclear deal, to hinder Iran from reaping its economic benefits. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pointed this out in a February interview with the BBC to explain Tehran's reluctance to negotiate over its missile program.

In his words, "We have already negotiated on our nuclear program and the deal has not become a successful story for Iran. Why Iran should negotiate on any other issue? Especially on an issue which is directly linked to our national security."

Tehran believes the Trump administration has failed to honor its end of the bargain (Photo: AFP)

Decades of deep-rooted mistrust and institutionalized hostility between the Islamic Republic and Western powers have convinced Iranian leaders that the more they retreat and compromise, the more their rivals will advance and demand. A leitmotif of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's public speeches, the conviction has made its way into the political psychology of decision-making in Iran, particularly in areas of national security. This partly explains the Islamic Republic's general aversion to making concessions in response to domestic dissent and foreign pressure alike. In their view, compromise paves the way for more compromise, to the extent that not just the policy issue at hand but also the whole survival of the regime may be undermined beyond redemption.

It's highly unlikely that efforts to incorporate restrictions on Iran's missile program into the nuclear deal, as the United States has demanded, or even negotiating a separate missile deal, as Europe prefers, will save the nuclear accord. Iran's political and military authorities have more or less unanimously ruled out negotiations over Iran's "missile and defense capabilities." Even if they accede to them under growing international pressure, expectations of talks that would lead to a "qualitative" reduction or modification of Tehran's missile program are naive and unrealistic.
Microsoft has launched Azure Stack, its hybrid cloud-computing product, in the Saudi Arabian market, in collaboration with its partners, Sahara Net and Lenovo.



Sahara Net is the first certified product provider and Lenovo is responsible for providing hardware that runs the product. With this collaboration, customers from all sectors will have access to Azure Stack, which meets their hybrid cloud computing needs with integrated technical support in record time.



Microsoft estimates that the size of the Kingdom's cloud computing market is about SR108.75 billion ($29 billion). This number is expected to increase, driven by a strong trend from government agencies in Saudi Arabia to take advantage of this technology to meet the digital transformation objectives and help achieving the Saudi Vision 2030. The recent regulatory framework for cloud computing, announced by the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission, will contribute towards the knowledge economy, and will also lead to more investments in this technology.



Dr Mamdouh Najjar, national technology officer at Microsoft Arabia, predicted that cloud computing in the Kingdom would grow more rapidly than the global average to reach 25 per cent annually by 2020. This growth will foster a clear regulatory environment, an urgent need for updates, and utilizing more sophisticated cloud computing tools, such as artificial intelligence among others, to support the Kingdom's journey to become a hub of technical innovation in the region.



Dr Najjar added: "Microsoft provides its services and solution for more than 2,000 private and public organizations in the Kingdom, and by introducing Azure Stack through our partners, Sahara Net and Lenovo, our customers will get the advantage of using the hybrid cloud computing services, to enhance their businesses and achieve their strategic goals.



"This collaboration and investment with our partners, Microsoft and Lenovo, is an exciting move in the Saudi cloud services market," said Kais Al-Essa, vice president, sales and marketing, at Sahara Net. "Since its inception, Sahara Net has been keen on providing a sophisticated and secure cloud services environment inside the Kingdom, to maintain the national information security. We were delighted on the launch of the new cloud computing regulatory, that have implemented some of what we have been advocating for years, with regard to the importance of keeping content within the Kingdom. Adding Azure Stack to the Sahara Net data centre reinforces our mission to serve all sectors in the Kingdom, and our support for Saudi Vision 2030. This will enhance our current leadership of this market and enable us to expand regionally to serve more customers".



Todays announcement is a significant signal to Lenovo and Microsoft clients looking to adopt a hybrid cloud infrastructure on a system they can trust, said Abdullah AlQallaf, sales manager for KSA, Lenovo Data Center Group. We deployed the Azure Stack for Sahara Net for the first time in Saudi Arabia with Lenovo ThinkAgile SX that provides a turnkey, rackscale solution optimized with a resilient, high-performing, and secure software-defined infrastructure.



It is also supported by Lenovo ThinkAgile Advantage, a unique support service that offers ThinkAgile customers deployment, configuration and training assistance to dramatically increase time to value  from weeks, to just hours. Customers are also provided with a direct line of communication to ThinkAgile support technicians for streamlined hardware and software troubleshooting. Lenovo experts and technicians are available to partner with customers as a single-point-of contact throughout the entire support process, he added.



Speaking about Azure Stack, which is an extension of Microsoft's Azure product, Mohammed Radwan, Cloud and Enterprise Business Group Lead at Microsoft Arabia, said that Azure Stack allows customers to use the Hybrid Cloud quickly and easily, from cloud computing to local environments. The new product will also allow customers to deliver Azure services from their data centers, balancing the appropriate amount of flexibility and control for the deployment of a consistent hybrid cloud.



Radwan added: The capabilities of this product are demonstrated by providing cloud computing services through having the storage center inside the costumer data center, and enabling a rapid development of related applications, unifying application development across the entire hybrid cloud environment, and facilitating the transfer of applications and data through private and public storage clouds. Customers in the Kingdom can acquire Microsoft Azure Stack technologies through its partners specialized in providing product-specific computers such as Lenovo, HP, Dell EMC, Cisco and Huawei.  TradeArabia News Service
The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles early Saturday in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week ago, targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities, including a research and development center in Damascus' Barzeh district and two installations near Homs.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Satellite photos showed considerable damaged caused as a result.

Director of the Joint Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said at a Pentagon press briefing Saturday that the "precise, effective" strike turned back the chemical capabilities of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime a decade.

Three buildings in the research center near Damascus were bombed (Photo: AP)

The aftermath of the strike on the underground bunker

The missiles were launched from American, British and French ships, submarines and jets in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean.

Seventy-six were launched at the Barzeh R&D facility57 of them Tomahawk missiles and a further 19 air-to-surface missiles, according to McKenzie. "We have succeeded in destroying three structures on the outskirts of Damascus," he said, "one of the regions with the heaviest aerial defense fortifications in the world."

Syria, however, countered by alleging the center housed laboratories developing medical materials and made no reports on casualties. A video was published showing the ruins of building in the vicinity.

Ruins of the Syrian research and development center (: )

X

Inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) visited the Barzeh facility last year. The facility was part of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), which is, in fact, the Syrian arm for development of unconventional arms.

Sanctions were levied against 271 of the center's personnel last year following a chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun. Undeterred, chemical weapons at SSRC facilitiesincluding the Barzeh onewere continually produced, according to an intelligence report published by the BBC last year.

The Barzeh facility, according to Western reports, specialized in installing chemical warheads onto long-range missiles and artillery shells.





Three buildings in a R&D center outside Damascus were hit

The lesser known site is Him Shinshar, west of Homs, where two targets were hit. The first target was a chemical weapons storage facility, completely destroyed after being hit by 22 missilesnine of them American Tomahawks, eight British Storm Shadows, five American Navy cruise missiles and two French Scalp missiles.

The bunker near Homs after the Western missile attack (Photo: AP)

The second Him Shinshar target was an underground bunker, which was said to have been "successfully hit and sustained significant damage" from seven missiles. It was not, however, stated the target was completely destroyed.

The Him Shinshar chemical weapons storage site before and after the attack (Ynet)

The underground bunker for storing chemical weapons was seven kilometers away from the Homs chemical weapons site.

The chemical facility hit near Homs

The senior Joint Chiefs of Staff official added, "Initial indications say we have attained our military objectives in Syria."

The Joint Chiefs' director disavowed Syrian and Russian reports of the cruise missiles being intercepted before hitting their mark, saying, "None of the planes or missiles were hit."

Syrian antiaircraft forces, he said, had fired roughly 40 missiles, but mostly after the targets were already hit. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed that 71 of the 103 Western cruise missiles were intercepted by Syrian antiaircraft systems.
A former small Kitan textile factory that has been repurposed to serve as a venue for small-scale cultural events is the scene this spring for a series of thematic dinners conceived and executed by Chef Nadav Malin. Designed in what it calls eclectic industrial style, HaMatpera (The Sewing Room), located in the picturesque Arab village of Abu Ghosh in the Jerusalem corridor, is hosting Chef Malins series of Meals in Colors, as diners sit at tables that used to be sewing machines.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter







A colorful meal at Hamatpera (Photo: Buzzy Gordon)

Chef Malins 7-course dinners are meant to be chromatic explorations at the nexus of art and cuisine. Each course bears the name of the color that is predominant in the dish created by Malin, who studied and trained in Europe, and now helms the Luiza catering company. Menus were deliberately withheld until the end of the meal, requiring diners to exercise their sense of taste in order to identify the food they were eating.





(Photo: Perry Easy)

The pre-dinner drink was a rose wine, kicking off an evening during which unlimited quantities of wine flowed freely. There was also a tasty amuse bouche before the actual dinner began, as well as an espresso cup of excellent soupneither of which was identified in the post-prandial menu.

The first official course was Green: eggplant tartare with pine nuts, berries and tehina, served on a wood platter with assorted green vegetableslike zucchini and okraand scattered green herbs and leaves, especially a large fig leaf. The best part of the dish was none of the green bits, but the fresh eggplant, as well as an unidentified grain, which presumably was smoked freekeh.

(Photo: Buzzy Gordon)

Next was Yellow: raw yellowtail, with couscous and yellow tomato. The freshness of the mouthwatering fish was evident, and its flavor enhanced nicely by its accompaniments.





(Photo: Buzzy Gordon)

The Orange course was a soup of orange vegetables poured tableside into a bowl containing a cinnamon stick and star of anise. The thick and hearty soup was served with an anchovy tuile, and brown bread that was torn off a stick.

The unusual breadflecked with herbs and studded with raisinshad an amazing texture that struck a beautiful balance between cake and bread, as well as tantalizing taste that combined sweet and savory. It may have been intended as a mere accompaniment to the primary dishes, but it certainly threatened to steal the show from some of them.

The White course derived its name from several of its elements, notably the foam from white bubbles that covered the dish, as well the inside of the impressively large Coquilles St. Jacques shells that containedstartlinglynot a scallop but fried veal sweetbreads, on a thin layer of turnip cream. For those who are fans of sweetbreads, it was done well.





The main course of the evening was the Red: breast of mallard in a blood orange sauce, served with red cabbage, red potatoes and beets. The duck meat was positively succulent and never-ending, as seconds and even thirds were magnanimously abundant.





The penultimate course was Transparent: a cold rice-jasmine tea garnished with seasonal fruit. This is the course that proved that color and taste are truly meant to go hand in hand during this meal, as the absence of color here was matched by an equal absence of taste.

The dessert course was Black: forbidden rice pudding, chocolate-chili sorbet, a raspberry macaroon and a cocoa tuile. Each element in this dish was delicious, and even better all together.

All of this exquisite food was washed down by as many glasses of several vintages of robust red wine from the Castel and Bar Maor wineries as the heart desired.

This memorable chromatic meal, priced at NIS 350 per person (including wine), will be reprised at the same venue on May 1. The food served at the meal is kosher.
The IDF has arrested three Jewish settlers who attempted Saturday to establish an outpost next to the Itamar settlement, which is located in the Samaria region of the West Bank.

In the ensuing riot, settlers attacked the IDF soldiers who were forced to respond by firing into the air and using pepper spray, according to the IDF.
Polish officials have intervened to prevent an author accused of anti-Semitism from receiving an award at a Polish diplomatic outpost in the United States.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



A private US-based Polish organization had planned to give awards at the Polish Consulate in New York next week to three people. One, Polish author Ewa Kurek, has claimed that Jews had fun in the ghettos during the German occupation of Poland during World War Two.

An event featuring author Ewa Kurek, accused of anti-Semitism, was canceled (Photo: Youtube)

Kurek's views are offensive to relatives of Holocaust survivors. Never Again, an anti-racism association in Warsaw, raised alarm this week about the nature of Kurek's writings. Polish media have reported on the controversy.

The initiative was threatening to become another public relations headache for Poland's government, which has been dealing all year with an international backlash to a Holocaust speech law that angered Israel and many see as attempted historical revisionism.

Andrzej Pawluszek, an adviser to Poland's prime minister, said Wednesday that the award was never a government initiative, but authorities acted to stop an event that would have been divisive.

Breitbart's Matthew Tyrmand said, 'Common sense prevailed. Nobody wanted to be in a room with her, including me' (Photo: Youtube)

One of the others set to receive an award at the consulate event was Matthew Tyrmand, an American right-wing political activist and contributor to Breitbart News.

Tyrmand expressed relief that the Polish government withdrew permission for a room to be used to honor a "divisive" person such as Kurek.

"Common sense prevailed," Tyrmand said. "Nobody wanted to be in a room with her, including me."
The statement made Saturday by Sergei Rudskoi, head of the Russian General Staffs Main Operations Department, that his country would consider selling Syria S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, should be taken seriously.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



It should be taken seriously not only because the Russians want a painful retaliation against the American, Western and Israeli forces in the region, but primarily because the Russians have a habit of using every situation to increase their foreign currency incomes at the expense of their allies distress.

The S-300 system is more efficient and advanced than any other antiaircraft system the Syrians have today. It can intercept not only aircraft but also ballistic missiles and possibly even cruise missiles at ranges higher than 150 kilometers and at a high altitude.

A S-300 missile system the Russians sold to Syria (Photo: AP)

Syria has been trying to buy these missiles from Russia for a long time, and the Iranians have been willing to fund the deal, but Russia has avoided selling the missiles to Syria due to Israeli and American pressure.

Moreover, up until three years ago Russia avoided delivering the S-300 system to Iran, although Tehran had signed an agreement to purchase the missiles more than 10 years ago. The sale was executed only after the nuclear deal was signed, but over the years the system became obsolete. It has been sold to more than 20 countries across the world, and its technological components and the frequencies in which it operates are well-known in the world.

Furthermore, its a large system which cannot be easily hidden or moved. So although the Russians have upgraded the system several times in recent years, it is no longer seen as a threat that cannot be overcome, as it was more than 10 years ago.

The Americans intimate knowledge of the systems features, and likely the Israelis knowledge too, has made it possible for Western countries to develop ways of disrupting and neutralizing the systems abilities.

Nevertheless, the S-300 system should be treated cautiously if it does reach Syria, as it has the potential of threatening civil and military aviation in the State of Israel and in Jordan. The Syrians possession of this system would require caution procedures and preventive measures which we have hardly had to take so far.

S-300 missiles. Its unlikely the Russians will sell the Syrians the newest model (Photo: Reuters)

The Syrians will likely ask the Iranians to fund the purchase of the S-300 system. Both Greece and Cyprus own the older model of this system. Its an expensive system, and the Russians will likely make a significant profit from selling it to the Syrians. But the training of Syrian operators will take a long time, and the Russians may discover that they made a mistakeif, for example, the Syrians use this system against Israel Air Force planes and if Israel destroys the S-300 in retaliation. That would spoil the Russian arms industrys reputation, which isnt something the Russians want. Nor do they want to operate this system themselves for the Syrians in subcontracting deal, which would be very risky too.

The bottom line is that the Russians will likely try to sell the S-300 to Syria, but they wont rush into it and they wont sell them the newest model. That way, if the system is damaged while the Syrians are using it, they will be able to say that they arent concerned as it isnt the newest model.

In any event, as Syrian President Bashar Assad has no money, the Russians and Iranians will have to share the financial burden of purchasing the system, which costs hundreds of millions of dollars. Israel will have to prepare and ensure that it has the means to neutralize the threat.
Thousands of Greeks turned up at a rally and march in central Athens organized by the Communist Party to protest the US-led airstrikes against Syria.

The protesters gathered Saturday at Athens' central Syntagma Square before marching to the US Embassy, chanting anti-US slogans and carrying banners. Some wrote on the pavement in red paint: "Americans, murderers of people."

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the Communist Party's leader, blasted Greek politicians for believing "flimsy excuses about a use of chemical weapons" by Syria. He also criticized their "subservience" to the EU and NATO, as well as their support for Israel.
Israel will continue to "act" against Iran in Syria, warned two Israeli ministers on Sunday, nearly a week after an attack attributed to the Jewish state and having cost seven lives.

Tehran, Israel's sworn enemy, is one of Bashar Assad's main allies in the Syrian conflict and has played a major role in the recent victories of government troops.

"We will continue to act against Iran's military establishment in Syria, which threatens Israel's security," warned Homeland Security Minister Gilad Erdan, a member of the restricted security cabinet, on military radio.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who is also a member of the small cabinet, said Israel was "fully free to act".
The IDF has exposed and neutralized a Hamas terror tunnel encroaching into Israeli territory in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, which was described as "long and of high quality," the army said Sunday.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The army further said the tunnel was neutralized over the past few days by filling it with cement. On the Gazan side, the tunnel connected to a chain of other tunnels, and its destruction could therefore be considered a significant operational achievement.

The Hamas tunnel exposed and destroyed by the IDF (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

The tunnel was excavated after Operation Protective Edge near the town of Jabalia in the northern strip and crossed into Israeli territory, mere meters from the border fence, where mass protests took place over the past several weeks.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office stressed that at no time were the Israeli residents of border communities in danger.

Aerial photograph of the Hamas tunnel destroyed (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

The tunnel was the eighth discovered and destroyed in the past few months, with the army adding it may have been used to a mass exodus of Palestinian protesters towards Israel or for carrying out a serious terror attack. Three of the eight tunnels were destroyed in Gaza, with the remaining five leveled inside Israel.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted about the incident, saying, "We've opened the week with an impressive intelligence and operational achievement with the destruction of another tunnel, the longest and deepest exposed thus far."

A view inside the tunnel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

"Millions of dollars were invested in its excavation," the defense minister added, "money that would have been better served mitigating the plight of residents but has now sunk into the sand. Gaza residents, Hamas is frittering away your money on tunnels leading nowhere. We will get to them all."

While the tunnel neutralized contained no armaments, the IDF said it was equipped for carrying out terror attack in the immediate future. The tunnel was located through strategic means rather than the new underground anti-tunnel barrier.

All told, the tunnel crossed some 20 meters into Israeli territory.

The mission to locate and destroy all of the tunnels entering into Israel by the end of the year was nearing its completion, the army stated, with the latest tunnel not being the last.

"We have put in considerable resources on the Gaza borders to avoid it becoming a main theater of war, and have additional means we have yet to utilize," IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis said.

The region where the tunnel was discovered (Photo: Matan Tzuri)

"While we aren't seeking escalation in the strip, we will continue working adamantly against tunnel," the spokesman added. "We will continue demarcating between countering terrorism and assisting the populace, with measures such as increasing the fishing zone near the strip and the number of trucks allowed to bring in goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing."

The IDF charged that "Hamas has been working over the past few monthsand with added vigor over the past few weeksto turn the fence area into a warzone and terror zone.

"The violent riots in the vicinity are merely a pretext for attempts at carrying out attacks both above and below ground. The IDF will not allow Israel's citizens to come to harm or its sovereignty compromised and will continue working adamantly against terror of any sort.

"The army has been carrying out a methodical, operational, intelligence and technological mission to locate terror tunnels while construction on the barrier is ongoing to defend Israelis and the country's sovereignty.

"Hamas continues to invest innumerable resources in hopeless terror endeavors instead of investing in the welfare of the people of the strip."

(Photo: Matan Tzuri)

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz commented on the tunnel's destruction in a Ynet studio interview Sunday, and said it constituted a "remarkable achievement. Israel is the first (country) in the world capable of locating and intercepting tunnels underground."

"The achievement is first and foremost the IDF's, but also of outstanding scientists from the Technion, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and even the Energy Ministry's Geophysics Institute," he continued.

"There may be more tunnels, I won't divulge our intelligence on the matter. I'll only say we are moving very rapidly to completing the project of destroying the tunnels," the energy minister stated.

The IDF destroyed a Protective Edge-era terror tunnel in mid-March, leading from the Rafah region to the Eshkol Regional Council, which Hamas recently tried to refurbish. The tunnel was neutralized in Israel's territory by flooding it with materials preventing its use. Another tunnel was destroyed by an Israel Air Force strike in central Gaza.

Map of previously discovered tunnels (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

In January, the IDF destroyed a 1.5 km-long Hamas tunnel dug from Rafah to the Egyptian side, passing beneath the only border crossing for goods from Israel into the strip at Kerem Shalom.

In October 2017, Southern Command forces detonated a terror tunnel still under construction located inside Israel near the border fence, in the vicinity of Khan Yunis. Four Palestinians inside the tunnel at the time were wounded and taken to a Gaza hospital for treatment.





File photo (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

"We have utilized technological means to detect it," Brig.-Gen. Manelis said at the time. "The tunnel is no longer a threat."

The IDF said it monitored the tunnelnot yet operational at the time of its destructionfor a time before moving on it and that it was a "blatant violation of Israeli sovereignty that will not be allowed."
A group of settlers who erected an illegal outpost on a hill near the settlement of Itamar attacked soldiers who came to evacuate them with stones and pepper spray on Saturday, according to the IDF and the police.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The settlers, meanwhile, claimed the soldiers were the ones to attack them with gas and gunfire.

Three of the settler youth were arrested, while the outpost was not evacuated.

The illegal outpost (Photo: Shlomo Melet)

"The IDF considers the use of violence against its troops to be very grave and will continue enforcing law and order in cooperation with other security forces," the IDF Spokesman's Office said.

According to the right-wing legal aid organization Honenu, which represents the settlers, the youth built a structure at the new "Rosh Yosef" outpost about three weeks ago and have been living there since.

After Shabbat began, an IDF force arrived at the outpost with a military power shovel to evacuate the outpost and destroy the structure, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

During the Shabbat, the Samaria Brigade commander returned. "For a reason that remains unclear, the brigade commander tried to arrest one of the teenagers, and a clash broke out between the force and some of those staying at the outpost. During the clashes, the soldiers hurled gas grenades and sprayed the teens with more gas," Honenu claimed.

The illegal outpost (Photo: Shlomo Melet)

One of the teens living in the outpost said the troops "fired right over our heads. One of the guys had to duck so he would not be hit by a bullet. While shooting, the soldiers yelled and cursed at us in a disgraceful manner."

The teen said the army tried to evacuate the outpost during the Passover holiday as well. "On Shabbat, Border Police came and broke our things and equipment, took our food and water. We came to settle the land of Israel, and with God's help a community will be built here. The IDF's conduct won't break us," he said.

The teens were questioned by the Samaria District Police. Attorney Yossi Nadav, who represents them, said they "stayed in a place that was apparently declared as a closed military zone at some point. They didn't resist arrest, cooperated, and didn't flee the scene. The shooting (by the soldiers) is very grave. We expect the IDF to investigate this seriously."

This incident joints two others over the weekend in the West Bank. In one, a mosque near Nablus was set aflame, and in another a sheep belonging to a Palestinian shepherd was killed in the Binyamin area. Security forces suspect radical right-wing activists were behind both incidents.
Scathing criticism on social media over a Haaretz article prompted publisher Amos Shocken to tweet a racist attack over the weekend, only to delete it later.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The cover story for Haaretz's main supplement this past Friday, in anticipation of Israel's 70th Independence Day, was dedicated to "Selecting the most hated Israeli song."

Under the headline, "This tune has to stop (urgently)!", several of the newspaper's reporters selected an Israeli song they detested. Topping the list was Israel's national anthem "HaTikva," alongside Naomi Shemer's seminal Six Day War-era song "Jerusalem of Gold."

Haaretz publisher Amos Shocken raised ire following a seemingly racist tweet (Photo: Shaul Golan)

The newspaper's editors also added a feature to the supplement, published under the headline "The day Ben Gurion was hung," describing in great detail how the execution of first prime minister David Ben Gurion, along with other senior officials from Israel's nascent period including Yitzhak Sadeh, Yigal Alon and Menachem Begin, would've looked like.

The article was accompanied by an illustration showing Israel's founding father hung from the gallows.

The supplement aroused outcry on social media in short order, with many users criticizing the paper. Responding to one of them, Ravit Dahan, Shocken tweeted, "You're insolent. My family was part of Zionism's leadership while you were still climbing trees.

"Haaretz has been in the Shocken family for the past 83 years, and we have gotten on fine without your ideology, and will continue to do so."

A short time later the Haaretz publisher deleted the tweet, possibly realizing his mistake, but many of his followers were appalled by the utterance nonetheless.

Journalist Keren Neubach accused the publisher of 'blatant, shameful racism'

Israel Radio presenter Keren Neubach, for instance, wrote, "Blatant and shameful racism. The tweet exposes what Shocken really thinks about parts of the Israeli public."

Avi Dabush, who ran for the Meretz party's leadership in a race eventually won by Tamar Zandberg, tweeted, "We may have 'climbed down' from trees 70 years ago and came to Israel, but it appears it will still be some time before we pass the absurd admission committee headed by Amos Shocken."

Later comment from Shocken himself sought to clarify he deleted the tweet once he realized it was ascribed meaning he did not intend, stating he merely wished to point out the commenter's "ignorance."
Microsoft has announced the appointment of Thamer Alharbi as president for Microsoft Arabia in Saudi Arabia.



In his new role, Alharbi will spearhead Microsofts efforts in accelerating digital transformation and innovation across industries, leveraging his over fifteen years of professional experience and industry knowledge in Saudi and Middle East.



Thamer is joining Microsoft at a time where our technologies are translating the Saudi Vision 2030 into a reality, and we are delighted to have Thamer Alharbi leading Microsoft in Saudi Arabia, said Samer Abu-Ltaif, president Microsoft Middle East & Africa.



He is a tremendous asset to building and driving our business in the Saudi market, as the Kingdom advances towards becoming a technology hub for the region. We believe he is the perfect leader to strengthen Microsofts business with the government, our customers and our partners, as well as building on our commitment to prepare the workforce with the IT skills required for future success.



Microsoft, with its solutions from the intelligent cloud to the intelligent edge, will be an enabler and driver of the Saudi vision 2030, said Alharbi. I am excited to take the responsibility that is entrusted to me to lead Microsoft in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to drive our customers digital transformation powered by Microsoft intelligent cloud and bringing our best expertise to a secure and modern workplace. I have had the blessing to partner with some of the best minds in the IT sector to encourage the spirit of innovation and creativity across public and private sectors.



Alharbis areas of expertise cover business transformation, consultancy, and information technology services. He successfully managed and led initiatives for organizations to optimize operations and enhance efficiency. Prior to joining Microsoft, Alharbi held key positions in Saudi Arabia and Middle East; where he drove the business and growth agendas for number of global companies.



Alharbi holds a Bachelor of Systems Engineering degree from King Fahad University of Petroleum & Minerals and studied in Stephen M Ross Business School of the University of Michigan.  TradeArabia News Service
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon faced pressure on Sunday to support an amendment to Basic Law: Legislation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting that would give the Knesset overriding power over the High Court of Justice.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



If added to the Prevention of Infiltration Law, the override power would allow the coalition to resolve the African migrants crisis, after the High Court struck down legislation that would've allowed their forced deportation. With such authority, the coalition would need a mere 61 MK majority to override the High Court's ruling.

Amid onslaught of criticism from the Likud Party, Kahlon declared he would support "any solution that provides an answer to the infiltrations problem" but stressed that "other whims are out of the question."

Treasury Minister Kahlon (L) and PM Netanyahu clashed on the breadth of the override power (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

And ahead of a government meeting on the topic, Kahlon reportedly asserted that "I will cut off my hand if the Likud party gets more than 25 seats in the elections. If they want elections, they'll get it."

During the meeting, the ministers were presented with several options to resolve the crisis, including one plan formulated by the attorney general, and a second discussion is scheduled before a decision can be made.

Kahlon asked to have any decision on the matter made unanimously, with the approval of all coalition party heads, but Netanyahu rejected the request.

"Such a discussion was held over a decade ago without results," Netanyahu said. "We are motivated tor reach balanced and correct solutions to deal with the challenges of the present and future responsibly."

Education Minister and Bayit Yehudi chief Naftali Bennett said that, "In light of the continuing erosion of the executive branch's authority over the past few years, it's time for justices to go back to presiding and the government to again rule.

"On matters such as infiltrators and destroying terrorists' homes, our hands are being bound. We have to go from words to actions. I'll support any legislation regarding the override power."

Education Minister Bennett said action was now necessary (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem)

The finance minister then interjected to tell Bennett and the prime minister, "If you two stopped fighting, everything would turn out fine."

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said after the meeting that an override power clause specific to the migrant issue was "significantly erroneous and will lead to striking down laws, including the Regulation Law (legalizing Israeli outposts in the West Bank).

Tourism Minister Levin said, 'The sovereign in a democratic country is the people, not a handful of judges' (Photo: Yaron Brener)

"The goal should be to create proper order, and to that end, I'm going to insist that if we're going to give the High Court the authority to strike down legislation, it should be accompanied by reaffirming Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, while also changing the justice selection process. It should be remembered: the sovereign in a democratic country is the people, not a handful of judges."

AG comes out against overriding High Court's ruling

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, meanwhile, has been pressuring coalition heads to refrain from legislating an override power in a manner injurious to the High Court's standing, its independence and its authority.

Mandelblit objects to all three versions of the override power offered up, and has iterated his support only for including an override power in the wording for Basic Law: Legislation, floated by Ministers Bennett and Shaked, but only if the majority needed to overrule the court is set at 70 MKs, rather than 61.

The attorney general has clarified he objects to the "British model" offered up by Prime Minister Netanyahu, which suggests the High Court will only direct the Knesset's attention to unconstitutional laws rather than outright striking them down.

AG Mandelblit opposes any override power that excludes a 70 MK majority to bypass the court (Photo: EPA)

The British option, Mandelblit claimed, suits the British form of government and constitutional tradition, in place for hundreds of years and patently dissimilar to Israel's system of government.

Senior judiciary officials went so far as to warn, "Adopting the British rule in Israel will be a deadly blow to the High Court's authority."

Mandelblit also objects to Finance Minister Kahlon's proposition of amending Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, barring the High Court from striking down only laws pertaining specifically to the migrant issue.

Explaining his position, the attorney general said an exclusion of any particular matter from the High Court's authority was a dangerous precedent after which every political group will seek to have its own specialized interest excludedwith the Haredim, for instance, asking to bar judicial review over Haredi conscription laws.

Regarding Bennett and Shaked's proposed Basic Law: Legislation, according to which a 61 MK majority will suffice to circumvent a High Court ruling, Mandelblit articulated his belief that the minimal majority should be 70 MKs, to avoid any coincidental coalition from overriding the High Court's rulings.

The Bayit Yehudi ministers' proposition, Mandelblit believes, will cause "serious harm to Israel's democracy" and that the notwithstanding clause contained therein was "completely wrong."

He elucidated, "It seems to me certain figures think every decision reached by a Knesset majority is legitimate," he said. "They usually hold that opinion when they are in the majority, ignoring the fact that a majority may occasionally make decisions harmful to the minority.

"In such instances, the only body capable of defending the minority from the tyranny of the majority is the court. The court's most important constitutional role is to defend the minority and uphold human rights. That is indeed what Israel's High Court does."

The High Court was a guarantor of minority rights, AG Mandelblit said (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

A 61 MK majority sufficing to overrule the court, he added, would nullify the court's authority to act as defender of minorities. "That makes it very hard to exercise effective judicial review. Accepting the (proposal) would, I believe, severely hamper Israel's democracy. It constitutes a lacking view of the term 'majority rule.'"

Bennett and Shaked's proposal, he concluded, will prevent the court from defending human rights and the rights of society's weakest members, "who need constitutional protection the most."

Likud ministers: Override power the right thing to do

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz explained his position on the matter in a Ynet studio interview, saying, "I'm for a balanced override power. There has to be balance, you don't have to go from one extreme of today's exaggerated judicial activism to the other extreme of a lack of judicial oversight over the Knesset and government's work."

"An override power of about 65 MKs and under certain conditions is the right thing to do," Steinitz opined.

Energy Minister Steinitz said a 65 MK majority sufficed (Photo: Avi Moalem)

Science Minister Ofir Akunis asserted that "The Supreme Court's conduct flies against democratic values. It's inconceivable for the court to take on the power of both the legislative and executive branches."

Regarding Kahlon's threats to withdraw from the government if the matter is not settled, Akunis stated, "This pattern of threatening to dismantle the government impresses neither me nor the Likud party. If coalition members decide to take apart this partnership, the Knesset will be dissolved and we'll head to elections by June 30."

Minority rights could be in peril

According to the High Court's ruling, the government is obliged to come up with a constitutional solution for illegal migrants, allowing for them to leave Israel on the one hand without curtailing their human rights on the other.

One of the manners in which the High Court can be prevented from interceding with the migrant crisis is legislating a notwithstanding clause, or override power, to be inserted into the Prevention of Infiltration Law. This should prevent the court from striking down the amendment to the law by alleging it is unconstitutional and violates human rights.

African migrants being released from Saharonim (Photo: Reuters)

The override power is a relatively irregular solution legislated by the Knesset in the past to prevent the High Court from striking down legislation. As it stands, the override power is contained in only one lawBasic Law: Freedom of Occupationallowing the Knesset to overcome any injury to basic rights created by a new law.

The override clause in Basic Law: Freedom of Occupation determines that a law injurious to such a basic right will remain in force despite the damage caused for a four year period, at the end of which it will expire.

Inserting an override power into other items on the legislative agenda has been floated consistently in Israel's political discourse over the past few years. Prominent ministers such as Levin have attempted such a move previously to shore up the Knesset's power vis-a-vis the court and to regulate the two branches' relationship in a manner preventing the judiciary from interfering with the Knesset's work.

Opponents of broadening the notwithstanding clause, however, fear it will violate minority rights, claiming it therefore should not be used again.

Several Likud ministers communicated Sunday morning Prime Minister Netanyahu's intent to legislate such a board clause not only on the migrant issue, but also to regulate the makeup of relations between the judiciary and executive.

Finance Minister Kahlon, who has voiced his support for an override clause regarding African migrants, remains adamantly against expanding legislation with a similar clause on other issues. If a compromise is not brokered, a serious coalition crisis may break out.
The Population and Immigration Authority released Sunday all 207 African asylum seekers who have been imprisoned in the Saharonim Prison in line with a High Court of Justice ruling from last week.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



"In light of the fact the talks with the (second) third country are still ongoing, and in accordance with the ruling from April 10, the detainees who have been imprisoned there based on the 'removal to a third country' plan will be released from Saharonim during the day," the authority said in a statement.

The African asylum seekers were imprisoned in Saharonim due to their refusal to leave Israel to a third country. However, because the agreement with that third countryRwandacollapsed, as did another agreement

with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there is no legal justification to keep them in detention.

Asylum seekers in Saharonim (Photo: Roee Idan)

Last week, the High Court determined that if an agreement with a third country is not reached and approved by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit by 12pm Sunday, the asylum seekers would be released.

The State of Israel has been in talks with another third country, Uganda, but these talks are still ongoing, leaving the state no choice but to release the detainees.

Upon learning that an agreement with Uganda has not yet been signed, the Stop The Expulsion movement slammed the government, saying "Another day of disgrace for the Israeli government instead of taking responsibility."

"Today, it has been made clear beyond any doubt that forced deportation is no longer an option. Even third world countries are unwilling to be part of such an inhumane move," Stop The Expulsion continued. "It's embarrassing that in Israel's 70th year we need a lesson in morals from these countries."

Asylum seekers released from Saharonim (Photo: Reuters)

The movement called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recommit to an agreement reached with the UN refugee agency "and implement a real, budgeted plan of absorption and dispersion."

Several human rights organizationsThe Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, ASSAF - Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel, Physicians For Human Rights, Worker's Hotline, The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and the African Refugee Development Centercalled on the government in a joint statement to find "real solutions" for the African asylum seekers.

"The dangerous plan to expel refugees to Uganda and Rwanda is falling apart, and the refugees who were imprisoned despite committing no crime will be released from prison, but the government continues making cynical use of the asylum seekers and promoting anti-democratic bill proposals, while completely shirking off its obligation to rehabilitate the neighborhoods of south Tel Aviv," the statement charged.

The human rights groups urged the Israeli government to "promote real solutions for the asylum seekers and stop its abuse of those who only seek protection. Israel must examine the asylum requests in a fair manner, integrate the refugees into Israeli society while giving them legal status and rights, and encourage their dispersal to strong municipalities, while mounting a massive rehabilitation project for south Tel Aviv."
Former deputy head justice of the Tel Aviv District Court, Hadassah Ben-Ato, has passed away at the age of 91. She wrote a bestselling book about the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion."

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



She will be buried on Monday in the Old Cemetery in Herzliya.

Ben-Ato served on the bench for many years, including as an acting justice in the Supreme Court, and contributed to fighting anti-Semitism and representing Israel in the Diaspora.

Hadassah Ben Ato (Abigail Uzi)

She dedicated her retirement to writing her 1998 bestseller book "The Lie That Will Not Die," which is based on her research about the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and their origin. The book was published and translated into nine languages and had a worldwide success.

Miriam Sanger, who translated the book into Portuguese, said Ben-Ato had understood that she had to study the subject. "Hadassah was interested in the subject for years and wanted to focus on it after she retired. She traveled to many countries to investigate and interview people, it was a very professional work that was written pleasantly," said Sanger.

Ben-Ato was born on May 16, 1926 in Brzeziny, Poland. She immigrated to Israel in 1935, lived in Kiryat Motzkin for a few years and later on moved to Jerusalem.

In 1935, she graduated law school at the High School of Law and Economics in Tel Aviv. In 1955, she served as an intern for four months at the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, passed the Bar exams and was admitted to the Israel Bar Association.

From 1955 to 1960, she worked in a private law firm, and in 1960 was appointed as judge at the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Magistrate's Court. In 1964, she was appointed the deputy president of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. In 1965, she joined the Israeli delegation to the UN's 20th General Assembly.

Ben-Ato was later appointed acting judge at the Tel Aviv Jaffa District Court, and then was permanently appointed as a District Court judge. In 1980, she was appointed as acting justice in the Supreme Court. In 1989, she was appointed deputy chief justice of the District Court in Tel Aviv, and retired in 1991.

Since her retirement, she engaged in arbitration, giving her professional opinion, and served as the president of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists.

Throughout her professional life and public work, she represented Israel in various conferences across the world.

In 2007 Ben-Ato was rewarded with the Chaim Herzog Prize for a unique contribution to the State of Israel in the field of Israel and the Diaspora, for her involvement in fighting anti-Semitism around the world, her representation of Israel in international forums such as UNESCO and the UN Assembly, and for representation of important Jewish Zionist bodies that followed.
The government has approved the transfer of half a billion shekels to strengthen peripheral cities such as Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, Metula and Yeruham.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented, "These are important decisions strengthening the periphery and Israel's social cohesion. Work continues."

Treasury Minister Moshe Kahlon also commented on the decision, saying, "This constitutes a direct continuation of the government's policies for shoring up the northern and southern periphery. The decision emphasizes developing quality employment hubs at a fair wage and strengthening structures to allow communities to grow."
The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by journalist Igal Sarna, over a suit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara filed regarding a Facebook post he wrote.

Judge Yitzhak Amit said that a suit pressed by the prime minister against a private citizen indeed raised suspicion of a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit, due to the disparity in power.

In that particular instance, however, Judge Amit said he was convinced the suit lacked the defining characteristics of a SLAPP suit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting an expanded version of the override power to reenact laws struck down by the High Court.

In a meeting held Sunday it turned out Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit did not object to the move, while the premier estimated he could garner enough votes to pass it. Another meeting on the matter will be held Monday.

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon objects to an expanded override clause, and supports to curtailing the court's power only on the African migrant issue.
Syria's President Bashar Assad said Sunday the Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of "lies" and misinformation in the UN Security Council.

Assad told a group of visiting Russian politicians that the US, Britain and France, which carried out the strikes, had waged a campaign of "lies and misinformation" against Russia and Syria.

The UN Security Council has been paralyzed in dealing with the seven-year Syrian conflict and the use of chemical weapons. Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member, is a close ally of Assad.
Yitzhak Dreksler, who was seriously wounded in the 1973 Yom Kippur War and dedicated the rest of his life to commemorating the Ultra-Orthodox fallen soldiers, passed away Saturday afternoon at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, aged 67.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



For the past few weeks Dreksler was dealing with a complication caused by the serious injury he endured, and his situation deteriorated. His funeral will commence on Sunday on 13pm, and he will be buried in Har HaMenuhot in Givat Shaul.

Yitzhak Dreksler (Photo courtesy of the family)

Dreksler served in the all-Haredi Nahal Haredi Battalion, and during his reserve service fought in the Armored Corps as a gunner in a Centurion tank. During the war, his tank was struck by a rocket in the Golan Heights, but managed to pull himself out the burning tank while suffering burns all over his body. After a prolonged hospitalizationincluding 70 operations and a long rehabilitationhe was acknowledged as a disabled IDF veteran with a 95% disability rating.

Caused a dramatic change

As an Ultra Orthodox who paid such a heavy personal toll on the battlefield, Dreksler became one of that war's symbols. He was one of the founders of the Haredi settlement of Immanuel, and spent his last years in the Orthodox town of Elad while dedicating himself to commemorating Haredi fallen soldiers. In addition he helped found the all-Haredi Netzah Yehuda Battalion in the Kfir Brigade, established in place of the Nahal Haredi Battalion, and advocated for Haredim to enlist in the army and protect their country.

"(Dreksler) was a yeshiva student who left his studies and his pregnant wife and went to serve as a reserve soldier to protect the country and the nation. Even after being wounded, he didnt give up and encouraged other yeshiva students to join the army," tweeted Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman. "Those are our nation's heroes. I salute you," he added.

Dreksler during his military service

In a comprehensive interview Dreksler gave on Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers eight years ago, he told Ynet about his struggle to commemorate and preserve the memory of the fallen soldiers of the Nahal Haredi Battalion whose stories disappear into oblivion in the Israeli public eye as well as amid the Haredi sector.

Dreksler said that one of his life's great victories was when the IDF and the Family, Commemoration and the Ministry of Defense told him they are planning to arrange for an appropriate commemoration for the fallen soldiers of the Nahal Haredi Battalion, just days after his interview with Ynet.

"I hoped (the interview) would help, but I had no idea it will be this fast," explained Dreksler. "I hope we are on the right track on our way to establishing an appropriate commemoration that would respect the memory of the fallen."

A one-man Commemoration campaign

"Yitzhak Tovel, my god avenge his blood, received the Medal of Distinguished Service in the Battle of Baltim, where he jumped on a grenade to save his comrades," he said in the interview. "There are 13 such casualties from the ultra-Orthodox Nahal Haredi Battalion, and other Haredim who served in other Battalions and there is nothing to in place to commemorate them," he lamented.

Drexler was one of the first to join the Nahal Haredi Battalion.

"We were all graduates of ultra-Orthodox yeshivas without exception," he noted. "Not dropouts, but the best members of the sector," he said, reminiscing of days gone by.

"On Saturdays, some of the boys would spend Shabbat at the yeshiva. They used to come back home in uniform and be greeted warmly and hugged. That was the ultra-Orthodox experience of those days."

He is survived by six childrentwo of them military officersand many grandchildren.
WASHINGTON - US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Sunday that the United States would not pull its troops out of Syria until its goals were accomplished.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Haley listed three aims for the United States: ensuring that chemical weapons are not used in any way that pose a risk to US interests, that Islamic State is defeated and that there is a good vantage point to watch what Iran is doing.

It is our goal "to see American troops come home, but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things," Haley said.

Trump, who on Friday joined France and Britain in ordering missile strikes against Syrian targets, has sent mixed signals on Syria.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says the US will be imposing more economic sanctions on Russia for its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his apparent use of chemical weapons.

Haley says Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will be making the announcement by Monday and it will affect companies that are "dealing with equipment related to Assad and any chemical weapons use."

She tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that Russia needs to feel the consequences for protecting the Assad regime. Haley notes that Russia has vetoed six resolutions in the United Nations Security Council regarding chemical weapons.

Haley says the fact that Assad was making the use of chemical weapons "more normal and that Russia was covering this up, all that has got to stop."
Boeing has announced that its Global Fleet Care agreements for Singapore Airlines' fleet of 27 777-300ERs and Scoot's fleet of 20 787 Dreamliners have been transferred to Boeing Asia Pacific Aviation Services (Bapas), a joint venture between Boeing and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC).



"Boeing's partnership with SIAEC will create more efficient and customer-focused service solutions by combining our resources and intimate understanding of airframe lifecycle with knowledge of current and emerging requirements in the Asia Pacific region," said Stan Deal, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services.



Under the integrated Global Fleet Care agreements, Bapas will provide engineering services, maintenance planning and scheduling, and operation control center services, along with materials demand planning and spares support for the airlines. Bapas also will tailor maintenance and reliability programs and provide support for aircraft modifications. Following these agreements, Bapas is anticipated to support more than 70 Boeing aircraft within the Singapore Airlines Group.



Boeing and SIAEC also confirmed the completion of the agreements and processes necessary to fully enable the Bapas joint venture. Bapas will continue offering industry-leading engineering, materials management and fleet maintenance support solutions for Boeing 737, 747, 777 and 787 aircraft to airline customers in the Asia Pacific region. - TradeArabia News Service
Israel went public Sunday with a military laboratory it set up in 2016 to pool anti-tunnel expertise and spearhead efforts to foil the cross-border digs.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The laboratory "uses innovative ground research, which includes scanning of cavities and their dynamics, (and) strives to develop new discovery and mapping techniques", a military statement said.

A video release showed soldiers, with faces obscured, poring over maps and computer screens at an undisclosed location.





IDF unveils anti-tunnel lab (:  ")

X

Israel offered no explanation for its publication about the laboratory, which followed the earlier neutralization of a guerrilla Hamas tunnel from the Gaza Strip.

The IDF said the tunnel, which it described as "long and of high quality," was neutralized over the past few days by filling it with cement. On the Gazan side, the tunnel connected to a chain of other tunnels, and its destruction could therefore be considered a significant operational achievement.

The tunnel crossed the border with Israel near the site of recent intensive Palestinian disturbances, military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus told reporters. "I wouldn't think that it's a coincidence," he added, without elaborating.

Israeli army snipers have killed 31 Palestinians during the border protests, drawing international censure. The military says it is taking necessary action against people suspected of trying to damage the border fence or provide cover for Hamas attacks.

Terror tunnel excavated, filled with cement (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said geophysicists from his ministry were involved in the anti-tunnel efforts, as well as researchers from the Technion, an Israeli university, and from state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

An IDF captain, an electrical and chemical engineer by training, oversees the lab and a team of expert workers from a variety of technological and research fields, physicists, engineers, intelligence personnel and geologists.

The laboratory has already managed to locate and see to the destruction of five terrorist tunnels in the last few months. It has recently received a certificate of excellence from the Technological and Logistics Directorate of the IDF General Staff.
United Hatzalah EMS volunteers have treated eight people who were involved in the protests in front of the IDF enlistment office on Rashi Street in Jerusalem. The injured, both police and protesters, have suffered from a variety of injuries as result of the violence displayed during the protest. Ambulance crews from United Hatzalah transported some of the injured to the hospital.
Saudi Arabia used its perch as host of an annual gathering of Arab leaders on Sunday to push for a unified stance against rival Iran as the regional powerhouses vie for the upper hand in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Saudi King Salman told leaders from across the 22-member Arab League that Iran was to blame for instability and meddling in the region. He said Yemeni rebel Houthis, backed by Iran, had fired 116 missiles at the kingdom since Saudi Arabia went to war in Yemen three years ago to try and roll back Houthi gains there.

The summit took place in the oil-rich eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, a location that may have been selected by the kingdom to avoid cross-border Houthi missile strikes that have targeted the capital, Riyadh, and southern border cities.

File photo of Arab League summit (Photo: AFP)

While locked in proxy conflicts in Yemen and Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran also back opposing groups in Lebanon, Bahrain and Iraq.

The summit this year takes place after the US, Britain and France launched dozens of strikes early Saturday at sites they said were linked to Syrian chemical weapons program. President Bashar Assad and his close ally, Russia, have denied government forces ever used such weapons.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said Assad's government and "international players trying to achieve their own strategic political goals" bear responsibility for the crisis there.

"Regional interference in Arab affairs has reached an unprecedented degree. And first of these is the Iranian interference, the aim of which is not for the well-being of the Arabs or their interests," he said.

The Saudi monarch made no reference to Syria in his remarks before Arab leaders amid divisions within the region-wide body over support for the US-led airstrikes on Syria. The kingdom, as well as Bahrain and Qatar, have issued statements backing Saturday's strikes on military targets in Syria. More wary of the widening conflict are countries like Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon.

Western strike in Syria (Photo: AP)

A final statement by the 22-member states refrained from supporting or criticizing those strikes. The league said it condemns the use of chemical weapons, but did not lay direct blame on any one party.

Assad was not invited to the summit, though most heads of state from across the Middle East and North Africa attended the Arab League meeting, including Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

At the start of the summit, Aboul-Gheit lamented a lack of consensus among Arab states on regional security.

"The crises burning in some corners of the Arab world today... cast a shadow over the safety and security over the entire region," Aboul-Gheit said. "These take a toll on the national security of all of us."

Instead, Arab heads of state stressed unity and unwavering support for Palestinians. King Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia's rejection of the US decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Despite the monarch's stern words of condemnation, Saudi Arabia has strengthened ties with Washington under the Trump administration.

L to R: Egyptian President al-Sisi, King Salman and President Trump (: AP / Saudi Press Agency)

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir defended those ties, saying "there is no contradiction" with having very strong strategic ties with the US while advising against certain policies.

"The fact that we have very strong ties with the US over history, and the Trump administration in particular, is a positive factor, not a negative factor in trying to help guide them towards a positive engagement in the Middle East," al-Jubeir told reporters after the summit.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, announced at the summit a $150 million donation to the religious administration that oversees Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosqueone of Islam's holiest sites. The kingdom announced another $50 million for programs run by the UN relief agency for Palestinians after the US slashed its aid.

The strongest criticism of the Trump administration came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The decisions have made the United States a party to the conflict and not a neutral mediator," Abbas said at the summit.

Palestinian PM Hamdallah (L) and Abbas (Photo: AFP)

Saudi tensions with neighboring Qatar were on display at the summit. Qatar's emir was not in attendance, instead dispatching his country's Arab League representative to the meeting. While the Qatari flag was erected alongside other member-state flags on the streets of Dhahran, the country's representative did not appear in a group photo of the top delegates in attendance.

Tensions erupted nearly a year ago when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and imposed a de facto blockade on the small Gulf state. The four accuse Qatar of sponsoring terrorism because of its support for Islamist opposition groups in the region and its warm relations with Iran. Qatar denies the allegations and says the moves attempt to undermine its sovereignty.

The standoff with Qatar, however, did not feature in summit deliberations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coupled praise for US-led strikes on Syrian targets on Saturday with a warning that Irans presence there further endangers Syria, while the leader of Lebanons Hezbollah claimed the strikes had failed to terrorize the Syrian army, help insurgents or even serve Israels interests.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



US, British and French forces hit Syria with air strikes overnight in response to an alleged poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week. US President Donald Trump said he was prepared to sustain the response until Assads government stopped its use of chemical weapons.

PM Netanyahu and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah (Photo: AFP)

"Early this morning, under American leadership, the United States, France and the United Kingdom demonstrated that their commitment is not limited to proclamations of principle," Netanyahu said in a written statement.

Netanyahu said Syrian president Bashar al-Assad must understand that "his provision of a forward base for Iran and its proxies endangers Syria."

An Israeli official said Israel was notified of the strikes ahead of time. Asked how much warning Israel had received, the official told Reuters: "Between 12 and 24 hours, I believe."

Asked whether Israel helped choose targets, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Not to my knowledge."

A US embassy spokeswoman confirmed to Reuters that Israel had been notified before the strikes, but she provided no further details.

Western strike in Syria

X

Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Sunday that the strikes on Syria had failed to terrorize the army, help insurgents or even serve Israels interests.

Nasrallah said the US military had kept its strikes limited because it knew a wider attack would spark retaliation from Damascus and its allies.

"The American (military) knows well that going towards a wide confrontation and a big operation against the regime and the army and the allied forces in Syria could not end," Nasrallah said at a rally in Lebanons Bekaa.

"Any such confrontation would inflame the entire region."

Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah has been a vital ally of Damascus in Syrias seven-year war, helping it regain territory from rebels and Islamic State militants.

The Hezbollah military and political movement, which has lawmakers in the Lebanese parliament, fights alongside the Syrian army.

Royal Air Force Tornado jet before leaving for Syria strike (Photo: EPA)

Irans involvement in Syria in support of Assad has alarmed Israel, which has said it will counter any threat. The armed Iranian-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah, which has an extensive missile arsenal, last fought a war with Israel in 2006.

Syria, Iran and Russia say Israel was behind an air strike on a Syrian air base on Monday that killed seven Iranian military personnel, something Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Netanyahu and urged him to do nothing to destabilize Syria, according to a Kremlin statement.

Netanyahu said Israel would not allow Iran to establish itself in Syria, according to his office.

Israel has mounted air strikes in Syria on a regular basis, targeting suspected weapons shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah.
Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz of the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court was found guilty on Sunday of inappropriate behavior in the text messages incident in Case 4000.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The February correspondence was between her and Israel Securities Authority (ISA) representative, Attorney Eran Shacham-Shavit, who texted her to look surprised when the prosecution asks for the release of the suspects Or Elovitz and Amikam Shorer to house arrest.

Ronit Poznanski (Photo: Courts)

In a hearing before the Disciplinary Court panel, Poznanski-Katz was found guilty, in accordance with her confession, by a Disciplinary Tribunal for Judges, headed by retired President Justice Asher Grunis, Supreme Court Justice Neil Hendel and Vice President of the Nazareth District Court, Justice Esther Hellman, of a disciplinary offense of conduct in a manner that is not appropriate to the status of a judge in Israel, and a violation of the Rules of Ethics for Judges.

According to the confession by the judge, she and the deputy prosecutor involved in the case conducted various correspondences regarding the case, a correspondence that should not have been held between the prosecutions representative and the judge who presided over the proceedings.

The conviction follows an arrangement that led to certain amendments to the original complaint submitted to the Court by the Minister of Justice. The arrangement did not refer to an agreed punishment. Regarding the sentence, the parties made their arguments before the of the court. A sentence will be given at another time.

The correspondence between the judge and the representative of the Israel Securities Authority was related to the extensions of the suspects' detention in the Bezeq case, Case 4000. Attorney Shacham-Shavit wrote to the judge: "At least the good news that Or and Amikam will be released tomorrow under on condition." In another statement he told her to look surprised. Justice Poznanski-Katz replied: "I am starting to work on an appropriate expression of total surprise," she joked.

Chief Justice Hayut (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Attorney Shacham-Shavit added, referring to Hendler and Iris Elovitz: "Stella and Iris, we will ask (to extend their remand) for a few days tomorrow. They'll ask for 3 days, but you can certainly give two," Shacham-Shavit wrote, "you continue to reveal everything to me and I will have to look really surprised." She later added that "perhaps the plan we thought about is not so far from reality."

About a month ago, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut rejected the judge's request to continue her voluntary leave of absence instead of being suspended. President Hayut informed Poznanski-Katz that she was suspending her from her judicial duties until a further decision is made.

The indictment stated that the judge conducted "an unmediated relationship between the judge and the Securities Authority investigator (who represented the Securities Authority before the court), which included correspondence of a close friendly nature." The judge also said that the judge had "an unmediated relationship between the judge and the Securities Authority investigator, which included correspondence containing updates on matters related to the legal process."

The indictment was approved following a recommendation by the Ombudsman of the judges, retired Justice Eliezer Rivlin. In his decision, sprinkled with sharp expressions, the commissioner stated that in her actions, Justice Poznansky-Katz violated the precondition for the ability of a judge to serve her office - public trust and the rules of ethics for judges.

The close relationship between her and the prosecution was contemptuous. It is best had the exchanged messages between the two never have come into this world The direct relationship between the two should not have taken place, he wrote.
Israeli police on Sunday dispersed using riot control measures hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews who protested against conscription near the IDF recruitment office in Jerusalem, throwing blunt objects at officers and cars passing by.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The riot was sparked due to the intention of the military police to arrest a woman, who at the time was at the IDF recruitment office, for refusing to enlist.

Haredim riot in Jerusalem over planned arrest of girl reluctant to enlist (Photo: TPS)

According to a police statement, "Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish extremists" gathered in front of the conscript office, where four police officers were lightly wounded in clashes.

"The police used stun grenades and water cannons against rioters," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.

Haredim riot in Jerusalem over planned arrest of woman reluctant to enlist (:   )

X

Belonging to a radical fringe of the religious population, the Jerusalem Faction , these protesters have been mobilizing for months against compulsory military service in Israel.

The issue of the ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service was at the center in March of a political crisis that nearly brought down the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

A compromise was reached within the coalition on controversial legislation that aims to maintain the military service exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jewish students.

The ultra-Orthodox strictly observe the rules of Judaism in all aspects of daily and spiritual life. They see conscription as a source of temptation for young people, out of the closed world of prayer and religious study to which, for the most part, they devote themselves exclusively.
News

Houston, Texas - Media are invited to see how engineers and scientists are helping make NASAs deep space human exploration plans a reality at the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday, April 26.

A briefing with NASA at 10 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. CDT) will provide an update on efforts to build the Orion spacecraft for its upcoming missions near the Moon as the agency moves closer to flight operations for exploration missions. The briefing also will cover work at Johnson to design and build elements for an Orion modules in-flight, full-stress test of the spacecrafts launch abort system, and steps being taken to test and develop several technological capabilities to support NASAs Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway.

The briefing will air live on NASA Television and the agencys website.

Participants are:

Ellen Ochoa, Johnson center director

Vanessa Wyche, director of Johnsons Exploration Integration and Science directorate

Annette Hasbrook, assistant manager for Orion Program integration

Jenny Devolites, Ascent Abort-2 crew module deputy manager

Nicole Mann, NASA astronaut

Media interested in attending must contact Rachel Kraft at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than noon CDT Wednesday, April 25, and arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. April 26 for badging and entrance. Media unable to attend in person can participate in the briefing by phone by contacting the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 8:45 a.m.

Following the briefing, attendees will have the opportunity to tour facilities and view projects enabling deep space exploration, including: the Modified Advanced Crew Escape System spacesuits in development for use in Orion; the spacecrafts displays and control system and parachutes; virtual reality technologies; and a lab developed to help NASA refine its requirements for the gateway.

NASA is leading the next steps of human exploration into deep space where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the Moon needed for lunar surface missions and exploration to other destinations, including Mars. The agencys Orion spacecraft will send humans to the Moon and beyond, beginning with Exploration Mission-1. It will launch on the agencys Space Launch System rocket and will lift off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Prior to the first integrated mission of the spacecraft and rocket, NASA will demonstrate how Orions launch abort system can keep the crew safe in an emergency during launch in a test known as Ascent Abort-2. Future exploration missions with crew aboard Orion will dock with the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway. NASA and its partners will use the gateway in a variety of deep space exploration and commercial activities in the vicinity of the Moon, including missions to the lunar surface.

Learn more about NASAs plans to return to the Moon:

https://www.nasa.gov/moon

For more information about Orion, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/orion
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - This morning, at approximately 11:56 a.m., a Black 2015 Chrysler 300 struck the north side of Truck Mates, 251 W. 32nd Street. The collision caused a substantial amount of damage to the building.

The driver of the vehicle, a 23 year old male, was crossing the intersection on W. 32nd Street and Business Loop 8. He struck the median on W. 32nd Street which caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and collided with the building. The driver was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for precautionary measures. There were no injuries reported from inside the business.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to be a factor in this collision.

This case is still under investigation.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
- A social media user has alleged that Efia Odo slept with a man for money when she was broke

- The actress has however refuted the claims made by the Twitter user

A social media user has alleged that actress Efia Odo received an amount of money from one of Shatta Wales friends after they had been in bed together.

According to the Twitter user, Efia Odo, who complained of being broke at the time, slept with the man who in turn, gave her an amount of GHc 4,000.

READ ALSO: 6 celebrities who have been accused of sleeping with men for cash and survival

The social media user alleged on Twitter that, But me I know Chico, that Shatta Wale's friend fu*** you and gave you 4000gh because you told him you were broke, isn't that sleeping with men for money too?

However, in a quick rebuttal, Efia Odo vehemently denied the claims being made and warned the lady to stop telling lies.

Efia Odo, in her reply to the allegations said, U r a liar sis dont lie no nigga has ever given me 4K cedis def not for a fuck dont play yaself.

In effect, Efia Odo is claiming that she had not received money from any man for a sexual favor.

READ ALSO: We do not take Moeshas sponsor view to represent the whole of Ghana  CNN

_Efuwa, the Twitter account holder called out Efia Odo after the actress made a post in the wake of a viral video involving actress Moesha Boduong.

After Moesha Boduongs interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour went viral, many female celebs including Efia Odo came out and called the actress to order.

Efia Odo who took offence with Moeshas comments revealed in a Twitter post that, I wake up at 4am every morning to get to work for 5:45 am leave at 10am to come back for 6pm and leave at 10pm. Not all of US have to depend on a man for financial stability.

Moesha Boduong has received a lot of backlash on social media for her comments in the interview.

READ ALSO: 13 of the wildest Moesha Boduong photos

In the video below, the deputy education minister, Mrs Barbara Ayisi, speaks on how President Akufo-Addo inspires her, and how the president's success story must also inspire the youth of Ghana to greater heights:

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident?

Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen
- MC Dementor, a Colombian musician living in Ghana, has professed his love to actress Moesha Boduong

- The musician has said he wanted to treat the actress like a queen and but is not interested in sleeping with her

Colombian rapper, Andres Eduardo Martinez Rodriguez, popularly known as MC Dementor who is based in Ghana has expressed his undying love for Ghanaian actress and model, Moesha Babiinoti Boduong.

The rapper took to his Facebook page to confess his love for the actress and requested that she accepted his proposal so that he could treat her like a queen.

Moesha Boduong

READ ALSO: 5 records that may be set at 2018 VGMAs

The rappers post on Facebook read, Someone tell Moesha that I been having my eyes on her for long. Now that I know she loves money. She should come to MoneyPaPa Mc Dementor. But I never want sex from her anyways. But I will buy her the world if she's ready to do these with me

He also made a list of the things he was willing to do for the actress provided she accepted his request.

However, the musician said he was not interested in sleeping with the actress but was only interested in pampering her for the whole world to see how special she was.

The musicians comments comes on the heels of the recent interview the actress granted to CNNs Christiane Amanpour where she revealed that she was sleeping with men to take care of herself.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: I didn't make money from Ebony's fiuneral - Father reveals

After the interview which went viral, Moesha Babiinoti Boduong attracted heavy criticism from social media after she made some comments regarding Ghanas economy and how difficult it was living as a woman in the country.

Some top citizens and celebrities including Pastor Mensa Otabil, Efia Odo, Confidence Haugen, Vicky Zugah and Eazzy have all expressed their disappointment following Moeshas interview with award-winning journalist, Christiane Amanpour.

She has however come out to apologize to Ghanaians over her comments and as asked that she be forgiven for making comments that in no way represented the way many other women lived their lives.

READ ALSO: Owusu Bempah is not my 'spiritual father' - Prophet Nigel

Watch the trending news on YEN.com.gh this week:

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident?

Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen.com.gh
Luxury travellers can now book inaugural season itineraries aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises newest ship - the Seven Seas Splendor - launching in February 2020.



With 750 guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship will join her sister ship, Seven Seas Explorer, in boasting some of the highest space ratio in the cruise industry, and once again elevate the industry standards for luxury travel with intricate marble, soaring ceilings, elegant design and authentic craftsmanship. The same discernment that went into the design of the ship was applied to the creation of her inaugural season itineraries. The first voyage, beginning on February 7, 2020, will take guests on an unforgettable 14-night transatlantic journey from Barcelona to Miami.



For Seven Seas Splendors inaugural season, we included voyages to destinations that are as extraordinary as the ship herself, said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Based on guest response to our current itineraries through the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North America, we anticipate these new offerings will be popular among both new and repeat guests wanting the exclusive opportunity to be one of the first to sail on the newest luxury ship in our fleet.



The inaugural season reveals a lineup featuring a variety of destination-rich itineraries calling on iconic locations throughout the Caribbean, North America and the Mediterranean. Through free unlimited shore excursions, guests will have opportunities to explore renowned museums and famous landmarks on every voyage. The ship will visit highly sought-after ports of call such as San Juan, Barcelona, Cabo San Lucas, New York, Saint-Tropez, Portofino, Los Angeles, Dubrovnik, Amalfi/Positano, Corfu and Cartagena.





Panama Canal & Caribbean Journeys

After her first transatlantic voyage on February 7, 2020, Seven Seas Splendor will cross through the legendary Panama Canal on her way from Miami to Los Angeles on February 25, 2020, and will call on storied places like Cartagena and anchors along the stunning coastline of Cabo San Lucas. Then, she will offer guests the opportunity to traverse the mighty canal west to east, as she sails from Los Angeles to Miami on March 14, 2020. Guests will call on romantic Catalina Island, Acapulco and Puntarenas, among the 8 ports on this 16-night itinerary. North America & Atlantic Ocean Crossings



Back on the Atlantic coast, she will embark on a spring sojourn between Miami and New York on April 1, 2020. Highlights of this voyage include an overnight call on Oranjestad, Aruba and Charleston, South Carolina, before arriving in the midst of the cosmopolitan bustle of the Big Apple. Then, from New York, she will set her course toward Barcelona, departing April 16, 2020, for 14 nights. True travel adventurers will greatly appreciate this extraordinary crossing in sumptuous comfort with calls on Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda and Malaga, Spain.



Mediterranean Perfected

Beginning April 30, 2020, Seven Seas Splendor will begin her inaugural Mediterranean season with the distinct advantage of being the perfect size to reach the regions most intimate, boutique ports, from Palamos to Toulon to Kotor. The first of these Mediterranean voyages is a 12-night cruise from Barcelona that culminates with a grand finale: an overnight stay in romantic Venice. Sail across the glamorous ultra-fashionable Riviera on May 28, 2020, for seven-nights departing from Catalonias capital, Barcelona, followed by calls on Palma de Mallorca, Sete, Toulon, Monte Carlo, Portofino, and Florence. She will ring in the summer with a 12-night journey to the ancient world on June 4, 2020, including calls on Jerusalem and Rhodes. Then, two more 10-night voyages that offer guests the opportunity to experience the worlds best beaches and some of the worlds most alluring cities, from Ibiza to Rome set sail June 16 and 26, 2020.



Reservations for Seven Seas Splendors inaugural season open April 11, 2018. - TradeArabia News Service
The 2018 VGMAs comes is currently underway at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC).

This year's awards ceremony is the 19th edition and it is under the theme, Our Music Beyond Borders.

Undoubtedly, the biggest night in Ghana's music industry, it will honour players in the industry for their works over the 2017/2018 music year.

Already the red carpet event has started.

READ ALSO: A win for Ebony and 4 other important records up for grabs at 2018 VGMAs

YEN.com.gh brings you a live feed of the event courtesy TV3:

Check out some of the trending news in Ghana in YEN.com.gh's video below:

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh?

Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now

Source: Yen.com.gh
It was a night of mixed reactions as the 19th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards took off at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

John Dumelo, who co-hosted the event with actress and radio presenter, Berla Mundi, turned out to be the subject of mockery by some social media users.

His all-red attire, which was deemed to be unusual, became the focal point of ridicule on one of the biggest nights set side to celebrate players in Ghanas music industry.

John Dumelo wearing the outfit that had everyone talking

Aside his outfit, social media users generally condemned John Dumelo's performance as a host of the show.

Sources indicate that his was a pale shadow of that of Berla Mundi, who gave a good account of herself.

It was a night of surprises as those present witnessed a number of unexpected incidents. Complaints ranged from the poor lighting through mediocre performances from artistes to unexpected wins and losses.

Fancy Gadam, who released 'Total Cheat' featuring Sarkodie, beat Patapaa to walk away with the 'Most Popular Song of the Year' award.

READ ALSO: First photos from the VGMAs

YEN.com.gh brings to you a new video of John Mahamas 2020 bid and allegations of double salaries taken by some former ministers:

Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos

Source: Yen
- YEN.com.gh understands that Patapaa Amisty left the AICC after losing an award to Fancy Gadam

- His song, 'One Corner', was no match for Fancy Gadam's 'Total Cheat', which featured Sarkodie

Rising Ghanaian musician, Patapaa Amisty, has been captured in a video, leaving the Accra International Conference Centre, during the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

The event, which took place on Saturday, April 14, 2018, and was co-hosted by John Dumelo and Berla Mundi attracted people from all over the country.

A few of the memorable highlights of the night included epic performances by Sarkodie and Samini, both of whom walked away with awards.

Patapaa

READ ALSO: Social media users react with rage as TV3 'sabotages' Nana Aba Anamoah during the VGMAs

While Samini grabbed the Reggae Dancehall song of the Year, with My Own, Sarkodie was crowned the king of hiphop/hiplife. He also won the best rapper of the year award.

In the course of the event, the Song of The Year Award was given to Fancy Gadam, for his song, Total Cheat, which was in collaboration with Sarkodie.

This did not go down well with the One Corner and his team, who consequently left the premises of the conference centre.

atapaa has however taken to social media to express his faith in God for the future. According to him, he believes that Gods time is the best.

READ ALSO: Social media users 'mercilessly attack' John Dumelo for his VGMA outfit

YEN.com.gh brings to you a new video of John Mahamas 2020 bid and allegations of double salaries taken by some former ministers:

We are looking for unique stories and photos about developments happening in your area. Get in touch with YEN on Facebook or Instagram

Source: Yen.com.gh
Mena Aerospace has entered into a partnership with Germany's Haitec, a leading European MRO company, to operate an expanded technical facility from its Bahrain hangar, servicing the Middle East and Africa regions, and focusing on the widely-used narrow-bodied airframes.



The partnership was officially established at an event attended by Dr Mohammed Juman, managing director and founder, and Omar Mattar, CEO Mena Aerospace, accompanying a senior delegation of Haitecs officials from Germany, Gereon Arens, CEO, and Martin OBoyle, commercial director.

Officials from the partner companies met with Bahrains minister of transportation and telecommunications, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, followed by Mohammed Yousif Al Bin Falah, CEO, Bahrain Airport Company, to discuss the cooperation between all parties, and its positive impact on the national economy.



Speaking at the event, Dr Juman commented: We see our role at Mena Aerospace to be an integral part of Bahrains aviation ecosystem, and with the expansion of the new airport we all have to innovate to meet the increased demand the industry will see. This deal with Haitec will bring an unmatched level of service and quality of German engineering to the country, which all our partner airlines can benefit from. With the addition of an Easa-approved turnkey MRO service to our suite of solutions, we are now a 360-degree aviation provider, with aircraft operation and management, charter sales, ground services, aircraft parking, line maintenance and logistical support.



As an organisation, we are constantly focused on re-defining quality in all our service offerings, with the safety and security of our clients and their passengers as top-of-mind. I would like to thank Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed for supporting and facilitating this partnership, and for his active role in the progress of Bahrains aviation sector. My gratitude also goes to Mohamed Al Binfalah, who leads operations at our close partner Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), as well as our Advise Avia and Mena Aerospace board of staff who made this expansion possible.



Mena Aerospace operates the only private hangar at BIA, large enough to accommodate up to B757 aircraft, with a capacity of 295 passengers. The new enterprise will not only create jobs for Bahraini and expatriate aviation professionals, it is expected to generate foreign investment into the country through its operations.



Hiatec Easa is a world-class independent MRO company with over 400 staff servicing over 50 customers from their hangar facilities at Hahn Airport (HHN) and Erfurt Airport (ERF) in Germany. As an Easa Part-145/Part-147 organization, Haitec holds the FAA approval, as well as approvals from Civil Aviation Organizations of Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Russia and the UAE, allowing the company to service a broad range of Boeing and Airbus, as well as Gulfstream aircraft. - TradeArabia News Service
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah has appointed Corah Caples as the property's new director of operations.



Caples has over 10 years of management experience in the luxury hotel industry across all aspects of hotel operations, from food and beverage outlets, to spa facilities and rooms; bringing an unrivalled skill set to the five-star luxury property, which has positioned itself as one of the most iconic beachfront locations in the Middle East since opening in 2014.



In her new role as director of operations, Caples will be responsible for the effective operational management of the hotel, overseeing the heads of departments to ensure they achieve and exceed their revenue and guest satisfaction targets. Caples will apply her extensive knowledge of the hotel business to ensure the landmark property continues to provide unforgettable experiences from the elegantly appointed rooms and suites, to the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa and six exquisite dining venues.



With a Masters degree in Hotel and Tourism Management, Caples has gone on to hold a variety of senior roles across notable hotels in the UK and Ireland, from general manager at The Beacon Hotel, Sandyford, to resident manager at the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin for over five years.



Before taking up her role at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Caples held the position of director of operations at the Conrad Dublin where she was responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the 192-bedroom hotel, managing 195 team members as well as successfully leading the hotel through an 18-month refurbishment project and re-launch.



Commenting on her appointment Caples said: Waldorf Astoria is a prestigious hotel brand that I have admired for years due to its reputation for delivering world-class style and unparalleled service. I look forward to providing leadership and support to some of the most talented teams and individuals at this iconic property.



David Wilson, general manager at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah added: Corahs extensive experience across the hotel business, passion for delivering exceptional service levels and strong leadership qualities will no doubt prove to be a huge asset to the team and were delighted to have her on board. - TradeArabia News Service
Could not establish database connection.

DB: bostonimc and SQL: -->

The administrator has been notified and will resolve the problem ASAP.
Posted 4/14/18

According to preliminary data from Missouri Department of Conservation, young turkey hunters harvested 1,723 turkeys during the 2018 spring youth season, April 7-8. Top harvest counties were Franklin 
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: About 44 huts of Rohingya refugees caught fire in Kalindi Kunj area of Delhi on Sunday, April 15, leading to minor burn injuries to two persons besides reducing the shelters to ashes along with a complete loss of household materials.

The fire which started in the early hours of Sunday morning also consumed a makeshift mosque and a madrasa.

Support TwoCircles



The fire started at 3 am in the morning when everyone was asleep, says Shabir Alam, 37 a Rohingya. He says that the fire started near the Toilets close to the makeshift mosque. That time everyone was running to save their lives. I took my 5 children to safety and when I returned everything was on fire, he told TwoCircles.net.

The shanties were made of bamboo and polythene. It is the reason why everything caught fire so quickly. The fire brigade arrived half an hour later. By then everything was turned into ashes, he adds.

Fayaz Ahmed, 31 lost everything to the fire. He had saved 80,000 rupees in last five years after toiling hard by collecting scrap.

I have lost everything. My house, money, utensils. I dont even have clothes to wear. I had to ask NGO people to buy one shirt for me, Fayaz told Twocircles.net.

The fire has affected 44 refugee families consisting of 230 members who mainly work as hawkers, laborers, rickshaw pullers.

According to Fayazul Kalam, a Rickshaw puller, it will take him years to rebuild back what he has lost in the fire. For five years, I worked day and night and built a house, bought utensils, clothes for my two kids and wife, but today I lost everything. This was my second home along with the one in Burma, he said.

Various Non-Government organizations are providing food and clothes to the fire affected families. The members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind are also camping at the spot and surveying the families who need help.

We will make fireproof tents for them and provide them with utensils, clothes, and fans. The work will start in a day or two. As of now, we are surveying what else can be done for them, Ghayur Ahmad, Jamiat member who is accessing the situation at Kalindi Kunj told TwoCirlces.net.

In last few years, the Rohingya slums across the country have seen various incidents of fire turning their shanties into ashes. In a similar incident in April 2017, five huts of Rohingya refugees caught fire in Nangali gaon, Nooh of Mewat in Haryana, leading to one person being severely burnt. In November 2016 more than 80 huts belonging to the refugees were reduced to ashes leading to the death of four refugees in Narwal area of Jammu.

Last year on August 19, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a circular asking all states to identify and deport illegal Rohingyas.

Illegal migrants are more vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organizations. Infiltration from the Rakhine State of Myanmar into Indian Territory, especially in the recent years, besides being a burden on the limited resources of the country also aggravates the security challenges posed to the country, the document read.

The Supreme Court is presently hearing a petition filed by the Rohingya.

At present, there are more than 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees living in four states: Jammu, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi majority of whom are living in Jammu.

Thousands of Rohingyas fled Myanmar during a spike of violence some five years ago. They arrived in India with hopes for peace and security. At first, the refugees were well-received by the locals, but the hostility has gradually increased over the past few years.
Reactions continue to pour in following joint airstrikes by the US, the UK and France on Syria, with China expressing its opposition to the attack and Iraq urging Arab leaders to adopt a "clear" stance on the issue.

As Press TV writes in an article "China 'opposes' Syria attack; Iraq urges clear Arab stance", Chinese Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Saturday that Beijing was "opposed to the use of force" following the tripartite aerial assaults against Syria and called for a return to the framework of international law. "We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries," she said in a statement.

Additionally on Saturday, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement carried by state television said Baghdad had called on Arab leaders to "take a clear position" about Syria at an upcoming summit in Saudi Arabia. Iraq warned that the attacks were a "very dangerous" development that could fuel a Takfiri resurgence in the region. A statement by foreign ministry spokesman Ahmad Mahjoub said the strikes' "consequences threaten the security and stability of the region." "Such action could have dangerous consequences, threatening the security and stability of the region and giving terrorism another opportunity to expand after it was ousted from Iraq and forced into Syria to retreat to a large extent," it said. Mahjoub said said the ministry was "worried" and called for a "political solution that would satisfy the aspirations of the Syrian people." Iraq's foreign ministry also called on an Arab League summit to be held on Sunday in Saudi Arabia to "adopt a clear position concerning this dangerous development."

The Iraqi government declared victory over the Daesh group in December after pushing Takfir terrorists out of their final holdouts along the border with Syria. But the group retains the capacity to strike despite losing control of vast swathes of Iraqi territory it seized in 2014 and still clings to pockets of desert in war-torn Syria.

Syria came under attack one week after a suspected chemical weapons attack hit the Syrian town of Douma near Damascus. Western countries blamed the incident on the Syrian government, but Damascus rejected the accusations as chemical fabrications made by the terrorists themselves in a bid to halt pro-government forces advances.

Syria's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Saturday's strikes as a "brutal, barbaric aggression," saying they would only ignite "tensions in the world and pose threat to the international peace and security as a whole."
OPEC's oil production fell yet again last month, helping to further tighten the oil market. The group's collective output fell by a whopping 201,400 barrels per day in March, compared to a month earlier. It was the largest single-month decline since November and it took OPEC's combined production down to 31.958 million barrels per day (mb/d), which is the lowest level in a year.

As Business Insider writes in an article "Soaring oil demand is tightening the market", to be expected, Venezuela lost a significant chunk of output, falling by 55,300 bpd, taking production down to 1.488 mb/d, according to OPEC's latest Oil Market Report. But the ongoing production losses in Venezuela are not really surprising. The surprise was that output fell by rather large volumes elsewhere, including Algeria (-49,500 bpd), Angola (-81,700 bpd), Iraq (-13,100 bpd), Libya (-37,200 bpd) and Saudi Arabia (-46,900 bpd).

Some of those countries have seen production fluctuate, perhaps due to maintenance, and it isn't obvious that the losses are set to stick around for a while. But Venezuela is producing almost 500,000 bpd below its target as part of the OPEC agreement, which means the combined OPEC compliance rate is way above 100 percent.

As Bloomberg notes, the ongoing losses of Venezuelan output and the danger to Iran's oil production from U.S. sanctions could result in twice as much supply taken off of the market than OPEC intended. It should also be noted that the U.S. is reportedly considering sanctions on Venezuela, which could make the losses there even worse.

Oil demand looks strong at 1.65 mb/d, an upward revision of 30,000 bpd from last month's report. Soaring demand is tightening the oil market faster than many expected at this point, and demand is a crucial variable that has heavily influenced oil prices in the past few years, perhaps more so than some people think.

All of this means that the oil market is tightening significantly. OPEC estimates that the commercial oil inventory surplus in OECD countries has fallen to just 43 million barrels above the five-year average, down from over 300 million barrels a year ago. In other words, almost 90 percent of the inventory glut has disappeared.

Those numbers have been thrown around for a while, and to be sure, there are some problems with them. The importance of the five-year average has been watered down over time because the metric increasingly encompasses surplus years. It amounts to a moving of the goal posts. A more poignant figure comes from OPEC's latest report. Bloomberg notes according to OPEC data, oil inventories could decline at a rate of 1.3 mb/d in the second half of 2018, which would dramatically tighten the market this year. It is also a much more bullish figure than analysts thought a few months ago when U.S. shale output really kicked into high gear.

Still, all signals suggest OPEC will try to keep the cuts in place through the end of this year. Saudi Arabia is reportedly targeting an $80 oil price, so for now, the group is not worried about over-tightening the market. To be sure, however, there is a tension for OPEC as it drains inventories and pushes up oil prices. The risk is that U.S. shale will grow at a faster rate than expected. In fact, output in the Permian is skyrocketing right now because OPEC pushed oil prices above the breakeven threshold for most of the industry.
Soon Interior Ministers of the EU member states will meet to discuss, among other topics, illegal migration, including illegal migration from Georgia. They will discuss the report of the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), according to which the number of Georgian citizens asking French authorities for asylum increased by 60% in 2017 compared to 2016, amounting to 1,542 people.

Earlier, Germany reported that the number of Georgian asylum seekers has doubled, and head of the Interior Ministry Thomas de Maiziere warned that if Tbilisi doesn't take urgent measures, Berlin will ask other EU members to suspend visa-free regime with Georgia. The agreement on visa-free regime came into force a year ago, and it contains a clause on possible of suspension at the request of at least one state if Georgia doesn't fulfill its obligations.

The OFPRA report cited several arguements Georgian asylum seekers include in their applications: ethnic conflicts, sexual harassment, family violence, fear of persecution, inability of obtaining qualified medical assistance, persecution by tax authorities.

Even if the majority of these claims are fake and serve as a pretext for those who would like to live and work in Europe, France is obliged to use legal mechanism and review each case separately, and that requires significant expenditures.

Tbilisi persuaded Germany to declare Georgia a "safe country" where there are no politically motivated illegal repressions. It made things easier, but it doesn't negate legal procedures. Over the past year, Berlin has rejected all applications for asylum from Georgian citizens without any exceptions, but endless legal procedures with participation of local lawyers create problems. Situation in France is pretty similar.

Now both countries are making it clear to Tbilisi that declaring Georgia a "safe country" is not enough and it's necessary to take drastic measures to stop the flow of those who are trying to abuse visa-free regime to stay in Europe and, at best, find a work, and at worst to join Georgian criminal groups in France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

It's been a year since visa-free regime was introduced, and around 15,000 Georgians didn't return home in three months, as agreement with the EU requires.

What measures does Giorgi Kvirikashvili's government use to "calm down" European states? Firstly, Georgia obliges to pay to return those who are expelled from Europe. Secondly, those people will be fined. Thirdly, the government initiated criminal prosecution of intermediaries, who help people to get to Europe, knowing that they aren't going to return.

There's also a pretty extravagant measure that was taken in response to exotic practice of changing name after expulsion from the EU. Some of those who were deported from Europe change their surnames and once again try to break into European countries. Now it will be almost impossible to change your name. It's not clear whether this will affect people who just want to change their maiden name. Some women try to get into the EU under maiden name, and if they fail, they try to get there second time - under married name. Is it possible to ban such important social institution as free choice of names for children after marriage, which would affect interests of hundreds of thousands of women who don't try to get into Europe?

There's another shameful practice, when Georgian men who have traditional sexual orientation go to Netherlands, declaring themselves victims of homophobia in order to obtain residence permit. What measures and expertises can be used in such cases?

Ex-head of the State Chancellery of Georgia Petre Mamradze said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that all measures taken by Georgian authorities recently won't bear any results: "People don't live in Georgia, they just exist - without work and without prospects. People want to stay in Europe, find a job. No sanctions will scare them or make them stop such attempts."

There's chance that restoration of visa regime for Georgia will be avoided, since European elites likely won't admit that the Eastern Partnership strategy has failed, at when it comes to Georgia, since visa-free regime was presented as a huge success of the program, which took a lot of money from European taxpayers.
Known for his love of Istanbul and many paintings of the city's panoramas, painter Ivan Aivazovsky's paintings are on exhibit in St. Petersburg accompanied by pianist Anjelika Akbar's composition. As Daily Sabah writes in an article "Russia and Turkey meet in Aivazovsky's paintings", the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in St. Petersburg in Russia is displaying artist Ivan Aivazovsky's (1817-1900) 500 paintings at St. Petersburg Russian Museum with augmented reality. The opening ceremony of the exhibition titled "Aivazovsky's Istanbul" was held yesterday. Anjelika Akbar performed her "Aivazovsky Rhapsody" in accompany with violinist Danila Popov and percussion performer Berkant Cakc in the ceremony.

YEE, which contributes to the ties of friendship and cultural bonds between Turkey and other countries, holding various events and programs to introduce Turkish culture and art in many countries in the world, brought together an important exhibition and art lovers in St. Petersburg in this context. The exhibition opened as part of the "Aivazovsky's Istanbul" project, which was organized within the framework of the 120th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Russian Museum's opening and 200th anniversary of Aivazovksy's birthday, is supported by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, St. Petersburg Historical and Cultural Foundation, Turkish Airlines (THY) and Turk Telekom. Nearly 500 Aivazovsky paintings are reflected on canvases that are 5 meters in height and 75 meters in width, with animation effects and 360-degree presentation for 50 minutes at the exhibition, the general art director of which is Murat Ones. With the augmented reality technique, participants feel like they visit Istanbul at the presentation where sound, light and animation effects are used.

Aivazovsky's love for Istanbul

The unique Istanbul paintings of world famous Russian artist Aivazovsky are a memory of the history in the city as they reflect the people of the period and views of the city. Aivazovsky became one of the most-loved artists for Turks with these aspects. He created many paintings, frequently visiting Istanbul in the periods of Sultan Abdulmecid and Sultan Abdulaziz. The artist, who had long journeys to Istanbul, witnessed the lives of three Ottoman sultans. Repeating Istanbul is the most beautiful city in the world in his memories, Aivazovsky, who has more than 6,000 paintings, was hosted by the three Ottoman sultans in the palace.

Akbar interprets paintings into musical language

Born in Kazakhstan in the period of the Soviet Union and educated in Russia, composer and pianist Akbar composed "Aivazovsky Rhapsody," interpreting the artist's paintings into the musical language. Akbar, who is also the project manager of "Aivazovsky's Istanbul," has been inspired by Ottoman and Tatar music, Caucasian and Armenian tunes and Russian music in her rhapsody, where she also used her own authentic tunes. For "Aivazovsky's Istanbul," the works of which have been continued for four years, the right of use for the 500 paintings, which have been collected from the world, especially from collectors and Russian museums, was received. The project was also supported by various parties in the arts and science worlds. The exhibition has previously met art lovers in the Crimea Feodosia Museum, Armenia, the U.S. and Turkey.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has pointed to the need to make sure there is no animosity between people in Western countries and Russia amid growing tensions in the world.

"We should not designate Russia in general, the country and its people, as an enemy," he said in an interview with the Bild am Sonntagnewspaper published on Sunday, TASS reported.

Steinmeir noted that the Salisbury incident gave rise to concern. "On the other hand, we should be equally concerned about the rapidly growing alienation between Russia and the West, with the consequences going far beyond the scope of that incident," he stressed.

"Countering this dangerous alienation - thats the challenge and objective of responsible politicians," the German president stated. In his view, Europe should not reject criticism of Russias actions. "However, we should not give up attempts to do so through direct dialogue," Steinmeier added.
A senior PKK terrorist was killed during airstrikes carried out by the Turkish military in northern Iraq on March 21, according to the army on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said the airstrikes in Hakurk-Kani Rash region had killed the terrorist, Birdal Burhanli codenamed Agiri Mazlum Pirdogan, who was listed in the wanted red list.

The statement added Pirdogan was in the red category of the Turkish Interior Ministrys list of wanted terrorists; the list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and grey.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia listens as Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Ja'afari speaks after a vote on a resolution during a Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018 at United Nations headquarters. [Photo: AP]

The U.S.-led allied attacks on alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria sparked an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Saturday and a failed vote on a resolution condemning the raids.

FAILED VOTE

The rare Saturday session was convened at Russian request only about 14 hours after the U.S., British and French bombardment began.

The allies attacked Syria following reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma near the capital city of Damascus on April 7, despite the arrival of a Fact-Finding Mission in Damascus on Saturday.

On the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern and called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law on the issue.

"It is my duty to remind member states that there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general," he said. "The UN Charter is very clear on these issues."

He urged all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people.

The draft resolution to condemn the military strikes failed to gain the necessary nine votes, plus no veto by any of the five permanent members including Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.

Three of the 15 council members -- Russia, Bolivia and China -- voted in favor. Four countries -- Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Peru -- abstained. The remaining eight members voted against it.

The draft resolution contained only five paragraphs condemning "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

It further demanded that the United States and its allies immediately end the military action against Syria and refrain from any further use of force in the future.

DEBATE OF ENVOYS

"Today is a sad day for the world, for the United Nations, and for its Charter, which was blatantly violated," said Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia after the vote, reiterating Moscow's demand that there be no further military action against Syria.

Clashes already began before the vote.

"This is how you want international affairs to be conducted now?" he asked, describing the attacks as "hooliganism in the international arena" and said U.S. actions lead to deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Ambassador Nikki Haley of the United States countered, "We did not give diplomacy just one chance."

"I spoke to the President (Donald Trump) this morning," she said. "He said if the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded."

British Ambassador Karen Pierce said the joint military action against Syria was carried out on the legal basis of humanitarian intervention.

Bashar Ja'afari, the Damascus envoy, said the only purpose of the three-hour Security Council session was "to condemn the trilateral aggression -- the American, French and British aggression -- against my country and call for the immediate cessation of this military aggression."

"Any other deviation and shifting from this main purpose is aimed at killing and undermining this main purpose," he told reporters outside the Council chambers after the failed condemnation resolution.

Earlier in his speech before the council, he said that a research center was damaged, and three persons were wounded near Homs.

He told the council: "The air defense systems of my country countered with a great deal of bravery on the attack on my country, 100 (allied) missiles were destroyed. They did not reach their targets."

The U.S. Department of Defense on Saturday has confirmed that every allied missile has hit their intended targets.

"The Syrian Arab Republic firmly condemns this tripartite attack which once again shows indisputably that they (the allies) pay no attention to international law even though they say they do repeatedly," Ja'afari said.

Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra of Peru, this month's president of the council, said the Russian draft resolution did not adequately reflect the need to guarantee accountability for chemical weapons use in Syria and that it did not help restore unity of the Security Council.

Ambassador Tekeda Alemu of Ethiopia, whose country also abstained, said the Russian draft carried no substantial significance as it would have been vetoed anyway.

Sweden's Ambassador Olof Skoog said his country voted against the draft because its language is "imbalanced, not comprehensive, did not cover the entirety of our concerns related to the current situation." He reiterated his country's full support for the UN-led political process in Syria.




HCM CITY  Developing creative business models that help generate profit and at the same time help improve the life of the community and well address social issues is the new way of doing business in Viet Nam, the Impact Enterprise Summit heard in HCM City last Saturday.

Impact enterprises are defined as financially self-sustainable and scalable ventures that actively manage to produce significant net positive changes in well-being across underserved individuals, their communities, and the broader environment.

Hui Woon Tan, founder of Alley 51 Ventures and The Purpose Group, said social impact-driven businesses are not merely built for the selfish capitalist man.

But the man who understands true sustainability and the value of a business must also take into account the real world where we are reliant and dependant on each other to survive.

If your business truly solves human problems, someone will automatically pay for it. Because that is the nature of our economic system. Small problems create small businesses. Large problems create a larger economic scale.

Ly Truong Chien, chairman of Tri Tri Group, said about one fourth of the population of Viet Nam is in need of support, which can be in education, healthcare, employment or others.

If more impact enterprises with innovative and sustainable business initiatives are established the number of people needing support would reduce, he said.

Shuyin Tang, partner at Patamar Capital, said: The current investor narrative around Vietnam often highlights a fast-growing GDP, a young, high-density population, high smartphone penetration, and a deepening talent pool.

However, around 30 per cent of Vietnamese adults are unbanked, representing a huge financial inclusion opportunity. Significant segments of the population lack access to affordable, high-quality education and healthcare services. Theres a huge opportunity to tap into these underserved markets, which in our view will yield attractive financial as well as social returns.

In Viet Nam, there are some successful social impact enterprises which provide life-changing opportunities for blind people, people with hearing impairments, street children, help solve social issues such as environmental and food safety concerns, distribute public services (bus and train online tickets), and follow other models to give back to the community.

At the summit, sustainable businesses that have made positive social impacts in many spheres such as education, agriculture, technology, and micro-finance shared with more than 300 young participants their stories, including the advantages and challenges they have had.

Replying to a question about how young entrepreneurs with limited experience and funding can create the impact they desire, Huis advice for young people was to find the hard problem you want to solve first. Find something that is intimate to you if thats possible. Immerse thoroughly into it with passion. Get down and dirty, talk to the real people you are impacting. Immerse in their stories. And then think out of the box, apply creativity.

Your biggest asset is that you have naivety and wont be bogged down by what others tell you wont work. You will need all this as you develop your solutions that are truly impactful.

After that, build your business like any other good old traditional revenue-generating business. Get your boring fundamentals like basic accounting, treating talent properly, organisation, operations and all that right.

The summit was organised by Seed Planter, the first entrepreneurship institute for impact entrepreneurs in Viet Nam, and the Centre for Social Initiatives Promotion.  VNS
HA NOI  Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Ali Ardeshir Larijani has arrived in Viet Nam for an official visit at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Dr. Larijani graduated in mathematics and computer science in 1980 and later received a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Western Philosophy from the University of Tehran. He has contributed an active and effective role in the Iranian Islamic Revolution and assumed many key responsibilities after the revolutions victory.

After the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, he was appointed many key positions at the state agencies. Between 1984 and 1993, he provided vital support to the eight-year divine defence between Iraq and Iran.

Dr. Larijani plays a key role in advancing the political process of the Iran nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. He will be in the country until April 18.

Viet Nam and Iran set up diplomatic ties on August 4, 1973. Since then, the two countries have continuously enhanced bilateral co-operation in all fields and supported each other at global multilateral forums.  VNS
LAO CAI  The Muong Khuong District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, was hit by hailstones and whirlwinds early Saturday morning, but damage was minimal.

Pham Xuan Thinh, deputy head of the agriculture division of Muong Khuong, said the slight hail, a result of a cold snap moving from the north, occurred in early morning from midnight to 5am in almost all communes of the district, lasting from five to 15 minutes.

However, he said, the hail did not cause considerable human or property damage.

Residents in Nam Chay Commune said the hail, along with strong winds, lasted for 15 minutes, blanketing the ground with hailstones 1  1.5cm in diameter.

This was the second hail recorded in Lao Cai province since the beginning of 2018. It ended the hot weather and pushed temperatures down to 17  20 degrees Celsius, according to Director of the Lao Cai hydro-meteorological station Luu Minh Hai.  VNS
by Bay Nui

Pham Thi Kim Sang lives as a nun in her home in Chau oc City in the southern province of An Giang.

Her small house, located deep inside a narrow lane, may not be properly furnished but has always been filled with the laughter of the children whom Sang has adopted in the past 15 years.

Reciting prayers to raise funds

Sang says she left home at 16 to prepare herself to become a nun in a pagoda. When her parents found out, they did not approve and tried to force her to return home to lead a secular life.

But she was determined to become a nun. Five years later, she decided to travel by herself to the Central Highlands province of Lam ong to go to a pagoda despite her familys objections.

When her mother passed away in 2003, Sang returned home for her funeral. Since then, whenever she attended a funeral and came across an orphan, she would adopt the child.

In the past 15 years, she has adopted nine orphans, one of whom recently returned to his family. Among the remaining children, three have been diagnosed with mental illness. One girl has a brain disease, which requires her to be frequently hospitalised. Two children attend local primary and secondary schools, while two others cannot go to school due to the absence of official documents.

The case of four-year-old Phan Thi Ngoc Diem is the most painful to Sang.

She found Diem in early 2013 placed at her doorstep. the girl baby was barely seven months old and was in a critical condition.

She immediately informed the police and took the child to the hospital for treatment. Since then, Sang has cared for Diem and brought her up.

According to doctors, Diems brain disease will hamper normal growth, and she will need to be hospitalised whenever the disease becomes severe.

I dont know her parents. My heart breaks every time I see her in pain. I recite Buddhist scriptures to people to collect money for her treatment. Medical insurance and public budget have somewhat alleviated the financial burden, Sang says.

Four of her children used to attend schools, but had to quit after a couple of years due to their mental illness.

Besides Diems treatment, Sang also raises money by reciting Buddhist scriptures at funerals to feed and educate her children. Sometimes, she visits Ngoc Chau Monastery to ask for rice.

This childs mother passed away and her father deserted her, Sang says while patting five-year-old Nguyen Thi Cam Tu. She was living with her grandmother in Phu Quoc Island, who handed her over to me as she could not raise her up.

She has almost reached a school-going age, but I am worried as I do not have the legal paper necessary for her schooling, Sang adds.
Ma Chau silk craft, mulberry farming and silkworm breeding have roots some five centuries ago in Duy Xuyen District in the central province of Quang Nam. The silk trade was among central Viet Nams most prosperous industries in the 15th century, as it was among commodities exchanged with merchant European at the busy Hoi An Port . But the trade faded by the late 1990s. Recently, however, the last local silk makers have revived the traditional craft while introducing modern techniques and marketing methods. Bui Hoai Nam reports

Tran Huu Phuong, 48 and his daughter, Tran Thi Yen, 25, and five craftswomen in Nam Phuoc Town are on a mission to revive the Ma Chau silk brand. Starting with little more than a lingering hope in 2010, they have restarted hand-made silk production and begun marketing their products internationally.

The Ma Chau silk co-operative, which emerged in 1978 not long after the countrys reunification, once boasted more than 300 members working day and night for domestic sale and for export.

As market reforms were introduced through the 1990s, the trade could not compete against cheap machine-made textiles and garments. Raw Ma Chau silk fell into bankruptcy. Most craftsmen left the trade to seek better jobs.

Our trade was on the edge of death. Silk fabric, which was used as material for fashion, was seen as not suitable for modern fashions among the young generation. Workers then left the co-operative. Only five middle-aged craftswomen still remained in the trade, earning their living from odd pennies, Phuong recalled.

I was at a cross-roads. I had a long talk one night with my daughter about the idea of reviving the trade, he said.

The father and daughter then designed marketable samples for finished products rather than selling raw silk to other craft villages nationwide or to traders.

It was really a risky decision. We and the five craftswomen shared funds to set up a joint-stock company to replace the old co-operative, he said.

Phuongs daughter, Tran Thi Yen, said she shared her fathers worries in restarting the old trade from deadlock.

I joined the risky adventure with my father when I left a job at a bank to follow the craft from the beginning, Yen said.

Poor marketing and diversity of silk products available at the market as well as a lack of trade promotion had kept our business down. I boosted online marketing and advertising to attract customers. More products and new designs came out with the changes of technology from manual looms into more productive machines, she recalled.

Simple: 100 per cent silk with natural dyes on display at Ma Chau silk company in Duy Xuyen District of Quang Nam Province.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Unique dyes

Yen said samples of ties, scarves, long dresses and hand bags were designed and mass produced from 100 per cent silk. Natural dyes, diversified pattern designs and a range of sizes were added.

She said in the debut of new designs of Ma Chau silk in Hoi An, a metre of pure silk with natural dyes was sold at VN480,000 (US$21), while a mixture of silk and cotton cloth was priced at VN115,000 ($5).

Yen said the price was double that of synthetic industrial-made silk categories.

Natural dyes, with recipes passed down from the older generations, used extracts of green coconut shell, fermented almond leaves, green tea bud, melaleuca wood, purple cabbage, styphnolobium japonicum (yellow colour), material of medicinal herbs and different roots, barks and fruits available locally.

Phuong said he collected 20 colours from natural dyes from 15 families to create unique colours for Ma Chau silk among dozens of traditional silk villages in Viet Nam.

He said that in previous centuries, each family involved in Ma Chau silk production was in charge of their own colour creation. However, the old recipe of natural dye had been disappearing with the decline of the old trade.

Revival: A craftswoman works on a silk yarn spinning machine at Ma Chau silk company.  VNS Photo Cong Thanh

The owner of the Ma Chau silk company said the unique colours and persistent hand-made silk fabric were the products most precious asset, adding that stylish consumers can recognise the difference between natural hand-made silk and synthetic silk.

He said hand-made silk production costs, including labour, silk yarn and mulberry farming, account for 50 per cent of the total cost.

The workshop with five workers-cum-shareholders in Duy Xuyen could produce 1,500m of silk each month with an annual revenue of VN20 billion ($884,000).

Craftswoman Tran Thi Moi, 60, said she had earned a living from the silk trade for 40 years, and she did not want to change the job.

The Ma Chau silk trade is seen as a family treasure. We began our lives with it from the time we were young to overcome the most difficult time. The trade still earns quite a good income for us, Moi said.

We need a stable market for silk to continue the craft as well as the pride of our ancestors over the past five centuries.

Precious creature: Life cycle of silkworm.  Photo courtesy of Ma Chau Silk

The silk trade also creates good income for those who grow mulberry trees (whose leaves are used as feed for silk worms).

Hoang Thi Phuong Lien, owner of LiA fashion brand, said she had used Ma Chau silk for her fashion collections since 2016.

We have used 10,000 metres of middle-grade Ma Chau silksatin and silk with a simple patternfrom Phuongs workshop, Lien said.

By using Ma Chau silk, our fashion brand has helped Phuong and his daughter realize their dream of a breakthrough to the fashion industry and getting the silk trade closer to consumers, she said.

Lien said she hoped Ma Chau silk would be more widely developed in the near future as lovers of Vietnamese culture embrace the unique traditional silk trade.

Ho Viet Ly, director of the HCM City-based Toan Thinh Silk Company, said he was well aware of the beauty of the Quang Nam-based silk.

"Ma Chau silk in Quang Nam has been renowned for centuries. The yellow cocoon is a feature that makes silk from Quang Nam stand out from Van Phuc Village in Ha Noi and Bao Loc in Lam ong," Ly said.

"However, Quang Nam-made silk needs a special design that promotes the image of Hoi An ancient town  the heart of Quang Nam Province and the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site.
by Nguyen Khanh Chi

A recent lunch date with my old friends from university turned into a stirring round-table discussion when one friend proposed that we all make a plan to travel together.

As we envisioned a change of pace, time together and the chance to explore, everyone seemed excitedbut one woman looked a bit concerned.

Does that mean we leave our kids and husband at home? she asked in a low voice.

Yes! Yep! Why not? the others jumped in.

Vietnamese traditional family values dating back to the feudal period stipulate that housework is womens responsibility. This view is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it leads to celebrations of Vietnamese womens dedication and hard work for their families. On the other, it punishes Vietnamese women who dare to assert some purpose or passion in life outside of their home.

The persistence of this view makes it hard for many women to think of leaving their children and husband hundreds or thousands of kilometres away while they jet off for some fun in the sun.

But increasingly, more women are choosing to put themselves first and take a break without their families. Economic development has made Vietnamese women much more independent than in the past. Now they are winning for themselves a more balanced role in society at large as well as within the family as they ask men to share household responsibilities. They are taking defiant stances to prove their worth.

And travelling without family responsibilities has become an ideal choice for many Vietnamese women to revitalise themselves.

Ngo Thanh An, a Hanoian, said she had travelled at home and abroad many times with female friends and colleagues, once or twice a year. Shes visited Japan , Maldives apart from some local destinations like Sapa, a Nang and Nha Trang on such only-women-holidays.

The 40-year-old mother of two children under 8 years old said it was essential to make careful plans for the household chores and ensure all family members were comfortable with her absence.

I usually inform my husband and the kids of my travel plans and help them understand why I want to travel some weeks ahead of time. I give them details about the trip like where Im going, how long and with whom Ill travel, An said.

Family is always number one so setting a plan for trips with friends means making another plan for travel as a family during the year. The practice clearly defines my own responsibility and illustrates my affection for family members.

An said theres no right or wrong choice for women wondering whether to go on holidays without their husband and children. Women have the right to strive for happiness in their own way; some prefer travelling with their families and feel uneasy about being without them.

She sees many benefits to travel sans-family, particularly a chance to unwind from daily stresses.

Travelling with a group of close and like-minded friends or colleagues actually gives you best time away from work and family. You come home with completely good moods."

An said her husband was the person she wanted most to be supportive of her trips. But at first he wasnt enthusiastic and tried to talk her out of going.

Usually I arrange business plus holiday trips and try to manage house chores when away. After several trips, my husband is neither opposed nor supportive, but he accepts it as a part of our family life.

Growing trend

Deputy Director of Hanoitourist Le Hong Thai said that over the past two years, the travel service provider had seen an increase in groups of female travellers who share tastes and hobbies.

Women in the age group of 40 to 50 account for most of the group travellers as they now have a stable life and income and their children are all grown up, Thai said. They often travel in groups of four or five, either with colleagues or like-minded people.

Through social networks, Thai said, many formed groups sharing hobbies and interests and want to go on holiday in a way that suits them.

Many want to travel abroad for shopping, exploring and taking photos. Women feel they can enjoy that when travelling together.

Tran Thi Bao Thu, marketing and communications director of HCM City-based Fiditour said in the last two years travelling alone or on women-only group trips has become a trend, especially for single women.

Single women in the age group of 25-35 who are financially dependent wish to travel alone to explore new experiences and renew themselves, Thu said. They are free to choose destinations and take their time to learn about new cultures and make new acquaintances.

Women age 55 and above who are free from housework and childcare choose to travel with friends to relax after stressful years of working hard in their careers and homes.

Duong Thanh Nam , a father of an 11-year-old son, said he would agree to his wifes going on a holiday with her friends, provided that he is well aware of who she travels with and where shes going, and assuming her health is good.

Everything must be put on a scale to see she should or shouldnt travel without family. Obviously, were a wife away, her husband and children would have to shoulder all housework, he added. When he travels with his friends, he also takes into account how it will affect the family. But because his wife still shoulders more of the burden at home, her absence is likely to be felt more strongly.

Stay cool, stay equal

Asserting that women going on holiday with friends and colleagues is a new phenomenon, director of the Institute for Social Development Studies Khuat Thu Hong said, This proves that there has been change in the thinking of certain women, as women used to travel with family.

Of note, this shows that womens position has been uplifted and they are increasingly financially independent.

Travelling with family is often hard for women as they have to keep in mind what to eat, where to go, and so on. Travelling with friends doesnt mean they dont care for family, but that they will have time on their own and feel more equal and free, Hong said.

In her book Con nghi i, me khong biet (Child, figure it out yourself, I dont know), writer Thu Ha discusses her own life experiences to assert the importance of women charging their own battery to re-energise themselves for better parenthood.

I have always awarded myself at least one holiday or vacation from the parenting work since my kids were little as five years old, the mother of two girls wrote.

I must get away to a new place, meeting new people and speaking in a new language. I must be away from kids and household and spend time shopping, taking photos and gossiping with my girl friends.

The children need space to grow up independently and its good for them to be without their mother for extended periods of time. After each trip, we feel like we need each other so much, and the period of distance strengthens our bond.

The author is emphatic that she wanted her children to think that their mother was a well-travelled citizen of the world with her own passions and perspectives, rather than feeling that our mother had sacrified much of her life for us.

I myself believe that being apart from children, escaping the drudgery of domestic life and having time to ourselves makes women better mothers. So theres nothing wrong with wanting to take the alternative path and travel the world, though going away without your children isnt for everyone.

As for me and my group of college friends, we chose a Nang as the destination for our very first trip. My friend who whispered the question we were all thinking needs some time to talk it over with her family members. She has promised to make a decision soon. VNS
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15)  The Department of Tourism (DOT) has laid out the rules for the media coverage of Boracay, with the looming shutdown of the island.

The DOT released the guidelines to the media Saturday.

According to the DOT, they would accredit a maximum of 12 people per TV network, and maximum of five for print, news wire, and online platforms.

The accreditation procedure will be as follows:

Applicants should fill out the form and include company identification, a letter of request signed by the editor/department head, and a 1x1 photo. Foreign journalists must submit proof of their International Press Center accreditation;

An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to an applicant's registered email. The vetting and processing of requests will take up to three to five working days;

Upon approval, applicants will receive an email confirmation on how they can claim their media pass;

The DOT will provide security officers a list of DOT-accredited media;

The media ID should be presented upon entry to the island and must be worn at all times.

It added, the application period will start on Monday, April 16.

On April 4, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Boracay closed for six months starting April 26.

This decision came almost two months after he first floated the idea of a shutdown and called the island a "cesspool."

Guidelines were likewise imposed on Boracay residents.

Interior Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing has said only residents, workers, and resort workers will be allowed on the island.

To enter, they must present identifications cards with a specific address in any of the three barangays in Boracay.

The other guidelines are as follows:

Identified tourists will not be allowed into the island and will be stopped at the Jetty Port;

Generally, swimming shall not be allowed. However, residents may be allowed to swim only on Angol Beach in Station 3 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

No visitors of Boracay residents shall be allowed entry, except under emergency situations with the clearance of the security committee composed of representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and local government;

Media will be allowed entry subject to prior approval from the DOT with a definite duration and limited movement;

No floating structures shall be allowed up to 15 kilometers from the shoreline;

Foreign residents will have to be revalidated courtesy of the Bureau of Immigration;

There shall only be one entry and one exit point.

READ: Boracay Timeline

CNN Philippines' Makoi Popioco contributed to this report.
McCracken Sheriff's Department Warns of Scam

Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Apr. 13, 2018 | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 13, 2018 | 10:59 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department is warning of a scam in the local area.



On Friday, deputies received a call from a resident of McCracken County stating she was scammed through a loan company on the internet. The victim said she was told to open an account in order for money to be sent to her. The money was deposited and then a stop payment was put on those funds. She was then told it is was a state tax issue and they could give her money using a different method.



She was instructed to go to a local store and load money on a prepaid card. Next, she was told to give the numbers off the card and to take a picture of it as verification that she actually had it.



The victim was then contacted by a man identifying himself as a deputy with the McCracken County Sheriffs Office. The person gave her a false case number, and said there was a warrant for her arrest, and that she needed to turn herself in. When the scammer called identifying himself as a deputy, the number did come up on her caller ID as the McCracken County Sheriffs Office.



The public is reminded that they can always call the office at 270-444-4719 to verify the identity of someone claiming to be a McCracken County Deputy Sheriff. If anyone receives a similar call, they should notify their local law enforcement immediately.


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  Passengers who disrupt train operations may face civil and criminal charges, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Secretary Arthur Tugade made this announcement after a reported unloading incident at the MRT.

"From now on lahat ng mahuhuling sumasandal o nagpipilit magbukas ng pinto ng tren kahit sarado na, kasuhan!" Tugade said during the Philippine Economic Briefing in Clark City, Pampanga Friday.

[Translation: From now on, any one who is caught leaning or forcibly opening the doors of the train even when it's closed, file a case against them!]

Speaking to CNN Philippines on Monday, DOTr Project Development officer Aly Nervaez issued a similar warning. She said that passengers who lean on doors or forcibly open them may face a civil case for damaging property and a criminal case for malicious mischief based on the deliberate intention of the passenger.

The department officer clarified that the filing of charges will require prior investigation based on reports from the MRT station heads.

"We are not saying that all the passengers who were reported to have leaned on the door or forced it open will be filed charges against. We will conduct a proper investigation and from that we will make a recommendation if there is a need to file charges against that passenger," Nervaez clarified.

The DOTr will be reviewing the current processes for reporting incidents such as passengers reporting suspicious persons and violators, which will then be coursed through the station heads.

Furthermore, the department is mulling over additional closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) for improved monitoring of the incidents.

Passenger negligence

As he addressed a crowd of business groups and investors in Pampanga on Friday, Tugade talked about a passenger forcibly opening the doors of a southbound MRT train that morning.

"For the last 11 days, there was no unloading, it was smooth. Today we have the first unloading. Do you know the cause? There was someone who put pressure on the door. Pinilit na pumasok habang sarado na [He forced it open when it was already closed]," he said.

The gesture led to a "door failure" and the unloading of 1,000 passengers at the Santolan-Annapolis station, the first unloading incident since April 2.

Tugade said the incident was caused by a passenger's negligence and should not be attributed to a failure of on the part of the MRT, as authorities undertook a series of restorations during the Holy Week break.

"It's not about the parts, it's about the passenger. My instruction, identify this person," he said.

Nervaez said they have yet to identify the passenger who allegedly forced the train door open in the recent unloading incident.
By The Associated Press Apr. 13, 2018 | 10:29 PM | FRANKFORT, KY

Kentucky's Republican governor says he guarantees a child was sexually abused because they were left home alone after teachers forced the closure of more than 30 school districts to come to have a rally at the state Capitol.

Bevin's comments came shortly after Republican lawmakers voted to override his vetoes of a two-year operating budget that included increased spending for public education with the help of an accompanying $480 million tax increase. Thousands of teachers gathered at the Capitol to ask lawmakers to override the vetoes. More than 30 school districts said they were forced to close because they didn't have enough teachers.

Bevin told reporters outside the Capitol on Friday night it was "offensive" that so many districts were closed. A spokesman for the Kentucky Education Association declined to comment.
past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 (6) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (7) May 19 (9) May 18 (4) May 17 (6) May 16 (5) May 15 (7) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (9) May 10 (3) May 09 (7) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (5) May 05 (8) May 03 (9) May 02 (1) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (8) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (7) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (6) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (10) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (5) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (7) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (8) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (12) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (8) Feb 28 (7) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (6) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (6) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (1) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (6) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (2) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (8) Jan 30 (2) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (1) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (4) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (2) Jan 20 (2) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (1) Dec 31 (5) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (2) Dec 17 (1) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (2) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (2) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (1) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (5) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (10) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (2) Nov 18 (5) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (5) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (9) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (6) Oct 22 (4) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (1) Oct 06 (10) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (1) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (6) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (5) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (8) Sep 05 (6) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (5) Aug 31 (8) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (6) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (1) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (7) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (8) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (8) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (8) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (2) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (10) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (2) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (1) Jul 16 (10) Jul 14 (7) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (7) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (7) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (5) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 18 (2) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (8) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (10) Jun 05 (14) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (6) Jun 02 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (7) May 30 (2) May 29 (7) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (4) May 25 (5) May 24 (4) May 23 (5) May 22 (5) May 21 (5) May 20 (3) May 19 (10) May 18 (6) May 17 (3) May 16 (6) May 15 (2) May 14 (3) May 13 (5) May 11 (1) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (4) May 07 (2) May 06 (4) May 05 (6) May 04 (5) May 03 (5) May 02 (1) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (7) Apr 28 (8) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (14) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (1) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (1) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (1) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (9) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (9) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (3) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (13) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (6) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (9) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (9) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (2) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (5) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (12) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (7) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (1) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (10) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (12) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (6) Dec 08 (7) Dec 07 (12) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (13) Dec 04 (6) Dec 02 (8) Dec 01 (8) Nov 30 (6) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (8) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (11) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (7) Nov 17 (6) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (14) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (11) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (10) Nov 01 (8) Oct 31 (12) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (13) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (8) Oct 22 (5) Oct 21 (11) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (10) Oct 12 (11) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (10) Oct 09 (7) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (14) Oct 04 (9) Oct 03 (12) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (9) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (10) Sep 21 (12) Sep 20 (12) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (11) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (8) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (10) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (9) Sep 07 (8) Sep 06 (11) Sep 05 (2) Sep 04 (8) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (9) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (2) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (6) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (6) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (7) Aug 06 (7) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (11) Aug 02 (6) Aug 01 (9) Jul 31 (11) Jul 28 (7) Jul 27 (11) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (2) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (7) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (5) Jul 06 (6) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (3) Jun 30 (8) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (1) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (7) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (7) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (7) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (9) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (8) May 30 (7) May 29 (5) May 28 (5) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (3) May 23 (5) May 22 (2) May 21 (3) May 20 (7) May 19 (11) May 18 (1) May 17 (7) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (4) May 11 (11) May 10 (2) May 09 (6) May 08 (6) May 07 (2) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (5) May 03 (8) May 02 (4) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (13) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (9) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (2) Apr 19 (2) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (9) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (6) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (8) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (6) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (6) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (9) Feb 24 (11) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (7) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (6) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (2) Feb 12 (5) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (10) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (2) Feb 05 (9) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (7) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (7) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (14) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (10) Jan 18 (11) Jan 17 (9) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (10) Jan 06 (8) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (5) Jan 01 (14) Dec 30 (13) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (5) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (7) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (5) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (9) Dec 16 (8) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (17) Dec 09 (8) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (10) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (9) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (15) Nov 24 (7) Nov 23 (15) Nov 22 (9) Nov 21 (6) Nov 20 (11) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (13) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (7) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (13) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (8) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (8) Nov 01 (6) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (15) Oct 26 (10) Oct 25 (10) Oct 24 (13) Oct 23 (9) Oct 21 (8) Oct 20 (13) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (8) Oct 16 (14) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (13) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (15) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (11) Oct 05 (18) Oct 04 (14) Oct 03 (1) Oct 02 (10) Sep 30 (11) Sep 29 (11) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (15) Sep 26 (7) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (17) Sep 20 (20) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (11) Sep 16 (10) Sep 15 (12) Sep 14 (9) Sep 13 (12) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (8) Sep 09 (9) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (13) Sep 06 (15) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (10) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (12) Aug 31 (14) Aug 30 (14) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (8) Aug 27 (9) Aug 26 (12) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (6) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (11) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (5) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (9) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (8) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (6) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (6) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (15) Jul 15 (14) Jul 14 (5) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (12) Jul 11 (8) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (10) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (10) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (2) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (7) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (11) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (14) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (8) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (11) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (16) Jun 03 (8) Jun 02 (12) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (7) May 30 (15) May 28 (7) May 27 (5) May 26 (21) May 25 (14) May 24 (10) May 23 (7) May 22 (8) May 21 (11) May 20 (5) May 19 (4) May 18 (10) May 17 (11) May 16 (5) May 15 (6) May 14 (7) May 13 (12) May 12 (10) May 11 (7) May 10 (13) May 09 (4) May 08 (7) May 07 (3) May 06 (6) May 05 (9) May 04 (14) May 03 (7) May 02 (10) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (8) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (14) Apr 22 (16) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (16) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (11) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (8) Apr 10 (12) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (13) Apr 07 (9) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (15) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (15) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (11) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (10) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (12) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (8) Mar 24 (7) Mar 23 (15) Mar 22 (17) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (8) Mar 19 (4) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (19) Mar 15 (13) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (20) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (13) Mar 08 (13) Mar 07 (7) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (16) Mar 02 (16) Mar 01 (13) Feb 29 (8) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (16) Feb 26 (10) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (12) Feb 23 (14) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (12) Feb 18 (12) Feb 17 (11) Feb 16 (8) Feb 15 (9) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (10) Feb 12 (11) Feb 11 (13) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (13) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (19) Jan 31 (21) Jan 29 (11) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (13) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (2) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (13) Jan 21 (11) Jan 20 (9) Jan 19 (13) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (11) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (13) Jan 13 (9) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (7) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (5) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (1) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (13) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (10) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (11) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (9) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (10) Dec 08 (13) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (8) Dec 04 (11) Dec 03 (12) Dec 02 (16) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (11) Nov 28 (15) Nov 27 (16) Nov 26 (11) Nov 25 (9) Nov 24 (13) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (1) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (10) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (10) Nov 13 (14) Nov 12 (8) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (12) Nov 05 (17) Nov 04 (12) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (12) Oct 31 (11) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (10) Oct 28 (18) Oct 27 (16) Oct 26 (11) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (12) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (12) Oct 20 (17) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (15) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (10) Oct 14 (16) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (12) Oct 09 (21) Oct 08 (22) Oct 07 (19) Oct 06 (18) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (17) Oct 03 (13) Oct 02 (14) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (14) Sep 29 (15) Sep 28 (12) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (15) Sep 25 (13) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (10) Sep 22 (12) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (12) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (16) Sep 16 (21) Sep 15 (14) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (10) Sep 11 (16) Sep 10 (7) Sep 09 (8) Sep 08 (10) Sep 07 (7) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (9) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (1) Aug 28 (10) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (14) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (13) Aug 20 (9) Aug 19 (13) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (8) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (12) Aug 11 (9) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (14) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (1) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (2) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (6) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (6) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (9) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (1) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (13) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (7) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (9) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (7) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (11) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (8) Jun 03 (9) Jun 02 (6) Jun 01 (4) May 30 (7) May 29 (9) May 28 (13) May 26 (8) May 25 (5) May 24 (2) May 23 (8) May 22 (9) May 21 (7) May 20 (4) May 19 (6) May 18 (7) May 17 (8) May 15 (9) May 14 (5) May 13 (8) May 12 (6) May 11 (6) May 09 (7) May 08 (6) May 07 (11) May 06 (7) May 05 (4) May 04 (11) May 03 (5) May 02 (4) May 01 (9) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (9) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (10) Apr 22 (8) Apr 21 (9) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (6) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (5) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (2) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (7) Apr 02 (7) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (6) Mar 20 (9) Mar 19 (9) Mar 18 (8) Mar 17 (9) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (11) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (12) Mar 11 (9) Mar 10 (12) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (5) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (11) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (8) Feb 27 (9) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (8) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (10) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (7) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (2) Feb 14 (8) Feb 13 (12) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (10) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (2) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (12) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (8) Jan 26 (13) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (12) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (10) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (11) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (8) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (9) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (10) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (10) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (9) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (10) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (1) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (9) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (7) Nov 25 (12) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (6) Nov 18 (10) Nov 17 (12) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (12) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (7) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (6) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (9) Nov 03 (6) Nov 02 (14) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (9) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (8) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (2) Oct 19 (11) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (7) Oct 15 (7) Oct 14 (8) Oct 13 (5) Oct 12 (8) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (5) Oct 09 (11) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (8) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (10) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (7) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (8) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (11) Sep 24 (15) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (10) Sep 17 (10) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (8) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (7) Sep 02 (7) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (1) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (9) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (12) Aug 19 (8) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (8) Aug 11 (7) Aug 10 (12) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (4) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (12) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (8) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (8) Jul 20 (6) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (8) Jul 17 (2) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (9) Jul 13 (10) Jul 11 (9) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (7) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (7) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (15) Jun 26 (10) Jun 25 (9) Jun 24 (16) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (12) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (13) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (14) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (16) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (18) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (8) May 31 (3) May 30 (6) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (6) May 23 (4) May 22 (8) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (2) May 18 (9) May 17 (1) May 16 (5) May 15 (5) May 14 (7) May 13 (7) May 12 (7) May 11 (4) May 10 (4) May 09 (5) May 08 (10) May 07 (4) May 06 (13) May 05 (4) May 04 (10) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (9) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (9) Apr 24 (7) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (10) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (7) Apr 14 (11) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (9) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (6) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (10) Apr 03 (9) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (8) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (8) Mar 22 (7) Mar 21 (14) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (11) Mar 17 (12) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (8) Mar 14 (13) Mar 13 (8) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (8) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (15) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (12) Mar 02 (20) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (11) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (14) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (8) Feb 16 (11) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (2) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (2) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (7) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (1) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 27 (1) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (8) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (1) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (7) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (9) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (2) Dec 01 (8) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (12) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (12) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (9) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (11) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (7) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (7) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (2) Oct 21 (7) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (7) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (20) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (21) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (34) Oct 04 (24) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (7) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (5) Sep 26 (6) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (2) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (9) Sep 19 (11) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (6) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (11) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (6) Sep 06 (10) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (5) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (8) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (7) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (2) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (7) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (4) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (6) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (7) Jul 23 (10) Jul 22 (8) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (7) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (10) Jul 16 (11) Jul 15 (5) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (12) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (8) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (12) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (23) Jun 27 (18) Jun 26 (12) Jun 25 (14) Jun 24 (15) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (15) Jun 20 (9) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (11) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (6) Jun 15 (6) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (9) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (2) May 25 (8) May 24 (7) May 23 (6) May 22 (9) May 21 (6) May 20 (5) May 19 (6) May 18 (9) May 17 (10) May 16 (11) May 15 (5) May 14 (11) May 13 (6) May 12 (7) May 11 (7) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (10) May 07 (8) May 06 (11) May 05 (5) May 04 (9) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (8) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (10) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (10) Apr 16 (8) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (11) Apr 11 (6) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (9) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (3) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (9) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (10) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (2) Mar 10 (1) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (9) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (1) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (7) Feb 11 (2) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (5) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (9) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (3) Feb 02 (10) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (8) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (1) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (1) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (2) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (8) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (8) Dec 10 (5) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (7) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (7) Dec 02 (1) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (16) Nov 27 (7) Nov 26 (5) Nov 25 (2) Nov 24 (6) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (15) Nov 19 (8) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (5) Nov 08 (8) Nov 07 (9) Nov 06 (9) Nov 05 (1) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (8) Nov 02 (6) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (8) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (1) Oct 22 (6) Oct 21 (1) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (10) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (15) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (7) Oct 10 (1) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (8) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (8) Sep 24 (8) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (9) Sep 20 (7) Sep 19 (8) Sep 18 (4) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (7) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (9) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (10) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (15) Sep 04 (5) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (7) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (11) Aug 27 (2) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (15) Aug 24 (6) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (7) Aug 19 (2) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (9) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (7) Aug 07 (9) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (11) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (5) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (6) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (8) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (14) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (8) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (14) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (12) Jun 15 (12) Jun 14 (10) Jun 13 (10) Jun 12 (9) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (12) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (12) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (3) May 25 (5) May 24 (9) May 23 (16) May 22 (12) May 21 (11) May 20 (7) May 19 (10) May 18 (8) May 17 (8) May 16 (10) May 15 (8) May 14 (5) May 13 (1) May 12 (6) May 11 (9) May 10 (9) May 09 (10) May 08 (9) May 07 (6) May 06 (5) May 05 (7) May 04 (10) May 03 (7) May 02 (9) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (12) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (9) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (10) Apr 14 (7) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (7) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (8) Apr 05 (8) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (11) Mar 30 (12) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (9) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (12) Mar 20 (14) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (8) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (12) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (8) Feb 29 (11) Feb 28 (5) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (13) Feb 25 (10) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (10) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (18) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (5) Feb 16 (9) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (8) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (10) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (12) Jan 30 (7) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (7) Jan 27 (12) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (11) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (12) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (11) Jan 16 (9) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (9) Jan 10 (10) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (10) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (10) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (7) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (9) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (8) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (1) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (6) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (13) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (7) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (7) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (9) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (7) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (8) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (10) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (10) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (8) Nov 17 (9) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (12) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (8) Nov 06 (10) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (7) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (11) Nov 01 (10) Oct 31 (5) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (8) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (5) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (11) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (7) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (9) Oct 14 (7) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (9) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (12) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (13) Oct 04 (11) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (14) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (12) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (7) Sep 25 (10) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (8) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (7) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (14) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (11) Sep 14 (13) Sep 13 (11) Sep 12 (9) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (13) Sep 08 (11) Sep 07 (11) Sep 06 (16) Sep 05 (1) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (8) Sep 01 (7) Aug 31 (1) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (5) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (7) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (12) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (13) Jul 28 (10) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (12) Jul 22 (14) Jul 21 (6) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (12) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (6) Jul 15 (8) Jul 14 (15) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (6) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (9) Jul 06 (15) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (10) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (11) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (11) Jun 24 (9) Jun 23 (10) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (8) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (15) Jun 17 (8) Jun 16 (13) Jun 15 (15) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (6) Jun 12 (15) Jun 11 (7) Jun 10 (7) Jun 09 (18) Jun 08 (20) Jun 07 (17) Jun 06 (9) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (12) Jun 03 (13) Jun 02 (14) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (13) May 30 (8) May 29 (6) May 28 (8) May 27 (17) May 26 (8) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (9) May 22 (4) May 21 (4) May 20 (11) May 19 (14) May 18 (6) May 17 (10) May 16 (4) May 15 (5) May 14 (28) May 12 (9) May 11 (17) May 10 (15) May 09 (12) May 08 (5) May 07 (4) May 06 (10) May 05 (8) May 04 (10) May 03 (5) May 02 (6) May 01 (8) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (12) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (10) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (13) Apr 19 (11) Apr 18 (11) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (11) Apr 14 (17) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (16) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (18) Apr 08 (14) Apr 07 (6) Apr 06 (10) Apr 05 (21) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (13) Apr 01 (8) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (11) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (10) Mar 23 (12) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (8) Mar 20 (4) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (9) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (14) Mar 11 (13) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (17) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (7) Mar 05 (13) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (14) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (18) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (2) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (13) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (13) Feb 22 (12) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (16) Feb 18 (17) Feb 17 (15) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (15) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (15) Feb 10 (11) Feb 09 (13) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (15) Feb 04 (15) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (14) Feb 01 (15) Jan 31 (11) Jan 30 (9) Jan 29 (19) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (9) Jan 26 (16) Jan 25 (19) Jan 24 (17) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (15) Jan 21 (9) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (12) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (14) Jan 12 (11) Jan 11 (13) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (20) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (14) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (14) Dec 30 (15) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (10) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (11) Dec 24 (9) Dec 23 (9) Dec 22 (15) Dec 21 (12) Dec 20 (11) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (12) Dec 15 (14) Dec 14 (11) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (17) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (12) Dec 07 (16) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (12) Dec 03 (15) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (12) Nov 30 (16) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (13) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (15) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (8) Nov 19 (9) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (9) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (10) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (7) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (14) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (13) Nov 01 (9) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (18) Oct 28 (13) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (12) Oct 25 (14) Oct 24 (20) Oct 22 (18) Oct 21 (18) Oct 20 (19) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (18) Oct 15 (8) Oct 14 (11) Oct 13 (9) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (27) Oct 08 (14) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (10) Oct 03 (6) Oct 02 (9) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (13) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (9) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (14) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (14) Sep 22 (20) Sep 21 (11) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (14) Sep 17 (8) Sep 16 (17) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (11) Sep 13 (9) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (14) Sep 09 (12) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (9) Sep 04 (20) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (16) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (13) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (11) Aug 25 (10) Aug 24 (14) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (13) Aug 21 (10) Aug 20 (13) Aug 19 (15) Aug 18 (8) Aug 17 (10) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (11) Aug 13 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (10) Aug 10 (17) Aug 09 (6) Aug 08 (13) Aug 07 (11) Aug 06 (13) Aug 05 (11) Aug 04 (11) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (10) Jul 30 (21) Jul 29 (14) Jul 28 (13) Jul 27 (16) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (15) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (15) Jul 21 (19) Jul 20 (17) Jul 19 (9) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (26) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (20) Jul 14 (16) Jul 13 (19) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (13) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (16) Jul 05 (9) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (15) Jul 02 (11) Jul 01 (14) Jun 30 (13) Jun 29 (19) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (9) Jun 26 (16) Jun 25 (22) Jun 24 (17) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (15) Jun 21 (14) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (17) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (10) Jun 16 (17) Jun 15 (13) Jun 14 (14) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (13) Jun 11 (15) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (10) Jun 08 (23) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (20) Jun 05 (10) Jun 04 (11) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (21) Jun 01 (14) May 31 (10) May 30 (14) May 29 (8) May 28 (23) May 27 (20) May 26 (16) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (10) May 22 (18) May 21 (14) May 20 (12) May 19 (18) May 18 (14) May 17 (13) May 16 (4) May 15 (7) May 14 (16) May 13 (13) May 12 (8) May 11 (18) May 10 (8) May 09 (7) May 08 (13) May 07 (11) May 06 (15) May 05 (18) May 04 (17) May 03 (7) May 02 (5) May 01 (11) Apr 30 (19) Apr 29 (21) Apr 28 (18) Apr 27 (16) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (20) Apr 22 (23) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (16) Apr 19 (13) Apr 18 (6) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (16) Apr 15 (18) Apr 14 (13) Apr 13 (14) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (14) Apr 08 (12) Apr 07 (18) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (11) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (16) Mar 31 (16) Mar 30 (22) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (19) Mar 26 (31) Mar 25 (25) Mar 24 (26) Mar 23 (27) Mar 22 (22) Mar 21 (22) Mar 20 (13) Mar 19 (21) Mar 18 (20) Mar 17 (24) Mar 16 (18) Mar 15 (9) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (29) Mar 12 (15) Mar 11 (11) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (20) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (6) Mar 06 (21) Mar 05 (22) Mar 04 (19) Mar 03 (9) Mar 02 (20) Mar 01 (11) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (27) Feb 26 (15) Feb 25 (18) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (19) Feb 22 (24) Feb 21 (10) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (25) Feb 18 (16) Feb 17 (19) Feb 16 (23) Feb 15 (8) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (16) Feb 11 (12) Feb 10 (18) Feb 09 (12) Feb 08 (14) Feb 07 (8) Feb 06 (27) Feb 05 (28) Feb 04 (24) Feb 03 (17) Feb 02 (20) Feb 01 (23) Jan 31 (16) Jan 30 (20) Jan 29 (26) Jan 28 (17) Jan 27 (21) Jan 26 (24) Jan 25 (16) Jan 24 (14) Jan 23 (16) Jan 22 (17) Jan 21 (19) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (17) Jan 18 (13) Jan 17 (14) Jan 16 (10) Jan 15 (21) Jan 14 (16) Jan 13 (19) Jan 12 (30) Jan 11 (14) Jan 10 (11) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (23) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (21) Jan 05 (15) Jan 04 (18) Jan 03 (9) Jan 02 (12) Jan 01 (15) Dec 31 (18) Dec 30 (7) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (6) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (28) Dec 23 (12) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (17) Dec 20 (19) Dec 19 (19) Dec 18 (22) Dec 17 (24) Dec 16 (17) Dec 15 (29) Dec 14 (22) Dec 13 (12) Dec 12 (22) Dec 11 (24) Dec 10 (25) Dec 09 (18) Dec 08 (15) Dec 07 (21) Dec 06 (24) Dec 05 (30) Dec 04 (28) Dec 03 (26) Dec 02 (22) Dec 01 (33) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (9) Nov 28 (18) Nov 27 (25) Nov 26 (17) Nov 25 (23) Nov 24 (27) Nov 23 (12) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (15) Nov 20 (23) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (24) Nov 17 (21) Nov 16 (20) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (15) Nov 13 (27) Nov 12 (23) Nov 11 (19) Nov 10 (21) Nov 09 (13) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (16) Nov 06 (32) Nov 05 (24) Nov 04 (20) Nov 03 (29) Nov 02 (12) Nov 01 (15) Oct 31 (20) Oct 30 (22) Oct 29 (27) Oct 28 (20) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (21) Oct 25 (15) Oct 24 (23) Oct 23 (26) Oct 22 (27) Oct 21 (28) Oct 20 (24) Oct 19 (13) Oct 18 (9) Oct 17 (30) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (20) Oct 14 (14) Oct 13 (17) Oct 12 (16) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (19) Oct 09 (22) Oct 08 (16) Oct 07 (18) Oct 06 (23) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (15) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (22) Sep 30 (25) Sep 29 (20) Sep 28 (17) Sep 27 (13) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (15) Sep 24 (24) Sep 23 (23) Sep 22 (18) Sep 21 (20) Sep 20 (11) Sep 19 (24) Sep 18 (25) Sep 17 (25) Sep 16 (19) Sep 15 (21) Sep 14 (15) Sep 13 (10) Sep 12 (23) Sep 11 (23) Sep 10 (25) Sep 09 (25) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (17) Sep 05 (14) Sep 04 (24) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (19) Aug 31 (20) Aug 30 (11) Aug 29 (24) Aug 28 (24) Aug 27 (16) Aug 26 (26) Aug 25 (21) Aug 24 (15) Aug 23 (19) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (25) Aug 20 (27) Aug 19 (19) Aug 18 (24) Aug 17 (14) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (15) Aug 14 (16) Aug 13 (21) Aug 12 (30) Aug 11 (19) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (12) Aug 08 (17) Aug 07 (21) Aug 06 (26) Aug 05 (23) Aug 04 (21) Aug 03 (12) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (19) Jul 31 (21) Jul 30 (25) Jul 29 (29) Jul 28 (23) Jul 27 (17) Jul 26 (11) Jul 25 (21) Jul 24 (14) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (19) Jul 21 (15) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (10) Jul 18 (15) Jul 17 (22) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (21) Jul 14 (20) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (29) Jul 10 (19) Jul 09 (17) Jul 08 (26) Jul 07 (21) Jul 06 (18) Jul 05 (14) Jul 04 (20) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (24) Jul 01 (23) Jun 30 (23) Jun 29 (18) Jun 28 (16) Jun 27 (16) Jun 26 (17) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (32) Jun 23 (29) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (17) Jun 20 (25) Jun 19 (28) Jun 18 (19) Jun 17 (25) Jun 16 (23) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (14) Jun 12 (22) Jun 11 (19) Jun 10 (17) Jun 09 (15) Jun 08 (16) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (29) Jun 05 (27) Jun 04 (24) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (22) Jun 01 (13) May 31 (9) May 30 (26) May 29 (19) May 28 (15) May 27 (15) May 26 (23) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (24) May 22 (13) May 21 (21) May 20 (18) May 19 (16) May 18 (7) May 17 (12) May 16 (25) May 15 (24) May 14 (23) May 13 (19) May 12 (17) May 11 (8) May 10 (6) May 09 (14) May 08 (21) May 07 (26) May 06 (14) May 05 (14) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (24) May 01 (13) Apr 30 (15) Apr 29 (24) Apr 28 (24) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (13) Apr 24 (27) Apr 23 (15) Apr 22 (21) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (17) Apr 19 (8) Apr 18 (20) Apr 17 (27) Apr 16 (27) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (8) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (22) Apr 09 (15) Apr 08 (15) Apr 07 (17) Apr 06 (14) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (19) Mar 31 (25) Mar 30 (13) Mar 29 (9) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (23) Mar 26 (22) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (25) Mar 23 (16) Mar 22 (13) Mar 21 (24) Mar 20 (27) Mar 19 (20) Mar 18 (24) Mar 17 (17) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (20) Mar 13 (28) Mar 12 (30) Mar 11 (20) Mar 10 (21) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (8) Mar 07 (17) Mar 06 (20) Mar 05 (19) Mar 04 (15) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (12) Feb 28 (16) Feb 27 (17) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (23) Feb 24 (15) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (10) Feb 21 (24) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (24) Feb 18 (19) Feb 17 (27) Feb 16 (13) Feb 15 (11) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (13) Feb 12 (13) Feb 11 (21) Feb 10 (16) Feb 09 (15) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (17) Feb 06 (21) Feb 05 (17) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (23) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (8) Jan 31 (17) Jan 30 (22) Jan 29 (23) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (24) Jan 26 (12) Jan 25 (9) Jan 24 (12) Jan 23 (19) Jan 22 (19) Jan 21 (14) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (12) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (20) Jan 16 (14) Jan 15 (23) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (20) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (18) Jan 09 (11) Jan 08 (18) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (12) Jan 05 (12) Jan 04 (11) Jan 03 (10) Jan 02 (9) Jan 01 (9) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (13) Dec 26 (15) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (8) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (14) Dec 19 (17) Dec 18 (14) Dec 17 (14) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (9) Dec 13 (11) Dec 12 (16) Dec 11 (18) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (24) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (19) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (26) Dec 04 (15) Dec 03 (20) Dec 02 (17) Dec 01 (11) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (18) Nov 28 (21) Nov 27 (10) Nov 26 (22) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (18) Nov 21 (9) Nov 20 (17) Nov 19 (16) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (21) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (20) Nov 12 (16) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (15) Nov 06 (18) Nov 05 (19) Nov 04 (16) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (17) Oct 31 (17) Oct 30 (21) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (16) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (16) Oct 24 (18) Oct 23 (14) Oct 22 (17) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (6) Oct 19 (8) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (12) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (19) Oct 14 (15) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (10) Oct 10 (23) Oct 09 (13) Oct 08 (15) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (13) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (16) Oct 03 (17) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (20) Sep 30 (17) Sep 29 (9) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (14) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (19) Sep 24 (13) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (21) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (20) Sep 16 (16) Sep 15 (10) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (18) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (24) Sep 10 (17) Sep 09 (16) Sep 08 (16) Sep 07 (10) Sep 06 (20) Sep 05 (13) Sep 04 (23) Sep 03 (14) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (11) Aug 31 (11) Aug 30 (13) Aug 29 (18) Aug 28 (14) Aug 27 (21) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (8) Aug 24 (10) Aug 23 (17) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (14) Aug 20 (20) Aug 19 (20) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (9) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (12) Aug 14 (14) Aug 13 (19) Aug 12 (14) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (12) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (18) Aug 07 (16) Aug 06 (16) Aug 05 (20) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (12) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (16) Jul 30 (16) Jul 29 (11) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (9) Jul 26 (17) Jul 25 (20) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (11) Jul 22 (18) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (14) Jul 18 (11) Jul 17 (15) Jul 16 (12) Jul 15 (10) Jul 14 (8) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (17) Jul 11 (18) Jul 10 (16) Jul 09 (13) Jul 08 (10) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (8) Jul 05 (16) Jul 04 (14) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (13) Jul 01 (16) Jun 30 (19) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (19) Jun 27 (21) Jun 26 (27) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (23) Jun 23 (12) Jun 22 (9) Jun 21 (18) Jun 20 (15) Jun 19 (24) Jun 18 (21) Jun 17 (13) Jun 16 (9) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (18) Jun 13 (24) Jun 12 (18) Jun 11 (23) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (24) Jun 08 (27) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (25) Jun 05 (30) Jun 04 (23) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (16) Jun 01 (17) May 31 (18) May 30 (19) May 29 (17) May 28 (23) May 27 (15) May 26 (10) May 25 (19) May 24 (16) May 23 (16) May 22 (27) May 21 (20) May 20 (26) May 19 (6) May 18 (8) May 17 (20) May 16 (8) May 15 (18) May 14 (5) May 13 (21) May 12 (9) May 11 (8) May 10 (12) May 09 (18) May 08 (11) May 07 (27) May 06 (12) May 05 (16) May 04 (19) May 03 (14) May 02 (18) May 01 (18) Apr 30 (25) Apr 29 (27) Apr 28 (11) Apr 27 (10) Apr 26 (18) Apr 25 (10) Apr 24 (29) Apr 23 (29) Apr 22 (14) Apr 21 (15) Apr 20 (20) Apr 19 (22) Apr 18 (16) Apr 17 (32) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (21) Apr 13 (15) Apr 12 (13) Apr 11 (14) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (20) Apr 08 (36) Apr 07 (22) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (28) Apr 04 (20) Apr 03 (29) Apr 02 (32) Apr 01 (18) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (15) Mar 28 (22) Mar 27 (24) Mar 26 (17) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (13) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (15) Mar 20 (18) Mar 19 (19) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (10) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (18) Mar 14 (24) Mar 13 (18) Mar 12 (18) Mar 11 (17) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (18) Mar 07 (25) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (16) Mar 04 (22) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (23) Feb 29 (19) Feb 28 (25) Feb 27 (26) Feb 26 (23) Feb 25 (12) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (15) Feb 22 (26) Feb 21 (31) Feb 20 (12) Feb 19 (21) Feb 18 (15) Feb 17 (10) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (19) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (20) Feb 11 (9) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (28) Feb 08 (20) Feb 07 (22) Feb 06 (20) Feb 05 (19) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (16) Feb 02 (28) Feb 01 (37) Jan 31 (27) Jan 30 (31) Jan 29 (18) Jan 28 (14) Jan 27 (10) Jan 26 (18) Jan 25 (26) Jan 24 (34) Jan 23 (21) Jan 22 (21) Jan 21 (18) Jan 20 (18) Jan 19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1)
If you care?

Then look around and see what really happened in Syria?

The fact that last nights airstrikes occurred just hours before OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) investigators were due to arrive at the scene of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, near Damascus, also speaks to the Wests desperation. Rather than wait to hear news from those inspectors that would likely indicate or prove that no such chemical attack had occurred there last week, the Americans, French and British raced to spend their justification for military action before the cheque bounced. The investigators have now reached Damascus, and if theyre allowed to actually do their work properly, they will discover what their organization certified four years ago: the Syrian government has neither stockpiles nor production facilities of chemical weapons.

Source: Forget WW3: What We Just Saw Happen In Syria Is The Extent Of Western Power  Puppet Masters  Sott.net

When you do things for all the wrong reasons and do not man up to your lies? Then things bite you in the ass

I have to say: with all our western love for posting videos of our missiles hitting their targets and making big bangs. Something is much different this time. Not many big bangs and we seem to have a lack of exciting boom boom missile strikes

Russian Defense Ministry said:

Four missiles were launched at the area of the Damascus International Airport. All these missiles were intercepted.

12 missiles were launched at the Al-Dumayr Military Airport. All these missiles were intercepted.

18 missiles were launched at the Baly Military Airport. All these missiles were intercepted.

12 missiles were launched at the Shayarat Military Airport. All these missiles were intercepted.

9 missiles were launched at the Mezzeh Military Airport. Five of them were intercepted.

16 missiles were launched at the Homs Military Airport. 13 of them were intercepted.

30 missiles were launched at targets in the areas of Barzah and Jaramani. Seven missiles were intercepted.

We have a whole bunch of videos showing that not much happened and the Syrians danced in the streets

Hmm

WtR

PS: I just am thankful for the seemingly infinite Russian wisdom and patience

The damage is 7 empty buildings destroyed. Do they think we are idiots?

I believe the answer to the question would be Yes, they do!

They dont think we are stupid, they know so. Want proof? People still believe that 19 cave dwellers hijacked airliners and flew it into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and an empty field. People bought into the Skripal poisoning lie, like fleas jumping on a dog. People believe that Assad gases his own people, as he is winning the war against Syria. People believe North Korea is a backward country and yet they can hack the greatest countries computer systems. (These are just recent proclamations.) People think what ever the Main Stream News tells them

Do they think we are idiots? No.They know we are idiots, decades of mind numbing and buying the media lies proved that to them

Kyle

http://stephenlendman.org/2018/04/pentagon-lies-overnight-aggression-syria/
No Allu Arjun film is complete without a mass dance number. This time around, a mass song from his new film Na Peru Surya is being shot in the Annapurna Studios of Hyderabad.

Two lavish sets have been erected for the same and Bunny is grooving to some crazy dance moves for the film. Prem Rakshit is choreographing this song which also has Anu Emanuel as the female lead.

Directed by Vakkantam Vamsi, this film is set for a massive release on the 4th of May.









Articles that might interest you:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15)  As the National Food Authority (NFA) Council faces possible reorganization, a rice-monitoring group said its membership should include more farmers and consumers nationwide.

Kung i-reorg man yan ay magkaroon ng talagang farmer representative. Di lang farmer pero pati mga consumers kasi apektado dito sa nangyayaring krisis sa bigas ay yung mga consumers, said Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo on Sunday.

[Translation: If its going to be reorganized, there should be representatives for farmers and consumers, because theyre the ones affected by the crisis.]

The NFA Council currently has representatives from the farmers sector, government banks, the departments of Finance and Trade, and other government offices.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol earlier said a revamp of the NFA Council may be discussed on Monday amid the shortage of cheap rice in the market.

The possible reorganization comes amid strained relations between NFA Council Chair and concurrent Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco and NFA Administrator Jason Aquino.

Estavillo also urged the NFA to acquire products from local farmers instead of relying on importation.

Kung kailangan mo ng immediate relief doon sa kawalan mo ng hawak na produkto, mamili ka sa mga magsasaka, ongoing naman ang harvest season, she said.

[Translation: If you need immediate relief on the shortage of products, buy from the local farmers, since the harvest season is ongoing.]

Estavillo also called on the government to implement a provisionary price control for commercial rice to ensure that prices remain stable while waiting for stocks of cheap rice.

In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, NFA Region 3 Director and spokesperson Rex Estoperez confirmed that the agency is now awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte's official statement on the fate of the NFA Council. He added that a decision must be made immediately amid the cheap rice supply shortage.
Michiko Kakutani in the New York Times:

In his absorbing new book, A Higher Loyalty, the former F.B.I. director James B. Comey calls the Trump presidency a forest fire that is doing serious damage to the countrys norms and traditions.

This president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values, Comey writes. His leadership is transactional, ego driven and about personal loyalty.

Decades before he led the F.B.I.s investigation into whether members of Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election, Comey was a career prosecutor who helped dismantle the Gambino crime family; and he doesnt hesitate in these pages to draw a direct analogy between the Mafia bosses he helped pack off to prison years ago and the current occupant of the Oval Office.

A February 2017 meeting in the White House with Trump and then chief of staff Reince Priebus left Comey recalling his days as a federal prosecutor facing off against the Mob: The silent circle of assent. The boss in complete control. The loyalty oaths. The us-versus-them worldview. The lying about all things, large and small, in service to some code of loyalty that put the organization above morality and above the truth. An earlier visit to Trump Tower in January made Comey think about the New York Mafia social clubs he knew as a Manhattan prosecutor in the 1980s and 1990s  The Ravenite. The Palma Boys. Cafe Giardino.

More here.
Faisal Devji in the Los Angeles Review of Books:

Since 9/11, major museums and galleries in North America and Europe have embarked upon an extraordinary buying spree of works by Muslim artists  or, in more secular parlance, artists from the Muslim world. And yet unlike the case of Islamic art, which almost invariably refers to pre-modern objects limning an apparently global civilization, these works are rarely, if ever, described as Islamic, and their makers just as infrequently called Muslims. This has to do not with the presence or absence of any religious markers in these productions, for such secular pieces can also be found in what is called Islamic art, but indicates perhaps a certain sense of discomfort with the category itself.

Islamic art refers to the material culture of rich and powerful states in the past, and is meant to reveal the sophistication of a stable and settled civilization. Even its late products, contemporaneous with the rise of European empires, can be seen as the final survivals of an earlier splendor. New art from the Muslim world, however, or at least that which enters the global market, tends to represent poverty and oppression, if not war, destruction, and chaos. And since it would be indelicate to refer to these works as Islamic or even Muslim, they must be differentiated in national terms in a gesture that accomplishes the exact opposite of what Islamic art does.

Precisely because such works of contemporary art are clearly about jihad movements, counter-terrorism, and the like, and are appreciated for this reason, they must never be named for what they are. Islamic art must remain the realm of historical glory, while contemporary works should speak to violence as a national phenomenon that cannot be given the name of Islam. In both cases, the aim of collectors and institutions may be the same  to extol an alternative history of Islam by dissociating it from contemporary violence. And this depends upon bringing together different regions under the banner of Islamic art, while dividing them into national units when dealing with modern politics.

More here.
When the skies above Damascus lit up in the early morning hours of Saturday, shock swept through the capital. Hearing explosions and watching Syrian military surface-to-air missiles streak through the skies, many in Syria suspected a large-scale US-led intervention was underway.

"You could tell that this wasn't your average Damascus night-time battle. It was something far bigger," said British-born Syrian journalist Danny Makki from his home in the capital.

The skies cleared and dawn broke. It became clear that America and its allies had barked, but the bite was lacking.

The Syrian military claimed that US, British and French aircraft and ships fired around 110 missiles but that very few had hit their targets. The General Command claimed that the "Syrian Air Defense systems confronted, with high competence, the missiles of the aggression and shot down most of them."

The Pentagon denied that any missiles were intercepted by the Syrian regime and said that strikes "successfully hit every target."

Pictures posted on various pro-Assad social media accounts showed Syrian soldiers standing next to what was said to be the remnants of American cruise missiles. The message was clear: the airstrike have not weakened Assad, despite US President Donald Trump having gloated that he would fire "new, shiny and smart" missiles.

Meanwhile, the Russian army took a swipe at Trump. "Soviet-made" Syrian weapons, Russian general staff's main operations department head Colonel General Sergei Rudskoi said, had repelled the attack by the US and its allies' jets and naval ships.

The embattled Syrian president, Bashar al Assad, projected a "business as usual" attitude. Video posted on the Syrian Presidency's Twitter page showed Assad showing up for work at one of his offices at 9 a.m. sharp. Casually walking through the hallways of what appeared to be one of his presidential palaces, his briefcase in hand, he later issued a defiant statement: "This aggression will only increase the determination of Syria and its people to continue fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country."

'Gas Killing Animal'

Trump lashed out at Assad after the alleged chemical attack in then rebel-held Douma on April 7-which, according to opposition sources, killed more than 40 people while affecting hundreds more. In a tweet, he called Assad a "Gas Killing Animal." The United States, Britain and France all say they have proof that chemicals were used and that it was the Assad government that used them. Assad, who is routinely condemned by the international community for war crimes, and his Russian backers deny the allegations.

President Trump's strong words and the UN Security Council's failure to pass a resolution after the incident led to widespread fears among Assad's supporters that a US intervention would be strong. They were concerned it would potentially reverse the Syrian military's gains in the past years, or even target Assad directly.

But in the morning after the limited strikes, hundreds took to the streets in Damascus to celebrate.

"Syria celebrating! Impossible for European mentality! But here Syria everything will be okay..." Russian journalist Aleksandr Karchenko wrote on his Facebook account from Damascus.

The feeling among many supporters of Assad and his military is that the latest airstrikes were symbolic rather than game-changing, that Trump issued wide-ranging threats and tough tweets, but then blinked. The intervention will not change the momentum that had swung in favor of Assad in Syria's seven-year-long civil war that had claimed 400,000 lives when the UN stopped updating the death toll in 2014.

After condemning the airstrikes, Syria's foreign ministry issued a statement promising Damascus would continue its military campaign against the opposition, which it classifies as Takfiri, or extremist. The US-led strikes, the statement said, "will not affect the determination and will of the Syrian people and their armed forces to continue pursuing the remnants of Takfiri terrorism and defending Syria's sovereignty."
BEIRUT (AP) - President Donald Trump is defending his use of the phrase "mission accomplished" to refer to the U.S.-led strikes in Syria.

Trump tweets on Sunday that the mission was "so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term 'Mission Accomplished.'"

He adds: "I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!"

Trump's use of the phrase Saturday had evoked comparisons with President George W. Bush, who in 2003 stood under a banner that read "Mission Accomplished" as he declared that major combat operations had ended in Iraq six weeks after the invasion. But the war dragged on for years.

___

3:15 p.m.

Iran has condemned the Western strikes on Syria, saying no country has a right to take punitive measures against another "beyond international procedures."

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that Iran had warned about the possibility that "terrorist groups" were behind the alleged chemical attack that triggered the strikes. It said he communicated his concerns in a phone call Sunday with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Iran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose forces have been accused of carrying out a chemical weapons attack near Damascus a week ago that opposition activists and rescuers say killed more than 40 people. The attack prompted the U.S., Britain and France to carry out a missile attack on Syrian military targets early Saturday.

___

3:10 p.m.

Syria's President Bashar Assad says the Western airstrikes against his country were accompanied by a campaign of "lies" and misinformation in the U.N. Security Council.

Assad spoke Sunday to a group of visiting Russian politicians. His comments were carried by state media.

Assad and Russia deny using chemical weapons, the trigger for the strikes early Saturday. An alleged gas attack last weekend in the town of Douma killed more than 40 people, according to opposition activists and rescuers.

Assad told his visitors that the U.S., Britain and France, which carried out the strikes, had waged a campaign of "lies and misinformation" against Russia and Syria.

The U.N. Security Council has been paralyzed in dealing with the seven-year Syrian conflict and the use of chemical weapons. Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member, is a close ally of Assad.

___

2:45 p.m.

About 350 protesters from communist organizations in Cyprus have gathered in front of the entrance gate of a British air base to denounce U.S.-led airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria.

Protest leader Akis Poullos says they are demanding the closure of RAF Akrotiri, from where four British Tornado warplanes took off to take part in the missile strike.

Poullos said Sunday's demonstration was also a message to the Cyprus government not to lend any assistance to "imperialist attacks" on Syria and to demand an end to the war in the country.

Protesters used red paint to write "NATO killers go home" on a nearby wall outside the base's gate.

Former colonial ruler Britain retained RAF Akrotiri and another military base on Cyprus after the east Mediterranean island gained independence in 1960.

The Cyprus government said it wasn't given any forewarning about Saturday's airstrikes. It also said British Prime Minister Theresa May assured Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades that there's no danger to Cyprus and that Cypriots can feel secure.

___

2:30 p.m.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he hopes there is no need for additional strikes against Syria, but that Britain and its allies will consider further action if Syrian President Bashar Assad uses chemical weapons in the future.

Johnson told the BBC on Sunday the airstrikes were proportionate and showed "the world has said enough is enough."

He says "so far, thank heavens, the Assad regime has not been so foolish to launch another chemical weapons attack," adding that Britain and its allies "would study what the options were" in the event of another attack.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn says the airstrikes were "legally debatable" and that Britain must abide by international law if it wants the moral high ground. He is demanding legislation to give Parliament more scrutiny over military action.

The U.S., France and Britain launched missiles at Syrian military targets early Saturday in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus a week ago.

___

1:45 p.m.

Syrian state TV says another 5,000 security forces are deploying in a town near the capital that was brought under full government control a week after an alleged chemical attack.

Douma was the last rebel holdout in the eastern Ghouta suburbs, the target of a massive government offensive in February and March. The town was also the scene of a suspected poison gas attack on April 7 that prompted the U.S., Britain and France to launch missiles on Syrian military targets early Saturday.

The Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied allegations of a chemical attack. An international fact-finding mission from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is in Syria and expected to visit Douma.

State-run Al-Ikhbariya TV says a second batch of 5,000 security forces deployed in Douma on Sunday.

Syrian newspapers meanwhile boasted that the country's air defense systems had shot down missiles.

The front-page headline of the government daily Tishrin reads: "Our heroic army shoots down the missiles of aggression."

The Pentagon says none of the missiles were shot down and that Syria's air defenses were ineffective.

___

1:35 p.m.

Pope Francis says he is "deeply disturbed" by the international community's failure to come up with a common response to the crises in Syria and other parts of the world.

The pontiff said after his traditional Sunday blessing that "despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action toward peace in Syria or other regions of the world."

Francis called on "all people of goodwill" to join him in praying for peace, and appealed to political leaders to help "justice prevail."

The pope spoke after airstrikes by the United States, France and Britain aimed at taking out Syria's chemical weapons capacity, following a suspected poison gas attack on a Damascus suburb that killed dozens, including children.

___

1:15 p.m.

A group of Russian politicians has met with Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose mood they describe as good a day after Western airstrikes.

In Assad's view, the airstrikes that were launched in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian forces on the town of Douma will unify the country. That's according to Dmitry Sablin, a member of the lower house of the Russian parliament, who was quoted by Russian news agencies.

Natalya Komarova, governor of Russia's Khanty-Mansiysk region, also attended Sunday's meeting. She says: "President Assad has an absolutely positive attitude, a good mood."

Sablin was quoted as saying that Assad estimates rebuilding the country after years of war would cost $400 billion.

___

11 a.m.

France is urging Russia to join a push for a political solution in Syria after joint U.S., French and British attacks on Syrian chemical weapons sites.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in an interview published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that "we should join our efforts to promote a political process in Syria that would allow a way out of the crisis."

France has continued to talk regularly with Russia even as East-West tensions have grown. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, hours before the Western missile strikes.

Western countries blamed Syria's government for a chemical attack on a rebel-held area earlier this month that killed more than 40 people. The Syrian government and its ally Russia denied the allegations.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
SYRIA (CBS) - The U.S. and its European allies launched precision air strikes in Syria early Saturday morning. The mission is in retaliation for last Saturday's suspected chemical attack that killed dozens of Syrian civilians, including children.

U.S., British, and French forces unleashed more than 100 missiles on Syria - targeting and destroying a scientific research center and two suspected chemical weapons storage facilities.

These strikes were justified - legitimate and proportionate response to Syria using chemical weapons on its own people, said Dana White, a Pentagon chief spokesperson.

President Trump ordered the military action one week after a suspected chlorine gas attack that killed more than 40 people. Britain says there's proof Syria is responsible, not the rebels because a government helicopter delivered the chemicals inside a barrel bomb.

Pentagon officials called the retaliatory operation, precise, overwhelming and effective."

They've lost a lot of equipment, a lot of material, and it's gonna have a significant effect on them, so I think the words cripple and degrade are good accurate words, said General Frank McKenzie.

The Pentagon rejected Russian claims that many of the missiles were shot down by Syria.

In Damascus, hundreds of Syrians are protesting the U.S. led strikes honking horns in a show of defiance and shouting we are your men, Bashar.

America and its allies insist they're not calling for regime change but say Syrian president Bashar al Assad will be held accountable if he continues gassing his people.

Russia and Iran condemned the strikes on Syria and vowed to stand by their ally - warning -- there will be consequences.

Russia called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council today to discuss the coalitions' military action.

Last year, the U-S launched cruise missiles after Assad used sarin gas on civilians. The strike was double the size of last year's assault.
COMPTON, Calif. (CBS) - It has been a very long and emotionally charged journey, but now its finally over.

U.S. Army Veteran Hector Barajas is now a U.S. citizen.

Barajas woke up on Saturday in Tijuana where he's lived for years after being deported, he crossed the border and become a U.S. Citizen.

And now he's home in Southern California.

"I had a life deportation I thought I was never coming home it feels good," Barajas said.

Decorated Army veteran Hector Barajas left Compton a deportee, but he came home Saturday evening an American citizen.

"I get to live the American dream a second time," Barajas said.

He couldn't hide his pride this morning as he took the citizenship pledge in San Diego.

The one-time paratrooper had just come back into the U.S. from Tijuana where he been living and where he started a group for deported veterans like himself

"I feel regardless of what these men and women have done they shouldn't be deported it's morally wrong," Barajas said.

Barajas was first deported in 2004 when he was convicted of shooting at an occupied car.

Because he was a green card holder, not a citizen, the felony record triggered his deportation and barred him from becoming an American.

That is until last month when Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned him.

His red white and blue decked celebration is giving hope to many of those veterans.

And Barajas says he will continue to fight for them.

But first Barajas will fill up on his mother's enchiladas and on Monday a first with his

11-year-old daughter.
Baguio City (CNN Philippines, April 15)  The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) gave retirement honors to outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, General Rey Leonardo Guerrero on Sunday.

Guerrero, the AFP's 49th Chief of Staff, graduated from the academy at the top of his class in 1984.

Prior to pursuing a military career, he recalled being recruited to join a left-leaning organization at the University of the Philippines.

"Siyempre, it's most fulfilling, 'saka sabihin na lang natin most satisfying career, having been able to serve our country, in the highest position sa ating AFP," Guerrero said.

[Translation: Of course, it's most fulfilling, and let's say the most satisfying career, having been able to serve our country in the highest position of our AFP.]

Guerrero was appointed as AFP chief in October last year.

Before that, he held a string of military positions in Mindanao  including as Chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte's hometown.

Gurrero's term was supposed to end in December, but the President extended it to almost four months.

Guerrero will formally bow out of the service on Wednesday, April 18th.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier hinted Guerrero's next appointment could be as head of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

He said, "Prepared naman tayo for any position. Sabi nga, ang training naman natin as a military man, hindi lang naman sa tactics and operations, but more on management."

[Translation: I am prepared for any position. As they say, our training as a military man isn't only for tactics and operations, but more on management.]

If it pushes through, Guerrero would join a growing list of former military men holding key positions in the Duterte government, including National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Interior Department Officer in Charge, Eduardo Ano, and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Guerrero said, "Choice ng Presidente natin 'yan e, pinipili niya whoever he thinks na, would be able to contribute doon sa organization."

[Translation: It's the President's choice, he chooses whoever he things would be able to contribute to the organization.]

Western Mindanao Command Chief, Carlito Galvez, will replace Guerrero as AFP chief.

Galvez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy's class of 1985, was Guerrero's strongest rival for the top AFP post.

"General Galvez is a very competent officer, nakita naman namin, nakita natin [we all saw], he has proven himself, in terms of his ability to lead 'yung ating forces," Guerrero said. "Apart from that he had special duties sa ating peace process, and most recently, he has distinguished himself as a Western Mindanao Commander during the Marawi siege. So he's more than capable."

Guerrero said he has formed a team to ensure a smooth transition, putting emphasis on internal security operations and territorial defense, as well as the AFP's modernization and transformation roadmap.
https://www.aish.com/sp/ph/9-Quotes-about-Israel-from-Rabbi-Jonathan-Sacks.html

Israel is the home of hope.

ISRAEL always was a tiny country, home to a tiny people, yet what our ancestors achieved there transformed the spiritual horizon of humankind. It was there the prophets taught the worship of the one God whose children we are; there that Elijah spoke truth to power, Hosea told of Gods love, and Amos of His justice; there that Micah said: What does God ask of you but to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God. It was there that King David sang psalms, and his son Solomon built the Temple. And though the people often fell short of the high ideals to which God had summoned them, in generation after generation there arose visionary men and women who recalled the people to their destiny as a holy people in the holy land. Their teachings never died, and have the power to inspire us still.

JEWS have lived in almost every country under the sun. In four thousand years, only in Israel have they been a free, self-governing people. Only in Israel are they able, if they so choose, to construct an agriculture, a medical system, an economic infrastructure in the spirit of Torah and its concern for freedom, justice and the sanctity of life. Only in Israel can Jews speak the Hebrew of the Bible as the language of everyday speech. Only there can they live Jewish time within a calendar structured according to the rhythms of the Jewish year. Only in Israel can Jews live Judaism in anything other than an edited edition. In Israel, and only there, Jews can walk where the prophets walked, climb the mountains Abraham climbed, lift their eyes to the hills that David saw, and continue the story their ancestors began.

ISRAEL remained the focus of Jewish hopes. Wherever Jews were, they built synagogues, each of which was a symbolic fragment of the Temple in Jerusalem. Wherever they were, they prayed about Jerusalem, facing Jerusalem. They remembered it and wept for it, as the psalm had said, at every time of joy. They never relinquished their claim to the land, and there were places, especially in the north, from which they never left. The Jewish people was the circumference of a circle at whose centre was the Holy Land and Jerusalem the holy city.

THOUGH Israel has had to fight many wars, from the very beginning it sought peace. The Hebrew language has two words for strength: koach and gevurah. Koach is the strength you need to win a war. Gevurah is the courage you need to make peace. Israel has shown both kinds of strength. But peace is a duet not a solo. It cannot be made by one side alone. If it could, it would have been made long ago.

THROUGH Israel, Hebrew, the language of the Bible, was reborn as a living tongue. Jewish communities under threat have been rescued, including those like the Jews of Ethiopia who had little contact with other Jews for centuries. Jews have come to Israel from over a hundred countries, representing the entire lexicon of cultural diversity. A desolate landscape has bloomed again. Jerusalem has been rebuilt. The world of Torah scholarship, devastated by the Holocaust, has been revived and the sound of learning echoes throughout the land. Economically, politically, socially and culturally, Israels achievements are unmatched by any country of its age and size. The sages said that, at the crossing of the Red Sea, the simplest Jew saw miracles that the greatest of later prophets were not destined to see. That, surely, was the privilege of those who witnessed Israels rebirth and youth. The messiah has not come. Israel is not yet at peace. The Temple has not been rebuilt. Our time is not yet redemption. Yet many of the prayers of two thousand years have been answered. No one, reviewing this singular history, can doubt that faith makes a difference; that a nations history is shaped by what it believes.

HOW do you live with the constant threat of violence and war? That takes faith. Israel is the people that has always been sustained by faith, faith in God, in the future, in life itself. And though Israel is a secular state, its very existence is testimony to faith: the faith of a hundred generations that Jews would return; the faith that led the pioneers to rebuild a land against seemingly impossible odds; the faith that after the Holocaust the Jewish people could live again; the faith that, in the face of death, continues to say: choose life.

SOMEHOW, in ways I dont fully understand, the Jewish people has been touched by a power greater than ourselves, that has led our ancestors and contemporaries, time and again, to defy the normal parameters of history. Somehow heaven and earth met in the Jewish heart, lifting people to do what otherwise seemed impossible. Descartes said: I think, therefore I am. The Jewish axiom is different. Ani maamin. I believe, therefore I am.

THE journey is not yet over. Israel has not yet found peace. And after four thousand years Jews still find it hard to live their faith without fear. There is only one Jewish state, a country less that one quarter of one per cent of the land mass of the Arab world; the only place on earth where Jews form a majority, the only place where they are able to do what almost every other people takes for granted, to construct a society according to their values, and to be able to defend themselves. For every Jew alive today there are 100 Muslims, 183 Christians. Yet still we have to fight for the right to be.

THE day will come, when the story of Israel in modern times will speak not just to Jews, but to all who believe in the power of the human spirit as it reaches out to God, as an everlasting symbol of the victory of life over death, hope over despair. Israel has achieved great things. It has taken a barren land and made it bloom again. Its taken an ancient language, the Hebrew of the Bible, and made it speak again. Its taken the Wests oldest faith and made it young again. Israel has taken a tattered, shattered nation and made it live again. Israel is the country whose national anthem, Hatikva, means hope. Israel is the home of hope.
(CNN) -- Russia has condemned US, UK and French strikes against targets in Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons, as the Western allies argued they were essential to deter the future use of illegal munitions.

The strikes hit three sites -- one in Damascus and two in Homs -- which US President Donald Trump said were "associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad."

The action followed a week of threats of retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma, outside Damascus, where Syrian forces have long been battling rebels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the missile strikes an "act of aggression against a sovereign state" and said they were against the United Nations' charter.

Russia -- a key ally of the Assad government -- is calling for an immediate UN Security Council meeting to discuss the "aggressive actions" of the United States and its allies, he said.

Latest developments

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she supported the military action.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said the military action was believed to have been successful.

French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly said all French aircraft had returned safely from their mission.

Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrikes as a "flagrant violation of the international law."

Three civilians were wounded in Homs after "several" missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems, Syrian state TV said.

Syria's Foreign Ministry called on the international community "to strongly condemn this aggression," warning it would "pose a threat to international peace and security as a whole," in a statement published by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.

Earlier, the office of the Syrian Presidency tweeted a video of Bashar al-Assad going to work Saturday, with the caption "a morning of steadfastness."

Danny Makki, a British-born Syrian journalist in Damascus, told CNN his whole neighborhood had been woken by the strikes near the capital. "You could tell straight away that this wasn't your average Damascus night-time battle. It was something far bigger," he said.

In a televised address announcing the action, Trump said he had decided to take action because last weekend's action by Assad "was a significant attack against his own people," and "not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead."

Trump said the purpose of the campaign was to "establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons."

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that the first allied strike targeted a scientific research center in greater Damascus involved in the development and production of chemical weapons.

The second site targeted was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, while the third was a chemical equipment storage facility and important command post.

The strikes -- the strongest concerted action yet by Western forces in Syria -- were launched at 9 p.m. ET, as most of Europe and the Middle East was shrouded in darkness.

The Syrian Armed Forces said in a statement that 110 missiles were fired on Syrian targets and that the country's defense systems "intercepted most of the missiles, but some hit targets including the Research Center in Barzeh."

Three civilians were wounded in Homs after "several" missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems, Syrian state TV said.

Russian state news agency TASS reported that none of the missiles fired by the three western nations struck areas near its naval and air bases in Syria. Those bases come under the protection of Russian air defense units.

A meeting of the North Atlantic Council will be held Saturday afternoon, a NATO official told CNN. France, the United Kingdom and the United States will brief allies on actions taken in Syria, the official said.

Theresa May: 'Not about regime change'

In a televised statement Saturday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said UK forces had undertaken a "limited and targeted strike" and that there had been "no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime."

While a full assessment has not yet been completed, "we believe that the action was successful," she said. "This was not about interfering in a civil war. And it was not about regime change."

While insisting that the military action was a direct consequence of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, May also alluded to the use of a nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury. "We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalized -- within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world," she said. Britain says Russia is behind the Salisbury poisoning, a charge Moscow denies.

Experts from the international chemical weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, were en route to the alleged chemical weapons attack site in Douma before the joint military strike was launched.

Russia's Ministry of Defense said it believed the action by the US, UK and France was not in retaliation to the alleged chemical attack in Douma but instead was a reaction to the "success" of the Syrian army in liberating its territory from rebels.

International reaction

Turkey, an important player in the Syrian conflict, said it viewed the airstrikes as "an appropriate response" to the Douma attack.

"We welcome this operation which has eased humanity's conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, largely suspected to have been carried out by the regime," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Merkel said all available evidence pointed to the Assad regime being responsible for the Douma attack and criticized Russia for blocking an independent investigation through the UN Security Council.

"The military operation was necessary and appropriate to preserve the effectiveness of the international ban on the use of chemical weapons and to warn the Syrian regime of further violations," she said in a statement voicing support for the joint US, UK and French action.

Australia's defense minister issued a statement in support of the strikes, calling them "a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response."

An Israeli official told CNN that the strikes enforced the red line drawn by President Trump last year. "Syria continues to engage in and provide a base for murderous actions, including those of Iran, that put its territory, its forces and its leadership at risk," the official said.

However, Iran -- another key ally of the Assad government -- condemned the strikes. "The attack is the blatant violation of international laws, as well as ignoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said according to Iranian state media.
Your free time is precious, so how to spend it? Here are five ideas for Birmingham this week, April 15-21, 2018.

Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

SPORTS

Catch a glimpse of Channing Tatum at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. The actor, a Cullman native, is the grand marshal for this year's race at Barber Motorsports Park. The action starts on Friday, with qualifying, practice, autograph sessions, a kids' zone, a motocross show and more. Drivers will start their engines for the main event on April 22, and Tatum will be in the thick of things, waving the green flag at 2:42 p.m.

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, April 20-22, Barber Motorsports Park, 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Leeds, $39-$69 general admission, free for kids age 15 and younger with ticketed adult, $30-$50 garage pass, other perks available, 205-298-9040.

Don't Edit

AL.com file photo

GOOD DEEDS

Savor the flavors at Alabama Coffee Fest. More than 10 roasters and coffee shops will be on hand Saturday at Cahaba Brewing Co., celebrating java in all its eye-opening richness. The agenda, 9 a.m.-noon, includes unlimited tastings, coffee demos and a contest for latte art. Bakeries will sell pastries and bagels to complement the morning brews, and a food truck will be on scene with brunch offerings. Want more? There's live music at the event, a benefit for the Alabama Multicultural Organization.

Alabama Coffee Fest, April 21, 9 a.m.-noon, Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. South, $20 advance, $30 at door, $60 VIP.

Don't Edit

Photo courtesy of Theater League

THEATER

Hits and more hits are packed into "Motown the Musical," a jukebox show that's based on the autobiography of Berry Gordy. He founded one of the world's most important record labels in Detroit during the late 1950s, signing and developing artists that included the Jackson 5, the Four Tops, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and many more. Gordy's career path provides a fast-moving structure for the production, but it's safe to say that Motown medleys are the real stars here. See "Motown" Friday-April 22 at the BJCC Concert Hall, courtesy of the Broadway in Birmingham series.

"Motown the Musical," April 20-22, five performances at various times, BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, $30-$85 via Ticketmaster.

Don't Edit

AL.com file photo

FOOD

Eat hearty at Gumbo Gala. Backyard cooks, professional chefs and students teams will be on scene Saturday at Sloss Furnaces, whipping up batches of spicy goodness. Visitors can stroll among them, tasting samples of gumbo made with seafood, sausage, chicken and even alligator. Teams compete for titles, trophies and bragging rights. Best of all, the 11 a.m. event is a benefit for Episcopal Place, which provides housing and services to low-income seniors and disabled people.

Gumbo Gala, April 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St. North, $15 advance, $20 at gate, $5 kids ages 5-12.

Don't Edit

AL.com file photo

RUNNING

Down a beer. Run a race. Gulp a beer afterward. That's the concept of the Here2Beer 5K, a Thursday event with a "flat and fast" course through Birmingham's Southside. Competitors will assemble at Good People Brewing Co. at 6 p.m., then race to Avondale Brewing Co., drinking eight ounces of craft beer at the start and finish. The goal? Fun and fellowship, of course. Health-conscious runners can substitute root beer for craft brews, or simply opt out of the drinking portion of the race.

Here2Beer 5K, April 19 at 6 p.m., course goes from Good People Brewing Co., 114 14th St. South, to Avondale Brewing Co., 201 41st St. South, $35 registration through today, $40 starting April 16.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

AL.com file photo

More on entertainment in Alabama:

The best festival in every county in Alabama

75 must-see concerts coming to Alabama in spring 2018

18 new Birmingham restaurants opening in 2018

17 places famous for gumbo at Alabama's beaches

28 Birmingham food festivals to put on your 2018 calendar

20 Alabama patios perfect for soaking up the sunshine

Brittany Howard, Usher, Common, other stars to perform at Alabama Concert for Peace & Justice
Walter Leroy Moody Jr., 83, the oldest inmate on Alabama Death Row, is waiting to see if a court will block his execution by lethal injection Thursday for a bombing nearly three decades ago that killed a federal appeals court judge.

Moody maintains he didn't do it.

And in the past few months since his April 19 execution date was set he and his attorneys have filed a flurry of appeals in federal and state courts. Last week both he - in a hand-written motion - and his attorneys filed requests for stay of execution. And now he and his attorneys are awaiting a ruling by the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which listened to arguments in the case last Thursday.

U.S. 11th Circuit of Appeals Judge Robert Vance Sr. was killed Dec. 16, 1989 in a blast from a pipe bomb hidden in a package sent to the judge's Mountain Brook, Ala., home. The judge's wife, Helen, was seriously injured in the blast.

In 1991, a federal jury convicted Moody of 71 charges related to the pipe-bomb murders of Vance and Georgia civil rights attorney Robert E. Robinson, who also was killed in a pipe-bomb blast two days after the judge. That federal trial was conducted in Minnesota. Moody was placed on death row after a jury convicted him of capital murder at a trial in Alabama five years later. The jury recommended 11-1 that the death penalty be imposed and the judge agreed.

Alabama asked that an execution date be set for Moody on Jan. 9, the day after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his request to consider an appeal.

Moody recently argued to a federal appeals court that the federal government which convicted him first on non-death penalty charges should have him in custody instead.

Both the Alabama Attorney General and U.S. Justice Department have said that the federal government had the right, under an agreement, to allow the state to take custody of Moody and have him serve his state sentence first.

"Moody cannot challenge any determination by the United States or Alabama as to the order in which he will face his federal and state sentences. The comity rules that govern priority of jurisdiction between the United States and Alabama do not confer on Moody any legally enforceable right that he may assert in a federal habeas proceeding," according to a federal appeals court brief filed April 10 by the U.S. Justice Department.

Moody lost his appeal on another issue in January before the U.S. Supreme Court. He had appealed an 11th Circuit decision in March 2017. That appeal was about his decision to represent himself at his 1996 capital murder trial in Alabama. After convicting him, the jury voted 11-1 to recommend a death sentence. Courts have found that the trial judge did not err in allowing Moody to represent himself.

Much of prosecutors' evidence centered on the similarities between pipe bombs Moody had previously been convicted of using.

According to a summary of the bombings and investigations in one federal court document, prosecutors claimed that in May 1972, a bomb exploded in Moody's home in Macon, Ga. "The bomb, contained in a package addressed to a car dealer who had repossessed Moody's car, exploded when opened by Moody's wife. Moody was convicted in federal court in Macon for possessing the bomb, although he was acquitted of manufacturing it, and he served three years in federal prison."

"Moody eventually became obsessed with overturning his 1972 conviction. He devised an elaborate story to shift the blame to a mythical "Gene Wallace," who Moody had claimed at trial had been attempting to assist him in regaining possession of his car and was responsible for the bomb," according to the court document. "Moody recruited a witness to substantiate his account, a destitute, young handicapped woman, Julie Linn-West, and he paid her in small monthly installments as she learned her fabricated story. Moody petitioned for a Writ of Error Coram Nobis, seeking to overturn his 1972 conviction."

A lower federal court denied his petition and then a panel of three 11th Circuit judges (Vance was not one of them) affirmed the denial in June 1989. The entire court then denied it in August 1989.

Soon after the 11th Circuit denied Moody's appeal, according to federal prosecutors, "Moody began to prepare to do battle with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals."

Besides the bombs that killed Vance and Robinson, two other bombs were intercepted - one to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals building in Atlanta and the Jacksonville, Fla. Office of the NAACP.

Moody Pro Se Motion Stay by KentFaulk on Scribd
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday that the United States will place more sanctions on Russia this week related to its support for Syria's chemical weapons program.

Speaking on CBS News' "Face the Nation" program, Haley said the sanctions are imminent, targeting Russian companies that have helped the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad make and deploy chemical weapons like those that spurred the United States and its allies to launch more than 100 missiles at Syria over the weekend.

"You will see that Russian sanctions will be coming down," Haley said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin "will be announcing those Monday, if he hasn't already," she added. "And they will go directly to any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use. I think everyone is going to feel it at this point. I think everyone knows that we sent a strong message, and our hope is that they listen to it."

Haley has been one of the strongest voices accusing Russia of enabling the Syrian government in its use of chemical weapons in the civil war that is now in its seventh year. Russia has vetoed at least six resolutions in the U.N. Security Council regarding chemical weapons. The Russian vetoes have been one of the main irritants in strained relations between Washington and Moscow, with Western diplomats accusing Russia of trying to protect the Assad government.

The Trump administration has placed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, including penalties last month targeting Russian oligarchs who are close to President Vladimir Putin. But the rollout of new sanctions is usually closely guarded, in part to prevent people subjected to them from quickly moving their money around. There was no immediate comment from the Treasury Department.

On the "Fox News Sunday" program, Haley again slammed Russia, accusing it of enabling the Syrian government to use chemical weapons without worrying about blowback at the United Nations.

"Assad knew that Russia had its back, Assad knew that Russia would cover for them at the United Nations, and Assad got reckless, and he used it in a way that was far more aggressive," she said. "We have to be conscious of the fact that we can't allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons."

Haley said President Donald Trump is prepared to strike Syria again if that happens, though she declined to say how the United States would respond to the use of conventional weapons.

"We of course know that our work in Syria is not done," she said. "We know that it is now up to Bashar al-Assad on whether he's going to use chemical weapons again. And should he use it again, the president has made it very clear that the United States is locked and loaded and ready to go."

Haley also said the United States would not pull its troops out of Syria before three goals have been accomplished: defeating Islamic State militants, ensuring chemical weapons will not be used and maintaining the ability to watch Iran.

The aim, she said, is "to see American troops come home, but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things."

(c) 2018 The Washington Post. Carol Morello wrote this story.
A Republican candidate's careful answer to a debate question about the Ten Commandments on Friday shook up the Alabama governor's race, as Sen. Bill Hightower began to take criticism from the far right.

"Bill Hightower showed a lack of courage, leadership and conviction and should not be our next governor," Dean Young said in a YouTube video on Friday.

Young is chairman of the Ten Commandments political action committee and served as campaign strategist for former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. Young blasted Hightower for "a less than enthusiastic" response on a question about a proposed state constitutional amendment allowing the display of the biblical laws on public property.

Alabama voters will decide the matter in November.

Hightower on Thursday said the legislation that creates the amendment has "no teeth" because it doesn't allow state funds to defend it.

"I am much more interested in the Ten Commandments being written on someone's heart, not on a wall," Hightower said. "That's where the emphasis needs to be, frankly."

Hightower, R-Mobile, is one of four candidates running for governor ahead of the June 5 primary. He made the comment during the WVTM-TV Republican gubernatorial debate on Thursday.

He added, "They are the greatest groups of laws that have changed the course of history of mankind for a long time. There is no doubt on their impact to the world. But this law? I don't believe it will be a big issue for us. We can't defend it."

Candidates react

Hightower was joined in the debate by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Birmingham evangelist Scott Dawson. Gov. Kay Ivey did not attend.

Battle, in his debate statements, said he believes the constitutional amendment will pass, and that he plans to vote for it. If the amendment is challenged in federal court based on separation of church and state, "we'll take further action," he said.

Said Battle: "That one issue needs to be defined once and for all, so we have no other questions about it."

Dawson, a youth pastor, voiced strong support.

"We have to go back on the foundations of our country and understand there is a freedom of religion, not freedom from religion," said Dawson. "The Ten Commandments are influential in everyday life."

Hightower's campaign, on Friday, stood by the senator's remarks. Hightower was absent on the Senate floor when SB181 - the legislation creating the amendment - was approved with a 23-3 vote on Feb. 27. The Alabama House followed up with a 66-19 vote on March 22.

Hightower serves as chairman of the Senate's Ethics and Elections Committee, which passed SB181 to the full Senate for consideration.

Battle's campaign did not offer further reaction to Hightower's remark.

Ivey's campaign, on Sunday, issued a response noting that a copy of the Ten Commandments is already on display inside the Alabama State Capitol. The copy is on display in the east wing of the building next to other historic documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

"I believe we cannot tackle the challenges we face as a state and nation if we continue to remove God from our culture. I will always fight to preserve the Christian principles that have guided our nation since its founding," Ivey said in a statement.

Dawson told AL.com on Friday that while he likes Hightower and respects him, he disagreed with him on his response to the issue.

"We should have more faith in our communities and the Ten Commandments has so shaped the foundation of our society that it's a shame that we almost ban it," he said. "I'm willing to let it defend itself and have its place alongside our culture. I am a proponent of this amendment and I think it will pass overwhelmingly."

Goes back to Roy Moore

State Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, has been a longtime sponsor of the legislation for a constitutional amendment allowing for public displays of the Ten Commandments. He called the legislation a "priority for me" and admitted that Young helped him write the bill.

Dial said that his interest in the amendment is "not so much" related to Moore, who gained international attention for his past quests in getting a Ten Commandments displayed on public property.

Most notably, Moore had a 5,200-pound Ten Commandments monument installed inside the Heflin-Tolbert Judicial Building in Montgomery shortly after he was elected Supreme Court chief justice in 2001. The monument was removed in 2004, following a federal lawsuit.

Dial said he was unaware of Hightower's debate response. "I don't know what Bill's position is on it. I don't keep a record on who votes and I'm not getting into that discussion."

But Dial said he is confident that if the amendment is approved by voters, and become part of the state Constitution, a third party will emerge to defend the state in potential litigation. The amendment specifically says that no state money will be used to defend it during legal challenges.

"This idea that the state has to pay for the Ten Commandments to be defended is ludicrous," Young said. "A real leader would find religious groups and religious organizations who would love to represent our principals, our students, our teachers and our judges and there would be no cost to the state of Alabama."

Maggie Garrett, legislative director with Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., said that legal challenges are inevitable if the amendment is approved by voters.

"The people of Alabama should know that displays like those envisioned by this Constitutional Amendment violate the U.S. Constitution," she said. "There will be challenges to the displays and that will cost the state money. Even if the state obtains free legal counsel to defend each display, the state will be on the hook for paying for the attorney's fees and the other party when it loses a Constitutional challenge."

Separation of church and campaign

Hightower was first elected to represent Senate District 35 during a special election in 2013, thanks to strong support from Baptist churches in a historically conservative area west of Mobile. He and his wife Susan attend Covenant Church in Mobile.

But in an interview with AL.com last month, Hightower said he wasn't fond of having Christian displays on political campaign materials.

"People have asked me to put a fish on my brochure and 'Christian' on my brochure," said Hightower, referring to campaign literature. "I am very much Christian and want to serve God in everything I do. But I don't want to use that as a tool for my campaign. I think the people of Alabama want to know that their governor is a person of faith and a Christian. But I never wanted to use that as part of my marketing campaign."

He added, "When I started out as a senator, they asked me to put that stuff on my brochures, and I don't want to do that. You can say that I've done mission work and things like that and that I'm a Christian camp speaker. But it's come to the point where everyone uses that, so I just think it's a differentiator in a way. If people hear me and talk and hear about my values, they will know what my faith is."

This story was updated at 7:27 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2018, to include a statement from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
One of the founding doctors of Johns Hopkins Hospital, William Osler, famously said, "A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."

That concept is rooted in the importance of objectivity, and it has definite application in the modern business world, as well. According to instructional design consultant Willette Brye -- owner of the Mobile firm Extraordinary! by Design -- many businesses, schools and even non-profits could benefit from a specialist's analysis of their processes: a skilled outside view.

That's where her business comes in.

EbD, as it is abbreviated, has provided analyses, instructional development and job performance improvement services since 2016. More succinctly, EbD takes information specific to each client and makes it easier for the client and his or her team to digest and integrate it.

"My job is to make the information retrievable," said Brye, a native Mobilian and graduate of Vigor High School. "Not to put an extraneous load on the learner; to structure the content in a way that's easy to learn."

One of Brye's passions is research and analysis, which is where the quality information comes from before she creates learning structures for her clients.

For three years she was a research specialist for the University of South Alabama's Center for Healthy Communities, which is only a small part of her more than decade-long association with the university. Brye already holds a master's degree in sociology, and is preparing her prospectus in pursuit of a doctoral degree in instructional design from USA.

Even with clients located in other parts of the country, with whom she has only digital access, Brye conducts extensive interviews with the respective "subject matter experts" to hone in on their specific needs.

One of her earliest clients wanted EbD to spearhead the transition from paper-based learning to e-learning, something at the time that Brye wasn't adept at. So she did her due diligence, became versed in the most up-to-date softwares, then matched them with what she had already gleaned about the client's needs.

"Paramount to our process is analysis," she said. "We have to conduct analysis to determine the root causes of performance problems and create targeted instructions and training solutions."

One of EbD's clients is a non-profit organization that hired Brye to rewrite its job descriptions in the face of performance problems. She interviewed team members occupying a range of positions and developed a strategy for success.

With other clients, the challenge is making a large volume of instructional materials digestible. Brye may have done the hard work of designing the curriculum, but she realizes it's no good if no one can retain and remember it. So, in some instances, she relies on strategies she once learned in middle school.

"Something the best teachers do -- to make instruction more palatable -- is to 'chunk' the information, to break it up," Brye said.

She sometimes creates an acrostic, which is an abbreviation device used to represent multiple words or concepts.

"To help us learn how to solve an equation in middle school, we learned 'Please Excel My Darling Adorable Students,'" she said. That stood for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction.

Much of Extraordinary! by Design's effectiveness is rooted in Brye's experience as an educator. As a graduate assistant at USA, she taught unit learning management system workshops. She's also taught sociology, and expects to return to her alma mater to teach introduction to sociology in the fall.

Brye wants EbD to work with local schools, specifically targeting high schoolers and first-generation college students to help them navigate the transition from one level of education to the other. She said the key to the future success of EbD is evolution.

"One of my mantras is 'always be improving,'" she said. And Brye credits her membership in the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has a means to that end, having attended several sessions put on by its Growth Alliance Task Force, helping beginning entrepreneurs.

As for the future, Brye said she wants to develop better processes for evaluating the instructional training that EbD designs and implements, in order to "close the feedback loop." That, in addition to learning how to market her business more effectively, are her goals for the next year.

"I'm dedicated to always learning, and always improving," she said. "Not only for my toolbox but so I can add value to those organizations and business I've partnered with."

For more information about Extraordinary! by Design, visit Extrabydesign.com or call 251-202-7117.
(CNN)  The United States combined with the armed forces of the United Kingdom and France early Saturday to carry out airstrikes against the chemical weapons facilities maintained by the regime of Syria. Here are some of the weapons they used:

UK Tornado fighters

Britain contributed four Tornado fighter jets armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles to the operation, the UK's Ministry of Defense said.

The jets took off from RAF Akrotiri, the Royal Air Force base on Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean and targeted a Syrian chemical weapons site in Homs, the British Ministry of Defense said.

The twin-engine Tornado GR4 is the UK's main ground-attack aircraft, and they were armed with Storm Shadow missiles, an air-launched weapon that carries a 400 kilogram (900 pound) warhead as far as 400 kilometers (250 miles). That means the Tornadoes will not have been required to fly far, and would not have needed to cross into Syrian airspace to launch their strikes.

French Rafale jets

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron posted video on Twitter of its Rafale fighter jets taking off for the Syria mission.

The French defense minister, Florence Parly, said the jets flew from bases in France. Like the British Tornado, the twin-engine Rafale could be armed with Storm Shadow missiles that can fly for more than 250 miles.

This means jets could strike without having to fly over Syria and avoid anti-aircraft defenses.

US B-1 bombers

A US defense official said the US Air Force used B-1B bombers in the Syria strike.

The US did not give details on what weapons the B-1s were carrying, but US officials did say air-launched cruises missiles were used in the strike.

The four-engine B-1 is capable of deploying air-launched JASSM cruise missiles, which carry 450 kilogram (1,000 pound) warheads and have a range of more than 370 kilometers (230 miles). That means the B-1s would not have needed to expose themselves to Syria air defenses to make their strikes.

The defense sources did not say where the B-1s flew from, but Air Force media earlier this month showed the bombers arriving at the Al Uldeid US air base in Qatar, on the Arabian peninsula.

US guided-missile cruisers and destroyers

US defense sources said at least one US warship in the Red Sea participated in the Syrian airstrikes.

The US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers carry dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles).

Tomahawk cruises missile

US defense officials did not specify what weapons were used during the airstrikes early Saturday on Syria.

However, the Tomahawk cruise missile has been the military's go-to weapon in past such operations, including the one the Trump administration launched a year ago in Syria, when 58 of the Tomahawks hit a Syria airfield after a previous use of chemical weapons by the Syria regime.

The Tomahawk is carried by the dozens by US and British warships, including cruisers, destroyers and submarines, and is capable of delivering a 1,000-pound warhead.

It is designed to fly extremely low and can navigate around defenses using its on-board guidance systems. Its target can also be changed mid-flight through communication with controllers.

French frigates and cruise missiles

France used cruises missiles fired from three of its multimission frigates and one its standard frigates in the Syria strikes, sources told CNN.

The multimission frigates are some of the newest in the French naval fleet and are armed with the MdCN (Missile de Croisiere Naval) cruise missile, with 16 launch tubes for them on each ship.

The range of the missiles is secret. The missile's manufacturer describes them as having "very long range" while various industry websites put the range at 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).

French sources would not specify how many of the missiles they used.

This story was first published on CNN.com, Weapons the US, UK and France used to target Syria
(CNN)  The United States and Russia blamed each other Saturday for heightened international tensions after U.S., UK and French strikes against targets in Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons.

As leaders of the three Western allies exchanged calls declaring the strikes a success against future use of illegal munitions, the U.S. and Russian ambassadors to the United Nations pointed fingers during an emergency session of the UN Security Council.

The overnight strikes hit three sites -- one in Damascus and two in Homs -- which President Donald Trump said were "associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad."

The United States remains "locked and loaded" to strike Syria again in response to new chemical attacks, said Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who accused Russia, a key Syrian ally, of covering up for the Assad government.

"The pictures of dead children were not fake news," she told the Security Council. "They were the result of the Syrian regime's barbaric inhumanity."

But Russia failed to garner the necessary Security Council votes for a resolution condemning "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."

After the Security Council session, Haley's Russian counterpart, Vassily Nebenzia, called the day's developments "a blow to a political settlement" in the Syria crisis.

"I hope that hot heads will cool down and we can rebuild what has been destroyed," Nebenzia told reporters, adding that the United States, France and the UK had engaged in "diplomacy of mythmaking, hypocrisy and falsehoods."

Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to United Nations, accused the three Western allies of undermining international peace and security and asked that copies of the UN Charter be distributed to their representatives so they can "enlighten themselves and awaken themselves from their ignorance and tyranny."

The airstrikes followed a week of threats of retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma, outside Damascus, where Syrian forces have long been battling rebels.

Trump hailed the strike as "perfectly executed" in a tweet posted Saturday, adding "Mission Accomplished!"

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the strikes an "act of aggression against a sovereign state" and said they were against the UN Charter.

Assad said the airstrikes would "only increase the determination of Syria and its people to continue fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country," according to Syrian state TV.

Latest developments

 Francois Delattre, France's ambassador to the United Nations, called for a dismantling of Syria's chemical program "in a verifiable and irreversible way," a ceasefire so that humanitarian convoys can reach Eastern Ghouta on a daily basis and a "inclusive political solution" to the conflict.

 Haley said the UK, France and the United States "acted, not as revenge" but to "deter the future use of chemical weapons by holding the Syrian regime responsible for its atrocities against humanity."

 UK Ambassador Karen Pierce told the Security Council that her country, France and the United States will pursue a diplomatic solution so long as Syria halts its chemical weapons program and destroys its weapons stockpiles, among other conditions.

 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the states to show restraint in "these dangerous circumstances and avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people."

 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States and its allies had committed a "major crime" in Syria.

 NATO allies expressed their "full support" for the strikes, the alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, told reporters in Brussels, Belgium.

 The European Union foreign policy chief said the EU supported efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons.

 Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron, in separate phones calls, agreed that the military strikes had been a success.

 Members of the international chemical weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, arrived Saturday in Damascus. The team is on a fact-finding mission to the site of the Douma attack.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry called on the international community "to strongly condemn this aggression," warning it would "pose a threat to international peace and security as a whole," in a statement published by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.

Earlier, Assad's office tweeted a video of the Syrian President going to work Saturday, with the caption "a morning of steadfastness."

Danny Makki, a British-born Syrian journalist in Damascus, told CNN the strikes woke up his neighborhood. "You could tell straight away that this wasn't your average Damascus nighttime battle. It was something far bigger," he said.

Still, Syrians expressed doubt the military action would change anything.

"Frankly I expected a stronger strike, especially with the blasts that I heard. At least I am glad the strikes didn't attack civilian areas," said Yasser, 28, a Damascus teacher whose last name was not used for security reasons.

"I think this strike is a strong message to Assad for the chemical weapons, but I don't think Assad will change."

Firas Abdullah, a media activist recently evacuated from Ghouta, said, "It is not enough. I can describe it as -- it's just a media strike."

In a televised address Friday night announcing the strikes, Trump said he had decided to take action because last weekend's action by Assad were "not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead."

The strikes -- the strongest concerted action yet by Western forces in Syria -- were launched at 9 p.m. ET Friday as most of Europe and the Middle East was shrouded in darkness.

Pentagon: 'Precise, overwhelming and effective'

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the first allied strike targeted a scientific research center in greater Damascus involved in the development and production of chemical weapons.

The second site targeted was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, while the third was a chemical equipment storage facility and important command post.

In a Pentagon briefing Saturday, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff, said the strikes would set back Syria's chemical weapons capability for years.

McKenzie described the mission as "precise, overwhelming and effective," adding that "none of our aircraft or missiles in this operation were successfully engaged" by Syrian forces.

Chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said the strikes "successfully hit every target" and that the allies "took every measure" to hit only the intended targets.

Syrian and Russian officials gave a different assessment of the effectiveness of Syrian air defenses.

The Syrian armed forces said 110 missiles were fired on Syrian targets and that the country's defense systems "intercepted most of the missiles, but some hit targets including the Research Center in Barzeh."

Three civilians were wounded in Homs after "several" missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems, Syrian state TV said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Syria had intercepted 71 out of 103 cruise missiles launched by the U.S. and its allies, according to the Russian Embassy in London. It said only seven missiles had reached two Syrian military airfields and that "no serious damage to infrastructure was inflicted."

Russian state news agency TASS reported that none of the missiles fired by the three Western nations struck areas near its naval and air bases in Syria. Those bases come under the protection of Russian air defense units.

UK's May: 'Not about regime change'

In a televised statement Saturday, May said UK forces had undertaken a "limited and targeted strike" and that there had been "no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime."

While a full assessment has not yet been completed, "we believe that the action was successful," she said. "This was not about interfering in a civil war. And it was not about regime change."

Russia's Ministry of Defense said it believed the Western allies' action was not in retaliation for what happened in Douma but instead was a reaction to the Syrian army's "success" in liberating territory from rebels.

Iran, also a key ally of the Assad government, also condemned the strikes. "I firmly declare that the Presidents of U.S. and France and British PM committed a major crime," Khamenei tweeted.

International response

Turkey, another important player in the Syrian conflict, said it viewed the airstrikes as "an appropriate response" to the Douma attack, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a televised speech to supporters of his political party, said that not responding would be "unthinkable."

"It's impossible for us to accept the situation that Syrian children fall into," he said.

Erdogan and Putin spoke on the phone Saturday, according to Turkish and Russian state media reports. The two leaders agreed to work closely toward a political solution in Syria, the reports said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said all available evidence pointed to the Assad regime being responsible for the Douma attack and criticized Russia for blocking an independent investigation through the Security Council.

"The military operation was necessary and appropriate to preserve the effectiveness of the international ban on the use of chemical weapons and to warn the Syrian regime of further violations," Merkel said in a statement.

An Israeli official told CNN that the strikes enforced the red line drawn by Trump last year. In April 2017, the United States launched a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians.

"Syria continues to engage in and provide a base for murderous actions, including those of Iran, that put its territory, its forces and its leadership at risk," the Israeli official said.

This story was first published on CNN.com "U.S. 'locked and loaded' to strike Syria again if there's another chemical attack, Haley says"
(CNN)  Top administration officials on Saturday rallied behind President Donald Trump's declaration of "mission accomplished" in Friday night's strike on three Syria targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack on civilians in a Damascus suburb.

"A perfectly executed strike last night," Trump tweeted Saturday. "Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"

Senior U.S. officials echoed the President's assessment.

"Last night, operations were very successful," Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said at a briefing Saturday morning. "We met our objectives. We hit the sites, the heart of the chem-weapons program. So it was mission accomplished."

Vice President Mike Pence said the strikes, conducted in coordination with the United Kingdom and France, "degraded and crippled chemical weapons capabilities of Syria."

"I think the President's expressions this morning were a strong affirmation that the mission that he gave our military to go in and destroy key elements of the chemical weapons infrastructure in Syria was completely and professionally and swiftly accomplished," said Pence, who was on a foreign trip to Peru for the Summit of the Americas.

And, like Pence, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley emphasized that the United States is ready to keep pressure on Syria following military strikes that targeted the country's ability to use chemical weapons.

"The United States is locked and loaded," she said at an emergency UN Security Council meeting. "When our President draws a red line, our President enforces a red line."

Haley blasted Russia for protecting Syria and said that Moscow has emboldened Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to continue its attacks.

NATO also expressed "full support" for the strikes.

"I am not saying that the attacks last night solved all problems, but compared to the alternative -- to do nothing -- it was the right thing to," the alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, told reporters in Brussels on Saturday.

The Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, meanwhile, said Washington had embarked on an "illegal military venture."

"Russia condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack against Syria where Russian military personnel are assisting the legitimate country and their counterterrorism efforts," Nebenzia said, reading a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Nebenzia also said recent inspections by the UN's Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found no "traces of activity that would contravene the chemical weapons convention" at scientific research facilities targeted in the strikes.

"The scientific facilities in Syria are used only for peaceful activity which is aimed at enhancing the economic effectiveness of economic activity of Syria," Nebenzia said.

Before the U.S. launched its missile attack, international observers with the UN group had yet to reach the Damascus suburb of Douma, where the deadly attack took place. Experts arrived Saturday, the chemical weapons watchdog said on Twitter.

Pence said the U.S. and its allies went into the effort "absolutely confident that the Syrian regime had conducted this attack, despite what some of their apologists around the world are saying, and high confidence that at minimum the chemical weapon of chlorine was used in this attack."

A senior administration official told reporters that the US has assessed that both sarin and chlorine were used in the chemical attack last weekend.

"We do have significant information that also points to sarin use," the official said, citing symptoms described in reporting from media, non-governmental organizations and other open sources.

Coordinated strikes

Trump announced from the White House on Friday night that the U.S., in coordination with France and the United Kingdom, had launched strikes on Syria following a week of threats of retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack on civilians by the Assad regime. The strikes were launched at 9 p.m. ET, the early hours of Saturday morning for Europe and the Middle East.

Trump's remarks on Twitter Saturday are reminiscent of President George W. Bush's 2003 speech announcing an end to major combat operations in Iraq on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, with a big sign that read, "Mission Accomplished" in the backdrop. Those words later took on an irony as the war dragged on, and at the end of his presidency, Bush called the use of the phrase "a mistake."

Trump had said Friday that the U.S. is "prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents."

But U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters Friday that the missiles were a "one-time shot" for now, and that the strike sent a "strong message" to "deter" Assad from carrying out another chemical attack.

"Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message last year. This time our allies and we have struck harder," Mattis said.

The Pentagon repeated Saturday that the President has the authority under the Constitution to defend U.S. interests, but what happens next is up to the Assad regime and Russia. The U.S. mission in Syria remains to defeat ISIS and not get involved in the country's civil war, White said.

Target assessments

A total of 105 missiles were launched in the strikes, according to the Pentagon. The strikes "successfully hit every target" and the allies "took every measure and caution" to only hit the intended targets, White said Saturday morning.

The Pentagon also said that it was not aware of any civilian causalities at the time.

Syria state TV, however, claimed that three civilians were wounded in Homs after "several" missiles were intercepted by Syrian air-defense systems.

Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, said that none of the aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses, and there is no indication that Russia air defense systems were employed.

Syrian armed forces said in a statement, however, that the country's defense systems "intercepted most of the missiles, but some hit targets including the Research Center in Barzeh," a suburb of Damascus.

Russian Army Colonel Gen. Sergey Rudskoy put a number to the claim, telling reporters that 71 of the cruise missiles were intercepted by Syria's air defense systems.

"It proves high efficiency of the Syrian armament and professional skills of the Syrian servicemen trained by the Russian specialists," Rudskoy said at a Ministry of Defense media briefing. "Over the last 18 months, Russia has completely recovered the Syrian air defense systems, and continues its development."

The Pentagon assessed that nerve agents were present in the Barzah research center and that the Syrian regime employed about 40 surface-to-air missiles, but those launches occurred after the last impact of the U.S. and its allies' strike.

White also said Russia has begun a disinformation campaign on the situation.

"There has been a 2000 percent increase in Russian trolls in the last 24 hours," White said. "Therefore, we will keep you all abreast of the facts moving forward."

Defense Secretary James Mattis said Friday night that the US was expecting a disinformation campaign by those aligned with the Assad regime.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Trump declares 'mission accomplished' in Syria strike"
Jetex is thrilled to announce it will join forces with US startup Wright Electric to revolutionize private jet aviation.

With this new partnership, it will be the first general aviation company globally to champion and support electric aircraft for short haul flights.

To start, the company will implement the charging infrastructure and full support for electric aircraft, expanding throughout the vast Jetex Global FBO Network, starting in Dubai. That means a potential for charging stations at over 30 FBOs.

In collaboration with Wright, Jetex will also invest in production of the first electric aircraft globally. With an estimated range of 540km or 335 miles, a passenger can fly from Jetex FBOs in Dubai to Muscat or Malaga to Casablanca on a single charge.

We are constantly building a new reality in the aviation industry. First, by setting a high standard of service and now by setting a new standard for innovation, said Jetex President and CEO Adel Mardini. We envision having the aircraft and infrastructure at all of our FBOs throughout our global network.

For Wright Electric, the goal is to make every short haul flight a zero-emissions flight within 20 years. According to Wright, their airplanes will be 50% quieter and 10% less expensive to operate. Wright uses battery packs with advanced cell technology.

We knew right away Jetex was the kind of company we wanted to work with. They have an innovative mindset and dont like to settle for the status quo, said Jeffrey Engler, CEO and founder of Wright Electric. They are as excited about new technology as we are.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ARTESIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

April 13

ARREST

1:55 a.m.  Tabitha Roark, 37, of Artesia, arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

7:16 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the Abo Apartments in reference to suspicious activity.

April 12

ARRESTS

10:24 a.m.  Christopher Lugo, 35, of Artesia, arrested on two municipal warrants for failure to pay fines.

11 a.m.  Denton Sterling Farmer, 15, of Artesia, arrested and charged with unlawful use of a telephone to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass.

11:07 a.m.  Dooley D. Juarez, 29, of Las Cruces, arrested on a Dona Ana County Magistrate Court warrant.

5:53 p.m.  Edmundo E. Garza, 49, of Artesia, arrested and charged with criminal damage to property and possession of a controlled substance.

9:24 p.m.  Edward Cabazos, 55, of Artesia, arrested and charged with battery against a household member.

VANDALISM

8:05 a.m.  Officer dispatched to Wendys in reference to vandalism.

DOMESTIC

8:14 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1400 block of West Yucca Avenue in reference to a domestic dispute.

LOUD NOISE

8:30 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the Abo Apartments in reference to a loud noise.

PROPERTY INCIDENT

9:05 a.m.  Officer dispatched to Mahone Drive and Main Street in reference to a property incident.

THREATS

9:21 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1400 block of West Hank Avenue in reference to threats.

WANTED SUBJECT

10:11 a.m.  Officer dispatched to 26th and Main streets in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

10:25 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 400 block of South First Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

LARCENY

10:36 a.m.  Officer dispatched to 101 E. Compress Road in reference to larceny.

GRAFFITI

10:52 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the Abo Apartments in reference to graffiti.

WANTED SUBJECT

10:59 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 400 block of South First Street in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

11:43 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 800 block of South First Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HAZARD

12:52 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a hazard.

THREATS

3:30 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Park Junior High School in reference to threats.

ACCIDENT

3:35 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1200 block of West Main Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

LARCENY

4:26 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the Abo Apartments, Apt. F42, in reference to larceny.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

4:34 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1500 block of North 10th Street in reference to suspicious activity.

WANTED SUBJECT

5:16 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 700 block of West Washington Avenue in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

5:37 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 300 block of York Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED SUBJECT

6:04 p.m.  Officer dispatched to North First Street and East Richey Avenue in reference to a wanted subject.

FRAUD

6:18 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to fraud.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

7:09 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1000 block of South 13th Street in reference to suspicious activity.

DISTURBANCE

7:44 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1300 block of West Yucca Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

8:17 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 800 block of West Washington Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

DOMESTIC

8:45 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the Eagle Creek Apartments in reference to a domestic dispute.

April 2

ARRESTS

12 p.m.  Audrey Martinez, 13, of Artesia, arrested and charged with public affray.

12 p.m.  Maxwell White, 13, of Artesia, arrested and charged with public affray.

EDDY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

April 12

ABUSE

9:46 a.m.  Deputy dispatched to North 13th Street and Jenkins Drive in reference to abuse.

ALARM

11:30 a.m.  Deputy dispatched to 1305 Spruce Lane in reference to an alarm.

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT

12:19 p.m.  Deputy dispatched to U.S. 285, mile marker 66, in reference to an industrial accident.

ALARM

5:32 p.m.  Deputy dispatched to 10 W. Blevins Road in reference to an alarm.

SHOTS FIRED

10:15 p.m.  Deputy dispatched to Chimeso Road in reference to shots fired in the area.

ARTESIA MAGISTRATE COURT

Judge Daniel Reyes Jr.

Timothy Hoerath, 39, of Artesia, scheduled to appear May 30 for pretrial conference on charges of trespassing and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

Charges of battery dismissed against Andrew Veloz, 18, of Artesia.

Jeremy W. Patrom, 31, of Artesia, found guilty of trespassing and larceny. Sentenced to 43 days in ECDC and 321 days of supervised probation. Total fines and fees $176.

Geremias Nevarez, 52, of Artesia, bound over to district court on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clint Elmore, 27, of Odessa, Texas, bound over to district court on charges of negligent arson and criminal damage to property.

Kenneth Moberly, 27, of Artesia, found guilty of criminal damage to property. Sentenced to 30 days in ECDC. Total fines and fees $173.

Cheyenne Ramirez, 24, of Artesia, bound over to district court on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery.

Gabriel Garcia, 30, of Carlsbad, bound over to district court on charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and intent to commit a felony.

Matthew Pacheco, 31, of Artesia, found guilty of criminal damage to property of a household member and battery against a household member. Sentenced to two years of supervised probation. Total fines and fees $226.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A school threat incident investigated by Artesia Police Department officers Thursday afternoon was deemed non-credible in nature.

Police were dispatched at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to Park Junior High School in reference to the incident.

Upon investigation, they learned a freshman student had sent a Snapchat to a friend that contained the message, (Expletive) Zia Im going to shoot that (expletive) up.

The students parents were contacted and the incident investigated. School Resource Officers determined the threat was not credible.

The student, identified as Denton Sterling Farmer, 15, of Artesia, was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a telephone to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass.
Amazon and Flipkart has brought about a major disruption in the domestic cargo sector.

Amazon and Flipkart has brought about a major disruption in the domestic cargo sector with an expected contribution of about Rs 5,000 crore this fiscal.

New Delhi: The e-retail industry led by the likes of Amazon and Flipkart has brought about a major disruption in the domestic cargo sector with an expected contribution of about Rs 5,000 crore this fiscal, of which the air cargo segment would garner around Rs 1,000 crore, a report said.

The Express Industry Report 2018 released last week said the e-commerce players have challenged the traditional express operations and unlocked many opportunities by providing newer avenues for value addition.

The Rs 17,000 crore domestic express industry, comprising shipments transported and delivered within the country by road and air, is currently growing at 15 per cent, with the e-retailers being a key driver of growth, the report said.

Air cargo express, which contributes Rs 5,000 crore to the domestic industry, will continue to reap dividends from the healthy growth of e-commerce players even as the e-retailer players are increasingly looking at surface transport for delivery of goods and products, the report said.

The e-retail industry is estimated to contribute close to Rs 4,000 crore to domestic surface express and close to Rs 1,000 crore to domestic air express during this fiscal, the report said.

Talking to PTI, COO of Express Industry Council of India, Vijay Kumar favoured re-evaluation of the government policy to allow the domestic cargo airlines to offer international operations, thus wooing more players into the air cargo business. At present, the notable player in the domestic air cargo airlines is Blue Dart Express. More players and avenues in the cargo business could mean more scope for expansion for the e-commerce players.

On Sunday, the top two e-commerce players Amazon and Flipkart contribute as much as 80-85 per cent to the industry revenues. But with the entry of newer players such as Paytm, ShopClues and aggressive investments from incumbents to capture a higher share of the lucrative Indian e-retail market, the competitive intensity in the express industry has increased significantly, the report said.

"E-retail, as a part of the B2C express segment, is estimated to contribute Rs 5,000 crore to the express industry during this fiscal. In terms of volume, close to 1.3 million shipments is being shipped daily - including the forward fulfilments and returns, the report said.

The dynamic and competitive nature of the e-retail segment has brought in many new trends for the industry such as adoption of alternate delivery methods, customer centric delivery, shift from air express to surface express, increase in regional movement, adoption of technology and expansion to remote locations, the express report underlined.
Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
The consortium of lenders, led by SBI, is claiming dues of over Rs 23,000 crore from Alok Industries.

Reliance Industries on Sunday said that its resolution plan for acquiring Alok Industries in conjunction with JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company has been rejected by the Committee of Creditors.

New Delhi: Reliance Industries on Sunday said that its resolution plan for acquiring Alok Industries in conjunction with JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company has been rejected by the Committee of Creditors.

RIL had bid jointly with JM Financial to acquire the debt ridden textile manufacturer Alok Industries Ltd.

"As intimated earlier, Reliance Industries Limited in conjunction with JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company Limited submitted a resolution plan for Alok Industries Limited. We have been informed that our plan did not meet with the approval of the Committee of Creditors of Alok Industries as required under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code," RIL said in a regulatory filing to the exchanges.

In July 2017, the Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal had admitted insolvency proceedings against the textile company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The consortium of lenders, led by SBI, is claiming dues of over Rs 23,000 crore from Alok Industries.
Once thought of as a vulgar dance form, pole dancing has fast become Bollywoods go-to for fitness workout regimes.

Once thought of as a vulgar dance form, pole dancing has fast become Bollywoods go-to for fitness workout regimes that not only help you feel good, but even look good.

When you hear the words pole dance, for many a seductive dance performed by exotic dancers with lithe limbs in a dimly lit bar comes to mind. And it doesnt help that special dance numbers in Bollywood have played to this image.

However, pole dancing is gaining prominence in India, with a bit of a twist. Besides being used to perform complex dance routines, a lot of Bollywood beauties are now swearing by pole exercises for a fitter body.

And one of these beauties is Jacqueline Fernandez. The actress was shooting for A Gentlemans song Chandralekha in Miami, when she hit upon the idea of incorporating pole dancing in it. And the rest, as they say, is history. Not only was her performance appreciated, shes found the benefits to the art as well. Ive made it a part of my regime as it helps my fitness, as well as upper body strength, she said in an interview earlier.

Jacqueline isnt alone. Yami Gautam too got applauded when she posted a few pictures and videos on her social media account, charting out fitness through pole dancing. Pole dancing is a great way to work on your fitness abilities and your dance, Yami said. It challenges your fitness level a lot more.

Deepika in Happy New Year.

Perhaps one of the biggest proponents of this art form in Mumbai has been Kalyug actress Smilly Suri, who turned to pole dancing as a form of physical and mental exercise after a personal crisis. I was battling depression when I lost my parents, she opens up. Back then, I was advised to do something that made me happy. Having had learnt so many dance forms before, I wasnt satisfied. Out of sheer coincidence, I landed up in a pole dance class instead of an aerial one in Dubai, and it changed my life.

Having had struggles with various health issues in the past, Smilly says shes now fit, thanks to her routine. I found the purpose of my life. I feel both feminine and masculine at once, and I have learnt to be in the present moment, she smiles.

Fitness expert Shilpa Rane, a pioneer in bringing pole dancing to India, says she did so after discovering its fitness aspects. I have over 20 years of experience of teaching pole dance, and students mainly take this as a fitness form since it helps in strengthening the muscles and staying fit. However, I notice that its only the educated professionals and not other people who take this up, because the awareness aspect is missing. But those who do, tell me that they feel like theyve attended an exercise class and not a dance class, she grins.

Shilpa also has a few words of caution to give for anyone attempting to take up pole dancing for its fitness values. Its a very risky form, so please ensure your trainer is qualified. Itll have you quite literally falling to the floor, and the pole can be very slippery, she says, explaining that a custom plan for each candidate is the need of the hour. Beginners cant be taught the same steps as experienced ones, you know, Shilpa explains.

Smilly adds that its a proper work out routine that makes it feel like a sport to her. The dance form also helps one be fit and focused. One even learns crisis management and how to live in the now, explains the actress and dancer, who is also hosting a pole fitness camp in Mumbai next month.

But as far as equating the dance form to vulgarity goes, both Shilpa and Smilly shrug, saying that its in the eye of the beholder.

Men need to understand that the idea of pole dance needs changing, and women have to see the other aspects of the dance form  this isnt just restricted to strip clubs, she signs off.
The state government in the apex court had favoured Punjab, Haryana HC verdict convicting Navjot Singh Sidhu in the 1988 case.

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh defended his government's stand in the Supreme Court in a 30-year-old road rage case against cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying it was the only legal option available to it.

The state government in the apex court favoured the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict convicting and awarding a three-year jail term to Sidhu in the 1988 case.

Gurnam Singh, a Patiala resident, had died after he was given fist blow by Sidhu. "Though the government could not have taken any other stand in the apex court, other than what it had been taken in the trial and high court earlier, Sidhu deserved the court's consideration," Singh said, adding "Had we done so, we would have been accused of lying either now or earlier."

Singh, however, hoped the judge would take into account Sidhu's "contribution to the society and the country" in his final verdict.

Also Read: Punjab govt seeks conviction of Navjot Singh Sidhu in 1988 road rage case

According to an official release quoting his interview on YouTube Live, the chief minister dismissed accusations that he did not like Sidhu.

In September 1999, a trial court had acquitted Sidhu of the murder charge. However, the high court reversed the verdict and held him and co-accused Rupinder Singh Sandhu guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in December, 2006.

The high court sentenced them to three-years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on the convicts.
The proposed quota in PG course was aimed at further incentivising government doctors for serving in rural areas.

New Delhi: A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will examine whether the Medical Council of India (MCI) can allow states to reserve seats in post-graduate courses for doctors who earn incentive marks by working in government hospitals in remote or hill areas. The scheme for incentive marks has also been challenged.

A three-judge bench of Justices Kurian Joseph, M.M. Shantanagoudar and Navin Sinha on Friday referred to the Chief Justice Dipak Misra a batch of petitions filed by Tamil Nadu Medical Doctors Association (TNMDA) and others for adjudication by a larger bench.

The main dispute pertains to the claim made by Tamil Nadu last month that it can reserve PG seats in favour of government doctors serving in remote areas. The proposed quota in PG course was aimed at further incentivising government doctors for serving in rural areas.

The petitions have challenged the validity of Regulation 9(4) and (8) of the MCIs Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, which provides incentive marks for in-service doctors. An incentive of up to 10 per cent marks obtained for each year of service in remote and/or difficult areas or rural areas  up to maximum of 30 per cent  is provided to such doctors in National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET).

The petitioners have alleged that the regulation violates the provisions of the Constitution as its discriminates between doctors working in cities and those working in remote areas.

They have an interim stay so that admission to post-graduate courses can be made only on the basis of NEET marks and demanded that the MCI regulation granting incentive marks should be quashed.

Advocates for states and the Centre justified the regulation and pointed out that the apex court had earlier upheld incentive marks being granted to in-service doctors.

Justice Kurian in a brief referral order said that considering the importance of the issue, the matter has to be decided by a larger bench.

The bench said, We feel it is appropriate that even the interim relief should be considered by the larger bench. Accordingly, place the matters before the Chief Justice of India for consideration by a larger bench The petitioners are free to make a mention on Monday, April 16, before the Chief Justice of India.
PM Modi credits dalit icon for his rise; Congress calls BJP anti-dalit.

Jangla (Chhattisgarh)/New Delhi: The battle for Ambedkars legacy continued unabated with both the Congress and the BJP intensifying their attempts to embrace the social icon on his 127th birth anniversary on Saturday. Even as BJP and Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi, made a beeline to pay tributes to Ambedkar, both the parties accused each other of being anti-dalit.

Paying glorious tribute to Ambedkar at a special function in the remote village of Jangla in Chhattisgarh, Mr Modi said I am PM because of Babasaheb even as he helped a Dalit woman wear a pair of slippers.

Mr Modi, who was slated to present a pair of slippers to a tribal woman, surprised the crowd when he walked up to her, bent down and helped the bare-footed woman wear her new pair of slippers. The symbolic gesture received a loud applause.

If a person of a humble background like me could become PM, it is because of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mr Modi said while rolling out Ayusman Bharat Yojana, popularly known as Modicare, in the tribal-dominated south Bastar district of Bijapur which is a Naxal-stronghold.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme aims to work on the development and upgradation of sub-centres and primary health centres in 1.5 lakh villages.

Mr Modi said that B.R. Ambedkar had made provisions in the Constitution for the protection of the rights of backward classes and appealed to people not to join Naxals for securing their rights.

Baba Sahab has given us the Constitution. He ensured protection of your rights... It is the duty of the government to take care of your rights. You need not pick up weapons... Ruin your lives, the Prime Minister added and asked the parents of those who had joined Naxalism not to hand over their childrens lives to leaders who keep themselves safe while letting the locals die.

While Rahul Gandhi tweeted paeans  Paying rich tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. His thoughts and struggle will keep inspiring us in our struggle to bring equality, human dignity and social justice in the society  the Congress accused the BJP of eroding the legacy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and said the Prime Minister was merely paying lip service to Ambedkar.

You are robbing them (dalits) of their scholarships, you are participating in conspiracies to dilute their reservations and then you are shedding crocodile tears in the name of dalits, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said and added that the BJP can inaugurate as many memorials as they like, but the fact is that they are reducing sub-plans, financial allocations.

The Congress Kumari Selja, former Union minister and a dalit leader, also charged that the Prime Minister was doing politics over the legacy of the dalit icon.

The BJP and RSS have an anti-dalit mindset as their government has abolished the sub-plan for SC/STs, have talked of ending reservation and amendment to the Constitution which was framed by Ambedkar, she said.

In Chhattisgarh, Mr Modi inaugurated several development projects, including a new rail line, Internet services, roads and bridges.

In Gujarats Vadodara, meanwhile, members of the dalit community on Saturday cleansed a statue of B.R. Ambedkar after women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi and some BJP leaders paid floral tributes on his birth anniversary.

Soon after Ms Gandhi arrived at the Ambedkars statue, along with BJP MP Ranjanben Bhatt, city mayor Bharat Dangar, BJP MLA Yogesh Patel and others, members of the dalit community started raising slogans against them.

After Ms Gandhi and other leaders garlanded the statue around 9 am and left the venue, the protesters washed it with milk and water, saying the BJP leaders presence had polluted the statue.

We told the police that since we had gathered there much before the BJP leaders came, it was our right to pay tributes first. However, police prevented us from garlanding the statue, stating that as per the protocol, it was the mayors right. This angered our members, a local dalit leader said.

In other incidents, there was tension in Phagwara town of Punjabs Kapurthala district after a late night clash between two groups over the installation of a Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar statue. In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, dalit leaders took strong objection to the painting of the upper part of an under-construction Ambedkar memorial saffron.
The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held in Beijing between the two countries.

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph. (Photo: Representational)

New Delhi/Beijing: India has sought China's assistance to speed up Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor besides redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway stations, a senior Indian official said on Sunday.

The proposal was made at the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held in Beijing between the two countries.

"We offered them speeding up of Bangalore-Chennai railway corridor," NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday.

The SED was held between delegations headed by Kumar and He Lifeng, the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The proposal was made for increasing the speed of the corridor to 150 kmph.

India previously made a proposal to China for the redevelopment of Agra and Jhansi railway station. It has been reemphasised at Saturday's talks, officials said.

The Chinese side will respond after considering the proposals, they said.

Kumar said it was pointed out to the Chinese side that the railway station development plan is a big one involving about 600 of them. They can bid for any of them, he said.

However, there was no discussion in the just concluded SED about the collaboration to build high speed trains by China in India, he said.

China has been expressing interest to take up high speed train corridors in India and began conducting a feasibility study for New Delhi and Chennai high speed train corridor.

The first high-speed train corridor in India between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been bagged by Japan.

China has the world's longest high-speed rail network, with 22,000 km within the country linking various top cities.
Being the host country, Russia is expected to participate in the exercise in a big way in terms of men, material and sophisticated weapon systems.

Peace Mission 2018 will be the fifth edition of the multilateral exercise held once in two years but this will be the first drill for both India and Pakistan, which became SCO members on June 9, 2017.

New Delhi: For the first time ever, Indian and Pakistani soldiers will fight together, not against each other. In August, the two Armies will undertake joint mock operations in Russia to eliminate terrorists, neutralise terror networks and thwart possible attacks besides testing combat readiness, sources said.

Both the Armies have operated together in the past in foreign lands while providing security or in convoy protection deployment as peacekeepers under the United Nations mandate, but this is the first time that the two neighbours, with a bitter history of wars and a relationship of rancour, will join hands in a military exercise.

A top government source told this newspaper that the exercise called Peace Mission 2018, under the umbrella of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), will be held at Chelyabinsk in west-central Russia. It will begin in August-end and conclude in the first week of September.

Chelyabinsk, located close to the Ural mountains, will also host the meeting of the council of heads of SCO member states and the meeting of Brics leaders in 2020.

With aims for political, economic, military cooperation, coordination and solidarity in Eurasia, SCO was formed in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Now, SCO has eight fulltime members including India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. While four nations have been accorded observer status, another six are dialogue partners.

Peace Mission 2018 will be the fifth edition of the multilateral exercise held once in two years but this will be the first drill for both India and Pakistan, which became SCO members on June 9, 2017.

As members of SCO, it is mandatory for the two neighbours to take part in the week-long exercise. Interestingly, the two countries are also together in SCOs Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), an arrangement under which they have to exchange intelligence information on terror.

Being the host country, Russia is expected to participate in the exercise in a big way in terms of men, material and sophisticated weapon systems. China is also expected to deploy about 500 soldiers, while the Indian and Pakistani military contingents are likely to be smaller.

The military exercise will begin soon after a mega defence expo in Russia that will begin from August 21. For the first time, we are expecting big participation by Indian defence industry companies and the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), the source added.
The party is all likely to release candidates list for all 224 constituencies in one go instead of its early decision of releasing in two instalments.

Bengaluru: Even after fixing the deadline to release the candidates list on Saturday, Congress party leaders continue to slug it out in private in New Delhi to make some "last minute final tweaks" to the list. It appears that chief minister Siddarmaiah is likely to contest from one of the two seats as Congress president Rahul Gandhi reportedly opined that Mr Siddaramaiah must contest from any one seat of his choice instead of deciding to contest from two seats and based on this, Mr Siddarmaiah reportedly sought time till Sunday morning to arrive at final decision to contest from a seat of his choice.

The party is all likely to release candidates list for all 224 constituencies in one go instead of its early decision of releasing in two instalments. Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah is likely to have upperhand in the final list although party veterans like Congress party Lok Sabha leader, M. Mallikarjuna Kharge, former union ministers M. Veerappa Moily, K.H. Muniyappa and K. Rehman Khan made concerted efforts to ensure the party should effectively implement time tested social engineering formula instead of falling only for the winnablity formula.

The Chief Minister, Siddaramiah reportedly asserted that he should be given free hand to pick candidates of his choice rather that candidates being imposed on him by any quarters. "I am confident of winning 120 seats if my list is approved," the source said quoting Mr Siddarmaiah and pointed at this point discussion over the candidate selection came to almost standstill.

Speaking to this newspaper, a senior functionary disclosed that the tussle has reduced from 25 contentious seats till Friday evening to 10-12 seats by the Saturday evening. "The party has seemingly agreed to the Chief Minister Siddarmaiah's proposal implement winnablity formula over the social engineering formula. Apart

from this, the Chief Minister also contested that "some leaders" whom he is recommending was simply part of his larger strategy to "mobilise resources" to ensure party's victory in some areas like Hyderabad-Karantaka region. Indirectly pointing towards his selection of fielding muliti-millionare controversial businessman, Ashok Kheny from Bidar," the source explained and based on these considerations the party was all likely to say yes to Mr Siddarmaiah's list instead of listening to others.

The source further added that the party was likely to give in for the chief minister, Siddarmaiah's decision to contest from two seats along with allocating seat for his son Dr Yateendra from Varuna.
Home ministry sources said the Centre was even willing to provide additional central para-military forces for this purpose.

Meanwhile, the home ministry has also assured the state police that it can investigate the Kathua rape case without pressure from any quarters and stern action should be taken against the accused persons.

New Delhi: As a consequence of the Kathua rape case, both the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government will soon put in place a comprehensive plan to provide adequate security cover to nomadic tribes, specially those belonging to the minority community, whenever they are camping in the Jammu region. The minor girl who was brutally raped and murdered belong to one such nomadic tribe of the State.

Home ministry sources said the Centre was even willing to provide additional central para-military forces for this purpose. These nomadic tribes camp in deserted areas near forests or outskirts of villages with their livestock thus making them more vulnerable to possible attacks as was witnessed in the Kathua incident. So we are talking to the state government to put in place a foolproof security mechanism for protection of such nomadic tribes, specially ones belonging to the minority community, a senior government official said. Sources said the J&K government will soon carry out a detailed survey regarding movement such tribes both during the summer and winter season to identify the areas where they camp while moving around. The local administration and the police will then be made responsible for giving adequate protection to these nomadic tribes whenever they are camping their areas. The local administration will also be able to seek reinforcements from central para-military for this purpose.

Both the Centre and the state government are of the view that no outfit should be allowed give a communal colour to such a heinous crime and these have to be prevented at any cost even if it requires giving them a security cover,the official added.

Meanwhile, the home ministry has also assured the state police that it can investigate the Kathua rape case without pressure from any quarters and stern action should be taken against the accused persons. The issue was discussed in detail during a meeting between home minister Rajnath Singh and J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti during a meeting on Wednesday. Ms Mufti had informed the home minister that certain elements were trying deliberately trying to give a communal angle to the entire incident in attempt to influence the investigations.

Sources claimed that the Centre has also assured the state government that the case would be transferred to the CBI only if the latter feels so. But if the state government is fully assured that proper investigations have been done by the local police, then the case should not be handed over to CBI. This decision has to be taken by the state government and the home ministry will in no way try and influence it, a home ministry official added.
In its petition, filed through advocate G. Prakash, Kerala said that the March 20 verdict has created insecurity among SC/ST people.

New Delhi: Kerala has joined the Centre in moving the Supreme Court to seek a review of the March 20 verdict of the court that allegedly diluted provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by granting protection to the accused against arrest without a preliminary probe.

In its petition, filed through advocate G. Prakash, Kerala said that the March 20 verdict has created insecurity among SC/ST people. It said that when the law is clear no guidelines should be issued by court.

The state said that the apex court has failed to suitably appreciate certain facts and the settled principles of law. There is an error apparent in the judgment as it goes against the mandate of Parliament and the object of the Act, it argues.

The Kerala government said that granting protection to the accused from arrest and ordering a preliminary inquiry by a senior police officer into any complaint by member of the SC/ST communities has diluted the provisions of the Act.

If the March 20 judgment is given effect, it will be impossible for registration of any FIR against the accused, said the state government.

The petition opposed the provision for granting anticipatory bail to the accused made in the March 20 verdict. The judgment will cause miscarriage of justice in those cases where an accused does not deserve bail, the petition said.

If the benefit of anticipatory bail is made available to the accused they may misuse their freedom to terrorise the complainants, it said.
The protests began today from 5 pm onwards.

New Delhi: Candle-light protests are being held across nation including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Bhopal and many others states as public outrage over rape cases involving minors in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao.

On last Sunday, a 17-yr-old, who was allegedly raped by BJP lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brother in Unnao, tried to commit suicide outside UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditynaths house. A day later, her father, who had been mercilessly thrashed for his refusal to withdraw the case, died. The lawmaker and his brother was arrested in the case of assault.

Read: Unnao rape: BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar sent to 7-day police custody

Protest held at Parliament Street against Unnao & Kathua rape cases. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/JPAAiIgKMT  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

The second case, which shook the nation was the rape and murder of an 8-yr-old in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua outraged after the details of the brutality was exposed in the chargesheet.

Over the next week, she was drugged, starved, repeatedly gangraped and then murdered. The chargesheet also revealed that before her head was bashed with a stone, one of the accused- a police officer- had asked the killer to wait so he could rape the child one last time.

In the most recent case, the death of a 9-year-old girl in Surat, whose body was covered in 80 wounds, emerged on Saturday.

Read: 9-yr-old Surat girl raped, body found with 86 injuries in cricket ground

The protests began today from 5 pm onwards.
The External Affairs Ministry said PM Modi will make the stopover in Berlin following a suggestion by Merkel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on April 20.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom, the External Affairs Ministry said today.

It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Merkel began her fourth term as German chancellor on March 14.

The ministry said PM Modi will make the stopover in Berlin following a suggestion by Merkel.

"At the suggestion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making a brief stopover in Berlin on 20 April after completing his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his visit, PM will meet Chancellor Merkel and the two leaders will exchange views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues," it said.

It is said the visit "demonstrates the commitment by the two countries to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges."

PM Modi will begin a five-day visit to Sweden and the UK from April 16 with an aim to boost bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment.

In the UK, the Prime Minister will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, besides exploring ways to further deepen ties between the two countries, the ministry said.

In Sweden, PM Modi will attend the India-Nordic Summit. The summit is being co-hosted by India and Sweden. Prime Ministers of all Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - will attend the summit.

PM Modi will first travel to Sweden on a two-day visit from April 16-17. On the second leg of his visit, he will travel to the UK.
Rahul Gandhi visiting the state will also ensure that workers remain upbeat till the election date, the leader added.

New Delhi: Intensifying his party's campaign, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is likely to make at least three visits to poll-bound Karnataka less than a month before Assembly elections are held in the state. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12.

Revealing that Mr Gandhi is expected to visit those parts of Karnataka which he has not visited yet as part of his Jana Aashirwada Yatre, a senior Congress leader said all his rallies and meetings till now have received a good response. There is a feeling among Karnataka workers that he should cover more areas in the four regions of the state to ensure our victory.

Mr Gandhi visiting the state will also ensure that workers remain upbeat till the election date, the leader added.

Mr Gandhi has already completed six rounds of campaigning in the state with the last one on April 7 and 8.

"All his rallies and meetings till now have received a good response. There is a feeling among Karnataka workers that he should cover more areas in the four regions of the state to ensure our victory," a party leader said.

During the Congress president's recent road show in the state's Tumkur, a party man had thrown a garland towards him and it had perfectly landed around the Congress chief's neck.

Asked about it, the source said party workers should ensure there is no repeat of such a case in view of his security. Karnataka is witnessing a three-corner contest among the Congress, BJP and the HD Deve Gowda-led JD (S). The result of the election will be out on May 15.
A special court in Lucknow on Saturday sent Sengar, the prime accused in the case arrested on Friday, to a seven-day CBI custody.

Lucknow: The CBI on Saturday arrested a woman who allegedly lured the Unnao rape victim to BJP MLA and prime accused Kuldeep Singh Sengar on the day of the crime last year, officials said. Shashi Singh is the second person to be arrested in the case.

In her complaint to police, now part of the CBI FIR, the victims mother had alleged that Shashi Singh had lured her daughter to Sengars residence where he raped her. She had also alleged that while the MLA was raping her daughter, Shashi Singh stood outside the room as a guard.

Read: Unnao rape: BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar sent to 7-day police custody

A special court in Lucknow on Saturday sent Sengar, the prime accused in the case arrested on Friday, to a seven-day CBI custody.

The CBI is now expectedly to take the accused to Unnao for further investigation. The accused MLA was formally arrested around 10pm on Friday.
Islamabad says Delhi distorting facts over Sikhs jatha to Panja.

New Delhi/Islamabad: India and Pakistan on Sunday engaged once again in a fierce war of words, with New Delhi lodging a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access for visiting Indian Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams. New Delhi is also furious that Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria was asked by the Pakistanis to return en route while travelling to the famous Panja Sahib Gurdwara on grounds of security.

Islamabad has, however, denied these allegations and in turn accused India of distorting and misrepresenting facts. Pakistan claimed the Indian high commission and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan had mutually agreed to cancel the high commissioners visit beforehand as some Sikh pilgrims from across the world gathered in Pakistan were agitated over the film Nanak Shah Fakir on the first Sikh guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak, which incidentally has generated controversy over its release in India. It was the ETPB that had invited the Indian high commissioner to the gurdwara. Islamabad also claimed it had resolved the issue of access and given clearance for Indian officials to meet the Indian Sikh pilgrims at Wagah on April 12 (after permission was initially refused) but the Indian high commission officials did not return. Islamabad also said Indian high commission officials visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib on Sunday.

New Delhi, meanwhile, said a jatha (batch) of 1,800 Indian Sikh pilgrims are currently visiting Pakistan and that as per standard practice, the Indian high commissions consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies. India accused Pakistan of diplomatic discourtesy and said these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries. It may be recalled that India and Pakistan had resolved a diplomat harassment row just last month after both countries claimed that their diplomats were being harassed in the other country.

It may be recalled that Pakistani security agencies including the notorious ISI have long been under the scanner for their suspected role in trying to get pro-Khalistan elements in Europe and North America to instigate Indian Sikh pilgrims who visit Pakistan.

In a statement from New Delhi, the external affairs ministry said: India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams. A jatha of around 1,800 Sikh yatris has been travelling in Pakistan from April 12, under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines. A standard practice has been that the Indian high commissions consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies. However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah railway station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14 for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The high commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens.

The MEA added: Moreover, on April 14, the Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route to the shrine, for unspecified security reasons. The high commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens. India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan agai-nst this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines 1974 and the Code of Cond-uct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries.
The results suggest that doctors need to spend some time talking to their patients.

Doctors who see fewer patients may get better online reviews than physicians who have higher-volume practices, a study of U.S. urologists suggests.

Researchers examined data on 665 urologists with Medicare patients in California, looking at how many patients they treated as well as what types of reviews they got on four websites: Yelp.com, Vitals.com, Healthgrades.com and Ratemd.com. Half of the urologists treated at least 426 patients covered by Medicare in 2014. Overall, the physicians who treated fewer patients got higher satisfaction ratings online, the study found.

There could be more than one explanation for this but our hypothesis is that patients are happier when there is less waiting and more time to communicate with the doctor, said lead study author Dr. Gregory Murphy, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. I think it shows that patients value efficiency, ease of access and communication, Murphy said by email.

Although the accuracy, usefulness and meaning of online reviews is debated by doctors, they increasingly influence decisions about where patients choose to receive care and impact how hospitals and health systems evaluate doctors performance, the study team writes in JAMA Surgery, online March 21.

Online reviews may be influenced by a variety of factors that go beyond the quality of care to include things like waiting times to see physicians, the ease of scheduling appointments and how long doctors spend in exam rooms, the authors note.

For the study, the researchers examined physician billing and reimbursement data as well as the number of Medicare patients they saw and how many services they billed for in 2014. Most of the urologists in the study were male, and they predominantly worked in nonacademic settings.

On a scale that ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 5, academic doctors on average scored a 4.2 rating on the various patient satisfaction websites in the study. Outside of academic settings, doctors scored an average rating of 3.7. Female urologists got similar satisfaction ratings as males, the study also found. For every 100 patients seen, average patient satisfaction ratings dropped by 0.04 points.

Limitations of the study include the use of Medicare data from propublica.com, which may not accurately represent a physicians non-Medicare patient population, the authors note. The study also wasnt a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how the number of patients doctors treat might influence satisfaction ratings on consumer websites.

Even so, the results suggest that doctors need to spend some time talking to their patients, Murphy said by email. When complications happen during treatment or surgery, patients may feel better about the experience when they feel like their doctor listens to them. Patients want someone who communicates well and listens in those unfortunate and frightening moments, Murphy said.

Its possible that the results might not fully capture how many patients doctors treat, however, because it only focused on people insured by Medicare, the U.S. health program for people 65 and older, said Dr. Brian Radbill, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Mount Sinai St. Lukes in New York City.

Older patients may have more complex medical needs and require more time and attention than younger patients, Radbill, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. Specialists, especially in urology where surgery is often involved, may only interact with patients a few times and have limited opportunities to build a relationship Radbill added.

To the patient, it is often a completely alien, frightening experience so the patient may get the absolute highest quality of care, but the experience may be perceived as poor, Radbill said. They may leave feeling like they were not treated well - perhaps the doctor swooped in and swooped out, did not engage them like they are used to.
Exercise appeared linked to a lower risk of heart problems even after researchers accounted for factors like age, gender, ethnicity, etc.

Even if you are at a high genetic risk, you can improve your chances of remaining in good cardiovascular health by doing exercise. (Photo: Pixabay)

People who get plenty of exercise are less likely to have heart attacks and strokes than their inactive counterparts, even when they have a genetic predisposition for heart disease, a U.K. study suggests.

Among roughly half a million people in the UK, those with greater grip strength, more physical activity and better cardiovascular fitness had a lower risk of heart disease - even when heart attacks or strokes ran in the family, researchers found.

Even if you are at a high genetic risk, you can improve your chances of remaining in good cardiovascular health by doing exercise, said senior study author Erik Ingelsson, a researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine in California.

For example, among people in the study with an intermediate genetic risk for cardiovascular diseases, individuals with the strongest grips were 36 percent less likely to develop coronary heart disease and had 46 percent lower odds of developing atrial fibrillation than people with the weakest grip strength, researcher report in Circulation.

And among people with a high genetic risk for cardiovascular diseases, those with the best cardiorespiratory fitness had a 49 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to participants with the poorest cardiorespiratory fitness. They also had a 60 percent lower risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem that predisposes people to strokes.

Participants in the study didnt have heart disease when they enrolled in the research project. They ranged in age from 40 to 69. Half of them stayed in the study for more than six years.

Overall, they experienced 20,914 cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

Researchers used a physical activity questionnaire to assess how much exercise people got. They also did treadmill tests to assess fitness, hand-held tools to test grip strength, and collected genetic data on most of the participants.

Exercise appeared linked to a lower risk of heart problems even after researchers accounted for factors like age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure, obesity and use of medicines to lower cholesterol.

The study wasnt a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how exercise might directly lower the risk of heart disease in general or specifically for people with a genetic predisposition for heart problems.

Another limitation is that researchers relied on participants to accurately recall and report on how much exercise they got. The study cant offer insights into what type of exercise or how much is needed for optimal heart health.

Even so, its been clear for many years that physical activity can help prevent heart disease, noted Donna Arnett, dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky and a past president of the American Heart Association.

Being physically fit leads to more lean body mass, less fat mass, and less obesity, Arnett, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. This leads to less hypertension, less diabetes, better utilization of glucose and insulin, and overall, better metabolic health as well.
The Odisha Pigeon Service started in 1946 when 200 pigeons were handed over to police personnel by the army.

The service was first pioneered in the mountainous Koraput district (Photo: AFP)

Bhubaneswar: With the onslaught of social media and e-communication services, pigeongram may have become a thing of the past across the globe, but the Odisha Police continues to keep alive this unique practice.

The service was put to test yesterday when the Odisha Police, in association with the Bhubaneswar chapter of Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), flew 50 pigeons at OUAT Grounds here to deliver missives of heritage conservation to Cuttack, 25km away.

The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Former DGP and state convener of INTACH, A B Tripathy, praised the police department for preserving the age-old tradition.

The determination of the men who run India's only police pigeon service has "guaranteed the survival of a practice" that was prevalent in the Mughal era, he said.

SP (signal) BN Das said Odisha was the only state in India to use carrier pigeons to communicate among police stations.

The Odisha Pigeon Service started in 1946 when 200 pigeons were handed over to police personnel by the army on an experimental basis to communicate in areas with no wireless or telephone links, Das said.

The service was first pioneered in the mountainous Koraput district, and its success and reliability resulted in its introduction to almost all the districts of the state with over 700 sturdy Belgian Homer pigeons ferrying messages to assigned destinations.

For years, these dependable birds have been a vital link between remote police stations, where traditional communications failed, beating storms, disasters - and birds of prey, the SP (signal) said.

The messages, written on a piece of paper, were inserted into plastic capsule and tied to the feet of the Belgian Homer Pigeons, which can fly 25 km in just 15 to 25 minutes and live up to 20 years, he added.

The service, headquartered in Cuttack, was extensively used during floods and Super Cyclone in 1999, as radio networks were disrupted, said a senior police officer, adding that the pigeon service was also the only line of communication to the marooned town of Banki during the disastrous flood in 1982.

Ornithologist Panchami Manoo Ukil feels this practice needs to be preserved for the next generation to get an idea about the ancient traditions.

"Pigeon service is an art that dates back to the Mughal days. The birds delivered messages to the harems and battlefields. This unique tradition has historical significance and should be preserved," he said.

Anil Dhir, a member of INTACH, said the heritage service has generated a lot of interest among the collector's community.

"All the pigeons reached Cuttack within an hour," he added.
INTUC said althiugh it was not keen on withdrawal, it had to do so after two unions had walked out.

Coal India officials too confirmed that the strike has been called off.

Kolkata: The one-day strike called by the four central trade unions of Coal India Ltd on April 16 against the government move of allowing commercial coal mining, has been withdrawn due to lack of cohesion among themselves, a union leader today said.

Coal India officials too confirmed that the strike has been called off.

The four central trade unions of CITU, BMS, HMS and AITUC had served the strike notice on March 14.

Based on yesterdays meeting with Coal Secretary Susheel Kumar for setting up a committee under a joint secretary to listen to the issues, BMS and HMS signed withdrawal minutes. But, CITU and AITUC though had not signed the minutes, had to withdraw from the strike against our will, keeping unity if the trade unions in mind, CITU-backed coal union leader D D Ramanandan said.

In a major reform in the coal sector since its nationalisation in 1973, the government in February this year allowed private companies to mine the fossil fuel for commercial use, ending the monopoly of state-run Coal India.

INTUC said althiugh it was not keen on withdrawal, it had to do so after two unions had walked out.
The BJP state leadership led by Roy on Saturday took out a rally to observe the 127th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar.

Kolkata: BJP leader Mukul Roy today alleged that the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) has throttled democracy in West Bengal.

Those who do not respect the democratic rights and values should not talk big about democracy, Mr Roy said.

There is an unprecedented attack on the basic democratic rights of the opposition parties. The Trinamul Congress has resorted to a full-fledged assault on democracy. Even mediapersons have not been spared, Mr Roy alleged.

The BJP state leadership led by Roy on Saturday took out a rally to observe the 127th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar.

Referring to the violence during nomination filing for next months panchayat polls, Mr Roy alleged that the TMC didnt allow the opposition parties to file nominations as they are afraid of free and fair polls.

He asked, If they were so sure of their developmental work, why did they not allow the opposition parties to file nominations? The Calcutta high court on April 12 had stayed till further orders the ongoing panchayat elections.
The state government through a circular has asked all schools to compile the data before April 25.

Mumbai: The state government has asked all schools in Maharashtra to include collection and compilation of health and growth data of students in the child tracking system. While the earlier system only tracked academic progress, it has now been upgraded to include health, examination and scholarship information of every child.

According to sources in the education department, the idea is to arrest the dropout rate, and track repetition, promotion and retention of children during the academic year. Through this, the state will be in a position to formulate policies for each child based on parameters such as health and education combined.

The student database management information system (SDMIS), which is an integral component of U-DISE (unified district information system for education), will look into the information of every student registered under SDMIS, including general, personal, academic, scholarship, attendance, disability, achievement, examination, family, midday meals, facilities and health.

The state government through a circular has asked all schools to compile the data before April 25.

Officials of the state education department said that through SDMIS, the department will document the data of every student, which can then be referred to in future for the benefit of the concerned student.

In case of any kind of untoward incident where a child goes missing etc., the SDMIS data can be used for tracking. In the event the student fails or drops out of school, he or she can be provided the best academic option according to his or her past academic record (school or government), said an official of the state education department. SDMIS will also be used to store certificates and report cards of students.

A senior official of the education department said, We have got instructions from the state government and now, our next step is to instruct schools to start compiling data of students and submit it to us as soon as possible.

SDMIS will also create a platform for the vocational education system by monitoring students vocational courses options at the secondary level. It will also help monitor parameters of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Rajeev Rautela is a Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer of the 1982-batch and was promoted to the IAS in 2002.

Barely two days after controversial IAS officer Rajeev Rautela was shifted from the post of Gorakhpur district magistrate and made divisional commissioner of Devipatan in Uttar Pradesh, the Centre decided to shift the babu to Uttarakhand.

Mr Rautela, who had hit the headlines for allegedly barring mediapersons from accessing the counting centre while the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll was in progress, was promoted as divisional commissioner of Devipatan, which drew a lot of comments in social media and print media.

When the reorganisation of Uttar Pradesh had taken place, Mr Rautelas cadre was determined as Uttarakhand  but he had challenged this and got it stayed by the high court. The stay was lifted in August 2016. However, the Centre did not issue a formal order regarding the final allocation of Mr Rautelas cadre until now, two days after the bypoll result.

The transfer has caught many officials by surprise. Mr Rautela is a Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer of the 1982-batch and was promoted to the IAS in 2002. He was made the Gorakhpur DM soon after Yogi Adityanath took over as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March last year.

Haryana flouts red beacon rules

Last May, the Centre had banned red beacons on cars of all ministers, politicians and babus as a step towards ending the pervasive VIP culture in Indian public life. Even vehicles of dignitaries like the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India are not exempt. But it appears that Haryana cadre IPS officers and Haryana State Police Service (HPS) officers are blatantly defying the ban.

This violation is the subject of a letter written by additional chief secretary (ACS-transport) R.R. Jowel to the state DGP B.S. Sandhu, sources say. Mr Sandhu has been directed to ensure that the officers comply with the instructions on using red beacons in letter and spirit.

Mr Jowel reportedly said that while it was specifically mentioned in the Centres instructions that the beacon should not be used when the vehicle was not on its designated duty, field police officers were using beacons while not on emergent duty. The letter however did not mention what action the Haryana government plans to take against those officers found flouting the rule on use of red beacons.

A fine balance in the ED?

Simanchala Dash, 1988 batch IRS-IT officer and former private secretary of finance minister Arun Jaitley, is the new principal special director of Enforcement, Delhi, a new post created by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He will have a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of charge. The order said that the remainder of his current cooling-off period, which is up to May 2020, will commence after completion of his new assignment. Presently, there are five special directors in ED. Karnal Singh, a 1984 batch IPS officer from the Union Territory cadre, heads the ED.

Every all-India service officer is sent back to the cadre after successful completion of his or her tenure at the Centre. The officer can apply again for central deputation only after completion of the cooling-off period which varies from three to five years.

The ED has a sanctioned strength for six special directors out of which five  K.R. Uday Bhaskar (South), Yogesh Gupta (East), Sanjay Shrinet (North), D.K. Gupta (administration and coordination at the headquarters) and Vineet Agarwal (West), are already filled.

The organisation, which was set up in 1956, never had the post of principal special director and it was likely that Mr Dash would be coordinating on various important cases being handled by the ED.
Social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and millions of other websites are only the flora and fauna of the Internet.

The Internet and social media platforms recognise no national boundaries and they have helped connect people even in the most adversarial geo-political realities, totally sidestepping passport, visa, immigration and border regimes.

The testimony of Mark Zuckerberg and his cross-examination by both the Senate and the House Committees of the US Congress over data harvesting by Cambridge Analytica and other issues like the alleged Russian interference into US elections have thrown up some interesting questions. These proceedings are of as much relevance to the United States as they are in any other part of the world.

The Facebook ecosystem, the Twitter world, Instagram domains, WhatsApp groups have been able to achieve is something unique in the evolution of human civilisation. They have been able to complement virtual sovereignty along with Westphalian reality. The Internet and social media platforms recognise no national boundaries and they have helped connect people even in the most adversarial geo-political realities, totally sidestepping passport, visa, immigration and border regimes.

At the risk of repatriation may I reiterate that the Internet was the most audacious experiment in anarchy and it has succeeded beyond the wildest imagination of its creators? Today the Internet represents the largest ungoverned space on Planet Earth.

Never before in the history of humankind has so much power for free concurrently resided on so many fingertips. In the next two years alone 40 zettabytes of data will be created.

The future of Planet Earth lies at the intersection of the brick and mortar civilisation that evolved over the millennia and the virtual civilisation being created stroke by stroke on the keyboards.

Social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and millions of other websites are only the flora and fauna of the Internet. Underneath it lies the hardware  pipes, routers, mathematical codes, fibre optic cables and gateways, etc. In the absence of any agreed rules of engagement with regard to the Internet, the question arises: Is it fair to just go after the subsets of this ochlocracy? Is the targeting of Facebook a bit over the top?

What these Congressional hearings really underscore is that there is no free lunch in life. Ever since the Internet got publicly operational in the mid or the late 1990s, the Internati have taken it for granted that this is a free ride. Free email, free social media, free newspaper sites and so on and so forth. Free ride on the dark Net is even more sinister. Such was the seduction of the freebies that no one paused to think as to how were all these services coming free when you have to pay for a postcard, a telephone call and a facsimile transmission?

How come these new economy companies had these humungous valuations? How were they paying establishment costs, salaries and dividends to their shareholders? Were advertising revenues sufficient to sustain such widespread global operations?

The cost of these freebies was being paid by people in the form of biometric data, location data, lifestyle choices data, medical history data (the kind of diseases and cures that people search for online), sexual orientations/preferences data and myriad other data points that have unlimited uses targeted advertising being just one of them.

Did social media companies then err in not adhering to the doctrine of informed consent before monetising all this data? The answer is yes. After all there are extremely profitable downstream businesses that are built around these data feeds. By way of example Twitter used to give third party access to Twitter fire hose that carried all the raw unfiltered data.

According to Ft.com lexicon the definition of a Twitter firehose is as follows: A syndicated data feed of all the tweets sent  an estimated 500 million tweets a day  which Twitters data partners pay to get access to. Gaining access to the Twitter fire hose, or firehose, means gaining access to that feed. The data companies charge customers for analysis of the feed, from tracking trends in real time to analysing consumer sentiment towards particular products or advertising campaigns. Access is usually granted on a scaled commercial basis with applicants being charged a certain amount for access to a certain percentage of the fire hose. Nonetheless, improvements in big data analysis have ensured that there is growing demand from social media analytics companies for access to the fire hose.

This was the situation till April 2015 when Twitter pulled the plug on third party access to the fire hose and replaced it with its own application programming interface (API) protocols to augment its revenue streams even further.

Now why should all this gobbledygook concern you? If someone is making money out of your accesses to a free service that you are availing so be it. However, the question is what are they making their money from? Profiling, sentiment analysis  issues that animate you, data from your work-sleep patterns  what time does your social media activity commence and what are the rest periods, and maybe even what you consider are secure end to end encrypted messaging and conversations. They may not know what you are saying but they do know to whom you are talking to. As a former director of the CIA put it metadata is what we use for selecting targets for our predator drones.

Federal Law Enforcement agencies in the United States have access to the Twitter fire hose through the new API mechanisms and other nation states would love to have the same. If therefore you do not mind being the emperor of the digital universe with no clothes on then it is another matter, otherwise right to privacy being a natural and an inalienable right all this should be enough to make you angry.

However, then there would be a cost to this privacy. People will have to start paying for services they use on the Internet. That is why Zuckerberg alluded to a paid Facebook with a free version available to those who dont care about privacy. Question: How many of us really do?
A series of inquiries about how much personal information FB vacuums up on and off its social network seemed particularly vexing for Mark.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a joint hearing of the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 10, 2018, about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg often came across as one of the smartest people in the room as he jousted with US lawmakers demanding to know how and why his company peers into the lives of its 2.2 billion users. But while some questions were elementary, others left Zuckerberg unable to offer clear explanations or specific answers.

A series of tough inquiries about how much personal information Facebook vacuums up on and off its social network seemed particularly vexing for Zuckerberg, who couldnt quantify it. He was vague about whether Facebook was a monopoly and whether it would offer an ad-free option, as well as about how the company could offer the same level of privacy protection to users around the world.

Zuckerberg squirmed when pressed about a 2011 agreement with the Federal Trade Commission that was designed to force Facebook to tighten its privacy controls. While maintaining that Facebook had adhered to the terms of the settlement, Zuckerberg repeatedly conceded that the company still made mistakes that led to the personal details about 87 million Facebook users being turned over to Cambridge Analytica, a data-mining firm tied to President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign.

Prodded by the Cambridge scandal, the FTC is now investigating whether Facebook violated their agreement. If Facebook did, it could be fined $40,000 per infraction.

Lawmakers also got Zuckerberg to acknowledge that government regulation of Facebook and other internet companies is inevitable, although he was vague about what kind of rules he believes are needed or what he would support. He brushed off suggestions that Facebook has built a monopoly but didnt identify the companys competitors. Instead, he asserted without elaborating that the average American uses eight different apps to communicate with their friends and stay in touch with people. He didnt mention whether those other apps including Facebooks own Messenger, as well as Instagram and WhatsApp, which are also both owned by Facebook.

Zuckerberg also didnt rule out the possibility that Facebook might eventually offer a version giving people the option of paying a monthly fee in exchange for not having their personal information mined for advertising. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebooks chief operating idea, floated the idea in an interview with NBC before Zuckerberg appeared in Congress.

Although Zuckerberg didnt elaborate, the concept would be similar to what both video-streaming service Hulu and music-streaming service Spotify already do by offering a free version supported by ads or a commercial-free version that requires a subscription.

Zuckerberg emphasized that Facebook will always offer a free version of its network. But Facebooks business model, as Zuckerberg repeatedly explained in his testimony, depends upon ads shown to people based on the interests they share on the network. That strategy generated $40 billion in ad revenue for Facebook last year, helping to make it one of the worlds most valuable companies just 14 years after Zuckerberg started the business in his Harvard dorm room. While Facebook users can turn off some data collection used for advertising, it cant stop tracking entirely.

Zuckerberg also wasnt clear on how the company would offer all users privacy protection equal to that offered by European Union regulations taking effect next month. While hes said he supports the General Data Protection Regulation, Facebook probably isnt following those rules quite yet. Dont say we already do what GDPR requires, one passage from his cheat sheet reminded him.

Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana who is a former computer programmer, focused on how extensively Facebook tracks on users who arent logged into the network or dont even have an account. Zuckerberg had said that such data is collected for security purposes, for example to flag unauthorized users trying to log in. Scalise, though, asked if the data is also used as part of Facebooks business.

Zuckerberg said he believes the company collects different data for those and would follow up with further details  a line he frequently fell back on when he didnt provide a direct answer.

The CEO also seemed ignorant of the term shadow profiles, a commonly used term in technology that refers to data that Facebook collects about people who do not have Facebook profiles. Rep. Ben Lujan, a Democrat from New Mexico, asked Zuckerberg, How many data points does Facebook have on each Facebook user?

After Zuckerberg said he didnt know, Lujan enlightened him.

So the average for non-Facebook platforms is 1,500, the congressman said. Its been reported that Facebook has as many as 29,000 data points for an average Facebook user. You know how many points of data that Facebook has on the average non-Facebook-user?

Flummoxed, Zuckerberg resorted to a common response. I can have our team get back to you afterwards. Based on the number of times he gave that answer, Zuckerberg and his team have many answers yet to provide.
Zuckerberg repeatedly assured lawmakers that he didnt believe the company violated its 2011 agreement with FTC.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is at House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington to testify. (Photo: AP)

Over two days of questioning in Congress, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg chief revealed that he didn't know key details of a 2011 consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission that requires Facebook to protect user privacy.

With congressional hearings over and no immediate momentum behind calls for regulation, the biggest hammer still hanging over Facebook in the US. is a fresh FTC investigation. The probe follows revelations that pro-Trump data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica acquired data from the profiles of millions of Facebook users. Facebook also faces inquiries in Europe.

The 2011 agreement bound Facebook to a 20-year privacy commitment, and any violations of that pact could cost Facebook a ton of money, even by its flush-with-cash standards. If Zuckerberg's testimony before Congress is any indication, the company might have something to worry about.

Zuckerberg repeatedly assured lawmakers that he believed Facebook is in compliance with that 2011 agreement. But he also flubbed simple factual questions about the consent decree.

"Congresswoman, I don't remember if we had a financial penalty," Zuckerberg said under questioning by Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette.

"You're the CEO of the company, you entered into a consent decree and you don't remember if you had a financial penalty?" she asked. She then pointed out that the FTC doesn't have the authority to issue fines for first-time violations.

In response to questioning by Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, Zuckerberg acknowledged: "I'm not familiar with all of the things the FTC said."

The 2011 consent decree capped years of Facebook privacy mishaps, many of which revolved around its early attempts to follow users and their friends around the web. Any violations of the 2011 agreement could subject Facebook to fines of $41,484 per violation per user per day. To put that in context, Facebook could theoretically owe $8 billion for one single day of a violation affecting all of its American users.

The current FTC investigation will look at whether Facebook engaged in "unfair acts" that cause "substantial injury" to consumers.

David Vladeck, a Georgetown University law professor who headed the FTC's bureau of consumer protection when Facebook signed the deal, said in a blog post this month that Facebook's argument that it didn't violate the deal is are "far-fetched." Two days of testimony didn't change his mind.

"Most of the reforms Facebook has talked about in the past couple of weeks proposed safeguards that should have been in place years ago," he said by email following 10 hours of Zuckerberg's testimony.
An inter-agency search and rescue team also recovered personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in California.

Sandeep Thottapilly, his wife Soumya, along with their two kids were on a road trip in a maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California. (Photo: Facebook)

Washington: A woman's body was found by rescuers in the US during the search of a missing Indian family of four who are feared drowned in a swollen river in California, officials said.

An inter-agency search and rescue team in California on Friday also recovered some personal items and numerous parts of a vehicle from a swollen river in which the missing Indian family was travelling last week.

Personal belongings of the four members of the family from Santa Clarita in California, who were believed to be travelling through Humboldt and Mendocino County on US-101 while on a vacation, were also found by the team over a two-day period on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

Sandeep Thottapilly, 41, vice president of the Union Bank in Santa Clarita, and his wife Soumya Thottapilly, 38, were on a road trip along with their two kids -- Siddhanth, 12 and Saachi, 9 -- in a maroon Honda Pilot from Portland, Oregon to San Jose in Southern California, during which they went missing on April 5.

Authorities, who originally had said the body was a child's, anticipate that an autopsy will be performed early next week. "Searchers located the deceased body of an adult female approximately seven miles north of the reported crash site," California's Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The body was found on Friday on an exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area. Searchers are looking for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.

Meanwhile, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area Office, are continuing their efforts along the South Fork of the Eel River, just north of the town of Leggett California, to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported to have been submerged in the river on around 1:10 PM on Friday, April 6. Between the two search days, the Swift Water Rescue Teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of the Eel river, just north of the town of Leggett in California. The vehicle is reported to have submerged in the river around 1:10 pm on April 6.

"The teams were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle. They were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior," the Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol said. It said several items were identified by the family members of those missing.

"Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle. Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family travelling on vacation. Several items have been positively identified, by the family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family," it said.

"These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family," the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the Thottapilly family was supposed to have arrived to visit a friend in the San Jose area on April 6 but did not make it as scheduled. The family was last heard from in the town of Klamath, Del Norte County, on April 5.

The California Highway Patrol developed information that the family were travelling in a family vehicle, a 2016 maroon Honda Pilot. The family was officially reported as missing to the San Jose Police Department on April 8. Sandeep grew up in Surat city in Gujarat and settled down in the US over 15 years ago.
US envoy Haley also said that if Trump draws the red line, he enforces it and the US will continue to sustain pressure on Syria.

Haley said she had spoken to President Trump, who said if the Syrian regime uses 'this poison gas' again, the United States is 'locked and loaded'. (Photo: File)

United Nations: The US is "locked and loaded" if Syria uses chemical weapons again, America's UN envoy Nikki Haley said on Sunday. The US and its allies France and Britain launched air strikes, targeting sites associated with Syria's chemical weapons capabilities.

The joint operation was in response to a suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma last week. President Donald Trump "enforces" the red line and the US will sustain the pressure on the war-torn nation, she said.

"With yesterday's military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons. Last night, we obliterated the major research facility that it used to assemble weapons of mass murder," Haley told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

Haley said she had spoken to President Trump, who said if the Syrian regime uses "this poison gas" again, the United States is "locked and loaded".

"When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line," she said.

Haley said the US successfully hit the heart of Syria's chemical weapons enterprise, and because of these actions, it is confident that it has crippled Syria's chemical weapons programme.

"We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," Haley said. She blamed the Security Council and Russia's actions for failing in its duty to hold those who use chemical weapons to account.

"That failure is largely due to Russian obstruction. We call on Russia to take a hard look at the company it keeps, and live up to its responsibilities as a Permanent Member of the Council and defend the actual principles the United Nations was meant to promote," she said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that the airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations inside Syria.

The first target included the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre at al-Mazzah Airport in Damascus; the second, an alleged chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs; and the third, an alleged chemical weapons equipment storage site and command post, also near Homs.

Guterres said the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and called on the members of the Security Council to unite and exercise that responsibility.

"I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate matters and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people," the UN Secretary General said.

Guterres emphasised that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis and the solution must be "political". Urging the Security Council to assume its responsibilities, Guterres said a "lack of accountability" emboldens those who would use such chemical weapons by providing them with the "reassurance of impunity".
The airline said police and aviation authorities were handling the matter and refused to provide further information.

The flight had taken off at 8:40 am from the city of Changsha in Hunan province and was scheduled to land in Beijing at 11 am. (Photo: File | Representational)

Beijing: An Air China flight bound for Beijing was diverted to central China on Sunday after a passenger tried to hold a flight attendant hostage using a fountain pen as a weapon, the countrys civil aviation authority said.

All passengers and crew on Flight 1350 made it safely off the plane after it landed in Zhengzhou city at 10 am due to what had earlier been described by authorities as an unspecified illegal interference.

The flight had taken off at 8:40 am from the city of Changsha in Hunan province and was scheduled to land in Beijing at 11 am.

The Civil Aviation Authority of China said in a statement on its website that the plane was diverted when a male passenger held a flight attendant hostage. It said only that the matter was successfully handled by 1:17 pm but did not provide any details. The alleged hostage-takers status was unclear.

In its brief report on the microblog Weibo.com, state broadcaster China Central Television included an image of what appeared to be paramilitary police in combat uniforms and helmets assembled outside a Zhengzhou airport hotel and another image of several ambulances.

The Zhengzhou airport immediately activated emergency measures, its statement said, adding that the passengers who disembarked were in a stable mood and that the airport is operating normally.

The airline said police and aviation authorities were handling the matter and refused to provide further information. It said it was arranging for another plane to pick up the passengers from Zhengzhou.

The Beijing News said on its Weibo page that a passenger described being awoken by a scream coming from the front of the plane and that nobody knew what was going on.

The Xiaoxiang Morning Herald quoted a passenger as saying that the disturbance occurred in the first or business class cabins but that the curtains separating those sections from economy class were pulled tightly shut.

She looked out the window and saw many police cars, ambulances and fire engines parked outside the plane as it was landing in Zhengzhou, the newspaper said in a Weibo post. The passenger described seeing armed personnel in camouflage uniforms assembled in two or three rows.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Patriarch of Moscow had a long phone call with the Pontiff, following the missile attacks by the US, France and Great Britain. The dialogue was attended to Bartholomew of Constantinople, Theophilus of Jerusalem, Theodore of Alexandria and John of Antioch. Contacts with the press, to communicate the initiatives of the Church leaders.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill (Gundjaev) and the Pope of Rome Francis have held a lengthy discussion by telephone following the missile attack by USA, France and Great Britain against the supposed Syrian chemical weapons bases. Kirill himself informed the journalists at his residence in Peredelkino, on the outskirts of Moscow.

"We took this initiative, knowing that Christians cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in Syria," the patriarch said yesterday in the late afternoon. "It was a very meaningful dialogue in favor of peace. We shared the common concern about the situation in Syria, and we talked about how Christians should influence this situation, to stop violence, war and so many tragic victims as we have seen in these days".

The head of the Russian Orthodox pointed out that the meeting took place on the initiative of the Patriarchate. The other patriarchs of the Middle East took part in the dialogue: Bartholomew of Constantinople, Theophilus of Jerusalem, Theodore of Alexandria and John of Antioch. "Each of them has expressed a willingness to continue consultations, to find a way to stop the bloodshed," added Kirill; "It is quite clear that people are suffering in Syria. And the message of the Church to the world is always linked to the proclamation of peace between men and justice on earth. We cannot be silent when things like those of these days are taking place in Syria ".

The patriarch assured that "there is the desire to continue this dialogue soon, maybe already tonight, or tomorrow, to be able to influence the situation in some way and stop the violence". The leading Christian leaders of the East and the West are determined to unite all their energies for pacification, and to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Syria after the attack of American missiles and their allies, as the Patriarch spokesman Fr. Aleksandr Volkov also reiterated.

Fr. Volkov reported that "the pope and the patriarch have agreed to continue their constructive dialogue in the coming hours and even tomorrow. We are convinced we can reach the desired result ". Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem has strongly supported the initiative of Kirill, to form a single movement of Christians for peace. A spokesmen of the patriarchy has promised to remain in constant contact with the press, to communicate any initiatives by the Church leaders.
My question is:

1. Once married in Australia, can he cancel his student visa and immediately apply for the partner visa 820? Is there a bridging visa that would allow him to remain in Australia whilst the onshore partner visa is being processed?



** If you cancel the student visa (you have no visa), the only bridging visa you can apply for then is a Bridging Visa E. It is unlikely you would be allowed to apply for another visa from the E visa.

If you apply for the 820 then cancel the Student Visa, you will have also cancelled the Bridging Visa A that is attached to your Student Visa and again need a Bridging Visa E that has NO travel rights or work rights (work rights can be applied for). Note E is for Evil.



2. Or should he return to his home country, cancel his student visa, apply for a tourist or bridging visa and the offshore partner visa 309 and return to Australia?



** You can not apply for bridging visas offshore, a Visitor Visa can be applied for but no guarantee it will be granted (see 12/18 below)







3. Or should he return to his home country, cancel his student visa, apply for a tourist or bridging visa and return to Australia and apply for the onshore partner visa?



** Having been in Australia (I assume) for some time now, the no more than 12 months in Australia in previous 18 months may be applied and make it difficult to be granted a Visitor Visa and if granted the No Further Stay condition may be attached - the means they can not apply for a Partner Visa onshore with that condition.



I would not get married until the visa process is better known...
I did not get much notice for the Oracle MCX event in Chicago this week, so could only spend a day there, but even in that short timeframe I got the vibe over and over that things are finally humming in the CRM marketplace, or as Oracle calls it the Modern Customer Experience space. We have been talking about so many of the technologies and trends for so long that it is good to finally see use cases confidently being presented on stage.

a) If you work at a liquor store you get asked for wine pairing recommendations all day long. At Total Wine, a self-service solution was to encourage customers to use a recommendation kiosk. John Jordan, Chief Customer Officer, told me after his presentation at MCX he had expected life of such a kiosk would be a couple of years but they are still going after seven. The refresh will be in the form of mobile, machine learning and commerce technology. A customer sends a text about an upcoming party and asks for wine recommendations. Machines parse the text and hand over initial recommendations to a human agent who calls the customer and gathers more information  how many invited, help with grape categories, desired price range etc. and machines help the agent suggest some recommendations. Next the agent takes the order and arranges for shipment. The Total Wine variety, expertise and friendliness for the digital age.

There was the City of Albuquerque talking about how citizens are using Alexa to report missed trash pickup, request clean up of graffiti or ask for opening hours of parks or museums. Then there was the old-faithful Elgin Pelican Street Sweeper. Now over a century old, it has sensors like so many machines in our Internet of Things, and maintenance these days could involve a remote service agent with an augmented reality headset (photo below of what an agent might see  superimposed on the MCX audience in Chicago)

b) In 2009, I wrote about Digital Body Language, a book by Steven Woods, co-founder of eloqua. Steven was slightly ahead of his time. Here on stage Oracle was finally presenting that vision of being able to capture and analyze the digital gestures and finger prints we are constantly leaving behind. Its Audience product which allows for integration of first and third party data assets and Infinity product which promises Real time, all the time got plenty of play. And as a backdrop to MCX, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook was being grilled on Capitol Hill. What more validation could you want that our digital body language is being intently watched?

c) There was Aaron Shidler of Oracle probably anticipating my impatience that enterprise software has been slow to verticalize solutions (see my note on Uptake for more on that). He presented in an analyst breakout session about hyper-personalized digital guest experiences in hospitality, and integrated onboarding, underwriting and claims in insurance. I have asked for a follow up conversation to understand how Oracle is leveraging all its industry assets like Retek in retail, i-flex in banking and BRM in telecoms to its CRM offerings.

d) As an innovation author, I have written hundreds of case studies on interesting products, people and places. My style is in the third person  my subjects get 90% of the words. It could be the political environment, but many more of us are expressing ourselves in the first person and marketers are noticing and allowing interesting individuals to loudly tell their stories. At MCX there was Sheryl Strayed who described her remarkable 1,100 mile trek through the rugged Pacific Crest Trail (superbly moderated by a very respectful Christina Cavanna of Oracle) As a reviewer of the movie, Wild adapted from her book said shes the latest in a line of protagonists dating back hundreds if not thousands of years  people who embark on long wilderness walks to cleanse themselves of the accretions of civilization, terrible sin, or grief. but what makes her stand out is Women, however, werent always allowed to set off on epic journeys  they generally ended up in convents, taking the veil. There was Casey Neistat, a YouTube personality and vlogger, two job descriptions which did exist a few years ago talking (very humbly I thought) about his astonishing journey from trailer park and a dishwasher job to a personality sought-after by brands like Nike.

e) Finally there was a dinner with Denis Pombriant and Michael Krigsman. As fellow Enterprise Irregulars we connect on a regular basis. What was different was we were invited by Alex Shapiro who has taken on a role dealing with us independent analysts. The term in Oracle lingo has more to do with procurement-centric independent contractor status. Of all the vendors, Oracle has probably struggled the most adjusting to the emergence of bloggers as influencers. It still issues way too many press releases and still treats established analysts firms like Gartner differently. Alex spending time getting to know us and his responsiveness to our very different requests is very encouraging. The fact that Denis and I write books and blogs on a wide variety of subjects, the fact that I advise a number of corporate clients and Michael has a popular videocast service with high-profile executives as subjects reflects the omni-channel in the analyst business. Its a whole new world.

Yes, Toto we are not in Kansas anymore. Wish I could have stayed longer.
You must meet all of the following:



have lived in Australia on a valid Australian visa for four years immediately before applying

must have been a permanent resident for the 12 months immediately before making an application and not have been absent from Australia for more than one year in total, during the four year period, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying.

Spouse just got granted the subclass 100 (yay!) and naturally we looked into citizenship requirements but are confused about the PR aspect.The general residence requirement is as follows:So I take it, my spouse can only apply for citizenship a year from today, or does being on the subclass 309 count re:so we can apply now already (all other requirements are met).
David Buckel, 60, a prominent LGBT rights lawyer with Lambda Legal died after setting himself on fire in Brooklyns Prospect Park on Saturday. Buckel sent messages to multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, explaining his intention to set himself on fire to protest the worlds usage of fossil fuels at the expense of the environment.

Pollution ravages our planet, oozing inhabitability via air, soil, water and weather, Buckel wrote the Times in an email. Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result  my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves.

A life of privilege requires actions to balance the harm caused, and the greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility, Buckel added.

For if one does not leave behind a world better for having lived in it, all that remains are selfish ends, sometimes wrapped in family or nation.

Buckels suicide echoed dramatic protests by self-immolation from past years overseas. Buddhist monks burned themselves to death to protest a repressive regime in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

In more recent years, Tibetans have done the same to protest Chinese rule over Tibet. Buckel cited the Tibetan self-immolations in his note, the Daily News reported: This is not new, as many have chosen to give a life based on the view that no other action can most meaningfully address the harm they see.

Buckel was the lead attorney in Brandon v. County of Richardson arguing on behalf of Brandon Teena, a murdered transgender man whom Buckel argued successfully that a country sheriff failed to protect.

Lambda Legal issued the following statement on its website.

The news of Davids death is heartbreaking. This is a tremendous loss for our Lambda Legal family, but also for the entire movement for social justice, the group said in a statement.

David was an indefatigable attorney and advocate, and also a dedicated and loving friend to so many. He will be remembered for his kindness, devotion, and vision for justice.
John Giumarra III was sentenced to 90 days in jail  which he'll apply to serve as work release  for a crash that killed a bicyclist last yea
Contact The Californians Robert Price at 661-395-7399, rprice@bakersfield.com or on Twitter: @stubblebuzz. His column appears on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; the views expressed are his own.
Brandon Martin Q&A

Name: George Brandon Martin

Age: 40

Occupation: Attorney / Law Professor

Family: Heather is a stay-at-home-mom who is dedicated to raising our 5 year-old daughter, Haley.

Time in Bakersfield: I was born in Bakersfield and Ive lived here for 32 years  all but approximately eight years when school and work required me to live elsewhere.

Political Offices Sought: This is my first time running for office.

Board Memberships / Community Activities: My service includes:

 Henrietta Weill Child Guidance Clinic Board of Directors

 Kern County Supervisor David Couch Chief of Staff

 Kern County Planning Commission

 CSUB Athletics Roadrunner Club

 Director, CSU Bakersfield Small Business Development Center

 Co-Organizer of the Bakersfield Business Conference and Bakersfield Rock and County Music Festival

Education:

 Stockdale High School

 University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., Communication Studies, summa cum laude with departmental highest honors.

 University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, J.D.

Criminal convictions (other than speeding tickets): None

Civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in: None

Q and A

1. What qualities/attributes will you bring to the judges bench?

I will bring fairness, integrity, knowledge of our community, and a breadth of experience gained inside and outside the courtroom. Ill serve with a calm, even-handed temperament and a respectful demeanor. Ill add not only general experience in civil litigation, but specialized knowledge of local government law, public administration, and local land use law. Ill communicate well with attorneys, pro per litigants, the public and the media. And, Ill bring genuine empathy for crime victims.

2. What are your proudest professional moments?

I led a litigation team in representing a seriously-injured plaintiff, and our efforts resulted in the largest personal injury settlement in the history of Sutter County. Ive represented clients in some of the largest real estate entitlements and transactions in the United States. I led the effort to secure accreditation for the CSU Small Business Development Center. And, Im proud to have been selected to teach torts at the Kern County College of Law.

3. How will you balance the responsibilities of your personal life with the demands of serving as a Kern County Superior Court judge?

I think the most important thing is to set aside quality time to spend with family and those that you love. The strength of those connections make for a better judge as well as a better man. I preserve the home front as a place free of unfortunate realities learned in court. I rarely talk about the facts Im confronted with as a lawyer at home and I wont do so as a judge.
DeepFakes offers the ability to swap one face for another in an image or a video. Face swapping has been done in films for years, but it required skilled video editors and CGI experts to spend many hours to achieve decent results.



The new breakthrough is that, using deep learning techniques, anybody with a powerful GPU, and training data, can create believable fake videos.

This is so remarkable that Im going to repeat it: anyone with hundreds of sample images, of person A and person B can feed them into an algorithm, and produce high quality face swaps  video editing skills are not needed.



This also means that it can be done at scale, and given that so many of us have our faces online, its trivially easy to insert almost anyone into fake videos. Scary, but hopefully its not all doom and gloom, after all, we as a society have already come to accept that photos can easily be faked.
What I remember is that the Founding Fathers deliberately created a fairly weak Executive branch. They were concerned that in war time, the president could act much more forcefully & decisively than the Legislative, & the Judicial branch was more of a long-term influence on government & the country.The Executive was more sharply focused than Legislative, being mostly the triumphing party in the national elections. This become more true when the custom of electing the candidate with the most votes the presidency, & the runner-up with the VP was discontinued. There was a chance for some factional maneuvering in the first case - once the ticket (president & VP) was elected together, the chances for factions became much less.Wilson advanced the Executive sharply - in the run-up to WWI & also the power that accrued to the Executive in the Red Scare, union-bashing, a general concern about Socialists, anarchists, Communists, & etc."For more than 100 years, from the expiration of the Sedition Act of 1798 until Americas entry into World War I, the. The War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War all were fought without criminalizing the right of dissent."It was, shortly after his re-election in 1916 but well before Americas entry into World War I,. Wilson requested that Congress give the president absolute authority toin the event of war, to make it a federal crime to promote the success of Americas enemies and toto any material deemed of a treasonable or anarchistic character. Wilson insisted that the power he requested was absolutely necessary to the public safety. After America entered the war, Congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917, which incorporated much of what Wilson asked for but not the authority to censor the press."From(My emphasis - more @ the URL)is a fearsome thing - especially since the end of WWII, as Congress as an institution appears to have suffered a radical spinectomy.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- For the second time in his presidency, President Donald Trump stared, horrified at pictures of children killed in a chemical attack in Syria.

Trump order military strikes on Syria late Friday night

Strike in response to chemical attack in Syria

Trump first sought input of advisors before attack

And for the second time in his presidency, those visceral images helped propel Trump toward military strikes in a country he sees as a trap for the United States.

At times, the lead-up to Fridays strikes was orderly  a traditional decision-making process for an unconventional president. He sought the input of national security advisers and convened Situation Room meetings. He consulted with allies, who shared his anger at the photos emerging from Syria of children and adults apparently killed or sickened by poisonous gases.

But at other moments, the chaotic nature of Trumps presidency broke through. He hinted at his plans in bellicose and at times confusing tweets. And he seethed over the legal threats springing up around him, including a raid on his longtime lawyers home and office.

Through it all, U.S. and Western officials said it was clear Trump intended to take military action. Discussions with France and Britain were focused not on whether to strike, but how to do so in a way that went beyond punishing the Assad regime for the attack and instead would degrade its ability to use chemical weapons in the future, according to two Western diplomats with knowledge of the discussions.

The diplomats and U.S. officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the private discussions.

Trump attended multiple briefings per day, according to officials, and sat in on most high-level meetings in the Situation Room. Advising Trump on Syria was John Bolton, the newly installed national security adviser with a militaristic and hawkish reputation, and Defense Secretary James Mattis, who sought to ensure that military action was linked to a broader strategy.

At a Cabinet meeting Monday, Trump condemned the atrocious attack, promising speedy action.

On Tuesday, Trump spoke to both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May. Officials from all three countries huddled in Washington as the allies tried to determine who would participate and what a potential strike would look like.

But Trump still had no firm commitment that the allies would join him. While all three Western countries believed chemical weapons had been used, international inspectors had not reached the site of the attack and it was unclear how much evidence their governments could put forward.

As negotiations over the Syria response continued, Trump was pummeled by the surprise raid of his personal attorney Michael Cohens home and office and the new book from fired FBI director James Comey. He was particularly incensed by the raid, which was prompted in part by a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election shadows the president.

As the deliberations dragged on, Trump vented on Twitter. He threw the process into confusion Wednesday when he tweeted at Russia to Get ready because missiles will be coming, nice and new and smart! After sustaining criticism for appearing to reveal his strategy, Trump tweeted the following day that he had not signaled the timing of an attack, adding: Could be very soon or not so soon at all!

By Thursday, Trump made the final decision to authorize the strike. Officials said the plan to hit three targets in Syria was aimed at avoiding collateral damage, including Russian assets.

Asked why the president had acted now, given the Assad government is alleged to have used chemical gas at least 50 times, administration officials said they believed there was incontrovertible evidence that chemical weapons had been deployed. Much of the evidence comes from witness testimony, as well as video and photos shot by aid workers, victims of the attacks and unspecified additional intelligence about barrel bombs and chlorine canisters found in the aftermath.

Officials said Trump was also frustrated that economic, diplomatic and political efforts aimed at convincing Assad that using chemical weapons was not in his interest had failed.

For a full day after Trump made his decision, the administration managed to keep its intentions largely under wraps. The tweets stopped and White House officials suggested to journalists that Trump might spend Friday night dining at his hotel in Washington.

But at 9:01:30 p.m. Friday, Trump delivered a televised address to the nation announcing the strikes were underway.

As the missiles rained down, one administration official explained that, over the course of this week, the president had tweeted his intention to the American people. Now, they said, his orders were being carried out.

By Saturday morning, Trump celebrated a perfectly executed strike.

Mission Accomplished! he wrote.
FLORIDA  Republican U.S. Representative Dennis Ross is causing quite a shake with his surprise announcement that he's not seeking re-election.

Rep. Dennis Ross decided not to seek re-election

Republican party scrambling to figure out who will run

Sen. Kelli Stargel, Rep. Ben Albritton both considered

Both decided not to run on April 14

Now the party is scrambling to figure out who will run to fill his seat. Republican Insiders in Polk County suspected St. Sen. Kelli Stargel or St. Rep. Ben Albritton, both Republicans, would consider running.

On April 14, both said theyve decided not to run, and instead, stick to their state senatorial campaigns.

Kelli Stargel posted to Facebook: Many people encouraged me to consider a run for Congress. While I appreciate the confidence and support from so many friends throughout the community, I have decided to continue seeking to serve my community in the Florida Senate. At this time, I believe the Florida Senate is the best place I can make a difference by protecting our values and keeping Florida the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Rep. Ben Albritton, (R) told Bay News 9 he didnt want to run for Congress because he already has 60 endorsements for his state senatorial campaign. He also said he wanted to be around for his teenage sons.

Both Stargel and Albritton thanked Ross for his service.

The chair of the Republican Party in Polk County, J.C. Martin, said more candidates will probably come forward in the next few days now that these two have announced theyre not running.

A lot of folks are checking with spouses and family and friends to make sure theyre ready to run and I think that list will start shaking out within the next few days. I would expect well have between four and six people running, said J.C. Martin.

Loretta Miller of Clermont and Curtis Rogers already have active Republican campaigns in the race.

St. Sen. Tom Lee, (R) told POLITICO he is considering a run. Ed Shoemaker, a conservative Republican out of Lakeland and Trump supporter, announced he plans to run.

However, the clock is ticking. Candidates on both sides have until May 4 to qualify to run.

Ross district 15 seat includes portions of Lake County, Polk County and eastern Hillsborough County.

The Democrats have six people running for the seat, including Andrew Learned, Cameron Magnuson, Raymond Pena, James Pilkington, Jeffrey Rabinowitz, and Greg Williams.

Learned has raised the most out of the Democrats, with around $64,000 in his campaign.
I'd wager that not many Americans have heard of Socotra, an island 240 miles off the south coast of Yemen and 150 miles east on the horn of Africa (Somalia). One of the senators should have asked Pompeo yesterday. Last week I flew to Thailand via Doha on Qatar Air. It's a silly, arduous and very long way to get to Thailand from L.A. Don't do it. But on the way there I sat next to a young Kuwaiti who loves travel as much as I do. He told me about Socotra, a rarely visited place he had visited. The context was the war Saudi Arabia and its UAE allies were waging against Yemen, and to a lesser extent, against Qatar ( courtesy of Jared Kushner ). Qatari planes are not allowed to fly in Saudi or Emerati airspace which was extending an already very long trip as the plane was forced to fly a strange and unnatural route that took us over Iran. So what Abd al-Aziz told me was that the UAE had captured Socotra from Yemen and was exploiting it. If you want to visit the island and enjoy the famous dragon's blood trees and white sandy beaches, you get a visa from the UAE and fly on a UAE plane (Rotana Air).





It's now a UAE military outpost and the UAE is trying to develop economic zones in formerly protected unique environmental ecosystems. The top economic activity on the island is fishing and locals accuse the UAE of using their own fishing fleets which deplete the fish stocks and push native fishermen out of work. They claim the fish are exported on military ships and aircraft to the UAE.

Local tourism operators have protested against "the monopolisation of tourism by the UAE," which is reportedly controlling the influx of tourists by tying plane tickets to the purchase of a package holiday including hotel, car hire and guided tour-- all provided by UAE business operators.



Since the UAE controls the air and naval traffic on the island, local operators are pushed out of the market.



Local youths have reportedly been granted ID cards to emigrate and work in the UAE as hotel maids, shop assistants and companies security guards, draining the local economy of labor.



Socotra is undergoing multiple and intertwined political, ecological and economic crises.



Aden's diminishing hold on southern Yemen has encouraged the UAE's expansionism, and a lack of oversight on this remote island risks depleting Socotra of its natural and cultural heritage.

There have been reports that UAE plan to hold a referendum in Socotra, "offering" the island the option of joining the United Arab Emirates as its 8th member state. Such an annexation would however be a violation of international law, and the news has been met with outrage in Yemen.




Thursday, A Progressive California, an independent PAC, aired its first television ad in support of Kevin de Leon for U.S. Senate. I watched it being played between segments on Chris Hayes' show and thought it was really great. Take a look above.





With the help of their new coalition partners at the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United, the new TV ad, titled "Act Like Democrats," is airing all across Los Angeles on MSNBC and CNN. Most of the Democratic Party coalition is too cowardly to go up against Feinstein-- even if they really want to.





As you can see-- this commercial shows the stark contrast in this race between Kevin and DiFi. It contrasts a tired Washington insider who said Donald Trump "can be a good President," versus Kevin de Leon, a leader of California's resistance who supports Medicare for All, 100% clean energy, and a compassionate society that protects immigrants.




The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels.



You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us!





Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous.

Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo.

Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter for

Borderland Beat?



We love to have you in our team, send Sol Prendido or HEARST an email!





WARNING:

Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised.





COMMENTS:

We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately.




While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's three-week trip to the Western countries was in its last days, the Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al-Thani visited the US. Starting on Friday, April 6, the visit of the Qatari emir first saw him arriving in Tampa, Florida...

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's three-week trip to the Western countries was in its last days, the Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al-Thani visited the US. Starting on Friday, April 6, the visit of the Qatari emir first saw him arriving in Tampa, Florida. Sheikh Hamad went directly to a military base in the American state and met with the senior American commanders with whom he discussed the expansion of military cooperation between the two allies. Qatari Emir's trip is important as it is taking place after Rex Tillerson, a pro-Qatari man in Trump administration, was dismissed as the US Secretary of State and also bin Salman, in quest for broader Western support at home and abroad, has visited Washington as part of trip that started from mid-March and also took him to Britain, France, and Spain.

Escaping isolation

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar in June last year. The anti-Qatari steps involved measures like cutting diplomatic relations with Doha and imposing on the small Arab emirate a full-scale air, sea, and land siege. Recently, some Saudi newspapers unveiled the Riyadhs intention to start a canal project that will totally separate Qatar from the Persian Gulf Arab neighbors by making Qatar peninsula an island. The new canal, 60- kilometer-long and dubbed Salwa Canal, will start from Salwa region of Saudi Arabia to Khor al Adid along the eastern coasts of the kingdom, where the land borders make Saudi and Qatari territories meet.

Qatar's independent policies and refusal to bow to Saudi regimes dictations have effectively caused Riyadh's push for punishing Doha using a set of sanctions.

Upon the Arab ban, which largely targeted the Qatari imports, Doha broadened ties with Iran and Turket, an arrangement that effectively nullified the Saudi-led punitive measures. Not long after the embargo imposed, Qatars emir traveled to Russia to meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russia visit was regarded was meant to involve Moscow, a power in rivalry with the US for a toehold in the significant West Asia region, in the Persian Gulf crisis. He was successful in getting the Russians on board.

And now the emir of Qatar wants the Americans to use their weight and help lift the embargo. Since the eruption of the Arab diplomatic crisis, the US President Donald Trump stood on the Saudi Arabian side. It was under pressures from the former Secretary of State Tillerson that avoided anti-Qatari steps in Riyadh appeasement. Now Trump has designated Mike Pompeo, the former CIA chief and a zealous supporter of Saudi Arabia, to fill Tillerson's post, causing Qataris to grow serious concerns and thus seek the favor of the US administration.

The State of Qatar signed a security agreement with NATO at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on 16 January, 2018. The pact for security cooperation was signed in the presence of Sheikh Tamim and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after their meeting in Belgium. According to the pact, Qatar will allow the 29-member NATO to enter its territories and use the al-Udeid Airbase southwest of Doha. In a statement published on its website, NATO said that Stoltenberg and the Qatari leader during the meeting discussed the regional developments and NATO-Doha partnership.

Doha's eyes on Washington patronage

Qatari emir is fully aware that Trump policy is influenced by money offers and business opportunities. He knows that Trump extended his support for Riyadhs stances and policies after earning billions of dollars from arm deals with Saudi rulers. Indeed, Saudi crown prince won Trumps support only after sealing a deal of $500 billion military purchases with Washington. The US President even tried to blackmail the Saudis in Syria case just recently, saying that if Riyadh wants Washington to stay in Syria, it has to pay for the costs. The comments came after the US leader said American forces will withdraw the crisis-hit country very soon.

So, the Qatari emir is in efforts to reduce the massive US backing to Saudis using military deals with Trump administration. In the present conditions, Trump is capable of ending the Persian Gulf inter-Arab crisis. But he, many believe, will not do so, because as long as the row unfolds, the US benefits from tremendous military deals with the Arab regimes. The US focus now is on directing the course of developments, to make sure things will not go in a way risky to the Washington interests.

Therefore, beside warmly receiving bin Salman and signing huge military deals with him, Americans also well received Qatari emir and sealed big weapons deals with him. According to Washington Post newspaper, during the latest visit, the US approved $300 million of guided missiles for Apache combat helicopters. Shortly after this deal was given publicity, White House authorized sale of $270 million worth of arms and military facilities to the UAE, which is one of the blockading countries.

Last summer, Pentagon had sold Qatar 36 F-15 fighter jets worth of $12 billion. Qataris have been doing their best to keep hosting the US military base on their soil which is costly to Doha but allegedly guarantee Qatars security against any Saudi aggression.

The analysts hold the idea that once Pompeo takes the office as Secretary of State, the US will bolster its backing for Saudi Arabia against Qatar. Sheikh Tamim, aware of this, has tried to buy the continued American support by financial privileges.

Qataris are also worried about bin Salmans struggle to garner Western legitimacy using military deals with Western capitals, Washington, London, Paris, and Madrid. One of the factors foiling the Saudi crown princes anti-Doha plans is a failure to have the European allies on board. Qatars leader wants reluctance of Europeans to support the Saudi agenda against his country continue by spending petrodollars on military purchases.

Additionally, Qatar is a valuable card for Americans who do not afford losing the tiny state to the rival Russian-led camp just because of its rifts with Riyadh. After all, Doha is geopolitically crucial for the US. Gardiner Harris and Mark Lander in a co-written article which was published by the New York Times, have reported that Qatar is host to al-Udeid Air Base, which is home to nearly 10,000 American troops and is the overseas headquarters for United States Central Command that would launch airstrikes against Syria.

The US administration's double-faced approach of stems from Trumps policy of fueling disputes between the wealthy Persian Gulf Arab states rather than a contradictory foreign policy in relation to the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council crisis.









/129
After 2016, Turkey made a clear political U-turn on the Syrian case and opted to get close to Russia and Iran, both staunch allies of the Syrian government, and then engaged in Astana peace process, cultivating an atmosphere in which it hoped to make considerable gains. However, after nearly a month since the Turkish army claimed control of Afrin, Tehran and Moscow want Ankara to hand over the seized region to the central government in a gesture of respect to the Syrian government representing a sovereign state.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Turkish offensive on the city of Afrin in northwest Syria in late January should be regarded as symbolizing Ankaras foreign policy in dealing with various regional cases.

Turkish military forces, along with allied Syrian militant groups, have managed to seize the predominantly Kurdish Syrian canton after a 58-day aggression, which is one of the three Kurdish cantons controlled and governed by a federal governing council. Regardless of whatever Turkish excuses are for the attack on the Kurdish enclave, the Turkish armys presence in northern Syria is illegitimate and a violation of the Syrian national sovereignty.

From 2011, the year the devastating Syrian crisis sparked, up to 2015, the Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated calls for the allies to set up a safe zone in Syria's north, covering an area between Azaz to Jarabulus, with estimated 90-kilometer length and 50-kilometer depth. But he was unsuccessful in getting American and European allies on his side about the plan, and so apparently failed to take practical steps towards controlling the Syrian border areas with Turkey which reach 700 kilometers long.

After 2016, Turkey made a clear political U-turn on the Syrian case and opted to get close to Russia and Iran, both staunch allies of the Syrian government, and then engaged in Astana peace process, cultivating an atmosphere in which it hoped to make considerable gains. However, after nearly a month since the Turkish army claimed control of Afrin, Tehran and Moscow want Ankara to hand over the seized region to the central government in a gesture of respect to the Syrian government representing a sovereign state.

Russia and Iran ask Turkey to return Afrin to central government

In the past few days, there were brazen comments from the Iranian and Russian officials about the need for Ankara to hand over the enclave and other opposition-controlled Syrian territories to Damascus government. The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei was the top official to ask for that from Erdogan.

[Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan has never said that Turkey wants to occupy Afrin. We always proceed from the fact that the easiest way to normalize the situation in Afrin now that Turkish representatives say that the main goals they set there have been achieved would be to return the territory under the control of the Syrian government," Lavrov said, as was quoted by Russian Sputnik news agency.

The Iranian Defense Minister General Amir Hatami was also clear in his Afrin handover call. Talking to the RT Arabic, General Hatami stated: Respecting the sovereignty of all countries is a principal policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have told our Turkish brothers that if you have security concerns in relation to the Syrian conflict, you should settle them through cooperating with the legitimate Syrian government. I hope that the Turkish brothers will show respect to the Syrian territorial and national integrity. Im sure this will happen. Because those who deployed forces to the Syrian territories without coordination with the central Syrian government will have to withdraw at the end of the road.

Turkey pledges pullout after the crisis ends

Following the remarks made by the Russian foreign minister and the Iranian defense minister, Turkey reacted. Bekir Bozdag, Turkeys deputy prime minister, on Wednesday told the reporters that Ankara is not there (in Syria) to occupy, and it does not hold plans to stay there permanently. He went on to suggest that Turkey respects Syria's territorial integrity. He added that the Turkish forces successfully cleared the city of terrorists, continuing that the troops are involved in landmine-removing efforts.

The Turkish official held that Syria is now experiencing power vacuum, and the nation is witnessing the activity of various opposition groups. He noted that Turkey gives the rule of Afrin to its locals. He highlighted the need for a political settlement to the eight-year-old conflict, adding that Turkey will pull out of Syria as long as the state reaches a solution to end the crisis. He stressed that the Syrian situation cannot be solved militarily.

Turkey from the very beginning said conflicts in the region [Syria] must be stopped and problems here could not be resolved through military means," Bozdag told reporters in the capital Ankara.

Turkey obliged to leave Afrin

But the Turkish response to Moscow and Tehran calls for withdrawal from Afrin seems like an open showcase of time-wasting and playing with the words. Linking the withdrawal of occupying forces to end of the crisis in Syria is a trickery tactic. Under any conditions, the Turkish leaders can claim they still have their own border security woes and that they consider the crisis still standing to justify their military presence in Syrias north.

What is certain is that the Turkish military presence there is illegal. The Syrian government can file a case at the UN Court of Justice against Ankara for violation of its sovereignty. On the other side, the Turkish decision-makers should have in mind that their success in foiling establishment of an autonomous Kurdish government is a corollary of Ankaras closeness to the Moscow-Tehran front. Having in mind that Damascus certainly will move to liberate its terrorist-held territories in Idlib province and the north in the future and will definitely continue to enjoy backing from its key allies, there are risks of Syrian-Turkish military confrontation. In case of a war with Damascus, Erdogan's military successes risk diminishing into a big defeat on the Syrian stage. Meanwhile, the most appropriate move will be Turkey and Ankara-backed Syrian opposition groups' pullout from Afrin and other areas through dialogue and an accord that will see the central government offer adequate security assurances to Ankara that the Kurdish militant units will not build new military dominance in Afrin and other border areas with Turkey.







/129
Iraq has officially allowed campaigning to begin for the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 12.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Iraq has officially allowed campaigning to begin for the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 12.



Volunteer workers spread across Iraqi towns and cities from early Saturday to put up posters of around 7,000 candidates who will contest 329 parliamentary seats.



It will be Iraqs fourth parliamentary and provincial assembly polls since the country ousted long-time dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.



However, the start of the campaigning was marred by controversy as people were angry at aides pulling down pictures of fighters killed in the war on Daesh Takfiri terrorist group and replacing them with the pictures of candidates.



Iraq has managed to clear almost entire cities and towns of Daesh in a war that took more than three years and cost the oil-rich country much of its government finances.



Many killed in the battle were volunteer fighters who had joined the military upon a call by Iraqs religious source of emulation.



People on the streets of Baghdad said it was a disgrace for election candidates to replace images of martyrs of the fight against Daesh, which had been on displays in the city and other major towns, with their own pictures.



At midnight sharp, they began pulling down pictures of the martyrs and replaced them with posters of the thieves, said Settar Tourki, a resident of the Iraqi capital.



Users of social media also reacted with anger to the controversial start of election campaigning, with Laith al-Shommari, a Facebook user, saying pulling down martyrs pictures was an insult to the memory of fighters who have sacrificed their lives so that we can live in peace and security.



The controversy about posters come as Iraqis hold a deep grudge against certain political parties whose lawmakers in the parliament have been accused of involvement in corruption. Many of those lawmakers are seeking a re-election in the upcoming vote, further deepening the public distrust.



We should burn the electoral posters of all these cowards and opportunists, said Shommari in reference to the candidates.









/129
BUCKS COUNTY >> Now that grape picking and processing season is inching to an end for the six family-owned wineries of the Bucks County Wine Trail, the wineries are offering a chance for guests to come celebrate and taste the fresh-pressed fruits of their labor. The Bucks County Wine Trail will hold its annual Harvest Celebration on the weekend of...
All 14 Pratt & Whitney engine-powered Airbus A320 Neo planes of the two budget carriers -- IndiGo and GoAir -- which were grounded between February and March this year due to safety concerns are now back into operation, officials said.

Of these 14 planes, 11 were of IndiGo and three of the Wadia group-promoted GoAir.

None of the 11 A320 Neo planes fitted with P&W engines which were taken out of operation due to the engine glitches are now on ground. All these planes are back into service, an IndiGo official said today.

A GoAir official also said that its three Airbus A 320 Neos which were grounded by the regulator DGCA on March 12 are now flying again.

However, spokespersons of both IndiGo and GoAir were not available for comments.

In February, three IndiGo aircraft, with both faulty engines, were grounded. This followed the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issuing an emergency airworthiness directive on February 9 after a few occurrences of aborted take-off and in-flight shut down on A320 Neo fleet worldwide.

On March 12, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered grounding of 11 A320 Neo planes fitted with faulty P&W 1100 engines having serial number of 450 and beyond, citing safety concerns.

The DGCA cracked the whip after an IndiGo flight bound for Lucknow returned to Ahmedabad within 40 minutes of getting airborne due to a mid-air engine failure on March 12.

Following the grounding of the aircraft, while IndiGo cancelled a total of 776 flights between March 13 and April 2, GoAir did not operate 336 flights during the period.

Earlier this month, government had informed Parliament that 11 of these 14 A320 Neo aircraft had started flying again after change of engine.

"As of now, 11 of the 14 grounded aircraft have started flying after changing the engines," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on April 5.

Pratt & Whitney President Robert F Leduc had said last month that the grounded aircraft of IndiGo and GoAir will be back in operation by April-end.
Saraf Hotel Enterprises, which owns 10 luxury hotels in the country (most of them managed by Hyatt), is keen to bid for Taj Mansingh Hotel in New Delhi. Saraf was not eligible to bid for the property under the tender norms issued by the NDMC, which said a bidder should own 500 rooms in five-star properties as well as a brand.

The group launched its own luxury brand recently and that makes it eligible to bid for Taj Mansingh. We were not eligible in spite of having 5,000 rooms. We complained to the authorities concerned and the government, said Umesh Saraf, joint ...
Walmart, the worlds biggest retail chain, has set three clear targets while trying to pick a controlling stake in Bengaluru-based Flipkart, sources aware of the developments said. Through Flipkart, the American major is looking for the first real entry into the promising Indian retail market after having dabbled in cash-and-carry or business-to-business (B2B) operations for about a decade. Also, it plans to take the Flipkart model to the US to pep up its e-commerce business, which has disappointed investors. More than anything else, it wants rival Amazon to burn much more cash in the India market to compete with Walmart-backed Flipkart. In the American market too, the deal could give some stress to Amazon, currently facing the US administrations attack.

In the run-up to the acquisition, with a possible announcement in June, the India business of Walmart is clearly in preparation mode. While the top strategy team is busy flying to boardroom meetings spread across Bengaluru and Bentonville (Arkansas), structural and operational changes are playing out in the India offices of Walmart, said a source. While the Bentonville-based chain would like to retain its cash-and-carry business in India, it is transitioning towards a change with an online focus, the source said.

The India business so far has been insignificant. Walmart Indias latest numbers show an annual revenue of around half a billion dollars (Rs 36 billion), against $500 billion global revenue of the group. The American retailer is working towards changing that and a deal with Flipkart, at a valuation of $20 billion, seems to be a way out.



ALSO READ: Walmart-Flipkart deal talks on, no conclusion yet, say sources

President and Chief Executive Officer Walmart India Krish Iyer, who recently returned from a visit to the US headquarters, spoke to Business Standard on the groups focus, but refused to speak on the proposed deal with Flipkart. Even Flipkart declined to answer any question on the deal that even saw Amazon on the negotiation table to pick up a substantial stake in the Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal founded company.

Bricks to digital Walmart enters India in tie-up with Bharti in 2007 Venture ends in 2013, goes on its own Operates 21 B2B stores in India Global revenue at over $500 billion India revenue for 2016-17 was $0.55 billion Plans ambitious e-commerce foray

Walmart India is fully focused in growing our existing B2B cash-and-carry business. The business in India has shown double digit year-on-year growth, Iyer said. But an analyst pointed out that B2B is not so much in Walmarts DNA and that the group is trying hard to reach out to the Indian masses directly through business-to-consumer. Since it has not been able to open multi-brand brick-and-mortar stores so far due to policy constraints, an entry through Flipkart, which already has a huge brand following, is the best option before it. Out of a total of 6,363 stores across Walmart internationally (outside the US), only 356 follow the wholesale or B2B format. In China, out of a total of 439 Walmart stores, only 15 are B2B. In other important markets such as Canada, Central America, Japan, and the UK, Walmart does not operate any B2B store.

ALSO READ: Walmart close to buying 51% stake in Flipkart, deal likely by June: Sources

On the online business plans, Iyer said, Currently the online B2B segment in our business is small, but it is growing as part of our omnichannel customer-centric philosophy. Omnichannel allows small businesses and kirana stores to buy from Walmart through an app (BestPrice), call centres, and business development associates. On whether there would be a shift towards e-commerce over the coming months and years, Iyer called India a priority market for Walmart and that the focus continues to be B2B. With 21 stores now, it plans to add another 50 in the next few years in India. This year, some five to seven stores are expected with the next one either in Ludhiana or Vizag.

A source in the know of the groups strategic thinking said, Walmart need not make any investment in multi-brand brick-and-mortar any more. It can straight migrate to online through Flipkart. Just like Walmart acquired American e-commerce company Jet.com for $3.3 billion to replicate its model, it plans to do the same with Flipkart. It would want to take Flipkart to the US and have the same platform and knowhow. But Flipkarts local business will continue the way it is, the source added. Some others associated with the developments, however, argued that the Flipkart brand may not be taken to the US, but certainly the learnings, innovations, and pricing mechanisms could be replicated.



ALSO READ: Flipkart said to be leaning towards selling stake to Walmart over Amazon

While Walmart India may reduce the focus on cash-and-carry business in future to invest in e-commerce, it would keep the operation going, sources said. In fact, Flipkart may use the American chains B2B format to service local products and go deeper into the India market, they pointed out.

But, as Brett Biggs, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Walmart Stores, pointed out recently, we plan to allocate more capital to e-commerce, technology, logistics, and allocate less to new stores. In India, Walmart has tried to enter the online business before and experimented at different levels, but this time its game plan seems to be serious.
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Dozens of fanatic Israeli settlers stormed on Sunday morning al-Aqsa Mosqueon of the holiest site in Islamvia the Maghareba Gate.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Dozens of fanatic Israeli settlers stormed on Sunday morning al-Aqsa Mosqueon of the holiest site in Islamvia the Maghareba Gate.



A horde of Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.



Dozens more are expected to show up at the site in the next few hours.



At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site.



Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.









/129
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh.

The Chief Minister forwarded the resignation of the two ministers to the state Governor.

Earlier, the two had resigned following accusations of attending a rally in support of the culprits in the Kathua gangrape and murder case.

On January 17, an eight-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, drugged, raped, tortured and killed Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.
India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over blocking of access of visiting Sikh pilgrims to Indian diplomats in that country and even "compelling" the Indian envoy to return while on way to a prominent gurudwara there.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a group of around 1800 Sikh pilgrims are on a visit to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

In a statement, the MEA also said the Indian High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return when he was en route to Gurdwara Panja Sahib yesterday.

The MEA called it an "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy" by Pakistan, holding that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," it said in a statement.

The fresh incidents came, over two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats after envoys of the two countries made claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was suddenly asked to return while en route the shrine yesterday, for unspecified 'security' reasons.

It said the High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries," the MEA said.

On not allowing the pilgrims to meet Indian diplomats, it said a standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it said.
Meanwhile, the CBI also detained Shashi Singh, a woman aide of an accused lawmaker who allegedly took the rape survivor to the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh on the day of the crime. In her complaint to UP police, the victim's mother alleged that Shashi Singh was the one who had lured her daughter and took her to Sengar's residence where he raped ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said India will coordinate with China and other Asian countries to voice against the "Asian Premium" being changed by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Taking the initiative forward, the minister said, Indian Oil Corporation chairman Sanjiv Singh will coordinate with the head of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to chalk out the strategy that would result in getting better price from OPEC countries.

"India or China, Japan and Korea- Asian counties are the primary consumers of the energy market today."



"Why we have to give Asian premium? That is the issue we are raising and when we met on the sidelines of International Energy Forum with CNPC chairman, I proposed to coordinate with China and all these consuming countries in a bigger way," Pradhan told PTI yesterday.

"We have nominated our IOC chairman Sanjiv Singh to coordinate on behalf of Indian energy industry with other major players and specifically with his Chinese counterpart CNPC Chairman Wang Yalin.

There will be meetings, there will be consensus to put a point of view in front of the oil producing countries (OPEC) that we must get reasonable and responsible price for our consumption," the minister said.

Asian Premium is the extra charge being collected by OPEC countries from Asian countries when selling oil, and India has been voicing its dissent against this practice.

India sources about 86 per cent of crude oil, 75 per cent of natural gas and 95 per cent of LPG from OPEC member nations.

To a query, the oil minister said, the bombing on Syria may result in pressure on international crude prices and for the long term gains India should develop alternate fuels for its consumption.

"In the international commodity scenario when there is an intentional crisis, there is nothing we can do in short terms. But for long term we are opting for alternate fuel and alternate energy, conservation and efficiency of fuel."



"All these are under process. But for short term when there is a crisis in international market, the nature of the industry since inception is that we have to face the pinch," he said.

He said the daily pricing of petrol and diesel is yielding good results and there are no plans of reviewing the system.

Refuting allegations that the centre directed oil companies not to increase prices in view of Assembly polls, Pradhan said, "The government has nothing to do with price mechanism. Oil companies are independent and autonomous to do their (price) mechanism.
The World Banks private investment arm is assessing the potential investment opportunity and seems open to the burden of agreeing to underwrite the entire debt amount for the successful bidder. IFC has had rounds of discussion with transaction advisor EY for the deal and have said they would explore the opportunity to work with a successful bidder by underwriting the debt amount, said a person aware of the developments. The Union ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
The UAE-based Business Leaders Forum (BLF) has sought investments of up to Rs 100 billion in Andhra Pradesh with the partnership of the state government to spur growth in avenues such as food park.

The BLF and India Trade & Exhibition Centre m.e. (ITEC) signed two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB).

The MoUs were signed last week in Hyderabad in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has secured investments of over $12.52 billion.

The BLF is a joint initiative by the UAE Ministry of Economy, Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Indian Consulate in Dubai to boost cross-border investment.

"We are looking at a sizeable project that could require investment of up to Rs 100 billion in which the state government would be a possible partner. We are looking at a possible food park, a medical city, large infrastructure project, among other avenues," Dr Ram Buxani, President, BLF, said.

The ITEC, represented by its Director General Sripriyaa Kumaria, has signed an MoU with the APEDB to provide employment to 1,000 skilled people from Andhra Pradesh in the UAE by engaging with the UAE's employers and help boost two-way investment between Andhra Pradesh and the UAE.

The BLF recently led a 10-member investment delegation to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to explore new investment opportunities in partnership with the state government in key economic sectors, including health, education, manufacturing food services, information technology and infrastructure.

The delegation, mostly comprising NRI investors and businessmen, met Naidu and discussed ways to facilitate investment from the UAE to Andhra Pradesh. The move is part of the annual mega business conference India-UAE Partnership Summit that was launched last year. Its second edition will be held from October 30-31, 2018.

"I am pleased to announce the signing of two important MoUs with Andhra Pradesh government that will form the basis of our future cooperation and continuous engagement to boost investment," Buxani said.

The signing of MoUs comes weeks after the Andhra Pradesh government signed a $4.62 billion investment agreement with Emirates Airline to develop a large maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.

In October 2017, Naidu witnessed the signing of two MoUs with as many UAE business groups which collectively committed to invest $7.5 billion in the state.

Chairman of ITEC, Shri Sudesh Agarwal assured that ITEC would engage with the large investor groups to invest in high-growth investment areas and expressed hope to bring other major states in India under a similar process.

Lulu Group, a retail group based in the UAE, is developing a hotel and a convention centre with a total investment outlay of $400 million in the state. The collective value of these four projects exceeds $12.52 billion.
Aniket Patel is a teenager who has just finished his board exams, but spends more time checking the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) website than figuring out what his results will be.

Patel is a bitcoin investor who saves pocket money to invest in bitcoin, the most popular virtual currency. His holdings are now almost twice the initial investment, but he is in it for the long haul, he says.

Ever since the Indian central bank cracked down on virtual currency exchanges earlier this month, Patel has been visiting the RBI website regularly to check for further directions from the regulator in the hope that its order will be reversed or, at least, eased.

I do not use any local exchanges to conduct my transactions anyway, so I am not affected by the ban but I do have some holdings in my fathers account on a local exchange and those we will move to a private wallet within three months, Patel says.

But there is no point selling since we have held these for long and the market is right now at a loss.

ALSO READ: RBI's decree will shatter cryptocurrency business in India: Stakeholders

Patel is among millions of virtual currency investors who have been directly affected by the central banks order of April 5 when the RBI debarred banks and financial institutions from dealing in virtual currencies.

The regulator gave three months wiggle room for these entities to wind up these businesses.

While virtual currency exchanges in India keep silent about their strategy, traders on these exchanges are unwilling to liquidate their holdings just yet as they wait for the market to move up again, considering the deep losses the bitcoin market clocked across the world in the past two months.

ALSO READ: RBI's cryptocurrency clampdown leads to 'revolution' call from exchanges

The RBI directive proved opportune for a lot of traders who used the dip in bitcoin and other virtual currency prices to their advantage by buying even more and holding it in their private wallets rather than with local exchanges.

Though this is not the first time that the RBI has warned about the dangers of ranging from anonymity, decentralisation to possible use in funding illegal activities and trade, the April 5 circular has sounded the death knell for Indian companies, experts say.

There will be a rise in cash-out centres where people can exchange their bitcoin, and companies will probably now move to crypto-friendly countries such as Singapore, said Raj Chowdhury, managing director, HashCash Consultants, a firm involved in virtual currency and blockchain-based international remittances.

ALSO READ: Govts fighting cryptocurrencies will be left behind: Anthony Pompliano

Chowdhury said the mandate was not well thought out since bitcoin was a decentralised currency that could not be banned by any government since the ledger was present across the world on servers.

The move will stifle innovation in the country and companies will look to move to greener pastures. The government will also move on crucial tax money that they could have earned by regulating the market, he said.

Meanwhile, some traders have indeed panicked and transferred their bitcoin holdings from Indian exchanges to private wallets. For instance, an independent businessman in Bengaluru, who goes by the name Zvan, has transferred his holdings to a privately encrypted bitcoin wallet.

ALSO READ: Black money SIT reviews use of cryptocurrencies; directs clampdown

A private bitcoin wallet allows people to keep the key to their bitcoin with themselves, limiting the dependence on intermediaries. People like Zvan are looking to transfer their holdings to private wallets so that they can trade in bitcoin even if Indian exchanges disappear.

I am not selling my holdings, no matter what the government thinks about bitcoin.

I have bought a little more since the direction happened as prices dropped, but I am here for the long run, said Zvan. A virtual currency is not limited by regulations. There are always foreign exchanges where one can buy and sell. I can even liquidate these when I am outside the country.

At least five more investors Business Standard spoke to expressed the same sentiment and detailed their exit strategy.

However, the move has slowed the pace of trades in the market.

ALSO READ: Five cryptocurrency heists that make hack at India's Coinsecure look small

Shivam Gupta, who belongs to Delhi and holds three virtual currencies, has stopped buying more and is looking to consolidate his holdings. Last year, he quit his public sector job to trade in bitcoin, but those plans are now endangered.

People who entered the market in December cannot sell because they are running a loss of at least 60 per cent. And those who have been in the market for a long time know that it is a blip that can be overcome, Gupta said. I have my holdings intact, but I might have to get back on the job market if the ban on the Indian exchanges is not lifted.

Chowdhury, meanwhile, said that it was unfortunate that the government had taken a stern view of the virtual currency market. The bitcoin market in India is marred by regulation, which is ironic because the whole point of cryptocurrencies is to be free from regulation and decentralisation, Chowdhury said.
Arab leaders -- minus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- meet in Saudi Arabia for a summit on Sunday as world powers face off over Syria and tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a tough, unified stance against its regional arch-rival Iran at the annual gathering of the 22-member Arab League.

The two regional titans, locked in proxy wars in Syria and in Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour Yemen, back opposing parties in Iraq and Lebanon.

The summit begins 24 hours after the United States, France and Britain launched controversial air strikes in war-torn Syria in response to a reported regime chemical attack on the decimated rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta last week.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which both voiced support for the strikes, remain locked in a months-long diplomatic standoff, with Riyadh accusing Doha of supporting Islamist extremists and being too close to Iran.

Summits of the Arab League, established in 1945, rarely result in action. The last time the bloc made a concrete move was in 2011, when it suspended Syria's membership over the Assad regime's role in the war.

Syria remains suspended from the organisation.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman will chair Sunday's summit in the eastern city of Dhahran, home to Saudi Arabia's oil giant Aramco and 160 kilometres (100 miles) across the Gulf from Iran.

Syria's war, the most complex of the region's conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies, who mainly back Sunni rebels, against regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday declared its full support for US-led air raids on Syria, which the Pentagon said had "successfully hit every target".

Qatar, which has confirmed it will attend the summit, also backed the strikes. Its foreign ministry tweeted support for "operations against specific military targets used by Syrian regime in its chemical attacks".

Gulf Arab states have made massive donations to Syria but have not officially offered asylum to Syrians.

Despite widespread Arab condemnation of the suspected chemical attack, the Dhahran summit is unlikely to call for Assad to step down.

Seven years into a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, Saudi Arabia and Iran now agree that the country's future cannot be decided solely by the Assad regime, whose troops have regained the upper hand with massive support from Russia.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32-year-old son of the king and de facto ruler of the world's largest exporter of oil, has said Assad will stay.

The question of Jerusalem is also likely to figure prominently at the summit as the United States prepares to move its embassy there from Tel Aviv after declaring the disputed city the capital of Israel in a break with decades of diplomacy.

Arab ministers at a preliminary meeting in Riyadh on Thursday focused heavily on blocking the move, unanimously condemning the decision by US President Donald Trump.

But Saudi Arabia's crown prince struck a somewhat different tone during a US tour earlier this month.

While Saudi Arabia does not officially recognise Israel, Prince Mohammed told US magazine The Atlantic that Israelis, like Palestinians, had a right to their own land.

"There are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries", he said.
Thousands of Greeks turned up at a rally and march in central Athens organised by the Communist Party to protest the US-led airstrikes against Syria.

The protesters gathered Saturday at Athens' central Syntagma Square before marching to the US Embassy, chanting anti-US slogans and carrying banners.

Some wrote on the pavement in red paint: "Americans, murderers of people."



Police vehicles barricaded access to the embassy and protesters left peacefully.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the Communist Party's leader, blasted Greek politicians for believing "flimsy excuses about a use of chemical weapons" by Syria.

He also criticized their "subservience" to the EU and NATO, as well as their support for Israel.

He told the crowd "the imperialists once again spill the blood of the local people. They destroy and splinter states by using fabricated evidence.
US Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday he was leaving a summit of Latin American countries in Peru very hopeful that the United States, Mexico and Canada were close to a deal on a renegotiated NAFTA trade pact. Pence told reporters it was possible that a deal would be reached in the next several weeks. The vice president also said that the topic of funding for US President Donald Trump's proposed wall on the US border with Mexico did not come up in Pence's meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Deng Yufeng wanted to create art that prods people to question their lack of data privacy. What better way, he reasoned, than to buy the personal information of more than 300,000 Chinese people off the internet and display it in a public exhibition? The police did not appreciate the irony. Last week, the authorities in the Chinese city of Wuhan shut down Mr. Dengs exhibition in a local museum after two days and told him that he was being investigated on suspicion of amassing the information through illegal means. Mr. Dengs project coincides with a growing ...
Yet another cliffhanger involving Mumbai Indians, and yet another defeat for them. After losing the first one to Chennai Super Kings and the second to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians managed to do the same in their third clash of Indian Premier League 2018 (IPL 2018)  this time against Delhi Daredevils.

No matter whom they play against, where they play, what combinations they try, Mumbai Indians manage to get the same result  a defeat after an exciting contest that drags the match up to the last over. Indeed, three defeats in a row seem rather unbecoming of a team ...
A 16-year-old girl was allegedly set ablaze by three persons in Vaina village of Kanpur Dehat's Rajpur area on Saturday.

The incident happened on Saturday evening.

The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently under critical condition.

Meanwhile, police has arrested one person, while search operation is underway for the other culprits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 20 militants affiliated to terror outfit Islamic State (IS) have been killed during the joint raids of the Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province.

A commander of the terror group identified as Yousuf was among those killed, at least eight militants including a local commander of the Taliban were killed in Chesht-e-Sharif district of Herta, five others were killed in Bala Bolok district of Farah, and six more were killed in Nejrab district of kapisa, reported Khaama Press, citing Afghan's Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson General Mohammad Radmanish, as saying.

According to the report, the Afghan forces have confiscated 99 improvised explosive devices as well during the operations.

The Afghan forces are presently involved in 21 operations in 13 provinces of the war-ravaged country.

68 raids have been conducted by the Special Forces while 13 airstrikes have been carried out by the Air Force.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Turkey police on Saturday arrested 70 Islamic State militants from the country, as per the police sources.

Ten foreign suspects, including an, IS senior member, were arrested in central Turkey for their links to the terrorist group, according to a police source, quoted by the Anadolu Agency.

The arrests were made in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir and the terrorists were the nationals of Iraq.

Simultaneous raids were carried out at nine addresses in the city as part of a probe launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Eskisehir.

Later in a separate incident at Istanbul, police arrested 51IS suspects, all foreign nationals, another source said.

Police conducted simultaneous raids in six districts of Istanbul and seized numerous documents and digital materials linked to the terrorist group, the source added.

More than 300 people lost their lives in IS-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in the suicide bomb, rocket, and gun attacks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took to the streets on Sunday to protest against Congress Karnataka Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao in Bengaluru.

Apparently, Gundu Rao had made 'inciting remarks' against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier today.

Rao told media, "Mr. Adityanath is a disgrace to Indian politics, and he is unfit to be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. If he had any decency he would have resigned by now because his government has been exposed, his own MLA has committed the crime."

"Not only has a girl been raped, her father was arrested and has died, and the BJP government and the police did not even file an FIR," he added.

Following the remarks, BJP State General Secretary N Ravikumar filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Rao.

On April 8, a girl from Unnao alleged that she was raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his accomplices in June, last year.

The victim's family also alleged that the accused MLA's brother, Atul Singh Sengar, along with his companions also raped the girl and thrashed the victim's father on April 3 for refusing to withdraw the FIR over the same.

Atul Singh and five other accused have been sent to jail, and the accused MLA has been sent to seven-day Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Sunday warned that a chemical attack could take place in the United States as well, if "we are not smart enough."

"This very easily could happen in the United States if we're not smart, and if we're not conscious of what's happening," Haley told Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday."

"We have to be very conscious of the fact that we cannot allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons. That's why you saw the president strike this past weekend, that's why you saw him expel sixty Russian spies after the attack in Salisbury," she added.

The US Ambassador to UN also used the occasion to defend the usage of the words "mission accomplished," by the US President Donald Trump after he ordered the military on Friday to launch airstrikes on three sites in Syria.

"The president used the term "mission accomplished" in the military sense. We of course know that our work in Syria is not done," she said.

Dwelling upon the Syrian policy, Haley went on to say, "We're not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things.Be very clear, if we leave, when we leave, it will be because we know that everything is moving forward."

Her remarks come after, the US, along with the United Kingdom (UK) and France together launched airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons facilities in the war-torn country.

United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he ordered precision strikes in Syria in retaliation for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical attack on Syria's rebel-held town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta on April 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States on Saturday said that chlorine and Sarin were used in alleged chemical weapon attack in Syria's Douma last week, which claimed over 50 lives.

The comments made by senior officials came hours after US, United Kingdom and France together launched fresh airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons facilities in the war-torn country.

"While the available information is much greater on the chlorine use, we do have significant information that also points to Sarin use," a senior US administration official told CNN, citing reports from media, non-governmental organisations and other open sources.

"They do point to miosis, constricted pupils, convulsions and disruptions to central nervous systems. Those symptoms don't come from chlorine. They come from nerve agents. It's a much more efficient weapon, unfortunately, the way the regime has been using it, and it's resulted in higher deaths, it resulted in terrible pictures," the official added.

Earlier on Saturday, US Vice President Michael Pence said that Russia is "on the wrong side of the war" while referring to recent strikes on Syria by the US along with Germany and France.

While speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Pence claimed that "chlorine and nerve agents" were used in the Syrian chemical attack.

Another US administration official said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government was blatantly responsible for the attack, adding that Washington D.C. had evidence such as photographs on the Internet showing the affected people suffering from asphyxiation and experiencing foaming at the mouth.

The officials were adamant that they would continue carrying out airstrikes until and unless the Assad's government deterred themselves from using chemical weapons in the future.

At the United Nations Security Council meeting, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley on Saturday said that Washington D.C. is "locked and loaded" in an event of a chemical attack by Assad.

She reiterated the US commitment to draw a red line by President Donald Trump against the use of chemical weapons, as reported by the Fox News.

Russia, a long-time ally of Syria, earlier proposed a draft resolution condemning the US-initiated strikes of Syria. It was rejected by the UN, as it was only supported by China and Bolivia.

Meanwhile, the US, Britain and France have launched a joint UN bid in order to investigate the earlier chemical weapons attack in Syria, according to media reports.

The three countries also pushed for enforcing a ceasefire to end the airstrikes in the war-torn country, providing for humanitarian assistance and punishing perpetrators, who are responsible for the chemical attacks in Syria.

The Syrian ambassador to the UN Bashar Jaafari said that the US, UK and France had "undermined international peace and security" and demanded the UN Secretariat to give copies of the UN Charter in order to "enlighten themselves, and awaken themselves from their ignorance and tyranny.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress Party on Sunday released its first list of 218 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.

The list was made public following a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee.

The party's chief ministerial candidate Siddaramaiah will contest from Chamundeshwari constituency only in the upcoming election. Earlier speculation was rife that he would contest from Badami as well.

Siddaramaiah's son Dr Yatheendra will contest from Varuna constituency.

Karnataka Home Minister R Ramalinga Reddy will contest from BTM Layout, while his daughter Sowmya Reddy will contest from Jayanagar

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge son Priyank kharge will contest from Chittapur.

The party has fielded G.B. Malathesh against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa from Shikaripura.

The Congress is yet to release candidate list for five seats.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], Apr. 15 (ANI): Jignesh Mevani, an MLA from Gujarat's Vadgam, on Sunday, was detained at the Jaipur Airport by authorities.

Mevani was heading to Nagaur, a city approximately 240 kms east of Jaipur, to deliver a speech on the Indian Constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

"I had to go to Nagaur to talk about Baba Saheb Ambedkar. I don't know what made Vasundhra Raje's (Chief Minister) government restrict me. They aren't even letting me roam in Jaipur. Police have no order, this is illegal," said Mevani.

He also took to Twitter to vent out his frustration over the whole affair, saying, "For urgent attention of media : today, immediately after I landed at Jaipur airport, few cops made me sign a letter saying MlA Jignesh mevani's entry is restricted in entire nagor district of Rajasthan. I was going there to talk about Indian constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar."

The authorities, however, stated that as circumstances in the city have been precarious, following April 2 Bharat Bandh called by various Dalit outfits, and that they did not want any instance of communal violence to spark off.

Condemning the Rajasthan government's approach, Mevani tweeted, "Now the DCP is saying u r not allowed to move around even in Jaipur and they are forcing me to fly back to Ahmedabad and also not allowing to hold even a press conference...this is shocking."

"For the past 2 hours I am asking the on duty DCP of Jaipur whether he has any order to restrict my movement he has no answer. He saying 'upar se bola hai'..he took away local dalit activist's mobile also. As per law, this is a case of legally confining me, if nt kidnapping.Shame," he wrote in another tweet.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A few hours after Karnataka Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao made derogatory remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and dubbed him "unfit for office", he apologised for the same, but questioned Yogi's governance.

"The father of Unnao victim has died, the girl is threatening to immolate herself. What kind of governance is this? I, however, regret the kind of words I used for him (Adityanath). This is an emotional and sensitive issue for me," Rao, who is working presidents of party's state unit, told ANI.

Earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers took to the streets here to protest against Rao's remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

Rao had said, " Mr Adityanath is a disgrace to Indian politics, and he is unfit to be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. If he had any decency, he would have resigned by now because his government has been exposed, his own MLA has committed the crime."

Following the remarks, Karnataka BJP General Secretary N Ravikumar filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Rao.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan after a visiting group of Sikh pilgrims was denied consular access, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

"A Jatha (parade) of around 1,800 Sikh yatris (pilgrims) has been travelling in Pakistan from April 12, under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines. A standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies. However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims," the MEA said in a press release.

Last week, 1,800 Sikh pilgrims from India had travelled to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Rawalpindi.

However, Pakistani authorities have reportedly blocked the Indian High Commission from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens.

"The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah Railway Station on April 12. Similarly, it was denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, for a scheduled meeting with pilgrims there. The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," the press release added.

Moreover, on April 14, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman, was suddenly asked to return while en route to the shrine, for unspecified "security" reasons.

Bisaria, who was to greet the Sikh pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was compelled to return without meeting the visiting group.

Further, the MEA said India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this "inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy", pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic and consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries.

The Sikh pilgrims are scheduled to return to India on April 21.

The latest diplomatic tussle between India and Pakistan comes after both the countries recently agreed to mutually resolve complaints of harassment of their respective envoys.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One of Pakistan's lawyers Babar Sattar, who writes articles for leading daily The News and other publications, has objected strongly to the ongoing censorship of the media, print and electronic, in Pakistan.

In a tweet, Islamabad-based Sattar revealed that he has been unable to publish his regular Saturday column this week because of the ongoing censorship against the private and free press in Pakistan.

He was also critical about the shutting down of Geo TV and The Jang Group.

He said his latest weekly column for The News International was on the emergence of Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen as the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), torch-bearer of the Pahstun community and his larger than life impact on the Pashtun consciousness.

In his as yet unpublished article, Sattar describes Pashteen and fellow PTM leaders as "remarkable young men still uncorrupted by age and experience, raising basic questions of the state's responsibility to citizens and whether our state (Pakistan) and its power elites have made choices and pursued policies that are in our best interest."

Taking his criticism of the establishment in Pakistan forward, Sattar maintains, "If it weren't for them (Pashteen and other PTM leaders), and the fact that their message is resonating with Pakistanis, there is much else around us leading to the conclusion that we are a people with dead souls."

He adds that the questions that the PTM is asking are "thorny for a state not used to any accountability.

"But our state's response to PTM reinforces the urgent need to ask those questions.. What kind of people would we be if we didn't feel the need to pin responsibility for the loss of thousands of citizens and soldiers consumed by the fires of bigotry, hate and violence that have been raging across Pakistan?" he asks.

In his article, Sattar appeals for not reducing the PTM "to a Pashtun versus Punjabi conversation; one about ratios of Pashtun representation across power elites, or role of Pashtuns in shaping and executing policies that PTM is questioning. This is a conversation initiated by those worst hit by bogus policy choices of state that refuses introspection."

He asks whether the powers that be in Pakistan can take the step of co-joining Articles 247 and 25 of the Constitution to ensure that all citizens are treated as equals and not to treat the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) as a colony without the right to self-govern itself.

He further asks, "Why is our state so insecure that it must deny agency to citizens raising critical voices by 'otherising' and placing them in (the) enemy camp."

He believes that there is a pattern behind the state silencing and demonizing all elements that it sees as being "western sponsored/ funded".

He concludes his article by saying that the need of the hour "is for the state to take off its blinkers and reimagine, and realign our national interest with the rights and interests of citizens." This goal or objective, he adds is long overdue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday questioned Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his inaction against his party's Jammu and Kashmir president Ghulam Ahmad Mir over his controversial remarks on Kathua rape and murder case.

Addressing a press conference here, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar accused the Congress Jammu and Kashmir president Ghulam Ahmad Mir of trying to politicise the case by instilling doubt in the public's mind about the investigation, and said, "We took action and two of our ministers resigned, but now I want to ask Rahul ji that he takes out candle march at night, then why does he not take action against his own state president?"

He also demanded senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to apologise to the country, over his former polling agent and Jammu Bar Association President B.S. Slathia's attempt to obstruct the filing of a chargesheet in the case.

"Rajya Sabha leader of Opposition is Ghulam Nabi Azad. The 2014 Lok Sabha elections that he lost, his agent for that election was Advocate Slathia. When the police was presenting before the court, he did not let them. Doesn't Nabi ji have a responsibility? He should apologize to the nation, "Javadekar said.

Raking up the 2016 Nirbhaya gang rape, and the incidents of atrocities against Dalits in Mirchpur, during the Congress-led UPA government, Javadekar slammed shot at Gandhi, " Why did you not take out a candle march then?"

In Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, an eight-year-old Muslim nomadic girl was allegedly abducted, drugged, gangraped, tortured and killed. After being missing for a week, her body was found on January 17.

The recent investigation into the incident unfolded the details of the crime, and the accused were arrested which trigged a protest march in support of the accused, while a group of lawyers tried to obstruct the police from filing the chargesheet.

BJP leaders Chandra Prakash Ganga and Chaudhary Lal Singh, resigned following accusations of attending the protest march.

In wake of multiple crimes against women, the Congress President took out a midnight candle march on Friday, urging the Centre to act against atrocities on women.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington D.C. with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region.

Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, met influential US Congressmen and members of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ted Yoho and Tom Garrett, and held another important meeting with House Majority leader Tim McCarthy in Washington D.C. Representative McCarthy is the front-runner to become the Chairman of the House following the current speaker's decision to not seek the reelection this year.

Nusrat apprised the US lawmakers of the victimisation and persecution of Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns, Gilgitis and Hazaras by the state of Pakistan. He briefed them about the role of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in providing safe havens to terror outfits in the port city of Karachi. He said that the ISI was fueling extremism and terrorism as a tool to advance its own agenda in the region, which was destabilising South Asia.

He also told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the United States and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. He emphasised that the needed to act to stop human rights abuses in Karachi, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan in order to save innocent human lives.

In these meetings, Nusrat extended his support to the US administration in its efforts to curb terrorism and bring peace, harmony, and stability in South Asia.

The Voice of Karachi has been working to raise global awareness about injustices and human rights violations that Urdu-speaking Mohajirs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been facing in Pakistan. This group has also been running the Free Karachi campaign in the US since January 15 this year.

More than 22,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed in military actions in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances are a routine urban Sindh where hundreds of MQM workers and supporters are missing in the latest phase of security operation launched in 2013.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan on Sunday clarified its stance over denial of consular access to visiting Sikh pilgrims.

In a statement, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said, "The Secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had extended an invitation to the High Commissioner of India to attend the main function of Baisakhi and Khalsa Janamdin at the Gurdwara Panja Sahib on 14 April 2018. The (Pakistani) Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly processed the matter on 13 April and granted the travel permission."

"However, in the run-up to the main function, the ETPB authorities noticed strong resentment among segments of Sikh Yatrees, gathered there from different parts of the world, allegedly protesting the release of some film on Baba Guru Nanak Devji in India. Considering an emotionally charged environment and the possibility of any untoward situation, the ETPB authorities contacted the Indian High Commission officials and suggested cancellation of the visit," the statement added.

The statement further stated that the ETPB acted with sincerity and in good faith, and the cancellation took place with mutual understanding.

Last week, 1,800 Sikh pilgrims from India had travelled to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Rawalpindi.

However, Pakistani authorities reportedly blocked the Indian High Commission from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens.

Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan after a visiting group of Sikh pilgrims was denied consular access.

"A Jatha (parade) of around 1,800 Sikh yatris (pilgrims) has been travelling in Pakistan from April 12, under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines. A standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies. However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims," the MEA said in an official statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the wake of incidents of rape in Unnao, Kathua and Surat, protests were staged in various parts of the country on Sunday.

Protests were held at the Parliament Street, here in the capital, and at Carter Road in Mumbai's Bandra area.

In Surat, people took out a candlelight march against the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl, who was tortured for over eight days and killed on April 5.

On Friday midnight, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders held a candlelight vigil at the India Gate in the capital to demand strict action in Unnao and Kathua rape cases.

Earlier on April 8, a woman and her family tried to commit suicide outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Her family alleges that she was raped by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his accomplice last year.

On the other hand, an eight-year-old girl belonging to a nomadic Muslim tribe in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir was allegedly abducted, drugged, gang-raped, tortured and killed in January.

Among the accused in the case are police officers and a retired government official.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a stopover in Berlin on April 20 after concluding his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The External Affairs Ministry said in its statement, "At the suggestion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making a brief stopover in Berlin on April 20 after completing his visits to Sweden and the United Kingdom."

During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet Chancellor Merkel and both the leaders will exchange views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues.

This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Chancellor Merkel began her fourth term on March 14 this year.

The visit demonstrates the commitment by the two countries to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges.

Prime Minister Modi will be visiting Sweden and Britain from April 16 to 20 with an aim to boost bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will also participate in the first-ever India-Nordic Summit and this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Prime Ministers of all Nordic countries-Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden will attend the summit.

Firstly, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sweden on a two-day visit from April 16-17. Later, he will travel to the United Kingdom.
A communist political party Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) SUCI(C) on Sunday held a protest in Kolkata against United States President Donald Trump over the Syrian missile attack.

The protestors were holding placards which read, "Rise up, protest against US missile attack against Syria," "in protests against US missile attack on Syria".

The protestors also burnt the effigy of Trump which had sketches of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May glued to it.

On April 13, the US, along with the United Kingdom (UK) and France together launched airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons facilities in the war-torn country.

United States President Donald Trump, in an address, announced that he ordered precision strikes in Syria in retaliation for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical attack on Syria's rebel-held town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta on April 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The long-pending problem of twin balance sheets of banks and highly leveraged corporate firms is likely to be resolved reasonably in the forthcoming quarters, the ASSOCHAM said on Sunday.

In addition to this, the chamber opined that the process of resolution of companies under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, would pick up the pace in the coming months.

"Our own assessment is that it would take another six to nine months before the banks see revival of confidence to lend afresh as they would then see reasonable amount of their non-performing assets (NPAs) get unlocked through a resolution. Besides, with sales growth expected to witness a revival, the ability to service debt would improve considerably," the chamber said.

Meanwhile, ASSOCHAM Secretary General D S Rawat urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to relax the norms proposed in its February circular as the same were quite harsh both on the bank and borrowers.

"These norms would aggravate rather than solving the problem of NPAs; at this point of time, both the lenders and borrowers need to be given a confidence and policy support. As long as there is a willingness to resolve the problem, all support must be extended. After all, as is evident from the stressed assets in steel and cement, there is a huge rush for acquiring the same. This shows there is a tremendous inherent value proposition and these assets can be turned into first class performing assets within a few years," he said.

Rawat reiterated that in the coming months, the IBC process would see some refinement, based on the experience gained so far, even as the capacity to handle the cases would get built up in an institutionalised manner.

"Be it a consortium of creditors, debtors, insolvency professionals, company law tribunals or even higher courts, they would all gain useful experience and would have some successful precedents to follow, going forward," said Rawat.

Within India Inc, the ASSOCHAM highlighted the presence of a growing realisation that in case the projects were stuck for reasons, there was a legitimate exit route available before the creditors and promoters. Therefore, the chamber said that the IBC system needed to be supported and made the best of global standards with an active involvement of the government, regulators, lenders, borrowers and the judiciary.

"Post the clean-up; the entire corporate governance structure should see a transformation, raising the standards of internal controls, external oversight, disclosure and authority of the boards," it added.

Earlier this month, Ministry of Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas noted that individual borrowers would be brought under the ambit of the IBC in due time.

With regards to NPAs, Srinivas said Rs 9.5 lakh crore was locked up along with 15 percent of public sector bank exposure and added that it was critical to arrest the trends for the sake of the economy.

On a related note, the Union Cabinet in February gave its ex-post facto approval for the amendments that were made in the IBC enabling clarity and prohibiting certain persons from participating in the resolution process.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has apprehended an Uzbekistani lady at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for entering on a fake ticket.

The security personnel intercepted the woman Khikmatova Shakhzoda on Saturday when she was noticed suspiciously roaming around at the airport.

When inquired, the woman revealed that she entered the terminal building by showing an edited ticket of Uzbekistan Airlines flight No. HY-424 bound for Tashkent to see-off her mother, who was travelling by the same flight.

After initial verification, she was handed over to the Delhi Police for further legal action.

An FIR has also been registered against her under section 417 and 447 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shunning inter-faith taboos, the IAS couple Tina Dabi and Athar Amir Khan, who tied the knot earlier this month in Kashmir, hosted a grand wedding reception in Delhi on Saturday.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attended the wedding reception of 2015 civil services examination topper Tina Dabi and second topper Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan.

This is the couple's third wedding function. Firstly, both got married at a simple court ceremony in Rajasthan's Jaipur and then had a wedding in groom's home state Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

Hence, the third function took place in bride's hometown - Delhi.

The parents of the young couple were also seen during the reception in the capital.

As the couple decided to tie the knot, a lot of criticism came on their way on account of a Dalit woman marrying a Kashmiri man.

Dabi came into limelight after she became the first ever Dalit girl to top the UPSC examination in her first attempt itself. However, Athar cleared the exams and ranked second in his second attempt.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fourth accused was arrested by Delhi police on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board Chief Wasim Rizvi's assassination plot case.

Day before yesterday, Rizvi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase his security after three people were arrested for allegedly conspiring to kill him.

Rizvi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi while saying that he was on target of extremists due to his pro-Ram Mandir stand.

Earlier, three people, associated with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim were arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr city for allegedly conspiring to kill Rizvi.

"Extremists belonging to India Muslim Personal Law Board like Sajjad Nomani, Asaduddin Owaisi and few members of Darul Uloom Deoband are linked with underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim and plans are being made to kill me even in Pakistan," he had said.

Rizvi even asked the Prime Minister to take appropriate action against Madrasa which as per him "continues to be the center of promoting terrorism in the country."

On April 13, a Delhi Court had sent the three accused-Arif, Abrar and Saleem to five-day police custody in the connection.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As many as 19 Indian student and alumni groups in various British universities have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, seeking tough measures against the culprits before he addresses his "Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath" event in London on April 18.

"We, the Indian student and alumni community in the UK, are deeply horrified and demand immediate proceedings against the accused in both cases (Kathua and Unnao). By taking swift and strict action, please show that the Indian government's initial silence and delayed response to these horrific crimes against humanity are not a support of the accused because the accused have some or the other link with those in power.

"Prime Minister, you have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India's daughters matter," the groups said in the letter.

Stressing that the Indian students and alumni community have been "eagerly looking forward to" his visit to Britain next week, the community said it hoped that "by the time you arrive you have sufficiently addressed both these matters".

"That when you arrive and address 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath', you can tell us and the world that those extraordinary measures are that you are putting into place to show that enough is enough," they said.

Those who signed the letter include the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) besides India societies of the University of Oxford; London School of Economics; University College London; Imperial College London; University of Warwick; Kings College London; University of Manchester; University of Birmingham; University of Southampton; Birmingham City University; University of Arts London; University of Salford; University of Nottingham; St George's University; University of Warwick India Forum; Nottingham Trent Indian Society and Queen Mary Indian Society.

Modi will be in Britain to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

--IANS

mak/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 29th Arab League (AL) Summit kicked off in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Dhahran on Sunday, with leaders from 22 member states attending it.

The summit will focus on Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, the Syrian crisis especially after an alleged chemical attack and the US-led airstrikes, Yemen's civil war, as well as fighting against terrorism, Xinhua news agency reported.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini are also participating in the one-day summit.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud referred to the Palestinian issue as the top agenda of the Arab meeting.

"The Palestinian case is our priority and will remain so until all the Palestinians gain their rights," he said, stressing that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

The king also denounced Iran's interference in other states' internal affairs by committing "terror acts", calling for the unity of the Arab world against it.

AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit noted that the crises gripping the Middle East will further deteriorate and weaken the entire region if not harnessed.

He believed there has been a huge setback in the process of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after US President Donald Trump's announcement.

On December 6, 2017, Trump announced his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed holy city, which promptly triggered fury and condemnation throughout the Arab world.

The situation has become even worse since the beginning of the six-week "Great March of Return" rally by Palestinians on March 30, where 32 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the Gaza border areas.

"So it is important to support Palestinians and (Palestinian President) Abbas," Aboul-Gheit said.

The AL chief also slammed Iran for its support for the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the Arab states should unite with Saudi Arabia against Iran.

--IANS

him/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The biannual Army Commanders Conference commencing here on Monday is set to deliberate on enhancing the Indian Armys "combat edge" over potential adversaries, particularly China, apart from issues pertaining to Army formations and future security threats, officials said on Sunday.

The six-day conference chaired by Army chief General Bipin Rawat will be attended by the Army top brass. Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre will deliver the opening address.

According to informed sources, the focus of discussion will be on increasing the Army's operational preparedness along the nearly 4,000 km India-China border.

India has admitted in the past that the situation in the Doklam sector on the India-China-Bhutan trijunction was "sensitive" and has the "potential to escalate" after last year's 73-day standoff with China.

Army Public Relations Officer Colonel Aman Anand said: "Important issues likely to be discussed are management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries."

He said that other issues like infrastructure development for capacity enhancement along the northern borders, review of strategic railway lines, optimisation of limited budget to ensure making up of critical deficiency in ammunition and issues related to Border Roads Organisation projects are also on the agenda.

"Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, as also other matters relevant to operations, administration and welfare of troops will be discussed in detail for planning and execution," he said.

The conference is held to take important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations. It is an important event for planning and execution process of the Army.

--IANS

mak/tsb/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A five-member committee of the Bar Council of India (BCI) will visit Kathua city in Jammu and Kashmir and submit a factual report on the case of the rape of a minor girl after seeking time from the Supreme Court on April 19, BCI President Manan Mishra said on Sunday.

The fact-finding team will have former BCI chief Tarun Agarwal, BCI Co-Chairmen S Prabakaran and Ramachandra G Shah, and members Razia Beig of the Bar Council of Uttrakhand and Naresh Dikshit, an advocate.

They will visit the state and reach out to office-bearers of the Bar Associations of Jammu and Kathua and also meet the affected families and the common people to figure out what actually transpired, Mishra told reporters.

He said that the BCI in its Friday meeting had decided to dispatch the team to Kathua on April 20.

"I have communicated this to the President of Bar Associations of Jammu and Kathua. I was given full assurance of an immediate end to the lawyers strike and of full cooperation to the visiting BCI team," he said.

Mishra claimed that the BCI was told that the reason behind the lawyers' protests in Jammu was not to defend the accused but were instead focused against certain laws passed by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Mishra said if the committee finds misconduct on the part of the lawyers, the BCI has the authority to cancel the licences of those involved in creating the controversy and maligning the legal profession.

"In case some outsiders, not associated with the Bar Council, are involved in creating a controversy, we may not be able to take action against such persons. Our jurisdiction is limited to Bar Council members only. If we find them responsible for obstructing the legal process, we will definitely take action against them by cancelling their registrations for life or for limited period," he added.

The BCI chief said that the follow-up action would be decided once the team files its report.

An eight-year-old Bakarwal girl had gone missing on January 10 while grazing horses in Rasana forest in Kathua's Hiranagar area. Her body was found a week later. Police investigations revealed she was held captive inside a temple, sedated and repeatedly raped before her murder.
A blind girl who claimed she was raped by a stranger here has been giving different statements about her background to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and her relatives have been asked to come and clarify matters, police said on Sunday.

Sahibabad police officer Rajesh Mishra said the 17-year-old reported that she was raped in her house in Lajpat Nagar on Wednesday night but the incident came to light on Friday night when the girl was found crying in a park.

A tea vendor came to her help, taking her to the Sahibabad police station, which sent her to the CWC for counselling and shelter.

The girl told counsellor Shalini Singh that a boy who came on a motorcycle barged into her rented room and raped her twice and fled after bolting the door from outside.

The house owner, who heard her cries, opened the door and freed her. However, he evicted her when she told him what had happened but retained her belongings, saying they will be adjusted against the three month rent due from her, the girl said.

According to the girl, she belonged to a village in Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, had lost her mother in her childhood and was forced to leave her village with her father due to an enmity there.

They moved to Mumbai where she became blind after an adverse reaction to a medicine. Her father then moved to Ghaziabad so that he could get her treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, but died of heart attack about 10 days ago.

However, to the other CWC counselor Archana Mishra, the girl said that she came here from Gorakhpur since her elder sister lived here but she didn't know her address and her phone was found switched off.

"After her different statements before the CWC counsellors, we phoned her relatives in Deoria to come to Ghaziabad. We will proceed further only after they reach here. Till then the girl will remain in CWC," said the police officer.

--IANS

sps/vd/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Air China flight was diverted on Sunday after a crew member was held hostage by a male passenger.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the man was using a pen to threaten the crew member, reports Xinhua news agency.

Flight CA1350 landed at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, Henan province, at 9.58 a.m.

"The incident was successfully dealt with and passengers and crew members are safe," the CAAC said.

The plane departed Changsha, capital of Hunan province, at 8.40 a.m. and was expected to arrive at Beijing airport at around 11 a.m.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan runs the risk of falling into a debt trap with China's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment, especially as a volatile security situation and tensions with neighbours threatens the economic viability of such projects, says Husain Haqqani, Islamabad's former envoy to the US.

In an interview with IANS, he said Pakistan, which has been using religion as an instrument of foreign policy, needed to shift its focus more to geo-economics rather than geo- and mend its ties with its neighbours, including India and Afghanistan, for the betterment of its own people.

He said Pakistan's love for conflict had cost its "somewhat a myopic foreign policy" dearly and now "ran the risk of greater international isolation unless Islamabad changes its outlook".

"Has it really brought any benefit to Pakistan? Economically, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has thrown up some opportunities -- but again, they are infrastructure projects. A port is useful when ships come there. A road is useful when trucks move on it," said Haqqani, one of the sharp-witted veterans of Pakistani who served as its ambassador in Washington from 2008 to 2011 when the ties between the two countries started souring amid tension and mistrust.

He said economic activities on these projects would only be possible when the security situation turns peaceful and "if these projects do not become economically viable, then Pakistan will face a debt trap".

Haqqani, 61, an author of four books including the latest, "Reimagining Pakistan", is better known for a controversial memo he as the Ambassador in Washington allegedly wrote, roughly a week after Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US raid, to the then US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen.

The memo, seeking US help to rein in the powerful Pakistani military, created a political storm in Islamabad and forced Haqqani to quit. He returned to Pakistan in 2011, only to leave the country a year later and has never been there again.

His latest book, published by Harper Collins, calls for "a bold re-conceptualisation" of Pakistan and dissects its origins and current failings, with suggestions for reconsidering its ideology, and identifies a new national purpose greater than the rivalry with India.

"Pakistan limited its foreign policy options by wanting parity with India, resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Even with the US, Pakistan's interaction has been always about getting economic aid and military assistance -- and leverage in relation to India," Haqqani told IANS.

Haqqani suggested that Pakistan needed to focus on the economy more than what its political and military leadership describes as an unfinished business of the subcontinent's partition.

"Pakistan has to stop thinking only in terms of geo-strategic interests. It should start also thinking in terms of geo-economics... so that it is (not) seen by the rest of world as a problem. Right now, the Pakistani view of Pakistan and the rest of the world's view of Pakistan are... too far apart."

He said Kashmir is a dipute, but both Pakistan and India needed to work together to give an opportunity to people of the state on both sides to have a more normal life than they have had.

"Pakistan's role has not benefitted people of Kashmir, even though Pakistan champions the cause of its self-determination. I think, from Pakistan's point of view, it would make sense to start saying that we want better relations with India before we can resolve any disputes and then give an opportunity to the people of Kashmir to have a better life irrespective of who is administrating their territory right now.

"Indian needs to make sure that its attitude towards Kashmiris is not punitive but rather one of respect and accommodation. Instead of trying to impose the will of the central government on Kashmir, the representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir should be allowed to work towards improvement of life in Kashmir. It should be genuine representation."

He said religion as an instrument of foreign policy has had some usefulness for Pakistan until a few years ago.

"But now (even Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran) look at their own interest and say it is all good to be brothers in Islam, but it is even better to have strong economic ties and economic relations.

"Pakistan must reimagine the foundation of its national identity and stop seeing itself as an ideological nation. Pakistan must start thinking of itself as a functional state. Some 95 per cent of Pakistan's population comprises people who are born after the partition. We are Pakistanis by birth -- and people who are born with a certain citizenship and nationality do not need an ideology to have that citizenship and nationality."

(Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in <mailto:sarwar.k@ians.in>)

--IANS

sar/vm/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during a working session in Dong Thap (Source: VNA)



During a working session with the provincial authorities on April 14th, the Party leader praised the province for gaining outstanding achievements in various fields, with a number of effective models and new practical initiatives.



He noted that economic development is a core task, Party building is a crucial task while national defence-security is a regular task.



Currently, average income per capita in Dong Thap reaches over VND36 million, lower than the countrys average of more than VND50 million so that the province needs to strive more, he said.



The leader called for attention to streamlining apparatus, strengthening ties with Cambodia, neighbouring and border localities to facilitate people-to-people exchange, and improving residential management.



He attached importance to Party building and rectification as well as fighting corruption, negative phenomena and wastefulness.



The Party chief suggested devising specific goals and breakthrough measures between now and 2020.



The provincial authorities proposed State funding for transport infrastructure, including Cao Lanh  My An and An Huu  Cao Lanh sections.



They also asked for refining regulations on extending land quota and switch to goods-based agricultural economy.



Dong Thap is one of the three localities to be chosen to pilot agricultural restructuring. After three years, local farmers and firms have gradually switched agricultural production to agricultural economy, towards building a farm produce chain that meets market demand. A number of high-tech farming models have been launched.



The province now ranks first nationwide in terms of tra fish output and third in rice production, and becomes a key hub of fruits in the region, with many being exported to demanding markets such as the US, Japan, the UK and Australia.



Community and agricultural tourism have also contributed to increasing value of farming sector and farmers income.



Dong Thap also leads the region in labour export with thousands of young workers landing jobs overseas, bringing home trillions of VND. They are also behind a number of start-up projects.



The locality is now home to 45 club houses with nearly 2,000 members with an aim to inspire farmers innovation in the spirit of self-control and mutual support.



In the morning the same day, General Secretary Trong offered incense and flowers at a relic site dedicated to Nguyen Sinh Sac  father of President Ho Chi Minh in Cao Lanh city.



Earlier on April 13th, at a working session with authorities of Tan Thuan Tay commune which was recognised as new-style rural area in late 2017, the Party chief lauded local authorities and people for their achievements over the past years.



He wished that they would continue staying united to deal with emerging issues and reap new successes.



Later, he visited Tam Que club-house, one of the two operating in the community model. Last month, it formed an organic mango farming group to bring practical benefits to local residents, which was lauded by the Party chief as effective and should be expanded to other localities.



On the occasion, he presented gifts to several outstanding households in the commune./.
Benedict Cumberbatch has raised money for cancer charity, highlighted the plight of Syrian refugees and helped children in need. But the Oscar-nominated actor says it would be strange to give up acting for charity work.

The British star, known for donating his own drawings for fundraisers, was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015 by the Queen for his services to the performing arts and to charity.

Has "The Imitation Game" actor ever thought of saying goodbye to acting and doing charity work full time?

"No. But I am very happy to use the platform to reach out to people and try and focus people's attention on worthy causes," Cumberbatch said in response to a question asked by IANS here.

"I am no expert, not a politician or a policymaker or in the field of charity work. It's very much about a reaction to something.

"My job is to be an actor. That's how I got to reach out to people. So, it would be a strange thing to give all that up for that (charity work)," added the son of actors Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton.

On the big screen also, the "Sherlock" star is part of a huge gang that will go to great lengths to save planet Earth from any threat - the latest being the mad titan Thanos in the forthcoming superhero film "Avengers: Infinity War".

Marvel Studios' 10th anniversary begins with the release of "Avengers: Infinity War", which will hit the Indian screens on April 27.

"It was too much fun to make it. It was a roller coaster ride. It has been 10 years in the making, 10 years of people's lives and 10 years of different stories. It's exciting to be counted amongst them," said the actor, who joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Strange.

Apart from having his own standalone film on the powerful sorcerer, he appeared on actor Chris Hemsworth led 2017 Marvel film "Thor: Ragnarok".

"Avengers: Infinity War" will be his first time with the rest of the Avengers, which include characters played by Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans.

"You feel like a tiny square in a huge mosaic. You know you are a small part of a bigger picture," he said.

But the preparation for his role was no different for him.

"I had absorbed whatever I had to from the films and comic books. All the heavyweight work was done by (Marvel Studios president) Kevin Feige, Joe Russo (one of the film's directors) and the team. I trust them as far as the script goes," said Cumberbatch.

(The writer's trip to Singapore is at the invitation of Disney. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at Natalia.n@Ian's.in)

--IANS

nn/rb/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Demanding the death penalty for rapists, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal continued her indefinite hunger strike for the third day on Sunday despite warnings from doctors.

"Her (Maliwal's) medical condition is not good. Doctors have advised her to break her fast but she is not giving up," a DCW official said.

She has not been eating food since Friday and is surviving on water, the official said.

While Maliwal launched the protest at the Rajghat here on Friday to protest the rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua districts, the rapes of two more minors were reported on Sunday.

By evening, the DCW Chairperson tweeted: "The police initially asked me to vacate the place. Now the DCP has come with entire police force with a false doctors' report saying my life is in danger. But I can run for 5 km. They will forcibly pick me up in the night. They are not allowing me to consult a private doctor. What is the fear @narendramodi?"

In an earlier tweet, Maliwal sought the support of political leaders, organisations and social workers saying her campaign was neither targeted against nor in favour of any individual, organisation or party. "This fast is for a society free from any exploitation of women and children. My demand is death penalty for rapists of minors within six months," she said.

Authorities in Patna said a minor girl was gang-raped around 12.30 a.m. on Sunday near the railway tracks in the heart of Bihar's capital.

"Accused Chotu Kumar and Phekan Kumar were caught by a police patrol team that heard the girl's cries for help," police officer Rama Shankar Singh said.

In Odisha, police said a four-year-old girl was raped by a youth in Balasore district. The accused, 24-year-old Nityacharan Jena, is a neighbour.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah demanded a special Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session to pass a bill to hand out capital punishment to those convicted of raping minors.

"It is only by awarding capital punishment to perpetrators of such heinous crime that incidents like Kathua rape and murder can be prevented in future," the former Chief Minister said.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has already said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon pass a bill for death sentence to those who rape minors.

--IANS

mgu-mg/tsb/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An indefinite hunger strike by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal demanding death penalty for rapists entered the third day here on Sunday even as two more minors were raped across the country.

Maliwal launched the protest at Rajghat on Friday in the wake of the horrific rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua districts.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, she said: "I will not break my anshan (fast) until the Prime Minister does not (promise) the country a better system for the safety of our daughters."

As Maliwal continued her fast in Delhi, authorities in Patna said a minor girl was gang-raped on Sunday. The incident took place at 12.30 a.m. near a railway line in the heart of Bihar's capital.

"Both the accused (Chotu Kumar and Phekan Kumar) were caught by a police patrol that heard the girl's cries for help. The girl also identified both of them," police officer Rama Shankar Singh said.

In Odisha, police said a four-year-old girl was raped by a youth in Balasore district. The accused, 24-year-old Nityacharan Jena, is a neighbour.

On Friday, when the girl was playing outside, Jena lured her to his house with chocolates and raped her, according to police. The girl has been hospitalised. Her family lodged a police complaint on Saturday.

Meanwhile in Srinagar, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah demanded a special Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session to pass a bill to hand out capital punishment to those convicted of raping minors.

"It is only by awarding capital punishment to perpetrators of such heinous crime that incidents like Kathua rape and murder can be prevented in future," the former Chief Minister said.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has already said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon pass a bill for death sentence to those who rape minors.

--IANS

som-ik-cd-sq/him/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four members of an inter-state gang of highway robbers involved in nearly three dozen incidents have been arrested, police said on Sunday.

Tinku, 20, Rahul Kumar, 24, Birender Pratap, 25, and Kamlesh Kumar, 25 -- all residents of north Delhi's Haiderpur -- robbed their victims at knifepoint after offering them a lift in their cars from south Delhi localities and the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway-8, police said.

As many as 38 mobile phones, a gold ring, seven wallets, eight ATM cards, five wrist watches, a passport, two knives and three cars were seized from their possession.

The accused were arrested on Saturday night when they were waiting to meet a contact near Max Hospital in Haiderpur to sell snatched mobile phones.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Milind Mahadeo Dumbere said that they admitted during police questioning to involvement in highway robberies at Mahipalpur, Kapasahera, Delhi Cantonment, Dhaula Kuan and the Ring Road in Dwarka.

Rahul approached commuters waiting for a lift, while the others acted as co-passengers. They drove their victims to deserted places and robbed them of cash and other valuables.

--IANS

sp/tsb/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Despite claiming to support gay rights, many straight people who live in predominantly gay neighbourhoods still practice subtle forms of discrimination when interacting with their gay and lesbian neighbours, researchers have found.

According to research published in the journal City and Community, straight people living in "gaybourhoods" interact with their gay and lesbian neighbours on the street in ways that contradict the sentiments of supporting them.

"There is a mistaken belief that marriage equality means the struggle for gay rights is over. But it is far from over. Prejudice and discrimination still exist -- it is just more subtle and difficult to detect," said Amin Ghaziani, the study's senior author from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

The researchers interviewed 53 straight people and found the majority of residents said they supported gay people.

However, their progressive attitudes were misaligned with their actions. While many residents said they did not care if people were gay or straight, some indicated that they did not like gay people who are "in your face."

When asked about resistance from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer (LGBTQ) communities to the widespread trend of straight people moving into "gaybourhoods", some of the people interviewed responded with accusations of reverse discrimination and described gay people who challenged them as "segregationist" and "hetero-phobic."

"If a group of straight women hosted a bachelorette party in a gay bar, for example, they were surprised that they felt 'unwelcome,'" added Ghaziani.

"That feeling of surprise, however, exemplifies a misguided belief that gay districts are trendy commodities when they are actually safe spaces for sexual minorities," he added.

Many expected their gay and lesbian neighbours to be happy and welcoming of straight people moving into "gaybourhoods".

Ghaziani said this argument exemplifies the fundamental misunderstanding of the inequality and discrimination that creates the need for "gaybourhoods" in the first place.

--IANS

sku/qd/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Want to appear more cool to others? Try smiling instead of showing an inexpressive attitude, suggests a research.

For many people, one of the unspoken rules for being cool is maintaining an emotionally inexpressive attitude.

But new research suggests that smiling is considered more cool than an inexpressive attitude.

"We found over and over again that people are perceived to be cooler when they smile compared to when they are inexpressive," said Caleb Warren, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona.

"Being inexpressive makes people seem unfriendly or cold rather than cool," Warren added.

To check the link between concealing emotions and coolness, appearing in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, the team asked participants to view print advertisements for a clothing brand, and the model in the ad was either smiling or not.

The participants consistently rated the smiling models as cooler than the inexpressive models.

Participants preferred the smiling pictures and participants had a less favourable impression of the brand when the models were inexpressive, Warren said.

However, it was found to be different in competitive situations.

For example, when a news article showed mixed martial arts fighters who were going to face one another at a press conference, participants rated the inexpressive athlete as more cool and dominant than a smiling athlete.

When the context changed to a friendly meeting with fans, then the participants rated the smiling fighter as cooler.

"This shows that being uncool or cool can depend on the context," Warren noted.

The findings not only have implications for advertisers who are striving to make favourable impressions with consumers, but also for people as they relate to one another.

"This inaccurate belief about how to become cool can influence the way we communicate with others, and being inexpressive can hurt relationships," Warren said.

"It also makes it more difficult to understand one another. For these reasons, being inexpressive isn't necessarily cool," he added.

--IANS

rt/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India has protested to Pakistan after it prevented a group of Sikh pilgrims from meeting the Indian diplomatic staff, the External Affairs Ministry said on Sunday.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over a block of access for visiting pilgrims to Indian diplomats and consular teams," the Ministry said in a statement.

It said around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims have been travelling to Pakistan from April 12 under a bilateral agreement on facilitating visits to religious shrines.

"A standard practice has been that the Indian High Commission's consular/protocol team is attached with visiting pilgrims, to perform consular and protocol duties, like helping out in medical or family emergencies," the statement said.

"However, this year, the consular team has been denied access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. The team could not meet the pilgrims on their arrival at Wagah railway station on April 12."

According to the statement, the Indian consular team was also denied entry into Gurdwara Panja Sahib on Saturday for a scheduled meeting with the pilgrims there.

"The High Commission was thus prevented from performing basic consular and protocol duties for Indian citizens," it stated.

On Saturday, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, who was to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib at the invitation of the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), was told to return while en route to the shrine for unspecified "security" reasons.

"The High Commissioner, who was to greet Indian pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi, was thus compelled to return without meeting Indian citizens," the statement said.

"India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against this inexplicable diplomatic discourtesy, pointing out that these incidents constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the bilateral Protocol to visit Religious Shrines, 1974 and the Code of Conduct (for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan) of 1992, recently reaffirmed by both countries."

Last month, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told the media here that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan was facing "a litany of issues" which have not been resolved for several months.

His comments came after Pakistan called back its High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, for consultations after allegations of harassment of Pakistani diplomats in India.

--IANS

ab/him/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An 22-year-old youth who was injured in clashes with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, died on Sunday at a hospital here.

Amir Lone had been battling for life at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) where he was admitted following the clashes on April 3 in Kangan town.

Hospital sources said the Lone died in the early hours of Sunday.

He belonged to the Chattergul village in Ganderbal.

Tension has once again gripped the district where normalcy had returned in the past week with markets, public transport and other businesses started functioning.

Authorities have deployed security forces and taken other precautionary measures to maintain law and order in the wake of Lone's death.

Another youth, Gowhar Ahmad Rather died on April 3 from a gunshot injury.

A special police officer (SPO) who shot Rather has been arrested.

--IANS

sq/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Sweden and England from April 16 to 20, during the course of which he will participate in the first ever India-Nordic Summit and this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), cooperation in the areas of innovation, technology and education will top his agenda.

Modi will reach Stockholm on April 16 evening in what will be the first prime ministerial visit from India to Sweden in 30 years since the visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988.

On April 17, Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven will hold a bilateral summit during which bilateral, regional and global issues are expected to figure.

According to Sweden's Ambassador to India Klas Molin, innovation is an important aspect of the India-Sweden relationship.

"How do we cooperate further, how do we get our best and the brightest people together, how do we also perhaps think about funding certain areas, how do we go into areas where we can cooperate even more and develop new technologies, create employment and sustainable solutions on a number of issues," he said.

During Modi's visit, an India-Sweden Innovation Partnership is also expected to be launched.

"I think it is something we are discussing with the Indian side but exactly how this will look, of course, will have to be finalised," the ambassador said.

"But I think it is a way of focusing our attention on both sides to create a platform that, in turn, can attract investments, that can attract companies to plug in."

With education being another sector in which the two sides are expected to forge deeper ties, Molin said "we are hoping to increase exchanges between our universities".

"Student exchanges... graduates, doctorate and post-doctorate. The sky is the limit here," he said.

On bilateral economic relations, the Ambassador said that trade is growing on both sides "and quite impressively so".

Though bilateral trade dipped to $1.9 billion in 2016-17 from $2.17 billion, both countries have set a lofty total trade target of $5 billion.

There are over 170 Swedish companies in India that have invested $1.4 billion since 2000 while 70 Indian companies have established their presence in Sweden.

On April 17, India and Sweden will also co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit, where, apart from Modi and Lofven, the Prime Ministers of the other four Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway will also be present.

Molin said that Nordic countries are close as neighbours and cooperate very closely in a number of issues.

"But we are not a political entity in that way," he said. "It's not like the EU, it's not a regional organisation in any way. It's a convenient forum."

According to Subrata Bhattacharjee, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nordic region represents a prosperous society with high incomes and a strong focus on quality and innovation."

"For India, Nordic countries are a potential source for clean technology, environmental solutions, port modernisation, cold chain, skill development, innovation etc.," Bhattacharjee said at a media briefing here in connection with the upcoming visit.

According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, India's trade with the Nordic countries totaled around $5.3 billion in 2016-17, with cumulative foreign direct investment in India at $2.5 billion.

From Sweden, Modi will leave for Britain on April 17 evening. This is the third exchange of prime ministerial visits after Modi's visit to Britain in November 2015 and British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India in November 2016, her first outside the European Union after assuming office.

At a separate media briefing here, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said the visit comes at a time when the bilateral relationship is in "very, very good health".

Modi's visit to Britain this time has been themed "Living bridge and tech partnership". Modi and May are scheduled to hold a bilateral summit on April 18.

Stating that trade between the two countries increased by 15 per cent in the last one year, Asquith said that it is "remarkably balanced" in terms of trade in goods and services.

In terms of finance, he said the London Stock Exchange is playing an increasingly important role as a place to raise money to meet India's huge infrastructure requirements.

In terms of investments, he said that while Britain is the largest investor in India among the G20 countries, India is the fourth largest investor in Britain.

"Then what will be very much a focal point is the technology partnership between the two countries," he said. "The complementaries, strengths that each of us have and they are truly complementary."

Asquith said that both sides will look into putting more resources in this sector in areas like digital aspect of technology, collaboration, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data protection and the fintech that goes with that among others.

According to K. Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary (Europe West), both sides are looking at announcing an India-UK Tech Alliance which will comprise young CEOs from both the countries who have done exceptionally well in the tech space.

In terms of cooperation in education, Asquith said that there was a 30 per cent rise in the number of student visas issued by his country to Indians last year.

Stating that 14,000 Indian students go to Britain for masters degree programme every year, he added that "we want to build on that".

Regarding this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which Modi will attend in London on April 19-20, the High Commissioner said that around 50 heads of state and government will be present.

The agenda, he said, will include climate change, vulnerability of small island nations, peacekeeping and helping poorer countries.

(Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in <mailto:aroonim.b@ians.in>)

--IANS

ab/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono called on his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday to work together towards North Korea's denuclearisation, media reports said.

Kono spoke after meeting Yi in Tokyo, a meeting noted for being the first time ever a Chinese foreign minister has visited Japan, Efe news agency reported, citing Kyodo news agency.

Kono said: "I want Japan and China to coordinate more toward our shared goal of North Korea's complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation."

Prior to the diplomatic meeting, Wang said he would brief his counterpart about the outcome of the meeting between North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and China's President Xi Jinping, in China last March.

Wang's visit marks a historic first-ever visit of a Chinese Foreign Minister to Japan and it takes place shortly before a batch of planned summits between South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, and US President Donald Trump.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is also set to visit the US next Tuesday to meet Trump and discuss North Korea's denuclearisation.

Abe and Xi are expected to exchange visits in the near future, in the first exchange of official visits since both leaders assumed their offices in 2012.

--IANS

him/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australian Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud (left)

enjoys Vietnamese beer in Ho Chi Minh City on April 13 th , 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre



As part of his busy schedule, the visiting minister stopped by a butcher shop in District 2 for lunch, where he grilled the meat by himself and had it with chilled Vietnamese-made beer.

The shop, run by a Vietnamese Australian businessman, imports more than 60 percent of its supply, mainly lamb and beef from Australia.

As he toured the store, Littleproud raised questions about the consumption and eating habits of Vietnamese people on meat products, especially western ones such as sausages and lamb.

He was surprised to know that 70% of the stores customers are foreigners, meaning local customers are not really familiar with western meat.

However, the minister was told that the number of Vietnamese buyers has also increased significantly in recent times, so has their spending on imported meat.

The Australian beef and lamb currently fetch average prices from VND500,000 (USD22) to more than VND1 million per kg, according to the store owner, Thanh Charles.

While Australian beef enjoys a zero percent import duty to Vietnam, imported lamb is subject to a three percent tariff. These tax rates are already low, Charles said, adding that it would be difficult to expect the price of Australian beef to go any lower.

In return, Vietnamese incomes are increasing rapidly and they are spending more and more, he said.

Minister Littleproud then changed his formal shirt into chef uniform and started grilling the meat himself and enjoying Vietnamese beer for lunch with members of the delegation.

Littleproud told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the trade relations between Vietnam and Australia remain strong, particularly in the agricultural sector.

The Australian Minister learns about the taste of Vietnamese consumers

in Ho Chi Minh City on April 13 th , 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre



Prior to his Ho Chi Minh City stop, Littleproud and his delegation visited Hanoi.

During a meeting with Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the capital, the two sides discussed bilateral trade in agricultural products, including exports of Vietnamese live shrimp to Australia.

The Australian guests also attended the launching ceremony of a project on slaughterhouse management training and skills exchange - domestic training component on April 13th.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh.

While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal's fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors.

He urged the Delhi High Court to inform his government about the number of fast-track courts, judges and money needed for the purpose.

"As soon as the Delhi High Court tells us, we will provide the money. We want women to remain safe in Delhi."

Maliwal launched her protest on Friday in the wake of the horrific rape incidents in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, for which a BJP MLA has been detained, and in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir where a girl was abducted, gang-raped and murdered.

Kejriwal said Maliwal wanted death penalty for rapists of minors and that their trial should get over in six months.

"In the next Delhi Assembly session we will bring amendments to the IPC and CrPC that in case of rape of a minor, the rapist must get death penalty and the trial should be completed within six months.

"In the last three years, the Delhi Assembly has brought many legislation but the Centre has not cleared a single of them."

Kejriwal said he came to Rajghat to promote the safety of women in Delhi and elsewhere in the country.

"There should be a system so that nobody dares to rape. I came here to demand a system which ensures women's safety."

He applauded Maliwal for her hunger strike. "I am not here to support her. She is fighting for our safety."

He slammed the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments and police for trying to protect the MLA accused of raping a girl in Unnao.

"What message are we giving to the people? If a BJP MLA or supporter rapes, nothing will happen to him. The whole BJP party, from top to bottom, and whole machinery will protect that person," Kejriwal said.

"In Jammu and Kashmir, an eight-year-old girl was gang-raped inside a temple. They (BJP) say they are Hindus. They are a shame on Hinduism. The rapists have defiled the temple," he added.

--IANS

gt/mr/him

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindus across Kerala celebrated Vishu or the traditional new year on Sunday and prayed for good luck and fortune for the coming year.

Before visiting temples, families began their day with the 'Vishukani darshan' or looking at deities the first thing in the morning, which is arranged the previous night.

On Vishu, the puja room is decked up with a special vessel (urali) containing cucumber, pumpkin, coconut, plantains, mangoes, pineapples, rice, grains and arecanut, which is kept in front of their favourite deities.

Bright yellow konna flowers are also kept next to the vessel.

Elders of the household first witness the 'Vishukani darshan' following which the others are brought to the puja room with their eyes closed.

Another important event of the day is the giving away of 'vishukaineetam' (gift) which is generally in the form of coins.

One of the most awaited moment of the day is the special Vishu lunch which is a 26 course vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf.

Of Kerala's 33 million population, Hindus are accounted for more than 50 per cent.

--IANS

sg/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korean Kim Jong-un leader met a Chinese delegation accompanying an art troupe visiting Pyongyang, in the latest gesture of rapprochement between the two countries following years of tension, state media reported on Sunday.

Kim met Song Tao, the head of the Communist Party of China's International Department, on Saturday, and the two exchanged "profund views on the important matters of mutual concern", Efe quoted the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying.

Song is heading a delegation that arrived in Pyongyang on Friday which includes an art troupe taking part in the April Spring Friendship Art Festival.

The festival is a part of the celebrations of the Day of the Sun, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, founder and former president of North Korea.

KCNA said the North Korean leader expressed his satisfaction at the recent improvement of bilateral relations with China.

Kim made his first visit to China in March, in a secret trip that reopened ties between the two governments after years of strained relations due to Beijing's opposition to Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme and support of international sanctions against North Korea.

During the meeting with Song, Kim also said he would "positively carry forward and develop the traditional North Korea-China friendship into a fresh phase of development" by "further strengthening of the bilateral relations", KCNA reported.

The North Korean regime is witnessing a period of intense diplomatic activity ahead of the historic summits it will hold with South Korea and the US this spring to discuss sensitive matters including denuclearization.

Kim will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 at the border between the two countries, and US President Donald Trump in May or early June at a yet-to-be determined venue.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kuwait called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to preserve international security and stability after the US launched an airstrike against Syria, an official at the Foreign Ministry of Kuwait has said.

Kuwait has followed up with deep concern the latest military operations in Syria, Xinhua reported citing the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) which quoted a ministry source as saying on Saturday.

The developments undermined the international community's efforts to reach a political solution to the seven-year bloody political conflict in Syria, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions of others homeless, the source added.

Raising alarm at this serious escalation, Kuwait called on the UNSC members to set aside their differences and to show a unified position instead, in order to shoulder their historic responsibilities of maintaining international security and stability, the source said.

Kuwait, aware of sufferings of the brotherly Syrian people and the dangers posed by the continuing conflict, has sought through its non-permanent membership at the UNSC, and in cooperation with Sweden, to adopt Resolution 2401, calling for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid for those in need in Syria, he said.

However, regretfully this resolution has not been implemented due to obstructions placed by "forces on the field," the source noted.

Earlier on Saturday, the US, in cooperation with Britain and France, attacked Syrian military facilities reportedly related to Syria's chemical weapons capabilities.

The move was to retaliate for the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian troops early the month in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Syrian government has strongly denied the allegations.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man went berserk in the Philippines' Zamboanga del Norte and hacked to death five people, including his four children, before he was shot dead by policemen, police said on Sunday.

Police said the suspect, identified as Asdal Untong, used a machete to kill the victims, all residents of Libucon village of Sirawai town in the province on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The victims were aged seven to 35 years, according to police.

Police are still investigating what triggered the suspect to go on the hacking spree.

--IANS

him/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Robert Downey Jr, best known for playing superhero Iron Man since 2008, says the creative team of Marvel Studios doesn't believe in repeating what has worked well in the past movies.

"I read in some magazine that the number one fan-voted moment was the airport fight in 'Captain America: Civil War' because there are so many superheroes at once. And now that the universe has expanded even more...

"But one thing that the creatives (of Marvel Studios) don't want to do is do a bigger repeat of something that's already worked well," Downey Jr told select media, including IANS, here on Sunday.

Without giving away much about the forthcoming Marvel movie "Avengers: Infinity War", the actor, who is hailed as the "patriarch" by his co-stars like Chris Evans, said: "The challenge this time was how to top or better or expand something without repeating something that has been executed well before. It's kind of like the anti-process.

"Usually, if something works, you keep doing that."

The star, who matched his red and black eyewear with his red, black and white outfit, admitted: "We might be making the movies, but we also are fans and critics of our own work. We try to make it better. But I think this time, we might have nailed it."

"Avengers: Infinity War", co-directed by the Russo brothers -- Anthony and Joe -- is logistically, the "most complicated movie" put together in history.

"We shut down Hollywood for a year because we had every actor working in the business scheduled somewhere in the movie," said Joe.

The forthcoming movie will see superheroes like Iron Man, Thor, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Star-Lord and Nebula up against the supervillain Thanos. But going by the film's trailers and posters, one character that is missing is Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner.

Joe said: "We did not forget the twice-nominated Renner - and those are Oscar nominations. We have a really interesting story cooked up for Hawkeye, so I would say, patience is a virtue."

Recalling the time when British actor Benedict Cumberbatch joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Dr. Stephen Strange in the 2016 film "Doctor Strange", he said: "It feels a little intimidating, to be frank. When you first step on to a set with a roster of iconic characters as well as iconic actors and then you go about doing your day's work and forget about the numbers of 18 plus films and 14 plus billion dollars."

Talking about her "weird, creepy, fun character" Nebula and her association with MCU since "Guardians of the Galaxy", actress Karen Gillan said: "I'm honoured. It's very exciting to get to be in more than one Marvel movie. I love the character that initially was a villain.

"Then we got to know her back story and started to question whether she was a villain or not."

She was so excited to be a part of MCU that she didn't mind shaving off her head.

Twenty two heroes, six infinity gems, one mad titan -- "Avengers: Infinity War" releases on April 27 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in India.

(The writer's trip to Singapore is at the invitation of Disney. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at Natalia.n@Ian's.in)

--IANS

nn/rb/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday forwarded resignations of two BJP ministers to Governor N.N. Vohra for acceptance, said informed sources.

The two ministers, Chander Prakash Ganga and Choudhary Lal Singh, sparked off controversy after participating in the Hindu Ekta Munch rally in Hiranagar that sought to protect the accused in Kathua rape and murder case.

After public outcry, the two had submitted their resignations to state unit chief Sat Sharma and in Friday's meeting of BJP legislature party, chaired by national General Secretary Ram Madhav, it was decided to forward these to the Chief Minister.

A crisis had overtaken the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition in the state over the role of these two ministers.

PDP sources said Mehbooba Mufti had made it clear to the BJP high command that unless these two ministers stepped down, she could not continue to head the coalition in the state.

--IANS

sq/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A minor girl was gang raped here on Sunday and the police have arrested two accused persons, authorities said.

The incident took place at 12.30 a.m. near a railway line adjacent to the GPO Golumber area, in the heart of Bihar's capital city.

Police Officer Rama Shankar Singh said the two accused, Chotu Kumar and Phekan Kumar, were arrested and interrogated.

"Both accused were caught by a police patrol team that heard the loud cry of the victim for help .The victim has also identified both of them," Singh said.

The victim's statement will be recorded in a court later on Sunday.

--IANS

ik/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board's General Secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani on Sunday said that Muslim personal laws were under attack since the BJP-led NDA government came to power.

Rahmani, while addressing a large gathering of Muslims at a "Din Bachao Desh Bachao"(Save religion, save country)" rally at Gandhi Maidan here, warned that Muslims would not tolerate any more attacks on their personal laws and would continue to protest against it.

Rahmani, who is also the head of the Imarat-e-Sharia, an influential Muslim body from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, said: "We waited for four years, expecting that BJP would learn to run the nation as per the constitution. But we were wrong, take for instance Muslim personal laws which are under attack.

"We are compelled to inform our countrymen that Islam and our country is in danger under the present government at the centre."

He told the gathering that if they did not wake up now, "there will not be sufficient room and chance to perform later".

"There are numerous issues on RSS' agenda which this government will attempt to execute. Following triple talaq, it will be Uniform Civil Code and also ban on Azaan through loudspeakers. There is a long list," he said.

The rally was jointly organised by the Imarat-e-Sharia and AIMPLB.

Nearly a dozen Muslim clerics and leaders addressed the rally and cautioned about the "evil design of RSS-controlled NDA government" at the centre.

They said that the central government was trying to tamper with "Sharia" (Islamic Laws).

--IANS

ik/qd/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The globally-recognized strengths of Nordic countries in areas of clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernization and cold-chains etc fit well with "our vision for Indias transformation", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday before departing on a four-day visit to Sweden and Britain April 17-20.

"The Nordic countries have globally recognized strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernization, cold-chains, skill development and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation," Modi said in his departure statement.

"Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and I will also have the opportunity to interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, innovation, skill development, smart cities, clean energy, digitization and health," he said.

On April 17, India and Sweden will jointly organize the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. This is Modi's first visit to Sweden. He would also call on King King Carl XVI Gustaf.

The next day, Modi would reach London to hold a bilateral with his British counterpart Theresa May, and take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHGM) on April 19 and 20.

He last visited Britain in November 2015.

"My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas healthcare, innovation, digitization, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," he said.

Under the theme of "Living Bridge", Modi will also meet people from various walks of life who have "enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship".

He would also call on Queen Elizabeth II, interact briefly with business leaders of the two countries, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome Britain into the International Solar Alliance as its new member.

On April 19 and 20, Modi will participate in the CHOGM where Britain which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta.

"The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small-island developing states, but also has a strong international voice for development issues.

"I am confident that these visits to Sweden and United Kingdom will be useful in enhancing our engagement with these countries," he .

--IANS

mak/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This is the worlds first A350 aircraft eyeing the iconic SkyTeam livery with Vietnam Airlines logo on the fuselage.

According to Mr Le Hong Ha, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, the unified livery demonstrates the vision and mission of Vietnam Airlines in the international integration, bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other airlines and global alliances to bring increased benefits to travellers.





Besides, the special paint scheme is also part of the carrier's ongoing effort to provide a new flying experience to passenger and continuously accomplish its goal of becoming Asia's largest aviation services provider.

After becoming a full member of SkyTeam alliance on June 10th, 2010, Vietnam Airlines has made serious efforts to implement SkyTeam's key projects in passenger service to enhance benefits to customers. Especially, passengers on Business Class and LotuSmile members are entitled to seamless priority services throughout the SkyPriority lane at check-in counters, priority boarding, immigration control, security check, and baggage collection) at not only international and domestic airports but also at other airports around the world where 20 SkyTeam alliance members are located.

Passengers also enjoy seamless connection services at all of SkyTeam's hubs worldwide and SkyTeams branded lounges on flights operated by SkyTeam members, offering diversified experiences and offering maximum comfort to customers.

Apart from new livery design, the 12th A350 also marks Vietnam Airlines success in operating the modern Airbus A350 for three consecutive years with 4-star service quality. The aircraft will be put into operation from April 15th, 2018 on the core Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh city route.

As scheduled, the last two of A350-900 out of a total of 14 are due to be delivered in 2019./.
Pakistan successfully test-fired a cruise missile with enhanced range, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said.

The indigenously developed Babur Weapon System-1 (B), which has a range of 700 km, is a low flying, terrain hugging missile that carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads, Xinhua news agency quoted an ISPR statement as saying late Saturday.

"Babur Weapon System-1 (B) incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy," it said.

Equipped with navigational technologies of Terrain Contour Matching and all time Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation, the missile can engage various type of targets with pinpoint accuracy even in the absence of GPS navigation, making it an important force multiplier for Pakistan's strategic deterrence.

Senior officials, scientists and engineers of strategic organization, which are involved in the country's missile system, witnessed the missile test on Saturday.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Director Ali Abbas Zafar says the pre-production of his upcoming film "Bharat", starring superstar Salman Khan, is on in full swing.

"We are in full flow with pre-production of 'Bharat' the film. Lots of exciting news will come your way soon," Zafar tweeted on Sunday.

This will be the director's third outing with Salman, with whom he has worked with in "Sultan" and "Tiger Zinda Hai". "Bharat" will release on Eid 2019.

The film is an official adaptation of 2014 South Korean film "Ode to My Father".

--IANS

dc/rb/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Syrian government forces launched an offensive in the Homs and Hama provinces on Sunday, after proclaiming victory in the Eastern Ghouta district on the outskirts of Damascus, according to British NGO Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR).

According to a source, the military operation is taking place along the road linking Homs to the neighbouring town of Al Salamiya in Hama province, Efe news agency reported.

"#SOHR Shelling by the regime forces target the northern countryside of #Homs and a renewed shelling targets south of #Hama," read the SOHR statement.

Other clashes between government and rebel forces are also taking place in the area of Al Hamirat, Selim, Al Amariya and Quibe al Kurdi, among other locations.

Damascus intends to advance along the road between Homs and Al Salamiya in order to secure it.

This offensive took place after Syrian armed forces confirmed on Saturday their victory in Eastern Ghouta, the former rebel bastion outside Damascus.

The Syrian Army launched its Eastern Ghouta operation towards the end of last February.

--IANS

him/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Reserve Bank of India's announcement on cryptocurrency has not only stirred the market but left both the traders and investors in a state of loss with many of them thinking of wrapping up their operations.

"This unprecedented move by the RBI has stirred the market and impacted the industry at various levels. The exchanges have witnessed a steep decline in daily trade volumes and price fall for all tokens. In addition, traders who were looking at long-term investment through crypto assets will suffer heavy losses, especially those who have made hefty investments, out of their livelihood savings," Rahul Raj, Co-Founder and CEO, Koinex, told IANS.

While Praveenkumar Vijayakumar, Founder and CEO, Belfrics Global, said the announcement is an end of the road for many Indian exchanges and a clear letdown for new investors, it is not going to have much effect on cryptocurrency transactions in the long run.

"As and when global prices advance, Indians will find their way to get these assets through p2p (peer-to-peer) markets," he told IANS.

"Nowhere it is stated that cryptos are illegal. The only thing which has been stopped is banking service. If anybody can justify the cash amount for which they buy or sell the cryptoassets, the trading goes on," Bharat Verma, CEO and co-founder, Pluto Exchange, told IANS.

Last week, the RBI, in its first bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting of this fiscal, announced that regulated entities already providing services to any individual or business dealing in digital currencies have been given three months to exit the relationship.

"The RBI has cautioned on at least three occasions members of the public and users of virtual currency regarding risks they are exposing themselves to through these cryptocurrencies," RBI Deputy Governor B.P. Kanungo said.

"We have now decided to fence RBI-regulated entities from the risk of dealing with entities associated with virtual currencies. They are required to stop having a business relationship with entities dealing with virtual currencies forthwith, and unwind the existing relationship within three months," he added.

"This move by the RBI might see an irreversible negative ripple effect across the ecosystem. So, overall, the mood in the market is dismal," said Rahul Raj.

The industry stakeholders also rued the fact that they were not consulted before RBI took its decision.

"Before taking this decision, industry participants were not consulted, public debates were not initiated and public opinion polls were not undertaken. Even the findings of the committee were not published. The world is moving towards more efficient money and technology. We currently have billions of dollars being transacted in the form of cryptocurrencies, in a much more efficient and faster way than any central bank in the world can perform," said Vijayakumar.

Belfrics stopped its cryptocurrency exchange operations in India when the banks had shut down its accounts. "Our blockchain technology division is very active in India as we serve government and private enterprises for blockchain-related consultancy and product development," he added.

Headquartered in Malaysia, the Belfrics exchange is currently active in Kenya, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia.

"This knee-jerk move by the RBI has adversely impacted the industry, but the directive has also given financial institutions a time frame to settle all the pending transactions with the exchanges. So, effectively, this time allotted can be used by traders to wisely transact on their crypto-assets. It is business as usual, at present," Rahul Raj said.

He is also apprehensive that this move by the RBI might lure traders to do under-the-table dealings or make small trade through direct cash transactions, which cannot be accounted or regulated.

"So, it might do more harm to the existing market and lead to illicit practices and black market. We are hopeful that the government will allow a dialogue to resolve this situation," he added.

But Verma is hopeful that RBI will give detailed information and guidelines by the end of June. "It appears as a positive decision in market of crypto."

Asked whether he plans to wrap up his business, Verma said: "I will wait for the right thing and right time. Going out is an option too, but any decision right now will be too early to make."

--IANS

ag/hs
Actress Swara Bhasker defended her "Veere Di Wedding" co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan against a troll who slammed the latter for marrying a Muslim and for naming her son Taimur.

Swara tweeted a photograph of Kareena holding a placard asking for the justice for the eight-year-old girl, who was gang raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

On that, a social media user wrote: "She should be ashamed of the fact that despite being a Hindu is married to a Muslim. Has a child with him and named him Taimur, after a brutal Islamic barbarian."

To this, Swara replied: "You should be ashamed you exist. That God gave you a brain which you chose to fill with hate and a mouth you chose to spew filth from. You are a shame on India and Hindus. That sh*ts like you feel emboldened to talk this crap publicly is this government's legacy."

Swara and Kareena will soon be seen together on the silver screen in the film "Veere Di Wedding". Directed by Shashank Ghosh, the film which also stars Sonam Kapoor and Shikha Talsania, will release on June 1.

--IANS

dc/rb/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Philosophers may be called "dangerous" for their ideas, can be flamboyantly idiosyncratic, but are rarely described as "the superstar messiah" of their ideology or "Elvis" of their field. But this Slovene qualifies -- for combining two "discredited" systems of thought, being polemical and provocative in political and social criticism, but yet lucid in approach and also appearing onscreen to discuss popular cinema, among other traits.

Among our time's most prominent and popular thinkers (a prolific writer translated into over 20 languages and much in demand for lectures), the bearded, burly Slavoj Zizek is most known for seeking to restore Marxism and psychoanalysis as viable systems and meld them together to offer a different view of our world.

His primary focus is on politics, which he also deals with through his eclectic "interests" -- Hollywood films from Charlie Chaplin silent comedies to more contemporary box-office hits (the "Terminator" series, "Matrix"), popular fiction (from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to to Stephen King), "high" literature (from Shakespeare to Kafka), and biogenetics, neuroscience and quantum physics.

But along with all this, he weighs in on problems of poverty, ecology, political repression and immigration, as well as contesting the view that we live in a post-ideological era, and the new order of globalisation, the end of history, or the war on terror are here for the long term. A foe of right wing and capitalism, he is no friend of liberalism or political correctness either.

Yet Zizek doesn't strike much of chord in India beyond the few votaries of various trajectories of philosophical thought, particularly those fascinated with the Central European intellectual tradition. This was evident from an informal survey among a group of professionals with rather exceptional level of cultural and literary awareness.

So, what does Zizek stand for, and why does he evoke such strong reactions of admiration, or apprehension or aversion? It would virtually impossible to condense his entire system of thought here, so lets concentrate on a few major points.

Born in Ljubljana, the capital of the then Yugoslav state of Slovenia in 1949, he grew up in the comparative freedom of the Titoist era, and was exposed to Western popular culture. As an undergraduate in the University of Ljubljana, he wasn't a very keen communist and frequently clashed with authorities, being more interested in (barely-approved) philosophical works, mostly French. While he devoted his master's thesis to them, he was made to add an appendix on how they differed from Marxist orthodoxy.

Failing to get a job, he ultimately joined the Communist Party in 1977, and was appointed to the varsity's Institute of Sociology and Philosophy -- a post he still holds. Despite all, he remains a committed Marxist, but not oblivious to its Stalinist and Maoist variants. His Marxism is more of a recognition of its economic subtext, and capacity for "emancipatory politics", not "dreams of revolutions around the corner".

Zizek also drew on the theories of Sigmund Freud as re-interpreted by French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, as well as German idealism, especially G.W.F. Hegel and the Cartesian concept of the subject.

But apart from the purely philosophy content, let's see some practical implications of his thought. However, one key element in the former is his idea of truth, where he opposes the liberal notion that it is relative.

Truth for him is not a metaphysical construct or a set of universal principles governing meaning, but "an understanding of the real power relations that control society" and the ideologies curbing social and political freedom.

On ecology, Zizek declares the present attitude -- the spiritual idea of nature -- as deeply conservative and sentimental, believing a balanced world, disturbed by humans, can be restored, instead of what is needed -- a radical approach to fight the ruthless market forces actually responsible as well as the acquiescent politicians.

The same misguided sentimentality, he argues, curbs eradication of worldwide poverty, where charity and "ethical" products represent a pure cultural capitalism which offers redemption while performing a consumerist act, and forestalls hope of an anti-capitalistic alliance between socially-conscious liberals and the radical left.

On terror, Zizek dismisses "McWorld vs Jihad" -- the perceived opposition between Western "liberalism" and Islamic "fundamentalism" -- as an American geo-strategic ploy. He also holds the concept of "clash of civilisations" is not a matter of "us vs them" but of Western interests in global affairs.

There is similar treatment of other major issues of the day, including the immigrant influx into the West, where he is also at his provocative best.

Where can we get to know Zizek more? His over 100 books in English and Slovene (and other languages), range from rather impenetrable polemic theory, academic works, and accessible essay collections, leave alone hosts of articles for academic journals, newspapers from the catalogue of US casual wear chain Abercrombie and Fitch.

Recommended "general" books are "Living in the End Times" (2010), "Refugees, Terror and Other Troubles with the Neighbours: Against the Double Blackmail" (2016) and "The Courage of Hopelessness" (2017).

If you want to know what some iconic Hollywood films really depict, check out his documentaries, "The Pervert's Guide to Cinema" (2006) and its sequel "The Pervert's Guide to Ideology" (2012).

Both options are rewarding.

(Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in <mailto:vikas.d@ians.in>)

--IANS

vd/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump has talked with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May on phone over the three nations' collective strikes on Syria.

According to the White House, Trump and Macron affirmed in the call on Saturday that the joint airstrikes were "successful and necessary" to deter Syria from any further use of chemical weapons, Xinhua news agency reported.

They also discussed the need to reinvigorate multinational stabilization efforts in Syria to ensure the long-term defeat of Islamic State (IS).

In a separate call, Trump thanked May for her support of the strikes.

They also said the airstrikes in Syria in response to the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma on April 7 were successful and necessary to deter the further use of these weapons.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump hailed the "perfectly executed strike" of the three western nations on Syria, noting "Mission Accomplished!" in his tweet.

He also thanked France and Britain for their joining in the strike with the United States with "Fine Military," saying the strikes "could not have had a better result."

Trump on Friday ordered precise strikes against Syrian military facilities with Britain and France in a coordinated action.

US defence chief James Mattis said later that "right now, this is a one-time shot," rejecting to rule out further strikes against Syria.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed concern over the US-led strike in Syria, and called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law on the issue.

The trilateral operations came with questionable legitimacy due to the lacking of proof that could show Syrian government behind the chemical attack, and has been widely criticised by Syria, Russia and Iran, among other nations.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US Energy Secretary Rick Perry is arriving here on Monday to hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart Dharmendra Pradhan on enhancing energy cooperation.

His visit comes on the heels of the conclusion of the 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) ministerial here on Thursday that returned to India after a gap of 22 years and which was attended by the US Under Secretary of Energy.

According to a US Department of Energy statement issued in Washington, "the trip will conclude with the inaugural Strategic Energy Partnership meeting co-chaired by Secretary Perry and India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan."

In the backdrop of the shale oil and gas "revolution" in the US, the Indo-American energy cooperation has been growing in the last few years.

The first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from the US, from the state of Texas, reached India last month to provide a thrust to the country's move towards a gas economy.

Earlier, the first oil shipment from America had also landed in Odisha.

State-run gas utility GAIL India has signed a long-term contract to buy 3.5 million tonne of LNG per year for 20 years from Cheniere Energy of the US and has also booked capacity for another 2.3 million tonne at Dominion Energy's Cove Point liquefaction plant.

In this connection, The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has lauded the launch of the Strategic Energy Partnership.

"Energy is an increasingly central pillar of the US-India commercial and strategic relationship. Opportunities exist not only in oil and gas, but in renewable energy, civil nuclear, infrastructure, efficiency, and technologies such as energy storage and smart grids," a USIBC statement said here.

"USIBC member companies participating in the delegation during Secretary Perry's visit to India include Westinghouse and ExxonMobil," it added.

--IANS

bc/nks/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US Defence Department has said airstrikes on Syria had struck all of their targets and none of the coalition's planes or ship-launched missiles had been intercepted by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White and US Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. made the remarks during a news briefing on Saturday, describing an early Saturday morning operation carried out jointly by the US, UK and France in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack last weekend on a then-rebel-held town near Damascus, Efe news reported.

"This operation was carefully orchestrated and methodically planned to minimize potential collateral damage... We successfully hit every target," White said.

She said that unlike the airstrikes carried out in April 2017 against Assad, when the US targeted Syria's Shayrat Airbase in Homs in retaliation for a chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun, a town in the northwestern province of Idlib, the latest airstrikes were aimed at neutralizing chemical weapons research and development facilities.

"This operation does not represent a change in US policy, nor an attempt to depose the Syrian regime. These strikes were a justified, legitimate and proportionate response to the Syrian regime's continued use of chemical weapons on its own people," White said.

For his part, McKenzie said three facilities that "were fundamental components of the regime's chemical weapons warfare infrastructure" had been targeted.

The US Defense Department said in an earlier news release that the first airstrike targeted a scientific research center in the greater Damascus area that was being used to research, develop, produce and test chemical and biological agents. McKenzie said 76 missiles were used in that strike.

It said a second airstrike by the US and its allies destroyed a warehouse west of the western city of Homs, where Assad's government was storing its main reserves of sarin gas, one of the substances purportedly used in the alleged chemical attacks.

A third airstrike targeted a storage site for chemical weapons equipment and a command post, both of which also were located near Homs.

"None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses, and we have no indication that Russian air defense systems were deployed," McKenzie said.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday morning thanked France and the UK for their participation in the airstrikes against positions of Assad's government, which has been engaged in a seven-year-old civil war against rebel groups and is backed by Russia and Shia militias.

"A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!" Donald Trump wrote on Twitter.

The airstrikes were carried out in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack on April 7 by Syrian government forces on the then-rebel-held town of Douma, located in the Eastern Ghouta region just east of Damascus.

More than 43 people who showed "signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals" died in Douma, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring group, said in a statement on Saturday that Syrian government troops and their allies had taken-up positions inside Douma and now have complete control over the area.

Syria and Russia deny that any chemical attack occurred and say the incident was staged by foreign intelligence services so it could be used as a pretext for military action against Assad.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US Vice President Mike Pence has said he was "very hopeful" that a deal could be reached "within the next several weeks" in the renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, Canada and the US.

After meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas taking place in Lima, Pence told reporters on Saturday he would leave the summit "very hopeful that we are very close" to a deal, Efe news reported.

During his meeting with Pence, Pena Nieto urged for the relationship between Mexico and the US to be based on "mutual respect."

"The goal of this meeting is not only to address the issue of NAFTA, but also to talk about the bilateral relationship, which should continue to be based on cooperation and mutual respect," Pena Nieto said.

Pence said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Mexican president, although he made no reference to Pena Nieto's call for "mutual respect".

The US Vice President said the topic of funding for the border wall did not come up in the meeting, while acknowledging that the two countries have differences.

Pence said the two countries were close to reaching agreements on issues such as immigration, combating drugs and NAFTA.

This comes two months after an attempt to schedule a meeting in Washington between Pena Nieto and the US president was called off due to Trump's harsh rhetoric regarding NAFTA and immigration.

Pence also met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to talk about the renegotiation of NAFTA.

"We think we're close. We are encouraged with the progress of our negotiations, and we are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation," Pence said,

Trudeau also said the NAFTA talks had reached a "positive momentum".

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, alongside representatives of ministries, branches and central agencies and representatives of real estate companies. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and head of the PCC's Communication and Education Commission, Vo Van Thuong, sent a bouquet of flowers to the event.

Addressing the event, on behalf of the Government and the Prime Minister, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung congratulated the winners, while highly appreciating the plan to hold the Vietnam National Property Awards.

Meanwhile, he also asked the Ministry of Construction and the related ministries and branches to review and perfect the policies and legal framework on housing, land and planning, as well as tax and financial policies, real estate business activities in the direction of transparency and simplifying administrative procedures, and creating a favorable business environment for people and businesses.

The Vietnam National Property Awards aims to honour outstanding individuals, organisations and projects that have contributed to the rapid, sustainable and transparent development of the realty market amidst industrialisation, modernisation and integration, thereby encouraging domestic property firms to improve their competitiveness and trademarks to meet international practices.

Participants competed in eight categories, including prestigious real estate developer, largest urban area, best resort development, best office building for rent and shopping malls, best residential area, best green building, best real estate transaction floor and best social housing project.
Myanmar boasts of an interesting melange of great traditional cuisines -- ranging from Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Cambodian and even Western influences. It's time to explore this very fascinating combination at an ongoing food festival here.

The "Myanmar Food Festival" is on at Honk, Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, till April 22. The menu has been set by Myanmarese Chef Htun Htun Naing, who has been specially flown to India to bring authentic flavours of the delicacies of Myanmar.

The chef has curated an exquisite menu and gastronomic creations that will tantalise your taste buds.

Traditional delicacies from the menu include ginger poached chicken, charcoal grilled eggplant and lemon prawn, also known as anyarka-yan-thee thoke, lemongrass coconut emulsion, curry lobster ravioli and Yangon crispy pork belly, among a wide range.

It is Naing's first time to India. He said out of the most famous Indian dishes that he has tried is chicken biryani which was "so spicy".

"It was so hot and spicy. I can't explain. In comparison with the Indian cuisine, our cuisine is very simple."

"People who love spicy... it's not that interesting for them; but for those who are not so fond of spicy food, this kind of food caters to their tongues well," Naing told IANS.

"(In Myanmarese cuisine,) there is a similarity with Indian and Chinese, of course, but it is not much like that of Thailand though. I have tried to make it specially for Indians without losing the authentic flavours," he added.

The a la carte menu very interestingly juxtaposes the name of every dish with the name of the city it has originated in. Quite naturally, different courses have been paired with different varieties of wines -- the first one being champagne.

So what's cooking?

I started my meal with a-thoke, or ginger poached chicken, a dish from Myanmar's second-largest city and the last royal capital -- Mandalay.

A thoke can be simply described as thick rice noodle salad with chickpea flour, chicken, onions, coriander, crushed dried chilli, dressed with fried crispy onion oil, fish sauce and lime.

The meat had an unusual aroma. The raw smelling chicken went just okay with the flavour of ginger and the topping of glass noodles. It didn't impress me all that much.

All might not have been well in the beginning, but the rest of the courses were to look forward to.

For those who eat other meats, the menu offers a prawns dish -- anyar ka-yan-thee thoke from central Myanmar. Up next was the traditional lentil soup with noodle from the Ayeyarwady region.

The soup was quite bland and that is perhaps why the chef chose to serve it with chilly flakes. I had to add at least two teaspoons of it to satisfy my Indian tongue. The result was surprisingly great. It was, in fact, quite enjoyable.

Mains from the sea, as the menu described it, should naturally be a delight for sea-food lovers. Curry lobster ravioli is the chef's favourite.

I opted for a dish from the land -- Myanmar chicken curry, with potato and coconut cream, had a good aroma. You can choose between fragrant rice and Shan noodles to accompany the curry.

The chef was kind enough to give me both. The noodles had a sweet and sour topping of crushed tomatoes with nice tangy flavours -- absolutely delicious!

The final course -- dessert -- had something unusual to offer: Sticky rice/coconut cream with fresh mango and mango sorbet.

This weird combination of mango and rice in dessert was unimaginable; thus, I was quite sceptical despite that it was visually quite appetising.

Once I tasted it, one bite was not enough. The combo went just fine.

FAQs:

What: Myanmar Food Festival

Where: Honk, Pullman Hotel, Delhi Aerocity, till April 22

Timings: 7 pm to 12 pm

Cost for two: Rs 3,500 (Without alcohol)

(Mudita Girotra was at the Honk at its invitation. She can be contacted at mudita.g@ians.in <mailto:mudita.g@ians.in>)

--IANS

mg/vm/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sumanth Paul (name changed), 22, passed away in 2013 in an accident. But his family continues to run his Facebook account. As the legacy contact, his brother has access to it. Pauls family posted about funeral services in his account for his friends and colleagues. Family and friends still leave condolences and record memories, on his Facebook Wall. In a memorialised account, the word remembering appears alongside the persons name.

Like physical possessions, all the digital content that we create during our lifetime also has some value. Have you decided what will happen to your social networking accounts and your digital possessions when you are no more? Like your other worldly possessions, you should try to pass on your digital property also to someone in a planned manner.

If you dont take the necessary steps, most of these sites wont share the contents with your relatives, as doing so violates their terms of service. If an individual passes away without giving access to caccount details, the only way has the legacy contact family can obtain access is by approaching a court, and that can be a tedious process, says Pavan Duggal, an advocate who specialises in cyber laws. Duggal has witnessed many cases where friends and family members of the deceased have had to fight to get access to their online accounts. Most major services such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, etc allow you to either designate a person in advance to manage your account after you, or to specify what should happen to it after your lifetime.

Facebook: You can permanently delete your account or you can memorialise it. You need to appoint a legacy contact to look after your memorialised account. A legacy contact is a person who looks after the account if its memorialised. Once an account is memorialised, the legacy contact will have limited access to it. The person can share posts, change the profile picture and respond to new friend requests. He can also request for removal of the account. This practice has become quite popular in India, where family, relatives and friends post a tribute or share funeral plans.

It works on similar principles as Facebook. Family members or friends can request Instagram to memorialise or delete the account.

Twitter: In the event of a users death, Twitter accepts a request only from a verified immediate family member to deactivate the account. The family member needs to provide proof of identity, information about the deceased, and a copy of the deceaseds death certificate. Twitter doesnt provide access to the account to anyone.

LinkedIn and Pinterest (a visual discovery network) have similar policies as Twitter. When notified of a users death, they delete the account after receiving all the necessary documents proving the persons death.

Microsoft: Its accounts include MSN, Live, Outlook, and Hotmail. It lets its users choose in advance either to close the account or keep it active. By providing legal proof (subpoena or court order), family members can get access to the account of the deceased user.

Google: Your Google accounts would include Gmail, Google+, and YouTube. It lets its users make arrangements in advance regarding what happens to their data and their accounts after their death. Firstly, it asks you to fix a time frame of three to eighteen months.

After this waiting period ends, the account turns inactive. Thereafter, you can choose to have it deleted or you can share the information therein with select people. You can choose up to 10 people who will be notified about your account turning inactive. Depending on what you choose to share, they will get access to your data. You can also choose to delete your account. This will happen three months after it turns inactive. In case you delete an account, publicly shared data such as YouTube videos, blogs and posts in Google+ will also get deleted.

Besides having a variety of digital accounts, we also create a lot of digital assets in our lifetimes. We generate blog posts, online publications, podcasts, online videos and audio recordings all the time. All this digital output is an individuals intellectual property. We need to plan how to dispose of or pass on all this content to someone after us.

If a person doesnt share his or digital account details before he dies, the only option the family will have is to move court to recover the data. Service providers demand a courts succession certificate to let a legal heir access the deceaseds accounts. Getting a succession certificate takes a lot of time and can cause hassles to the family. Lawyers suggest that the best way to handle digital assets is to create a Will for them, just as you would for your physical assets. You can mention your digital assets either in a physical Will, or you can create a digital Will, where you mention to whom your digital assets are to be bequeathed. A digital Will is similar to a physical Will, except that it carries a digital signature. This means that the family doesnt have to worry about complications such as signature mismatch. You can get a digital Will created for your digital assets by your lawyer. Says Duggal: We create an inventory of all the digital assets of an individual, and then depending on what the executor wants, it is bequeathed to the intended person. The digital Will is signed off with the digital signature of the executor which wont be challenged in the future, unlike physical signatures. The digital signature has been granted legality under the IT Act.

Details mentioned in the Will are stored securely in an encrypted format or in a bank locker. Mentioning your digital assets in a Will helps determine which of your accounts should survive and which should be erased. Like Googles Inactive Account Manager, we ask clients to designate in the Will the people who will get access to their digital accounts. They can also leave their passwords in a sealed envelope with a person they trust or open a digital locker and store these passwords. They can designate a trusted person to operate the locker after their demise, says Sandeep Nerlekar, founder & CEO, Terentia, a succession planning firm. For your family to get access to your electronic devices, either share your passwords with them or keep your devices backed up regularly through an online backup account, so that your family can access the content.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister will observe a day-long hunger strike here on his birthday, April 20, in protest against the Centre's non-cooperation towards the state.

During an event to mark Ambedkar Jayanti in Guntur district, the Chief Minister unveiled the designs of 'Ambedkar Smriti Van' to be built in Amravati spreading over 20 acres with a cost of Rs 1 billion.

While addressing the gathering, he announced that he will sit on fast on his birthday i.e., April 20 as part of his fight over the central government demanding to fulfil assurances made in Rajya Sabha including Special Category Status and provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.



He even accused the prime minister of the washout of the Parliament.



"April 20 is my birthday and on that day I will sit on hunger strike from dusk till dawn. A few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also observed a hunger strike for the washout of the parliament session, but in reality, he is the reason for the non-functioning of the Parliament," he added.

The Chief Minister made it clear that he will not compromise on securing interests of the state. The Chief Minister said that a huge public meeting will be organised in Tirupati on April 30 with the theme 'Let us save the state from betrayal and conspiracies'.

He appealed to the people of Andhra Pradesh to give the TDP all 25 MP seats to play a crucial role at the Centre. The Chief Minister added that he is fighting against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also said, ''Prime Minister Modi is junior to me in I became Chief Minister in 1995 whereas Prime Minister Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2002."

Naidu appealed to everyone to cooperate on his one day fasting on April 20. He reminded that four years back, Narendra Modi as a Prime Ministerial candidate promised Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh at the abode of Lord Balaji in Tirupati.

"It is very unjust to not implement that promise. We want to remind the nation of his promises which is why a huge public meeting will be organised on April 30in Tirupati", he said.

The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been demanding SCS for Andhra Pradesh, which was promised by the Center during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

Ahead of the 2014 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forged an alliance with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with the promise to grant the status to the state.

The Andhra ruling party and the BJP-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget.

The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of the status to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges.

On March 16, the ruling TDP reached a deadlock with BJP over this issue and ultimately quit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition.
Dalit leader was on Sunday stopped at Jaipur International Airport, police said.

The administration of Nagaur, where Mevani had a rally, had restricted his visit and the police stopped the Gujarat MLA at the airport to inform him about the order, they said.

After Mevani was stopped at the airport, he took to Twitter to say that he only wanted to talk about the Indian Constitution.

"Immediately after I landed at Jaipur airport, few cops made me sign a letter saying MLA Jignesh Mevani's entry is restricted in entire Nagaur district of Rajasthan. I was going there to talk about Indian constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar," he tweeted.

In another tweet, he said, "Now the police is saying you are not allowed to move around even in Jaipur and they are forcing me to fly back to Ahmedabad and also not allowing to hold even a press conference...this is shocking."



The police said Mevani was restricted from moving around in Jaipur because of the prohibitory order under section 144 of the CrPC which was in effect in the district after the violence during the 'Bharat bandh' on March 2.

"We are providing him Nagaur district administration's order and (telling him about the) imposition of section 144 in Jaipur after which he is free to travel anywhere," DCP Jaipur East Kunwar Rashtradeep said.

"He was neither detained nor arrested by the police," said Rashtradeep.
Government procurement agencies and traders in Haryana have purchased about 24.01 lakh metric tonnes of wheat that have arrived in the mandis till yesterday during the current season.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said the procurement process was running smoothly in the mandis.

Giving details of the wheat procured by government agencies, he said 6.59 lakh metric tonnes of wheat procured by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, whereas Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) purchased 8.66 lakh metric tonnes.

The spokesperson said Food Corporation of India has purchased over 3.58 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and Haryana Warehousing Corporation has bought over 5.16 lakh metric tonnes of wheat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)